TV News Wrap-Up: Netflix Cancels ‘One Day at a Time’, Lucy Hale Cast in ‘Riverdale’ Spinoff, Marta Kauffman Nixes Possibility of ‘Friends’ Reunion

To say this week has been eventful is an understatement. There were arrests, heartbreaking cancellations, and shattering realizations about possible reunions. However, there are also teases for new series, an anticipated TV wedding, and the final season of Game of Thrones. 

Check out this week’s news on our TV News Wrap-Up. 

Crime

Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman were among forty people charged in a college bribery scandal being dubbed Operation Varsity Blues. TV Line reports that the two actresses had been indicted on Tuesday in a scheme to illegally bribe their children into elite colleges. The results of the scandal have led to Loughin being fired from all Hallmark projects and likely the final season of Fuller House. 

Jussie Smollett has entered a not guilty plea in his ongoing disorderly conduct case. TV Line reports that Smollett entered his plea on Thursday, March 14th, less than a week after he was indicted on 16 felony counts. Smollett is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday, April 17th. TV Line also reported that Empire was down 12.2 percent in the ratings after the first episode since the arrest aired on Wednesday night. 

Teasers & Spoilers 

Season 2 of Stana Katic’s Amazon Prime series, Absentia, now has a U.S. premiere date. TV Line reports that the series starring the Castle alum will debut Season 2 on June 14 in the United States, as well as the UK, Germany, Australia, Austria, India, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Singapore, South Korea and other select territories. You can watch the trailer for the new season right here. 

There’s a wedding in the future on NCIS: Los Angeles!  Sunday night’s episode will include Kensi Blye and Marty Deeks’ nuptials, capping off a nine-season relationship and eventual romance. In an interview with TV Line, Eric Christian Olsen talked about shooting the wedding and what it was like to be part of the most anticipated television weddings of the decade in an interview. He also teased about fan favorite, Hetty, played by Linda Hunt, coming back. “The only people missing Linda more than the fans is me. So, nothing would make me happier than her coming back — and I sound pretty happy, right?” said Olsen. 

We know how long every episode of the final season of Game of Thrones will be! According to TV Line, the six-episode final season will have the first two episodes clocking in at 54 and 58 minutes respectively, and the last four will be roughly an hour and 20 minutes each. Episode 3 will be the longest, running an hour and 22 minutes. The final season of Game of Thrones begins April 14th on HBO. 

Production News 

There’s a new Orphan Black series in development at AMC, but it’s not a spinoff. According to a Variety exclusive, fans can expect a series set in the same universe, but with a whole new set of characters. Sources stressed that this series wouldn’t be a reboot or revival. The project is in the very early stages currently seeking a writer for the project, as well as multiple to pitch different takes on what the series could be. 

Don’t expect a Friends reunion anytime soon. In a new Rolling Stone interview, the creator of the series, Marta Kauffman, has nixed talk of the reunion saying that the heart of the show would be gone Kauffman told Rolling Stone, “…the show is about a time in your life when your friends are your family. It’s not that time anymore. All we’d be doing is putting those six actors back together, but the heart of the show would be gone. Two, I don’t know what good it does us. The show is doing just fine, people love it. [A reunion] could only disappoint. ‘The One Where Everyone’s Disappointed.’”

Casting News

Lucy Hale has been cast as Katy Keene in a new Riverdale spinoff. According to Entertainment Weekly, the spinoff, sets years ahead of Riverdale‘s current timeline, will follow four Archie characters as they aspire to make it on Broadway, the runway, and the recording studio. The Pretty Little Liars alum will play a twentysomething New Yorker who aspires to make it as a fashion designer. When she’s not working at a luxury department store, she’ll be navigating friendship and dating in the big city.

Weeds alum Hunter Parrish has been cast in Jane the Novela, the Jane the Virgin spinoff series.  According to TV Line, the series is based on the Jane Villanueva with Gina Rodriguez–yes, Jane herself–serving as a narrator. The first season is set in a Napa Valley vineyard. The article states, “Parrish will play Felix, a rich kid who co-owns the vineyard with his mother Renata (Marcia Cross) and catches the eye of local art curator Estela (Jacqueline Grace Lopez) — who happens to be dating the winery’s head of security.” While Felix might be Napa’s most eligible bachelor he is tortured by secrets from his past. 

Supergirl is adding another cast member to the list of series regulars. TV Line reports that Azie Tesfai’s Kelly Olsen will be. a regular character on Supergirl Season 5. TV Line also teases, “…although things may not have worked out between Kara and James, let’s just say that a Danvers-Olsen romance may still be in the cards.”

Freddie Prinze Jr. has nabbed the role of Nancy Drew’s estranged dad in The CW pilot. TV Line reports Prinze will play Carson Drew, a dynamic attorney who grows apart from his daughter after the death of his wife. Carson attempts to reconnect with his daughter, but his intentions run aground when her investigation drags up secrets from his past. 

Renewals & Cancellations

NBC has renewed The Blacklist for Season 7. According to Variety, the original cast, including co-stars James Spader and Megan Boone are all set to return. The Blacklist Season 6 is currently airing. 

Netflix has canceled One Day at a Time after three seasons, lamenting that it was a difficult decision. Sony, the studio behind the series, intends to shop it around. The Netflix US Twitter account states that Netflix tried to make a Season 4 work, but in the end not enough people watched to justify it. You can read our full report about the cancellation here. 

American Gods is getting a Season 3 with a new showrunner! Variety reports that Starz announced on Friday, not one week after the Season 2 premiere that the series would be back. Charles “Chic” Eglee is set to take over as showrunner for the third season, a position previously held by Bryan Fuller, Michael Green and Jesse Alexander. 

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