Insider Intel: First Sign of the TV Market Picking Up?

NBC is making moves that look a lot like the old development playbook. Both Variety and TheWrap profiled the network this week for ordering multiple pilots (mostly mystery and crime dramas) which feels like a throwback to pre-streaming development cycles. For an industry that's spent the last few years favoring straight-to-series orders and talent-driven packages, seeing a major network commit to traditional pilots again is notable (and quite frankly, exciting).

The question is whether this signals a broader shift or if NBC is just betting on a genre that's proven resilient. Mystery and crime have consistently performed across broadcast and cable, so ordering pilots in this space makes sense from a risk-mitigation standpoint. Most networks are looking for medical, crime and legal procedurals. These are the shows dominating the ratings on streamers like LINCOLN LAWYER (Netflix), THE PITT (HBO MAX), and all of Nicole Kidman's mystery shows (too many to list!). It's not surprising to see broadcast networks trying to go back to what's worked for them for 60+ years. In other words, we're not done seeing cop shows anytime soon. But it also suggests networks might be returning to "test before you commit" strategies after expensive straight-to-series bets didn't always pay off.

So here's what I'm curious about: do you think we're heading back toward more pilot orders across the board as a sign of a risk-averse market? Or is the future still talent-driven packages and straight-to-series commitments? What are you seeing in your development conversations right now?

This Week in the Writers' Room

The Exec Hour with Dan Kavanagh- Wednesday, FEB 24th at 4pm PT

This week's Writers' Room guest is Dan Kavanagh, who was most recently Manager of TV Development for Vertigo Entertainment. Dan recently sold an original feature to a mini studio, which makes him one of the rare executives who can both develop a slate of original projects and major IP like Warhammer 40,000 while also writing features that actually sell. We'll be doing a Q&A focused on development: what he looks for when evaluating material, how he approaches packaging, and how writers can position their work to stand out in today's market.

If you would like to join the Writers’ Room, access weekly events, submit to dozens of open writing assignments, and attend exclusive pitch tanks with industry executives- click HERE for a free trial!

This Week’s Exciting Announcements!

This week, we're spotlighting not one, but two amazing executives on the Stage 32 Platform!

Congratulations to Stage 32 Executive Evan Anglin, who just signed two writers after meeting with them on Stage 32, in addition to championing two additional writers and their work!

Evan Anglin is the Co-Head of the Animation Department and a Literary Manager at ZERO GRAVITY MANAGEMENT. He oversees the development of the animation department and represents award-winning artists and talent including showrunners, feature writers and directors, production companies & studios, supervising directors, board artists, character designers, art directors, animators, and animation/live-action crossover clients. Evan has held similar roles at other companies like BOLD MANAGEMENT & PRODUCTION, PARTOS COMPANY, and INNOVATIVE ARTISTS. His work focuses on building successful careers for clients in film, television, and animation. Evan is offering consultations (click here to book with Evan) and has an upcoming Webinar about "Understanding the Animation Marketplace and How Your Film or TV Show Can Fit in 2026", right here on Stage 32 (check it out here).

See Evan's Stage 32 Profile here!

Congratulations to Stage 32 Executive Emmeline Yang Hankins, who is working with writer Ray Cho on their TV pilot after they met during a Stage 32 Consultation (click here to book with Emmeline)!

Emmeline Yang Hankins is a producer, executive, and development exec with 20+ years of diverse experience in film and television, having sold projects to NETFLIX, APPLE, HULU, WARNER BROS., UNIVERSAL, DREAMWORKS, NEON, and ABC. Her feature work ranges from the Academy Award-winning SPOTLIGHT to auteur-driven indies like HARMONY KORINE's THE BEACH BUM and GUS VAN SANT's DON'T WORRY, HE WON'T GET FAR ON FOOT.

In television, Emmeline ran development for showrunner AMY LIPPMAN (PARTY OF FIVE, MASTERS OF SEX) during her overall deal at SONY TELEVISION. There, she honed a sharp sense for what makes a TV pitch land — and now shares that knowledge through her own pitch workshops, as well as classes at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts and for the Sundance Institute.

She previously served as an executive at ANONYMOUS CONTENT under visionary producer STEVE GOLIN, contributing to films including THE REVENANT and THE FIFTH ESTATE (as co-producer). Later, as SVP OF FEATURES for GEORGE CLOONEY and GRANT HESLOV's SMOKEHOUSE PICTURES, she specialized in socially relevant stories and IP adaptations. Emmeline has since become a trusted resource for authors transitioning from novel-writing to screenwriting.

Writers and filmmakers she's worked with include JOSH SINGER, BILL CONDON, TOM MCCARTHY, CHANDLER BAKER, DEBORA CAHN, ANTHONY MCCARTEN, PETER MOFFAT, MICHEL GONDRY, SPIKE JONZE, STEVE ZAILLIAN, JACK AMIEL & MICHAEL BEGLER, KEN KWAPIS, TOM ROB SMITH, and VALERIE ARMSTRONG.

"I take real pride in helping writers shape work that feels true to their voice, while still viable in the market. Writers often describe me as a thoughtful, encouraging partner, and that’s the part of producing I love most: supporting artists as they step into their voice and bring their stories to life."- Emmeline Yang Hankins

See Emmeline's Stage 32 Profile here!

We've Officially Announced Our Diversity Talent Accelerator Finalists in Partnership with Color Farm Media!

The Grand Prize Winning screenwriter will receive:

• Color Farm Media Diversity Talent Accelerator placement for script development and packaging with Color Farm Media
• Career Accelerator Prize Package ($4,000 value), including script development, career consulting, writer branding, and comprehensive education resources
• Personal Mentorship Track with dedicated 1:1 career development sessions from our success team
• Industry Marketing Campaign promoting the winner to our exclusive roster of 2,500+ managers, agents, producers, and executives
• Strategic Partnership where Stage 32 and Color Farm Media executives collaborate to prepare your project to take directly to market

Our Finalists will receive:

Our Finalists will receive a Career Momentum prize package valued at $1,500, including Career Development, a Writer Branding Workshop, and an Education package, and will have their logline featured in a Stage 32 Look Book sent to over 2,500+ top entertainment industry executives, giving their work unparalleled exposure!

But that’s not all! Everyone who makes the Semi-Finals will receive a Career Breakthrough prize package valued at $1,000, our Quarterfinalists will receive a Career Elevation prize package valued at $500, and all Entrants will get a prize package valued at $100!

Congratulations to the talented creatives who have made it to the finals!

This Week In The Stage 32 Community!

Some of the most valuable learning on Stage 32 doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens inside the conversations. And right now, there’s an excellent one unfolding in the Screenwriting Lounge that every writer should carve out time to jump into.

Stage 32 CEO, RB Botto, is sharing insights on the ongoing spec sale surge, which is now clearly extending into television. He posted a Deadline article about A24 landing an erotic thriller spec by Dylan Brady in a competitive bidding war, with Nicole Kidman in talks to star.

The erotic thriller genre is experiencing a serious resurgence, with at least 10 TV and film projects currently in development. The untitled Brady project joins series like Hancock Park at Netflix and Fifth Season starring Regé-Jean Page, Teach Me at Peacock starring Mandy Moore, and additional projects including Night Float starring Nina Dobrev and Dangerous Liaisons.

That’s not a blip. That’s momentum.

Are you ready? Are you developing original specs that align with where the market is heading? Are you paying attention to genre cycles as they shift? Do you have thoughts about why the erotic thriller is returning now, and how it may evolve for today’s audiences?

These conversations do more than sharpen your market awareness. They make you visible. Executives, managers, and producers are in these threads. When you contribute thoughtfully, you are not just commenting, you are positioning yourself as someone who understands the business.

If you haven’t joined the discussion yet, now is the time. Click here!

Need help navigating the industry? Contact success@stage32.com

Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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