Disney Execs Talk ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ ‘Atlanta’ at Upfronts Press Briefing
In the “pre-show to the big show,” the Walt Disney Company put on a full-fledged production for its press briefing ahead of its upfront presentation later Tuesday, highlighting its full array of networks, from ESPN to ABC to NatGeo. While the presentation was a little light on details, FX boss John Landgraf did reveal that the highly anticipated Season 3 of “Atlanta” is currently in production in Paris and Amsterdam (after encountering delays last fall due to the coronavirus pandemic).
Briefly knocked off course by a technical glitch, the two-hour-long Disney upfront briefing featured puppies (courtesy of NatGeo), Peyton Manning (an expansion of “Peyton’s Places”) and a series of executives promising watchable slates for the fall.
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Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment chief Craig Erwich touted the “stability and strength” of ABC’s fall schedule staples like “Dancing With the Stars” alongside newcomers like “Queens” and “The Wonder Years.” Responding to a press question about the longevity of Shonda Rhimes’ “Grey’s Anatomy, he said that the network would “take ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ for as long as we can.” The exec also announced a full-series order for Hulu’s “Immigrant,” starring Kumail Nanjiani.
Landgraf also noted that “American Crime Story” is premiering in the fall, and the Season 10 finale of “American Horror Story” will air on Halloween. Meanwhile, NatGeo boss Courteney Monroe announced several renewals and new series, including “The Hot Zone: Anthrax,” starring Daniel Dae Kim and Tony Goldwyn, and new seasons of “Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted” and “Running Wild With Bear Grylls.”
Additionally, Erwich announced release dates for Hulu’s “Nine Perfect Strangers” (Aug. 18) and “Only Murders in the Building” (Aug. 31).
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