10 TV Pilots Likely to Score Series Pickups
1. Stumptown | The comic book take is the early drama leader at ABC. Fox-turned-Disney execs Peter Rice and Dana Walden are reviewing everything — including deals with veteran series like The Goldbergs — and will have a hand alongside Burke in determining pickups and renewals this season. While the network has yet to formally finish screening all of its pilots, the Oni Press graphic novel adaption starring How I Met Your Mother grad Cobie Smulders has emerged as a standout. Burke's larger goal is to see ABC regain its perch as the most-watched broadcast network among women and this drama sees Smulders playing a strong, assertive and unapologetically sharp-witted Amy vet solving everyone's messes — but her own. Multiple sources say the network is impressed with Smulders' performance, with the actress one of the few name stars to land at the network this season. Dick Wolf's New York Undercover revival also is gaining traction as NYPD Blue is heating up following a strong Wednesday screening. Also looking good is Hypnotist's Love Story starring Heather Graham, which is based on the book by red-hot Big Little Lies author Liane Moriarty. Heart of Life, the sibling drama inspired by the John Mayer song of the same name, also has buzz given its pedigree and leading man in Harry Shum Jr. (who is expected to be the next lead in the Crazy Rich Asians sequel).
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From ‘Batwoman’ to ‘Evil,’ a Look at Pilot Season’s Buzziest Projects
Comedy “Carol’s Second Act,” the Patricia Heaton project that got a series commitment when it was first announced, is considered a lock for a pickup. Also looking like solid bets to go series: “To Whom It May Concern,” which stars Michael Angarano and Briga Heelan, and Chuck Lorre’s “Bob Hearts Abishola.”
Drama-wise, “Evil” from Robert and Michelle King is said to be a standout this year. Sources say the Kings worked out a deal where they may not have to do a full 22-episode season, which helped lure them back to broadcast. They currently have “The Good Fight” on CBS All Access and are preparing the legal drama “Your Honor” at Showtime.
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