Jennifer Salke News

Barry Jenkins' PASTEL production banner set a first-look television deal at Amazon, according to Variety. Under the deal, he will exclusively develop television series for Amazon Studios.

Jennifer Salke, the head of Amazon's entertainment division, teased the project that Blake Lively will be collaborating with the studio on, according to Variety. Amazon Studios is close to a deal with Lively for a new scripted series, and on Wednesday, Salke teased the project.

Amazon Studios today unveiled plans for Eco-Challenge 2019, the toughest global outdoor multi-sport endurance race on Earth from MGM Television and prolific Emmy Award-winning producer and Mark Burnett, to be hosted by survival and adventure phenom Bear Grylls. The ten-episode event series will pit teams of four competitors selected from around the world against each other and nature's harsh elements in this grueling 24-hours a day, multi-day race. If one teammate quits the entire team is disqualified, which magnifies the pressure. The 2019 location for the international, epic adventure will be unveiled later this year. Eco-Challenge 2019 will premiere exclusively on Amazon Prime Video in over 200 countries and territories.

Amazon Studios today announced it has signed an overall television deal with visionary and award-winning writer Neil Gaiman. The creator of the highly anticipated Amazon Original series Good Omens and the Hugo Award-winning book American Gods, Gaiman will exclusively work with Amazon Studios on the creation of television series which will premiere globally on Amazon Prime Video in over 200 countries and territories.

Amazon Studios today announced it has ordered the one-hour action fantasy The Wheel of Time to series. Based upon Robert Jordan's best-selling fantasy novels, which have sold more than 90 million copies worldwide, the series was adapted for TV by Rafe Judkins (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Chuck) who also serves as showrunner, and is co-produced by Amazon Studios and Sony Pictures Television. The Wheel of Time will premiere globally on Amazon Prime Video in over 200 countries and territories.

Amazon Studios today announced it has signed an overall television deal with Emmy Award-winning producer and director Reed Morano (The Handmaid's Tale). Morano made history by being the first woman to ever win the Emmy and DGA Award in the same year for a dramatic series - both for her work on The Handmaid's Tale and was the first woman to win an Emmy in the Drama series category in 22 years. She will exclusively work with Amazon Studios to create original series which will be made available on Amazon Prime Video in over 200 countries and territories.

The world premiere of the new Prime Original series Homecoming took place at the Toronto International Film Festival 2018 on Friday, September 7. Attendees included Director Sam Esmail, stars Julia Roberts, Stephan James, Sissy Spacek, Dermot Mulroney, and Creators/Showrunners Eli Horowitz and Micah Bloomberg. See the premiere photos below!

Amazon Prime Video today announced it is developing a new reality fashion series from the recent Emmy nominated duo of Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn, which will premiere globally in over 200 countries and territories. While details remain close to the vest, the show will continue Klum and Gunn's 14-year relationship and a commitment to making fashion accessible to a wide audience.

NBC is taking a significant step to put more women in the director's chair with the announcement of its inaugural class for Female Forward, the network's annual initiative founded last August by then-president Jennifer Salke that gives female directors a pipeline into scripted television.

According to Variety, Amazon has ordered a limited series based on Taylor Jenkins Reid's novel “Daisy Jones & The Six.”

Amazon Prime Video today announced the second season of its Prime Original series Goliath, starring Golden Globe winner Billy Bob Thornton, will return today, June 15. Thornton will reprise his role as Billy McBride who, after winning a huge verdict in the Borns Tech case, is reluctantly pulled back into the law when his friend's 16-year-old son is arrested for a double homicide. However, as Billy, Patty (Nina Arianda, Florence Foster Jenkins) and the team start to investigate what appears to be an open and shut murder case, they begin to untangle a deadly conspiracy in the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles, where drugs, real estate and politics intermingle. Once again, Billy finds himself facing a new Goliath, one that is as formidable as the city's mayoral race and as tall as the skyline itself. Thornton won the 2017 Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Drama Series for Goliath's first season.

According to Variety, Nicole Kidman and her production company Blossom Films have signed a first-look deal with Amazon Studios. Under the agreement, Kidman will develop theatrical and series content for the digital company.

Amazon Prime Video today announced the second season of its Prime Original series Goliath, starring Golden Globe winner Billy Bob Thornton, will return on Friday, June 15. Thornton will reprise his role as Billy McBride who, after winning a huge verdict in the Borns Tech case, is reluctantly pulled back into the law when his friend's 16-year-old son is arrested for a double homicide. However, as Billy, Patty (Nina Arianda, Florence Foster Jenkins) and the team start to investigate what appears to be an open and shut murder case, they begin to untangle a deadly conspiracy in the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles, where drugs, real estate and politics intermingle. Once again, Billy finds himself facing a new Goliath, one that is as formidable as the city's mayoral race and as tall as the skyline itself. Thornton won the 2017 Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Drama Series for Goliath's first season.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles (BBBSLA) held its annual Accessories for Success Scholarship Luncheon, on Sunday, April 22nd at the Beverly Wilshire, Beverly Hills and presented by City National Bank.  The event honored three exemplary women, who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and support for children facing adversity in Los Angeles. The event also presented a record 108 scholarships to college bound youth from the BBBSLA program.

Mozart in the Jungle is being cancelled by Amazon after four seasons, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The decision was made by new chief Jennifer Salke, who began working for Amazon a few weeks ago.

Renewal on aisle 4 … NBC's “Superstore” is coming back for a 22-episode fourth season. The announcement was made by Jennifer Salke, President, NBC Entertainment, and Tracey Pakosta, Co-President, Scripted Programming, NBC Entertainment.

DOWNTON ABBEY Mastermind Julian Fellowes Brings Highly Anticipated New Drama THE GILDED AGE To NBC

For those missing the Dowager Countess' condescending glares or the evening ring of the dinner bell, there's a new Julian Fellowes drama on tap at NBC that brings an upstairs/downstairs tale Stateside.  

NBC is officially kicking off Female Forward, its new initiative focused on providing emerging female directors with training and the opportunity to direct an in-season episode.

Longtime NBC executive Bruce Evans has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Current Programming. He will report to NBC Entertainment President Jennifer Salke.