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[08/22/25 - 11:06 PM]
Development Update: Week of August 18-22
By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC) |
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LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- The latest development news, culled from recent wire reports:
Looking to keep track of all the various projects in development? Click here to visit our signature "Devwatch" section. There visitors can view our listings by network, genre, studio and even development stage (ordered to pilot, cast-contingent, script, etc.). It's updated every day!
ADVOCATE, THE (ABC, New!) - Tawnya Bhattacharya and Ali Laventhol have sold a legal drama to the Alphabet: "The Advocate is a character-driven legal procedural centered around a brilliant, ruthless attorney who abruptly walks away from her high-powered job to open a small firm after a traumatic brain injury radically alters her personality." Isaac Aptaker, Elizabeth Berger, and Scott Morgan of The Walk-Up Company will also executive produce for 20th Television. (Deadline.com, 8/22)
BLADE RUNNER 2099 (Amazon) - The long-in-the-works "limited series followup to the 2017 movie sequel Blade Runner 2049" is now targeted for a 2026 launch. (Deadline.com, 8/22)
COLIN KAEPERNICK DOCUMENTARY SERIES (ESPN) - Spike Lee's planned documentary series on ex-NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick has been shuttered by the network. "ESPN, Colin Kaepernick and Spike Lee have collectively decided to no longer proceed with this project as a result of certain creative differences," ESPN said in a statement. "Despite not reaching finality, we appreciate all the hard work and collaboration that went into this film." (Deadline.com, 8/18)
DEXTER: ORIGINAL SIN/DEXTER: RESURRECTION (Showtime) - The "Dexter" prequel series' second season is no longer moving forward; while a writers' room for a proposed second season of the sequel series is set to open imminently. (Variety.com, 8/22)
FAITHFUL, THE (FOX) - The biblical limited series has cast Alexa Davalos as Rebekah, "bold, compassionate, and courageous, she's tested in every imaginable way after a conversation with God sets her on an irreversible path"; Tom Mison as Isaac, "burdened by an inheritance he didn't ask for and haunted by a faith he both fears and yearns to understand"; Tom Payne as Jacob, "a survivor and a strategist who, mired by his position as the second-born son, learns to rely on cunning and determination for the blessing he seeks"; and Ben Robson as Esau, "a hunter and a warrior who carries the weight of expectation placed on the firstborn son." (Deadline.com, 8/21)
GOLDEN BACHELOR, THE (ABC) - Former franchise staple Jason Ehrlich has joined the spin-off as a consulting producer. (Deadline.com, 8/18)
HARRY POTTER LIVE-ACTION SERIES (HBO) - The new adaptation has cast Tristan Harland as Fred Weasley, Gabriel Harland as George Weasley, Ruari Spooner as Percy Weasley; and Gracie Cochrane as Ginny Weasley. (Deadline.com, 8/19)
JOSEPH OF EGYPT (Amazon) - Omid Abtahi will recur on the eight-episode biblical drama as Ankuh. (Deadline.com, 8/20)
KATABASIS (Amazon, New!) - Angela Kang is spearheading a small screen take on R.F. Kuang's new fantasy novel for Amazon MGM Studios: "Kuang's "Katabasis" is a fantastical academic satire that follows Alice Law, a graduate student studying Magick at Cambridge University, as she descends into the underworld to retrieve her deceased advisor, Professor Grimes, in order to get his recommendation to secure her future after graduation. Alice's academic rival, Peter Murdoch, decides to join her, and together they embark on a journey through the courts of Hell in search of Grimes." Kang, Kuang, Kang & Co.'s Mandy Safavi, Ben Smith, and Jeffrey Weiner are the executive producers; with Adam Docksey as a co-executive producer for Captivate Entertainment. (Variety.com, 8/20)
NCIS (CBS) - Nancy Travis will drop by the show's two-part season premiere as Navy Vice Admiral Harriet Parker, "the sister of Gary Cole's Special Agent Alden Parker. When Alden and Harriet are reunited as adults, in the wake of their father Roman's recent murder, fans will quickly discover that their childhood dynamic is still alive and well. But while their sniping might make for good TV, it's also sure to complicate their respective jobs." (TVLine.com, 8/21)
PENGUIN, THE (HBO) - Creator Lauren LeFranc has signed a two-year overall deal with HBO and HBO Max. There she'll develop series projects via her newly launched banner, Acid and Tender Productions. (Variety.com, 8/19)
PERFECT COUPLE, THE (Netflix) - Joanna Calo has exited the proposed second season as showrunner. (Deadline.com, 8/19)
PITT, THE (HBO Max) - Zack Morris will recur on the second season as Jackson Davis, "a patient brought to the ED after an uncontrollable outburst in the college library." (Deadline.com, 8/21)
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (Netflix) - The Jane Austen adaptation has added Jasmine Blackborow as Charlotte Lucas, "the closest friend of lead character Elizabeth Bennet, played by Emma Corrin." (Deadline.com, 8/18)
SHARDS, THE (FX) - Hayes Warner has been cast in the Bret Easton Ellis adaptation as Debbie Shaffer, "a rich prep school girl with the right connects." (Deadline.com, 8/22)
SHIFTING GEARS (ABC) - "Home Improvement" alums Patricia Richardson, Richard Karn, and Debbe Dunning will reunite with Tim Allen on the show's season premiere. (Deadline.com, 8/19)
STRANGER THINGS (Netflix) - Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer have signed "a wide-ranging four-year, exclusive deal for feature films, television, and streaming projects" with Paramount Skydance Corporation. The pact will start at the end of their current Netflix deal in April 2026. The duo, via their Upside Down Pictures banner, however will continue to oversee their active projects at the streamer. (Deadline.com, 8/19)
SUMMER OF SONGBIRDS, THE (Hulu, New!) - Brennan Peters is looking to bring Kristy Woodson Harvey's novel to the small screen at the streamer: "The Summer of Songbirds is a story about the power of forged family - the family we choose, the family we fight to keep, again and again. It revolves around three girlfriends and their unbreakable bond forged in their childhood summers spent in North Carolina. Now in their 30s, each grappling with the harsh realities of adulthood, they're forced to confront secrets and betrayals from both the past and present that threaten to unravel their chosen family." Aaron Kaplan will executive produce alongside Peters and Harvey for Kapital Entertainment and 20th Television. Tiffany Przybyla Wong and Jaiden Kaplan co-executive produce. (Deadline.com, 8/19)
TRUE DETECTIVE (HBO) - Oscar winner Nicolas Cage is in talks to topline the fifth season of the anthology series. (Deadline.com, 8/21)
UNTITLED DAN FOGELMAN NFL SERIES (Hulu) - Mandy Moore has signed onto the series from the "This Is Us" creator as Lauren, "the daughter of NFL team owner Hank Durkin (William H. Macy) and his heir apparent." (Deadline.com, 8/18)
UNTITLED MIKE EPPS PROJECT (CBS, New!) - Mike Epps is attached to star in a multi-camera comedy at the network: "In the untitled half-hour, after wildfires sweep through Altadena, two estranged Black brothers - one played by Epps - reunite to sell their late grandmother's house to private developers. But when they learn her caretaker now owns part of the home and refuses to sell, they're forced to live together and confront their differences - and what community, legacy, and family really mean." Khalabo Ink Society's Kenya Barris is behind the half-hour for BET Studios and CBS Studios with Epps, Niles Kirchner, and Kapital Entertainment's Aaron Kaplan also executive producing. (Deadline.com, 8/19)
VARNELL HILL (BET+) - Kym Whitley will star opposite Tommy Davidson on the eight-episode "Martin" spin-off as Kim Jones, "Varnell's (Davidson) longtime assistant, emotional bodyguard, professional fixer, and the talk show's unofficial executive producer." (Deadline.com, 8/20)
WOLFENSTEIN (Amazon) - Creator Patrick Somerville has signed a two-year television overall deal with producer Amazon MGM Studios. He'll continue to develop new projects alongside Stephanie Jacob-Goldman via their chaoticgood.tv banner. (Variety.com, 8/20)
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[08/04/26 - 09:40 AM]
Hulu Greenlights Season 3 of Hit Australian Original Series "The Artful Dodger"
The high-octane Season 3 will be packed with more grit, bigger heists and bolder hijinks when it premieres on Hulu in the U.S.
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[08/04/26 - 09:04 AM]
Third and Final Season of Paramount+ Original Comedy Series "Colin from Accounts" to Premiere September 10
All episodes of the highly anticipated new season will be available to stream at premiere, exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S.
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[08/04/26 - 09:01 AM]
First Look at "Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story," September 17th on Netflix
The new installment will follow the series' first female "monster," played by Ella Beatty alongside Vicky Krieps as Bridget Sullivan, Rebecca Hall as Abby Borden, and Charlie Hunnam as Andrew Borden.
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[08/04/26 - 08:47 AM]
Viola Davis to Star in and Executive Produce Paramount+ Original Series, "Ascent"
"Ascent" is a character-driven thriller set in the dangerous world of global corporate crisis and damage control.
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[08/04/26 - 08:18 AM]
Video: "Here the Whole Time" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Felipe just wanted a quiet summer with his artsy mom and every musical he could binge... when his childhood crush knocked on his door to join the party.
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[08/04/26 - 08:18 AM]
FOX Sports Unveils 2026 NFL Broadcast Lineup Boasting Super Bowl Champs, Hall of Famers and Emmy Award Winners
FOX NFL's lead announce team of award-winning play-by-play announcer Kevin Burkhardt and seven-time Super Bowl champion and critically acclaimed analyst Tom Brady embark on their third season together.
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[08/04/26 - 08:15 AM]
Video: Date, Trailer & Key Art Debut - Hulu's "The Girls: A Khloe Kardashian Project"
The series premieres with all six episodes on August 21 on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the U.S. and Disney+ internationally.
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[08/04/26 - 08:06 AM]
Video: "Honest Renovations" Season 4 - Official Trailer - The Roku Channel
They're back! Join Jessica Alba and Lizzy Mathis as they transform the homes and lives of deserving families.
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[08/04/26 - 08:03 AM]
BritBox Reveals Additional Casting for Upcoming Agatha Christie Adaptation "Hercule"
The upcoming six-part drama series stars Edward Bluemel as Agatha Christie's iconic Belgian detective.
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[08/04/26 - 07:34 AM]
ESPN Unveils 2026-27 College Football Commentator Teams
Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit and reporter Holly Rowe will again serve as the lead team on ABC and ESPN.
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[08/04/26 - 07:02 AM]
From Studio to Stadium: NBC's "Sunday Night Football" Show Open Stars Carrie Underwood for 14th Consecutive Year
In the latest evolution of "SNF's" show opens since 2013, the year of Underwood's debut, this year's edition features scenes in three distinct locations - the recording studio, an intimate setting in a small music venue, and a concert performance in a packed stadium.
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[08/04/26 - 05:01 AM]
"This Summer Will Be Different" Starts Production on Prince Edward Island
Netflix also announced new recurring cast, including Jordan Rodrigues as Miles Lam, Jude Wilson as Zach, Natalie Brown as Christine, James Tupper as Ken, Tom Barnett as Peter and Celia Owen as Joy.
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[08/04/26 - 12:01 AM]
Video: "Blood Sacrifice" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Following the brutal murder of two police officers, a tenacious detective reluctantly joins forces with his estranged ex-cop father to catch the killer.
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[08/03/26 - 08:01 PM]
Video: "Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Hathaway Noa leads a rebel group in a fight against the corrupt Earth Federation government. But when he meets a mysterious woman, his resolve is tested.
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[08/03/26 - 05:06 PM]
Video: "Made in Korea" - Season 2 Teaser Trailer - Hulu
Nine years after Season 1, Baek Kitae (Hyun Bin) stands at the height of his power, while Jang Geonyoung (Jung Woosung) is preparing to strike back.
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