Hey All,
Here are the news items for today:
TELEVISION
The Knick has been given a 10-episode second season order before the series even debuts on Cinemax. (Dominic Patten at Deadline)
Actress Lucy Griffiths (True Blood) has been written out of this fall’s new NBC drama Constantine. She plays Liv, an offbeat woman who finds herself teamed with John Constantine (series lead Matt Ryan) after she is marked for death by a powerful demon. But rather than recast, the network will simply move beyond her in subsequent episodes and focus on the more familiar comic character of Mary ‘Zed’ Martin, a woman who starts out a foil for Constantine but ends up becoming his right-hand woman. The role has not yet been cast. (The Live Feed and Dark Horizons)
British actress Ophelia Lovibond (the mini-series Titanic: Blood and Steel) will have a recurring role on Elementary this fall when the show returns for its third season on CBS. She will play Kitty Winter, Sherlock’s (series lead Jonny Lee Miller) new protégé and rival to her predecessor Joan (series lead Lucy Liu). (Michael Ausiello at TV Line)
Actor Luke Mitchell (The Tomorrow People) and actress Jaime Lee Kirchner (Mercy) have joined the cast of the upcoming drama The Club, which received a 12-episode straight-to-series order by ABC. The series is an upstairs/downstairs soap, centering on a private country club that will star Betsy Brandt (Breaking Bad) and Boris Kodjoe (Undercovers) in the lead roles. Mitchell will portray Jesse, a new employee at the club who is from the wrong side of town and appears as if he doesn’t have it together but does—more than anyone realizes. Kirchner will play Diana, the wife to Kodjoe’s Deacon who is finally getting the stable family she has always wanted. (Lesley Goldberg at The Hollywood Reporter)
Actor Craig Parker (Spartacus and Legend of the Seeker) has landed a recurring role on the second season of Reign, playing Narcisse, a devout Catholic with a “death grip” on French Court. (Andy Swift at TV Line)
Actor Josh Stamberg (Drop Dead Diva and Parenthood) has joined the cast of the upcoming Showtime drama The Affair that will star Dominic West (The Hour) and Ruth Wilson (Luther). Stamberg will play Max, a friend of Noah’s (West) from the city, who is currently separated from his wife and on the prowl. The Affair explores the emotional and psychological effects of an extramarital affair. (Philiana Ng at The Hollywood Reporter)
Actor Thomas Jane (Hung) will star in the Syfy drama The Expanse that is a thriller set 200 years in the future that follows the case of a missing young woman who brings a hardened detective (Jane) and a rogue ship’s captain together in a race across the solar system to expose the greatest conspiracy in human history. (Lesley Goldberg at The Hollywood Reporter)
DEVELOPMENT NEWS
MTV has given a 10-episode order to a new pilot called Shannara that will be adapted from the fantasy book series by Terry Brooks. (Cynthia Littleton at Variety)
MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE NEWS
Lifetime has cast Jill Scott (Steel Magnolias), Eve (Single Ladies) and Regina Hall (Think Like a Man Too) in the made-for-TV movie called With This Ring that is a romantic comedy that will center on three single best friends (Scott, Eve and Hall), who attend the lavish wedding of a fourth friend on New Year’s Eve, and desperation pushes them to make the vow to be married within the year. Each woman starts the year with hopes of what will happen over the next 12 months. (Lesley Goldberg at The Hollywood Reporter)
BOX OFFICE NEWS
Actor Bailey Chase (Longmire) will appear in the independent film Kill For Me where he will star as Charlie Sundstrom, a newly released ex-con who must navigate the criminal underworld to save his son, unaware he’s being set up to pay for his crimes all over again. (Jen Yamato at Deadline)
Actor Michael Fassbender and actress Rachel Weisz will appear in the big screen adaptation of the M.L. Stedman novel The Light Between Oceans. The story follows a lighthouse keeper and his wife in Western Australia after World War I when they find a dead body in a rowboat along with a 2-month old baby girl. While the husband wants to report the deceased and the baby, his wife decides it’s a gift from God. (The First Showing)
Q&A SECTION (with Matt Mitovich at TV Line)
Question: I’m loving the Hook/Swan thing on Once Upon a Time, but something is bothering me: How long will Emma put up with his choice of clothing? Come on, they’re not in FTL anymore and no one else is dressed as such. A shower and some nice clothes just might move Emma in the right direction. —Linda
Mitovich: Aye, we may just find out if (new) clothes indeed make the man. I can exclusively report that there are plans to get Hook out of his pirate gear and into clothes befitting our world — and that his new look will be debuted in the early part of Season 4.
Question: I’m curious to know about the Demon Dean personality through the first half of Supernatural Season 10. —Levana
Mitovich: Indeed, Dean has a bit of the devil in him — as will be evidenced by an intense fling he has in the second episode back, with a tough but sympathetic roadhouse cocktail waitress named Ann Marie.
Question: What is going on with Arrow? Anything new? —Alamin
Mitovich: Season 3’s second episode will find Oliver hunting down a vicious killer and mercenary who is wanted for murder in seven countries and now is targeting victims who are associated with a specific company.
Question: What can you tell me about Stephen Amell’s cameo in the pilot for The Flash? —Kat
Mitovich: I can tell you that it’s a nice enough, if obvious, moment, where Barry seeks out the nudge he needs to be the hero he now can be. Now, if I can interest you in some Episode 2 scoop, I am hearing that the second meta-human The Flash will face off against might make us all feel a bit… well, Mist-y.
Question: Any scoop on Outlander? —Cristina
Mitovich: I shall turn this one over to TVLine’s Kim Roots, who has seen the pilot and reports that the Starz series “stays very true to the novel in that most of the first episode details protagonist Claire’s 1940s-era marriage to Frank and her involvement in World War II. For nonreaders this part may prove a little slow, but it’s worth sticking out; things pick up when Claire goes back in time and we finally meet Highlander Jamie Fraser. The series nailed the casting — Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan are perfect as the “sassenach” Claire and her redheaded love interest — and it’s gorgeously filmed. Very much looking forward to upcoming eps.”
Question: Is there anything good for Teen Wolf’s Sterek fans to look forward to? Are they ever going to have interactions again? —Suaine
Mitovich: I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you’re asking about Sterek’s romantic relationship, that’s a no-go. Stiles and Malia’s budding romance will continue to heat up, while Derek will find himself… well, let’s just say ole golden eyes won’t be lonely forever. On a platonic note, the looming threats of Season 4 — including Kate Argent and the supernatural deadpool — will force everyone in Scott’s pack to unite in new, exciting ways. (So,long story short, yes, there will be interactions.)
Question: Any word on White Collar Season 6? —Linda
Mitovich: Series boss Jeff Eastin told me that while he was at first a “little disappointed” by the six-episode order, “What we ultimately realized was we had just enough time to do one really good story, so this year there’s really no ‘Case of the Week.’ This year it’s really going to focus on character, and the relationships, and moving that forward in a real nice sort of ‘limited series.’”
Question: Please tell me Hilarie Burton will come back for final season of White Collar. One episode is all I need. – Simona
Mitovich: I’m sticking by my previous report that Sara is not set to resurface during the USA series’ farewell run. That said, Matt Bomer teases that within the last six episodes, “There is a little [time for romance], but I’m not going to tell you too much about it!”
Question: What are the chances we will see another season of 24? —Ron
Mitovich: I for a moment feared they were nonexistent, after hearing third-hand about some interview where Kiefer Sutherland allegedly said he’s getting too old for this… stuff. But once I found his actual quotes, I see that he never went nearly that far. EP Manny Coto, meanwhile, said in a Reddit AMA this week, “As of now, there are no plans to continue the show next year but we remain open to the possibility. We had a great time doing it this year and would love to take another crack at it.” So, I’d say the chances are better than 50-50. UPDATE: I screened the finale on Thursday afternoon, and it is no less than fantastic. Your heart will race, your eyes will well up, your fists will pump, you will wish it lasted longer. And yes, it accounts for the 12 “missing” hours. All told, a gripping, emotional finish to one of the TV season’s great comeback stories.
Question: I hope you can find time to squeeze in more info on Graceland. It’s such a great show. —Chris
Mitovich: If you suspect that Jessica taking control of Mike’s op could have an ill effect on his rekindled romance with Paige, you’d be right. As glimpsed in the promo for next Wednesday’s episode, “Jessica comes to the house,” series creator Jeff Eastin told me, “and the triangle starts crashing and burning.”
Question: How many Major Crimes episodes will Ever Carradine be in? I am hoping not many. I wanted to punch out Rusty’s mom for her “I forgive you for being gay” speech. —Marijke
Mitovich: Carradine will resurface, at the very least, in the TNT hit’s summer finale (airing Aug. 11).
Question: Anything to share on Last Ship? —Greg
Mitovich: We may be rid of the Russians (for now), but the next threat to the James’ mission will be of a more home-grown variety. In this Sunday’s episode, “There is some dissension among the ranks,” series star Eric Dane previews. “People want to get off the ship!”
Question: NCIS: Los Angeles hiatus is killing me. I’m dying for any scoop on the Densi front. Help a girl out? —Mahnoor
Mitovich: A little birdie tells me that if you thought the season finale’s “three-way” encounter between Deeks, Kensi and DEA Agent Talia was tense, just you wait until Season 6 opens!
That’s it. Enjoy!
Have a great weekend!
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