TV Bits: ‘Game Of Thrones’, ‘Sons Of Anarchy’, ‘Community’, ‘Luther’, ‘Portlandia’, ‘Under The Dome’
Game of Throneshas ended for the year, but its shadow continues to loom large. After the jump:
Since the beginning, readers ofGeorge R.R. Martin’sA Song of Ice and Fireseries have wondered what might happen if HBO’sGame of Throneseventually catches up to the books. Turns out the showrunners are wondering the same thing, although they hope they’ll never have to find out. “We still have our fingers crossed that George will get there,” saidD.B. Weiss.David Benioffconcurred: “Ideally the books come out first.”
But should that unfortunate scenario come to pass, Martin’s already divulged his plans for the saga Weiss and Benioff. That means there’s at least some possibility that the HBO drama could reveal the big ending before Martin’s books get to. “I don’t think I’d be happy with that,” Martin said.
For now, though, he isn’t worried. “I think the odds against that happening are very long,” he said. “I still have a lead of several gigantic books. If they include everything in the books, I don’t think they’re going to catch up with me. If they do, we’ll have some interesting discussions.” [EW]
Kurt Sutteris already dreaming up new tales to tell about SAMCRO onceSons of Anarchyends — but he won’t be telling them for a while. “Right now, it’s just conversations,” Sutter said of the rumored prequel series. “I want to let the property rest for a year or so afterSonsis over before jumping in.” The FX biker drama is expected to run until next year at least, which means the prequel won’t arrive until 2016 at the earliest.
Perhaps that’s just as well, since Sutter is still debating how he wants to present the new saga. “I don’t know if it will be a series or a limited series of say 10 to 13 episodes,” he said. “I don’t want to do it as a movie – tonally, I don’t see it as a movie.” [Deadline]
Dan Harmonand Sony Pictures TV have officially kissed and made up. Harmon and his former co-executive producerChris McKennahave closed their deals to return for Season 5 ofCommunity, with Harmon once again acting as showrunner. TheCommunitycreator first slipped the newslast week, but the contract had not been finalized at that point. [Deadline]Tom Felton, a.k.a. Draco Malfoy, has booked another role as a rich asshole. At least this one’s actually worked for his money. Felton will play a tech genius named Erich Blunt on TNT’s mystery pilotMurder in the First, which also starsTaye DiggsandKathleen Robertsonas San Francisco PD detectives.Steven BochcoandEric Lodalcreated the show. [Deadline
In other TNT casting news,Frank Darabont’sLost Angelshas found its baddie.Jeremy Lukewill play real-life gangster Mickey Cohen in the ’40s crime drama, which depicts the LAPD’s struggle against organized crime. The series will premiere next summer. [Deadline]
AddNatalie Zeato the long list of Mainers who’ll be terrorized byStephen Kingthis summer. TheThe Followingactress has set a “continuing” role on CBS’Under the Domeas Maxine, a troublemaker who makes an “alarming appearance” in the ninth episode. The thriller premieres Monday,June 24. [TV Line]
I supposeVeronica Marsmovie casting news doesn’t technically belong in TV Bits, but it is a sequel to a TV series, so just work with me here. With production scheduled to begin June 17,Rob Thomashas been scrambling to get his cast together.
Daran Norris(Cliff),Francis Capra(Weevil),Percy Daggs III(Wallace),Chris Lowell(Piz), andChristine Lakin(one-off character Susan Knight) have just been added to the roster.Enrico Colantoni,Jason Dohring,Kristen Bell, and a deep-pocketed Kickstarter contributor were previously confirmed to appear. So, who do you want to see brought back into the fold next? Mac? Dick? Officer Leo? [Facebook]
2013’s looking like a very good year forIdris Elba. After this summer’sPacific Rimbut before this fall’sThor: The Dark World, the Brit actor will return to the small screen for the highly anticipated third season ofLuther. Check out the first trailer below.
Lutherairs in four parts on BBC America fromSeptember 3-6. [BBC America]
It’ll be a long time before we get to set foot in Westeros again, but in the meantime Starz will do their best to give fans their medieval drama fix. Their new showThe White Queencenters on the 15th century Wars of the Roses — the same historical conflict that helped inspire the Stark-Lannister rivalry in George R.R. Martin’s books. See a new trailer below.
The White QueendebutsAugust 10. [Starz]
Meanwhile, HBO is eager to remind you thatGame of Thronesisn’t the only thing they have to offer. This very weekend (specifically,June 16) brings the new season ofTrue Blood:
Coming up onJuly 14is the second season ofAaron Sorkin’sThe Newsroom:
TheLarry DavidmovieClear HistoryairsAugust 10:
The fourth season ofBoardwalk Empireushers in the fall slate onSeptember 8:
AndEastbound & Down’s fourth and final season arrives a few weeks later onSeptember 29:
