Julia Roberts stars in Amazon thriller ‘Homecoming’
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Remove another name from the rapidly shrinking list of actors-who-never-doseries-television: Julia Roberts stars in Amazon’s halfhour psychological thriller “Homecoming” (Nov. 2) based on the podcast of the same name.
Ms. Roberts plays Heidi Bergman, caseworker at corporate facility Homecoming, a center for soldiers returning from war. She has a complex relationship with a vet (Stephan James) eager to rejoin civilian life. A secondary to find and access its narrative set four years original programming, later finds her working as a which will include season small-town waitress and living two of Emmy-nominated with her mother (Sissy “The Marvelous Mrs. Spacek) when a department Maisel” this winter. of defense auditor (Shea Amazon also has dumped Whigham) begins questioning its let-the-audience-vote-onwhichwhy she left Homecoming.pilots-should-go-to-series gimmick (whose legitimacy
Podcast creators Eli Horowitz was always questionable) and Micahquestionable) in favor of a more typical Bloomberg serve as writers/ for TV, executive-directed showrunners with “Mr. Robot” development process showrunner Sam Esmail for programs. directing all 10 first-season Ms. Salke said there is a episodes. plan for a “Transparent”
Ms. Roberts said she was wrap-up without former star drawn to “Homecoming” by Jeffrey Tambor (he was fired the script, which she described following sexual harassment as “a great, old-fashioned allegations), but she yarn set in this really declined to say how Mr. modern conundrum of a morality Tambor’s absence will be addressed. play.”
She had no qualms about Amazon greenlit a twoseason doing a TV series as opposed order for anthology to a film. horror series “Them” from
“I guess I didn’t really executive producer Lena think of it as small screen, Waithe (”The Chi”). The big screen,” she said. “My first season will explore how television is very big.” frightening it was to be black
Mr. Horowitz and Mr. in America in 1953. Bloomberg said they were Nicole Kidman will star inspired to do a half-hour in “The Expatriates,” an ongoing drama to keep the story as series based on the tight as possible. novel by Janice Y.K. Lee
“If we made it an hour about a close-knit expatriate we’d have made up some community in Hong Kong. weird B-plot that would kind Amazon also ordered a of fizzle,” Mr. Horowitz said. comedy. “Upload,” from “This let us just stay focused.” “The Office” showrunner Greg Daniels. It’s a sci-fi sitcom set in the near future where people who are near death can be uploaded into a virtual afterlife of their choice.
More Amazon news
Amazon Prime Video is in a rebuilding mode that appears to be in good hands with new Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke, late of NBC, who brought an openness to the Television Critics Association summer press tour that always eluded her predecessor, Roy Price, who resigned last year following sexual harassment allegations.
In addition to renewing “Sneaky Pete” for season three, Amazon has set writers J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay (”Star Trek: Beyond,” the upcoming “Star Trek 4”) as developers of an original “Lord of the Rings” series set prior to “The Fellowship of the Ring.”
Matthew Weiner’s “Mad Men” follow-up, anthology “The Romanoffs,” will debut Oct. 12, centering on people who believe they are descendants of the Russian Romanov family.
Ms. Salke said Amazon will soon roll out a better user interface for Prime Video, which should make it easier for Amazon subscribers
Allegations against CBS’s Moonves
In a New Yorker report by Ronan Farrow published Friday, six women accused CBS CEO Leslie Moonves of sexual harassment spanning more than three decades. Four, including actress Illeana Douglas (”Welcome to Sweden”), described forcible touching or kissing during business meetings; two said Mr. Moonves physically intimidatedthem or threatened to derail their careers.
Mr. Moonves released a statement to The New Yorker, saying, “I recognize that there were times decades ago when I may have made some women uncomfortable by making advances. Those were mistakes, and I regret them immensely. But I always understood and respected — and abided by the principle — that ‘no’ means ‘no,’ and I have never misused my position to harm or hinder anyone’s career.”
In a statement CBS said that Mr. Moonves acknowledged trying to kiss Ms. Douglas but that “he denies any characterization of ‘sexual assault,’ intimidation, or retaliatory action.”
CBS’s board of directors issued a pre-emptive statement before The New Yorker story published.
“All allegations of personal misconduct are to be taken seriously,” the statement said. “The Independent Directors of CBS have committed to investigating claims that violate the Company’s clear policies in that regard. Upon the conclusion of that investigation, which involves recently reported allegations that go back several decades, the Board will promptly review the findings and take appropriate action.”
‘Neighbor’ gets DVD release date
Prior to airing on PBS’s “Independent Lens,” likely in 2019, the Fred Rogers feature documentary film “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” will be released digitally on Aug. 21 and on DVD and Blu-ray on Sept. 4.
The Hollywood Reporter notes “Neighbor” is poised to cross the $20 million domestic box office any day now. The film has become the top-grossing biographical documentary of all time domestically, the top-earning documentary in the past five years and the 14th biggest of all-time (not adjusting for inflation), per the Reporter.
Kept/canceled
AMC renewed “Better Call Saul” for season five ahead of the Aug. 6 season four premiere and “Fear the Walking Dead” for season five and “McMafia” for season two.
Showtime renewed “The Affair” for a fifth and final season.
AT&T Audience Network renewed the conspiracy thriller “Condor” for a second season and will bring back polyamory romantic comedy “You Me Her” for a fourth and fifth season.
Netflix renewed “Altered Carbon” for a second season with Anthony Mackie taking over the lead role of Takeshi Kovacs from season one star Joel Kinnaman.
Channel surfing
Netflix’s “Bojack Horseman” will have its linear television debut on Comedy Central at 10:30 p.m. Sept. 26 following the 22nd season premiere of “South Park.”