AMC Networks’ Sundance Now Boards Sky Comedy-Drama ‘The Lovers’

Game of Thrones fans don’t have long left to wait to get their latest fix of George RR Martin’s ever-expanding fantasy world. After the original’s final series left many feeling underwhelmed, producers will be hoping for a more resounding response to its prequel House of the Dragon.

Eve Best is set to be inducted into the Game of Thrones hall of fame when its debut series first airs on Sky Atlantic tonight. Fans will soon come to know her as Princess Rhaenys Velaryon in the eagerly-anticipated prequel House of the Dragon.

The Game of Thrones prequel, House of The Dragon airs on Monday, August 22.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaShudder has inked a deal with The Boulet Brothers to expand their Dragula franchise with a new season, a new spinoff series and an additional special set to debut on Shudder over the next twelve months. The pact comes on the heels of “The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula’s” fourth season, which became one of Shudder’s most watched series of 2021.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefThomasin McKenzie (“Life After Life,” “Jojo Rabbit”) and Devon Terrell (“Rap Shit”) star in “Totally Completely Fine,” a series co-production between Sundance Now and Australia’s Stan, which has now started production in Sydney. McKenzie plays a young woman whose life was a mess even before she inherited her grandfather’s coastal clifftop house and became tasked with helping people who come too close to the edge. Strangely though people respond to her chaotic, nihilistic brand of psychology.

British actress Olivia Cooke has landed a major role in the new Game of Thrones prequel but this is not her first big part. The 28-year-old has already taken on Hollywood, starring in a Spielberg movie.

Sundance Now, AMC Networks’ streaming platform, has unveiled two upcoming series: “Totally Completely Fine” starring Thomasin McKenzie (“Last Night in Soho”) and “Sanctuary” with Elaine Cassidy (“The Wonder”).The Sundance Now Original shows — set for a 2023 premiere — join a previously announced slate of series that feature actors Sarah Goldberg (“Barry”), Temuera Morrison (“The Book of Boba Fett”) and Travis Fimmel (“Vikings”).Inspired by true events, “Totally Completely Fine” is a six-part dark comedy that explores the complexities of grief, the power of friendship and the ways in which sadness can unite people. It follows a 20-something Vivian Cunningham (McKenzie), whose life is a mess.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeAMC Networks has renewed the Emmy-nominated short-form series “Cooper’s Bar” for a second season, while Acorn TV — AMC Networks’ streamer devoted to British and international fare — has given a Season 2 renewal to “Harry Wild,” starring and executive produced by Jane Seymour.Both pickups were announced Wednesday during AMC Networks’ portion of the Television Critics Assn. press tour.

BreAnna Bell AMC Networks’ Sundance Now has commissioned “Totally, Completely Fine” and “Sanctuary” as two new titles joining the streaming platform’s 2023 slate of original projects.Written, created and executive produced by Gretel Vella, “Totally, Completely Fine” explores the complexities of grief, the power of friendship, and the ways our sadness can unite us. Inspired by true events,the six-part dark comedy follows 20-something Vivian Cunningham (Thomasin McKenzie), whose life is a mess but nevertheless winds up tasked with helping people who come too close to the edge as she endures her own comedic catastrophes like accidentally burning down her brother’s vegan food truck with a bacon-flavored vape.

AMC Networks’ streaming platform Sundance Now is expanding its 2023 slate with orders for two new series, dark comedy Totally Completely Fine and fantasy mystery series Sanctuary, based on V.V. James novel. They join the recently announced upcoming series Clean Sweep, The Lovers, SisterS, Black Snow, and Far North, all for premiere in 2023.

Excitement around the new House of the Dragon prequel series to Game of Thrones is mounting. With a star-studded cast featuring the likes of Matt Smith (Prince Daemon Targaryen), Emma D'Arcy (Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen), Olivia Cooke (Lady Alicent Hightower), Rhys Ifans (Ser Otto Hightower) and Paddy Considine (King Viserys I Targaryen), this is understandable.

AMC Networks announced Friday that sitting Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer Christina Spade will be stepping up as its new CEO, effective Sept. 9.

AMC Networks Inc. reached 10.8 million subscribers, the company reported Friday in its second-quarter earnings report. The company increased its subscriber base by 1.3 million from Q1, a 46% year-over-year increase driven partly by the AMC+ premium streaming bundle launch in Spain.

AMC Networks said streaming subscribers jumped 46% to 10.8 million in the June quarter, up from 7.4 million, driven in part by the AMC+ premium streaming bundle launch in Spain. The company said it’s on track to achieve long-term subscriber goal of 20 million to 25 million streaming subscribers by 2025.

AMC Networks has appointed COO and CFO Christina Spade as its new CEO, succeeding Matt Blank, who has held the role in an interim capacity since last September.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorChristina Spade, a veteran media executive who was previously chief financial officer of the former ViacomCBS, has been named the new chief executive of AMC Networks, tasked with leading the small but influential media company through a tricky time in the media business.She replaces Matt Blank, a Showtime veteran who had been serving as the company’s interim CEO, and will assumer her new responsibilities on Sept. 9.“I’m delighted that Chris is taking over as our new CEO,” said James Dolan, AMC Networks’ chairman, in a statement.

Endeavor Content has named former AMC Networks finance exec Kasee Calabrese to the newly created role of EVP and Chief Financial Officer.

Jennifer Maas TV Business WriterEndeavor Content has named Kasee Calabrese, AMC Networks’ executive vice president of global finance, its new CFO.In her newly created role as executive vice president and chief financial officer for Endeavor Content, Calabrese will oversee the TV and film production company’s financial affairs and planning in support of its studio and distribution, documentary, music and live experiences divisions as the studio continues to expand.Calabrese’s new position is effective immediately. She will be a member of the senior leadership team, reporting to Endeavor Content co-CEOs Chris Rice and Graham Taylor.The AMC Networks vet joins Endeavor Content on the heels of South Korean media company CJ ENM acquiring an 80% stake in Endeavor Content.