Omari Hardwick, Jessica Barden, Joe Dempsie Among Five Cast in Netflix Series ‘Pieces of Her’

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe series based on Sally Rooney’s book “Conversations With Friends” has cast Alison Oliver, Sasha Lane, Joe Alwyn, and Jemima Kirke in four lead roles, Variety has learned.The Hulu-BBC Three series follows Frances (Oliver), a 21 year old college student, as she navigates a series of relationships that force her to confront her own vulnerabilities for the first time. Frances is observant, cerebral and sharp.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe “Game of Thrones” prequel “House of the Dragon” at HBO is adding four new actors to its cast.Steve Toussaint, Rhys Ifans, Eve Best, and Sonoya Mizuno are all joining the highly-anticipated prequel to the megahit HBO show.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterIt is raining cash on “The Umbrella Academy” cast. Variety has learned from sources that the majority of the show’s core cast — Tom Hopper, David Castañeda, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Robert Sheehan, Aidan Gallagher, and Justin Min — has netted a substantial pay raise going into the hit Netflix-UCP show’s third season.According to multiple sources, the six actors banded together ahead of the season to ask for a pay raise, with each of them now earning more than $200,000 per

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“Game of Thrones” creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss are developing a series adaptation of the Richard Powers novel “The Overstory” at Netflix, Variety has learned.Richard Robbins, whose past TV credits include “12 Monkeys” and “Good Girls Revolt,” wrote the pilot script and serves as executive producer.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterClaire Danes has signed on for the lead role in the upcoming Apple drama series “Essex Serpent,” Variety has learned exclusively.Danes takes over the role from Keira Knightley, whose exit from the project was reported back in October. The series is based on the book of the same name by Sarah Perry.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterHBO Max has given a two-season order to a reboot of adult animated series “Clone High,” as well as a series order to a standalone series about “Scooby-Doo” character Velma Dinkley, who will be voiced by Mindy Kaling.The announcements were part of a larger adult animation slate revealed by HBO Max on Wednesday.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe cast of “The Best Man” film franchise is reuniting for a limited series that has been ordered at Peacock.“The Best Man: Final Chapters” will feature returning cast members Morris Chestnut, Melissa De Sousa, Taye Diggs, Regina Hall, Terrence Howard, Sanaa Lathan, Nia Long, and Harold Perrineau. Peacock has ordered 10 episodes, with Malcolm D.

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 ReporterThe HBO Max comedy series being led by Jean Smart is rounding out its main cast.Variety has learned that the show has cast two series regulars and eight recurring guest star roles. The single-camera comedy series explores a dark mentorship that forms between Deborah Vance (Smart), a legendary Las Vegas comedian, and an entitled, outcast 25-year-old (Hannah Einbinder).Einbinder has been cast as Ava, the young writer that Deborah is forced to hire.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterLana Condor is set to star in and executive produce the comedy series “Boo, Bitch,” which has been ordered to series at Netflix.The role expands Condor’s relationship with the streaming giant, as she broke out in her starring role in the Netflix YA rom-com “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.” She has since starred in the sequel “To All the Boys: P.S.

EXCLUSIVE: Gil Birmingham (Twilight, Hell or High Water), Terry O’Quinn (Perpetual Grace LTD, Patriot) and Calum Worthy (Out of Order, I Was A Rat) are set for recurring roles opposite Toni Collette and Bella Heathcote in Netflix’s dramatic thriller series Pieces of Her.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterNetflix has ordered a new one-hour drama series from Martin Gero and Brendan Gall, Variety has learned exclusively.The six-episode series is titled “Breathe.” When a small plane crashes in the middle of the Canadian wilderness, a lone woman must battle the elements and odds to survive.Gero and Gall are co-writing and executive producing the series, with Gero executive producing under his Quinn’s House Production company. Warner Bros.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe CW is renewing 12 of its scripted series, including an early Season 2 pick up for its freshman drama “Walker” starring Jared Padalecki.The other shows are: “All American” (renewed for Season 4), “Batwoman” (renewed for Season 3), “Charmed” (Season 4), “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow” (Season 7), “Dynasty” (Season 5) “The Flash” (Season 8), “In The Dark” (Season 4), “Legacies” (Season 4), “Nancy Drew” (Season 3), “Riverdale” (Season 6), and “Roswell, New Mexico” (Season 4).

Joe Otterson TV ReporterFormer Disney Channels Worldwide executive Nancy Kanter has signed an overall deal with Netflix.Under the deal, Kanter and her Available Light Productions banner will develop and produce animated and live action projects, both feature films and series, for kids and families audiences on Netflix.“Throughout my career I’ve challenged myself to think differently, imagine bigger and aim higher,” Kanter said.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe upcoming Amazon anthology series “Solos” has lined up a star-studded cast.Academy Award-winning actors Morgan Freeman, Anne Hathaway and Helen Mirren, Emmy Award-winning actor Uzo Aduba, Nicole Beharie, Anthony Mackie, Dan Stevens, and Constance Wu will all star in the series.“Solos” is a seven-part anthology series that is described as exploring the deeper meaning of human connection, as explored through the lens of the individual.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe Netflix dramedy “The Chair” is rounding out its cast.Bob Balaban, Nana Mensah, David Morse, and Everly Carganilla have all been cast in series regular roles, Variety has learned. In addition, Ji Yong Lee, Mallory Low, Marcia DeBonis, Ron Crawford, Ella Rubin, and Bob Stephenson have all been cast in guest starring roles.They join the previously announced cast memebers Sandra Oh, Jay Duplass and Holland Taylor.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterNeve Campbell has signed on for a leading role in “The Lincoln Lawyer” series that was recently announced at Netflix.She joins previously announced series Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, who will star as Mickey Haller, runs his law practice out of the back seat of his Lincoln Town Car.Campbell will play Maggie McPherson.

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.

Jessica Barden (End of the F***ing World), David Wenham (Lion), Joe Dempsie (Game Of Thrones), Jacob Scipio (Bad Boys for Life) and Omari Hardwick (Power) have been set as leads opposite Toni Collette and Bella Heathcote in Pieces of Her, we can reveal.