‘Sandman’ Netflix Series Casts Tom Sturridge as Dream, Adds Gwendoline Christie, Charles Dance

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe series based on Sally Rooney’s book “Conversations With Friends” has cast Alison Oliver, Sasha Lane, Joe Alwyn, and Jemima Kirke in four lead roles, Variety has learned.The Hulu-BBC Three series follows Frances (Oliver), a 21 year old college student, as she navigates a series of relationships that force her to confront her own vulnerabilities for the first time. Frances is observant, cerebral and sharp.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe upcoming “Peacemaker” series at HBO Max has cast Alison Araya and Lenny Jacobson in recurring roles, Variety has learned exclusively.They join previously announced series lead John Cena as well as series regulars Danielle Brooks, Chris Conrad, Jennifer Holland, Steve Agee, Robert Patrick, and Chukwudi Iwuji.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“Game of Thrones” creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss are developing a series adaptation of the Richard Powers novel “The Overstory” at Netflix, Variety has learned.Richard Robbins, whose past TV credits include “12 Monkeys” and “Good Girls Revolt,” wrote the pilot script and serves as executive producer.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe upcoming “The Last of Us” series adaptation at HBO has cast Bella Ramsey in the lead role of Ellie, Variety has confirmed.Ramsey is best known for her role as Lyanna Mormont in fellow HBO series “Game of Thrones.” The character Ellie is a 14-year old orphan who has never known anything but a ravaged planet.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe HBO Max comedy series being led by Jean Smart is rounding out its main cast.Variety has learned that the show has cast two series regulars and eight recurring guest star roles. The single-camera comedy series explores a dark mentorship that forms between Deborah Vance (Smart), a legendary Las Vegas comedian, and an entitled, outcast 25-year-old (Hannah Einbinder).Einbinder has been cast as Ava, the young writer that Deborah is forced to hire.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterLana Condor is set to star in and executive produce the comedy series “Boo, Bitch,” which has been ordered to series at Netflix.The role expands Condor’s relationship with the streaming giant, as she broke out in her starring role in the Netflix YA rom-com “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.” She has since starred in the sequel “To All the Boys: P.S.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterChiwetel Ejiofor has been cast in the lead role of “The Man Who Fell to Earth” series currently in the works at Paramount Plus, Variety has learned.The series is based on Walter Tevis’ 1963 novel and the 1976 Nicolas Roeg film that starred David Bowie, both of the same name.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterStarz has ordered the period drama series “The Serpent Queen,” based on the life of Catherine de Medici.The eight-episode series is based on the book “Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France” by Leonie Frieda. Justin Haythe will write and executive produce the series, with Francis Lawrence and Erwin Stoff also executive producing.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterNetflix has ordered a new one-hour drama series from Martin Gero and Brendan Gall, Variety has learned exclusively.The six-episode series is titled “Breathe.” When a small plane crashes in the middle of the Canadian wilderness, a lone woman must battle the elements and odds to survive.Gero and Gall are co-writing and executive producing the series, with Gero executive producing under his Quinn’s House Production company. Warner Bros.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterDaniella Garcia has been cast in the upcoming ABC series “Rebel” in a recurring role, Variety has learned exclusively.The series stars as Katey Sagal as Annie “Rebel” Bello, a blue-collar legal advocate without a law degree. She’s described as a funny, messy, brilliant and fearless woman who cares desperately about the causes she fights for and the people she loves.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterSam’s Esmail ABC drama pilot “Acts of Crime” has found its lead.Newcomer Candace Grace has been cast in the lead role in the pilot, with Josiah Cross, Peter Mark Kendall, and Molly Price also joining in series regular roles.Little is known about the plot of the show, other than being described as a unique spin on the crime procedural. Grace will star as Vivien Lamonte, a Black police detective working homicide in suburban New Jersey.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterFormer Disney Channels Worldwide executive Nancy Kanter has signed an overall deal with Netflix.Under the deal, Kanter and her Available Light Productions banner will develop and produce animated and live action projects, both feature films and series, for kids and families audiences on Netflix.“Throughout my career I’ve challenged myself to think differently, imagine bigger and aim higher,” Kanter said.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe Netflix dramedy “The Chair” is rounding out its cast.Bob Balaban, Nana Mensah, David Morse, and Everly Carganilla have all been cast in series regular roles, Variety has learned. In addition, Ji Yong Lee, Mallory Low, Marcia DeBonis, Ron Crawford, Ella Rubin, and Bob Stephenson have all been cast in guest starring roles.They join the previously announced cast memebers Sandra Oh, Jay Duplass and Holland Taylor.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterNeve Campbell has signed on for a leading role in “The Lincoln Lawyer” series that was recently announced at Netflix.She joins previously announced series Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, who will star as Mickey Haller, runs his law practice out of the back seat of his Lincoln Town Car.Campbell will play Maggie McPherson.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“Titans” Season 3 has cast Jay Lycurgo in the recurring role of Tim Drake.Drake is described as a streetwise kid who’s managed to grow up on the toughest streets without losing his indelible belief in heroism. His easy-going demeanor is backed up by a near-genius mind, a natural detective with a perception of detail far beyond his years.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterArmie Hammer will no longer star in the upcoming Paramount Plus series “The Offer,” which tells the behind the scenes story of the making of “The Godfather,” Variety has learned from sources.It was announced in early December that Hammer was attached to lead the show in the role of Al Ruddy, who produced “The Godfather” back in 1972. The 10-episode series details Ruddy’s experience working on the iconic film.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe upcoming Netflix series “Pieces of Her” has added five to its cast, Variety has learned.Jessica Barden, Omari Hardwick, Joe Dempsie, David Wenham, and Jacob Scipio have all been cast opposite previously announced stars Toni Collette and Bella Heathcoate.The series is based on the best-selling book of the same name by Karin Slaughter.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterKatie Beth Hall has been cast in the “Head of the Class” reboot pilot at HBO Max, Variety has learned exclusively.She joins previously announced series lead Isabella Gomez as well as cast members Jorge Diaz, Dior Goodjohn, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, Brandon Severs, and Christa Miller.The rebooted series revolves around a group of overachieving high school students who meet their greatest challenge — a teacher Alicia Adams (Gomez), who wants them to focus less on grades and

Joe Otterson TV ReporterAn animated “Game of Thrones” series is in the very early development stages at HBO Max, Variety has confirmed with sources.There are no details available about what the focus of the potential series would be and no writers or talent are currently attached to the project.HBO Max declined to comment.Variety exclusively reported last week that a series based on George R.R. Martin’s “Tales of Dunk and Egg” is in the works at HBO.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“State of the Union” has been renewed for Season 2 at SundanceTV.The second season of the short form series will star Brendan Gleeson, Patricia Clarkson, and Esco Jouléy.