Tag Archives: Eric Schrier

FX Renews Plaza’s Marvel Series “Legion” for Second Season

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It’s Marvel-ous news for Aubrey Plaza…

Two weeks before the end of the first season of Marvel’s Legion, starring the 32-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress, FX has renewed the Noah Hawley-created series for a second season.

Aubrey Plaza

There’s no word yet on when in 2018 Legion will debut or how many episodes FX has ordered of the series that stars Plaza, Dan Stevens and Katie Aselton.

The eight-episode first season ends on March 29.

“The first season of Legion was a stunning achievement,” said FX’s Eric Schrier when he and fellow president of Original Programming Nick Grad announced the pick-up of the well-watched show. “More than a new series, Legion is a wholly original take on the super hero genre,” Schrier added. “Our thanks to Noah Hawley for taking the creative risks and shattering expectations. It’s a privilege to work again with Noah, his producing partners, the outstanding cast and our partners at Marvel Television on another season of Legion.”

Legion centers on David Haller (Stevens), who was diagnosed with schizophrenia at a young age, and has been a patient in various psychiatric hospitals since. After an encounter with a fellow patient, he is confronted with the possibility that there may be more to him than mental illness. Plaza portrays Lenny Busker, Haller’s friend, who is optimistic despite a history of drug and alcoholic abuse.

“We are thrilled there will be a new season of Legion,” said Legion EP and Marvel Television boss Jeph Loeb. “Noah’s spectacular take on David Haller and all the other characters he brought to life makes us ache for more. We’re particularly proud of our partners at FX and the success we share on our first TV series together.”

Legion is produced by FX Productions and Marvel Television.

FX Renews del Toro’s “The Strain,” Starring Mia Maestro, for Third Season

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Guillermo del Toro will be strained for another year…

FX has picked up the 50-year-old Mexican filmmaker and producer’s horror drama The Strain for a third season.

The Strain

The announcement comes only four weeks into the show’s sophomore season.

A breakout hit when it launched last summer, The Strain has been down in the ratings in Season 2 but continues to be strong in the adults 18-49 demo and delivers solid DVR gains each week. The second episode posted 2.6 million viewers in Live+3 and 1.5 million adults 18-49.

The thriller, from del Toro and Carlton Cuse, is based on the best-selling The Strain Trilogy by del Toro and Chuck Hogan.

“Guillermo and Carlton have delivered two thrilling seasons of The Strain that are captivating and visually arresting, doing justice to the original novel trilogy and meeting fans’ high expectations in the process,” said FX’s Eric Schrier.

In the current second season, New York City is rapidly falling to an evil epidemic, and no one is coming to its rescue. Dr. Ephraim Goodweather (Corey Stoll) and his unlikely allies tried to take down the embodiment of this evil — the Master — and failed. Now Eph and Dr. Nora Martinez (Mia Maestro) are concentrating on creating a biological weapon to wipe out the creatures, while Abraham Setrakian (David Bradley) searches for an ancient book he hopes will reveal the strigoi’s entire history…and possibly a way to kill them.

The third season of The Strain will air next summer.

 

FX Gives 10-Episode Order for Comedy “Baskets,” Created by Louis C.K. and Zach Galifianakis

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Louis C.K. will have double the work at FX…

The network has given a 10-episode order to Baskets, a comedy pilot co-created by the 46-year-old Mexican American actor, comedian, writer, director and producer, Zach Galifianakis, Jonathan Krisel.

Louis C.K.

In a world constrained by corporate interests and the homogenization of society, one man in Bakersfield, California (Galifianakis) dares to follow his dream of becoming a professional clown. But after an unsuccessful enrollment at a prestigious clowning school in Paris, the only job he can find is with the local rodeo. Baskets follows Chip Baskets’ pursuit of his dream, against all odds, to be a respected clown.

“Zach Galifianakis, Louis C.K. and Jonathan Krisel have created an absolutely brilliant show,” said FX’s Eric Schrier. “To say Zach’s portrayal of the lead character Chip Baskets is hilarious/unique/riveting/fascinating would be an understatement. We can’t wait for the world to meet him.”

Galifianakis penned the pilot episode along with Louis C.K., who picked up a second writing Emmy on Monday for writing his own FX series Louie, and Krisel, who directed the pilot and serves as showrunner.

Production will begin next year for a 2016 launch.

FX Orders 13-Episode Season of del Toro’s Vampire Series “The Strain”

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Guillermo del Toro’s latest television project will most certainly be getting airtime…

The 49-year-old Mexican filmmaker’s The Strain, which is based on del Toro and Chuck Hogan’s vampire novel trilogy, has received a series pick up at FX with a 13-episode order.

guillermo-del-toro

The Strain is a high-concept thriller that tells the story of Dr. Ephraim Goodweather (Corey Stoll), the head of the Centers for Disease Control Canary Team in New York City. He and his team are called on to investigate a mysterious viral outbreak with hallmarks of an ancient and evil strain of vampirism. As the strain spreads, Eph, his team, and an assembly of everyday New Yorkers wage war for the fate of humanity.

The cast includes Mia Maestro, Sean Astin, Kevin Durand, Natalie Brown, Jonathan Hyde, Richard Sammel, Robert Maillet, Jack Kesy, Ben Hyland and Miguel Gomez.

“This is an epic story with stunning visuals and remarkable acting,” said FX’s Eric Schrier and Nick Grad. “The Strain totally re-imagines and re-invents the genre.”

FX had landed the project in a bidding war months ago, hiring a full writing staff and committing $500,000 to creature creation.

The Strain will now head into production on its first season, with the majority of the show’s scripts already completed.

There’s also a major casting change… The role of Professor Abraham Setrakian, played in the pilot by John Hurt, is being recast.

Filming is slated to begin this month in Toronto for a July premiere.

FX’s plans to run for 39-65 episodes for the series.