Rueben's Ramblings

Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Actor Amaury Nolasco (Prison Break and Rizzoli & Isles) will guest star in the upcoming FOX drama Gang Related that is set to debut sometime in 2014. The series centers on Ryan Lopez (Ramon Rodriguez) a rising star in Los Angeles’ elite Gang Task Force who once belonged to a powerful Latino gang. Nolasco will play Mariano, a quiet, ruthless, terrifying sociopath who heads up a cartel. The cast includes Terry O’Quinn (Lost), Jay Hernandez (Nashville), Shantel VanSanten (One Tree Hill and Arrow) and Cliff Curtis (Trauma) [among others]. (Megan Masters at TV Line)

Actor Shane West (Nikita) has landed the lead role in the WGN America first (ever) scripted new period drama Salem that will be set in the volatile world of 17th century Massachusetts, exploring what really fueled the town’s infamous witch trials. The series will center on Mary Sibley (Janet Montgomery), the beautiful, ruthless but vulnerable wife of the ancient, ailing but very wealthy George Sibley, one of the Salem town Selectmen. West will play John Alden, a hardened veteran of 10 years of war and captivity at the hands of the Indians, who returns to his native Salem to find it consumed in Witch Hunt frenzy, led by Cotton Mather (Seth Gabel). (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

Lifetime has canceled the Jennifer Love Hewitt-led series The Client List after two seasons on the air. (AJ Marechal at Variety)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Actor Shane Coffey (Pretty Little Liars and The Originals) has landed the lead role in the USA Network drama pilot called The Novice that centers on Kyle (Coffey), a charming and highly intelligent recent college graduate, who is forced to move back home with his parents and siblings when his job-search stalls. However, after a strange quirk of fate proves oddly fortuitous, he lands a position with a Korean crime organization. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

ABC is developing an untitled crime thriller based on the best-selling novels by Liza Marklund that were also the basis for the hit Swedish drama series Annika Bengtzon: Crime Reporter. The project centers on a dogged, no-nonsense tabloid reporter searching for the truth while also juggling her bosses and her family. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

NBC is developing a drama called One Kick based on the upcoming book series by Chelsea Cain, the best-selling author of the Archie Sheridan/Gretchen Lowell series of thriller novels. The basis of the story is focused on Kick Lannigan, who made national news as a child after being abducted, and later rescued, in an Elizabeth Smart-type kidnapping. Determined to never fall victim again, Kick has trained herself in martial arts and firearms. She finds her calling when a mysterious billionaire offers her the resources and high-tech tools she needs to hunt down predators and rescue other abductees. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

Q&A SECTION (with Matt Mitovich at TV Line)

Question: I missed seeing Tinker Bell last week on Once Upon a Time. Any scoop on what’s in store for her? –Stef

Mitovich: Maybe, just maybe, the plucky pixie will get her wings back before all is said and done…? At the very least, I’m hearing we will see her confront the Blue Fairy about their past “differences.”

Question: Can Once Upon a Time fans hope for something good for Swan & Thief in one of the next episodes? –Viviane

Mitovich: In the very next episode, airing this Sunday, you’ll get a surprising development on the Emma/Neal front. Whether it’s a “good” development… well, you’ll have to wait and see.

Question: [Castle creator Andrew] Marlowe mentioned there were some Caskett moments he wanted to get to last season but didn’t. Will we see any of those this year? – Stephanie

Mitovich: The pre-hiatus episode “The Good, the Bad and the Baby” will indeed check one item off Marlowe’s to-do list. “The “really fun” hour, as he describes it, finds Rick and Kate minding an infant mysteriously deposited by a stranger in a church, at Christmastime. “If I’m the fan and I’ve been watching this show, I know a lot about Rick and Kate, but I don’t really know how they feel about more kids,” Marlowe notes. “Does Castle want more? And for Beckett, somebody who has been pursuing her career and her job so doggedly, I’m sure it’s crossed her mind theoretically — ‘Oh, sure. I’ll have kids someday’ — but someday’s coming up.” After all, I myself mused, has Beckett ever had occasion to handle a baby? “We will answer that question,” Marlowe assures, “in a fun, funny, satisfying and charming way.”

That’s it. Enjoy!

Have a wonderful weekend!!