The SpoilerTV Daily Newsreel - 20th January 2017 *Updated*

00:05 - Happy! - Lili Mirojnick Joins Syfy Pilot as a Series Regular

Lili Mirojnick (Friends With Benefits) has signed on for a series regular role opposite Chris Meloni in Syfy pilot Happy!, based on Grant Morrison and Darick Robertson’s graphic novel.

Originally written by Morrison and co-created with artist Darick Robertson, Happy!, from Universal Cable Productions, follows Nick Sax (Meloni) – an intoxicated, corrupt ex-cop turned hit man — who is adrift in a world of casual murder, soulless sex and betrayal. After a hit gone wrong, his inebriated life is forever changed by a tiny, relentlessly positive, imaginary blue winged horse.

Mirojnick will play Det. Meredith McCarthy, a tough homicide detective in a man’s world. She’s a good cop who’s had to swallow her pride and give up her ideals to save her job and protect her elderly mother. Will the secrets of her past bring damnation – or redemption.

Source:

Deadline

---

00:05 - When The Street Lights Go On, Citizen and Citizen - Pilots Passed On By Hulu
Thanks to Jovan and Alex for the heads up.

The Sundance Film Festival increasingly has been opening its doors to television, with new TV series making their premiere there and independently produced pilots getting screenings alongside independent movies in search of a buyer.

But there is a first at this year’s indie festival with When the Street Lights Go On, a pilot commissioned by Hulu that was passed on by the streaming service and has been looking for a new home. The project, produced by Paramount TV and Anonymous Content, will have its world premiere today at 2:30 PM at the the Egyptian Theatre in Park City, with a second screening tomorrow in Salt Lake City.

Hulu late last year passed on its remaining pilots, including When the Street Lights Go On and Citizen, both from Paramount TV, and Crushed from Lionsgate TV. As Paramount TV was shopping Street Lights to other outlets, Morgen, with the company’s blessing, reached out to the Sundance festival’s longtime programmer Trevor Groth, sending him a copy of the busted pilot, and it was taken in as part of the festival’s Independent Pilot Showcase. The relatively new program presents independently developed and financed projects. Two years ago, the showcase featured Animals, a privately financed animated series from fellow Sundance darlings, the Duplass brothers. The screenings drew interest and led to a two-season pickup by HBO.

Source:

Read More on Deadline

---

05:30 - Girl Meets World - Netflix Passes on Picking Up Disney Channel Comedy
Thanks to RD for the heads up.

One avenue for more “Girl Meets World” episodes has closed, as TheWrap has learned that Netflix will not be picking up the recently canceled Disney Channel sitcom for more episodes.

The “Boy Meets World” spinoff was canceled on Jan. 4, immediately sparking fan backlash and campaigns for the series, about Cory (Ben Savage) and Topanga’s (Danielle Fishel) daughter Riley (Rowan Blanchard) and her friends, to continue on another platform.

As fans mounted campaigns for Netflix or Hulu or another platform to pick up the show, showrunner Michael Jacobs admitted he doesn’t agree with the cancellation decision at the show’s current network and said that there is more story to tell.

“We are certainly having discussions, there are some interested platforms,” he said. “I don’t think ‘Girl should have been canceled. We signed to do four seasons. I thought we would be able to tell stories through four seasons. That’s the way we set it up. It was going to be a remarkable final year. But I understand, things end.”

There’s no word yet if Hulu or another platform may pick up the show though Netflix will not be its savior.

Disney Channel had no comment. A rep for Jacobs did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.

Source:

The Wrap

---

05:30 - MOVIES: Colossal - Trailer feat Anne Hathaway

---

05:30 - Brown Girls - Andrew Lees, Omar Maskati and Natalie Dreyfuss Join Freeform Comedy Pilot

The Originals alum Andrew Lees, Omar Maskati (Better Call Saul) and Natalie Dreyfuss (National Treasure: The Book of Secrets) have landed series regular roles opposite Hina Abdullah and Punam Patel in Brown Girls, Freeform’s multi-camera comedy pilot written by Shilpi Roy and Nastaran Dibai.

Brown Girls centers on the relationship between Rimmi (Abdullah), an Indian-American aspiring beauty vlogger, and Devi (Patel), a young woman who recently has emigrated from India. Brought together by family, Rimmi and Devi instantly clash over their different views on modern life and love while slowly realizing they have something to learn from each another.

Lees plays Brian, Rimmi’s ex-boyfriend, who is now her best friend. He loves all things Indian, and has a great relationship with Rimmi’s mother back in India. Brian is thrilled when Rimmi starts hanging out with her family friend Devi. Maskati will portray Shaan, an attractive but awkward financial consultant, originally from India, who had a brief flirtation with Rimmi (Abdullah) and is embarrassed when their paths cross again. Dreyfuss plays Stella, Rimmi’s fun loving and self-absorbed boss at Glossy.com, who is unimpressed when Rimmi tries to become a YouTube star, and suggests she do something more “authentic.”

Roy co-executive produces the pilot, which is executive produced by Dibai, Tracy Katsky, Aaron Kaplan and Dana Honor. The Big Bang Theory‘s Mark Cendrowski is directing.

Source:

Deadline

---

21:50 - NCIS: Los Angeles Star Miguel Ferrer Passes Away
Thanks to everyone who sent in this sad news.

Actor Miguel Ferrer, who had memorable roles on NCIS: Los Angeles and Crossing Jordan, has died at the age of 61.

Ferrer passed away Thursday after a long battle with cancer, our sister site Deadline reports. Since midway through Season 3, Ferrer has played NCIS: Los Angeles‘ Assistant Director Owen Granger, who in the CBS drama’s Jan. 15 episode was caught in the crosshairs of the mole hunt, framed for the assault of a woman he met at a bar. He also played medical examiner Dr. Garret Macy opposite Jill Hennessy on NBC’s 2001-07 crime drama Crossing Jordan

Source:

TVLine

---

20:30 - MOVIES: Shazam Splitting in 2 Films

The New Line DC property Shazam! has morphed into two pictures. Black Adam has proved vibrant enough to become its own film, to star Dwayne Johnson. He was excited enough about his meeting last week at the studio to tweet his happiness, after a hard shoot on the newest Fast & Furious installment. It is looking like yet another franchise for the amiable big man.

Source:

Deadline

---

20:30 - The Inhumans - Roel Reine to Direct First 2 Episodes

Director Roel Reine (“Admiral,” “The Delivery”) will help bring “Marvel’s The Inhumans” to life, helming the first two episodes of the upcoming series!

Roel Reine was born in the Netherlands, and with his first theatrical feature “The Delivery” he won the Golden Calf (the Dutch equivalent to an Academy Award) for Best Director. His 2015 movie “Admiral,” an epic historical Dutch language movie, had a very successful theatrical release worldwide. In 2015 it was the only Dutch movie in the Netherlands’ top ten box office, right in between “Jurassic World” and “Furious 7.” The movie tells the story of a 17th Century Admiral, Michiel de Ruyter, who protects the Dutch population from a civil war between two political factions while defeating English armadas in massive sea-battles. In 2016 Roel directed his first American television series “Black Sails” for Michael Bay and STARZ.

“Marvel’s The Inhumans” will premiere a version of the first two episodes first in IMAX commercial theatres, marking the first time a live-action television series has debuted in this manner. The series, produced in conjunction with ABC Studios and filmed entirely with IMAX digital cameras, will run worldwide exclusively in IMAX for two weeks at the beginning of September 2017. ABC plans to then premiere the weekly series in fall, with additional exclusive content that can only be seen on the network.

Source:

Marvel

---

05:00 - Superstore - Season 2 - Tony Plana Cast as Amy's Dad

Introducing Amy's dad on @NBCSuperstore ! It's @tonyplana ! What do you mean that's weird? I'm not following... #alternateTVuniverse #TVdad pic.twitter.com/FtfKIZGBQ5

— America Ferrera (@AmericaFerrera) January 18, 2017

---

05:00 - This Is Us - Katie Couric and Brian Tyree Henry to Guest Star

This Is Us creator Dan Fogelman told TCA press corps today that Katie Couric and Brian Tyree Henry will guest star on future episodes of the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominated series.

Former Today host Couric will make a cameo appearance as herself while Henry will play a friend from William’s (Jermel Nakia/Ron Cephas Jones) past in the present day and in flashbacks. Couric will appear in an episode where she interviews Justin Hartley’s Kevin Pearson character.

Source:

Deadline

---

05:00 - Supergirl - Season 2 - Kevin Smith to Direct Another Episode
Thanks to Mkone for the heads up.

When Supergirl returns to The CW on Monday, fan-favorite writer/director Kevin Smith will helm the 2017 premiere, titled "Supergirl Lives."

And just moments ago, Smith told ComicBook.com that he will return for a second episode this season -- the as-yet-untitled seventeenth episode of the season.

Smith said that midway through the episode, producers started feeling out his schedule. Ultimately, they offered him episode 17, which he described as "sweet," saying that it was nice that producers liked the job he was doing enough to bring him back within the season.

Source:

Read More on ComicBook.com

---

05:00 - The Strain - Season 4 - Jocelyn Hudon Cast in Multi-Episode Arc

Canadian actress Jocelyn Hudon (Pixels) has landed a multi-episode arc on the final season of FX’s vampire thriller The Strain.

Hudon plays Abby, a young woman in a perilous circumstance, who has to use all of her skills to try and survive in an upended world. The Strain has the very survival of humanity at stake, with New York City as a battleground. Written off by the federal government, the citizens are on their own in the ultimate showdown between humans and strigoi.

Source:

Deadline

---

05:00 - Rosewood - Season 2 - Manny Montana to Recur

Graceland alum Manny Montana is set to recur on Fox drama series Rosewood. The Miami-set medical procedural follows top private pathologist Dr. Beaumont Rosewood Jr. (Morris Chestnut) and tough-as-nails Detective Annalise Villa (Jaina Lee Ortiz) as they investigate East Miami PD’s most challenging cases.

Montana will play Marcos Villa, brother of Detective Annalise Villa (Ortiz) who just finished his third tour in the Army. He’s recently returned to Miami but we have yet to find out exactly why he’s there. Montana, who’s currently a series regular on ABC’s legal drama Conviction, is repped by Innovative Artists and Trademark Talent.

Source:

Deadline

---

05:00 - MOVIES: Pitch Perfect 3 - John Michael Higgins Returning

John Michael Higgins, who plays the dry and hilarious John Smith in the Pitch Perfect movies, confirmed to EW he will be back for Pitch Perfect 3.

“The end of this month, yes, I’ll be starting my part, at least, of Pitch Perfect 3,” he told EW at the Television Critics Association press tour Wednesday, where he discussed his new NBC sitcom Great News.

Higgins’ pundit is paired with Gail Abernathy-McKadden-Feinberger, played by Pitch Perfect 2 director Elizabeth Banks; she’ll return to the mic as Gail for Pitch Perfect 3. As for what can be expected of the announcing duo, Higgins didn’t divulge any teases — because he doesn’t have any to tease.

“I know very little; I sort of keep it that way, as sort of a technique,” he said. “I want to read or know as little as I can before I get there. It’s kind of an improv thing. In other words, I like to be surprised, because my reaction, my joke will be better. … I need to be very fresh on the set. Even with my lines, I won’t look at them until I’m in the makeup chair, and I’m just about to step on. I’ll never look at it the night before.”

Source:

Entertainment Weekly

---

17th January 2017

04:45 - MOVIES: Oceans Eight - Richard Armitage Joins Cast

EXCLUSIVE: British actor Richard Armitage, who’s had roles in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit franchise and Alice Through the Looking Glass, has joined the cast of Ocean’s Eight.

Details of his character are being kept under wraps but he’s in good company in the female-driven caper with stars Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Awkwafina, Rihanna, Helena Bonham Carter and James Corden.

Source:

Deadline

---

04:45 - 24: Legacy - Prequel Comic from IDW Coming in April

With Donald Trump taking office at the end of this week, the time is ripe for a reboot of Dick Cheney’s favorite gratuitous torture porn show, 24. Called 24: Legacy, the spin-off will star a brand new Jack Bauer, this time named Eric Carter, played by Corey Hawkins, but will still feature basically the same plot as every season of the original did. This time around though, for variety, the villains will be someone other than Muslim terrorist threats. Haha, just kidding, it’s about Muslim terrorists again.

But in case eleven episodes of excruciating cliffhangers before one final episode with any kind of resolution isn’t enough for you, IDW will be publishing a prequel comic by Christopher Farnsworth and Antonio Fuso, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Called 24: Legacy – Rules of Engagement, the five issue comic will “fill out the backstory of Eric Carter, the lead of the new TV series, by showing his experience in Iraq and Washington, D.C., before he became a national hero (and, subsequently, a hunted man) for killing a terrorist leader in the Middle East.”

Source:

Full Article on Bleeding Cool

---

01:30 - MOVIES: Attack on Titan - Eyed By Warner Bros & Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Producer for Feature Adaptation

EXCLUSIVE: Warner Bros. is negotiating to get the feature rights for the Japanese manga IP Attack on Titan, which was written and illustrated by Hajime Isayama and has been churned out for both TV and films in Japan. The project is for its Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them producer David Heyman.

The story follows humans living behind a wall through generations to keep themselves safe from the alien Titans. However, curious as to what is beyond the wall, they form a scouting mission. It is not long before they find themselves battling the Titans as they try to save humanity once again.

The feature would be a remake of the Japanese film that was done in two parts. In 2015, Part 1 ended up as the seventh-highest-grossing locally produced film. Part II did not do as well.

Source:

Deadline

---

01:30 - MOVIES: Darkest Minds - Harris Dickinson Cast in Lead Role in YA Movie Adaptation

EXCLUSIVE: Beach Rats star Harris Dickinson has landed a lead role opposite Amandla Stenberg in Fox’s upcoming adaptation of Alexandra Bracken’s popular young-adult novel series, Darkest Minds. Harris will play Liam, who, along with Ruby Daly (Stenberg), develops superpowers after surviving a deadly pandemic that kills the vast majority of children in the country. Jennifer Yuh Nelson is directing the adaptation from a script penned by Chad Hodge, who also co-created and executive produces TNT’s Good Behavior.

Source:

Deadline

---

01:30 - Jane the Virgin - Season 3 - Johnny Messner to Recur

Johnny Messner has signed on for a recurring role opposite Yael Grobglas on the third season of the CW’s Jane The Virgin. He’ll play Chuck, confident and smarmy, aka “Chuck the Marauder,” he is the new owner of the adults-only hotel next door.

Source:

Deadline

---

01:30 - Counterpart - Guy Burnet to Recur in Starz Spy Thriller

British actor Guy Burnet (Ray Donovan, The Affair) has landed a recurring role on Counterpart, Starz’s upcoming spy thriller opposite Michael Nyqvist, Nazanin Boniadi, Nicholas Pinnock and Sara Serraiocco. Described as an espionage thriller with a metaphysical twist, Counterpart is the story of Howard Silk (Simmons), a lowly cog in a bureaucratic agency who discovers that the agency he works for is really guarding a crossing into a parallel dimension. Through Howard and his counterpart on the other side, the show will navigate themes of identity, what-ifs and lost love.

Burnet will play Claude Lambert, arrogant and high-living French ambassador from the “Other Side” whose bonhomie covers an intrinsic ruthlessness. Lambert has an impromptu meeting with Howard Prime — but it’s obvious he has a long-standing agenda he intends to implement, and he’s willing to grant any concessions to achieve his end — namely, to have a mysterious prisoner returned to his country’s custody. Obviously a cog in a greater conspiracy, he greatly complicates Prime’s investigation when he revokes his visa…. In addition to Counterpart, Burnet recently booked a role in Pitch Perfect 3 playing Theo, and has an upcoming arc on the second season of Hand of God.

Source:

Deadline

---

01:30 - MOVIES: White Men Can’t Jump - Remake in Development
Thanks to Emily for the heads up.

Black-ish creator Kenya Barris is lacing up his sneakers for a White Men Can’t Jump remake.

EW has confirmed that Fox is developing a remake of the 1992 Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes basketball comedy, with Barris writing and producing the project.

The original film was written and directed by Ron Shelton and starred Harrelson and Snipes as rival Los Angeles area streetballers. They soon join forces to hustle other unsuspecting players who assume Harrelson’s Billy Hoyt can’t play because he’s white. Co-starring was Rosie Perez as Hoyt’s fesity girlfriend Gloria, an aspiring Jeopardy competitor.

Giving Barris an assist on the film are Carolina Panthers center Ryan Kalil and someone who knows a lot about dunking, Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin. The duo, alongside their partner Noah Weinstein, will also produce the project through their company Mortal Media.

Source:

Entertainment Weekly

---

16th January 2017

21:15 - Barry - Production Begins This Spring for 2018 Debut

COMEDY SERIES BARRY, STARRING BILL HADER, TO BEGIN PRODUCTION THIS SPRING FOR 2018 DEBUT ON HBO

Hader And Alec Berg Created And Executive Produce Show

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 14, 2017 – The comedy series BARRY, starring Bill Hader, will begin production on its eight-episode season in Los Angeles this spring, it was announced today by Casey Bloys, president, HBO Programming. Hader (“Saturday Night Live”) and Alec Berg (HBO’s “Silicon Valley”) serve as co-creators, executive producers and writers on the show, which is slated for 2018 debut on the network.

“From ‘Saturday Night Live’ and ‘Documentary Now!’ to a host of standout feature films, Bill Hader has consistently displayed amazing comedy smarts and impressive range as an actor, producer, writer and, now, director*,”* noted Bloys. “We are delighted to welcome him to the network for this exciting series.”

Hader stars in the title role as a hitman who, after following his intended target to an acting class, finds himself intrigued and decides to become an actor and change his life. As well as starring in the series, Hader will direct episodes of the show, marking his directorial debut. Other cast regulars include Stephen Root (HBO’s “All the Way”), Sarah Goldberg (“Hindsight”), Glenn Fleshler (HBO’s “True Detective”), Anthony Carrigan (“Gotham”) and Henry Winkler (“Arrested Development”).

BARRY is executive produced by Hader and Alec Berg; produced by Aida Rogers.
Contact: New York: Tobe Becker or Diego Aldana (212) 512-5492 or 5496

Source:

HBO

---

13th January 2017

02:30 - Heathers - Anthology Ordered to Series at TV Land

TV Land is boldly going where it has not gone before: into hourlong originals.

The Viacom-owned cable network has handed out a series order to its Heathers reboot and handed out an early season two renewal to Melissa McCarthy-produced comedy Nobodies. TV Land president of development Keith Cox made the announcement Friday at the Television Critics Association's winter press tour.

The 10-episode Heathers, based on the 1988 cult classic,becomes TV Land's first hourlong original series. Sources tell THR that Heathers was picked up to pilot and filmed as a single-camera comedy but the final cut came in at more than 40 minutes with a considerably darker tone. TV Land loved it and opted to turn it into its first hourlong. Creatively, the 10-episode order was the request of writer Jason Micallef, who asked for 10 rather than the 13 half-hours as originally planned.

Set to debut in the fall, it is described as a "pitch-black" comedic anthology. Insiders say the anthology component will be similar to FX's Fargo and feature a new group of "Heathers" — no matter the setting. The decision to shift Heathers to an hourlong format comes as TV Land was mulling a move into drama last year, having bid for Marti Noxon's Dietland (which ultimately went to AMC). "We haven't gone out into the community and said we need to be in the drama business because everyone is in it. It goes back to that we're chasers, so we're not going to sit here and hear a drama pitch. We're going to be strategic: What is our voice in drama? Then we'll go out and get it," Cox told THR during an October Executive Suite interview.

"Our take on Heathers is a cinematic, surprising and twisted comedy that gives a wonderful nod to the film while also creating something entirely its own," Cox said of the project that was developed as a single-camera comedy. "We’re really passionate about this show and the satirical story-telling its provocative characters allow."

Source:

The Hollywood Reporter

---

02:30 - The Originals - Showrunner Michael Narducci Exits for ABC Studios Overall Deal

Showrunner Michael Narducci is stepping down and leaving producers Warner Bros. Television in favor of a two-year overall deal with ABC Studios, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

Under his new two-year pact, Narducci will create and develop projects for the studio behind such hits as Grey's Anatomy and American Crime. The deal brings him closer into the Disney family after developing Vertigo comic book Unfollow last season for ABC as part of his deal with WBTV.

While the news may sound alarming for The Originals, which returns March 17, production on The Vampire Diaries spinoff's fourth season has already been completed. The Originals, like all midseason and freshman shows, was left off the list of the network's early renewals. Should the series return for a fifth season, creator Julie Plec would take over showrunning duties as The Vampire Diaries will have wrapped its run this season.

"Mike got an opportunity he couldn't pass up," Plec told THR. "He has been a brilliant partner and friend and I'm going to miss him desperately."

Source:

The Hollywood Reporter

---

23:20 - Tangled: Before Ever After - Trailer
You may think you know Rapunzel’s story, but find out what happens before ever after. New Disney Channel Original Movie coming to Disney Channel in March. Tangled: The Series shortly thereafter.

---

23:15 - Fatal Attraction - Reboot Not Moving Forward at FOX

Fox has opted not to proceed with Fatal Attraction, an event series reboot of the iconic Paramount thriller. The network put the project in development in 2015, with Mad Men alums Maria and Andre Jacquemetton executive producing and writing and Paramount Television and 20th Century Fox TV producing.

Fatal Attraction heated up in late 2016, with active casting done in anticipation of a pickup. But I hear that, after receiving the script, Fox brass ultimately opted against a green light. The project also couldn’t land Megan Fox for the lead. Rebooting an iconic title is always tricky, so these projects undergo extra scrutiny.

Source:

Deadline

---

23:15 - Hap and Leonard - Season 2 - Trailer, Premiere Date & Synopsis

Hap and Leonard returns to SundanceTV on March 15 at 10:00 p.m. EST.

The Hap and Leonard: Mucho Mojo trailer is finally here! Mark your calendars for March 15th... mucho mayhem is coming your way. #MuchoMojo pic.twitter.com/dDcAI0ZMUi

— Hap and Leonard (@HapAndLeonard) January 13, 2017

Based on the book series by Joe R. Lansdale, Hap and Leonard follows two lifelong best friends — Hap (James Purefoy) and Leonard Pine (Michael Kenneth Williams) — as they find themselves in much-trouble, caught in the middle of a murder mystery with more twists and turns than an East Texas highway. The Story begins with a skeleton, Trudy’s missing ashes, a litter pissing match with a neighborhood drug dealer, and a piece of MeMaw’s famous pie.

---

23:15 - Living Single - Revival in Talks Queen Latifah Reveals
Thanks to Emily for the heads up.

We may not be living in a ’90s kind of world anymore, but for the record, Queen Latifah would still be glad to have her girls.

During an appearance on Thursday’s Watch What Happens Live, Latifah revealed that a revival of Living Single — which ran for five seasons on Fox from 1993 to 1998 — is currently in the works.

“Funny you should ask,” Latifah replied to a caller who inquired about a possible reunion. “We’re actually working on it. … It’s not there yet, but hopefully we can get it happening.” Latifah added that getting the original cast — which also included Kim Coles, Erika Alexander and Kim Fields — back for the project “would be the goal.”

When host Andy Cohen asked if the revival would come courtesy of Netflix, Latifah — currently a cast member on Fox’s Star — responded, “It depe

Source:

TVLine