Small Screen: Debbi Morgan Joins 'Fantasy Island' Reboot; Nadja Webb Becomes Executive VP Of Programming Business Operations at BET; 'Days Of Our Live Has' An Upcoming Spinoff Series

Richard Blackwood, Kéllé Bryan, and Patrick Robinson - Channel 4

Broadcast: Fox’s reboot to the classic anthology series Fantasy Island is a month away from its premiere. But the guest list of who will be making appearances is here. Known for shows like Power, People Like Us and All My Children, Debbi Morgan will be making her debut on the show in episode four. She will be playing Eileen, described as “a delightful free spirit with elegance, charm and the confidence of someone who has always been the most beautiful and entertaining person in the room. Unfortunately, Eileen also has a strained relationship with her daughter, which she hopes to mend while vacationing in paradise.” 

Channel 4 is having a diversity day on September 10th called Black to Front. It’s serial drama Hollyoaks is on track to air a special hour long episode written, directed and featuring all Black talent. The goal of this diversity day is to put Black talent back in the spotlight. The episode is written by Thabo Mhlatshwa and is ‘anchored around the Deveraux clan as they gather together to celebrate Walter’s (Trevor A Toussaint) birthday.’ It will also feature characters of the past, present and the future, played by Black and of Black heritage talent. Patrick Robinson will direct and the score will be done by Bankey Ojo. 

Nadja Webb - BET

Cable: BET Executive Nadja Webb has just acquired new responsibilities. She has been given a promotion for the second time in only two years. Her new role is to serve as executive vice president of programming business operations and will report to Scott Mills, BET president. ‘Webb will now lead BET’s scripted programming functions, including development, casting and current for BET’s linear network, streamer BET+ and BET Studios. She will also continue to oversee programming operations as well as business and legal affairs for all BET brands. The latest promotion comes 16 months after she was upped to include oversight of programming operations, business and legal affairs, for scripted, unscripted, music and specials programming. She also oversees the global music strategy team for the ViacomCBS cable channels.’

Peter Ocko, known for Lodge 49 and Black Sails, is teaming up with AMC Networks for an upcoming six episode sci-fi thriller entitled Moonhaven. Amara Karan has been cast as ‘Indira Mare, “Envoy of IO,” the vast and ever-present AI that keeps Moonhaven alive. Described as brilliant, compassionate and driven, Indira has committed her life to ensuring the technology and culture of the moon will be brought back to save the Earth.’ Karan joins Emma McDonald, Dominic Monaghan, Kadeem Hardison and Ayelet Zurer. 

Peacock/NBC

Streaming: Netflix is making a new satire entitled Remarriage & Desires -- which has been translated from the Korean title Bride of Black. ‘The drama explores how marriage has devolved into a battle of assets among the wealthy – disguised under the mask of “in the name of love.” Our story follows a group of people whose life ambition is to enter and remain in society’s upper class. In order to secure their social status, they register with an exclusive marriage agency and scheme to marry (or re-marry) someone in the agency’s top-ranking VIP black tier.’ The confirmed cast is as follows:  Kim Hee-sun (Alice), Lee Hyun-wook (Mine), Jung Yoo-jin (Catch the Ghost), Park Hoon (Nobody Knows), and Cha Ji-yeon (Taxi Driver). Lee Geun-young is writing the show and Kim Jung-min will be directing. We have not been given a release date as of yet. 

The long-running soap on NBC The Days of Our Lives is getting a spinoff series. This five part limited series will premiere on NBC’s streaming service Peacock and is entitled Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem. The cast will be made up of current stars including but not limited to: Jackée Harry, James Reynolds, Sal Stowers and Lamon Archey. The plot follows these fan favorites as they leave the fictional city of Salem and are thrown into a mystery involving stolen jewels. Beyond Salem is produced by Corday Productions in association with Sony Pictures Television, the companies behind Days of Our Lives. Ken Corday will executive produce, with Albert Alarr serving as co-exec producer and Ron Carlivati as head writer. A debut date for the series hasn’t been set.

Paige Simpson - Getty Images

Industry: Paige Simpson, known as the development executive for Scrap Paper Pictures, has just joined 21 Laps Entertainment as the Vice President in the TV division. She will report to CEO Shawn Levy and President of TV Josh Barry. The two gave a statement expressing their excitement over the news of their new coworker saying “We are thrilled to welcome Paige to the team. Her passion for bold storytelling of all types is going to be a wonderful addition to 21 Laps and her drive to make shows from underrepresented talent about characters we don’t often get to see on screen is incredibly inspiring.” Simpson will begin her job on the first of next month and will be working out of the Los Angeles Office.