Tessa Blake to Direct CW Nun Dramedy Pilot (EXCLUSIVE)

Jazz Tangcay Artisans EditorThe eighth annual Variety Artisans Awards returned to an in-person event at Santa Barbara’s Arlington Theater.Despite COVID protocols, an enthusiastic crowd of movie lovers, local Academy members and students from the nearby University of Santa Barbara came by to see Oscar-nominated artisans share their craft, their process and the films that influenced them.The night began with one on one conversations with each artisan discussing insight into their work.The full panel of honorees included “House of Gucci” hair and make up team Frederic Aspiras and Göran Lundstrom, “Nightmare Alley” production designer Tamara Deverell, “Encanto” composer Germaine Franco, “Dune” cinematographer Greig Fraser, “Encanto” songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda, re-recording mixer, Paul Massey, nominated for “No Time to Die,” VFX supervisor Kelly Port, “The Power of the Dog” editor Peter Sciberra and “Dune” costume designers Jacqueline West and Bob Morgan.Watch the conversation highlights below.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterLucy Hale has signed on for a starring role in the AMC-Alibi series “Ragdoll,” Variety has learned exclusively.In the six-episode show, which was ordered to series back in February, six people have been murdered, dismembered, and sewn into the shape of one grotesque body — nicknamed the “Ragdoll.” Assigned to the shocking case are DS Nathan Wolf, recently reinstated to the London Met; his best friend and boss, DI Emily Baxter; and the unit’s new recruit, DC Lake Edmunds (Hale). The “Ragdoll Killer” taunts the police by sending them a list of his next victims, with Wolf’s name among them.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterA series adaptation of the Victoria Schwab novel “City of Ghosts” is in the works at ABC Signature and Searchlight Television, Variety has learned exclusively.David Lowery and Sehaj Sethi are attached to write the adaptation, with Lowery also onboard to direct. Schwab will executive produce along with with Sailor Bear’s Toby Halbrooks and James M.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterPatti LuPone and Erinn Hayes have signed on to star in the HBO Max comedy pilot “OK Boomer,” Variety has learned.In the show, a self-centered boomer (LuPone) shows up at her estranged daughter’s (Hayes) house hoping to live off the family’s money, but forms an unexpected bond with her progressive granddaughter who’s quick to challenge her on their differing views, of which there are plenty.LuPone’s character, Barbara, is described as a comically outrageous, wildly impulsive, sarcastically witty individual and mother. Hayes’ character, Sarah, is a hard-working woman.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“The Boys” spinoff at Amazon is nearing a series order. In addition, Lizze Broadway has joined the ensemble cast.The project was first announced as being in development in September. Set at America’s only college exclusively for young adult superheroes (and run by Vought International), the untitled series is described as an irreverent, R-rated show that explores the lives of hormonal, competitive Supes as they put their physical, sexual, and moral boundaries to the test, competing for the best contracts in the best cities.Broadway will play the role of Emma, a young superhero.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterLorraine Toussaint has signed with Paradigm, Variety has learned exclusively. She continues to be represented by Frontline Management, Jill Fritzo PR, and Myman Greenspan.Toussaint currently stars in the CBS reboot of “The Equalizer” opposite Queen Latifah.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterCaitlin Kinnunen and Bella Ortiz have signed on for the lead roles in the untitled nun dramedy pilot at The CW, Variety has learned.The pilot centers on two millennial nuns: one a true believer and the other a new arrival who hasn’t taken her final vows. The two strangers become sisters on a spiritual – and spirited – journey to understand their own faith and their place in the Catholic Church.Kinnunen will star as Sister Frances, described as the complacent angel on your shoulder.

The CW has cast Tony-nominated The Prom star Caitlin Kinnunen and Bella Ortiz as the two leads of its untitled drama pilot executive produced by Jennie Snyder Urman.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterDominique Fishback has signed on to co-star with Samuel L. Jackson in the Apple drama series “The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey,” Variety has learned.In addition, Ramin Bahrani has come onboard to direct and executive produce the limited series, which is based on the novel of the same name by Walter Mosley.Jackson stars as Grey, a 91 year old man forgotten by his family, by his friends, by even himself.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe live-action “Powerpuff Girls” pilot at The CW has found its three leads, with Chloe Bennet, Dove Cameron, and Yana Perrault all joining the show.The “Powerpuff Girls” live-action series was first announced as being in development back in August. Based on the Cartoon Network series created by Craig McCracken, the new series sees the pint-sized superheroes as disillusioned twentysomethings who resent having lost their childhood to crime fighting.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterNetflix has set an all-star cast for the animation-live action hybrid limited series “Lost Ollie.”Mary J. Blige, Gina Rodriguez, Jake Johnson, Tim Blake Nelson, Kesler Talbot, and Jonathan Groff have all been cast in major roles in the four-episode series.The show is inspired by the book “Ollie’s Oddyssey” by William Joyce.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterFX has ordered a pilot based on the Octavia E. Butler novel “Kindred.”The pilot will be written and executive produced by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterBrandy Norwood, best known by the stage name Brandy, has signed on for one of the lead roles in the ABC drama pilot “Queens.”The pilot is about four estranged and out-of-touch women in their 40s who reunite for a chance to recapture their fame and regain the swagger they had as the Nasty Bitches – their ’90s group that made them legends in the hip-hop world.Brandy will play Naomi, better known as Xplicit Lyrics — the highly skilled musical engine of the Nasty Bitches. A true artist with boundless musical talent, Naomi was certain she’d go on to mainstream success after the group’s demise.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterAfter a multi-studio bidding war, Paramount Television Studios has landed the thriller series “Grace” from writer Joseph Sousa with Scott Derrickson onboard as an executive producer, Variety has learned exclusively.According to sources, the project generated interest from around a dozen major studios and production companies when it was taken to market. The story focuses on a man on death row for killing his wife who is set free when she resurfaces.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterSaycon Sengbloh is the first cast member confirmed for the “Wonder Years” reboot pilot at ABC.The project will show how a black middle-class family in Montgomery, Alabama in the turbulent late 1960s, made sure it was The Wonder Years for them too.Sengbloh will star as family matriarch Lillian Williams. Sharp as a tack, Lillian is confident, kind, perceptive and has a good sense of humor. She knows exactly the right thing to say to convince you of anything.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterIone Skye has joined the HBO Max series “Made for Love” in a guest star role, Variety has learned exclusively.The dark comedy series follows Hazel Green (Cristin Milioti), a thirty-something woman on the run after 10 years in a suffocating marriage to Byron Gogol (Billy Magnussen), a controlling tech billionaire. Soon she discovers that her husband has implanted a monitoring device – the Made for Love chip – in her brain, allowing him to track her, watch her, and know her “emotional data” as she tries to regain her independence.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterKeke Palmer as signed an overall television deal with Entertainment One (eOne), Variety has learned exclusively.“I am thrilled to be partnering with eOne to create entertaining, meaningful, fun television experiences that will deeply connect with audiences and be reflective of our current world,” Palmer said. “eOne’s commitment to allowing talent to bring their unique lens and lead the storytelling process made them an ideal partner for me.”eOne will manage worldwide rights and serve as the studio for all projects created under the deal.Palmer is an actress, singer-songwriter, producer, and television host.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterPeacock has ordered a new series hosted by world-famous science educator Bill Nye, Variety has learned exclusively.Each episode of the show, titled “The End is Nye,” dives into the myths and realities of both natural and unnatural threats, from viruses to volcanoes, asteroids to authoritarianism, and climate change to chemical warfare. The show offers a scientific blueprint for surviving, mitigating, and preventing such catastrophes from occurring.Brannon Braga will serve as showrunner and executive producer on “The End Is Nye” in addition to directing all episodes.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterCBS has given out a pair of pilot orders to comedy projects from Sarah Cooper and Mark Gross.Cooper’s untitled single-camera project is inspired by her book, “How to be Successful Without Hurting Men’s Feelings.” It follows three women at different stages in their careers at a male-dominated company who help each other navigate modern gender politics in their professional and personal lives.Cooper will serve as co-writer and executive producer, with Cindy Chupack also co-writing, executive producing, and showrunning. Nina Tassler, Denise Di Novi, and Joan Boorstein of PatMa Productions will also executive produce.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterCAA has signed Nathan Foad for representation in all areas, Variety has learned exclusively. He will continue to be represented in the U.K.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterA number of writers and producers on the hit CW series “Supernatural” are reuniting on Amazon’s “The Boys,” Variety has learned exclusively.“The Boys” was developed for Amazon by “Supernatural” creator Eric Kripke, who also serves as showrunner. Joining him behind the scenes going into “The Boys'” third season are Meredith Glynn, David Reed, and Jim Michaels.Glynn was a co-executive producer and writer on “Supernatural” from 2016-2020.