‘The Endgame’ Co-Creator Jake Coburn Signs First-Look Deal With Universal Television

Joe Otterson TV ReporterTaraji P. Henson has signed with CAA for representation in all areas, Variety has learned exclusively. She continues to be repped by M88, attorney Matt Johnson and The Lede Company.Henson is a star on both the big and small screen, with her iconic role as fearsome family matriarch Cookie Lyon on the Fox music drama “Empire” earning her two Emmy nominations, a Golden Globe, a three BET Awards.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterMRC Television has promoted Mary Claire Manley to the role of senior vice president of development.She will report to MRC TV’s executive vice president of development, Ken Segna. She is responsible for sourcing and developing new material.“Mary Claire has been an invaluable part of the team – she has a knack for sourcing great material, excellent relationships, and strong advocacy for our artists’ visions,” said Segna.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterSwedish video game publisher Raw Fury has entered into a first-look deal with dj2 Entertainment, Variety has learned exclusively.Under the terms of the deal, dj2 will get the first opportunity to develop film and TV projects based on Raw Fury games.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterSPOILER ALERT: Do not keep reading if you have not seen the Season 1 finale of “Heels,” titled “Double Turn”The Starz pro wrestling drama “Heels” wrapped up its first season in spectacular fashion, with an ending worthy of a WrestleMania main event.But before we get to that…The episode picks up right where the previous episode left off, with Jack (Stephen Amell) standing over Charlie Gully (Mike O’Malley) in the Florida Wrestling Dystopia ring.

EXCLUSIVE: Phil Augusta Jackson, creator and executive producer of NBC’s Grand Crew, has signed an overall deal with Universal Television, the studio behind the upcoming single-camera comedy series. This marks the first overall pact for Jackson, a writer, actor, director and musician from Philadelphia, who will develop and produce broadcast, cable and streaming projects for Universal TV, a division of Universal Studio Group.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterOdetta Watkins has been hired by Amazon for the newly created role of head of drama series, the streamer announced Wednesday.In her new role, Watkins will report to Laura Lancaster, head of series for Amazon Studios.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterSam Catlin has signed an overall deal at Apple, Variety has learned.Under the deal, Catlin will develop and produce scripted television projects for Apple under his Short Drive Entertainment banner along with his producing partner, Tiffany Prasifka.Catlin most recently served as showrunner, and executive producer, and co-creator of AMC series “Preacher.” He developed the show alongside Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterHulu has ordered the scripted true crime series about Candy Montgomery, with Jessica Biel now attached to star.The project was first announced as being in the works in July 2020, landing at Hulu in December. At that time, “The Handmaid’s Tale” star Elisabeth Moss was attached to play the lead role.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterShaka King has signed a first-look deal at FX.Under the deal, King will develop new TV projects for FX through his newly launched production company, I’d Watch That.

FX Productions has signed a first-look deal with Shaka King, best known for writing, directing and producing “Judas and the Black Messiah.” Under the agreement, King will develop new TV series for FX through his production company I’d Watch That. Brandon Harris is the company’s president and co-founder.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“The Sopranos” creator David Chase has signed a five year first-look deal with WarnerMedia.News of the deal comes on the day that “The Many Saints of Newark,” a “Sopranos” prequel film written by Chase and Lawrence Konner, is debuting in theaters and on HBO Max. Under his new deal, Chase will develop content for HBO, HBO Max, and Warner Bros.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe creators of “Cobra Kai” and yes Studios have teamed to develop a followup to the Israeli mockumentary series “Red Band,” Variety has learned exclusively.“Cobra Kai” creators Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg, and Josh Heald will executive produce the new series, titled “The New Red,” under their Counterbalance Entertainment banner. Counterbalance’s head of development, Dina Hillier, will also executive produce.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterHannah Waddingham has signed with CAA for representation in all areas, Variety has learned exclusively. She continues to be repped by manager Nick Todisco at Atlas Artists, U.K.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterA “Babylon 5” reboot is in development at The CW, Variety has learned.Original series creator J. Michael Straczynski is onboard to write the project.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterMara Brock Akil has launched the new production company story27 under her previously announced overall deal at Netflix. In addition, Akil has hired Susie Fitzgerald as president of development and production.“At story27, thoughtful and entertaining projects centering the humanity of the marginalized is the priority and that starts with identifying the best and most unique storytellers,” Akil said.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterNetflix has released a new first-look clip of “Colin in Black and White,” which tells the story of former NFL player Colin Kaepernick during his high school years growing up in central California.The clip was released as part of the Netflix Tudum fan event.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterA movie revival of the “Teen Wolf” MTV series is in the works at Paramount Plus as part of a new overall deal series creator Jeff Davis has signed with MTV Entertainment Studios, Variety has learned exclusively.Davis’ multi-year deal will see him write and executive produce the film, with talks currently underway with original series cast members to return.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe upcoming Fox country music drama “Monarch” has cast its final two series regulars.Martha Higareda and Emma Milani have both joined the series alongside previously announced cast members Beth Ditto, Trace Adkins, Susan Sarandon, Anna Friel, Joshua Sasse, Meagan Holder, and Inigo Pascual.The series follows America’s “first family” of country music, including mother Dottie Cantrell Roman (Sarandon), father Albie Roman (Adkins) and daughters Gigi Taylor-Roman (Ditto) and

Writer-producer Jake Coburn has signed a first-look deal with Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, to develop and produce projects for broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. The pact expands Coburn’s relationship with the studio behind The Endgame, the heist drama co-created and executive produced by Coburn which received a series order at NBC earlier this week.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterAnnie Murphy has signed with CAA for representation, Variety has learned exclusively.Murphy was previously represented by Gersh. She continues to be repped by Molly Mandel and Peter Kousakis at Mosaic, as well as Pam Winter at GGA.Murphy is best known for her critically-acclaimed role on the Pop TV-CBC series “Schitt’s Creek.” She starred in all six seasons of the show in the role of Alexis Rose, the pampered socialite daughter of Johnny and Moira Rose.