TV News Wrap-Up: ‘Stranger Things’ Sets Tentative Return to Production, ABC Not Proceeding with ‘Stumptown’ Season 2, Genevieve Padalecki Joins ‘Walker’

It’s almost the official start of fall, and while there would normally be several series set to debut in the next few months many favorite series are just now returning to production. 

While this would be a cause for joy, it also means that some series are getting belated cancellations as they hit production hurdles. 

However, some new series have found some inventive ways to get around the coronavirus regulations. 

Check out the highlights in our TV news wrap-up. 

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ABC has ordered the Erin Brockovich-inspired Katey Sagal-led Rebel to series. 

• According to Deadline, the series has been given a ten-episode order and is set to debut in 2021.
• The series hails from Erin Brockovich, Grey’s Anatomy and Station 19 executive producer/showrunner Krista Vernoff, Davis Entertainment, Sony Pictures TV, and ABC Signature.
• The series is inspired by the story of Erin Brockovich and stars Sagal as Annie Bello.
• It was one of several pilots grounded by the escalating coronavirus pandemic, now it joins two other series from ABC’s 2020 pilot slate to begin filming as soon as it is safe to do so. 
• As a precursor to this order, ABC has commissioned a writer’s room for Rebel which has produced six scripts to date. 
• Brockovich said in a statement about the series, “Rebel is not just my story, it is all of our stories. There is a hero that exists in all of us, and I am so excited for Krista Vernoff and ABC to bring their visionary storytelling to this series. The name Rebel oozes self-empowerment, courage, and rising above, even in the worst of circumstances. I cannot think of anyone better to play this role than the indomitable Katey Sagal, who is such a force, as well as the rest of this extraordinary cast.”

Tatiana Maslany has been cast as the lead in the Disney+ She-Hulk series.

• Maslany, whose previous credits include Orphan Black and Perry Mason, will play lawyer Jennifer Walters, the cousin to Bruce Banner (aka The Hulk).
• Walters receives a blood transfusion from Banner causing the powers to be passed on.
• She-Hulk possesses super strength, speed, and durability, but unlike her cousin, she retains her personality and intelligence. 
• Read more about this casting news right here. 

McKenna Grace is joining The Handmaid’s Tale Season 4.

• According to Deadline, the series resumed production two weeks ago, after being shut down two weeks into filming its fourth season due to the coronavirus outbreak. 
• Grace will play Mrs. Keyes, “… a sharply intelligent, teenaged wife of a much older Commander who rules her farm and household with confidence. She has a rebellious, subversive streak, and is calm and pious on the outside with turmoil, even insanity, on the inside.”

Genevieve Padalecki has been cast as Walker’s wife on Walker.

• Deadline describes the role as heavily recurring, as the series followed Cordell Walker (Jared Padalecki) who has returned home from two years undercover to discover that there is more work to be done at home.
• Genevieve Padalecki will play Emily, “…Walker’s strong, capable, and generous late wife who is brave and focused on helping the disenfranchised. Appearing in flashback, Emily is a grounded and authentic hero in the Walker family.”
• Genevieve met Jared Padalecki on the set of Supernatural where she had a major recurring role. After their 2010 wedding Genevieve pulled away from acting to focus on her family and raising on the couple’s children in Austin, Texas. 
• Since Walker is set to shoot in Austin it makes for the perfect circumstances for the working parents to act and still spend time with their children.
• Deadline also suspects that having a husband and wife cast together will be a perfect solution for COVID-19 social distancing restrictions that make romantic scenes difficult to film. 

Stranger Things has set a tentative return to production for Season 4.

• The Netflix series has scheduled a return to production on September 28th, but the dates are subject to change as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
• The show was in the early stages of production when the coronavirus outbreak shut down production. 
• A teaser trailer was released revealing a major spoiler for the season. 
• A Deadline exclusive reports, “The Stranger Things writers used the unplanned hiatus to finish writing the season, believed to consist of eight episodes, and all scripts were completed by mid-June.”

Dick Wolf properties are returning to production as Law & Order: SVU has begun filming as FBI and the One Chicago series gear up for a production restart.

• Deadline reports that Mariska Hargitay shared photos on Instagram of the SVU cast’s virtual table read which will tackle the coronavirus pandemic.
• Law & Order: SVU is one of four Dick Wolf properties heading into the first of a three-season renewal deal alongside the One Chicago franchise. 
• Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, and Chicago P.D. are set to begin production on September 22 while FBI and FBI: Most Wanted are said to start their series on October 6th. 

HBO Max has renewed Harley Quinn for Season 3.

• The series stars Kaley Cuoco as the voice of Harley Quinn and chronicles the time following the character’s breakup with the Joker and her quest to become a supervillain.
• The series also stars the voices of  Lake Bell, Alan Tudyk, Ron Funches, Tony Hale, Jason Alexander, and J.B. Smoove.
• An airdate for the series has yet to be announced, but you can read more about this renewal right here. 

ABC is not proceeding with Stumptown Season 2 citing COVID-related reasons. 

• A Deadline exclusive report states that the network proceeding with the second season, after renewing the Cobie Smulders series back in May.
• The show was a part of the fall 2020 schedule and was supposed to return to it’s original Wednesdays at 10/9c slot.
• Sources state the cancellation was due to “…a timing issue related to the production start delay made it impossible for the show to be ready for a fall launch when the network had scheduling needs for the 2020-21 season. As a result, the network made a decision to not move forward with the previously commissioned new season.”
• Stumptown was the second-most expensive second-year broadcast TV series and the type of show most impacted by the coronavirus outbreak and filming restrictions since a large part of the series is elaborate stunts, extensive location shoots, and romance.

HBO Max has given a green light to Doom Patrol Season 3. 

• The third season is expected to be completed in 2021.
• Sarah Aubrey, Head of Original Content at HBO Max said in a statement obtained by Deadline, “Doom Patrol came to HBO Max with an already deep and passionate fan base and has risen to the top as one of the most-watched Max Originals on the platform. The series sits well in our portfolio and we are glad to greenlight a third season to continue this distinctive style of storytelling that resonates so well with critics and fans alike.”

Netflix is ordering an animated series of Norman Lear’s Good Times.

• Norman Lear’s groundbreaking 70’s sitcom is getting an animated treatment. The project team includes Lear and his Act III Productions, NBA star Steph Curry and his Unanimous Media, Seth MacFarlane and his Fuzzy Door, and Sony Pictures TV.
• Good Times will be Lear’s first animated series, coming on the heels of the One Day at a Time animated episode. 
• Lear and Miller said in a statement obtained by Deadline, “We can’t think of anything better, at this time in our culture, than a reimagining of Good Times animated. In a year filled with darkness, this is one bright light we won’t soon forget. Thank you, Sony. Thank you, Netflix. Bless us all.”

Raised by Wolves has been renewed for Season 2 by HBO Max.

• The streamer revealed that the Ridley Scott sci-fi series has been the streamer’s top-performing original, growing its audience by nearly 50% in the second week of viewership.
•  Sarah Aubrey, head of HBO Max said in a statement obtained by Deadline, “When I think of Raised By Wolves, I think of artistry; artistry in crafting a compelling storyline, artistry in the out-of-this-world production design, special effects and cinematography, artistry in our actor’s portrayals of these memorable characters, and artistry attached to the legendary work of Ridley Scott, Aaron Guzikowski and our phenomenal crew. This chart-topping series beautifully weaves together Ridley’s hallmarks of sci-fi and horror while offering fans one of the most original storylines they’ve seen in some time. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Season 2.”
• Ridley Scott is also quoted as saying, “We are already deep into the ‘layers’ of Season 2, as Aaron has begun to shape what we think will be another brilliant season to inspire the imagination.”

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

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