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[10/03/25 - 11:42 PM]
Development Update: Week of September 29-October 3
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!
AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE (Disney+, New!) - Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa is returning to the world of Archie Comics with a new drama at the streamer based on his and Francesco Francavilla's comic book series of the same name: "Afterlife with Archie re-imagines the beloved town of Riverdale as an apocalyptic, nightmare-fueled hellscape overrun with flesh-eating zombies." Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Jimmy Gibbons, and Jon Goldwater will also executive produce the project, which has a script-to-series commitment, for Warner Bros. Television, Muckle Man Productions, Berlanti Productions, and Archie Comics Studios. (Deadline.com, 10/1)
ALL THE SINNERS BLEED (Netflix) - Nicole Beharie is the latest addition to the S.A. Cosby adaptation as Darlene, "Titus's supportive girlfriend." (Deadline.com, 9/29)
BOARDERS (Tubi) - The streamer will once again be the U.S. home of the BBC series third and final season: "They've made it to their final term, exams are looming, and they're determined to achieve big. As they dream of life beyond St. Gilbert's, a neighbouring school provokes an intense rivalry causing chaos and jeopardising their futures. With new enemies, love interests and broken friendships, our teens are forced to face a fresh batch of problems which threaten to trip them up at their final hurdle." (Deadline.com, 10/3)
BODY, THE (Netflix) - Quinn Shephard's coming-of-age drama has cast Kristina Bogic as Anya Butler; Sara Boustany as Elise Zakaria; Geena Meszaros as Lisbeth Anderson; Nnamdi Asomugha as Father Franklin; Louisa Krause as Catherine Anderson; Shirley Chen as Maddie Delaney; Jackson Kelly as Leo Anderson; and Sofia Wylie as Grace Franklin. Also on tap in recurring roles are Kyra Pierce as Bailey Bradley; Phallon Pierce as Brit Bradley; Marcel Ruiz as Tyler Santos; Orlando Norman as Steven Maxwell; and Gabby Windey as Coach Miller. No other character details were given. (Deadline.com, 10/3)
CHI, THE (Showtime) - The veteran drama will sign off with its upcoming eighth season: "When I created The Chi, it wasn't just about making a TV show - it was about owning our narratives and telling our stories with truth, care, nuance and complexity. It was about showing the soul of the South Side - the beauty, the pain, the grit, and the magic that lives in every block, and in every family," creator Lena Waithe told the publication. "After much reflection, we have made the decision to end The Chi with season 8. I know, for the sake of our story and our characters, it's the right thing. I am committed to delivering a final season that our Chi Family deserves." (Deadline.com, 10/1)
CHICAGO MED (NBC) - Gbenga Akinnagbe will recur on the current season as Sharon Goodwin's (S. Epatha Merkerson) oldest son David starting with episode six. (TVInsider.com, 10/3)
DOC (FOX) - Scott Wolf will reprise his season one role of Richard Miller for the show's second season in a recurring role later this season. He'll also direct an upcoming installment, due in early 2026. (Deadline.com, 9/30)
GHOSTS (CBS) - Co-star Utkarsh Ambudkar will make his directorial debut on an episode later this season. (Variety.com, 10/1)
GRAY HOUSE, THE (Amazon, New!) - Prime Video has landed the U.S. streaming rights to the eight-part limited series, due to premiere in early 2026: "The drama focuses on the true story of a group of unsung women, a Virginia socialite, her mother, a formerly enslaved sister-in-arms, and the city's most notorious courtesan. They operate deep inside the corridors of Confederate power and transform an underground railroad into an effective underground spy network, risking life and liberty." Mary-Louise Parker, Daisy Head, Amethyst Davis, Ben Vereen, Paul Anderson, Ian Duff, Hannah James, Robert Knepper, Christopher McDonald, Colin Morgan, Rob Morrow, Colin O'Donoghue, Sam Trammell, Ewan Miller, and Keith David star in the project, from Republic Pictures, Territory Pictures, Revelations Entertainment, and Big Dreams Entertainment. Executive producers include Kevin Costner, Morgan Freeman, Leslie Greif, Lori McCreary, Rod Lake, and Howard Kaplan. Roland Joffe directed from scripts by Greif, Darrell Fetty, and John Sayles. (Deadline.com, 9/30)
GREAT NORTH, THE (FOX) - The network has canceled the animated comedy after five seasons. "We're so grateful for everything Wendy, Lizzie, Loren and the amazing cast and crew put into The Great North," said FOX's Michael Thorn. "It's difficult to say goodbye, but we're thankful for the five hilarious seasons The Great North brought to the iconic Animation Domination lineup." (Deadline.com, 10/3)
HAPPY'S PLACE (NBC) - "Reba" alumnus JoAnna Garcia Swisher will reunite with Reba McEntire on the series as Kenzie, "a local Knoxville influencer who has been hired to represent Happy's Place for their upcoming social media marketing campaign and all of it is much to Bobbie's (McEntire) chagrin." (Deadline.com, 9/30)
JOSEPH OF EGYPT (Amazon) - The biblical drama has added Alexa Mansour as Asenath; Shila Ommi as Senebsen; Christopher Maleki as Potiphar; Alonso Rappa as Benjamin; Johnny Visotcky as Zebulun; and Jay Abdo as Bastis, all recurring roles. (Deadline.com, 10/3)
LYING GAME, THE (Amazon, New!) - Suzanne Heathcote is developing a TV series at Amazon MGM Studios based on Ruth Ware's novel: "The Lying Game is a psychological YA thriller in which, years after being expelled from boarding school for a game of lies gone too far, four childhood friends are reunited and forced to confront the deadly secret they thought they'd buried forever." Heathcote and Ware will also executive produce alongside Susan Rovner of Aha Studios and Ted Gold of Good Trouble Entertainment. (Deadline.com, 10/1)
MID-CENTURY MODERN (Hulu) - Co-creator Max Mutchnick took to social media with the news his comedy series has been canceled after one season. (@@maxmutchnick, 9/29)
MURDER IN THE DARK (Amazon, New!) - Amazon MGM Studios has ordered a four-part series from SAM Productions based on Danish literary icon Dan Turèll's book series with Michael Falch set in the lead role: "Murder in the Dark follows a retired and hard-bitten "nameless journalist" (Falch) and his daughter Sophie, who is an ambitious police detective. The pair are forced work together to solve a series of mysterious murders. Specifically, their alliance begins after a prominent lawyer is brutally killed, shortly after agreeing to reveal secrets from his criminal past in a tell-all book that Falch was going to write." Alex Høgh Andersen, Katinka Lærke Petersen, Sofie Torp, Lisbeth Wulff, Kristian Halken, Alexandre Willaume, Clint Ruben, and Benedikte Hansen also star. Christian E. Christiansen directs from a script he penned with Jesper Fink. (Deadline.com, 9/29)
NEIGHBORHOOD, THE (CBS) - Amber Stevens West will recur on the upcoming final season as Mercedes: "High-drama, high-maintenance, fabulous and self-absorbed, one of the stars on "Trophy Divas of Brentwood," Mercedes is all about Mercedes. She has hired Malcolm to ghost write her romance novel, but she's concerned that it's not smutty enough to please her fan base. But when she's not out in public, Mercedes is actually much more grounded and a savvy businesswoman, not the monster she plays on TV." (Deadline.com, 10/2)
PLAYING GRACIE DARLING (Netflix, New!) - The streamer has scored the U.S. streaming rights to the Australian supernatural drama series from Curio Pictures and Sony Pictures Television: "When Joni was 14, her best friend Gracie Darling disappeared during a séance and hasn't been seen since. Twenty-seven years on, the local kids in a small town get their kicks with a game of 'Playing Gracie Darling' - but the seemingly innocent game turns sinister when another girl disappears." The show's six episodes debuted locally on Paramount+ on August 14. Morgana O'Reilly, Harriet Walter, Rudi Dharmalingam, Celia Pacquola, Annie Maynard, Dan Spielman, Anne Tenney, and Chloe Brink star in the project, which Jonathan Brough directed from scripts by Miranda Nation. Jo Porter and Rachel Gardner also executive produce alongside Nation. (Deadline.com, 9/29)
POSER (Netflix, New!) - Lauren Iungerich has landed a new YA drama series at the streamer: "The eight-episode Poser explores toxic female friendship through the lens of a sexy, emotional thriller with a premium feel. It centers around two estranged, former best friends. When one of them is given a chance to live the life she's long coveted, and maybe get answers as to why they fell out years ago, she finds herself in a psychological game of revenge, betrayal, and heartbreak - ultimately altering their lives, and those around them, forever." Jamie Dooner of Crazy Cat Lady Entertainment will also executive produce. (Deadline.com, 9/29)
PRESUMED INNOCENT (Apple TV+) - Fiona Shaw has joined the cast of the anthology's second season as "a partner at the firm and Leila's (Rachel Brosnahan) second chair." (Deadline.com, 10/1)
RANSOM CANYON (Netflix) - Patricia Clarkson will guest star on the new season as Quinn's (Minka Kelly) mother Claire O'Grady. (Deadline.com, 9/29)
RJ DECKER (ABC) - The Scott Speedman-led drama pilot from 20th Television has been ordered to series by the Alphabet for midseason. Writer Rob Doherty and director Paul McGuigan are behind the project, which is based on the 1987 novel "Double Whammy" by Carl Hiaasen. The cast also includes Kevin Rankin as Aloysius "Wish" Aiken, Adelaide Clemens as Catherine Delacroix and Bevin Bru as Melody "Mel" Romero. Weruche Opia's Shay Bennett however will be recast. Carl Beverly and Sarah Timberman also executive produce with Speedman serving as a producer. (Deadline.com, 9/29)
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE (NBC) - The series has added seven new writers for its 51st season: Jack Bensinger, Jo Sunday, Maddie Wiener, Rachel Pegram, Claire McFadden, Maxwell Gay, and Tucker Flodman. Additionally, Auguste White has left the writing staff. (Variety.com, 9/30)
SCRUBS (REBOOT SERIES) (ABC) - Robert Maschio and Phill Lewis will reprise their roles as Todd and Hooch, respectively, on the revival series. Additionally, look for Vanessa Bayer to recur as Sibby, who "runs a wellness program for faculty and staff at Sacred Heart Hospital"; Joel Kim Booster as Dr. Eric Park, "an attending at Sacred Heart"; and Ava Bunn as Serena, Jacob Dudman as Asher, David Gridley as Blake, Layla Mohammadi as Amara, and Amanda Morrow as Dashana, all part of the new intern class. (Variety.com, 10/3)
SHANI (Amazon, New!) - Janine Nabers is developing a live-action series based on Mattel's Shani doll line originally introduced in the 1990s at Amazon MGM Studios. The show is described as a "family dramedy centered around the aspirational character of Shani." (Variety.com, 10/1)
ST. DENIS MEDICAL (NBC) - The show's sophomore season has booked the following actors to guest star: Kristen Schaal as Ashley, "a bookish sci-fi enthusiast who has a meet-cute with an unexpected member of the St. Denis family"; Lauren Weedman as Nurse Pam, "a retired charge nurse who comes back to St. Denis to help out while they are understaffed"; Frankie Quiñones as Leslie, "a security guard at St. Denis Medical who is very aware of the ins and outs of the hospital gossip"; Lauren Lapkus as "a pregnant woman accompanying her husband to the hospital after a mishap at their gender reveal party"; Tim Baltz as "a dad-to-be rushed into St. Denis after their gender reveal party goes awry"; Jeremiah Brown as Jeff, "a handsome Ultimate Frisbee jock waiting for his roommate to get discharged from St. Denis Medical"; and Jonah Beckett as Kyle, "a college student whose mysterious illness is stumping the doctors at St. Denis." (Variety.com, 10/3)
ULTIMATUM, THE: QUEER LOVE (Netflix) - The streamer has canceled the reality dating series after two seasons. (Variety.com, 10/2)
UNTITLED KRISTIN CHENOWETH PROJECT (NBC, New!) - Kristin Chenoweth is attached to star in a proposed multi-camera comedy at the network: "Written by Alissa Neubauer (Call Me Kat), the untitled sitcom centers on Mary (Chenoweth) who is required to complete community service as the director of a local church choir where she'll be dragged kicking, screaming and singing toward redemption." Chenoweth and Neubauer also executive produce alongside Kapital Entertainment's Aaron Kaplan and 3 Arts Entertainment's Troy Zien and Michael Rotenberg for Universal Television. (Deadline.com, 9/29)
UNTITLED MALIK & TOMLINSON PROJECT (Netflix, New!) - Former One Direction singers Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik are set to be the focus of a new documentary series at the streamer "in which they travel across the U.S. and are expected to discuss the tragic death of their bandmate Liam Payne." Nicola Marsh is directing the project with Ross Dinerstein and Rebecca Evans of Campfire Studios executive producing. (Deadline.com, 10/2)
UNTITLED WITNESS PROTECTION PILOT (FX) - Ashley Thomas and Finn Wittrock have both landed roles on the Alison Brie-led drama pilot. Thomas will play Isaac, "Remy's stern but caring FBI handler"; while Wittrock plays "Remy's charming but manipulative ex-business partner." (Deadline.com, 10/1)
VERY YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN (FX) - Zach Galifianakis, Dolly Wells, Spencer House, Nikki Crawford, and Kumail Nanjiani will star opposite Cary Elwes in the pilot, based on Mel Brooks's classic film. No character details were released. (Deadline.com, 9/30)
VOUGHT RISING (Amazon) - Cecily Strong, Mark Pellegrino, Eric Johnson, and Annie Shapero will recur on "The Boys" prequel series in top secret roles. (Deadline.com, 10/1)
WHEN CALLS THE HEART (Hallmark Channel) - Brooke Shields will return as Jack's mother, Charlotte Thornton, in three episodes of the upcoming 13th season. (Variety.com, 10/2)
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[10/07/25 - 03:52 PM]
FOX Sports' ALDS Coverage Up 14% Year-Over-Year Across FOX and FS1
3,187,000 viewers tuned in on average for the first four games of the 2025 ALDS across FOX and FS1.
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[10/07/25 - 03:10 PM]
"College GameDay Built by The Home Depot" Delivers Second Most-Watched Regular Season Episode Ever; ESPN & ABC Score Three of Week 6's Top Four Games
ABC's telecast of Vanderbilt at Alabama on Saturday averaged 6.4 million viewers.
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[10/07/25 - 02:54 PM]
College Football on FOX Scores Big in Week Six
In Week 6, "Big Noon Saturday" scored 4,627,000 viewers for Michigan's 24-10 win over Wisconsin on FOX - the most-watched noon game on any network.
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[10/07/25 - 02:54 PM]
ESPN Scores Most-Watched Game 1 of the WNBA Finals in 28 Years
Coverage averaged 1.9 million viewers, up 62% from last year.
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[10/07/25 - 02:40 PM]
"America's Game of the Week" on FOX Roars in Week 5 as Most-Watched Telecast of the Week on Any Network
20,333,000 average viewers on average tuned into the network for Week 5.
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[10/07/25 - 01:41 PM]
NBC Sports' 2025-26 Big Ten Men's and Women's Basketball Schedules Announced Featuring 75+ Games Exclusively on Peacock
Peacock Big Ten men's basketball schedule tips off with a non-conference tripleheader on Friday, November 7.
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[10/07/25 - 12:49 PM]
FOX Sports Acquires U.S. Rights to the 2026 World Baseball Classic
FOX is set to air seven games, including three Pool B games featuring the United States team, two Quarterfinals games and the World Baseball Classic Championship Game on Tuesday, March 17 from Miami's loanDepot Park.
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[10/07/25 - 12:01 PM]
Netflix Top 10 Week of September 29: "French Lover" Swoons at No. 1, "Monster: The Ed Gein Story" Chills in Top 10 Debut
Plus: "Wayward" reached No. 1 on the TV list for a second consecutive week, with 14.1 million views.
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[10/07/25 - 11:31 AM]
Video: "Molly-Mae: Behind It All" Series 2 Part 1 - Official Trailer - Prime Video
A new chapter in her story begins.
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[10/07/25 - 11:08 AM]
Friends Furrever: Prime Video Announces Cast for Upcoming Animated Series "Kevin" from Aubrey Plaza, Joe Wengert, and Dan Murphy
Series regulars include Jason Schwartzman, Aubrey Plaza, Whoopi Goldberg, John Waters, Amy Sedaris, Gil Ozeri, and Aparna Nancherla.
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[10/07/25 - 11:01 AM]
Netflix Gives Fans a First Look at Laboon in "One Piece" Season 2
Netflix's epic high-seas pirate adventure returns for Season 2 - unleashing fiercer adversaries and the most perilous quests yet.
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[10/07/25 - 11:01 AM]
ESPN Unveils Prolific 2025-26 SEC Men's Basketball Schedule, Beginning Nov. 3
More than 200 linear games will air across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, SEC Network, ESPNU, ESPNews and the all new ESPN app.
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[10/07/25 - 10:23 AM]
First Look at Catherine Zeta-Jones in Prime Video Revenge Thriller "Kill Jackie"
Zeta-Jones stars as Jackie Price, the glamorous art dealer whose lethal past as an international drug smuggler resurfaces when a squad of the world's most terrifying assassins, The Seven Demons, come after her.
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[10/07/25 - 09:12 AM]
ESPN and the ACC Announce Men's Basketball TV Schedule for 2025-26 Season, Tipping off November 3
More than 215 games will air across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ACC Network, ESPNU and the all new ESPN app during the regular season.
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[10/07/25 - 09:11 AM]
Kate Scott Named USA Network's Lead Play-by-Play Voice for Upcoming WNBA Coverage
Scott, who enters her fifth season as the TV play-by-play announcer for the Philadelphia 76ers, will anchor USA Network's season-long coverage of the WNBA through the Playoffs and WNBA Finals.
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