TV News Wrap-Up: The CW Renews 13 Shows, ‘American Horror Story’ Gets Three-Season Order, Connie Britton Eyed for ‘9-1-1’ Return, & More

We are officially out of the holiday slump and we are now getting lots of news regarding updates to new shows and returning favorites. 

The first weekend of 2020 included the The Golden Globes.  Several  buzzworthy TV favorites gtook home awards with Succession, Fleabag, and Chernobyl led the TV winners. 

And if there was any doubt about the state of scripted television, just look to the release of FX’s annual peak tv report, which states that the total number of scripted television shows topped 532 originals in 2019, a 7% increase in year over year. 

If the news over the last year is any indication, we’re likely to see even more scripted series and the quality will likely only increase.

Take a look at the highlights in TV news from this week to see what 2020 has in store. 

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Ugly Betty creator, Silvio Horta died of an apparent suicide at the age of 45. Horta was found in a Miami hotel room suffering from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. In a statement to The New York Times, Horta’s mother, Anna Horta, and sister, Hilda Horta, said, “Through his friendships, his love and his work in TV and films, Silvio touched the lives of millions. Silvio had an ongoing struggle with addiction and depression, but through it all, he always found a way to turn his struggle into laughter.” 

Justin Chambers announced his departure from Grey’s Anatomy. After fifteen years and sixteen seasons, the actor departed the medical drama before the fall finale. Sources have reported that Chambers’ final episode has already aired and that his character will not be getting a big send-off. Read more about his departure right here. 

American Horror Story has received a three-season order from FX. TV Line reports that the network has ordered Season 11, 12, and 13 of the horror anthology series. The renewal comes two months after the conclusion of the ninth installment, American Horror Story: 1984, and before the tenth installment is set to premiere this year. The triple season order comes as a surprise since producer Ryan Murphy previously suggested that Season 10 could be the last. Murphy also previously discussed plans to use Season 10 to reunite several fan favorites, and this week alumnae Sarah Paulson announced that she would be among the returning castmembers. 

The CW has handed out renewals to 13 current series. According to TV Line, the series renewed include freshman series Batwoman and Nancy Drew for sophomore seasons as well as returning favorites The Flash (Season 7), Riverdale (Season 5), Supergirl (Season 6), Black Lightning (Season 4), Legends of Tomorrow (Season 3), All American (Season 3), Charmed (Season 3), Legacies (Season 3), Into the Dark (Season 3), and Roswell, New Mexico (Season 3). Additionally, Katy Keene, set to premiere on February 6th, has received an order of thirteen additional scripts ahead of the premiere. 

Production on the Lizzie McGuire sequel series pauses after original series creator Terri Minsky has stepped down as showrunner. TV Line states that Minsky was also attached to the Disney+ revival as a showrunner, and it’s currently unclear if she will continue in that role. A Disney+ spokesperson explained the reason for the change:  “Fans have a sentimental attachment to Lizzie McGuire and high expectations for a new series. After filming two episodes, we concluded that we need to move in a different creative direction and are putting a new lens on the series.”

The Peacock Saved by the Bell revival has also announced that Zack and Kelly will appear in some capacity. , Mark-Paul Gosselaar told The Hollywood Reporter, that he will be back for three episodes of the new series reprising his role as Zack Morris. Gosselaar will also be credited as Executive Producer on the series. Tiffani-Amber Thiessen will also be back in some capacity as Zack’s high school sweetheart turned wife, Kelly Kapowski.

American Crime Story: Impeachment has been delayed until after the 2020 presidential election. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the delay is caused by Ryan Murphy’s busy schedule. The series that follows the Clinton impeachment scandal was originally scheduled to premiere in September before the 2020 presidential election. FX chairman John Landgraf announced at the 2020 Television Critics Association winter press tour that production has been delayed and pushed to a March 2021 premiere date. 

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is set to go ‘Straight to Hell’ in a revealing new music video. The music video, released via the series social media channels gives viewers a taste of what Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Part 3 holds for audiences. Following the conclusion of Part 2, the third installment will see Sabrina and her friends go to hell and attempt to save Nicolas Scratch, currently host to Satan who just happens to be Satan’s biological father. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Part 3 will premiere Friday, January 24th on Netflix. Check out the video below for more. 

Melissa McCarthy is set to join Nicole Kidman on Hulu’s Nine Perfect Strangers. TV Line reports that the limited series, based on Liane Moriarty’s book of the same name will take place at a swanky health and wellness resort where frazzled city dwellers go to unwind. Kidman will play resort director Masha and McCarthy will play Frances, one of the titular regulars. McCarthy is also attached as an executive producer. This also marks her first TV series regular role since Mike & Molly. 

Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa’s The Brides has received a pilot order from ABC. According to TV Line, the potential series is described as a “‘…a vampire soap about empowered, immortal women and the things they do to maintain wealth, prestige, legacy.'” The series will feature a trio of female leads. This is the second time this series has moved forward. NBC had previously commissioned a pilot in 2015 but it did not move forward to series. 

Connie Britton is being eyed for a return to 9-1-1. TV Line confirmed that Britton has been in talks for a multi-episode reprisal as Abby earlier this week. Britton exited the series at the end of the breakout freshman series, at which point it was revealed that her contract was only for one season. However, executive producer Ryan Murphy was optimistic that Britton would return on a guest-star basis. They are still renegotiating her contract. 

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What is your favorite bit of TV news from the last week? Let us know in the comments below. 

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