Your Weekly TV News Roundup: Marc Cherry’s ‘Phantom of the Opera’ Series, Fox’s Archie Comics Adaptation

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The television world moves so fast that by the time you learn of a show’s premiere, it could already be canceled. It’s hard to keep track of the constant stream of television news, so Flavorwire is here to provide a weekly roundup of the most exciting — and baffling — casting and development updates. This week: Nick Frost stars in an ABC comedy, Ryan Murphy gets another horror anthology series, and networks continue to pick up book and film adaptations, from the great (Archie comics!) to the terrible (Marley & Me?!).

Fox is giving us an Archie comics series! The network ordered a script deal plus penalty for Riverdale, a drama series based on Archie comics characters (with appearances from characters like Josie and the Pussycats). Produced by Greg Berlanti and written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Riverdale will be set in the present and explore the weird suburban town of Riverdale. [Deadline]

Amy Poehler and Aisha Muharrar of Parks and Recreation are creating another sitcom for NBC: a single-camera workplace comedy about an agnostic woman who inherits a church. [A.V. Club]

FX has canceled The Bridge after two seasons. [FX]

ABC bought a show starring Nick Frost! The Shaun of the Dead actor will star in a single-camera comedy titled The Finger about “the world’s most famous jewel thief who wants to quit his life of crime, open up a humble sandwich shop and do right by his 9-year-old son.” The Finger was created by Modern Family‘s Ben Karlin. [Deadline]

MTV greenlit two unscripted shows this week: Broke A$$ Game Show (good title to grab #millennials, MTV), a game show that takes place on the streets of New York City, and Todrick, a docuseries following a YouTube star, because that’s where we’re at now. [TVLine]

Netflix announced a new original series. F for Family is an animated show produced by Vince Vaughn’s company and based on Bill Burr’s comedy. The series takes place in the 1970s and features the voice talents of Burr, Laura Dern, and Justin Long. F for Family will premiere in 2015. [Deadline]

TNT’s Cold Justice will get a spinoff about sex crimes. [ Variety ]

Marc Cherry of Desperate Housewives fame is set for a contemporary Phantom of the Opera drama (that isn’t a musical but will contain musical elements) at Fox. [THR]

Watch the teaser for Netflix’s other upcoming original series, Bloodline. Based on these few seconds, I believe Bloodline is about how water is evil but it doesn’t mean to be evil, so maybe the ocean is an antihero? All of the Emmys for Netflix!

ABC ordered a put pilot commitment for a series based on the 1984 movie Bachelor Party. The comedy is billed as an anthology series, “with each season focusing on a different wedding party.” [Deadline]

Surprisingly, Bachelor Party isn’t the most ridiculous movie adaptation happening. This week, NBC also ordered a put pilot for a sequel to Marley & Me, better known as that Christmas movie where the dog dies. The series will pick up as the family is trying to get over the death of their dog but somehow end up forced to adopt a new dog. They name that dog Marley, too. And the dog even acts like Marley, whatever that means. Why is this happening? [The Wrap]

And one more for the road: Fox is developing a TV version of Will Smith’s Hitch. [Deadline]

Syfy’s surprisingly entertaining Z Nation has been renewed for a second season! [Deadline]

The CW gave Jane the Virgin and The Flash — two of the season’s best new shows — full-season orders, bringing Jane the Virgin to 22 episodes and The Flash to 23. [ Variety ]

Ryan Murphy will continue his reign of terror with Scream Queens. Fox ordered a 15-episode season of the comedy-horror anthology series, which will premiere in 2015. In a statement, Murphy said “the idea is for every season to revolve around two female leads,” so at least we can all get on board with that. [E!]

Fox ordered a Frankenstein series. The science-fiction drama is inspired by the Mary Shelley book and centers on a “morally corrupt FBI agent who is given a second chance at life when he is brought back from the dead.” [Deadline]

Courtney Love will have a recurring guest role on Fox’s Empire. [THR]

Dan Fogelman (The Neighbors) is developing a medical comedy about dysfunctional doctors titled Family Practice for ABC. [THR]