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Talk show host Ziwe, playwright Hilary Bettis and journalist Gabriel Sherman are among the 30 participants set for the WGA East’s first Showrunner Academy program.

The program aims to help established writers gain the training and skills needed to advance to showrunners. The academy will be led by veteran showrunners Diana Son (“Law & Order: Criminal Intent”) and Frank Pugliese (“House of Cards”).

The program, which runs through November, and will include a host of panels and workshops led by prominent writers and showrunners. The list includes: “Things to Know Before Running Your First Series” with Meredith Scardino, Rj Fried and Sarah Treem; “Crisis and Risk Management for Showrunners” with Glen Mazzara; “Managing Multiple Series in Development” with Tina Fey and Robert Carlock; “Hiring Writers” with Michelle King and Elizabeth Kruger; “Managing a Comedy Writers Room and Managing a Drama Writers Room” with Carly Mensch, Liz Flahive and David Simon...

Bones alum Tamara Taylor and J.C. MacKenzie are set as leads in October Faction, based on the Idw comics by Steve Niles. Rounding out the cast are Aurora Burghart (Sex Education), Gabriel Darku, Wendy Crewson, Megan Follows and Stephen McHattie.

Adapted and created by Damian Kindler, October Faction follows globetrotting monster hunters Fred and Deloris Allen, played by MacKenzie and Taylor respectively, who, after the death of Fred’s father, return to their hometown in upstate New York with their teenage children Geoff (Darku) and Viv (Burghart). As the family adjusts, Fred and Deloris must hide their identities as members of a secret organization, and our heroes quickly discover that their new small-town setting isn’t as idyllic as it seems.

The 10-episode...

Netflix has ordered three new sci-fi series, including one starring and executive produced by Kate Bosworth, the streaming service announced Friday.

The shows are Bosworth-led “The I-Land,” plus “Warrior Nun” and “October Faction.”

Here’s the official logline for seven-episode “The I-Land”: When 10 people wake up on a treacherous island with no memory of who they are or how they got there, they set off on a trek to try to get back home. They soon discover this world is not as it seems. Faced with the island’s extreme psychological and physical challenges, they must rise to their better selves — or die as their worst ones.

Also Read: Netflix Orders TV Adaptations of Romance Novels 'Virgin River,' 'Sweet Magnolias'

Bosworth will produce and stars as Kc, Natalie Martinez will star as Chase, and Alex Pettyfer will star as Brody.

The project hails from Nomadic Pictures Entertainment, with...

Netflix is expanding its sci-fi/genre portfolio with three new series orders, to Neil Labute’s The I-Land, starring Kate Bosworth, Natalie Martinez and Alex Pettyfer; October Faction, based on the Idw comics by Steve Niles, and Warrior Nun, inspired by the Manga novels.

Netflix has ordered 10 episodes of October Faction, from creator/executive producer Damian Kindler, High Park Entertainment in association with Idw Entertainment; seven episodes of The I-Land, from Nomadic Pictures Entertainment, with Bosworth also producing; and 10 episodes of Warrior Nun, from creator/executive producer Simon Barry.

They join the recently picked up new sci-fi series The Order, Wu Assassins, Locke & Key, V Wars, and Another Life as Netflix is making in big push in the genre arena as is rival Amazon.

The I-Land marks Magic Mike star Pettyfer’s TV series debut. Bosworth previously did stints on The Art of More, Young Americans and BBC’s SS-bg.

Netflix has ordered three new sci-fi shows to series, the streaming giant announced Friday.

The first is titled “The I-Land.” When ten people wake up on a treacherous island with no memory of who they are or how they got there, they set off on a trek to try to get back home. They soon discover this world is not as it seems. Faced with the island’s extreme psychological and physical challenges, they must rise to their better selves — or die as their worst ones.

Kate Bosworth stars as Kc and serves as a producer on the series, marking the first time Bosworth has produced a television show. Natalie Martinez will star as Chase, and Alex Pettyfer will star as Brody. Netflix has ordered seven episodes of the series.

Neil Labute is the writer, director, and showrunner on “The I-Land,” with Lucy Teitler also writing. Chad Oakes and Mike Frislev will executive produce,...

New York – The Writers Guild of America, East (Wgae) announced today the 2013 nominees (order determined by lot) for its Council election. The term is for two years from 2013-2015. There are nine (9) open Council seats (six Freelance seats and three Staff seats) in this election. The twelve (12) candidates for the six (6) open Freelance seats are: Zhubin Parang, Bonnie Datt (i), David Atkins, Henry Bean (i), Bernardo Ruiz (i), Susan Kim (i), Robert Levi, Michael Lannan, Amy Sohn, Courtney Simon (i), Norman Steinberg and George Strayton. The five (5) candidates for the three (3) open Staff seats are: Duane Tollison (i), Jeff Christman, Phil Pilato (i), Matt Nelko and Sue Brown McCann (i). Guild President Michael Winship and Secretary-Treasurer Bob Schneider are running for reelection unopposed. Vice President Jeremy Pikser is running for re-election and faces Jeff Christman. The Wgae annual membership meeting and election is scheduled for Thursday, September 19, 2013. Related: Wgaw Unveils...