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Netflix has renewed Survival of the Thickest for a second season. The series centers on Mavis Beaumont, played by Michelle Buteau. Black, plus-size and newly single (not by her choice!), Mavis unexpectedly finds herself having to rebuild her life as a struggling stylist. She’s determined to not only survive but thrive with the support of her chosen family, a body positive attitude, and a cute v-neck with some lip gloss. The scripted comedy is based on Buteau’s acclaimed book of essays. Buteau will also film a second comedy special with Netflix, following her previous special, Michelle Buteau: Welcome to Buteaupia.
All six episodes of animated series Iwájú premiere February 28 on Disney+. Set in a futuristic Lagos, Nigeria, the exciting coming-of-age story follows Tola, a young girl from the wealthy island, and her best friend, Kole, a self-taught tech expert, as they discover the secrets and dangers hidden in their different worlds. The soundtrack will be available digitally March 1. Additionally, a game inspired by the series “Disney Iwájú: Rising Chef” will be available for iOS and Android on February 28.
Stephen Amell will star in NBC’s Suits L.A. pilot. He will play Ted Black, a charismatic force of nature who puts his own needs above others. Ted is a former New York prosecutor who joined forces 15 years ago with his old buddy, Stuart Lane, to build an L.A. law firm that specializes in criminal and entertainment law. His firm is at a crisis point, and in order to survive he must embrace a role he held in contempt his entire career. Ted is surrounded by a stellar group of characters who test their loyalties to both Ted and each other while they can’t help but mix their personal and professional lives. All of this is going on while events from years ago slowly unravel that led Ted to leave behind everything and everyone he loved.
Katy Perry will be leaving American Idol following the upcoming season. Perry has been a judge since the series was revived on ABC alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan and original host Ryan Seacrest. The new season premieres February 18 on ABC.
Apple TV+ has renewed Invasion for a third season. The series follows an alien invasion through different perspectives around the world. The action-packed series stars Golshifteh Farahani, Shioli Kutsuna, Shamier Anderson, India Brown, Billy Barratt, Azhy Robertson, Paddy Holland and Tara Moayedi. Season two also starred newly added series regulars Enver Gjokaj, Nedra Marie Taylor and Naian González Norvind.
TruTV has canceled Tacoma FD after four seasons. The series was set in a firehouse in one of America’s rainiest cities. The firefighters keep themselves entertained with creative competitions, friendly first responder rivalries and bizarre emergency calls.
HGTV has renewed Detroit based home renovation series Bargain Block. The network has also ordered spinoff series Bargain Block New Orleans. Both series will star renovation experts and partners Keith Bynum and Evan Thomas as they restore neighborhoods in two iconic American cities one house at a time. The series are slated to premiere in Fall 2024.
TNT Sports has unveiled its most comprehensive NBA All-Star content lineup ever across TNT, TBS, truTV, Max & Bleacher Report. The NBA All-Star Game, airing February 18, will be simulcast on TNT, TBS and B/R Sports on Max. truTV & B/R Sports on Max will host NBA All-Star Game ALTCAST presented by Jordan Brand with Draymond Green, Charles Barkley, Taylor Rooks and special guests. Fans will also have multiple ways to watch all the State Farm All-Star Saturday Night festivities on February 17, starting at 8 p.m. On TNT, TBS and B/R Sports on Max, Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, and Kenny Smith – in an expanded role throughout the night – will provide commentary during the Kia All-Star Skills Challenge, Starry 3-Point Contest, the much-anticipated Stephen Curry vs. Sabrina Ionescu 3-Point Challenge and AT&T Slam Dunk, with Allie LaForce conducting on-court player interviews. Inside the NBA’s Shaquille O’Neal will be courtside at Lucas Oil Stadium capturing moments for the telecast and Bleacher Report with the Shaq Cam presented by AT&T. On truTV and B/R Sports on Max, Adam Lefkoe will host Access 23 Jordan Brand ALTCAST, with eight-time All-Star and 2000 Slam Dunk Content Champion Vince Carter, 10-time NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony, five-time NBA All-Star Jayson Tatum, and other guests throughout the evening sharing their NBA All-Star experiences and hot takes on the participants of the competitions. Chris Haynes will also contribute with roving reports from the sidelines.
The 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards will stream live February 24 at 8 pm ET / 5 pm PT on Netflix. Celebrate your favorite actors and the performances you love when the biggest names in film and television light up the red carpet and the stage.
Family drama series The Baxters premieres March 28 on Prime Video. Based on the book series by Karen Kingsbury, the series follows Elizabeth and John Baxter and their five adult children. Season One centers on Elizabeth and John’s daughter, Kari, who learns the shocking truth that her professor husband, Tim, has been secretly having an affair with one of his college students. As her relationship is tested, Kari must seek comfort in her faith and family to discover if love is truly a choice and if her marriage can be redeemed. In this deeply moving faith-based journey, The Baxters must come together as a family to work through the challenges of life.
Docuseries True Crime Story: Smugshot premieres March 14 on SundanceTV, AMC+ and Sundance Now. Each episode spotlights a unique story of entitled individuals involved in elaborate criminal behavior. Their crimes range from petty to devastating, but the series of events surrounding the crime are always surprising. Whether in pursuit of revenge or riches, status or glory, freedom or fame; each of these law-breakers cling to their entitlement in spite of having more to lose than to gain. At times quirky and funny, at others outrageous or disturbing, these are the stories of people who thought they could, or should, get away with it.
Thriller series Boat Story premieres March 12 on Amazon Freevee. The series follows two strangers, Daisy Haggard and Paterson Joseph as Janet and Samuel, who can’t believe their luck when they stumble upon a shipwrecked boat full of cocaine. With each of them desperate for a fresh start, they agree to sell the drugs and split the cash. But on their tail are the police, masked hit men, and a sharp-suited gangster known only as “The Tailor.” When two ordinary people are pushed to the very edge, can they trust each other and get away with their lives and money?
True crime documentary Pathological: The Lies of Joran van der Sloot premieres February 27 on Peacock. Through rare interviews with victims’ family members, eyewitnesses and experts on the criminal mind, this documentary reveals new insights into how Joran van der Sloot’s lifelong pattern of violence and pathological lying leads to the deaths of two young women. Few killers have ever murdered again after they became famous for another killing, but on the fifth anniversary of Natalee Holloway’s disappearance, Joran murders 21-year-old Stephany Flores in Peru. Hauntingly, his trip there is financed by money he extorted from Natalee Holloway’s mother, Beth, after falsely promising to reveal where Natalee’s body was for a price. In 2023 – 18 years after Natalee’s disappearance – Beth Holloway finally gets her day in court with Joran, who admits for the first time that he murdered her daughter. His admission brings some long-sought comfort to Natalee’s family, but Joran’s history of deceit and manipulation leads some to question the details in his latest story.
Risque Business: The Netherlands and Germany premieres February 20 on Netflix. Comedian Shin Dong-youp and singer Sung Si-kyung travel to the Netherlands and Germany to explore attitudes about sex in all its various forms and expressions.
County Rescue will premiere on Great American Pure Flix February 23 and feature new episodes every Friday for the series’ first season of five episodes. It will make its linear debut on Great American Family February 26. The series tells the story of one EMT unit whose medical team saves lives while guiding themselves and each other through journeys of love, hope and faith.
