Stay in the loop on industry and casting news with our write-up on who’s been slated for recent film and television roles.
Please note that shoot dates are subject to state and county restrictions and may change. Refer to Call Sheet for updates, and keep checking Backstage for the latest news on project development during this time.
“Forever”
With a movie version of “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” in the can, Judy Blume has already lined up another screen project based on one of her beloved young adult novels. The author is executive producing “Forever,” an adaptation of her 1975 book of the same name. The drama follows two teens who, after falling in love and becoming each other’s “firsts,” embark on a journey of self-discovery. Showrunner and executive producer Mara Brock Akil (“The Game,” “Being Mary Jane”) is updating the story for the modern age, including centering the show on Black characters. Though the coming-of-age romance has yet to attach any actors, Kim Coleman is assembling the cast. Production is slated to begin this summer in the Los Angeles area.
“1266”
Following her run on “American Horror Story,” “Precious” Oscar nominee Gabourey Sidibe is set to headline a Hulu comedy inspired by her own life. “1266” follows Gabby Brixton, a woman who lives with her mother and can’t manage to hang onto a job. She finds a better way to make a buck when she joins the phone sex industry, where she develops a profound connection with the coworkers who will become her chosen family. The series was created by Thembi Banks (“Home Before Dark,” “SMILF”), who will co-showrun with Julie Bean (“Grown-ish,” “Mike & Molly”). Banks is executive producing alongside Sidibe, who also has a story credit. Kim Coleman is filling out the rest of the ensemble, with production beginning in Toronto this April.
“Elsbeth”
If you’re missing “The Good Fight” following its 2022 finale, never fear: CBS has lined up “Elsbeth,” its latest addition to the “Good Wife” universe. The legal drama will focus on fan favorite Elsbeth Tascioni (Carrie Preston) as she relocates to New York from Chicago. There, the attorney teams up with the NYPD to bring her unique point of view to bear on the city’s toughest criminal cases. While “The Good Fight” was a streaming-only series on Paramount+, “Elsbeth” will bring the franchise back to network television. Mark Saks Casting is currently searching for more actors to join the procedural. While no filming start date or location have been announced, it’s a safe bet that production will kick off in New York later this spring, in keeping with the typical pilot season schedule.
This story originally appeared in the Feb. 23 issue of Backstage Magazine.