Small Screen: ‘Those Who Read Evil Hearts’ Adaptation At SBS; Sterlin Harjo Signs Deal With FX
Kim Nam-gil - The Chosunilbo JNS
Broadcast: Kim Nam-gil, known for his role in The Fiery Priest, is playing the lead in the upcoming SBS adaptation of Go Na-moo novel entitled Those Who Read Hearts of Evil. The crime drama ’takes a deep dive into the psyche of criminal profilers, whose job is to “read the hearts” of killers. One of their biggest challenges is how to make sense of murders that seemingly have no motive.’ Nam-gil stars as Song Ha-young, a profiler for the Seoul police department who closely studies criminal behavior. With a hard exterior, Ha-young seems cold but he is extremely intelligent and highly capable of picking up on the most minute details - - Sherlock Holmes-esque. A post for Those Who Read Hearts of Evil has just been released showcasing a dark and gloomy atmosphere while highlighting its lead. The tagline reads: “Why did you think they were [not] the culprit.” Not is blacked out, adding a mysterious element to the work. The rest of the cast includes Jin Seon-gyu (One the Woman) and Kim So-jin (Marriage Contract, Escape from Mogadishu). The show will premiere on January 14th.
Robin L Marshall / Stringer
Cable: Sterlin Harjo, the co-creator of FX’s Reservation Dogs, has just signed a multiple-year overall deal with the network. In the new deal, Harjo will be responsible for ‘ Harjo will create and develop new projects for FX in addition to serving as showrunner on the second season of Reservation Dogs, which he created alongside his longtime friend Taika Waititi. Under the pact, Harjo is already developing an untitled limited series that he will co-write alongside best-selling novelist Jonathan Lee. Harjo directed the project and executive produced alongside Garrett Basch.’ Nick Grad, president of originals at FX had this to say about the news: “Reservation Dogs is brilliant and can’t return soon enough. We believe in Sterlin’s unique vision and welcome this opportunity to continue to partner with him in bringing more great TV to FX.”
Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson has joined the anthology series A Moment in Time, for its second season at Starz. Jackson will be attached as an executive producer alongside Calvin “Snoop Dogg” Broadus. The newest season entitled Murder Was the Case follows rapper Snoop Dogg’s 1993 trial for the murder of rival gang member Philip Woldermariam. During the time of the trial, Snoop Dogg has the number one album in the world and was on a high following the success of his “Murder Was the Case”. ‘This season will explore how the publicity surrounding the case helped boost the single but, per Starz, would go on to hurt Snoop at trial, where he was represented by defense attorney Johnnie Cochran only a year removed from the O.J. Simpson verdict.’ Jackson had this to say in a statement: “Murder Was the Case is an incredible story. Snoop had the biggest album in the country and was fighting for his freedom in the courtroom. The only place to go on this incredible ride is with G-Unit Film & Television. I’m excited to be working with Snoop to bring it to television.”
The SABC show The Estate, has yet to be renewed and many people are curious as to why. Although media outlets have been relentlessly questioning the station, SABC has yet to give a response. When researching the ratings it seems they have been slowly declining. ‘The Estate that was never a viewership success for SABC3 plunged further in the rating’s race and suffered further damage after e.tv launched its House of Zwide earlier this year in the same competitive timeslot.’ When asked if Isono, another one of their programs, is canceled as BET's first locally-produced telenovela, Senior vice president Monde Twala and general manager for ViacomCBS Networks Africa answer was: "BET Africa remains committed to making a significant investment into the local production industry, the launch of our first star-studded daily drama format Isono has been popular with viewers across the continent".
Ilana Peña - Myung Chun
Streaming: Kalinda Vazquez, known for Star Trek: Discovery and Fear The Walking Dead, has just signed an overall deal with Netflix. The details of the arrangement have Vazquez creating, writing, and producing new series and other projects for the streaming giant. Her first new project is already in development. It is entitled Arbor Hall and ‘tells the story of a Latina teen girl who investigates the mysterious disappearance of her best friend on the campus of their exclusive boarding school. Along the way, she discovers an underbelly of her school that is far darker than just money and privilege.’ Vazquez had this to say about the new deal: “I couldn’t be more thrilled to be joining the Netflix family – it is a huge honor and joy to have a creative home at a place where originality is trumpeted and creators’ unique visions are fostered. I am so excited for what is to come.”
Ilana Peña has revealed that her Disney Plus show, Diary of a Future President has been canceled after two seasons. The creator disclosed the news in a tweet saying: “We found out that [“Diary of a Future President”] is not moving forward with a season 3 at Disney+,” Peña wrote. “Of course, we would love to continue telling this story, but I am filled with so much gratitude for the 2 seasons that we did get to make.” The series, which premiered in January of 2020 recalled the origin story of Cuban American Elena Cañero-Reed as she enters the seventh grade. ‘Told using the narration of excerpts from Elena’s diary, the series followed Elena through the ups and downs of middle school which set her on the path to becoming the president of the United States.’
BET+ has canceled the comedy series Bigger after two seasons. Will Packer and his Will Packer Media were behind the project with showrunner/creator Felischa Marye confirming the news on her Twitter saying: “We’re sad to announce that #BiggerOnBet will not get a third season. We know, we know. We can’t believe it either, but want to say thanks to our #BiggerSeries Hive for being such loyal and passionate fans. We wanted to give audiences a hardcore funny comedy with a big heart, and our fans were there for it, so we thank you!”‘Created by Marye, the 10-episode first season of Bigger follows single-black-woman Layne (Tanisha Long) and her close-knit group of friends as they navigate love, friendships, career ambitions, and the journey to getting bigger, together. When a college acquaintance suddenly dies, the group is forced to take a deeper look at their messy lives, while asking themselves— is this it or is there something bigger and better?’ The actors include Angell Conwell, Rasheda Crockett, Chase Anthony, and Tristen Winger.
themsi3 / Twitter
Industry: Terri J. Vaughn, known for Insecure and The Steve Harvey Show, has inked an overall deal with Buchwald. Her debut was on the second season of The Steve Harvey Show as Alizay Jenkins. This role got her three NAACP Image Awards. After this debut, she appeared in ER, Soulfood, and Girlfriends. Then she became part of All Of Us for three seasons, executive produced by Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith in 2003 where she starred as Jonelle Abrahams. Last year she became the host of the true-crime series Looking For Latoya on HBO’s Insecure. As of now, Vaughn stars in Ava Duverney’s Cherish the Day for OWN and has recently directed her first episodic drama entitled Tales for BET.
Themsie Times, known for her role as Maria in the SABC2 soap 7de Laan has passed away at 72 years old. A spokesperson for the soap confirmed that Themsie Times had died, with Danie Odendaal Productions that learned the news from a family member saying: "We are saddened by the news and a statement will be issued collectively with the SABC. It is with great sadness that 7de Laan learns of the passing of South Africa actress Themsie Times. Themsie warmed her way into the hearts of many South Africans, through her character Maria." The cause of her death is not immediately known. Besides 7de Laan, Themsie Times appeared in the first season of SABC1's Yizo Yizo as Ma Jordan and in films like Cry, the Beloved Country and Beat the Drum, African Express, 1986's Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold, 1997's Dangerous Grounds, and portrayed a shebeen queen in 2003's Stander. She was also a housekeeper in 1986's Kampus: A Varsity Storie.
Carmen Salinas has died at the age of 82. Her career was over half a century in Spanish language television and film. Salinas had been in a coma since suffering a stroke in November, and her death was announced on social media by her family. “With great sorrow, we inform you that leading actress Carmen Salinas passed away today,” said a Twitter message, which ran with a black and white photograph and thanked fans. ‘Born in Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico on October 5, 1939, Salinas started her acting career as a child in the 1950’s. Salinas sang and did impersonations on the radio, later moving to beauty and talent contests, then on to nightclubs. Later in life, Salinas became a member of Mexico’s Institutional Revolutionary Party and was elected plurinominal federal deputy in 2015, a position she held until 2018. Survivors include a daughter, Maria Eugenia. Her son, Pedro, predeceased her in 1994. Memorial plans are pending, according to the family.’
