Rueben's Ramblings

Hey All,

HAPPY 1st DAY OF SUMMER!!

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Actor Luke Kleintank (Bones and No Ordinary Family) will appear on Pretty Little Liars later this summer as Travis, a good kid with strong morals who has a secret that may end up helping one of the Pretty Little Liars in a major way. The next new episode of Pretty Little Liars will air on ABC Family on June 25 at 8 PM. (Megan Masters at TV Line)

Actress Stacy Haiduk (The Young and the Restless) will guest star in at least two upcoming episodes of the new ABC Family drama Twisted, appearing as Marilyn Rossi, a tough but attractive investigator at a private security firm, who is hired by the mayor to help with the investigation of the murder of Regina Crane (SPOILER ALERT: the mean girl at high school killed in the pilot episode). The next new episode of Twisted will air on ABC Family on June 25 at 9 PM. (Philiana Ng at The Hollywood Reporter)

Actress Tawny Cypress (Heroes and House of Cards) will be a series regular on the returning CBS drama Unforgettable, playing Murray, a former decorated FBI agent who begins work at the Major Cases Section of the NYPD. Unforgettable will be back on CBS starting on July 28. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

Actress Zuleikha Robinson (Homeland and Lost) will recur on Covert Affairs, playing Bianca, a D.C. power player who is one of the capitol’s most formidable defense attorneys. With the help of Bianca’s legal acumen, Arthur (series regular Peter Gallagher) plans to combat allegations that could damage the Campbells’ legacy. Covert Affairs will air its season premiere on July 16 at 9 PM on the USA Network. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

Actor Jesse Lee Soffer (The Mob Doctor) has joined the cast of the NBC mid-season drama Chicago PD (the spin-off of Chicago Fire). He will play a young police detective who grew up on the wrong side of the tracks. In fact, he will be introduced on Chicago Fire along with other characters from the spin-off. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

MADE-FOR-TV NEWS

Lifetime is developing a made-for-TV movie from Terry McMillian called A Day Late and a Dollar Short that will star Whoopi Goldberg in 2014. She will play Viola Price, who learns that her next asthma attack could kill her. Emboldened by that knowledge, she sets out to repair her fractured family. (Jethro Nededog at The Wrap)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actress Helena Bonham Carter has been cast as the fairy godmother in the upcoming box office adaptation of Cinderella that is set to star Downton Abbey actress Lily James and Game of Thrones actor Richard Madden in the lead roles. (First Showing)

BOX OFFICE TRAILER

Hot Trailer: Ashton Kutcher In ‘JOBS’

Q&A SECTION (with Matt Mitovich from TV Line and Sandra Gonzalez at Entertainment Weekly)

Question: I’ll take any scoop you have for Castle. — M.F.

Mitovich: In speaking with TVLine about the season-ending proposal, Nathan Fillion said that while he has no idea what’s ahead (and truly, conspiracy theorists, it seems he doesn’t), he “absolutely” is looking forward to what Andrew W. Marlowe has teased is a “complicated” Season 6. “That’s one of the things that Andrew has done very well, in that it’s very realistic that two people who really ought to be together maybe don’t see it. Or the timing isn’t right,” the actor said. “These are things that happen in real life. That life gets complicated. That it can never be easy. This is something, I think, that we can all relate to. It’s a truth that everyone is comfortable with.”

Question: Is Orphan Black‘s Helena really dead? –Jack

Mitovich: Though series lead Tatiana Maslany at first hedged when we brought that burning Q to her, ultimately she opined, “Yeah, I think she is [dead].” And while the actress noted that “in Orphan Black style, it could all change,” for now she is in mourning. “I will miss her entirely…. There’s this emotion in her and this depth of love that she can’t show because she has been conditioned to be aggressive and to kill. For me, finding the humanity in a character like that is really exciting.”

Question: Please give me some Pretty Little Liars scoop on when we will find out the identity of the body found in the woods! And please say it isn’t Jason!!! –Amanda

Mitovich: Oh, you’re going to have to sit tight at least a few episodes longer. And: Jason?! What, a guy can’t go visit relatives without winding up as worm food?

Question: Do you have anything on the Pretty Little Liars spin-off? –Gina

Mitovich: Here’s a curious comment from executive producer I. Marlene King. Explaining the one confirmed cast member crossover, she says, “It was always thought [behind the scenes] that Caleb (played by Tyler Blackburn) would move over to Ravenswood. And when our audience gets to know what Ravenswood is, they’ll understand why it was the right choice for him to take us into that world.”

Question: When Suits returns, is there going to be a huge fallout with Harvey and Jessica? –David

Mitovich: Oh my lord, the way those two go at each other in the season premiere is ferocious and relentless. Suffice to say, the chip on Harvey’s broad shoulders is bigger than ever, and he sees right through most every ploy/bit of underhandedness by Jessica to “smooth things over” — and ends the July 16 premiere by revealing his most audacious move yet. But dare I say, the rift between Harvey and Mike is just as formidable — and might only be mended if the latter succeeds in his plan to literally construct a “time machine.”

Question: I am counting down the days until Suits comes back, I’m so excited about it. Any scoop on what’s in store for Donna this season? Remember, it is Donna, and “she knows everything”! –Jared

Mitovich: Indeed, Donna does — especially when she lays her peepers on Mike after his first (and apparently prolonged) ravaging of Jenny. Alas, that all-knowing quality of hers could stand in the way of Mike getting back in Harvey’s good graces.

Question: Is the final season of Burn Notice being split up or airing all at once? – Drew

Mitovich: Save for a pre-emption on July 4, all 13 episodes will air this summer, with the series finale set for Sept. 12.

Question: I was very happy with the new element of Amanda Callaway on White Collar this year, and was wondering if she would be returning? –Erin

Mitovich: If Emily Procter returns — and that’s a huge if — it won’t be anytime soon, and certainly not in the first slew of Season 5 episodes.

Question: I’m happy to see Longmire back on A&E. Any hints on what’s on the horizon for Walt and company? –Jen

Mitovich: I’m a week behind on the series, so forgive me if any of these teasers have reached their expiration date: “Vic’s past starts to catch up with her…. Lizzie returns with a surprise for Walt…. Secrets will be revealed about what happened with Walt and Henry in Denver…. And the election results will soon be in!”

Question: Does NCIS plan on continuing the storyline regarding McGee’s father having Stage 4 cancer? –Jeannie

Mitovich: Show boss Gary Glasberg was “really pleased” with that March episode, “Squall,” and how it built to “an understanding — and a resolution — between the two characters.” That said, and though it’s too soon to tease Season 11, he says the storyline “is certainly something that we’ve left open and that we’d like to revisit, not only dealing with the admiral’s health issues, but in terms of what their relationship is moving forward.”

Question: What happened to the third NCIS spinoff? Are they going to do it, or did it die and nothing has been said? –Lori

Mitovich: NCIS: Red is dead. Granted, we never reported that outright during the madness of Upfronts, but it’d take an epic poem to detail every pilot that does not make the cut.

Question: I love Graceland. Aaron Tviet. YES, PLEASE. Can I have some scoop? — Grace

Gonzalez: Mike really starts to feel the weight of the job in the next episode, titled “The Pizza Box,” when he’s recruited to teach a bunch of thugs working for a Nigerian drug lord how to use guns. It’s one step on a road to a larger goal. And he could end the hour with blood on his hands. Meanwhile, Tuturro gets a little action.

Question: Stana Katic’s answer in last week’s Castle scoop was perfection!!! Any more Castle scoop for the loyal fans? — Morgan H.

Gonzalez: While many of you have theories as to how to interpret Katic’s answer, here’s another hint that could turn your theory upside down. When asked whether she thinks the gang could survive a little time apart — should Beckett take the job in D.C. — the lovely Katic said, “I think it could be a good change of scenery for the audience. And there are ways of bringing it back together. The show has to evolve. The characters have to evolve.” She adds, “There’s ways of drawing these characters together and also giving each character a featured episode. That would be interesting to me. I love learning more about Detective Ryan and Lainie. I think it is interesting to feature them and their lives sometimes. So, you know, it doesn’t have to be the Scooby-Doo gang every episode solving a murder. It is important for a show to grow and blossom.”

Question: Thanks for all the USA shows scoop last week, but you missed White Collar! Anything for me? Even something small? — Lauren

Gonzalez: You may have heard that Americans actress Annet Mahendru is guest starring on the upcoming fifth season as a Russian figure skater. A bonus scooplet? She’s working with Peter and Neal to bring down her bad-guy beau, but in order to do so, she has to get closer to the action than she ever wanted.

Question: NCIS: LA!! — Amy K.

Gonzalez: While we’re in the speculation zone, Brett Foa has some interesting ideas for Eric next season, should the writers desire his input. “I would love to see Eric with a gun,” he says. “I don’t think he would do well with it, but I think it would be funny to see it in his hands. I would also like to see the tech guys save the day maybe instead of the guys with the brawn. That would be fun: brains over brawn.”

Question: Anything on Grimm? — Isa

Gonzalez: Not yet! But next week I’ll have some scoop straight from the EPs. Please email questions to spoilerroom@ew.com by tomorrow noon PT!

Question: This isn’t a spoiler question, but I was wondering if you’ve heard any early buzz on new shows. Any faves? — Dianela

Gonzalez: I’ll give you two of my faves in three different categories: Of the comedies I’ve seen, I found many giggles in The Crazy Ones and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. In the Sandra-can’t-stop-watching-the-CW aisle of my TV line-up, I liked Reign and Star-Crossed. And on the Yes, I like cop shows front, I see promise in The Bridge on FX (debuting this summer) and Almost Human, which bows midseason. More info on all of these to come, but thanks for asking. It makes me feel important. (I’m not.)

Question: When are we going to see more of the hand flashback on PLL? — Bree

Gonzalez: “In essence, you revisit it all season because the question of Alison being alive was raised last season,” EP Oliver Goldstick explains, “but as far as that night of that hand coming out of the earth, that will be explained when we get to the end of 4A.” Personally, this season is sort of flying by already. Agree, Bree? (I rhymed!)

Question: Any news from Person of Interest? — Tatiana

Gonzalez: Two things that might be of interest… 1) For all of you who e-mail about wanting to watch previous episodes. CBS announced yesterday that POI is now available for digital download via all the regular means. WOOP! (Summer marathon?) 2) Even though Amy Acker’s Root was last receiving a call from the machine, she has yet to receive word of her official return date. “Nothing is officially in the books,” she says. “I feel like they gotta bring me back. I want to come back. It is a fun character. She’s smart and deliciously evil but with what she feels like are good reasons.” Are you hoping Root makes her return sooner rather than later, gang?

That’s it. Enjoy!

Have a great weekend!

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Hey All,

Here are the news items, few though they may be, for today:

TELEVISION

Actor Zach Grenier has been promoted to full-time status on The Good Wife where he has been recurring as David Lee. (Michael Slezak at TV Line)

ONLINE SERIES NEWS

Netflix has given a second season order to their thriller/horror series Hemlock Grove. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actress Sarah Lancaster (Chuck and Everwood) has joined the cast of the upcoming box office film The Judge that will star Robert Downey Jr. as a successful attorney who returns to his hometown for his mother’s funeral to discover that his estranged father, the town’s judge, is suspected of murder. Lancaster will play Downey’s soon-to-be ex-wife. Robert Duvall, Vera Farmiga, Vincent D’Onofrio, Leighton Meester, Dax Shepard and Billy Bob Thornton will also co-star. (Borys Kit at The Hollywood Reporter)

BOX OFFICE TRAILER

Owen Wilson & Woody Harrelson Turkey Time Travel in ‘Free Birds’

Dwayne Johnson Suspects Liam Hemsworth in ‘Empire State’ Trailer

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Music impresario T Bone Burnett will not be returning as the executive music producer on the second season of Nashville. He will, however, be replaced by his number two man Buddy Miller. (Liz Raftery at TV Guide)

Actor Doug Savant (Desperate Housewives) will guest star in an upcoming episode of Rizzoli & Isles. He will play Roger Thorson, a mock trial adviser whose colleague dies suddenly during a competition. Rizzoli & Isles will air its season premiere on TNT on June 25. (Sandra Gonzalez at Entertainment Weekly)

Actresses Loretta Devine (The Client List) and Peggy Lipton (the original The Mod Squad) will both guest star in an upcoming episode of Psych when the series returns for its 8th season on the USA Network. Devine will play Melba Birdson, a former back-up singer for 1960s sensation Myles Valour Jr. Lassie (series regular Timothy Omundson) tracks her down in a desperate attempt to gain information on a cold case from 1967 and finds her still performing after all these years. Meanwhile, Lipton will portray Scarlet Jones, reliving her days as the main squeeze of notorious mob boss Rodney Caruso. As Lassie begins to dig around a cold case involving the late Archie Baxter, he turns to Scarlett for information on Archie’s supper club, where Myles’ songs were regular fixtures and the line between cops and criminals were blurred. (Philiana Ng at The Hollywood Reporter)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Actress Liv Tyler (The Lord of the Rings franchise) will star opposite Justin Theorux in the HBO drama pilot called The Leftovers from Damon Lindelof. The project, based on the Tom Perrotta book, takes place after the Rapture happens, but not quite like it’s supposed to. It is the story of the people who didn’t make the cut and a world that will never be the same. Tyler will play Meg, a young woman on the verge of getting married, but needing an escape. As a result, she becomes a target for recruitment by members of an enigmatic cult. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

Actress Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Live Free or Die Hard and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World) has joined the cast of the Cinemax drama pilot called Quarry. She will play Joni, wife of Quarry (Logan Marshall Green), who is one of the few who stands by her husband after he returns from the Vietnam War. The character now earns a living as a cold, remorseless hitman. (The Wrap and Dark Horizons)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actress Patricia Clarkson (Easy A) is set to join the cast of the film adaptation of the James Dasher young adult sci-fi novel The Maze Runner that will star Dylan O’Brien (Teen Wolf) as a young man who awakens in a giant hedge labyrinth with no memory. He soon comes upon other boys his own age who start their own makeshift society. Clarkson will play the enigmatic Chancellor Ava Paige, the woman who is testing children in this dystopian world to find the strongest warriors. (Entertainment Weekly and Dark Horizons)

Actress Anna Kendrick (the Twilight Franchise and Pitch Perfect) will star alongside Jeremy Jordan (Smash) in the box office film called The Last 5 Years, that will be told through emotionally powerful and comic songs from their individual perspectives. The musical is a deconstruction of the love affair and marriage of Cathy Hiatt, a struggling actress, and Jamie Wellerstein, a rising novelist. (The Deadline Team)

Actor Max Greenfield (New Girl) will be back playing Deputy Leo in the much-anticipated fan-supported Veronica Mars movie. (Vlada Gelman at TV Line and Gold Derby)

BOX OFFICE TRAILER

Must Watch: First Trailer for James Ponsoldt’s ‘The Spectacular Now’

Q&A SECTION (with Natalie Abrams and Adam Bryant at TV Guide)

Question: Thanks for the Once Upon a Time scoop! Got anything on those left behind in Storybrooke or Neal? — Monica

NATALIE: How about both? “Fear not, the characters left behind in Storybrooke are not forgotten and what’s happening to them is important,” executive producer Adam Horowitz promises. “Hopefully all the story lines will coalesce in a way the audience will enjoy.” Among them is the fate of Neal, who landed back in fairy-tale land. Unfortunately, though, “Emma is on that ship believing Neal is dead and then there’s Neal, who just said, ‘I love you,'” executive producer Edward Kitsis laments. Anyone else thinking Emma may find solace in Hook’s, um, arms?

Question: Really excited for Under the Dome. Any chance you can give us a little tease? — Laura

NATALIE: If you’ve read anything about CBS’ new summer drama, then you’ll know that Secret Circle alum Britt Robertson is playing Angie, who isn’t long for the world in the Stephen King novel on which the series is based. But in a nice twist from the book, she’ll be sticking around for quite a while — she’ll just be in a somewhat familiar position that could make some Under the Dome viewers feel claustrophobic. Ruh-roh.

Question: I loved Michael and Fi’s flashback on Burn Notice last week! Will there be more? — Britney

ADAM: Yes! But not with Fi. In an upcoming episode, Michael will endure some actual (not emotional) torture, during which he’ll flash-back to his childhood, in a particular unusual manner. “The adult Michael is actually in those flashbacks with the child Michael, so he’s seeing himself as a little boy,” Jeffrey Donovan tells us. “He’s hallucinating and it’s crazy!”

Question: More Longmire scoop, please! — Dylan

NATALIE: With Walt and Branch’s campaign posters plastered all over town, you would think it would be difficult for Branch to go undercover, right? Well, yeah, you’re right. That won’t work out too well for him when they’re investigating a murder at a rodeo — but really, things aren’t working out for Branch on many fronts, especially when it comes to Cady.

Question: Can you please tell me what’s in the file Henry gave Annie on Covert Affairs? — Lisa

ADAM: Of course not! But we can tell you that it’s about not one, but two people you know very well, one of whom will make a drastic move by the end of the episode after another secret gets out. Gulp!

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

INTERNATIONAL TV NEWS

Actress Jenna-Louise Coleman (Doctor Who) has joined the cast of the three-part made-for-TV movie Death Comes To Pemberley (based on the book of the same name) for BBC One (one of the major networks in the UK), appearing as Lydia Wickham. Also part of the cast is Matthew Rhys (The Americans and Brothers and Sisters) who will play Darcy, Anna Maxwell Martin, who will play Lizzie Bennet and Mathew Goode who will play George Wickham. The story picks up six years into Elizabeth and Darcy’s marriage as they prepare for their annual ball. When Lydia arrives, she brings a shocking halt to the proceedings and a murder investigation unfolds. (Nancy Tartaglione at Deadline)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Legendary actor John Hurt has joined the cast of the FX pilot The Strain, which is based on the best-selling vampire novel trilogy from Guillermo del Toro and author Chuck Hogan. He will play Professor Abraham Setrakian, a holocaust survivor who immigrated to the United States after World War II and now runs a pawn shop in Spanish Harlem. As the outbreak spreads, he may be the only one with answers – if anyone will listen. The project is a high concept thriller that tells the story of Dr. Ephraim Goodweather (Corey Stoll), the head of the Center for Disease Control Canary Team in New York City. He and his team are called upon to investigate a mysterious viral outbreak with hallmarks of an ancient and evil strain of vampirism. When Eph realizes that this isn’t some new bio-terror weapon, but something much older, something outside the reach of science, he teams with Abraham to fight back. As a plague of hungry and intelligent predators overwhelms New York, Eph, Abraham and a motley crew of everyday New Yorkers form a ragtag resistance – fighting monsters in the streets and in their homes, waging a war for the fate of humanity itself. The cast includes Kevin Durand (Lost), Mia Maestro (Alias) and Lauren Lee Smith (Mutant X) among others. (The Futon Critic)

Actor Michael Gaston (Jericho) has joined the cast of the HBO drama pilot called The Leftovers from Damon Lindelof and abased on the book by Tom Perrotta that takes place after the Rapture happens, but not quite like it’s supposed to. It is the story of the people who didn’t make the cut… and a world that will never be the same. Gaston will play Dean, a man who seems to understand that times have changed and addresses it head on — often violently. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

ONLINE NEWS

Amazon Studios has planning on launching a drama series called Bosch, a police procedural based on the novels by Michael Connelly that focuses on Harry Bosch, a veteran police homicide detective with the Los Angeles Police Department. Amazon Studios already has two comedies and three kids shows as part of its original programming slate. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Actor Scott Foley has been promoted to series regular on Scandal for the show’s upcoming third season. Throughout season two he appeared as Jake Ballard, friend of the President of the United States and would-be-protector sans lover of Olivia Pope (series lead Kerry Washington). (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

There were also promotions made over at Grey’s Anatomy with actress Camilla Luddington, Jerrika Hinton and Tessa Ferrer as well as actor Gaius Charles all becoming series regulars for the show’s upcoming 10th season. (Michael Ausiello at TV Line)

Actor Jorge Garcia (Lost) will be making a guest appearance on an episode of Hawaii Five-0 this fall, playing a brilliant conspiracy theorist. (Sandra Gonzalez at Entertainment Weekly)

Actress Erin Cummings (Spartacus: War of the Damned) will guest star in an upcoming episode of Unforgettable, playing Eve Steele, an elite thief-for-hire who happens to bear a resemblance to NYPD detective Carrie Wells (series lead Poppy Montgomery). (Matt Mitovich at TV Line)

Actress Annet Mahendru (The Americans) and actor Mike Dopud (Mistresses) will both guest star in an upcoming fall episode of White Collar. Manhendru will play Katya, a talented Russian figure skater who shows Olympic promise while Dopud will play Sergei, a Russian gangster. (Matt Mitovich at TV Line)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Here is a list of the top 10 box office films from this past weekend courtesy of Box Office Mojo:

1. Man of Steel – $129 million
2. This is the End – $20.5 million
3. Now You See Me – $10.3 million
4. Fast & Furious 6 – $9.4 million
5. The Purge – $8.2 million
6. The Internship – $7 million
7. Epic – $6 million
8. Star Trek Into Darkness – $5.7 million
9. After Earth – $3.8 million
10 Iron Man 3 – $2.9 million

Actress Marie Avgeropoulos (Cult and the upcoming mid-season CW series The 100) has landed a role opposite Taylor Lautner (the Twilight franchise) in the box office film Tracers, an action thriller about the dangerous world of parkour. She will play Nikki, a skater girl who runs with a gang of street criminals, who bike messenger Cam (Lautner) and pulls him into her world and into a love triangle with a member of her crew. (Jen Yamato at Deadline)

Actor Iain De Caestecker (The Fades and the upcoming Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) has landed a role in the Ryan Gosling directorial debut film How To Catch A Monster. He will play the son of Christina Hendricks (Mad Men), a loner with an active imagination who is the catalyst for this film. (Mike Fleming, Jr. at Deadline)

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Here are the news items today:

TELEVISION

Actor Garret Dillahunt (Raising Hope) will reprise his role of Simon Escher (the man for whom his crimes were blamed on Michael, causing our favorite spy to be burned) on Burn Notice this summer. But it is unclear how his return will affect Michael and his team. (Megan Masters at TV Line)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actor Joseph Morgan (The Vampire Diaries and this fall’s spin-off The Originals) will join actors Walton Goggins (Justified) and Ron Perlman (Sons of Anarchy) in the film adaptation of the Craig Clevenger novel Dermaphoria. The story centers on a brilliant chemist (Morgan) who wakes up in jail after a drug-lab explosion and is suffering from amnesia. Trapped between cops who want to arrest him and heavies who will stop at nothing to get the formula buried deep inside his head, he must piece together memories fragmented by a powerful new drug and find his missing girlfriend. (Heat Vision and Dark Horizons)

Actress Emily VanCamp (Revenge) and actor Michael Nyqvist (Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol) will star in the independent flick The Girl in the Book that centers on the daughter of a powerful New York City literary agent (VanCamp) who is forced to confront painful events in her past when asked to work on the re-release of the best-selling novel of her father’s star client (Nyqvist). Forced to face difficult memories, she ultimately overcomes her demons and rediscovers her creative voice. (The Hollywood Reporter and Dark Horizons)

MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE NEWS

Actor Billy Campbell (The Killing) and Clea Duvall (Carnivale) have joined Christina Ricci in the Lifetime made-for-TV movie about Lizzie Borden. Campbell will play Borden’s attorney, Andrew Jennings, while Duvall will play Lizzie’s sister Emma. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

Q&A SECTION (with Matt Mitovich at TV Line and Sandra Gonzalez at Entertainment Weekly)

Question: Is it too soon to ask if you have any spoilers on NCIS: LA‘s 100th episode? –Emma

Mitovich: Not only is it not premature to ask about No. 100 (aka the fourth episode of Season 5), show boss Shane Brennan teases, “I already know what the last episode is for next year!” But let’s not get that ahead of ourselves. Brennan says that while the aforementioned milestone hour “may play with the show’s format a little,” it will for certain “kick off an arc that runs right through the end of the season,” which he also said will be a “watershed” one for both Deeks and Callen.

Question: Does Once Upon a Time plan on telling the current stories of the characters in Storybrooke, or will Season 3 focus on Neverland and the Enchanted Forest? –Ellie

Mitovich: In case my previous scoop on this subject did not reassure you that, as the headline said, “Storybrooke will not be forgotten,” I just confirmed that Emilie de Ravin is still a series regular for Season 3. Thus, it sounds like Belle will certainly have Maine events of her own to deal with back home.

Question: Will Once Upon a Time explain how Mulan and Aurora helped Phillip get his soul back from the wraith? –JJ

Mitovich: Series co-creator Adam Horowitz confirms that yes, that burning question will be addressed during Season 3 — and likely on the sooner side, I reckon, since Jamie Chung and Sarah Bolger have midseason pilots (NBC’s Believe, ABC’s Mixology) to get to!

Question: How is the Covert Affairs premiere?! Can you give us any scoop on it, pretty please? — Rachael

Mitovich: As Christopher Gorham previously shared, Auggie and Annie are very much a couple now — as the opening sequence makes “nakedly” clear. Likewise, when Kari Matchett told me there are “interesting things” on tap for Joan and Arthur, my lord, she was not kidding. All told, while I didn’t 100 percent follow the case at hand — Annie and Auggie “vacation” in Colombia to covertly dig into Arthur’s past while dodging the local CIA station chief (played by new series regular/CSI: NY alum Hill Harper) — the episode is chock-a-block with exposed secrets (one of which I did not see coming at all) and a final scene that promises to shake up the pecking order.

Question: Defiance‘s Stahma and Kenya…. I have no words. So, do you have scoop? — Julia

Mitovich: Right? And people thought H.G. Wells/Myka would be Syfy’s Sapphic supercouple. There’s a passing moment in the wedding episode (airing June 24) where Stahma comments to someone about the Need/Want proprietor’s “amazing touch.” Elsewhere in that hour, you’ll lay witness to a Castithan bachelor party (which frankly varies little from anything you see at Scores), get some movement on the Irisa/Tommy front, discover that [SPOILER] saved Datak’s life some years ago and learn that someone in town is concealing a massive, shocking secret. There’s also the death of two characters who’ve been with us from the start.

Question: I love ABC’s new show Motive. What is its future? When will it be back on after basketball and for how many episodes? –Judy

Mitovich: The 10 remaining episodes will begin to unspool June 27, running through early September.

Question: Does the abbreviated final-season order for Warehouse 13 mean we won’t see another Christmas special again? –Lisa

Mitovich: Sorry to hand you a lump of coal in June, but yes.

Question: I’m dying for some Suits scoop — especially about Rachel and Mike! — Meghan

Sandra: SO much goes down between these two in the July 16 premiere, and as a result, I don’t even know where to start. So let’s play a game: One or more of these things will take place in the premiere. Can you guess which one(s)? (A) Rachel will out Mike. (B) They will sleep together again. (C) One of them learns a third party saw them getting it on.

Question: Wednesday night’s Royal Pains premiere was great! I can’t believe Divya’s pregnant! And I’m worried about Hank. Need any scoop on what’s going on in the Hamptons. — Leslie

Sandra: Divya’s pregnancy twist was cool, wasn’t it? Well, next week, the sexy PA reveals to Paige the surprising reason she never anticipated having a child, but also learns that all might not be well with the baby-to-be.

Question: Teen Wolf has been PHENOMENAL this season. I’d love anything you got on Isaac, the Alpha pack or Stiles! — Josh

Sandra: Sooner rather than later, we’re going to get a little more back-story on exactly how the Alpha pack got to be so powerful (and it’s quite disturbing!). Meanwhile, Isaac and Allison are going to share an über-intense scene in a closet in the fourth episode this season … and we’re not talking about a seven-minutes-in-heaven situation.

Question: Sorry to bother you with this, Sandra, but I have to ask…can we get a Copper recap this year?
PLEASE! This show is really good and dark and gory. I think you’d have fun doing it! — Katie

Sandra: I’ll ask. If nothing else, keep an eye here for plenty of Copper scoop. Meanwhile, since you mentioned gore, I have to warn you that your stomach MAY churn during the upcoming June 23 premiere. The scene of which I speak involved Madame Eva (Franka Potente) getting a knife in the back … literally. I wish that’s as bad as it got …

Question: My Summer TV must-watch is definitely Rizzoli & Isles. I’d love some info on these kick-ass ladies. — J.L.

Sandra: I can tell you that by the end of this pair’s big return June 25, which picks up at the tail end of Maura’s recovery from surgery, two couples will rekindle their flame with some hanky-panky. (Do people under 50 use that term any more?) Guesses on the couples?

That’s it. Enjoy!

Have a terrific weekend!!

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Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Actress Erin Krakow (Army Wives) and actor Daniel Lissing (Last Resort) have joined the cast of the Hallmark Channel one-hour original scripted series When Calls The Heart, based on the Janette Oke series of best-selling books set in the Canadian West, that will debut in January 2014. The two-hour original movie that will kick things off for the series is set to debut on October 5 and will actually star Maggie Grace (Lost) and Stephen Amell (Arrow), chronicling the story of Elizabeth Thatcher, a young teacher accustomed to high society life, who receives her first classroom post in a small coal-mining town in the Western frontier lead by two strong coal-miner widows, Abigail Stanton (Lori Loughlin) and Frances Tunnecliffe (Jean Smart). (Deadline)

Actor Greg Finley (The Secret Life of the American Teenager) will have a guest appearance on Necessary Roughness, playing a high school baseball coach who Dani (series lead Callie Thorne) mistakenly enlists to help with another patient. Finley will next be seen in the mid-season CW drama Star-Crossed. (Megan Masters at TV Line)

Actress Beth Riesgraf (Leverage) will guest star in an upcoming episode of Perception, as Daisy Brannen, a fiercely loyal woman who is startled when Pierce and Moretti (series leads Eric McCormack and Rachael Leigh Cook) catch her at her boyfriend’s motel room. Daisy is terrified but protective of her mysterious beau. Perception will be back with its new season on TNT starting on June 25. (Megan Masters at TV Line)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Actress Lauren Lee Smith (CSI and Mutant X) has landed a regular ole on the high-profile drama pilot The Strain at FX that is being eyed for a 13-episode pick-up. The thriller tells the story of Dr. Ephraim Goodweather (Corey Stoll from House of Lies), the head of the Centers for Disease Control Canary Team in New York City. He and his team are called upon to investigate a mysterious viral outbreak with hallmarks of an ancient and evil strain of vampirism. Smith will play Ephraim’s ex-wife Kelly Goodweather, who after winning a bitter custody battle, she embarks on a new life with her boyfriend, but when she fails to heed her husband’s warning about the contagion spreading in Manhattan, she pays the ultimate price. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

Actor Stellan Skarsgard (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo) has joined the cast of the Cinemax drama pilot Quarry that is loosely based on a series of books by Max Allen Collins. The project centers on a Marine marksman (Logan Marshall-Green) who returns home from Vietnam in 1973 only to find himself shunned and demonized. The disillusioned vet is quickly recruited into a network of contract killers and immersed in corruption along the Mississippi River. Skarsgård will play The Broker, a shadowy figure who lures Green’s character into his criminal ranks. (Megan Masters at TV Line)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actress Emma Watson (The Perks of Being a Wallflower and the soon to be released The Bling Ring as well as the Harry Potter franchise) has landed the lead role in the upcoming box office movie (possible franchise) that is based on a trilogy of fantasy-based novels that won’t be released until 2014 called Queen of the Tearling written by Erika Johansen. The story is set three centuries after an environmental catastrophe when a malevolent Red Queen holds considerable power. (Variety and Dark Horizons)

BOX OFFICE MOVIE TRAILER

Watch: First Trailer for the Charming Sundance Comedy ‘In a World…’

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Actor Ed Burns (Alex Cross) will play notorious mobster Bugsy Siegel in a recurring role on the upcoming TNT series Lost Angels and actor Robert Knepper (Prison Break and Cult), originally set as recurring on the series, has been promoted to a series regular. Lost Angels is based on the John Buntin book “L.A. Noir”, which follows the turmoil surrounding the LAPD and ruthless criminal activities led by gangster Mickey Cohen (Jeremy Luke). After moving from the East Coast to California, Siegel quickly established himself as the Los Angeles mob leader in the late 1930s and early 1940s, with Cohen as his chief lieutenant. Siegel also was a Hollywood fixture, throwing lavish parties for Tinseltown’s biggest names. Knepper will play Sid Rothman, a rank-and-file mobster working for Cohen. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

Actor Roger Howarth (General Hospital and One Life to Live) will appear in a multi-episode arc on Californication, playing a yoga teacher in the class of Karen (Natascha McElhone), Hank’s (David Duchovny) longtime, on-again/off-again girlfriend and mother of his daughter. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

Actor Jordan Wall (The Glades) and Josh Randall (Ed) will both guest star in an upcoming episode of Drop Dead Diva. Randall will play Stuart Kane, a world-renowned L.A.-based chemistry professor who has recently fallen in love with a beautiful model. But both his flourishing career and budding romance are threatened when he’s arrested at LAX for attempting to smuggle drugs out of the country. Wall is set to play Brad Pines, a grad student in chemistry and protégé of Kane. Brad is an ambitious young researcher who puts his work on hold to support his mentor following the shocking arrest. Drop Dead Diva will be back on Lifetime starting on June 23. (Kimberly Nordyke and Lesley Goldberg at The Hollywood Reporter)

Actor Justin Bruening (All My Children) will be heading back to Switched at Birth for a guest appearance on the ABC Family series where he played Chef Jeff who had a fling with Daphne (series lead Katie Leclerc). Also, actor Larry Sullivan (CSI) will guest star in an episode of the series playing Leo, who may be the adopted father of Angelo’s (Gilles Marini) baby. (Philiana Ng at The Hollywood Reporter)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

The cable network Starz is developing a post-Civil War drama called Monsters of God that will be set in 1867 Texas during the Comanche Wars, following two powerful ex-Cavalry men — a war-hungry colonel and his seemingly by the-book executive officer — as they struggle to maintain order over the men in their command as they’re faced with the challenges of an uncivilized territory and their own inner-demons. (Lesley Goldberg at The Hollywood Reporter)

Q&A SECTION (with Adam Bryant and Natalie Abrams at TV Guide and Michael Ausiello at TV Line)

Question: Deeks and Kensi: What happens after the kiss on NCIS: Los Angeles? — Moni, via Twitter

ADAM: Well, you’re assuming that Deeks makes it out of Sidorov’s torture trap alive. (Just kidding, that’s a pretty safe bet.) But executive producer Shane Brennan cautions viewers not to make too much of the liplock. “It wasn’t a candlelit dinner,” he says. “It was almost a challenge that he threw down to her. I think it surprised both of them.” But Deeks may feel differently about the kiss after his brush with death.

Question: Any scoop on Haley and Klaus’ future on The Originals? I need my Klaroline! — Liz

NATALIE: Yes, Haley and Klaus are having a vamp/hybrid/were-baby together, but their connection pretty much ends there. “Hayley is, by no means, the Cinderella in the Klaus love story,” executive producer Julie Plec says. “Hayley is a girl who’s pretty tough, fiery, an independent spirit, a survivor in her own right who got drunk, had sex and got knocked up. She’s going to have her own journey. She’s not really meant to be a threat to Klaus’ love life. If anything, she’s the portal into his redemption.”

Question: Do you have any scoop on the “home office” on Once Upon a Time? — Jennie

NATALIE: The home office wanted to destroy magic in our world, but that doesn’t mean that Peter Pan isn’t part of it. Speaking of the mysterious organization, executive producer Adam Horowitz promises pay-off. “We’re going to explain pretty quickly what it is and how, as we showed in the finale, Greg and Tamara were unwittingly working for Peter Pan, and how that all connects.” It was curious that they were so against magic, right?

Question: I need some Rizzoli & Isles scoop! — Andrea

ADAM: As the murder trial of Maura’s mob boss dad Paddy Doyle (John Doman) draws near, Maura finds out that her birth mom Hope (Sharon Lawrence), contrary to her previous claims, might have been in contact with Paddy while he was doing his dirty dealings. How does she find out? With some unwitting help from her half-sis Cailin (Emilee Wallace).

Question: Now that Jack knows Emily’s real identity on Revenge, will they finally get together? — Robert

NATALIE: Not so fast. We asked (OK, begged) Nick Wechsler about the possibility. “I don’t think they will have them get together romantically, and if it happens, it’ll be further into the season,” he says. Instead, expect Jack to focus on his own plan for revenge. “This poor [guy] lost his dad, his dog, his wife, now his brother … it’s going to be the fire under his vengeful a–.”

Question: What’s up with Ali’s mom returning in the Pretty Little Liars premiere? — Jennie

ADAM: She’s a woman of secrets, that’s for sure. Executive producer Marlene King says that her return to Rosewood will spark even more debate amongst the girls about whether they really did see Alison during the fire last season. “She [was] redoing Alison’s room,” King notes. “Is she crazy or [is she] getting ready for Ali to come back?”

Question: Do you have any scoop on Longmire? — Joe

NATALIE: The race between Walt and Branch is heating up. Look for Cady to stump them both during a debate in which Branch definitely has the upper hand. But there will also be a more tangible test of their mettle: When gunshots ring out during the event, which candidate will come to the rescue?

Question: What’s going on with Mike and Rachel on Suits? — Linda

ADAM: Rachel still needs time to process his lie. In the meantime, look for Mike to have nightmares in which she exposes him. While those fears remain unfounded (for now), Rachel does give Mike an equally scary ultimatum: quit or suffer the consequences.

Question: Thrilled about Tatiana Maslany’s Critics Choice win! Any chance you coaxed some Orphan Black scoop out of her (and don’t tell me you didn’t speak to her — I’m armed with evidence that says you did.) —Missy

Ausiello: TVLine’s Vlada Gelman grilled the native Canadian on the red carpet (of the Critics’ Choice Awards) about one of Orphan Black‘s most enduring mysteries: Why the heck did Sarah abandon Kira in the first place? “I think she left because she didn’t know how to be a mother,” explains Maslany. “She just can’t handle that responsibility. For her, she’s always hustled and manipulated. That’s what she knows. And to have a little baby who’s reliant on her is the scariest thing that could ever happen to Sarah. I think she was in a relationship that led her down a road she wanted to get away from.” Speaking of which, who’s the daddy? Teases the actress: “[That] is a mystery still to be solved.”

Question: Please tell me Bunheads will be back for a second season. The pins and needles are starting to hurt. —Amanda

Ausiello: Breaking news directly from consulting producer Dan Palladino: The show’s still on the bubble. “There’s no official word,” AS-P’s other half tells me. “But if Bunheads is not renewed, Amy and I are going to force Sutton Foster to work with us again, at gunpoint if necessary.”

Question: Is there anything concrete yet about Hilarie Burton returning to White Collar? Not that I don’t love the idea of Bridget Regan wooing Neal, too! —Lanie

Ausiello: A White Collar source tells me “there’s discussion about bringing Sara back” but nothing is 100 percent official just yet. My gut says there will be something official in the next couple weeks.

Question: Klaroline shipper here. Please assure me that we’re not going to be forced to endure a full-fledged Klaus-Hayley romance on The Originals. —Kim

Ausiello: Why don’t I let exec producer Julie Plec assure you instead: “Hayley is, by no means, the Cinderella in the Klaus love story. Hayley is a girl who’s pretty tough, fiery, independent … a survivor in her own right who got drunk, had sex and got knocked up. She’s going to have her own journey. She’s not really meant to be a threat to Klaus’ love life.”

Question: Switched at Birth! Scoop! Go! —Val

Ausiello: Sounds like Daphne’s new love interest, Barista Jace, is going to be a bit of a slow burn. “They start off a little hesitant,” Katie Leclerc tells us. “We haven’t fully developed our relationship yet. There’s just been sort of a, ‘Oh, you’re cute.’ ‘Oh, you’re cute.’ Sparks fly.” As for Noah, he hasn’t popped up in the summer vacation episodes yet, but as Vanessa Marano points out, “He still goes to [Carlton High],” so a return is possible once class is back in session.

Question: I’d love anything you have on Pretty Little Liars. —Estee

Ausiello: Expect to see a lot more of the ‘rents this season. As exec producer Marlene King previews, “‘A’ decides that he or she has not been able to divide and conquer the Liars as desired. So, in addition to targeting them, ‘A’ is really going to put targets on the backs of their parents. They’re all under A’s thumb because of it. A big part of the mystery revolves around the Marin family.” Bonus PLL Scoop: The show is casting the recurring role of Travis, a high school-aged gas station employee who possesses a “reserved and rugged” quality and a “solid and moral” center. Which gal do you think will ding his bell?

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

GENERAL

Congrats to the winners of last night’s Critics’ Choice Awards, including (but not limited to): Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, Bryan Cranston, Tatiana Maslany, Michael Cudlitz, Monica Potter, The Big Bang Theory, Elizabeth Moss and Patton Oswalt (E! Entertainment).

TELEVISION

DirecTV has given a second season order to its first original scripted drama Rogue that starred Thandie Newton as morally and emotionally conflicted undercover detective name Grace Travis. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

Actors Alexander Ludwig (The Hunger Games) and Linus Roache (Law & Order) have joined the cast of the History Channel drama Vikings for the show’s second season. Ludwig will portray Bjorn, the intelligent and bold warrior son of Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel) while Roache will play Ecbert, King of Wessex. (Lesley Goldberg at The Hollywood Reporter)

MADE-FOR-TV MOVIES NEWS

Actor Will Rothhaar (Last Resort) has joined the cast of the National Geographic two-hour original drama Killing Kennedy that will begin in 1959, following the paths of Kennedy (Rob Lowe), a member of one of the United States’ most wealthy and powerful families and his assassin Lee Harvey Oswald (Rothhaar), a disillusioned former Marine and Marxist, until they collide in Dallas four years later. The cast also includes Ginnifer Goodwin (Once Upon a Time), Michelle Trachtenberg (Buffy and Gossip Girl) [among others]. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

British actor Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy from the Harry Potter franchise) has joined the cast of the TNT drama pilot Murder In The First as a series regular. The series will center on San Francisco PD homicide detectives Terry Seagrave (Taye Diggs) and Hildy Mulligan (Kathleen Robertson), as they take on a case that seems more like a maze. Felton will play Erich Blunt, the cocky, spectacularly wealthy CEO of Applicon, a tech genius. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

Actress Sarah Jane Morris (NCIS and Brothers & Sisters) has joined the cast of the A&E pilot Occult that will star Josh Lucas (Sweet Home Alabama) as FBI Agent Dolan, who is returning from leave after going off the deep end while investigating his wife Rebekah’s disappearance. Now back on the job, Dolan is paired with Noa Blair (Lynn Collins from True Blood), an agent who, perhaps because of her own “complicated” past, specializes in the occult. Together, they will solve cases for a newly formed occult crimes task force. Morris will play said missing wife. (Matt Mitovich at TV Line)

BOX OFFICE MOVIE NEWS

Actress Holliday Grainger (The Borgias) has joined the cast the live-action adaptation of Cinderella, where she will play one of Cinderella’s beautiful but mean stepsisters. Actress Lily James (Downton Abbey) plays Cinderella while actor Richard Madden (Game of Thrones) will play her handsome prince, and actress Cate Blanchett will play her wicked stepmother. (The Wrap and Dark Horizons)

More casting news for the Veronica Mars movie: Francis Capra, who played Eli “Weevil” Navarro on all three seasons of the TV series, will be in the movie!! (Kickstarter Update)

BOX OFFICE TRAILER

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Actress Natalie Zea (Justified and The Following) will be showing up in the CBS summer series Under the Dome, based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, starting with episode 9 and in a reversal she will be playing someone who will cause some serious trouble for the residents of Chester’s Mill (Maine) where an invisible force field has cut the entire town off from the outside world. Under the Dome is set to debut on June 24. (William Keck at TV Guide)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

HBO is working on a drama project from Karl Gajdusek, who created the short-lived TV series Last Resort and was the co-writer of the recent box office film Oblivion. This new project called The Spark is set in a world undergoing a technological/industrial revolution in the near future when contacted by a signal from beyond the solar system. It centers on the human reaction to a mystery still spiritually and technologically out of reach and follows a female protagonist as she works on the cusp of the Earth’s effort to discover the origin of the signal. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

Actor Christopher Eccleston (Doctor Who) [among others] have joined the cast of the HBO drama pilot The Leftovers (from Damon Lindelof) that will star Justin Theroux. This project is based on the Tom Perrotta novel that takes place after the Rapture happens, focusing on the people who didn’t make the cut. Eccleston, will play Matt Jamison, former Reverend and current editor of his self-published tabloid. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

THEATRE NEWS (WITH TIE-IN TO MOVIE NEWS)

Do any of you remember the independent film Waitress that starred Keri Russell (Felicity and The Americans) and Nathan Fillion (Castle)? Well if you do, you might be interested to know that award-winning producers of the Broadway play Pippin are planning to mount a musical version of the film for the stage with singer Sara Bareilles to compose the music. (Erin Strecker at Entertainment Weekly)

INTERNATIONAL TELEVISION

The UK/Ireland TV channel Sky 1 is planning to make a two-part adaptation of the John Meade Falkner adventure novel called Moonfleet into a made-for-TV movie with actor Ray Winstone set to play Elzevir Block, the leader of a band of smugglers in 18th century Dorset, England. Joining him in the cast is actor Aneurin Barnard (who will be seen in the Starz mini-series The White Queen starting in August), who will play a young newcomer to the smuggling crew as they embark on the hunt for a lost diamond. (Nancy Tartaglione at Deadline)

TV TRAILER

BBC Unveil “Luther” Third Series Trailer

MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE NEWS

Actress Christina Ricci will play legendary Lizzie Borden in a Lifetime original movie about the woman tried and acquitted in the 1892 ax murders of her mother and stepmother. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Here are the top 10 box office movies from this past weekend courtesy of Box Office Mojo:

1. The Purge – $36.4 million
2. Fast & Furious 6 – $19.8 million
3. Now You See Me – $19.5 million
4. The Internship – $18.1 million
5. Epic – $12.1 million
6. Star Trek Into Darkness – $11.7 million
7. After Earth – $8 million
8. The Hangover Part III – $7.4 million
9. Iron Man 3 – $5.8 million
10. The Great Gatsby – $4.2 million

Actors Chris Lowell (Private Practice) and Percy Daggs III have officially joined the cast of the much-anticipated Veronica Mars movie. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline and Kickstarter Updates)

That’s it. Enjoy!

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