TV Bits: ‘Mythic Quest’ Season 2, Craig Robinson’s ‘Killing It’, Rose Byrne In ‘Physical’, Judy Greer Joins ‘The First Lady’ & More
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In this edition of TV Bits:
First up, Peacock has ordered two new scripted series to add to the streaming service’s library.
AnUntitled Craig Robinson Projectformerly known asKilling Ithas been given a 10-episode order. Details aren’t plentiful, but the show is said to be about class, capitalism and one man’s quest to achieve the American dream. And also about hunting really big snakes.
Brooklyn Nine-Nineco-creatorDan Goorand executive producerLuke Del Trediciare reteaming on the project. They’re both writing and executive producing the series whileCraig RobinsonandMark Schulmanwill also serve as executive producers.
Meanwhile, a new comedy series calledBust Downhas also been given a six-episode series order.Chris Redd,Sam Jay,Langston KermanandJak Knightwill star in the series as four casino employees in a dead-end job in middle America as they attempt to find self-worth in their bad ideas.
Saturday Night LivemastermindLorne Michaelsis executive producingBust Downalong withAndrew SingerandHilary Marx, andRichie Keenwill direct the series.
Peacock also picked up some unscripted shows, including a new show starringAndy Cohenand two documentary series, one about Olympic swimmerMichael Phelpsand another about serial killerJohn Wayne Gacy. Find out more about those showsover here.
Next,Jamie Foxxis about to return to the sitcom world over at Netflix. The comedian and Oscar winner is starring inDad, Stop Embarrassing Me, where he suddenly finds himself becoming a full-time father to his teenage daughter Sasha (Kyla-Drew).
Above is one of the first look photos that Netflix has released, and below you’re able to find the official synopsis for the series that also starsDavid Alan Grier,Porscha Coleman,Jonathan Kite,Heather Hemmens, andValente Rodriguez.
Brian Dixon (JamieFoxx), successful business owner and bachelor, just unexpectedly became a full-time father to his teenage daughter Sasha (Kyla-Drew). Determined to turn over a new leaf, Brian’s going to need all the help he can get from his dad (David Alan Grier) and sister (Porscha Coleman) — and Sasha’s going to need all the help she can get learning how to fit into her new, lovingly imperfect home.
Dad, Stop Embarrassing Meis executive produced by Jamie Foxx and his real-life daughterCorinne Foxx, who served as inspiration for the series.Bentley Kyle Evans(The Jamie Foxx Show) is also executive producing and acting as showrunner whileKen Whittingham(black-ish) is directing the series. You can see more photosover here.
In case you didn’t hear,Mythic Questis returning for a second season on Apple TV+ starting onMay 7. The first teaser trailer has arrived with a sneak peek at what’s in store. Here’s the official synopsis for the new season:
With the quarantine finally over, the new season of “Mythic Quest” finds everyone back in the office (well, almost everyone), attempting to build upon the success of Raven’s Banquet by launching an epic new expansion, but Ian (Rob McElhenney) and the newly promoted co-creative director, Poppy (Charlotte Nicdao), struggle with the game’s direction. Meanwhile, C.W. (F. Murray Abraham) reconciles some unresolved issues from his past, the testers (Ashly Burch and Imani Hakim) test the bounds of an office romance, and David (David Hornsby) loses yet another woman in his life as Jo (Jessie Ennis) leaves him to assist Brad (Danny Pudi).
Mindy Kalinghas another new show in the works by way of her Kaling International production banner: an adaptation ofSanjena Sathian’s novelGold Diggers. Here’s the official synopsis of the book by way ofAmazon:
But Anita has a secret: she and her mother Anjali have been brewing an ancient alchemical potion from stolen gold that harnesses the ambition of the jewelry’s original owner. Anjali’s own mother in Bombay didn’t waste the precious potion on her daughter, favoring her sons instead. Anita, on the other hand, just needs a little boost to get into Harvard. But when Neil–who needs a whole lot more–joins in the plot, events spiral into a tragedy that rips their community apart.
Ten years later, Neil is an oft-stoned Berkeley history grad student studying the California gold rush. His high school cohort has migrated to Silicon Valley, where he reunites with Anita and resurrects their old habit of gold theft–only now, the stakes are higher. Anita’s mother is in trouble, and only gold can save her. Anita and Neil must pull off one last heist.
Sathian will co-write the series, but the search is on for other writers and potential showrunners to board the project. If you’re wondering why you haven’t heard of this book yet, that’s because it won’t be published until June 18, 2025.
Kaling International has an overall production deal at Warner Bros. Television, which this project falls under. Kaling will also be executive producing alongsideJessica Kumai ScottandHoward Kleinfrom 3Arts
AMC is expanding their relationship withKilling Eveproducers Sid Gentle Films and Unite Kingdom producer Alibi for a new drama series calledRagdoll. A six-part murder thriller, the series follows detectives as they look to untangle the case of the Ragdoll Killer, who has killed six people and sewn their bodies into the shape of one grotesque body nicknamed the Ragdoll.
The series showrunner will beFreddy Syborn(Sex Education) withSally Woodward Gentlealso executive producing. AMC president Dan McDermott said in a statement (viaThe Hollywood Reporter):
“We have enjoyed and been impressed with Sid Gentle Films during our partnership onKilling Eve, so we jumped at the opportunity to work with them again onRagdoll. This dark yet comedic project written by the talented Freddy has the makings of a fast-paced yet cerebral thriller featuring the premium storytelling and compelling characters viewers expect from AMC.”
Apple TV+ also provided a first look at their upcoming seriesPhysical, starringRose Byrne.
Set in the idyllic but fragile beach paradise of sunny 1980s San Diego, ‘Physical’ is a half-hour dark comedy following Sheila Rubin (Byrne), a quietly tortured, seemingly dutiful housewife supporting her smart but controversial husband’s bid for state assembly. But behind closed doors, Sheila has her own darkly funny take on life she rarely lets the world see. She’s also battling a complex set of personal demons relating to her self-image… that is, until she finds release through the unlikeliest source: the world of aerobics.
At first hooked on the exercise itself, Sheila’s real road to empowerment comes when she discovers a way to merge this newfound passion with the burgeoning technology of videotape to start a revolutionary business. The series tracks her epic journey from a stifled, overlooked enabler to a powerful, confident economic force, as Sheila transforms into someone we take for granted today (but was entirely radical at the time) — the female lifestyle guru.
The series from creatorAnnie Weisman(Desperate Housewives,The Path) also starsRory Scovel(I Feel Pretty),Dierdre Friel(New Amsterdam),Della Saba(Steven Universe),Lou Taylor Pucci(You),Paul Sparks(House of Cards), andAshley Liao(Fuller House).
Rose Byrne also serves as executive producer along withAlex Cunningham,Marty AdelsteinandBecky Clements. Additional executive producers who also serve as directors on the series areCraig Gillespie, who directs the pilot,Liza JohnsonandStephanie Laing.
Meanwhile, over at Showtime there’s been a change in the cast line-up for their anthology seriesThe First Lady. The series is a reframing of American leadership told through the lens of the women at the heart of the White House. The first season will include Betty Ford (Michelle Pfeiffer) and Michelle Obama (Viola Davis), but there’s been a change in the supporting cast.
Pamela Adlon(Better Things) was previously set to play Nancy Howe, Betty Ford’s trusted confidante and social secretary. But Deadline reports the role will now be played byJudy Greer(Halloween,Arrested Development). The role will be a key one as Howe and Ford were said to be inseparable through thick and thin. Howe helped Ford turn the White House traditions upside down, and she also stayed by her side through her fight with breast cancer.
Greer has previously starred in Showtime series such asKidding,Masters of Sex, andCalifornication. The rest of the cast includesAaron Eckhartas Gerald Ford,Jayme Lawsonas young Michelle Obama,Kristine Forsethas young Betty Ford, andRhys Wakefieldas Vice President Dick Cheney.
The First Ladywas created byAaron Cooleyand will be directed and executive produced bySusanne Bierwith Showtime and Lionsgate TV co-producing. Viola Davis will also act as an executive producer along withJulius TennonandAndrew Wangvia JuVee Productions,Cathy Schulmanthrough Welle Entertainment,Jeff Gaspinat Gaspin Media, andBrad Kaplanfor Link Entertainment.
Finally, joining BritBox in the United States is the new UK streaming serviceBBC Select. Coming from BBC Studios,Varietyreports the new streaming service will be available on Amazon Prime Video Channels and Apple TV for $4.99 in the US and $6.99 in Canada.
It might seem odd for BBC Select to join a market that’s already crowded with streaming services, but this one has a different focus than BritBox. This streaming service will be comprised of non-fiction content focusing on culture, politics and ideas by way of a variety of documentaries, aiming to land audiences who tune into Ovation TV or PBS America or read periodicals like The Atlantic, New Yorker and Vanity Fair.
BBC Select will include exclusive content such as The Drop, a curated package of short-form programs that will focus on things like love, consumerism, selfies, power or parenthood. Other shows will featured thinkers such as Black Lives Matter founderAlicia Garza, public intellectualMalcolm Gladwell, Chinese artistAi Wei Wei, American writerRoxane Gay, authorLionel Shriverand British journalistCaitlin Moran.
