Exclusive: Writer-producer Judalina Neira has signed an overall deal with Sony Pictures Television focused on developing drama series for cable and streaming through her newly launched production company, Famous Last Words Productions. For her first project under the pact, Neira is taking on a signature Sony title, Bewitched.
Written by Neira, the new Bewitched is described as an irreverent hourlong reimagination of the classic TV series. She is executive producing alongside The Goldbergs executive producer Doug Robinson and Lauren Moffat of Sony TV-based Doug Robinson Productions.
According to sources, Neira and Sony TV had started conversations about the Bewitched reboot that evolved into an overall deal agreement, the first such pact for the rising writer-producer.
Neira most recently served as executive producer on the upcoming fourth season of Sony TV’s superhero hit The Boys for Prime Video and on another Prime Video series,...
Written by Neira, the new Bewitched is described as an irreverent hourlong reimagination of the classic TV series. She is executive producing alongside The Goldbergs executive producer Doug Robinson and Lauren Moffat of Sony TV-based Doug Robinson Productions.
According to sources, Neira and Sony TV had started conversations about the Bewitched reboot that evolved into an overall deal agreement, the first such pact for the rising writer-producer.
Neira most recently served as executive producer on the upcoming fourth season of Sony TV’s superhero hit The Boys for Prime Video and on another Prime Video series,...
- 2/14/2024
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Bewitched fans watched Samantha Stephens figure out how to live her life as a witch while married to a mortal named Darrin Stephens for eight seasons. They fell in love with the pretty blonde whose nose twitched furiously, but they almost didn’t watch a witch named Samantha. The network initially wanted to name the main character Cassandra. Elizabeth Montgomery forced the network to change the character’s name.
Endora and Samantha Stephens | ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images Related
‘Bewitched’: There Was a Real-Life Affair on the Set of the Show
Elizabeth Montgomery was responsible for naming her ‘Bewitched’ Character Samantha
Elizabeth Montgomery was not the first choice for the starring role in Bewitched, nor was Samantha Stephens the intended name of the lead character. According to the New York Times, when Sol Saks penned the pilot script for Bewitched, the witch marrying a mortal was named Cassandra.
Endora and Samantha Stephens | ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images Related
‘Bewitched’: There Was a Real-Life Affair on the Set of the Show
Elizabeth Montgomery was responsible for naming her ‘Bewitched’ Character Samantha
Elizabeth Montgomery was not the first choice for the starring role in Bewitched, nor was Samantha Stephens the intended name of the lead character. According to the New York Times, when Sol Saks penned the pilot script for Bewitched, the witch marrying a mortal was named Cassandra.
- 5/21/2023
- by Andrea Francese
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Of all fantasy sitcoms over the years, have any been more fantastic than Bewitched? Created by Sol Saks, the show starred Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha Stephens, a witch hiding in suburbia, while Dick York (initially) played her mortal husband, Darrin Stephens, and Agnes Moorehead played her magical mother, Endora. And the alchemy of talent in front of and behind the camera made the series a magical success for ABC: Bewitched ended its first season as the top show on the network and the No. 2 show on television. Bewitched ended after eight seasons on March 25, 1972, and to mark the 50th anniversary of that series finale, we’re rounding up fascinating facts about the show — from casting secrets to modern-day homages. Moorehead got the part of Endora after a chance encounter with Montgomery. Montgomery ran into the Oscar-nominated actress at a Bloomingdale’s department store and asked her if she had ever considered doing television.
- 3/23/2022
- TV Insider
Sony Pictures is in early development on a new adaptation of the classic sitcom “Bewitched,” starring Elizabeth Montgomery.
Montgomery starred for eight seasons as Samantha Stephens, a witch married to an ordinary man named Darrin (Dick York and later Dick Sargent) and whose magical powers often cause — yet, sometimes solve — a few wrinkles in her life as a typical suburban housewife.
Created by Sol Saks, under executive producer Harry Ackerman, “Bewitched” ran from 1964 to 1972 on ABC and was a defining example of the genre. Its spinoff, “Tabitha” (focused on Samantha and Darren’s daughter), ran for one season.
The new film comes from producers John Davis and John Fox with a script written by Terry Matalas and Travis Fickett. Matalas has an overall deal at CBS and is currently co-running “Star Trek: Picard.” The quartet is also developing the “Witch Mountain” remake for Disney Plus.
Notably, this is not Sony...
Montgomery starred for eight seasons as Samantha Stephens, a witch married to an ordinary man named Darrin (Dick York and later Dick Sargent) and whose magical powers often cause — yet, sometimes solve — a few wrinkles in her life as a typical suburban housewife.
Created by Sol Saks, under executive producer Harry Ackerman, “Bewitched” ran from 1964 to 1972 on ABC and was a defining example of the genre. Its spinoff, “Tabitha” (focused on Samantha and Darren’s daughter), ran for one season.
The new film comes from producers John Davis and John Fox with a script written by Terry Matalas and Travis Fickett. Matalas has an overall deal at CBS and is currently co-running “Star Trek: Picard.” The quartet is also developing the “Witch Mountain” remake for Disney Plus.
Notably, this is not Sony...
- 3/24/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
There will be no Bewitched pilot at ABC this pilot season but the high-profile reboot centered on an interracial blended family is not dead at the network.
New ABC Entertainment president Karey Burke and her team opted to roll the project to off-cycle development to do more work on the script with the same creative team, which includes Black-ish creator Kenya Barris, in his last sale to ABC before moving to Netflix for a rich overall deal, Black-ish writer/producer Yamara Taylor, ABC Studios; Sony Pictures TV, which has the rights to the title; and Sony-based Davis Entertainment (The Blacklist).
Bewitched was bought by Burke’s predecessor at ABC, Channing Dungey, with a big pilot production commitment which I hear involved a $2 million penalty. It explored casting before ultimately being rolled.
Robyn Von Swank Megan Miller
In Bewitched, written by Barris and Taylor, Samantha, a hardworking black single mom...
New ABC Entertainment president Karey Burke and her team opted to roll the project to off-cycle development to do more work on the script with the same creative team, which includes Black-ish creator Kenya Barris, in his last sale to ABC before moving to Netflix for a rich overall deal, Black-ish writer/producer Yamara Taylor, ABC Studios; Sony Pictures TV, which has the rights to the title; and Sony-based Davis Entertainment (The Blacklist).
Bewitched was bought by Burke’s predecessor at ABC, Channing Dungey, with a big pilot production commitment which I hear involved a $2 million penalty. It explored casting before ultimately being rolled.
Robyn Von Swank Megan Miller
In Bewitched, written by Barris and Taylor, Samantha, a hardworking black single mom...
- 2/5/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
ABC has given a pilot production commitment to a reboot of classic sitcom “Bewitched” from Kenya Barris.
The project hails from ABC Studios and Sony Pictures Television. It was in the works prior to Barris’ departure this summer from ABC Studios, where he had been under an overall deal. Earlier this month, Barris signed a three-year agreement with an option for two more additional years at Netflix worth $100 million.
Barris will write and executive produce the project with Yamara Taylor, currently a co-producer on Barris’ ABC comedy series “Black-ish.” John Davis and John Fox of Davis Entertainment will serve as non-writing exec producers.
A half-hour single camera comedy, the new “Bewitched” will be reimagined as a story featuring a bi-racial couple. The original “Bewitched” aired on ABC from 1964 to 1972. It starred Elizabeth Montgomery, a witch with magical powers who marries an ordinary mortal man, Darren, played first by Dick York and later by Dick Sargent.
The project hails from ABC Studios and Sony Pictures Television. It was in the works prior to Barris’ departure this summer from ABC Studios, where he had been under an overall deal. Earlier this month, Barris signed a three-year agreement with an option for two more additional years at Netflix worth $100 million.
Barris will write and executive produce the project with Yamara Taylor, currently a co-producer on Barris’ ABC comedy series “Black-ish.” John Davis and John Fox of Davis Entertainment will serve as non-writing exec producers.
A half-hour single camera comedy, the new “Bewitched” will be reimagined as a story featuring a bi-racial couple. The original “Bewitched” aired on ABC from 1964 to 1972. It starred Elizabeth Montgomery, a witch with magical powers who marries an ordinary mortal man, Darren, played first by Dick York and later by Dick Sargent.
- 8/23/2018
- by Daniel Holloway
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Just before he recently departed ABC Studios to embark on a rich overall deal at Netflix, black-ish creator Kenya Barris sold one last high-profile project to ABC, Bewitched, a single camera, interracial blended family comedy based on the popular 1960’s sitcom of the same name. It took a little while for all the deals to close but the network has given a pilot production commitment to the new take on the classic supernatural sitcom, from Barris and black-ish writer/co-producer Yamara Taylor. The project hails from ABC Studios, Sony Pictures TV, which has the rights to the title, and Sony-based Davis Entertainment (The Blacklist).
In Bewitched, written by Barris and Taylor, Samantha, a Black hardworking, single mom, who happens to be a witch, marries Darren, a White mortal who happens to be a bit of a slacker. They struggle to navigate their differences as she discovers that even...
In Bewitched, written by Barris and Taylor, Samantha, a Black hardworking, single mom, who happens to be a witch, marries Darren, a White mortal who happens to be a bit of a slacker. They struggle to navigate their differences as she discovers that even...
- 8/23/2018
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
By Carson Blackwelder
Television Contributor
***
With the third season of Masterpiece Theatre’s Downton Abbey premiering Jan. 6 in the United States, fans of the drama may have to prepare their goodbyes for at least one beloved character.
Dan Stevens, who portrays Matthew Crawley, won over viewers in seasons one and two, but it’s rumored the actor is hesitant to return for a fourth season. Given his integral part on the series, as the love interest of Lady Mary Crawley (Michelle Dockery) and the heir-presumptive to the title and estate, his absence would be sorely missed.
What’s even worse than the rumor of Stevens’ departure is the possibility of recasting Matthew. Although creator Julian Fellowes says, “I can’t see us doing that,” a Downton Abbey insider reveals the “option is not off the table.”
Stevens has been a force on the hit series since it premiered in 2010, and should he not return,...
Television Contributor
***
With the third season of Masterpiece Theatre’s Downton Abbey premiering Jan. 6 in the United States, fans of the drama may have to prepare their goodbyes for at least one beloved character.
Dan Stevens, who portrays Matthew Crawley, won over viewers in seasons one and two, but it’s rumored the actor is hesitant to return for a fourth season. Given his integral part on the series, as the love interest of Lady Mary Crawley (Michelle Dockery) and the heir-presumptive to the title and estate, his absence would be sorely missed.
What’s even worse than the rumor of Stevens’ departure is the possibility of recasting Matthew. Although creator Julian Fellowes says, “I can’t see us doing that,” a Downton Abbey insider reveals the “option is not off the table.”
Stevens has been a force on the hit series since it premiered in 2010, and should he not return,...
- 12/13/2012
- by Carson Blackwelder
- Scott Feinberg
Filed under: TV News
Sol Saks, the creator of 'Bewitched,' has died. He was 100.
The TV writer and playwright got his start in radio with gigs on 'Duffy's Tavern,' 'The Baby Snooks Show' and 'The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.'
On the TV side he wrote for 'My Favorite Husband' and 'Summer Playhouse.'
The writer is said to have drawn inspiration for 'Bewitched' from the movies 'I Married a Witch' and 'Bell, Book and Candle.' Saks' 'Bewitched' ran on ABC from 1964-1972. The series is still enjoying a long life in syndication.
Besides 'Bewitched,' Saks published a book, 'The Craft of Comedy Writing' in 1985 and plays such as 'A Dream of Butterflies.' Saks also wrote Cary Grant's last film, 'Walk, Don't Run.'
According to Variety, Saks died of respiratory failure, a result of a pneumonia.
Sol Saks, the creator of 'Bewitched,' has died. He was 100.
The TV writer and playwright got his start in radio with gigs on 'Duffy's Tavern,' 'The Baby Snooks Show' and 'The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.'
On the TV side he wrote for 'My Favorite Husband' and 'Summer Playhouse.'
The writer is said to have drawn inspiration for 'Bewitched' from the movies 'I Married a Witch' and 'Bell, Book and Candle.' Saks' 'Bewitched' ran on ABC from 1964-1972. The series is still enjoying a long life in syndication.
Besides 'Bewitched,' Saks published a book, 'The Craft of Comedy Writing' in 1985 and plays such as 'A Dream of Butterflies.' Saks also wrote Cary Grant's last film, 'Walk, Don't Run.'
According to Variety, Saks died of respiratory failure, a result of a pneumonia.
- 4/22/2011
- by Chris Harnick
- Aol TV.
What is Page 2? Page 2 is a compilation of stories and news tidbits, which for whatever reason, didn’t make the front page of /Film. After the jump we’ve included 46 different items, fun images, videos, casting tidbits, articles of interest and more. It’s like a mystery grab bag of movie web related goodness. If you have any interesting items that we might've missed that you think should go in /Film's Page 2 - email us [1]! The t-shirt of the day on Teefury [2] is a movie car mash-up design called "Ultimate 80's Ride". One of the reasons Harry Potter actress Emma Watson has decided to leave Brown University involves the constant teasing [3] from students. When she would get answer correctly in class, classmates would call out, "Three points for Gryffindor" FirstShowing [4] interviews Morgan Spurlock about his new movie The Greatest Movie Ever Sold. Mini-Geek Deal: Amazon has Archer: Season 1 [5] for only...
- 4/21/2011
- by Peter Sciretta
- Slash Film
Screenwriter Sol Saks, who created iconic TV show Bewitched, has died at the age of 100.
The TV producer passed away in Los Angeles on Saturday.
Saks came up with the idea of a nose-twitching witch who marries a mortal for the pilot episode of Bewitched, entitled I, Darrin, Take This Witch, Samantha.
Elizabeth Montgomery played the lead role of Samantha until the show ended in 1972, and it was later revamped into a movie starring Nicole Kidman in 2005.
Saks also wrote a series of radio comedies and TV shows including I Married Joan and My Favorite Husband.
Additionally, he wrote the screenplay for the 1966 comedy Walk Don't Run, starring Cary Grant.
The TV producer passed away in Los Angeles on Saturday.
Saks came up with the idea of a nose-twitching witch who marries a mortal for the pilot episode of Bewitched, entitled I, Darrin, Take This Witch, Samantha.
Elizabeth Montgomery played the lead role of Samantha until the show ended in 1972, and it was later revamped into a movie starring Nicole Kidman in 2005.
Saks also wrote a series of radio comedies and TV shows including I Married Joan and My Favorite Husband.
Additionally, he wrote the screenplay for the 1966 comedy Walk Don't Run, starring Cary Grant.
- 4/20/2011
- WENN
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