SciFiAndTvTalk

Grantchester To Return For Fourth Season

Grantchester's James Norton and Robson Green. Photo copyright of MASTERPIECE/Kudos.

Good news for Grantchester fans: MASTERPIECE on PBS and ITV have announced a fourth season of the popular mystery series starring James Norton and Robson Green as the unlikely clergyman/cop duo fighting crime in the English hamlet of Grantchester in the 1950s.

These will be the final episodes for Norton’s character Sidney Chambers, the charismatic, jazz-loving vicar who has captured the hearts of millions of viewers. Casting of a new vicar will be announced at a later date. In addition to Mr. Green, returning members of Grantchester’s ensemble cast include Al Weaver, Tessa Peake-Jones and Kacey Ainsworth.

“It’s a bittersweet time for Grantchester fans, who will be cheering the return of the series but crushed to say good-bye to James,” says MASTERPIECE executive producer Rebecca Eaton at WGBH Boston. “We want to assure them that the series they love will continue —with brilliant new episodes and a captivating new vicar.”

“I’m ecstatic that - with MASTERPIECE and ITV - we are returning to Grantchester with all our favourite characters,” says Kudos executive producer Diederick Santer. “While I’m sad that these will be James Norton’s final episodes, we will make sure he goes out with a bang. We’ve got exciting plans for where the show is heading and the vicarage won’t be vacant for long.”

Almost 11 million U.S. viewers tuned in to Grantchester’s third season to watch Sidney choosing between Amanda (Morven Christie) and the church; Detective Geordie Keating (Green) working to repair his tattered marriage; Mrs. Maguire (Peake-Jones) becoming Mrs. Chapman, and Leonard (Weaver) on the verge of finding love.

MASTERPIECE has commissioned Grantchester’s fourth season, which begins production in June in London, Cambridge, and Grantchester. It will air on MASTERPIECE on PBS in 2019. Grantchester, Season 4 is a Co-Production of Kudos and MASTERPIECE for ITV and is distributed internationally by Endemol Shine International, who have sold the show across 162 countries. The executive producers for Kudos are Diederick Santer, Emma Kingsman-Lloyd, and Daisy Coulam. The executive producer for MASTERPIECE is Rebecca Eaton at WGBH Boston. The series will be produced by Richard Cookson. Director Tim Fywell is returning for the opening two episodes. Adapted from the Grantchester Mysteries novels by James Runcie, the series was developed for television by Daisy Coulam and written by Daisy Coulam and John Jackson.

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

Colony - Additional Cast Making Their Debut In Season Three (USA Network)

Actress Peyton List.

Returning for its third season on Wednesday, May 2nd, Colony has added some new faces! Peyton List (Gotham) will play Amy Leonard, a doctor and member of the San Fernando cell, who embarks on a dangerous journey with Eric Broussard (Tory Kittles) to deliver valuable secrets to Resistance fighters combating the Occupation. 

 

A Boston native, List studied at the School of American Ballet in New York City and began her career as a model and actress at the age of eight. Since then, she had various modeling jobs for Dooney & Bourke as well as Clean & Clear, and belongs to the Eileen Ford modeling agency in New York. At the start of her acting career, List played the role of Lucy Montgomery on As the World Turns and went on to guest star on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Sex and the City and Smallville. List can also be seen in films including The Greatest Game Ever Played and Conjuring Aurora.

 

Actor Graham McTavish.

 

Graham McTavish (Preacher) will play Andrew MacGregor, the leader of the most successful Resistance camp in what used to be the western United States. He’s held the camp together through a combination of discipline and charisma but is forced to adjust his plans once Will and Katie Bowman (Josh Holloway and Sarah Wayne Callies) arrive with vital information that could forever change the Resistance’s outlook.

 

Originally a Scottish television and film actor, McTavish is best known for his roles in Outlander, The Hobbit trilogy for Peter Jackson and Preacher, based on Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon's cult comic book series. McTavish has also starred alongside Sylvester Stallone in Rambo and Creed, making him the only actor to perform opposite Rocky and Rambo. Additional credits include Red Dwarf, 24, Rome, The Finest Hours and Colombiana. McTavish has also lent his voice work to games and animated TV, including Uncharted 2, 3 and 4, Call of Duty, Dante's Inferno, Hulk v Thor, The Avengers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Kung Fu Panda.

 

Actor/comedian Wayne Brady.

 

Wayne Brady (Sofia The First) will play Everett Kynes, a highly successful tech entrepreneur who has risen in this new world to become the head of the rebuilt Seattle Colony.  Kynes’ technology wasused – and misused – by the human collaborators before the Arrival, leaving him with a chip on his shoulder… and a unique relationship with the invaders. Kynes is both brilliant and has a messianic belief in his own vision for the future.

 

Born in Columbus, Georgia, Brady began his career performing in numerous stage productions including A Chorus Line, Fences, A Raisin in the Sun, Jesus Christ Superstar and I'm Not Rappaport. Upon moving to Los Angeles in 1996, he performed at the prestigious Mark Taper Forum in its production of Blade to the Heat and garnered guest starring roles on television series as I'll Fly Away, The Home Court and In the Heat of the Night. Brady has since lent his voice to multiple TV series including TripTank, Phineas and Ferb and, most recently, Sofia The First. Additional credits include The Loud House, Real Husbands of Hollywood, How I Met Your Mother and American Dad!

 

Actor Waleed Zuaiter.

 

Waleed Zuaiter (Altered Carbon) will play Vincent, a moral man who finds himself caught in an impossible position while working for a powerful Resistance group. He will ultimately have to choose between supporting the Bowmans and holding on to old loyalties.

 

Currently starring alongside Sarah Jessica Parker in the indie Unfollow The Rules, as well as The Angel, Zuaiter recently wrapped the indie Saint Judy and Altered Carbon. He will next be seen in William, directed by Tim Disney, and Billionaire Boys Club.  Additional credits include 20th Century Woman, The Free World and Prison Break. TV guest star roles include Masters of Sex, The Blacklist, House of Cards, Homeland, Madam Secretary and The Good Wife.

 

In the wake of a mysterious alien invasion, a family fights to stay together in a new world order. The third season of COLONY begins six months after the Bowmans’ escape from the Los Angeles bloc as Will (Josh Holloway) and Katie (Sarah Wayne Callies) struggle to rebuild their family in the world beyond the walls. When their peaceful existence is shattered, they are sent on an odyssey that will finally reveal the horrifying truth behind Earth’s mysterious occupiers and once again force our heroes to choose sides.

 

Created by executive producers Carlton Cuse (The Strain, Bates Motel, Lost) and Ryan Condal (Rampage), the critically acclaimed drama is co-produced by Legendary Television and Universal Cable Productions.Colony also stars Holloway, Callies, Tory Kittles, Peter Jacobson and Alex Neustaedter.

Lost in Space - New Featurette (Netflix)

Penny Robinson (Mina Sundwall) and Judy Robinson (Taylor Russell) in Lost in Space. Photo copyright of Netflix.

The Robinsons made the decision to begin a new life together in space, and now nothing is stopping them. In the featurette below, Mina Sundwall (Penny Robinson), Molly Parker (Maureen Robinson), Taylor Russell (Judy Robinson), as well as Parker Posey (Dr. Smith) reveal why anything is possible for their characters, and how they stay determined to master the challenges ahead. Lost in Space premieres April 13th on Netflix.

Lost in Space is a Netflix Original dramatic and modern reimagining of the classic 1960’s science fiction series. Set 30 years in the future, colonization in space is now a reality, and the Robinson family is among those tested and selected to make a new life for themselves in a better world. But when the new colonists find themselves abruptly torn off course en route to their new home they must forge new alliances and work together to survive in a dangerous alien environment, light years from their original destination.

 Maureen Robinson (Molly Parker) and John Robinson (Toby Stephens). Photo copyright of Netflix.

A Netflix Original, Lost in Space stars Toby Stephens (Black Sails, Die Another Day) as John Robinson, and Molly Parker ( House of Cards, Deadwood ) as Maureen Robinson, the family’s parental leaders who are struggling with their estranged relationship in the midst of trying to keep their family safe. As the Robinson kids, Taylor Russell (Falling Skies ) is the strong-willed and confident Judy, Mina Sundwall ( Maggie’s Plan, Freeheld ) is the quick-witted and definitive middle-child Penny, and Maxwell Jenkins (Sense8, Betrayal ) is the curious and sensitive Will Robinson, the youngest and most vulnerable of the clan, who forms an unlikely and inexplicable bond with a sentient robotic alien being.

Dr. Smith (Parker Posey). Photo copyright of Netlfix.

Stranded along with the Robinsons are two outsiders who find themselves thrown together by circumstance and a mutual knack for deception. The unsettlingly charismatic Dr. Smith played by Parker Posey (Café Society, Mascot, A Mighty Wind), is a master manipulator with an inscrutable end game. And the roguish, but inadvertently charming Don West, played by Ignacio Serrucchio (Bones, The Wedding Ringer), is a highly-skilled, blue collar contractor, who had no intention of joining the colony, let alone crash landing on a lost planet.

The Netflix Original series is produced by Legendary Television and written by Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless ( Dracula Untold, Last Witch Hunter ). Zack Estrin (Prison Break) serves as showrunner. The three are executive producers alongside Synthesis Entertainment’s Kevin Burns and Jon Jashni with Applebox’s Neil Marshall and Marc Helwig. The original Lost in Space series was created by Irwin Allen. For more information go to - netflix.com/lostinspace

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

Reverie - Coming In May (NBC)

(L-R): Mara Kint (Sarah Shahi) and Charlie Ventana (Dennis Haysbert) in Reverie. Photo copyright of NBC/USA Network/SYFY.

NBC has set premiere date for its new immersive-reality drama series Reverie, starring Sarah Shahi and Golden Globe Award nominee Dennis Haysbert. The series will launch Wednesday, May 30th @ 10:00 p.m, EST/PST immediately following NBC’s popular summer alternative series American Ninja Warrior.

From Mickey Fisher, the creator of Extant, this grounded new thriller follows Mara Kint (Sarah Shahi), a former hostage negotiator and expert on human behavior who became a college professor after facing an unimaginable personal tragedy. But when her former boss, Charlie Ventana (Dennis Haysbert), brings her in to save ordinary people who have lost themselves in a highly advanced immersive virtual-reality program in which you can live out your wildest dreams, she finds that in saving others, she may actually have discovered a way to save herself.

The cast also includes Sendhil Ramamurthy, Jessica Lu and Kathryn Morris.

Reverie is created and executive produced by Mickey Fisher. The pilot was directed by Jaume Collet-Serra. Tom Szentgyorgyi, Brooklyn Weaver, Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey also executive produce. “Reverie” is produced by Universal Television and Amblin Television. Check out the info trailer below!

This Week on Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. - "The Honeymoon" (ABC)

Ruby (Dove Cameron) in "The Honeymoon." Photo copyright of ABC.

While an agent’s life hangs in the balance, Fitz, Simmons and Yo-Yo attempt to neutralize a weapon that could play a role in Earth’s destruction in The Honeymoon, an all-new episode of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., airing Friday, April 13th @ 9:00 p.m. EST on The ABC Television Network, streaming and on demand.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. stars Clark Gregg as Agent Phil Coulson, Ming-Na Wen as Agent Melinda May, Chloe Bennet as Daisy Johnson, Iain De Caestecker as Agent Leo Fitz, Elizabeth Henstridge as Agent Jemma Simmons, Henry Simmons as Agent Alphonso “Mack” MacKenzie and Natalia Cordova-Buckley as Elena “Yo-Yo” Rodriguez.

Guest starring are Adrian Pasdar as Brigadier General Glenn Talbot, Jeff Ward as Deke, Catherine Dent as General Hale, Dove Cameron as Ruby, Spencer Treat Clark as Werner Von Strucker, Briana Venskus as Piper, Shontae Saldana as Candice Lee, Raquel Gardner as Carla Talbot and Zach McGowan as Anton Ivanov.

The Honeymoon was written by James C. Oliver & Sharla Oliver, and directed by Garry A. Brown.

As noted above, photo copyright of ABC, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

Purge Adds New Cast Members (USA Network/SYFY)

Actress Lili Simmons.

Lili Simmons, Hannah Anderson and Lee Tergesen join Cast of USA Network's The Purge from Universal Cable Productions and Blumhouse Television

Lili Simmons is set for the series regular role of Lila, a young, rich, and rebellious, woman who refuses to fit in with the pro-Purge socialite crowd. Her confidence and charm mask a vulnerability that will be exposed as she attempts to deal with unfinished business before the sun rises.

Simmons can currently be seen on Showtime’s Ray Donovan opposite Liev Schrieber and Jon Voight, where she plays Natalie James, a young actress caught in the tabloids when naked pictures are leaked online by her soon to be former husband. She can also be seen in the independent film GOOD MATCH, which follows the story of an internet-dating playboy whose life spirals out of control after meeting a woman online. Her past credits include HBO’s Westworld,HBO’s True Detective, five seasons of Cinemax’s Banshee, CBS' Hawaii Five-O and the independent western Bone Tomahawk. A native of San Diego, Lili began her career with Ford Models before moving into acting in 2010.

Actress Hannah Anderson.

Hannah Anderson is set for the series regular role of Jenna, an anti-Purge and devoted to charitable causes, who is accustomed to locking down on Purge Night. Her choice to venture outfor the first time leads to an encounter with violence that forces her to deal with deep truths about herself and her marriage.

Anderson recently wrapped shooting the latest X-Men feature New Mutants for director Simon Kinberg. Hannah can also be seen in the re-boot of the Saw franchise titled Legacy and starred in What Keeps You Alive, which recently screened at South By Southwest. Past credits include a series regular roles in the Canadian series Shoot the Messengers, the History Channel miniseries Gangland Undercover, The CWs Reign, and in Lifetime’s The Lizzie Borden Chronicles opposite Christina Ricci.

Actor Lee Tergesen.

Lee Tergesen is set for the series regular role of Joe, an armored, masked, and seemingly ordinary man who drives through town, intervening acts of Purge violence while listening to the taped lectures of a motivational life coach.

Tergesen was one of the stars of the groundbreaking HBO series, OZ, playing opposite Christopher Meloni and JK Simmons. He was the villain of season 2 in the Emmy award winning The Americans and will be seen in the upcoming NBC Universal/International, Gone. A few of Lee’s film credits include the original Point Break, Wayne's World (Part 1 & 2), and Monster opposite Charlize Theron. He will next be seen, on the big screen, in The Yellow Birds starring Jennifer Aniston.

From indie studio Blumhouse Television (HBO’s The Normal Heart and The Jinx) and Universal Cable Productions (Amazon’s Homecoming and USA Network’s Mr. Robot and The Sinner), The Purge, which will air on USA and SYFY, and the series was created, and will be executive produced by the film franchise creator James DeMonaco, and led by Jason Blum, the entire team behind the blockbusters ‎are on board to executive produce: Michael Bay with Brad Fuller and Andrew Form under the Platinum Dunes banner and Sebastien K. Lemercier. Thomas Kelly serves as executive producer/showrunner of the series.

This Week on Krypton - "The Word of Rao" (SYFY)

Daron-Vex (Elliot Cowan) in "The Word of Rao." Photo copyright of SYFY.

This week on an all-new episode of Krypton, the Voice of Rao begins Kandor’s Nova Cycle festival and finds a scapegoat for the failed Rankless Initiative. Meanwhile, Seg (Cameron Cuffe) is approached by a mysterious Black Zero leader. Check out the clip below and then make sure to tune in for The Word of Rao on Wednesday, April 11th @ 10:00 p.m. EST/9:00 p.m. CT on SYFY (US).

 

This Week on The Expanse - "Fight or Flight" (Season Premiere - SYFY)

In the season premiere of The Expanse, the Rocinante crew deals with the fallout over Naomi’s (Dominique Tipper) betrayal while caught in the middle of the war between Earth and Mars. Meanwhile, Avasarala (Shohreh Aghdashloo) and Bobbie (Frankie Adams) hatch an escape plan. Check out the clip below from Fight on Flight and then tune in for the entire episode on Wednesday, April 11th @ 9:00 p.m. EST/8:00 p.m. CT on SYFY (US).

Preacher - Season Three Coming In June (AMC)

Dominic Cooper as Jesse Custer in season three of Preacher. Photo copyright of AMC.

AMC's outrageous drama Preacher returns for 10 episodes on Sunday, June 24th @ 10:00 PM ET/PT, Seth Rogen, executive producer, announced on Sunday’s Talking Dead. The network also released three first-look images from the new season. Preacher, is a dramatic thrill ride that follows West Texas preacher Jesse Custer (Dominic Cooper), his badass ex-girlfriend Tulip (Academy Award nominee Ruth Negga) and an Irish vampire named Cassidy (Joseph Gilgun) as they embark on a road trip to find God and are thrust into a twisted battle spanning Heaven, Hell and everywhere in between.

In Season 3, Jesse Custer’s quest for God takes him back to the place he’s been avoiding his whole life: home.  Jesse, Tulip, and Cassidy return to Angelville, the Louisiana Plantation where Jesse was raised, and find old grudges and deadly obligations await them.  With the help of his friends -- and a few enemies -- Jesse will need to escape his past… because the future of the world depends on it.

Preacher stars Dominic Cooper, Ruth Negga, Joseph Gilgun, Ian Coletti, Graham McTavish, Pip Torrens, Julie Ann Emery, Malcolm Barrett and new series regulars Betty Buckley (Supergirl, Split) and Colin Cunningham (Blood Drive, Falling Skies), Jeremy Childs (The Last Castle, Nashville), Liz McGreever (Star, Nashville), Jonny Coyne (Turn, Alcatraz), Adam Croasdell (Reign) and Prema Cruz (Mozart in the Jungle) are recurring guest stars.

The Sony Pictures Television and AMC Studios co-production was developed for television by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (Sausage Party, This is the End, Superbad) and showrunner Sam Catlin (Breaking Bad). The series is executive produced by Catlin, as well as Rogen, Goldberg and James Weaver for Point Grey Pictures, Neal H. Moritz and Ori Marmur for Original Film and Vivian Cannon, Jason Netter, Michael Slovis, Mark McNair and Ken F. Levin.

All photos above copyright of AMC, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

Next Time on The Crossing - "A Shadow Out of Time" (ABC)

Reece (Natalie Martinez) in "A Shadow Out of Time." Photo copyright of ABC.

In a flash-forward to the year 2187, Reece (Natalie Martinez) finds Leah (Bailey Skodje), an orphaned Common baby, and goes against her Apex cohorts to take her in as her own. In present day, Jude (Steve Zahn) – hoping for a peaceful solution with the Feds – is blindsided by a mysterious black-ops team’s intent on capturing Reece by any means necessary, in A Shadow Out of Time, an all-new episode of The Crossing, airing Monday, April 9th @ 10:00 p.m. EST on the ABC Television Network, as well as streaming and on demand.

The Crossing stars Steve Zahn as Jude Ellis, Natalie Martinez as Reece, Sandrine Holt as Emma Ren, Georgina Haig as Dr. Sophie Forbin, Tommy Bastow as Marshall, Rob Campbell as Paul, Rick Gomez as Nestor Rosario, Marcuis W. Harris as Caleb, Grant Harvey as Roy Aronson, Jay Karnes as Craig Lindauer, Simone Kessell as Rebecca, Kelley Missal as Hannah, Luc Roderique as Bryce Foster and Bailey Skodje as Leah.

A Shadow Out of Time was written by executive producers Dan Dworkin and Jay Beattie, and was directed by David Von Ancken. Von Ancken, Matt Olmstead and Jason T. Reed also serve as executive producers. The series is produced by ABC Studios. Check out the clip below and then make sure to tune in on Monday!