VARIETY – The upcoming comedic thriller series “Based on a True Story” has added five new cast members, Variety has learned exclusively.
Natalia Dyer (“Stranger Things,” “Yes, God, Yes”), Alex Alomar Akpobome (“Industry,” “Twenties”), Aisha Alfa (“Good Trouble,” “Degrassi: Next Generation”), Annabelle Dexter-Jones (“Succession,” “The Calling”), and Li Jun Li (“Babylon,” “Devils”) have all joined the series. They will star alongside previously announced cast members Kaley Cuoco and Chris Messina, as well as Tom Bateman, Liana Liberato, and Priscilla Quintana.
Per the official logline, the series “is about a realtor, a plumber and a former tennis star whose lives unexpectedly collide, exposing America’s obsession with true crime, murder and the slow close toilet seat.”
Dyer is repped by One Entertainment, WME, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman.
Craig Rosenberg will serve as writer, executive producer, and showrunner on “Based on a True Story.” Jason Bateman and Michael Costigan will executive produce via Aggregate Films, with Roxie Rodriguez of Aggregate and Melissa Blake co-executive producing. Alex Buono will direct the first episode and serve as producing director. UCP is the studio.
“Based on a True Story” was given a straight-to-series order in April. It is one of the latest additions to a growing roster of true crime projects at Peacock, which includes “Dr. Death,” as well as “Joe v. Carole,” and the recently launched “A Friend of the Family.”
Category: News
Netflix has announced that Stranger Things has been renewed for a fifth and final season. This announcement was made along with the season four release date (which will be split in two parts).
uoos no? ??s pic.twitter.com/pJ71dRgmo1
— Stranger Things (@Stranger_Things) February 17, 2022
On Thursday, Netflix announced that Stranger Things season 4 will be split in two parts. Volume 1 will premiere on May 27, and volume 2 will be released on July 1.
‘Stranger Things’ Season 4 Will Be Split in Two Parts, Premiere Dates Set for Both
VARIETY – Netflix revealed Thursday the long-awaited fourth season of “Stranger Things” will be split into two parts — and you won’t have to wait long for them to debut.
“Stranger Things 4” Volume 1 will premiere May 27, with Volume 2 to follow on July 1, creators Matt and Ross Duffer, credited as the Duffer Brothers, said in a letter to fans posted on Netflix’s blog. That letter also included the huge news that the show has been renewed for a fifth and final season.
“With nine scripts, over 800 pages, almost two years of filming, thousands of visual effects shots, and a runtime nearly twice the length of any previous season, ‘Stranger Things 4’ was the most challenging season yet, but also the most rewarding one. Everyone involved is incredibly proud of the results, and we can’t wait to share it with you,” the Duffer Brothers wrote.
They continued: “Given the unprecedented length, and to get it to you as soon as possible, Season 4 will be released in two volumes. Volume One will release on May 27; Volume Two will release five weeks later on July 1. So that’s the good news. It’s coming soon. And it’s better than ever. It’s also the beginning of the end.”
Here’s the official description for “Stranger Things 4”: “It’s been six months since the Battle of Starcourt, which brought terror and destruction to Hawkins. Struggling with the aftermath, our group of friends are separated for the first time — and navigating the complexities of high school hasn’t made things any easier. In this most vulnerable time, a new and horrifying supernatural threat surfaces, presenting a gruesome mystery that, if solved, might finally put an end to the horrors of the Upside Down.”
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‘Stranger Things’ Actress Natalia Dyer and Timothy Simons to Star in ‘Yes, God, Yes’ Adaptation (EXCLUSIVE)
VARIETY – “Stranger Things” breakout Natalia Dyer and Timothy Simons are set to star in Karen Maine’s feature adaptation based on her short “Yes, God, Yes.”Maine will helm the film, marking her feature directorial debut.Dyer starred in the original short, which earned critical acclaim for its observations on teenage sexuality. Set in the midwest in the early ’00s, “Yes God, Yes” will tell the story of 16-year-old Alice (Dyer), a good Catholic, who discovers masturbating after an innocent AOL chat turns unexpectedly racy, compelling her to sign up for a secretive religious retreat which she hopes will put her on the path to redemption.
Alisha Boe (“13 Reasons Why”), Francesca Reale (“Haters Back Off”), Wolfgang Novogratz (“Assassination Nation”), and Donna Lynne Champlin (“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”) will also star.
Chris and Eleanor Columbus are co-financing and producing via their Maiden Voyage banner with Rodrigo Teixeira of RT Features, marking the third collaboration between the financiers following “Patti Cake$” and “The Witch.” Katie Cordeal and Colleen Hammond, who produced the short, will also serve as producers.
Maine will executive produce alongside Lourenco Sant’ Anna and Sophie Mas of RT Features. Endeavor Content arranged the financing and will represent worldwide rights.
Dyer is best known for her role as Nancy Wheeler in Netflix’s hit series “Stranger Things.” She is also set to star in Netflix’s untitled Dan Gilroy pic alongside Jake Gyllenhaal and Rene Russo. Simons is best known for his role as Jonah Ryan in HBO’s comedy series “Veep.”
Maine is represented by WME and 42. Dyer is represented by WME, One Entertainment, and Jackoway Tyerman. Chris and Eleanor Columbus are represented by WME.
Netflix’s Dan Gilroy-Jake Gyllenhaal Film Sets Ensemble (EXCLUSIVE)
VARIETY – Netflix’s untitled Dan Gilroy pic starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Rene Russo has set a starry ensemble prior to production.
British actress Zawe Ashton, “Stranger Things” breakout Natalia Dyer, Tony Award nominee Tom Sturridge, Tony Award winner Daveed Diggs, Academy Award nominee Toni Collette, Academy Award nominee John Malkovich and Billy Magnussen have signed on to join Gyllenhaal and Russo in upcoming horror-thriller.
For Gilroy, Gyllenhaal, and Russo, this marks a reunion after teaming up on Gilroy’s directorial debut “Nightcrawler,” which earned Gilroy an Oscar nomination for best original screenplay.
The plot follows big-money artists and mega-collectors who pay a high price when art collides with commerce.
“Nightcrawler” producer Jennifer Fox is producing. Betsy Danbury is on board as an exec producer.
Production is currently underway in Los Angeles, and the movie will bow sometime in 2018.
For Ashton, the role is a huge get, having beat out several actresses for the part. Her most recent credits include the Showtime series “Guerrilla” and “Nocturnal Animals,” which also starred Gyllenhaal. She can be next in Neil Jordan’s “The Widow.” She is repped by APA, Link and Troika.
Sturridge is best known for his Tony-nominated role in “Orphans.” He can be seen next in “Journey’s End” and “Mary Shelley.” His other past credits include “Far From the Maddening Crowd.” He is repped by WME.
Dyer is best known as Nancy on Netflix’s hit series “Stranger Things” and is expected to return to the role for Season 3. She is repped by WME and One Entertainment. Famous for his role as Thomas Jefferson in the Broadway sensation “Hamilton,” Diggs was most recently seen in Lionsgate’s “Wonder,” as well as the ABC series “Black-ish.” He is also repped by WME and Brookside Artist Management.
Collette is coming off some of the best reviews of her career in the Sundance film “Hereditary.” A24 recently purchased rights to the movie and plans to open it on June 8. She is repped by CAA and United Management.
Malkovich had a busy 2017, shooting both Netflix’s “Birdbox” and STX’s “Mile 22” opposite Mark Wahlberg. Both films open in 2018. He is repped by WME.
Magnussen was most recently seen in New Line’s “Game Night.” His other past credits include “Ingrid Goes West” and “Into the Woods.” He is repped by WME.
