Cynthia Erivo Inks First-Look Deal With MRC Television & Civic Center Media, Launches Production Company

Also Read: 'TheWrap-Up' Podcast: Actress, Director, Producer and Activist Eva Longoria“Eva and Ben’s passion for championing meaningful stories, especially those of underrepresented voices and communities is something we believe in deeply at 20th, so we jumped at the chance to extend our relationship with them,” 20th Television president Carolyn Cassidy said.

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

Joe Otterson TV ReporterEva Longoria and Ben Spector’s UnbeliEVAble Entertainment has signed a new three-year first-look deal with 20th Television.“Eva and Ben’s passion for championing meaningful stories, especially those of underrepresented voices and communities is something we believe in deeply at 20th, so we jumped at the chance to extend our relationship with them,” said 20th TV president Carolyn Cassidy.

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.

Peter White Television EditorEXCLUSIVE: Tony McGee, celebrity photographer best known for his work with David Bowie, is prepping the release of a film shot during the pandemic after launching a film production company with his son Max McGee.Tony McGee, who also took the first professional photographs of Kate Moss when she became a model, and Max McGee recently launched McGee Films.They are preparing the launch of Auto, which was filmed in London during COVID-19.

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.

Cynthia Erivo is expanding into producing. The award-winning actress is reteaming with The Outsider studio MRC Television and has signed a first-look deal with the studio and Civic Center Media.

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

Elaine Low Senior TV WriterSupermodel-turned-businesswoman Tyra Banks has signed a first-look deal with Disney Television Studios’ ABC Signature to focus her efforts on producing scripted programming with ABC Signature and unscripted content with ABC Entertainment.“Ever since I was a little girl growing up in Inglewood, California, I’ve been enamored by the magic of Disney. Joining the family at ABC feels like a homecoming of sorts,” says Banks.