FOX Issues Renewals, Unveils Casting Details for Grease & Scream Queens

PASADENA: FOX has renewed the freshman dramas Empire and Gotham as well as the comedy Brooklyn Nine-Nine, in addition to revealing the all-star casts in place for its live Grease musical event and upcoming anthology series Scream Queens.

Empire is averaging a 5.3 rating in Nielsen’s Most Current measure, emerging as the number one new series of the season. Following its second episode, it is the only new broadcast drama this season to grow week one to week two.

The Batman prequel Gotham is also getting a second season on FOX. The drama is averaging a 4.2 rating in adults 18 to 49 and 10.6 million viewers.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine will return for a third season. The comedy is averaging a 2.7/7 in viewers 18 to 49 season-to-date.

FOX and Paramount Television have lined up performers Julianne Hough (Rock of Ages) and Vanessa Hudgens (High School Musical) for Grease: Live (working title). Hough will play Sandy, while Hudgens takes on the role of Rizzo. The project will re-imagine the hit crossover musical, which was adapted as a feature film in 1978, for a new generation. The live broadcast is planned for January 31, 2016.

Meanwhile, Joe Manganiello (True Blood), Lea Michele (Glee), Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine) and Keke Palmer (Masters of Sex) have been cast as series regulars in the upcoming comedy-horror anthology series Scream Queens. Singer and actress Ariana Grande will guest-star in a recurring role. Jamie Lee Curtis (Halloween) and Emma Roberts (American Horror Story: Freak Show) were previously announced in starring roles in the limited series. The show comes from Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Ian Brennan and Dante Di Loreto, the executive producers of Glee and American Horror Story. The first installment in the new anthology series centers on a college campus that is rocked by a series of murders. FOX ordered 15 one-hour episodes, which are scheduled to begin production in the spring and premiere in the fall.