Now that the networks are providing year-round programming, TV viewers are getting the chance to see a wide array of programming be it on the major or cable networks. This summer there are a number of returning favorites as well as some interesting new shows getting ready to hit the airwaves.
There will be familiar faces on these new shows as well as some up-and-coming actors and actresses for whom we should all play a little extra attention to because they just might become the next “It” girl or guy.
The following – in no particular order – are some of the faces of 2011 summer TV that I think viewers should pay closer attention to:
Tyler Posey and Crystal Reed
Tyler Posey and Crystal Reed appear in the new MTV series Teen Wolf. This much darker look at teenage werewolves (much unlike the 1980’s box office movie for which this series is very loosely based), stars Tyler in the lead role of Scott McCall, a high school student bitten by an animal only to learn it was a werewolf. That animal attack has now forever changed his life and the lives of those around him, including the new girl in school Allison (Crystal Reed) whose father just happens to be a werewolf hunter. Teen Wolf will have its two-night premiere on June 5 and 6 (check your local listings for airtimes).
Drew Roy
Where Have You Seen Them Before – Tyler was Jennifer Lopez’s little son in the box office film Maid in Manhattan and he has starred in the TV shows Doc, Brothers & Sisters, Lincoln Heights and the made-for-TV movie Into the West. Crystal is a relative newcomer with small roles in episodes of Rizzoli & Isles, CSI, CSI: NY and the box office movie Skyline. She will also soon be seen in the upcoming box office film Crazy, Stupid, Love.
Seychelle Gabriel
Drew Roy and Seychelle Gabriel are among the cast of the upcoming alien invasion series Falling Skies that will have a 2-hour debut on TNT on June 19. Drew plays Hal Mason, the oldest of three sons to former history professor Tom Mason (Noah Wyle), who are part of a small band of survivors of a horrific alien invasion of Earth. Seychelle plays Lourdes, one of the other teen survivors.
Katie Leclerc
Where Have I Seen Them Before – Drew is best known to young viewers for his role on Hannah Montana, but he also appeared in the box office movie Secretariat and in the TV series Lincoln Heights. Meanwhile, Seychelle appeared in the box office films The Last Airbender and The Spirit as well as several episodes of Weeds.
Sean Berdy
Katie Leclerc and Sean Berdy are both talented hearing-impaired actors who will be star in the new ABC Family Channel series Switched at Birth, which debuts on June 6. Katie plays Daphne Vasquez, one of two babies who were inadvertently switched at birth, learning the truth of her origins at the age of 15. Sean plays Emmett, the son of Daphne’s mother’s best friend.
Where Have I Seen Them Before – Sean is a relative newcomer who has been acting since he was a little boy as a comedian and live performer. Meanwhile Katie is also fairly new, but she has appeared in small roles in Veronica Mars, The Ex List and The Riches.
Skyler Samuels and Benjamin Stone
Skyler Samuels and Benjamin Stone are two of the cast members of another new series from the ABC Family Channel called The Nine Lives of Chloe King, which debuts on June 14 (after the return of Pretty Little Liars). Skyler plays lead character Chloe King, who starts developing heightened abilities and learns she’s part of an ancient race which has been hunted by human assassins for millennia. Benjamin plays Alek Petrov, who is also from this ancient race and tries to help Chloe comes to terms with her new life.
Where Have I Seen Them Before – Skyler was one of the cast members of last summer’s TV show The Gates, but she also made guest appearances on the TV shows That’s So Raven and Wizards of Waverly Place as well as the box office movies The Stepfather and Furry Vengeance. Benjamin appeared in several episodes of the short-lived TV series 10 Things I Hate About You and did voice work on video games for the Harry Potter franchise.
Laura Mennell
Laura Mennell and Warren Christie are two of the actors in the new Syfy series Alphas that focuses on a group of ordinary citizens with extraordinary mental and physical abilities. Laura plays Nina Theroux and Warren plays Cameron Hicks. Alphas debuts on July 11 after the returns of Eureka and Warehouse 13.
Warren Christie
Where Have I Seen Them Before – Laura has guest starred in episodes of countless shows such as Smallville, Sanctuary, Supernatural, Fringe, Eureka, Blood Ties, The 4400, Stargate: Atlantis and Dead Like Me. She has also appeared in the made-for-TV movies Flight 93, Fallen and Montana Sky (based on the Nora Roberts novel) and the box office films Watchmen, Thir13en Ghosts and Trick ‘r Treat. Meanwhile, Warren was one of the cast members of October Road and the short lived series Happy Town. He also had guest appearances in Supernatural, The L Word, Battlestar Galactica, Ghost Whisperer and Flashpoint. He has appeared in the made-for-TV movies The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Malibu Shark Attack, 10.5, Lucky 7 and Three Weeks, Three Kids.
Alexandra Chando
Alexandra Chando and Alice Greczyn appear in the new ABC Family Channel series The Lying Game, based on the books by Sara Shepard (who is also the author of the Pretty Little Liars series of books). Alexandra plays the dual role of Emma and Sutton, identical twin sisters who were mysteriously separated, with one of the twins ending up a foster kid and the other being adopted by a wealthy family. Alice plays the role of Madeline otherwise known as “Mads” who is one of Sutton’s friends from school. This new show is set to debut on August 15.
Alice Greczyn
Where Have I Seen Them Before – Alexandra is best known to soap opera viewers for her role in As the World Turns, but she also appeared in the web series Rockville CA and in episodes of Medium and the short-lived series Glory Daze. Meanwhile, Alice has appeared in Lincoln Heights, Privileged and Make It or Break It as well as the short-lived series The Quintuplets and Windfall. She was also in the films Sleepover and The Dukes of Hazzard.
Keep your eyes on these actors and actresses, as they could easily become some of the next “It” boys and girls. Mark your calendars for the debuts of these shows too.
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Rueben's Ramblings 