Paramount Plus to Develop Dark Comedy From Katie Wech, ‘Jane the Virgin’ Team (EXCLUSIVE)

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe new streaming service Discovery Plus is launching on multiple platforms as it debuts in the U.S.With the launch officially beginning today, Discovery Plus will be available to customers on the platforms: Roku; Amazon Fire TV streaming devices, Fire TV Edition smart TVs, and later on Prime Video Channels; iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Apple TV, and the Apple TV app;  Google devices and platforms including Android phones and tablets, Chromecast with Google TV and

Joe Otterson TV ReporterUTA has signed Estevan Oriol for representation in all areas, Variety has learned exclusively.He will continue to be managed by Marco Valadez at The ID Agency and represented by attorney Eric Sherman at Ziffren Brittenham LLP.Most recently, Oriol executive produced the Universal Pictures feature “Lowriders” and produced and directed the Netflix documentary “L.A.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterAl Madrigal and Jaime Camil are attached to co-star in a single-camera comedy in development at ABC, Variety has learned.The series is titled “Guerrillas.” Madrigal is co-writing and executive producing in addition to starring, with Camil co-executive producing as well.When Miles Flores (Madrigal), a lonely efficiency expert for an oil company gets kidnapped in South America, he ends up working for a disorganized group of guerrilla soldiers to earn back his freedom.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterIn a competitive situation, Amazon has acquired the rights to the Bill Konigsberg’s novel “The Bridge” with David Mandell set to adapt the book for television, Variety has learned exclusively.The limited series will be produced by Amazon Studios in association with PKM Productions. Mandell will write and executive produce, with Konigsberg also executive producing along with Patrick Moran of PKM.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterABC is in early development on a primetime version of the classic daytime soap opera “All My Children.”The project is currently titled “Pine Valley,” named after the fictional Philadelphia suburb that served as the setting for “All My Children.” In the new series, a young journalist with a secret agenda comes to expose the dark and murderous history of a town named Pine Valley only to become entangled in a feud between the Kane and Santos families.Leo Richardson is set

Joe Otterson TV ReporterNBC is developing the drama series “Heirs” from Carlos Portugal.The series is set in Miami Beach’s exclusive Star Island. It follows the heirs of a Latin American ex-dictator as they face an unexpected dilemma when a young girl is kidnapped from their home on the night of their own daughter’s lavish quinceañera.Portugal will write and executive produce the project, with John Davis, Jordan Davis, and John Fox executive producing via Davis Entertainment.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe planned “Lizzie McGuire” revival is officially dead at Disney Plus.Series star Hilary Duff made the announcement on Instagram on Wednesday, saying “I’ve been so honored to have the character of Lizzie in my life.”“I know the efforts and conversations have been everywhere tyring to make a reboot work but, sadly & despite everyone’s best efforts, it isn’t going to happen,” she continued.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterA sequel series to “Night Court” is in development at NBC, Variety has confirmed.The followup to the classic sitcom will see original series star John Larroquette return as Dan Fielding.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe NBC comedy pilot based on the Kevin Hart film “Night School” is not moving forward at NBC, Variety has learned exclusively.The half-hour multi-cam had originally gotten a pilot order in January, but the pandemic shutdown virtually all pilot production in March.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterMarvel Cinematic Universe stars Mark Ruffalo and Don Cheadle will both appear in upcoming Marvel TV shows on Disney Plus.Ruffalo will appear in “She-Hulk” opposite Tatiana Maslany, reprising the role of Bruce Banner, a.k.a. The Incredible Hulk.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterA “Swiss Family Robinson” series is in development at Disney Plus.The series hails from Ronald D. Moore and Jon M.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterFox is developing an animated comedy based on the Craig Banyon Mysteries books by James Mullaney.Mullaney and Shane Black will write and executive produce the project, which is titled “Craig Banyon P.I.” It follows the supernatural adventures of an alcoholic ex-cop and current private investigator, Banyon, as he solves cases in an alternate noir, otherworldly reality.Along with Mullaney and Black, David Silverman, Greg Silverman and Paul Shapiro of Stampede Ventures will

Joe Otterson TV ReporterShowtime has ordered the comedy series “The Curse,” which hails from Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdie. Both will also star in the series alongside Emma Stone.The half-hour series is said to explore how an alleged curse disturbs the relationship of a newly married couple as they try to conceive a child while co-starring on their problematic new HGTV show.Fielder will direct and executive produce in addition to starring and co-creating the series.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterCraig Macneill has signed on to direct and executive produce the pilot for the upcoming “I Know What You Did Last Summer” series at Amazon, Variety has learned exclusively.Macneill made his feature directorial debut in 2015 with “The Boy,” which was loosely based on the novel “Miss Corpus” by Clay McLeod Chapman and premiered at the SXSW Film Festival that same year. Macneill also served as co-writer on the film in addition to directing.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterA revival of the Nickelodeon series “iCarly” has been ordered at Paramount Plus.Original series stars Miranda Cosgrove, Jerry Trainor and Nathan Kress are all set to appear in the new version of the series. Jay Kogen and Ali Schouten have signed on to develop the new version of the series.The original “iCarly” ran fromo 2007-2012 on Nickelodeon for six seasons and 97 episodes.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterApple has given a series order to “Extrapolations,” an anthology series about climate change from Scott Z. Burns, Variety has learned exclusively.Burns will write, direct, and executive produce the series, which hails from Media Res.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterFreefrom has ordered a pilot for the comedy “Single Drunk Female,” Variety has learned.In the series, after a spectacularly embarrassing public breakdown, irreverent alcoholic Samantha Fink (Sofia Black-D’Elia) is forced to move back home with her “Smother” (Ally Sheedy) to sober up and avoid jail time.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterEitan Bernath has signed on to be the principal culinary contributor on “The Drew Barrymore Show,” Variety has learned exclusively.The role will see Bernath make recurring appearances on the daytime talk show, during which he will showcase original recipes and his expertise and perspective on food-related topics.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe HBO Max comedy pilot “Minx” is rounding out its cast.Idara Victor, Oscar Montoya, Jessica Lowe, Lennon Parham, and Michael Angarano have all been cast in series regular roles, with Jake Johnson attached to guest star.