‘Reno 911’ Special ‘The Hunt for QAnon’ Gets Premiere Date on Paramount Plus (EXCLUSIVE)

Joe Otterson TV ReporterColin Farrell has officially signed on to star in and executive produce a series spinoff of “The Batman” in which he would again play The Penguin, Variety has learned exclusively from sources.Farrell will first portray the villainous character in “The Batman” starring Robert Pattinson, which is due to be released on March 4, 2022. The series would then reportedly delve into The Penguin’s rise to power in the Gotham criminal underworld.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterSylvester Stallone is set to star in a new drama series at Paramount Plus from Taylor Sheridan and Terence Winter, Variety has learned.The series, set in present day, follows legendary New York City mobster Sal (Stallone), who is faced with the startling task of reestablishing his Italian mafia family to the modernized, straight-shooting town of Kansas City, Missouri.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe “Yellowstone” prequel series “1883” at Paramount Plus has added Graham Greene to its cast, Variety has learned exclusively.The prequel series follows the Dutton family as they embark on a journey west through the Great Plains.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“Fear the Walking Dead” has been renewed for Season 8, with former series star Kim Dickens set to return to the zombie apocalypse series.The announcement was made on “Talking Dead” following the series finale of “The Walking Dead: World Beyond.” Dickens will make her return to the series in the second half of Season 7, which debuts on April 10 on AMC Plus and April 17 on AMC. She will then appear as a series regular in Season 8.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe animated series adaptation of “The Supernatural Academy” books by Jaymin Eve has been ordered at Peacock, Variety has learned exclusively.Variety originally reported the series was in the works from 41 Entertainment back in October 2019. The half-hour series will debut on Peacock on Jan.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterCobie Smulders is set to appear in the “Secret Invasion” series at Disney Plus, Variety has confirmed.Smulders will reprise the role of SHIELD agent Maria Hill in the series. She joins a cast that already includes stars like Samuel L.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterAMC has officially ordered a series based on the Anne Rice “Lives of the Mayfair Witches” novels, Variety has learned.The cabler has ordered eight episodes of the show, which is titled “Mayfair Witches.” It was originally announced that AMC had opened a writers room for the series in August under their script to series model.The show will focus on an intuitive young neurosurgeon who discovers that she is the unlikely heir to a family of witches.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterRiz Ahmed’s Left Handed Films and Lulu Wang’s Local Time are partnering to develop the comedy series “The Son of Good Fortune” at Amazon, Variety has learned exclusively.Based on the novel of the same name by Lysley Tenorio, the series is about an undocumented Filipino teenager in the Bay area navigating a tumultuous relationship with his former B-movie action star mother, falling in love for the first time, and working out how to pay back a massive debt before his whole

Joe Otterson TV ReporterIvanna Sakhno has been cast in the Ahsoka Tano series at Disney Plus, Variety has confirmed.Sakhno will appear in the series opposite Rosario Dawson, who will play Tano, and Natasha Liu Bordizzo, who was recently announced as the “Star Wars Rebels” character Sabine Wren. Details on the character Sakhno is playing are being kept under wraps, though it is believed to be a new character created for the series.Reps for Sakhno and Lucasfilm declined to comment.Sakhno is known

Joe Otterson TV ReporterHBO has officially ordered The Weeknd’s drama series “The Idol,” Variety has learned.The Weeknd will star in the six-episode series, which was first announced as being in development in June, as well as serving as the co-creator.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe “Dead Boy Detectives” pilot at HBO Max has found its main cast, Variety has learned exclusively from sources.George Rexstrew, Jayden Revri (“The Lodge”), and Kassius Nelson (“Last Night in Soho,” “Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events”) will star in the three lead roles.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe upcoming Ahsoka Tano series at Disney Plus has cast Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Sabine Wren, Variety has confirmed with sources.She joins previously announced series lead Rosario Dawson. Wren was first introduced to the “Star Wars” universe in the animated series “Star Wars Rebels.” She is a young Mandalorian and a weapons expert, particularly when it comes to explosives.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterYvonne Orji has set up a variety special at HBO, Variety has learned exclusively.The project is in the early stages so details are scarce, but sources say it would incorporate comedy elements beyond traditional stand up and would dive into the Nigerian-American experience. Orji will write and executive produce in addition to starring.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterA new “Earthworm Jim” animated TV series is in development, Variety has learned exclusively.The project hails from Interplay Entertainment Corp., which owns the rights to the “Earthworm Jim” games. Interplay has partnered with APA to bring the project to television.Like the games, the series would follow the adventures of the titular Jim, a worm in a futuristic robotic suit who fights evildoers.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe upcoming NBC series “The Endgame” has added Karl Josef Co and Massiel Mordan to its cast.The duo join previously announced series leads Morena Baccarin and Ryan Michelle Bathé.

Paramount+ has set Thursday, December 23 for the premiere of the new Reno 911 special The Hunt For QAnon. The streamer also released a teaser trailer (see below).

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“Queen Sugar” has been renewed for Season 7 at OWN, with that season set to be the show’s last. Writing on the new season has begun, with production set to begin in early 2022.“To everything, there is a season,” said series creator Ava DuVernay.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterParamount Television Studios has promoted Jenna Santoianni, Cheryl Bosnak, and Erika Kirkwood.Jenna Santoianni has been upped to executive vice president of Paramount Television Studios after previously serving as executive vice president and head of development.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterIndustrial Media has entered into an overall deal with House of NonFiction, Alex Stapleton’s new unscripted production company.Stapleton is an Emmy-winning filmmaker who is currently directing two projects for HBO. She recently completed the docu-series “Pride” for FX, which chronicles the American LGBTQ+ civil rights movement.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterParamount Plus has released the first trailer for the live-action “Halo” series. The show is expected to debut on the streamer in 2022.Pablo Schreiber stars as the iconic Master Chief from the long-running and beloved Xbox video game series.