SciFiAndTvTalk

Kris Kristofferson Cast in HISTORY Channel's "Texas Rising"

Renowned singer, songwriter and film actor, Kris Kristofferson has been cast as President Andrew Jackson, in HISTORY’s eight-hour television event, Texas Rising. The event series, premiering in 2015, will detail the Texas Revolution against Mexico and the rise of the legendary Texas Rangers.

During the Texas Revolution, President Jackson avoided direct U.S. involvement, unwilling to risk open war against Mexico as he continued to monitor the political situation. But Jackson was a mentor to and admirer of General Sam Houston and he realized the fate of Texas would profoundly influence the future of the United States.

“This iconic story and role really needed an American who is able to command the screen and captivate audiences,” said Leslie Greif, CEO & Founder of Thinkfactory Media. “For me Kris was an obvious choice, there aren’t too many actors that are able to embody this character and the stature, strength and liberty to play the part. We are currently in the midst of production and when I announced to the cast and crew that we got Kris – the set erupted in loud cheers and everyone was yelling, ‘yee-haw,’ we are blessed and thrilled that he enthusiastically jumped on board.”

Kristofferson has acted in more than 70 films.  In 1977 He won a Golden Globe for Best Actor in A Star Is Born. He’s appeared in cult favorites including the Blade trilogy, Lone Star, A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries, Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, Blume In Love, Cisco Pike, Pat Garrett and Billy The Kid. Recent films include Fast Food Nation, Dreamer: Inspired By A True Story, The Jacket, Silver City, He's Just Not That Into You and Dolphin Tale.

Texas Rising is co-produced by A+E Studios and ITV Studios America, and produced by Thinkfactory Media for HISTORY. Leslie Greif serves as executive producer for Thinkfactory Media.  Dirk Hoogstra, Elaine Frontain Bryant and Julian P. Hobbs serve as executives in charge of production for HISTORY.

John Malkovich and Cast Talk "Crossbones" (NBC)

The time has come – Crossbones sets sail tonight, Friday, May 30th @ 10:00 p.m. EST/9:00 p.m. CT on NBC. It's 1729. On the secret island of Santa Compana, Edward Teach, better known as the barbarous pirate Blackbeard (Emmy winner John Malkovich, Death of a Salesman, Red), reigns over a rogue nation of thieves, outlaws and miscreants. Part shantytown, part utopia, part marauder's paradise, this is a place like no other.

Blackbeard has designs on the Longitude Chronometer, an invention that will change the world. During a massive attack on an English vessel, his most trusted pirates attempt to steal the device. But on board is Tom Lowe (Richard Coyle, Covert Affairs), an English spy working undercover as ship's surgeon. Lowe’s mission is to prevent the Chronometer from falling into the hands of pirates — and to assassinate Blackbeard, should the opportunity arise. Taken as prisoner to Santa Compana, Lowe must find a way to reassemble the precious chronometer, all while trying to foil Blackbeard's master plan — a plan that includes a greater threat to the English throne than merely pirates...

Check out the clip below with John Malkovich and his fellow castmates chat about the series, and then make sure to tune in for the series premiere!

 

Bitten Returns to Syfy for Season Two in 2015

(L-R): Bitten's Greg Bryk, Steve Lund, Greyston Holt and Laura Vandervoort. Photo copyright of SPACE/Bell Media.

Following last week's announcement by Canada's SPACE Channel that Bitten had been renewed for a second season, Syfy today announced that it has acquired the popular supernatural thriller for a second season, consisting of 10 all-new episodes. The series, from leading independent studio Entertainment One (eOne), will return to Syfy in 2015.

Said Chris Regina, Senior Vice President, Programming, Syfy: “Bitten is a fast-paced and edgy series which has found a growing and passionate fan base on our channel. We’re delighted to bring the series back to Syfy next year.”

Said Prentiss Fraser, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales & Acquisitions, eOne Television International: “We’re absolutely thrilled with the tremendous support and enthusiasm from fans across social media since the debut of Bitten.  We look forward to working with the talented cast and crew on another compelling season and continuing our partnership with Syfy in bringing the series back to viewers in the U.S. next year.”

Based on the Women of the Otherworld novels by #1 New York Times best-selling author Kelley Armstrong, Bitten stars Laura Vandervoort (Smallville, Ted) as Elena Michaels, the lone female werewolf in existence. The series also stars Greg Bryk (A History Of Violence, Rookie Blue) as The Alpha pack leader Jeremy Danvers, Greyston Holt (Alcatraz, Durham County) as passionate pack enforcer Clayton Danvers, Steve Lund (Being Erica) as Nick Sorrentino and Michael Xavier (The Best Years) as Dr. Logan Jonsen.

Bitten joins Syfy’s stable of popular international and domestic acquisitions that include Lost Girl, Continuum, the upcoming Spartacus (premiering June 26) and The Almighty Johnsons (July 11).  Syfy co-productions Z-Nation (with The Asylum, airing this Fall 2014) and Olympus (with Reunion Pictures and Great Point Media, 2015) are presently shooting in Spokane, Washington and Vancouver, Canada.

Bitten is executive produced by J.B. Sugar (The Collector, Jpod) for No Equal Entertainment, John Barbisan, and Patrick Banister (Whistler) for Hoodwink Entertainment, and Tecca Crosby, John Morayniss, and Margaret O’Brien for Entertainment One (eOne). Daegan Fryklind (Motive, The Listener) is Showrunner. eOne is the worldwide distributor for the series.

Bitten is produced by No Equal Entertainment, Hoodwink Entertainment, and eOne in association with SPACE and Bell Media. Rebecca DiPasquale and Tom Hastings are Production Executives, Drama, Bell Media. Trish Williams is Director of Drama, Independent Production, Bell Media. Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. Catherine MacLeod is Senior Vice-President, Specialty Channels and Bell Media Production. Phil King is President, CTV, Sports, and Entertainment Programming.

As noted above, photo copyright of SPACE/Bell Media, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

The Strain - New Trailer (FX)

The end of our world…is the beginning of theirs. Check out the new trailer below for The Strain, which will be unleashed Sunday, July 13th on FX.

 

Marilyn Manson Joins FX's "Sons of Anarchy" in Recurring Role

Marilyn Manson has been cast in FX’s hit show Sons of Anarchy as “Ron Tully,” a white supremacist prison shot-caller who Jax (Charlie Hunnam) uses to expand his power base.

Known by most for selling millions of records, being a successful writer, painter, performer and provocateur, Manson has also made many cameos in films and television. With the creation of a new album and while launching a world tour, he grabbed the attention of SOA creator, Kurt Sutter. 

"Sons has been such a big part of my life, as well as my father's,” said Manson.  “So I was determined to make him proud by being involved in what will probably be remembered as the most amazing piece of television cinema.  After all, the very heart of SOA is about that relationship.  So, now all I need is a motorcycle."

"Legends" Key Art Released (TNT)

TNT revealed the key art today for the first season of Legends, premiering Wednesday, Aug. 13, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT).  The suspenseful new drama follows an undercover agent who is plunged into a terrifying mystery over his own identity, starring Screen Actors Guild Award® winner Sean Bean (Game of Thrones, The Lord of the Rings). Based on the award-winning book by master spy novelist Robert Littell, Legends is being produced by Fox 21, with Howard Gordon (Homeland, 24), Alexander Cary (Homeland, Lie to Me) and Jonathan Levin (Charmed), Brad Turner (24) and showrunner David Wilcox (Fringe) serving as executive producers.

In Legends, Bean plays Martin Odum, an undercover agent working for the FBI's Deep Cover Operations (DCO) division. Martin has the uncanny ability to transform himself into a completely different person for each job. But he begins to question his own identity when a mysterious stranger suggests that Martin isn’t the man he believes himself to be.

Legends also stars Ali Larter (Heroes) as Crystal McGuire, a fellow operative who has a history with Martin; Morris Chestnut (American Horror Story, Nurse Jackie) as Tony Rice, a smart, quick-witted and charming DCO agent; Tina Majorino (Grey's Anatomy, True Blood) as Maggie Harris, the newest member of the DCO team; Steve Harris (The Practice, Awake) as Nelson Gates, the director of the DCO Task Force; and Amber Valletta (Revenge) as Sonya Odum, Martin's ex-wife; and Mason Cook (The Lone Ranger) as Martin's pre-teen son, Aiden.

Fargo Sneak Peek - "The Heap" (FX)

Lester Nygaard (Martin Freeman) and Gina Hess (Kate Walsh) exchange words in next week's all-new episode of Fargo. Photo copyright of FX.

Next week on an all-new Fargo, Deputy Molly Solverson (Allison Tolman) faces pressure to close the case, while Lester Nygaard (Martin Freeman) starts to feel like a new man. Check out the sneak peek below for The Heap and then tune in for the entire episode on Tuesday, June 3rd @ 10:00 p.m. EST/PST on FX.

 

This Week on Salem - "Our Own Private America" (WGN America)

Stephen Lang as Increase Mather in Salem. Photo copyright of WGN America.

In Our Own Private America, this week's all-new episode of Salem, when a shakeup within the coven leaves Mary (Janet Montgomery) with more power than ever, she hatches her most nefarious plan yet to bring the witches closer to achieving the Grand Rite. Alden (Shane West) and Cotton (Seth Gabel), reeling from the aftermath of their interrogation, question the efficacy of the trials while Cotton is left to wonder if his life's work has amounted to anything. Alden finds himself weaker by the day – a victim of a dream spell that Mary uses to search Alden’s subconscious to locate the Malum – and work out her sexual frustration in the process.  Meanwhile, with Mary’s attentions increasingly focused on her old flame Alden and her new pupil Mercy (Elise Eberle), tension escalates between Mary and Tituba (Ashley Madekwe).  Elsewhere, Anne makes an eerie discovery about her father's activities. When Cotton’s father Increase Mather (Stephen Lang) makes an unanticipated entrance, Salem and its coven faces the arrival of the most feared witch hunter.

John Alden (Shane West) and Mary Sibley (Janet Montgomery) in "Our Own Private America." Photo copyright of WGN America.

Salem stars Janet Montgomery as Mary Sibley, Shane West as John Alden, Seth Gabel as Cotton Mather, Xander Berkeley as Magistrate Hale, Ashley Madekwe as Tituba, Tamzin Merchant as Anne Hale, Elise Eberle as Mercy Lewis and Iddo Goldberg as Isaac Walton.

Cotton Mather (Seth Gabel). Photo copyright of WGN America.

In addition to Stephen Lang, guest starring are Sammi Hanratty (Chosen) as Dottie, Mary Catherine O'Donnell as Emily, Daniel James as Joe Barker, Sharon Landry as Mrs. Barker, Rachel Whitman Groves as Mrs. Trask, David Jensen (Bonnie and Clyde) as Captain, Morgana Shaw as Mab, and Ben Mouton as Lamb.

Mercy Lewis (Elise Eberle) and Tituba (Ashley Madekwe). Photo copyright of WGN America.

Written by series co-creators/executive producers Adam Simon and Brannon Braga, and directed by David Von Ancken, Our Own Private America airs Sunday, June 1st @ 10:00 p.m. EST/9:00 CT on WGN America.

As noted above, all photos copyright of WGN America, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

Da Vinci's Demons #DaVinciThon - This Saturday

On Saturday, May 31 beginning at 12 PM ET, STARZ will host #DaVinciThon -- a dual-screen social media event featuring the cast of the historical Fantasy series Da Vinci’s Demons. During the Season Two catch-up marathon, fans have the unique opportunity to engage with series stars stationed in Iceland, Colombia and parts of the UK through a live conversation fueled by on-air, real-time hashtags and behind-the-scenes content. The consecutive nine-hour long social media event all culminates in the epic season finale at 9 PM ET/PT.

Each series star will host at least 1 hour of the conversation, kicking off with “Da Vinci” himself, Tom Riley. Also featured are Elliot Cowan (Lorenzo de Medici), Gregg Chillin (Zoroaster), Laura Haddock (Lucrezia Donati), Hera Hilmar (Vanessa), Carolina Guerra (Ima), and Eros Vlahos (Nico).

Da Vinci's Demons Sneak Peek - "The Sins of Daedalus" (STARZ)

Tom Riley as Leonardo Da Vinci in Da Vinci's Demons. Photo copyright of Tonto Films and Television, Limited.

On this week's season two finale of Da Vinci's Demons, driven by revenge, Da Vinci (Tom Riley) arrives in Ptranto, where the Ottoman fleet is poised to attack Italy. An unlikely union must form to repel the threat, but a surprise encounter derails plans. Meanwhile, Riario (Blake Ritson) is threatened and Nico (Eros Vlahos) takes Vanessa’s (Hera Hilmar) destiny into his own hands. Check out the clip below from The Sins of Daedalus and then tune in for the entire episode on Saturday, May 31st @ 9:00 p.m. EST/PST on STARZ.