Exclusive: Showtime has put in development The Education of Matt Barnes, a half-hour scripted comedy series starring and executive produced by Barnes, based on the life of the former LA Laker and NBA World Champion, from creator-writer Matt Pyken (Empire), Lionsgate Television and The Tannenbaum Company. Pete Chatmon would direct the pilot and serve as executive producer.
Created and written by Pyken, The Education of Matt Barnes is a look at Barnes’ real life after 14 years in the NBA – and his journey to the stardom he never achieved on the hardwood. It’s the story of how a single dad from Encino balances home, business, activism and relationships while navigating the temptations of the celebrity-centric, Instagram and TikTok universe of LA.
Barnes will executive produce along with Eric Tannenbaum and Kim Tannenbaum via The Tannenbaum Company. Jason Wang will serve as Co-Executive Producer for The Tannenbaum Company.
The...
Created and written by Pyken, The Education of Matt Barnes is a look at Barnes’ real life after 14 years in the NBA – and his journey to the stardom he never achieved on the hardwood. It’s the story of how a single dad from Encino balances home, business, activism and relationships while navigating the temptations of the celebrity-centric, Instagram and TikTok universe of LA.
Barnes will executive produce along with Eric Tannenbaum and Kim Tannenbaum via The Tannenbaum Company. Jason Wang will serve as Co-Executive Producer for The Tannenbaum Company.
The...
- 5/17/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Spoiler Alert: This article contains details of tonight’s Empire series finale. You have been warned!
“I think it’s a fulfilling finale in the sense that it has the spirit that we want,” declares Empire showrunner Brett Mahoney of tonight’s end to the hip hop drama created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong. “But no, it’s not completely fulfilling because I do feel there are elements, for instance the who blew up Cookie’s car, who shot Lucious, that we were not able to fulfill in this finale,” the executive producer also notes of a sixth and final season that ended two episodes shorter than originally scheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
More from DeadlinePilot Season 2020 Remains In Limbo As Networks Mull Straight-To-Series OrdersGeorgia's "Early Experiment": White House Briefing Turns To Wisdom Of Easing Coronavirus RestrictionsNetflix Is In Production In South Korea And Iceland And Will...
“I think it’s a fulfilling finale in the sense that it has the spirit that we want,” declares Empire showrunner Brett Mahoney of tonight’s end to the hip hop drama created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong. “But no, it’s not completely fulfilling because I do feel there are elements, for instance the who blew up Cookie’s car, who shot Lucious, that we were not able to fulfill in this finale,” the executive producer also notes of a sixth and final season that ended two episodes shorter than originally scheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
More from DeadlinePilot Season 2020 Remains In Limbo As Networks Mull Straight-To-Series OrdersGeorgia's "Early Experiment": White House Briefing Turns To Wisdom Of Easing Coronavirus RestrictionsNetflix Is In Production In South Korea And Iceland And Will...
- 4/22/2020
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Empire‘s sixth and final season will end sooner than originally planned due to the coronavirus pandemic.
As revealed at the very end of Tuesday’s betrayal and crashed wedding filled “Love Me Still” broadcast, the 18th episode of Taraji P. Henson and Terrance Howard-led hip hop drama’s final season will now serve as the finale. “Get ready for the shocking final three episodes of Empire,” a voiceover declared over a promo for next week’s “We Got Us”, the 16th episode of the Fox series’ current sixth season.
The last completed episode before the coronavirus-imposed production shutdown, Episode...
As revealed at the very end of Tuesday’s betrayal and crashed wedding filled “Love Me Still” broadcast, the 18th episode of Taraji P. Henson and Terrance Howard-led hip hop drama’s final season will now serve as the finale. “Get ready for the shocking final three episodes of Empire,” a voiceover declared over a promo for next week’s “We Got Us”, the 16th episode of the Fox series’ current sixth season.
The last completed episode before the coronavirus-imposed production shutdown, Episode...
- 4/1/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva and Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
En Vogue will be musical guests on the March 17 episode of “Empire,” which also happens to be star Taraji P. Henson’s directorial debut of the show.
The group — Cindy Herron-Braggs, Terry Ellis and Rhona Bennett — will appear as themselves when Cookie (played by Henson) books them as a musical guest on her talk show “Tea Talk.” The show, titled “Come Undone” after an En Vogue song, is the third of 10 final episodes of the series, which premiered in 2015.
“We’ve been fans of ‘Empire’ from its inception,” Ellis tells Variety. “We love the infusion of performance and soundtracks — that’s been a great launching pad for upcoming artists. Being on set with Taraji brought back memories of how far we’ve come.” Herron-Braggs compared the power-broker Cookie to Epic Records Chairman & CEO Sylvia Rhone, one of the pioneering female executives in the music industry, who steered En Vogue to...
The group — Cindy Herron-Braggs, Terry Ellis and Rhona Bennett — will appear as themselves when Cookie (played by Henson) books them as a musical guest on her talk show “Tea Talk.” The show, titled “Come Undone” after an En Vogue song, is the third of 10 final episodes of the series, which premiered in 2015.
“We’ve been fans of ‘Empire’ from its inception,” Ellis tells Variety. “We love the infusion of performance and soundtracks — that’s been a great launching pad for upcoming artists. Being on set with Taraji brought back memories of how far we’ve come.” Herron-Braggs compared the power-broker Cookie to Epic Records Chairman & CEO Sylvia Rhone, one of the pioneering female executives in the music industry, who steered En Vogue to...
- 2/20/2020
- by Jem Aswad
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Alexandra Grey is set to recur on Fox’s Empire for the musical drama’s sixth and final season.
Grey will make her Empire debut on tonight’s episode as as Melody Barnes, who is described as “a badass singer/songwriter/producer with a quick mouth covered by a chosen shyness.”
Grey recently reprised her role as Elizah in the Transparent finale movie. She also recurs as Denise Lockwood on NBC’s Chicago Med and next will be seen in the title role on the forthcoming Lisa Donato-directed Gossamer Folds. Deadline exclusively broke the story that Grey will play a trans woman who befriends a young man in a small town. The film comes from Yeardley Smith and Ben Cornwell’s Paperclip Ltd. and also stars Jackson Robert Scott (It) Sprague Grayden, Shane West, Ethan Suplee and Franklin Ojeda Smith.
Empire kicked off its sixth and final season...
Grey will make her Empire debut on tonight’s episode as as Melody Barnes, who is described as “a badass singer/songwriter/producer with a quick mouth covered by a chosen shyness.”
Grey recently reprised her role as Elizah in the Transparent finale movie. She also recurs as Denise Lockwood on NBC’s Chicago Med and next will be seen in the title role on the forthcoming Lisa Donato-directed Gossamer Folds. Deadline exclusively broke the story that Grey will play a trans woman who befriends a young man in a small town. The film comes from Yeardley Smith and Ben Cornwell’s Paperclip Ltd. and also stars Jackson Robert Scott (It) Sprague Grayden, Shane West, Ethan Suplee and Franklin Ojeda Smith.
Empire kicked off its sixth and final season...
- 10/1/2019
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: We’ll be seeing more of Treasure, Teri, Damon and Devon on the upcoming sixth season of Empire.
Katlynn Simone, Meta Golding, Wood Harris and Mario who played the characters, respectively, in recurring roles in season 5, have been promoted to series regulars for the final season of Fox’s hit musical family drama series.
Simone plays Treasure, an up-and-coming artist that signed with the Lyon label and was part of the duo opposite Serayah. She appeared in 9 episodes last season.
Golding plays Teri, the love interest to the eldest Lyon son, Andre (Trai Byers), and the mother of Quincy (Skylan Brooks) who was wrongly incarcerated at the same facility as Andre. Golding recurred in 13 episodes last season.
Harris plays Damon Cross, an international money launderer who hopes to catch the attention of Cookie. Harris appeared in 10 episodes last season.
Mario plays Devon, an earnest, up-and-coming R&b singer who supports his ailing sister.
Katlynn Simone, Meta Golding, Wood Harris and Mario who played the characters, respectively, in recurring roles in season 5, have been promoted to series regulars for the final season of Fox’s hit musical family drama series.
Simone plays Treasure, an up-and-coming artist that signed with the Lyon label and was part of the duo opposite Serayah. She appeared in 9 episodes last season.
Golding plays Teri, the love interest to the eldest Lyon son, Andre (Trai Byers), and the mother of Quincy (Skylan Brooks) who was wrongly incarcerated at the same facility as Andre. Golding recurred in 13 episodes last season.
Harris plays Damon Cross, an international money launderer who hopes to catch the attention of Cookie. Harris appeared in 10 episodes last season.
Mario plays Devon, an earnest, up-and-coming R&b singer who supports his ailing sister.
- 9/3/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Fox continues to add to the cast of Empire, which will send the musical drama go out with a bang. The latest to join the roster of the sixth and final season is actress/singer Diamond White, who will appear in the series as a recurring guest star.
White will play Lala, a soft-spoken SoundCloud singer who sounds great online but is plagued with performance anxiety and cursed by an inability to sing in front of a crowd.
She joins recent additions to the series that include Lethal Weapon alumna Keesha Sharp who will also appear in a recurring role as well as Vivica A. Fox who was upped to series regular for the final season which premieres on September 24.
From Imagine Television in association with 20th Century Fox Television, Empire was created by Academy Award nominee Lee Daniels and Emmy Award winner Danny Strong, and is executive-produced by Daniels,...
White will play Lala, a soft-spoken SoundCloud singer who sounds great online but is plagued with performance anxiety and cursed by an inability to sing in front of a crowd.
She joins recent additions to the series that include Lethal Weapon alumna Keesha Sharp who will also appear in a recurring role as well as Vivica A. Fox who was upped to series regular for the final season which premieres on September 24.
From Imagine Television in association with 20th Century Fox Television, Empire was created by Academy Award nominee Lee Daniels and Emmy Award winner Danny Strong, and is executive-produced by Daniels,...
- 8/19/2019
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Lethal Weapon alumna Keesha Sharp is set for a recurring role on the upcoming sixth and final season of Fox’s hit musical family drama Empire.
Sharp will play Dr Paula Wick, a smart, inciteful woman who offers endless compassion but doesn’t take sh*t from anyone.
Empire, created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong and starring Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, hails from Imagine Television and 20th Century Fox TV. Daniels, Strong, Brian Grazer, Francie Calfo, Sanaa Hamri, Dennis Hammer, Matt Pyken and Diane Ademu-John executive produce. Brett Mahoney is executive producer and showrunner.
Sharp most recently was a series regular on Fox series Lethal Weapon, which wrapped its third and final season in February, and currently recurs on CBS All Access’ The Good Fight. She previously recurred on FX’s American Crime Story.
Sharp is repped by Abrams Artists Agency, Link Entertainment, and Hansen Jacobson.
Sharp will play Dr Paula Wick, a smart, inciteful woman who offers endless compassion but doesn’t take sh*t from anyone.
Empire, created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong and starring Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, hails from Imagine Television and 20th Century Fox TV. Daniels, Strong, Brian Grazer, Francie Calfo, Sanaa Hamri, Dennis Hammer, Matt Pyken and Diane Ademu-John executive produce. Brett Mahoney is executive producer and showrunner.
Sharp most recently was a series regular on Fox series Lethal Weapon, which wrapped its third and final season in February, and currently recurs on CBS All Access’ The Good Fight. She previously recurred on FX’s American Crime Story.
Sharp is repped by Abrams Artists Agency, Link Entertainment, and Hansen Jacobson.
- 8/12/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Fox has renewed the hit drama Empire for a sixth season, it was announced today by Michael Thorn, President, Entertainment for Fox Entertainment.
“Empire continues to break barriers with its emotionally powerful storytelling, and it remains a core part of the Fox legacy,” said Thorn. “We want to thank everyone on the show – Taraji, Terrence and the entire cast, as well as Lee, Danny, Brett, Sanaa, Brian, Francie, Dennis and their teams – all of whom have done a tremendous job this season. We know there are so many more stories to tell, and we can’t wait to see what they have in store for Season Six.”
On tomorrow’s all-new episode, “My Fate Cries Out,” airing Wednesday, May 1 (8:00-9:00 Pm Et/Pt), on Fox, Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) gets picked up by Ausa Conway (guest star Alicia Coppola), while Lucious (Terrence Howard) is visited by his past.
“Empire continues to break barriers with its emotionally powerful storytelling, and it remains a core part of the Fox legacy,” said Thorn. “We want to thank everyone on the show – Taraji, Terrence and the entire cast, as well as Lee, Danny, Brett, Sanaa, Brian, Francie, Dennis and their teams – all of whom have done a tremendous job this season. We know there are so many more stories to tell, and we can’t wait to see what they have in store for Season Six.”
On tomorrow’s all-new episode, “My Fate Cries Out,” airing Wednesday, May 1 (8:00-9:00 Pm Et/Pt), on Fox, Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) gets picked up by Ausa Conway (guest star Alicia Coppola), while Lucious (Terrence Howard) is visited by his past.
- 5/14/2019
- by Andrew Wendowski
- Age of the Nerd
The “Empire” has fallen.
Fox announced Monday that music drama “Empire’s” recently announced sixth season will be the show’s last.
“We are turning the final season into a television event,” Fox Entertainment CEO Charlie Collier said. “One of the great benefits of announcing a final season announce have the fans lean in have the finale they desire.”
When pressed on whether Jussie Smollett would be returning for the show’s final season, Collier said, “At this point, we have no plans for that.” But Collier also noted that “the writers room for next season hasn’t even gathered yet.”
As was previously announced, Fox Entertainment and 20th Century Fox Television have extended Smollett’s option for Season 6, but said at the time of the renewal that there were no plans for him to appear.
During the fifth season, Smollett claimed that he was the victim of an assault...
Fox announced Monday that music drama “Empire’s” recently announced sixth season will be the show’s last.
“We are turning the final season into a television event,” Fox Entertainment CEO Charlie Collier said. “One of the great benefits of announcing a final season announce have the fans lean in have the finale they desire.”
When pressed on whether Jussie Smollett would be returning for the show’s final season, Collier said, “At this point, we have no plans for that.” But Collier also noted that “the writers room for next season hasn’t even gathered yet.”
As was previously announced, Fox Entertainment and 20th Century Fox Television have extended Smollett’s option for Season 6, but said at the time of the renewal that there were no plans for him to appear.
During the fifth season, Smollett claimed that he was the victim of an assault...
- 5/13/2019
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
“Empire” has been renewed by Fox for a sixth season, one week ahead of its Season 5 finale, though star Jussie Smollett’s fate on the series as the character Jamal Lyon is still uncertain.
“By mutual agreement, the studio has negotiated an extension to Jussie Smollett’s option for season six, but at this time there are no plans for the character of Jamal to return to ‘Empire,” Fox Entertainment and 20th Century Fox TV said in a joint statement Tuesday.
After news of the renewal broke, TheWrap obtained this statement from a representative for Smollett: “We’ve been told that Jussie will not be on ‘Empire’ in the beginning of the season but he appreciates they have extended his contract to keep Jamal’s future open. Most importantly he is grateful to Fox and ‘Empire’ leadership, cast, crew and fans for their unwavering support.”
Smollett was written out of...
“By mutual agreement, the studio has negotiated an extension to Jussie Smollett’s option for season six, but at this time there are no plans for the character of Jamal to return to ‘Empire,” Fox Entertainment and 20th Century Fox TV said in a joint statement Tuesday.
After news of the renewal broke, TheWrap obtained this statement from a representative for Smollett: “We’ve been told that Jussie will not be on ‘Empire’ in the beginning of the season but he appreciates they have extended his contract to keep Jamal’s future open. Most importantly he is grateful to Fox and ‘Empire’ leadership, cast, crew and fans for their unwavering support.”
Smollett was written out of...
- 4/30/2019
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
“Empire” has been renewed for a sixth season at Fox, though likely without Jussie Smollett.
“By mutual agreement, the studio has negotiated an extension to Jussie Smollett’s option for season six, but at this time there are no plans for the character of Jamal to return to ‘Empire,'” Fox Entertainment and 20th Century Fox Television said in a statement.
During the fifth season, Smollett was assaulted in Chicago (where production occurs) that he said was racially and politically motivated, as well as homophobic. Later he was accused of hiring the men who attacked him and indicted for filing false statements. The criminal charges were dropped in March, and Smollett has maintained his innocence, but the city of Chicago also filed a lawsuit against the actor in order to recoup the cost of the police investigation.
The fifth season of the show saw the Lyon family trying to reclaim...
“By mutual agreement, the studio has negotiated an extension to Jussie Smollett’s option for season six, but at this time there are no plans for the character of Jamal to return to ‘Empire,'” Fox Entertainment and 20th Century Fox Television said in a statement.
During the fifth season, Smollett was assaulted in Chicago (where production occurs) that he said was racially and politically motivated, as well as homophobic. Later he was accused of hiring the men who attacked him and indicted for filing false statements. The criminal charges were dropped in March, and Smollett has maintained his innocence, but the city of Chicago also filed a lawsuit against the actor in order to recoup the cost of the police investigation.
The fifth season of the show saw the Lyon family trying to reclaim...
- 4/30/2019
- by Danielle Turchiano
- Variety Film + TV
Alicia Coppola (Shameless) is joining Fox’s hit musical family drama Empire in a recurring role. Coppola will play a smart, flamboyant attorney investigating Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard) and international money launderer Damon Cross (Wood Harris). She’ll do almost anything for big target convictions because she believes they’ll take her to the Governor’s mansion and then the White House. Empire, created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong and starring Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, hails from Imagine Television and 20th Century Fox TV. Daniels, Strong, Brian Grazer, Francie Calfo, Sanaa Hamri, Dennis Hammer, Matt Pyken and Diane Ademu-John executive produce. Brett Mahoney is executive producer and showrunner. Coppola recently recurred on NCIS: Los Angeles. She’s repped by Abrams Artists Agency, Leslie Allan-Rice Management, and attorney Derek Kroeger. Empire airs Wednesdays at 8 Pm on Fox.
Tammi Mac (Bag Lady) is set to recur opposite Keke Palmer on Star,...
Tammi Mac (Bag Lady) is set to recur opposite Keke Palmer on Star,...
- 11/16/2018
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Rene Rosado (Major Crimes) has booked a recurring role on ABC’s Roseanne spinoff The Conners. In the spinoff, after the loss of the family matriarch, the Conners are forced to face the daily struggles of life in Lanford in a way they never have before, grappling with parenthood, dating, an unexpected pregnancy, financial pressures, aging and in-laws in working-class America. Rosado will play Emilio, kind, sweet and cute, he’s a busser at Casita Bonita restaurant. Though he may have some trouble communicating in English, when he speaks his first language, Spanish, he is straightforward, earnest and determined. Rosado was most recently seen recurring on TNT’s Major Crimes. He’s repped by Luber Roklin Entertainment and Pakula/King and Associates.
Scotty Tovar (Too Old To Die Young) has signed on for a recurring role on Fox’s hit musical family drama Empire. Tovar will play the role of Carlito,...
Scotty Tovar (Too Old To Die Young) has signed on for a recurring role on Fox’s hit musical family drama Empire. Tovar will play the role of Carlito,...
- 10/25/2018
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s TV News Roundup, “Shut Up and Dribble” has a premiere date and stars partner with March for Our Lives for a voting initiative.
First Looks
Variety has obtained an exclusive sneak peak of this week’s episode of “Empire,” which airs Wednesday, Oct. 3 at 8 p.m. on Fox. In the episode, Jamal (Jussie Smollett) and Hakeem (Bryshere Y. Gray) go to visit Andre (Trai Byers). “Empire” is executive produced by Brett Mahoney, who also serves as showrunner, as well as Lee Daniels and Danny Strong, who created the series, and Brian Grazer, Francie Calfo, Sanaa Hamri, Dennis Hammer, Matt Pyken and Diane Ademu-John.
Dates
The first episode of docu-series “Shut Up And Dribble” will premiere Saturday, Nov. 3 at 9 p.m. Et/Pt on Showtime, the streaming service announced Tuesday. Narrated by acclaimed sports journalist Jemele Hill, the three part series gives an inside look at the shifting...
First Looks
Variety has obtained an exclusive sneak peak of this week’s episode of “Empire,” which airs Wednesday, Oct. 3 at 8 p.m. on Fox. In the episode, Jamal (Jussie Smollett) and Hakeem (Bryshere Y. Gray) go to visit Andre (Trai Byers). “Empire” is executive produced by Brett Mahoney, who also serves as showrunner, as well as Lee Daniels and Danny Strong, who created the series, and Brian Grazer, Francie Calfo, Sanaa Hamri, Dennis Hammer, Matt Pyken and Diane Ademu-John.
Dates
The first episode of docu-series “Shut Up And Dribble” will premiere Saturday, Nov. 3 at 9 p.m. Et/Pt on Showtime, the streaming service announced Tuesday. Narrated by acclaimed sports journalist Jemele Hill, the three part series gives an inside look at the shifting...
- 10/2/2018
- by Margeaux Sippell
- Variety Film + TV
The Lyons are about to roar once more.
After an insane “Empire” Season 4 finale that saw Cookie (Taraji P. Henson), Lucious (Terrence Howard) and the rest of the almighty music mogul family get knocked down (and five people die), a new teaser for the upcoming fifth installment of the Fox drama — which is exclusive to TheWrap — shows the clan preparing to get back up again.
“According to the streets, you and Cookie dropped off the face of the earth, because you let your boy Eddie Barker just guerilla your whole company,” a radio DJ says to Lucious in an interview, as we see glimpses from the shootout at the end of Season 4 and the family patriarch standing over a coffin.
Also Read: 'What Men Want' Trailer: Taraji P Henson Can Read Your Mind, Guys (Video)
Now Eddie (Forrest Whittaker) is in charge of Empire and Andre (Trai Byers) is in jail,...
After an insane “Empire” Season 4 finale that saw Cookie (Taraji P. Henson), Lucious (Terrence Howard) and the rest of the almighty music mogul family get knocked down (and five people die), a new teaser for the upcoming fifth installment of the Fox drama — which is exclusive to TheWrap — shows the clan preparing to get back up again.
“According to the streets, you and Cookie dropped off the face of the earth, because you let your boy Eddie Barker just guerilla your whole company,” a radio DJ says to Lucious in an interview, as we see glimpses from the shootout at the end of Season 4 and the family patriarch standing over a coffin.
Also Read: 'What Men Want' Trailer: Taraji P Henson Can Read Your Mind, Guys (Video)
Now Eddie (Forrest Whittaker) is in charge of Empire and Andre (Trai Byers) is in jail,...
- 8/23/2018
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
Skylan Brooks (The Get Down) and Meta Golding (Behind the Movement) are set for recurring roles on the upcoming fifth season of Fox’s hit musical family drama Empire.
Brooks will play Quincy, a young man wrongly incarcerated who develops a relationship with Andre (Trai Byers). Golding will portray Teri, the mother of wrongfully incarcerated Quincy (Brooks). She is a heartfelt beauty who works with Andre (Byers) while they fight to free her son.
Empire, created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong and starring Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, hails from Imagine Television and 20th Century Fox TV. Daniels, Strong, Brian Grazer, Francie Calfo, Sanaa Hamri, Dennis Hammer, Matt Pyken and Diane Ademu-John executive produce. Brett Mahoney is executive producer and showrunner.
Brooks, one of the breakout stars of Netflix’s The Get Down, plays Chubs in The Darkest Minds opposite Amandla Stenberg and Mandy Moore. His other credits...
Brooks will play Quincy, a young man wrongly incarcerated who develops a relationship with Andre (Trai Byers). Golding will portray Teri, the mother of wrongfully incarcerated Quincy (Brooks). She is a heartfelt beauty who works with Andre (Byers) while they fight to free her son.
Empire, created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong and starring Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, hails from Imagine Television and 20th Century Fox TV. Daniels, Strong, Brian Grazer, Francie Calfo, Sanaa Hamri, Dennis Hammer, Matt Pyken and Diane Ademu-John executive produce. Brett Mahoney is executive producer and showrunner.
Brooks, one of the breakout stars of Netflix’s The Get Down, plays Chubs in The Darkest Minds opposite Amandla Stenberg and Mandy Moore. His other credits...
- 8/21/2018
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Toby Onwumere (Sense8) is set for a recurring role on the upcoming fifth season of Fox’s hit musical family drama Empire.
Onwumere will play Kai, a war correspondent and also Jamal’s (Jussie Smollett) love interest.
Empire, created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong and starring Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, hails from Imagine Television and 20th Century Fox TV. Daniels, Strong, Brian Grazer, Francie Calfo, Sanaa Hamri, Dennis Hammer, Matt Pyken and Diane Ademu-John executive produce. Brett Mahoney is executive producer and showrunner.
Onwumere played Capheus on the second season of Netflix drama series Sense8. Onwumere took over the role that was played by Aml Ameen in Season 1. He’s repped by Innovative Artists and Gartner/Green Entertainment.
Empire returns Wednesday, September 26 at 8 Pm on Fox.
Onwumere will play Kai, a war correspondent and also Jamal’s (Jussie Smollett) love interest.
Empire, created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong and starring Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, hails from Imagine Television and 20th Century Fox TV. Daniels, Strong, Brian Grazer, Francie Calfo, Sanaa Hamri, Dennis Hammer, Matt Pyken and Diane Ademu-John executive produce. Brett Mahoney is executive producer and showrunner.
Onwumere played Capheus on the second season of Netflix drama series Sense8. Onwumere took over the role that was played by Aml Ameen in Season 1. He’s repped by Innovative Artists and Gartner/Green Entertainment.
Empire returns Wednesday, September 26 at 8 Pm on Fox.
- 7/27/2018
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Rhyon Nicole Brown, who recurred in Season 4 of Empire, has been promoted to series regular for the upcoming fifth season of Fox’s hit musical family drama. In addition, Katlynn Simone and A.Z. Kelsey have joined in recurring roles.
Brown plays Maya, daughter of Cookie’s fellow inmate Poundcake. When Cookie finds her this season Maya has spiraled a bit after discovering her true parentage. Cookie has to step in and be a mother figure to her, helping her find her way. Brown appeared in two episodes in Season 4.
Simone will play Treasure, a prison social worker whose life is turned around by Cookie when she sees her star potential. Kelsey will portray Jeff Kingsley, a hotshot, Silicon Valley genius, turned label executive; business wunderkind. Ivy League with an edge and a dark secret.
Empire, created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong and starring Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson,...
Brown plays Maya, daughter of Cookie’s fellow inmate Poundcake. When Cookie finds her this season Maya has spiraled a bit after discovering her true parentage. Cookie has to step in and be a mother figure to her, helping her find her way. Brown appeared in two episodes in Season 4.
Simone will play Treasure, a prison social worker whose life is turned around by Cookie when she sees her star potential. Kelsey will portray Jeff Kingsley, a hotshot, Silicon Valley genius, turned label executive; business wunderkind. Ivy League with an edge and a dark secret.
Empire, created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong and starring Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson,...
- 7/18/2018
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
The Writers Guild of America has just announced the nominations for their annual awards for Best Screenplays (by writers who are guild signatories). That’s right, before you get nervous thinking that your favorite may have been left off the list, you must remember that the WGA is the group that is not all-inclusive and leaves out several of the top contenders each year due to them not being part of the guild or not following their very specific rules. For this reason, you won’t see Inside Out, The Hateful Eight, and Ex Machina in the Original Screenplay category or Room, Brooklyn, or Anomalisa in the Adapted screenplay category.
Taking a look at what’s left over for the nominations, we find many that were expected to make a showing, including Spotlight and Bridge of Spies for Original Screenplay, though they apparently had to sink to really low depths...
Taking a look at what’s left over for the nominations, we find many that were expected to make a showing, including Spotlight and Bridge of Spies for Original Screenplay, though they apparently had to sink to really low depths...
- 1/6/2016
- by Jeff Beck
- We Got This Covered
The Writers Guild of America announced some of its nominees for its 2015 awards on Thursday, including television, new media, and radio, and among the TV nominees are series both new and old, and all beloved.
In the comedy series category, freshman Netflix show "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" scored a nomination for best series, as well as an overall best new series nod. "The Last Man on Earth" also landed in that latter category, and was singled out for its pilot episode writing, too.
On the drama side of the equation, lauded "Breaking Bad" spinoff "Better Call Saul" also got best series and best new series nominations, in addition to a an episode writing nod. Newly-minted Emmy winner "Game of Thrones" also scored a best drama citation, as well as an episodic writing nomination.
The full list of nominees released this week are below. Nominations in the theatrical and documentary categories will...
In the comedy series category, freshman Netflix show "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" scored a nomination for best series, as well as an overall best new series nod. "The Last Man on Earth" also landed in that latter category, and was singled out for its pilot episode writing, too.
On the drama side of the equation, lauded "Breaking Bad" spinoff "Better Call Saul" also got best series and best new series nominations, in addition to a an episode writing nod. Newly-minted Emmy winner "Game of Thrones" also scored a best drama citation, as well as an episodic writing nomination.
The full list of nominees released this week are below. Nominations in the theatrical and documentary categories will...
- 12/3/2015
- by Katie Roberts
- Moviefone
Check out new clips as well as images from the "Time of My Life" episode of Wedding Band which airs on December 1st. Molly Simms guest-stars in the series created by Josh Lobis and Darin Moiselle. In this episode, Rutherford is hired to plan an adult prom by her high school nemesis, Vanessa (guest star Molly Sims). Meanwhile, Tommy starts dating every guy’s fantasy girl, the one they call "The Snippeter" because her day job is picking the perfect 60-second snippet of every song for iTunes. And Stevie dates Violet (guest star Fiona Gubelman), Rutherford’s florist who happens to have a special old-school sex move. Adam Davidson directs from the writing by Matt Pyken.
- 11/28/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Check out new clips as well as images from the "Time of My Life" episode of Wedding Band which airs on December 1st. Molly Simms guest-stars in the series created by Josh Lobis and Darin Moiselle. In this episode, Rutherford is hired to plan an adult prom by her high school nemesis, Vanessa (guest star Molly Sims). Meanwhile, Tommy starts dating every guy’s fantasy girl, the one they call "The Snippeter" because her day job is picking the perfect 60-second snippet of every song for iTunes. And Stevie dates Violet (guest star Fiona Gubelman), Rutherford’s florist who happens to have a special old-school sex move. Adam Davidson directs from the writing by Matt Pyken.
- 11/28/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
The Writers Guild of America West announced its national board of directors election results Friday. The WGA East also announced the results of its council election.
Robin Schiff (754 votes), Katherine Fugate (749 votes), Aaron Mendelsohn (741 votes), David A. Goodman (740 votes), Kathy Kiernan (691 votes), Christopher Keyser (610 votes), David Shore (554 votes) and Mark Gunn (519 votes) were elected to two-year terms on the Wgaw board. Fugate, Goodman, Gunn, Kiernan and Mendelsohn are incumbents.
A total of 1,273 valid ballots were cast, which reps about 16% of the membership.
Results for the nine remaining Wgaw board candidates were Matthew Weiner (507 votes), Karen Harris (463 votes), Timothy J. Lea (376 votes), Cheryl Heuton (290 votes), Naomi Foner (273 votes), Mick Betancourt (257 votes), Erica Montolfo (143 votes), Erich Hoeber (132 votes) and Matt Pyken (111 votes).
There were 387 valid ballots cast in the Wgae council election, repping about 10% of the membership.
Gina Gionfriddo (188 votes), Andrew Bergman (164 votes), Jeremy Pikser (155 votes), John Auerbach (149 votes), Terry George (143 votes...
Robin Schiff (754 votes), Katherine Fugate (749 votes), Aaron Mendelsohn (741 votes), David A. Goodman (740 votes), Kathy Kiernan (691 votes), Christopher Keyser (610 votes), David Shore (554 votes) and Mark Gunn (519 votes) were elected to two-year terms on the Wgaw board. Fugate, Goodman, Gunn, Kiernan and Mendelsohn are incumbents.
A total of 1,273 valid ballots were cast, which reps about 16% of the membership.
Results for the nine remaining Wgaw board candidates were Matthew Weiner (507 votes), Karen Harris (463 votes), Timothy J. Lea (376 votes), Cheryl Heuton (290 votes), Naomi Foner (273 votes), Mick Betancourt (257 votes), Erica Montolfo (143 votes), Erich Hoeber (132 votes) and Matt Pyken (111 votes).
There were 387 valid ballots cast in the Wgae council election, repping about 10% of the membership.
Gina Gionfriddo (188 votes), Andrew Bergman (164 votes), Jeremy Pikser (155 votes), John Auerbach (149 votes), Terry George (143 votes...
- 9/20/2010
- by By Jay A. Fernandez
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Los Angeles – The Writers Guild of America, West (Wgaw) has announced the results of its 2010 Wgaw Board of Directors election. The following eight members were elected to the Wgaw’s Board of Directors: Robin Schiff (754 votes), Katherine Fugate (749 votes), Aaron Mendelsohn (741 votes), David A. Goodman (740 votes), Kathy Kiernan (691 votes), Christopher Keyser (610 votes), David Shore (554 votes), Mark Gunn (519 votes). Fugate, Goodman, Gunn, Kiernan, and Mendelsohn are incumbents. Board members will serve a two-year term, effective immediately. Results for the nine remaining Board of Directors candidates were: Matthew Weiner (507 votes), Karen Harris (463 votes), Timothy J. Lea (376 votes), Cheryl Heuton (290 votes), Naomi Foner (273 votes), Mick Betancourt (257 votes), Erica Montolfo (143 votes), Erich Hoeber (132 votes), Matt Pyken (111 votes). (Note: Steve Skrovan withdrew his candidacy after the final slate of Wgaw Bod candidates was previously announced in July.) A total of 1,273 valid ballots were cast. The ballot count was supervised by Robbin Johnson of Pacific Election Services,...
- 9/17/2010
- by Nikki Finke
- Deadline Hollywood
HollywoodNews.com: The Writers Guild of America, West has announced the final slate of candidates for the 2010 Wgaw Board of Directors election.
There are 18 candidates nominated to run for eight open seats on the Wgaw’s Board of Directors, as follows: Robin Schiff, David Shore, David A. Goodman (inc.), Cheryl Heuton, Aaron Mendelsohn (inc.), Katherine Fugate (inc.), Timothy J. Lea, Mick Betancourt, Mark Gunn (inc.), Erich Hoeber, Erica Montolfo, Matt Pyken, Naomi Foner, Karen Harris (inc.), Kathy Kiernan (inc.), Christopher Keyser, Steve Skrovan, Matthew Weiner.
Note to editors: Wgaw internal rules require candidates to be announced in an order determined by lot; (inc.) denotes an incumbent candidate.
The Wgaw will host its annual “Candidates Night” town-hall forum, at which Guild members may meet the candidates and get answers to their questions, on Tuesday, September 7, at Wgaw headquarters in Los Angeles.
Guild members will receive candidate, non-candidate and rebuttal statements, if any,...
There are 18 candidates nominated to run for eight open seats on the Wgaw’s Board of Directors, as follows: Robin Schiff, David Shore, David A. Goodman (inc.), Cheryl Heuton, Aaron Mendelsohn (inc.), Katherine Fugate (inc.), Timothy J. Lea, Mick Betancourt, Mark Gunn (inc.), Erich Hoeber, Erica Montolfo, Matt Pyken, Naomi Foner, Karen Harris (inc.), Kathy Kiernan (inc.), Christopher Keyser, Steve Skrovan, Matthew Weiner.
Note to editors: Wgaw internal rules require candidates to be announced in an order determined by lot; (inc.) denotes an incumbent candidate.
The Wgaw will host its annual “Candidates Night” town-hall forum, at which Guild members may meet the candidates and get answers to their questions, on Tuesday, September 7, at Wgaw headquarters in Los Angeles.
Guild members will receive candidate, non-candidate and rebuttal statements, if any,...
- 7/23/2010
- by HollywoodNews.com
- Hollywoodnews.com
Los Angeles – The Writers Guild of America, West has announced the final slate of candidates for the 2010 Wgaw Board of Directors election. There are 18 candidates nominated to run for eight open seats on the Wgaw’s Board of Directors, as follows: Robin Schiff, David Shore, David A. Goodman (inc.), Cheryl Heuton, Aaron Mendelsohn (inc.), Katherine Fugate (inc.), Timothy J. Lea, Mick Betancourt, Mark Gunn (inc.), Erich Hoeber, Erica Montolfo, Matt Pyken, Naomi Foner, Karen Harris (inc.), Kathy Kiernan (inc.), Christopher Keyser, Steve Skrovan, Matthew Weiner. Note to editors: Wgaw internal rules require candidates to be announced in an order determined by lot; (inc.) denotes an incumbent candidate. The Wgaw will host its annual “Candidates Night” town-hall forum, at which Guild members may meet the candidates and get answers to their questions, on Tuesday, September 7, at Wgaw headquarters in Los Angeles. Guild members will receive candidate, non-candidate and rebuttal statements, if any,...
- 7/23/2010
- by Nikki Finke
- Deadline Hollywood
The Writers Guild of America, West announced its final slate of candidates for its 2010 board of directors election Friday.
The 18 candidates nominated to run for eight open seats are the incumbants David A. Goodman, Aaron Mendelsohn, Katherine Fugate, Mark Gunn, Karen Harris and Kathy Kiernan along with Robin Schiff, David Shore, Cheryl Heuton, , Timothy J. Lea, Mick Betancourt, Erich Hoeber, Erica Montolfo, Matt Pyken, Naomi Foner, Christopher Keyser, Steve Skrovan and Matthew Weiner.
The Wgaw will host its annual Candidates Night town-hall forum, at which guild members may question the candidates on Sept. 7 at Wgaw headquarters in Los Angeles.
Members may vote by mail or in person at the Wgaw's annual membership meeting on Sept. 16. Ballots will be counted on Sept. 17.
The 18 candidates nominated to run for eight open seats are the incumbants David A. Goodman, Aaron Mendelsohn, Katherine Fugate, Mark Gunn, Karen Harris and Kathy Kiernan along with Robin Schiff, David Shore, Cheryl Heuton, , Timothy J. Lea, Mick Betancourt, Erich Hoeber, Erica Montolfo, Matt Pyken, Naomi Foner, Christopher Keyser, Steve Skrovan and Matthew Weiner.
The Wgaw will host its annual Candidates Night town-hall forum, at which guild members may question the candidates on Sept. 7 at Wgaw headquarters in Los Angeles.
Members may vote by mail or in person at the Wgaw's annual membership meeting on Sept. 16. Ballots will be counted on Sept. 17.
- 7/23/2010
- by By Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Remember the lawsuit that former SAG president Alan Rosenberg and three other Membership First members (1st VP Anne-Marie Johnson and board members Diane Ladd and Kent McCord) filed against their own union?
No? You may have blissfully forgotten this misbegotten legal action, filed a year and a half ago (!), but the courts haven’t. This is the lawsuit that attempted to reinstate former SAG National Executive Director Doug Allen and undo ratification of the SAG-AMPTP collective bargaining agreement. In a case of chasing a horse that’s left the barn, and despite two court decisions that the action was moot, the lawsuit drags on.
Or maybe not. This morning, yet another judge declared the lawsuit moot. That’s five judges total, since one of the previous decisions was by a three judge panel. In a statement, SAG’s Deputy National Executive Director and General Counsel, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, said “Screen...
No? You may have blissfully forgotten this misbegotten legal action, filed a year and a half ago (!), but the courts haven’t. This is the lawsuit that attempted to reinstate former SAG National Executive Director Doug Allen and undo ratification of the SAG-AMPTP collective bargaining agreement. In a case of chasing a horse that’s left the barn, and despite two court decisions that the action was moot, the lawsuit drags on.
Or maybe not. This morning, yet another judge declared the lawsuit moot. That’s five judges total, since one of the previous decisions was by a three judge panel. In a statement, SAG’s Deputy National Executive Director and General Counsel, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, said “Screen...
- 6/22/2010
- by jhandel@att.net (Jonathan Handel)
HollywoodNews.com: The Writers Guild of America, West’s Nominating Committee has announced its initial list of candidates for the 2010 Board of Directors election.
There are 18 candidates nominated to run for eight open seats on the Wgaw’s Board of Directors, as follows: Robin Schiff, David Shore, David A. Goodman (inc.), Cheryl Heuton, Aaron Mendelsohn (inc.), Katherine Fugate (inc.), Timothy J. Lea, Mick Betancourt, Mark Gunn (inc.), Erich Hoeber, Erica Montolfo, Matt Pyken, Naomi Foner, Karen Harris (inc.), Kathy Kiernan (inc.), Christopher Keyser, Steve Skrovan, Matthew Weiner.
In addition to the candidates selected by the Nominating Committee, eligible members may also be nominated by petition. Members seeking nomination for the Board of Directors must obtain 25 member signatures.
The Wgaw will host its annual Candidates Night town hall forum, at which Guild members may to meet the candidates and get answers to their questions, on Tuesday, September 7, at Wgaw headquarters in Los Angeles.
There are 18 candidates nominated to run for eight open seats on the Wgaw’s Board of Directors, as follows: Robin Schiff, David Shore, David A. Goodman (inc.), Cheryl Heuton, Aaron Mendelsohn (inc.), Katherine Fugate (inc.), Timothy J. Lea, Mick Betancourt, Mark Gunn (inc.), Erich Hoeber, Erica Montolfo, Matt Pyken, Naomi Foner, Karen Harris (inc.), Kathy Kiernan (inc.), Christopher Keyser, Steve Skrovan, Matthew Weiner.
In addition to the candidates selected by the Nominating Committee, eligible members may also be nominated by petition. Members seeking nomination for the Board of Directors must obtain 25 member signatures.
The Wgaw will host its annual Candidates Night town hall forum, at which Guild members may to meet the candidates and get answers to their questions, on Tuesday, September 7, at Wgaw headquarters in Los Angeles.
- 6/21/2010
- by HollywoodNews.com
- Hollywoodnews.com
Los Angeles – The Writers Guild of America, West’s Nominating Committee has announced its initial list of candidates for the 2010 Board of Directors election. There are 18 candidates nominated to run for eight open seats on the Wgaw’s Board of Directors, as follows: Robin Schiff, David Shore, David A. Goodman (inc.), Cheryl Heuton, Aaron Mendelsohn (inc.), Katherine Fugate (inc.), Timothy J. Lea, Mick Betancourt, Mark Gunn (inc.), Erich Hoeber, Erica Montolfo, Matt Pyken, Naomi Foner, Karen Harris (inc.), Kathy Kiernan (inc.), Christopher Keyser, Steve Skrovan, Matthew Weiner. Note to editors: Wgaw internal rules require candidates to be announced in an order [...]...
- 6/21/2010
- by Nikki Finke
- Deadline Hollywood
The Writers Guild of America West's nominating committee released Monday its initial list of candidates for the 2010 board of directors election.
Eighteen candidates have been nominated for eight open seats: Robin Schiff, David Shore, David A. Goodman, Cheryl Heuton, Aaron Mendelsohn, Katherine Fugate, Timothy J. Lea, Mick Betancourt, Mark Gunn, Erich Hoeber, Erica Montolfo, Matt Pyken, Naomi Foner, Karen Harris, Kathy Kiernan, Christopher Keyser, Steve Skrovan and Matthew Weiner. Goodman, Mendelsohn, Fugate, Gunn, Harris and Kiernan are all incumbents.
Other eligible Wgaw members can be nominated by petition before July 23. The union will hold its annual town hall meeting to meet the candidates Sept. 7.
Members may vote by mail or in person at the Wgaw's annual membership meeting Sept. 16. Ballots will be counted the following day.
Eighteen candidates have been nominated for eight open seats: Robin Schiff, David Shore, David A. Goodman, Cheryl Heuton, Aaron Mendelsohn, Katherine Fugate, Timothy J. Lea, Mick Betancourt, Mark Gunn, Erich Hoeber, Erica Montolfo, Matt Pyken, Naomi Foner, Karen Harris, Kathy Kiernan, Christopher Keyser, Steve Skrovan and Matthew Weiner. Goodman, Mendelsohn, Fugate, Gunn, Harris and Kiernan are all incumbents.
Other eligible Wgaw members can be nominated by petition before July 23. The union will hold its annual town hall meeting to meet the candidates Sept. 7.
Members may vote by mail or in person at the Wgaw's annual membership meeting Sept. 16. Ballots will be counted the following day.
- 6/21/2010
- by By Jay A. Fernandez
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
USA Network is looking to extend its winning streak in original series with a development slate that includes projects from Stephen J. Cannell, Mike Newell and Tom Fontana, while fellow NBC Universal cable net Syfy is reteaming with director Bryan Singer for a six-hour limited series.
The announcements were made Wednesday during NBC Universal's portion of the summer TCA press tour.
The Syfy project has Singer, who first collaborated with the network on the 2005 miniseries "The Triangle," working on a new project in the vein of "The Da Vinci Code" and "National Treasure."
The series from Industry Entertainment is described as an action-adventure about the Mayan calendar predicting the end of the world. Singer is producing with Andrew Deane and Keith Addis.
"Our story will explore whether we are truly alone in the universe and other related mysteries, all of which are set against the backdrop of an incredibly exciting and fast-paced adventure,...
The announcements were made Wednesday during NBC Universal's portion of the summer TCA press tour.
The Syfy project has Singer, who first collaborated with the network on the 2005 miniseries "The Triangle," working on a new project in the vein of "The Da Vinci Code" and "National Treasure."
The series from Industry Entertainment is described as an action-adventure about the Mayan calendar predicting the end of the world. Singer is producing with Andrew Deane and Keith Addis.
"Our story will explore whether we are truly alone in the universe and other related mysteries, all of which are set against the backdrop of an incredibly exciting and fast-paced adventure,...
- 8/5/2009
- by By James Hibberd
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Related stories:
NBC presents shows, strategy at upfront
NBC official series descriptions
NBC greenlights 'Office' spinoff
More pilot season coverage
Gary Scott Thompson is getting behind the wheel of the new KITT.
The "Las Vegas" creator has been tapped to serve as executive producer/showrunner on "Knight Rider", which has been picked up to series by NBC.
Thompson will work on the show under a new two-year deal he has inked with "Rider" producer Universal Media Studios.
Thompson is joined by "Las Vegas" exec producer Matt Pyken on "Rider", a sequel to the 1980s series. The two will serve as exec producers alongside Dave Bartis and Doug Liman, who exec produced the series' two-hour backdoor pilot that aired in February. The pilot's writer, Dave Andron, will serve as a consulting producer.
"We definitely wanted to stay in business with Gary, who has proven himself on 'Las Vegas, ' " UMS president Katherine Pope said.
She said Thompson, who penned the blockbuster "The Fast and the Furious" before creating "Vegas", was a natural choice to run "Rider".
"If you think what the series would be, it's 'The Fast and the Furious' meets 'Las Vegas, ' " she said of "Rider".
Cars were front and center in "Fast and the Furious", as KITT is in "Rider". And the central character in "Rider", Mike (Justin Bruening), is wasting away in Las Vegas until Sarah (Deanna Russo) offers to pay off his gambling debt.
NBC presents shows, strategy at upfront
NBC official series descriptions
NBC greenlights 'Office' spinoff
More pilot season coverage
Gary Scott Thompson is getting behind the wheel of the new KITT.
The "Las Vegas" creator has been tapped to serve as executive producer/showrunner on "Knight Rider", which has been picked up to series by NBC.
Thompson will work on the show under a new two-year deal he has inked with "Rider" producer Universal Media Studios.
Thompson is joined by "Las Vegas" exec producer Matt Pyken on "Rider", a sequel to the 1980s series. The two will serve as exec producers alongside Dave Bartis and Doug Liman, who exec produced the series' two-hour backdoor pilot that aired in February. The pilot's writer, Dave Andron, will serve as a consulting producer.
"We definitely wanted to stay in business with Gary, who has proven himself on 'Las Vegas, ' " UMS president Katherine Pope said.
She said Thompson, who penned the blockbuster "The Fast and the Furious" before creating "Vegas", was a natural choice to run "Rider".
"If you think what the series would be, it's 'The Fast and the Furious' meets 'Las Vegas, ' " she said of "Rider".
Cars were front and center in "Fast and the Furious", as KITT is in "Rider". And the central character in "Rider", Mike (Justin Bruening), is wasting away in Las Vegas until Sarah (Deanna Russo) offers to pay off his gambling debt.
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