Ramón Rodríguez Joins Aubrey Plaza in Hulu Drama Pilot ‘Olga Dies Dreaming’

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 Reporter“Most Dangerous Game” has been renewed for Season 2 at Roku Channel, Variety has learned.Christoph Waltz will return in the new season as Miles Sellers, the CEO of The Tiro Fund – a front for a centuries old game in which hunters pay exorbitant fees for the privilege of hunting the most cunning and dangerous prey there is.Season 1 star Liam Hemsworth will not return. However, “The Umbrella Academy” star David Castañeda will star alongside Waltz in Season 2.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterSummerSlam 2021 is set to feature a major confrontation between top WWE superstars Roman Reigns and John Cena.Reigns has earned considerable praise of late since turning heel (becoming a bad guy in pro wrestling parlance), while Cena remains one of the top babyfaces (good guys) of all time.“As you know, your villain is only as good as your hero, and your hero is only as good as your villain,” WWE president and chief revenue officer Nick Khan told Variety.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterJosh Duhamel will star opposite Renee Zellweger in the NBC limited series “The Thing About Pam.”The series is based on the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria that resulted in her husband Russ’s conviction, although he insisted he didn’t kill her. His conviction was later overturned.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe “Armor Wars” series at Disney Plus has tapped Yassir Lester to serve as head writer, Variety has confirmed with sources.Don Cheadle will star in the series, reprising the role of James “Rhodey” Rhodes, a.k.a. War Machine.

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 ReporterTim Robbins has signed onto the series adaptation of Hugh Howey’s “Wool” at Apple, Variety has learned.Robbins will star alongside previously announced cast member Rebecca Ferguson. “Wool” is a set in a ruined and toxic future where a community exists in a giant silo underground, hundreds of stories deep.

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 ReporterFX chairman John Landgraf told reporters during a virtual executive session for the Television Critics Association summer press tour that his famous deep dives on the state of the television industry will be much more specific to FX going forward.“One of the things you’ll note is that my presentation today was very focused on the FX brand and FX programming,” Landgraf said. “I think it’s just factually accurate to say that is where I am focused.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“American Horror Stories” has been renewed for Season 2 at FX on Hulu.The series is a spinoff of the popular “American Horror Story” franchise created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. The first season of the spinoff series debuted in July, with the seventh and final episode of the season set to drop on Aug.

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 ReporterRobert Rodríguez and his Troublemaker Studios have signed a first-look deal with HBO and HBO Max.Under the deal, Rodríguez will bring projects to HBO Max and HBO for potential development as original series. Racer Rodríguez, Rodríguez’s son, will serve as lead development executive under the pact.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterChloe Bennet has stepped down as one of the three leads in the live-action CW pilot based on “The Powerpuff Girls,” Variety has learned exclusively.Bennet was set to star as Blossom in the pilot, which is currently titled “Powerpuff.” The show was originally in contention during pilot season earlier this year for a potential fall air date, but The CW made the decision to redevelop and reshoot it instead, with CW chairman and CEO Mark Pedowitz calling the first pilot “a

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 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.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterHulu has given a series order to the drama “Tell Me Lies,” based on the book of the same name by Carola Lovering. Grace Van Patten will star in the series with Emma Roberts executive producing.The series follows a tumultuous but intoxicating relationship as it unfolds over the course of 8 years.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterPoppy Liu has joined the cast of “Dead Ringers” at Amazon, Variety has learned.She joins previously announced series lead Rachel Weisz and recently announced cast member Michael Chernus. The series was announced at the streaming service in August 2020 with a straight-to-series order.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers” has been renewed for Season 2 at Disney Plus.Set in present day Minnesota, the series takes place after the events of the original films. The Mighty Ducks have evolved from scrappy underdogs to an ultra-competitive, powerhouse youth hockey team.