Uzo Aduba, Matthew Broderick to Lead Netflix Opioid Crisis Drama ‘Painkiller’

Joe Otterson TV ReporterLily Rabe has been cast as Lorena “Hick” Hickok in the Showtime anthology series “The First Lady.”The series is described as a reframing of American leadership, told through the lens of the women at the heart of the White House. Gillian Anderson has been cast as Eleanor Roosevelt, with Viola Davis set to play Michelle Obama and Michelle Pfeiffer to play Betty Ford.Hickok was a pioneering American journalist, who by 1932 became America’s best-known female reporter.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterNetflix has ordered the adult animated series “Chicago Party Aunt,” inspired by Chris Witaske’s Twitter account of the same name.Netflix has ordered 16 episodes of the half-hour series, with the first eight slated to drop on Sept. 17.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterA new Pokemon series is in early development at Netflix, Variety has learned exclusively from sources.As the project is still in its early days, no details are available about the plot. However, sources say that Joe Henderson is attached to write and executive produce.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterA scripted series about Vince McMahon and his federal steroids trial is in the works from WWE and Jason Blum’s Blumhouse Television, Variety has learned.Currently titled “The United States of America vs. Vince McMahon,” the series will be the first scripted portrayal of McMahon and many legendary figures of the WWE.

EXCLUSIVE: Family podcasts and audio dramas are considered one of the fastest growing sectors of the booming podcast world.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterAmerica Ferrera has been cast in the Apple series “WeCrashed,” which tells the story of the rise and fall of WeWork, Variety has learned.Ferrera joins previously announced cast members Jared Leto, Anne Hathaway, and Kyle Marvin. The series is based on the Wondery podcast of the same name.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterColor Farm Media has partnered with WarnerMedia OneFifty to develop a slate of scripted television projects, Variety has learned exclusively.The media company and WarnerMedia content innovation hub will focus on developing projects featuring underrepresented creative talent.“We are thrilled to partner with WarnerMedia OneFifty,” said Color Farm co-founder Erika Alexander.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe legal drama “Reasonable Doubt” is moving to Onyx Collective on Hulu for development after previously being set up at ABC in 2019, Variety has learned.Andrew Eccles for VarietyThe series will be executive produced by Kerry Washington and Pilar Savone for Simpson Street and Larry Wilmore via Wilmore Films. The show has opened a writers room with an all-Black staff.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterHBO has added five actors to star alongside Alicia Vikander in the upcoming series “Irma Vep,” Variety has learned.Adria Arjona (“6 Underground,” “True Detective”), Carrie Brownstein (“Portlandia,” “Transparent”), Jerrod Carmichael (“The Carmichael Show,” “Ramy”), Fala Chen (“The Undoing,” “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”), and Devon Ross will all star alongside Vikander in the limited series.In the show, Mira (Vikander) is an American movie star disillusioned

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorPaul Debevec, a longtime graphics researcher at USC and a recent member of the Google Research team, has joined Netflix as director of research, a newly created role on the streamer’s Data Science and Engineering team.Debevec will oversee R&D around new technologies in computer vision, computer graphics and machine learning with applications across many areas of production, including VFX, virtual production and animation.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaUzo Aduba and Ron Cephas Jones will star in Second Stage Theater’s upcoming Broadway production of Lynn Nottage’s new play, “Clyde’s.”The cast will also include Reza Salazar (“Sweat”) and Kara Young (“Halfway Bitches Go Straight to Heaven”), with a fifth key role yet to be cast. “Clyde’s” will be directed by Kate Whoriskey and begin previews on November 3.

Multiple Emmy Award-winners Uzo Aduba (In Treatment, Orange is the New Black) and Ron Cephas Jones (This Is Us) have been cast in Second Stage Theater’s upcoming Broadway production of Lynn Nottage’s new play Clyde’s, along with Reza Salazar (Sweat) and Kara Young (Halfway Bitches Go Straight to Heaven).

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“Lovecraft Country” creator Misha Green has signed a multi-year overall deal with Apple in a competitive situation.Under the deal, Green will create and develop television projects for Apple’s streaming platform. News of the deal comes just days after it was announced that “Lovecraft Country” will not return for a second season at HBO.

Uzo Aduba and Matthew Broderick are teaming up for a new Netflix series.

Netflix has set the main cast for the upcoming opioid crisis drama “Painkiller,” with Uzo Aduba and Matthew Broderick set to take on two of the lead roles.The drama, from director Peter Berg and “Narcos” showrunner Eric Newman, will tell the story of the opioid crisis in the U.S.

Uzo Aduba, who is coming off acclaimed performances in two limited series, Mrs. America and In Treatment, and Matthew Broderick will lead the cast of Painkiller, Netflix’s upcoming limited drama series about the origins of the opioid crisis and the role of Purdue Pharma.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterMichelle Yeoh has joined the prequel series “The Witcher: Blood Origin.”Yeoh joins previously announced cast member Laurence O’Fuarain. Yeoh will star as Scían, the very last of her nomadic tribe of sword-elves.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterABC is passing on three more drama pilots from its 2021 pilot season slate.“National Parks Investigation,” “Triage,” and “Dark Horse” have all been passed over by the network after being in consideration for midseason pickups. Fellow dramas “Epic” and “Promised Land” remain in contention.“National Parks Investigation” boasted Kevin Costner as co-writer and executive producer.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterNetflix has ordered a series based on the Ali Novak YA novel “My Life With the Walter Boys,” Variety has learned exclusively.The streamer has given the drama series a 10-episode order, with episodes set to be approximately 50 minutes each. In the coming of age show, following the loss of her family in a tragic accident, 16-year old Manhattanite Jackie Howard has to learn to adapt to a new life in rural Colorado with her guardian – and 12 very rowdy kids.