NBC Eyes Finding Forrester Series, With a Major Mentor Change-Up

Matt Webb Mitovich

November 23, 2020 at 2:03 p.m.·1 min read

NBC is developing a series adaptation of the Gus Van Sant film Finding Forrester, with a couple of changes to the late Sean Connery‘s titular character.

The 2000 movie starred future Blindspot star Rob Brown as Jamal Wallace, a basketball player who, because he scored exceptionally high on a statewide standardized exam, is sent to a prestigious prep school in Manhattan. There, he eventually befriends reclusive writer William Forrester (played by Connery, who died in late October).

The prospective NBC series — which is being written by The Chi co-executive producers TJ Brady and Rasheed Newson — meanwhile “examines the cost of success and the price of redemption through the unique bond between two gifted Black writers: a homeless 16-year-old orphan who leverages his basketball skills to hustle his way into an ultra-competitive elite boarding school, and a reclusive lesbian author whose career was ruined by a public scandal.”

Brady and Newson will serve as EPs on the Sony Pictures/Unanimous Media production alongside director Tim Story, Stephen Curry, Sharla Sumpter Bridgett and Erick Peyton.

Our sister site Deadline first reported on the development.

More from TVLine

Get more from TVLine.com: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Newsletter

Associated Press
Bo Naylor hits his 1st career grand slam, Guardians beat Angels 7-1
Bo Naylor hit his first career grand slam, Austin Hedges had his first homer since June 14 and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Los Angeles Angels 7-1 on Saturday night. Naylor’s two-out blast in the sixth inning came off Angels starter Reid Detmers (3-3), who had loaded the bases on three walks. Ramón Laureano added a solo shot in the fourth for the Guardians, who have the second-best record in the American League at 21-12.
The Weather Network
Unusually strong mid-spring storm targets the Prairies this week
Several days of heavy rain and gusty winds will sweep the Prairies this week as an approaching storm threatens to linger over the region
The Daily Beast
The Colin Farrell ‘Sugar’ Twist Was Called the Worst Ever. We Think It’s Genius.
Apple TV+(Warning: Spoilers ahead!)Colin Farrell is an alien. Okay, the actual Colin Farrell is not an alien (as far as I know), but he plays one in the Apple TV+’s neo-noir Sugar. Considering the streamer’s penchant for space-related science-fiction stories, this shouldn’t come as a surprise. However, the blue-face bombshell at the end of the sixth episode is a big swing that unsettles everything that comes before it.John Sugar (Farrell) is a private investigator looking into the mysterious dis
Simply Wall St.
Is Aurizon Holdings Limited (ASX:AZJ) Trading At A 27% Discount?
Key Insights The projected fair value for Aurizon Holdings is AU$5.17 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity Current...
Associated Press Videos
Police break up encampment of anti-Gaza war protesters at University of Virginia
Police broke up an encampment of anti-Gaza war protesters at the University of Virginia that campus police had called an “unlawful assembly.”
Simply Wall St.
Should Income Investors Look At Tat Seng Packaging Group Ltd (SGX:T12) Before Its Ex-Dividend?
It looks like Tat Seng Packaging Group Ltd ( SGX:T12 ) is about to go ex-dividend in the next three days. Typically...
Canadian Press Videos
Hundreds rescued from flooding in Texas as waters continue rising in Houston
High waters flooded neighborhoods around Houston on Saturday following heavy rains that have already resulted in crews rescuing more than 400 people from homes, rooftops and roads engulfed in murky water. Others prepared to evacuate their property.
The Canadian Press
Maxi Kleber of the Mavericks is out indefinitely with a separated shoulder, AP source says
DALLAS (AP) — Dallas Mavericks center Maxi Kleber has a separated shoulder that will sideline him indefinitely and raises doubts about his status for the rest of the playoffs, a person with knowledge of the injury said Saturday. Kleber injured the right shoulder in the first half of the Mavericks' clinching 114-101 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the club hasn't disclosed details of the injury. Dall
MLB.com
Brewers vs. Cubs Highlights
Patrick Wisdom and the Cubs defeat Patrick Wisdom and the Cubs, 6-5
Lexington Herald-Leader
Kentucky Derby 2024 complete order of finish and payoffs at Churchill Downs
The final official numbers from Saturday’s 150th Kentucky Derby horse race in Louisville.
KCRA - Sacramento Videos
California Honey Festival moves last minute due to weather
The 2024 California Honey Festival was forced to move to the Yolo County Fairgrounds after both wind and rain entered the region. The festival, a tradition in the area for years, typically brings 30,000 to 40,000 people from across Northern California. Organizers say they hope this year will continue with a large turnout despite the weather.
BBC
Eurovision 2024: Your guide to all 37 songs
From novelty numbers to gothic witchcraft and rave throwbacks, this year's Eurovision has it all.
Simply Wall St.
DBS Group Holdings (SGX:D05) Will Pay A Dividend Of SGD0.54
The board of DBS Group Holdings Ltd ( SGX:D05 ) has announced that it will pay a dividend on the 20th of May, with...
Deadline
‘NFL Total Access’ Canceled By NFL Network After 21 Years
NFL Network has canceled NFL Total Access after 21 years on the air, Deadline has learned. Amid the major changes at the network, the football news show, which premiered in 2003 and airs on weeknights, was canceled. “Like any successful organization, the NFL regularly evaluates its workforce to ensure the proper support of strategic priorities …
Simply Wall St.
Airtasker (ASX:ART) Is In A Strong Position To Grow Its Business
Just because a business does not make any money, does not mean that the stock will go down. For example, biotech and...
Associated Press
Frank Stella, artist renowned for blurring the lines between painting and sculpture, dies at 87
Frank Stella, a painter, sculptor and printmaker whose constantly evolving works are hailed as landmarks of the minimalist and post-painterly abstraction art movements, died Saturday at his home in Manhattan. Gallery owner Jeffrey Deitch, who spoke with Stella's family, confirmed his death to The Associated Press. Stella’s wife, Harriet McGurk, told the New York Times that he died of lymphoma.
MLB.com
Zach Messinger tosses 5 2/3 hitless innings
Yankees No. 21 prospect Zach Messinger throws 5 2/3 hitless innings while fanning seven batters in dominant outing for Double-A Somerset
Associated Press Videos
AP Top Stories May 4 P
Here’s the latest for Saturday May 4: Warren Buffett says AI may be better for scammers; Japan and India reject Biden's xenophobic comments; Hundreds rescued from flooding in Texas; Anti-war protest ruffles University of Michigan graduation ceremony.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
North Texas under a severe thunderstorm watch until 2 a.m. Sunday, says the NWS
Get the latest information on the current severe thunderstorm watch with our updates
MLB.com
Red Sox vs. Twins Highlights
Max Kepler and the Twins defeat Rafael Devers and the Red Sox, 3-1

Latest Stories