TV Development
‘A Different World’ Sequel in the Works at Netflix
Netflix is eyeing a return to Hillman College. The streamer is in the early stages of development on a sequel series to A Different World, the 1987-93 NBC sitcom that was set at a historically Black university. The new project would center on the youngest daughter of Whitley (Jasmine Guy) and Dwayne Wayne (Kadeem Hardison), […]
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‘Einstein’ Crime Drama Snags CBS Pilot Order
CBS is ramping up its development, handing out its first drama pilot order of the current cycle. It’s for a procedural called Einstein, which centers on the (fictional) great-grandson of Albert Einstein and is based on a German series of the same name. Monk creator Andy Breckman wrote the script and will serve as showrunner, […]
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Hostage Recovery Drama ‘The Envoy’ in the Works From Alexi Hawley, Lionsgate TV
The Recruit, The Diplomat and The Night Agent are about to be joined by The Envoy. Lionsgate Television has optioned the rights to a June Vanity Fair story about the work of the U.S. special envoy for hostage affairs and is teaming with The Rookie showrunner Alexi Hawley to develop a scripted series titled The […]
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Owen Thiele Sets Semi-Autobiographical Comedy at Amazon (Exclusive)
Owen Thiele’s life story is coming to Amazon. The retail giant/streamer is developing Off Color, a semi-autobiographical comedy created by and starring Theater Camp breakout Thiele. Off Color is based on Thiele’s unconventional adopted family. The logline reads, “He’s gay and Black, they’re all Jewish, his mom should be on Real Housewives and his cousin’s a […]
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‘Outlander’ Producers Nab TV Rights to Cork O’Connor Mystery Novels (Exclusive)
Two producers of Starz’s forthcoming Outlander prequel are taking on a different long-running book series for their next TV project. Story Mining & Supply Co., the production company founded by Jim Kohlberg, has acquired rights to Edgar Award-winning author William Kent Krueger’s Cork O’Connor mystery thriller novels, about a half-Irish, half-Ojibwe sheriff turned private investigator […]
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JonBenet Ramsey Limited Series in the Works From ‘Yellowstone’ Studios
One of the most infamous cold cases in recent history is set to become the subject of a scripted series. MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios — the producers of Yellowstone and its assorted spinoffs — are developing a limited series about the killing of JonBenét Ramsey. The project is in its early stages and doesn’t […]
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Drama Series Based on Usher’s Music in the Works
The music of Usher will form the basis for a drama series in the works at Universal Studio Group’s UCP. The Super Bowl LVIII halftime headliner and Grammy winner will executive produce a drama inspired by his music. Selwyn Seyfu Hinds (Hulu’s Washington Black) and Katie Zucker of Mad Massive and Kenny Meiselas of KMei Productions […]
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Chris “Ludacris” Bridges Dramedy in the Works at BET+ (Exclusive)
BET+ is turning to Chris “Ludacris” Bridges for its next scripted foray. The streaming service is developing a half-hour dramedy inspired by the life of the rapper-actor, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. The streamer says the untitled DJ project is inspired by Ludacris’ “experience coming up in the competitive music scene in Atlanta as DJ […]
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‘Bel-Air’ Showrunner to Adapt Novel ‘Black Candle Women’ for Universal TV
Universal Television has snagged rights to the latest selection in Today host Jenna Bush Hager’s book club. The studio will develop Diane Marie Brown’s debut novel, Black Candle Women, with Bel-Air showrunner Carla Banks Waddles writing the adaptation. Hager, who has a first-look deal at UTV parent Universal Studio Group via her Thousand Voices banner, […]
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Robin Thede Scripted Comedy in the Works at HBO
Robin Thede is branching out at HBO. The creator and star of A Black Lady Sketch Show is developing a half-hour comedy series for the premium cable outlet. It’s called Disengagement and will track a prominent family’s fall from grace. The project falls under the overall deal Thede signed with HBO in 2022, under which […]
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LGBTQ Pioneer Eve Adams to Be Subject of Universal TV Drama (Exclusive)
The life of author and activist Eve Adams, an early chronicler of LGBTQ people in New York City, will be the subject of a TV drama in the works at Universal Television. Gabe Dunn (Big Mouth) and Arika Lisanne Mittman (La Brea, The Irrational) are developing a drama based on The Daring Life and Dangerous […]
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‘From Blood and Ash’ Fantasy Drama in the Works at Amazon (Exclusive)
Amazon Studios is expanding its fantasy realm. The studio, which already produces The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and The Wheel of Time (the latter with Sony Pictures Television), is developing Jennifer L. Armentrout’s From Blood and Ash novels as a TV series. The Boys and Star Trek: Discovery writer and producer […]
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