Sony Pictures Television has just successful negotiated a three show deal with NBC for the 2015-16 season - with a third season renewal for medical drama The Night Shift and series orders for drama pilots The Player starring Philip Winchester & Wesley Snipes and Game of Silence starring David Lyons. Additionally, NBC has just picked up comedy Undateable for a 13-episode third season of all live episodes as well as a 13-episode second season of The Mysteries of Laura.
The renewal for The Night Shift means NBC will have three medical dramas on its schedule next season (alongside new dramas Chicago Med and Heartbreaker). The genre was a big trend amongst development this season - with CBS also entering the field with Code Black. The second season of The Night Shift hasn't been that successful following The Voice on Monday nights. However, it was steady with its first season numbers back when it was a summer show. It's currently how large the episode order is for the third season - and whether it will be brought back during midseason again or move back to summer.
Undateable really has gone on a whirlwind journey in its tenure at NBC. It transition from summer burn off in Season 1 to the face of the network's revamped comedy brand in Season 2. And now, it's the only returning comedy that NBC is bringing back for the 2015-16 season. It's also the first comedy to make it to three seasons at the network since Community! The twist of during live episodes every week seems risky. It worked well enough as a stunt earlier this week. And yet, the show is capable of being perfectly charming taped ahead of time too. It's an interesting experiment, if nothing else.
One of the biggest questions heading into this week of seemingly never-ending pickups, renewals and cancellations was if NBC would cancel every new show they debuted in the last year. And now, the answer has been revealed - with The Mysteries of Laura surprisingly pickup up a second season renewal for 13 episodes.
One of the biggest questions heading into this week of seemingly never-ending pickups, renewals and cancellations was if NBC would cancel every new show they debuted in the last year. And now, the answer has been revealed - with The Mysteries of Laura surprisingly pickup up a second season renewal for 13 episodes.
Here are the series descriptions for NBC's two new dramas:
THE PLAYER - The Las Vegas thriller centers on a former military operative-turned-security expert (Philip Winchester) who is drawn into a high-stakes game where an organization of wealthy individuals gamble on his ability to stop some of the biggest crimes imaginable from playing out. Can he take them down from the inside and get revenge for the death of his wife, or is it true what they say: the house always wins.
The cast also includes Wesley Snipes, Charity Wakefield, Damon Gupton and Cara Buono.
The pilot was written by John Rogers, who executive produces with John Davis, John Fox and director Bharat Nalluri. Sony Pictures Television, Davis Entertainment and Kung Fu Money produce.
GAME OF SILENCE - Based on the Turkish drama Suskunlar, the new drama centers on a successful Atlanta attorney (David Lyons) who reunites with his long-lost friends after they unexpectedly reappear after 25 years. When a dark secret they thought they had buried resurfaces, the brotherhood bands together to right the wrongs of their shared past - a journey that will push the limits of their loyalty and quench their thirst for revenge.
The drama also stars Michael Raymond-James, Larenz Tate, Bre Blair, Conor O'Farrell, Deidrie Henry, Demetrius Gross and Claire Van Der Boom.
David Hudgins wrote the pilot, and executive produces with Carol Mendelsohn, Julie Weitz and director Niels Arden Oplev. Sony Pictures Television, Universal Television and Carol Mendelsohn Productions produce.
