Sasheer Zamata Cast In Lead Role In NBC Comedy Pilot Titled ‘So Close’
Sasheer Zamata is one of the leads for the NBC comedy pilot, So Close.
The Saturday Night Live alumna will star with Sean Kleier.
The description: So Close centers on hopeless romantics Riley (Zamata) & Kyle (Kleier). At crossroads in their separate lives, they are close to settling for the wrong partner, unaware that they live only blocks apart and may be each other’s soul mates.
The duo joins Sabrina Carpenter, who was the first announced cast member.
Zamata left SNL last may after being a regular for four seasons.
Jennifer Lopez New Romantic Comedy Film ‘Second Act’ Sets Release Date
STXfilms has given a holiday season release of Nov. 21 to the Jennifer Lopez romantic comedy “Second Act.”
“Second Act” is directed by Peter Segal and also stars Milo Ventimiglia, Leah Remini, Vanessa Hudgens and Treat Williams. Lopez plays a big-box store employee who reinvents her life and her lifestyle to prove to Madison Avenue that street smarts are as valuable as a college degree.
“Second Act” was developed by STX with Lopez from an idea conceived by Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas and Justin Zackham. The film is written and produced by Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas and Justin Zackham, with Jennifer Lopez and Benny Medina also serving as producers.
It’s the fourth title to land on the date after MGM’s “Creed 2,” Disney’s “Wreck-It Ralph 2: Ralph Breaks the Internet” and Universal’s untitled Robert Zemeckis project.
EXCLUSIVE-Was Damon Wayans, Jr. Considered For The Lead In The New ‘Magnum P.I.’ Reboot’?
According to reports that were released earlier today, actor Jay Hernandez was cast as the lead in the Magnum P.I. reboot.
Hernandez will play Thomas Magnum, a decorated ex-Navy SEAL who, upon returning home from Afghanistan, repurposes his military skills to become a private investigator. Tom Selleck, who currently stars in the CBS drama Blue Bloods, played the role in the original series.
Later this evening we heard from our sources that actor and comedian Damon Wayans, Jr., was offered the lead role of the title character. While we were unable to confirm why he turned down the role, we did hear that CBS was serious in their offer to Wayans.
Wayans is currently preparing to drop a TV film titled Singularity and The Truth About Harry Quebert Affair. We also hear that Wayans will probably land on a sitcom, just no word yet on which one.
More details soon.
Viola Davis To Star In Amazon Film ‘Troupe Zero’
‘Scandal’s Joe Morton To Co-Star In CBS Drama Pilot Titled ‘God Friended Me’!
Photo credit: Benjo Arwas
Emmy-winning Scandal co-star Joe Morton is set for a series regular role opposite Brandon Micheal Hall in CBS drama pilot God Friended Me, a light hourlong procedural from Alcatraz co-creators Steven Lilien and Bryan Wynbrandt, director Marcos Siega, Greg Berlanti’s Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. TV.
Written by Lilien and Wynbrandt and to be directed by Siega, God Friended Me is described as a humorous, uplifting series, which explores questions of faith, existence, and science. It centers on an outspoken atheist whose life is turned upside down when he is “friended” by God on Facebook. Unwittingly, he becomes an agent of change in the lives and destinies of others around him. Cast also includes Suraj Sharma and Javicia Leslie.
Morton will play Reverend Arthur Finer, Miles’ (Hall) father. A thoughtful and intelligent man, Arthur Finer has been the Reverend of Trinity Church for the past 25 years. Although he doesn’t agree with his son’s strong rejection of his faith, he wants him back in his life.
It’s not hard to envision Morton in the role following his stint on Scandal as Rowan Pope where he is known for the memorable delivery of his signature monologues. Morton is the first actor from Scandal, which returns for its seventh and final season, to book a new series.
Lilien and Wynbrandt executive produce God Friended Me alongside Siega and Berlanti Prods.’ Berlanti and Sarah Schechter.
Morton’s film credits include The Brother From Another Planet, Terminator 2: Judgement Day and Speed 2, among others. Morton is repped by TalentWorks and Vanguard Management Group.
Source: Deadline
Tiffany Haddish To Star In New Netflix Animated Series Titled ‘Tuca and Bertie’
Netflix has ordered the animated series “Tuca and Bertie,” with Tiffany Haddish set to voice one of the main characters.The series, which has received a 10-episode order, is a comedy about the friendship between two 30-year-old bird women who live in the same apartment building: Tuca, a cocky, care-free toucan, and Bertie, an anxious, daydreaming songbird. Haddish will play Tuca in addition to executive producing.Lisa Hanawalt created the series and will serve as executive producer. Hanawalt is the production designer and producer on Netflix’s critically-acclaimed animated series “BoJack Horseman.” Raphael Bob-Waksberg, the creator of “BoJack” will executive produce along with “BoJack” executive producers Noel Bright and Steven A. Cohen. Michael Eisner’s The Tornante Company, which produces “BoJack,” will produce. Animation is being done at Shadowmachine.This project marks the latest in a series of high-profile gigs for Haddish, who broke out in the comedy blockbuster film “Girls Trip.” She also recently released a Showtime stand up special titled “Tiffany Haddish: She’s Ready,” released her book, “The Last Black Unicorn,” in December, and signed a first-look deal with HBO. She can next be seen in the Tracy Morgan-led TBS comedy series “The Last O.G.” and in the Kevin Hart comedy film “Night School.”
She is repped by APA, Principato Young, and Del Shaw Moonves Tanaka Finkelstein & Lezcano. Hanawalt is repped by by UTA and Defiore & Company.
“BoJack Horseman” was renewed for Season 5 at Netflix back in September. The series has received widespread critical acclaim, with the four available seasons averaging an 89 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Season 4 launched globally on Netflix on Sept. 8 and saw BoJack coming to grips with his identity after disappearing at the end of Season 3, while his friend Mr. Peanutbutter makes a bid for governor. Todd, meanwhile, explores his life without BoJack, and comes to terms with the fact that he is asexual.
Source: Variety
‘Magnum PI’ Reboot Pilot At CBS Casts Jay Hernandez Of ‘Suicide Squad’ Fame In Lead Role
The “Magnum P.I.” reboot pilot has cast Jay Hernandez as the titular private eye.
Hernandez will play Thomas Magnum, a decorated ex-Navy SEAL who, upon returning home from Afghanistan, repurposes his military skills to become a private investigator. Tom Selleck, who currently stars in the CBS drama “Blue Bloods,” played the role in the original series.
Hernandez’s recent film roles include the DC Entertainment film “Suicide Squad” and appearances in both entries in the “Bad Moms” comedy franchise. He has also appeared in films like “Friday Night Lights,” “Hostel,” and in the Netflix fantasy-action film “Bright.” On the television side, he has recently appeared in “Scandal,” “Nashville,” and “The Expanse.”
He is repped by ICM Partners, Alchemy Entertainment and Fuller Law.
Source: Variety
‘This Is Us’ Star Sterling K. Brown To Debut As Host On ‘Saturday Night Live’
Sterling K. Brown, star of the hit NBC series “This Is Us,” will make his “Saturday Night Live” hosting debut in March, NBC announced Tuesday.
Brown will host the long-running sketch show on March 10. In addition to his Emmy-winning role on “This Is Us,” Brown also currently appears in “Black Panther.” Joining Brown and making his “SNL” debut as musical guest is three-time Grammy nominee and multi-platinum English singer-songwriter James Bay. His single, “Wild Love,” from his forthcoming sophomore album was released on Feb. 8.
In addition, NBC also announced that Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley will return to as host for the fourth time on March 3. Grammy Award-nominated recording artists Migos will join Barkley as musical guest for the first time. Their new album, “Culture II,” recently debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart in its first week.
Finally, “SNL” alum Bill Hader will host for the second time on March 17. He is the creator, executive producer, director, and plays the title character in the upcoming HBO comedy series “Barry,” premiering March 25.
Arcade Fire will appear alongside Hader, marking the band’s fourth time as musical guest. The band released its fifth studio album, “Everything Now,” last July, and the single of the same name became the group’s first to reach number one on a Billboard chart.
Source: Variety
First-Look At Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Directorial Debut, ‘The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind’
A first-look image has been released for Chiwetel Ejiofor’s directorial debut, which is a film adaptation of The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind
The film is produced by Potboiler Productions’ Andrea Calderwood (The Last King of Scotland) and Gail Egan (A Most Wanted Man). Ejiofor stars in the film he also adapted from the book “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind,” written by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer.
The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind follows 13-year-old William Kamkwamba (newcomer Maxwell Simba) who is thrown out of the school he loves when his family can no longer afford the fees. Sneaking back into the school library, he finds a way, using the bones of the bicycle belonging to his father Trywell (Ejiofor), to build a windmill which then saves his village from famine. The emotional journey of a father and his exceptional son at its heart, William’s tale captures the incredible determination of a boy whose inquisitive mind overcame every obstacle in his path. Key themes from the film aim to raise awareness around environmental sustainability and the power of education.
In addition to Ejiofor and Simba, the cast features Lily Banda as William’s older sister Annie; Noma Dumezweni (Hermione in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) as Edith Sikelo, the librarian who helped bring William’s story to public attention; Aissa Maiga (Anything for Alice) as William’s mother Agnes; Joseph Marcell (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) as Chief Wimbe; and Lemogang Tsipa (Eye in the Sky) as teacher Mike Kachigunda.
Check out the image below:
Source: Shadow & Act
Alfre Woodard Joins Cast as Cookie’s Mother On New Season Of ‘Empire’!
An ax-wielding Demi Moore is going to be the least of Cookie Lyon’s problems when Empire returns this spring. TVLine has learned exclusively that Alfre Woodard has been tapped to play Renee, the estranged (and extremely formidable, natch) mother of Taraji P. Henson’s leading lady.
Woodard — a four-time Emmy winner — will appear on a recurring basis during the second half of Empire‘s current fourth season, which resumes on Wednesday, March 28 at 8/7c. The actress began shooting her arc earlier this month (as evidenced by the exclusive on-set image of Woodard and Henson above.)
The gig marks a reunion for the two Oscar-nominated powerhouses: They co-starred together in the 2008 pic Tyler Perry’s The Family That Preys.
Woodard’s recent TV credits include series-regular stints on Netflix’s Luke Cage(which is returning for Season 2) and NBC’s ill-fated State of Affairs.
Source: TV Line
