Apple TV+ Orders ‘Sugar’ To Series From Mark Protosevich; Colin Farrell Stars & Executive Produces

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorTrailblazing trans actor Hari Nef will headline “Lina’s Song,” a new scripted podcast from executive producer Mark Duplass, set in the ’80s punk scene of East Berlin.“Lina’s Song” is set to premiere on Spotify and Apple Podcasts on Aug. 19.

There are a number of Love Island rules that have seen the light of day this year thanks to former contestants sharing their experiences of living in the villa. Amy Hart has been particularly outspoken on TikTok about what Islanders do when they get their period and the rules for napping in the day. And previously Sharon Gaffka discussed how things work when it comes to smoking.

Ghislaine Maxwell sentenced to 20 years in prison for sex traffickingFurious holidaymakers arrive in Majorca after Tui flight delayed for 43 hoursMan Utd star tells Erik ten Hag he wants a clearly defined role next seasonIn 2019, following the ordeal, Mr Stanton and Mr Volanthen were both presented with the George Medal, the highest British civilian bravery honour, for their roles in the rescue mission. The boys, aged between 11 and 16 and who were members of the Wild Boars youth football team, had cycled with their coach to the caves to explore when they became marooned inside.

Amazon Prime has released a first look at Ron Howard‘s new film Thirteen Lives.

Ron Howard is a critically-acclaimed and Academy Award-winning director. Looking at his filmography, it’s hard to find something that he hasn’t done as his decades-long career spans multiple genres and mediums, so it shouldn’t surprise anyone that his next upcoming project, “Thirteen Lives,” is a film based on a true story.

The 2018 story of a boys’ soccer team trapped in a cave in northern Thailand made headlines around the world. Now, the harrowing true story gets the Hollywood treatment with director Ron Howard at the helm and an ensemble cast, featuring Colin Farrell, Viggo Mortensen, and Joel Edgerton.

Ron Howard is bringing the incredible true story of the 2018 cave rescue of a group of young soccer players to the screen with his latest project, “Thirteen Lives”.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterMimi Leder has signed a multi-year overall deal with Apple, Variety has learned.Leder is currently an executive producer on the Apple drama series “The Morning Show.” She has also directed multiple episodes of the series, including the pilot. The show was renewed for a third season earlier this year, which is currently in production.

John Hopewell Chief International CorrespondentParis-based Cottonwood Media and the Paris National Opera are re-teaming with U.S. streamer Hulu, Germany’s ZDF and  ZDF Studios and France Televisions, all partners on “Find Me in Paris,” for another premium live action tween series, “Spellbound.”Scheduled to commence production this summer in Paris, moving later to Brussels, “Spellbound” is created by Jill Girling and Lori Mather (“Ride”), the same original executive produces and showrunners of “Find Me in Paris.”Renaud Mathieu serves as line producer, a position he also held on “Emily in Paris.”Series lead director is Alexander Jacob (“Theodosia,” “4 O’clock Club,” “Hollyoaks”). Directors include Annie Bradley (“The Handmaid’s Tale,” “The Expanse”), as well as Robert Burke (“Find Me in Paris,” “Free Rein”).

Naman Ramachandran Harry Lawtey (“Industry”), Jessica Barden (“The End of the F***ing World”) and Sophia Brown (“The Witcher: Blood Origin”) star in writer Jamie Davis’ contemporary love story “You & Me.” Produced by Happy Prince, part of ITV Studios, and executive produced by Dominic Treadwell-Collins (“A Very English Scandal”), Alexander Lamb (“We Hunt Together”) and Russell T. Davies (“It’s A Sin”) the three-part series has begun filming on location in Southeast London, and first looks have been revealed.

Tiffany Boone (Hunters) is set to star alongside Andre Holland in The Big Cigar, Apple’s limited series that chronicles the story of Black Panther leader Huey P. Newton’s escape to Cuba, from Claws showrunner Janine Sherman Barrois, Don Cheadle, Joshuah Bearman and Warner Bros. 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.

CBS News has tapped Adam Verdugo as the next executive producer of CBS Evening News with Norah O’Donnell.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorAdam Verdugo, a news producer who has worked for years with anchor Norah O’Donnell, has been named executive producer of “CBS Evening News,” just weeks after O’Donnell and CBS extended a contract to keep her at the helm of the show.Verdugo will start his new duties June 13, and brings the executive producer position for the program back to Washington, D.C. For the past several months, CBS News veteran Al Ortiz supervised the evening newscast out of New York.

Apple TV+ series Sugar, from creator Mark Protosevich (I Am Legend, Thor).The actor will star and executive produce the series alongside Protosevich, Simon Kinberg (Deadpool), Audrey Chon (Invasion), Scott Greenberg and Chip Vucelich. Fernando Meirelles (City Of God, Two Popes) will serve as director and executive producer.According to Variety, the show is described as a “genre-bending contemporary take on the private detective story” and is set in Los Angeles.

What’s the verdict on Colin Farrell‘s recent foray into television? On the one hand, there’s season two of “True Detective,” a let-down after the riveting first season; but that’s not Farrell’s fault. Then there’s the BBC “The North Water” from last year, an acclaimed but underseen miniseries with Farrell as the show’s vicious villain Henry Drax.

Apple TV+ has given a series order to “Sugar,” a new drama starring Colin Farrell.The plot of the show hasn’t been detailed yet, but the streamer describes it as a “genre-bending” series.“Sugar” hails from Apple Studios. Mark Protosevich (“The Cell,” “I Am Legend,” “Thor”) will also executive produce alongside Simon Kinberg under his Genre Films banner.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterApple has formally ordered the drama series “Sugar” starring Colin Farrell to series, Variety has learned.It was first reported in December 2021 that Apple had won the rights to the series in a competitive situation, though it had not officially been ordered to series at that time.Exact plot details for the show remain under wraps, aside from the fact that it is described as a genre-bending contemporary take on the private detective story set in Los Angeles.Mark Protosevich (“The Cell,” “I Am Legend,” “Thor”) serves as writer and executive producer on the project. Farrell will executive produce in addition to starring. Fernando Meirelles (“City of God,” “Two Popes”) will direct and executive produce.