Small Screen: Bryon Allen Makes Big For Paramount Global, Netflix Seeks Financial Analyst After Reaching Union Agreements
Varada Sethu - Dave Benett
Broadcast: Peacock’s new comedy Laid will be written and produced by Nahnatchka Khan (Always Be My Maybe) and Sally Bradford Mckenna (Son of Zorn). Based on an Australian show of the same name, this David Entertainment-produced project will go straight to series. Laid will star Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All At Once) as a woman who discovers her past lovers are dying in peculiar ways. Hsu’s character travels back through her “sex timeline,” learning that one must confront the past to move forward.
Peacock describes the series as, “a f—ked up rom-com where the answer to ‘Why can’t I find love, is there something wrong with me?’ is a resounding ‘Yes. There is. The problem is definitely you.’”
Marieke Hardy, Kirsty Fisher, and Liz Watts of Porchlight Films will executive produce following their involvement in the Australian show. Hsu will also executive produce alongside All3Media International. Khan is represented by UTA and JSSK, and her writing credits include Young Rock and Fresh Off the Boat. Represented by David Matlof, McKenna previously wrote on Will & Grace and The Goldbergs. Laid’s date of premier is yet to be announced.
ABC announced the end of Station 19, the popular Grey’s Anatomy spinoff, which began with a backdoor pilot during season 14 of Grey’s. These are the only two shows produced by Shonda Rhimes currently airing on ABC. Station 19 is rated the No. 13 drama across “advertiser-coveted adults” ages 18 to 49, with a 0.71 rating and 926,000 viewers. The show will end with a shortened seventh season after experiencing quite a few showrunner changes throughout its time on air. Creator Stacy McKee departed after the second season, leaving Krista Vernoff to run Station 19 and Grey’s simultaneously until the end of last season. The current showrunners include Peter Paige (The Fosters) and Zoanne Clack (Grey’s). During its last season, Station 19 will shift from preceding Grey’s at 8 p.m. on Thursday nights to following 911 at 10 p.m. on Thursdays. The idea is to capitalize on 911 spillover ratings. The remaining stars on Station 19 are Jaina Lee Ortiz, Jason George, Grey Damon, Barrett Doss, Jay Hayden, and Danielle Savre. Station 19 joins a host of shows experiencing cancellation, as scripted shows become more expensive as they age. Blue Bloods, S.W.A.T., Young Sheldon, and Magnum P.I. are among the shows that will be going off air.
CBS ordered the new medical drama series Watson, starring Morris Chestnut (Boyz N The Hood). Watson follows Dr. John Watson (Chestnut), the head of a clinic dedicated to treating rare disorders, a year after his partner, Sherlock Holmes, dies. The pilot was written by showrunner Craig Sweeny (Elementary). Chestnut and director Larry Teng will executive produce. The script began development one year ago, and the series is slotted for the 2024-2025 broadcast season.
Doctor Who replaced Millie Gibson with Varada Sethu (Jurassic World Domination) after a singular season. Sethu will portray the Fifteenth Doctor’s companion alongside Ncuti Gatwa (Barbie, Sex Education). Shooting for this 15th season commenced in Wales, with Russell T Davies as showrunner and writer. The show is executive-produced by Bad Wolf. The 14th season of Doctor Who will be released in May on BBC in the United Kingdom and Disney+ for international audiences.
Rescue: Hi Surf is FOX’s new drama series that already established a well-rounded cast. Greenlit in April of 2023, follows the lives of heavy water lifeguards on the North Shore of O’ahu, an area featuring a famously dangerous coastline.
According to an official description of the series, “Each episode will feature these dedicated, heroic, and adrenaline-seeking first-responders saving lives in the difficult and often life-threatening conditions of Hawaii’s Seven Mile Miracle.”
The cast is comprised of series regulars Robbie Magasiva (Bad Behaviour), Arielle Kebbel (The Vampire Diaries), Adam Demos (UnReal), Kekoa Kekumano (The White Lotus), and Alex Aiono (Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin). Zoe Cipres (Grown-ish) and Sea Shimooka (Arrow) also return in recurring roles. The pilot was written by Matt Kester, who will act as executive producer and showrunner. John Wells will executive produce via John Wells Productions, and he will direct the first two episodes. Warner Bros. Television and FOX Entertainment will co-produce.
Kester and Wells previously spearheaded a similar pilot about lifeguards on the North Shore, also starring Magasiva and Kekumano. Titled Ke Nui Road, the show was set to stream on Max but did not go to the streamer. Magasiva plays strong and charismatic Sonny Jennings who must grieve the death of his nephew. Kekumano portrays Laka Hanohano, a fun and confident lifeguard from Honolulu. Aiono is Kainalu, a cocky rookie lifeguard from a privileged background. Magsiva is represented by Impression Entertainment and Sue Barnett & Associates. Kekumano is represented by Luber Roklin Entertainment & Bliss Models and Talent. Aiono is with UTA, Luber Roklin Entertainment, and Myman Greenspan. The series’ release date is yet unknown.
Nyambi Nyambi (Mike & Molly) was established as a regular on season two of NBC’s Night Court. After Nyambi’s guest appearance on January 16th, his first regular appearance will be on February 6th. He plays Wyatt Shaw, a recently divorced, quick-witted clerk who is overprotective of his two daughters. Nyambi is represented by Verve, ATA Management, and Del Shaw Moonves. Night Court’s revival is produced by Warner Bros. Television, After January Productions, and Universal Television.
Blair Underwood (Self Made) and Retta (Parks and Recreation) will guest star in Elsbeth, CBS’ The Good Wife spinoff. Elsbeth, played by Carrie Preston (The Holdovers), is an unorthodox attorney who finds herself in a new investigative role, working alongside colleagues played by Wendell Pierce and Carra Patterson. Retta will play a matchmaker for New York City’s elite, while Underwood’s character is an over-involved tennis dad whose fatal actions must be investigated.
Cable: Young Mazino (Beef) will appear in season two of HBO’s The Last Of Us. Mazino plays Jesse, a selfless community member. Mazino joins existing cast members Kaitlyn Dever, Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey. Production is expected to commence in spring.
Forest Whitaker will star in MGM+’s Emperor of Ocean Park. Whitaker’s character, Oliver Garland, is a big name in national politics with a failed Supreme Court nomination. Grantham Coleman (Lawman: Bass Reeves) and Tiffany Mack (Jessica Jones) will play Garland’s children who suspect foul play after their father dies. Emperor of Ocean Park is adapted from Stephen L. Carter’s novel in association with John Wells Productions and Warner Bros. The project is executive produced by Sherman Payne, Shukree Tilghman, and Damian Marcano. Payne, who wrote the first episode, shared that he always wanted Whitaker for the part of Garland.
The series characterizes Whitaker as, “a Black man in America, navigating unwelcoming and often hostile environments, he has formed a hard exterior — that he’s come to rely on as a shield. He is a devoted father whose commitment to his family simultaneously bolsters and undercuts his deeply and rigidly held conservative principles.”
HBO’s The White Lotus added new faces to their season three cast. Newcomers include Nicholas Duvernay (Purple Hearts), Francesca Corney (Fistful of Vengeance), and Arnas Fedaravičius (The Last Kingdom). They will join the previously announced cast, including Dom Hetrakul, Tayme Thapthimthong, Shalini Peiris and Natasha Rothwell. Plot details remain vague, though the storyline will follow the established formula of new guests arriving at a White Lotus resort property. Production will begin in February, shooting across Thailand in Koh Samui, Phuket, and Bangkok. The Tourism Authority of Thailand partnered with HBO to support filming and promotion. Season one of The White Lotus (2021) took place in Hawaii, while season two (2022) was set in Sicily.
AMC released a final trailer for The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live. This new post-apocalyptic series revisits Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and Michonne (Danai Gurira) from The Walking Dead, who find themselves in a new war-ridden world. The Ones Who Live premieres February 25th on AMC and AMC+.
Streaming: Eduardo Franco of Stranger Things will not return for season five. On a recent podcast appearance, Franco discussed his role as Argyle in season four, sharing that he will not be back. Production for season five began January 8th, and fans noticed Franco was not in a cast photo circulating the internet. When asked by podcast host Steve Varley why Franco was not in this picture, Franco said,
“I never got a phone call. So, I think that’s it.”
Franco’s storyline from season four did not naturally extend to season five, though fans were hopeful his character would make a reappearance. This upcoming season will be the last for Stranger Things. The release date is currently unknown.
Laurence Fishburne (The Matrix) will join season four of The Witcher saga. This Netflix fantasy drama series was adapted from a collection of novels by Andrzej Sapkowski. Fishburne will play Regis, a fan-favorite from the Baptism of Fire novel. Meanwhile, Liam Hemsworth will replace Henry Cavill in the role of Geralt. Together, Regis and Geralt are “faced with traversing the war-ravaged Continent and its many demons apart from each other.” Returning actors include Anya Chalotra, Freya Allan and Joey Batey. A premiere date is yet to be announced.
Disney+ canceled the fantasy comedy American Born Chinese. Created by Kelvin Yu, this eight-episode series stars Ben Wang, Michelle Yeoh, and Daniel Wu. Released on May 24th of 2023, American Born Chinese received positive reviews, with a 94% critic score and 82% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, it could not seem to build an audience. The show will join series recently canceled by Disney like The Muppets Mayhem, Willow, National Treasure, and Doogie Kamealoha.
Apple TV+ canceled Schmigadoon after two seasons. Creator Cinco Paul recently shared via Instagram that he wrote a third season with 25 new songs, but the season will not be made. Season two debuted in April of 2023, featuring Keegan-Michael Key, Cecily Strong, Ariana DeBose, Jaime Camil, Ann Harada, and Tituss Burgess. Key and Strong played a couple lost in the town of Schmigadoon, a world with songs and characters inspired by musicals from the 1940s and 1950s. Season two was set in Schmicago, a world of 60s and 70s musicals.
Issa Rae’s Rap Sh!t will not return for a third season on Max. Aida Osman and KaMillion played estranged high school friends who reunite as a rap duo. The cast included Jonica Booth, RJ Cyler, and Daniel Augustin. Rap Sh!t gave a nuanced portrayal of Black women navigating the rap world, with original music made by Rae’s Hoorae media company. The December 21st episode served as the series finale.
Gilmore Girls’ executive producers created a new Prime Video drama, Étoile. The eight-episode first season splits time between New York City and Paris. Étoile follows the dancers and staff of two world-famous ballet companies attempting to save their institutions. Yanic Truesdale will work with Gilmore Girls creator Amy Sherman-Palladino once again. Truesdale plays the right-hand man to the head of the Parisian ballet company. Amazon MGM Studios ordered two seasons.
Anna Enger Ritch (Chicago Med) will be a regular actor on S.W.A.T.’s final season. Ritch began playing her character, Powell, during season five of the Netflix series, and she will continue this role throughout the seventh and final season. The premiere for season seven releases February 16th, during which the S.W.A.T. team will attempt to retrieve a fugitive from Mexico. Shemar Moore (Criminal Minds) stars as the sergeant of a special S.W.A.T. unit in Los Angeles. Additional cast members include David Lim and Rochelle Aytes.
The Recruit cast Felix Solis (Ozark) and Omar Maskati (Good Sam) for season two of this Netflix series. Additional cast members include Devika Bhise (The Rookie: Feds), Shin Do-Hyun (Doom at Your Service), Kim Young-Ah (Business Proposal), Lee Sang-hee (Unlock My Boss), Teo Yoo (Past Lives), Aarti Mann (The Big Bang Theory), Colton Dunn (Superstore), Fivel Stewart (Umma), Angel Parker (The Rookie), and Vondie Curtis-Hall (Justified: City Primeval). Production began in Vancouver, Canada and will eventually transition to Seoul, South Korea. The series follows a senior diplomat in the State Department (Solis) and a CIA lawyer (Noah Centineo). In 2022, season one earned a spot in Netflix’s Top 10 rankings, with 52.3 million hours documented in the first three days after its release.
Nerene Virgin
Industry: From Scratch creators Attica and Tembi Locke developed a new drama series, Bluebird, Bluebird. Attica (Never Have I Ever) and Tembi (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) co-wrote and executive-produced this series. Attica is represented by WME, 3 Arts, and Myman Greenspan, while Tembi is represented by WME, 3 Arts, and Yorn Levine. Under a deal with Universal Television, Bluebird, Bluebird will be the Lockes’ first project with this partnership. The series follows a Black Texas Ranger, Darren Matthews, who must set aside his unfavorable feelings about Texas when duty calls him home. Bluebird, Bluebird is yet to be picked up by a network.
Sean Gupta is leaving his position at Paramount Global as Senior Vice President of Streaming Strategy. For two years, Gupta shaped the development of Paramount+ and Pluto TV. With an MBA in finance and media from Columbia Business School, Gupta held previous jobs with BET Networks and Time Warner Cable. At BET, he helped negotiate and structure a joint venture with Tyler Perry Studios.
Media mogul Bryon Allen has put in a second bid for Paramount. His first go-round with the media powerhouse saw Allen among several African Americans who placed bids to acquire their BET assets. The sale fell through as Paramount was not able to retain a buyer for their asking price. This time the founder, CEO, and Chairman of Allen Media Group has upped the ante seeking to purchase the larger media conglomerate Paramount Global for a whopping $30 billion.
Furthermore, in a statement, AMG had this to say about their bid:
Mr. Byron Allen did submit a bid on behalf of Allen Media Group and its strategic partners to purchase all of Paramount Global’s outstanding sheres. We believe this $30 billion offer, which includes debt and equity, is the best solution for all of the Paramount Global shareholders, and the bid should be taken seriously and pursued.
To break down the $30 million bid, AMG would offer $14.3 billion to purchase all Paramount shares from the shareholders and assume an additional more than $15 billion in debt liabilities the media conglomerate currently has. With no response from Paramount. However, we will keep you updated on any new developments.
CBS renewed its affiliation deal with Allen Media Group. Founder and CEO Byron Allen closed this multiyear deal across five TV stations; these include KIMT Rochester, Minnesota, KHSL Chico, California, KHSL Terre Haute, Indiana, WLFI West Lafayette, Indiana, and WEVV Evansville, Indiana. The Allen Media Broadcasting unit owns and operates 28 broadcast TV stations in 21 U.S. markets, affiliated with ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC. The financial details were not disclosed.
Introduced to the marketplace, The Book of Eli series will star John Boyega. This project is a prequel to the 2010 post-apocalyptic action film with Denzel Washington. Boyega (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) will portray a younger version of Denzel’s character, Eli. The 2010 film followed Eli as he traversed a destroyed America, protecting a book that held the secrets to human salvation. The new series will likely take place at the time of the nuclear disaster or shortly after, but exact plot details remain unknown. The Hughes Brothers will direct and executive produce alongside creator Gary Whitta (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story). The Book of Eli will be one of the biggest actor-driven, IP-based packages introduced to the television marketplace since the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes ended. Boyega is represented by UTA, UK’s Identity Agency Group and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern. Whitta is represented by UTA, Circle of Confusion and Behr Abramson Levy Johnson. Allen Hughes is associated with WME and Aadam Kaller of Hansen, Jacobson, Teller; while Albert Hughes is associated with CAA and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman.
Midori Francis signed with WME. Francis’ breakout performance in Good Boys was followed by The Sex Lives of College Girls, Grey’s Anatomy, and Dash & Lily. Francis is represented by Circle of Confusion and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole.
Netflix seeks a Financial Analyst for Residuals following studio deals with WGA and SAG-AFTRA unions. As defined by Netflix, “Residuals are additional compensation paid to talent for the reuse of content beyond the use covered by their initial compensation based on collective bargaining agreements with various guilds/unions, i.e. SAG-AFTRA, DGA and WGA.” This financial analyst must forecast and estimate costs of residual payments under new agreements for streaming properties.
The studios’ agreement with WGA states that writers shall receive success-based bonuses for original streaming titles consumed by 20% or more of domestic subscribers within 90 days of release. The TV bonus is valued between $9,000 and $16,400, while feature films budgeted above $30 million will receive $40,500. SAG-AFTRA’s deal established a $40 million residual bonus pool for actors on streaming platforms during the first 12 months of the agreement. Netflix’s Financial Analyst for Residuals will receive between $60,000 and $290,000 as a starting salary.
Netflix’s Head of Drama, Jinny Howe, was promoted. Howe’s responsibilities now extend to Spectacle + Event, which covers series and shows under Netflix’s current agreements. This change was implemented by Netflix’s Head of UCAN Scripted series, Peter Friedlander. Friedlander restructured his division to funnel through Howe and Tracey Pakosta, VP of Comedy. Howe started working for Netflix in 2018 after 13 years at John Wells Productions. Some of her projects include Bridgerton, Inventing Anna, and Beef.
Nerene Virgin (Murder in Space) died at age 77. Virgin was a teacher, newswoman, and social justice advocate known for her recurring role on Today’s Special, a CBC kids show. Her husband, Alan Smith, stated that Virgin wished to be known for her authenticity and variety of talents. Specifically, Virgin dedicated much of her life to anti-racism work. She was influenced by her great uncle Thomas John Holland, an escaped slave who fled Maryland via the Underground Railroad. Virgin was one of the first Black women on TV during the 1980s and 1990s, and she wrote multiple antiracism books.
Tubi acquired Boarders, BBC’s new coming-of-age dramedy. Written by Daniel Lawrence Taylor (Timewasters), the series is set to release during the first quarter of 2024. Boarders portrays themes of friendship and self-discovery as it follows five Black teenagers attending an elite boarding school on scholarship. The reported cast features Josh Tedeku (A Town Called Malice), Jodie Campbell (Bulletproof), Myles Kamwendo (The School For Good and Evil), Sekou Diaby (The Nightingale), and Aruna Jalloh (Royal Shakespeare Company: Much Ado About Nothing). Taylor plays a mentor to these boarding school students in the show. Emma Dennis-Edwards, Yemi Oyefuwa, and Ryan Calais Cameron wrote the series, while Ethosheia Hylton (African Queens) and Sarmad Masud (You Don’t Know Me) directed.
