Joe Otterson TV ReporterLee Daniels’ long-gestating Sammy Davis Jr. biographical series has been ordered at Hulu, with Elijah Kelley set to play the lead role.The untitled series has received an eight-episode order at the streamer.
28.03.2022 - 22:21 / variety.com
Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe upcoming live-action “One Piece” series at Netflix has cast Peter Gadiot in the role of Shanks.Gadiot joins previously announced cast members: Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D Luffy, Mackenyu as Rorona Zoro, Emily Rudd as Nami, Jacob Romero Gibson as Usopp, Taz Skylar as Sanji, Morgan Davies as Koby, Ilia Isorelýs Paulino as Alvida, Aidan Scott as Helmeppo, Jeff Ward as Buggy, McKinley Belcher III as Arlong, and Vincent Regan as Garp.Based on the iconic Japanese manga of the same name, “One Piece” centers on Monkey D. Luffy (Godoy), a young man who embarks on a journey to become king of the pirates and find the celebrated “One Piece” treasure.
Shanks, also known as Red-Haired Shanks, is a legendary pirate and the childhood hero of Luffy’s. Gadiot most recently appeared in the critically-acclaimed Showtime drama series “Yellowjackets” in the role of Adam.
He is also known for playing James Valdez in the USA Network series “Queen of the South.” His other TV credits include “Once Upon a Time in Wonderland,” “Matador,” and the miniseries “Tut.”He is repped by Gersh, Waring and McKenna, Independent Talent, and Hansen Jacobson.The live-action show was ordered for 10 episodes at Netflix back in January 2021. In addition to the manga, 20 seasons and over 1000 episodes of the “One Piece” anime series have been released to date along with 14 animated films.Steven Maeda serves as co-writer, co-showrunner, and executive producer on the “One Piece” live-action series, with Matt Owens also co-writing, co-showrunning, and executive producing.
Marty Adelstein and Becky Clements of Tomorrow Studios executive produce along with Eiichiro Oda, the author of the manga series. The series is a co-production between Netflix
.Joe Otterson TV ReporterLee Daniels’ long-gestating Sammy Davis Jr. biographical series has been ordered at Hulu, with Elijah Kelley set to play the lead role.The untitled series has received an eight-episode order at the streamer.
Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe action series “The Ledger” starring Xolo Maridueña has been set up at HBO Max for development, Variety has learned exclusively.The half-hour series was first reported as being shopped to networks and streamers back in October. It follows the trials and travels of Gabriel (Maridueña), a young man who sets out into the world to right the wrongs of the deadly man who trained him.
in “a coming-of-age story that explores what it means to be alive,” per a logline.“When a new family arrives in the small town of Eternal Falls, Casper finds himself entangled in a mystery uncovering dark secrets that have been buried for over 100 years,” the logline concludes.“Casper” comes from writer and executive producer Kai Yu Wu (“The Flash,” “Hannibal”).The series is produced by UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group, and Dreamworks Animation.Wu is repped by UTA and Underground.“Casper” was also the name of the 1995 movie starring Christina Ricci that featured the ghost.
Joe Otterson TV ReporterA new live-action series about Casper the Friendly Ghost is in development at Peacock, Variety has learned.The potential series hails from writer and executive producer Kai Yu Wu, with UCP and DreamWorks Animation set to co-produce.The series is described as a horror/adventure show that reimagines the origin of Casper in a coming-of-age story that explores what it means to be alive. When a new family arrives in the small town of Eternal Falls, Casper finds himself entangled in a mystery uncovering dark secrets that have been buried for over 100 years.Wu has previously written for shows such as “Hannibal” at NBC as well as “The Flash” at CW and “Deception” at ABC.
Joe Otterson TV ReporterNetflix has given a series order to the drama “Glamorous,” which was previously set up as a pilot at The CW.The show has received a 10-episode order, with Miss Benny set to star. It tells the story of Marco Mejia (Miss Benny), a young gender non-conforming queer man whose life seems to be stuck in place until he lands a job working for legendary makeup mogul Madolyn Addison. It’s Marco’s first chance to figure out what he wants out of life, who he actually is, and what it really means for him to be queer.
Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” series at Disney Plus has cast Walker Scobell in the lead role, Variety has learned exclusively.The series adaptation of the Rick Riordan book series was ordered at the streamer back in January. The live-action show tells the fantastical tale of the titular 12-year-old modern demigod (Scobell), who’s just coming to terms with his newfound supernatural powers when the sky god Zeus accuses him of stealing his master lightning bolt. Now Percy must trek across America to find it and restore order to Olympus.Percy is described as a smart and compassionate kid with a sharp sense of humor.
Joe Otterson TV ReporterFX has ordered a limited series based on the ESPN 30 for 30 podcast “The Sterling Affairs” with Laurence Fishburne and Jacki Weaver attached to star, Variety has learned.The six-episode series tells the behind the scenes story of Doc Rivers (Fishburne) and the Los Angeles Clippers’ quest to bring a championship to one of the historically worst franchises in all of sports during the impending downfall of the team’s owner, Donald Sterling, whose notoriously racist behavior is brought to light amid the power struggle between his wife of 60+ years, Shelly Sterling (Weaver), and his mistress, V. Stiviano.Gina Welch serve as writer and executive producer on the series.
EXCLUSIVE: Israeli and German networks have greenlit DreaMars, a live action series about eight teenagers who fly to Mars for a critical mission in preparation for settlement on the Red Planet.
Joe Otterson TV ReporterElla Purnell has been cast in a lead role of the upcoming “Fallout” TV series at Amazon, Variety has learned.Like the video games on which it is based, the “Fallout” series is set in a world where the future envisioned by Americans in the late 1940s explodes upon itself through a nuclear war in 2077.Purnell joins previously announced cast member Walton Goggins in the series. As with Goggins, Amazon had no comment on the character Purnell would be playing.
Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe scripted series about WWE boss Vince McMahon’s federal steroids trial has brought on Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster, Variety has learned.The pair will serve as writers, executive producers, and co-showrunners on the limited series, which is titled “The United States of America vs. Vince McMahon.” It was first announced as being in development back in July 2021.
Peter Gadiot (Yellow Jackets) is the latest to join the cast of Netflix’s upcoming One Piece.
Joe Otterson TV ReporterCharlotte Ritchie is set for a main role in Season 4 of “You” at Netflix, Variety has confirmed.Ritchie will appear opposite series stars Penn Badgley as Kate. The character is described as fearsomely smart, independent, suspicious, misses nothing.
Joe Otterson TV ReporterHendrix Yancey has been cast in a main role of the Peacock true crime series “A Friend of the Family.”She joins previously announced cast members Mckenna Grace, Anna Paquin, Jake Lacy, Colin Hanks, and Lio Tipton. The series is based on the true story of the Broberg family, whose daughter Jan was kidnapped multiple times over a period of years by a charismatic, obsessed family “friend.”Yancey will play Jan Broberg in the early years. Jan is the oldest daughter of Bob (Hanks) and Mary Ann Broberg (Paquin) and leads a happy, traditional life in an idyllic American city.
More Loud House is on the way at Nickelodeon. The network has ordered a new 10-episode live-action series based on the Emmy-winning animated show The Loud House, for premiere later this year on Paramount+. It was announced Thursday during Nickelodeon’s virtual upfront presentation.
Joe Otterson TV ReporterA live-action version of “The Loud House” has been picked up to series at Paramount Plus.The announcement was made as part of Nickelodeon’s upfronts presentation on Thursday. Production will begin on the new series in June with the premiere set for later this year.
Joe Otterson TV ReporterMckenna Grace has joined the upcoming Peacock limited series “A Friend of the Family.”Grace joins previously announced cast members stars Anna Paquin, Jake Lacy, Colin Hanks, and Lio Tipton. The series is based on the true story of the Broberg family, whose daughter Jan was kidnapped multiple times over a period of years by a charismatic, obsessed family “friend.”Grace will star as Jan Broberg in the later years. Jan is the oldest daughter of Bob (Hanks) and Mary Ann Broberg (Paquin) and leads a happy, traditional life in an idyllic American city.
EXCLUSIVE: This is the news Addams Family fans have been hoping for since the new Netflix series Wednesday was first announced — Christina Ricci, the actor most closely associated with the title character, will be a major part of the live-action show from Tim Burton.
Joe Otterson TV ReporterAdina Porter and Clark Backo have been cast opposite LaKeith Stanfield in the upcoming Apple drama series “The Changeling,” Variety has learned.The series is based on the book of the same name by Victor LaValle. It is descirbed as a horror story, a parenthood fable, and a perilous odyssey through a New York City you didn’t know existed.Stanfield stars as Apollo. Porter will play Lillian, his mother.
Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe “Interview with the Vampire” series at AMC has cast Eric Bogosian in the role of Daniel Molloy.The series, which is currently in production, is based on the Anne Rice book of the same name and follows follows Louis de Pointe, Lestat De Lioncourt and Claudia’s epic story of love, blood and the perils of immortality. Bogosian joins previously announced cast members such as Sam Reid as Lestat, Jacob Anderson as Louis, and Bailey Bass as Claudia.Molloy is described as an investigative journalist nearing the end of his career who’s given a second chance at the interview of a lifetime.