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LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- The latest development news, culled from recent wire reports:
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CAPRICA (Sci Fi) - Esai Morales ("Jericho") has been tapped for one of the lead roles in the upcoming two-hour/backdoor pilot, a prequel to the network's "Battlestar Galactica." He'll play Joseph Adama, the father of William Adama (Edward James Olmos in the current series), a deeply passionate man with a strong sense of justice and someone you wouldn't want as your enemy. He joins Paula Malcomson on the Universal Media Studios-based project, which comes from creators Remi Aubuchon and Ronald D. Moore. Jeffrey Reiner is directing.
HARD KNOCKS (HBO) - The Dallas Morning News reported today that the HBO series will revisit the Dallas Cowboys for its fourth season, due this summer. The show's 2002 edition followed the eventual 5-11 team under then coach Dave Campo. It's understood NFL Films will begin the five-to-six-week production in late July at the team's Oxnard, California training facility.
LIFE ON MARS (ABC) - "October Road" creators Josh Appelbaum, Andre Nemec and Scott Rosenberg are reportedly in talks to come aboard the potential freshman drama as its executive producers/showrunners. Appelbaum and Nemec are based at ABC Studios which likewise is in negotiations to co-produce the series alongside 20th Century Fox Television. The group however is waiting to get the blessing from creator David E. Kelley, who penned and executive produced the long-in-the-works pilot. It's believed financial considerations are the impetus for Kelley's exit. Kudos Film and Television's Jane Featherstone and Stephen Garrett are still on board as executive producers. Tommy Schlamme helmed the pilot, which stars Jason O'Mara as a cop, who after being hit by a car in the present day, finds himself transported to the 1970s.
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS (ABC, New!) - The Alphabet is said to be moving forward with a new game show from Katalyst Films and 3 Ball Productions in which the game is literally taken to the contestants' homes. Family members then can win everything from cash to plasma TVs by answering trivia questions about their lives and about items found in and around their home. 3 Ball's JD Roth and Todd A. Nelson are executive producing the project alongside Katalyst's Ashton Kutcher, Jason Goldberg and Karey Burke.
UGLY BETTY (ABC) - The sophomore dramedy is set to relocate to New York City next season following the state's decision to triple its tax credit for film and TV productions to 30%, with New York City proper offering an additional 5% credit. "Betty's" pilot was actually shot in New York City before ABC Studios shifted production to Los Angeles. The move nevertheless will likely cause 150 L.A. crew members to lose their jobs, however most are expected to be reassigned to other studio-based properties. Conversely, the majority of the show's ensemble cast are already based in New York themselves. The "Betty" writers are expected to remain on the West Coast.
UNTITLED EDIE FALCO PROJECT (Showtime) - Peter Facinelli, Paul Schulze, Merritt Wever, Eve Best and Haaz Sleiman have all joined the cast of the Edie Falco-led comedy pilot, about a strong-willed New York nurse (Falco). In addition, Anna Deavere Smith has signed on as a recurring character - Mrs. Akalitus, the reluctant hospital administrator. As for the principal members, Facinelli will play Dr. Cooper, a likable "golden boy" who appears to be in control but is actually a bundle of nerves; Schulze is set as Falco's boyfriend, Eddie, a pharmacy tech; with Wever as Zoey, a first-year nurse; Sleiman as Maurice, a.k.a. "Momo," a gay Muslim nurse; and Best as Dr. O'Hara, a loner whose only friend at the hospital is Falco's character. Evan Dunsky is behind the Lionsgate Television-based project, which Allen Coulter is directing.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters
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