The moon colony is closing down as AMC+ will not proceed with a second season of Moonhaven. Word of the cancellation comes four months after the dystonic sci-fi series was renewed for a second season and days after AMC Networks announced sweeping cost-cutting measures as CEO Christina Spade stepped down, which included laying off 20 of its U.S. staff, and write-downs for up to 475 million as it restructures its business. Up to 400 million of that is for content-related moves the company calls “strategic programming assessments”
In a SEC filing, AMC Networks said that “programming assessments pertain to a broad mix of owned and licensed content, including legacy television series and films that will no longer be in active rotation on the company’s linear or digital platforms.”
The reverse of Moonhaven’s renewal decision is part of that effort, I hear.
The show’s demise is still surprising given the...
In a SEC filing, AMC Networks said that “programming assessments pertain to a broad mix of owned and licensed content, including legacy television series and films that will no longer be in active rotation on the company’s linear or digital platforms.”
The reverse of Moonhaven’s renewal decision is part of that effort, I hear.
The show’s demise is still surprising given the...
- 12/4/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Netflix has acquired Deb Spera’s novel Call Your Daughter Home to develop as a potential series, sources close to the project tell Deadline.
Spera is penning the adaptation for the book, which was published by Park Row Books last June.
Netflix declined comment.
The story is set in 1924 South Carolina and follows three women who have come to a crossroads. The three women seemingly have nothing in common, yet as they unite to stand up to injustices that have long plagued the small town, they find strength in the bond that ties women together. Told in the voices of Gertrude, Retta, and Annie, Call Your Daughter Home is a story about the power of family, community, and ferocity of motherhood.
Prior to launching her One-Two Punch Productions in 2011, Spera was president of Mark Gordon Prods. During her stint at the production company, then based at ABC Studios, Spera...
Spera is penning the adaptation for the book, which was published by Park Row Books last June.
Netflix declined comment.
The story is set in 1924 South Carolina and follows three women who have come to a crossroads. The three women seemingly have nothing in common, yet as they unite to stand up to injustices that have long plagued the small town, they find strength in the bond that ties women together. Told in the voices of Gertrude, Retta, and Annie, Call Your Daughter Home is a story about the power of family, community, and ferocity of motherhood.
Prior to launching her One-Two Punch Productions in 2011, Spera was president of Mark Gordon Prods. During her stint at the production company, then based at ABC Studios, Spera...
- 3/10/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Babak Anvari and Lucan Toh, the team behind hot Sundance pic Wounds, have struck a first-look deal with AMC.
I hear the broadcaster has recently closed the pact to partner with Anvari and Toh’s Two & Two Pictures for television projects.
It comes after their horror feature Wounds, which was written and directed by Anvari and produced by Toh, premiered this year at the Sundance Film Festival. The film, which stars Armie Hammer, Dakota Johnson, Zazie Beetz, Karl Glusman, and Brad William Henke, centers around the mysterious things that impact a bartender after he picks up the phone left behind at his New Orleans bar. It is based on Nathan Ballingrund’s horror novella The Visible Filth.
Wounds was Anvari’s second directorial feature; the British-Iranian helmer previously directed Under The Shadow, a Farsi-language horror pic that stars Narges Rashidi, Avin Manshadi and Bobby Naderi. Set in 1988 Tehran during the Iran-Iraq war,...
I hear the broadcaster has recently closed the pact to partner with Anvari and Toh’s Two & Two Pictures for television projects.
It comes after their horror feature Wounds, which was written and directed by Anvari and produced by Toh, premiered this year at the Sundance Film Festival. The film, which stars Armie Hammer, Dakota Johnson, Zazie Beetz, Karl Glusman, and Brad William Henke, centers around the mysterious things that impact a bartender after he picks up the phone left behind at his New Orleans bar. It is based on Nathan Ballingrund’s horror novella The Visible Filth.
Wounds was Anvari’s second directorial feature; the British-Iranian helmer previously directed Under The Shadow, a Farsi-language horror pic that stars Narges Rashidi, Avin Manshadi and Bobby Naderi. Set in 1988 Tehran during the Iran-Iraq war,...
- 3/19/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Veteran TV producer Deborah Spera (Criminal Minds) has sold her first novel. Titled Alligator, the novel is set in 1924. It revolves around three women struggling to survive in economically depressed rural South Carolina — a first generation free black woman, a poor white woman, and the wealthy white woman who employs them both — and the lengths they go to protect their children, and themselves. The book has been picked up by Liz Stein at Park Row Books. Spera and her…...
- 7/20/2017
- Deadline TV
Veteran TV producer Deborah Spera and her production company, One-Two Punch Productions, have closed a two-year first-look deal with AMC. Under the pact, the cable network will have first crack at Spera’s development. Spera is former president of Mark Gordon Prods. who served as an executive producer on Criminal Minds, Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior, Reaper and Lifetime’s Army Wives during her stint at the production company, then based at ABC Studios. In 2011, Spera…...
- 6/8/2017
- Deadline TV
UnReal co-creator Marti Noxon is bringing Maria Grasso into the fold at Skydance, naming her President of Tiny Pyro, Noxon’s production banner. The announcement was made today by Skydance Television, where Noxon is under a multi-year overall development deal. Grasso is leaving One-Two Punch Prods, the company she co-founded with Deborah Spera, to take on the newly-created position. Spera will continue to run One-Two Punch solo under a first-look deal at ITV Studios…...
- 7/8/2016
- Deadline TV
ITV Studios America and One-Two Punch Productions have optioned Alan Glynn's upcoming novel Paradime to adapt into a scripted television series with Medium creator Glenn Gordon Caron attached to write and direct. Caron also will executive produce with One-Two Punch’s Deborah Spera and Maria Grasso. The psychological thriller will be published by Picador on August 2. The story follows Danny Lynch, a man who has just returned to New York City after a stint in Afghanistan…...
- 5/12/2016
- Deadline TV
ITV Studios America and One-Two Punch Productions have optioned Alan Glynn's upcoming psychological thriller novel "Paradime" with plans to adapt it into a scripted TV series.
The story follows Danny Lynch, a man who has returned to New York City after a stint in Afghanistan. Trying to make ends meet, he gets a job as a line cook in a high end restaurant.
From his prep station he views the privileged clientele including a billionaire tech mogul who couldn't be more different to him except for one thing: in appearance, they are identical.
The closer Danny looks at Trager's life, the more fixated he becomes. His reality blurred, Danny starts making decisions that will irrevocably change his life.
"Medium" creator Glenn Gordon Caron is attached to write and direct. Caron, Deborah Spera and Maria Grasso will executive produce. Glynn's novel "The Dark Fields" served as the source material for...
The story follows Danny Lynch, a man who has returned to New York City after a stint in Afghanistan. Trying to make ends meet, he gets a job as a line cook in a high end restaurant.
From his prep station he views the privileged clientele including a billionaire tech mogul who couldn't be more different to him except for one thing: in appearance, they are identical.
The closer Danny looks at Trager's life, the more fixated he becomes. His reality blurred, Danny starts making decisions that will irrevocably change his life.
"Medium" creator Glenn Gordon Caron is attached to write and direct. Caron, Deborah Spera and Maria Grasso will executive produce. Glynn's novel "The Dark Fields" served as the source material for...
- 5/12/2016
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
MTV is keeping closer tabs on Finding Carter. The youth-skewing network has renewed the scripted drama starring Kathryn Prescott for a second season, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. The drama about a teenager who learns that her mother abducted her as a child will return for a second round of 12 episodes. Bones' Emily Silver created the series, which is exec produced by Terri Minsky, Deborah Spera, Maria Grasso and Alexander Motlagh. Since its July 8 debut, Finding Carter has averaged 1.25 million total viewers, which grows 70 percent when factoring in three days of delayed viewing. The drama is
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- 8/19/2014
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Simpsons
Fox has confirmed that "The Simpsons" and "Family Guy" crossover episode, "The Simpsons Guy," will air in September. The Griffins end up in Springfield and pair off with their Simpsons counterparts. Check out the first image on the right. [Source: Collider]
Broadchurch
Charlotte Rampling has scored the lead role in the second series of ITV's "Broadchurch", but details of her character and how she impacts the show are being kept under wraps. David Tennant and Olivia Colman reprise their roles in the upcoming second series. [Source: Deadline]
Babylon
SundanceTV is joining U.K. broadcaster Channel 4 as co-producer on the Danny Boyle police PR drama series "Babylon". A feature-length pilot was already shot with a six-episode first series due out later this year.
The story centers on an earnest executive (Brit Marling) who attempts to modernize the image of the British police force only to discover her certainties shattered and herself undermined...
Fox has confirmed that "The Simpsons" and "Family Guy" crossover episode, "The Simpsons Guy," will air in September. The Griffins end up in Springfield and pair off with their Simpsons counterparts. Check out the first image on the right. [Source: Collider]
Broadchurch
Charlotte Rampling has scored the lead role in the second series of ITV's "Broadchurch", but details of her character and how she impacts the show are being kept under wraps. David Tennant and Olivia Colman reprise their roles in the upcoming second series. [Source: Deadline]
Babylon
SundanceTV is joining U.K. broadcaster Channel 4 as co-producer on the Danny Boyle police PR drama series "Babylon". A feature-length pilot was already shot with a six-episode first series due out later this year.
The story centers on an earnest executive (Brit Marling) who attempts to modernize the image of the British police force only to discover her certainties shattered and herself undermined...
- 5/14/2014
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Sundance TV is combining Mad Men's Don Draper with Rip Van Winkle. The cable network is developing Crack in the Sky, a drama about a Don Draper-type who falls asleep in 1962 and wakes up in 2012, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. The drama hails from E. Max Frye (Band of Brothers, Where the Money Is), who will pen the script and exec produce alongside Deborah Spera (Army Wives, Criminal Minds) and Maria Grasso (Ricochet). The Sony Pictures Television drama will be produced by Marshall Persinger (Army Wives, Rectify) via Spera and Grasso's Sony Pictures Television-based One-Two
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- 5/13/2014
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Following the success of Lee Daniels’ The Butler, ABC has put in development a limited series about another famous black White House servant. A Slave In The White House, from filmmakers Sheldon Candis and Justin Wilson (Luv) and Deborah Spera and Maria Grasso’s One-Two Punch Prods, is a 12-hour limited series based on the true story of Paul Jennings, a Virginia-born slave who served as personal valet to President James Madison while at the same working behind the scenes as a subversive anti-slavery activist. Based on Elizabeth Dowling Taylor’s bestselling book, A Slave In The White House chronicles Jennings’ relationship with the Madison family, becoming the President’s surrogate son, and his journey to procure his own family’s freedom. Jennings spent his entire life in and around the White House from age 10 and, after buying his freedom at age 46, wrote the first White House memoir, A...
- 10/1/2013
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Exclusive: Producers Deborah Spera and Maria Grasso and their One-Two Punch Prods have closed a two-year first-look deal at ITV Studios America, the U.S.-based division of the ITV-owned British production company. The pact, which will have the duo develop new projects for ITV Studios, including formats from the ITV library, comes on the heels of a strong selling season for One-Two Punch, which has set up five projects at Fox, NBC and ABC, with a sixth close to a deal. Former Lifetime and Own executive Grasso and former Mark Gordon Prods president Spera, who met while working together on the Mark Gordon Prods’ Lifetime series Army Wives, teamed up to launch One-Two Punch in June 2011. For the past two seasons, the company was under a deal at Sony TV. Here are details on the five sold One-Two Punch Prods projects: Fox’s Take Down: drama written by Joe Webb,...
- 9/26/2013
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
NBC has put in development three projects from pods, drama Time To Time, from writers Byron Willinger & Phil Deblasi (Paradise Lost) and Doug Liman & Dave Bartis’ Hypnotic; drama Ricochet, from writer Micah Barnett and Maria Grasso & Deborah Spera’s One-Two Punch; and an untitled comedy from writer Will Calhoun and Scott Stuber’s Scott Stuber Prods. All three hail from Universal TV. The high concept drama Time To Time is about two star-crossed police officers, separated by 27 years in time, who work together to solve murders. Willinger, Deblasi, Liman and Bartis executive produce. Willinger and Deblasi, repped by Verve and Madhouse, are primarily feature writers who just wrote Skyscraper for Universal Studios and producer Neal Moritz, with Paul Walker attached to star. They’re currently writing Equinox for Voltage Pictures. Hypnotic is with CAA. Ricochet is a high-concept serialized action/thriller about a professional hitman who is trapped in a...
- 8/24/2013
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Exclusive: Greek Gods are hot at Fox this development season. The network has put in development Olympus, an action drama created by writer-director Peter Berg and actor-writer Taylor Sheridan (Sons Of Anarchy). The project, from Universal TV and Berg and Sarah Aubrey’s studio-based Film 44, is described as “Bourne by way of 300.” It centers on a decorated soldier-turned-spy who finds out he actually is descended from the Greek Gods and may just be humanity’s last hope. In his broadcast pilot writing debut, Sheridan will write the script. This is the second drama with Greek mythology themes in the works at Fox, which also has Athena, from writer Lisa Joy, Chernin Entertainment and 20th Century Fox TV. It is based on Joy’s graphic novel, Headache, a coming-of-age drama about a 23-year-old woman who discovers she’s Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and warfare. Berg and Sheridan are...
- 10/31/2012
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Exclusive: In a rare case of a pitch garnering interest from broadcast, basic cable and pay cable networks, a drama from writer David Hubbard (Noel) has landed at HBO. The project, titled The Return of Daniel Shepherd, tells the story of a family thrown into disarray when their son returns home after 13 years missing. When his abductors turn up murdered, he is the prime suspect. That further shrouds the mystery surrounding this family: the boy’s father, a former FBI operative-turned-college criminology teacher; his mother, a stay-at-home-mom-turned-congresswoman; and his fraternal twin brother. The Return Of Daniel Shepherd hails from Sony TV and Maria Grasso and Deborah Spera’s studio-based One-Two Punch Prods. Last year, Hubbard’s CBS drama script Widow Detective went to pilot directed by Davis Guggenheim and starring John Corbett. On the feature side, Hubbard, repped by Wme and Code Entertainment, has Alive And Well set up at...
- 10/23/2012
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Exclusive: Fox is taking a modern-day spin on the story of infamous Depression-era bank-robbing couple Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. The network has put in development a contemporary drama project inspired by the tale of Bonnie & Clyde, from Sony Pictures TV and Maria Grasso and Deborah Spera’s studio-based One-Two Punch Prods. Written/executive produced by Ryan Tavlin (Without A Trace), the untitled project is described as a serialized drama about two sexy, young lovers from struggling families in East Texas, who use their respective skill sets to pair up and fight back, one crime at at time. As they capture the hearts of a nation facing similar hardships, they become worldwide celebrities, inciting one of the biggest domestic manhunts in U.S. history and inspiring copycats at every turn. Their families, the Parkers and the Barrows, are swept up in the duo’s crime spree and ultimately become divided...
- 10/11/2012
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
NBC has closed a deal for Vanishing Point, a drama from Source Code writer Ben Ripley, which has Angela Bassett attached to star and co-executive produce. The project, which has received a script commitment with penalty, is described as a character-driven legal franchise revolving around two women. One, played by Bassett, is a brilliant yet unsympathetic rainmaker at a powerful New York law firm whose world is suddenly and permanently upended by a health issue. Facing this crisis, she makes her condition public and vows to continue her practice with the help of a young brilliant attorney she chooses to be her right hand. Sony TV is producing the project, with Ripley executive producing alongside Sony TV-based producers Deborah Spera and Maria Grasso. Bassett, who just wrapped the feature Olympus Has Fallen, starred in Fox’s Karyn Usher spy drama pilot last season. Gersh reps both Ripley and Bassett. Bassett is managed Lighthouse Entertainment,...
- 9/7/2012
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
In their first development season at their Sony Pictures TV-based One-Two Punch Prods., Maria Grasso and Deborah Spera have sold 3 projects to the broadcast networks: a modern-day Treasure Island written by Eagle Eye scribe John Glenn and astronaut drama Riding Rockets created by Peter Elkoff, both to NBC, and a family soap Heiress by Jennifer Robinson to ABC. Additionally, Grasso and Spera have Wayward Bound, an hourlong dramedy at USA created by novelist Richard Murphy (Confessions Of A Contractor), about the employees at a boutique tour guide company. Former Lifetime and Own programming executive Grasso and former Mark Gordon Prods. president Spera, who met while working together on the Mark Gordon Prods.’ Lifetime series Army Wives, teamed up in June to launch One-Two Punch, which signed a two-year pod deal with Sony TV. Here are descriptions of the company’s broadcast projects: Glenn’s Treasure Island is described as a...
- 10/14/2011
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Krysten Ritter, star of ABC’s upcoming comedy series Apartment 23, has sold her first TV project as a producer, the hourlong drama Cassandra French’s Finishing School For Boys based on Eric Garcia’s novel of the same name. Garcia (Matchstick Men) will write the adaptation, described as being in the tone of Heathers. It centers on a 22-year-old overachiever who gets her dream job as a lawyer for a Hollywood studio but can’t find a guy ready for a real, mature relationship. After the latest disappointment, she locks a guy up in her basement in order to train him to become the perfect gentleman. Ritter and Garcia are executive producing. Ritter, repped by Wme, the Group Entertainment and Sanders/Armstrong/Caserta, co-wrote, produced and stars in the indie Life Happens. Garcia, repped by Wme and Ipg, is writing Wheel Of Time for Universal and The Prize Of Peril for Sony.
- 10/6/2011
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Exclusive: With the networks’ buying season half-way done, trends are starting to emerge. Along with the very strong showing by the comedy genre so far and the continued strength of book adaptations, enjoying popularity are shows about treasure hunts. The latest entry is an untitled adventure drama from Eagle Eye writer John Glenn, which has been bought by NBC. Described as “Da Vinci Code meets National Treasure,” it centers on a young NYPD beat cop who, along with his family and friends, embarks upon the greatest treasure hunt in history. Glenn is executive producing with Maria Grasso and Deborah Spera for Sony Pictures TV where the two recently inked a pod deal. NBC also is developing an updated version of the 1984 action-adventure romantic comedy film Romancing the Stone, whose plot kicked off with a romance writer played by Kathleen Turner receiving a treasure map. Mark Friedman is writing the adaptation.
- 9/10/2011
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
After an extensive search, ABC Studios-based producer Mark Gordon ended up staying close to his TV home with his pick for successor to outgoing president of television Deborah Spera, who is leaving next month to become an independent producer. ABC Studios' VP drama Nicholas Pepper is joining the Mark Gordon Co. as head of drama TV. He will work alongside head of comedy Andrea Shay, reporting directly to Gordon. This represents a change in the executive structure at Mark Gordon Co., which started off exclusively in drama under Spera until recently expanding into comedy with the hire of Shay. As VP drama programming at ABC Studios, Pepper oversaw such series as Desperate Housewives, Lost and Brothers & Sisters. Before that, he spent six years at ABC overseeing Ugly Betty, Pushing Daisies and Commander in Chief, among others. Prior to that, Pepper, a former actor, was Director of Alternative Series and Specials for ABC.
- 5/3/2011
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Exclusive: Deborah Spera is leaving the Mark Gordon Co. where she has served as president of television for the past seven years. Spera will depart in June when her contract expires to become an independent producer. “I am proud of everything we accomplished at The Mark Gordon Co. during the last seven years," she said. "Mark is a trusted friend and colleague, and he more than anyone understands the entrepreneurial spirit. I am grateful for his support as I head into this exciting new chapter of my life and hope we can continue to find ways work together in the future.” Spera joined the ABC Studios-based Mark Gordon Co. in 2004 just as the company was getting its first hit series Grey's Anatomy off the ground. She helped Gordon build the company into one of the most prolific pods in TV with 5 series on the air. Spera serves as an...
- 3/5/2011
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Angela Bassett will topline the ABC pilot One Police Plaza, Variety reports. She’ll play the first female New York police commissioner. (Perhaps she inherited the job from Blue Bloods’ Tom Selleck?) Should the series — exec produced by Criminal Minds’ Mark Gordon, Deborah Spera, and the pilot’s writers, crime novelist Linda Fairstein (the Alex Cooper mysteries) and Ken Solarz (who’s penned episodes of CSI: NY, Profiler, and Miami Vice) — make it to air, it will be Bassett’s first series gig since ER. (We don’t count her voicing Michelle Obama on an episode of The Simpsons earlier this year.
- 11/18/2010
- by Mandi Bierly
- EW - Inside TV
Angela Bassett has come on board the drama project One Police Plaza, which is in development at ABC. The project, from ABC Studios and studio-based Mark Gordon Co., centers on New York City's first female commissioner, to be played by Bassett. Linda Fairstein and Kenneth L. Solarz are writing the script and will executive produce One Police Plaza with Gordon and Deborah Spera. Bassett, repped by Gersh and Lighthouse, will next be seen in Jumping the Broom and Green Lantern. On TV, she most recently co-starred on the final season of ER.
- 11/18/2010
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Producer Mark Gordon has found success on TV with female-centered dramas Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice and Army Wives and crime drama Criminal Minds. Now he is combining the two in his new hourlong project for ABC. One Police Plaza is the project from ABC Studios, a drama that centers on New York City's first female commissioner. Linda Fairstein and Kenneth L. Solarz are writing the script and will executive produce with Gordon ad Deborah Spera.
- 11/2/2010
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Exclusive: Lifetime has renewed its flagship series, Army Wives and Drop Dead Diva. Army Wives has been picked up for a fifth season, while Drop Dead Diva has been renewed for a third season. Both series have received 13-episode orders for a 2011 premiere. "Army Wives and Drop Dead Diva have lead Lifetime’s charge in scripted programming and are key components to our success," said Nancy Dubuc, president and Gm of Lifetime and History, adding that series' renewal "allows us to launch our next generation of scripted series." Under Dubuc, who took over Lifetime in the spring, the cable network has ordered 3 pilots, Against the Wall, Exit 13 and an untitled cop drama from Drop Dead Diva creator Josh Berman. The network will certainly use Army Wives and Drop Dead Diva as launching pads for any of the 3 that are picked up to series. While it has slipped from the blockbuster...
- 9/23/2010
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
ABC is working on an adaptation of UK crime drama Identity. Deadline reports that a remake of the series, which focuses on identity theft, has received a premium script order. A pilot episode is currently being written by John Glenn, who will also executive produce alongside Mark Gordon, Deborah Spera, Paul Buccieri and Julie Meldal-Johnsen. The pilot will be co-produced by ABC Studios, ITV Studios and the Mark (more)...
- 9/13/2010
- by By Morgan Jeffery
- Digital Spy
Lifetime is taking another step toward launching an "Army Wives" spinoff, casting Gabrielle Union in a pivotal role and planning an "embedded pilot" that will air this season.
The network has been developing a "Wives"-inspired crime drama during recent months under executive vp entertainment JoAnn Alfano. Now the project is moving to the next level, with Lifetime airing a special "Wives" episode near the end of the current fourth season that will set the stage to launch the potential series.
In the episode, "Wives" regular Pamela Moran (Brigid Brannagh) returns to her former career and becomes a detective with the Atlanta police department. Union will play her partner, Detective Gina Holt.
Union recently played Zoey in ABC's "FlashForward" and also was featured in NBC's "Life." She is repped by UTA and Jeff Morrone.
Embedded pilots have become an increasingly common way to shoot without significantly adding extra costs. "Wives...
The network has been developing a "Wives"-inspired crime drama during recent months under executive vp entertainment JoAnn Alfano. Now the project is moving to the next level, with Lifetime airing a special "Wives" episode near the end of the current fourth season that will set the stage to launch the potential series.
In the episode, "Wives" regular Pamela Moran (Brigid Brannagh) returns to her former career and becomes a detective with the Atlanta police department. Union will play her partner, Detective Gina Holt.
Union recently played Zoey in ABC's "FlashForward" and also was featured in NBC's "Life." She is repped by UTA and Jeff Morrone.
Embedded pilots have become an increasingly common way to shoot without significantly adding extra costs. "Wives...
- 6/13/2010
- by By James Hibberd
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
New York -- TNT on Wednesday unveiled 11 original series for the 2010-2011 TV season and announced projects in development with such big-name talent as Don Cheadle, Jamie Foxx, Mark Gordon, Mark Burnett, Ridley Scott, Tony Scott, Steven Bochco and Dean Devlin.
This summer, TNT will air seven new or returning originals: "The Closer," "Saving Grace," "Dark Blue," "Leverage," "Memphis Beat," "Rizzoli & Isles" and "Hawthorne." Later this year, "Men of a Certain Age" returns.
In 2011, the network will debut a new series from Steven Spielberg and starring Noah Wyle called "Fallen Skies," with "Southland" returning as well. It has also in recent days picked up buddy lawyer series "Franklin & Bash." starring Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Breckin Meyer.
Among the development shows are:
* An untitled Don Cheadle medical show:
With Cheadle as an executive producer, it focuses on 1971 Los Angeles, where a group of idealistic doctors open an urgent-care clinic in hopes of...
This summer, TNT will air seven new or returning originals: "The Closer," "Saving Grace," "Dark Blue," "Leverage," "Memphis Beat," "Rizzoli & Isles" and "Hawthorne." Later this year, "Men of a Certain Age" returns.
In 2011, the network will debut a new series from Steven Spielberg and starring Noah Wyle called "Fallen Skies," with "Southland" returning as well. It has also in recent days picked up buddy lawyer series "Franklin & Bash." starring Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Breckin Meyer.
Among the development shows are:
* An untitled Don Cheadle medical show:
With Cheadle as an executive producer, it focuses on 1971 Los Angeles, where a group of idealistic doctors open an urgent-care clinic in hopes of...
- 5/19/2010
- by By Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
ABC has added another single-camera comedy to its pilot roster.
On Monday, the network picked up "It Takes a Village," a new age nuclear family comedy from ABC Studios and producer Mark Gordon.
Written by Casey Johnson and David Windsor ("Greek"), "Village" centers on two exes and their new significant others as they join forces to raise their 15-year-old boy.
The project was originally developed at ABC a couple of seasons ago under the title "Family Values." At the time, the focus was on one of the parents, a gay dad, while now the show has been reworked as a "it takes a village" family comedy.
Johnson and Windsor are executive producing the pilot with Mark Gordon Co.'s Gordon, Deborah Spera and Andrea Shay.
On Monday, the network picked up "It Takes a Village," a new age nuclear family comedy from ABC Studios and producer Mark Gordon.
Written by Casey Johnson and David Windsor ("Greek"), "Village" centers on two exes and their new significant others as they join forces to raise their 15-year-old boy.
The project was originally developed at ABC a couple of seasons ago under the title "Family Values." At the time, the focus was on one of the parents, a gay dad, while now the show has been reworked as a "it takes a village" family comedy.
Johnson and Windsor are executive producing the pilot with Mark Gordon Co.'s Gordon, Deborah Spera and Andrea Shay.
- 2/1/2010
- by By Nellie Andreeva
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Lifetime has renewed its signature drama "Army Wives" for a fourth season to launch in 2010.
The 18-episode pickup comes four months ahead of the third-season premiere of "Army Wives" in June.
"Army Wives" is Lifetime's highest-rated series ever and cable's top drama series among women 18-49.
"This early pickup -- even prior to the Season 3 premiere -- is a true testament to our commitment and support of this great show," Lifetime executive vp JoAnn Alfano said.
"Army Wives" follows the struggles, dreams and friendships of a diverse group of women -- and one man -- living with their spouses and families on an active army post. The series, which is filming its third season in Charleston, S.C., stars Kim Delaney, Sally Pressman, Brigid Brannagh, Brian McNamara, Sterling K. Brown, Wendy Davis, Drew Fuller, Terry Serpico, Catherine Bell and recently upped regular Katelyn Pippy.
"Army Wives" is produced by ABC Studios...
The 18-episode pickup comes four months ahead of the third-season premiere of "Army Wives" in June.
"Army Wives" is Lifetime's highest-rated series ever and cable's top drama series among women 18-49.
"This early pickup -- even prior to the Season 3 premiere -- is a true testament to our commitment and support of this great show," Lifetime executive vp JoAnn Alfano said.
"Army Wives" follows the struggles, dreams and friendships of a diverse group of women -- and one man -- living with their spouses and families on an active army post. The series, which is filming its third season in Charleston, S.C., stars Kim Delaney, Sally Pressman, Brigid Brannagh, Brian McNamara, Sterling K. Brown, Wendy Davis, Drew Fuller, Terry Serpico, Catherine Bell and recently upped regular Katelyn Pippy.
"Army Wives" is produced by ABC Studios...
- 2/24/2009
- by By Nellie Andreeva
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
CBS is playing by the "House Rules."
The broadcast network on Monday handed out a pilot order to the political drama from ABC Studios and "Grey's Anatomy" exec producer Mark Gordon.
The project, penned by feature writer Michael Seitzman ("North Country"), follows the freshman class of congressmen/women as they begin their careers in Washington.
Seitzman, Gordon and Deborah Spera are exec producing.
"House Rules" marks the second drama pilot for Seitzman and Gordon in the past few days. On Friday, ABC picked up his "Empire State." It is understood that for Seitzman, "House Rules" is in first position.
It also marks the first pilot order from a non-Disney network for ABC Studios, which was merged with ABC last month with a new mandate to focus on supplying its sister broadcast network.
The young faces of Capitol Hill have been mined several times in the past few development seasons with...
The broadcast network on Monday handed out a pilot order to the political drama from ABC Studios and "Grey's Anatomy" exec producer Mark Gordon.
The project, penned by feature writer Michael Seitzman ("North Country"), follows the freshman class of congressmen/women as they begin their careers in Washington.
Seitzman, Gordon and Deborah Spera are exec producing.
"House Rules" marks the second drama pilot for Seitzman and Gordon in the past few days. On Friday, ABC picked up his "Empire State." It is understood that for Seitzman, "House Rules" is in first position.
It also marks the first pilot order from a non-Disney network for ABC Studios, which was merged with ABC last month with a new mandate to focus on supplying its sister broadcast network.
The young faces of Capitol Hill have been mined several times in the past few development seasons with...
- 2/2/2009
- by By Nellie Andreeva
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
ABC is getting into the Jerry Buckheimer crime drama business.
The network on Friday greenlighted an untitled pilot from the top producer to be directed by frequent Bruckheimer collaborator Danny Cannon.
Friday was a big day for the most prolific producers on TV, with McG and Mark Gordon also landing pilot orders from ABC.
McG is behind the high school musical drama "Limelight," which will be directed by David Semel, while Gordon exec produces the modern-day Romeo and Juliet tale "Empire State."
The Bruckheimer pilot, from Wbtv and Bruckheimer TV, was written by Mark Friedman. It centers on a team of amateur detectives working on cases of unidentified victims.
Friedman, Bruckheimer and Cannon are exec producing with Jonathan Littman.
If the pilot goes to series, it would be Bruckheimer's first scripted show on ABC. The network's previous regime famously passed on "CSI," developed at ABC Studios (then Touchstone) under current ABC Entertainment chief Stephen McPherson.
The network on Friday greenlighted an untitled pilot from the top producer to be directed by frequent Bruckheimer collaborator Danny Cannon.
Friday was a big day for the most prolific producers on TV, with McG and Mark Gordon also landing pilot orders from ABC.
McG is behind the high school musical drama "Limelight," which will be directed by David Semel, while Gordon exec produces the modern-day Romeo and Juliet tale "Empire State."
The Bruckheimer pilot, from Wbtv and Bruckheimer TV, was written by Mark Friedman. It centers on a team of amateur detectives working on cases of unidentified victims.
Friedman, Bruckheimer and Cannon are exec producing with Jonathan Littman.
If the pilot goes to series, it would be Bruckheimer's first scripted show on ABC. The network's previous regime famously passed on "CSI," developed at ABC Studios (then Touchstone) under current ABC Entertainment chief Stephen McPherson.
- 1/30/2009
- by By Nellie Andreeva
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
It's been a tumultuous few months for the women of Army Wives as infidelity, death, drug addiction and more have been keeping them busy, leaving loose ends all over the base. Yet, with record-breaking ratings and a third season on tap, don't expect the Season 2 finale (November 2, 10 pm/Et on Lifetime) to wrap anything up. Instead, executive producer Deborah Spera teased, Sunday's show should bring surprising cliffhangers and more complications for everyone.
We spoke with Spera, as well as Sally Pressman (Roxy) to get a hint of what drama might unfold in the closer, and beyond. Here's what the women shared with us about what to expect from the finale, including some of the specifics on...
We spoke with Spera, as well as Sally Pressman (Roxy) to get a hint of what drama might unfold in the closer, and beyond. Here's what the women shared with us about what to expect from the finale, including some of the specifics on...
- 11/3/2008
- by Anna Dimond
- TVGuide.com - Features
It's been a tumultuous few months for the women of Army Wives as infidelity, death, drug addiction and more have been keeping them busy, leaving loose ends all over the base. Yet, with record-breaking ratings and a third season on tap, don't expect the Season 2 finale (November 2, 10 pm/Et on Lifetime) to wrap anything up. Instead, executive producer Deborah Spera teased, Sunday's show should bring surprising cliffhangers and more complications for everyone.
We spoke with Spera, as well as Sally Pressman (Roxy) to get a hint of what drama might unfold in the closer, and beyond. Here's what the women shared with us about what to expect from the finale, including some of the specifics on...
We spoke with Spera, as well as Sally Pressman (Roxy) to get a hint of what drama might unfold in the closer, and beyond. Here's what the women shared with us about what to expect from the finale, including some of the specifics on...
- 11/3/2008
- by Anna Dimond
- TVGuide - Breaking News
Lifetime has picked up "Army Wives" for a third season with an 18-episode order.
The announcement, made Friday during the TV Critics Assn.'s summer press tour at the Beverly Hilton, comes only five weeks into the drama's second season, which also consists of 18 episodes. Season 3 is set to bow next year.
"Wives," from ABC Studios and the Mark Gordon Co., has set records for Lifetime since its premiere last summer. This season, the series ranks as ad-supported basic cable's No. 1 drama among Lifetime's key demos of women 18-49 and women 25-54.
Lifetime president and CEO Andrea Wong called the series a "game-changer" for the network.
"Announcing this early renewal is a testament to the enormous faith and confidence we have in this show and its incredibly talented cast and production team," Wong said.
"Wives," which airs at 10 p.m. Sundays, revolves around a group of women -- and one man -- living with their spouses and families on an active Army post. The cast includes Kim Delaney, Catherine Bell and Sally Pressman.
Said ABC Studios president Mark Pedowitz: "The show's strong cast and story lines, relevant to current culture, resonate with viewers. We expect the momentum to continue."
"Wives" is executive produced by Gordon, Deborah Spera, Nick Thiel and creator Katherine Fugate. The series is based on the book "Under the Sabers: The Unwritten Code of Military Marriage" by Tanya Biank, who serves as a consultant.
During Lifetime's Tca session, senior vp reality programming Jessica Samet also gave a brief overview of some unscripted projects in the works at the network, including a Carson Kressley-hosted talk show; the culinary-themed "Cook Yourself Thin" and "Mom's Cooking"; a project starring Sean Combs' ex Kim Porter, mother to three of his children; "The Week the Women Went," a competition featuring fathers; and "Love & Salsa," a dance-themed project starring Mario Lopez.
The announcement, made Friday during the TV Critics Assn.'s summer press tour at the Beverly Hilton, comes only five weeks into the drama's second season, which also consists of 18 episodes. Season 3 is set to bow next year.
"Wives," from ABC Studios and the Mark Gordon Co., has set records for Lifetime since its premiere last summer. This season, the series ranks as ad-supported basic cable's No. 1 drama among Lifetime's key demos of women 18-49 and women 25-54.
Lifetime president and CEO Andrea Wong called the series a "game-changer" for the network.
"Announcing this early renewal is a testament to the enormous faith and confidence we have in this show and its incredibly talented cast and production team," Wong said.
"Wives," which airs at 10 p.m. Sundays, revolves around a group of women -- and one man -- living with their spouses and families on an active Army post. The cast includes Kim Delaney, Catherine Bell and Sally Pressman.
Said ABC Studios president Mark Pedowitz: "The show's strong cast and story lines, relevant to current culture, resonate with viewers. We expect the momentum to continue."
"Wives" is executive produced by Gordon, Deborah Spera, Nick Thiel and creator Katherine Fugate. The series is based on the book "Under the Sabers: The Unwritten Code of Military Marriage" by Tanya Biank, who serves as a consultant.
During Lifetime's Tca session, senior vp reality programming Jessica Samet also gave a brief overview of some unscripted projects in the works at the network, including a Carson Kressley-hosted talk show; the culinary-themed "Cook Yourself Thin" and "Mom's Cooking"; a project starring Sean Combs' ex Kim Porter, mother to three of his children; "The Week the Women Went," a competition featuring fathers; and "Love & Salsa," a dance-themed project starring Mario Lopez.
- 7/11/2008
- by By Kimberly Nordyke
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Red-hot producer Mark Gordon has inked a new exclusive TV deal with ABC Studios.
The eight-figure overall pact is retroactive to June. It will keep Gordon's Mark Gordon Co. at the studio for four more years, until 2011.
Three years ago, Gordon, a successful feature producer, was a newcomer to television. Now he has tied fellow feature transplant, TV mogul Jerry Bruckheimer, as the producer with most scripted series on television -- five.
MGC's portfolio includes TV's highest-rated scripted series, ABC's Grey's Anatomy, along with CBS' solid crime drama Criminal Minds, Lifetime's hit Army Wives and two of the most-talked-about new series: the highly anticipated Grey's spinoff Private Practice on ABC and the CW's buzzworthy Reaper.
All five series, which Gordon shepherds with MGC television division president Deborah Spera, hail from ABC Studios, which signed Gordon in his first TV deal in summer 2004, shortly after the pilot for Grey's was picked up to series.
"This is the only deal I've had in television, the first place where I started making television, and I look forward to being here for a long, long time," Gordon said.
The eight-figure overall pact is retroactive to June. It will keep Gordon's Mark Gordon Co. at the studio for four more years, until 2011.
Three years ago, Gordon, a successful feature producer, was a newcomer to television. Now he has tied fellow feature transplant, TV mogul Jerry Bruckheimer, as the producer with most scripted series on television -- five.
MGC's portfolio includes TV's highest-rated scripted series, ABC's Grey's Anatomy, along with CBS' solid crime drama Criminal Minds, Lifetime's hit Army Wives and two of the most-talked-about new series: the highly anticipated Grey's spinoff Private Practice on ABC and the CW's buzzworthy Reaper.
All five series, which Gordon shepherds with MGC television division president Deborah Spera, hail from ABC Studios, which signed Gordon in his first TV deal in summer 2004, shortly after the pilot for Grey's was picked up to series.
"This is the only deal I've had in television, the first place where I started making television, and I look forward to being here for a long, long time," Gordon said.
- 9/25/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jae Kim has been upped to vp of TV development & production at the Mark Gordon Co., which has five series on the air, including ABC's Grey's Anatomy and its upcoming spinoff Private Practice.
Kim, who reports to MGC's president of television Deborah Spera, has been instrumental in the development and production of the company's breakout hit for Lifetime Army Wives, which has been picked up for a second season. He was also involved in the development of praised upcoming CW series Reaper and in overseeing production of CBS' Criminal Minds.
Before joining MGC, Kim was manager of original programming at Showtime.
Kim, who reports to MGC's president of television Deborah Spera, has been instrumental in the development and production of the company's breakout hit for Lifetime Army Wives, which has been picked up for a second season. He was also involved in the development of praised upcoming CW series Reaper and in overseeing production of CBS' Criminal Minds.
Before joining MGC, Kim was manager of original programming at Showtime.
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