Bradley Cooper is developing a miniseries for HBO, which tells the story behind the rise of ISIS. Also in today’s TV news roundup, Freeform announces the premiere date for the fifth and final season of “Switched at Birth,” plus there’s new “Supergirl” casting news.
DEVELOPMENT
Bradley Cooper is developing “Black Flags,” a miniseries about the rise of ISIS, at HBO, Variety has confirmed.
Based on the 2016 Pulitzer Prize winning book by Joby Warrick, Cooper is exec producing the TV adaptation, along with his Joint Effort producing partner Todd Phillips, plus scribe Gregg Hurwitz (“Orphan X,” “Wolverine,” “X-Men Forever”) and director Tim Van Patten (“Game of Thrones,” “Boardwalk Empire,” “Sopranos”).
From its origins in a remote Jordanian prison to its success in Syria, “Black Flags” tracks the unlikely roots of ISIS and transformation into the world’s most feared terrorist organization, as well as the small band of American and international agents tasked with shutting it down. Deadline was first to report the HBO project.
Cooper and Phillips formed Joint Effort in 2014.
GREENLIGHTS
Freeform will take fans inside the world of professional cheerleading with “Cheer Squad,” a series that will follow two-time world cheerleading champions, The Great White Sharks, as they battle through an intense cheer season in an effort to keep their championship crown. “Cheer Squad” will air Monday through Friday at 11 p.m., starting on Aug. 22. Episodes will also be available via the Freeform app and on video-on-demand from Aug.12 through Aug. 21.
DATES
“Switched at Birth” creator Lizzy Weiss announced on Twitter today that the fifth and final season of the series will began Tuesday, Jan. 24. The last season will also include the series’ 100th episode.
I HAVE NEWS! The 5th & final season of #SwitchedatBirth – including our 100th episode – airs Tuesday, January 24th! pic.twitter.com/gwZGHFIqaX
— Lizzy Weiss (@Lizzy_Weiss) August 4, 2016
CASTING
Katie McGrath is the latest addition to “Supergirl,” as the show makes its transition from CBS to the CW.
McGrath will play Lena Luthor, Lex’s sister who arrives in National City on the heels of her brother’s incarceration. She takes control of the family’s billion-dollar-tech company, Luthor Corp, with hopes of re-branding it as a force for good. Described as beautiful, powerful and enigmatic, Lena wants to be seen as her own person, separate from her brother. Kara (Melissa Benoist) is drawn into Lena’s sphere and must determine if she is friend or foe. TVLine first reported McGrath’s casting.
“Supergirl” season 2 premieres Monday, Oct. 10 on The CW.
