Hey All,
Here are the news items for this past week:
CANCELLATIONS
Syfy has cancelled Krypton after two seasons. (The Hollywood Reporter)
CBS has cancelled Instinct after two seasons. (TV Line)
BOX OFFICE MOVIE NEWS
Actress Awkwafina will star in the fantasy-adventure film The Last Adventure of Constance Verity, that follows Constance Verity who, for mysterious reasons, was thrust into a battle with the supernatural from the moment she was born, and has been saving the world from disaster ever since. She’s exhausted and wants to sample what she has missed out on: a boyfriend, a normal job, best friends. But it’s not easy to walk away from a life of adventure when in fact you are the chosen one. (Variety)
Actors Raymond Cruz (Breaking Bad, The Closer and Major Crimes) and Brendan Fehr (Roswell and The Night Shift) will appear alongside Heather Graham, Aaron Eckhart and Katheryn Winnick (Vikings) in the upcoming box office conspiracy thriller Wander that follows Arthur Bretnik (Eckhart), a mentally unstable private investigator, who, after being hired to probe a suspicious death in the town of Wander, becomes convinced the case is linked to the same ‘conspiracy cover up’ that caused the death of his daughter. (Deadline)
TV CASTING NEWS
Actor Jason Ritter (Kevin Probably Saves the World) has landed a multi-episode arc on the ABC drama A Million Little Things playing someone with ties to Maggie’s (Allison Miller) mother, Patricia (Melora Hardin). Upon his arrival in Maggie’s life, this stranger will “upend everything.” Chandler Riggs, Drea de Matteo and James Tupper are also set to return, as PJ, Barbara and Andrew. A Million Little Things kicks off Season 2 on September 26. (TV Line)
Actress Kartina Law (Arrow) will join the cast of Hawaii Five-0 this fall, playing Quinn Liu, a former Staff Sergeant with Army CID who was recently demoted for insubordination. After an explosive collision with Five-0 during a case involving veterans, she becomes a loyal ally to the team. Sharp-tongued in several languages, she has a deep understanding of military culture, a mysterious past and a deft ability to match wits with McGarrett. (TV Line)
BET+ (the streaming service from BET Networks) has greenlit the two-hour movie Sacrifice, a legal thriller that will star Paula Patton (Precious) as Daniella Hernandez, an entertainment lawyer navigating the nefarious lives of her rich and famous clients. Erica Ash (In Contempt) will play a powerful DA and sorority sister of Daniella. (The Hollywood Reporter)
Professional wrestler and actress Ronda Rousey will appear in the upcoming season 3 of 9-1-1 on FOX, playing Lena Bosko, a stoic and fearless member of the Los Angeles Fire Department Station 136 who leaps into action to save lives when a disaster hits. (Deadline and The Futon Critic)
Actress Keesha Sharp (Lethal Weapon) will have a recurring role in the upcoming 6th and final season of FOX’s drama Empire, playing Dr. Paula Wick, a smart, insightful woman who offers endless compassion but doesn’t take sh*t from anyone. (Deadline)
Actress Sarah Chalke (Scrubs and Roseanne) will star opposite Katherine Heigl (Suits and Grey’s Anatomy) in the upcoming Netflix 10-episode series adaptation of Kristin Hannah’s best-selling book Firefly Lane that centers on two inseparable best friends – legendary talk show host Tully (Heigl) and the awkward and shy Kate (Chalke) – and tracks their enduring, complicated bond over the course of four decades, as they weather career ups and downs, love triangles, marriage and divorce, and countless dramas along the way. Also, actor Ben Lawson (Designated Survivor) will play Kate’s ex-husband Ryan, who also has a long history working with Tully. (TV Line)
Relative newcomer Michael Cimino has landed the lead role in Love, Simon, the forthcoming sequel series at Disney+ based on the box office movie that starred Nick Robinson in the lead role. Robinson will return as the show’s narrator. Set in the world of the film, the series follows Victor (Cimino), a new student at Creekwood High School on his own journey of self-discovery, facing challenges at home, adjusting to a new city, and struggling with his sexual orientation. When it all seems too much, he reaches out to Simon to help him navigate the ups and downs of high school. Actress Ana Ortiz (Ugly Betty, Devious Maids and Whiskey Cavalier) will play Victor’s smart and warm mother, who loves her husband and her family, but is under a lot of pressure as they move their family across the country. (TV Line)
MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE NEWS
Actresses Penelope Ann Miller and Mia Kirshner will headline the upcoming Lifetime movie The College Admissions Scandal, following the story of two wealthy mothers, Caroline (Miller), a sought-after interior designer and Bethany (Kirshner), an owner of a successful financial services firm, who share an obsession with getting their teenagers into the best possible college. When charismatic college admissions consultant Rick Singer (Michael Shanks, Stargate: Atlantis, Saving Hope) offers a side door into the prestigious institutions of their dreams, Caroline and Bethany willingly partake with visions of coveted acceptance letters in their heads. But when Singer cooperates with the FBI and pleads guilty, the mothers who risked everything for their kids, must face the consequences of their crimes and the loss of trust and respect from their families. (Deadline)
Actor George Newbern (Scandal), Phil Morris (Doom Patrol) and Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) have landed supporting roles in the ABC holiday movie Same Time, Next Christmas that will star Glee actress Lea Michele as Olivia Henderson, a young woman who met her childhood sweetheart, Jeff, during her family’s annual Christmas visit to Hawaii. After being separated by distance and years, the two reunite at the same Hawaii resort years later and the old chemistry between them flares up anew – but circumstances conspire to keep them apart. Newbern will play Woody Harrison, Olivia’s father, a laid-back easygoing southern California man who is still deeply in love with Faye, his wife of more than 30 years. Vardalos will portray Faye Henderson, Olivia’s mother, a fit, attractive woman, a vegetarian who does yoga and keeps her husband Woody on a healthy regimen as well. Morris is Alec Cutler, Jeff’s dad, an energetic, funny guy who was widowed early on, made an unfortunate second marriage, and has kept resolutely single ever since. A competitive guy who speaks in amusing sports metaphors. He befriended the Henderson family on his family’s annual Christmas visits to Hawaii. (Deadline)
That’s it. Enjoy!
