NBC Picks Up Playboy, Grimm and Awake to Series, Renews Parenthood
Jason Isaacs, Amber Heard
NBC has ordered new dramas The Playboy Club, Grimm and Awake for the network's 2011-12 fall lineup. They join this week's earlier pick-ups, which include a comedy starring Christina Applegate and a musical from executive producer Steven Spielberg.
Fall 2011 TV Scorecard: Which shows are returning? Which aren't?
The network has also renewed Parenthood and Harry's Law. Parenthood, starring Lauren Graham and Peter Krause, averaged 6.7 million during its second season, and Harry's Law, from David E. Kelley, averaged 9.39 million viewers in its first season. Earlier Wednesday, it was reported that NBC's spy dramedy Chuck is also nearing a deal to return for Season 5.
The Playboy Club is a period drama (which TVGuide.com had spotlighted as one of its 11 Promising Pilots) that explores the lives of the first Playboy bunnies and the men who adored them. Amber Heard, Jenna Dewan-Tatum, Eddie Cibrian and David Krumholtz star. Brian Grazer (24, Parenthood and Friday Night Lights) executive-produces.
Awake, formally known as REM, stars Jason Isaacs as a police detective who's involved in a traumatic car accident and wakes up in two fractured realities. The project comes from Kyle Killen, creator of Fox's short-lived Lone Star and 24's Howard Gordon. Wilmer Valderrama, Cherry Jones, Steve Harris, B.D. Wong, Michaela McManus, Laura Allen and Dylan Minnette also star.
NBC picks up Prime Suspect, Christina Applegate and Debra Messing pilots
Grimm, a dark and fantastical cop drama, features characters inspired by Grimm's Fairy Tales. The pilot was written and executive-produced by Jim Kouf and David Greenwalt (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel). David Giuntoli, Russell Hornsby, Silas Weir Mitchell, Sasha Roiz, Reggie Lee and Bitsie Tulloch will star. Kate Burton will guest-star in the pilot.
Also: Sad news about Wonder Woman. The network passed on the superhero pilot written by David E. Kelley that envisioned Diana Prince as the CEO of Themyscira Industries, EW reports. Although there was early buzz about the project, not all of it was good, most notably the widespread disdain for Wonder Woman's shiny new costume.
NBC is still expected, however, to order the Chelsea Handler comedy, Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea.
11 Promising Pilots starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, Will Arnett and more!
Earlier this week, NBC ordered Up All Night, starring Christina Applegate and written by Parks & Recreation writer Emily Spivey, as well as a comedy from Whitney Cummings, Steven Spielberg's musical Smash and a remake of Prime Suspect, starring Maria Bello.