TVLine Items: Theo James in Ritchie Series, Scandal Vet’s Hulu Gig and More
Theo James may be currently vacationing on screen in The White Lotus, but he’s already looking toward his next TV gig: The actor will headline Guy Ritchie’s Netflix series The Gentlemen, based on the co-writer/director’s 2019 film of the same name, our sister site Deadline reports.
James stars as Eddie Halstead, “who has inherited his father’s sizeable estate only to discover that it’s sitting on top of a weed empire owned by the legendary Mickey Pearson (played by Matthew McConaughey in the movie),” Deadline describes. “Has this straight-up soldier got what it takes to master the dark arts of the British criminal underworld and take control of the entire operation?”
Ritchie co-wrote the pilot with Matthew Read (McMafia) and is set to direct the first two episodes in addition to serving as an executive producer.
James other TV credit include The Time Traveler’s Wife, Sanditon and Golden Boy.
Ready for some more recent newsy nuggets? Well…
* Bellamy Young (Prodigal Son, Scandal) and Eric McCormack (Will & Grace) have joined Hulu‘s upcoming drama The Other Black Girl as series regulars, per Deadline. Based on Zakiya Dalila Harris’ novel, the show follows Nella, “an editorial assistant, who is tired of being the only Black girl at Wagner Books so she’s excited when Hazel is hired. But as Hazel’s star begins to rise, Nella spirals out and discovers something sinister is going on at the company.” Young will play Nella’s editor boss, who is described as a Hamptons WASP, while McCormack will portray the founder and editor-in-chief of Wagner Books.
* Peacock and Sky have ordered a series inspired by Frederick Forsyth’s thriller The Day of The Jackal and the award-winning 1973 film adaptation. The project “will delve deeper into the chameleon like ‘anti-hero’ at the heart of the story, in a high octane, cinematic, globetrotting ‘cat and mouse’ thriller, set amidst the turbulent geo-political landscape of our time,” per the official description.
* David Letterman will interview Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a standalone episode of Netflix’s My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman, premiering later this year.
* Avantika (Spin, Diary of a Future President) is attached to star in and executive-produce A Crown of Wishes, a live-action YA fantasy series rooted in Hindu mythology in development at Disney+, based on the second book in Roshani Chokshi’s Star-Touched Queen duology, per Deadline.
* HBO has released a trailer for We’re Here Season 3, premiering Friday, Nov. 25 at 10/9c:
Which of today’s TVLine Items pique your interest?
Boy has television dwindled. I’m all for diversity and representation though — especially being a young gay guy. However… is anything white anymore?? It’s almost EVIL and RACIST to have one all white show these days. It’s crazy! There have always been all black shows on network television going back decades. However, what we have seen is an increased number of all black and minority-led shows in prime time. That’s amazing and I’m for it. Even gay-led characters are increasing on not only on streamers but network TV.
What is happening now though is an infusion and unification of casts where leading sitcoms and prime time shows aren’t just “white” or “black” but evenly casting both, as with several CBS sitcoms (The Neighborhood, Bob Hearts Abishola, Ghosts, etc.).
And that sounds great on the surface. We should have blended cast and diversity of characters on *most* shows. But now prime time is getting booked with mostly only diverse casts and what isn’t equally black and white is just black or minority. White casts are disappearing more and more that it seems like networks are becoming fearful of casting all white casts due to the criticism that Friend’s receives 20+ years later!!
Despite the fact that =
Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Bill Cosby, Living Single, Moesha, Sister Sister, Family Matters, The Parkers, Martin, The Wayan’s Bros., The Jamie Fox Show, etc. we’re ALL running during that time period, which were prime time sitcoms led by ALL BLACK CASTS!
No one is crying that Living Single didn’t feature any white people or Asian’s more. So why is it only wrong and bad if one show is all white? It’s only wrong if it’s done simply due to embarrassment of black actors on your show or viewers dislike of black folks. Other than that, its usually pretty innocent and doesn’t have any hatred or evil behind it. We all have preferences sometimes . And we’re free to feel this way.
But again, it’s great that prime time is featuring more diversity and representation but… let’s not loose sight of this and go out of hand and make it a MUST HAVE for every show. The idea is simply to broaden the representation and showcase more folks. It isn’t always just about black people, either. We’ve had plenty of representation of them — especially in recent years. But gay representation, Asian representation, Latina, conservative characters, etc is still WAY UNDERREPRESENTED! Let’s focus on these things sone more and stop making prime time BET 24/7!
Prime time ratings are down considerably and ratings keep plummeting each TV season. You cannot exclude your majority or business will crumble. Remember, this is still a white majority country and people want to see what connects with them sometimes.
We can have unified casts and diversity without blacklisting white shows 100%.
This is how networks can improve their ratings. We are getting tired of this!
Uhhh. It’s not a problem if the cast is diverse. The only thing that might be overkill is the fact that many shows are about race. That’s one aspect of identity. We could have more. So many people are struggling financially, and yet I don’t see that represented on TV. Shows seem afraid to show different political ideologies. Why not a show with a conservative character who isn’t an election denier? Would that be so bad? Religions. Why not show us what it’s like to be a practicing Buddhist? Humor in veganism lifestyle? Let’s be actually diverse in content, not just about race.
This is typical overcompensation to push a political agenda. While the US black population is just 13+%, current TV would place it closer to 50% including several black channels, over saturation in TV ads, more mixed race couples and a reluctance to have the bad guy in cop shows be a POC. It is, in fact subliminal brainwashing. The pendulum will swing back when people get fed up, it always does.
A lot of this is illogical and should be worked out with your therapist honestly. The world is changing embrace it. Very telling comment: “Let’s focus on these things sone more and stop making prime time BET 24/7!” You should examine what led to you type this and whine about majority Black shows when many are created so Black people have a chance to be featured-you know as a reaction to racism. Sorry that you long for the days when there were casts comprised of exclusively all white casts, but those days are mostly gone. Nevertheless, you can still plenty of mainly white casts, if you look.
Maybe you should just buy a boxsset of Bonanza? In that show all the roles were played by whities, even the indians ;)
Something tells me that you’re using the “I’m gay” comment simply to justify your racism and homophobia. And, if you don’t like diverse representation, call the Proud Boys and I’m sure that they’ll give you an approved list of white shows to watch.
You are vile.
I would ask if you’re for real… but, sadly, I already know the answer. How sad and pathetic is it going through life so close-minded and empty hearted?
…THANK YOU! Being pro-diversity should not equate to being anti-white!
Some of the comments on this thread are just vile…I’m looking forward to The Gentlemen & The Other Black Girl.