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: Luther gets a BBC miniseries and an American adaptation, Hot in Cleveland finally gets canceled, and SNL announces its December lineup.
A ton of development news this week! Hulu gave a straight-to-series order for Difficult People, an original series starring Julie Klausner and Billy Eichner. Executive produced by Amy Poehler, Difficult People revolves around best friends in New York City. [Hulu]
FX ordered a drama series titled Taboo from Ridley Scott. Taboo stars Tom Hardy as James Keziah Delaney, “a rogue adventurer who returns from Africa with 14 ill-gotten diamonds to seek vengeance after the death of his father.” [FX]
And finally, after a few months of teasing, HBO ordered Westworld to series. It stars Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris, Evan Rachel Wood, James Marsden, Thandie Newton, and more. [HBO]
Idris Elba will serve as executive producer for Fox’s Luther remake. The creator of the original series, Neil Cross, will write the remake. [Deadline]
In other Luther news, the original BBC version will return for a two-part miniseries in 2015 — and that one, thankfully, will still feature Idris Elba on screen. [Variety]
Saturday Night Live has announced some upcoming hosts/musical guests. On December 6, James Franco will return with Nicki Minaj. On December 13, Martin Freeman will host with musical guest Charli XCX, and on December 20, Amy Adams will host for a second time and One Direction will appear as musical guests for a third. [Deadline]
Cecily Strong will become the fourth woman to host the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. [E!]
The Nightly Show With Larry Wilmore (formerly known as The Minority Report, which is a much better title but one I presume had some legal issues tied to it) will premiere on Comedy Central on January 19 at 11:30, taking over for The Colbert Report. [Comedy Central]
So You Think You Can Dance has been renewed for a 12th season on Fox. The new season will “pit stage dancers against street dancers.”[TVLine]
TV Land has canceled Hot In Cleveland after six seasons. [EW]
ABC set midseason premiere dates for Secrets and Lies (March 1 at 9) and American Crime (March 5 at 10). How to Get Away With Murder will air a two-hour Season 1 finale on February 26. [TVLine]
I’m sure Alan Moore is excited about this: FX is developing a drama based on Moore’s From Hell comic, about Jack the Ripper. Children of Men screenwriter David Arata is writing. [A.V. Club]
Alison Tolman, my favorite new actress from the 2013-2014 TV season, will guest star on Comedy Central’s Review, my favorite new show from last season. [EW]
Lifetime greenlit The Michelle Knight Story, with Raymond Cruz set to play Ariel Castro. [Deadline]
Damon Lindelof talked to Vox about a handful of Season 1 episodes of Lost, and the interview is amazing. [Vox]