Rueben's Ramblings

Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Actress Zuleikha Robinson (Homeland and Lost) will guest star in an upcoming episode of The Mentalist, playing Dr. Sonia Kidd, a brilliant scientist specializing in the biological roots of murder who meets Jane and the team when one of her top students is killed. (Megan Masters at TV Line)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actors Vinnie Jones (X-Men 3) and Stephen Lang (Terra Nova) have joined the cast of the upcoming movie The 34th Battalion, which will tell the story of an Australian Army unit that fought heroic battles against the Germans during World War I. Jones will play the British-born Lieutenant-Colonel who led the battalion while Lang will play as a U.S. officer. The cast includes Luke Hemsworth (older brother of Chris and Liam), Emilie de Ravin (Once Upon a Time and Lost) and Charles Mesure (Desperate Housewives) [among others]. (The Deadline Team)

Q&A SECTION (with Michael Ausiello at TV Line)

Question: The lack of Once Upon a Time news regarding August W. Booth/Pinocchio and his current state/possible reunion with his dad is getting on my nerves. Please tell me you have a scoop about him? —Angelique

Ausiello: The best answer series co-creator Eddy Kitsis will part with, regarding August being seen again this season, is: “Perhaps.” He goes on to add, “We are hoping to have him back. August is an important part of the fabric of the story, and it’s a story that we are continuing to tell.” In the meantime, though, Kitsis confirms that “you will get the answer” to what it was that August showed Neal Cassidy to convince him of Emma’s fantastical backstory.

Question: I have a question about Once Upon a Time: Are there any chances to get the Huntsman/Jamie Dornan back? I miss him so much!!!

Ausiello: As has often been the series creators’ refrain, you will maybe someday see Dornan again in a flashback, but never in Storybrooke. “[Sheriff] Graham is dead,” asserts Kitsis, “and if we brought him back, everyone would say we were messing with continuity. We don’t want to do that.” Kitsis notes that last season revealed one love of Emma’s life — son Henry — while this cycle introduced us to another, Neal Cassidy, who likely will resurface during February sweeps. As for a certain pushy pirate? “Hook is obviously eye-candy,” Kitsis allows. “I don’t know if Emma would stare at him and think he’d be a great father to Henry, but he might be fun in Vegas!”

Question: Fans all over the globe are saddened and enraged by Matthew’s exit on Downton Abbey. It might make us feel better to know what Downton has in store for Lady Mary without him. Maybe a new love interest? —Kay

Ausiello: No maybe about it: There will definitely be a new man in her life in Season 4. The only question is, will it be someone we’ve met before or someone brand-spankin’ new?

Question: The winter break is killing me. I need some Supernatural info to save my life. —DJ

Ausiello: We already know that a murder investigation brings Dean and Sam into the wild and wacky world of live-action role playing — specifically a LARPing convention. Now I’m happy to announce that yes, the Brothers Winchester will play dress-up.

Question: I can’t believe we have to wait until March 8 for Grimm to return! At least they had the decency to actually say “Sorry” when they aired the fall finale. Please tell me something, anything to help get me though the long, dark Grimm(less) months… –Jacquie

Ausiello: I do have a whole lot of hot Grimm scoop to warm these Nick-less Friday nights, Jacquie, but it’s got to last you a while… so I’ll give you some now and keep some in reserve for another time. Sound good? First bit: Series co-creator and exec producer Jim Kouf tells TVLine that Captain Renard “gets very close” to the key in the first few episodes back after the break. Second bit: I hear there’s a good chance the captain’s Adalind-conspiring brother Eric will be in the mix during the second half of the season. And finally: The show very much wants to bring Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio back as Nick’s mom in upcoming episodes, but whether that happens or not depends largely on scheduling.

Question: I’d be really grateful for a Nikita scoop that has nothing to do with romance of any kind. —Alexis

Ausiello: Pretty sure this meets your criteria: Exec producer Craig Silverstein says Isaiah “Old Spice” Mustafa will return later this season as reformed Dirty Thirty agent Cyrus. Probably. Maybe. “We want to get him back,” he says. “We still have a bunch of episodes in our back half, so we’re trying to figure out how to do it. We definitely want to see him again.”

Question: Any Revenge scoop? —Winnie

Ausiello: Here are some details from Revenge creator Mike Kelley himself. “I don’t think you’ve seen the last of Jennifer Jason Leigh,” the boss says of Emily VanCamp’s unhinged onscreen mom. “She will be involved in the show as we move forward — but I don’t want to tell you how just yet; she’s terrific.”

That’s it. Enjoy!