‘Evil’ Final Season Gets Premiere Date, Trailer at Paramount+ (TV News Roundup)

L-R Katja Herbers as Kristen Bouchard, Aasif Mandvi as Ben Shakir and Mike Colter as David Acosta appearing in Evil episode 5, season 4, streaming on Paramount+, 2023. Photo Credit: Elizabeth Fisher/Paramount+
Elizabeth Fisher/Paramount+

The fourth and final season of “Evil” will premiere Thursday, May 23, on Paramount+, the streamer announced Monday. Production recently began in New York City on the previously announced four bonus episodes. Season 4 will include 14 episodes premiering weekly.

The series is a psychological thriller that investigates the origins of evil and the church’s unexplained mysteries including demonic possession. The official description of the upcoming season reads: “Kristen, David and Ben continue to assess cases that involve wayward technology, possessed pigs, demonic oppression and infestation, a dance muse conjured by alleged witches and an evil relic.”

The series stars Katja Herbers, Mike Colter, Aasif Mandvi, Michael Emerson, Kurt Fuller, Andrea Martin, Christine Lahti, Brooklyn Shuck, Skylar Gray, Maddy Crocco and Dalya Knapp.

Popular on Variety

“Evil” is produced by CBS Studios in association with King Size Productions. Robert King, Michelle King, Liz Glotzer, Rockne S. O’Bannon and Sam Hoffman serve as executive producers.

Watch the official trailer below.

In other TV roundup news:

DATES

Peacock’s “Those About to Die” will premiere on July 18. During WWE WrestleMania on Sunday, April 7, the teaser trailer for the Roland Emmerich-Anthony Hopkins series was released. 

The show takes place in Ancient Rome and explores the world of spectacle-driven gladiatorial competition. It shows the business of entertaining audiences with characters from all sides of the Roman Empire who face conflict when sports, politics and dynasties interfere. 

Hopkins stars in the drama, with an ensemble cast including Iwan Rheon, Sara Martins, Tom Hughes, Jojo Macari, Moe Hashim, Johannes Haukur Johannesson, Rupert Penry-Jones, Gabriella Pession, Dimitri Leonidas, Emilio Sakraya, David Wurawa, Pepe Barroso, Gonçalo Almeida, Eneko Sagardoy, Romana Maggiora Vergano. Emmerich and Marco Kreuzpaintner direct and executive produce. 

“Those About to Die” will include 10 episodes, each at 60 minutes.

*

USA Network’s “Race to Survive: New Zealand” premieres May 20 at 11 p.m. ET/PT with a 75-minute episode.

The series sees “the most harrowing outdoor adventure competition yet.” Challengers must rely on endurance racing, survival skills and intuition as they navigate 150 miles of New Zealand terrain. Nine teams of two will navigate the land while finding their own food and water and attempting beat their counterparts to the finish line and the $500,000 grand prize.

Last year saw the premiere of “Race to Survive: Alaska,” which followed eight teams of athletes embarking on a journey across 300 miles of Alaskan wilderness.

“Race to Survive: New Zealand” is produced by Original Productions. Jeff Hasler, Brian Lovett and Meredith Prunkard executive produce. Jeff Conroy serves as executive producer and showrunner.

Watch the trailer below.

*

“Pretty Little Liars: Summer School,” a Max Original series from Warner Bros. Television, debuts with two episodes May 9. Episodes will premiere weekly through June 20.

The logline reads: “Following the harrowing events of “Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin,” our Pretty Little Liars face a fate worse than death – summer school. However, Millwood High isn’t the only thing getting in the way of their fun summer jobs and new, dreamy love interests. A new villain, who may or may not have a connection to A, has come to town and is going to put them all to the test.”

Bailee Madison, Chandler Kinney, Zaria, Malia Pyles and Maia Reficco return to the Pretty Little Liars spinoff. The series also stars Mallory Bechtel, Sharon Leal, Alex Aiono, Jordan Gonzalez and Elias Kacavas.

The series is created, written and executive produced by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Lindsay Calhoon Bring. Aguirre-Sacasa’s Muckle Man Productions and Alloy Entertainment produce in association with Warner Bros. Television. Alloy’s Leslie Morgenstein and Gina Girolamo are also executive producers, along with Marlene King and Michael Grassi.

*

The 10-episode season two of “A Kind of Spark” is set to premiere on April 28 on the BYUtv app for World Autism Month. The series follows Addie, a neurodivergent teenage girl determined to make the world around her a better place.

The series is based on the novel written by Elle McNicoll, who is neurodivergent and serves as a writer on the series. “A Kind of Spark” received a Children & Family Emmy nomination for Casting for a Live Action Program.

The series’ three main actresses are all neurodivergent: Lola Blue (Addie), Georgia De Gidlow (Keedie) and Caitlin Hamilton (Nina). Ella May Purvis (Bonnie) also joins for the second season of “A Kind of Spark.”

PROGRAMMING

Latino Alternative TV (LATV) has a new parent media brand, LatiNation Media. LatiNation Media will serve as the media company that LATV’s linear, AVOD, and FAST network will live within, as well as the production studios LatiNation Studios, and digital content network and digital ad solutions LatiNation Digital.  

The official description of the media company reads, “LatiNation Media is the evolution of this established bilingual Latin content brand. LATV is the English-language content company, catering to and delivering a valuable 18+ Hispanic audience. Under this umbrella brand, LatiNation Media reaches over 70% of the U.S. Hispanic audience, 18-49, who consume content in English. Also, LatiNation Media has the #1 Hispanic digital sales network this year by ComScore.” 

*

Kartoon Studios announced the launch of the “Stan Lee Presents” channel on YouTube.The newly branded channel, formerly “Cinematica,” will be managed by Kartoon Studios’ subsidiary Frederator Networks, one of the largest animation networks on YouTube.

The channel focuses on all things Stan Lee and includes content from Lee’s personal archives, digital comic books, interviews, behind-the-scenes footage and sneak peaks of upcoming Stan Lee Universe projects, clips, trailers, interviews and more. Two new videos and select shorts will be launched each week.

As Marvel’s editor-in-chief, Lee helped build a universe of interlocking continuity, with superheros from Spider-Man to the Fantastic Four, Thor, Iron Man, the Hulk, the X-Men and more. Lee became Marvel’s editorial director and publisher in 1972 and was eventually named chairman emeritus.

The channel will be curated by Michael Uslan, and Kim Luperi, both of whom worked closely with Lee. Legible Comics will also publish a new series of graphic novels this year with all the characters of Stan Lee Universe, anticipated to debut at San Diego Comic-Con this summer.

*

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay will face off against Lisa Vanderpump of “Vanderpump Rules” in the season two premiere of “Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars,” which is set to air Wednesday, May 22 on Fox and streaming the next day on Hulu.

“Lisa is a tough, shrewd restaurateur and TV star,” said Ramsay. “She is a real force in business and a true friend. However, make no mistake, the competition will be fierce between us!”

Ramsay and Vanderpump will each select a team of industry entrepreneurs and compete in a gauntlet of real-world challenges designed to showcase their skills as restaurateurs.

“Gordon is quite literally larger-than-life, an iconic figure and a dear friend,” said Vanderpump. “Setting that aside, we’re both tenacious, tireless, competitive and demanding of ourselves and others, so while I salute the man and his many successes and defer to his mastery in the kitchen, I will never defer to him on this show. Game on, Gordon!”

*

Streaming television network ReachTV and Bill Rancic are creating the new edutainment series “Dollar Bill,” which teaches viewers everyday advice on money management. Rancic serves as host of the series, which will launch later this year on ReachTV.

“The best partnerships are the ones that share a common goal, and in this case, it’s about financial security for all,” said Rancic. “This venture is near to my heart as it’s something that’s needed more than ever and with our roster of financial advisors, business leaders and celebrity entrepreneurs as guests we are set up to deliver in a big way.”

*

TNT Sports, Warner Bros. Games and the National Hockey League have unveiled the first ever “MultiVersus NHL Face-Off.” The real-time fully animated presentation will air on truTV and Max’s B/R Sports add-on Sunday, April 14 at 3:30 p.m. ET during the match between the Colorado Avalanche and the Vegas Golden Knights.

Warner Bros. Discovery characters like Bugs Bunny, Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Velma, Shaggy, Steven Universe and Finn the Human will face-off center ice in place of the expected hockey players. The Tasmanian Devil will officiate the game, with Steve Mears calling and Colby Armstrong providing color commentary.

*

*

Zero Gravity Media Films’ new sci-fi series “Chaser” will premiere on Prime Video April 12. Buffalo 8 acts as distributor.

From writer-director Daniel Roemer, the eight-episode drama follows the life of struggling film editor, Eddi Sebastian (Russ Russo). Eddi, frustrated with his life and his work, experiences a life-changing event as he discovers a mysterious software that lets him cut and edit his life from the past 24 hours.

Russo is represented by Eris Talent Agency, Baron Entertainment and Kreativ Artists, with publicity managed by Studio Matrix, which also represents Roemer for U.S. publicity and partners with The Ginger Bread Agency for U.K. publicity.

PARTNERSHIPS

The film school at the Savannah College of Art and Design is partnering with the Writers Guild Foundation as part of its upcoming programming series SCAD TVfest: Screenwriting. The program will premiere April 19 and feature a WGF pop-up library and three additional events.

All sessions will be hosted at the university’s theater complex in Midtown Atlanta, SCADshow.

Tickets are free for SCAD students, faculty and staff. Tickets for SCAD alumni are $5 and $10 for the public. Tickets are available for purchase at the official event site.

CASTING

MGM+ announced Jessica Frances Dukes has been casted as Emma in its six-episode limited series “Earth Abides,” which is based on George R. Stewart’s classic sci-fi novel of the same name. Dukes joins Alexander Ludwig, who stars as Ish.

The series follows survivors avoiding the slide into human extinction after a plague sweeps the globe. It is slated to debut on MGM+ later this year.

Created by writer and showrunner Todd Komarnicki (Sully), the series comes from MGM+ Studios and executive producers Kearie Peak and Lighthouse Productions’ Michael Phillips and Juliana Maio. Additional writers include Karen Janszen, Tony Spiridakis, Evan Hart and Kyle Stephen.

Dukes is represented by Schachter Entertainment, Innovative Artists and Schreck Rose Dapello Adams Berlin & Dunham.

FIRST LOOKS/TRAILERS

HBO has released the official trailer for the six-episode fourth season of “We’re Here.” The series returns April 26 on HBO and will be available to stream on Max, with new episodes debuting weekly.

The logline reads: “Season four of “We’re Here” follows renowned drag queens, Sasha Velour, Priyanka, Jaida Essence Hall, and Latrice Royale, as they continue the show’s mission of spreading love and connection through the art of drag across small-town America. This season, the queens work with participants in Murfreesboro, Tennessee and Tulsa, Oklahoma, as well as in surrounding towns, and take an in-depth, immersive look at recent anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, and the effect it has had on the community.”

The third season of “We’re Here” won two Emmy Awards, a third GLAAD Award for “Outstanding Reality Programming,” a Peabody Award and received Television Academy Honors.

Season 4 of the series is created and executive produced by Stephen Warren and Johnnie Ingram. Peter LoGreco serves as director and executive producer. Eli Holzman, Aaron Saidman and Erin Gamble executive produce for The Intellectual Property Corporation, a part of Sony Pictures Television.

Watch the trailer below.

*

Peacock and Sky have released the official trailer for their limited series “The Tattooist of Auschwitz.” Based on the novel by Heather Morris, the drama will be available on Peacock in the U.S. and Sky Atlantic and Now in the UK, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Austria and Switzerland on May 2.

“The Tattooist of Auschwitz” is inspired by the real-life story of Jewish Holocaust survivors Lali and Gita Sokolov. Lali (Jonah Hauer-King) arrived at Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1942, and shortly after arrival, he was made one of the tattooists.

Executive producers include Claire Mundell, Adrian Burns and Mark Young for Synchronicity Films, and Serena Thompson under the Sky Studios banner. Tali Shalom-Ezer is the series’ director, and Jacquelin Perske, Evan Placey and Gabbie Asher serve as writers.

Watch the trailer below.

*

Apple TV+ has released a first look for it new kids’ show “Yo Gabba GabbaLand!.” The 10-episode series, inspired by the original “Yo Gabba Gabba!,” is set to stream globally Aug. 9.

“Yo Gabba GabbaLand!” stars original cast members Erin Pearce as Toodee, Emma Penrose as Foofa, Adam Deibert as Muno, Amos Watene as Brobee and Christian Jacobs as Plex. Guests stars to appear throughout the season include Reggie Watts, Sam Richardson, Gillian Jacobs, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Lauren Lapkus, Chelsea Peretti, Diplo and Flea.

“Yo Gabba GabbaLand!” is produced by WildBrain and Yo Gabba Gabba LLC, the co-owners of the brand. The series is created by Christian Jacobs and Scott Schultz (co-creators of “Yo Gabba Gabba!”), who also serve as executive producers for Yo Gabba LLC, alongside Josh Scherba and Stephanie Betts for WildBrain.

*

Bravo has released a first look for season two of “The Real Housewives of Dubai,” which is set to premiere June 2. New episodes thereafter will be aired on Tuesdays on Bravo, with episodes streaming next day on Peacock.

The ladies of the show must balance new dynamics in the group, handling their demanding family lives and ever-growing businesses.

The season two cast includes returning housewives Chanel Ayan, Caroline Brooks, Sara Al Madani, Lesa Milan and Caroline Stanbury. New housewife Taleen Marie joins the original cast.

“The Real Housewives of Dubai” is produced by Truly Original with Steven Weinstock, Glenda Hersh, Lauren Eskelin, Jamie Jakimo, Leola Westbrook-Lawrence and Tamara Najm Coudurier serving as executive producers. Andy Cohen also executive produces.

Watch the trailer below.

EXECUTIVE NEWS

John Rood, entertainment marketing executive, has been named the chief brand & communications officer of Magid, a consulting, consumer intelligence and activations firm. As part of the Magid’s leadership team, Rood will report directly to CEO, Brent Magid. There he will oversee brand strategy, product marketing, corporate communications, sales support, and events.

“John brings incredible expertise and experience that will help us serve our clients even better and supercharge the scale of our business,” Magid said.

Rood joins Magid after leaving his marketing agency. He previously served as senior vice president of marketing at Disney Channel along with other marketing roles during his 15 years at The Walt Disney Company. He spent 10 years at Warner Bros., last serving as executive vice President of sales, marketing, and business development for DC Comics.

“Magid was a powerful partner of mine while I was at Disney/ABC Television, helping us devise winning strategies for a number of our businesses,” Rood said. “In the years since, I have witnessed the Magid reputation grow even further, in stature, in its product suite and in industries served. If ya know, ya know – brands who partner with Magid today are experiencing the very best combination: legacy credibility and modern innovation. I am thrilled to be joining these great people at this great company.”

*

Jane Wiseman, who was previously vice president of original series at Netflix, has joined Sister Entertainment Group as head of U.S. Television, announced by Cindy Holland, global CEO of Sister Entertainment Group. Wisemen is based in Los Angeles and will lead the U.S. Television business for Sister, specifically focused on development and production of premium scripted series.

“Sister’s slate is ambitious, audacious and artist-forward, exactly the kind of work I want to support in this next chapter,” said Wiseman. “On a personal level, I couldn’t be happier to reunite with Cindy and to work closely with her, Jane Featherstone and the whole Sister team.”

“Jane is a multi-faceted executive with great passion and curiosity, combined with smart business and creative instincts. She’s a powerful advocate for artists and a generous collaborator, which makes her a great fit for our team at Sister,” said Holland. “I’m really looking forward to welcoming Jane to our team and working with her again.”