'FBI' spin off, 'All Rise', 'Carol's Second Act' and more get series order at CBS
Broadcasting network CBS has confirmed a bulk of its shows for the 2019-20 slate, with orders for seven new series. The new shows ordered by the network include four comedies and three dramas. The dramas are 'Evil' (from 'The Good Fight' creators Robert and Michelle King), Dick Wolf's 'FBI' spinoff 'FBI: Most Wanted' and 'All Rise' (formerly 'Courthouse'); and the comedies 'Bob Hearts Abishola' (from 'Big Bang Theory' boss Chuck Lorre), 'Broke' (starring network favorite Pauley Perrette), the Patricia Heaton front-runner 'Carol's Second Act' and the single-camera entry 'The Unicorn'.
CBS' orders currently have dropped from last season's total of nine, with two shows lesser on the drama side, and comedy remaining the same year after year. Since 'Big Bang Theory' has left a gaping hole in the network's schedule, the network has invested in three multi-camera sitcoms this time around, except 'The Unicorn'. The network has placed its bet on big producers with the drama series with Robert and Michelle King's 'Evil' and Wolf's 'FBI' spinoff joining the surprise pickup 'All Rise' starring Simone Missick and Wilson Bethel.
Comedies 'Life in Pieces', 'Man With a Plan', 'Murphy Brown', 'Happy Together' and 'Fam' will remain on the bubble. Here's a look at the seven new CBS series:
1. Bob Hearts Abishola
The comedy series, written by Chuck Lorre, Eddie Gorodetsky, Al Higgins, and Gina Yashere stars Billy Gardell and Folake Olowofoyeku. The plot is based on a heart-attack survivor who falls in love with his Nigerian nurse and sets his sights on getting her to give him a chance. It also stars Christine Ebersole, Matt Jones, Maribeth Monroe, Shola Adewusi, Barry Shabaka Henley, and Travis Wolfe, Jr.
2. Carol's Second Act
Written by Emily Halpern and Sarah Haskins, and directed by Pam Fryman, the series follows Carol Chambers' "unique second act"; after raising two children and her retirement, she's going to become a doctor. The comedy show stars Patricia Heaton, Kyle MacLachlan, Sabrina Jalees, Jean-Luc Bilodeau, Ito Aghayere, and Bonnie Dennison.
3. Broke
Another comedy from CBS, the show revolves around an outrageously wealthy trust fund baby after he is cut off by his father, forcing him to reconnect with his estranged sister. 'Broke' is written by Alex Herschlag and cast members are Jaime Camil, Pauley Perrette, Natasha Leggero, Izzy Diaz, and Antonio Corbo.
4. The Unicorn
The comedy show centered around a widower who is struggling to move on in life and raise his daughters is written by Bill Marti and Mike Schiff. The cast includes Walton Goggins, Rob Corddry, Michaela Watkins, Omar Benson Miller, Maya Lynne Robinson, Ruby Jay, and Makenzie Moss.
5. Evil
Written by Robert King & Michelle King, the drama series is also directed by Robert King and revolves around a skeptical female clinical psychologist who joins a priest-in-training and a blue-collar contractor as they investigate miracles, demonic possessions, and other such occurrences to see if there’s a scientific explanation behind it. The show features actors Katja Herbers, Mike Colter, Aasif Mandvi, Michael Emerson, Brooklyn Shuck, Skylar Gray, Maddy Crocco, and Dalya Knapp.
6. FBI: Most Wanted
The drama series is centered on the Fugitive Task Force of the FBI that tracks and captures the notorious criminals on the FBI’s Most Wanted list and stars Julian McMahon, Alana de la Garza, Keisha Castle-Hughes, Kellan Lutz, Roxy Sternberg, and Nathaniel Arcand. The 'FBI' spin-off is written by Dick Wolf, Rene Balcer and directed by Fred Berner.
7. All Rise
Written by Greg Spottiswood and directed by Mike Robin, the drama follows the lives of judges, prosecutors, and public defenders as they work with bailiffs, clerks, and cops to get justice for the people of Los Angeles. The cast members are Simone Missick, Wilson Bethel, Jessica Camacho, Marg Helgenberger, J. Alex Brinson, Lindsay Mendez, and Ruthie Ann Miles.
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