TV News Wrap-Up: Tom Welling Joins Arrowverse Crossover, HBO Max Picks Up Streaming Rights to ‘The Big Bang Theory,’ ‘Supergirl’ Season 5 Adds Two Cast Members, and More
It’s the week of reboots and streaming platform news! (And yes, those two things are intertwined.)
While network television comes back next week there is plenty going on on the internet. Just this week, NBCUniversal announced the name and projected release of their streaming platform along with lots of original programming.
With that original programming means more casting announcements and teasers than we can shake a stick at, so let’s dive in and see what’s happening this week in the world of TV News.
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Saved By the Bell is getting a reboot by NBCUniversal’s streaming service, ‘Peacock.’ The revival will reportedly include two original cast members. Read more about this exciting revival here.
There are some ancient aliens coming to Supergirl, and one of them is former Assistant Director Skinner. According to Deadline both Mitch Pileggi (The X-Files) and Carla Buono (Stranger Things) have joined the Arrowverse drama as ancient aliens who face off against the Girl of Steel on Supergirl Season 5.
It looks like Peacock will double down on nostalgia because they also announced a new version of Battlestar Galactica is headed to the streaming platform. NBCU announced on Tuesday that the new series will be headed by Sam Esmail, creator of Mr. Robot, as part of a four-year deal made earlier this year. There are no details about the new series yet, but it is not the first time that this series has gotten a revival. Read more about the details for the new series here.
HBO Max has scored the streaming rights to all the episodes of The Big Bang Theory. TV Line reports that the WarnerMedia streamer has secured the rights to all 279 episodes of the Chuck Lorre comedy, which ended its 12-season run this past May. In August, HBO Max also won the rights to stream the new era of Doctor Who, as well as new episodes when they premiere in 2020. Also on the platform is all of HBO’s programming as well as the complete runs of Friends, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Pretty Little Liars. TV Line also reports that TBS has extended its contract to continue airing the series in syndication until 2028.
American Gods Season 3 has added Marilyn Manson to the cast. According to Deadline, the Sons of Anarchy alum will play the lead singer of Blood Death, Johan Wengen. Wengen “fronts the Viking death metal band. Wengren and Blood Death are also a source of power for the Ian McShane-portrayed Mr. Wednesday in his war with the New Gods.” The third season of American Gods is set to debut on STARZ in 2020.
Alaina Huffman has joined The 100 for the final season. Deadline reports that the Smallville and Supernatural vet will recur as Nikki. The official description of her character describes her as, “One of the newly-awakened Eligius IV convicts, Nikki is a bank robber and spree-killer who is both unpredictable and fierce. She will take on an unexpected leadership role, advocating for her people in the complicated new world of Sanctum.”
Seinfeld will be moving to Netflix in 2021 and will be staying for at least five years. TV Line reports that Netflix has won the rights from the iconic comedy from its current home, Hulu. It’s part of a new five-year deal and includes not just the exclusive United States rights, but the global rights to the series. Netflix outbid Amazon, WarnerMedia, NBCUniversal and Viacom for the rights. TV Line estimates that Netflix could have paid as much as $925 million for the rights. (the combined price of what NBCUniversal and HBO Max paid for both The Office and Friends respectively). Hulu reportedly pays $150 million a year to host the series stateside only. This purchase marks the first time all episodes of Seinfeld will be available on the same platform globally, and in 4K.
No Good Nick has been canceled by Netflix. TV Line confirmed this Sunday that the comedy has been canceled after one season. The show followed 13-year-old Nicole who infiltrated a family with the intent on getting revenge for them ruining her life. However, as she got to know the family she began to feel compassion towards them and realized she couldn’t go through with her plan. No Good Nick is one of several shows that Netflix asked this year along with The OA and The Santa Clarita Diet.
Tom Welling is returning to the Arrowverse in the fall crossover “Crisis of Infinite Earths.” According to TV Line, the actor will reprise his Smallville role of Clark Kent. He is the third former Superman who has been announced to appear in this crossover series with Tyler Hoechlin and Brandon Routh also slipping into their superhero tights once more. Welling’s role will reveal what happened to Clark Kent five years after the conclusion of The WB drama.
There’s a Big Bang Theory in the works at Fox as Sheldon and Amy reunite for a new multi-cam comedy. Deadline reports that Mayim Bialik and Jim Parsons have been cast in a new comedy called Carla, which has been ordered direct to series by Fox. The series is based on the UK’s Miranda and tells the story of “Carla (Bialik) is a 39-year-old woman who struggles every day against society and her mother to prove that you CANNOT have everything you want — and still be happy. Which is why she spent the money her parents set aside for her wedding to open a Cat Café in Louisville, KY.” The series will debut in fall 2020.
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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.