Development activity has picked up with pilot season upon us. Here is a rundown of the announcements from the past couple of weeks.
CBS All Access orders The Stand to series
Network: CBS All Access
Credits: Josh Boone (Writer / Executive Producer), Ben Cavell (Writer / Executive Producer), CBS Television Studios (Studio)
Starring: TBA
Description: “The Stand is King’s apocalyptic vision of a world decimated by plague and embroiled in an elemental struggle between good and evil. The fate of mankind rests on the frail shoulders of the 108-year-old Mother Abagail and a handful of survivors. Their worst nightmares are embodied in a man with a lethal smile and unspeakable powers: Randall Flagg, the Dark Man.” Deadline Hollywood
Comments: CBS All Access has ordered ten episodes and is referring to this as a “limited event”. The Stand was previously adapted as a mini-series back in 1994.
The CW orders a pilot for a Lost Boys TV series
Network: The CW
Credits: Heather Mitchell (Writer / Executive Producer), Rob Thomas (Executive Producer), Dan Etheridge (Executive Producer)
Starring: TBA
Description: “It takes place in the seaside town of Santa Carla, home to a beautiful boardwalk, all the cotton candy you can eat, and a secret underworld of vampires. After the sudden death of their father, two brothers move to Santa Carla with their mother, who hopes to start anew in the town where she grew up. But the brothers find themselves drawn deeper and deeper into the seductive world of Santa Carla’s eternally beautiful and youthful undead.” Variety
Comments: The CW was working on a Lost Boys series last year with Rob Thomas attached as well. They are revisiting the idea and will be considering this one for the Fall 2019.
Amazon’s Wheel of Time series will begin production in Fall
Network: Amazon Prime Video
Credits: Rafe Jenkins (Writer / Executive Producer), Rick Selvage (Executive Producer), Larry Mondragon (Executive Producer), Red Eagle Entertainment (Production Company), Sony Television (Studio)
Starring: TBA
Description: “The fantasy epic is set in a sprawling, epic world where magic exists, but only women can use it. The story follows Moiraine, a member of the shadowy and influential all-female organization called the Aes Sedai, as she embarks on a dangerous, world-spanning journey with five young men and women. Moiraine believes that one of them might be the reincarnation of an incredibly powerful individual, whom prophecies say will either save humanity or destroy it. The series draws on numerous elements of European and Asian culture and philosophy, most notably the cyclical nature of time found in Buddhism and Hinduism.” Amazon Prime Video
Comments: This series was originally announced last year and has slowly been working its way through the development process. Since it will be an extensive production, look for it to debut on the streaming service mid-2020.
Syfy is developing a Chucky TV series
Network: Syfy
Credits: Don Mancini (Creator / Executive Producer), David Kirschner (Executive Producer), Nick Antosca (Writer / Executive Producer), Universal Cable Prods. (Studio)
Starring: TBA
Description: “It will focus on the character at the center of the horror/slasher Child’s Play film series, the red-haired, freckled-faced doll possessed by the soul of notorious serial killer, Charles Lee Ray.” Deadline Hollywood
Comments: The series brings over Don Mancini and David Kirschner from the original movies. According to Deadline Hollywood, this series “is part of the Syfy’s programming strategy that caters to existing fanbases with high-end series based on well known IP, like Krypton, Nightflyers, The Magicians and Deadly Class.”
Netflix has a Resident Evil TV series in development
Network: Netflix
Credits: Constantin Film (Studio)
Starring: TBA
Description: According to Deadline Hollywood, “the plan is for the series to expand the Resident Evil universe and deepen the exiting mythology.” The series could also be used to set up more movies in the franchise. Deadline Hollywood
Comments: This is in the very early stages of development with no episode commitment and apparently no creative team in place yet. Stay tuned for more news on this one.
Syfy has ordered a pilot for the AI drama Cipher
Network: Syfy
Credits: Allison Miller (Writer / Executive Producer), Rough House Pictures (Production Company), Universal Cable Productions (Studio)
Starring: TBA
Description: In this series “secret military technology is unexpectedly implanted in the brain of a 13-year-old video game junkie, when the boy and his father unwittingly find themselves at the center of the next great war — over artificial intelligence.” Deadline Hollywood
Comments: Syfy has ordered a pilot for this series and will be considering adding it its lineup of scripted originals.
The CW looking to add Nancy Dew to their schedule
Network: The CW
Credits: Noga Landau (Writer / Executive Producer), Josh Schwartz (Writer / Executive Producer), Stephanie Savage (Writer / Executive Producer), CBS Television Studios (Studio)
Starring: TBA
Description: “Set in the summer after her high school graduation,18-year-old Nancy Drew thought she’d be leaving her hometown for college, but when a family tragedy holds her back another year, she finds herself embroiled in a ghostly murder investigation — and along the way, uncovers secrets that run deeper than she ever imagined.” Variety
Comments: Whether this series will be a straight up mystery series or also mix in genre elements remains to be seen. The CW has ordered a pilot for this and will be considering the show for its Fall 2019 schedule.
Syfy has ordered a pilot for the dark comedy (Future) Cult Classic
Network: Syfy
Credits: Shay Hatten (Writer / Executive Producer), Tim Kirkby (Executive Producer), Lorne Michaels’ Broadway Video (Production Company), Universal Cable Productions (Studio)
Starring: TBA
Description: “(Future) Cult Classic combines the genres of slasher films, high school drama and speculative satire. It is set 18 years in the future and centers on a group of teens whose community is rocked by a 1990s slasher-movie obsessed serial killer. Our heroes quickly realize they’re being targeted and decide to take matters into their own hands and track down the killer—before time runs out.” Deadline Hollywood
Comments: Syfy has ordered a pilot for this series and will be considering adding it its lineup of scripted originals.
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