This week in TV news: New York Comic Con delivers delicious TV treats, history returns to bite Today host Billy Bush (of the Bush political dynasty) on the butt, and two former Game of Thrones faves find new gigs. Plus: Fraggles in development news and viral videos.
Many of TV’s top genre shows debuted sneak peeks at New York Comic Con last weekend, Oct. 6-9, giving fans gobs to look forward to this fall all the way into 2017. The live-action TV highlights included a season 7 sneak peek of The Walking Dead; the first half of the premiere of 2017 FX series Legion, starring Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey’s beloved Matthew Crawley); a full-length Iron Fist trailer from Netflix; the first Defenders public appearance; Doctor Who Christmas Special first look; and so much more.
Here are a few highlights:
The Walking Dead (AMC) — season 7 sneak peek
Legion (FX) — screened the first half of its premiere episode, due in 2017 (not available online, but here’s the show’s trailer)
Iron Fist (Netflix) — full-length trailer of the Marvel series starring Finn Jones (Game of Thrones)
The Defenders (Netflix) — there were no screeners, but the Marvel series’ superhero leads — Charlie Cox as Daredevil’s Matt Murdock, Mike Colter from Luke Cage, Krysten Ritter from Jessica Jones and Finn Jones as Iron Fist’s Danny Rand — appeared onstage together and introduced Sigourney Weaver as the newest cast member
Our heroes in the same place for the very first time. But they’re not alone… #TheDefenders #MarvelNYCC pic.twitter.com/ia8BkM1LBj
— The Defenders (@TheDefenders) October 9, 2016
12 Monkeys (Syfy) — season 3 teaser trailers
Incorporated (Syfy) — the futuristic thriller executive produced by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck offered a premiere season trailer
The Magicians (Syfy) — offered a con-only preview, but a season 2 first look can be seen online
The Expanse (Syfy) — offered a con-only preview, but a season 2 trailer can be seen online
Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency (BBC America) — screened the first episode of the series adapted from the novels by Douglas Adams (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Doctor Who) and starring Elijah Wood and Samuel Barnett; a sneak peek, new trailer, and highlights from the NYCC panel were released online
Doctor Who (BBC America) — Doctor Who Christmas Special first look; the NYCC full panel is available for viewing online
Class (BBC America) — the Doctor Who-verse’s teen spin-off debuted its first official trailer and a first look teaser; the NYCC full panel is also available for viewing
Teen Wolf (MTV) — screened the first 8 minutes of the premiere episode of season 6, the series’ final season; trailer.
Following the reveal of 2005 Access Hollywood video in which correspondent Billy Bush encourages Donald Trump’s lewd talk about women, observers expect Bush will exit his new gig at NBC’s Today. On Tuesday, CNN’s Brian Stelter reported that sources said Bush’s departure was a “matter of when, not if” and would happen within days. The Washington Post first published the video on Saturday, Oct. 8. Today suspended Bush on Sunday night. Republican presidential candidate Trump apologized on Saturday, lost the support of numerous GOP figures in subsequent days, dismissed the comments as “locker room talk” in the second primary debate on Sunday, and was later the subject of a flood of accusations of sexual harassment and misogyny.
Rose Leslie (Game of Thrones, Downton Abbey) has been cast as a lead opposite Christine Baranski and Cush Jumbo in the upcoming follow-up to The Good Wife series for CBS All Access, as Diane’s goddaughter. Darius McCrary (Family Matters) has booked a recurring role opposite Queen Latifah in new Fox series Star, which is created and executive produced by Lee Daniels and Tom Donaghy. Melina Kanakaredes (CSI: NY) has been cast in a recurring role on ABC’s new drama series Notorious. And Syfy has completed its series regular cast for the Superman prequel Krypton: Ian McElhinney (Game of Thrones), Elliot Cowan (Da Vinci’s Demons), Ann Ogbomo (World War Z), Rasmus Hardiker (Your Highness), Wallis Day (The Royals), and Aaron Pierre (Tennison) will join the cast alongside leads Cameron Cuffe and Georgina Campbell.
In development news this week, a resurgence of classics, as Jim Henson’s beloved Fraggle Rock gets a digital remaster of all 96 original episodes to replay on HBO beginning at the end of 2016. Steve Harvey takes on hosting duties of a new Showtime at the Apollo, which launched the careers of artists such as Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, James Brown, Lauryn Hill, and many, many more. The show’s special airs early in December. Seeso announced this week that Paul Reiser (Mad About You) is bringing a scripted comedy series about Johnny Carson’s The Tonight Show to the network. The series goes behind the scenes, as seen through eyes of a 19-year-old boy navigating the cultural and political upheaval of the times, along with his cohorts, while trying to make his show business dreams a reality. BBC hit series Planet Earth will make its way back to tellys this November. BBC announced the news with the release of a new trailer. And — holy Mother Earth, Batman — is it stunning!
