Keri Russell to Star in Netflix Drama Series ‘The Diplomat’

Joe Otterson TV ReporterRenée Zellweger has lined up another TV role with NBCUniversal. Variety has learned exclusively that the actress is set to star in the drama “Avenger Field” that is in development at Peacock.The one-hour drama series, which hails from MGM Television, tells the story of those that established a clandestine all female US Airforce program called the WASPs (Women Airforce Service Pilots) to battle Hitler from home. Inspired by the true story of WASP leader Jackie Cohran (Zellweger) and the diverse group of women who fought the system, skeptics and even sabotage to bring everyone home safely.Felicia D.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“Never Have I Ever” has been renewed for Season 4 at Netflix, which will also be the show’s last season, Variety has confirmed.News of the fourth season renewal comes before Season 3 of the series even has a premiere date. Production on the third season recently wrapped and will debut over the summer.The comedy series hails from co-creators Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher.

Netflix has given a series order to Shondaland murder-mystery drama The Residence, from executive producer/showrunner Paul William Davies and executive producers Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers. The project stems from Davies’ overall deal at Netflix where Shondaland also is under an exclusive deal.

Charlie Sheen is heading back to television.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe upcoming Netflix comedy series “Blockbuster” has added five new cast membersTyler Alvarez (“Never Have I Ever,” “American Vandal”), Madeline Arthur (“To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before,” “Devil in Ohio”), and Olga Merediz (“In the Heights,” “Encanto”) have all joined the show as series regulars. JB Smoove (“Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Spider-Man: No Way Home”) and Kamaia Fairburn (“Overlord and the Underwoods,” “Endlings”) will appear in recurring guest star roles. Full character descriptions can be found below.The new cast members join previously announced leads Randall Park and Melissa Fumero.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterRobin De Jesús has joined the Hulu series “Immigrant,” which tells the story of the founding of Chippendales.He joins previously announced series lead Kumail Nanjiani as well as series regulars Annaleigh Ashford, Murray Bartlett, and Dan Stevens.“Immigrant” is the true story of Somen “Steve” Banerjee (Nanjiani), the Indian-American entrepreneur who started Chippendales. The series will detail the darkly comedic, crime-ridden story behind the unique male revue that became a cultural phenomenon.De Jesús will appear in the recurring role of Ray Colon. Described as a proud Nuyorican from the Bronx, Colon comes on the Chippendales scene as the resident handyman and self-proclaimed jack of all trades.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterSam Esmail’s “Metropolis” series has been greenlit at Apple, Variety has learned.The drama series is inspired by the 1927 Fritz Lang sci-fi film of the same name. Hailed as one of the greatest and most influential films of the silent film era, the story takes place in the futuristic city of Metropolis.While the city’s wealthy elite enjoy a lavish life of comfort and ease in penthouses and pleasure gardens, scores of workers labor at dangerous machinery in the bowels of the city to keep everything running. Freder Fredersen, the son of the most powerful man in Metropolis, has an awakening after meeting a young worker named Maria and witnessing a number of workers die in an industrial accident.

Netflix is back with another true crime series. And this time it focuses on four harrowing tales of nightmare housemates.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterMichael Douglas will star as U.S. Founding Father Benjamin Franklin in a new limited series for Apple, Variety has learned.The untitled series is based on the book “A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America” by Pulitzer Prize winner Stacy Schiff. Kirk Ellis, the writer behind HBO’s “John Adams” series, will write the show for Apple and serve as an executive producer.Emmy-winning director Tim Van Patten will direct and executive produce.

Russell T Davies’ It’s a Sin has been nominated six times for the UK’s prestigious Broadcasting Press Guild (BPG) Awards next month, with Jeremy Clarkson, Olivia Colman and Stephen Graham also picking up nods.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterMichael Chiklis is set to star in the first episode of the upcoming Fox crime anthology series “Accused.”The series is based on the BBC crime anthology of the same name. Each episode opens in a courtroom on the accused, with the audience knowing nothing about their crime or how they ended up on trial.Chiklis will play Dr.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterCAA has signed Lee Myoungwoo for representation, Variety has learned exclusively. He continues to be represented by manager Chris S.

9-1-1 Lone Star's Rob Lowe inspired President Joe Biden's press secretary to return to politics.MORE: 9-1-1 Lone Star's Natacha Karam talks season three's 'personal drama'Jen Psaki appeared on the actor's podcast Literally! and shared that she binge watched his award-winning drama The West Wing in 2011 after she first left politics for public relations.WATCH: The West Wing: Josh Lyman visits Sam SeabornShe had previously been the deputy press secretary for President Barack Obama before he promoted her in 2009 to deputy communications director, the job Rob's character Sam Seaborn held for the first four years on the show.On the podcast she revealed that the show, created by Aaron Sorkin, "inspired so many people that I know to come here and be a part of this town and work in government."MORE: Rob Lowe delivers heartbreaking family news as famous friends reach out MORE: Everything you need to know about 9-1-1: Lone Star actor Rob Lowe's family "I don't know what prompted me to watch it but I binged the entire thing," she added of the decision to watch the show four years after it ended."In a crazy way, it really brought me back to politics.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe “Fallout” TV series at Amazon has cast Walton Goggins in a lead role, Variety has learned.Like the video games on which it is based, the “Fallout” series is set in a world where the future envisioned by Americans in the late 1940s explodes upon itself through a nuclear war in 2077.Amazon had no comment on the character Goggins will play in the series. According to sources, he will play a character based on the ghouls from the games.

Showtime is on a bit of a roll lately. Obviously, the network has series such as “Billions,” which is consistently lauded as one of the best shows on TV.

Angelique Jackson NBA legend Bill Russell is getting the definitive documentary treatment from Netflix.The Boston Celtics great is the subject of a yet-to-be-titled documentary directed by Oscar nominee Sam Pollard (“MLK/FBI,” “Citizen Ashe”), with a team of producers including Larry Gordon (“Field of Dreams,” “Die Hard”), Ross Greenburg (“Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals,” “Miracle”) and Mike Richardson (“Hellboy,” “The Umbrella Academy”).Produced by High Five Productions, LLC, the film will feature personal interviews with Russell and make use of the sprawling personal archives from the life and career of the five-time NBA MVP, 12-time All-Star and Olympic gold medalist.The official synopsis explains that the documentary serves as the “definitive bio-doc” on “the greatest champion in the history of American sports,” tracing Russell’s history on the court and off, paying special reverence to his work as a Civil Rights pioneer. When President Barack Obama awarded Russell with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011, he described the Hall of Fame player as “someone who stood up for the rights and dignity of all men.” “From the humblest of beginnings, Russell went on to lead each and every one of his basketball teams to championships — two California State High School Championships, two back-to-back NCAA titles, a gold medal at the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games and 11 championship titles in his 13-year career as a Boston Celtic (his last two as the first Black head coach in NBA history, while still playing for the Celtics),” the description reads.

Keri Russell is linking up with Netflix.

Keri Russell (The Americans, Felicity) has been tapped for the title role in The Diplomat, Netflix’s drama series created by Debora Cahn. Russell also will executive produce the series alongside Cahn and Janice Williams.

Zoe Saldana is headed to Paramount+.