Television
Writers Lab for Women Screenwriters Over 40 Announces 2017 Participants
New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT) and IRIS have selected the participants of its third Writers Lab for Women Screenwriters over 40. Sponsored by Meryl Streep and Oprah Winfrey, the...
People of Color Share #FirstTimeISawMe Representation Stories on Twitter
It’s powerful when you see a character in TV or film who’s like you. It can make you feel seen, understood, and important. However, there are swaths of viewers — people of color in...
“Anne With an E” Renewed for Season 2
The chattiest, most precocious redhead on TV is sticking around for a while. Netflix and CBC have renewed “Anne with an E” for a ten-episode second season, Deadline confirms. Season 1 of...
NBC Launches Initiative to Train and Hire Women Directors
Just one drama pilot was directed by a woman this broadcast pilot season. One. As much as people like to treat TV like film’s woke — or at least more woke — sophisticated, cooler...
Audra McDonald Joins “The Good Fight” as Series Regular
Audra McDonald will soon be fighting “The Good Fight.” Deadline confirms that McDonald is joining Season 2 of the CBS All Access show as a series regular. The Tony-winning actress will be...
Trailer Watch: Angelina Jolie Tells a Harrowing Story in “First They Killed My Father”
A trailer has landed for Angelina Jolie’s latest directorial effort, “First They Killed My Father.” The spot is scarce on plot details — and includes no dialogue — but it manages...
Quote of the Day: Jessica Lange Says “Ageism is Pervasive” in the Film Biz
After more than four decades in the industry, Jessica Lange continues to deliver standout performances and rack up awards. She’s up for an Emmy this year for playing Joan Crawford in “Feud:...
Starz Developing Series Based on Stephanie Danler’s “Sweetbitter”
“Sweetbitter” may be coming to the small screen. A half-hour drama series based on Stephanie Danler’s critically acclaimed 2016 coming-of-age novel is being developed by Starz. According to...
Carol Burnett to Star in Unscripted Netflix Comedy
Carol Burnett is teaming up with Netflix — and kids. The streaming giant has given a 12-episode series order to “A Little Help with Carol Burnett,” an unscripted, half-hour comedy that...
Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady Doc About Hasidic Judaism Lands at Netflix
Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady’s portrait of an Evangelical Christian summer camp earned them an Oscar nomination, and the “Jesus Camp” directors’ latest project, “One of Us,” explores...
Trailer Watch: Noomi Rapace Plays Seven Identical Sisters in “What Happened to Monday”
Noomi Rapace is taking on another ass-kicking role — or rather, roles — in her latest film, “What Happened to Monday.” The “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” star plays seven...
Jane Campion’s “Top of the Lake: China Girl” Gets U.S. Premiere Date
Your other Elisabeth Moss TV obsession is coming back. The “Handmaid’s Tale” star reprises her role in “Top of the Lake’s” highly anticipated sophomore season, “China Girl,” and this...
Quote of the Day: Phoebe Waller-Bridge Calls People-Pleasing “A Fucking Nightmare”
“Being proper and sweet and nice and pleasing is a fucking nightmare. It’s exhausting,” says Phoebe Waller-Bridge in a new interview with The Guardian. It’s just the kind of observation her...
Lifetime Renews “UnREAL” for Fourth Season and “Mary Kills People” for Second
If controversial dark comedies are your thing, Lifetime’s got you covered: the network is bringing lots more “UnREAL” and “Mary Kills People” your way, according...
Priyanka Chopra’s Comedy Series About Bollywood Star in Development at ABC
Priyanka Chopra is developing a comedy series about a former Bollywood star for ABC, Variety has revealed. The “Baywatch” actress — who is of course a Bollywood star herself — made...
Trailer Watch: Stana Katic Is An FBI Agent Who Comes Back from the Dead in “Absentia”
“We’re in this together,” Special Agent Emily Byrne (Stana Katic, “Castle”) is told by her husband and fellow FBI Agent (Nick Heusinger) in a trailer for new series “Absentia.” “You...
The First Season of HBO’s “Room 104” is Over 50 Percent Women-Directed
Year after year we’re disappointed by “Game of Thrones,” an addictive and entertaining series that clearly prides itself on its depictions of powerful female characters yet doesn’t hire...
Trailer Watch: The Pfeffermans Go to Israel in “Transparent” Season 4
“You can just start again and never look back,” says Maura (Jeffrey Tambor) in a newly released trailer for “Transparent’s” upcoming fourth season. But — for better and for...
“Harlots” Renewed for Second Season
Hulu has renewed “Harlots” for a second season, Variety reports. The series, which is set in an 18th-century London brothel, is set to return to the network in 2018. “Harlots” centers...
Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston to Star in Series About Morning Shows
Nearly 20 years after playing sisters on “Friends,” Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston are teaming up for another project. The pair are attached to star in and executive produce an untitled...
Kerry Washington to Be Honored for LGBTQ Advocacy
Kerry Washington is set to receive yet another well-deserved award. If you think the “Scandal” actress is badass as Olivia Pope, just wait until you hear what she gets up to when the cameras...
Patty Jenkins to Direct New TNT Drama “One Day She’ll Darken”
Patty Jenkins’ is following up “Wonder Woman” with a return to the small screen. The herstory-making director will helm the pilot of “One Day She’ll Darken,” a six episode limited drama...
Jaina Lee Ortiz to Star in “Grey’s Anatomy” Spinoff Set in Firehouse
Jaina Lee Ortiz is joining the Shondaland empire. The “Rosewood” actress will star in ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” spinoff in the works at Shonda Rhimes’ Shondaland, Deadline reports. The...
“Middlemarch” Web Series Modernizes the Classic Novel
Of all the classic novels you could imagine being turned into a web series for the 21st century, George Eliot’s “Middlemarch” might not be the first to spring to mind. Then again, where better...
Trailer Watch: Tig Notaro’s “One Mississippi” Returns For Second Season
The last time we saw Tig Notaro’s “One Mississippi” alter-ego, she was still oscillating between life crises and a new lease of life “down on the bayou.” The comedian’s...
Ava DuVernay’s “Queen Sugar” Gets Third Season
Ava DuVernay’s hit television series “Queen Sugar” has been renewed. The critically acclaimed series will return for a third season on Oprah Winfrey’s OWN Network, The Hollywood Reporter...
“Broad City” Season 4 Gets a New Premiere Date
It’s time to start counting down the days: “Broad City” is returning in less than two months. Everyone’s favorite BFF stoners are headed back to Comedy Central for the cult comedy’s fourth...
Kerry Washington Honored With Women Making History Award
Kerry Washington will be honored with one of The National Women’s History Museum’s Women Making History awards, The Hollywood Reporter confirms. The “Scandal” star will be among three...
Trailer Watch: Sonequa Martin-Green Takes the Lead in “Star Trek: Discovery”
The first trailer for “Star Trek: Discovery” has dropped and it’s starships, Klingons, and women on the bridge galore. According to the sci-fi show’s official synopsis, “Discovery”...
BBC Women Demand Equal Pay
Last week the BBC published its annual report on its spending and program offerings, which revealed the disappointing, but sadly unsurprising fact that the corporation’s biggest female stars are...
Women at a Crossroads: Crowdfunding Picks
Still from “Human Telegraphs” For this round of crowdfunding picks, we’re featuring projects that explore the kinds of decisions that women make they find themselves at a crossroads in their...
Amazon Acquires Natalie Dormer Series “Picnic at Hanging Rock,” Larysa Kondracki to Direct
Margaery Tyrell is making her way to Amazon. Deadline reports that the streaming service has picked up “Picnic at Hanging Rock,” a six-episode Australian period drama toplined by “Game of...
Nisha Ganatra to Direct Margaret Cho’s TNT Pilot
“Transparent,” “Girls,” “Better Things” — Nisha Ganatra has directed some of TV’s most critically acclaimed comedies, and now she’s set to helm Margaret Cho’s hourlong TNT...
Suranne Jones to Topline Sally Wainwright’s New Series About Anne Lister
“Gentleman Jack” has found its leading lady. “Doctor Foster” star Suranne Jones will play Anne Lister in Sally Wainwright’s upcoming HBO and BBC One series, Deadline reports. Formerly...
Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil’s “Love Is ___” Lands at OWN
Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil are joining forces with OWN. The wife-and-husband team are working on “Love Is ___,” a new hourlong series for Oprah Winfrey’s TV network, The Hollywood Reporter...
Julia Roberts to Topline Amazon Series “Homecoming”
“Homecoming” is headed to the small screen and Julia Roberts is leading the way. The Oscar winner will star in a TV adaptation of the fictional podcast of the same name. According to The...
Sandra Bullock to Star in Post-Apocalyptic Netflix Thriller Directed by Susanne Bier
Sandra Bullock is the latest A-lister to team up with Netflix. The Hollywood Reporter writes that the “Gravity” star has signed on to topline “Birdbox,” a post-apocalyptic thriller helmed by...
Drama Series Based on Mariah Carey’s Life Being Developed by Starz
Mariah Carey is best known for two things: her incredible pipes and the fact that she’s an incredible character. Her amazing talent and larger-than-life persona have captivated millions for...
Raising Films Publishes Report on Working Conditions for Parents & Carers in the Film Industry
Raising Films, an organization for parents and carers in UK film and TV, has published a report entitled “Raising our Game: Next Steps for the UK Film and Television Industry.” According to a...
Irish Film Board Introduces New Incentives for Female Writers, Directors, & Producers
Six months after awarding 75 percent of its production loans to women directors, the Irish Film Board has unveiled another plan to bolster gender equality in Ireland’s film industry. Scannain...
Carolyn McCall to Be ITV’s First Female CEO
Carolyn McCall is ITV’s new CEO effective January 8, 2018. According to The Hollywood Reporter, McCall will soon leave her post as easyJet’s CEO and take over the UK TV corporation. With this...
Jodie Whittaker Becomes the First Female “Doctor Who” Lead
After decades on the air and 12 Doctors, a female actor has finally been cast as Doctor Who. The BBC has revealed that Jodie Whittaker will take on the iconic role after the series’ current star,...
Study: There Is Significant Gender Disparity in German Film and Television
Don’t let “Toni Erdmann’s” success fool you: Gender inequality persists in German movies and TV. Per The Hollywood Reporter, a recent study from University of Rostock concluded that “women...
Uzo Aduba to Star in “The Secret Life of Bees” Musical Workshop Production
Uzo Aduba is following in Jennifer Hudson’s footsteps. According to Entertainment Weekly, the “Orange Is the New Black” star will be playing Rosaleen in a musical workshop production of “The...
2017 Emmy Awards: “Big Little Lies” and “Handmaid’s Tale” Make a Major Mark
The Emmy nominations were announced earlier today and there was plenty of recognition for female-centric series like “Big Little Lies,” “The Handmaid’s Tale,” and “Feud: Bette and...
Toni Collette to EP and Write TV Adaptation of Julia Dahl’s “Invisible City”
Oscar-nominated actress Toni Collette is continuing to spread her wings. Back in May, the former “United States of Tara” star nabbed the rights to “The Rosie Project” author Graeme...
“Claws” Renewed for Season 2
This calls for a celebratory manicure: “Claws” is coming back for a second season. Deadline reports that the TNT dramedy has been renewed by TNT just five episodes into its debut season, an...
Susan Lacy to Direct Steven Spielberg Doc for HBO
A woman is stepping behind the camera to help tell Steven Spielberg’s story. Deadline reports that Susan Lacy will direct and produce “Spielberg,” a documentary set to debut October 7 on HBO....
We Might Be Getting More “L Word”
Everyone’s favorite “Lez Girls” could be returning to the small screen. According to Variety, Showtime is developing a sequel to the “The L Word,” the Ilene Chaiken-created drama series...
“Criminal Minds” Boss Erica Messer Signs Two-Year Pod Deal with ABC Studios
“Criminal Minds” showrunner Erica Messer isn’t giving up the profiling biz quite yet. Per The Hollywood Reporter, Messer has signed a two-year pod deal with ABC Studios, “Criminal...
Teaser Watch: Princess Diana Is Remembered in “Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy”
“This is the first time that the two of us have ever spoken about her as a mother,” says Prince Harry in a new teaser for “Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy.” He and his brother, Prince...