Month: July 2019

July 27, 2019 12:31PM PT Amazon dropped a cluster of teasers during its Television Critics Association press tour, including a preview clip for the musical feature finale which will close out “Transparent.” Showrunner Jill Soloway said that turning the show’s curtain call, which streams September 27, into a feature-length musical felt like a “chance to

The “Modern Love” television series, based on the eponymous New York Times column, will premiere on Amazon Prime Video on Oct. 18. “These stories are successful when the person understands themselves better at the end, not when they get the person that they’re going after,” said The New York Times’ Daniel Jones, editor of the

Cara Delevingne and Orlando Bloom, the two leads of the upcoming Amazon fantasy series “Carnival Row,” discussed the show’s immigrant themes at Amazon’s Television Critics Association press tour. “It really looks at the fear that people have. I think there’s so much fear in the world today about immigrants, migrants, how are they going to

Amazon Studios unveiled several announcements at the Television Critics Assn. summer press tour Saturday, including a first-look deal with Blake Lively, a first-look deal with Forest Whitaker’s production company and an overall deal with Lena Waithe. In addition to the season renewals of “Carnival Row” and “The Expanse,” plus the series order of “The Banker’s

“Transparent” creator Jill Soloway addressed how the show’s upcoming musical finale allowed the team behind the show to move beyond the scandal that saw series star Jeffrey Tambor exit the series. “When people talk about musicals, when people turn to song instead of conversation, its because there are certain things that can’t be said with

Connie Britton has signed a first look deal with Amazon Studios. The beloved actress and producer will work with the entity to develop new television series to premiere exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. “Connie Britton is a multi-talented actress who has captivated audiences with her portrayal of smart, complicated women,” said Jennifer Salke, head of

July 27, 2019 9:30AM PT Forest Whitaker and his Significant Productions co-founder Nina Yang Bongiovi have signed a first-look deal with Amazon. Under the deal, Whitaker’s production banner will work with Amazon Studios to develop TV series for the company’s streaming platform. The duo founded Significant back in 2010 with the aim of focusing on

Amazon has picked up “The Expanse” for a fifth season. The announcement was made during the Television Critics Association summer press tour on Saturday. Season 4 of the series is set to debut on Dec. 13. “The Expanse” aired its first three seasons on Syfy, with the cable networking having cancelled the series back in

July 27, 2019 9:16AM PT Amazon has renewed “Carnival Row” for a second season. The news comes before the Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne show has even debuted. The series is set in a Victorian fantasy world filled with mythological immigrant creatures whose exotic homelands were invaded by the empires of man. This growing population

July 27, 2019 9:00AM PT Amazon has ordered a series from two of the executive producers behind “Homeland.” “The Banker’s Wife,” an international thriller based on the best-selling novel by Cristina Alger, has been handed an eight-episode order by the streamer. Meredith Stiehm will write all eight episodes, with fellow “Homeland” executive producer Lesli Linka

Lena Waithe has signed a new overall deal at Amazon. The announcement was made at the Television Critics Association summer press tour on Saturday. Waithe already has a two-season commitment at Amazon for the horror anthology series “THEM,” and will create and produce other original series under the new deal. She had previously been set

July 27, 2019 8:30AM PT Amazon announced the creative team behind the upcoming “Lord of the Rings” series during the Television Critics Association summer press tour on Saturday. Joining the previously announced behind-the-scenes members of the series are: executive producers Lindsey Weber (“10 Cloverfield Lane”), Bruce Richmond (“Game of Thrones”), Gene Kelly (“Boardwalk Empire”), and

Vice Media is in discussions to acquire online publisher Refinery29, according to the Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter. The talks are reportedly ongoing and may not result in an offer. Bringing the two online media brands together would expand Vice’s core audience, which is largely male. Refinery29’s content includes verticals on

There’s a place in people’s home for Starz’s streaming service, asserted Starz COO Jeffrey Hirsch at the Television Critics Assn. summer press tour Friday, pushing back against the idea that it’s tough for a smaller over-the-top platform to compete with Netflix and others. “Netflix has done a phenomenal job of convincing everybody in this room and

July 26, 2019 3:35PM PT In today’s roundup, Hulu will soon stream 1980’s comedy series “Designing Women” and Comedy Central announces new Comedy Fellowship with Sundance Institute.  ACQUISITIONS  Hulu has acquired the rights to comedy “Designing Women” from Sony Pictures Television. The series, which aired from 1986 to 1993, chronicles the life of design firm

John Ferriter, a prominent WMA television agent for two decades, died Thursday at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles from complications from pancreatitis. He was 59. Jamie Gruttermeyer, Ferriter’s partner at management firm the Alternative, confirmed his death to Variety. Ferriter launched the Alternative in 2015 after five years at Octagon Entertainment. Ferriter was a