Berlanti Productions’ Erika Kennair to Head Malala Yousafzai’s Extracurricular Production Company (EXCLUSIVE)

EXCLUSIVE: Westbrook Studios SVP, Head of International Film & TV Eli Shibley is exiting Will and Jada Pinkett Smith’s company to launch new production banner Major Content.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe “Assassin’s Creed” live-action series at Netflix has enlisted Jeb Stuart to serve as writer, Variety has learned exclusively from sources.The series was first announced as being in development in October as part of a deal between Netflix and Ubisoft to develop content based on the best-selling video game franchise. The deal includes live-action, animated, and anime series.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterJeff WIlbusch has been cast in the Netflix drama series “Breathe,” Variety has learned exclusively.Wilbusch joins previously announced lead Melissa Barrera, who will star as Liv, a razor-sharp Manhattan attorney who finds herself profoundly out of her comfort zone when her small plane crashes in the Canadian wilderness and she must battle for survival.According to sources, Wilbusch will play recurring guest star Danny, Liv’s love interest.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterNetflix and Ubisoft Film & Television are expanding their relationship, with the streamer ordering a “Far Cry” adult anime series as well as ordering the adult anime series “Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix.”The “Far Cry” series is based on the first-person shooter game franchise of the same name, with each game revolving around the main character working against a fearsome dictator that controls a particular island or isolated region.

Jackson made the announcement during a Q&A with Legend at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, saying that a deal had just been made between the studio and Bernie Mac’s estate that “John doesn’t know about yet.”“Look at you, breaking news,” the seemingly surprised Legend said.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentAs part of the Hollywood Commission’s continuous mission to achieve inclusive workplace safety and equity across the entertainment industry, the Anita Hill-run organization has released resources to help employees at production companies, Variety has exclusively learned.On Thursday, the Hollywood Commission relaunched their website, providing free resources — a sample workplace conduct policy, employer toolkit and a worker’s guide — to be accessed by

Joe Otterson TV ReporterA live-action series adaptation of the “Ted” movies has been ordered straight-to-series at Peacock, Variety has learned.Seth MacFarlane is currently in negotiations to reprise the voice role of Ted, a foul-mouthed, pot-smoking teddy bear brought to life by the magic of a little boy’s wish.MacFarlane will also write executive produce the series, with Erica Huggins also executive producing under her and MacFarlane’s Fuzzy Door Productions banner.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterMilo Ventimiglia is set to guest star on “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” Season 4, Variety has confirmed.Details on the character Ventimiglia will be playing are being kept under wraps.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterHulu has elevated Jordan Helman to the role of head of scripted content.Helman has been head of drama, Hulu Originals since 2015. In his new role, he will report to Craig Erwich, president of Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterOprah Winfrey Network (OWN) Has hired Drew Tappon for the role of head of unscripted development, programming and specials.In his new role, Tappon will develop unscripted content across all genres for the cabler. He will report to Tina Perry, president of OWN.

EXCLUSIVE: Jonathan Gabay has been promoted to EVP of Television at Berlanti Productions. Gabay, who joined the company in 2019 as SVP of Development, most recently shepherded the All American spinoff, All American: Homecoming, which emerged as one of the strongest CW pilots this season and landed a series order last week.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“Debris” has been canceled after one season at NBC, Variety has learned.The news comes shortly after the first season finale, which aired on May 24. In the series, when wreckage from a destroyed alien spacecraft scatters across the Western Hemisphere, it soon becomes apparent the pieces are messing with the laws of physics, changing lives in ways we can’t comprehend.

Erika Kennair, former SVP of development at Berlanti Productions, has moved to Malala Yousafzai’s production company Extracurricular as President of Production. This marks Extracurricular’s first hire since the company signed an original programming deal with Apple TV+ in March. In her new role, Kennair will work closely with Malala to oversee development and production to deliver a wide range of stories that connect, inspire and unite global audiences.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“WandaVision” head writer Jac Schaeffer has signed a three-year overall deal TV deal with Marvel Studios and 20th Television.Under the deal, Schaeffer will develop projects for both Marvel Studios and 20th Television. Projects for Marvel Studios will go to Disney Plus, while projects for 20th TV will be developed for all platforms.Schaeffer created “WandaVision” for television and also served as head writer and executive producer.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterPeter Murrieta has signed a first-look deal with Universal Television, Variety has learned exclusively.Under the deal, Murrieta will develop original content for broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. He was previously an executive producer on “Mr.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterIn a competitive situation, Blumhouse Television and Maniac Productions have secured the rights to the BBC Radio 4 podcast “The Battersea Poltergeist.”The two companies will now work to develop a scripted series, with the podcast serving as the basis for the first season.

The Anita Hill-led Hollywood Commission has partnered with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers to develop a pilot program to protect workers at independent production companies from workplace misconduct.