Paramount Network (Spike will become the Paramount Network) has announced a slew of both new and returning shows that will premiere in the first quarter of 2018. Returning shows include Ink Master, Bar Rescue, Bellator MMA as well as Lip Sync Battle, hosted by LL Cool J and Chrissy Teigen, which will return in January. The announcement comes from the recentl- rebranded network to “establish Paramount Network as a prime destination for premiere storytelling.”
Kevin Kay, President, Paramount Network, TV Land, and CMT said, “From Alicia Silverstone as a trailblazing independent working mother in the 1970’s to Michael Shannon as an FBI negotiator during the Branch Davidians dramatic standoff and siege, Paramount Network will be the home to compelling stories, unforgettable characters, and high quality production with a distinctive global appeal.”
In the announcement, we learned about the timing for the Heathers premiere, as well as three other new series, including American Woman, Waco and I am Martin Luther King Jr.
Of the Heathers premiere, the network posted:
“Based on the 1988 cult classic film of the same name, Heathers is an hour-long pitch-black comedy anthology set in the present day, as heroine Veronica Sawyer (Grace Victoria Cox, “Under the Dome”) deals with a very different but equally vicious group of ‘Heathers.’ Also starring are James Scully as JD, Melanie Field (Wicked National Tour) as Heather Chandler, Brendan Scannell (Funny or Die) as Heather Duke, and Jasmine Mathews as Heather McNamara. Original Heathers cast member Shannen Doherty will guest star as a pivotal, unnamed character as well.”
American Woman premieres in the first quarter as well. “
Starring Alicia Silverstone and Mena Suvari, this new half-hour series is inspired by the real-life upbringing of co-executive producer Kyle Richards (The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills). “American Woman” follows Bonnie (Silverstone) an unconventional mother struggling to raise her two daughters after leaving her husband amid the rise of second-wave feminism in the 70s. With the help of her two best friends, Kathleen (Suvari) and Diana (Jennifer Bartels), these three women each discover their own brand of independence in a glamorous and ever-changing world reluctant to give it.”
Here is the info for the event series Waco:
“The six-part event series Waco will reveal untold story exploring the true life details leading up to and chronicling the 51- day siege between the FBI, AFT and David Koresh’s spiritual sect, The Branch Davidians. Told from several perspectives of those most intimately involved from both sides of the conflict, including surviving Branch Davidians which has never been shared on television before, is surprising in its stark contrast to the media narrative at the time and what is remembered of Waco almost 25 years later. The impressive cast includes Michael Shannon starring as lead FBI negotiator, Gary Noesner with the role of the infamous cult leader, David Koresh, to be played by Taylor Kitsch. John Leguizamo, Paul Sparks, Rory Culkin and Andrea Riseborough round out the Waco cast”
Of I Am Martin Luther King Jr., the network said,
“The latest installment in the critically-acclaimed “I Am” series from filmmaker Derik Murray focuses on the legendary American icon, Martin Luther King Jr. Celebrating the life and achievements of our country’s foremost civil rights leader, the two-hour documentary gives an insightful contemporary perspective of Dr. King structured around seminal events of the Civil Rights movement.”
