Natasha Lyonne, Rian Johnson Peacock Series ‘Poker Face’ Finds Its Showrunners (EXCLUSIVE)

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“American Vandal” creators Tony Yacenda and Dan Perrault have landed a series order at Paramount Plus for an eSports mockumentary series called “Players,” Variety has learned.“Players” follows a fictional pro “League of Legends” team as they pursue their first championship after years of close calls and heartache.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterPeacock is developing a one-hour drama series about millennial nuns from “The Thing About Pam” creator Jessika Borsiczky, Variety has learned exclusively.The series is titled “Called” and is based on the Huffington Post article “Behold, The Millennial Nuns” by Eve Fairbanks.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterCM Punk lit the pro wrestling world on fire when he returned to the ring for AEW on Aug. 20, but now he is getting ready to debut as a completely different character on the Starz drama series “Heels.”The series is built around a small-town wrestling promotion in Georgia and follows the rivalry between the Spade brothers, who are also the promotion’s top stars.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterJacob Anderson has been cast in the lead role of the “Interview With the Vampire” series at AMC, Variety has learned.Anderson will play the titular vampire, Louis, known in the novel as Louis de Pointe du Lac. The book centers on Louis as he relates the story of his life to a reporter, in particular how he was turned into a vampire and then mentored by Lestat de Lioncourt.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterLaKeith Stanfield will star in an adaptation of the Victor LaValle novel “The Changeling,” which has been ordered to series at Apple, Variety has learned.The series is described as a fairytale for grown-ups. It is further described as a horror story, a parenthood fable, and a perilous odyssey through a New York City you didn’t know existed.Kelly Marcel will write the adaptation in addition to serving as executive producer and showrunner on the series.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterSteven Soderbergh and Ed Solomon have landed a series order at HBO Max for the drama “Full Circle,” Variety has learned exclusively.The series reunites the pair after they worked together on the film “No Sudden Move,” which was released on HBO Max in July. Casey Silver, who was a producer on “No Sudden Move,” will be an executive producer on the series.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe animated “Magic: The Gathering” series at Netflix has cast Brandon Routh in the lead role.The announcement was made during Wizards of the Coast’s Magic Showcase 2021 stream. Plot details on the series are still being kept under wraps, but it was confirmed that Routh will voice the character Gideon Jura.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterJenifer Lewis has joined the upcoming Showtime comedy series “I Love This For You.”Lewis joins previously announced series lead Vanessa Bayer and cast members Molly Shannon, Paul James, Ayden Mayeri, Matt Rogers, and Punam Patel.Inspired by Bayer’s own story of overcoming childhood leukemia, the series centers on Joanna Gold (Bayer) who dreams of becoming a host at a home-shopping channel.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterSummerSlam 2021 is set to feature a major confrontation between top WWE superstars Roman Reigns and John Cena.Reigns has earned considerable praise of late since turning heel (becoming a bad guy in pro wrestling parlance), while Cena remains one of the top babyfaces (good guys) of all time.“As you know, your villain is only as good as your hero, and your hero is only as good as your villain,” WWE president and chief revenue officer Nick Khan told Variety.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterJosh Duhamel will star opposite Renee Zellweger in the NBC limited series “The Thing About Pam.”The series is based on the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria that resulted in her husband Russ’s conviction, although he insisted he didn’t kill her. His conviction was later overturned.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe “Armor Wars” series at Disney Plus has tapped Yassir Lester to serve as head writer, Variety has confirmed with sources.Don Cheadle will star in the series, reprising the role of James “Rhodey” Rhodes, a.k.a. War Machine.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe untitled HBO series about the Los Angeles Lakers has added five to its cast, with Bo Burnham also exiting the series.It was reported in March that Burnham had been cast in the role of Celtics legend Larry Bird. According to an individual with knowledge of the situation, Burnham is no longer involved with the project due to scheduling conflicts.Sean Patrick Small will instead play Bird.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterChloë Sevigny has joined the cast of the Hulu limited series “The Girl From Plainville.”She joins previously announced series stars Elle Fanning and Colton Ryan in the series. Fanning stars as Michelle Carter and is inspired by the true story of her controversial “texting-suicide” case.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“The Witcher” showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich has signed a multi-year overall deal with Netflix.Under the deal, Schmidt Hissrich will write and produce scripted series content and other creative projects for the streaming service.“I am so thrilled to have found my home at Netflix, and can’t wait to continue what’s been an incredibly fulfilling creative partnership,” Schmidt Hissrich said.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterTim Robbins has signed onto the series adaptation of Hugh Howey’s “Wool” at Apple, Variety has learned.Robbins will star alongside previously announced cast member Rebecca Ferguson. “Wool” is a set in a ruined and toxic future where a community exists in a giant silo underground, hundreds of stories deep.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe AMC sci-fi series “Moonhaven” has enlisted Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy to direct the first two episodes, Variety has learned exclusively.The series is focused on a utopian colony on the Moon that may hold the keys to preserving life on Earth, which has become increasingly perilous.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe “Adventure Time” universe is expanding, with HBO Max ordering a new half-hour series about Fionna and Cake.In the 10-episode series, Fionna and Cake – with the help of the former Ice King, Simon Petrikov – embark on a multiverse-hopping adventure and journey of self-discovery.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterAMC has opened writers’ rooms for three new series under their script-to-series model, including one based on the Anne Rice novel series “Lives of the Mayfair Witches.”The potential series would focus on an intuitive young neurosurgeon who discovers that she is the unlikely heir to a family of witches.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterA series adaptation of “Field of Dreams” has been ordered straight-to-series at Peacock.The television take on the beloved baseball film hails from Michael Schur, who will serve as writer and executive producer under his Fremulon banner. Lawrence Gordon of The Gordon Company will also executive produce along with David Miner of 3 Arts and Morgan Sackett.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterRJ Cyler has been cast in a series regular role in the upcoming Issa Rae HBO Max comedy series “Rap Sh*t,” Variety has learned.The series follows two estranged high school friends from Miami, Shawna (Aida Osman) and Mia (KaMillion), who reunite to form a rap group. Cyler will play Lamont, an aspiring music producer with a sharp ear for talent.