Rueben's Ramblings

Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

The cable network WGN America has renewed their new thriller, period piece drama Salem for a 13-episode second season that will air in 2015. (Kimberly Roots at TV Line)

Sleepy Hollow has been given at least a 15 episode order for its returning second season and there is a possibility it will have as many as 18 episodes. The show’s first season was only 13 episodes. (James Hibberd at Entertainment Weekly)

Actor Daniel Sharman (Teen Wolf) will have a major role on The Originals for the show’s second season. He will play Kaleb, the handsome, devilish and charming new witch in the French Quarter’s coven. (Tierney Bricker at E! Online)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

The annual upfront presentations by the major networks will officially take place next week, but a few announcements on new pilots that have been picked up to series are already been made, including the following:

Odyssey on NBC is a Traffic-like action drama, which centers on what happens when three strangers’ lives unexpectedly collide: a female soldier, a corporate lawyer and a political activist. The cast includes Peter Facinelli (Nurse Jackie), Anna Friel (Pushing Daisies) and Adewale Akinnouoye-Agbaje (Lost) [among others].

Red Band Society on FOX will focus on a diverse group of teenagers who become unlikely allies and friends in the pediatric wing of a hospital. The cast includes Oscar winner Octavia Spencer.

Empire on FOX will be set in the world of a hip-hop empire that will feature both original and current music. The cast includes Terrence Howard (Iron Man) and Taraji P. Henson (Person of Interest).

State of Affairs on NBC is the new drama starring Katherine Heigl (Grey’s Anatomy) as a CIA agent, who is tasked with briefing the president on the most vital security issues facing the nation. Other cast members include Alfre Woodard, Leslie Odom, Jr. (Smash and Person of Interest) and Adam Kaufman.

Gotham on FOX is the origins story of young James Gordon (aka Commissioner Gordon from the world of Batman). The cast includes Ben McKenzie (Southland), Donal Logue (Vikings) and Jada Pinkett Smith (the Matrix franchise).

Also in the mix are the following new TNT pilots that have been picked up to series:

Proof, which will star Jennifer Beals (The Chicago Code) as a surgeon who investigates reincarnation with the help of funding from a billionaire.

Public Morals, which is a detective drama set in 1967 New York City that will star Ed Burns as a vice cop struggling to stay honest.

(Cynthia Littleton at Variety, Whitney Friedlander at Variety and The Futon Critic)

ONLINE SERIES NEWS

Actor Josh Stewart (The Dark Knight Rises and No Ordinary Family) will star opposite Mena Suvari in the Amazon Studios drama pilot Hysteria that centers on Dr. Logan Harlow (Suvari), an exceptionally bright but socially awkward neurologist/psychiatrist at the University of Texas Medical School who travels to her hometown of Austin to investigate a mysterious epidemic among high school girls that might be spreading through technology. Stewart will play a local man who is trying to reconnect with his family after he had an affair with the family babysitter and now finds the girl not wanting to let go. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE NEWS

Actor Johnathon Schaech (currently recurring on Star-Crossed) has joined the cast of the upcoming History Channel mini-series Texas Rising that details the Texas Revolution against Mexico and the rise of the legendary Texas Rangers. Schaech will play Colonel Sherman, the blustering Kentucky aristocrat who thinks Sam Houston (Bill Paxton) is a disastrous commander and challenges his orders at every opportunity. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actress Laura Linney (The Big C) will appear in the upcoming film A Slight Trick of the Mind that will star Ian McKellen as an aging Sherlock Holmes, playing Holmes’ housekeeper Mrs. Munro. (Nicole Sperling at Entertainment Weekly)

Actress Rebel Wilson (Pitch Perfect) will star in the planned reboot of the 1980 comedy film Private Benjamin that will follow a redneck (Wilson) and a rich city girl who get more than they bargained for when they enlist in the Marines to escape their present situations. (Tracking Board and The Wrap)

Q&A SECTION (with Natalie Abrams at TV Guide and TV Scoop Team at E! Online)

Question: I’m so glad 24 is back. What’s coming up? — Casey

Natalie: Though it was fun to see Jack and Chloe at odds in the premiere, the ice between the two will thaw a little when Chloe fills Jack in on the last four years of her life — including a particularly heartbreaking story about some of Chloe’s loved ones. (Suddenly, Chloe’s Girl with the Dragon Tattoo get-up will make much more sense.) Unfortunately, whatever progress the former partners make will go out the window when a member of Chloe’s team tries to double-cross Jack.

Question: I want Deacon and Rayna to end up together on Nashville! — Jessie

Natalie: Don’t we all. Unfortunately, you may have to wait a little longer. In fact, I hear that after Luke professes his love for Rayna on Wednesday’s episode, he will make an even bigger play for Rayna’s heart in the finale. Though it’s safe to assume Deacon won’t be pleased by that particular development, his reaction will surprise everyone.

Question: Anything on Under the Dome would be great. — Marciella

Natalie: Julia will take on a leadership role in Chester’s Mill in Season 2 — and that won’t sit well with Big Jim’s supporters. However, Julia’s initiative will backfire in a big way when one of her big ideas for the town goes awry in explosive fashion. The question is: Was she set up?

Question: Revenge has me hooked once again. Please tell me the finale won’t disappoint! – Meggy

TV Scoop Team: Um, it won’t. Seriously, you need to watch this finale live as more than one major death goes down by episode’s end. Plus, Emily will receive both the best and worst news of her life, while Victoria will make her biggest move against Emily yet. And if that’s not enough, the show will manage to pull off its most shocking twist ever.

Question: Holy crap, The Blacklist is insane right now! What can we expect next?! – Seth

TV Scoop Team: Tom’s true feelings for Liz to be revealed, an intense showdown between Red and Berlin…and the death of a major player on the team. Break out the tissues, y’all!

Question: I can’t wait for my favorite summer show Under the Dome to return! What can you tell me about season two? – Kevin

TV Scoop Team: Expect to learn a whole lot more about Barbie’s past…and to meet someone very close to him midway through the season.

Question: Holy crap, I can’t believe Leith is coming back on Reign! Please tell me there’s hope for him and Greer? – Nellie

TV Scoop Team: What was the French Court’s version of Facebook because things are complicated between the duo. “It will change everything when Leith comes back [to French Court]. He’s a different person,” Laurie McCarthy previewed for us. “He has different opportunities and different ambitions, we’ll come to find out as well.”

That’s it. Enjoy!