Robert Downey Jr., Team Downey Set Apple Drama Series (EXCLUSIVE)

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe Kate McKinnon-led series about Carole Baskin and the “Tiger King” Joe Exotic has received a multi-platform series order at NBCUniversal Television, Variety has learned.The limited series, currently titled “Joe Exotic,” is now set to air on NBC, Peacock, and USA Network. In addition, Etan Frankel has boarded the project as writer and executive producer under his overall deal with series producer Universal Content Productions (UCP).

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe cast and creators of “The West Wing” are reuniting to perform together for the first time in nearly two decades in a special set at HBO Max, Variety has learned.“A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote” will debut on the streamer this fall. It will feature a theatrical staging of the “Hartsfield’s Landing” episode from the show’s third season and will be shot at the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles in early October.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“The Powerpuff Girls” could soon fly again. Variety has learned that a live-action version of the classic Cartoon Network series is in development at The CW.In the updated version of the series, the titular superheroes are now disillusioned twentysomethings who resent having lost their childhood to crime fighting.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterCarlos Portugal is developing the one-hour mystery drama “Miss NG” at HBO Max, Variety has learned exclusively.The series is set in the small town of Nuevo Guerrero, where nothing is more important than the annual Miss Nuevo Guerrero beauty pageant. But when last year’s winner goes missing, her former best friend, her arch-rival and her half-sister all enter the upcoming pageant.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterSusan Lewis is joining ABC Signature as senior vice president and head of drama development.Lewis will officially join the studio on Aug. 31 and will report to Tracy Underwood.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterAmazon has given a straight-to-series order to an adaptation of David Cronenberg film “Dead Ringers” with Rachel Weisz attached to star and executive produce, Variety has learned.In the original film, which debuted in 1988, Jeremy Irons played twin gynecologists who both begin a relationship with the same woman. In the series version, Weisz will play the double lead role of the Mantle twins.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterSeth MacFarlane and Chadwick Boseman are teaming as executive producers on a limited series about the Little Rock Nine that is currently in development at Universal Content Productions (UCP).The untitled series is set in 1957 after the landmark Supreme Court decision of Brown v. Board of Education.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterLilly Singh is expanding her presence at NBC, with the broadcast network ordering a primetime sketch comedy series from the YouTube star and late-night host.The network has ordered two episodes of “Sketchy Times with Lilly Singh.” The show will see Singh perform in multiple sketches where she will portray every character. Each episode will feature a specific theme and include her Singh’s well-known musical parodies.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterApple is getting into the music competition series space.The streamer has ordered the series “My Kind of Country,” which will feature a global search for country music talent. Per Apple, the series will feature a documentary component as it hunts for “unconventional and extraordinary” country music stars.Adam Blackstone will serve as the musical director on the series.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterPeacock has landed the series reboot of “Clueless” centered on the character Dionne for development, Variety has learned exclusively.The untitled comedy series is described a baby pink and bisexual blue-tinted, tiny sun-glasses wearing, oat milk latte and Adderall-fueled look at what happens when queen bee Cher disappears and her lifelong number two Dionne steps into Cher’s vacant Air Jordans.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterNBC has announced the premiere date for “Transplant,” the Canadian medical drama acquired by the broadcast network back in May.The 13-episode series will begin airing on NBC on Sept. 1 at 10 p.m.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterApple has ordered an animated series based on the classic children’s book “Harriet the Spy” by Louise Fitzhugh, Variety has learned.Beanie Feldstein will voice the titular Harriet, while Jane Lynch will play her nanny, Ole Golly. In addition, Lacey Chabert will voice Marion Hawthorne, the queen bee at Harriet’s school.Like the book, the series will be set in 1960s New York City.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterHBO and Sky are teaming on the co-production “The Baby.”The eight-episode series is described as a darkly comic horror series co-created by Siân Robins-Grace and Lucy Gaymer.  When 38-year-old Natasha is unexpectedly landed with a baby, her life of doing what she wants, when she wants, dramatically implodes. Controlling, manipulative and with violent powers, the baby twists Natasha’s life into a horror show.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterA dramatic reboot of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” is in the works, Variety has confirmed.It will be based on Morgan Cooper’s viral video that reimagined the NBC comedy series as a drama titled “Bel-Air.” The trailer, which Cooper posted online last year, has racked up over five million views on YouTube alone.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterFox Sports Films is set to air “Tua,” a documentary about Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Variety has learned exclusively.“Tua is a beloved young star with an incredible story,” said Charlie Dixon, Executive Vice President of Content at Fox Sports. “We like to say, ‘Fox is Football’, and since it’s in our DNA, that means providing the deepest insight into the sport both on and off the field.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterMartin Scorsese and his Sikelia Productions banner have signed a first-look film and television deal with Apple.The acclaimed director is currently working with the streamer on the film “Killers of the Flower Moon,” which will directed by Scorsese and stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterAdria Arjona has been cast in the upcoming Cassian Andor series at Disney Plus, Variety has confirmed.Arjona joins previously announced series lead Diego Luna and Alan Tudyk, both of whom will reprise their roles from the “Star Wars” film “Rogue One.” Genevieve O’Reilly and Denise Gough are also set to appear in the show, as will Stellan Skarsgard and Kyle Soller.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterElle Fanning is attached to star in the Universal Content Productions (UCP) series based on the real-life case of Michelle Carter, which has landed at Hulu, Variety has learned.Titled “The Girl From Plainville,” Fanning will star as Carter, who was infamously convicted of involuntary manslaughter in 2017 after texting her boyfriend encouragement to commit suicide three years prior.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterRobert and Michelle King and their company, King Size Productions, have signed with UTA for representation in all areas.Signing the Kings is a major boon for UTA, which came to an agreement with the WGA around three weeks ago that allows the agency to represent writers once again.King Size Productions, which is helmed by Liz Glotzer, is currently under a multi-year overall deal with CBS Television Studios.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterApple has signed a first-look film and television deal with Appian Way, the production company founded by Leonardo DiCaprio.The multi-year deal between covers television projects and features.