Jason Bateman and four-time Emmy-winner Laura Linney will star in “Ozark” a money-centric present- day drama that will begin streaming on Netflix in 2017, the Internet television network announced Wednesday.
Bateman will portray a financial planner and Linney his wife who suddenly relocate from the Chicago suburbs to a summer resort community in the Missouri Ozarks.
“Ozark” explores capitalism, family dynamics and survival through the eyes of (anything but) ordinary Americans, according to Netflix.
Netflix gave “Ozark” a 10-episode order for its first season. It is created by Bill Dubuque, who co-wrote the screenplay for the 2014 film drama “The Judge.” Bateman is also an executive producer.
Netflix also announced it has ordered a 90-episode second season of the talk show “Chelsea” hosted by Chelsea Handler; an eight-episode second season of the comedy “Real Rob,” starring Rob Schneider; and a second season of the comedy “Lady Dynamite, which is inspired by the real life of star Maria Bamford.
Netflix also announced it has ordered a children’s animated series based on the Motown catalog of songs which legendary Motown singer Smokey Robinson will serve as executive music producer.
The untitled project revolves around the adventures of Ben, a lovable and slightly shy 8-year old with an extraordinary artistic ability to bring street art to life. The series is set in the imaginary city of Motown, based on Detroit and its rich musical heritage.
Netflix also announced it has ordered a second season of the children’s animated series inspired by the music of The Beatles “Beat Bugs,” whose first season will begin streaming next Wednesday.
Artists providing covers to Beatles songs on the first season of “Beat Bugs” are Pink, James Corden, Aloe Blacc, Robbie Williams, Eddie Vedder, Frances, The Shins, The Lumineers and Sia.
The second season of “Beat Bugs” will begin streaming Nov. 18 with Rod Stewart, Jennifer Hudson and Tori Kelly covering Beatles songs.
Jennifer Garner will voice the character of Mama Llama in the animated series for preschoolers, “Llama Llama,” based on the best-selling book series by Anna Dewdney, Netflix announced.
Garner said she had read the books to her children “hundreds of times in the last 10 years.”
“Your kids won’t even notice they are learning life lessons, such as how to battle boredom or braving the first day of school,” Garner said.
“But when your kids watch the coziness of Mama Llama’s relationship with her Little Llama, be ready for an extra snuggle as you connect, while learning about the world around you.”
“Llama Llama” will premiere in 2017.
The new version of the 1975-84 CBS comedy “One Day at a Time” will premiere Jan. 6. It stars Justina Machado as a recently separated mother raising her radical teenage daughter and socially adept tween son with the assistance of her mother (Emmy-, Grammy-, Oscar- and Tony-winner Rita Moreno).
Other premiere dates announced were for the third installment of the cooking series “Chef’s Table: France” (Sept. 2); the Chicago-set anthology series “Easy” (Sept. 22); the second part of the first season of the Ashton Kutcher-starring comedy “The Ranch” (Oct. 7); the third season of the suspense anthology series “Black Mirror” (Oct. 21); the second season of the romantic comedy “Lovesick” (Nov. 17); the sequel to the 2000-2007 The WB/The CW comedy-drama “Gilmore Girls,” “Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life” (Nov. 25); and the hostage-taking negotiation “docuseries” Captive (Dec. 9).
The announcements were made in connection with Netflix’s portion of the Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour which is being held in Beverly Hills.
–City News Service