TV News Wrap-Up: The CW Renews 10 Series, ‘Fuller House’ Ending After Season 5, Rumors of a ‘Gossip Girl’ Reboot
It’s a new year, and as shows premiere for midseason that means that we can get ready for some renewal news, cancellations, and rumors of possible reboots.
Here are some of the highlights for this week’s TV news wrap-up.
New & In the Works
Fans of Gossip Girl may get a chance to see their favorite characters again. TV Line reports that a Gossip Girl reboot is in discussion. The original series ended in 2012 and made household names of many of its stares including Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Penn Badgley, Chace Crawford, and Ed Westwick.
Showtime has ordered an eight-episode The L Word sequel to series with a scheduled premiere date by the end of 2019. The order celebrates the 15th anniversary of the series. Marja-Lewis Ryan is serving as showrunner and executive producing with series creator Ilene Chaiken.
The Big Bang Theory is ending this year, but CBS may be eying a spin-off series. CBS Boss, Kelly Kahl hinted in an interview that a spin-off series has been unofficially broached, and maintained in a Deadline interview that nothing formal had been discussed.
A tease for fans of the Arrowverse are awaiting the 2019 crossover event. The CW Boss, Mark Pedowitz told Entertainment Weekly that next year’s crossover, “Crisis of Infinite Earths” will be the biggest and most complicated one yet. The new crossover event takes its name from twelve issue DC maxi-series that resulted in some major character deaths that forever changed the DC Universe. Pedowitz was unable to say how closely the new Arrowverse series will hue to the comics, and it is still uncertain whether or not Legends of Tomorrow will be involved.
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is getting an extra-special send-off with a live concert special immediately following the finale on April 5th. The CW is describing the special as equal parts concert special, rock concert, and musical revue.
Renewals, Cancellations, and Final Season Announcements
The CW has renewed ten series including Arrow, Black Lightning, Charmed, Legends of Tomorrow, Dynasty, The Flash, Legacies, Riverdale, Supergirl, and Supernatural. Other shows, like the popular sci-fi series The 100, is still on the bubble as the network reviews its pilot orders and makes decisions about the 2019-2020 schedule.
The Fullers are getting a farewell season. Netflix announced that Fuller House will be ending with Season 5. The announcement came via a video with the cast members saying that they’ve saved the best for last.
The Netflix import Travelers has been canceled after three seasons. The sci-fi drama helmed by Will & Grace star Eric McCormack has come to an end. McCormack posted a video on Twitter thanking fans for their support, and series creator Brad Wright reacted to the cancellation saying, “Well, all good things…”
Showtime announced in a press release that Shameless has been renewed for Season 10 and that a certain character will be returning after a departure. The renewal makes the most-watched show the longest running ever on Showtime. Gary Levine, President of Entertainment at Showtime Networks said in the release: “Shameless, with its ever-growing fan base, is like no other show on television. We are thrilled it will live on with its unique blend of love and larceny on Showtime.”
Good news for fans of Sex Education, Netflix has ordered a second season. Season 2 will be comprised of eight episodes, matching Season 1’s count. Production for Season 2 is set to begin this spring.
Casting News
Fans of Battlestar Galactica may see a familiar face on Grey’s Anatomy this year. Michelle Forbes, who played Admiral Cain, is set to make a guest appearance on the show. TV Line reports that an ABC rep has confirmed Forbes’ casting but declined to report further details. It is speculated that she will play Jo’s estranged mother, whose appearance on the show was previously confirmed by Camilla Luddington herself. Forbes’ is a seasoned actress whose credits also include Berlin Station, True Blood, and The Killing.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine saw the exit of Christina Peretti this week after being a series regular on the show since 2013. TV Line reports that the exit wasn’t fully Peretti’s decision, but it also isn’t goodbye forever. Perriti will return for another episode this season and the door is open for her to make additional guest appearances.
The dystopian Hulu series, The Handmaid’s Tale adds Chris Meloni and Elizabeth Reaser to the cast as Commander Winslow and his wife. The two will house Commander Waterford and Serena Joy for a trip. TV Guide reports that Reaser’s character is expected to become a source of friendship for Serena Joy, but it is unclear whether they will fall in line with the fundamentalists or if they’ll buck the system like Commander Lawrence. Season 3 of The Handmaid’s Tale is set to premiere sometime this year.
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What TV news are you the most excited about? Are you still waiting for your favorite to be picked up for next season? Tell us what news you’re the most excited for in the comments below.
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Lauren Busser
Lauren Busser is an Associate Editor at Tell-Tale TV. She is a writer of fiction and nonfiction whose work has appeared in Bitch Media, Popshot Quarterly, Brain Mill Press Voices, and The Hartford Courant.