RJ Cyler Joins Issa Rae HBO Max Comedy Series ‘Rap Sh*t’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe Showtime anthology “Super Pumped,” the first season of which will chart the rise of Uber, has cast Bridget Gao-Hollitt, Variety has learned exclusively.Gao-Hollitt joins previously announced cast members Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Kyle Chandler, Kerry Bishé, Babak Tafti, Mousa Hussein Kraish, Jon Bass, and Hank Azaria.Planned as anthology, the first season of “Super Pumped” is based on Mike Isaac’s book of the same name.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterHBO Max has ordered a pilot for a potential “Dead Boy Detectives” series, Variety has learned exclusively from sources.Based on the DC Comics characters created by Neil Gaiman, the one-hour series would follow the Dead Boy Detectives — Charles Rowland and Edwin Paine — who decided not to enter the afterlife in order to stay on earth and investigate crimes involving the supernatural.Sebastian Croft and Ty Tennant are set to play Rowland and Paine respectively in the

Joe Otterson TV ReporterRainn Wilson has joined the cast of the upcoming AMC series “Dark Winds.”He joins previously announced series leads Zahn McClarnon and Kiowa Gordon. “Dark Winds” is based on the Leaphorn & Chee book series by Tony Hillerman.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe television adaptation of the hit video game series “Life Is Strange” is enlisting music star Shawn Mendes and Anonymous Content.The TV version of the Square Enix games hails from Legendary Television and dj2 Entertainment, with Anonymous Content now also producing. Anonymous and Legendary will serve as co-studios, with Legendary as the lead studio.

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 Reporter“Tom Swift” has been ordered to series at The CW, Variety has learned.The show is a spinoff of the CW series “Nancy Drew.” Tian Richards made his first appearance as the character in the “Nancy Drew” episode “The Celestial Visitor” during that show’s second season. It served as a backdoor pilot to the “Tom Swift” standalone series.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe “Vampire Academy” series at Peacock has set its main cast as well as the directors for Season 1, Variety has learned.The show, based on the book series by Richelle Mead, will star Sisi Stringer, Daniele Nieves, Kieron Moore, André Dae Kim, J. August Richards, Anita-Joy Uwajeh, Mia McKenna-Bruce, Rhian Blundell, Jonetta Kaiser, and Andrew Liner.

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 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 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 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 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 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 ReporterThe “Adventure Time” universe is expanding, with HBO Max ordering a new half-hour series about Fionna and Cake.In the 10-episode series, Fionna and Cake – with the help of the former Ice King, Simon Petrikov – embark on a multiverse-hopping adventure and journey of self-discovery.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“Painting with John” has been renewed for Season 2 at HBO, Variety has learned.Season one of the unscripted series featured musician, actor, director and painter John Lurie ensconced at his worktable, honing his intricate watercolor techniques and sharing reflections on what he’s learned about life.

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 ReporterMelanie Frankel is exiting her role as head of comedy for ABC Signature, Variety has learned.According to an individual with knowledge of the situation, Frankel’s departure is amicable. She first assumed the top comedy role at the studio in October 2019 (when it was still known as ABC Studios) after having been vice president of current series since 2015.