Rueben's Ramblings

Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Actress Bridget Regan (Legend of the Seeker) will have a major recurring role (10-episodes) on White Collar, playing Rebecca Lowe, a beautiful rare book scholar who becomes entangled with Neal’s latest con, and then ultimately Neal himself. Yes, she is a new love interest for Neal. White Collar is expected back this October. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

A second season of the UK series Endeavour has been ordered. The first season of the drama has already aired in the UK and will be seen here in the states on PBS, starting next month. (Nancy Tartaglione at Deadline)

Season 8 of Psych will feature the following guest stars: Vinnie Jones (Elementary), Olivia d’Abo (The Wonder Years) and Kali Hawk (New Girl). Hawk will play a crafty P.I. whose case leads her straight to Shawn and Gus while D’Abo is set to play a “master infiltrator” and right-hand lady to a brutal British criminal to be played by Jones. (Megan Masters at TV Line)

Actors C. Thomas Howell (Southland) and Steve Howey (Shameless) will both guest star in Sons of Anarchy in show’s upcoming 6th season. Howell will play Frank Eagan, an ATF agent with questionable loyalties while Howey will play Hopper, a hardcore north Vegas member who crosses paths with SAMCRO. (Michael Ausiello at TV Line)

Actor Jerry O’Connell (Crossing Jordan) will guest star in his wife’s new TNT drama King & Maxwell, playing a character named Waskiewicz, a low-rent D.C. PI who tends to be a step behind on all his cases. It should also be noted that actor Christian Kane (Leverage) announced via his Twitter feed that he just wrapped his final day of filming on this new drama where he will appear as Rebecca Romijn’s brother. (Sandra Gonzalez at Entertainment Weekly and Twitter)

Actor Justin Chatwin will not return as a series regular to the Showtime series Shameless. (Lesley Goldberg at The Hollywood Reporter)

The Canadian channel Showcase has renewed the sci-fi series Continuum for a third season. Season 2 of the series will begin here in the States on Syfy this Friday, June 7. (Shaw Media)

Actress Allison Scagliotti (Warehouse 13) will make a guest appearance in the July 15 episode of the ABC Family drama Switched at Birth, playing Aida, a tough, cool and confident medic, who served in Afghanistan with Ty. (Twitter and TV Line)

The Borgias will end after this current third season on Showtime. (Tim Kenneally at The Wrap)

Q&A SECTION (with Adam Bryant and Natalie Abrams at TV Guide)

Question: What can you tell me about the new season of Unforgettable? — Maggie

ADAM: We know that the cast will look very different this season, but forget about (see what I did there?) Carrie getting off on the right foot with her new colleagues. For starters, Murray (Heroes’ Tawny Cypress), a highly decorated former FBI agent, doesn’t quite understand (or appreciate) Carrie’s gift, and Carrie’s by-the-book new boss Eliot (The Good Wife and The Walking Dead’s Dallas Roberts) won’t be thrilled when she proposes going undercover because of her resemblance to a suspect.

Question: Totally digging Mistresses! How will Savi deal with the fallout from sleeping with Dominic? — Nikki

NATALIE: Suffice it to say that she won’t be keen on continuing the fling. “There’s nothing that she enjoys about it,” Alyssa Milano says. “It becomes darker and darker by the episode for her.” Unfortunately, her one-night stand will have unforeseen consequences that are even worse than the possibility of her husband finding out.

Question: Please tell me Michael and Fiona will get their happy ending on Burn Notice. — Wendy

ADAM: Since Fiona has a new beau, it would be a bit premature to guarantee that she and Michael will have a happily-ever-after. But don’t fret, ‘shippers: You’ll get your fix of lovey-dovey time — and then some! — in the show’s 100th episode, which flashes-back to the couple’s first meeting in Ireland. The landmark hour will shed new light on Michael and Fiona’s roller-coaster relationship. Plus: Who doesn’t want to hear pillow talk with Irish accents?

Question: Got any scoop on Falling Skies? — Alex

NATALIE: There’s a chance that the 2nd Mass could strike a fierce blow against the Espheni when they find a particularly high-value target, but taking it out could also leave the whole state uninhabitable. But Tom and Anne will have more important things to deal with as their baby arrives — and he/she is not exactly what they planned for.

Question: I’m so excited that Switched at Birth is returning. Any scoop? — Sarah

NATALIE: Hold on for some major change! First up, Regina, Bay and Angelo will all be living under the same roof. But don’t expect a rekindling just yet. “That’s such a complex relationship and he paid for my rehab, so there’s a budding relationship, but he’s focused on [finding Lana],” Constance Marie tells me. One thing to look forward to? “All you Dancing with the Stars fans, Gilles [Marini] is going to be dancing in an episode!” Vanessa Marano adds.

Question: Enough about Castle and Beckett’s engagement! Will the new season of Castle be good to Lanie-Esposito fans? — Jessica

ADAM: All signs point to yes. “We’re going to see more ‘Esplanie’ because the Twitter fans have gone ballistic,” Tamala Jones says with a laugh. “[Creator Andrew W. Marlowe has found] a very intelligent way to execute what the fans want to see with what he already has in store.” Bonus: Jones says that, not unlike the spotlight episodes given to Ryan and Esposito last season, Marlowe is cooking up a Lanie story that will explore her history.

That’s it. Enjoy!

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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!

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Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Starz has given a series order to Outlander, the drama project based on the Diana Gabaldon best-selling series of books from series developer Ron Moore (the man behind Battlestar Galactica). The project will follow Claire, a married WWII combat nurse, who mistakenly steps back in time to the year 1743 where she is immediately thrown into an unknown world of adventure that sends her on the run and threatens her life. When Claire is forced to marry Jamie, a chivalrous and romantic young Scottish warrior, it ignites a passionate affair that tears Claire’s heart between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

Announced this weekend actor Matt Smith is leaving Doctor Who after four years playing the legendary character. He will appear in the much-anticipated 50th anniversary episode set for November and will leave in the annual Christmas episode which will feature the regeneration of the doctor into whoever will play the 12th doctor. No casting announcement has been made on who will take over the iconic role. (Jethro Nededog at The Wrap)

Actress Marisa Ramirez has been promoted to series regular on Blue Bloods. (Liz Raftery at TV Guide and The Hollywood Reporter)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Actor Dominic West (The Wire and The Hour) will play the lead role in the Showtime drama pilot The Affair that is an intense and intimate exploration of two marriages and an affair that disrupts them — with all of the complex consequences that result. West will play Noah, a good husband, devoted father of four, and New York City high school teacher whose settled, comfortable world is about to implode when he meets a woman he thinks is his soul mate. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Here are the top 10 box office films from this past weekend according to Box Office Mojo:

1. Fast & Furious 6 – $34.5 million
2. Now You See Me – $28.1 million
3. After Earth – $27 million
4. Star Trek Into Darkness – $16.4 million
5. Epic – $16.4 million
6. The Hangover Part III – $15.9 million
7. Iron Man 3 – $8 million
8. The Great Gatsby – $6.3 million
9. Mud – $1.2 million
10. The Croods – $615,000

Actress Karen Gillan (Doctor Who) and actor Benicio Del Toro have both joined the cast of the upcoming box office film Guardians of Galaxy. Gillan is believed to be playing the female villain while the role that Del Toro will play is being kept under wraps. The cast of the film includes (among others) Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Lee Pace, and Glenn Close. (The Hollywood Reporter, Mike Fleming, Jr. at Deadline and Dark Horizons)

Q&A SECTION (with Matt Roush at TV Guide)

Question: After finishing Saturday’s season finale of Orphan Black, many thoughts come to mind, but the most obvious is that if Tatiana Maslany doesn’t walk away with the Emmy for best actress — or is it five nominations in the best supporting actress category? — then the people who vote just aren’t watching TV. Every character she plays has such varied distinction from hair, voice, even walks, and other minor mannerisms and played them all with a determination like it was her only character. It might have been easy to phone one or two in and at times you could forget it all one person. Matt, I know you enjoy the show, but I was curious: Did you ever at any time find yourself picking a favorite? I think mine came to be Alison, because while they all have a dark side, the one who seemed to be the most sunshine and light was probably the darkest of all with a heavy dose of comedy thrown in. Can the show sustain excellence in Season 2? — Jeffrey

Matt Roush: It really was a tour de force performance(s) in service of a terrific and twisty story, and I see no reason to think the fun won’t continue next spring in Season 2. As for a favorite among the clones: You make a good case for the ever-surprising Alison, and for me the most purely enjoyable episode was the one where she was center stage, torturing her husband who she believed to be her Monitor — turns out she was right! — while haplessly trying to host a party for her suburban neighborhood. But I’m most struck by Maslany’s range when she’s being Sarah pretending to be Beth, then shifting gears into tigress mom protector or action heroine or whatever else the script demands. Maslany is a true find, but will she make it onto the Emmy radar? Let’s hope so. Maybe her nomination for the Critics Choice Television Awards — chosen by people who actually do watch a lot of TV, unlike (ironically) much of the TV Academy membership — will wake the voters up. I’m not counting on it, but wouldn’t it be a lovely surprise? (Also hoping first-timers Vera Farmiga of Bates Motel and Keri Russell of The Americans can somehow make the cut. What a tremendous category that would be.)

That’s it. Enjoy!

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