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For the first 10 years of his movie acting career, Dwayne Johnson was hungry to earn his bonafides as a serious performer. Oh sure, he was more than willing to play to the cheap seats by starring in stuff like "The Scorpion King" and "Doom." But this was also the era in which the wrestling legend worked with "Donnie Darko" director Richard Kelly on his gonzo cult curiosity "Southland Tales" and gleefully preened in front of a mirror as an out-and-proud gay bodyguard in F. Gary Gray's "Get Shorty" sequel "Be Cool." Having yet to establish a clean-cut brand for himself, the 2000s saw The Rock taking the kind of risks he would shirk for a decade after finally making it big in the movies.

That extended to Johnson's action films as well. When The Rock showed up as Luke Hobbs in 2011's "Fast Five" (only one of the...

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Paramount+ is ready with an entertainment-packed December this year. The upcoming month will see the premiere of some of the best Paramount+ original shows including Dexter: Original Sin and the streaming release of the comedy film The Fabulous Four. Just like every month, Paramount+ is ready to overload you with great content. So, we’re here to tell you about the 5 best movies and TV shows coming to Paramount+ in December 2024.

King Richard (December 1) Credit – Warner Bros.

King Richard is a biographical sports drama film directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green from a screenplay by Zach Baylin. Based on the true stories of Serena, Venus, and Richard Williams, the 2021 film revolves around Venus and Serena Williams who rise to the top in the world of women’s tennis with the help and support of their strict father Richard Williams.

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Landman is a neo-Western drama series created by Taylor Sheridan and Christian Wallace. Based on the podcast Boomtown by Imperative Entertainment Texas Monthly, the Paramount+ series is set in West Texas within the world of oil rigs and it follows Tommy Norris, a crisis executive at a fictional oil company who handles the chaotic day-to-day job of the oil rigs while also dealing with his unhinged family. Landman stars Billy Bob Thornton, Ali Larter, Jacob Lofland, Michelle Randolph, Paulina Chávez, Kayla Wallace, Jon Hamm, Demi Moore, and James Jordan. So, if you loved Landman’s chaotic drama, thrilling story, and compelling characters, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Yellowstone (Peacock & Prime Video Add-On) Credit – Paramount Network

Yellowstone is a neo-Western family drama series created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson. The Paramount Network series...

Plot: An aging gangster attempts to reconnect with his children and rectify the mistakes in his past, but the criminal underworld won’t loosen their grip willingly.

Review: Over the last sixteen years, Liam Neeson has consistently delivered a string of variations on his 2008 hit Taken. Outside of a handful of exceptions, the Oscar-nominated actor has made movie after movie about cops and soldiers using their particular sets of skills to take down bad guys who underestimate the elderly protagonist. As those projects have begun to blur together, Neeson has had some tricks up his sleeve with voice work in The Lego Movie, comedic turns in A Million Ways To Die In The West, and the occasional big-budget offering. The ones that utilize Neeson’s gravitas and everyman demeanor have stood out from the over fifty projects he has acted on or voiced during that span. You can add Absolution to that shortlist.

Sixteen years after “Taken” made him the most improbable action star on the planet, Liam Neeson has finally announced that he’ll soon be retiring from the genre that made him famous all over again — a career move he plans to implement by the end of 2025. To judge by the latest of the fun(ish) but frequently disposable B pictures that the lanky Irishman has built into a one-man cottage industry, Neeson is stepping away from his schlock at just the right time.

It’s not that “Absolution” is any worse than the awful likes of “Retribution” (quite the opposite), but this seedy crime saga makes it uniquely clear that Neeson’s special set of skills have taken him as far as they can. While even the most forgettable of his Redbox specials (see: 2022’s “Memory”) have found their own special way to iterate on the “aging tough guy with...

As 72 years old, Liam Neeson continues to be a force in the world of cheap action thrillers. Every so often, he has a bit of a hit, something that breaks free of the generic formula and continues to prove why the septuagenarian continues to be a force. Absolution is one of those films that turns Neeson’s action proclivities and age into a solid film about looking back on your regrets.

Absolution Review

Directed by Hans Petter Moland from a script by Tony Gayton, Absolution follows Neeson as a drunk, deadbeat father desperately trying to reconnect with his family, who doesn’t want much of anything to do with him. We punch through sustained moments of reflection with a few bursts of action. It’s a strong balance of somber drama and thrills.

Our protagonist is unnamed, simply taking on the moniker of “Thug.” He’s the same type of...

Although Liam Neeson knows how to demand a screen, no matter what’s on the page, his latest film Absolution feels like a retread of the same old deadbeat-dad-tries-to-redeem-himself-before-it’s-too-late plot, as the title might suggest.

In the Tony Gayton-written, Hans Petter Moland-directed crime thriller from Samuel Goldwyn Films, the Oscar nominee plays an aging Boston gangster who, after receiving a terminal diagnosis, attempts to make things right with his estranged daughter Daisy (Frankie Shaw) while rectifying his life of crime and trying to do some good before he bites the dust. Meanwhile, he has to convince his boss Mr. Conner (an underutilized Ron Perlman) that his mind isn’t slipping as he figures out who ordered a hit on him.

Taking a cue from Ryan Gosling’s Driver in Drive (or perhaps Mary Elizabeth Ellis’ Waitress in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia), Neeson’s character is known only as Thug.

Just when Liam Neeson thought he was out, they pull him back in. Samuel Goldwyn Films has dropped the first trailer for Absolution, an action thriller starring Liam Neeson as an aging gangster who attempts to reconnect with his children and rectify the mistakes in his past. However, the criminal underworld won’t loosen its grip willingly.

Absolution has all the hallmarks of a Liam Neeson action thriller: a conflicted man pushed to his limit, icy glares, and, of course, plenty of cracked skulls and gunshots. Neeson stars in Absolution alongside Yolonda Ross, Frankie Shaw, Daniel Diemer, Javier Molina, Jimmy Gonzales, Josh Drennen, Deanna Nayr Tarraza, Terrence Pulliam, and Ron Perlman. Hans Petter Moland directed the film from a script by Tony Gayton.

Related Interview: Steven Seagal talks his latest film, favorite roles, & more!

The film is Neeson’s second collaboration with Samuel Goldwyn Films following the release of In the Land of Saints and Sinners...

Yellowstone has become one of the biggest shows on television, as it should because the series is a brilliant piece of art, which deserves every praise it gets. Created by Taylor Sheridan, the neo-Western drama series revolves around the Dutton family who own the largest ranch in America. While there is a lot of infighting amongst the family they must all stand together to protect what’s there from several enemies. Yellowstone stars Kevin Costner, Kelly Reilly, Cole Hauser, Luke Grimes, Kelsey Asbille, Wes Bentley, Jefferson White, and Ian Bohen. Now, that Yellowstone is ending soon with Part 2 of its Season 5, we are here to suggest some similar shows while you wait for the final Yellowstone episodes.

Succession (Max & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – HBO

Succession is a satirical dark comedy-drama series created by Jesse Armstrong. The HBO series revolves around the Roy family, who own one of the biggest...

Cursed was a very fitting title for the 2005 werewolf movie that reteamed Scream director Wes Craven with screenwriter Kevin Williamson, because studio meddling ensured that the project – which had a promising start – ended up being a mess that bombed at the box office. The journey to the screen began in the year 2000, when Williamson wrote a script about a New York-based serial killer who discovers he’s a werewolf. Dimension decided to have Sean Hood and Tony Gayton do rewrites, turning Cursed into the story of a late night TV associate producer who gets attacked by a werewolf after a car crash on Mulholland Drive. Days before Craven was set to go into production on Pulse, a remake of the Japanese horror film Kairo, Dimension pulled him off that project (it ended up being the feature directorial debut of music video director Jim Sonzero) and threw him onto Cursed, which...

Film and television writer-producer Joe Gayton, cocreator and executive producer of AMC’s “Hell on Wheels,” died May 14. He was 66 years old.

The news was confirmed to TheWrap by brother and longtime collaborator Tony Gayton, who said Joe’s death came following a four-year battle with prostate cancer.

“Joe was one of a kind. He was passionate, creative, loud, boisterous, argumentative, unfiltered, soft-hearted, hilarious and terrible at the politics of this cutthroat business,” he said in a statement. “He was a big brother, mentor, writing partner and best friend to me. Our hearts are shattered at his passing and we will miss him forever.”

Also Read:

Jessie Maple, Trailblazing Black Director and Cinematographer, Dies at 76

Tony also revealed that his brother was working on a new television show before his death.

“This sums up Joe’s passion for this work: He loved writing and creating so much that he wrote...

Joe Gayton, a film and television writer-producer who co-created and executive produced the hit AMC series Hell on Wheels, died May 14 after a four-year battle with prostate cancer. He was 66.

Gayton got off to a fast start in Hollywood with Uncommon Valor, which he wrote when he was 23. The script was made into a movie starring Gene Hackman. Gayton also co-wrote with Lewis Colick the 1996 action comedy feature Bulletproof starring Damon Wayans and Adam Sandler.

For most of his career, Gayton collaborated with his brother, fellow writer-producer Tony Gayton. The duo created and executive produced the popular Western drama series Hell on Wheels, which ran on AMC for five seasons.

The Gaytons also developed together a number of TV projects, with several, including Southern Comfort for Fox and The Novice for USA, going to pilot. They also co-wrote the 2010 feature Faster, starring Dwayne Johnson.

“Joe was one of a kind.

Exclusive: Ron Perlman (Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio), Yolonda Ross (The Chi) and Daniel Diemer (The Midnight Club) will star opposite Liam Neeson in the mob thriller Thug, reteaming the Oscar nominee with Cold Pursuit director Hans Petter Moland.

The film from Sculptor Media and Electromagnetic Production, which is currently shooting in Boston, revolves around an aging Boston gangster (Neeson) who attempts to reconnect with his children and rectify the mistakes in his past, though the criminal underworld won’t loosen its grip willingly.

Tony Gayton (Hell on Wheels) wrote the screenplay. Sculptor Media’s Warren Goz and Eric Gold are producing alongside Roger Birnbaum (Rush Hour franchise) and Michael Besman (About Schmidt) for Electromagnetic Productions, as well as Force Majeure (Copshop). Mark Kimsey is exec producing along with James Masciello, Matt Sidari and Mitchell Zhang of Raven, which has a slate financing and production partnership with Sculptor Media and is financing Thug.

Exclusive: Liam Neeson is set to star in thriller Thug, reuniting with his Cold Pursuit director Hans Petter Moland, who will direct the film for Sculptor Media and Electromagnetic Productions, with Mossbank and CAA handling sales at next week’s Cannes market.

Thug revolves around an ageing San Pedro gangster (Neeson) who attempts to reconnect with his children and rectify the mistakes in his past, but the criminal underworld won’t loosen their grip willingly. Tony Gayton wrote the screenplay.

Principal photography is slated for October, 2022, in Los Angeles.

Sculptor Media’s Warren Goz and Eric Gold are producing the movie alongside Roger Birnbaum (Rush Hour franchise) and Michael Besman (About Schmidt) for Electromagnetic Productions, and James Masciello’s Force Majeure (Copshop).

Executive producers are James Masciello, Matt Sidari and Mitchell Zhang of Raven, which has a slate financing and production partnership with Sculptor Media and is financing Thug.

Mossbank,...

Exclusive: Hell on Wheels creators Joe Gayton and Tony Gayton have signed with APA.

The sibling writing-producing duo created the praised historical drama series Hell on Wheels, which aired for five seasons on AMC.

Together, the veteran scribes have written numerous pilots, including Southern Comfort for Fox and The Novice for USA, as well as the 2010 feature film Faster, starring Dwayne Johnson. Separately, Tony Gayton also wrote The Salton Sea, directed by D.J. Caruso and starring Val Kilmer, and Murder by Numbers, starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Gosling. Joe Gayton wrote Ernest R. Dickenson-directed Bulletproof, starring Adam Sandler and Damon Wayans.

Joe and Tony Gayton are also repped by attorney Karl Austen.

Exclusive: Tucker Tooley Entertainment has picked up the crime drama film spec script Thug for Den of Thieves writer/director Christian Gudegast to helm. The project was penned by Tony Gayton. Tucker Tooley, CEO of Tooley Entertainment, will produce.

Gudegast, co-screenwriter for London Has Fallen which grossed $205.9M globally, made his directorial debut on Den of Thieves which Tooley also produced. The relationship between Gudegast and Tooley is very strong as the writer/director is also scripting the sequel to Den of Thieves.

Thug follows an ex-journeyman boxer and aging enforcer for a San Pedro Gangster who attempts to get back into the lives of his estranged children and clean up the messes of his past while coming to terms with the ruined landscape of his twenty-year career in crime all the while as the criminal underworld won’t loosen their hold on him.

Matt Reeves, the director of the last two Planet of the Apes films and the upcoming Batman movie, has jumped on board to executive produce a new police drama for Fox called The Dime. He will be developing the project with the creators of the AMC series Hell on Wheels, Tony Gayton and Joe Gayton.

It seems like cop series are a dime a dozen these days, but with this team of talent behind this new series, there's a good chance it will rise above the rest. Variety says the series is based on the upcoming book of the same name by New York Times bestselling author Kathleen Kent. Here's a description of the story that the series will tell:

Dallas, Texas is not for the faint of heart. Good thing for Betty Rhyzyk she's from a family of take-no-prisoners Brooklyn police detectives. But her Big Apple wisdom will only...

Fox has given a script commitment plus penalty to The Dime — a crime drama with a lesbian cop at the center — based on bestselling author Kathleen Kent’s new novel, from Hell on Wheels creators Tony Gayton and Joe Gayton, feature director Matt Reeves (War for the Planet of the Apes) and 20th Century Fox TV. Written and executive produced by the Gayton brothers, The Dime follows Brooklyn cop Betty Rhyzyck, a tough as nails firebrand, who moves with her girlfriend to Dallas…...

Hell on Wheels, Season 5, Episode 1, “Chinatown”

Written by Joe Gayton and Tony Gayton

Directed by David Staiton

Airs Saturdays at 9pm (Et) on AMC

“Now you think I’m the devil. That’s funny because it’ll probably take the devil to finish this road.”

Hell on Wheels started as one man’s single-minded journey to avenge the death of his family. As the series enters its final season, though, it has been transformed into a deeply meditative look at a changing world, an intricate retelling of a brutal time in American history and powerful examination of the characters that helped create it. The writers now have the daunting task of honoring these characters, closing out an epic story, and giving fans a satisfying ending.

Season four ended with Cullen Bohannon (the always reliable and brooding Anson Mount) leaving the Union Pacific railroad to search for his missing wife, Naomi...

It’s Brittany S. Pierce, bitch — and she’s back for Glee‘s 100th episode!

Executive producer Ryan Murphy took to Twitter Wednesday to announce that “All The Glee Originals” received invites to return for the Fox dramedy’s upcoming landmark installment, and Heather Morris — who exited the series in Season 4 — is among those who has RSVP’d yes.

Related | Glee 100th Episode — Fans Pick Songs for Landmark Episode

Og New Directions members Mark Salling, Amber Riley and Harry Shum are also on board for the hour, Murphy revealed — and so is one pint-sized, Emmy-winning powerhouse.

“Kristin Chenoweth is In for Glee‘s 100th!

Exclusive: Spin City alum Alan Ruck and Byron Mann (Arrow) will co-star opposite Shane Coffey in USA’s drama pilot The Novice, from Joe and Tony Gayton, Fox 21 and 21 Laps/Adelstein. It centers on Kyle (Coffey), a recent college graduate who is forced to move back home with his parents and soon lands a position with a Korean crime organization. Ruck, repped by Apa and Mark Teitelbaum, will play Bill Jones, Kyle’s father, a decent and hard-working professional machinist willing to put aside his pride and work as a day laborer in order to pay the bills. Mann, repped by Metropolitan, Echelon Talent, the Marshak/Zachary Co, and Eric Feig, will play Johnny Joo, the impeccably dressed owner of a popular dining establishment and a careful, yet dangerous, man who offers Kyle a position within his organization. He is currently filming Rise Of The Legend in China.

Hell on Wheels has been a quiet champion for AMC for the past three years. While shows like Breaking Bad and The Walking Dead take over news headlines, Hell on Wheels keeps trucking along, doing its thing, and not bothering anyone in particular. It has its fanbase, which has mostly stuck with it despite the series switching to a new night and losing the lead in of The Walking Dead. So what does the future look like for this lone cowboy? Actually, things are looking pretty good for Hell on Wheels – AMC has renewed it for a fourth season and even gave at a few extra episodes to play around with.

Next summer, Hell on Wheels will be back, but this time it will be running 13 episodes instead of 10, an expansion I think plenty of fans will be happy with. Who doesn’t like a little extra? On top of the new episodes,...

AMC has given a fourth season order for its western drama "Hell on Wheels".

In fact, due to ratings growth in the third season, AMC has increased its standard order for the series from ten to thirteen episodes for the new season.

At the end of the second season, the departure of the previous show runners Joe and Tony Gayton led to some major behind-the-scenes instability and questions about the show's future.

John Wirth ultimately came onboard as show runner and brought along some major creative changes to the series. The results were a bit shaky at first, especially following the events of the second season finale and its new Saturday timeslot which many considered a graveyard.

Yet, the third season ultimately found a comfortable new groove creatively. Ratings wise the audience stuck with the show, scoring 3.3 million average viewers in Live+7 results - actually up on the 3.2 million average...

"Blood will be spilled. Lives will be lost. Men will be ruined " - Yet Again. AMC will give Hell on Wheels a fourth season, renewing the western TV series starring Anson Mount and adding 14 more episodes, reports Variety. The show from Endemol and Entertainment One is created by Joe Gayton and Tony Gayton, and also includes Colm Meaney, Common, Phil Burke, Ben Esler, Robin McLeavy and Christopher Heyerdahl, among others. John Wirth, known for Falling Skies and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, serves as executive producer and showrunner. AMC president Charlie Collier said “John Wirth and his team on both sides of the camera delivered a remarkable third season and ‘Hell on Wheels’ fans responded. AMC has served passionate Western fans for three decades, so it is particularly gratifying to see...

AMC is going back to the Old West. The cable network has renewed Western drama Hell on Wheels for a fourth season, with showrunner John Wirth set to return. The series will be expanded from 10 to 13 episodes and return in summer 2014.  Wirth took over at the helm of the drama -- from Endemol, Entertainment One and Nomadic Pictures -- in season three after series creators/showrunners Joe and Tony Gayton exited. The duo's contracts were not picked up after season two. This past season, AMC moved the Anson Mount and Common starrer to Saturdays in a bid to open up a third

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“Pretty Little Liars” actor Shane Coffey has traded in a life of mystery for crime as the lead in USA Network’s new pilot “Novice” from “Hell on Wheels” creators Joe and Tony Gayton, reports The Wrap. The drama project centers on a charming and highly intelligent college graduate named Kyle Jones (Coffey) who, after repeatedly [...]

The post TV: Shane Coffey to Lead USA Network Pilot “Novice” appeared first on Up and Comers.

Exclusive: Amazon Studios continues to attract big names for its pilots. Feature actor Gael García Bernal (Y Tu Mamá También, Amores Perros, Babel) has been tapped for the streaming service’s comedy pilot Mozart In The Jungle, written by Roman Coppola, Jason Schwartzman and Alex Timbers. Based on the memoir by Blair Tindal, the project is all about sex, drugs and classical music and shows that what happens behind the curtains at the symphony can be just as captivating as what happens onstage. Mexico-born Garcia Bernal, repped by Wme, will play Gustavo, an enfant terrible who’s utterly devoted to his art as a conductor — but also to his image. Will Yun Lee (The Wolverine) is set to co-star opposite Shane Coffey in USA’s drama pilot The Novice, from Fox 21, Joe and Tony Gayton. It centers on Kyle (Coffey), a recent college graduate who is forced to move...

Dayton Callie will soon cast some judgement on Law & Order: Svu.

TVLine has learned exclusively that the Sons of Anarchy vet will guest-star in an upcoming installment of the NBC procedural, playing a New Jersey judge who is under suspicion in a sex trafficking case.

Related | Sons of Anarchy Recap: Jax Confronts Gemma

As previously reported, Law & Order alumna Alana De La Garza also appears in the installment, reprising her role as Connie Rubirosa.

Ready for more of today’s TV dish? Well…

• ABC Family’s newest drama obsession Ravenswood, which airs its midseason finale on Nov. 19, will resume its freshman run on Jan.

USA Network has found the lead for its drama pilot, “The Novice,” from ”Hell on Wheels” creators Joe and Tony Gayton. Shane Coffey will play Kyle, who’s desribed as a charming and highly intelligent recent college graduate who is forced to move back home with his parents and siblings when his job-search stalls. Somehow, his job search leads him to a position with a Korean crime organization. Coffey played the recurring role of Holden Strauss on ABC Family’s “Pretty Little Liars” and Jimmy Nash on “The Secret Life of the American Teenager.” He also had a recurring role on TNT’s “Perception.

Exclusive: Shane Coffey has landed the lead in USA Network’s recently greenlighted drama pilot The Novice, from Fox 21. Written by Hell On Wheels creators Joe and Tony Gayton, The Novice centers on Kyle (Coffey), a charming and highly intelligent recent college graduate who is forced to move back home with his parents and siblings when his job search stalls. However, after a strange quirk of fate proves oddly fortuitous, he lands a position with a Korean crime organization. The Gaytons executive produce with Marty Adelstein, Shawn Levy, Becky Clements, Matt Ochacher, Michael Pelmont and Brian Volk-Weiss. Coffey, repped by New Wave and Pakula/King, has recurred on Pretty Little Liars, Perception and, most recently, The Originals. USA has history of breaking young talent in lead roles, most recently with Patrick J. Adams on Suits and Aaron Tveit on Graceland. Related: Matt Passmore Set As Lead In USA’s...

USA Network has greenlit three pilots: "Complications," "The Novice," and "Rush".

"Burn Notice" creator Matt Nix is producing the gritty medical drama "Complications" which deals with a disillusioned suburban ER doctor who saves a young boy from a drive-by shooting and seeks to protect him from a hit order.

"Hell on Wheels" creators Joe and Tony Gayton are producing "Novice" about a college grad who fails to break into corporate America, and instead ends up making money with a Korean crime family.

Finally, filmmaker Jonathan Levine ("Warm Bodies") is coming to television with fast paced Hollywood drama "Rush" about an on-call doctor used by the Hollywood elite for discreet medical business.

Source: USA Network...

Murder Police is Dba: dead before arrival.

Fox has killed its new animated comedy before the first airing. The series, about an inept detective and his cop co-workers, was set to star Jane Lynch (Glee), Chi McBride (Pushing Daisies) and Phil Lamarr (Futurama).

The cancellation comes on the heels of other animation-related Fox news: the record-setting renewal (Season 26!) of The Simpsons, a fifth-season order for Bob’s Burgers and American Dad‘s move to TBS next season.

TVGuide.com reports that execs were displeased with early cuts of the show, but may try to shop it to cable networks.

USA Network has ordered three pilots from “Burn Notice,” “Hell on Wheels” and “Warm Bodies” writer/producers. All three orders are cast-contingent. The cable channel goes back to the “Burn Notice” well with creator Matt Nix for his medical drama, “Complications,” from Fox Television Studios. The other two pilots come from Fox 21. First, there’s “The Novice,” about a college graduate who finds that he’s called to the criminal life, which is created by Joe and Tony Gayton (“Hell on Wheels”). And “Rush,” which will be written and produced by Jonathan Levine (“Warm Bodies”). Also read: USA Network...

A month after Burn Notice wrapped its seven-season run on USA Network, the series’ creator Matt Nix is eying a return to USA’s primetime with gritty medical drama Complications. The project, from Burn Notice producer Fox TV Studios where Nix is under an overall deal, is one of three drama pilot orders at USA, along with two projects for FtvS corporate sibling Fox21: Novice, from Hell On Wheels creators Joe and Tony Gayton, and Rush, from filmmaker Jonathan Levine (Warm Bodies). The three pilots join the recently ordered untitled Sean Jablonski hourlong pilot as well as period/sci-fi drama pilot Horizon, now in production, as the network is ramping up development with some of its long-running shows coming to an end. Burn Notice is over, with Psych expected to follow it out the door with its upcoming final season. Meanwhile the future of Necessary Roughness is uncertain. The...

USA Network is adding three drama pilots to its roster. The network has picked up to pilot Matt Nix's Complications, Joe and Tony Gayton's The Novice and Rush, from Warm Bodies writer-director Jonathan Levine, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. Nix's Complications was rumored to get the pilot order earlier this month and comes after the showrunner's Burn Notice wrapped its seventh and final season. The medical drama hails from Fox Television Studios, which also is producing crime drama The Novice, from the creators of AMC's Hell on Wheels. Rush, from Fox 21, is a Hollywood-set medical drama. Story:

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Expanding on its slate of original dramas, USA Network announced today that it has greenlit three cast-contingent pilots: "Complications," from producer Matt Nix ("Burn Notice") and Fox Television Studios, "The Novice," from creators Joe and Tony Gayton ("Hell on Wheels"), and "Rush," written and produced by Jonathan Levine ("Warm Bodies") both from FOX21. "These pilots illustrate our continued commitment to creating the next evolution of powerful original dramas for which USA is well known," said Chris McCumber, president of USA Network, "This particular mix of dramas comes from some of the top writers and producers in the industry, each of whom bring a distinct point of view and unique talent for developing...

Sneak Peek new footage from the next episode of the Alberta-lensed 'western' TV series "Hell On Wheels", airing August 24, 2013 on AMC, plus new images from the upcoming episode "Searchers".

The Alberta-lensed series stars Anson Mount as 'Cullen Bohannon', a former Confederate soldier who works as a foreman on the railroad as he tries to track down the Union soldiers who murdered his family.

Produced by Joe and Tony Gayton, the series focuses on the settlement that accompanied the construction of the first transcontinental railroad. 

This was referred to as 'Hell on Wheels' by the company men, surveyors, support workers, laborers, prostitutes, mercenaries and others who make the mobile encampment their home:

"...'Cullen' and 'Elam' try to secure a new lumber source following a railroad accident.

"Then 'Durant' tells 'Louise' a secret about Cullen..."

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Hell On Wheels: The Game"...

Sneak Peek new footage from "Range War", the third episode of the third season of AMC's 'western' TV series, "Hell On Wheels", airing August 17, 2013.

The Alberta-lensed series stars Anson Mount as 'Cullen Bohannon', a former Confederate soldier who works as a foreman on the railroad as he tries to track down the Union soldiers who murdered his family.

Produced by Joe and Tony Gayton, the series focuses on the settlement that accompanied the construction of the first transcontinental railroad. 

This was referred to as 'Hell on Wheels' by the company men, surveyors, support workers, laborers, prostitutes, mercenaries and others who make the mobile encampment their home.

"...in 'Range War', 'Cullen' and 'Elam' search for their stolen food on the prairie.

"Then a stranger's arrival threatens Elam's family..."

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Hell On Wheels: Range War"...

After a climactic raid by the Sioux that destroyed the town, found Lily Bell murdered and the Swede miraculously escaping, Hell on Wheels Season 3 had a big task of following up "Blood Moon/Blood Moon Rising" on its return trip.

The exiting of series' creators Joe and Tony Gayton as showrunners made matters difficult for the series, and the possibility of a third season was up in the air.

Luckily, John Wirth, a writer with credits on Falling Skies and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, came aboard the railroad building saga and the promise of new season with a new direction was born from the ashes of a structure that was falling apart.

In some ways the premiere felt similar in its focus of a rebirth, rebuilding and moving forward again on a story that began two years ago when Cullen Bohannon started his tale of revenge that inexplicably intertwined...

For a while, it wasn't clear if "Hell on Wheels" would ever see a Season 3. AMC renewed the series in November 2012, even though creators Joe and Tony Gayton were exiting the show. The very next week, showrunner John Shiban also walked away, putting the renewal on hold. It wasn't for a full month, when John Wirth was installed as new showrunner, that Season 3 was back on.

During AMC's presentation at the Summer 2013 TCA Press Day on Friday (July 26), Wirth spoke about what it was like to walk into the series in Season 3 and viewers can expect.

"I experienced the show the same way that you guys did, as a fan and a viewer ... When I was approached by AMC to take the job, I sat down with the episodes to watch them straight through from one to 20 and I asked my wife if she would sit with me and just give me her opinion,...

“We’re telling better stories, better this year,” Hell On Wheels showrunner John Wirth (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles), who is new to the show, told TV critics this afternoon at TCA Summer TV Press Tour 2013. Wirth’s the guy who came to the show after the creators’ contracts were not renewed and the guy who took their place took a powder three days later. Naturally press-tour attendees were eager to hear what the new guy had to say. Addressing the ballroom full of TV critics, reporters, bloggers, and tweeters, Wirth said he’s kept “virtually the same writing staff” but is taking a very different approach than that of creators Joe and Tony Gayton. “The show kicked off with revenge being the motivation. That gets wearisome for people over time,” Wirth said. “So we shifted gears…shifting more into an area of redemption, or as we call it, ‘reconstruction’. It’s opened the show,...

Exclusive: Cinemax has put in development The Straits, a drama series adaptation of the 2012 Australian series starring Brian Cox. Hell On Wheels creators Tony Gayton and Joe Gayton will write, executive produce and run the project, a gritty modern-day drama that tells the story of a powerful and dangerous crime family who run their business out of the Florida Keys and into Jamaica, trafficking drugs, guns and exotic animals. When the kingpin tells his three sons that he has not yet chosen a successor, he sets in motion a series of catastrophic events that could destroy the very business he’s fought to build. The original series, based on an idea by and co-starring actor Aaron Fa’aoso, was produced by Australian production company Matchbox Pictures, in which NBCUniversal has a majority stake. The Cinemax version will be co-produced by two other NBCU divisions, Working Title and Universal TV. The...

By Rachel Bennett

Television Editor & Columnist

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When AMC announced it renewed The Walking Dead for a fourth season Friday, it didn’t come as much of a surprise. What was a shock, however, is that showrunner Glen Mazzara will not return to oversee that season.

“For future seasons, the two parties have mutually decided to part ways,” says a joint statement from AMC and Mazzara. “Both parties acknowledge that there is a difference of opinion about where the show should go moving forward, and conclude that it is best to part ways. This decision is amicable and Glen will remain on for post-production on Season 3B.”

The statement adds, “Glen guided the series creatively for Seasons 2 and 3. AMC is grateful for his hard work.”

Mazzara released his own statement and expressed a similar sentiment. “My time as show runner on The Walking Dead has been an amazing experience, but after...

Another high-level showrunner departure for an AMC series. AMC just announced that it has renewed flagship drama The Walking Dead for a fourth season. But Glen Mazzara, who had served as showrunner following the abrupt departure of creator/original showrunner Frank Darabont early into the second season, is leaving. Speculations about Mazzara’s future on the show started when AMC didn’t follow its regular routine of giving The Walking Dead an early pickup despite the record-breaking ratings performance of the show’s recent fall portion of Season 3. There had been rumors that Mazzara was not happy on the show and may follow the slew of other showrunners who have departed AMC series – The Walking Dead‘s Frank Darabont, whom Mazzara succeeded, Rubicon creator/exec producer Jason Horwitch, who exited during production on its first and only season, and most recently Hell On Wheels showrunner John Shiban, who left after two seasons.

The Returned

ABC Studios, Plan B, and Brillstein Entertainment are developing the serialized drama "The Returned". Aaron Zelman (AMC’s The Killing) is penning the adaptation of Jason Mott's novel.

The story centers on a Midwestern town where the dead return to change the lives of those they left behind. [Source: Variety]

Hell on Wheels

Executive producer John Wirth will take over as showrunner on the AMC western "Hell on Wheels". Wirth takes over for John Shiban, who departed after just a few days in the job.

Joe and Tony Gayton ran the series for the first two seasons. The ten-episode third season is scheduled to premiere in the third-quarter of 2013. [Source: The Live Feed]

Hannibal

"The X-Files" star Gillian Anderson is set to guest star in a multi-episode arc in the upcoming NBC series "Hannibal".

Anderson plays Bedelia Du Maurier, a psychiatrist who serves as therapist to Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen). The show is expected to debut late Spring.

AMC's "Hell on Wheels" is back on track, with John Wirth named as the period drama's new showrunner, Deadline reports.

The Anson Mount series was renewed for a third season in October, but production was then put on hold after showrunner John Shiban chose to step down.

The show has had a tumultuous few months, with creators Joe and Tony Gayton leaving after their contracts were not renewed at the end of the second season. Shiban was supposed to take over for the duo, The Hollywood Reporter notes, but he left after a few days in charge. The Gaytons will reportedly stay on in a consulting role.

"As we gear up for season three of 'Hell On Wheels' we are pleased to have such an accomplished showrunner as John Wirth join our team,” Susie Fitzgerald, AMC’s Svp of scripted development and current programming, told Deadline. “With...

AMC has given the green light to a third season of "Hell on Wheels" now that it has a new showrunner in place.

John Wirth, a veteran writer and producer whose credits include "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles," "V" and "Nash Bridges," is joining the series as executive producer. Season 3 of "Hell on Wheels" is set to premiere next summer.

Wirth's hiring ends a six-week period in limbo for the show. AMC initially gave the go-ahead for a third season in late October, then backtracked a few days later when showrunner John Shiban followed creators Joe and Tony Gayton in departing the series. AMC then made the renewal contingent on hiring someone to take Shiban's place.

"Hell on Wheels," which stars Anson Mount, Common and Colm Meaney, averaged 3.2 million viewers per episode last season (including DVR viewing).

AMC has renewed Hell on Wheels for a third season… again.

Allow us to explain: The Western-set period drama was first given a Season 3 pickup back in October, but shortly thereafter executive producer John Shiban announced he’d be vacating his spot as showrunner. As a result, the renewal was put on hold. (Creators/EPs Joe and Tony Gayton also left the series after Season 2.)

Related | AMC Poised to Un-Cancel The Killing

On Wednesday, however, the cabler gave Hell‘s third season a green light, with John Wirth (Falling Skies) at the helm.

The 10-episode season is slated to bow...

Happy news for fans of AMC's 'Hell on Wheels', as it was announced this morning that Executive producer John Wirth will step in as a showrunner on the Western drama. Departing as shwrunner is John Shiban, who left for personal reasons. Previous creators/showrunners Joe and Tony Gayton also left the series after their contract was not renewed, according to Variety. The Gaytons reportedly are to remain as consultants. .As we gear up for season three of .Hell on Wheels. we are pleased to have such an accomplished show runner as John Wirth join our team,. said Susie Fitzgerald, AMC.s Svp of scripted development and current programmingin a press release. .With the help of our partners at Entertainment One,...

Hell on Wheels' third season is back on. Executive producer John Wirth has been tapped to take over as showrunner on the AMC  Western, the cable network announced Wednesday. Wirth takes over for John Shiban, who departed the Anson Mount starrer after a few days at the helm in November, citing personal reasons. Shiban, who had been with the series since its first season, was poised to take over the duties for creators/showrunners Joe and Tony Gayton, who exited the series after their contract was not picked up. Shiban will not stay on, while the Gaytons will remain as consultants.

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