Rueben's Ramblings

Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Lifetime is moving forward with a six-one hour limited series Lizzie Borden: The Fall River Chronicles based on the network’s Lizzie Borden Took An Ax movie. Chirstina Ricci and Clea Duvall will reprise their roles (Ricci as Lizzie and Clea and Lizzie’s sister Emma) from the movie. This limited series will focus on numerous people close to Lizzie who start to mysterious die under brutal and strange circumstances; and, of course, Lizzie is suspected by legendary Pinkerton detective Charlie Siringo (actor Cole Hauser from Damages). The limited series will air sometime next year. (The Futon Critic)

Actress Kelly McCreary (Emily Owens, M.D.) has been promoted as a series regular on Grey’s Anatomy where she plays Dr. Maggie Price, Meredith’s half-sister. (Variety Staff)

Actor John Allen Nelson (Privileged) will have a recurring role on Red Band Society, playing Emma’s (series regular Ciara Bravo) father Jon Chota. (Lesley Goldberg at The Hollywood Reporter)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Actress Gloria Reuben (Falling Skies and ER) will have a recurring role in the USA Network cyber-crime drama pilot Mr. Robot that centers on a young programmer, Elliot (Rami Malek from The Twilight Saga franchise), who suffers from a debilitating anti-social disorder and decides that he can only connect to people by hacking them. He will find himself in the intersection between a cybersecurity firm he works for and the underworld organizations recruiting him to bring down corporate America. Reuben will play Elliot’s psychologist Krista, who is trying her best to break through their frustratingly silent sessions together. (The Deadline Team)

FOX is developing a drama based on the legendary story of Frankenstein with executive producers Howard Gordon (24 and Homeland) and Rand Ravich (Life and Crisis). The project will center on Adam Tremble, a morally corrupt FBI agent who is given a second chance at life when he is brought back from the dead. Now younger and stronger, Tremble will have to choose between his old temptations and his new sense of purpose, dealing with threats beyond the FBI’s capabilities. All the while navigating the complicated relationship with his “creators”: an antisocial Internet billionaire and his bio-engineer twin sister. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

ABC is developing a contemporary take on The Phantom of the Opera to be overseen by Marc Cherry (the man behind Desperate Housewives. Set in the modern-day music business, the plot involves a ghost who haunts an opera house and helps a budding singer before jealousy gets the better of him. (Cynthia Littleton at Variety)

FOX is also developing a drama called Riverdale that will focus on the iconic comic book characters Archie, Betty and Veronica and Josie and the Pussycats. Set in the present, the series offers a bold, subversive take on Archie, Betty, Veronica and their friends, exploring the surreality of small-town life, the darkness and weirdness bubbling beneath Riverdale’s wholesome façade. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

BOX OFFICE TRAILER

Into the Woods Featurette

That’s it. Enjoy!