Mara Brock Akil Launches New Production Company Under Netflix Deal, Hires Susie Fitzgerald

Joe Otterson TV ReporterParadigm Talent Agency has hired talent agent Irene Cabrera and lit agent Kelsey Roberts, Variety has learned. Cabrera joins Paradigm from DDO Artists Agency, while Roberts joins from Industry Entertainment.“Irene and Kelsey bring a wealth of expertise in discovering and developing unique talent across all entertainment mediums,” said Paradigm partner Andrew Ruf on behalf of the company’s leadership.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“You” is getting a fourth season on Netflix. The renewal comes ahead of the Oct.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterSwedish video game publisher Raw Fury has entered into a first-look deal with dj2 Entertainment, Variety has learned exclusively.Under the terms of the deal, dj2 will get the first opportunity to develop film and TV projects based on Raw Fury games.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterNetflix has ordered “That ’90s Show,” a sequel series to the hit Fox sitcom “That ’70s Show,” Variety has learned.Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp, who played parents Red and Kitty Forman in the original series, are set to return in “That ’90s Show.” Netflix has ordered 10 episodes of the show, which will be a multi-cam sitcom like the original.In the new series, it’s 1995 and Leia Forman, daughter of Eric and Donna, is visiting her grandparents for the summer where she

Joe Otterson TV ReporterOdetta Watkins has been hired by Amazon for the newly created role of head of drama series, the streamer announced Wednesday.In her new role, Watkins will report to Laura Lancaster, head of series for Amazon Studios.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterMike Flanagan has scared up a new Netflix series, with the “Midnight Mass” and “The Haunting of Hill House” creator setting up the new limited series “The Fall of the House of Usher” at the streamer.The series is based on multiple works by Edgar Allan Poe rather than just the titular short story, though exact plot details are being kept under wraps at this time.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterConstance Zimmer has joined the cast of the YA pilot “Shelter” at Amazon, Variety has learned exclusively.Zimmer joins previously announced series lead Jaden Michael. “Shelter” hails from Amazon Studios and MGM International Television Productions.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterSam Catlin has signed an overall deal at Apple, Variety has learned.Under the deal, Catlin will develop and produce scripted television projects for Apple under his Short Drive Entertainment banner along with his producing partner, Tiffany Prasifka.Catlin most recently served as showrunner, and executive producer, and co-creator of AMC series “Preacher.” He developed the show alongside Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterShaka King has signed a first-look deal at FX.Under the deal, King will develop new TV projects for FX through his newly launched production company, I’d Watch That.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“The Sopranos” creator David Chase has signed a five year first-look deal with WarnerMedia.News of the deal comes on the day that “The Many Saints of Newark,” a “Sopranos” prequel film written by Chase and Lawrence Konner, is debuting in theaters and on HBO Max. Under his new deal, Chase will develop content for HBO, HBO Max, and Warner Bros.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“The Real World Homecoming” has been renewed for Seasons 2 and 3 at Paramount Plus.Season 1 of the series reunited cast members from the groundbreaking reality show’s New York season. Season 2 will bring back cast members from “The Real World: Los Angeles,” while the focus of the third season will be announced at a later date.The first season of “Homecoming” debuted on Paramount Plus back in March and ran through April, consisting of six episodes.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterProduction on David Simon and George Pelecanos’ new HBO series, “We Own This City,” has been temporarily shut down due to a COVID-19 case onset, Variety has learned.“Production will be paused on ‘We Own The City’ this week due to a COVID event and is scheduled to resume with the usual shooting cadence next week,” HBO said in a statement to Variety.“We Own This City” is currently shooting in Baltimore, Maryland.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterNetflix has ordered a spinoff of the YA comedy series “On My Block.”The new series, titled “Freeridge,” hails from “On My Block” co-creators Lauren Iungerich, Eddie Gonzalez, and Jeremy Haft along with “On My Block” co-producer Jamie Uyeshiro and “On My Block” co-executive producer Jamie Dooner.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterNetflix has released a new first-look clip of “Colin in Black and White,” which tells the story of former NFL player Colin Kaepernick during his high school years growing up in central California.The clip was released as part of the Netflix Tudum fan event.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“Cobra Kai” Season 4 officially has a premiere date on Netflix.The new season of the critically-acclaimed series will debut Dec. 31 on the streaming service.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“Sex Education” has been renewed for Season 4 at Netflix.The announcement was made as part of the Netflix TUDUM fan event. Season 3 of “Sex Education” debuted on the streaming service on Sept.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterA movie revival of the “Teen Wolf” MTV series is in the works at Paramount Plus as part of a new overall deal series creator Jeff Davis has signed with MTV Entertainment Studios, Variety has learned exclusively.Davis’ multi-year deal will see him write and executive produce the film, with talks currently underway with original series cast members to return.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterJaden Michael has been cast in the lead role in the YA pilot based on the Harlan Coben novel “Shelter,” Variety has learned exclusively.“Shelter” hails from Amazon Studios and MGM International Television Productions. It tells the story of high school junior Mickey Bolitar (Michael) as he navigates his new life with a mom in rehab, a dead father, an annoying aunt, and a new school in New Jersey with a camel as its mascot.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterJake Coburn has signed a first-look deal with Universal Television.Under the deal, Coburn will develop and produce projects for broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms. Coburn most recently co-created the drama series “The Endgame,” which was picked up to series at NBC earlier this week.“Jake is a dynamic storyteller with a keen knack for big ideas,” said Vivian Cannon, executive vice president of drama development for Universal Television.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterAnnie Murphy has signed with CAA for representation, Variety has learned exclusively.Murphy was previously represented by Gersh. She continues to be repped by Molly Mandel and Peter Kousakis at Mosaic, as well as Pam Winter at GGA.Murphy is best known for her critically-acclaimed role on the Pop TV-CBC series “Schitt’s Creek.” She starred in all six seasons of the show in the role of Alexis Rose, the pampered socialite daughter of Johnny and Moira Rose.