‘Dune: The Sisterhood’ Spinoff HBO Max Series Finally Begins Shooting & Co-Showrunner Diane Ademu-John Exits

EXCLUSIVE: Universal and Working Title have set Melissa McCarthy to star in an untitled Christmas-in-New York movie that will be written by Love Actually scribe Richard Curtis and directed by Sam Boyd.

Christian Wikander, the scripted specialist who left HBO Max as part of cuts to the streamer in Europe this summer, has a new role.

John Cena (Peacemaker) and Jason Momoa (Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom) have signed on to star in the action-comedy Killer Vacation from Warner Bros., Deadline can confirm.

Patrick Somerville, showrunner of HBO Max’s limited series Station Eleven, has addressed the issue of shows disappearing from the Warner Bros. Discovery streamer.

Production for Dune: Part Two has wrapped, according to Timothée Chalamet.

HBO Max is dropping its first original scripted series Love Life, which has produced two seasons. They will be removed as part of a broader financial review of the streamer’s slate that has resulted in a purge of a number of titles at the end of the calendar year, including Gordita Chronicles, which was recently removed, and Minx, whose second season renewal also has been reversed.

EXCLUSIVE: The reality cancellations are coming thick and fast at HBO Max.

Warner Bros Discovery and Amazon have struck a new distribution deal for HBO Max, returning the streaming service to Prime Video Channels.

Hollywood has adapted video games for decades, but the execution has always been decidedly mixed at best. HBO Max hopes to change that for good and has grand ambitions with the Naughty Dog/Sony PlayStation original video game franchise “The Last of Us.” The prestige cable company is hoping for a more compelling and adult experience for audiences by adding terrific behind-the-camera talent, a group of seasoned actors, and placing them in this harsh post-apocalypse landscape that will fuel a dramatic story.

EXCLUSIVE: Gore Abrams has been cast as a series regular opposite Christian Serratos and Ana Ortiz in the HBO Max drama pilot More, from Amy Chozick, Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television.

While fans await Denis Villeneuve‘s “Dune: Part Two,” in theaters (tentatively) next November, another “Dune” project looms on the horizon: HBO Max‘s “Dune: The Sisterhood.” And anticipation is already high for the upcoming series, with Emily Watson, Shirley Henderson, and Indira Varma leading the show’s cast. Now Deadline reports three more joining the ensemble: Mark Strong, Jade Anouka, and Chris Mason.

Mark Strong (1917, Kingsman films), Jade Anouka (His Dark Materials, Small Axe) and Chris Mason (Broadchurch, Dirty John) have been cast opposite Emily Watson, Shirley Henderson and Travis Fimmel in HBO Max’s series Dune: The Sisterhood (wt), from Legendary Television.

EXCLUSIVE: As HBO Max’s Dune: The Sisterhood (wt) moves into production, series creator and writer Diane Ademu-John is stepping down as co-showrunner. She will remain creatively involved in the prequel as executive producer but will focus on other commitments. Veteran TV writer-producer Alison Schapker, who has served as co-showrunner with Ademu-John, will now be the sole showrunner for the series.

EXCLUSIVE: Ana Ortiz (Ugly Betty; Love, Victor) is finalizing a deal to lead the cast of the HBO Max drama pilot More, from Amy Chozick, Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television. Ortiz, who will star alongside Christian Serratos, replaces Veronica Falcón, who originally was tapped for the role. The recasting decision was made after the table read, I hear.

Doomsday is drawing near in the latest installment of HBO Max‘s Doom Patrol.

Veteran PR executive Karen Jones is stepping down as EVP and Head of Communications for HBO and HBO Max. She will be leaving HBO — and likely the entertainment business — early next year and is exploring opportunities in educational access.