Small Screen: ‘Kakegurui’ Announces Official Cast, Rome Flynn Joins ‘Godfather Of Harlem’

Kimia Behpoornia - Michael Tullberg

Broadcast: Soap operas The Young and the Restless and Days of our Lives are now available to watch on Australian television Network 10's 10 Play. The soaps will begin on 10 Play's lineup July 1st and June 3rd, respectively, fast-tracked from the United States.

BBC and Prime Video's spy drama The Night Manager announced that Indira Varma (Game of Thrones) will join the second season's cast. Other cast members include Camila Morrone (Daisy Jones & The Six) and Diego Calva (Babylon). The roles and stories of these characters are not yet announced, but the second season is in production and will premiere on BBC One and Prime Video.

ABC's comedy pilot Forgive & Forget welcomed Sean Rodriguez Marquette (Schooled), Kimia Behpoornia (My Divorce Party), and Diana-Maria Riva (Gordita Chronicles) to its cast. Created by Eugene Garcia-Cross and Robin Shorr, the series will follow Hank (Ty Burrell) as he reunites with his son, Ben (Marquette). Behpoornia will play Izzy, a memory therapist, and Riva will play Maria, Ben's mother.

The end of ABC's Station 19 alludes to Jason George (Indivisible) returning to Grey's Anatomy with its series finale. George was a recurring character on Grey’s Anatomy since season six, but he quit after being cast on the spinoff series Station 19. Talks of him returning as a full-time cast member are in the air among ABC representatives and the series producers. commented, 

“How they end their stories will help me determine whether or not I will be seeing those characters on Grey’s,” Grey's Anatomy's showrunner Meg Marinis said.

The CW confirmed a seventh season for their drama series All American. The series is based on the life of former NFL player Spencer Paysinger, with Daniel Ezra (The Smeds and the Smoos) playing the lead, Spencer James. The CW also received the rights for the fourth season of The Chosen, which stars Jonathan Roumie (Jesus Revolution) as lead character Jesus.

Andrew Koji - Dia Dipasupil

Streaming: Amazon Prime Video's series Criminal cast Adria Arjona (Andor) as Greta. A car thief and the mother of Angie, Greta relies on crime to keep herself and her daughter afloat. The show explores a plethora of crime stories drawn from Ed Brubaker's graphic novel series of the same title. The release date is not yet announced.

Additionally, Criminal cast Kadeem Hardison (Invisible Beauty). Hardison joins fellow cast member Arjona to play Gnarly.. Gnarly is a well-respected old man who commands authority.

MGM+ series Godfather of Harlem confirmed Rome Flynn (How To Get Away With Murder) will star as a recurring character, Frank Lucas, in its fourth season. He will join as the right-hand man to Bumpy Johnson, played by Forest Whitaker (The Butler), after initial gangster competition. Show creator Chris Brancato expressed his excitement over Flynn's casting. 

“When I saw Rome’s audition, I immediately knew we’d found our man – equal parts charming and ruthless, savvy and suave. Rome is a wonderful actor who can go toe-to-toe with Forest Whitaker and our other great performers,” Brancato said. 

U.K.’s Channel 4 Hollyoaks has become the first U.K. soap opera to stream on YouTube globally. Previously, the 30-year-long soap was available on Hulu for U.S. audiences to stream. Now, YouTube will stream 20 episodes three times a week for no cost across the world.

Netflix's comedy series Running Point announced Jay Ellis (Insecure) will play a recurring role, Jay Brown. Brown is a former basketball player turned head coach of the successful Waves team. Ellis joins Brenda Song (Secret Obsession), Fabrizio Guido (Good Burger 2), Keyla Monterroso Mejia (Freeridge), Uche Agada (Rise), Toby Sandeman (The Game), and Roberto Sanchez (Palm Royale). The show will be produced by Warner Bros. Television and Kaling International.

Prime Video's thriller series Haven cast Andrew Koji (Boy Kills World/Warrior) in a recurring role as Daniel Yoshida. Koji's character is a financial investigator who helps Detective Rhys, played by Jacob Fortune-Lloyd (Bodies), with the heist investigation of Lochmill Capital. Koji joins leading actor Archie Madekwe (Midsommar) in the cast.

Malala Yousafzai will make a cameo in western wear for Peacock's musical series We Are Lady Parts. The upcoming second season will focus the band Lady Parts as they’re forced to question their success and future in the music industry. Yousafzai will act alongside Anjana Vasan (Black Mirror), Lucie Shorthouse (Rebus), Sarah Kameela Impey (Vera), Faith Omole (Endeavour), and Juliette Motamed (Halo). The series can be streamed on Peacock and Channel 4.

Chanté Adams (A Man in Full) will join Amazon Prime Video's dramedy Band as the lead of its ensemble cast. The series will explore students finding their identity and camaraderie upon joining their school's marching band. Adams will play the band's co-leader, Zadie. Joining her are Henry Hunter Hall (The Watcher) as the drummer Evan and Miguel Ángel Garcia (The Long Game) as Axel.

Netflix's thriller Kakegurui officially announced their ensemble cast. Leading the cast are Miku Martineau (Kate), Eve Edwards (Transplant), and Ayo Solanke (First Person Shooter). Based on the Japanese manga of the same name, the series will follow a young girl as she uproots her boarding school's hierarchy. The premier date is not yet announced, but it will stream on Netflix in a 10-episode release.

Max released their programming for June's LGBTQIA+ Pride Month. It includes the curations "Pride in Every Story," "Queer Film Club," "Presenting with Pride," and "Beyond the Binary." On June 16th, Priyanka (We're Here) will host the "House of Drag'' viewing party, which will feature a "Battle for the Iron Throne" for fans of House of the Dragon. Additionally, Max's Human By Orientation initiative will celebrate queer stories through exclusive performances, comedies, and video series focusing on queer creators.

Netflix announced that the premiere date for Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft is October 10th. This animated series is based on the eponymous video game franchise. It picks up after Lara Croft goes solo on her own adventures in the Survivor trilogy of games. The show will feature voices from Allen Maldonado (American Carnage) and Earl Baylon (Sanctuary).

Netflix confirmed that their series 3 Body Problem will produce two more seasons. Based on Cixin Liu's trilogy book series, the TV series will detail humanity's contact with alien life. D.B. Weiss, one of the show's creators, commented on his excitement about being able to complete the story, 

“The story gets really wild in the best possible way. With something that’s that wild, there are a lot of choices to be made and a lot of things to be figured out,” Weiss said.

Tall Pines cast Brandon Jay McLaren (The Rookie) for this eight-episode series on Netflix Canada. His role and story is not yet announced. However, the thriller series will explore the "troubled teen industry" in a country town.

Hasbro's Dungeons & Dragons live-action series will see a creative update following Paramount+'s canceling of the planned eight-episode series order. Despite this setback, Hasbro is dedicated to producing a series for their famous tabletop game with other potential buyers. Dungeons & Dragons will consist of fantasy stories, creatures, and adventures.

The Vince Staples Show confirmed its renewal for a second season on Netflix. The series features guest stars such as Andrea Ellsworth (All Day and a Night), rapper Rick Ross, and Myles Bullock (White Men Can't Jump), to name a few. The series is set in Long Beach, California and inspired by creator Vince Staples' (Abbott Elementary) life.

Netflix's series The Four Seasons announced Colman Domingo (The Color Purple) as an addition to the cast. The series explores three different married couples as they go on vacations, but one husband leaves his wife for another woman instead. The series is planned for an eight-episode order.

Prime Video's series The Better Sister cast Bobby Naderi (The Beekeeper) as series regular Matt Bowen. Bowen is the partner of detective Nancy Guidry, who is investigating a murder. The series is based on Alafair Burke's novel and explores what drives sisters apart and brings them together.

Ambika Mod - Dave Benett

Industry: OSN agreed on a deal with Warner Bros. Discovery for the rights to new Max originals and Warner Bros. Pictures films. OSN, a Middle Eastern pay-TV broadcaster, will allow their subscribers access to Pay 1 features including Barbie, Dune: Part Two, and other Max originals. Off-network series within Warner Bros. library content are offered as well, including upcoming releases like Rescue: HI-Surf.

Verizon is now offering Peacock and YouTube Premium to their customers. Customers can subscribe to this plan for $10 per month instead of the regular $13.99 per month. With Peacock's partnership, Verizon's +play will offer Peacock Premium with ads for $5.99 a month and Premium Plus for $11.99 a month. With Verizon's myPlan, customers can receive a $15 per month credit towards the +play service. This plan perk will be available starting May 30th. Frank Boulben, chief revenue officer for Verizon Consumer Group expressed their eagerness for this money-saving partnership.

“Customers want three things in their wireless plans: control, flexibility and choice,” Boulben stated.

Pam Grier announced plans regarding film, series, and musical adaptations of Foxy Brown, the 1974 release as a part of a Blaxploitation trilogy. A yet-unknown studio will produce a seven-episode limited series based on Grier’s memoir, Foxy: My Life in Three Acts, which describes her relationships with other famous figures, such as Richard Pryor. Regarding these adaptation plans, Grier noted the importance of sharing the character of Foxy in other adaptations for women to see.

"Foxy was strategically more radical and aggressive...I wanted to show that side of womanhood," shared Grier.

Disney Television Discovers: Talent Showcase will premiere D-Day: An Original Workplace Comedy to introduce rising actors. They include Amber Reauchean Williams, Isaiah Dòdó-Williams, Julian Manjerico, David Andrew Calvillo, Heather Gibson, Justen Ross, Vernon Mina, Reina Guthrie, and Sue Zen Chew, to name a few. The viewing will take the audience through an LA tech company threatened by acquisition from a large tech company; the characters come together as a team to keep their jobs.

Australian industry conference Future Vision will feature producers Lee Sung Jin (Beef), Bruna Papandrea (Big Little Lies), and Joanna Calo (The Bear) on their international calendar. This Future Vision event will stream live across the world, aiming to bring local and international TV professionals together for creative and talent opportunities. With the growing industry of television production from Australian creatives, the industry leaders are trying to encourage a shift in English-speaking television streaming content. 

“[This summit is] an unrivaled opportunity to nurture and celebrate Australian screen talent on a global platform – ensuring our stories continue to travel well and resonate with audiences around the world,” Screen Australia COO Granine Brunsdon commented.

Ambika Mod (One Day) discussed her passion for comedy. Beginning her story at 19 during university, she kept her aspirations hidden from her Indian immigrant parents who feared it wasn't a stable career. Mod quotes her parents, saying “They’d be like, ‘No, no, that’s not stable and you’ll be poor.” Mod also reflected on her time spent mentored by Nick Mohammed and her growth from her first auditions. Mod gained fame for her role in BBC’s This Is Going to Hurt. Now, Mod stars in Netflix’s One Day, a series adapted from the eponymous novel that follows the complex relationship between Emma (Mod) and Dexter (Leo Woodall). Mod reminisced about the extensive process of chemistry reads during her audition for One Day. She read with multiple actors for the role of Dexter before Leo Woodall was cast. Reflecting on her preparation, she mentioned the challenge of filming the emotional and physically demanding accident scene. Even with these challenges, Mod reflected fondly on her time on set of One Day.

Jennifer Turner is leaving her position as TriStar TV executive vice president. This comes after TriStar TV announced its combination with Sony Pictures Television. TriStar TV's goal was to uplift diversity and underrepresented characters and stories, and Sony PIctures Television Studios will now take charge of the department's projects.

Ivy Lion Productions producer Lamar Richardson has expressed his development slate with television production. This list includes Freeman Ranch by Yves Beneche (Queen Sugar), which explores the Reeves family who possessed the first Black-owned ranch in Texas. Alongside this series is Dead Hero, a fantasy series starring Wendell Pierce (Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan) that explores a young man's escape from the Underworld. Also on this list is Spotless by Vincent Terrell Durham (Black Boys & Prairie). Based in Harlem, the series follows a Harlem resident's murder scene clean-up job.

Breaking Bad actor Giancarlo Esposito has sold his memoir to The Crown Publishing Group. Esposito previously released a graphic novel, The Venetian. Since he has pursued writing a memoir about his career struggles leading up to Breaking Bad. The memoir reflects on his upbringing as a child of a Black American opera singer, his time on Broadway, and his bankruptcy, up until his casting as Gus Fring changed his life.

The Directors Guild of America has released their list of filmmakers participating in their 2024 Television Mentorship Program. Each participant will be mentored by a television director . DGA President Lesli Linka Glatter expressed her eagerness for the program.

“By pairing aspiring members with experienced industry veterans, we are empowering them to hone their craft and gain invaluable insights that will help them for years to come. I extend my gratitude to all of the mentors who have generously shared their expertise, helping to cultivate, nurture and support a vibrant and inclusive future of storytelling,” sid Glatter.

Littleton Road Productions hired Lauren Paget as senior vice president of the company. Her responsibilities include day-to-day development and building the roster of TV projects. Additionally, she will support the existing lineup of new series in development. 

“Littleton Road is a company made up of incredible people who care deeply about creating impactful content, supporting and amplifying new voices, and working with best-in-class writers, talent and IP. I am thrilled to be joining this exceptional team,” shared Paget on joining Littleton Road.

Diarra Kilpatrick brings a deep understanding of Black women and Detroit to the forefront in her dramedy Diarra From Detroit on BET+. The series follows Diarra (Kilpatrick), a school teacher navigating a broken marriage and a mystery involving a missing child. Kilpatrick emphasizes the importance of authentic representation, sharing that many writers lack a deep understanding of Black women's multifaceted lives, which she aims to portray with vulnerability and strength through Diarra.Kilpatrick proudly labels Diarra From Detroit as a "Black show" that welcomes all audiences. 

“I’m trying to entertain myself, make myself happy, and keep myself from changing the channel, to keep myself locked into the story. I might be crazy, but I think this is right. I think I’m onto something,” said Kilpatrick about trusting her gut while working on the series.

FX boss John Landgraf announced that the total airtime of scripted series has dropped 12% from 2023. Officials across television studios have determined that short ordering too many shows has caused the decline. Karey Burke, president of 20th Television, particularly focused on Disney+’s cancellation of American Born Chinese. The fantasy series, starring Ke Huy Quan (Everything Everywhere All At Once) and Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All At Once), was canceled in January. 

“It was well received… it had a premiere at the White House. It found an audience internationally, which was really lovely, but couldn’t break through domestically here,” Burke stated.

Known for New Girl and Fargo, Lamorne Morris discussed his expanding career and self-doubts. Morris reminisced on the challenges of filming his character’s death in Fargo. He spoke about his connection to his character, Garrett Morris, citing shared struggles in the industry and feelings of imposter syndrome. Despite his success, Morris remembers feeling surprised by audience reactions and questioning his place in the entertainment world.

“It wasn’t that I was afraid to be good at what I do or great at what I do. I just was shocked that, you know, when I would go on stage people would laugh…I would hit these steps and people would go, ‘Oh, you should be doing this’ I was like ‘Really? Because this is really hard to do. And I know I’m busting my ass to do it,’” Morris shared.

Patina Miller reflected on playing Raquel "Raq" Thomas in Power Book III: Raising Kanan. Miller describes Raq — a drug queenpin who balances femininity and vulgarity — as a flawed yet formidable figure who juggles roles as a businesswoman and mother. Miller empathizes with Raq’s traumatic past and continuous efforts to connect with her son. The series portrays Raq’s sensuality alongside her business acumen, showcasing Black female pleasure without guilt. Playing Raq empowered Miller, enhancing her confidence and self-assurance.

“There is something about portraying a woman so confident in herself and so sure of herself that you have no choice,” Miller said.