or


[08/11/15 - 11:33 AM]
Showtime(R) Gives Pilot Order to Coming-of-Age Drama from Lena Waithe and Oscar(R) Winner Common
Produced by Fox 21, the untitled project is a relevant, timely and distinctive coming-of-age story of a young African American male in which just growing up can be a matter of life and death.

[via press release from Showtime]

SHOWTIME(R) GIVES PILOT ORDER TO COMING-OF-AGE DRAMA FROM LENA WAITHE AND OSCAR(R) WINNER COMMON

LOS ANGELES, CA - August 11, 2015 - SHOWTIME has given a pilot order to a one-hour drama created, executive produced and written by Lena Waithe (Dear White People, Bones) and executive produced by Grammy(R) and Academy Award(R) winner Common (Selma, Smokin' Aces). Produced by Fox 21, the untitled project is a relevant, timely and distinctive coming-of-age story of a young African American male in which just growing up can be a matter of life and death. In addition to Waithe and Common, the pilot will be executive produced by Aaron Kaplan (Secrets and Lies, The Mysteries of Laura) and directed and executive produced by Clark Johnson (HOMELAND, The Wire) and will begin shooting in Chicago later this year. The announcement was made today by David Nevins, President, Showtime Networks Inc.

"The two creative forces behind the show, both hailing from Chicago's South Side, give this pilot an unparelled authenticity," said Nevins. "Lena Waithe is an extremely fresh, talented young writer with a unique voice and a deeply thoughtful perspective into the world where she grew up. I immediately gravitated to her script, which is emotional, funny, tragic and relevant, all at once. And, we are so fortunate to have artist and visionary Common for his first producing project in scripted television."

Lena Waithe is a writer, producer and actor who was recently named "one of ten comics to watch" by Variety. She produced the award-winning, top-grossing indie film, Dear White People, which earned a Special Jury Prize at Sundance. She is the creator of the comedy pilot, Twenties. Waithe's writing credits include the drama series Bones; the viral video "Shit Black Girls Say;" and webisodes about online dating, Hello Cupid. She also wrote and directed a short film Save Me that appeared at several indie film festivals.

Born and raised on Chicago's South Side, Common is one of hip-hop's most poetic and respected lyricists, having garnered multiple Grammy Awards throughout his career. His tenth studio album Nobody's Smiling debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip Hop Chart in 2014. In addition to his award-winning music career, Common's work in film, television and his multiple written works (The MIRROR and ME, I Like You But I Love ME, and New York Times Best Seller, One Day It'll All Make Sense) have proven his status as a bona fide entertainment multi-hyphenate. Common's acting career also includes starring in significant roles in the films Smokin' Aces, Street Kings, American Gangster, Wanted, Terminator Salvation, Date Night, Just Wright, Happy Feet Two, New Year's Eve and Run All Night. Most recently, Common won the Golden Globe(R) Award and an Oscar Award for Best Original Song, for his song "Glory" from the film Selma, in which he co-starred as 1960s Civil Rights leader James Bevel.

Clark Johnson is an established director and actor. He has directed some of television's most critically acclaimed series including directing the pilot and series finale of The Wire and The Shield, as well as several episodes of HOMELAND and SLEEPER CELL on SHOWTIME. As an actor, Johnson became part of the original cast of the television series Homicide: Life on the Street playing Detective Meldrick Lewis for all seven seasons and the reunion movie, as well as directing several episodes. Other directing credits include Third Watch, The West Wing and NYPD Blue among others.





  [august 2015]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
      


· CHI, THE (SHOWTIME)





[02/14/25 - 01:01 PM]
Max Renews "The Pitt," Starring Noah Wyle, for a Second Season
New episodes of the 15-episode first season debut on Thursdays at 9:00 p.m. ET leading up to the season finale on April 10.

[02/14/25 - 01:01 PM]
"XO, Kitty" Renewed for a Third Season at Netflix
Season 2 premiered on January 16, 2025 and debuted at #2 on the English TV List with 14.2 million views.

[02/14/25 - 11:01 AM]
HBO Original Six-Part Documentary Series "Eyes on the Prize III: We Who Believe in Freedom Cannot Rest 1977-2015" Debuts February 25
Inspired by Henry Hampton's legendary documentary series "Eyes on the Prize: America's Civil Rights Movement," this new installment of the groundbreaking 1987 series illuminates the bold stories of people and communities who continue to work for equity and racial justice in the years since the birth of the American civil rights movement.

[02/14/25 - 10:06 AM]
"Farmer Wants a Wife" - Are You DTF? Meet the 32 Women Ready to Saddle Up and Take on the Farm Life, Premiering Thursday, 3/20 at 9/8c on FOX
This season, four new farmers - Matt Warren, Jay Woods, John Sansone and Colton Hendricks - bring the heat as all-new daters look to leave behind city life for the charm of the country as they embark on an adventure that could change the course of their lives forever.

[02/14/25 - 10:01 AM]
HBO Announces Returning Main Cast and New Cast Starring in Season Three of the Emmy-Winning Drama Series "Euphoria," As Well As New and Returning Key Crew Members
Returning series regulars include Emmy winner Zendaya, Hunter Schafer, SAG Awards winner Eric Dane, BAFTA Film Award nominee Jacob Elordi, Emmy nominee Sydney Sweeney, Alexa Demie, and Maude Apatow.

[02/14/25 - 10:01 AM]
Love Is in the Air! New Reality Dating Series "Bravo's Love Hotel" Coming Soon
The new reality dating series brings together some of "The Real Housewives" franchise fan favorites, including Shannon Storms Beador, Gizelle Bryant, Ashley Darby and Luann de Lesseps for the ultimate luxurious getaway in the hopes of finding true love.

[02/14/25 - 08:01 AM]
The Latest Season of "Yellowstone" Heads Exclusively to Peacock - Season 5: Part 2 Arrives March 16
The Dutton family fights to defend their ranch and way of life from an Indian reservation and land developers.

[02/14/25 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Bridgerton" Season 4 - Sneak Peek - Netflix
To celebrate the Season of Love, Netflix takes you behind the scenes of filming "Bridgerton" Season 4 with Luke Thompson (Benedict Bridgerton) and Yerin Ha (Sophie Baek).

[02/14/25 - 07:01 AM]
Peacock Exclusively Streams Focus Features' Gothic Tale "Nosferatu" Beginning February 21
From acclaimed director Robert Eggers, the film stars Bill SkarsgÄrd, Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Willem Dafoe and more.

[02/14/25 - 12:01 AM]
Video: "My Family" - Official Trailer - Netflix
A terminally ill father prepares his chaotic family to care for his two young kids and face life without him - but they must put old quarrels to rest.

[02/13/25 - 03:23 PM]
BYUtv Premieres Powerful, Fantastical New Zealand-Set Family Series "Secrets at Red Rocks"
The series follows the journey of Jake, an eccentric boy struggling to find belonging whose life is profoundly impacted by his discovery of mythical selkies who shapeshift from seal to human form.

[02/13/25 - 01:42 PM]
ESPN NBA Schedule Update: Memphis Grizzlies Visit Cleveland Cavaliers on February 23
This matchup replaces the previously scheduled Miami Heat vs. Milwaukee Bucks game.

[02/13/25 - 01:15 PM]
Showtime Original Series "Dexter: Resurrection" Adds Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Kadia Saraf, Dominic Fumusa and Emilia Suarez
Production kicked off in January 2025 in New York and the series is set to launch in summer of 2025 on Paramount+ with Showtime.

[02/13/25 - 01:00 PM]
Video: "O'Dessa" - Official Trailer - Hulu
Set in a post-apocalyptic future, "O'Dessa" is an original rock opera about a farm girl on an epic quest to recover a cherished family heirloom.

[02/13/25 - 12:01 PM]
Legendary Lineup Grows as "Saturday Night Live" Announces More Musical Guests and Comedians for "SNL50: The Homecoming Concert" Streaming Live on Peacock from Radio City Music Hall on February 14 at 8ET/5PT
The event celebrating 50 years of legendary "SNL" musical and comedy performances will also feature special appearances by Ana Gasteyer, Andy Samberg, Maya Rudolph, Paul Shaffer, Tracy Morgan, Will Ferrell, and more surprise guests.