Christina Hendricks of "Mad Men" to star in new period series

Gilded Girls: "Good Girls" actress Christina Hendricks is also widely known for her role in AMC's landmark historical drama series "Mad Men," which was set in the 1950s and '60s. But for her next TV project, the six-time Emmy nominee will have to channel the spirit of a completely different era: the Gilded Age.

Hendricks has boarded Apple TV 's new, as yet untitled, eight-episode series inspired by "The Buccaneers," Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edith Wharton's final novel.

Apple TV describes the drama, which is currently in production in Scotland, as follows: "Girls with money, men with power. New money, old secrets. A group of fun-loving young American girls explode into the tightly corseted London season of the 1870s, kicking off an Anglo-American culture clash as the land of the stiff upper lip is infiltrated by a refreshing disregard for centuries of tradition. Sent to secure husbands and titles, the buccaneers' hearts are set on much more than that, and saying 'I do' is just the beginning."

Hendricks will play the role of Mrs. St. George, mother to buccaneers Nan (played by Kristine Froseth, "Looking for Alaska") and Jinny (Imogen Waterhouse, "The Outpost").

Mrs. St. George was the belle of the ball herself before her marriage to Mr. St. George, who struck it rich on Wall Street. Now, as she tries to secure a "happily ever after" for her daughters, Mrs. St. George risks becoming the kind of social-climbing outsider that used to bemuse her, but mother and buccaneers soon discover that getting married might not be the key to happiness after all.

The upcoming series, created by Katherine Jakeways ("Tracey Ullman's Show") and featuring BAFTA winner Susanna White ("Bleak House") as director, will also star Alisha Boe ("13 Reasons Why"), Josie Totah ("Saved by the Bell"), Aubri Ibrag ("Dive Club") and Mia Threapleton ("Shadows," 2020) as buccaneers.

A speedy sendoff: CW confirmed that another DC Comics superhero show is ending its run.

The network's longest-standing Arrowverse show (and one of its most-watched), "The Flash," is officially coming to an end, with its upcoming ninth season, which begins production next month and is set to air in 2023, will be its last. It will be the series' shortest season, too, with just 13 episodes to give Grant Gustin's ("Arrow") Scarlet Speedster a proper send-off.

"Nine years of saving Central City while taking audiences on an emotional journey full of heart, humor and spectacle," said executive producer/showrunner Eric Wallace ("Teen Wolf") said in a statement. "So many amazing people have given their talents, time and love to bring this wonderful show to life each week. So, as we get ready to honor the show's incredible legacy with our exciting final chapter, I want to say thank you to our phenomenal cast, writers, producers and crew over the years who helped make 'The Flash' such an unforgettable experience for audiences around the world."

It's disappointing news to fans, to be sure, but the ninth season is also a bit of a gift as the series was expected to end after eight. CW ended up renewing "The Flash" for a ninth season after Gustin and co-star Candice Patton ("The Guest," 2014) signed on for one more year (Gustin did cap his involvement to 15 episodes, however, hence the shorter season).

At this rate, one has to wonder how much original programming will be left on CW after the 2022-23 season. The network has now canceled more shows than it has ordered or renewed, and it continues to cut its roster of scripted originals amid a majority ownership sale.

Everything Showtime: The duo behind this year's indie box office hit "Everything Everywhere All at Once" is headed to Showtime.

Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan — collectively known as Daniels — are set to direct and executive produce a new, autobiographical comedy pilot for Showtime. Titled "Mason," the half-hour pilot is being touted as "a surrealist comedy about a quiet man named Nathan, often misheard as 'Mason,' seeking connection in a loud world."

Behind the scenes, Daniels will share executive producing duties with former "The Walking Dead" star Steven Yeun, who is fresh off his big-screen role in Jordan Peele's "Nope" (2022), but "Mason" is the brainchild of writer/cartoonist/stand-up comedian Nathan Min ("Joe Pera Talks to You") and the pilot is said to be based on his life.

"Nathan has brought Showtime a disarmingly funny and emotional project that feels like a punch to the gut in how astutely it conveys the trials and tribulations of being a human today," said Amy Israel, Showtime's original programming executive vice-president, in a statement.

"We can't wait to see him team up with Daniels — who have emerged as a force with their incredible, mind-bending film that revolutionized what seemed possible on the screen — as well as the immensely multi-talented Steven Yeun and our friends at A24. 'Mason' has every chance of emerging as a brilliant and cathartic comedy for our viewers."