BERLIN NOIR (HBO, New!) - Author Philip Kerr's trilogy is on track to become a television series at the pay channel. Said hour would focus on Bernie Gunther, a police detective in 1930s Germany, with the political climate and run-up to WWII and then the Cold War as the backdrop. "March Violets," "The Pale Criminal" and "A German Requiem" were published in successive years beginning in 1989. Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman are on board to executive produce the project via their Playtone banner. No other auspices were given. (Deadline.com)
DOWNWARDLY MOBILE (NBC) - Tricia O'Kelley ("The New Adventures of Old Christine") has been cast in the comedy pilot, about Rose Davis (Roseanne Barr), the proprietor of a mobile home park and surrogate mother to all of the unique people who live there in a challenging economy. She'll play Mrs. Denby who, along with her husband (Greg Cromer), lost everything in a Ponzi scheme and must start anew at said park. She'll take over for Salli Richardson-Whitfield, who exited the project after its run-through this afternoon. Hector Duran, Jason Antoon, John Goodman, Kendra Jain, Mary Birdsong and Romy Rosemont also star in the 20th Century Fox Television-based half-hour, to be directed by Gail Mancuso. (Deadline.com)
