TV News Roundup: Demi Moore to Star in Drama Series; ABC’s ‘Dirty Dancing’ Casts Male Lead
Demi Moore is eyeing her television return, and Jean-Claude Van Damme will star in an Amazon action comedy pilot. Plus, ABC’s “Dirty Dancing” has found its male lead, in today’s TV news roundup . . .
DEVELOPMENT NEWS:
Demi Moore could be returning to TV for her first major role since “General Hospital” in the ’80s, as the actress is set to star in the drama “10 Days in the Valley,” which is being shopped around to networks. The series, first reported by Deadline, hails from “Rookie Blue” co-creator Tassie Cameron. The show from Skydance Television follows Jane Sadler (Moore), an overworked writer and single mother in the middle of a separation whose life is turned upside down when her 5-year-old daughter is taken from her bed in the middle of the night, forcing Jane to put everything on the line to get her child back, including her TV series, her loyalties and her own deep secrets.
Jean-Claude Van Damme is set to play a version of himself in action comedy “Jean-Claude Van Johnson,” which has had a pilot land at Amazon. The Hollywood Reporter reports Van Damme will play an actor and martial arts pro who comes out of retirement to continue as his undercover private contractor known as Jean-Claude Van Johnson. His cover puts Johnson as the lead role in a reimagined action film version of Huckleberry Finn and into the orbit of his love that got away, Vanessa.
CASTING NEWS:
Colt Prattes has been cast as Johnny in ABC’s “Dirty Dancing” event. The triple threat will star opposite Abigail Breslin, playing the charismatic dance instructor and leader of the working-class entertainment staff at a Catskills Mountain resort.
Peyton List has landed the lead role in CW’s “Frequency,” which is a spin on the movie of the same name that starred Jim Caviezel and Dennis Quaid. List, whose casting broke on Deadline, will play a female police detective in 2016 who finds she can talk via a ham radio with her estranged father who died in 1996.
Jenna Elfman has joined the cast of ABC’s untitled imaginary friend comedy pilot from David Guarascio and Adam F. Goldberg. The comedy vet will star as Alice in the potential series that centers on a thirtysomething bachelorette whose life is turned upside down when she finally meets the love of her life — a divorced father with three kids. This triggers even more upheaval when the slightly unhinged imaginary friend she created as an only child suddenly reappears in her life to help her navigate the transition from single girl to a woman ready for a family.
TBS has revealed the celebrity panel of judges for its new tech competition series, “America’s Greatest Makers” — sports legends Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith, “The Big Bang Theory’s” Mayim Bialik and Arduino’s Massimo Banzi. The show puts 24 teams in head-to-head competitions to invent game-changing technology and a chance to go home with $1 million.
Bianca Lawson, Greg Vaughan and Henry G. Sanders have joined the cast of OWN original series “Queen Sugar,” from exec producers Ava DuVernay and Oprah Winfrey. Lawson will play Darla, the ex-girlfriend of Kofi Siriboe’s Ralph Angel, who is battling drug addiction. Vaughn will portray Calvin, a cop who shares a deep connection with Rutina Wesley‘s Nova even though she’s married. Sanders will have a recurring role as Prosper Denton, a farmer and friend to Glynn Turman’s Ernest.
PREMIERE DATES:
Maria Bamford’s Netflix series “Lady Dynamite” will premiere on May 20. The series draws inspiration from Bamford’s life and tells the story of a woman who loses — and then finds — her s–t. Guest stars include many of Bamford’s friends, such as Patton Oswalt, Ana Gasteyer, Sarah Silverman, Jenny Slate, June Diane Raphael, Adam Pally, Tig Notaro, Mira Sorino, Brandon Routh and Dean Cain.
El Rey Network and South by Southwest Conferences and Festivals are working together on a panel and live event of the Lucha Libre wrestling series “Lucha Underground.” The event will take place March 15 as part of the year’s SXAmericas celebration.
EXECUTIVE NEWS:
Kim Granito has been promoted to a new position as senior vice president of digital media and integrated marketing for IFC. In her new role, Granito will oversee all aspects of IFC’s multiplatform and partnership marketing, digital communication strategy and positioning in the advertiser marketplace.
“Kim’s creative approach has been key in helping define the brand and developing a strategy that reflects its ‘slightly off’ sensibility in the sales space,” said Blake Callaway, IFC’s executive vice president of marketing and digital media. “She is a proven leader at innovating smart, creative advertiser solutions, and in her expanded role she will take on the oversight of IFC.com, social strategy, and the growing stable of content-driven apps.”
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