Disney Channels Exec Nancy Kanter Signs Netflix Overall Deal

Joe Otterson TV ReporterJudy Greer has signed on for a guest starring role in the upcoming Showtime series “The First Lady.”Formerly known as “First Ladies,” the show is described as a reframing of American leadership, told through the lens of the women at the heart of the White House. Viola Davis will star as Michelle Obama, while Michelle Pfeiffer will play Betty Ford.Greer is set to play Nancy Howe, Ford’s trusted confidante and social secretary.

I probably sound like a broken record by this point because whenever Gareth Evans is mentioned, it’s utterly important that I implore everyone to watch “The Raid” films. They are two of the best action films, period, let alone of the past decade.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterUzo Aduba has signed a multi-year producing deal with CBS Studios, Variety has confirmed.Under the deal, she will star in and executive produce a new drama series titled “Low Country” that is also executive produced by CBS favorites Robert and Michelle King. Dewayne Jones, who previously worked on the Kings’ shows “Evil” and “Your Honor,” will write and executive produce.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterA Wednesday Addams live-action series has been ordered at Netflix, Variety has learned.The project was first reported as being in development back in October, though no network or streamer was attached at that time.

Melissa Benoist will have her schedule filled after Supergirl wraps up for the final season.

Supergirl star Melissa Benoist is moving into production and sticking with Warner Bros.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterHarlan Coben has signed on for representation with UTA.He will continue to be represented by literary agent Lisa Erbach Vance of The Aaron Priest Literary Agency and attorney Michael Gendler of Gendler & Kelly.Coben has penned over thirty novels, includingNew York Times bestsellers “The Boy From The Woods,” “Run Away,” “Fool Me Once,” “Tell No One,” and the Myron Bolitar series.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“Game of Thrones” creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss are developing a series adaptation of the Richard Powers novel “The Overstory” at Netflix, Variety has learned.Richard Robbins, whose past TV credits include “12 Monkeys” and “Good Girls Revolt,” wrote the pilot script and serves as executive producer.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterA “Yellowstone” prequel series is set at Paramount Plus under an extension of series co-creator Taylor Sheridan’s overall deal with ViacomCBS.The prequel, “Y: 1883,” follows the Dutton family as they embark on a journey west through the Great Plains toward the last bastion of untamed America.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterLana Condor is set to star in and executive produce the comedy series “Boo, Bitch,” which has been ordered to series at Netflix.The role expands Condor’s relationship with the streaming giant, as she broke out in her starring role in the Netflix YA rom-com “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.” She has since starred in the sequel “To All the Boys: P.S.

EXCLUSIVE: In a competitive situation with multiple offers from financiers & studios, Netflix has won the film rights to Max Taxe’s short story Ripple. Taxe, who pitched the project in the room, will adapt his love story with a sci-fi twist. When a time traveler starts meddling with the past just as Miles finally meets the love of his life, he must battle ever shifting timelines to find her again.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterNetflix has ordered a new one-hour drama series from Martin Gero and Brendan Gall, Variety has learned exclusively.The six-episode series is titled “Breathe.” When a small plane crashes in the middle of the Canadian wilderness, a lone woman must battle the elements and odds to survive.Gero and Gall are co-writing and executive producing the series, with Gero executive producing under his Quinn’s House Production company. Warner Bros.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterNew Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) will air on the Roku Channel in the U.S., U.K., and Canada under a new television deal, Variety has learned.The professional wrestling promotion will air a one-hour weekly series on the Roku Channel beginning Feb. 11 and will air every Thursday thereafter beginning at 5 p.m.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterIn a competitive situation, Marvin Lemus has signed with Verve, Variety has learned exclusively.Lemus, a Mexican-Guatemalan filmmaker, will continue to be repped by The Mission Entertainment in addition to Verve.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterA series set in Wakanda is in development at Disney Plus.The series is part of a new multi-year overall television deal Ryan Coogler and his Proximity Media have signed with The Walt Disney Company and will include other television projects in the future. Coogler previously directed and co-wrote the hit Marvel film “Black Panther,” which takes place in the fictional African nation of Wakanda.

A day after Nancy Kanter’s last day at Disney, Netflix announced an overall deal with the former EVP, Content and Creative Strategy for Disney Channels Worldwide, who launched and built Disney’s preschool TV channel Disney Junior.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe Netflix dramedy “The Chair” is rounding out its cast.Bob Balaban, Nana Mensah, David Morse, and Everly Carganilla have all been cast in series regular roles, Variety has learned. In addition, Ji Yong Lee, Mallory Low, Marcia DeBonis, Ron Crawford, Ella Rubin, and Bob Stephenson have all been cast in guest starring roles.They join the previously announced cast memebers Sandra Oh, Jay Duplass and Holland Taylor.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterNeve Campbell has signed on for a leading role in “The Lincoln Lawyer” series that was recently announced at Netflix.She joins previously announced series Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, who will star as Mickey Haller, runs his law practice out of the back seat of his Lincoln Town Car.Campbell will play Maggie McPherson.

EXCLUSIVE: Netflix has signed an overall deal with animators, writers and producers Roger Black and Waco O’Guin, the creators and executive producers of the streamer’s series Paradise PD. 

“Marriage Story” filmmaker Noah Baumbach and Netflix are entering into an official partnership, the streamer announced on Thursday.Following the success of Baumbach’s recent collaborations with Netflix, the acclaimed director, writer and producer will exclusively write and direct films for Netflix for the next several years.Baumbach’s next film is “White Noise,” an adaptation of the Don DeLillo novel of the same name.