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Sony's original series 'Powers' renewed for a second season
Sony has announced it is bringing Powers back for a second season. And, all things considered, it's easy to see why. As an entertainment platform, the future of PlayStation's original programming depends heavily on the success of Powers, a series based on the comic book story from Brian Michael Bendis. Thankfully for Sony, after premiering back in March, Powers quickly became a favorite for viewers and rose to the top of the charts on PlayStation Network. The company says season two is scheduled to debut in the US next year, although it didn't provide a specific time frame. In a statement, President of Programming and Development at Sony Pictures Television, Jamie Erlicht, said the new chapter will "broaden the Powers universe and bring even more of the fan-favorite characters and storylines to life."
Netflix's first UK original is about the Queen and it's coming in 2016
It's been rumored for months, but Netflix has finally confirmed that it's working on its first original TV series from the UK. Given its origins, it should come as no surprise that the show is about none other than the Queen, exploring her relationships with some of Britain's most infamous Prime Ministers. Whether this heralds a future of possible UK-specific shows on the weather and crumpets remains to be seen, but what we do know is that it's called The Crown and will be based on a West End play called The Audience. It'll premiere as a 10-episode mini-season in 2016 and while the cast is still a closely guarded secret, Netflix revealed that Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot, The Hours) is directing, Andy Harries (The Queen) is producing and Peter Morgan (The Queen, Frost/Nixon) is one of the show's writers. Given their combined experience with royalty-themed movies, not to mention the six Academy Award nominations shared between them, it's fair to say this trio have a pretty good shot of delivering something you'll want to binge-watch with a fresh cup of tea.
Netflix's next original series is a collaboration with Canada's Rogers
Video-streaming titan Netflix is set to continue its original production efforts with Between, an upcoming six-episode drama series. The story will be produced in partnership with Shomi, a video on-demand service from Canadian wireless carrier Rogers; and City, a television station based out of Toronto. Strangely enough, when Shomi's VOD offering was launched roughly a couple of months ago, it was pegged as a direct competitor to Netflix -- though that's clearly not going to be the case. Plot-wise, Between follows the story of a strange disease in a small town that has abolished everyone under 21 years old, and was created by Canada's own Michael McGowan, director of Still Mine and One Week, among other relatively popular indie films. No definite timing yet, but the series is going to premiere on Shomi and City in Canada, while the rest of the world will be able to catch it on Netflix.
Hulu working on original series from Stephen King and J.J. Abrams
The extreme popularity of shows like House of Cards and Orange is the New Black means streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu are making an even bigger push for original content. Accordingly, Hulu today announced that it has given the green light to start production on 11/22/63, an original series based on the novel by renowned author Stephen King, who is also listed as a producer alongside J.J. Abrams. Hulu's newly introduced show, which will be done in collaboration with Warner Bros., is a thriller/love story that focuses on the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Basically, as expressed in the image above, a character tries to change the outcome of the events which took place on that day, November 22nd, 1963. Whether it'll be worth watching is yet to be determined, but this shows Hulu isn't ready to let Netflix have all the fun when it comes to creating new programming.
Netflix has a new original series for kids, courtesy of DreamWorks
The relationship between Netflix and DreamWorks is one that just keeps on giving. Accordingly, the video-streaming giant has announced that it is partnering with the studio yet again, this time to bring DreamWorks Dragons to the platform as an original series for kids. Dragons, based on the popular How to Train Your Dragon franchise, will debut next year on Netflix and is said to "bridge the gap" between the first feature film and the sequel that's slated to premiere this summer. Previously, the TV series had made Cartoon Network its home, with a total of 40 episodes split between two seasons.
Fraggle Rock returns from the '80s as Hulu's first original kids show
For video services like Hulu and Netflix, there's no doubt that having a solid lineup of original content is imperative for the future. But, it is also very important to cover as many demographics as possible, whether it be that of people who love a good drama, or kids who need to watch something a little more colorful. With the debut of Doozers on the streaming platform today, Hulu now has a show that a young audience can enjoy and, in the process, continues to grow its portfolio of original series.
Netflix signs Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin to original series, but what about Dolly?
When Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton came together to form the holy trinity of dark comedy in 1980's 9 to 5, VHS was still relatively young. Fast-forward 34 years and your VCR (if you still have one) is likely covered in dust and cobwebs, but the star power of those three women hasn't faded. Netflix, the company arguably responsible for the death of the video store, is bringing Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda together again for yet another original series called Grace and Frankie. The comedy, which shares a creator with Friends, will run 13, 30-minute episodes, and finds Grace (Fonda) and Frankie (Tomlin) as bitter rivals brought together when their husbands fall in love and announce plans to get married. Netflix has seen previous success with original hit series like Orange is the New Black and Emmy-award-wining House of Cards, and recently announced that it surpassed HBO in paid US subscribers. There are no specifics on an airdate for Grace and Frankie, or whether Dolly Parton will appear in a cameo (please, oh pop culture gods!), but Ted Sarandos, Netflix Chief Content Officer, has called it "anything but wholesome." Fingers crossed that means we'll see Fonda returning to her roots with some Barbarella-esque oddity. (Images: AP / Getty)
Netflix recruits creators of 'Damages' to premiere a psychological thriller original series
No one can deny Netflix is betting big on its original content -- and for very good reasons, mind you. In light of this, the video streaming giant is already preparing to premiere yet another series of its own: a psychological thriller from the brains behind the television show Damages. Netflix announced today it has signed up Todd A. Kessler, Glenn Kessler and Daniel Zelman to create a 13-episode original, with the plot focusing around "a family of adult siblings whose secrets and scars are revealed when their black sheep brother returns home." The new series, which will be produced by Sony Pictures Television, is expected to start production in early 2014 -- Netflix hasn't revealed the official name yet, but we'll let you know as soon as we find that out. [Image credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP]
Amazon adds Amy Sedaris, Wanda Sykes and Cynthia Nixon to 'Alpha House' cast
Amazon Studios clearly isn't messing about. One of the more notable series in its original round of pilots is getting a bit more star power. Comedians Amy Sedaris, Wanda Sykes and Sex and the City alum Cynthia Nixon are set to join the cast of Alpha House, which already includes the likes of John Goodman. The Garry Trudeau-penned show is shaping up to be the largest of Amazon's first round of five green lit series. The show will premier through the company's streaming service later this year. Billy Steele contributed Photoshopped magic to this report.
Lionsgate bringing 'Deadbeat' original series to Hulu next year
It's not the first original series to hit the streaming site, but Lionsgate is delivering some seasoned vets for its upcoming Hulu show, Deadbeat. Co-created by Cody Heller and Brett Konner of FX's talking dog show, Wilfred, the "supernatural comedy" series will be produced by Brad Pitt's Plan B Entertainment and directed / executive produced by Flight of the Conchords / Arrested Development's Troy Miller. The first ten episodes are set to begin production in the fall and will begin airing next year.
Twitter rumored to be pitching in-feed video shows to studios
Twitter has been making a giant push for expanded tweets from content providers. It's only a short logical leap from that to Twitter providing the content itself, and that's exactly what AdWeek claims may well happen. Its unconfirmed tipsters have the microblog taking a page from YouTube by pitching Hollywood movie and TV studios on "several" original shows that would live in followers' feeds, including the seemingly inescapable reality show. While Twitter wouldn't have someone in the director's chair, it might still play a role by letting viewers affect the show as it's happening -- and of course, running ads. Silence is the only official response to the rumor from Twitter so far; don't plan your viewing schedule just yet, but do brace yourself in case Twitter breaks out a Horse ebooks cameo to boost ratings in mid-season.
Starz Entertainment producing first original series: "Crash"
With DirecTV churning out a respectable amount of original content for its exclusive The 101 channel, Starz Entertainment is looking to do the same for a wider audience. Dennis Hopper has been signed on to act in the company's first-ever original drama, which will be based on the Academy Award-winning picture Crash and will (very unimaginatively) be titled "Crash." The show, which will be co-produced with Lionsgate, has already begun production in New Mexico, and if all goes to plan, the premiere episode will air in October. [Image courtesy of StarPulse]
Odyssey: Driving Around the World to make US debut in HD on DirecTV's The 101
DirecTV has been queuing up series for its exclusive The 101 channel for some time now, but if you were curious as to when the next would arrive, here's your sign. Defiance Entertainment's Odyssey: Driving Around the World is all set to make its US debut on said network, as it ventures to take viewers across "four continents and two oceans, all to raise money and awareness for Parkinson's disease." The show attempts to integrate "extreme adventure travel with social responsibility," and will touch down in places such as Costa Rica, Macchu Picchu, Argentina, Australia and Myanmar (just to name a few). Travel junkies, set your HD DVRs -- the 13-episode series takes off on June 5th at 8:00PM ET.
DirecTV queues up another HD series on The 101
For DirecTV subscribers worried that The 101 would go to waste by broadcasting content solely in SD, we've excellent news. Just weeks after announcing its first HD series on the channel and boasting that it would be covering the South by Southwest Music Festival in high-def, along comes news that yet another series is on deck. Hometown Heroes will reportedly hone in on everyday people "who make a difference in their community," and will seek to inspire viewers throughout the ten-part series to take action in their own neighborhoods. Things get kicked off on April 6th at 9:00PM ET /PT, and we have all ideas we'll be seeing a lot more content where this came from.
