USA NETWORK ANNOUNCES SERIES PICKUP FOR ‘UNSOLVED: THE MURDERS OF TUPAC AND THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G.’

USA NETWORK ANNOUNCES SERIES PICKUP FOR ‘UNSOLVED: THE MURDERS OF TUPAC AND THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G.’

From Universal Cable Productions, the Anthology Series Depicts the Tragic Murders of Hip-Hop’s Most Iconic Rappers and the Investigations that Followed Series Stars Josh Duhamel, Jimmi Simpson, Bokeem Woodbine and Newcomers Wavyy Jonez and Marcc Rose

UNIVERSAL CITY, CA -- May 11, 2017 -- USA Network today announced a pickup for the anthology series UNSOLVED: THE MURDERS OF TUPAC AND THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G. The true crime series, from Universal Cable Productions, will chronicle the dual police investigations into the controversial murders of two of the rap industry’s most legendary players, Tupac Shakur and Christopher Wallace (The Notorious B.I.G.). The series is expected to air in the first quarter of 2018.

The network also revealed new casting for the series with Jamie McShane (“Bloodline”) taking on the role of Detective Fred Miller, the partner of lead investigator Russell Poole in the 1997 open case. Brent Sexton (“The Killing”) will portray Detective Brian Tyndall, a robbery homicide detective who worked with Poole in 1997 and Greg Kading in the 2006 reopening of the investigation.

McShane and Sexton join previously announced cast, which includes newcomer Wavyy Jonez as Christopher Wallace (aka The Notorious B.I.G.), Marcc Rose as Tupac Shakur, Josh Duhamel as Detective Greg Kading, Jimmi Simpson as Detective Russell Poole and Bokeem Woodbine as Officer Daryn Dupree. Additional cast members include Luke James as Sean “Puffy” Combs, Aisha Hinds as Voletta Wallace, the mother of Biggie Smalls, and Letoya Luckett as Sharitha Golden, the estranged wife of Suge Knight.

Kyle Long (SUITS) will serve as the executive producer, creator, and writer on the series. Emmy® and Golden Globe® winner Anthony Hemingway (“The People V. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story”) directed the pilot episode and will serve as executive producer alongside Mark Taylor through their Hemingway | Taylor production company. Former LAPD Detective Greg Kading will also serve as co-executive producer. Kading authored the book “Murder Rap: The Untold Story of the Biggie Smalls & Tupac Shakur Murder Investigations,” and consulted on the pilot script with Long.

About USA Network:

USA Network, the leader in cable entertainment, offers a powerful stable of dramatic, comedic and unscripted originals in more than 102 million U.S. homes. The network also features spectacular live television, a dynamic portfolio of acquired series and the best in blockbuster theatrical films and entertainment events. A trailblazer in digital innovation and storytelling, USA is defining, driving and setting the industry standard for Social TV. USA is a program service of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal. USA’s award-winning website is located at http://www.usanetwork.com. Watch USA Network anywhere: On Demand, online or across mobile and connected TVs.

About Universal Cable Productions:

Universal Cable Productions (UCP) creates innovative and critically acclaimed original scripted and digital content across media platforms for domestic and international distribution. In the U.S., UCP’s programming can be seen across various networks including the Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning drama “Mr. Robot,” “Colony,” “Falling Water,” “Playing House,” “Shooter,” “The Sinner” and “Suits” on USA Network; “12 Monkeys,” “Killjoys” and “The Magicians” on Syfy; “Girlfriends’ Guide To Divorce” and “Imposters” on Bravo; “The Arrangement” and “The Royals” on E!; “Difficult People” on Hulu; and "HarmonQuest" on Seeso. UCP’s content library includes critic and fan favorites such as the Emmy-award winning “Monk” as well as “Psych” and “Battlestar Galactica.” Universal Cable Productions is a part of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. Follow us @UCPisTV.

USA NETWORK ENTERS THE UPFRONT SEASON AS THE #1 CABLE ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK IN KEY DEMOS

USA NETWORK ENTERS THE UPFRONT SEASON AS THE #1 CABLE ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK IN KEY DEMOS

#1 Cable Entertainment Network for 11 Straight Years in Total Viewers #1 Cable Entertainment Network in 1st Quarter 2017 in P18-49, P18-34 and P2+ #1 Cable Entertainment Network on Monday and Tuesday Nights in Key Demos with WWE

NEW YORK, NY – April 13, 2017 – Anchored by new hits, weekly live events and stronger-than-ever returning series, USA Network heads into this year’s Upfront season on top, as the #1 ad-supported cable entertainment network in 1Q17 among key demos P18-49, P18-34 and P2+ -- and with several shows earning series highs. After closing 2016 as the most watched ad-supported cable entertainment network for an unprecedented 11thconsecutive year, 1Q17 marks the first time in seven years that USA has been #1 in 1Q in all three demos, including younger viewers P18-34.

USA’s first quarter success was driven by a content mix of new and returning series and events, including WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW, WWE SMACKDOWN LIVE, CHRISLEY KNOWS BEST and SHOOTER. With five hours a week, 52 weeks a year of live event programming, WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW and WWE SMACKDOWN LIVE have helped USA become the #1 ad-supported cable entertainment network on Monday nights with P18-49, P25-54 and P2+, and #1 on Tuesday nights among P18-49, P25-54 and P18-34 year to date. CHRISLEY KNOWS BEST is currently earning its highest ratings to date in its fifth season, averaging over 3MM total viewers. Freshman series SHOOTER, starring Ryan Phillippe, is a top three first season cable drama among P18-49.

“USA continues to invest in big brands and grow scale with must-see live events and buzzy original programming,” said Chris McCumber, President, Entertainment Networks for NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment. “By expanding our established franchises and cultivating new ones, USA will do what it has always done best -- offer a wide range of entertaining shows that resonate with one of the biggest and most loyal audiences in television.”

“With USA, marketers have the ideal, premium environment for their messaging, surrounded by highly engaging premium content with scale that rivals that of a broadcast network,” said Mark Marshall, Executive Vice President, Entertainment Sales Group, NBCUniversal. “Combining USA’s investment in compelling content across multiple genres, with the data and distribution capabilities of our portfolio, makes for a winning formula to help our clients fulfill their business objectives.”

For the 2017-18 Upfront season, USA is offering an ambitious lineup of shows focused on strong storytelling that feature bold and authentic characters -- and forming new partnerships to strengthen its programming slate. As recently announced, the independent TV studio Blumhouse Television, along with co-production partners Universal Cable Productions, will produce THE PURGE, a series for USA and SYFY that continues the ongoing and successful Universal Pictures film franchise of the same name. Led by the films’ creator, James DeMonaco, and executive produced by Platinum Dunes and Sebastian K. Lemercier, the series will be a new chapter in America’s 12 hours of annual lawlessness.

Additional programs for USA’s 2017-2018 Upfront season include returning series MR. ROBOT, COLONY, SUITS and QUEEN OF THE SOUTH and new drama series THE SINNER, starring Jessica Biel. The network is also in production on the pilot UNSOLVED: THE MURDERS OF TUPAC AND BIGGIE (WT), based on the infamous investigations into the murders of Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls, and on the drama series DAMNATION, from writer and executive producer Tony Tost (“Longmire”).

Highlights of USA’s production and development slate for Upfront 2017-18 include:

SCRIPTED SERIES

COLONY

Set in the near future in the wake of a mysterious alien invasion, COLONY tells the story of a family fighting to stay together within a new world order. The series stars Josh Holloway as Will and Sarah Wayne Callies as his wife, Katie. The series is co-produced by Legendary Television and Universal Cable Productions. Season 3 premieres in 2018.

MR. ROBOT

MR. ROBOT follows Elliot Alderson (Rami Malek), a cyber-security engineer who became involved in the underground hacker group fsociety after being recruited by their mysterious leader (Christian Slater). Following the events of fsociety’s five/nine hack on the multi-national company E-Corp, the series explores the consequences of the attack as well as the illusion of control. From Universal Cable Production, Season 3 premieres October 2017.

QUEEN OF THE SOUTH

Inspired by the global best-selling novel “La Reina Del Sur” by internationally acclaimed author Arturo Pérez-Reverte, QUEEN OF THE SOUTH follows the journey of Teresa Mendoza (Alice Braga) and the sacrifices she must make not only to survive but to also make it to the top of the drug world. Where will she draw the line when her moral code and her destiny are at odds? QUEEN OF THE SOUTH is executive produced by David T. Friendly (“Little Miss Sunshine,” “Courage Under Fire”) and Natalie Chaidez (“12 Monkeys”). The series is co-produced by Fox 21 Television Studios and Universal Cable Productions. Season 2 premieres Thursday, June 8 at 10/9c.

SHOOTER

Based on the best-selling novels by Stephen Hunter and the 2007 Paramount film starring Mark Wahlberg, Season 2 of SHOOTER follows the journey of Bob Lee Swagger (Ryan Phillippe), a highly decorated veteran who must confront a nemesis from his past in order to return to a life of normalcy. The series is co-produced by Paramount Television and Universal Cable Productions. Season 2 premieres Tuesday, July 18 at 10/9c

THE SINNER

An eight-episode series, THE SINNER follows a young mother (Jessica Biel) who, overcome by an inexplicable fit of rage, commits a startling act of violence and to her horror has no idea why. The event launches an inverted and utterly surprising crime thriller whose driving force is not the “who” or the “what” -- but the “why” -- as an investigator (Bill Pullman) finds himself obsessed with uncovering the woman's buried motive. Produced by Universal Cable Productions, the series premieres Wednesday, August 2 at 10/9c.

SUITS

In SUITS, legendary hotshot lawyer Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht) takes a gamble by hiring Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams), a brilliant but not-so-legitimate college dropout, as an associate at his prolific Manhattan corporate law firm. SUITS also stars Meghan Markle as Rachel, a paralegal and law student, Sarah Rafferty as Donna, Harvey’s formidable executive assistant, and Rick Hoffman as Louis, a fragile but intelligent senior partner. Universal Cable Productions is the studio. Season 7 premieres Wednesday, July 12 at 9/8c.

UNSCRIPTED SERIES

BIG STAR LITTLE STAR

Hosted by Cat Deeley, BIG STAR LITTLE STAR is a celebrity family game show that pairs stars with their kids as they playfully test their knowledge of one another. All in good fun to win money for their chosen charities, each episode will feature three famous families as they reveal hilarious behind-the-scenes moments about their real lives. The series is produced by ITV Entertainment in association with 12 Yard Productions. Series premieres Wednesday, May 31 at 9/8c.

CHRISLEY KNOWS BEST

CHRISLEY KNOWS BEST follows the entertaining lives of outspoken patriarch Todd Chrisley and his over-the-top Southern family, which includes his loving wife, Julie, their children Lindsie, Chase, Savannah and Grayson, and Todd’s beloved mother Nanny Faye. The series is produced by Maverick TV and All3Media America, and will return in fall 2018.

TEAM NINJA WARRIOR

Part of the Emmy®-nominated franchise “American Ninja Warrior,” TEAM NINJA WARRIOR pits three-person athletic teams against each other on physically demanding, side-by-side obstacle courses that test both endurance and speed. The studio is A. Smith & Co. Productions. Season 2 premieres Tuesday, April 18 at 10/9c.

IN DEVELOPMENT

DAMNATION

An epic saga about the history of the 1930's American heartland, DAMNATION centers on the conflict and struggle between big money and the downtrodden. The series focuses on Seth Davenport (Killian Scott), who is masquerading as a small town preacher starting an insurrection against the status quo, and Creeley Turner (Logan Marshall-Green), a professional strikebreaker hired by a tycoon to stop the uprising. Unbeknownst to those around them, these two men share a secret past. The studio is Universal Cable Productions.

UNSOLVED: THE MURDERS OF TUPAC AND BIGGIE (WT)

This scripted true crime serial chronicles the police investigations into the murders of Tupac Shakur (Marcc Rose, “Straight Outta Compton”) and Biggie Smalls (newcomer Wavyy Jonez). Emmy® winner Anthony Hemingway (“The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story”) is set to direct and will executive produce along with Mark Taylor through their Hemingway|Taylor production company. Kyle Long is creator and executive producer and former LAPD detective Greg Kading is co-executive producer and co-wrote the pilot. The drama is based on the experiences of Kading, played by Josh Duhamel (“Battle Creek,” “Las Vegas”). The series also stars Jimmi Simpson (“Westworld,” “House of Cards”) as Detective Russell Poole, and Bokeem Woodbine (“Fargo,” “Southland”) as Officer Daryn Dupree. The studio is Universal Cable Productions.

About USA Network

USA Network, the leader in cable entertainment, offers a powerful stable of dramatic, comedic and unscripted originals in more than 102 million U.S. homes. The network also features spectacular live television, a dynamic portfolio of acquired series and the best in blockbuster theatrical films and entertainment events. A trailblazer in digital innovation and storytelling, USA is defining, driving and setting the industry standard for Social TV. USA is a program service of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal. USA’s award-winning website is located at http://www.usanetwork.com. Watch USA Network anywhere: On Demand, online or across mobile and connected TVs.

Source: Nielsen; Live+7 data; 12/26/16-3/26/17; M-Su 8p-11p (individual nights are also 8p-11p); network ranks are among cable entertainment networks that air in at least 50% of the daypart

USA NETWORK PILOT ‘UNSOLVED: THE MURDERS OF BIGGIE AND TUPAC’ (WT) ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL CASTING INCLUDING THE ROLE OF SEAN “PUFFY” COMBS.

USA NETWORK PILOT ‘UNSOLVED: THE MURDERS OF BIGGIE AND TUPAC’ (WT) ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL CASTING INCLUDING THE ROLE OF SEAN “PUFFY” COMBS.

The new pilot from Universal Cable Productions has filled the roles of Sean “Puffy” Combs, Biggie Smalls’ mother Voletta Wallace, and wife of Death Row Records CEO Suge Knight, Sharitha Golden.

LUKE JAMES is set to play Sean “Puffy” Combs, the young and wildly successful founder of Bad Boy Records, the label of Christopher Wallace, aka Biggie Smalls.

James is a two-time Grammy®-nominated singer/songwriter whose collaborative works include the co-writing of Britney Spears’ “Kill The Lights,” penning songs for Justin Bieber such as “That Should Be Me” and Chris Brown’s “Crawl.” His self-titled debut album “Luke James” was released in September 2014 by Island Records/New Age Rock Star Records and featured the Grammy-nominated single, “Options” featuring Rick Ross. James began his acting career with the drama film “Black Nativity” alongside Jennifer Hudson, Forest Whitaker and Angela Bassett. Most recently, he starred in the successful miniseries “The New Edition Story.” He is repped by ICM Partners and JME Management.

AISHA HINDS has been tapped for the role of Voletta Wallace. The mother of Biggie Smalls, Wallace talked to her son every day before his death and, ever since, has never stopped seeking justice.

Hinds is best known for her role in the Emmy®-nominated series “All The Way.” Currently, Hinds can be seen in the upcoming second season of hit drama series “Underground," and will also co-star in the 10-part event series “Shots Fired.” She is repped by Greene & Associates Talent Agency.

LETOYA LUCKETT will play Sharitha Golden. In 1997, she was the estranged wife of Death Row records CEO Suge Knight and seemingly one of the only people at the time not intimidated by him.

Best known for her recurring roles in “Rosewood” and “Ballers,” alongside Dwayne Johnson, Luckett can also be seen on “Single Ladies,” “Treme,” and in the upcoming season of “Greenleaf.” Luckett began her musical endeavor as an original member of Destiny’s Child co-writing gold-certified singles “Bills, Bills, Bills” and “Say My Name.” Her self-titled debut album “LeToya” was certified platinum and included the No. 1 hit “Torn,” while her 2009 collection featured her Top 10 single “Regret” with Ludacris. Luckett is set to release her highly-anticipated third album in 2017. She is represented by ICM Partners, Vincent Cirrincione Associates and Stone, Genow, Smelkinson, Binder & Christopher, LLP.

Previously announced cast includes newcomer Wavyy Jonez as Christopher Wallace, aka Biggie Smalls, Marcc Rose as Tupac Shakur, Josh Duhamel as Detective Greg Kading, Jimmi Simpson as Detective Russell Poole and Bokeem Woodbine as Officer Daryn Dupree.

From Universal Cable Productions (UCP), UNSOLVED: THE MURDERS OF BIGGIE AND TUPAC (WT) is a scripted true crime serial that chronicles the two major police investigations into the murders of Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls. Emmy Winner Anthony Hemingway (“The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story”) is set to direct and will executive produce along with Mark Taylor through their Hemingway | Taylor production company. Kyle Long (SUITS) is writing the pilot and will also executive produce. The drama is based on the experiences of former LAPD Detective Greg Kading, who is consulting on the pilot script and will also serve as co-executive producer. Kading led multiple law-enforcement task forces investigating the murders and authored the book "Murder Rap: The Untold Story of Biggie Smalls & Tupac Shakur Murder Investigations."

USA NETWORK PILOT ‘UNSOLVED: THE MURDERS OF BIGGIE AND TUPAC (WT)’ CAST THE ROLES OF TUPAC SHAKUR AND CHRISTOPHER WALLACE AKA BIGGIE SMALLS

USA NETWORK PILOT ‘UNSOLVED: THE MURDERS OF BIGGIE AND TUPAC (WT)’ CAST THE ROLES OF TUPAC SHAKUR AND CHRISTOPHER WALLACE AKA BIGGIE SMALLS

Pilot from Universal Cable Productions taps Marcc Rose (“Straight Outta Compton”) and Newcomer Wavyy Jonez to Portray the Iconic Rappers

Marcc Rose will play Tupac Shakur. A poet, actor and legendary rapper, Shakur was as brilliant as he was self-destructive. He was shot and killed in Las Vegas in 1996, and his murder still remains unsolved today.

Rose is a true discovery, making his acting debut as the iconic rapper Tupac in Universal feature“Straight Outta Compton,” directed by F. Gary Gray. The 24-year-old hails from Brooklyn, NY. He is repped by ICM Partners.

In his first acting role, Wavyy Jonez is set to play Christopher Wallace, aka Biggie Smalls. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Wallace quickly went from honor student to small-time drug dealer to the face of East Coast rap. Wallace was shot and killed in Los Angeles just six months after his one-time friend Tupac Shakur. His murder also remains unsolved today.

Newcomer Jonez was discovered during a nationwide open casting call to fill the role of Biggie Smalls. Of the hundreds of hopefuls that submitted, Jonez’s video audition captured the attention of casting directors and Emmy Award®-winning director Anthony Hemingway. A rapper with a metaphorical style reminiscent of New York artists of the 1990s, Jonez has released his first mixtape, entitled “R.E.D. D.O.P.E.” (Real Everyday Drama Doing Over People’s Expectation). Jonez is repped by Yasmine Pearl at First Access Entertainment.

Rose and Jonez join previously announced cast Josh Duhamel as Detective Greg Kading, Jimmi Simpson as Detective Russell Poole and Bokeem Woodbine as Officer Daryn Dupree.

From Universal Cable Productions (UCP), UNSOLVED: THE MURDERS OF BIGGIE AND TUPAC (WT) is a scripted true crime serial that chronicles the two major police investigations into the murders of Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls. Emmy winner Anthony Hemingway (“The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story”) is set to direct and will executive produce along with Mark Taylor through their Hemingway | Taylor production company. The drama is based on the experiences of former LAPD Detective Greg Kading, who is consulting on the pilot script and will also serve as co-executive producer. Kading led multiple law-enforcement task forces investigating the murders and authored the book "Murder Rap: The Untold Story of Biggie Smalls & Tupac Shakur Murder Investigations." Kyle Long (SUITS) is writing the pilot and will also executive produce.