TAGGED AS: news, spinoff, streaming, The Walking Dead, Trailer, TV
Just because the flagship is coming to an end doesn’t mean there won’t be more of The Walking Dead: AMC has announced that there are not one but two new spin-offs in the works. Other major developments this week include an update on the production of Atlanta‘s much-delayed third season, a big new TV role for former Veronica Mars guest star Jessica Chastain, yet another The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air update, and much more. Read on for the biggest stories in TV and streaming from the past week.
(Photo by Jackson Lee Davis/AMC)
The Walking Dead might be ending after an expanded 11th season, but the world of the AMC hit will live on in two new spin-offs — including an anthology series and one based on fan favorite duo Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) and Carol Peletier (Melissa McBride).
The two original cast members will return for the latter series, which was created by TWD universe boss Scott Gimple and current TWD showrunner Angela Kang and is set to premiere in 2023.
“It’s bittersweet to bring The Walking Dead to an end, but I could not be more excited to be working with Scott Gimple and AMC to develop a new series for Daryl and Carol. Working with Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride has been a highlight of my career, and I’m thrilled that we get to keep telling stories together,” Kang said in a statement announcing the news.
The second spin-off, Tales of the Walking Dead, is an anthology that will allow the franchise to dig into the backstories of existing characters, introduce new ones, and tell new stories in the world in standalone episodes or arcs.
McBride said in a statement that she’s thrilled she’ll get to explore the “Caryl” dynamic further in a spin-off with Reedus, her fellow original cast member.
“Their shared history is long, and each’s own personal fight to survive, even longer — the more obvious aspect of what has kept them close and loyal,” she wrote. “But there is also a rather mysterious aspect to their fondness for one another that I enjoy, and their playfulness when the world permits.”
Reedus’ statement was similar, singling out his character’s unique relationship with Carol.
“Daryl’s relationship with Carol has always been my favorite relationship on the show — sorry, Rick. I love the way these characters interact and relate to each other on so many levels and can’t wait to see where their ride goes from here.”
(Photo by Guy D'Alema/FX)
Fans of Donald Glover‘s groundbreaking comedy Atlanta are no stranger to delays — the second season premiered a full two years after the first — but the planned third season, which was supposed to film in 2020 and premiere in early 2021, has been pushed to an undetermined date thanks to COVID-19.
There’s good news, though: Because of the delay, Glover and his writing team have written all of season 3 — and all of season 4, too.
FX Networks chairman John Landgraf told reporters on Wednesday that the complications have come from scheduling all of the series’ in-demand stars, including Brian Tyree Henry, LaKeith Stanfield, and Zazie Beetz.
“One of the things that’s been an unexpected boon from COVID-19 is that writers have had a lot of time to write,” Landgraf said. “However, the availability [of actors] has been pushed back because of the [pandemic].
The third season will take place mainly in Europe, as Henry’s Al and Glover’s Earn flew overseas for a tour at the end of season 2, but season 4 is set back in Atlanta. The current production plan will see both seasons filmed concurrently — 10 episodes for season 3 and eight for season 4 — so they’ll both be in the can for future premiere dates.
Ooooh baby, guess who’s the new host of @Wipeout on @tbsnetwork? pic.twitter.com/YKVvYrzzy8
— nicole byer (@nicolebyer) September 10, 2020
TBS is going really, really big with Go-Big Show, its new hourlong “extreme talent competition” featuring “monster trucks, alligator trainers, stunt archery and other radical feats, the program celebrates daring acts alongside personal, behind-the-scenes stories from the challengers as they battle head-to-head to impress the judges and advance toward the finale’s ultimate $100,000 prize.”
Celebrity judges include Snoop Dogg, Rosario Dawson, Jennifer Nettles, and “The American Nightmare” Cody, and the series is hosted by comedian Bert Kreischer. It’s currently being filmed in Macon, GA under strict health and safety protocols.
Meanwhile, the network has hired John Cena and Nicole Byer to host its revamped version of Wipeout. The duo will provide commentary as contestants complete the series’ trademark wacky obstacle courses (big balls included), with Camille Kostek acting as field reporter.
The upcoming original cast reunion isn’t the only new Fresh Prince of Bel-Air content headed to TV: Will Smith announced this week that Peacock has ordered two seasons of a dramatic reboot called Bel-Air.
According to Peacock, the new series is a “serialized one-hour dramatic analogue of the ’90s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air that leans into the original premise: Will’s complicated journey from the streets of West Philadelphia to the gated mansions of Bel-Air. With a reimagined vision, Bel-Air will dive deeper into the inherent conflicts, emotions and biases that were impossible to fully explore in a 30-minute sitcom format, while still delivering swagger and nods to the original show.”
And it’s all based on a viral parody trailer from Morgan Cooper, who will also direct, co-write, and co-executive produce alongside showrunner Chris Collins.
Freeform has teamed up with Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle star (and former Barack Obama White House staffer) Kal Penn for a new unscripted series, Kal Penn Approves This Message, that will help reach out to Millennial and Gen Z voters. The series, which premieres September 22, is described as a “smart, irreverent unscripted comedy series” featuring funny field pieces and a sit-down between Penn and a featured guests. Topics will include voting basics, voter empowerment, the economy, and climate change.
The CW is also hoping its viewers stay civically engaged with its new Vote Actually campaign, featuring PSAs starring the network’s on-air talent encouraging the audience to register to vote, obtain a mail-in ballot if applicable and know the deadlines in their individual states.
The upcoming horror anthology Monsterland, set to debut October 2 on Netflix, released its first trailer this week. The creepy two-minute clip reveals just a portion of the mermaids, fallen angels, and “other strange beasts” that inspire the horror of the series, which comes from Mary Laws and is based on Nathan Ballingrud’s story collection North-American Lake Monsters. Stars include Kaitlyn Dever, Jonathan Tucker, Nicole Beharie, Kelly Marie Tran, Mike Colter, and many, many more.
More trailers and teasers released this week:
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(Photo by Richard Olley/Columbia Pictures)
Jessica Chastain is headed to TV in George & Tammy, a new limited series from Spectrum Originals and Paramount Network about country music power couple Tammy Wynette and George Jones and the complicated relationship that inspired some of the most iconic country music of all time. The series will air exclusively for Spectrum cable subscribers, and after a nine month window it’ll air on Paramount Network and the forthcoming streaming service from ViacomCBS.
Production on Season 2 of Greg Nicotero’s Shudder horror anthology Creepshow is officially underway in Atlanta. New stars this year include Anna Camp, Keith David, Ashley Laurence, and Josh McDermitt.
Titans‘ Alan Ritchson will play the titular role in Amazon’s upcoming Jack Reacher series, about the former military man at the center of Lee Child’s bestselling novel series. And don’t worry — he’ll continue playing a superhero on Titans, too.
Saturday Night Live featured player Ego Nwodim has been promoted to full cast member for the late-night sketch comedy stalwart’s 46th season.
Denise Richards is leaving The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills after two seasons, according to Variety. The most recent season of the Bravo hit featured the actress fighting with her cast mates amid rumors of her hooking up with former Housewife Brandi Glanville, though Richards has denied the rumors.
Karrueche Tran has joined the second season of BET’s Games People Play, alongside Lauren London and series regulars Sarunas J. Jackson, Karen Obilom, Parker McKenna Posey, Jackie Long, and Kendall Kyndall.
HBO Max’s dog-grooming competition Haute Dog will feature celebrity dog groomer Jess Rona and Emmy nominee Robin Thede judging the canine makeovers, with comedian Matt Rogers hosting. It was filmed under strict COVID-19 precautions this summer and premieres Sept. 24.
(Photo by ABC)
The black-ish universe is getting even bigger: ABC is eyeing a third spin-off from the network’s long-running sitcom. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the newest installment would be old-ish, following Laurence Fishburne and Jenifer Lewis‘s characters. The new series would join the college-set grown-ish and the ’80s-set prequel, mixed-ish.
Doogie Howser, M.D. is getting a new look: Disney + announced it has ordered a rebooted version of the classic series about a teen doctor, this time starring a 16-year-old girl prodigy balancing a new medical career with life as a teenager. Doogie Kameāloha, M.D. is a 10-episode comedy following Lahela “Doogie” Kameāloha, a mixed race 16-year-old girl with an Irish mother and Hawaiian father who guide her (and sometimes complicate things) as she juggles her responsibilities. It’s set in present-day Hawaii with showrunner Kourtney Kang at the helm.
Starz’s series adaptation of Blindspotting is a go: The network officially ordered a spin-off of the 2018 feature film from Daveed Diggs (Hamilton, Snowpiercer) and Rafael Casal (Bad Education, Are You Afraid of the Dark?). Both men will write and serve as executive producers, with Casal taking showrunner duties in addition to a recurring role. The series will focus on teacher Ashley (Hamilton‘s Jasmine Cephas Jones, who will also produce and was also in the original film), whose partner of 12 years was suddenly incarcerated, forcing Ashley and their young son to move in with his family.
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos have signed a deal with Lifetime to produce two new movies for the network’s Ripped from the Headlines series. They’ll serve as executive producers alongside Albert Bianchini in the two true crime-themed projects, which are scheduled to premiere in 2021.
HBO Max has ordered a script for a series based on the Newberry Medal-winning mystery The Westing Game. The YA book follows the events that unfold when 16 people gather for the reading of eccentric, game-loving millionaire Samuel W. Westing’s will.
Fantasy novel series The Wheel of Time is one of Amazon Prime Video’s most anticipated upcoming adaptations — next to a little series called The Lord of the Rings, of course. The streamer served up a delectable tease to fans this week.
“You want stories?" Thom Merrilin declaimed. "I have stories, and I will give them to you. I will make them come alive before your eyes.” #WOTonPrime pic.twitter.com/f0wlr3t7Sf
— The Wheel Of Time (@TheWheelOfTime) September 9, 2020
