Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman, Uzo Aduba Among Eight Cast in Amazon Anthology ‘Solos’

Joe Otterson TV ReporterJudy Greer has signed on for a guest starring role in the upcoming Showtime series “The First Lady.”Formerly known as “First Ladies,” the show is described as a reframing of American leadership, told through the lens of the women at the heart of the White House. Viola Davis will star as Michelle Obama, while Michelle Pfeiffer will play Betty Ford.Greer is set to play Nancy Howe, Ford’s trusted confidante and social secretary.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterUzo Aduba has signed a multi-year producing deal with CBS Studios, Variety has confirmed.Under the deal, she will star in and executive produce a new drama series titled “Low Country” that is also executive produced by CBS favorites Robert and Michelle King. Dewayne Jones, who previously worked on the Kings’ shows “Evil” and “Your Honor,” will write and executive produce.

Minnie Driver is heading to Amazon!

Joe Otterson TV ReporterMinnie Driver has been cast in the upcoming Season 2 of “Modern Love” at Amazon, Variety has learned exclusively.Details of Driver’s character in the episodic anthology series are being kept under wraps. At the time of this publishing no other stars have been confirmed for Season 2.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe “Game of Thrones” prequel “House of the Dragon” at HBO is adding four new actors to its cast.Steve Toussaint, Rhys Ifans, Eve Best, and Sonoya Mizuno are all joining the highly-anticipated prequel to the megahit HBO show.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterIt is raining cash on “The Umbrella Academy” cast. Variety has learned from sources that the majority of the show’s core cast — Tom Hopper, David Castañeda, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Robert Sheehan, Aidan Gallagher, and Justin Min — has netted a substantial pay raise going into the hit Netflix-UCP show’s third season.According to multiple sources, the six actors banded together ahead of the season to ask for a pay raise, with each of them now earning more than $200,000 per

Joe Otterson TV ReporterClaire Danes has signed on for the lead role in the upcoming Apple drama series “Essex Serpent,” Variety has learned exclusively.Danes takes over the role from Keira Knightley, whose exit from the project was reported back in October. The series is based on the book of the same name by Sarah Perry.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterHBO Max has given a two-season order to a reboot of adult animated series “Clone High,” as well as a series order to a standalone series about “Scooby-Doo” character Velma Dinkley, who will be voiced by Mindy Kaling.The announcements were part of a larger adult animation slate revealed by HBO Max on Wednesday.

pic.twitter.com/I75zi1fIK5— janine (@janinemas0n) February 4, 2021Appearing on The Project yesterday (February 9) to discuss her newfound internet fame, Weaver was asked by host Carrie Bickmore which actress she would like to play her in a film.“Oh! Helen Mirren. I think definitely Helen,” Weaver said.Bickmore responded saying “I would have gone with Jacki Weaver!” referring to the Australian actress who shares the British woman’s name.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe cast of “The Best Man” film franchise is reuniting for a limited series that has been ordered at Peacock.“The Best Man: Final Chapters” will feature returning cast members Morris Chestnut, Melissa De Sousa, Taye Diggs, Regina Hall, Terrence Howard, Sanaa Lathan, Nia Long, and Harold Perrineau. Peacock has ordered 10 episodes, with Malcolm D.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe CW has made a number of orders for the 2021-2022 season, including a pilot order for the live-action “Powerpuff Girls” series.In total, The CW announced three pilot orders and one straight-to-series pickup, with the latter being a reboot of the USA Network series “The 4400.” The other two pilots are for the DC project “Naomi” from Ava DuVernay and Jill Blankenship and an untitled religious dramedy from Claire Rothrock and Ryann Weir.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe HBO Max comedy series being led by Jean Smart is rounding out its main cast.Variety has learned that the show has cast two series regulars and eight recurring guest star roles. The single-camera comedy series explores a dark mentorship that forms between Deborah Vance (Smart), a legendary Las Vegas comedian, and an entitled, outcast 25-year-old (Hannah Einbinder).Einbinder has been cast as Ava, the young writer that Deborah is forced to hire.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterAmazon has ordered a series adaptation of Jenny Han’s YA novel “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” Variety has learned.Amazon has given the show an eight-episode order. Han wrote the pilot for the series and will also serve as executive producer and co-showrunner. Gabrielle Stanton will also executive produce and co-showrun.

Russell Crowe remembered Christopher Plummer as a “good man” as Hollywood continued to pay tribute to The Sound Of Music star following his death aged 91. Canadian actor Plummer enjoyed a stellar career on stage and screen, with acclaimed turns in films including The Man Who Would Be King, Knives Out and Beginners, the 2010 comedy which made him the oldest person to win an acting Oscar.

The world is mourning the passing of legendary Canadian actor Christopher Plummer, who died on Friday at age 91 after an extraordinary Hollywood career spanning seven decades.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe CW is renewing 12 of its scripted series, including an early Season 2 pick up for its freshman drama “Walker” starring Jared Padalecki.The other shows are: “All American” (renewed for Season 4), “Batwoman” (renewed for Season 3), “Charmed” (Season 4), “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow” (Season 7), “Dynasty” (Season 5) “The Flash” (Season 8), “In The Dark” (Season 4), “Legacies” (Season 4), “Nancy Drew” (Season 3), “Riverdale” (Season 6), and “Roswell, New Mexico” (Season 4).

Amazon has landed a star-studded cast to lead the upcoming dramatic anthology series Solos.

The beauty of having an anthology series is that you can cast some big names, only have them for an episode and not worry about trying to get an A-lister to commit to a months-long television shoot.