Kevin Costner ‘National Parks’ Drama Gets ABC Pilot Order, Anthony Hemingway to Direct

Joe Otterson TV ReporterEve is set to play a leading role in the ABC drama pilot “Queens,” Variety has learned.The pilot is about four estranged and out-of-touch women in their 40s who reunite for a chance to recapture their fame and regain the swagger they had as the Nasty Bitches – their ’90s group that made them legends in the hip-hop world.Eve will star in the role of Brianna.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterUzo Aduba has signed a multi-year producing deal with CBS Studios, Variety has confirmed.Under the deal, she will star in and executive produce a new drama series titled “Low Country” that is also executive produced by CBS favorites Robert and Michelle King. Dewayne Jones, who previously worked on the Kings’ shows “Evil” and “Your Honor,” will write and executive produce.

EXCLUSIVE: Angel Parker (Marvel’s Runaways) has been cast as a lead opposite Billy Campbell in National Parks, ABC’s drama pilot co-written and executive produced by Yellowstone star Kevin Costner. The project hails from Costner’s Territory Pictures Entertainment, 20th Television and A+E Studios.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterQuinta Brunson has set up a single-camera comedy pilot at ABC which she will star in in addition to writing and executive producing.The project is titled “Harrity Elementary.” Per the official description, it is a workplace comedy about a group of teachers brought together in one of the worst public schools in the country, simply because they love teaching.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterBilly Campbell has been cast in a lead role of the ABC drama pilot “National Parks,” Variety has learned.Per the series official logline, while the national parks are known for their sweeping, beautiful landscapes, there is also a darker, more sinister side to these parks that attract a vast array of criminal activity.

Billy Campbell has been tapped as the lead in National Parks, ABC’s drama pilot co-written and executive produced by Yellowstone star Kevin Costner. The project hails from Costner’s Territory Pictures Entertainment, 20th Television and A+E Studios.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterIssa Rae has landed an eight-episode series order at HBO Max for the half-hour comedy “Rap Sh*t.”The project was first announced as being in development in October 2019. It follows two estranged high school friends from Miami who reunite to form a rap group.Rae is writing the pilot for the series and will executive produce under her Hoorae production banner, with Montrel McKay of Hoorae also executive producing.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterA “True Lies” series adaptation has scored a pilot order at CBS, Variety has learned.Like the film of the same, an unfulfilled suburban housewife is shocked to discover that her bland and unremarkable computer consultant husband is a skilled international spy.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe CW has made a number of orders for the 2021-2022 season, including a pilot order for the live-action “Powerpuff Girls” series.In total, The CW announced three pilot orders and one straight-to-series pickup, with the latter being a reboot of the USA Network series “The 4400.” The other two pilots are for the DC project “Naomi” from Ava DuVernay and Jill Blankenship and an untitled religious dramedy from Claire Rothrock and Ryann Weir.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterFX has ordered a pilot for a series adaptation of Sam Greenlee’s spy novel “The Spook Who Sat by the Door,” Variety has learned.The adaptation of the book will be written by Leigh Dana Jackson, who will also serve as executive producer and showrunner. Lee Daniels and Marc Velez will also executive produce on behalf of Lee Daniels Entertainment.

Paramount Network has just announced that its’ popular television series, Yellowstone, is getting a prequel series!

Joe Otterson TV ReporterAnthony King has signed on as showrunner and executive producer for Season 2 of “Woke” at Hulu, Variety has learned exclusively.He takes over from Season 1 showrunner Jay Dyer. In his new role, King will work alongside series co-creators Marshall Todd and Keith Knight, with Knight’s life and art serving as the inspiration for the series.“I am really excited to add Anthony to the team,” Knight said.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterDaniella Garcia has been cast in the upcoming ABC series “Rebel” in a recurring role, Variety has learned exclusively.The series stars as Katey Sagal as Annie “Rebel” Bello, a blue-collar legal advocate without a law degree. She’s described as a funny, messy, brilliant and fearless woman who cares desperately about the causes she fights for and the people she loves.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterSam’s Esmail ABC drama pilot “Acts of Crime” has found its lead.Newcomer Candace Grace has been cast in the lead role in the pilot, with Josiah Cross, Peter Mark Kendall, and Molly Price also joining in series regular roles.Little is known about the plot of the show, other than being described as a unique spin on the crime procedural. Grace will star as Vivien Lamonte, a Black police detective working homicide in suburban New Jersey.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterNBC has given a put pilot order to a reboot of the classic sitcom “Kate and Allie.”The updated series hails from writer and executive producer Erica Oyama. It follows two best friends raising their kids together in one household.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterABC has picked up three comedy pilots for the 2021 pilot season.Two of the pilots — a reboot of “The Wonder Years” and “Maggie” — are single-cams and will be produced by 20th Television. The third, an untitled multi-cam from Regina Hicks, is produced by ABC Signature.The “Wonder Years” reboot was originally announced as being in development back in July.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe HBO Max pilot “Verbatim” is rounding out its cast.Sara Gilbert, Rob Huebel, Leland Orser, Lyiq Bent, Tate Donovan, J.R. Cacia, and Kevin Dunn have all joined the project.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterABC has ordered two drama series to pilot in some of its first pilot pickups of the 2021 pilot season.The broadcaster has given out pilot orders to the one-hour shows “Queens” and “Epic.” Both will be produced by ABC Signature. They join the previously announced ABC drama pilot “Acts of Crime,” which hails from Sam Esmail.“Queens” is written and executive produced by Zahir McGhee and executive produced by Sabrina Wind.