Cynthia Erivo Inks First-Look Deal With MRC TV, Civic Center Media

Denise Petski Senior Managing EditorEva Longoria and her UnbeliEVAble Entertainment are staying in business with 20th Television.

Nellie Andreeva, Denise Petski EXCLUSIVE: Moshe Zonder, co-creator of the upcoming Apple original drama series Tehran, is expanding his relationship with the streaming service. Zonder has signed a multi-year first-look deal to create premium, scripted television projects for Apple TV+.Co-created by Zonder, Dana Eden and Maor Kohn, and directed by Daniel Syrkin, Israel-Iran spy thriller Tehran tells marks Apple TV+’s first non-English language series.

Cynthia Erivo opens up about being activist for the Black Lives Matter movement and using her Instagram to “spark joy,” while providing comfort with her music.

Matthew McConaughey is … Hank the Cowdog. The Oscar-winning actor will voice the title character in Jeff Nichols’ new podcast series that will also feature the voice talent of Jesse Plemons, Cynthia Erivo, Kirsten Dunst, Leslie Jordan, Joel Edgerton, Scoot McNairy and John R.

Emma Roberts has signed a first-look deal with Hulu, and her first project under the pact will be a TV adaptation of Carola Lovering’s “Tell Me Lies.”The 2018 novel follows a college girl named Lucy Albright who is obsessed with a very charming man. “When Lucy Albright arrives on the campus of her small college, away from her mother whom she’s never forgiven for an act of betrayal in her early teen years, Lucy embraces college life and all it has to offer.

Peter White Television EditorEmma Roberts has signed a first-look deal at Hulu and will focus on adapting books for television.The American Horror Story and Scream Queens star struck the deal with the streamer via her Belletrist TV production company, which has set an adaptation of Carola Lovering’s Tell Me Lies as her first project.Tell Me Lies, which was published in 2018, tells the story of a young woman’s obsession with a man who’s good at being charming.

Paramount Pictures has extended its first-look film deal with “Sonic the Hedgehog” producer Neal Moritz and his Original Film production company, the studio announced on Wednesday.The deal is a two-year extension that will continue the studio’s relationship through the end of 2023.

Neal Moritz and his Original Film production company have extended their multiyear, first-look agreement with Paramount Pictures through to Dec. 31, 2023.

Justin Kroll Senior Film ReporterParamount has reupped its first-look deal with producer Neal Moritz, giving the acclaimed producer a two-year extension on his current pact. It extends the studio’s relationship with Moritz through December 2023.“I am thrilled to extend this relationship with Neal and Original Film, which already has been so fruitful with the success of Sonic the Hedgehog,” Paramount Pictures chairman and CEO Jim Gianopulos said Wednesday.

Dave McNary Film ReporterParamount Pictures has announced a two-year extension of its first-look deal with producer Neal Moritz, who delivered “Sonic the Hedgehog” to the studio and is producing the sequel.The new deal, announced Wednesday, extends the studio’s relationship with Moritz through the end of 2023.After a strong opening weekend, “Sonic the Hedgehog” went on to become the highest-grossing movie based on a video game domestically, with $146 million in the U.S.

BuzzFeed is expanding its media reach. The company has signed a first-look deal with Universal Television to develop scripted series projects based on its content and original reporting from its journalists.

Will Thorne Staff WriterUniversal Television and Buzzfeed are getting into business.The two entities have signed a first-look deal, which will see the NBCU studio produce scripted content based on stories and reporting published by Buzzfeed.As part of this new deal, the companies have already set their first project together in the form of a series based on the 2018 article “Meet the Women Who Are Building a Better Romance Industry” by Bim Adewunmi.

Denise Petski Senior Managing EditorBuzzfeed is making an expanded push into television, signing a first-look deal with Universal TV, in which the studio will produce scripted content based on stories and original reporting published by the tech-powered media company.

Denise Petski Senior Managing EditorOscar nominee and The Outsider star Cynthia Erivo is expanding her relationship with MRC Television and Civic Center Media, the studio’s joint venture with UTA, with a first-look deal. Under the pact, Erivo will develop and produce television projects through her newly formed production company, Edith’s Daughter.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterCynthia Erivo has signed a first-look television deal with MRC Television and Civic Center Media, MRC’s joint venture with UTA.Under the deal, Erivo will develop and produce television projects through her newly formed production company, Edith’s Daughter. Edith’s Daughter will focus on projects that express the beauty in the stories and people who are often overlooked and underrepresented.

Amazon is bringing another key member of the Fleabag team back. The retail giant/streamer has inked director Harry Bradbeer to a first-look deal.

LAGOS, Nigeria -- He spins effortlessly and leaps elegantly. His pirouette is effervescent.

Will Thorne Staff WriterHarry Bradbeer, known for directing almost every single episode of “Fleabag,” has set his creative sights on Amazon.The Emmy winner has inked a first-look deal with Amazon Studios, under which he will develop and create television series to premiere exclusively on the streamer.News of the deal comes almost a year after “Fleabag” creator and star Phoebe Waller-Bridge inked her own deal with Amazon.

Nigeria earlier this year, the 11-year-old thought the footage would be used for a common film study session. Instead, the cellphone video of him performing the pirouette without shoes on the unevenly wet concrete was seen by a much bigger audience.

Peter White Television EditorABC is doubling down on its business with Tyra Banks after the supermodel and TV host struck a first-look deal with ABC Signature.Banks and her production company Bankable Productions will produce scripted content with ABC Signature and unscripted programming with ABC Entertainment via the new agreement.Banks and Bankable Productions previously had a first-look deal with Universal Television and Universal Television Alternative Studio, unveiled in August 2018.It