News

John Oliver took a jab at Apple TV+ during the latest episode of his HBO show Last Week Tonight.

During a segment about the way Dollar Tree and Dollar General stores are run, Oliver brought up TikTok videos of retail employees complaining about the work conditions, including a staffer who was asked to reopen her store shortly after it had been robbed.

“An armed robbery is a traumatic event people need time to recover from,” Oliver said before delivering the punchline, “It’s not something you can just ignore like a spam call or a broken light bulb or any show on Apple TV.”

Oliver then asked his viewers, “Did you know Octavia Spencer starred as a true crime podcaster on a show called Truth Be Told for three seasons?”

“Of course you didn’t. It’s Apple TV, where celebrities go to hide,” he quipped.

Earlier this year, Spencer...

Poppy Scoville's time cracking murders is over.

Apple TV+ has canceled Truth Be Told after three seasons.

Series star Octavia Spencer confirmed the news on Instagram Monday morning.

"Hey y'all. I wanted to share the news that after three seasons of seeking truth and justice, Poppy Scoville is going on a much-needed vacation," she wrote.

"I want to thank my partners at Orit Entertainment, Hello Sunshine, Chernin Entertainment, Fifth Season and everyone at Apple for being so supportive over the past three seasons."

"Nichelle Tramble, Maisha Closson, Mikkel Norgaard and our incredible cast and crew — thank you for your creative vision during this incredible journey. Poppy Scoville signing off."

"It has been an honor and a privilege to collaborate with Octavia and Hello Sunshine on three thrilling seasons of Truth Be Told, a series that quickly made its way into the hearts of audiences across the globe," Head of Programming...

"Truth Be Told', the legal/crime drama TV series, created by Nichelle Tramble Spellman, based on author Kathleen Barber's 2017 debut novel "Are You Sleeping", has been canceled after 3 seasons on AppleTV+:

"... 'Poppy Parnell' (Octavia Spencer) is a podcaster who revisits the case that made her famous with the hope of finally getting to the truth..."

Click the images to enlarge...

The Apple TV+’s “Truth Be Told” series starring Octavia Spencer will end with its third season.

The anthology series has told three separate stories within each season, and the third and final season is now available on the streamer. Spencer shared the news of the show’s end via Instagram.

“Hey y’all. I wanted to share the news that after three seasons of seeking truth and justice, Poppy Scoville is going on a much-needed vacation,” Spencer wrote. “I want to thank my partners at Orit Entertainment, Hello Sunshine, Chernin Entertainment, Fifth Season, and everyone at Apple for being so supportive over the past three seasons. Nichelle Tramble, Maisha Closson, Mikkel Norgaard and our incredible cast and crew – thank you for your creative vision during this incredible journey. Poppy Scoville signing off.”

Also Read:

‘Surface’ Renewed for Season 2 at Apple TV+

Spencer portrayed Poppy Scoville, investigative reporter turned true...

Truth Be Told‘s third season has officially become its last: Apple TV+ has cancelled the legal/crime drama after three seasons, TVLine has learned.

Star Octavia Spencer confirmed the news on Instagram Monday. “Hey y’all. I wanted to share the news that after three seasons of seeking truth and justice, Poppy Scoville is going on a much-needed vacation,” she wrote. “I want to thank my partners at Orit Entertainment, Hello Sunshine, Chernin Entertainment, Fifth Season and everyone at Apple for being so supportive over the past three seasons. Nichelle Tramble, Maisha Closson, Mikkel Norgaard and our incredible cast...

There will be no fourth season for Apple’s Truth Be Told. Star Octavia Spencer shared the news on Instagram, that the drama series will end with its third chapter, which concluded in March.

“Hey y’all. I wanted to share the news that after three seasons of seeking truth and justice, Poppy Scoville is going on a much-needed vacation”...

Truth Be Told has told its last story.

Star and exec producer Octavia Spencer on Monday revealed that her Apple TV+ anthology series will not return for a fourth season on the streaming service. “I wanted to share the news that after three seasons of seeking truth and justice, Poppy Scoville is going on a much-needed vacation,” she posted on her Instagram page.

Apple confirmed the news Monday as well, with head of programming Matt Cherniss calling it an honor and a privilege to collaborate with Spencer and Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine banner on the series. “This show has given us the opportunity to not only witness Octavia’s mesmerizing and nuanced portrayal of crime-solving podcaster Poppy Scoville, but to explore so many powerful and timely themes set against the backdrop of a captivating family drama. We can’t wait to find our next project together,” added Cherniss.

Season three of the anthology,...

The Apple drama series “Truth Be Told” is done after three seasons at the streamer.

Series star Octavia Spencer announced the news in a statement on her Instagram account.

“Hey y’all. I wanted to share the news that after three seasons of seeking truth and justice, Poppy Scoville is going on a much-needed vacation,” she wrote. “I want to thank my partners at Orit Entertainment, Hello Sunshine, Chernin Entertainment, Fifth Season, and everyone at Apple for being so supportive over the past three seasons. Nichelle Tramble, Maisha Closson, Mikkel Norgaard and our incredible cast and crew – thank you for your creative vision during this incredible journey. Poppy Scoville signing off.”

The series originally debuted in 2019 and aired its third (and now final) season between January 20 and March 24, 2023. Spencer starred as Poppy Parnell (she uses the name Scoville in Season 3), a true crime podcaster who investigates a different case each season.

Media conglomerates have engaged in a wave of un-renewals and other cutbacks as economic headwinds and the realities of going on a streaming bender have hit home.

That hasn’t been the case, however, at Fox, which after separating from its former in-house studio, 20th Television, in the 2018 Disney deal has maintained a purposefully smaller profile. Fox Entertainment president Michael Thorn even sees opportunity to contrast his operation, both at the network and in-house Fox Entertainment Studios, with that of larger rivals.

“That is part of our sales pitch,” Thorn told The Hollywood Reporter. “Because we’re not high volume, we try to offer the best process possible that’s not bogged down by layers, that’s not bogged down by extensive notes, where each project, whether they go forward or not, feels like they’re prioritized. And I think what we’ve been seeing in these companies that have a huge ecosystem,...

“Brr, it’s cold in here…” Could there be some future Clovers in the atmosphere?

Gabrielle Union, who played Isis in 2000’s “Bring It On,” teased a potential new installment in the iconic cheerleading film franchise at the “Truth Be Told” Season 3 premiere on Thursday.

“We’ve been developing a sequel forever,” Union told Variety. “But for folks who don’t exactly understand how long development can take in Hollywood, that could be five minutes or 50 years.”

“Bring It On,” which also starred Kirsten Dunst, Eliza Dushku and Jesse Bradford, spurred five direct-to-video sequels and a Halloween-themed TV sequel, but all without the original cast. Along with “Love & Basketball,” “Bring It On” was Union’s breakthrough movie, leading to a successful career in both film and TV.

Most recently, Union joined Apple TV+’s “Truth Be Told” for Season 3, which follows investigative journalist turned true crime podcaster Poppy (Octavia Spencer...

Here’s a look at this week’s biggest premieres, parties and openings in Los Angeles and New York, including red carpets for Shotgun Wedding, You People, Poker Face and Truth Be Told.

You People premiere

Director Kenya Barris and stars Eddie Murphy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Lauren London, David Duchovny, Nia Long, Sam Jay, Travis Bennett, Elliott Gould, Molly Gordon and Anthony Anderson walked the red carpet on Tuesday for the L.A. premiere of their Netflix comedy.

Poker Face premiere

Natasha Lyonne and Rian Johnson debuted their new Peacock mystery-of-the-week series on Tuesday in L.A., alongside costars Benjamin Bratt, Adrien Brody and longtime friend Amy Poehler.

Kate Berlant x UTA party

UTA hosted a party in NYC on Tuesday for client Kate Berlant’s sold-out one-woman show, Kate. Guests included Ben Platt, Emily Ratajkowski, Tavi Gevinson, Jeremy O. Harris, Ziwe, Eric Andre, Mike Birbiglia, Emma Stone, Cazzie David, Aidy Bryant,...

Actress and producer Gabrielle Union said her experience with being a survivor of sexual assault made her the “best person for the job” in her new role as Eva Pierre in the anthology series “Truth Be Told,” which is centered on the world’s obsession with true-crime stories. However, Union shared that despite feeling like her work on the show was also a responsibility, being on set “triggered” her for months.

It’s Season 3 of “Truth Be Told,” and the Octavia Spencer-led drama series is back with a new case for Poppy Scoville (Spencer) to tackle. This time Poppy focuses on the disappearance of several girls in a community. Union joins the cast as Eva, an outspoken high school principal who becomes embroiled in a problematic incident. Because of her personal experience as a survivor of rape, Union says she knew she was fit for the role.

“I read the script,...

Apple TV+ today unveiled the trailer for the third season of its NAACP Image Award-winning anthology “Truth Be Told” starring Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer, who also executive produces, and award-winning actress Gabrielle Union who joins the all-new season that is set to make its global debut on Friday, January 20, 2023. Hailing from acclaimed writer, showrunner and executive producer Nichelle Tramble Spellman, the 10-episode third season sees Spencer reprise her role as investigative reporter turned true crime podcaster, Poppy Scoville, to take on a new case. “Truth Be Told” season three will make its global debut with the first episode, followed by one new episode weekly, every Friday through March 24, 2023, on Apple TV+.

Based on the novel “While You Were Sleeping” by Kathleen Barber, “Truth Be Told” offers a unique glimpse into America’s obsession with true crime podcasts and challenges its viewers to consider the consequences when the pursuit of...

Apple TV+ has released the official trailer for “Truth Be Told” Season 3, starring Octavia Spencer and Gabrielle Union.

Based on Kathleen Barber’s novel “Are You Sleeping,” the anthology series follows Poppy Scoville (Spencer), an investigative reporter turned true crime podcaster who risks everything in pursuit of the truth. In the 10-episode third season, Poppy teams with an unorthodox principal (Union) to keep the names of several missing Black girls in the public eye, while chasing down leads to a suspected sex trafficking ring that may have kidnapped them. Returning cast members include Mekhi Phifer, David Lyons, Ron Cephas Jones, Merle Dandridge, Tracie Thoms, Haneefah Wood, Mychala Faith Lee and Tami Roman.

“Truth Be Told” is created and executive produced by Nichelle Tramble Spellman, with Maisha Closson serving as showrunner for Season 3. Executive producers include Closson, Spencer, Mikkel Nrgaard, Reese Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter for Hello Sunshine, Peter Chernin and...

It's all good news today for mystery fans.

Apple TV+ unveiled the trailer for the third season of its NAACP Image Award-winning anthology Truth Be Told, starring Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer, who also executive produces.

Award-winning actress Gabrielle Union joins the all-new season, which is set to make its global debut on Friday, January 20, 2023.

Hailing from acclaimed writer, showrunner, and executive producer Nichelle Tramble Spellman, the ten-episode third season sees Spencer reprise her role as investigative reporter turned true crime podcaster Poppy Scoville to take on a new case.

Truth Be Told season three will make its global debut with the first episode, followed by one new episode weekly, every Friday through March 24, 2023, on Apple TV+.

Based on the novel While You Were Sleeping by Kathleen Barber, Truth Be Told offers a unique glimpse into America’s obsession with true crime podcasts and challenges its viewers to consider the...

Octavia Spencer's hit Apple TV+ original series Truth Be Told will return early next year.

The streaming service today unveiled a first-look at the third season of its NAACP Image Award-winning drama Truth Be Told.

This season, Gabrielle Union will star opposite Spencer.

The series comes from acclaimed writer, showrunner and executive producer Nichelle Tramble Spellman.

"The 10-episode third season sees Spencer reprise her role as investigative reporter turned true crime podcaster, 'Poppy Scoville,’ to take on a new case," the streaming service teases.

The third season will make its global debut with the first episode on Friday, January 20, 2023, followed by one new episode weekly every Friday through March 24, 2023, on Apple TV+

The series is based on the novel “While You Were Sleeping” by Kathleen Barber, "offers a unique glimpse into America’s obsession with true crime podcasts and challenges its viewers to consider the consequences when the pursuit...

“Billionaire Class,” a new one-hour drama hailing from Malcolm Spellman and Eric Haywood is in development at Fox, TheWrap has confirmed.

The logline is as follows: “A brilliant but disillusioned billionaire’s executive assistant (Jo) teaches a charismatic, fast-talking street hustler (Miles) how to walk, talk and act like a billionaire in order to con her employer’s super-wealthy friends into using their money to help the less fortunate.” The series is billed as a “high-stakes wish-fulfillment drama, offering a complex vision of wealth, race and equity in America.”

Haywood and Spellman will serve as executive producers, reuniting since their time together on the same network as producers on “Empire,” starring Taraji P. Henson. The former will also write, while Ray Smith will co-produce. Executive producers are Nichelle Tramble Spellman and Eli Dansky under The 51 banner, Five All In The Fifth’s Douglas Banker, Trevor Engelson of Underground and Maurice “Mo” Marable.

Exclusive: Fox is developing Billionaire Class, a one-hour drama from writer Eric Haywood, Malcolm Spellman and Nichelle Tramble Spellman’s The 51 and Fox Entertainment.

Written by Haywood, Billionaire Class is described as a high-stakes wish-fulfillment drama, offering a complex vision of wealth, race, and equity in America. It focuses on a brilliant but disillusioned billionaire’s executive assistant (Jo), who teaches a charismatic, fast-talking street hustler (Miles) how to walk, talk, and act like a billionaire in order to con her employer’s super-wealthy friends into using their money to help the less fortunate.

Haywood executive produces with Malcolm Spellman, Nichelle Tramble Spellman and Eli Dansky for The 51, Trevor Engelson via Underground, his frequent collaborator Douglas Banker for Five All In The Fifth as well as director Maurice “Mo” Marable (Woke). Ray Smith co-produces. Fox Entertainment is the studio.

The project reunites Haywood and Malcolm...

There were a lot of reasons why Octavia Spencer was interested in playing the role of true-crime podcaster Poppy Parnell in the Apple TV+ series “Truth Be Told”: the opportunity to explore a genre that fascinated her, the chance to work with executive producer Nichelle Tramble Spellman and the opportunity to mix a mystery with a family story, among others.

But when star and executive producer Spencer appeared with Spellman and co-star Mekhi Phifer at TheWrap’s virtual screening of “Truth Be Told,” she and her fellow panelists got particularly excited when she talked about a different reason.

“I would be a fan of this show if I weren’t involved, because we haven’t seen a podcaster or journalists portrayed this way in primetime,” she told TheWrap’s awards editor Steve Pond, and then grinned. “And it’s also my ‘Columbo’ moment!”

And as soon as he heard...

The conclusions of dramas like “Ozark” and “Better Call Saul” have ruled cultural conversation about TV in 2022, while new shows such as “Bel-Air” and “As We See It” are a sign of the innovation and creativity to come. Creators and showrunners of some of the top dramas on the small screen came together for Variety’s “A Night in the Writers’ Room” to discuss bringing new ideas to old properties, what it’s like to write a series finale and more.

Moderated by TV features editor Emily Longeretta, the event began with a conversation about what it looks like to run a writers’ room under pandemic restrictions. Each writer offered different perspectives on the pros and cons.

Chris Mundy, writer and executive producer of “Ozark” much prefers in-person writing, but he found that keeping the writing staff consistent allowed the Zoom experience to go as smoothly as possible.

“In the final season of ‘Ozark,...

Back in July, HBO announced the new drama series Confederate from Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and Db Weiss – and a huge backlash immediately followed. Speaking at the Vanity Fair summit on Tuesday, HBO CEO Richard Plepler said of the press release announcement, “We screwed up in an important way.” With Nichelle Tramble Spellman and Malcolm Spellman, who are black, writing alongside Benioff and Weiss, Confederate apparently will depict a third American Civil War…...

Back in July, HBO announced the new drama series Confederate from Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and Db Weiss – and a huge backlash immediately followed. Speaking at the Vanity Fair summit on Tuesday, HBO CEO Richard Plepler said of the press release announcement, “We screwed up in an important way.” With Nichelle Tramble Spellman and Malcolm Spellman, who are black, writing alongside Benioff and Weiss, Confederate apparently will depict a third American Civil War…...

HBO’s Confederate probably won’t premiere for at least two years, but it’s already created a firestorm of controversy for the network and the showrunners. To briefly recap, on July 19th, Game of Thrones showrunners D.B. Weiss and David Benioff revealed they were working with Nichelle Tramble Spellman (Justified), Malcolm Spellman (Empire), and Game of Thrones EPs Carolyn Strauss and Bernadette Caulfield on a new show for HBO called Confederate. The premise of the series is that it takes place in an alternate reality where the South won the Civil War of 1861, and a new Civil …...

If the controversy surrounding HBO’s “Confederate” was already a bonfire, Amazon Studios just threw gasoline on it. Deadline is reporting that for several months, the platform has been developing its own alternate history series, entitled “Black America,” with producers Will Packer and Aaron McGruder.

Read More‘Confederate’: HBO Exec Admits Mistake With Announcement, but Stands by Controversial Drama

Deadline describes the series as follows:

[‘Black America’] envisions an alternate history where newly freed African Americans have secured the Southern states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama post-Reconstruction as reparations for slavery, and with that land, the freedom to shape their own destiny. The sovereign nation they formed, New Colonia, has had a tumultuous and sometimes violent relationship with its looming “Big Neighbor,” both ally and foe, the United States. The past 150 years have been witness to military incursions, assassinations, regime change, coups, etc. Today, after two decades of peace with the U.

Ever since it was first announced, HBO has been trying to put the cap back on the explosive “Confederate.” The illustrious “Game Of Thrones” duo David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, along with Nichelle Tramble Spellman (“Justified,” “The Good Wife”) and Malcolm Spellman (“Empire”) have tried to explain the nuances of their show, which will take place in an alternate history of the United States where slavery still exists, without much luck.

Continue reading HBO Defends ‘Confederate’ Against Viral Backlash at The Playlist.

HBO released a statement on Sunday evening after the hashtag #NoConfederate became a worldwide trending topic on Twitter during Game of Thrones.

RelatedConfederate From GoT EPs: HBO Boss Cops to ‘Misguided’ Announcement

The hashtag, created by April Reign of the 2015 #OscarsSoWhite campaign, sought to protest the premium cabler’s recently announced Confederate, from Thrones showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, in hopes of sending a signal to the Powers That Be before the show gets off the ground.

Whether you live tweet #GoT or not, please use #NoConfederate in All of your tweets from 9-10p Et this Sunday.

While Game of Thrones has a legion of diehard fans, the show's creators, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, aren't getting a lot of love for their next HBO series, Confederate.

The proposed show -- which will take place in an alternate timeline where the American South won the Civil War and will depict dramatizations of slavery in modern day -- faced immediate criticism when it was announced last week, and was the target of a social media protest on Sunday, to coincide with the latest episode of Games of Thrones.

"#NoConfederate" became a trending topic even before the new GoT episode aired on the East Coast, and continued to garner support and generate tweets throughout the evening. April Reign, who previously spearheaded the "#OscarsSoWhite" protest, is one of the activists who helped organize Sunday's Twitter movement.

News: 'Game of Thrones' Producers Defend Controversial 'Confederate' Show About Slavery

"Whether you live tweet #GoT or not, please...

Despite HBO’s continued support of “Confederate,” a series being developed by “Game of Thrones” showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, critics of the project are planning an online protest to publicize their concerns with the project.

April Reign, who created the #OscarSoWhite hashtag to call attention to the lack of Oscar representation for people of color, has shifted her focus to “Confederate.” The series imagines an alternative historical timeline in which the South had won the Civil War, and slavery is legal. The new modernity would be set during the Third American Civil War.

Read More‘Confederate’: HBO Exec Admits Mistake With Announcement, but Stands by Controversial Drama

Per the release, “The story follows a broad swath of characters on both sides of the Mason-Dixon Demilitarized Zone – freedom fighters, slave hunters, politicians, abolitionists, journalists, the executives of a slave-holding conglomerate and the families of people in their thrall.

The Television Critics Association summer press tour didn’t let HBO off the hook when it came to “Confederate.” The recently announced new show from “Game Of Thrones” duo David Benioff and D.B. Weiss and writers/producers Nichelle Tramble Spellman (“Justified,” “The Good Wife”) and Malcolm Spellman (“Empire”) drew immediate ire for its premise, which will focus on an alternate history where slavery still exists in contemporary, divided America.

Continue reading HBO Chief Says Announcing ‘Confederate’ Via Press Release Was A “Mistake,” Defends Show at The Playlist.

A week after HBO announced Confederate as a follow-up series for Game Of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, the controversy over the project’s concept, which involves slavery, has yet to subside. Expectedly, it took central stage during HBO’s TCA executive session with the network’s president of programming Casey Bloys. Written by Benioff and Weiss, who also will showrun, as well as Nichelle Tramble Spellman and Malcolm Spellman, Confederate chronicles events…...

If he had the chance to do it all over again, HBO president Casey Bloys wouldn’t have announced “Confederate” via a press release.

“We could have done a better job with the press rollout,” Bloys said to critics at the Television Critics Association press tour, admitting that while they had anticipated triggering controversy, he wished they’d taken a different approach. Specifically, he said that he wished they had let executive producers David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Nichelle Tramble Spellman, and Malcolm Spellman lay out their vision for the show right from the beginning.

Read More‘Confederate’: Why The ‘Game of Thrones’ Creators’ Next HBO Series Is Already Causing Controversy

Announced last week, “Confederate” aims to explore the question of what would happen if the South had won the Civil War, but immediately triggered massive debate given the issues regarding race invoked by the premise. (In the world of “Confederate,...

HBO President Casey Bloys addressed the harsh backlash the network received surrounding “Game of Thrones” creators D.B. Weiss and David Benioff’s next project at the Television Critics Association press tour on Wednesday. The series “Confederate,” which envisions an alternate reality in which the South successfully seceded from the Union and slavery still exists, was hit hard by detractors who saw the announcement as a potentially problematic project from the duo, who will be joined by Nichelle Tramble Spellman and Malcolm Spellman as executive producers. “The bet for us is on our talent,” Bloys said. “We have a long history at HBO of betting.

The prospective new series from Game of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss reared its controversial head at the Television Critics Assoc. summer press tour on Wednesday, with HBO’s top exec defending his decision to green light the incendiary project.

To quickly recap: Earlier this month the cabler announced that it had ordered Confederate, an hour-long, sci-fi drama that envisions an alternate, post-Civil War world wherein “the southern states have successfully seceded from the Union, giving rise to a nation in which slavery remains legal and has evolved into a modern institution.”

RelatedGame of Thrones: 4 Spinoffs...

HBO confirms True Detective close to season three greenlight; HBO brass address Confederate controversy.

HBO’s president of programming Casey Bloys gave an update of the status True Detective during HBO’s summer TCA presentation.

Bloys confirmed that Oscar-winning Moonlight actor Mahershala Ali has closed a deal to star in the third season of the show.

Bloys revealed that True Detective has almost a full season written. “I’ve read five scripts on the new season and I think they’re terrific,” Bloys said. “When we find a director, well be a go on that.”

Ali won an Oscar for best supporting actor for his role in Moonlight, which won best picture. His television credits include Netflix’s House Of Cards and Luke Cage.

While the first season of True Detective starring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson drew critical and audience praise, its follow-up led by Colin Farrell and Vince Vaughn drew mixed reactions.

Bloys also noted...

D.B. Weiss and David Benioff are standing by their decision to go forward with their show, Confederate, which is about what present-day America might look like had the North not won the Civil War.

The Game of Thrones showrunners faced some backlash, with several critics calling out the fact that two white males would be addressing such a sensitive subject matter. Writer Roxanne Gay was among those who disapproved of the show, tweeting: "It is exhausting to think of how many people at HBO said yes to letting two white men envision modern day slavery -- and offensive."

Exclusive: Kit Harington Talks Game of Thrones Spoilers and the One Prop He's Dying to Keep

However, in addition to Weiss and Benioff, there are two other writers-executive producers on Confederate. Nichelle Tramble Spellman (The Good Wife) and her husband, Malcolm Spellman (Empire), are also behind the project and are both black.

"For me and...

HBO's new drama Confederate hasn't yet begun production, but it has already sparked controversy over its alternative take on history.

The series, which comes from Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, Empire producer Malcolm Spellman and The Good Wife producer Nichelle Tramble

...

Read More >...

HBO and “Game Of Thrones” showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss quickly came under fire on Wednesday, July 19 after the announcement of their new television drama series, “Confederate.” The series will imagine an alternate American timeline in which a third Civil War has changed the fabric and landscape of the United States. Per the official announcement, the alternate timeline will include southern states that have successfully seceded from the Union, giving rise to a nation in which slavery remains legal and has evolved into a modern institution.

Read More: ‘Confederate’: Why The ‘Game of Thrones’ Creators’ Next HBO Series Is Already Causing Controversy

The idea that Benioff and Weiss, two white men, would be tackling a series in which “slavery remains legal” caused instant backlash across the internet. High profile writers such as journalist Pilot Viruet and author Roxane Gay sounded off, criticizing HBO for letting “two white men envision modern day slavery.

2017-07-21T06:01:22-07:00'Game of Thrones' Creators in Slavery Controversy

Game of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss are still in the process of wrapping up their epic fantasy drama for HBO. But ever since Wednesday, when HBO announced that it ordered a sci-fi series from the duo set in alternative timeline where slavery still exits, the prolific pair have had to turn their attention to their next project and more specifically the controversy already surrounding it.

Titled Confederate, the drama chronicles the events leading to the Third American Civil War. The series takes place in an alternate timeline, where the Southern states have successfully seceded from the Union, giving rise to a nation in which slavery remains legal and has evolved into a modern institution. The story follows a broad swath of characters on both sides of the Mason-Dixon Demilitarized Zone — freedom fighters,...

HBO announces Us series Confederate from David Benioff and D.B. Weiss

Game Of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have revealed that their next series will be HBO drama Confederate, an alternative history story chronicling the events leading up to Third American Civil War.

The series will chart a world in which the southern states have successfully seceded from the Union, giving rise to a nation in which slavery remains legal and has evolved into a modern institution.

The story is set to follow a broad collection of characters on both sides of the Mason-Dixon Demilitarized Zone — freedom fighters, slave hunters, politicians, abolitionists, journalists, the executives of a slave-holding conglomerate and the families of people in their thrall.

The series will be written and created by Benioff and Weiss, who will also serve as showrunners on the series.

Partnering with them as executive producers and writers will be Nichelle Tramble Spellman (The Good Wife) and [link=nm...

David Crow Jul 20, 2017

Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss are making a HBO series about slavery in America, called Confederate...

David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have rather respectably bowed out of the multitude of Game of Thrones spinoffs HBO currently has in development. But that does not mean they are done with premium cable or long-form storytelling.

See related The Handmaid’s Tale episode 8 review: Jezebels The Handmaid’s Tale episode 7 review: The Other Side The Handmaid’s Tale episode 6 review: A Woman’s Place

Indeed, as Game of Thrones continues its penultimate season, the two producers have announced their next project at HBO: an alternate history series entitled Confederate. It’s a series about how the world might’ve changed had the Confederate States of America succeeded at seceding from the Union in the 1860s.

Here is the official logline:

Confederate chronicles events leading to the Third American Civil War.

Skepticism is higher than Ser Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane.

On Wednesday, David Benioff and Dan Weiss, the Emmy-winning creators, writers, and producers behind Game of Thrones, announced the synopsis of their newly greenlit HBO series, Confederate.

The forthcoming show “chronicles the events leading to the Third American Civil War. The series takes place in an alternate timeline, where the southern states have successfully seceded from the Union, giving rise to a nation in which slavery remains legal and has evolved into a modern institution,” according to HBO’s press release, obtained by Entertainment Weekly.

Confederate will follow characters on both...

HBO and Game of Thrones creators/showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss are teaming once again for a new series called Confederate.

The forthcoming drama series imagines an alternate outcome for the American Civil War, where the South has successfully seceded from the Union "giving rise to a nation in which slavery remains legal and has evolved into a modern institution," according to a statement.

The series details the events that culminate in the Third American Civil War and will feature characters from opposing sides of a Mason-Dixon Demilitarized Zone,...

Like their HBO hit “Game of Thrones,” David Benioff and D.B. Weiss’ newly announced follow-up series, “Confederate,” has people talking — though some wonder if the two white men will handle the subject responsibly. “Confederate” takes place in a world where the southern states won the Civil War and seceded from the Union. Its creative team includes African-American writers and executive producers Nichelle Tramble Spellman and Malcolm Spellman. HBO says it “takes place in an alternate timeline, where the southern states have successfully seceded from the Union, giving rise to a nation in which slavery remains legal and has evolved into a modern.

David Benioff and D.B. Weiss don’t do anything the easy way. The “Game of Thrones” creators are still busy wrapping up the final two seasons of HBO’s lavish fantasy epic, including a final season that will film across multiple continents, but their follow-up project has already been given the green light.

It’s also already generating controversy.

Announced late Wednesday afternoon by HBO, Benioff and Weiss will serve as showrunners, executive producers, and creators on “Confederate,” a war story set in an alternate timeline leading up to the “Third American Civil War.” The new original series exists in a world where the southern states never seceded from the Union. Slavery is still legal and has “evolved into a modern institution,” per the release from HBO, and the story will track “a broad swath of characters” in both the North and South, including freedom fighters, slave hunters, politicians, abolitionists,...

The Game of Thrones creators, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, have set up their follow-up series at HBO!

The cable company announced on Wednesday that they have picked up Benioff and Weiss' original new series, Confederate.

Related: Westeros Weekly: Breaking Down the Biggest 'Game of Thrones' Moments, Plus Exclusive Answers From Kit Harington!

The drama will chronicle the events leading to the Third American Civil War, taking place in an alternate timeline, where the southern states have successfully seceded from the Union, giving rise to a nation in which slavery remains legal and has evolved into a modern institution.

Per the synopsis, "The story follows a broad swath of characters on both sides of the Mason-Dixon Demilitarized Zone – freedom fighters, slave hunters, politicians, abolitionists, journalists, the executives of a slave-holding conglomerate and the families of people in their thrall."

"We have discussed Confederate for years, originally as a concept for a feature film," said Benioff...

The War for the Iron Throne hasn’t even finished yet, but Game of Thrones showrunners D. B. Weiss and David Benioff already have their sights set on a sweeping new conflict.

The HBO fantasy series’ EPs will head up Confederate, a drama set in an alternative timeline United States, the premium cabler announced Wednesday.

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Per the official release:

Confederate chronicles the events leading to the Third American Civil War. The series takes place in an alternate timeline, where the southern states have successfully seceded from the Union,...

As HBO’s hit fantasy series “Game of Thrones” sets course for its surely explosive ending, the cable outfit is apparently eager to stay in business with showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss.

Casey Bloys, president of HBO Programmning, has announced that the pair are now signed on for a new original series, entitled “Confederate,” which will imagine an alternate American timeline in which a third civil war has irrevocably changed the fabric and landscape of the United States.

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Per an official announcement, “Confederate” will follow “the events leading to the Third American Civil War. The series takes place in an alternate timeline, where the southern states have successfully seceded from the Union, giving rise to a nation in which slavery remains legal and has evolved into a modern institution. The story...

The Good Wife, Season 6, Episode 16: “Red Meat”

Written by Nichelle Tramble Spellman

Directed by Michael Zinberg

Airs Sundays at 9pm Et on CBS

After sixteen episodes of build, the day has finally come, and the fictional voters of The Good Wife’s bizarro Illinois have spoken. It’s a foregone conclusion the moment that Alicia says that she’s “relieved” to be behind in the first exit polls: Alicia wins, aided by some last-minute dirty manoeuvring by Peter. While the State’s Attorney run hasn’t made for the most riveting stretch of the series by any means, its conclusion at least underlines that Alicia will no longer be able to rationalize herself as “the good guy,” and perhaps in the letting go, she can find an acceptable way forward. She’ll never be Frank Prady – a man so principled that he can’t even bring himself to work for Alicia,...

Recently, CBS delivered the new,official synopsis/spoilers for their upcoming "The Good Wife" episode 16 of season 6. The episode is entitled, "Red Meat," and it turns out that we're going to see some very interesting and drama-filled stuff take place as Alicia's political future gets put in major danger due to Peter's latest actions, and more! In the new, 16th episode press release: Alicia's Political Future Is On The Line When Peter Gives An Interview That Could Influence Voter Turnout On Election Day." Press release number 2: Alicia's political future is going to be on the line when Peter gives an interview that could influence voter turnout on Election Day. In the meantime, a weekend getaway with Kurt and his affluent hunting buddies, could lead Diane to a prosperous new client for the firm. Oliver Platt guest stars as R.D., an influential figure in conservative politics, Gary Cole returns as Kurt McVeigh,...

Wes Anderson's "The Grand Budapest Hotel" won the Original Screenplay honor at the recently concluded Writers Guild Awards while Morten Tyldum's "The Imitation Game" took home the Adapted Screenplay trophy. "The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swarts" written by Brian Knappenberger won Documentary Screenplay award. The film is not nominated for an Academy award.

In TV land, HBO's "True Detective" won the Drama Series award and FX's "Louie" received the Comedy Series trophy.

Here's the complete list of winners (highlighted) and nominees of the 2015 Writers Guild Awards:

Feature Film

Original Screenplay

Boyhood, Written by Richard Linklater; IFC Films

Foxcatcher, Written by E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman; Sony Pictures Classics

The Grand Budapest Hotel, Screenplay by Wes Anderson; Story by Wes Anderson & Hugo Guinness; Fox Searchlight Winner

Nightcrawler, Written by Dan Gilroy; Open Road Films

Whiplash, Written by Damien Chazelle; Sony Pictures Classics

Adapted Screenplay

American Sniper,...