Amblin Partners has secured the film rights to “Confessions in B-Flat,” with Academy Award-winning actor and producer Octavia Spencer, four-time Oscar-nominated producer Kristie Macosko Krieger and Aimee Carpenter set to produce.
The 2020 novel, from Essence bestselling author Donna Hill, tells an emotional love story set amid the Civil Rights Movement, following two young people, Anita and Jason, who meet and fall in love despite their clashing political beliefs.
Maya Dunbar is adapting the book for the screen.
Spencer is producing the adaptation via her Orit Entertainment production company, with Carpenter producing under her Marcy Place Productions banner. Executive producers are Brian Clisham and Tara Taylor, with Liz Pelletier serving as co-producer. Jeb Brody, Amblin Partners’ president of production, and Mia Maniscalco, SVP of creative affairs, will oversee the project for the studio.
Hill is an American author of romance, mystery and women’s fiction, who has over 90 titles in print...
The 2020 novel, from Essence bestselling author Donna Hill, tells an emotional love story set amid the Civil Rights Movement, following two young people, Anita and Jason, who meet and fall in love despite their clashing political beliefs.
Maya Dunbar is adapting the book for the screen.
Spencer is producing the adaptation via her Orit Entertainment production company, with Carpenter producing under her Marcy Place Productions banner. Executive producers are Brian Clisham and Tara Taylor, with Liz Pelletier serving as co-producer. Jeb Brody, Amblin Partners’ president of production, and Mia Maniscalco, SVP of creative affairs, will oversee the project for the studio.
Hill is an American author of romance, mystery and women’s fiction, who has over 90 titles in print...
- 3/9/2023
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Chef and humanitarian José Andrés has joined TheGrill 2022 for a Spotlight Conversation about his work providing meals in crisis zones including Ukraine and Puerto Rico, as well as his recent foray into entertainment with an unscripted travel series, podcasts, and newsletter.
Earlier this year, Andrés and his remarkable non-profit World Central Kitchen were the subject of the Emmy-nominated Ron Howard documentary “We Feed People.” He also launched his own production company José Andrés Media (Jam) with an upcoming Discovery+ series along with the podcasts “Longer Tables” and “Pressure Cooker.
Other speakers just added to TheGrill conference taking place on October 11-12 in Los Angeles include actress-activist Jodie Sweetin, who will talk about Hollywood post-Roe; actress-podcaster Becca Tobin, who will talk about navigating between the screen and audible storytelling, and blockbuster producer Roy Lee who joins a panel on theatrical vs. streaming led by former IMAX Entertainment CEO Greg Foster.
Also Read:
Kevin Mayer,...
Earlier this year, Andrés and his remarkable non-profit World Central Kitchen were the subject of the Emmy-nominated Ron Howard documentary “We Feed People.” He also launched his own production company José Andrés Media (Jam) with an upcoming Discovery+ series along with the podcasts “Longer Tables” and “Pressure Cooker.
Other speakers just added to TheGrill conference taking place on October 11-12 in Los Angeles include actress-activist Jodie Sweetin, who will talk about Hollywood post-Roe; actress-podcaster Becca Tobin, who will talk about navigating between the screen and audible storytelling, and blockbuster producer Roy Lee who joins a panel on theatrical vs. streaming led by former IMAX Entertainment CEO Greg Foster.
Also Read:
Kevin Mayer,...
- 9/22/2022
- by Emily Vogel
- The Wrap
Five top TV sound editors and mixers will reveal secrets behind their projects when they join Gold Derby’s special “Meet the Experts” Q&a event with 2022 Emmy Awards contenders. They will participate in two video discussions to premiere on Tuesday, May 31, at 6:00 p.m. Pt; 9:00 p.m. Et. We’ll have a one-on-one with our senior editor Daniel Montgomery and a roundtable chat with all of the group together.
RSVP today to our entire ongoing Emmy contenders panel series by clicking here to book your free reservation. We’ll send you a reminder a few minutes before the start of the show.
This “Meet the Experts” panel welcomes the following 2022 contenders:
Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)
Synopsis: Three strangers who share an obsession with true crime suddenly find themselves caught up in one.
Bio: Mathew Waters was a five-time Emmy winner for “Game of Thrones” among nine career nominations,...
RSVP today to our entire ongoing Emmy contenders panel series by clicking here to book your free reservation. We’ll send you a reminder a few minutes before the start of the show.
This “Meet the Experts” panel welcomes the following 2022 contenders:
Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)
Synopsis: Three strangers who share an obsession with true crime suddenly find themselves caught up in one.
Bio: Mathew Waters was a five-time Emmy winner for “Game of Thrones” among nine career nominations,...
- 5/25/2022
- by Chris Beachum and Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
Apple has ordered the limited series “The Big Cigar” about Black Panther leader Huey P. Newton, Variety has learned.
The six-episode series hails from Warner Bros. Television, with André Holland in talks to star as Newton. Jim Hecht, who recently created “Winning Time” at HBO, serves as writer and executive producer. Janine Sherman Barrois, the showrunner for shows like “Claws” and “Self Made” and the creator and showrunner of “The Kings of Napa” at OWN, will serve as showrunner and executive producer. Don Cheadle is onboard to direct and executive produce the first two episodes.
Based on the Playboy article of the same name by Joshuah Bearman, “The Big Cigar” tells the true story of how Newton relied on his best friend, Bert Schneider — the Hollywood producer behind “Easy Rider” — to elude a nationwide manhunt and escape to Cuba while being pursued into exile by the FBI.
Hecht co-wrote the...
The six-episode series hails from Warner Bros. Television, with André Holland in talks to star as Newton. Jim Hecht, who recently created “Winning Time” at HBO, serves as writer and executive producer. Janine Sherman Barrois, the showrunner for shows like “Claws” and “Self Made” and the creator and showrunner of “The Kings of Napa” at OWN, will serve as showrunner and executive producer. Don Cheadle is onboard to direct and executive produce the first two episodes.
Based on the Playboy article of the same name by Joshuah Bearman, “The Big Cigar” tells the true story of how Newton relied on his best friend, Bert Schneider — the Hollywood producer behind “Easy Rider” — to elude a nationwide manhunt and escape to Cuba while being pursued into exile by the FBI.
Hecht co-wrote the...
- 4/7/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Janine Sherman Barrois remembers being one of the only Black people in the writers’ room — or on set — when she began in television more than 20 years ago. At the time, she was grateful to get a seat at the table, given how few opportunities there were for Black women in Hollywood.
Fast-forward to 2022, and Sherman Barrois acknowledges there are more powerful Black women on camera and off (like her idols Shonda Rhimes and Oprah Winfrey). But there are still so many diverse creators who haven’t been empowered enough to get their big break.
That’s one of the missions behind her new production banner, Folding Chair Prods., which she has launched at Warner Bros. Television Group (where Sherman Barrois has held several overall deals since 2015). Nikita S. Adams, previously an agent at Paradigm Talent Agency and A3 Artists Agency, has been hired to serve as Folding Chair’s new head of television.
Fast-forward to 2022, and Sherman Barrois acknowledges there are more powerful Black women on camera and off (like her idols Shonda Rhimes and Oprah Winfrey). But there are still so many diverse creators who haven’t been empowered enough to get their big break.
That’s one of the missions behind her new production banner, Folding Chair Prods., which she has launched at Warner Bros. Television Group (where Sherman Barrois has held several overall deals since 2015). Nikita S. Adams, previously an agent at Paradigm Talent Agency and A3 Artists Agency, has been hired to serve as Folding Chair’s new head of television.
- 2/2/2022
- by Mónica Marie Zorrilla
- Variety Film + TV
Photo: Black Women in Hollywood During the 21st century, Hollywood has given us some truly kick-butt female characters: Zoe Saldana as Neytiri in ‘Avatar’, Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope in ‘Scandal’, Lupita Nyong’o as Red in ‘Us’, Octavia Spencer as Madam C.J. Walker in ‘Self Made’, and more. All of these projects named are well-renowned films and TV shows with Black, female leads of different skin tones, shapes, and sizes. Black women in Hollywood have come a long way, but are they being brought to the forefront for all the right reasons? Note: This article focuses on the portrayal of Black women in North American media. Related article: Must Watch – Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase’s Love Letter to Black Lives Matter – Video Black Female Bodies - From Mammies to Matriarchs: A History of Black Women in Film The image of the Black woman in Hollywood started with minstrelsy,...
- 1/28/2022
- by Z Murphy
- Hollywood Insider - Substance & Meaningful Entertainment
Exclusive: Elie Samaha, Missy Valdez, Geno Taylor and Daniel Diamond’s newly launched Luminosity Entertainment have set their first movie, the comedy Back on the Strip, starring Wesley Snipes and Tiffany Haddish.
Luminosity will finance, produce and distribute feature films theatrically in the U.S. and handle foreign sales.
Back on the Strip reps the theatrical directorial debut of Chris Spencer, the creator and EP of Real Husbands of Hollywood and EP and scribe of Grown-ish. It follows a young man, Merlin (Spence Moore II), who moves to Las Vegas to pursue his dream of becoming a magician after losing the woman of his dreams. But when a costume malfunction reveals his physical “gifts,” he is recruited to become the frontman of an infamous male revue group. The comedy chronicles a series of escapades as Merlin tries to achieve magician success, pursuing his dream girl and finding family in the process.
Luminosity will finance, produce and distribute feature films theatrically in the U.S. and handle foreign sales.
Back on the Strip reps the theatrical directorial debut of Chris Spencer, the creator and EP of Real Husbands of Hollywood and EP and scribe of Grown-ish. It follows a young man, Merlin (Spence Moore II), who moves to Las Vegas to pursue his dream of becoming a magician after losing the woman of his dreams. But when a costume malfunction reveals his physical “gifts,” he is recruited to become the frontman of an infamous male revue group. The comedy chronicles a series of escapades as Merlin tries to achieve magician success, pursuing his dream girl and finding family in the process.
- 10/19/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
MGM’s Orion Pictures’ film “Till,” starring Danielle Deadwyler, Whoopi Goldberg and Jalyn Hall as Emmett Till, has rounded out its cast.
Frankie Faison, Jayme Lawson, Tosin Cole, Kevin Carroll, Sean Patrick Thomas, John Douglas Thompson and Roger Guenveur Smith have boarded the project, directed by Chinonye Chukwu. “Till” is currently filming in Atlanta, with the full cast pictured above.
“Till” tells the story of Mamie Till-Mobley (Deadwyler), chronicling her decision to have an open casket at Emmett’s funeral and allowing Jet magazine to publish David Jackson’s funeral photos in order to ensure people everywhere saw the true horrors of her son’s murder. The decision from the grieving mother was a galvanizing moment that led to the creation of the civil rights movement. Goldberg is set to portray Till’s grandmother, Alma Carthan.
Chuwku also wrote the screenplay for the film, about a mother’s pursuit of justice,...
Frankie Faison, Jayme Lawson, Tosin Cole, Kevin Carroll, Sean Patrick Thomas, John Douglas Thompson and Roger Guenveur Smith have boarded the project, directed by Chinonye Chukwu. “Till” is currently filming in Atlanta, with the full cast pictured above.
“Till” tells the story of Mamie Till-Mobley (Deadwyler), chronicling her decision to have an open casket at Emmett’s funeral and allowing Jet magazine to publish David Jackson’s funeral photos in order to ensure people everywhere saw the true horrors of her son’s murder. The decision from the grieving mother was a galvanizing moment that led to the creation of the civil rights movement. Goldberg is set to portray Till’s grandmother, Alma Carthan.
Chuwku also wrote the screenplay for the film, about a mother’s pursuit of justice,...
- 10/11/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
RedBird Capital Partners is in advanced talks to invest in LeBron James’ SpringHill Company, according to reports.
The private equity firm that specializes in sports media would take a significant minority stake in the company, and Variety reported that Fenway Sports Group and Nike would also be part of the consortium.
The investment would value the production company between $650 million and $700 million. Representatives for RedBird and SpringHill did not respond to requests for comment.
In July, it was reported that James’ company was exploring a potential sale, either courting interest for a partial investment or an outright sale. The company at the time was looking for a valuation of up to $750 million, according to The Information, which first reported Wednesday’s news.
Nike was said to be among the potential suitors considering an offer. A deal would expand the relationship between the NBA star and the apparel company — a relationship...
The private equity firm that specializes in sports media would take a significant minority stake in the company, and Variety reported that Fenway Sports Group and Nike would also be part of the consortium.
The investment would value the production company between $650 million and $700 million. Representatives for RedBird and SpringHill did not respond to requests for comment.
In July, it was reported that James’ company was exploring a potential sale, either courting interest for a partial investment or an outright sale. The company at the time was looking for a valuation of up to $750 million, according to The Information, which first reported Wednesday’s news.
Nike was said to be among the potential suitors considering an offer. A deal would expand the relationship between the NBA star and the apparel company — a relationship...
- 9/15/2021
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
DeMane Davis, television director, producer and award-winning filmmaker of projects such as “Queen Sugar” and “Self Made,” has signed an overall creative deal with Warner Bros. Television Group. Under the terms of the pact, Davis joins the team of the upcoming DC Comics drama “Naomi” for The CW. Davis will serve as co-executive producer and the show’s producing director, working alongside executive producers and writers Ava DuVernay and Jill Blankenship. Sarah Bremner and Paul Garnes of Array Filmworks, DuVernay’s banner, also executive produce.
“Naomi” is based on the DC Comics character of the same name, who is played in the series by Kaci Walfall The show follows a teen girl’s journey from her small northwestern town to the heights of the multiverse. When a supernatural event shakes her hometown to the core, Naomi sets out to uncover its origins, and what she discovers will challenge everything we believe about superheroes.
“Naomi” is based on the DC Comics character of the same name, who is played in the series by Kaci Walfall The show follows a teen girl’s journey from her small northwestern town to the heights of the multiverse. When a supernatural event shakes her hometown to the core, Naomi sets out to uncover its origins, and what she discovers will challenge everything we believe about superheroes.
- 8/23/2021
- by Mónica Marie Zorrilla
- Variety Film + TV
Sarah Silverman is set to star opposite Blair Underwood in the upcoming psychological thriller “Viral” from York Films.
The independent film, written by Joe McClean, centers on Andrew (Underwood), a man dealing with the disappearance of his wife. As Andrew falls deeper into paranoia, he finds that the only way out of the self-destructive cycle seems to be through his new girlfriend Emilia (Silverman), a victims advocate and self-help blogger he meets in group therapy, who is dealing with her own demons from her past. The drama will explore if they are strong enough to get past their own nightmares and mental illnesses to find true happiness together.
Underwood will direct and produce the indie feature, which was originally supposed to shoot in 2020, but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Production will begin in New York this summer.
“A true artist thrives in all genres. Most people know of...
The independent film, written by Joe McClean, centers on Andrew (Underwood), a man dealing with the disappearance of his wife. As Andrew falls deeper into paranoia, he finds that the only way out of the self-destructive cycle seems to be through his new girlfriend Emilia (Silverman), a victims advocate and self-help blogger he meets in group therapy, who is dealing with her own demons from her past. The drama will explore if they are strong enough to get past their own nightmares and mental illnesses to find true happiness together.
Underwood will direct and produce the indie feature, which was originally supposed to shoot in 2020, but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Production will begin in New York this summer.
“A true artist thrives in all genres. Most people know of...
- 5/4/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Warner Bros. and HBO Max have released the first trailer for “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” the sequel to the blockbuster 1996 comedy that featured NBA superstars alongside Looney Tunes characters. Stepping into Michael Jordan’s kicks this time around is LeBron James, who spearheaded the title’s return under his production company SpringHill Entertainment. Though he played a comedic role in Amy Schumer’s “Trainwreck,” “Space Jam 2” marks his first foray into leading man territory, where he plays a fictionalized version of himself in the live-action/animated sports comedy.
“Girls Trip” director Malcolm D. Lee is helming the production after taking over from “Random Acts of Flyness” creator Terence Nance. The departure was said to be “amicable,” with both parties citing creative differences. While Lee is perhaps the more obvious choice, having proven himself a shrewd helmer of blockbuster comedies, Nance’s surrealist, stream-of-consciousness style could have added a...
“Girls Trip” director Malcolm D. Lee is helming the production after taking over from “Random Acts of Flyness” creator Terence Nance. The departure was said to be “amicable,” with both parties citing creative differences. While Lee is perhaps the more obvious choice, having proven himself a shrewd helmer of blockbuster comedies, Nance’s surrealist, stream-of-consciousness style could have added a...
- 4/3/2021
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
The NAACP Image Awards virtual experience continued on Friday and “black-ish,” the Octavia Spencer miniseries “Self Made” and “Power Book II: Ghost” won three prizes each from the organization.
Anthony Anderson, Deon Cole and Marsai Martin won acting prizes for “black-ish.” Spencer and Blair Underwood also won for “Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker,” while the Netflix miniseries won in the outstanding TV movie, limited series or dramatic special category. And Clifford “Method Man” Smith and Mary J. Blige won on behalf of “Power Book II: Ghost,” while the series also won for outstanding drama series.
The NAACP all week has been rolling out its winners for the 52nd NAACP Image Awards, revealing a slate of winners across various categories each night leading up until the televised awards show on Saturday, March 27. On Friday, the Image Awards recognized film and scripted TV categories.
“Insecure” won for best comedy series,...
Anthony Anderson, Deon Cole and Marsai Martin won acting prizes for “black-ish.” Spencer and Blair Underwood also won for “Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker,” while the Netflix miniseries won in the outstanding TV movie, limited series or dramatic special category. And Clifford “Method Man” Smith and Mary J. Blige won on behalf of “Power Book II: Ghost,” while the series also won for outstanding drama series.
The NAACP all week has been rolling out its winners for the 52nd NAACP Image Awards, revealing a slate of winners across various categories each night leading up until the televised awards show on Saturday, March 27. On Friday, the Image Awards recognized film and scripted TV categories.
“Insecure” won for best comedy series,...
- 3/27/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
This year’s Best Limited Series/TV Movie Actress field at the Golden Globes is insanely crowded. Among the actresses in contention are past champs Cate Blanchett (“Mrs. America”), Nicole Kidman (“The Undoing”), Octavia Spencer (“Self Made”) and Reese Witherspoon (“Little Fires Everywhere”), past nominees Michelle Dockery (“Defending Jacob”) and Kerry Washington (“Little Fires Everywhere”), and up-and-comers Michaela Coel (“I May Destroy You”), Shira Haas (“Unorthodox”), Daisy Edgar-Jones (“Normal People”) and Anya Taylor-Joy (“The Queen’s Gambit”). Amid this uber-stacked field, I urge you, dear Globe voter, not to forget about Kate Mara, who deserves her inaugural nom for her revelatory turn on FX/Hulu’s “A Teacher.”
Based on series creator Hannah Fidell‘s 2013 film of the same name, the 10-part miniseries chronicles the teacher-student relationship between Mara’s 32-year-old Claire Wilson and Nick Robinson‘s 17-year-old Eric Walker over the span of 11 years — encompassing everything from their first encounter,...
Based on series creator Hannah Fidell‘s 2013 film of the same name, the 10-part miniseries chronicles the teacher-student relationship between Mara’s 32-year-old Claire Wilson and Nick Robinson‘s 17-year-old Eric Walker over the span of 11 years — encompassing everything from their first encounter,...
- 1/30/2021
- by Luca Giliberti
- Gold Derby
Variety's Awards Circuit is home to the official predictions for upcoming awards. Variety's Awards Circuit Prediction schedule consists of four phases, running all year long: Draft, Pre-Season, Regular Season and Post Season. Eligibility calendar and dates of awards will determine how long each phase lasts and will be displayed next to revision date.
To see all the latest predictions, of all the categories, in one place, visit The Collective
Draft>>>Pre Season>>>Regular Season>>>Post Season
2021 Golden Globe Predictions:
Best Actress In A Limited Series Or TV Movie
Updated: Jan. 14, 2021
Awards Commentary:
Superstars Nicole Kidman and Cate Blanchett will face off with up-and-comers like Anya Taylor-Joy, Shira Haas and Michaela Coel in an extremely competitive category for best actress in a limited series or TV movie. Kidman is an HFPA favorite, having won four Globes as a performer — including this category for “Big Little Lies.” But last year, HFPA made...
To see all the latest predictions, of all the categories, in one place, visit The Collective
Draft>>>Pre Season>>>Regular Season>>>Post Season
2021 Golden Globe Predictions:
Best Actress In A Limited Series Or TV Movie
Updated: Jan. 14, 2021
Awards Commentary:
Superstars Nicole Kidman and Cate Blanchett will face off with up-and-comers like Anya Taylor-Joy, Shira Haas and Michaela Coel in an extremely competitive category for best actress in a limited series or TV movie. Kidman is an HFPA favorite, having won four Globes as a performer — including this category for “Big Little Lies.” But last year, HFPA made...
- 1/15/2021
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
This Bridgerton article contains major spoilers for Season 1, as well as concealed references to the books.
Bridgerton, the first TV series from Netflix’s collaboration with Shonda Rhimes’ production company, debuted on Christmas Day to viewers hungry for a romantic distraction from the ongoing pandemic. The recent announcement of renewal for a Season 2 comes as no surprise as rumors were already swirling. Although showrunner Chris Van Dusen has received praise from critics and fans alike for diversified casting and a storyline filled with drama, some noticed a few glaring issues that detracted from the enjoyment of the story. Here’s some of the areas where improvement could result in more viewers and even may win back viewers who weren’t able to finish the series initially.
Moving Towards Color-Conscious Casting & Avoiding Colorism
Many Black viewers noticed that the major speaking roles during the season went to actors with lighter skin...
Bridgerton, the first TV series from Netflix’s collaboration with Shonda Rhimes’ production company, debuted on Christmas Day to viewers hungry for a romantic distraction from the ongoing pandemic. The recent announcement of renewal for a Season 2 comes as no surprise as rumors were already swirling. Although showrunner Chris Van Dusen has received praise from critics and fans alike for diversified casting and a storyline filled with drama, some noticed a few glaring issues that detracted from the enjoyment of the story. Here’s some of the areas where improvement could result in more viewers and even may win back viewers who weren’t able to finish the series initially.
Moving Towards Color-Conscious Casting & Avoiding Colorism
Many Black viewers noticed that the major speaking roles during the season went to actors with lighter skin...
- 1/5/2021
- by Kayti Burt
- Den of Geek
Tiffany Haddish is in talks to star in the film adaptation of M.T. Anderson’s “Landscape With Invisible Hands” for MGM, Annapurna and Plan B, an individual with knowledge of the deal told TheWrap.
The dark, surreal comedy will be written and directed by Cory Finley and will be set in a “deeply stratified, alien future.” This will be one of the announced projects by Plan B as part of their recently signed deal with MGM. MGM’s distribution and marketing joint venture United Artists Releasing will release the film theatrically in the United States.
Haddish can currently be seen in Netflix’s limited series “Self Made: Inspired By The Life of Madam C.J. Walker” alongside Octavia Spencer. Recently, she starred in the comedy series “The Last O.G.” opposite Tracy Morgan, and is currently in production on Apple TV’s murder mystery series “The Afterparty.”
Haddish’s upcoming projects include...
The dark, surreal comedy will be written and directed by Cory Finley and will be set in a “deeply stratified, alien future.” This will be one of the announced projects by Plan B as part of their recently signed deal with MGM. MGM’s distribution and marketing joint venture United Artists Releasing will release the film theatrically in the United States.
Haddish can currently be seen in Netflix’s limited series “Self Made: Inspired By The Life of Madam C.J. Walker” alongside Octavia Spencer. Recently, she starred in the comedy series “The Last O.G.” opposite Tracy Morgan, and is currently in production on Apple TV’s murder mystery series “The Afterparty.”
Haddish’s upcoming projects include...
- 1/4/2021
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
ABC could be returning to the world of “L.A. Law.”
The Disney-owned network is developing a sequel to the iconic series which ran on its rival NBC from 1986 to 1994, Variety has confirmed.
The project has Blair Underwood attached to reprise his role as attorney Jonathan Rollins and is being written by “Arrow” co-creator Marc Guggenheim and “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow” scribe Ubah Mohamed. Anthony Hemingway is attached to direct.
In this new take on “L.A. Law,” McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney and Kuzak, the West Coast-based law firm at the heart of the original, is reinventing itself as a litigation firm specializing only in high profile, boundary pushing and incendiary cases. Sources say that Underwood’s character has changed from an idealistic figure to a more conservative one in the intervening years since the original. The sequel will see him clash with a millennial character named J.J. Freeman over the...
The Disney-owned network is developing a sequel to the iconic series which ran on its rival NBC from 1986 to 1994, Variety has confirmed.
The project has Blair Underwood attached to reprise his role as attorney Jonathan Rollins and is being written by “Arrow” co-creator Marc Guggenheim and “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow” scribe Ubah Mohamed. Anthony Hemingway is attached to direct.
In this new take on “L.A. Law,” McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney and Kuzak, the West Coast-based law firm at the heart of the original, is reinventing itself as a litigation firm specializing only in high profile, boundary pushing and incendiary cases. Sources say that Underwood’s character has changed from an idealistic figure to a more conservative one in the intervening years since the original. The sequel will see him clash with a millennial character named J.J. Freeman over the...
- 12/17/2020
- by Will Thorne
- Variety Film + TV
Conversations about Hollywood’s diversity problem often circle back to one point: Change the gatekeepers. But what if the path forward actually circumvents those traditional gatekeepers entirely?
“If you ever want to know where the evolution of the entertainment business is going, distribution-wise, just look at the porn industry and the sex work industry,” said “Russian Doll” creator Leslye Headland at TheWrap’s annual Power Women’s Summit on Tuesday. “As soon as porn became democratized and algorithm-based, I just thought … ‘Yeah, that’s the next thing.'”
“With OnlyFans, I got very excited because I started to think, maybe there won’t be any gatekeepers,” she continued. “These are things that could be really exciting for marginalized communities or artists.”
Headland’s comments came during the “Creators, Showrunners, Producers” panel discussing ways Hollywood can take concrete steps toward a more inclusive future. She was joined on the panel by...
“If you ever want to know where the evolution of the entertainment business is going, distribution-wise, just look at the porn industry and the sex work industry,” said “Russian Doll” creator Leslye Headland at TheWrap’s annual Power Women’s Summit on Tuesday. “As soon as porn became democratized and algorithm-based, I just thought … ‘Yeah, that’s the next thing.'”
“With OnlyFans, I got very excited because I started to think, maybe there won’t be any gatekeepers,” she continued. “These are things that could be really exciting for marginalized communities or artists.”
Headland’s comments came during the “Creators, Showrunners, Producers” panel discussing ways Hollywood can take concrete steps toward a more inclusive future. She was joined on the panel by...
- 12/8/2020
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Beasts of No Nation and Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker executive producers Christine Holder and Mark Holder of Wonder Street have set a feature adaptation of Anita Moorjani’s memoir Dying to Be Me: My Journey from Cancer, to Near Death, to True Healing.
Released in 2014, Moorjani’s novel is about her almost four-year journey fighting cancer. He body, overwhelmed by the malignant cells spreading throughout her system, began shutting down and she lost consciousness. Upon regaining consciousness, Anita found that her condition had miraculously improved and that there was no trace of cancer in her body. After years of struggling to forge her own path while trying to meet everyone else’s expectations, she had the realization, as a result of her epiphany on the other side, that she had the power to heal herself and that there are miracles in...
Released in 2014, Moorjani’s novel is about her almost four-year journey fighting cancer. He body, overwhelmed by the malignant cells spreading throughout her system, began shutting down and she lost consciousness. Upon regaining consciousness, Anita found that her condition had miraculously improved and that there was no trace of cancer in her body. After years of struggling to forge her own path while trying to meet everyone else’s expectations, she had the realization, as a result of her epiphany on the other side, that she had the power to heal herself and that there are miracles in...
- 12/8/2020
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
In a competitive situation, Skydance Television has acquired the rights to P. Djéli Clark’s fantasy historical novella “Ring Shout” with plans to develop it as a television series.
KiKi Layne is attached to star in the project, with Kasi Lemmons attached to write, direct, and serve as showrunner. Both Lemmons and Layne will executive produce along with Clark, Marc Evans, Matt Jackson, and Skydance Television’s David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Bill Bost. The book was originally published by Tor Books in October.
“Ring Shout” tells the story of an otherworldly evil that has risen in the 1920s South in the form of monsters who take up residence within the bodies of people filled with hate – namely the Ku Klux Klan. D.W. Griffith’s “Birth of a Nation” is helping to swell the Klan’s ranks and the monsters are drinking deep from the darkest thoughts of racism. Across...
KiKi Layne is attached to star in the project, with Kasi Lemmons attached to write, direct, and serve as showrunner. Both Lemmons and Layne will executive produce along with Clark, Marc Evans, Matt Jackson, and Skydance Television’s David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Bill Bost. The book was originally published by Tor Books in October.
“Ring Shout” tells the story of an otherworldly evil that has risen in the 1920s South in the form of monsters who take up residence within the bodies of people filled with hate – namely the Ku Klux Klan. D.W. Griffith’s “Birth of a Nation” is helping to swell the Klan’s ranks and the monsters are drinking deep from the darkest thoughts of racism. Across...
- 12/8/2020
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Blair Underwood is grabbing his reporter’s notepad and heading to the scene of “Your Honor.”
The former “L.A. Law” star has joined the cast of the Bryan Cranston limited series at Showtime, Variety has learned exclusively. News of the addition comes less than three weeks ahead of the show’s premiere on Dec. 6.
Underwood, who was recently nominated for a Tony, is joining in the guest role of Roland Carter, an investigative reporter and close colleague of Robin Desiato, the deceased wife of Judge Michael Desiato (Cranston). “Your Honor” centers around Cranston’s respected New Orleans judge whose son is involved in a hit-and-run that leads to a high-stakes game of lies, deceit and impossible choices.
The series, which is based on the Israeli show “Kvodo,” also stars Michael Stuhlbarg, Sofia Black-d’Elia, Hunter Doohan, Carmen Ejogo, Isiah Whitlock Jr., and Hope Davis.
Underwood has been featuring heavily on Netflix of late,...
The former “L.A. Law” star has joined the cast of the Bryan Cranston limited series at Showtime, Variety has learned exclusively. News of the addition comes less than three weeks ahead of the show’s premiere on Dec. 6.
Underwood, who was recently nominated for a Tony, is joining in the guest role of Roland Carter, an investigative reporter and close colleague of Robin Desiato, the deceased wife of Judge Michael Desiato (Cranston). “Your Honor” centers around Cranston’s respected New Orleans judge whose son is involved in a hit-and-run that leads to a high-stakes game of lies, deceit and impossible choices.
The series, which is based on the Israeli show “Kvodo,” also stars Michael Stuhlbarg, Sofia Black-d’Elia, Hunter Doohan, Carmen Ejogo, Isiah Whitlock Jr., and Hope Davis.
Underwood has been featuring heavily on Netflix of late,...
- 11/17/2020
- by Will Thorne
- Variety Film + TV
Warner Bros. has named Channing Dungey as the chairman of its Television Group.
Dungey, who left Netflix earlier this month, replaces the outgoing Peter Roth as the group’s top executive. Roth is leaving the studio early next year, ending a more than two-decade tenure. Dungey will start early next year following Roth’s departure.
She joins the studio amid a major overhaul under WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar. The reorganization, which also saw the exits of Bob Greenblatt and Kevin Reilly, created a unified studios and networks group under Ann Sarnoff. Along with HBO programming president Casey Bloys, Sarnoff has oversight of all content development. Dungey will report directly to Sarnoff.
Susan Rovner, who had served as Warner Bros. TV president, also left the studio last month, to take a top programming role with NBCUniversal. Rovner had been seen as Roth’s likely successor.
“The Warner Bros. Television Group is...
Dungey, who left Netflix earlier this month, replaces the outgoing Peter Roth as the group’s top executive. Roth is leaving the studio early next year, ending a more than two-decade tenure. Dungey will start early next year following Roth’s departure.
She joins the studio amid a major overhaul under WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar. The reorganization, which also saw the exits of Bob Greenblatt and Kevin Reilly, created a unified studios and networks group under Ann Sarnoff. Along with HBO programming president Casey Bloys, Sarnoff has oversight of all content development. Dungey will report directly to Sarnoff.
Susan Rovner, who had served as Warner Bros. TV president, also left the studio last month, to take a top programming role with NBCUniversal. Rovner had been seen as Roth’s likely successor.
“The Warner Bros. Television Group is...
- 10/19/2020
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
“This is so freakin’ weird,” said a clearly joyful King as she accepted her Emmy for outstanding actress in a limited series or movie for Watchmen, her fourth career Emmy win.
King thanked her fellow nominees, Kerry Washington, Cate Blanchett, Octavia Spencer and Shira Haas, and the TV Academy “for choosing me to represent the best in the community.” She also gave a major shout-out to series creator Damon Lindelof. “Thank you for your brilliant mind, thank you for choosing all of us to join this journey as you stepped outside of your comfort zone, led us on a journey where we could bring art and truth to power,” she said from her home.
King was honored tonight for her portrayal of Angela Agbar in Lindelof’s HBO drama series Watchmen, which is nominated tonight for 26 Emmys, including Outstanding Limited Series, more than any other show this year.
Written by...
King thanked her fellow nominees, Kerry Washington, Cate Blanchett, Octavia Spencer and Shira Haas, and the TV Academy “for choosing me to represent the best in the community.” She also gave a major shout-out to series creator Damon Lindelof. “Thank you for your brilliant mind, thank you for choosing all of us to join this journey as you stepped outside of your comfort zone, led us on a journey where we could bring art and truth to power,” she said from her home.
King was honored tonight for her portrayal of Angela Agbar in Lindelof’s HBO drama series Watchmen, which is nominated tonight for 26 Emmys, including Outstanding Limited Series, more than any other show this year.
Written by...
- 9/21/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
When it comes to the Emmy Awards, Regina King is a shining star. The Watchmen actress was honored with the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie on Sunday, Sept. 20, marking the fourth time she has taken home a prize at the annual ceremony. In 2018, she won in the same category for her performance in Seven Seconds and was consecutively victorious in 2015 and 2016 for her roles on American Crime. Among the most competitive categories of the night, the star was up against Cate Blanchett for Mrs. America, Shira Haas for Unorthodox, Octavia Spencer for Self Made and Kerry Washington for Little Fires...
- 9/21/2020
- E! Online
Regina King took home the fourth Emmy win of her career on Sunday night when she nabbed the prize for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for her performance as detective Angela Barr in HBO’s “Watchmen.” That means she is tied with only Alfre Woodard for the most Emmy wins ever for a Black performer. King won in 2018 for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for “Seven Seconds,” in 2016 for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a Movie for “American Crime,” and in 2015 for the same category in “American Crime.”
Chris Rock and Bill Cosby also have four Emmy wins each, but their awards were in non-performance categories.
Woodard, meanwhile, won Emmys for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for “The Practice” in 1997, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special for “Miss Evers’ Boys” in 1997, Outstanding Guest Performer...
Chris Rock and Bill Cosby also have four Emmy wins each, but their awards were in non-performance categories.
Woodard, meanwhile, won Emmys for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for “The Practice” in 1997, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special for “Miss Evers’ Boys” in 1997, Outstanding Guest Performer...
- 9/21/2020
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Regina King now has double Emmy bookends. As expected, the “Watchmen” star won Best Limited Series/TV Movie Actress at Sunday’s Primetime Emmy Awards, making her the first actress to have multiple wins in the lead and supporting limited categories.
The Oscar winner took home her first two Emmys in supporting for “American Crime” in 2015 and ’16, and triumphed in lead for “Seven Seconds” in 2018. This is her fourth Emmy in six years.
With her second victory for “American Crime,” King became one of five women to have won the supporting category a record two times, alongside Jane Alexander, Judy Davis, Colleen Dewhurst and Mare Winningham. She is the only one to do so consecutively. The other four have been shortlisted in lead, but only Davis has ever won there, in 2001 for “Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows” on her fifth of seven bids in the category.
See...
The Oscar winner took home her first two Emmys in supporting for “American Crime” in 2015 and ’16, and triumphed in lead for “Seven Seconds” in 2018. This is her fourth Emmy in six years.
With her second victory for “American Crime,” King became one of five women to have won the supporting category a record two times, alongside Jane Alexander, Judy Davis, Colleen Dewhurst and Mare Winningham. She is the only one to do so consecutively. The other four have been shortlisted in lead, but only Davis has ever won there, in 2001 for “Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows” on her fifth of seven bids in the category.
See...
- 9/21/2020
- by Joyce Eng
- Gold Derby
Regina King’s celebrated run at the Primetime Emmy Awards continued in 2020 with a win in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie category for her acclaimed performance as Angela Abar/Sister Night in HBO’s “Watchmen.” King was the frontrunner for the prize but faced competition from Shira Haas (Netflix’s “Unorthodox”), Octavia Spencer (Netflix’s “Self Made”), Cate Blanchett (FX on Hulu’s “Mrs. America”), and Kerry Washington (Hulu’s “Little Fires Everywhere”). King’s nomination was one of 11 nominations for “Watchmen,” the most recognized program at the 2020 Primetime Emmys.
King’s victory for “Watchmen” marks her second career Emmy in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie category after being honored at the 2018 ceremony for her performance in the Netflix crime series “Seven Seconds.” The actress has now won four Primetime Emmys over her career. King’s additional Emmys are for...
King’s victory for “Watchmen” marks her second career Emmy in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie category after being honored at the 2018 ceremony for her performance in the Netflix crime series “Seven Seconds.” The actress has now won four Primetime Emmys over her career. King’s additional Emmys are for...
- 9/21/2020
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
It was a great night for Sister Night: Watchmen star Regina King won the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for her role in the HBO comic book adaptation at Sunday’s virtual ceremony.
King accepted the Emmy from her home, wearing a pink blazer over a T-shirt bearing the face of Breonna Taylor with the words “Say Her Name.” She thanked Watchmen executive producer Damon Lindelof and his “brilliant mind” along with the entire writing team, and added: “Gotta vote. I would be remiss not to mention that being a part of a show as prescient as Watchmen.
King accepted the Emmy from her home, wearing a pink blazer over a T-shirt bearing the face of Breonna Taylor with the words “Say Her Name.” She thanked Watchmen executive producer Damon Lindelof and his “brilliant mind” along with the entire writing team, and added: “Gotta vote. I would be remiss not to mention that being a part of a show as prescient as Watchmen.
- 9/21/2020
- by Dave Nemetz
- TVLine.com
It’s Emmy Sunday, and that can only mean that our talented and blunt Gold Derby forum posters — many of whom are industry insiders hiding behind cyber handles — are busy giving us their reactions to the 72nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. They don’t not mince words when it comes to their thoughts on TV’s biggest night.
The ceremony had many cheering but left just as many infuriated when it came to the night’s winners and losers in the TV movie and limited series categories. What were the upsets that left them absolutely bewildered? Which winners were they cheering for the most? And which defeats struck our users the hardest?
Below, you can take a look at a sampling of the praise and pointed criticism that was leveled at this year’s ceremony. Read more and have your say here.
See 2020 Emmy winners: Full list in all 23 categories...
The ceremony had many cheering but left just as many infuriated when it came to the night’s winners and losers in the TV movie and limited series categories. What were the upsets that left them absolutely bewildered? Which winners were they cheering for the most? And which defeats struck our users the hardest?
Below, you can take a look at a sampling of the praise and pointed criticism that was leveled at this year’s ceremony. Read more and have your say here.
See 2020 Emmy winners: Full list in all 23 categories...
- 9/21/2020
- by Luca Giliberti
- Gold Derby
The virtual Emmys are in the books, and in a first for 2020, not much went wrong! (Especially for “Schitt’s Creek.”)
Sunday’s first trophy went to Catherine O’Hara, who won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for the final season of “Schitt’s Creek.” The Pop TV sitcom (by way of the CBC) then won the next six awards.
You read that right: “Schitt’s Creek” won all seven of its seven possible Emmys tonight. Insane.
The final Emmy of the evening, Outstanding Drama Series, went to HBO’s “Succession.” Showrunner Jesse Armstrong also won for writing on the series, and star Jeremy Strong took home Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. Additionally, Andrij Parekh won an Emmy for directing on “Succession.”
HBO’s “Watchmen” also had a strong Sunday, winning four Emmys, including Outstanding Limited Series.
See all of the night’s winners and nominees below.
Outstanding Lead Actress...
Sunday’s first trophy went to Catherine O’Hara, who won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for the final season of “Schitt’s Creek.” The Pop TV sitcom (by way of the CBC) then won the next six awards.
You read that right: “Schitt’s Creek” won all seven of its seven possible Emmys tonight. Insane.
The final Emmy of the evening, Outstanding Drama Series, went to HBO’s “Succession.” Showrunner Jesse Armstrong also won for writing on the series, and star Jeremy Strong took home Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. Additionally, Andrij Parekh won an Emmy for directing on “Succession.”
HBO’s “Watchmen” also had a strong Sunday, winning four Emmys, including Outstanding Limited Series.
See all of the night’s winners and nominees below.
Outstanding Lead Actress...
- 9/20/2020
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
For the first time in recent memory, the Emmys has been a weeklong affair. Historically, the annual TV awards are given out on consecutive weekends, with Creative Arts Emmys bestowed before the nationally televised primetime celebration. This week, we’ve already seen multiple nights of Emmys, with five sets of nominees and winners taking center stage between Monday and Saturday.
Six months of virtual campaigning and a near-complete lack of traditional FYC events meant that the ceremonies weren’t the only thing that would be unpredictable this year. Predicting potential winners is the hardest it’s ever been, but we at least know that the festivities will conclude tonight with the Jimmy Kimmel-hosted Primetime Emmy telecast on Sunday evening.
The preceding week of hardware — given out as part of ceremonies hosted by Nicole Byer, streamed through the Emmys website during the week and broadcast on Fxx Saturday night — has...
Six months of virtual campaigning and a near-complete lack of traditional FYC events meant that the ceremonies weren’t the only thing that would be unpredictable this year. Predicting potential winners is the hardest it’s ever been, but we at least know that the festivities will conclude tonight with the Jimmy Kimmel-hosted Primetime Emmy telecast on Sunday evening.
The preceding week of hardware — given out as part of ceremonies hosted by Nicole Byer, streamed through the Emmys website during the week and broadcast on Fxx Saturday night — has...
- 9/20/2020
- by Steve Greene
- Indiewire
It’s Regina King‘s Emmys, and we’re just living in it. The “Watchmen” star is the overwhelming favorite to score Best Limited Series/TV Movie Actress, which would not only give her a fourth Emmy in six years but make her the first Black actress to win the category twice.
The Oscar champ became the category’s sixth Black winner when she surprised two years ago for “Seven Seconds,” joining Cicely Tyson, Lynn Whitfield, Alfre Woodard, Halle Berry and S. Epatha Merkerson. Tyson, Woodard and Berry have multiple nominations, but none have been able to snag the prize more than once.
King already has experience breaking this kind of ground. With her back-to-back victories for “American Crime” in 2015 and ’16, she became the first Black thespian to win Best Limited Series/TV Movie Supporting Actress multiple times (she’s the category’s fifth Black champ).
See ‘Watchmen’ sweeps Television...
The Oscar champ became the category’s sixth Black winner when she surprised two years ago for “Seven Seconds,” joining Cicely Tyson, Lynn Whitfield, Alfre Woodard, Halle Berry and S. Epatha Merkerson. Tyson, Woodard and Berry have multiple nominations, but none have been able to snag the prize more than once.
King already has experience breaking this kind of ground. With her back-to-back victories for “American Crime” in 2015 and ’16, she became the first Black thespian to win Best Limited Series/TV Movie Supporting Actress multiple times (she’s the category’s fifth Black champ).
See ‘Watchmen’ sweeps Television...
- 9/20/2020
- by Joyce Eng
- Gold Derby
It may not feel like it, but it’s Emmys day! Tonight, TV’s top drama will come down to “Better Call Saul,” “The Crown,” “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Killing Eve,” “The Mandalorian,” “Ozark,” “Stranger Things” and “Succession.”
“Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Dead to Me,” “Saturday Night Live,” “Insecure,” “The Kominsky Method,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “Schitt’s Creek” and “What We Do in the Shadows” are the Television Academy’s nominees for top comedy.
A reminder of all the other nominees up for statuettes tonight can be found below. The 72nd Emmy Awards, a virtual celebration hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, begin this evening at 8 p.m. Et/5 p.m. Pt on ABC.
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Andre Braugher, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”
William Jackson Harper, “The Good Place”
Alan Arkin, “The Kominsky Method”
Sterling K. Brown, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”
Tony Shalhoub, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”
Mahershala Ali, “Ramy”
Kenan Thompson,...
“Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Dead to Me,” “Saturday Night Live,” “Insecure,” “The Kominsky Method,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “Schitt’s Creek” and “What We Do in the Shadows” are the Television Academy’s nominees for top comedy.
A reminder of all the other nominees up for statuettes tonight can be found below. The 72nd Emmy Awards, a virtual celebration hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, begin this evening at 8 p.m. Et/5 p.m. Pt on ABC.
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Andre Braugher, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”
William Jackson Harper, “The Good Place”
Alan Arkin, “The Kominsky Method”
Sterling K. Brown, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”
Tony Shalhoub, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”
Mahershala Ali, “Ramy”
Kenan Thompson,...
- 9/20/2020
- by Tony Maglio and Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
The virtual 72nd annual Primetime Emmys are being handed out in Los Angeles tonight (September 20).
HBO’s Watchmen leads the field on 26 nominations. The show has already won seven from the Creative Emmys awards and is currently tied with The Mandalorian from Disney+.
HBO and Netflix shows have won 19 awards each heading into Sunday. Netflix earned a record 160 nods.
Key winners will appear in bold after the ceremony.
Toronto 2019 acquisition Bad Education starring Hugh Jackman won the television movie category on Saturday (September 19) and The Apollo won documentary or non-fiction special in Creative Emmy awards announced last week.
The ceremony...
HBO’s Watchmen leads the field on 26 nominations. The show has already won seven from the Creative Emmys awards and is currently tied with The Mandalorian from Disney+.
HBO and Netflix shows have won 19 awards each heading into Sunday. Netflix earned a record 160 nods.
Key winners will appear in bold after the ceremony.
Toronto 2019 acquisition Bad Education starring Hugh Jackman won the television movie category on Saturday (September 19) and The Apollo won documentary or non-fiction special in Creative Emmy awards announced last week.
The ceremony...
- 9/20/2020
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
HBO has been familiar in the Outstanding Limited Series winners circle, last year triumphing overwhelmingly with Chernobyl, even though Netflix gave them a run for their money with When They See Us. This year the two will go head to head again, but HBO seems to have the magic touch here, and, if not them, it has been FX in past seasons, with Ryan Murphy fare, such as The People v. O.J. Simpson and The Assassination of Gianni Versace. This year FX is back with another formidable contender just to mix things up. Let’s look at the landscape and see which one gets the Pete’s Winner Pick stamp.
Little Fires Everywhere
Hulu
Yet another streamer invades this space with the female-driven limited series based on Celeste Ng’s 2017 bestseller. With Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington battling it out on screen as well as producing, it certainly doesn’t lack for star power,...
Little Fires Everywhere
Hulu
Yet another streamer invades this space with the female-driven limited series based on Celeste Ng’s 2017 bestseller. With Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington battling it out on screen as well as producing, it certainly doesn’t lack for star power,...
- 9/11/2020
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
Thirteen-time Emmy winner and two-time defending series champion “RuPaul’s Drag Race” found a fresh way to honor this year’s record number of Black nominees at the 2020 Emmys. Inspired by Octavia Spencer, Laverne Cox, Regina King, Tracee Ellis Ross and Thandie Newton and the characters they portray on television, fan favorites from the “Rpdr” Season 12 cast paid tribute all over social media by recreating iconic looks from the actresses’ nominated performances.
See 2020 Emmy nominations complete list: All the nominees for the 72nd Emmy Awards
Spencer reacted to Heidi N Closet‘s recreation of Madam C.J. Walker from “Self Made” (see above) by posting the transformation on her own Instagram with the caption: “Loving @heidincloset as #MadamCJ you?! With all the negativity swirling around, we’re sending smiles and resolve to #Vote!” As the Season 12 Miss Congeniality, Heidi knows something or two about winning, but now an Oscar winner has...
See 2020 Emmy nominations complete list: All the nominees for the 72nd Emmy Awards
Spencer reacted to Heidi N Closet‘s recreation of Madam C.J. Walker from “Self Made” (see above) by posting the transformation on her own Instagram with the caption: “Loving @heidincloset as #MadamCJ you?! With all the negativity swirling around, we’re sending smiles and resolve to #Vote!” As the Season 12 Miss Congeniality, Heidi knows something or two about winning, but now an Oscar winner has...
- 8/28/2020
- by John Benutty
- Gold Derby
There’s a disparity among nominees of color on the Emmy ballot this year, which can be traced to a larger disconnect within the industry, and society at large.
The Television Academy nominated a record number of Black performers. But other non-white performers, including Latinx and Api, only made up 5.88% of nominees combined. Behind the scenes, the Television Academy only nominated 12.5% people of color in the narrative writing categories and 14.2% in the directing categories, and when it came to series nominations, only one came from a person of color in the showrunner position.
“People are voting inside of a media climate and some of the protests have made white people who are part of the nomination process think differently about how they were making decisions,” says Rashad Robinson, executive director, Color of Change. “I don’t want to discount what it means for Black performers to be recognized in ways...
The Television Academy nominated a record number of Black performers. But other non-white performers, including Latinx and Api, only made up 5.88% of nominees combined. Behind the scenes, the Television Academy only nominated 12.5% people of color in the narrative writing categories and 14.2% in the directing categories, and when it came to series nominations, only one came from a person of color in the showrunner position.
“People are voting inside of a media climate and some of the protests have made white people who are part of the nomination process think differently about how they were making decisions,” says Rashad Robinson, executive director, Color of Change. “I don’t want to discount what it means for Black performers to be recognized in ways...
- 8/27/2020
- by Danielle Turchiano
- Variety Film + TV
Throughout Hollywood history, Black actors have played a limited role in onscreen explorations of the past, often serving in small supporting roles or simply not appearing at all. And, as such, Black people’s place in history often goes unnoticed off-screen and the context necessary to understand the racial tensions of the current moment is lost.
“In essence, our history has been so overlooked. And the specificity of our history has been generalized,” says actor Jurnee Smollett. “We get a month out of the year where people feel obligated to talk about it, which is ludicrous, but the specificity of Black American life and that history has been erased.”
A new crop of period television series may be turning the tide on that, though. From Netflix’s “Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker” to a Shirley Chisholm-centric episode in FX on Hulu’s “Mrs. America...
“In essence, our history has been so overlooked. And the specificity of our history has been generalized,” says actor Jurnee Smollett. “We get a month out of the year where people feel obligated to talk about it, which is ludicrous, but the specificity of Black American life and that history has been erased.”
A new crop of period television series may be turning the tide on that, though. From Netflix’s “Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker” to a Shirley Chisholm-centric episode in FX on Hulu’s “Mrs. America...
- 8/17/2020
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
“The first Black female self-made millionaire. A successful doctor also dealing with a full house. An artist who steps in to take care of a friend’s kids when she thinks she’s going to jail. A Satmar woman secretly educating herself and eventually breaking out on her own. This year’s lead actress nominees portray a breadth of complicated characters, and mark the TV industry’s continual edging away from ageist tropes to create meaty roles for women across all generations.
“When I first started in this business, I remember thinking that roles after 40 were so scarce that you had to be in a certain category to even be offered those roles because there were so few,” says Linda Cardellini, who’s nominated in the lead comedy actress category for Netflix’s “Dead to Me.”
“In the ’90s, it might’ve been, ‘You’re gone over 30!’” echoes “Black-ish’s” Tracee Ellis Ross,...
“When I first started in this business, I remember thinking that roles after 40 were so scarce that you had to be in a certain category to even be offered those roles because there were so few,” says Linda Cardellini, who’s nominated in the lead comedy actress category for Netflix’s “Dead to Me.”
“In the ’90s, it might’ve been, ‘You’re gone over 30!’” echoes “Black-ish’s” Tracee Ellis Ross,...
- 8/13/2020
- by Elaine Low
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Even with the NBA restart in high gear, LeBron James’ SpringHill Entertainment continues to stay busy building its feature film slate into a dominant presence. We are hearing Universal Pictures has acquired rights to New Kid, the 2019 graphic novel by Jerry Craft, with SpringHill on board to develop and produce. New Kid is the first graphic novel to win the coveted Newbery award as well as the Coretta Scott King Award. The SpringHill Company optioned the award-winning novel last year.
The graphic novel was highly coveted by several other buyers but SpringHill — specifically SpringHill co-founder Maverick Carter — was so touched by the story that they aggressively went after it, eventually landing rights. The project is now a high priority for SpringHill with hopes of attaching a writer to adapt the material shortly.
James and Carter will produce with Jamal Henderson and Spencer Beighley overseeing the project as executive producers for The SpringHill Company.
The graphic novel was highly coveted by several other buyers but SpringHill — specifically SpringHill co-founder Maverick Carter — was so touched by the story that they aggressively went after it, eventually landing rights. The project is now a high priority for SpringHill with hopes of attaching a writer to adapt the material shortly.
James and Carter will produce with Jamal Henderson and Spencer Beighley overseeing the project as executive producers for The SpringHill Company.
- 8/5/2020
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Octavia Spencer may have just scored an Emmy nomination for playing Madam C.J. Walker in the Netflix limited series, “Self Made,” but she already knows which real-life figure she would love to play next. “Ida B. Wells would be a great person and she’s known about but her story hasn’t been told. I think it’s about time we tell it,” said Spencer in our recent webchat (watch the video above) before nominations were announced. Wells was a prominent investigative journalist and a key figure in the early fight for civil rights for African-Americans, including being one of the co-founders of the NAACP. Earlier this year, she was awarded a posthumous Pulitzer Prize for her career achievements.
For her most recent project, “Self Made” shines a light on how a domestic worker named Sarah Breedlove, started her own line of hair care products aimed at black women...
For her most recent project, “Self Made” shines a light on how a domestic worker named Sarah Breedlove, started her own line of hair care products aimed at black women...
- 8/2/2020
- by Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
You’re probably already aware that Academy Award winners Cate Blanchett (“Mrs. America”), Olivia Colman (“The Crown”), Regina King (“Watchmen”) and Octavia Spencer (“Self Made”), among others, landed Emmy nominations on Tuesday, but there are a handful of other familiar faces that joined the ranks in less-publicized categories. Most of these winners will be announced at the Creative Arts Emmys in two separate virtual ceremonies on Sept. 12 and 13, a week before the primetime telecast on Sept. 20. Check out the complete list of nominations here.
In the Best Narrator category, “12 Years a Slave” stars Chiwetel Ejiofor (“The Elephant Queen”) and Lupita Nyong’o (“Serengeti”) reunite as competitors, the former of whom is a previous Best Limited Series/TV Movie Actor nominee for “Dancing on the Edge,” while the latter is enjoying her maiden Emmy nomination six years after winning her first Oscar. Joining her as a first-time nominee is former NBA star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,...
In the Best Narrator category, “12 Years a Slave” stars Chiwetel Ejiofor (“The Elephant Queen”) and Lupita Nyong’o (“Serengeti”) reunite as competitors, the former of whom is a previous Best Limited Series/TV Movie Actor nominee for “Dancing on the Edge,” while the latter is enjoying her maiden Emmy nomination six years after winning her first Oscar. Joining her as a first-time nominee is former NBA star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,...
- 7/31/2020
- by Luca Giliberti
- Gold Derby
Riz Ahmed and Octavia Spencer are set to star in the sci-fi thriller ‘Invasion’ from Amazon Studios and Film 4.
Directed by BAFTA-winner Michael Pearce the story will follow two young brothers who go on the run with their father, a decorated Marine, who is on a rescue mission to save his boys from an inhuman threat.
As their journey takes them in increasingly dangerous and unexpected directions, the boys will need to confront hard truths and leave their childhoods behind.
Pearce co-wrote the script with Joe Barton. Dimitri Doganis, Piers Vellacott and Derrin Schlesinger will produce.
Also in news – Sam Rockwell in talks to join Merle Haggard biopic
On the TV front, British actor Ahmed was last seen in ‘The Oa’, moving onto the big screen his latest previous movie projects included ‘Venom’ and ‘The Sisters Brothers’. His upcoming films include ‘Mogul Mowgli’ which tells the story of a...
Directed by BAFTA-winner Michael Pearce the story will follow two young brothers who go on the run with their father, a decorated Marine, who is on a rescue mission to save his boys from an inhuman threat.
As their journey takes them in increasingly dangerous and unexpected directions, the boys will need to confront hard truths and leave their childhoods behind.
Pearce co-wrote the script with Joe Barton. Dimitri Doganis, Piers Vellacott and Derrin Schlesinger will produce.
Also in news – Sam Rockwell in talks to join Merle Haggard biopic
On the TV front, British actor Ahmed was last seen in ‘The Oa’, moving onto the big screen his latest previous movie projects included ‘Venom’ and ‘The Sisters Brothers’. His upcoming films include ‘Mogul Mowgli’ which tells the story of a...
- 7/30/2020
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
When the industry likes you, they really like you. The various acting categories at this year’s Emmy nominations include many actors who have bounced back and forth between film and TV with great success. Fourteen Oscar-winning performers reaped Emmy bids this year: Mahershala Ali (“Ramy”), Alan Arkin and Michael Douglas (“The Kominsky Method”), Cate Blanchett (“Mrs. America”), Olivia Colman (“The Crown”), Laura Dern and Meryl Streep (“Big Little Lies”), Louis Gossett Jr., Jeremy Irons and Regina King (“Watchmen”), Lupita Nyong’o (“Serengeti” narrator), Brad Pitt (“Saturday Night Live”), Octavia Spencer (“Self Made”) and Christoph Waltz (“Most Dangerous Game”). Dern, Douglas, Gossett, Irons, King, Pitt and Streep are previous Emmy winners.
See Full list of 2020 Emmy nominations
The trio of “Watchmen” contenders are in the most-nominated series of the year, Dern is just coming off an Oscar win, Douglas just saw “The Kominsky Method” break through in Comedy Series and, of course,...
See Full list of 2020 Emmy nominations
The trio of “Watchmen” contenders are in the most-nominated series of the year, Dern is just coming off an Oscar win, Douglas just saw “The Kominsky Method” break through in Comedy Series and, of course,...
- 7/29/2020
- by Kevin Jacobsen
- Gold Derby
The Television Academy set new records on Tuesday by recognizing nonwhite performers in greater numbers than it has in the past. Among all acting categories, including voice-over and short form series, the 2020 tally stands at 49 nominations for nonwhite performers out of 118 in total, or 41.5%.
In the major acting categories comedy, drama and limited series, 39 of the 102 nominations — or 38.2% — went to nonwhite performers. That’s an improvement from last year, when 24% of nominations in the top categories went to performers of color.
In terms of racial diversity, the comedy categories (42.5% nonwhite) fared slightly better than the drama categories (32.5% nonwhite), buoyed by a supporting actor category made up primarily of Black actors including Andre Braugher of “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” William Jackson Harper of “The Good Place” and Mahershala Ali of “Ramy.” HBO’s “Insecure” also received several acting nods this year, including for supporting actress Yvonne Orji, the only nonwhite actress among eight nominees.
In the major acting categories comedy, drama and limited series, 39 of the 102 nominations — or 38.2% — went to nonwhite performers. That’s an improvement from last year, when 24% of nominations in the top categories went to performers of color.
In terms of racial diversity, the comedy categories (42.5% nonwhite) fared slightly better than the drama categories (32.5% nonwhite), buoyed by a supporting actor category made up primarily of Black actors including Andre Braugher of “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” William Jackson Harper of “The Good Place” and Mahershala Ali of “Ramy.” HBO’s “Insecure” also received several acting nods this year, including for supporting actress Yvonne Orji, the only nonwhite actress among eight nominees.
- 7/28/2020
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
A grand total of 34 performs are celebrating their first-ever Emmy bids after Tuesday’s nominations announcement. Some of these were expected based on our odds, and some of these totally came out of the blue.
The list below does not include first-time nominees for Best Reality Host, like Nicole Byer (“Nailed It!”) and the Fab Five from “Queer Eye,” or Best Narrator (Lupita Nyong’o for “Serengeti” or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for “Black Patriots: Heroes of The Revolution”).
Here are all the first-time acting nominees:
See Full list of 2020 Emmy nominations
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II: Best Limited Series/TV Movie Supporting Actor (“Watchmen”)
Jovan Adepo: Best Limited Series/TV Movie Supporting Actor (“Watchmen”)
Mamoudou Athie: Best Short Form Comedy/Drama Series Actor”)
Cate Blanchett: Best Limited Series/TV Movie Actress (“Mrs. America”)
Nicholas Braun: Best Drama Supporting Actor (“Succession”)
D’Arcy Carden: Best Comedy Supporting Actress (“The Good Place...
The list below does not include first-time nominees for Best Reality Host, like Nicole Byer (“Nailed It!”) and the Fab Five from “Queer Eye,” or Best Narrator (Lupita Nyong’o for “Serengeti” or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for “Black Patriots: Heroes of The Revolution”).
Here are all the first-time acting nominees:
See Full list of 2020 Emmy nominations
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II: Best Limited Series/TV Movie Supporting Actor (“Watchmen”)
Jovan Adepo: Best Limited Series/TV Movie Supporting Actor (“Watchmen”)
Mamoudou Athie: Best Short Form Comedy/Drama Series Actor”)
Cate Blanchett: Best Limited Series/TV Movie Actress (“Mrs. America”)
Nicholas Braun: Best Drama Supporting Actor (“Succession”)
D’Arcy Carden: Best Comedy Supporting Actress (“The Good Place...
- 7/28/2020
- by Luca Giliberti
- Gold Derby
The 2020 Emmy nominations were announced on July 28 after an uncertain year marred by the Covid-19 pandemic. Such unprecedented times yielded some unprecedented results when the nominations were announced. We predicted 24 categories, and there were 45 nominees we didn’t see coming (an average of 1.875 surprise nominees per category). Out of those, 21 were such underdogs they got 100/1 odds according to the combined predictions of thousands of our users. Scroll down to see all of those surprises, and check out the complete list of nominations here.
Perhaps the biggest surprise on nominations morning was just how well “The Mandalorian” did. The Disney+ flagship series received 15 nominations, including Best Drama Series, Best Character Voice-Over Performance for Taika Waititi and Best Drama Guest Actor for Giancarlo Esposito. That makes it the most nominated show from a brand new streaming service, though Apple TV+ managed eight nominations of its own for “The Morning Show.”
SEE2020 Emmy...
Perhaps the biggest surprise on nominations morning was just how well “The Mandalorian” did. The Disney+ flagship series received 15 nominations, including Best Drama Series, Best Character Voice-Over Performance for Taika Waititi and Best Drama Guest Actor for Giancarlo Esposito. That makes it the most nominated show from a brand new streaming service, though Apple TV+ managed eight nominations of its own for “The Morning Show.”
SEE2020 Emmy...
- 7/28/2020
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
Television production may have ground to a halt due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, but the Emmys are moving full stream ahead.
On Tuesday morning, Leslie Jones, Tatiana Maslany, Josh Gad, and Laverne Cox announced the nominees for the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards during a virtual event presented by the Television Academy.
Jimmy Kimmel will once again host the show itself, which is scheduled to air on Sunday, September 20, on ABC. However, it's still unclear what form the actual show will take due to Covid-19.
HBO’s Watchmen led the pack with 26 total nominations, including for Outstanding Limited Series and stars Regina King and Jeremy Irons.
Amazon’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel placed second with 20 total noms, followed by Netflix’s Ozark and HBO’s Succession, which each scored 18.
Going by outlet, Netflix dominated with 160 (!) total nominations to HBO’s 107.
Rounding out the Top 5 were NBC (47), ABC (36) and FX (33).
Disney...
On Tuesday morning, Leslie Jones, Tatiana Maslany, Josh Gad, and Laverne Cox announced the nominees for the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards during a virtual event presented by the Television Academy.
Jimmy Kimmel will once again host the show itself, which is scheduled to air on Sunday, September 20, on ABC. However, it's still unclear what form the actual show will take due to Covid-19.
HBO’s Watchmen led the pack with 26 total nominations, including for Outstanding Limited Series and stars Regina King and Jeremy Irons.
Amazon’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel placed second with 20 total noms, followed by Netflix’s Ozark and HBO’s Succession, which each scored 18.
Going by outlet, Netflix dominated with 160 (!) total nominations to HBO’s 107.
Rounding out the Top 5 were NBC (47), ABC (36) and FX (33).
Disney...
- 7/28/2020
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Not everyone comes out a winner nominee with the new Emmy rules stipulating that the number of nominees be proportional to the number of submissions. The limited lead acting acting categories drew the short end of the stick because both will only have five nominees since neither had at least 81 submissions for six. That is bad news for the actress race, which for a while seemed set with a top six, including two pairs of co-stars.
For months, our predicted top six in Best Limited Series/TV Movie Actress were Cate Blanchett (“Mrs. America”), Regina King (“Watchmen”), Merritt Wever (“Unbelievable”), Reese Witherspoon (“Little Fires Everywhere”), Kaitlyn Dever (“Unbelievable”) and Kerry Washington (“Little Fires Everywhere”). The first three have never budged from their positions, but the last three have been more in flux. These current standings mean Washington would miss out on a nomination.
Assuming the top three are locked and...
For months, our predicted top six in Best Limited Series/TV Movie Actress were Cate Blanchett (“Mrs. America”), Regina King (“Watchmen”), Merritt Wever (“Unbelievable”), Reese Witherspoon (“Little Fires Everywhere”), Kaitlyn Dever (“Unbelievable”) and Kerry Washington (“Little Fires Everywhere”). The first three have never budged from their positions, but the last three have been more in flux. These current standings mean Washington would miss out on a nomination.
Assuming the top three are locked and...
- 7/27/2020
- by Joyce Eng
- Gold Derby
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