Skydance TV to Develop P. Djéli Clark Novella ‘Ring Shout’ With ‘Old Guard’ Star KiKi Layne in Lead Role

Joe Otterson TV ReporterAl Madrigal and Jaime Camil are attached to co-star in a single-camera comedy in development at ABC, Variety has learned.The series is titled “Guerrillas.” Madrigal is co-writing and executive producing in addition to starring, with Camil co-executive producing as well.When Miles Flores (Madrigal), a lonely efficiency expert for an oil company gets kidnapped in South America, he ends up working for a disorganized group of guerrilla soldiers to earn back his freedom.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterIn a competitive situation, Amazon has acquired the rights to the Bill Konigsberg’s novel “The Bridge” with David Mandell set to adapt the book for television, Variety has learned exclusively.The limited series will be produced by Amazon Studios in association with PKM Productions. Mandell will write and executive produce, with Konigsberg also executive producing along with Patrick Moran of PKM.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“AP Bio” has been renewed for Season 4 at Peacock.The series moved to the streaming service for its third season after being canceled at NBC.The show revolves around a disgraced Harvard philosophy scholar, played by Glenn Howerton, who is forced to return to Toledo, Ohio, and work as an Advanced Placement biology teacher at the local high school. Patton Oswalt, Lyric Lewis, Mary Sohn, Jean Villepique and Paula Pell round out the adult cast.“A.P.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterMichael Stuhlbarg has signed on for a series regular role in the upcoming Hulu drama series “Dopesick.”The eight-episode series looks into the epicenter of America’s struggle with opioid addiction, taking viewers from a distressed Virginia mining community, to the hallways of the DEA, and to the opulence of “one percenter” Big Pharma Manhattan.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterSamuel L. Jackson is set to star in the limited series “The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey” at Apple.The six-episode series is based on the novel of the same name by Walter Mosley, who will adapt the book for the screen.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterNBC is developing the drama series “Heirs” from Carlos Portugal.The series is set in Miami Beach’s exclusive Star Island. It follows the heirs of a Latin American ex-dictator as they face an unexpected dilemma when a young girl is kidnapped from their home on the night of their own daughter’s lavish quinceañera.Portugal will write and executive produce the project, with John Davis, Jordan Davis, and John Fox executive producing via Davis Entertainment.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterSebastian Stan and Lily James are in talks to star in a Hulu limited series about Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson.The project will delve into the tumultuous relationship between the rock star and the model/actress, including the infamous incident in which their honeymoon sex tape was stolen and leaked to the public.Rob Siegel will serve as writer on the eight-episode series, with Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg producing via Point Grey.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterParamount Plus is in early development on a dark comedy that hails from Katie Wech, Variety has learned exclusively from sources.The project is titled “RIP.” Wech will write and executive produce, with Gina Rodriguez and Jennie Snyder Urman also executive producing. The trio previously collaborated on the hit CW series “Jane the Virgin.” The project originated with Rodriguez and Tiana Feghali.

Richard E. Grant,Kacey Musgraves and Dan Stevens will lead the English language voice cast for Studio Ghibli's animated feature Earwig and the Witch, directed by Goro Miyazaki (From Up on Poppy Hill) with planning from his father, Academy Award-winner Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away).

Joe Otterson TV ReporterAmazon has given a series order to “I’m a Virgo” from Boots Riley with Jharrel Jerome attached to star.The half-hour series is described as an absurdist, coming of age story about a 13-foot-tall Black man (Jerome) who lives in Oakland, CA.Riley wrote the series and will also direct. He serves as executive producer along with Michael Ellenberg of Media Res, Tze Chun, and Jerome.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterChris Messina is set for a lead role in the upcoming HBO Max pilot “Verbatim,” Variety has learned.The project is based on Brett Weiner’s New York Times Op Docs Series that screened at Sundance in 2014 and 2016.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterFox is developing an animated comedy based on the Craig Banyon Mysteries books by James Mullaney.Mullaney and Shane Black will write and executive produce the project, which is titled “Craig Banyon P.I.” It follows the supernatural adventures of an alcoholic ex-cop and current private investigator, Banyon, as he solves cases in an alternate noir, otherworldly reality.Along with Mullaney and Black, David Silverman, Greg Silverman and Paul Shapiro of Stampede Ventures will

Joe Otterson TV ReporterShowtime has ordered the comedy series “The Curse,” which hails from Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdie. Both will also star in the series alongside Emma Stone.The half-hour series is said to explore how an alleged curse disturbs the relationship of a newly married couple as they try to conceive a child while co-starring on their problematic new HGTV show.Fielder will direct and executive produce in addition to starring and co-creating the series.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterJulia Roberts has signed on to star in a series adaptation of the upcoming Laura Dave novel “The Last Thing He Told Me” at Apple.Roberts will executive produce in addition to starring, with Reese Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter of Hello Sunshine also executive producing. Hello Sunshine optioned the book from Dave, who will adapt the book for television and executive produce along with her husband, Josh Singer.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe upcoming Apple dramedy series “Physical” is rounding out its cast.In addition to previously announced series lead Rose Byrne, the cast of the show will also include Paul Sparks, Rory Scovel, Loy Taylor Pucci, Della Saba, Dierdre Friel, Ashley Liao.“Physical” follows Sheila (Byrne), a woman struggling in her life as a quietly tortured housewife in a 1980s Southern California beach community.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterEitan Bernath has signed on to be the principal culinary contributor on “The Drew Barrymore Show,” Variety has learned exclusively.The role will see Bernath make recurring appearances on the daytime talk show, during which he will showcase original recipes and his expertise and perspective on food-related topics.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe HBO Max comedy pilot “Minx” is rounding out its cast.Idara Victor, Oscar Montoya, Jessica Lowe, Lennon Parham, and Michael Angarano have all been cast in series regular roles, with Jake Johnson attached to guest star.

Skydance Television has acquired the rights to P. Djéli Clark’s novella Ring Shout in a competitive situation. Kasi Lemmons (Harriet, Eve’s Bayou) is set to serve as showrunner and will write and direct the television series based on the historical fantasy while Kiki Layne (The Old Guard, If Beale Street Could Talk) is set to star.

Kara Keough opened up about the “hard moments” she is battling eight months after her late son McCoy’s death.“On the regular days, it’s … likely to be a good day with hard moments sprinkled throughout,” the Real Housewives of Orange County alum, 32, captioned a black-and-white Instagram photo of the infant in her husband Kyle Bosworth’s arms.