Cynthia Erivo Signs First-Look Deal With MRC Television, Launches Production Company

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.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterMara Brock Akil has signed an overall deal with Netflix. The news comes just days ahead of the Netflix premiere of Brock Akil’s classic sitcom “Girlfriends,” which will begin streaming on Netflix on Sept.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterAs the COVID-19 pandemic drags on, the virus’s effect on Hollywood is becoming more pronounced.Television development has slowed considerably across broadcast, cable and streaming in recent months.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterSilk could soon be the next Marvel character to get her own TV series, Variety has learned from sources.Variety has learned that Sony, which controls the rights to the Spider-Man universe, is developing a live-action series centered on Silk. Lauren Moon is in talks to write.

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.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterEmma Roberts and her Belletrist TV banner have signed a first-look TV deal with Hulu.The deal will focus on literary adaptations, as Belletrist was originally founded by Roberts and Karah Preiss as a book club.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterA+E Networks has launched a new campaign called Voices Magnified,The cross-platform campaign is meant to spotlight and amplify the voices of those making changes in their communities for the greater good.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterCBS All Access is developing a series about former NYPD detective Derrick Parker with Tip “T.I.” Harris attached to star and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson onboard as an executive producer, Variety has learned.The project is currently titled “Twenty Four Seven.” It is based on the book “Notorious C.O.P.: The Inside Story of the Tupac, Biggie, and Jam Master Jay Investigations from NYPD’s First ‘Hip-Hop Cop'” by Parker and Matt Diehl.During his time with the NYPD, Parker worked

Joe Otterson TV ReporterOWN has given a straight-to-series order to the drama series “Delilah,” which hails from “Greenleaf” creator Craig Wright, Variety has learned.The series will star Maahra Hill as Delilah Connolly, a headstrong, highly principled lawyer living in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterFox is developing a one-hour music anthology series, Variety has confirmed.The series is currently titled “Icon.” Each season would focus on the true stories of the music legends we think we know.

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 ReporterRobin Thede has signed a multi-year overall deal at Warner Bros. Television Group.Under the terms of the deal, Thede will develop new television projects for all platforms, including streaming, premium and basic cable, and broadcast.Thede’s most recent project was “A Black Lady Sketch Show,” the HBO comedy series that Thede created, stars in, and also serves as showrunner and executive producer.

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.

Peter White Television EditorHarry Bradbeer is the latest member of the Fleabag family to partner with Amazon after striking a first-look deal with the streamer.Bradbeer, who directed both seasons of the BBC/Amazon comedy co-pro, won the Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series for his work on the second season.

Also Read: 'Dancing With the Stars' Gets September Premiere Date at ABCBankable Productions most recently produced the Freeform original movie “Life Size 2,” which saw Banks reprise her role from the original ABC film. Hayley Lozitsky is executive vice president of Bankable Productions and Sabrina Besla is director of development and in-house writer.“Tyra’s fierce and undeniable passion has not only made her one of the biggest stars to date, it has created an incredible connection with female

Joe Otterson TV ReporterFamilystyle has entered into a first-look deal with Entertainment 360, the joint venture between MRC Television and Management 360, Variety has learned exclusively.Familystyle is the production company run by Karyn Kusama, Matt Manfredi, and Phil Hay. The first project being developed under the deal is the series “The Occupant.” Kusama is attached to direct with Manfredi and Hay attached to write.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterTanya Saracho has signed an overall deal with Universal Content Productions (UCP).Under the deal, Saracho will develop original television projects for UCP as well as podcasts via the studio’s UCP Audio division. She will also establish a lab and incubator program aimed to nurture, amplify, guide, and empower intersectional Latinx voices.

Leonardo DiCaprio has an exciting new deal.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe Comedy Central shows “The Other Two” and “South Side” are moving to HBO Max.In a deal between Comedy Central Productions and the streaming service, the first seasons of both shows will become available on HBO Max in 2021, with future seasons debuting exclusively on HBO Max instead of Comedy Central.In addition, HBO Max will become the exclusive streaming home of the Comedy Central series “Awkwafina is Nora from Queens.” The first season is now available on HBO Max.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaLeonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way Productions has signed a first-look deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment, reuniting the actor with the studio behind his recent hit “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” Appian Way previously produced “The Revenant, “The Wolf of Wall Street,” and “Shutter Island.” It is co-run by Jennifer Davisson.