CW revives ‘Frequency’ years after pilot leaked
Monday, November 23rd, 2009
For Global Frequency, the path from print to primetime is laden with as much mystery and intrigue as the graphic novel itself. The spy series is back in business after some industry-changing hurdles which stretch back half a decade. In early 2004, The WB ordered a trial episode based on the popular 12-part comic book series created by Warren Ellis, starring Michelle Forbes as agent Miranda Zero, with Josh Hopkins and Aimee Garcia in team roles. But while the pilot was being filmed, the network changed presidents and took a new direction. Global Frequency and Angel were left off the schedule—The WB’s final season—in favor of lighter fare such as Related and Twins. In a covert twist at the time, someone illegally leaked the entire 45-minute Global pilot onto the internet, which incensed studio execs, Ellis blogged, as the industry was just coming to grips with the computer age. The highly-stylized video became (and still is) an international sensation online, but the groundswell of support went nowhere…until now. The CW has commissioned sci-fi guru Scott Nimerfro to write a new script, Production Weekly reports, introducing the intel system that exists to counter world governments’ secret projects, ranging from rogue military threats to paranormal phenomena. There are reportedly more than a thousand field agent “experts” on the Global Frequency, but their identities are unknown until they meet on a mission. If you were a fan of Jennifer Garner in Alias, this series should be on your radar. Ellis’ stand-alone comic stories were compiled into two paperback volumes, Planet Ablaze and Detonation Radio. Time will tell if this high-profile project crosses over to television—a clandestine story of survival.


They sing, they dance, they spy, they cheer…and, of course, they look really good doing it! They’re players in the game of TV development, with six new scripted series being prepped for 2010 consideration by The CW. Here’s a sneak peek, courtesy of THR:
Eric Millegan, who plays forensic anthropologist “Dr. Zack Addy” on Bones, is coming to Cuyahoga Falls. The 26-year-old actor will greet fans, sign autographs and pose for photos at Blockbuster Video, 86 Graham Road, on Thursday, September 3 from 4:30-6pm, Ohio.com reports. Now entering its fifth season, the investigative drama also features David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel, and will premiere weekends on WBNX beginning Oct. 3. Eric’s character was involved in the series’ most controversial and shocking twist to date, landing young genius Zack in a mental institution for a crime he may have committed thru the mind-control of serial killer Gormogon. Off-screen, Eric is an accomplished stage performer and vocalist. Bones fans will want to take advantage of this rare chance to meet one of the key stars visiting Northeast Ohio.
From coast to coast, the reviews are in—and critics are raving about The CW’s new fall lineup, the network strategy, and individual shows. Here’s a small sampling:
The Beautiful Life finished shooting its series pilot this week in Montreal, and someone behind-the-scenes has posted nearly 50 short
Two original reality series will debut this summer on The CW: Hitched or Ditched and Blonde Charity Mafia. Premiering after the May 26 finale of Reaper, Hitched centers on couples who’ve been dating for years—and are given an ultimatum to either set a wedding date within a week, or break up altogether. Of course, each featured couple will be put through a series of personalized exercises to test their relationship. The show is hosted by Tanya McQueen (pictured) from Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Following its six-week run, Blonde Charity Mafia will then take over the Tuesday timeslot. It’s a docu-drama about Washington, D.C.’s most influential 20-something Alpha Girls, the ladies with the hottest ticket in town. From Congressmen to Capitol Hill staffers, everyone vies for an invitation to their social events—and Mafia exploits are played up Gossip Girl-style on latenightshots.com. Along with the summer announcements, the network decided against an early fall launch prior to September, Variety reports, and will likely follow the pattern of last year’s head start around Labor Day.
For Colin Egglesfield, the route to Melrose Place began on the Yellow Brick Road, winding across international runways, with a much-ballyhooed trek into Pine Valley. In fact, you’ve no doubt seen his face countless times without realizing he’d one day become a leading man on MP2. Colin has been on the network radar since his heroic role in Lost in Oz, an ambitious 2002 pilot for The WB which never advanced to series. Most recently, he gained a horde of fans while playing the long-lost son of Erica (Susan Lucci) on All My Children—in a weird soap twist, he’d unknowingly survived Erica’s controversial TV abortion in the early ‘70s. Between those projects, Colin continued his career as an acclaimed—and prolific—model for such designers as Ralph Lauren, Versace and Calvin Klein, both in print and fashion shows.
More young people than ever became involved in the recent presidential election, so maybe the time is ripe for a CW drama set in the nation’s capital. The Body Politic filled out its primary cast with more familiar names, including Brian Austin Green (BH: 90210, Terminator) and film hottie Gabrielle Union. Joining them are Jenny Wade, currently Ben’s demon girlfriend on Reaper; Jay Hernandez (Crazy/Beautiful); and the previously announced Jason Dohring (Logan on Veronica Mars) and Minka Kelly (Lyla on Friday Night Lights). For veteran Tim Matheson, this is the third CW pilot he’s filmed. In 2006, he costarred with Christopher Egan in The Prince; and the following year, he joined The World According to Barnes. Neither show was picked up. However, having played the vice president on The West Wing, Tim knows his way around Washington. Back in 2000, The WB stepped into the political arena with seven episodes of a Dick Wolf midseason drama, D.C., featuring Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Gabriel Olds. Later, there were Kennedy overtones in the network’s young adult series, Jack & Bobby. Government always provides an intriguing backdrop for relationships, so it’ll be fun to see how this stellar cast fares when the fall schedule is finalized over the next seven weeks.