TV
Showrunner for TNT’s “Snowpiercer” Has Already Left the Project
Less than two weeks ago, we learned that TNT had ordered “Snowpiercer” to series, a show based on Bong Joon Ho’s 2013 film of the same name. Josh Friedman, in addition to executive producing and writing the pilot, had been tapped as the showrunner, but he and the network have suddenly parted ways this week.
Deadline reports that “Creative differences are blamed as the reason for the split.” The site adds, “There is no replacement as of yet.“
The series stars Jennifer Connelly (Dark City), Daveed Diggs, Mickey Sumner, Susan Park, Benjamin Haigh (The Conjuring 2), Sasha Frolova, Katie McGuinness (“Roots”), Alison Wright (“The Americans”), Annalise Basso (Ouija: Origin of Evil, Oculus, Captain Fantastic), Sam Otto, Roberto Urbina, Sheila Vand, and Lena Hall.
The hourlong drama pilot, directed by Doctor Strange, Sinister, and Exorcism of Emily Rose helmer Scott Derrickson, explores class warfare, social injustice and the politics of survival.
Set seven years after the world has become a frozen wasteland, the series centers on the remnants of humanity, who inhabit a gigantic, perpetually-moving train that circles the globe. As it does, issues of class warfare, social injustice and the politics of survival are raised.
“I’m a personal fan of Bong Joon Ho’s epic film, and jumped at the chance to honor his original vision, yet expand upon the world and characters with a diverse, award-winning cast,” said Sarah Aubrey, executive vice president of original programming for TNT. “Science fiction is the perfect genre to examine issues of race, class, gender and natural resources with thought-provoking and exciting storytelling. ‘Snowpiercer’ will explore those relevant issues while embarking on a wild, action-filled ride.”
“Snowpiercer” is a co-production of Tomorrow Studios and Turner’s Studio T, along with CJ Entertainment. The pilot was directed by Scott Derrickson and was written by Josh Friedman. The series is executive produced by Tomorrow Studios’ Marty Adelstein and Becky Clements, and the original film’s Bong Joon Ho, Park Chan-wook, Lee Tae-hun and Dooho Choi.
Best known to horror fans for playing Rupert Giles in 121 episodes of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” actor Anthony Head (aka Anthony Stewart Head) has passed away at 72 years old.
Daughters Emily and Daisy Head said in a statement to the BBC that their father “passed away peacefully of complications due to pneumonia, surrounded by his family.”
Their statement continues, “It has been, and forever will be, an honour and a privilege to be his daughters, and to have witnessed firsthand the impact both he and his work have had on so many. We know how dearly he will be missed by friends, colleagues, and fans of the shows he was in — he loved his job very much, and he always considered himself incredibly lucky, to have been able to work alongside such exceptionally talented people, in such wonderful productions, across a career that spanned several decades.”
Anthony Head more recently played Rupert Mannion in 18 episodes of “Ted Lasso,” with the English actor’s film and television credits dating back to 1978. On the horror front, Anthony Head starred in Darren Bousman’s Repo! The Genetic Opera, as well as 2011’s Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, Let the Wrong One In, “Warehouse 13,” and “The Canterville Ghost.”
Also of note here in the world of horror, Anthony Head once played Dr. Frank-N-Furter in a London stage production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show back in the 1990s.
Outside the horror world, Anthony Head’s film and television credits well exceed 100 different productions and include “Highlander,” “NYPD Blue,” “Silent Witness,” “Doctor Who,” And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself, “Little Britain,” The Magic Door, “Sensitive Skin,” Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, “Free Agents,” The Iron Lady, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, “You, Me & Them,” “Dominion,” A Street Cat Named Bob, and Batman: Gotham by Gaslight.
“Buffy” actor James Marsters writes on Instagram, “There’s a hole in the World. Anthony Head has passed on from us. He was an unflaggingly kind and steady presence on the set of Buffy, and the best actor in the cast. He was the best of us. I was lucky to have known, and learned from him. He left the world a better place for his presence. Thank you Tony for all you gave.”
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