‘Beauty and the Beast’ Prequel Series Delayed at Disney Plus

Joe Otterson TV ReporterMelissa Benoist could soon be returning to the Berlanti-verse.Variety has confirmed with sources that Benoist is in talks to star in the series “Girls on the Bus” at HBO Max, which is executive produced by Greg Berlanti. Berlanti previously executive produced The CW series “Supergirl,” which starred Benoist in the title role.Reps for HBO Max and Warner Bros. Television declined to comment.It was announced on Thursday that “Girls on the Bus” has received a straight-to-series order at HBO Max after previously having been set up at The CW and Netflix.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe “Fallout” TV series at Amazon has cast Walton Goggins in a lead role, Variety has learned.Like the video games on which it is based, the “Fallout” series is set in a world where the future envisioned by Americans in the late 1940s explodes upon itself through a nuclear war in 2077.Amazon had no comment on the character Goggins will play in the series. According to sources, he will play a character based on the ghouls from the games.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterJulie Plec and Amy Chozick’s “The Girls on the Bus” is on the move again, this time to HBO Max.The streamer has given the drama series a straight-to-series order. It was most recently set up at The CW for development, having moved to the broadcaster from Netflix. Netflix had originally given the show a series order back in 2019, but it was previously reported that they had dropped the show after the pandemic pushed back the start of production.“The Girls on the Bus” is inspired by a chapter in Chozick’s book “Chasing Hillary.” The show is described as a comedic character-driven drama that chronicles four female journalists who follow every move of a parade of flawed presidential candidates, while finding friendship, love, and scandal along the way.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterFX and BBC have announced the main cast for the upcoming “Great Expectations” limited series, Variety has learned.The six-episode version of the Charlies Dickens classic will star: Olivia Colman (“The Favourite,” “The Crown”) as Miss Havisham, Fionn Whitehead (“Dunkirk,” “Bandersnatch”) as Pip, Ashley Thomas (“Them,” “The Night Of”) as Jaggers, Johnny Harris (“London to Brighton,” “This Is England ’86”)  as Magwitch, Shalom Brune-Franklin (“Roadkill,” “Line of Duty”) as Estella, Hayley Squires (“I, Daniel Blake,” “The Electrical Life of Louis Wain”)  as Sara, Owen McDonnell (“Killing Eve,” “Women on the Verge” as Joe, Trystan Gravelle (“A Discovery of Witches,” “The Terror”) as Compeyson, and Matt Berry (“What We Do in the Shadows,” “Toast of London”) as Mr. Pumblechuck. Steven Knight is writing and executive producing the series.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterKeri Russell has been cast in the lead role of the upcoming Netflix series “The Diplomat.”The series was ordered at the streamer in January. In the series, in the midst of an international crisis, a career diplomat (Russell) lands in a high-profile job she’s unsuited for, with tectonic implications for her marriage and her political future.Debora Cahn created the series and also serves as executive producer and showrunner.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterPaul Reiser has joined the cast of the upcoming Hulu comedy series “Reboot” from Steven Levitan.Reiser is taking over the role of Gordon in the series from Michael McKean. He joins previously announced cast members Judy Greer, Keegan-Michael Key, Johnny Knoxville, Rachel Bloom, Calum Worthy, and Krista Marie Yu.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterMelissa Fumero has joined the upcoming Netflix comedy series “Blockbuster,” Variety has learned.Fumero joins previously announced cast member Randall Park in the single-cam comedy, which takes place at the last Blockbuster Video in America. Further castings for the ensemble workplace comedy will be announced at a later date.Fumero will play Eliza, described as a dedicated mother whose marriage to her high school sweetheart is on the rocks. She left Harvard after one semester to start a family and now works at Blockbuster alongside Timmy (Park) as his trusty number two.Fumero is best known for her starring role as Det.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterParamount Plus is mining even more Nickelodeon content to fill out its content slate.The streamer announced a slew of new projects that will be produced by Nickelodeon and Nickelodeon Animation as part of the ViacomCBS investor day presentation on Feb. 15.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterMost of the “Teen Wolf” main cast is reuniting for the previously announced Paramount Plus film revival.Variety exclusively reported that the film was in the works in September 2021. “Teen Wolf” creator Jeff Davis will write and executive produce the film. The returning cast includes: Tyler Posey as Scott McCall, Holland Roden as Lydia Martin, Shelley Hennig as Malia Tate, Crystal Reed as Allison Argent, Orny Adams as Coach Bobby Finstock, Linden Ashby as Sheriff Noah Stilinski, JR Bourne as Chris Argent, Seth Gilliam as Dr.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterA “Sonic the Hedgehog” series about Knuckles is in the works at Paramount Plus.The announcement was made as part of the ViacomCBS (now Paramount) investor day presentation.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterPeacock has given a straight-to-series order to the true crime series “A Friend of the Family,” which tells the story of the multiple kidnappings of Jan Broberg.Anna Paquin, Jake Lacy, Colin Hanks, and Lio Tipton will all star in the series, which hails from “The Act” co-creator Nick Antosca. The show was originally announced as being in development back in May 2020.“A Friend of the Family” is based on the true story of the Broberg family, whose daughter Jan was kidnapped multiple times over a period of years by a charismatic, obsessed family “friend.” The Brobergs — devoted to their faith, family, and community — were utterly unprepared for the sophisticated tactics their neighbor used to exploit their vulnerabilities, drive them apart, and turn their daughter against them.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe new ABC drama “Promised Land” is moving over to Hulu.The drama series premiered on the broadcast network on Jan. 24.

The Masked Singer will be on our screens until 2024 with loads more bonkers costumes.ITV’s guessing game hosted by Joel Dommett has proved so successful after three series on the box, bosses have ordered two more.Saturday’s final - won by ex-Neighbours star Natalie Imbruglia as Panda - drew a peak audience of 7.8 million.Bandicoot TV, who make the show, are thrilled.Boss Derek McLean said: “We are already plotting the next spectacularly surreal season.”Winner Natalie Imbruglia said on Monday she was sad to hear Neighbours - the Australian soap where she launched her career as Beth Brennan - was being axed after 37 years and she would love to return for the finale.She said: “I am really sad. All of us love Neighbours and have grown up with it.“It should go on forever.

IT has been a roller-coaster week for Rita Ora – but she’s not feeling down. The For You singer beamed as she went for dinner with her boyfriend, film director Taika Waititi, in Los Angeles, dressed to the nines in this black and white leopard print dress and black heels.

Singer Natalie Imbruglia was crowned the winner of The Masked Singer UK after she was unveiled as Panda on the hit ITV show. The Australian-British songwriter and actress, who has hits including Torn, Shiver and Wrong Impression, floored Mo Gilligan, Rita Ora, Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall and guest judge Joss Stone during the final on Saturday 12 February.

The Masked Singer crowned Natalie Imbruglia its winner - but some fans of the ITV show felt her rivals had been robbed of the top prize.The epic final of the third series of the singing show aired on Saturday night (February 12), and it saw Natalie beat Robobunny and Mushroom for the top spot.Robobunny came third place, and was unveiled as Westlife star Mark Feehily - leaving judge Rita Ora gushing as she's a big fan of the Irish band.In second place was Mushroom, who was unmasked to be Welsh singer Charlotte Church.However, many fans weren't happy with the result, and they complained about the show on Twitter.Some fans felt Charlotte deserved to win the show.One said: "Charlotte Church robbed on #TheMaskedSinger"A second agreed: "Church ‘Mushroom’ deserved the win…don’t know why ‘Panda’ won. Vote defos wasn’t based off talent"A third fumed: "as if she was better than Charlotte church what a waste of my weekends"Other felt like Westlife's Mark should have been crowned the victor.One said: "Natalie Umbruglia?! Are you sh***ing me?! Thats nothing compared to Mark from Westlife doing multiple voices! Can't help but feel robbed"A second agreed: "Omg come on! Robobunny was way better! Mark from Westlife doing multiple voices! And you give it to some has been! Have a day off! Massive anti climax!"Others were delighted that Natalie won, though.One said: "Congratulations Natalie Imbruglia.

The Masked Singer has bought a number of show-stopping performances and unexpected reveals this series.However, there are still three celebs who have yet to be unmasked.Last weekend, saw the dramatic reveal of Aled Jones as Traffic Cone and Michelle Williams as Rockhopper.The hit ITV competition is due to air it's final episode this Saturday with judges Davina McCall, Mo Gilligan, Jonathan Ross and Rita Ora attempting to guess who Panda, Mushroom and Robobunny are.Viewers are convinced they know who Panda is under the mask from the clues given. The Daily Star takes a look into the theories behind the celebs Panda could be.Some major clues were dropped on the ITV show leading fans to believe Panda could be Cheryl Tweedy.

Rita Ora wowed her fans as she stepped out for The Masked Singer UK final in a sheer black dress with elaborate beading. The chart-topping beauty looked stunning as she showcased her enviable curves in the form-fitting frock as she joined the judging panel for the final time this series.Wearing her trademark blonde hair in a sleek up-do, Rita enhanced her natural good looks with a low-key makeup look that complemented her outfit perfectly.Rita, 31, accessorised with a matching headband, completing her striking look for the final alongside fellow judges Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall and Mo Gilligan.She will be making the most of her night after her next big TV venture was put on hold just days after she announced the gig.The devastating news will see her part in the Beauty and The Beast live-action prequel series paused by Disney.Rita - who previously put her skills to work in a big acting role as Mia Grey in the 50 Shades Of Grey franchise - was set work with Hollywood star Luke Evans and Frozen’s Josh Gad on the spin-off series.A source told The Sun: “Rita was absolutely devastated when she was told Beauty And The Beast had been put on ice.“There have been issues with the script.

Rita Ora has been left “devastated” after losing her dream TV role just days after announcing the news.The singer was set to appear in the new Disney+ Beauty and Beast prequel series but the entertainment giants have since shelved the project after reports of production issues and delays.The 31-year-old was set to rub shoulders with a host stars for the big-budget eight-part prequel to the 2017 remake, including returning star Luke Evans, who plays Gaston, and Frozen’s Josh Gad as his sidekick LeFou.A source told The Sun: “Rita was absolutely devastated when she was told Beauty And The Beast had been put on ice.“There have been issues with the script. No one has any idea how long it will take to get the series back on track.”A second production source added: “Disney are huge fans of Rita.

RITA Ora has been dealt a major blow after Disney announced it had shelved the Beauty and The Beast prequel series. It came just days after the singer — who has starred in 50 Shades Of Grey — revealed she was playing a major character in the new TV show.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterRay Stevenson has been cast in the upcoming Disney Plus “Star Wars” series “Ahsoka,” Variety has confirmed with sources.He joins previously announced series lead Rosario Dawson, who will star as Ahsoka Tano, as well as cast members Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Natasha Liu Bordizz, and Ivanna Sakhno.Details on who Stevenson will be playing in the series are being kept under wraps, but it is believed that he will be playing a villain in the series, thought not the main villain, Grand Admiral Thrawn.Reps for Lucasfilm did not immediately respond to Variety’s request for comment.This is not the first time Stevenson has been a part of the “Star Wars” universe. He previously lent his voice to the two animated series “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” and “Star Wars Rebels” as the character Gar Saxon, a Mandalorian commando.