HBO has revealed the premiere date for its original satirical series “The Franchise” on its linear channel and Max on October 6 at 10 p.m. ET. The first episode of “The Franchise” is directed by Academy Award winner Sam Mendes.
According to the official synopsis, “The Franchise follows an unpopular film crew fighting for their place in a wild and unregulated cinematic universe. The comedy series shines a light on the secret chaos within the superhero film industry, asking the question – how exactly are cinematic sausages made? Because every failure has an origin story.”
The cast includes Himesh Patel (Greedy People), Aya Cash (The Boys), Jessica Hynes (Shaun of the Dead), Billy Magnussen (Road House), Lolly Adefope (Ghosts), Darren Goldstein (Ozark) and Isaac Powell (American Horror Story). Richard E. Grant (Saltburn) and Daniel Brühl (All Quiet on the Western Front) will also appear as recurring guest stars.
Executive producers include Mendes, Pippa Harris, Nicholas Brown and Julie Pastor of Neal Street Productions; Armando Iannucci of Dundee Productions; and executive producers John Brown and Jim Cleverways. John Brown wrote the pilot.
Watch the trailer below.
Casting
The CW has added Fiona Glascott, Ivana Milićević, Philip B. Caine, Antonio Aquil and Shashi Rami to the cast of “Sherlock & Daughter.”
The series revolves around Sherlock Holmes who “steps out of his comfort zone. The famous detective finds himself mysteriously unable to investigate a sinister case without risking the lives of his closest friends. Meanwhile, young American Amelia discovers that her missing father may be the revered detective after her mother's horrific and unexplainable murder,” as stated in the series introduction.
The series will be led by David Thewlis (Fargo, The Artful Dodger), Blu Hunt (The New Mutant, Another Life), and Dougray Scott (Crime, Mission: Impossible 2), who will play Sherlock Holmes, Amelia Rojas, and Holmes's infamous adversary Professor Moriarty, respectively.
Glascott plays Lady Violet, an aristocratic lady with deep connections in London society. Caine plays Paul Anderson, the U.S. ambassador to Great Britain, while Milicevic plays his wife, Marjorie; their lives are thrown into disarray when their only daughter is kidnapped, and they entrust her safe return to Holmes and his mysterious new assistant, Amelia Rojas.
Akil plays the idealistic young detective Swann, who single-handedly brings scientific innovations to Scotland Yard. Rami plays a formidable insurance investigator whose investigation into a robbery becomes the focus of Holmes's investigation.
The series, produced by Starlings Television Distribution, is set to air on The CW in the United States. A premiere date has not yet been announced.
programming
Hearst Media and the Lyda Hill Foundation have renewed the educational/informational series “Mission Unstoppable” for two more seasons, through 2025 and 2026, on CBS. The show will air on weekend mornings as part of the “CBS WKND” block. Miranda Cosgrove (“iCarly”) continues to serve as host and executive producer, while Geena Davis, through the Geena Davis Institute, also serves as showrunner. According to the description, “‘Mission Unstoppable’ will continue this season to celebrate remarkable women who have achieved success in STEM and beyond.” This year, the show has won 16 International Tele Awards, was nominated for a 2024 Webby Award for its digital series “Stem Loft,” and was recognized by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy as the only show on television focused on encouraging young women to pursue STEM careers.
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“The Jennifer Hudson Show” returns to cable for a new season on Monday, September 16, titled “Choose Joy,” which is described as “a powerful message that underscores every segment and conversation.” Week 1 guests include Angela Bassett, Sofia Vergara, Dave Bautista and Marlon Wayans. Other celebrities confirmed to appear on the season include Saweetie, Andrea Bocelli, Jimmy Kimmel, Ariana DeBose, Rob Lowe, Kristen Bell and more. “The Jennifer Hud Show” is produced by JHud Productions and Warner Bros. Unscripted Television in association with Telepictures and distributed in national syndication by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution, and airs on station groups including Fox Television Stations, Hearst Television, Sinclair Broadcast Group, TEGNA, Nexstar Media Group, Scripps Media and Gray Media Group, among others.
Executives
Bell Media President Sean Cohan has been elected as the new chairman of the Banff Foundation Board of Directors, replacing Lionsgate TV Group Chairman/Creative Director Kevin Biggs. Biggs, who has served as chairman for the past three years, will continue to serve on the Banff Board of Directors.
“I am honoured to serve as Chairman of the Banff Board of Directors,” said Cohan. “With the Festival’s reputation as a powerful event at the forefront of the most important conversations in our global industry, the Festival is poised for growth. I look forward to collaborating with the team and continuing Kevin Biggs’ incomparable work to expand Banff’s global influence while showcasing the many opportunities that Canadian businesses, organizations and creatives bring to our industry.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Sean as our new President to lead Banff Festival into its next chapter,” added Banff Festival Executive Director Jane Kuzmic. “As the media landscape continues to evolve, Sean’s progressive vision and global perspective will be invaluable in shaping the future of the festival and driving innovation across the industry. We are incredibly grateful for Kevin’s incredible contribution over the past few years as President. His dedication has taken the festival to new heights, and cemented its position as a leading global media event. We are thrilled to have Kevin remain on board and continue to offer his expertise.”
Events
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) has announced that its annual SCAD AnimationFest in Atlanta will take place September 26-28, 2024. This year’s festival will be held at the school’s SCADshow Theater and will honor animator Genndy Tartakovsky.
“This year, SCAD AnimationFest proudly honors a giant of animation and a Bees hero around the world – Cartoon Network and Adult Swim legend Genndy Tartakovsky, the genius behind Hotel Transylvania and Dexter’s Laboratory,” said Paula Wallace, SCAD President and Founder. “SCAD students grew up on Genndy’s classics, and now, in true SCAD fashion, they will experience this 2D icon in 8K reality. I’ll be first in line to see the Bees’ latest masterpiece at SCAD Animation Studios, Chelita – a tribute to classic Mexican cinema – the latest animation gem in SCAD student portfolios ready to launch into this $260 billion industry.”
The event will include sessions with executives and creatives from Adult Swim, Bad Robot, Crafty Apes, DC Studios, DreamWorks Animation, Netflix and Warner Bros. Animation, as well as a showcase by SCAD students and alumni.
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The Paley Center for Media has announced the schedule for the 11th annual Paley Festival in New York, which will take place Wednesday, October 16 through Tuesday, October 22 at the Paley Center for Media in New York. The 2024 festival selections include:
Wednesday, October 16 at 6:30 p.m. – “Outlander” (Starz)
Thursday, October 17 at 6:30 PM – Blue Bloods (CBS)
Friday, October 18 at 6:30 p.m. – “Somebody Somewhere” (HBO)
Saturday, October 19 at Noon – “The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon—The Book of Carol” (AMC/AMC+)
Saturday, October 19 at 7pm – “What We Do in the Shadows” (FX)
Sunday, October 20 at 6:30 PM – “The Diplomat” (Netflix)
Monday, October 21 at 6:30pm – Conversation with Chip and Joanna Gaines (Magnolia Network)
Tuesday, October 22 at 7 p.m. – CBS Morning Show (CBS)
“From vampires and zombies to the fraught world of international diplomacy and more, there’s something for every TV fan at this year’s PaleyFest NY,” said Maureen J. Reidy, president and CEO of the Paley Center for Media. “We look forward to hosting what promises to be an unmissable look behind the scenes of today’s most impressive and acclaimed shows.”
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Comedian and actor Vir Das has been selected to host the International Emmy Awards on Monday, November 25, 2024 in New York. Das was previously nominated in the comedy category in 2021, and won in 2023 for his Netflix comedy special “Landing.”
“We are thrilled to once again welcome Vir Das to our stage and add the International Emmy Awards host to our impressive roster of talent,” said Bruce L. Paisner, president and CEO of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. “With his unique sense of humor and worldview, he now joins a distinguished group of concert hosts over the years who are a perfect fit for our global audience.”
