The dramatic film Genius has been acquired by Lionsgate for US distribution. The film’s based on the book Max Perkins: Editor of a Genius by A. Scott Berg and was adapted for the screen by Oscar nominee John Logan (Hugo). Colin Firth and Jude Law lead the cast that includes Nicole Kidman, Laura Linney, Guy Pearce, and Dominic West. Tony Award winner Michael Grandage directed Genius with Deepak Nayar, Nik Bower, James J. Bagley, Berg, Tim Bevan, Steve Christian, Ivan Dunleavy, and Arielle Tepper Madover executive producing.
The announcement of the acquisition was made during the Cannes Film Festival by Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-Chairs Rob Friedman and Patrick Wachsberger.
The Plot:
Genius centers on the real-life relationship between literary giant Thomas Wolfe (Law) and renowned editor Max Perkins (Firth). Wolfe, a blazing talent with a larger-than-life personality and Perkins, one of the most respected literary editors of all time, formed a complex, transformative and irrepressible friendship that changed the lives of these brilliant but very different men forever.
The first trailer for CBS’s Supergirl sets up the series and shows Kara Zor-El’s first rescue as well as the creation of the Supergirl costume. Debuting on Monday nights at 8pm ET/PT in November, Supergirl stars Melissa Benoist in the title role, Mehcad Brooks as James Olsen, Calista Flockhart as Cat Grant, Chyler Leigh as Alex, and David Harewood as Hank Henshaw.
Supergirl is an action-adventure drama based on the DC Comics character Kara Zor-El, Superman’s (Kal-El) cousin who, after 12 years of keeping her powers a secret on Earth, decides to finally embrace her superhuman abilities and be the hero she was always meant to be. Twelve-year-old Kara escaped the doomed planet Krypton with her parents’ help at the same time as the infant Kal-El. Protected and raised on Earth by her foster family, the Danvers, Kara grew up in the shadow of her foster sister, Alex, and learned to conceal the phenomenal powers she shares with her famous cousin in order to keep her identity a secret.
Years later at 24, Kara lives in National City assisting media mogul and fierce taskmaster Cat Grant, who just hired the Daily Planet’s former photographer, James Olsen, as her new art director. However, Kara’s days of keeping her talents a secret are over when Hank Henshaw, head of a super-secret agency where her sister also works, enlists her to help them protect the citizens of National City from sinister threats. Though Kara will need to find a way to manage her newfound empowerment with her very human relationships, her heart soars as she takes to the skies as Supergirl to fight crime.
Jennette McCurdy and Kyle Mac in the Netflix original series ‘Between’ (Photo by: Ken Woroner / Netfix)
Netflix has just shared the first official trailer for Between, a new series created by Michael McGowan (Still Mine, One Week) and starring Jennette McCurdy. Season one’s first one-hour episode will premiere on May 21, 2015 at 8:30pm PT followed by a new episode every Thursday for six weeks total. Netflix is breaking the binge-watching trend with this series, airing it using the familiar network TV pattern of one new episode a week.
In addition to McCurdy, Between stars Jesse Carere, Ryan Allen, Shailyn P. Dixon, Justin Kelly, Krystal Nausbaum, Brooke Palsson, Kyle Mac, Jim Watson, Jordan Todosey, and Shailene Garnett.
The Plot:
Between is the story of a town under siege from a mysterious disease that has wiped out everybody except those 21 years old and under. The series explores the power vacuum that results when a government has quarantined a 10-mile diameter area and left the inhabitants to fend for themselves.
Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart have just begun work in starring roles in the action comedy Central Intelligence directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber (We’re the Millers). The cast also includes Amy Ryan and Danielle Nicolet, with Ryan playing a CIA agent and Nicolet playing Hart’s wife.
Filming is currently underway in Boston.
Ike Barinholtz & David Stassen and Sean Anders & John Morris wrote the screenplay based on a story by Barinholtz and Stassen. Set up with New Line Cinema and Universal Pictures, Central Intelligence is executive produced by Ed Helms and will be released by Warner Bros Pictures.
The Plot: The story follows a one-time bullied geek who grew up to be a lethal CIA agent (Johnson), coming home for his high school reunion. Claiming to be on a top-secret case, he enlists the help of the former “big man on campus” (Hart), now an accountant who misses his glory days.
But before the staid numbers-cruncher realizes what he’s getting into, it’s too late to get out, as his increasingly unpredictable new friend drags him through a world of shoot-outs, double-crosses and espionage that could get them both killed in more ways than he can count.
The CW’s Arrow wraps up an emotional, game-changing season three with an episode titled “My Name is Oliver Queen” airing on May 13, 2015 at 8pm ET/PT. For fans of the series who are DVRing this episode, make sure you extend the end time by three minutes as it’s set to finish up at 9:02:33pm rather than 9pm.
“My Name is Oliver Queen” Plot: Everyone’s lives are in danger as Ra’s al Ghul (guest star Matt Nable) puts forth his final plan. Oliver/Al Sah-him (Stephen Amell) must decide if he’s strong enough to take on this new role and what it will mean for everyone on Team Arrow, and his soul. John Behring directed the episode with story by Greg Berlanti & Andrew Kreisberg and teleplay by Marc Guggenheim & Jake Coburn.
Adrian Scarborough (as Harry) and Patrick Stewart (as Walter Blunt) in ‘Blunt Talk’
Starz announced the series premiere of Blunt Talk is set for August 22, 2015 at 9pm ET/PT followed by the season two premiere of Survivor’s Remorse. Blunt Talk is a half-hour comedy series created by Jonathan Ames and executive produced by Ames, Seth MacFarlane, Stephanie Davis, and Tristram Shapeero.
Survivor’s Remorse comes from NBA all-star/executive producer LeBron James, Tom Werner, Maverick Carter, Mike O’Malley, Paul Wachter, Victor Levin, and Hilton Smith.
Both Blunt Talk‘s first season and Survivor’s Remorse‘s second season will consist of 10 episodes.
Details on Blunt Talk and Survivor’s Remorse (Courtesy of Starz):
Blunt Talk – Set in Los Angeles, the story follows Walter Blunt, a British import intent on conquering the world of American cable news and the fallout from his well-intentioned, but mostly misguided decision-making, both on and off the air. Through the platform of his nightly cable news show, Blunt is on a mission to impart his wisdom and guidance on how Americans should live, think and behave. Besieged by network bosses, a dysfunctional news staff, numerous ex-wives, and children of all ages, Blunt’s only support is the heavy-drinking, devoted manservant he transplanted from the U.K. to join him in Los Angeles. The series is greenlit for a two-season, 20-episode commitment.
The cast is led by Patrick Stewart (X-Men franchise) in the role of Walter Blunt, Jacki Weaver (Silver Linings Playbook) as Rosalie, Blunt’s tough and motherly producer-manager and Adrian Scarborough (The King’s Speech) as Harry, Blunt’s manservant. Dolly Wells (Doll & Em) who was cast as Celia, Blunt’s senior producer and head writer, with Timm Sharp (Enlightened) who was cast as Jim, Blunt’s head writer, round out the cast.
Survivor’s Remorse – Survivor’s Remorse follows the life of Cam Calloway (played by Jessie T. Usher), a hard working, young basketball star who is thrust into the limelight after signing a huge contract with a pro basketball team in Atlanta. In the second season, we see Cam and his cousin and confidant, Reggie Vaughn (played by Ronreaco Lee), continue trying to navigate Cam’s meteoric rise. From business deals to relationships and friendship, the two confront the challenges of balancing the needs of family with the rewards and responsibilities generated by their newfound wealth and fame. Cam, Reggie, and the unforgettable group of characters that is the Calloway clan, wrestle with the rewards and pitfalls of stardom, love and loyalty. The cast also includes Mike Epps, Tichina Arnold, Teyonah Parris and Erica Ash.
Kevin Reilly, president of TBS and TNT and chief content officer for Turner Entertainment, announced there will be a shift in focus at TNT. During Turner Broadcasting’s 2015 Upfront presentation Reilly said the network’s lineup of 11 original series is strong, led by returning shows Murder in the First, The Librarians, The Last Ship, and Legends. Reilly also confirmed TNT has Proof, Agent X, and Public Morals ready to premiere, and they’re moving forward on The Alienist, Will, and Animal Kingdom.
“TNT will continue to deliver great drama and live event specials, but our presentation and portfolio will look dramatically different,” said Reilly. “As we expand our portfolio, viewers should expect some very daring shows – some of which will not appeal to all of our current viewers but will be a lightning rod to attract new viewers.”
Here’s the details on the three just announced new shows:
The Alienist – TNT has greenlit The Alienist, a new eight-part drama series from Paramount Television, Anonymous Content, Emmy®-winning director Cary Fukunaga (True Detective, Jane Eyre, Sin Nombre), Academy Award®-winning producer Eric Roth (Forrest Gump, The Insider, Munich) and Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Hossein Amini (The Wings of the Dove, Drive, The Two Faces of January). The Alienist is a co-production between TNT Original Productions and Paramount Television.
Based on the Anthony Award-winning New York Times bestseller by Caleb Carr, The Alienist is a fast-paced and atmospheric psychological thriller set in the fascinating and gritty world of Gilded Age New York City. After a series of haunting and gruesome murders, psychiatrist Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, newspaper reporter John Moore and police commissioner Theodore Roosevelt come together employing emerging disciplines of psychology and early crime investigation techniques to track down one of New York City’s first serial killers.
Will – The wild story of young William Shakespeare’s arrival onto the punk rock theater scene that was 16th century London – the seductive, violent world where his raw talent faced rioting audiences, religious fanatics and raucous side-shows. It’s the hot, contemporary, dangerous version of Shakespeare’s life, played to a modern soundtrack, exposing all his recklessness, lustful temptations and brilliance. Craig Pearce (The Great Gatsby, Romeo + Juliet, Moulin Rouge) wrote the pilot for Will, which is being executive-produced by Pearce, Vince Gerardis, Howard Braunstein, and Louise Rosager.
Animal Kingdom – When 17-year-old Josh moves in with his wild, free-wheeling relatives in their Southern California beach town, he is pulled into their life of indulgence and excess. But after Josh discovers that it’s all being funded by criminal activities, it suddenly becomes clear to him that joining the family comes with more danger and excitement than he might be ready to handle. This family crime drama comes to TNT from John Wells Productions in association with Warner Horizon Television, with Emmy® winner John Wells (TNT’s Southland, ER, The West Wing, Shameless), Jonathan Lisco, Andrew Stearn, David Michôd (Animal Kingdom film, The Rover) and Liz Watts (Animal Kingdom film, The Rover) serving as executive producers. Wells is set to direct the pilot from a script by Lisco. The project is inspired by the feature film produced by Watts and written & directed by Michôd.
Jessica Chastain and Tom Hiddleston star in ‘Crimson Peak’
Guillermo del Toro’s gothic horror film Crimson Peak is one of this year’s most anticipated movies…and with good reason. Tom Hiddleston, Sons of Anarchy‘s Charlie Hunnam (reuniting with his Pacific Rim director), Jessica Chastain, Mia Wasikowska, and Jim Beaver lead the cast, and the genre’s one in which del Toro excels. The latest trailer features Wasikowska’s character learning about the haunted house she’s just moved into, with Chastain’s character warning her there are parts of the house she should never explore.
Legendary Pictures and Universal Pictures are releasing Crimson Peak on October 16, 2015.
The Plot:
In the aftermath of a family tragedy, an aspiring author (Wasikowska) is torn between love for her childhood friend (Hunnam) and the temptation of a mysterious outsider (Hiddleston). Trying to escape the ghosts of her past, she is swept away to a house that breathes, bleeds…and remembers.
Carrie Underwood is the top nominee for the 2015 CMT Music Awards, picking up five nominations and followed closely by Lady Antebellum and Kenny Chesney with four each. Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Maddie & Tae, and Miranda Lambert earned three nominations and Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban, Lee Ann Womack, Luke Bryan, RaeLynn, and Sam Hunt picked up two apiece.
This year’s CMT Music Awards will take place on June 10th at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and will be broadcast live on CMT. Country music fans can vote now at CMT.com for the winners. Voting is open through June 8th at 10am ET.
2015 CMT MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEES:
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Carrie Underwood – “Something In The Water”
Darius Rucker – “Homegrown Honey”
Dierks Bentley – “Drunk On A Plane”
Florida Georgia Line – “Dirt”
Jason Aldean – “Burnin’ It Down”
Kenny Chesney – “American Kids”
Lady Antebellum – “Bartender”
Lee Brice – “I Don’t Dance”
Luke Bryan – “Play It Again”
Maddie & Tae – “Girl In A Country Song”
Miranda Lambert with Carrie Underwood – “Somethin’ Bad”
Sam Hunt – “Leave The Night On”
MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Dierks Bentley – “Drunk On A Plane”
Eric Church – “Talladega”
Jason Aldean – “Burnin’ It Down”
Keith Urban – “Somewhere In My Car”
Kenny Chesney – “American Kids”
Luke Bryan – “Play It Again”
FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Carrie Underwood – “Little Toy Guns”
Carrie Underwood – “Something In The Water”
Lee Ann Womack – “The Way I’m Livin’”
Miranda Lambert – “Little Red Wagon”
RaeLynn – “God Made Girls”
Reba – “Going Out Like That”
GROUP VIDEO OF THE YEAR
A Thousand Horses – “Smoke”
Eli Young Band – “Dust”
Lady Antebellum – “Bartender”
Little Big Town – “Day Drinking”
The Band Perry – “Chainsaw”
Zac Brown Band – “All Alright”
DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Big & Rich – “Look At You”
Brothers Osborne – “Rum”
Florida Georgia Line – “Dirt”
Florida Georgia Line – “Sun Daze”
Maddie & Tae – “Girl In A Country Song”
The Swon Brothers – “Later On”
COLLABORATIVE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Blake Shelton feat. Ashley Monroe – “Lonely Tonight”
Brantley Gilbert feat. Justin Moore and Thomas Rhett – “Small Town Throwdown”
Jennifer Nettles feat. Brandy Clark – “His Hands”
Kenny Chesney with Grace Potter – “Wild Child”
Miranda Lambert with Carrie Underwood – “Somethin’ Bad”
Tim McGraw feat. Faith Hill – “Meanwhile Back At Mamas”
CMT PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Bob Seger and Jason Aldean – “Turn The Page” from CMT Crossroads: Bob Seger and Jason Aldean
Brett Eldredge – “Beat of the Music” from CMT’s Ultimate Kickoff Party
John Legend and Lee Ann Womack – “You & I (Nobody In The World)” from CMT Crossroads
Katy Perry and Kacey Musgraves – “Roar” from Crossroads
Keith Urban – “It’s a Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World” from 2014 CMT Artists of the Year
Kenny Chesney – “American Kids” from Instant Jam
Lady Antebellum and Aloe Blacc – “Wake Me Up” from CMT’s Ultimate Kickoff Party
Lady Antebellum and Chris Stapleton – “Drink A Beer” from 2014 CMT Artists of the Year
BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Chase Rice – “Gonna Wanna Tonight”
Frankie Ballard – “Sunshine & Whiskey”
Kelsea Ballerini – “Love Me Like You Mean It”
Maddie & Tae – “Girl In A Country Song”
RaeLynn – “God Made Girls”
Sam Hunt – “Leave The Night On”
CBS released the details on its 2015-2016 primetime schedule which will include seven new series and 22 returning shows. Among the new offerings are Supergirl with Melissa Benoist, Limitless starring Jake McDorman (with Bradley Cooper in a recurring role), and Angel From Hell starring Jane Lynch and Maggie Lawson. The upcoming season will also feature the finale of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, with the network set to send off the series on September 27, 2015 with a special two-hour series finale. William Petersen and Marg Helgenberger and other original cast members will be back to help say good-bye to the show after 15 seasons.
CBS’ lineup also includes the kick off of NFL Thursday Night Football on September 17th and the premiere of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on September 8th.
“This is a schedule well-positioned to build on the foundation of last year when we introduced five successful new series and increased our audience by 5%,” said Nina Tassler, Chairman, CBS Entertainment. “With Thursday Night Football, many of the biggest hits on primetime television and huge events throughout the year, all of our exciting new shows have the best possible environment to succeed, and to help deliver another winning season for CBS.”
CBS TELEVISION NETWORK 2015-2016 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE
(N=New, RTP=Regular Time Period, NTP=New Time Period)
MONDAY
8:00-8:30 PM THE BIG BANG THEORY
8:30-9:00 PM LIFE IN PIECES (N)
8:00-9:00 PM SUPERGIRL (N) (Starting in November)
9:00-10:00 PM SCORPION
10:00-11:00 PM NCIS: LOS ANGELES
THURSDAY
8:00-11:00 PM, ET/ NFL THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL (Premieres Sept. 17)
5:00-8:00 PM, PT
8:00-8:30 PM THE BIG BANG THEORY (RTP) (Starting in November)
8:30-9:00 PM LIFE IN PIECES (NTP) (Starting in November)
9:00-9:30 PM MOM (Starting in November)
9:30-10:00 PM ANGEL FROM HELL (N) (Starting in November)
10:00-11:00 PM ELEMENTARY (Starting in November)
FRIDAY
8:00-9:00 PM THE AMAZING RACE
9:00-10:00 PM HAWAII FIVE-0
10:00-11:00 PM BLUE BLOODS
SUNDAY
7:00-8:00 PM 60 MINUTES
8:00-9:00 PM MADAM SECRETARY
9:00-10:00 PM THE GOOD WIFE
10:00-11:00 PM CSI: CYBER (NTP)
The 2015-2016 night-by-night schedule:
MONDAYS – With THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL premiering Sept. 17, the Network will once again move THE BIG BANG THEORY to 8:00 PM to start the season, providing a potent lead-in to the new comedy LIFE IN PIECES. When THE BIG BANG THEORY and LIFE IN PIECES move to their regular Thursday time periods after football, the new action-adventure drama SUPERGIRL will open Monday at 8:00 PM. The action-packed evening continues with the high-octane dramas SCORPION at 9:00 PM and NCIS: LOS ANGELES at 10:00 PM.
TUESDAYS – Television’s #1 drama for six years, NCIS, returns at 8:00 PM, followed by television’s #1 new show of the season, NCIS: NEW ORLEANS, at 9:00 PM. The two-hour block provides a powerful lead-in for the smart new drama LIMITLESS at 10:00 PM.
WEDNESDAYS – SURVIVOR once again opens the night at 8:00 PM, where it continues to win in viewers and demos. CBS’s highest-rated 18-49 drama, CRIMINAL MINDS, which grew its audience this year, delivers the perfect lead-in at 9:00 PM for the fast-paced new medical drama CODE BLACK at 10:00 PM.
THURSDAYS – NFL THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL kicks off on Sept. 17, giving CBS a strong platform to launch the new season. The Network’s entertainment schedule returns in November with all-new episodes for virtually the rest of the season. THE BIG BANG THEORY is back at 8:00 PM, followed by LIFE IN PIECES at 8:30 PM. MOM, the fastest-growing returning series on television, starring Anna Faris and Allison Janney, returns at 9:00 PM, which pairs incredibly well with the new comedy ANGEL FROM HELL at 9:30 PM, starring Jane Lynch and Maggie Lawson. Capping the night at 10:00 PM, Sherlock Holmes is back in ELEMENTARY, a proven time period performer that also adds four million viewers in DVR playback every week.
FRIDAYS – CBS’s winning night returns intact with the Emmy Award-winning reality series THE AMAZING RACE at 8:00 PM, followed by the two-hour crime-solving block of HAWAII FIVE-0 at 9:00 PM and BLUE BLOODS, Friday’s most-watched show, at 10:00 PM.
SATURDAYS – CBS’s Saturday lineup features CRIMETIME SATURDAY, encore broadcasts of the Network’s popular dramas at 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM, followed by 48 HOURS, Saturday’s #1 non-sports program.
SUNDAYS – CBS presents a smart, upscale night of programming on Sunday. The #1 news program for more than four decades, 60 MINUTES, returns at 7:00 PM. MADAM SECRETARY, Sunday’s top-rated broadcast drama, is back in office at 8:00 PM, followed by the most acclaimed series on network television, THE GOOD WIFE, at 9:00 PM. To start the season, CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION will have a special two-hour series finale farewell. Then, CSI: CYBER will move in at 10:00 PM to carry on the CSI legacy, with Emmy Award winner Ted Danson joining Academy Award winner Patricia Arquette on the cast.
CBS will once again present a year-round programming strategy, rolling out series throughout the season, including three established comedies, 2 BROKE GIRLS, MIKE & MOLLY and THE ODD COUPLE, the thrilling drama PERSON OF INTEREST and the award-winning reality series UNDERCOVER BOSS.
THE NEW FALL DRAMAS:
CODE BLACK, based on the award-winning documentary by Ryan McGarry, is a heart-pounding medical drama that takes place in the busiest, most notorious ER in the nation, where the staggering influx of patients can outweigh the limited resources available to the extraordinary doctors and nurses whose job is to treat them all – creating a condition known as Code Black. At the heart of the ER’s controlled chaos is Residency Director Dr. Leanne Rorish (Academy Award winner Marcia Gay Harden), renowned for successfully performing high-risk procedures in Center Stage, the trauma area reserved for the most critical cases. Her four new first-year residents are Christa Lorenson (Bonnie Somerville), Malaya Pineda (Melanie Kannokada), Mario Savetti (Benjamin Hollingsworth) and Angus Leighton (Harry M. Ford). Leanne’s confidante, Jesse Sallander (Luis Guzman), is an amiable seen-it-all senior nurse who manages the residents. Also working in the ER is Dr. Neal Hudson (Raza Jaffrey), an excellent physician who sometimes disagrees with Leanne’s “cowboy” approach, and Dr. Rollie Guthrie (William Allen Young), the energetic, longest-serving attending. In Center Stage, life is measured in seconds, and these heroic doctors and nurses operate with speed and skill within an overwhelmed system to treat the crowds of people who are often there for one of two reasons: to die or to receive a life-saving miracle. Michael Seitzman, Marti Noxon, Linda Goldstein-Knowlton, Ryan McGarry and David Semel are executive producers for ABC Studios in association with CBS Television Studios. The pilot was directed by David Semel (Madam Secretary).
LIMITLESS, based on the feature film, is a fast-paced drama about Brian Finch (Jake McDorman), who discovers the brain-boosting power of the mysterious drug NZT and is coerced by the FBI into using his extraordinary cognitive abilities to solve complex cases for them. Working closely with Brian in the major case squad in New York City is Special Agent Rebecca Harris (Jennifer Carpenter), a formidable investigator with a dark past, and Special Agent Boyle (Hill Harper), a former military officer and Rebecca’s confidante. They report to Special Agent in Charge Nasreen “Naz” Pouran (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio), a canny manipulator of the reins of power. Unbeknownst to the FBI, Brian also has a clandestine relationship with Senator Edward Mora (Academy Award nominee Bradley Cooper, recurring), a presidential hopeful and regular user of NZT who has plans of his own for his new protégé. Fueled now with a steady supply of NZT that enables him to use 100% of his brain capacity, Brian is more effective than all of the FBI agents combined, making him a criminal’s worst nightmare and the greatest asset the Bureau has ever possessed. Craig Sweeny, Marc Webb, Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, Heather Kadin, Bradley Cooper, Todd Phillips, Ryan Kavanaugh, Tucker Tooley and Tom Forman are executive producers for CBS Television Studios in association with K/O Paper Products and Relativity Television. The pilot was directed by Marc Webb (The Amazing Spider-Man 1 and 2 Feature Films).
SUPERGIRL is an action-adventure drama based on the DC Comics character Kara Zor-El (Melissa Benoist), Superman’s (Kal-El) cousin who, after 12 years of keeping her powers a secret on Earth, decides to finally embrace her superhuman abilities and be the hero she was always meant to be. Twelve-year-old Kara escaped the doomed planet Krypton with her parents’ help at the same time as the infant Kal-El. Protected and raised on Earth by her foster family, the Danvers, Kara grew up in the shadow of her foster sister, Alex (Chyler Leigh), and learned to conceal the phenomenal powers she shares with her famous cousin in order to keep her identity a secret. Years later at 24, Kara lives in National City assisting media mogul and fierce taskmaster Cat Grant (Golden Globe Award winner Calista Flockhart), who just hired the Daily Planet’s former photographer, James Olsen (Mehcad Brooks), as her new art director. However, Kara’s days of keeping her talents a secret are over when Hank Henshaw (David Harewood), head of a super-secret agency where her sister also works, enlists her to help them protect the citizens of National City from sinister threats. Though Kara will need to find a way to manage her newfound empowerment with her very human relationships, her heart soars as she takes to the skies as Supergirl to fight crime. Greg Berlanti (The Flash, Arrow), Ali Adler, Sarah Schecter and Andrew Kreisberg are executive producers for Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television. The pilot was directed by Glen Winter (Arrow).
THE NEW FALL COMEDIES:
ANGEL FROM HELL stars Golden Globe and multiple Emmy Award winner Jane Lynch in a single-camera comedy about Amy (Lynch), a colorful, brassy woman who insinuates herself into Allison’s (Maggie Lawson) organized and seemingly perfect life, claiming to be her “guardian angel.” Allison is an intense, driven doctor who is sure that Amy is just an inebriated, outspoken nut, until every one of her warnings proves true. Cautioned by Amy not tell anyone about her, Allison can’t discuss this over-the-top oddball with her father and business partner, Marv (Kevin Pollak), a sunburned dermatologist who shares an office with Allison, or her younger brother, Brad (Kyle Bornheimer), a pharmaceutical sales rep who lives over her garage. As Allison tries to push Amy away, Amy makes her final pitch: her sole mission is to provide Allison with helpful guidance that nudges her in the right direction in life – and it’s her final chance to prove herself as an angel. With that, Allison agrees to this unlikely relationship because maybe a weird friend is exactly what she needs… and what if Amy really is her “guardian angel”? Tad Quill and Emmy Award winner Don Scardino (30 Rock) are executive producers for CBS Television Studios. The pilot was directed by Don Scardino.
LIFE IN PIECES is a single-camera comedy about one big happy family and their sometimes awkward, often hilarious and ultimately beautiful milestone moments as told by its various members. Of the three siblings, middle child Matt (Thomas Sadoski) may have just found his true love, his co-worker, Colleen (Angelique Cabral); his coddled youngest brother, Greg (Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominee Colin Hanks), and his wife, Jen (Zoe Lister Jones), are overwhelmed by the birth of their first child; and the eldest, Heather (Betsy Brandt), and her husband, Tim (Dan Bakkedahl), are dreading their impending empty nest so much, they’re considering having another baby. Their parents are Joan (Academy, Golden Globe and Emmy Award winner Dianne Wiest), the family’s adoring matriarch who would do anything for her kids – as long as she agrees with it – and John (Golden Globe and Emmy Award winner James Brolin), the gregarious patriarch who’s searching for ways to soften the blow of turning 70. As the family’s lives unfold in four short stories each week, they try to savor these little pieces of time that flash by but stay with you forever, because these moments add up to what life’s all about. Niall Cunningham, Holly J. Barrett and Giselle Eisenberg also star. Justin Adler, Emmy Award winner Jason Winer (Modern Family) and Aaron Kaplan are executive producers for 20th Century Fox Television in association with Kapital Entertainment. The pilot was directed by Jason Winer.
NEW SERIES FOR LATER THIS SEASON:
CRIMINAL MINDS: BEYOND BORDERS (Spinoff) stars Golden Globe and Emmy Award winner Gary Sinise in a drama about the specialized International Division of the FBI tasked with solving crimes and coming to the rescue of Americans who find themselves in danger while abroad. Heading the department is Unit Chief Jack Garrett (Sinise), a seasoned 20-year veteran of the Bureau. The team he trusts with his life includes Matthew Simmons (Daniel Henney), a former military hero with split-second profiling skills he honed on the battlefield, and Russ “Monty” Montgomery (Tyler James Williams), the unit’s compassionate, brilliant tech analyst who additionally liaises stateside with the families of those in trouble while his group is far from home. These exceptional agents are dedicated to safely returning U.S. residents home by profiling and identifying criminals who are beyond our borders. The pilot was a planted spin-off of an episode of CRIMINAL MINDS broadcast on April 8, 2015. Emmy Award winner Mark Gordon, Erica Messer and Nick Pepper are executive producers for ABC Studios in association with CBS Television Studios and The Mark Gordon Company. The episode was directed by Glen Kershaw (Criminal Minds).
RUSH HOUR, a reimagining of the hit feature film franchise, is a buddy-cop drama about a maverick LAPD detective and a by-the-book detective from Hong Kong who knock heads when they are forced to partner together. Detective Lee (Jon Foo) is a reserved, honorable master martial artist with lightning-fast moves who comes to L.A. to avenge his sister’s alleged death and learn more about her connection to a Chinese organized crime ring. Detective Carter (Justin Hires), on the other hand, is a wisecracking cop who plays by his own rules and has never wanted a partner. As exasperated as Carter’s boss, Captain Cole (Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominee Wendie Malick), gets with him, she knows he’s a brilliant detective who gets results. Attempting to help the two get along is Sergeant Didi Diaz (Aimee Garcia), Carter’s friend and former partner who doesn’t hesitate to call him out on his antics. But even as cultures clash and tempers flare, Carter and Lee can’t deny they make a formidable team, and grudgingly admit that sometimes an unlikely pairing makes for a great partnership. Bill Lawrence, Blake McCormick, Jeff Ingold, Jon Turteltaub and the team behind the Rush Hour movies, Arthur Sarkissian and Brett Ratner, are executive producers for Warner Bros. Television. The pilot was directed by Jon Turteltaub.
