Ringwald
ABC has greenlit a trio of comedies about young adults with family issues.
Also Wednesday, ABC Family unveiled the cast for its upcoming Brenda Hampton pilot: 1980s teen queen Molly Ringwald, "Smallville" alum John Schneider, "Oz" vet Ernie Hudson and newcomer Shailene Woodley ("The O.C.").
Over at the Alphabet net, greenlights include "Roman's Empire," "Never Better" and an untitled laffer from Kristin Newman.
The single-camera comedy "Roman's Empire" comes from scribe Al Higgins ("Malcolm in the Middle"). Katalyst, Tiger Aspect and CBS Paramount Network TV produce.
Laffer is based on the BBC comedy of the same name. Show revolves around the predicament of a young man who's dumped by his girlfriend -- yet can't escape her wealthy family, or, in particular, her quirky father.
ABC ordered a pilot presentation on the project, which is exec produced by Higgins and Katalyst's Ashton Kutcher, Jason Goldberg and Karey Burke. Tiger Aspect's Andrew Zein and Ben Cavey will exec produce as well.
The untitled pilot from Newman ("How I Met Your Mother") revolves around a thirtysomething woman who tries to reclaim her life by breaking free of her dysfunctional family, friends and job.
ABC Studios is producing, along with DreamWorks TV. Newman will write and exec produce; DreamWorks' Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank will also EP.
Then there's "Never Better," which follows the story of a man in recovery who's now trying to be a good husband and father.
Dave Walpert ("Miss Guided") is writing and exec producing; Warren Littlefield and John Heyman are also exec producers.
ABC Studios and the Littlefield Co. are behind the single-camera comedy.
As for the Hampton project, Ringwald is set to play Anne Nicholson, the mother of a teen who experiences an unwanted pregnancy. Woodley will play that teen, while Schneider plays Dr. Marshall Johnson, and Hudson plays Dr. Ken Fields.
Contact Michael Schneider at
mike.schneider@variety.com