Five new shows for CBS

Magnum, P.I. ran from 1980 to 1988

UPFRONTS: The CBS network has ordered four new drama series and a comedy for next season, including the reboot of 1980s hit Magnum P.I.

The show has been updated and has the titular character as a decorated ex-Navy SEAL who, upon returning home from Afghanistan, repurposes his military skills to become a private investigator. Jay Hernandez (Friday Night Lights) stars.

The show is being made by CBS Television Studios, Davis Entertainment, Perfect Storm Entertainment and Universal Television, and continues the trend for remakes of previous TV hits that has characterised the Upfronts for several years.

CBS has also ordered series for drama pilots The Code, The Red Line and God Friended Me, as well as multi-camera comedy Fam. From CBS Television Studios, The Code is a military-themed legal drama from showrunner Craig Sweeny, Carl Beverly and Sarah Timberman.

The Red Line is from Warner Bros Television and tells a story of a white cop in Chicago who mistakenly shoots and kills a black doctor. Greg Berlanti (Flash) shares exec producer duties with Ava DuVernay and Sarah Schechter.

God Friended Me, meanwhile, is also from Warner Bros Television and Berlanti’s company Berlanti Productions. It follows an outspoken atheist whose life is turned upside down when he is ‘friended’ by God on social media. 

On the comedy front, CBS has ordered a series based on the pilot Fam from CBS Television Studios and Kapital Entertainment. It follows a woman whose happy life is thrown into disarray when her half-sister comes to live with her.

These series orders are in addition to the previously announced series pick-ups for Welcome To The Neighborhood, featuring Cedric The Entertainer; a yet-to-be-titled multi-camera project from Damon Wayans Jr; the revival of Murphy Brown; and Dick Wolf drama FBI.

CBS has also axed four current series, including sitcom Kevin Can Wait, and renewed four dramas, ahead of its Upfront presentation on Wednesday.