J.J. Abrams HBO Series ‘Demimonde’ Casts Danielle Deadwyler in Lead Role

Joe Otterson TV ReporterStephanie Beatriz is set to star opposite Anthony Mackie in the “Twisted Metal” series currently in the works at Peacock, Variety has learned.The show was ordered to series at the NBCU streamer back in February. It is an adaptation of the video game series of the same name.In the half-hour show, Mackie will play John Doe, a motor-mouthed outsider who is offered a chance at a better life, but only if he can successfully deliver a mysterious package across a post-apocalyptic wasteland.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterGarrett Hedlund has joined the cast of the Sylverster Stallone-led Paramount+ series “Tulsa King,” Variety has learned exclusively.The series follows New York mafia capo Dwight “The General” Manfredi (Stallone) just after he is released from prison after 25 years and unceremoniously exiled by his boss to set up shop in Tulsa, OK. Realizing that his mob family may not have his best interests in mind, Dwight slowly builds a “crew” from a group of unlikely characters, to help him establish a new criminal empire in a place that to him might as well be another planet.Hedlund will appear in the series regular role of Mitch Keller, an Oklahoma native and ex bull-rider who retired prematurely after injuries led to addiction.

David Cronenberg has found his next movie: thriller The Shrouds, which will star his Eastern Promises and Dangerous Method collaborator Vincent Cassel.

Huge news for Katy Perry!

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe upcoming Paramount+ drama series “Tulsa King” has added A.C. Peterson to its cast, Variety has learned exclusively.Sylvester Stallone will lead the series, with Max Casella, Domenick Lombardozzi, Vincent Piazza and Jay Will also starring.

Jazz Tangcay Artisans EditorChoosing the tunes for HBO’s “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty” became a treasure hunt for hidden gems for music supervisor Gabe Hilfer.Set in the ’80s, the series loosely tells the story of the Los Angeles Lakers, owner Jerry Buss and Magic Johnson. Hilfer came on board and immediately pulled “cool, stylized music from the period and before, so we could paint a picture of that time in L.A.”Orchestral disco from Spirit of Brotherhood, Arizona hard rockers Loosely Tight and Miami Cuban salsa band Ray & His Court are just some of the lesser-known acts Hilfer chose to reflect the era.

EXCLUSIVE: Deadline has learned that Asger Hussain is joining Lee Daniels Entertainment as SVP of Television, overseeing all aspects of development and production.

Two-time Emmy winner Jeff Daniels has been tapped as the lead of A Man in Full, a six-episode limited series based on Tom Wolfe’s 1998 novel, from David E. Kelley and Regina King. Kelley serves as writer, executive producer and showrunner, with King directing three episodes and exec producing as part of her first-look deal with Netflix via her Royal Ties production company.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterJeff Daniels is set to play the lead role in the upcoming Netflix drama series “A Man in Full,” Variety has learned.The series is based on the Tom Wolfe novel of the same name. Variety exclusively reported the show had received a straight-to-series order at the streamer in November 2021. The show hails from David E. Kelley with Regina King onboard to direct and executive produce.In the series, Atlanta real estate mogul Charlie Croker (Daniels) faces sudden bankruptcy.

The new NCAA Name, Image, Likeness rule (NIL) that allows college athletes to monetize themselves could be at a crossroads. Top college receiver Jordan Addison is reportedly mulling a transfer from Pittsburgh amid rumors of massive booster blandishments from top football programs.

EXCLUSIVE: Netflix is adapting bestselling author Don Winslow’s novels The Dawn Patrol and The Gentlemen’s Hours for features. Charlène Favier is aboard to direct, with Chernin Entertainment and The Story Factory’s Shane Salerno producing. They are out to high level writers to script the film.

The Weeknd and “Euphoria” creator Sam Levinson have teamed up for a new HBO series, “The Idol,” which focuses on a female pop singer who starts a romance with an enigmatic L.A. club owner that happens to be the leader of a secret cult, because what else would you expect from Levinson? Amid HBO’s announcement of a “new creative direction” on the music industry show, it has led to some prominent crew members exiting.

Danielle Deadwyler is set as the lead in Demimonde, HBO’s sci-fi drama series, written, executive produced and to be directed by J.J. Abrams.

Rob Lowe and his brother Chad are sharing the screen!

EXCLUSIVE: Oscar winner Adrien Brody has been cast opposite Natasha Lyonne in Poker Face, Peacock’s 10-episode mystery drama series from Rian Johnson, his T-Street banner and MRC Television.

HBO has set a June premiere date for Irma Vep, its limited series based on Olivier Assayas’ 1996 feature film, starring Alicia Vikander. Irma Vep, which will world premiere as an Official Selection at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival, will debut on Monday, June 6 at 9 PM on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max. We’re also getting a look at Vikander as Mira in three first-look photos (see above and below).