Kids want ‘more’ female superheroes, study finds
Biel to star in, produce ‘Limetown’
LOS ANGELES, Oct 9, (RTRS): BBC America and the Women’s Media Center have released a new study showing that girls want more female characters in film and television.
By surveying a wide range of children between the ages of five and 19, the study found that every demographic group expressed a desire for more female leads in the sci-fi and superhero genres. The survey was administered last summer to 2,431 girls and boys as well as parents of children between five and nine years old.
“At this time of enormous, sweeping social change, it’s important that television and film provide an abundance of roles and role models for diverse girls and young women,” said Women’s Media Center President Julie Burton. “We know that representation matters, as evidenced by this report. Our research found that female sci-fi and superhero characters help bridge the confidence gap for girls, making them feel strong, brave, confident, inspired, positive and motivated.”
Other findings include a 23 point gender gap between teenage boys and girls with regards to interest in STEM careers and a one in three response from teenage girls that they have fewer opportunities than boys to be leaders. Additionally, teenage girls are less likely than teenage boys to describe themselves as confident, brave and heard.
The study was launched as a part of BBC America’s “Galaxy of Women” Initiative, which seeks to highlight successful women across the network while also connecting fans with more powerful female characters.
“If you can’t see her, you can’t be her,” said BBC America President Sarah Barnett. “It’s time to expand what gets seen, and we hope this report will contribute to sparking change in the stories we see on screen. With greater representation of female heroes in the sci-fi and superhero genre, we can help superpower the next generation of women.”
Facebook Watch has greenlit the drama series “Limetown” with Jessica Biel set to star and executive produce.
Based on the podcast of the same name produced by Two Up, “Limetown” follows Lia Haddock (Biel), a journalist for American Public Radio, as she unravels the mystery behind the disappearance of over 300 people at a neuroscience research facility in Tennessee. Facebook has ordered a 10 episode first season.
Biel willexecutive produce via her Iron Ocean Productions banner alongside Michelle Purple. Endeavor Content will serve as the studio. Zack Akers and Skip Bronkie, creators of the “Limetown” podcast, will write and also executive produce. Midnight Radio’s Josh Appelbaum, Andre Nemec, Jeff Pinkner and Scott Rosenberg will executive produce and showrun, with Adrienne Erickson producing.
In addition, Endeavor Audio is releasing the second season of the “Limetown” podcast on Oct 31. It begins where the first season ends, diving into the minds of the individuals responsible for Limetown, its disappearance and subsequent cover up. The first season had over 10 million downloads and went to number one on the Apple Podcasts charts.
The role marks a return to a starring role in a television series for Biel, who executive produced and starred in the first season of the critically-acclaimed USA Network drama “The Sinner.” The second season, which Biel also executive produced, concluded in September.
Biel is repped by WME, LBI Entertainment and Morris Yorn. Akers and Bronkie are repped by WME and Ziffren Brittenham. Midnight Radio is repped by WME.
“Limetown” is the latest female-led drama to land a series order at Facebook Watch. The original content arm of the social media giant recently released the Elizabeth Olsen drama “Sorry for Your Loss” and is currently working on “Queen America,” which will star Catherine Zeta-Jones.
“Shameless” is saying goodbye to another longtime star.
Cameron Monaghan, who plays Ian Gallagher on the hit Showtime series, announced via Instagram that he will be leaving the show after the next episode.
“I have been a series regular on this show for roughly ten years. I was the tender age of fifteen when we shot the pilot, and I came of age in so many ways, both legally and personally,” the actor wrote in the social media post. “I was very lucky to mature and grow with this show. Experiencing so many firsts, maturing as an actor, a professional, and a human. In the process gaining friends, family, and the best coworkers a very lucky actor could ask for, and for this I can be nothing but gracious. All good things come to an end. An old cliche, but one that rings true with a sincerity and clarity especially in moments like these. Everything ends.”
Monaghan went on to say that he has known about his exit since last year, but kept it quiet in order to preserve the integrity of the storyline for fans. “This role has been a joy to inhabit, a wild and special ride, and I’d like to thank #Shameless as well as you, the viewers, for being there with him,” he wrote. “Goodbye, Ian Clayton Gallagher. We’ll meet again?”
Monaghan is now the second major “Shameless” cast member to announce their departure from the series. Previously, Emmy Rossum stated that the current ninth season of “Shameless” will be her last with the show.
Patricia Heaton is returning to CBS. The former “Everybody Loves Raymond” star, fresh off her recent starring gig on ABC’s “The Middle,” is set to star in and executive produce a multi-camera comedy that has received a series commitment at CBS.
Titled “Carol’s Second Act,” the series follows mom Carol Chambers who, after raising her two children and retiring from teaching, embarks on a unique second act by deciding to become a doctor.
The series hails from writers and executive producers Emily Halpern and Sarah Haskins. In addition, Adam Griffin, David Hunt, and Rebecca Stay of Heaton’s FourBoys Entertainment will executive produce along with Aaron Kaplan and Dana Honor of Kapital Entertainment. CBS Television Studios will produce.