Paramount Network Rebrands, Doubles Down on Movies and Minis (EXCLUSIVE)

Joe Otterson TV ReporterChanning Dungey is stepping down from her role as vice president of original content at Netflix, Variety has confirmed.Her last day at Netflix is today. According to an individual with knowledge of the situation, she is leaving to pursue another opportunity.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterBretman Rock has signed with UTA for representation in all areas, Variety has learned exclusively.He continues to be represented by his manager, Dru Sansenbach, and lawyer Will Jacobson at Goodman Schenkman & Brecheen, LLP.A first-generation Asian-American immigrant and a member of the queer community, Rock rose to fame via his social media platforms, which have racked up over 35 million followers.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterGary Carr is set to star in the upcoming Amazon series adaptation of the William Gibson novel “The Peripheral,” Variety has learned exclusively.He is now the second actor cast in the series, with Chloë Grace Moretz having been announced as a cast member earlier this week. Carr will star in the role of Wilf, while Moretz will play Flynne Fisher.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterChloë Grace Moretz has been cast in one of the lead roles in the upcoming series adaptation of William Gibson’s “The Peripheral” at Amazon, Variety has learned exclusively.The series centers on Flynne Fisher (Moretz), a woman trying to hold together the pieces of her broken family in a forgotten corner of tomorrow’s America. Flynne is smart, ambitious and doomed.

several networks have begun to announce their programming offerings. Paramount Network will also be a go-to destination for your October musings with its Killer Classics lineup.

that max "is lying, and that "Demi did tell him beforehand." Per the source, Max is "just trying to stay relevant. Her family thinks he is crazy and is so relieved she has taken this step."HOW-EV-ER, Max is out here doubling down on his claims.

Max Ehrich is clarifying his side of the story after being accused of lying about how he found out about his breakup with Demi Lovato. He says he found out via the tabloids and a Demi source is saying he’s lying.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterSamuel L. Jackson is set to reprise the role of Nick Fury in a new Marvel series currently in development at Disney Plus, Variety has learned exclusively from sources.The exact plot details of the show are being kept under wraps, but multiple sources say Jackson is attached to star with Kyle Bradstreet attached to write and executive produce.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterDemi Moore is attached to star in a series adaptation of the QCode podcast “Dirty Diana” that is currently in development at Amazon.The erotic drama podcast debuted in August, with Moore lending her famous voice to the leading role.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterViacomCBS Entertainment & Youth Group has established the First Time Directors program for BIPOC and female filmmakers, Variety has learned exclusively.Under the program, 50 films across Paramount Network, MTV, Comedy Central and the Group’s portfolio will be helmed by first time BIPOC filmmakers and female directors. ViacomCBS has partnered with a number of high-profile executive producers through the program, including Angela Bassett and Courtney B.

Also Read: CBS All Access to Be Renamed Paramount+ in Early 2021, Add Scripted Series on Making of 'Godfather'“Yellowstone” will stay on the network, as its the channel’s most popular series, but will be treated more as an event series. The network is moving out of unscripted altogether — meaning that “Ink Master, “Wife Swap,” and “Battle of the Fittest Couples” are all canceled.

Peter White Television EditorParamount Network is set to rebrand to the Paramount Movie Network as it plots a focus on television movies.The move is the latest change at ViacomCBS following the merger and comes after the company revealed that its upcoming streaming service is to be called Paramount+.As part of the move, the network has cancelled a slew of non-scripted titles including Ink Master, Wife Swap and Battle of the Fittest Couples, while other titles including Bar Rescue and Lip Sync

Joe Otterson TV ReporterNatasha Lyonne and Alia Shawkat are developing a half-hour series at Amazon, Variety has learned exclusively.Titled “Desert People,” the series follows a family of Iraqi immigrants who run a gentleman’s club in Palm Springs. Shawkat will star as the parents’ adult daughter in LA who is coming to terms with her sexuality and identity as a first generation American.Shawkat and Lyonne co-created the series.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterPhillipa Soo and Jake McDorman have joined the cast of Hulu’s upcoming drama “Dopesick” in recurring guest star roles, Variety has learned exclusively.The series looks into the epicenter of America’s struggle with opioid addiction, taking viewers from a distressed Virginia mining community, to the hallways of the DEA, and to the opulence of “one percenter” Big Pharma Manhattan.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterStarz is in early development on a drama series titled “The Venery of Samantha Bird,” Variety has learned exclusively.The project hails from writer and executive producer Anna Moriarty. Should the show get ordered to series, it would mark her first TV writing credit.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“Mr. Mercedes” will live on, with Peacock officially picking up the Stephen King crime drama for its third season.The show previously aired on Audience Network and had been renewed for a third season, but Audience Network shutdown before the season aired.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterIssa Rae’s ColorCreative is set to produce a dramedy in development at Quibi from writer Brittani Nichols, Variety has learned exclusively.Titled “Toothbrush,” the series follows Rae. A queer woman living on the east side of Los Angeles, she struggles to find balance and boundaries with Emma, her ex-girlfriend turned best friend whose apartment she finds herself staying over more often than not.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe NFL season kicked off on Thursday night, dominating the television ratings for the evening while still seeing a decline from the opening game in 2019.Defending Super Bowl champions the Kansas City Chiefs’ winning effort against the Houston Texans averaged 19.3 million viewers on NBC, per Nielsen.

Matt Donnelly Senior Film WriterLongtime Paramount Pictures executive Elizabeth Raposo is leaving the studio as president of production.The news was announced by newly-minted motion picture group president Emma Watts.“Elizabeth Raposo is leaving Paramount Pictures.