NBC is making moves on a few pilots that were delayed when COVID-19 forced productions to go dark. Five are moving forward, with some looking like sure things for straight-to-series-orders, while five others will be rolled for next year’s pilot slate.
NBC previously ordered 12 pilots before the coronavirus made things very difficult for the networks and it looks like they’ll be moving forward with them to begin filming later this year. The list includes the two high-profile titles on the pilot list, drama Langdon, Based on Dan Brown’s novel ‘The Lost Symbol’, and comedy Night School, based on the 2018 feature, as well as drama Ordinary Joe, whose pilot script was a favorite among NBC brass, and comedies Grand Crew (form. untitled Phil Augusta Jackson/Dan Goor comedy) and American Auto.
There are two sci-drama pilots that are looking good for series pickups as well. The first is Debris, from Legendary TV. This was the first pilot to get a green light at NBC in January and was possibly the 2020 broadcast drama pilot with the most footage shot before all Hollywood production shut down in mid-March. The producers were able to edit together the material, complementing the actual footage with additional visuals somewhat in the vein of how The Blacklist completed its unfinished Episode 19 this season, which aired as a season finale. NBC has seen what they completed and they were reportedly very high on it and that’s why it’s looking good for a spot on the schedule.
The other pilot is La Brea, which recently received a sizable additional script order. When COVID-19 forced productions to go dark, networks opted to order additional scripts of pilots they were interested in to gage where the shows could be going if they were picked up. NBC has now brought the total number of La Brea scripts to six with a new pickup. The six scripts will be in consideration for a straight-to-series order along with Debris.
NBC has three new series with straight-to-series orders for next season, drama Law & Order: Organized Crime, starring Christopher Meloni, and comedies Mr. Mayor, starring Ted Danson, and Young Rock, executive produced by Dwayne Johnson. Additionally, comedy series Kenan, starring Kenan Thompson had been rolled to next season as well. Also rolled for possible consideration next pilot season are dramas At That Age and Echo and comedies Crazy for You, Jefferies, and Someone Out There.
