Hey All,
Here are the news items for the past few days:
TELEVISION
British actress Poppy Drayton (When Calls The Heart, the Hallmark Channel movie not the series) has landed the lead role in the 10-episode straight-to-series MTV drama Shannara, based on the Terry Brooks’ fantasy book series that is set in our world, thousands of years after the destruction of our civilization. The story centers on the Shannara family, whose descendants are empowered with ancient magic and whose adventures continuously reshape the future of the world. Drayton will play Amberle, an Elven Princess. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)
Perception has been canceled by TNT. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)
Actor Ron Perlman (Sons of Anarchy) will play the next big villain on The Blacklist when it returns from its break in February. He will play Luther Braxton, a meticulous thief who plans his international heists over the course of several months or years. The show will be moving to Thursday nights once it returns after airing an episode after the Super Bowl. (Michael Schneider at TV Guide)
LIMITED SERIES NEWS
Actress Jessy Schram (Veronica Mars, Once Upon a Time and Falling Skies) and actor Jonathan Banks (Breaking Bad) have joined the cast of the six-episode limited Lifetime series The Lizzie Borden Chronicles that will find actress Christina Ricci reprising her role from this year’s made-for-TV movie Lizzie Borden Took An Ax. Schram will play Nancy O’Keefe, an alluring and ambitious actress and dancer who befriends Lizzie following one of her performances. Banks will play Mr. Flowers, Lizzie’s business associate, a crime kingpin who manages the prostitution and extortion ring in Fall River. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)
BOX OFFICE TRAILER
Q&A SECTION (with Adam Bryant at TV Guide, Natalie Abrams at Entertainment Weekly and Michael Ausiello at TV Line)
Question: Any scoop on Sunday’s two-hour episode of Once Upon a Time? — Deirdre
Adam: “Elsa and Anna get to work together back in Arendelle,” Elizabeth Lail reveals. “So we get to see the two sisters become a team and formulate a plan.” That’s definitely bad news for the Snow Queen, who will learn that her plan to pit Elsa against Anna won’t be easy.
Question: Got any Castle scoop beyond the honeymoon? — Terry
Adam: Look for a bit of a pre-Thanksgiving jolt on the Nov. 24 episode when a routine murder investigation turns into a potentially deadly encounter for Esposito. “Esposito and Ryan are in pursuit of a guy who we think is potentially a second victim,” executive producer David Amann says. “Esposito follows him into a subway, and the guy sees that he’s a cop, pulls a gun and holds the car hostage. Our people on the outside are trying to figure out: ‘Who is this guy, really, because he clearly isn’t who we thought he was.'” The good news: The brush with death will mean some movement on the Lanie-Esposito front. “It does make him reflect on his relationship with Lanie, and consider its importance in his life,” Amann teases.
Question: Got any more Person of Interest scoop? — Jay
Adam: That scene between Shaw and her former partner (and, apparently, Samaritan) at the end of Tuesday’s episode? Yes, it spells big trouble for Shaw and Team Machine. “Things are going to get messy and dirty really soon,” Sarah Shahi teases. “We’ve all been instructed to lead these double lives. Shaw is the one who challenges her own anonymity by putting herself out there. Her accepting this job exposes her, and it’s a big risk that she’s taking.”
Question: Any info on the new Major Crimes episodes? — Dave
Adam: The winter premiere features the disturbing case of a surrogate who was murdered hours after she gave birth to a baby. The problem? She had promised three end-of-their-ropes couples the baby and was extorting them all to get the best deal. Naturally, the theme of adoption runs through the episode as Capt. Raydor makes plans to finalize her adoption of Rusty. But will one final visit between Rusty and his mother stand in Raydor’s way?
Question: What’s coming up on Sleepy Hollow? —Lili
Ausiello: We know a bit about why Ichabod was chosen to become a Witness, but not much about why Abbie got picked for the job. Next week’s episode, “Mama” — in which Aunjanue Ellis debuts as Abbie and Jenny’s mom — fills in some of those holes. And according to someone in the know, Lyndie Greenwood and Nicole Beharie are amazing in the very emotional hour.
Question: What can you tell us about The Blacklist‘s Super Bowl episode? —Ben
Ausiello: NBC is looking to add a little A-list action to the Super-powered hour. A casting notice just went out seeking “star names” to play Jasper, the fiftysomething Director of the National Clandestine Services. Jasper’s in charge of the multi-national group that runs the worlds’ most powerful figures. He’ll also be around beyond Feb. 1, since the role is recurring.
Question: It seems like Covert Affairs just wants to give us little nuggets of information about Annie’s health issues. Can you give us anything more than that? —Jenna
Ausiello: Not much more, but executive producer Chris Ord tells us that Annie’s heart condition “will still be a big part of what she needs to deal with going forward” this season. EP Matt Corman, meanwhile, hints that said health issue will “take on new complexities.”
Question: Do you have any scoop on NCIS: LA. —Leah
Ausiello: The show’s Christmas episode — titled “Humbug” — will introduce us to Sam’s teenage son Isaac. Described as all-American and physically fit (chip off the old block!), Isaac is home for the holidays (on break from the military school he’s attending). Casting is underway!
Question: Anything on Revenge? These past couple of episodes have been intense! — Julius
Ausiello: “Intense” is putting it mildly, Julius, and you’ll be happy to know that Season 4 isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. In fact, we’re about to meet another shadow from Louise’s past — and not an imaginary one this time. Revenge is introducing her brother Lyman, a manipulative politician who uses his Southern charm to mask his true intentions.
Question: Are Grimm‘s Monroe and Rosalee ever going to take their honeymoon? —Mirna
Ausiello: Silas Weir Mitchell kept mum on that topic when TVLine recently asked him, but he was happy to talk about the trouble the newlyweds are about to run into, starting this week. The fact that they are intermarried Wesen who’ve befriended a Grimm will earn them some haters in the supernatural community. “Once that’s out in the world, the genie is out of the bottle, and we’re in trouble,” he said, adding that the hatred will eventually make the blutbad or his wife — or both! — fear for their lives.
Question: What’s coming up when The Blacklist returns? — Brandon
Natalie: It actually looks like Red does not have the Fulcrum, but he will set his sights on getting it. Unfortunately, so will another Blacklister. But in the process, Red will be forced to risk his life to protect Liz, who you may be surprised to hear might have a connection to the Fulcrum.
Question: Any scoop on the two-hour episode of Once Upon a Time? — Farah
Natalie: Remember the Snow Queen’s yellow ribbons? You should definitely be worried about them because they’ll come back into play in a very major way.
Question: Has Henry ever run into anyone he knew decades later on Forever? — Bronte
Natalie: We’ll actually see that in an upcoming episode during a flashback to the late ’50s when Henry runs into someone who saw him die on the beach in Normandy. Whoops.
That’s it. Enjoy!
Rueben's Ramblings 