There were several more development announcements this week including a few big ones. Expect more news in the coming weeks as the broadcast networks start looking ahead to Pilot Season.
BBC America has ordered The Watch to series based on Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels
Network: BBC America
Credits: Simon Allen (Writer / Executive Producer), Terry Pratchett (Creator), BBC Studios (Studio)
Starring:
Description: “Based on Pratchett’s popular Discworld novels, The Watch will follow Pratchett’s misfit cop characters as they struggle to save a ramshackle city based on the “City Watch” subset of the series. Many of Pratchett’s literary characters will also make an appearance including the City Watch Captain Sam Vimes, the last scion of nobility Lady Sybil Ramkin, the naïve but heroic Carrot, the mysterious Angua and the ingenious non-binary forensics expert Cheery alongside Pratchett’s original characterization of Death.” Variety
Comments: Previously announced in development, this one is now moving forward to series. BBC America will likely target late 2019 to get this on the air.
The first Game of Thrones spin-off will be titled The Long Night
Network: HBO
Credits: Jane Goldman (Writer / Showrunner / Executive Producer), George R.R. Martin (Executive Producer)
Starring: Naomi Watts
Description: “The Long Night was a period when the White Walkers emerged, the First Men were trapped in a bleak winter and Bran the Builder famously erected the Wall.” CBR.com
Comments: This is still early in development without much information available at the moment. Expect more updates over the coming months.
Falcon / Winter Soldier mini-series in the works for Disney streaming service
Network: Disney Streaming
Credits: Malcolm Spellman (Writer)
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan
Description: This series will team up the characters the Falcon and the Winter Soldier, both previously seen in the Marvel Universe movies. Variety
Comments: There is not too much in the way of specifics on this one yet, but it will join the Scarlet Witch and Loki mini-series already in development for the upcoming streaming service.
Castlevania EP in talks to produce Legend of Zelda series
Network: TBA
Credits: Adi Shankar (Executive Producer)
Starring: TBA
Description: The video game “follows the adventures of a wandering hero named Link, who must collect magical artifacts to save the princess Zelda and defeat an evil wizard named Ganon.” The Wrap
Comments: This is in the very early stages of development and there is no word on whether it will be animated or live action. Expect more updates on this one in the coming months.
Laurence Fishburne will star in and produce UFO drama Series Rendlesham
Network: TBA
Credits: Laurence Fishburne (Executive Producer), Helen Sugland (Executive Producer), Sony Pictures Television (Studio)
Starring: Laurence Fishburne
Description: “Fishburne will play Tyrone, a retired American airman who was stationed at the U.S. base during the Cold War. With his wife Carol and son Brock, Tyrone returns to the area to visit Carol’s dying father, and is forced to face events that have haunted him his whole life.” Variety
Comments: No network is attached to this one at the moment, but it should draw some interest.
The Fall season is in full swing now with close to fifty new and returning sci fi and fantasy television shows. You can see the rundown of the Fall season at this link. And be sure to stay tuned to this site and the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site throughout the season for the latest ratings results and status updates for your favorite shows.
Not sure how Terry Pratchett is listed as executive producer, he died in 2015.
My bad. Should have been creator. Thanks for the heads up.