‘Hacks’ Co-Creator Jen Statsky Extends Universal Television Overall Deal

Joe Otterson TV ReporterPeacock is developing a one-hour drama series about millennial nuns from “The Thing About Pam” creator Jessika Borsiczky, Variety has learned exclusively.The series is titled “Called” and is based on the Huffington Post article “Behold, The Millennial Nuns” by Eve Fairbanks.

EXCLUSIVE: The Wire writer/producer George Pelecanos, who has had an informal home at HBO for nearly two decades, has made it official with a recently signed two-year overall deal. Under the pact, Pelecanos will develop and produce original content for the network.

EXCLUSIVE: Writer and producer Lauren Ashley Smith (A Black Lady Sketch Show) is expanding her relationship with CBS Studios, signing an overall deal with the studio. Under the pact, Smith will be creating comedies for network/streaming on all platforms.

Director-producer DeMane Davis (Queen Sugar, Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam CJ Walker) is expanding her relationship with Warner Bros. Television Group with an overall deal. Terms were not disclosed, but WBTVG confirms it is an exclusive, multiyear agreement.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterDr. Ibram X.

EXCLUSIVE: Westbrook‘s Red Table Talk franchise is expanding with an overall deal with iHeartMedia to launch the Red Table Talk Audio Network.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterChloë Sevigny has joined the cast of the Hulu limited series “The Girl From Plainville.”She joins previously announced series stars Elle Fanning and Colton Ryan in the series. Fanning stars as Michelle Carter and is inspired by the true story of her controversial “texting-suicide” case.

The Witcher creator Lauren Schmidt Hissrich is expanding her relationship with Netflix with a multi-year overall deal. Under the pact, Schmidt Hissrich will write and produce scripted series content and other creative projects for the streaming giant. The deal was announced during Netflix’s TCA session Thursday.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“The Witcher” showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich has signed a multi-year overall deal with Netflix.Under the deal, Schmidt Hissrich will write and produce scripted series content and other creative projects for the streaming service.“I am so thrilled to have found my home at Netflix, and can’t wait to continue what’s been an incredibly fulfilling creative partnership,” Schmidt Hissrich said.

EXCLUSIVE: Superstore and American Auto creator Justin Spitzer has signed a big new four-year overall deal with the studio behind the NBC comedy series, Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterLongtime development executive Steven Prinz has signed an overall television deal and a first-look film deal with Amazon, Variety has learned.Prinz most recently served as global series executive for Amazon Studios, overseeing the development of projects from creators with first look and overall deals with the studio. Those included Plan B Entertainment, Michael B.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterAuriel Rudnick has signed a three-year overall deal with Paramount Television Studios, Variety has learned exclusively.“I am excited to bring the kind of stories to life that I believe have long wanted to be told, and I am especially excited to be doing this with the phenomenal team at Paramount Television Studios,” Rudnick said.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterRobert Rodríguez and his Troublemaker Studios have signed a first-look deal with HBO and HBO Max.Under the deal, Rodríguez will bring projects to HBO Max and HBO for potential development as original series. Racer Rodríguez, Rodríguez’s son, will serve as lead development executive under the pact.

Deadline (Netflix did not comment when asked by TheWrap).Kemp will retain an executive producer role on the “Power” spinoffs, which are all in various stages of production. The agreement is similar to that of Shonda Rhimes and “Grey’s Anatomy,” when she left ABC for Netflix back in 2018.

Mónica Marie Zorrilla “Power” universe creator-showrunner, writer and producer Courtney A. Kemp has entered a multi-year creative partnership with Netflix.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“Ted Lasso” co-creator Bill Lawrence has landed a series order at Apple for the drama “Bad Monkey” with Vince Vaughn attached to star, Variety has learned.The series is based on Carl Hiaasen’s 2013 novel of the same name. It tells the story of Andrew Yancy (Vaughn), a one-time detective demoted to restaurant inspector in Southern Florida.

Jen Statsky, co-creator of HBO Max’s Hacks, is staying in business with Universal Television.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterJustin Simien has signed an overall deal with Paramount Television Studios.Under the deal, Simien and his Culture Machine banner will develop premium television series for the studio for broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms.

EXCLUSIVE: Dear White People creator Justin Simien is getting into business with Paramount Television Studios. The multi-hyphenate director, writer and producer has signed a three-year overall deal with the studio. Under the pact, he’ll develop premium television series aimed at various platforms via his Culture Machine production company.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterScooter Braun’s SB Projects has extended its first-look deal with Amazon, Variety has learned exclusively.SB Projects signed their first deal with Amazon in 2019, with multiple projects currently in development at the streamer. Among those is “Neon Machine” from writer/director Jason Kim, and a modern-day YA musical feature film loosely based on the character of Lady Macbeth with writer S.J.