Behind The Scenes Buzz

BACK TO LIFE RENEWED: Showtime is giving Back to Life a second season order just nine days after the comedy made its debut. The show was created and written by Daisy Haggard and Laura Solon, with Haggard starring as Miri Matteson, who has just been released from prison. She must not only resume adult life, but resolve the mystery of her past. “Laura and I are delighted that Showtime and the BBC are giving us a chance to continue Miri’s story,” said Haggard. “There’s so much more to tell, and we are incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to do that!”

FRANCE’S DIRECTORS GUILD MOVES TO SUSPEND ROMAN POLANSKI: France’s ARP, its guild for directors, writers and producers, has proposed new rules under investigation or convicted of sexual crimes. These new rules would mean that Roman Polanski, a fugitive of justice in the U.S. for decades after he fled before being sentenced for an alleged rape, would be suspended. Polanski has also recently been accused of raping actress Valentine Monnier in 1975.

DEON COLE TO HOST ABFF: The fourth annual American Black Film Festival Honors will be hosted by Black-Ish star Deon Cole. The event will bring together the cast and crew of HBO‘s The Wire, which is receiving this year’s Classic Television Award. The Wire helped launch the careers of Idris Elba (Hobbs & Shaw), Dominic West (The Affair), Wendell Pierce (Jack Ryan), Michael K. Williams (Motherless Brooklyn), and Michael B. Jordan (Black Panther). The event is set for February 23^rd at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

NETFLIX SNAGS ROBERT TOWNE, DAVID FINCHER FOR CHINATOWN PREQUEL: Netflix has tapped Chinatown writer Robert Towne and director David Fincher to write a prequel pilot script for the 1974 film, according The Hollywood Reporter. The prequel will tell the story of private investigator Jack Gittes (played by Jack Nicholson) as he tackles issues involving the elite in L.A., corruption and infrastructure. No word yet on if the series will be greenlit.