TV News Roundup: Stephen Root is ‘The Man in the High Castle,’ Cinemax Greenlights Killer Series
In today’s TV news roundup, Stephen Root joins Amazon’s “The Man in the High Castle,” Bravo announces a premiere date for “Imposters” and more.
CASTING
Stephen Root has been cast in the title role for the second season of Amazon’s drama series “The Man in the High Castle.” He will portray “a mysterious figure” associated with the Resistance movement. Season 2 premieres Friday, Dec. 16.
DATES
Bravo has announced the premiere date for its upcoming scripted series “Imposters” (formerly titled “My So Called Wife”), which will debut Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017 at 10 p.m. The hourlong dark comedy follows con-artist Maddie (Inbar Lavi), as her former victims team up to bring her down.
GREENLIGHTS
Cinemax has greenlit a six-episode limited series, “Rellik,” Variety has confirmed. The drama is described as a “killer story told backwards.” The project — first reported by Deadline — hails from “The Missing” creators Harry and Jack Williams of Two Brothers Pictures, who will write and serve executive producers on the show. Other exec producers are Willow Grylls, Charlie Pattinson and Elaine Pyke of New Pictures, plus BBC’s Stephen Wright. Sam Miller is on board to direct. All3Media is also producing for BBC and HBO.
Starz has greenlit “Nude,” a documentary film directed and produced by Anthony B. Sacco and Josh Shader. The project will explore today’s “perceptions of modeling, nude photography, and body image” connected to the modern world and “evolving social media landscape.” The film will shed light on “Treats!” founder Steve Shaw casting and creating his inaugural NU Muses project.
NBC Universo has added “Sons of Anarchy” en Español to its upcoming 2017 lineup. NBC Universo acquired the U.S. television cable rights from 20th Television, and will begin airing the first season, dubbed in Spanish, in early 2017. “Sons of Anarchy” is created by Kurt Sutter, and stars Charlie Hunnam and Katey Sagal.
RATINGS
Disney TV movie “Elena and the Secret of Avalor” drew a veritable horde of children in the first three days of viewing. From Nov. 20 through 23, a whopping 2.25 million kids ages 2-11 watched the movie either on Disney Channel, Disney Junior, or on demand, and 4.4 million tuned in overall, the second-biggest audience for a kid cable network telecast this year. (The top spot goes to a Disney Channel airing of “Frozen” in February, lest you think anyone’s ready to let it go.)
EXECUTIVES
Chaz Gray has been added to Spike TV‘s team in the newly formed role as executive producer of current original series. Gray will report to the cabler’s SVP of original series, Chachi Senior, overseeing the production of several of the network’s series, including “Bar Rescue,” “Back to the Bar” and more. He previously served as executive producer on “Top Chef” and “The Real Housewives of Orange County” 100th episode special.
DEALS
ITV America has signed a deal with executive producer Carlos King (“The Real Housewives of Atlanta”) to combine his company, Kingdom Reign Entertainment, as a production label under ITV America. Under the new partnership, King will serve as president of the label, and will develop and produce unscripted series across a range of different genres. He will report to ITV America CCO Adam Sher and Leftfield Entertainment CEO David George.
“Carlos has an expert eye for talent and the ability to identify fascinating worlds with diverse lifestyles and experiences that are relatable, aspirational and fun to watch,” said Sher and George in a statement today. “He’s also a vibrant force of creativity and humor, which makes him a great partner. All of us at ITV America are eager to support Carlos as he continues to showcase strong characters, and to offer him the freedom to expand and create breakthrough content across many styles and genres.”
Kingdom Reign Entertainment is represented by CAA.
Oriana Schwindt contributed to this report.
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