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[08/29/25 - 11:33 PM]
Development Update: Week of August 25-29
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!
AMERICAN HOSTAGE (MGM+) - Mireille Enos will star opposite Jon Hamm in the period drama as Barbara, Fred's wife, who is "formidable in her own right, intelligent and perceptive. Throughout the crisis, her burgeoning friendship with the hostage's wife, challenges Barb's usual sense of propriety and self-containment. Barbara has lived with a newsman long enough to know that breaking news trumps all else, but this story is different, revealing things about Fred, their private lives, and assumptions about herself that she's never questioned before." (Deadline.com, 8/27)
ANNA PIGEON (USA Network) - Kim Coates has been cast in the upcoming drama as Jeremiah Paulson, "a wealthy landowner not afraid to break the rules." (Deadline.com, 8/26)
BAD MONKEY (Apple TV+) - John Malkovich has joined the cast of the show's second season as Spencer, "the head of a major South Florida criminal organization." (Deadline.com, 8/27)
BAD THOUGHTS/BALLARD/COMEBACK, THE/GOLF/GROUP CHAT/NCIS: ORIGINS/PRESUMED INNOCENT/STUART FAILS THE SAVE THE UNIVERSE/STUDIO, THE/SWAT: EXILES/UNTITLED AMERICAN HISTORY SKETCH COMEDY/UNTITLED DAN FOGELMAN NFL SERIES (Various) - The 12 aforementioned TV projects are among those to receive the first round of California's $750 million tax incentives program. Among them is "Ballard," which has yet to be renewed for a second season. (Deadline.com, 8/27)
BLOSSOM (REBOOT SERIES) (New!) - Star Mayim Bialik has revealed "the long-gestating Disney reboot of '90s sitcom Blossom is no longer moving forward." Original creator Don Reo penned the proposed pilot script. (Deadline.com, 8/25)
BOOTS (Netflix) - Sony Pictures Television has picked up the options on cast members Miles Heizer, Liam Oh, Kieron Moore, Dominic Goodman, Angus O'Brien, Blake Burt, and Rico Paris of the long-in-the-works drama. Said options were set to expire on August 30, in advance of its premiere on October 9. (Deadline.com, 8/29)
BROTHERS PROJECT, THE (Netflix, New!) - Matthew McConaughey and Cole Hauser are attached to star in a new drama from Nic Pizzolatto at the streamer in which the duo play brothers. No other plot details or auspices were given. Skydance Sports is producing. (THR.com, 8/25)
CHICAGO MED (NBC) - Original cast member Marlyne Barrett, was plays Maggie Lockwood, is departing the series after 10 seasons. Additionally, fellow original cast member Nick Gehlfuss (who also announced his departure from the series) will return as Will Halstead in a guest-starring role. (Deadline.com, 8/28)
DOROTHY (Amazon, New!) - Gina Matthews is developing a new drama at the streamer: "The series is a contemporary, music-infused YA retelling of Wizard of Oz based on L. Frank Baum's books using the Yellow Brick Road as a metaphor for the challenges and choices facing young adults today." Gwen Stefani, Lucky Horseshoe's Blake Shelton and Lee Metzger, and Little Engine's Grant Scharbo, as well as Patrick Moran are also on board to executive produce. (Deadline.com, 8/26)
DUTTON RANCH, THE (A.K.A. UNTITLED YELLOWSTONE SPIN-OFF PROJECT) (Paramount+) - Annette Bening will star opposite Kelly Reilly, Cole Hauser, and Finn Little in the spin-off series, which has also added Chad Feehan as showrunner. Taylor Sheridan, David C. Glasser, John Linson, Art Linson, Ron Burkle, David Hutkin, Bob Yari, Michael Friedman, Christina Voros, Kelly Reilly, Cole Hauser, and Keith Cox also serve as executive producers for Paramount Television Studios and 101 Studios. (Deadline.com, 8/25)
EXTRACTION TV SERIES (Netflix) - The franchise's TV incarnation has added May Calamawy as Priscilla Ragab, "an intelligent and empathetic executive who remains calm while under pressure"; Waleed Zuaiter as Hamza Najjar, "a former soldier with a profound desire for justice"; and Ed Speleers as Alford Griff, "an engineer who is described as unpredictable." (Deadline.com, 8/28)
FORT BRAGG CARTEL, THE (HBO, New!) - The pay channel has acquired the rights to the upcoming nonfiction book, subtitled "Drug Trafficking and Murder in the Special Forces," to develop as a TV series: "The book details the investigation into a string of unsolved killings in and around the special operations base, revealing a network of narco-trafficking conspiracies that corrupt police abetted and the military covered up." Author Seth Harp and Crash&Salvage's Len Amato will executive produce. The search is underway for a writer. (Deadline.com, 8/28)
FOSTER DADE (Hulu) - Greg Berlanti and Bash Doran's mystery YA drama has formally been ordered to pilot by the streaming service: "Taking place in 2008 and present day, Foster Dade is described as a sophisticated mystery set at an East Coast boarding school that explores privilege, scandal, sexuality and masculinity amid the rise of social media, millennial anxiety and pharmaceuticals." (Deadline.com, 8/25)
FROM (MGM+) - Julia Doyle has joined the cast of the show's fourth season as Sophia, "a sheltered and vulnerable pastor's daughter." (Deadline.com, 8/26)
GOING DUTCH (FOX) - Hilary Winston has joined the show's second season as co-showrunner alongside creator Joel Church-Cooper. (Deadline.com, 8/27)
GRAND OLE OPRY CHRISTMAS, A (Hallmark Channel) - Sharon Lawrence, James Denton, Rob Mayes and Luke Benward will round out the cast of the film. Lawrence portrays Rita, "Jett Wade's cousin, who has remained closed with Gentry and encourages her to accept the Opry's invitation to participate in their Christmas special, where they're honoring Winters & Wade." Mayes is the aforementioned Jett Wade with Von Winters played by Denton in the present day and Benward in the past. (Variety.com, 8/27)
KAREN (Amazon, New!) - Elizabeth Banks is attached to play Karen Read in a limited series at the streamer: "Based on the Law & Crime and Wondery podcast Karen, the series follows the trial that captivated the country and turned Read into a household name. When a Boston police officer is found dead in the snow, all eyes are on his girlfriend, Read. The case fractures a community, with some believing she is guilty of first-degree murder, and others that she's the victim of a sweeping cover-up by state and local law enforcement. This series explores society's obsession with true crime, the allure of conspiracy and the deepening crisis of trust in our institutions." Justin Noble is spearheading the project and will executive produce alongside Banks, David E. Kelley, Max Handelman, Krissy Wall, Matt Tinker, Jen Sargent, Marshall Lewy, Aaron Hart, Jeni Mulein, Rachel Stockman, and Dan Abrams for Brownstone Productions, David E. Kelley Productions, Wondery, Law & Crime, and Warner Bros. Television. (Deadline.com, 8/27)
KING OF THE HILL (Hulu) - Production on "another batch of KOTH episodes has already quietly wrapped, with a new season in the can and on track to arrive next year." (Vulture.com, 8/26)
MOTORHEADS (Amazon) - The streamer has canceled the YA drama after one season. Producers plan to shop the project elsewhere. (Deadline.com, 8/29)
NCIS: ORIGINS (CBS) - Adam Campbell will reprise his "NCIS" role as Young Ducky on an upcoming episode of the prequel series: "In the episode titled "The Edge," Ducky is sent to Camp Pendleton to shadow the team while they work a case and, in the process, he reconnects with Gibbs after the two crossed paths years earlier. McCallum's iconic song "The Edge" will also be featured in the episode." (Deadline.com, 8/28)
NOT SUITABLE FOR WORK (Hulu) - Mindy Kaling and Charlie Grandy's new comedy series to the streamer has cast its five principal roles: Ella Hunt as AJ Pascarelli, "a charming but intense first-year analyst at the most prestigious investment bank in New York"; Avantika as Abhinaya "Abby" Chilukuri, "a fashion-obsessed, savvy assistant to a demanding celebrity stylist"; Will Angus will as Davis Beau Bradley Barrett III, "a high-energy finance bro, but underneath his fratty exterior, Davis wants to love and be loved"; Jack Martin as Josh Teitelbaum, "a smart, idealistic and occasionally sanctimonious New Yorker (born and raised, he's the first to tell you)"; and Nicholas Duvernay as Kel Washington, "a charming, slightly anxious medical student struggling to ace his exams while plotting his big break as an actor." (Deadline.com, 8/28)
PRETTY UGLY (Hulu, New!) - Hilary Duff is attached to star in a drama series at the streamer based on Kirker Butler's 2015 novel of the same name: "Miranda Miller's (Duff) mission in life is to make her ten-year-old daughter Bailey the most successful child pageant contestant in the United States. A former teenage pageant queen herself, Miranda dreams of endorsement deals, beauty brands, maybe even a TV show. Bailey, however, wants none of it. She's been doing pageants since she was three months old and is burned out." Butler is penning the script and will executive produce alongside Duff, director Silver Tree and Aaron Kaplan for Kapital Entertainment and 20th Television. (Deadline.com, 8/28)
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE (NBC) - Devon Walker, Michael Longfellow, Heidi Gardner, Emil Wakim and writer Celeste Yim won't return for the show's 51st season. (Deadline.com, 8/29)
SHIFTING GEARS (ABC) - Lilly Singh will guest on an upcoming episode as Jen, Riley's (Kat Dennings) new friend: "The two moms click instantly, but their budding relationship is derailed by "unexpected mama drama," per the official character breakdown." (TVLine.com, 8/26)
TRAINWRECK (Netflix) - The streamer has renewed its series of documentary films for a second season. (Deadline.com, 8/26)
WATERFRONT, THE (Netflix) - The streaming service has pulled the plug on Kevin Williamson's crime drama after one season. (Deadline.com, 8/25)
WINE & SPIRITS (FOX, New!) - Rob Sudduth has sold a new drama to the network: "Wine & Spirits centers on Jennifer Shepherd, a psychic living in Manhattan Beach who juggles two starkly different lives: one as a mom and divorcee and the other as a consultant solving crimes for the FBI." The project is based on Manhattan Beach-based psychic medium Jennifer Shaffer "who, in addition to her private clientele, consults with the FBI and LAPD to solve crimes." Lady Metalmark Entertainment's Jessica Alba and Tracey Nyberg and 3 Arts Entertainment's Michael Rotenberg and Oly Obst will also executive produce for FOX Entertainment Studios. Shaffer will receive a producing credit. (Deadline.com, 8/29)
Y: MARSHALS (CBS) - Gil Birmingham (Thomas Rainwater), Brecken Merrill (Tate Dutton) and Mo Brings Plenty (Mo) will reprise their roles in the "Yellowstone" spin-off series. Additionally, the project has added Arielle Kebbel, Ash Santos, and Tatanka Means as Belle, Andrea, and Miles, respectively - all members of the U.S. Marshals; with Brett Cullen recurring as Harry Gifford, "the head of the U.S. Marshals in Montana." (Deadline.com, 8/26)
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[10/28/25 - 02:07 PM]
"Sunday Night Football" on Record Pace Through Week 8, Averaging 24.7 Million Viewers on NBC and Peacock
Packers-Steelers audience peaked at 28.2 million viewers on NBC and Peacock in the second quarter (9:15-9:30 p.m. ET).
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[10/28/25 - 12:01 PM]
Netflix Top 10: Week of October 20 - "A House of Dynamite" Hits the Target at No. 1 in This Week's Top 10
Plus: "Nobody Wants This," "The Elixir," and "The Monster of Florence" rise to the top in their opening weekends.
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[10/28/25 - 12:01 PM]
ABC Announces 2026 Midseason Premiere Dates
Premiering Wednesday, February 25, ABC is scrubbing back in for Sacred Heart Hospital with back-to-back episodes of comedy "Scrubs" starring Zach Braff, Donald Faison and Sarah Chalke.
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[10/28/25 - 12:00 PM]
Mark Harmon to Make Special Guest Appearance as Gibbs on "NCIS: Origins" During "NCIS" Crossover Event Tuesday, Nov. 11
In the crossover event airing on Veterans Day, younger Gibbs (Austin Stowell) and team investigate the small-town death of a naval officer in the '90s - a case that's unexpectedly re-opened in the present day.
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[10/28/25 - 10:01 AM]
Hulu Renews Hit Emmy-Award Winning Comedy "Only Murders in the Building" for a Sixth Season!
The series will film overseas for the first time, with the beloved crime-solving trio leaving New York City to investigate London's newest mystery.
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[10/28/25 - 10:01 AM]
HBO in Production on New Ronan Farrow Documentary Tracking Sprawling Criminal Case in Johnson City, Tennessee
The film chronicles a maze of revelations about Sean Williams of Johnson City, TN, a serial predator, tracing both his decades-long evasion of justice and an ensuing scandal over claims of corruption and systemic law enforcement failures.
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[10/28/25 - 08:32 AM]
Peacock Sets Streaming Debut Dates for Focus Features' "Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale," Universal's "Nobody 2" and DreamWorks Animation's "The Bad Guys 2"
The three films will roll out on successive Fridays beginning November 7.
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[10/28/25 - 08:30 AM]
Epic New Landmark Natural History Series, "Kingdom," Set to Premiere Saturday, January 24 on BBC America and AMC+
Narrated by renowned naturalist and three-time Emmy Award-winner Sir David Attenborough, the major new six-part natural history series chronicles the dramatic real-life sagas of four African animal families, in one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken by BBC Studios Natural History Unit.
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[10/28/25 - 08:01 AM]
BBC Confirms Future of "Doctor Who" and a New Christmas Special in 2026
With Disney+ confirming they will not be partnering on the next season of the sci-fi show, the BBC remain fully committed to the show and will announce plans for the next series in due course to ensure the Doctor's adventures continue.
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[10/28/25 - 07:09 AM]
Season 5 of ESPN Original Series "Peyton's Places," Presented by Elijah Craig Bourbon, Premieres November 2 Exclusively on ESPN+
Josh Allen, Jason Kelce, Jim Harbaugh, Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman, Joe Burrow, Boomer Esiason, Chad Johnson, and more are among the featured guests.
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[10/28/25 - 07:06 AM]
Get Ready to Switch - Again! Disney's "Freakier Friday" Streaming Exclusively November 12 on Disney+
Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan reprise their roles in this hilarious sequel.
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[10/28/25 - 07:01 AM]
"One Piece" Season 2 Premieres March 10, 2026
Additionally, Netflix revealed a first look at Drum Island.
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[10/28/25 - 06:47 AM]
Prime Video Takes the Spotlight with Its New "Karaoke Club" Show, A Celebrity Singing Tour
Hosted by the hilarious Stéphane Rousseau, the series transforms karaoke into an electrifying experience where the stars deliver their signature style with humor, energy, and, above all, a whole lot of fun.
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[10/28/25 - 06:31 AM]
"Michelle Obama: The Style, the Power, the Look - a Conversation with Robin Roberts - Special Edition of 20/20" Airs Sunday, Nov. 2, on ABC, Streaming Next Day on Disney+ and Hulu
The "Good Morning America" co-anchor joins Obama at Marymount University in Virginia in advance of her upcoming book, "The Look" - a celebration of style from the moment she entered the public eye - to discuss the lessons she's sharing about her newfound confidence and empowerment.
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[10/28/25 - 06:01 AM]
Netflix Announces "The Future Is Ours," A Dystopian Limited Series Starring Enzo Vogrincic, Emiliano Zurita, Delfina Chaves, Marleyda Soto and Marco Antonio Caponi
The series will be the first audiovisual adaptation of renowned American writer Philip K. Dick's work in Spanish.
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