Leanne Morgan is set to star in a multi-cam comedy series at Netflix that boasts Chuck Lorre as one of its co-creators, Variety has learned.
Morgan co-created the series with Lorre and Susan McMartin. Netflix has given the untitled show a 16-episode order, while also commissioning two more stand up specials from Morgan. That will mark her second and third specials at the streamer following 2023’s “I’m Every Woman.”
“I’ve dreamed of this since childhood, and I can’t believe it has come true! When I started comedy 25 years ago, my goal was to be a part of a sitcom,” Morgan said. “It just goes to show you it’s never too late, and dreams do come true. I’m a grandmama from Tennessee, and now I have a TV show with Chuck Lorre and Netflix. What in the world!?”
The official logline for the series states, “Leanne...
Morgan co-created the series with Lorre and Susan McMartin. Netflix has given the untitled show a 16-episode order, while also commissioning two more stand up specials from Morgan. That will mark her second and third specials at the streamer following 2023’s “I’m Every Woman.”
“I’ve dreamed of this since childhood, and I can’t believe it has come true! When I started comedy 25 years ago, my goal was to be a part of a sitcom,” Morgan said. “It just goes to show you it’s never too late, and dreams do come true. I’m a grandmama from Tennessee, and now I have a TV show with Chuck Lorre and Netflix. What in the world!?”
The official logline for the series states, “Leanne...
- 4/25/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix is investing in Leanne Morgan.
The streamer has handed out a 16-episode, straight-to-series order for an untitled multicamera comedy starring the stand-up comedian. Comedy kingpin Chuck Lorre (Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men) co-created the series alongside Morgan and Susan McMartin.
Netflix says the untitled comedy revolves around Leanne, whose life “takes an unexpected turn when her husband of 33 years leaves her for another woman. Starting over when you’re a grandmother and in menopause isn’t exactly what she had in mind, but with the help of her family she will navigate this new chapter with grace, dignity and Jell-o salad.”
Morgan broke out thanks in large part to her 2023 Netflix stand-up special I’m Every Woman, which reached the top 10 comedy specials on the streamer. The Tennessee native has been in the comedy industry for 25 years and started out playing local comedy clubs before rising...
The streamer has handed out a 16-episode, straight-to-series order for an untitled multicamera comedy starring the stand-up comedian. Comedy kingpin Chuck Lorre (Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men) co-created the series alongside Morgan and Susan McMartin.
Netflix says the untitled comedy revolves around Leanne, whose life “takes an unexpected turn when her husband of 33 years leaves her for another woman. Starting over when you’re a grandmother and in menopause isn’t exactly what she had in mind, but with the help of her family she will navigate this new chapter with grace, dignity and Jell-o salad.”
Morgan broke out thanks in large part to her 2023 Netflix stand-up special I’m Every Woman, which reached the top 10 comedy specials on the streamer. The Tennessee native has been in the comedy industry for 25 years and started out playing local comedy clubs before rising...
- 4/25/2024
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Leanne Morgan’s current tour is called Just Getting Started, and the 58-year-old comedian is living up to that with a comedy series and two more specials at Netflix. The streamer has given a 16-episode order to an untitled multi-cam sitcom, headlined by Morgan in her TV acting debut and executive produced by top comedy showrunner Chuck Lorre. Additionally, Netflix has picked up two more stand-up specials from Morgan following the success of her first one, the 2023 Leanne Morgan: I’m Every Woman.
Co-created by Morgan, Lorre and Susan McMartin, the Untitled Leanne Morgan Project will follow Leanne whose life is upended when her husband of 33 years leaves her for another woman. Starting over when you’re a grandmother and in menopause isn’t exactly what she had in mind, but with the help of her family, she will navigate this new chapter with grace, dignity and jello salad.
Co-created by Morgan, Lorre and Susan McMartin, the Untitled Leanne Morgan Project will follow Leanne whose life is upended when her husband of 33 years leaves her for another woman. Starting over when you’re a grandmother and in menopause isn’t exactly what she had in mind, but with the help of her family, she will navigate this new chapter with grace, dignity and jello salad.
- 4/25/2024
- by Rosy Cordero and Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Teyana Taylor had a breakout year as an actress last year, starring in “The Book of Clarence,” “White Men Can’t Jump,” and most notably her Film Independent Spirit Award-nominated performance in the brilliant “A Thousand and One.” But the R&b star is now making the leap to feature film director.
Taylor is set to make her feature directorial debut on a film called “Get Lite” that is now in development at Paramount Pictures, an individual with knowledge of the project told IndieWire. She’s cast Storm Reid in the lead role.
Reid is also producing the film through her production banner A Seed & Wings Productions, and she’ll be producing alongside “Black-ish” creator Kenya Barris via his Khalabo Ink Society. Taylor is executive producing.
“Get Lite” is the story of a studious New York City teenager who has his world upended when he falls for a charismatic beatmaker...
Taylor is set to make her feature directorial debut on a film called “Get Lite” that is now in development at Paramount Pictures, an individual with knowledge of the project told IndieWire. She’s cast Storm Reid in the lead role.
Reid is also producing the film through her production banner A Seed & Wings Productions, and she’ll be producing alongside “Black-ish” creator Kenya Barris via his Khalabo Ink Society. Taylor is executive producing.
“Get Lite” is the story of a studious New York City teenager who has his world upended when he falls for a charismatic beatmaker...
- 3/18/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Storm Reid is attached to star in Teyana Taylor’s directorial debut Get Lite, which is in development at Paramount Pictures. Reid will also produce through her banner, A Seed & Wings Productions, alongside Kenya Barris and his Khalabo Ink Society.
Along with Barris and Reid, the film will be produced by Bill Karesh through Offbrnd, Robyn Simpson through A Seed & Wings Productions and Anni Weisband. Additionally, Taylor will executive produce with Coco Gilbert serving as co-producer. Eric Gross will pen the script.
The film follows a studious New York City teenager who has his world upended when he falls for a charismatic beatmaker (played by Reid) who recruits him to join her Litefeet dance crew, forcing him to choose between a safe academic path and his rekindled love of dance.
For Taylor, a Harlem native who first made a name for herself working as a choreographer and dancer,...
Along with Barris and Reid, the film will be produced by Bill Karesh through Offbrnd, Robyn Simpson through A Seed & Wings Productions and Anni Weisband. Additionally, Taylor will executive produce with Coco Gilbert serving as co-producer. Eric Gross will pen the script.
The film follows a studious New York City teenager who has his world upended when he falls for a charismatic beatmaker (played by Reid) who recruits him to join her Litefeet dance crew, forcing him to choose between a safe academic path and his rekindled love of dance.
For Taylor, a Harlem native who first made a name for herself working as a choreographer and dancer,...
- 3/18/2024
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Universal has pre-emptively purchased the short story thriller package Don’t Look, with Janelle Monáe in talks to star.
Akela Cooper is set to adapt the screenplay based on the short story by Colin Bannon.
Monáe is in talks to produce through her Wondaland Pictures’ first-look deal with Universal Pictures, along with Scott Glassgold’s Ground Control. They are keeping the logline under wraps, based on Bannon’s unpublished short story.
Bannon is fresh from making a Universal deal for his horror short story Long Lost, produced by Steven Spielberg, Simon Kinberg and Glassgold. Glassgold and Cooper teamed on the short story sale It’s Over to Sony Pictures, with Glassgold and Roy Lee producing.
The short story deal brokering was led by Verve, its second of the day in a turbulent week after the Sony deal for Cola Wars.
Akela Cooper is set to adapt the screenplay based on the short story by Colin Bannon.
Monáe is in talks to produce through her Wondaland Pictures’ first-look deal with Universal Pictures, along with Scott Glassgold’s Ground Control. They are keeping the logline under wraps, based on Bannon’s unpublished short story.
Bannon is fresh from making a Universal deal for his horror short story Long Lost, produced by Steven Spielberg, Simon Kinberg and Glassgold. Glassgold and Cooper teamed on the short story sale It’s Over to Sony Pictures, with Glassgold and Roy Lee producing.
The short story deal brokering was led by Verve, its second of the day in a turbulent week after the Sony deal for Cola Wars.
- 2/23/2024
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: After launching The Purge franchise, Blumhouse and Platinum Dunes are teaming on a new thriller Drop and have set Happy Death Day director Christopher Landon to helm and Meghann Fahy to star. The film’s logline is being kept under wraps, but it’s said to be a fast-paced thriller.
Jillian Jacobs and Chris Roach penned the script, with Michael Bay, Jason Blum, Brad Fuller and Cameron Fuller — who brought the script in to Platinum Dunes — producing. Sam Lerner is an executive producer. The film is a Platinum Dunes and Blumhouse production for Universal.
The partnership between the two production companies has delivered huge results from its Purge franchise that includes five films with the sixth on the way as well as a TV series.
Drop marks a reunion for Landon and Blumhouse, who worked together on the 2020 horror comedy Freaky starring Vince Vaughn and Kathryn Newton. His other...
Jillian Jacobs and Chris Roach penned the script, with Michael Bay, Jason Blum, Brad Fuller and Cameron Fuller — who brought the script in to Platinum Dunes — producing. Sam Lerner is an executive producer. The film is a Platinum Dunes and Blumhouse production for Universal.
The partnership between the two production companies has delivered huge results from its Purge franchise that includes five films with the sixth on the way as well as a TV series.
Drop marks a reunion for Landon and Blumhouse, who worked together on the 2020 horror comedy Freaky starring Vince Vaughn and Kathryn Newton. His other...
- 2/23/2024
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The first splashy material sale coming after the end of the writer’s strike has an appropriate title.
Sony Pictures won a spirited weekend bidding battle for the Jack Follman short story It’s Over. The deal landed in the mid- to high-six-figure range, and it comes with Akela Cooper set to write the script. Her latest scripted release is the hit The Nun II, and she has made a habit of scripting genre hits from M3GAN to Malignant and Hell Fest. She’s scripted the sequel M3GAN 2.0, and in TV is co-executive producer of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
The film will be produced by Roy Lee’s Vertigo Entertainment alongside Scott Glassgold’s Ground Control. Verve held the auction with the bidders over the weekend.
The 29-page unpublished short story hit the marketplace Wednesday, the first day writers were back in business. In what might be...
Sony Pictures won a spirited weekend bidding battle for the Jack Follman short story It’s Over. The deal landed in the mid- to high-six-figure range, and it comes with Akela Cooper set to write the script. Her latest scripted release is the hit The Nun II, and she has made a habit of scripting genre hits from M3GAN to Malignant and Hell Fest. She’s scripted the sequel M3GAN 2.0, and in TV is co-executive producer of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
The film will be produced by Roy Lee’s Vertigo Entertainment alongside Scott Glassgold’s Ground Control. Verve held the auction with the bidders over the weekend.
The 29-page unpublished short story hit the marketplace Wednesday, the first day writers were back in business. In what might be...
- 10/2/2023
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: CBS Studios is developing The Mysterious Mortons, a detective drama series for CBS from Amy Rardin (Charmed), George Northy (Charmed), and Laurie Zaks (Castle), Deadline has learned.
The show follows a homicide detective who enlists his quirky family of mystery writers to assist him in cracking the cases that perplex the authorities.
Rardin and Northy will serve as writers and executive producers; Zaks executive produces under her banner Rosewood TV.
Rardin is currently an executive producer/writer on Amazon/Temple Hill’s Teton. She previously served as head writer and co-executive producer on Marvel/Disney+’s Echo, and co-creator/executive producer on the reboot of Charmed for the CW. She also served as co-executive producer and writer for four seasons of Jane The Virgin for the CW and began her staffing career on ABC Family’s Greek. Rardin is repped by Verve and Sugar23.
Northy sold Ozma to Netflix,...
The show follows a homicide detective who enlists his quirky family of mystery writers to assist him in cracking the cases that perplex the authorities.
Rardin and Northy will serve as writers and executive producers; Zaks executive produces under her banner Rosewood TV.
Rardin is currently an executive producer/writer on Amazon/Temple Hill’s Teton. She previously served as head writer and co-executive producer on Marvel/Disney+’s Echo, and co-creator/executive producer on the reboot of Charmed for the CW. She also served as co-executive producer and writer for four seasons of Jane The Virgin for the CW and began her staffing career on ABC Family’s Greek. Rardin is repped by Verve and Sugar23.
Northy sold Ozma to Netflix,...
- 3/24/2023
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Laurie Zaks and her Rosewood Television banner are adapting a series of novels from Roselle Lim after striking a development deal with ITV Studios America.
Zaks, who was behind popular ABC drama series Castle, launched her company in 2021. At the time, having spent seven years as Head of Television at Todd Lieberman and David Hoberman’s Mandeville Films, she had a deal with ABC Signature.
She recently struck a deal with the U.S. arm of the British broadcaster and production group, and this marks her first major development project under that new agreement.
Rosewood Television and ITV Studios America will adapt three novels by Lim, a Canadian author of Filipino-Chinese heritage, as series. Books include Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune, which was published in 2019; Vanessa Yu’s Magical Paris Tea Shop, which came out in 2020; and Sophie Go’s Lonely Hearts Club, which was published last year.
Zaks, who was behind popular ABC drama series Castle, launched her company in 2021. At the time, having spent seven years as Head of Television at Todd Lieberman and David Hoberman’s Mandeville Films, she had a deal with ABC Signature.
She recently struck a deal with the U.S. arm of the British broadcaster and production group, and this marks her first major development project under that new agreement.
Rosewood Television and ITV Studios America will adapt three novels by Lim, a Canadian author of Filipino-Chinese heritage, as series. Books include Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune, which was published in 2019; Vanessa Yu’s Magical Paris Tea Shop, which came out in 2020; and Sophie Go’s Lonely Hearts Club, which was published last year.
- 3/20/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: NBC has put in development K-Town, a primetime sudser from Denise Hahn and Michael Notarile through Wbtv. The script was sold in a competitive situation with penalty.
Related Story ‘Magnum, P.I.’ Return & ‘Night Court’ Revival Lead NBC’s Midseason Schedule Related Story 'New Amsterdam' Sets Series Finale Date Related Story 'SNL's Weekend Update Takes On CNN Budget Cuts & Herschel Walker Comparing Resumés With Obama
K-Town follows the intertwined fates of three influential families that run L.A.’s Koreatown. But after a shocking money heist and murder, each family’s legacy — and the soul of Koreatown itself — is thrown into chaos. In the neon-lights style of Michael Mann, K-Town is a family drama about power, shifting alliances and cultural identity.
Hahn is currently a co-executive producer on Fox’s crime drama The Cleaning Lady. Previously, she was a staff writer on Grey’s Anatomy and was writer and producer on Pure Genius,...
Related Story ‘Magnum, P.I.’ Return & ‘Night Court’ Revival Lead NBC’s Midseason Schedule Related Story 'New Amsterdam' Sets Series Finale Date Related Story 'SNL's Weekend Update Takes On CNN Budget Cuts & Herschel Walker Comparing Resumés With Obama
K-Town follows the intertwined fates of three influential families that run L.A.’s Koreatown. But after a shocking money heist and murder, each family’s legacy — and the soul of Koreatown itself — is thrown into chaos. In the neon-lights style of Michael Mann, K-Town is a family drama about power, shifting alliances and cultural identity.
Hahn is currently a co-executive producer on Fox’s crime drama The Cleaning Lady. Previously, she was a staff writer on Grey’s Anatomy and was writer and producer on Pure Genius,...
- 11/7/2022
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Comedian, actor, producer and podcaster Andrew Schulz (Infamous) has signed with CAA.
One of the biggest and most influential names in comedy today, the business-savvy Schulz has been credited with helping to spur democratization in comedy. He’s among those who have proven that comics looking to retain ownership of their material — by self-releasing on platforms like YouTube — can achieve equal or greater success, both financially and in terms of the building of an audience, in comparison to those who strike deals with streamers or networks.
Schulz recently sold more than 150,000 tickets as part of his 10 month, sold-out Infamous Tour, which he capped off by selling out the 6,000-seat Radio City Music Hall twice. He premiered his subsequent special Infamous exclusively via the live-streaming social media platform Moment House in July before releasing it for free on YouTube.
While Schulz has self-released multiple specials, including his first titled 4:...
One of the biggest and most influential names in comedy today, the business-savvy Schulz has been credited with helping to spur democratization in comedy. He’s among those who have proven that comics looking to retain ownership of their material — by self-releasing on platforms like YouTube — can achieve equal or greater success, both financially and in terms of the building of an audience, in comparison to those who strike deals with streamers or networks.
Schulz recently sold more than 150,000 tickets as part of his 10 month, sold-out Infamous Tour, which he capped off by selling out the 6,000-seat Radio City Music Hall twice. He premiered his subsequent special Infamous exclusively via the live-streaming social media platform Moment House in July before releasing it for free on YouTube.
While Schulz has self-released multiple specials, including his first titled 4:...
- 10/26/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Snagging some of the best and the brightest from Disney, Netflix and Paramount, law firm Yorn Levine Barnes Krintzman Rubenstein Kohner Endlich and Gellman is expanding, again.
Former SVP of ABC Family’s Business Affairs Sabrina Padwa, e-Netflix legal affairs director Asheley Dean, past House of Mouse legal department point man Bob Thompson, and ex-Paramount Television Studios counsel Stephanie Krause have joined the crew at the Avenue of the Stars shop. Padwa comes on board at the Kevin Yorn-led firm as Partner, Dean and Thompson as Senior Counsel, and Krause as Associate at the A-lister repping firm – which used to be known as Yorn Levine, Barnes, Krintzman, Rubenstein, Kohner, Endlich & Gellman
“We are proud to count Sabrina, Asheley, Bob, and Stephanie as new members of the Yorn Levine team,” partner Gregg Gellman told Deadline today on the new additions. “They are all exceptional attorneys with deep experience in the studio and network ecosystems,...
Former SVP of ABC Family’s Business Affairs Sabrina Padwa, e-Netflix legal affairs director Asheley Dean, past House of Mouse legal department point man Bob Thompson, and ex-Paramount Television Studios counsel Stephanie Krause have joined the crew at the Avenue of the Stars shop. Padwa comes on board at the Kevin Yorn-led firm as Partner, Dean and Thompson as Senior Counsel, and Krause as Associate at the A-lister repping firm – which used to be known as Yorn Levine, Barnes, Krintzman, Rubenstein, Kohner, Endlich & Gellman
“We are proud to count Sabrina, Asheley, Bob, and Stephanie as new members of the Yorn Levine team,” partner Gregg Gellman told Deadline today on the new additions. “They are all exceptional attorneys with deep experience in the studio and network ecosystems,...
- 9/22/2022
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
There’s another change coming in the Dick Wolf universe. Sean Jablonski is stepping in as the new showrunner on “Law & Order: Organized Crime” for the upcoming third season, Variety has learned.
Jablonski becomes the fifth showrunner on the series, replacing Bryan Goluboff, who was announced as the Season 3 showrunner in May. Barry O’Brien had been named interim showrunner in February following the exit of Ilene Chaiken. Prior to Chaiken, Matt Olmstead was showrunner.
“Law & Order: Organized Crime,” produced by Universal Television in association with Wolf Entertainment, revolves around the character of Elliot Stabler, played by Christopher Meloni, who starred on “Svu” for 12 seasons, and then returned to the “Law & Order” universe in 2021. Because of Stabler’s longstanding relationship with “Svu’s” Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) — something fans have obsessed over for years now — those two shows have frequently intersected since “Organized Crime” premiered.
But later this month,...
Jablonski becomes the fifth showrunner on the series, replacing Bryan Goluboff, who was announced as the Season 3 showrunner in May. Barry O’Brien had been named interim showrunner in February following the exit of Ilene Chaiken. Prior to Chaiken, Matt Olmstead was showrunner.
“Law & Order: Organized Crime,” produced by Universal Television in association with Wolf Entertainment, revolves around the character of Elliot Stabler, played by Christopher Meloni, who starred on “Svu” for 12 seasons, and then returned to the “Law & Order” universe in 2021. Because of Stabler’s longstanding relationship with “Svu’s” Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) — something fans have obsessed over for years now — those two shows have frequently intersected since “Organized Crime” premiered.
But later this month,...
- 9/2/2022
- by Emily Longeretta and Kate Aurthur
- Variety Film + TV
Another behind-the-scenes change at Law & Order: Organized Crime: Sean Jablonski is taking over for Bryan Goluboff as showrunner.
Just three months ago, Goluboff replaced Barry O’Brien, who was named interim showrunner in late February. Having joined the series as co-executive producer in November, O’Brien was asked to step into the leadership role and finish the season after the exit of previous showrunner Ilene Chaiken. O’Brien will continue on Organized Crime as writer/executive producer for Season 3.
Now it’s Jablonski’s job to steer the Law & Order spinoff that stars Christopher Meloni, Danielle Moné Truitt, Ainsley Seiger, Brent Antonello and Rick Gonzalez. Earlier in his writing career, Jablonski wrote for Law & Order before moving onto shows like Nip/Tuck, Suits and Project Blue Book. He’s repped by CAA, Underground Management and Gregg Gellman.
Organized Crime follows the detectives of the Organized Crime Control Bureau...
Just three months ago, Goluboff replaced Barry O’Brien, who was named interim showrunner in late February. Having joined the series as co-executive producer in November, O’Brien was asked to step into the leadership role and finish the season after the exit of previous showrunner Ilene Chaiken. O’Brien will continue on Organized Crime as writer/executive producer for Season 3.
Now it’s Jablonski’s job to steer the Law & Order spinoff that stars Christopher Meloni, Danielle Moné Truitt, Ainsley Seiger, Brent Antonello and Rick Gonzalez. Earlier in his writing career, Jablonski wrote for Law & Order before moving onto shows like Nip/Tuck, Suits and Project Blue Book. He’s repped by CAA, Underground Management and Gregg Gellman.
Organized Crime follows the detectives of the Organized Crime Control Bureau...
- 9/2/2022
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Warner Bros just set Kenya Barris to write and direct Wizard of Oz, a reimaging of the fantasy classic, with his Khalabo Ink Society producing.
We all know the story from the 1939 film, but Barris is keeping the creative details close to the vest. It will be a modern reimagining of the iconic musical. His deal closed last week. Sheila Walcott is overseeing for the studio.
Deal comes as the Black-ish creator is in post-production on his feature directorial debut, You People. Barris and Jonah Hill wrote the original comedy together, with a slamming cast that includes Hill, Eddie Murphy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Lauren London, Nia Long and David Duchovny, among others.
Next month, Barris will launch Entergalatic, a television event that he co-created with Kid Cudi. The first-of-its-kind project is inspired by the Grammy winner’s upcoming album of the same name and combines adult animation, music, fashion and...
We all know the story from the 1939 film, but Barris is keeping the creative details close to the vest. It will be a modern reimagining of the iconic musical. His deal closed last week. Sheila Walcott is overseeing for the studio.
Deal comes as the Black-ish creator is in post-production on his feature directorial debut, You People. Barris and Jonah Hill wrote the original comedy together, with a slamming cast that includes Hill, Eddie Murphy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Lauren London, Nia Long and David Duchovny, among others.
Next month, Barris will launch Entergalatic, a television event that he co-created with Kid Cudi. The first-of-its-kind project is inspired by the Grammy winner’s upcoming album of the same name and combines adult animation, music, fashion and...
- 8/15/2022
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
After his thrilling halftime performance at the 2022 Super Bowl, Snoop Dogg is entering the sports world — on the big screen. The acclaimed rapper is set to star in Metro Goldwyn Mayer’s upcoming sports comedy film “The Underdoggs,” and will produce the movie alongside “Black-ish” creator Kenya Barris.
Set for a theatrical release on Oct. 20, 2023, “The Underdoggs” is described by the studio as “The Bad News Bears” in the world of youth football. Snoop Dogg stars as Jaycen Jenning, “2Js,” a former NFL superstar who has a run-in with the law and winds up coaching youth football in lieu of going to prison, in the hopes of relaunching his fledgling career.
“‘The Underdoggs’ is a real personal project for me considering that I’ve been coaching football for 15-plus years with the Snoop Youth Football League that I started with my long-time business partner Constance Schwartz-Morini,” Snoop Dogg said in a statement announcing the project.
Set for a theatrical release on Oct. 20, 2023, “The Underdoggs” is described by the studio as “The Bad News Bears” in the world of youth football. Snoop Dogg stars as Jaycen Jenning, “2Js,” a former NFL superstar who has a run-in with the law and winds up coaching youth football in lieu of going to prison, in the hopes of relaunching his fledgling career.
“‘The Underdoggs’ is a real personal project for me considering that I’ve been coaching football for 15-plus years with the Snoop Youth Football League that I started with my long-time business partner Constance Schwartz-Morini,” Snoop Dogg said in a statement announcing the project.
- 8/2/2022
- by Wilson Chapman
- Variety Film + TV
Snoop Dogg will star in MGM’s upcoming comedy The Underdoggs and produce under his Death Row Pictures banner alongside Kenya Barris.
Based on an original pitch from Snoop Dogg and his longtime producing partner Constance Schwartz-Morini, The Underdoggs tells the story of Jaycen Jenning, “2J’s” (Snoop Dogg), a former NFL superstar who, after a run in with the law, agrees to coach a youth football team in lieu of prison in the hopes of relaunching his fledgling career.
Drumline‘s Charles Stone is directing off a screenplay written by Danny Segal and Isaac Schamis. A release date of Oct. 20, 2023 has been set.
Also producing are Mychelle Deschamps for Barris’ Khalabo Ink Society, Schwartz-Morini of Smac Entertainment and Jonathan Glickman for Panoramic Media.
Said MGM’s Chief Operating Officer Chris Brearton, “Snoop’s longtime commitment to his community via his youth football league is hugely inspiring to all of us at MGM.
Based on an original pitch from Snoop Dogg and his longtime producing partner Constance Schwartz-Morini, The Underdoggs tells the story of Jaycen Jenning, “2J’s” (Snoop Dogg), a former NFL superstar who, after a run in with the law, agrees to coach a youth football team in lieu of prison in the hopes of relaunching his fledgling career.
Drumline‘s Charles Stone is directing off a screenplay written by Danny Segal and Isaac Schamis. A release date of Oct. 20, 2023 has been set.
Also producing are Mychelle Deschamps for Barris’ Khalabo Ink Society, Schwartz-Morini of Smac Entertainment and Jonathan Glickman for Panoramic Media.
Said MGM’s Chief Operating Officer Chris Brearton, “Snoop’s longtime commitment to his community via his youth football league is hugely inspiring to all of us at MGM.
- 8/2/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Snoop Dogg and Kenya Barris are partnering up with MGM on the upcoming comedy feature “The Underdoggs.” Snoop Dogg will star in and co-produce the project.
Described as “The Bad News Bears” meets youth football, the film revolves around former NFL superstar Jaycen “2Js” Jenning (Snoop Dogg), who agrees to coach a youth football team in hopes of jumpstarting his career after he has a run-in with the law.
Charles Stone will direct. The script, based on an original pitch by Snoop Dogg and producing partner Constance Schwartz-Morini, is written by Danny Segal and Isaac Schamis, whose previous work includes Barris projects “Grown-ish” and “#BlackAF”.
Also Read:
Kid Cudi and Kenya Barris’ ‘Entergalactic’ Gets Sept. 30 Premiere Date
“Black-ish” and “Mixed-ish” creator Barris will produce alongside Mychelle Deschamps for Khalabo Ink Society and Jonathan Glickman for Panoramic Media. Snoop Dogg will produce under his banner Death Row Pictures, with Schwartz-Morini producing through Smac Entertainment.
Described as “The Bad News Bears” meets youth football, the film revolves around former NFL superstar Jaycen “2Js” Jenning (Snoop Dogg), who agrees to coach a youth football team in hopes of jumpstarting his career after he has a run-in with the law.
Charles Stone will direct. The script, based on an original pitch by Snoop Dogg and producing partner Constance Schwartz-Morini, is written by Danny Segal and Isaac Schamis, whose previous work includes Barris projects “Grown-ish” and “#BlackAF”.
Also Read:
Kid Cudi and Kenya Barris’ ‘Entergalactic’ Gets Sept. 30 Premiere Date
“Black-ish” and “Mixed-ish” creator Barris will produce alongside Mychelle Deschamps for Khalabo Ink Society and Jonathan Glickman for Panoramic Media. Snoop Dogg will produce under his banner Death Row Pictures, with Schwartz-Morini producing through Smac Entertainment.
- 8/2/2022
- by Harper Lambert
- The Wrap
Exclusive: After being courted by every major agency in town, Squid Game writer, director and executive producer Hwang Dong-hyuk, along with his producing partner Kim Ji-yeon, also an executive producer on the mega hit Netflix series, have signed with CAA.
Squid Game, which debuted in September 2021, became the most-watched series launch in Netflix history, amassing more than 1.65 billion hours viewed in its first 28 days of release. At its peak, it sat atop the streamer’s most-watched list in 94 countries.
Netflix recently confirmed that Squid Game will return for a second season with Hwang at the helm. In addition to developing the second season of Squid Game, Hwang and Ji-yeon are focused on their next Korean-language film, K.O. Club (also known as Killing Oldmen Club), based on an original idea. They are also working together to bring upcoming Korean-language projects to the U.S.
Hwang and Ji-yeon are also repped by attorneys Kevin Yorn,...
Squid Game, which debuted in September 2021, became the most-watched series launch in Netflix history, amassing more than 1.65 billion hours viewed in its first 28 days of release. At its peak, it sat atop the streamer’s most-watched list in 94 countries.
Netflix recently confirmed that Squid Game will return for a second season with Hwang at the helm. In addition to developing the second season of Squid Game, Hwang and Ji-yeon are focused on their next Korean-language film, K.O. Club (also known as Killing Oldmen Club), based on an original idea. They are also working together to bring upcoming Korean-language projects to the U.S.
Hwang and Ji-yeon are also repped by attorneys Kevin Yorn,...
- 6/14/2022
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Bobak Esfarjani, best known for his work as a writer and producer on NBC’s “Manifest” and as a story editor on “WandaVision” for Disney+, has signed an overall deal with FX Productions.
Esfarjani is currently a writer and supervising producer on FX’s upcoming “Alien” series, as well as a show based on the Octavia Butler novel “Kindred.” Esfarjani was previously nominated for a WGA award for his work on “WandaVision.” He will continue work on these and other series for FX, in addition to developing new content.
“Bobak has greatly contributed to FX’s upcoming ‘Kindred’ and ‘Alien’ and now, under this agreement, he will be able to apply his considerable talents to other FX series while developing original content that draws on his vision as a writer and creator,” said Kate Lambert, FX’s executive vice president of original programming.
Credits of Esfarjani’s also include James Wan...
Esfarjani is currently a writer and supervising producer on FX’s upcoming “Alien” series, as well as a show based on the Octavia Butler novel “Kindred.” Esfarjani was previously nominated for a WGA award for his work on “WandaVision.” He will continue work on these and other series for FX, in addition to developing new content.
“Bobak has greatly contributed to FX’s upcoming ‘Kindred’ and ‘Alien’ and now, under this agreement, he will be able to apply his considerable talents to other FX series while developing original content that draws on his vision as a writer and creator,” said Kate Lambert, FX’s executive vice president of original programming.
Credits of Esfarjani’s also include James Wan...
- 4/21/2022
- by Sasha Urban
- Variety Film + TV
FX Productions has signed writer and contributing producer Bobak Esfarjani (FX’s Kindred and Alien) to an overall deal. Under the agreement, Esfarjani will continue to work on these and other series while developing new content for the network.
“Bobak has greatly contributed to FX’s upcoming Kindred and Alien and now, under this agreement, he will be able to apply his considerable talents to other FX series while developing original content that draws on his vision as a writer and creator,” said Kate Lambert, Executive Vice President, Original Programming, FX.
“I’m thrilled to expand my relationship with the amazing team at FX,” Esfarjani shared. “They consistently produce the highest level of quality material, and I can’t wait for what’s next.”
Esfarjani was nominated for a WGA Award for his work on WandaVision, where he contributed as a writer and executive story editor. Other credits include James Wan...
“Bobak has greatly contributed to FX’s upcoming Kindred and Alien and now, under this agreement, he will be able to apply his considerable talents to other FX series while developing original content that draws on his vision as a writer and creator,” said Kate Lambert, Executive Vice President, Original Programming, FX.
“I’m thrilled to expand my relationship with the amazing team at FX,” Esfarjani shared. “They consistently produce the highest level of quality material, and I can’t wait for what’s next.”
Esfarjani was nominated for a WGA Award for his work on WandaVision, where he contributed as a writer and executive story editor. Other credits include James Wan...
- 4/21/2022
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Bobak Esfarjani, who was nominated for a Writers Guild Association Award for his work on Marvel’s “WandaVision,” has signed an overall deal with FX Productions, Kate Lambert, executive vice president of Original Programming at FX, announced on Thursday.
Esfarjani already serves as a writer and contributing producer on upcoming FX sci-fi series “Kindred, based on the novel by Octavia E. Butler, and Noah Hawley’s “Alien.” Under the agreement Esfarjani, will continue to work on these and other FX series while developing new content for the channel.
“Bobak has greatly contributed to FX’s upcoming ‘Kindred’ and ‘Alien’ and now, under this agreement, he will be able to apply his considerable talents to other FX series while developing original content that draws on his vision as a writer and creator,” Lambert said.
“I’m thrilled to expand my relationship with the amazing team at FX,” said Esfarjani in a statement.
Esfarjani already serves as a writer and contributing producer on upcoming FX sci-fi series “Kindred, based on the novel by Octavia E. Butler, and Noah Hawley’s “Alien.” Under the agreement Esfarjani, will continue to work on these and other FX series while developing new content for the channel.
“Bobak has greatly contributed to FX’s upcoming ‘Kindred’ and ‘Alien’ and now, under this agreement, he will be able to apply his considerable talents to other FX series while developing original content that draws on his vision as a writer and creator,” Lambert said.
“I’m thrilled to expand my relationship with the amazing team at FX,” said Esfarjani in a statement.
- 4/21/2022
- by Sharon Knolle
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Showrunner Jose Molina has signed with APA for representation.
Over the course of an extensive writing career, the Puerto Rican-born, Yale-educated Molina has collaborated with such renowned filmmakers as James Cameron (Fox’s Dark Angel), George Lucas (Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Clone Wars) and Steven Spielberg (Fox’s Terra Nova). He also served as showrunner and executive producer on Jordan Peele’s genre-bending YouTube Original series, Weird City. Other recent credits include serving as co-executive producer on Netflix’s upcoming series Magic: The Gathering, Marvel’s Agent Carter for ABC, NBC’s La Brea, Blood & Treasure for CBS, the Amazon Prime original series The Tick, and The CW’s Legacies.
Molina was nominated for several humanitarian awards during his tenure on Law & Order: Svu—most notably for his episode titled “Alien,” which tackled the topic of gay marriage and adoption. The life-long genre fan is...
Over the course of an extensive writing career, the Puerto Rican-born, Yale-educated Molina has collaborated with such renowned filmmakers as James Cameron (Fox’s Dark Angel), George Lucas (Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Clone Wars) and Steven Spielberg (Fox’s Terra Nova). He also served as showrunner and executive producer on Jordan Peele’s genre-bending YouTube Original series, Weird City. Other recent credits include serving as co-executive producer on Netflix’s upcoming series Magic: The Gathering, Marvel’s Agent Carter for ABC, NBC’s La Brea, Blood & Treasure for CBS, the Amazon Prime original series The Tick, and The CW’s Legacies.
Molina was nominated for several humanitarian awards during his tenure on Law & Order: Svu—most notably for his episode titled “Alien,” which tackled the topic of gay marriage and adoption. The life-long genre fan is...
- 3/29/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
A “feel-good” medical procedural from Michael Strahan, Constance Schwartz-Morini and “The Resident” executive producer Marc Halsey is in development at ABC, Variety has learned.
Titled “The Front Line,” the potential series is centered around Sebastian “Bass” Clark, a professional athlete-turned-doctor who left the front line of the football field to start over on the front lines of healthcare as a medical resident — a transition that a handful of real-life NFL players have actually made. The project follows Bass and an ensemble of doctors and staff at a prestigious Pittsburgh hospital as they navigate high-stakes medical cases with all the adrenaline, warmth and big-heartedness of a great sports movie.
Written and executive produced by Halsey, the drama has received a script commitment from the network. Additional executive producers include Strahan, Schwartz-Morini and Thea Mann through their Smac Entertainment banner.
“The Front Lane” hails from ABC Signature.
Currently an executive producer on Fox’s “The Resident,...
Titled “The Front Line,” the potential series is centered around Sebastian “Bass” Clark, a professional athlete-turned-doctor who left the front line of the football field to start over on the front lines of healthcare as a medical resident — a transition that a handful of real-life NFL players have actually made. The project follows Bass and an ensemble of doctors and staff at a prestigious Pittsburgh hospital as they navigate high-stakes medical cases with all the adrenaline, warmth and big-heartedness of a great sports movie.
Written and executive produced by Halsey, the drama has received a script commitment from the network. Additional executive producers include Strahan, Schwartz-Morini and Thea Mann through their Smac Entertainment banner.
“The Front Lane” hails from ABC Signature.
Currently an executive producer on Fox’s “The Resident,...
- 3/21/2022
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
ABC has taken in for development medical drama The Front Line, executive produced by Michael Strahan and Constance Schwartz-Morini’s Smac Entertainment, from writer Marc Halsey (The Resident) and ABC Signature.
Written and executive produced by Halsey, The Front Line is described as a feel-good medical procedural centered on Sebastian “Bass” Clark, a professional athlete-turned-doctor who left the front line of the football field to start over on the front lines of healthcare as a medical resident – a transition that a handful of real-life NFL players actually have made. The project follows Bass and an ensemble of doctors and staff at a prestigious Pittsburgh hospital as they navigate high-stakes medical cases with all the adrenaline, warmth and big-heartedness of a great sports movie.
Strahan, Schwartz-Morini and Thea Mann executive produce for Smac. ABC Signature is the studio.
Halsey is an executive producer on Fox’s medical drama The Resident. Previous...
Written and executive produced by Halsey, The Front Line is described as a feel-good medical procedural centered on Sebastian “Bass” Clark, a professional athlete-turned-doctor who left the front line of the football field to start over on the front lines of healthcare as a medical resident – a transition that a handful of real-life NFL players actually have made. The project follows Bass and an ensemble of doctors and staff at a prestigious Pittsburgh hospital as they navigate high-stakes medical cases with all the adrenaline, warmth and big-heartedness of a great sports movie.
Strahan, Schwartz-Morini and Thea Mann executive produce for Smac. ABC Signature is the studio.
Halsey is an executive producer on Fox’s medical drama The Resident. Previous...
- 3/21/2022
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The cast of Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer continues to grow, with Harrison Gilbertson (Picnic at Hanging Rock) and Emma Dumont (Licorice Pizza) signing on for roles.
They join an ensemble led by Cillian Murphy that also includes Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, Rami Malek, Benny Safdie, Josh Hartnett, Dane DeHaan, Jack Quaid, Matthew Modine, Dylan Arnold, David Krumholtz, Alden Ehrenreich, David Dastmalchian, Olli Haaskivi, Jason Clarke, James D’Arcy, Michael Angarano, Guy Burnet and Danny Deferrari, as previously announced.
In the film, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and the late Martin J. Sherwin, Murphy plays the theoretical physicist whose work on the Manhattan Project led to the atomic bomb. The film is a paradox of the enigmatic man who must risk destroying the world in order to save it.
Nolan is directing...
They join an ensemble led by Cillian Murphy that also includes Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, Rami Malek, Benny Safdie, Josh Hartnett, Dane DeHaan, Jack Quaid, Matthew Modine, Dylan Arnold, David Krumholtz, Alden Ehrenreich, David Dastmalchian, Olli Haaskivi, Jason Clarke, James D’Arcy, Michael Angarano, Guy Burnet and Danny Deferrari, as previously announced.
In the film, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and the late Martin J. Sherwin, Murphy plays the theoretical physicist whose work on the Manhattan Project led to the atomic bomb. The film is a paradox of the enigmatic man who must risk destroying the world in order to save it.
Nolan is directing...
- 3/10/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Lucifer exec producer Sheri Elwood has struck a first-look deal with Blink49 Studios, the Endeavor Content-backed studio founded by John Morayniss.
It marks the first showrunner deal for the company, which was founded by the former eOne Television chief and a cadre of former colleagues last year.
Elwood exec produced Fox’s Lucifer as well as ABC’s Whiskey Cavalier and CBC drama Moonshine and she created Jason Priestley’s Canadian comedy drama Call Me Fitz that Morayniss was one of the exec producers of.
She will develop scripted series across broadcast, cable and streaming.
It comes as the company has rebranded slightly from Blink Studios to Blink49 Studios. Current projects for the nascent producer including an adaptation of Charlene Carr’s Hold My Girl, with Snowfall producer Groundswell Productions’ Michael London and Shannon Gaulding set to exec produce.
The deal was brokered by Amanda Burnett of UTA, Leg...
It marks the first showrunner deal for the company, which was founded by the former eOne Television chief and a cadre of former colleagues last year.
Elwood exec produced Fox’s Lucifer as well as ABC’s Whiskey Cavalier and CBC drama Moonshine and she created Jason Priestley’s Canadian comedy drama Call Me Fitz that Morayniss was one of the exec producers of.
She will develop scripted series across broadcast, cable and streaming.
It comes as the company has rebranded slightly from Blink Studios to Blink49 Studios. Current projects for the nascent producer including an adaptation of Charlene Carr’s Hold My Girl, with Snowfall producer Groundswell Productions’ Michael London and Shannon Gaulding set to exec produce.
The deal was brokered by Amanda Burnett of UTA, Leg...
- 3/3/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Ravi Patel is set to join Sony Pictures’ live-action adaptation of Harold and the Purple Crayon, starring Zachary Levi. Academy Award nominee Carlos Saldanha is on board to direct with Lil Rel Howery and Zooey Deschanel also starring in the film.
David Guion & Michael Handelman wrote the screenplay, based on Crockett Johnson’s best-selling children’s book. John Davis is producing through Davis Entertainment. Published in 1955, the book told the story of a 4-year-old who, with the power of his crayon, created worlds around him. The book was a smash and was followed by six more.
Patel will next be seen in Lionsgate’s The Valet, which will be released later this year. He will recur in the Showtime highly anticipated drama Three Women opposite Betty Gilpin, Shailene Woodley, and DeWanda Wise. Patel recently starred in the docuseries Ravi Patel’s Pursuit of Happiness for HBO Max and Bhaag Beanie Bhaag for Netflix,...
David Guion & Michael Handelman wrote the screenplay, based on Crockett Johnson’s best-selling children’s book. John Davis is producing through Davis Entertainment. Published in 1955, the book told the story of a 4-year-old who, with the power of his crayon, created worlds around him. The book was a smash and was followed by six more.
Patel will next be seen in Lionsgate’s The Valet, which will be released later this year. He will recur in the Showtime highly anticipated drama Three Women opposite Betty Gilpin, Shailene Woodley, and DeWanda Wise. Patel recently starred in the docuseries Ravi Patel’s Pursuit of Happiness for HBO Max and Bhaag Beanie Bhaag for Netflix,...
- 2/23/2022
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: A competitive chase by representatives to sign the architects of the global streaming hit Squid Game is ending with a surprise. Deadline hears that the law firm of Yorn Levine Barnes Krintzman Rubenstein Kohner Endlich & Gellman has signed and will rep in all areas Squid Game creator, writer-director and EP Hwang Dong-hyuk and EP Kim Ji-yeon and their production company Siren Pictures Inc.
Partners Kevin Yorn, Gregg Gellman and Jared Levine will lead that rep team.
The phenomenal success of Netflix’s Squid Game came seemingly out of nowhere, catapulting Hwang and the cast to global stardom and making them the hottest commodity in Hollywood. That created a stampede among the major agencies late last yearto sign Hwang and the actors, the vast majority of whom have no Hollywood representation. The courtship got underway when cast and creators came to Hollywood for a big press junket Netflix held. Several...
Partners Kevin Yorn, Gregg Gellman and Jared Levine will lead that rep team.
The phenomenal success of Netflix’s Squid Game came seemingly out of nowhere, catapulting Hwang and the cast to global stardom and making them the hottest commodity in Hollywood. That created a stampede among the major agencies late last yearto sign Hwang and the actors, the vast majority of whom have no Hollywood representation. The courtship got underway when cast and creators came to Hollywood for a big press junket Netflix held. Several...
- 1/4/2022
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
“Succession” star J. Smith-Cameron and Steve Buscemi are among the notables who signed on for “The Year Between,” a drama about mental illness that marks the feature writing and directing debut of comedian Alex Heller.
The movie, which wrapped production in Chicago late last month, revolves around Heller’s character Clemence, a young woman who drops out of college in her sophomore year after being diagnosed with mental illness. The story is based on Heller’s real-life experience in 2012. Heller is a former Sundance Institute Feature Film program fellow and an alumnus of Tribeca Film Institute.
“The Year Between” was produced by Level Forward, Full Spectrum Features and Chicago Media Angels. Producers are Amanda Phillips, Sonya Lunsford, Eugene Sun Park, Caterin Camargo-Alvarez, and Rachel Gould. Susanna Fogel, Adrienne Becker and HaJ are executive producers. Producers are shopping the film for possible theatrical distribution as well as to streamers.
” ‘The Year...
The movie, which wrapped production in Chicago late last month, revolves around Heller’s character Clemence, a young woman who drops out of college in her sophomore year after being diagnosed with mental illness. The story is based on Heller’s real-life experience in 2012. Heller is a former Sundance Institute Feature Film program fellow and an alumnus of Tribeca Film Institute.
“The Year Between” was produced by Level Forward, Full Spectrum Features and Chicago Media Angels. Producers are Amanda Phillips, Sonya Lunsford, Eugene Sun Park, Caterin Camargo-Alvarez, and Rachel Gould. Susanna Fogel, Adrienne Becker and HaJ are executive producers. Producers are shopping the film for possible theatrical distribution as well as to streamers.
” ‘The Year...
- 12/15/2021
- by William Earl
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: NBC is developing a mystery drama about a therapist who is forced to move to a small town, starring Merrin Dungey.
In Between comes from Liz Vassey, the All My Children actress turned writer/producer, and Call Me Kat and The Big Bang Theory star Mayim Bialik.
Dungey, who stars in Starz’ Shining Vale alongside Courteney Cox, Greg Kinnear and Mira Sorvino, plays a highly successful New York City therapist, who is forced to relocate to Between, Ga, with a population of 297, after learning her estranged brother was involved in a mysterious accident. While struggling to make a place for herself in such a quirky therapy-resistant community, she realizes this tiny town has big secrets and may just need her more than she could have ever imagined — especially her gifted but misunderstood 9-year-old niece.
Produced by Bialik’s Sad Clown Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, Vassey will...
In Between comes from Liz Vassey, the All My Children actress turned writer/producer, and Call Me Kat and The Big Bang Theory star Mayim Bialik.
Dungey, who stars in Starz’ Shining Vale alongside Courteney Cox, Greg Kinnear and Mira Sorvino, plays a highly successful New York City therapist, who is forced to relocate to Between, Ga, with a population of 297, after learning her estranged brother was involved in a mysterious accident. While struggling to make a place for herself in such a quirky therapy-resistant community, she realizes this tiny town has big secrets and may just need her more than she could have ever imagined — especially her gifted but misunderstood 9-year-old niece.
Produced by Bialik’s Sad Clown Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, Vassey will...
- 12/3/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: NBC has handed out a put pilot commitment to The Irrational, an investigative thriller from writer/executive producer Arika Lisanne Mittman, executive producers Mark Goffman (Umbrella Academy) and Samuel Baum (Lie To Me) and Universal Television where Mittman is under an overall deal.
Written by Mittman, The Irrational is inspired by behavioral economics professor and author Dan Ariely’s bestselling book Predictably Irrational. In it, a master of human behavior finally meets his match in a suspected domestic terrorist whose behavior even he can’t quite predict.
Mittman, Goffman and Baum executive produce while Ariely serves as a consultant. Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, is the studio.
Mittman is an executive producer on NBC/Utv’s breakout new drama series La Brea, which was recently renewed for a second season. She previously served as executive producer and co-showrunner on Spectrum’s Southern Gothic mystery series Paradise Lost.
Written by Mittman, The Irrational is inspired by behavioral economics professor and author Dan Ariely’s bestselling book Predictably Irrational. In it, a master of human behavior finally meets his match in a suspected domestic terrorist whose behavior even he can’t quite predict.
Mittman, Goffman and Baum executive produce while Ariely serves as a consultant. Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, is the studio.
Mittman is an executive producer on NBC/Utv’s breakout new drama series La Brea, which was recently renewed for a second season. She previously served as executive producer and co-showrunner on Spectrum’s Southern Gothic mystery series Paradise Lost.
- 11/30/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Kevin Yorn’s law firm Yorn, Levine, Barnes, Krintzman, Rubenstein, Kohner, Endlich & Gellman has promoted Ashley Briskman, Cary Dobkin, Kristi Eddington and Miles Metcoff to partner positions.
“Congratulations to Ashley, Cary, Kristi and Miles,” Yorn said. “We are excited to add these talented, homegrown attorneys to the leadership team. One core tenant of our firm has always been to complement external recruiting with a commitment to elevating exceptional attorneys from within our own ranks. We believe this ethos is essential for building a strong, effective culture that best positions us to serve our incredible clients.”
Yorn Levine Barnes is a leading entertainment law firm with offices in Los Angeles and New York which reps industry talent and companies. The firm’s clients include Kenya Barris, Loren Bouchard, Gisele Bunchen, Ellen DeGeneres, the Duffer Brothers, Scarlett Johansson, Mike Judge, Alicia Keys, Matthew McConaughey, NASCAR, Jordan Peele, Zoe Saldana and Jason Sudeikis.
“Congratulations to Ashley, Cary, Kristi and Miles,” Yorn said. “We are excited to add these talented, homegrown attorneys to the leadership team. One core tenant of our firm has always been to complement external recruiting with a commitment to elevating exceptional attorneys from within our own ranks. We believe this ethos is essential for building a strong, effective culture that best positions us to serve our incredible clients.”
Yorn Levine Barnes is a leading entertainment law firm with offices in Los Angeles and New York which reps industry talent and companies. The firm’s clients include Kenya Barris, Loren Bouchard, Gisele Bunchen, Ellen DeGeneres, the Duffer Brothers, Scarlett Johansson, Mike Judge, Alicia Keys, Matthew McConaughey, NASCAR, Jordan Peele, Zoe Saldana and Jason Sudeikis.
- 11/18/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: CAA has signed Michael D. Ratner, the director of hit documentary features Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil, which opened this year’s SXSW, and the upcoming Justin Bieber: Our World. The agency has also inked Ratner’s Obb Media.
CAA will rep producer-director-entrepreneur Ratner and his company across film, TV and podcasting as well as for new ventures and verticals.
Ratner, also a prolific music video director, is Obb Media’s founder and CEO and leads the creative on its projects, which include the October 8-debuting Justin Bieber: Our World, a feature concert documentary about the pop star that will premiere on Amazon. It’s the latest collaboration for Ratner, Bieber and Obb after the YouTube Originals series Justin Bieber: Seasons, which was the most-watched debut episode ever on the platform in its first week (32 million views) when it debuted in January 2020. Ratner was director and executive producer.
CAA will rep producer-director-entrepreneur Ratner and his company across film, TV and podcasting as well as for new ventures and verticals.
Ratner, also a prolific music video director, is Obb Media’s founder and CEO and leads the creative on its projects, which include the October 8-debuting Justin Bieber: Our World, a feature concert documentary about the pop star that will premiere on Amazon. It’s the latest collaboration for Ratner, Bieber and Obb after the YouTube Originals series Justin Bieber: Seasons, which was the most-watched debut episode ever on the platform in its first week (32 million views) when it debuted in January 2020. Ratner was director and executive producer.
- 9/23/2021
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
‘The Dropout’: Dylan Minnette, Bashir Salahuddin & Alan Ruck Among Nine Added To Hulu Limited Series
Hulu’s upcoming limited series The Dropout, about the rise and fall of Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos, continues to expand its cast with the addition of Dylan Minnette, Alan Ruck, Bashir Salahuddin and Mary Lynn Rajskub. Also joining the cast are Hart Bochner, James Hiroyuki Liao, Nicky Endres, Camryn Mi-Young Kim and Andrew Leeds. They will appear opposite Amanda Seyfried in the series from Liz Meriwether, Seachlight Television and Disney Television Studios’ 20th Television.
Created and executive produced by Meriwether, who also serves as showrunner, The Dropout is based on the ABC News/ABC Radio podcast. Holmes (Seyfried), the enigmatic Stanford dropout who founded medical testing start-up Theranos, was lauded as a Steve Jobs for the next tech generation. Once worth billions of dollars, the myth crumbled when it was revealed that none of the tech actually worked, putting thousands of people’s health in grave danger. Money. Romance. Tragedy.
Created and executive produced by Meriwether, who also serves as showrunner, The Dropout is based on the ABC News/ABC Radio podcast. Holmes (Seyfried), the enigmatic Stanford dropout who founded medical testing start-up Theranos, was lauded as a Steve Jobs for the next tech generation. Once worth billions of dollars, the myth crumbled when it was revealed that none of the tech actually worked, putting thousands of people’s health in grave danger. Money. Romance. Tragedy.
- 8/3/2021
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Lionsgate won an auction and is paying north of $1 million and under $2 million for Black Collar, a heist thriller pitch to be written by William N. Collage and produced by Kenya Barris through his Khalabo Ink Society banner. Lionsgate took it off the table as bidders were circling. It is one of the biggest pitch deals of the year.
Specific plot under wraps, but this is a globe trotting suspense action heist adventure said to be reminiscent of hits like The Thomas Crown Affair and Inside Man, but with a fresh contemporary way in with timely themes. Collage scripted Emancipation, which became a $4 million spec script that sold to Apple for a film currently in production starring Will Smith and directed by Antoine Fuqua. Collage also scripted Exodus, Assassin’s Creed, the final installment of Divergent, and the ABC series Of Kings and Prophets among his credits. Collage is exec producing.
Specific plot under wraps, but this is a globe trotting suspense action heist adventure said to be reminiscent of hits like The Thomas Crown Affair and Inside Man, but with a fresh contemporary way in with timely themes. Collage scripted Emancipation, which became a $4 million spec script that sold to Apple for a film currently in production starring Will Smith and directed by Antoine Fuqua. Collage also scripted Exodus, Assassin’s Creed, the final installment of Divergent, and the ABC series Of Kings and Prophets among his credits. Collage is exec producing.
- 7/23/2021
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Writer-producer Arika Lisanne Mittman (Paradise Lost) has signed an overall deal with Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.
The overall pact formalizes Mittman’s existing relationship with Universal Television. Last year, she was tapped by Utv and studio-based Keshet Studios to write The A Word, a drama based on the Israeli series Yellow Peppers, which was bought by NBC for development in December.
Mittman went on to join Keshet/Utv’s La Brea as an executive producer after the disaster drama received a straight-to-series order in January. Under the overall deal, she will continue as EP on La Brea and can work on other current Utv shows while also developing original content for the studio.
“Arika is a tremendous talent, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome her to the Utv family,” said Vivian Cannon, EVP, Drama Development, Utv. “We’ve been fortunate enough to...
The overall pact formalizes Mittman’s existing relationship with Universal Television. Last year, she was tapped by Utv and studio-based Keshet Studios to write The A Word, a drama based on the Israeli series Yellow Peppers, which was bought by NBC for development in December.
Mittman went on to join Keshet/Utv’s La Brea as an executive producer after the disaster drama received a straight-to-series order in January. Under the overall deal, she will continue as EP on La Brea and can work on other current Utv shows while also developing original content for the studio.
“Arika is a tremendous talent, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome her to the Utv family,” said Vivian Cannon, EVP, Drama Development, Utv. “We’ve been fortunate enough to...
- 7/23/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
A documentary about the relationship between Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali from Kenya Barris and his Khalabo Ink Society has been set at Netflix.
Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali will launch on the streamer on September 9.
Based on Randy Roberts and Johnny Smith’s book Blood Brothers: The Fatal Friendship Between Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X, the feature doc comes from Barris’ previous overall deal with the streamer. He has since moved to ViacomCBS in a deal that gives him equity in BET Studios. It is the Black-ish creator’s latest doc for the streamer – he is also producing a doc on civil rights attorney Ben Crump.
The film, which Barris teased in a New York Times profile last year, features never before seen archival footage and the story behind the friendship between the civil rights leader and the boxing legend.
Marcus A. Clarke, who has helmed episodes of...
Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali will launch on the streamer on September 9.
Based on Randy Roberts and Johnny Smith’s book Blood Brothers: The Fatal Friendship Between Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X, the feature doc comes from Barris’ previous overall deal with the streamer. He has since moved to ViacomCBS in a deal that gives him equity in BET Studios. It is the Black-ish creator’s latest doc for the streamer – he is also producing a doc on civil rights attorney Ben Crump.
The film, which Barris teased in a New York Times profile last year, features never before seen archival footage and the story behind the friendship between the civil rights leader and the boxing legend.
Marcus A. Clarke, who has helmed episodes of...
- 7/22/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Janel Parrish (Pretty Little Liars) and Jonathan Bennett (Mean Girls) have signed on to star in Myles Clohessy’s indie horror film, The Bog.
They join previously announced cast members Mark Ryder (Borgia), Timothy Murphy (Westworld) and Robert Clohessy (Blue Bloods) in the film, which goes into production in Ireland and Scotland in October.
Inspired by haunting true events, The Bog tells the story of two couples, led by a troubled Collette (Parrish), who intertwined through friendship, unknowing infidelity and a tragic family death, decide to take an epic hiking trip into the remote Scottish Highlands to get away from it all, reconnect and stay at one of the secluded ancient cottages that dot the area. What starts as the time of their lives—and a much-needed, doctor-requested couples retreat—quickly spirals out of control for the group of friends in the isolated, harrowing mountain territory. There, they find...
They join previously announced cast members Mark Ryder (Borgia), Timothy Murphy (Westworld) and Robert Clohessy (Blue Bloods) in the film, which goes into production in Ireland and Scotland in October.
Inspired by haunting true events, The Bog tells the story of two couples, led by a troubled Collette (Parrish), who intertwined through friendship, unknowing infidelity and a tragic family death, decide to take an epic hiking trip into the remote Scottish Highlands to get away from it all, reconnect and stay at one of the secluded ancient cottages that dot the area. What starts as the time of their lives—and a much-needed, doctor-requested couples retreat—quickly spirals out of control for the group of friends in the isolated, harrowing mountain territory. There, they find...
- 7/21/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Hair Love filmmaker Matthew A. Cherry and Chaz Bottoms, who worked on John Legend’s animated Facebook series Dear John: Legendary Love Letters, have teamed up to develop an animated musical comedy series.
Battu, which follows a young group of misfit dreamers who move to their own beat, has been set up at Cartoon Network Studios.
It is based on Bottoms’ animated short film Battu: An Animated Musical that is currently in production. Cherry has a first-look deal with Cns sister studio Warner Bros. Television.
From the French ballet term meaning beat, Battu follows teenagers Otis and Jada – two gifted dancers in Chicago whose free-spirit and individuality often leave them as outsiders in the rigid world of mainstream dance. Together they find a home at a struggling hiplet, a style of dance combining hip-hop and ballet, studio and a family among the studio’s troupe of dancers and instructors.
Battu...
Battu, which follows a young group of misfit dreamers who move to their own beat, has been set up at Cartoon Network Studios.
It is based on Bottoms’ animated short film Battu: An Animated Musical that is currently in production. Cherry has a first-look deal with Cns sister studio Warner Bros. Television.
From the French ballet term meaning beat, Battu follows teenagers Otis and Jada – two gifted dancers in Chicago whose free-spirit and individuality often leave them as outsiders in the rigid world of mainstream dance. Together they find a home at a struggling hiplet, a style of dance combining hip-hop and ballet, studio and a family among the studio’s troupe of dancers and instructors.
Battu...
- 7/14/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Jonah Hill is set to star in an untitled comedy feature at Netflix which will mark the directorial debut of “Blackish” creator Kenya Barris, according to an individual with knowledge of the project.
Hill and Barris also collaborated on writing the script and will both produce the project as well. Barris will produce via his Khalabo Ink Society banner, Hill will produce via the actor’s Strong Babybanner, along with Kevin Misher for Misher Films.
Although plot details are being kept under wraps, the untitled project will be an updated look at the themes tackled in the 1967 classic “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” which centered on a white couple’s daughter surprising her parents with a Black fiancé.
E. Brian Dobbins, Strong Baby’s Matt Dines and Ali Goodwin, and Andy Berman are the executive producers.
“Black-ish,” which hails from Disney Television Studios’ ABC Signature, examines one man’s determination...
Hill and Barris also collaborated on writing the script and will both produce the project as well. Barris will produce via his Khalabo Ink Society banner, Hill will produce via the actor’s Strong Babybanner, along with Kevin Misher for Misher Films.
Although plot details are being kept under wraps, the untitled project will be an updated look at the themes tackled in the 1967 classic “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” which centered on a white couple’s daughter surprising her parents with a Black fiancé.
E. Brian Dobbins, Strong Baby’s Matt Dines and Ali Goodwin, and Andy Berman are the executive producers.
“Black-ish,” which hails from Disney Television Studios’ ABC Signature, examines one man’s determination...
- 6/10/2021
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Exclusive: In competitive bidding, Warner Bros. acquired Meebo And Me, an original comedic family adventure spec by Free Guy scribe Matt Lieberman. Pic will be produced by Kenya Barris, through his Khalabo Ink Society, along with Lieberman and Adam Kolbrenner’s Lit Entertainment Group.
The project marks the second big deal for this creative team, on the heels of a big Paramount pitch deal for Yumanzu.
In Meebo And Me, a divorced dad goes through great lengths to get his son the hot new toy, an adorable robot. But when the other toy robots rise up against their owners, the dad and his defective robot set out to save his son and the world while building a profound friendship along the way.
Lieberman also scripted MGM’s Addams Family, Paramount’s Playing With Fire, Netflix’s Christmas Chronicles 1 & 2, Paramount Animation’s Rumble, Warner Bros Scoob! and 20th Century Studios Free Guy,...
The project marks the second big deal for this creative team, on the heels of a big Paramount pitch deal for Yumanzu.
In Meebo And Me, a divorced dad goes through great lengths to get his son the hot new toy, an adorable robot. But when the other toy robots rise up against their owners, the dad and his defective robot set out to save his son and the world while building a profound friendship along the way.
Lieberman also scripted MGM’s Addams Family, Paramount’s Playing With Fire, Netflix’s Christmas Chronicles 1 & 2, Paramount Animation’s Rumble, Warner Bros Scoob! and 20th Century Studios Free Guy,...
- 4/8/2021
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Kenya Barris Takes On Contemporary Relationships For Paramount+ In First Series Under ViacomCBS Deal
Black-ish creator Kenya Barris appeared during the ViacomCBS streaming event Wednesday to tease his first series for the company. It will be for Paramount+.
“The first series I will be involved with, we are taking an intimate look at contemporary relationships,” he said. “We will explore the complicated, ever changing boundaries and sometime racy dynamics that have shaped and redefined what modern love is.”
As Deadline reported late last year, Barris opted to end his big Netflix overall pact early for a production venture with ViacomCBS. The pact with ViacomCBS is still being finalized.
“For me, when it comes to content, the thing that interests me the most is telling stories from new perspectives and from fresh voices, stories that expand how we see ourselves on screen, who we see ourselves as on screen and, most importantly who is telling those stories behind the screen,” Barris said at today’s presentation.
“The first series I will be involved with, we are taking an intimate look at contemporary relationships,” he said. “We will explore the complicated, ever changing boundaries and sometime racy dynamics that have shaped and redefined what modern love is.”
As Deadline reported late last year, Barris opted to end his big Netflix overall pact early for a production venture with ViacomCBS. The pact with ViacomCBS is still being finalized.
“For me, when it comes to content, the thing that interests me the most is telling stories from new perspectives and from fresh voices, stories that expand how we see ourselves on screen, who we see ourselves as on screen and, most importantly who is telling those stories behind the screen,” Barris said at today’s presentation.
- 2/25/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Fear The Walking Dead co-creator Dave Erickson has closed an overall deal with MRC Television. Under the multi-year pact, Erickson will exclusively work with the indie studio on the creation and development of television series on which he will serve as writer-showrunner or supervise other writers.
As part of the deal, Erickson is developing The Jaunt, based on the 1981 Stephen King short story originally published in The Twilight Zone Magazine. The Jaunt explores a future where teleportation, called ‘jaunting,’ has become a commonplace, if still dangerous and mysterious, technology.
“We’ve long admired Dave’s visionary creative work and are thrilled to welcome him to MRC,” said Elise Henderson, President of MRC Television. “A true master of his craft, he’s the ideal partner to build upon the work of Stephen King, and create and develop more originals as the studio continues to expand.”
Erickson joins a roster of talent at MRC Television,...
As part of the deal, Erickson is developing The Jaunt, based on the 1981 Stephen King short story originally published in The Twilight Zone Magazine. The Jaunt explores a future where teleportation, called ‘jaunting,’ has become a commonplace, if still dangerous and mysterious, technology.
“We’ve long admired Dave’s visionary creative work and are thrilled to welcome him to MRC,” said Elise Henderson, President of MRC Television. “A true master of his craft, he’s the ideal partner to build upon the work of Stephen King, and create and develop more originals as the studio continues to expand.”
Erickson joins a roster of talent at MRC Television,...
- 2/24/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: In a pairing of two of the most prolific TV producers of the past decade, Kenya Barris, the creator/executive producer behind the Black-ish franchise, and the Power franchise executive producer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, are developing a series for Netflix. It is based on The 50th Law, the bestselling book by Jackson and Robert Greene.
Barris and Hale Rothstein, who together executive produce Barris’ Netflix comedy series blackAF, will write the pilot script and executive produce the potential series alongside Jackson via G-Unit and Greene. Lionsgate TV will produce via Jackson’s overall deal at Starz.
The 50th Law is a semi-autobiographical account detailing 50 Cent’s rise as both a young urban hustler and as an up-and-coming musician with lessons and anecdotes from historical figures such as Abraham Lincoln, Sun Tzu, Socrates, Napoleon, Malcolm X and James Baldwin.
Barris executive produces through his company Khalabo Ink Society via his overall deal at Netflix,...
Barris and Hale Rothstein, who together executive produce Barris’ Netflix comedy series blackAF, will write the pilot script and executive produce the potential series alongside Jackson via G-Unit and Greene. Lionsgate TV will produce via Jackson’s overall deal at Starz.
The 50th Law is a semi-autobiographical account detailing 50 Cent’s rise as both a young urban hustler and as an up-and-coming musician with lessons and anecdotes from historical figures such as Abraham Lincoln, Sun Tzu, Socrates, Napoleon, Malcolm X and James Baldwin.
Barris executive produces through his company Khalabo Ink Society via his overall deal at Netflix,...
- 2/23/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Fox has put in development Daylight, a one-hour thriller drama based on Marion Pauw’s bestselling Dutch novel Daglicht, from writer Denise Hahn (Untitled Jason Katims Project) and Blue Ant Studios. Pauw will serve as an executive producer on the project.
Written by Hahn, Daylight is a family drama and compulsive thriller that follows Iris, a high-powered Korean American lawyer, who makes the shocking discovery that a local convicted murderer is her estranged brother. When she learns the prisoner shares the same developmental disability as her son, she gets pulled into the case and ends up exposing a web of corruption and shocking family secrets that lead her to a truth she never expected. Daylight dives into discussing the stigma of disabilities, bias in the criminal justice system and the myth of the model minority — all through the lens of the Asian American experience.
Hahn executive produces with Laura Michalchyshyn...
Written by Hahn, Daylight is a family drama and compulsive thriller that follows Iris, a high-powered Korean American lawyer, who makes the shocking discovery that a local convicted murderer is her estranged brother. When she learns the prisoner shares the same developmental disability as her son, she gets pulled into the case and ends up exposing a web of corruption and shocking family secrets that lead her to a truth she never expected. Daylight dives into discussing the stigma of disabilities, bias in the criminal justice system and the myth of the model minority — all through the lens of the Asian American experience.
Hahn executive produces with Laura Michalchyshyn...
- 12/18/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: NBC is developing Zorro, a contemporary take on the classic masked vigilante character with a gender swap. It comes from a high-profile creative team, which includes filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, writer-director Rebecca Rodriguez, Sofia Vergara and her LatinWe, as well as Ben Siverman and Howard T. Owens’ Propagate. CBS Studios, where Propagate has a deal, will co-produce with Universal TV.
Co-written by the brother and sister duo of Robert and Rebecca Rodriguez and to be directed by Rebecca, Zorro centers on Sola Dominguez, an underground artist who fights for social justice as contemporary version of the mythical Zorro. Her life is threatened by several criminal organizations after she exposes them.
Robert Rodriguez and Rebecca Rodriguez executive produce with Silverman, Owens, Rodney Ferrell, Greg Lipstone and Jay Weisleder for Propagate, Vergara and Luis Balaguer for LatinWe, Geoff Clark, Eric Bromberg and John Gertz.
Propagate set out to develop a TV series...
Co-written by the brother and sister duo of Robert and Rebecca Rodriguez and to be directed by Rebecca, Zorro centers on Sola Dominguez, an underground artist who fights for social justice as contemporary version of the mythical Zorro. Her life is threatened by several criminal organizations after she exposes them.
Robert Rodriguez and Rebecca Rodriguez executive produce with Silverman, Owens, Rodney Ferrell, Greg Lipstone and Jay Weisleder for Propagate, Vergara and Luis Balaguer for LatinWe, Geoff Clark, Eric Bromberg and John Gertz.
Propagate set out to develop a TV series...
- 12/10/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: NBC has put in development The A Word, a drama based on the Israeli series Yellow Peppers, from writer Arika Mittman (Paradise Lost), Keshet Studios and Universal Television.
Keshet Broadcasting and July August Prods.’ Yellow Peppers, created by Keren Margalit, ran for two seasons in Israel between 2010-14. It has spawned several format adaptations to date, including the British version, The A Word, which has aired two seasons on BBC. Keshet Studios, the LA-based division of the Israeli media firm, and Universal TV, part of Universal Studio Group, set out to develop a U.S. broadcast incarnation of the Israeli show last year.
Written by Mittman, The A Word is a character drama that explores a family’s emotional journey of raising their young son with autism.
Mittman executive produces with Keshet Studios’ Peter Traugott, along with Avi Nir for Keshet Media Group, Alon Shtruzman for Keshet International and Karni Ziv for Keshet Broadcasting.
Keshet Broadcasting and July August Prods.’ Yellow Peppers, created by Keren Margalit, ran for two seasons in Israel between 2010-14. It has spawned several format adaptations to date, including the British version, The A Word, which has aired two seasons on BBC. Keshet Studios, the LA-based division of the Israeli media firm, and Universal TV, part of Universal Studio Group, set out to develop a U.S. broadcast incarnation of the Israeli show last year.
Written by Mittman, The A Word is a character drama that explores a family’s emotional journey of raising their young son with autism.
Mittman executive produces with Keshet Studios’ Peter Traugott, along with Avi Nir for Keshet Media Group, Alon Shtruzman for Keshet International and Karni Ziv for Keshet Broadcasting.
- 12/4/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Glee alumna Amber Riley is returning to series television as the star of another music-driven broadcast comedy series. Riley is set to headline and co-executive produce Dream, a single-camera comedy in development at NBC from writer-producer Lisa Muse Bryant (Black-ish), producer Neil Meron and Universal TV where Meron is based.
This marks a reunion for Riley and Meron. The actress and Grammy-nominated singer starred in The Wiz Live!, Meron and his late producing partner Craig Zadan’s highly-rated live musical on NBC.
Written by Bryant, in Dream, when her son graduates from college, former teen mom Dream Morgan (Riley) turns her life upside down to pursue her dream of becoming a singer.
Bryant serves as showrunner and executive produces with Meron and his producing partner Mark Nicholson. Riley co-executive produces.
Since the end of Glee, Riley also appeared in the Tyler Perry feature Nobody’s Fool opposite Tiffany Haddish...
This marks a reunion for Riley and Meron. The actress and Grammy-nominated singer starred in The Wiz Live!, Meron and his late producing partner Craig Zadan’s highly-rated live musical on NBC.
Written by Bryant, in Dream, when her son graduates from college, former teen mom Dream Morgan (Riley) turns her life upside down to pursue her dream of becoming a singer.
Bryant serves as showrunner and executive produces with Meron and his producing partner Mark Nicholson. Riley co-executive produces.
Since the end of Glee, Riley also appeared in the Tyler Perry feature Nobody’s Fool opposite Tiffany Haddish...
- 11/24/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
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