FX Boss John Landgraf Addresses Concerns of Network’s Identity Being Absorbed by Hulu

Joe Otterson TV ReporterHBO Max has given a straight-to-series order for “Peacemaker,” a spinoff from the upcoming “Suicide Squad” film. John Cena will play the title role, reprising his role from the film.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterParamount Network is shifting strategies — and changing names.Variety has learned that the ViacomCBS-owned cabler is planning to move out of long form series television and instead focus its efforts on made-for-TV movies featuring big name stars. To that end, the network will be rebranded as the Paramount Movie Network.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterPhillipa Soo and Jake McDorman have joined the cast of Hulu’s upcoming drama “Dopesick” in recurring guest star roles, Variety has learned exclusively.The series looks into the epicenter of America’s struggle with opioid addiction, taking viewers from a distressed Virginia mining community, to the hallways of the DEA, and to the opulence of “one percenter” Big Pharma Manhattan.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“Mr. Mercedes” will live on, with Peacock officially picking up the Stephen King crime drama for its third season.The show previously aired on Audience Network and had been renewed for a third season, but Audience Network shutdown before the season aired.

Bruce Haring pmc-editorial-managerThe Cleveland Browns-Cincinnati Bengals Thursday night game had an added surprise. Fox broadcaster Joe Buck was informed at halftime while he was on the air that he has won the Pete Rozelle Award, which means he is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.The Hall’s President and CEO C.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe multi-camera comedy “United We Fall” has been canceled after one season at ABC.News of the cancellation comes about three weeks after the show’s season finale. It starred Will Sasso, Christina Vidal Mitchell, Jane Curtin, Guillermo Diaz, and Ella Grace Helton.The series followed Jo (Vidal Mitchell) and Bill (Sasso), parents of two young kids, as they try to make it day-to-day as a functioning family.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterDavid Kopple is joining Management 360 from CAA, where he has worked since 2010. He currently serves in the agency’s motion picture lit department.Among the clients joining Kopple at Management 360 are José Padilha, Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, Craig Zobel, Pablo Trapero, Peter Sollett, Adam Robitel, Joe Swanberg, Emily Jerome, and John Curran.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterHBO Max has given a series order to the period comedy “Our Flag Means Death,” Variety has learned.The series hails from writer, showrunner, and executive producer David Jenkins. Taika Waititi will also executive produce and direct the pilot.

Dade Hayes Finance EditorAT&T CEO John Stankey says he “couldn’t be more pleased” with the progress of HBO Max since it launched in May.Appearing online Tuesday at the annual Goldman Sachs Communacopia conference, Stankey acknowledged the initial numbers are not sky-high.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterHBO is developing a drama series that boasts Lily Rabe among its executive producers.The project is currently titled “The Big D.” Set during a hot and hotly contested summer in Dallas 1980, the show follows a triangle of women as their lives collide to unearth a secret past involving the city’s would-be First Lady, Pat Pangburn, and her mysterious bout of amnesia.Samantha Buck and Marie Schlingmann will serve as writers and co-executive producers on the project.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterSpectrum Originals and Paramount Network are teaming to co-produce a limited series starring Jessica Chastain as country music legend Tammy Wynette.After a nine-month exclusive run for Spectrum subscribers, the series, titled “George & Tammy,” will have a second window on ViacomCBS’ forthcoming streaming service and Paramount Network.The series chronicles the country music power couple, Wynette and George Jones, whose complicated relationship inspired some of the most

Joe Otterson TV ReporterDisney Plus has picked up the female-led reboot of “Doogie Howser” to series, Variety has confirmed.The new series is titled “Doogie Kameāloha, M.D.” As previously reported, it will focus on Lahela “Doogie” Kameāloha, a mixed race 16-year-old girl who works as a doctor in Hawaii.The reboot hails from writer and executive producer Kourtney Kang. Jake Kasdan and Melvin Mar will also executive produce along with Dayna and Jesse Bochco.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterBruna Papandrea’s Made Up Stories and producer John Cameron have optioned the rights to adapt Marie Lu’s novel “Warcross” as a television series.For the millions who log in every day, Warcross isn’t just a game–it’s a way of life.

Peter White Television EditorFargo wrapped its fourth season yesterday, A Teacher returned to production last month in LA and Atlanta is set to shoot two seasons back to back next year.These were some of the highlights of FX’s plan to return to production, as laid out by Chairman, FX Networks and FX Productions John Landgraf.Fargo season four, which stars Chris Rock, was set to premiere in April but had only shot nine of its 11 episodes before the COVID-19 production shutdown.

recent criticism of TV cop shows (a genre he called a “staple” of the medium) in the wake of renewed Black Lives Matter protests this year when asked about what kinds of programming he’s looking for at FX in the months and years to come.“I’m the oldest person in our development group and I really rely on and need the sensibilities and the point of view of the younger generation,” Landgraf said.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterPeter Sarsgaard has joined the upcoming Hulu drama series “Dopesick” in a series regular role.The series looks into the epicenter of America’s struggle with Opioid addiction, taking viewers from a distressed Virginia mining community, to the hallways of the DEA, and to the opulence of “one percenter” Big Pharma Manhattan.

Also Read: Kate Mara and Nick Robinson Have a Dangerous After-School Affair in FX on Hulu's 'A Teacher' Trailer (Video)Also of particular interest to FX viewers, Landgraf said Noah Hawley’s “Fargo” wrapped Season 4 production on Tuesday.More to come…

Joe Otterson TV ReporterSusan Rovner has been tapped for the top entertainment programming job at NBCUniversal.