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NBC added to its series pickups Thursday, greenlighting David Goyer‘s DC Comics adaptation Constantine to series and Debra Messing starrer Mysteries of Laura. NBC also added comedies has picked up comedy A to Z.
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Based on DC Comics’ Hellblazer graphic novels, the drama centers on master of the occult John Constantine (Matt Ryan). The drama centers on Constantine as he struggles with his faith while haunted by the sins of his past but is suddenly thrust into the role of defending humanity from the gathering forces of darkness. Dexter‘s Daniel Cerone penned the script and will exec produce the Warner Bros. Television drama alongside Goyer. Lucy Griffiths, Harold Perrineau and Charles Halford co-star.
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Based on the Spanish format, Debra Messing starrer Mysteries of Laura is a procedural with sharp humor and stars the Smash and Will & Grace alum as a quirky homicide detective who juggles high-stakes crime and an ex-husband (Josh Lucas) as well as a devilish set of twin boys. The drama, from exec producer Greg Berlanti, was tops on the network’s drama list, with NBC brass reportedly eager to bring Messing back into the fold. Jeff Rake (Boston Legal) penned the pilot, which is exec produced by Berlanti, Aaron Kaplan and Todd Lituchy. WBTV, Berlanti Productions and Kapital Entertainment produce.
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A to Z stars How I Met Your Mother‘s Cristin Milioti in a romantic comedy set in the world of an online dating company that details the A to Zs of a relationship — from meeting to break-up. The single-camera ensemble navigates the complicated world of modern dating and poses the question: Is there such a thing as destiny.
The Warner Bros. Television comedy hails from writer Ben Queen (Cars 2) and Rashida Jones and Will McCormack‘s studio-based Le Train Train banner. The comedy marked the duo’s first project to go to pilot following a development season that saw the writing and producing partners sell multiple projects. Ben Feldman, Leonora Crichlow, Henry Zebrowski and Christina Kirk round out the cast.
For her part, Parks and Recreation alum Jones is having a stellar week, having A to Z go to series and TBS green-lighting Angie Tribeca — the cop comedy in which she stars.
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Constantine and Laura join new dramas Allegiance, State of Affairs and Odyssey at the network. With Constantine, DC Entertainment continues its stellar week, with Batman prequel Gotham, Arrow spinoff The Flash and comics adaptation iZombie all being picked up to series. A to Z, meanwhile, is the network’s fifth new comedy, joining Marry Me, Mr. Robinson, Ellie Kemper comedy Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and acquisition Working the Engels.
For Berlanti, meanwhile, he’ll now have three series on the schedule again, with Laura replacing The CW’s recently canceled The Tomorrow People reboot, as well as the younger-skewing network’s Arrow and The Flash. Constantine‘s Goyer, meanwhile, will have two (Starz’s Da Vinci’s Demons, which was renewed this week for a third season with a new showrunner taking over for him.)
Constantine, Laura and A to Z are produced by Warner Bros. Television, which now has six sales this season (Gotham, Flash, iZombie).
Email: Lesley.Goldberg@THR.com
Twitter: @Snoodit
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