Friday, May 10 - With its first new series order for next season, ABC has greenlit the Joss Wheden-penned Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. - a move that had been expected every since the project was first announced last year. Additionally, ABC will air a first-look at the series during the season finale of Once Upon a Time on Sunday.UPDATE - ABC has now greenlit its first new comedy series for the 2013-2014 season - the Rebel Wilson-fronted Super Fun Night and Adam Goldberg's semi-autobiographic comedy series The Goldbergs (formally How the Hell Am I Normal?).
UPDATE (2) - Also getting series pickups at ABC are comedy pilots Trophy Wife starring Malin Akerman and Back in the Game starring James Caan and drama pilot Mind Games (formerly Influence) from writer-producer Kyle Killen.
UPDATE (3) - Drama pilots Betrayal and Lucky 7 have also been given series orders.
UPDATE (4) - Comedy pilot Mixology, drama pilots Killer Women and Resurrection (formerly The Returned) as well as the prospective Once Upon a Time spinoff, Once Upon a Time in Wonderland have been ordered to series.
MARVEL'S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.
SUPER FUN NIGHT
Junior attorney Kimmie Boubier (Rebel Wilson) and her two best friends Helen-Alice (Liza Lapira) and Marika (Lauren Ash) have had a standing date every Friday night for the last 13 years. They even have a motto for what they call "Friday Night Fun Night": "Always together! Always Inside!" However, Kimmie's recent promotion throws a monkey wrench into the tradition. Not only is she now working with her idol, "Lady Lawyer of the Year" Felicity Vanderstone (Kelen Coleman), but she meets a dashingly handsome British attorney, Richard Lovell (Kevin Bishop), who invites her to his party at a trendy club. Determined to spend time with Richard and heed Felicity's advice to network, Kimmie sets out to convince her friends to take Super Fun Night on the road. Rebel Wilson wrote the pilot and executive produces with Conan O'Brien, David Kissinger and director John Riggi. Super Fun Night is produced by Conaco Productions and Warner Bros. Television.THE GOLDBERGS
Before there were parenting blogs, trophies for showing up, and peanut allergies, there was a simpler time called the 1980s. For geeky 11-year-old Adam (Sean Giambrone) these were his wonder years and he faced them armed with a video camera to capture all the crazy. The Goldbergs are a loving family like any other, just with a lot more yelling. Mom Beverly (Wendi McClendon-Covey) is a classic "smother," an overbearing, overprotective matriarch who rules this brood with 100% authority and zero sense of boundaries. Dad Murrary (Jeff Garlin) is gruff, hot-tempered and trying to parent without screaming. Sister Erica (Hayley Orrantia) is 17, hot, terrifying and not one to mess with. Brother Barry (Troy Gentile) is 16, a grade A spaz with classic middle child syndrome. Adam is the youngest, a camera-wielding future director who's crushing on an older woman. Rounding out the family is beloved grandfather Al "Pops" Solomon (George Segal), the wild man of the clan, a shameless Don Juan who's schooling Adam in the ways of love. When Pops buys a new sports car and offers his Caddy to middle child Barry, it's enough to drive this already high-strung family to the brink of chaos. The Goldbergs was written and executive produced by Adam F. Goldberg and executive produced by Doug Robinson. The pilot was directed by Seth Gordon. The Goldbergs is produced by Happy Madison and Sony Pictures Television.LUCKY 7
In Astoria, Queens, a group of 7 gas station employees have been chipping into a lottery pool for months, never thinking they'd actually win. Money could solve problems for each of them. Matt (Matt Long) could get his girlfriend and 2 kids out of his mother's home. Matt's brother Nicky (Stephen Louis Grush), an ex-con, could pay off a dangerous debt. Samira (Summer Bishil), a second generation Pakistani immigrant, could afford to go to Julliard. Denise (Lorraine Bruce), a plucky cashier, could focus on rebuilding her crumbling marriage. Leanne (Anastasia Phillips), a young mother, could help her daughter realize her dreams. Bob (Isiah Whitlock, Jr.), the store's manager, could finally retire and Antonio (Louis Antonio Ramos) could give his wife and kids a whole new life. Written by David Zabel and Jason Richman, Lucky 7 is executive produced by Steven Spielberg, Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey. The pilot was directed by Paul McGuigan. Lucky 7 is produced by ABC Studios and Amblin Television.BETRAYAL
A chance meeting leads photographer Sara Hadley (Hannah Ware) and Attorney Jack McAllister (Stuart Townsend) to an undeniable instant attraction. Sarah's husband, Drew (Chris Johnson), is a successful prosecutor with political aspirations. Jack is married to Elaine (Wendy Moniz), the daughter of his boss Thacher Karsten (James Cromwell). When Karsten's brother-in-law Lou is murdered, all evidence points to Karsten's son T.J. (Henry Thomas). Jack, the company's lead council, will have to defend him. For Drew, this is the kind of high-profile murder case that can secure his political future. Just as Sara and Jack's affair is starting, the lovers will find themselves in an impossible situation - on opposite sides of a murder investigation. Betrayal was written by David Zabel and directed by Patty Jenkins and is executive produced by Zabel, Rob Golenberg and Alon Aranya. Betrayal is produced by ABC Studios.RESURRECTION
The people of Arcadia, Missouri are forever changed when their deceased loved ones suddenly start to return. An 8-year-old American boy (Landon Gimenez) wakes up alone in a rice paddy in a rural Chinese province with no idea how he got there. Details start to emerge when the boy, who calls himself Jacob, recalls that his hometown is Arcadia and an immigration agent, Martin Bellamy (Omar Epps), takes him there. The home he claims as his own is occupied by an elderly couple, Harold (Kurtwood Smith) and Lucille Garland (Francis Fisher), who lost their son Jacob more than 30 years ago. While they look different, young Jacob recognizes them as his parents. Those closest to the family try to unravel this impossible mystery, including Sheriff Fred Garland (Matt Craven) whose wife Barbara drowned 30 years ago trying to save Jacob. But this boy who claims to be the deceased Jacob knows secrets about his own death that no one else knows - secrets that Fred's daughter Gail (Devin Kelly) will begin to investigate and discovery to be true. Also starring are Sam Hazeldine, Samaire Armstrong, Nicholas Gonzalez and Mark Hildreth. Written by Aaron Zelman, Resurrection is executive produced by Zelman, JoAnn Alfano, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Jon Liebman, Brillstein Entertainment and Plan B. The pilot was directed by Charles McDougall. Resurrection is produced by ABC Studios.TROPHY WIFE
They say the third time's the charm and reformed party girl Kate (Malin Akerman) is hoping that's true when she becomes Pete's (Bradley Whitford) third wife. She fell into his arms (literally) at a karaoke bar and a year later, Kate's got an insta-family complete with three stepchildren and two ex-wives. Diane (Marcia Gay Harden) is ex-wife number one, an intense, over-achieving doctor and the mother of twin teenagers Hillary (Gianna LePera) and Warren (Ryan Scott Lee). Diane is quick to convey her withering disapproval of Kate's barely tapped maternal instinct. Ex-wife number two, Jackie (Michaela Watkins), is mother to adopted son, Bert (Albert Tsai), and can pull Pete's strings with her special blend of neurotic, new-ageyness. Juggling all this baggage is uncharted territory for Kate who finds support with her best friend Meg (Natalie Morales), a party-hearty singleton and the only woman Kate knows who has less experience with kids than she has. Trophy Wife is written and executive produced by Emily Halpern and Sarah Haskins and executive produced by Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky, produced by Malin Akerman. The pilot was directed by Jason Moore. Trophy Wife is from ABC Studios.BACK IN THE GAME
Terry Gannon Jr. (Maggie Lawson) was an All Star Softball player until life threw her a couple curve balls: a baby, a lost college scholarship and a loser for a husband. After striking out on her own, Terry and her son Danny (Griffin Gluck) move in with her estranged father, Terry Sr. aka "The Cannon" (James Caan). The Cannon is an opinionated, beer-guzzling, ex-athlete who never quite made the cut as a single father or professional baseball player. As hard as Terry tries to keep Danny away from the sports-driven lifestyle of her youth, he wants to play Little League. His stunning lack of baseball skills (he doesn't even know which hand the mitt goes on) makes him the laughing stock of the baseball field and his grandfather's living room. When Danny and a group of other athletically-challenged hopefuls fail to make the team, Danny's disappointment forces Terry to face her past. So when a wealthy neighbor volunteers to finance a team for the rejected kids, Terry reluctantly offers to coach the team of misfits. Also starring are Lenora Crichlow, Ben Koldyke, Kennedy Waite, J.J. Totah and Cooper Roth. Back in the Game was written by Mark and Robb Cullen, who also executive produce along with directors John Requa and Glenn Ficarra and Aaron Kaplan. Back in the Game is from 20th Century Fox Television and Kapital Entertainment.MIND GAMES
Clark (Steven Zahn) and Ross (Christian Slater) Edwards are brothers and partners in a unique agency committed to solving clients' problems using the hard science of psychological manipulation. Clark is a former professor and a world-renowned expert in the field of human behavior. He has a checkered history due to bipolar disorder, which sometimes results in quirky, manic episodes. His older brother Ross is a slick con man who spent time in prison. Each in their own way knows what makes people tick. Drawing from the most cutting edge research in psychology, they can tailor a plan to influence any situation. It's a little bit science, a little bit con artistry plus a smattering of Jedi mind tricks. The brothers, along with their team of master manipulators, are offering clients an alternative to fate. Also starring are Megalyn Echikunwoke, Cedric Sanders, Gregory Marcel and Wynn Everett. Written and executive produced by Kyle Killen, also executive produced by Keith Redman. Miguel Sapochnik directed the pilot. Mind Games is from 20th Century Fox Television.KILLER WOMEN
MIXOLOGY
One bar. One night. Ten single people. Welcome to Mix, a high-end bar in Manhattan's trendy meat-packing district. Recently dumped by his fiancé, Tom (Blake Lee) hasn't been out on the town in a decade. His best friends, handsome and confident Cal (Craig Frank) and fast-talking Bruce (Andrew Santino), are throwing Tom back into the dating pool whether he likes it or not. Tom's first encounter is with Maya (Ginger Gonzaga), an attorney who's as beautiful as she is brutal. Before long, Tom is in tears. After that, it only gets worse. Rounding out Mix's chic crowd is Maya's engaged-for-now friend Liv (Kate Simses); aggressive single mom, Jessica (Alexis Carra); her younger, naive sister Janey (Sarah Bolger); bubbly cocktail waitress Kacey (Vanessa Lengies); dark, mysterious bartender Dominic (Adan Canto); and failed internet entrepreneur Ron (Adam Campbell), who's drunk and having the worst night of his life. Each episode will highlight two characters meeting for the first time. The pilot focuses on Tom meeting Maya, but across the course of this one night - and the entire season - each of our five guys will meet each of our five girls. Will they find love? Will they find a warm bed for the night? Will they find a cold drink in their face? All questions will be answered by the season finale of this highly intoxicating new comedy. The pilot was written by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, who executive produce with Ryan Seacrest and Nina Wass. The pilot was directed by Larry Charles.ONCE UPON A TIME IN WONDERLAND
