The Hollywood Reporter. The USA Network is developing an updated four hour mini-series version that restages the gangster classic with a black cast in inner-city Los Angeles during the crack epidemic of the 1980s. Production could begin as early as this Fall for a 2005 debut and "The Shield" Producer Charles "Chic" Eglee is developing the project. Rather than a direct remake with a simple setting change, they are "creating a new cast loosely based on most of the primary characters instead of literally revisiting them".
Meanwhile David E. Kelley's long running "The Practice" is finally coming to a close after eight seasons according to USA Today & Mediasharx. The massive cast shake-up last year hasn't been a huge success in the ratings for ABC, but it has done good enough that the network has come up with another idea.
Rather than flatly ending the series, Kelley and ABC are planning to take several of the characters over to a whole new series to debut in the Fall which will center around the world of civil law in a big new Boston law firm.
The firm will be introduced in the last four episodes of "The Practice" when Alan Shore (James Spader) is fired and files a wrongful-termination lawsuit against Young, Frutt & Berluti with the firm (run by William Shatner) defending him - in the end he joins them. Its expected cast members Jessica Capshaw and Rhona Mitra will also be a part of the new show.
Thanks to 'Marcus' & 'SWERJ'.
