Small Screen: BBC Brings ‘Doctor Who’ to childrens channel, Warner Bros Discovery splits company

Ncuti Gatwa - bbc

Broadcast: In collaboration with Blink Industries, BBC Studios Kids & Family is developing a new animated series titled Children Vs Battle SuperStars. Inspired by the online gameplay of creators Remus Buznea and Kyriaki Kyriakou, the 22-episode series follows a trio of friends and a mysterious fighter as they participate in a martial arts tournament where ordinary children face off against "Battle SuperStars."

Vice President Grainne McNamara described the show as "comedic and quirky." 

The BBC is bringing Doctor Who (1963 - 2025) to its pre-school channel, CBeebies. Recently, the BBC announced plans to expand the Doctor Who franchise with an animated version tailored for young children. This new series is designed for an audience aged 8 to 12 and will be the first spin-off from the Whoniverse, titled The War Between the Land and the Sea, in collaboration with Disney+.

Patricia Hidalgo, the Director of Children’s and Education, stated, “Everyone is welcome at CBeebies, including the Doctor. This much-loved franchise entertains millions around the world, so it is only right that our younger audience gets to experience the wonder and magic of the Doctor in a brand-new format.” The series will follow the Doctor as they travel through time and space, solving mysteries and facing challenges alongside their friends. Doctor Who recently concluded its second season, which received mixed reviews and ratings. During this season, Gatwa's character regenerated and exited the show, with Billie Piper— a former companion of the Doctor—temporarily taking over the role.

elmo - Warnerbros-discovery

Cable: The previously reported news item that Elmo is leaving the HBO family, yet it was not mentioned that Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is also canceling the entire HBO Family programming block. According to Cord Cutters News, as part of WBD’s reduction strategy, HBO Family, ThrillerMax, MovieMax, and OuterMax will cease all programming starting Friday, August 15, 2025.

As viewers shift to more streaming platforms, linear premium channels have seen a significant decline in viewership, especially since most of HBO's original series are available on HBO Max.

Sarita Choudhury - Noam Galai

Streaming: Starz has officially greenlit Fightland, a boxing drama produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. Filmed in London, this eight-episode series tells the story of betrayal and ambition, following a former incarcerated boxer who returns home to London seeking revenge against a crime organization that betrayed him. Fightland adds to Jackson's portfolio of crime dramas, which includes Power (2014), Power Book II: Ghost (2020), and Power Book III: Raising Kanan.

The series is executive produced by Jackson alongside Francis Hopkinson, Kate Leadbetter, Damione Macedon, Raphael Jackson Jr., Daniel Fajemisin-Duncan, and Marlon Smith.“Fightland marks my first internationally produced show through my G-Unit Film & Television. I am excited to bring that global energy to the screen,” said Jackson. “I anticipate this to be more successful than anything I’ve done before—boxing’s raw stakes are going to take it to another level.”

Amazon Prime Video’s series Reacher has added Sydelle Noel (Black Panther), Agnez Mo (The Hospital), and Anggun (Levitating) to its cast just in time for the production of Season 4, which is set to begin on Sunday, June 15, 2025.

Reacher, which first premiered on Friday, February 4, 2022, follows retired military officer Jack Reacher (Alan Ritchson), who is wrongfully arrested for murder. He soon finds himself engulfed in a conspiracy involving corrupt cops, shady businessmen, and conniving politicians. The third season of the drama debuted on Thursday, February 20, 2025, and quickly became the most-watched series on Prime Video. The series is written and executive produced by Nick Santora, along with Alan Ritchson, Don Granger, Scott Sullivan, Mick Betancourt, Lisa Kussner, Sam Hill, Amy Pocha, Seth Cohen, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Matt Thunell. 

Sarita Choudhury recently reflected on the complexities of portraying her character, Seema Patel, in the third season of Max’s And Just Like That (2021). Seema, known for her confidence as Carrie’s best friend and real estate agent, experiences a significant shift following a breakup with her colleague, Ravi Gordi, and several changes at work. As she navigates these insecurities, she feels vulnerable and accompanies Carrie to Virginia, revealing cracks in her independence.

Although Seema has traditionally resisted being a fifth wheel, she finds herself increasingly reliant on Carrie. Choudhury expressed her excitement about Seema eventually stepping into a role as Carrie's boss after feeling undervalued. The series is directed by Michael Patrick King, Cynthia Nixon, Nisha Ganatra, Anu Valia, Ry Russo-Young, and Gillian Robespierre.

Gloria Reuben and Marcus Scribner have joined the cast of CBS's upcoming fall spinoff, Boston Blue, as series regulars.

Reuben will portray Mae Silver, Boston’s district attorney and the matriarch of the Silver family. Scribner will play Jonah Silver, the youngest member of this prominent family. Usually confident and charismatic, Jonah grows increasingly frustrated as he begins his career as a rookie cop, often finding himself sidelined during the city’s biggest investigations. The Silver family also includes Reverend Edwin Peters, played by Ernie Hudson, who is the grandfather to the Silver children, as well as Jonah's sister, Detective Lena Silver, played by Sonequa Martin-Green, and his stepsister Sarah, played by Maggie Lawson.

Scribner is best known for his role as Junior in Black-ish, which aired on ABC from 2014 to 2022, earning him two NAACP Image Awards. He also starred in the fifth and sixth seasons of the spinoff, Grown-ish (2018). He is represented by CAA, Artists First, Nina Shaw, and Gordon Bobb. Reuben gained recognition for her portrayal of Jeanie Boulet on ER (1994), which earned her Emmy nominations in both 1997 and 1998. Recently, she has appeared in the thriller series The Better Sister (2025), as well as My Dead Friend Zoe (2024), Reasonable Doubt (2014), and Lincoln (2012). She is represented by Paradigm and Goodan, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher.

Boston Blue is produced by CBS and is set to premiere this fall. The series is executive-produced by Brandon Sonnier, Brandon Margolis, Kristie Anne Reed, and Donnie Wahlberg.

Loretta Devine (P-Valley) has joined Peacock’s upcoming crime drama, M.I.A. The series centers around Etta Tiger Jonze (Shannon Gisela), who, relying solely on her wits, is suddenly thrown into her family's crime organization. Karen Campbell (Outlander) is the executive producer and showrunner. Alethea Jones (High Potential) will direct as well as executive produce alongside Dubuque, Campbell, and Jones.

Devine is represented by Innovative Artists Agency and Essential Talent Management

The popular 1989 drama, Baywatch, is being rebooted! According to Bob McCourt from Fremantle, the project, which officially landed at Fox last spring, has piqued the interest of showrunner Matt Nix (Burn Notice), who will oversee the rewrites. Fremantle has invested in remastering the original series and clearing its music, which led to the launch of a Baywatch FAST channel. As part of the remastering process, many of the original songs were replaced; however, the iconic theme song will remain.

Christian Ochoa Lavernia (Silo), Keanush Tafreshi (V/H/S/99), Medalion Rahimi (Hacks), and Raza Jaffrey (Homeland) have all been cast as series regulars in the second season of Paramount+ and Showtime's The Agency: Central Intelligence. They will join the main cast, which includes Jeffrey Wright, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Reza Brojerdi. Production is currently underway in London. 

Based on the French series Le Bureau des Légendes (2015), The Agency follows Martian, a CIA agent who is ordered to abandon his undercover life and return to London Station, leaving behind his one true love and the life they’ve built. However, the love he thought he lost suddenly reappears, throwing them both into a deadly game of international espionage. Ochoa Lavernia will play Grandma, an undercover agent who works alongside Grandpa. Rahimi will play Darya, the niece of a powerful Mullah and girlfriend of Hassan Zamani. Jaffrey will play Craig, a data analyst on the Iran Desk.

Jez and John-Henry Butterworth (Edge of Tomorrow) will return as writers and executive producers. Keith Cox and Nina L. Diaz will executive produce, alongside David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, David Hutkin, and Bob Yari. George Clooney and Grant Heslov are the producers.

Ochoa Lavernia is represented by JWM Entertainment Group, TalentWorks Agency (US), and Grantham-Hazeldine (UK). Tafreshi is represented by Main Title Entertainment and Realm Talent. Rahimi is currently producing and starring in The Weekend on Cape Cod: When Everything Changed and is represented by Untitled Entertainment and Gersh. Jaffrey will appear in the limited series Malice and is represented by United Agents, Verve, and Principal Entertainment.

Forever (2025) creator Mara Brock Akil’s Writers Colony has added eight new up-and-coming writers to its winter group. The Writers Colony is a three-month, Los Angeles-based screenwriting residency that provides an opportunity for underrepresented writers, often consisting of individuals who have not previously been staff members at a studio or part of a scripted television writers' room. The goal of the colony is to amplify the voices of those who have yet to bring their ideas to the page. 

The spring cohort includes: Stacy Pascal Gaspard, a film and television director; Amandla Baraka, Niambi Powell, a screenwriter dedicated to the intersection of social work and film, and EJ Lykes. A Los Angeles-based writer and producer, whose work includes All the Love I Could Handle (2025), by Ruby Rose Collins.

Tazbah Chavez (Search for the World’s Best Indian Taco) is directing a comedy pilot for NBC set in a Native American community center. The cast includes Bobby Wilson (Reservation Dogs), Frankie Quinones (This Fool), Wes Studi (Hostiles), Eddie Spears (Yellow Rock), Brian Bahe, and Sienna Tso (The Sky is Everywhere). The comedy follows a group of employees who are struggling to keep a Native American community center afloat in Oakland, California.

The pilot is written by Sierra Teller Ornelas, Jackie Keliiaa, and Wilson, who will also serve as executive producers alongside Morgan Sackett. Chavez has previously directed several shows, including Rutherford Falls (2021), Reservation Dogs (2021), Accused (2023), and Resident Alien (2021), as well as the upcoming IT: Welcome to Derry. She is represented by 3 Arts, WME, and Hansen Jacobson.

Gemma Chan has joined the cast of Peacock's latest series, The Five-Star Weekend.

The story follows Hollis Shaw, a food influencer known for her delicious recipes. However, after experiencing a traumatic loss, she finds herself struggling to move forward, revealing the cracks in her seemingly perfect world. In an attempt to rediscover herself, she decides to host a weekend getaway at her house with three of her friends from different parts of her life: childhood, her twenties, and her thirties, along with a surprise guest. Chan will portray the character Gigi Ling.

Known for her roles in Crazy Rich Asians (2018), Captain Marvel (2019), and Watership Down (2018), Chan is represented by Independent, WME, and M88. Bekah Brunstetter serves as the creator, writer, and executive producer of alongside Beth Schacter, who is also writing and executive producing. Sue Naegle and Ali Krug join them as executive producers, together with Hilderbrand.

Ramy Youssef seems to be having a great year as he promotes four major projects: Amazon’s Prime Video, #1 Happy Family USA (2025), for which he serves as a writer; the final season of Netflix's Mo (2022); his role in the HBO movie Mountainhead (2025); and Apple TV+'s The Studio (2025).

In a recent podcast appearance, Youssef discussed how each of his projects tackles urgent themes. Fountainhead delves into the violence among tech billionaires and explores the consequences of artificial intelligence. In Mo, Youssef shows us the struggles of a Palestinian refugee, emphasizing the need to humanize refugees beyond the stereotypical representations often seen in the media. Additionally, #1 Happy Family USA addresses the aftermath of 9/11 through the perspective of Muslim families.

Disney has come out on top! Purchasing NBCUniversal’s one-third stake in Hulu for $9 billion, compared to the $14 billion suggested by Comcast's bank, Disney is excited about the success. The initial payment of $8.61 billion was made in December 2023, with an additional $438.7 million scheduled to be paid by July 24, 2025.

Disney's CEO, Bob Iger, stated that this buyout will enhance the integration of Hulu with Disney+ and ESPN. "We are pleased this is finally resolved. We have had a productive partnership with NBCUniversal, and we wish them the best of luck. Completing the Hulu acquisition paves the way for a deeper and more seamless integration of Hulu’s general entertainment content with Disney+ and, soon, with ESPN’s direct-to-consumer product, providing an unrivaled value proposition for consumers."

Comcast acknowledged the successful partnership and extended its best wishes to Disney.

Warner Bros. Discovery has announced plans to split into two separate publicly traded companies: one focused on streaming and content production, and the other on traditional television. CEO David Zaslav will lead the streaming division, while CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels will lead the television company. This separation is expected to take place around the middle of 2026 and will involve transferring nearly $38 billion in debt to the television entity. The goal of this split is to allow both companies to concentrate more effectively on the evolving media landscape.

Warner has had a few struggles, including losing rights to key content like NBA games and struggling with its cable properties. However, the streaming service, Max, has gained popularity with shows such as The Pitt (2025) and White Lotus (2021). The streaming company will encompass Warner's TV and movie studios, HBO, and HBO Max, while the television company will include Warner’s television networks and digital brands.

Rell Battle, along with brothers Yassir and Isaiah Lester, and stars Stephen Curry and Erick Peyton, are developing a comedic series titled Off Fairfax for Amazon MGM Studios. The series follows Quinn, a young man who has been grappling with his mother's disappearance for twenty years. He leads a unique team of local misfit sleuths in an investigation that ultimately uncovers the truth about his mother's fate. Yassir and Isaiah Lester serve as co-showrunners, with Ingrid Escajeda as an executive producer alongside Curry and Peyton.

Rell Battle has appeared in Killing It (2022) and Superior Donuts (2017). He is currently filming Season 2 of Sugar (2024). He is represented by Paradigm, 3 Arts Entertainment, Trey Witter, and Hansen Jacobson. Yassir Lester wrote and co-directed The Gutter (2024) and has also written for Showtime's Black Monday (2019). He is represented by UTA, OPE Partners, and Lichter, Grossman, Nichols, Feldman, Rogal, Shikora & Clark. 

Peacock's latest series, Crystal Lake, continues to expand its cast with the addition of Devin Kessler (Godfather of Harlem). She joins previously announced actor William Catlett in this prequel series to Friday the 13th (1980).

The series will explore the backstory of Jason Voorhees, who, as a child in Crystal Lake, was believed to have drowned. However, he is resurrected years later and seeks vengeance for the murder of his mother, Pamela Voorhees, a serial killer. Kessler will portray the character Briana Brooks. Crystal Lake is executive produced by A24, along with Marc Toberoff, Victor Miller, Robert M. Barsamian, Robert P. Barsamian, and Stuart Manashil. The directing team includes Michael Lennox, Celine Held, Logan George, and Quyen Tran. Talentworks, Strand Entertainment, and Yorn Levine represent Kessler.

Dave Bautista's Dogbone Entertainment is partnering with Titan1Studios to develop Steve Lerner’s Cat Assassin into a multi-platform franchise.

Titan1Studios has already begun to develop a stealth action video game inspired by titles like Assassin’s Creed and Stray.

Lerner, known for the successful game Stray, is eager to bring the Cat Assassin universe to life across various media. Further details on the project are expected in the upcoming months.

David Ramsey, recognized for his work in the Arrowverse series, including Arrow (2012), The Flash (2014), and Legends of Tomorrow (2016), as well as his role in Showtime’s Dexter (2006), has signed with Stewart Talent to represent him.

Having played Spartan, Oliver Queen’s confidante, for eight seasons on Arrow, Ramsey was ultimately offered more work, leading to additional agreements with Warner Bros. TV and Berlanti Productions. In addition to his work in the Arrowverse, Ramsey has appeared in All American: Homecoming (2022) and Dexter, for which he received a SAG Award nomination. He also starred as Cassius Clay in the biopic Ali: An American Hero (2000). Although Stewart Talent now represents Ramsey, he continues to be managed by Cultured Artists and attorney Matt Rosen from Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher.

Jessica Frances Dukes (Ozark) will play Special Agent Birdie Polk in the upcoming period drama The Westies. Created by Chris Brancato and Michael Panes, the series is set in the early 1980s and follows an Irish-American crime gang as they battle rival Italian mafias during the construction of the Jacob Javits Convention Center.

Production for the eight-episode series is set to begin in July 2025 in Toronto.

Dukes has appeared in several notable projects, including MGM+'s Earth Abides (2024), HBO’s The Gilded Age (2022), Netflix’s (2017), Jessica Jones (2015), as well as guest roles in The Regime (2024), The Good Wife (2009), and New Amsterdam (2018). She is represented by Innovative Artists Entertainment and Schachter Entertainment.

Paramount+ has announced the renewal of the medical drama Skymed (2022) for a fourth season. The upcoming eight-episode season will begin production later this summer and will stream exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Brazil, the UK, Australia, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.

Returning to the series are Morgan Holmstrom, Mercedes Morris, and Sydney Kuhne. Additional casting announcements will be made soon. Skymed follows the challenges and achievements of young medics and pilots who operate air ambulances over the Northern Canadian skies. The fourth season of Skymed will be produced by Piazza Entertainment in association with Paramount+ in Canada and CBS Studios. The series was created by Julie Puckrin, inspired by her sister and brother-in-law, who will also serve as an executive producer, alongside Gillian Hormel and Vanessa Piazza. Rhonda Baker and Carrie Wilkins, both from Manitoba, will serve as producers.

Byron allen

Industry: Byron Allen's Entertainment Studio Network and The Weather Group have reached a settlement with McDonald’s regarding a lawsuit that alleged the fast-food chain did not adequately support Black-owned media companies. The complaint was initially filed in 2024 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, but Allen chose to appeal the decision. Although no financial details were disclosed, both parties settled the matter on Friday, June 13, 2025.

As part of the settlement, McDonald’s will continue to purchase advertising from Entertainment Studios Network (ESN), which manages various broadcast and streaming properties. In return, ESN has agreed to dismiss its lawsuit against McDonald’s.

“We are pleased to have reached a resolution that preserves our business relationship. Throughout this litigation, many of our preconceptions have been addressed, and we recognize McDonald’s commitment to investing in Black-owned media properties and enhancing access to opportunities. Our differences are behind us, and we look forward to collaborating in the future,” said representatives from ESN and The Weather Group.

Incantor AI has released an AI model for creators and Intellectual Property, tracking across all generative AI content on its platform. The agency, Verve, will advise Incantor as it navigates the entertainment industry's applications, including content localization and rights management. Incantor's technology uses a proprietary Light Fractal Model, allowing it to create content with licensed data and lower computing power while tracking copyright attribution.

Co-founder and CEO Lauren Oliver stated that the companies target customers range from major studios to individual creators. Co-founder and CTO Solomon Itani, statedIncantor AI’s goal is to create a system that complements human creativity while still upholding IP rights.

Actors on Actors: Recently, in Variety's Actors on Actors segment, Sterling K. Brown and Natasha Rothwell discussed their experiences in the film industry, the challenges they've faced, and their thoughts on artificial intelligence. Brown described acting as feeling like “controlled schizophrenia” because of the various characters he portrays. He asked Rothwell, given her background as a writer, for her perspective. Rothwell shared a powerful quote: “Writing is awful, but it's wonderful to have written.” She described the writing process as sometimes painful, akin to an exorcism, but emphasized the importance of putting pen to paper and infusing her characters with aspects of her own personality. She noted that there is power in storytelling, especially as a Black woman. Sterling reflected on the experience of being number one on the call sheet: “I have my own thoughts on it. It was partly superstitious because I had a lot of success without being number one on the call sheet. Then, I had a couple of projects where I was number one, and they didn’t get made. Hopefully, there will be more opportunities to be number one, but not to the extent that it excludes other work.” Rothwell asked Brown about his series, "Washington Black," and he commented, “I find it easier to produce when you’re part of the show. It’s a little tougher when you’re not involved as an actor because, when you’re on set, you see how things are moving along, and it happens quite naturally.” Brown then asked Rothwell about her perspective, especially considering her success while many of her friends in the industry are struggling. Rothwell replied, “The contraction is not just being observed; it's being felt. I see my friends who are caterers, customers, and makeup artists all wanting to ensure they will survive this great contraction. It feels like an extinction-level event for artistry in Hollywood, and that is AI.” For more details and insights from their conversation, listen below.