At their Television Critics Association panel, Netflix announced premiere dates for eight upcoming series that span documentary, drama and comedy, including: Chef’s Table: France; Joe Swanberg’s Easy; The Ranch; Lovesick (fka Scrotal Recall); Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life; Captive; Beat Bugs (S2); One Day at a Time; and Black Mirror.
In addition, three series, including Chelsea, Lady Dynamite and Real Rob were renewed today for a second season. The Untitled Motown Project, an all new animated series for children and families from writer/director Josh Wakely, was also announced today. And finally, Jennifer Garner will voice a lead character in the animated series Llama, Lama, and the young cast featured in Greenhouse Academy was also named.
Complete list of premiere date announcements:
Chef’s Table: France, the third installment premieres globally September 2, 2016 at 12:01am PT
Audiences are invited back to take another globe trot in Chef’s Table: France where the series will showcase the crème de la crème of French chefs; talking about what inspires them and how it translates into their individual styles. The filmmakers embark on a personal look into the daily lives of these carefully curated chefs, from their diverse backgrounds to the evolution and craft of their chosen cuisine as well as their quests for sensory perfection.
Easy – Premieres globally Thursday September 22, 2016 at 12:01am PT
Easy is an anthology series from creator Joe Swanberg that explores diverse Chicago characters as they fumble through the modern maze of love, sex, technology and culture. The eight-episode series, written and directed by Swanberg, features Orlando Bloom, Malin Akerman, Jake Johnson, Marc Maron, Dave Franco, Hannibal Buress, Emily Ratajkowski, Michael Chernus, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Aya Cash, Jane Adams, Elizabeth Reaser, Evan Jonigkeit and more.
The Ranch – Part 2 of season one premieres globally October 7, 2016 at 12:01am PT
Set in present day on a Colorado ranch, this half-hour multi-camera comedy series stars Ashton Kutcher, Danny Masterson, Sam Elliott and Debra Winger. Life on The Ranch is never easy and things get even more complicated in part 2 of season one. It seems like ex-football star Colt Bennett (Kutcher) has finally accepted his place on the family ranch, but he and his brother Rooster (Masterson) will have to prove themselves to their father Beau (Elliot) if they ever hope to become partners. Maggie (Winger) has hopes of her own and they may no longer involve her on-again/off-again husband and after finally saving his ranch, Beau might be losing his family. And if life weren’t complicated enough, when Colt’s high school sweetheart Abby (Elisha Cuthbert) expresses doubts about her fiancé, Colt must choose between his current girlfriend and his first love. Dysfunctional doesn’t even cover this family. The Ranch is executive produced by Don Reo (Two and Half Men, My Wife and Kids) and Jim Patterson (Two and a Half Men,Mike and Molly). Kutcher and Masterson also serve as executive producers.
Black Mirror – Premieres globally October 21, 2016 at 12:01am PT
Black Mirror is an anthology series that taps into our collective unease with the modern world, with each stand-alone episode a sharp, suspenseful tale exploring themes of contemporary techno-paranoia. Without questioning it, technology has transformed all aspects of our lives; in every home; on every desk; in every palm – a plasma screen; a monitor; a Smartphone – a Black Mirror reflecting our 21st Century existence back at us. The series is created and written by Charlie Brooker, and executive produced by Brooker and Annabel Jones. Its third season, comprising six episodes: San Junipero features Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Mackenzie Davis in an episode directed by Owen Harris; Shut Up and Dance features Jerome Flynn and Alex Lawther in an episode directed by James Watkins; Nosedive features Bryce Dallas Howard, Alice Eve and James Norton in an episode directed by Joe Wright; Men Against Fire stars Michael Kelly, Malachi Kirby and Madeline Brewer in an episode directed by Jakob Verbruggen; Hated in the Nation features Kelly MacDonald in an episode directed by James Hawes; and Wyatt Russell and Hannah John-Kamen star in Playtest, an episode directed by Dan Trachtenberg.
Lovesick – Premieres globally November 17, 2016 at 12:01am PT
The second season of Lovesick, the series formerly known as Scrotal Recall, stars Johnny Flynn, Antonia Thomas and Daniel Ings, all returning for more fun in this delightful, romantic comedy. Season two will consist of eight episodes. Series creator Tom Edge returns as writer for season two and serves as Executive Producer along with Murray Ferguson, Andy Baker and Ed Macdonald. Lovesick is produced by Clerkenwell Films.
Beat Bugs – Season two premieres November 18, 2016 at 12:01am PT
Inspired by the songs of The Beatles, Beat Bugs tells uplifting and life-affirming stories filled with hope and melody. The animated show follows five best friends who together discover life’s most important lessons in an overgrown suburban backyard. The Beat Bugs live out these childhood adventures to the words and music of The Beatles.
Created by Josh Wakely, Beat Bugs incorporates more than 50 songs from the Lennon/McCartney ‘Northern Songs’ catalogue and features covers by world-leading music artists including P!nk, Eddie Vedder, James Corden, Regina Spektor, Of Monsters and Men, The Shins, Chris Cornell and Sia, among others to be announced soon. The thirteen episode first season will be available globally on August 3rd, and will be second run in Australia.
Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life includes four 90-minute chapters, each spanning one of the four seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life is created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, who executive produces, writes and directs the four 90-minute chapters with Daniel Palladino. The project is from Dorothy Parker Drank Here Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television.
Captive – Premieres globally December 9, 2016 at 12:01am PT
From the highest profile cases to those kept hidden from the public, comes a new docu-series from acclaimed executive producer Doug Liman and producers Simon and Jonathan Chinn. The producers of Captive have gained privileged access to the most challenging negotiations of our time — revealing how hostage-taking, and the efforts to resolve it, have evolved to address an escalating international trend. The episodes look at a wide range of situations from the viewpoint of everyone involved: the victims and their families back home, the experienced negotiators, business leaders, government officials and the kidnappers themselves.
One Day at a Time – Premieres globally January 6, 2017 at 12:01am PT
A reimagining of the Norman Lear classic, centering on a Cuban-American family. Our heroine is a recently separated, former military mom (Justina Machado) navigating a new single life while raising her radical teenaged daughter and socially adept tween son, with the “help” of her old school Cuban-born mom (Rita Moreno) and a friends- without-benefits building manager named Schneider. The 13-episode first season of One Day at a Time is produced by Act III Productions, Inc., Snowpants Productions and Small Fish Studios in association with Sony Pictures Television. Norman Lear, Mike Royce, Gloria Calderón Kellett and Michael Garcia are executive producers.
Complete list of second season renewals:
Chelsea – Will return for a 90-Episode Second Season in 2017
Chelsea Handler is back with a freshly stamped passport and new global outlook as she tackles today’s tough issues with the same acerbic wit and fearless curiosity you know and love. Join her as she travels around the world – from Russia, Japan, and Mexico City, across the U.S. and back again, to explore the subjects that matter most to you. Chelsea features celebrities, dignitaries, and surprise guests engaging in thought-provoking, yet hilarious conversations about topics like international cultures, alternative lifestyles, education, health, sports, parenting, politics, and more. Season 1 of Chelsea is currently streaming three times a week exclusively on Netflix.
Lady Dynamite – Will return for a Second Season in 2017
Lady Dynamite is a single-camera comedy series based on what actor/comedian Maria Bamford has accepted to be “her life.” The occasionally surreal episodes, refracted across multiple time periods inspired by Bamford’s life, tell the story of a woman who loses- and then finds- her s**t.
Lady Dynamite also stars Fred Melamed as Bamford’s manager and close friend Bruce Ben-Bacharach, and Mary Kay Place plays Bamford’s mother. Guest stars include Patton Oswalt, Ana Gasteyer, Jon Cryer, Mira Sorvino, Brandon Routh, June Diane Raphael, Adam Pally, Dean Cain, Sarah Silverman, Tig Notaro and Jenny Slate. Pam Brady, Mitch Hurwitz and Maria Bamford are executive producers on the Netflix production.
Real Rob – Will return for a Second Season in 2017
Rob Schneider’s comedy series, Real Rob, is an exaggerated yet brutally honest depiction of the comedian’s real life, interspersed with his stand-up comedy performances. Managing the ups and downs of a Hollywood career and it’s celebrity treatment (with his younger Mexican wife, a new baby, an ever-present stalker and a completely incompetent assistant), this comedy series is as close to the bone’ real life of the internationally famous comedian.
The 8-episode second season, now a Netflix original series, stars and is produced and directed by Schneider. Patricia Schneider and Jamie Lissow also appear in the series.
New Series Pick-Up:
Untitled Motown Project – All new series
From writer/director Josh Wakely (Beat Bugs) comes a new musically-themed Netflix original animated series for children and families. The untitled Motown project revolves around a lovable, funny and slightly shy eight year old boy named Ben, who discovers he has the extraordinary ability to bring street-art to life. Ben and his family live in the imaginary city of Motown, based on Detroit and its rich musical heritage. Inspired by the words and melodies of Motown’s classic songs, Ben and his friends Angie and Mickey, along with an amazing cast of enchanting street art characters, discover that creativity is magic as they revive vibrancy to their city and learn life lessons.
Internationally-renowned recording artist and songwriter Smokey Robinson will serve as Executive Music Producer on the show, which will feature contemporary artists performing hit songs from the Motown catalog that will serve as inspiration for each episode. Throughout its illustrious history, the Motown label garnered dozens of #1 hits, including “ABC,” “My Girl,” “Please Mr. Postman,” “You Can’t Hurry Love,” “Reach Out I’ll Be There” and “I Heard it Through the Grapevine.” The series will bring 52 of these iconic songs to life, including those made famous by all-time greats like Robinson, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, Lionel Richie, The Supremes, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder and many more.
Casting Announcements:
Llama Llama – Jennifer Garner signs on as voice of Mama Llama
Award-winning actress and early childhood development advocate Jennifer Garner has signed on to voice the character of Mama Llama in the recently announced Netflix original animated series for preschoolers, Llama Llama. Based on the acclaimed and best-selling book series by author and illustrator Anna Dewdney, the show tells heart-warming tales about childhood moments and adventures, as well as the special connections between lead character Llama, his family and best friends. Llama and his mother, in particular, share a warm and loving bond — she is his rock and safe haven as her son experiences growing up.
“I’ve read Anna Dewdney’s Llama Llama books to my kids hundreds of times in the last ten years,” said Garner. “Little did I know it would all count as rehearsal — I’m thrilled to bring Mama Llama to life for Netflix! The Llama Llama books are so fun to read — your kids won’t even notice they are learning life lessons, such as how to battle boredom, or braving the first day of school. But when your kids watch the coziness of Mama Llama’s relationship with her Little Llama, be ready for an extra snuggle as you connect, while learning about the world around you.”
Produced by Genius Brands International and set to premiere in 2017 to Netflix members worldwide, Llama Llama is led by an all-star team of creators including Oscar(R)-winning director Rob Minkoff (The Lion King), director Saul Blinkoff (Doc McStuffins), showrunner Joe Purdy, legendary art director Ruben Aquino (Frozen, Aladdin, Mulan, The Little Mermaid, Pocahontas, The Lion King) and Emmy(R)-award winning producers Jane Startz and Andy Heyward.
Greenhouse Academy (formerly The Greenhouse) Announces Cast
The Netflix original tween series Greenhouse Academy has finalized its cast including series regulars Jessica Amlee, Cinthya Carmona, Nadine Ellis, Reina Hardesty, Dallas Hart, BJ Mitchell, Ariel Mortman, Chris O’Neal, Benjamin Papac, Finn Roberts, Parker Stevenson and Grace Van Dien, as well as Ishai Golan, who is a recurring cast member. Greenhouse Academy is a live action series set in an elite boarding school in Southern California called “The Greenhouse.” Students are divided into two rival houses that must join forces to conquer challenges when an evil plot is uncovered. Paula Yoo (West Wing, Defiance, Eureka) is adapting with showrunner Giora Chamizer, who wrote and created the original series. Nutz Productions, a subsidiary company of Ananey Communications, will produce the series for Netflix.
