CW Acquires Four More Series for Summer Lineup

Joe Otterson TV ReporterChris Parnell is leaving Sony Pictures Television Studios, where he most recently served as co-president alongside Jason Clodfelter.Parnell will join Apple TV Plus in a senior programming role on the domestic development team, reporting to Matt Cherniss, Apple’s head of scripted development and current programming.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterMahershala Ali is attached to play boxer Jack Johnson in a limited series currently in the works at HBO, Variety has learned.The six-part series is titled “Unruly.” It is described as an unapologetically Black, no-holds-barred telling of Johnson’s life.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterColin Kaepernick and Ava DuVernay are teaming for a scripted series about the NFL quarterback’s high school years at Netflix, Variety has learned.The six-episode series is currently titled “Colin in Black & White.” It will provide a look at Kaepernick’s early life as a Black child growing up with a white adopted family and his journey to become a great quarterback while defining his identity.

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Jewelry deals are happening at the Amazon Summer Sale, also known as the Big Style Sale. Enjoy up to 40% off on jewelry and accessories from Swarovski, Fossil, AX Armani Exchange and more. Although Amazon Prime Day has been postponed, the Amazon fashion summer sale is filled with amazing deep discounts from many of our favorite fashion brands.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe hit video game “Disco Elysium” is getting the TV series treatment.Indie game developer ZA/UM has partnered with the production company dj2 Entertainment to develop a series based on the game.Based on the universe introduced in Robert Kurvitz’s 2013 novel “A Sacred, Terrible Air,” the game follows a veteran detective with a mysterious past who must solve a crime that threatens to set powerful political factions into civil war.“We’re so gratified at the response ‘Disco

Joe Otterson TV ReporterApple is adding another international co-production to its streaming repertoire.The streamer has boarded the Israeli psychological thriller series “Losing Alice.” The show is produced by Israel’s Dori Media Productions in association with HOT. The eight-episode series is currently airing on HOT and will stream worldwide later this year on Apple TV Plus.The series hails from creator Sigal Avin, who served as director in addition to writing.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterLike virtually all aspects of the entertainment industry, the volume of broadcast series orders took a massive hit this year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.The pandemic shut down the traditional pilot season, with almost no pilots completing production.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterAnother of “Normal People” author Sally Rooney’s books is set to get the series treatment at Hulu.The streamer has given a straight-to-series order to “Conversations with Friends,” which will be based on Rooney’s debut novel of the same name.The series will consist of 12 half-hour episodes.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterIn a competitive situation, Apple has given a straight-to-series order to a comedy series from Phil Lord and Chris Miller, Variety has learned exclusively.Titled “The Afterparty,” the series is described as a murder mystery comedy set at a high school reunion afterparty.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterFox has renewed the animated comedy “The Great North” for a second season before the first has even aired.The show was ordered to straight-to-series last year and is currently slated to debut at midseason in 2021. It hails from Wendy Molyneux and Lizzie Molyneux-Logelin from “Bob’s Burgers” as well as Minty Lewis.

Lady Gaga was in a sentimental mood yesterday, sharing a rare makeup-free selfie to her Instagram that also showed off her pool. She captioned it with an affectionate message for her fans, writing, "Thinking about the world and sending love.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterHBO Max has ordered a new adult animated series titled “10-Year-Old-Tom.”The series hails from writer and executive producer Steve Dildarian, with Nick Weidenfeld also attached as an executive producer.“Not only is Steve insanely funny, he is one of the rare talents that can write, draw and do voices.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterDan Harmon has signed a broadcast network-only exclusive direct animation deal with Fox Entertainment.Under the deal, Harmon has received a series commitment for an adult animated series that is currently being targeted for a spring 2022 debut.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterGuidelines from Hollywood unions on how to resume production amid the COVID-19 pandemic were released last week, but one group was noticeably left out: writers.Many film and television writers have expressed their concerns in the past few days, as the 36-page report released June 12 titled “The Safe Way Forward” includes language that would seem to bar writers and showrunners from their own sets.Page 15 of the report, which breaks down who is allowed on set, begins by

Joe Otterson TV ReporterHulu is developing a comedy series about the notorious New Jersey theme park Action Park, Variety has learned.The half-hour series is based on the book “Action Park: Fast Times, Wild Rides, and the Untold Story of America’s Most Dangerous Amusement Park” by Andy Mulvihill and Jake Rossen.

Also Read: Here's the Fall 2020 TV Schedule for Broadcast Networks - So FarPreviously acquired series “Tell Me a Story,” which originally streamed on CBS All Access, will make its broadcast television debut on July 28. Investigative drama “Coroner” will have its U.S.

Denise Petski Senior Managing EditorThe CW has added a quartet of alternative acquisitions to its summer line-up and has set its remaining summer 2020 premiere dates.Making their U.S.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterStarz is developing a new comedy series titled “East Wing” with Debra Messing attached in the lead role, Variety has learned.The series hails from writers and creators Ali Wentworth and Liz Tuccillo, with Wentworth also set to star alongside Messing. The show is inspired by Wentworth’s mother, who who served as Social Secretary in the White House during Ronald Reagan’s presidency in the 1980s.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterApple has signed on to co-produce the upcoming espionage thriller series “Tehran.”The show tells the story of a Mossad agent who goes deep undercover on a dangerous mission in Tehran that places her and everyone around her in dire jeopardy.