More Moore: ‘This Is Us’ actress boards new Hulu drama
More Moore: For her next project, actress/singer-songwriter/new mom Mandy Moore (“This Is Us”) has opted to stick with TV, and with a production team that knows her well.
Moore will appear in “Twin Flames,” a new series in development at Hulu. The drama tells the true story of two women who stumble upon a couple’s online teachings, which centre on the idea that everyone has a soulmate — a “twin flame” — and one must do whatever it takes to be with that other person. Desperate for true love, the two women quickly become entranced by the concept and those who preach it, but they’re soon wrapped up in a dangerous world.
Moore will star in the series and serve as an executive producer via her production company, Roll With the Punches. The potential TV series hails from “Guilty Party” writer Rebecca Addelman, who wrote the script based on the hit Wondery podcast by the same name. Addelman will also serve as an executive producer alongside former “This Is Us” showrunners Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger, who worked with Moore during all six seasons (20162022) of the hit family drama.
Moore excitedly announced the collaboration on Instagram: “Eeeeeek! I am so thrilled for this next chapter and can’t wait to jump into TWIN FLAMES… plus to be reunited with my friends @ iaptaker and @bergernight and everyone at 20th [Television]??What a dream!!”
The new project has one more connection to “This Is Us”: both hail from the same studio, 20th Television, which recently resigned Moore to a production overall deal (known as a “pod”). Under the terms, Moore and her production company will develop and produce new projects, and reportedly, one of those projects is an adaptation of The Cut article “My Mom Has No Friends” by Monica Corcoran Harel.
“Mandy is one of those rare and exceptionally talented artists who’s as brilliant on the screen as she is off, with a keen eye and natural instinct for uncovering fascinating material,” Karey Burke, president of 20th Television, said. “Working with Mandy over the course of her award-winning six years on ‘This Is Us’ cemented our desire to extend our relationship with her, and we are incredibly excited to develop projects together in the years to come.”
Casting ‘Chief of War’: This time next year, Jason Momoa will probably be busy promoting the long-awaited DC film “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.” But right now,Apple TV+ is busy prepping another project of his: the historical drama “Chief of War.”
Created by Momoa and writer Thomas Pa’a Sibbett (“The Last Manhunt,” 2022), the nine-episode drama chronicles the events surrounding the unification and colonization of Hawaii, but the story is told from an indigenous point of view. “Chief of War” is written and executive produced by Honolulu-born Momoa, who will also play lead character Ka’iana opposite Luciane Buchanan (“Sweet Tooth”) and Temuera Morrison (“The Book of Boba Fett”).
But an epic story such as this one requires a solid ensemble cast, and Apple TV+ recently added eight more names to its list of series regulars.
TeAoo Hinepehinga (“Breakwater”) will star as Kupuohi, wife of Ka’iana (Momoa). Newcomer Kaina Makua has been tapped to be the prophesied king, Kamehameha, who is destined to unite
the warring kingdoms. Moses Goods (“NCIS: Hawai’i”) will play his chief adviser and the father of Buchanan’s character, Ka’ahumanu. Siua Ikale’o (“NCIS: Hawai’i”) will portray Nahi, Ka‘iana’s youngest brother. Brandon Finn (“Three Women”) will star as the son of King Kahekili, played by Morrison. James Udom (“The Sandman”) will portray a runaway slave named Tony. Mainei Kinimaka, who previously starred in the Momoa-led series “See,” will star as Heke, Kupuohi’s (Hinepehinga) younger sister.AndTe KoheTuhaka (“Vegas”) will play Ka‘iana’s younger brother, Namake, who is an elite warrior.
‘Lotus’ renewed: Fret not, fans of “The White Lotus.” Season 2 has come to an end, but HBO has already renewed the series for a third season.
The renewal came just three episodes into the new season. And the decision doesn’t come as a surprise, given that it’s become one of Warner Bros. Discovery’s most talked-about shows: the Season 2 premiere pulled in more than 7.6 million viewers and made it the most-watched title on HBO Max.
Getting the green light for a third season means creator/writer/ director Mike White will need to find a new locale, five-star resort and cohort of awfully privileged guests to feature in the newest installment.
The first season was set in Hawaii and featured a top-notch cast that included Jennifer Coolidge (“Legally Blonde,” 2001) and Murray Bartlett (“Physical”), both of whom took home an Emmy for Best Support Actress/Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.