‘Mad Men’ Creator Matthew Weiner to Develop Mystery Dramedy at FX (EXCLUSIVE)

Joe Otterson TV ReporterVince Vaughn is attached to executive produce an animated comedy series in the works at Fox, Variety has learned exclusively.Fox has given Vaughn, Victoria Vaughn, and Peter Billingsly’s Wild West Picture Show production company a blind script deal for an animated series. No writer is currently attached, but Fox Entertainment will produce.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterJonathan Majors is on — well, a major roll at the moment. Majors has appeared in a string of high-profile features in a matter of a few short years.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterA series titled “Revelations” based on Stephen King’s short story “The Revelations of ’Becka Paulson” is in the works at The CW, Variety has learned.In the potential one-hour drama, after accidentally shooting herself in the brain with a nail gun, a Pollyanna-ish Becca Paulson is recruited by an over-it Jesus to be his “chosen one” in stopping the apocalypse.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“Pose” co-creator Steven Canals has a new limited series in the works at FX.Titled “81 Words,” the series tells the true story of gay activists Frank Kameny and Barbara Gittings, who risked their career reputations to conspire with the GAYPA – a clandestine group of closeted psychiatrists – to challenge the American Psychiatric Association’s definition of homosexuality.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterLaura Benanti has joined the ensemble cast of the Fox drama pilot “Big Leap,” Variety has learned exclusively.The one-hour project centers on a group of diverse underdogs from all different walks of life who compete to be part of a competition reality series that is putting on a modern, hip remake of “Swan Lake.” It is inspired by the UK docuseries “Big Ballet.”Benanti will play Paula Dirks, a tap dancer and white-collar former V.P.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterDiego Boneta has signed on to star in a limited series currently in the works at HBO Max, Variety has learned exclusively.Hailing from Legendary Television, the series is titled “Brujo” and will feature both English and Spanish dialogue. It is inspired by the true story of the infamous Adolfo Constanzo and the power he acquired as his acts of dark magic came to light.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterAmazon is developing a half-hour comedy series with Crab Club Inc. and SB Projects.The series is titled “The Undesirables.” It is set in a near-future Los Angeles that explores the unexpected relationships that form when a group of outcasts are forced to bond under unusual circumstances.Ken Cheng of Crab Club and Arvin Chen will write and executive produce.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterBruna Papandrea’s Made Up Stories has optioned the rights to Christina Baker Kline’s “The Exiles” with plans to adapt it as a television series, Variety has learned exclusively.“The Exiles” follows a trio of women — two English convicts and an orphaned Aboriginal girl — in nineteenth-century Australia. The historical novel is set to be published by Custom House, an imprint of HarperCollins, on Aug.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe Quinn Colson novels by Ace Atkins are being developed as a TV series at HBO, Variety has learned exclusively.In the books, Colson is a former Army Ranger who returns to his home in rural northeast Mississippi.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterSister has acquired the television rights to Jennifer Weiner’s novel “Mrs. Everything.”The book tells a multigenerational tale of two sisters, spanning from the 1950s to the present day.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe planned series adaptation of the film “Sexy Beast” is not moving forward at Paramount Network, Variety has learned exclusively from sources.The show was given a 10-episode straight-to-series order at the cabler last year. According to an individual with knowledge of the situation, the move to scrap the series came amid budget cuts in the wake of the Viacom-CBS merger.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterHBO Max has given a series commitment to a drama set in the Gotham police department from Matt Reeves and Terrence Winter, Variety has learned.The untitled series will be set in the world Reeves is creating for the feature film “The Batman,” with the intent being to launch a new Batman universe across multiple platforms. It is said to build on the film’s examination of the anatomy of corruption in Gotham City.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterAmazon has landed the rights to develop the 2020 Pulitzer Prize finalist New York Times story and podcast “The Jungle Prince of Delhi” as a drama series, Variety has learned.The story, written by Ellen Barry, delved into the history of the royal family of Oudh, deposed aristocrats living in a ruined palace in the Indian capital claiming to be the heirs to a fallen kingdom.Mira Nair is attached to direct the project and will also executive produce.

Denise Petski, Nellie Andreeva FX has put in development a new series from Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner, Deadline has confirmed.Details are being kept under wraps, but we hear the project is a half-hour dramedy with a mystery element and Charlie Kaufman-type odd and quirky comedic tone. Weiner would write, direct and executive produce.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“The Batman” director Matt Reeves is expanding his relationship with Warner Bros.Reeves and his 6th & Idaho production company have signed an overall deal with Warner Bros. Television Group.

straight to your inbox Wales international Matt Smith is back at Manchester City after Charlton turned down an option to extend his loan until the end of the season.

Toya Johnson is proud of her daughter, Reginae Carter, and sister, Beedy. They have an exclusive limited line together.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterChris Parnell is leaving Sony Pictures Television Studios, where he most recently served as co-president alongside Jason Clodfelter.Parnell will join Apple TV Plus in a senior programming role on the domestic development team, reporting to Matt Cherniss, Apple’s head of scripted development and current programming.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterSpringHill Entertainment, the production company founded by LeBron James and Maverick Carter, has signed a two-year overall deal with ABC Studios.“SpringHill Entertainment makes the shows LeBron and I want to watch,” Carter said. “We look at every project as a way to connect with our community and ask ourselves if it will entertain and empower them.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe hit video game “Disco Elysium” is getting the TV series treatment.Indie game developer ZA/UM has partnered with the production company dj2 Entertainment to develop a series based on the game.Based on the universe introduced in Robert Kurvitz’s 2013 novel “A Sacred, Terrible Air,” the game follows a veteran detective with a mysterious past who must solve a crime that threatens to set powerful political factions into civil war.“We’re so gratified at the response ‘Disco