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Exclusive: The Black List and Wif have announced the participants for the 2025 Episodic Lab.

Seven up-and-coming television writers have been chosen for the selective and intensive Lab, which is now in its ninth year.

Supported by the Golden Globe Foundation and Shivhans Pictures, the lab focuses on preparing women writers and writers of underrepresented genders for a career in writing television. The lab meets 2-3 times a week in March, with sessions that include master classes, workshops, and lectures from guest mentors.

Mentors this year include Krista Vernoff (Grey’s Anatomy), Julie Plec (The Vampire Diaries universe), Glen Mazzara (The Walking Dead), Nicole Jefferson Asher (P-Valley), Kassia Miller (High Potential), Sono Patel (Based on a True Story), Jane Becker (Nobody Wants This) and Mj Delaney (Ted Lasso).

Participants will also meet with a number of lab alumni mentors, including Anna Salinas (Loot), Alex Rubin (Sweet Magnolias), Hannah Stoddard & Jenny Ulmer (Reboot...

Here’s a look at this week’s biggest premieres, parties and openings in Los Angeles and New York, including red carpets for the MPTF NextGen Summer Party, Love in Taipei and Wif’s Valley Girl screening.

MPTF NextGen Summer Party

Darren Criss, Colman Domingo, Ben Barnes, Camilla Belle, Yvette Nicole Brown, Cristo Fernández, Max Greenfield, Olivia Holt, Michael Rooker, Reid Scott and Harry Shum Jr. were among the stars who attended the Motion Picture & Television Fund’s NextGen Summer Party on Sunday.

Yvette Nicole Brown, Colman Domingo and Max Greenfield Olivia Holt and Bailee Madison Michael Rooker, Cristo Fernandez, Paloma Cinco and Yvette Nicole Brown

Love in Taipei premiere

Paramount+ hosted a special premiere screening for it’s new film on Tuesday in Los Angeles, with support from director Arvin Chen, author/executive producer Abigail Hing Wen and producer Matt Kaplan.

Arvin Chen and Abigail Hing Wen Matt...

Exclusive: Film Independent has set 26 filmmakers from 15 nations to participate in the 2023 edition of their Global Media Makers LA Residency, which is being held in person this month.

A mentoring initiative and cultural exchange program that connects American filmmakers and industry pros with filmmakers spread across the globe, Gmm sees Fellows participate in filmmaking tracks focused on screenwriting, directing, creative development and documentary filmmaking, where they develop their current projects alongside a team of U.S. mentors.

The program, presented by Film Independent and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, further bolsters up-and-comers by providing access to master classes, industry sessions and field trips, as well as cultural engagement and networking opportunities.

This edition of Gmm is the eighth put on since 2016, and as always, the selection process was highly competitive, attracting a diverse pool of media makers, with the countries of Angola, Libya,...

Exclusive: Starz’s eight-episode drama series The Venery of Samantha Bird has added Mission: Impossible actor Henry Czerny and Desperate Housewives actor Doug Savant in recurring roles.

Katherine Langford stars as Samantha Bird, who, while visiting family in New England, reconnects with her childhood sweetheart (Finn Jones) and falls headlong into a seemingly perfect storybook romance. But underneath their fever dream lurks a more unsettling interpretation of this affair. The series is described as a haunting portrayal of addictive love and the repercussions that a relationship has on the families in a small New England town.

Related: 2023 Starz Pilots & Series Orders

Czerny will play Teddy, Samantha’s father and a former artist and teacher. Theodore “Teddy” Bird moves to Little Yorn with his wife, Nan, reuniting with their longtime friends, Al and Carol Minot.

Savant plays Al Minot, a sharp businessman who is deeply invested in maintaining the town of...

Starz is filling out the cast of its drama series The Venery of Samantha Bird, starring Katherine Langford.

Seven actors — Finn Jones, Francesca Reale, Embeth Davidtz, Brenda Strong, Adam Faison, Shalini Bathina and Tyrone Marshall Brown — have joined 13 Reasons Why star Langford in the psychological thriller created by Anna Moriarty. Starz gave the project an eight-episode order in October.

Additionally, Larysa Kondracki (Better Call Saul, Power Book IV) has signed on to direct four episodes and will be an executive producer. Nicole Jefferson Asher (P-Valley) will be a co-exec producer.

The Venery of Samantha Bird follows the title character (Langford) as she visits family in New England. There she reconnects with her childhood sweetheart and falls headlong into a seemingly perfect storybook romance. But underneath their fever dream lurks a more unsettling interpretation of the affair.

Jones (Iron Fist) will play Jake Minot, the aforementioned childhood sweetheart. Fearless and charismatic,...

Starz has rounded out the series regular cast for The Venery of Samantha Bird, its upcoming drama series starring Katherine Langford. Finn Jones (Iron Fist), Embeth Davidtz (The Morning Show), Brenda Strong (13 Reasons Why), Adam Faison (Everything’s Gonna Be Ok), Shalini Bathina (Little Voice) and Tyrone Marshall Brown (Love Is) join Langford in the series created by Anna Moriarty. Additionally, Larysa Kondracki has been added as executive producer and will serve as director on four episodes, including the pilot, and Nicole Jefferson Asher has joined as co-executive producer. Starz also confirmed the casting of Francesca Reale, whom we previously reported.

Related: 2022-23 Starz Pilots & Series Orders

The eight-episode series revolves around Langford’s Samantha Bird, who, while visiting family in New England, reconnects with her childhood sweetheart (Jones) and falls headlong into a seemingly perfect storybook romance. But underneath their...

Starz has added seven more to the cast of its forthcoming drama, “The Venery of Samantha Bird,” including Finn Jones, Francesca Reale, Embeth Davidtz, Brenda Strong, Adam Faison, Tyrone Marshall Brown and Shalini Bathina.

The new batch of series regulars joins previously announced star Katherine Langford, who will portray the show’s titular character.

The eight-episode drama follows Samantha Bird (Langford) who, while visiting family in New England, reconnects with her childhood sweetheart and falls headlong into a seemingly perfect storybook romance. But the couple’s picture-perfect love story isn’t as sweet as it seems on the surface.

Jones will play Jake Minot, Samantha’s former childhood sweetheart. While it’s been some time since the two has seen each other, they still manage to pick up like no time has passed after they reconnect during her trip.

Reale (“Stranger Things”) will play Ellie Bird, Samantha’s confident, intelligent and pleasantly outspoken youngest sister.

Chef and humanitarian José Andrés has joined TheGrill 2022 for a Spotlight Conversation about his work providing meals in crisis zones including Ukraine and Puerto Rico, as well as his recent foray into entertainment with an unscripted travel series, podcasts, and newsletter.

Earlier this year, Andrés and his remarkable non-profit World Central Kitchen were the subject of the Emmy-nominated Ron Howard documentary “We Feed People.” He also launched his own production company José Andrés Media (Jam) with an upcoming Discovery+ series along with the podcasts “Longer Tables” and “Pressure Cooker.

Other speakers just added to TheGrill conference taking place on October 11-12 in Los Angeles include actress-activist Jodie Sweetin, who will talk about Hollywood post-Roe; actress-podcaster Becca Tobin, who will talk about navigating between the screen and audible storytelling, and blockbuster producer Roy Lee who joins a panel on theatrical vs. streaming led by former IMAX Entertainment CEO Greg Foster.

Also Read:

Kevin Mayer,...

More than 400 prominent female writers and showrunners sent a letter today to the heads of the major studios expressing their “grave concerns” about the companies’ “lack of specific production protocols” to protect their workers in anti-abortion states.

The letters, which state that “it is unacceptable to ask any person to choose between their human rights and their employment,” also demanded that the companies “pledge to discontinue all political donations to anti-abortion candidates and political action committees immediately.”

Deadline has obtained a copy of the letter to Netflix, which organizers say was sent to top executives at Amazon Studios, AMC Networks, Apple, Disney, Lionsgate, NBCUniversal, Netflix, Paramount Global, , and Warner Bros. Discovery.

The letters, whose signers include Ava DuVernay, Shonda Rhimes, Amy Schumer, Marta Kauffman, Callie Khouri, WGA West vice president Michele Mulroney and WGA West secretary-treasurer Betsy Thomas, said that “this situation raises basic matters of equality, health, and safety in the workplace.

The title of Netflix’s miniseries “Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker” implies that it’s not entirely a factual retelling of the pioneering entrepreneur, philanthropist, and activist’s life. In fact, the influence fundamental to Walker’s remarkable story barely exists in this rather underwhelming jumble.

The one thing that’s clear is that writers Nicole Jefferson Asher and Elle Johnson (working from a bio written by Walker’s great-great-granddaughter A’Lelia Bundles) and directors Kasi Lemmons and DeMane Davis want to tell a story that inspires and entertains. The degree to which they succeed in doing that is what’s ultimately in question. It’s pointless to critique creative license here, as many critics continue to do, so don’t expect much of a deep dive into the itinerant history of Walker’s business, which is highly abridged in the series, as are her philanthropic and social work.

Octavia Spencer is all about beautiful hair and Benjamins in the first trailer for Netflix’s “Self Made,” a limited series about Madam C.J. Walker, the trailblazing African American haircare entrepreneur who was America’s first female self-made millionaire.

In the video, which you can view above, Sarah Breedlove a.k.a. Madam Cj Walker (Spencer), says it’s time to tell her story.

“Seems like I was born to struggle,” she says in a voiceover, as we watch her scrubbing laundry. “After a while, I guess I just lost hope. That’s when my hair started falling out.”

She gets some help from a lady whose product helps her hair grow back, but when Walker offers to sell the haircare wonder for the woman, she tells her she doesn’t think sales of “for” Walker. That’s when Sarah decides to take matters into her own hands, doing...

Netflix is leaning into its strengths in 2020. Not only is the streaming giant pumping out dozens, if not hundreds of new shows, but many of their original series meet the demand illustrated by past successes or fill holes left by departing favorites.

So is there a new “Stranger Things” on the horizon? Perhaps a worthy follow-up to “Orange Is the New Black?” What about a replacement for syndicated sitcoms like “The Office” and “Friends”? You better believe Netflix is working to give subscribers what they want, and the below 2020 preview should illustrate exactly that.

With more competition than ever from Disney and Apple, and even more services on the way (hello HBO Max and Peacock), 2020 will be a critical year for the current king of streaming. So here’s what they’re working with:

“Locke and Key”

Release Date: Friday, February 7

Cast: Darby Stanchfield, Jackson Robert Scott, Connor Jessup, Emilia Jones,...

Netflix has unveiled the official title and premiere date for their previously announced C.J. Walker project starring Octavia Spencer. The four-part limited series Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker will debut on the streaming platform March 20. Netflix also released the first look at Spencer as the iconic figure in history.

In the series, Oscar-winning actress Spencer stars as Sarah Breedlove, known as Madam C.J. Walker, the black hair care pioneer and mogul who overcame hostile turn-of-the-century America, epic rivalries, tumultuous marriages and family challenges to become America’s first black, female self-made millionaire.

The series is inspired by the book, On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C. J. Walker by Walker’s great-great-granddaughter A’Lelia Bundles. Walker overcame post-slavery racial and gender biases, personal betrayals, and business rivalries to build a ground-breaking brand that revolutionized black haircare, as she simultaneously fought for social change.

Bill Bellamy has joined the cast of the forthcoming Netflix limited series “Madam Cj Walker,” which tells the story of the black hair care pioneer and mogul.

The four-part series hails from executive producers LeBron James and Octavia Spencer, who will also star as the titular Madam. The series is inspired by the book “‘On Her Own Ground’ “by A’Lelia Bundles, Walker’s great-great-granddaughter.

Bellamy will play Sweetness, a smart, savvy numbers banker who gets inspired by Madam Walker’s success and angles for a way to get in good with her, by any means necessary. He joins other previously announced cast members Tiffany Haddish, Carmen Ejogo, Blair Underwood, Garrett Morris, and Kevin Carroll.

The actor and stand-up comedian rose to prominence through his performances on “Comedy Def Jam” in the 1990s. More recently, Bellamy appeared in a recurring role on HBO’s “Insecure.”

The series is slated to...

Bill Bellamy has joined the cast of Madam Cj Walker, a four-part limited series starring and executive produced by Oscar winner Octavia Spencer and executive produced by LeBron James. It’s slated for premiere in 2020.

Written by Janine Sherman Barrois, Elle Johnson and Nicole Jefferson Asher, Madam Cj Walker tells the untold, culturally important, and highly relevant story of black hair care pioneer and mogul Madam Cj Walker (Spencer) and how she overcame hostile turn-of-the-century America, epic rivalries, tumultuous marriages and family challenges to become America’s first black, self-made female millionaire.

Bellamy will play Sweetness, a smart, savvy numbers banker who gets inspired by Madam Walker’s success and angles for a way to get in good with her – by any means necessary.

In addition to Spencer, Bellamy joins previously announced Tiffany Haddish, Carmen Ejogo, Blair Underwood, Garrett Morris and Kevin Carroll.

Madam Cj Walker...

Bill Bellamy is the latest cast member to join Netflix’s upcoming four-part limited series “Madam Cj Walker.”

He joins series lead Octavia Spencer, as well as Tiffany Haddish, Blair Underwood, Carmen Ejogo, Garrett Morris and Kevin Carroll.

Inspired by the book “On Her Own Ground” by Walker’s great-great-granddaughter A’Lelia Bundles, the limited series “tells the untold, culturally important, and highly relevant story of black hair care pioneer and mogul Madam Cj Walker and how she overcame hostile turn-of-the-century America, epic rivalries, tumultuous marriages and family challenges to become America’s first black, self-made female millionaire,” according to Netflix.

Bellamy (“Insecure”) will play Sweetness, described as a smart, savvy numbers banker who gets inspired by Madam Walker’s success and angles for a way to get in good with her – by any means necessary.

Spencer stars as Sarah Breedlove a.k.a. Madam Cj Walker, while Haddish plays Lelia,...

Netflix’s Octavia Spencer-led limited series “Madam C.J. Walker” has added a few more famous faces to its cast, including Tiffany Haddish, Blair Underwood, Garrett Morris, Carmen Ejogo and Kevin Carroll.

Created by Nicole Jefferson Asher, the four-part show “tells the untold, culturally important, and highly relevant story of black hair care pioneer and mogul Madam Cj Walker and how she overcame hostile turn-of-the-century America, epic rivalries, tumultuous marriages and family challenges to become America’s first black, self-made female millionaire,” according to the streaming service.

Spencer stars as Sarah Breedlove a.k.a. Madam Cj Walker, and will executive produce the show, which is set to launch in 2020.

Also Read: Octavia Spencer to Star in Netflix Limited Series About First Self-Made Black, Female Millionaire

Here are the character descriptions for the new cast members, each in Netflix’s own words:

Haddish (“The Kitchen”) will play Lelia, the smart...

Tiffany Haddish and Carmen Ejogo are among five actors who have been cast in the forthcoming Netflix limited series “Madam Cj Walker” about the black hair care pioneer and mogul.

The four-part series hails from executive producers LeBron James and Octavia Spencer, who will also star as the titular Madam. The series is inspired by the book “‘On Her Own Ground’ “by A’Lelia Bundles, Walker’s great-great-granddaughter.

Haddish will play Lelia, the smart and feisty daughter of Sarah Breedlove (Madam Walker) and her late first husband. Raised by her single, hard-working mother, she is eager to be independent. After falling in love and marrying the feckless John Robinson, she frequently finds herself coming to her husband’s defenses. Meanwhile Ejogo will play Addie, a hairstylist and former friend of Sarah Breedlove. Addie is described as a savvy business woman herself, who parlays her good looks and social standing into...

Lionsgate label Codeblack Films is partnering with Sanaa Lathan to executive produce and star in a film based on Omar Tyree’s bestselling book trilogy Flyy Girl, which it acquired in July 2013 with Dear White People producer Effie Brown aboard. Now Lathan will star as Flyy Girl protagonist Tracy Ellison, a beautiful, intelligent, and somewhat sassy goal-driven woman. Lionsgate said Precious scribe Geoffrey Fletcher will rewrite Nicole Jefferson-Asher’s script. The Flyy Gir…...

Special effects legend Rick Baker formally announced his retirement this week. Baker cited a “cheap and fast” philosophy in the movie industry that was at odds with his desire to ensure things got done right as the catalyst for his retirement. Baker’s work stretches across several prominent films, from An American Werewolf in London to Videodrome to The Rocketeer to Ed Wood to Tim Burton’s Planet of the Apes and Tropic Thunder. Baker also worked on the Men in Black films and Michael Jackson’s famous “Thriller” music video. The 2014 feature Maleficent will now stand as his last work.

Baker will, however, be auctioning off his famous work via The Prop Store, beginning today.

Jessica Chastain and Amy Schumer are poised to work together on a new comedy. The Tracking Board has reported that Chastain, known mostly for her dramatic work in features such as The Tree of Life and Zero Dark Thirty,...

Exclusive: Azealia Banks, the provocative hip-hop artist who made her debut last year with the album Broke With Expensive Taste, has just landed her first starring role in a feature film. She’ll play the title character in Coco, a drama for Lionsgate and Codeblack Films that will be directed by Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA. She stars with Common, Jill Scott, Lucien Laviscount, Lorraine Toussaint and Hana Mae Lee. It has a script from Nicole Jefferson Asher and will be produced by…...

Codeblack Films has tapped Effie Brown to produce the feature film adaptation of Omar Tyree’s bestselling book trilogy Flyy Girl. Brown and her banner Duly Noted will oversee development and recruitment of the creative team alongside Codeblack's Jeff Clanagan and Quincy Newell. Nicole Jefferson-Asher is on board to write the script. The story explores the journey of Tracey Ellison, a successful businesswoman and workaholic who believes that money is always the key to…...

The mighty and all-powerful Chicago Underground Film Festival has done the absolute unthinkable: Reached their 20th year of operation! How many underground festivals have accomplished that feat? None, until now! Well, “now” being March 6-10 at the fest’s new location: The Logan Theatre.

Obviously, there are a lot of people who have worked with the fest over the years to help make it last for exactly two fantastic decades, but, truly, there is one special person who has to be specially lauded for his tireless dedication to the advancement of underground film and its makers. Especially because Cuff hasn’t just been around for 20 years: It’s been fucking awesome for 20 years.

That person, of course, is Artistic Director Bryan Wendorf, who has been with the fest for the very first edition to it’s most recent, mind-blowing one. Year after year, Wendorf has guided Cuff into defining, challenging,...

Fox has selected 10 finalists for its inaugural diversity writing program and selected a crop of speakers for the effort that includes Bones showrunner Hart Hanson. The Fox Writers Intensive, designed to nurture writers with diverse voices, backgrounds and life experiences, has selected the following from a crop of more than 300 applicants: · Nick Citton (Advance Talent Management) · Alessia Costantini  (Artist International Management) · Jan Eliasberg (Rain Management Group) · Jason Gavin (The Alpern Group) · Nicole Jefferson Asher (Gersh) · Tina Mabry (Independent) · Eric Nazarian (CAA) · Mark Valadez (Brant Rose Agency) · Thomas Wong (Gersh)

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