Michael Wright Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

EXCLUSIVE: Laura Neal, who was lead writer and exec producer of the fourth and final season of BBC America’s Killing Eve, is getting into business with MGM Television.

EXCLUSIVE: Screenwriter, executive producer and showrunner Monica Macer is getting into business with MGM Television with a multi-year, exclusive, overall deal. Under the pact, Macer will create, develop and produce original scripted programming for the television studio.

In addition to the Forest Whitaker-starring series, Epix is also behind the epic romantic adventure “Billy the Kid,” sci-fi horror “From”, historical limited drama series “Belgravia” and upcoming “Rogue Heroes.” MGM+ will continue to be available in the U.S. on Prime Video, cable, telco, satellite and digital distribution services.“MGM is one of the most iconic and beloved brands from the golden age of entertainment,” Michael Wright, head of MGM+, said in a statement.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large Epix is heading into 2023 with a new — yet very familiar — identity. Starting Jan. 15, 2023, the MGM-owned pay cable network and streaming outlet will take its parent company’s name and be known as MGM+. The rebrand comes following Amazon’s $8.5 billion acquisition of MGM in March. ‘We have felt for some time that this is the best service that many people have never heard of,” says Michael Wright, who has been president of Epix since 2017 and will now serve as head of MGM+. “Other than individual shows, the service has never been marketed. Now you have this incredibly powerful, loud name that means something to people. You could spend five years and $100 million trying to launch a new brand, and you wouldn’t have the brand equity that you get with MGM. It’s really something of a gift.”

EXCLUSIVE: Andrew Mittman’s production company 1.21, which is behind series including Netflix’s Wednesday, has promoted Kai Dolbashian.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorEpix has announced an upcoming four-part docuseries titled “My Life as a Rolling Stone.” Tied to the band’s 60th anniversary, each episode will focus one of the band’s four core members (Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, and the late Charlie Watts). The series premieres on August 7.“My Life as a Rolling Stone” is directed by Oliver Murray (who helmed “The Quiet One” the recent documentary on longtime Stones bassist Bill Wyman) and Clare Tavernor (“Keith Richards: A Culture Show Special”), and executive produced by Steve Condie, senior VP of content at Mercury Studios.

Epix has picked up BBC doc My Life As A Rolling Stone – four-part series that looks at the veteran rock band.

The mad man returns! Jon Hamm is coming back to television — and he’s set to star in season 5 of FX’s hit anthology series Fargo.

Jenelle Riley Deputy Awards, Features EditorSPOILER ALERT: This article contains spoilers in the season finale of “From,” which premiered April 24 on Epix.Harold Perrineau doesn’t necessarily consider himself a fan of the horror genre. “First of all, horror is scary!” the actor says with a laugh.

Epix has renewed the contemporary sci-fi horror series From, headlined by Harold Perrineau, for a 10-episode second season. Created/executive produced by John Griffin and exec produced by Lost alums Jack Bender and Jeff Pinkner, the series unravels the mystery of a nightmarish town that traps all those who enter. Production will commence this summer in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with an expected air date in 2023.

Epix has ordered an eight-episode second season of historical drama Domina. The renewal follows a deal between Epix and global distributor Banijay Rights for a second season of the drama produced by Tiger Aspect, in association with Epix Studios.

Marna Grantham, a veteran entertainment executive who led content acquisition and distribution teams most recently at Epix, and also at Miramax, Turner, Fox, and UPN, died February 18 in Los Angeles due to complications of Covid-19, an MGM spokesperson announced Monday.

Jennifer Maas TV Business WriterMarna Grantham, senior vice president of programming acquisitions at Epix and a longtime TV industry veteran, has died due to complications related to COVID-19. She was 63.“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Marna twice, both at Turner Broadcasting and here at Epix,” Michael Wright, president of Epix and MGM Scripted Television, said in a statement to Variety Monday.

FX’s award-winning series Fargo from creator Noah Hawley is coming back for a fifth season.

Redbox Entertainment and Red Sea Media have signed world rights to the action-adventure film King Of Killers, based on the graphic novel of the same name.

Selome Hailu Epix announced that its upcoming adventure series “Billy the Kid” will premiere on April 24.The series follows famous outlaw William H. Bonney, a.k.a. Billy the Kid (Tom Blyth), from his Irish roots to his cowboy days on the American frontier, including his role in the Lincoln County War.The news came via Epix’s presentation at the Television Critics Association’s 2022 winter press tour, during which they also released a new trailer.Epix also announced three newly greenlit docuseries: “Women Who Rock,” Season 2 of “NFL Icons” and “The Making of a Haunting: The Amityville Murders.” “Women Who Rock” is a tribute to female pioneers in the music industry and features artists including Nancy Wilson, Chaka Khan, Pat Benatar, Mavis Staples, Sheila E, Macy Gray, Rickie Lee Jones, Norah Jones, Aimee Mann, Tori Amos, Kate Pierson, Tina Weymouth and Nona Hendrix.

Ezra Miller has something to say to the Ku Klux Klan.

Epix has renewed the Forest Whitaker-led Godfather of Harlem for a 10-episode third season.

Eileen Quast been named as Senior Vice President, Publicity at Epix.

Clarence Williams III has sadly died at the age of 81.

Elaine Low Senior TV WriterEpix president Michael Wright has been tapped to succeed Steve Stark at MGM and has been named the studio’s head of scripted television.In this position, Wright will oversee MGM Scripted Television’s development and production of scripted programming, while continuing to oversee all aspects of premium cable network Epix, from growing its original programming slate and distribution to leading creative and marketing.“Michael is an extremely talented and experienced

Michael Wright, who is President of cable network Epix, is to take over MGM’s scripted television duties following the departure of Steve Stark.

By Denise Petski, Nellie Andreeva

“Godfather of Harlem,” starring Forest Whitaker, has been renewed for a second season at Epix.

Epix is eyeing some potential new additions on both the scripted and unscripted front.

By Nellie Andreeva