Patti Smith's Memoir To Become a Limited Series on Showtime

Patti Smith's much sought after memoir, "Just Kids," has landed at Showtime. Co-written and produced by Patti Smith and three-time Academy Award nominee John Logan, the memoir will be developed into a Showtime limited series, to be produced with Logan's Desert Wolf Productions.

"'Just Kids' is one of my favorite memoirs of all time," said David Nevins, President of Showtime Networks Inc. "Not only is it a fascinating portrait of artists coming of age, but it's also an inspiring story of friendship, love and endurance. I'm so thrilled that Patti Smith will bring her unique voice to writing the scripts along with the gifted John Logan, who has been doing such a phenomenal job with Penny Dreadful for us."

Underground Railroad Miniseries 'Freedom Run' Coming to NBC

NBC is bringing both the heartbreaking and uplifting stories during one of America’s most tumultuous periods to television in adapting author and Pulitzer Prize finalist Betty DeRamus’ acclaimed book “Forbidden Fruit: Love Stories From the Underground Railroad” as an epic eight-hour miniseries titled “Freedom Run.” It will focus on three specific epic journeys and love stories, each based on actual people.

Iconic musician Stevie Wonder, who has won 25 Grammy Awards, recorded 30 Top 10 hits, is an Oscar winner and a member of both the Rock ‘n’ Roll and Songwriters Hall of Fame, will serve as an executive producer.

B. Swibel, Adam Westbrook and Charles Randolph-Wright will write the miniseries and serve as executive producers. Tara Smith and Brian LaRoda will also executive produce.

John Travolta to Play Robert Shapiro in FX Miniseries 'American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson'

John Travolta, Robert Shapiro

In his first television starring role since Welcome Back, Kotter, award-winning actor and producer John Travolta will star as defense attorney Robert Shapiro in the FX miniseries American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson, from Executive Producers Ryan Murphy, Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski, Brad Falchuk, and Dante Di Loreto.

The two-time Academy Award nominated and Golden Globe(R) Award winning Travolta will portray Shapiro, a key member of O.J. Simpson's "Dream Team" during the sensational murder trial. He will also serve as a producer of the 10-part miniseries.

Travolta joins a cast which includes David Schwimmer as O.J. Simpson's confidant and attorney Robert Kardashian, Academy Award winner Cuba Gooding Jr. as O.J. Simpson, and Emmy and Golden Globe Award nominated actress Sarah Paulson as prosecutor Marcia Clark, who currently stars in American Horror Story: Freak Show.

'The Missing' Returning to Starz for Second Eight-Episode Installment

An eight-episode sequel of The Missing has been ordered by Starz.

Starz has ordered a sequel to the Golden Globe nominated limited series The Missing. The new eight-part installment will again be written by brothers Harry and Jack Williams and unfold over two time frames but this time follows a new case, new characters and new location.

Using the terms "sequel" and "limited series" in what seems like a typical second season announcement emphasizes the distinction many series are trying to make these days. All the pros and cons of classifying as a miniseries versus a drama series are not clear, but one obviously impact is awards show nominations. The choice of competing against other miniseries or the top dramas may increase of decrease of odds of winning. In the case of Fargo, one simple writing credit recently made all the difference.

'The Dovekeepers' Will Air March 31-April 1 on CBS, Stars Cote de Pablo, Rachel Brosnahan and Kathryn Prescott

Cote de Pablo stars in The Dovekeepers on CBS.

The Dovekeepers, a four-hour limited event series from executive producers Roma Downey and Mark Burnett, will be broadcast Tuesday, March 31 and Wednesday, April 1, 2015 (9-11 p.m. ET/PT) on CBS.

The project stars Cote de Pablo, Rachel Brosnahan and Kathryn Prescott in the title dovekeeper roles, Sam Neill as first-century Jewish scholar and historian Josephus, and Diego Boneta as a star warrior of the Jewish army at Masada. The series is based on Alice Hoffman’s bestselling, critically acclaimed historical novel about a group of extraordinary women whose lives intersect in a fight for survival at the siege of Masada.

FIRST LOOK: Juan Pablo di Pace as Jesus in NBC's 'A.D.'

Juan Pablo di Pace as Jesus

NBC has released the first look at the highly anticipated miniseries A.D., which premieres Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015.

A.D. is the sequel to the History Channel's top-rated The Bible. Juan Pablo di Pace will star as Jesus.

The 35-year-old Argentina native's credits include the NBC series Camp and TNT's reboot of Dallas.

Di Pace was among those to announce the news Wednesday, when he expressed his excitement to his 4,000 Instagram followers and 16,600 Twitter disciples.

Executive-produced by Mark Burnett and Roma Downey, the 12-episode A.D. is slated to coincide with the Easter season. That's appropriate timing, as the Bible series ended with the story of Jesus’ crucifixion.

According to People magazine, the sequel "will focus on the fallout and the impact the crucifixion had on Jesus’ mother, Mary, his disciples and key political and religious leaders."

Check out one more sneak peek photo below:

Syfy to Adapt '3001: The Final Odyssey' Novel Into a Miniseries

Syfy announced today that it is working with Scott Free Productions and Warner Horizon Television to adapt the Arthur C. Clarke novel "3001: The Final Odyssey" into a miniseries. Stuart Beattie (Pirates of the Caribbean, Collateral) will write the adaptation and serve as executive producer along with Scott Free's Ridley Scott and David W. Zucker. Clayton Krueger will serve as co-executive producer.

An epic story of a man lost in time, Arthur C. Clarke's final "Odyssey" book resolves the tale that was begun in "2001: A Space Odyssey." Beginning with the discovery of Frank Poole's frozen body, floating in space, "3001: The Final Odyssey" offers an extraordinary range of complex characters with conflicting agendas, stunning visuals, and dark thematic meditations on the final fate of all humankind.

Syfy Miniseries 'Ascension' to Premiere December 15, Watch the Trailer

Syfy's 3-night, 6-hour limited event series Ascension will premiere on Monday, December 15 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Nights 2 and 3 air Tuesday, December 15 and Wednesday, December 17 at 9 p.m.

Created and written by executive producer and showrunner Philip Levens (Smallville), Ascension is an ambitious original drama following a covert U.S. space mission launched in the 1960's that sent hundreds of men, women and children on a century-long voyage aboard the starship Ascension to populate a new world. Half way into their journey, as they approach the point of no return, the mysterious murder of a young woman causes the ship's population to question the true nature of their mission.

The series stars Brandon P. Bell (Hollywood Heights) as the confident and capable First Officer Aaron Gault, Brian Van Holt (Cougar Town, The Bridge) as the eponymous ship's Captain William Denninger, and Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica) as Viondra Denninger, the captain's beautiful, manipulative and dangerous wife (who also serves as the ship's Chief Steward).

Watch the trailer below:

Sam Neill Joins Cast of CBS Miniseries 'The Dovekeepers'

Sam Neill has been cast in The Dovekeepers, a four-hour CBS limited event series from executive producers Roma Downey and Mark Burnett, to be broadcast in 2015. The project is based on Alice Hoffman’s acclaimed historical novel about extraordinary women whose lives intersect in a fight for survival at the siege of Masada.

Neill joins Cote de Pablo (NCIS, The 33), Rachel Brosnahan (“Manhattan,” “House of Cards”) and Kathryn Prescott (Finding Carter, Skins), who star as The Dovekeepers, as well as Diego Boneta (Rock of Ages, Pele).

The Dovekeepers is currently in production in Malta.

'One Child' Miniseries to Air December 5-6 on SundanceTV, Stars Katie Leung & Donald Sumpter

SundanceTV will premiere its newest original mini-series One Child on December 5th and 6th at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The four-hour series penned by Guy Hibbert (Complicit, Five Minutes of Heaven) which stars Katie Leung (Harry Potter) and features Emmy nominated actress Elizabeth Perkins (Weeds) and Donald Sumpter (Game of Thrones, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) will air as a two-night special event. One Child follows the journey of a Chinese-born young woman adopted by British parents as she struggles in the face of crisis to determine her family loyalties, true identity and the meaning of family.

Syfy Greenlights 'Childhood's End' as Six-Hour Miniseries

Syfy today announced that it is greenlighting one of science fiction's most beloved and influential novels, Arthur C. Clarke's classic "Childhood's End," as a six-hour miniseries premiering in 2015.

In making the announcement, Dave Howe, President, Syfy, said: "As we aggressively develop scripted programming over a diverse creative landscape, we want our content to reflect the greatest sci-fi stories from the past and the present. The powerful themes of Childhood's End, from the fearsome price of peace and prosperity, to the very question of what constitutes a human being, remain fascinating and timeless. This will be the most ambitious project for Syfy in many years."

HBO Miniseries 'Olive Kitteridge' Will Air November 2-3

Olive Kitteridge premieres November 2 on HBO.

HBO has confirmed the debut dates for the miniseries Olive Kitteridge, with the first two parts scheduled to debut on Sunday, November 2 (9:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT), followed the next night by the debut of the final two parts on Monday, November 3 (9:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT).

Academy Award winner Frances McDormand (Fargo, North Country) and Academy Award nominee Richard Jenkins (The Visitor, Six Feet Under) star in this HBO miniseries drama, directed by Academy Award-nominated director Lisa Cholodenko (The Kids Are All Right, Laurel Canyon) from a teleplay by Emmy-winner Jane Anderson (The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom and Normal). Based on Elizabeth Strout's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name, Olive Kitteridge tells the poignantly sweet, acerbically funny and devastatingly tragic story of a seemingly placid New England town wrought with illicit affairs, crime and tragedy, told through the lens of a woman whose wicked wit and harsh demeanor mask a warm but troubled heart and a staunch moral center. The supporting cast includes Bill Murray, John Gallagher, Jr., Peter Mullan, Rosemarie DeWitt and Zoe Kazan. Executive produced by Gary Goetzman, Tom Hanks, Frances McDormand and Jane Anderson.

Spike TV Announces More Leading Characters for 'Tut' Event Series

Six crucial roles in Spike TV's upcoming event series have been cast, it was announced Thursday by Sharon Levy, Executive Vice President, Original Series, Spike TV.

Nonso Anozie will play the savvy military, yet power hungry, strategist General Horemheb. Anozie is an accomplished and acclaimed British film, stage, and television actor, having recently starred as Renfield in NBC's "Dracula" and as Xaro Xhoan Daxos in HBO's hit series "Game of Thrones." He was also recently seen in the Blockbuster features "Ender's Game" and "Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit." Anozie's stage credits in the UK include the title role in William Shakespeare's King Lear and the title role in Othello, for which he won the prestigious Ian Charleson Award.

Academy Award Winner Adrien Brody Stars in 'Houdini' - Two-Night Miniseries-Event Premieres September 1

Houdini premieres Labor Day on History.

Houdini, a new two-night scripted miniseries airing on September 1 and 2 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on History, is the story of a man who can defy death, but who really was the man behind the escapes? The event miniseries follows the epic tales of Harry Houdini as he emerges as America's first bonafide world-renowned superstar.

From humble beginnings at circus sideshows to sold-out concert halls, Eastern European immigrant Erich Weiss rose to become a household name across the globe - Houdini. Academy Award winner Adrien Brody (The Pianist) stars as The Great Harry Houdini as he finds fame, engages in espionage, battles spiritualists, and encounters the greatest names of the era, from U.S. presidents to Arthur Conan Doyle and Rasputin. A thrilling ride throughout Harry's psyche, Houdini delves deep behind the curtain into his life through his stunts, his visions, and his mastery of illusion.

Elizabeth Perkins and Donald Sumpter Join Scripted Original Miniseries 'One Child,' Co-Produced by SundanceTV

SundanceTV announced today that Elizabeth Perkins and Donald Sumpter have joined the cast of One Child, a co-produced, new original scripted miniseries. The four-hour series penned by Guy Hibbert (Complicit, Five Minutes of Heaven) and starring Katie Leung (Harry Potter) is currently in production in London and Hong Kong and will air in late 2014. One Child crosses the world as a Chinese-born young woman adopted by British parents must struggle with who she really is in order to decide where her loyalty lies.

Sundance Miniseries 'The Honorable Woman' to Premiere July 31

SundanceTV announced today that “The Honorable Woman,” starring Academy Award® nominee Maggie Gyllenhaal (Crazy Heart, The Dark Knight, Secretary), will premiere Thursday, July 31, 2014 at 10pm ET/PT. “The Honorable Woman” is a fast paced, labyrinthine thriller set against an international political backdrop of paranoia and espionage. The eight-part miniseries is written and directed by BAFTA Award® winner Hugo Blick (The Shadow Line) and follows one woman’s personal journey from London’s Whitehall and MI6 to the CIA in Washington to the Middle East to right the wrongs of her family’s past. The Hollywood Reporter touted Blick’s gripping drama as one of this summer's "Hottest New Fiction Shows.”