For the first time in The CW’s history, the network has renewed almost its entire lineup of shows and will not have a single cancellation.
The CW is renewing all three of its freshmen series — “All American,” “In the Dark,” and reboot “Roswell, New Mexico.” And it is bringing back “The 100” for a seventh season.
They join the 10 shows that received renewals in January, including freshmen “Charmed” and “Legacies.”
That means almost all of The CW’s current slate will return next year, except for the previously announced final seasons of “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” “Jane the Virgin,” and “iZombie.”
The CW is also developing a handful high-profile pilots, including a Batwoman spinoff, “Riverdale” spinoff “Katy Keene,” a “Jane the Virgin” spinoff, and a Nancy Drew reimagining.
That means The CW will have a jam-packed schedule, even with an abbreviated final season of “Arrow” and the final season of “Supernatural.”
The CW is bringing together Nancy Drews, young and old.
The network’s untitled Nancy Drew pilot is adding Pamela Sue Martin, who played the teen sleuth in “The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries,” which ran from 1977 to 1979 on ABC.
She’ll appear opposite newcomer Kennedy McMann as the new Nancy Drew.
The show follows Nancy after high school graduation, when a family tragedy delays her departure for college. Then, she finds herself embroiled in a ghostly murder investigation — and along the way, uncovers secrets that run deeper than she ever imagined.
Martin will play Harriet Grosset, a small-town psychic who offers to help Nancy investigate a murder — and ends up delivering an otherworldly clue that neither of them bargained for.
It’s unknown if Martin could recur on the series in multiple episodes.
This isn’t the first time The CW has paid homage to a previous incarnation of a character. On “The Flash,” John Wesley Shipp, who played the character in the 1990 series, is Barry Allen’s father.
Sam and Dean Winchester have died and come to back so life so often over the years, we’ve lost track. But now it’s really the end of the road for their long-running CW hit “Supernatural.”
“Well, it’s official. One more round for the Winchester brothers. Though nothing ever really ends in ‘Supernatural’ …does it?” Ackles wrote in an an Instagram post.
The show debuted on September 13, 2005 on what was then The WB and then became a flagship series for the new CW network. It currently ranks as the longest-running sci-fi/genre series in the history of American broadcast television. It’s the only show from the WB-era still on the air.
“We just told the crew that though we’re very very excited about moving into our 15th season, it will be our last. Fifteen years of a show that has certainly changed my life, I know it’s changed these two guys’ life,” Ackles said, referring to TV brother Padalecki and Collins, who joined the series in 2008 as Castiel.
“We just wanted you to hear from us that though we’re excited about next year, it will be the finale. The big, grand finale of an institution,” Ackles said. “I will say this, a little word from Eric Kripke, the creator about this world and these characters, that in a show about family, it is amazing and it is the pride of his life that it became a family. So thank you guys for that.”
Several attempts to develop a spinoff of the show have crashed and burned, unfortunately. CW president Mark Pedowitz has said that he’s probably done trying to create a spinoff and chalked up the show’s success to Padalecki and Ackles.
The final season, which will run from 2019-2020, will be 20 episodes.
We’ll always think of Sam and Dean whenever a light flickers, a radio crackles, we stay at a ridiculously retro motel, or an Impala passes us on the road blasting AC/DC. Thanks for saving the world so many times, guys.
With “Arrow” also ending next year, it’s definitely the end of an era.
Freddie Prinze Jr. is about to become the father of the most famous teen sleuth in pop culture.
The actor has been cast as Nancy Drew’s dad, opposite Kennedy McMann, in The CW’s untitled drama pilot based on the classic mystery novels.
The show begins follow Nancy after high school graduation, when a family tragedy delays her departure for college. Then, she finds herself embroiled in a ghostly murder investigation — and along the way, uncovers secrets that run deeper than she ever imagined.
Prinze will play Carson Drew, a dynamic attorney who has become estranged from Nancy following the recent death of his beloved wife. He attempts to reconnect with her, but those secrets revealed by Nancy’s investigation come between them.
Prinze Jr. wrapped up shooting another pilot as one of the two male leads on CBS’ “I Mom So Hard.” In recent years, he’s done a lot of voice work in “Star Wars Rebels” and “Robot Chicken.”
Following The CW’s “Arrow” renewal in January, the show’s executive producers have announced that the eighth season will be its last. The superhero series is currently in the midst of its seventh season and is slated for a final run next fall.
“Arrow” Season 8 will consist of just 10 episodes, Variety reports. Executive producers Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, and Beth Schwartz said in a statement that it was “a difficult decision to come to” but one that was made “with the best interests of ‘Arrow’ in mind.” They pointed out that though the show is ending, the universe it inspired lives on.
“We’re heartened by the fact that ‘Arrow’ has birthed an entire universe of shows that will continue on for many years to come,” they said, per Variety. “We’re excited about crafting a conclusion that honors the show, its characters and its legacy and are grateful to all the writers, producers, actors, and — more importantly — the incredible crew that has sustained us and the show for over seven years.”
Many of the show’s stars chimed in with social media posts, thanking fans and letting them know how much they’ve loved being part of the series. Stephen Amell (Oliver Queen), for example, called it “the greatest professional experience of [his] life.”
Playing Oliver Queen has been the greatest professional experience of my life… but you can’t be a vigilante forever.
Arrow will return for a final run of 10 episodes this Fall.
There’s so much to say… for now I just want to say thank you.
What an awesome ride! @arrow fans have been the best any actor could’ve asked for! Thank you for helping me bring John Diggle/Spartan to life!!! Love all of you! Can’t wait for you to see what we have in stock for you. Let’s end on a high, shall we? #ARROWpic.twitter.com/CDfjpCTNqA
Sad to hear the news that #Arrow will be ending after Season 8. What an incredible ride this has been. Thank you to all the fans out there who supported us along the way. ❤️❤️❤️ https://t.co/LNHa5VAkco
family ❤️ big time love for this whole crew. my time on arrow was always fun and supportive and also pretty sure I had to change my underwear from laughing too hard (thx a lot @ embett and echo) (joe and rick are funny too) pic.twitter.com/G8aH1NcyBc
— Madison McLaughlin (@MadisonMcLaugh) March 7, 2019
The news is bittersweet, but at least there’s still hope that we may see “Arrow” characters return from time to time on other shows in the universe.
The sudden death of actor Luke Perry on Monday sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, with fans, friends, and fellow celebs taking to social media to share their remembrances of the star, and offer condolences to his loved ones. Some of the most touching tributes have come from Perry’s colleagues on “Riverdale,” the CW series on which he starred.
In a joint statement issued on Monday, “Riverdale” executive producers Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, and Jon Goldwater, along with Warner Bros. Television and The CW, praised the late actor not only for his contributions to the series, but the impact he made on the cast and crew behind the scenes as well.
The statement said:
“We are deeply saddened to learn today about the passing of Luke Perry. A beloved member of the ‘Riverdale,’ Warner Bros. and CW family, Luke was everything you would hope he would be: an incredibly caring, consummate professional with a giant heart, and a true friend to all. A father figure and mentor to the show’s young cast, Luke was incredibly generous, and he infused the set with love and kindness. Our thoughts are with Luke’s family during this most difficult time.”
Perry had played Fred Andrews, father of Archie Andrews (KJ Apa), since the show’s debut. Molly Ringwald, who plays Archie’s mother and Fred’s ex-wife, Mary Andrews, shared her shock and grief at Perry’s sudden passing on Twitter.
My heart is broken. I will miss you so much Luke Perry. Sending all my love to your family. ❤️ #LukePerry
“My heart is broken,” Ringwald wrote. “I will miss you so much Luke Perry. Sending all my love to your family.”
The “Riverdale” writers room also took to Twitter to pay tribute to the star.
Luke Perry… you were a joyful and vibrant soul. You will be missed but most certainly your legacy will be remembered forever. Rest in love and peace, friend. #Riverdale
— Riverdale Writers Room (@RiverdaleWriter) March 4, 2019
The group called Perry “a joyful and vibrant soul,” adding, “You will be missed but most certainly your legacy will be remembered forever.”
It’s not yet clear how Perry’s death will be dealt with on the show, which is currently shooting. Production was shut down on the series for the day on Monday.
Perry died on Monday after suffering a massive stroke last week. He was 52.
The CW has opted not to keep fans of 10 of its shows in suspense.
The network has announced that it handed out early renewals to several popular series. There are two freshman shows among the group — “Charmed” and “Legacies” — but the rest have been around multiple seasons already. The other shows include “Riverdale,” “Dynasty,” “The Flash,” “Supergirl,” “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow,” “Arrow,” “Black Lightning,” and “Supernatural.”
The list accounts for most of The CW’s lineup. The network is apparently waiting to see about “Roswell, New Mexico,” “All American,” and “The 100.” Of the three, “Roswell, New Mexico” is the newest, having premiered less than a month ago. Meanwhile, “The 100” Season 6 doesn’t premiere till April, and “All American” is not quite done with its first season.
There are, however, a few CW series on their way out. “Jane the Virgin,” “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” and “iZombie” were renewed for their final seasons in May. “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” concludes in early February, while “Jane the Virgin” and “iZombie” premiere in March and May, respectively.
Interestingly, of the shows that have been renewed, all but one are based on existing properties. “The Flash,” “Black Lightning,” “Arrow,” “Supergirl,” and “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow” are based on DC Comics characters; “Riverdale” is also based on a comic book series; “Charmed” and “Dynasty” are reboots; and “Legacies” is a spinoff. That leaves “Supernatural,” which is going into its 15th season, as something of an outlier.
The 2019-20 TV season is likely to bring more shows inspired by other works. The CW recently picked up four pilots, including a “Jane the Virgin” spinoff, a “Riverdale” spinoff, a Nancy Drew TV adaptation, and a series based on the film “The Lost Boys.”
Premiere dates for the 2019-20 TV season have not yet been announced.
The worlds of The CW’s “Riverdale” and “Jane the Virgin” may be expanding.
The latter’s fifth and final season premieres March 27, but fans can look forward to a possible spinoff. The CW began developing a “Jane” spinoff in December and now, the network has ordered a pilot to be shot.
“Jane the Novela” will be a telenovela anthology series, where each season is based on a different fictional novel “written by” Jane Villanueva (Gina Rodriguez) and narrated by the author herself. The first season would be set on a Napa Valley vineyard, where family secrets (and family members) don’t stay buried for long.
A pilot for a “Riverdale” spinoff has also been ordered. Titled “Katy Keene,” the musical dramedy will follow the lives and loves of four Archie Comics characters, including the titular fashion queen. The twentysomethings go to New York City to chase their dreams of performing on Broadway, strutting down the runway, and becoming a pop star.
The CW also ordered a third pilot titled “The Lost Boys,” which is set in a seaside town that is home to a secret underworld of vampires. A grieving family of a mother and her two sons move to Santa Carla to start fresh, but the brothers find themselves drawn to the eternally beautiful and youthful undead.
The network has ordered a “Batwoman” pilot, Deadline reports. The project centers on the superhero Ruby Rose played in 2018’s three-show crossover involving The CW’s “The Flash,” “Arrow,” and “Supergirl.” The Australian actress will again play Kate Kane/Batwoman, who is the first gay lead character in a live-action superhero series.
The pilot pickup isn’t much of a surprise. Rose’s casting was announced in August, and at the time, it was reported that The CW had its eye toward a standalone series. The actress called her casting “a game-changer” in an interview with Jimmy Fallon shortly thereafter.
“I feel like the reason I kept getting so emotional is because growing up watching TV, I never saw somebody on TV that I could identify with, let alone a superhero,” Rose said on “The Tonight Show” in August.
The actress is going to get to make history with the pilot pickup, and she’ll have help. Director David Nutter, who has also worked on “The Flash,” “Arrow,” and “Game of Thrones,” is set to helm the pilot episode. Caroline Dries is the screenwriter, and she and Nutter will executive produce, alongside Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter of Berlanti Productions as well as Mad Ghost Productions’ Geoff Johns. The project comes from Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television.
