‘Powerpuff Girls’ CW Pilot Star Chloe Bennet Exits Project (EXCLUSIVE)

Joe Otterson TV ReporterJesse Williams has joined the cast of the Hulu drama pilot “Olga Dies Dreaming.”Williams joins previously announced series leads Aubrey Plaza and Ramón Rodríguez in the pilot, which is based on the yet-to-be-released novel of the same name by Xóchitl Gonzalez.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe “Dead Ringers” series at Amazon has added both Jennifer Ehle and Emily Meade in recurring roles, Variety has learned.They join previously announced series lead Rachel Weisz as well as cast members Michael Chernus, Poppy Liu, Britne Oldford and Jeremy Shamos.The series was announced at the streaming service in August 2020 with a straight-to-series order. It is a modern update of the 1988 David Cronenberg film of the same name.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterPeacock is developing a one-hour drama series about millennial nuns from “The Thing About Pam” creator Jessika Borsiczky, Variety has learned exclusively.The series is titled “Called” and is based on the Huffington Post article “Behold, The Millennial Nuns” by Eve Fairbanks.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterLaKeith Stanfield will star in an adaptation of the Victor LaValle novel “The Changeling,” which has been ordered to series at Apple, Variety has learned.The series is described as a fairytale for grown-ups. It is further described as a horror story, a parenthood fable, and a perilous odyssey through a New York City you didn’t know existed.Kelly Marcel will write the adaptation in addition to serving as executive producer and showrunner on the series.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterSteven Soderbergh and Ed Solomon have landed a series order at HBO Max for the drama “Full Circle,” Variety has learned exclusively.The series reunites the pair after they worked together on the film “No Sudden Move,” which was released on HBO Max in July. Casey Silver, who was a producer on “No Sudden Move,” will be an executive producer on the series.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterShowtime has ordered a drama pilot inspired by the life of Rebecca Bender, a national leader on and survivor of sex trafficking, Variety has learned.The pilot is titled “Coercion.” It hails from Susannah Grant, with Sydney Chandler attached to star.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterJenifer Lewis has joined the upcoming Showtime comedy series “I Love This For You.”Lewis joins previously announced series lead Vanessa Bayer and cast members Molly Shannon, Paul James, Ayden Mayeri, Matt Rogers, and Punam Patel.Inspired by Bayer’s own story of overcoming childhood leukemia, the series centers on Joanna Gold (Bayer) who dreams of becoming a host at a home-shopping channel.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe untitled HBO series about the Los Angeles Lakers has added five to its cast, with Bo Burnham also exiting the series.It was reported in March that Burnham had been cast in the role of Celtics legend Larry Bird. According to an individual with knowledge of the situation, Burnham is no longer involved with the project due to scheduling conflicts.Sean Patrick Small will instead play Bird.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterChloë Sevigny has joined the cast of the Hulu limited series “The Girl From Plainville.”She joins previously announced series stars Elle Fanning and Colton Ryan in the series. Fanning stars as Michelle Carter and is inspired by the true story of her controversial “texting-suicide” case.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe AMC sci-fi series “Moonhaven” has enlisted Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy to direct the first two episodes, Variety has learned exclusively.The series is focused on a utopian colony on the Moon that may hold the keys to preserving life on Earth, which has become increasingly perilous.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterAuriel Rudnick has signed a three-year overall deal with Paramount Television Studios, Variety has learned exclusively.“I am excited to bring the kind of stories to life that I believe have long wanted to be told, and I am especially excited to be doing this with the phenomenal team at Paramount Television Studios,” Rudnick said.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterJeremy Shada has signed with A3 Artists Agency, Variety has learned exclusively. He continues to be represented by Scale Management.Shada is an actor, voice actor, and artist.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterRJ Cyler has been cast in a series regular role in the upcoming Issa Rae HBO Max comedy series “Rap Sh*t,” Variety has learned.The series follows two estranged high school friends from Miami, Shawna (Aida Osman) and Mia (KaMillion), who reunite to form a rap group. Cyler will play Lamont, an aspiring music producer with a sharp ear for talent.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterNina L. Diaz will now head up unscripted and adult animation for Paramount Plus, Variety has learned exclusively.The promotion was announced by Chris McCarthy in a memo to MTV Entertainment Group staffers on Thursday, which can be read in full below.Diaz will now serve as chief creative officer for unscripted entertainment and adult animation at Paramount Plus, while remaining CCO and president of content for MTV Entertainment Group.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterRian Johnson and Natasha Lyonne’s upcoming Peacock series has set Nora and Lilla Zuckerman to serve as co-showrunners, Variety has learned exclusively.The series, titled “Poker Face,” received a 10-episode order at Peacock back in March. Johnson created the series and will also direct and executive produce.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“Ted Lasso” co-creator Bill Lawrence has landed a series order at Apple for the drama “Bad Monkey” with Vince Vaughn attached to star, Variety has learned.The series is based on Carl Hiaasen’s 2013 novel of the same name. It tells the story of Andrew Yancy (Vaughn), a one-time detective demoted to restaurant inspector in Southern Florida.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“The Circle,” “Indian Matchmaking,” and “The American Barbecue Showdown” have all been renewed at Netflix.“The Circle” has been renewed for both Seasons 4 and 5, with Season 3 of that series due to debut this fall. “Indian Matchmaking” and “The American Barbecue Showdown” have both been renewed for Season 2.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterSquare Peg and A24 are teaming to develop Adrian Tomine’s graphic memoir “The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Cartoonist” for television as an animated series, Variety has learned exclusively.The memoir, first published in 2020, explores Tomine’s life through a series of autobiographical sketches. When a sudden medical incident lands Tomine in the emergency room, he begins to question if it was really all worthwhile: despite the accolades and opportunities of a seemingly

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThomas Lennon is developing the animated comedy “The Post Guard” at Fox, Variety has learned exclusively.The series is described as a workplace adventure comedy following the rag tag crew of humans, turtles, seals and mermaids at the secretive, and often overlooked mashup of the Coast Guard and Post Office, as they scour the high seas to find and deliver messages in bottles, while settling who among them is in charge of the ship’s menial tasks, like resetting the

Joe Otterson TV ReporterHulu has ordered a comedy pilot from Steve Levitan and John Enbom with Keegan-Michael Key and Johnny Knoxville attached to star, Variety has learned.In the pilot, titled “Reboot,” Hulu decides to reboot an early 2000’s family sitcom. Its dysfunctional cast is forced back together and now must deal with their unresolved issues in today’s fast-changing world.Levitan is the creator, executive producer, and showrunner and also wrote the pilot story.