Kenya Barris was deeply inspired by “The Cosby Show” when he created “Black-ish” in 2014. The writer and executive producer wanted to create a similarly beloved family sitcom that was expressly Black, not only with the characters, but also in the subject matter the show covered. That mission was achieved, and like “The Cosby Show,” “Black-ish” went on to spawn a TV universe that would also make an impact.
“Grown-ish” was the first “Black-ish” spinoff. It has now gone six seasons and will air its 100th episode this month. Similar to “A Different World” with Lisa Bonet’s Denise Huxtable from “The Cosby Show,” “grown-ish” has chronicled the college adventures of “Black-ish” characters Zoey Johnson (Yara Shahidi) and later Andre Johnson Jr. (Marcus Scribner). “Grown-ish” has become a tentpole series for Freeform, according to Simran Sethi, exec VP of programming and content at Freeform and ABC.
The series has tackled storylines about college athlete pay,...
“Grown-ish” was the first “Black-ish” spinoff. It has now gone six seasons and will air its 100th episode this month. Similar to “A Different World” with Lisa Bonet’s Denise Huxtable from “The Cosby Show,” “grown-ish” has chronicled the college adventures of “Black-ish” characters Zoey Johnson (Yara Shahidi) and later Andre Johnson Jr. (Marcus Scribner). “Grown-ish” has become a tentpole series for Freeform, according to Simran Sethi, exec VP of programming and content at Freeform and ABC.
The series has tackled storylines about college athlete pay,...
- 4/17/2024
- by Megan Vick
- Variety Film + TV
What is the future of Freeform once it wraps both of its scripted series?
That question has been top of mind since the Disney-owned network announced that its remaining scripted series were ending this year and now the cabler is offering a hint of what’s to come.
Freeform on Wednesday announced that two Hulu unscripted series, Grand Cayman: Secrets in Paradise and Wayne Brady: The Family Remix, will air first on its linear platform before launching the following day on the streamer. Both series were previously announced as Hulu originals and mark a shift in strategy as Freeform originals traditionally air the following day on Hulu. This is the first time a program announced for Hulu will have its linear debut ahead of its streaming bow.
Grand Cayman: Secrets in Paradise is described as a “docusoap that follows a group of uber-rich and on-the-rise locals and expats navigating the rocky waters of their relationships,...
That question has been top of mind since the Disney-owned network announced that its remaining scripted series were ending this year and now the cabler is offering a hint of what’s to come.
Freeform on Wednesday announced that two Hulu unscripted series, Grand Cayman: Secrets in Paradise and Wayne Brady: The Family Remix, will air first on its linear platform before launching the following day on the streamer. Both series were previously announced as Hulu originals and mark a shift in strategy as Freeform originals traditionally air the following day on Hulu. This is the first time a program announced for Hulu will have its linear debut ahead of its streaming bow.
Grand Cayman: Secrets in Paradise is described as a “docusoap that follows a group of uber-rich and on-the-rise locals and expats navigating the rocky waters of their relationships,...
- 3/6/2024
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The writing was not on the Coterie wall for Good Trouble showrunner Joanna Johnson with regards to the Freeform drama’s cancellation in early December 2023.
“After the writers’ strike ended, we were making schedules to get up and running, and I got a call from the network… saying, ‘Just a head’s up, a lot of things are changing in the business right now, and so, we kind of don’t know if we’re, for sure, going to get to pick the show up,'” Johnson tells TVLine. “We were all very surprised because we had left Season 5 99.9% sure...
“After the writers’ strike ended, we were making schedules to get up and running, and I got a call from the network… saying, ‘Just a head’s up, a lot of things are changing in the business right now, and so, we kind of don’t know if we’re, for sure, going to get to pick the show up,'” Johnson tells TVLine. “We were all very surprised because we had left Season 5 99.9% sure...
- 3/5/2024
- by Vlada Gelman
- TVLine.com
The Rookie has graduated from primetime newbie to veteran TV show as it reaches its 100th episode, a milestone star and executive producer Nathan Fillion says tells you, “Whatever you’re doing, you’re doing something right.” Since debuting in 2018, the ABC police procedural has sustained faithful viewership amid both internal and industrywide obstacles, including the pandemic and most recently, the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
Fillion, who portrays John Nolan, the oldest rookie in the LAPD, credits the drama’s longevity to creator and showrunner Alexi Hawley, with whom he also worked on ABC’s Castle from 2009-16. “I think what keeps people coming back is the time they spend with these characters,” says Fillion, who teases the possibility of new romantic plotlines during season six. “Anytime you throw two different characters in a squad car together, you know you’re going to get different dynamics, and people are tuning in to that.
Fillion, who portrays John Nolan, the oldest rookie in the LAPD, credits the drama’s longevity to creator and showrunner Alexi Hawley, with whom he also worked on ABC’s Castle from 2009-16. “I think what keeps people coming back is the time they spend with these characters,” says Fillion, who teases the possibility of new romantic plotlines during season six. “Anytime you throw two different characters in a squad car together, you know you’re going to get different dynamics, and people are tuning in to that.
- 2/27/2024
- by Brande Victorian
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
It’s the end of an era at Freeform: The cable channel is calling it a day on Good Trouble and Cruel Summer, its remaining scripted originals. According to The Hollywood Reporter, which announced the cancellations, the ratings for the two shows didn’t justify renewals amid Disney’s cost-cutting efforts — even though Simran Sethi, Freeform’s executive vice president of programming and content strategy, wanted to bring them back for more seasons. And so Good Trouble, a spinoff of the earlier Freeform series The Fosters, will end with the already-filmed back half of its fifth season in 2024, with sources telling THR that the cast and crew will film additional scenes for a supersized finale. The sixth and final season of Freeform’s Grown-ish, the impending end of which was announced in March, will air in 2024 as well. Meanwhile, Cruel Summer will not return for a third season. With...
- 12/9/2023
- TV Insider
Freeform’s future in scripted original programming is going under the microscope.
The Disney-owned basic-cable network has canceled Cruel Summer after a two-season run and will conclude Good Trouble with the second half of its upcoming fifth season.
Good Trouble, a spinoff of The Fosters, joins Grown-ish in wrapping their runs on the younger-skewing cabler in 2024. Anthology Cruel Summer and Good Trouble were Freeform’s last remaining scripted originals following the November cancellation of animated comedy Praise Petey.
Sources say Freeform executives, led by executive vp programming and content strategy Simran Sethi, wanted to bring back both shows but the ratings for both Good Trouble and Cruel Summer didn’t justify the costs of doing so — especially as Disney looks to cut costs by another $2 billion — and as most viewers watch the network’s programming on Hulu.
The second part of Good Trouble’s fifth season and part two of...
The Disney-owned basic-cable network has canceled Cruel Summer after a two-season run and will conclude Good Trouble with the second half of its upcoming fifth season.
Good Trouble, a spinoff of The Fosters, joins Grown-ish in wrapping their runs on the younger-skewing cabler in 2024. Anthology Cruel Summer and Good Trouble were Freeform’s last remaining scripted originals following the November cancellation of animated comedy Praise Petey.
Sources say Freeform executives, led by executive vp programming and content strategy Simran Sethi, wanted to bring back both shows but the ratings for both Good Trouble and Cruel Summer didn’t justify the costs of doing so — especially as Disney looks to cut costs by another $2 billion — and as most viewers watch the network’s programming on Hulu.
The second part of Good Trouble’s fifth season and part two of...
- 12/8/2023
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Freeform has run out of praise for Praise Petey.
The Disney-owned cable network has canceled the adult-leaning animated comedy fronted by Schitt’s Creek alum Annie Murphy after a single season.
Series creator Anna Drezen (Saturday Night Live) broke the news with a heartfelt post on social media, writing: “I have heard that making a non-ip show during covid that premieres during a double strike in the dead of summer was not ideal for viewership.” She notes that the show is still available to stream on Hulu “as of right now,” indicating that there could be plans for the show to be removed from the platform as Disney looks to cut costs by another $2 billion.
Freeform ordered the series, which was exec produced by animation kings Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, in December 2021 as head of originals Jamila Hunter planned to push the younger-skewing cable network into animation with the...
The Disney-owned cable network has canceled the adult-leaning animated comedy fronted by Schitt’s Creek alum Annie Murphy after a single season.
Series creator Anna Drezen (Saturday Night Live) broke the news with a heartfelt post on social media, writing: “I have heard that making a non-ip show during covid that premieres during a double strike in the dead of summer was not ideal for viewership.” She notes that the show is still available to stream on Hulu “as of right now,” indicating that there could be plans for the show to be removed from the platform as Disney looks to cut costs by another $2 billion.
Freeform ordered the series, which was exec produced by animation kings Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, in December 2021 as head of originals Jamila Hunter planned to push the younger-skewing cable network into animation with the...
- 11/14/2023
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘Tis the season for “chills and thrills” on Freeform.
The network has finalized its milestone 25th anniversary lineup for its 31 Nights of Halloween programming block for the month of October, running from the 1st to the 31st.
Seasonal favorites return like the cult classic Hocus Pocus, starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy, courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures and Tim Burton’s beloved The Nightmare Before Christmas courtesy of Touchstone Pictures. The latter title, from director Henry Selick, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
The Halloweentown franchise gets a chunk of the lineup with such features as the original 1998 TV movie, starring Debbie Reynolds, Kimberly J. Brown, Joey Zimmerman, Emily Roeske and Judith Hoag, playing alongside Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge, Halloweentown High and Return to Halloweentown. Other major franchises on the lineup include The Twilight Saga, Monsters, Inc., The Addams Family, The Incredibles, Spider-Man, Hotel Transylvania and Twitches.
The network has finalized its milestone 25th anniversary lineup for its 31 Nights of Halloween programming block for the month of October, running from the 1st to the 31st.
Seasonal favorites return like the cult classic Hocus Pocus, starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy, courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures and Tim Burton’s beloved The Nightmare Before Christmas courtesy of Touchstone Pictures. The latter title, from director Henry Selick, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
The Halloweentown franchise gets a chunk of the lineup with such features as the original 1998 TV movie, starring Debbie Reynolds, Kimberly J. Brown, Joey Zimmerman, Emily Roeske and Judith Hoag, playing alongside Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge, Halloweentown High and Return to Halloweentown. Other major franchises on the lineup include The Twilight Saga, Monsters, Inc., The Addams Family, The Incredibles, Spider-Man, Hotel Transylvania and Twitches.
- 9/2/2023
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Freeform’s 25th anniversary of ’31 Nights of Halloween’ will feature Jack Skellington, the Sanderson Sisters, and goofy monsters Mike and Sully. The network’s plans for the scariest month of the year include 31 nights of Halloween-ish films, mixing timeless family-friendly tales with some more recent releases.
2023’s ’31 Nights of Halloween’ will mark the Freeform premiere of Encanto, Zombies, and Zombies 2.
“Over the last 25 years, our viewers have grown up with ‘31 Nights of Halloween’ as a time-honored tradition to watch Halloween favorites and connect with their loved ones during this special time of the season,” stated Simran Sethi, EVP of Programming and Content Strategy, ABC Entertainment and Freeform. “There’s something sentimental about these holiday classics that brings a real sense of comfort and nostalgia to people, and we look forward to celebrating this anniversary with another spirited lineup.”
2023’s ’31 Nights of Halloween’ Lineup:
Sunday, Oct. 1
7:00 a.m. Edt/Pdt – “Mrs. Doubtfire”
10:10 a.
2023’s ’31 Nights of Halloween’ will mark the Freeform premiere of Encanto, Zombies, and Zombies 2.
“Over the last 25 years, our viewers have grown up with ‘31 Nights of Halloween’ as a time-honored tradition to watch Halloween favorites and connect with their loved ones during this special time of the season,” stated Simran Sethi, EVP of Programming and Content Strategy, ABC Entertainment and Freeform. “There’s something sentimental about these holiday classics that brings a real sense of comfort and nostalgia to people, and we look forward to celebrating this anniversary with another spirited lineup.”
2023’s ’31 Nights of Halloween’ Lineup:
Sunday, Oct. 1
7:00 a.m. Edt/Pdt – “Mrs. Doubtfire”
10:10 a.
- 9/1/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
It’s spooky season, witches! Freeform’s “31 Nights of Halloween” programming event returns for its 25th anniversary with a spellbinding lineup of Halloween favorites that will keep viewers enchanted all month long.
From Oct. 1 to Oct. 31, hair-raising entertainment awaits with a collection of Halloween films ranging from timeless classics to contemporary gems. Reconnect with beloved movies, including “Hocus Pocus,” “Monsters, Inc.,” the 30 th anniversary of “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas,”
“Cruella” and “The Addams Family,” and cozy up to the Freeform premieres of “Encanto,” “Zombies” and “Zombies 2.”
Last year’s “31 Nights of Halloween” programming levitated Freeform to the No. 1 ranking among primetime cable networks in entertainment across Adults 18-34, Women 18-34 and Women 18-49 (excludes news and sports).*
“Over the last 25 years, our viewers have grown up with ‘31 Nights of Halloween’ as a time-honored tradition to watch Halloween favorites and connect with their loved ones during this special time of the season,...
From Oct. 1 to Oct. 31, hair-raising entertainment awaits with a collection of Halloween films ranging from timeless classics to contemporary gems. Reconnect with beloved movies, including “Hocus Pocus,” “Monsters, Inc.,” the 30 th anniversary of “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas,”
“Cruella” and “The Addams Family,” and cozy up to the Freeform premieres of “Encanto,” “Zombies” and “Zombies 2.”
Last year’s “31 Nights of Halloween” programming levitated Freeform to the No. 1 ranking among primetime cable networks in entertainment across Adults 18-34, Women 18-34 and Women 18-49 (excludes news and sports).*
“Over the last 25 years, our viewers have grown up with ‘31 Nights of Halloween’ as a time-honored tradition to watch Halloween favorites and connect with their loved ones during this special time of the season,...
- 8/31/2023
- by Kristyn Clarke
- Age of the Nerd
Freeform’s “31 Nights of Halloween” is back and better than ever for its 25th anniversary, this time featuring spooky favorites from “Encanto” to “Hocus Pocus.”
The lineup, which runs from Oct. 1 to Oct. 31, will return to classic holiday tales including “The Haunted Mansion” (2003), “Hocus Pocus” (1993), “Little Shop of Horrors” (1986), “The Addams Family” (1991) as well as the 30th anniversary of “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas,” as new releases like “Encanto,” “Zombies” and “Zombies 2” make their debut on Freeform.
The monthlong event, a trailer for which you can watch above, will also reconnect viewers with nostalgic film series from the 2000s and 2010s, including “Halloweentown,” “Twilight,” “Shrek,” “Twitches” and “Hotel Transylvania.” Beloved film series “Monsters, Inc.” and “The Amazing Spider-Man” will air this October, alongside monster-adjacent Disney spinoffs “Cruella” and “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil.”
“Over the last 25 years, our viewers have grown up with ‘31 Nights of Halloween’ as a...
The lineup, which runs from Oct. 1 to Oct. 31, will return to classic holiday tales including “The Haunted Mansion” (2003), “Hocus Pocus” (1993), “Little Shop of Horrors” (1986), “The Addams Family” (1991) as well as the 30th anniversary of “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas,” as new releases like “Encanto,” “Zombies” and “Zombies 2” make their debut on Freeform.
The monthlong event, a trailer for which you can watch above, will also reconnect viewers with nostalgic film series from the 2000s and 2010s, including “Halloweentown,” “Twilight,” “Shrek,” “Twitches” and “Hotel Transylvania.” Beloved film series “Monsters, Inc.” and “The Amazing Spider-Man” will air this October, alongside monster-adjacent Disney spinoffs “Cruella” and “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil.”
“Over the last 25 years, our viewers have grown up with ‘31 Nights of Halloween’ as a...
- 8/31/2023
- by Loree Seitz
- The Wrap
The start of September means the start of Spooky Season, and Freeform kicks off the celebration with the full schedule for this year’s “31 Nights of Halloween” extravaganza!
As always, Freeform will be showing fright flicks from October 1 through October 31, and this year’s schedule includes fan favorite classics such as Hocus Pocus, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Craft, The Addams Family, Hotel Transylvania, and Halloweentown.
Freeform previews, “It’s spooky season, witches! Freeform’s “31 Nights of Halloween” programming event returns for its 25th anniversary with a spellbinding lineup of Halloween favorites that will keep viewers enchanted all month long.From Oct. 1 to Oct. 31, hair-raising entertainment awaits with a collection of Halloween films ranging from timeless classics to contemporary gems.”
“Over the last 25 years, our viewers have grown up with ’31 Nights of Halloween’ as a time-honored tradition to watch Halloween favorites and connect with their loved ones during this special time of the season,...
As always, Freeform will be showing fright flicks from October 1 through October 31, and this year’s schedule includes fan favorite classics such as Hocus Pocus, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Craft, The Addams Family, Hotel Transylvania, and Halloweentown.
Freeform previews, “It’s spooky season, witches! Freeform’s “31 Nights of Halloween” programming event returns for its 25th anniversary with a spellbinding lineup of Halloween favorites that will keep viewers enchanted all month long.From Oct. 1 to Oct. 31, hair-raising entertainment awaits with a collection of Halloween films ranging from timeless classics to contemporary gems.”
“Over the last 25 years, our viewers have grown up with ’31 Nights of Halloween’ as a time-honored tradition to watch Halloween favorites and connect with their loved ones during this special time of the season,...
- 8/31/2023
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Grab your broomsticks, we’re entering that spooky season. Now in its 25th year, Freeform has set the lineup for its 31 Nights of Halloween programming event with films including faves such as Hocus Pocus, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, Monsters, Inc., Cruella and The Addams Family, along with Freeform premieres of Encanto, Zombies and Zombies 2.
Last year’s 31 Nights of Halloween, which runs from October 1-31, brought Freeform to the No. 1 ranking among primetime cable networks in entertainment across Adults 18-34, Women 18-34 and Women 18-49, excluding news and sports.
“Over the last 25 years, our viewers have grown up with ‘31 Nights of Halloween’ as a time-honored tradition to watch Halloween favorites and connect with their loved ones during this special time of the season,” said Simran Sethi, EVP of Programming and Content Strategy, ABC Entertainment and Freeform. “There’s something sentimental about these holiday classics that brings a...
Last year’s 31 Nights of Halloween, which runs from October 1-31, brought Freeform to the No. 1 ranking among primetime cable networks in entertainment across Adults 18-34, Women 18-34 and Women 18-49, excluding news and sports.
“Over the last 25 years, our viewers have grown up with ‘31 Nights of Halloween’ as a time-honored tradition to watch Halloween favorites and connect with their loved ones during this special time of the season,” said Simran Sethi, EVP of Programming and Content Strategy, ABC Entertainment and Freeform. “There’s something sentimental about these holiday classics that brings a...
- 8/31/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Freeform is shedding a pair of scripted originals.
The Disney-owned cable network has canceled sophomore comedy Single Drunk Female and rookie drama The Watchful Eye.
The news comes four months after Disney’s Dana Walden shuffled her executive ranks and gave oversight of Freeform to Simran Sethi, the ABC development executive who previously headed up originals for the younger-skewing broadcast network with former Freeform president Tara Duncan now exclusively focused on the Onyx Collective studio.
Single Drunk Female starredSofia Black-d’Elia, Ally Sheedy, Rebecca Henderson, Sasha Compere, Lily Mae Harrington and Garrick Bernard and hailed from creator Simone Finch (The Connors) and exec producer Jenni Konner (Girls). The show was produced in-house by Disney’s 20th Television, where Konner is based with an overall deal.
The Watchful Eye, meanwhile, ran for one season on Freeform and starred Mariel Molino in the thriller about a young nanny who goes to work...
The Disney-owned cable network has canceled sophomore comedy Single Drunk Female and rookie drama The Watchful Eye.
The news comes four months after Disney’s Dana Walden shuffled her executive ranks and gave oversight of Freeform to Simran Sethi, the ABC development executive who previously headed up originals for the younger-skewing broadcast network with former Freeform president Tara Duncan now exclusively focused on the Onyx Collective studio.
Single Drunk Female starredSofia Black-d’Elia, Ally Sheedy, Rebecca Henderson, Sasha Compere, Lily Mae Harrington and Garrick Bernard and hailed from creator Simone Finch (The Connors) and exec producer Jenni Konner (Girls). The show was produced in-house by Disney’s 20th Television, where Konner is based with an overall deal.
The Watchful Eye, meanwhile, ran for one season on Freeform and starred Mariel Molino in the thriller about a young nanny who goes to work...
- 6/30/2023
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘Cruel Summer’ Season 2 Trailer Earns Record-Breaking Viewership For Freeform Ahead Of June Premiere
Exclusive: Audiences appear to be eagerly awaiting Season 2 of Freeform’s Cruel Summer.
In the 10 days since the trailer dropped on Freeform’s social media, it has amassed more than 24M views across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube.
It’s on track to become the network’s most-watched trailer ever, surpassing the total views over the same time period for Cruel Summer Season 1 as well as Freeform’s other thriller series, The Watchful Eye.
Watch the Cruel Summer Season 2 trailer above.
Related: We’ll Be Back: Photo Gallery Of TV Series Renewed In 2023
“Fans have been eagerly awaiting season two of Cruel Summer and we are so happy to see them engaging with the new trailer,” said Simran Sethi, EVP, Programming and Content Strategy, ABC Entertainment and Freeform. “The imaginative creative team has outdone themselves with the new and intriguing mystery at the center of this next chapter.
In the 10 days since the trailer dropped on Freeform’s social media, it has amassed more than 24M views across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube.
It’s on track to become the network’s most-watched trailer ever, surpassing the total views over the same time period for Cruel Summer Season 1 as well as Freeform’s other thriller series, The Watchful Eye.
Watch the Cruel Summer Season 2 trailer above.
Related: We’ll Be Back: Photo Gallery Of TV Series Renewed In 2023
“Fans have been eagerly awaiting season two of Cruel Summer and we are so happy to see them engaging with the new trailer,” said Simran Sethi, EVP, Programming and Content Strategy, ABC Entertainment and Freeform. “The imaginative creative team has outdone themselves with the new and intriguing mystery at the center of this next chapter.
- 5/19/2023
- by Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
Kenya Barris’ –ish universe is coming to a close.
Black-ish spinoff Grown-ish will end with its previously announced sixth season on Freeform. In making the announcement Wednesday, the Disney-owned basic cable network said the final season will be split into two parts, with the first half airing at a date to be determined this summer and the final episodes airing sometime in 2024.
“We’ve spent nearly a decade telling our stories through the -ish series, and to say it has been an amazing journey would be an understatement,” Barris said in a statement announcing the news. “To be able to watch Yara, Marcus and our entire Grown-ish family grow up in front of (and in many ways alongside) us over these past several years has been both a joy and an honor. From the stories we’ve told to the talent we’ve fostered and, most importantly, the memories made,...
Black-ish spinoff Grown-ish will end with its previously announced sixth season on Freeform. In making the announcement Wednesday, the Disney-owned basic cable network said the final season will be split into two parts, with the first half airing at a date to be determined this summer and the final episodes airing sometime in 2024.
“We’ve spent nearly a decade telling our stories through the -ish series, and to say it has been an amazing journey would be an understatement,” Barris said in a statement announcing the news. “To be able to watch Yara, Marcus and our entire Grown-ish family grow up in front of (and in many ways alongside) us over these past several years has been both a joy and an honor. From the stories we’ve told to the talent we’ve fostered and, most importantly, the memories made,...
- 3/29/2023
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Grown-ish is coming to an end at Freeform. The series upcoming sixth season will be its last.
Season 6 will air in two parts, with the first half premiering this summer. Season 6B will air in 2024.
Related Story TV Series Fading To Black In 2023 & Beyond: Photo Gallery Of Canceled Shows Related Story Freeform's 'Good Trouble' Adds David Terry & Miguel Pinzon For Season 5 Related Story 'Good Trouble' Boss Talks Maia Mitchell's Return, Evan's Fate & More From Season 5 Premiere
The series plans to welcome some big guest stars for the final season, including Lil Yachty, Anderson .Paak and The Free Nationals. During Season 6, Grown-ish will also hit its 100th episodes.
Freeform recently underwent a regime change, as Tara Duncan relinquished her duties to focus on Onyx Collective, and Simran Sethi took charge of the youth-skewing cable network in addition to her ABC duties. However, Deadline hears that the...
Season 6 will air in two parts, with the first half premiering this summer. Season 6B will air in 2024.
Related Story TV Series Fading To Black In 2023 & Beyond: Photo Gallery Of Canceled Shows Related Story Freeform's 'Good Trouble' Adds David Terry & Miguel Pinzon For Season 5 Related Story 'Good Trouble' Boss Talks Maia Mitchell's Return, Evan's Fate & More From Season 5 Premiere
The series plans to welcome some big guest stars for the final season, including Lil Yachty, Anderson .Paak and The Free Nationals. During Season 6, Grown-ish will also hit its 100th episodes.
Freeform recently underwent a regime change, as Tara Duncan relinquished her duties to focus on Onyx Collective, and Simran Sethi took charge of the youth-skewing cable network in addition to her ABC duties. However, Deadline hears that the...
- 3/29/2023
- by Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
When John Landgraf speaks, TV reporters don’t just listen — they frantically transcribe.
Let’s be clear: Landgraf is regarded as the genius television executive in Hollywood. When he speaks at the twice-annual TCAs (Television Critics Association), the ballroom is packed with faces that other executives will never see looking back up at them. His professorial preparation, droll delivery, and swift speech pattern bring many, many words — and no fluff.
Instead Landgraf delivers news, a regular “Peak TV” (the term he coined) update, and thoughtful opinions on granular topics and the industry at large. He doesn’t dodge, he keeps spin to a minimum. A Landgraf executive session is must-see for TV critics, many of whom date back to the days Landgraf made “Friends” the staple of Must-See TV. Regardless of age, every critic in that hotel ballroom has disproportionately rewarded FX series with placement on their Top 10 lists, another...
Let’s be clear: Landgraf is regarded as the genius television executive in Hollywood. When he speaks at the twice-annual TCAs (Television Critics Association), the ballroom is packed with faces that other executives will never see looking back up at them. His professorial preparation, droll delivery, and swift speech pattern bring many, many words — and no fluff.
Instead Landgraf delivers news, a regular “Peak TV” (the term he coined) update, and thoughtful opinions on granular topics and the industry at large. He doesn’t dodge, he keeps spin to a minimum. A Landgraf executive session is must-see for TV critics, many of whom date back to the days Landgraf made “Friends” the staple of Must-See TV. Regardless of age, every critic in that hotel ballroom has disproportionately rewarded FX series with placement on their Top 10 lists, another...
- 3/1/2023
- by Tony Maglio
- Indiewire
ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro has tapped Burke Magnus and Rosalyn Durant to help lead the network as part of its reorganization under returning Disney CEO Bob Iger.
According to a memo to staff, Magnus, a 28-year ESPN veteran who most recently served as president of programming and original content, will now lead the newly formed content organization as president, with oversight of studio shows, live events, newsgathering, investigative journalism, original content/ESPN Films, the Talent Office, audio, digital, and social media. Effective immediately, Stephanie Druley, David Roberts, Norby Williamson, Brian Lockhart and Kaitee Daley will all report to Burke.
Meanwhile, Rosalyn Durant will return to ESPN as executive vice president of programming and acquisitions. Durant has served as senior vice president of Disney Springs, Water Parks and ESPN Wide World of Sports since early 2020 and previously served as ESPN’s senior vice president of college networks, overseeing Espnu, SEC Network...
According to a memo to staff, Magnus, a 28-year ESPN veteran who most recently served as president of programming and original content, will now lead the newly formed content organization as president, with oversight of studio shows, live events, newsgathering, investigative journalism, original content/ESPN Films, the Talent Office, audio, digital, and social media. Effective immediately, Stephanie Druley, David Roberts, Norby Williamson, Brian Lockhart and Kaitee Daley will all report to Burke.
Meanwhile, Rosalyn Durant will return to ESPN as executive vice president of programming and acquisitions. Durant has served as senior vice president of Disney Springs, Water Parks and ESPN Wide World of Sports since early 2020 and previously served as ESPN’s senior vice president of college networks, overseeing Espnu, SEC Network...
- 3/1/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
Disney Entertainment co-chairperson Dana Walden has solidified her senior leadership team, extending the purview of John Landgraf and Simran Sethi.
Under the reorganization, the FX boss will add National Geographic and Onyx Collective to his oversight. Tara Duncan, formerly president of Freeform and Onyx Collective, will focus exclusively on Onyx, which remains a “huge priority” for the company as its roster of creators and series continue to grow. Meanwhile, National Geographic president Courtney Monroe will continue to focus on Nat Geo, including its digital footprint and iconic magazine, along with its original content strategy.
As part of the changes, Sethi will now oversee Freeform programming and development, which will be combined with ABC Entertainment. Sethi will report to ABC Entertainment and Hulu originals president Craig Erwich.
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Under the reorganization, the FX boss will add National Geographic and Onyx Collective to his oversight. Tara Duncan, formerly president of Freeform and Onyx Collective, will focus exclusively on Onyx, which remains a “huge priority” for the company as its roster of creators and series continue to grow. Meanwhile, National Geographic president Courtney Monroe will continue to focus on Nat Geo, including its digital footprint and iconic magazine, along with its original content strategy.
As part of the changes, Sethi will now oversee Freeform programming and development, which will be combined with ABC Entertainment. Sethi will report to ABC Entertainment and Hulu originals president Craig Erwich.
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Ron DeSantis Signs Law Stripping Walt Disney World of Special Privileges: ‘A Corporate Kingdom Comes to an End’ (Video)
Ayo Davis, who...
- 2/28/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
Dana Walden has solidified her senior executive team.
Following the early February news that she was being upped to co-chairman of Disney Entertainment, Walden has streamlined her reporting structure with both John Landgraf and Simran Sethi adding responsibilities.
Landgraf, who has long been a creative standout at FX, has added prestige brands Nat Geo and Onyx Collective to his oversight. As Walden noted in her internal memo, Onyx remains a major Disney priority, as evidenced by its well-funded roster of diverse talent, and will continue to be run by Tara Duncan. In fact, as part of the new structure, Duncan will be solely focused on Onyx, with her Freeform programming responsibilities shifting to Sethi, who will maintain her role at ABC Entertainment as well.
In the new structure, which comes after returning CEO Bob Iger’s swift dismantling of Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution, National Geographic head Courteney Monroe and Duncan will report to Landgraf,...
Following the early February news that she was being upped to co-chairman of Disney Entertainment, Walden has streamlined her reporting structure with both John Landgraf and Simran Sethi adding responsibilities.
Landgraf, who has long been a creative standout at FX, has added prestige brands Nat Geo and Onyx Collective to his oversight. As Walden noted in her internal memo, Onyx remains a major Disney priority, as evidenced by its well-funded roster of diverse talent, and will continue to be run by Tara Duncan. In fact, as part of the new structure, Duncan will be solely focused on Onyx, with her Freeform programming responsibilities shifting to Sethi, who will maintain her role at ABC Entertainment as well.
In the new structure, which comes after returning CEO Bob Iger’s swift dismantling of Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution, National Geographic head Courteney Monroe and Duncan will report to Landgraf,...
- 2/28/2023
- by Lacey Rose
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
FX chief John Landgraf and ABC programming head Simran Sethi will expand their duties under an executive shuffle at Disney’s TV operations, one of the first big moves under Dana Walden, who was assigned responsibility for the company’s TV networks after Bob Iger returned as Disney’s CEO.
Landgraf will take oversight of National Geographic as well as Onyx Collective, the production unit devoted to projects from communities of color and underrepresented groups. Sethi, meanwhile, will oversee programming and development for both ABC and Freeform. She will continue to report to Craig Erwich, president, Disney Television Group.
The moves comes as Tara Duncan, who had been supervising programming for both Onyx Collective and Freeform, will devote her attention solely to Onyx, freeing up the programming duties for Sethi, who had a previous tenure at the cable network.
Both Duncan and Courteney Monroe, who oversees Nat Geo, will report to Landgraf.
Landgraf will take oversight of National Geographic as well as Onyx Collective, the production unit devoted to projects from communities of color and underrepresented groups. Sethi, meanwhile, will oversee programming and development for both ABC and Freeform. She will continue to report to Craig Erwich, president, Disney Television Group.
The moves comes as Tara Duncan, who had been supervising programming for both Onyx Collective and Freeform, will devote her attention solely to Onyx, freeing up the programming duties for Sethi, who had a previous tenure at the cable network.
Both Duncan and Courteney Monroe, who oversees Nat Geo, will report to Landgraf.
- 2/28/2023
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Disney Entertainment co-chairman Dana Walden is setting out her stall and it includes more responsibilities for John Landgraf and Simran Sethi.
The news Tuesday comes after Walden was elevated to her new role earlier this month alongside film chief Alan Bergman.
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Landgraf, who is Chairman, FX Content and FX Productions, will now oversee Nat Geo and Onyx as part of his expanded portfolio, while Sethi becomes Simran Sethi, EVP, Programming and Content Strategy, ABC Entertainment and Freeform, returning to take charge of the youth-skewing cable network.
The move will see Tara Duncan, as President, Onyx Collective, focus on the diverse label and relinquish her Freeform duties.
The news Tuesday comes after Walden was elevated to her new role earlier this month alongside film chief Alan Bergman.
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Landgraf, who is Chairman, FX Content and FX Productions, will now oversee Nat Geo and Onyx as part of his expanded portfolio, while Sethi becomes Simran Sethi, EVP, Programming and Content Strategy, ABC Entertainment and Freeform, returning to take charge of the youth-skewing cable network.
The move will see Tara Duncan, as President, Onyx Collective, focus on the diverse label and relinquish her Freeform duties.
- 2/28/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Grey’s Anatomy is the longest-running medical drama in the history of television. But after more than 400 episodes and almost 19 seasons, it’s starting to look like the end is near for the beloved characters at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. Here are all the signs that Grey’s Anatomy will end with season 19.
Ellen Pompeo | Richard Cartwright/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ just had a major behind-the-scenes shakeup
It was just announced that longtime Grey’s Anatomy showrunner and executive producer Krista Vernoff will be stepping down at the end of season 19.
According to E! News, Vernoff was the head writer and EP for the first seven seasons. She left for a few years, but then returned to her current role at the start of season 14. She also took over as EP for the spinoff Station 19 at the start of season 3, but she is also stepping down from that role.
Ellen Pompeo | Richard Cartwright/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ just had a major behind-the-scenes shakeup
It was just announced that longtime Grey’s Anatomy showrunner and executive producer Krista Vernoff will be stepping down at the end of season 19.
According to E! News, Vernoff was the head writer and EP for the first seven seasons. She left for a few years, but then returned to her current role at the start of season 14. She also took over as EP for the spinoff Station 19 at the start of season 3, but she is also stepping down from that role.
- 1/28/2023
- by Perry Carpenter
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
ABC has handed out its latest pilot order – a legal soap from former Charmed showrunner Joey Falco.
Falco, who also wrote for Sleepy Hollow and Heroes Reborn, is writing and exec producing Judgement.
The series plays out over two timelines. Fifteen years from now, a woman being vetted for a Supreme Court seat recounts her experience at a prominent D.C. law firm in 2023, where the only thing more controversial than the cases was her messy love life, caught between two feuding brothers. Now, with a Supreme Court seat on the line, all of her darkest secrets are at risk of coming out, threatening her nomination, her reputation, and her marriage.
Related: 2022 ABC Pilots & Series Orders
20th Television is the studio, with Melvin Mar, Jake Kasdan and Jordan Cerf also exec producing alongside Falco.
It is the latest pilot order from ABC, which has refreshed its plans to introduce clear...
Falco, who also wrote for Sleepy Hollow and Heroes Reborn, is writing and exec producing Judgement.
The series plays out over two timelines. Fifteen years from now, a woman being vetted for a Supreme Court seat recounts her experience at a prominent D.C. law firm in 2023, where the only thing more controversial than the cases was her messy love life, caught between two feuding brothers. Now, with a Supreme Court seat on the line, all of her darkest secrets are at risk of coming out, threatening her nomination, her reputation, and her marriage.
Related: 2022 ABC Pilots & Series Orders
20th Television is the studio, with Melvin Mar, Jake Kasdan and Jordan Cerf also exec producing alongside Falco.
It is the latest pilot order from ABC, which has refreshed its plans to introduce clear...
- 12/2/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Donald Lee Harris, the longtime Grey’s Anatomy production designer whose credits also include The Office, American Housewife, Malcolm in the Middle and dozens of other shows, died November 1 of cancer, his family told Deadline. He was 78.
Harris began his Grey’s Anatomy stint with Season 3 in 2006 and stayed with the show through the Season 11 final in 2015, spanning more than 200 episodes of the ABC hospital drama. His most recent gig was on the 2016-21 ABC sitcom American Housewife, working on all of its 103 episodes.
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“He rarely let anything ruffle his feathers, and was appreciated for his incredible design acumen, calm and kind demeanor,...
Harris began his Grey’s Anatomy stint with Season 3 in 2006 and stayed with the show through the Season 11 final in 2015, spanning more than 200 episodes of the ABC hospital drama. His most recent gig was on the 2016-21 ABC sitcom American Housewife, working on all of its 103 episodes.
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“He rarely let anything ruffle his feathers, and was appreciated for his incredible design acumen, calm and kind demeanor,...
- 11/4/2022
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Ever since it was revealed that Ellen Pompeo would be scaling back her duties on Grey's Anatomy, there have been questions about her future on the series.
Grey's Anatomy Season 19 Episode 1 aired Thursday night, and there was no indication that Meredith Grey's arc was slowing down.
Instead, fans saw Mer as the hospital's chief, meaning there was a considerably different dynamic.
The series embraced change by adding five new series regulars, resulting in the show being fresher.
In a new interview with Deadline that dropped after the season premiere, showrunner Krista Vernoff was asked whether this would be the last season featuring Meredith.
"I don’t have an answer to that, that’s always up to Ellen," Vernoff shared.
"She’s got some new projects on the horizon that she’s really excited about but Grey’s Anatomy is is her heart, she keeps saying it is her heart, so we’ll see.
Grey's Anatomy Season 19 Episode 1 aired Thursday night, and there was no indication that Meredith Grey's arc was slowing down.
Instead, fans saw Mer as the hospital's chief, meaning there was a considerably different dynamic.
The series embraced change by adding five new series regulars, resulting in the show being fresher.
In a new interview with Deadline that dropped after the season premiere, showrunner Krista Vernoff was asked whether this would be the last season featuring Meredith.
"I don’t have an answer to that, that’s always up to Ellen," Vernoff shared.
"She’s got some new projects on the horizon that she’s really excited about but Grey’s Anatomy is is her heart, she keeps saying it is her heart, so we’ll see.
- 10/7/2022
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Spoiler Alert: This story contains details of the Grey’s Anatomy Season 19 premiere on Thursday.
“Everything Has Changed” is the title of Grey’s Anatomy‘s Season 19 premiere, which aired tonight. Yet, a lot of it also felt very familiar. In a throwback to Grey’s Anatomy‘s pilot, the season opener, set six months after the Season 18 finale, chronicled the first day of Grey Sloan’s new interns, played by Harry Shum Jr., Adelaide Kane, Alexis Floyd, Niko Terho and Midori Francis, just like Episode 101 did with Meredith and her fellow wide-eyed rookie interns.
In another likely nod to the Grey’s Anatomy pilot — which famously started with Meredith having a one-night stand with Patrick Dempsey’s Derek — one of the new interns, Jules (Kane), also accidentally had slept with an attending, Link, on the eve of her starting the program. The revelation sent Link on a wild Hr goose chase, with Meredith deadpanning,...
“Everything Has Changed” is the title of Grey’s Anatomy‘s Season 19 premiere, which aired tonight. Yet, a lot of it also felt very familiar. In a throwback to Grey’s Anatomy‘s pilot, the season opener, set six months after the Season 18 finale, chronicled the first day of Grey Sloan’s new interns, played by Harry Shum Jr., Adelaide Kane, Alexis Floyd, Niko Terho and Midori Francis, just like Episode 101 did with Meredith and her fellow wide-eyed rookie interns.
In another likely nod to the Grey’s Anatomy pilot — which famously started with Meredith having a one-night stand with Patrick Dempsey’s Derek — one of the new interns, Jules (Kane), also accidentally had slept with an attending, Link, on the eve of her starting the program. The revelation sent Link on a wild Hr goose chase, with Meredith deadpanning,...
- 10/7/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
The future of ABC's Grey's Anatomy has been in doubt ever since it was announced that Ellen Pompeo would scale back her duties on the series.
Now, Simran Sethi, ABC's Entertainment EVP of Programming and Content, is speaking out about the future in a new interview with Deadline.
“No decisions have been made at this time, but we hope to be in business with Shondaland for a really long time," the exec shared.
"And I think when you’re looking at this next season, I’m excited for this Thursday and for audiences to see this new class of interns, which does feel really reminiscent of nostalgic early Grey’s, but they’re absolutely their own characters."
As previously reported, Grey's Anatomy Season 19 will fill the void left by Meredith's exit by throwing it all the way back to the beginning of the series.
Harry Shum Jr., Adelaide Kane, Alexis Floyd,...
Now, Simran Sethi, ABC's Entertainment EVP of Programming and Content, is speaking out about the future in a new interview with Deadline.
“No decisions have been made at this time, but we hope to be in business with Shondaland for a really long time," the exec shared.
"And I think when you’re looking at this next season, I’m excited for this Thursday and for audiences to see this new class of interns, which does feel really reminiscent of nostalgic early Grey’s, but they’re absolutely their own characters."
As previously reported, Grey's Anatomy Season 19 will fill the void left by Meredith's exit by throwing it all the way back to the beginning of the series.
Harry Shum Jr., Adelaide Kane, Alexis Floyd,...
- 10/5/2022
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC will team to televise the 2022 MLB Wild Card Series beginning Friday with four games, marking the debut of the reformatted and expanded baseball postseason.
Four best-of-3 series will be on tap in the first year of the wild card round, which will feature each league’s third- through sixth-best teams recordwise. The winners of this weekend’s games across Friday-Sunday will advance to the best-of-5 divisional rounds beginning October 11, where Al division champs the New York Yankees and Houston Astros and Nl division champs Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves await.
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Four best-of-3 series will be on tap in the first year of the wild card round, which will feature each league’s third- through sixth-best teams recordwise. The winners of this weekend’s games across Friday-Sunday will advance to the best-of-5 divisional rounds beginning October 11, where Al division champs the New York Yankees and Houston Astros and Nl division champs Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves await.
Related Story New York Yankees Star Aaron Judge Hits Home Run No. 62 And Breaks Historic Al Record Related Story As 'The Rookie: Feds' Debuts & 'The Good Doctor' Eyes Legal Spinoff, ABC's Simran Sethi Talks Franchise Strategy Related Story 'Grey's Anatomy': Simran Sethi On Future Of ABC Drama Amid Ellen Pompeo Pullback...
- 10/5/2022
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Drama procedural franchises have proven resilient amid declining linear ratings, with CBS’ FBI series and NBC’s Chicago and Law & Order dramas topping Live+Same Day ratings during premiere week.
ABC has had a lot of success with flagship drama Grey’s Anatomy and its spinoff Station 19, which have built an integrated universe with characters, most notably Jason George, permanently moving from the mothership to the offshoot. Last season, the network took a more traditional “franchise” approach with one of its top procedurals, cop drama The Rookie, introducing a potential spinoff set in a different world, the FBI, as a backdoor pilot. The project, The Rookie: Feds, starring Niecy Nash, went to series and just made its debut.
Now ABC is looking to the same with another hit procedural, medical drama The Good Doctor, which is getting a planted spinoff, The Good Lawyer, airing as an episode later this season.
ABC has had a lot of success with flagship drama Grey’s Anatomy and its spinoff Station 19, which have built an integrated universe with characters, most notably Jason George, permanently moving from the mothership to the offshoot. Last season, the network took a more traditional “franchise” approach with one of its top procedurals, cop drama The Rookie, introducing a potential spinoff set in a different world, the FBI, as a backdoor pilot. The project, The Rookie: Feds, starring Niecy Nash, went to series and just made its debut.
Now ABC is looking to the same with another hit procedural, medical drama The Good Doctor, which is getting a planted spinoff, The Good Lawyer, airing as an episode later this season.
- 10/5/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Two weeks of the 2022-23 TV season, traditional Nielsen ratings for entertainment programming have continued on their years-long downward trend. Aside from a couple of NFL games, no primetime show in premiere week hit 10 million viewers, even with a week of delayed viewing.
There is, however, evidence that viewers are still finding network series, as a handful of streaming numbers indicate. ABC’s Abbott Elementary climbed from 2.92 million viewers for its on-air premiere to 7 million after a week across all platforms — with 2.7 million of those viewers coming via streaming and digital platforms. The network’s drama The Rookie went from 3.36 million same-day viewers to 8.2 million after a week of multi-platform viewing. The adults 18-49 ratings for both shows also more than tripled.
Numbers like that give Simran Sethi, executive vp programming and content strategy at ABC Entertainment, optimism about the state of the business.
Two weeks of the 2022-23 TV season, traditional Nielsen ratings for entertainment programming have continued on their years-long downward trend. Aside from a couple of NFL games, no primetime show in premiere week hit 10 million viewers, even with a week of delayed viewing.
There is, however, evidence that viewers are still finding network series, as a handful of streaming numbers indicate. ABC’s Abbott Elementary climbed from 2.92 million viewers for its on-air premiere to 7 million after a week across all platforms — with 2.7 million of those viewers coming via streaming and digital platforms. The network’s drama The Rookie went from 3.36 million same-day viewers to 8.2 million after a week of multi-platform viewing. The adults 18-49 ratings for both shows also more than tripled.
Numbers like that give Simran Sethi, executive vp programming and content strategy at ABC Entertainment, optimism about the state of the business.
- 10/5/2022
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
With the launch of “Alaska Daily” — the new drama series starring Academy Award winner Hillary Swank and hailing from Academy Award winner Tom McCarthy — ABC is shining a spotlight on an important issue: violence against Native women in the U.S.
Swank plays an investigative journalist who takes a job at a daily metro paper in Alaska, where she becomes embroiled in a mystery involving murder and a string of unsolved disappearances.
Simran Sethi, ABC Enteratinment’s executive vice president of programming and content strategy, said that the show was inspired by a series of articles published by the Anchorage Daily News, and that the lack of media attention around the crises facing Native women helped push ABC into picking up the show.
“I think the idea that this crisis isn’t talked about much in that we don’t talk about it on TV very often certainly was a...
Swank plays an investigative journalist who takes a job at a daily metro paper in Alaska, where she becomes embroiled in a mystery involving murder and a string of unsolved disappearances.
Simran Sethi, ABC Enteratinment’s executive vice president of programming and content strategy, said that the show was inspired by a series of articles published by the Anchorage Daily News, and that the lack of media attention around the crises facing Native women helped push ABC into picking up the show.
“I think the idea that this crisis isn’t talked about much in that we don’t talk about it on TV very often certainly was a...
- 10/5/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
A Million Little Things‘ upcoming fifth season is expected to be the final one for ABC’s serialized ensemble drama. While that has been an open secret, the network is yet to confirm it. That may change soon.
“Stay tuned in the next few weeks for discussion of that and our other midseason shows,” Simran Sethi, EVP, Programming and Content Strategy, ABC Entertainment, told Deadline.
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For the first time since its debut, Amlt did not land a spot on ABC’s fall schedule. It was held for midseason, so its expected ending would likely be announced as part of the network’s midseason plans.
“Stay tuned in the next few weeks for discussion of that and our other midseason shows,” Simran Sethi, EVP, Programming and Content Strategy, ABC Entertainment, told Deadline.
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For the first time since its debut, Amlt did not land a spot on ABC’s fall schedule. It was held for midseason, so its expected ending would likely be announced as part of the network’s midseason plans.
- 10/5/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Year-round development for the broadcast networks became something of a buzz phrase during Covid as the likes of ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC battled the pandemic to get new shows on the air.
But plans were afoot at a number of these linear networks before the world changed in March 2020 to try and become less reliant on the traditional pilot parade.
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ABC is now refreshing its plans to introduce clear first- and second-cycle development routes for shows to air in the fall and midseason as the industry comes out of the pandemic. Essentially, its first-cycle development is looking for shows for fall, and its second cycle is searching for midseason series.
But plans were afoot at a number of these linear networks before the world changed in March 2020 to try and become less reliant on the traditional pilot parade.
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ABC is now refreshing its plans to introduce clear first- and second-cycle development routes for shows to air in the fall and midseason as the industry comes out of the pandemic. Essentially, its first-cycle development is looking for shows for fall, and its second cycle is searching for midseason series.
- 10/5/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Greys Anatomy is heading into a transformational season. Star Ellen Pompeo is scaling back her on-screen presence to eight episodes, signaling a potential departure of her character Meredith which has been the heart of the medical drama since the start. Meanwhile, five new actors are joining as interns in one of the show’s biggest cast infusions ever, reminiscent of the Grey’s pilot that introduced Meredith and her fellow wide-eyed interns.
So is Season 19 setting the stage for a revamped Grey’s Anatomy: The Next Generation or could it be its last chapter?
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“No decisions have been made at this time, but we hope to be...
So is Season 19 setting the stage for a revamped Grey’s Anatomy: The Next Generation or could it be its last chapter?
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“No decisions have been made at this time, but we hope to be...
- 10/5/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Brianna Bennett is moving from CBS TV Studios to ABC Entertainment to head up drama for the Disney-owned network.
Bennett has joined as SVP, Network Drama, ABC Entertainment, where she will lead the drama series development team.
It comes after Brian Morewitz left the company in July.
Bennett, who reports to Simran Sethi, EVP, Development and Content Strategy, ABC Entertainment will also oversee the drama team’s day-to-day operations including supervising production of new drama pilots for the linear network.
She comes from CBS TV Studios, where she was VP, Drama Development and was involved in the series of series including Evil, Seal Team, Clarice, NCIS: Hawai’I, Dynasty, Nancy Drew, In The Dark, 4400, Tom Swift, Good Sam and Walker as well as Netflix’s Insatiable and Peacock’s The Lost Symbol.
Prior to CBS TV Studios, Bennett was at Fox, where she helped develop Sleepy Hollow, The Following, Gang Related,...
Bennett has joined as SVP, Network Drama, ABC Entertainment, where she will lead the drama series development team.
It comes after Brian Morewitz left the company in July.
Bennett, who reports to Simran Sethi, EVP, Development and Content Strategy, ABC Entertainment will also oversee the drama team’s day-to-day operations including supervising production of new drama pilots for the linear network.
She comes from CBS TV Studios, where she was VP, Drama Development and was involved in the series of series including Evil, Seal Team, Clarice, NCIS: Hawai’I, Dynasty, Nancy Drew, In The Dark, 4400, Tom Swift, Good Sam and Walker as well as Netflix’s Insatiable and Peacock’s The Lost Symbol.
Prior to CBS TV Studios, Bennett was at Fox, where she helped develop Sleepy Hollow, The Following, Gang Related,...
- 10/18/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Brianna Bennett has been named senior vice president of network drama for ABC Entertainment, Variety has learned.
Bennett comes to ABC from CBS Studios, where she served as vice president of drama development since 2014. She takes over heading up drama for the broadcaster from Brian Morewitz, whose exit was announced back in July. In her new role, Bennett will report to Simran Sethi, executive vice president of development and content strategy for ABC Entertainment. She will lead the drama series development team and oversee the department’s day-to-day operations, including creatively supervising production of new drama pilots for ABC.
“Brianna is an amazing creative executive whose intellect, instinct and passion will drive our drama development forward as we continue to prioritize, nurture and sustain culturally inclusive and impactful storytelling,” Sethi said. “Her depth of experience and love of broadcast television will serve ABC’s commitment to bold and groundbreaking content...
Bennett comes to ABC from CBS Studios, where she served as vice president of drama development since 2014. She takes over heading up drama for the broadcaster from Brian Morewitz, whose exit was announced back in July. In her new role, Bennett will report to Simran Sethi, executive vice president of development and content strategy for ABC Entertainment. She will lead the drama series development team and oversee the department’s day-to-day operations, including creatively supervising production of new drama pilots for ABC.
“Brianna is an amazing creative executive whose intellect, instinct and passion will drive our drama development forward as we continue to prioritize, nurture and sustain culturally inclusive and impactful storytelling,” Sethi said. “Her depth of experience and love of broadcast television will serve ABC’s commitment to bold and groundbreaking content...
- 10/18/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
ABC has named Brianna Bennett to lead its drama development team.
Bennett will be senior vp drama development at the network, overseeing the department’s daily operations and supervising the creative for ABC’s drama pilots. The former ViacomCBS and Fox executive will report to Simran Sethi, executive vp development and content strategy.
“Brianna is an amazing creative executive whose intellect, instinct and passion will drive our drama development forward as we continue to prioritize, nurture and sustain culturally inclusive and impactful storytelling,” said Sethi. “Her depth of experience and love of broadcast television will serve ABC’s ...
Bennett will be senior vp drama development at the network, overseeing the department’s daily operations and supervising the creative for ABC’s drama pilots. The former ViacomCBS and Fox executive will report to Simran Sethi, executive vp development and content strategy.
“Brianna is an amazing creative executive whose intellect, instinct and passion will drive our drama development forward as we continue to prioritize, nurture and sustain culturally inclusive and impactful storytelling,” said Sethi. “Her depth of experience and love of broadcast television will serve ABC’s ...
- 10/18/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
ABC has named Brianna Bennett to lead its drama development team.
Bennett will be senior vp drama development at the network, overseeing the department’s daily operations and supervising the creative for ABC’s drama pilots. The former ViacomCBS and Fox executive will report to Simran Sethi, executive vp development and content strategy.
“Brianna is an amazing creative executive whose intellect, instinct and passion will drive our drama development forward as we continue to prioritize, nurture and sustain culturally inclusive and impactful storytelling,” said Sethi. “Her depth of experience and love of broadcast television will serve ABC’s ...
Bennett will be senior vp drama development at the network, overseeing the department’s daily operations and supervising the creative for ABC’s drama pilots. The former ViacomCBS and Fox executive will report to Simran Sethi, executive vp development and content strategy.
“Brianna is an amazing creative executive whose intellect, instinct and passion will drive our drama development forward as we continue to prioritize, nurture and sustain culturally inclusive and impactful storytelling,” said Sethi. “Her depth of experience and love of broadcast television will serve ABC’s ...
- 10/18/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Brian Morewitz is leaving as ABC’s head of drama development.
There is no immediate replacement for him.
Here’s the note from Craig Erwich, head of Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment, and Simran Sethi, ABC’s executive vice president of development and content Strategy:
Hi team,
We wanted to share with you that after nearly 17 years with ABC, Brian Morewitz has decided to leave to pursue new opportunities. As you know, Brian has overseen the development and production of some of the network’s most prolific dramas in recent years, including Brothers and Sisters, Revenge, Big Sky, The Good Doctor, The Rookie, A Million Little Things, Castle, Nashville, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and the critically acclaimed and Emmy-winning limited series American Crime. He is an extraordinarily creative and dedicated executive whose contributions are appreciated by all who work with him. In our relatively short time together, we’ve...
There is no immediate replacement for him.
Here’s the note from Craig Erwich, head of Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment, and Simran Sethi, ABC’s executive vice president of development and content Strategy:
Hi team,
We wanted to share with you that after nearly 17 years with ABC, Brian Morewitz has decided to leave to pursue new opportunities. As you know, Brian has overseen the development and production of some of the network’s most prolific dramas in recent years, including Brothers and Sisters, Revenge, Big Sky, The Good Doctor, The Rookie, A Million Little Things, Castle, Nashville, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and the critically acclaimed and Emmy-winning limited series American Crime. He is an extraordinarily creative and dedicated executive whose contributions are appreciated by all who work with him. In our relatively short time together, we’ve...
- 7/16/2021
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
ABC’s head of drama development, Brian Morewitz, is leaving the network.
Morewitz will step down from his post as senior vp and head of drama development after five years to pursue other opportunities. He took the post after his predecessor Channing Dungey was named entertainment president at the Disney-owned broadcaster.
“We wanted to share with you that after nearly 17 years with ABC, Brian Morewitz has decided to leave to pursue new opportunities,” said Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment boss Craig Erwich and executive vp development and content strategy Simran Sethi said in a statement. “He ...
Morewitz will step down from his post as senior vp and head of drama development after five years to pursue other opportunities. He took the post after his predecessor Channing Dungey was named entertainment president at the Disney-owned broadcaster.
“We wanted to share with you that after nearly 17 years with ABC, Brian Morewitz has decided to leave to pursue new opportunities,” said Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment boss Craig Erwich and executive vp development and content strategy Simran Sethi said in a statement. “He ...
- 7/16/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
ABC’s head of drama development, Brian Morewitz, is leaving the network.
Morewitz will step down from his post as senior vp and head of drama development after five years to pursue other opportunities. He took the post after his predecessor Channing Dungey was named entertainment president at the Disney-owned broadcaster.
“We wanted to share with you that after nearly 17 years with ABC, Brian Morewitz has decided to leave to pursue new opportunities,” said Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment boss Craig Erwich and executive vp development and content strategy Simran Sethi said in a statement. “He ...
Morewitz will step down from his post as senior vp and head of drama development after five years to pursue other opportunities. He took the post after his predecessor Channing Dungey was named entertainment president at the Disney-owned broadcaster.
“We wanted to share with you that after nearly 17 years with ABC, Brian Morewitz has decided to leave to pursue new opportunities,” said Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment boss Craig Erwich and executive vp development and content strategy Simran Sethi said in a statement. “He ...
- 7/16/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
It was 1979 when Satish Kaushik came to Mumbai from Delhi to achieve his dream of becoming an actor, and it took a lot of hard work, dedication to reach where he is today. Looking back at those days, Kaushik reveals he even worked as a cashier before venturing into films.
"It was a big thing to even have a thought of entering Bollywood at that time -- especially for a person who belongs to a middle class family in Karol Bagh, Delhi. I clearly remember how I worked as a cashier for a year in a textile mill to meet my financial needs. I did not want to sleep on platforms, so I had worked a lot to earn enough to be able to sleep without an empty stomach. I used to receive only Rs 400 a month for that job. After finishing my job, I used to go to Prithvi Theatre and do plays,...
"It was a big thing to even have a thought of entering Bollywood at that time -- especially for a person who belongs to a middle class family in Karol Bagh, Delhi. I clearly remember how I worked as a cashier for a year in a textile mill to meet my financial needs. I did not want to sleep on platforms, so I had worked a lot to earn enough to be able to sleep without an empty stomach. I used to receive only Rs 400 a month for that job. After finishing my job, I used to go to Prithvi Theatre and do plays,...
- 11/25/2020
- by Glamsham Editorial
- GlamSham
Bigg Boss 14 is around the corner, and production designer Omung Kumar has opened up on how he revamped the set for the new season amid the pandemic.
"It was not easy for us to redesign 'Bigg Boss' house at a time when everything was shut due to lockdown. There was a limited number of labourers available. Most of them had gone to their villages. The shops were closed. Online delivery was not functioning. We could not import anything from abroad," Omung recalled, while interacting with Ians.
View this post on Instagram
Aapne diye jawaab, ab aap hi ki awaaz par karenge ghar ki sair aaj! Presenting to you, the brand new #BiggBoss2020 house!
"It was not easy for us to redesign 'Bigg Boss' house at a time when everything was shut due to lockdown. There was a limited number of labourers available. Most of them had gone to their villages. The shops were closed. Online delivery was not functioning. We could not import anything from abroad," Omung recalled, while interacting with Ians.
View this post on Instagram
Aapne diye jawaab, ab aap hi ki awaaz par karenge ghar ki sair aaj! Presenting to you, the brand new #BiggBoss2020 house!
- 10/2/2020
- by Glamsham Editorial
- GlamSham
By Simran Sethi
New Delhi, Oct 1 (Ians) Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his wife Sakshi plan to score in a very different game than cricket. They are foraying into Ott space with a web series.
Sakshi and Msd launched their banner Dhoni Entertainment in 2019 with the documentary "Roar Of The Lion". Now, they are coming up with a web series, which is an adaptation of an unpublished book written by a debutant author.
Sakshi spoke to Ians on the Dhonis' decision to venture into the entertainment world,
"I have paid more attention to the process of putting a thought and idea into creative action. The joy of seeing a concept being brought to life on screen keeps me engrossed, and we ensure the process is quality driven. When we were developing 'Roar Of The Lion', we thought it was the perfect time to venture into the entertainment industry,...
New Delhi, Oct 1 (Ians) Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his wife Sakshi plan to score in a very different game than cricket. They are foraying into Ott space with a web series.
Sakshi and Msd launched their banner Dhoni Entertainment in 2019 with the documentary "Roar Of The Lion". Now, they are coming up with a web series, which is an adaptation of an unpublished book written by a debutant author.
Sakshi spoke to Ians on the Dhonis' decision to venture into the entertainment world,
"I have paid more attention to the process of putting a thought and idea into creative action. The joy of seeing a concept being brought to life on screen keeps me engrossed, and we ensure the process is quality driven. When we were developing 'Roar Of The Lion', we thought it was the perfect time to venture into the entertainment industry,...
- 10/1/2020
- by IANS
- GlamSham
Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his wife Sakshi plan to score in a very different game than cricket. They are foraying into Ott space with a web series.
Sakshi and Msd launched their banner Dhoni Entertainment in 2019 with the documentary "Roar Of The Lion". Now, they are coming up with a web series, which is an adaptation of an unpublished book written by a debutant author.
Sakshi spoke to Ians on the Dhonis' decision to venture into the entertainment world,
"I have paid more attention to the process of putting a thought and idea into creative action. The joy of seeing a concept being brought to life on screen keeps me engrossed, and we ensure the process is quality driven. When we were developing 'Roar Of The Lion', we thought it was the perfect time to venture into the entertainment industry," she explained.
"The new project...
Sakshi and Msd launched their banner Dhoni Entertainment in 2019 with the documentary "Roar Of The Lion". Now, they are coming up with a web series, which is an adaptation of an unpublished book written by a debutant author.
Sakshi spoke to Ians on the Dhonis' decision to venture into the entertainment world,
"I have paid more attention to the process of putting a thought and idea into creative action. The joy of seeing a concept being brought to life on screen keeps me engrossed, and we ensure the process is quality driven. When we were developing 'Roar Of The Lion', we thought it was the perfect time to venture into the entertainment industry," she explained.
"The new project...
- 10/1/2020
- by Glamsham Editorial
- GlamSham
In a bid to create a “further catalyst for real and sustained change,” ABC Entertainment has set forth a slate of new inclusion standards for all primetime series to “ensure multidimensional representation across the entire creative and production process.”
The initiative is meant to increase diversity both on screen and behind the scenes. In a letter to creatives and colleagues, ABC executive vice president of development and content strategy Simran Sethi laid out the new inclusion guidelines and offered up a database of diverse and underrepresented talent and crew, as well as a list of vendors owned by members of underrepresented groups.
“These new guidelines are intended to make our content and our sets as inclusive as possible, and will serve as a further catalyst for real and sustained change,” wrote Sethi. “We want to take this moment to evaluate systems and habits in an effort to remove barriers to access and opportunity.
The initiative is meant to increase diversity both on screen and behind the scenes. In a letter to creatives and colleagues, ABC executive vice president of development and content strategy Simran Sethi laid out the new inclusion guidelines and offered up a database of diverse and underrepresented talent and crew, as well as a list of vendors owned by members of underrepresented groups.
“These new guidelines are intended to make our content and our sets as inclusive as possible, and will serve as a further catalyst for real and sustained change,” wrote Sethi. “We want to take this moment to evaluate systems and habits in an effort to remove barriers to access and opportunity.
- 9/30/2020
- by Elaine Low
- Variety Film + TV
ABC is putting in place a detailed new set of inclusion standards to ensure the network’s programming and sets accurately reflects society.
Overseen by exec vp development and content strategy Simran Sethi, who has been working on the guidelines for the past year alongside ABC entertainment president Karey Burke, the standards aim to increase inclusion of underrepresented groups onscreen, in writing and directing jobs, and below the line.
Sources say Sethi sent an email Wednesday to pretty much anyone connected to ABC scripted programs, including showrunners (who are encouraged to share the mandates with writers), producers, casting directors and ...
Overseen by exec vp development and content strategy Simran Sethi, who has been working on the guidelines for the past year alongside ABC entertainment president Karey Burke, the standards aim to increase inclusion of underrepresented groups onscreen, in writing and directing jobs, and below the line.
Sources say Sethi sent an email Wednesday to pretty much anyone connected to ABC scripted programs, including showrunners (who are encouraged to share the mandates with writers), producers, casting directors and ...
- 9/30/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
ABC is putting in place a detailed new set of inclusion standards to ensure the network’s programming and sets accurately reflects society.
Overseen by exec vp development and content strategy Simran Sethi, who has been working on the guidelines for the past year alongside ABC entertainment president Karey Burke, the standards aim to increase inclusion of underrepresented groups onscreen, in writing and directing jobs, and below the line.
Sources say Sethi sent an email Wednesday to pretty much anyone connected to ABC scripted programs, including showrunners (who are encouraged to share the mandates with writers), producers, casting directors and ...
Overseen by exec vp development and content strategy Simran Sethi, who has been working on the guidelines for the past year alongside ABC entertainment president Karey Burke, the standards aim to increase inclusion of underrepresented groups onscreen, in writing and directing jobs, and below the line.
Sources say Sethi sent an email Wednesday to pretty much anyone connected to ABC scripted programs, including showrunners (who are encouraged to share the mandates with writers), producers, casting directors and ...
- 9/30/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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