Exclusive: Dulé Hill and Sarayu Blue are set for key recurring roles opposite Ellen Pompeo and Mark Duplass in Orphan (working title), Hulu‘s eight episode limited series starring and executive produced by Pompeo.
Written by Katie Robbins, the drama series is inspired by the true story of a Midwestern couple, Michael and Kristine Barnett, played by Duplass and Pompeo, who adopt a girl with a rare form of dwarfism. But as they begin to raise her alongside their three biological children, questions emerge around her age and background, and they slowly start to suspect she may not be who she says she is. As they grow to believe their new daughter is a threat, she fights her own battle to confront her past and what her future holds, in a showdown that ultimately plays out in the tabloids and the courtroom.
Hill plays Brandon Drysdale, the detective investigating the...
Written by Katie Robbins, the drama series is inspired by the true story of a Midwestern couple, Michael and Kristine Barnett, played by Duplass and Pompeo, who adopt a girl with a rare form of dwarfism. But as they begin to raise her alongside their three biological children, questions emerge around her age and background, and they slowly start to suspect she may not be who she says she is. As they grow to believe their new daughter is a threat, she fights her own battle to confront her past and what her future holds, in a showdown that ultimately plays out in the tabloids and the courtroom.
Hill plays Brandon Drysdale, the detective investigating the...
- 4/22/2024
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
It seems unnecessary to say about one of the top three podcast publishers, but “Wondery Means Business” is the name of the first of six innovative marketing campaigns being pushed out by the Amazon company this year. Not that anybody doubts it. With 220 active shows, 72 million streams and more than 55 pods reaching No. 1 on Apple Podcasts, the studio known for such binge-worthy hits as Dr. Death and SmartLess is taking a new approach to its programming starting April 1, strategically timing the rollout of its most popular genres. “We are by no means abandoning the concept of one-show marketing,” says Bladimiar Norman, Wondery’s inventive head of global marketing. He adds he’ll be applying the tenets of his box office experience from working on franchises like Mission: Impossible and Star Trek to the audio business: “The primary goal here is to connect our IP to audiences and create fandom through experiences and moments.
- 3/27/2024
- by Brande Victorian
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: After seeing his Amazon MGM romantic drama The Idea of You debut to glowing reviews on the closing night of SXSW, Michael Showalter has been set to reteam with the studio on Oh. What. Fun, a holiday comedy to star Golden Globe winner and Academy Award nominee Michelle Pfeiffer (French Exit).
In the film, Pfeiffer plays Claire Clauster, who organizes a special Christmas outing when her family forgets her in the shuffle. By the time they realize their mistake, she’s gone missing. Their Christmas is in jeopardy, but Claire has other plans.
Written by Showalter and Chandler Baker, the film is based on a short story from the latter that was originally published by Amazon Original Stories. Producers on the project include Showalter and Jordana Mollick via Semi-Formal Productions, as well as Tribeca Productions’ Berry Welsh & Jane Rosenthal (The Irishman), and...
In the film, Pfeiffer plays Claire Clauster, who organizes a special Christmas outing when her family forgets her in the shuffle. By the time they realize their mistake, she’s gone missing. Their Christmas is in jeopardy, but Claire has other plans.
Written by Showalter and Chandler Baker, the film is based on a short story from the latter that was originally published by Amazon Original Stories. Producers on the project include Showalter and Jordana Mollick via Semi-Formal Productions, as well as Tribeca Productions’ Berry Welsh & Jane Rosenthal (The Irishman), and...
- 3/18/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
A24 has struck a deal with UTA to produce scripted and unscripted television via the latter’s Civic Center Media banner.
The deal will see Civic Center Media given resources for development and production via A24, which is behind series such as Netflix’s Beef and HBO’s Euphoria.
UTA launched Civic Center Media in 2018 and is behind series such as Amazon’s The Terminal List, starring Chris Pratt, which is in pre-production on its second season along with a prequel series starring Taylor Kitsch, as well as Hulu’s The Great and Apple’s The Shrink Next Door.
The series were produced with MRC.
The deal will see the UTA and Civic Center produce scripted television as well as unscripted and documentary series.
UTA stressed that Civic Center Media will work with talent from all agencies and UTA will continue to work with all studios, with A24 similarly continuing to work with all agencies.
The deal will see Civic Center Media given resources for development and production via A24, which is behind series such as Netflix’s Beef and HBO’s Euphoria.
UTA launched Civic Center Media in 2018 and is behind series such as Amazon’s The Terminal List, starring Chris Pratt, which is in pre-production on its second season along with a prequel series starring Taylor Kitsch, as well as Hulu’s The Great and Apple’s The Shrink Next Door.
The series were produced with MRC.
The deal will see the UTA and Civic Center produce scripted television as well as unscripted and documentary series.
UTA stressed that Civic Center Media will work with talent from all agencies and UTA will continue to work with all studios, with A24 similarly continuing to work with all agencies.
- 1/29/2024
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Melissa Moore’s autobiography Shattered Silence inspired the podcast Happy Face, and now the podcast is getting a Paramount+ streaming series adaptation! Annaleigh Ashford – whose credits include B Positive, American Crime Story, and Masters of Sex – has signed on to star in the series, with Michael Showalter on board to direct the first episode.
I mainly know Showalter from an actor in projects like The State and Wet Hot American Summer, but his TV directing credits include episodes of Search Party, Love, Grace and Frankie, In the Dark, The Shrink Next Door, The Dropout, and I Love That for You. He has also directed the feature films Spoiler Alert, The Eyes of Tammy Faye, The Lovebirds, The Big Sick; Hello, My Name Is Doris; and The Baxter.
Happy Face will see Ashford taking on the role of Melissa, who at age 15, discovered that her beloved father was the prolific serial killer known as “Happy Face.
I mainly know Showalter from an actor in projects like The State and Wet Hot American Summer, but his TV directing credits include episodes of Search Party, Love, Grace and Frankie, In the Dark, The Shrink Next Door, The Dropout, and I Love That for You. He has also directed the feature films Spoiler Alert, The Eyes of Tammy Faye, The Lovebirds, The Big Sick; Hello, My Name Is Doris; and The Baxter.
Happy Face will see Ashford taking on the role of Melissa, who at age 15, discovered that her beloved father was the prolific serial killer known as “Happy Face.
- 1/8/2024
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
The critically acclaimed original true-crime series from Wondery, Dr. Death, will return in December with a new story of a doctor who deceived both the medical establishment and the patients who put their lives in his hands. In the fourth installment, Dr. Death: Bad Magic host Laura Beil returns to tell the story of Serhat Gumrukcu, a charismatic medic who said he was on the brink of curing some of the world’s deadliest diseases—all while hiding secrets about his criminal past. The fourth season will be available on Wondery+ starting December 4, and will be available on Amazon Music and everywhere you get your podcasts starting January 22.
Serhat Gumrukcu was acclaimed as a genius after his research promised groundbreaking treatments for the terminally ill. Excitement about the breakthrough made him rich—his biotech company reached a value of half a billion dollars. Meanwhile, Gumrukcu led a charmed life in Los Angeles,...
Serhat Gumrukcu was acclaimed as a genius after his research promised groundbreaking treatments for the terminally ill. Excitement about the breakthrough made him rich—his biotech company reached a value of half a billion dollars. Meanwhile, Gumrukcu led a charmed life in Los Angeles,...
- 11/27/2023
- Podnews.net
A giant in the world of podcasting needs a “sonic signature.”
So when the prolific publisher Wondery decided it was time to brand its product by establishing an unforgettable signature, its leaders hired the creative-design firm, Made Music, behind the iconic static-screen clip that opens every HBO show. Wondery CEO Jen Sargent recalls that the branding exercise in 2018 helped the company fine-tune its vision of what Wondery podcasts should deliver to listeners.
“Imagine six or seven of us sitting in a room and asking ourselves, ‘Does this sound like wonder to you? Does this sound like wondering?’” recalls Sargent.
The efforts proved to be time well spent. Since Wondery’s launch in early 2016, podcasting as a medium has seen its listener base skyrocket. Wondery has blossomed into one of the largest producers of popular, recurring podcast series including “SmartLess,” a freewheeling conversation hosted by actors Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett.
So when the prolific publisher Wondery decided it was time to brand its product by establishing an unforgettable signature, its leaders hired the creative-design firm, Made Music, behind the iconic static-screen clip that opens every HBO show. Wondery CEO Jen Sargent recalls that the branding exercise in 2018 helped the company fine-tune its vision of what Wondery podcasts should deliver to listeners.
“Imagine six or seven of us sitting in a room and asking ourselves, ‘Does this sound like wonder to you? Does this sound like wondering?’” recalls Sargent.
The efforts proved to be time well spent. Since Wondery’s launch in early 2016, podcasting as a medium has seen its listener base skyrocket. Wondery has blossomed into one of the largest producers of popular, recurring podcast series including “SmartLess,” a freewheeling conversation hosted by actors Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett.
- 10/25/2023
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
A24 has won yet another major bidding war.
This time, the indie studio outbid stiff competition for the rights to turn true-crime podcast The Girlfriends, from iHeartPodcasts and Novel, into a television series. The weekly podcast, which launched in the summer, tells the real-life story of a group of women who band together to put a murderous ex behind bars. And though details of the TV version are being kept under wraps, Michael Showalter and his Semi-Formal Productions are already attached.
Showalter, who’s on a hot streak with a string of recent successes across TV (The Dropout) and film (The Eyes of Tammy Faye), is set to direct, with Semi-Formal partner Jordana Mollick executive producing. She’ll be joined by fellow EPs Conal Byrne, Will Pearson and Carrie Lieberman of iHeartPodcasts, and Julia Bromberg and Neil Krishnan of Novel.
The news comes as the broader IP market has only...
This time, the indie studio outbid stiff competition for the rights to turn true-crime podcast The Girlfriends, from iHeartPodcasts and Novel, into a television series. The weekly podcast, which launched in the summer, tells the real-life story of a group of women who band together to put a murderous ex behind bars. And though details of the TV version are being kept under wraps, Michael Showalter and his Semi-Formal Productions are already attached.
Showalter, who’s on a hot streak with a string of recent successes across TV (The Dropout) and film (The Eyes of Tammy Faye), is set to direct, with Semi-Formal partner Jordana Mollick executive producing. She’ll be joined by fellow EPs Conal Byrne, Will Pearson and Carrie Lieberman of iHeartPodcasts, and Julia Bromberg and Neil Krishnan of Novel.
The news comes as the broader IP market has only...
- 10/23/2023
- by Lacey Rose and Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Canada’s Waterside Studios, pod network Curiouscast and UK-based podcast producer Blanchard House are teaming up.
Waterside and Curiouscast have signed a multi-podcast deal with Blanchard House and the agreement will comprise for podcast titles that will be adapted for TV after their audio launches.
The first from the pact is Black and Blue: Behind the Badge, a true crime podcast centering around the experiences of Black officers in what one of them calls “the biggest gang in America”: law enforcement.
Presented by journalist Seren Jones, it follows the story of Michael Morrison. Synposis reads: “After joining the police force to serve and protect, he faces racism, violence and hostility. Michael’s life in policing will make him question everything he thought he knew about justice, community, and himself. This is a story about being torn in two. Torn between being a police officer and being Black. Can...
Waterside and Curiouscast have signed a multi-podcast deal with Blanchard House and the agreement will comprise for podcast titles that will be adapted for TV after their audio launches.
The first from the pact is Black and Blue: Behind the Badge, a true crime podcast centering around the experiences of Black officers in what one of them calls “the biggest gang in America”: law enforcement.
Presented by journalist Seren Jones, it follows the story of Michael Morrison. Synposis reads: “After joining the police force to serve and protect, he faces racism, violence and hostility. Michael’s life in policing will make him question everything he thought he knew about justice, community, and himself. This is a story about being torn in two. Torn between being a police officer and being Black. Can...
- 9/20/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
“Only Murders in the Building” Season 3 contains a cast of heavy hitters joining the staple trio of Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez. Each addition drives this season’s murder mystery, particularly Paul Rudd’s Ben Glenroy, whose second and certain death earns him consideration on the murder podcast.
Also entering the puzzle this season is Meryl Streep as aspiring actress Loretta Durkin, who auditions and gets cast in the role of The Nanny by Oliver himself in his new play. All her life she has been waiting to hear the words he says to her after she finishes her monologue. Ben Glenroy brings some interesting people along with him — mainly his manager and adopted brother Dickey (Jeremy Shamos) and his cameraman Tobert (Jesse Williams). Kimber (Ashley Park) acts in the play as well.
Here’s a complete “Only Murders in the Building” Season 3 cast and character guide:
Steve...
Also entering the puzzle this season is Meryl Streep as aspiring actress Loretta Durkin, who auditions and gets cast in the role of The Nanny by Oliver himself in his new play. All her life she has been waiting to hear the words he says to her after she finishes her monologue. Ben Glenroy brings some interesting people along with him — mainly his manager and adopted brother Dickey (Jeremy Shamos) and his cameraman Tobert (Jesse Williams). Kimber (Ashley Park) acts in the play as well.
Here’s a complete “Only Murders in the Building” Season 3 cast and character guide:
Steve...
- 8/9/2023
- by Dessi Gomez
- The Wrap
News
Top BBC news anchor Yalda Hakim has jumped ship to Comcast-owned Sky. She is set to join Sky News as lead world news presenter. Her start date has not yet been confirmed.
At the BBC Hakim is a chief anchor for BBC News where she also hosts “The Daily Global with Yalda Hakim.” At Sky News she will host a new prime-time show focused on international news.
“I am honored and excited to be joining Sky News as lead world news presenter,” said Hakim. “I have long admired Sky for its smart, fearless and world-class reporting. At a time when global media must work harder than ever to earn the confidence of our viewers, I look forward to giving my all as part of one of the most talented and accomplished news teams anywhere.”
David Rhodes, executive chair of Sky News Group, said: “We’re so excited to...
Top BBC news anchor Yalda Hakim has jumped ship to Comcast-owned Sky. She is set to join Sky News as lead world news presenter. Her start date has not yet been confirmed.
At the BBC Hakim is a chief anchor for BBC News where she also hosts “The Daily Global with Yalda Hakim.” At Sky News she will host a new prime-time show focused on international news.
“I am honored and excited to be joining Sky News as lead world news presenter,” said Hakim. “I have long admired Sky for its smart, fearless and world-class reporting. At a time when global media must work harder than ever to earn the confidence of our viewers, I look forward to giving my all as part of one of the most talented and accomplished news teams anywhere.”
David Rhodes, executive chair of Sky News Group, said: “We’re so excited to...
- 7/27/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Will Ferrell is in huddling to star as the NFL’s John Madden in Madden, a theatrical feature to be directed for Amazon/MGM by five-time Oscar nominee David O. Russell (American Hustle), multiple sources tell Deadline.
Amazon had no comment.
The project has been percolating for some time. It is based on a Black List script by Cambron Clark, and Russell had been doing a rewrite when everything stopped with the writer’s strike.
A Prime Video Sports Original, Madden tells the story of one of the larger-than-life personalities to grace an NFL sideline. All Madden ever wanted was to be a head coach and he was one of the best ever. After winning the Super Bowl, the stress of the job began to destroy him. It forced him away from his dream job, and the film focuses on his friendship with Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis, and...
Amazon had no comment.
The project has been percolating for some time. It is based on a Black List script by Cambron Clark, and Russell had been doing a rewrite when everything stopped with the writer’s strike.
A Prime Video Sports Original, Madden tells the story of one of the larger-than-life personalities to grace an NFL sideline. All Madden ever wanted was to be a head coach and he was one of the best ever. After winning the Super Bowl, the stress of the job began to destroy him. It forced him away from his dream job, and the film focuses on his friendship with Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis, and...
- 5/26/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
From Wondery and Bloomberg – the creators behind the award-winning The Shrink Next Door – comes the new six-episode podcast Spellcaster: The Fall of Sam Bankman-Fried, launching May 22. Hosted by Bloomberg crypto and tech reporter Hannah Miller, Spellcaster: The Fall of Sam Bankman-Fried takes listeners on the unbelievable ride of young crypto billionaire Sam Bankman-Fried, who quickly gained fame and fortune from celebrities and world leaders before his business empire came crashing down. The first two episodes will debut on May 22 on Wondery+ and the Bloomberg Terminal, and will be available on Amazon Music and everywhere you get your podcasts starting June 5, with new episodes released weekly on Mondays. Prime members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music starting June 5.
With a promise to change the world, Sam Bankman-Fried created Ftx and set up the crypto exchange to be unconventionally run by himself and his college friends. What could go wrong? Through Ftx,...
With a promise to change the world, Sam Bankman-Fried created Ftx and set up the crypto exchange to be unconventionally run by himself and his college friends. What could go wrong? Through Ftx,...
- 5/11/2023
- Podnews.net
Exclusive: Amy Adams (Arrival), Paul Rudd (Ant-Man franchise) and Tessa Thompson (Creed franchise) have closed deals to star in The Invite, a comedy based on Cesc Gay’s Goya-winning 2020 Spanish film Sentimental, to be directed for FilmNation Entertainment and Permut Presentations by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, multiple sources tell Deadline.
FilmNation had no comment.
The film tells the story of Joe (Rudd) and Angela (Adams), who after 15 years of marriage, find that their relationship is in a rut. Desperate to have a conversation that isn’t focused on their marital woes, Angela invites their boisterous neighbors, Kayla (Thompson) and Shane, over for cocktails. Joe, irritated at having to engage with this disruptive couple, plans to use the occasion to confront them; however, both he and Angela get far more than they bargained for as sparks fly and they discover Shane and...
FilmNation had no comment.
The film tells the story of Joe (Rudd) and Angela (Adams), who after 15 years of marriage, find that their relationship is in a rut. Desperate to have a conversation that isn’t focused on their marital woes, Angela invites their boisterous neighbors, Kayla (Thompson) and Shane, over for cocktails. Joe, irritated at having to engage with this disruptive couple, plans to use the occasion to confront them; however, both he and Angela get far more than they bargained for as sparks fly and they discover Shane and...
- 5/4/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Gloria Sanchez Productions has promoted Alex Brown to Head of Film and hired Alix Taylor as Head of Television.
The L.A. based-pair will now oversee all development and production for the company, across film and television, reporting to principals Will Ferrell and Jessica Elbaum.
Brown comes to her new role following three years as a feature producer for Gloria Sanchez. Among her most recent credits as an exec producer for the company is the improvisational ensemble comedy Theater Camp, starring Molly Gordon, Ben Platt and Noah Galvin, which was acquired by Searchlight Pictures out of this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Gordon and Nick Lieberman directed the title, based on a same-name 2020 short, from their script written with Platt and Galvin.
Other recent credits for Brown as an EP include an Untitled Sister Comedy, starring Sandra Oh and Awkwafina, for Hulu; Todd Haynes’ May December, starring Natalie Portman...
The L.A. based-pair will now oversee all development and production for the company, across film and television, reporting to principals Will Ferrell and Jessica Elbaum.
Brown comes to her new role following three years as a feature producer for Gloria Sanchez. Among her most recent credits as an exec producer for the company is the improvisational ensemble comedy Theater Camp, starring Molly Gordon, Ben Platt and Noah Galvin, which was acquired by Searchlight Pictures out of this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Gordon and Nick Lieberman directed the title, based on a same-name 2020 short, from their script written with Platt and Galvin.
Other recent credits for Brown as an EP include an Untitled Sister Comedy, starring Sandra Oh and Awkwafina, for Hulu; Todd Haynes’ May December, starring Natalie Portman...
- 5/2/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: In what is shaping up to become one of the biggest TV comedy packages to hit the marketplace in awhile, Will Ferrell & Jessica Elbaum’s Gloria Sanchez Productions and Rian Johnson & Ram Bergman’s T-Street have teamed up to develop a comedy TV series as a starring vehicle for Ferrell, I have learned.
No one would comment but I hear the series revolves around a professional golfer who becomes the face of a controversial new league competing with the PGA.
While fictional, the story would inevitably draw parallels to the controversial Liv Golf startup. It also evokes one of Ferrell’s signature movies, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. The series is in a similar tone, I hear, bringing Ferrell back to the sports arena he also explored in Blades of Glory and Semi-Pro.
Ferrell and Elbaum executive produce for Gloria Sanchez; Johnson and Bergman executive produce alongside...
No one would comment but I hear the series revolves around a professional golfer who becomes the face of a controversial new league competing with the PGA.
While fictional, the story would inevitably draw parallels to the controversial Liv Golf startup. It also evokes one of Ferrell’s signature movies, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. The series is in a similar tone, I hear, bringing Ferrell back to the sports arena he also explored in Blades of Glory and Semi-Pro.
Ferrell and Elbaum executive produce for Gloria Sanchez; Johnson and Bergman executive produce alongside...
- 4/19/2023
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
The Late Late Show with James Corden has set its guests for its final broadcast. Harry Styles and Will Ferrell will take a seat on the couch joining Corden for the show’s last episode on Thursday, April 27, wrapping up the CBS late-night series’ eight-year run.
Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Tom Cruise, Josh Gad, Jennifer Garner, Brett Goldstein, Kate Hudson, Allison Janney, the Kardashian family, Mila Kunis, Seth Meyers, Billy Porter and Sharon Stone are among the show’s guests joining Corden in the final weeks.
During one of Styles’ early appearances on The Late Late Show in December 2015, he lost a game of “Tattoo Roulette” and received a tattoo of the show’s logo on his arm.
Back in 2019, Ferrell performed a sketch, originally written for Styles, that was cut for time on SNL.
In it, a group of girls at the mall, played by Aidy Bryant, Cecily Strong,...
Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Tom Cruise, Josh Gad, Jennifer Garner, Brett Goldstein, Kate Hudson, Allison Janney, the Kardashian family, Mila Kunis, Seth Meyers, Billy Porter and Sharon Stone are among the show’s guests joining Corden in the final weeks.
During one of Styles’ early appearances on The Late Late Show in December 2015, he lost a game of “Tattoo Roulette” and received a tattoo of the show’s logo on his arm.
Back in 2019, Ferrell performed a sketch, originally written for Styles, that was cut for time on SNL.
In it, a group of girls at the mall, played by Aidy Bryant, Cecily Strong,...
- 4/17/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
On Wednesday night, entertainment heavyweights like Netflix co-ceo Ted Sarandos, Spotify exec Bill Simmons, and comedians and actors Tiffany Haddish and Travon Free gathered at République Los Angeles for dinner with Bloomberg Media CEO M. Scott Havens.
The dinner was a celebration of sorts for Bloomberg, which is forging a larger presence on the West Coast as it seeks growth opportunities. The company is pursuing an expansion in video content and building out a development office in L.A. to help it do so. It’s also launching a new live event based on its Screentime newsletter, betting that it can establish an event footprint in Hollywood.
The dinner was “a chance to meet a lot of the movers and shakers in the business and to say, ‘We’re here and we want to talk to you, we want you to come to our events, we want to interview you,...
The dinner was a celebration of sorts for Bloomberg, which is forging a larger presence on the West Coast as it seeks growth opportunities. The company is pursuing an expansion in video content and building out a development office in L.A. to help it do so. It’s also launching a new live event based on its Screentime newsletter, betting that it can establish an event footprint in Hollywood.
The dinner was “a chance to meet a lot of the movers and shakers in the business and to say, ‘We’re here and we want to talk to you, we want you to come to our events, we want to interview you,...
- 3/30/2023
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
ABC has placed a pilot order for Ellie Kemper’s “Drop Off” (working title).
The series serves as the American adaptation of the British comedy “Motherland.” Variety exclusively reported the adaptation news earlier this week. The show was previously set up at Hulu by Lionsgate.
“Julia (Ellie Kemper) is a working mom for whom nothing is working so she goes looking for her village. With the help of new friends Calvin and Liz, Julia discovers she just might succeed at balancing work and parenting from time to time. This is a comedy for anybody who’s dropped their kids at school, breathed a sigh of relief…then realized it’s Sunday,” reads the official logline.
Kemper executive produces alongside Sharon Horgan, Clelia Mountford, Stacy Greenberg, Kira Carstensen for Merman Television. Paul Feig, Dan Magnante through Feigco Entertainment. Holly Walsh and Helen Serafinowicz also executive produce. Michael Showalter serves as an executive producer and director.
The series serves as the American adaptation of the British comedy “Motherland.” Variety exclusively reported the adaptation news earlier this week. The show was previously set up at Hulu by Lionsgate.
“Julia (Ellie Kemper) is a working mom for whom nothing is working so she goes looking for her village. With the help of new friends Calvin and Liz, Julia discovers she just might succeed at balancing work and parenting from time to time. This is a comedy for anybody who’s dropped their kids at school, breathed a sigh of relief…then realized it’s Sunday,” reads the official logline.
Kemper executive produces alongside Sharon Horgan, Clelia Mountford, Stacy Greenberg, Kira Carstensen for Merman Television. Paul Feig, Dan Magnante through Feigco Entertainment. Holly Walsh and Helen Serafinowicz also executive produce. Michael Showalter serves as an executive producer and director.
- 3/10/2023
- by BreAnna Bell
- Variety Film + TV
Independent TV and film studio MRC has named Jenna Santoianni its president of television.
MRC CEO Scott Tenley made the announcement Tuesday morning. Santoianni will oversee MRC’s current programming, its development slate, joint ventures, production partnerships, operational unites, business, legal affairs and production finance. She is expected to begin this week.
“Jenna is an incredibly talented television executive with invaluable high-level experience and knowledge of all aspects of the industry, including development, production and packaging,” Tenley said in a press release. “With sharp creative instincts, Jenna’s strength is her commitment to fostering a collaborative internal culture along with an impressive track record for producing groundbreaking and compelling series. She is that rare entrepreneurial leader who can help deliver the successful growth of our television slate for years to come.”
Also Read:
‘Poker Face’ Renewed for Season 2 at Peacock
Santoianna, who most recently served as executive VP and head...
MRC CEO Scott Tenley made the announcement Tuesday morning. Santoianni will oversee MRC’s current programming, its development slate, joint ventures, production partnerships, operational unites, business, legal affairs and production finance. She is expected to begin this week.
“Jenna is an incredibly talented television executive with invaluable high-level experience and knowledge of all aspects of the industry, including development, production and packaging,” Tenley said in a press release. “With sharp creative instincts, Jenna’s strength is her commitment to fostering a collaborative internal culture along with an impressive track record for producing groundbreaking and compelling series. She is that rare entrepreneurial leader who can help deliver the successful growth of our television slate for years to come.”
Also Read:
‘Poker Face’ Renewed for Season 2 at Peacock
Santoianna, who most recently served as executive VP and head...
- 3/7/2023
- by Dessi Gomez
- The Wrap
Former Paramount Television Studios executive Jenna Santoianni has joined MRC as President of Television. She will replace Elise Henderson who is leaving the company after a four-year stint. The personnel change comes on the heels of Scott Tenley’s elevation to CEO as part of a new executive structure the studio announced last week, with co-founders Modi Wiczyk and Asif Satchu assuming the new roles of Chairmen. (Jonathan Golfman and Brye Adler continue as co-Presidents of Film and Amit Dey as Head of Non-Fiction.)
This marks the first executive move by Tenley and comes amid a major TV ramp-up at the indie studio over the past few years under Henderson with such series as Peacock’s breakout hit Poker Face, Hulu’s The Great, Prime Video’s The Terminal List and a recently greenlit prequel, Apple TV+’s The Shrink Next Door, Shining Girls and Hello Tomorrow!. The company also...
This marks the first executive move by Tenley and comes amid a major TV ramp-up at the indie studio over the past few years under Henderson with such series as Peacock’s breakout hit Poker Face, Hulu’s The Great, Prime Video’s The Terminal List and a recently greenlit prequel, Apple TV+’s The Shrink Next Door, Shining Girls and Hello Tomorrow!. The company also...
- 3/7/2023
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
ABC is in negotiations with Ellie Kemper (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) to headline Motherland, a comedy pilot based on the British series. Karan Soni (Deadpool franchise) has been tapped for a lead in the project, from writer Julieanne Smolinski, Sharon Horgan and Clelia Mountford’s Merman Television, Paul Feig’s Feigco Entertainment, Lionsgate and ABC Signature. Michael Showalter (The Big Sick) has come on board to direct.
Written by Smolinski, Motherland centers on Julia (the role Kemper has been in talks for over the past several weeks), a working mom for whom nothing is working so she goes looking for her village. With the help of new friends Calvin (Soni) and Liz, Julia discovers she just might succeed at balancing work and parenting from time to time. This is a comedy for anybody who’s dropped their kids at school, breathed a sigh of relief…then realized it’s Sunday.
Showalter...
Written by Smolinski, Motherland centers on Julia (the role Kemper has been in talks for over the past several weeks), a working mom for whom nothing is working so she goes looking for her village. With the help of new friends Calvin (Soni) and Liz, Julia discovers she just might succeed at balancing work and parenting from time to time. This is a comedy for anybody who’s dropped their kids at school, breathed a sigh of relief…then realized it’s Sunday.
Showalter...
- 3/6/2023
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Scott Tenley, chief business officer at entertainment studio MRC, has been promoted to CEO, the company announced Thursday.
As part of the new executive structure, MRC founders Modi Wiczyk and Asif Satchu will become chairmen.
Tenley’s elevation comes seven months after he successfully negotiated MRC’s separation from Valence Media, reconstituting the company as a premier independent film and television studio. In his new role, Tenley will oversee the studio’s film, TV and non-fiction divisions, strategic partnerships, as well as all shared service functions of the company, including finance, legal, and Hr.
“Scott Tenley has a hand in nearly every single deal, every single accomplishment at MRC over the past 16 years. He has blazed trails in almost every facet of our business, from selling ‘House of Cards’ to Netflix to setting up The Academy of Country Music Awards on Amazon Prime Video, to ever-evolving credit facilities, equity arrangements and beyond,...
As part of the new executive structure, MRC founders Modi Wiczyk and Asif Satchu will become chairmen.
Tenley’s elevation comes seven months after he successfully negotiated MRC’s separation from Valence Media, reconstituting the company as a premier independent film and television studio. In his new role, Tenley will oversee the studio’s film, TV and non-fiction divisions, strategic partnerships, as well as all shared service functions of the company, including finance, legal, and Hr.
“Scott Tenley has a hand in nearly every single deal, every single accomplishment at MRC over the past 16 years. He has blazed trails in almost every facet of our business, from selling ‘House of Cards’ to Netflix to setting up The Academy of Country Music Awards on Amazon Prime Video, to ever-evolving credit facilities, equity arrangements and beyond,...
- 3/2/2023
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety Film + TV
MRC has promoted veteran leader and current chief business officer Scott Tenley to chief executive officer, the company announced on Thursday.
Tenley’s elevation comes seven months after he successfully negotiated the company’s separation from Valence Media, reconstituting MRC as the premier independent film and television studio.
In his new role, Tenley will oversee the studio’s film, TV and non-fiction divisions, strategic partnerships, as well as all shared service functions of the company, including finance, legal and Hr.
Also Read:
‘Poker Face’ Renewed for Season 2 at Peacock
As part of the new executive structure, founders Modi Wiczyk and Asif Satchu will become Chairmen.
“Scott Tenley has a hand in nearly every single deal, every single accomplishment at MRC over the past 16 years. He has blazed trails in almost every facet of our business, from selling House of Cards to Netflix to setting up The Academy of Country Music Awards on Amazon Prime Video,...
Tenley’s elevation comes seven months after he successfully negotiated the company’s separation from Valence Media, reconstituting MRC as the premier independent film and television studio.
In his new role, Tenley will oversee the studio’s film, TV and non-fiction divisions, strategic partnerships, as well as all shared service functions of the company, including finance, legal and Hr.
Also Read:
‘Poker Face’ Renewed for Season 2 at Peacock
As part of the new executive structure, founders Modi Wiczyk and Asif Satchu will become Chairmen.
“Scott Tenley has a hand in nearly every single deal, every single accomplishment at MRC over the past 16 years. He has blazed trails in almost every facet of our business, from selling House of Cards to Netflix to setting up The Academy of Country Music Awards on Amazon Prime Video,...
- 3/2/2023
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Some Hollywood stars spend a ridiculous amount of money on looking youthful. Others, like Paul Rudd, are lucky to come about it fairly naturally. Rudd, whose Hollywood break came from starring in Clueless and later about every Judd Apatow movie ever made, has more recently earned equal acclaim for his portrayal of Scott Lang in Marvel’s Ant-Man franchise.
Rudd quickly became known for his baby face and youthful appearance when he first came on the scene, but that reputation hasn’t disappeared in the intervening decades. He still has a reputation for looking at least a decade younger than he actually is. And while Rudd might be blessed with ridiculously good genes, he also takes some extremely practical steps to keep his health a priority. For most of them, there’s very little cost involved.
Paul Rudd is known for his comedic roles and for looking eternally youthful Paul...
Rudd quickly became known for his baby face and youthful appearance when he first came on the scene, but that reputation hasn’t disappeared in the intervening decades. He still has a reputation for looking at least a decade younger than he actually is. And while Rudd might be blessed with ridiculously good genes, he also takes some extremely practical steps to keep his health a priority. For most of them, there’s very little cost involved.
Paul Rudd is known for his comedic roles and for looking eternally youthful Paul...
- 2/21/2023
- by Nikelle Murphy
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
After a four-year hiatus from his role as Ant-Man, Paul Rudd returns as the beloved superhero in the highly-anticipated 2023 Marvel movie, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. It’s a role he’s had since 2015.
But Rudd recently admitted that his body wasn’t in superhero mode before filming. And he revealed the two events that made him realize he was out of shape.
Paul Rudd debuted his superhero in 2015’s ‘Ant-Man’
Rudd joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2015. He first appeared as Scott Lang, aka Ant-Man, in Ant-Man. And he reprised the role for three movies — Captain America: Civil War, Ant-Man and the Wasp, and Avengers: Endgame — and the Disney+ MCU series, What If…?.
Paul Rudd attends the “Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania” Sydney premiere at Hoyts Entertainment Quarter on February 02, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. | Brendon Thorne/Getty Images
Most fans feel Rudd is the perfect actor for the part. He...
But Rudd recently admitted that his body wasn’t in superhero mode before filming. And he revealed the two events that made him realize he was out of shape.
Paul Rudd debuted his superhero in 2015’s ‘Ant-Man’
Rudd joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2015. He first appeared as Scott Lang, aka Ant-Man, in Ant-Man. And he reprised the role for three movies — Captain America: Civil War, Ant-Man and the Wasp, and Avengers: Endgame — and the Disney+ MCU series, What If…?.
Paul Rudd attends the “Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania” Sydney premiere at Hoyts Entertainment Quarter on February 02, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. | Brendon Thorne/Getty Images
Most fans feel Rudd is the perfect actor for the part. He...
- 2/17/2023
- by Mishal Ali Zafar
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Paul Rudd is opening up about his struggles to get back into superhero shape for Marvel’s latest Ant-Man film.
Ahead of the Feb. 17 release of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Rudd told Men’s Health in a recent cover story that the workout regimen for his role as Scott Lang, aka Ant-Man, was more exhausting than he remembered the process being for his 2018 sequel, Ant-Man and the Wasp. Prior to shooting the newest movie, Rudd starred opposite Will Ferrell in Apple TV+’s 2021 series The Shrink Next Door in a part that saw him age into his 70s and develop a softer physique than Marvel Cinematic Universe fans might be used to seeing.
“I worked really hard to get back into shape for Quantumania, and I realized, ‘Oh, my God, this is so much harder than it was [for Ant-Man and the Wasp],'” Rudd said. “I had fallen off...
Ahead of the Feb. 17 release of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Rudd told Men’s Health in a recent cover story that the workout regimen for his role as Scott Lang, aka Ant-Man, was more exhausting than he remembered the process being for his 2018 sequel, Ant-Man and the Wasp. Prior to shooting the newest movie, Rudd starred opposite Will Ferrell in Apple TV+’s 2021 series The Shrink Next Door in a part that saw him age into his 70s and develop a softer physique than Marvel Cinematic Universe fans might be used to seeing.
“I worked really hard to get back into shape for Quantumania, and I realized, ‘Oh, my God, this is so much harder than it was [for Ant-Man and the Wasp],'” Rudd said. “I had fallen off...
- 2/4/2023
- by Ryan Gajewski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Blanchard House, an independent podcast company telling true stories that have the power to endure, are delighted to welcome to the team exceptional journalist and writer, Emma Jane Kirby. She joins Blanchard House after spending nearly 30 years at the BBC as a multi-media, multi award-winning foreign correspondent, programme reporter, documentary maker, story-liner and script editor for radio continuous drama.
Emma Jane joins a team of 20 acclaimed UK Producers drawn from The Economist, BBC and The Times of London, to create journalism-rich mini-series for the US market.
Emma Jane has reported everywhere from the frontline in Afghanistan to 44,000 feet above Moscow in zero gravity. She won the International Bayeux Prize for War Correspondents in 2015 for her original story-telling on the migration crisis, which also prompted an exhibition in the British Museum.
She is the author of the non-fiction novel The Optician of Lampedusa, which has been translated into several languages. Her first radio play,...
Emma Jane joins a team of 20 acclaimed UK Producers drawn from The Economist, BBC and The Times of London, to create journalism-rich mini-series for the US market.
Emma Jane has reported everywhere from the frontline in Afghanistan to 44,000 feet above Moscow in zero gravity. She won the International Bayeux Prize for War Correspondents in 2015 for her original story-telling on the migration crisis, which also prompted an exhibition in the British Museum.
She is the author of the non-fiction novel The Optician of Lampedusa, which has been translated into several languages. Her first radio play,...
- 12/6/2022
- Podnews.net
A Little Under 10 years ago, Michael Showalter realized the time had come to give up on his Hollywood dreams and start taking whatever work he could find to pay the bills. He’s the star and co-creator of the 2001 cult classic Wet Hot American Summer, and a key member of the groundbreaking Nineties sketch-comedy group the State, but work had been very scarce in recent years, and his wife was about to give birth to twins. He wound up taking a midlevel job in the writing room of Rebel Wilson...
- 12/2/2022
- by Andy Greene
- Rollingstone.com
Click here to read the full article.
Armageddon Time director and writer James Gray says that he doesn’t agree with critics of his decision to cast actors who aren’t Jewish, like Anthony Hopkins, as Jewish characters in his semi-biographical film.
In an interview with The New York Times, Gray talks about the depictions of the Trump family, who he went to school with and where his latest movie fits into his cinematic catalog. But he also responds directly to critics of his decision to cast actors in the film regardless of their personal religious or cultural identities. That criticism has largely arisen around Oscar-winner Hopkins, who plays the grandfather of the film’s central character, a Jewish immigrant from Ukraine who escaped the Holocaust.
It’s a criticism the director, who is of Russian Jewish descent, disagrees with regarding his film — a semi-autobiographical in its telling of race,...
Armageddon Time director and writer James Gray says that he doesn’t agree with critics of his decision to cast actors who aren’t Jewish, like Anthony Hopkins, as Jewish characters in his semi-biographical film.
In an interview with The New York Times, Gray talks about the depictions of the Trump family, who he went to school with and where his latest movie fits into his cinematic catalog. But he also responds directly to critics of his decision to cast actors in the film regardless of their personal religious or cultural identities. That criticism has largely arisen around Oscar-winner Hopkins, who plays the grandfather of the film’s central character, a Jewish immigrant from Ukraine who escaped the Holocaust.
It’s a criticism the director, who is of Russian Jewish descent, disagrees with regarding his film — a semi-autobiographical in its telling of race,...
- 10/30/2022
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The true tiger kings just landed an Apple TV+ limited series.
The legendary German-American tiger-handling duo Siegfried & Roy, comprised of Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn, will be the subjects of an upcoming Apple TV+ biographical series. In the vein of “Pam & Tommy” and “Welcome to Chippendales,” the yet-untitled half-hour series will be told from various perspectives and document the story of Siegfried and Roy’s star-making act in Las Vegas.
“Only Murders in the Building” co-creator John Hoffman is writing and executive producing the series, with Ron Howard and Brian Grazer of Imagine Television also serving as executive producers. The Apple TV+ series is based on the eight-part podcast “Wild Things: Siegfried & Roy,” released in January 2022.
No casting has been announced as of print.
Siegfried and Roy began as a cruise ship and nightclub magic act before receiving a Las Vegas residency. The duo famously worked with white tigers...
The legendary German-American tiger-handling duo Siegfried & Roy, comprised of Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn, will be the subjects of an upcoming Apple TV+ biographical series. In the vein of “Pam & Tommy” and “Welcome to Chippendales,” the yet-untitled half-hour series will be told from various perspectives and document the story of Siegfried and Roy’s star-making act in Las Vegas.
“Only Murders in the Building” co-creator John Hoffman is writing and executive producing the series, with Ron Howard and Brian Grazer of Imagine Television also serving as executive producers. The Apple TV+ series is based on the eight-part podcast “Wild Things: Siegfried & Roy,” released in January 2022.
No casting has been announced as of print.
Siegfried and Roy began as a cruise ship and nightclub magic act before receiving a Las Vegas residency. The duo famously worked with white tigers...
- 10/28/2022
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Only Murders in the Building co-creator John Hoffman is taking on Siegfried and Roy for his next project.
Apple TV+ is developing a limited series about the Las Vegas showman-magicians, based on the Apple original podcast Wild Things: Siegfried & Roy.
Written and exec produced by Hoffman, it comes from Imagine Television.
As revealed by Deadline last year, the tech giant landed the audio project, which comes from At Will Media, as one of its first original podcasts. It debuted earlier this year.
The hourlong series will be told from various perspectives and tell the story of the pair who push the concept of illusion versus reality to the extreme — until tragedy reframes and opens up an entirely new mystery surrounding their last fateful Las Vegas show.
Siegfried and Roy were a duo of German-American entertainers, best known for their appearances with white lions and tigers. Siegfried Fischbacher died in January,...
Apple TV+ is developing a limited series about the Las Vegas showman-magicians, based on the Apple original podcast Wild Things: Siegfried & Roy.
Written and exec produced by Hoffman, it comes from Imagine Television.
As revealed by Deadline last year, the tech giant landed the audio project, which comes from At Will Media, as one of its first original podcasts. It debuted earlier this year.
The hourlong series will be told from various perspectives and tell the story of the pair who push the concept of illusion versus reality to the extreme — until tragedy reframes and opens up an entirely new mystery surrounding their last fateful Las Vegas show.
Siegfried and Roy were a duo of German-American entertainers, best known for their appearances with white lions and tigers. Siegfried Fischbacher died in January,...
- 10/28/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Blanchard House has announced a deal with Audible to create two original non-fiction, eight-part series. The shows will explore the gripping true crime events that have gone on to inspire two iconic and internationally beloved works of fiction, and will make use of thrilling, immersive production and bold, original soundtracks.
Blanchard House is a female-led, independent production company, bringing a fresh, transatlantic perspective to American podcasting. Focusing solely on journalism-rich mini-series, they answer the desire for quality short-form media, while allowing producers the creative freedom to make their best work. The team brings together acclaimed UK journalists from The Times, BBC and The Economist, to tell the world’s most timeless and intriguing true stories in cinematic style.
Blanchard House host, Joe Nocera, writer and host of hit podcast and now TV show The Shrink Next Door, and former New York Times and Bloomberg columnist, will co-write and present both series,...
Blanchard House is a female-led, independent production company, bringing a fresh, transatlantic perspective to American podcasting. Focusing solely on journalism-rich mini-series, they answer the desire for quality short-form media, while allowing producers the creative freedom to make their best work. The team brings together acclaimed UK journalists from The Times, BBC and The Economist, to tell the world’s most timeless and intriguing true stories in cinematic style.
Blanchard House host, Joe Nocera, writer and host of hit podcast and now TV show The Shrink Next Door, and former New York Times and Bloomberg columnist, will co-write and present both series,...
- 10/21/2022
- Podnews.net
LiSTNR reached an important milestone this month – with one million signed up known users after launching just 18 months ago. LiSTNR is Australia’s top ranking owned and operated digital audio platform.
LiSTNR’s user sign ups have grown by 230 year on year as the breadth and depth of content continues to expand and innovate on the free app.
Local content with trusted Australian voices is a key differentiator to other global and domestic peers. LiSTNR hosts more than 500 curated and co-created podcasts comprising LiSTNR’s own 124 original Australian podcasts together with globally renowned international podcast creators Stitcher and Wondery, the BBC, NPR and locally with Schwartz Media, The Royal Institution of Australia, the Afl, Nrl and Network Ten.
LiSTNR’s original podcasts include Australia’s No. 1 podcast Hamish & Andy, No. 1 sports podcast The Howie Games and No. 1 news podcast 7am in partnership with Schwartz Media, and its partner podcast suite...
LiSTNR’s user sign ups have grown by 230 year on year as the breadth and depth of content continues to expand and innovate on the free app.
Local content with trusted Australian voices is a key differentiator to other global and domestic peers. LiSTNR hosts more than 500 curated and co-created podcasts comprising LiSTNR’s own 124 original Australian podcasts together with globally renowned international podcast creators Stitcher and Wondery, the BBC, NPR and locally with Schwartz Media, The Royal Institution of Australia, the Afl, Nrl and Network Ten.
LiSTNR’s original podcasts include Australia’s No. 1 podcast Hamish & Andy, No. 1 sports podcast The Howie Games and No. 1 news podcast 7am in partnership with Schwartz Media, and its partner podcast suite...
- 10/21/2022
- Podnews.net
Exclusive: The Shrink Next Door podcast host and writer Joe Nocera is creating two Audible true-crime podcasts.
Nocera will co-write and host the as-yet-untitled non-fiction shows with podcast indie Blanchard House and Poppy Damon.
Blanchard is so far keeping the subjects fairly quiet but one is inspired by an Agatha Christie novel and the other looks to an iconic American drama.
Nocera is the host and writer of Wondery podcast The Shrink Next Door, which has gone on to become an Apple TV+ show starring Paul Rudd and Will Ferrell about the bizarre relationship between a psychiatrist to the stars and one of his patients.
“Joe is an unparalleled talent and we are so lucky to have him at Blanchard,” said Rosie Pye, Blanchard House Creative Director and Co-Founder.
Blanchard launched towards the end of last year with 1M seed investment and journalists and producers from the BBC, The Economist and Times of London.
Nocera will co-write and host the as-yet-untitled non-fiction shows with podcast indie Blanchard House and Poppy Damon.
Blanchard is so far keeping the subjects fairly quiet but one is inspired by an Agatha Christie novel and the other looks to an iconic American drama.
Nocera is the host and writer of Wondery podcast The Shrink Next Door, which has gone on to become an Apple TV+ show starring Paul Rudd and Will Ferrell about the bizarre relationship between a psychiatrist to the stars and one of his patients.
“Joe is an unparalleled talent and we are so lucky to have him at Blanchard,” said Rosie Pye, Blanchard House Creative Director and Co-Founder.
Blanchard launched towards the end of last year with 1M seed investment and journalists and producers from the BBC, The Economist and Times of London.
- 10/4/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Over the past several years, few working filmmakers have been as busy as Michael Showalter. The writer, director, and actor, once known primarily for his involvement in the cultish “Wet Hot American Summer” franchise, has seen a precipitous rise in both the movies and TV. His work on prestigious projects like “The Eyes of Tammy Faye,” “The Shrink Next Door,” and the Emmy-nominated “The Dropout” have earned him a reputation as one of the business’s most reliable operators.
Continue reading ‘Spoiler Alert’ Trailer: Jim Parsons Stars In A Life-Affirming Gay Love Story About Intimacy, Grief, & Recovery at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘Spoiler Alert’ Trailer: Jim Parsons Stars In A Life-Affirming Gay Love Story About Intimacy, Grief, & Recovery at The Playlist.
- 9/29/2022
- by Jake Sweltz
- The Playlist
Exclusive: Rosa Salazar (Alita: Battle Angel), Bobby Soto (Narcos: Mexico), Julio Cesar Cedillo (Narcos: Mexico), Veronica Falcón (Ozark), Sarayu Blue (I Feel Bad) and Eric Johnson (Fifty Shades franchise) are among the newest additions to Prime Video’s Michael Peña starrer A Million Miles Away, which has entered production in Mexico City. Others rounding out the ensemble of the Alejandra Márquez Abella-helmed film include Jordan Dean (Harry & Meghan: Escaping the Palace), Ashley Ciarra (Chupa), Michelle Krusiec (Hollywood), Emma Fassler (Recovery Road), Michael Adler (Super Pumped), Carlos S. Sanchez (Chicago Fire) and Isaac Arellanes (Ghostwriter).
A Million Miles Away is based on the inspiring true story of Jose Hernandez, who defied insurmountable odds to become the first migrant farmworker to travel to space. From six years old, he toiled in the fields between Michoacán and Stockton, California —dreaming of traveling the night skies on a rocket ship. Through his...
A Million Miles Away is based on the inspiring true story of Jose Hernandez, who defied insurmountable odds to become the first migrant farmworker to travel to space. From six years old, he toiled in the fields between Michoacán and Stockton, California —dreaming of traveling the night skies on a rocket ship. Through his...
- 8/30/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Paul Rudd will be in Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building” Season 3 after appearing in a surprise cameo role in Tuesday’s Season 2 finale.
In the finale (spoiler alert!), Rudd appears in a flash forward (a year later), as Ben, a snobbish leading actor in Oliver’s (Martin Short) seemingly triumphant return to directing on Broadway. He and Charles exchange less-than-pleasantries in a sinister and vague chat, and as he makes his opening monologue, he literally croaks onstage and dies.
“Hopefully the audience is going to be very excited to know what happened in that year for our trio, and also what happened with that show, and God knows the excitement over having Paul Rudd in the show playing Ben Glenroy, the leading actor of the show, victim or otherwise, knowing that our victims tend to have a lot of screen time in our seasons,” showrunner John Hoffman told TheWrap.
In the finale (spoiler alert!), Rudd appears in a flash forward (a year later), as Ben, a snobbish leading actor in Oliver’s (Martin Short) seemingly triumphant return to directing on Broadway. He and Charles exchange less-than-pleasantries in a sinister and vague chat, and as he makes his opening monologue, he literally croaks onstage and dies.
“Hopefully the audience is going to be very excited to know what happened in that year for our trio, and also what happened with that show, and God knows the excitement over having Paul Rudd in the show playing Ben Glenroy, the leading actor of the show, victim or otherwise, knowing that our victims tend to have a lot of screen time in our seasons,” showrunner John Hoffman told TheWrap.
- 8/23/2022
- by Natalie Oganesyan
- The Wrap
[Warning: The following contains Major spoilers for Only Murders in the Building Season 2.] The already star-studded cast of Only Murders in the Building is getting even bigger as The Shrink Next Door star Paul Rudd is officially joining the Hulu series for the third season. According to Variety, Hulu confirmed that Rudd will be part of the show’s third season after his cameo as Broadway star Ben Glenroy in the Season 2 finale. However, it has not yet been confirmed whether Rudd will feature as a series regular, recurring, or guest star. “Paul Rudd, after making an auspicious entrance into the world of our show at the end of Season 2 as Ben Glenroy, is someone we clearly want to know more about and see in our upcoming Season 3 — as he is a clear source of many upcoming questions and, as ever with our show, many twists yet to come!” said series co-creator John Hoffman in a statement...
- 8/23/2022
- TV Insider
Click here to read the full article.
While most showrunners are content to use Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” for soundtrack shorthand, Joel Fields and Joe Weisberg prefer slightly deeper cuts from the Canadian singer-spiritualist.
The duo potently utilized “Who By Fire,” with its ties to the Hebrew “Unetaneh Tokef” prayer, at the climax of the fourth season of The Americans. They return to Cohen again with a song that I won’t spoil featured pivotally in their new FX limited series The Patient, which will air exclusively on Hulu.
It’s easy to see why Fields and Weisberg respond to Cohen (or why their music supervisor thinks their shows and Cohen’s songs are a good match). Like Cohen, Fields and Weisberg are engaged in their own blending of the profane and the sacred, using the trappings of pulpy genres as a delivery mechanism for richer, more haunted storytelling that...
While most showrunners are content to use Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” for soundtrack shorthand, Joel Fields and Joe Weisberg prefer slightly deeper cuts from the Canadian singer-spiritualist.
The duo potently utilized “Who By Fire,” with its ties to the Hebrew “Unetaneh Tokef” prayer, at the climax of the fourth season of The Americans. They return to Cohen again with a song that I won’t spoil featured pivotally in their new FX limited series The Patient, which will air exclusively on Hulu.
It’s easy to see why Fields and Weisberg respond to Cohen (or why their music supervisor thinks their shows and Cohen’s songs are a good match). Like Cohen, Fields and Weisberg are engaged in their own blending of the profane and the sacred, using the trappings of pulpy genres as a delivery mechanism for richer, more haunted storytelling that...
- 8/22/2022
- by Daniel Fienberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A version of this story about Michael Showalter and “The Dropout” first appeared in the Down to the Wire: Drama issue of TheWrap’s awards magazine.
Back when Michael Showalter was a cast member of MTV’s “The State,” or the co-writer and star of “Wet Hot American Summer,” or the creator of the series “Search Party,” you wouldn’t necessarily have picked him as a candidate to be the first director to guide one actress to an Oscar win and another to an Emmy win in the same year. But Showalter accomplished the first part of that feat in March when Jessica Chastain won the Best Actress Oscar for Showalter’s “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” — and now he’s in pretty good shape to seal the deal because he directed the first four of the eight episodes of the limited series “The Dropout,” which made Amanda Seyfried an...
Back when Michael Showalter was a cast member of MTV’s “The State,” or the co-writer and star of “Wet Hot American Summer,” or the creator of the series “Search Party,” you wouldn’t necessarily have picked him as a candidate to be the first director to guide one actress to an Oscar win and another to an Emmy win in the same year. But Showalter accomplished the first part of that feat in March when Jessica Chastain won the Best Actress Oscar for Showalter’s “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” — and now he’s in pretty good shape to seal the deal because he directed the first four of the eight episodes of the limited series “The Dropout,” which made Amanda Seyfried an...
- 8/17/2022
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
A true story that's incredibly interesting on its own can still be elevated to new emotional heights with a compelling screen adaptation. This is true of "The Shrink Next Door," the Apple TV+ limited series that covers a lengthy real-life tale in a satisfying fashion.
Based on a true-crime podcast of the same name, "The Shrink Next Door" follows Marty Markowitz (Will Ferrell), a timid man who is struggling to cope with the loss of his parents and his newfound responsibility for their successful fabrics company. When he goes to Dr. Ike Herschkopf (Paul Rudd) for therapy, he initially becomes a more confident and relaxed person; however, the relationship turns toxic, and Marty is subjected to 30 years of his psychiatrist's relentless manipulation and exploitation.
"The Shrink Next Door" takes what could be a one-note affair and instead offers two nuanced performances that teeter on the edge of satire and overwhelming darkness.
Based on a true-crime podcast of the same name, "The Shrink Next Door" follows Marty Markowitz (Will Ferrell), a timid man who is struggling to cope with the loss of his parents and his newfound responsibility for their successful fabrics company. When he goes to Dr. Ike Herschkopf (Paul Rudd) for therapy, he initially becomes a more confident and relaxed person; however, the relationship turns toxic, and Marty is subjected to 30 years of his psychiatrist's relentless manipulation and exploitation.
"The Shrink Next Door" takes what could be a one-note affair and instead offers two nuanced performances that teeter on the edge of satire and overwhelming darkness.
- 8/17/2022
- by Marcos Melendez
- Slash Film
Exclusive: Audible, the audio platform owned by Amazon, is looking to expand the number of TV and film adaptations of its podcasts and original audiobooks.
The company has hired Jackie Levine, formerly President of Robert Zemeckis’s ImageMovers, as Head of Television and Film.
Levine will lead a new division to oversee the audio-to-screen pipeline for Audible Originals. She will identify projects to adapt and package with talent. She will report to Head of Content Acquisition and Development, Pat Shah.
It comes as the competition to adapt podcast and audio IP intensifies; Spotify has a deal with Peter Chernin to adapt its podcasts and Apple, which has been moving further into original audio series, has turned a number of Wondery podcasts such as The Shrink Next Door, into TV series.
Audible has been ramping up its original audio series and podcasts, and has seen a number of originals adapted for...
The company has hired Jackie Levine, formerly President of Robert Zemeckis’s ImageMovers, as Head of Television and Film.
Levine will lead a new division to oversee the audio-to-screen pipeline for Audible Originals. She will identify projects to adapt and package with talent. She will report to Head of Content Acquisition and Development, Pat Shah.
It comes as the competition to adapt podcast and audio IP intensifies; Spotify has a deal with Peter Chernin to adapt its podcasts and Apple, which has been moving further into original audio series, has turned a number of Wondery podcasts such as The Shrink Next Door, into TV series.
Audible has been ramping up its original audio series and podcasts, and has seen a number of originals adapted for...
- 8/9/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
TV’s great talent economic divide is only growing wider. Paydays for actors of 1 million an episode or more — once a rare occurrence, with the exception of long-running comedy megahits like “Friends” and “The Big Bang Theory” — are now commonplace for A-list talent, especially movie stars diving into the marathon of episodic television production.
But for everyone else? According to multiple TV talent agents who spoke with Variety, the second tier of players aren’t commanding the same exorbitant fees that they might have fetched a few years ago, at the height of the streaming boom.
“It’s taken a little bit of a hit,” says one insider. “There’s a much deeper and steeper sliding scale between No. 1 or 2 on the call sheet and 3, 4 and 5. I think that had to do a lot with the oversaturation of salaries on shows. I think a lot of places are realizing that...
But for everyone else? According to multiple TV talent agents who spoke with Variety, the second tier of players aren’t commanding the same exorbitant fees that they might have fetched a few years ago, at the height of the streaming boom.
“It’s taken a little bit of a hit,” says one insider. “There’s a much deeper and steeper sliding scale between No. 1 or 2 on the call sheet and 3, 4 and 5. I think that had to do a lot with the oversaturation of salaries on shows. I think a lot of places are realizing that...
- 7/20/2022
- by Michael Schneider and Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
After both losing the 2021 Best Movie/Limited Supporting Actress Emmy to Julianne Nicholson (“Mare of Easttown”), Kathryn Hahn (“WandaVision”) and Phillipa Soo (“Hamilton”) could face each other in the same category this year as respective cast members of “The Shrink Next Door” and “Dopesick.” Scroll down to see our 2022 Emmy predictions for Supporting Actress (TV Movie/Limited Series).
Hahn and Soo might also be joined in the 2022 lineup by two past recipients of the award: 2004 (“Angels in America”) winner Mary-Louise Parker (“Colin in Black and White”) and 2013 (“Political Animals”) winner Ellen Burstyn (“The First Lady”).
“American Horror Story: Double Feature” costars Frances Conroy and Sarah Paulson are each looking to earn their respective third and sixth nominations for the anthology series. Other previous nominees seeking bids this year include Vera Farmiga (“Hawkeye”), Margo Martindale (“Impeachment”), and Shailene Woodley (“The Fallout”).
Frontrunners
Jennifer Coolidge, “The White Lotus”
Andie MacDowell, “Maid”
Kaitlyn Dever,...
Hahn and Soo might also be joined in the 2022 lineup by two past recipients of the award: 2004 (“Angels in America”) winner Mary-Louise Parker (“Colin in Black and White”) and 2013 (“Political Animals”) winner Ellen Burstyn (“The First Lady”).
“American Horror Story: Double Feature” costars Frances Conroy and Sarah Paulson are each looking to earn their respective third and sixth nominations for the anthology series. Other previous nominees seeking bids this year include Vera Farmiga (“Hawkeye”), Margo Martindale (“Impeachment”), and Shailene Woodley (“The Fallout”).
Frontrunners
Jennifer Coolidge, “The White Lotus”
Andie MacDowell, “Maid”
Kaitlyn Dever,...
- 7/11/2022
- by Paul Sheehan and Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
Amazon Studios has acquired the rights to an untitled comedy film centered around a wedding that has both Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon attached to star and comes from writer and director Nicholas Stoller, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.
Jessica Elbaum and Ferrell will produce the film via their Gloria Sanchez banner. Stoller and Conor Welch will also produce via Stoller Global Solutions, and Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter will produce via Hello Sunshine, with Ashley Strumwasser executive producing.
The logline for the film is being kept under wraps.
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TV’s Most Welcome Trend: The Rise of Actress-Producers Like Julia Roberts and Reese Witherspoon
The untitled comedy reunites Amazon with Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine, which is also working on the musical drama series “Daisy Jones & The Six,” starring Riley Keough and Sam Claflin, and the holiday romantic comedy “Something from Tiffany’s,” starring and executive produced by Zoey Deutch.
Jessica Elbaum and Ferrell will produce the film via their Gloria Sanchez banner. Stoller and Conor Welch will also produce via Stoller Global Solutions, and Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter will produce via Hello Sunshine, with Ashley Strumwasser executive producing.
The logline for the film is being kept under wraps.
Also Read:
TV’s Most Welcome Trend: The Rise of Actress-Producers Like Julia Roberts and Reese Witherspoon
The untitled comedy reunites Amazon with Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine, which is also working on the musical drama series “Daisy Jones & The Six,” starring Riley Keough and Sam Claflin, and the holiday romantic comedy “Something from Tiffany’s,” starring and executive produced by Zoey Deutch.
- 7/6/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Amazon has secured rights to the untitled wedding comedy from writer-director Nick Stoller (Bros), which has Will Ferrell (Barbie) and Reese Witherspoon (The Morning Show) attached to star, Deadline can confirm. We brought you news of this hot package first, at a point when there were multiple offers for it.
Specifics as to the film’s plot are being kept under wraps. But Ferrell and Jessica Elbaum will produce for Gloria Sanchez Productions, along with Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter for Hello Sunshine, and Stoller and Conor Welch for Global Solutions, with Hello Sunshine’s Ashley Strumwasser serving as exec producer.
Ferrell is a three-time Emmy winner who recently exec produced and starred opposite Paul Rudd in the Apple TV+ series, The Shrink Next Door. He’ll next be seen in Apple’s musical comedy Spirited with Ryan Reynolds and Octavia Spencer, Josh Greenbaum’s comedy Strays for Universal and Greta Gerwig...
Specifics as to the film’s plot are being kept under wraps. But Ferrell and Jessica Elbaum will produce for Gloria Sanchez Productions, along with Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter for Hello Sunshine, and Stoller and Conor Welch for Global Solutions, with Hello Sunshine’s Ashley Strumwasser serving as exec producer.
Ferrell is a three-time Emmy winner who recently exec produced and starred opposite Paul Rudd in the Apple TV+ series, The Shrink Next Door. He’ll next be seen in Apple’s musical comedy Spirited with Ryan Reynolds and Octavia Spencer, Josh Greenbaum’s comedy Strays for Universal and Greta Gerwig...
- 7/6/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Billy Crystal is attached to star and executive produce new limited series “Before,” where he will play Eli, a child psychiatrist and recent widower who encounters a troubled young boy. Apple TV+ has picked up the show hailing from Paramount Television.
Sarah Thorp (“The Bounty Hunter”) will serve as writer, with Oscar-winning filmmaker Barry Levinson (“Dopesick”) attached to direct. Eric Roth (“Dune”) will executive produce alongside Thorp, Crystal and Levinson. Additional details are still in the works.
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‘Pretty Little Liars’ Villain Has a New Set of Teenage Targets in ‘Original Sin’ Teaser Clip (Video)
Crystal and Levinson previously worked together as executive producers on 2002’s “Analyze That,” which starred the former alongside Robert De Niro. The “When Harry Met Sally” star recently reprised his voice role as Mike Wazowski in Disney+’s “Monsters at Work” and had a guest spot on the popular Netflix comedy “Never Have I Ever.
Sarah Thorp (“The Bounty Hunter”) will serve as writer, with Oscar-winning filmmaker Barry Levinson (“Dopesick”) attached to direct. Eric Roth (“Dune”) will executive produce alongside Thorp, Crystal and Levinson. Additional details are still in the works.
Also Read:
‘Pretty Little Liars’ Villain Has a New Set of Teenage Targets in ‘Original Sin’ Teaser Clip (Video)
Crystal and Levinson previously worked together as executive producers on 2002’s “Analyze That,” which starred the former alongside Robert De Niro. The “When Harry Met Sally” star recently reprised his voice role as Mike Wazowski in Disney+’s “Monsters at Work” and had a guest spot on the popular Netflix comedy “Never Have I Ever.
- 6/15/2022
- by Natalie Oganesyan
- The Wrap
At the 2016 Emmys, Laurie Metcalf earned three acting nominations, proving her versatility and her popularity in the industry. The actress, a three-time winner for “Roseanne,” collected bids for “Getting On,” her only time nominated as a lead, and for her guest spots on “The Big Bang Theory” and “Horace and Pete.” Two years later, she earned her first career Oscar nomination, for her supporting role in “Lady Bird” (2017). Now at the upcoming 2022 Emmys, Metcalf has a chance of repeating her Emmy triple play with nominations for three other shows — “The Conners,” “The Dropout” and “Hacks.”
SEEDirector Michael Showalter on what connects ‘The Dropout,’ ‘The Shrink Next Door’ and ‘I Love That for You’ [Exclusive Video Interview]
Since that banner year, Metcalf earned another Emmy nomination for the revival of “Roseanne” in 2018. The show was retooled the following season and morphed into “The Conners,” in which the actress reprises her Emmy-winning role as Jackie Harris.
SEEDirector Michael Showalter on what connects ‘The Dropout,’ ‘The Shrink Next Door’ and ‘I Love That for You’ [Exclusive Video Interview]
Since that banner year, Metcalf earned another Emmy nomination for the revival of “Roseanne” in 2018. The show was retooled the following season and morphed into “The Conners,” in which the actress reprises her Emmy-winning role as Jackie Harris.
- 6/14/2022
- by Kevin Jacobsen
- Gold Derby
United Talent Agency has acquired the legacy UK literary and talent agency Curtis Brown Group, UTA announced Monday.
Curtis Brown Group, which was founded in 1899, will continue to operate under its current name and management, including CEO Jonny Geller (pictured above at center). But the deal expands UTA’s international footprint and this structure will allow both Curtis Brown Group and UTA to continue their longstanding relationships with other agency partners in the UK and U.S.
Curtis Brown has more than 240 employees and is expected to continue to grow as a result of this deal. No staffing reductions are anticipated due to this transaction. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Also Read:
UTA Acquires Analytics Firm MediaHound
The alliance provides Curtis Brown Group with resources to continue to build out its business, and the benefit of UTA’s expertise across a wide range of capabilities in such areas as brands,...
Curtis Brown Group, which was founded in 1899, will continue to operate under its current name and management, including CEO Jonny Geller (pictured above at center). But the deal expands UTA’s international footprint and this structure will allow both Curtis Brown Group and UTA to continue their longstanding relationships with other agency partners in the UK and U.S.
Curtis Brown has more than 240 employees and is expected to continue to grow as a result of this deal. No staffing reductions are anticipated due to this transaction. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Also Read:
UTA Acquires Analytics Firm MediaHound
The alliance provides Curtis Brown Group with resources to continue to build out its business, and the benefit of UTA’s expertise across a wide range of capabilities in such areas as brands,...
- 6/13/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
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