Back in 2009, a horror film called Orphan told us the story of a married couple who adopts a 9-year-old Russian girl only to discover that she’s actually a criminal adult passing herself off as a child. The film was loosely based on the true story of Barbora Skrlova, a 30-something woman who pretended to be a 13-year-old and did some very twisted things that were very different than what we saw in Orphan. In 2012, a sad case that made it into news reports reminded people of Orphan. It was the story of Natalia Grace, a Ukrainian-born girl with dwarfism who was adopted by American parents who began to suspect she was much older than records said she was. The Grace case has been covered on Dr. Phil and the docu-series The Curious Case of Natalia Grace, and now the Hulu streaming service is moving forward with a Natalia Grace-inspired...
- 4/24/2024
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Exclusive: Dulé Hill and Sarayu Blue are set for key recurring roles opposite Ellen Pompeo and Mark Duplass in Orphan (working title), Hulu‘s eight episode limited series starring and executive produced by Pompeo.
Written by Katie Robbins, the drama series is inspired by the true story of a Midwestern couple, Michael and Kristine Barnett, played by Duplass and Pompeo, who adopt a girl with a rare form of dwarfism. But as they begin to raise her alongside their three biological children, questions emerge around her age and background, and they slowly start to suspect she may not be who she says she is. As they grow to believe their new daughter is a threat, she fights her own battle to confront her past and what her future holds, in a showdown that ultimately plays out in the tabloids and the courtroom.
Hill plays Brandon Drysdale, the detective investigating the...
Written by Katie Robbins, the drama series is inspired by the true story of a Midwestern couple, Michael and Kristine Barnett, played by Duplass and Pompeo, who adopt a girl with a rare form of dwarfism. But as they begin to raise her alongside their three biological children, questions emerge around her age and background, and they slowly start to suspect she may not be who she says she is. As they grow to believe their new daughter is a threat, she fights her own battle to confront her past and what her future holds, in a showdown that ultimately plays out in the tabloids and the courtroom.
Hill plays Brandon Drysdale, the detective investigating the...
- 4/22/2024
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
The Morning Show‘s Mark Duplass has been cast as the male lead in the Hulu limited series that factored into Ellen Pompeo’s decision to have a reduced presence on Grey’s Anatomy these past two seasons.
Currently titled Orphan, the eight-episode series is inspired by the true story of Natalia Grace and follows a Midwestern couple — Kristine and Michael Barnett (played by Pompeo and Duplass) — who adopt what they believe is an 8-year-old Ukrainian girl with a rare form of dwarfism. But as they begin to raise the girl alongside their three biological children, they slowly start to believe...
Currently titled Orphan, the eight-episode series is inspired by the true story of Natalia Grace and follows a Midwestern couple — Kristine and Michael Barnett (played by Pompeo and Duplass) — who adopt what they believe is an 8-year-old Ukrainian girl with a rare form of dwarfism. But as they begin to raise the girl alongside their three biological children, they slowly start to believe...
- 3/20/2024
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
Exclusive: Mark Duplass is set as the male lead opposite Ellen Pompeo and Imogen Faith Reid in Orphan (working title), Hulu’s eight episode limited series starring and executive produced by Pompeo.
Written by Katie Robbins, who serves as showrunner, the series is inspired by the true story of Natalia Grace and the Midwestern couple who adopted her believing she was a little girl with dwarfism but gradually started to believe she may not be who she said she was.
Duplass will play Michael Barnett, at the time husband of Pompeo’s Kristine Barnett, and adoptive father to Natalia (Imogen Faith Reid).
In 2019, Michael (Duplass), an upbeat Midwestern dad and retail manager, was charged, along with his ex-wife Kristine (Pompeo), for the neglect and abandonment of their daughter Natalia, whom they adopted in 2010. Already in the public eye because of Kristine’s bestselling book The Spark– about raising their son Jacob,...
Written by Katie Robbins, who serves as showrunner, the series is inspired by the true story of Natalia Grace and the Midwestern couple who adopted her believing she was a little girl with dwarfism but gradually started to believe she may not be who she said she was.
Duplass will play Michael Barnett, at the time husband of Pompeo’s Kristine Barnett, and adoptive father to Natalia (Imogen Faith Reid).
In 2019, Michael (Duplass), an upbeat Midwestern dad and retail manager, was charged, along with his ex-wife Kristine (Pompeo), for the neglect and abandonment of their daughter Natalia, whom they adopted in 2010. Already in the public eye because of Kristine’s bestselling book The Spark– about raising their son Jacob,...
- 3/20/2024
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Two-time Academy Award nominee Liz Garbus is set to direct and executive produce the Untitled Orphan Project that’s in the works for Hulu.
The ABC Signature drama will star Ellen Pompeo and is inspired by the true story of a Midwestern couple who adopts who they believe is an 8-year-old girl with a rare form of dwarfism. But as they begin to raise her alongside their three biological children, they slowly start to believe she may not be who she says she is.
The real-life story has drawn parallels to the 2009 horror movie Orphan.
The plan is to produce an eight-episode limited series. Pompeo will executive produce through her production banner Calamity Jane with Laura Holstein. The project was created and written by Katie Robbins (The Affair). Erin Levy will serve as showrunner on the series and executive produce alongside Robbins. Other exec producers are Andrew Stearn, Niles Kirschner,...
The ABC Signature drama will star Ellen Pompeo and is inspired by the true story of a Midwestern couple who adopts who they believe is an 8-year-old girl with a rare form of dwarfism. But as they begin to raise her alongside their three biological children, they slowly start to believe she may not be who she says she is.
The real-life story has drawn parallels to the 2009 horror movie Orphan.
The plan is to produce an eight-episode limited series. Pompeo will executive produce through her production banner Calamity Jane with Laura Holstein. The project was created and written by Katie Robbins (The Affair). Erin Levy will serve as showrunner on the series and executive produce alongside Robbins. Other exec producers are Andrew Stearn, Niles Kirschner,...
- 1/27/2023
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
UK actor Imogen Reid has been tapped as a co-lead opposite Ellen Pompeo in Hulu’s untitled orphan limited series, executive produced by the Grey’s Anatomy star.
Created and written by Katie Robbins, the Untitled Orphan Project is inspired by the true story of a Midwestern couple who adopts a young girl with a rare form of dwarfism (Reid). But as they begin to raise her alongside their three other children, they slowly start to suspect she may not be who she says she is. As they question her story, they’re confronted with hard questions of their own about the lengths they’re willing to go to defend themselves and protect their own narrative, falling into a battle that’s fought in the tabloids, the courtroom, and ultimately their marriage.
Pompeo will play the mother.
The shocking case, which has drawn parallels to the 2009 horror movie Orphan, made national...
Created and written by Katie Robbins, the Untitled Orphan Project is inspired by the true story of a Midwestern couple who adopts a young girl with a rare form of dwarfism (Reid). But as they begin to raise her alongside their three other children, they slowly start to suspect she may not be who she says she is. As they question her story, they’re confronted with hard questions of their own about the lengths they’re willing to go to defend themselves and protect their own narrative, falling into a battle that’s fought in the tabloids, the courtroom, and ultimately their marriage.
Pompeo will play the mother.
The shocking case, which has drawn parallels to the 2009 horror movie Orphan, made national...
- 8/10/2022
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Imogen Reid will star opposite Ellen Pompeo in the untitled orphan limited series at Hulu that was announced on Aug. 3.
The series is inspired by the true story of a Midwestern couple who adopts a young girl with a rare form of dwarfism (Reid). But as they begin to raise her alongside their three other children, they slowly start to suspect she may not be who she says she is. As they question her story, they’re confronted with hard questions of their own about the lengths they’re willing to go to defend themselves and protect their own narrative, falling into a battle that’s fought in the tabloids, the courtroom, and ultimately their marriage.
Reid trained at the Miskin Theatre at North Kent College. Her work has been featured across regional theatres in the UK. Her onscreen credits include “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Crimes of Grindelwald,...
The series is inspired by the true story of a Midwestern couple who adopts a young girl with a rare form of dwarfism (Reid). But as they begin to raise her alongside their three other children, they slowly start to suspect she may not be who she says she is. As they question her story, they’re confronted with hard questions of their own about the lengths they’re willing to go to defend themselves and protect their own narrative, falling into a battle that’s fought in the tabloids, the courtroom, and ultimately their marriage.
Reid trained at the Miskin Theatre at North Kent College. Her work has been featured across regional theatres in the UK. Her onscreen credits include “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Crimes of Grindelwald,...
- 8/10/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Ellen Pompeo has an exciting new role... and it means she will be scaling back her duties on Grey's Anatomy.
The glue that holds the medical drama together will star in and executive produce an upcoming orphan-themed drama for Hulu.
Hulu says the drama is “inspired by the story of a Midwestern couple who adopts what they believe is an 8-year-old girl with a rare form of dwarfism."
"But as they begin to raise her alongside their three biological children, they slowly start to believe she may not be who she says she is," the logline continues.
"As they question her story, they’re confronted with hard questions of their own about the lengths they’re willing to go to defend themselves, falling into a battle that’s fought in the tabloids, the courtroom, and ultimately their marriage.”
Pompeo will work alongside her Calamity Jane production company exec Laura Holstein on the project.
The glue that holds the medical drama together will star in and executive produce an upcoming orphan-themed drama for Hulu.
Hulu says the drama is “inspired by the story of a Midwestern couple who adopts what they believe is an 8-year-old girl with a rare form of dwarfism."
"But as they begin to raise her alongside their three biological children, they slowly start to believe she may not be who she says she is," the logline continues.
"As they question her story, they’re confronted with hard questions of their own about the lengths they’re willing to go to defend themselves, falling into a battle that’s fought in the tabloids, the courtroom, and ultimately their marriage.”
Pompeo will work alongside her Calamity Jane production company exec Laura Holstein on the project.
- 8/3/2022
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Ellen Pompeo is set to star in a limited series inspired by real events that has been ordered at Hulu, Variety has learned.
In the untitled show, a Midwestern couple adopts what they believe is an 8-year-old girl with a rare form of dwarfism. But as they begin to raise her alongside their three biological children, they slowly start to believe she may not be who she says she is. As they question her story, they’re confronted with hard questions of their own about the lengths they’re willing to go to defend themselves, falling into a battle that’s fought in the tabloids, the courtroom, and ultimately their marriage.
Hulu has given the series an eight-episode order. Katie Robbins is writing and executive producing, with Pompeo set to executive produce under her Calamity Jane production banner. Erin Levy will serve as showrunner and executive producer. Laura Holstein of...
In the untitled show, a Midwestern couple adopts what they believe is an 8-year-old girl with a rare form of dwarfism. But as they begin to raise her alongside their three biological children, they slowly start to believe she may not be who she says she is. As they question her story, they’re confronted with hard questions of their own about the lengths they’re willing to go to defend themselves, falling into a battle that’s fought in the tabloids, the courtroom, and ultimately their marriage.
Hulu has given the series an eight-episode order. Katie Robbins is writing and executive producing, with Pompeo set to executive produce under her Calamity Jane production banner. Erin Levy will serve as showrunner and executive producer. Laura Holstein of...
- 8/3/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Grey’s Anatomy vet Ellen Pompeo, who is heading into her 19th season as Meredith Grey on the venerable ABC medical drama, is spreading her acting wings beyond Grey Sloan.
The actress has signed on to star in and exec produce an untitled orphan-themed limited series at Hulu. As a result, Pompeo will be dramatically scaling back her Grey’s Anatomy workload in Season 19 (here’s the full story on her new limited Grey’s status.)
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The actress has signed on to star in and exec produce an untitled orphan-themed limited series at Hulu. As a result, Pompeo will be dramatically scaling back her Grey’s Anatomy workload in Season 19 (here’s the full story on her new limited Grey’s status.)
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- 8/3/2022
- by Michael Ausiello
- TVLine.com
The stranger-than-fiction story of Ukranian-born Natalia Grace and her U.S. adoptive parents, who claimed that she was an adult “sociopath” pretending to be a child, is the inspiration for an eight-episode Hulu limited series starring and executive produced by Ellen Pompeo.
As she takes on the Untitled Orphan Project, Grey’s Anatomy star Pompeo will be scaling back her on-screen presence on the ABC medical drama next season to eight episodes. She will remain a narrator and executive producer on the show.
Ellen Pompeo Through The Years: Photo Gallery Of 18 Seasons Of Meredith Grey On ‘Grey’s Anatomy’
The shocking case, which has drawn parallels to the 2009 horror movie Orphan, made national headlines in September 2019 when Kristine Barnett and her ex-husband Michael Barnett were charged with neglect for allegedly abandoning their adopted daughter Natalia, who has a rare form of dwarfism, in 2013 when she was 9. The parents have claimed that Natalia, whom they adopted when they thought she was 6, is in fact a mentally disturbed adult woman who threatened their lives. Most of the charges against the Barnetts eventually were dismissed; Natalia has denied the accusations that she is a grownup con artist.
The limited series was created and written by Katie Robbins (The Affair). Here is the logline: Inspired by the true story of the Midwestern couple who adopts what they believe is a little girl with dwarfism. As they begin to raise her alongside their three biological children, they slowly start to believe she may not be who she says she is. As they question her story, they’re confronted with hard questions of their own about the lengths they’re willing to go to defend themselves, falling into a battle that’s fought in the tabloids, the courtroom, and ultimately their marriage.
Pompeo will play the mother.
2022 Hulu Pilots & Series Orders
The project has been in the works at Hulu for a year and a half. Mike Epps and his managers Dan Spilo and Niles Kirchner had originally obtained the rights to Michael Barnett’s story before taking the idea to the Disney-controlled streamer. Hulu optioned the rights to Michael Barnett in January 2021, and Robbins was brought in to write the script. Pompeo came on board earlier this summer.
Erin Levy will serve as showrunner on the series and executive produce alongside Robbins. Pompeo will executive produce through her production banner Calamity Jane with Laura Holstein. Epps, Spilo and Niles Kirchner also executive produce alongside Andrew Stearn, who at the time of the Hulu sale had a deal at ABC Signature predecessor ABC Studios.
This marks Pompeo’s first major acting role outside of the Grey’s Anatomy franchise since the 2005 feature Life of the Party. Pompeo acted primarily in movies before she was cast as Meredith Grey in Grey’s Anatomy 18 years ago and has been focused on the hit show ever since. In addition to starring, Pompeo serves as an executive producer on ABC’s hugely popular medical drama, which is headed to its 19th season. She is repped by CAA, John Carrabino Management, The Lede Company and Hansen Jacobson.
Robbins is repped by UTA, Aaron Kogan Management and attorney Jonathan Shikora. Levy is repped by WME. Michael Barnett was repped in the deal by attorney Terrance Kinnard.
As she takes on the Untitled Orphan Project, Grey’s Anatomy star Pompeo will be scaling back her on-screen presence on the ABC medical drama next season to eight episodes. She will remain a narrator and executive producer on the show.
Ellen Pompeo Through The Years: Photo Gallery Of 18 Seasons Of Meredith Grey On ‘Grey’s Anatomy’
The shocking case, which has drawn parallels to the 2009 horror movie Orphan, made national headlines in September 2019 when Kristine Barnett and her ex-husband Michael Barnett were charged with neglect for allegedly abandoning their adopted daughter Natalia, who has a rare form of dwarfism, in 2013 when she was 9. The parents have claimed that Natalia, whom they adopted when they thought she was 6, is in fact a mentally disturbed adult woman who threatened their lives. Most of the charges against the Barnetts eventually were dismissed; Natalia has denied the accusations that she is a grownup con artist.
The limited series was created and written by Katie Robbins (The Affair). Here is the logline: Inspired by the true story of the Midwestern couple who adopts what they believe is a little girl with dwarfism. As they begin to raise her alongside their three biological children, they slowly start to believe she may not be who she says she is. As they question her story, they’re confronted with hard questions of their own about the lengths they’re willing to go to defend themselves, falling into a battle that’s fought in the tabloids, the courtroom, and ultimately their marriage.
Pompeo will play the mother.
2022 Hulu Pilots & Series Orders
The project has been in the works at Hulu for a year and a half. Mike Epps and his managers Dan Spilo and Niles Kirchner had originally obtained the rights to Michael Barnett’s story before taking the idea to the Disney-controlled streamer. Hulu optioned the rights to Michael Barnett in January 2021, and Robbins was brought in to write the script. Pompeo came on board earlier this summer.
Erin Levy will serve as showrunner on the series and executive produce alongside Robbins. Pompeo will executive produce through her production banner Calamity Jane with Laura Holstein. Epps, Spilo and Niles Kirchner also executive produce alongside Andrew Stearn, who at the time of the Hulu sale had a deal at ABC Signature predecessor ABC Studios.
This marks Pompeo’s first major acting role outside of the Grey’s Anatomy franchise since the 2005 feature Life of the Party. Pompeo acted primarily in movies before she was cast as Meredith Grey in Grey’s Anatomy 18 years ago and has been focused on the hit show ever since. In addition to starring, Pompeo serves as an executive producer on ABC’s hugely popular medical drama, which is headed to its 19th season. She is repped by CAA, John Carrabino Management, The Lede Company and Hansen Jacobson.
Robbins is repped by UTA, Aaron Kogan Management and attorney Jonathan Shikora. Levy is repped by WME. Michael Barnett was repped in the deal by attorney Terrance Kinnard.
- 8/3/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Ellen Pompeo is branching out.
The Grey’s Anatomy leading lady has landed her first on-air series via her ABC Signature-based production company, Calamity Jane. The actress will star in and exec produce an untitled orphan project for Hulu.
In related news, Pompeo will scale back her time on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy and appear in only eight of the expected 22 episodes in season 19. She will continue to be the show’s primary narrator for the bulk of the episodes but her on-screen commitment will consist of only eight episodes. Sources say there are no plans for this to be the final season of Grey’s, despite rumors over the past few years that the long-running show’s end is near.
Pompeo has been open about her desire to do more than Grey’s, which has produced more than 400 episodes and ranks as TV’s longest-running primetime medical drama.
Ellen Pompeo is branching out.
The Grey’s Anatomy leading lady has landed her first on-air series via her ABC Signature-based production company, Calamity Jane. The actress will star in and exec produce an untitled orphan project for Hulu.
In related news, Pompeo will scale back her time on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy and appear in only eight of the expected 22 episodes in season 19. She will continue to be the show’s primary narrator for the bulk of the episodes but her on-screen commitment will consist of only eight episodes. Sources say there are no plans for this to be the final season of Grey’s, despite rumors over the past few years that the long-running show’s end is near.
Pompeo has been open about her desire to do more than Grey’s, which has produced more than 400 episodes and ranks as TV’s longest-running primetime medical drama.
- 8/3/2022
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Ellen Pompeo is moving into the world of podcasting.
The star of Grey’s Anatomy, who just signed on for season 18 of the long-running ABC medical drama, is hosting Tell Me with Ellen Pompeo.
She has teamed up with Audacy’s Cadence13 to make the show, which will see the actor sit down for in-depth, candid conversations with a wide range of guests who inspire her, extraordinary people who do extraordinary things, to find out what makes them great. Pompeo will use the weekly show to shine a light on people and highlight issues important to her and the world at large.
‘Hollywood Con Queen’ Team Heads To Las Vegas For Doomed FBI Sting In Season 2 Of ‘Chameleon’ Podcast
Pompeo has been an outspoken activist for issues including equal pay for women in Hollywood and beyond, social justice, voting rights, and women’s rights.
The show will launch this fall.
Tell...
The star of Grey’s Anatomy, who just signed on for season 18 of the long-running ABC medical drama, is hosting Tell Me with Ellen Pompeo.
She has teamed up with Audacy’s Cadence13 to make the show, which will see the actor sit down for in-depth, candid conversations with a wide range of guests who inspire her, extraordinary people who do extraordinary things, to find out what makes them great. Pompeo will use the weekly show to shine a light on people and highlight issues important to her and the world at large.
‘Hollywood Con Queen’ Team Heads To Las Vegas For Doomed FBI Sting In Season 2 Of ‘Chameleon’ Podcast
Pompeo has been an outspoken activist for issues including equal pay for women in Hollywood and beyond, social justice, voting rights, and women’s rights.
The show will launch this fall.
Tell...
- 5/13/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Kristin Davis, one of the stars of HBO Max’s upcoming Sex and the City revival, has set up a second series project at the WarnerMedia streamer. HBO Max has put in development Deeds, a half-hour black comedy starring and executive produced by Davis, from Ellen Pompeo’s Calamity Jane.
Written by Michael Davidoff (Working), Deeds is about a desperate realtor (Davis) who embarks on an increasingly dark path when she’s forced to team up with a drug-addicted, sociopathic, young couple who soon discover that in the world of high-end, LA real estate, when it comes to immorality and cutthroat behavior, they’re outmatched.
Pompeo and Laura Holstein will executive produce for Calamity Jane. Dave Fleming also will executive produce.
Davis is set to reprise her role as Charlotte York Goldenblatt opposite Sarah Jessica Parker and Cynthia Nixon in HBO Max’s Sex and the City limited series revival,...
Written by Michael Davidoff (Working), Deeds is about a desperate realtor (Davis) who embarks on an increasingly dark path when she’s forced to team up with a drug-addicted, sociopathic, young couple who soon discover that in the world of high-end, LA real estate, when it comes to immorality and cutthroat behavior, they’re outmatched.
Pompeo and Laura Holstein will executive produce for Calamity Jane. Dave Fleming also will executive produce.
Davis is set to reprise her role as Charlotte York Goldenblatt opposite Sarah Jessica Parker and Cynthia Nixon in HBO Max’s Sex and the City limited series revival,...
- 4/5/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
ABC is developing a limited series adaptation of Elin Hilderbrand’s “Paradise” book trilogy with Ellen Pompeo executive producing, TheWrap has confirmed.
The project, based on the trio of novels starting with 2018’s “Winter in Paradise,” centers on Irene Steele, who, after her husband’s perplexing death, learns that he had been living a secret life with an entirely separate family on the Caribbean island of St. John.
The other two books in the series, “What Happens in Paradise” and “Troubles in Paradise,” were released last year.
“Mad Men” alums Andre and Maria Jacquemetton will write the script for the adaptation, with Pompeo serving as executive producer alongside Hilderbrand and Laura Holstein of Pompeo’s Calamity Jane banner.
The Hilderbrand adaptation falls under Pompeo’s producing deal with ABC Signature, which also sees her serving as a producer on both “Grey’s Anatomy” and spinoff “Station 19.”
Read original story Ellen...
The project, based on the trio of novels starting with 2018’s “Winter in Paradise,” centers on Irene Steele, who, after her husband’s perplexing death, learns that he had been living a secret life with an entirely separate family on the Caribbean island of St. John.
The other two books in the series, “What Happens in Paradise” and “Troubles in Paradise,” were released last year.
“Mad Men” alums Andre and Maria Jacquemetton will write the script for the adaptation, with Pompeo serving as executive producer alongside Hilderbrand and Laura Holstein of Pompeo’s Calamity Jane banner.
The Hilderbrand adaptation falls under Pompeo’s producing deal with ABC Signature, which also sees her serving as a producer on both “Grey’s Anatomy” and spinoff “Station 19.”
Read original story Ellen...
- 1/25/2021
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
Ellen Pompeo Producing Limited Series Based On Elin Hilderbrand’s ‘Paradise’ Trilogy In Works At ABC
ABC has put in development Winter In Paradise, a limited series based on the first book in Elin Hilderbrand’s bestelling Paradise trilogy, from husband-and-wife writing team André and Maria Jacquemetton (Mad Men), Ellen Pompeo and her Calamity Jane production company, Andrew Stearn Productions and ABC Signature, where Calamity Jane is based.
Written by the Jacquemettons, based on Elin Hilderbrand’s Paradise trilogy, the series tells the story of a husband’s secret life and a wife’s new beginning. Irene Steele shares her idyllic life in a beautiful Iowa City Victorian house with a husband who loves her to an extreme. But when her husband dies in a perplexing manner, Irene soon learns that her husband has been living a secret life with an entirely separate family on the distant Caribbean island of St. John. As Irene untangles a web of intrigue and deceit, and as she and her...
Written by the Jacquemettons, based on Elin Hilderbrand’s Paradise trilogy, the series tells the story of a husband’s secret life and a wife’s new beginning. Irene Steele shares her idyllic life in a beautiful Iowa City Victorian house with a husband who loves her to an extreme. But when her husband dies in a perplexing manner, Irene soon learns that her husband has been living a secret life with an entirely separate family on the distant Caribbean island of St. John. As Irene untangles a web of intrigue and deceit, and as she and her...
- 1/25/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva and Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
ABC is developing a series adaptation of Elin Hilderbrand’s “Paradise” novel trilogy, with “Grey’s Anatomy” star Ellen Pompeo set to executive produce.
The project is titled “Winter in Paradise,” named after the first book in the trilogy. The series focuses on Irene Steele, who shares her idyllic life in a beautiful Iowa City Victorian house with a husband who loves her to an extreme. But when her husband dies in a perplexing manner, she soon learns that he has been living a secret life with an entirely separate family on the distant Caribbean island of St. John. As Irene untangles a web of intrigue and deceit, and as she and her sons find themselves drawn into the vibrant island culture, they have to face the truth about their family and their future.
Andre and Maria Jacquemetton are set to write the script and executive produce “Winter in Paradise.” Pompeo...
The project is titled “Winter in Paradise,” named after the first book in the trilogy. The series focuses on Irene Steele, who shares her idyllic life in a beautiful Iowa City Victorian house with a husband who loves her to an extreme. But when her husband dies in a perplexing manner, she soon learns that he has been living a secret life with an entirely separate family on the distant Caribbean island of St. John. As Irene untangles a web of intrigue and deceit, and as she and her sons find themselves drawn into the vibrant island culture, they have to face the truth about their family and their future.
Andre and Maria Jacquemetton are set to write the script and executive produce “Winter in Paradise.” Pompeo...
- 1/25/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment has teamed with former Idw Entertainment President David Ozer to launch Landmark Studio Group. The new company will be focused on the ownership, development and production of entertainment franchises in both TV and film. Ozer will serve as CEO for the company, which will be headquartered in New York with offices in Los Angeles.
Landmark content will be funneled through outlets such as Crackle, which Chicken Soup took majority control of last spring in a new arrangement with Sony. The company also owns Screen Media, which will distribute Landmark titles.
Landmark will develop, produce, distribute and own all of the intellectual property it creates. The studio will be independent, having the ability to sell its content to any network or platform, while hanging onto worldwide rights.
Cole Strategic Partners will co-fund Landmark with Chicken Soup for the Soul. “We are thrilled to join forces...
Landmark content will be funneled through outlets such as Crackle, which Chicken Soup took majority control of last spring in a new arrangement with Sony. The company also owns Screen Media, which will distribute Landmark titles.
Landmark will develop, produce, distribute and own all of the intellectual property it creates. The studio will be independent, having the ability to sell its content to any network or platform, while hanging onto worldwide rights.
Cole Strategic Partners will co-fund Landmark with Chicken Soup for the Soul. “We are thrilled to join forces...
- 10/15/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
ABC is developing a drama about a sorority girl-turned-CIA agent based on the real-life story of Tracey Walder, from Ellen Pompeo and former “Arrow” co-showrunner Wendie Mericle.
Mericle is penning the project, which is being adapted from Walder and Jessica Anya Blau, “The Sorority Girl Who Saved Your Life.”
The upcoming memoir details Walder’s life in the CIA, where she was recruited by the agency while a student and Delta Gamma sorority member at the University of Southern California.
Also Read: Leslie Odom Jr, Kerry Washington Team for Multi-Camera Put Pilot at ABC
She would spend the next five years as a covert operative for the CIA’s Counterterrorism Center, assuming aliases, thwarting terrorist attacks, and hiding in the trunks of cars on her way to debrief terrorists at black sites. She would eventually leave the CIA for the FBI, one of the few women to ever do so.
Mericle is penning the project, which is being adapted from Walder and Jessica Anya Blau, “The Sorority Girl Who Saved Your Life.”
The upcoming memoir details Walder’s life in the CIA, where she was recruited by the agency while a student and Delta Gamma sorority member at the University of Southern California.
Also Read: Leslie Odom Jr, Kerry Washington Team for Multi-Camera Put Pilot at ABC
She would spend the next five years as a covert operative for the CIA’s Counterterrorism Center, assuming aliases, thwarting terrorist attacks, and hiding in the trunks of cars on her way to debrief terrorists at black sites. She would eventually leave the CIA for the FBI, one of the few women to ever do so.
- 11/7/2018
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
ABC has put in development The Sorority Girl Who Saved Your Life, a drama about a sorority girl who joined the CIA, from former Arrow co-showrunner Wendy Mericle, Ellen Pompeo, Sarah Timberman and Carl Beverly as well as ABC Studios, where Pompeo’s Calamity Jane and Timberman-Beverly Prods. are based.
Written by Mericle, the project is inspired by The Sorority Girl Who Saved Your Life, the upcoming book by Tracy Walder and Jessica Anya Blau.
The Sorority Girl Who Saved Your Life details the incredible true story of Tracy Walder. Walder happened upon a CIA recruiter at a jobs fair and was recruited by the agency while a USC student and Delta Gamma sorority sister. She would spend the next five years as a covert operative for CIA’s Counterterrorism Center, assuming aliases, thwarting terrorist attacks, and hiding in the trunks of cars on her way to debrief terrorists at black sites.
Written by Mericle, the project is inspired by The Sorority Girl Who Saved Your Life, the upcoming book by Tracy Walder and Jessica Anya Blau.
The Sorority Girl Who Saved Your Life details the incredible true story of Tracy Walder. Walder happened upon a CIA recruiter at a jobs fair and was recruited by the agency while a USC student and Delta Gamma sorority sister. She would spend the next five years as a covert operative for CIA’s Counterterrorism Center, assuming aliases, thwarting terrorist attacks, and hiding in the trunks of cars on her way to debrief terrorists at black sites.
- 11/7/2018
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Overall and first-look deals still drive the television business.
Although some mega-producers have moved to the streaming world, including Ryan Murphy and Shonda Rhimes at Netflix, the overwhelming majority of pacts are still at the studio and linear network level. These deals help lock in show services, as well as keep the development pipeline flowing.
Here is a snapshot at most of the deals currently in place across Hollywood, as of mid-May.
A+E Studios
Appletree Pictures
Ross Fineman
Sarah Gertrude Shapiro
Thruline (Ron West/Chris Henze/Jb Roberts)
ABC Studios
Eli Attie
Alec Baldwin/Mallory Schwartz El Dorado Pictures
Kenya Barris Khalabo Ink Society
Julie Bean
Kevin Biegel
Sherry Bilsing-Graham/Ellen Kreamer
Bluegrass Fanfare
Chris Brancato Churchill Road Prods.
Jeremy Bronson
Danny Chun
Adam Ciralsky
Eliza Coupe
Liz Craft/Sarah Fain
Carlton Cuse
Paul Davies
Viola Davis/Kaylon Hunt JuVee Prods.
Tim Doyle
Dan Dworkin/Jay Beattie
Randall Einhorn...
Although some mega-producers have moved to the streaming world, including Ryan Murphy and Shonda Rhimes at Netflix, the overwhelming majority of pacts are still at the studio and linear network level. These deals help lock in show services, as well as keep the development pipeline flowing.
Here is a snapshot at most of the deals currently in place across Hollywood, as of mid-May.
A+E Studios
Appletree Pictures
Ross Fineman
Sarah Gertrude Shapiro
Thruline (Ron West/Chris Henze/Jb Roberts)
ABC Studios
Eli Attie
Alec Baldwin/Mallory Schwartz El Dorado Pictures
Kenya Barris Khalabo Ink Society
Julie Bean
Kevin Biegel
Sherry Bilsing-Graham/Ellen Kreamer
Bluegrass Fanfare
Chris Brancato Churchill Road Prods.
Jeremy Bronson
Danny Chun
Adam Ciralsky
Eliza Coupe
Liz Craft/Sarah Fain
Carlton Cuse
Paul Davies
Viola Davis/Kaylon Hunt JuVee Prods.
Tim Doyle
Dan Dworkin/Jay Beattie
Randall Einhorn...
- 5/16/2018
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
According to a new report from The Hollywood Reporter news team, we're about to see Grey's Anatomy's main actress Ellen Pompeo aka Meredith Grey (above) branch off and do something different, but you guys don't need to worry. Grey's Anatomy will still remain her main gig. She's not crazy. Grey's Anatomy has been extremely good to her. We just got done reading a story about how many houses she owns. It's insane! Anyways, I digress. So, Ellen's new gig that she has lined up consists of her producing a new show for ABC. The Hollywood Reporter is telling us that it's a courtroom drama type of show. They've already given it a name at this point. It's called,"Big Law." They say it's an adaptation of the Colombian format La ley del corazo. They pointed out that the show is officially in development at ABC. The general description for...
- 10/24/2017
- by Andre Braddox
- OnTheFlix
Coming off a highly successful 2016, Idw seemingly intends to make 2017 an even more prosperous year as the comic book publisher continues to expand into other media. Having previously made adaptations of 30 Days of Night and Wynonna Earp into mainstream hits, their next project will be somewhat of a reverse as their next commitment is that of The Devil.
No, they aren’t stepping on the toes of Fox’s Lucifer. Instead, they will be travelling back a few decades to craft a story based on the real life events of a notorious criminal. Idw themselves provided the following description:
The series is based on the novel The Devil: Britain’s Most Feared Underworld Taxman by Graham Johnson. Set in Liverpool in the 1980’s, The Devil showcases the life of Stephen French, one of the most feared men in the criminal underworld in the UK. He earned both his nickname and...
No, they aren’t stepping on the toes of Fox’s Lucifer. Instead, they will be travelling back a few decades to craft a story based on the real life events of a notorious criminal. Idw themselves provided the following description:
The series is based on the novel The Devil: Britain’s Most Feared Underworld Taxman by Graham Johnson. Set in Liverpool in the 1980’s, The Devil showcases the life of Stephen French, one of the most feared men in the criminal underworld in the UK. He earned both his nickname and...
- 1/12/2017
- by Eric Joseph
- We Got This Covered
ABC is developing the murder mystery drama “Personal Motives” from executive producer Ellen Pompeo. The series, from the “Grey’s Anatomy” star’s production company Calamity Jane and ABC Studios, is an adaptation of the 2005 Spanish series “Motivos Personales.” Andy Stern will write and executive produce the series, which centers on a news anchor who sees her husband arrested for murder live on-air during the evening newscast. Their lives are torn apart as she works to prove his innocence. Also read: Ellen Pompeo Is Offended Fans Think 'Grey's Anatomy' Can't Continue Without Patrick Dempsey's McDreamy Pompeo will executive produce for Calamity Jane,...
- 10/14/2015
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
screened
Los Angeles Film Festival
While aspects of the story seem familiar, as coming-of-age stories often do, the richness of the characters and themes in Nearing Grace inspire director Rick Rosenthal and his cast to create a film with terrific emotional energy and larkish humor. One of the pleasant surprises of the current Los Angeles Film Festival, Nearing Grace is that rare independent film that clearly was made outside of Hollywood without sacrificing the professional sheen Hollywood gives to a movie.
The film is tailor-made for a studio classics division: It makes a nice crossover between a date movie for young people and a nostalgic period film for older adults.
At the top of the list of things the filmmakers did right is casting Gregory Smith, a young actor perhaps best known for his role on the WB Network series Everwood, in the lead role of Henry Nearing. Smith establishes an intimacy with his audience, making transparent his character's raw feelings even as he hides them from other characters behind a wall of irony and reticence.
Supporting this potential break-out performance are superb turns by Ashley Johnson, as a neighbor whose fondness for Henry completely escapes his notice; Jordana Brewster as the school vamp to whom Henry is irresistibly drawn; and David Morse as a father at the end of his emotional rope.
Jacob Aaron Estes, screenwriter-director of last year's low-budget critical hit Mean Creek, wrote the screen adaptation of Scott Sommer's novel Nearing's Grace. (Notice the subtle change in the title.) The writing is witty and insightful, creating in each of the four main characters a strong individual with strong points of view.
The crux of the matter is the Nearing family's loss of its female leader. Rose, wife to Shep (Morse) and mom to Henry and Blair (David Moscow), died six months before. The time is the late '70s, when lifestyles and sexuality were undergoing tremendous change in American society. Rose's death removes the anchor to this suburban New Jersey family, letting each member drift into those swift-moving social currents.
Dad quits his teaching job, grows his hair long, rides his bike around town and drinks himself senseless most nights. Blair splits, taking off with a hippie girlfriend in search of acid and experiences, some of which he might even remember. Henry changes the least outwardly; but inside, his life is in free-fall.
Even if his mother hadn't died, Henry probably would have developed a strong attraction to the bewitching Grace (Brewster). But his pursuit of her becomes an obsession that a female role model might have prevented.
Grace has a boyfriend in lacrosse champ Lance (Chad Faust). But she also loves to tease boys, and Henry becomes her latest victim. Henry's best gal pal Merna Ash (Johnson) drops hints of her interest in him, but Grace has blinded him to any other female.
Henry drops out of school a month short of graduation. He retreats to the basement to, as he says, contemplate the "meaning of life." He might even discover at least one of its meanings when he realizes that wanting something is not the same thing as needing something.
Smith makes a lively and ingratiating protagonist even while making his gravest mistakes. Brewster has sexual allure as the serial seductress but makes us understand the boredom and disappointment that underlines her behavior. Johnson is a revelation: The actress is an unconventional beauty with the resources to suggest the longings and maturity of a young woman wise beyond her years.
Morse, one of our best character actors, here portrays a man unapologetic about falling apart over his wife's death. Only Moscow's brother is poorly realized, dropping out for most of the movie, then popping up without much introduction and little to do.
The film has pros in all areas behind the camera, so the sterling look of the film, actually shot in Portland, Ore., belies its modest budget.
NEARING GRACE
Whitewater Films
Credits:
Director: Rick Rosenthal
Screenwriter: Jacob Aaron Estes
Based on the novel by: Scott Sommer
Producers: Rick Rosenthal, Susan Johnson, Tracy Underwood
Executive producers: John Wells, Nancy Stephens
Director of photography: David Geddes
Production designer: Mark Zuelzke
Music: John Nordstrom
Co-producers: Laura Holstein, Jacob Mosler
Costumes: Cynthia Morrill
Editor: Madeleine Gavin
Cast:
Henry Nearing: Gregory Smith
Grace: Jordana Brewster
Merna: Ashley Johnson
Shep: David Morse
Blair Nearing: David Moscow
Lance: Chad Faust
No MPAA rating
Running time -- 106 minutes...
Los Angeles Film Festival
While aspects of the story seem familiar, as coming-of-age stories often do, the richness of the characters and themes in Nearing Grace inspire director Rick Rosenthal and his cast to create a film with terrific emotional energy and larkish humor. One of the pleasant surprises of the current Los Angeles Film Festival, Nearing Grace is that rare independent film that clearly was made outside of Hollywood without sacrificing the professional sheen Hollywood gives to a movie.
The film is tailor-made for a studio classics division: It makes a nice crossover between a date movie for young people and a nostalgic period film for older adults.
At the top of the list of things the filmmakers did right is casting Gregory Smith, a young actor perhaps best known for his role on the WB Network series Everwood, in the lead role of Henry Nearing. Smith establishes an intimacy with his audience, making transparent his character's raw feelings even as he hides them from other characters behind a wall of irony and reticence.
Supporting this potential break-out performance are superb turns by Ashley Johnson, as a neighbor whose fondness for Henry completely escapes his notice; Jordana Brewster as the school vamp to whom Henry is irresistibly drawn; and David Morse as a father at the end of his emotional rope.
Jacob Aaron Estes, screenwriter-director of last year's low-budget critical hit Mean Creek, wrote the screen adaptation of Scott Sommer's novel Nearing's Grace. (Notice the subtle change in the title.) The writing is witty and insightful, creating in each of the four main characters a strong individual with strong points of view.
The crux of the matter is the Nearing family's loss of its female leader. Rose, wife to Shep (Morse) and mom to Henry and Blair (David Moscow), died six months before. The time is the late '70s, when lifestyles and sexuality were undergoing tremendous change in American society. Rose's death removes the anchor to this suburban New Jersey family, letting each member drift into those swift-moving social currents.
Dad quits his teaching job, grows his hair long, rides his bike around town and drinks himself senseless most nights. Blair splits, taking off with a hippie girlfriend in search of acid and experiences, some of which he might even remember. Henry changes the least outwardly; but inside, his life is in free-fall.
Even if his mother hadn't died, Henry probably would have developed a strong attraction to the bewitching Grace (Brewster). But his pursuit of her becomes an obsession that a female role model might have prevented.
Grace has a boyfriend in lacrosse champ Lance (Chad Faust). But she also loves to tease boys, and Henry becomes her latest victim. Henry's best gal pal Merna Ash (Johnson) drops hints of her interest in him, but Grace has blinded him to any other female.
Henry drops out of school a month short of graduation. He retreats to the basement to, as he says, contemplate the "meaning of life." He might even discover at least one of its meanings when he realizes that wanting something is not the same thing as needing something.
Smith makes a lively and ingratiating protagonist even while making his gravest mistakes. Brewster has sexual allure as the serial seductress but makes us understand the boredom and disappointment that underlines her behavior. Johnson is a revelation: The actress is an unconventional beauty with the resources to suggest the longings and maturity of a young woman wise beyond her years.
Morse, one of our best character actors, here portrays a man unapologetic about falling apart over his wife's death. Only Moscow's brother is poorly realized, dropping out for most of the movie, then popping up without much introduction and little to do.
The film has pros in all areas behind the camera, so the sterling look of the film, actually shot in Portland, Ore., belies its modest budget.
NEARING GRACE
Whitewater Films
Credits:
Director: Rick Rosenthal
Screenwriter: Jacob Aaron Estes
Based on the novel by: Scott Sommer
Producers: Rick Rosenthal, Susan Johnson, Tracy Underwood
Executive producers: John Wells, Nancy Stephens
Director of photography: David Geddes
Production designer: Mark Zuelzke
Music: John Nordstrom
Co-producers: Laura Holstein, Jacob Mosler
Costumes: Cynthia Morrill
Editor: Madeleine Gavin
Cast:
Henry Nearing: Gregory Smith
Grace: Jordana Brewster
Merna: Ashley Johnson
Shep: David Morse
Blair Nearing: David Moscow
Lance: Chad Faust
No MPAA rating
Running time -- 106 minutes...
- 6/21/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sean Hood has been brought on board to write The Breathtaker, a horror thriller that John Wells is producing via his shingle, John Wells Prods. The project is based on Alice Blanchard's novel, which was published in November and was a selection of the Today Show book club. It follows a small-town police chief's pursuit of a serial killer who strikes only during tornadoes, brutally killing his victims in the eye of the storm. Sheldon Turner (The Longest Yard) wrote the initial draft. Laura Holstein and Tracy Underwood are shepherding the project. Hood comes in with strong chill credentials. He recently wrote The Watcher at Summit Entertainment as well as The Dorm for Paramount and MTV Films. He also worked on Halloween: Resurrection, The Crow: Wicked Prayer and Cursed. He is repped by the Gersh Agency and Blain & Associates. John Wells Prods. is in pre-production on Doom for Universal Pictures.
- 8/15/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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