L.A. Law not moving forward at ABC was one of the surprises of this pilot season.
ABC boss Craig Erwich told Deadline that “unfortunately the pilot just did not come together as we had hoped it would.”
ABC Upfront 2022: Deadline’s Complete Coverage
The reboot, which was headlined by Blair Underwood, reprising his role as attorney Jonathan Rollins, had a high bar to hit with big expectations. The original series’ Corbin Bernsen also reprised his role as Arnie Becker in the pilot alongside Hari Nef, Toks Olagundoye, Ian Duff, John Harlan Kim and Juliana Harkavey, and Kacey Rohl.
The pilot was written by Marc Guggenheim and Ubah Mohamed and directed by Anthony Hemingway.
It followed the law firm of McKenzie Brackman — now named Becker Rollins — as it reinvented itself as a litigation firm specializing in only the most high-profile, boundary-pushing and incendiary cases.
Underwood, Guggenheim and Mohamed executive...
ABC boss Craig Erwich told Deadline that “unfortunately the pilot just did not come together as we had hoped it would.”
ABC Upfront 2022: Deadline’s Complete Coverage
The reboot, which was headlined by Blair Underwood, reprising his role as attorney Jonathan Rollins, had a high bar to hit with big expectations. The original series’ Corbin Bernsen also reprised his role as Arnie Becker in the pilot alongside Hari Nef, Toks Olagundoye, Ian Duff, John Harlan Kim and Juliana Harkavey, and Kacey Rohl.
The pilot was written by Marc Guggenheim and Ubah Mohamed and directed by Anthony Hemingway.
It followed the law firm of McKenzie Brackman — now named Becker Rollins — as it reinvented itself as a litigation firm specializing in only the most high-profile, boundary-pushing and incendiary cases.
Underwood, Guggenheim and Mohamed executive...
- 5/17/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
ABC has given L.A. Law the (elevator) shaft, opting not to order a potential revival of the legal drama to series, TVLine has learned.
The continuation, which initially scored a pilot order last October, would have been set once again at the venerable law firm of McKenzie Brackman, which had reinvented itself as “a litigation firm specializing in only the most high-profile, boundary-pushing and incendiary cases,” according to the official synopsis. Blair Underwood (as Jonathan Rollins) and Corbin Bernsen (as Arnie Becker) were among the original series alumni slated to return, alongside new cast members Toks Olagundoye (Castle), John Harlan Kim...
The continuation, which initially scored a pilot order last October, would have been set once again at the venerable law firm of McKenzie Brackman, which had reinvented itself as “a litigation firm specializing in only the most high-profile, boundary-pushing and incendiary cases,” according to the official synopsis. Blair Underwood (as Jonathan Rollins) and Corbin Bernsen (as Arnie Becker) were among the original series alumni slated to return, alongside new cast members Toks Olagundoye (Castle), John Harlan Kim...
- 5/13/2022
- by Rebecca Iannucci
- TVLine.com
ABC has passed on placing series orders for the “LA Law” sequel and Jo Koy comedy “Josep” after both pilots were reviewed by the network, Variety has learned.
The Disney-owned broadcaster is interested in potentially redeveloping the Koy project in the future, but “LA Law” will not be moving forward. On Friday, ABC picked up dramas “Alaska” and “The Rookie” spinoff “The Rookie: Feds” to series, as well as comedy “Not Dead Yet.” Four other drama pilots, “Will Trent,” “The Company You Keep,” the Untitled Kay Oyegun drama and an untitled National Park Service project, are all still in contention and will be up for consideration going into July.
Starring returning cast members Blair Underwood and Corbin Bernsen reprising their original roles as Jonathan Rollins and Arnie Becker, the pilot for the new iteration of the Emmy-winning series “LA Law” features familiar characters working alongside new ones on the most...
The Disney-owned broadcaster is interested in potentially redeveloping the Koy project in the future, but “LA Law” will not be moving forward. On Friday, ABC picked up dramas “Alaska” and “The Rookie” spinoff “The Rookie: Feds” to series, as well as comedy “Not Dead Yet.” Four other drama pilots, “Will Trent,” “The Company You Keep,” the Untitled Kay Oyegun drama and an untitled National Park Service project, are all still in contention and will be up for consideration going into July.
Starring returning cast members Blair Underwood and Corbin Bernsen reprising their original roles as Jonathan Rollins and Arnie Becker, the pilot for the new iteration of the Emmy-winning series “LA Law” features familiar characters working alongside new ones on the most...
- 5/13/2022
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
ABC’s L.A. Law sequel has gone the way of the network’s NYPD Blue sequel. The network has passed on the pilot, headlined by Blair Underwood, reprising his role as attorney Jonathan Rollins in addition to executive producing.
Like was the case with the revival of Steven Bochco’s iconic NYPD Blue, the followup to Bochco’s acclaimed legal drama L.A. Law had a very high bar to clear in order to get to the air. As Deadline reported in our Pilot Buzz stories, the L.A. Law pilot got so-so reception at ABC and was never considered a strong contender for a series pickup.
I hear, likely because of the very high expectations, the pilot felt a bit like it tried too hard but those who have seen it praised Underwood’s performance. There are no plans for the project to be reworked.
In addition to Underwood, the original...
Like was the case with the revival of Steven Bochco’s iconic NYPD Blue, the followup to Bochco’s acclaimed legal drama L.A. Law had a very high bar to clear in order to get to the air. As Deadline reported in our Pilot Buzz stories, the L.A. Law pilot got so-so reception at ABC and was never considered a strong contender for a series pickup.
I hear, likely because of the very high expectations, the pilot felt a bit like it tried too hard but those who have seen it praised Underwood’s performance. There are no plans for the project to be reworked.
In addition to Underwood, the original...
- 5/13/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Jill Eikenberry is set to guest star in ABC drama pilot L.A. Law, a revival of the iconic Steven Bochco legal drama, reprising her role as Ann Kelsey. Eikenberry starred on all eight seasons of the original NBC series as Kelsey, Associate/Partner in the firm. In the pilot, Eikenberry’s Kelsey is now a judge.
In the revival written by Marc Guggenheim and Ubah Mohamed and to be directed by Anthony Hemingway, the venerable law firm of McKenzie Brackman — now named Becker Rollins — reinvents itself as a litigation firm specializing in only the most high-profile, boundary-pushing and incendiary cases.
The pilot stars Blair Underwood and Corbin Bernsen, who are reprising their respective roles as Jonathan Rollins and Arnie Becker, as well as fellow new series regulars Hari Nef, Toks Olagundoye, Ian Duff, John Harlan Kim, Kacey Rohl and Juliana Harkavy.
2022 ABC Pilots & Series Orders
Underwood, Guggenheim and Mohamed...
In the revival written by Marc Guggenheim and Ubah Mohamed and to be directed by Anthony Hemingway, the venerable law firm of McKenzie Brackman — now named Becker Rollins — reinvents itself as a litigation firm specializing in only the most high-profile, boundary-pushing and incendiary cases.
The pilot stars Blair Underwood and Corbin Bernsen, who are reprising their respective roles as Jonathan Rollins and Arnie Becker, as well as fellow new series regulars Hari Nef, Toks Olagundoye, Ian Duff, John Harlan Kim, Kacey Rohl and Juliana Harkavy.
2022 ABC Pilots & Series Orders
Underwood, Guggenheim and Mohamed...
- 3/11/2022
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Kacey Rohl is set as a lead in ABC drama pilot L.A. Law, a revival of the iconic Steven Bochco legal drama. She joins original cast members Blair Underwood and Corbin Bernsen, who are reprising their roles as Jonathan Rollins and Arnie Becker, respectively, as well as fellow new series regulars Hari Nef, Toks Olagundoye, Ian Duff, John Harlan Kim and Juliana Harkavey.
In the pilot, written by Marc Guggenheim and Ubah Mohamed and to be directed by Anthony Hemingway, the venerable law firm of McKenzie Brackman — now named Becker Rollins — reinvents itself as a litigation firm specializing in only the most high-profile, boundary-pushing and incendiary cases.
2022 ABC Pilots & Series Orders
Rohl will play Sonia Layton, a social justice warrior who works as the office administrator at McKenzie Brackman — but probably has as sharp a legal mind as any of the attorneys on staff.
Underwood, Guggenheim and Mohamed executive...
In the pilot, written by Marc Guggenheim and Ubah Mohamed and to be directed by Anthony Hemingway, the venerable law firm of McKenzie Brackman — now named Becker Rollins — reinvents itself as a litigation firm specializing in only the most high-profile, boundary-pushing and incendiary cases.
2022 ABC Pilots & Series Orders
Rohl will play Sonia Layton, a social justice warrior who works as the office administrator at McKenzie Brackman — but probably has as sharp a legal mind as any of the attorneys on staff.
Underwood, Guggenheim and Mohamed executive...
- 2/23/2022
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Arrow alumna Juliana Harkavy has been cast as a lead in ABC drama pilot L.A. Law, a revival of the iconic Steven Bochco legal drama. She joins original cast members Blair Underwood and Corbin Bernsen, who are reprising their roles as Jonathan Rollins and Arnie Becker, respectively, as well as fellow new series regulars Hari Nef, Toks Olagundoye, Ian Duff and John Harlan Kim.
In the pilot, written by Marc Guggenheim and Ubah Mohamed and to be directed by Anthony Hemingway, the venerable law firm of McKenzie Brackman — now named Becker Rollins — reinvents itself as a litigation firm specializing in only the most high-profile, boundary-pushing and incendiary cases.
Harkavy will play Yvette Cabrera, a savvy attorney and “legal badass” who is pitted against Alana (Nef) in an unexpectedly controversial case that makes headlines. Their courtroom battle is complicated by the fact that they used to be lovers. The...
In the pilot, written by Marc Guggenheim and Ubah Mohamed and to be directed by Anthony Hemingway, the venerable law firm of McKenzie Brackman — now named Becker Rollins — reinvents itself as a litigation firm specializing in only the most high-profile, boundary-pushing and incendiary cases.
Harkavy will play Yvette Cabrera, a savvy attorney and “legal badass” who is pitted against Alana (Nef) in an unexpectedly controversial case that makes headlines. Their courtroom battle is complicated by the fact that they used to be lovers. The...
- 2/22/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva and Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
ABC’s drama pilot L.A. Law, a revival of the Steven Bochco legal drama, expands its cast with the addition of John Harlan Kim.
He joins original cast members Blair Underwood and Corbin Bernsen, who are reprising their respective roles as Johnathan Rollins and Arnie Becker. He also joins Toks Olagundoye, Hari Nef and Ian Duff, who will play new characters in the revival.
In the pilot, written by Marc Guggenheim and Ubah Mohamed and to be directed by Anthony Hemingway, the venerable law firm of McKenzie Brackman — now named Becker Rollins — reinvents itself as a litigation firm specializing in only the most high-profile, boundary-pushing and incendiary cases.
2022 ABC Pilots & Series Orders
Kim joins L.A. Law as Chad Park. He is an up-and-coming attorney at the firm described as a “shark-in-training” whose ambition sometimes gets ahead of his ethical standards. He’s a brilliant attorney who takes on his...
He joins original cast members Blair Underwood and Corbin Bernsen, who are reprising their respective roles as Johnathan Rollins and Arnie Becker. He also joins Toks Olagundoye, Hari Nef and Ian Duff, who will play new characters in the revival.
In the pilot, written by Marc Guggenheim and Ubah Mohamed and to be directed by Anthony Hemingway, the venerable law firm of McKenzie Brackman — now named Becker Rollins — reinvents itself as a litigation firm specializing in only the most high-profile, boundary-pushing and incendiary cases.
2022 ABC Pilots & Series Orders
Kim joins L.A. Law as Chad Park. He is an up-and-coming attorney at the firm described as a “shark-in-training” whose ambition sometimes gets ahead of his ethical standards. He’s a brilliant attorney who takes on his...
- 2/4/2022
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
The “LA Law” sequel series pilot at ABC has added John Harlan Kim to its cast, Variety has learned exclusively.
The new iteration of the Emmy-winning series features familiar characters working alongside new ones on the most hot button issues of the day.
Kim joins previously announced returning original series cast members Blair Underwood and Corbin Bernsen. Kim will star as Chad Park, an up-and-coming attorney at the firm described as a “shark-in-training” whose ambition sometimes gets ahead of his ethical standards. Nevertheless, he’s a brilliant attorney who takes on his very first murder trial and must devise an inventive legal strategy when his client drops a bombshell in open court.
Kim has most recently been seen in Fox’s hit drama “9-1-1” in the role of Albert Han and on The CW’s “Nancy Drew” as Agent Park. He previously starred in all four seasons of the TNT series “The Librarians.
The new iteration of the Emmy-winning series features familiar characters working alongside new ones on the most hot button issues of the day.
Kim joins previously announced returning original series cast members Blair Underwood and Corbin Bernsen. Kim will star as Chad Park, an up-and-coming attorney at the firm described as a “shark-in-training” whose ambition sometimes gets ahead of his ethical standards. Nevertheless, he’s a brilliant attorney who takes on his very first murder trial and must devise an inventive legal strategy when his client drops a bombshell in open court.
Kim has most recently been seen in Fox’s hit drama “9-1-1” in the role of Albert Han and on The CW’s “Nancy Drew” as Agent Park. He previously starred in all four seasons of the TNT series “The Librarians.
- 2/3/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Toks Olagundoye, Hari Nef and Ian Duff have been cast as series regulars in ABC drama pilot L.A. Law. They join original cast members Blair Underwood and Corbin Bernsen, who are reprising their roles as Jonathan Rollins and Arnie Becker, respectively, in the revival of the iconic Steven Bochco legal drama. Olagundoye, Hari Nef and Ian Duff all play new characters.
In the pilot, written by Marc Guggenheim and Ubah Mohamed and to be directed by Anthony Hemingway, the venerable law firm of McKenzie Brackman — now named Becker Rollins — reinvents itself as a litigation firm specializing in only the most high-profile, boundary-pushing and incendiary cases.
Olagundoye will play Assistant District Attorney Erika Jackson. In keeping with the Assistant District Attorney role played in the original series by Susan Day, Cecil Hoffman, and the late John Spencer, Olagundoye’s Erika Jackson is a force to be reckoned with in the courtroom,...
In the pilot, written by Marc Guggenheim and Ubah Mohamed and to be directed by Anthony Hemingway, the venerable law firm of McKenzie Brackman — now named Becker Rollins — reinvents itself as a litigation firm specializing in only the most high-profile, boundary-pushing and incendiary cases.
Olagundoye will play Assistant District Attorney Erika Jackson. In keeping with the Assistant District Attorney role played in the original series by Susan Day, Cecil Hoffman, and the late John Spencer, Olagundoye’s Erika Jackson is a force to be reckoned with in the courtroom,...
- 1/19/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
The L.A. Law revival is moving forward at ABC.
The highly-anticipated revival has locked in another original cast member in Corbin Bernsen, who is set to reprise his Arnie Becker role in the pilot.
Deadline first reported the news.
Bernsen joins the previously announced Blair Underwood, who is set to return as Jonathan Rollins.
The outlet notes that Bernsen and Underwood are the only original cast members locked in as series regulars, with more original stars expected to guest-star should the series nab a pickup.
The revival will once again take place at the law firm of McKenzie Brackman, which has reinvented itself as “a litigation firm specializing in only the most high profile, boundary pushing and incendiary cases,” according to the official synopsis.
Underwood’s character “has gone from idealistic to more conservative as he clashes with millennial JJ Freeman to decide the best path forward for the firm...
The highly-anticipated revival has locked in another original cast member in Corbin Bernsen, who is set to reprise his Arnie Becker role in the pilot.
Deadline first reported the news.
Bernsen joins the previously announced Blair Underwood, who is set to return as Jonathan Rollins.
The outlet notes that Bernsen and Underwood are the only original cast members locked in as series regulars, with more original stars expected to guest-star should the series nab a pickup.
The revival will once again take place at the law firm of McKenzie Brackman, which has reinvented itself as “a litigation firm specializing in only the most high profile, boundary pushing and incendiary cases,” according to the official synopsis.
Underwood’s character “has gone from idealistic to more conservative as he clashes with millennial JJ Freeman to decide the best path forward for the firm...
- 10/19/2021
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Corbin Bernsen will see you in court. Again. The actor is reprising the role of Arnie Becker in ABC’s L.A. Law revival pilot, our sister site Deadline reports.
Bernsen portrayed the attorney for all eight seasons of the original series, which aired from 1986 to 1994 on NBC, and even returned for the 2002 TV movie.
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Bernsen joins Blair Underwood,...
Bernsen portrayed the attorney for all eight seasons of the original series, which aired from 1986 to 1994 on NBC, and even returned for the 2002 TV movie.
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Bernsen joins Blair Underwood,...
- 10/18/2021
- by Andy Swift
- TVLine.com
The “LA Law” sequel series pilot at ABC has cast Corbin Bernsen to reprise his role from the original series.
Bernsen joins previously announced returning cast member Blair Underwood. The updated logline for the project describes it as a re-envisioning of the original featuring familiar characters working alongside new ones on the most hot button issues of the day.
Bernsen returns in the role of Arnold Becker. A former lothario, Becker hasn’t changed since the 1980s but the world has. Now in his 60s, he struggles with a rapidly shifting sexual and political landscape.
“I’ve often thought about revisiting ‘LA Law’ and Arnie Becker over the years,” Bernsen said. “Now seems the perfect moment in time to explore our fast changing world through Becker’s eyes. Fasten your seatbelts.”
Bernsen appeared in all eight seasons of “LA Law” as well as the reunion film that came out in...
Bernsen joins previously announced returning cast member Blair Underwood. The updated logline for the project describes it as a re-envisioning of the original featuring familiar characters working alongside new ones on the most hot button issues of the day.
Bernsen returns in the role of Arnold Becker. A former lothario, Becker hasn’t changed since the 1980s but the world has. Now in his 60s, he struggles with a rapidly shifting sexual and political landscape.
“I’ve often thought about revisiting ‘LA Law’ and Arnie Becker over the years,” Bernsen said. “Now seems the perfect moment in time to explore our fast changing world through Becker’s eyes. Fasten your seatbelts.”
Bernsen appeared in all eight seasons of “LA Law” as well as the reunion film that came out in...
- 10/18/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Corbin Bernsen is set as a lead opposite Blair Underwood in L.A. Law, a new incarnation of the iconic Steven Bochco legal drama that was officially picked up to pilot by ABC earlier this month. Underwood and Bernsen, reprising their roles as Jonathan Rollins and Arnie Becker, respectively, are believed to be the only original cast members who are series regulars in the sequel pilot. (More are expected to make guest-starring appearances on the potential series.)
In the pilot, written by Marc Guggenheim and Ubah Mohamed and to be directed by Anthony Hemingway, the venerable law firm of McKenzie Brackman — now named Becker Rollins — reinvents itself as a litigation firm specializing in only the most high-profile, boundary-pushing and incendiary cases. The re-envisioning of the Emmy-winning series will be featuring familiar characters working alongside new ones on the most hot-button issues of the day.
Bernsen’s former lothario Arnold Becker...
In the pilot, written by Marc Guggenheim and Ubah Mohamed and to be directed by Anthony Hemingway, the venerable law firm of McKenzie Brackman — now named Becker Rollins — reinvents itself as a litigation firm specializing in only the most high-profile, boundary-pushing and incendiary cases. The re-envisioning of the Emmy-winning series will be featuring familiar characters working alongside new ones on the most hot-button issues of the day.
Bernsen’s former lothario Arnold Becker...
- 10/18/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Arnie Becker is back at the firm.
Corbin Bernsen has boarded the L.A. Law sequel at ABC, joining his fellow original star Blair Underwood in the updated take from writers Marc Guggenheim and Ubah Mohamed.
“I’ve often thought about revisiting L.A. Law and Arnie Becker over the years. Now seems the perfect moment in time to explore our fast-changing world through Becker’s eyes. Fasten your seatbelts,” he said in a statement Monday.
ABC handed out a pilot order earlier this month for a sequel to NBC’s four-time Emmy-winning drama series, with Underwood and other original ...
Corbin Bernsen has boarded the L.A. Law sequel at ABC, joining his fellow original star Blair Underwood in the updated take from writers Marc Guggenheim and Ubah Mohamed.
“I’ve often thought about revisiting L.A. Law and Arnie Becker over the years. Now seems the perfect moment in time to explore our fast-changing world through Becker’s eyes. Fasten your seatbelts,” he said in a statement Monday.
ABC handed out a pilot order earlier this month for a sequel to NBC’s four-time Emmy-winning drama series, with Underwood and other original ...
- 10/18/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Arnie Becker is back at the firm.
Corbin Bernsen has boarded the L.A. Law sequel at ABC, joining his fellow original star Blair Underwood in the updated take from writers Marc Guggenheim and Ubah Mohamed.
“I’ve often thought about revisiting L.A. Law and Arnie Becker over the years. Now seems the perfect moment in time to explore our fast-changing world through Becker’s eyes. Fasten your seatbelts,” he said in a statement Monday.
ABC handed out a pilot order earlier this month for a sequel to NBC’s four-time Emmy-winning drama series, with Underwood and other original ...
Corbin Bernsen has boarded the L.A. Law sequel at ABC, joining his fellow original star Blair Underwood in the updated take from writers Marc Guggenheim and Ubah Mohamed.
“I’ve often thought about revisiting L.A. Law and Arnie Becker over the years. Now seems the perfect moment in time to explore our fast-changing world through Becker’s eyes. Fasten your seatbelts,” he said in a statement Monday.
ABC handed out a pilot order earlier this month for a sequel to NBC’s four-time Emmy-winning drama series, with Underwood and other original ...
- 10/18/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
ABC is retaining the legal services of L.A. Law, giving a pilot order to a potential revival starring original series alum Blair Underwood, TVLine has learned.
The updated take is once again set at the venerable law firm of McKenzie Brackman, which has reinvented itself as “a litigation firm specializing in only the most high profile, boundary pushing and incendiary cases,” per the official synopsis. Underwood reprises his role as attorney Jonathan Rollins, “who has gone from idealistic to more conservative as he clashes with millennial JJ Freeman to decide the best path forward for the firm to effect political and legal change.
The updated take is once again set at the venerable law firm of McKenzie Brackman, which has reinvented itself as “a litigation firm specializing in only the most high profile, boundary pushing and incendiary cases,” per the official synopsis. Underwood reprises his role as attorney Jonathan Rollins, “who has gone from idealistic to more conservative as he clashes with millennial JJ Freeman to decide the best path forward for the firm to effect political and legal change.
- 10/5/2021
- by Vlada Gelman
- TVLine.com
L.A. Law has taken a major step in its TV comeback. ABC has given a pilot green light to a new incarnation of the iconic Steven Bochco legal drama. The project, which had been in the works at the network since December, is headlined by Blair Underwood, reprising his role as attorney Jonathan Rollins in addition to executive producing.
The sequel pilot is written/executive produced by Marc Guggenheim — who is a lawyer by trade — and Ubah Mohamed, and executive produced and to be directed by Anthony Hemingway via Anthony Hemingway Productions. In it, the venerable law firm of McKenzie Brackman reinvents itself as a litigation firm specializing in only the most high profile, boundary pushing and incendiary cases. Underwood’s Jonathan Rollins has gone from idealistic to more conservative as he clashes with millennial JJ Freeman to decide the best path forward for the firm to effect political and legal change.
The sequel pilot is written/executive produced by Marc Guggenheim — who is a lawyer by trade — and Ubah Mohamed, and executive produced and to be directed by Anthony Hemingway via Anthony Hemingway Productions. In it, the venerable law firm of McKenzie Brackman reinvents itself as a litigation firm specializing in only the most high profile, boundary pushing and incendiary cases. Underwood’s Jonathan Rollins has gone from idealistic to more conservative as he clashes with millennial JJ Freeman to decide the best path forward for the firm to effect political and legal change.
- 10/5/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
The “L.A. Law” sequel series starring Blair Underwood has been given a pilot order at ABC.
The followup to the beloved late ’80s-early ’90s series was first announced as being in development at ABC back in December.
In the new show, the venerable law firm of McKenzie Brackman reinvents itself as a litigation firm specializing in only the most high profile, boundary pushing and incendiary cases. Underwood reprises his role as attorney Jonathan Rollins, who has gone from idealistic to more conservative as he clashes with millennial JJ Freeman to decide the best path forward for the firm to effect political and legal change.
Marc Guggenheim and Ubah Mohamed are writing and executive producing the pilot. Underwood will executive produce in addition to starring. Anthony Hemingway will direct and executive produce the pilot. Dayna Bochco and Jesse Bochco, the wife and son of the late “L.A. Law” co-creator Steven Bochco,...
The followup to the beloved late ’80s-early ’90s series was first announced as being in development at ABC back in December.
In the new show, the venerable law firm of McKenzie Brackman reinvents itself as a litigation firm specializing in only the most high profile, boundary pushing and incendiary cases. Underwood reprises his role as attorney Jonathan Rollins, who has gone from idealistic to more conservative as he clashes with millennial JJ Freeman to decide the best path forward for the firm to effect political and legal change.
Marc Guggenheim and Ubah Mohamed are writing and executive producing the pilot. Underwood will executive produce in addition to starring. Anthony Hemingway will direct and executive produce the pilot. Dayna Bochco and Jesse Bochco, the wife and son of the late “L.A. Law” co-creator Steven Bochco,...
- 10/5/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
L.A. Law is inching closer to a return to primetime.
ABC has handed out a pilot order to a sequel to the former NBC legal drama, with former star Blair Underwood set to reprise his role as attorney Jonathan Rollins. Sources say other cast members from the former four-time Emmy-winning NBC drama are also expected to return.
From former attorney turned TV writer Marc Guggenheim and his Arrow-verse collaborator Ubah Mohamed (Legends of Tomorrow), the new L.A. Law will see the venerable law firm of McKenzie Brackman reinvent itself as a litigation firm specializing in only the most high-profile, boundary-pushing and ...
ABC has handed out a pilot order to a sequel to the former NBC legal drama, with former star Blair Underwood set to reprise his role as attorney Jonathan Rollins. Sources say other cast members from the former four-time Emmy-winning NBC drama are also expected to return.
From former attorney turned TV writer Marc Guggenheim and his Arrow-verse collaborator Ubah Mohamed (Legends of Tomorrow), the new L.A. Law will see the venerable law firm of McKenzie Brackman reinvent itself as a litigation firm specializing in only the most high-profile, boundary-pushing and ...
- 10/5/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
L.A. Law is inching closer to a return to primetime.
ABC has handed out a pilot order to a sequel to the former NBC legal drama, with former star Blair Underwood set to reprise his role as attorney Jonathan Rollins. Sources say other cast members from the former four-time Emmy-winning NBC drama are also expected to return.
From former attorney turned TV writer Marc Guggenheim and his Arrow-verse collaborator Ubah Mohamed (Legends of Tomorrow), the new L.A. Law will see the venerable law firm of McKenzie Brackman reinvent itself as a litigation firm specializing in only the most high-profile, boundary-pushing and ...
ABC has handed out a pilot order to a sequel to the former NBC legal drama, with former star Blair Underwood set to reprise his role as attorney Jonathan Rollins. Sources say other cast members from the former four-time Emmy-winning NBC drama are also expected to return.
From former attorney turned TV writer Marc Guggenheim and his Arrow-verse collaborator Ubah Mohamed (Legends of Tomorrow), the new L.A. Law will see the venerable law firm of McKenzie Brackman reinvent itself as a litigation firm specializing in only the most high-profile, boundary-pushing and ...
- 10/5/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Deadline in December broke the news that ABC was developing LA Law, a new incarnation of the Emmy-winning Steven Bochco series, with Blair Underwood set to reprise his role as attorney Jonathan Rollins and executive produce.
The project, written/executive produced by Marc Guggenheim and Ubah Mohamed, and executive produced and to be directed by Anthony Hemingway, has been moving very slowly through the decision-making process at the network. I hear the script has been written and everyone is waiting for word from ABC on green light for the show.
During a TCA virtual panel for another Disney reboot of a Steven Bochco series, the upcoming Disney+ comedy Doogie Kamealoha M.D., his son, director/producer Jesse Bochco sounded optimistic about L.A. Law‘s chances.
“We are working with brilliant, brilliant people and I think we’re going to get it to the world,” he said.
I hear there is pressure for ABC to make a decision soon as a number of the key creative auspices, including Underwood and Hemingway, have been approached for other projects and can’t stay in limbo for much longer.
In the sequel, the venerable law firm of McKenzie Brackman reinvents itself as a litigation firm specializing in only the most high-profile, boundary-pushing and incendiary cases. Underwood reprises his role as Rollins, who has gone from idealistic to more conservative as he clashes with millennial JJ Freeman to decide the best path forward for the firm to effect political and legal change.
“We have a fantastic director-producer in Anthony Hemingway and a marvelous writer, Marc Guggenheim, who came to us on LA Law,” Dayna Bochco said today. “The amount of respect and knowledge, in this case Marc Guggenheim could actually name the number of the episode… We’ve been very privileged, very lucky, and I just know Steven’s looking down on us going, ‘go kids, get it done.”
Created by Steven Bochco and Terry Louise Fisher, LA Law ran for eight seasons on NBC, from 1986-1994, followed by a reunion movie in 2002. The show was set in and around the fictitious Los Angeles-based law firm McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney and Kuzak. Many of the cases featured on the show dealt with hot-button issues such as capital punishment, abortion, racism, homophobia, sexual harassment, HIV/AIDS, and domestic violence. Underwood joined the cast in Season 2 and remained on the show until its end, earning a Golden Globe nomination.
L.A. Law won 15 Emmys throughout its run, including four for Outstanding Drama Series.
The project, written/executive produced by Marc Guggenheim and Ubah Mohamed, and executive produced and to be directed by Anthony Hemingway, has been moving very slowly through the decision-making process at the network. I hear the script has been written and everyone is waiting for word from ABC on green light for the show.
During a TCA virtual panel for another Disney reboot of a Steven Bochco series, the upcoming Disney+ comedy Doogie Kamealoha M.D., his son, director/producer Jesse Bochco sounded optimistic about L.A. Law‘s chances.
“We are working with brilliant, brilliant people and I think we’re going to get it to the world,” he said.
I hear there is pressure for ABC to make a decision soon as a number of the key creative auspices, including Underwood and Hemingway, have been approached for other projects and can’t stay in limbo for much longer.
In the sequel, the venerable law firm of McKenzie Brackman reinvents itself as a litigation firm specializing in only the most high-profile, boundary-pushing and incendiary cases. Underwood reprises his role as Rollins, who has gone from idealistic to more conservative as he clashes with millennial JJ Freeman to decide the best path forward for the firm to effect political and legal change.
“We have a fantastic director-producer in Anthony Hemingway and a marvelous writer, Marc Guggenheim, who came to us on LA Law,” Dayna Bochco said today. “The amount of respect and knowledge, in this case Marc Guggenheim could actually name the number of the episode… We’ve been very privileged, very lucky, and I just know Steven’s looking down on us going, ‘go kids, get it done.”
Created by Steven Bochco and Terry Louise Fisher, LA Law ran for eight seasons on NBC, from 1986-1994, followed by a reunion movie in 2002. The show was set in and around the fictitious Los Angeles-based law firm McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney and Kuzak. Many of the cases featured on the show dealt with hot-button issues such as capital punishment, abortion, racism, homophobia, sexual harassment, HIV/AIDS, and domestic violence. Underwood joined the cast in Season 2 and remained on the show until its end, earning a Golden Globe nomination.
L.A. Law won 15 Emmys throughout its run, including four for Outstanding Drama Series.
- 8/26/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
ABC is looking to the past for its latest series.
Deadline is reporting that Blair Underwood has been locked in to reprise his Jonathan Rollins role for a sequel series of hit legal drama L.A. Law.
The sequel will be set at the McKenzie Brackman law firm, which now specializes in “only the most high profile, boundary pushing and incendiary cases.”
Deadline reports that Underwood’s character has become more conservative over the years, meaning that viewers can expect plenty of drama between Jonathan and a millennial named JJ Freeman.
At the moment, Underwood is the only returning star announced, but Deadline notes that more big names will probably be snapped up should ABC hand out a formal series order.
The series, which spanned eight seasons from 1986-94, had an expansive cast that also included the likes of Corbin Bernsen, Jimmy Smits, and Harry Hamlin.
Underwood will have a creative voice in the update,...
Deadline is reporting that Blair Underwood has been locked in to reprise his Jonathan Rollins role for a sequel series of hit legal drama L.A. Law.
The sequel will be set at the McKenzie Brackman law firm, which now specializes in “only the most high profile, boundary pushing and incendiary cases.”
Deadline reports that Underwood’s character has become more conservative over the years, meaning that viewers can expect plenty of drama between Jonathan and a millennial named JJ Freeman.
At the moment, Underwood is the only returning star announced, but Deadline notes that more big names will probably be snapped up should ABC hand out a formal series order.
The series, which spanned eight seasons from 1986-94, had an expansive cast that also included the likes of Corbin Bernsen, Jimmy Smits, and Harry Hamlin.
Underwood will have a creative voice in the update,...
- 12/18/2020
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
ABC might want to triple check the elevators before revisiting this one: Blair Underwood is set to reprise the role of Jonathan Rollins for a sequel series to the Emmy Award-winning legal drama L.A. Law, our sister site Deadline reports.
This updated take on L.A. Law is once again set at the McKenzie Brackman law firm, which now specializes in “only the most high profile, boundary pushing and incendiary cases.” Underwood’s character has reportedly become more conservative over the years, so viewers can expect plenty of friction between Jonathan and a millennial named JJ Freeman.
More from TVLineL.A.
This updated take on L.A. Law is once again set at the McKenzie Brackman law firm, which now specializes in “only the most high profile, boundary pushing and incendiary cases.” Underwood’s character has reportedly become more conservative over the years, so viewers can expect plenty of friction between Jonathan and a millennial named JJ Freeman.
More from TVLineL.A.
- 12/17/2020
- by Andy Swift
- TVLine.com
ABC could be returning to the world of “L.A. Law.”
The Disney-owned network is developing a sequel to the iconic series which ran on its rival NBC from 1986 to 1994, Variety has confirmed.
The project has Blair Underwood attached to reprise his role as attorney Jonathan Rollins and is being written by “Arrow” co-creator Marc Guggenheim and “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow” scribe Ubah Mohamed. Anthony Hemingway is attached to direct.
In this new take on “L.A. Law,” McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney and Kuzak, the West Coast-based law firm at the heart of the original, is reinventing itself as a litigation firm specializing only in high profile, boundary pushing and incendiary cases. Sources say that Underwood’s character has changed from an idealistic figure to a more conservative one in the intervening years since the original. The sequel will see him clash with a millennial character named J.J. Freeman over the...
The Disney-owned network is developing a sequel to the iconic series which ran on its rival NBC from 1986 to 1994, Variety has confirmed.
The project has Blair Underwood attached to reprise his role as attorney Jonathan Rollins and is being written by “Arrow” co-creator Marc Guggenheim and “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow” scribe Ubah Mohamed. Anthony Hemingway is attached to direct.
In this new take on “L.A. Law,” McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney and Kuzak, the West Coast-based law firm at the heart of the original, is reinventing itself as a litigation firm specializing only in high profile, boundary pushing and incendiary cases. Sources say that Underwood’s character has changed from an idealistic figure to a more conservative one in the intervening years since the original. The sequel will see him clash with a millennial character named J.J. Freeman over the...
- 12/17/2020
- by Will Thorne
- Variety Film + TV
A sequel to NBC’s “L.A. Law” starring Blair Underwood is in development, but this time at ABC.
The project would see Underwood reprise his role as attorney Jonathan Rollins alongside a new crop of young lawyers.
Marc Guggenheim would write the series and executive produce alongside Ubah Mohamed, with Anthony Hemmingway directing. Jesse Bochco, the son of the late Steven Bochco (who co-created the original series), would also executive produce.
Here is the logline for the new version: The venerable law firm of McKenzie Brackman reinvents itself as a litigation firm specializing in only the most high-profile, boundary-pushing and incendiary cases. Blair Underwood reprises his role as attorney Jonathan Rollins, who has gone from idealistic to more conservative as he clashes with millennial JJ Freeman to decide the best path forward for the firm to effect political and legal change.
The original “L.A. Law” ran for eight seasons on...
The project would see Underwood reprise his role as attorney Jonathan Rollins alongside a new crop of young lawyers.
Marc Guggenheim would write the series and executive produce alongside Ubah Mohamed, with Anthony Hemmingway directing. Jesse Bochco, the son of the late Steven Bochco (who co-created the original series), would also executive produce.
Here is the logline for the new version: The venerable law firm of McKenzie Brackman reinvents itself as a litigation firm specializing in only the most high-profile, boundary-pushing and incendiary cases. Blair Underwood reprises his role as attorney Jonathan Rollins, who has gone from idealistic to more conservative as he clashes with millennial JJ Freeman to decide the best path forward for the firm to effect political and legal change.
The original “L.A. Law” ran for eight seasons on...
- 12/17/2020
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Exclusive: One of television’s most iconic legal dramas is poised for a comeback. ABC is developing LA Law, a new incarnation of the Emmy-winning Steven Bochco series, with Tony nominee Blair Underwood set to reprise his role as attorney Jonathan Rollins and executive produce.
The new LA Law is written/executive produced by Arrow and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow co-creator/executive producer Marc Guggenheim and Arrow/Legends writer Ubah Mohamed, and directed/executive produced by Emmy winner Anthony Hemingway. In it, the venerable law firm of McKenzie Brackman reinvents itself as a litigation firm specializing in only the most high-profile, boundary-pushing and incendiary cases. Underwood reprises his role as Rollins, who has gone from idealistic to more conservative as he clashes with millennial JJ Freeman to decide the best path forward for the firm to effect political and legal change.
While the focus will be on the new...
The new LA Law is written/executive produced by Arrow and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow co-creator/executive producer Marc Guggenheim and Arrow/Legends writer Ubah Mohamed, and directed/executive produced by Emmy winner Anthony Hemingway. In it, the venerable law firm of McKenzie Brackman reinvents itself as a litigation firm specializing in only the most high-profile, boundary-pushing and incendiary cases. Underwood reprises his role as Rollins, who has gone from idealistic to more conservative as he clashes with millennial JJ Freeman to decide the best path forward for the firm to effect political and legal change.
While the focus will be on the new...
- 12/17/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
The law firm of McKenzie Brackman is reopening.
ABC is developing a sequel to L.A. Law, with Blair Underwood set to reprise his role as attorney Jonathan Rollins. He’ll also be an executive producer on the project.
Arrow-verse veterans Marc Guggenheim and Ubah Mohamed are writing the update and will executive produce. Emmy winner Anthony Hemingway (The People v. O.J. Simpson) is attached to direct and will also be an EP. The project comes from Disney’s 20th Television, which produced the original series.
Created by Steven Bochco and Terry Louise Fisher, L.A. Law ran from 1986-94 on ...
ABC is developing a sequel to L.A. Law, with Blair Underwood set to reprise his role as attorney Jonathan Rollins. He’ll also be an executive producer on the project.
Arrow-verse veterans Marc Guggenheim and Ubah Mohamed are writing the update and will executive produce. Emmy winner Anthony Hemingway (The People v. O.J. Simpson) is attached to direct and will also be an EP. The project comes from Disney’s 20th Television, which produced the original series.
Created by Steven Bochco and Terry Louise Fisher, L.A. Law ran from 1986-94 on ...
- 12/17/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
The law firm of McKenzie Brackman is reopening.
ABC is developing a sequel to L.A. Law, with Blair Underwood set to reprise his role as attorney Jonathan Rollins. He’ll also be an executive producer on the project.
Arrow-verse veterans Marc Guggenheim and Ubah Mohamed are writing the update and will executive produce. Emmy winner Anthony Hemingway (The People v. O.J. Simpson) is attached to direct and will also be an EP. The project comes from Disney’s 20th Television, which produced the original series.
Created by Steven Bochco and Terry Louise Fisher, L.A. Law ran from 1986-94 on ...
ABC is developing a sequel to L.A. Law, with Blair Underwood set to reprise his role as attorney Jonathan Rollins. He’ll also be an executive producer on the project.
Arrow-verse veterans Marc Guggenheim and Ubah Mohamed are writing the update and will executive produce. Emmy winner Anthony Hemingway (The People v. O.J. Simpson) is attached to direct and will also be an EP. The project comes from Disney’s 20th Television, which produced the original series.
Created by Steven Bochco and Terry Louise Fisher, L.A. Law ran from 1986-94 on ...
- 12/17/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
As Sonya Winton-Odamtten and Jonathan Kidd put the finishing touches on their upcoming adaptation of Matt Ruff’s novel Lovecraft Country, the writing duo saw the coronavirus pandemic unfold and felt they needed to jump into action. They teamed with the non-profit Frontline Foods to launch the #FeedBCHW Challenge, which supports health care workers in underserved Black neighborhoods.
The pair organized over forty Black creators in Hollywood for the challenge including Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions, Robine Thede (Black Lady Sketch Show), Ayanna Floyd (The Chi), Anthony Sparks (Queen Sugar), Tracy Oliver (The First Wives Club), JaSheika James and JaNeika James (Empire), Yolanda E. Lawrence (Empire), Erika Green (New Amsterdam), Rashaan Dozier Escalante (Seal Team), Aaron Rahsaan Thomas (S.W.A.T.), Jamie Turner (All American), Maisha Closson (The L Word), Ubah Mohamed (DC’s Legends of Tomorrow), Erica Butler (Greenleaf), Felicia Pride (Queen Sugar), Ben Watkins, Erika Johnson (Americanah), among many others.
Winton-Odamtten said that the roster of Black creatives have helped feed hospitals all across the country from L.A. to Kansas City. “We’re just going to continue every week,” she said. “In addition to the 40 writers, we have a total of 31 donors who donated to the cause. We’ve had massive support around this.”
As co-executive producers of Lovecraft Country, which debuts in August, the two signed a two-year overall deal with HBO and have a resume of impressive TV credits, but as former Columbia University and UCLA college professors and with PhDs in African American Studies from Yale, the two bring insight to the current pandemic. In addition to talking to Deadline about what inspired them to start the #FeedBCHW Challenge, Winton-Odamtten and Kidd unpacked how the pandemic is a repeat of history when it comes to the disproportionate impact on communities of color and how this will affect inclusive storytelling in Hollywood.
Deadline: When the pandemic start to become more present in the United States, what was your initial reaction and did you see the disproportionate impact against people of color on the horizon?
Sonya Winton-Odamtten: I started tracking the stories about Covid-19 in Wuhan in January. And, the reality is that we live in a global society. So, this notion that somehow it’s happening over there and not in my backyard, that doesn’t really exist. [Jonathan] and I are students of African-American history, so we’d get looked at the impact on health disparities historically in African-American communities. And so, the question of whether or not an actual pandemic was to emerge and arrive on our shores, we already knew what the narrative was going to become as related to African-American communities, particularly those that are disenfranchised and underserved because you have higher rates of certain chronic diseases in those communities and, coupled with that, you have also health disparities in terms of resources that hospitals in those communities possess. You also have a history of systemic racism where an individual who is a black or brown person is not being served on the same level by the healthcare officials. All of those things have been historically proven and adequately researched.
Deadline: What can we learn from history when it comes to health crises?
Winton-odamtten: We’ve lived through eight public health crises, to some extent, which is HIV and AIDS. People forget that that initially was called a white, gay man’s disease. But, if one was a student of history, they could have projected exactly where we ended up, which are, the numbers have paled out, unfortunately, that poor, African-American communities and Latinos are both communities who are disproportionately impacted by that disease.
If you’re a student of history, you can also forecast. We knew it was going to happen. A lot of the ridiculous conversations that Black people couldn’t actually contract it initially was just so mind-boggling. I was like, why are we even engaging in that conversation when, in fact, we should be preparing and hunkering down?
Deadline: What made both you jump into action and start #FeedBCHW?
Winton-odamtten: [Jonathan] and I were on a call and we said, “well, we should be feeding, providing resources to those hospitals that are in underserved Black communities because there we can have an impact.” We want them to know that we have their backs and that they’re supported, but we also want to give them one less thing to worry about. The throes of the day when they’re surrounded by grieving families and failing health. That is my perspective of how we’ve gotten here.
Deadline: How do you think this pandemic speaks to the bigger picture and how events like these impact communities of color?
Jonathan Kidd: To me, people talk about Covid and the way in which it’s ravaging a community, but I feel like it speaks to a broader conversation. In terms of the core-morbidities that people have, in particular, issues around the Department of Justice. We talk about the Flint Water Crisis, but we don’t talk about the new garbage dump they’re building and there’s going to be particulates in the air that cause asthma. Where do they put that? They put that in poor communities of color, for the most part. Look at how highways have been built. There’s a highway here in L.A. right next to a high school. That’s not in Beverly Hills. That’s not in Calabasas. Again, impacting people of color.
If you look at food deserts in urban areas, food deserts cause diabetes because all you’re eating are Cheetos and drinking Fanta. You know what I mean? We were just talking yesterday… being a vegan is expensive. Healthy food is expensive. And so, if you don’t have access to these things, then it’s like, “Oh, I have diabetes. I have asthma, hypertension.” Then I’m more susceptible to Covid. So, I feel like it’s also part of a broader conversation we want to have about health and wellness and how we as a society can treat people better in terms of better access to healthy food. In terms of not putting waste dumps in the middle of communities. Not having lead paint so kids have brain damage because they’re eating lead paint that should have been banned in 1973.
Deadline: It is clear that all communities of color are being impacted on all fronts. As you pointed out, Black and Latinx communities are being disproportionately affected but we have seen the increase in harassment against Asian Americans. How important do you think allyship is in this pandemic and, not only within marginalized communities but with white communities?
Winton-odamtten: Our former agent is a Chinese-American brother… we called him and said be careful out there. He got a little quiet and I said, “Dude, the pendulum has swung.” The president of the United States, presidential aides are calling it “Kung-Flu” in the White House. It’s unapologetically white-supremacy at its finest. The “model minority” is thrown out the window. It’s forever changed. It’s gone. I told him to check on his family and to make sure that they understand that, if they step out of the house, that they are aware of their surroundings and if they’re being followed.
I called [Nancy Drew showrunner] Melinda Hsu-Taylor — she’s like our big sister — and told be careful out there. She lives on the west side [of L.A.] and she said there hasn’t been any verbal statements made, but she could feel the shift.
As historians, it’s very hard to not live also in the future. I’m having a conversation with you about alliance-building, but I’m also living 10 years ahead, because, again, we can see where this is going. [Jonathan] and I have always warned people about the pendulum swing. You can look at it historically. One moment, you are the “model minority” and then they’re calling it “Kung-Flu” and they don’t give a fuck about that “model minority” status.
Everybody always falls out of favor. With the exception of white, straight, rich masculinity — we’re talking about our president — rarely does anyone else get a pass to make a mistake, to be of error, to be part of a group where an individual has digressed. Rarely does that happen. We don’t call all white men serial killers. We don’t….although, they make up the majority of serial killers.
In terms of your specific question about alliance-building, I haven’t seen it. But, part of that is because, again, our living in a bubble right now. We’re launching and developing our other shows. My alliances have come in my personal relationships.
Kidd: Looking forward, it’s about not forgetting this moment. I think that’s what’s important. The initial title of my dissertation was “Nation in Contagion” and it was basically how religion, disease, otherness all contribute to the power gangs. So, if you look at Jews, Catholics, and White Women in 1600s, they were seen as witches. In Shakespeare they were seen as witches. The same conversation happened about captive Africans — they’re pagans. People said “They’re going to fuck all our women! They’re going to steal all our shit!” Same thing said about Native Americans. If you look at 9/11, or actually HIV-aids in the 80s, hemophiliacs, homosexuals, hypodermic drug users, and Haitians — it’s the same conversation. There was an assumption that Haitian boat people were bringing their disease and that AIDS because they practice voodoo. With 9/11 and Muslims, it’s the same thing. We got to ban the Muslims from coming into this country. Same story with immigrants from the American South.
These immigrants are coming in are stereotypically against abortion and against gay marriage and republicans are saying they don’t when them to come over? Why? That’s your base!
It doesn’t make sense. For me the thing that’s fascinating is in every single conversation, it’s the same language being used. So, for those in the Asian-American community, there was a time when people got beat up because they were mad because there were Chinese workers working on the railroads. Then there’s the stereotype of the Chinese laundromat. They got burnt out of laundromats, right? People also forget about Japanese internment camps during WWII. Asian American identity itself is based on a hate crime.
Deadline: How do you think the pandemic will affect the movement toward diversity and equity in Hollywood? Do you think it will hinder or help?
Kidd: Maybe I sound optimistic and I’m delusional, but I feel like Covid, in terms of work, is kind of an equalizer. You still have to go through insurance. You still have to secure your location in terms of health and wellness. You still have to make sure your cast is comfortable getting on set. You still have to have content. You still have to have people writing stuff. You still have to have directors who direct with a vision. I feel like it shifts and adds a lot of complications in terms of prep and in terms of being in production, but I feel like the great equalizer that is cable TV, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max — we’re going to need a lot of content.
I don’t fear… Sonya and I have an obsession with TV shows set in Africa. That’s part of our long-term plan. We just love storytelling. I think that, again, there’s always the opportunity for disparate treatment where sexism, racism, homophobia can come into play and in terms of people making money or not making money, but I feel like the upswing that we’ve seen in terms of access is going to remain because it’s money-driven. Crazy Rich Asians was a hit. People are like, “Shit, let’s make another one!” It’s like The Game — when it went to Bet, it was a game-changer. They got eight million eyeballs on Bet and people were like, “Oh my gosh, what?!” Then you have Being Mary Jane, Scandal — now, all of a sudden, we’re in the middle of a Black Renaissance.
Winton-odamtten: I’m also optimistic. For me, the broader conversation is how do creators address or directly speak to this pandemic that we’re having? How does one do it and make it nuanced? Because who wants a spot-on version of the one we’ve been living? It gives people popcorn ideas to chew on in the form of comedy and procedurals. I do think that it’s going to be a challenge for drama writers who are from historically marginalized communities to then take the question around identity politics and put it within the construct of the conversation of what a pandemic looks like. I think that this is an opportunity for us to sit for a second, self-reflect, and then figure out, how do we elevate it by putting ourselves at the center of it.
For more information on how to donate to #FeedBCHW click here.
The pair organized over forty Black creators in Hollywood for the challenge including Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions, Robine Thede (Black Lady Sketch Show), Ayanna Floyd (The Chi), Anthony Sparks (Queen Sugar), Tracy Oliver (The First Wives Club), JaSheika James and JaNeika James (Empire), Yolanda E. Lawrence (Empire), Erika Green (New Amsterdam), Rashaan Dozier Escalante (Seal Team), Aaron Rahsaan Thomas (S.W.A.T.), Jamie Turner (All American), Maisha Closson (The L Word), Ubah Mohamed (DC’s Legends of Tomorrow), Erica Butler (Greenleaf), Felicia Pride (Queen Sugar), Ben Watkins, Erika Johnson (Americanah), among many others.
Winton-Odamtten said that the roster of Black creatives have helped feed hospitals all across the country from L.A. to Kansas City. “We’re just going to continue every week,” she said. “In addition to the 40 writers, we have a total of 31 donors who donated to the cause. We’ve had massive support around this.”
As co-executive producers of Lovecraft Country, which debuts in August, the two signed a two-year overall deal with HBO and have a resume of impressive TV credits, but as former Columbia University and UCLA college professors and with PhDs in African American Studies from Yale, the two bring insight to the current pandemic. In addition to talking to Deadline about what inspired them to start the #FeedBCHW Challenge, Winton-Odamtten and Kidd unpacked how the pandemic is a repeat of history when it comes to the disproportionate impact on communities of color and how this will affect inclusive storytelling in Hollywood.
Deadline: When the pandemic start to become more present in the United States, what was your initial reaction and did you see the disproportionate impact against people of color on the horizon?
Sonya Winton-Odamtten: I started tracking the stories about Covid-19 in Wuhan in January. And, the reality is that we live in a global society. So, this notion that somehow it’s happening over there and not in my backyard, that doesn’t really exist. [Jonathan] and I are students of African-American history, so we’d get looked at the impact on health disparities historically in African-American communities. And so, the question of whether or not an actual pandemic was to emerge and arrive on our shores, we already knew what the narrative was going to become as related to African-American communities, particularly those that are disenfranchised and underserved because you have higher rates of certain chronic diseases in those communities and, coupled with that, you have also health disparities in terms of resources that hospitals in those communities possess. You also have a history of systemic racism where an individual who is a black or brown person is not being served on the same level by the healthcare officials. All of those things have been historically proven and adequately researched.
Deadline: What can we learn from history when it comes to health crises?
Winton-odamtten: We’ve lived through eight public health crises, to some extent, which is HIV and AIDS. People forget that that initially was called a white, gay man’s disease. But, if one was a student of history, they could have projected exactly where we ended up, which are, the numbers have paled out, unfortunately, that poor, African-American communities and Latinos are both communities who are disproportionately impacted by that disease.
If you’re a student of history, you can also forecast. We knew it was going to happen. A lot of the ridiculous conversations that Black people couldn’t actually contract it initially was just so mind-boggling. I was like, why are we even engaging in that conversation when, in fact, we should be preparing and hunkering down?
Deadline: What made both you jump into action and start #FeedBCHW?
Winton-odamtten: [Jonathan] and I were on a call and we said, “well, we should be feeding, providing resources to those hospitals that are in underserved Black communities because there we can have an impact.” We want them to know that we have their backs and that they’re supported, but we also want to give them one less thing to worry about. The throes of the day when they’re surrounded by grieving families and failing health. That is my perspective of how we’ve gotten here.
Deadline: How do you think this pandemic speaks to the bigger picture and how events like these impact communities of color?
Jonathan Kidd: To me, people talk about Covid and the way in which it’s ravaging a community, but I feel like it speaks to a broader conversation. In terms of the core-morbidities that people have, in particular, issues around the Department of Justice. We talk about the Flint Water Crisis, but we don’t talk about the new garbage dump they’re building and there’s going to be particulates in the air that cause asthma. Where do they put that? They put that in poor communities of color, for the most part. Look at how highways have been built. There’s a highway here in L.A. right next to a high school. That’s not in Beverly Hills. That’s not in Calabasas. Again, impacting people of color.
If you look at food deserts in urban areas, food deserts cause diabetes because all you’re eating are Cheetos and drinking Fanta. You know what I mean? We were just talking yesterday… being a vegan is expensive. Healthy food is expensive. And so, if you don’t have access to these things, then it’s like, “Oh, I have diabetes. I have asthma, hypertension.” Then I’m more susceptible to Covid. So, I feel like it’s also part of a broader conversation we want to have about health and wellness and how we as a society can treat people better in terms of better access to healthy food. In terms of not putting waste dumps in the middle of communities. Not having lead paint so kids have brain damage because they’re eating lead paint that should have been banned in 1973.
Deadline: It is clear that all communities of color are being impacted on all fronts. As you pointed out, Black and Latinx communities are being disproportionately affected but we have seen the increase in harassment against Asian Americans. How important do you think allyship is in this pandemic and, not only within marginalized communities but with white communities?
Winton-odamtten: Our former agent is a Chinese-American brother… we called him and said be careful out there. He got a little quiet and I said, “Dude, the pendulum has swung.” The president of the United States, presidential aides are calling it “Kung-Flu” in the White House. It’s unapologetically white-supremacy at its finest. The “model minority” is thrown out the window. It’s forever changed. It’s gone. I told him to check on his family and to make sure that they understand that, if they step out of the house, that they are aware of their surroundings and if they’re being followed.
I called [Nancy Drew showrunner] Melinda Hsu-Taylor — she’s like our big sister — and told be careful out there. She lives on the west side [of L.A.] and she said there hasn’t been any verbal statements made, but she could feel the shift.
As historians, it’s very hard to not live also in the future. I’m having a conversation with you about alliance-building, but I’m also living 10 years ahead, because, again, we can see where this is going. [Jonathan] and I have always warned people about the pendulum swing. You can look at it historically. One moment, you are the “model minority” and then they’re calling it “Kung-Flu” and they don’t give a fuck about that “model minority” status.
Everybody always falls out of favor. With the exception of white, straight, rich masculinity — we’re talking about our president — rarely does anyone else get a pass to make a mistake, to be of error, to be part of a group where an individual has digressed. Rarely does that happen. We don’t call all white men serial killers. We don’t….although, they make up the majority of serial killers.
In terms of your specific question about alliance-building, I haven’t seen it. But, part of that is because, again, our living in a bubble right now. We’re launching and developing our other shows. My alliances have come in my personal relationships.
Kidd: Looking forward, it’s about not forgetting this moment. I think that’s what’s important. The initial title of my dissertation was “Nation in Contagion” and it was basically how religion, disease, otherness all contribute to the power gangs. So, if you look at Jews, Catholics, and White Women in 1600s, they were seen as witches. In Shakespeare they were seen as witches. The same conversation happened about captive Africans — they’re pagans. People said “They’re going to fuck all our women! They’re going to steal all our shit!” Same thing said about Native Americans. If you look at 9/11, or actually HIV-aids in the 80s, hemophiliacs, homosexuals, hypodermic drug users, and Haitians — it’s the same conversation. There was an assumption that Haitian boat people were bringing their disease and that AIDS because they practice voodoo. With 9/11 and Muslims, it’s the same thing. We got to ban the Muslims from coming into this country. Same story with immigrants from the American South.
These immigrants are coming in are stereotypically against abortion and against gay marriage and republicans are saying they don’t when them to come over? Why? That’s your base!
It doesn’t make sense. For me the thing that’s fascinating is in every single conversation, it’s the same language being used. So, for those in the Asian-American community, there was a time when people got beat up because they were mad because there were Chinese workers working on the railroads. Then there’s the stereotype of the Chinese laundromat. They got burnt out of laundromats, right? People also forget about Japanese internment camps during WWII. Asian American identity itself is based on a hate crime.
Deadline: How do you think the pandemic will affect the movement toward diversity and equity in Hollywood? Do you think it will hinder or help?
Kidd: Maybe I sound optimistic and I’m delusional, but I feel like Covid, in terms of work, is kind of an equalizer. You still have to go through insurance. You still have to secure your location in terms of health and wellness. You still have to make sure your cast is comfortable getting on set. You still have to have content. You still have to have people writing stuff. You still have to have directors who direct with a vision. I feel like it shifts and adds a lot of complications in terms of prep and in terms of being in production, but I feel like the great equalizer that is cable TV, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max — we’re going to need a lot of content.
I don’t fear… Sonya and I have an obsession with TV shows set in Africa. That’s part of our long-term plan. We just love storytelling. I think that, again, there’s always the opportunity for disparate treatment where sexism, racism, homophobia can come into play and in terms of people making money or not making money, but I feel like the upswing that we’ve seen in terms of access is going to remain because it’s money-driven. Crazy Rich Asians was a hit. People are like, “Shit, let’s make another one!” It’s like The Game — when it went to Bet, it was a game-changer. They got eight million eyeballs on Bet and people were like, “Oh my gosh, what?!” Then you have Being Mary Jane, Scandal — now, all of a sudden, we’re in the middle of a Black Renaissance.
Winton-odamtten: I’m also optimistic. For me, the broader conversation is how do creators address or directly speak to this pandemic that we’re having? How does one do it and make it nuanced? Because who wants a spot-on version of the one we’ve been living? It gives people popcorn ideas to chew on in the form of comedy and procedurals. I do think that it’s going to be a challenge for drama writers who are from historically marginalized communities to then take the question around identity politics and put it within the construct of the conversation of what a pandemic looks like. I think that this is an opportunity for us to sit for a second, self-reflect, and then figure out, how do we elevate it by putting ourselves at the center of it.
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- 6/8/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
In about three weeks’ time, The CW will conclude its biggest crossover event ever with “Crisis on Infinite Earths” Part Four and Five, which will see the remaining heroes of the Arrowverse put up one last stand against the Anti-Monitor.
The five-hour special event has so far delivered on its promises of grandeur by bringing together every superhero from the multiverse of DC and giving them a role in the story. But the surprise cameos and appearances weren’t the only things that left the fans in awe of what they were experiencing, as “Crisis” ended on a huge cliffhanger that destroyed all life in existence and left only a handful of heroes (now known as Paragons) and the villainous Lex Luthor to keep fighting the good fight in an effort to restore the universe.
But if the newly released plot description for Part Four is anything to go by,...
The five-hour special event has so far delivered on its promises of grandeur by bringing together every superhero from the multiverse of DC and giving them a role in the story. But the surprise cameos and appearances weren’t the only things that left the fans in awe of what they were experiencing, as “Crisis” ended on a huge cliffhanger that destroyed all life in existence and left only a handful of heroes (now known as Paragons) and the villainous Lex Luthor to keep fighting the good fight in an effort to restore the universe.
But if the newly released plot description for Part Four is anything to go by,...
- 12/23/2019
- by Jonathan Wright
- We Got This Covered
When Brandon Routh originally migrated over from Arrow to Legends of Tomorrow, I’m pretty sure he never thought that he’d one day find himself playing the big bad. But to the credit of Ray Palmer, he never really went to the dark side. Instead, he’s been possessed by Neron in recent weeks and will soon unleash all kinds of hell.
From what we can gather, the demon who once used John Constantine’s ex-boyfriend as a vessel will now use his current meat suit to his advantage. Putting to use the notoriety and resources of Ray Palmer himself, Neron will soon roll out a new product – but potential consumers will really want to read those terms of service, hence the title of this season’s penultimate episode.
Had those folks read the fine print, then they’d know they’re willingly surrendering their souls to Neron. In fact,...
From what we can gather, the demon who once used John Constantine’s ex-boyfriend as a vessel will now use his current meat suit to his advantage. Putting to use the notoriety and resources of Ray Palmer himself, Neron will soon roll out a new product – but potential consumers will really want to read those terms of service, hence the title of this season’s penultimate episode.
Had those folks read the fine print, then they’d know they’re willingly surrendering their souls to Neron. In fact,...
- 5/10/2019
- by Eric Joseph
- We Got This Covered
Hey, "Legends Of Tomorrow" fans. We hope you guys enjoyed tonight's episode 9. Now that it's officially in the books, It's time to take a look at what's in store for the next, new episode 10. Thanks to the wonderful folks over at The CW, we're able to do exactly that. They released a press release for episode 10, which features a brief teaser description. As a matter of fact, it's quite a big description. They were very generous with their intel to say the least. To get things started, CW's press release revealed that episode 10 is entitled, "The Getaway." Episode 10 sounds like it will feature some pretty interesting and intense scenes as the Legends are on the run again! Constantine helps them out. Nate , Zari, Nora and Gary work together and more. We'll go ahead and start off this teaser session with the Legends on the run again storyline. It turns...
- 4/1/2019
- by Andre Braddox
- OnTheFlix
Now that Supergirl has gotten its own Thanksgiving episode out of the way, Legends of Tomorrow will be one of the next to cross that item off its checklist later this evening. In fact, we’ve got a healthy amount of images from said adventure for your viewing pleasure right here.
Funny enough, some of the photos included in the bountiful gallery below actually look like they could be used by retailers for various Turkey Day ads. I don’t know about you, but Nate’s father looking very, very enthused to carve that bird really seems to amuse me for some reason. Seriously, he looks like your All-American dad hailing from Anytown, USA.
But if there’s anything of definite interest, it has to be that of Courtney Ford’s return as Nora Darhk. Fortunate for us, she’s pictured in a few entries in the following slideshow. She...
Funny enough, some of the photos included in the bountiful gallery below actually look like they could be used by retailers for various Turkey Day ads. I don’t know about you, but Nate’s father looking very, very enthused to carve that bird really seems to amuse me for some reason. Seriously, he looks like your All-American dad hailing from Anytown, USA.
But if there’s anything of definite interest, it has to be that of Courtney Ford’s return as Nora Darhk. Fortunate for us, she’s pictured in a few entries in the following slideshow. She...
- 11/19/2018
- by Eric Joseph
- We Got This Covered
With Arrow about to complete its sixth season in a matter of weeks, it seems like we the viewers should be focusing our attention on the final battle to come with Ricardo Diaz, but we’ve had this eleventh hour curveball thrown at us. We are, of course, talking about the matter concerning a returning Tommy Merlyn.
If you’ve seen the trailer for next week’s episode (you can view it up above if you haven’t), then you’re aware of how Oliver Queen’s previously deceased friend drops in during his trial in full Green Arrow regalia. In fact, this is something that actor Colin Donnell had previously teased on social media, but we’re slowly getting more context via advance promotional material.
This time, it’s the network releasing a heck of a lot of images from the episode in question, most of which show exciting courtroom proceedings.
If you’ve seen the trailer for next week’s episode (you can view it up above if you haven’t), then you’re aware of how Oliver Queen’s previously deceased friend drops in during his trial in full Green Arrow regalia. In fact, this is something that actor Colin Donnell had previously teased on social media, but we’re slowly getting more context via advance promotional material.
This time, it’s the network releasing a heck of a lot of images from the episode in question, most of which show exciting courtroom proceedings.
- 4/28/2018
- by Eric Joseph
- We Got This Covered
Among the many things the current season of Arrow has going for it, the elder series in The CW’s DC TV universe can lay claim to bringing back a number of fan favorites in recent memory. Already, we’ve been witness to some unforgettable returns made by Manu Bennett’s Deathstroke and Colton Haynes’ Roy Harper (who’ll be rejoining the principal cast next year), with even Josh Segarra reprising his role of Prometheus as part of Oliver Queen’s Vertigo-induced hallucination a few weeks back.
Well, it looks like the producers aren’t through pulling out all the stops because, believe it or not, Colin Donnell will soon be returning as Tommy Merlyn. I mean, we knew it was happening at some point, but that doesn’t make the parameters of his comeback any less shocking. If we’re to go by the trailer for next week...
Well, it looks like the producers aren’t through pulling out all the stops because, believe it or not, Colin Donnell will soon be returning as Tommy Merlyn. I mean, we knew it was happening at some point, but that doesn’t make the parameters of his comeback any less shocking. If we’re to go by the trailer for next week...
- 4/27/2018
- by Eric Joseph
- We Got This Covered
Among the many things the current season of Arrow has going for it, the elder series in The CW’s DC TV universe can lay claim to bringing back a number of fan favorites in recent memory. Already, we’ve been witness to some unforgettable returns made by Manu Bennett’s Deathstroke and Colton Haynes’ Roy Harper (who’ll be rejoining the principal cast next year), with even Josh Segarra reprising his role of Prometheus as part of Oliver Queen’s Vertigo-induced hallucination in last night’s episode!
Well, it looks like the producers aren’t through pulling out all the stops because, believe it or not, Colin Donnell will soon be returning as Tommy Merlyn. I mean, we knew it was coming at some point, but now we know exactly when to expect him: May 3rd.
Since his unfortunate demise at the end of season 1, Tommy has popped...
Well, it looks like the producers aren’t through pulling out all the stops because, believe it or not, Colin Donnell will soon be returning as Tommy Merlyn. I mean, we knew it was coming at some point, but now we know exactly when to expect him: May 3rd.
Since his unfortunate demise at the end of season 1, Tommy has popped...
- 4/14/2018
- by Eric Joseph
- We Got This Covered
From VancouverFilm.Net, Sneak Peek new footage, plus images from the "Legends of Tomorrow" episode "The Curse of the Earth Totem", written by Grainne Godfree, Ubah Mohamed and directed by Chris Tammaro, airing February 26, 2018 on The CW:
"...when 'Sara' (Caity Lotz) decides to take some private time, the 'Legends' pursue a lead on the whereabouts of the long-lost 'Earth Totem'. Without Sara's knowledge, the Legends find themselves in the year 1717 to hunt for the long-lost treasure of 'Blackbeard'. But as usual, things go awry.
"Meanwhile 'Ray' (Brandon Routh) feels guilty about something he has done and tries to make amends, which lands him in even bigger trouble..."
Guest cast includes Dominc Purcell, Nick Zano, Maise Richardson-Sellers and Nick Zano.
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Legends of Tomorrow: The Curse of the Earth Totem"...
"...when 'Sara' (Caity Lotz) decides to take some private time, the 'Legends' pursue a lead on the whereabouts of the long-lost 'Earth Totem'. Without Sara's knowledge, the Legends find themselves in the year 1717 to hunt for the long-lost treasure of 'Blackbeard'. But as usual, things go awry.
"Meanwhile 'Ray' (Brandon Routh) feels guilty about something he has done and tries to make amends, which lands him in even bigger trouble..."
Guest cast includes Dominc Purcell, Nick Zano, Maise Richardson-Sellers and Nick Zano.
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Legends of Tomorrow: The Curse of the Earth Totem"...
- 2/22/2018
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Just yesterday, we were speculating on whether a return to be made by Jonah Hex was imminent on Legends of Tomorrow. After all, the cast could be seen clad in attire they’d normally don when venturing back to the Wild West in some new images, thus throwing much fuel on the fire.
Well, as it turns out, we were right because ComicBook.com has confirmed that Johnathon Schaech’s Hex will indeed return for the season finale, set to air on April 9. Right now, it’s unknown as to what specific role he’ll play – or how big – or why what we’ll assume will be the final showdown with Mallus will take place in his time period.
Having appeared in two episodes in prior seasons, Hex has always felt like a natural fit for the series. In fact, it’s my personal hope that the producers continue mining...
Well, as it turns out, we were right because ComicBook.com has confirmed that Johnathon Schaech’s Hex will indeed return for the season finale, set to air on April 9. Right now, it’s unknown as to what specific role he’ll play – or how big – or why what we’ll assume will be the final showdown with Mallus will take place in his time period.
Having appeared in two episodes in prior seasons, Hex has always felt like a natural fit for the series. In fact, it’s my personal hope that the producers continue mining...
- 2/21/2018
- by Eric Joseph
- We Got This Covered
After bearing witness to a memorable visit made to the Waverider by one John Constantine, the time has come to begin looking forward to whatever Legends of Tomorrow may bring us next. Now, you may be thinking we’re about to discuss next week’s episode that’ll see the team get stuck in a time loop Groundhog Day-style, but, believe it or not, we’re actually going to talk about what’s to follow.
As you may recall, this past Monday night’s midseason premiere hinted that uniting six totems may very well be the key to stopping Mallus. So far, two of them are on board the Waverider, safely in the possession of Vixen and Zari, but another, the Water Totem, is currently held by Kuasa. Truth be told, we’re wondering how they’re going to collect the Fire Totem because that was destroyed in the Vixen web series/animated movie,...
As you may recall, this past Monday night’s midseason premiere hinted that uniting six totems may very well be the key to stopping Mallus. So far, two of them are on board the Waverider, safely in the possession of Vixen and Zari, but another, the Water Totem, is currently held by Kuasa. Truth be told, we’re wondering how they’re going to collect the Fire Totem because that was destroyed in the Vixen web series/animated movie,...
- 2/14/2018
- by Eric Joseph
- We Got This Covered
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