Hallmark Channel Announces Renewals and Slate for 2021; Michael Che Coming to HBO Max for Improv Series

Thursday, July 16, 2020

Hallmark Channel Announces Renewals and Slate for 2021; Michael Che Coming to HBO Max for Improv Series

Following unprecedented success across its 2019-2020 programming slate, Crown Media Family Networks unveiled new casting announcements, Original movies, and renewals of hit series and movie franchises on its two flagship networks, Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries for 2020-2021. The news comes 100 days prior to the launch of Christmas on Hallmark's channels, the most anticipated holiday program event on any network. Crown Media is working with some of its most compelling talent in a development capacity. The company is currently in development with network stars Ashley Williams and Kimberly Williams- Paisley on a two-part movie about real sisters, with each of them playing the lead in one of the films. In addition, the company is developing projects with Holly Robinson Peete and Tamera Mowry-Housley. Hallmark Channel's upcoming slate includes the return of seasonal events, Fall Harvest and Countdown to Christmas, as well as new seasons in the network's three scripted dramas and daily, lifestyle program, Home & Family. Additionally, Crown Media Family Networks has renewed Hallmark Channel's pet-centric specials, Kitten Bowl, American Humane Hero Dog Awards and American Rescue Dog Show.

With several more announcements in the coming weeks, Hallmark announced new talent joining the Hallmark family, including: Aaron Tveit, Alvina August, Janel Parrish, Jeremy Jordan, Krystal Joy Brown, Lucia Micarelli, Mallory Jansen, Marisol Nichols, Rochelle Aytes, and Ronnie Rowe. They join returning favorites that include Alexa & Carlos PenaVega, Alicia Witt, Candace Cameron Bure, Chaley Rose, Jesse Metcalfe, Jill Wagner, Julie Gonzalo, Lacey Chabert, Merritt Patterson, Rachael Leigh Cook, Rick Fox and Sarah Drew. And finally, returning for new seasons in 2021, are Hallmark Channel's three original scripted programs, which are some of the longest-running and highest-rated series on cable television. When Calls the Heart, Hallmark Channel's longest-running series, will soon go into production on Season 8. On the heels of its recently concluded successful sixth season, Good Witch has been greenlit for Season 7. Multi-generational family drama, Chesapeake Shores, is set to return for Season 5.

Michael Che

HBO Max announced a six-episode order for Untitled Michael Che Project (wt), an original sketch comedy series starring Michael Che (Saturday Night Live, Michael Che Matters). Each episode follows a theme or incident, (police brutality, unemployment, falling in love, etc.), and uses sketches and vignettes to illustrate what it feels like to experience this from a black vantage point. It's less about being "right" and more about being honest, even at the risk of being controversial. Untitled Michael Che Project is produced by Universal TV, a division of Universal Studio Group, and Broadway Video, with Che, Lorne Michaels, and Erin Doyle serving as executive producers.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Thursday, January 22

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "A Will and a Dead Man’s Wife" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Georgie’s not ready for his mother to start dating again. Meanwhile, Jim and Audrey struggle to make their wills.

Ghosts - "Kyle" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Sam and Jay’s relationship is tested when Kyle (Ben Feldman), a handsome living who shares Sam’s ability to see ghosts, arrives at Woodstone B&B.

Animal Control - "Dragons and Dognappers" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Rob Gronkowski returns and asks the team for help rehoming a zebra; Emily and Shred's first date goes awry when they unexpectedly run into Daisy and Patel on their night out; Frank must defend Templeton when Templeton is accused of dognapping.

Going Dutch - "Farmer's Mark-tet Offensive" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT)
After a messy breakup, the Colonel and Katja find themselves going to war between the town and the base; Capt. Maggie tries to de-escalate the tension between the two ex-lovers and negotiate a truce.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of January 19)

Thursday, January 22

Mike Epps (The Upshaws/Uncle Buck/Survivor's Remorse) - Catch Mike on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Anthony Anderson (black-ish/Guys with Kids/All About the Andersons) - Anthony appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC. NBC's Today catches up with Anthony in the 10am hour.
Sean Hayes (Will & Grace/The Millers/Sean Saves the World) - Sean is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Jessica Williams (Shrinking/Love Life/Just for Kicks) - Jessica talks about Shrinking on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
Michael Urie (Shrinking/Krapopolis/Partners) - Michael talks about Shrinking on ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis at 7pm.
Craig Robinson (Killing It/Ghosted/Mr. Robinson/The Office/Lucky) - Craig talks about Broadway' All Out on NBC's Today in the 9am hour.
Deon Cole (grown-ish/Angie Tribeca/black-ish) - Deon joins Sherri to discuss hosting this year's NAACP Image Awards on BET on Sherri, so check your local listings.
Heidi Gardner (Shrinking) - Heidi tells Sherri about her star turn in the new Broadway comedy All Out: Comedy About Ambition on Sherri, so check your local listings.
Kyle MacLachlan (Carol's Second Act/Sex and the City) - Kyle tells Drew about the latest season of his thrilling hit show Fallout and plays a round of memory bank dishing on his biggest moments and roles revealing which Sex and the City character he identifies most with on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Jackson White (Mrs. Fletcher) - Jackson tells Drew about the newest season of the hit show Tell Me Lies, how he started dating co-star Grace Van Patten, growing up on set with his actress mom and more on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Howie Mandel (Good Grief) - Howie talks about Netflix's Best Guess Live on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.