News Briefs: Netflix Is About to Nab a Horror Series from Eli Roth, Jennifer Beals Joins Castle

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

… Netflix is close to ordering 13 episodes of its own horror series, Hemlock Grove, from Eli Roth. It’s based on a not-yet-published novel by Brian McGreevy, and the story “re-imagines everything it means to be a monster as reflected in the struggle to be human.” Sounds like Being Human, but gothier. [Deadline]

… Eva Longoria has sold a legal drama to The CW. (Pause for laughter.) The show, called Vega v. Vega, is about a “a brilliant, young, successful lawyer who suddenly finds herself forced to go into a practice with her mother.” Don’t worry, Eva isn’t writing it. Yahlin Chang, who has written for Pan Am and Dirty Sexy Money, is. [THR]

… At long last, Budweiser and ABC have come together to bring the world a reality show. I know that I now feel better about the world. Don’t you? [Variety]

… No one seems to be particularly interested in another reality show from the Palins, but they’re shopping one anyway: This one would follow Todd Palin and “his career as a championship snowmobile racer.” TLC and A&E have already passed. But it sounds so fascinating! [THR]

RATINGS AND CANCELLATIONS NEWS

… Once Upon a Time could be in trouble: The fairytale show hit a series low on Sunday for the third week in a row. It’s down 9 percent from last week in the 18-49 demo. [Deadline]

… All your favorite holiday specials have been cha-chinging network registers. Guess TV execs have been nice, not naughty this year. (Except NBC, obviously.) [Variety]

… Lifetime has canceled Against the Wall, y’all. It’s hard out there for a female TV cop. [Cinemablend]

CASTING NEWS

… Excitement in daytime drama land! Lisa Rinna is returning to Days of Our Lives to reprise her role as Billie Reed. [THR]

… What a feelin’! Jennifer Beals has signed on for a two-part arc on Castle. If you aren’t of fan of The L Word of old, you might not know who she is. Rent Flashdance. It was kind of a big deal in its day. [TV Guide]

UNFORTUNATE FORMER TV STAR NEWS

… Gary Dourdan, former CSI star, has faced a steady stream of legal troubles involving drug possession and domestic violence. Now his Venice home is at risk of foreclosure after he missed a mortgage payment of $ 61,558.90. That’s a lot of money when you’re not on a hit CBS procedural anymore. (His character was killed off in 2008.) [TMZ]