Searchlight Pictures has announced that its drama The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat, starring Uzo Aduba, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Sanaa Lathan, will be available to stream exclusively on Hulu on August 23.
Based on the 2013 New York Times bestselling novel by Edward Kelsey Moore, the film directed by Tina Mabry tells the story of three best friends dubbed “The Supremes” who have weathered life’s storms together for two generations, through marriage and children, happiness and the blues, watching as they find themselves at a crossroad that tests their lifelong bond.
Pic also stars Russell Hornsby and Mekhi Phifer, as well as Kyanna Simone, Tati Gabrielle, Abigail Achiri, Julian McMahon, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Tony Winters, Dijon Means, Xavier Mills, Cleveland Berto and Ryan Paynter. Cee Marcellus adapted the screenplay, with revisions by Mabry, with Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen’s Temple Hill Entertainment producing.
Most recently, Searchlight released Laura Chinn’s Sundance drama Suncoast,...
Based on the 2013 New York Times bestselling novel by Edward Kelsey Moore, the film directed by Tina Mabry tells the story of three best friends dubbed “The Supremes” who have weathered life’s storms together for two generations, through marriage and children, happiness and the blues, watching as they find themselves at a crossroad that tests their lifelong bond.
Pic also stars Russell Hornsby and Mekhi Phifer, as well as Kyanna Simone, Tati Gabrielle, Abigail Achiri, Julian McMahon, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Tony Winters, Dijon Means, Xavier Mills, Cleveland Berto and Ryan Paynter. Cee Marcellus adapted the screenplay, with revisions by Mabry, with Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen’s Temple Hill Entertainment producing.
Most recently, Searchlight released Laura Chinn’s Sundance drama Suncoast,...
- 5/13/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor has made some changes in her life.
We’ve all grown to know her as the two-time Emmy nominated actress from “When They See Us” and “Lovecraft Country” and her Oscar-nominated performance in “King Richard,” all of which came under her initial professional name: Aunjanue Ellis.
When the first promotional materials were released for her new film “Origin” from writer and director Ava DuVernay, a natural question began circulating regarding the hyphenated addition of “Taylor” to her professional name. What prompted the name change? Turns out, she wanted to honor the most important person in her life posthumously: her mother.
“The love of my life, my mother, gave me my Daddy’s name,” she tells Variety. “I was like, wait a minute, lady, I want your name. This past birthday, I said, ‘What am I doing? I want to carry her with me every day.’ So, how do...
We’ve all grown to know her as the two-time Emmy nominated actress from “When They See Us” and “Lovecraft Country” and her Oscar-nominated performance in “King Richard,” all of which came under her initial professional name: Aunjanue Ellis.
When the first promotional materials were released for her new film “Origin” from writer and director Ava DuVernay, a natural question began circulating regarding the hyphenated addition of “Taylor” to her professional name. What prompted the name change? Turns out, she wanted to honor the most important person in her life posthumously: her mother.
“The love of my life, my mother, gave me my Daddy’s name,” she tells Variety. “I was like, wait a minute, lady, I want your name. This past birthday, I said, ‘What am I doing? I want to carry her with me every day.’ So, how do...
- 12/23/2023
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Justified: City Primeval may not be the show some expected to find Aunjanue Ellis in this summer. But the draw in playing attorney Carolyn Wilder was not the Justified brand’s cult status. Instead, the original source material is what intrigued her most.
“I’m always interested in stories in film and television that have been adapted from books. So this was from Elmore Leonard originally [and] I’m always fascinated by characters who have novel beginnings,” she told The Hollywood Reporter in an interview prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike.
Unlike Justified, where Harlan, Kentucky is the center, with Timothy Olyphant’s Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens dishing out his own unique blend of tough justice, Detroit is the setting for this FX offshoot. Traveling with his daughter Willa, played by Olyphant’s actual child Vivian, Raylan gets detoured in Detroit and tasked with catching sociopath Clement Mansell (an...
“I’m always interested in stories in film and television that have been adapted from books. So this was from Elmore Leonard originally [and] I’m always fascinated by characters who have novel beginnings,” she told The Hollywood Reporter in an interview prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike.
Unlike Justified, where Harlan, Kentucky is the center, with Timothy Olyphant’s Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens dishing out his own unique blend of tough justice, Detroit is the setting for this FX offshoot. Traveling with his daughter Willa, played by Olyphant’s actual child Vivian, Raylan gets detoured in Detroit and tasked with catching sociopath Clement Mansell (an...
- 8/29/2023
- by Ronda Racha Penrice
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Every Oscar season brings a perfect blend of unexpected movies joining into the race, films falling out and lots of other last-minute decisions. Our 2024 Oscars predictions center launched in early July with the eight top categories. Since then, we’ve received alerts and notices that 13 movies will be eligible instead for 2024 (and the 2025 Academy Awards competition).
More changes will certainly be made in the upcoming months with news from festivals, premieres, red carpet events and critical response. But for now, here are the 13 films that were initially available for 2024 prediction but have been removed. Keep in mind that the reasons for changes could be more editing/technical work needs to be done on these movies, quality level is low, getting away from the strikes timeframce, and/or holding to have more product in 2024 since production has been slowed down.
Also, any film listed below could be reconsidered and shifted back...
More changes will certainly be made in the upcoming months with news from festivals, premieres, red carpet events and critical response. But for now, here are the 13 films that were initially available for 2024 prediction but have been removed. Keep in mind that the reasons for changes could be more editing/technical work needs to be done on these movies, quality level is low, getting away from the strikes timeframce, and/or holding to have more product in 2024 since production has been slowed down.
Also, any film listed below could be reconsidered and shifted back...
- 8/25/2023
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
With the film industry as a whole taking a significant hit during the early years of the pandemic, one progressive change that has been stifled for the past couple years is studios hiring more directors from underrepresented backgrounds.
There are all sorts of data points repeated over the years by annual studies, like USC’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, which has repeatedly revealed how increasing diversity within filmmaking helps, not harms, business prospects. For example, the latest USC study shared that films by underrepresented directors earned marginally higher Metacritic scores than movies from white directors, and yet 2022 had a 6.6 percent decline in the number of the directors from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups who helmed the top 100 films of the year.
Though the upcoming slate of studio films does not seem like it will move the needle even back to 2021 numbers, where the percentage of directors from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups reached a 15-year high,...
There are all sorts of data points repeated over the years by annual studies, like USC’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, which has repeatedly revealed how increasing diversity within filmmaking helps, not harms, business prospects. For example, the latest USC study shared that films by underrepresented directors earned marginally higher Metacritic scores than movies from white directors, and yet 2022 had a 6.6 percent decline in the number of the directors from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups who helmed the top 100 films of the year.
Though the upcoming slate of studio films does not seem like it will move the needle even back to 2021 numbers, where the percentage of directors from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups reached a 15-year high,...
- 1/4/2023
- by Marcus Jones
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Searchlight Pictures has wrapped production on The Supremes At Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat, announcing that Dijon Means (P-Valley), Xavier Mills (Interview with the Vampire), Cleveland Berto (Terminator: Dark Fate) and Ryan Paynter (Dopesick) will round out the cast.
The upcoming film directed by Tina Mabry is based on the 2013 New York Times bestselling novel by Edward Kelsey Moore. It tells the story of three best friends dubbed “The Supremes” who have weathered life’s storms together for two generations, through marriage and children, happiness and the blues, watching as they find themselves at a crossroad that tests their lifelong bond.
Details as to the new cast members’ roles haven’t been disclosed. But the film’s ensemble also includes Russell Hornsby and Mekhi Phifer, as well as Kyanna Simone, Tati Gabrielle, Abigail Achiri, Julian McMahon, Vondie Curtis-Hall and Tony Winters. Gina Prince-Bythewood adapted the screenplay,...
The upcoming film directed by Tina Mabry is based on the 2013 New York Times bestselling novel by Edward Kelsey Moore. It tells the story of three best friends dubbed “The Supremes” who have weathered life’s storms together for two generations, through marriage and children, happiness and the blues, watching as they find themselves at a crossroad that tests their lifelong bond.
Details as to the new cast members’ roles haven’t been disclosed. But the film’s ensemble also includes Russell Hornsby and Mekhi Phifer, as well as Kyanna Simone, Tati Gabrielle, Abigail Achiri, Julian McMahon, Vondie Curtis-Hall and Tony Winters. Gina Prince-Bythewood adapted the screenplay,...
- 11/14/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Tina Mabry’s “The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat” has rounded out its cast with the addition of Kyanna Simone (“American Horror Stories”), Tati Gabrielle (“You”), Abigail Achiri (“The Underground Railroad”), Julian McMahon, Vondie Curtis-Hall (“Blue Bayou”) and Tony Winters (“National Champions”) as Big Earl.
Uzo Aduba, Aunjanue Ellis and Sanaa Lathan lead the movie, based on Edward Kelsey Moore’s 2013 bestselling novel, playing best friends affectionally dubbed “The Supremes.” According to the film’s synopsis, the trio — Clarice, Odette and Barbara Jean — “have weathered life’s storms together for two generations through marriage and children, happiness and the blues,” and they “find their paths at a crossroads that test their lifelong bond.” Simone, Gabrielle and Achiri will play younger versions of Ellis, Lathan and Aduba’s characters, respectively.
Russell Hornsby and Mekhi Phifer also star in the Searchlight Pictures movie, which has begun principal photography in North Carolina.
In...
Uzo Aduba, Aunjanue Ellis and Sanaa Lathan lead the movie, based on Edward Kelsey Moore’s 2013 bestselling novel, playing best friends affectionally dubbed “The Supremes.” According to the film’s synopsis, the trio — Clarice, Odette and Barbara Jean — “have weathered life’s storms together for two generations through marriage and children, happiness and the blues,” and they “find their paths at a crossroads that test their lifelong bond.” Simone, Gabrielle and Achiri will play younger versions of Ellis, Lathan and Aduba’s characters, respectively.
Russell Hornsby and Mekhi Phifer also star in the Searchlight Pictures movie, which has begun principal photography in North Carolina.
In...
- 10/13/2022
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
ER alum Mekhi Phifer has joined Uzo Aduba, Aunjanue Ellis and Sanaa Lathan in The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat for Searchlight Pictures.
Tina Mabry is directing the film about three best friends dubbed the “Supremes” from a script by Gina Prince-Bythewood, with revisions by Mabry. Phifer currently stars alongside Octavia Spencer in Apple’s Truth Be Told drama.
He’s best known for playing Gregory Pratt on NBC’s ER and has also starred in movies like Clockers and the Divergent franchise. His credits also include Hulu’s Love, Victor, A&e’s Roots, House of Lies, Torchwood and Lie to Me. He is a multiple NAACP Award winner.
The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat is an adaptation of the 2013 novel by Edward Kelsey Moore and, per Searchlight, portrays best friends who have “weathered life’s storms together for two generations through marriage and children,...
ER alum Mekhi Phifer has joined Uzo Aduba, Aunjanue Ellis and Sanaa Lathan in The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat for Searchlight Pictures.
Tina Mabry is directing the film about three best friends dubbed the “Supremes” from a script by Gina Prince-Bythewood, with revisions by Mabry. Phifer currently stars alongside Octavia Spencer in Apple’s Truth Be Told drama.
He’s best known for playing Gregory Pratt on NBC’s ER and has also starred in movies like Clockers and the Divergent franchise. His credits also include Hulu’s Love, Victor, A&e’s Roots, House of Lies, Torchwood and Lie to Me. He is a multiple NAACP Award winner.
The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat is an adaptation of the 2013 novel by Edward Kelsey Moore and, per Searchlight, portrays best friends who have “weathered life’s storms together for two generations through marriage and children,...
- 10/5/2022
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Russell Hornsby has signed onto Searchlight Pictures’ “The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can Eat,” joining the film’s starry lead trio of Uzo Aduba, Aunjanue Ellis and Sanaa Lathan.
Based on Edward Kelsey Moore’s 2013 bestselling novel, “The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat” is set to be directed by Tina Mabry from a script by Gina Prince-Bythewood, with revisions by Mabry.
Aduba, Ellis and Lathan play best friends dubbed “The Supremes,” who, according to the film’s synopsis, “have weathered life’s storms together for two generations through marriage and children, happiness and the blues,” and “find their paths at a crossroads that test their lifelong bond.” Hornsby has been cast in a key role in the project, specifics of which are being kept under wraps.
In Dec. 2020, Variety exclusively reported that Mabry had signed on to the project, which is produced by Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen’s Temple Hill Entertainment,...
Based on Edward Kelsey Moore’s 2013 bestselling novel, “The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat” is set to be directed by Tina Mabry from a script by Gina Prince-Bythewood, with revisions by Mabry.
Aduba, Ellis and Lathan play best friends dubbed “The Supremes,” who, according to the film’s synopsis, “have weathered life’s storms together for two generations through marriage and children, happiness and the blues,” and “find their paths at a crossroads that test their lifelong bond.” Hornsby has been cast in a key role in the project, specifics of which are being kept under wraps.
In Dec. 2020, Variety exclusively reported that Mabry had signed on to the project, which is produced by Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen’s Temple Hill Entertainment,...
- 9/27/2022
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
In June 2019, the gender-parity industry coalition ReFrame unveiled Rise, its two-year program to support the continuation of mid-level female directors’ careers. After a slight pandemic-affected delay, ReFrame Rise has now returned with its second cohort, which expands to include cinematographers.
Each woman will be matched with a career coach and a team of industry professionals to sponsor them (a relationship that involves a more committed level of participation than mentorship).
“We have learned firsthand the value of the sponsorship opportunity for women artists and look forward to supporting this next group as they level up and find sustainability in their careers,” Sundance Institute founding senior director of Artist Programs and ReFrame Leadership Council member Michelle Satter said in a statement. (ReFrame is a collaboration between the institute and Women in Film.)
“The numbers of women cinematographers hired on our industry’s largest projects...
In June 2019, the gender-parity industry coalition ReFrame unveiled Rise, its two-year program to support the continuation of mid-level female directors’ careers. After a slight pandemic-affected delay, ReFrame Rise has now returned with its second cohort, which expands to include cinematographers.
Each woman will be matched with a career coach and a team of industry professionals to sponsor them (a relationship that involves a more committed level of participation than mentorship).
“We have learned firsthand the value of the sponsorship opportunity for women artists and look forward to supporting this next group as they level up and find sustainability in their careers,” Sundance Institute founding senior director of Artist Programs and ReFrame Leadership Council member Michelle Satter said in a statement. (ReFrame is a collaboration between the institute and Women in Film.)
“The numbers of women cinematographers hired on our industry’s largest projects...
- 7/26/2022
- by Rebecca Sun
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Actress Tessa Thompson aka 'Valkyrie' in Marvel Studios' "Thor: Love and Thunder" poses for the August 2022 issue of "Harper's Bazaar" (US) magazine, wearing Armani, Bulgari and a whole lot more, photographed by Collier Schorr:
Thompson began her professional acting career in Los Angeles with leading roles in Tina Mabry's independent drama film "Mississippi Damned" (2009) and Tyler Perry's "For Colored Girls" (2010), adaptating the 1976 play of the same name.
Thompson gained favorable notices for her early film performances in the comedy-drama "Dear White People" (2014)...
...and as civil rights activist 'Diane Nash' in Ava DuVernay’s historical drama "Selma" (2014).
She gained mainstream attention for her roles in franchise films playing 'Bianca Taylor' in the sport dramas "Creed" (2015) and "Creed II" (2018), and for her starring role as 'Valkyrie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero films "Thor: Ragnarok" (2017), "Avengers: Endgame" (2019), and "Thor: Love and Thunder" (2022).
She also received critical praise...
Thompson began her professional acting career in Los Angeles with leading roles in Tina Mabry's independent drama film "Mississippi Damned" (2009) and Tyler Perry's "For Colored Girls" (2010), adaptating the 1976 play of the same name.
Thompson gained favorable notices for her early film performances in the comedy-drama "Dear White People" (2014)...
...and as civil rights activist 'Diane Nash' in Ava DuVernay’s historical drama "Selma" (2014).
She gained mainstream attention for her roles in franchise films playing 'Bianca Taylor' in the sport dramas "Creed" (2015) and "Creed II" (2018), and for her starring role as 'Valkyrie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero films "Thor: Ragnarok" (2017), "Avengers: Endgame" (2019), and "Thor: Love and Thunder" (2022).
She also received critical praise...
- 7/22/2022
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Uzo Aduba, Aunjanue Ellis and Sanaa Lathan are set to star in “The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat” at Searchlight Pictures, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap. The film is an adaptation of a 2013 novel by Edward Kelsey Moore.
Tina Mabry, a producer on “Queen Sugar,” will direct the feature film adaptation of the book of the same name. She’ll work from a script written by Gina Prince-Bythewood, with revisions by Mabry.
The story follows three women in Plainview, Indiana who since the ’60s as high school pals have been dubbed “The Supremes” and have spent all their time at a diner called Earl’s as their home away from home. And though they’ve weathered much in their lives, each of the women now face their own personal struggles that puts their friendship at a crossroads.
Also Read:
Sam Mendes’ ‘Empire of Light’ With Olivia Colman...
Tina Mabry, a producer on “Queen Sugar,” will direct the feature film adaptation of the book of the same name. She’ll work from a script written by Gina Prince-Bythewood, with revisions by Mabry.
The story follows three women in Plainview, Indiana who since the ’60s as high school pals have been dubbed “The Supremes” and have spent all their time at a diner called Earl’s as their home away from home. And though they’ve weathered much in their lives, each of the women now face their own personal struggles that puts their friendship at a crossroads.
Also Read:
Sam Mendes’ ‘Empire of Light’ With Olivia Colman...
- 7/21/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Searchlight Pictures has lined up an all-star cast for its adaptation of Tina Mabry’s The Supremes At Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat with Uzo Aduba, Aunjanue Ellis, and Sanaa Lathan set to star in the adaptation. Mabry will direct from a script Gina Prince-Bythewood penned the script, with revisions by Mabry, which is based on the 2013 New York Times best-selling novel by Edward Kelsey Moore.
Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen’s Temple Hill Entertainment is producing, with Production Heads DanTram Nguyen and Katie Goodson-Thomas overseeing for Searchlight, along with Director of Production Zahra Phillips and Creative Executive Apolline Berty.
The film follows three best friends dubbed “The Supremes,” who have weathered life’s storms together for two generations through marriage and children, happiness and the blues, find their paths at a crossroads that test their lifelong bond.
Following years of success that included multiple Emmy wins for playing Crazy Eyes...
Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen’s Temple Hill Entertainment is producing, with Production Heads DanTram Nguyen and Katie Goodson-Thomas overseeing for Searchlight, along with Director of Production Zahra Phillips and Creative Executive Apolline Berty.
The film follows three best friends dubbed “The Supremes,” who have weathered life’s storms together for two generations through marriage and children, happiness and the blues, find their paths at a crossroads that test their lifelong bond.
Following years of success that included multiple Emmy wins for playing Crazy Eyes...
- 7/21/2022
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Actress Tessa Thompson aka 'Valkyrie' in Marvel Studios' "Thor: Love and Thunder" poses for the August 2022 issue of "Harper's Bazaar" (US) magazine, wearing Armani, Bulgari and a whole lot more, photographed by Collier Schorr:
Thompson began her professional acting career in Los Angeles with leading roles in Tina Mabry's independent drama film "Mississippi Damned" (2009) and Tyler Perry's "For Colored Girls" (2010), adaptating the 1976 play of the same name.
Thompson gained favorable notices for her early film performances in the comedy-drama "Dear White People" (2014)...
...and as civil rights activist 'Diane Nash' in Ava DuVernay’s historical drama "Selma" (2014).
She gained mainstream attention for her roles in franchise films playing 'Bianca Taylor' in the sport dramas "Creed" (2015) and "Creed II" (2018), and for her starring role as 'Valkyrie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero films "Thor: Ragnarok" (2017), "Avengers: Endgame" (2019), and "Thor: Love and Thunder" (2022).
She also received critical praise...
Thompson began her professional acting career in Los Angeles with leading roles in Tina Mabry's independent drama film "Mississippi Damned" (2009) and Tyler Perry's "For Colored Girls" (2010), adaptating the 1976 play of the same name.
Thompson gained favorable notices for her early film performances in the comedy-drama "Dear White People" (2014)...
...and as civil rights activist 'Diane Nash' in Ava DuVernay’s historical drama "Selma" (2014).
She gained mainstream attention for her roles in franchise films playing 'Bianca Taylor' in the sport dramas "Creed" (2015) and "Creed II" (2018), and for her starring role as 'Valkyrie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero films "Thor: Ragnarok" (2017), "Avengers: Endgame" (2019), and "Thor: Love and Thunder" (2022).
She also received critical praise...
- 7/16/2022
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Exclusive: Peabody Award-winning showrunner, producer and writer Gary Lennon (Power Book IV: Force) has signed with M88.
Lennon currently serves as showrunner and executive producer of Starz’s Power spin-off Power Book IV: Force, which boasts the most-watched series premiere in the history of the premium cabler, with 3.3 million multiplatform views in the U.S. alone. The crime drama, renewed for a second season in March, now also has the record for most-watched day on the Starz app and on linear as the highest-rated premiere.
Under his deal with Starz, Lennon also exec produces the Cape Cod opioid crisis-based crime drama Hightown, which was renewed for a third season earlier this year. He at the same time serves as an executive producer on HBO’s hugely popular teen drama series Euphoria starring Zendaya, which recently garnered 16 Emmy nominations including Best Drama Series.
Lennon previously served as co-showrunner, writer and executive producer on Power,...
Lennon currently serves as showrunner and executive producer of Starz’s Power spin-off Power Book IV: Force, which boasts the most-watched series premiere in the history of the premium cabler, with 3.3 million multiplatform views in the U.S. alone. The crime drama, renewed for a second season in March, now also has the record for most-watched day on the Starz app and on linear as the highest-rated premiere.
Under his deal with Starz, Lennon also exec produces the Cape Cod opioid crisis-based crime drama Hightown, which was renewed for a third season earlier this year. He at the same time serves as an executive producer on HBO’s hugely popular teen drama series Euphoria starring Zendaya, which recently garnered 16 Emmy nominations including Best Drama Series.
Lennon previously served as co-showrunner, writer and executive producer on Power,...
- 7/15/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Playing Tina Turner was an “unbelievably difficult, exciting and exhilarating” experience, says Adrienne Warren, who was in the midst of a Broadway run in the starring role of Tina: The Tina Turner Musical when everything came to a halt in March 2020. “Our entire community was in deep mourning,” Warren recalls, not knowing when or if they’d be back onstage.
Amid the uncertainty of that summer came the opportunity to portray Mamie Till-Mobley in the ABC anthology series Women of the Movement. Mamie, an educator and activist, was the mother of Emmett Till, whose lynching in 1955 was a catalyst in the civil rights movement. When the project came to Warren with her name on the shortlist, outrage over anti-Black racism was again roiling the country after the murder of George Floyd.
“There’s a reason why in my life, at this time, I...
Playing Tina Turner was an “unbelievably difficult, exciting and exhilarating” experience, says Adrienne Warren, who was in the midst of a Broadway run in the starring role of Tina: The Tina Turner Musical when everything came to a halt in March 2020. “Our entire community was in deep mourning,” Warren recalls, not knowing when or if they’d be back onstage.
Amid the uncertainty of that summer came the opportunity to portray Mamie Till-Mobley in the ABC anthology series Women of the Movement. Mamie, an educator and activist, was the mother of Emmett Till, whose lynching in 1955 was a catalyst in the civil rights movement. When the project came to Warren with her name on the shortlist, outrage over anti-Black racism was again roiling the country after the murder of George Floyd.
“There’s a reason why in my life, at this time, I...
- 6/6/2022
- by Naveen Kumar
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Sharese Bullock-Bailey has been appointed as Festival Director and the first-ever Chief Innovation Officer at Urbanworld, which showcases narrative features, documentaries, short films, web originals, spotlight screenings, conversations and music performances that feature storytellers of color, including Black, Indigenous and Latinx artists.
In her new roles, Bullock-Bailey will oversee the brand, lead all key components of annual Festival planning and execution, expand Urbanworld Innovation, drive strategy and optimize assets and experiences, building upon current and potential partnerships as the festival enters its next 25 years.
“We are thrilled to have Sharese Bullock-Bailey join the Urbanworld family as the Festival Director and first-ever Chief Innovation Officer,” said Urbanworld founder Stacy Spikes. “She brings a rare blend of talents, expertise and leadership to our team as we continue to expand our impact in storytelling, technology and game-changing culture.”
“Urbanworld provides a legacy and blueprint for the future of storytelling, technology and community...
In her new roles, Bullock-Bailey will oversee the brand, lead all key components of annual Festival planning and execution, expand Urbanworld Innovation, drive strategy and optimize assets and experiences, building upon current and potential partnerships as the festival enters its next 25 years.
“We are thrilled to have Sharese Bullock-Bailey join the Urbanworld family as the Festival Director and first-ever Chief Innovation Officer,” said Urbanworld founder Stacy Spikes. “She brings a rare blend of talents, expertise and leadership to our team as we continue to expand our impact in storytelling, technology and game-changing culture.”
“Urbanworld provides a legacy and blueprint for the future of storytelling, technology and community...
- 4/7/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Actress Tessa Thompson, aka 'Valkyrie' in the 'Marvel Cinematic Universe' films including the upcoming feature "Thor: Love and Thunder", is the new 'face' of "Armani Beauty", appearing in current campaigns for 'Luminous Silk Foundation' and 'Lip Power' lipstick, photographed by Mikael Jansson:
Thompson's film breakthrough came with leading roles in Tina Mabry's independent drama film "Mississippi Damned" (2009) and Tyler Perry's drama film "For Colored Girls" (2010). She then gained favorable notices for early performances in the comedy-drama "Dear White People" (2014) and as civil rights activist 'Diane Nash' in Ava DuVernay’s historical drama "Selma" (2014).
Thompson gained mainstream attention for her roles in franchise films, playing 'Bianca Taylor' in the sport dramas "Creed" (2015) and "Creed II" (2018), and for her starring role as 'Valkyrie' in the 'Marvel Cinematic Universe' superhero films "Thor: Ragnarok" (2017), "Avengers: Endgame" (2019), and the upcoming "Thor: Love and Thunder" (2022), as well as her...
Thompson's film breakthrough came with leading roles in Tina Mabry's independent drama film "Mississippi Damned" (2009) and Tyler Perry's drama film "For Colored Girls" (2010). She then gained favorable notices for early performances in the comedy-drama "Dear White People" (2014) and as civil rights activist 'Diane Nash' in Ava DuVernay’s historical drama "Selma" (2014).
Thompson gained mainstream attention for her roles in franchise films, playing 'Bianca Taylor' in the sport dramas "Creed" (2015) and "Creed II" (2018), and for her starring role as 'Valkyrie' in the 'Marvel Cinematic Universe' superhero films "Thor: Ragnarok" (2017), "Avengers: Endgame" (2019), and the upcoming "Thor: Love and Thunder" (2022), as well as her...
- 3/9/2022
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Exclusive: Showtime is expanding its cast for The Chi, with the addition of Nia Jervier (Dear White People) and Carolyn Michelle Smith (House of Cards) who will take on recurring roles for the series’ upcoming fifth season.
Created and executive produced by Lena Waithe and executive produced by Common, The Chi is a timely coming-of-age story about a group of residents on the South Side of Chicago who become linked by coincidence but bonded by the need for connection and redemption.
Jervier will play Tierra, the poised and polished god-niece of Douda (Curtiss Cook) whom he recruits for a rebranding effort. She knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to go after it, no matter the costs.
Smith will portray Deja, the new love interest for Shaad (Jason Weaver) who helps him level up in more ways than one.
They join additional cast members Michael V. Epps, Jacob Latimore,...
Created and executive produced by Lena Waithe and executive produced by Common, The Chi is a timely coming-of-age story about a group of residents on the South Side of Chicago who become linked by coincidence but bonded by the need for connection and redemption.
Jervier will play Tierra, the poised and polished god-niece of Douda (Curtiss Cook) whom he recruits for a rebranding effort. She knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to go after it, no matter the costs.
Smith will portray Deja, the new love interest for Shaad (Jason Weaver) who helps him level up in more ways than one.
They join additional cast members Michael V. Epps, Jacob Latimore,...
- 2/16/2022
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
Queen of the South co-producer and Queen Sugar producer Tina Mabry has signed on to direct and co-write Pretty Big at Warner Bros. and HBO Max, a project which Mike Jackson of Get Lifted Film Co., Poppy Hanks and Jelani Johnson of Macro and Kristina Sorensen will produce.
Pretty Big is based on the true life story of Akira Armstrong and the origin of her Pretty Big Movement dance company. In the movie, a young plus-sized woman takes matters into her own hands when she keeps getting rejected from dance companies, despite her obvious talent. When she starts her own company for bodies of all shapes, sizes, and colors, she sets out to win a prestigious competition and prove to the dance community that anyone can dance at an elite level. This was a competitive package bid on by several studios. Dan Steele is co-writing.
EPs...
Pretty Big is based on the true life story of Akira Armstrong and the origin of her Pretty Big Movement dance company. In the movie, a young plus-sized woman takes matters into her own hands when she keeps getting rejected from dance companies, despite her obvious talent. When she starts her own company for bodies of all shapes, sizes, and colors, she sets out to win a prestigious competition and prove to the dance community that anyone can dance at an elite level. This was a competitive package bid on by several studios. Dan Steele is co-writing.
EPs...
- 1/19/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Akira Armstrong’s Pretty Big Movement dance company set out to destroy stereotypes in the dance world — and now that story is getting the Hollywood treatment in a new film.
Set at Warner Bros. for HBO Max, “Pretty Big” is based on the true life story and the origin of Armstrong’s dance company, which is inclusive of bodies of all shapes, sizes and colors. Tina Mabry has signed on to direct the project, co-writing the screenplay with Dan Steele.
The movie follows Armstrong, a young, plus-sized woman who takes matters into her own hands after being rejected from other dance companies, despite her obvious talent. After starting her own company, she sets out to win a prestigious competition and prove to the dance community that anyone can dance at an elite level.
Warner Bros. nabbed the competitive package, bid on by multiple studios, for HBO Max. Get Lifted Film Co.
Set at Warner Bros. for HBO Max, “Pretty Big” is based on the true life story and the origin of Armstrong’s dance company, which is inclusive of bodies of all shapes, sizes and colors. Tina Mabry has signed on to direct the project, co-writing the screenplay with Dan Steele.
The movie follows Armstrong, a young, plus-sized woman who takes matters into her own hands after being rejected from other dance companies, despite her obvious talent. After starting her own company, she sets out to win a prestigious competition and prove to the dance community that anyone can dance at an elite level.
Warner Bros. nabbed the competitive package, bid on by multiple studios, for HBO Max. Get Lifted Film Co.
- 1/19/2022
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
The further history gets from us, the easier it becomes to dismiss it as some far-flung past when, in fact, it remains all too relevant to our present. “Women of the Movement,” premiering Jan. 6 on ABC, directly aims to rectify that, putting a sharp focus on a story that, for too many, keeps fading into distant memory. Developed as an anthology series to highlight a different piece of American history every season, “Women of the Movement” first follows Mamie Till-Mobley, whose 14 year-old son Emmett became a national flashpoint upon his brutal murder in 1955. After his death, Till-Mobley became a prominent civil rights figure in her own right both by terrible accident and grim design. The image of a grieving Black mother put a powerful face to a type of crime that had gone unremarked upon for decades — and yet, it’s impossible to watch “Women of the Movement” and not...
- 1/6/2022
- by Caroline Framke
- Variety Film + TV
This month, ABC is betting big that viewers will tune into its ambitious three-part, six-episode limited series “Women of the Movement,” centering on 14-year-old Emmett Till’s brutal murder in 1955 that served as an important catalyst for the civil rights movement. With the ongoing investigation into the Capitol riot and reignited Critical Race Theory debates in the wake of Nikole Hannah-Jones’ “The 1619 Project,” the nation’s “wokeness” meter has arguably never been higher. But the question is whether a traditional broadcast network can succeed on a project first developed at HBO.
Consciously focusing on the role Black women played in the civil rights struggle, “Women of the Movement” centers on Till’s grieving mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, and her determination to bring her son’s mutilated body back to Chicago to “let the world see” (a phrase that inspires the title of ABC’s companion docuseries). We also follow the trial...
Consciously focusing on the role Black women played in the civil rights struggle, “Women of the Movement” centers on Till’s grieving mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, and her determination to bring her son’s mutilated body back to Chicago to “let the world see” (a phrase that inspires the title of ABC’s companion docuseries). We also follow the trial...
- 1/5/2022
- by Ronda Racha Penrice
- The Wrap
Netflix announced the comedy event “Death to 2021” will premiere Dec. 27.
The special tells the story of yet another dreadful year through a documentary style, mixing archival footage gathered over the year with commentary from fictitious characters played by Hugh Grant, Lucy Liu, Tracey Ullman, Samson Kayo, Joe Keery, William Jackson Harper, Stockard Channing, Cristin Milioti, Diane Morgan, Nick Mohammed and more.
In a first-look clip from the special, which you can watch below, an “average British citizen,” played by Morgan, shares her experience with online dating during the pandemic. “I got on quite well with one of them,” says the character. “We even had a cuddle.” The scene then cuts to the pair on a virtual date over Zoom, awkwardly leaning towards their computers.
“Death to 2021” is executive produced by Annabel Jones and Ben Caudell. Nick Vaughan-Smith produces, and Jack Clough and Josh Ruben direct. The special was written by Caudell.
The special tells the story of yet another dreadful year through a documentary style, mixing archival footage gathered over the year with commentary from fictitious characters played by Hugh Grant, Lucy Liu, Tracey Ullman, Samson Kayo, Joe Keery, William Jackson Harper, Stockard Channing, Cristin Milioti, Diane Morgan, Nick Mohammed and more.
In a first-look clip from the special, which you can watch below, an “average British citizen,” played by Morgan, shares her experience with online dating during the pandemic. “I got on quite well with one of them,” says the character. “We even had a cuddle.” The scene then cuts to the pair on a virtual date over Zoom, awkwardly leaning towards their computers.
“Death to 2021” is executive produced by Annabel Jones and Ben Caudell. Nick Vaughan-Smith produces, and Jack Clough and Josh Ruben direct. The special was written by Caudell.
- 12/2/2021
- by Katie Song and Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
“The Bachelor” is back on Monday nights this winter, as the dating show enters a new era with a new host.
“The Bachelor,” which will be hosted by Jesse Palmer, will premiere on Jan. 3 at 8 p.m., returning the flagship show to its normal and coveted time slot. The franchise has been airing on Tuesday nights this fall with the current season of “The Bachelorette,” as Bachelor Nation has gotten year-round programming in 2021 with two seasons of “Bachelorette” and “Bachelor in Paradise” this past summer. The new season marks the first season not led by longtime host Chris Harrison, who departed the franchise earlier this year.
Also on ABC’s midseason schedule is the farewell season of the Emmy-nominated and groundbreaking comedy “Black-ish,” which will sign off after eight seasons. The final, star-studded season will feature a guest appearance by former first lady Michelle Obama.
New series coming to ABC...
“The Bachelor,” which will be hosted by Jesse Palmer, will premiere on Jan. 3 at 8 p.m., returning the flagship show to its normal and coveted time slot. The franchise has been airing on Tuesday nights this fall with the current season of “The Bachelorette,” as Bachelor Nation has gotten year-round programming in 2021 with two seasons of “Bachelorette” and “Bachelor in Paradise” this past summer. The new season marks the first season not led by longtime host Chris Harrison, who departed the franchise earlier this year.
Also on ABC’s midseason schedule is the farewell season of the Emmy-nominated and groundbreaking comedy “Black-ish,” which will sign off after eight seasons. The final, star-studded season will feature a guest appearance by former first lady Michelle Obama.
New series coming to ABC...
- 11/1/2021
- by Elizabeth Wagmeister
- Variety Film + TV
ABC announced that “Women of the Movement,” the upcoming limited series based on the true story of Mamie Till-Mobley, will premiere on Jan. 6 at 8 p.m. The six-episode series will air in three parts for three consecutive weeks.
Adrienne Warren stars as Mamie, the mother of Emmett Till (Cedric Joe), who was brutally lynched in 1955 in the Jim Crow South. The series sees Mamie risk her life seeking justice for Emmett, keeping his name and murder in the news and igniting the Civil Rights movement. Tonya Pinkins plays Mamie’s mother Alma Carthan; Ray Fisher plays Gene Mobley, Mamie’s husband who was a father figure to Emmett; Glynn Turman plays Mose Wright, Mamie’s uncle; Chris Coy and Carter Jenkins play Emmett’s murderers J.W. Milam and Roy Bryant, respectively, and Julia McDermott plays Carolyn Bryant, the white woman Emmett was falsely accused of sexually harassing.
“My son, he’s a good boy,...
Adrienne Warren stars as Mamie, the mother of Emmett Till (Cedric Joe), who was brutally lynched in 1955 in the Jim Crow South. The series sees Mamie risk her life seeking justice for Emmett, keeping his name and murder in the news and igniting the Civil Rights movement. Tonya Pinkins plays Mamie’s mother Alma Carthan; Ray Fisher plays Gene Mobley, Mamie’s husband who was a father figure to Emmett; Glynn Turman plays Mose Wright, Mamie’s uncle; Chris Coy and Carter Jenkins play Emmett’s murderers J.W. Milam and Roy Bryant, respectively, and Julia McDermott plays Carolyn Bryant, the white woman Emmett was falsely accused of sexually harassing.
“My son, he’s a good boy,...
- 10/21/2021
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
Tribeca and Chanel have set participants, masterclass advisors, mentors and jurors for their seventh annual Through Her Lens program, supporting women filmmakers, announcing that it will take place from October 12-14.
The creatives and short film projects chosen for the three-day mentorship program, designed to provide industry support, artistic development and funding to “emerging U.S. based self-identifying women and non-binary writers and directors,” include director Annalise Lockhart and writer/producer Mary Glen Fredrick (Anything Valuable), writer/director Maya Tanaka and producer Shuchi Talati (Honolulu), director Caroline Lindy and writer/producer Kate Hamilton (How Did I Get Here), writer/director Tiye Amenechi and producer Satchel Lee (Night Bloom), and writer/director Phumi Morare (Why the Cattle Wait).
Each will benefit from a combination if virtual and in-person, one-on-one mentorship—along with masterclasses focused on script-to-screen development, music composition, costume design, producing, and directing—working with mentors to shape and refine their pitches and projects.
The creatives and short film projects chosen for the three-day mentorship program, designed to provide industry support, artistic development and funding to “emerging U.S. based self-identifying women and non-binary writers and directors,” include director Annalise Lockhart and writer/producer Mary Glen Fredrick (Anything Valuable), writer/director Maya Tanaka and producer Shuchi Talati (Honolulu), director Caroline Lindy and writer/producer Kate Hamilton (How Did I Get Here), writer/director Tiye Amenechi and producer Satchel Lee (Night Bloom), and writer/director Phumi Morare (Why the Cattle Wait).
Each will benefit from a combination if virtual and in-person, one-on-one mentorship—along with masterclasses focused on script-to-screen development, music composition, costume design, producing, and directing—working with mentors to shape and refine their pitches and projects.
- 10/12/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The seventh annual Through Her Lens: The Tribeca Chanel Women’s Filmmaker Program kicks off today with a hybrid edition featuring both virtual and in-person events.
The three-day event allows program finalists working on five films to participate in one-on-one mentorship and masterclasses focused on script-to-screen development, music composition, costume design, producing and directing.
The Leadership Committee includes Amy Schumer, Gayle King, Marlee Matlin, Paula Weinstein, Ali Adler, Melissa Barrera, Kay Cannon, Jacqueline Durran, Misha Green, Soo Hugh, Zoe Lister-Jones, Laura Karpman, Leslie Mann, Tina Mabry, Adepero Oduye, Frida Torresblanco, DeWanda Wise and Maria Zuckerman.
Program finalists include Annalise Lockhart and Mary Glen Fredrick (“Anything Valuable”), Maya Tanaka and Shuchi Talati (“Honolulu”), Caroline Lindy and Kate Hamilton (“How Did I Get Here”), Tiye Amenechi and Satchel Lee (“Night Bloom”) and Phumi Morare (‘Why the Cattle Wait”).
One team will receive full financing to produce their short film with support from Tribeca Studios.
The three-day event allows program finalists working on five films to participate in one-on-one mentorship and masterclasses focused on script-to-screen development, music composition, costume design, producing and directing.
The Leadership Committee includes Amy Schumer, Gayle King, Marlee Matlin, Paula Weinstein, Ali Adler, Melissa Barrera, Kay Cannon, Jacqueline Durran, Misha Green, Soo Hugh, Zoe Lister-Jones, Laura Karpman, Leslie Mann, Tina Mabry, Adepero Oduye, Frida Torresblanco, DeWanda Wise and Maria Zuckerman.
Program finalists include Annalise Lockhart and Mary Glen Fredrick (“Anything Valuable”), Maya Tanaka and Shuchi Talati (“Honolulu”), Caroline Lindy and Kate Hamilton (“How Did I Get Here”), Tiye Amenechi and Satchel Lee (“Night Bloom”) and Phumi Morare (‘Why the Cattle Wait”).
One team will receive full financing to produce their short film with support from Tribeca Studios.
- 10/12/2021
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
Urbanworld has named Christine L. Mendoza executive director of the foundation.
The newly-created role will have Mendoza overseeing year-round operations, strategy and development for Urbanworld, the home of Urbanworld Film Festival. As written in a press release, the festival “showcases narrative features, documentaries, short films, web originals, spotlight screenings, conversations and music performances that feature people of color including Black, Indigenous and Latinx artists.”
“We are thrilled to have Christine join the Urbanworld family. She brings the ideal mix of experience and passion to our team as we continue to expand our reach and impact,” Stacy Spikes, founder of Urbanworld Film Festival, said in a statement.
Mendoza, who identifies as Latinx, has made equity in the arts her mission as a filmmaker, administrator and educator. Mendoza was most recently the director of education for film at Lincoln Center and has previously worked as the director of development and programs for the Coalition for Immigrant Freedom.
The newly-created role will have Mendoza overseeing year-round operations, strategy and development for Urbanworld, the home of Urbanworld Film Festival. As written in a press release, the festival “showcases narrative features, documentaries, short films, web originals, spotlight screenings, conversations and music performances that feature people of color including Black, Indigenous and Latinx artists.”
“We are thrilled to have Christine join the Urbanworld family. She brings the ideal mix of experience and passion to our team as we continue to expand our reach and impact,” Stacy Spikes, founder of Urbanworld Film Festival, said in a statement.
Mendoza, who identifies as Latinx, has made equity in the arts her mission as a filmmaker, administrator and educator. Mendoza was most recently the director of education for film at Lincoln Center and has previously worked as the director of development and programs for the Coalition for Immigrant Freedom.
- 10/6/2021
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
The Urbanworld Film Festival is set to mark its 25th anniversary with a star-studded hybrid event featuring Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay; “Wu-Tang: An American Saga’s” RZA and Shameik Moore; “King Richard” director Reinaldo Marcus Green and star Aunjanue Ellis; “Power Book III: Raising Kanan’s” Patina Miller; “Sankofa” filmmaker Haile Gerima and more.
The 2021 edition of the film festival will be presented virtually with on urbanworld.org, running from Sept. 29-Oct. 3, with select in-person events held at Cinepolis Luxury Cinemas, Chelsea at 260 West 23rd Street in New York. Presented by founding partner HBO and prestige partners WarnerMedia and Ally, the festival officially unveiled its slate of more than 88 official selections, panels and conversations.
A longtime supporter of and participant in the Urbanworld lineup, DuVernay will be on hand for multiple special events with the Netflix series “Colin in Black & White” featured among the virtual spotlight presentations at the fest.
The 2021 edition of the film festival will be presented virtually with on urbanworld.org, running from Sept. 29-Oct. 3, with select in-person events held at Cinepolis Luxury Cinemas, Chelsea at 260 West 23rd Street in New York. Presented by founding partner HBO and prestige partners WarnerMedia and Ally, the festival officially unveiled its slate of more than 88 official selections, panels and conversations.
A longtime supporter of and participant in the Urbanworld lineup, DuVernay will be on hand for multiple special events with the Netflix series “Colin in Black & White” featured among the virtual spotlight presentations at the fest.
- 9/21/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix has swung the axe on another TV series.
The streamer on Thursday officially canceled Grand Army after a single season, almost nine months after its launch on the service.
The series "tunnels into a generation that’s raging and rising. Five students at the largest public high school in Brooklyn take on our chaotic world as they fight to succeed, survive, wild out, break free and seize the future," according to Netflix.
9 episodes comprised the first season, with So Yong Kim, Darnell Martin, Tina Mabry, Silas Howard, and Clement Virgo on board to bring the project to life.
Executive Producers include Katie Cappiello, Josh Donen, Nicolette Donen, Elizabeth Kling, Beau Willimon, and Jordan Tappis.
The expansive cast includes Odessa A'zion as Joey Del Marco, Odley Jean as Dominique (Dom) Pierre, Maliq Johnson as Jayson Jackson, Amalia Yoo as Leila Kwan Zimmer, Amir Bageria as Siddhartha (Sid) Pakam, Alphonso Jones as John Ellis,...
The streamer on Thursday officially canceled Grand Army after a single season, almost nine months after its launch on the service.
The series "tunnels into a generation that’s raging and rising. Five students at the largest public high school in Brooklyn take on our chaotic world as they fight to succeed, survive, wild out, break free and seize the future," according to Netflix.
9 episodes comprised the first season, with So Yong Kim, Darnell Martin, Tina Mabry, Silas Howard, and Clement Virgo on board to bring the project to life.
Executive Producers include Katie Cappiello, Josh Donen, Nicolette Donen, Elizabeth Kling, Beau Willimon, and Jordan Tappis.
The expansive cast includes Odessa A'zion as Joey Del Marco, Odley Jean as Dominique (Dom) Pierre, Maliq Johnson as Jayson Jackson, Amalia Yoo as Leila Kwan Zimmer, Amir Bageria as Siddhartha (Sid) Pakam, Alphonso Jones as John Ellis,...
- 6/18/2021
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Netflix has canceled “Grand Army” after just one season.
The series “tunnels into a generation that’s raging and rising. Five students at the largest public high school in Brooklyn take on our chaotic world as they fight to succeed, survive, wild out, break free and seize the future.” according to its logline.
“Grand Army” starred Odley Jean as Dominique (Dom) Pierre, Odessa A’zion as Joey Del Marco, Maliq Johnson as Jayson Jackson, Amalia Yoo as Leila Kwan Zimmer, Amir Bageria as Siddhartha (Sid) Pakam, Alphonso Jones as John Ellis, Anthony Ippolito as George Wright, Brian Altemus as Luke Friedman, Thelonius “Monk” Serrel Freed as Tim Delaney, Jaden Jordan as Owen Williams, Ashley Ganger as Meera Pakam, Sydney Meyer as Anna Delany, Brittany Adebumola as Tamika Jones and Crystal Nelson as Tor Sampson.
The nine-episode first — and now final — season of “Grand Army” launched Oct. 16 of last year on Netflix.
The series “tunnels into a generation that’s raging and rising. Five students at the largest public high school in Brooklyn take on our chaotic world as they fight to succeed, survive, wild out, break free and seize the future.” according to its logline.
“Grand Army” starred Odley Jean as Dominique (Dom) Pierre, Odessa A’zion as Joey Del Marco, Maliq Johnson as Jayson Jackson, Amalia Yoo as Leila Kwan Zimmer, Amir Bageria as Siddhartha (Sid) Pakam, Alphonso Jones as John Ellis, Anthony Ippolito as George Wright, Brian Altemus as Luke Friedman, Thelonius “Monk” Serrel Freed as Tim Delaney, Jaden Jordan as Owen Williams, Ashley Ganger as Meera Pakam, Sydney Meyer as Anna Delany, Brittany Adebumola as Tamika Jones and Crystal Nelson as Tor Sampson.
The nine-episode first — and now final — season of “Grand Army” launched Oct. 16 of last year on Netflix.
- 6/17/2021
- by Tony Maglio and Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
Updated with new photos: It was a long, pandemic-impacted broadcast development cycle, with some pilots taking a year to get produced, but the broadcast networks have made their picks for new scripted series to debut in fall 2021 as well as the bulk of their decisions for new midseason 2022 shows.
The pandemic forced broadcast executives to think outside the traditional broadcast pilot model and rely more heavily on straight-to-series orders, often based on additional scripts, sometimes delivered through the opening of a writers room.
Check out Deadline’s gallery of new 2021-22 shows. Those picked up straight-to-series that have not produced a pilot and have no episodic art available, are represented by their top talent on or behind the camera.
Click on the photo above to launch the gallery. You can find details on each of the new series below.
Drama
Queens
Studio: ABC Signature
Team: Zahir McGhee, Sabrina Wind (ep), Tim Story
Logline: Estranged and out of touch, four women in their 40s reunite for a chance to recapture their fame and regain the swagger they had as the Nasty Bitches – their ’90s group that made them legends in the hip-hop world.
Cast: Eve, Naturi Naughton, Brandy, Nadine Velazquez, Pepi Sonuga
Comedy
The Wonder Years
Studio: 20th Television
Team: Saladin Patterson, Fred Savage, Lee Daniels (ep), Marc Velez (ep)
Logline: How a black middle-class family in Montgomery, Al, in the turbulent late 1960s made sure it was the Wonder Years for them too. Reboot of the 1988-93 ABC series.
Cast: Elisha “Ej” Williams, Saycon Sengbloh, Dulé Hill, Laura Kariuki, Milan Ray, Julian Lerner, Amari O’Neil, Don Cheadle (narrator)
Abbott Elementary (Midseason)
Studio: Warner Bros TV/20th Television
Team: Quinta Brunson, Justin Halpern (ep), Patrick Schumacker (ep), Randall Einhorn (d)
Logline: A group of teachers is brought together in one of the worst public schools in the country, simply because they love teaching. They will rely on one another to make it through the day and find a way to counteract the school district’s bullsh*t attitude toward educating children.
Cast: Quinta Brunson, Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, Lisa Ann Walter, Chris Perfetti, Sheryl Lee Ralph
Maggie (Midseason)
Studio: 20th Television
Team: Maggie Mull, Justin Adler, Evan Hayes (ep), Jeff Morton (ep). Natalia Anderson
Logline: A young woman tries to cope with life while coming to terms with her abilities as a psychic. She can see everyone’s future, but her present is a mess. Based on the short film by Tim Curcio.
Cast: Rebecca Rittenhouse, David Del Rio, Kerri Kenney, Chris Elliott, Nichole Sakura, Angelique Cabral, Leonardo Nam, Ray Ford, Chloe Bridges
Limited Series
Women Of The Movement (Midseason)
Studio: Kapital Entertainment
Team: Marissa Jo Cerar, Jay-Z (ep), Jay Brown (ep), Tyran “Ty Ty” Smith (ep), Will Smith (ep), James Lassiter (ep), Aaron Kaplan (ep), Dana Honor (ep), Michael Lohmann (ep), Gina Prince-Bythewood, Rosanna Grace (ep), Alex Foster (ep), John Powers Middleton (ep), David Clark (ep), Tina Mabry (d), Julie Dash (d), Kasi Lemmons (d)
Logline: Centers on Mamie Till-Mobley, who devoted her life to seeking justice for her son Emmett Till. Inspired by the book ‘Emmett Till: The Murder That Shocked the World and Propelled the Civil Rights Movement’ by Devery S. Anderson.
Cast: Adrienne Warren, Tonya Pinkins, Cedric Joe, Glynn Turman, Ray Fisher, Chris Coy, Julia McDermott, Carter Jenkins, Joshua Caleb, Leslie Silva, Chris Butler, Alex Désert, Miles Fowler, Tongayi Chirisa, Jason Turner, Daniel Abeles
Drama
CSI: Vegas
Studio: CBS Studios/Jerry Bruckheimer Television
Team: Jason Tracey, Uta Briesewitz, Jerry Bruckheimer (ep), Jonathan Littman (ep), KristieAnne Reed (ep), Anthony Zuiker (ep), Carol Mendelsohn (ep), Ann Donahue (ep), Craig O’Neill (ep), William Petersen (ep), Cindy Chvatal (ep)
Logline: Facing an existential threat that could bring down the Crime Lab, a brilliant new team of forensic investigators must welcome back old friends and deploy new techniques to preserve and serve justice in Sin City. Sequel to the 2000-15 CBS drama ‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.’
Cast: William Petersen, Jorja Fox, Wallace Langham, Paula Newsome, Matt Lauria, Mel Rodriguez and Mandeep Dhillon
FBI: International
Studio: Wolf Entertainment/Universal Television/CBS Studios
Team: Dick Wolf (ep), Derek Haas, Rick Eid (ep), Peter Jankowski (ep), Arthur Forney (ep)
Logline: ‘FBI’ spinoff follows the elite agents of the FBI’s International division as they travel the world with the mission of protecting Americans wherever they may be.
Cast: Tba
NCIS: Hawai’I
Studio: CBS Studios
Team: Christopher Silber, Jan Nash, Matt Bosack, Larry Teng
Logline: Set in the Aloha State, it follows the first female Special Agent in Charge of NCIS Pearl Harbor and her team as they balance duty to family and country, investigating high-stakes crimes involving military personnel, national security and the mysteries of the island itself.
Cast: Vanessa Lachey
Good Sam (Midseason)
Studio: CBS Studios/Sutton St. Productions
Team: Katie Wech, Jennie Snyder Urman (ep), Joanna Klein (ep)
Logline: A talented yet stifled surgeon embraces her leadership role after her renowned and pompous boss falls into a coma. When he awakens and wants to resume surgery, however, it falls to her to supervise this overbearing blowhard who never acknowledged her talents — and also happens to be her father.
Cast: Sophia Bush, Jason Isaacs, Edwin Hodge, Skye P. Marshall, Michael Stahl-David, Davi Santos, Omar Maskati, Wendy Crewson
Comedy
Ghosts (single camera)
Studio: Lionsgate Television/BBC Studios/CBS Television Studios
Team: Joe Port, Joe Wiseman, Mathew Baynton (ep), Jim Howick (ep), Simon Farnaby (ep), Laurence Rickard (ep), Ben Willbond (ep), Martha Howe-Douglas, Alison Carpenter (ep), Debra Hayward (ep), Alison Owen (ep), Angie Stephenson (ep)
Logline: Follows a young couple, Samantha and Ryan, whose dreams come true when they inherit a beautiful country house, only to find it’s both falling apart and inhabited by many of the deceased previous residents. Based on the British series.
Cast: Rose McIver, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Rebecca Wisocky, Brandon Scott Jones, Danielle Pinnock, Asher Grodman, Richie Moriarty, Sheila Carrasco and Román Zaragoza
Smallwood (Midseason; multi-camera)
Studio: CBS Studios
Team: Mark Gross, David Hollander (ep), Brian D’Arcy James (ep), Mark Cendrowski (d)
Logline: After being laid off from the assembly line at the Gm factory, a seemingly ordinary man makes the extraordinary decision to provide for his family by following his dream of becoming a professional bowler. Based on professional bowler Tom Smallwood’s life.
Cast: Pete Holmes, Chi McBride, Katie Lowes
Drama
The Big Leap
Studios: 20th Century Fox Television/Fox Entertainment
Team: Liz Heldens, Sue Naegle (ep), Peter Dale (ep), Jason Winer
Logline: Contemporary tale about second chances, chasing your dreams and taking back what’s yours. The show revolves around a group of diverse underdogs from all different walks of life who compete to be part of a competition reality series that is putting on a modern, hip remake of Swan Lake. What they lack in the traditional dancer body type, they make up for with their edge, wit and desire to reimagine an iconic story to fit their own mold. Inspired by the UK series ‘Big Ballet.’
Cast: Scott Foley, Teri Polo, Piper Perabo, Ser’Darius Blain, Jon Rudnitsky, Simone Rescasner, Raymond Cham Jr., Kevin Daniels, Mallory Jansen
Our Kind Of People
Studios: 20th Century TV/Fox Entertainment
Team: Karin Gist, Lee Daniels (ep), Marc Velez (ep), Clarie Brown (ep), Pam Williams (ep), Ben Silverman (ep), Howard T. Owens (ep), Rodney Ferrell (ep), Montrel McKay (ep)
Logline: Single mom Angela Vaughn risks it all and moves her family to Martha’s Vineyard with hopes of taking her natural hair care line to the next level by infiltrating the African-American elite in Oak Bluffs. But she soon discovers a secret about her past that just might change her position and shake up her life and this influential community forever. Inspired by Lawrence Otis Graham’s book ‘Our Kind of People: Inside America’s Black Upper Class’
Cast: Yaya DeCosta
The Cleaning Lady (Midseason)
Studios: Warner Bros Television/Fox Entertainment
Team: Miranda Kwok, Melissa Carter, Michael Offer, Shay Mitchell (ep), Rose Marie Vega (ep), Paola Suarez (ep)
Logline: A whip-smart doctor comes to the U.S. for a medical treatment to save her ailing son. But when the system fails and pushes her into hiding, she refuses to be beaten down and marginalized. Instead, she becomes a cleaning lady for the mob and starts playing the game by her own rules. Based on the Argentine series ‘La Chica que Limpia.’
Cast: Élodie Yung, Vincent Piazza, Martha Millan, Adan Canto, Erik Valdez
Monarch (Midseason)
(fka Untitled Country Music Dynasty)
Studios: Fox Entertainment
Team: Melissa London Hilfers, Michael Rauch, Gail Berman (ep), Hend Baghdady (ep), Jason Owen (ep)
Logline: Multigenerational musical drama about America’s first family of country music. The Romans are fiercely talented, but while their name is synonymous with honesty, the very foundation of their success is a lie. When their reign as country royalty is put in jeopardy, Nicky Roman, the heir to the crown — already battling an industry stacked against her — will stop at nothing to protect her family’s legacy.
Cast: Tba
Accused (for 2022-23 season)
Studios: Sony Pictures Television/Fox Entertainment
Team: Howard Gordon, Alex Gansa, David Shore, Glenn Geller (ep), Erin Gunn (ep), Jacob Cohen-Holmes (ep), Jimmy McGovern (ep), Sita Williams (ep), Roxy Spencer (ep)
Logline: Each episode opens in a courtroom with the accused without knowing their crime or how they ended up on trial. It follows how an ordinary person got caught up in an extraordinary situation, ultimately revealing how one wrong turn leads to another, until it’s too late to turn back. Based on the BBC series.
Cast: Tba
Comedy
Pivoting (Midseason; single camera)
Studios: Warner Bros. Television/Fox Entertainment/Kapital Entertainment
Team: Liz Astrof, Aaron Kaplan (ep), Dana Honor (ep), Tristram Shapeero
Logline: Follows three women after the death of their childhood best friend. Faced with the reality that life is short, in desperate attempts to find happiness, they make a series of impulsive, ill-advised and self-indulgent decisions, strengthening their bond proving it’s never too late to screw up your life.
Cast: Eliza Coupe, Ginnifer Goodwin, Maggie Q, Tommy Dewey, Jt Neal, Julian Reyes
Welcome To Flatch (Midseason; single camera; fka This Country)
Studios: Lionsgate/BBC Studios/Fox Entertainment/Feigco Entertainment
Team: Jenny Bicks, Paul Feig, Daisy May Cooper (ep), Charlie Cooper (ep), Angie Stephenson (ep), Dan Magnante (co-ep), Cathy Mason (p), Rachel Mason (p)
Logline: A documentary crew follows cousins Kelly and Shrub Mallet as they go about their daily lives in idiosyncratic surroundings.
Cast: Chelsea Holmes, Sam Straley, Seann William Scott, Aya Cash, Taylor Ortega, Justin Linville, Krystal Smith
Drama
LA Brea
Studios: Universal Television/Keshet Studios
Team: David Appelbaum, Avi Nir (ep), Alon Shtruzman (ep), Peter Traugott (ep), Rachel Kaplan (ep), Ken Woodruff (ep), Steven Lilien (ep), Bryan Wynbrandt (ep), Ken Woodruff (ep), Arika Lisanne Mittman (ep), Adam Davidson (ep), Thor Freudenthal (d)
Logline: A massive sinkhole opens in the middle of Los Angeles, pulling hundreds of people and buildings into its depths. Those who fell in find themselves in a mysterious and dangerous primeval land, where they have no choice but to band together to survive. Meanwhile, the rest of the world desperately seeks to understand what happened. In the search for answers, one family torn apart by this disaster will have to unlock the secrets of this inexplicable event to find a way back to each other.
Cast: Natalie Zea, Eoin Macken, Jon Seda, Nicholas Gonzalez, Chiké Okonkwo, Karina Logue, Zyra Gorecki, Jack Martin, Veronica St. Clair, Rohan Mirchandaney, Lily Santiago, Josh McKenzie, Chloe De Los Santos, Ione Skye (recurring)
Law & Order: For The Defense
Studios: Universal Television/Wolf Entertainment
Team: Carol Mendelsohn, Dick Wolf (ep), Arthur Forney (ep), Julie Weitz (ep), Peter Jankowski (ep)
Logline: ‘Law & Order’ spinoff looks inside a criminal defense firm, putting the lawyers under a microscope, along with the criminal justice system.
Cast: Tba
Ordinary Joe
Studios: 20th Television/Universal Television/6th & Idaho/3 Arts
Team: Russel Friend, Garrett Lerner, Matt Reeves (ep), Adam Kassan (ep), Rafi Crohn (ep), Howard Klein (ep), Adam Davidson
Logline: Life is all about the choices you make – and sometimes what you do in a single moment can change everything. Joe Kimbreau faces one of these decisions at his college graduation. The three parallel stories that diverge from that night find Joe and the people around him with different careers, relationships and family lives, showing the unexpected ways that things change – and stay the same. But when it comes down to it, there is no “right” choice; no matter what happens, Joe’s life is always messy, exciting, tough, unpredictable … and beautiful.
Cast: James Wolk, Natalie Martinezt, Elizabeth Lail, Charlie Barnet
Comedy
American Auto (Midseason)single camera)
Studio: Universal Television/Spitzer Holding Company/Kapital Entertainment.
Team: Justin Spitzer, Aaron Kaplan (ep), Dana Honor (ep), Jeff Blitz
Logline: Set in Detroit, the corporate executives of Payne Motors are at a crossroads: adapt to the changing times or be sent to the junkyard. Shaking things up is the new CEO, whose leadership, experience and savvy is only slightly offset by her complete lack of knowledge about cars. Luckily, her team has some of the best minds in the business – when they aren’t fighting or trying to outwit one another.
Cast: Ana Gasteyer, Jon Barinholtz, Harriet Dyer, Humphrey Ker, Michael B. Washington, Tye White, X Mayo
Grand Crew (Midseason)single camera)
Studio: Universal Television
Team: Phil Augusta Jackson, Dan Goor, Mo Marable
Logline: Follows a group of young professionals all trying to navigate the ups and downs of life and love in Los Angeles — and they always find time to gather at their favorite bar to “wine down” and unpack it all.
Cast: Echo Kellum, Justin Cunningham, Carl Tart, Aaron Jennings, Nicole Byer
Limited Series
The Thing About Pam (Midseason)
Studios: Blumhouse Television/NBC News Studios/Big Picture Company
Team: Jessika Borsiczky, Jenny Klein, Renee Zellweger (ep), Carmella Casinelli (ep), Liz Cole (ep), Noah Oppenheim (ep), Jason Blum (ep), Chris McCumber (ep), Jeremy Gold (ep)
Logline: Based on the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria that resulted in her husband Russ’ conviction, though he insisted he did not kill her. His conviction later was overturned, but the brutal crime set off a chain of events that would expose a diabolical scheme deeply involving Pam Hupp.
Cast: Renee Zellweger
4400
Studio: CBS Studios
Team: Ariana Jackson, Anna Fricke, Laura Terry (ep)
Logline: 4,400 overlooked, undervalued or otherwise marginalized people who vanished without a trace over the past hundred years all are returned in an instant, having not aged a day and with no memory of what happened to them. As the government races to analyze the potential threat and contain the story, the 4,400 themselves must grapple with the fact that they’ve been returned with a few … upgrades, and the increasing likelihood that they were all brought back now for a specific reason. Based on the 2004-07 USA Network series.
Cast: Joseph David-Jones, Khailah Johnson, Brittany Adebumola, Jaye Ladymore, Amarr Wooten
Launch Gallery: New Scripted Series On Network TV For 2021-22: Photo Gallery...
The pandemic forced broadcast executives to think outside the traditional broadcast pilot model and rely more heavily on straight-to-series orders, often based on additional scripts, sometimes delivered through the opening of a writers room.
Check out Deadline’s gallery of new 2021-22 shows. Those picked up straight-to-series that have not produced a pilot and have no episodic art available, are represented by their top talent on or behind the camera.
Click on the photo above to launch the gallery. You can find details on each of the new series below.
Drama
Queens
Studio: ABC Signature
Team: Zahir McGhee, Sabrina Wind (ep), Tim Story
Logline: Estranged and out of touch, four women in their 40s reunite for a chance to recapture their fame and regain the swagger they had as the Nasty Bitches – their ’90s group that made them legends in the hip-hop world.
Cast: Eve, Naturi Naughton, Brandy, Nadine Velazquez, Pepi Sonuga
Comedy
The Wonder Years
Studio: 20th Television
Team: Saladin Patterson, Fred Savage, Lee Daniels (ep), Marc Velez (ep)
Logline: How a black middle-class family in Montgomery, Al, in the turbulent late 1960s made sure it was the Wonder Years for them too. Reboot of the 1988-93 ABC series.
Cast: Elisha “Ej” Williams, Saycon Sengbloh, Dulé Hill, Laura Kariuki, Milan Ray, Julian Lerner, Amari O’Neil, Don Cheadle (narrator)
Abbott Elementary (Midseason)
Studio: Warner Bros TV/20th Television
Team: Quinta Brunson, Justin Halpern (ep), Patrick Schumacker (ep), Randall Einhorn (d)
Logline: A group of teachers is brought together in one of the worst public schools in the country, simply because they love teaching. They will rely on one another to make it through the day and find a way to counteract the school district’s bullsh*t attitude toward educating children.
Cast: Quinta Brunson, Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, Lisa Ann Walter, Chris Perfetti, Sheryl Lee Ralph
Maggie (Midseason)
Studio: 20th Television
Team: Maggie Mull, Justin Adler, Evan Hayes (ep), Jeff Morton (ep). Natalia Anderson
Logline: A young woman tries to cope with life while coming to terms with her abilities as a psychic. She can see everyone’s future, but her present is a mess. Based on the short film by Tim Curcio.
Cast: Rebecca Rittenhouse, David Del Rio, Kerri Kenney, Chris Elliott, Nichole Sakura, Angelique Cabral, Leonardo Nam, Ray Ford, Chloe Bridges
Limited Series
Women Of The Movement (Midseason)
Studio: Kapital Entertainment
Team: Marissa Jo Cerar, Jay-Z (ep), Jay Brown (ep), Tyran “Ty Ty” Smith (ep), Will Smith (ep), James Lassiter (ep), Aaron Kaplan (ep), Dana Honor (ep), Michael Lohmann (ep), Gina Prince-Bythewood, Rosanna Grace (ep), Alex Foster (ep), John Powers Middleton (ep), David Clark (ep), Tina Mabry (d), Julie Dash (d), Kasi Lemmons (d)
Logline: Centers on Mamie Till-Mobley, who devoted her life to seeking justice for her son Emmett Till. Inspired by the book ‘Emmett Till: The Murder That Shocked the World and Propelled the Civil Rights Movement’ by Devery S. Anderson.
Cast: Adrienne Warren, Tonya Pinkins, Cedric Joe, Glynn Turman, Ray Fisher, Chris Coy, Julia McDermott, Carter Jenkins, Joshua Caleb, Leslie Silva, Chris Butler, Alex Désert, Miles Fowler, Tongayi Chirisa, Jason Turner, Daniel Abeles
Drama
CSI: Vegas
Studio: CBS Studios/Jerry Bruckheimer Television
Team: Jason Tracey, Uta Briesewitz, Jerry Bruckheimer (ep), Jonathan Littman (ep), KristieAnne Reed (ep), Anthony Zuiker (ep), Carol Mendelsohn (ep), Ann Donahue (ep), Craig O’Neill (ep), William Petersen (ep), Cindy Chvatal (ep)
Logline: Facing an existential threat that could bring down the Crime Lab, a brilliant new team of forensic investigators must welcome back old friends and deploy new techniques to preserve and serve justice in Sin City. Sequel to the 2000-15 CBS drama ‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.’
Cast: William Petersen, Jorja Fox, Wallace Langham, Paula Newsome, Matt Lauria, Mel Rodriguez and Mandeep Dhillon
FBI: International
Studio: Wolf Entertainment/Universal Television/CBS Studios
Team: Dick Wolf (ep), Derek Haas, Rick Eid (ep), Peter Jankowski (ep), Arthur Forney (ep)
Logline: ‘FBI’ spinoff follows the elite agents of the FBI’s International division as they travel the world with the mission of protecting Americans wherever they may be.
Cast: Tba
NCIS: Hawai’I
Studio: CBS Studios
Team: Christopher Silber, Jan Nash, Matt Bosack, Larry Teng
Logline: Set in the Aloha State, it follows the first female Special Agent in Charge of NCIS Pearl Harbor and her team as they balance duty to family and country, investigating high-stakes crimes involving military personnel, national security and the mysteries of the island itself.
Cast: Vanessa Lachey
Good Sam (Midseason)
Studio: CBS Studios/Sutton St. Productions
Team: Katie Wech, Jennie Snyder Urman (ep), Joanna Klein (ep)
Logline: A talented yet stifled surgeon embraces her leadership role after her renowned and pompous boss falls into a coma. When he awakens and wants to resume surgery, however, it falls to her to supervise this overbearing blowhard who never acknowledged her talents — and also happens to be her father.
Cast: Sophia Bush, Jason Isaacs, Edwin Hodge, Skye P. Marshall, Michael Stahl-David, Davi Santos, Omar Maskati, Wendy Crewson
Comedy
Ghosts (single camera)
Studio: Lionsgate Television/BBC Studios/CBS Television Studios
Team: Joe Port, Joe Wiseman, Mathew Baynton (ep), Jim Howick (ep), Simon Farnaby (ep), Laurence Rickard (ep), Ben Willbond (ep), Martha Howe-Douglas, Alison Carpenter (ep), Debra Hayward (ep), Alison Owen (ep), Angie Stephenson (ep)
Logline: Follows a young couple, Samantha and Ryan, whose dreams come true when they inherit a beautiful country house, only to find it’s both falling apart and inhabited by many of the deceased previous residents. Based on the British series.
Cast: Rose McIver, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Rebecca Wisocky, Brandon Scott Jones, Danielle Pinnock, Asher Grodman, Richie Moriarty, Sheila Carrasco and Román Zaragoza
Smallwood (Midseason; multi-camera)
Studio: CBS Studios
Team: Mark Gross, David Hollander (ep), Brian D’Arcy James (ep), Mark Cendrowski (d)
Logline: After being laid off from the assembly line at the Gm factory, a seemingly ordinary man makes the extraordinary decision to provide for his family by following his dream of becoming a professional bowler. Based on professional bowler Tom Smallwood’s life.
Cast: Pete Holmes, Chi McBride, Katie Lowes
Drama
The Big Leap
Studios: 20th Century Fox Television/Fox Entertainment
Team: Liz Heldens, Sue Naegle (ep), Peter Dale (ep), Jason Winer
Logline: Contemporary tale about second chances, chasing your dreams and taking back what’s yours. The show revolves around a group of diverse underdogs from all different walks of life who compete to be part of a competition reality series that is putting on a modern, hip remake of Swan Lake. What they lack in the traditional dancer body type, they make up for with their edge, wit and desire to reimagine an iconic story to fit their own mold. Inspired by the UK series ‘Big Ballet.’
Cast: Scott Foley, Teri Polo, Piper Perabo, Ser’Darius Blain, Jon Rudnitsky, Simone Rescasner, Raymond Cham Jr., Kevin Daniels, Mallory Jansen
Our Kind Of People
Studios: 20th Century TV/Fox Entertainment
Team: Karin Gist, Lee Daniels (ep), Marc Velez (ep), Clarie Brown (ep), Pam Williams (ep), Ben Silverman (ep), Howard T. Owens (ep), Rodney Ferrell (ep), Montrel McKay (ep)
Logline: Single mom Angela Vaughn risks it all and moves her family to Martha’s Vineyard with hopes of taking her natural hair care line to the next level by infiltrating the African-American elite in Oak Bluffs. But she soon discovers a secret about her past that just might change her position and shake up her life and this influential community forever. Inspired by Lawrence Otis Graham’s book ‘Our Kind of People: Inside America’s Black Upper Class’
Cast: Yaya DeCosta
The Cleaning Lady (Midseason)
Studios: Warner Bros Television/Fox Entertainment
Team: Miranda Kwok, Melissa Carter, Michael Offer, Shay Mitchell (ep), Rose Marie Vega (ep), Paola Suarez (ep)
Logline: A whip-smart doctor comes to the U.S. for a medical treatment to save her ailing son. But when the system fails and pushes her into hiding, she refuses to be beaten down and marginalized. Instead, she becomes a cleaning lady for the mob and starts playing the game by her own rules. Based on the Argentine series ‘La Chica que Limpia.’
Cast: Élodie Yung, Vincent Piazza, Martha Millan, Adan Canto, Erik Valdez
Monarch (Midseason)
(fka Untitled Country Music Dynasty)
Studios: Fox Entertainment
Team: Melissa London Hilfers, Michael Rauch, Gail Berman (ep), Hend Baghdady (ep), Jason Owen (ep)
Logline: Multigenerational musical drama about America’s first family of country music. The Romans are fiercely talented, but while their name is synonymous with honesty, the very foundation of their success is a lie. When their reign as country royalty is put in jeopardy, Nicky Roman, the heir to the crown — already battling an industry stacked against her — will stop at nothing to protect her family’s legacy.
Cast: Tba
Accused (for 2022-23 season)
Studios: Sony Pictures Television/Fox Entertainment
Team: Howard Gordon, Alex Gansa, David Shore, Glenn Geller (ep), Erin Gunn (ep), Jacob Cohen-Holmes (ep), Jimmy McGovern (ep), Sita Williams (ep), Roxy Spencer (ep)
Logline: Each episode opens in a courtroom with the accused without knowing their crime or how they ended up on trial. It follows how an ordinary person got caught up in an extraordinary situation, ultimately revealing how one wrong turn leads to another, until it’s too late to turn back. Based on the BBC series.
Cast: Tba
Comedy
Pivoting (Midseason; single camera)
Studios: Warner Bros. Television/Fox Entertainment/Kapital Entertainment
Team: Liz Astrof, Aaron Kaplan (ep), Dana Honor (ep), Tristram Shapeero
Logline: Follows three women after the death of their childhood best friend. Faced with the reality that life is short, in desperate attempts to find happiness, they make a series of impulsive, ill-advised and self-indulgent decisions, strengthening their bond proving it’s never too late to screw up your life.
Cast: Eliza Coupe, Ginnifer Goodwin, Maggie Q, Tommy Dewey, Jt Neal, Julian Reyes
Welcome To Flatch (Midseason; single camera; fka This Country)
Studios: Lionsgate/BBC Studios/Fox Entertainment/Feigco Entertainment
Team: Jenny Bicks, Paul Feig, Daisy May Cooper (ep), Charlie Cooper (ep), Angie Stephenson (ep), Dan Magnante (co-ep), Cathy Mason (p), Rachel Mason (p)
Logline: A documentary crew follows cousins Kelly and Shrub Mallet as they go about their daily lives in idiosyncratic surroundings.
Cast: Chelsea Holmes, Sam Straley, Seann William Scott, Aya Cash, Taylor Ortega, Justin Linville, Krystal Smith
Drama
LA Brea
Studios: Universal Television/Keshet Studios
Team: David Appelbaum, Avi Nir (ep), Alon Shtruzman (ep), Peter Traugott (ep), Rachel Kaplan (ep), Ken Woodruff (ep), Steven Lilien (ep), Bryan Wynbrandt (ep), Ken Woodruff (ep), Arika Lisanne Mittman (ep), Adam Davidson (ep), Thor Freudenthal (d)
Logline: A massive sinkhole opens in the middle of Los Angeles, pulling hundreds of people and buildings into its depths. Those who fell in find themselves in a mysterious and dangerous primeval land, where they have no choice but to band together to survive. Meanwhile, the rest of the world desperately seeks to understand what happened. In the search for answers, one family torn apart by this disaster will have to unlock the secrets of this inexplicable event to find a way back to each other.
Cast: Natalie Zea, Eoin Macken, Jon Seda, Nicholas Gonzalez, Chiké Okonkwo, Karina Logue, Zyra Gorecki, Jack Martin, Veronica St. Clair, Rohan Mirchandaney, Lily Santiago, Josh McKenzie, Chloe De Los Santos, Ione Skye (recurring)
Law & Order: For The Defense
Studios: Universal Television/Wolf Entertainment
Team: Carol Mendelsohn, Dick Wolf (ep), Arthur Forney (ep), Julie Weitz (ep), Peter Jankowski (ep)
Logline: ‘Law & Order’ spinoff looks inside a criminal defense firm, putting the lawyers under a microscope, along with the criminal justice system.
Cast: Tba
Ordinary Joe
Studios: 20th Television/Universal Television/6th & Idaho/3 Arts
Team: Russel Friend, Garrett Lerner, Matt Reeves (ep), Adam Kassan (ep), Rafi Crohn (ep), Howard Klein (ep), Adam Davidson
Logline: Life is all about the choices you make – and sometimes what you do in a single moment can change everything. Joe Kimbreau faces one of these decisions at his college graduation. The three parallel stories that diverge from that night find Joe and the people around him with different careers, relationships and family lives, showing the unexpected ways that things change – and stay the same. But when it comes down to it, there is no “right” choice; no matter what happens, Joe’s life is always messy, exciting, tough, unpredictable … and beautiful.
Cast: James Wolk, Natalie Martinezt, Elizabeth Lail, Charlie Barnet
Comedy
American Auto (Midseason)single camera)
Studio: Universal Television/Spitzer Holding Company/Kapital Entertainment.
Team: Justin Spitzer, Aaron Kaplan (ep), Dana Honor (ep), Jeff Blitz
Logline: Set in Detroit, the corporate executives of Payne Motors are at a crossroads: adapt to the changing times or be sent to the junkyard. Shaking things up is the new CEO, whose leadership, experience and savvy is only slightly offset by her complete lack of knowledge about cars. Luckily, her team has some of the best minds in the business – when they aren’t fighting or trying to outwit one another.
Cast: Ana Gasteyer, Jon Barinholtz, Harriet Dyer, Humphrey Ker, Michael B. Washington, Tye White, X Mayo
Grand Crew (Midseason)single camera)
Studio: Universal Television
Team: Phil Augusta Jackson, Dan Goor, Mo Marable
Logline: Follows a group of young professionals all trying to navigate the ups and downs of life and love in Los Angeles — and they always find time to gather at their favorite bar to “wine down” and unpack it all.
Cast: Echo Kellum, Justin Cunningham, Carl Tart, Aaron Jennings, Nicole Byer
Limited Series
The Thing About Pam (Midseason)
Studios: Blumhouse Television/NBC News Studios/Big Picture Company
Team: Jessika Borsiczky, Jenny Klein, Renee Zellweger (ep), Carmella Casinelli (ep), Liz Cole (ep), Noah Oppenheim (ep), Jason Blum (ep), Chris McCumber (ep), Jeremy Gold (ep)
Logline: Based on the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria that resulted in her husband Russ’ conviction, though he insisted he did not kill her. His conviction later was overturned, but the brutal crime set off a chain of events that would expose a diabolical scheme deeply involving Pam Hupp.
Cast: Renee Zellweger
4400
Studio: CBS Studios
Team: Ariana Jackson, Anna Fricke, Laura Terry (ep)
Logline: 4,400 overlooked, undervalued or otherwise marginalized people who vanished without a trace over the past hundred years all are returned in an instant, having not aged a day and with no memory of what happened to them. As the government races to analyze the potential threat and contain the story, the 4,400 themselves must grapple with the fact that they’ve been returned with a few … upgrades, and the increasing likelihood that they were all brought back now for a specific reason. Based on the 2004-07 USA Network series.
Cast: Joseph David-Jones, Khailah Johnson, Brittany Adebumola, Jaye Ladymore, Amarr Wooten
Launch Gallery: New Scripted Series On Network TV For 2021-22: Photo Gallery...
- 5/25/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva and Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Even though this year’s Directors Guild of America ceremony is taking place virtually, there is no way to watch the DGA Awards online. But you’re in luck — Gold Derby has access to Saturday’s show and we’ll be revealing all of the 2021 winners as they happen live. Scroll down for our minute-by-minute breakdown of all of the champions, the A-list presenters and the special honors for this 73rd annual ceremony.
As a reminder, these kudos honor the best helmers of the year in film and television, as voted on by more than 18,000 members of the directing guild. The all-important DGA feature film category, which will be presented last, will serve as an important bellwether of the Best Director Oscar. Why? Because the guild and the academy have only disagreed eight times over the past seven decades, including last year when Sam Mendes (“1917”) won the DGA but Bong Joon Ho...
As a reminder, these kudos honor the best helmers of the year in film and television, as voted on by more than 18,000 members of the directing guild. The all-important DGA feature film category, which will be presented last, will serve as an important bellwether of the Best Director Oscar. Why? Because the guild and the academy have only disagreed eight times over the past seven decades, including last year when Sam Mendes (“1917”) won the DGA but Bong Joon Ho...
- 4/10/2021
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
Exclusive: Writer Ike Holter, who is best known for his work on the FX series Fosse/Verdon, has signed with M88, which has become the go-to management firm representing a diverse generation of talented artists.
Prior to his work on Fosse/Verdon, Holter wrote several plays including Exit Strategy and Lottery Day. Holter’s LGBTQ political musical Hit the Wall, which opened in 2012 and chronicled the Stonewall riots, went on to become a massive success as it has sold out runs across the country. His commissions include South Coast Rep and Playwrights Horizons. Fosse/Vernon marks Holter’s first foray into the TV world. The FX limited series won the WGA Award for Best Long Form Adaptation.
Holter is currently writing Harold, a limited series for Justin Baldoni’s Wayfarer Studios. Based on Gary Rivlin’s book Fire on the Prairie, the series follows Harold Washington, the first Black mayor...
Prior to his work on Fosse/Verdon, Holter wrote several plays including Exit Strategy and Lottery Day. Holter’s LGBTQ political musical Hit the Wall, which opened in 2012 and chronicled the Stonewall riots, went on to become a massive success as it has sold out runs across the country. His commissions include South Coast Rep and Playwrights Horizons. Fosse/Vernon marks Holter’s first foray into the TV world. The FX limited series won the WGA Award for Best Long Form Adaptation.
Holter is currently writing Harold, a limited series for Justin Baldoni’s Wayfarer Studios. Based on Gary Rivlin’s book Fire on the Prairie, the series follows Harold Washington, the first Black mayor...
- 3/2/2021
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: WME has signed writer-director Tina Mabry, who is best known for helming the 2009 critically acclaimed film Mississippi Damned starring Tessa Thompson.
Mabry is currently attached to co-write and direct Edward Kelsey Moore’s New York Times bestseller The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat at Searchlight. She’s a DGA and NAACP award winner for her American Girl special, Melody 1963: Love Has to Win on Amazon.
In television, Mabry served as a writer, producer, and director on OWN’s hit series Queen Sugar. She’s also directed episodes for shows like Insecure, Grand Army, 9-1-1, Dear White People, and Pose.
Most recently, Mabry teamed joined Gina Prince-Bythewood (Love & Basketball), Julie Dash (Daughters of the Dust), and Kasi Lemmons (Harriet) as a director on the limited ABC series, Women Of The Movement, from creator-writer Marissa Jo Cerar and a producing team that includes Jay-Z, Will Smith, and Aaron Kaplan.
Mabry is currently attached to co-write and direct Edward Kelsey Moore’s New York Times bestseller The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat at Searchlight. She’s a DGA and NAACP award winner for her American Girl special, Melody 1963: Love Has to Win on Amazon.
In television, Mabry served as a writer, producer, and director on OWN’s hit series Queen Sugar. She’s also directed episodes for shows like Insecure, Grand Army, 9-1-1, Dear White People, and Pose.
Most recently, Mabry teamed joined Gina Prince-Bythewood (Love & Basketball), Julie Dash (Daughters of the Dust), and Kasi Lemmons (Harriet) as a director on the limited ABC series, Women Of The Movement, from creator-writer Marissa Jo Cerar and a producing team that includes Jay-Z, Will Smith, and Aaron Kaplan.
- 2/11/2021
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: ABC’s Women of the Movement has assembled a team of four accomplished Black female directors for the first installment of the potential anthology that celebrates the women of the civil rights movement. Tina Mabry (Mississippi Damned), Julie Dash (Daughters of the Dust) and Kasi Lemmons (Harriet) will join Gina Prince-Bythewood (Love & Basketball), as directors on the limited series, from creator-writer Marissa Jo Cerar and a producing team that includes Jay-Z, Will Smith and Aaron Kaplan.
The six-episode series, set to premiere in 2021, centers on Mamie Till-Mobley, played by Adrienne Warren, who devoted her life to seeking justice for her son Emmett Till (Cedric Joe) following his brutal killing in the Jim Crow South.
As previously announced, Prince-Bythewood, who executive produces, will direct the first episode., Mabry will direct the second and third episodes, Dash will helm the fourth and fifth episodes and Lemmons will direct the sixth and final episode.
The six-episode series, set to premiere in 2021, centers on Mamie Till-Mobley, played by Adrienne Warren, who devoted her life to seeking justice for her son Emmett Till (Cedric Joe) following his brutal killing in the Jim Crow South.
As previously announced, Prince-Bythewood, who executive produces, will direct the first episode., Mabry will direct the second and third episodes, Dash will helm the fourth and fifth episodes and Lemmons will direct the sixth and final episode.
- 1/13/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
One of the most important documentaries released this century, Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror is coming to Blu-ray and DVD on February 2nd, following its streaming release on Shudder back in 2019.
You can check out the announcement and Blu-ray cover art below, and in case you missed it, read Heather Wixson's review and our previous episode of Corpse Club featuring special guest Ashlee Blackwell, who co-wrote and produced Horror Noire.
Press Release: Rlje Films, a business unit of AMC Networks, has picked up select rights to Horror Noire from Shudder, AMC Networks’ streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural. Horror Noire will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on February 2, 2021.
Written by adjunct professor of film Ashlee Blackwell and Danielle Burrows and directed by Xavier Burgin (Giants), Horror Noire features Tony Todd (Candyman), Rachel True (The Craft), Ernest Dickerson, Rusty Cundieff, Tina Mabry, Paula Jai Parker...
You can check out the announcement and Blu-ray cover art below, and in case you missed it, read Heather Wixson's review and our previous episode of Corpse Club featuring special guest Ashlee Blackwell, who co-wrote and produced Horror Noire.
Press Release: Rlje Films, a business unit of AMC Networks, has picked up select rights to Horror Noire from Shudder, AMC Networks’ streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural. Horror Noire will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on February 2, 2021.
Written by adjunct professor of film Ashlee Blackwell and Danielle Burrows and directed by Xavier Burgin (Giants), Horror Noire features Tony Todd (Candyman), Rachel True (The Craft), Ernest Dickerson, Rusty Cundieff, Tina Mabry, Paula Jai Parker...
- 1/13/2021
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
It’s hard not to feel bittersweet when watching “Sylvie’s Love,” the Eugene Ashe-directed romantic drama available now on Amazon Prime Video. The story is familiar: Tessa Thompson plays the titled heroine living in 1950s Harlem, torn between following societal expectations, living her dreams of being a television producer, or maintaining a relationship with a talented jazz musician (played by Nnamdi Asomugha). However, to watch its fully lived-in and elegant creation of the 1950s is to imagine it existing in the time period it’s set. Had Hollywood been more inclusive, this could have been a starring vehicle for Dorothy Dandridge.
Thompson herself is often compared to the great Black actresses of the past: Diahann Carroll, Lena Horne, and the aforementioned Dandridge. But in talking to Thompson she’s shocked to hear it. “This is the first time I’m hearing this,” she laughingly toldIndieWire. “I’m flattered; I...
Thompson herself is often compared to the great Black actresses of the past: Diahann Carroll, Lena Horne, and the aforementioned Dandridge. But in talking to Thompson she’s shocked to hear it. “This is the first time I’m hearing this,” she laughingly toldIndieWire. “I’m flattered; I...
- 12/23/2020
- by Kristen Lopez
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Director, writer and producer Tina Mabry is the latest to sign to M88 for full-service representation. This marks the reteaming of Mabry and Gaby Mena, who was her longtime agent at Paradigm before he left to join M88.
Mabry is known for directing and writing the critically acclaimed 2009 film Mississippi Damned starring Tessa Thompson. Additionally, she was on the writing team for Fox’s adaptation of Angie Thomas’ book The Hate U Give directed by George Tillman Jr. Mabry is currently attached to direct the adaptation of the Edward Kelsey Moore’s New York Times bestseller The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat at Searchlight.
On the TV side, Mabry directed the Beast Mode pilot for MacRo/TNT and was also a writer and producer on Fox’s Proven Innocent. Her episodic directing credits also include Insecure, Dear White People, Pose and Grand Army. In 2017, Mabry won the DGA Award...
Mabry is known for directing and writing the critically acclaimed 2009 film Mississippi Damned starring Tessa Thompson. Additionally, she was on the writing team for Fox’s adaptation of Angie Thomas’ book The Hate U Give directed by George Tillman Jr. Mabry is currently attached to direct the adaptation of the Edward Kelsey Moore’s New York Times bestseller The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat at Searchlight.
On the TV side, Mabry directed the Beast Mode pilot for MacRo/TNT and was also a writer and producer on Fox’s Proven Innocent. Her episodic directing credits also include Insecure, Dear White People, Pose and Grand Army. In 2017, Mabry won the DGA Award...
- 12/2/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Tina Mabry and Gina Prince-Bythewood are set to adapt the NY Times best-selling novel “The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat.” Mabry will direct the film for Searchlight Pictures, from an original script by Prince-Bythewood.
The film adaptation of Edward Kelsey Moore’s debut “Supremes” novel follows best friends Odette, Barbara Jean and Clarice, who consider Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat diner a “home away from home” in their Indiana town. According to a synopsis, the trio (known as “The Supremes”) has “weathered life’s storms together for decades through marriage and children, happiness and the blues. Now, they will have to rely on their strong bond to survive their most challenging year yet as race, heartbreak and illness stir up the past and threaten to destroy their friendship.”
Temple Hill will produce the film, with Searchlight’s Senior Vice President of Production DanTram Nguyen, Director of Production Zahra Phillips and Manager Apolline Berty...
The film adaptation of Edward Kelsey Moore’s debut “Supremes” novel follows best friends Odette, Barbara Jean and Clarice, who consider Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat diner a “home away from home” in their Indiana town. According to a synopsis, the trio (known as “The Supremes”) has “weathered life’s storms together for decades through marriage and children, happiness and the blues. Now, they will have to rely on their strong bond to survive their most challenging year yet as race, heartbreak and illness stir up the past and threaten to destroy their friendship.”
Temple Hill will produce the film, with Searchlight’s Senior Vice President of Production DanTram Nguyen, Director of Production Zahra Phillips and Manager Apolline Berty...
- 12/1/2020
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Ghetto Film School, in partnership with Madison Wells, is launching the Ghetto Film School Melissa Rucker Fund for young filmmakers.
The fund honors Rucker, the former producer and development executive at Madison Wells who was committed to inclusivity in the industry. Rucker passed away late last year after nurturing the careers and stories of playwrights Minhal Baig and Molly Smith Metzler, directors Haifaa al-Mansour and Tina Mabry, novelist Emma Straub and several others. She’s credited with advocating for new talent, especially creatives from underrepresented backgrounds.
The organizations will hold the first-ever New Voices: The Melissa Rucker Conversations on Thursday to raise money for the Ghetto Film School Melissa Rucker Fellows Fund. Madison Wells’ founder Gigi Pritzker will moderate with writer-artist Ricardo Gamboa, Karen Horne (WarnerMedia) and Rishi Rajani (Hillman Grad Productions) as they discuss ways to support and encourage young filmmakers. Access to the panel is invitation only.
The...
The fund honors Rucker, the former producer and development executive at Madison Wells who was committed to inclusivity in the industry. Rucker passed away late last year after nurturing the careers and stories of playwrights Minhal Baig and Molly Smith Metzler, directors Haifaa al-Mansour and Tina Mabry, novelist Emma Straub and several others. She’s credited with advocating for new talent, especially creatives from underrepresented backgrounds.
The organizations will hold the first-ever New Voices: The Melissa Rucker Conversations on Thursday to raise money for the Ghetto Film School Melissa Rucker Fellows Fund. Madison Wells’ founder Gigi Pritzker will moderate with writer-artist Ricardo Gamboa, Karen Horne (WarnerMedia) and Rishi Rajani (Hillman Grad Productions) as they discuss ways to support and encourage young filmmakers. Access to the panel is invitation only.
The...
- 11/18/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
This ranking of the Top 50 film schools of 2020 first appeared in TheWrap’s fifth annual College Issue.
The American Film Institute Conservatory finished as the top film school in the U.S. in TheWrap’s fifth annual ranking of programs, just ahead of previous No. 1, USC. And while the Top 10 remained fairly consistent from past years, three schools — AFI, Chapman and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts — posted their highest-ever finishes. Meanwhile, Biola University returned to the list after dropping off last year, and Pepperdine made it into our rankings for the first time.
The Wrap’s annual ranking of film schools was determined by an anonymous poll of more than 2,000 entertainment industry insiders, educators, deans, filmmakers and film pundits, along with experts tasked with evaluating each school.
Yes, the list compares apples and oranges, mixing undergraduate and graduate programs and including schools with more than 1,000 students...
The American Film Institute Conservatory finished as the top film school in the U.S. in TheWrap’s fifth annual ranking of programs, just ahead of previous No. 1, USC. And while the Top 10 remained fairly consistent from past years, three schools — AFI, Chapman and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts — posted their highest-ever finishes. Meanwhile, Biola University returned to the list after dropping off last year, and Pepperdine made it into our rankings for the first time.
The Wrap’s annual ranking of film schools was determined by an anonymous poll of more than 2,000 entertainment industry insiders, educators, deans, filmmakers and film pundits, along with experts tasked with evaluating each school.
Yes, the list compares apples and oranges, mixing undergraduate and graduate programs and including schools with more than 1,000 students...
- 10/16/2020
- by Victoria Ellison
- The Wrap
While many networks are starting to exhaust their scripted offerings, Netflix continues to have a lot to offer.
The latest offering comes from playwright Katie Cappiello.
Grand Army is a gritty young adult drama debuting October 16th on the streamer.
The series "tunnels into a generation that’s raging and rising. Five students at the largest public high school in Brooklyn take on our chaotic world as they fight to succeed, survive, wild out, break free and seize the future," according to Netflix.
9 episodes comprise the first season, with So Yong Kim, Darnell Martin, Tina Mabry, Silas Howard, and Clement Virgo on board to bring the project to life.
Executive Producers include Katie Cappiello, Josh Donen, Nicolette Donen, Elizabeth Kling, Beau Willimon, and Jordan Tappis.
The expansive cast includes Odessa A'zion as Joey Del Marco, Odley Jean as Dominique (Dom) Pierre, Maliq Johnson as Jayson Jackson, Amalia Yoo as Leila Kwan Zimmer,...
The latest offering comes from playwright Katie Cappiello.
Grand Army is a gritty young adult drama debuting October 16th on the streamer.
The series "tunnels into a generation that’s raging and rising. Five students at the largest public high school in Brooklyn take on our chaotic world as they fight to succeed, survive, wild out, break free and seize the future," according to Netflix.
9 episodes comprise the first season, with So Yong Kim, Darnell Martin, Tina Mabry, Silas Howard, and Clement Virgo on board to bring the project to life.
Executive Producers include Katie Cappiello, Josh Donen, Nicolette Donen, Elizabeth Kling, Beau Willimon, and Jordan Tappis.
The expansive cast includes Odessa A'zion as Joey Del Marco, Odley Jean as Dominique (Dom) Pierre, Maliq Johnson as Jayson Jackson, Amalia Yoo as Leila Kwan Zimmer,...
- 9/2/2020
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Netflix has released the first look at Grand Army, an upcoming young adult drama that debuts October 16th on the streaming platform.
Set at the fictional Grand Army High, the largest public high school in Brooklyn, the show follows five high school students as they struggle with the challenges of growing up in an ever-changing world. Grand Army is based off of Slut, Katie Cappiello’s 2013 play that reckons with teenage sexual assault; as seen in the trailer, the show expands the play’s themes to include issues of racial justice,...
Set at the fictional Grand Army High, the largest public high school in Brooklyn, the show follows five high school students as they struggle with the challenges of growing up in an ever-changing world. Grand Army is based off of Slut, Katie Cappiello’s 2013 play that reckons with teenage sexual assault; as seen in the trailer, the show expands the play’s themes to include issues of racial justice,...
- 9/2/2020
- by Claire Shaffer
- Rollingstone.com
‘Thor’, Man In Black: International and Westworld star Thompson has signed with Wme for representation.
Thomson plays Charlotte Hale on Westworld, now in its third season on HBO. In TV, she also is known for her previous roles as Jackie Cook on Veronica Mars and as Sara Freeman in BBC America’s Copper.
More from DeadlineUTA Makes "Immediate & Painful" Pay Cuts As Coronavirus Hobbles HollywoodTough Talk In Wme Partners Call As Agency Prepares For Prolonged Hard Times In Coronavirus Shutdown'Booksmart's Nico Hiraga Inks With Wme
Thompson’s breakthrough film role came in Tina Mabry’s 2009 indie Mississippi Damned. She went on to co-star as civil rights activist Diane Nash in Selma, portrayed Erica in Creed and its sequel Creed II, and played role of Valkyrie in Marvel films Thor: Ragnarok and Avengers: Endgame. She is set to reprise her role in Thor: Love and Thunder, set for release in 2021.
Thomson...
Thomson plays Charlotte Hale on Westworld, now in its third season on HBO. In TV, she also is known for her previous roles as Jackie Cook on Veronica Mars and as Sara Freeman in BBC America’s Copper.
More from DeadlineUTA Makes "Immediate & Painful" Pay Cuts As Coronavirus Hobbles HollywoodTough Talk In Wme Partners Call As Agency Prepares For Prolonged Hard Times In Coronavirus Shutdown'Booksmart's Nico Hiraga Inks With Wme
Thompson’s breakthrough film role came in Tina Mabry’s 2009 indie Mississippi Damned. She went on to co-star as civil rights activist Diane Nash in Selma, portrayed Erica in Creed and its sequel Creed II, and played role of Valkyrie in Marvel films Thor: Ragnarok and Avengers: Endgame. She is set to reprise her role in Thor: Love and Thunder, set for release in 2021.
Thomson...
- 3/28/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
The conversation was lively at the Directing for Television: Women Calling the Shots panel hosted by the Television Academy Foundation on Monday, with four successful female TV directors speaking candidly about the industry and their place in it. The discussion took place as part of the foundation’s Faculty Seminar: The Conference event, during which media educators from around the country gathered for the opportunity to better educate TV’s next generation of content creators and industry leaders.
“I really thought I knew [what I was doing],” Anya Adams said of her first time directing an episode. “I was the first Ad, so I was right up there in everything,” she continued, “but the politics that the director has to go through with producers and actors is something you can only experience if you’re in that position.” Adams’ credits include episodes of ABC’s “Speechless” and “Fresh Off the Boat,” among others.
But...
“I really thought I knew [what I was doing],” Anya Adams said of her first time directing an episode. “I was the first Ad, so I was right up there in everything,” she continued, “but the politics that the director has to go through with producers and actors is something you can only experience if you’re in that position.” Adams’ credits include episodes of ABC’s “Speechless” and “Fresh Off the Boat,” among others.
But...
- 11/7/2019
- by Libby Hill
- Indiewire
A group of A-list producers and executives are combating Hollywood gender inequality in a pledge to mentor women directors in the middle of their careers. That’s a time when, at least one prominent study suggests, they disappear from show business entirely.
ReFrame Rise, an initiative of ReFrame, the parity organization run by Women in Film and Sundance Institute, is a pilot program that will pair eight female directors with advisers who will identify job opportunities, refine creative pitches and sharpen participants’ business acumen.
Sue Kroll, Stephanie Allain, Michael De Luca, Poppy Hanks, Paul Feig, and Bruna Papandrea are among the first round of sponsors committing to a minimum of two years of work with their assigned directors.
Executives on board include TriStar Pictures president Hannah Minghella, Amazon Studios film co-head Matt Newman, HBO executive vice president of programming Francesca Orsi, Netflix director of original independent film Christina Rogers and...
ReFrame Rise, an initiative of ReFrame, the parity organization run by Women in Film and Sundance Institute, is a pilot program that will pair eight female directors with advisers who will identify job opportunities, refine creative pitches and sharpen participants’ business acumen.
Sue Kroll, Stephanie Allain, Michael De Luca, Poppy Hanks, Paul Feig, and Bruna Papandrea are among the first round of sponsors committing to a minimum of two years of work with their assigned directors.
Executives on board include TriStar Pictures president Hannah Minghella, Amazon Studios film co-head Matt Newman, HBO executive vice president of programming Francesca Orsi, Netflix director of original independent film Christina Rogers and...
- 10/8/2019
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Reframe Rise — Career Acceleration Leads to Commerical Features and High Profile TV for Female DirectorsThe Inaugural Class of ReFrame Rise Directors Announced at the 2019 Women In Film Annual Gala in June.
Hulu Signs on as ReFrame Rise Co-Sponsor
ReFrame™, a collaborative initiative of Women I Film La and Sundance Institute, announced the inaugural class of ReFrame Rise™ directors at the 2019 Women In Film Annual Gala on June 12 at The Beverly Hilton Hotel. The inaugural class of ReFrame Rise directors include Desiree Akhavan, Haifaa al-Mansour, Patricia Cardoso, Hanelle Culpepper, Sydney Freeland, Zetna Fuentes, Tina Mabry and Meera Menon.
ReFrame Rise is a comprehensive and customized 2-year sponsorship that provides endorsement and support to accelerate high-level sustainable careers for experienced female directors who are poised to lead studio and independent features, pilots, and episodic television across all platforms.
During the Women In Film Annual Gala, actor, director, and producer, Kyra Sedgwick, introduced...
Hulu Signs on as ReFrame Rise Co-Sponsor
ReFrame™, a collaborative initiative of Women I Film La and Sundance Institute, announced the inaugural class of ReFrame Rise™ directors at the 2019 Women In Film Annual Gala on June 12 at The Beverly Hilton Hotel. The inaugural class of ReFrame Rise directors include Desiree Akhavan, Haifaa al-Mansour, Patricia Cardoso, Hanelle Culpepper, Sydney Freeland, Zetna Fuentes, Tina Mabry and Meera Menon.
ReFrame Rise is a comprehensive and customized 2-year sponsorship that provides endorsement and support to accelerate high-level sustainable careers for experienced female directors who are poised to lead studio and independent features, pilots, and episodic television across all platforms.
During the Women In Film Annual Gala, actor, director, and producer, Kyra Sedgwick, introduced...
- 8/13/2019
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Emmy-winning “RuPaul’s Drag Race” host and media superstar RuPaul is a trove of pop culture knowledge. “Everything I know I learned from TV,” he recently told Variety‘s “My Favorite Episode” podcast. “I love TV so much.”
RuPaul’s current TV diet is a mix of new shows like the second season of “Big Little Lies,” and classics like “Mission Impossible.” But when asked to choose a favorite TV episode of all time, RuPaul immediately gravitated to one from “The Golden Girls.”
“The writing on ‘The Golden Girls’ is so brilliant,” he said. Added his longtime friend and “Drag Race” partner Michelle Visage: “The jokes still hold up. ‘The Golden Girls,’ even though some of the stuff would be considered off color today, it still makes you laugh every single time, just like ‘All in the Family.'”
On this edition of the podcast, we talk to RuPaul...
RuPaul’s current TV diet is a mix of new shows like the second season of “Big Little Lies,” and classics like “Mission Impossible.” But when asked to choose a favorite TV episode of all time, RuPaul immediately gravitated to one from “The Golden Girls.”
“The writing on ‘The Golden Girls’ is so brilliant,” he said. Added his longtime friend and “Drag Race” partner Michelle Visage: “The jokes still hold up. ‘The Golden Girls,’ even though some of the stuff would be considered off color today, it still makes you laugh every single time, just like ‘All in the Family.'”
On this edition of the podcast, we talk to RuPaul...
- 8/12/2019
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
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