Three new dramas will be joining the ABC lineup: Castle on Monday, March 9 at 10:00 p.m.; Cupid on Tuesday, March 24 at 10:00 p.m.; and The Unusuals on Wednesday, April 8 at 10:00 p.m.

CASTLE

Wildly famous mystery novelist Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion, Desperate Housewives), who is bored with his own success, learns that a real-world copycat killer has started staging murder scenes depicted in his novels. Rick is soon questioned by NYPD Detective Kate Beckett (Stana Katic, The Spirit), a very bright, aggressive detective who keeps her investigations under tight rein. Rick and Kate’s styles instantly clash, yet sparks begin to fly, leading both to danger and a hint of romance as Castle steps in to help find the killer. And once that case is solved, he and Beckett build upon their new relationship as they look to solve strange homicides in New York as much fun as one can have with death & murder. Castle is kept grounded by his Broadway diva mother, Martha Rodgers (Susan Sullivan, Dharma and Greg) and quick-witted teenage daughter Alexis (Molly Quinn, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story).

Also starring in the series are Ruben Santiago-Hudson (Law & Order) as NYPD Captain Roy Montgomery, Tamala Jones (Daddy Day Camp) as Medical Examiner Lanie Parish, Jon Huertas (Generation Kill) as NYPD Detective Tony Esposito and Seamus Dever (Army Wives) as NYPD Detective Kevin Ryan.

Castle is produced by ABC Studios. Andrew Marlowe serves as executive producer/creator along with executive producers Armyan Bernstein, Barry Schindel, Rob Bowman and Laurie Zaks.

CUPID

Cupid is a romantic dramedy about Trevor Pierce (Bobby Cannavale, Will & Grace), a larger than life character who may or may not be the Roman god of love, Cupid, sent to earth to bring 100 couples together before he is allowed to return to Mt. Olympus. As fate would have it, Trevor is under the care of psychiatrist and self-help author Dr. Claire McCrae (Sarah Paulson, The Spirit, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip), who is also dedicated to helping lonely hearts find their soul mates. When it comes to true love, Claire believes it’s all about friendship and compatibility, but for Trevor, heat and passion conquer all. Only time will tell who will win the battle for love.

Cupid stars Bobby Cannavale as Trevor, Sarah Paulson as Claire, Rick Gomez as Felix and Camille Guaty as Lita.

Cupid is produced by ABC Studios. Veronica Mars creator Rob Thomas serves as executive producer/creator along with executive producers Jennifer Gwartz, Danielle Stokdyk, Dan Etheridge and Diane Ruggiero.

THE UNUSUALS

In The Unusuals, it helps if a cop has a twisted sense of humor, because every moment could be your last. Just ask Casey Shraeger (Amber Tamblyn, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants), who started her day as an NYPD vice detective before unexpectedly being transferred to the homicide division. She quickly realizes that, not only does everyone in her new department have a distinct sense of humor, but also their own dirty little secrets.

The series stars Amber Tamblyn as Detective Casey Shraeger, Jeremy Renner as Detective Jason Walsh, Harold Perrineau as Detective Leo Banks, Josh Close as Detective Henry Cole, Monique Gabriela Curnen as Detective Allison Beaumont, Kai Lennox as Detective Eddie Alvarez, with Terry Kinney as Sergeant Harvey Brown and Adam Goldberg as Detective Eric Delahoy.

Created by Noah Hawley, The Unusuals is executive-produced by Hawley, Robert DeLaurentis and Peter O’Fallon, with Peter Tolan as an executive consultant on the series, which is produced by 26 Keys, Inc. in association with Sony Pictures Television for ABC.

ABC will not be ordering any new episodes of its sophomore shows Pushing Daisies, Dirty Sexy Money and Eli Stone, the network confirmed earlier today.

The unlucky trio chalked season lows among adults 18-49 (1.8 rating each) this week, which finally sealed their fate after several weeks of speculation and uncertainty. The cancellation will leave all three shows’ current seasons capped at 13 episodes.

Eli Stone, the series that received an order for four additional scripts only last month, has eight episodes left to air, while Pushing Daisies and Dirty Sexy Money have seven each. All three shows are expected to finish their runs in January.

The show that will very likely survive beyond January is ABC’s new cop drama Life on Mars. The network has ordered four more episodes of the show and given Mars a friendly Wednesday slot after Lost starting January 28.

Life on Mars has averaged a 2.9 rating among adults 18-49 in its past two airings, its best numbers since its October 9 premiere (3.8 rating).

Following the network’s celebrated “25 Days of Christmas” programming event, ABC Family will start the new year strong by bringing back two of its hit original series this January.

The break-out summer hit “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” returns on a new day (Monday) with twelve all-new one hour episodes beginning Monday, January 5 (8:00 9:00 PM ET/PT). Season three of “Kyle XY” will premiere a week later with ten all-new one hour episodes beginning Monday, January 12 (9:00 10:00 PM ET/PT).

“The Secret Life of the American Teenager” opens with the wedding of Amy and Ben, while Anne tells George she wants a divorce. Amy finally learns the gender of her baby while her relationship with Ben is put to the test as she struggles with the decision to keep the baby or give it up for adoption.

Meanwhile, Ricky continues his relationship with Adrian while dating Grace, who is falling in love with him. Things get even more complicated for Ricky, however, when his abusive father comes to town. The series cast includes Shailene Woodley, Molly Ringwald, Mark Derwin, India Eisley, Ken Baumann, Daren Kagasoff, Francia Raisa, Megan Park, Greg Finley and JorgeLuis Pallo. John Schneider, Josie Bissett, Ernie Hudson and Steve Schirripa also guest star. Created and executive produced by Brenda Hampton (“7th Heaven”), the series is produced by Prodco, Inc. in association with Brendavision.

“The Secret Life of the American Teenager” is ABC Family’s #1 original series of all-time across the board, averaging 4 million total viewers per episode this summer, and ranked a dominant #1 in its time slot versus all cable in all key demos. The series’ mid-season finale on September 9, 2008, delivered 5 million total viewers, ranking as ABC Family’s #1 original series telecast of all-time. The series also won the network’s first Teen Choice Award for “Choice Summer TV Show.”

As all great men grow into their hero status, they must learn that their special attributes come with a price. In season three of “Kyle XY,” Kyle is not exempt from this rule and now, as greater forces push him to rise to new levels, he must become a man. And to do so, Kyle may have to sacrifice relationships with those he holds most dear. “Kyle XY” stars Matt Dallas, Marguerite MacIntyre, Bruce Thomas, April Matson, Jean-Luc Bilodeau, Chris Olivero, Kirsten Prout and Jaimie Alexander.

The ABC Studios series is created by Eric Bress & J. Mackye Gruber. “Kyle XY” is executive produced by Eric Tuchman and David Himelfarb, with co-executive producers Julie Plec and Daniel Arkin.
The first eleven episodes of the summer 2008 run of “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” and Season 2 of “Kyle XY” will both be released on DVD on December 30, 2008 by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

“Lost” is returning to its original home – Wednesday nights – for its fifth season.
Rumblings of the move began this morning after a Twitter account credited to ABC Inner Circle posted: “HOT HOT HOT! This JUST in….LOST will return Wednesday, January 21st at 8/7c!!!!!”

Said claims were subsequently confirmed to the site by network sources this afternoon. It’s understood the new season will open with a one-hour recap special at 8:00/7:00c followed by its two-hour season opener at 9:00/8:00c.

“Lost” aired on Thursday nights last season, where it averaged 12.7 million viewers and a 5.4 rating among adults 18-49.

Still to be determined: where current Wednesday entries “Pushing Daisies,” “Private Practice” and “Dirty Sexy Money” will go come the new year.

Production has begun in New York on “Cupid,” a new romantic dramedy coming to ABC this season.

In “Cupid,” Trevor is a larger than life character who may or may not be the Roman god of love, Cupid. Trevor insists that he was sent to earth to bring couples together. As fate would have it, he is under the care of famous psychologist and self-help author Dr. Claire Allen, who is also dedicated to helping lonely hearts find their soul mates. While she agrees with his cause, she questions whether he’s crazy or really is Cupid.

The series stars Bobby Cannavale (“Will & Grace”) as Trevor, Sarah Paulson (“Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip”) as Claire, Rick Gomez (“What About Brian”) as Felix and Camille Guaty (“Las Vegas”) as Lita.

Rob Thomas (“Veronica Mars”) serves as executive producer/writer, along with executive producers Jennifer Gwartz (“Good Behavior,” “Veronica Mars”), Danielle Stokdyk, (“Good Behavior,” “Veronica Mars”), Dan Etheridge (“The Nines”) and Diane Ruggiero (“Dirty Sexy Money,” “Veronica Mars”). “Cupid” is produced by ABC Studios.

Related news:

Veronica Mars creator’s new show to debut to Starz in 2009

ABC picks up five new series

Action-adventure fans can enjoy a first look of the highly-anticipated epic fantasy series “Legend of the Seeker” before its November 1st premiere weekend. Beginning today, Disney-ABC Domestic Television is offering an extended preview of the nationally-syndicated series as a free download, exclusively available on the iTunes Store.

The free download, entitled “Legend of the Seeker: A First Look,” will give fans the opportunity to view the first 30-minutes of the upcoming two-hour television event executive-produced by Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert, the team that brought the characters of Hercules and Xena to life almost a decade ago.

“Fans have been clamoring to get a first look at the series and based on the early response from the clips released on the ‘Legend of the Seeker’ website, we knew this would be a huge success with audiences,” noted Janice Marinelli, President, Disney-ABC Domestic Television.

Shot with the exotic and rugged New Zealand landscape as its backdrop, the one-hour scripted series is an adaptation of internationally best-selling author Terry Goodkind’s Sword of Truth book series. “Legend of the Seeker” explores the adventures of woodsman Richard Cypher (Craig Horner, “Monarch Cove” and “Blue Water High”), who discovers that he was born to fulfill a prophecy of becoming a guardian hero to oppressed people. With the help of a mysterious woman named Kahlan (Bridget Regan, “Sex and the City” and “Six Degrees”) and a wise old wizard named Zedd (Bruce Spence, “Mad Max 2″ and “The Matrix Revolutions”), he must stop a ruthless and bloodthirsty tyrant named Darken Rahl (Craig Parker, “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” and “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers”) from unleashing an ancient evil and enslaving the world.

“Legend of the Seeker” is produced by ABC Studios, marking their first venture into broadcast syndication. Sam Raimi (“Spider-Man,” “Spider-Man 2,” “Spider-Man 3″ and “The Evil Dead”), Rob Tapert (“The Grudge,” “Xena: Warrior Princess,” “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys” and “Cleopatra 2525″), Joshua Donen (“The Quick and the Dead”), Ned Nalle (production executive for “Xena: Warrior Princess” and “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys”) and Ken Biller (“Star Trek: Voyager” and “Six Degrees”) serve as executive producers.

The most popular shows airing on all four major television networks – “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Lost” from ABC, “CSI” and “CSI: Miami” from CBS, “Bones” and “Prison Break” airing on FOX, and “Heroes” and “The Office” from NBC Universal – are now available in HD in the iTunes store, Apple announced today.

“We’ve got an incredible Fall 2008 TV lineup with over 70 primetime comedies and dramas, including many of the most popular shows on TV in stunning HD,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of Internet Services. “With over 200 million episodes sold, iTunes customers have proven they love watching television on their computer, iPod, iPhone and TV with Apple TV.”

More than a million HD episodes have been purchased since the HD programming was launched on iTunes last month.

The iTunes Store features the world’s largest online catalog of TV programs with over 70 primetime comedies and dramas from the major networks and television programs from over 70 cable networks including Bravo, Comedy Central, Disney Channel, ESPN, FX, HBO, MTV, Nickelodeon, Sci Fi, Showtime and USA. Standard definition television shows on the iTunes Store are $1.99 per episode, while HD programs from ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX are $2.99 per episode. Many series offer a season pass option which allows customers to purchase entire seasons at a discounted price.

The list of HD programs now available on the iTunes Store includes ABC’s “Brothers & Sisters,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Dirty Sexy Money,” “Eli Stone,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Life on Mars,” “Lost,” “Private Practice,” “Samantha Who?” and “Ugly Betty.” CBS programming includes “CSI,” “CSI: Miami,” “CSI: New York,” “NCIS” and “Numb3rs.” FOX shows include “Bones,” “House,” “Prison Break” and “Sons of Anarchy,” which airs on FX. NBC shows include “30 Rock,” “Heroes,” “Kath & Kim,” “Knight Rider,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “Life,” “Lipstick Jungle,” “My Own Worst Enemy” and “The Office,” and SCI FI Channel’s “Battlestar Galactica” and “Eureka,” and USA Network’s “In Plain Sight,” “Monk,” “Psych” and “The Starter Wife.”

Netflix, Inc. has announced two new agreements with the CBS Television Network and Disney-ABC Television Group. The agreements will allow current episodes of several popular TV shows to be streamed at Netflix.

Netflix members now have instant access to a library of 12,000 choices on their computers and TV sets.

The CBS shows to be streamed on Netflix are CSI, which returns for the ninth season in October, as well the spin-offs CSI: Miami and CSI: New York, Navy crime investigation drama NCIS and FBI drama Numb3rs.

The deal for Disney Channel content includes three original series: Hannah Montana, Wizards of Waverly Place and The Suite Life on Deck (a spin-off of the popular The Suite Life of Zack and Cody): Wizards and Suite Life can be streamed this week, 24 hours after the initial broadcast. Hannah Montana, starring Miley Cyrus, will be available online in November.

“We are thrilled to enter into these relationships with CBS and Disney Channel and build upon their innovative distribution strategies. We have a shared interest in granting fans expanded access to and strengthening the networks’ key shows,” said Robert Kyncl, vice president of content acquisition for Netflix.

The CBS deal also includes previous seasons of the CSI series and Numb3rs, the first two seasons of Jericho, and episodes from classic shows such as Star Trek, MacGyver and Family Ties.

In the aftermath of the writers’ strike and fewer pilots being developed this year, the major networks are launching only 13 new shows this season, which is half as many as a year ago.

Experts at the independent media buying agency TargetCast tcm believe that the fall season may lack any breakout hits.

“We are facing an unusual new season. Many shows that began last season never had the chance to fully develop before the strike. These returning programs may have to attract and build a following as if they were new shows, throwing the fall schedule into question,” says Gary Carr, Senior Vice President, Director of Broadcast Services at TargetCast.

With the procedural crime drama Eleventh Hour (Thursday at 10), CBS may have the best shot at a hit, says Carr. The other two new shows, comedies Worst Week (Monday at 9:30) and Gary Unmarried (Wednesday at 8:30), also may bring in significant numbers, and the new procedural The Mentalist (Tuesday at 9, between NCIS and Without a Trace), with Simon Baker starring as a former fake psychic who helps the police solve cases, is expected to do well too.

ABC is introducing only two new shows this fall: Life on Mars (Thursday at 10) and Opportunity Knocks (Tuesday at 8). Life on Mars could be a winner in its time slot, according to TargetCast, in spite of the decision to recast most of the leading characters early on in the production. The new Tuesday reality show, on the other hand, will be up against NCIS, House, and The Biggest Loser, so it may not do so well. Still, as Carr says, though, it is “so bizarre and outrageous that it just might catch on with viewers.”

NBC will offer many new things which, Carr says, “could send it off the deep end,” explaining that new shows Crusoe (Friday at 8 ) and Merlin (Sunday at 9) are risky because period pieces have historically not performed well on television. My Own Worst Enemy (Monday at 10), starring Christian Slater, on the other hand, will be up against such favourites as Boston Legal and CSI: Miami. The new comedies – The Office spinoff (Thursday at 9:30) and Kath & Kim (Tuesday at 9:30), starring Molly Shannon and Selma Blair – might do well, but the latter will be up against Dancing with the Stars, The Mentalist and Fringe.

Fox has a potential hit on its hands with Fringe, which will be aired after the returning favourite House. The future of the other new show, Do Not Disturb (Wednesday at 9:30) is less rosy, however, with experts predicting it a slow death.

ABC has picked up five new series for the 2008-09 season: dramas Castle, Cupid and The Unusuals and comedies Better Off Ted and Single with Parents.

“It was worth taking the time to go through the pilot process to really do it right. We’re excited about these series and feel they’re perfect additions to our dominant core slate of shows. These are the initial pick-ups, but there are a number of other pilots we feel will also get the go ahead in some form moving forward,” said ABC Entertainment president Stephen McPherson.

The five shows will join the previously announced Life on Mars remake, The Goode Family, Scrubs (new to ABC), Opportunity Knocks and Untitled Ashton Kutcher/Tyra Banks Project.

From the press release:

Dramas

“Castle” is a comedic crime procedural about a famous mystery novelist, Nick Castle, who has gotten bored with his success. When a real-world copycat murderer starts staging scenes from Nick’s novels, he’s teamed up with NYPD Detective Kate Beckett, and the challenge gets his blood pumping as he steps in to help solve the crime. Nick and Beckett’s styles instantly clash and sparks begin to fly, leading both to danger and a hint of romance. Castle is kept grounded by his Broadway diva mother, quick-witted teenage daughter, and his long-suffering ex-wife… who happens to be his editor.

“Castle” stars Nathan Fillion as Castle, Stana Katic as Beckett, Molly Quinn as Alexis, Susan Sullivan as Martha, Monet Mazur as Gina and Ruben Santiago-Hudson as Capt. Montgomery. Produced by ABC Studios, Andrew Marlowe serves as executive producer/writer along with executive producers Laurie Zaks, Armyan Bernstein and Rob Bowman.

“Cupid” is a romantic dramedy about Trevor, a larger than life character who may or may not be the Roman god of love Cupid, sent to earth to bring couples together. As fate would have it, Trevor is under the care of famous psychologist and self-help author Dr. Claire Allen, who is also dedicated to helping lonely hearts find their soul mates. While she agrees with his cause, she questions whether he’s crazy or really is Cupid.

“Cupid” stars Bobby Cannavale as Trevor, Sarah Paulson as Claire, Rick Gomez as Felix and Camille Guaty as Lita. Produced by ABC Studios, Rob Thomas serves as executive producer/writer along with executive producers Jennifer Gwartz, Danielle Stokdyk, Dan Etheridge and Bharat Nalluri.

“The Unusuals” is a unique comedic procedural set in a New York police precinct. As a cop it helps to have a twisted sense of humor, because every moment could be your last. Just ask Casey Schraeger, who started her day as an NYPD vice detective, before unexpectedly being transferred to the homicide division. She quickly realizes that not only does everyone in her new department have a distinct sense of humor, but also their own dirty little secret.

“The Unusuals” stars Amber Tamblyn as Det. Casey Schraeger, Jeremy Renner as Det. Joe Walsh, Terry Kinney as Sgt. Harvey Brown, Kai Lennox as Det. Ed Alvarez, Harold Perrineau as Det. Leo Banks, Adam Goldberg as Det. Eric Delahoy, Monique Gabriela Curnen as Det. Allison Beaumont and Joshua Close as Henry Cole. Produced by Sony Pictures Television, Noah Hawley is executive producer/writer.

Comedies

“Better Off Ted” is a satirical office comedy featuring a successful but morally conscious man, Ted, who runs a research and development department at a morally questionable corporation, Veridian Technologies. No achievement is too far fetched and no invention too unorthodox for Veridian. Need a suicidal turkey? Done. Need a metal that is hard as steel but bounces and is edible? Done and done. Ted loves his seemingly perfect job; he loves his super human boss Veronica, and colleagues Lem, Phil and Linda, but he’s starting to take a closer look at the company’s extremely questionable practices…especially when they try to cryogenically freeze one of Ted’s scientists for testing purposes.

Starring Jay Harrington as Ted, Andrea Anders as Linda, Portia de Rossi as Veronica, Jonathan Slavin as Phil, and Malcolm Barrett as Lem, “Better Off Ted” is produced by 20th Century Fox Television. Victor Fresco is executive producer/writer.

“Single With Parents” is a comedy about Lou, a woman in her mid-30s who is determined to have her own life despite her crazy blended family getting in the way. She’s thrilled that her divorced parents are leading exciting lives really she is except both of them rely on her way too much. Dad needs her as a surrogate parent and Mom counts on her 24/7 as a shrink and confidante. Lou has resolved to finally find a fulfilling life for herself.

The series stars Alyssa Milano as Lou, Annie Potts as Elizabeth, Beau Bridges as Joe, Amanda Detmer as Sasha, Meagan Fay as Nancy and Eric Winter as Charlie. Based on her own experiences, “Single With Parents” is executive produced and written by Kristin Newman. Justin Falvey, Darryl Frank and Matthew Carlson are also executive producers. The show is produced by ABC Studios.