‘Once Upon a Time,’ ‘Chicago Fire’ spin-offs both greenlit
‘Tis the season for renewals and cancellations, and apparently, ’tis also the season for spin-off shows based on series that are not exactly ratings juggernauts themselves.
Let’s start things off over at ABC, since they apparently decided that they did not have enough of magical / mystical things in their lives. It was predicted for some time that they would pick up the “Once Upon a Time” spin-off series, and now they have. Not only that, but the series has one of the most long-winded names imaginable: “Once Upon a Time in Wonderland.” Does anyone else feel like this is really the name of a Robert Rodriguez movie?
What we’re hearing right now is that this series smartly gives ABC a chance to turn “Once Upon a Time” into a show that runs from September-December, and then March-May, and allows the spin-off series to fill in the cracks from early January until its return. This means that there is no more having to deal with awful scheduling, and the limited-run nature here means that conceivably, ABC could order a new one of these every year.
In addition to the pickup announcement, we also have the following official synopsis to share. Prepare to be mystified:
“In Victorian England, the young and beautiful Alice (Sophie Lowe) tells a tale of a strange new land that exists on the other side of a rabbit hole. An invisible cat, a hookah smoking caterpillar and playing cards that talk are just some of the fantastic things she’s seen during this impossible adventure. Surely this troubled girl must be insane and her doctors aim to cure her with a treatment that will make her forget everything. Alice seems ready to put it all behind her, especially the painful memory of the genie she fell in love with and lost forever — the handsome and mysterious Cyrus (Peter Gadiot). But deep down Alice knows this world is real and just in the nick of time, the sardonic Knave of Hearts (Michael Socha) and the irrepressible White Rabbit (John Lithgow) arrive to save her from a doomed fate. Together, the trio will take a tumble down the rabbit hole to this Wonderland where nothing is impossible.”
In other less-mystifying news, NBC has ordered the “Chicago Fire” spin-off, which carries with it the terrible / boring title of “Chicago PD.” You could not be less excited about this title if you tried, and we’re not convinced another show will work considering that “Chicago Fire” was made out to be more of a hit in the ratings than it really was.
We know it’s been a crazy-long day of renewals and cancellations, but we’re going to keep you updated constantly on what’s ahead. Plus, we’re going to be starting up a page here so that you can keep track of the new stuff coming down the pipeline for the fall.
Photo: ABC