Rueben's Ramblings

Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Actress Brooke Shields will have a role in the 7th season of Lifetime’s Army Wives that returns on March 10. She will play Air Force Colonel Katherine “Kat” Young, a C-17 pilot who clashes with Army General Michael Holden (Brian McNamara). (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

Actor John Pyper-Ferguson (Alphas, Caprica and Brothers & Sisters) will guest star in an upcoming episode of Once Upon a Time, playing Ben, a widower who wants nothing more than to help his young son heal from the loss of his mother. (James Hibberd at Entertainment Weekly)

Actress Sarah Chalke (Scrubs) will pay a visit to Grey’s Anatomy in an episode set to air this spring, but details are fuzzy on what role she will play. (Michael Ausiello at TV Line)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

The British adaptation of the Scandinavian series The Bridge, which will become a 10-part mini-series called The Tunnel, will star actress Clemence Poesy (Harry Potter) and actor Stephen Dillane (Game of Thrones) in the lead roles. The drama will be set primarily in Folkestone and Calais where detectives Karl Roebuck (Dillane) and Elise Wassermann (Poésy) are called to investigate the death of a French politician. When a shocking discovery is made at the crime scene, the pair is forced into an uneasy partnership as they seek out a politically-motivated serial killer who draws them into his own personal agenda. (Nancy Tartaglione at Deadline)

More cast members have joined the cast of the British biopic called Fleming that will star Dominic Cooper (Mamma Mia) as author Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond and actress Annabelle Wallis (Pan Am) as Muriel Wright, the original inspiration for the Bond Girl. The additional cast members include Lara Pulver (Sherlock and the upcoming Starz series Da Vinci’s Demons), who will play Ann O’Neill, with whom Fleming had a long-term on-off relationship before she became his wife in 1952. Actor Samuel West (the upcoming mini-series Mr. Selfridge) will play Admiral John Godfrey with whom Fleming worked during WWII and who put him in charge of Operation Golden Eye. British actress Lesley Manville (Vera Drake) will play Fleming’s mother Eve and British actor Rupert Evans (World Without End) will play his brother Peter. Also Anna Chancellor (The Hour) will play Lieutenant Monday, an inspiration for Miss Moneypenny. (Nancy Tartaglione at Deadline)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actor Campbell Scott (Royal Pains) is set to direct and star in the box office adaptation of the Joan Didion novel called “A Book of Common Prayer, which centers on two American women whose paths cross in a fictional Central American country on the verge of revolution: One married into one of the families that dominate politics in Boca Grande; the other has seen her marriage fall apart and her daughter run off with a group of Marxist radicals. (Dave McNary at Variety)

Director-series creator J.J. Abrams has been selected to direct the next movie in the Star Wars franchise. (The Wrap and Dark Horizons)

Actress Chloe Moretz (the upcoming Carrie reboot and the Let Me In) will star in the film adaptation of the Gayle Forman novel called If I Say, which follows a relationship between a young classical musician (Moretz) and her indie rock boyfriend. (Variety and First Showing)

The long list of actors have been assembled to star in the upcoming JFK assassination film called Parkland. Among the already announced cast are Paul Giamatti, Billy Bob Thornton, Jacki Weaver, Marcia Gay Harden, Zac Efron, and Jeremy Strong. And the newly announced cast includes Jackie Earle Haley, Colin Hanks, Ron Livingston, James Badge Dale and David Harbour. The film will be based on the Vincent Bugliosi book called “Reclaiming History: The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy.” The film will recount the chaotic events that occurred at Parkland Hospital in Dallas following JFK’s assassination on Nov. 22, 1963. (Greg Gilman at The Wrap)

BOX OFFICE TRAILER

Kirsten Dunst & Jim Sturgess in ‘Upside Down’ Sci-Fi Romance Trailer

Q&A SECTION (with Team Watch with Kristin at E! Online and Matt Mitovich at TV Line)

Question: How will Colton Haynes’ exit be addressed when Teen Wolf returns? – Brendan

Team Watch with Kristin: Thanks to a handy-dandy four month time-jump, Jackson’s absence in Beacon Hills won’t be weighing down any of our characters that much and we’ll learn what happened to him thanks to a quippy explanation from Lydia. In the same vein, look for Isaac to have more of a presence in season three now that Jackson is gone.

Question: Is it too soon to ask about Awkward? – Jayna

Mitovich: Actually, no – because the show has just put out a Season 3 casting call for the role of Collin, a surprisingly charming classmate who will distract Jenna some, even to the point that she ignores Matty’s calls. Then again, Jenna as a whole is not quite herself when the MTV series returns. Something about not getting much sleep at home.

Question: This is not really a scoop request (or maybe it is), but the press release for the NCIS episode “Canary” (Episode 10×14) seems to be lacking guest cast. –Daniel

Mitovich: You seem crafty, Daniel, so maybe you already dug this up. But if not, that guest cast includes Chuck alum/imminent Bones guest star Vik Sahay (playing a computer hacker), Ethan Rains (General Hospital: Night Shift) and Geoffrey Wade (aka Don’s Mad Men dentist).

That’s it. Enjoy!

Have a great weekend!!

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Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Actor Sean Patrick Flanery (The Dead Zone and The Young & the Restless) and veteran British actress Charlotte Rampling (the mini-series Restless) will both have recurring roles in the upcoming 8th season of Dexter. Flanery will play Jacob Elroy, the ex-cop owner of a private investigation company in Miami while Rampling will play a neuro-psychiatrist who specializes in working with young psychopaths and profiling criminals in unorthodox ways. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline and James Hibberd at Entertainment Weekly)

Actor Sendhil Ramamurthy (Heroes and Covert Affairs) has been promoted to series regular status on Beauty And the Beast. He will play Assistant District Attorney Gabe Lowen starting on February 28. (Philiana Ng at The Hollywood Reporter)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actress Dakota Fanning has been cast in the upcoming box office film The Last Of Robin Hood alongside actor Kevin Kline, who plays the leading role of legendary actor Errol Flynn. Fanning will play teenage actress Beverly Aadland, who was 17-years-old and by Flynn’s side when he died at the age of 50 in 1959. Actress Susan Sarandon will play Beverly’s mother. (The Deadline Team)

Q&A SECTION (with Team Watch With Kristin from E! Online)

Question: I need to know what’s next for Spencer now that she knows about Toby on Pretty Little Liars! I felt so bad for her! – Madison

Team Watch With Kristin: Spencer is about do take a dark turn! Creator Marlene King teases, “When she accepts that Toby is in the ‘A’ Team she has nothing left to lose, so she does things that we would never expect Spencer to do.” Bonus PLL scoop: King says fans will learn how the Uber “A” assembled the team’s members in the finale. Blackmail or recruitment? Hmmm…

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Actress Cassidy Freeman (Smallville and Longmire) will guest star in the February 10 episode of Once Upon a Time, playing Jack, presumably as in Jack to Lost alum Jorge Garcia, who will be back as the beanstalk-guarding giant. (Matt Mitovich at TV Line)

Actress Maria Bello who joined the FOX drama Touch at the end of season one and was upgraded to a series regular for season two, which has yet to even air, has left the series. There is no world how she will be written out of the show. The second season premiere episode will air on February 8. (Michael Ausiello at TV Line)

MADE FOR TV MOVIE NEWS

Actress Alexis Bledel (Gilmore Girls) and actor Zachary Levi (Chuck) will star in the next Hallmark Hall of Fame movie on ABC called Remember Sunday. Bledel will play Molly, a down-on-her-luck waitress, who meets Gus (Levi), a jewelry store clerk dealing with a brain aneurysm that gives him a blank slate the second his alarm wakes him each day. The made-for-TV movie is expected to air in April. (Variety and The Futon Critic)

MINI-SERIES NEWS

Playground Entertainment, which is run by former HBO Films president Colin Callender, is turning the Flying Tigers into a ten-hour TV mini-series (for which the production company is in discussions with numerous broadcasters). The project will focus on the ace American volunteer pilots who served under General Claire Chennault fighting the Japanese over the skies of China during the Second World War. (Dominic Patten at Deadline)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actress Rosario Dawson will star opposite Ryan Reynolds in the upcoming film called Queen of the Night that will center on the father of an abducted child (Reynolds), who becomes convinced that his daughter is still alive even though she has been missing for years. Dawson will play a detective who becomes involved in the case. (Brent Lang at The Wrap)

Q&A SECTION (with Team Watch with Kristin at E! Online, Adam Bryant and Natalie Abrams at TV Guide and Michael Ausiello at TV Line)

Question: Any scoop on what’s coming up for Derek on Teen Wolf? – Holly

Team Watch with Kristin: When the MTV hit series returns for its third season Derek will be getting a love interest! And no Sterek fans, it’s not Stiles. And it’s also not Erica, whom Teen Wolf fans will not be seeing at all in season three, but a new lady in Beacon Hills.

Question: You guys were right…The Following is badass! I need scoop, please! – Leona

Team Watch with Kristin: Next week’s episode will focus mainly on the three folks who made off with Joe and Claire’s son, and their back-story is about as messed up as you can get. Prepare for one flashback that will show you just how unglued one of the members of the trio really is. Plus, you think you’ve seen odd live triangles before?

ME: Here is a slightly alternate look at next week’s episode as well:

Question: I’m hooked on The Following. Any hints about what’s next? — Jacob

ADAM: Next week’s episode spends a lot of time establishing the nanny-and-gay-neighbors trio at the center of Joe Carroll’s following —and you’ll quickly learn that Carroll’s not training killers, but rather simply enabling them. Look for a very odd little love triangle to form between the group as they guard Carroll’s son. Plus: Prepare yourself now for the creepiest shower scene since Psycho, even though not a drop of blood is spilled!

Question: Dying for some Nikita scoop! – Debra

Team Watch with Kristin: Fans will be meeting a new Division Agent in episode 16 named Rachel, who is the ringleader of a group of agents that plan to help all the other agents go rogue. When the tough and independent Rachel s confronted by Ryan and Alex, they’ll soon learn there’s more to her and her plan than they originally thought.

Question: Please tell me you have scoop on Nikita. —Patricia

Ausiello: I have scoop on Nikita. Even though it seems like the Division team has appeased the POTUS, exec producer Craig Silverstein maintains that the “threat has not been completely and utterly” neutralized. “It’s been turned [down] from ‘medium’ down to ‘simmer,’” he adds. “[But] then in Episode 10 a new development pumps up on that front.” Bonus Scoop: In the coming months, two people we care about will find themselves with gunshot wounds — albeit for very different reasons.

Question: Any chance for some Game of Thrones spoilers? – Kyle Q.

Team Watch with Kristin: Since humans are more visual creatures, we’ll just direct you to this behind-the-scenes featurette that actually shows some new footage from season three instead of just writing about the video. You are welcome.

Question: So happy Daniel Gillies joined The Originals! Any more scoop you can give us on The Vampire Diaries spinoff? – Daniella

Team Watch with Kristin: In addition to Klaus’ former protégé Marcel, two other newbies who will be introduced in the backdoor pilot are witches named Sophie and Davina. Sophie is a strong leader whose magic has been silenced but is planning a revolution of sorts, while the young Davina has been sheltered by overprotective caregivers but has some demons.

Question: I’m looking for Castle scoop on the two-parter, please. — C. Stewart, via Twitter

ADAM: This awesome news wasn’t enough? Fine, I’ll let Jon Huertas share some more secrets. “Something crazy that I think people will be just so blown away by is that we’re going to work with an FBI agent. That never happens,” a cheeky Huertas says with a laugh. In all seriousness, the case, which involves the kidnapping of a Middle Eastern businessman’s daughter, will be truly international. “It takes part of the team out of the country to Europe, which is something we’ve never done,” Huertas says. Unfortunately, don’t expect a romantic night out in Paris for Beckett and Castle, the latter of which will find his life in danger. “This two-parter is very scary for the team,” Huertas says.

Question: Seriously, will Danny be less of a wimp when Revolution returns? — Helga

NATALIE: Yes! Danny will no longer be the requisite whiny, useless teenager that genre shows tend to include. “He was ripped from his home and realized he had a mother and was beaten along the way by Neville,” executive producer Eric Kripke tells me. “I think that really matures him and ages him in a way that we’ll really see in the second half of the season. He’ll really be willing to take up arms in the fight against Monroe, so in that way I think he really starts to evolve into a warrior.”

Question: I can’t get enough of Justified. What’s coming up? — Allen

ADAM: Look for Ellen May to come crawling back to Ava and Boyd in the wake of Boyd’s last run-in with Preacher Billy. Although she seeks to start back at Square 1, Ava and Boyd must decide how permanently this particular loose end needs to be tied. Also: Boyd’s new ally Colt makes a mistake that could have serious impact on the nature of their relationship.

Question: When are we finally going to see the Land of Oz on Once Upon a Time? — Charlie

NATALIE: Sorry, Charlie: Executive producers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz broke the news to me that we’ll have to wait until at least next season before we see Oz. However, a trip to Neverland may soon be in the cards. “We do know Hook spent some time there,” Kitsis says. “I will be interested to see what it looks like.”

Question: Scandal is my favorite show on TV right now — it’s like my TV crack. Do you have any scoop for the rest of the season? —Nicole

Ausiello: If you suspect that Gregg Henry’s days as the ever-conspiring Hollis Doyle are numbered, now that would-be presidential assassin Becky has been captured, think again. “Hollis is a tremendously entertaining fellow,” Jeff Perry, who plays Cyrus, notes, “so I’ve got a feeling that Shonda [Rhimes], for sheer diabolical entertainment value, is going to somehow have him stay connected” to the canvas.

Question: I’m hooked on Chicago Fire! Can you give this Mrs. Severide wannabe a little inside scoop? —Nicole

Ausiello: The rookie drama will be delving into the mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of Mills’ (Charlie Barnett) late firefighter father. “As we learned early in the season, his father’s shield is hanging on the wall of badges of fallen firefighters,” notes exec producer Derek Haas. “We’re going to learn more about why his father’s shield is up there, and in doing so, learn more about Boden (Eamonn Walker) who served with his father and Kelly’s dad (Treat Williams), who were all there at the same time.”

Question: From your friends in Texas — got any Abby-related NCIS scoop? —Jackie

Ausiello: Abby’s debuting a provocative new look in the Feb. 5 episode — and we’ve got your exclusive first look at her extreme hair makeover (see photos, above and to the right). What’s the 411 on her crazy ‘do? According to an NCIS insider, Abby reveals that she recently came upon her Grandpa Sciuto’s homemade pomade recipe. And I think you can figure out what happened next.

Question: Beggars can’t be choosers, nor can they be picky. So I’ll take anything NCIS-related you have. — Marilyn

Ausiello: Actually, I happen to have a killer spoiler for you – a serial killer spoiler, to be exact. In an upcoming episode, your favorite agents team up with D.C. Metro to bring down a mass murderer. But the partnership will be almost as tough to manage as the case will be to close – especially for the lead detective, who is very “one for all, all for one” until he thinks the feds have backstabbed him. (Oh, and check back soon: You’re gonna wanna know who the show casts as both the detective and his sidekick, a forensic scientist – both characters could recur.)

Question: I am dying for some Rayna-Deacon scoop! Please tell me good things are coming for my favorite Nashville couple ! – Hilla

Ausiello: Would you settle for some scoop on a character we’ve never met before? Ozzy – who’ll appear in at least five episodes – is a superhot former junkie who now helps others walk the straight and narrow. Which, to my thinking, means he’s destined to save Juliette’s mom… or be ruined by her. Either way, good times, right?

Question: Any scoop for me on Banshee? Love the smokin’ hot chemistry between Carrie and Lucas. —Olivia

Ausiello: As exec producer Greg Yaitanes explains, the Cinemax drama is “not a ‘will they or won’t they’ show.” Having said that, the former House EP reveals, “Episodes 7 and 8 tackle the Lucas/Carrie chemistry head on… with an added Banshee twist. In the meantime, Lucas will be busy with the ladies of Banshee County.”

Question: So maybe it is the fact that I am currently six months pregnant, but is it as obvious to the rest of the world as it is to me that Aria has a bun in the oven on Pretty Little Liars? —Ashley

Ausiello: No word yet on whether Aria is carrying her own little one, but get this: “Ezra will find out that he has a son” in an upcoming episode, which provides “a nice family moment between him, Aria and [his child] Malcolm,” shares exec producer I. Marlene King. Of course, Ezra won’t immediately discover how long Aria kept this secret form him — but the truth will eventually come out. Still, when all is said and done, “the ‘Ezria’ story will end in a very interesting place this year,” adds King. “It’s kind of a full-circle moment.”

Question: Considering what an evil wench Alison turned out to be, why does anyone on Pretty Little Liars even care who killed her at this point? —Tracy

Ausiello: “That’s something I would like to explore in Season 4,” notes King. “To go back to some of the moments where we realize why the girls were attracted to Alison — because she wasn’t pure evil and it does seem like [she is] in Season 3. We’re now seeing her darker, mean girl side. But there’s definitely a flashback coming up on Season 3B where we see a more vulnerable side of Alison.”

That’s it. Enjoy!

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