Rueben's Ramblings

Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Actress Michelle Fairley (Game of Thrones) has landed a recurring role on Suits, appearing in the season premiere that is set to air on July 16. She will appear as Ava Hessington, a British entrepreneur who runs a successful international oil company. Faced with a lawsuit that may cost her the family business, she puts her trust in Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht) to fight the charges against her. (James Hibberd at Entertainment Weekly)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Actor Justin Theroux has been cast in HBO pilot from Damon Lindelof called The Leftovers, which is based on a novel of the same name written by Tom Perrotta. The pilot centers on life after the Rapture happens and the people who didn’t make the cut, being left behind in a suburban community. Theroux will play Kevin Garvey, a chief of police and father of two who is trying to maintain some semblance of normalcy in this new world. (AJ Marechal at Variety)

WGN America has ordered its first original scripted series, a drama entitled Salem from Brannon Braga (24, Star Trek: TNG, Terra Nova) and Adam Simon (The Haunting in Connecticut). The drama has received a straight to series order of 13 episodes. The series is set in the volatile world of 17th century Massachusetts, exploring what really fueled the town’s infamous witch trials. (Lacey Rose at The Hollywood Reporter)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actor David Meunier (Justified and Revolution) will appear in the box office flick The Equalizer alongside Denzel Washington, Melissa Leo and Chloe Moretz. He will play Slavi, a brutal and sleazy Russian pimp involved with Teri, the young prostitute to be played by Moretz. The film is the box office adaptation of the 1980’s TV series about Robert McCall, an ex-covert agent who hires himself out to those in need. (Jen Yamato at Deadline)

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

Question: I am so excited for the new seasons of Suits and Covert Affairs, and was hoping for any spoilers on Mike/Rachel, Mike/Harvey or Annie/Auggie. –Tiffany

Ausiello: I choose Column A! Mike and Rachel’s Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner-esque sit-down with her parents, which Meghan Markle first told us about, will come with all the requisite awkwardness and grilling one might expect. But just how uncomfortable is it? I’m hearing that race and dead parents are brought up! Thankfully, Rachel’s mom is there to play peacekeeper — and to ask her daughter if she loves Mike. (Two guesses on Rachel’s answer?) Bonus Suits Scoop: The show is on the prowl for an actress to play mom to Gina Torres’ Jessica. Mrs. Pearson is beautiful, strong and powerful, but much warmer and much more accessible than Jessica. (We will come to learn that Jess gets her chilliness from her father.)

Question: I usually can’t stand cheaters, but I love Switched at Birth‘s Bay and Emmett so much. Any hope on the horizon? —Dakota

Ausiello: Unfortunately, Emmett is giving Bay her space in Monday’s premiere, an episode that also finds Daphne and Bay shaking up their living situations (the result of which may give viewers a little taste of what’s to come in the “What If?” hour later this season).

Question: I’m desperate for anything you have on Pretty Little Liars. —Estee

Ausiello: It looks like Emily is taking her swimming career to the next level. In next season’s ninth episode, aptly titled “Into the Deep,” the wannabe Missy Franklin crosses paths with a prolific swimming coach who’s famous for sending his students to the Olympics. He’s also famous for being something of a drill sergeant, so let’s hope Emily doesn’t get in over her head.

That’s it. Enjoy!