At the winter press tour for the Television Critics Association, NBC unloaded a slew of new announcements about projects in development for 2015 and beyond. The news includes a major casting announcement for the Heroes reboot, a new Eva Longoria comedy, another live musical, miniseries and TV movies inspired by the Underground Railroad and Dolly Parton, as well as updates on Hannibal season 3 and the next Chicago spin-off.
Zachary Levi in Heroes Reborn
The upcoming event miniseries reboot of the Emmy-winning Heroes has found a new star. Zachary Levi, best known as the lead in NBC’s Chuck, will star in the 13-episode miniseries Heroes Reborn, though his role was not specified. As of now, the only other actor attached to the project is Jack Coleman, reprising his role as Noah Bennet, aka HRG.
New Eva Longoria Series
NBC has ordered 13 episodes of a new single-camera comedy starring Desperate Housewives actress Eva Longoria. The series, titled Telenovela, is a comedic look at the behind-the-scenes antics of a popular Spanish-language soap opera, with Longoria playing the show’s leading lady.
The Wiz: Live
NBC has previously announced plans to produce The Music Man as its next live musical event, following The Sound of Music and Peter Pan, but now there’s a new show that could take its place. The Wiz, an African-American reimagining of The Wizard of Oz. It’s undecided as of now which will go first, but The Wiz and The Music Man will be the network’s next two live musical events, airing in 2015 and 2016.
Freedom Run Miniseries
Continuing the trend of more limited-run miniseries, NBC has ordered the eight-episode event Freedom Run. The miniseries will tell the story of the Underground Railroad through the lens of three journeys and love stories, each based on real people. The project is being executive produced by music legend Stevie Wonder and is also being adapted into a Broadway musical.
Dolly Parton Comes to TV
NBC has signed a deal with country music superstar Dolly Parton to produce several TV movies based on her music and life. Parton will serve as a producer.
Hannibal and More Chicago
Hannibal fans will have to wait a bit longer for the show’s third season, as it won’t debut until the summer. Meanwhile, NBC is developing a potential new spin-off for its successful Chicago series, this one centering on the hospital. Chicago Med would join Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D.
(Image courtesy of WENN)
Senior Writer, BuddyTV
John watches nearly every show on TV, but he specializes in sci-fi/fantasy like The Vampire Diaries, Supernatural and True Blood. However, he can also be found writing about everything from Survivor and Glee to One Tree Hill and Smallville.
