TV Bits: ‘Game Of Thrones’, ‘Community’, ‘Dexter’, ‘Downton Abbey’, ‘American Horror Story’, ‘Sons Of Anarchy’, ‘Fringe’, Michael J. Fox
As August inches to an end, the days of having nothing to watch on TV (well — nothing butBreaking Bad) are about to come to an end. After the jump:
That’s Skrein on the left and Jacobson on the right. I gotta say, neither of them look remotely like what I pictured while readingA Storm of Swords. But HBO’s done a bang-up job with casting so far, so I’ve no doubt they’ll impress me once Season 3 kicks off next year. [Screen Crush]
As replacements for oustedCommunityshowrunner Dan Harmon,David GuarascioandMoses Porthave their work cut out for them. Fortunately, they’ve been able to wrangle in some interesting guest stars to help bring the funny.Malcolm McDowellhas signed on for at least two episodes of the NBC comedy’s upcoming fouth season, joining fellow fresh faceMatt Lucas. McDowell will make his first appearance as history professor Cornwallis in theOctober 19season premiere, titled “History 101.” [THR]
It’s settled:Michael J. Foxwill return to NBC next fall, 31 years after the debut ofFamily Ties. The Peacock has prevailed in the intensebidding warover Fox’s new sitcom, ordering a 22-episode first season that will debut next fall.
Fox is set to produce and star in the single-camera series, which will be inspired by his own life as a father with Parkinson’s.Easy AdirectorWill GluckandCougar TownwriterSam Laybourneare also on board as producers. [Vulture]
Showtime’s posted a newDexterpromo image on Instagram showing what appears to be Dexter’s signature cheek slash, along with the mantra “I will not kill my sister.”
So he insists, and yet I’m finding that less than convincing.DexterSeason 7 kicks offSeptember 30on Showtime. [viaCinema Blend]
Downton Abbeyhas no shortage of sweet, devoted couples, but the Season 3 pairing I’m most eager to see is an antagonistic one. For the past two seasons, the ornery Dowager Countess (Maggie Smith) has gotten all the sharpest, funniest, most quotable lines. In Season 3, however, she’ll meet her match as Lady Cora’s American mother (Shirley Maclaine) descends upon the Crawleys' estate. Watch the two stubborn matriarchs unsheathe their (verbal) claws in these two new clips.Julian Fellowes, you are hereby forgiven for all that amnesiac Canadian soldier nonsense you threw at us in Season 2. Season 3 airs next month in the U.K. and (sob)January 2013in the U.S. [TV Line]
A nun hanging a coat on a wall doesn’t sound like a particularly chilling scene, but FX’s marketing team manages to make it look like one in the new teaser forAmerican Horror Story.
Season 2 of theRyan Murphy-created series, titledAmerican Horror Story: Asylum, will bow in October. [Screen Rant]
The lastSons of Anarchyteaser we featured in this space was pure symbolism, but the new one’s thankfully much more generous with actual Season 5 footage. Jax (Charlie Hunnam) and Clay (Ron Perlman) eyeball each other across the table, each wondering what the other’s up to.
Sons of Anarchyreturns to FXSeptember 11. [FacebookviaCinema Blend]
In the ominous teaser for the fifth season ofFringe, Peter (Joshua Jackson), Olivia (Anna Torv), and their daughter Etta find a perfectly lovely summer picnic ruined by the Observers' invasion:
Fringereturns to Fox onSeptember 28for a final 13-episode season. [Screen Crush]
Oh, and while we’re on the topic: After taking abrief hiatusto cope with a debilitating sleep disorder,FringestarJohn Nobleis back to work and feeling better than ever. “I’m feeling more well rested now and sleeping better than I have in 20 years,” he said.
Noble has suffered from insomnia and sleep apnea for years, but he “basically hit a wall” after a particularly stressful month. After ten days of treatment in Los Angeles, Noble is now back onFringe’s Vancouver set shooting the fifth season’s second episode. [EW]
