Legendary Television has hired Paramount Television Studios executive Brian Segna as its new head of development and promoted four of its current team members, Variety has learned exclusively.
In his role as senior vice president of development at the “Dune: The Sisterhood” and “Paper Girls” studio, Segna will oversee the acquisition and development of a diverse range of genre and character-driven content for the studio across multiple platforms. As Legendary TV’s chief of development, Segna will be working closely with Jennifer Breslow, executive vice president of television & digital media. Like Breslow, Segna will report directly to Carmi Zlotnik, Legendary’s president of television.
“Brian has the creativity, passion and strategic mindset that we strive to maintain as the vision for our television department,” Zlotnik said. “His insight and experience are a valuable addition and we look forward to working together closely.“
Additionally, Legendary’s TV department is elevating...
In his role as senior vice president of development at the “Dune: The Sisterhood” and “Paper Girls” studio, Segna will oversee the acquisition and development of a diverse range of genre and character-driven content for the studio across multiple platforms. As Legendary TV’s chief of development, Segna will be working closely with Jennifer Breslow, executive vice president of television & digital media. Like Breslow, Segna will report directly to Carmi Zlotnik, Legendary’s president of television.
“Brian has the creativity, passion and strategic mindset that we strive to maintain as the vision for our television department,” Zlotnik said. “His insight and experience are a valuable addition and we look forward to working together closely.“
Additionally, Legendary’s TV department is elevating...
- 1/12/2022
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Legendary Television has closed a deal to develop the Jonathan Lethem novel Gun, With Occasional Music for a television series. Johan Renck, coming off his Emmy-winning work on the acclaimed HBO miniseries Chernobyl, has been set to direct. He will be executive producer along with David Flebotte, who’ll be the showrunner. Flebotte co-created the Showtime series I’m Dying Up Here with Jim Carrey and his credits include Masters of Sex, The Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire.
The series will be produced by Aggregate Films’ Jason Bateman, Michael Costigan and Daniel Pipski, along with Francey Grace. Aggregate’s productions include Ozark, the upcoming FX drama A Teacher, and HBO’s The Outsider, which premieres Sunday.
The novel is a blend of sci-fi, noir and satire, set in the near future in a trippy world. Evolved animals are part of society, the government placates its citizens with free mind-numbing drugs, and...
The series will be produced by Aggregate Films’ Jason Bateman, Michael Costigan and Daniel Pipski, along with Francey Grace. Aggregate’s productions include Ozark, the upcoming FX drama A Teacher, and HBO’s The Outsider, which premieres Sunday.
The novel is a blend of sci-fi, noir and satire, set in the near future in a trippy world. Evolved animals are part of society, the government placates its citizens with free mind-numbing drugs, and...
- 1/8/2020
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
“Lost” star Terry O’Quinn has joined the cast of ABC’s upcoming “Emergence” series in a recurring role.
O’Quinn will play Richard Kindred, described as a self-made billionaire who’s left countless professional and personal casualties in his wake. The head of tech holding company Augur Industries, he is equal parts charming and ruthless. He will go to great lengths to protect his company and reputation, and few would dare to cross him.
“Emergence” is a character-driven genre thriller that centers around a sheriff who takes in a young child that she finds near the site of a mysterious accident who has no memory of what has happened. The investigation draws her into a conspiracy larger than she ever imagined, and the child’s identity is at the center of it all.
O’Quinn joins previously announced cast members Allison Tolman, Alexa Skye Swinton, Clancy Brown, Robert Bailey Jr.,...
O’Quinn will play Richard Kindred, described as a self-made billionaire who’s left countless professional and personal casualties in his wake. The head of tech holding company Augur Industries, he is equal parts charming and ruthless. He will go to great lengths to protect his company and reputation, and few would dare to cross him.
“Emergence” is a character-driven genre thriller that centers around a sheriff who takes in a young child that she finds near the site of a mysterious accident who has no memory of what has happened. The investigation draws her into a conspiracy larger than she ever imagined, and the child’s identity is at the center of it all.
O’Quinn joins previously announced cast members Allison Tolman, Alexa Skye Swinton, Clancy Brown, Robert Bailey Jr.,...
- 8/19/2019
- by Margeaux Sippell
- The Wrap
Terry O’Quinn is set for a recurring role opposite Allison Tollman on ABC’s new genre thriller series Emergence, from Kevin (Probably) Saves the World creators/executive producers Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters, director Paul McGuigan and ABC Studios,
Written by Fazekas and Butters, Emergence is a character-driven genre thriller that centers around a police chief, played by Allison Tolman, who takes in a young child that she finds near the site of a mysterious accident who has no memory of what has happened. The investigation draws her into a conspiracy larger than she ever imagined, and the child’s identity is at the center of it all.
O’Quinn will play Richard Kindred, the head of Augur Industries, a diversified, far-reaching tech holding company. Equal parts charming and ruthless, Kindred’s a self-made billionaire with countless professional and personal casualties in his wake. He...
Written by Fazekas and Butters, Emergence is a character-driven genre thriller that centers around a police chief, played by Allison Tolman, who takes in a young child that she finds near the site of a mysterious accident who has no memory of what has happened. The investigation draws her into a conspiracy larger than she ever imagined, and the child’s identity is at the center of it all.
O’Quinn will play Richard Kindred, the head of Augur Industries, a diversified, far-reaching tech holding company. Equal parts charming and ruthless, Kindred’s a self-made billionaire with countless professional and personal casualties in his wake. He...
- 8/19/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
ABC Studios VP of Drama Development Juan Alfonso is leaving the studio executive ranks to join Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters’ Fazekas & Butters production company, which is based at ABC Studios, now part of Disney Television Studios. Alfonso will serve as Head Of Television, developing and producing projects, identifying writers, IP, and other creative partners.
He will also serve as executive producer of Fazekas & Butters’ upcoming ABC high-concept drama series series Emergence, starring Allison Tolman, which landed on the network’s fall schedule.
Alfonso succeeds Robert Atwood who left in March to go to Legendary TV as Svp, Current & Development. Joining Alfonso at Fazekas & Butters will be Victoria Vigo as a Manager of Television.
“We have loved working with Juan over the years because he is above all else, a partner — he fights for your project and believes in your vision,” said Fazekas and Butters. “His extensive experience at the studio is invaluable,...
He will also serve as executive producer of Fazekas & Butters’ upcoming ABC high-concept drama series series Emergence, starring Allison Tolman, which landed on the network’s fall schedule.
Alfonso succeeds Robert Atwood who left in March to go to Legendary TV as Svp, Current & Development. Joining Alfonso at Fazekas & Butters will be Victoria Vigo as a Manager of Television.
“We have loved working with Juan over the years because he is above all else, a partner — he fights for your project and believes in your vision,” said Fazekas and Butters. “His extensive experience at the studio is invaluable,...
- 7/23/2019
- 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, was picked up to series by rival network ABC.
During the NBC upfronts press call Sunday, the network’s executives were asked about the decision not to go forward with the project, produced by ABC Studios, and what they thought of ABC’s move to pick it up to series.
“We had an abundance of choices,” NBC Entertainment co-chairman Paul Telegdy said. “Emergence is a great show, one that we couldn’t find a home for on NBC. We are delighted it has found a future on ABC.”
This is the second consecutive year an NBC drama pilot passed on by the network has landed a series pickup elsewhere. Last year, it was The Bad Boys offshoot L.A.’s Finest, which is launching as the first Spectrum original series this week.
During the NBC upfronts press call Sunday, the network’s executives were asked about the decision not to go forward with the project, produced by ABC Studios, and what they thought of ABC’s move to pick it up to series.
“We had an abundance of choices,” NBC Entertainment co-chairman Paul Telegdy said. “Emergence is a great show, one that we couldn’t find a home for on NBC. We are delighted it has found a future on ABC.”
This is the second consecutive year an NBC drama pilot passed on by the network has landed a series pickup elsewhere. Last year, it was The Bad Boys offshoot L.A.’s Finest, which is launching as the first Spectrum original series this week.
- 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
Donald Faison has joined the NBC drama pilot “Emergence,â€. Variety has learned.
The project is described as a character-driven genre thriller that centers around a sheriff, Jo (Allison Tolman), who takes in a young child (Alexa Skye Swinton) that she finds near the site of a mysterious accident who has no memory of what has happened. The investigation draws her into a conspiracy larger than she ever imagined, and the child’s identity is at the center of it all.
Faison will play Alex, Jo’s recently divorced husband and father of their daughter, Bree (Ashley Aufderheide). The cast also includes Clancy Brown, Robert Bailey Jr., and Owain Yeoman.
Faison is best known for co-starring in the medical comedy “Scrubs,â€. which originally aired on NBC before switching over to ABC for its final two seasons. He recently guest starred on the Showtime drama “Ray Donovanâ€. and currently lends his voice...
The project is described as a character-driven genre thriller that centers around a sheriff, Jo (Allison Tolman), who takes in a young child (Alexa Skye Swinton) that she finds near the site of a mysterious accident who has no memory of what has happened. The investigation draws her into a conspiracy larger than she ever imagined, and the child’s identity is at the center of it all.
Faison will play Alex, Jo’s recently divorced husband and father of their daughter, Bree (Ashley Aufderheide). The cast also includes Clancy Brown, Robert Bailey Jr., and Owain Yeoman.
Faison is best known for co-starring in the medical comedy “Scrubs,â€. which originally aired on NBC before switching over to ABC for its final two seasons. He recently guest starred on the Showtime drama “Ray Donovanâ€. and currently lends his voice...
- 3/11/2019
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Turn and The Mentalist alum Owain Yeoman is set as a series regular opposite Allison Tolman and Alexa Skye Swinton in Emergence, NBC’s mystery drama pilot from Kevin (Probably) Saves the World creators/executive producers Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters, director Paul McGuigan and ABC Studios.
Written by Fazekas and Butters and directed by McGuigan, Emergence is a character-driven genre thriller that centers on Jo (Tolman), a police chief who takes in a young child, Piper (Swinton), she finds near the site of a mysterious accident who has no memory of what has happened. The investigation draws her into a conspiracy larger than she ever imagined, and the child’s identity is at the center of it all.
Yeoman will play Benny, an investigative reporter for Reuters.
Cast also includes Robert Bailey Jr., Clancy Brown and Ashley Aufderheide.
Fazekas and Butters executive produce with McGuigan. Robert Atwood, development...
Written by Fazekas and Butters and directed by McGuigan, Emergence is a character-driven genre thriller that centers on Jo (Tolman), a police chief who takes in a young child, Piper (Swinton), she finds near the site of a mysterious accident who has no memory of what has happened. The investigation draws her into a conspiracy larger than she ever imagined, and the child’s identity is at the center of it all.
Yeoman will play Benny, an investigative reporter for Reuters.
Cast also includes Robert Bailey Jr., Clancy Brown and Ashley Aufderheide.
Fazekas and Butters executive produce with McGuigan. Robert Atwood, development...
- 3/4/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Child actress Alexa Skye Swinton (Billions) has landed the young lead opposite Allison Tolman in Emergence, NBC’s mystery drama pilot from Kevin (Probably) Saves the World creators/executive producers Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters, director Paul McGuigan and ABC Studios. Also cast in the project are The Night Shift co-star Robert Bailey Jr., in his return to NBC, Clancy Brown (Billions) and Ashley Aufderheide (The Slap).
Written by Fazekas and Butters and directed by McGuigan, Emergence is a character-driven genre thriller that centers on Jo (Tolman), a police chief who takes in a young child, Piper (Swinton), she finds near the site of a mysterious accident who has no memory of what has happened. The investigation draws her into a conspiracy larger than she ever imagined, and the child’s identity is at the center of it all.
Swinton’s Piper is intelligent, curious and a bit mysterious.
Written by Fazekas and Butters and directed by McGuigan, Emergence is a character-driven genre thriller that centers on Jo (Tolman), a police chief who takes in a young child, Piper (Swinton), she finds near the site of a mysterious accident who has no memory of what has happened. The investigation draws her into a conspiracy larger than she ever imagined, and the child’s identity is at the center of it all.
Swinton’s Piper is intelligent, curious and a bit mysterious.
- 2/27/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Allison Tolman has been cast in the lead role of the NBC drama pilot “Emergence,” Variety has confirmed.
The project is described as a character-driven genre thriller that centers around a sheriff (Tolman) who takes in a young child that she finds near the site of a mysterious accident who has no memory of what has happened. The investigation draws her into a conspiracy larger than she ever imagined, and the child’s identity is at the center of it all.
Tolman received an Emmy and Golden Globe nomination for her role as Molly Severson on the FX series “Fargo.” She also played the lead role in the ABC comedy series “Downward Dog” and has appeared on other shows like “The Mindy Project,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “Good Girls,” and “Castle Rock.” On the feature side, she has appeared in films like “Krampus,” “The Gift,” and “The Sisters Brothers.”
She is repped by UTA,...
The project is described as a character-driven genre thriller that centers around a sheriff (Tolman) who takes in a young child that she finds near the site of a mysterious accident who has no memory of what has happened. The investigation draws her into a conspiracy larger than she ever imagined, and the child’s identity is at the center of it all.
Tolman received an Emmy and Golden Globe nomination for her role as Molly Severson on the FX series “Fargo.” She also played the lead role in the ABC comedy series “Downward Dog” and has appeared on other shows like “The Mindy Project,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “Good Girls,” and “Castle Rock.” On the feature side, she has appeared in films like “Krampus,” “The Gift,” and “The Sisters Brothers.”
She is repped by UTA,...
- 2/7/2019
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Fargo standout Allison Tolman has been cast as the lead in Emergence, NBC’s mystery drama pilot from Kevin (Probably) Saves the World creators/executive producers Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters, director Paul McGuigan and ABC Studios.
Written by Fazekas and Butters, Emergence is a character-driven genre thriller that centers around a police chief (Tolman) who takes in a young child that she finds near the site of a mysterious accident who has no memory of what has happened. The investigation draws her into a conspiracy larger than she ever imagined, and the child’s identity is at the center of it all.
Tolman’s Jo is the police chief on Long Island’s Peconic Bay. Newly divorced from Alex, Jo lives with her 14-year-old daughter, Bree, and her ex-firefighter father, Ed.
Fazekas and Butters executive produce with McGuigan, who is attached to direct. Robert Atwood, development executive for...
Written by Fazekas and Butters, Emergence is a character-driven genre thriller that centers around a police chief (Tolman) who takes in a young child that she finds near the site of a mysterious accident who has no memory of what has happened. The investigation draws her into a conspiracy larger than she ever imagined, and the child’s identity is at the center of it all.
Tolman’s Jo is the police chief on Long Island’s Peconic Bay. Newly divorced from Alex, Jo lives with her 14-year-old daughter, Bree, and her ex-firefighter father, Ed.
Fazekas and Butters executive produce with McGuigan, who is attached to direct. Robert Atwood, development executive for...
- 2/7/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
NBC has ordered pilots for dramas “Emergence” and “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist.”
ABC Studios’ “Emergence hails from writers and executive producers Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters. The project is described as a character-driven genre thriller that centers around a sheriff who takes in a young child that she finds near the site of a mysterious accident who has no memory of what has happened. The investigation draws her into a conspiracy larger than she ever imagined, and the child’s identity is at the center of it all. Paul McGuigan serves as director and non-writing exec producer. Robert Atwood is a producer.
“Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” is produced by Lionsgate Television alongside The Tannenbaum Company, FeigCo, Universal Music Group. Austin Winsberg is writer and exec producer. Paul Feig (pictured) will direct the pilot and serve as exec producer. Jessie Henderson, Kim Tannenbaum, Eric Tannenbaum and Jason Wang will also serve as non-writing exec producers.
ABC Studios’ “Emergence hails from writers and executive producers Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters. The project is described as a character-driven genre thriller that centers around a sheriff who takes in a young child that she finds near the site of a mysterious accident who has no memory of what has happened. The investigation draws her into a conspiracy larger than she ever imagined, and the child’s identity is at the center of it all. Paul McGuigan serves as director and non-writing exec producer. Robert Atwood is a producer.
“Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” is produced by Lionsgate Television alongside The Tannenbaum Company, FeigCo, Universal Music Group. Austin Winsberg is writer and exec producer. Paul Feig (pictured) will direct the pilot and serve as exec producer. Jessie Henderson, Kim Tannenbaum, Eric Tannenbaum and Jason Wang will also serve as non-writing exec producers.
- 1/12/2019
- by Variety Staff
- Variety Film + TV
NBC has handed pilot orders to two new dramas, the thriller “Emergence” from “Kevin (Probably) Saves the World” creators Michele Fazekas & Tara Butters, and the musical dramedy “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist,” directed and executive produced by Paul Feig.
“Emergence,” written and executive produced by Fazekas and Butters, is described by the network as “a character-driven genre thriller that centers around a sheriff who takes in a young child that she finds near the site of a mysterious accident who has no memory of what has happened. The investigation draws her into a conspiracy larger than she ever imagined, and the child’s identity is at the center of it all.”
Paul McGuigan, who also directed the pilot for “Kevin,” will serve as a director and executive producer on the ABC Studios project. Robert Atwood of the Fazekas & Butters production company, which is under an overall at ABC Studios, serves as producer.
“Emergence,” written and executive produced by Fazekas and Butters, is described by the network as “a character-driven genre thriller that centers around a sheriff who takes in a young child that she finds near the site of a mysterious accident who has no memory of what has happened. The investigation draws her into a conspiracy larger than she ever imagined, and the child’s identity is at the center of it all.”
Paul McGuigan, who also directed the pilot for “Kevin,” will serve as a director and executive producer on the ABC Studios project. Robert Atwood of the Fazekas & Butters production company, which is under an overall at ABC Studios, serves as producer.
- 1/12/2019
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
NBC has greenlighted two more hourlong pilots, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist and Emergence, both from outside studios. Musical dramedy Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist hails from Jake in Progress creator Austin Winsberg, Eric and Kim Tannenbaum, Universal Music Group and Lionsgate TV; mystery drama Emergence is from from Kevin (Probably) Saves the World creators/executive producers Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters, director Paul McGuigan and ABC Studios.
Written by Winsberg and to be directed by Paul Feig, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, which had a script commitment plus penalty, is described tonally as What Women Want meets La La Land. It follows a whip-smart but socially awkward girl in her late 20s who is suddenly able to hear the innermost thoughts of people around her as songs and even big musical numbers that they perform just for her. With this new ability at her disposal, she is able to use her “gift...
Written by Winsberg and to be directed by Paul Feig, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, which had a script commitment plus penalty, is described tonally as What Women Want meets La La Land. It follows a whip-smart but socially awkward girl in her late 20s who is suddenly able to hear the innermost thoughts of people around her as songs and even big musical numbers that they perform just for her. With this new ability at her disposal, she is able to use her “gift...
- 1/12/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
ABC has put in development Pushover, a darkly comedic soap from Kevin (Probably) Saves The World creators Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters and ABC Studios, where Fazekas and Butters and their Fazekas & Butters production company are under an overall deal.
This marks the second broadcast sale for Fazekas and Butters this season — the duo also is writing and executive producing mystery drama Emergence, which received a put pilot commitment at NBC with Paul McGuigan set to direct.
Written and executive produced by Fazekas and Butters, Pushover centers around a woman who has been “nice” all her life and decides to become a villain, with the help of her landlord, the office custodian, and the It department.
Robert Atwood, development executive for Fazekas & Butters, is a producer.
Fazekas and Butters created dramedy Kevin (Probably) Saves the World, which aired for one season on ABC. They previously served as executive producers...
This marks the second broadcast sale for Fazekas and Butters this season — the duo also is writing and executive producing mystery drama Emergence, which received a put pilot commitment at NBC with Paul McGuigan set to direct.
Written and executive produced by Fazekas and Butters, Pushover centers around a woman who has been “nice” all her life and decides to become a villain, with the help of her landlord, the office custodian, and the It department.
Robert Atwood, development executive for Fazekas & Butters, is a producer.
Fazekas and Butters created dramedy Kevin (Probably) Saves the World, which aired for one season on ABC. They previously served as executive producers...
- 11/29/2018
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
NBC has given a put pilot commitment to Emergence, a mystery drama from Kevin (Probably) Saves The World creators/executive producers Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters, director Paul McGuigan and ABC Studios.
Written by Fazekas and Butters, Emergence centers around a sheriff who takes in a young child that she finds near the site of a mysterious accident who has no memory of what has happened. The investigation draws her into a conspiracy larger than she ever imagined, and the child’s identity is at the center of it all.
Fazekas and Butters executive produce with McGuigan, who is attached to direct. Robert Atwood, development executive for the Fazekas & Butters production company, is a producer. ABC Studios, where Fazekas and Butters are under an overall deal, is the studio.
Emergence marks a reunion for Fazekas, Butters and McGuigan after working together on the 2017 ABC/ABC Studios dramedy pilot Kevin (Probably) Saves the World.
Written by Fazekas and Butters, Emergence centers around a sheriff who takes in a young child that she finds near the site of a mysterious accident who has no memory of what has happened. The investigation draws her into a conspiracy larger than she ever imagined, and the child’s identity is at the center of it all.
Fazekas and Butters executive produce with McGuigan, who is attached to direct. Robert Atwood, development executive for the Fazekas & Butters production company, is a producer. ABC Studios, where Fazekas and Butters are under an overall deal, is the studio.
Emergence marks a reunion for Fazekas, Butters and McGuigan after working together on the 2017 ABC/ABC Studios dramedy pilot Kevin (Probably) Saves the World.
- 10/20/2018
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
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