A24’s Priscilla by Sofia Coppola catapults from four screens to 1,300, Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers from Focus Features expands to 60 from six and two new indies have wide debuts — What Happens Later from Bleecker Street, directed by and starring Meg Ryan, opens at 1,400 locations and Daisy Ridley-starring The Marsh King’s Daughter from Roadside Attractions at over 1,000.
What Happens Later moved here from its original Oct. 16 perch, avoiding The Eras Tour opening crush. The rom-com debut of Meg Ryan after a long hiatus co-stars David Duchovny. Based on the play Shooting Star by Steven Dietz, the pic follows a chance encounter between two ex-lovers, Willa and Bill, who are snowed in at a regional airport and indefinitely delayed. See Deadline review.
The Marsh King’s Daughter stars Daisy Ridley and Ben Mendelsohn in an adaptation of a bestselling 2017 thriller by Karen Dionne,...
What Happens Later moved here from its original Oct. 16 perch, avoiding The Eras Tour opening crush. The rom-com debut of Meg Ryan after a long hiatus co-stars David Duchovny. Based on the play Shooting Star by Steven Dietz, the pic follows a chance encounter between two ex-lovers, Willa and Bill, who are snowed in at a regional airport and indefinitely delayed. See Deadline review.
The Marsh King’s Daughter stars Daisy Ridley and Ben Mendelsohn in an adaptation of a bestselling 2017 thriller by Karen Dionne,...
- 11/3/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Actor and rapper KaMillion has signed with Anonymous Content for representation in all areas.
KaMillion currently stars in Issa Rae’s Max comedy series Rap Sh!t as Mia Knight, a single mother looking to make it as a rapper. She is set to reprise her role for Season 2, which premieres in November.
Additional credits for KaMillion include Star (Fox), When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story (TV One) and The Quad (BET).
In addition to her work as an actor, KaMillion is a rapper and singer-songwriter. Her hit song “Twerk for Me” went viral on social media, receiving over a billion hits in six months on TikTok and other social media platforms. She released her second EP, Self Made, featuring lead single “Rich Bitch Walk” in May 2022. Her single “Fine Azz” served as the opening theme song for Season 2 of A Black Lady Sketch Show.
KaMillion is an...
KaMillion currently stars in Issa Rae’s Max comedy series Rap Sh!t as Mia Knight, a single mother looking to make it as a rapper. She is set to reprise her role for Season 2, which premieres in November.
Additional credits for KaMillion include Star (Fox), When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story (TV One) and The Quad (BET).
In addition to her work as an actor, KaMillion is a rapper and singer-songwriter. Her hit song “Twerk for Me” went viral on social media, receiving over a billion hits in six months on TikTok and other social media platforms. She released her second EP, Self Made, featuring lead single “Rich Bitch Walk” in May 2022. Her single “Fine Azz” served as the opening theme song for Season 2 of A Black Lady Sketch Show.
KaMillion is an...
- 8/30/2023
- by Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
Ryan Kavanaugh has acquired a large stake in the movie streaming service Row8 through his production outfit Proxima Media, TheWrap has learned; as part of the deal, the companies have collaborated on a new joint venture, Proxima 8.
The terms of the deal are not known but the deal aims to give Proxima big savings on marketing and distribution of its films.
Proxima 8 plans to create interactive movies experiences that among other things will offer behind-the-scenes looks at productions, chances to participate in productions or premieres, and virtual interactions with stars and directors.
Subscription-free Row8 offers rentals of new and back catalog films via distribution deals with the major studios. The service allows customers to cancel rentals within the first 30 minutes of watching and exchange for another title, and offers “scene alert,” which alerts parents to potentially inappropriate scenes before they display.
Kavanaugh has produced or financed more than 200 feature films...
The terms of the deal are not known but the deal aims to give Proxima big savings on marketing and distribution of its films.
Proxima 8 plans to create interactive movies experiences that among other things will offer behind-the-scenes looks at productions, chances to participate in productions or premieres, and virtual interactions with stars and directors.
Subscription-free Row8 offers rentals of new and back catalog films via distribution deals with the major studios. The service allows customers to cancel rentals within the first 30 minutes of watching and exchange for another title, and offers “scene alert,” which alerts parents to potentially inappropriate scenes before they display.
Kavanaugh has produced or financed more than 200 feature films...
- 3/23/2023
- by Ross A. Lincoln
- The Wrap
Exclusive: AllBlk has greenlit the drama series Hush from creator Angela Burt-Murray. Joyful Drake, Caryn Ward Ross, Erica Mena, Candiace Dillard Bassett, and Ts Madison are set to star.
The 8-episode (35 minutes) new series tells the story of “relationship fixer” Dr. Draya Logan (Drake), a top marriage and sex therapist, TV personality, and best-selling author entangled in a web of lies, sex, and murder that could cost her everything.
The streamer describes Logan as the gatekeeper of her high-profile clients’ secrets whose job is to keep their trysts away from the media. She also hosts therapeutic couples’ retreats for those in dire straits. But after she launches her ‘Penthouse Project,’ the deadly secrets of three women threaten her career and life when a dead body is found,...
The 8-episode (35 minutes) new series tells the story of “relationship fixer” Dr. Draya Logan (Drake), a top marriage and sex therapist, TV personality, and best-selling author entangled in a web of lies, sex, and murder that could cost her everything.
The streamer describes Logan as the gatekeeper of her high-profile clients’ secrets whose job is to keep their trysts away from the media. She also hosts therapeutic couples’ retreats for those in dire straits. But after she launches her ‘Penthouse Project,’ the deadly secrets of three women threaten her career and life when a dead body is found,...
- 6/2/2022
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Corbin Bernsen (Showtime’s City on a Hill), Timothy V. Murphy (TNT’s Snowpiercer) and Jeremy Holm (House of Cards) have signed on to star in the horror film Herd, from director Steven Pierce.
The indie co-written by Pierce and James Allerdyce tells the story of a woman who ends up trapped between a zombie outbreak and warring militias as she tries to outrun her past. Pierce is producing Herd as the inaugural feature under his newly-minted Fp banner, alongside Allerdyce, Lori Kay, Matt Mundy and Bret Carr. Production will commence in Missouri early next month.
Bernsen is a two-time Emmy and Golden Globe nominee perhaps best known for Arnie Becker on 20th Television’s LA Law, who recently signed on to reprise the role in an ABC revival. The actor can currently be seen on Showtime’s City on a Hill and will also soon be seen on...
The indie co-written by Pierce and James Allerdyce tells the story of a woman who ends up trapped between a zombie outbreak and warring militias as she tries to outrun her past. Pierce is producing Herd as the inaugural feature under his newly-minted Fp banner, alongside Allerdyce, Lori Kay, Matt Mundy and Bret Carr. Production will commence in Missouri early next month.
Bernsen is a two-time Emmy and Golden Globe nominee perhaps best known for Arnie Becker on 20th Television’s LA Law, who recently signed on to reprise the role in an ABC revival. The actor can currently be seen on Showtime’s City on a Hill and will also soon be seen on...
- 3/22/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Hallmark is bringing its Mahogany brand of greeting cards to life on the small screen with the original movie Unthinkably Good Things, starring And Just Like That…’s Karen Pittman. Keeping with the brand, new originals under Hallmark Movies & Mysteries‘ Mahogany banner will continue to celebrate the core values of family, community, and love from the perspective of the Black community. Erica Ash, Joyful Drake, Jermaine Love, and Lance Gross will star alongside Pittman as leading lady Allison. “At a crossroads in her career and love life, Allison (Pittman) is in need of the love and support of her two friends Melina (Drake) and Reesa (Ash). When they visit her in Tuscany, the reunion causes each woman to reexamine the state of her own life and relationships. While they have different personalities and perspectives, they know each ...
- 3/22/2022
- TV Insider
Hallmark has begun production on its first movie under the new Mahogany banner, titled “Unthinkably Good Things.” The film will star Karen Pittman.
The film, set to debut on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, sees a woman named Allison (Pittman) at a crossroads in her career and love life, in need of the love and support of her two friends Melina (Joyful Drake) and Reesa (Erica Ash). When they visit her in Tuscany, the reunion causes each woman to reexamine the state of her own life and relationships. While they have different personalities and perspectives, they know each other’s truths and help to make life-changing decisions. Jermaine Love and Lance Gross also star.
“Unthinkably Good Things” is being shot on location in Italy. Terri J. Vaughn directs a script by Cas Sigers-Beedles. The film is a Kronicle Media Production. Korin D. Williams, Monique Nash and Cristina Giubbetti serve as executive producers with David Wulf as producer.
The film, set to debut on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, sees a woman named Allison (Pittman) at a crossroads in her career and love life, in need of the love and support of her two friends Melina (Joyful Drake) and Reesa (Erica Ash). When they visit her in Tuscany, the reunion causes each woman to reexamine the state of her own life and relationships. While they have different personalities and perspectives, they know each other’s truths and help to make life-changing decisions. Jermaine Love and Lance Gross also star.
“Unthinkably Good Things” is being shot on location in Italy. Terri J. Vaughn directs a script by Cas Sigers-Beedles. The film is a Kronicle Media Production. Korin D. Williams, Monique Nash and Cristina Giubbetti serve as executive producers with David Wulf as producer.
- 3/22/2022
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
Renée Zellweger, whose limited series “The Thing About Pam” premieres Tuesday night on NBC, is reteaming with NBCUniversal to develop the World War II drama series “Avenger Field,” Peacock confirmed to TheWrap on Tuesday.
She’s attached to star as Jackie Cochran, the leader of the civilian U.S. Army Air Forces program called the WASPs (Women Airforce Service Pilots), an all-female team of pilots who tested aircraft at home, while the men went off to combat abroad. The pioneering aviator, who died in 1980, held more records for speed, distance and altitude than any other male or female pilot in aviation history, according to the Smithsonian.
The logline: “In the vein of ‘Hidden Figures,’ ‘Avenger Field’ celebrates the brave women (and men) that executed a clandestine all female U.S. Airforce program called the Wasps to battle Hitler’s evil from home. Inspired by the true story of wasp leader Jackie...
She’s attached to star as Jackie Cochran, the leader of the civilian U.S. Army Air Forces program called the WASPs (Women Airforce Service Pilots), an all-female team of pilots who tested aircraft at home, while the men went off to combat abroad. The pioneering aviator, who died in 1980, held more records for speed, distance and altitude than any other male or female pilot in aviation history, according to the Smithsonian.
The logline: “In the vein of ‘Hidden Figures,’ ‘Avenger Field’ celebrates the brave women (and men) that executed a clandestine all female U.S. Airforce program called the Wasps to battle Hitler’s evil from home. Inspired by the true story of wasp leader Jackie...
- 3/8/2022
- by Sharon Knolle
- The Wrap
Renée Zellweger has lined up another TV role with NBCUniversal. Variety has learned exclusively that the actress is set to star in the drama “Avenger Field” that is in development at Peacock.
The one-hour drama series, which hails from MGM Television, tells the story of those that established a clandestine all female US Airforce program called the WASPs (Women Airforce Service Pilots) to battle Hitler from home. Inspired by the true story of Wasp leader Jackie Cohran (Zellweger) and the diverse group of women who fought the system, skeptics and even sabotage to bring everyone home safely.
Felicia D. Henderson is attached to serve as writer, showrunner, and executive producer via WaterWalk Entertainment. Susanna White will direct and executive produce. Zellweger will executive produce with Carmella Casinelli under their Big Picture Co. banner. Steve Stark and Stacey Levin of Toluca Pictures, Emily Rose and Jill North of North Rose Pictures,...
The one-hour drama series, which hails from MGM Television, tells the story of those that established a clandestine all female US Airforce program called the WASPs (Women Airforce Service Pilots) to battle Hitler from home. Inspired by the true story of Wasp leader Jackie Cohran (Zellweger) and the diverse group of women who fought the system, skeptics and even sabotage to bring everyone home safely.
Felicia D. Henderson is attached to serve as writer, showrunner, and executive producer via WaterWalk Entertainment. Susanna White will direct and executive produce. Zellweger will executive produce with Carmella Casinelli under their Big Picture Co. banner. Steve Stark and Stacey Levin of Toluca Pictures, Emily Rose and Jill North of North Rose Pictures,...
- 3/8/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: The Punisher and Gossip Girl writer Felicia D. Henderson is set to adapt Tracy Deonn’s YA fantasy novel Legendborn after Black Bear Television acquired the rights.
Henderson, who was a co-exec producer on both series and also worked on series including Fringe and Everybody Hates Chris and co-created BET series The Quad, will write and exec produce a series based on the book. She is currently showrunner of Netflix’s Emma Roberts-produced YA vampire series First Kill.
The book, which was published by Simon & Schuster in 2020, offers a modern-day twist on the Legend of King Arthur with a dose of Black Girl Magic.
After her mother dies in an accident, Bree Matthews leaves home to attend her mother’s alma mater, the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Upon arrival, Bree unexpectedly uncovers a centuries-old supernatural war and the world of the ‘Legendborn’, a secret society made up of the magic-wielding,...
Henderson, who was a co-exec producer on both series and also worked on series including Fringe and Everybody Hates Chris and co-created BET series The Quad, will write and exec produce a series based on the book. She is currently showrunner of Netflix’s Emma Roberts-produced YA vampire series First Kill.
The book, which was published by Simon & Schuster in 2020, offers a modern-day twist on the Legend of King Arthur with a dose of Black Girl Magic.
After her mother dies in an accident, Bree Matthews leaves home to attend her mother’s alma mater, the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Upon arrival, Bree unexpectedly uncovers a centuries-old supernatural war and the world of the ‘Legendborn’, a secret society made up of the magic-wielding,...
- 2/2/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Tyshon Freeman (The Quad) and Shondalia White (Good Trouble) are set for key recurring roles in Starz’s drama series Bmf (aka Black Mafia Family), from executive producer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and writer/executive producer and Detroit native Randy Huggins.
Bmf is inspired by the true story of two brothers who rose from the decaying streets of southwest Detroit in the late 1980’s and gave birth to one of the most influential crime families in this country. Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory’s charismatic leadership, Terry “Southwest T” Flenory’s business acumen and the fraternal partnership’s vision beyond the drug trade and into the world of Hip Hop would render the brothers iconic on a global level. Their unwavering belief in family loyalty would be the cornerstone of their partnership and the crux of their eventual estrangement. The series is about love,...
Bmf is inspired by the true story of two brothers who rose from the decaying streets of southwest Detroit in the late 1980’s and gave birth to one of the most influential crime families in this country. Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory’s charismatic leadership, Terry “Southwest T” Flenory’s business acumen and the fraternal partnership’s vision beyond the drug trade and into the world of Hip Hop would render the brothers iconic on a global level. Their unwavering belief in family loyalty would be the cornerstone of their partnership and the crux of their eventual estrangement. The series is about love,...
- 8/25/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Writer-director-producer Jeff Byrd, who recently joined Fox’s new drama series Our Kind of People as co-executive producer, has signed with APA for representation in film and television.
Inspired by Lawrence Otis Graham’s critically acclaimed book, Our Kind of People, from Lee Daniels and Karin Gist, centers on the Martha’s Vineyard community of Oak Bluffs, a historical stronghold where the rich and powerful Black elite come to play. The series follows a strong-willed single businesswoman as she sets out to reclaim her family’s name and promote her revolutionary haircare line. But she soon discovers a dark secret about her mother’s past that will turn her world upside-down and shake up the upscale community forever.
Byrd’s television directing credits include Star Trek: Discovery for CBS/Paramount+; The CW’s Nancy Drew, The Originals, Black Lightning, Dynasty and Charmed; VH1’s Single Ladies; Freeform’s Switched at Birth,...
Inspired by Lawrence Otis Graham’s critically acclaimed book, Our Kind of People, from Lee Daniels and Karin Gist, centers on the Martha’s Vineyard community of Oak Bluffs, a historical stronghold where the rich and powerful Black elite come to play. The series follows a strong-willed single businesswoman as she sets out to reclaim her family’s name and promote her revolutionary haircare line. But she soon discovers a dark secret about her mother’s past that will turn her world upside-down and shake up the upscale community forever.
Byrd’s television directing credits include Star Trek: Discovery for CBS/Paramount+; The CW’s Nancy Drew, The Originals, Black Lightning, Dynasty and Charmed; VH1’s Single Ladies; Freeform’s Switched at Birth,...
- 8/17/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Warner Bros. Television is beefing up its drama development team.
The studio has hired former Rainforest Entertainment head of development Mitzi Miller and former Monkeypaw Productions development executive Jonathan Harris as Vice Presidents of Drama Development.
The pair will spearhead the creation of new one-hour scripted drama series for all platforms, including WarnerMedia’s HBO Max, as well as external streaming services, cable channels, and the broadcast networks.
They will work closely with WB’s stable of writers and producers as well as be responsible for finding new talent, material and IP to turn into television drama.
Reporting to EVP and Head of Drama Development Leigh London Redman, they will work closely with the drama team that includes SVP Tony Optican, VPs Parul Agrawal and Ashley Cole, and manager Michael Zeeck.
Their appointment comes after longtime development exec Aisha Summers left the studio to join ViacomCBS, where she is set to head BET Studios,...
The studio has hired former Rainforest Entertainment head of development Mitzi Miller and former Monkeypaw Productions development executive Jonathan Harris as Vice Presidents of Drama Development.
The pair will spearhead the creation of new one-hour scripted drama series for all platforms, including WarnerMedia’s HBO Max, as well as external streaming services, cable channels, and the broadcast networks.
They will work closely with WB’s stable of writers and producers as well as be responsible for finding new talent, material and IP to turn into television drama.
Reporting to EVP and Head of Drama Development Leigh London Redman, they will work closely with the drama team that includes SVP Tony Optican, VPs Parul Agrawal and Ashley Cole, and manager Michael Zeeck.
Their appointment comes after longtime development exec Aisha Summers left the studio to join ViacomCBS, where she is set to head BET Studios,...
- 7/7/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Emmy and NAACP Award-winner Debbi Morgan is set for a major recurring role opposite Yaya DaCosta, Morris Chestnut and Joe Morgan in Fox drama series Our Kind of People, from writer/executive producer Karin Gist and executive producer Lee Daniels.
Written by Gist inspired by Lawrence Otis Graham’s provocative, critically praised book Our Kind of People: Inside America’s Black Upper Class, the series takes place in the aspirational world of Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard, a historical stronghold where the rich and powerful Black elite have come to play for more than 50 years. Our Kind of People follows strong-willed single mom Angela Vaughn (DaCosta) as she sets out to reclaim her family’s name and make an impact with her revolutionary haircare line that highlights the innate, natural beauty of Black women. But she soon discovers a dark secret about her...
Written by Gist inspired by Lawrence Otis Graham’s provocative, critically praised book Our Kind of People: Inside America’s Black Upper Class, the series takes place in the aspirational world of Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard, a historical stronghold where the rich and powerful Black elite have come to play for more than 50 years. Our Kind of People follows strong-willed single mom Angela Vaughn (DaCosta) as she sets out to reclaim her family’s name and make an impact with her revolutionary haircare line that highlights the innate, natural beauty of Black women. But she soon discovers a dark secret about her...
- 6/29/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
“All My Children’s” Angie Baxter-Hubbard, aka NAACP Award winner Debbi Morgan, has been cast in Lee Daniels and Karin Gist’s series “Our Kind of People,” a drama headed to Fox on Tuesday nights this fall. The “Power” and “Ghost” regular joins previously announced cast members Lance Gross (“Sleepy Hollow”), Yaya DaCosta (“Chicago Med”), Morris Chestnut (“The Resident”), Joe Morton (“Scandal”) LeToya Luckett and newcomer Alana Bright. The series is inspired by Lawrence Otis Graham’s book “Our Kind of People: Inside America’s Black Upper Class.” It is a co-production of Fox Entertainment and 20th Television.
Per the logline, “Our Kind of People” takes place in the aspirational world of Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard, a historical stronghold where the rich and powerful Black elite have come to play for over 50 years. The series follows protagonist Angela Vaughn (DaCosta), a strong-willed, single mom who sets out to...
Per the logline, “Our Kind of People” takes place in the aspirational world of Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard, a historical stronghold where the rich and powerful Black elite have come to play for over 50 years. The series follows protagonist Angela Vaughn (DaCosta), a strong-willed, single mom who sets out to...
- 6/29/2021
- by Mónica Marie Zorrilla
- Variety Film + TV
Anika Noni Rose has been cast in the “Let the Right One In” pilot at Showtime, Variety has learned.
She joins previously announced cast member Demián Bichir. The series centers on Mark (Bichir), a father and his 12-year-old daughter, Eleanor, whose lives were changed forever 10 years earlier when she was turned into a vampire. Locked in at age 12, perhaps forever, Eleanor lives a closed-in life, able to go out only at night, while her father does his best to provide her with the minimal amount of human blood she needs to stay alive.
Rose will appear in the series regular role of Naomi. Described as brilliant but cynical, Naomi balances life as a single mother with her career as a homicide detective. She’d do anything for her son, Isaiah, and when Isaiah befriends the girl who’s just moved in next door, Naomi’s thrilled, until she starts to...
She joins previously announced cast member Demián Bichir. The series centers on Mark (Bichir), a father and his 12-year-old daughter, Eleanor, whose lives were changed forever 10 years earlier when she was turned into a vampire. Locked in at age 12, perhaps forever, Eleanor lives a closed-in life, able to go out only at night, while her father does his best to provide her with the minimal amount of human blood she needs to stay alive.
Rose will appear in the series regular role of Naomi. Described as brilliant but cynical, Naomi balances life as a single mother with her career as a homicide detective. She’d do anything for her son, Isaiah, and when Isaiah befriends the girl who’s just moved in next door, Naomi’s thrilled, until she starts to...
- 4/15/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
The CW’s “All American” pilot spinoff starring Geffri Maya, “All American: Homecoming,” has added half a dozen new cast members: Peyton Alex Smith, Kelly Jenrette, Cory Hardrict, Sylvester Powell, Netta Walker and Camille Hyde.
“All American: Homecoming,” executive produced and written by “All American” showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll, takes place against the backdrop of the Hbcu experience, and will see Maya reprise her role as Simone Hicks.
According to the network, the spinoff “follows a young tennis hopeful from Beverly Hills and an elite baseball player from Chicago as they contend with the high stakes of college sports, while also navigating the highs, lows and sexiness of unsupervised early adulthood at a prestigious Historically Black College.”
Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, David Madden and Robbie Rogers are also executive producing the pilot, which will air as an episode in the current third season of “All American.” Berlanti Productions is producing...
“All American: Homecoming,” executive produced and written by “All American” showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll, takes place against the backdrop of the Hbcu experience, and will see Maya reprise her role as Simone Hicks.
According to the network, the spinoff “follows a young tennis hopeful from Beverly Hills and an elite baseball player from Chicago as they contend with the high stakes of college sports, while also navigating the highs, lows and sexiness of unsupervised early adulthood at a prestigious Historically Black College.”
Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, David Madden and Robbie Rogers are also executive producing the pilot, which will air as an episode in the current third season of “All American.” Berlanti Productions is producing...
- 3/30/2021
- by Elaine Low
- Variety Film + TV
Bradley Gibson, who currently recurs as Everett on the Starz series Power Book II: Ghost is set to join the forthcoming reboot of Kung Fu at the CW in a recurring role.
Gibson will play the character of Joe Harper in Kung Fu. He is described as a man in his 20s who is a graphic artist and community organizer in Oakland. Joe is “funny, sexy, hip — deeply serious about his work and his activism, but equally committed to the joys of life: friendship, art, love.”
Heis a social butterfly, having a foot in many of the San Francisco Bay Area’s communities including gay San Francisco, bohemian San Francisco, the Black community of Oakland — which is where he grew up. Joe is an idealist, but he’s profoundly realistic about the many obstacles to deep, systemic change. However, he can’t keep his guard up about is love. He...
Gibson will play the character of Joe Harper in Kung Fu. He is described as a man in his 20s who is a graphic artist and community organizer in Oakland. Joe is “funny, sexy, hip — deeply serious about his work and his activism, but equally committed to the joys of life: friendship, art, love.”
Heis a social butterfly, having a foot in many of the San Francisco Bay Area’s communities including gay San Francisco, bohemian San Francisco, the Black community of Oakland — which is where he grew up. Joe is an idealist, but he’s profoundly realistic about the many obstacles to deep, systemic change. However, he can’t keep his guard up about is love. He...
- 2/22/2021
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Whoopi Goldberg and Jasmine Guy are set for recurring roles in Amazon’s Harlem, the comedy series from Tracy Oliver (Girls Trip), Amy Poehler’s Paper Kite Productions and Universal TV.
Created, written and executive produced by Oliver, Harlem, formerly the Untitled Tracy Oliver Project, is a single-camera comedy following the lives of four black women, friends from their college days at NYU, as they navigate sex, relationships and chasing their dreams.
Goldberg plays Dr Elise Pruitt, the brilliant, intense new department head at Columbia University with a warmth that has a fragile on/off switch.
Guy portrays Patricia, Quinn’s wealthy mom who wants her daughter to give up her seemingly failing career as a designer and just settle down.
Oliver executive produces with Paper Kite’s Poehler and Kim Lessing and 3 Arts’ Dave Becky. Amazon Studios and Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, produce in association with Paper Kite.
Created, written and executive produced by Oliver, Harlem, formerly the Untitled Tracy Oliver Project, is a single-camera comedy following the lives of four black women, friends from their college days at NYU, as they navigate sex, relationships and chasing their dreams.
Goldberg plays Dr Elise Pruitt, the brilliant, intense new department head at Columbia University with a warmth that has a fragile on/off switch.
Guy portrays Patricia, Quinn’s wealthy mom who wants her daughter to give up her seemingly failing career as a designer and just settle down.
Oliver executive produces with Paper Kite’s Poehler and Kim Lessing and 3 Arts’ Dave Becky. Amazon Studios and Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, produce in association with Paper Kite.
- 2/17/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Two-time Golden Globe nominee and SAG Ensemble winner Dennis Quaid will star in MGM and LightWorkers’ faith-based family drama, On a Wing and a Prayer. The pic marks the actor’s third reteaming with filmmaker Sean McNamara after Soul Surfer and the upcoming biopic Reagan in which Quaid plays the title role as the 40th U.S. President. On a Wing and a Prayer will be released through MGM’s distribution and marketing joint venture United Artists Releasing.
After a small-town pilot dies unexpectedly while flying the plane, passenger Doug White (Quaid) is forced to land the plane safely in order to save his entire family. Based on an astonishing true story, On a Wing and a Prayer follows one man’s harrowing journey to save his family from insurmountable danger.
Brian Egeston (Perfect Harmony) wrote the screenplay which is being produced by Roma Downey and Autumn Bailey-Ford. Mark Burnett will executive produce the project.
After a small-town pilot dies unexpectedly while flying the plane, passenger Doug White (Quaid) is forced to land the plane safely in order to save his entire family. Based on an astonishing true story, On a Wing and a Prayer follows one man’s harrowing journey to save his family from insurmountable danger.
Brian Egeston (Perfect Harmony) wrote the screenplay which is being produced by Roma Downey and Autumn Bailey-Ford. Mark Burnett will executive produce the project.
- 1/27/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix has handed a series order to First Kill, a YA vampire series based on the short story by New York Times bestselling author Victoria “V. E.” Schwab, with American Horror Story and Scream Queens star Emma Roberts set to produce via her Belletrist Productions. The eight-episode, one-hour series was created, written and executive produced by Schwab. Felicia D. Henderson also writes and serves as showrunner.
Schwab’s short story was published in Imprint’s Vampires Never Get Old: Tales with Fresh Bite by Natalie C. Parker and Zoraida Córdova, a collection of short stories about vampires that was released in September.
It was a highly competitive situation, we hear, with Belletrist Productions winning the rights over 18 other entities.
In First Kill, when it’s time for teenage vampire Juliette to make her first kill so she can take her place among a powerful vampire family, she...
Schwab’s short story was published in Imprint’s Vampires Never Get Old: Tales with Fresh Bite by Natalie C. Parker and Zoraida Córdova, a collection of short stories about vampires that was released in September.
It was a highly competitive situation, we hear, with Belletrist Productions winning the rights over 18 other entities.
In First Kill, when it’s time for teenage vampire Juliette to make her first kill so she can take her place among a powerful vampire family, she...
- 10/15/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Fledgling Georgia-based production outfit Southern Stories will produce and finance rodeo drama Ride from Conor and Jake Allyn, whose most recent feature No Man’s Land was picked up by IFC Films last month.
Based on an original screenplay from Jake Allyn and Josh Plasse (The Baxters), the feature will be directed by Conor Allyn (Walk. Ride. Rodeo), with plans to expand into series format. Leah Daniels Butler (Empire) is currently casting for a scheduled fall production.
Maggie Monteith (Swimming With Men) is producing through her recently launched Georgia-based label Southern Stories and Upton Films, alongside James Gibb (V Wars). The film will be financed by Southern Stories.
The film will follow a successful couple whose relationship is tested when their child is diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Cracks in the family begin to show when their adopted son returns from prison to start a career as a bull rider.
Based on an original screenplay from Jake Allyn and Josh Plasse (The Baxters), the feature will be directed by Conor Allyn (Walk. Ride. Rodeo), with plans to expand into series format. Leah Daniels Butler (Empire) is currently casting for a scheduled fall production.
Maggie Monteith (Swimming With Men) is producing through her recently launched Georgia-based label Southern Stories and Upton Films, alongside James Gibb (V Wars). The film will be financed by Southern Stories.
The film will follow a successful couple whose relationship is tested when their child is diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Cracks in the family begin to show when their adopted son returns from prison to start a career as a bull rider.
- 7/22/2020
- by Andreas Wiseman and Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
The highly anticipated TV adaptation of The Lincoln Lawyer is dead.
CBS has reportedly decided to shelve the drama series based on Michael Connelly's 2005 novel of the same, according to Deadline.
The project snagged a series commitment from CBS back in June 2019, and was to be written and executive-produced by David E. Kelley (The Practice).
Additional EPs included Connelly, Ted Humphrey, Ross Fineman, and director Adam Bernstein.
According to the official synopsis, the series would center around Mickey Haller, “an iconoclastic idealist who runs his law practice out of the back of his Lincoln town car, as he takes on cases big and small across Los Angeles.”
Logan Marshall-Green was said to be attached to take on the title role, alongside a cast that included Kiele Sanchez (Kingdom), Angus Sampson (No Activity), and Jazz Raycole (The Quad).
This is the first pass of the 2020-21 TV season, and given...
CBS has reportedly decided to shelve the drama series based on Michael Connelly's 2005 novel of the same, according to Deadline.
The project snagged a series commitment from CBS back in June 2019, and was to be written and executive-produced by David E. Kelley (The Practice).
Additional EPs included Connelly, Ted Humphrey, Ross Fineman, and director Adam Bernstein.
According to the official synopsis, the series would center around Mickey Haller, “an iconoclastic idealist who runs his law practice out of the back of his Lincoln town car, as he takes on cases big and small across Los Angeles.”
Logan Marshall-Green was said to be attached to take on the title role, alongside a cast that included Kiele Sanchez (Kingdom), Angus Sampson (No Activity), and Jazz Raycole (The Quad).
This is the first pass of the 2020-21 TV season, and given...
- 5/3/2020
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Mekai Curtis is set to star as young Kanan Stark alongside Patina Miller in Power Book III: Raising Kanan, Starz/Lionsgate’s upcoming Power prequel series. Additionally, Rob Hardy is set to direct the pilot and executive produce.
Smart, driven and still naïve, Kanan’s world revolves around his mother, Raq (Miller), who raised him by herself. She is his everything. At the same time, he is beginning to get a sense of not only the world around him but his place in said world. Kanan wants to be just like his mother — and that’s the problem. He’s young and wide-eyed and doesn’t know how the hustle works. And even more important, his mother is not nearly as keen as he is for him to follow in her footsteps. Theirs is a complicated relationship that only gets more problematic as time goes on.
The...
Smart, driven and still naïve, Kanan’s world revolves around his mother, Raq (Miller), who raised him by herself. She is his everything. At the same time, he is beginning to get a sense of not only the world around him but his place in said world. Kanan wants to be just like his mother — and that’s the problem. He’s young and wide-eyed and doesn’t know how the hustle works. And even more important, his mother is not nearly as keen as he is for him to follow in her footsteps. Theirs is a complicated relationship that only gets more problematic as time goes on.
The...
- 2/25/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Jazz Raycole (Ghosting: The Spirit of Christmas) is set as a series regular opposite Kiele Sanchez and Angus Sampson in CBS’ drama The Lincoln Lawyer, from The Practice creator David E. Kelley based on Michael Connelly’s series of bestselling novels. It hails from A+E Studios, which will co-produce with CBS TV Studios.
Written by Kelley and directed by Adam Bernstein, The Lincoln Lawyer centers on Mickey Haller (yet to be cast), an iconoclastic idealist who runs his law practice out of the back of his Lincoln Town Car, as he takes on cases big and small across the expansive city of Los Angeles.
Raycole will play Izzy, Mickey’s client, a young former addict charged with grand larceny for stealing a necklace to support her habit. Izzy’s clean now – a fact that Mickey can relate to – and he not only gets her acquitted but lets her pay...
Written by Kelley and directed by Adam Bernstein, The Lincoln Lawyer centers on Mickey Haller (yet to be cast), an iconoclastic idealist who runs his law practice out of the back of his Lincoln Town Car, as he takes on cases big and small across the expansive city of Los Angeles.
Raycole will play Izzy, Mickey’s client, a young former addict charged with grand larceny for stealing a necklace to support her habit. Izzy’s clean now – a fact that Mickey can relate to – and he not only gets her acquitted but lets her pay...
- 2/24/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Brooke Smith (Bombshell), Anika Noni Rose, P.J. Byrne (Black Lightning), Malcolm Mays (Snowfall), Jeremiah Birkett and Sophie Guest (The Good Nanny) are set to recur opposite Deborah Ayorinde and Ashley Thomas in Amazon’s Them (fka Them: Covenant), the first season of the anthology horror series from executive producer Lena Waithe and writer and executive producer Little Marvin. The project, from Vertigo Entertainment and Sony Pictures TV, has a two-season straight-to-series order.
Written by Little Marvin, the 1953-set Them centers on Alfred and Lucky Emory (Ayorinde and Thomas), who decide to move their family from North Carolina to an all-white Los Angeles neighborhood. The family’s home on a tree-lined, seemingly idyllic street becomes ground zero where malevolent forces both real and supernatural threaten to taunt, ravage and destroy them.
Smith will play Helen Koistra, the realtor who moves the Emory family into their...
Written by Little Marvin, the 1953-set Them centers on Alfred and Lucky Emory (Ayorinde and Thomas), who decide to move their family from North Carolina to an all-white Los Angeles neighborhood. The family’s home on a tree-lined, seemingly idyllic street becomes ground zero where malevolent forces both real and supernatural threaten to taunt, ravage and destroy them.
Smith will play Helen Koistra, the realtor who moves the Emory family into their...
- 12/2/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
In a competitive situation, Fox has given a put pilot commitment to Diversity Hire, a provocative single-camera workplace comedy from the Empire duo of Cameron Johnson and Felicia D. Henderson, producer Darryl Taja (The Perfect Guy) and Empire studio 20th Century Fox TV, where Henderson is under an overall deal.
Written by Johnson, Diversity Hire is described as an irreverent workplace half-hour that will comedically explore our beliefs about race, class, and gender, while pushing the boundaries of political correctness. The show centers on Zenzi Baker, a brilliant, young, African-American, programmer whose life is turned upside down when her boss embroils his successful tech company in a publicity nightmare. To save face, Zenzi, a low-level coder, is plucked from obscurity and promoted to chief diversity and inclusion officer. Her primary qualification? She’s “diverse.”
Henderson executive produces via her WaterWalk Entertainment banner.alongside her longtime manager./producing partner Taja. Johnson is co-executive producer.
Written by Johnson, Diversity Hire is described as an irreverent workplace half-hour that will comedically explore our beliefs about race, class, and gender, while pushing the boundaries of political correctness. The show centers on Zenzi Baker, a brilliant, young, African-American, programmer whose life is turned upside down when her boss embroils his successful tech company in a publicity nightmare. To save face, Zenzi, a low-level coder, is plucked from obscurity and promoted to chief diversity and inclusion officer. Her primary qualification? She’s “diverse.”
Henderson executive produces via her WaterWalk Entertainment banner.alongside her longtime manager./producing partner Taja. Johnson is co-executive producer.
- 10/9/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Fox has given a put pilot order to the single-camera comedy “Diversity Hire,” Variety has learned.
The series hails from Cameron Johnson and Felicia D. Henderson. Henderson met Johnson on the Fox series “Empire,” where Henderson served as a consulting producer and writer and Johnson is currently a story editor. Johnson wrote the script for “Diversity Hire” and will co-executive produce. Henderson will executive produce along with her producing partner Darryl Taja under their WaterWalk Entertainment banner. 20th Century Fox Television and Fox Entertainment will produce, with WaterWalk currently under an overall deal at 20th TV.
The show centers on Zenzi Baker, a brilliant, young, African-American, programmer whose life is turned upside down when her boss embroils his successful tech company in a publicity nightmare. To save face, Zenzi, a low-level coder, is plucked from obscurity and promoted to chief diversity and inclusion officer. Her primary qualification? She’s “diverse.
The series hails from Cameron Johnson and Felicia D. Henderson. Henderson met Johnson on the Fox series “Empire,” where Henderson served as a consulting producer and writer and Johnson is currently a story editor. Johnson wrote the script for “Diversity Hire” and will co-executive produce. Henderson will executive produce along with her producing partner Darryl Taja under their WaterWalk Entertainment banner. 20th Century Fox Television and Fox Entertainment will produce, with WaterWalk currently under an overall deal at 20th TV.
The show centers on Zenzi Baker, a brilliant, young, African-American, programmer whose life is turned upside down when her boss embroils his successful tech company in a publicity nightmare. To save face, Zenzi, a low-level coder, is plucked from obscurity and promoted to chief diversity and inclusion officer. Her primary qualification? She’s “diverse.
- 10/9/2019
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Nicole Ari Parker To Star In Family Music Drama ‘Opus’ From Felicia D. Henderson In the Works At Fox
With Empire coming to an end, Fox is looking to keep co-star Nicole Ari Parker in the fold with a new series. The network has given a script commitment with penalty to Opus, a one-hour family music drama starring and executive produced by Empire‘s Parker, from writer Felicia D. Henderson (Empire), producer Darryl Taja and Empire studio 20th Century Fox TV, where Henderson is under a deal.
Written by Henderson, in Opus, classical and urban music will clash when Willie Mae Gray (Parker), Europe’s most celebrated and only African American conductor, suddenly returns to Baltimore to reinvent her hometown’s crumbling symphony orchestra, while attempting to rebuild the relationship with her teenage son, an underground Mc on the rise.
Parker and Henderson executive produce with Darryl Taja (The Perfect Guy), Stephen Endelman and Kara Feifer. Opus is a co-production of 20th Century Fox TV and Fox Entertainment.
Parker...
Written by Henderson, in Opus, classical and urban music will clash when Willie Mae Gray (Parker), Europe’s most celebrated and only African American conductor, suddenly returns to Baltimore to reinvent her hometown’s crumbling symphony orchestra, while attempting to rebuild the relationship with her teenage son, an underground Mc on the rise.
Parker and Henderson executive produce with Darryl Taja (The Perfect Guy), Stephen Endelman and Kara Feifer. Opus is a co-production of 20th Century Fox TV and Fox Entertainment.
Parker...
- 10/3/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva and Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Anika Noni Rose will guest star on Hulu’s upcoming adaptation of “Little Fires Everywhere,” Variety has learned exclusively.
Rose will play a character named Paula Hawthorne who is described as a renowned photographer and art professor in New York who becomes a mentor to Mia when she is young. Mia is portrayed by Tiffany Boone in flashback and Kerry Washington in the present-day version of the story.
Rose will appear in two episodes: the series premiere and the sixth episode, and is said to be a “big player” in Mia’s arc.
Rose’s recent television credits include “Power,” “The Quad,” “Roots,” “Bates Motel,” “Hack” and “The Good Wife.” She is also known for film work including “Assassination Nation”; “Everything, Everything”; “For Colored Girls”; “Dreamgirls” “Just Add Water”; “From Justin to Kelly” and the animated projects “Ralph Breaks the Internet” and “The Princess and the Frog.” Rose was the...
Rose will play a character named Paula Hawthorne who is described as a renowned photographer and art professor in New York who becomes a mentor to Mia when she is young. Mia is portrayed by Tiffany Boone in flashback and Kerry Washington in the present-day version of the story.
Rose will appear in two episodes: the series premiere and the sixth episode, and is said to be a “big player” in Mia’s arc.
Rose’s recent television credits include “Power,” “The Quad,” “Roots,” “Bates Motel,” “Hack” and “The Good Wife.” She is also known for film work including “Assassination Nation”; “Everything, Everything”; “For Colored Girls”; “Dreamgirls” “Just Add Water”; “From Justin to Kelly” and the animated projects “Ralph Breaks the Internet” and “The Princess and the Frog.” Rose was the...
- 9/27/2019
- by Danielle Turchiano
- Variety Film + TV
A satisfying Killjoys series finale brings resolution in the fight against The Lady and keeps the door open for future adventures.
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This Killjoys review contains spoilers.
Killjoys Season 5 Episode 10
“It doesn’t matter how your story begins. It’s about who’s with you at the end.”
By their very nature, series finales present considerable challenges even when the showrunner and writers enjoy plenty of advance notice as is the case with the SyFy space drama Killjoys. Operating at a breakneck pace, “Last Dance” does its best to keep up with an abundance of moving parts in an episode that leaves the door open to resume the adventures of Team Awesome Force should the opportunity ever arise. It’s not always successful, but it’s always a lot of fun.
Appropriately enough, before fading to black, the final image depicts a gun toting Dutch flanked by...
tumblr TV
This Killjoys review contains spoilers.
Killjoys Season 5 Episode 10
“It doesn’t matter how your story begins. It’s about who’s with you at the end.”
By their very nature, series finales present considerable challenges even when the showrunner and writers enjoy plenty of advance notice as is the case with the SyFy space drama Killjoys. Operating at a breakneck pace, “Last Dance” does its best to keep up with an abundance of moving parts in an episode that leaves the door open to resume the adventures of Team Awesome Force should the opportunity ever arise. It’s not always successful, but it’s always a lot of fun.
Appropriately enough, before fading to black, the final image depicts a gun toting Dutch flanked by...
- 9/20/2019
- Den of Geek
Grey's Anatomy is bringing a Season 15 guest star back for a lengthier arc on Grey's Anatomy Season 16.
Deadline is reporting that Jasmine Guy will be back in a recurring role as Gemma, a woman who showed up at the hospital on Grey's Anatomy Season 15 Episode 22.
She arrived after a freak accident, and it quickly emerged that she had a past with Dr. Richard Webber.
If you watch Grey's Anatomy online, you know that Gemma and Richard had the same Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor.
As you will recall, Ollie passed away, and Richard had a difficult time in the aftermath. Gemma was in the same boat and relapsed after 17 years of sobriety.
Related: Grey's Anatomy: Will Richard and Alex be Fired Indefinitely
It's unclear what brings Gemma back into Richard's life, but it's possible they will lean on each other for support.
Richard lost his job at the close of Grey's Anatomy...
Deadline is reporting that Jasmine Guy will be back in a recurring role as Gemma, a woman who showed up at the hospital on Grey's Anatomy Season 15 Episode 22.
She arrived after a freak accident, and it quickly emerged that she had a past with Dr. Richard Webber.
If you watch Grey's Anatomy online, you know that Gemma and Richard had the same Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor.
As you will recall, Ollie passed away, and Richard had a difficult time in the aftermath. Gemma was in the same boat and relapsed after 17 years of sobriety.
Related: Grey's Anatomy: Will Richard and Alex be Fired Indefinitely
It's unclear what brings Gemma back into Richard's life, but it's possible they will lean on each other for support.
Richard lost his job at the close of Grey's Anatomy...
- 9/19/2019
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Viacom continues stuffing more library content into Pluto TV, its free, ad-supported internet streaming service, adding a range of African American and Lgbtq programming from VH1 and Bet.
On Tuesday, Pluto TV launched seven new genre channels with content from its parent, including dedicated channels for VH1’s “RuPaul’s Drag Race” — with episodes from the first five seasons — as well as “Love & Hip Hop” and “Black Ink Crew.”
The seven new channels — which play content in a linear, TV-like fashion — join Pluto TV’s current lineup of over 200 linear curated channels and thousands of movies on demand. Pluto TV’s other Viacom-supplied channels include those for flagship brands Bet, Comedy Central, MTV and Nickelodeon.
Since Viacom acquired Pluto TV for $340 million in January, Pluto TV’s monthly active user base has increased around 50%, standing at around 18 million for July 2019. The service has launched 28 new channels, including Pluto TV Latino,...
On Tuesday, Pluto TV launched seven new genre channels with content from its parent, including dedicated channels for VH1’s “RuPaul’s Drag Race” — with episodes from the first five seasons — as well as “Love & Hip Hop” and “Black Ink Crew.”
The seven new channels — which play content in a linear, TV-like fashion — join Pluto TV’s current lineup of over 200 linear curated channels and thousands of movies on demand. Pluto TV’s other Viacom-supplied channels include those for flagship brands Bet, Comedy Central, MTV and Nickelodeon.
Since Viacom acquired Pluto TV for $340 million in January, Pluto TV’s monthly active user base has increased around 50%, standing at around 18 million for July 2019. The service has launched 28 new channels, including Pluto TV Latino,...
- 9/17/2019
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Viacom’s Bet Networks and Tyler Perry Studios today announced a September 19 U.S. launch date for Bet+, their joint venture and premier subscription video-on demand service.
Priced at $9.99 per month, Bet+ will feature more than 1,000 hours of content, including exclusive new original programming, series, movies, and specials from Bet Networks and creators, including Tyler Perry, Tracy Oliver, Will Packer, and others.
“We are thrilled to offer a streaming experience of content curated for the underserved African American audience with Bet+. African Americans have a higher Svod adoption rate than any other consumer base on the market, which is why Bet+ is a natural complement of Bet’s linear network, which has been and continues to be the leading home of black culture for decades,” said Scott Mills, President of Bet Networks.
“In our first year, we will release a Bet+ original project almost every month, adding to our lineup of deep and diverse content,...
Priced at $9.99 per month, Bet+ will feature more than 1,000 hours of content, including exclusive new original programming, series, movies, and specials from Bet Networks and creators, including Tyler Perry, Tracy Oliver, Will Packer, and others.
“We are thrilled to offer a streaming experience of content curated for the underserved African American audience with Bet+. African Americans have a higher Svod adoption rate than any other consumer base on the market, which is why Bet+ is a natural complement of Bet’s linear network, which has been and continues to be the leading home of black culture for decades,” said Scott Mills, President of Bet Networks.
“In our first year, we will release a Bet+ original project almost every month, adding to our lineup of deep and diverse content,...
- 9/9/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Make way for another new streaming service.
Bet Plus, a joint venture between Viacom’s Bet Networks and Tyler Perry Studios, will launch domestically on Thursday, Sept. 19. The ad-free subscription video-on-demand service, priced at $9.99 a month, will kick off with more than 1,000 hours of shows, movies and stand-up specials, including content from Tyler Perry, Tracy Oliver, Will Packer and other African American content creators.
“We are thrilled to offer a streaming experience of content curated for the underserved African American audience with Bet [Plus],” said Bet Networks president Scott Mills. “African Americans have a higher Svod adoption rate than any other consumer base on the market, which is why Bet [Plus] is a natural complement of Bet’s linear network, which has been and continues to be the leading home of black culture for decades.”
Bet Plus’ general manager Devin Griffin added, via release, that the service will launch a Bet Plus...
Bet Plus, a joint venture between Viacom’s Bet Networks and Tyler Perry Studios, will launch domestically on Thursday, Sept. 19. The ad-free subscription video-on-demand service, priced at $9.99 a month, will kick off with more than 1,000 hours of shows, movies and stand-up specials, including content from Tyler Perry, Tracy Oliver, Will Packer and other African American content creators.
“We are thrilled to offer a streaming experience of content curated for the underserved African American audience with Bet [Plus],” said Bet Networks president Scott Mills. “African Americans have a higher Svod adoption rate than any other consumer base on the market, which is why Bet [Plus] is a natural complement of Bet’s linear network, which has been and continues to be the leading home of black culture for decades.”
Bet Plus’ general manager Devin Griffin added, via release, that the service will launch a Bet Plus...
- 9/9/2019
- by Elaine Low
- Variety Film + TV
Frank Grillo and Jake Allyn will play father-and-son Texas ranchers in “No Man’s Land,” a modern Western drama from director Conor Allyn.
Allyn and David Barraza Ibañez penned the script, which is inspired by the real-life “no man’s land” between the U.S.- Mexico border on the Rio Grande and the U.S. “hard border” fences to the north.
At the center of the story is a father-son vigilante patrol, which is thrust into chaos after Jackson Greer (Allyn) accidentally kills an immigrant boy. When his father (Grillo) tries to take the blame, Jackson flees south on horseback, becoming a gringo “illegal alien” in Mexico. Chased by Texas Rangers and Mexican federales, Jackson embarks on a pilgrimage to seek forgiveness from the dead boy’s vengeful father (Jorge Jimenez) only to fall in love with the land he was taught to hate.
Margate House Films will produce...
Allyn and David Barraza Ibañez penned the script, which is inspired by the real-life “no man’s land” between the U.S.- Mexico border on the Rio Grande and the U.S. “hard border” fences to the north.
At the center of the story is a father-son vigilante patrol, which is thrust into chaos after Jackson Greer (Allyn) accidentally kills an immigrant boy. When his father (Grillo) tries to take the blame, Jackson flees south on horseback, becoming a gringo “illegal alien” in Mexico. Chased by Texas Rangers and Mexican federales, Jackson embarks on a pilgrimage to seek forgiveness from the dead boy’s vengeful father (Jorge Jimenez) only to fall in love with the land he was taught to hate.
Margate House Films will produce...
- 6/6/2019
- by Justin Kroll
- Variety Film + TV
Sophia Lillis is hot on the trail of her latest mystery in this new clip for Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase. It looks like someone has broken into the house she is living in and has given her a scare, and she is trying to get to the bottom of who is was, how they got in, and why they were there.
The Nancy Drew books were so much fun for me when I was a kid. I loved that I never saw the twists and turns coming, but that they were all being solved by a girl about my age. When there weren’t a whole of major female role models, Nancy Drew was there. She was ahead of her time, and the books totally hold up through any decade, in my opinion. So I think it is smart and fun that this movie can reintroduce the iconic character to a new generation.
The Nancy Drew books were so much fun for me when I was a kid. I loved that I never saw the twists and turns coming, but that they were all being solved by a girl about my age. When there weren’t a whole of major female role models, Nancy Drew was there. She was ahead of her time, and the books totally hold up through any decade, in my opinion. So I think it is smart and fun that this movie can reintroduce the iconic character to a new generation.
- 3/15/2019
- by Jessica Fisher
- GeekTyrant
Joseph Baxter Mar 1, 2019
Syfy is putting a serial killer spin on teen movie tropes, with television pilot (Future) Cult Classic.
(Future) Cult Classic might be calling its own shot like Babe Ruth with its very title. However, the dark teen comedy pilot does bring some intriguing concepts to the table over at Syfy in an increasingly crowded small screen playing field.
Syfy ordered the pilot back in January along with cyberthriller Cipher. The series –an original concept, not adapted from a novel or comic book – is the brainchild of Shay Hatten, an up-and-coming talent whose first feature, crime thriller movie Ballerina, is still developing. The story is satirical in nature, set to manifest as a levity-laced genre pastiche of old-school slasher films and teen drama tropes, centered on Bree (Emily Alyn Lind), a ‘90s castaway living in a technology-teeming future.
(Future) Cult Classic Cast
The cast of (Future) Cult Classic just added two more,...
Syfy is putting a serial killer spin on teen movie tropes, with television pilot (Future) Cult Classic.
(Future) Cult Classic might be calling its own shot like Babe Ruth with its very title. However, the dark teen comedy pilot does bring some intriguing concepts to the table over at Syfy in an increasingly crowded small screen playing field.
Syfy ordered the pilot back in January along with cyberthriller Cipher. The series –an original concept, not adapted from a novel or comic book – is the brainchild of Shay Hatten, an up-and-coming talent whose first feature, crime thriller movie Ballerina, is still developing. The story is satirical in nature, set to manifest as a levity-laced genre pastiche of old-school slasher films and teen drama tropes, centered on Bree (Emily Alyn Lind), a ‘90s castaway living in a technology-teeming future.
(Future) Cult Classic Cast
The cast of (Future) Cult Classic just added two more,...
- 3/1/2019
- Den of Geek
“Every small town has a dark side."
The first trailer has dropped for the upcoming new film Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase which stars Sophia Lillis, who played Beverly in the big screen adaptation of Stephen King's It. She seems like the perfect fit to play this classic character and it looks like a film that my girls will enjoy.
The film focuses on Nancy Drew (Lillis), "a smart high schooler with a penchant for keen observation and deduction, who stumbles upon the haunting of a local home. A bit of an outsider struggling to fit into her new surroundings, Nancy and her pals set out to solve the mystery, make new friends, and establish their place in the community."
The film is being directed by Katt Shea (Poison Ivy) from a script written by Nina Fiore and John Herrera (The Handmaid’s Tale, The Vampire Diaries).
Lillis...
The first trailer has dropped for the upcoming new film Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase which stars Sophia Lillis, who played Beverly in the big screen adaptation of Stephen King's It. She seems like the perfect fit to play this classic character and it looks like a film that my girls will enjoy.
The film focuses on Nancy Drew (Lillis), "a smart high schooler with a penchant for keen observation and deduction, who stumbles upon the haunting of a local home. A bit of an outsider struggling to fit into her new surroundings, Nancy and her pals set out to solve the mystery, make new friends, and establish their place in the community."
The film is being directed by Katt Shea (Poison Ivy) from a script written by Nina Fiore and John Herrera (The Handmaid’s Tale, The Vampire Diaries).
Lillis...
- 1/18/2019
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
This year, there were nearly 500 scripted television shows on the air, both returning series and new debuts. And while that marks an increase from last year, 2018 also saw its fair share of casualties, with dozens of shows getting axed or coming to a predetermined end. Here are 90 shows that won’t see the light of 2019.
“Ten Days in the Valley” (ABC)
Final episode Jan. 6
“Chance” (Hulu)
Canceled Jan. 9
“Disjointed” (Netflix)
Final episode Jan. 12
“Lady Dynamite” (Netflix)
Canceled Jan. 13
“The Shannara Chronicles” (MTV)
Canceled Jan. 16
“One Mississippi” (Amazon)
Canceled Jan. 17
“I Love Dick” (Amazon)
Canceled Jan. 17
“Jean-Claude Van Johnson” (Amazon)
Canceled Jan. 17
“Damnation” (USA)
Final episode Jan. 18
“The Mayor” (ABC)
Final episode Jan. 25
“Great News” (NBC)
Final episode Jan. 25
“The Brave” (NBC)
Final episode Jan. 29
“Valor” (CW)
Final episode Jan. 29
“Dice” (Showtime)
Canceled Jan. 30
“Shut Eye” (Hulu)
Canceled Jan. 30
“9Jkl” (CBS)
Final episode Feb. 5
“The Librarians” (TNT)
Final episode Feb. 7
“Everything Sucks!
“Ten Days in the Valley” (ABC)
Final episode Jan. 6
“Chance” (Hulu)
Canceled Jan. 9
“Disjointed” (Netflix)
Final episode Jan. 12
“Lady Dynamite” (Netflix)
Canceled Jan. 13
“The Shannara Chronicles” (MTV)
Canceled Jan. 16
“One Mississippi” (Amazon)
Canceled Jan. 17
“I Love Dick” (Amazon)
Canceled Jan. 17
“Jean-Claude Van Johnson” (Amazon)
Canceled Jan. 17
“Damnation” (USA)
Final episode Jan. 18
“The Mayor” (ABC)
Final episode Jan. 25
“Great News” (NBC)
Final episode Jan. 25
“The Brave” (NBC)
Final episode Jan. 29
“Valor” (CW)
Final episode Jan. 29
“Dice” (Showtime)
Canceled Jan. 30
“Shut Eye” (Hulu)
Canceled Jan. 30
“9Jkl” (CBS)
Final episode Feb. 5
“The Librarians” (TNT)
Final episode Feb. 7
“Everything Sucks!
- 12/14/2018
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
Production is now underway in Atlanta on the much-anticipated drama Ambitions, created by Jamey Giddens and produced by Will Packer Media in association with Lionsgate and Lionsgate-owned distributor Debmar-Mercury. The multigenerational family saga features an all-star cast including Robin Givens, Essence Atkins, Brian White, Kendrick Cross, Brely Evans and Erica Page. Multiple award-winning writer/Ep Kevin Arkadie has joined as showrunner. Created by executive producer/writer Jamey Giddens (The Rich and The Ruthless) from an original idea by Packer, Ambitions will debut on Own in March 2019, with the pilot episode directed by Benny Boom.
Ambitions is centered around one woman who, having recently relocated and intent on revitalizing her marriage, finds herself going head to head with some of the most powerful and deceitful players in the city.
Robin Givens stars as ‘Stephanie Carlisle,’ the wife of Atlanta Mayor Evan Lancaster (Brian White), whose true loyalty is to her own family's prestigious law firm,...
Ambitions is centered around one woman who, having recently relocated and intent on revitalizing her marriage, finds herself going head to head with some of the most powerful and deceitful players in the city.
Robin Givens stars as ‘Stephanie Carlisle,’ the wife of Atlanta Mayor Evan Lancaster (Brian White), whose true loyalty is to her own family's prestigious law firm,...
- 11/15/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
Riverdale’s Robin Givens is set to lead the ensemble cast of Ambitions, a soapy family drama from producer Will Packer, Lionsgate and Debmar-Mercury. Rounding out the series regular cast are Essence Atkins, Brian White, Kendrick Cross (Acrimony), Brely Evans (Being Mary Jane) and Erica Page. Kevin Arkadie has joined as showrunner and Benny Boom directs the pilot episode. The series, which has begun production in Atlanta, is set to premiere in 2019 on Own.
Created by executive producer/writer Jamey Giddens (The Rich and The Ruthless) from an original idea by Packer, Ambitions is a multigenerational family saga centered around one woman (Atkins) who, having recently relocated and intent on revitalizing her marriage, finds herself going head to head with some of the most powerful and deceitful players in the city.
Created by executive producer/writer Jamey Giddens (The Rich and The Ruthless) from an original idea by Packer, Ambitions is a multigenerational family saga centered around one woman (Atkins) who, having recently relocated and intent on revitalizing her marriage, finds herself going head to head with some of the most powerful and deceitful players in the city.
- 11/13/2018
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: As Freeform is preparing to kick off its 2018 edition of 25 Days of Christmas, the network has greenlighted its first original holiday movie for the 2019 event. Ghosting (working title ) comes from executive producers Lisa Kudrow and Dan Bucatinsky and stars Aisha Dee (The Bold Type) and Kimiko Glenn (The Guest Book). Also cast in the movie, executive produced by Joan Rater and Tony Phelan, are Insecure breakout Kendrick Sampson, Jazz Raycole (The Quad), Missi Pyle (Mom) and Lisa Gay Hamilton (House of Cards).
The quirky and heart-warming story follows Jess (Dee), who goes on the greatest first date of her life, but inadvertently “ghosts” Ben when she tragically dies in a car accident on the way home. Stuck on Earth, with no idea how to ascend, Jess will need the help of her best friend Kara (Glenn), the only person who can still see and hear her.
Dee’s Jess...
The quirky and heart-warming story follows Jess (Dee), who goes on the greatest first date of her life, but inadvertently “ghosts” Ben when she tragically dies in a car accident on the way home. Stuck on Earth, with no idea how to ascend, Jess will need the help of her best friend Kara (Glenn), the only person who can still see and hear her.
Dee’s Jess...
- 11/7/2018
- by Nellie Andreeva and Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Anika Noni Rose is stepping into the ring at TNT.
The Good Wife and Power alumna has landed the lead role in Beast Mode, the cable net’s drama pilot inspired by the life of legendary boxer Ann Wolfe.
Rose will star as Marsha Blackstone, a feisty, brilliant-yet-damaged woman with a “kill or be killed” mentality. While these qualities make her an excellent boxing trainer, they tend to cause problems in the rest of her life.
The actress’ TV credits also include The Quad, Bates Motel and Private Practice.
Ready for more of today’s newsy nuggets? Well…
* MTV is developing a reboot of Undressed,...
The Good Wife and Power alumna has landed the lead role in Beast Mode, the cable net’s drama pilot inspired by the life of legendary boxer Ann Wolfe.
Rose will star as Marsha Blackstone, a feisty, brilliant-yet-damaged woman with a “kill or be killed” mentality. While these qualities make her an excellent boxing trainer, they tend to cause problems in the rest of her life.
The actress’ TV credits also include The Quad, Bates Motel and Private Practice.
Ready for more of today’s newsy nuggets? Well…
* MTV is developing a reboot of Undressed,...
- 11/5/2018
- TVLine.com
Anika Noni Rose has been cast as the lead in TNT’s drama pilot, Beast Mode (working title), inspired by the life of legendary boxing trainer Ann Wolfe.
Tina Mabry (Pose) is attached to direct the pilot, written and executive produced by David Schneiderman and produced by Ann Wolfe and MacRo in association with Studio T.
Pulling herself and her two daughters up from poverty, abuse, homelessness, and criminality, Marsha Blackstone (Rose) reached the pinnacle of boxing as a fighter and has become equally as successful a trainer known for unconventional methods and a fiercely combative style. Driven by the belief that any step backward is a slippery slope to her former life, when the boxer Marsha trained to a world title fires her, this complex and inspiring woman is determined to find a new fighter to eclipse the one she lost, but her emotional baggage and militant style could...
Tina Mabry (Pose) is attached to direct the pilot, written and executive produced by David Schneiderman and produced by Ann Wolfe and MacRo in association with Studio T.
Pulling herself and her two daughters up from poverty, abuse, homelessness, and criminality, Marsha Blackstone (Rose) reached the pinnacle of boxing as a fighter and has become equally as successful a trainer known for unconventional methods and a fiercely combative style. Driven by the belief that any step backward is a slippery slope to her former life, when the boxer Marsha trained to a world title fires her, this complex and inspiring woman is determined to find a new fighter to eclipse the one she lost, but her emotional baggage and militant style could...
- 11/5/2018
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Writer-director Nijla Mu’min makes her feature directorial debut with “Jinn,” a dramatic film that follows a carefree 17-year-old black girl named Summer, whose world is turned upside down when her mother, Jade, converts to Islam. Making its world premiere at SXSW this year, where it won the Special Jury Award for writing, the film offers a fresh look at identity, Islam, and first love in contemporary Los Angeles.
“Jinn” stars Zoe Renee (“The Quad”) as Summer and “Luke Cage” co-star Simone Missick as Summer’s mother Jade. The cast also includes Hisham Tawfiq (“The Blacklist”), Kelly Jenrette, Kelvin Harrison, Jr. (“Mudbound”), and Dorian Missick (“Monster”).
The film was acquired over the summer by the newly relaunched Orion Classics, which will release “Jinn” theatrically on November 15 and on VOD and Digital HD on November 16.
“‘Jinn’ is a coming of age film that deals with the struggles to find one’s...
“Jinn” stars Zoe Renee (“The Quad”) as Summer and “Luke Cage” co-star Simone Missick as Summer’s mother Jade. The cast also includes Hisham Tawfiq (“The Blacklist”), Kelly Jenrette, Kelvin Harrison, Jr. (“Mudbound”), and Dorian Missick (“Monster”).
The film was acquired over the summer by the newly relaunched Orion Classics, which will release “Jinn” theatrically on November 15 and on VOD and Digital HD on November 16.
“‘Jinn’ is a coming of age film that deals with the struggles to find one’s...
- 10/1/2018
- by Tambay Obenson
- Indiewire
The inspirational and heartwarming family film, Saving Faith, arrives on DVD, Digital, and On Demand on September 18 from Lionsgate. Including music by Donny Richmond and Sunday Drive and appearances by Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Phil Vassar, and members of the Gatlin Brothers and Rascal Flatts, the Saving Faith DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $19.98.
When the historic Ritz Theater is on the brink of foreclosure, the theater’s owner Faith Scott (Jenn Gotzon) and her Uncle Donny (Donny Richmond) decide to host a Christmas themed show, in June, to help save the building. Even against all odds, Faith and Donny turn to their faith and friends to help pull off the impossible. Approved by the Dove Foundation for all ages, Saving Faith is a, “film that is balanced for family filmgoers” (The Dove Foundation).
In this gospel-driven drama, poor Faith is ready to give up hope.
When the historic Ritz Theater is on the brink of foreclosure, the theater’s owner Faith Scott (Jenn Gotzon) and her Uncle Donny (Donny Richmond) decide to host a Christmas themed show, in June, to help save the building. Even against all odds, Faith and Donny turn to their faith and friends to help pull off the impossible. Approved by the Dove Foundation for all ages, Saving Faith is a, “film that is balanced for family filmgoers” (The Dove Foundation).
In this gospel-driven drama, poor Faith is ready to give up hope.
- 9/25/2018
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
We have the Smilf comedy series on Showtime. Now another female-centered project with a catchy acronym as a title, drama Pank, is headed to the small screen.
ABC has given a script commitment with penalty to Pank, from writer Felicia D. Henderson (Soul Food), producer Darryl Taja and 20th Century Fox TV.
In the one-hour drama, written by Henderson, 33-year-old Faith Jones is living and lovin’ her life as a Pank: Professional Auntie No Kids: a new guy, a new promotion, a new house, a fast car and plenty of disposable income. It’s kinda perfect — until the unexpected happens and circumstances force her to care for her brother’s three children. How will this childless-by-choice, badass Pank tackle raising three kids, while also maintaining the life she worked so hard to create?
Henderson executive produces alongside Taja.
The project stems from the overall deal Henderson inked with 20th TV...
ABC has given a script commitment with penalty to Pank, from writer Felicia D. Henderson (Soul Food), producer Darryl Taja and 20th Century Fox TV.
In the one-hour drama, written by Henderson, 33-year-old Faith Jones is living and lovin’ her life as a Pank: Professional Auntie No Kids: a new guy, a new promotion, a new house, a fast car and plenty of disposable income. It’s kinda perfect — until the unexpected happens and circumstances force her to care for her brother’s three children. How will this childless-by-choice, badass Pank tackle raising three kids, while also maintaining the life she worked so hard to create?
Henderson executive produces alongside Taja.
The project stems from the overall deal Henderson inked with 20th TV...
- 9/24/2018
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The First Wives Club series has found its guys. Single Ladies alum Mark Tallman, RonReaco Lee (Survivor’s Remorse) and Malik Yoba (Empire) are set as the male leads opposite Ryan Michelle Bathe, Michelle Buteau and Jill Scott in Paramount Network’s dramedy based on the popular 1996 Paramount film. The 10-episode series hails from Girls Trip co-writer Tracy Oliver and Paramount Television.
The First Wives Club series, like the movie that starred Diane Keaton, Bette Midler and Goldie Hawn, will be set in New York City. It follows Ari (Bathe), Bree (Buteau) and Hazel (Scott), who band together after their marriages fall apart and find strength in their sisterhood — and of course a little revenge.
Tallman will play David, Ari’s husband, a very driven politician running for the Senate whose ambition and ego often come before his wife and family.
Lee is Gary, Bree’s college-sweetheart husband, a...
The First Wives Club series, like the movie that starred Diane Keaton, Bette Midler and Goldie Hawn, will be set in New York City. It follows Ari (Bathe), Bree (Buteau) and Hazel (Scott), who band together after their marriages fall apart and find strength in their sisterhood — and of course a little revenge.
Tallman will play David, Ari’s husband, a very driven politician running for the Senate whose ambition and ego often come before his wife and family.
Lee is Gary, Bree’s college-sweetheart husband, a...
- 9/24/2018
- by Denise Petski and Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
The Lady escapes the green, and Killjoys sets the stage for a paradigm shifted season five.
TV
This Killjoys review contains spoilers.
Killjoys Season 4 Episode 10
“I think I prefer regular, bitchy Dutch to creepy, nice Dutch.”
Killjoys showrunner Adam Barken takes a bold step with the spellbinding season four finale “Sporemaggedon,” leaving viewers simultaneously thrilled and a bit confused heading into the show’s final run. Nevertheless, in this case, the startling final sequence sets up an intriguing paradigm shift that not only shuffles the relationship deck but establishes an impending good vs evil showdown within the context of a strikingly changed set of circumstances. With The Lady now free to roam The Quad, the world needs a hero. Can Team Awesome Force successfully follow the breadcrumbs and return the universe to its natural order? Well, now that’s going to be half the fun, isn’t it?
At first...
TV
This Killjoys review contains spoilers.
Killjoys Season 4 Episode 10
“I think I prefer regular, bitchy Dutch to creepy, nice Dutch.”
Killjoys showrunner Adam Barken takes a bold step with the spellbinding season four finale “Sporemaggedon,” leaving viewers simultaneously thrilled and a bit confused heading into the show’s final run. Nevertheless, in this case, the startling final sequence sets up an intriguing paradigm shift that not only shuffles the relationship deck but establishes an impending good vs evil showdown within the context of a strikingly changed set of circumstances. With The Lady now free to roam The Quad, the world needs a hero. Can Team Awesome Force successfully follow the breadcrumbs and return the universe to its natural order? Well, now that’s going to be half the fun, isn’t it?
At first...
- 9/21/2018
- Den of Geek
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