‘Shrink Next Door’ Apple Series Adds Casey Wilson (EXCLUSIVE)

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorQCode, a scripted podcast media startup, hired former Apple Podcasts marketing executive Steve Wilson as chief strategy officer.At QCode, Wilson will oversee partnerships, marketing, distribution and collaborate on content strategy.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterArmie Hammer has signed on to star in “The Offer” at Paramount Plus, which will tell the behind-the-scenes story of the making of “The Godfather.”Hammer will star as Al Ruddy, who produced “The Godfather” back in 1972.More to come…

Joe Otterson TV ReporterNetflix has ordered a comedy series called “God’s Favorite Idiot” from Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone, Variety has learned.The streamer has commissioned 16 episodes of the series, in which both McCarthy and Falcone will star. Falcone wrote the series, with both he and McCarthy also serving as executive producers via their company On the Day.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe “Blindspotting” series at Starz has cast several key roles as production kicks off in Los Angeles and Oakland, Variety has learned exclusively.Along with previously announced series lead Jasmine Cephas Jones, the eight-episode, half-hour dramedy will also star Benjamin Earl Turner, Atticus Woodward, Jaylen Barron, and Candace Nicholas-Lippman.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterEugenio Derbez is set to star in a new comedy series titled “Acapulco” that has been ordered to series at Apple, Variety has learned.The half-hour series, which will be shot in both Spanish and English, is inspired by the film “How to Be a Latin Lover,” in which Derbez starred and produced.In “Acapulco,” a young Mexican man’s dream comes true when he gets the job of a lifetime at the hottest resort in Acapulco.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterFacebook Watch is set to launch the first-ever interactive AI reality series, titled “Rival Peak,” on Dec. 2.Hailing from dj2 Entertainment, Pipeworks Studios, and Genvid Technologies, the series places twelve AI contestants in the Pacific Northwest where they must survive elimination and solve the mystery that brought them together.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterApple has given a straight-to-series order to a drama series starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Variety has learned.The series is titled “Surface” and hails from writer and executive producer Veronica West. Plot details on the series are being kept under wraps except to say that it is a psychological thriller.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterErin Kellyman, Cailee Spaeny, and Ellie Bamber are negotiating to star in the “Willow” series at Disney Plus, Variety has confirmed with sources.The project was officially ordered to series at Disney Plus last month, with the film’s original star, Warwick Davis, set to return as well. Jon M.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterCAA has hired agent Natasha Ahmed to work in the television department, Variety has learned exclusively.Ahmed joins CAA from UTA.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterNBC is developing a series adaptation of the 2000 film “Finding Forrester,” Variety has confirmed.The film version followed a high school basketball star (Rob Brown) with a secret passion for writing who develops a friendship with a reclusive author (Sean Connery) who published a hit novel years before but then disappeared from public life.The NBC version explores the unique bond between two gifted black writers: a homeless 16-year-old orphan who leverages his basketball

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“The Last of Us” series adaptation has officially been greenlit at HBO.The project was first announced as being in development at the premium cabler back in March. Based on the video game of the same name, the series takes place twenty years after modern civilization has been destroyed.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterABC has given a put pilot order to a musical comedy series that boasts Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and Mary J. Blige among its executive producers.Titled “Family Affair,” the single-camera series follows A-ron, a faded R&B star and committed bachelor whose life is thrown into a tailspin when he’s saddled with raising his sister’s four kids.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“Adam Ruins Everything” star Adam Conover and the Obamas’ Higher Ground Productions are teaming up for a Netflix comedy series that explores the world of government.“The G Word with Adam Conover” is described as a blend of sketch comedy and documentary that takes viewers inside the complex machinery of the U.S. government.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterFox has ordered the unscripted series “Game of Talents” with Wayne Brady set to host.Based on the Spanish format, “Game of Talents” pits two teams of contestants against each other as they attempt to figure out the hidden talents of the mystery performers based on first impressions and a series of clues.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe upcoming “Cowboy Bebop” live-action series at Netflix is rounding out its main cast with six new additions.Geoff Stults, Tamara Tunie, Mason Alexander Park, Rachel House, Ann Truong, and Hoa Xuande have all joined the series.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterConan O’Brien will end his self-titled TBS late-night show “Conan” in June 2021, WarnerMedia announced Tuesday.The announcement marks an end to an eleven-year run for O’Brien on the cable network. His travel specials, “Conan Without Borders,” will continue to air on TBS going forward.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterNiecy Nash has joined the cast of the upcoming ABC limited anthology series “Women of the Movement,” Variety has learned.The series will tell the story of key female figures in the Civil Rights Movement. Season 1 will focus on Mamie Till-Mobley, the mother of Emmett Till.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“The Mysterious Benedict Society” series is being moved to Disney Plus after originally being developed for Hulu.The show was originally ordered to series at Hulu last year, but is now slated to debut on fellow Disney-owned streamer Disney Plus in 2021. It is based on the book series of the same name by Trenton Lee Stewart.“‘The Mysterious Benedict Society’ is a beautifully executed adaptation of the celebrated and beloved book series.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe CW is developing an anthology series inspired by the works of Jane Austen, Variety has learned.Titled “Modern Austen, the one-hour series reimagines Austen’s novels as six modern stories. Each season is a different novel, beginning with “Pride and Prejudice,” set in contemporary San Francisco.The series hails from Eleanor Burgess, who will serve as writer and executive producer.