Here are the news items for after Christmas and before New Year’s Eve:
TELEVISION
The Flash has been renewed for another season of speedy adventures. (Nathalie Caron at Blastr)
Actor Michael Imperioli (The Sopranos) will appear in at least two episodes of Hawaii Five-0 next year, playing a reformed criminal, originally from Staten Island, who has a passion for surfing. Now, he owns an Oahu-based barbershop and acts as a confidential informant. (Vlada Gelman at TV Line and Entertainment Weekly)
BOX OFFICE NEWS
Here are the top 10 box office movies for this past holiday weekend courtesy of Box Office Mojo:
1. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies – 41.4 million
2. Unbroken – 31.7 million
3. Into the Woods – 31 million
4. Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb – 20.6 million
5. Annie – 16.6 million
6. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 – 10 million
7. The Gambler – 9.3 million
8. The Imitation Game – 7.9 million
9. Exodus: Gods and Kings – 6.7 million
10. Wild – 5.4 million
BOX OFFICE TRAILER
Q&A SECTION (with Michael Ausiello at TV Line)
Question: I know it’s early yet, but any Once Upon a Time scoop to get us through this hiatus? —Jenny
Ausiello: As Season 4 unfolds starting March 1, new flashbacks will highlight the Charmings, Ursula’s origin story, more of Captain Hook’s past and the tale of how Regina first met Maleficent.
Question: I was wondering how, after Arrow‘s stunning midseason twist of “killing” Oliver Queen, Felicity would react. Felicity was clearly hurt when Oliver kept pushing her away, and now that he finally tells her he loves her — she was his last dying thought! — and now she’s lost him again! –Julie
Ausiello: I will just remind you that when Matt Mitovich last Q&A’d Emily Bett Rickards, she had just wrapped filming “a sad moment” for Episode 10 — aka the midseason opener, airing Jan. 21 — and it had left her “drained.” (Elsewhere on Team Arrow, Marc Guggenheim told us that in the same episode, David Ramsey “shot what I would describe as his most emotional scene…. David breaks your heart with his performance.” So, yeah. Kleenex.)
Question: Any scoop on Arrow? —Anita
Ausiello: We haven’t seen the last of Thea’s DJ-boytoy, played by Austin Butler. “Like a lot of our characters, there’s maybe a little bit more to him than meets the eye,” exec producer Greg Berlanti teases. And will her papa Malcolm Merlyn have a take on the new guy in his daughter’s life? Says Berlanti with a laugh: “It would be surprising if he didn’t.”
Question: In a recent episode of Forever, Jane Seymour played Abe’s twice-divorced wife — but Henry had never met her. How does the show explain that? —Angie
Ausiello: Easy, says star Ioan Gruffudd: It doesn’t. (At least, not yet.) “That’s a very good question!” he says, laughing. “It will be interesting to find out what that period of time was and why they were apart. Was it to protect Abe? Was it to protect the secret or something like that? It will be interesting.”
Question: I need info on Scorpion. Namely, is Camille Guaty/“Megan” going to be pretty much a regular for the immediate future? —Justin
Ausiello: A show rep confirms that the Prison Break alumna is now in fact recurring on the freshman CBS drama. As such, you should see Walter and Sylvester’s confidante again sometime soon.
Question: When is Will going to come out on Nashville? It’s been long enough! —Ryan
Ausiello: Hallelujah, Nashville fans: Showrunner Dee Johnson says the closeted character “probably will be out” by the end of Season 3. However — and interestingly — she adds, “I don’t know whether it will be voluntary.”
Ausiello: An upcoming twist. The Witnesses’ “relationship in a position we’ve never seen before.” An “epic climax” with “ramifications for Season 3.” (All courtesy of showrunner Mark Goffman.) Intrigued yet?
BONUS SCOOP: Ichabod’s aforementioned karaoke experience is coming up in Episode 14, and we’ll get not one but two scenes involving at least one Witness taking the stage.
Question: I know you guys reported it was unlikely that Red Band Society would be getting a second season, but is there at least a chance we will get some closure? —Estee
Ausiello: As EP Rina Mimoun told us last month, the final three episodes of the medical drama’s first season — which have yet to be scheduled by Fox — will provide “closure for a lot of the current teen storylines” while showing ways that the adult characters’ arcs could continue (on the off chance of a pickup announcement). Episode 11, meanwhile, will feature the return of Jes Macallan’s Ashley and the introduction of Leo’s family — including William Ragsdale (Herman’s Head) as the heartthrob’s dad. Plus, the sometimes-underutilized Dash will be getting a love interest, played by newcomer Jessica Lu. “We’re packing a lot into the last three episodes of the season,” says Mimoun. “I’ll tell you that.”
Question: Anything on The Blacklist? —Missi
Ausiello: Regarding that gigantic cliffhanger in November’s fall finale — How do Tom and Red know each other?! — series creator Jon Bokenkamp says that burning question will be answered. Eventually. “Tom clearly has some sort of past that Liz is not aware of, that involves Red,” the EP confirms. “We will continue to tell that story. We don’t dive right into it in the Super Bowl episode, but that does start to bubble up later in the back half of the season.”
Actor Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters) will guest star as Poseidon on Once Upon a Time in an episode set for 2015 that will find actress JoAnna Garcia Swisher reprising her role as Ariel. Actor Sebastian Roche (The Originals) will also guest star on Once Upon a Time, playing King Stefan, the father of Aurora (recurring guest star Sarah Bolger), who has a complicated past with Maleficent (recurring guest star Kristin Bauer Van Straten). (Natalie Abrams and Jonathon Dornbush at Entertainment Weekly)
Actor Michael Pitt has been replaced by actor Joe Anderson (The River) as sociopathic meat-packing magnate Mason Verger on Hannibal. (Michael Slezak at Entertainment Weekly)
The cast has been fleshed out for the Syfy space drama Dark Matter, including actor Roger Cross (24 and The Strain) and Anthony Lemke (Witches of East End) and actresses Zoie Palmer (Lost Girl) and Jodelle Ferland (The Cabin in the Woods). The series focuses on the crew of a derelict spaceship, who are awakened from stasis with no memories of who they are or how they got on board. Facing threats at every turn, they have to work together to survive a voyage charged with vengeance, betrayal and hidden secrets. The 13 one-hour episodes will debut on this coming summer. (Etan Vlessing at The Hollywood Reporter)
Actor Mike Colter (The Good Wife and Ringer) has landed the role of comic book hero Luke Cage in the Marvel and Netflix series Jessica Jones that will star Krysten Ritter in the lead role. Marvel and Netflix have partnered to adapt four of the Marvel’s properties — Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist — into four hour-long, 13-episode series, with Daredevil set to debut first in 2015. (Laura Prudom at Variety)
BOX OFFICE NEWS
Here are the top 10 box office movies for this past weekend courtesy of Box Office Mojo:
1. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies – 56.2 million
2. The Night at the Museum: The Secret of the Tomb – 17.3 million
3. Annie – 16.3 million
4. Exodus: Gods and Kings – 8 million
5. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 – 7.7 million
6. Wild – 4.1 million
7. Top Five – 3.57 million
8. Big Hero 6 – 3.56 million
9. Penguins of Madagascar – 3.52 million
10. P.K. (The Bollywood comedy) – 3.4 million
Q&A SECTION (with Natalie Abrams at Entertainment Weekly)
Question: Do you know when Agent Carter picks up? — Donald
Natalie: It obviously takes place after Captain America: The First Avenger, but actually before Stark asks her to head up S.H.I.E.L.D. with him at the end of the Marvel One Shot. “That will essentially be the last thing that ever happens in the series,” executive producer Michele Fazekas says. “We will never have S.H.I.E.L.D. in this series. So, in some regard, the One Shot is the end of the series.”
Question: What are three words/things that are mysterious now, but won’t be once Once Upon a Time returns this March? — OnceStorybrooke
Natalie: I took your ingenious question straight to the OUAT bosses and the answer is… interesting. “Voice, Feinberg and eggs” executive producer Edward Kitsis says. “Take that, Once people!” Any guesses as to what the heck that means? The comments section is yours for the taking.
Question: Will Sarah Bunting return for season five of Downton Abbey? — Tonya
Natalie: Yes, Sarah Bunting (Daisy Lewis) will play a larger role in the upcoming fifth season. “She creates quite a lot of crisis for [Tom] Branson,” creator Julian Fellowes tells my colleague C. Molly Smith. Not being a Downton follower myself, Molly offers up her best guess as to what the “crisis” is: “It has to do with politics, the foundation of Tom and Sarah’s connection,” she says. “But, I wouldn’t rule out romance either. The two share said common interest, and Tom just might be ready to find new love.”
Question: Do you have any scoop on the next time Barry will face Reverse Flash on The Flash? — Steve
Natalie: After the disastrous first bout, Barry will set his sights on testing the limitations of his powers in a bid to match his nemesis. “We’re exploring the vibrating a lot going forward and what the vibrating can do,” Grant Gustin says. “And how to slow things down, see things and survey situations with time stopped, essentially.” Will those powers also include time travel? “Maybe,” Gustin says with the highest pitch voice of someone trying to keep a secret.
Question: Now that Nolan and Louise are friends, does that mean she won’t be having anymore visions on Revenge? — Derek
Natalie: Alas, she’s still crazy. “She still has her visions,” showrunner Sunil Nayar says. “Louise is wonderfully damaged in a lot of ways. There’s going to be an element to Nolan and Louise—we’re going to deepen their dynamic together. We’re also going to bring Louise’s brother in and we’re going to dig deeper into the Ellis family history so that we understand who Louise is more and understand what it is that she really wants and what makes her tick.”
Question: Please tell me anything about Slade’s return to Arrow! — Tim
Natalie: Burning questions will be answered! “Everyone’s been asking: How does he feed himself?” executive producer Marc Guggenheim says. “You’re going to get an answer to that question. He loomed so large in season 2 that his return in episode 14 really makes it feel incredibly epic. You’ll see why it’s very appropriate for us to revisit Slade Wilson in episode 14 when you see the end of episode 13.”
Actress Anne Wersching (24) will have a recurring role on The Vampire Diaries, playing a character named Lily, who has a reputation for protecting the ones she loves at any cost. (Andy Swift at TV Line)
USA Network has picked up the new drama Mr. Robot to a 10-episode season that will air during the 2015-2016 TV season. The series will star Christian Slater as a mysterious anarchist who recruits a young computer programmer (Rami Malek from 24) who suffers from an anti-social disorder and connects to people by hacking them. The cast will include Portia Doubleday (the box office film Her) and Carly Chaikin (Suburgatory). (Elizabeth Wagmeister at Variety)
Actors Patrick Duffy (Dallas) and Tony Plana (Ugly Betty) will guest star in upcoming episodes of The Fosters. Duffy will play Robert Quinn Sr., the domineering and abrasive father of Robert Quinn (Kerr Smith) while Plana will play Victor, a newly discovered relative to the Adams Foster family. (Lesley Goldberg at The Hollywood Reporter)
Actress Peyton List (The Tomorrow People) and actor Nicholas Gonzalez (Sleepy Hollow) will both appear in upcoming episodes of The Flash. List will play Lisa, the younger sister of Leonard Snart (Prison Break’s Wentworth Miller) [aka Captain Cold] while Gonzalez will play Dante, the older brother of Cisco (series regular Carlos Valdes). (Carissa Pavlica at TV Fanatic and Vlada Gelman at TV Line)
The Missing has been given a second season order by Starz. (Variety)
Actress Gina Torres (Suits) will have a recurring role on Revenge, playing socialite Natalie Walsh; but no other details have been revealed about the character. (Johnathon Dornbush at Entertainment Weekly)
ABC Family has picked up Recovery Road as a new series on the network. The drama, based on the novel by Blake Nelson, focuses on a teenage girl dealing with addiction. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)
Actor David James Elliott (JAG) will guest star in an episode of Scorpion, playing Bruce Jones, a former Secret Service agent. This could potentially be a recurring role. (Andy Swift at TV Line and The Hollywood Reporter)
Actor Manu Bennett (Arrow) has landed a series regular role on the upcoming MTV drama Shannara. The series will take place in a world set thousands of years after the destruction of civilization as we know it, focusing on the Shannara family, who are able to tap into ancient magic and whose adventures help reshape the world’s future. Bennett will play Allanon, a druid who is the last of his kind in the world of Shannara. (Aaron Couch at The Hollywood Reporter)
Veteran actress Cicely Tyson will guest star in an upcoming episode of How to Get Away With Murder, but details about who she will be playing are being kept under wraps. (Lesley Goldberg at The Hollywood Reporter)
TV TEASER
MINI-SERIES NEWS
Actor Julian McMahon (Nip/Tuck) and actress Daisy Betts (Chicago Fire) have joined the cast of the upcoming Syfy 6-hour mini-series Childhood’s End that follows the peaceful invasion of Earth by the mysterious Overlords, whose arrival begins decades of apparent utopia under indirect alien rule, at the cost of human identity and culture which may ultimately threaten the very survival of mankind. McMahon will play Rupert Boyce, an enigmatic American entrepreneur while Betts will play Ellie, an arts graduate engaged to marry Ricky Stormgren (to be played by Mike Vogel from Under the Dome), the most influential human in the world. (The Futon Critic)
Actor Giacomo Gianniotti (Reign) has joined the cast of the Lifetime 4-hour mini-series Marilyn based on the life of the Hollywood starlet and sex symbol. He will play Jimmy Dougherty, a Los Angeles detective who was once married to Marilyn. (The Deadline Team)
BOX OFFICE NEWS
Here are the top 10 box office movies from the past weekend courtesy of Box Office Mojo:
1. Exodus: Gods and Kings – 24.5 million
2. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 – 13.2 million
3. Penguins of Madagascar – 7.3 million
4. Top Five – 7.2 million
5. Big Hero 6 – 6.1 million
6. Interstellar – 5.5 million
7. Horrible Bosses 2 – 4.6 million
8. Dumb and Dumber To – 2.7 million
9. The Theory of Everything – 2.5 million
10. Wild – 1.5 million
Q&A SECTION (with Matt Mitovich at TV Line)
Question: I missed seeing DiNozzo Sr. during NCIS’ holiday episodes. Will he be back at all this season? –Diane
Mitovich: You have great timing, because when I asked showrunner Gary Glasberg about it the other day, he and the writers happened to be in the process of breaking the episode that brings Tony’s dad back for another encore, with an eye on a possible March airdate. “We’re actually planning to see Mr. Robert Wagner a couple of times this season,” he added.
Question: Will Laura Allen’s NCIS: New Orleans character become a “love interest” for Agent Pride, now that she is widowed and he is divorced? I thought they had great chemistry and would love to see it develop. –Loretta
Mitovich: Let’s allow the widow to weep just a bit, yes? Exec producer Gary Glasberg allowed that such a match-up is “very feasible” though not on the drawing board, yet. “We’re in the process of figuring out our Back 9 right now,” he said, “but we’ve been so pleased with everybody we’ve had on the guest cast.”
Question: Caity Lotz is back on Arrow in Episode 13, “Canaries.” Any idea of what can we expect? –Catarina
Mitovich: Showrunner Marc Guggenheim sums it up as “a really cool episode” in which Lotz appears as (of course) Sara and Peter Stormare (Prison Break) reprises his role as the villain Vertigo, which is a purposeful season-premiere callback. “It’s an episode where a lot of things that we’ve been doing and setting up during the season really sort of come together,” Guggenheim says of the intent to bring things “full circle.” He adds, “It’s not a ‘climactic’ kind of episode, but there’s a feeling of a big payoff by the end of it.”
Question: Will Michael Rowe be returning as Arrow‘s Deadshot this season? –Joanne
Mitovich: When I spoke to Marc Guggenheim two weeks ago, there was no word yet on a possible encore for the Suicide Squad’s sharpshooter.
Question: Any scoop on Nashville? —Suzanne
Mitovich: Will’s about to find out that being gay and a popular country music artist don’t have to be mutually exclusive. The ABC soap is casting the recurring role of Kevin Shay, an openly gay singer-songwriter who is one of the most successful in all of Nashville. Kevin is described as handsome, tough — a “man’s man.” Which we think is code for “Will’s new man.”
Question: Really would love some Gotham spoilers on Leslie Thompkins and Jim Gordon, for when the show returns (on Jan. 5). Have any to share? –Mickey
Mitovich: Hmm, already I’ve had both EP Danny Cannon and new recurring player Morena Baccarin preview Leslie’s arrival/impact on Jim’s life. So instead I will share with you the latest casting calls – including John Grayson and Mary Lloyd, teenage circus performers who will figure into Episode 16 and hint at the origin of a certain Boy Wonder. Episode 17, meanwhile, will introduce two recurring characters: Dr. Dulmacher (aka another Dollmaker), this time conceived as a mad European scientist, and Reggie Payne, an old army buddy of Alfred’s who has gone a bit to seed.
Question: Are the fairies that got sucked into the hat on Once Upon a Time really gone, or is the show going to delve more into the hat’s powers through the rest of the season? –Kip
Mitovich: I for some reason assumed that Blue & Co. had been quietly released during all the winter finale drama, but I was, well, wrong. “They’re still stuck in the hat,” series co-creator Adam Horowitz assured me. “And that issue is dealt with early on in [Season] 4B,” premiering March 1.
Question: Any chance you talked with David Amann about the future of Castle? He has to know whether or not they should start wrapping up the storylines, doesn’t he? –Mandy
Mitovich: I did my best to nudge Amann on that issue — namely, the need to sign both Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic for any possible Season 8 (and beyond) – but the truth is that such matters are hammered out by other Powers That Be. “It’s kind of not up to me or [series creator] Andrew [Marlowe] – it’s really between the studio and [the actors],” he deferred. “We don’t have any control over that process, but internally we hope this all gets resolved sooner rather than later, so we can move forward.”
Question: I seem to recall reading on TVLine that Billy Burke was going to be making an appearance on Major Crimes. Would you happen to have any scoop on that? –Estee
Mitovich: Yes, Burke will appear in the final two episodes of the season (airing Jan. 12 and 19) when Phillip Stroh resurfaces with a possible ace up his sleeve. Now representing himself in court, “Stroh has a right, as the defendant and as his own counselor, to interview the state’s witnesses — and part of the deal that he is forcing them to make includes an interview with Rusty Beck” aka the lad he’s tried to snuff on multiple occasions, show boss James Duff previews. Seeing the two Closer characters at long last face off on Major Crimes “is pretty awesome,” Duff says. “You have two amazing actors there in the room.”
Question: Do you have anything on what’s next on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.? -Dee
Mitovich: As suggested by this piece of casting, Season 2B “absolutely” will delve into the mysterious Melinda May’s backstory, EP Maurissa Tancharoen assured me. “The long-awaited Cavalry story will be revealed.”
Question: When will there be word on whether or not Covert Affairs has been renewed? –Tara
Mitovich: No word yet — on the eve of the season finale — but to hear one of the leads tell it, you better cross all your fingers and toes. “Where we end up at the end of this season, I hope it’s not the end,” Christopher Gorham shared with TVLine. “We don’t end the season on a cliffhanger in the traditional sense, so it could be the end. But it’s not the end that I think the audience would be happy with. And it’s certainly not how we would want to wrap up these characters’ stories.”
Actress Jamie Murray (Defiance) will appear on Sleepy Hollow, playing a vetala, or ghostly being from Hindu lore; also actor Sharif Atkins (White Collar and ER) will also appear in the show, playing Calvin Riggs, the upright photojournalist. (Kimberly Roots at TV Line)
Actor Marc Singer (the original Beastmaster and the original V) will have a recurring role on Arrow, playing General Shrieve. (Comic Book Resources and Legion of Leia)
BOX OFFICE TRAILER
Q&A SECTION (with Natalie Abrams at Entertainment Weekly)
Question: Is Oliver really dead on Arrow?! — Janet
Natalie: You know I can’t answer that. But I can tell you that it sounds like Roy will be stepping up in the wake of Oliver’s absence. “One of the things I was very straight with Colton [Haynes] about is I don’t think we serviced his character quite as much as we would have liked in the first half of the season,” executive producer Marc Guggenheim says. “I’ll say the stuff that he’s got in episodes 10, 11, and 12, it’s pretty dang gangbusters. There’s one scene in episode 11 between him and John Barrowman that I think is some of his finest work on the show.”
Question: I can’t believe that Skye is Daisy Johnson on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.! How will the rest of the team feel about that? — Derek
Natalie: Well, Cal did say that everyone would eventually be afraid of her. “He has his reasons for saying that,” executive producer Jed Whedon says. “Maybe it’s based on experience. We’ll learn that he’s obviously a crazy person, but a lot of what he says isn’t that crazy.”
Question: Will Charlotte come back for Daniel’s funeral on Revenge? — Sina
Natalie: Unfortunately, it sounds like that’s a no. “She’s someone we keep talking about,” showrunner Sunil Nayar tells me. “But Charlotte won’t be returning just yet. We want to make sure if we bring her back, it’s in the right way to tell the right story.” So, rehab trumps funeral.
Question: Do you know if Tom and Liz will cross paths again on The Blacklist? — Faresh
Natalie: Seriously, Tom being on the loose is the least of her worries. Remember that now-dead harbor master who stumbled upon Liz holding Tom captive? Well, when his wife files a missing persons report, Liz’s name will pop up during the investigation. Let’s see if she can lie her way out of this one.
Question: How the heck does Maleficent keep coming back to life on Once Upon a Time? — Dina
Natalie: We’ll get the answer to that very soon. “We did say she had a spell on her that made her be preserved in whatever form she was in, be that ash, be that dragon,” executive producer Edward Kitsis reminds viewers. “So, we know that she was exploded into ash. How she gets brought back will be an entire episode.”
Question: Are the State of Affairs promos trying to say that Charlie killed her fiancé? — Kyle
Natalie: The promos may be a little misleading when it comes to who had Nick’s gun during the firefight, but you’ll get more information on that during Monday’s episode. It’s not surprising, then, that Charlie’s job could be severely compromised if certain information comes to light.
Question: Do you have any spoilers about Castle after the winter hiatus? — Fred
Natalie: How about some scoop on Annie Wersching’s return as Dr. Kelly Nieman? She’ll play a big role in February’s two-parter. “There’s a murder that our cops are investigating at the beginning of the episode that seems to connect to her,” showrunner David Amann says. “That puts us on what we think is going to be a fun, dramatic journey for the audience as we try to solve that murder and figure out what her involvement is in it, if any.”
Question: What will happen when Adam returns on Forever? — Jesse
Natalie: Would you believe me if I said he’ll try to be Henry’s friend? No? Okay, I’ll let showrunner Matt Miller convince you. “What we’ll start to see in future episodes is Adam coming back into Henry’s life, and trying to extend an olive branch to him, and trying to make peace with him,” he says. “Also, through flashbacks, we’ll see some of the things that have happened to Adam over the years. Amazingly, we’ll start to empathize with the character that we thought of as purely evil. We’ll start to understand how he became that way.”
Actor Blair Underwood (from the short-lived Ironside) will be showing up on Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., playing Dr. Andrew Garner, the estranged ex-husband of Melinda May (series regular Ming-Na Wen). This will be a recurring role. (The Hollywood Reporter and Legion of Leia)
Actor AJ Buckley (CSI: NY and Supernatural) has landed a series regular role on the TNT drama Murder In The First that stars Taye Diggs and Kathleen Robertson. Buckley will play Marty “Junior” Mulligan, Hildy’s (Robertson) brother, a police officer who is recently promoted into her unit. (The Deadline Team)
Actor Jason Butler Harner (The Blacklist and Homeland) has landed a recurring role on Scandal, but – of course – details on what character he will be playing is being kept under wraps. (Natalie Abrams at Entertainment Weekly)
Q&A SECTION (with Matt Mitovich at TV Line)
Question: Do you know who is going to die during Once Upon a Time‘s mid-season finale? –Marko
Matt: Let us focus on the living, Marko! That’s my way of dodging the question to instead tell you about the role being cast for Episode 15. The ABC series is seeking an African-American actress to guest-star as “Miranda,” a 19- to 22-year-old princess. Described as “warmhearted and passionate,” this lass wants nothing more than to bring peace and beauty into the world. Yet beneath her gentle exterior, she is headstrong and full of grit – so if you cross her, you may find her more terrifying than even the most powerful kings. Did I mention she has a lovely singing voice, as well?
Question: How does Nashville plan on handling Hayden Panettiere’s real-life maternity leave? Did they find a way to incorporate her into every episode ahead of time, or will there be episodes where Juliette Barnes will not be seen? –Sharon
Matt: “We did bank some material for a few episodes,” showrunner Dee Johnson confirms for TVLine. “She may be out of one or two. It all depends on how quickly [Hayden] wants to come charging back to work.”
Question: Is NCIS‘ Tony going to be in a stable relationship this season? –sshenoy
Matt: You mean with, perhaps, ATF Agent Zoe Keates? I can confirm that Marisol Nichols has been booked for an early 2015 encore, while Emily Wickersham recently acknowledged to me that Tony and Zoe had “really great chemistry.” She added, “Tony’s love life definitely unfolds. I can say that.”
Question: Supernatural fans need some scoop on Dean, please! —Luann
Matt: Witchy Rowena didn’t come into contact with the hunter in the fall finale, but that could soon change given her son Crowley’s connection to Dean. “I think most mothers like to interfere in their children’s business,” her portrayer Ruth Connell says. “So Rowena gets to do that in the episodes to come.”
Question: Would you have some Scorpion scoops to share with us? This show really rocks with such an awesome cast. –Marla
Matt: EP Nick Wootton surveyed for us the growing Walter/Paige “connection,” saying: “Walter has his questionable emotional quotient, and Paige has been burned before and doesn’t want to proceed without her son’s best interests at heart.” As such, the show will take “a real touch-and-go approach” to that twosome and end Season 1 “with a big cliffhanger.”
Question: Anything on Hart of Dixie? –Hannah
Matt: You may already know that in the Dec. 15 season opener, Zoe goes after Wade, Lemon returns early from her cruise and there’s a surprise visitor for Brick. But beyond that, Mircea Monroe’s Tansy is coming back, in Episode 6! But with that comes some bad news for certain ‘shippers. “I don’t feel like there’s still a hope for Tansy and George,” creator Leila Gerstein reveals. “She’s back in a completely platonic capacity, but for a really important storyline. She’ll also get her own version of happiness this year.”
Here are the news items for Monday, Tuesday and today:
TELEVISION
Actor Mark Hamill (Star Wars franchise) will guest star in the CW series The Flash, reprising his role from the 1990s version of the show of James Jesse aka The Trickster, who is serving a life sentence at Iron Heights as a next-gen Trickster pranks Central City and The Flash. (Matt Mitovich at TV Line)
Continuum has been given a six episode fourth and final season by Showcase, its home network in Canada. Syfy will also air those episode here in the States at an as yet undetermined date. (Press Release)
TNT has renewed Rizzoli & Isles for a sixth season that will air next summer. The show’s current fifth season will return on February 17. (Cynthia Littleton at Variety)
Actor Austin Butler (The Carrie Diaries and Arrow) has landed the male lead role in the MTV adaptation of the Terry Brooks best-selling novels Shannara that explores a world set thousands of years after the destruction of civilization as we know it. The series will focus on the Shannara family, whose descendants are empowered with ancient magic and whose adventures reshape the future of the world. Butler will star as Wil Ohmsford, who is half human and half elf. (Lesley Goldberg at The Hollywood Reporter)
Actress Kirsten Dunst (Spider-Man) and actor Jesse Plemons (Friday Night Lights and Breaking Bad) have joined the cast of the FX drama Fargo for its second season. Dunst will play Peggy Blomquist, a small-town beautician with big city dreams, who is trying to figure out who she really is while Plemons will play her husband, Ed, a butcher’s assistant, who wants to be supportive of his wife’s self-discovery, even if he doesn’t quite understand it. (Shelli Weinstein at Variety)
Actor Kerr Smith (Dawson’s Creek and The Fosters) and actress Phoebe Tonkin (The Originals) will both guest star in upcoming episodes of the new CBS drama Stalker. Smith will play John Bardo, a well-respected news anchor who rebuilt his life and career after a stalking incident years ago; but now he is being terrorized again. Tonkin will play Nicole Clark, a lifeguard whose world is thrown into turmoil when she becomes the obsession of a mysterious stalker. (Sydney Bucksbaum at E! Online)
Actor Mark Moses (Desperate Housewives), Brian F. O’Byrne (Flashforward) and Nick Court (300: Rise of the Empire) will join the second season of the TNT drama The Last Ship. Moses will play a high-ranking U.S. government official trying to protect citizens from the plague while O’Byrne and Court will play Sean and Ned Ramsey, a pair of British brothers whose plans impact the mission of the USS Nathan James. (The Deadline Team)
BOX OFFICE NEWS
Here are the top 10 box office movies from this past weekend courtesy of Box Office Mojo:
1. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 – 21.6 million
2. Penguins of Madagascar – 11.1 million
3. Horrible Bosses 2 – 8.6 million
4. Big Hero 6 – 8.1 million
5. Interstellar – 8 million
6. Dumb and Dumber To – 4.2 million
7. The Theory of Everything – 2.7 million
8. Gone Girl – 1.5 million
9. The Pyramid – 1.4 million
10. Birdman – 1.2 million
BOX OFFICE TRAILER
Q&A SECTION (with Kristin Dos Santos at E! Online)
Question: Any scoop on Revenge’s Jack and Emily? – Northbnd Train
Kristin: Um, you may not want to read what I have to share about Emily’s love life if you’re shippin’ her and Jack. “I think you’re going to start to see the real connection between [Ben] and Emily,” showrunner Sunil Nayar reveals. “There’s a kindness he feels towards Emily and kinship we’re going to step on more,” And the cop isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Says Nayar: “We love him, we’re keeping him.”
Question: STILL not over the big death on Revenge! Give me a spoiler to hold me over until January please! – Meghan
Kristin: Not hopping on the Jitney for Daniel’s funeral? “Charlotte may not be back for Daniel’s funeral, but she’s someone we keep talking about and if we can figure out the right way to bring her in, we’ll certainly talk about having her back,” Nayar spills.
Question: Brandon Routh recently tweeted a photo of his face all bloody and bruised. Are we going to see him in any action scenes on Arrow? – Kate
Kristin: Now that we’ve seen a glimpse of Ray Palmer’s plans for the Atom suit, expect to see the CEO get physical pretty soon! “There are going to be some things happening in Starling City in the second half of the year that pretty much affect all of our characters,” executive producer Marc Guggenheim says. “I don’t think anyone really comes away from the events unscathed, both physically and emotionally.”
Question: I cannot stop thinking about Reign’s last episode and wondering what is in store for us in the midseason finale! – Daniella
Kristin: Prepare for some major fallout for one of Mary’s ladies after the shocking sexual assault and the assassination attempt in last week’s episode, according to showrunner Laurie McCarthy. “I think we are tilting in the direction of that inadvertently her husband donated money to a cause that wound up really damaging one of her closest friends and her queen, so there are going to be ramifications to that and they are going to be life-altering for Greer and Castleroy.”
Question: Any Reign tidbits you can do away with? – Annie
Kristin: Looks like France could be going to war! The series is currently casting the role of General Renaude, the gorgeous and masculine head of the military who will be sticking around for a quite a good chunk of time and will form a close personal connection with one of our Royals.
Question: Is Michael out of the picture now that Jane is dating Rafael? – Sasha
Kristin: Not at all! In fact, Michael’s investigation into Sin Rostro is about to take center stage on the quirky-yet-charming CW telenovela. “You will find out soon who Sin Rostro is,” Brett Dier spills. “We just found out, and I was super surprised. Everyone will look suspicious in the next run of episodes and the investigation gets really intense and cool and very dark.” In fact, the squeaky clean detective might even get his hands dirty! “Michael is very dedicated to his work and you’re going to see that he’s so passionate and he’ll do whatever he can to crack the case, including breaking the law,” Dier adds. “It’s better to ask forgiveness than permission, and that’s Michael’s motto. He’s going to be a sneaky bastard.”
TNT has given the drama series Legends a second season order. (The Futon Critic)
Actress Krysten Ritter (Veronica Mars) has landed the lead role in the Marvel straight-to-series drama Jessica Jones that will air on Netflix. The story centers on Jessica Jones, a superhero suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, which leads to her hanging up her costume and opening her own detective agency, where she ends up helping people and assisting other superheroes. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)
Actor Jeffrey Donovan (Burn Notice) is supposedly in talks to join the second season of the FX drama Fargo that will be set in Sioux Falls in 1979, focusing on some younger iterations of the characters from the first season. An official air has yet to be announced. (Variety and Dark Horizons)
Actor Bradley James (Merlin) has landed the title role in the Lifetime straight-to-series drama Damien based on the classic horror film The Omen. The six-episode series will follow the adult life of Damien Thorn (James), the mysterious child from the 1976 film who has grown up, seemingly unaware of the satanic forces around him. Haunted by his past, Damien must now come to terms with his true destiny — that he is the Antichrist, the most feared man throughout the ages. The series is slated to premiere in 2015. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)
Actor Steven Weber (Wings and Murder In the First) will not only show up as President Thomas Jefferson in Sleepy Hollow on FOX and he will recur in the upcoming CW series iZombie, where he will play the CEO of an energy drink company. (Kimberly Roots at TV Line and Entertainment Weekly)
Actor Jason Ralph (the upcoming NBC series Aquarius) and actress Sosie Bacon (The Closer) will appear in the upcoming Syfy supernatural drama The Magicians, which is an adaptation of the Lev Grossman best-selling book series that follows a group of 20-somethings studying magic in New York. Ralph will star as the brilliant-yet-depressed Quentin, while Bacon will play the shy-yet-powerful Alice. (Andy Swift at TV Line)
BOX OFFICE NEWS
Warner Bros. has announced the stars of their planned super-villain tentpole film Suicide Squad, including Jared Leto as The Joker; Will Smith as Deadshot; Tom Hardy as Rick Flagg; Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn; Jai Courtney as Boomerang and Cara Delevingne as Enchantress. The story centers on the team of super villains who are given a chance at redemption by the government. The catch: Their mission will probably kill them all. Rumor has it that Jesse Eisenberg is in talks to play Lex Luthor in the film. (Justin Kroll at Variety)
Actress Nazanin Boniadi (Homeland) will star opposite Jack Huston (Boardwalk Empire) in the upcoming remake of the classic film Ben-Hur. She will play Esther. (Deadline)
BOX OFFICE TRAILERS
Q&A SECTION (with Matt Mitovich at TV Line)
Question: Haven‘s winter finale is upon us — how much wine will we need to get through it? –Dawn
Mitovich: How much have you got…? A lot goes down in Friday’s episode, given the “mother” of a bombshell that Charlotte dropped on Audrey. When all is said and done — and following the reveal of one of the coolest Troubles ever plus a highly entertaining exchange of words between Audrey and Mara – no fewer than two major characters will elect to make a tremendous sacrifice in the name of Haven’s greater good. And the very final scene? Creeeeepy.
Question: Any scoop on what’s coming up for Once Upon a Time‘s Hook? –Stef
Mitovich: I am hearing that, as perhaps hinted by Swan’s conspicuous reaction to last Sunday’s liplock, Hook’s heartlessness will indeed impact Emma – and that Belle will get pulled into his predicament, as things get ever dicier. Bonus Scoop: For Episode 15, Once is casting the possibly recurring role of a king whose crown was hard-won, and the fight to keep it has taken a toll. He is also described as “handsome, though not refined, and highly protective of his family.”
Question: Pretty Little Liars is one of my favorite shows. Do you have anything on that? –Sabreen
Mitovich: How about some scoop on Mona’s ghostly return to Rosewood this coming Tuesday? The late, great Ms. Vanderwaal has a few big surprises for Alison up her sleeve, though it might not be what fans are expecting. “The real surprises are the ones she offers to Alison, who finally gets to see things through Mona’s eyes,” executive producer Marlene King reveals.
Bonus Scoop: We’ll get to see more of the past through Mona’s eyes in 2015. Says King, “She will offer us, through flashbacks, more insight into her life… and her death.”
Question: Did Arrow‘s Marc Guggenheim mention anything about under what context Laurel is going to be wearing the Canary outfit? –Kathleen
Mitovich: The EP wouldn’t go into specifics, but allowed, “Something happens in the midseason finale (airing Dec. 10) that makes it necessary. Which is not to say [Laurel wears it] in the midseason finale, but the impetus [for the costume] will happen then.”
Question: Everyone always asks about Arrow‘s Oliver and Felicity, which is fine, but I would rather get some spoilers on Quentin or Roy or Thea for once. –Nikki
Mitovich: Hey, I’m all about spreading the love, and with regards to Ms. Queen, I’ve got EP Marc Guggenheim saying, “There’s a lot of Thea and Felicity coming in the back half of the season. They’ll be sharing quite a bit of screen time in 2015, and it’s very interesting.”
Question: Is Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 2B premiering a week earlier now that Agent Carter is premiering with two episodes? –Matt C.
Mitovich: Excellent question, but no, S.H.I.E.L.D. will still resume its run on March 3.
Question: CBS’ Scorpion is my favorite new show! Do you have some scoop, preferably about Toby and Happy? –Daisy
Mitovich: “That’s a very complicated relationship,” EP Nick Santora tells us. “Toby is a student of human behavior and emotion, and Happy’s an expert at hiding her emotions. We want to see them progress toward hopefully getting together one day, and while we can’t promise if that will happen or not, we’re moving that relationship along. And it might take a big step in Episode 15.”
Question: Is it true that The Flash will be introducing Reverse-Flash very soon? That seems more like a season finale sort of thing. –Greg
Mitovich: The iconic adversary’s introduction apparently was — wait for it — fast-tracked. In the midseason finale (airing Dec. 9), “Barry and Reverse-Flash come face-to-face,” Grant Gustin affirms. The actor then makes clear that it’s not The Flash who meets the foe, but Barry—”and it rocks him, to say the least. It terrifies him.” After it is confirmed to Barry that Reverse-Flash killed his mom, “It’s kind of a relief in some ways, because it confirms that Barry isn’t crazy and that what he thought he saw as a kid is true,” Gustin previews. “Now he is more determined than ever to find this guy and stop him, kill him. This might be a special circumstance where Barry would break a neck.”
Question: Anything to share about my new CW obsession, Jane the Virgin? –Leslie
Mitovich: Previewing singer Paulina Rubio’s guest-starring turn, as herself, in the fall finale (airing Dec. 15), Andrea Navedo says, “It has to do with Xo’s aspirations as a performer. She’s always idolized her, so a sort of fantasy/dream life bleeds into reality for Xo, and she actually gets a wish fulfilled.”
Question: How is the relationship between Reign‘s Mary and Conde going to play the rest of Season 2? I know romance wouldn’t be exactly following history, but their chemistry is undeniable. –Danielle
Mitovich: Conde and Mary’s bond will continue to grow, I am told — and that will eventually force Mary to make a decision that could put those involved in grave danger.
Question: Have you any information on The Fosters‘ Christmas episode? –Tricia
Mitovich: Sorry, Tricia, but I’m gonna skip right past the holiday outing (airing Monday) and instead gift you with some knowledge about the end of Season 2, where we will meet Robert’s parents – including Robert Quinn Sr., a wealthy, domineering patriarch who during a heated dinner table debate just might detour his son’s opinion about his parental responsibilities.
Here are the news items from late last week, yesterday and today:
TELEVISION
Both the FOX drama Red Band Society and the NBC thriller Constantine will air their original 13 episode orders, but neither has been given a full season order by their respective networks. Red Band Society will air its fall finale on December 3 with three episodes left remaining to air at an as-yet unannounced time. Constantine, on the other hand, could possibly return for more episodes because its renewal option is still “very much open”. (Deadline)
The El Rey Network has decided to cancel their original scripted drama Matador. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)
HBO has picked up an as-yet titled hour-long drama series from Martin Scorsese, Terence Winter and rock-n-roll legend Mick Jagger that will be set in 1970s New York, exploring the drug- and sex-fueled music business as punk and disco were breaking out, all through the eyes of a record executive (Bobby Cannavale) trying to resurrect his label and find the next new sound. The cast includes Olivia Wilde, Ray Romano and Juno Temple. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)
TV TRAILER
BOX OFFICE NEWS
Here are the top 10 movies from this past weekend courtesy of Box Office Mojo:
1. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 – 56.9 million
2. Penguins of Madagascar – 25.8 million
3. Big Hero 6 – 18.8 million
4. Interstellar – 15.8 million
5. Horrible Bosses 2 – 15.7 million
6. Dumb and Dumber To – 8.2 million
7. The Theory of Everything – 5 million
8. Gone Girl – 2.4 million
9. Birdman – 1.8 million
10. St. Vincent – 1.7 million
BOX OFFICE TRAILER
Q&A SECTION (with Natalie Abrams at Entertainment Weekly)
Question: What’s coming up on Sleepy Hollow? — LilSlim142000
Natalie: Monday’s mid-season finale may not be quite as jaw-dropping as season 1’s last episode, but the hour does feature a very surprising final twist as well as the departure of a beloved character.
Question: Do you have any info on Once Upon a Time’s Spell of Shattered Sight? — Frederick
Natalie: Once it hits the town, it will bring out the absolute worst in people, especially Regina, who will revert back to her Evil Queen days. “She has a run in first with Elsa and Emma,” Lana Parrilla teases. “All these years, she’s really been controlling her temper and has not been so impulsive when it comes to Emma for Henry’s sake. In this instance, Emma pays a visit to Regina’s vault and it doesn’t turn out well. She starts throwing fire balls. She wants to kill Emma and she’s been waiting a long time to do this, so it’s her lucky day.”
Question: Is there any spoiler for FitzSimmons on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., please? — Marielle
Natalie: The duo look poised to finally discuss the reason behind Fitz’s selfless act from the season 1 finale during Tuesday’s episode, but Fitz will make a surprising new declaration that could shake up the team. You might want to have tissues handy.
Question: Will Laurel finally tell her dad the truth about Sara’s death on Arrow? — Ken
Natalie: It’s sounding more and more like the holiday episode—featuring the return of Alex Kingston as Dinah Lance—may force her hand. “Holidays are a good time to reunite family members,” executive producer Marc Guggemheim says. “Obviously the Lance family has a lot of issues going on within it that only Laurel knows about. The advantage of bringing Alex Kingston back in this moment in time is to quite frankly turn the knife in Laurel’s gut. We’ve been torturing her with the burdens of keeping this secret and that’s going to get harder with Alex Kingston’s arrival.”
Question: Anything (news related to) The Flash? — Valorie
Natalie: Raise your hand if you think keeping a slew of metahumans in a makeshift prison under S.T.A.R. Labs is a bad idea? Surprise, surprise, things will soon go awry. “The pipeline is going to have some issues in Episode 11,” executive producer Andrew Kreisberg teases. A meta jailbreak, perhaps?
Question: Do you know why we’re going to see a young Liz on The Blacklist? — Patricia
Natalie: I hear Liz gets kidnapped in an upcoming episode and someone will attempt to extract a particular memory from her—namely, the night of the fire, hence seeing a younger version of Liz. However, digging around in the brain is very dangerous, especially when you find out who’s behind it.
Last week it was announced the Shameless actor Justin Chatwin has joined the cast of the BBC America series Orphan Black and now it is known that he will play Jason Kellerman, a savvy drug-dealer in the guise of a charismatic businessman. Also joining the cast are James Frain (Intruders and True Blood) and Ksenia Solo (Lost Girl) with Frain playing Ferdinand, a well-educated, “cleaner” who is both charming and intimidating while Solo will play Shay, a soulful and compassionate holistic healer with a great sense of humor destined to become a new friend to Cosima. (The Futon Critic)
Actress Sarah Bolger (Once Upon a Time) has joined the cast of the upcoming AMC martial arts drama Badlands that will be very loosely based on the classic Chinese tale Journey to the West that tells the story of a great warrior and a young boy who embark on a journey across a dangerous land to find enlightenment. (Andy Swift and Vlada Gelman at TV Line)
Actress Blair Brown (Fringe) will guest star in a February episode of Person of Interest as Emma, an elegant and warm former public school teacher, who was forced into early retirement, but a jury summons brings Reese and Finch into her life. (Andy Swift and Vlada Gelman at TV Line)
Actor Nonso Anozie (Dracula and Game of Thrones) has joined the cast of the upcoming CBS summer drama Zoo that is a global thriller about a wave of violent animal attacks against humans across the planet. As the assaults become more cunning, coordinated and ferocious, a young renegade biologist (James Wolk from The Crazy Ones) is thrust into the race to unlock the pandemic’s mystery before there’s no place left for people to hide. Anozie will play Abraham, a Botswanan safari tour guide with a deep understanding of wildlife — and an even deeper empathy for the struggles of humanity. (Lesley Goldberg at The Hollywood Reporter)
MINI-SERIES NEWS
Actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Magic City, Grey’s Anatomy and Supernatural) will appear as legendary baseball player Joe DiMaggio in the upcoming Lifetime four-hour mini-series Marilyn based on the legendary bombshell. (Lesley Goldberg at The Hollywood Reporter)
Actress Daisy Betts (Last Resort and Chicago Fire) has joined the cast of the six-hour Syfy mini-series Childhood’s End based on the Arthur C. Clarke classic that is set to air next year. The mini follows the peaceful alien invasion of Earth by the mysterious Overlords, whose arrival begins decades of apparent utopia under indirect alien rule, at the cost of human identity and culture. Betts will play Ellie, a Tribeca Arts graduate engaged to marry Ricky (Mike Vogel from Under the Dome). (The Deadline Team)
BOX OFFICE TRAILER
Q&A SECTION (with TV Scoop Team at E! Online, Michael Ausiello at TV Line and Adam Bryant at TV Guide)
Question: I’ll take any scoop you’ve got on Downton Abbey! – Alyssa
TV Scoop Team: Times, they are a-changin’! “Downton is in probably the biggest period of change ever—the new kind of world and the ways of the world are very much going to be entrenched in Downton and it’s about how it feels with that,” star Allan Leech told us. “You know for the younger generation it’s much easier, but for the older generations and the staff and the servants it’s a very different world…So it’s about people trying to find their feet, how to maneuver and how to navigate this crazy new world…And you see a lot more of the London life…there are so many unanswered questions that get answered this year.”
Question: Anything on Supernatural? – Chris
TV Scoop Team: Our favorite sheriff is coming back! That’s right, prepare yourself for another dose of Sheriff Jody Mills. “I get to work with another woman this time!” Kim Rhodes told us. “I’m teamed up with Sheriff Donna and the two girl sheriffs are solving the case. Well, they may not solve the case but they show up! They follow the boys and mayhem ensues. It’s a lot lighter than any of the episodes I’ve gotten to do before. It’s Supernatural meets Fargo.”
Question: In desperate need of Teen Wolf spoilers over here! – Anonymous
TV Scoop Team: Tyler Posey, take it away: “It’s going to be badass. Like, it’s another thing we haven’t done before,” he teased of the upcoming season, which has yet to begin filming. “I’m really excited. It’s cool because I know nothing about the season, I only know one part of it. But it’s so badass that I would watch the entire season just for this one part.”
Question: Please tell me…is Leo alive on Chasing Life?!? – Mona
TV Scoop Team: For those fans who have been on pins and needles waiting to find out just what the midseason finale cliffhanger was—Did Leo get the life-saving/risky brain surgery? Did he die before he could make the choice? What did that mysterious voicemail say?!?—that loose thread will be answered in the first 30 seconds of the special Christmas episode airing Dec. 9. And that answer will make the next hour incredibly emotional and deeply important for both April and Leo.
Question: Jane the Virgin scoop please? – Lisa
TV Scoop Team: Now that Jane and Rafael are officially dating (and how romantic was their first all-nighter together?!), they’re going to live happily ever after, right? Wrong! “I’m surprised at how quickly they put Jane and Rafael together!” Justin Baldoni told us. “I was a little worried about it, but it’s okay. They’re going to have to break them up at some point and bring Michael back into play but I think it’s a really solid preview of what Jane and Rafael’s relationship would look like.”
Question: I adore Red Band Society so much. What’s coming up? – Lucy
TV Scoop Team: So. Much. Romance. Drama. Look for major complications in Leo and Emma’s relationship, mostly due to her eating disorder, as well as a major step in Kara and Hunter’s burgeoning romance. But the biggest relationship shift happens between Dr. McAndrew and…either Erin or Brittany. Or could it be both? Let’s just say one of them gives him the black eye he’s sporting by episode’s end.
Question: The wait for a new episode of The Blacklist may just be the death of me. Give me something to look forward to please! – Thomas
TV Scoop Team: Prepare for flashbacks! Of a young Liz! In episode 10!
Question: Do you have any new scoop on Arrow? Or Flash? Or both? —Siva
Ausiello: I’ll take what’s behind Door No. 3! Here are five random/juicy tidbits on The CW’s super-powered pair:
Arrow: More S.T.A.R. Labs inventions are coming.
The Flash: Barry will come clean to Iris about something in the very near future.
Arrow: There will be a wedding this season.
The Flash: Grant Gustin will break out into song in an upcoming episode.
Arrow: Episodes 10-12 will play like a trilogy (and as stories have revealed that trilogy will be focused on Laurel and her transformation into Black Canary)
Question: Any new intel on NCIS? —Marsha
Ausiello: As you might imagine, finally meeting Gibbs’ second ex-wife (played by Jeri Ryan) will be quite a thing, for those on both ends of the television tubes. “The fans are in store for some goodies,” Emily Wickersham, who plays Bishop, told Matt Mitovich. “We just finished shooting that episode, and it’s a big deal for the team. And it’ll be the same for the fans, a huge deal. It’ll be an exciting one, for sure.” (Titled “Check,” the episode is tentatively scheduled to air Jan. 6.)
Question: Do you know if the rumors are true that Rossif Sutherland will appear in Haven as a character called The Sandman? —Lilslim
Ausiello: I can confirm that the actor (aka Nostradamus on Reign) will join the Syfy drama in a recurring role, kicking off in 2015. Not sure about the Sandman part, but it’s a holiday week and I’ve got stuff to do so, sure, he’s playing The Sandman.
Question: On Once Upon a Time, will we find out why Will Scarlett/the Knave left Wonderland? —JJ
Ausiello: “Yes, we should be learning more about his post-Wonderland life as the season progresses,” Once co-creator Adam Horowitz answers. “We will also be exploring more of his past with Robin Hood.”
Question: Anything on Jane the Virgin? —Christopher
Ausiello: Remember how Jane was suing Rafael’s sister? That hasn’t been tossed aside just because she’s now maybe-dating the hotel owner. “That’s going to be coming up,” leading lady Gina Rodriguez assures us, adding that Jane’s not in it for the money. “It actually has to do with something greater, and it’s a social issue…. So it’s going to be a really cool take on immigration.” Meanwhile, the actress notes that her alter ego still doesn’t know that her new beau could lose his business because of the suit. “Jane sees how beautiful Rafael’s heart is when she finds out he put that on the line,” Rodriguez previews. “He never told her. And it has to do with a few other characters, and things that have happened in their lives reflect the reason why Rafael keeps it from me. It’s so interconnected.”
Ausiello: The Fox series is casting Calvin, a Navy SEAL-turned-photojournalist who’ll be another possible love interest for Abbie. (Hawley haters, commence celebration.) Calvin’s a hometown boy who believes he has a moral obligation to report the truth, no matter what.
BONUS SCOOP: The show also will soon bring on founding father Thomas Jefferson, who is described as charismatic and intelligent.
Question: On Chasing Life, how long will Leo be around? —Nancy
Ausiello: At least through the Dec. 9 Christmas special, during which you’ll witness a big bonding moment between him and fellow cancer patient April. (It’s one of the hour’s most touching scenes.) We also find out what’s on his bucket list.
Question: Please tell us there’s hope for Brandon and Callie on The Fosters. Season 2A was tough on their fans. —Lauren
Ausiello: The holiday episode, airing Dec.8, will actually pick up right at their finale kiss and then immediately flash back to reveal “what happened in the time between Season 1 and Season 2, and what happened for them to get where they are,” Maia Mitchell previews. “Obviously, Callie and Brandon just kissed at this crazy rich-people party, so they have to figure out how to make amends and go forward from that.”
Question: Scandal scoop, please! I can’t believe Olivia is gone again! — Beth
Adam: You and me both! Even though Liv obviously didn’t leave by choice this time, don’t be surprised by the profundity of Fitz’s desperation as he debates whether to go to war with West Angola to save her. “It will potentially destroy Fitz again,” Tony Goldwyn tells us. “How much more can a man take? This will really test him. The stakes are unbelievably high and I can say that it will be scary.”
Question: Any scoop on the Sleepy Hollow finale? —Debra
Adam: The Sword of Methuselah isn’t as awesome as Abbie and Ichabod had been lead to believe. “It turns out that although this sword has the ability to kill demons, it essentially extracts your life force, your soul,” co-executive producer Albert Kim reveals. “So, you have to sacrifice your own life in order to use it. It sets up a really great conflict and decision as to who is going to sacrifice themselves to prevent Moloch from achieving his apocalypse.”
Question: What’s next for Bishop and Gibbs after that heart-to-heart a couple weeks ago on NCIS? — Trisha
Adam: Bishop’s training wheels are about to come off, which means no more Mr. Nice Gibbs. “There’s a [candor] and honesty between Bishop and Gibbs,” executive producer Gary Glasberg says. “Gibbs isn’t going to be afraid to tell her what he’s thinking or handle her the way that Gibbs handles everybody.” Emily Wickersham welcomes the change. “You see more windows into who she is,” she says. “She usually is right all the time. But as this season goes on, you slowly see more and more faults, which to me makes her more and more human.”
Question: I noticed Nashville mentioned Sadie’s ex-husband last week. Will we ever meet him? — Linda
Adam: You bet! And when it comes to collecting the money that Sadie’s ex believes he is owed, not even a restraining order will stop him. In fact, expect him to set up camp across the street from the studio where Sadie is trying to lay down some new tracks with Avery. Fortunately, Sadie will channel her anger into making some beautiful music.
Question: What can you tell me about the White Collar series finale? — Katie
Adam: Although the specifics are being tightly guarded, we can tell you that the show doesn’t tie everything up in a pretty little bow. “In typical White Collar fashion, it does end on a big cliff-hanger that is shocking and challenging and open to interpretation,” Matt Bomer teases. So show boss Jeff Eastin might want to leave the country to get away from angry fans, right? Not necessarily. “I think it will create huge passion,” Eastin says. “I’m hoping people aren’t ready to stone the building. I think it will be satisfying and people will ultimately enjoy it.”
Question: Any scoop on Red Band Society? I love that show! — Sherry
Adam: Love (lust?) is in the air on Wednesday’s episode: Hunter and Kara need some alone time; Leo plans a romantic (though ultimately disastrous) first date for Emma; and Dash’s “I don’t want to die a virgin” tactics from the pilot come this close to working when a famous pop star (guest star Bella Thorne) is admitted to the hospital.
That’s it. Enjoy!
PS: With Thanksgiving and Black Friday upon us, I will be taking a break from news reporting for the long holiday weekend. “See” you on Monday!
Rueben's Ramblings 