True Detective renewed with showrunner Issa López / Paramount+ renews Frasier / Eva Longoria joins Only Murders in the Building
PLUS: Wendy Williams diagnosed with dementia and aphasia.
HBO renews True Detective for Season 5 with showrunner Issa López returning
After creating True Detective: Night Country, the True Detective franchise's most successful season, López has signed an overall deal with HBO and Max that will have her leading a fifth season of True Detective. As part of her deal, López will also create new content for HBO and Max. "It’s yet to be decided as to whether season five of True Detective will be related to Night Country or will be an entirely new story," says Deadline's Peter White. "However, what’s clear is that, despite creator Nic Pizzolato’s criticisms, López’s season has brought a return to form for the True Detective universe, becoming the most-watched season with 12.7 million cross platform viewers." “From conception to release, Night Country has been the most beautiful collaboration and adventure of my entire creative life,” López said in a statement. “HBO trusted my vision all the way, and the idea of bringing to life a new incarnation of True Detective with (HBO and Max boss Casey Bloys), (HBO drama chief Francesca Orsi) and the whole team is a dream come true. I can’t wait to go again.”
Frasier reboot renewed for Season 2 at Paramount+
The Kelsey Grammer-led Paramount+ Frasier revival series is coming back after airing last fall for a 10-episode season. “Kelsey made a triumphant return as one of the most iconic and beloved characters on television,” said Jeff Grossman, executive vice president of programming at Paramount+. “The new series introduced Frasier to a whole new generation while reminding fans of Kelsey’s truly timeless portrayal of Dr. Crane. We’re so excited to see what the creative team and superb cast serve up for season two.” Grammer added: “Frasier is a love story, and I am very happy we will be allowed to continue it.”
Eva Longoria joins Only Murders in the Building
The former Desperate Housewives star will be part of the Los Angeles-set fourth season of Hulu's hit murder-mystery comedy. Details of her character are being kept under wraps. Longoria is the second Season 4 cast addition after Molly Shannon.
Wendy Williams diagnosed with dementia and aphasia
The former daytime talk show's team announced via a press release this morning that Williams was diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia last year, and the conditions “have already presented significant hurdles in Wendy's life.” “Wendy is still able to do many things for herself,” the team said in a statement. “Most importantly she maintains her trademark sense of humor and is receiving the care she requires to make sure she is protected and that her needs are addressed. She is appreciative of the many kind thoughts and good wishes being sent her way.” ALSO: The View acknowledged Williams' diagnosis at the end of today's show because it went unmentioned during a pre-taped interview with her niece.
A Virgin Rivers prequel series about Mel's parents is in the works at Netflix
The potential series will focus on the parents of Alexandra Breckenridge's Mel. "Before Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge) and Jack’s (Martin Henderson) sweeping Virgin River romance, Mel’s late mother Sarah too fell in love with a man from the picturesque Northern California town, Everett, who was revealed in the recent Virgin River Christmas special as Mel’s biological father," according to Deadline. "The potential prequel, which is currently in development, will explore Sarah and Everett’s origin story. The upcoming Season 6 will provide a glimpse into the duo’s past, featuring young Everett and Sarah in flashbacks."
Ghosts books Lamorne Morris
The former New Girl star, who recently starred on Fargo, will guest on the CBS comedy as a poltergeist that spends eternity tethered to a living human.
Olivia Munn joins Jon Hamm on Apple TV+'s Your Friends and Neighbors
Munn's role is being kept under wraps in the series starring Hamm as a “a recently divorced hedge fund manager who, after being fired, resorts to stealing from the wealthy residents in his tony upstate New York suburb in order to keep his family’s lifestyle afloat. These petty crimes begin to reinvigorate him until he breaks into the wrong house at the wrong time.”
Peacock announces a Yellowstone-style reality show: The McBee Family Dynasty: Real Life Cowboys
Watch the trailer for the reality show following the McBee family, which owns a farm and ranch in rural Missouri. Premiering March 11, The McBee Family Dynasty: Real Life Cowboys is set to "offer a behind-the-scenes look at rural Missouri's high-stakes world of farming and ranching through McBee Farm and Cattle. According to Peacock, the McBee family's ranch "stands at a crossroads, poised to either soar to billion-dollar success or plunge into financial ruin pending a pivotal decision from a Venture Capital investment firm."
HGTV orders House Hunters: All Stars
The all-stars House Hunters spinoff will feature HGTV's top real estate experts helping prospective buyers find dream properties in their own hometowns, including Mina Starsiak Hawk, Heather Rae El Moussa, Keith Bynum and Evan Thomas, Galey Alix, Chelsea and Cole DeBoer, Lyndsay Lamb and Leslie Davis, Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt, Rico León, Jasmine Roth, Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson, Page Turner and Veronica Valencia. “For the first time ever, House Hunters fans are getting the star treatment, teaming up with their favorite HGTV experts to lead the hunt,” said Loren Ruch, HGTV's head of content. “The series has been a perennial hit for nearly 25 years, and we were inspired to marry the successful format with our incredible lineup of talent in this new iteration of the series. Now we can enjoy all the things we love about House Hunters as the network’s stars get buyers into their perfect home.”
The Boys sets a June premiere date for Season 4
The acclaimed Amazon Prime Video superhero series returns with three episodes on June 13.
Fire Country reveals details of Morena Baccarin-led backdoor pilot
Baccerin's Sheriff Mickey character will be revealed in the sixth episode of Season 2, directed by Fire Country star and co-creator Max Thieriot.
The Good Doctor to host a House reunion with Peter Jacobson
Jacobson, who played a doctor on House, will play a patient on next week's episode. Jacobson's casting reunites him with David Shore, who created House and the ABC version of The Good Doctor.
Report: Amazon Prime Video is paying $150 million — not $120 million — for a streaming-exclusive NFL playoff game
After Front Office Sports reported Wednesday that Amazon was paying $120 million for its exclusive playoff game — up from the $100 million Peacock paid for January's first-ever streaming playoff game — CNBC reported that the actual figure is $150 million.
Mindy Kaling's Netflix pro basketball comedy adds Keyla Monterroso Mejia and Chet Hanks
Fabrizio Guido, Toby Sandeman and Roberto Sanchez are also joining Kate Hudson, Brenda Song and Drew Tarver in the untitled comedy set in the back office of a professional basketball team.
NBC trades one son of a prominent sports broadcaster for another
Jac Collinsworth, son of Cris Collinsworth, is out as play-by-play voice for Notre Dame football after two seasons. He and Dan Hicks will be replaced by Noah Eagle, son of Ian Eagle, and Todd Blackledge. Eagle and Blackledge successfully called an NFL playoff game for NBC in January.
The Tattooist of Auschwitz releases a teaser trailer
Sky and Peacock have unveiled a teaser trailer for the six-part limited series drama inspired by the real-life story of Lali and Gita Sokolov, who met while prisoners in Auschwitz during World War II. Harvey Keitel, Melanie Lynskey, Jonah Hauer-King and Anna Próchniak star in The Tattooist of Auschwitz, premiering May 2.