Television

Spin Master, the large toy, game and kids-TV conglomerate has helped build franchises out of concepts like “PAW Patrol” and “Bakugan Battle Brawlers.’ Now the company thinks it can do the same with a group of young girls who have a knack for riding unicorns. The company and Netflix plan to launch a new fantasy-adventure

“The Elephant Whisperers,” the Indian film nominated in the Oscars’ documentary short film category, has received an outpouring of love globally with young fans sending their fan art and appreciation in hundreds of emails to the filmmakers. The film follows a couple, Bomman and Bellie, who devote their lives to caring for an orphaned baby

Kevin Lygo, managing director, media and entertainment at ITV, has revealed what he thinks are the key ingredients to the success of the upcoming revival of “Big Brother” on the U.K. commercial broadcaster this fall. The British version of the iconic reality TV series is set to return to screens this year after what will be

Lawrence Pitkethly, who produced and directed multiple documentary series shown on PBS and other broadcasters, died Feb. 24 at Albany Medical Center near his home in Hudson, N.Y., of cardiopulmonary arrest linked to complications from Parkinson’s. He was 79. Pitkethly is best known for “American Cinema” (1995), a 10-part, $7 million series for PBS, BBC

U.K. broadcaster ITV’s annual results for 2022 were revealed Thursday and the picture is robust. Total group revenue was up 7% to £4.3 billion ($5.3 billion) and total external revenue was up 8% to £3.7 billion. ITV Studios total revenues grew 19% to £2 billion. The “Love Island” broadcaster said that the strong revenue growth and

It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later. During Wednesday’s episode of “Chicago Fire,” Taylor Kinney’s Kelly Severide left town to go to “the best arson investigation training program in the world.” While he could have turned down the last-minute opening, the opportunity was too big to pass on. Kinney did not appear on the episode,

SPOILER ALERT: Do not read ahead if you have not watched the Season 9, episode 3 of “The Masked Singer,” which aired March 1 on Fox. “The Masked Singer” is like a jungle sometimes, it makes you wonder how you keep from going under. On Wednesday’s episode, rap legend Grandmaster Flash was trying not to

In an unprecedented move, Fox has renewed Dan Harmon’s upcoming animated comedy “Krapopolis” for a third season ahead of its series premiere. Additionally, the premiere of the show — which was most recently set for May — has now been pushed to the 2023-2024 season. The news was announced by Michael Thorn, president of scripted

Hulu has announced that Season 3 of “The Great” will drop all 10 episodes on May 12, and revealed a first-look image. In the third season, Catherine (Elle Fanning) and Peter (Nicholas Hoult) try to salvage their marriage after Catherine imprisoned his friends and almost had him murdered. Peter must also deal with visions of

The Weeknd has responded to a report from Rolling Stone claiming that his upcoming HBO series “The Idol,” created with “Euphoria’s” Sam Levinson, has “gone wildly, disgustingly off the rails.” Posting a clip from the series to Instagram, Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye tagged Rolling Stone and wrote, “Did we upset you?” In the scene, a

When Rian Johnson comes to television, he does so with a “big swing,” as music supervisor Thomas Golubić puts it. The multiple Emmy and Grammy nominee (“Better Call Saul,” “Six Feet Under”) is on board for Johnson’s “Poker Face” starring Natasha Lyonne, who also executive produces the hour-long dark comedy (and co-wrote and directs the

Fox has named John Hesling its new head of Alternative Entertainment, the broadcast network’s in-house unscripted studio. Responsible for overseeing the development and production of all unscripted series owned by Fox Entertainment (FAE), as well as programs FAE produces for third-party buyers in the U.S. and abroad, Hesling will be based in Los Angeles. Those

“The Late Late Show With James Corden” might be making its final curtain call on CBS this spring, but CBS Studios is continuing its partnership with Fulwell 73, the production company behind the late-night show and much more. Fulwell 73 has re-upped its first-look development deal with CBS Studios for three more years, Variety has

David Westin, the Bloomberg TV anchor, will focus more intently on duties tied to “Wall Street Week” as the network focuses more intently on breaking-news coverage throughout the market day. Westin will host the weekly show, which has ties to the PBS original hosted by Louis Rukeyser, while anchoring daily “Wall Street Week” segments tied

Netflix has ordered the limited series “Zero Day” starring Robert De Niro in his first regular television role, Variety has learned exclusively. In addition, Lesli Linka Glatter has boarded the show and will direct and executive produce all six episodes. Variety previously reported that the series was in development at Netflix in November. It hails

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. In “The Mandalorian,” Pedro Pascal plays a battle-worn bounty hunter, stalking silently through crowds with a resolute lack of emotion as he fights to restore his honor on the planet of Mandalore. In “The

Kaitlin Olson, Johnny Knoxville, Niecy Nash, Tom Kenny and Don Cheadle have been added to the cast of Netflix’s forthcoming adult animated comedy, “Agent Elvis.” The line-up of guest stars includes Ed Helms, Jason Mantzoukas, Christina Hendricks, Kieran Culkin, Chris Elliot, Asif Ali, Fred Armisen, Ego Nwodim, Simon Pegg, Craig Robinson, Gary Cole, George Clinton,

Adam Sandler will be honored at the 2023 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards with the King of Comedy Award. Sandler’s prolific career of more than 30 years will be recognized with a silver blimp statuette. He will accept the honor — his 11th KCA — while sitting in a giant throne on the stage. “I’ve had

Doug Bradley (“Hellraiser”) has been added to the cast of The CW’s “Gotham Knights” series, the network announced on Wednesday. Bradley will appear in Episode 6 of Gotham Knights as Joe Chill, one of DC Comics’ most notorious villains known for cruelly killing Bruce Wayne’s parents. After fifty years of rotting on death row, Joe

The upcoming “Frasier” revival at Paramount+ is bringing back Bebe Neuwirth as Dr. Lilith Sternin in a guest star role. Neuwirth will reunite with her onscreen husband Kelsey Grammer, who is leading the revival once again as Dr. Frasier Crane. The two originated the characters on the hit sitcom “Cheers,” with Neuwirth first appearing on

Up against a ticking clock, Kym Whitley had to make a quick decision of whether she would join Alyson Fouse’s latest sitcom “Act Your Age.” She was on the fence as the final cast member to round out the trio — that is, until she received a call from her soon-to-be castmates and longtime friends

Netflix has picked up a new comedy series starring Kristen Bell from writer Erin Foster and executive producer Steven Levitan, Variety has learned. The untitled series is said to center on “the unlikely relationship between an irreverent, outspoken, agnostic woman (Bell) and an unconventional rabbi.” Foster created the series and serves as an executive producer.

Following the success of their years-long partnership that spawned seven original films including Natalie Morales’ “Plan B” and “Crush,” Hulu Originals has renewed its first look deal with comedy production company American High. Jason Zaro (“Brigsby Bear”) will serve as co-producer across the new slate of films for Hulu. The renewed partnership comes on the

Hoda Kotb’s days-long absence from her duties at NBC’s “Today” was explained Wednesday morning: She is dealing with a “family health matter.” Craig Melvin,. Sheinelle Jones and Al Roker, who were on set during Wednesday’s broadcast, didn’t offer additional details, but Melvin said the “Today” co-anchor had been out for several days due to the

“Stranger Things” is coming to London’s West End. Netflix announced on Tuesday that “Stranger Things: The First Shadow,” a stage play spinoff of the wildly popular series, will world premiere at the Phoenix Theatre later this year. The play, which is “rooted in the mythology” of the Netflix show, was written by “Stranger Things” writer

  “Doctor Who” showrunner Russell T Davies is set to exec produce a new BBC drama about the first trials for Viagra. Produced by Quay Street Productions and Boom, “Men Up” tells the story about a trial for the sex drug that took place in Wales in 1994. “Industry” scribe Matthew Barry is writing the

They’ve come, they’re seeing, but will they conquered? From Tuesday through Friday, preceded by a BBC Studios Showcase, the biggest established U.K.-based distributors, plus a growing brace of overseas outfits France’s Studiocanal, About Premium Content and Newen Connect, for instance, will unveil some of their boldest new swings for 2023 at the London TV Screenings,

Studiocanal will stage at the London TV Screenings the international premiere of “Spinners,” an eight-part extreme sports action drama set on the mean streets of Cape Town’s Southside, that is not just a series but a sign of an industry zeitgeist. As the competition for talent grows, there’s a building drive into emerging production hubs

HBO Max’s “Dune” prequel spinoff “The Sisterhood” is going through some changes. Both director Johan Renck and star Shirley Henderson have exited the HBO Max series, Variety has confirmed. The news comes as the production takes a “pre-scheduled hiatus,” according to the streamer. “There are some creative changes being made to the production in an

Kevin Hart is back with a thirst for fame in the official trailer for “Die Hart 2: Die Harter,” which the Roku Channel dropped today. Hart plays a fictional version of himself in the comedy series, which follows his quest to become a renowned star of action films. When Season 2 kicks off, Hart is