On Thursday, FOX announced contract extensions for the casts and producers of all six of its active pilots, as well as the intention of filming a pilot for every project.
“Entering FOX Entertainment’s first development season as a new company, our methodology was to carefully curate our content more like a start-up; looking for new opportunities, new stories and new voices in ways perhaps others might not be able,” said FOX Entertainment president Michael Thorn. “As such, narrowing down these projects to only those that met our standards from the beginning, we still believe this crop of pilots — all from some of the finest writers, producers and talent in the business — really represents what Fox is trying to accomplish both in pilot season but, more importantly, for our year-round ambitions.”
The news comes after both NBC and ABC pruned their pilot slates, opting to focus on a handful of projects while rolling most everything else until the 2021-22 development period. For its part, CBS has yet to publicly reveal how it’s planning on handling its own pilot slate, which has already been cut down after the network passed on Fun and The Lincoln Lawyer this spring while ordering B Positive, The Equalizer, and Clarice to series.
Each pilot on FOX’s slate will be eligible for the upcoming 2020-21 season, though what the season looks like and when it’ll even begin are questions we still don’t know the answers to. FOX released a fall schedule that leaned more pessimistic than most over when scripted content could resume production, with the network opting for unscripted, cheap acquisitions, animated shows, and scripted leftovers to fill out its programming hours. The trajectory of COVID-19 and, subsequently, when scripted television production can resume should determine how many, if any, of their pilots FOX would be able to order.
Thus far, the network has given a series order to animated comedies Housebroken and The Great North, as well as multi-cam Call Me Kat.
You can check out descriptions for every FOX pilot and the casting that’s been announced for each project below.
From Liz Heldens (The Passage), The Big Leap revolves around a group of aspiring, underdog dancers from all walks of life who compete to be part of a competition reality series that is putting on a modern remake of Swan Lake. If ordered, the series would follow the dancers as they chase their dreams and attempt to find their way into the spotlight.
The series stars Scott Foley (Scandal), Simone Recasner (Sink Sank Sunk), Jon Rudnitsky (Saturday Night Live), Teri Polo (The Fosters), Matt Lucas (Little Britain), Ser’Darius Blain (Charmed), and Ray Cham (Five Points).
Based on James Renner’s article “Beyond the Jungle of Bad: The True Story of Two Women from California Who Are Solving All the Mysteries,” with Chris Levinson (Touch) developing for television, Blood Relative follows genetic genealogist Louise Kelly (Melissa Leo), one of the leaders in utilizing a groundbreaking new tool for crime scene forensics. However, for as brilliant a mind as she might have, all that might be for naught since nobody can stand her.
In addition to Leo, the series stars Tate Donovan (Damages) and Tyrone Marshall Brown (FBI).
Based on Argentinian series La chica que limpia, with Miranda Kwok (The 100) adapting for American television, The Cleaning Lady centers on whip-smart doctor Reyna Salonga (Elodie Yung) as she comes to the United States looking for medical treatment for her critically ill son. When she is confronted with the realization that the American health care system has failed her, Reyna gets a job working as a cleaning lady for the mob, thinking that this will allow her to pay for her son’s treatment. Soon enough, though, she finds a sense of purpose she didn’t know she was missing.
In addition to Yung, the series stars Adan Canto (Designated Survivor), Ginger Gonzaga (Kidding), and Vincent Piazza (Boardwalk Empire).
From Liz Astrof (The King of Queens), Pivoting follows a group of female friends who are left reeling after the death of their childhood best friend. In desperate attempts to find happiness, they make a series of impulsive, ill-advised, and self-indulgent decisions that strengthen their bond.
The series stars Ginnifer Goodwin (Once Upon a Time), Eliza Coupe (Happy Endings), and Tommy Dewey (Casual).
Based on the acclaimed British series of the same name, with Jenny Bicks (Divorce) adapting for American television, This Country follows small town cousins Kelly (Chelsea Holmes) and Shrub Mallet (Sam Straley) as they’re trailed by a documentary crew assigned to study the concerns of young adults. If ordered, the series would follow the eccentric twosome while they pursue their dreams, confront challenges, and lean on each other when times get tough.
In addition to Holmes and Straley, This Country stars Seann William Scott (Lethal Weapon), Taylor Ortega (Kim Possible), and newcomer Krystal Smith.
From Sarah Watson (The Bold Type), the untitled Goonies re-enactment drama centers on Stella Cooper, a woman who attempted to make it in New York but new finds herself back in her hometown substitute teaching. Her creative side doesn’t lie dormant for long, though, as she connects with three students who are looking to film a shot-for-shot remake of The Goonies. If ordered, the series would follow the students pursuing their dreams and Stella finding the inspiration and purpose she’s so long lacked.
The series stars Ramon Rodriguez (Gang Related).
