Exclusive: Verve has signed Powerless and A to Z creator producer Ben Queen for representation.
Queen’s hourlong Heart of Life, inspired by the John Mayer song, was picked up to pilot by ABC during the 2018-19 season and currently is being redeveloped at the network. Written by Queen, Heart of Life follows two sets of adult siblings from wildly different worlds who discover they’re related and must reassess everything they thought they knew about their shared father. Queen, Mayer, Paul Weitz and Melvin Mar executive produce for 20th Century Fox TV and ABC Studios.
Queen previously created comedies A to Z and Powerless, both of which aired for one season on NBC. He also served as executive producer on A to Z.
On the film side, Queen wrote the screenplay for Pixar’s Cars 2, which grossed $562M worldwide, and co-wrote the story for Cars 3, which grossed $383M worldwide.
Queen’s hourlong Heart of Life, inspired by the John Mayer song, was picked up to pilot by ABC during the 2018-19 season and currently is being redeveloped at the network. Written by Queen, Heart of Life follows two sets of adult siblings from wildly different worlds who discover they’re related and must reassess everything they thought they knew about their shared father. Queen, Mayer, Paul Weitz and Melvin Mar executive produce for 20th Century Fox TV and ABC Studios.
Queen previously created comedies A to Z and Powerless, both of which aired for one season on NBC. He also served as executive producer on A to Z.
On the film side, Queen wrote the screenplay for Pixar’s Cars 2, which grossed $562M worldwide, and co-wrote the story for Cars 3, which grossed $383M worldwide.
- 10/30/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s film news roundup, John Amos returns for “Coming 2 America,” Nick Thune and Cleopatra Coleman are cast and “Plácido Domingo Gala” and “Birds Without Feathers” get release dates.
Castings
John Amos is set to reprise his role as Cleo McDowell in Eddie Murphy’s upcoming film “Coming 2 America.”
“Hustle & Flow” helmer Craig Brewer is directing the project with Murphy, Kevin Misher and Kenya Barris producing for Paramount.
The 1988 original movie, directed by John Landis, starred Murphy as the charming African prince Akeem, who traveled to New York City to escape an arranged marriage. Amos portrayed Akeem’s employer and the father of Shari Headley, who played Akeem’s love interest. The comedy was a major hit, grossing nearly $300 million at the worldwide box office.
In the sequel, Prince Akeem is set to become king of the fictional country of Zamunda when he discovers he has...
Castings
John Amos is set to reprise his role as Cleo McDowell in Eddie Murphy’s upcoming film “Coming 2 America.”
“Hustle & Flow” helmer Craig Brewer is directing the project with Murphy, Kevin Misher and Kenya Barris producing for Paramount.
The 1988 original movie, directed by John Landis, starred Murphy as the charming African prince Akeem, who traveled to New York City to escape an arranged marriage. Amos portrayed Akeem’s employer and the father of Shari Headley, who played Akeem’s love interest. The comedy was a major hit, grossing nearly $300 million at the worldwide box office.
In the sequel, Prince Akeem is set to become king of the fictional country of Zamunda when he discovers he has...
- 8/10/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
ABC in May delayed a decision on its Bermuda Triangle-themed sci-fi drama Triangle, which was a late, international shoot, until the pilot was finished. The pilot starring Mike Vogel will be wrapping editing this weekend.
There had been speculation the project would not be going forward. But ABC Entertainment president Karey Burke is reserving judgment on its fate until she sees the final product. “I want to wait and make a final decision when the editing of the show is completed, and it has all special effects,” she told Deadline on Monday.
Another ABC hourlong pilot from this past cycle, Heart of Life, which was inspired by the John Mayer song, was not picked up to series in May but was put in redevelopment.
Ben Queen, who wrote the original pilot, has been paired with All American creator April Blair.
“Ben Queen and April Blair are doing a rewrite to the pilot that was shot,...
There had been speculation the project would not be going forward. But ABC Entertainment president Karey Burke is reserving judgment on its fate until she sees the final product. “I want to wait and make a final decision when the editing of the show is completed, and it has all special effects,” she told Deadline on Monday.
Another ABC hourlong pilot from this past cycle, Heart of Life, which was inspired by the John Mayer song, was not picked up to series in May but was put in redevelopment.
Ben Queen, who wrote the original pilot, has been paired with All American creator April Blair.
“Ben Queen and April Blair are doing a rewrite to the pilot that was shot,...
- 8/6/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
We're still not totally clear on what John Mayer's forthcoming series, Heart of Life, is all about, but here's something that we do know: John Mayer has our heart for life. The singer-songwriter has romanced a lot of ladies over the years, and it's no wonder - just look at him. Though he's currently single and ready to mingle, we imagine that it's only a matter of time before he's singing "Your Body Is a Wonderland" to another one of Hollywood's most high-profile female stars, and in the meantime, we're free to imagine that we might be next. Please enjoy these sexy John Mayer pics; and, John, if you're looking to hit the dating scene again, you know where to find us!
Related: 3 of the Cast Members You Can Expect to See in John Mayer's Heart of Life TV Show...
Related: 3 of the Cast Members You Can Expect to See in John Mayer's Heart of Life TV Show...
- 7/31/2019
- by Corinne Sullivan
- Popsugar.com
When the pre-upfront dust settled at ABC last week, the network opted not to proceed with two high-profile drama pilots, NYPD Blue and Heart Of Life, keeping both in the hopper for reworking (NYPD Blue) and redevelopment (Heart Of Life). Additionally, ABC brass continue to be high on Katey Sagal in comedy Nana, which also is eying potential redevelopment. The remaining ABC 2019 pilots are dead.
At the Disney upfront press event on Tuesday morning, ABC Entertainment president Karey Burke addressed the decision not to proceed with the NYPD Blue reboot in its current form.
“The bar is incredibly high, particularly on reboots,” she said. “It would be disservice to fans if we put it on before it’s ready.”
For that reason, “in concert with the producers, we decided to slow down and get it right, particularly NYPD Blue which was an groundbreaking drama on this network,” she said.
Both Heart Of Life,...
At the Disney upfront press event on Tuesday morning, ABC Entertainment president Karey Burke addressed the decision not to proceed with the NYPD Blue reboot in its current form.
“The bar is incredibly high, particularly on reboots,” she said. “It would be disservice to fans if we put it on before it’s ready.”
For that reason, “in concert with the producers, we decided to slow down and get it right, particularly NYPD Blue which was an groundbreaking drama on this network,” she said.
Both Heart Of Life,...
- 5/14/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Every pilot season has one common thread in that a handful of the biggest frontrunners inevitably wind up being tossed aside. This year was no different as comedies with some of the season's most in-demand stars and new takes on beloved series all wound up filed under "passed over."
While there have been decisions on most pilots, a handful of high-profile projects — ABC's NYPD Blue update, John Mayer's Heart of Life, high-concept Triangle; CBS' Surveillance and Emperor of Malibu; The CW's Glamorous and The Lost Boys — remain in contention or are being ...
While there have been decisions on most pilots, a handful of high-profile projects — ABC's NYPD Blue update, John Mayer's Heart of Life, high-concept Triangle; CBS' Surveillance and Emperor of Malibu; The CW's Glamorous and The Lost Boys — remain in contention or are being ...
- 5/12/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
ABC has picked up to series hourlong romantic comedy The Baker and the Beauty, based on the hit Israeli format. Starring Victor Rasuk and Nathalie Kelley in the title roles, the Notting Hill-esque Baker and the Beauty hails from The Brave creator Dean Georgaris, David Frankel, Keshet Studios, Universal TV and ABC Studios.
For the second time in three years, writer-creator Georgaris received two pilot orders in the same cycle this year with NBC’s Bluff City Law and ABC’s The Baker and the Beauty. In 2017, he also had pilots at NBC (The Brave) and ABC (Las Reinas) with the NBC one going to series. He did one better this year as both of his pilots went to series. To help with the load, Becky Hartman Edwards has joined The Baker and the Beauty as executive producer and co-showrunner.
The Baker and the Beauty also marks a second...
For the second time in three years, writer-creator Georgaris received two pilot orders in the same cycle this year with NBC’s Bluff City Law and ABC’s The Baker and the Beauty. In 2017, he also had pilots at NBC (The Brave) and ABC (Las Reinas) with the NBC one going to series. He did one better this year as both of his pilots went to series. To help with the load, Becky Hartman Edwards has joined The Baker and the Beauty as executive producer and co-showrunner.
The Baker and the Beauty also marks a second...
- 5/12/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
In one of the biggest twists this upfront season, NBC’s genre thriller drama pilot Emergence, starring Allison Tolman, has been picked up — by ABC.
The project, from Kevin (Probably) Saves the World creators/executive producers Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters, director Paul McGuigan and ABC Studios, was a favorite at the Disney-owned studio. It was bought by NBC instead of ABC last fall during the previous regime at the Disney-owned network. I hear the new top ABC executive team loved the pilot and when word came that NBC was not picking it up to series, they swooped in.
Chatter picked up yesterday that an Emergence move to ABC was imminent. Also yesterday, ABC’s romantic drama pilot The Beauty and the Baker emerged as a dark horse strong contender for a series pickup. I hear negotiations with Universal TV, which produces the adaptation of an Israeli format, are...
The project, from Kevin (Probably) Saves the World creators/executive producers Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters, director Paul McGuigan and ABC Studios, was a favorite at the Disney-owned studio. It was bought by NBC instead of ABC last fall during the previous regime at the Disney-owned network. I hear the new top ABC executive team loved the pilot and when word came that NBC was not picking it up to series, they swooped in.
Chatter picked up yesterday that an Emergence move to ABC was imminent. Also yesterday, ABC’s romantic drama pilot The Beauty and the Baker emerged as a dark horse strong contender for a series pickup. I hear negotiations with Universal TV, which produces the adaptation of an Israeli format, are...
- 5/12/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Heart of Life, ABC’s drama pilot inspired by the John Mayer song, is no longer in fall 2019 consideration and will undergo redevelopment. I hear that will likely include a new take on the concept and a new script. ABC also will be reworking the NYPD Blue pilot for midseason consideration.
Written by Ben Queen and directed by Anne Fletcher, the current soapy Heart of Life pilot was a crowd pleaser and had solid buzz, though I hear some felt that there were issues with the execution.
It followed two sets of adult siblings from wildly different worlds who discover they’re related and must reassess everything they thought they knew about their shared father. As they explore the mystery of their separate childhoods, they’ll experience the difficulty in overcoming the sins of the past and learn the joys of reuniting with long-lost family.
Queen, Mayer, Paul Weitz...
Written by Ben Queen and directed by Anne Fletcher, the current soapy Heart of Life pilot was a crowd pleaser and had solid buzz, though I hear some felt that there were issues with the execution.
It followed two sets of adult siblings from wildly different worlds who discover they’re related and must reassess everything they thought they knew about their shared father. As they explore the mystery of their separate childhoods, they’ll experience the difficulty in overcoming the sins of the past and learn the joys of reuniting with long-lost family.
Queen, Mayer, Paul Weitz...
- 5/11/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Cobie Smulders is returning to primetime TV!
The Friends from College and How I Met Your Mother star's pilot has been ordered to series at ABC.
The actress will star on a currently untitled series based on the Stumptown graphic novels.
The series follows Dex Parios (Cobie Smulders), a strong, assertive, and unapologetically sharp-witted Army veteran working as a P.I. in Portland, Or; with a complicated personal history and only herself to rely on, she solves other people's messes with a blind eye toward her own.
Related: Cobie Smulders Joins ABC Pilot Stumptown
The rest of the cast is rounded out by Adrian Martinez as Tookie, Camryn Manheim as Lieutenant Cosgrove, Cole Sibus as Ansel Parios, Michael Ealy as Det. Miles Hoffman, and Tantoo Cardinal as Sue Lynn Blackbird.
Jason Richman created the series for television, and is also on board as an executive producer.
Smulders' most recent TV...
The Friends from College and How I Met Your Mother star's pilot has been ordered to series at ABC.
The actress will star on a currently untitled series based on the Stumptown graphic novels.
The series follows Dex Parios (Cobie Smulders), a strong, assertive, and unapologetically sharp-witted Army veteran working as a P.I. in Portland, Or; with a complicated personal history and only herself to rely on, she solves other people's messes with a blind eye toward her own.
Related: Cobie Smulders Joins ABC Pilot Stumptown
The rest of the cast is rounded out by Adrian Martinez as Tookie, Camryn Manheim as Lieutenant Cosgrove, Cole Sibus as Ansel Parios, Michael Ealy as Det. Miles Hoffman, and Tantoo Cardinal as Sue Lynn Blackbird.
Jason Richman created the series for television, and is also on board as an executive producer.
Smulders' most recent TV...
- 5/9/2019
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
With the network screenings wrapping up, we are heading into the final stage of pilot season when network executives take the pilots that had screened the best/tested the highest and see which of them fit into their schedules for next season. With ABC’s order Thursday of Black-ish‘s young Rainbow-centered prequel Mixed-ish kicking off the new series pickups, here is our final pilot buzz list.
The field of leading ABC drama contenders has narrowed down a bit. Staying strong after the screenings are early standouts Pi drama Stumptown starring Cobie Smulders, the soapy, John Mayer song-inspired Heart of Life, the new NYPD Blue and the untitled Hank Steinberg /50 Cent legal drama. NY Undercover also has supporters; I hear its fate might be tied to that of bubble drama The Rookie as ABC is unlikely to go for three cop dramas in these two and NYPD Blue. I...
The field of leading ABC drama contenders has narrowed down a bit. Staying strong after the screenings are early standouts Pi drama Stumptown starring Cobie Smulders, the soapy, John Mayer song-inspired Heart of Life, the new NYPD Blue and the untitled Hank Steinberg /50 Cent legal drama. NY Undercover also has supporters; I hear its fate might be tied to that of bubble drama The Rookie as ABC is unlikely to go for three cop dramas in these two and NYPD Blue. I...
- 5/4/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s late April. Normally at this time TV business’ attention is focused almost squarely on the broadcast pilot season as it is heading into its final stages — network pilot screenings followed by new series pickups. But this is not a normal time. With the WGA-Ata standoff completely dominating the Hollywood conversation following the mass firing of agents by writers, it has been hard for anyone to focus on pilot season. Here is what I hear is hot at the networks. Keep in mind that the information is still incomplete as not all pilots have been delivered to the networks. We will have a fuller picture at the end of next week when most of the pilots will have screened.
Pi drama Bad Alibi (fka Stumptown) starring Cobie Smulders and the untitled Hank Steinberg /50 Cent legal drama continue to be getting strong buzz, with ABC authorizing all...
Pi drama Bad Alibi (fka Stumptown) starring Cobie Smulders and the untitled Hank Steinberg /50 Cent legal drama continue to be getting strong buzz, with ABC authorizing all...
- 4/27/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s April, and Deadline is launching its annual Pilot Panic feature where we track buzz on the broadcast pilots as they go through production and and testing. We are late out of the gate this year, but that’s understandable — it’s been an extraordinary time of upheaval in the business, with 13,000 writers on Friday told by the WGA to fire their agents after the guild and the Ata could not reach a new franchise agreement.
The 2019 broadcast pilot season has been completely overshadowed by the WGA-ata battle. Still, handicapping broadcast pilots is a Deadline tradition, so let’s get to it. As usual, the first story is very sketchy and preliminary as many pilots are still in production and very few have been delivered. Here is a list of some pilots that are getting strong early buzz based on a combination of auspices, script, table read, taping or dailies.
The 2019 broadcast pilot season has been completely overshadowed by the WGA-ata battle. Still, handicapping broadcast pilots is a Deadline tradition, so let’s get to it. As usual, the first story is very sketchy and preliminary as many pilots are still in production and very few have been delivered. Here is a list of some pilots that are getting strong early buzz based on a combination of auspices, script, table read, taping or dailies.
- 4/17/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
TV producers are taking inspiration from unexpected places these days - including music. Dolly Parton has an anthology series, Heartstrings, in development at Netflix that's based on her catalog of songs, and she's not the only musician whose songs are inspiring new shows. Heart of Life, which was ordered by ABC, is inspired by a John Mayer song. Other than lending his song to the show's title and inspiration, though, is Mayer involved in any official capacity?
The series is based on Mayer's 2006 song by the same name, which was part of his Continuum album. Mayer serves as an executive producer on the show, alongside Ben Queen, Paul Weitz, Melvin Mar, and Jake Kasdan. According to Deadline, the show was developed internally at 20th Century Fox Television for a while, with a spec script written by Queen; the project went into development in part because of Mar's friendship with Mayer.
The series is based on Mayer's 2006 song by the same name, which was part of his Continuum album. Mayer serves as an executive producer on the show, alongside Ben Queen, Paul Weitz, Melvin Mar, and Jake Kasdan. According to Deadline, the show was developed internally at 20th Century Fox Television for a while, with a spec script written by Queen; the project went into development in part because of Mar's friendship with Mayer.
- 4/1/2019
- by Amanda Prahl
- Popsugar.com
Director-producer Jake Kasdan and his producing partner Melvin Mar have signed a new four-year overall with 20th Century Fox Television. Under the pact, the duo will continue to develop and produce and Kasdan will continue to direct projects for network, cable and streaming platforms through their company The Detective Agency.
Kasdan and Mar have been under an overall deal with the studio since 2012, shortly after the studio’s single-camera comedy New Girl, whose pilot was directed by Kasdan, became a breakout hit for Fox. Kasdan served as an executive producer for the well received comedy’s entire 146-episode run.
Kasdan and Mar serve as executive producers on three 20th TV series for new corporate sibling ABC, Fresh Off the Boat, which just crossed the 100 episode mark; Speechless, currently in its third season; and the upcoming Bless This Mess, which premieres in April.
Kasdan and Mar are in production on their...
Kasdan and Mar have been under an overall deal with the studio since 2012, shortly after the studio’s single-camera comedy New Girl, whose pilot was directed by Kasdan, became a breakout hit for Fox. Kasdan served as an executive producer for the well received comedy’s entire 146-episode run.
Kasdan and Mar serve as executive producers on three 20th TV series for new corporate sibling ABC, Fresh Off the Boat, which just crossed the 100 episode mark; Speechless, currently in its third season; and the upcoming Bless This Mess, which premieres in April.
Kasdan and Mar are in production on their...
- 3/26/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
“Fresh Off the Boat” and “Speechless” executive producers Jake Kasdan and Melvin Mar have signed a new overall deal with 20th Century Fox Television, Variety has learned.
The move marks the third overall the studio has signed since it officially became a part of Disney, after “Pretty Little Liars” producer I. Marlene King and “Daredevil” creator Drew Goddard both inked deals in the last week.
Kasdan and Mar have had an overall deal with the studio since 2012, and under their new multi-year contract, they will develop, produce and direct projects for network, cable and streaming platforms through their production company, The Detective Agency.
They are currently in production on “Heart of Life,” their first drama pilot for the studio which is based on John Mayer’s hit song. The one-hour drama pilot is being directed by Anne Fletcher and is in the works at ABC.
“Jake and Melvin have been...
The move marks the third overall the studio has signed since it officially became a part of Disney, after “Pretty Little Liars” producer I. Marlene King and “Daredevil” creator Drew Goddard both inked deals in the last week.
Kasdan and Mar have had an overall deal with the studio since 2012, and under their new multi-year contract, they will develop, produce and direct projects for network, cable and streaming platforms through their production company, The Detective Agency.
They are currently in production on “Heart of Life,” their first drama pilot for the studio which is based on John Mayer’s hit song. The one-hour drama pilot is being directed by Anne Fletcher and is in the works at ABC.
“Jake and Melvin have been...
- 3/26/2019
- by Will Thorne
- Variety Film + TV
Jake Kasdan and Melvin Mar, the producing team behind “Fresh Off the Boat” and “Speechless,” have signed a new, multi-year overall deal with 20th Century Fox Television. Under the deal, the two will develop, produce and direct projects for network, cable and streaming platforms through their production company The Detective Agency.
Kasdan and Mar have been under an overall deal with the studio since 2012. The list of projects they will executive produce include the upcoming ABC series “Bless This Mess” premiering in April, and “Heart of Life,” a new drama based on John Mayer’s hit song. ABC has ordered the pilot, which is currently in production, with Ben Queen as screenwriter and Anne Fletcher directing.
“Jake and Melvin have been a dream team to this studio for years, and keeping them here was a huge priority for Howard [Kurtzman] and me,” Jonnie Davis, president of creative affairs at 20th Century Fox Television,...
Kasdan and Mar have been under an overall deal with the studio since 2012. The list of projects they will executive produce include the upcoming ABC series “Bless This Mess” premiering in April, and “Heart of Life,” a new drama based on John Mayer’s hit song. ABC has ordered the pilot, which is currently in production, with Ben Queen as screenwriter and Anne Fletcher directing.
“Jake and Melvin have been a dream team to this studio for years, and keeping them here was a huge priority for Howard [Kurtzman] and me,” Jonnie Davis, president of creative affairs at 20th Century Fox Television,...
- 3/26/2019
- by Margeaux Sippell
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Comedian/actor Nick Thune (Dave Made A Maze) is set for a key series-regular role in the ensemble cast of Heart of Life, ABC’s drama pilot inspired by the John Mayer song.
Written by Ben Queen and directed by Anne Fletcher, Heart of Life follows two sets of adult siblings from wildly different worlds who discover they’re related and must reassess everything they thought they knew about their shared father. As they explore the mystery of their separate childhoods, they’ll experience the difficulty in overcoming the sins of the past and learn the joys of reuniting with long-lost family.
Thune will play Jimmy, a wiry, aloof, singer/guitar player and aging rock star who drank too much, partied too much, and enjoys the lifestyle. But he’s surprisingly sweet, thoughtful, and a good listener.
Queen, Mayer, Paul Weitz and Melvin Mar executive produce for 20th Century Fox TV and ABC Studios.
Written by Ben Queen and directed by Anne Fletcher, Heart of Life follows two sets of adult siblings from wildly different worlds who discover they’re related and must reassess everything they thought they knew about their shared father. As they explore the mystery of their separate childhoods, they’ll experience the difficulty in overcoming the sins of the past and learn the joys of reuniting with long-lost family.
Thune will play Jimmy, a wiry, aloof, singer/guitar player and aging rock star who drank too much, partied too much, and enjoys the lifestyle. But he’s surprisingly sweet, thoughtful, and a good listener.
Queen, Mayer, Paul Weitz and Melvin Mar executive produce for 20th Century Fox TV and ABC Studios.
- 3/21/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Jane the Virgin‘s abuela is moving to the spinoff Jane the Novela: Ivonne Coll — who plays Jane’s grandma Alba on the original series — will co-star in The CW’s offshoot pilot as a new character, our sister site Deadline reports.
Coll will portray Camila, the adoptive mother of central heroine Estela (East Los High‘s Jacqueline Grace Lopez), an up-and-coming art curator with a shocking secret that forces her to live a double life.
Also joining the anthology series — each season will based on a different fictional novel “written by” Jane Villanueva — is Remy Hii (Marco Polo) as Estela’s boyfriend Luen,...
Coll will portray Camila, the adoptive mother of central heroine Estela (East Los High‘s Jacqueline Grace Lopez), an up-and-coming art curator with a shocking secret that forces her to live a double life.
Also joining the anthology series — each season will based on a different fictional novel “written by” Jane Villanueva — is Remy Hii (Marco Polo) as Estela’s boyfriend Luen,...
- 3/19/2019
- TVLine.com
Exclusive: Jessica Stroup is set for a key series-regular role in the ensemble cast of Heart of Life, ABC’s drama pilot inspired by the John Mayer song.
Written by Ben Queen and directed by Anne Fletcher, Heart of Life follows two sets of adult siblings from wildly different worlds who discover they’re related and must reassess everything they thought they knew about their shared father. As they explore the mystery of their separate childhoods, they’ll experience the difficulty in overcoming the sins of the past and learn the joys of reuniting with long-lost family.
Stroup will play Alexandra Reid, Wes’ (Dave Annable) sister, one of the two sets of adult siblings. The other set is played by Harry Shum Jr. and Katie Findlay.
Queen, Mayer, Paul Weitz and Melvin Mar executive produce for 20th Century Fox TV and ABC Studios.
Stroup most recently...
Written by Ben Queen and directed by Anne Fletcher, Heart of Life follows two sets of adult siblings from wildly different worlds who discover they’re related and must reassess everything they thought they knew about their shared father. As they explore the mystery of their separate childhoods, they’ll experience the difficulty in overcoming the sins of the past and learn the joys of reuniting with long-lost family.
Stroup will play Alexandra Reid, Wes’ (Dave Annable) sister, one of the two sets of adult siblings. The other set is played by Harry Shum Jr. and Katie Findlay.
Queen, Mayer, Paul Weitz and Melvin Mar executive produce for 20th Century Fox TV and ABC Studios.
Stroup most recently...
- 3/18/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
If asked to name your top five favorite John Mayer songs (or probably even your top 20 . . . ), chances are "The Heart of Life" wouldn't make the cut, and that's not because it isn't a good song - it's because you probably have never heard it. Taken from Mayer's third studio album, Continuum, the song was never even released as a single, but that's not stopping ABC from developing a drama series of the same name, with Mayer at the helm. Yeah, we're confused, too, but definitely intrigued.
Heart of Life will follow two sets of adult siblings from vastly different worlds who discover they share a father, forcing them to revisit everything they thought they knew about their shared parent and their separate childhoods. Mayer will serve as executive producer alongside writer Ben Queen (the guy behind NBC's Powerless), and though little has been revealed aside from the premise, we...
Heart of Life will follow two sets of adult siblings from vastly different worlds who discover they share a father, forcing them to revisit everything they thought they knew about their shared parent and their separate childhoods. Mayer will serve as executive producer alongside writer Ben Queen (the guy behind NBC's Powerless), and though little has been revealed aside from the premise, we...
- 3/14/2019
- by Corinne Sullivan
- Popsugar.com
Image Source: Getty / Kevin Winter
If a TV network asked you to base a new series on one of John Mayer's songs, which would you pick?
Maybe "Your Body Is a Wonderland" could be turned into a rom-com? "Say" could be about a young progressive politician navigating her new role in DC? Even "Daughters" seems rife with familial drama. But in what might be today's most unexpected piece of entertainment news, ABC has decided to base a new series on a track off Mayer's Continuum: "The Heart of Life."
Image Source: Getty / Jb Lacroix / Rachel Luna
The song from the Grammy winner's third studio album was never even released as a single, and Mayer didn't bother to make a music video for it. Still, the network has clearly been inspired by its emotional lyrics - "Pain throws your heart to the ground / Love turns the whole thing around / Fear...
If a TV network asked you to base a new series on one of John Mayer's songs, which would you pick?
Maybe "Your Body Is a Wonderland" could be turned into a rom-com? "Say" could be about a young progressive politician navigating her new role in DC? Even "Daughters" seems rife with familial drama. But in what might be today's most unexpected piece of entertainment news, ABC has decided to base a new series on a track off Mayer's Continuum: "The Heart of Life."
Image Source: Getty / Jb Lacroix / Rachel Luna
The song from the Grammy winner's third studio album was never even released as a single, and Mayer didn't bother to make a music video for it. Still, the network has clearly been inspired by its emotional lyrics - "Pain throws your heart to the ground / Love turns the whole thing around / Fear...
- 3/9/2019
- by Quinn Keaney
- Popsugar.com
Every song tells a story -- even if that story is "MMMBop" -- and every story can be a TV show. And that means every song can be a TV show, if you want it badly enough.
The current slate of TV pilots features not one but two shows inspired by songs: The ABC pilot Heart of Life (which just nabbed
...
Read More >...
The current slate of TV pilots features not one but two shows inspired by songs: The ABC pilot Heart of Life (which just nabbed
...
Read More >...
- 3/8/2019
- by TV Guide Editors
- TVGuide - Breaking News
Exclusive: Dave Annable is set as a lead in ABC’s Heart of Life drama pilot inspired by the John Mayer song of the same name.
Written by Ben Queen and directed by Anne Fletcher, Heart of Life follows two sets of adult siblings from wildly different worlds who discover they’re related and must reassess everything they thought they knew about their shared father. As they explore the mystery of their separate childhoods, they’ll experience the difficulty in overcoming the sins of the past, and learn the joys of reuniting with long-lost family.
Annable will play Wesley “Wes” Reid, the brother in one of the two sets of adult siblings. The other set is played by Harry Shum Jr. and Katie Findlay.
Queen, Mayer, Paul Weitz and Melvin Mar executive produce for 20th Century Fox TV and ABC Studios.
Annable, who co-starred on ABC’s Brothers & Sisters for five seasons,...
Written by Ben Queen and directed by Anne Fletcher, Heart of Life follows two sets of adult siblings from wildly different worlds who discover they’re related and must reassess everything they thought they knew about their shared father. As they explore the mystery of their separate childhoods, they’ll experience the difficulty in overcoming the sins of the past, and learn the joys of reuniting with long-lost family.
Annable will play Wesley “Wes” Reid, the brother in one of the two sets of adult siblings. The other set is played by Harry Shum Jr. and Katie Findlay.
Queen, Mayer, Paul Weitz and Melvin Mar executive produce for 20th Century Fox TV and ABC Studios.
Annable, who co-starred on ABC’s Brothers & Sisters for five seasons,...
- 3/7/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva and Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Harry Shum Jr. has found his first post-Shadowhunters TV gig, and it is... well, it's something. TV Guide has learned that Shum Jr. has been cast in the ABC pilot Heart of Life, which is based on the John Mayer song of the same name.
Yes, you read that correctly. Harry Shum Jr. is going to be in a
...
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Other Links From TVGuide.com Harry Shum Jr.Katie Findlay...
Yes, you read that correctly. Harry Shum Jr. is going to be in a
...
Read More >
Other Links From TVGuide.com Harry Shum Jr.Katie Findlay...
- 3/7/2019
- by Megan Vick
- TVGuide - Breaking News
Glee alum Harry Shum Jr. and former Man Seeking Woman co-star Katie Findlay are set as leads in ABC’s Heart of Life drama pilot from Ben Queen, Paul Weitz, Melvin Mar, 20th Century Fox TV and ABC Studios.
Inspired by the John Mayer song of the same name, Heart of Life is written by Queen and directed by Anne Fletcher. It follows two sets of adult siblings from wildly different worlds who discover they’re related and must reassess everything they thought they knew about their shared father. As they explore the mystery of their separate childhoods, they’ll experience the difficulty in overcoming the sins of the past, and learn the joys of reuniting with long-lost family.
Shum and Findlay will play one of the two sets of siblings at the center of the show, Brendan and Sydney Winter.
Queen, Mayer, Mar, Kasdan and Weitz executive produce.
Shum...
Inspired by the John Mayer song of the same name, Heart of Life is written by Queen and directed by Anne Fletcher. It follows two sets of adult siblings from wildly different worlds who discover they’re related and must reassess everything they thought they knew about their shared father. As they explore the mystery of their separate childhoods, they’ll experience the difficulty in overcoming the sins of the past, and learn the joys of reuniting with long-lost family.
Shum and Findlay will play one of the two sets of siblings at the center of the show, Brendan and Sydney Winter.
Queen, Mayer, Mar, Kasdan and Weitz executive produce.
Shum...
- 3/7/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva and Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Harry Shum Jr. and Katie Findlay are ready to get down to some John Mayer.
The Crazy Rich Asians and Shadowhunters star and How to Get Away With Murder grad will feature in Heart of Life, an ABC pilot inspired by the John Mayer song of the same name.
The drama follows two sets of adult siblings from wildly different worlds who discover they are related and must reassess everything they thought they knew about their shared father. As they explore the mysteries of their separate childhoods, they will experience the difficulty in overcoming the sins of the past and learn ...
The Crazy Rich Asians and Shadowhunters star and How to Get Away With Murder grad will feature in Heart of Life, an ABC pilot inspired by the John Mayer song of the same name.
The drama follows two sets of adult siblings from wildly different worlds who discover they are related and must reassess everything they thought they knew about their shared father. As they explore the mysteries of their separate childhoods, they will experience the difficulty in overcoming the sins of the past and learn ...
Female directors broke new ground this pilot season. Jude Weng has been tapped to direct ABC’s untitled single-camera comedy pilot from writer Jessica Gao. The Taiwanese-born is believed to be the first Asian-American woman ever and the first woman of color in nearly 30 years to direct a half-hour broadcast network pilot, since Debbie Allen helmed the pilot for NBC’s The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air in 1990.
Meanwhile, Jessica Yu is set to direct NBC’s drama pilot Bluff City Law. She is believed to be the first Asian-American woman directing a broadcast drama pilot.
Weng, an alumna of the AFI’s Directing Workshop for Women, the ABC-Disney Directing Fellowship and the Warner Bros. Directing Program, and Yu are among 21 female pilot directors this year, 13 on the drama side and eight in comedy, up from 20 last year. A significant portion of them are first-time pilot helmers, like Weng and Yu.
Meanwhile, Jessica Yu is set to direct NBC’s drama pilot Bluff City Law. She is believed to be the first Asian-American woman directing a broadcast drama pilot.
Weng, an alumna of the AFI’s Directing Workshop for Women, the ABC-Disney Directing Fellowship and the Warner Bros. Directing Program, and Yu are among 21 female pilot directors this year, 13 on the drama side and eight in comedy, up from 20 last year. A significant portion of them are first-time pilot helmers, like Weng and Yu.
- 3/1/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Cobie Smulders is leaving her Friends from College behind.
The popular actress has landed the lead role on ABC drama pilot Stumptown, according to Variety.
She will take on the role of Dex Parios, a smart and resourceful private investigator in her hometown of Portland, Oregon.
"Dex Parios is a strong, assertive and unapologetically sharp-witted Army veteran working as a P.I. in Portland, Or. With a complicated personal history and only herself to rely on, she solves other people’s messes with a blind eye toward her own," reads the official logline for the series.
Sounds intriguing, right?
Related: Friends from College Canceled After Two Seasons
Smulders is probably most well-known for her role as Robin Scherbatsky on CBS comedy series, How I Met Your Mother.
If the pilot goes to series, it will mark Smulders' first regular role on broadcast TV since her nine-year stint on the comedy series.
The popular actress has landed the lead role on ABC drama pilot Stumptown, according to Variety.
She will take on the role of Dex Parios, a smart and resourceful private investigator in her hometown of Portland, Oregon.
"Dex Parios is a strong, assertive and unapologetically sharp-witted Army veteran working as a P.I. in Portland, Or. With a complicated personal history and only herself to rely on, she solves other people’s messes with a blind eye toward her own," reads the official logline for the series.
Sounds intriguing, right?
Related: Friends from College Canceled After Two Seasons
Smulders is probably most well-known for her role as Robin Scherbatsky on CBS comedy series, How I Met Your Mother.
If the pilot goes to series, it will mark Smulders' first regular role on broadcast TV since her nine-year stint on the comedy series.
- 2/26/2019
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
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