Tuesday, July 23, 2013

TV News - 'Wayward Pines,' 'Saint George,' 'Horizon,' 'Criminal Minds,' 'Once Upon a Time,' 'Chicago Fire,' 'Person of Interest,' 'Kirstie,' 'Nashville,' 'Bates Motel,' 'Parks and Recreation' & 'The Mentalist'

        Tuesday, July 23 - Terrence Howard (Hustle & Flow) has joined the cast of FOX's 10-episode event series Wayward Pines. He will play Sheriff Pope, the law enforcement go-to guy guy in the creepy town. He takes offense at a Secret Service agent Ethan Burke (Matt Dillon) showing up on his turf and telling him what to do. Ethan believes Pope is out of his mind but Pope thinks the same of Ethan.

Adriana Barraza (Babel, Amores Perros) has been cast on FX's upcoming 10-90 sitcom Saint George starring George Lopez. She will play George's (Lopez) overbearing mother who just moved in with him.

Ruth Bradley (Big Thunder) has been tapped for the leading role on USA's drama pilot Horizon from Bridget Tyler and Gale Anne Hurd. Additionally, Meg Steedle, Taylor Handley and Mark Famiglietti have also joined the pilot. Bradley will play Lauren Howl, a young FBI secretary whose translucent charm is equal parts quick wit and loving heart - mixed liberally with the stubbornness of a boulder. She is about to stumble onto a secret that could change the world as she knows it - or destroy it. Steedle will play Ellen Olsen, Lauren's best friend and a refined debutant-turned-upper-level FBI secretary. If there is a secret in Washington, D.C., that she doesn't know, just give her a few days and she'll uncover it. Handley will play George Howl, Lauren's marine husband who mysteriously resurfaces after disappearing in a battle over the Pacific which the Navy has deemed classified. Famiglietti will play Will "Sparks" Sparkman, a by-the-books FBI agent whose crush on co-worker Lauren is obvious to everyone but her.

David Anders (Once Upon a Time, Necessary Roughness) will guest star on the upcoming ninth season of CBS' Criminal Minds. He will appear in the third episode as Anton Harris, a serial killer whose M.O. involves the lobotomization of his victims.

ABC's Once Upon a Time was recast its Robin Hood. Tom Ellis (Merlin) played the role in a guest appearance in the season two episode "Lacey." He was unable to return to the series this fall when the producers wanted the character to recur for the third season. Now, fellow Brit Sean Maguire (Kröd Mändoon, EastEnders) will take over the role.

Michelle Forbes (The Killing) has joined the cast of NBC's Chicago Fire in a recurring role. She will play Gail McLeod, a high ranking consultant with the State Fire Marshal's office, who keeps a sharp eye on budgets and performance at the city's fire houses.

Smash vet Leslie Odom, Jr. has booked a potentially recurring role on CBS' Person of Interest. He will play Peter, an educated, even-tempered tech executive who is highly analytical but plays his cards close to the vest.

John Travolta, in a rare TV appearance, will guest star on an upcoming episode of TV Land's new comedy series Kirstie reuniting with his Look Who's Talking co-star Kirstie Alley. He will play a stagehand on Maddie's (Alley) show. After a one-night stand together, Maddie is surprised to find that her fling refuses to be flung.

Newcomer Chaley Rose (36 Saints) has landed a role on the upcoming second season of ABC's Nashville. She will play Zoey, an old friend of Scarlett's (Clare Bowen) who is looking to start her own career in country music.

Rebecca Creskoff (Hung), Michael Vartan (Alias) and Kenny Johnson (The Shield) are checking into A&E's Bates Motel in recurring roles for its second season. Creskoff will play Christine, who befriends Norma (Emmy-nominated Vera Farmiga) pulling her into the upper circle of White Pine Bay Society. Vartan will play George, Christine's recently divorced older brother who develops a crush on Norma. Johnson will play Caleb, Norma's estranged brother.

Henry Winkler (Happy Days, Arrested Development) has booked a guest spot on the upcoming sixth season of NBC's Parks and Recreation. He will play the father of Jean-Ralphio (Ben Schwartz and Mona-Lisa (Jenny Slate). He is currently set to appear in the sixth season premiere with the potential to return for more episodes.

Lauren Stamile (Grey's Anatomy) will guest star on the sixth season premiere of CBS' The Mentalist. She will play Madison Yardley, the wife of a murder victim whose body is discovered two years after he was reported missing.