Upfronts: TV Land Signs ‘Younger’ Director Darren Star To Production Deal

TV Land will team with Younger producer Darren Star on future projects and will produce a series based on the classic comedy The first Wives Club, the network said during its upfront presentation Thursday in New York.

Star, who produces the network’s comedy Younger, will produce anther project with the network, according to Keith Cox, TV Land’s executive vice president of development and original programming.

The network also announced it will develop a new adaptation of comedy hit The First Wives Club, which will be executively produced by Jenny Bicks (Sex and the City), as well as an untitled pilot based on the life of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kyle Richards produced by John Wells (Shameless) and John Riggi (The Comeback ).

The network has also renewed its freshman comedy series Teachers for a 20-episode second season.

“Looking ahead, we’re developing shows that are funny but also embrace real dramatic moments,” said Cox in a statement. “We’re fortunate to be working with such amazing collaborators as we continue to reinvent the network.”

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.