‘Secret Invasion’ Series at Disney Plus Adds Cobie Smulders

Joe Otterson TV ReporterFox is developing the “Cliffhanger” novels by TJ Middleton (real name Tom Binding) as a one-hour drama series.The series is described as a darkly comedic one-hour drama following the quirky exploits of rideshare driver Audrey Greenwood, who emerges from the pandemic with a startling realization: she never wants to see her husband Al’s face again. So, one dark and stormy night, fueled by rage and tequila, she tries to kill him.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterLegal drama “Reasonable Doubt” at Onyx Collective on Hulu has made five additions to its cast, Variety has learned.Michael Ealy, Thadeus J. Mixson and Aderinsola Olabode will all appear in series regular roles, while Pauletta Washington and Sean Patrick Thomas will appear in recurring guest star roles.In the series, viewers will judge Jax Stewart (Emayatzy Corinealdi) for her questionable ethics and wild interpretations of the law until they’re the one in trouble.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterWilmer Valderrama is attached to star in and executive produce a live-action “Zorro” series that is in development at Disney Branded Television.In “Zorro,” Valderrama would star as Don Diego de la Vega and his swashbuckling alter ego, the masked horseman known as Zorro, in the days of Spanish California.The show is a reimagining of the Disney-ABC “Zorro” series starring Guy Williams that aired in the 1950s. That show also starred Gene Sheldon, George J.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterA “Gotham Knights” TV series is in the works at The CW from three “Batwoman” writers, Variety has learned.The project hails from writers Natalie Abrams, James Stoteraux, and Chad Fiveash. Stoteraux and Fiveash are executive producers on the show, with Abrams co-executive producing.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterFreeform is getting into animation for the first time, with the basic cabler ordering the series “Praise Petey” while also announcing two more animated shows into development.“Praise Petey” hails from “SNL” writer Anna Drezen with “Schitt’s Creek” star Annie Murphy in the lead role. The show follows Petey (Murphy), a New York City “it” girl who has it all until her life comes crashing down around her.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterHBO has released the first look at their upcoming series about the Los Angeles Lakers of the 1980s.The show, now titled “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty,” will debut in March 2022 with ten episodes on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max. It chronicles the professional and personal lives of the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers, one of sports’ most revered and dominant dynasties.In the first trailer (see below), team owner Jerry Buss (John C.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterAmandla Stenberg is in talks to join the upcoming Disney Plus series “The Acolyte,” the live-action “Star Wars” series that hails from Leslye Headland.Details on the character Stenberg would play are being kept under tight wraps, but an acolyte in the “Star Wars” universe has typically referred to a Sith who has just begun their training under an experienced Sith Lord.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterRegina Hicks has signed a multi-year overall deal with Netflix, Variety has learned.Hicks is the co-creator and co-showrunner of the Netflix multi-cam comedy “The Upshaws” starring Wanda Sykes and Mike Epps. The show debuted in May and was renewed for a second season in June.Under her deal, Hicks will create, write and produce new series and projects for Netflix.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterChris O’Dowd is set to star in the upcoming Apple comedy series “The Big Door Prize,” Variety has learned exclusively.The series 10-episode series is based on the M.O. Walsh novel of the same name.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“The Last of Us” series at HBO has tapped Nick Offerman to play Bill in a recasting.Con O’Neill had previously been announced for the guest starring role, but according to an individual with knowledge of the situation, he was forced to bow out of the show due to a scheduling conflict.

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 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 ReporterMichelle Monaghan, Jodie Turner-Smith and Meredith Hagner have all been cast in the upcoming Apple drama series “Bad Monkey,” with Marcos Siega (“Dexter,” The Flight Attendant”) now onboard to direct the first episode and executive produce.The trio of actresses join previously announced series lead Vince Vaughn in the show, which is being written by “Ted Lasso” co-creator Bill Lawrence.

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 ReporterApple has ordered a thriller series that hails from Alfonso Cuarón with Cate Blanchett and Kevin Kline set to star, Variety has learned.The show is titled “Disclaimer” and is based on the novel of the same name by Renee Knight. Blanchett stars as Catherine Ravenscroft, a successful and respected television documentary journalist whose work has been built on revealing the concealed transgressions of long-respected institutions.

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 ReporterThe “Game of Thrones” prequel series “Tales of Dunk and Egg” at HBO has found its writer, Variety has learned from sources.Steve Conrad has been tapped to serve as writer and executive producer on the potential series under his Elephant Pictures banner. As Variety exclusively reported in January 2021, the one-hour show would be based on the series of fantasy novellas by George R.

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