Rueben's Ramblings

Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Actor Kirk Acevedo (Fringe) will guest star in an upcoming episode of Blue Bloods, playing the criminal brother of Danny’s (series regular Donnie Wahlberg) partner Maria. (Zap2It and TV Line)

Actor Kristoffer Polaha (Ringer) will guest star in an upcoming episode of CSI, playing Darryl, a blue-collar mechanic who is likable and charming, who comes to the aid of Sara (Jorja Fox), Finlay (Elisabeth Shue) and Morgan (Elisabeth Harnois) when their car breaks down, but he may have darker intentions. (Philiana Ng at The Hollywood Reporter)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

The CW is working on a new project, a one-hour drama called Players that will be set against the Golden Age of Hollywood, centering on a young Midwestern woman who moves to Los Angeles to avenge her sister’s death at the hands of a predatory studio head and finds herself swept up in the Hollywood star-making machine, unwittingly becoming the ingénue in a closeted movie star’s “lavender marriage”, and a pawn in a studio fixer’s scheme against the mob. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

The cable network Starz is developing a drama project called Most Wanted that will be set in the Great Plains during the 1970s, tracing the rise and demise of Nate Daniels, a talented and prolific bank robber who finds himself on a collision course with his family and crew as he becomes one of the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

ABC is developing a drama called American Crime that will be written by feature film from writer John Ridley (12 Years A Slave) that will be set in California’s Central Valley, centering on a racially charged murder and the subsequent trial that will be examined through the personal lives of the victims, the accused and their families. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

It looks like CBS is developing a reboot to the WB series Charmed except this version will supposedly center around four sisters who discover their destiny – to battle against the forces of evil using their witchcraft. (Vulture and AJ Marechal at Variety)

ONLINE SERIES DEVELOPMENT

Amazon Studios is developing another drama called Grand Ave, a large-scale period drama set in 1910 Los Angeles, chronicling the explosive, overnight transformation of L.A. from small town to iconic American city. The show would revolve around a powerful, ruthless family and explores, in an upstairs/downstairs fashion, how the destiny of a select few coincided with a major metropolis on the verge of its grand arrival. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actor Luke Grimes (True Blood and Brothers & Sisters) has been cast as Christian Grey’s brother Elliot in the upcoming box office film Fifty Shades of Grey. (Justin Kroll at Variety)

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

Question: I need Scandal scoop stat! – Ryan

TV Scoop Team: There is a “distinct possibility” that we will see a face-off between former besties and Olivia’s paramours Fitz and Jake pretty soon, Scott Foley teases. Just don’t expect to see a flashback to their days in the Navy in upcoming episodes. “We have not seen that so far,” he says. “We’re on episode nine and we haven’t seen it yet.”

Question: Totally addicted to The Blacklist, so anything you can share would be appreciated. – Quinn

TV Scoop Team: Episode eight is a big one. Don’t miss it. Oh, you want more than that? Fine. Not only does someone on the team get severely injured in the episode, but Red comes face to face with one of his mortal enemies. Someone Red is scared of? This we can’t wait to see!

Question: Teen Wolf spoilers would be lovely, thanks! – Laura

TV Scoop Team: Fans will be meeting two new Beacon Hills High students in episode 20: Oliver and Meredith, who both seem have troubled pasts. While Oliver is soft-spoken and has a quiet intensity, he’ll prove to be a valuable source of info for one of our main characters, and Meredith is a lonely misfit who probably won’t be looking to connect with anyone around her anytime soon.

Question: What can you tell me about life after Ziva for NCIS‘ Tony? –Cheryl

Mitovich: As glimpsed in this week’s episode, Tony’s still working through his issues regarding her absence, so it’ll be some time before he opens his heart again. “I’m curious to see what’s next for him in his personal life, but we’re not going to rush into anything,” showrunner Gary Glasberg maintains. “Much like a real relationship, it takes time to recover and to figure out what’s next, and the one thing we’re really trying to do is approach this from the standpoint of as if it’s real. You have to give people” – the audience included – “time to ‘mourn’ and deal with their feelings, and then re-embrace why they watch NCIS.“

Question: I love Falling Skies and can’t wait until Season 4. We know that Robert Sean Leonard will appear in at least one episode, but what is the status on Gloria Reuben’s character? –Ganon

Mitovich: File this under “interesting”: At this time, there are no plans for the ER alum to return as Marina.

Question: Will Castle and Kate will get married mid-season or at the end Season 6? –Russell

Mitovich: Ha, nice try with the trick question. You know that show boss Andrew Marlowe refuses to confirm that vows will be exchanged this season. But if we are heading for a wedding, here’s how Nathan Fillion would like to see it play out. “I am, myself, not a huge fan of the big church wedding with everybody in stuffy suits,” he told me. “I’m a fan of the beach wedding, with everybody in linen. And if it meant an episode [filmed] in a tropical location, then that would be great, too.”

That’s it. Enjoy!

Have a great weekend!