The CW has acquired the rights to AMC’s drama series 61st Street, which will air in 2024.

The series, which stars Courtney B. Vance and Aunjanue Ellis, was cancelled by AMC in January after its first season as part of the organization’s cost-cutting measures, even though the second season had been already completed. The Michael B. Jordan-produced series chronicles the story of a promising high school athlete who gets swept up in a corrupt Chicago criminal justice system. 

The CW will air 61st Street’s first seasons in Fall of 2023, with the second season debuting on the broadcast network in 2024. 

“61st Street is a gripping, star-studded premium drama led by a powerhouse performance from Courtney B. Vance and featuring an incredibly talented ensemble cast and creatively brilliant team of producers,” The CW president of entertainment Brad Schwartz said in a statement. “We are proud The CW is now the broadcast home of 61st Street and cannot wait to introduce this series to a whole new audience.”

The deal comes as eight CBS-owned The CW affiliate stations will become independent stations beginning this September. Nexstar Media Group purchased 75% of The CW in October. 

AMC's crime drama 61st Street highlights the list of cable and streaming shows debuting during the first full week of April. 

AMC's eight-episode series debuting April 10 stars Courtney B. Vance as a Chicago lawyer defending a young black man swept up in the corrupt Chicago criminal justice system. The series also stars Aunjanue Ellis, Mark O’Brien, Holt McCallany, Tosin Cole, Andrene Ward-Hammond and Bentley Green.

Also this week, returning on April 8 for sophomore seasons are Paramount Plus's iCarly and Hulu's Woke.

Below are video trailers and premiere dates for multiple shows debuting the week of April 4 to April 10 on cable networks and streaming services (for some videos, viewer discretion is advised):

April 4 – Harry Wild (drama) – Acorn TV

April 5 – Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off (sports documentary) – HBO

April 6 – The Hardy Boys (drama) – Hulu

April 7 – Close Enough (animated comedy) – HBO Max

April 7 – Return to Space (documentary) – Netflix

April 7 – Tokyo Vice (drama) – HBO Max

April 8 – All the Old Knives (drama movie) – Prime Video

April 8 – Metal Lords (comedy movie) – Netflix

April 8 -- A Black Lady Sketch Show (returning series) -- HBO

Courtney B. Vance leads a tense battle against the Chicago justice system over a deadly drug bust in the official trailer for AMC's drama series 61st Street, which debuts on the streaming service April 10.

According to AMC, the eight-episode series courses through the dark heart of the infamous Chicago criminal justice system as police and prosecutors investigate a deadly drug bust that threatens to unravel the police department's code of silence. Vance stars along with Anujanue Ellis, Mark O'Brien, Holt McCallany, Tosin Cole, Andrene Ward-Hammond and Bentley Green.

61st Street is executive produced by Michael B. Jordan, Peter Moffat, J. David Shanks, Elizabeth Raposo, Alana Mayo, Jeff Freilich, and Hillary Salmon. ■ 

AMC has signed Emmy Award winner Courtney B. Vance to appear in its upcoming drama series 61stStreet, the network announced Thursday.

The series, from Peter Moffat and produced by Michael B. Jordan, is a courtroom drama that follows a promising, black high school athlete who is swept up into the infamously corrupt Chicago criminal justice system. Vance (The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story, Lovecraft Country, Genius) plays a public defender in the twilight of his career serving the busiest courthouse in America.

AMC has ordered two seasons of 61stStreet, which is set to debut in 2021, said network officials.

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“We couldn’t be more thrilled to have the phenomenal Courtney B. Vance returning to the courtroom for 61stStreet,” said Sarah Barnett, president of AMC Networks Entertainment Group and AMC Studios.”Courtney is the cornerstone of what’s sure to be a stellar ensemble for this ambitious and highly entertaining drama.”

In other AMC news, the network announced new cast additions for its upcoming drama series Soulmates, including Charlie Heaton (Stranger Things), Malin Akerman (Billions, Dollface, Rampage), Betsy Brandt (Breaking Bad, Life in Pieces) and JJ Feild (Turn). The six-part anthology series examines the nature of romantic love, and is written by Will Bridges (Stranger Things, Black Mirror) and Brett Goldstein (Superbob, Adult Life Skills).

AMC will look to expand its original series lineup with the greenlighting of two new series, 61st Street and Kevin Can F**k Himself.

Courtroom drama 61st Street, executive produced by Michael B. Jordan and Alana Mayo of Outlier Society (OWN’s David Makes Man), will receive a two-season order with eight episodes per season, according to network officials. The series revolves around Moses Johnson, a promising, black high school athlete who is swept up into the infamously corrupt Chicago criminal justice system, according to AMC.

The 10-episode Kevin Can F**k Himself, from creator Valerie Armstrong (Lodge 49) and executive produced by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack (Claws) along with Craig DiGregorio, explores what happens when a stereotypical TV sitcom wife escapes her confines and forces the world to let her take the lead, said the network. 

"At AMC we believe in shows that have startling vision and fresh voice, with something to say," said Said Sarah Barnett, president of AMC Networks Entertainment Group & AMC Studios in a statement. "These two projects couldn’t be more in our sweet spot, as both have something big to say, and a genius way of saying it."