Tag Archives: TV cast

Correction: Lea Michele, Chris Colfer, Cory Monteith are NOT leaving ‘Glee’, spin-off plans halted

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It’s time to make a Glee about-face. Shortly after Glee co-creator Ryan Murphy told The Hollywood Reporter that the show’s stars Lea Michele, Chris Colfer, and Cory Monteith would not be returning to the FOX musical comedy for season 4, fellow co-creator Brad Falchuk set things straight at Comic Con: “Here’s the exact thing: [Rachel, Kurt and Finn] are seniors, so they’re graduating, but because they’re graduating that doesn’t mean they’re leaving the show. If you have Lea Michele under contract, you don’t say, ‘We’re gonna let you go.’” He added, “It was never our plan or our intention to let them go. They are not done with the show after this season.”

So the three of them will be back for season 4! Now why did Murphy say that they wouldn’t come back? What’s up with the co-creator contradiction? In a post-Comic Con interview with Deadline, Murphy revealed that he was indeed investigating a spin-off starring the three actors. He was hoping that the Glee trio would graduate from McKinley High and move to New York City (an idea planted in the season 2 finale) to explore their career in the arts. In fact, Murphy went so far as calling the Juliard School to make it a backdrop for the new show. However, things started to fall apart when one or more of the actors became resistant about moving to a different city to shoot the show. And as of now, spinoff plans have halted. In Murphy’s own words:

We’re not talking about it, we’re not pitching it. We’re not doing anything for the next several months except for this third season. I would prefer and I know Brad would prefer and I think the actors will prefer to roll up our sleeves and do a really good season and if there is a spin-off, talk about it in April. Could we do a spin-off? To be quite honest with you, maybe. Some of the actors that we discussed doing spin-offs do not want to do a spin-off. It’s hard to do a spin-off on a show where an actor says no. And if there’s no spin-off, then we’ll announce that there’s not. But as of now, I can tell you I’m not working on it.

It all break down like this: Rachel, Kurt, and Finn are graduating at the end of season 3. They will be back for season 4 (and potentially seasons 5, 6, and 7 since they all signed seven-year contracts). What role they will play in that season is still to be determined. And a spin-off series might happen sometime after season 3. Gleeks, you can relax now.

While we’re at it, let’s put a neat little bow on the Chord Overstreet story. Falchuk spilled that Overstreet (who played Sam Evans) was offered a deal to return for ten episodes next season with the possibility of becoming a series regular in the same way Harry Shum Jr. (Mike Chang) and Darren Criss (Blaine) worked their way from guest star to regular status. In the end Overstreeet declined the offer. “We wanted him back because we like Chord personally and had some good stories planned for him and with Mercedes,” revealed Falchuk. “He decided he would have opportunities elsewhere that he would like to pursue, and we can’t force him to work, so we wished him well.” It has been confirmed that Overstreet will not return for any episodes next season. So long, Trouty Mouth.

[Via EW; TVLine; Deadline]

Odette Annable joins ‘House’ as series regular

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Still can’t get over the fact that FOX decided to cancel the rising midseason comedy Breaking In? Though there’s still an eensy bit of hope that the network might resurrect the Christian Slater/Brett Harrison sitcom from the grave, we can all sleep well at night now that we know Breaking In breakout female star Odette Annable is returning to the small screen to assist Dr. House and his team of diagnosticians this fall. That’s right–Annable is bringing her charm to the FOX medical drama where she will serve as a series regular. As Deadline so astutely points out, this marks the first regular addition to the cast since the promotion of Olivia Wilde, Peter Jacobson, and Kal Penn in season four. According to various sources, House will meet Annable’s character in the season seven premiere and she’ll be requested to join him at Princeton-Plainsboro. With Lisa Edelstein’s Dr. Cuddy and Amber Tamblyn’s Martha Masters out of the show (and Olivia Wilde’s Thirteen in and out due to blossoming movie deals), Annable (as of right now) will be the only full-time female cast member next season. This may change soon once the team behind House casts Cuddy’s replacement. And for all you Breaking In fans hoping for a comeback, fear not; Deadline reports, “There is time carved into Annable’s deal for House that would allow her to also do Breaking In should Fox opt to pick up the series for a second season.” Booyah!

[Via Deadline]

Lea Michele, Chris Colfer, Cory Monteith not returning to ‘Glee’ for season 4; Rachel & Kurt spinoff coming soon?

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In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Glee co-creator Ryan Murphy confirmed that show regulars Lea Michele, Chris Colfer, Cory Monteith will not be returning to the FOX musical comedy for season 4. Rachel Berry, Kurt Hummel, and Finn Hudson are seniors and will be graduating from McKinley High at the end of the upcoming season. Murphy explains, “You can keep them on the show for six years and people will criticize you for not being realistic, or you can be really true to life and say when they started the show they were very clearly sophomores and they should graduate at the end of their senior year.” He’s taking the latter route, and although I commend the creative team for keeping things realistic in terms of who stays and goes, it will be with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to these cast members so early in the show’s lifespan. And to make matters tougher for Gleeks, Murphy hints that “more characters are leaving than are staying” by the time graduation rolls around. He added, “We’ve never done anything by the book. We made that decision and I involved Chris [Colfer] and Lea [Michele] and they thought that was a good idea. They both trust the writing and trust me and felt that it would be great to have an open and closed experience for them to go out while they were on top.”

When TVLine mentioned the news to Colfer he said, “It’s definitely not my choice. But I completely understand that it works for the integrity of the show. One of the things that I love about Glee is, despite characters breaking into song in the middle of the hallway, it was very real to me. It always seemed like a very real high school environment. And I think by having some characters graduate, they’ll continue having that element.” Michele took to Twitter and reacted like this: “We always knew we’d graduate in real time. It’s all part of the plan and it’s all good! It’s going to make Season 3 amazing!!!”

Sidenote here: Ever since the season 2 finale where the gang travels to New York City to compete for Nationals, people have been hoping that Murphy imagines a spinoff series starring Rachel and Kurt. The creative team certainly planted the seeds for a possible spinoff. In “New York,” the two of them visit the Broadway set of Wicked and discuss their futures. Rachel says that after they graduate from high school she wants to go to college in New York; she says, “This is where I belong.” Kurt replies, “I’m so coming, too.” In June Murphy tackled the idea head-on with TVLine; “It’s an interesting idea,” he said. “The questions are ‘How would we do it? And when would we do it?’ It would have to be something I would talk about to Peter Rice and Kevin Reilly and Dana Walden and Gary Newman. What we’re trying to do now — maybe those discussions will happen around December — we’re just now trying to do the first 10 episodes.” Something to keep on your radar.

Forcing out fan favorites is an interesting choice to be made. Michele and Moneith are certainly considered the show’s female and male leads, and Colfer has been nominated for his efforts two years in a row. Once they’re gone, Murphy and company will have to find more members to join New Directions; casting is bound to start soon, and I’m sure the writing staff is already cooking up ways to introduce new characters throughout the upcoming season (one of which will come from Oxygen’s Glee Project).

Glee returns Tuesday, September 20 on FOX. The season three premiere will reveal all the departing graduates and confirm who’s safe for season four.

[Via THR]

James Spader joins ‘The Office’ as new Sabre CEO

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Following his short but oh-so-sweet cameo on The Office season seven finale this past May, James Spader (Boston Legal) will return next season as a regular. He will replace Kathy Bates’ Jo Bennett as he quickly rises in the ranks to become the Sabre CEO. Office executive producer and series regular Paul Lieberstein (Toby) explains: “James will reprise his role as Robert California, this uber-salesman that has a power to convince and manipulate, like a high-class weirdo Jedi warrior. He’ll have been hired over the summer as the new manager, but within hours, got himself promoted. Within days, he took over the company. James has an energy that is completely his own, and ‘The Office’ has no tools for dealing with this guy. We’re thrilled he’s joining our cast.”

If you need a refresh on the character hop over to Hulu to watch Spader’s phenomenally entrancing performance as Robert California, a very smart man who firmly believes “there is no such thing as a product…there is only sex.”

[Via Deadline]

‘Glee’ keeps Darren Criss & Harry Shum Jr., drops Trouty Mouth [Update: not so fast…]

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Gleeks–you take the good, you take the bad, you take them both, and there you have the facts of life. The FOX hit show is keeping two stars and dropping one Trouty Mouth for season three. Kurt’s teenage dream Darren Criss and professional dancer Harry Shum Jr. will return as series regulars next season, while Chord Overstreet’s series regular option has not been picked up meaning that McKinley High will say goodbye to the student infamously known as Trouty Mouth. According to TVLine, Overstreet “could return as an occasional guest star” throughout the season. But what of the newly kindled romance between Sam and Mercedes? I’m sure the writers are mulling a way around it. Ever since Overstreet took on Justin Beiber’s songs in “Comeback” it’s been hard for me to invest much in his character. At least he’s taking the news positively; he recently tweeted, “It’s been a good year. Too bad it’s over. Time for summer and starting fresh.”

Update: According to TVLine, this may not mark the end of Trouty Mouth just yet. According to their source, “[Chord Overstreet’s] option to be a series regular was just not picked up at this time. If Chord wants to appear on Glee, the choice is his. The Glee writers like his Sam character, and have plans to write for him. He and his reps have been told that he is welcome back to Glee, and everyone hopes he will show up on August 10 when filming begins.” The source reminds us that it took “two years [for Harry Shum Jr.] to become a regular” and “If Chord has a great season, which we expect he will, then he will become a regular like Harry, possibly as early as January.” And there you have it. It’s up to Overstreet to return; we shall find out the verdict later this summer.

[Via TVLine 1, 2]

‘Hawaii Five-0’ casts Richard T. Jones as new governor

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Following the events of the pivotal Hawaii Five-0 season finale, the show has had a gaping hole to fill. Spoiler alert! Antagonist Wo Fat skillfully framed Steve McGarrett for the murder of the Aloha state’s governor played by Jean Smart. Next season, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles alum Richard T. Jones (he played Agent Ellison) will replace Smart as governor in a recurring role. According to TV Guide’s source, the “new governor will be more conservative than [Smart’s] Jameson and keep a tighter leash on McGarrett and his team.” Also, “[he’ll be] cleaning up a lot of the mess left by the previous administration.” Jones contributed remarkably to the short-lived Terminator series, and I’m excited to see what he’ll bring to the table on H50.

Jones joins Terry O’Quinn and Tom Sizemore as new cast members on the show. Sizemore (Crash) will play a former Detroit Homicide Detective turned head of Hawaii police department’s Internal Affairs unit for a multi-episode arc, according to EW. His task will be to investigate the Five-0 team following last season’s mishaps including the governor’s murder and the stolen police money.

[Via TVLine 1, 2; TVGuide; EW; IGN]

Upfronts: CBS 2011-2012 Schedule

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Ready for some brand-spankin’ new TV!? Every year the big networks hold their own press events to preview their new programming to advertisers and audiences. The Upfronts is a time when the networks release TV program information to the public like the creators, producers, and stars behind their new fall and mid-season shows. Jump after the break to browse the Eye’s upcoming TV lineup; there you’ll find trailers, synopses, and the complete fall schedule. But first start here and get acquainted with the fresh programming.

CBS’s 2011-12 schedule includes 6 new series. New comedies include 2 Broke Girls and How To Be a Gentleman. New dramas include Unforgettable, Person of Interest, A Gifted Man, and The 2-2.

When and where can you find these programs in the schedule? I’ll tell you! Monday night is brimming with half-hour comedies; How I Met Your Mother, newbie 2 Broke Girls, Two and a Half Men (with Ashton Kutcher taking over for Charlie Sheen), and Mike & Molly will run between 8PM and 10PM. The final hour of the night is home to the fantastic Hawaii Five-O remake. NCIS and the spinoff NCIS: Los Angeles will lead into the new drama Unforgettable on Tuesdays. Reality show Survivor: Pacific Island kicks off Wednesday nights, followed by Criminal Minds (its spinoff Suspect Behavior has been canned) and CSI. This is the first time the original CSI has been moved from its Thursday 9PM slot in ten years. So what will CBS place in that coveted timeslot? The new drama from J.J. Abrams and Jonah Nolan, that’s what! Person of Interest, starring Jim Caviezel and Michael Emerson (Lost), will occupy the Thursday 9PM position, wedged between comedies The Big Bang Theory, How To Be A Gentleman, and drama The Mentalist. Friday night opens with new drama A Gifted Man, followed by CSI: NY and Blue Bloods. CBS is experimenting by placing network vet Rules of Engagement at 8PM on Saturdays, and this scripted comedy will be followed by other Saturday programming including 48 Hours Mystery. Notably, The Good Wife has moved to Sundays at 9PM, and it will be preceded by 60 Minutes and The Amazing Race; CSI: Miami closes out the night at 10PM.

A couple of CBS shows are being held for mid-season premieres. The third season of the reality series Undercover Boss as well as freshman drama The 2-2 from executive producer Robert De Niro will air later next year.

And if you’re keeping track, the following CBS shows have been cancelled and will not be returning next season: $#*! My Dad Says, Mad Love, Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior, and The Defenders.

Continue reading Upfronts: CBS 2011-2012 Schedule →

Upfronts: ABC 2011-2012 Schedule

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Ready for some brand-spankin’ new TV!? Every year the big networks hold their own press events to preview their new programming to advertisers and audiences. The Upfronts is a time when the networks release TV program information to the public like the creators, producers, and stars behind their new fall and mid-season shows. Jump after the break to browse the alphabet network’s upcoming TV lineup; there you’ll find trailers, synopses, and the complete fall schedule. But first start here and get acquainted with the fresh programming.

ABC’s 2011-12 schedule includes 13 new series. New comedies include Last Man Standing, Man Up, Suburgatory, Apartment 23, and Work It. New dramas include Revenge, Charlie’s Angels, Once Upon a Time, Pan Am, Good Christian Belles, Missing, The River, and Scandal.

When and where can you find these programs in the schedule? I’ll tell you! Nothing new on Mondays; there you’ll hit Dancing with the Stars (two hour performance show) and Castle. Tuesday packs two new comedies, more reality TV, and a returning drama; Tim Allen makes his return to primetime in Last Man Standing at 8PM, followed by Man Up, Dancing with the Stars (one hour results show), and Body of Proof. Wednesday night is still comedy night for ABC; new comedy Suburgatory is sandwiched between The Middle and Modern Family at the 8:30PM slot and the buzzy newcomer Happy Endings will return for a second season in the comfy post-Modern Family slot. New drama Revenge closes out the night at 10PM. Thursday is still home to Grey’s Anatomy and spin-off Private Practice, but now the night is anchored by the Charlie’s Angels remake. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition has moved to Friday at 8PM to join Shark Tank and 20/20. Saturday has Saturday Night College Football. And Sunday is stuffed with three scripted dramas; new dramas Once Upon a Time and Pan Am surround ABC vet Desperate Housewives. America’s Funniest Home Videos will air that night in the early 7:30PM slot.

A number of ABC shows are being held for mid-season premieres. Cougar Town will return for a third season in the spring, as will The Bachelor, Secret Millionaire, What Would You Do?, and Wipeout; and the following new series will enter the fray around this time as well: comedies Apartment 23, Work It and dramas Good Christian Belles, Missing, The River, and Scandal.

And if you’re keeping track, the following ABC shows have been cancelled and will not be returning next season: No Ordinary Family, V, Brothers & Sisters, Detroit 1-8-7, Off the Map, The Whole Truth, Mr. Sunshine, Better With You, and My Generation.

*In case you’re wondering, ABC opted not to bring to series the Terry O’Quinn (Lost) starrer Hallelujah from Marc Cherry (Desperate Housewives).

Continue reading Upfronts: ABC 2011-2012 Schedule →

Upfronts: FOX 2011-2012 Schedule

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Ready for some brand-spankin’ new TV!? Every year the big networks hold their own press events to preview their new programming to advertisers and audiences. The Upfronts is a time when the networks release TV program information to the public like the creators, producers, and stars behind their new fall and mid-season shows. Jump after the break to browse FOX’s upcoming TV lineup; there you’ll find trailers, synopses, and the complete fall schedule. But first start here and get acquainted with the fresh programming.

FOX’s 2011-12 schedule includes 12 new series. New comedies include New Girl, I Hate My New Daughter, Allen Gregory, and Napoleon Dynamite (the latter two are animated cartoons). New dramas include Terra Nova, Alcatraz, and The Finder. The X-Factor is the sole reality show addition for next season.

When and where can you find these programs in the schedule? I’ll tell you! Monday night packs two dramas; FOX staple House (which will be entering its eighth and likely final season, without Lisa Edelstein, see below) is being pushed to the 9PM slot to cushion Steven Spielberg’s highly buzzed about dino-epic Terra Nova. Tuesday night remains comedy night with the Zooey Deschanel-starrer New Girl cushioned between Glee and Raising Hope at the 9PM slot. Simon Cowell’s next big competition reality series The X Factor will air its one-and-a-half-hour performance show Wednesday nights and the one-hour results show the following night. I Hate My Teenage Daughter, a half-hour comedy starring Jaime Pressly, airs after the performance show on Wednesdays; FOX veteran Bones airs after the results show on Thursdays. Friday nights will be familiar to all: Gordon Ramsey’s Kitchen Nightmares and the best sci-fi show on TV Fringe will occupy the 8PM and 9PM slots respectively. Saturdays are home to back-to-back episodes of Cops, followed by America’s Most Wanted. FOX has all but cancelled their longest running series; AMW is being limited to four quarterly two-hour specials. And lastly Sunday night is Animation Domination, per usual. Following the NFL-post game The OT, the following animated ‘toons will air between 7:30PM and 10PM: The Cleveland Show, The Simpsons, Allen Gregory (new), Family Guy, and American Dad.

A number of FOX shows are being held for mid-season premieres. American Idol returns January 22 and will take over The X Factor‘s positions on Wednesday and Thursday nights. House will be bumped back to the 8PM slot to make way for the new mysterious series from J.J. Abrams called Alcatraz on Monday. Following the Idol results show on Thursday will be the Bones spinoff The Finder. And the spring Animation Domination Sunday looks like this: ‘toon encores will air in the early 7:30PM slot, Napoleon Dynamite get sandwiched between The Cleveland Show, The Simpsons, and Family Guy, and Bob’s Burgers will occupy American Dad‘s 9:30PM slot. When Glee goes on a short hiatus between March and April, FOX plans to expand the Tuesday night comedy block with single-camera comedy Family Album (starring Glee‘s Mike O’Malley) and Little in Common (starring Rob Corddry and Kevin Hart); one or both may make the cut. Lastly, Tim Kring’s Touch starring Kiefer Sutherland is also being saved for a mid-season launch.

And if you’re keeping track, FOX went mad and cancelled the following shows; these will not be returning next season: Human Target, Lie To Me, The Chicago Code, Breaking In, Traffic Light, Running Wilde, and The Good Guys.

*Dr. Cuddy is checking out of House early. This unfortunate news comes after many of the other stars re-upped their contracts for the upcoming season. Lisa Edelstein’s original contract expires at the end of this current season, and she decided to not follow her castmates into what’s likely to be the show’s final season. The show is undergoing some budgetary cuts, and so her decision not to come back is likely due to a pay cut. Bummer. This is what Edelstein had to say on the matter: “After much consideration, I am moving onward with a combination of disappointment at leaving behind a character I have loved playing for seven years and excitement of the new opportunities in acting and producing that lie ahead.”

*FOX has decided not to pick up the anticipated spooky sci-fi series Locke and Key from Josh Friedman, Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman, and some guy named Steven Spielberg. The show, based on the Joe Hill comic book of the same name, is currently being shopped around network and cable station. Sources say studio 20th Century Fox TV is pitching it to The CW and Syfy, so let’s hope the adaptation can find a home elsewhere before it turns to dust.

*The network has locked a deal with Warner Bros. to bring back The Flintstones to broadcast TV! Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane has been tapped to helm the venture. And for him this is a life-long dream come true. In fact, MacFarlane claims that Fred Flintstone was the first cartoon character he ever drew at age 2. The Flintstones will return to animated form in 2013 with production beginning this fall. MacFarlane commented on the exciting news: “So it’s appropriate that events have come full circle, allowing me to produce the newest incarnation of this great franchise. Plus, I think America is finally ready for an animated sitcom about a fat stupid guy with a wife who’s too good for him.” He added that while the characters will remain the same, new technology will enter the land. He questioned, “What is the animal version of an iPad?” FOX president Kevin Reilly said, “The Flintstones are among the funniest and most beloved characters in television history, and we can’t wait to introduce them to a whole new generation on Fox. FOX has long been home to iconic families like the Simpsons and the Griffins, so I have no doubt that the Flintstones and the Rubbles are going to fit right in on our air.”

Continue reading Upfronts: FOX 2011-2012 Schedule →

Upfronts: NBC 2011-2012 Schedule

News, Television, Video, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Ready for some brand-spankin’ new TV!? Every year the big networks hold their own press events to preview their new programming to advertisers and audiences. The Upfronts is a time when the networks release TV program information to the public like the creators, producers, and stars behind their new fall and mid-season shows. Jump after the break to browse the Peacock’s upcoming TV lineup; there you’ll find trailers, synopses, and the complete fall schedule. But first start here and get acquainted with the fresh programming.

NBC’s 2011-12 schedule includes 12 new series. New comedies include All Night, Free Agents, Whitney, Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea, Bent and BFF. New dramas include The Playboy Club, Prime Suspect, Grimm, The Firm, Smash, and Awake.

When and where can you find these programs in the schedule? I’ll tell you! On Monday and Tuesday, NBC is pairing new and returning dramas (respectively) with returning reality shows. On Monday The Sing-Off airs from 8-10PM and is followed by The Playboy Club. On Tuesday, The Biggest Loser airs from 8-10PM and is followed by Parenthood. Wednesday serves as a hybrid comedy/drama block for the network. New half-hour comedies Up All Night and Free Agents are followed by returning series Harry’s Law and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Thursday is packed with four half-hour comedies–Community, Parks and Recreation, The Office, and freshman Whitney and closes the night with the new drama Prime Suspect. The confirmed final season of Chuck (which will consist of 13 episodes) moves to Friday and is followed by new genre drama Grimm and Dateline NBC. Saturday is home to encore programming, and Sunday has NFL-related programs Football Night in America and NBC Sunday Night Football.

A number of NBC shows are being held for mid-season premieres. 30 Rock will return to Thursday at an unspecified time-slot; the post-football Sunday lineup will consist of Dateline NBC, The Celebrity Apprentice (Trump announced he is not running for president so he will return as the boss), and new drama The Firm; on Mondays The Sing-Off and The Playboy Club will make way for the second season of The Voice (in a two-hour format) and new musical drama Smash; and the following new series will enter the fray around this time as well: comedies Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea, BFF, Bent, and drama Awake.

And if you’re keeping track, the following NBC shows have been cancelled and will not be returning next season: The Cape, The Event, Chase, Law & Order: Los Angeles, Outsourced, and Perfect Couples.

*As specified above The Event will not be returning to NBC next season, however it may not be 100% dead yet. Executive producer Steve Stark is apparently not giving up on the show so fast. According to various sources he is shopping the underwhelming sci-fi drama to various cable and digital entities including Netflix. Universal Media Studio is providing “full support” for a potential move. Says Stark, “NBC has been an amazing partner, it launched the show beautifully.” Added creator Nick Wauters, “We have a dedicated fan base, and we promised them we will deliver one way or another and will continue to tell our stories.” If The Event does get picked up for a second chance at life, you’ll find out as soon as I get wind of it.

Continue reading Upfronts: NBC 2011-2012 Schedule →

It’s official: Robert Knepper will reprise T-Bag in A&E’s ‘Breakout Kings’, bringing Lost’s Jacob with him

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Good news all around!  Back in early October Prison Break producers Matt Olmstead and Nick Santora shared their interest in reviving Prison‘s ultimate villain Theodore “T-Bag” Bagwell for their new fugitive-themed drama Breakout Kings.  And guess what?  Since 20th Century Fox approved the character crossover, actor Robert Knepper has agreed to bring him back.  Not only has he agreed, he’s overly excited to do so.  In an interview with Give Me My Remote, he shared his elation about working with Olmstead and Santora again.  It’s going to be a pretty wild ride. It’s a very trusting thing I have with these guys,” said Knepper. “We spent four years together. All the writers and I, we always wrote back and called each other and said really positive things to each other in those four years. I have tremendous faith in them and I’m not worried at all about what they’re going to do.”  He continued, “It may be career suicide, but I loved playing T-Bag. This is a very, very funny, deep, complex character who really scared the sh– out of people and yet people loved him.”  If you’re a Prison Break fan, you should read the entire interview; Knepper goes down memory lane reminiscing about how much he loved playing T-Bag, especially in season one which he describes as “sheer gold.”  He also says that he might land a part in J.J. Abrams’ upcoming series Alcatraz–now wouldn’t that be something!  He says that T-Bag is locked into at least one episode, but if all goes well I’m hoping that the guest role becomes something more substantial.

Lost fan are you now?  According to TV Line, the man who played Island protector Jacob–Mark Pellegrino–has been cast as a “trained assassin” and will appear in episode ten of the series.  Pellegrino is Virgil Downing, “a notorious international contract killer who always gets the job done…Although he’s suspected in at least-three dozen other killings, his only conviction was for murdering a police commissioner — six years prior to breaking out of his maximum-security cell.”

Breakout Kings is “a new action-packed ensemble drama following an unconventional partnership between the U.S. Marshals’ office and a group of convicts as they work to catch fugitives on the run.”  Originally pitched to FOX but later picked up by A&E, the series is set to premiere on Sunday, March 14 at 10PM.

[Via GiveMeMyRemote; TVLine]