His character Eli is apparently part of the Sullivan Bros. Carnival, which has been a major plot point this season, and will also have close ties to their leader Samuel (Robert Knepper).

At first my assumption [...]]]> The prolific TV actor Todd Stashwick, who’s been in just about everything, will be joining the cast of Heroes this season.

His character Eli is apparently part of the Sullivan Bros. Carnival, which has been a major plot point this season, and will also have close ties to their leader Samuel (Robert Knepper).

At first my assumption was that he could be playing the supposedly dead brother of Samuel, but a little research reminded me that the deceased Mr. Sullivan was named Joseph. Any predictions, Heroes fans?

For anyone who hasn’t [...]]]> Chris Lilley, who created Australian comedy series Summer Heights High, has struck a deal with HBO for the US cable channel to co-produce his new series Angry Boys. As with Summer Heights High, Lilley will play numerous characters, with the focus of Angry Boys apparently “exploring male life in the 21st century”.

For anyone who hasn’t come across Summer Heights High yet, I’d recommend checking it out. I caught up with the show in one marathon run on BBC iPlayer and, whilst the show is a little hit and miss, when it’s funny it’s very funny.

One of the characters Lilley played was the monstrous Mr. G, the school drama teacher, a man with a rampaging ego who decides to write the school musical based on a pupil who dies of a drug overdose.

Entitled “Haven” the series “centers on a spooky town in Maine where cursed folk live normal lives in exile. When those curses start returning, FBI agent Audrey Parker is brought in to keep those supernatural [...]]]> The 2005 novella from Stephen King, “The Colorado Kid”, is being adapted for television by the team behind “The Dead Zone”.

Entitled “Haven” the series “centers on a spooky town in Maine where cursed folk live normal lives in exile. When those curses start returning, FBI agent Audrey Parker is brought in to keep those supernatural forces at bay — while trying to unravel the mysteries of Haven.”.

Having not read the novel I may be way off the mark, but this sounds fairly reminiscent of Twin Peaks. If it can reach the same level of creepiness and oddity that series did, then Haven may be one to look out for. Currently there’s no cast in place, as the production company are still trying to secure international funding deals and find a network to broadcast the show, but they expect filming to kick off in the next six months.

The story is that of a housewife in 1950’s Leeds who falls in love, and has an affair with, a [...]]]> Former pop star Piper, best known for perplexing her naysaying critics with a much-loved turn as Rose in Doctor Who, has been cast in a new BBC drama based on Kay Mellor’s play “A Passionate Woman”.

The story is that of a housewife in 1950’s Leeds who falls in love, and has an affair with, a Polish neighbour. The drama was inspired by the revelation that Mellor’s mother had a similar affair before the writer was born.

Piper will play the lead, Betty, whilst the 1980’s incarnation of the character will be portrayed by Sue Johnston. Filming starts in Leeds soon, ready for broadcast on BBC One next year.

A boyband? Really?

Last night’s episode veered wildly between disappointing and cringe-worthy, with dollops of missed opportunities mashed into it. As much as I may have criticised certain elements of the first two episodes, they nevertheless had a certain spark and energy that was inexplicably endearing. There was enough wit and warmth to carry the cliched [...]]]> Um…

A boyband? Really?

Last night’s episode veered wildly between disappointing and cringe-worthy, with dollops of missed opportunities mashed into it. As much as I may have criticised certain elements of the first two episodes, they nevertheless had a certain spark and energy that was inexplicably endearing. There was enough wit and warmth to carry the cliched storylines, and most of the characters were likeable in their own way.

I finished watching “Acafellas” and just felt blank. Not a good sign.

Will’s abandonment of the club, even temporarily, just didn’t feel believable considering all of the effort he’d poured into it. Rachel’s character has seemingly lost the weird quirkiness and hint of a dark side she had in the first few episodes and has morphed into a bland, stock “good girl” figure. The most heinous character crime of all, however, came in casting Victor Garber in an utterly forgettable role as Will’s father. C’mon, Glee! Garber is better than that. Maybe they’ll do something interesting with him in the future to redeem such a waste of a good actor.

Even the musical numbers this week felt off to me; I’d expected Glee to use the songs in a naturalistic way, with the club performing them (as they have been in the last few episodes.) Tonight’s bizarre hallucinatory car-washing extravaganza was just painful, and seemingly only shoe-horned into the episode to give Amber Riley’s Mercedes a chance to sing and/or have a dozen cheerleaders dancing in skimpy outfits. (Speaking of Mercedes, did that plotline with Kurt make sense to anyone? The boy is so clearly, overtly gay that Mercedes having feelings for him only rings true if she had been portrayed as incredibly naive, which prior to this episode she hadn’t.)

All of it just left me rooting for Sylvester and the Cheerios to destroy them. I don’t think that’s what the writers were aiming for.

I think the reality is that I’m just not the target audience for Glee, and that’s fine. Plenty of people seem to have really embraced the show, and I’m always happy for any scripted series to enjoy success. But, like Finn, I’m thinking of quitting the Glee Club.

Of course, you can have your say by rating the episode below!

Most recently Wise played the Devil in the CW’s Reaper, a show which I have to admit to [...]]]> News that is 17 different kinds of cool this morning, folks. Ray Wise has been cast in the possibly recurring role of Howard, “an intelligent higher-up in the Dollhouse who has huge presence and humor” for Dollhouse’s second season.

Most recently Wise played the Devil in the CW’s Reaper, a show which I have to admit to never watching; the thing I know Wise from is Twin Peaks where he played the pivotal role of Leland Palmer, the father of Laura Palmer, whose murder kicks off the entire series of bizarre events in the show.

It’s no surprise that Whedon would be keen to have Wise on the show, as he’s always been a fan of Twin Peaks. Dollhouse S2 really is building up quite an impressive guest star roster; Ray Wise, Alexis Denisof, Summer Glau, Jamie Bamber, Michael Hogan, Keith Carradine… who’s next? More importantly, who would you love to see as a guest star?

The Lost producers are casting a Caucasian 12-14 year old in this role -

Teenage Boy: Sporting dirty blond hair and intense searching eyes, he’s wise beyond his years. He finds himself having to deal with a horrible family accident. Recurring.

Ausiello is reporting the latest casting call for Lost. Read on for the details.

The Lost producers are casting a Caucasian 12-14 year old in this role -

Teenage Boy: Sporting dirty blond hair and intense searching eyes, he’s wise beyond his years. He finds himself having to deal with a horrible family accident. Recurring.

Could it be Aaron? He always seemed to have an importance to the island, and we know Claire is returning in Season 6, so it may be the time to resolve the Aaron story.

I know in-series Aaron is only 3 years old, but knowing Lost, anything is possible…

Speculation, Lost fans?

“I’m really excited about [...]]]> Elba, best known for playing the ruthless but tragic Stringer Bell in The Wire has signed up to a six-part series with the BBC. Rather than playing a criminal mastermind, however, this time around he’ll be on the other side of the law playing the title character Luther, a “near-genius murder detective.”

“I’m really excited about playing Luther,” said Elba. “He’s a challenging and exciting character because he’s so complex. While he’s capable of great kindness and loyalty, sometimes he steps over the edge of madness – simmering with anger and rage.”

I’m glad to see Elba doing something that could potentially be interesting; Stringer Bell was an amazing television character, someone you could hate and sympathise with in equal measure. If Luther can be that interesting, it might elevate it above being just another detective show.

The show is shooting this autumn, and will be aired in 2010.

I don’t really know too much about Mercy, other than the basic premise that it’s a hospital drama focussing [...]]]> The former Captain Janeway actor is joining the line-up of new NBC hospital drama Mercy, which kicks off on September 23rd. According to The Hollywood Reporter Mulgrew will play Jeannie Flanagan, the mother of lead character Veronica (Taylor Schilling).

I don’t really know too much about Mercy, other than the basic premise that it’s a hospital drama focussing on three nurses. Judging from the trailer below the lead (Taylor Schilling) has just returned from Iraq, there’s a rookie nurse (Michelle Trachtenberg) and the distinguishing characteristic of the final nurse (Jamie Lee Kirchner) seems to be… ignoring men. Mmkay.

Normally I hear the words “hospital drama” and my brain starts dribbling out of my ears, but having enjoyed Nurse Jackie so much, I’m willing to at least give Mercy a try (although it does have some very Nurse Jackie-esque elements, both shows featuring similar-looking gay nurses as well as nervous new nurses decked out in brightly coloured scrubs.)

Another element in Mercy’s favour are the executive producers of the show; Gail Berman was involved with shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel and Malcolm In The Middle whilst Lloyd Braun was the guy who was forced out of his position at ABC after signing off on the decision to spend an unprecedented $13 million on a TV pilot. That show was Lost.

So, I’ll be giving this new show a try, but if it sucks I’m afraid I’ll show no mercy. Mercy. Get it? Yeah? Yeah?…

I’ll get my coat.

EDIT: Um, yeah… I just watched the trailer again, and the whole thing kinda reeks of a glossier, sanitised version of Nurse Jackie. I’ll still give it a try, but I may well be watching between my fingers and/or cringing for most of it. Yikes.