James Patterson has inked an exclusive first-look deal with Skydance Television, which is in production on an adaptation of his Alex Cross series starring Aldis Hodge. As part of the deal, Patterson will develop a slate of series based on his top-selling book series Women’s Murder Club and Michael Bennett , along with the internationally acclaimed book series Private and the soon-to-be published books Jane Smith and Holmes, Miss Marple and Poe . “In speaking with David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and the team, it quickly became clear Skydance is only interested in making quality entertainment with top talent,” said Patterson. “This kind of partnership is exactly what we have been seeking for James Patterson Entertainment, as we continue to grow our brand across every area of the business.” Said Matt Thunell, President of Skydance Television: “James Patterson is one of the most successful authors in publishing of all time. He is a master of his craft, who … [Read more...] about James Patterson Signs First-Look Deal With Skydance Television
Golden globes why not televised
Julie Plec & Universal TV Option YA Books ‘We Were Liars,’ ‘Family of Liars’ & ‘Again Again’ By E. Lockhart
EXCLUSIVE : Great news for fans of E. Lockhart’s popular YA books: Julie Plec ’s My So-Called Company and Universal Television has acquired the rights to We Were Liars, Family of Liars and Again Again. We Were Liars is a tragic love story and an amnesia thriller set on a privately owned island off the coast of Massachusetts. It’s been on the NY Times bestseller list for the past 22 months. The recently released Family of Liars , the prequel to We Were Liars, takes readers back to the story of another summer, another generation, and the secrets that will haunt them for decades to come. Again Again follows Adelaide Buchwald who, after a near-fatal family catastrophe and an unexpected romantic upheaval, finds herself catapulted into a summer of wild possibility, during which she will fall in and out of love a thousand times while confronting the secrets she keeps, her ideas about love, and the weird grandiosity of the human mind. Carina Adly MacKenzie … [Read more...] about Julie Plec & Universal TV Option YA Books ‘We Were Liars,’ ‘Family of Liars’ & ‘Again Again’ By E. Lockhart
SAG-AFTRA & Teamsters Local 399 Leaders Show Solidarity With WGA At Opening Day Of Contract Talks
Leaders of SAG-AFTRA and Hollywood’s Teamsters Local 399 showed their support for the WGA on Monday, posing with WGA leaders shortly before the 11 a.m. start of the Writers Guild’s contract negotiations with producers at the AMPTP ’s headquarters in Sherman Oaks. “This is what solidarity looks like!” the WGA West posted on its Twitter page above a photo of the labor leaders. From left to right are David A. Goodman, former WGA West president and co-chair of the WGA’s Negotiating Committee; Lindsay Dougherty, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 399; Ellen Stutzman, WGA chief negotiator and assistant executive director of the WGA West; Meredith Stiehm, president of the WGA West; Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA’s national executive director, and Chris Keyser, former WGA West president and co-chair of the WGA Negotiation Committee. RELATED: As WGA & AMPTP Talks Kick Off, Details Emerge Of DGA’s Attempt To Reach Under-The-Radar Deal With Studios Day 2 of … [Read more...] about SAG-AFTRA & Teamsters Local 399 Leaders Show Solidarity With WGA At Opening Day Of Contract Talks
WGA East Members Unanimously Ratify New Contract With Fox’s WNYW-TV New York
The editorial staff at Fox affiliate WNYW-TV New York has voted unanimously to ratify a new four-year contract with the WGA East . The 52-member bargaining unit includes news writers, writer/producers, assignment editors, segment producers, news assistants and feed coordinators. The new pact includes 3% minimum annual salary increases in the first year, and 2% in each of the next three years. It also includes a fully funded pension for all current and future employees; 26% to 36% pay hikes in the first year for news associates, and a $1 an hour increase in the show producer/line producer fee. “WGA East members at WNYW-TV fought hard to ensure that they received fair annual pay increases, and that their guild pension benefits remained intact for themselves and future members of the union,” said Lowell Peterson, the guild’s executive director. “This new four-year agreement is a tremendous victory, and a testament to the strength and solidarity of this bargaining unit.” … [Read more...] about WGA East Members Unanimously Ratify New Contract With Fox’s WNYW-TV New York
Greek Outfit Heretic Promotes Head Of Sales Ioanna Stais To Partner
EXCLUSIVE: Greek production and sales house Heretic has upped its longtime head of sales and acquisitions exec Ioanna Stais to partner. Stais, who has been with the company since 2014, has been a key driver behind Heretic’s bustling film sales slate which has included Berlin Golden Bear winner Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn from director Radu Jude, and Omar El Zohairy’s Feathers , which won Cannes Critics’ week in 2021. In 2019, the company handled world sales for Retablo , Peru’s official submission for the International Oscar, which was also nominated for a BAFTA Outstanding Debut Award and Best International Film for the Film Independent Spirit Award. The company recently boarded world sales rights for Jude’s latest project, Do Not Expect Too Much From the End of the World , as well as Sundance doc And the King Said, What a Fantastic Machine , which it sold widely. “Having joined the company almost from its very founding, I couldn’t be prouder for what … [Read more...] about Greek Outfit Heretic Promotes Head Of Sales Ioanna Stais To Partner
‘We Were Liars’ Series Adaptation From Julie Plec & Carina Adly MacKenzie Lands Series Order At Amazon
Amazon is moving forward with its series adaptation of E. Lockhart’s novel We Were Liars . The streamer has handed the project, which comes from Julie Plec , Carina Adly MacKenzie and Universal Television and Amazon Studios, a series order. It comes after the project emerged at the streamer in development in December. RELATED: 2023 Prime Video Pilots & Series Orders Plec and her My So-Called Company banner and Universal Television, where The Vampire Diaries co-creator is based, optioned the 2014 book as part of a trio of deals with Lockhart in the summer. Plec and Roswell, New Mexico co-creator Carina Adly MacKenzie are adapting the book. Plec is writing the first episode, and MacKenzie is writing the second. We Were Liars is a “tragic” love story and an amnesia thriller set on a privately owned island off the coast of Massachusetts. Focusing on the the theme of consequences of one’s mistakes, the series follows the wealthy, seemingly … [Read more...] about ‘We Were Liars’ Series Adaptation From Julie Plec & Carina Adly MacKenzie Lands Series Order At Amazon
‘The Steve Wilkos Show’ Renewed for 17th Season
EXCLUSIVE : NBCUniversal Syndication Studios has renewed the syndicated chatfest The Steve Wilkos Show for a 17th season. The Steve Wilkos Show tackles family and criminal justice, true crime and relationship conflicts. The show is hosted by Steve Wilkos, a former Chicago police officer and U.S. Marine. “We’re so proud to have reached this milestone as one of the longest-running talk shows in broadcast syndication,” said Tracie Wilson, Executive Vice President, NBCUniversal Syndication Studios & E! News. “Along with our talented production team who bring riveting stories each day, Steve’s life experiences, his quick wit and no-nonsense approach create an organic connection with his audience. We look forward to bringing our station partners and loyal viewers another eventful season.” Wilkos will celebrate 30 years in daytime television in 2024. He started as the head of security on The Jerry Springer Show in 1994 and launched his own talk show in 2007. “I … [Read more...] about ‘The Steve Wilkos Show’ Renewed for 17th Season
Eddie Redmayne To Lead ‘The Day Of The Jackal’ Series For Peacock & Sky
Eddie Redmayne , fresh from The Good Nurse , is set to play another killer. The Oscar-winning actor will star in The Day of the Jackal series for Peacock and Sky. He will play The Jackal, a professional assassin hired by a French paramilitary dissident to kill French President Charles de Gaulle in 1962. The series is based on the Frederick Forsyth novel and 1973 film adaptation from Universal Pictures. However, it has been reimagined as a contemporary story set amidst the current turbulent geo-political landscape and will delve deeper into the chameleon like ‘anti-hero’. Top Boy creator and writer Ronan Bennett writes and serves as showrunner. Brian Kirk, who has directed episodes of Game of Thrones and Luther, will direct. It is produced by Universal International Studios’ Carnival Films, which is best known for producing Downton Abbey. Redmayne will also exec produce alongside Carnival Films’ Gareth Neame and Nigel Marchant, Sky Studios’ Sam Hoyle. … [Read more...] about Eddie Redmayne To Lead ‘The Day Of The Jackal’ Series For Peacock & Sky
Artist International Group Expands, Hires Kimberly Hines As Partner & Ian Stack As Manager
EXCLUSIVE: Hot on the heels of longtime client Michelle Yeoh becoming the first Best Actress Oscar winner of Asian descent for Everything, Everywhere All At Once , Artist International Group is expanding. AIG has named Kimberly Hines as partner, and Ian Stack as manager. They join AIG’s international talent and producing divisions. They will be based in New York and Rome. The two will be focused on representing international actors, directors and writers as well as producing film and television. Hines, who most recently was at Framework Entertainment, brings decades of experience working as a producer, talent agent, and talent manager. She will bring her clients to AIG. Her list includes Mickey Rourke ( The Wrestler ), Til Schweiger ( Inglorious Bastards ), Oliver Masucci ( The Swarm ), Balthazar Getty ( Megalopolis ), Jacqueline Bisset and others. Stack had also been a manager and producer at Framework. Prior to Framework, he was an Associate Producer … [Read more...] about Artist International Group Expands, Hires Kimberly Hines As Partner & Ian Stack As Manager
‘Shadow And Bone’ Season 2 Debuts At No. 2 On Netflix Top 10; Korean Drama ‘The Glory’ Is Most-Viewed Title For Second Week
You Season 4 continues its reign over the Netflix Top 10, despite the debut of Shadow and Bone Season 2 last week. The fantasy series hit the streamer’s English-language TV chart at No. 2 for the week of March 13-19, tallying 50.4M hours viewed in the days since its March 16 debut. It struggles to hold a flame to the 64.1M hours viewed that You Season 4 drew during that week. It’s worth noting that the final five episodes of You Season 4 dropped the week prior, meaning that they had an entire week’s worth of viewing to account for while Shadow and Bone Season 2 only had four days. It’s totally possible (and likely) that viewership for Shadow and Bone will grow week-over-week. However, You Season 4 still seems to be outperforming overall considering it racked up 75.8M hours viewed last week, when the measurement window only included the first four days after the final five episodes hit the platform. In terms of episodes available, You Season 4 has … [Read more...] about ‘Shadow And Bone’ Season 2 Debuts At No. 2 On Netflix Top 10; Korean Drama ‘The Glory’ Is Most-Viewed Title For Second Week