Barry Jossen Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

We’re getting the first look at three of ABC’s new series for the 2022-23 broadcast season. The network has released teaser trailers for fall dramas Alaska and The Rookie: Feds and midseason comedy Not Dead Yet. Check them out below.

The ethics of being a defense attorney aren’t so black and white. So, how does “The Lincoln Lawyer” grapple with defending someone he knows is guilty?The TV series adaptation of the books by superstar crime fiction author Michael Connelly follows Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as lawyer Mickey Haller, who runs his practice out of a vintage Lincoln Town Car (hence the title).In this clip from the upcoming Netflix series, exclusive to TheWrap, Garcia-Rulfo’s Haller explains to his daughter Hayley (Krista Warner) that he truly believes everyone deserves the right to a fair trial.“Everyone deserves a defense, Hayley,” he says.

Dana Calvo (Good Girls Revolt) has been tapped as showrunner and executive producer on ABC’s Avalon, a drama series based on Michael Connelly’s short story, from David E. Kelley (Big Sky, Big Little Lies), A+E Studios and 20th Television. It’s slated to be part of ABC’s 2022-2023 programming slate.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterDana Calvo will serve as showrunner and executive producer on the upcoming ABC mystery drama “Avalon.”The show hails from co-creators David E. Kelley and Michael Connelly, with the show based on a short story that Connelly wrote. It was ordered straight-to-series at ABC in February.The series takes place in the main city of Avalon on Catalina Island, where LA Sheriff Department Detective Nicole “Nic” Searcy heads up a small office.

ABC is heading off into the national parks, only this time without Kevin Costner.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterABC has ordered a new pilot for the drama about the National Parks Investigative Services Branch, Variety has learned.The broadcaster commissioned a pilot for the project last year as well with a different creative team, though it ultimately did not go forward. The original team included Kevin Costner as co-writer and executive producer, but Costner is no longer attached to the project in any capacity.Instead, Rashad Raisani is writing and executive producing the pilot, which is described as a propulsive, soapy procedural set in the stunning world of National Parks.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterGiancarlo Esposito is staying in business with AMC, with the renowned actor set to star in the newly greenlit drama series “The Driver” for the basic cabler.The six-episode first season is based on a U.K. format created by Danny Brocklehurst and Jim Poyser. Brocklehurst and Sunu Gonera developed the new series for U.S.

A+E Networks has taken a minority stake in management and production firm Range Media Partners. No financial details are being disclosed but the stake is believed to be in the high teens percent and the deal in the $50 million ballpark, with Range’s valuation at around $300 million. That is a hefty valuation, especially for a company that is just a year and a half old. It is close to what one of Hollywood biggest, most established management-production companies, 3 Arts, sold for in 2018 after 27 years in the business.

Cynthia Littleton Business EditorA+E Networks has set a broad content production and business development venture with Range Media Partners, the talent management startup that launched 16 months ago by CAA and Entertainment One alum Peter Micelli.As part of the deal, A+E Networks has taken a minority stake in Range, which has grown quickly with a roster of talent managers and executives, from across film, TV, music, talent representation, production, activism, branded content and venture strategy. A+E Networks is home to cable stalwarts A&E Network, History and Lifetime, the A+E Studios banner and a growing collection of FAST streaming channels.The deal calls for A+E Studios to serve as Range’s production partner on scripted project.

David E. Kelley continues to add to his order book.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterABC has given a straight-to-series order to the drama “Avalon” from David E. Kelley that is based on a short story by Michael Connelly.Titled “Avalon,” the series takes place in the main city of Avalon on Catalina Island, where LA Sheriff Department Detective Nicole “Nic” Searcy heads up a small office. Catalina has a local population that serves more than 1 million tourists a year, and each day when the ferries arrive, hundreds of potential new stories enter the island.

Alyssa Milano has signed a a first-look production and writing deal with A+E Studios, president Barry Jossen said Thursday.The actor, producer, host, activist, entrepreneur, humanitarian and New York Times best-selling author will write and produce projects for A+E Studios for sale on all global and domestic television platforms and services.A+E Studios had acquired Milano’s pilot script “Things I’m Seeing Without You,” which she adapted based on the young adult novel by Peter Bognanni.

William Earl Variety will host its annual Showrunners Dinner on Sept. 13, to celebrate the year in television ahead of Sunday’s Emmy Awards.