CBS has given its first series orders for the 2020-21 season to Silence of the Lambs sequel Clarice, a reboot of ’80s series The Equalizer, and Chuck Lorre multi-cam comedy B Positive.
All three projects were considered favorites to get ordered considering the former two are based on IP and the latter comes from prolific producer Lorre. B Positive in particular helped its cause by getting its entire pilot filmed before the wave of production shutdowns hit the TV industry, obliterating pilot season.
News of these pickups comes two days after CBS renewed 15 scripted series while cancelling Tommy, Broke, Man with a Plan, and Carol’s Second Act.
Based on the acclaimed 1991 film that starred Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster, with Alex Kurtzman (Sleepy Hollow) and Jenny Lumet (Rachel Getting Married) developing for television, Clarice is set a year following the events of Lambs, with FBI Agent Clarice Starling (Rebecca Breeds) returning to the field to pursue serial murderers and sexual predators while navigating the high stakes political world of Washington, D.C.
In addition to Breeds, the series stars Lucca De Oliveira (The Punisher) and Devyn A. Tyler (The Purge).
Based on the 1985-89 CBS series starring Edward Woodward, with Andrew Marlowe and Terri Miller (Castle) developing, The Equalizer follows Robyn McCall (Queen Latifah), an enigmatic divorcee who uses her extensive skills to help those with nowhere else to turn.
In addition to Latifah, the series stars Lorraine Toussaint (Orange is the New Black), Liza Lapira (Don’t Trust the B—- in Apt. 23), and Tory Kittles (True Detective).
From Marco Pennette (Ugly Betty), with Chuck Lorre executive producing, B Positive centers on newly divorced dad Drew (Thomas Middleditch) as he’s faced with the race against time to find a kidney donor. Feeling increasingly hopeless, he runs into rough-around-the-edges Gina (Annaleigh Ashford), a woman from his past who volunteers their own. If ordered, the series would follow Drew and Gina as they form an unlikely bond that will change their lives.
In addition to Middleditch and Ashford, the series stars Kether Donohue (You’re the Worst) and Sara Rue (Malibu Country).
