ABC Signature head of creative affairs Tracy Underwood has been elevated to president of the Disney-owned TV studio.
Underwood, who has been at the studio since 2010, will be filling the role vacated in July by Jonnie Davis. Davis was named president of ABC Signature (then ABC Studios) in July 2019 in the wake of the 21st Century Fox-Disney merger.
Reporting to Eric Schrier, president of Disney Television Studios and global original TV strategy for Disney Entertainment, Underwood will now oversee all creative affairs, including the studio’s development of drama, comedy and limited series, as well as the current series slate.
Senior vice president of series Sydnee Rimes will continue to lead the current series team, now reporting into Underwood. Susan Lewis, senior vice president of drama development, and Danny Feldheim, senior vice president of comedy development, will continue to report to Underwood.
Underwood’s prior role will not be backfilled.
Underwood, who has been at the studio since 2010, will be filling the role vacated in July by Jonnie Davis. Davis was named president of ABC Signature (then ABC Studios) in July 2019 in the wake of the 21st Century Fox-Disney merger.
Reporting to Eric Schrier, president of Disney Television Studios and global original TV strategy for Disney Entertainment, Underwood will now oversee all creative affairs, including the studio’s development of drama, comedy and limited series, as well as the current series slate.
Senior vice president of series Sydnee Rimes will continue to lead the current series team, now reporting into Underwood. Susan Lewis, senior vice president of drama development, and Danny Feldheim, senior vice president of comedy development, will continue to report to Underwood.
Underwood’s prior role will not be backfilled.
- 12/5/2023
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
ABC Signature veteran Tracy Underwood has been elevated to President of the Disney Television Studios division. Underwood, most recently EVP of creative affairs for ABC Signature, is taking over the top post vacated by Jonnie Davis in July.
In her new position, Underwood will add oversight of current series to her current role overseeing development of drama, comedy and limited series, which will not be backfilled. Sydnee Rimes, SVP of Series and head of ABC Signature’s current series team, will now report into Underwood; Susan Lewis, SVP of Drama Development, and Danny Feldheim, SVP of Comedy Development, will continue to report into her.
Underwood’s promotion caps a lengthy search for Davis’ successor led by Eric Schrier, President of Disney Television Studios and Global Original TV Strategy for Disney Entertainment, to whom she will report. Outside candidates were considered, with Underwood emerging as the leading candidate by October.
While streamlining its content leadership,...
In her new position, Underwood will add oversight of current series to her current role overseeing development of drama, comedy and limited series, which will not be backfilled. Sydnee Rimes, SVP of Series and head of ABC Signature’s current series team, will now report into Underwood; Susan Lewis, SVP of Drama Development, and Danny Feldheim, SVP of Comedy Development, will continue to report into her.
Underwood’s promotion caps a lengthy search for Davis’ successor led by Eric Schrier, President of Disney Television Studios and Global Original TV Strategy for Disney Entertainment, to whom she will report. Outside candidates were considered, with Underwood emerging as the leading candidate by October.
While streamlining its content leadership,...
- 12/5/2023
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Greg Kinnear has signed on for a leading role in the Starz pilot “Shining Vale.”
He joins previously announced series star Courtney Cox. “Shining Vale” is a half-hour horror comedy about a dysfunctional family that moves from the city to a small town into a house in which terrible atrocities have taken place. But no one seems to notice except for Pat (Cox), who’s convinced she’s either depressed or possessed – turns out, the symptoms are exactly the same.
Kinnear will star as Terry, Pat’s husband. He is described as a sweet, sensitive guy who enjoys a good laugh almost as much as a good cry. He assumed he was married to the perfect wife until she had an affair with their young handyman, destroying the kitchen island, and maybe his marriage. Ever the optimist, Terry is willing to do whatever it takes to keep his family together,...
He joins previously announced series star Courtney Cox. “Shining Vale” is a half-hour horror comedy about a dysfunctional family that moves from the city to a small town into a house in which terrible atrocities have taken place. But no one seems to notice except for Pat (Cox), who’s convinced she’s either depressed or possessed – turns out, the symptoms are exactly the same.
Kinnear will star as Terry, Pat’s husband. He is described as a sweet, sensitive guy who enjoys a good laugh almost as much as a good cry. He assumed he was married to the perfect wife until she had an affair with their young handyman, destroying the kitchen island, and maybe his marriage. Ever the optimist, Terry is willing to do whatever it takes to keep his family together,...
- 7/15/2020
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Last summer, I had the privilege to attend SeriesFest in Denver, Colorado.
This summer, you'll have the opportunity to attend SeriesFest, too, as it goes virtual!
Confirmed talent thus far includes Ryan Eggold (New Amsterdam), James Lafferty and Stephen Colletti (One Tree Hill), Betsy Sodaro, with more to be announced soon.
SeriesFest is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting underserved voices in episodic storytelling. Despite the current climate, they're ensuring that the worldwide community of creators stays connected and continues to be inspired and engaged even during this unprecedented crisis.
The annual six-day festival will take place as scheduled from June 18-24, but in light of our collective new normal, SeriesFest: Season 6 will transition to a schedule of must-stream, virtual events with all panels, competitions and premieres available online.
Also starting this month, SeriesFest will host industry creatives through virtual writers rooms, creator hangouts, network watch parties and online Pitch-A-Thons.
This summer, you'll have the opportunity to attend SeriesFest, too, as it goes virtual!
Confirmed talent thus far includes Ryan Eggold (New Amsterdam), James Lafferty and Stephen Colletti (One Tree Hill), Betsy Sodaro, with more to be announced soon.
SeriesFest is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting underserved voices in episodic storytelling. Despite the current climate, they're ensuring that the worldwide community of creators stays connected and continues to be inspired and engaged even during this unprecedented crisis.
The annual six-day festival will take place as scheduled from June 18-24, but in light of our collective new normal, SeriesFest: Season 6 will transition to a schedule of must-stream, virtual events with all panels, competitions and premieres available online.
Also starting this month, SeriesFest will host industry creatives through virtual writers rooms, creator hangouts, network watch parties and online Pitch-A-Thons.
- 4/8/2020
- by Carissa Pavlica
- TVfanatic
It’s funny what your mind holds onto over time, and 25 years after helping build “ER” into a bona fide television phenomenon, what director and producer Mimi Leder remembers is the floor.
“My memories of the beginning of ‘ER’ were of the building that set — John [Wells] and I looking at the floor and going, ‘That’s a great floor! Let’s use that!’ And I remember our D.P. going, ‘That’s awful.'”
But Leder pushed forward, laying a foundation for one of television’s most impactful series ever made. No one directed more “ER” episodes over those first two seasons and, as co-executive producer, Leder was entrusted with shaping the series that came after Rod Holcomb’s two-hour pilot — a pilot met with a lot of internal trepidation.
“I did hear all the rumors,” Leder said. “That it was really iffy; that [NBC executives] weren’t sure about...
“My memories of the beginning of ‘ER’ were of the building that set — John [Wells] and I looking at the floor and going, ‘That’s a great floor! Let’s use that!’ And I remember our D.P. going, ‘That’s awful.'”
But Leder pushed forward, laying a foundation for one of television’s most impactful series ever made. No one directed more “ER” episodes over those first two seasons and, as co-executive producer, Leder was entrusted with shaping the series that came after Rod Holcomb’s two-hour pilot — a pilot met with a lot of internal trepidation.
“I did hear all the rumors,” Leder said. “That it was really iffy; that [NBC executives] weren’t sure about...
- 9/19/2019
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
Edward Lewis, who helped break the Hollywood Blacklist by employing Dalton Trumbo on Spartacus and shared an Oscar nomination with his wife, Mildred Lewis, for producing Costa-Gavras' Missing, has died. He was 99.
Lewis died July 27 at his home in Los Angeles, his daughter Susan Lewis told The Hollywood Reporter. Mildred died April 7 at age 98, Susan also revealed, and she was his "indispensable partner" for 73 years as they worked together on movies, musicals and novels.
Edward Lewis also produced or executive produced nine films directed by John Frankenheimer, including the classics Seven Days in May (1964),...
Lewis died July 27 at his home in Los Angeles, his daughter Susan Lewis told The Hollywood Reporter. Mildred died April 7 at age 98, Susan also revealed, and she was his "indispensable partner" for 73 years as they worked together on movies, musicals and novels.
Edward Lewis also produced or executive produced nine films directed by John Frankenheimer, including the classics Seven Days in May (1964),...
- 8/12/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Edward Lewis, who helped break the Hollywood Blacklist by employing Dalton Trumbo on Spartacus and shared an Oscar nomination with his wife, Mildred Lewis, for producing Costa-Gavras' Missing, has died. He was 99.
Lewis died July 27 at his home in Los Angeles, his daughter Susan Lewis told The Hollywood Reporter. Mildred died April 7 at age 98, Susan also revealed, and she was his "indispensable partner" for 73 years as they worked together on movies, musicals and novels.
Edward Lewis also produced or executive produced nine films directed by John Frankenheimer, including the classics Seven Days in May (1964),...
Lewis died July 27 at his home in Los Angeles, his daughter Susan Lewis told The Hollywood Reporter. Mildred died April 7 at age 98, Susan also revealed, and she was his "indispensable partner" for 73 years as they worked together on movies, musicals and novels.
Edward Lewis also produced or executive produced nine films directed by John Frankenheimer, including the classics Seven Days in May (1964),...
- 8/12/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Starz has ordered two new shows to series: original true-crime unscripted docuseries “Leavenworth” and original drama “Dangerous Liaisons,” the network announced Thursday at the Television Critics Association summer press tour.
“Leavenworth” centers on the true story of Clint Lorance (pictured above), a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army who is currently serving a 19-year sentence for murder at the United States Penitentiary, Leavenworth. Lorance has appealed his conviction.
According to Starz, “While deployed in Afghanistan in July 2012, the former lieutenant ordered fire on three local men riding a motorcycle, killing two of them and outraging his platoon. In a first-hand account of a soldier navigating the Us Army’s legal system, Lorance seeks to overturn his conviction, provoking emotional debate between supporters and detractors that rises to the national stage. As determinations on Lorance’s fate unfold, questions probe not only the merits of his conviction, but analyze the system...
“Leavenworth” centers on the true story of Clint Lorance (pictured above), a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army who is currently serving a 19-year sentence for murder at the United States Penitentiary, Leavenworth. Lorance has appealed his conviction.
According to Starz, “While deployed in Afghanistan in July 2012, the former lieutenant ordered fire on three local men riding a motorcycle, killing two of them and outraging his platoon. In a first-hand account of a soldier navigating the Us Army’s legal system, Lorance seeks to overturn his conviction, provoking emotional debate between supporters and detractors that rises to the national stage. As determinations on Lorance’s fate unfold, questions probe not only the merits of his conviction, but analyze the system...
- 7/26/2019
- by Margeaux Sippell
- The Wrap
Starz has ordered two new shows to series: original true-crime unscripted docuseries “Leavenworth” and original drama “Dangerous Liaisons,” the network announced Thursday at the Television Critics Association summer press tour.
“Leavenworth” centers on the true story of Clint Lorance (pictured above), a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army who is currently serving a 19-year sentence for murder at the United States Penitentiary, Leavenworth. Lorance has appealed his conviction.
According to Starz, “While deployed in Afghanistan in July 2012, the former lieutenant ordered fire on three local men riding a motorcycle, killing two of them and outraging his platoon. In a first-hand account of a soldier navigating the Us Army’s legal system, Lorance seeks to overturn his conviction, provoking emotional debate between supporters and detractors that rises to the national stage. As determinations on Lorance’s fate unfold, questions probe not only the merits of his conviction, but analyze the system...
“Leavenworth” centers on the true story of Clint Lorance (pictured above), a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army who is currently serving a 19-year sentence for murder at the United States Penitentiary, Leavenworth. Lorance has appealed his conviction.
According to Starz, “While deployed in Afghanistan in July 2012, the former lieutenant ordered fire on three local men riding a motorcycle, killing two of them and outraging his platoon. In a first-hand account of a soldier navigating the Us Army’s legal system, Lorance seeks to overturn his conviction, provoking emotional debate between supporters and detractors that rises to the national stage. As determinations on Lorance’s fate unfold, questions probe not only the merits of his conviction, but analyze the system...
- 7/26/2019
- by Margeaux Sippell
- The Wrap
Starz has given out series orders to two drama series: “P-Valley” from Katori Hall, based on her play “Pussy Valley,” and “Hightown” from Rebecca Cutter.
The Hall project, which has been in development at Starz since 2016, is an hour-long series set deep in the Mississippi Delta. It tells the story of a little-strip-club-that-could and the characters who come through its doors—the hopeful, the lost, the broken, the ballers, the beautiful, and the damned. It will star Brandee Evans as Mercedes and Nicco Annan as Uncle Clifford. Shannon Thornton and J. Alphonse Nicholson will appear as series regulars.
Hall will serve as showrunner and executive producer with Chernin Entertainment executive producing. Khaliah Neal will serve as consulting producer and Patrik-Ian Polk will act as co-executive producer. Award-winning music video director Karena Evans will direct the premiere episode. Starz’ senior vice presidents of original programming Marta Fernandez and Susan Lewis are the executives in charge.
The Hall project, which has been in development at Starz since 2016, is an hour-long series set deep in the Mississippi Delta. It tells the story of a little-strip-club-that-could and the characters who come through its doors—the hopeful, the lost, the broken, the ballers, the beautiful, and the damned. It will star Brandee Evans as Mercedes and Nicco Annan as Uncle Clifford. Shannon Thornton and J. Alphonse Nicholson will appear as series regulars.
Hall will serve as showrunner and executive producer with Chernin Entertainment executive producing. Khaliah Neal will serve as consulting producer and Patrik-Ian Polk will act as co-executive producer. Award-winning music video director Karena Evans will direct the premiere episode. Starz’ senior vice presidents of original programming Marta Fernandez and Susan Lewis are the executives in charge.
- 11/26/2018
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Starz has ordered to series its adaptation of Katori Hall’s stripper play “Pussy Valley” as well as Jerry Bruckheimer’s opioid crisis show “Hightown.”
“Hightown,” formerly called “P-Town,” comes from Rebecca Cutter (“Gotham”), Gary Lennon (“Power”) and Jerry Bruckheimer TV. That name change can probably be attributed to the fact that Hall’s TV version is now tentatively titled “P-Valley” — wouldn’t that have been confusing?
“P-Valley” takes an unapologetic look at the lives of strip club dancers working down in the Dirty Delta, per Starz. Down deep in the Mississippi Delta lies an oasis of grit and glitter in a rough patch of human existence where beauty can be hard to find. This southern-fried, hour-long drama tells the kaleidoscopic story of a little-strip-club-that-could and the big characters who come through its doors — the hopeful, the lost, the broken, the ballers, the beautiful, and the damned.
Also Read: Lionsgate...
“Hightown,” formerly called “P-Town,” comes from Rebecca Cutter (“Gotham”), Gary Lennon (“Power”) and Jerry Bruckheimer TV. That name change can probably be attributed to the fact that Hall’s TV version is now tentatively titled “P-Valley” — wouldn’t that have been confusing?
“P-Valley” takes an unapologetic look at the lives of strip club dancers working down in the Dirty Delta, per Starz. Down deep in the Mississippi Delta lies an oasis of grit and glitter in a rough patch of human existence where beauty can be hard to find. This southern-fried, hour-long drama tells the kaleidoscopic story of a little-strip-club-that-could and the big characters who come through its doors — the hopeful, the lost, the broken, the ballers, the beautiful, and the damned.
Also Read: Lionsgate...
- 11/26/2018
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
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