Shadow and Act

ATTN: WE'VE MOVED!! Access Shadow and Act at Its New Location - WWW.SHADOWANDACT.COM

Tambay A. Obenson — Mon, 02 May 2016 13:08:01 GMT

As I said in a post last week Friday, starting today, Monday, May 2, Shadow and Act is now located at www.shadowandact.com. It's the name of the website with a ".com" at the end of it. Easy enough to remember, right? So be sure to change your bookmarks to reflect this new web address.

For those who subscribe via RSS news readers like Feedly, the new RSS feed address is http://shadowandact.com/feed/. And for those who subscribe via email, Indiewire will be providing us with a list of every current email subscriber, so, at the moment, there isn't anything you need to do, because we'll have your information soon enough, and it should be a matter of simply importing all of it into our new email subscription service. Although in the meantime, you can also re-subscribe by resubmitting your email address via the new email subscription service provided at the new website location (www.shadowandact.com), in the right-hand column

Our Facebook and Twitter accounts remain the same. So if you follow us at either social media location, you're good; there's nothing for you to do either.

But wherever, or on whatever platform you follow Shadow and Act, you should be able to reach us at the new location, www.shadowandact.com. If you receive our content via some other channel I haven't mentioned here, please let me know so that I can make sure you're taken care of. But making note of the new address - www.shadowandact.com - is an important first step.

As with any transition, temporary or permanent, I expect there'll be some kinks to be worked out initially, so please be patient if you encounter any problems at the new. Just send me an email (obensont@gmail.com) letting me know about any problems you come across.

Again, www.shadowandact.com is where the site now exists, starting today, Monday, May 2, 2016. It's still "under construction," but the basics (reading posts and commenting on them) are there, so head on over. Eventually, all our past content will be transferred from Indiewire to the new location.

Thanks for your patience and hopefully we'll see you there!

For those just joining us, who have absolutely no idea what all this is about, you can catch up on all the details here and then here, and finally here.

www.shadowandact.com!

Black Panther Fights Bucky in New Clip From 'Civil War'

Tambay A. Obenson — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 23:17:31 GMT

With just a week away until the movie opens on May 6, here's another clip from "Captain America: Civil War" in which we get another look at Chadwick Boseman in action as Black Panther, as he fights Bucky with Captain America looking on, wanting to get in on the action.

In the latest Avenger chronicle, the gang is all back, including Anthony Mackie as Falcon, and Don Cheadle as War Machine, as well as Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Emily VanCamp, Jeremy Renner, Paul Bettany, and Elizabeth Olsen, with Paul Rudd, Frank Grillo, William Hurt, and Daniel Brühl. I'm sure there'll be plenty more clips and TV spots before the movie opens in theaters May 6!

Without further ado, watch the clip below featuring Black Panther in action, taking on Bucky:

Joy-Ann Reid Takes Over MSNBC Weekend Slot Previously Occupied By Melissa Harris-Perry

Tambay A. Obenson — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 20:18:40 GMT

MSNBC has announced that Joy-Ann Reid will host a new program on the network that will occupy the timeslot vacated by Melissa Harris-Perry's show after a very public break up with the cable TV news channel.

Reid's new show will air from 10 am-Noon ET on Saturdays and Sundays, debuting next week, May 7.

“MSNBC viewers crave not only the facts, but also in-depth discussion and analysis from a range of perspectives,” said MSNBC President Phil Griffin, in a press statement. “There is no one better equipped than Joy to lead this new project, and create a place for the kind of unique discussion our audience has come to expect.”

“Melissa did a show that was incredibly valuable,” Reid added. “Instead of trying to replace it, we will fill the space with something new; something compelling, and something that adds to the conversation.”

Reid previously hosted a weekday show on MSNBC called The Reid Report, until February 2015.

She joined MSNBC in 2011 as a contributor.

First Trailer for Dramedy 'Puerto Ricans in Paris' Drops

Tambay A. Obenson — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 18:08:47 GMT

Luis Guzman, Edgar Garcia, Rosario Dawson, Rosie Perez, Miriam Shor, Lilou Fogli, Julie Ferrier, Charlotte Mangel, Frederic Ansombre, and others star in the comedy "Puerto Ricans in Paris" - a USA/France/Czech Republic co-production directed by Ian Edelman (HBO’s "How to Make It in America"), with a story that follows 2 detectives working in NYPD’s Luxury Goods Recovery Unit, who are responsible for taking down bootleggers selling knockoff consumer items.

The 2 cops are played by Luiz Guzmán and Edgar Garcia, a series regular on "How to Make It in America." The pair is sent to Paris to help a French designer recover a bag that is of some significance, from her latest line.

Dawson and Perez play their girlfriends.

Focus World, the multi-platform distribution initiative that is owned and operated by Focus Features, acquired USA rights to "Puerto Ricans in Paris" and will release the film in Theaters, On Demand and Digital HD on June 10.

A first trailer for "Puerto Ricans in Paris" has been released and is embedded below.

ALERT! Shadow and Act Moves to a New Location Starting Monday, May 2. Here's What You Need to Know...

Tambay A. Obenson — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 16:40:19 GMT

Hey everyone!

As I said in my last update on Monday, this is our last week on Indiewire, and I've working to temporarily park the Shadow and Act blog at a new location, while I continue to explore available options. I received a ton of feedback and support after my initial announcement 3 weeks ago on the site's potential future, which I'm incredibly grateful for, with many offering suggestions on how the site can continue to exist and thrive post-Indiewire. And so I've been considering the most viable options, researching thoroughly the pros and cons of each, so that I can make a well-informed decision on what comes next. And that's taking some time to properly sort through.

So starting next Monday, May 2, 2016, Shadow and Act will have a new, albeit temporary home (although it could very well become permanent), which will give me a little more necessary time to do the work required to reach a conclusion based on what's currently in front of me.

In the meantime, as stated, beginning on Monday, May 2, Shadow and Act will be found at www.shadowandact.com. It's the name of the website with a ".com" at the end of it. Easy enough to remember, right? So be sure to change your bookmarks to reflect this new web address.

For those who subscribe via news RSS readers like Feedly, I will provide an update on what the new RSS feed address will be, by Monday. And for those who subscribe via email, Indiewire will be providing us with a list of every current email subscriber, so, at the moment, there isn't anything you need to do, because we'll have your information and it should be a matter of simply importing all of it into our new email subscription service.

Our Facebook and Twitter accounts remain the same. So if you follow us at either social media location, you're good; there's nothing for you to do either.

But wherever, or on whatever platform you follow Shadow and Act, you should be able to reach us at the new location, www.shadowandact.com. If you receive our content via some other channel I haven't mentioned here, please let me know so that I can make sure you're taken care of. But making note of the new address - www.shadowandact.com - is an important first step.

As with any transition, temporary or permanent, I expect there'll be some kinks to be worked out initially, so please be patient if you encounter any problems when the site relaunches at its new location on Monday. Just send me an email letting me know about any problems you come across.

Feel free to ask any questions you have in the comment section below that I didn't address here; or send me an email at obensont@gmail.com.

Again, www.shadowandact.com is where the site will exist starting on Monday, May 2, 2016.

Thanks for your patience and hopefully we'll see you there!

For those just joining us, who have absolutely no idea what all this is about, you can catch up on all the details here and then here.

Watch 2 First Look Promos for New ABC Summer Comedy Series, 'Uncle Buck'

Tambay A. Obenson — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 23:19:27 GMT

ABC's 2016 summer primetime schedule will include the new comedy series "Uncle Buck" which is set to premiere on Tuesday, June 14.

Based on the hit movie of the same name, Uncle Buck (Mike Epps) is a charismatic hustler who has gotten by on his charm for years. But when his brother, Will (James Lesure), and sister-in-law, Alexis (Nia Long), move to town and need help with their kids, he steps up to become their "manny," and their lives will never be the same. Will and Alexis are wary of Buck's questionable parenting skills, but his unique perspective and street smarts provide some unconventional solutions to raising their three rambunctious kids, who typically make a hobby out of terrorizing their nannies.

"Uncle Buck" stars Mike Epps as Buck, Nia Long as Alexis, James Lesure as Will, Iman Benson as Tia, Sayeed Shahidi as Miles and Aalyrah Caldwell as Maizy.

Executive producers are Will Packer, Steven Cragg and Brian D. Bradley.

Co-executive producers are Korin Huggins, Kenny Smith, Michael Pennie and Franco E. Bario.

"Uncle Buck" is produced by Universal Television and ABC Studios.

ABC has released 2 promos for the upcoming series which are both embedded below:

Nate Parker's Globetrotting Heist Script 'Predilection' Heading to Cannes Film Market

Tambay A. Obenson — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 20:27:08 GMT

It's that time of the year again, as producers and sales companies take their packaged (and un-packaged) projects to the Cannes film market (Marché du Film) to present to potential international buyers...

At the upcoming 2016 event which takes place concurrently with the Cannes Film Festival next month, BB Film Productions and Bleiberg Entertainment will shop a globetrotting heist project from Nate Parker, titled "Predilection," which Parker wrote, and which will be directed by Marcio Garcia.

"Predilection" is inspired by Garcia’s short "Predileção," which follows a low-level criminal and a legendary thief who meet in prison and hatch a plot for an elaborate robbery.

Parker is also producing with Uri Singer and Ehud Bleiberg, while and Nick Donnermeyer serves as executive producer.

The project is currently being cast, with a late 2016 production start date eyed.

The news comes after Parker's "The Birth of a Nation" scored a Sundance Film Festival record worldwide distribution deal with Fox Searchlight, earlier this year.

Kevin Macdonald to Direct Comprehensive, Raw and Uncensored Whitney Houston Documentary w/ Estate's Blessing

Tambay A. Obenson — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 19:04:03 GMT

British filmmaker Kevin Macdonald will direct what will be the officially authorized documentary on the late Whitney Houston. The production, which has been given Houston’s estate’s blessing, will tell the unvarnished story of the singer’s life in a film that will examine both the highs and lows of her dramatic career.

With behind-the-scenes materials, candid interviews and performance footage, including many of Houston's greatest hits, this film will offer a raw and uncensored look at Houston and explore the impact her life and death had on the people around her and on the world of music.

Simon Chinn will produce alongside his Lightbox Media (UK) partner Jonathan Chinn and Lisa Erspramer.

Altitude Film Sales is introducing the project to buyers at the Cannes Film Market next month.

Altitude’s Will Clarke, Andy Mayson and Mike Runagall will executive produce.

Director Kevin Macdonald said about the upcoming film: “The story that is never told about Whitney is just how brilliant she was as an artist; by many measures she had the greatest voice of the last 50 years. She changed the way pop music was sung - bringing it back full circle to its blues and gospel roots. She was also completely unique in being a black pop star who sold in countries where black artists don’t traditionally sell. We have access to never-before-seen footage of Whitney that charts her whole life from her beginnings singing in her church’s gospel choir, to the day of her tragic death at the age of 48 and three decades of her music including exclusive demo recordings, rare performances and audio archives. Although we won’t shy away from the darker parts of Whitney’s life - her descent into addiction - I want audiences to walk out of the cinema and feel positive about Whitney and her music.”

I should note that, last month, Showtime Documentary Films announced the start of production on its own uncensored film exploring the career and life of Whitney Houston, produced, directed and narrated by Nick Broomfield. No word on whether it has any connection to this new Whitney Houston project.

Kerry Washington and Viola Davis Ink Individual Overall Deals With ABC Studios

Tambay A. Obenson — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 18:42:13 GMT

ABC is building on their relationships with two of the network's biggest stars, as “Scandal’s” Kerry Washington and "How to Get Away with Murder's" Viola Davis, have both inked individual overall deals with ABC Studios.

Under the new agreements, both actresses will develop new projects for broadcast, cable, and streaming services through their respective production companies - JuVee Productions (Viola Davis, along with partner Julius Tennon); and Simpson Street (Kerry Washington).

The recent HBO film “Confirmation” in which Washington starred as Anita Hill, was the first project produced under Simpson Street, which ABC Signature was also behind.

“I believe strongly in the importance of having a seat at the table which makes starting this production company thrilling for me. It’s an honor to be at a point in my career when I can help generate projects that that are exciting, necessary, and truly reflect the world around us,” Washington said in a statement. “I’m grateful to be on this journey with ABC, a network that remains unparalleled in its commitment to inclusive storytelling.”

“We started JuVee because we wanted to see narratives that reflected our multi-ethnic and multifaceted culture,” said Davis. “We wanted to be a part of classic storytelling, and we didn’t want to wait.”

Now we wait to see what kind of programming originates from both deals...

Trailer for 'Southside With You' Drops! A Young Barack and Michelle Go on the Best First Date Ever!

Tambay A. Obenson — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 17:08:07 GMT

Miramax paid a reported roughly $2 million for North American rights to director Richard Tanne’s well-received Sundance romantic-drama, "Southside With You," the lighthearted film that follows a young Barack Obama and future First Lady Michelle Robinson on their first date, during the summer of 1989.

Miramax is partnering with Roadside Attractions on the theatrical release of the IM Global-backed film, which made its World Premiere at this year's Sundance Film Festival were it drew rave reviews.

Director Tanne developed the screenplay for the film which stars Tika Sumpter playing Michelle; while Parker Sawyers, known for parts in "Zero Dark Thirty" (2012) and "Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit" (2014), is Barack.

The film is produced by Robert Teitel, Tika Sumpter, and Richard Tanne. Executive Producers are Stuart Ford, Matt Jackson, Glendon Palmer, John Legend, Mike Jackson, Carrie Holt De Lama, and Tracey Bing. Legend also produced and performs the end title song for the film, “Start.”

An August 2016 premiere is eyed.

Check out the first trailer below:

LAFF First Look: Idris Elba Leads Ensemble Cast British Indie 'A Hundred Streets'

Tambay A. Obenson — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 16:46:44 GMT

Set to make its world premiere at the upcoming Los Angeles Film Festival in June is an ensemble drama feature titled "A Hundred Streets," which stars Idris Elba (who is also a producer on the film).

The British indie was once titled "One Square Mile," when we first alerted you of its production in 2013, but will be released as "A Hundred Streets."

Jim O’Hanlon directed the film from a script penned by Leon F. Butler.

Elba is joined by Gemma Arterton, Charlie Creed-Miles, Franz Drameh, Kierston Wareing, Tom Cullen and Ken Stott in the upcoming multi-stranded drama which tells 4 stories of a group of people who live within one square mile of each other in London (hence the previous title of the film).

The cast of characters face major choices and changes in their separate lives as their paths sometimes cross. All of these interconnecting stories paint a picture of a society where a person is often loneliest within a crowd. As tension mounts, relationships are strained, loyalties are tested and violence erupts."

In the film, Elba and Artherton play a former rugby player and his estranged wife.

The filmmakers describe the project as a gritty, contemporary and poignant multilayered drama, with the underlying message being one of hope, and that by working as a community, things can only get better.

"Crash" and "Amores Perros" are listed as inspirations for the film, which is said to be based on real events.

The film is a Silverstream and One Square Mile presentation in association with uMedia Entertainment.

No trailer yet; only the above photo with Elba, as well as the key art work below.

‘A Moving Image’ Director Shola Amoo on Being Selected for the 2016 LA Film Festival

Curtis Caesar John — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 16:15:00 GMT

As many of you film lovers may have seen, the LA Film Festival on Tuesday released their 2016 lineup, and numerous S&A featured filmmakers have been selected. Check out Tambay’s post on the Fest here.

Among them is British director Shola Amoo’s “A Moving Image,” a multimedia feature film about gentrification in Brixton, incorporating fiction, documentary and performance art, which is in the World Fiction Competition. The film stars Tanya Fear, who was also featured in Amoo’s festival favorite film “Touch,” as Nina, a young stifled artist who returns to her community after a long absence - and is soon painted as a symbol of gentrification. As she struggles with her own complicity, we follow her mission to create a piece of art that can bring her community together. On her journey, the filmmakers speak to real people affected by gentrification in Brixton, blurring the line between reality and fiction.

Featured here in the past year while working on “A Moving Image,” I got a chance to talk to Shola Amoo yesterday about his accomplishment:

“I'm very excited to be having the world premiere of “A Moving Image” at the LA Film Festival. In a way, it's the perfect place to have this conversation about gentrification, as there's a lot of similarities between what's happening in places in London like Brixton and Peckham and places in Los Angeles like Boyle Heights and Echo Park. I'm looking forward to the retreat and the chance to connect with the other filmmakers. There's a lot of prep needed by my team but I'm sure we won't forget to have some fun, plus London is a bit grey right now - some sun will be nice.”

The retreat Amoo is referring to is the Film Independent Filmmaker Retreat - an annual event which brings each year’s feature category directors together with high-profile mentors and selected Film Independent Board Members for a community-building event prior to the official start of the 2016 Festival. Also in attendance at the retreat is Film Independent Spirit Award winner and LA Film Festival alum Ryan Coogler (Creed), who will be honored as the 2016 Festival’s Guest Director.

The opening night film for the festival is Peruvian director Ricardo de Montreuil’s “Lowriders” which focuses on East LA car culture and Mexican culture, very prominent in Southern California, and starring Demian Bichir and Eva Longoria.

See more about “A Moving Image” on their website and check out the lineup of the LA Film Festival here.

BBC Unveils Ambitious New Diversity and Inclusion Strategy

Tambay A. Obenson — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 16:11:30 GMT

The BBC has today announced the launch of its ambitious new strategy that will hardwire diversity and inclusion into everything the Corporation does, on- and off-air.

The plans set out how the BBC will do even more to reflect the public it serves.

By 2020, the BBC says in a press release that it intends to have:

- a workforce at least as diverse, if not more so, than any other in the industry
- met stretching new portrayal targets that cover a much wider range of diversity than any other broadcaster, with a bigger impact for audiences across a wider range of programs
- made diversity something that everyone at the BBC understands, and all those who make program for us support.

In addition, to reflect the lives of all their audiences, the BBC will:

- set challenging new on-air portrayal targets for disabled people, women, ethnic minorities, and LGBT people, which go wider and further than ever before, to ensure their content reflects the public they serve.
- develop industry-leading diversity commissioning guidelines in consultation with the independent production sector and in-house production, using their position in the industry to ensure that anyone who makes programs for them shares their values and commitments.
- continue to invest in and develop new talent through the Assistant Commissioner Development Program and Diversity Creative Talent Fund.
- create a center of excellence for the commissioning and development of diverse programs and program-makers based in Birmingham.
- listen to their audiences in new and different ways, and open up the discussion for a greater range of voices to influence through audience panels from under-represented groups.
- set new 2020 workforce targets to ensure their employees and leadership teams are at least as diverse, if not more so, than any other in the industry
- focus on social inclusion by gathering socio-economic information from all new employees and creating a sustainable and diverse talent pool for the future by expanding their successful apprentice programs
- set new standards in the media industry on new recruitment and selection practices which drive the attraction, selection and retention of the best creative talent whatever their background, including extending anonymized application for the recruitment of all their core roles.
- embed diversity and inclusion throughout the BBC with diversity objectives and unconscious bias training for all managers and interviewers.
- continue and develop their successful employee development programs, such as the BBC/Clore Leadership program, Creative Access Internships and Extend – which will now see 10% of places on all of the BBC’s training schemes ring-fenced for disabled people.
- launch a new partnership with job centers across the UK to ensure all roles are advertised to those who need them most, including a guarantee that 25% of all our work experience applicants will be sourced from the job-seeking pool.- Ensure that partners of the BBC we will continue to work with theirindependent Diversity Advisory Panel of highly regarded experts, who advise and support their work, but also challenge them where necessary and hold them to account.

Tony Hall, BBC Director-General, said: “We have made some excellent progress to date on diversity and social mobility – and we should celebrate that – but we can, and must, do more. At its very core, our purpose is to represent everyone and give opportunities to people from all backgrounds. The BBC has a breadth and scale that is unique in the UK’s media, and that means what we do has real impact. So I want us to make sure we are leading by example, working with and learning from others in the industry, and using our influence to bring about real change.”

Tunde Ogungbesan, BBC Head of Diversity, Inclusion and Succession, said: “We want diversity and inclusion to be business as usual at the BBC and at the heart of everything we do on- and off-air. That’s why I believe diversity includes everyone. The BBC belongs to everyone in the UK, whatever their background, so everyone at the BBC has a responsibility to ensure that we represent, and are representative of, the public we serve.”

These announcements will build on a package of measures announced by Tony Hall since he became BBC Director-General in 2013.

The new targets for 2020 are as follows (the 2017 targets were announced in 2014):

Workforce (All staff and Leadership levels)	2017 Target	2020 Target
Women (all staff)	n/a	50%
Women (leadership)	n/a	50%
Disability (all staff)	5.3%	8%
Disability (leadership)	5%	8%
Black Asian and ethnic minorities (all staff)	14.2%	15%
Black Asian and ethnic minorities (leadership)	10%	15%
LGBT	n/a	8%

***

Onscreen Portrayal	2017 Target	2020 Target
Women on screen, on air and in lead roles	n/a	50%
Disability on screen and in some lead roles	5%	8%
Black, Asian and ethnic minorities on screen, on air and in lead roles	15%	15%*
LGBT on screen and in some lead roles	n/a	8%

*Includes lead roles in addition to overall portrayal

If you'd like to read the full strategy document the BBC released today, click here.

Stellar Cast for Animated Adaptation of Classic 'Watership Down' Includes John Boyega

Tambay A. Obenson — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 15:13:13 GMT

Beloved novel "Watership Down" will continue its adventure as BBC One and Netflix announce the classic tale will be reinterpreted into a four-part animated mini-series set to air in 2017. The series will premiere on BBC One in the UK; and worldwide, outside of the UK, on Netflix.

Set in the idyllic rural landscape of southern England, the tale of adventure, courage and survival follows a band of rabbits on their flight from the intrusion of man and the certain destruction of their home. Led by a stouthearted pair of brothers, they journey forth from their native Sandleford Warren through the harrowing trials posed by predators and adversaries, towards a promised land and a more perfect society.

The series, written by Tom Bidwell and directed by Noam Murro, will star James McAvoy as Hazel, Nicholas Hoult as Fiver, Sir Ben Kingsley as General Woundwort, John Boyega as Bigwig, Gemma Arterton as Clover, Miles Jupp as Blackberry, Freddie Fox as Captain Holly, Olivia Colman as Strawberry, and Anne-Marie Duff as Hyzenthlay.

The 4-part series is a co-production between BBC One and Netflix and produced by 42 and Noam Murro’s company Biscuit Films.

Matthew Read, BBC Drama Commissioning Editor, says: "Before there was Harry Potter there was Watership Down; Richard Adams’ novel is one of the most successful books of all time and one of the biggest selling books in history. It is fantastic to have the opportunity to bring a modern classic to a mainstream BBC One audience with such an incredible roster of actors alongside the talented team overseeing the animation. This fantastic take on the novel will unite the whole family, and bring this classic story to a new generation.”

Larry Tanz, Vice President Global Television, Netflix and Executive Producer, says: “We jumped at the chance to get in early and work alongside the BBC and 42 to bring this classic English tale to our members around the world. This novel presentation of Adams' work pairs great talent with beautiful animation and will delight existing fans and capture a whole new audience for this timeless story.”

The drama is created in CG by the animation team, led by Pete Dodd ("Fantastic Mr Fox," "Frankenweenie") and Hugo Sands; along with the animation studio Brown Bag Films, based in Dublin. It will be distributed internationally by ITV Studios Global Entertainment.

Executive Produced by Rory Aitken, Josh Varney, Ben Pugh and Eleanor Moran for 42, Noam Murro for Biscuit Films, and Matthew Read for BBC. The mini-series is co-directed by Pete Dodd and produced by Hugo Sands. Animation co-produced by Brown Bag Films, Dublin.

Newcomer Sennie Nanua Headlines British Post Apocalyptic Thriller, 'The Girl With All Gifts'

Tambay A. Obenson — Wed, 27 Apr 2016 22:47:45 GMT

Currently in post-production is an upcoming post apocalyptic zombie thriller, titled “The Girl With All Gifts,” which is based on the novel of the same name by M.R. Carey.

Directed by Colm McCarthy, and produced by Camille Gatin and Angus Lamont, the story is set in the near future, when humanity has been all but destroyed by a disease that eradicates free will and turns its victims into flesh-eating “hungries." Only a small group of children seem immune to its effects. At an army base in rural England, this group of unique children are being studied, subjected to cruel experiments by biologist Dr. Caldwell. Despite having been infected with the zombie pathogen that has decimated the world, these children retain normal thoughts and emotions. And while still being subject to the craving for human flesh that marks the disease, these second-generation “hungries” are able to think and feel, making them a vital resource in the search for a cure. The children attend school lessons daily, guarded by the ever watchful Sergeant Parks. But one little girl, named Melanie, stands out from the rest. Melanie is "special." She excels in the classroom, is inquisitive, imaginative and loves her favorite teacher Miss Justineau. When the base falls to the "hungries," Melanie escapes along with Miss Justineau, Sergeant Parks and Dr. Caldwell. Against the backdrop of a blighted Britain, Melanie must discover what she is and ultimately decide both her own future and that of the human race.

Starring as Melanie is newcomer Sennia Nanua. The 12-year-old is joined by Gemma Arterton, Paddy Considine and Glenn Close as Miss Justineau, Sergeant Parks and Dr. Caldwell.

Rounding out the cast are Anamaria Marinca, Fisayo Akinade, Anthony Welsh and Dominique Tipper.

Filmed in West Midlands, Central England, and funded by the BFI Film Fund, Creative England and Altitude Film Entertainment, the film was picked up by Warner Bros. Pictures but only for UK distribution at this time, set for September of this year. No word yet on whether it'll travel.

Director Colm McCarthy said of Sennia Nanua: “Sennia walked into the room as the last of 500 girls I’d met and just shone. She has taken being the lead actress in a film with Glenn, Gemma and Paddy in her stride and completely inhabits this amazing character. She’s a very special girl.”

At the top of this post is an image from "The Girl With All Gifts." Early key artwork above-right. No trailer yet. Anyone read the novel the film is based on? If so, thoughts on what we can expect?

Sennie Nanua's only previous credit is a short titled "Beverley" from director Alexander Thomas, which is currently traveling the film festival circuit. Watch a trailer for the short film below:

HBO Will Submit Beyonce’s ‘Lemonade’ for Emmy Consideration

Tambay A. Obenson — Wed, 27 Apr 2016 20:04:59 GMT

HBO plans to submit “Lemonade” for Emmy considering in the in the "variety special" category. Who the nomination will go to isn't said, given that a cadre of filmmakers worked on the hour-long piece.

Where it to be nominated, it will be the 3rd Primetime Emmy nomination for Beyonce; last year, she received a nomination in the Outstanding Special Class Program category for "On the Run Tour: Beyonce and Jay Z" for which she was both executive producer and performer; and in 2013, she received a Primetime Emmy nomination in the Outstanding Special Class - Short-Format Live-Action Entertainment Programs category for the Super Bowl XLVII Halftime Show for which she was a performer.

The 2016 nominations will be announced on July 14, and Jimmy Kimmel will host the 68th Annual Primetime Emmys on September 18.

Read Tanya Steele's reactions to "Lemonade" here.

FOX Gives Series Orders to New Dramas '24: Legacy' and Lee Daniels' 'Star' for the Upcoming 2016-2017 Season

Tambay A. Obenson — Wed, 27 Apr 2016 18:17:57 GMT

Fox has given series orders to new dramas "24: Legacy" and "Star." Both series are scheduled to premiere in the upcoming 2016-2017 season.

"24: Legacy" is the next chapter in the groundbreaking and award-winning action series from Emmy Award-winning executive producer Howard Gordon ("Homeland," "24: Live Another Day"), Academy Award- and Emmy Award-winning executive producer Brian Grazer ("A Beautiful Mind," "24"), writers and executive producers Manny Coto and Evan Katz ("24," "24: Live Another Day"), director and executive producer Stephen Hopkins ("24") and executive producer and original series star Kiefer Sutherland.

"Star" is a music-infused drama from Academy Award and Golden Globe nominee Lee Daniels and Tom Donaghy ("The Whole Truth").

Starring Corey Hawkins ("Straight Outta Compton"), Miranda Otto ("Homeland") and Jimmy Smits ("Sons of Anarchy"), "24: Legacy" chronicles an adrenaline-fueled race against the clock to stop a devastating terrorist attack on United States soil - in the same real-time format that has propelled this genre-defining series.

In "Star," three talented singers navigate the cut-throat music business on their road to success. Featuring three newcomers (Jude Demorest, Ryan Destiny and Brittany O'Grady) as the young singers, plus Queen Latifah and Benjamin Bratt, the series will feature original music, along with musical fantasy sequences, as the girls dream of their future. The series will also feature guest star Lenny Kravitz.

"24: Legacy" is a production of 20th Century Fox Television and Imagine Television in association with Teakwood Lane Productions. Howard Gordon, Brian Grazer, Manny Coto, Evan Katz and Kiefer Sutherland are executive producers. Coto and Katz wrote the pilot script, which was directed by Stephen Hopkins, who will also serve as executive producer on the pilot and series. The original series was created by Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran.

"Star" is produced by 20th Century Fox Television. Lee Daniels, Tom Donaghy, Pamela Oas Williams and Effie Brown serve as executive producers. Daniels and Donaghy wrote the pilot script, which was directed by Daniels.

Exclusive: Trailer (And Poster) for Critically-Acclaimed Drama 'The Fits' (Opens June 3)

Tambay A. Obenson — Wed, 27 Apr 2016 17:03:44 GMT

Oscilloscope Laboratories has set a summer 2016 USA release for its portrait of female adolescence, "The Fits," from director Anna Rose Holmer, her feature film debut, based on a script she co-wrote with Saela Davis and Lisa Kjerulff.

Told from the perspective of a young tomboy, "The Fits" follows Toni, an 11-year-old assimilating into a tight-knit dance team in Cincinnati’s West End, when a mysterious outbreak of fainting spells plagues the team, and her desire for acceptance is twisted.

The festival darling, and critically-acclaimed drama (which made its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival last year) stars Royalty Hightower, Alexis Neblett, Da'Sean Minor, Lauren Gibson, Makyla Burnam, and Inayah Rodgers.

“We connected strongly with Oscilloscope's passion and vision for the film and are honored to be working with their dedicated team to bring 'The Fits' to audiences," director Holmer said in a previous statment.

Oscillioscope’s Dan Berger added: “'The Fits' is exactly the type of film that Oscilloscope was created to champion - the masterfully executed result of a purely singular filmmaking vision. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to release it and equally thrilled to see what Anna does next.”

The film was produced by Lisa Kjerulff and Holmer.

Nijla Mumin screened the film at the Sundance Film Festival this year, and reviewed it for this blog here.

Oscilloscope will open "The Fits" in New York on June 3rd and in LA on June 10.

Ahead of its release, S&A has been granted an exclusive first look at the film's trailer, which is embedded below:

Michael K. Williams Joins Whoopi Goldberg + Others in ABC's LGBT Rights Event Series, 'When We Rise'

Tambay A. Obenson — Wed, 27 Apr 2016 16:28:28 GMT

Michael K. Williams and Ivory Aquino join the cast of ABC's event limited series "When We Rise."

Williams portrays African American community organizer Ken Jones, and Aquino plays the role of transgender activist Cecilia Chung.

"When We Rise" chronicles the real-life personal and political struggles, setbacks and triumphs of a diverse family of LGBT men and women who helped pioneer one of the last legs of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement from its turbulent infancy in the 20th century to the once unfathomable successes of today.

Joining the cast in part one (of this seven-part series) as special guest stars are Whoopi Goldberg as Pat Norman, the first openly gay employee of the San Francisco Health Department; Rosie O'Donnell as Del Martin, co-founder of the first lesbian organization in the country; Denis O'Hare as Jim Foster, openly gay Democratic party organizer; and David Hyde Pierce as Dr. Jones, Cleve's father.

The event limited series is executive-produced by Dustin Lance Black ("Milk," "Big Love," "J. Edgar"), Laurence Mark ("Julie & Julia,""Dreamgirls,""I, Robot," "Jerry Maguire"), Bruce Cohen ("American Beauty," "Milk") and Gus Van Sant for ABC. Van Sant will direct the two-hour premiere of the seven-episode event limited series.

"When We Rise" is written and created by Academy Award-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black and produced by ABC Studios.

LA Film Festival Unveils Diverse 2016 Lineup

Tambay A. Obenson — Wed, 27 Apr 2016 15:48:47 GMT

The LA Film Festival, produced by Film Independent, has unveiled the official U.S. Fiction, Documentary, World Fiction, Nightfall and LA Muse sections.

The 2016 LA Film Festival, which will have its headquarters at the ArcLight Culver City, features a diverse slate of 56 feature films, 58 short films and 13 short episodic works representing 28 countries. Previously announced, the Opening Night Film is the World Premiere of Ricardo De Montreuil's "Lowriders," sponsored by Jaeger-LeCoultre. This year's Guest Director is Ryan Cooglerl; and Ava DuVernay and Array Releasing will receive the Spirit of Independence Award.

More special screenings and programs will be announced in the coming weeks.

The Festival's five competitions feature 42 World Premieres. Across the five feature competition categories, 43% of the films are directed by women and 38% of the films are directed by people of color.

This year, LA Film Festival Director Stephanie Allain is joined by Creative Director Jennifer Cochis, Director of Programming Roya Rastegar and Managing Director Ralph Rivera. Film Independent Curator Elvis Mitchell continues to oversee signature programs and LACMA events.

Passes are currently on sale to Film Independent Members and the general public. General admission tickets to individual films go on sale to Film Independent Members beginning Thursday, May 5 and to the general public beginning Tuesday, May 10. Contact the Ticket Office for passes, tickets and event information by calling 866.FILM.FEST (866.345.6337) or visit lafilmfestival.com.

Of note, with respect to this blog's interests are: Raafi Rivero's "72 Hours;" Qasim Basir's "Destined;" "Woven" from co-directors Salome Mulugeta and Nagwa Ibrahim; Deborah Riley Draper's "Olympic Pride, American Prejudice;" "Like Cotton Twines" from director Leila Djansi; Shola Amoo's "A Moving Image;" "The House on Coco Road" from director Damani Baker; "Play the Devil" from director Maria Govan; and there are likely others that I don't immediately recognize. But I'll take a closer look at the list and highlight those titles never previously profiled on this blog, in future posts, leading up to the festival, which runs June 1-9, 2016.

In the meantime, check out the full list below:

US Fiction Competition (12)
Original voices with distinct visions from emerging and established American independent filmmakers.

11:55, dir. Ari Issler, Ben Snyder, USA, World Premiere
72 Hours, dir. Raafi Rivero, USA, World Premiere
Blood Stripe, dir. Remy Auberjonois, USA, World Premiere
Chee and T, dir. Tanuj Chopra, USA, World Premiere
Destined, dir. Qasim Basir, USA, World Premiere
Dreamstates, dir. Anisia Uzeyman, USA, World Premiere
GREEN / is / GOLD, dir. Ryon Baxter, USA, World Premiere
My First Kiss and the People Involved, dir. Luigi Campi, USA, World Premiere
Paint it Black, dir. Amber Tamblyn, USA, World Premiere
Tracktown, dir. Jeremy Teicher, Alexi Pappas, USA, World Premiere
The View from Tall, dir. Erica Weiss, Caitlin Parrish, USA, World Premiere
Woven, dir. Salome Mulugeta, Nagwa Ibrahim, USA, World Premiere

Documentary Competition (12) Sponsored by Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television.
Compelling, character-driven non-fiction films from the U.S. and around the world.

Company Town, dir. Natalie Kottke, Erica Sardarian, USA, World Premiere
Denial, dir. Derek Hallquist, USA, World Premiere
Dr. Feelgood, dir. Eve Marson, USA, World Premiere
Dying Laughing, dir. Lloyd Stanton, Paul Toogood, USA/UK, World Premiere
The House on Coco Road, dir. Damani Baker, Grenada/USA, World Premiere
Jackson, dir. Maisie Crow, USA, World Premiere
The Last Gold, dir. Brian T. Brown, Germany/USA, World Premiere
Looking at the Stars, dir. Alexandre Peralta, Brazil/Nicaragua/USA, World Premiere
Olympic Pride, American Prejudice, dir. Deborah Riley Draper, USA, World Premiere
Out of Iraq, dir. Eva Orner, Chris McKim, Canada/Iraq/Lebanon/USA, World Premiere
Political Animals, dir. Jonah Markowitz, Tracy Wares, USA, World Premiere
They Call us Monsters, dir. Ben Lear, USA, World Premiere

World Fiction Competition (6)
Unique fiction films from around the world from emerging and established filmmakers, especially curated for LA audiences.

Heis (chronicles), dir. Anaïs Volpé, France, World Premiere
Like Cotton Twines, dir. Leila Djansi, Ghana/USA, World Premiere
London Town, dir. Derrick Borte, UK, World Premiere
Lupe Under the Sun, dir. Rodrigo Reyes, Mexico/USA, World Premiere
A Moving Image, dir. Shola Amoo, UK, World Premiere
Play the Devil, dir. Maria Govan, Trinidad/Bahamas/USA, World Premiere

LA Muse (6)
Fiction and documentary films that capture the spirit of L.A.

Actors of Sound, dir. Lalo Molina, Argentina/Finland/Germany/India/Ireland/USA, World Premiere
Girl Flu., dir. Dorie Barton, USA, World Premiere
Manchild: The Schea Cotton Story, dir. Eric "Ptah" Herbert, USA, World Premiere
Namour, dir. Heidi Saman, USA, World Premiere
No Light and No Land Anywhere, dir. Amber Sealey, USA, World Premiere
Sensitivity Training, dir. Melissa Finell, USA, World Premiere

Nightfall (6)
From the bizarre to the horrifying, these are films to watch after dark.

Abattoir, dir. Darren Lynn Bousman, USA, World Premiere
Beyond the Gates, dir. Jackson Stewart, USA, World Premiere
Don't Hang Up, dir. Alexis Wajsbrot, Damien Macé, UK, World Premiere
Mercy, dir. Chris Sparling, USA, World Premiere
Officer Downe, dir. M. Shawn Crahan, USA, World Premiere
Villisca, dir. Tony Valenzuela, USA, World Premiere

Short Films (58): From over 2,500 submissions, the short films selected represent 15 countries and 64% are directed by women. Short films are shown before features and as part of seven short film programs. Shorts will compete for juried prizes for fiction and documentary shorts, as well as an Audience Award for Best Short Film.

Future Filmmakers Showcase: High School Shorts (33): The LA Film Festival's Future Filmmaker Showcase brings to the big screen the best films made by budding young filmmakers from across the country and the globe. In this diverse slate of films, incredibly accomplished high school students will present wild comedies, moving dramas, mesmerizing animation, introspective experimental films and everything in between. Program sponsored by Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television and Time Warner Foundation.

Episodes: Indie Series from the Web (13)
A showcase of independently crafted web series, celebrating rising creators whose work and subjects are innovative and unfiltered.

20 Seconds to Live, dir. Ben Rock, USA
Brothers, dir. Emmett Jack Lundberg, USA
Caring, dir. Maggie Kiley, USA
Fridays, dir. Anna Kerrigan, USA
The Ghost and the Negro, dir. Sylvester Folks, USA
Her Story, dir. Sydney Freeland, USA
Instababy, dir. Rosie Haber, USA
Literally So Busy, dir. Jerad Sloan, USA
Little Things, dir. Lex Halaby, Mila Shah, USA
Outside Comedy: Beth Stelling, dir. Thomas Wood, USA
Quirky Female Protagonist, dir. Yulin Kuang, USA
Shangri-LA, dir. Drew Rosas, USA
Time Out with Yes Please!, dir. Kholi Hicks, USA

Character Pics + On-Set Footage from Tupac Shakur Biopic, 'All Eyez on Me'

Tambay A. Obenson — Wed, 27 Apr 2016 15:13:09 GMT

UPDATE 4/27/16: Heading into its final production home stretch, some new teases from the Tupac Shakur biopic "All Eyez on Me" production team, published on the film's Facebook page. First, a couple of images featuring Danai Gurira as Afeni Shakur, and Dominic L. Santana as Suge Knight. And then a shot on-set clip featuring courthouse footage from the film (a reenactment of the courthouse interview the late Tupac gave during his sexual assault trial in 1994).

You'll find all previous updates on the film underneath.

***

UPDATE 2/19/16: Annie Ilonzeh ("Graceland," "Person of Interest," "Arrow") has joined the cast of Morgan Creek's Tupac Shakur biopic, "All Eyez on Me," which is currently filming in Atlanta, with Benny Boom directing. Ilonzeh will portray Kidada Jones, daughter of Peggy Lipton and Quincy Jones, who was engaged to Tupac before his untimely death in 1996.

Demetrius Shipp Jr stars in the film, playing Tupac.

To stay up-to-date on the progress of the production, new Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages have been set up, where fans will get exclusive, behind-the-scenes looks into all aspects of the movie including information on the newest cast members.

All previous announcements related to the film, including all past casting notices, follow below...

***

UPDATE 1/19/16: Grace Gibson - Lynn Whitfield's daughter - has been cast as Faith Evans in Morgan Creek's Tupac Shakur biopic, "All Eyez on Me," which is currently filming, with Benny Boom directing. Gibson made her feature film acting debut in Kasi Lemmons "Black Nativity" playing Mary. This will be only her second feature film acting gig.

All previous announcements related to the film follow below...

***

UPDATE 1/15/16: Star of the film, Demetrius Shipp, Jr., has been posting photos and clips from the set of the film on his Twitter page, like the one below which features the actor with his co-star Danai Gurira, who plays his mother, Afeni Shakur. Titled "All Eyez on Me" which also happens to be the title of the 4th studio album by Pac, released in 1996 under Death Row Records, the biopic is being directed by Benny Boom. All previous updates on the project (including casting announcements) follow underneath the below clip:

Everything comin together nicely thanks for all the support!!! #AllEyezOnMe pic.twitter.com/dxAn8e3XLC

— Demetrius Shipp Jr (@DemetriusShipJR) January 15, 2016

***

UPDATE 1/13/16: Morgan Creek's Tupac Shakur feature film continues to build its cast, adding Jamie Hector who will play Tupac’s stepfather Mutulu Shakur, who was married to Afeni Shakur. Titled "All Eyez on Me," the biopic is being directed by Benny Boom.

Hector will next be seen on the small screen, co-starring in season 2 of Amazon Prime's crime-drama series "Bosch," which premieres in March.

Previous updates on "All Eyez on Me," including all past casting announcements and more, follow below...

***

UPDATE 1/12/16: Kat Graham has been cast to play Jada Pinkett Smith in the in-production Tupac Shakur biopic “All Eyez on Me." Graham, the "Vampire Diaries" star, is also currently attached to play Tammy Terrell in an upcoming biopic of the late singer, from writer/producer/director/actress Maryam Myika Day, and produced by Robert Teitel, Rose Ganguzza and Hilary Shor.

The news of Graham's casting in "All Eyez on Me" was first reported by Variety.

Previous updates on the film, including Danai Gurira's casting announcement yesterday, follow below...

***

In a move I couldn't have predicted, Danai Gurira has joined the cast of Morgan Creek's Tupac Shakur biopuc, "All Eyez on Me." She'll play Afeni Shakur, the slain rapper's mother.

Gurira joins newcomer Demetrius Shipp, Jr. who, last month, was cast to play Tupac Shakur in the long-in-development biopic, which music video/commercial director Benny Boom is directing (replacing Carl Franklin), with filming currently underway in Atlanta.

Also, Jamal Woolard plays Biggie Smalls. You'll recall Woolard also portrayed Smalls in the 2009 film "Notorious."

Ms Gurira is certainly busy. After a sold-out run Off-Broadway at The Public Theater last fall, her critically-acclaimed play "Eclipsed" (starring Lupita Nyong'o) next heads to Broadway, opening in February at the Golden Theater. But the playwright and actress ("The Walking Dead," "Mother of George") is already prepping the run of her next play, Off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons, titled "Familiar."

Preview performances begin Friday, February 12, in advance of a March 3 opening and will run through March 27, which will also be around the same time that "Eclipsed" will be on Broadway. Meanwhile "The Walking Dead" returns for the second half of the season on February 14.

A quick recap of the Tupac project to get you caught up with all that led to today's news...

In April of this year, John Singleton exited the project and was replaced by Carl Franklin.

It all started when Singleton shared that his involvement in the Tupac film had been put "on hold," as some key items apparently still hadn't been completely worked out: "I'm putting my involvement on hold right now because we're trying to figure out some things," Singleton said, adding, "I got a script and I got the blessings from his family. We'll see.... We've got to get it right."

He didn't say what exactly was responsible for the hiatus; he didn't explain what "things" they were still trying to figure out, other than to say: "It’s a very intimidating because, like I said, you just want to get it right. I think the picture is not going to be good unless it’s offensive to some people. So, whenever you make a movie, you always have different elements that people have their say about. But when I’m making my movies, John Singleton movies, it’s really just my voice. So I can’t be listening to all the other suggestions of all these other people and shit. So we’re not going to pull the trigger on that until it’s right. If somebody else wants to do something different then they can do something different. But if it’s going to be right, it’s going to be right. It’s going to be something that potentially adorns 'Pac’s legacy."

It wasn't very long after that when we got official word that Singleton was out and Carl Franklin was in.

News of the director switch quickly traveled, and some hours later, Singleton eventually spoke publicly about it, via his Instagram page, saying the following: "Real talk! The reason I am not making this picture is because the people involved aren't really respectful of the legacy of Tupac Amaru Shakur. I won't say much if you want you can read my articles in Hollywood Reporter on authenticity in Black Storytelling ... To Pac's real fans just know I am still planning a movie on Tupac ... It doesn't matter what they do mines will be better... Tupac was much more than a hip hop artist ... He was a black man guided by his passions ... Of most importance was his love of black people and culture ... Something the people involved in this movie know nothing about... Real talk! How you gonna make a movie about a man when you suing his mother to get the rights to tell his story?! They have no true love 4 Pac so this movie will not be made with love! And that's why my ass isn't involved ! If Tupac knew what was going on he'd ride on all these fools and take it to the streets... But I won't do that ... I'll just make my own project. What Yall think about that?!!"

It sounded like a legal battle was brewing - assuming one wasn't already at its peak. Morgan Creek never did respond (at least not publicly) to Singleton's accusations, that I'm aware of.

I did receive an email them from a tipster who shared Singleton's Instagram post with me, as well as the name and photos of the actor that the director had already selected for the part. His name is Marcc Rose - a newcomer who would go on to appear in the N.W.A. bio, "Straight Outta Compton," playing Tupac. So it seemed very likely that he would also play Tupac in the Tupac biopic to be directed by Carl Franklin.

But not-so fast.

An August casting notice suggested otherwise - that an actor was being sought to play Tupac; meaning Marcc Rose isn't/wasn't locked in for this, as I think we figured he likely would be. But Carl Franklin was still listed as the director at the time, so nothing had changed there.

But not-so fast... again.

Announced at the end of November, Franklin left the project, likely in part due to the uncertainties surrounding it, as summarized above. Taking over for Franklin was Benny Boom, the music video director turned feature film director, with 2009's "Next Day Air" his most prominent film to date (it was also his feature film directorial debut).

And so we're back to square one... again. Although, this time, it appears that the film is finally becoming a reality, with production launching in Atlanta, which may seem sudden given that Boom was only just hired about 5 weeks ago. But I should mention that Morgan Creek, the company behind the film, has a good reason to act with urgency here, because music rights to Tupac's catalog revert back to Afeni Shakur by the end of this year, if production hasn't begun on the film. So the mini studio had to act quickly.

No word on any other casting has been announced at this time.

Shipp has been posting photos from the set of the film on his Twitter page, like the one below with Woolard. Apparently, it'll be titled "All Eyez on Me" which also happens to be the title of the 4th studio album by Pac, released in 1996 under Death Row Records

If you're concerned about the direction that the project has taken, you should know that John Singleton did boast that he would make his own independently-produced Tupac movie, so it could be that Marcc Rose will be his guy.

Deadline was first to report the news of Gurira's casting.

Tony Winner Patina Miller Joins 'Mercy Street' Cast Playing a Fictionalized Harriet Jacobs

Tambay A. Obenson — Tue, 26 Apr 2016 22:07:11 GMT

PBS announced today that "Mercy Street" is adding new actors and directors to the series’ robust talent list for Season Two, which is currently in production in Richmond and Petersburg, Virginia.

New cast members include: Tony Award-winner Patina Miller ("Pippin," “Madam Secretary,” "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay" – Parts 1 & 2) is Charlotte Jenkins, a black Northern abolitionist and former slave who escaped to freedom years before through the Underground Railroad (a composite of numerous historical figures, most prominently Harriet Jacobs); Tony Award-winner and Emmy Award-Nominee Brían F. O’Byrne (“Mildred Pierce,” “Aquarius”) is Allan Pinkerton, head of the Union Intelligence Service, based on the real Pinkerton; Tony Award-nominee Bryce Pinkham ("A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder," "The Heidi Chronicles") is Maj. Clayton McBurney III, the new hospital chief.

Harriet Jacobs would escape from slavery and become a writer, joining the abolitionist movement. She wrote the autobiographical novel, "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl," which was published in 1861.

The series was renewed for a second season earlier this year. And in terms of other black actors who appear in key roles in the series, Shalita Grant, L. Scott Caldwell and McKinley Belcher III all are series regulars, and are expected to return.

Belcher plays Sam Diggs - a free black laborer in the employ of Dr. Summers. He harbors a secret knowledge of and ability in medicine, which he learned as a young servant in an enlightened northern doctor’s household. Sam is qualified to do much more than anyone would allow at this point. A black man with education and talent, he is caught between two worlds and two modes of thinking about the future. He is drawn to Aurelia. Despite her reserve and prickly facade, he gradually earns her trust. When she finally shares her secrets, he feels compelled to help her, no matter the cost.

Grant plays Aurelia Johnson - a young “contraband” (escaped slave) employed as a laundress at the hospital that's at the center of the series. She has seen and endured things as a house slave on a southern plantation that she tries to bury deep within. Her life here is not much better than the one she fled. There is an undeniable romantic pull between her and Sam Diggs, although it is complicated by her involvement with the steward, Silas Bullen. Aurelia is single-mindedly focused on a goal that she believes can only be accomplished with the help of Silas and his many shady connections and illicit activities.

And L. Scott Caldwell plays Belinda Gibson - a house slave on the plantation of the Green family. The war has turned her world upside down and yet, despite he owner's offer of freedom and the lure of new opportunities, she chooses to stay put out of loyalty, love and a practical realization that freedom may not be all it's cracked up to be. At least here in the Green home she has respect, three square meals a day and a roof over her head. The main drawback, now that many of the servants have left, is that Belinda must fulfill a multiplicity of duties: lady's maid, seamstress, cook, laundress and housekeeper. Sometimes, she wonders if she has made the right choice, and continues privately to ponder her options.

The first season, executive produced by Ridley Scott, David W. Zucker, Lisa Q. Wolfinger and David Zabel, drew a 3.85 rating (Nielsen Live + 7) for the January 17 premiere, reaching more than 5.7 million viewers.

Set on the Civil War home front of Virginia in the spring of 1862, "Mercy Street" follows the lives of two volunteer nurses on opposite sides of the conflict; Mary Phinney (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), a staunch New England abolitionist, and Emma Green (Hannah James), a naive young Confederate belle. Ruled under martial law, Alexandria was the central melting pot of the region, filled with civilians, female volunteers, doctors, wounded soldiers from both sides, free blacks, enslaved and contraband (escaped slaves living behind Union lines) African Americans, prostitutes, speculators and spies. Political persuasions open a window into a world where the unprecedented medical demands create a chaotic atmosphere and challenge doctors, nurses and patients in unimaginable ways, while the pressure of Union occupation threatens to tear apart the Confederate family.

Season two will pick up directly from the dramatic events at the end of the season one finale, continuing to explore the growing chaos within Alexandria, the complicated interpersonal dynamics of Dr. Foster, Nurse Mary and the Mansion House staff, the increasingly precarious position of the Green family and the changing predicament of the burgeoning black population. The season will introduce a number of new elements, taking us closer to the fight and into the halls of Confederate power, all set against the intensifying war, starting with the Seven Days’ Battle and culminating with Antietam.

“We are thrilled to add these talented actors and directors to the 'Mercy Street' production, both behind and in front of the camera,” said co-creator and executive producer Lisa Q. Wolfinger. “They each individually bring a new perspective to the series, and together, will take Season Two to new heights.”

“It has been a privilege for all of us on 'Mercy Street' to be able to tell these stories at the intersection of drama and history. This new season, with new faces, presents an exciting opportunity to build on all we’ve accomplished in Season One,” said co-creator and executive producer David Zabel. “Having worked with Stephen Cragg and Laura Innes for many years at ‘ER,’ and then on many projects since, I am eager to bring their considerable talents to this great ensemble.”

“We’re thrilled to welcome a new set of actors, directors and historical advisors to the 'Mercy Street' family for Season Two, as well as introduce viewers to compelling new characters with captivating story lines,” said executive producer David W. Zucker.

“Season One of 'Mercy Street' received such a positive response, and PBS is delighted to add these new members to our talented and diverse cast and crew for Season Two,” said Beth Hoppe, Chief Programming Officer and General Manager, General Audience Programming, PBS.

Amazon Prime Video is the exclusive premium subscription streaming home for "Mercy Street," with each episode available to Prime members in the U.S. seven days after its broadcast on PBS stations.

Trailer: Your Cell Phone Might Turn You Into a Zombie in Adaptation of Stephen King's 'CELL'

Tambay A. Obenson — Tue, 26 Apr 2016 20:44:27 GMT

Indeed one of the hardest working men in show-business, Samuel L. Jackson co-stars with John Cusack in Benaroya Pictures' and The Genre Company's adaptation of Stephen King’s "CELL."

The apocalyptic horror novel, published in 2006, follows a New England artist struggling to reunite with his young son after a mysterious signal broadcast over the global cell phone network turns the majority of his fellow humans into mindless, vicious animals.

Jackson plays a character named Tom McCourt, who is described in the novel as a middle-aged man who teams up with the character Cusack plays (Clayton Riddell) during the chaos that the mysterious signal broadcast creates. McCourt is a man on the move, navigating the death and destruction around him, with a small group in tow, all trying to survive.

It sounds like "The Walking Dead," doesn't it?

Tod “Kip” Williams ("Paranormal Activity 2") is director from a screenplay adaptation written by King himself, alongside Adam Alleca.

A first trailer for the film has been released.

No release date set yet.

'Saints & Sinners' Season Finale Becomes Bounce TV's Most-Watched Program Ever

Tambay A. Obenson — Tue, 26 Apr 2016 18:55:37 GMT

Bounce TV's first-ever original drama series "Saints & Sinners" was a smash-hit success on all fronts and the show's inaugural season finished with a bang Sunday night, April 24 with the shocking finale, becoming Bounce TV's #1 most-watched program in its nearly five year history.

The eighth episode premiere telecasts Sunday night reached 1.4 million unduplicated viewers. The 9 p.m. ET telecast became Bounce TV's #1 program ever among total viewers (754,000 Persons 2+) while also posting the highest audience peak of the series to-date (839,000), and setting network records for the delivery of P25-54 (358,000) and Women 25-54 (235,000). The 9 p.m. airing also delivered 480,000 HHs (Households), which drove Bounce TV to its most-watched Sunday primetime ever in P25-54 and W25-54.

Bounce TV also topped BET in HHs (+8%), P25-54 (+38%), W25-54 (+34%), P18-49 (+6%) and total viewers (+21%), marking the seventh Sunday night that Bounce TV beat BET in P25-54, W25-54 and P2+ during the run of the series.

"Saints & Sinners" season one wraps as Bounce TV's most-watched original series among HHs, P18-49, P25-54, W25-54, and P2+. The series has been renewed for a second season, which will premiere in the first quarter of 2017.

"Saints & Sinners" stars Vanessa Bell Calloway, Christian Keyes, Keith Robinson, Clifton Powell, Gloria Reuben, J.D. Williams, Jasmine Burke, Afemo Omilami and Richard Lawson.

Nice! Lagos, Nigeria Will Be This Year's "City to City" Spotlight at the Toronto International Film Festival

Tambay A. Obenson — Tue, 26 Apr 2016 17:24:03 GMT

The Toronto International Film Festival has announced that its 2016 City to City program will focus on Lagos, Nigeria! How wonderful is that? Although it shouldn't be much of a surprise, given the internationally-recognized supremely-prolific movie industry that calls Nigeria home - Nollywood; an industry that's given birth to a growing cadre of local filmmakers interested in shifting the mostly unfavorable critical *outsider* perceptions of films made by Nigerians in Nigeria.

The City to City selection is curated by Cameron Bailey.

“Vital, complex and inspiring, Lagos is entirely unique,” said Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director of the Toronto International Film Festival and curator of the City to City program. “The city of Fela Kuti's music has also given birth to one of the world’s most vibrant film industries. The 1,000 low-budget features ‘Nollywood’ produces each year generate about $1 billion in box office. Now, from that commercial hotbed, a new generation of filmmakers is emerging to both advance and challenge Nollywood. Bigger budgets, greater artistic ambition — the new cinema of Lagos is bold, exciting, and ready to take its place on the international stage. We’re excited to share the creativity of this remarkable city’s filmmakers with TIFF audiences in September.”

This is the 8th year for the City to City program, which showcases filmmakers living and working in a selected city, regardless of where their films are set. Cities featured in past programs include London, Tel Aviv, Istanbul, Buenos Aires, Mumbai, Athens and Seoul.

The City to City: Lagos lineup will be announced in August. I'm looking forward to reading what's included in it.

The 41^st Toronto International Film Festival runs September 8 to 18, 2016.

Film submissions for the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival are now open. The deadline for submission is May 6. The late submission deadline is June 3.

For more information visithttp://tiff.net/submissions.