Melissa Benoist Launches Production Company, Signs Overall Deal With Warner Bros. Television

Joe Otterson TV ReporterJenny Lumet has signed a four-year overall deal with CBS Studios.According to an individual with knowledge of the situation, the deal is in the eight-figure range. Lumet most recently co-created the CBS drama series “Clarice,” on which she also serves as an executive producer.“I feel genuine support and creative partnership at CBS Studios,” said Lumet.

Over the past four years, Jenny Lumet established herself as one of CBS Studios’ most prolific creators/showrunners. Now the studio has secured Lumet’s exclusive services for four more years with a rich overall production deal, said to be in the eight-figure range.

EXCLUSIVE: Charly Evon Simpson is getting into business with HBO. The prolific playwright is expanding her reach in television, signing an overall deal with the premium cabler. Under the pact, Simpson will serve as a consulting producer on the second season of Industry. She is also currently a member of the writing staff for the second season of Perry Mason, which recently earned three Critics Choice nominations.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media ReporterChanning Tatum and his Free Association production company partners Reid Carolin and Peter Kiernan have signed a first-look film deal with MGM.In kicking off the partnership, MGM will release “Dog,” the directorial debut of Tatum and Carolin.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterKeke Palmer as signed an overall television deal with Entertainment One (eOne), Variety has learned exclusively.“I am thrilled to be partnering with eOne to create entertaining, meaningful, fun television experiences that will deeply connect with audiences and be reflective of our current world,” Palmer said.

EXCLUSIVE:  WME has signed Golden Globe winner Gina Rodriguez and her production company I Can and I Will Productions, run by Molly Breeskin, in all areas.

Mónica Marie Zorrilla Soo Hugh, television writer and executive producer of AMC’s “The Terror” and creator of ABC’s “The Whispers,” has inked a multi-year overall deal with Universal Content Productions to develop, write and produce projects for the studio.In addition, Hugh will launch an incubator program with the goal of helping find new Asian talent to create shows and jumpstart fruitful careers in the entertainment industry.“From ‘The Terror’ to ‘Pachinko,’ Soo has captured epic stories

Writer-producer Soo Hugh is getting into business with UCP. Hugh has signed a multi-year overall deal to develop, write and produce projects for the studio, a division of Universal Studio Group. As part of the deal, Hugh will launch an incubator program with the mandate of helping new Asian voices create shows and establish careers in the industry.

Seth Meyers will be offering a Closer Look for a few more years to come after renewing his deal with NBC.

Daniel Holloway Executive Editor, TVWarner Bros.

EXCLUSIVE: Fear The Walking Dead co-creator Dave Erickson has closed an overall deal with MRC Television. Under the multi-year pact, Erickson will exclusively work with the indie studio on the creation and development of television series on which he will serve as writer-showrunner or supervise other writers.

Matt Donnelly Senior Film WriterChristine D’Souza Gelb, the veteran independent film financing and sales executive, has launched a new production and management venture with Killer Films executive David Hinojosa and Kevin Rowe as founding partners.Named 2AM, the venue brings together a trio of considerable indie film players and boasts backing from one of the space’s most premium brands: A24.The Oscar-winning studio behind titles like “Moonlight” and “Room,” as well as the TV hit “Euphoria,”

EXCLUSIVE: Fred Siebert, a cable TV marketing pioneer who went on to become a producer of a number of successful animated series, has launched a new production entity called FredFilms.

I probably sound like a broken record by this point because whenever Gareth Evans is mentioned, it’s utterly important that I implore everyone to watch “The Raid” films. They are two of the best action films, period, let alone of the past decade.

EXCLUSIVE: Gareth Evans has found his new home for the next several years as the director of The Raid franchise has signed an exclusive deal with Netflix to produce and direct films for the studio. As part of the new partnership, Evans has set the action thriller Havoc as the first film under the deal with Tom Hardy on board to star.

Mónica Marie Zorrilla Maude Apatow, William Hurt, Corey Stoll, and Lara Pulver have all joined the cast of the upcoming AMC animated drama “Pantheon,” the network announced Thursday as part of the Television Critics Association winter press tour.Apatow (“Euphoria,” “The King of Staten Island”), Hurt (“Black Widow,” “Goliath,”), Stoll (“Billions,” “Ant-Man”) and Pulver (“The Angel of Darkness,” “Sherlock”) will be joining a voice cast that is jam-packed with diverse celebrity talent.

UTA has inked Academy and Emmy Award-winning director, producer, and writer Roger Ross Williams and his production banner, One Story Up, in all areas.

Warner Records last week signed a distribution deal with Whiteworld Music, the independent label owned by Puerto Rican musician Myke Towers.“Myke is a distinctive songwriter, powerful performer and incredible artist”, says Max Lousada, CEO of Warner Music’s recorded music division. “He’s not only an exploding Latin superstar, but he’s at the forefront of a new generation of global talent that’s transcending languages, crossing boundaries and disrupting genres.

Melissa Benoist will have her schedule filled after Supergirl wraps up for the final season.