Sci Fi TV Development: BBC America Orders Discworld Series The Watch, The First Game of Thrones Prequel to Be Titled The Long Watch, and More

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.

Author: johnnyjay

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