Jessica Lowndes Inks Multi-Picture Deal With GAC Family; Will Write, Produce & Direct Projects

Coronation Street star Jack P Shepherd left fans concerned as he posted a snap from A&E on Friday. It has been over a month since the soap star returned to work on the popular and long-running soap after recovering from coronavirus. And there appears to be cause for concern yet again when it comes to the 34 year old's health, as he revealed he was in the hospital getting an X-ray done.Taking to his Instagram Stories, Jack, who takes on the role of David Platt on Corrie, posted a picture from the Accident and Emergency unit with the caption: "Don't have too much fun kids".

Underwood and CBS Studios, which produces The Talk, have also entered into new two-year first look deal.

Angelique Jackson CBS is doubling down on its commitment to Sheryl Underwood, the Emmy-winning host of “The Talk.”Underwood has inked a multi-year deal to remain on the panel of the daytime talk series through Season 15 (“The Talk” is currently in its 12th season), plus she’s entered into a new two-year first-look deal with CBS Studios.“‘The Talk’ will forever be my home; I have no intentions of going anywhere, but while I have this platform and while I have access to the audience, I want to be as integral in the success of the corporation of CBS as I possibly can,” Underwood tells Variety of expanding her relationship with the network. “I want to be able to create content — not just for me to star in, but for other people to get the same opportunity and go on the same journey, especially women and stand-up comics.” Underwood joined “The Talk” in September 2011, as the show entered into its second season, and earned a Daytime Emmy Award alongside her fellow hosts in 2017.On behalf of CBS, CEO George Cheeks stated: “Sheryl has been critical to ‘The Talk’s’ success for more than a decade and we’re excited that she will be part of the conversation for several years to come.

Naman Ramachandran BBC Studios has inked its first major factual multi-year content deal in Italy with Mediaset, the country’s top private generalist TV network. The BBC’s long-term agreement with Mediaset covers first-window exclusive pre-sales in Italy of its natural history shows including its upcoming “Frozen Planet II,” “Dynasties II” and “Planet Earth III.” The Mediaset package deal also comprises providing an additional annual 25 hours of content for Mediaset’s Focus Channel, for an unspecified number of years.

Fox Audio Network, which combines all of Fox’s news, sports and entertainment podcasts, has inked a comprehensive advertising and distribution deal with Megaphone, a Spotify company, as the exclusive hosting platform for its growing slate.

Lacey Chabert is sticking with Hallmark Channel.

Lindsay Lohan (Mean Girls, Freaky Friday) is expanding on her relationship with Netflix, with a deal for two more original films in which she’ll star, the streamer announced today.

Daniel Radcliffe, Jack Black and Conan O’Brien have been spotted filming their upcoming Weird Al biopic in Los Angeles. The actors got into character in wigs and garish costumes as they transformed themselves for the movie based on the American comedy musician. Radcliffe was far from incognito as he donned a big curly wig, a Hawaiian print shirt, a moustache and round wire-frame eyeglasses for the title role.

J. Kim Murphy Lacey Chabert and Crown Media Family Networks have agreed to an exclusive multi-picture overall deal.

J. Kim Murphy Britney Spears has landed a record-breaking publishing deal for a tell-all memoir, Variety has confirmed with a source close to Spears.Publishing house Simon & Schuster and Spears have secured a deal for the pop star’s memoir. The book will provide Spears’ accounts of and commentary on her rise to fame, her music career and her relationship with her family.Deal terms were not revealed, but an individual familiar with Spears tells Variety the deal is “record-breaking.” Page Six reports that the agreement is worth as much as $15 million and that Simon & Schuster reportedly emerged victorious after a bidding war involving multiple other publishers.Variety has reached out to Simon & Schuster for comment.

EXCLUSIVE: Hallmark veteran Lacey Chabert is expanding her relationship with parent company Crown Media Family Networks. Chabert has signed an exclusive multi-picture overall deal with Crown Media, under which she will headline and executive produce movies and develop other content for Hallmark Channel and other Hallmark platforms over the next two years.

Anne Hathaway has been enjoying her European getaway with her youngest son Jack, 2. The 39-year-old and her son were spotted vacationing in Rome on Sunday, Feb. 20. The Princess Diaries actress rocked a navy blazer and matching cap paired with a pair of jeans and big sunglasses as she held little Jack. Jack donned a fashionable white, red and blue tri-colored jacket and white pants as he rested in his mama’s arms.

Fuller House earned a 2018 Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Children’s Program. It continues the adventures from Full House, with veterinarian D.J. Tanner-Fuller (Candace Cameron Bure) recently widowed and living in San Francisco. D.J.’s younger sister/aspiring musician Stephanie Tanner (Jodie Sweetin) and D.J.’s lifelong best friend/fellow single mother Kimmy Gibbler (Andrea Barber), along with Kimmy’s teenage daughter Ramona (Soni Nicole Bringas).

Wilson Chapman editor“Fuller House,” which until now could only be seen via streaming on Netflix, is coming to linear TV.GAC Family has become the cable TV home for “Fuller House.” All 75 episodes of “Fuller House” will begin airing on GAC Family Feb. 28, following an agreement with Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution.

Universal will open their animated dog comedy Strays on Friday, June 9, 2023. The studio already had dibs on the releases date; a weekend they’re sharing with Paramount’s Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. 

Matt LeBlanc was pictured publicly for the first time since reports emerged that he has split from his girlfriend, Aurora Mulligan. Over the weekend, it was claimed that the Friends actor, 54, and the 36 year old Top Gear producer parted ways after nearly six years together.

Jenna Bush Hager, co-host of Today with Hoda & Jenna, the third hour of NBC’s Today, has signed a first-look deal with Universal Studio Group. Under the pact. Hager will develop and produce projects with Universal Content Productions, Universal Television, Universal Television Alternative Studio and Universal International Studios for multiple platforms.