News, updates, and (mostly viable) rumors relating to development of science fiction / fantasy television productions. If you have tips or more info on these or other productions, please pass them along in the comments.
Pilot season is ramping up, so expect quite a number of development announcements over the next few months. And we have learned this last week that two previously announced shows will not be going forward. TNT has decided to pass on the Titans series based on the DC comic book superteam of the same name. And FXX has cancelled production of the post-apocalyptic, girl buddy-cop animated series Cassius & Clay after originally ordering it to series. No episodes of that were produced beyond the pilot and there is no word yet if that one or Titans will be shopped around to other venues. But sci fi TV development continues full steam ahead and following are five more shows that are currently in the works:
Marvel’s Most Wanted
Network: ABC
Production Team: Jeffrey Bell (Executive Producer), Paul Zbyszewski (Executive Producer)
Starring: Adrianne Palicki, Nick Blood
Status: Pilot Ordered
About: This spin-off series from Agents of SHIELD will follow the characters Bobbie Morse, aka Mockingbird, and Lance Hunter introduced on the parent show.
Comments: This has been in the works for a while, but ABC has officially confirmed a pilot order now and it will be considered as an addition to the network’s 2016-17 schedule. Source: Deadline Hollywood
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Tales from the Crypt
Network: TNT
Production Team: M. Night Shyamalan (Executive Producer)
Status: Early Development
About: This will be a revival of the horror series inspired by the EC comics that aired on HBO in the 90’s
Comments: This series will be the centerpiece of a “two hour block of horror and suspense content” programmed by Shyamalan that will air weekly on TNT. The series will likely bow later this year. Source: Deadline Hollywood
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Dirk Gently
Network: BBC America
Production Team: Max Landis (Writer/Executive Producer), AMC Studios (Studio)
Status: Early Production
About: This series is based on the titular time travelling detective from the novels written by Douglas Adams.
Comments: The development of this series was previously announced and now BBC America has officially placed an order for an eight-part first season which will adapt the first novel in the book series Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency. This is not related to the four episode BBC series which also adapted Dirk Gently back in 2010. Source: Variety
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Powerless
Network: NBC
Production Team: Ben Queen (Writer/Executive Producer), Michael Patrick (Director/Executive Producer)
Status: Pilot Ordered
About: “Powerless is a single-camera office comedy set in the DC Comics universe, following the lives of the average employees at an insurance company and their quest to find their own power.”. Source: The Wrap
Comments: NBC has officially ordered a pilot for this previously announced series and will consider it as an addition to their 2016-17 season.
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People of Earth
Network: TBS
Production Team: David Jenkins (Writer), Greg Daniels (Showrunner/Executive Producer), Connaco (Production Company)
Starring: Wyatt Cenac, Oscar Nunez, Ana Gasteyer, Michael Cassidy, Nancy Lenehan, Luka Jones
Status: Early Production
About: This comedy series will be about “a support group for people who have been abducted by aliens”. Source: Variety
Comments: TBS has given this series a ten episode order and it will likely air later in the year.
