Small Screen: ‘Beyond the gates’ writers Change, Peacock settles lawsuit
Juliana Aidén Martinez - John Nacion
Broadcast: CBS’s Beyond The Gates has undergone some changes in its writing team this year. Several writers from other soap operas have joined, while a few have left. Among those departing are scriptwriters Lynn Martin and Jazmen Darnell Brown. Although Brown is leaving for now, he is expected to return for season 2 of the series next year. Since the writing for Beyond The Gates is done 4 to 6 months in advance of taping, viewers shouldn't expect to see too many on-screen changes until at least sometime next year.
In addition to writing for Beyond The Gates (2025), Martin has served as a writer for Days of Our Lives (2022 & 2024), The Young and The Restless (2018), As The World Turns (1999), and Port Charles (1998). Brown has written for BLOOM (2016), Black Mafia Family (2023), and Saints and Sinners (2016).
Fox's new series, The Faithful, has cast Natacha Karam in the role of Hagar for the first part of this three-part series. The series presents the stories of five key women from the Old Testament: Hagar and her mistress Sarah, Sarah’s great-niece Rebekah, and Rebekah’s nieces, sisters Leah and Rachel. The series will begin by focusing on Sarah, who struggles with famine, the wrath of the pharaoh, and the challenge of conceiving a child. Frustrated with God, she devises a plan that involves her maidservant Hagar (Karam) and her husband, Abraham. However, jealousy soon arises when Hagar gives birth to a son, whose lineage is associated with the Islamic tradition, putting personal freedoms at risk.
The Faithful is set to premiere on March 22, 2026, on Fox. Production began this summer in Rome and Matera, Italy. The series will air during the Easter and Passover season on Fox and will be available the following day on Hulu. Karam previously appeared in Fox’s first responder drama 9-1-1: Lone Star (2020), The Brave (2017), Homeland (2011), The Old Guard (2020), and The Hurricane Heist (2018). She is represented by Luber Roklin, Gersh, and Conway van Gelder Grant.
Ncuti Gatwa recently discussed his departure from Doctor Who (2025) after just two seasons. Gatwa explained that the series “takes a lot out of you—physically, emotionally, mentally. So it was time.” He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, saying that playing the Doctor was “...an absolute gift of a job, and a gift of a community. The Whovians are so deeply in my heart, I can’t tell you.” Although Gatwa's time as the Doctor ended in May 2025 during the finale of the second season, his Doctor was regenerated into Billie Piper’s character.
Juliana Aidén Martinez has secured a role as a series regular in the upcoming eighth season of CBS's series FBI (2018). While specific details about her character are limited, it is expected that Martinez will portray a new agent working alongside FBI's Stuart Scola, following Tiffany Wallace's departure last fall. In addition to Martinez, fans can look forward to seeing FBI regulars Zeeko Zaki and Alana de la Garza return to the series.
Martinez has also appeared in Netflix's Griselda (2024) alongside Sofia Vergara. Her previous credits include roles as Detective Kate Silva in SVU (2024), as well as appearances in Boundary (2022), The Blacklist (2013), and Prodigal Son (2019). She is represented by Innovative Artists Entertainment, Anonymous Content, and Hansen Jacobson Teller.
Omari K. Chancellor - imdb
Cable: Ryan Murphy, known for his horror anthology series American Horror Story (2011) and Scream Queens (2015), has cast Omari K. Chancellor in his new series, Love Story. Chancellor will play fashion designer Gordon Henderson in a recurring role. Love Story is an anthology series that explores true love stories throughout time. The first season focuses on JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette as the young couple begins to unravel under the stress and scrutiny of the media.
Freida Pinto - Dave Benett
Streaming: Freida Pinto (Slumdog Millionaire), has landed a major role in Netflix's upcoming series, Unaccustomed Earth. The series, as previously reported, revolves around a devoted wife who reunites with an old flame, causing tension within her close-knit Indian-American community. The series is inspired by Jhumpa Lahiri's short stories.
In this eight-episode series, Pinto will play Parul Chaudhury. Since her debut in Slumdog Millionaire, Pinto has appeared in Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), Knight of Cups (2015), and Hillbilly Elegy (2020). She has also had roles in Surface (2020), alongside Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and The Path (2016). She is represented by Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and Principal Entertainment LA. John Wells will co-write and executive produce the series with Madhuri Shekar. Nisha Ganatra, who originally optioned the book, will also serve as an executive producer
Amazon Prime Video's new series, Every Summer After, has cast Aurora Perrineau (Westworld) as Chantal and Joseph Chiu (Fear Street: Prom Queen) as Jordie. Spanning over six years, Every Summer After is a romantic story that explores first loves and the choices we make. Amy B. Harris will serve as the showrunner and executive producer, alongside Lindsey Liberatore, Amy Rardin, John Stephens, and Grace Gilroy.
Recently, Gatwa participated in the play Born With Teeth, in which he stars as the playwright Christopher Marlowe. The play is set to premiere in London on Wednesday, August 13, 2025.
Mekhi Phifer is joining the cast of ABC’s High Potential (2024) for its second season in a recurring role. Although specific details about his character are still underway, he will play someone who consistently gets involved in major crimes. Phifer will star alongside Daniel Sunjata, Javicia Leslie, Amirah J, and Judy Reyes. High Potential originally aired on ABC and received positive reviews, leading to its renewal for a second season, which is set to debut in January 2025. The new season will air on Tuesdays at 10 PM on Hulu.
The series was created and executive-produced by Drew Goddard and Sarah Esberg. Todd Harthan serves as the showrunner and also executive produces alongside Marc Halsey. Phifer is known for his roles in ER (2002), Frequency (2016), Lie to Me (2009), and House of Lies (2012). He is represented by Gersh and Brookside Artist Management.
Apple TV+ and A+E Studios have recently cast Poorna Jagannathan (Deli Boys) and Gary Carr (Genius: MLK/X) in an untitled series. The story revolves around Joah Lynn, an ex-soldier and homicide detective who, weary of patrolling the streets of Philadelphia, relocates to Western Pennsylvania seeking a quieter life. However, his desire for peace is short-lived when his family is threatened, prompting him to enlist the help of his adopted daughter, FBI Agent Saga Bauer, to apprehend a serial killer.
Jagannathan will portray Quinn, an FBI agent from Washington, D.C., who, as an outsider, attempts to assist the small town while grappling with her own challenges. Carr will play Nathan, a forensic investigator who harbors feelings for Jonah's daughter, Saga.
The series is executive produced by showrunners Rowan Joffe and John Hlavin. Liev Schreiber not only stars in the series but also serves as an executive producer, along with Zazie Beetz (Atlanta). Jagannathan is represented by Gersh, Untitled, and Hansen Jacobson Teller, while Carr is represented by Anonymous Content, CAA, and Markham, Froggatt & Irwin.
Netflix's reboot of Little House on the Prairie has added Barrett Doss (Station 19) and Thosh Collins (IT: Welcome to Derry) to its cast. Based on Laura Ingalls Wilder's classic novels, the new series follows the Ingalls family. The leading cast members include Jocko Sims, Meegwun Fairbrother, Wren Zhawenim Gotts, Xander Cole, and Alyssa Wapanatâhk.
Barrett Doss will portray Emily Henderson, a charismatic woman who operates the local general store, while Thosh Collins will play Louis, the level-headed cousin of White Sun. The series is executive produced by Sonnenshine, along with Joy Gorman Wettels, Trip Friendly, Dana Fox, and Susanna Fogel.
Chancellor has previously appeared in a supporting role in Peter Farrelly’s film The Greatest Beer Run Ever (2022) for Apple+, as well as in CBS’s Elsbeth (2024) and Why Women Kill (2019). He is also a member of Gyaldem.us, a Brooklyn-based art collective represented by Paradigm Talent Agency and Vickery Management.
dropout
Industry: 2025 has been a successful year for the comedy streaming service Dropout. Recently, the platform signed a partnership with CAA to explore new revenue streams and diversify its distribution.
Some of Dropout's accomplishments include the series Dimension 20, which will be a live show focused on tabletop roleplaying. They have also launched the second season of the improv interview series Very Important People, featuring guest stars such as Kate Berlant, Chris Redd, Nicole Byer, Danielle Pinnock, and many others. Additionally, Dropout has partnered with comedian Cameron Esposito to release her latest special, Cameron Esposito: Four Pills.
In a recent lawsuit, the streaming service, Peacock, has agreed to pay $3.6 million as a settlement to the County of Los Angeles regarding its auto-renewal policy. As ordered by a Superior Court judge, Peacock will pay $1.5 million to the LA County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs for consumer protection enforcement. Additionally, $2 million will be paid in civil penalties, along with $100,000 for investigative costs.
The lawsuit was filed by County Counsel Dawyn Harrison, following complaints received from subscribers in California. Rafael Carbajal, director of the county’s Department of Consumer and Business Affairs, stated, “This outcome is a significant win for the public and a reminder that no business, regardless of its size or influence, is above consumer protection laws.” As part of the settlement, Peacock was ordered to clearly present the terms of its automatic subscription renewal to its subscribers, obtain consent before entering into subscription agreements, provide an acknowledgment that includes the renewal terms and a description of the cancellation policy, and offer an easy cancellation method that allows immediate cancellation without any additional delays.
