Tell-Tale TV’s 2019 Pilot Season Round-Up

It’s the end of pilot season, and that can be as stressful for TV fans as it is for TV industry professionals. But to be honest, the period afterward — before lineups are announced, might just be more stressful for us. Because we wait, only knowing what projects we hope we’ll get to see in our living rooms. At least everyone else knows what one episode of their show looks like. 

In case you don’t know, a pilot is the first episode of a series. The network orders a show’s creators and producers to write, cast and film the first episode of shows before officially ordering them to make sure the show fits the network.

Often, they test shows with focus group audiences before committing to them. So a pilot greenlight is not a done deal. Essentially, it just means a network likes a show idea enough to have one episode made.

As you can imagine, pilot season is a stressful time for actors. First, they have to land a role in an audition and the show has to land the pilot greenlight. Then, the pilot has to impress executives and pass testing before it’s announced at the network’s upfronts (usually in May) introducing fall lineups.

That’s a lot! But like I said,  it’s a stressful time for fans, too. Pilot season brings up so many questions that may or may not be answered in the way we want them to:

What revivals should we anticipate? Which one of our favorite actors are involved in a new show and has a job on the line? What new stories want to come to the small screen and what are the chances they’ll actually make it there?

It can be exhausting and hard to keep track of every show you’re looking forward to through individual articles alone. Our 2019 pilot round-up will do the work for you. We will add new information as it is released. 

Originally Published: April 3rd, 2019

Most recent update: May 14th, 2019

Tell-Tale TV’s 2019 Pilot Season Round-Up, organized by network:

ABC • CBS • FOX • NBC • The CW

ABC

The Baker and the Beauty (Status: Ordered To Series)

Logline: Based on the Israeli series created by Assi Azar, the drama tells the story of the unlikely romance between a blue-collar baker and an international superstar. Theirs is a relationship that not only upends their own lives but the lives of their two very different families.

Here’s who is involved: Nathalie Kelley (Dynasty, Unreal, The Vampire Diaries), Carlos Gomez, Lisa Vidal, Dan Bucatinsky, Belissa Escobedo, Victor Rasuk, Michelle Veintimilla, David Del Rio Crew: W/EP Dean Georgaris (The Meg, The Brave); EP/D David Frankel; EP Avi Nir, Alon Shtruzman, Rachel Kaplan, Peter Traugott, Assi Azar — Casting complete according to The Hollywood Reporter

Keep an eye on this one: Romantic comedy stans can’t miss this one! It seems like a combination of Notting Hill and the hit Netflix Christmas movie The Princess Switch (because, you know, baking.) I, for one, am looking forward to it because I’ve been wondering when a smart TV exec would take advantage of the international obsession with baking shows in scripted form. Hopefully, The Baker And The Beauty makes it out of pilot season alive. 

Heart of Life  (Status: Redeveloped/Off-Cycle)

Logline: Inspired by John Mayer’s song, the drama follows two sets of adult siblings from wildly different worlds who discover they are related and must reassess everything they thought they knew about their shared father. As they explore the mystery of their separate childhoods, they’ll experience the difficulty in overcoming the sins of the past and learn the joys of reuniting with long-lost family.

Here’s who is involved: Harry Shum Jr., (Crazy Rich Asians, Glee) Katie Findlay (How To Get Away With Murder, The Carrie Diaries), Dave Annable (Brothers & Sisters), Jessica Stroup, Nick Thune Crew: W/EP Ben Queen (Powerless); EP John Mayer, Melvin Mar, Jake Kasdan, Paul Weitz; D Anne Fletcher

Keep an eye on this one: John Mayer fans might want to watch The Heart Of Life’s progress. It’s quite unique to see a TV show based on a song, and “The Heart Of Life,” while not a well-known hit, is just general enough thematically that it might work. The cast is also intriguing. 

The Hypnotist’s Love Story (Status: Dropped)

Logline: After a string of failed romances, successful hypnotherapist Ellen (Juliet Rylance, The Knick) is optimistic about her current boyfriend. But then he reveals a disturbing truth: a stalker ex-girlfriend (Heather Graham) has been following him for years. Ellen finds herself intrigued — and oddly thrilled by the stalker, entirely unaware that they’ve already met. Based on the book of the same name by Liane Moriarty (Big Little Lies).

Here’s who’s involved: Heather Graham, Juliet Rylance, Jane Seymour, Liza Lapira, Adan Canto, Nathaniel Buescher Crew: W/EP Katie Wech; EP Heather Graham, David Hoberman, Todd Lieberman, Laurie Zaks; EP/D Francesca Gregorini; P Liane Moriarty — Casting complete according to The Hollywood Reporter

Keep an eye on this one: Fans of Liane Moriarty and Big Little Lies obviously can’t miss this show, which is taking advantage of TV’s current obsession with stalking. Heather Graham seems perfectly cast as the stalker, in my opinion. So, I’ll be watching this one if it makes it to the small screen. 

New York Undercover (Status: Dropped)

Logline: Picking up 20 years after the end of the original, the new take follows detectives Nat Gilmore and Melissa Ortiz as they investigate the city’s most dangerous criminals from Harlem to Battery Park.

Here’s who’s involved:  Malik Yoba, Luna Lauren Velez (original cast reprising roles), Otmara Marrero, Toby Sandeman, Anna Enger, Octavio Pizano, MC Lyte, Fat Joe Crew: W/EP Dick Wolf, Ben Watkins; EP Arthur W. Forney, Peter Jankowski; EP/D Anthony Hemingway

Keep an eye on this one: Fans of the original New York Undercover or cop dramas, in general, should root for this reboot to make it on screen. 

NYPD Blue (Status: Redeveloping for Midseason)

Logline: Follows Andy Sipowicz’s (original star Dennis Franz) son, Theo (Fabien Frankel), as he tries to earn his detective shield and work in the 15th squad while investigating his father’s murder.

Here’s who’s involved: Fabien Frankel, Alona Tal (Supernatural, SEAL Team), Kim Delaney, Bill Brochtrup, Rick Gomez, Ashley Thomas, Sofia Barclay Crew:  W/EP Matt Olmstead, Nick Wootton; EP/D Jesse Bochco; EP Dayna Bochco — Casting complete according to The Hollywood Reporter

Keep an eye on this one: Fans of the original NYPD Blue should give this one a shot, even though it may be hard. Andy Sipowicz may be dead, but his son isn’t going to let his dad’s murderer get away — plus some original cast members will reprise their roles. 

Stumptown (Status: Ordered To Series) 

Logline: Inspired by the Oni Press graphic novels, the drama follows Dex Parios (Cobie Smulders), a strong, assertive and unapologetically sharp-witted Army veteran working as a P.I.  in Portland. With a complicated personal history and only herself to rely on, she solves other people’s messes with a blind eye toward her own.

Here’s who’s involved: Friends From College‘s Cobie Smulders, Michael Ealy (Secrets and Lies), Mark Webber, Adrian Martinez, Camryn Manheim, Cole Sibus, Tantoo Cardinal Crew: W/EP Jason Richman (Detroit 187); EP Ruben Fleischer, Dave Bernad, Greg Rucka, Matthew Southworth, Justin Greenwood; EP/D James Griffiths — Casting complete according to The Hollywood Reporter

Keep an eye on this one: Fans of graphic novels should cross their fingers for this one. I hope I get to meet Dex and watch her catch the people of Portland in some lies. 

Triangle (Status: Dropped)

Logline: What if the Bermuda Triangle was not a watery grave in the middle of the ocean, but a land lost in time that has trapped travelers over the course of human history? When a family is shipwrecked in this strange land, they must band together with a group of like-minded inhabitants — from throughout history — to survive and somehow find a way home.

Here’s who’s involved: Mike Vogel (The Brave), Pallavi Sharda, Edwin Hodge, Mallory Jansen, Matt Passmore, Sarah Catherine Hook, Lorenzo Richelmy Crew: W/EP Jon Feldman (Dawson’s Creek, Designated Survivor), Sonny Postiglione; EP Jen Gwartz; EP/D McG

Keep an eye on this one: Fans of Survivor and history enthusiasts will be in their element if this one goes to series. 

April 12 Update: Cast updated. 

Until the Wedding (Status: Dropped)

Logline: Based on an Israeli format, the series tells the story of how one couple’s (Olivia Thirlby, E.J. Bonilla) decision to get married can affect everyone in their lives. The show will explore the intimate relationships in a group of friends and family as they are forced to reckon with their own romantic lives and come to terms with the realities of love and marriage.

Here’s who’s involved: Olivia Thirlby (Juno), E.J. Bonilla (Bull), Britt Lower, Trent Garrett, Juani Feliz, Lisa Colon-Zayas, Vered Blonstein, Michael Stahl-David, Michael Benjamin Washington, Christian Coulson, Christian Borle Crew: W/EP Becky Mode (SEAL Team, Smash); EP Sarah Timberman, Carl Beverly, Alon Aranya, Nelly Feld, Avi Zvi, Ami Amir; D/EP Susannah Grant (Erin Brockovich) — Casting complete according to The Hollywood Reporter

Keep an eye on this one: If you love love stories and drama, keep watching this project to see if it makes it to air. 

For Life (Status: Ordered to series)

Logline: A serialized legal and family drama about a prisoner who becomes a lawyer, litigating cases for other inmates while fighting to overturn his own life sentence for a crime he didn’t commit. His quest for freedom is driven by his desperate desire to get back to the family he loves and reclaim the life that was stolen from him. The show will also, through the window of his ferocious struggle and complicated relationship with a progressive female prison warden, examine the flaws and challenges in the penal and legal systems.

Here’s who’s involved: Nicholas Pinnock (Counterpart), Indira Varma (Game of Thrones), Joy Bryant (Parenthood), Boris McGiver, Tyla Harris, Mary Stuart Masterson, Dorian Missick Crew: W/EP Hank Steinberg (The Last Ship); EP/D George Tillman Jr. (The Hate U Give); EP Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson (Power), Isaac Wright Jr., Doug Robinson, Alison Greenspan

Keep an eye on this one: If you love legal dramas, keep track of this project. I’m intrigued by the fact that it’s serialized as opposed to procedural, and I’m excited to learn about the challenges inmates face when they’re trying to build their own legal cases. 

Happy Accident (Status: Dropped)

Logline: Revolves around two Pittsburgh families — a father (Matt Walsh) with three adult daughters (Joanna Garcia Swisher) and a hotel lounge singer (Vanessa Williams) with her med student son — who are forced together after a decades-old secret is revealed.

Here’s who’s involved: Vanessa Williams, Matt Walsh (Veep), JoAnna Garcia Swisher (Once Upon A Time), Kether Donohue, Jessie Pinnick, Elliot Knight, Robert Smith Crew: W/EP Jon Pollack, Abraham Higginbotham (Modern Family); EP/D Kat Coiro

Keep an eye on this one:  Happy Accident seems like a refreshing twist on the typical sitcom story, even just because it centers on more than one family. 

United We Fall (Status: Ordered to Series)

Logline: A profoundly realistic, multicultural family sitcom that shows how, when two people with young children and overzealous extended families truly love each other, barely anything is possible.

Here’s who’s involved: Will Sasso, Christina Vidal, (Training Day) Jane Curtin, Jason Michael Snow Crew:  W/EP Julius “Goldy” Sharpe (Making History, Family Guy), EP Julia Gunn, Seth Gordon; EP/D Mark CendrowskiKeep An Eye On This One:  If you’re looking for a show that understands that being a parent is hard! 

Keep an eye on this one: If you’re looking for a show that understands that being a parent is hard! 

Untitled Hannah Simone comedy (Status: Dropped)

Logline: Hannah (New Girl grad Hannah Simone) and her Indian-American immigrant father have always been close, but after she admits to herself that she’s in a dead-end job and he reveals his marriage is over, they’re starting over together and each finding a new path. This new chapter will either make them crazy close … or just crazy.

Here’s who’s involved: Hannah Simone, Jane Leeves, Alanna Ubach, Deniz Akdeniz, Liza Treyger, Hank Chen Crew: W/EP Hannah Simone, Matt Fusfeld (New Girl, American Dad), Alex Cuthbertson (New Girl); EP/D Todd Holland — Casting complete according to The Hollywood Reporter

Keep an eye on this one: If you like your diverse representation with a side of laughs. 

Untitled Jessica Gao project (Status: Dropped)

Logline: Revolves around Janet Zhao, a first-generation Chinese-American woman who struggles to set healthy boundaries with her crazy, exhausting family. When her wealthy grandmother dies and names Janet the sole inheritor, she suddenly finds herself the unwilling new matriarch of the family she’s spent her life trying to keep at arm’s length.

Here’s who’s involved: Holly Chou, Cindy Cheung, Stephen Park, Kelly Hu, Helen Hong, Ki Hong Lee, Ashley Park, John Gemberling Crew: W/EP Jessica Gao (Rick and Morty), Larry Wilmore; EP Brian Grazer, Francie Calfo, Samie Falvey; EP/D Jude Weng — Casting complete according to The Hollywood Reporter

Keep an eye on this one: This project seems like the TV version of Crazy Rich Asians for more reasons than one. Fans of the film will probably like it. 

Untitled Leslie Odom Jr. comedy (Status: Dropped)

Logline: Inspired by real-life progressive pastors Toure Roberts and Sarah Jakes-Roberts, the show revolves around Omari (Leslie Odom Jr.) and Hope (Kelly Jenrette), who together run a modern ministry and share an eclectic, chaotic home life with their combined four children.

Here’s who’s involved: Leslie Odom Jr. (Hamilton) , Kelly Jenrette (The Handmaid’s Tale), Alexis Fields, Hailey Kilgore, Lilah Richcreek, Milan Carter, Kezii Curtis, Brandon Severs, Somali Rose Crew: W/EP Saladin Patterson (The Last O.G., The Big Bang Theory), EP Kerry Washington, Pilar Savone, Leslie Odom Jr., Co-EP Toure Roberts, Sarah Jakes-Roberts; EP/D Fred Savage — Casting complete according to The Hollywood Reporter

Keep an eye on this one: A religious-infused with comedy sounds like something everyone needs to watch right now, no matter what you believe in. 

Woman Up (Status: Dropped)

Logline: Two former teen moms (Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Tawny Newsome) have worked their asses off to see their daughters all the way through high school graduation. And now, at 35, they’re ready to make up for the youth they never had.

Here’s who’s involved: Mary Elizabeth Ellis (It’s Always Sunny In Philidelphia), Tawny Newsome (Bajillion Dollar Propertie$), Abby Quinn, Gabrielle Elyse, Kym Whitley, Leon Thomas, Tate Moore, Bryce Charles Crew: W/EP/D Zoe Lister-Jones; EP Liz Meriwether, Jason Winer, Jon Radler — Casting complete according to The Hollywood Reporter

Keep an eye on this one: Woman Up is giving me Gilmore Girls vibes. Just pretend Lorelai and Rory have a less co-dependent relationship, take Lorelai out of Stars Hollow, make her single, and give her different friends. OK, so a lot is different. But you understand. 

Next up: CBS