The Writers Lab, supported by Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman, has revealed its ninth annual batch of participants.
With a devotion to developing scripted content written by women over the age of 40, the Lab, produced with New York Women in Film & Television, is known for its commitment to elevating the work of women screenwriters through mentorship, advocacy and exposure.
The participants of The Writers Lab 2023 are Louisa Kendrick Burton (“The Charge”), Shari Lynette Carpenter (“Translate”), Helena Cho (“The Last Buddha”), Marya Cohn (“Hurricane Season”), Lesley Fera (“Inconceivable”), Brooke Hemphill (“Apotcalypse”), Justina Ireland (“Bleeding Kansas”), Tricia Lee (“Good Chance”), Betsy Nagler (“Priceless”), Lisa Ramirez and Michele Noble (“Fifty”), Sarah Sinclair (“The Stratford Wife”) and Jill Twiss (“Bee”).
“Women over 40 make up 25% of the world population, and women over 50 control $19 billion, yet this demographic remains ignored by Hollywood and streamers. AI won’t change that — only women will,” said co-founder Elizabeth Kaiden.
With a devotion to developing scripted content written by women over the age of 40, the Lab, produced with New York Women in Film & Television, is known for its commitment to elevating the work of women screenwriters through mentorship, advocacy and exposure.
The participants of The Writers Lab 2023 are Louisa Kendrick Burton (“The Charge”), Shari Lynette Carpenter (“Translate”), Helena Cho (“The Last Buddha”), Marya Cohn (“Hurricane Season”), Lesley Fera (“Inconceivable”), Brooke Hemphill (“Apotcalypse”), Justina Ireland (“Bleeding Kansas”), Tricia Lee (“Good Chance”), Betsy Nagler (“Priceless”), Lisa Ramirez and Michele Noble (“Fifty”), Sarah Sinclair (“The Stratford Wife”) and Jill Twiss (“Bee”).
“Women over 40 make up 25% of the world population, and women over 50 control $19 billion, yet this demographic remains ignored by Hollywood and streamers. AI won’t change that — only women will,” said co-founder Elizabeth Kaiden.
- 8/3/2023
- by McKinley Franklin
- Variety Film + TV
Striking writers in New York City said they disrupted filming of FBI: Most Wanted for a second straight day by heading off a planned location shoot at a public park in Brooklyn on Friday morning and later by causing slowdowns of work on the Dick Wolf-ep’d crime drama starring Dylan McDermott and Alexa Davalos at a nearby soundstage.
Union organizers tipped off to a location shoot at Monsignor McGolrick Park in the Greenpoint neighborhood showed up at 7 a.m. Friday morning and waited, but no film crew showed up, representatives from the Writers Guild of America East told Deadline.
It was unclear whether the show’s producers paused filming because of picketers, but WGA representatives said they saw call sheets confirming the shoot there, and they took credit for intercepting it before it could get underway.
Strikers and their supporters halted production on FBI: Most Wanted for a couple of hours Thursday,...
Union organizers tipped off to a location shoot at Monsignor McGolrick Park in the Greenpoint neighborhood showed up at 7 a.m. Friday morning and waited, but no film crew showed up, representatives from the Writers Guild of America East told Deadline.
It was unclear whether the show’s producers paused filming because of picketers, but WGA representatives said they saw call sheets confirming the shoot there, and they took credit for intercepting it before it could get underway.
Strikers and their supporters halted production on FBI: Most Wanted for a couple of hours Thursday,...
- 5/13/2023
- by Sean Piccoli
- Deadline Film + TV
Project marks acclaimed director’s third feature.
Nicole Kassell, riding high after her work on Emmys contender Watchmen, is teaming up with Participant to direct Silver Seas, a feature about the Pulitzer Prize-winning female reporters who exposed slavery in the southeast Asian fishing industry.
AP journalists Esther Htusan, Robin McDowell, Margie Mason and Martha Mendoza became the first all-female team to win the Public Service Pulitzer Prize in 2016 after they uncovered abusive practices and modern-day slavery in fishing.
It is the same award won by The Boston Globe team in 2003 that inspired Participant’s Spotlight, which won the best picture...
Nicole Kassell, riding high after her work on Emmys contender Watchmen, is teaming up with Participant to direct Silver Seas, a feature about the Pulitzer Prize-winning female reporters who exposed slavery in the southeast Asian fishing industry.
AP journalists Esther Htusan, Robin McDowell, Margie Mason and Martha Mendoza became the first all-female team to win the Public Service Pulitzer Prize in 2016 after they uncovered abusive practices and modern-day slavery in fishing.
It is the same award won by The Boston Globe team in 2003 that inspired Participant’s Spotlight, which won the best picture...
- 7/15/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
HBO has pushed the premiere date for the Mark Ruffalo limited series “I Know This Much Is True” until May 10, the network announced Tuesday.
The drama, based on the bestselling novel by Wally Lamb, was originally slated to premiere on April 27. The decision to delay the premiere comes after HBO said last week that it would postpone the Nicole Kidman-Hugh Grant drama “The Undoing” until later in the year.
Written and directed by Derek Cianfrance, “I Know This Much Is True” stars Ruffalo as twin brothers Dominick and Thomas Birdsey, one of whom suffers from paranoid schizophrenia. Per HBO, the drama is “a family saga that follows their parallel lives in an epic story of betrayal, sacrifice and forgiveness.”...
The drama, based on the bestselling novel by Wally Lamb, was originally slated to premiere on April 27. The decision to delay the premiere comes after HBO said last week that it would postpone the Nicole Kidman-Hugh Grant drama “The Undoing” until later in the year.
Written and directed by Derek Cianfrance, “I Know This Much Is True” stars Ruffalo as twin brothers Dominick and Thomas Birdsey, one of whom suffers from paranoid schizophrenia. Per HBO, the drama is “a family saga that follows their parallel lives in an epic story of betrayal, sacrifice and forgiveness.”...
- 3/31/2020
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
Mark Ruffalo’s drama I Know This Much Is True has got a new premiere date after HBO pushed the limited series by two weeks.
Deadline understands that the shift comes after news that The Undoing will move from May 10 to the fall. The premium network revealed last week that The Undoing, which is based on Jean Hanff Korelitz’s novel You Should Have Known, which stars Hugh Grant and Nicole Kidman, was moving to later in the year.
More from DeadlineHBO's 'Last Week Tonight' Hits Season Ratings High As 'Westworld' S3 Opener Tracks Ahead Of 'The Outsider'hbo Joins Netflix In Paying Actors On Covid 19-Delayed Series, Other Studios Still Evaluating Their Options'Last Week Tonight': John Oliver Unpacks How Donald Trump Has Failed To Give Coronavirus Crisis The Seriousness It Requires
I Know This Much Is True, which comes from writer and director Derek Cianfrance, was originally scheduled...
Deadline understands that the shift comes after news that The Undoing will move from May 10 to the fall. The premium network revealed last week that The Undoing, which is based on Jean Hanff Korelitz’s novel You Should Have Known, which stars Hugh Grant and Nicole Kidman, was moving to later in the year.
More from DeadlineHBO's 'Last Week Tonight' Hits Season Ratings High As 'Westworld' S3 Opener Tracks Ahead Of 'The Outsider'hbo Joins Netflix In Paying Actors On Covid 19-Delayed Series, Other Studios Still Evaluating Their Options'Last Week Tonight': John Oliver Unpacks How Donald Trump Has Failed To Give Coronavirus Crisis The Seriousness It Requires
I Know This Much Is True, which comes from writer and director Derek Cianfrance, was originally scheduled...
- 3/31/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
HBO has shifted the premiere date of the Mark Ruffalo-led limited series “I Know This Much Is True.”
The six-episode series will now debut May 10. It was originally set to begin airing on April 27. The show moves into the date previously reserved for the limited series “The Undoing” starring Nicole Kidman. HBO announced last week that show would be moved to the fall due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
This is the latest television scheduling shift in recent weeks as networks and streaming services grapple with the fallout from the pandemic. In addition to “The Undoing,” FX’s fourth season of “Fargo” and “Genius: Aretha” at Nat Geo have also been pushed back. HBO confirmed within the last week that two of its critically-acclaimed returning series — “Barry” and “Succession” — have suspended production as a precautionary measure.
Read Variety’s list of all the shows and films delayed due to the outbreak here.
The six-episode series will now debut May 10. It was originally set to begin airing on April 27. The show moves into the date previously reserved for the limited series “The Undoing” starring Nicole Kidman. HBO announced last week that show would be moved to the fall due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
This is the latest television scheduling shift in recent weeks as networks and streaming services grapple with the fallout from the pandemic. In addition to “The Undoing,” FX’s fourth season of “Fargo” and “Genius: Aretha” at Nat Geo have also been pushed back. HBO confirmed within the last week that two of its critically-acclaimed returning series — “Barry” and “Succession” — have suspended production as a precautionary measure.
Read Variety’s list of all the shows and films delayed due to the outbreak here.
- 3/31/2020
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
HBO has unveiled its a new, rather weighty trailer for “I Know This Much Is True,” its upcoming limited series starring Mark Ruffalo as identical twins.
An adaptation of Wally Lamb’s 1998 novel of the same name, the drama follows twin brothers Dominick and Thomas Birdsey (Ruffalo plays both) — the former suffers from Ptsd, while the latter is a paranoid schizophrenic. HBO’s limited series bills itself as a story of betrayal, sacrifice, and forgiveness in 20th-century America, and its new trailer indicates the six-episode set will be faithful to the frequently heartbreaking source material.
More from IndieWire'Run' Trailer: Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Vicky Jones' New HBO Show Blends 'Killing Eve' and 'Fleabag''After Truth': HBO's New Documentary Examines the Real-World Impact of Fake News
[Editor’s note: The following brief synopsis contains slight spoilers for the early events of the book.] Believing his sacrifice will end the Gulf War, Thomas cuts his own hand off early in the story — the trailer offers a brief glimpse of...
An adaptation of Wally Lamb’s 1998 novel of the same name, the drama follows twin brothers Dominick and Thomas Birdsey (Ruffalo plays both) — the former suffers from Ptsd, while the latter is a paranoid schizophrenic. HBO’s limited series bills itself as a story of betrayal, sacrifice, and forgiveness in 20th-century America, and its new trailer indicates the six-episode set will be faithful to the frequently heartbreaking source material.
More from IndieWire'Run' Trailer: Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Vicky Jones' New HBO Show Blends 'Killing Eve' and 'Fleabag''After Truth': HBO's New Documentary Examines the Real-World Impact of Fake News
[Editor’s note: The following brief synopsis contains slight spoilers for the early events of the book.] Believing his sacrifice will end the Gulf War, Thomas cuts his own hand off early in the story — the trailer offers a brief glimpse of...
- 3/19/2020
- by Tyler Hersko
- Indiewire
In today’s TV News Roundup, HBO announced the premiere date for “I Know This Much Is True” and CNN launched a new podcast focusing on coronavirus.
Dates
HBO has announced that “I Know This Much Is True” will premiere on April 27. Based on Wally Lamb’s bestseller of the same name, the six-part limited series stars Mark Ruffalo as identical twin brothers and follows them through different stages of their lives in the fictional town of Three Rivers, Conn. Derek Cianfrance is the writer and director of the series. He also serves as executive producer along with Ben Browning and Glen Basner for FilmNation Entertainment, Ruffalo for Willi Hill Productions, Gregg Fienberg, Lynette Howell Taylor, Anya Epstein and Lamb. Watch a new teaser for the show below.
Greenlights
Quibi has announced “Let’s Go Atsuko!”, a new Japanese game show hosted by comedian Atsuko Okatsuka. In every episode, contestants...
Dates
HBO has announced that “I Know This Much Is True” will premiere on April 27. Based on Wally Lamb’s bestseller of the same name, the six-part limited series stars Mark Ruffalo as identical twin brothers and follows them through different stages of their lives in the fictional town of Three Rivers, Conn. Derek Cianfrance is the writer and director of the series. He also serves as executive producer along with Ben Browning and Glen Basner for FilmNation Entertainment, Ruffalo for Willi Hill Productions, Gregg Fienberg, Lynette Howell Taylor, Anya Epstein and Lamb. Watch a new teaser for the show below.
Greenlights
Quibi has announced “Let’s Go Atsuko!”, a new Japanese game show hosted by comedian Atsuko Okatsuka. In every episode, contestants...
- 3/2/2020
- by J. Kim Murphy
- Variety Film + TV
HBO’s first teaser for its upcoming limited series “I Know This Much Is True” has us seeing double. And while it’s double Mark Ruffalo, which can never be a bad thing, the dark narrative that’s unfolding between the lead characters — twins, both played by Ruffalo — might be a bad thing.
At least that’s how it appears at first.
Based on the 1998 novel by Wally Lamb, “I Know This Much Is True” centers on twin brothers Dominick and Thomas Birdsey, one of whom suffers from paranoid schizophrenia. In the video above, you’ll meet both of them, as Thomas (who Rosie O’Donnell’s character calls “seriously mentally ill”) and Dominick confront the struggles in their present and the traumas of their past that might have brought them here.
Also Read: Mark Ruffalo Talks Playing Twins on 'I Know This Much Is True,' Taking 6 Weeks Off...
At least that’s how it appears at first.
Based on the 1998 novel by Wally Lamb, “I Know This Much Is True” centers on twin brothers Dominick and Thomas Birdsey, one of whom suffers from paranoid schizophrenia. In the video above, you’ll meet both of them, as Thomas (who Rosie O’Donnell’s character calls “seriously mentally ill”) and Dominick confront the struggles in their present and the traumas of their past that might have brought them here.
Also Read: Mark Ruffalo Talks Playing Twins on 'I Know This Much Is True,' Taking 6 Weeks Off...
- 3/2/2020
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
Claire Lombardo's debut novel, The Most Fun We Ever Had, is getting transformed into its very own HBO series. The beloved book chronicles the lives of four adult sisters living in the Chicago suburbs as well as their parents - Marilyn and David Sorenson - who seem to have a picture-perfect marriage but prove that not everything is as it seems on the surface. A coming-of-age story in many ways, The Most Fun We Ever Had touches on family relationships, marriage dynamics, and how to survive tragedy. After being released in June 2019, it completely took off, making Lombardo a New York Times bestselling author.
Now, Amy Adams and Laura Dern have officially agreed to produce the multigenerational series, with 30-year-old Lombardo tapped as a co-executive producer. We caught up with the author about her experience writing the book, as well as how the show's development is going.
Popsugar: Was...
Now, Amy Adams and Laura Dern have officially agreed to produce the multigenerational series, with 30-year-old Lombardo tapped as a co-executive producer. We caught up with the author about her experience writing the book, as well as how the show's development is going.
Popsugar: Was...
- 12/12/2019
- by Murphy Moroney
- Popsugar.com
Exclusive: Aisling Franciosi (The Nightingale), John Procaccino (A Most Violent Year), Rob Huebel (Childrens Hospital), Philip Ettinger (First Reformed) and Michael Greyeyes (True Detective) have been cast in HBO’s I Know This Much Is True, a six-episode limited drama series based on Wally Lamb’s bestselling book, from Mark Ruffalo, who stars in a dual role and executive produces, Derek Cianfrance (The Place Beyond the Pines) and FilmNation Entertainment.
Written, directed and executive produced by Cianfrance, I Know This Much Is True is a family saga that follows the parallel lives of identical twin brothers Dominick and Thomas Birdsey, played by Ruffalo, in an epic story of betrayal, sacrifice, and forgiveness, set against the backdrop of 20th century America.
Franciosi will play young Dessa Constantine. Procaccino will portray Ray Birdsey, Dominick and Thomas’ stepfather. Huebel is Leo, Dominick’s best friend.Ettinger will play the young adult Dominick and Thomas Birdsey.
Written, directed and executive produced by Cianfrance, I Know This Much Is True is a family saga that follows the parallel lives of identical twin brothers Dominick and Thomas Birdsey, played by Ruffalo, in an epic story of betrayal, sacrifice, and forgiveness, set against the backdrop of 20th century America.
Franciosi will play young Dessa Constantine. Procaccino will portray Ray Birdsey, Dominick and Thomas’ stepfather. Huebel is Leo, Dominick’s best friend.Ettinger will play the young adult Dominick and Thomas Birdsey.
- 11/22/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
HBO is developing a series adaptation of the Claire Lombardo novel “The Most Fun We Ever Had” with Amy Adams and Laura Dern onboard as executive producers.
Described as a multigenerational saga spanning half a century, the story follows four sisters, each struggling to exist in the shadow of their parents’ idyllic marriage, whose lives are complicated by the unexpected return of the son one of them gave up for adoption fifteen years earlier.
Lombardo will pen the adaptation in addition to co-executive producing. Adams and Stacy O’Neil will executive produce under their Bond Group Entertainment banner, with Bond Group’s Kate Clifford co-producing. Dern and Jayme Lemons will executive produce via Jaywalker Pictures. Anya Epstein is onboard as showrunner. The Gotham Group’s Rich Green negotiated the deal on behalf of Ellen Levine and Alexa Stark at Trident Media Group.
Both Dern and Adams have found success with...
Described as a multigenerational saga spanning half a century, the story follows four sisters, each struggling to exist in the shadow of their parents’ idyllic marriage, whose lives are complicated by the unexpected return of the son one of them gave up for adoption fifteen years earlier.
Lombardo will pen the adaptation in addition to co-executive producing. Adams and Stacy O’Neil will executive produce under their Bond Group Entertainment banner, with Bond Group’s Kate Clifford co-producing. Dern and Jayme Lemons will executive produce via Jaywalker Pictures. Anya Epstein is onboard as showrunner. The Gotham Group’s Rich Green negotiated the deal on behalf of Ellen Levine and Alexa Stark at Trident Media Group.
Both Dern and Adams have found success with...
- 10/15/2019
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Amy Adams and Laura Dern are teaming up for an adaptation of the novel “The Most Fun We Ever Had” currently in development at HBO.
Based on Claire Lombardo’s 2019 novel of the same name, “The Most Fun We Ever Had” follows four sisters, each struggling to exist in the shadow of their parents’ idyllic marriage, whose lives are complicated by the unexpected return of the son one of them gave up for adoption fifteen years earlier.
Lombardo will serve as a writer and executive producer on the adaptation, with Anya Epstein to serve as showrunner.
The new project keeps both Dern and Adams in business at HBO after scoring Emmy nominations this year for their roles on “Big Little Lies” and “Sharp Objects,” respectively. In addition to starring, Adams also served as an executive producer on “Sharp Objects...
Based on Claire Lombardo’s 2019 novel of the same name, “The Most Fun We Ever Had” follows four sisters, each struggling to exist in the shadow of their parents’ idyllic marriage, whose lives are complicated by the unexpected return of the son one of them gave up for adoption fifteen years earlier.
Lombardo will serve as a writer and executive producer on the adaptation, with Anya Epstein to serve as showrunner.
The new project keeps both Dern and Adams in business at HBO after scoring Emmy nominations this year for their roles on “Big Little Lies” and “Sharp Objects,” respectively. In addition to starring, Adams also served as an executive producer on “Sharp Objects...
- 10/15/2019
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
HBO has put in development The Most Fun We Ever Had, a drama-series project based on Claire Lombardo’s New York Times bestselling novel, from Amy Adams and Stacy O’Neil’s Bond Group Entertainment and Laura Dern and Jayme Lemons’ Jaywalker Pictures. Lombardo is attached to pen the series adaptation and co-executive produce. Bond Group Entertainment, which is under a first-look deal with HBO, and Jaywalker Pictures are co-producing the project.
A multigenerational saga spanning half a century, The Most Fun We Ever Had follows four sisters, each struggling to exist in the shadow of their parents’ idyllic marriage, whose lives are complicated by the unexpected return of the son one of them gave up for adoption fifteen years earlier.
Adams and Stacy O’Neil executive produce for Bond Group with Dern and Jayme Lemons for Jaywalker. Anya Epstein also executive produces and serves as showrunner.
A multigenerational saga spanning half a century, The Most Fun We Ever Had follows four sisters, each struggling to exist in the shadow of their parents’ idyllic marriage, whose lives are complicated by the unexpected return of the son one of them gave up for adoption fifteen years earlier.
Adams and Stacy O’Neil executive produce for Bond Group with Dern and Jayme Lemons for Jaywalker. Anya Epstein also executive produces and serves as showrunner.
- 10/15/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
The slate of Phyllis Nagy is getting a massive showing of support from some of the biggest names in film and television. More than 300 writers of all levels in the film and TV business, from up-and-comers to superstars, have signed an open letter endorsing Nagy, who is running for president of WGA West, as well as her slate of Craig Mazin, who’s running for vice president, and Nick Jones Jr., up for secretary-treasurer.
Those who have signed the letter include heavyweights Shonda Rhimes, Greg Berlanti, Ryan Murphy, Ava DuVernay, Dan Fogelman, Kenya Barris, Steve Levitan, Damien Chazelle, Courtney Kemp, Aaron Sorkin, David E. Kelley, Akiva Goldsman, Lena Waithe, Phil Lord, Chris Miller, Allan Heinberg, David Benioff, Db Weiss, Alex Kurtzman, Sarah Treem,, Darren Star, Nic Pizzolatto, Scott Frank, Eric Kripke and Alex Gibney.
The list also includes top showrunner John Wells, one of the most respected leaders in the...
Those who have signed the letter include heavyweights Shonda Rhimes, Greg Berlanti, Ryan Murphy, Ava DuVernay, Dan Fogelman, Kenya Barris, Steve Levitan, Damien Chazelle, Courtney Kemp, Aaron Sorkin, David E. Kelley, Akiva Goldsman, Lena Waithe, Phil Lord, Chris Miller, Allan Heinberg, David Benioff, Db Weiss, Alex Kurtzman, Sarah Treem,, Darren Star, Nic Pizzolatto, Scott Frank, Eric Kripke and Alex Gibney.
The list also includes top showrunner John Wells, one of the most respected leaders in the...
- 7/26/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Beau Willimon will run unopposed for reelection as president of the WGA East. It’s the second time the House of Cards creator has run unopposed for president – the first time was when he was first elected in 2017. Only this time, he’ll be running unopposed in the middle of the WGA East and West’s contentious battle with Hollywood’s talent agencies. Voting online and by mail will begin on August 28.
Bob Schneider, the WGA East’s incumbent secretary-treasurer, will also be running unopposed, although Kathy McGee and Phil Pilato will be vying to become the guild’s next vice president. Jeremy Pikser, the guild’s current vp, is not seeking reelection.
Sixteen candidates are vying for six open freelance seats on the guild’s Council. Incumbents seeking reelection include Bonnie Datt, Tracey Scott Wilson, Courtney Simon, Amy Sohn, and David Simon, who is a named plaintiff in the...
Bob Schneider, the WGA East’s incumbent secretary-treasurer, will also be running unopposed, although Kathy McGee and Phil Pilato will be vying to become the guild’s next vice president. Jeremy Pikser, the guild’s current vp, is not seeking reelection.
Sixteen candidates are vying for six open freelance seats on the guild’s Council. Incumbents seeking reelection include Bonnie Datt, Tracey Scott Wilson, Courtney Simon, Amy Sohn, and David Simon, who is a named plaintiff in the...
- 6/20/2019
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Beau Willimon, the playwright and showrunner who launched Netflix’s “House of Cards,” is running unopposed for re-election to a two-year term as president of the Writers Guild of America East.
Willimon also ran unopposed in 2017 to succeed Michael Winship. The WGA East announced a total of 24 candidates Thursday for its top officer posts and Council seats. Results will be announced Sept. 20.
The announcement comes with the WGA locked in a heated standoff with Hollywood agents over the issues of how agents represent WGA members. The guild required on April 13 that members fire their agents if the agents had not signed a Code of Conduct, which bans agents from taking packaging fees and prohibits agencies from owning production affiliates.
Willimon has been criticized for working last year with Endeavor Content, an affiliate of Wme, on the Hulu drama “The First,” which was canceled after one season. WGA West executive director...
Willimon also ran unopposed in 2017 to succeed Michael Winship. The WGA East announced a total of 24 candidates Thursday for its top officer posts and Council seats. Results will be announced Sept. 20.
The announcement comes with the WGA locked in a heated standoff with Hollywood agents over the issues of how agents represent WGA members. The guild required on April 13 that members fire their agents if the agents had not signed a Code of Conduct, which bans agents from taking packaging fees and prohibits agencies from owning production affiliates.
Willimon has been criticized for working last year with Endeavor Content, an affiliate of Wme, on the Hulu drama “The First,” which was canceled after one season. WGA West executive director...
- 6/20/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Melissa Leo (The Fighter), Rosie O’Donnell (Smilf), Archie Panjabi (The Good Wife) and Imogen Poots (28 Weeks Later) are set to star alongside Juliette Lewis (Camping) and Kathyrn Hahn (Mrs. Fletcher) opposite Mark Ruffalo in I Know This Much Is True, a six-episode limited drama series based on Wally Lamb’s bestselling book. The project, which has received a production commitment from HBO, hails from Mark Ruffalo, who stars in a dual role and executive produces; Derek Cianfrance (The Place Beyond the Pines); and FilmNation Entertainment.
Written, directed and executive produced by Cianfrance, the family saga follows the parallel lives of identical twin brothers Dominick and Thomas Birdsey, both played by Ruffalo, in an epic story of betrayal, sacrifice and forgiveness set against the backdrop of 20th century America.
Leo will play Ma (Concettina Ipolita Tempesta Birdsey), mother of Dominick and Thomas.
O’Donnell portrays Lisa Sheffer, a social worker...
Written, directed and executive produced by Cianfrance, the family saga follows the parallel lives of identical twin brothers Dominick and Thomas Birdsey, both played by Ruffalo, in an epic story of betrayal, sacrifice and forgiveness set against the backdrop of 20th century America.
Leo will play Ma (Concettina Ipolita Tempesta Birdsey), mother of Dominick and Thomas.
O’Donnell portrays Lisa Sheffer, a social worker...
- 4/3/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
HBO has added a slew of big-name actresses to the cast of its upcoming limited series “I Know This Much Is True.”
Melissa Leo, Rosie O’Donnell, Archie Panjabi, Imogen Poots, Juliette Lewis and Kathryn Hahn have all joined the the six-episode series starring and executive produced by Mark Ruffalo.
An adaptation of the 1998 Wally Lamb novel of the same name, the long-gestating project is described as “an epic story of betrayal, sacrifice and forgiveness, set against the backdrop of 20th century America.” Ruffalo will star as twin brothers Dominick and Thomas Birdsey, one of whom suffers from paranoid schizophrenia.
Also Read: Mark Ruffalo to Play Twins in HBO Limited Series 'I Know This Much Is True'
Leo will star as Ma, a.k.a. Concettina Ipolita Tempesta Birdsey, mother of Dominick and Thomas. Hahn will play Dess Constantine, Dominick’s ex-wife, while Poots will play Joy Hanks,...
Melissa Leo, Rosie O’Donnell, Archie Panjabi, Imogen Poots, Juliette Lewis and Kathryn Hahn have all joined the the six-episode series starring and executive produced by Mark Ruffalo.
An adaptation of the 1998 Wally Lamb novel of the same name, the long-gestating project is described as “an epic story of betrayal, sacrifice and forgiveness, set against the backdrop of 20th century America.” Ruffalo will star as twin brothers Dominick and Thomas Birdsey, one of whom suffers from paranoid schizophrenia.
Also Read: Mark Ruffalo to Play Twins in HBO Limited Series 'I Know This Much Is True'
Leo will star as Ma, a.k.a. Concettina Ipolita Tempesta Birdsey, mother of Dominick and Thomas. Hahn will play Dess Constantine, Dominick’s ex-wife, while Poots will play Joy Hanks,...
- 4/3/2019
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
Melissa Leo and Rosie O’Donnell have joined the cast of the HBO limited series “I Know This Much Is True,” along with Archie Panjabi, Imogen Poots, Juliette Lewis, and Kathryn Hahn.
HBO has given a production commitment to the six-episode drama, which stars and is executive produced by Mark Ruffalo. The family drama follows the parallel lives of identical twin brothers in a story of betrayal, sacrifice, and forgiveness, taking place against the backdrop of 20th century America. It is based on the book of the same name by Wally Lamb, who is also serving as an executive producer on the project.
Ruffalo stars as twin brothers Dominick and Thomas Birdsey, with Leo playing Ma (Concettina Ipolita Tempesta Birdsey), Dominick and Thomas’ mother. O’Donnell stars as Lisa Sheffer, a social worker at the Hatch Forensic Institute, where Thomas is staying. Additionally, Panjabi portrays Dr. Patel, Thomas’ newly appointed psychologist; Poots is Joy Hanks,...
HBO has given a production commitment to the six-episode drama, which stars and is executive produced by Mark Ruffalo. The family drama follows the parallel lives of identical twin brothers in a story of betrayal, sacrifice, and forgiveness, taking place against the backdrop of 20th century America. It is based on the book of the same name by Wally Lamb, who is also serving as an executive producer on the project.
Ruffalo stars as twin brothers Dominick and Thomas Birdsey, with Leo playing Ma (Concettina Ipolita Tempesta Birdsey), Dominick and Thomas’ mother. O’Donnell stars as Lisa Sheffer, a social worker at the Hatch Forensic Institute, where Thomas is staying. Additionally, Panjabi portrays Dr. Patel, Thomas’ newly appointed psychologist; Poots is Joy Hanks,...
- 4/3/2019
- by Rachel Yang
- Variety Film + TV
If Amy Adams doesn’t win the Emmy this year for “Sharp Objects,” fear not — she might get another shot pretty soon. The six-time Oscar nominee is developing the Barbara Kingsolver novel “The Poisonwood Bible” into a limited series at HBO, where she’s inked a first-look deal, HBO announced Tuesday.
A Pulitzer Prize finalist for fiction in 1999, “The Poisonwood Bible” follows a missionary family led by matriarch Orleanna Price that moves to the Kilanga village in the Belgian Congo in 1959 at a time of tremendous political unrest. It’s unclear if Adams plans to star in the series as well, as she did with “Sharp Objects,” but she will executive-produce alongside her manager and production partner Stacy O’Neil. Kingsolver and Anya Epstein (“The Affair”) are slated to write and executive-produce.
“The Poisonwood Bible” is the first project under Adams’ newly established Bond Group Entertainment production company, which she founded with O’Neil.
A Pulitzer Prize finalist for fiction in 1999, “The Poisonwood Bible” follows a missionary family led by matriarch Orleanna Price that moves to the Kilanga village in the Belgian Congo in 1959 at a time of tremendous political unrest. It’s unclear if Adams plans to star in the series as well, as she did with “Sharp Objects,” but she will executive-produce alongside her manager and production partner Stacy O’Neil. Kingsolver and Anya Epstein (“The Affair”) are slated to write and executive-produce.
“The Poisonwood Bible” is the first project under Adams’ newly established Bond Group Entertainment production company, which she founded with O’Neil.
- 3/12/2019
- by Joyce Eng
- Gold Derby
Amy Adams and her manager Stacy O’Neil are launching a new production company that has secured a first-look deal at HBO, Variety has learned.
The new company is called Bond Group Entertainment, with Kathleen Clifford set to serve as vice president of TV development for the company. Clifford was previously the director of original programming for Starz and prior to that was at Grady Girl Productions, Legendary Entertainment, and ICM.
The first project to be developed under the first-look deal will be an adaptation of the Barbara Kingsolver novel “The Poisonwood Bible.” The story follows Orleanna Price, the wife of an evangelical missionary who takes her and their four daughters to the Belgian Congo in the midst of colonial upheaval in 1959. Adams and O’Neil will executive produce, with Anya Epstein and Kingsolver set to write and executive produce.
“The Poisonwood Bible” was published in 1998 and was a finalist...
The new company is called Bond Group Entertainment, with Kathleen Clifford set to serve as vice president of TV development for the company. Clifford was previously the director of original programming for Starz and prior to that was at Grady Girl Productions, Legendary Entertainment, and ICM.
The first project to be developed under the first-look deal will be an adaptation of the Barbara Kingsolver novel “The Poisonwood Bible.” The story follows Orleanna Price, the wife of an evangelical missionary who takes her and their four daughters to the Belgian Congo in the midst of colonial upheaval in 1959. Adams and O’Neil will executive produce, with Anya Epstein and Kingsolver set to write and executive produce.
“The Poisonwood Bible” was published in 1998 and was a finalist...
- 3/12/2019
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Amy Adams has signed a first-look deal with HBO and launched new production company Bond Group Entertainment with her manager Stacy O’Neil. HBO also announced the first project under the deal, Poisonwood Bible, based on the Barbara Kingsolver novel, which is being developed as a limited series. In addition, Bond Group has tapped former Starz exec Kathleen Clifford as its VP of TV Development.
Co-written by Anya Epstein and Kingsolver, Poisonwood Bible, based on Kingsolver’s novel, follows Orleanna Price, the wife of an evangelical missionary who takes her and their four daughters to the Belgian Congo in the midst of colonial upheaval in 1959. What follows is a suspenseful epic of tragic undoing and remarkable reconstruction in the interlocked fates of one family and a newly independent African nation.
Epstein and Kingsolver executive produce with Adams and O’Neil.
Six-time Oscar-nominated and two-time Golden Globe-winning...
Co-written by Anya Epstein and Kingsolver, Poisonwood Bible, based on Kingsolver’s novel, follows Orleanna Price, the wife of an evangelical missionary who takes her and their four daughters to the Belgian Congo in the midst of colonial upheaval in 1959. What follows is a suspenseful epic of tragic undoing and remarkable reconstruction in the interlocked fates of one family and a newly independent African nation.
Epstein and Kingsolver executive produce with Adams and O’Neil.
Six-time Oscar-nominated and two-time Golden Globe-winning...
- 3/12/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
HBO is getting into business with Amy Adams, signing a first-look deal with the “Sharp Objects” star and her newly-launched production company, Bond Group Entertainment.
Under the just-announced deal, Adams will executive produce an adaptation of Barbara Kingsolver’s novel “Poisonwood Bible,” with Kingsolver writing the script alongside Anya Epstein.
The limited series follows Orleanna Price, the wife of an evangelical missionary who takes her and their four daughters to the Belgian Congo in the midst of colonial upheaval in 1959. What follows is a suspenseful epic of tragic undoing and remarkable reconstruction in the interlocked fates of one family and a newly independent African nation.
Also Read: HBO Puts 2 Mike Judge Series in Development as Part of New 2-Year Overall Deal
Adams will run Bond Group with her manager Stacy O’Neil, with Kathleen Clifford on board as vice president of TV development. Clifford comes from Starz, where she worked as director of original programming,...
Under the just-announced deal, Adams will executive produce an adaptation of Barbara Kingsolver’s novel “Poisonwood Bible,” with Kingsolver writing the script alongside Anya Epstein.
The limited series follows Orleanna Price, the wife of an evangelical missionary who takes her and their four daughters to the Belgian Congo in the midst of colonial upheaval in 1959. What follows is a suspenseful epic of tragic undoing and remarkable reconstruction in the interlocked fates of one family and a newly independent African nation.
Also Read: HBO Puts 2 Mike Judge Series in Development as Part of New 2-Year Overall Deal
Adams will run Bond Group with her manager Stacy O’Neil, with Kathleen Clifford on board as vice president of TV development. Clifford comes from Starz, where she worked as director of original programming,...
- 3/12/2019
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Following the program’s launch last year, the Made in New York Writers Room is accepting applications for its second six month fellowship program. The deadline to apply is Dec. 9.
The Made in New York Writers Room fellowship works to identify emerging local writers who come from diverse backgrounds and underrepresented groups. Following an application process, up to 12 writers will be selected to participate in the program, which includes a six-month, paid fellowship as well as a dedicated mentor who works as a New York City-based showrunner.
Last year’s mentors included Robert Carlock (“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”), Lee Daniels (“Empire”), Anya Epstein (“The Affair), Julie Klausner (“Difficult People”) and Richard Lagravenese (“The District”) who joined selected fellows in developing an original drama or comedy pilot. Other benefits of the fellowship include professional development programs from the Writers Guild of America East and a live scene reading from the fellows’ scripts by professional actors.
The Made in New York Writers Room fellowship works to identify emerging local writers who come from diverse backgrounds and underrepresented groups. Following an application process, up to 12 writers will be selected to participate in the program, which includes a six-month, paid fellowship as well as a dedicated mentor who works as a New York City-based showrunner.
Last year’s mentors included Robert Carlock (“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”), Lee Daniels (“Empire”), Anya Epstein (“The Affair), Julie Klausner (“Difficult People”) and Richard Lagravenese (“The District”) who joined selected fellows in developing an original drama or comedy pilot. Other benefits of the fellowship include professional development programs from the Writers Guild of America East and a live scene reading from the fellows’ scripts by professional actors.
- 12/3/2018
- by Nate Nickolai
- Variety Film + TV
Updated with Vice statement: More than 75 current and former writers for HBO have signed a petition calling on Vice Media “to sign a strong union contract” with the WGA. The list includes several high-profile scribes including John Oliver, David Simon, Warren Leight, Tom Fontana, Eric Overmyer and Jesse Armstrong.
Read the petition and its signatories below.
Editorial staffers at Vice overwhelmingly ratified their first contract with WGA East in April 2016, a three-year deal that was retroactive to January 1 that year.
“This petition shows what WGA East solidarity looks like,” the guild said in a statement. “Just as our members who craft shows for HBO are expressing support for their brothers and sisters at Vice, the Wgae-represented employees in all parts of Vice are supporting each other in the quest for a good contract. That solidarity has already brought real gains in a number...
Read the petition and its signatories below.
Editorial staffers at Vice overwhelmingly ratified their first contract with WGA East in April 2016, a three-year deal that was retroactive to January 1 that year.
“This petition shows what WGA East solidarity looks like,” the guild said in a statement. “Just as our members who craft shows for HBO are expressing support for their brothers and sisters at Vice, the Wgae-represented employees in all parts of Vice are supporting each other in the quest for a good contract. That solidarity has already brought real gains in a number...
- 11/29/2018
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Six-episode series centres on parallel lives of identical twin brothers in story of betrayal, sacrifice and forgiveness.
HBO has given a green light to I Know This Much Is True, a limited series from writer/director Derek Cianfrance with Mark Ruffalo starring as twin brothers.
Cianfrance and Ruffalo will serve as executive producer on the six-episode series with Ben Browning and Glen Basner for FilmNation Entertainment, Wally Lamb, Gregg Fienberg and Anya Epstein.
The project is adapted from Lamb’s novel of the same name, a family saga following the parallel lives of identical twin brothers in a story of betrayal,...
HBO has given a green light to I Know This Much Is True, a limited series from writer/director Derek Cianfrance with Mark Ruffalo starring as twin brothers.
Cianfrance and Ruffalo will serve as executive producer on the six-episode series with Ben Browning and Glen Basner for FilmNation Entertainment, Wally Lamb, Gregg Fienberg and Anya Epstein.
The project is adapted from Lamb’s novel of the same name, a family saga following the parallel lives of identical twin brothers in a story of betrayal,...
- 10/18/2018
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
HBO has greenlighted for production I Know This Much Is True, a six6-episode limited drama series based on Wally Lamb’s bestselling book. The project hails from Mark Ruffalo, who stars in a dual role and executive produces; Derek Cianfrance (The Place Beyond the Pines); and FilmNation Entertainment.
I Know This Much Is True has been a priority for HBO, which fast-tracked development on the limited series last fall.
Written, directed and executive produced by Cianfrance, I Know This Much is True is a family saga that follows the parallel lives of identical twin brothers Dominick and Thomas Birdsey, both played by Ruffalo, in an epic story of betrayal, sacrifice and forgiveness set against the backdrop of 20th century America.
Ruffalo executive produces with Lamb, FilmNation Entertainment’s Ben Browning & Glen Basner, along with Gregg Fienberg and Anya Epstein. Lynette Howell Taylor and Jamie Patricof co-executive produce.
Ruffalo is a three-time Oscar-nominee,...
I Know This Much Is True has been a priority for HBO, which fast-tracked development on the limited series last fall.
Written, directed and executive produced by Cianfrance, I Know This Much is True is a family saga that follows the parallel lives of identical twin brothers Dominick and Thomas Birdsey, both played by Ruffalo, in an epic story of betrayal, sacrifice and forgiveness set against the backdrop of 20th century America.
Ruffalo executive produces with Lamb, FilmNation Entertainment’s Ben Browning & Glen Basner, along with Gregg Fienberg and Anya Epstein. Lynette Howell Taylor and Jamie Patricof co-executive produce.
Ruffalo is a three-time Oscar-nominee,...
- 10/18/2018
- by Nellie Andreeva and Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
HBO has given a production commitment to the limited series “I Know This Much Is True” starring Mark Ruffalo.
The six-episode series is based on Wally Lamb’s New York Times bestseller of the same name. It is described as a family saga that follows the parallel lives of identical twin brothers in an epic story of betrayal, sacrifice, and forgiveness, set against the backdrop of 20th century America. Ruffalo stars as twin brothers Dominick and Thomas Birdsey.
Ruffalo will also executive produce in addition to starring. Derek Cianfrance serves as writer and executive producer as well as director, with Lamb also executive producing. Ben Browning and Glen Basner of FilmNation Entertainment, Gregg Fienberg, and Anya Epstein will also executive produce. Lynette Howell Taylor and Jamie Patricof will co-executive produce.
Ruffalo was most recently seen in the blockbuster film “Avengers: Infinity War” in the role of Bruce Banner/The Hulk.
The six-episode series is based on Wally Lamb’s New York Times bestseller of the same name. It is described as a family saga that follows the parallel lives of identical twin brothers in an epic story of betrayal, sacrifice, and forgiveness, set against the backdrop of 20th century America. Ruffalo stars as twin brothers Dominick and Thomas Birdsey.
Ruffalo will also executive produce in addition to starring. Derek Cianfrance serves as writer and executive producer as well as director, with Lamb also executive producing. Ben Browning and Glen Basner of FilmNation Entertainment, Gregg Fienberg, and Anya Epstein will also executive produce. Lynette Howell Taylor and Jamie Patricof will co-executive produce.
Ruffalo was most recently seen in the blockbuster film “Avengers: Infinity War” in the role of Bruce Banner/The Hulk.
- 10/18/2018
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
HBO has officially green-lit Mark Ruffalo’s long-gestating limited series adaptation of “I Know This Much Is True,” the premium cabler announced on Thursday.
An adaptation of the 1998 Wally Lamb novel of the same name, the series is described as “an epic story of betrayal, sacrifice, and forgiveness, set against the backdrop of 20th century America.” Ruffalo will star as twin brothers Dominick and Thomas Birdsey, one of whom suffers from paranoid schizophrenia.
First put into development at HBO last year, the six-episode series will be written and directed by “Blue Valentine” and “The Light Between Oceans” helmer Derek Cianfrance.
Also Read: Fan Seemingly Decodes Mark Ruffalo's Bleeped Out 'Avengers 4' Title
In addition to Ruffalo, Cianfrance and Lamb, “I Know This Much Is True” is executive produced by Anya Epstein, Gregg Fienberg and FilmNation Entertainment’s Ben Browning and Glen Basner. Lynette Howell Taylor and Jamie Patricof are co-EPs.
An adaptation of the 1998 Wally Lamb novel of the same name, the series is described as “an epic story of betrayal, sacrifice, and forgiveness, set against the backdrop of 20th century America.” Ruffalo will star as twin brothers Dominick and Thomas Birdsey, one of whom suffers from paranoid schizophrenia.
First put into development at HBO last year, the six-episode series will be written and directed by “Blue Valentine” and “The Light Between Oceans” helmer Derek Cianfrance.
Also Read: Fan Seemingly Decodes Mark Ruffalo's Bleeped Out 'Avengers 4' Title
In addition to Ruffalo, Cianfrance and Lamb, “I Know This Much Is True” is executive produced by Anya Epstein, Gregg Fienberg and FilmNation Entertainment’s Ben Browning and Glen Basner. Lynette Howell Taylor and Jamie Patricof are co-EPs.
- 10/18/2018
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
HBO is sharing all kinds of news today from the TCAs.
Now we're hearing from The Deuce and getting our first word that, yes, James Franco is still a part of the series after being accused of less than savory behavior shortly after he won his Globe Award for his performance in The Disaster Artist.
Chronicling the rise of pornography and the multibillion-dollar industry’s transformation of American culture, the critically acclaimed drama series The Deuce, created by George Pelecanos and David Simon, returns for its nine-episode second season Sunday, Sept. 9 (10/9c), exclusively on HBO.
Resuming five years after the culmination of the first season, The Deuce returns to the world of 1977, capturing the Times Square area of midtown New York at its most garish and volatile.
The series is also available on HBO Now, HBO Go, HBO On Demand and affiliate portals.
Related: Get HBO via Prime Video Channels for Addictive Dramas,...
Now we're hearing from The Deuce and getting our first word that, yes, James Franco is still a part of the series after being accused of less than savory behavior shortly after he won his Globe Award for his performance in The Disaster Artist.
Chronicling the rise of pornography and the multibillion-dollar industry’s transformation of American culture, the critically acclaimed drama series The Deuce, created by George Pelecanos and David Simon, returns for its nine-episode second season Sunday, Sept. 9 (10/9c), exclusively on HBO.
Resuming five years after the culmination of the first season, The Deuce returns to the world of 1977, capturing the Times Square area of midtown New York at its most garish and volatile.
The series is also available on HBO Now, HBO Go, HBO On Demand and affiliate portals.
Related: Get HBO via Prime Video Channels for Addictive Dramas,...
- 7/25/2018
- by Carissa Pavlica
- TVfanatic
Someone managed to get Detective Frank Pembleton back in the box.
Members of the cast and production team of the critically acclaimed NBC drama “Homicide: Life on the Street” came together at the Paley Center in New York to talk about the distinctive drama that flouted many of the conventions of network TV. The main focus of the show, which ran between 1993 and 1999, was on how Baltimore police detectives passed the time while trying to solve murders. But there were few car chases, shootings or dramatic arrest scenes. “Every episode was like an affront to network television,” noted Andre Braugher, who played Detective Pembleton on the program and came to wider fame while working on it.
Producer Barry Levinson, showrunner Tom Fontana, producers Julie Martin and Anya Epstein; cast members Richard Belzer, Braugher and Clark Johnson; and writer David Simon, whose book, “Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets,” became the inspiration for the program,...
Members of the cast and production team of the critically acclaimed NBC drama “Homicide: Life on the Street” came together at the Paley Center in New York to talk about the distinctive drama that flouted many of the conventions of network TV. The main focus of the show, which ran between 1993 and 1999, was on how Baltimore police detectives passed the time while trying to solve murders. But there were few car chases, shootings or dramatic arrest scenes. “Every episode was like an affront to network television,” noted Andre Braugher, who played Detective Pembleton on the program and came to wider fame while working on it.
Producer Barry Levinson, showrunner Tom Fontana, producers Julie Martin and Anya Epstein; cast members Richard Belzer, Braugher and Clark Johnson; and writer David Simon, whose book, “Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets,” became the inspiration for the program,...
- 5/25/2018
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
In my early days on the beat, NBC had an ad campaign encouraging people to watch summer reruns, promising, "If you haven't seen it, it's new to you!" In the age of Peak TV, that slogan seems less cynical than accurate. The rise of streaming services has put the bulk of TV history only a click or two away, which means that people are constantly discovering The Wire, or Arrested Development, or Terriers (sigh) for the very first time. In lieu of a summer rewind this year, I wanted to offer up primers of shows you can stream, whether an older series available in full(*) or something current you can catch up on before its next season begins. So far, I've done a few current shows in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Halt and Catch Fire, and Rectify, plus completed shows in United States of Tara and Flight of the Conchords. (*) Note: with these picks,...
- 8/2/2016
- by Alan Sepinwall
- Hitfix
The Affair, Season 2, Episode 9: “209″
Written by David Henry Hwang and Alena Smith
Directed by Jeffrey Reiner
The Affair, Season 2, Episode 10: “210″
Written by Anya Epstein
Directed by Scott Winant
Airs Sundays at 10 pm Et on Showtime
Over the course of the The Affair‘s second season, both Alison and Cole have tried to move on from their marriage, with varying success. While Cole has buried himself in work and tried to separate himself from his family, Alison has attempted to build a lasting relationship with Noah despite some red flags. Over the past two episodes, however, both individuals have made major strides in their respective relationships as well as towards their own happiness. The results have been fascinating to watch as they have unfolded, with a lot of potential avenues for the story to go from here on out.
Alison’s unwillingness to bring Noah into her hospital room,...
Written by David Henry Hwang and Alena Smith
Directed by Jeffrey Reiner
The Affair, Season 2, Episode 10: “210″
Written by Anya Epstein
Directed by Scott Winant
Airs Sundays at 10 pm Et on Showtime
Over the course of the The Affair‘s second season, both Alison and Cole have tried to move on from their marriage, with varying success. While Cole has buried himself in work and tried to separate himself from his family, Alison has attempted to build a lasting relationship with Noah despite some red flags. Over the past two episodes, however, both individuals have made major strides in their respective relationships as well as towards their own happiness. The results have been fascinating to watch as they have unfolded, with a lot of potential avenues for the story to go from here on out.
Alison’s unwillingness to bring Noah into her hospital room,...
- 12/8/2015
- by Deepayan Sengupta
- SoundOnSight
The Affair, Season 2, Episode 3: “203″
Written by Alena Smith
Directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck
The Affair, Season 2, Episode 4: “204″
Written by Anya Epstein
Directed by John Dahl
Airs Sundays at 10 pm Et on Showtime
The first two episodes of The Affair‘s second season expanded the scope of the show to examine how the affair and the ensuing separations and divorces were affecting the former spouses of the central duo. While not shifting to the children’s perspectives, the last two episodes have undoubtedly put the focus on them and how they’re coping, both with the newly exposed relationship that Alison and Noah are in, and with the changed behaviour of both Noah and Helen. The result has been a duo of compelling episodes that continues to effectively chart the fallout from the adulterous behaviour of Noah and Alison, while not losing sight of the reasons the...
Written by Alena Smith
Directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck
The Affair, Season 2, Episode 4: “204″
Written by Anya Epstein
Directed by John Dahl
Airs Sundays at 10 pm Et on Showtime
The first two episodes of The Affair‘s second season expanded the scope of the show to examine how the affair and the ensuing separations and divorces were affecting the former spouses of the central duo. While not shifting to the children’s perspectives, the last two episodes have undoubtedly put the focus on them and how they’re coping, both with the newly exposed relationship that Alison and Noah are in, and with the changed behaviour of both Noah and Helen. The result has been a duo of compelling episodes that continues to effectively chart the fallout from the adulterous behaviour of Noah and Alison, while not losing sight of the reasons the...
- 10/27/2015
- by Deepayan Sengupta
- SoundOnSight
When "Secrets and Lies" premiered on ABC in March, Sepinwall and I talked about it on the podcast, but nobody wrote a full review. What I said in my Take Me To The Pilots entry and what I said on the podcast is what I'd have said in my review: In a year of close-ended shows using the death of a child as a catalyst for an investigation or an investigation of grief, "Secrets and Lies" was the most tawdry and sensationalistic, the one most prone to insulting the intelligence of viewers. Two months later, same as it ever was, "Secrets and Lies" ended its first season with a seemingly anti-climactic scene and then instructed viewers to go watch one extra scene either online or on some stupid ap or... Screw that. Season 1 of "Secrets and Lies" ended with a slightly ominous car scene between Abby and Christy. Full-stop. I...
- 5/4/2015
- by Daniel Fienberg
- Hitfix
The case will remained closed on Fox’s Gracepoint. The show, which was billed as a 10-episode limited series event, will not be returning for a second season on the network. Gracepoint starred David Tenant and Anna Gunn as two detectives investigating the murder of a child in a small town filled with secrets. According to an interview between the show’s executive producer Anya Epstein and Zap2it, Gracepoint‘s first season “was not meant to be self-contained and we have a lot of ideas and a lot of excitement about where it could go. It remains to be seen whether we’ll get a chance to actually do that. It doesn’t seem terribly likely at the moment.” Unfortunately for fans of the show, though, Gracepoint, a remake of the original UK series Broadchurch, was pretty much Doa. The series debuted to just 4.8 million viewers and a 1.2 rating in the 18-49 demo rating.
- 12/15/2014
- by Chris King
- TVovermind.com
"Foxcatcher" was a pretty arduous ordeal, according to screenwriters E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman. It was something that only existed in the head of director Bennett Miller, who saw potent drama in the story of John du Pont and the wrestling brothers Schultz, Dave and Mark, but couldn't quite intimate what that was. Frye started chiseling away first, and latter Futterman came on to do more work. The result is a film that resonates on every level, the hard work clearly having paid off. The two never worked on the script at the same time, but have come to be quite friendly over the course of the film's PR circuit. Now they're in the mix for Best Original Screenplay recognition as "Foxcatcher" tries to find its stride on the circuit. I talked to Frye and Futterman earlier this week about cracking what didn't at first glance appear to be a movie,...
- 12/13/2014
- by Kristopher Tapley
- Hitfix
Gracepoint, Season 1, Episode 10 “Episode Ten”
Written by Anya Epstien and Dan Futterman
Directed by Euros Lynn
Aired Thursdays 9pm (Et) on Fox
“This is going to crack open a fault line in this town”
While Gracepoint hasn’t packed the same emotional wallop of Broadchurch, its source material, it has maintained a consistent level of intrigue, melancholy, and family drama, all aided by strong performances from a number of its central actors. For the majority of its ten episode run, the show has been exciting but it has struggled towards the end of the season.
One of the things done so exceptionally well in this season of Gracepoint has been its depiction of a family’s grief and a town’s paranoia. From the very first episode, viewers have known that the small seaside town of Gracepoint was full of more secrets and lies then any character would let on.
Written by Anya Epstien and Dan Futterman
Directed by Euros Lynn
Aired Thursdays 9pm (Et) on Fox
“This is going to crack open a fault line in this town”
While Gracepoint hasn’t packed the same emotional wallop of Broadchurch, its source material, it has maintained a consistent level of intrigue, melancholy, and family drama, all aided by strong performances from a number of its central actors. For the majority of its ten episode run, the show has been exciting but it has struggled towards the end of the season.
One of the things done so exceptionally well in this season of Gracepoint has been its depiction of a family’s grief and a town’s paranoia. From the very first episode, viewers have known that the small seaside town of Gracepoint was full of more secrets and lies then any character would let on.
- 12/13/2014
- by Tressa
- SoundOnSight
The event series run of Fox's "Gracepoint" ended on Thursday (December 11) night and if you don't wanna know whodunnit, you'd better stop reading... now. Ok, really, I'm about to talk about the finale and its aftermath before segueing into my post-mortem chat with co-showrunner Dan Futterman... So you've been warned. Oh and I guess the conversation and article spoil "Broadchurch" as well. It's a somewhat specific focus. Apologies... So Ellie's husband Joe did it! Or not. For around the first 20 minutes of the finale, all signs were pointing to the guilt of Josh Hamilton's Joe, the same killer from "Broadchurch" and I was worried that I'd have to call everybody involved with "Gracepoint" a liar for keeping the same killer and the same basic motivation -- Joe was having an unconsummated emotional affair with 12-year-old Danny Solano -- but only changing the method -- Danny tripped while fleeing with Joe...
- 12/12/2014
- by Daniel Fienberg
- Hitfix
Gracepoint, Season 1, Episode Nine, “Episode Nine”
Written by Euros Lynn
Directed by Anya Epstein and Dan Futterman
Airs Thursdays at 9pm (Et) on Fox
“If you’re going to lie to me Vince, at least have the respect to lie well”
With just one episode left, Gracepoint has been a powerful examination of grief and paranoia in a small town. While not as consistently effective as its source material, Broadchurch, this adaptation has been clever and aided by exceptional performances from David Tennant, Michael Pena, and Virginia Kull. But somewhere around the seventh episode, when the show started to break from Broadchurch’s plot, it began to suffer. There were good moments like the bonding scene between the still healing Solano family in “Episode Eight”, but the “disappearance” of Ellie’s (Anna Gunn) son, Tom, felt false. It was an overly complicated plot device, an unnecessary twist that detracted from...
Written by Euros Lynn
Directed by Anya Epstein and Dan Futterman
Airs Thursdays at 9pm (Et) on Fox
“If you’re going to lie to me Vince, at least have the respect to lie well”
With just one episode left, Gracepoint has been a powerful examination of grief and paranoia in a small town. While not as consistently effective as its source material, Broadchurch, this adaptation has been clever and aided by exceptional performances from David Tennant, Michael Pena, and Virginia Kull. But somewhere around the seventh episode, when the show started to break from Broadchurch’s plot, it began to suffer. There were good moments like the bonding scene between the still healing Solano family in “Episode Eight”, but the “disappearance” of Ellie’s (Anna Gunn) son, Tom, felt false. It was an overly complicated plot device, an unnecessary twist that detracted from...
- 12/6/2014
- by Tressa
- SoundOnSight
Gracepoint, Season 1, Episode 8, “Episode Eight”
Written by Anya Epstein and Dan Futterman
Directed by Mike Slovis
Airs Thursdays at 9pm (Et) on Fox
“You were so eager to insert yourself into that family’s grief”
While the jumping off point for Gracepoint has been the central mystery of who killed Danny Solano, much like its British predecessor Broadchurch has developed into a compelling, devastating look at the effects of loss on a family and an entire town. While most viewers would argue that Broadchurch did it better, the sharp plot turn in “Episode Seven” highlighted the fact that Gracepoint has developed a great mystery and compelling characters on its own.
The decision to put Ellie’s son Tom in danger is a bit odd. What exactly are the writers trying to do here? What are they trying to show us? While it is good to see the show break from the series’ source material,...
Written by Anya Epstein and Dan Futterman
Directed by Mike Slovis
Airs Thursdays at 9pm (Et) on Fox
“You were so eager to insert yourself into that family’s grief”
While the jumping off point for Gracepoint has been the central mystery of who killed Danny Solano, much like its British predecessor Broadchurch has developed into a compelling, devastating look at the effects of loss on a family and an entire town. While most viewers would argue that Broadchurch did it better, the sharp plot turn in “Episode Seven” highlighted the fact that Gracepoint has developed a great mystery and compelling characters on its own.
The decision to put Ellie’s son Tom in danger is a bit odd. What exactly are the writers trying to do here? What are they trying to show us? While it is good to see the show break from the series’ source material,...
- 11/23/2014
- by Tressa
- SoundOnSight
[Both this post and the clip are slightly spoiler-y. Be wary.] Last week's "Gracepoint" episode, the seventh in the mystery's 10-episode run, was a big one. For viewers who are only watching "Gracepoint" and didn't catch "Broadchurch," it introduced a couple characters and added a new layer of tension for Anna Gunn's Detective Miller. But for fans of "Broadchurch" who have been watching "Gracepoint" either out of rekindled passion or general curiosity, the episode was absolutely crucial because, for the first time, "Broadchurch" devotees didn't know what was coming. For the first six episodes, the climaxes to five of the episodes aligned directly to the cliffhangers to the first five "Broadchurch" episodes and with a very few exceptions, the plotpoints from the Fox drama could be directly matched to things that happened in the British original. But in last week's episode? Suddenly all bets were off. Detective Carver has a daughter? Tell me more! That drifter guy? Mysterious... Tom Miller went missing?...
- 11/19/2014
- by Daniel Fienberg
- Hitfix
Gracepoint, Episode 7, Season 1, “Episode Seven”
Written by Anya Epstein and Dan Futterman
Directed by Ali Selim
Airs Thursdays at 9pm (Et) on Fox
“They hounded that poor man to death.”
“Episode Six” of Gracepoint ended with Jack (Nick Nolte) driven to suicide after the small town learned of his past arrest for statutory rape and assumed that he was Danny Salono’s murderer. While the character’s decision might not have been a complete surprise it was still heartbreaking to see a relatively innocent man persecuted by a modern day lynch mob feel as if he had no other place to go.
The episode begins with the townspeople and police quietly reassessing their hasty judgment of Jack but terrifyingly a good number of the townspeople don’t seem to upset Jack is dead. Rather than looking at themselves, Paul (Kevin Rankin) and the rest of the town turn their attention to Carver.
Written by Anya Epstein and Dan Futterman
Directed by Ali Selim
Airs Thursdays at 9pm (Et) on Fox
“They hounded that poor man to death.”
“Episode Six” of Gracepoint ended with Jack (Nick Nolte) driven to suicide after the small town learned of his past arrest for statutory rape and assumed that he was Danny Salono’s murderer. While the character’s decision might not have been a complete surprise it was still heartbreaking to see a relatively innocent man persecuted by a modern day lynch mob feel as if he had no other place to go.
The episode begins with the townspeople and police quietly reassessing their hasty judgment of Jack but terrifyingly a good number of the townspeople don’t seem to upset Jack is dead. Rather than looking at themselves, Paul (Kevin Rankin) and the rest of the town turn their attention to Carver.
- 11/16/2014
- by Tressa
- SoundOnSight
Gracepoint, Season 1, Episode Five, “Episode Five”
Written by Anya Epstein & Dan Futterman
Directed by James Strong
Airs Thursdays at 9pm (Et) on Fox
“I am so alone in all this”
The secrets of Gracepoint are slowly beginning to unravel as the search for Danny’s killer continues. While that mystery is fascinating, what the show has really succeeded at is showing its audience the darkness that often hides in a small town. With its abundance of characters, each is given the chance to share their version of the truth. Over the course of five episodes we have gotten to know just enough about the people of Gracepoint to keep us interested but with enough held back for them to stay fascinating.
The haunting image of that burning boat at the end of “Episode Four” opens this episode. While the show usually highlights its characters, this installment focuses on the monotony...
Written by Anya Epstein & Dan Futterman
Directed by James Strong
Airs Thursdays at 9pm (Et) on Fox
“I am so alone in all this”
The secrets of Gracepoint are slowly beginning to unravel as the search for Danny’s killer continues. While that mystery is fascinating, what the show has really succeeded at is showing its audience the darkness that often hides in a small town. With its abundance of characters, each is given the chance to share their version of the truth. Over the course of five episodes we have gotten to know just enough about the people of Gracepoint to keep us interested but with enough held back for them to stay fascinating.
The haunting image of that burning boat at the end of “Episode Four” opens this episode. While the show usually highlights its characters, this installment focuses on the monotony...
- 11/1/2014
- by Tressa
- SoundOnSight
Gracepoint, Season 1, Episode 3, “Episode Three”
Written by Anya Epstein & Dan Futterman
Directed by David Petrarca
Airs Thursdays at 9pm (Et) on Fox
“I hate the never-ending sky”
In just two episodes, Gracepoint has managed to introduce a show that is both a compelling character drama and a fascinating murder mystery. Leads David Tennant and Anna Gunn have slipped easily into their parts and Tennant in particular has been a standout.
Digging through evidence and misinformation, cops Carver (Tennant) and Ellie (Gunn) landed on Mark Solano (Michael Pena) as a suspect in his son’s murder at the end of “Episode Two”. One of the most fascinating things about Gracepoint is the town and how it is constructed, something that this episode highlights perfectly. The sense of community and paranoia that is building is slow and unrelenting. “Episode Three” is all about the mounting distrust found in the characters as the murder investigation continues.
Written by Anya Epstein & Dan Futterman
Directed by David Petrarca
Airs Thursdays at 9pm (Et) on Fox
“I hate the never-ending sky”
In just two episodes, Gracepoint has managed to introduce a show that is both a compelling character drama and a fascinating murder mystery. Leads David Tennant and Anna Gunn have slipped easily into their parts and Tennant in particular has been a standout.
Digging through evidence and misinformation, cops Carver (Tennant) and Ellie (Gunn) landed on Mark Solano (Michael Pena) as a suspect in his son’s murder at the end of “Episode Two”. One of the most fascinating things about Gracepoint is the town and how it is constructed, something that this episode highlights perfectly. The sense of community and paranoia that is building is slow and unrelenting. “Episode Three” is all about the mounting distrust found in the characters as the murder investigation continues.
- 10/18/2014
- by Tressa
- SoundOnSight
Victoria, BC and Los Angeles, CA. It's a double-dose of interviews with Michael Peña about his new Fox drama "Gracepoint." Back in May, I sat down with Peña on the Vancouver Island set of the "Broadchurch" remake. At the time, the versatile actor, whose credits range from "End of Watch" to "Eastbound & Down" to the upcoming "Fury," didn't know the answer to the big mystery of "Gracepoint," specifically who killed his character's young son. By the time we talked on video in Los Angeles in August, Peña was a little bit more guarded about the show's mysteries, though he was much more willing to discuss his potential upcoming movie version of "CHiPs," which may or may not happen. But it's nice to have both interviews available. In the print interview from the set, Peña discusses what attracted him to this particular television and his personal approach to the character, as a father himself.
- 10/16/2014
- by Daniel Fienberg
- Hitfix
I never did write a review of Fox's "Gracepoint," though Fienberg and I talked about it for a while on the podcast earlier this week. Ultimately, my feeling was that the show Dan Futterman and Anya Epstein have made is much too close to the original run of "Broadchurch" — really, it's not until the seventh episode (the last of the ones sent out to critics) where the plot deviates in any meaningful way — for me to properly judge. "Gracepoint" isn't a show made for me and the 600,000-odd people who watched "Broadchurch" on BBC America, but for the potentially much larger audience that has no idea what the hell "Broadchurch" was. But I can't unsee "Broadchurch," which means I found most of its beat-for-beat replication in "Gracepoint" tedious, despite a bunch of really strong performances from Michael Pena, Virginia Kull and, in later episodes, Nick Nolte, among others. I'm not...
- 10/3/2014
- by Alan Sepinwall
- Hitfix
Victoria, BC. Two of TV's biggest breakout performances of 2014 have come from Allison Tolman and Carrie Coon, a pair of thirtysomething actresses who seemingly arrived fully formed in "Fargo" and "The Leftovers." Tolman and Coon were relative unknowns, unless you happened to know your Chicago or New York theater, but it was instantly clear from their opening small screen moments that they were stars. If "Gracepoint," Fox's 10-episode remake of "Broadchurch," is a hit, you can expect Virginia Kull to find herself in conversations with Tolman and Coon. While the Texas-raised actress has had brief and occasionally memorable guest turns on shows including "The Following," "The Good Wife" and "Boardwalk Empire," you probably won't know her unless you saw her in stage productions of "The Orphans’ Home Cycle" or "The Heiress" or "Dividing The Estate," among others. In "Gracepoint," Kull plays Beth Solano, grieving mother to the young boy whose...
- 10/2/2014
- by Daniel Fienberg
- Hitfix
[In case you've Forgotten, and as I will continue to mention each and every one of these posts that I do: This is *not* a review. Pilots change. Sometimes a lot. Often for the better. Sometimes for the worse. But they change. Actual reviews will be coming in September and perhaps October (and maybe midseason in some cases). This is, however, a brief gut reaction to not-for-air pilots. I know some people will be all "These are reviews." If you've read me, you've read my reviews and you know this isn't what they look like.] Show: "Gracepoint" (Fox) The Pitch: "'Broadchurch' is a great show, but more people wanted to watch it but were scared off by foreign accents than actually watched it." "Is that true?" "I have no idea. Let's hope so." Quick Response: Fox's 10-episode "Gracepoint" finished production in May and, as a result, critics have actually see two episodes, rather than just the pilot. There's also a chance we may have seen much more, if not all, of the murder mystery before it premieres. I need to see more, because through two episodes I just can't figure out the point and I can't really evaluate its quality other than "unnecessary." Because of "Capote" and "In Treatment," I have a ton of respect for "Gracepoint" showrunners Anya Epstein and Dan Futterman and I'm willing to watch a lot of this in the hopes that at some point it will deviate from...
- 8/16/2014
- by Daniel Fienberg
- Hitfix
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