David W.Zucker Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

EXCLUSIVE: Marin Ireland is set as the female lead opposite Brian Tyree Henry and Michael Mando in Apple TV+’s crime drama series Sinking Spring, from Top Gun: Maverick writer Peter Craig. The series is directed and executive produced by Ridley Scott via his Scott Free Productions, with Henry also executive producing.

EXCLUSIVE: Ridley Scott’s production company has a new UK television chief.

EXCLUSIVE: Coming off directing and executive producing the first two episodes of FX’s Shōgun, Jonathan van Tulleken has been tapped to direct and executive produce the first two episodes of another high-profile limited series, Prime Video’s Blade Runner 2099.

White Lotus and One Day breakout Leo Woodall is leading an Apple TV+ thriller opposite Black Adam star Quintessa Swindell about a young maths graduate who discovers the secret to prime numbers, with Ridley Scott producing.

K.J. Yossman “One Day” star Leo Woodall and “Black Adam’s” Quintessa Swindell are set to lead a new thriller series for Apple TV+ titled “Prime Target.” Created by Steve Thompson (“Sherlock”) and produced by New Regency with Ridley Scott’s Scott Free, the eight-episode drama follows a mathematical genius as he’s plunged into a troubling conspiracy just as he’s about to make a major computational breakthrough. Woodall plays math post-graduate Edward Brooks, who’s on the verge of working out how to access every computer in the world via a unique mathematical pattern when he realizes an someone is trying to stop him.

EXCLUSIVE: Ridley Scott’s Scott Free has appointed Elyse Seder as EVP and Head of Nonfiction and named EVP Marjorie Chodorov Head of Physical Production.

Naman Ramachandran The talent behind FX and BBC series “Great Expectations,” “Peaky Blinders” creator Steven Knight’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ literary masterpiece, has spoken about it ahead of its premiere. “Great Expectations” is the coming-of-age story of Pip, an orphan who yearns for a greater lot in life, until a twist of fate and the evil machinations of the mysterious and eccentric Miss Havisham shows him a dark world of possibilities. Under the great expectations placed upon him, Pip will have to work out the true cost of this new world and whether it will truly make him the man he wishes to be. A critique of the class system, Dickens’ novel was published in 1861 after first releasing it in a series of weekly chapters beginning in December 1860.

Jeremy Podeswa (Station 11, Game of Thrones) is joining Prime Video’s limited series Blade Runner 2099 to direct the pilot and serve as producing director. He will also serve as executive producer. 

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large “Game of Thrones” alum Jeremy Podeswa has signed on to direct the pilot of Amazon Prime Video’s upcoming limited series “Blade Runner 2099.” Podeswa, most recently the DGA Award-nominated director behind HBO Max’s “Station Eleven,” will also serve as producing director and executive producer of “Blade Runner 2099.” A TV sequel to the film “Blade Runner 2049” (itself a sequel to the landmark original “Blade Runner”), the new series comes from showrunner/executive producer Silka Luisa (“Shining Girls”). Ridley Scott is also an executive producer on “Blade Runner 2099,” which comes from Alcon Entertainment and Scott Free Productions. Also joining the writers room is Tom Spezialy (“The Leftovers”), who will also serve as an executive producer. “Blade Runner 2099” has been a long time coming. Scott first revealed the series was in the works in November 2021, while Amazon revealed it was in development in February 2022. The series was officially ordered last September. A plot for the new Prime Video series remains under wraps.

Wagner Moura (Narcos) is set to star opposite Brian Tyree Henry in Apple TV+’s crime drama series Sinking Spring, from Top Gun: Maverick writer Peter Craig. He is replacing Better Call Saul alum Michael Mando who had been originally tapped for the role but has been let go after an on-set incident involving a cast member. The recasting is done during filming on the series, directed and executive produced by Ridley Scott via his Scott Free Productions.

EXCLUSIVE: Apple has rounded out the cast for its crime drama series Sinking Spring with the addition of Golden Globe winner Ving Rhames (Mission: Impossible franchise), Dustin Nguyen (The Accidental Getaway Driver), Nesta Cooper (See), Idris Debrand (Dear Edward), Liz Caribel (Pussy Island) and Will Pullen (A Little Prayer).

Ridley Scott and his Scott Free Productions banner is getting in on the true-crime trend.

EXCLUSIVE: Amir Arison (The Blacklist, lead on Broadway’s The Kite Runner) joins series lead Brian Tyree Henry in the cast of Apple’s crime drama series Sinking Spring from Top Gun: Maverick writer Peter Craig. The 8- episode series is directed and executive produced by Ridley Scott via his Scott Free Productions.

Selome Hailu Marin Ireland has been cast in “Sinking Spring,” the upcoming Apple TV+ drama series from Peter Craig. Ireland plays Kristy Lynne, a fiery, foul-mouthed woman entrenched deeply in a high-intensity drug trafficking area in rural Pennsylvania, who survives a life-threatening assault. As she reclaims her voice and health, she becomes obsessed with finding the culprits and unraveling the plot that nearly destroyed her. She joins previously announced stars Brian Tyree Henry and Michael Mando. Based on Dennis Tafoya’s 2009 novel “Dope Thief,” “Sinking Spring” follows long-time Philly friends and delinquents who pose as DEA agents to rob an unknown house in the countryside, only to have their small-time grift become a life-and-death enterprise, as they unwittingly reveal and unravel the biggest hidden narcotics corridor on the Eastern seaboard.

The “Blade Runner” live action series “Blade Runner 2099,” with Ridley Scott as executive producer and Silka Luisa as showrunner, is a go at Amazon Studios.The series, which is coming to Prime Video, will be a continuation of the film franchise.“The original ‘Blade Runner,’ directed by Ridley Scott, is considered one of the greatest and most influential science-fiction movies of all time, and we’re excited to introduce ‘Blade Runner 2099’ to our global Prime Video customers,” Vernon Sanders, head of global television for Amazon Studios, said in a statement. “We are honored to be able to present this continuation of the ‘Blade Runner’ franchise, and are confident that by teaming up with Ridley, Alcon Entertainment, Scott Free Productions, and the remarkably talented Silka Luisa, ‘Blade Runner 2099’ will uphold the intellect, themes, and spirit of its film predecessors.”No casting details were immediately available.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter Amazon has formally ordered a “Blade Runner” sequel series, Variety has learned. The live-action project, titled “Blade Runner 2099,” was first announced as being in development at the streamer back in February, while Ridley Scott first revealed the show was in the works in November 2021. Exact plot details are being kept under wraps, but the title indicates the show will take place fifty years after the events of “Blade Runner 2049,” the 2017 sequel to the original “Blade Runner.” Silka Luisa serves as showrunner and executive producer, with Ridley Scott also executive producing under his Scott Free Productions banner.

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer “Better Call Saul” actor Michael Mando has signed on to star opposite Brian Tyree Henry in Peter Craig and Ridley Scott’s upcoming Apple TV+ series “Sinking Spring,” Variety has learned. Based on the book “Dope Thief” by Dennis Tafoya, Apple’s eight-episode series “Sinking Spring” follows long-time Philly friends and delinquents who pose as DEA agents to rob an unknown house in the countryside, only to have their small-time grift become a life-and-death enterprise, as they unwittingly reveal and unravel the biggest hidden narcotics corridor on the Eastern seaboard. Mando will play the co-lead role of Manny Cespedes, a good-hearted friend of Ray’s (Henry), who he first met when they did time together in the Youth Authority, per the official character description.

Better Call Saul alum Michael Mando is set to star opposite Brian Tyree Henry in Apple TV+’s crime drama series Sinking Spring, from Top Gun: Maverick writer Peter Craig. The series is directed and executive produced by Ridley Scott via his Scott Free Productions.

Brian Tyree Henry has found his post-“Atlanta” television role. The actor will star in “Sinking Spring,” a new Apple TV+ series from writer Peter Craig and director Ridley Scott.Based on the book “Dope Thief” by Dennis Tafoya, the eight-episode series will follow “long-time Philly friends and delinquents who pose as DEA agents to rob an unknown house in the countryside, only to have their small-time grift become a life-and-death enterprise, as they unwittingly reveal and unravel the biggest hidden narcotics corridor on the Eastern seaboard,” per the streamer.This will be Craig’s first television project, after working on films including “The Batman” and “Top Gun: Maverick.” He will write and executive produce across all eight episodes and direct one episode.Scott executive produces for Scott Free Productions alongside David W.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterApple is preparing to order an eight-episode series from Peter Craig with Brian Tyree Henry attached to star, Variety has learned.In addition, Ridley Scott is attached to executive produce and direct on the series, with Craig set to direct one episode as well.The show is titled “Sinking Spring” and is based on the book “Dope Thief” by Dennis Tafoya. It follows long-time Philly friends and delinquents who pose as DEA agents to rob an unknown house in the countryside, only to have their small-time grift become a life-and-death enterprise, as they unwittingly reveal and unravel the biggest hidden narcotics corridor on the Eastern seaboard.Craig serves as writer and executive producer in addition to directing. Henry will executive produce as well as starring. Scott executive produces via Scott Free Productions along with David W.

It’s time to start saying goodbye to the women and men of “The Good Fight,” and they appear to be going out with lots of wine, some virtual sexy talk, and a hefty dose of déjà vu.Paramount+ dropped the trailer for the sixth and final season of the series on Wednesday morning, a little over a month ahead of its Thursday, Sept. 8 premiere.The new season, which spans 10 episodes, will see Diane Lockhart feeling like she’s going crazy, and struggling with that déjà vu over the overturning of Roe v.

“Raised by Wolves” has come to an end at HBO Max.The sci-fi series, which wrapped up its Season 2 run in March, won’t be back for a third go around.“While we are not proceeding with a third season of ‘Raised by Wolves,’ we are beyond grateful to the stellar cast and crew, our creators Aaron Guzikowski, Ridley Scott, David W. Zucker, and the entire team at Scott Free Productions, for their beautiful artistry and unique ability to immerse fans into the world of Kepler-22b,” HBO Max said in a statement.In Season 2 of the show from Scott, android partners Mother (Amanda Collin) and Father (Abubakar Salim), along with their brood of six human children, joined a newly formed atheistic colony in Kepler-22b’s mysterious tropical zone.“Raised by Wolves” was produced by Scott’s Scott Free Productions, with Scott, Aaron Guzikowski, David W.

There will not be a third season of Ridley Scott’s Raised By Wolves. HBO Max has canceled the sci-fi drama series after two seasons, Deadline has confirmed.

Jennifer Maas TV Business WriterRidley Scott’s “Raised by Wolves” has been canceled after two seasons at HBO Max, Variety has confirmed.Originally ordered to series at WarnerMedia-owned cable channel TNT in 2018 before landing at HBO Max ahead of its series premiere in September 2020, the sci-fi drama centers on two androids tasked with raising human children on a mysterious virgin planet. As the burgeoning colony of humans threatens to be torn apart by religious differences, the androids learn that controlling the beliefs of humans is a treacherous and difficult task.“While we are not proceeding with a third season of Raised by Wolves, we are beyond grateful to the stellar cast and crew, our creators Aaron Guzikowski, Ridley Scott, David W.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterFX and BBC have announced the main cast for the upcoming “Great Expectations” limited series, Variety has learned.The six-episode version of the Charlies Dickens classic will star: Olivia Colman (“The Favourite,” “The Crown”) as Miss Havisham, Fionn Whitehead (“Dunkirk,” “Bandersnatch”) as Pip, Ashley Thomas (“Them,” “The Night Of”) as Jaggers, Johnny Harris (“London to Brighton,” “This Is England ’86”)  as Magwitch, Shalom Brune-Franklin (“Roadkill,” “Line of Duty”) as Estella, Hayley Squires (“I, Daniel Blake,” “The Electrical Life of Louis Wain”)  as Sara, Owen McDonnell (“Killing Eve,” “Women on the Verge” as Joe, Trystan Gravelle (“A Discovery of Witches,” “The Terror”) as Compeyson, and Matt Berry (“What We Do in the Shadows,” “Toast of London”) as Mr. Pumblechuck. Steven Knight is writing and executive producing the series.

Great Expectations has cast its Miss Havisham. Oscar winner Olivia Colman will star as the wealthy, wedding dress-wearing spinster in the FX and BBC limited series adaptation of the Charles Dickens’ novel, which comes from Steven Knight.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterA live-action “Blade Runner” sequel series is in development at Amazon, Variety has learned.Titled “Blade Runner 2099,” the series will serve as a follow-up to the “Blade Runner” sequel “Blade Runner 2049.” Silka Luisa will write and executive produce, with Ridley Scott set to executive produce via Scott Free Productions. Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson of Alcon Entertainment are also executive producing along with David W.

Executive producers on the series include Ridley Scott, David W. Zucker and Jordan Sheehan with Scott Free Productions; Fred Berger, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, and Justin Levy with Automatik Entertainment; and Russell Fine.Character descriptions:Giancarlo Esposito (he/him) as “Leo Pap” – A natural leader, Leo is whip-smart, intense and driven, with an engineer’s mind and a meticulous eye for detail.

EXCLUSIVE: Ridley Scott’s Scott Free Productions has promoted longtime President of Television David W. Zucker to Chief Creative Officer. Zucker’s top lieutenants of nearly a decade, Jordan Sheehan and Clayton Krueger, have been elevated to Co-Presidents of Scott Free Television.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“Raised by Wolves” has been renewed for a second season at HBO Max. The news comes two weeks after the drama series debuted on the streaming service.Aaron Guzikowski created the series and serves as executive producer. Ridley Scott also executive produces via Scott Free Productions in addition to directing the first two episodes, marking his television directorial debut.

By Nancy Tartaglione