Exclusive: Emmy and Tony Award-winner Donna Murphy is set to recur in the new NBC medical drama Dr. Wolf opposite Zachary Quinto.
She will portray Muriel Landon, young Oliver Wolf’s mother in flashbacks, throughout Season 1. Murial does what she does to protect her son as Oliver’s dad and her ex-husband struggles with his mental health.
From writer/executive producer Michael Grassi, Dr. Wolf is inspired by the books The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and An Anthropologist on Mars by Oliver Sacks. It follows a revolutionary, larger-than-life neurologist, Dr. Oliver Wolf (Quinto), and his team of interns as they explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while also grappling with their own relationships and mental health.
The series also stars Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh Lathrop, Alexander MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore III and Teddy Sears.
In addition to Grassi, executive producers also include director Lee Toland Krieger,...
She will portray Muriel Landon, young Oliver Wolf’s mother in flashbacks, throughout Season 1. Murial does what she does to protect her son as Oliver’s dad and her ex-husband struggles with his mental health.
From writer/executive producer Michael Grassi, Dr. Wolf is inspired by the books The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and An Anthropologist on Mars by Oliver Sacks. It follows a revolutionary, larger-than-life neurologist, Dr. Oliver Wolf (Quinto), and his team of interns as they explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while also grappling with their own relationships and mental health.
The series also stars Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh Lathrop, Alexander MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore III and Teddy Sears.
In addition to Grassi, executive producers also include director Lee Toland Krieger,...
- 11/28/2023
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Zachary Quinto as Dr. Oliver Wolf in ‘Dr. Wolf’ (Photo by: Rafy/NBC)
NBC’s given a series order to the medical drama Dr. Wolf, with Zachary Quinto on board to star. The one-hour drama, inspired by Oliver Sacks’ books The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat (1985) and An Anthropologist on Mars (1995), doesn’t have a targeted premiere date as of yet.
In addition to Zachary Quinto, confirmed cast members include Tamberla Perry (They Cloned Tyrone), Ashleigh Lathrop (The Kominsky Method), Alexander MacNicoll (The Society), Aury Krebs (Way Down), Spence Moore II (The Wonder Years), and Teddy Sears (The Flash).
“Inspired by Oliver Sacks’ extraordinary life and work, Dr. Wolf follows revolutionary, larger-than-life neurologist Oliver Wolf (Quinto) and his team of interns as they explore the last great frontier — the human mind — while also grappling with their own relationships and mental health,” reads NBC’s official synopsis.
Michael Grassi...
NBC’s given a series order to the medical drama Dr. Wolf, with Zachary Quinto on board to star. The one-hour drama, inspired by Oliver Sacks’ books The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat (1985) and An Anthropologist on Mars (1995), doesn’t have a targeted premiere date as of yet.
In addition to Zachary Quinto, confirmed cast members include Tamberla Perry (They Cloned Tyrone), Ashleigh Lathrop (The Kominsky Method), Alexander MacNicoll (The Society), Aury Krebs (Way Down), Spence Moore II (The Wonder Years), and Teddy Sears (The Flash).
“Inspired by Oliver Sacks’ extraordinary life and work, Dr. Wolf follows revolutionary, larger-than-life neurologist Oliver Wolf (Quinto) and his team of interns as they explore the last great frontier — the human mind — while also grappling with their own relationships and mental health,” reads NBC’s official synopsis.
Michael Grassi...
- 10/23/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
A long-gestating medical drama that’s inspired by the late neurologist Oliver Sacks has been handed a series order at NBC.
NBC has given a series order to Dr. Wolf, which follows revolutionary, larger-than-life neurologist Oliver Wolf (Zachary Quinto) and his team of interns as they explore the last great frontier — the human mind — while also grappling with their own relationships and mental health.
The project from writer/EP Michael Grassi and director/EP Lee Toland Krieger was the last 2023 pilot awaiting word of its fate from NBC.
The drama is inspired by the books “The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat” and “An Anthropologist on Mars,” by Sacks, who died in 2015 at 82. Dubbed by The New York Times a “poet laureate of contemporary medicine,” Sacks dove into dedicated his life to studying the strangest and most mind-boggling brain disorders in the world as a window into human consciousness,...
NBC has given a series order to Dr. Wolf, which follows revolutionary, larger-than-life neurologist Oliver Wolf (Zachary Quinto) and his team of interns as they explore the last great frontier — the human mind — while also grappling with their own relationships and mental health.
The project from writer/EP Michael Grassi and director/EP Lee Toland Krieger was the last 2023 pilot awaiting word of its fate from NBC.
The drama is inspired by the books “The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat” and “An Anthropologist on Mars,” by Sacks, who died in 2015 at 82. Dubbed by The New York Times a “poet laureate of contemporary medicine,” Sacks dove into dedicated his life to studying the strangest and most mind-boggling brain disorders in the world as a window into human consciousness,...
- 10/20/2023
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
NBC has given the greenlight on a series order for a new medical drama from Greg Berlanti.
“Dr. Wolf,” which was inspired by neurologist Oliver Sacks’ books “The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat” and “An Anthropologist on Mars,” stars Zachary Quinto as “revolutionary, larger-than-life neurologist Oliver Wolf and his team of interns as they explore the last great frontier — the human mind — while also grappling with their own relationships and mental health,” according to the official logline.
The series order comes months after a pilot for “Dr. Wolf” was ordered in January. The cast is rounded out by Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh Lathrop, Alexander MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II and Teddy Sears.
Berlanti’s Berlanti Productions produces the series for NBC, alongside Fabel Entertainment and the Imaginarium in association with Warner Bros. Television and Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.
Lee Toland Krieger serves as director on the series,...
“Dr. Wolf,” which was inspired by neurologist Oliver Sacks’ books “The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat” and “An Anthropologist on Mars,” stars Zachary Quinto as “revolutionary, larger-than-life neurologist Oliver Wolf and his team of interns as they explore the last great frontier — the human mind — while also grappling with their own relationships and mental health,” according to the official logline.
The series order comes months after a pilot for “Dr. Wolf” was ordered in January. The cast is rounded out by Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh Lathrop, Alexander MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II and Teddy Sears.
Berlanti’s Berlanti Productions produces the series for NBC, alongside Fabel Entertainment and the Imaginarium in association with Warner Bros. Television and Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.
Lee Toland Krieger serves as director on the series,...
- 10/20/2023
- by Loree Seitz
- The Wrap
NBC has made an appointment with Dr. Wolf, by giving the Zachary Quinto-led medical drama a series order.
From writer/executive producer Michael Grassi (Riverdale, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin) and inspired by Dr. Oliver Sacks’ life and work (as chronicled in the books The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and An Anthropologist on Mars), Dr. Wolf stars Quinto (Heroes, NOS4A2) as Oliver Wolf, a revolutionary, larger-than-life neurologist, and his team of interns as they explore the last great frontier — the human mind — while also grappling with their own relationships and mental health.
More from...
From writer/executive producer Michael Grassi (Riverdale, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin) and inspired by Dr. Oliver Sacks’ life and work (as chronicled in the books The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and An Anthropologist on Mars), Dr. Wolf stars Quinto (Heroes, NOS4A2) as Oliver Wolf, a revolutionary, larger-than-life neurologist, and his team of interns as they explore the last great frontier — the human mind — while also grappling with their own relationships and mental health.
More from...
- 10/20/2023
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
Spoiler Alert! This post contains details from Tuesday’s episode of Found on NBC.
In any given year, more than half of those who are reported missing are people of color.
NBC’s latest missing persons procedural, Found, seeks to shed a light on this statistic through its case-of-the-week story format. Last week’s premiere introduced audiences to Shanola Hampton’s Gabi Moseley, a former missing person herself who now works round the clock to ensure no missing person slips through the cracks.
Her crisis management team includes several others who have close ties to missing persons cases, including Gabrielle Walsh’s Lacey Quinn — who was also abducted by the same man who kidnapped Gabi. What Lacey and the rest of the world don’t know is that her kidnapper, known as Sir (played by Mark-Paul Gosselaar), is no longer a threat. That’s because Gabi has found him and...
In any given year, more than half of those who are reported missing are people of color.
NBC’s latest missing persons procedural, Found, seeks to shed a light on this statistic through its case-of-the-week story format. Last week’s premiere introduced audiences to Shanola Hampton’s Gabi Moseley, a former missing person herself who now works round the clock to ensure no missing person slips through the cracks.
Her crisis management team includes several others who have close ties to missing persons cases, including Gabrielle Walsh’s Lacey Quinn — who was also abducted by the same man who kidnapped Gabi. What Lacey and the rest of the world don’t know is that her kidnapper, known as Sir (played by Mark-Paul Gosselaar), is no longer a threat. That’s because Gabi has found him and...
- 10/11/2023
- by Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
The DGA’s Women’s Steering Committee (Wsc) has announced the 2023 class of its Wsc Squad Mentorship Program. The latest class, which began in September, pairs 13 mid-career directors with well-established director-mentors.
“It is always exciting to kick off another year of the Wsc Mentorship Program,” said Shaz Bennett, cochair of the DGA’s Women’s Steering Committee. “The Wsc remains inspired by our community of mentors and mentees who have come together, united by a shared purpose — to uplift and empower one another. By joining forces on this journey of guidance and encouragement, we can all accomplish more than any one of us could alone. I can’t wait to see how these talented women lift each other up.”
The Wsc Squad Mentorship Program is led by directors DeMane Davis, Ashley Eakin, Morenike Joela Evans, Marie Jamora, Jen McGowan, and Rachel Raimist. The Wsc is cochaired by directors Shaz Bennett and Valerie Weiss,...
“It is always exciting to kick off another year of the Wsc Mentorship Program,” said Shaz Bennett, cochair of the DGA’s Women’s Steering Committee. “The Wsc remains inspired by our community of mentors and mentees who have come together, united by a shared purpose — to uplift and empower one another. By joining forces on this journey of guidance and encouragement, we can all accomplish more than any one of us could alone. I can’t wait to see how these talented women lift each other up.”
The Wsc Squad Mentorship Program is led by directors DeMane Davis, Ashley Eakin, Morenike Joela Evans, Marie Jamora, Jen McGowan, and Rachel Raimist. The Wsc is cochaired by directors Shaz Bennett and Valerie Weiss,...
- 10/5/2023
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Found, the NBC series from All American‘s Nkechi Okoro Carroll, is heading to the Boston Film Festival.
The series, which stars Shanola Hampton and Mark-Paul Gosselaar, will launch at the festival on September 23, ahead of its premiere on October 3.
It comes a day after NBC revealed the first trailer for the drama, which was originally scheduled to launch last midseason but was pushed to the fall schedule.
The series follows public relations specialist Gabi Mosely (Hampton) and her crisis management team dedicated to finding missing persons, especially those often overlooked by the system. Gabi was once one of those forgotten ones, and is still hiding a chilling secret of her own – she has found her kidnapper, Sir, (Gosselaar), and uses his twisted expertise to help solve their cases. The cast also includes Brett Dalton, Gabrielle Walsh, Arlen Escarpeta, Karan Oberoi and Kelli Williams.
Carroll executive produces alongside Sonay Hoffman,...
The series, which stars Shanola Hampton and Mark-Paul Gosselaar, will launch at the festival on September 23, ahead of its premiere on October 3.
It comes a day after NBC revealed the first trailer for the drama, which was originally scheduled to launch last midseason but was pushed to the fall schedule.
The series follows public relations specialist Gabi Mosely (Hampton) and her crisis management team dedicated to finding missing persons, especially those often overlooked by the system. Gabi was once one of those forgotten ones, and is still hiding a chilling secret of her own – she has found her kidnapper, Sir, (Gosselaar), and uses his twisted expertise to help solve their cases. The cast also includes Brett Dalton, Gabrielle Walsh, Arlen Escarpeta, Karan Oberoi and Kelli Williams.
Carroll executive produces alongside Sonay Hoffman,...
- 9/13/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
“The longest [running] Black family drama on television leaves a legacy of knowing that these stories are worthy, knowing that there’s an audience for them,” declares producer/director DeMane Davis about the legacy that “Queen Sugar” will leave on the TV landscape. For our recent webchat she adds, “It’s not a show that has a lot of bells and whistles. It doesn’t need it because it has these faces. It has this skin. It has this hair and then it has these directors of photography,” she says, “who know how to light that skin, know how to get light into the eyes, so that you see the depths of someone and you see the layers. There’s nothing like this on television.” Watch our exclusive video interview above.
See dozens of interviews with 2023 awards contenders
In “Queen Sugar,” three siblings in rural Louisiana inherit an 800-acre sugarcane farm...
See dozens of interviews with 2023 awards contenders
In “Queen Sugar,” three siblings in rural Louisiana inherit an 800-acre sugarcane farm...
- 5/24/2023
- by Rob Licuria
- Gold Derby
Click here to read the full article.
The Alice Initiative, backed by a group of anonymous female film executives, has released its annual survey of up-and-coming female directing talent, ready for their first studio feature.
The Alice Initiative’s 2022 List of Emerging Female Directors is voted on every two years by executives and producers and is made up of 10 directors who have directed at least one, non-studio feature and another 10 directors that have yet to direct a feature but have garnered attention for their work on TV or in short films.
Past list honorees have included The Farewell’s Lulu Wang and Portrait of a Lady on Fire‘s Céline Sciamma. Feature film directors from The Alice Initiative’s 2020 list included Laure de Clermont-Tonnere, who helmed Netflix’s Lady Chatterley’s Lover, and Where the Crawdads Sing directors Olivia Newman.
The Alice Initiative is continuing its partnership with Women Wednesdays. Started by Carly Kleinbart,...
The Alice Initiative, backed by a group of anonymous female film executives, has released its annual survey of up-and-coming female directing talent, ready for their first studio feature.
The Alice Initiative’s 2022 List of Emerging Female Directors is voted on every two years by executives and producers and is made up of 10 directors who have directed at least one, non-studio feature and another 10 directors that have yet to direct a feature but have garnered attention for their work on TV or in short films.
Past list honorees have included The Farewell’s Lulu Wang and Portrait of a Lady on Fire‘s Céline Sciamma. Feature film directors from The Alice Initiative’s 2020 list included Laure de Clermont-Tonnere, who helmed Netflix’s Lady Chatterley’s Lover, and Where the Crawdads Sing directors Olivia Newman.
The Alice Initiative is continuing its partnership with Women Wednesdays. Started by Carly Kleinbart,...
- 11/18/2022
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The DGA’s Women’s Steering Committee (Wsc) has announced the 2022 class of its Wsc Squad Mentorship Program. The latest class, which began in September, pairs twelve mid-career directors with well-established director-mentors.
“The DGA’s Women’s Steering Committee is so proud of the amazing group of mentors and mentees announced for the 2022 class,” said Tara Miele, Wsc co-chair and one of the founders of the program. “The Wsc Squad believes peer-to-peer support is crucial, thus this program provides frank discussion around the unique issues that female directors face while giving guidance and support.”
This year’s mentors and mentees are:
Jennifer Arnold mentoring Pat SantanaNeema Barnette mentoring Shari Lynette CarpenterStacey K. Black mentoring Drew Ann RosenbergKelly Freeman Craig mentoring Ashley EakinHanelle Culpepper mentoring Jean E. LeeRoxann Dawson mentoring Tamika MillerTamra Davis mentoring Jeannette GodoyKaren Gaviola mentoring Bertha Bay-Sa PanRachel Lee Goldenberg mentoring Sara ZandiehMaggie Kiley mentoring Anne RentonGail Mancuso...
“The DGA’s Women’s Steering Committee is so proud of the amazing group of mentors and mentees announced for the 2022 class,” said Tara Miele, Wsc co-chair and one of the founders of the program. “The Wsc Squad believes peer-to-peer support is crucial, thus this program provides frank discussion around the unique issues that female directors face while giving guidance and support.”
This year’s mentors and mentees are:
Jennifer Arnold mentoring Pat SantanaNeema Barnette mentoring Shari Lynette CarpenterStacey K. Black mentoring Drew Ann RosenbergKelly Freeman Craig mentoring Ashley EakinHanelle Culpepper mentoring Jean E. LeeRoxann Dawson mentoring Tamika MillerTamra Davis mentoring Jeannette GodoyKaren Gaviola mentoring Bertha Bay-Sa PanRachel Lee Goldenberg mentoring Sara ZandiehMaggie Kiley mentoring Anne RentonGail Mancuso...
- 10/12/2022
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Oprah Winfrey delivered an inspiring speech to close out Variety’s Power of Women dinner, presented by Lifetime. Winfrey was honored at the event alongside her “Queen Sugar” partner Ava DuVernay, both of whom turned the OWN series into a launching pad for female directors. Winfrey championed “Queen Sugar” for “defining the OWN network” and for “reflecting black families.”
“We are all looking for the same thing,” Winfrey said. “This is the one lesson I came away from doing ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show.’ The common denominator of our experiences is that we all want to know that we matter and we want a show that reflects our values.”
Winfrey was introduced by DuVernay, who spoke about their experience creating the OWN drama series “Queen Sugar,” which made history with the duo’s decision to exclusively hire women to direct the series’ 7-season, 88-episode run. The show employed 42 women directors, seven of whom — Shaz Bennett,...
“We are all looking for the same thing,” Winfrey said. “This is the one lesson I came away from doing ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show.’ The common denominator of our experiences is that we all want to know that we matter and we want a show that reflects our values.”
Winfrey was introduced by DuVernay, who spoke about their experience creating the OWN drama series “Queen Sugar,” which made history with the duo’s decision to exclusively hire women to direct the series’ 7-season, 88-episode run. The show employed 42 women directors, seven of whom — Shaz Bennett,...
- 9/29/2022
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
It’s nearly time for “Queen Sugar” fans to “take flight” one last time, as we prepare to say goodbye to the Bordelon family.
OWN has released the official trailer for the seventh and final season of the critically acclaimed drama, created by Ava DuVernay and executive produced by Oprah Winfrey, which begins Tuesday, Sept. 6.
“If we do not honor our past, we dishonor our future. Listen,” says Rutina Wesley’s Nova, the eldest Bordelon sibling, as the clip begins, previewing the tense and tender scenes that will play out over the next 13 episodes.
The first look, set to Al Green’s “Love and Happiness,” tees up the latest developments in the lives of Bordelons: Ralph Angel (Kofi Siriboe) and Darla (Bianca Lawson) have welcomed their second child, a daughter, and they continue to fight for their family’s future by exorcising their personal demons — namely, his deal with the...
OWN has released the official trailer for the seventh and final season of the critically acclaimed drama, created by Ava DuVernay and executive produced by Oprah Winfrey, which begins Tuesday, Sept. 6.
“If we do not honor our past, we dishonor our future. Listen,” says Rutina Wesley’s Nova, the eldest Bordelon sibling, as the clip begins, previewing the tense and tender scenes that will play out over the next 13 episodes.
The first look, set to Al Green’s “Love and Happiness,” tees up the latest developments in the lives of Bordelons: Ralph Angel (Kofi Siriboe) and Darla (Bianca Lawson) have welcomed their second child, a daughter, and they continue to fight for their family’s future by exorcising their personal demons — namely, his deal with the...
- 8/29/2022
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Sonay Hoffman has joined NBC’s newly picked up drama series Found as executive producer and co-showrunner. She will work alongside series creator/executive producer/showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll on the series, from Berlanti Productions, Warner Bros. Television and Universal Television.
Given her workload of three on-air series, Carroll was expected to bring in a co-showrunner on Found the way she recently did on All American: Homecoming with Marqui Jackson. In addition to Found and All American: Homecoming, on which she is creator/exec producer and co-showrunner, this coming season Carroll also has All American, on which she is an exec producer/showrunner.
In any given year, more than 600,000 people are reported missing in the U.S. More than half that number are people of color that the country seems to forget about. Public relations specialist Gabi Mosely (series star and producer Shanola Hampton) — who was once herself one...
Given her workload of three on-air series, Carroll was expected to bring in a co-showrunner on Found the way she recently did on All American: Homecoming with Marqui Jackson. In addition to Found and All American: Homecoming, on which she is creator/exec producer and co-showrunner, this coming season Carroll also has All American, on which she is an exec producer/showrunner.
In any given year, more than 600,000 people are reported missing in the U.S. More than half that number are people of color that the country seems to forget about. Public relations specialist Gabi Mosely (series star and producer Shanola Hampton) — who was once herself one...
- 8/10/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
OWN has set the premiere date for the seventh and final season of Queen Sugar. The series created and executive produced by Ava DuVernay will return on Tuesday, September 6 at 8 p.m. Et/Pt.
DuVernay will return to direct the series finale, wrapping up seven seasons of the all-women directorial team that she envisioned when directing the pilot. As previously reported, directors attached to Season 7 include Kat Candler, Stacey Muhammad, showrunner Shaz Bennett, Patricia Cardoso, Aurora Guerrero, and DeMane Davis.
For seven seasons and 88 episodes, the contemporary drama has been directed by women filmmakers, an initiative set forth by DuVernay at the outset of production in 2016. With nearly three dozen filmmakers making their directorial debut on Queen Sugar, the series marked a shift in industry hiring standards for women and people of color behind the camera.
Ahead of the Season 6 premiere of Queen Sugar in 2021, DuVernay expressed how satisfying it...
DuVernay will return to direct the series finale, wrapping up seven seasons of the all-women directorial team that she envisioned when directing the pilot. As previously reported, directors attached to Season 7 include Kat Candler, Stacey Muhammad, showrunner Shaz Bennett, Patricia Cardoso, Aurora Guerrero, and DeMane Davis.
For seven seasons and 88 episodes, the contemporary drama has been directed by women filmmakers, an initiative set forth by DuVernay at the outset of production in 2016. With nearly three dozen filmmakers making their directorial debut on Queen Sugar, the series marked a shift in industry hiring standards for women and people of color behind the camera.
Ahead of the Season 6 premiere of Queen Sugar in 2021, DuVernay expressed how satisfying it...
- 8/6/2022
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
‘Found’ Drama Starring Shanola Hampton Gets NBC Order, Giving Nkechi Okoro Carroll 3rd On-Air Series
It’s official: NBC has picked up a second drama pilot to series for the 2022-23 season, the missing-persons Found, from All American‘s Nkechi Okoro Carroll, Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television. The pickup, which Deadline wrote about in yesterday’s Pilot Buzz, gives Carroll three series on broadcast TV next season: All American, on which she is an exec producer/showrunner; spinoff All American: Homecoming, which she created and serves as EP and co-showrunner on; and Found, on which she is creator, executive producer and showrunner. Found is expected to bring in a co-showrunner to work alongside Carroll as she juggle her shows.
Found, starring Shanola Hampton, was one of six NBC pilots for off-cycle consideration alongside fellow drama Unbroken and Blank Slate, which were in advanced stages of production during the May upfronts, The Irrational and Untitled Mike Daniels, as well as an untitled Mike O’Malley comedy pilot.
Found, starring Shanola Hampton, was one of six NBC pilots for off-cycle consideration alongside fellow drama Unbroken and Blank Slate, which were in advanced stages of production during the May upfronts, The Irrational and Untitled Mike Daniels, as well as an untitled Mike O’Malley comedy pilot.
- 7/21/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
NBC has ordered the drama “Found” to series, Variety has learned. In addition, the network is passing on its pilots “Blank Slate” and “Unbroken.”
“Found” hails from writer and executive producer Nkechi Okoro Carroll with Shanola Hampton set for the lead role. The show is built around the fact that, in any given year, more than 600,000 people are reported missing in the U.S. More than half that number are people of color that the country seems to forget about. Public relations specialist Gabi Mosley (Hampton) — who was once herself one of those forgotten ones — and her crisis management team now make sure there is always someone looking out for the forgotten missing people. But unbeknownst to anyone, this everyday hero is hiding a chilling secret of her own.
The show also stars Brett Dalton, Gabrielle Walsh, Arlen Escarpeta, Karan Oberoi, with Kelli Williams, and Mark-Paul Gosselaar.
“Getting to put...
“Found” hails from writer and executive producer Nkechi Okoro Carroll with Shanola Hampton set for the lead role. The show is built around the fact that, in any given year, more than 600,000 people are reported missing in the U.S. More than half that number are people of color that the country seems to forget about. Public relations specialist Gabi Mosley (Hampton) — who was once herself one of those forgotten ones — and her crisis management team now make sure there is always someone looking out for the forgotten missing people. But unbeknownst to anyone, this everyday hero is hiding a chilling secret of her own.
The show also stars Brett Dalton, Gabrielle Walsh, Arlen Escarpeta, Karan Oberoi, with Kelli Williams, and Mark-Paul Gosselaar.
“Getting to put...
- 7/21/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
NBC is adding to its slate with a pickup of a drama titled Found.
The series, from All American showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll and executive producer Greg Berlanti, follows a public relations specialist (Shameless alum Shanola Hampton) who shines a light on missing persons cases. Found wasn’t part of NBC’s 2022-23 series orders in May but remained in contention for a pickup following the upfronts.
Berlanti Productions and Carroll’s Rock My Soul Productions, Warner Bros. Television and Universal Television produce the series.
NBC has also passed on two other drama pilots, Blank Slate and Unbroken, from last season’s development cycle.
“We are so happy to be working with Greg Berlanti and Nkechi Carroll on this incredible project that is so close to their hearts,” said Lisa Katz, president entertainment scripted content at NBCUniversal. “Found is very compelling while also...
NBC is adding to its slate with a pickup of a drama titled Found.
The series, from All American showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll and executive producer Greg Berlanti, follows a public relations specialist (Shameless alum Shanola Hampton) who shines a light on missing persons cases. Found wasn’t part of NBC’s 2022-23 series orders in May but remained in contention for a pickup following the upfronts.
Berlanti Productions and Carroll’s Rock My Soul Productions, Warner Bros. Television and Universal Television produce the series.
NBC has also passed on two other drama pilots, Blank Slate and Unbroken, from last season’s development cycle.
“We are so happy to be working with Greg Berlanti and Nkechi Carroll on this incredible project that is so close to their hearts,” said Lisa Katz, president entertainment scripted content at NBCUniversal. “Found is very compelling while also...
- 7/21/2022
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Click here to read the full article.
When Queen Sugar was first announced in 2016, creator Ava DuVernay revealed a commitment to hiring exclusively female directors. Now, as the OWN family drama preps its seventh and final season, it’s making good on that promise.
The series, from DuVernay’s Array Filmworks, Harpo Films and studio Warner Bros. TV, is currently filming in and around New Orleans with a lineup of seven directors from previous seasons, all of them female. Over the course of seven seasons, the show has employed 42 female directors in all, 39 of them first-time scripted TV directors in the U.S. Per OWN, the initiative has proven a successful pipeline, with every first-time director parlaying the Queen Sugar opportunity into directorial gigs on other shows and films.
Earlier in Queen Sugar’s run, DuVernay caught wind of a few male members of the Directors Guild of America who...
When Queen Sugar was first announced in 2016, creator Ava DuVernay revealed a commitment to hiring exclusively female directors. Now, as the OWN family drama preps its seventh and final season, it’s making good on that promise.
The series, from DuVernay’s Array Filmworks, Harpo Films and studio Warner Bros. TV, is currently filming in and around New Orleans with a lineup of seven directors from previous seasons, all of them female. Over the course of seven seasons, the show has employed 42 female directors in all, 39 of them first-time scripted TV directors in the U.S. Per OWN, the initiative has proven a successful pipeline, with every first-time director parlaying the Queen Sugar opportunity into directorial gigs on other shows and films.
Earlier in Queen Sugar’s run, DuVernay caught wind of a few male members of the Directors Guild of America who...
- 7/11/2022
- by Lacey Rose
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Ava DuVernay will direct the series finale of “Queen Sugar,” OWN has announced.
DuVernay, created the drama series an executive produces, returns to the director’s chair of the show for the first time since Season 1, when she helmed the first two episodes. Since the first season, DuVernay has written for the series a handful of times, with her last credit being as one of four writers on the penultimate episode of Season 6, which aired last fall. Production for the final episode has already begun in New Orleans.
In addition, OWN also announced the rest of directors for the seventh and final season of the show. The series notably has exclusively featured female directors over the course of its run, with 39 of the 42 directors hire to helm episodes being first time scripted television directors. Showrunner Shaz Bennett will direct an episode this coming season, along with returning directors Kat Candler,...
DuVernay, created the drama series an executive produces, returns to the director’s chair of the show for the first time since Season 1, when she helmed the first two episodes. Since the first season, DuVernay has written for the series a handful of times, with her last credit being as one of four writers on the penultimate episode of Season 6, which aired last fall. Production for the final episode has already begun in New Orleans.
In addition, OWN also announced the rest of directors for the seventh and final season of the show. The series notably has exclusively featured female directors over the course of its run, with 39 of the 42 directors hire to helm episodes being first time scripted television directors. Showrunner Shaz Bennett will direct an episode this coming season, along with returning directors Kat Candler,...
- 7/11/2022
- by Wilson Chapman
- Variety Film + TV
Queen Sugar creator and executive producer Ava DuVernay, who directed the pilot, will return to direct the series’ final episode. Production on the seventh and final season has begun in and around New Orleans.
DuVernay will wrap up seven seasons of an all-women directorial team for OWN’s award-winning drama series. In addition to DuVernay, season 7 directors include Kat Candler, Stacey Muhammad, showrunner Shaz Bennett, Patricia Cardoso, Aurora Guerrero and DeMane Davis.
When Queen Sugar first began production in 2016, DuVernay made a commitment to exclusively hire women as directors, and kept that promise through the entire series run. Over the course of its seven seasons, Queen Sugar has employed 42 women to direct episodes of the show, with 39 of those being first-time scripted television directors in the United States.
Guest stars for the final season include the return of Glynn Turman, the late father of the Bordelon siblings; Tracie Thoms, as...
DuVernay will wrap up seven seasons of an all-women directorial team for OWN’s award-winning drama series. In addition to DuVernay, season 7 directors include Kat Candler, Stacey Muhammad, showrunner Shaz Bennett, Patricia Cardoso, Aurora Guerrero and DeMane Davis.
When Queen Sugar first began production in 2016, DuVernay made a commitment to exclusively hire women as directors, and kept that promise through the entire series run. Over the course of its seven seasons, Queen Sugar has employed 42 women to direct episodes of the show, with 39 of those being first-time scripted television directors in the United States.
Guest stars for the final season include the return of Glynn Turman, the late father of the Bordelon siblings; Tracie Thoms, as...
- 7/11/2022
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Kaci Walfall will reunite with Naomi co-creator Ava DuVernay by way of a guest-starring role during the farewell run of the prolific producer’s Queen Sugar.
The OWN family drama’s end point was announced back in November, when it was renewed for a seventh and final season. “To everything, there is a season,” series creator DuVernay said at the time in a statement. “And my producing partner Paul Garnes and I have had seven gorgeous seasons making Queen Sugar with a remarkable cast and crew, alongside our partners at OWN and Warner Bros. Television.”
More from TVLineAll Rise Preview:...
The OWN family drama’s end point was announced back in November, when it was renewed for a seventh and final season. “To everything, there is a season,” series creator DuVernay said at the time in a statement. “And my producing partner Paul Garnes and I have had seven gorgeous seasons making Queen Sugar with a remarkable cast and crew, alongside our partners at OWN and Warner Bros. Television.”
More from TVLineAll Rise Preview:...
- 7/11/2022
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
Exclusive: DeMane Davis, who has directed episodes of Queen Sugar and Netflix’s Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam Cj Walker, has been tapped to helm NBC pilot Found.
Davis will direct the pilot episode of the missing-persons drama, which comes from Nkechi Okoro Carroll, Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. TV.
It reunites the director with Berlanti, with whom she worked on episodes of Netflix’s You and The Red Line.
It comes after Davis recently signed an overall deal with Warner Bros. Television Group and extends a relationship that began in 2017 when Ava DuVernay gave Davis her television series directing debut on an episode of the Array Filmworks drama series Queen Sugar.
She then became a producing director of the show in season three and supervised the all-female directing team on the show, a DuVernay-created initiative that continues throughout the show’s upcoming sixth season.
She has...
Davis will direct the pilot episode of the missing-persons drama, which comes from Nkechi Okoro Carroll, Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. TV.
It reunites the director with Berlanti, with whom she worked on episodes of Netflix’s You and The Red Line.
It comes after Davis recently signed an overall deal with Warner Bros. Television Group and extends a relationship that began in 2017 when Ava DuVernay gave Davis her television series directing debut on an episode of the Array Filmworks drama series Queen Sugar.
She then became a producing director of the show in season three and supervised the all-female directing team on the show, a DuVernay-created initiative that continues throughout the show’s upcoming sixth season.
She has...
- 4/4/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
The Sundance Institute has set Marissa Chibás (72), Walé Oyéjidé, Esq. (Chiaroscuro), Glenn Kaino (Fox & Stork), Mamoudou N’Diaye (Freelancers), Gabby Rivera (Juliet Takes a Breath), Nuhash Hamuyun (Moving Bangladesh), Tania Taiwo (Pharmacopeia), Andre Muir and Jake Hutton (The Predicament), Tommy Pico and Tazbah Rose Chavez (Sometimes), A.K. Espada (This Is Our Home) and Ramzi I. Bashour (Tomahawk Springs) as the participants for its tenth annual, two-day Screenwriters Intensive, taking place virtually through tomorrow.
During the workshop, these emerging creatives from historically marginalized communities will develop their first fiction features under the guidance of established writers and the Institute’s Feature Film Program, led by Michelle Satter and the Feature Film Program’s deputy director, Ilyse McKimmie.
Creatives serving as advisors for the intensive include Andrew Ahn, Lucy Alibar, Julia Camara, DeMane Davis, Nisha Ganatra, John Gatins, Tanya Hamilton, James Ponsoldt, Jon Raymond, Jessica Sharzer,...
During the workshop, these emerging creatives from historically marginalized communities will develop their first fiction features under the guidance of established writers and the Institute’s Feature Film Program, led by Michelle Satter and the Feature Film Program’s deputy director, Ilyse McKimmie.
Creatives serving as advisors for the intensive include Andrew Ahn, Lucy Alibar, Julia Camara, DeMane Davis, Nisha Ganatra, John Gatins, Tanya Hamilton, James Ponsoldt, Jon Raymond, Jessica Sharzer,...
- 3/2/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The Sundance Institute has announced the 13 writers selected for its 2022 Screenwriters Intensive.
Now in its 10th year, the Screenwriters Intensive is an annual two-day workshop that invites emerging creatives from historically marginalized backgrounds to develop their first full-length feature film scripts under the guidance of the Institute’s Feature Film Program. The workshop is led by Michelle Satter, the founding senior director of the Sundance Institute’s Artist Programs, as well as Ilyse McKimmie, the deputy director of the Feature Film Program.
“We’re thrilled to be bringing together such a dynamic and memorable group of storytellers developing work with bold vision and unique, necessary perspectives,” McKimmie said in a statement. “We look forward to continuing our creative and strategic support of them as they develop their debut features, and we’re excited to welcome them into the vibrant community of Sundance artists.”
The fellows selected for this year are:
Marissa Chibás,...
Now in its 10th year, the Screenwriters Intensive is an annual two-day workshop that invites emerging creatives from historically marginalized backgrounds to develop their first full-length feature film scripts under the guidance of the Institute’s Feature Film Program. The workshop is led by Michelle Satter, the founding senior director of the Sundance Institute’s Artist Programs, as well as Ilyse McKimmie, the deputy director of the Feature Film Program.
“We’re thrilled to be bringing together such a dynamic and memorable group of storytellers developing work with bold vision and unique, necessary perspectives,” McKimmie said in a statement. “We look forward to continuing our creative and strategic support of them as they develop their debut features, and we’re excited to welcome them into the vibrant community of Sundance artists.”
The fellows selected for this year are:
Marissa Chibás,...
- 3/2/2022
- by Wilson Chapman
- Variety Film + TV
Kaci Walfall, the actress behind the title character Naomi, is actually a teenager.
While that sounds like a no-brainer, it’s also a detail that brings an abundance of believability and relatability to the performance that can’t be found on some other shows, says DeMane Davis, a co-executive producer and director on the CW comic-book drama (Tuesdays, 9/8c).
More from TVLineNaomi's Barry Watson on Parents' Protective LiesRiverdale Return DelayedWalker's Coby Bell Previews James' 'Critical Condition' and Cordell's Challenging Turn as Acting Captain
“She is so much fun to direct because she’s a perfectionist who wants pointers,...
While that sounds like a no-brainer, it’s also a detail that brings an abundance of believability and relatability to the performance that can’t be found on some other shows, says DeMane Davis, a co-executive producer and director on the CW comic-book drama (Tuesdays, 9/8c).
More from TVLineNaomi's Barry Watson on Parents' Protective LiesRiverdale Return DelayedWalker's Coby Bell Previews James' 'Critical Condition' and Cordell's Challenging Turn as Acting Captain
“She is so much fun to direct because she’s a perfectionist who wants pointers,...
- 1/24/2022
- by Mekeisha Madden Toby
- TVLine.com
Director-producer DeMane Davis is expanding her relationship with Warner Bros. Television Group with an overall deal. Terms were not disclosed, but Wbtvg confirms it is an exclusive, multiyear agreement.
Under the pact, Davis will reunite with Ava DuVernay, joining her new superhero DC drama Naomi as co-executive producer. Davis will helm multiple episodes throughout the season and also oversee the show’s directing team. Naomi hails from executive producers/writers DuVernay and Jill Blankenship, Array Filmworks, and Warner Bros. Television for The CW. As part of the deal, Davis also will develop new original programming for all platforms, including WarnerMedia’s HBO Max, external streaming services, cable, and the broadcast networks.
“Growing up, I would scarf down Cap’n Crunch while watching Bugs Bunny every Saturday. I imagined a lot of things, but back then seeing him lean...
Under the pact, Davis will reunite with Ava DuVernay, joining her new superhero DC drama Naomi as co-executive producer. Davis will helm multiple episodes throughout the season and also oversee the show’s directing team. Naomi hails from executive producers/writers DuVernay and Jill Blankenship, Array Filmworks, and Warner Bros. Television for The CW. As part of the deal, Davis also will develop new original programming for all platforms, including WarnerMedia’s HBO Max, external streaming services, cable, and the broadcast networks.
“Growing up, I would scarf down Cap’n Crunch while watching Bugs Bunny every Saturday. I imagined a lot of things, but back then seeing him lean...
- 8/23/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
DeMane Davis, television director, producer and award-winning filmmaker of projects such as “Queen Sugar” and “Self Made,” has signed an overall creative deal with Warner Bros. Television Group. Under the terms of the pact, Davis joins the team of the upcoming DC Comics drama “Naomi” for The CW. Davis will serve as co-executive producer and the show’s producing director, working alongside executive producers and writers Ava DuVernay and Jill Blankenship. Sarah Bremner and Paul Garnes of Array Filmworks, DuVernay’s banner, also executive produce.
“Naomi” is based on the DC Comics character of the same name, who is played in the series by Kaci Walfall The show follows a teen girl’s journey from her small northwestern town to the heights of the multiverse. When a supernatural event shakes her hometown to the core, Naomi sets out to uncover its origins, and what she discovers will challenge everything we believe about superheroes.
“Naomi” is based on the DC Comics character of the same name, who is played in the series by Kaci Walfall The show follows a teen girl’s journey from her small northwestern town to the heights of the multiverse. When a supernatural event shakes her hometown to the core, Naomi sets out to uncover its origins, and what she discovers will challenge everything we believe about superheroes.
- 8/23/2021
- by Mónica Marie Zorrilla
- Variety Film + TV
Director and producer DeMane Davis is making a home at Warner Bros. Television Group.
Davis (Queen Sugar, Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker) has signed a multi-year overall deal with the studio. As part of the deal, she’ll join the creative team of The CW’s DC Comics drama Naomi as co-executive producer and producing director — reuniting her with Queen Sugar creator Ava DuVernay.
Davis will also develop new material for all platforms and serve as director on other WB projects.
“Growing up, I would scarf down Cap’n Crunch while watching Bugs Bunny every ...
Davis (Queen Sugar, Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker) has signed a multi-year overall deal with the studio. As part of the deal, she’ll join the creative team of The CW’s DC Comics drama Naomi as co-executive producer and producing director — reuniting her with Queen Sugar creator Ava DuVernay.
Davis will also develop new material for all platforms and serve as director on other WB projects.
“Growing up, I would scarf down Cap’n Crunch while watching Bugs Bunny every ...
- 8/23/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Director and producer DeMane Davis is making a home at Warner Bros. Television Group.
Davis (Queen Sugar, Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker) has signed a multi-year overall deal with the studio. As part of the deal, she’ll join the creative team of The CW’s DC Comics drama Naomi as co-executive producer and producing director — reuniting her with Queen Sugar creator Ava DuVernay.
Davis will also develop new material for all platforms and serve as director on other WB projects.
“Growing up, I would scarf down Cap’n Crunch while watching Bugs Bunny every ...
Davis (Queen Sugar, Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker) has signed a multi-year overall deal with the studio. As part of the deal, she’ll join the creative team of The CW’s DC Comics drama Naomi as co-executive producer and producing director — reuniting her with Queen Sugar creator Ava DuVernay.
Davis will also develop new material for all platforms and serve as director on other WB projects.
“Growing up, I would scarf down Cap’n Crunch while watching Bugs Bunny every ...
- 8/23/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Denver-based TV festival SeriesFest is once again going virtual this year, unveiling a lineup of events that include the world premiere of Peacock’s docuseries “Epstein’s Shadow: Ghislaine Maxwell,” as well as conversations with guests including actors Jennifer Garner and Mark Duplass, and YouTube chief business officer Robert Kyncl, and panels dissecting “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” and much more.
The seventh year of the event, dubbed “SeriesFest: Season 7,” takes place from June 24 to July 11 and revolves around the theme “What’s Next?” and includes several panels and screenings that dive into the future of programming.
Also, as part of the festival, actor Ann Dowd will receive the inaugural “SeriesFest Impact in Television Award,” which SeriesFest describes as “recognizing trailblazers who have made creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance in television.”
“This past year left an indelible imprint on our narratives,” co-founders Randi Kleiner and Kaily Smith Westbrook...
The seventh year of the event, dubbed “SeriesFest: Season 7,” takes place from June 24 to July 11 and revolves around the theme “What’s Next?” and includes several panels and screenings that dive into the future of programming.
Also, as part of the festival, actor Ann Dowd will receive the inaugural “SeriesFest Impact in Television Award,” which SeriesFest describes as “recognizing trailblazers who have made creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance in television.”
“This past year left an indelible imprint on our narratives,” co-founders Randi Kleiner and Kaily Smith Westbrook...
- 6/10/2021
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
“Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker” premiered on Netflix earlier this year. Starring Oscar winner Octavia Spencer, it takes place in the early 1900s, when Sarah Breedlove made history for female entrepreneurs. Scroll down for our exclusive video interviews with top Emmy contenders from the limited series.
The series chronicles how Breedlove went from being a domestic washer in a troubled marriage to starting her own line of hair care products specifically aimed at black women under the name Madam C.J. Walker — using the name of her third husband. She struggles to get her business off the ground and also has to deal with a savage rival who seeks to undermine her at every turn. But Walker perseveres and becomes the first self-made female millionaire in America.
SEEEmmy spotlight: Octavia Spencer commands ‘Self Made’ in a beautiful portrait of American self-determination
The series has an...
The series chronicles how Breedlove went from being a domestic washer in a troubled marriage to starting her own line of hair care products specifically aimed at black women under the name Madam C.J. Walker — using the name of her third husband. She struggles to get her business off the ground and also has to deal with a savage rival who seeks to undermine her at every turn. But Walker perseveres and becomes the first self-made female millionaire in America.
SEEEmmy spotlight: Octavia Spencer commands ‘Self Made’ in a beautiful portrait of American self-determination
The series has an...
- 6/7/2020
- by Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
In today’s film news roundup, “Waiting for the Barbarians,” “Don’t Tell a Soul” and “Daddy Issues” get distribution and the African American Film Critics Association is launching a virtual Strong Summer 2020 programming slate.
Acquisitions
Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired North American rights to Ciro Guerra’s feature film “Waiting for the Barbarians,” starring Johnny Depp, Robert Pattinson, Mark Rylance, Gana Bayarsaikhan, and Greta Scacchi.
Goldwyn said the film was originally slated for a theatrical release, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it will be released on cable on-demand and digital platforms in August.
Rylance plays a magistrate in an isolated frontier settlement on the border of a large empire who looks forward to an easy retirement until the arrival of a colonel (portrayed by Depp), whose task it is to report on the activities of the “barbarians” and the security situation on the border. The colonel’s ruthless interrogations...
Acquisitions
Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired North American rights to Ciro Guerra’s feature film “Waiting for the Barbarians,” starring Johnny Depp, Robert Pattinson, Mark Rylance, Gana Bayarsaikhan, and Greta Scacchi.
Goldwyn said the film was originally slated for a theatrical release, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it will be released on cable on-demand and digital platforms in August.
Rylance plays a magistrate in an isolated frontier settlement on the border of a large empire who looks forward to an easy retirement until the arrival of a colonel (portrayed by Depp), whose task it is to report on the activities of the “barbarians” and the security situation on the border. The colonel’s ruthless interrogations...
- 5/21/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
With almost all of Hollywood and large swaths of America and the world under stay-at-home orders because of the coronavirus pandemic, a digital conversation with some of the leading filmmakers of our time never seemed like a better idea than right now.
Which is exactly what Ava DuVernay and Array will be kicking off at 9 Am Pt today with now 60 directors participating in the its fourth filmmaker tweet-a-thon – see the full 10-hour schedule below and follow with #ARRAYNow
“We hope today’s day-long Q&a feels like a virtual group hug from filmmakers to film fans,” DuVernay told Deadline as the When They See Us helmer prepared to start the show this morning. “Everyone at Array just wanted to create a space for positivity and community during these tense times,” the Oscar nominee added. “The fact that 60 filmmakers of color and women directors answered our call is beautiful and we...
Which is exactly what Ava DuVernay and Array will be kicking off at 9 Am Pt today with now 60 directors participating in the its fourth filmmaker tweet-a-thon – see the full 10-hour schedule below and follow with #ARRAYNow
“We hope today’s day-long Q&a feels like a virtual group hug from filmmakers to film fans,” DuVernay told Deadline as the When They See Us helmer prepared to start the show this morning. “Everyone at Array just wanted to create a space for positivity and community during these tense times,” the Oscar nominee added. “The fact that 60 filmmakers of color and women directors answered our call is beautiful and we...
- 4/30/2020
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
DeMane Davis does not mince words when it comes to talking about directing a performer like Octavia Spencer on the Netflix limited series, “Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker.” “Miss Octavia, as I call her, is absolutely phenomenal,” she recalls in our recent webchat (watch the video above). Davis elaborates on this by talking about how she would get to the set early to walk through it and review the script, thinking she was by herself only to discover Spencer was already on set. Davis also extended this gratitude to the rest of her central cast including Blair Underwood, Tiffany Haddish and Garrett Morris. The energy all the actors brought to the project made the whole experience very welcoming. “I was pinching myself quite a bit just being there.”
SEEBlair Underwood Interview: ‘Self Made’
“Self Made” chronicles the journey of Sarah Breedlove, a clothes washer...
SEEBlair Underwood Interview: ‘Self Made’
“Self Made” chronicles the journey of Sarah Breedlove, a clothes washer...
- 4/10/2020
- by Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
It’s been about a month since production work all but ground to a halt. No one knows when they’re going back — but those who work on the sets have some clear ideas of what they’d want from their post-coronavirus work environments. In the absence of a vaccine, or targeted antiviral drugs, the hope is for rapid virus and antibody testing for everyone on set, perhaps even on a daily basis.
To better understand the specific challenges that stem from working on set, IndieWire spoke to more than a half-dozen people in jobs that include production designers, dental prosthetics, and prop masters as well as directors and producers. The issues are far ranging, but it’s clear that they all want enhanced and far-reaching safety tactics to become second nature for everyone.
More from IndieWireThe Show Must Go On: Here's What's Still Open for Business in HollywoodCoronavirus Cancellations: Every Film,...
To better understand the specific challenges that stem from working on set, IndieWire spoke to more than a half-dozen people in jobs that include production designers, dental prosthetics, and prop masters as well as directors and producers. The issues are far ranging, but it’s clear that they all want enhanced and far-reaching safety tactics to become second nature for everyone.
More from IndieWireThe Show Must Go On: Here's What's Still Open for Business in HollywoodCoronavirus Cancellations: Every Film,...
- 4/9/2020
- by Chris Lindahl
- Indiewire
The title of Netflix’s miniseries “Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker” implies that it’s not entirely a factual retelling of the pioneering entrepreneur, philanthropist, and activist’s life. In fact, the influence fundamental to Walker’s remarkable story barely exists in this rather underwhelming jumble.
The one thing that’s clear is that writers Nicole Jefferson Asher and Elle Johnson (working from a bio written by Walker’s great-great-granddaughter A’Lelia Bundles) and directors Kasi Lemmons and DeMane Davis want to tell a story that inspires and entertains. The degree to which they succeed in doing that is what’s ultimately in question. It’s pointless to critique creative license here, as many critics continue to do, so don’t expect much of a deep dive into the itinerant history of Walker’s business, which is highly abridged in the series, as are her philanthropic and social work.
The one thing that’s clear is that writers Nicole Jefferson Asher and Elle Johnson (working from a bio written by Walker’s great-great-granddaughter A’Lelia Bundles) and directors Kasi Lemmons and DeMane Davis want to tell a story that inspires and entertains. The degree to which they succeed in doing that is what’s ultimately in question. It’s pointless to critique creative license here, as many critics continue to do, so don’t expect much of a deep dive into the itinerant history of Walker’s business, which is highly abridged in the series, as are her philanthropic and social work.
- 3/20/2020
- by Tambay Obenson
- Indiewire
1. “Ozark” Season 3 (available March 27)
Why Should I Watch? If you’re a fan of dark crime stories, “Ozark” probably pulled you in a while ago. Directed, produced, and starring Jason Bateman, the Netflix drama about a family of money launderers trying to escape the tightening grasp of their cartel bosses is a perennial awards player and cultural talking point. But like the remote destination’s lakeside tourists, “Ozark” doesn’t come without its baggage. Some of the aforementioned “buzz” is centered around how hard it is to see what’s going on, and awards shows are often unreliable bellwethers of quality. Plus, Season 2 marked a dramatic downshift in the propulsive pleasures “Ozark” Season 1 offered, so can Season 3 recover? Reviews are embargoed, so I can’t possibly say — but there’s a reason this is the No. 1 March offering, and it ain’t because “Archibald’s Next Big Thing” is bad.
Why Should I Watch? If you’re a fan of dark crime stories, “Ozark” probably pulled you in a while ago. Directed, produced, and starring Jason Bateman, the Netflix drama about a family of money launderers trying to escape the tightening grasp of their cartel bosses is a perennial awards player and cultural talking point. But like the remote destination’s lakeside tourists, “Ozark” doesn’t come without its baggage. Some of the aforementioned “buzz” is centered around how hard it is to see what’s going on, and awards shows are often unreliable bellwethers of quality. Plus, Season 2 marked a dramatic downshift in the propulsive pleasures “Ozark” Season 1 offered, so can Season 3 recover? Reviews are embargoed, so I can’t possibly say — but there’s a reason this is the No. 1 March offering, and it ain’t because “Archibald’s Next Big Thing” is bad.
- 3/1/2020
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
Octavia Spencer portrays Madame C.J. Walker, America’s first self-made female millionaire, in the new Netflix series Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madame C.J. Walker. The four-part limited series hits the platform on March 20th.
As seen in the trailer released on Tuesday, Walker notably became an entrepreneur in the early 20th century thanks to her innovative products marketing to black hair; like many black women of the time period, she herself had suffered from severe dandruff and baldness while working as a laundress in St.
As seen in the trailer released on Tuesday, Walker notably became an entrepreneur in the early 20th century thanks to her innovative products marketing to black hair; like many black women of the time period, she herself had suffered from severe dandruff and baldness while working as a laundress in St.
- 2/25/2020
- by Claire Shaffer
- Rollingstone.com
Octavia Spencer is all about beautiful hair and Benjamins in the first trailer for Netflix’s “Self Made,” a limited series about Madam C.J. Walker, the trailblazing African American haircare entrepreneur who was America’s first female self-made millionaire.
In the video, which you can view above, Sarah Breedlove a.k.a. Madam Cj Walker (Spencer), says it’s time to tell her story.
“Seems like I was born to struggle,” she says in a voiceover, as we watch her scrubbing laundry. “After a while, I guess I just lost hope. That’s when my hair started falling out.”
She gets some help from a lady whose product helps her hair grow back, but when Walker offers to sell the haircare wonder for the woman, she tells her she doesn’t think sales of “for” Walker. That’s when Sarah decides to take matters into her own hands, doing...
In the video, which you can view above, Sarah Breedlove a.k.a. Madam Cj Walker (Spencer), says it’s time to tell her story.
“Seems like I was born to struggle,” she says in a voiceover, as we watch her scrubbing laundry. “After a while, I guess I just lost hope. That’s when my hair started falling out.”
She gets some help from a lady whose product helps her hair grow back, but when Walker offers to sell the haircare wonder for the woman, she tells her she doesn’t think sales of “for” Walker. That’s when Sarah decides to take matters into her own hands, doing...
- 2/25/2020
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
In today’s film news roundup, Sabrina Carpenter’s “The Short History of the Long Road” gets a home, comedian Jo Koy’s life will become a movie, “True to the Game” is getting a sequel and Apa promotes Chris Ridenhour.
Acquisition
FilmRise has acquired Sabrina Carpenter’s coming-of-age drama “The Short History of the Long Road” and is planning a May 15 theatrical release.
The film, written and directed by Ani Simon-Kennedy, won a special jury mention for screenplay at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival. “The Short History of the Long Road” also stars Maggie Siff, Steven Ogg and Danny Trejo.
Carpenter portrays a teenager who grew up living out of a van with her beloved father. When tragedy strikes, she is confronted by the reality that life as an outsider may not be her only choice.
The film is produced by Darren Dean, Bettina Kadoorie, Kishori Rajan, Eddie Rubin, Ani Simon-Kennedy,...
Acquisition
FilmRise has acquired Sabrina Carpenter’s coming-of-age drama “The Short History of the Long Road” and is planning a May 15 theatrical release.
The film, written and directed by Ani Simon-Kennedy, won a special jury mention for screenplay at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival. “The Short History of the Long Road” also stars Maggie Siff, Steven Ogg and Danny Trejo.
Carpenter portrays a teenager who grew up living out of a van with her beloved father. When tragedy strikes, she is confronted by the reality that life as an outsider may not be her only choice.
The film is produced by Darren Dean, Bettina Kadoorie, Kishori Rajan, Eddie Rubin, Ani Simon-Kennedy,...
- 2/19/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix is leaning into its strengths in 2020. Not only is the streaming giant pumping out dozens, if not hundreds of new shows, but many of their original series meet the demand illustrated by past successes or fill holes left by departing favorites.
So is there a new “Stranger Things” on the horizon? Perhaps a worthy follow-up to “Orange Is the New Black?” What about a replacement for syndicated sitcoms like “The Office” and “Friends”? You better believe Netflix is working to give subscribers what they want, and the below 2020 preview should illustrate exactly that.
With more competition than ever from Disney and Apple, and even more services on the way (hello HBO Max and Peacock), 2020 will be a critical year for the current king of streaming. So here’s what they’re working with:
“Locke and Key”
Release Date: Friday, February 7
Cast: Darby Stanchfield, Jackson Robert Scott, Connor Jessup, Emilia Jones,...
So is there a new “Stranger Things” on the horizon? Perhaps a worthy follow-up to “Orange Is the New Black?” What about a replacement for syndicated sitcoms like “The Office” and “Friends”? You better believe Netflix is working to give subscribers what they want, and the below 2020 preview should illustrate exactly that.
With more competition than ever from Disney and Apple, and even more services on the way (hello HBO Max and Peacock), 2020 will be a critical year for the current king of streaming. So here’s what they’re working with:
“Locke and Key”
Release Date: Friday, February 7
Cast: Darby Stanchfield, Jackson Robert Scott, Connor Jessup, Emilia Jones,...
- 1/7/2020
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
Netflix has unveiled the official title and premiere date for their previously announced C.J. Walker project starring Octavia Spencer. The four-part limited series Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker will debut on the streaming platform March 20. Netflix also released the first look at Spencer as the iconic figure in history.
In the series, Oscar-winning actress Spencer stars as Sarah Breedlove, known as Madam C.J. Walker, the black hair care pioneer and mogul who overcame hostile turn-of-the-century America, epic rivalries, tumultuous marriages and family challenges to become America’s first black, female self-made millionaire.
The series is inspired by the book, On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C. J. Walker by Walker’s great-great-granddaughter A’Lelia Bundles. Walker overcame post-slavery racial and gender biases, personal betrayals, and business rivalries to build a ground-breaking brand that revolutionized black haircare, as she simultaneously fought for social change.
In the series, Oscar-winning actress Spencer stars as Sarah Breedlove, known as Madam C.J. Walker, the black hair care pioneer and mogul who overcame hostile turn-of-the-century America, epic rivalries, tumultuous marriages and family challenges to become America’s first black, female self-made millionaire.
The series is inspired by the book, On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C. J. Walker by Walker’s great-great-granddaughter A’Lelia Bundles. Walker overcame post-slavery racial and gender biases, personal betrayals, and business rivalries to build a ground-breaking brand that revolutionized black haircare, as she simultaneously fought for social change.
- 1/2/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
From TorontoFilm.Net here is the Toronto Film Production Update for September 2019 including "Jupiter's Legacy", "The Boys", "Titans" and a whole lot more:
AMÉLIE Et Compagnie! Season 4
Episodic Series - TV
Carte Blanche Films Inc.
Prod.: Tracy Legault
Dir.: Dominque Cardona,
Jul 3 - Sep 20/19
Awake
Feature Films - Streaming
eOne / Netflix
Prod.: Mark Gordon, Paul Schiff
Dir.: Mark Raso
Aug 6 – Sep 27/19
Backyard Beats
Episodic Series – TV
Bristow Global Media Inc.
Prod.: Daniel Bourre, Corinna Lehr
Dir.: tbd
Aug 19 - Sep 2/19
Beacon Street
Feature Films - Streaming
Twinkle Toes Movie Prod. Ltd.
Prod.: Susan Cartsonis, Brent Emery, Suzanne Farwell
Dir.: Elissa Down
Jul 25 - Sep 20/19
Christmas 9 To 5
Television Movie
Christmas 95 Ulc
Prod.: Arnie Zipursky, Suzanne Berger, Tyler Levine
Dir.: Jill Carter
Aug 19 - Sep 9/19
Coroner Season 2
Episodic Series – TV
Coroner 2 Productions (Ontario) Inc.
Prod.: Suzanne Colvin-Golding
Dir.: Adrienne Mitchell,...
AMÉLIE Et Compagnie! Season 4
Episodic Series - TV
Carte Blanche Films Inc.
Prod.: Tracy Legault
Dir.: Dominque Cardona,
Jul 3 - Sep 20/19
Awake
Feature Films - Streaming
eOne / Netflix
Prod.: Mark Gordon, Paul Schiff
Dir.: Mark Raso
Aug 6 – Sep 27/19
Backyard Beats
Episodic Series – TV
Bristow Global Media Inc.
Prod.: Daniel Bourre, Corinna Lehr
Dir.: tbd
Aug 19 - Sep 2/19
Beacon Street
Feature Films - Streaming
Twinkle Toes Movie Prod. Ltd.
Prod.: Susan Cartsonis, Brent Emery, Suzanne Farwell
Dir.: Elissa Down
Jul 25 - Sep 20/19
Christmas 9 To 5
Television Movie
Christmas 95 Ulc
Prod.: Arnie Zipursky, Suzanne Berger, Tyler Levine
Dir.: Jill Carter
Aug 19 - Sep 9/19
Coroner Season 2
Episodic Series – TV
Coroner 2 Productions (Ontario) Inc.
Prod.: Suzanne Colvin-Golding
Dir.: Adrienne Mitchell,...
- 8/19/2019
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
From TorontoFilm.Net here is the Toronto Film Production Update for August 2019 including "Titans", "Nightmare Alley", "Zeus" and a whole lot more:
AMÉLIE Et Compagnie! Saison 4
Episodic Series - TV
Carte Blanche Films Inc.
Prod.: Tracy Legault
Dir.: Dominque Cardona,
Jul 3 - Sep 20/19
Anne With An E Season 3
Episodic Series - TV
Northwood Anne Trois Inc.
Dir.: Various
Mar 11 – Aug 22/19
Awake
Feature Films - Streaming
eOne / Netflix
Prod.: Mark Gordon, Paul Schiff
Dir.: Mark Raso
Aug 6 – Sep 27/19
Backyard Beats
Episodic Series – TV
Bristow Global Media Inc.
Prod.: Daniel Bourre, Corinna Lehr
Dir.: Tba
Aug 19 - Sep 2/19
Beacon Street
Feature Films - Streaming
Twinkle Toes Movie Prod. Ltd.
Prod.: Susan Cartsonis, Brent Emery, Suzanne Farwell
Dir.: Elissa Down
Jul 25 - Sep 20/19
Condor Season 2
Episodic Series - Streaming
T5 Condor 2 Productions Inc.
Prod.: Andrea Raffaghello
Dir.: Andrew McCarthy
Apr 29 - Aug...
AMÉLIE Et Compagnie! Saison 4
Episodic Series - TV
Carte Blanche Films Inc.
Prod.: Tracy Legault
Dir.: Dominque Cardona,
Jul 3 - Sep 20/19
Anne With An E Season 3
Episodic Series - TV
Northwood Anne Trois Inc.
Dir.: Various
Mar 11 – Aug 22/19
Awake
Feature Films - Streaming
eOne / Netflix
Prod.: Mark Gordon, Paul Schiff
Dir.: Mark Raso
Aug 6 – Sep 27/19
Backyard Beats
Episodic Series – TV
Bristow Global Media Inc.
Prod.: Daniel Bourre, Corinna Lehr
Dir.: Tba
Aug 19 - Sep 2/19
Beacon Street
Feature Films - Streaming
Twinkle Toes Movie Prod. Ltd.
Prod.: Susan Cartsonis, Brent Emery, Suzanne Farwell
Dir.: Elissa Down
Jul 25 - Sep 20/19
Condor Season 2
Episodic Series - Streaming
T5 Condor 2 Productions Inc.
Prod.: Andrea Raffaghello
Dir.: Andrew McCarthy
Apr 29 - Aug...
- 7/25/2019
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Filmmaker Elisabeth Subrin sends this short dispatch from Ifp Week’s Screen Forward Talks: Notes to the Future Sunday program — specifically, the afternoon panel, “Through the Generations: Queen Sugar: Ava DuVernay and Oprah Winfrey’s Queen Sugar.” The panel featured Ifp alums Kat Candler (Hellion), Julie Dash (Daughters of the Dust), DeMane Davis (Lift), Lauren Wolkstein (The Strange Ones). Beyond the brilliance of the series itself, Ava Duvernay’s production model for Queen Sugar, a cable series on the Oprah Winfrey Network, is visionary and proactive. By choosing to hire only women independent film directors who have never […]...
- 9/19/2018
- by Elisabeth Subrin
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Filmmaker Elisabeth Subrin sends this short dispatch from Ifp Week’s Screen Forward Talks: Notes to the Future Sunday program — specifically, the afternoon panel, “Through the Generations: Queen Sugar: Ava DuVernay and Oprah Winfrey’s Queen Sugar.” The panel featured Ifp alums Kat Candler (Hellion), Julie Dash (Daughters of the Dust), DeMane Davis (Lift), Lauren Wolkstein (The Strange Ones). Beyond the brilliance of the series itself, Ava Duvernay’s production model for Queen Sugar, a cable series on the Oprah Winfrey Network, is visionary and proactive. By choosing to hire only women independent film directors who have never […]...
- 9/19/2018
- by Elisabeth Subrin
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
In today’s roundup, “Queen Sugar” added new cast members and directors to its third season, and “American Idol” announced dates and cities for its summer auditions.
Award Shows
PromaxBDA will honor Debra L. Lee, Bet networks chairman and CEO emeritus, with its lifetime achievement award. The marketing, promotion and design association will present Lee with the distinction at the PromaxBDA Conference in New York on June 14.
Dates
ABC has announced the audition tour locations and dates for the second reboot season of “American Idol.” Starting Aug. 25, the “Idol” team will be traveling to 20 cities in search of its next amateur stars. This year’s tour stops include Orlando, Fla. and San Diego, Calif. (Aug. 25); Chattanooga, Tenn. and Scottsdale, Ariz. (Aug. 28); Charlotte, N.C., Albuquerque, N.M., and Seattle, Wash. (Aug. 31); Boise, Idaho (Sep. 2); Richmond, Va. and Plano, Texas (Sep. 3); Houston, Texas (Sep. 4); Austin, Texas, Philadelphia, Pa., and Oklahoma City,...
Award Shows
PromaxBDA will honor Debra L. Lee, Bet networks chairman and CEO emeritus, with its lifetime achievement award. The marketing, promotion and design association will present Lee with the distinction at the PromaxBDA Conference in New York on June 14.
Dates
ABC has announced the audition tour locations and dates for the second reboot season of “American Idol.” Starting Aug. 25, the “Idol” team will be traveling to 20 cities in search of its next amateur stars. This year’s tour stops include Orlando, Fla. and San Diego, Calif. (Aug. 25); Chattanooga, Tenn. and Scottsdale, Ariz. (Aug. 28); Charlotte, N.C., Albuquerque, N.M., and Seattle, Wash. (Aug. 31); Boise, Idaho (Sep. 2); Richmond, Va. and Plano, Texas (Sep. 3); Houston, Texas (Sep. 4); Austin, Texas, Philadelphia, Pa., and Oklahoma City,...
- 6/6/2018
- by Christi Carras
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: One week after Queen Sugar‘s two-part Season 3 debut on Own, the drama executive produced by Oprah Winfrey and Ava DuVernay has announced the final set of directors for the all-female-helmed series and widened its inclusion scope with new castings.
The new directors are Nijla Mu’min, Christina Choe, Ayoka Chenzira and Rachel Raimist, along with the return of Queen Sugar Season 3 showrunner Kat Candler. They join previously announced Season 3 helmers DeMane Davis, Patricia Cardoso, Shaz Bennett, Maria Govan and Lauren Wolkstein.
In addition, Vivien Ngo (Shameless), Tony Aidan Vo (Alternatino) and Elyse Dinh McCrillis (Spider-Man 2) will recur on the show as part of a narrative that focuses on New Orleans’ strong Vietnamese community and of course its interaction with the Bordelons family, friends and enemies.
If you haven’t been watching Queen Sugar, which you should, here is the detailed Season 3 logline to catch you up fpr tonight...
The new directors are Nijla Mu’min, Christina Choe, Ayoka Chenzira and Rachel Raimist, along with the return of Queen Sugar Season 3 showrunner Kat Candler. They join previously announced Season 3 helmers DeMane Davis, Patricia Cardoso, Shaz Bennett, Maria Govan and Lauren Wolkstein.
In addition, Vivien Ngo (Shameless), Tony Aidan Vo (Alternatino) and Elyse Dinh McCrillis (Spider-Man 2) will recur on the show as part of a narrative that focuses on New Orleans’ strong Vietnamese community and of course its interaction with the Bordelons family, friends and enemies.
If you haven’t been watching Queen Sugar, which you should, here is the detailed Season 3 logline to catch you up fpr tonight...
- 6/6/2018
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
“Queen Sugar” has aired 29 episodes across two seasons, and every single installment has featured a woman in the director’s chair. Ava DuVernay, who created the Own series and has directed episodes herself, has used the family drama to champion female voices, but it turns out not everyone is happy about that fact. During this year’s Gloria Awards (via Vulture), DuVernay remembered a time when she found out certain men in the Director’s Guild of America took criticism with her all female directing roster on “Queen Sugar.”
DuVernay was told about the “complaints” by a director friend, to which she responded by saying, “I invite you to tell whoever is feeling discriminated against to sue me so that I can sue every studio that has left women out. “Because we can do this, if that’s what you want to do.”
“Why did we do this?” DuVernay asked...
DuVernay was told about the “complaints” by a director friend, to which she responded by saying, “I invite you to tell whoever is feeling discriminated against to sue me so that I can sue every studio that has left women out. “Because we can do this, if that’s what you want to do.”
“Why did we do this?” DuVernay asked...
- 5/4/2018
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
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