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‘Elsbeth’ Rounds Out Guest Cast With Elizabeth Lail, Arian Moayed & Laura Benanti

Elsbeth follows the titular Elsbeth Tascioni (Carrie Preston), an astute but unconventional attorney, who utilizes her singular point of view to make unique observations and corner brilliant criminals alongside the NYPD following her successful career in Chicago. The character first appeared in The Good Wife and later in The Good Fight spinoff.

In addition to Preston, Wendell Pierce and Carra Patterson round out the series regular cast, as Captain Wagner and Kaya Blanke, respectively. Gloria Reuben recurs as Wagner’s wife, Claudia Payne. The cast is small as the police procedural dramedy depends on a healthy supply of guest stars like Stephen Moyer, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Linda Lavin and Blair Underwood, to name a few.

Lail portrays Quinn, the hot young tech CEO known for her location-based crime alert app, “Cerberus.” Quinn uses her charm and privilege to hook investors, and she’ll even use her app to deceive the authorities when she gets up to criminal activity herself. Moayed portrays Joe, the charismatic owner of an exclusive TriBeCa cocktail bar. Joe considers his establishment a refuge from this crazy world and dotes on his regulars like family. He is wildly generous, seethes at injustice, and will go to murderous lengths to punish a bully from his favorite patron’s past. Benanti portrays Nadine, a glamorous, smart and determined supermodel who is retiring from the runway while dealing with a messy divorce from her designer husband. A well-respected force in the fashion industry, Nadine will do anything to stop some disgraceful information about her from coming to light.

Elsbeth is produced by CBS Studios. The show is co-created and executive produced by Robert King and Michelle King along with Liz Glotzer and Jonathan Tolins, who also serves as showrunner.

Lail recently starred in Blumhouse’s Five Nights At Freddy’s, based on the video game series of the same name. She will also be seen in the upcoming indie film Gonzo Girl, directed by Patricia Arquette and starring Willem Dafoe. She recently appeared in the comedy film Mack & Rita opposite Diane Keaton. She is best known for her lead role as ‘Beck’ in Netflix’s You and starred as ‘Jenny’ in NBC’s drama series Ordinary Joe. Lail is repped by Authentic Talent & Literary Management, CAA and Shreck Rose Dapello Adams.

Moayed was most recently seen opposite Jessica Chastain in the Broadway production of A Doll’s House, for which he was nominated for a 2023 Tony Award.  He received two Emmy nominations for his work as ‘Stewy’ in the HBO series Succession. Additional TV credits include Inventing Anna, Love Life and Ms. Marvel. As part of Waterwell Films, Moayed wrote and directed the digital series The Accidental Wolf. Up next, he can be seen on the big screen in House of Spoils for Blumhouse opposite Ariana DeBose. Moayed is repped by Kipperman Management and Schreck Rose Dapello Adams.

Tony Award-winner Benanti recently starred in Sony Pictures’ No Hard Feelings and Netflix’s Worth. She can be seen in Max’s The Gilded Age and Hulu’s Life & Beth. She was award a Tony Award for her role in Gypsy. Most recently, she debuted an original musical comedy show for Audible titled Nobody Cares, which she created, wrote and starred in. She is repped by Gersh and Untitled Entertainment.

Sofia Carson To Topline Netflix Rom-Com ‘The Life List’; Kyle Allen, Sebastian De Souza & Connie Britton Also Set

Based on the 2013 novel by Lori Nelson Spielman, The Life List‘s logline is as follows: When Alex Rose’s (Carson) mother sends her on a quest to complete her childhood bucket list, it takes her on a journey that will make you both laugh and cry as she uncovers family secrets, finds romance, and discovers herself along the way.

Liza Chasin (The Lost City, Stillwater) is producing for 3dot Productions. The film falls under Chasin’s first-look deal with the streamer, announced in 2019, which also covers her upcoming Morocco-set love story Lonely Planet starring Laura Dern, Liam Hemsworth, and Diana Silvers. Exec producers of The Life List include Hutch Parker, Brooks, Margaret Chernin, and Kerry Orent.

Carson is best known for starring opposite Nicholas Galitzine in the hugely popular romance Purple Hearts from Netflix and Alloy Entertainment, which spent six weeks in the Global Top 10 Films (English) upon its September 2022 debut on the streamer, reaching the Top 10 Films in 93 countries. Prior to that, she starred in Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists as well as Disney Channel’s Descendants films. Up next, she’ll be seen starring opposite Jason Bateman, Taron Egerton and more in Jaume Collet-Serra’s action thriller Carry On, also for Netflix.

Previously, Allen has been seen in Kenneth Branagh’s A Haunting in Venice and Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, along with films like Rosaline and The Map of Tiny Perfect Things. His TV credits include Hulu’s The Path and American Horror Story on FX.

Most recently seen on the film side in Netflix’s buzzy thriller Fair Play from Chloe Domont, De Souza has also appeared on shows like The Great, Normal People, Medici, and The Borgias.

Britton has recently starred on shows like The White Lotus and Dear Edward, also appearing in films like Bombshell, Promising Young Woman, and Winner, the Reality Winner dramedy from Susanna Fogel, which launched out of this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Up next, she’ll be seen starring alongside Robert De Niro and many more on Netflix’s Zero Day.

Best known for writing and directing the Ryan Reynolds rom-com Definitely, Maybe, and for co-creating Bravo’s dark comedy Imposters, Brooks served as director and consulting producer on Mozart in the Jungle, also previously directing episodes of Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce and Netflix’s Partner Track. Additional writing credits for the mutli-hyphenate include Netflix’s Nappily Ever After, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, Wimbledon, and Beloved, to name a few.

Carson is repped by WME, Ziffren Brittenham, and Kleinberg Lange Cuddy & Carlo; Allen by UTA, Entertainment 360, and attorneys Huy Nguyen & Steve Warren; De Souza by the UK’s Waring McKenna, Anonymous Content, and Hansen, Jacobson; Britton by CAA, Untitled Entertainment, and Hansen, Jacobson; and Brooks by WME and Jackoway Austen Tyerman.

Hayden Panettiere Leads Thriller ‘Amber Alert’ For Lionsgate & ‘Pig’ Outfit Hungry Bull Productions; Tyler James Williams Co-Stars

In Amber Alert, which is in post-production, an ordinary ride share becomes a high-stakes game of cat and mouse. The story will follow Jaq (Hayden Panettiere) who is eager to get to her first day at a new job, and her driver, Shane (Tyler James Williams), who is just trying to earn a little extra at his side hustle. An alert of a child abduction on their phones will change all that when they discover they are behind a car that matches the description of the kidnapper’s. Unable to let a possible child trafficker escape, they begin a pursuit that will put their own lives at risk.

Kerry Bellessa directs the film which is written by Kerry Bellessa and Joshua Oram. Producers are Joseph Restaino and Tony Stopperan through their Hungry Bull Productions banner, Summer and Kerry Bellessa through Bluefields Entertainment, and Leal Naim.

The film is co-financed by Hungry Bull Productions and Three Point Capital. Panettiere and Williams will also executive-produce the film. Lionsgate will release domestically.

Hungry Bull Productions, based in Florida, is best known for Michael Sarnoski’s directorial debut Pig, starring Nicolas Cage and Alex Wolff, which was picked up by Neon. Credits also include Passing (Netflix), directed by Rebecca Hall and starring Tessa Thompson, Ruth Negga, Alexander Skarsgard, and André Holland, and Lionsgate movies The Lady of the Manor, with Melanie Lynskey, Judy Greer, Justin Long, and Ryan Phillippe, and thriller Fear of Rain, starring Katherine Heigl, Harry Connick.

Amber Alert marks Panettiere’s second screen project — after Scream VI — since her Golden Globe-nominated turn as singer Juliette Barnes in ABC’s hit series Nashville, produced by Lionsgate Television. The actress is also known for series and films including Heroes, Custody and Remember The Titans.

Williams is best known for his roles in Abbott Elementary, The United States vs. Billie Holiday and Dear White People.

Panettiere is repped by Mainstay Entertainment, Independent Artists Group, and Hansen, Jacobson. Williams is represented by The Gersh Agency and Hansen, Jacobson..

Taylor Sheridan’s ‘Landman’ Adds Four Series Regulars

Co-created by Sheridan and Wallace, Landman is set in the proverbial boomtowns of West Texas and is a modern day tale of fortune seeking in the world of oil rigs. The series is an upstairs/downstairs story of roughnecks and wildcat billionaires fueling a boom so big, it’s reshaping our climate, our economy and our geopolitics. Thornton stars as Tommy Norris, a crisis manager for an oil company. Randolph plays Ainsley Norris, the wild and strong-willed seventeen year old daughter of Tommy Norris (Thornton). Lofland portrays Cooper Norris, Tommy Norris’ (Thornton) son.

Wallace plays Rebecca Savage, an extremely capable and intimidating liability attorney sent to West Texas to clean up a mess.

Jordan portrays Dale Bradley, a petroleum engineer and a blue-collar bear of a man who manages and works with roughnecks in the oil fields. He’s also Tommy’s (Thornton) roommate.

Collie is Sheriff Joeberg, a West Texas sheriff.

Chávez plays Ariana, a young mother whose family has suffered a misfortune.

Land Man is produced by MTV Entertainment Studios,101 Studios, and Sheridan’s Bosque Ranch Productions. Series is executive produced by Sheridan, Wallace, Thornton, David Glasser, David Hutkin, Ron Burkle, Bob Yari, Geyer Kosinski, Dan Friedkin and Jason Hoch for Imperative Development LLC, Scott Brown and Megan Creydt for Texas Monthly; Peter Feldman serves as co-executive producer.

Hayden Panettiere Accuses Nashville Writers of Exploiting Her Real-Life Woes for Drama: ‘They Weren’t Creating New Storylines’

Though the actress has previously acknowledged that “they really wrote my life into it” when she starred opposite Connie Britton on the ABC series, in a new interview with The Messenger, she now accuses the show’s writing team of “not doing their homework.”

She adds: “They weren’t creating new storylines. They were just looking at my life and going, ‘Oh, let’s just take what she’s going through and put our little spin on it.’ And then, ta-da! It’s done and done.”

Panettiere references Juliette’s Season 1 hasty marriage and even hastier annulment to pro athlete Sean Butler, played by Tilky Jones, as well as later seasons’ plots that showed Juliette struggling with alcoholism and post-partum depression and joining a cult.

“Straight from the beginning, it was like, I’m dating a football player, [and then] Juliette dates a football player. And then they turned her into an alcoholic. Then they turned to her leaving her daughter and going to this crazy [place] in Europe,” says the actress, who is about to embark on a speaking tour titled “A Conversation With Hayden Panettiere.”

TVLine has reached out to multiple former Nashville executive producers for comment.

In comments similar to those she made on a 2022 episode of Red Table Talk, Panettiere says playing out the personally resonant scripts made her feel like she had no respite from her troubles. And because Juliette was so frequently upset, “I was like, tear central. I don’t even think on a soap opera that I cried as much [as I did] on Nashville.”

Panettiere has previously spoken publicly about going to treatment roughly four months after Kaya, her daughter with Wladimir Klitschko, was born in December 2014; she has said she was drinking heavily at the time and was diagnosed with postpartum depression at the facility where she sought help. She had two stays before Nashville ended in 2018, and later checked in for an eight-month stay.

Nashville viewers will remember that in October 2015, Panettiere took a very public step back from the show, then in its fourth season. She returned to set the following January but then resumed treatment shortly after the season’s production wrapped.

She appeared in the show’s final two seasons; Juliette’s involvement in the aforementioned cult created a reason for Panettiere to be off-screen for a number of episodes.i

Hayden Panettiere Defends ‘Scream VII’ Co-Star Melissa Barrera, Calls Her Firing “Very Upsetting”

Barrera was dropped from Scream VII following social media posts commenting on the Israel-Hamas conflict. At the time, Spyglass Media cut Barrera, saying in a statement, “We have zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form, including false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing, Holocaust distortion, or anything that flagrantly crosses the line into hate speech.”

Panettiere said she thought her co-star was singled out.

“After she [spoke out], then a whole bunch of other actors and people in the industry started to do the same thing, right? It was almost like she just did it earlier than everyone else.”

Barrera later called dismissal was “shocking,” since she’d been playing the lead role of Sam Carpenter since 2022’s Scream V.

“It was shocking,” Barrera told Rolling Stone. “I don’t even know what to say. I think everything that happened was very transparent, on both sides, and I know who I am, and I know that what I said always came from a place of love and a place of humanity and a place of human rights and a place of freedom for people, which shouldn’t be controversial. It shouldn’t be up for debate.”

Barrera hasn’t abandoned her stance. Barrera last week joined almost 100 protestors marching down Main Street at the Sundance Film Festival chanting a controversial mantra.

Panettiere said she reached out to her co-star after Spyglass let Barrera go.

“Melissa is such a badass as a human being and as an actress,” said Panettiere. “…She was hurt by it, but I think she took it in stride and was very, very gracious about it.”

Earlier this month, at the MPTF’s 17th Annual Evening Before Gala, Barrera, Ortega and a slew of actors from the last two Scream movies reunited for a photo that was posted on Instagram. The image included Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, Liana Liberato, Tony Revolori, Jack Quaid and Barrera’s on-screen father and OG Ghostface Skeet Ulrich.

Asked about the support she’s received and specifically about that photo, Barrera told Deadline, “We’re family for life. If we’re ever in the vicinity of each other, we always find each other and that’s what happened at that event.”

After news that Barrera would no longer continue in the Scream franchise, her on-screen sister, played by Jenna Ortega, also dropped out, citing scheduling conflicts with Netflix’s Wednesday.

In the same interview, the reporter asked about Ortega’s exit saying, “That didn’t seem like the whole story. It seemed like there was some sisterhood-solidarity going on.”

“Listen, Jenna is a good egg. She’s a good person and we love each other. She would show up for me and I would show up for her no matter what,” Barrera added.i

Oliver Hudson Inks Broadcast Direct Deal With Fox Entertainment

Hudson played one of the leads, FBI agent Garrett Miller, in The Cleaning Lady, co-produced by Warner Bros. TV and Fox Entertainment. The popular character was killed off in the Season 2 finale, which aired earlier this year.

Hudson already has a pre-existing relationship with Fox as a producer. He and Joe Buck are developing the animated comedy Daddy Issues for the network, with Fox Entertainment and company-owned animation house Bento Box Entertainment producing. The ensemble buddy comedy is inspired by the popular podcast that follows the true-life experiences of Buck and Hudson as they try to survive the numerous minefields that come with being dads, husbands and best friends.

“Oliver is a talented, versatile actor and an inspired storyteller who brings an incredible amount of energy to everything he does,” said Michael Thorn, President, Scripted Programming, of Fox Entertainment. “We are excited to build on our relationship with him and tap into his intense creativity to jointly develop and produce premium dramas and comedies that further grow Fox Entertainment’s robust slate of owned series.”

The network’s first fully owned scripted series, animated comedy Krapopolis, came out of Fox Entertainment’s direct broadcast deal with Dan Harmon. The company’s roster of talent under direct pacts also includes Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson (Power), filmmaker Rodney Rothman (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) and Adam Rosenberg, producers Carol Mendelsohn (CSI) and Julie Weitz, writer/producer/director McG (Supernatural); writer/ producer Justin Adler (Life in Pieces) and creator/writer/ producer Matt Nix (Burn Notice).

“I have been lucky enough to work in front of the camera with Michael Thorn and his team and am now looking forward to collaborating with them to bring my ideas to life with Fox, a network that’s unafraid to push the boundaries to tell stories that entertain and dig into the complexities and quirks of the human condition,” Hudson said. “I have always enjoyed both comedy and drama, so it’s exciting to tackle both as potentially one of the best producers this planet has ever seen!”

Hudson also recently did an arc on Max’s …And Just Like That. His extensive resume includes starring roles on comedy series Splitting Up Together, and Rules of Engagement and recurring stints on Scream Queens and Nashville. In addition to Daddy Issues with Joe Buck and Oliver Hudson, he also has the popular podcast Sibling Revelry with Kate Hudson and Oliver Hudson.

On the feature side, Hudson’s recent producing credits include the Stalberg-directed Muzzle starring Aaron Eckhart and Stephen Lang, which was released by IFC Films/RLJ in September, and Bad Hombres starring Tyrese Gibson, Thomas Jane, Luke Hemsworth, and Nick Cassavetes, which won the Grand Jury Prize and Best Screenwriting at the Mammoth Film Festival, with Screen Media releasing in January of 2024.

‘Ctrl Alt Del’: Aubrey Peeples Latest To Join Kit Williamson’s Indie Drama

She joins an ensemble led by Jason Priestley and Laurel Marsden, which also includes Elsie Fisher, Mena Suvari, Cheyenne Jackson, Angel Parker, Shiv Pai, Navia Robinson, Jack Wright and Jesse Leigh, as previously announced.

Written by Amir Ohebsion and Arash Homampour, the film follows disaffected teen Ava (Marsden) and her estranged filmmaker father Greyson (Priestley) as they try to reconnect in the aftermath of a tragic incident prompted by his latest movie. Ohebsion produced alongside Sam Okun for his Sam Okun Productions. Homampour exec produced, with Nick Lyon, Lachlan Towle, Christian Jean and Constantinos Yiallourides serving as co-producers.

Previously, Peeples has been seen in Jon M. Chu’s musical drama Jem and the Holograms, as well as the indies Locating Silver Lake with Josh Peck, Heartthrob with Keir Gilchrist, and Rage with Nicolas Cage. Best known for a major role across three seasons of the ABC/CMT drama Nashville, the actress has also recurred on Freeform’s Recovery Road and USA’s Necessary Roughness. Additional past TV credits as a guest star include Grey’s Anatomy, Burn Notice and Drop Dead Diva, to name just a few.

Peeples is repped by Seven Summits Management.

TIME FOR HER TO COME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS 11/30/23

The White Lotus: Connie Britton Not Returning as Nicole in Season 3

TVLine has learned exclusively that franchise alum Connie Britton — who starred in the HBO dramedy’s breakout first season as the aforementioned high-powered CFO — will not be returning for the Thailand-set third season.

“She would love to do another season of The White Lotus at some point, but she is not participating in the upcoming season,” Britton’s spokesperson confirms to TVLine.

As we reported back in December, one Season 3 scenario being bandied about had Britton’s Nicole resurfacing in Season 3 alongside Laura Dern’s Abby, the estranged wife of Season 2 guest Dom (Michael Imperioli). Rumor had it that viewers would learn that Nicole and Abby (whom Dern supplied the voice of in Season 2) were, in fact, sisters.

According to sources, Britton had been in preliminary talks to return, but scheduling issues made it an impossibility. It’s unclear what impact this will have on the possible in-the-flesh introduction of Dern’s Abby character.

Britton — who recently signed on to star opposite Oscar winner Robert De Niro in Netflix’s limited series Zero Day — first hinted at a potential White Lotus return last summer, telling our sister pub Deadline, “[Series creator Mike White] wanted me to be in the second season, and there was an idea that I loved for the character. Our intention is to do it in the third season. A piece of casting didn’t work in the second season and we’re hoping to [do] that in the third season.”

The spirit of White Lotus’ Emmy-winning first season will still be felt in Season 3, courtesy of Natasha Rothwell’s returning Belinda. In a recent TVLine poll that asked readers which past characters they would like to see follow in the footsteps of Jennifer Coolidge’s Tanya (R.I.P.) by becoming the newest member of White Lotus’ loyalty program, Rothwell’s Belinda placed fifth.

Lizzy Caplan, Jesse Plemons, Joan Allen & Connie Britton Join Robert De Niro In ‘Zero Day’ Netflix Series

Caplan plays Alexandra Mullen, a young Congresswoman who has sought to distance herself from her father’s political legacy. Plemons is Roger Carlson: Former Mullen “body man” seeking a return to the national stage alongside Mullen. Allen portrays Sheila Mullen: Former First Lady and nominee to the federal bench whose professional ambitions take a backseat to her husband’s political career. Britton plays Valerie Whitesell: A savvy, intelligent political operative who was Mullen’s former Chief of Staff.

De Niro executive produces and leads the cast as George Mullen, a massively popular, but complicated, former American President who is pulled from retirement to head a commission tasked with investigating a devastating global cyber-attack.

Zero Day, from creator/writor/executive producer Eric Newman under his Grand Electric Productions deal with Netflix, and creator/writer/executive producer Noah Oppenheim, asks the question — how do we find truth in a world in crisis, one seemingly being torn apart by forces outside our control? And in an era rife with conspiracy theory and subterfuge, how much of those forces are products of our own doing, perhaps even of our own imagining?

Pulitzer Prize winner Michael S. Schmidt also is credited as creator/executive producer on the six-episode limited series; Jonathan Glickman executive produces under his production company, Panoramic Media; Lesli Linka Glatter will direct all episodes and also executive produce.

Caplan is repped by WME, Independent Talent Group, Rise Management, Jackoway Austen Tyerman & The Lede Company. Britton is repped by CAA, Hansen Jacobson Teller and The Initiative Group. Plemons is repped by TalentWorks and attorney David Matlof.

‘Dear Edward’ Canceled By Apple After One Season

The Jason Katims-produced series based on the novel of the same name from Ann Napolitano, tells the story of Edward Adler (Colin O’Brien), a 12-year-old boy who survives a devastating commercial plane crash that kills every other passenger on the flight, including his family. As Edward and a diverse ensemble of others affected by the tragedy try to make sense of life after the crash, unexpected friendships, romances and communities are formed.

Dear Edward is described as a heartbreaking, life-affirming, and uplifting story about survival, resilience, connection, and the examination of what makes us human. Hailing from Apple Studios, Dear Edward is written by Katims, who serves as showrunner. He executive produces through True Jack Productions alongside Jeni Mulein. Author Napolitano also serves as executive producer alongside Fisher Stevens (Palmer), who is set to direct the first episode and serve as executive producer on the pilot. David Boyd will serve as producing director.

It also starred Connie Britton, Taylor Schilling, Carter Hudson, Amy Forsyth, Idris DeBrand, Ivan Shaw, Jenna Qureshi, Anna Uzele, Dario Ladani Sanchez, Eva Ariel Binder, Brittany S. Hall, Maxwell Jenkins and Audrey Corsa.

Michael Urie, Laura Benanti & Danny Deferrari Board ‘Goodrich’ Comedy With Michael Keaton, Mila Kunis

The film set in contemporary Los Angeles during the holidays tells the story of art dealer Andy Goodrich (Keaton), a man whose life is upended when his younger second wife leaves him and enters a 90-day rehab program while also threatening divorce. Andy takes charge of their nine-year-old twins, thrusting him into the world of modern parenthood for which he is deeply unprepared. With his career falling by the wayside, Andy leans on his grown and pregnant daughter Grace (Kunis) for support, and ultimately evolves into the father Grace never had. With all his relationships being put to the test, Andy learns the true meaning of having it all.

Others set for supporting roles in the film from writer-director Hallie Meyers-Shyer, as previously announced, include Andie MacDowell, Carmen Ejogo and Kevin Pollak.

Jason Cloth and Dave Caplan’s C2 Motion Picture Group (Babylon) is fully financing and producing the film alongside Daniela Taplin Lundberg (Harriet, The Kids Are All Right) and Kevin Mann (Together Together), with Keaton and Amy Pascal (Spider-Man: No Way Home, Little Women) exec producing. UTA Independent Film Group and CAA Media Finance are co-repping domestic rights, with Black Bear International handling foreign sales.

Urie currently stars opposite Jason Segel in the acclaimed Apple TV+ comedy series Shrinking, which has been renewed for a second season. He earned two SAG Award nominations as part of the cast of ABC’s Ugly Betty and has also been seen on series like Younger, The Good Fight, The Good Wife, Modern Family, Workaholics and Hot in Cleveland, among others. Past film credits include Netflix’s holiday rom-com Single All the Way and Todd Stephens’ Magnolia Pictures dramedy Swan Song, starring Udo Kier and Jennifer Coolidge. He’ll next be seen in Bradley Cooper’s drama Maestro for Netflix/Amblin.

A Tony Award-winner and five-time nominee, Benanti can currently be seen starring opposite Amy Schumer in the Hulu comedy series Life & Beth, which will be back for a ten-episode second season. She previously starred in HBO Max’s Gossip Girl reboot, also appearing opposite Keaton, Stanley Tucci and Amy Ryan in the Netflix drama Worth. Additional credits include the Darren Star series Younger, the dramedy Here Today with Billy Crystal and Tiffany Haddish, Supergirl, Nashville and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s tick, tick… BOOM!. Benanti will next appear in Sony’s Jennifer Lawrence-led comedy No Hard Feelings, hitting theaters June 23rd, and in the second season of HBO’s The Gilded Age.

Deferrari played the male lead in Emma Seligman’s Independent Spirit Award-winning breakout film Shiva Baby and will next be seen in Christopher Nolan’s epic Uni drama Oppenheimer, where he plays Italian physicist Enrico Fermi, creator of the world’s first nuclear reactor. He previously played Andrew Madoff opposite Richard Dreyfuss and Blythe Danner in the ABC special event series Madoff. Additional film credits include Three Christs opposite Richard Gere, Private Life opposite Paul Giamatti and Kathryn Hahn, It Had to Be You opposite Cristin Milioti and X/Y opposite Melonie Diaz.

Urie is represented by Paradigm, Seven Summits Pictures & Management and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller; Benanti by Gersh and Untitled Entertainment; and Deferrari by Innovative Artists.

"NASHVILLE" Cast Reunites For International Tour

"NASHVILLE" The Reunion Tour is headed this way. The tour will include Clare Bowen, Charles Esten, Jonathan Jackson and Sam Palladio, who will perform classic songs from the series along with their original material. After a five-year hiatus from touring in the United States as a group, the singing actors will play shows in Nashville and Chicago before heading for a run of concerts in the U.K. Chris Carmack will join his castmates on stage in Chicago on September 23.

"I'm thrilled to be reuniting on stage with these wonderful Nashville friends here in the U.S. First, at Chicago's beautiful @rosemonttheatre and then, most fittingly, on that historic stage where @nashvillecmt said it's final goodbye and sang its last song - the Mother Church herself- @theryman," Esten wrote on Instagram.

The four artists will play the Ryman Auditorium on September 25, before heading to the U.K. on October 11. Due to overwhelming demand, additional dates were added to the U.K. tour, which will visit Glasglow, Birmingham, Manchester, London and Cardiff.

"NASHVILLE" debuted in 2012 against the backdrop of Nashville's music scene, and the show followed the lives of Clare Bowen (Scarlett O'Connor), Chris Carmack (Will Lexington), Charles Esten (Deacon Claybourne), Jonathan Jackson (Avery Barkley) and Sam Palladio (Gunnar Scott) as they tried to make lives in the country music business.

The show reached 225 territories worldwide before its final season in 2018 and spawned 22 soundtracks, including a Christmas album, which collectively sold millions of copies.

Tickets for Chicago and Nashville go on sale on Friday, April 21 at 10:00 am CST. Ticket information for all U.S. and U.K. shows can be found at www.nashvillereuniontour.com.

"NASHVILLE" THE REUNION TOUR

SAT 23 SEP 2023 CHICAGO, IL - ROSEMONT THEATRE *

MON 25 SEP 2023 NASHVILLE, TN - RYMAN AUDITORIUM

WED 11 OCT 2023 GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - SEC ARMADILLO

THU 12 OCT 2023 GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - SEC ARMADILLO – SOLD OUT

FRI 13 OCT 2023 BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - RESORTS WORLD ARENA

SAT 14 OCT 2023 MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - O2 APOLLO - MATINEE

SAT 14 OCT 2023 MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - O2 APOLLO – EVENING – SOLD OUT

MON 16 OCT 2023 LONDON, ENGLAND - EVENTIM APOLLO

TUE 17 OCT 2023 LONDON, ENGLAND - EVENTIM APOLLO – SOLD OUT

WED 18 OCT 2023 CARDIFF, WALES - INTERNATIONAL ARENA

Laura Benanti reveals she had a miscarriage while performing onstage

Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, the Broadway performer revealed the news, “I knew it was happening. It started slowly the night before. If it had been our first loss, or even our second, I likely wouldn’t have been able to go on. But unfortunately, I am not a stranger to the pain and emptiness of losing a pregnancy.”

Benanti — who is headlining the entertainment on the ship and even performed with her oldest daughter, Ella — shared that she and her husband, Patrick Brown, have walked “hand in hand” while dealing with pregnancy loss in the past.

However, she also expressed gratitude for the “kindest, most loving humans” who helped her during her most recent miscarriage.

The “Younger” actress, 43, went on to thank a multitude of people including the audience, her band, crew, friends, fellow performers and producers for supporting her throughout the tragic experience.

Benanti — who wed Brown in 2015 — also showed love for her “remarkable” mother and father-in-law, who helped in “shielding” her 6-year-old daughter, Ella, from “the reality of this experience and giving her the time of her life while ‘Mama’s back hurt.'”

While it is unclear how long Benanti had been pregnant, she also shared a touching message to the unborn child, saying, “Thank you to that little soul for choosing me as your home, even for a short time.”

The “No Hard Feelings” star — who also shares 8-month-old daughter Louisa with Brown — wrote that she is “so grateful” for her family and the “miracle” of their “two little girls.”

Highlighting that her youngest daughter was born via surrogate, Benanti added, “One carried by me and one carried by an angel-on-earth.”

The “Late Night with Stephen Colbert” alum ended her heartfelt message by emphasizing that she is sharing her loss not to “garner sympathy or attention,” but to remind those who “have and will suffer in this way that there is no shame in this kind of loss. That you are not alone. And to remind myself as well.”

Following her heartbreaking post, the singer’s friends showed their support in the comment section, including Broadway co-star Randy Rainbow, who wrote, “You are remarkable in every way. All my love to you and Patrick.”

Actress Brenda Strong also applauded Benanti for her strength and grace, commenting, “Most would have collapsed in the contrast of what was being demanded of you. But you used it as an opportunity to shine gratitude on others, and to receive support. This is grace.”

“An absolute light, you are so much love to you and your beautiful family,” musician Eleri Ward wrote.

Benanti first spoke out about her experience with pregnancy loss — and the difficulty of sharing that with others — in 2015, calling the topic of miscarriage the “Voldemort of women’s issues.”

“Why, if my neighbor sees me looking sad and asks me if I am okay, is it perfectly acceptable to tell her my aunt passed away, or I lost my job, or I had to put my dog down,” she wrote on social media.

“But if I tell her I experienced a miscarriage, I am somehow inappropriately oversharing? My purpose in writing this is simply to say, if you are part of this sisterhood, you are not alone.”

Hayden Panettiere, Hoping to Leave Her Struggles Behind, Is Back Onscreen

She survived being a child actor in the early 2000s when the media obsessively treated the lives of young women as entertainment fodder; she survived early adulthood in the 2010s when she starred in the popular soap opera “Nashville,” a role that mirrored her own issues with postpartum depression and substance abuse; and she survived the aggressive tabloid coverage of her daughter’s move to Ukraine after her father was granted custody of her.

Recently Ms. Panettiere, 33, found herself in survival mode once again, because of grief. About three weeks before the release of “Scream VI,” in which she reprises her character Kirby Reed, her brother, Jansen Rane Panettiere, died at 28. He was an actor and budding artist, and he died from heart complications, her family said in February.

Ms. Panettiere tried to push through the press tour for the film in New York, but on March 6, two days before her brother’s funeral, she could sit through only one interview. She canceled the rest of her appearances, aside from the premiere.

On an overcast morning in late March in her Los Angeles condominium, Ms. Panettiere reflected on the past month of her life. Her brother’s ashes were atop a mantel, across from which she posed for a portrait in a Christian Siriano dress. She stood in front of a canvas teeming with hidden words, which her brother had created for her.

“I always see a few secret messages that maybe he meant to put there, maybe he didn’t,” she said. Mr. Panettiere was working on it when he died. “His art, that was the thing that made him happiest,” she said, her voice cracking.

After the photo shoot, Ms. Panettiere climbed the spiral staircase in her living room and curled up under a blanket on her velvet sofa in the lofted part of her condo. Her home is “the last place my whole family ever lived together” before her parents separated, she said.

Ms. Panettiere, who was born and raised in New York, has lived most of her life in the public eye. She landed her first gig in a commercial at 11 months old and was a child actor in films like “Remember the Titans” and “Bring It On: All or Nothing” and TV shows like “Guiding Light” and “Ally McBeal.”

She said her parents gave her a great childhood where she was able to attend prom and play sports, though she was always working. “I don’t think I really had a lot of time to be a kid,” she said. “I would miss these pockets of time, and because of that, it wasn’t easy for me as a young girl to slide back into a friend group and to belong.”

She solidified her place in Hollywood through roles like Claire Bennet in “Heroes,” the high school cheerleader with special powers; Kirby, a quirky horror aficionado, in “Scream IV”; and Juliette Barnes, a troubled country diva, in “Nashville.”

But in her private life, she struggled. When she was 18, her parents separated, and she ended up in the midst of an eight-year divorce battle. There were times, she said, when she felt like she had to choose one parent over the other and would end up staying by herself or with Wladimir Klitschko, an ex-boxer whom she dated on and off between 2009 and 2018.

“Of course, kids are always caught in the middle,” Ms. Panettiere said. “But my relationship with my parents now is good and even more special to me, because we lost my brother.”

In 2014, while she was working on “Nashville,” she gave birth to a daughter, Kaya (Mr. Klitschko is the father) and began suffering from postpartum depression. Ms. Panettiere said she turned to alcohol and opioids to self-medicate.

She ended up leaving “Nashville” during the fourth season in 2015 to go to a treatment facility for her depression. In 2018, when the show ended, her daughter went to live with her father, Mr. Klitschko, in Ukraine. Ms. Panettiere said she sees Kaya as much as she can (Kaya and Mr. Klitschko live in an undisclosed location since the war broke out last year).

Ms. Panettiere said that many of her real-life experiences were reflected in the show’s script while she was going through them, which was traumatizing. But there wasn’t much she could do about its story lines, and she had spent most of her life doing what she was told by those who had power over her. “Even if something was too much for me, I would never admit to it,” she said. “It was always about making them happy.”

The demand of her career took its toll. “When I went home after acting out what I was really going through, the last thing I wanted to do was properly manage or talk about what I was feeling in a healthy way,” she said. “So I turned to unhealthy coping mechanisms.”

That meant cocktails with friends and hiding under the covers and pouring herself a drink almost every day. Her life, she said, could be summed up by the adage “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.”

In some ways, Ms. Panettiere said, her tumultuous behavior stemmed from the time she lost in growing up as a child actor. “I wanted that control back,” she said. “I wanted to do things I wasn’t supposed to do, and I wanted to just let go and act like a kid.”

Ms. Panettiere said that at some point she couldn’t recognize herself in the mirror anymore. “My eyes were yellow,” she said, adding that doctors told her that her liver was failing and she was septic. She was 27 at the time and would wake up shaking, needing an entire bottle of alcohol to get through the day. She would often swap in opioids to stave off drinking alcohol, she said.

In 2021, Ms. Panettiere re-entered a treatment center for eight months. She has been sober for almost two years, now swapping substances for Peloton rides and organic meals, and has deleted most of the photos from her time deep in addiction, except for one.

Why? “To remind myself what I looked like,” she said. “The fact that I thought I looked OK at that time is the scariest part to me.”

At the height of her addiction, she dated Brian Hickerson on and off for about four years. In 2021, he pleaded no contest to two felony counts of injuring the actress and served time in jail. Mr. Hickerson was in the condo during our interview, walking around, vacuuming and shooting a basketball through the hoop in her living area.

Both Ms. Panettiere and Mr. Hickerson became sober and later reconnected as friends. During the photo shoot, Ms. Panettiere called him “babe” a handful of times. When asked if they were dating again, she was hesitant to define their relationship, but said, “There are feelings there, yes.”

She added that she doesn’t condone what he did. “He knows he deserved what happened to him,” Ms. Panettiere said, referring to his arrest and jail time. She noted that their relationship was “contingent on him continuing on this road of recovery,” and she is self-conscious about how people may perceive her letting him back into her life. “I did not do any of this lightly,” she said.

When Ms. Panettiere heard “Scream V” was in the works, her team reached out to see if she could be involved in the film. It was too late, but Ms. Panettiere ended up connecting with one of the sixth film’s executive producers, Kevin Williamson, with whom she had done “Scream IV.” Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, the directors of “Scream V,” wanted to bring Ms. Panettiere back for that movie but “felt like we’d be forcing her character in as a cameo,” they wrote in an email. Instead they had her return for a more fully fledged part in the next film.

Ms. Panettiere had some anxiety about returning to set as she struggled to remember her lines. “I used to memorize things like that, within two seconds,” she said, snapping. “Suddenly it was taking me hours to memorize something. It was like that muscle atrophied, so I was terrified.”

Fans of Ms. Panettiere’s singing on “Nashville” will be happy to know that the thought of making an album has crossed her mind. “I would love to do that one day and really do it right,” she said. Ms. Panettiere also said she’d love to take on more comedy or action roles.

Perhaps Ms. Panettiere might even make an appearance in another future “Scream” movie. When she initially took on the role of Kirby, she did it with the contingency that her character’s fate was left open-ended. “I was stabbed, but you never saw me die,” she said, laughing.

Hayden Panettiere Reacts to Her BIGGEST Career Moments

CMT NAMES ALL-STAR PRESENTER LINEUP FOR 2023 “CMT MUSIC AWARDS”

Matthew Broderick & Laura Benanti Set For Weeklong ‘Love Letters’ Off Broadway

The Gurney play will be the second of two parts of Irish Rep’s The Letters Series, which will kick off with Jerome Kilty & George Bernard Shaw’s Dear Liar starring Melissa Errico and David Staller. That play will start its eight-performance run on April 25 and conclude April 30.

Both productions will be performed on the Irish Rep’s 148-seat Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage.Melissa Errico, David Staller (Courtesy Production)

Love Letters will be directed by Irish Rep producing director Ciarán O’Reilly, and Dear Liar will be directed by the company’s artistic director Charlotte Moore.

Adapted from the correspondence between George Bernard Shaw and actress Mrs. Patrick Campbell, Dear Liar will feature Staller (Cabaret, Evita) as Shaw and the Tony Award-nominated Errico (Amour)as Campbell.

Broderick last appeared on the New York stage in the hit 2020 Broadway revival of Plaza Suite, co-starring wife Sarah Jessica Parker. Benanti, a Tony winner for Gypsy, was last on Broadway in 2018’s My Fair Lady.

A Pulitzer Prize finalist for Drama, Love Letters is comprised of letters exchanged between two friends over a lifetime, from childhood through marriages and the ups and downs of adulthood.

Hayden Panettiere tears up in first TV interview since brother Jansen’s death

“He’s right here with me,” the “Scream VI” actress, 33, tearfully said on “Good Morning America” Monday after Michael Strahan offered his condolences at the end of their interview.

Jansen was found dead on Feb. 19 in New York. He was 28.

The artist’s family revealed eight days later that his cause of death was an enlarged heart.

“His charisma, warmth, compassion for others and his creative spirit will live forever in our hearts and in the hearts of all whom he encountered,” the family added in a statement.

A police report obtained by TMZ stated that friends had grown concerned about Jansen when he did not show up to a business meeting prior to his death.

One pal rushed to check on the actor and found him unresponsive in his apartment, sitting upright in a chair, according to the outlet. They then called 911 and started doing CPR.

Jansen’s dad, Skip Panettiere, reportedly told police that he had talked to his son the night before and he sounded “OK.”

But a source told “Entertainment Tonight” that the former child star struggled with mental health issues.

“Art was his therapy and escape,” the insider shared. “In the past, Jansen was open to family and friends about his struggles. Hayden was always there for him and constantly tried to help Jansen when she could.”

The source added that Hayden, who has publicly battled addiction, was “absolutely heartbroken” over the death of her only sibling.

“She loved her brother unconditionally, and the two shared a special bond,” the insider told “ET.”

Hayden and Jansen seemed to have a close relationship, as he shared a photo with her on Instagram in January in which she smiled while cutting his hair. His final post on the social media platform was a selfie in front of a graffiti-covered wall.

As a child, Jansen had small roles in “Even Stevens,” “Hope & Faith,” “Blue’s Clues,” “Ice Age: The Meltdown” and “Everybody Hates Chris.”

He was nominated for a Young Artist Award for his work on Nickelodeon’s “The Last Day of Summer” in 2008.

Jansen also collaborated on a few movies with Hayden, including 2004’s “Tiger Cruise” and 2005’s “Racing Stripes.”

Most recently, Jansen appeared in the 2022 comedy-drama “Love and Love Not.” He had been working on four other projects prior to his death, according to his IMDb page.

Hayden Panettiere Is Standing Strong After Battling Addiction And Postpartum Depression

“This is the last place my family lived all together,” she says of her parents and younger brother, Jansen. Hayden moved multiple times over the past 15 years, including relocating to Tennessee to film the TV show Nashville. But she always held on to this place.

Recently, she’s been renovating it into her personal sanctuary since returning to L.A. after a four-year hiatus from acting. “I’ve completely redone it,” she beams, looking over her shoulder at two black-and-white prints she brought back from Montreal, where she shot Scream 6. She’s particularly fond of the lighting she installed—bulbs that change color to suit your mood. Now, they’re pink and yellow for warmth. “It feels like home,” she says.

There’s no missing the symbolism: This homecoming isn’t simply about a place. For Hayden, it’s a state of mind, a return to her roots—to herself—after years of struggling with postpartum depression and substance abuse and giving up custody of her daughter, Kaya, to her ex, retired pro boxer Wladimir Klitschko.

Hayden admits she’s nervous to do a cover tied to a movie release—it’s been awhile. But she says it’s important to her.

Plus, she has decades of experience to guide her.

Hayden started work as a child actor at 4 years old. She went from roles in popular daytime soap operas to Grammy nominee before she was 10. She starred opposite Denzel Washington in Remember the Titans at 11, and at 14, she trained to race a zebra in South Africa for the movie Racing Stripes. She’s done her own stunts (in heels) and learned to ice skate like a pro. She became a prime-time television staple for most of her teens and 20s, and while other celebrities her age were out partying, she was constantly working—and her star continued to rise.

Then, at age 22, she moved to Nashville and began drinking to cope with stress.

“I was being told how to be and how to live by so many people in my life,” she says. “I wanted certain decisions to be my own, and nobody could stop me. What I put in my body was like an act of defiance.”

Hayden maintained her professionalism on-set, and with no paparazzi following her, it was easy to hide her habit.

“Some people work out. I wish that was my coping mechanism,” Hayden says. “Alcohol might make you feel better in that moment, but it makes you feel so much worse the next day, and then you do it all over again.”

Her drinking ramped up in 2014 after giving birth to her daughter and dealing with crippling postpartum depression, which she describes as feelings of “extreme hopelessness” and “like all the walls are closing in.” (Postpartum depression occurs in about 6.5 to 20 percent of women after childbirth and can last for years.)

It was around this time that an old neck injury flared up, and Hayden began taking opioids. “I was in a lot of pain,” she says. “My tolerance got so high so fast that it became a problem.” She found herself in a vicious cycle, alternating between opioids and alcohol.

“I should have gone on antidepressants [to cope with the postpartum depression], but you have to find the right one that works for you,” she says. “They don’t mix well with alcohol, and I wasn’t ready to stop drinking.”

She entered rehab in the middle of production on Nashville’s fourth season in 2015. “I was the one who put myself in the first treatment center,” she says. “I was drowning.”

In treatment, she was told to change everything about her daily routine, from what she read to the people she surrounded herself with, yet returning to work made that advice basically impossible. In a cruel twist of fate, art was imitating life.

“They wrote my character as having postpartum depression,” says Hayden, whose daughter was going back and forth between Nashville and Ukraine (with her father) at the time. “They wrote that she abandoned her child and went to a different country. And it was very difficult to go on-set and to act out these feelings about these things that I was truly going through in my real life.”

Hayden eventually left the industry and the public eye to work on herself but returned to drinking to manage anxiety. That’s when her physical health caved. “I struggled with sleep deprivation,” she says. “Sleep is massive. It affects your motor skills, your ability to think, and your overall health.

“My body was like, ‘enough,’” she continues. “I hit 30. My face was swollen. I had jaundice. My eyes were yellow. I had to go to a liver specialist. I was holding on to weight that wasn’t normally there. My hair was thin and coming out in clumps.”

She went back to treatment in 2021, enrolled in a 12-step program, and even went to trauma therapy.

“I did a lot of work on myself,” Hayden explains of this soul-searching period. “After eight months of intensive therapy, I felt like I had this blank canvas to work with.”

Now, without alcohol or opiates, her body is recovering, and she’s choosing which habits will fill that blank canvas. At night, she sips chamomile tea with milk and honey while soaking in vanilla-scented bubble baths. She’s finally sleeping again. She works out with trainer Eddie Pavese, whom she met while in treatment, and keeps a Peloton in her bedroom—though she admits she doesn’t have a rigid workout schedule in order to keep exercise from feeling too much like a chore.

Part of her recovery process has included reclaiming herself after childbirth too.

“My body still didn’t feel like it belonged to me,” Hayden says, explaining why she decided to get a breast reduction in November 2022. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with somebody who wants to tweak something if it makes them feel more confident. That’s all I have to say about it. My confidence is back.”

Perhaps the biggest shift is how Hayden has learned to connect to herself emotionally and view her journey with compassion. “A big part of my therapy has been living in forgiveness,” she says. “A step in the 12-step program is making amends. If somebody wants to be a good person and to be the best version of themselves, they can choose to do that.”

Speaking of amends, her daughter, for now, doesn’t know about her mother’s struggles, but Hayden’s “looking forward to the day where I get to have these conversations with her,” she says. “I’m grateful that I’m equipped with the information and with the experience that I’ve had with postpartum depression.”

Hayden’s return to acting was inspired, in part, by the desire to go back to a feeling of “home,” in the well-being sense.

“In therapy, I kept wanting to go back to the beginning of the period of time where I was really happy and healthy,” she says of reprising her role as Kirby Reed in Scream 6. (Hayden has fond memories of filming Scream 4 in 2010 and says she’s still on a text thread with her costars from the movie.)

This time around, though, she and her character have something in common: They’re both survivors. “We saw Kirby get stabbed, but we never saw her die. We didn’t see her rescued either,” Hayden says of her character’s fate. “She has that human trauma, and it’s changed her. That’s something I can obviously relate to.”

Kirby is back, and so is Hayden. Her homecoming has been hard-earned—rebuilding from the inside out to become the strongest, healthiest version of herself. This is the Hayden of the future, the woman who creates her own environment and makes her own moves. The best part? She feels like she’s just now getting started.

A version of this story ran in the April 2023 issue of Women's Health. The interview with Hayden took place in January.n oa

Jansen Panettiere Family Reveals Actor’s Cause Of Death

“Though it offers little solace, the Medical Examiner reported Jansen’s sudden passing was due to cardiomegaly (enlarged heart), coupled with aortic valve complications,” the family said in a statement to ABC News.

“We sincerely appreciate the outpouring of love and support towards our family as we navigate this unthinkable loss, and ask that we be gifted our privacy during this time of mourning,” the family said. “We love you so much Jansen and you will be in our hearts forever.”

Jansen Panettiere, the younger brother of actress Hayden Panettiere, died Feb. 19 in Nyack, New York. He was an actor who had followed his sister Hayden into show business with appearances on Even Stevens, Blue’s Clues, Ice Age: The Meltdown and The Walking Dead.

Born September 25, 1994, in Palisades, NY, Panettiere earned his first credits as a voice actor before landing a 2002 appearance on Disney Channel’s Even Stevens starring a young Shia LaBeouf. Subsequent credits include 2003 appearances on the sitcom Hope & Faith and the drama Third Watch, and the following year he voiced the recurring character Periwinkle on Blue’s Clues.

As a voice actor, his credits include 100 Things To Do Before Middle School, Robots, Ice Age: The Meltdown, and The X’s,among others.

Panettiere, also a painter and artist, appeared alongside his sister in the 2004 Disney Channel movie Tiger Cruise. In 2019, he co-starred in MTV’s How High 2. Hayden Panettiere is best known for her roles in TV’s Heroes and Nashville, as well as the Scream movie franchise.

In the statement to ABC News, the late actor’s family, including his mother Lesley Vogel, father Skip Panettiere and sister Hayden, said, “Jansen’s heart could be seen in his eyes, and his charm in his brilliant, engaging smile; his soul in his masterful and revealing paintings, and the joy of life in his dry wit. His charisma, warmth, compassion for others, and his creative spirit will live forever in our hearts and in the hearts of all whom he encountered.”

Hayden Panettiere's Brother Jansen Panettiere Dead At 28

A family source tells us Jansen died over the weekend in New York. His cause of death is currently unclear. Law enforcement sources tell us they got a call to a residence Sunday night around 5:30PM. We're told there's no foul play suspected in Jansen's death.

Jansen, 5 years Hayden's younger, jumped onto the scene in the early 2000s, working on projects like "Even Stevens," "Blue's Clues," "Robots," and "Ice Age: The Meltdown." He also had a recurring role as Truman X in Nickelodeon's "The X's."

At one point, Jansen worked alongside Hayden in 2004's "Tiger Cruise" and 2005's "Racing Stripes."

He went on to star in Disney Channel original movies and made-for-TV Nickelodeon films, picking up a nomination for a Young Artist Award back in 2008 for his work on "The Last Day of Summer."

Jansen kept acting through the 2010s, working on shows like "Major Crimes" and "The Walking Dead." He also was attached to 5 more projects at the time of his death.

Jansen was only 28.

‘Scream VI’ Trailer: The Call Waiting Is Over As Ghostface Returns For More

The latest pic, co-directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett, follows on from last year’s Scream V and returns the four survivors of the latest Ghostface killings. The cast includes returnees Melissa Barrera, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, Jenna Ortega, Hayden Panettiere and Courteney Cox. Jack Champion, Henry Czerny, Liana Liberato, Dermot Mulroney, Devyn Nekoda, Tony Revolori, Josh Segarra and Samara Weaving also star.

A notable absentee in the trailer that dropped today: Neve Campbell, like Cox a franchise regular, who revealed last year that she wasn’t returning.

It’s Cox’s Gale Weathers that gets the iconic phone call in the footage revealed today.

“It never works out for the dipsh*t in the mask,” Gale tells Ghostface over the phone. “Maybe,” responds the voice, “but there’s never been one like me, Gale. I’m something different.” It looks like Barrera’s Sam might be involved in the final showdown.

James Vanderbilt & Guy Busick, who wrote Scream V, return as scribes, William Sherak, Vanderbilt and Paul Neinstein are producers. Kevin Williamson, Gary Barber, Peter Oillataguerre, Chad Villella, Cox, Ron Lynch, Cathy Konrad and Marianne Maddalena are executive producers.

Dear Edward Trailer: Connie Britton Stars in FNL Boss' Teary Apple Drama

Adapted by Katims from Ana Napolitano novel of the same name, the series is described as “a heartbreaking, life-affirming and uplifting story about survival, resilience, connection and the examination of what makes us human,” per the official synopsis. The story centers on 12-year-old boy Edward (Colin O’Brien), who is the only survivor of a tragic plane crash that kills his family. “As Edward and a diverse ensemble of others affected by the tragedy try to make sense of life after the crash, unexpected friendships, romances and communities are formed.”

Britton’s character is one of those left reeling from the loss of her husband and her best friend, who may have been keeping a secret from her, hints the above trailer (which was released in conjunction with the show’s Television Critics Assoc. winter press tour panel on Wednesday).

In addition to Britton and O’Brien, the cast also includes Taylor Schilling (Orange Is the New Black) as Edward’s aunt, plus Amy Forsyth, Eva Ariel Binder, Brittany S. Hall, Idris Debrand, Carter Hudson, Maxwell Jenkins, Jenna Qureshi, Audrey Corsa, Anna Uzele, Ivan Shaw and Dario Ladani Sanchez.

Dear Edward premieres Friday, Feb. 3 with its first three episodes, with new installments debuting each Friday after that.

Robert Wisdom in Accused 1/22/23

Guest Cast: Michael Chiklis as Scott Harmon; Oakes Fegley as Hunter Harmon; Jill Hennessy as Lynn Harmon; Robert Wisdom as Mitch Becker; Lanette Ware as D.A. Claire Wilson; Evan Marsh as Alex Harmon, Michael Isen as Jax; Tara Rosling as Dr. Laurie Grotstein; Cyrus Lane as Eric Parker; Paula Boudreau as Judge Ruta Wells.

Dear Edward: See First Photos of Connie Britton's Apple Reunion With FNL's Jason Katims, Get Release Date

Connie Britton reunites with her Friday Night Lights showrunner Jason Katims in the new Apple TV+ drama Dear Edward, which now has a release date: It’ll premiere Friday, Feb. 3 with the first three episodes, TVLine has learned, with new episodes debuting each Friday after that.

The streamer has also released a pair of photos from the series, giving us our first look at what to expect from the adaptation of Ann Napolitano’s bestselling novel. The story centers on 12-year-old boy Edward (Colin O’Brien), who is the only survivor of a tragic plane crash that kills his family. “As Edward and others all over the world are affected by the tragedy try to make sense of life after the crash, unexpected friendships, romances and communities are formed,” according to the official synopsis.

Britton and O’Brien star along with Taylor Schilling (Orange Is the New Black). Katims serves as writer, executive producer and showrunner. In addition to his Emmy-winning work with Britton on Friday Night Lights, Katims also wrote and produced NBC’s Parenthood and the Prime Video series As We See It.

Connie Britton Signs With CAA For Representation

Her most recent Emmy nomination came this year for Season 1 of HBO’s The White Lotus. She has indicated that she could reprise her character, possibly in the third installment of Mike White’s Emmy-winning anthology series, which was just greenlighted by the network.

Britton recently wrapped production on Apple TV+’s upcoming series Dear Edward, which reunites her with Friday Night Lights executive producer/showrunner Jason Katims. Her role as Tammi Taylor in FNL earned her two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.

She also received Emmy noms for her work in ABC’s Nashville, and the original installment of FX’s American Horror Story which launched the hit anthology series and kicked off the genre’s resaurgance.

Britton served as an executive producer on Nashville as well as on the highly rated first season of true crime anthology series Dirty John on Bravo. He production company, Deep Blue Prods., which has a first-look deal at Amazon Studios, has multiple projects in development.

In film, Britton can currently be seen in Luckiest Girl Alive, alongside Mila Kunis and Finn Wittrock. She recently wrapped production on Winner, alongside Emilia Jones and Zach Galifianakis.

Britton, who was previously at WME for years, continues to be repped by Untitled Entertainment; Hanson, Jacobson, Teller; and The Initiative Group.

Hayden Panettiere, ex Brian Hickerson go on a trip following July split

Hayden Panettiere and her ex-boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, were spotted together at LAX just three months after announcing their latest split.

In photos obtained by Page Six, the pair tried to stay under the radar while wearing dark clothes and baseball caps as they made their way around the airport.

The “Remember the Titans” actress and Hickerson — who dated on and off since the summer of 2018 — also enjoyed a bite to eat before jetting off on vacation for the holidays. However, it’s unknown where they were going.

The pair’s reunion may come as a surprise after Panettiere, 33, spoke out about her abusive relationship with Hickerson following a wild hotel brawl in May.

“It was a very dark and complicated time in my life,” the actress told People about dating in the midst of her alcohol and opioid addiction. “But a lot of women go through what I went through, and I want people to know it’s OK to ask for help.”

However, the pair seemingly tried to maintain a friendship following their split, with Panettiere saying “making amends is a really important thing that you learn in treatment.”

Hickerson also confirmed that he and the actress were “absolutely not” together in July after their very tumultuous four-year relationship seemingly came to a head.

Hickerson, who was on probation at the time, told paparazzi that there was no way the exes were ever going to reconcile and said he is “looking forward to new chapters.”

He was arrested back in May 2019 for domestic violence after he and the actress got into a drunken, physical altercation in their Los Angeles home.

Although Hickerson pleaded not guilty, he was ordered to stay 100 yards away from Panettiere — only to be arrested again in 2020 for domestic violence.

Hickerson was sentenced to 45 days in jail for two felony counts of injuring a partner.

Following the second arrest, the “Nashville” star released a statement saying she would do anything she could to ensure “this man never hurts anyone again.”

“I am coming forward with the truth about what happened to me in the hope that my story will empower others in abusive relationships to get the help they need and deserve,” she wrote.

Emilia Jones To Lead ‘Winner’ Biopic From Susanna Fogel; Zach Galifianakis And Connie Britton Also Star

After exposing Russia’s interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Reality Winner was sentenced to five and a half years in prison — the longest sentence ever given to someone charged under the Espionage Act — for leaking a government document.

Connie Britton has been cast to play Reality’s mother and Galifianakis Reality’s father. Danny Ramirez and Kathryn Newton also will star.

The story follows Winner (Jones), a brilliant young misfit from Texas who finds her morals challenged while serving in the U.S. Air Force and working as an NSA contractor. The film will offer a fresh take on the traditional whistleblower thriller; the coming-of-age story follows an idealistic young woman persecuted for standing by her principles.

The film is written by Kerry Howley and Fogel (Booksmart) and based on Howley’s 2017 New York Magazine feature.

“As a filmmaker, I strive to tell stories that interrogate the world we live in and the systems that are broken in it. But in a fun way. Reality Winner is the perfect heroine for a film that meditates on ideas of personal power, morality, and finding your voice,” Fogel said. “She’s a true individual: she speaks many languages, she loves her guns, she could destroy you on Twitter, and her obsession with Pikachu is unmatched. Clearly, she’s the perfect mouthpiece for a generation of people who are unique and fed up with feeling powerless. And there is no one more perfect to play her than Emilia Jones, one of the most exciting young actresses working today. I hope Reality’s story will inspire others to speak up and defend their beliefs, whatever the cost. I’m thrilled to partner with this team of artists and activists to bring this movie to life.”

The film is co-financed by ShivHans Pictures and 1Community. Producers are Amanda Phillips and Fogel along with Shivani Rawat & Julie Goldstein of ShivHans, and Scott Budnick and Ameet Shukla of 1Community. Executive producers include Dani Melia, Peter Saraf, Daniel Bekerman, Connor Flanagan and Big Beach Films.

UTA Independent Film Group negotiated the financing and will represent the worldwide sales rights.

“When we first read this powerful script, we knew we wanted to help tell the story of Reality Winner. I have always been a fan of Susanna Fogel and to work with this caliber of talent to tell a female story is something we strive to do at ShivHans. We are looking forward to working in partnership with our friends at 1Community to bring this story to a wide audience,” said Rawat, founder and CEO of ShivHans Pictures.

Added Budnick: “Our company’s mission is to find bold new takes on the most pressing issues of our time, and nothing could be more urgent than defending the ideals of democracy. Reality Winner’s story is fascinating, brave and timely. We are thrilled to join our partners ShivHans Pictures and couldn’t be more excited for Susanna Fogel’s fresh and comedic approach in bringing this story to screen.”

Jones is repped by CAA, ARG, Personae Consilium and Felker Toczek Suddleson Abramson McGinnis Ryan; Fogel is repped by UTA, Lighthouse Management & Media, Chris Abramson and Patti Felker; Britton is repped by WME Entertainment, Untitled Entertainment, The Initiative Group, and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush, Kaller, Gellman, Meigs & Fox; Galifianakis is repped by UTA, Brillstein Entertainment Partners, and Yorn, Levine, Barnes, Krintzman, Rubenstein, Kohner, Endlich & Gellman; Ramirez is repped by CAA, Anonymous Content and Hansen, Jacobson. Newton is repped by WME, Entertainment 360, Steve Warren and Huy Nguyen at Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush, KAller, Gellman, Meigs & Fox.

#XMAS (Hallmark) 11/25/22

Hayden Panettiere details her, Wladimir Klitschko’s current custody arrangement

Since the former boxer obtained full custody of the now-7-year-old in 2018, the little one has “never been back to California,” Panettiere told the “Red Table Talk” co-hosts on Wednesday.

The “Remember the Titans” star noted that she has “seen” her daughter, who lived in Ukraine until she was taken “elsewhere because it was dangerous” when Russia invaded.

“I go over there. … I wish there was more of a bringing her to visit,” the “Nashville” alum, 33, said.

However, the actress has not “gotten any hints” that the current custody situation will change.

“I’ve been told that I can go over and see her anytime,” the “Heroes” alum explained. “I just have to keep the hope that one day when she is old enough for her opinion to be respected a little bit more and her wants are heard, that there will be more proactivity on that side.”

Panettiere detailed the “heartbreaking” moment she signed full custody over to her ex-fiancé while Kaya was in Ukraine, saying that it was a “shock.”

“She was already over there in a country where her uncle is a mayor and they are icons over there,” Panettiere said of Wladimir and his brother, Vitali Klitschko. “It is a country that is very male-dominated, and there wasn’t a heck of a lot that I could do.”

Although the Golden Globe nominee considers the athlete to be a “fantastic father” and thinks he believes “he is doing the right thing,” Panettiere wants Wladimir to “fully grasp” what Kaya’s separation from her mom will mean in the future.

“Kids need their moms,” the singer told Jada Pinkett Smith, Adrienne Banfield Norris and guest co-host Kelly Osbourne. “I had never endangered her or done anything that would, in this country, they would never take a child from me.

“It never would have happened,” Panettiere continued. “When she was there, I was stuck between a rock and a hard place.”

The “Scream 6” star went on to describe her “incredibly strong” daughter’s “stoic” personality, sharing her worries over the “trauma reaction” Kaya recently exhibited.

“Kaya is going around and asking other women if she can call them Mommy,” Panettiere, who dated Wladimir on and off from 2009 to 2018, said. “That’s a cry for help.”

Hayden Panettiere Reflects on Entering Rehab While Starring in Nashville: 'I Just Wanted to Escape'

“When I was on Nashville, they really wrote my life into it. So on the show, one of the storylines was that I was playing an alcoholic. Another storyline was that I was pregnant on the show, and then I got postpartum depression,” Panettiere says during her appearance on the newest episode of Facebook Watch’s Red Table Talk. “I had to go to work every day and be acting out what I was truly going through. So by the time I got home, I didn’t want to sit there with my own feelings and work them out. You know, I just wanted to escape.”

In a sit-down chat with Jada Pinkett Smith, Adrienne Banfield Norris and guest host Kelly Osbourne, Panettiere recalls going to treatment roughly four months after Kaya, her daughter with Wladimir Klitschko, was born in December 2014. The Golden Globe-nominated actress says that she was drinking heavily at the time, “just leaning on that crutch, and it was making things worse.” She adds that she was diagnosed with postpartum depression at the facility where she sought help.

Per Panettiere, her first visit lasted roughly a month; a subsequent one lasted longer. After the country-music drama ended in 2018, she says during the interview, her mental health issues got worse, and she checked into a facility where she wound up staying for eight months.

“I had had it with myself, and I knew it was a longer process,” she says.

Nashville viewers will remember that in October 2015, Panettiere took a very public step back from the show, then in its fourth season. She returned to set the following January but then resumed treatment shortly after the season’s production wrapped.

She appeared in the show’s final two seasons, though Juliette’s involvement in a cult created a reason for Panettiere to be off-screen for a bunch of episodes.

Hayden Panettiere on giving up custody of daughter: 'It wasn't fully my decision'

The 33-year-old actress – who has been candid about her struggles with addiction and depression – has opened up about losing custody of Kaya, now seven, after her daughter moved to Ukraine with Hayden’s ex Wladimir Klitschko.

In a clip from Red Table Talk revealed by Entertainment Tonight, she said: “She was almost three, and it wasn’t fully my decision. In fact, I didn’t even know it was happening until she was already over there.”

The Heroes star explained that she realized she needed to focus on herself and the “unselfish thing” would be focus on herself.

She added: “I was trying to tell myself that if I’m not OK, if I’m not good, then I cannot be the best mom to you.

“I was going through such a hard time that I knew the most unselfish thing I could do was to make that hard decision and just try to work on myself.”

Hayden – who would later spend eight months in rehab – previously addressed her battle with alcoholism after hitting her lowest point before Kaya moved to live with her father.

She said: “I would have the shakes when I woke up and could only function with sipping alcohol.

“It was the hardest thing I ever had to do. But I wanted to be a good mom to her — and sometimes that means letting them go.”

While suffering with depression, Hayden has made it clear while she “never had the feeling that I wanted to harm my child,” she “didn’t want to spend any time with her.”

Reflecting on her relationship with ex Klitschko – which ended for good in 2018 – she added: “He didn’t want to be around me. I didn’t want to be around me. But with the opiods and alcohol I was doing anything to make me feel happy for a moment. Then I’d feel worse than I did before. I was in a cycle of self-destruction.”

Laura Benanti Joins Jennifer Lawrence Sony R-Rated Comedy ‘No Hard Feelings’

Benanti joins Broadway and Disney+ star Andrew Barth Feldman (High School Musical: The Musical: The Series) in the pic, which hit theaters on June 16. Production is underway.

In the movie, Lawrence plays a ne’er-do-well who is hired by a wealthy couple to socialize with their introverted son. Feldman plays the kid, and Benanti plays his wealthy mom.

The screenplay is written by Stupnitsky & John Phillips. Alex Saks, Marc Provissiero, Naomi Odenkirk, Lawrence and Justine Ciarrochi are producing. John Phillips is executive producing.

Benanti recently starred in Amy Schumer’s Life & Beth, and She is set to recur in the second season of HBO’s period drama The Gilded Age. Benanti previously starred in Netflix’s Worth, opposite Michael Keaton, Stanley Tucci and Amy Ryan; hit TV series Younger; and Here Today starring Billy Crystal and Tiffany Haddish; and appeared in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s awards-season favorite, Tick, Tick…Boom!

Other TV credits include series regular roles on the Samantha Bee- and Jason Jones-produced TBS show The Detour, Go On opposite Matthew Perry and Starved for FX as well as recurring and guest appearances on The CW’s Supergirl, ABC’s Nashville and Eli Stone, CBS’ The Good Wife and Elementary, Showtime’s Nurses Jackie and The Big C, NBC’s The Sound of Music Live and Law & Order: SVU, and USA’s Royal Pains.

Benanti has been a showstopper on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in her comedic portrayal of former First Lady Melania Trump.

Benanti’s unscripted special, Homeschool Musical: Class of 2020, which was inspired by her project #SunshineSongs, aired on HBO Max.

She also guest stars on the variety show Ziwe featuring comedian Ziwe Fumudoh.

Benanti played Louise in the 2008 Broadway revival of Gypsy, winning the 2008 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.

Her other Tony noms are Best Featured Actress in a Musical for Swing! (2000), Best Featured Actress in a Musical for 2002’s Into the Woods, Best Featured Actress in a Musical for 2011’s Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown and Best Actress in a Musical for 2016’s She Loves Me. Benanti returned to Broadway in 2019 as Eliza Doolittle in Lincoln Center’s production of My Fair Lady.

Benanti is repped by Untitled Entertainment and The Gersh Agency.

‘Outer Banks’ Releases New Trailer For Season 3 On Netflix

The trailer for season three of Netflix’s Outer Banks asks that very question as the action picks up for the Pogues on a beautiful beach with coconuts and azure blue waters.

There’s also a mysterious elevator shaft and a wild beast that chases the Pogues across the island. And it all returns in 2023!

For those that missed the first two seasons, Outer Banks is a coming-of-age story that follows a tight-knit group of local teens, aka the Pogues, who are in over the heads as they hunt for treasure. It stars Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline, Madison Bailey, J.D. and Rudy Pankow.

Joining the cast in its third season are Andy McQueen (Mrs. Davis, Station Eleven), Fiona Palomo (Control Z, La Negociadora) and Lou Ferrigno Jr (S.W.A.T., Stargirl). Previously announced returning talent also includes Austin North, Charles Esten and Carlacia Grant who has been upped to series regular for Season 3.

Outer Banks has been a hit for Netflix since the series premiere. The second season held the No. 1 spot globally in Netflix’s Top 10 TV (English) list for the four weeks following its launch. The series is created by Jonas Pate, Josh Pate and Shannon Burke, who will all return as showrunners and executive producers.

‘Nashville’ & ‘Scream’ Star Hayden Panettiere Signs With APA As Comeback Continues After Addiction Battle Reveal

The two-time Golden Globe nominee recently finished filming on Scream 6 in which she reprises her role as Kirby Reed.

Panettiere’s breakout role came as Claire Bennet in NBC’s Heroes and she went on to get the starring role of Juliette Barnes in ABC’s hit Nashville. She also starred in the final season of David E. Kelly’s Ally McBeal for Fox.

The actress’s other film credits include The Forger opposite Josh Hutcherson, Remember the Titans with Denzel Washington, Custody with Viola Davis, Chris Columbus’s I Love You Beth Cooper, and Bring It On: All Or Nothing.

Scream 6 marks Panettiere’s first movie in six years. She hasn’t acted in TV since Nashville ended in 2018. Last month, the actress opened up to People magazine about a long struggle with alcohol and substance abuse as well as postpartum depression. She explained how she has undergone trauma therapy and inpatient treatment within the last year in a bid to get her life back on track.

Panettiere continues to be represented by Mainstay Entertainment (who she signed with earlier this year) and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush, Kaller, Gellman, Meigs & Fox.

Netflix Fall & Holiday Film Slate

Samara Weaving, Tony Revolori & Hayden Panettiere Join ‘Scream 6’

The next installment in the horror franchise from Spyglass Media and Paramount Pictures will pick up with Sam (Barrera), Mindy (Brown), Chad (Gooding) and Tara (Ortega)—four survivors of the most recent batch of Ghostface killings—as they leave Woodsboro behind and start a fresh chapter. Details as to the characters Weaving and Revolori will be playing have not been disclosed.

Radio Silence’s Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, who helmed the last Scream film, return as directors. James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick co-wrote the screenplay, with Project X Entertainment’s Vanderbilt, Paul Neinstein and William Sherak serving as producers. Scream franchise creator Kevin Williamson and Radio Silence’s third member, Chad Villella, are exec producing alongside Spyglass’ Gary Barber and Peter Oillataguerre, Ron Lynch, Cathy Konrad and Marianne Maddalena. The film will hit theaters worldwide on March 31, 2023.

Weaving previously worked with Radio Silence on the 2019 horror Ready or Not. The actress can currently be seen in the Hulu film The Valet, having also recently starred in the streamer’s series Nine Perfect Strangers. She’ll next be seen in Stephen Williams’ drama Chevalier with Lucy Boynton and Minnie Driver, and Damien Chazelle’s buzzy period Hollywood pic Babylon.

Revolori is best known for his collaboration with Wes Anderson on films like The Grand Budapest, The French Dispatch and the upcoming Asteroid City, and for his role as Flash Thompson in the most recent trilogy of Spider-Man films. He stars in the Apple series Servant and will soon be seen in the Disney+ series Willow.

Bloody Disgusting was first to report the news of today’s castings. Weaving is represented by CAA, 111 Media and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole; Revolori by WME and Circle of Confusion.

2022 Emmy Nominations

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie

The White Lotus • HBO/HBO Max • HBO in association with Rip Cord, The District and Hallogram Inc.
Connie Britton as Nicole Mossbacher

The White Lotus • HBO/HBO Max • HBO in association with Rip Cord, The District and Hallogram Inc.
Jennifer Coolidge as Tanya

The White Lotus • HBO/HBO Max • HBO in association with Rip Cord, The District and Hallogram Inc.
Alexandra Daddario as Rachel Patton

Dopesick • Hulu • 20th Television, Danny Strong Productions, John Goldwyn Productions, The Littlefield Company
Kaitlyn Dever as Betsy Mallum

The White Lotus • HBO/HBO Max • HBO in association with Rip Cord, The District and Hallogram Inc.
Natasha Rothwell as Belinda

The White Lotus • HBO/HBO Max • HBO in association with Rip Cord, The District and Hallogram Inc.
Sydney Sweeney as Olivia Mossbacher

Dopesick • Hulu • 20th Television, Danny Strong Productions, John Goldwyn Productions, The Littlefield Company
Mare Winningham as Diane Mallum

Trailer for Michael O. Sajbel’s drama The Mulligan

The film centers on Paul McAllister (Eric Close), who seems to have it all before his life starts to fall apart. Guided by the wisdom and advice of an old golf pro, Paul learns about playing a good game both on and off the course.

Randall Eldridge, Rick Eldridge, Roland Eldridge and Jimmy Hager wrote the pic, which also stars Pat Boone and Nancy Stafford. Watch the trailer here.

Hollywood Critics Association TV award nominations

Best Supporting Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Movie

Alexandra Daddario, The White Lotus (HBO)
Betty Gilpin, Gaslit (Starz)
Connie Britton, The White Lotus (HBO)
Jennifer Coolidge, The White Lotus (HBO)
Judy Greer, The Thing About Pam (NBC)
Sydney Sweeney, The White Lotus (HBO)

Hayden Panettiere Opens Up Postpartum Depression, Struggles With Alcoholism

"I didn't know where the alcoholism was ending and the postpartum was beginning," Panetierre said. "And I ran myself pretty ragged."

In a People and "Good Morning America" exclusive interview, the 32-year-old said that she'd been "struggling for a long time."

Since her hit show "Nashville" ended in 2018, Panettiere said the years that followed have "been difficult." She added, "The years before were very difficult for me, too. And I just needed a break."

'I was deeply depressed'

Shortly after the birth of her daughter in 2014, Panettiere was overcome with postpartum depression. She told ABC News' Kaylee Hartung she turned to "the bottom of a bottle" for support.

"I didn't have any negative feelings towards my child," she said. "I just knew I was deeply depressed." Panettiere said that she felt like she "was in this haze, this haze that just wasn't me."

"People around me were more concerned about my usage of alcohol than they ever were about the postpartum depression," she said. They thought she was "being a crazy woman" or "an overly emotional female" who was choosing to be depressed, when Panetierre said "it was so out of my control."

"I felt like I was walking blind," she said. "And I don't like to ask for help either. I wanna be that strong, stoic woman. But, I mean, when you see a happy-go-lucky girl for years suddenly on the floor in a puddle of mess and alcohol, you gotta know something is wrong."

Eventually, Panettiere sought treatment. At that treatment facility, she found the help she needed, which included making friends who could understand her struggles.

On sobriety

Panettiere says she is now sober and is taking things one day at a time.

"It's an everyday battle," she said. "It really is. I'm grateful to say that I'm sober today."

When Panetierre was in her darkest days, she described it as "somebody taking an eggbeater and scrambling around your brain." But even worse was her fight to be believed.

"Oh, it was horrible," Panettiere said. "Once you're the identified patient as the alcoholic -- and not as a girl, a woman going through postpartum depression -- then they don't believe anything that comes outta your mouth. So even when you're telling the truth, even when you're doing well, I've been told 'No' -- almost gaslit -- and told no, I wasn't."

"It's frustrating. It's heartbreaking," she added. "You wanna break down and cry, which makes you look even worse. But not being believed, I think to anybody not being believed is -- when they're telling the truth -- is painful."

Panettiere said she hopes other women who are going through the same thing, and are questioning their sanity and want to be heard, know that they're "not alone."

"So many women have been in our positions," she said. "And if the people around you don't believe you, find somebody who does. Find somebody who can help. Go on a journey of exploration and do whatever you have to do to get yourself better, to understand what's going on inside your heart, your mind, your body."

Her 'favorite little person'

Panettiere said she is grateful to be sober and especially grateful for her daughter, Kaya, who is now 7 years old.

"She's my favorite little person," Panettiere said. "All of those, like, little good senses that remind me of what I used to be as like a little kid. She is like the 2.0 version where she's so much smarter. But she's incredible. She's such a little light. She's such an amazing human being."

Panettiere's daughter calls Ukraine her home, having lived there with her father, former professional boxer Wladimir Klitschko, for several years. Klitschko and his brother Vitali, the mayor of Kyiv, have been on the frontlines of the country's ongoing war with Russia, since it began in February.

Panettiere said her daughter is no longer in Ukraine and is out of harm's way.

"She is very safe," she said. "And where she is, she also has a lot of friends. So she's not alone. She's handled this [in] stride."

"I speak to Wlad a lot," she added. "And I don't think anybody knew that it was gonna be like this. So it was a shock to the system."

In March, Panettiere launched Hoplon International, a relief organization that raises funds for medical supplies and body armor for those defending Ukraine.

"I created Hoplon International to make sure that every dollar that people donate goes to med kits and protective gear, and helmets and blood, for the people who are on the frontlines," she said.

"We're still sending out protective gear to them anytime we can," Panettiere added.

Getting back to work

In addition to helping Ukraine, Panetierre said she's been keeping herself busy preparing to get back to work.

"That is so good for my soul," she said. "I just want to keep that ball rolling. I have a whole new team of people who really believe in me and they have helped me to gain some trust back in myself."

Fans will see the actress back on the big screen for "Scream 6," reprising her role as Kirby Reed.

In looking for the right project to bring her back, she thought back to her days on "Scream 4," more than a decade ago, and said "I just thought, 'This is the perfect role.'"

The Ninth House Producing ‘Christmas Treasure’

The film follows Austin (Frey) and Everett (Massey) as they reunite at Christmas time in the town they grew up and fell in love in. Summoned home as adults to fulfill one last wish after the passing of a friend, the two men start to rekindle the romance they never got to have decades earlier. Mary-Margaret Humes and Cort McCown are also on board to play Austin’s supporting and accepting parents. Helgren wrote and is directing the film, which Vanessa Shapiro will exec produce.

Frey is repped by Untitled Entertainment; Massey by Untitled and Gersh; Humes by Aligned Talent Group; McCown by A3 Artists Agency; and The Ninth House by Bradley Garrett, Esq.

Henry Eikenberry, Henry Zaga, Thomas Sadoski, Will Chase Among Those Rounding Out Apple Anthology Series ‘Crowded Room’

In addition to Holland, they join previously cast Amanda Seyfried, Emmy Rossum, Sasha Lane, Christopher Abbot, Emma Laird, Jason Isaacs and Lior Raz.

Written and executive produced by Goldsman and directed by Kornel Mundruczo, The Crowded Room explores inspirational stories of those who have struggled with mental illness and learned to live successfully with it. The 10-episode first season is based in part on A Beautiful Mind Oscar winner Goldsman’s life and inspired by Daniel Keyes’ biography The Minds of Billy Milligan.

Holland, who also executive produces alongside Goldsman, stars in the lead role of Danny Sullivan, loosely based on Milligan, who was the first person acquitted of a crime because of multiple-personality disorder, now known as dissociative identity disorder.

Chase plays Marlin Chalmers, Danny’s stepfather, who is a senior counselor at a youth detention facility. Sadoski is Matty Dunne, a police detective investigating Danny’s case. Robins plays Susie, Rya’s (Seyfried) mother. Vartholomeos portrays Mike, one of Danny’s best friends. Hawke, in his television debut, plays Jonny, Danny’s classmate and best friend who always has his back. Eikenberry is Doug, Danny’s nemesis since grade school. Zaga plays Philip, a prosecutor on Danny’s case.

The series is a co-production between Apple Studios and New Regency. Goldsman serves as executive producer through his Weed Road Productions banner. The series also will be executive produced by Suzanne Heathcoate; Alexandra Milchan for EMJAG Productions; and New Regency’s Arnon Milchan, Yariv Milchan and Michael Schaefer.

Eikenberry is repped by TMT Entertainment Group, Zaga is repped by WME and Circle of Confusion, Sadoski is repped by UTA and Industry Entertainment, Chase is repped by A3 Artists Agency and AC Management, Robins is repped by Paradigm, Vartholomeos is repped by Paradigm and Soffer Entertainment and Hawke is repped by CAA.

Hayden Panettiere To Reprise Role As Kirby Reed In Next ‘Scream’ Film

The next Scream film will pick up with Sam (Barrera), Mindy (Brown), Chad (Gooding) and Tara (Ortega)—four survivors of the most recent batch of Ghostface killings—as they leave Woodsboro behind and start a fresh chapter. Panettiere’s Kirby, you might recall, is the former Woodsboro resident who was the lone teenage survivor of the Second Woodsboro Murders in the fourth Scream film. Principal photography on the sequel, also to be helmed by Radio Silence, will kick off this summer.

James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick are co-writing the screenplay, with Project X Entertainment’s Vanderbilt, Paul Neinstein and William Sherak serving as producers. Scream franchise creator Kevin Williamson and Radio Silence’s third member, Chad Villella, will exec produce alongside Spyglass’ Gary Barber and Peter Oillataguerre, Ron Lynch, Cathy Konrad and Marianne Maddalena. Pic will hit theaters worldwide March 31, 2023.

Panettiere is well-known for her roles on the hit television series Heroes (NBC) and Nashville (ABC), and for starring in such films as Custody, alongside Viola Davis; The Forger, with Josh Hutcherson; and Remember the Titans, opposite Denzel Washington. Other major film credits include I Love You Beth Cooper, Bring It On: All or Nothing and Ice Princess.

The new Scream film will be Panetierre’s first to hit the screen in eight years. She is represented by Mainstay Entertainment.

Roku Documentary ‘Mamas’, With Connie Britton, Zoë Saldaña Narration, Set For Mother’s Day

The nature series follows powerful matriarchs of the animal kingdom, spotlighting the universality of motherhood, and exploring what mothers of any species will do to protect their young. Mamas will feature 14 short-form episodes ranging from 6-8 minutes in length.

The series is available in English and Spanish, with the English version voiced by Connie Britton; the Spanish by Zoë Saldaña.

The series is produced by Plimsoll Productions, Deep Blue Productions, and Cinestar Pictures, with Britton, Saldaña, Martha Holmes, Andrew Jackson, Elyse Klaits, Mariel Saldaña, and Cisely Saldaña serving as executive producers. Species featured in the series include potter wasps, grizzly bears, hummingbirds, yellow baboons, cheetahs, lions, wildebeests, black-backed jackals, strawberry dart frogs, praying mantis, African elephants, hyenas, meerkats, toque macaques, and Tomson’s gazelles. The series features scenery and landscapes from the forests of Sri Lanka to deserts in Africa.

“Mamas dives into the enchanting and challenging lives of mothers in the wild, and the powerful relationships these animals have with their children,” said Brian Tannenbaum, head of alternative originals at Roku. “Connie Britton and Zoë Saldaña take us through the captivating world of a mother’s protective instincts and loyalty to their young. It truly is a must-see documentary series that The Roku Channel is excited to share with our viewers.”

‘Nashville’ & ‘Heroes’ Star Hayden Panettiere Signs With Mainstay Entertainment For Management

Actress, model and singer Panettiere has been acting since age four. She is best known for her role as Claire Bennet on the NBC series Heroes and subsequently starred in the ABC hit series Nashville, which earned her two Golden Globe nominations.

On the feature side, she played the lead in the film Custody alongside Viola Davis and prior to that starred in The Forger opposite Josh Hutcherson. She was appeared in horror Scream 4.

Other film credits include I Love You Beth Cooper and Remember The Titans.

Panettiere first appeared on-screen in a commercial in 1990 at only 11 months old. However, her full-time acting career began in 1994 on the long-running ABC soap One Life To Live.

LA-based Mainstay’s clients include Katherine Heigl, Lupita Nyong’o, Kim Coates, Peter Facinelli and Franka Potente.

‘The Gilded Age’ Adds Laura Benanti, Robert Sean Leonard & More Recurring Guest Stars, Reveals New Clues About Season 2

Also joining Season 2 as recurring guest stars are Christopher Denham, David Furr, Ben Lamb, Matilda Lawler, Dakin Mathews, Michael Braugher, and Nicole Brydon Bloom, with Rebeca Haden, who briefly appeared in Season 1 will be back for a full-blown recurring role as the mysterious Flora McNeil.

Benanti and Leonard join a formidable roster of Tony-winning Gilded Age series regular and recurring cast members, including Christine Baranski, Cynthia Nixon, Audra McDonald, Nathan Lane, Michael Cerveris, Katie Finneran, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Debra Monk, Donna Murphy and Kelli O’Hara.

The announcement last week of The Gilded Age’s returning series regular and recurring cast provided some clues about where some storylines may be headed. There is more information about potential Season 2 plots in the descriptions of the new recurring characters, which you can read later in the story in full. Here are some highlights.

After zeroing in on Gladys Russell for most of Season 1, Agnes’ son Oscar may be shifting his attention to another rich heiress to marry. Meanwhile, Bertha may try to match Gladys with a posh British Duke in a move echoing Cora and Robert Crawley from Downton Abbey.

After he appeared to finally be getting his father George’s approval to pursue a career in architecture at the end of Season 1, Larry Russell seems to be excelling at that, spearheading major mansion renovations. Meanwhile, after her niece Marian arrived to New York last season, we will see a nephew of Agnes’ next.

We also learn that Flora McNeil, whom Watson has been watching from afar, raising fan speculation that he might be her father, “has been brought up to believe the lie that her father deserted her and her mother.” There is also a new wealthy banker character named Robert McNeil.

Like Fellowes did in Season 1, he will continue to be mixing historical figures with his fictional characters. Educator Booker T. Washington will appear in Season 2, possibly helping bring closer together Peggy Scott and her editor T. Thomas Fortune who will travel to meet him for an assignment.

Here are more details about the newly added recurring guest stars’ characters:

ROBERT SEAN LEONARD as Reverend Matthew Forte: A jovial, congenial man, and recent transplant from Boston, Matthew is the new rector of the church attended by all the highest New York society.

LAURA BENANTI as Susan Blane: Recently widowed by a rich, dull man many years her senior, Susan is a very beautiful, glamorous woman living in Newport who hires Larry as her architect for a major renovation on her Newport home.

NICOLE BRYDON BLOOM as Caroline Stuyvesant: A beguiling socialite, Oscar immediately recognizes her as the perfect heiress for marriage and a great match for his wit and disposition, while she finds him to be a valued confidant.

MICHAEL BRAUGHER as Booker T. Washington: The famed educator, he invites NY journalists Thomas Fortune (Sullivan Jones) and Peggy Scott (Denée Benton) to tour his new school in Tuskegee.

CHRISTOPHER DENHAM as Robert McNeil: A wealthy, mainstream, somewhat uptight banker who is trying to navigate New York high society with his wife.

DAVID FURR as Dashiell Montgomery: Agnes’ nephew by marriage, he is wealthy, widowed and has recently moved to New York with his school-age daughter Frances.

BEN LAMB as The Duke of Buckingham: A posh British nobleman recently arrived in New York, he catches Bertha’s eye as a tool for her ambition and match for Gladys.

MATILDA LAWLER as Frances Montgomery: Daughter to Dashiell Montgomery, she is innocent, naturally charming, endearing and well-bred with good manners.

DAKIN MATTHEWS as Mr. Winterton: A very rich widower, he married his new, young wife after an extremely short courtship – so short she hadn’t yet met any of his society friends and he is unaware of her past.

REBECCA HADEN as Flora McNeil: Flora has lived at the top of New York society, and has been brought up to believe the lie that her father deserted her and her mother.

The official logline for Season 2: The Gilded Age was a period of immense economic change, of huge fortunes made and lost, and of fierce rivalry between old money and new. Nowhere is that rivalry more apparent than on East 61st Street, where Marian Brook and her thoroughly old money aunts, Agnes van Rhijn and Ada Brook, live opposite the stupendously rich George and Bertha Russell. The Russells are both fiercely ambitious, he financially, she socially, and they are determined to reach the highest echelons of New York. Meanwhile in Brooklyn, Marian’s friend and confidant Peggy Scott forges her own path in the world of the Black elite. In this glittering world on the brink of the modern age, will the established rules of society prevail, or will the game change entirely?

Fellowes executive produces with Gareth Neame, series’ director Michael Engler, David Crockett, Salli Richardson-Whitfield and Bob Greenblatt. Co-executive producing are writer Sonja Warfield and historical consultant Erica Dunbar. Bernie Telsey and Adam Caldwell from Telsey + Company are the show’s casting directors. The Gilded Age is a co-production between HBO and Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.

Benanti, who is newly repped by Gersh, can currently be seen in in the Hulu series Life & Beth opposite Amy Schumer and recurs on HBO Max’s Gossip Girl. She recently debuted in the film Worth at the Sundance Film Festival opposite Michael Keaton, Stanley Tucci and Amy Ryan and also recently wrapped on the film Here Today starring opposite Billy Crystal and Tiffany Haddish. She is managed by Untitled.

House alum Leonard was recently seen in Nat Geo’s Hot Zone: Anthrax. He is repped by WME and Brillstein Entertainment Partners.

Bloom is repped by Gersh and Authentic Talent and Literary Management. Braugher is repped by A3 Artists Agency and Authentic. Denham is repped by Gersh and Authentic. Furr is repped by Innovative Artists. Haden is repped by CESD and Wishlab Inc. Lamb is repped by Independent Talent Group (UK) and Industry Entertainment. Lawler is repped by Untitled Entertainment, CESD, and Schreck Rose Dapello. Matthews is repped by Henderson Hogan Agency.

‘Accused’: Oakes Fegley, Robert Widsom Join Cast Of Fox Anthology Drama

Accused, directed by Michael Cuesta and co-produced by Fox Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television, is based on the BBC’s BAFTA-winning crime anthology. It opens in a courtroom on the accused, with viewers knowing nothing about their crime or how they ended up on trial. Told from the defendant’s point of view through flashbacks, Accused depicts how an ordinary person gets caught up in an extraordinary situation, ultimately revealing how one wrong turn leads to another, until it’s too late to turn back.

Fegley plays Hunter Corbett, the troubled son of neurosurgeon Dr. Scott Corbett (Chiklis) and Lynn Corbett (Hennessy). Wisdom plays Mitch Becker, a neurosurgeon and Scott Corbett’s partner and confidant.

Accused is executive produced and developed by Gordon and executive produced by Gansa, Shore, Glenn Geller, Erin Gunn, All3Media America’s Jacob Cohen-Holmes, and Jimmy McGovern, Sita Williams, Roxy Spencer and Louise Pedersen for All3Media International. Frank Siracusa and John Weber also serve as executive producers. Created by McGovern, the original series debuted in 2010 on BBC One.

Fegley will next be seen in Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans. He starred in Warner Bros’ The Goldfinch, Disney’s Pete’s Dragon and Amazon’s Wonderstruck. Other credits include The War With Grandpa opposite Robert De Niro and Fort Bliss opposite Michelle Monaghan.

Wisdom will be seen in Barry and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. He also appeared in Fox’s The Big Leap, Apple’s Black Bird, Sony’s Journal For Jordan and Hulu’s Vacation Friends. Additional credits include Marvel’s Helstrom, The Alienist, Watchmen, Ballers, The Dark Knight Rises, Ray, Face/Off, Flaked, Nashville, The Wire and Prison Break.

Fegley is represented by Verve Talent and Literary Agency, Wright Entertainment, Inc. and Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz. Wisdom is represented by A3 Artists Agency and Link Entertainment.

‘Rebel Moon’: Cary Elwes, Corey Stoll & Others Board Zack Snyder’s Sci-Fi Pic For Netflix

The sci-fi pic is set in a peaceful colony on the edge of the galaxy that finds itself threatened by the armies of the tyrannical Regent Balisarius. They dispatch a young woman (Boutella) with a mysterious past to seek out warriors from neighboring planets to help them make a stand.

Snyder is directing from the script he wrote with Shay Hatten (Army of the Dead) and Kurt Johnstad (300), which was based on his and Johnstad’s story. Snyder is also producing alongside Deborah Snyder and Wesley Coller for The Stone Quarry, with Eric Newman of Grand Electric. Bergen Swanson is exec producing alongside Hatten, Johnstad and Sarah Bowen for Grand Electric, with VP Studio Film Ori Marmur overseeing the project for Netflix.

Elwes is known for turns in films including Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre, No Strings Attached, Ella Enchanted, Saw, Cradle Will Rock, The Informant, Liar Liar, Twister, The Jungle Book, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Days of Thunder, Glory and The Princess Bride, among many others. His TV credits include Stranger Things, Life in Pieces and The Art of More. He’ll next be seen in Mission: Impossible 7, among other projects.

Stoll co-stars on Showtime’s Billions and next will be seen in Stephen Belber’s drama What We Do Next, the Netflix series Transatlantic and Twilight of the Gods and the AMC series Pantheon. He’s previously appeared in such series as Ratched, Baghdad Central, The Deuce, The Strain, Girls and House of Cards. Recent film credits include West Side Story and The Many Saints of Newark.

Huisman next will be seen on the Apple TV+ series Echo 3. He’s previously appeared on such series as The Flight Attendant, The Haunting of Hill House, Game of Thrones, Orphan Black and Tremé. Notable film credits include The Red Sea Diving Resort, State Like Sleep, The Age of Adeline, The Invitation, Wild, World War Z and The Young Victoria.

Herrera plays cartel leader Javi Elizondro in the fourth and final season of Netflix’s Ozark and previously appeared on series including Queen of the South, Sense8 and The Exorcist, among other projects. Elwes is represented by APA, The Artists Partnership in the UK, Link Entertainment and Ginsburg Daniels Kallis; Stoll by UTA, Suskin/Karshan Management and Schreck Rose Dapello; Huisman by Conway van Gelder Grant in the UK, Meerzorg Talents in The Netherlands, UTA, Authentic Talent and Literary Management and attorneys Jodi Peikoff and Michael H. Mahan; and Herrera by Gersh, Talent on the Road Management and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole.

Hayden Panettiere & BF Brian Massive Bar Brawl Fists, Feet Fly Outside Sunset Marquis!!!

We got this insane video from Thursday night outside the Sunset Marquis where HP, and mostly Brian, threw down with a large group of people. At one point, security was able to calm the situation ... but then Brian broke free, ramping things up again.

An eyewitness tells us everything started inside at the hotel bar, where some sort of argument started between Hayden, Brian and some other patrons. We're told one of the people from the other group claimed Brian spit on them, and the manager kicked everyone out ... leading to this wild scene on the street.

During the fight, you can see Hayden do her best to try to pry Brian off the others -- and it even appears she gets kicked in the face while she was in the scrum. She's heard yelling, "Brian, jail!" ... likely warning him what could happen if cops show up, because he's on probation until 2025.

Once everyone finally gets separated -- Brian and Hayden head back into the hotel -- where she apologizes to staff, and the other group leaves.

Hayden and Brian certainly have a tumultuous history -- he's been arrested for domestic violence and assault for alleged attacks against the actress. Last night, at least, they were a united front.

Law enforcement got a call for a fight at the hotel, but by the time they arrived, everyone had left and no report has been filed.

‘Chicago Med’: Jessy Schram Returning To NBC Medical Drama As A Series Regular

Hannah made her shocking return in the final beats of tonight’s episode, “May Your Choices Reflect Hope, Not Fear,” an appropriate message for someone who is now two years sober and ready for a fresh start. Thanks to her guardian angel Sharon Goodwin (S. Epatha Merkerson), her fresh start includes a new job at Gaffney Chicago Medical Center’s new emergency OBGYN service.

Although Dr. Archer (Steven Weber) wasn’t too sure about welcoming Hannah back into the fold—with good reason—but ultimately decided to give her a second chance. If anyone knows about the benefit of second chances, it’s Archer.

The new job is a perfect next step for Hannah, who recently completed an ED fellowship at L.A. County where she handled high volume, high-risk cases.

With all the good coming into her life, what, if anything, could it mean for her and Dr. Will Halstead (Nick Gehlfuss)? The two shared a passionate love affair that was unsustainable due to her drug addiction. But with things on the up and up, who knows?!

No matter what happens between them, she has a solid relationship with Goodwin who kept in contact with her through the ups and downs of rehab.

Schram is a singer and actress most notably known for her multiple collaborations with the Hallmark Channel, including A Royal New Year’s Eve, The Birthday Wish, Harvest Moon, A Smile as Big as the Moon, Road to Christmas, Amazing Winter Romance, and most recently, Time for Them to Come Home for Christmas, Country at Heart, and Nashville Christmas Carol.

Other credits include TNT’s Falling Sky, AMC’s Mad Men, and ABC/CMT’s Nashville.

She is repped by Talentworks, Industry Entertainment, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman, Wertheimer Mandlebaum Morris Bernstein Trattner & Klein.

Hayden Panettiere confirms her daughter is 'safe and not in Ukraine'

The 32-year-old actress has daughter Kaya with the retired Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko – but Hayden has confirmed via social media that she’s not in any danger, following Russia’s invasion of the country.

In response to a comment on Instagram, Hayden said: “she’s safe and not in Ukraine (thumbs-up emoji) (sic)”

The Heroes actress has also voiced her support for Ukraine on social media.

She wrote online: “I have personally witnessed the strength of the Ukrainian people who fought so hard for their independence and have continued to passionately defend their country over the years.

“This horrific moment in history sends a terrifying message: the message that in this day and age, in year 2022, it’s okay to violate the rights of free people and allow autocrats like Putin to take whatever they please.”

Hayden wishes she could provide more support to Ukraine.

She said: “I’m praying for my family and friends there and everyone who’s fighting. I wish you had more support and I wish I was there fighting with you!”

The actress also encouraged her followers to voice their support for democracy.

She explained: “For now, I ask for those of us who can’t be there to stand shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and show your support for #democracy (sic)”

Meanwhile, Wladimir recently enlisted in Ukraine’s reserve army.

The 45-year-old former heavyweight champion and his brother Vitali Klitschko – who is also a former heavyweight champion – have both pledged to fight for their country.

Wladimir said: “We will defend ourselves with all our might and fight for freedom and democracy. You can also act. Let not fear seize us; let’s not remain frozen. Putin shoots at Ukrainian cities, but he aims at our hearts and, more importantly, at our minds.”

Jason Katims Series ‘Dear Edward’ Starring Connie Britton, Taylor Schilling & Colin O’Brien Gets Apple TV+ Order, Sets ‘Friday Night Lights’ Reunion

The 10-episode series, based on the novel by Ann Napolitano, reunites former Friday Night Lights showrunner Katims with the acclaimed high school drama’s female lead, Britton. I hear Britton’s Dear Edward deal is for one year, something she also did when she signed on for the first season of Fox’s 9-1-1.

Dear Edward, the first series to come out of Katims’ overall deal with Apple TV+, has been in the works for over a year. Britton was approached early on and came on board last fall though negotiating her deal dragged on for months, holding up the formal series greenlight. As her contract was getting finalized, Orange Is the New Black alumna Schilling and young actor O’Brien were cast as leads.

Dear Edward tells the story of Edward Adler (O’Brien), a 12-year-old boy who survives a devastating commercial plane crash that kills every other passenger on the flight, including his family. As Edward and a diverse ensemble of others affected by the tragedy try to make sense of life after the crash, unexpected friendships, romances and communities are formed.

Schilling plays Edward’s aunt Lacey who takes him in after the crash. Britton plays Lacey’s friend whose husband died in the crash.

The series is described as a heartbreaking, life-affirming, and uplifting story about survival, resilience, connection, and the examination of what makes us human. Hailing from Apple Studios, Dear Edward is written by Katims, who serves as showrunner. He executive produces through True Jack Productions alongside Jeni Mulein. Author Napolitano also serves as executive producer alongside Fisher Stevens (Palmer), who is set to direct the first episode and serve as executive producer on the pilot. David Boyd will serve as producing director.

Dear Edward, the novel, is published by The Dial Press.

Emmy winner Katims who also has new Prime Video series As We See It, is repped by CAA and attorney Ira Schreck. Britton, coming off her starring role in HBO’s The White Lotus, is repped by Untitled Entertainment, WME, The Initiative Group and Hansen Jacobson Teller. Schilling, who plays Erica in Hulu’s buzzy new limited series Pam and Tommy, is repped by Untitled Entertainment and Gersh. O’Brien is repped by manager Wendi Green at Atlas Artists and attorney Stewart Brookman at Hansen Jacobson Teller. Napolitano is repped by CAA and by Julie Barer at The Book Group.

Chaley Rose, Pete Ploszek And Heather Morris To Star In Indie Thriller ‘The Bodyguard’

Jake Helgren, who runs Ninth House with Autumn Federici, wrote and will direct Bodyguard. The plot centers on pop star Eden Chase (Rose), who is almost kidnapped by a crazed fan. She enlists the help of handsome, brooding bodyguard Jackson Reed (Ploszek) to move into her home and become her full-time security. When Jackson develops an unhealthy attachment to Eden, she soon realizes the one person with access to her life, and the man she’d called her protector, has now become a predator harboring a dark secret from the past. With the help of her tenacious best friend (Morris), Eden realizes she must outwit him or become prey.

Bayardo De Murguia, Malaya Rivera Drew, James C. Burns, Nikki Tuazon and Rafael Molina also star. Federici and Helgren are producers.

Rose is best known for playing Zoey Dalton on Nashville, while Ploszek’s credits include Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Teen Wolf. Morris is best known for playing Brittany on Ryan Murphy’s Glee.

The Ninth House’s other credits include the Lifetime holiday pics The Christmas Family Reunion and the upcoming Writing Around the Christmas Tree, and is in post on Whose Child starring Anna Schafer and the indie A Christmas & Postre starring Camila Banus and Mark Hapka.

‘Outer Banks’ Renewed For Season 3 By Netflix

Created by Jonas Pate, Josh Pate and Shannon Burke, Outer Banks is a coming-of-age story that follows a tight-knit group of local teens — the “Pogues” — in the beach vacation destination of the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

After their near-death escape in Season 1, Season 2 saw John B (Chase Stokes) & Sarah (Madelyn Cline) on the run — and in over their heads — in the Bahamas. New friends also brought new foes as they were back on the trail of the gold, while the stakes for Kiara (Madison Bailey), Pope (J.D.), and JJ (Rudy Pankow) rapidly escalated at home. The $400M was still in the game, but would the uncovering of a new-found secret reunite the group for a fresh mission? The adventure of a lifetime awaited, but uncharted waters ahead meant the Pogues must do all they can to make it out alive.

Series regulars Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline, Madison Bailey, Jonathan Daviss, Rudy Pankow, Austin North, Drew Starkey, and Charles Esten will return for Season 3. Additionally, we’ll be seeing more of Cleo in the upcoming season. Carlacia Grant, who recurred as the character in Season 2, has been promoted to series regular for Season 3.

Outer Banks has been a hit for Netflix since the series premiere. The second season, which debuted in July, held the No. 1 spot globally in Netflix’s Top 10 TV (English) list for the four weeks following its launch.

Jonas and Josh Pate and Burke will all return as showrunners and executive producers for Season 3.

Benanti Joins Schumer Comedy

Schumer will write, direct, executive-produce and star as Beth, a wine distributor whose life looks pretty great on paper. But when a sudden incident forces Beth to engage with her past, her life changes forever. Through flashbacks to her teen self, Beth starts to learn how she became who she is and who she wants to become.

Benanti — whose TV credits include HBO Max’s Gossip Girl reboot, Younger and Supergirl — will recur as Jane, a struggling mother.

‘The Locksmith’: ‘Big Little Lies’ Actor Jeffrey Nordling & ‘Legacies’ Star Kaylee Bryant Among Cast To Join Thriller

As we reported last month, the film is being directed by veteran first assistant director Nicolas Harvard who makes his feature film debut.

In The Locksmith, Phillippe plays Miller, a thief fresh out of prison after a job gone bad, who tries to work his way back into the life of his daughter and ex-girlfriend, Beth (Bosworth), who is now a police detective. Determined to make a clean start, he is forced to use the only skills he has as a gifted locksmith. Things soon get complicated after an unexpected kidnapping.

Screenplay is written by John Glosser, Joe Russo and Chris LaMont, and Ben Kabialis, based on an original story by Blair Kroeber. Producers are Mark B. David of Golden State Films and Roger Goff, and executive producers are Walter Josten and Caleb Wilson.

Arclight Films is handling worldwide sales and introduced the film to buyers at last month’s AFM.

Nordling’s credits include HBO series Big Little Lies, Amazon’s The Man in the High Castle and the upcoming AppleTV+ mini series Five Days At Memorial. Bryant is best known for The CW’s Originals spinoff series Legacies.

Bryant is represented by APA, as well as Kate Linden Management, and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher. Nordling is represented by APA and Principal Entertainment LA. Floyd is represented by Sovereign Talent and South West Artists Group.

‘Nashville’ & ‘The Princess Switch’ Star Sam Palladio Signs With United Agents

Palladio most recently starred in ABC’s Rebel, the drama series inspired by the life of activist Erin Brockovich. He will next be seen in the third installment of Netflix’s The Princess Switch franchise, in which he will reprise the role of Edward.

The Brit actor and musician is best known for his role as Gunnar Scott on Nashville. His credits also include AMC’s Humans and Showtime’s Episodes.

At United, Palladio will be repped by Ellie Blackford and Jess Alford. He is with Allison Band and Nate Steadman at Gersh. He was previously repped by 42 the UK.

Hallmark 2021 Christmas Movie

Stars: Kimberly Williams Paisley, Ashley Williams, Mark Deklin, Keith Robinson, Susan Yeagley, and Kevin Nealon

Logline: "In these interconnected movies, Jennifer and Meg Swift are sisters who couldn't be closer despite living hours apart. Jennifer is in Salt Lake City, running a successful restaurant she started with her late husband and raising her teenaged son Simon. Meg stayed in their hometown of Hazelwood, helping their parents run the local bakery. This Christmas is the family's first since the passing of Uncle Dave, who owned the town's beloved theater, The Madison, where many memories were made over the years. When Jennifer and Simon return home for the holiday, they become wistful for one more Christmas at The Madison, despite that it's for sale and in need of repairs. Meanwhile, Meg is helping Jennifer's restaurant staff in Salt Lake prepare for a Christmas competition among local restaurants with the winner earning money for the charity of its choice. With the sisters switching cities leading up to the holiday, they find a new sense of purpose and discover what they both truly need in life and in love."

Eva Longoria, Alyssa Milano, Ciara & Dozens More Celebrities Call On World Leaders To End The Covid Pandemic “Now”

The letter, which mentioned the United Nations General Assembly Session specifically, was posted on the website of CARE, an organization dedicated to ending poverty worldwide. It was signed by a raft of boldfaced names including Eva Longoria, Debra Messing, Alyssa Milano, Anne Hathaway, Malin Akerman, Debbie Allen, Jordana Brewster, Connie Britton, Ciara, Peter Dinklage, Richard Gere, Dolores Huerta, Joel McHale, Iman, Edward James Olmos, Laura Linney, Julianna Margulies, Joel McHale, Idina Menzel, Ana Ortiz, Adam Shankman, Michael Sheen, Adam Shulman and Sarah Silverman. For a full list of signatories, see below.

Specifically, the letter calls Covid “a manmade pandemic of apathy.” It states that “Only 2% of people in low-income countries have received a single dose.” The signatories call on “global leaders to make 7 billion vaccine doses available before the end of 2021, and an additional 7 billion doses by mid-2022 to fully vaccinate 70% of the world by next summer.”

Those are audacious goals given the world’s most highly vaccinated countries, like the U.S., remain well under 70%.

It also asks leaders to “invest in last-mile delivery systems, public education, and frontline healthcare workers to get vaccines from tarmacs into arms.”

Here is the full letter:

An open letter to world leaders on ending the COVID-19 pandemic now.

None of us are safe until all of us are safe.

We call on leaders gathering at the United Nations General Assembly Session to boldly act together to end COVID-19 everywhere.

COVID-19 is now a manmade pandemic of apathy. Only 2% of people in low-income countries have received a single dose, leaving the world’s most vulnerable to face COVID with no protection. This situation also lets new variants, like Delta, emerge and ravage the lives of millions.

We are joining with CARE to call on global leaders to make 7 billion vaccine doses available before the end of 2021, and an additional 7 billion doses by mid-2022 to fully vaccinate 70% of the world by next summer.

To get this done the world community must also invest in last-mile delivery systems, public education, and frontline healthcare workers to get vaccines from tarmacs into arms. Millions of doses could go to waste because low-income countries don’t have the support they need to get vaccines to vulnerable people.

We can save millions of lives — and trillions in further economic damage — by meeting this moment with the resources and political will needed to end COVID-19 for everyone, everywhere. Because none of us are safe until all of us are safe.

Malin Akerman
Debbie Allen
Dorothy Amuah
Morena Baccarin
Adriana Barraza
Troian Bellisario
Bobby Berk
Jordana Brewster
Connie Britton
Karamo Brown
Gloria Calderón Kellett
Ciara
Tena Clark
Kim Coates
Madison Cowan
Alexandra Daddario
Peter Dinklage
Melinda Doolittle
Tan France
Richard Gere
Duff Goldman
Tony Goldwyn
Fiona Gubelmann
Anne Hathaway
Ingrid Hoffmann
Anders Holm
Dolores Huerta
Osas Ighodaro
Joel McHale
Iman
Edward James Olmos
Sonam Kapoor Ahuja
Ellie Krieger
Iskra Lawrence
Annie Lennox
Lola Lennox
Esther Lewis
Laura Linney
Kimberly Locke
Eva Longoria
Anja Manuel
Julianna Margulies
Catherine McCord
Joel McHale
Spike Mendelsohn
Idina Menzel
Debra Messing
Alyssa Milano
Sepideh Moafi
Tamera Mowry-Housley
Yvette Nicole Brown
Christina Ochoa
Ana Ortiz
Helen Pankhurst
Jessica Pimentel
Julie Plec
Adina Porter
Zac Posen
Leven Rambin
April Reign
Holland Roden
Sheila Shah
Adam Shankman
Omar Sharif Jr.
Michael Sheen
Adam Shulman
Sarah Silverman
Hannah Skvarla
Todd Snyder
Kimberly Steward
Curtis Stone
Christy Turlington Burns
Laura Vandervoort
Gabby Williams
Michelle Williams
Kimberly Williams-Paisley
Russell Wilson
Scott Wolf
Kelley Wolf
Bellamy Young
Rachel Zoe.

Robert Wisdom guests on The Big Leap 10/4/21

Cast: Scott Foley as Nick Blackburn; Simone Recasner as Gabby; Teri Polo as Julia; Ser’Darius Blain as Reggie Sadler; Piper Perabo as Paula; Ray Cham as Justin; Kevin Daniels as Wayne; Mallory Jansen as Monica; Jon Rudnitsky as Mike; Anna Grace Barlow as Brittney Lovewell

Guest Cast: Adam Kaplan as Simon; Seth Morris as Kevin; Tim Lyons as Alan; McKenzie Chinn as Jessica; Karen Rodriguez as Raven; Fabrice Calmels as Claude; Donetta Jackson as Tamra; Robert Wisdom as Earl St.; Brian Keys as Earl Jr.; Rachel Kim as Miriam/Metermaid; Teh’Ray Hale as DJ/Spiderman; Torrin Clifton as Ladon; Comfort Fedoke as Aja; Damon Royster as Don Sound Guy; Stanley Glover as Travell; Jeraldine M. Quiñones as Female Dancer #1; Bril Barrett as Male Dancer; Elijah Delgado as Junior; Luis Rosado as Mario; Elina Golde as Yulia/Swan #1; Jeff Parker as David; Karissa Murrell Myers as Medic; Marc Grapey as Marty; Rozhan Shabahang as Swan #6; Ella Bridgette McEnamy as Swan #7; Sophie Kooy as Swan #8; Logan Velasquez as Swan #9; Camille Jordan as Swan #10; Sharyon A. Culberson as Shantal; Timothy Hull as Sketchy Doctor; Deshawn Townsend as Rothbart; Jordan Nelson as Prince; Emma Kapteyn as Swan #1; Sarah Knutson as Swan #2; Hayley Lampariello as Swan #3; Lillie Rose Reddy as Swan #4; Kayla Schmitt as Swan #5

Connie Britton Boards Salmira Productions Indie Drama Thriller ‘892’

The film, directed and co-written by Abi Damaris Corbin, is described as an intense thriller in the vein of Dog Day Afternoon. Boyega plays a Marine war vet, who suffers from mental scars and struggles to transition back to civilian life. Olivia Washington, Selenis Leyva, and Jeffrey Donovan also star. Kwame Kwei-Armah also co-wrote. The project was developed with Salmira Productions and Epic, part of Vox Media Studios. Producers are Kevin Turen and Ashley Levinson of Little Lamb Productions, Salman Al-Rashid and Sam Frohman of Salmira Productions, as well as Mackenzie Fargo of Epic. Salmira Productions is financing the feature with WME handling distribution sales.

Britton starred as Tami Taylor in NBC’s Friday Night Lights, for which she was nominated for two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series at the 62nd and 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards, respectively. She was also nominated for an Emmy Award in the Outstanding Lead Actress Miniseries category for the first season of FX’s Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk series American Horror Story. She was also nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, as well as a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama in ABC’s musical drama Nashville. She had a recurring role in the first season of Murphy and Falchuk’s crime series American Crime Story on FX, as well as the main role in the first season and a guest role in the third season of Fox’s procedural drama 9-1-1. For her performance in the true crime anthology series Dirty John, Britton received a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film. In 2014, she was named a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Program. Britton focuses her advocacy efforts on eradicating extreme poverty, fighting exclusion and empowering women. She also recently starred in Emerald Fennell’s Oscar-winning movie Promising Young Woman and the Mark Wahlberg starrer Joe Bell. Britton is repped by WME, Untitled Entertainment and Hansen Jacobson Teller.

‘Unconventional’: Kit Williamson, Aubrey Peeples, Willam Belli, Kathy Griffin, Beau Bridges, Jenna Ushkowitz, James Bland, Briana Venskus Among Cast For Comedy Series

Developed at The Sundance Lab, the series follows eccentric, queer siblings Noah and Margot Guillory (Williamson and Peeples) and their significant others Dan Charles and Elisa Slate (Bland and Venskus) as they try to start an unconventional family while navigating their thirties, trying to stay sane in an unstable world and, most importantly, trying to hold onto the bonds they share.

Series regulars also include Willam Belli (EastSiders), Constantine Rousouli (Charmed) Laith Ashley (Pose) and Dana Wheeler-Nicholson (Friday Night Lights). Wheeler-Nicholson plays Carolyn Guillory, the conservative matriarch of the family who leaves her home state of Texas after an unexpected tragedy to join her children in the California desert, where she is thrust into the unfamiliar and unapologetically queer world of Palm Springs and Joshua Tree.

Guest stars include Beau Bridges (Masters Of Sex) as Wayne Guillory, the family’s estranged patriarch; veteran comedian Kathy Griffin as Noah’s acerbic PhD advisor; Tuc Watkins (Black Monday) as Eliza’s obstetrician; Jenna Ushkowitz (Glee) as Noah and Dan’s adoption agent; and Angela E. Gibbs (Hacks) and Tim Russ (Pen15) as Dan’s parents.

Additional guest stars include Beth Grant (The Mindy Project), Stephen Guarino (I’m Dying Up Here), James Urbaniak (For All Mankind), John Halbach (EastSiders), Brooke Seguin (12 Hour Shift), Miranda Bailey (The Diary of a Teenage Girl), Quei Tann (How to Get Away with Murder) and Chaunté Wayans (Fifty Shades of Black).

Series regular James Bland serves as a writer, director and producer on the project. Bland previously created and starred in the Emmy-winning series Giants on BET+. The writers’ room also included Brea Grant (12 Hour Shift), Trey Anthony (Da Kink In My Hair), producer Larissa James (Eastsiders) and Chad Callaghan. Guest directors will include Bland, Grant, and executive producer Miranda Bailey (Being Frank).

World sales of the series are being handled by ICM Partners and More/Medavoy.

Unconventional heralds from co-financiers and producers Cold Iron Pictures, The Film Arcade and The Money Pool. Nine half-hour episodes have been slated for production.

Miranda Bailey and Amanda Marshall are executive producers for Cold Iron Pictures, Jason Beck is executive producer for The Film Arcade, Christopher Miller and H. Shen are executive producers for The Money Pool and Erwin More from More/Medavoy is also an executive producer on the series. Casting agent on the series is Amey Rene, of Amey Rene Casting.

“It’s still rare for a TV show to center on the LGBTQ experience,” said Williamson. “Filming this series independently enables us to tell the story on our own terms, and to create opportunities for queer talent. We deserve a more authentic representation in front of and behind the camera.”

Cold Iron Pictures most recently finished production on God’s Country starring Thandiwe Newton. The Film Arcade produced Sundance 2019 documentary The Amazing Johnathan, which was acquired by Hulu. The Money Pool is currently adapting the Mitzy Moon book series for TV.

Kit Williamson recently adapted Lev Rosen’s YA novel Camp as a feature film for HBO Max and is attached to adapt Mercedes Lackey’s bestselling Valdemar novels into a fantasy series for Radar Pictures. His previous series EastSiders began as a web series on YouTube before being acquired by Netflix, winning two Daytime Emmy Awards. He is repped by Buchwald and More/Medavoy.

Rob Lowe To EP & Star In Netflix Family Film ‘Dog Gone’

Funny and heartwarming, the story received worldwide attention, as people of all walks of life joined the search for the ailing mutt, Gonker, who has only days to live without his medication. Dog Gone reps Lowe’s second reteaming with Netflix after the romantic comedy Holiday in the Wild, which was one of the streamer’s most watched movies of the year. Production on Dog Gone starts later this month in Georgia.

Also starring in the movie, which is directed by Stephen Herek (Mr. Holland’s Opus, The Three Musketeers and The Mighty Ducks) is Johnny Berchtold and Kimberly Williams-Paisley. Dog Gone is written by Emmy Award Nominee Nick Santora (The Sopranos, Prison Break, Scorpion, Most Dangerous Game), who is also producing for Blackjack Films Inc. based on the book Dog Gone: A Lost Pet’s Extraordinary Journey and the Family Who Brought Him Home by Pauls Toutonghi. Jeremy Kipp Walker is producing for Story Ink. Walker produced Oscar-nominated The Big Sick and Half Nelson.

Lowe was nominated for a Primetime Emmy in 2001 in the Lead Actor Drama Series category for The West Wing. He is a 6x Golden Globe nominee and 2x SAG ensemble winner for The West Wing. His credits also include Parks and Recreation and 9-1-1: Lone Star as well as movies St. Elmo’s Fire, Wayne’s World, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, Austin Powers in Goldmember, Thank You for Smoking, Behind the Candelabra and How to be a Latin Lover. As a director, Lowe helmed the 2018 Lifetime movie The Bad Seed and 1997’s The Desert’s Edge.

Berchtold starred in Manhunt and Amazon Prime Video’s The Wilds. Williams-Paisley starred in Father of the Bride, The Christmas Chronicles, and 165 episodes of ABC’s According to Jim, on which she also directed three episodes.

Lowe is repped by WME, Brillstein Entertainment Partners, and Latham and Watkins. Berchtold is represented by A3 Artists Agency and Canopy Media Partners. Williams-Paisley is represented by The Gersh Agency and Link Entertainment. Herek is repped by Gersh and Howard Entertainment.

‘The Big Leap’: Adam Kaplan, Tom Lennon & Robert Wisdom To Recur In Fox Dance Dramedy

Written by Heldens, inspired by a UK reality format, The Big Leap is a show-within-a-show that takes viewers on a journey of self-acceptance, body-positivity and empowerment at any age. It’s described as a modern tale about second chances, chasing your dreams and taking back what’s yours. The show revolves around a group of diverse, down-on-their-luck characters attempting to change their lives by participating in a potentially life-ruining reality dance show that builds to a live production of Swan Lake.

The Big Leap is produced by 20th Television and FOX Entertainment. Heldens, Winer and Nagle serve as executive producers.

Adam Kaplan will heavily recur as Simon Lovewell, Brittney’s (Barlow) twin. He is a talented dancer, has confidence to spare, and like his sister, is wildly ambitious. He’s comfortable in his queerness and likes to challenge expectations about gender in both his attitude and appearance.

Tom Lennon joins the cast as Zach Peterman, the president of unscripted programming at the network. His ever-shifting demands put Nick (Foley) under constant pressure.

Robert Wisdom recurs as Earl, father to Justin (Ray Cham). He is an old school, conservative, blue collar who wants to connect with his gay son, but does not know how.

Also part of The Big Leap cast are Simone Recasner, Ser’Darius Blain, Raymond Cham Jr., Jon Rudnitsky, Kevin Daniels and Mallory Jansen.

The Big Leap, which is currently in production in Chicago, will premiere on Fox Monday, September 20 at 9 p.m.

Kaplan recently wrapped a supporting role in MR. RUSSO opposite Laurie Metcalf, directed by Ray Romano. He also appeared in a lead role in A Bronx Tale on Broadway opposite Chazz Palminteri, directed by Robert De Niro and Jerry Zaks.

Lennon, who is also a writer, producer, comedian and New York Times bestselling author, appeared in the Emmy-nominated Reno 911!, for which he also wrote. His credits also include The State, The Odd Couple, Drunk History and Lethal Weapon. He is releasing the third installment of his Ronan Boyle book series later this year. Wisdom is set to appear in 20th Century’s Vacation Friends, featuring Lil Rel Howery and John Cena, and Sony’s A Journal For Jordan starring Michael B. Jordan, directed by Denzel Washington. On the television side, he recently wrapped a role on Apple’s Black Bird. He can also be seen as a series regular on Marvel’s Helstrom and in a recurring role for HBO’s Ballers.

Kaplan is represented by Innovative Artists and Industry Entertainment. Lennon’s reps are Artists First, UTA and Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Bernstein Trattner & Klein. Wisdom is represented by LINK Entertainment, A3 Artists Agency, and Fox Rothschild LLP.

Hayden Panettiere 'Trying to Forgive and Move Forward' After Ex Is Released from Jail

The two were spotted together in West Hollywood over the weekend, according to E!, with Hickerson himself telling the outlet the duo were "not back together but are working on a friendship."

A source close to Hayden confirms they are in communication. "Brian is in intensive therapy treatment," the source tells TooFab. "She won't forget what he did but she's trying to forgive and move forward."

Our source added Hayden "is sober and doing very well."

That echoes what Hickerson told E!, telling the publication that Panettiere was "not drinking" during their hangout with friends. "We have a long history together, and the first step in my recovery as an abuser is making amends," he added. "That's exactly what Hayden has been gracious enough to allow me to do."

In April, Hickerson was sentenced to 45 days in jail after pleading no contest to two felony counts of injuring a spouse/cohabitant/girlfriend/child's parent. He was also sentenced to four years probation, received a five-year restraining order and was ordered to attend 52 domestic violence classes and pay a $500 fee.

Hickerson initially pleaded not guilty to eight charges brought against him after his July 2020 arrest -- including battery, corporal injury, assault with a deadly weapon and intimidating a witness, for incidents that allegedly took place during his relationship with Panettiere. All remaining charges against him were dropped after his sentencing.

He was previously arrested over allegations of abuse against Panettiere in February 2020 and May 2019, the latter also for felony domestic violence. He pleaded not guilty and the charges were dropped later that year.

"I am coming forward with the truth about what happened to me with the hope that my story will empower others in abusive relationships to get the help they need and deserve," Panettiere said in a statement to TMZ last July.

"I am prepared to do my part to make sure this man never hurts anyone again. I'm grateful for my support system, which helped me find the courage to regain my voice and my life," she added.

"For anyone affected by abuse and needing support, call 1-800-799-7233," she concluded, sharing the National Domestic Violence Hotline, "or if you're unable to speak safely, you can log onto thehotline.org or text LOVEIS to 1-866-331-9474."

Finn Wittrock, Chiara Aurelia, Connie Britton, Scoot McNairy & Others Round Out Cast Of Netflix’s ‘Luckiest Girl Alive’

Mike Barker is directing the pic, with Bruna Papandrea and Jeanne Snow for Made Up Stories producing along with Erik Feig and Lucy Kitada for Picturestart and Kunis for Orchard Farm Productions

Knoll will exec produce as will Lisa Sterbakov for Orchard Farm Productions, Shayne Fiske Goldner for Picturestart; Steve Hutensky for Made Up Stories and Barker. Julia Hammer will co-produce for Picturestart.

The film centers on Ani FaNelli, a sharp-tongued New Yorker who appears to have it all: a sought-after position at a glossy magazine, a killer wardrobe, and a dream Nantucket wedding on the horizon. But when the director of a crime documentary invites her to tell her side of the shocking incident that took place when she was a teenager at the prestigious Brentley School, Ani is forced to confront a dark truth that threatens to unravel her meticulously crafted life. Who each person will be unknown at the time though insiders add Aurelia will play the younger version of Kunis.

Wittrock is repped by CAA, Weissenbach Management and Schreck Rose Dapello Adams Berlin & Dunham. Britton is repped by Untitled Entertainment, WME, Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush, Kaller & Gellman. Aurelia is represented by Untitled, Paradigm and attorney Ryan Goodell. McNairy is represented by UTA and manager John Pierce at The Group Management. Barbusca is repped by Gersh, McKeon/Myones Entertainment and attorney Lev Ginsburg. Beals is repped by CAA, Industry and attorney Patti Felker.

Oliver Hudson Joins ‘The Cleaning Lady’ Fox Drama Series

Hudson is joining as a new series regular in a recasting that involved a role redevelopment. He will play FBI Agent Garrett Miller, a newly created character that will replace FBI Special Agent Gavin Ross, the character played in the pilot by Vincent Piazza who has exited the project.

The Cleaning Lady, based on an Argentinian format, stars Yung as Thony, a whip-smart doctor who comes to the U.S. for a medical treatment to save her ailing son. But when the system fails and pushes her into hiding, she refuses to be beaten down and marginalized. Instead, she becomes a cleaning lady for the mob and starts playing the game by her own rules.

Hudson’s Garrett Miller is an intensely competitive, brilliant, and chameleonic FBI agent on the trail of Thony (Yung) and the mob.

The Cleaning Lady comes from The 100 writer Miranda Kwok, Stargirl EP Melissa Carter, who is showrunner, Shay Mitchell’s Amore & Vita Productions, Warner Bros. Television and Fox Entertainment. Michael Offer directed and exec produced the pilot.

In addition to Yung, Hudson joins fellow series regulars Adan Canto, Martha Millan as well as newcomers Sebastien LaSalle and Valentino LaSalle, who share the role of Thony’s son Luca.

Hudson only recently became available after starring in the 2020-21 CBS comedy pilot The Three Of Us. Before that, he played the co-lead opposite Jenna Fischer in the ABC comedy series Splitting Up Together. Hudson, who has podcasts Sibling Revelry with Kate Hudson and Oliver Hudson and Daddy Issues with Joe Buck and Oliver Hudson, is repped by ICM Partners, Management 360 and Ziffren Brittenham.

The White Lotus: Crashed Honeymoon and 'Swole Balls' Loom Large in Trailer for HBO's Hawaiian Resort Satire

As seen in the trailer above, the titular resort’s staff includes fastidious manager Armond (Looking‘s Murray Bartlett), who after a sudden trauma begins a dramatic downward spiral, and down-to-earth spa manager Belinda (Insecure‘s Natasha Rothwell), who gets taken on an emotional roller coaster ride by Tanya McQuoid (2 Broke Girls‘ Jennifer Coolidge), a needy, wealthy and unstable woman who is recovering from the death of her mother.

Other vacationers include Mossbacher family matriarch Nicole (Nashville‘s Connie Britton), a successful exec who can’t help but treat her family like disobedient employees; her husband Mark (Treme‘s Steve Zahn), who is dealing with both an embarrassing health crisis (see headline above!) and a terminal inferiority complex; their teenaged son Quinn (Fred Hechinger), a socially awkward gamer who is experiencing the wonder of nature for the very first time; and their daughter Olivia (Euphoria‘s Sydney Sweeney) and her friend Paula (Little Voice‘s Brittany O’Grady), sharp-tongued college sophomores who cast a sardonic eye on the lifestyles and belief systems of everyone around them.

Elsewhere, the handsome and entitled Shane Patton (Girls‘ Jake Lacy) is honeymooning with his bride Rachel (True Detective’s Alexandra Daddario), though as they get to know each other better in this new, intimate environment — and amid the intrusion of Shane’s mother, Kitty (Divorce‘s Molly Shannon) — clouds of doubt appear.

In addition to Shannon, recurring guest stars include Jon Gries (Dream Corp LLC), Jolene Purdy (Orange Is the New Black), Kekoa Kekumano (Hawaii Five-0) and Lukas Gage (Love, Victor).

Kyle Dean Massey Drops Out Of Broadway’s ‘Company’

In a since-expired Instagram story, Massey, who, with husband Taylor Frey is expecting the couple’s first child this fall, wrote that he feels “very sad about withdrawing” from the Sondheim musical, but “I will be getting something pretty spectacular in return.”

“I loved getting to work with the entire group of creatives, actors, musicians and crew,” Massey wrote. “But as you may be aware, Taylor and I are expecting our first child this fall and I want to be 100% present for that.”

Company, the Marianne Elliott-directed revival of the classic Stephen Sondheim-George Furth musical starring Katrina Lenk and Patti LuPone, will resume performances at Broadway’s Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on Dec. 20, with an official opening on Jan. 9.

Prior to Broadway’s Covid shutdown in March 2020, Massey played the role of Theo in the then-previewing production of Company, which switches the genders of some characters. In the original version, the Theo character was named Kathy.

Massey’s decision is not entirely unexpected. The former Nashville actor, who co-owns a California-based assisted reproductive technology company with his husband, spoke to Deadline for a three-part Covid-era oral history of the Company production, saying that even before the shutdown he had been focusing on the couple’s business. “The Broadway show was kind of already a side thing,” Massey said.

Both Lenk and LuPone have confirmed that they will return with the production. Full casting has not been announced, but the revival’s original cast has largely been expected to return, including Christopher Fitzgerald, Christopher Sieber, Jennifer Simard, Matt Doyle, Terence Archie, Etai Benson, Nikki Renée Daniels, Claybourne Elder, Greg Hildreth, Rashidra Scott and Bobby Conte Thornton.

A replacement for Massey has not been announced.

Hallmark Sets Christmas In July Slate With ‘Crashing Through The Snow’, ‘The Christmas Ring’ & More

The annual summer movie celebration will kick off Friday, July 9 and will run until Sunday, July 31. Crashing Through The Snow will make its Hallmark debut Friday, July 10 at 9 p.m. The film centers on Maggie (Acker), who joins her ex-husband Jeff (Kristian Brunn) and his girlfriend Kate (Brooke Nevin) for a Christmas getaway in Aspen, where she meets Kate’s brother, Sam (Warren Christie).

Crashing Through the Snow is from Through the Snow Pictures Inc. Stan Spry, Eric Woods and Ryan M. Murphy are executive producers. Anthony Fankhauser is co-executive producer.

This year’s lineup will also include a 2020 Movie Marathon, Soap Sunday and Countdown to Christmas Greatest Hits, which will feature holiday movies including The Christmas Ring and Crown for Christmas.

See highlights from the Christmas In July lineup below.

2020 Movie Marathon (Saturday, July 10-Sunday, July 11)

Popular Christmas movies from 2020 will air from morning till night, including the original movie premiere of “Crashing Through the Snow,” (Saturday, July 10, 9 p.m., ET/PT).

Soap Sunday (Sunday, July 18)

Holiday films featuring soap stars will air throughout the day and into the night, including Cameron Mathison, Chaley Rose, Rome Flynn, Alison Sweeney, Jesse Metcalfe, Fiona Gubelmann, Bethany Joy Lenz, Victor Webster, and more.

Countdown to Christmas Greatest Hits (Saturday, July 24-Sunday, July 25)

Celebrate some of Hallmark Channel’s Christmas hit films of the past. Highlights include:

“Crown for Christmas” (Saturday, July 24, 7 p.m., ET/PT)

Stars: Danica McKellar (“Matchmaker Mysteries,” “Love and Sunshine,” “The Wonder Years”), Rupert Penry-Jones (“MI-5”)

“The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” (Saturday, July 24, 9 p.m., ET/PT)

Stars: Brooke Burns (“Christmas Connection,” “Melrose Place”), Henry Winkler (“Barry,” “Happy Days”), Warren Christie (“If I Only Had Christmas,” “Motive”)

“Christmas Under Wraps” (Sunday, July 25, 7 p.m., ET/PT)

Stars: Candace Cameron Bure (“If I only had Christmas,” “Full/Fuller House,” “Christmas Town”), David O’Donnell (“A Christmas in Vermont”) “The Nine Lives of Christmas” (Sunday, July 25, 10 p.m., ET/PT)

Stars: Brandon Routh (“The Rookie,” “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow,” “Superman Returns”), Kimberley Sustad (“Sense, Sensibility & Snowmen,” “Morning Show Mysteries”)

Hallmark Movies & Mysteries (Friday, June 25-Thursday, July 8):

Hallmark Movies & Mysteries presents a Christmas gift of themed nights of Yuletide favorites to enjoy:

Blake Shelton Night! (Monday, June 28)

Blake Shelton proves that he’s more than just an award-winning musician by showing his skills at executive producing the following:

“Time for Me to Come Home for Christmas” (6 p.m., ET/PT)

Stars: Megan Park (“My Christmas Love,” “The Secret Life of the American Teenager”), Josh Henderson (“Dallas,” “Desperate Housewives”)

“Time for You to Come Home for Christmas” (8 p.m., ET/PT)

Stars: Alison Sweeney (“Murder, She Baked,” “Days of Our Lives”), Lucas Bryant (“The Angel Tree,” “Love Song”)

“Time for Us to Come Home for Christmas” (10 p.m., ET/PT)

Stars: Lacey Chabert (“The Christmas Waltz,” “Party of Five”), Stephen Huszar (“A Homecoming for the Holidays,” “My One & Only”)

Holiday Jam Session! (Friday, July 2)

Christmas films featuring music will include:

“Our Christmas Love Song” (6 p.m., ET/PT)

Stars: Alicia Witt (“Cybill,” “Nashville”), Brendan Hines (“Scandal”)

“The Christmas Bow” (8 p.m., ET/PT)

Stars: Lucia Micarelli (“Treme”), Michael Rady (“Two Turtle Doves,” “Love to the Rescue”)

“Christmas at Graceland” (10 p.m., ET/PT)

Stars: Kellie Pickler (singer/songwriter), Wes Brown (“Check Inn to Christmas,” “90210”)

Salute to Christmas! (Saturday, July 3)

A Yuletide salute to those who bravely serve our country. Some of these films include:

“The Christmas Doctor” (6 p.m., ET/PT)

Stars: Holly Robinson Peete (“Christmas in Evergreen: Tidings of Joy,” “American Housewife”), Adrian Holmes (“Arrow”)

“USS Christmas” (8 p.m., ET/PT)

Stars: Jen Lilley (“Angel Falls: A Novel Holiday,” “Days of Our Lives”), Trevor Donovan (“Nostalgic Christmas,” “90210”)

“Deliver by Christmas” (10 p.m., ET/PT)

Stars: Alvina August (“Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist,” “Nancy Drew”), Eion Bailey (“Switched for Christmas,” “Once Upon a Time”)

Family on the 4th! (Sunday, July 4)

Family Christmas movies also part of the annual event are:

“A Blue Ridge Mountain Christmas” (6 p.m., ET/PT)

Stars: Rachael Lee Cook (“Cross Country Christmas,” “Perception”), Benjamin Ayres (“Cranberry Christmas,” “Saving Hope”)

“Holly & Ivy” (8 p.m., ET/PT)

Stars: Janel Parrish (“Pretty Little Liars”), Jeremy Jordan (“Supergirl”), Marisol Nichols (“Riverdale”)

“The Christmas Ring” (10 p.m., ET/PT)

Stars: Nazneen Contractor (“Star Wars Resistance”), David Alpay (“The Vampire Diaries”)

Michiel Huisman Joins Luke Evans In Apple’s Drama Series ‘Echo 3’ From Mark Boal

Echo 3 is set in South America and follows Amber Chesborough, a brilliant young scientist, who is the emotional center of a small American family. When she goes missing along the Colombia-Venezuela border, her brother and her husband — two men with deep military experience and complicated pasts — struggle to find her in a layered, personal drama, set against the explosive backdrop of a secret war. Huisman will play Prince, a member of the “Echo 3” team and Amber’s husband.

The 10-part series is based on the award-winning Keshet Broadcasting series When Heroes Fly, created by Omri Givon and inspired by the eponymous novel by Amir Gutfreund. Given a straight-to-series order by Apple last July, Echo 3 will be shot with English and Spanish dialogue.

Boal serves as showrunner alongside co-showrunner and Jason Horwitch (Berlin Station). The series will be produced by Keshet Studios, with Keshet Studios’ Peter Traugott serving as executive producer alongside Boal, Horwitch, Mark Sourian, Omri Givon, Eitan Mansuri, Jonathan Doweck, Avi Nir (Keshet Media Group), Alon Shtruzman (Keshet International) and Karni Ziv (Keshet Broadcasting).

Huisman stars opposite Kaley Cuoco on HBO Max’s The Flight Attendant. He previously played Daario Naharis on Game Of Thrones and recently co-starred on Netflix’s The Haunting of Hill House. Huisman is repped by UTA, Authentic Talent and Literary Management, Conway van Gelder Grant and Peikoff/Mahan.

CONNIE BRITTON, COURTENEY COX, SUSAN KELECHI WATSON AND MANDY MOORE JOIN NBC’S ‘THE WALL’ MAY 27 AT 8 P.M. ET/PT IN SUPPORT OF RED NOSE DAY

Britton, Cox, Kelechi Watson and Moore will narrate short videos shown within the episode showing how Red Nose Day funds can help change the lives of children living in poverty. The episode features a deserving and charitable Dallas family playing the riveting high-stakes game to try and earn life-changing cash for themselves, while Hardwick cheers them on and raises money for Red Nose Day by testing his own skills on the wall. Viewers will also have the opportunity to join in to help raise money for the cause.

Red Nose Day has raised more than $240 million in the last six years and positively impacted over 25 million children across the U.S. and around the world. Funds raised for Red Nose Day support programs to ensure that children who are living in poverty are safe, healthy, educated and empowered, with the need for donations greater than ever due to the devastating ripple effects of the pandemic on underserved children.

The White Lotus Gets Premire Date

Oliver Hudson Developing ‘World’s Best Dad’ With Jupiter Entertainment After Striking First-Look Deal Via His Bronco Productions

Snapped producer Jupiter is developing the project, which does not yet have a broadcaster attached, with Hudson and his producing partner Josh Algra through a co-production partnership.

Under the deal, Jupiter will have exclusive rights to Bronco’s slate of lifestyle and adventure formats within the documentary and unscripted space. Hudson and Algra will work closely tandem with Jupiter President Patrick Reardon and Vice President of Development Chris Spry on the projects.

World’s Best Dad, which follows the actor, who also starred in Splitting Up Together and is the son of Goldie Hawn, in a global quest to meet and celebrate the best fathers on Earth. These dads will push him to his limit to determine if he has what it takes to be real-life ‘World’s Best Dad.’

Oliver Hudson said, “I’ve always been fascinated with the human condition. Why people do the things they do? How did they get to where they are? The origin story. I’m excited to create content that, whatever the genre, digs a little deeper into those details, and I am grateful to be a part of the Jupiter family who is giving me that platform to explore my curiosity and what inspires me.”

Josh Algra added, “Having cut my teeth in the branded content space, I’m excited to expand my creativity and partner with Jupiter to bring some of Ollie and my campfire musings of ‘how comes’ and ‘what if’s’ to life.”

Patrick Reardon, President of Jupiter Entertainment, said, “Oliver and Josh have an infectious mix of enthusiasm, heart and humor, which they infuse into their storytelling. We’re excited to align with Bronco and develop projects that capture this extraordinary energy.”

Bronco Productions is represented by ICM Partners, Management 360 and Ziffren Brittenham.

Dishing with Digest - 4/9/21 - Jonathan Jackson

‘The Three Of Us’ CBS Comedy Pilot Releases Cast

While it no longer has a cast attached to it, The Three Of Us will be in consideration when CBS makes their 2021-22 schedule decision in May. If CBS ultimately passes, CBS Studios is expected to shop the pilot, according to sources.

Written by Frank Pines, The Three of Us follows adult siblings — played in the pilot by Hudson, Akerman and Morin — who are children of divorce and must circle the wagons when their sister’s husband unexpectedly announces he wants to call it quits on their marriage.

Pines executive produces with Fulwell 73’s Ben Winston, Jeff Grosvenor and James Corden. CBS Television Studios produces in association with Fulwell 73.

‘The Wire’ Actor Robert Wisdom, Johnny M. Wu & Jalon Christian Join Michael B. Jordan In Denzel Washington-Directed ‘Journal For Jordan’

Written by Academy Award nominee Virgil Williams, the film is based on Dana Canedy’s best-selling 2008 memoir.

Todd Black, along with his Escape Artists partners Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch, are producing along with Washington and Jordan, who will produce through his Outlier Society banner. Bron Studios’ Aaron L. Gilbert also is producing. Jason Cloth is executive producing via Creative Wealth Media.

The film tells the true story of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Canedy’s love affair with First Sgt. Charles Monroe King. King kept a journal full of poignant life lessons for their newborn son Jordan while deployed overseas. He was killed in Iraq in 2006 when Jordan was just 7 months old, but his spirit lives on in his messages of love to Dana and Jordan.

Best known for playing Bunny Colvin on the HBO series The Wire, Wisdom’s recent credits include Ed Norton’s Motherless Brooklyn and the critically praised series The Alienist opposite Daniel Bruehl, Dakota Fanning and Luke Evans. He also was a series regular on Marvel’s Helstrom and just wrapped production on Vacation Friends for 20th Century/Disney.

Wu’s film credits include Hold Fast, Good Luck, The Mole, Tracers, and Limitless. His TV appearances include Manifest, High Maintenance, and New Amsterdam.

The role marks Christian’s feature film debut.

Wisdom is repped by A3 Artists Agency and LINK Entertainment. Wu is repped by CGF Talent and Entertainment Lab. Christian is repped by A3 Artists Agency and Transcend Talent Management.

‘Dopesick’: Jaime Ray Newman, Andrea Frankle & Will Chase To Recur On Hulu’s Limited Series

They’ll join series regulars Michael Keaton, Kaitlyn Dever, Peter Sarsgaard, Will Poulter, Rosario Dawson, John Hoogenakker, Philippa Soo, Michael Stuhlbarg and Jake McDorman.

Written by Danny Strong and directed by Barry Levinson, Dopesick is described as an ambitious, harrowing and compelling look into the epicenter of America’s struggle with opioid addiction. It takes viewers from a distressed Virginia mining community to the hallways of the DEA and the opulence of “one percenter” Big Pharma Manhattan. The unsparing yet deeply human portraits of the various affected families and their intersecting stories hold up a mirror to where America is right now, while shining a hopeful light on the heroes battling the worst drug epidemic in American history.

Newman will play Kathe Sackler, a member of the Sackler family who works at Purdue Pharma. She most recently recurred on Little Fires Everywhere, Deputy and Midnight, Texas.

Frankle is set as Beth Sackler, the wife of Richard Sackler (Stuhlbarg). She most recently was seen in Irresistible, and her credits also include Underground, TV’s The Purge, Cloak & Dagger and True Detective.

Chase portrays Michael Friedman, head of marketing for Purdue Pharma. The actor played Luke Wheeler on Nashville, with credits also including Madam Secretary, The Good Wife, Quantico, Rescue Me and Smash.

Strong and Levinson executive produce Dopesick with Keaton, John Goldwyn, Littlefield via the Littlefield Company, Macy and Karen Rosenfelt. The limited series is set to premiere this year on Hulu, but the streamer has not set a date.

Newman is represented by the Burstein Company and Greene & Associates; Frankle is with AWA – Alexander White Agency and Coast To Coast Talent Group; and Chase is repped by A3 Artists Agency, AC Management and Jackoway Austen Tyerman.

‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Stars To Celebrate Frontline Workers, Talk Coronavirus Vaccine On ‘Stars In The House’

Grey’s stars Chandra Wilson, James Pickens, Kelly McCreary, Jake Borelli and more will reunite on the YouTube series hosted by Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley on Thursday night. The cast will come together to raise money for The Actors Fund and answer any burning fan questions about the hit ABC series.

Also set to appear are Kim Raver, Camilla Luddington, Chris Carmack, Greg Germann, Richard Flood and Anthony Hill.

The Grey’s Anatomy cast members are the latest to appear on the YouTube series that raises money for coronavirus relief efforts and the Actors Fund. The Waltons actors Richard Thomas, Michael Learned and more were the latest television starts to stop by Stars In The House.

Previous installments of the YouTube series featured Knots Landing, Melrose Place, Frasier, Glee, SCTV and the Broadway casts of Spring Awakening, Rent, A Chorus Line and The Full Monty, among others.

The Stars in the House Grey’s Anatomy reunion is set for 8 p.m. ET Thursday on the Stars in the House YouTube channel and at starsinthehouse.com.

Listen to Jonathan Jackson + Enation’s New Album!

“So very excited about it,” Jackson continued. “Songs like ‘Everything Is Possible,’ and ‘Cinematic.’ Of course, ‘Young World’s Riot,’ which hasn’t been available for streaming for quite some time. There’s a new mix of that song. So feel free to check it out and stream it, buy it, enjoy it. And we look forward to playing these songs live next year and we still have our new record, Ultraviolet Empire, coming out next year as well. But we wanted this record with the finished songs to be available as preparation for touring next year.”

The GH alum formed Enation with his brother, Richard Lee Jackson, back in 2003, there have been various other members who have come and gone over the years, with the band currently a trio consisting of the siblings and Jonathan Thatcher on bass. Enation’s last album, Anthems for the Apocalypse,” was released back in 2017. While fans wait for the release of their next all-new album, Ultraviolet Empire, in 2021, they can enjoy listening to Young World’s Riot. Just click here for links to listen to Jonathan Jackson + Enation on your favorite streaming service!

Nominations For Inaugural Critics Choice Super Awards

BEST ACTOR IN A HORROR MOVIE
??p? Dìrísù – His House (Netflix)
Pyotr Fyodorov – Sputnik (Sony Pictures)
Michiel Huisman – The Other Lamb (IFC Films)
Dan Stevens – The Rental (IFC Films)
Vince Vaughn – Freaky (Universal)

Princess Switch 2: Vanessa Hudgens Stars Opposite Herselves in Netflix Holiday Sequel — Watch Trailer

Yes, you read that correctly. The highly anticipated sequel to 2018’s The Princess Switch finds Hudgens dividing her screen time between a trio of personas: Chicago-based pastry chef Stacy DeNovo, the aforementioned Belgravian royal, and a new blonde troublemaker named Fiona.

Switched Again finds Stacy (Hudgens) returning to Belgravia to help Margaret (also Hudgens!) patch things up with Kevin after inheriting the throne to Montenaro. Further complications ensue when Fiona (Hudgens again for the win!), an apparent party girl, threatens to foil her doppelgangers’ plan.

The film also stars Sam Palladio (Nashville) as Prince Edward, Nick Sagar (Shadowhunters) as Kevin Richards, Mark Fleischmann (Coronation Street) as Frank De Luca, Suanne Braun (Silk Stalkings) as Mrs. Donatelli and Lachlan Nieboer (Downton Abbey) as Antonio Rossi.

The Princess Switch 2: Switched Again premieres on Thursday, Nov. 19.

Laura Benanti Joins ‘Gossip Girl’ Cast On HBO Max

No word yet on character details, but the actress joins Gossip Girl cast Emily Alyn Lind, Tavi Gevinson, Whitney Peak, Eli Brown, Johnathan Fernandez, Jordan Alexander, Savannah Smith, Evan Mock, Jason Gotay, Thomas Doherty, Adam Chanler-Berat, Savannah Smith and Zion Moreno.

The new Gossip Girl – a sequel to the CW’s 2007-2012 series – is written by Joshua Safran, based on the book by Cecily von Ziegesar. The upcoming series features a new generation of New York private school teens introduced to the social surveillance of Gossip Girl. The series will address just how much social media and New York itself has changed in the intervening years.

The ten-episode series is from Safran, Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage’s Fake Empire, Alloy Entertainment, Warner Bros TV and CBS Television Studios. Safran executive produces with Fake Empire’s Schwartz and Savage, and Leslie Morgenstein and Gina Girolamo of Alloy Entertainment. Fake Empire’s Lis Rowinski is co-executive producer.

The Gossip Girl casting continues Benanti’s relationship with the streaming service: HBO Max gave a greenlight in May to her Homeschool Musical: Class of 2020, a scripted musical special featuring students from across the U.S. The special grew out of Benanti’s #SunshineSongs initiative from last spring, in which she called for students to send videos of musical numbers they would have performed in high school productions had the COVID shutdown not happened. Benanti then shared the videos on social platforms.

Benanti will exec produce Homeschool Musical, coming this winter.

Benanti’s Broadway credits include My Fair Lady, Steve Martin’s Meteor Shower, She Loves Me, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown and the Tony-winning performance in 2008’s Gypsy. On television, she has appeared on Younger, Supergirl, Nashville, The Good Wife, Nurse Jackie (and of course her dead-ringer Melania Trump on Late Show With Stephen Colbert) as well as the feature film Worth. Upcoming is the feature Here Today.

She recently released a self-titled album and the book M is for Mama (and also Merlot): A Modern Mom’s ABCs.

Benanti is represented by UTA and Untitled Entertainment.

Netflix's 'Here for the Holidays' Slate: Dolly Parton, Christmas Chronicles 2, Another Princess Switch and More

Kurt Russell, Goldie Hawn, Dolly Parton and Christine Baranski are among the stars set to deck the halls at Netflix this holiday season.

The streamer has unveiled its “Here for the Holidays” lineup, and it includes more than 30 Christmas movies, TV shows and specials set to premiere between late October and mid-December. First up: the Emma Roberts rom-com Holidate (dropping Wednesday, Oct. 28). The film’s ensemble also includes Jessica Capshaw (Grey’s Anatomy), Manish Dayal (The Resident), Alex Moffat (Saturday Night Live), Frances Fisher (Watchmen) and Kristin Chenoweth (American Gods).

Come November, you’ll find Operation Christmas Drop (led by Vampire Diaries vet Kat Graham) and Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (starring Oscar winner Forest Whitaker), as well as sequels to The Christmas Chronicles (featuring the aforementioned Russell and Hawn) and The Princess Switch (starring Vanessa Hudgens, again in a dual role).

On the scripted series front, you have the new rom-com Dash & Lily (starring Euphoria‘s Austin Abrams), plus fresh episodes of The Great British Baking Show and Sugar Rush. Viewers will also get a chance to bid a proper adieu to cancelled family sitcoms Ashley Garcia: Genius in Love and The Big Show Show, both of which will conclude with Christmas-themed specials.

HOLIDATE (MOVIE)
THE CAST: Emma Roberts, Luke Bracey, Andrew Bachelor, Jessica Capshaw, Manish Dayal, Alex Moffat, Jake Manley, Cynthy Wu, Frances Fisher and Kristin Chenoweth
THE PREMISE: Sloane (Roberts) and Jackson (Bracey) hate the holidays. They constantly find themselves single, sitting at the kids table, or stuck with awkward dates. But when these two strangers meet one particularly bad Christmas, they make a pact to be each other’s “holidate” for every festive occasion throughout the next year. With a mutual disdain for the holidays, and assuring themselves that they have no romantic interest in the other, they make the perfect team. However, as a year of absurd celebrations come to an end, Sloane and Jackson find that sharing everything they hate may just prove to be something they unexpectedly love.
PREMIERE DATE: Wednesday, Oct. 28

OPERATION CHRISTMAS DROP (MOVIE)
THE CAST: Kat Graham, Alexander Ludwig and Virginia Madsen
THE PREMISE: Chasing a promotion, congressional aide Erica Miller forgoes family Christmas to travel across the Pacific at her boss’s behest. Upon landing at a beachside Air Force base, she clashes with her guide, Captain Andrew Jantz, who knows her assignment is finding reasons to defund the facility. The pilot’s pet project — Operation: Christmas Drop, a genuine, decades-old tradition where gifts and supplies are parachuted to residents of remote neighboring islands — has lawmakers wondering if his unit has too much spare energy. Despite their initial opposing goals, Erica softens once she experiences the customs and communal spirit of Andrew’s adopted home.
PREMIERE DATE: Thursday, Nov. 5

DASH & LILY
THE CAST: Austin Abrams, Midori Frances, Dante Brown, Troy Iwata, Keana Marie, James Saito, Jodi Long, Glenn McCuen, Michael Park, Gideon Emery, Jennifer Ikeda and Diego Guevara
THE PREMISE: A whirlwind Holiday romance builds as cynical Dash and optimistic Lily trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations all across New York City, finding they have more in common with each other than they would have expected. The series is based on the young adult book series Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares from New York Times bestselling authors Rachel Cohn and David Levithan.
PREMIERE DATE: Tuesday, Nov. 10

JINGLE JANGLE: A CHRISTMAS JOURNEY (MOVIE)
THE CAST: Forest Whitaker, Madalen Mills, Keegan-Michael Key, Sharon Rose, Phylicia Rashad, Anika Noni Rose, Ricky Martin, Kieron Dyer, Justin Cornwell, Lisa Davina Phillip and Hugh Bonneville
THE PREMISE: A musical adventure and a visual spectacle for the ages, Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey is a wholly fresh and spirited family holiday event. Set in the gloriously vibrant town of Cobbleton, the film follows legendary toymaker Jeronicus Jangle (Whitaker) whose fanciful inventions burst with whimsy and wonder. But when his trusted apprentice (Emmy winner Keegan-Michael Key) steals his most prized creation, it’s up to his equally bright and inventive granddaughter (Mills) — and a long-forgotten invention — to heal old wounds and reawaken the magic within. From the imagination of writer-director David E. Talbert and featuring original songs by John Legend, Philip Lawrence, Davy Nathan, and “This Day” performed by Usher and Kiana Ledé, Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey reminds us of the strength of family and the power of possibility.
PREMIERE DATE: Friday, Nov. 13

HOLIDAY HOME MAKEOVER WITH MR. CHRISTMAS
THE CAST: Benjamin Bradley
THE PREMISE: Benjamin Bradley, best known as Mr. Christmas, is a veteran in the interior design industry with a healthy obsession with the holiday season. For Mr. Christmas, the holidays are all about celebrating love, life, family and friends through meaningful traditions. In the new Netflix series Holiday Home Makeover with Mr. Christmas, Bradley takes you behind the scenes as he puts his design expertise and vast Christmas collection to good use. Equipped with lights, garlands, and enough tinsel to blanket the North Pole, he and his team of elves work around the clock to bring holiday cheer to families and communities deserving of a home makeover for the most joyous time of year. Mr. Christmas invites viewers along for the ride to kick off the holiday season and get inspired to take their own home decorating and traditions to the next level.
PREMIERE DATE: Wednesday, Nov. 18

THE PRINCESS SWITCH: SWITCHED AGAIN (MOVIE)
THE CAST: Vanessa Hudgens, Sam Palladio, Nick Sagar
THE PREMISE: When Duchess Margaret unexpectedly inherits the throne to Montenaro and hits a rough patch with boyfriend Kevin, it’s up to her double Princess Stacy of Belgravia to get these star-crossed lovers back together… but the course of true love is complicated by the appearance of a handsome royal who’s intent on stealing Margaret’s heart. Throw in the unexpected arrival of Margaret’s outrageous party girl cousin Fiona, a third look-alike who has ambitions of her own, and you have the recipe for Christmas triple trouble!
PREMIERE DATE: Thursday, Nov. 19

DOLLY PARTON'S CHRISTMAS ON THE SQUARE (MOVIE)
THE CAST: Dolly Parton, Christine Baranski, Jenifer Lewis, Treat Williams, Jeanine Mason, Josh Segarra and Mary Lane Haskell
THE PREMISE: A rich and nasty woman, Regina Fuller, returns to her small hometown after her father’s death to evict everyone and sell the land to a mall developer – right before Christmas. However, after listening to stories of the local townsfolk, reconnecting with an old love, and accepting the guidance of an actual angel, Regina starts to have a change of heart. This is the story about family, love and how a small town’s Christmas spirit can warm the coldest of hearts. Featuring 14 original songs with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton.
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Nov. 22

THE CHRISTMAS CHRONICLES: PART TWO (MOVIE)
THE CAST: Kurt Russell, Goldie Hawn, Jahzir Bruno, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Julian Dennison, Tyrese Gibson with Judah Lewis and Darby Camp
THE PREMISE: It’s been two years since siblings Kate (Darby Camp) and Teddy Pierce (Lewis) saved Christmas, and a lot has changed. Kate, now a cynical teenager, is reluctantly spending Christmas in Cancun with her mom’s new boyfriend and his son Jack (Bruno). Unwilling to accept this new version of her family, Kate decides to run away. But when a mysterious, magical troublemaker named Belsnickel threatens to destroy the North Pole and end Christmas for good, Kate and Jack are unexpectedly pulled into a new adventure with Santa Claus (Russell).
PREMIERE DATE: Wednesday, Nov. 25

DANCE DREAMS: HOT CHOCOLATE NUTCRACKER (DOCUMENTARY)
THE PREMISE: From Shondaland, Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker spotlights the career of award-winning entertainer Debbie Allen and follows her group of young dancers as they prepare for Allen’s annual “Hot Chocolate Nutcracker” production.
PREMIERE DATE: Friday, Nov. 27

SUGAR RUSH CHRISTMAS SEASON 2
THE PREMISE: This competition series challenges bakers to create holiday treats that look festive and taste amazing — all against a ticking clock.
PREMIERE DATE: Friday, Nov. 27

THE CAST: Leandro Hassum, Elisa Pinheiro, Ariane Botelho, Miguel Rômulo, Louise Cardoso, Danielle Winits
THE PREMISE: After taking a very nasty fall on Christmas Eve, grinchy Jorge blacks out and wakes up one year later, with no memory of the year that has passed. He soon realizes that he’s doomed to keep waking up on Christmas Eve after Christmas Eve, having to deal with the aftermath of what his other self has done the other 364 days of the year.
PREMIERE DATE: Thursday, Dec. 3

GREAT BRITISH BAKING SHOW: HOLIDAYS SEASON 3
the great british baking show holidays season 3

THE PREMISE: ‘Tis the season for eight returning bakers to vie for the holiday crown as they race to make wondrous winter treats.
PREMIERE DATE: Friday, Dec. 4

Ashley Garcia: Genius in Love and The Big Show Show
ALIEN XMAS
When a race of kleptomaniac aliens attempts to steal Earth’s gravity in order to more easily take everything on the planet, only the gift-giving spirit of Christmas and a small alien named X can save the world.
PREMIERE DATE: Friday, Nov. 20

DRAGONS: RESCUE RIDERS – HUTTSGALOR HOLIDAY
Huttsgalor’s favorite winter festival is finally here! But will some ice-breathing dragons put a frost on everyone’s fun.
PREMIERE DATE: Tuesday, Nov. 24

A GO! GO! CORY CARSON CHRISTMAS
When a snow plow, who has an uncanny resemblance to Santa, crashes in the Carson’s yard, Cory must remind him who he is in order to save Christmas.
PREMIERE DATE: Friday, Nov. 27

WONDEROOS: HOLIDAY HOLIDAY!
It’s winter in the big city and everyone is excited to celebrate the holidays! When Poppy decides to throw a holiday party for Sully, the Wonderoos learn that there are lots of different holidays and ways to celebrate!
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Nov. 29

ANGELA’S CHRISTMAS WISH
Angela’s Christmas Wish is a heart-warming tale of a determined little girl who sets out to reunite her family in time for Christmas. Based on characters from Pulitzer Prize-winning author Frank McCourt, it is a tender and funny story about the importance of family and togetherness.
PREMIERE DATE: TUESDAY, DEC. 1

CHICO BON BON AND THE VERY BERRY HOLIDAY
When Barry the Berry Bear doesn’t show up to deliver the traditional Blunderberry Cakes on Blunderberry Day Eve, the Fix-It Force kicks it into high gear to save the town’s most magical holiday!
PREMIERE DATE: Thursday, Dec. 3

CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS MEGA BLISSMAS
George and Harold love Christmas, but they feel like it could use some upgrades. So they make a comic about a new version of the holiday: BLISSMAS. Instead of red bows, laser shows! Instead of ugly sweaters, cool capes! Instead of decorating trees, creating tree-bots! The boys take Melvin’s time toad back to convince Santa to incorporate some of their ideas to his new holiday. But they come back to the present to find that their plan didn’t work quite how they’d hoped. George and Harold realize they need to help Santa remember the true meaning of Christmas before it’s gone forever!
PREMIERE DATE: Friday, Dec. 4

MIGHTY EXPRESS: A MIGHTY CHRISTMAS
Mandy Mail must deliver a load of late Christmas letters to the North Pole, then all the trains join in to help Santa deliver the presents during a big storm.
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Dec. 5

SUPER MONSTERS: SANTA’S SUPER MONSTER HELPERS
When GrrBus takes Sami, Zane, Olive and Rocky on a field trip to the North Pole, they accidentally cause a catastrophe at Santa’s workshop – and it’s up to the eight older Super Monsters to come to the rescue and save Christmas!
PREMIERE DATE: Tuesday, Dec. 8

ASHLEY GARCIA: GENIUS IN LOVE – CHRISTMAS (SERIES FINALE)
A holly, jolly gathering takes a strange turn when Ashley bumps her head and gets a glimpse of her near-distant future with Tío, Tad, Stick and Brooke.
PREMIERE DATE: Wednesday, Dec. 9

THE BIG SHOW SHOW: CHRISTMAS (SERIES FINALE)
When Big Show gets injured Cassy has to fill his big shoes in the hopes of winning the neighborhood Christmas competition. Meanwhile JJ, Mandy and Lola are sent on a scavenger hunt for presents only to discover spending time together might be the best gift of all.
PREMIERE DATE: Wednesday, Dec. 9

A TRASH TRUCK CHRISTMAS
When Hank finds out that Trash Truck doesn’t know what Christmas is, he sets out to show him and their friends what the magical holiday is all about. And luckily for Santa, the friends are up to speed just in time to help save Christmas.
PREMIERE DATE: Friday, Dec. 11

‘Vacation Friends’: ‘Greenleaf’ Star Lynn Whitfield & More Cast In Hulu Comedy

Clay Tarver is directing the feature, from a spec script by Tom and Tim Mullen. The plot surrounds a straight-laced couple that has fun with a rowdy couple on vacation in Mexico. When they return to the States, they discover that the crazy couple they met in Mexico followed them back home.

Todd Garner is producing via Broken Road Productions.

Whitfield is repped by TalentWorks. Wisdom, who also stars in the upcoming Hulu/Marvel series Helstrom, is repped by A3 Artists Agency, LINK Entertainment, and Fox Rothschild LLP. Bolden is with Robert Stein Management and Paonessa Talent.

Kevin Zegers & Sam Palladio Join Katey Sagal In Erin Brockovich-Inspired ABC Drama ‘Rebel’

Rebel, whose premiere episode is written by Krista Vernoff and will be directed by Tara Nicole Weyr, centers on Annie “Rebel” Bello (Sagal). She is a blue-collar legal advocate without a law degree — a funny, messy, brilliant and fearless woman who cares desperately about the causes she fights for and the people she loves. When Rebel applies herself to a fight she believes in, she will win at almost any cost.

Zegers will play Nate, Rebel’s eldest son. A doctor who balks at getting involved in her wars, and takes a certain karmic pleasure in disappointing her — because his childhood was one long disappointment.

Palladio will play Luke, a hot young lawyer, a junior associate with the firm headed by Rebel’s ex-husband, Benji. With a charm that belies the shark under the surface, Luke enjoys defending the firm’s roster of corporate clients.

Vernoff executive produces through her Trip the Light banner alongside Brockovich, Davis Entertainment’s John Davis and John Fox as well as Andrew Stearn and Trip the Light’s Alexandre Schmitt. Davis’ Mike Stein is co-producer.

Zegers most recently played the villainous Mel in Fear the Walking Dead. His other recent credits include Dirty John and Starz’s Power. He is repped by Gersh, Management 360 and attorneys Tom Hansen and Adam Kaller.

Palladio is known for his role as Gunnar Scott on Nashville. He also portrayed Ed on Humans. He’s repped by Gersh, 42 in the UK, Authentic Talent and Literary Management and attorney Karl Austen at JTWAMM.

Hallmark Unveils 2020 'Countdown to Christmas' Slate, Including Gay Adoption Movie, Hanukkah Celebration

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas — and, at least for one night, Hanukkah — at Hallmark Channel.

The basic cable network has unveiled its slate of 40 (!) original holiday movies airing in 2020, including The Christmas House, starring Mean Girls‘ Jonathan Bennett as one-half of a gay couple looking to adopt their first child. The lineup also includes Love, Lights, Hanukkah!, a Hanukkah-themed flick featuring Star Trek: Discovery‘s Mia Kirshner and Boy Meets World‘s Ben Savage.

The three dozen-plus films feature a plethora of network vets, including Candace Cameron Bure (in her ninth Hallmark Christmas movie), Danica McKellar (in her sixth Hallmark movie overall), Catherine Bell, Alison Sweeney and Tamera Mowry-Housley, as well as Lacey Chabert and Holly Robinson Peete — both of whom appear in two original movies this year.

New to the Hallmark family in 2020 are Aaron Tveit (Grease Live), Janel Parrish (Pretty Little Liars), Jeremy Jordan (Supergirl), Marisol Nichols (Riverdale), Mallory Jansen (Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) and Rochelle Aytes (S.W.A.T.), among others.

“Our holiday table is bigger and more welcoming than ever,” Hallmark Channel’s EVP of programming Michelle Vicary said in a statement. “This year’s movies reflect our most diverse representation of talent, narratives, and families, including The Christmas House, featuring a storyline about a gay couple looking to adopt their first child, and starring Jonathan Bennett in an ensemble cast. Our movies are rooted in warmth and positivity, meaningful connections, family gatherings, and seasonal traditions — a winning formula we hope will bring our millions of viewers much-needed levity and holiday cheer at the end of a tough year.”

Added Crown Media President and CEO Wonya Lucas, “For more than a decade, Hallmark holiday movies have represented the gold standard that many aspire to replicate. What we bring to the table and what truly sets us apart is an immersive holiday experience that has become a pop culture phenomenon for millions of fans… We have created a destination that evokes the spirit and feeling of the season in a way that is uniquely Hallmark.”

Hallmark’s “Countdown to Christmas” slate begins rolling out on Friday, Oct. 23. Scroll down for a complete list of this year’s holiday movies, then hit the comments and tell us which of the following flicks pique your interest.

JINGLE BELL BRIDECAST: Julie Gonzalo (Supergirl) and Ronnie Rowe Jr. (Star Trek: Discovery)
PREMISE: Wedding planner Jessica Perez (Gonzalo) travels to a remote town in Alaska to find a rare flower for a celebrity client and is charmed by the small town during Christmas, as well as the handsome local (Rowe Jr.) helping her.
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Oct. 24 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

CHRISTMAS TREE LANE
CAST: Alicia Witt (Our Christmas Love Song), Andrew Walker (Christmas on My Mind), Drake Hogestyn (Days of Our Lives) and Briana Price (13 Reasons Why)
PREMISE: Music store owner Meg (Witt) spearheads the community effort to save the Christmas Tree Lane shopping district from demolition. As she finds herself falling for Nate (Walker), a recent acquaintance, she’s thrown when she learns his surprising tie to the developer.
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Oct. 24 (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 9/8c)

CHATEAU CHRISTMAS
CAST: Merritt Patterson (Picture a Perfect Christmas) and Luke Macfarlane (Just Add Romance)
PREMISE: Margot (Patterson), a world-renowned pianist, returns to Chateau Newhaus to spend the holidays with her family and is reunited with an ex (Macfarlane) who helps her rediscover her passion for music.
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Oct. 25 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

DELIVER BY CHRISTMAS
CAST: Alvina August (Nancy Drew) and Eion Bailey (Switched for Christmas)
PREMISE: Bakery owner Molly (August) meets Josh (Bailey), a widower who recently moved to town with his young son, but she is also charmed by a mysterious client whom she’s never met in person and she doesn’t realize that they’re the same man.
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Oct. 25 (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 9/8c)

CHRISTMAS WITH THE DARLINGS
CAST: Katrina Law (Arrow) and Carlo Marks (Angel Falls: A Novel Holiday)
PREMISE: Just before the holidays Jessica Lew (Law) is ending her tenure as the assistant to her wealthy boss to use her recently earned law degree within his company, but offers to help his charming, younger brother (Marks) as he looks after his orphaned nieces and nephew over Christmas.
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Oct. 31 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

CRANBERRY CHRISTMAS
CAST: Nikki DeLoach (Two Turtle Doves) and Benjamin Ayres (A Blue Ridge Mountain Christmas)
PREMISE: A separated couple (DeLoach and Ayres) feign marital bliss on national television to help their town’s Christmas festival – and their business. But what will the future hold for them when rekindled love is complicated by new opportunities?
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Oct. 31 (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 9/8c)

ONE ROYAL HOLIDAY
CAST: Laura Osnes (In the Key of Love), Aaron Tveit (Les Miserables), Krystal Joy Brown (Sydney to the Max), Victoria Clark (Homeland) and Tom McGowan (Everybody Loves Raymond)
PREMISE: When Anna (Osnes) offers a stranded mother (Clark) and son (Tveit) shelter in a blizzard, she learns that they are the Royal Family of Galwick. Anna shows the Prince how they do Christmas in her hometown, encouraging him to open his heart and be true to himself.
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Nov. 1 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

HOLLY & IVY
CAST: Janel Parrish (Pretty Little Liars), Jeremey Jordan (Supergirl) and Marisol Nichols (Riverdale)
PREMISE: When Melody’s (Parrish) neighbor, Nina (Nichols), learns that her illness has returned, Melody promises to keep Nina’s kids, Holly & Ivy, together. To adopt the children, she must renovate her new fixer-upper, which she does with the help of contractor, Adam (Jordan).
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Nov. 1 (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 9/8c)

NEVER KISS A MAN IN A CHRISTMAS SWEATER
CAST: Ashley Williams (How I Met Your Mother) and Niall Matter (Christmas at Dollywood)
PREMISE: Single mom Maggie (Williams) is facing Christmas alone until Lucas (Matter) crashes into her life and becomes an unexpected houseguest. Together they overcome Christmas while finding comfort in their growing bond.
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Nov. 7 (Hallmark, 8/7c

THE CHRISTMAS RING
CAST: Nazneen Contractor (Ransom) and David Alpay (The Mistletoe Inn)
PREMISE: A reporter (Contractor) searches for the love story behind an antique engagement ring. With the help of the ring’s owner’s grandson (Alpay), they learn the legacy his grandparent’s left behind.
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Nov. 7 (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 9/8c)

ON THE 12TH DATE OF CHRISTMAS
CAST: Mallory Jansen (Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) and Tyler Hynes (The Mistletoe Secret)
PREMISE: Two seemingly incompatible game designers team up to create a romantic, city-wide scavenger hunt themed for the “12 Days of Christmas.”
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Nov. 8 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

THE CHRISTMAS BOW
CAST: Lucia Micarelli (Treme) and Michael Rady (You’re Bacon Me Crazy)
PREMISE: When an accident puts her music dreams on hold, a gifted violinist (Micarelli) reconnects with an old family friend (Rady), who helps her heal and find love during the holidays.
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Nov. 8 (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 9/8c)

CHRISTMAS IN VIENNA
CAST: Sarah Drew (Grey’s Anatomy) and Brennan Elliott (Crossword Mysteries)
PREMISE: Jess (Drew), a concert violinist whose heart just isn’t in it anymore, goes to Vienna for a performance. While there, she finds the inspiration she has been missing, and a new love.
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Nov. 14 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

MEET ME AT CHRISTMAS (WORKING TITLE)
CAST: Catherine Bell (Good Witch) and Mark Deklin (Christmas in Evergreen: Tidings of Joy)
PREMISE: When Joan’s (Bell) son’s wedding planner unexpectedly quits, she must coordinate his Christmas Eve wedding with the help of Beau (Deklin), the bride’s uncle. As they work alongside each other they discover their fates and pasts are intertwined.
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Nov. 14 (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 9/8)

A TIMELESS CHRISTMAS
CAST: Ryan Paevey (Christmas at the Plaza) and Erin Cahill (Love, Fall & Order)
PREMISE: Charles Whitley (Paevey) travels from 1903 to 2020 where he meets Megan Turner (Cahill), a tour guide at his historic mansion, and experiences a 21st Century Christmas.
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Nov. 15 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

THE CHRISTMAS DOCTOR
CAST: Holly Robinson Peete (A Family Christmas Gift) and Adrian Holmes (V-Wars)
PREMISE: A week before Christmas, Dr. Alicia Wright (Peete) is offered an assignment away from home. A mysterious man (Holmes) from her past journeys to find her before Christmas and brings with him a revelation that could change Alicia’s life forever.
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Nov. 15 (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 9/8c)

A NASHVILLE CHRISTMAS CAROL
CAST: Jessy Schram (Country at Heart), Wes Brown (Christmas at Graceland), Wynonna Judd (The Judds), Sara Evans (Nashville), RaeLynn (The Voice), Kix Brooks (Home by Spring), Kimberly Williams-Paisley (Darrow Mysteries)
PREMISE: Vivienne Wake (Schram), a workaholic television producer in charge of a country music Christmas special showcasing newcomer Alexis (Raelynn), never lets personal feelings get in the way of business. On the verge of accepting a job in LA, and with the return of Gavin Chase (Brown), her childhood sweetheart and manager to the special’s headliner, Belinda (Evans), she receives a visit from the ghost of her recently deceased mentor, Marilyn (Judd). Her mentor warns her current path leads to a dark future and has recruited both the Spirit of Christmas Past (Brooks) and the Spirit of Christmas Present (Williams-Paisley) to help her get back on track. The Spirits’ time-jumping adventures force Vivienne to take hold of her life.
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Nov. 21 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

A LITTLE CHRISTMAS CHARM (WORKING TITLE)
CAST: Ashley Greene (Twilight) and Brendan Penny (Chesapeake Shores)
PREMISE: Holly (Greene), a jewelry designer finds a lost charm bracelet and teams up with investigative reporter Greg (Penny) in hopes of finding the owner and returning it by Christmas Eve.
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Nov. 21 (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 9/8c)

THE CHRISTMAS HOUSE
CAST: Robert Buckley (One Tree Hill), Jonathan Bennett (Mean Girls), Ana Ayora (In the Dark), Treat Williams (Chesapeake Shores), Sharon Lawrence (NYPD Blue) and Brad Harder (Aurora Teagarden Mysteries)
PREMISE: Working through some difficult decisions, Mitchell family matriarch Phylis (Lawrence) and patriarch Bill (Williams), have summoned their two grown sons – TV star, Mike Mitchell (Buckley) and Brandon Mitchell (Bennett) – home for the holidays. It is their hope that bringing the family together to recreate the Christmas house, will help them find resolution and make a memorable holiday for the entire family and community. As Brandon and his husband Jake (Harder) make the trip home, they are anxiously awaiting a call about the adoption of their first child. Meanwhile, Mike reconnects with Andi (Ayora), his high school sweetheart.
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Nov. 22 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

THE ANGEL TREE
CAST: Jill Wagner (Teen Wolf) and Lucas Bryant (Country at Heart)
PREMISE: A writer (Wagner) seeks the identity of the person who helps grant wishes that are placed upon the angel tree, and in the process, reconnects with her childhood friend (Bryant).
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Nov. 22 (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 9/8c)

ADDITIONAL MOVIE TBA
CAST: TBD
PREMISE: TBD
PREMIERE DATE: Monday, Nov. 23 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

A CHRISTMAS TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN
CAST: Rochelle Aytes (Mistresses) and Mark Taylor (Memories of Christmas)
PREMISE: Erin (Aytes) is planning the town’s Christmas celebration and must win over firefighter Kevin (Taylor) in order to obtain the beautiful spruce tree from his property for the celebration.
PREMIERE DATE: Tuesday, Nov. 24 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

A BRIGHT AND MERRY CHRISTMAS
CAST: Alison Sweeney (Days of Our Lives) and Marc Blucas (The Fix)
PREMISE: Two competing TV hosts (Sweeney and Blucas) are sent to a festive small town over Christmas. While pretending to get along for the sake of appearances, they discover that there’s more to each other than they thought.
PREMIERE DATE: Wednesday, Nov. 25 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

FIVE STAR CHRISTMAS (WORKING TITLE)
CAST: Bethany Joy Lenz (One Tree Hill) and Victor Webster (MatchMaker Mysteries)
PREMISE: After moving back to her hometown, Lisa (Lenz) plots with her siblings and grandparents to help her father’s new bed and breakfast get a five-star review from an incognito travel critic (Webster), but ends up falling for him, not knowing he is the real critic.
PREMIERE DATE: Thursday, Nov. 26 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

CHRISTMAS BY STARLIGHT
CAST: Kimberley Sustad (Travelers) and Paul Campbell (Battlestar Galactica)
PREMISE: Annie (Sustad), a lawyer, must help her loved ones this holiday season. Her family’s restaurant, The Starlight Café, is slated for demolition. The heir to the development firm responsible, William (Campbell), makes her an unlikely proposition: he’ll spare the café if Annie spends the week “appearing” as the legal counsel his father is demanding he hire in the wake of some costly mistakes.
PREMIERE DATE: Friday, Nov. 27 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

Lacey Chabert
CHRISTMAS WALTZ
CAST: Lacey Chabert (Mean Girls), Will Kemp (Royal Matchmaker) and JT Church (Dancing With the Stars: Juniors)
PREMISE: After Avery’s (Chabert) storybook Christmas wedding is canceled unexpectedly, dance instructor Roman (Kemp) helps her rebuild her dreams.
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Nov. 28 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

USS CHRISTMAS
CAST: Jen Lilley (Angel Falls: A Novel Holiday), Trevor Donovan (Nostalgic Christmas) and Barbara Niven (Chesapeake Shores)
PREMISE: Maddie (Lilley), a reporter for a Norfolk newspaper, embarks on a Tiger Cruise during Christmastime where she meets a handsome naval officer (Donovan) and stumbles upon a mystery in the ship’s archive room.
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Nov. 28 (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 9/8c)

IF I ONLY HAD CHRISTMAS
CAST: Candace Cameron Bure (Fuller House) and Warren Christie (The Color of Rain)
PREMISE: At Christmas, a cheerful publicist (Bure) teams up with a cynical business owner (Christie) and his team to help a charity in need.
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Nov. 29 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

CHRISTMAS IN EVERGREEN: BELLS ARE RINGING
CAST: Holly Robinson Peete (A Family Christmas Gift), Colin Lawrence (Riverdale), Rukiya Bernard (One Winter Weekend), Antonio Cayonne (Fashionably Yours) and Barbara Niven (Chesapeake Shores)
PREMISE: As Michelle’s (Peete) wedding approaches, Hannah (Bernard) steps up to help finish the launch of the new Evergreen museum while questioning her relationship and future with Elliot (Cayonne).
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Dec. 5 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

TIME FOR US TO COME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
CAST: Lacey Chabert (Mean Girls) and Stephen Huszar (A Homecoming for the Holidays)
PREMISE: Five guests are mysteriously invited to an inn to celebrate Christmas. With the help of the owner Ben (Huszar), Sarah (Chabert) discovers that an event from the past may connect them and change their lives forever; from executive producer Blake Shelton.
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Dec. 5 (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 9/8c)

CHRISTMAS SHE WROTE
CAST: Danica McKellar (The Wonder Years) and Dylan Neal (Gourmet Detective: Roux the Day)
PREMISE: When Kayleigh (McKellar), a romance writer, has her column cancelled right before Christmas, she heads home to reconnect with her family. Kayleigh gets an unexpected visit from the man (Neal) who cancelled her column who fights not only to bring her back to the publisher but also for her heart.
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Dec. 6 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

A GODWINK CHRISTMAS: FIRST LOVES, SECOND CHANCES
CAST: Brooke D’Orsay (Royal Pains) and Sam Page (The Bold Type)
PREMISE: After 15 years, Pat (Page) moves home from Hawaii with his two sons and through a series of coincidences, or Godwinks, ends up stuck in traffic next to his high school sweetheart, Margie (D’Orsay), at Christmas.
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Dec. 6 (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 9/8c)

CROSS COUNTRY CHRISTMAS
CAST: Rachael Leigh Cook (She’s All That) and Greyston Holt (Chesapeake Shores)
PREMISE: Former classmates Lina (Cook) and Max (Holt) are traveling home for the holidays, until a storm hits and they have to work together to make it home in time, no matter the mode of transportation.
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Dec. 12 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

A GLENBROOKE CHRISTMAS
CAST: Autumn Reeser (The O.C.) and Antonio Cupo (Hats Off to Christmas!)
PREMISE: As Christmas nears, heiress Jessica Morgan (Reeser) seizes what seems like her last chance to experience a relaxed Christmas and heads off to the small town of Glenbrooke, where she meets a handsome fireman (Cupo).
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Dec. 12 (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 9/8c)

CHRISTMAS COMES TWICE
CAST: Tamera Mowry-Housley (Sister, Sister) and Michael Xavier (Paris, Wine and Romance)
PREMISE: Emily (Mowry-Housley) is a top newscaster who has achieved her career dreams but still has regrets about the guy (Xavier) who got away five years earlier. When the Christmas carnival comes to town, a ride around the carousel takes her magically back in time to the carnival five years before…giving her a second chance at love before she must return to Christmas present.
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Dec. 13 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

CHRISTMAS HOMECOMING (WORKING TITLE)
CAST: Taylor Cole (Matching Hearts) and Steve Lund (The Art of Us)
PREMISE: When a mysterious key and a holiday riddle arrive on their doorsteps, Kate (Cole) and Kevin (Lund) embark on a Christmas romance adventure they’ll never forget.
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Dec. 13 (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 9/8c)

CHRISTMAS CAROUSEL
CAST: Rachel Boston (Check Inn to Christmas) and Neal Bledsoe (Shameless)
PREMISE: When Lila (Boston) is hired by the Royal Family of Marcadia to repair a carousel, she must work with the Prince (Bledsoe) to complete it by Christmas.
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Dec. 19 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

SWEPT UP BY CHRISTMAS (WORKING TITLE)
CAST: TBD
PREMISE: An antique seller and a cleaner clash over how to downsize a magnificent estate right before Christmas. As the two uncover the house’s treasures, they find a way to reconnect the reclusive owner with his own Christmases past.
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Dec. 19 (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 9/8c)

LOVE, LIGHTS, HANUKKAH!
CAST: Mia Kirshner (Star Trek: Discovery), Ben Savage (Boy Meets World) and Marilu Henner (Aurora Teagarden Mysteries)
PREMISE: As Christina (Kirshner) prepares her restaurant for its busiest time of year, she gets back a DNA test revealing that she’s Jewish. The discovery leads her to a new family and an unlikely romance over eight nights.
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Dec. 20 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

PROJECT CHRISTMAS WISH
CAST: TBD
PREMISE: For years Lucy has played Santa to her small town’s community by making their holiday wishes come true. But when Lucy grants a little girl’s wish for a Christmas like she used to have with her Mom, she unexpectedly finds her own wishes coming true in life and love.
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Dec. 20 (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 9/8c)

Rebel Drama From Grey's Boss, Starring Katey Sagal, Gets Series Order at ABC

The series, inspired by the life of Erin Brockovich today, follows Annie “Rebel” Bello (Sagal), a blue-collar legal advocate without a law degree. “She’s a funny, messy, brilliant and fearless woman who cares desperately about the causes she fights for and the people she loves,” per the official synopsis. “When Rebel applies herself to a fight she believes in, she will win at almost any cost.”

The cast also includes John Corbett (Sex and the City), Andy Garcia (Ballers), James Lesure (Las Vegas), Tamala Jones (Castle), Sam Palladio (Nashville), Kevin Zegers (Fear the Walking Dead, Gracepoint), Lex Scott Davis (The First Purge) and Ariela Barer (Runaways).

“The work that Erin Brockovich does in this world is so powerful and so important that it almost defies description,” Vernoff said in a statement. “Erin works tirelessly for social, legal and environmental justice despite the lack of a formal degree. She inspires everyone she meets to become their own heroes, and somehow, she also keeps us laughing. It has been a tremendous honor to get to know Erin and to create a show inspired by her. I am thrilled to be working with a dream cast led by the extraordinary Katey Sagal with the incredible Tara Nicole Weyr directing.”

Rebel is slated to premiere on ABC in 2021.

Hayden Panettiere’s ex threatened to release private videos: Report

The on-off couple finally called it quits four months ago after he was arrested for allegedly punching Panettiere in the face during an argument on Valentine’s Day in Jackson, Wyoming, and she was recently granted court-ordered protection in both Wyoming and California.

According to insiders, Hickerson “had direct communication with” the former Nashville actress in the wake of his legal troubles, a source told Us Weekly, during which he “threatened to release certain information if she didn’t drop the charges.”

“Specifically, he threatened to release videos of” Panettiere, the source added. The report follows a pretrial conference on Monday.

Hickerson – who was also arrested in May 2019 in connection with domestic violence in an incident with Panettiere – has been accused of witness intimidation in the ongoing case, as a warrant for his felony arrest was issued across the U.S. last week.

Last month, he was charged with eight more counts in the case, with four felony charges of corporal injury on a spouse/cohabitant, including two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, and a misdemeanour charge of battery on a spouse/cohabitant.

Court papers allege Hickerson had tried to contact the Heroes star in March and escalated to “much more directed and threatening manner toward the end of June”.

“Some of the ‘embarrassing’ information… appears to be for short video clips that were sent from (Hickerson) to (Panettiere) during this exchange from a previous incident at an unknown date and time,” according to the legal documents.

Hickerson “used threatening language throughout the texts and videos referencing having information that would be embarrassing to (Panettiere) if she refused to drop the charges that have been brought against him.”

He has entered a not guilty plea in the initial case and denies the allegations. Hickerson faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

“This Show Is Timely”: ‘Marvel’s Helstrom’ Stars June Carryl & Robert Wisdom Open Up About Personal Experiences Of Racism

“This show is timely because it’s about people trying to figure out who they are in the face of pure evil and that’s exactly where we are right now,” said Carryl, who plays Dr. Louise Hastings.

Carryl said that assumptions, projections, suspicion, appropriation, objectification, slurs, violation and lack of representation are a few of the “million ways you can kill someone” and revealed that she has to do a lot every time she leaves the house to feel safe.

“I am not sure why given all that it still takes watching someone die in 8 minutes and 46 seconds to finally recognise it’s all damage and it’s all the same death,” she added. “Everybody feels bad and wants to know what to do. Great. Want to educate yourself? Great. Google it. Read a book. You want to do something revolutionary? Get off center stage. There are a whole bunch of people standing around the outside. You want to do better? Do better, treat other people the way you want to be treated. It’s not that hard. You do have to put skin in the game. You have to stop making it all about you.”

Similarly, Robert Wisdom, who plays Caretaker, said the killing of Floyd highlighted the systemic racism in the country. “For a long time, that’s been denied, but that system’s been put in place for a long time. even though it unleashed a huge amount of anger and for some despair and for some a ferocious anger that’s leading to taking the process down, the dismantling of racism is now the burden or baton of white people. Black folk have been burdened by the victimization for a long time.”

Wisdom, who has also starred in The Wire and Prison Break, told a story about being a child in school. “When I was young, I remember a teacher reporting to my mom that I was always angry because I looked sullen in class. For me, I was being serious and paying attention to her teaching. She complained that I wasn’t smiling enough. With that prompt, I began to smile and that smile became a mask, I smiled to make her comfortable and at different stages of my career, I was told I was intimidating or people were scared of me for no reason. So my smile became that mask. I was making myself small to make other people comfortable, to take away their fear. The irony is now we’re all wearing masks and during this time, the real veil has been taken away.”

The comments from Carryl, who also starred in Netflix’s Mindhunter, and Wisdom, were echoed by showrunner Paul Zbyszewski.

He said, “Our show is about good and evil and right and wrong and the trauma of our past, we’re supposed to be doing a show that us a horror story. It’s not real horror. Real horror is 8 minutes and 46 seconds. Real horror is what happened to George Floyd, Rayshard Brooks and Ahmaud Arbery and the violence that keeps happening to black people and people of color in general in this country. It’s important that we demand action and change and we not be complacent and silent. I’m by no means qualified to lecture but I am a writer, whose job it is is to have empathy and am a human being with a conscience.”

Helstrom, which launches on October 16, follows Daimon (Tom Austen) and Ana Helstrom (Sydney Lemmon), as the son and daughter of a mysterious and powerful serial killer, in their complicated dynamic as they track down the worst of humanity — each with their own attitude and skills.

‘Outer Banks’ Renewed For Season 2 By Netflix

Described as Friday Night Lights meets Dawson’s Creek meets Ozark, Outer Banks is created and executive produced by Jonas Pate, Josh Pate, and Shannon Burke, all of whom will return as showrunners and executive producers for Season 2.

The coming-of-age story follows a tight-knit group of local teens (the “Pogues”) in the beach vacation destination of the Outer Banks of North Carolina. When a hurricane kills the power for the summer season, it sets off a chain of illicit events that force the friends to make life-altering decisions. The search for their ringleader’s missing father, forbidden romances, a high-stakes treasure hunt, and the escalating conflict between the Pogues and their rivals turn their summer into one filled with mystery and adventure they’ll never forget.

Series stars Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline, Madison Bailey, Jonathan Daviss, Rudy Pankow, Austin North, Drew Starkey, Deion Smith, and Charles Esten will reprise their roles in the second season.

Season 1 premiered on April 15 and is currently streaming globally on Netflix.

Brian Hickerson pleads not guilty to assaulting ex Hayden Panettiere

People reports that Hickerson, 31, entered a plea of not guilty to multiple felony charges, including four felony charges of corporal injury on a spouse/cohabitant; a felony charge of assault with a deadly weapon, “to wit, garage floor;” a felony charge of assault with a deadly weapon, “to wit, stairs;” and a misdemeanor charge of battery on a spouse/cohabitant.

Just two days before Hickerson’s most recent arrest, the former “Nashville” star, 30, filed a request for an out-of-state restraining order that would protect her in California, where she now resides. Panettiere’s request came five months after Hickerson was arrested for domestic battery after allegedly assaulting her on Valentine’s Day in Wyoming.

Following his arrest, the actress broke her silence on the alleged abuse, telling fans via Instagram, “I am coming forward with the truth about what happened to me with the hope that my story will empower others in abusive relationships to get the help they need and deserve,” she wrote on Instagram. “I am prepared to do my part to make sure this man never hurts anyone again. I’m grateful for my support system, which helped me find the courage to regain my voice and my life.”

Hayden Panettiere breaks silence on alleged abuse by ex Brian Hickerson

The former “Nashville” star, 30, released a statement on social media saying she’s coming forward with the hope that she can help others who find themselves in similar situations.

“I am coming forward with the truth about what happened to me with the hope that my story will empower others in abusive relationships to get the help they need and deserve,” she wrote on Instagram. “I am prepared to do my part to make sure this man never hurts anyone again. I’m grateful for my support system, which helped me find the courage to regain my voice and my life.”

In the caption, she added, “You are not alone,” along with phone numbers to domestic abuse hotlines.

Panettiere’s statement comes after Hickerson, 31, was arrested on Thursday at 9:00 p.m. local time in Los Angeles on felony charges, Page Six confirmed. His bail has been set at $320,0000.

Earlier this week, Page Six also confirmed that Panettiere obtained an out-of-state restraining order to protect her from Hickerson. Her request was filed five months after Hickerson was arrested for domestic battery after allegedly assaulting her on Valentine’s Day in Wyoming.

“After suffering for years as the victim of psychological, emotional and severe physical abuse, Hayden Panettiere has begun the process of taking back her life,” Panettiere’s attorney, Alan Jackson, told Page Six in a statement on Friday.

“Hayden has found the strength and courage to share the truth about her abuse and her abuser, and she intends to assist the prosecution to see that justice is served. As a survivor, she recognizes that her arduous journey of healing has just begun.”

Hayden Panettiere Ex-BF Arrested and Charged ... Dom. Violence & Assault

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Hickerson was charged Thursday in an 8-count complaint that includes domestic violence charges, assault charges. Seven of the 8 charges are felonies.

Panettiere recently reported her ex-BF to the Teton County Sheriff in Wyoming -- along with the Santa Monica police and LAPD -- for multiple incidents involving extreme domestic violence against her during their year-and-a-half relationship.

The former "Nashville" star tells TMZ ... “I am coming forward with the truth about what happened to me with the hope that my story will empower others in abusive relationships to get the help they need and deserve. I am prepared to do my part to make sure this man never hurts anyone again. I’m grateful for my support system, which helped me find the courage to regain my voice and my life."

Hayden's attorney, Alan Jackson, says ... "After suffering for years as the victim of psychological, emotional and severe physical abuse, Hayden Panettiere has begun the process of taking back her life. Hayden has found the strength and courage to share the truth about her abuse and her abuser, and she intends to assist the prosecution to see that justice is served. As a survivor, she recognizes that her arduous journey of healing has just begun."

As we reported ... Panettiere recently got court-ordered protection from Hickerson in Wyoming, and a California judge just granted her that same protection in the Golden State.

Hickerson was arrested for domestic violence on Valentine's Day in Teton County, Wyoming -- after Hayden told cops he'd roughed her up after an argument and punched her in the face.

As for Hayden, a source close to the actress says she's been undergoing successful treatment for alcohol abuse issues and is now focused on healing, sobriety and recovery.

Laura Benanti Joins Fox Pilot

Hayden Panettiere obtains restraining order against ex Brian Hickerson

The “Heroes” star, 30, filed a request for an out-of-state restraining order that would protect her in California, where she now resides. Panettiere’s request comes five months after Hickerson was arrested for domestic battery after allegedly assaulting her on Valentine’s Day in Wyoming.

In April, Hickerson reportedly pleaded not guilty to the charge. A trial is scheduled for September.

It was the second domestic violence arrest for Hickerson, who allegedly assaulted Panettiere in May 2019 during an altercation at their home after a night of drinking. He was ordered to stay 100 yards away from the “Remember the Titans” actress.

In early June, Panettiere seemed to allude to having moved on from the relationship when she showed off her “newish” neck tattoo depicting the Eye of Ra, which is an ancient Egyptian symbol of protection and royal authority.

Hayden Panettiere and Brian Hickerson Split: She’s on a ‘Path to Recovery’

“She’s in a good place right now,” says one source. “She’s on the path to recovery.”

The actress, 30, finally cut ties with Hickerson, whom she began dating in August 2018, after their February dispute that led to his second arrest for domestic abuse. (Hickerson was previously arrested for domestic violence following another argument with Panettiere in May 2019.)

“She and Brian haven’t had contact,” says the source. “He’s moved back to his hometown in South Carolina, and friends are praying this is the end of her journey with him.

And the early signs are promising. Panettiere, who rejoined Instagram this month, “has done a 180-degree turn since her terrible ordeal with Brian,” reveals a second source. “She’s moving ahead with her life and getting back into working in Hollywood and being creative again. It’s all very therapeutic for her.”

Now the mom of 5-year-old Kaya, who she shares with ex Wladimir Klitschko, is not looking back. Panettiere is “calmer and more relaxed,” says the second source, while the first source adds: “She’s trying to move past the pain and focus on her future.”

Us Weekly Cover Issue 2220 Kelly Clarkson Divorce Hayden Panettiere Path Recovery After Drama With Brian Hickerson

Pick up the new issue of Us Weekly, on newsstands now.

HBO Max Stages Laura Benanti Special ‘Homeschool Musical: Class Of 2020’

The project, #SunshineSongs, is now the inspiration for a special for nascent streaming service HBO Max.

The WarnerMedia-owned service has greenlit Homeschool Musical: Class Of 2020, a scripted musical special that features students from across the U.S.

It marks the first COVID-19-related order for HBO Max, which launched earlier this week.

Homeschool Musical: Class of 2020 will explore the themes of classic teen movies through the lens of a world turned upside down by the global pandemic. The cast, featuring a diverse group of student actors, will play seniors from the same high school and while the pandemic may have shut down their school, the drama and romantic intrigue live on.

Benanti, who also starred in Supergirl and Younger, will exec produce along with Randy Barbato, Fenton Bailey, and Tom Campbell for World of Wonder Productions and Leland, who has worked with Ariana Grande and Selena Gomez will write and compose original songs.

“As a mom of teenagers, I know that this time has been a struggle for them. High School seniors in particular have been hit hard by this pandemic, their dreams of homecoming, prom, spring performances and even graduation being cancelled,” said Jennifer O’Connell, HBO Max’s executive vice president original non-fiction and kids programming. “Laura’s brilliant idea to give these kids an audience and a platform has blossomed into this unique opportunity for us to not only celebrate their talent, but to entertain many other families across the country sharing their experience.”

“Our school shows are more than just entertainment. At the very least, they bring our communities together to revel in the talent of our young artists. At their best, they are a life changing experience that these kids will bring with them into the rest of their lives,” added Benanti. “I am thrilled that the #SunshineSongs initiative has put the spotlight on so many incredible young performers; grateful to World of Wonder for its grand vision and to HBO Max for providing a global platform on which America’s youth can shine.”

Benanti is represented by UTA and Untitled.

9-1-1 Reunites Buck and Abby (With a Tragic Twist!) in Finale Promo — Watch

As revealed in the promo for Part 2 of the Fox procedural’s finale (May 11, 8/7c), Buck is among the first responders on the scene of Abby’s train wreck. When he tries to calm her down, she utters seven words that are sure to land like daggers: “I am trying to find my fiancé!” Ouch.

Speaking with TVLine back in January, showrunner Tim Minear acknowledged that Abby has “unfinished business” with Buck. “Abby promised she would come back and she never did. So there’s unfinished business for Abby, and definitely also for Buck. He’s kind of lost at sea right now. He’s still trying to figure out who he is, and his relationship with Abby started to redefine him. Once she left, he had to figure out who he was without her.”

Other questions raised by the promo include: Will Athena really step down from the force? Is Michael’s condition taking a turn for the worse? And what has Maddie and Chimney looking so… surprised?

Connie Britton Returning To ‘9-1-1’ For Two-Part Season 3 Finale – Watch The Promo

Britton played the 911 operator in the Ryan Murphy-co-created drama’s first season; she had a one-year deal. Jennifer Love Hewitt took over as 911 operator Maddie Kendall in season 2.

For quite some time 9-1-1 co-creator Tim Minear has said at the last couple of TCAs that Britton would definitely return to the sky, as Abby’s story was never closed. “The front door, back door and side door are always open for her to return,” he said at the 2018 summer TCA tour.

Abby left for Ireland at the end of Season 1, leaving unfinished business behind in regard to her relationship with firefighter Buck (Oliver Stark). Since then, Buck has been trying to figure out who he is without Abby and has forged a deeper friendship with Eddie (Ryan Guzman). The duo saves a woman from a burning building in tonight’s episode.

“Eddie doesn’t know anything about Abby as far as what had happened and firsthand perspective, but he has heard a lot through Buck and he has heard a lot through the other family members of the 118,” Guzman told Deadline sister site HollywoodLife today. “So when Abby ends up showing up, I think there’s a level of… Oh, sh*t. Do I need to help Buck out? What is he going through?”

9-1-1 and its freshman spinoff series 9-1-1: Lone Star were renewed by Fox two weeks ago.

AMC Orders ‘National Anthem’ Musical Anthology Series From Scott Z. Burns, Mark Johnson, T Bone Burnett & Craig Finn

National Anthem is the first series greenlit under a new multi-year overall deal Johnson has signed with AMC Studios, under which he will develop new series for the company’s Entertainment Group as well as other content companies.

Written by Burns, National Anthem is the tragically funny story of a middle class midwestern family tumbling down the ladder of American society; periodically bursting into song as they struggle to catch themselves.

National Anthem extends AMC’s streak of experimentation with genre and format. The network’s three most recent new series orders consist of a show alternating between single-camera realism and multi-camera comedy (Kevin Can F*** Himself, headlined by Annie Murphy), a two-season close-ended drama (61st Street) and animated drama (Pantheon), joined now by a musical dramedy anthology (National Anthem).

“National Anthem is a family drama with deep resonant things to say about the fragility of our country, our world and our planet. Plus…it’s a musical! In Scott’s genius hands this results in a hugely original, intense, funny and moving piece of writing,” said Sarah Barnett, president of AMC Networks’ Entertainment Group and AMC Studios. “We’re so happy to work with Scott as he brings this unique story to life and absolutely delighted to continue our creative partnership with Mark, who we have been so lucky to work with on some of the most critically acclaimed series over the last decade.”

Johnson’s overall deal expands his existing relationship with AMC Networks, where he currently serves as an executive producer on praised drama Better Call Saul. He previously executive produced AMC’s Emmy-winning drama series Breaking Bad, SundanceTV’s Rectify, and AMC’s Halt and Catch Fire.

“I still can’t believe that AMC and I have been able to assemble this dream team of storytellers,” said Johnson, who is currently producing Fever Dream directed by Claudia Llosa and the John Lee Hancock movie The Little Things. “We are poised to create something both singular and entertaining, told with moments, dialogue and song.”

Burns’ work in film includes producing the Oscar-winning documentary An Inconvenient Truth, as well as An Inconvenient Sequel and Sea of Shadows. His writing credits include The Bourne Ultimatum for Paul Greengrass, as well as The Informant!, Contagion, Side Effects and The Laundromat for director Steven Soderbergh. As a director, Burns’ credits include PU-239 and The Report. Burns also directed the digital series The View From Here, a collection of documentary shorts on the terminally ill.

“Craig, T Bone and I are thrilled to be working with Mark and AMC. We are so grateful for the chance to write about this moment in time and surround our characters with songs,” said Burns. “Sarah and Susie and everyone at AMC should be celebrated for their vision in saying ‘yes’ to this.”

Burnett also is working alongside his wife, Oscar-winning writer Callie Khouri, and Michael Lohmann on Disgraceland, a drama series based on the podcast of the same name, which is in the works at Kapital Entertainment.

‘Disgraceland’ Drama Series From Callie Khouri, Michael Lohmann & T Bone Burnett Based On Podcast In Works At Kapital Entertainment

Aaron Kaplan’s Kapital Entertainment has acquired the rights to Jake Brennan’s music and true crime podcast Disgraceland for a TV series written by Khouri, Lohmann and Brennan, with Burnett overseeing the music.

Disgraceland, which will be taken to the premium cable and streaming marketplace shortly, is a music and true crime television show about musicians getting away with murder and behaving very badly.

It stems from an original idea by Lohmann based on the podcast who reached out to his former Nashville colleagues, the husband-and-wife duo of Oscar winners Khouri and Burnett, and took the project to Kapital Entertainment where he serves as head of production.

Launched independently in 2018, the Disgraceland podcast, created and hosted by Brennan, quickly went to No. 7 on the Apple Podcast charts. Despite publishing only twenty-four episodes a year the show, which melds music history, true crime and transgressive fiction, has been downloaded over 30 million times and in over 200 countries worldwide. Disgraceland, distributed and marketed in partnership with iHeartRadio, has been nominated for two iHeart Podcast awards and won the award for Best Music Podcast this past January. In 2019 and 2018, it was named to Apple Podcasts “Best Of” year-end lists. Season 5 of Disgraceland launches today, March 10.

Brennan also is the host and creator of the podcast 27 Club and co-owner of the audio-driven media company Double Elvis Productions. In 2019, Brennan published his first book, Disgraceland: Musicians Getting Away with Murder and Behaving Very Badly based on his podcast. Here is a link to the podcast’s pilot episode.

Khouri is the Oscar Award-winning screenwriter of Thelma & Louise and the creator and executive producer of the country-music-themed drama series Nashville. She recently directed the Lifetime movie Patsy & Loretta and has several series projects in the works, Bloom with Michelle and Barack Obama’s Higher Ground for Netflix, Divine Secrets Of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood based on her movie at Village Roadshow, and The Useful Idiots at Amazon. She also is developing a stage musical version of Thelma & Louise.

Lohmann is a 28-year industry veteran, 3rd generation filmmaker who has worked on dozens of features and over 500 hours of 1-hour episodic television. He has worked as a Director of Photography, Director, Producing Director, Line Producer, and Executive Producer. In 2019, Lohmann started his own studio and constructed a 150,000 square foot facility. He joined Kapital Entertainment as head of production having worked as co-executive producer/executive producer on the company’s series A Million Little things and Tell Me a Story.

Joseph Henry “T Bone” Burnett has received multiple Grammy awards for his work in film music, including for O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) Cold Mountain (2004), Walk the Line (2006), and Crazy Heart (2010), which also earned him an Oscar. He produced music for the TV series Nashville and True Detective.

The Disgraceland podcast is repped by UTA.

Jenna Dewan and Steve Kazee welcome first baby together

“And just like that, our hearts exploded into all of eternity and beyond ??????,” Dewan, 39, wrote on Instagram on Tuesday along with a photo holding her bundle of joy. “Welcome to the world you little angel! ?? Callum Michael Rebel Kazee 3/6/20.”

Kazee, 44, also shared in the excitement, posting a photo of little Callum’s hand to his own social media account.

“In an instant our universe burst wide open and nothing would ever be the same,” he wrote. “Welcome to earth star child.”

The couple announced that they were having a baby together in September 2019, writing in a joint statement, “We are beyond overjoyed and couldn’t be happier to be expanding our family!”

They revealed that they were getting engaged in February. Dewan and Kazee first took their romance public in October 2018, though they had been dating in the months prior.

Dewan also has a 6-year-old daughter, Everly, with ex-husband Channing Tatum whom she divorced in November 2019. They split in October the year before. They are currently figuring out custody arrangments.

Oliver Hudson & Malin Akerman To Star In ‘The Three Of Us’ CBS Comedy Pilot

Written by Pines, The Three of Us follows adult siblings — two of them played by Hudson and Akerman — who are children of divorce and must circle the wagons when their sister’s husband unexpectedly announces he wants to call it quits on their marriage.

Hudson will play Will, the worrier in the family, Will has always been protective of his little brother (TBD) and sister, Ally (Akerman). Clever and perceptive, Will has a problematic need to help “father” everyone around him, so when his sister’s husband dumps her, his instincts kick in and moves her into his house.

Akerman’s Aly is the smart and resilient middle sibling to two brothers. She is thought of as the most “normal” and sensible one in the family, but also plagued with the worst luck. Her latest catastrophe is her husband just left her and she finds herself dealing with being a single mom to an 8-year-old son and having to move in with her big brother, Will (Hudson) and his wife.

Pines executive produces with Fulwell 73’s Ben Winston, Jeff Grosvenor and James Corden. CBS Television Studios produces in association with Fulwell 73.

Coming off a starring turn in ABC comedy series Splitting Up Together, Hudson was pursued for multiple pilots this season. CBS landed the actor in a lucrative deal, which brings him back to the network where he starred on the long-running sitcom Rules of Engagement. Currently, Hudson has a podcast with his sister, Sibling Revelry with Kate Hudson and Oliver Hudson. Other recent credits include Robert Zemeckis’ Netflix miniseries Medal of Honor and the Chris Columbus produced Netflix feature The Christmas Chronicles with Kurt Russell. Hudson, whose TV series credits also include Scream Queens and Nashville, is repped by ICM Partners, Management 360 and Ziffren.

Akerman was a series regular on the first three seasons of Showtime’s Billions. She recently recurred on Netflix’s Dollface and Medical Police and will next be seen in Netflix family pic The Sleepover. Akerman is repped by UTA, Mosaic and Jackoway Austen.

Supernatural Return

Hayden Panettiere BF Arrested for Dom. Violence Again ... Allegedly Punched Her

The ex-"Nashville" star's BF, Brian Hickerson, was arrested around 2:30 AM on Valentine's Day, after the couple had a fight and he struck her "with a closed fist on the right side of her face" ... according to cops.

The Teton County Sheriff's Office was notified of a disturbance at a private residence in Jackson. The caller said an intoxicated male was locked out of the home because he punched his girlfriend in the face.

When deputies arrived, they found Brian in the driveway, and according to docs obtained by TMZ ... he allegedly told them Hayden was in the house "saying he beat the f*** out of me." Cops say he avoided answering if he had punched Hayden, but claimed he hired a private chef to stick around so he "wouldn't be accused of bulls**t."

Cops talked to the chef on the phone, and he said he left a little after 1 AM -- but claims he witnessed the couple arguing earlier in the night.

According to the docs, Hayden told cops she and Brian were in their bedroom when he started throwing her around and punched her. Cops say her face was red and swollen, and she also had a scrape and swelling on her left hand -- which she believed came from Hickerson's watch during the altercation.

The deputies heard enough to book Hickerson for domestic battery. He was also hit with a second charge of interfering with a police officer for allegedly refusing to identify himself.

When we last spoke with Hayden in November, she told us everything was well between Brian and her -- intimating they'd moved past his felony domestic violence arrest earlier in 2019.

We broke the story ... the couple allegedly got into an altercation at their L.A. home that left red marks on Hayden's body, and police arrested Brian for it. However, the case was later dismissed for not being able to secure a "material witness" -- AKA, Hayden.

Hickerson was also involved in a domestic incident in late 2018 ... with his father. Hayden was there for that one too. She's been dating Brian for about a year and a half.

9-1-1 EP Teases Connie Britton's Return, Abby's 'Unfinished Business' With Buck

“I do believe she has unfinished business,” executive producer Tim Minear tells TVLine of Britton’s character, last seen leaving for Europe in the procedural’s first season finale. “Abby promised she would come back and she never did. So there’s unfinished business for Abby, and definitely also for Buck. He’s kind of lost at sea right now. He’s still trying to figure out who he is, and his relationship with Abby started to redefine him. Once she left, he had to figure out who he was without her.”

TVLine also recently caught up with Oliver Stark (aka Buck) for his thoughts on the long-awaited reunion. “I think it’s really hard,” he said. “So many people in that first season fell in love with the relationship between Buck and Abby, so she was really hard to replace. And Buck has had so much growth since then. [Moving forward, it will be] about finding the right partner for him. A lot of people have different ideas about who that could be, whether they’re on the show already. I don’t know what [Abby’s return] means. I don’t know what that’s going to stir up. But it’s teasing at stuff, which is always fun.”

Though we don’t know exactly when new episodes of 9-1-1 will return, the second half of Season 3 is expected to resume sometime this spring. In the meantime, new installments of 9-1-1: Lone Star will air Mondays at 8/7c.

9-1-1: Connie Britton Eyed to Return as Abby for Multiple Episodes

TVLine has confirmed that Connie Britton is in talks to reprise her role as former 9-1-1 operator extraordinaire Abby later this season for multiple episodes.

Britton exited 9-1-1 the end of the series’ breakout freshman season, at which point it was revealed that her contract with the show was only for one season. However, at the time, exec producer Ryan Murphy remained optimistic that the Nashville and Friday Night Lights vet might return on a guest-star basis.

“We’re in the process of renegotiating her deal so she can come in and do a couple of episodes to keep her character alive,” Murphy told us at the time. “She really loves the cast and crew and she’s very hopeful that that can happen.”

‘Nashville’ Exec Producer Steve Buchanan Ties With ‘The Cry’ Producer Synchronicity Films On Scottish Mystery Thriller

Buchanan, the former boss of famous music venue Grand Ole Opry and man behind the Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere country music drama, is heading to Scotland for his latest television project, Shepherd’s Retreat.

The scripted drama is a mystery thriller with a musical identity, set in a small Scottish village. Featuring original songs from a variety of styles including Scottish contemporary folk music and American tracks, the series, which is being developed into eight episodes, begins after the body of a local musician is discovered in the harbor opposite the local village pub.

Everyone in the village is cast with suspicion, not least a stranger who recently arrived in town. Despite his intention to seek solace in a place he thought could heal him, the stranger will be forced to join forces with a local cop to solve the town’s mystery. And along the way, he might just save himself.

Synchronicity MD and Creative Director Claire Mundell told Deadline that they were keen to put together a show that combined Scottish gothic mystery with music. “We have plenty of noir-ish thrillers but the music is the thing that will give it that point of difference,” she said. “It’s True Detective with music.”

The two companies are currently out for writers. Buchanan will exec produce through his SteadiBeat Media after stepping down from the Opry Entertainment Group last year. He said, “Claire Mundell and Synchronicity are the perfect producing partner to help bring this show to life. We plan to capture the same authenticity and dramatic flair that is true to Scotland that we found with Nashville”.

It is the latest crime project for Synchronicity. Last year, the drama producer had a huge hit with Jenna Coleman’s The Cry, which was one of the BBC’s biggest new dramas of the year, and it is working on an adaptation of Heather Morris’ novel The Tattooist of Auschwitz. Mundell added, “We’re excited to be developing a show with a modern twist to a much-loved genre.

SAG Awards Nominations

MOTION PICTURES

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture

BOMBSHELL
CONNIE BRITTON / Beth Ailes
ALLISON JANNEY / Susan Estrich
NICOLE KIDMAN / Gretchen Carlson
JOHN LITHGOW / Roger Ailes
MALCOLM McDOWELL / Rupert Murdoch
KATE McKINNON / Jess Carr
MARGOT ROBBIE / Kayla Pospisil
CHARLIZE THERON / Megyn Kelly

THE IRISHMAN
BOBBY CANNAVALE / Skinny Razor
ROBERT DE NIRO / Frank Sheeran
STEPHEN GRAHAM / Anthony “Tony Pro” Provenzano
HARVEY KEITEL / Angelo Bruno
AL PACINO / Jimmy Hoffa
ANNA PAQUIN / Older Peggy Sheeran
JOE PESCI / Russell Bufalino
RAY ROMANO / Bill Bufalino

JOJO RABBIT
ALFIE ALLEN / Finkel
ROMAN GRIFFIN DAVIS / Jojo
SCARLETT JOHANSSON / Rosie
THOMASIN McKENZIE / Elsa
STEPHEN MERCHANT / Deertz
SAM ROCKWELL / Capt. Klenzendorf
TAIKA WAITITI / Adolf
REBEL WILSON / Fraulein Rahm

ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD
AUSTIN BUTLER / Tex
JULIA BUTTERS / Trudi
BRUCE DERN / George Spahn
LEONARDO DiCAPRIO / Rick Dalton
DAKOTA FANNING / Squeaky Fromme
EMILE HIRSCH / Jay Sebring
DAMIAN LEWIS / Steve McQueen
MIKE MOH / Bruce Lee
TIMOTHY OLYPHANT / James Stacy
AL PACINO / Marvin Schwarz
LUKE PERRY / Wayne Maunder
BRAD PITT / Cliff Booth
MARGARET QUALLEY / Pussycat
MARGOT ROBBIE / Sharon Tate

PARASITE
HYAE JIN CHANG / Chung Sook
YEO JEONG CHO / Yeon Kyo
WOO SHIK CHOI / Ki Woo
HYEON JUN JUNG / Da Song
ZISO JUNG / Da Hye
JUNG EUN LEE / Moon Gwang
SUN KYUN LEE / Dong Ik
MYUNG HOON PARK / Geun Se
SO DAM PARK / Ki Jung
KANG HO SONG / Ki Taek

Darius Rucker, Clare Bowen, NFL Pro Bowlers headline presenters at NASCAR Awards

The group of highly respected celebrities ranges from NFL superstars to country music standouts to performers of the highest level on both the screen and in the squared circle.

Heisman Trophy winner and four-time NFL Pro Bowler for the Tennessee Titans Eddie George will be on hand, along with former Pro Bowl quarterback Jay Cutler and his TV personality wife, Kristin Cavallari.

Fellow local professional athletes in Nashville Predators captain Roman Josi and teammate/Olympic gold medalist Matt Duchene are also set to present. WWE superstar and four-time World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus will also be on hand to dish out awards.

Three-time Grammy winner and multi-platinum selling country superstar Darius Rucker will make an appearance, as well as multi-talented singer/songwriters Frankie Ballard, Clare Bowen, Danielle Bradbery and Lee Brice.

Previously, it was announced that Cassadee Pope will be the event co-host alongside NASCAR on NBC’s Rutledge Wood for the highly anticipated year-end awards televised on NBCSN. Singer/songwriters Cole Swindell and Chris Janson are also set to perform.

For a full schedule of Champion’s Week events, go to https://championsweek.nascar.com/.

Will Chase on FBI 12/17/19

GUEST CAST includes: Amanda Warren (Sloan Wallace), Will Chase (Detective Harry Bloom), Taylor Anthony Miller (Kelly Moran).

9 Hallmark Christmas Movies to Watch This Holiday Season

Here are some of this year's Hallmark Christmas movies that we think are the must-sees of the season (all times are Eastern).

1. Write Before Christmas
Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 8 p.m.
Not only will Jessica (Torrey DeVitto) inspire you to finally send out some holiday cards this year, but she'll also connect with a special someone (Chad Michael Murray) in the process. Their rendezvous may or may not (read: definitely will) interrupt those no-dating-over-the-holidays plans she has in this pic.

2. Christmas Under the Stars
Thursday, Nov. 21 at 8 p.m.
Sure, you might have a hard time believing that an ambitious investment banker (Jesse Metcalfe) would pick up at a gig at a Christmas tree lot after being let go from his day job, but hey, at least it'll give him an opportunity to meet a lovely astronomy teacher (Autumn Reeser) who can teach him a thing or two about star-gazing.

3. Christmas at Graceland
Saturday, Nov. 23 at 8 p.m.
What could possibly bring two pretty people together better than an Elvis-themed Christmas shindig? In this film, Harper (Kaitlin Doubleday) spends her holiday in between jobs working as a nanny for handsome widower Owen (Adrian Grenier), and they work together on a holiday exhibit that's bound to get them all shook up.

4. Merry & Bright
Sunday, Nov. 24 at 10:03 p.m.
Ah yes, that feeling when you think that new hunk in your life has been sent as a set-up from your mom, but he turns out to be a corporate drone! In this film, Cate (Jodie Sweetin) is the CEO of a candy company who meets Gabe (Andrew Walker) and thinks he's someone her mother wants her to date. As it happens, though, he's actually around on business to ensure the company's profitability. Surrounded by all those holiday treats, though, these two are bound to get sweet on each other before it's all said and done.

5. A Christmas Duet
Monday, Nov. 25 at 8 p.m.
When it comes to Christmas movies, there's no place like Vermont for an estranged couple to come back together. In this film, former singing duo Averie (Chaley Rose) and Jesse (Rome Flynn) have grown apart since the release of their hit holiday song, but they'll reunite at her cozy little lodge just in time for the Yuletide Festival to bring the spirit of the season back into their lives. Chances are, they'll be making some very beautiful music together again.

6. Christmas in Rome
Saturday, Nov. 30 at 8 p.m.
Getting fired right before the holiday is a massive bummer, but for Angela (Lacey Chabert), opportunity will knock pretty quickly when a handsome executive named Oliver (Sam Page) hires her to be his tour guide around Italy's capital. Will sparks fly in the Eternal City? Count on it.

7. Christmas Town
Sunday, Dec. 1 at 8 p.m.
OK, OK, so the place isn't actually called Christmas Town, but this movie is about a charming little hideaway that helps to rekindle the spirit of the season for Lauren (Candace Cameron Bure).

8. A Christmas Love Story
Saturday, Dec. 7 at 8 p.m.
What could be better for a youth choir director (Kristin Chenoweth) than finding a boy with a golden voice just in time for the Christmas Eve show? Why, meeting his swoony — and available! — father (Scott Wolf), of course!

9. Double Holiday
Sunday, Dec. 22 at 8 p.m.
When Rebecca (Carly Pope) has to table her Hanukkah plans to co-prepare a holiday party with her office nemesis (Kristoffer Polaha), their shared sense of competition might just give way to something worth celebrating.

Hayden Panettiere defends relationship with Brian Hickerson

The real estate agent was arrested by Los Angeles police officers on May 2 after an argument between the two at Panettiere’s home allegedly turned physical. He pleaded not guilty to an abuse charge, and in September, the count was dropped due to a lack of witnesses, while a restraining order forcing him to stay away from Panettiere was also lifted.

Now the 30-year-old is maintaining all is well in her relationship, and that her spats with Hickerson never turned violent.

“Everything was totally OK,” she told TMZ.

It was initially reported that the pair’s relationship, which began in August 2018, came to an end following the dispute, but earlier this month, the couple was photographed together at a U.S. airport.

When asked how her family feels about the reconciliation, Panettiere revealed she has their support.

“My family knows that I’m smart enough to make my own decisions,” she added. “There was never a problem.”

Her folks previously urged the judge overseeing Hickerson’s assault case to hand him the maximum sentence for his alleged actions.

The former Nashville star was previously engaged to former boxing champ Wladimir Klitschko, the father of her four-year-old daughter, Kaya.

Hayden Panettiere back with Brian Hickerson month after his domestic abuse case dismissed

The 30-year-old actress and the real estate agent were photographed dragging luggage through an airport together on Tuesday.

The pair were both dressed casually in sneakers and they each lugged backpacks and wore a similar-looking necklace.

Their travels together come shortly after Hickerson’s domestic violence case was dismissed at the end of September.

“The case against Brian Hickerson was dismissed without prejudice [Thursday,]” Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office spokesman Greg Risling told Page Six in a statement at the time. “Our office was unable to proceed because we could not secure a material witness. The protective order also was dismissed.”

Hickerson was arrested for domestic violence by the LAPD in May after he and Panettiere got into a physical altercation at their home after a night of drinking. Cops saw that Panettiere had redness and marks on her body, TMZ reported.

Hickerson was ordered to stay 100 yards away from the “Heroes” star after their scuffle. He was arraigned in LA in July and pleaded not guilty.

Page Six previously reported that Panettiere had not seen Hickerson since from the time the squabble occurred until at least July and that they had split.

However, the “I Love You, Beth Cooper” actress was spotted holding hands with Hickerson’s brother, Zach, in September.

Panettiere’s rep did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.

‘Alita: Battle Angel’s Keean Johnson, Madeline Brewer To Star In ‘The Ultimate Playlist of Noise’ Film From Hulu

Johnson will star as Marcus, an audio obsessed high school senior who learns he must undergo brain surgery that will render him deaf, he decides to seize control of his fate by recording the Ultimate Playlist of Noise – a bucket list of all his favorite sounds. Once he sets out, he meets Wendy (Brewer), a wildly charming, struggling musician who is trying to escape to New York for her chance at a life changing opportunity. Together they check off his list as they make their way across the country, until painful revelations force Marcus to face reality and his future without sound.

American High’s Jeremy Garelick, Will Phelps, Ryan Bennett, and Michael Schade are producing the project with Mickey Liddell and Pete Shilaimon of LD Entertainment.

Johnson can soon be seen in Lionsgate’s Midway drama and the Marc Meyers-directed indie thriller, We Summon the Darkness. Brewer will next star in Separation opposite Rupert Friend, and Now Is Everything with Anthony Hopkins.

Johnson is repped by Management 360 and CAA. Brewer is also with CAA, as well as Inphenate and Schreck, Rose, Dapello.

‘Nashville’s Kyle Dean Massey Joins Patti LuPone As Broadway’s Upcoming ‘Company’ Adds Cast

The additional casting for director Marianne Elliott’s gender-reversed Company was announced today by producers Elliott & Harper Productions and The Shubert Organization. The production, an Oliver Award winner in its West End bow, recasts the 1970 musical’s lead character, the bachelor Bobby, as the bachelorette Bobbie, to be played by Lenk (The Band’s Visit). As previously announced with Lenk, LuPone will play Joanne, the “Ladies Who Lunch” role famously created by Elaine Stritch.

Company will begin performances at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on Monday, March 2, 2020 with an official opening night set for Sunday, March 22 (Sondheim’s 90th birthday). Sondheim and Elliott collaborated to update the musical.

Massey will play Theo, the character formerly known as Kathy, the small-town newcomer to New York, and Doyle will portray Jaime, formerly known as Amy, the nervous soon-to-be newlywed. Sieber will play alcoholic Harry.

Also joining the cast: Christopher Fitzgerald as David, Jennifer Simard as Sarah, Terence Archie as Larry, Etai Benson as Paul, Nikki Renée Daniels as Jenny, Claybourne Elder as Andy, Greg Hildreth as Peter, and Bobby Conte Thornton as P.J.

Casting for the role of Susan will be announced shortly.

Watch Jonathan Jackson's New Music Video

Michiel Huisman To Star In Kaley Cuoco’s HBO Max Series ‘The Flight Attendant’

The Flight Attendant is a terrifying story of how an entire life can change in one night. Cassie (Cuoco), a flight attendant, wakes up in the wrong hotel, in the wrong bed, with a dead man – and no idea what happened.

Huisman will play Alex, a charming, wealthy businessman, who runs into some serious bad luck in Bangkok and ends up sticking with Cassie (Cuoco) longer than expected. He also joins previously cast Sonoya Mizuno.

Produced by Cuoco’s Yes, Norman and Berlanti Productions, the upcoming Warner Horizon Scripted Television series is based on the novel by New York Times bestselling author Chris Bohjalian, adapted by Steve Yockey. Filming is set to begin this fall on eight one-hour episodes.

Greg Berlanti, Cuoco, Sarah Schechter, Steve Yockey, Meredith Lavender and Marcie Ulin are executive producers. Yes, Norman’s Suzanne McCormack is co-executive producer. Susanna Fogel directs and executive produces the first two episodes.

Huisman, who played Daario Naharis on Game Of Thrones, recently co-starred on Netflix’s The Haunting of Hill House. He is repped by UTA, Authentic Talent and Literary Management, Peikoff Mahan and Conway van Gelder Grant in the UK.

Penn Badgley, Tony Winner Laura Benanti Join Billy Crystal & Tiffany Haddish In ‘Here Today’

Here Today will mark Crystal’s eighth time directing and his third on a feature. It follows veteran comedy writer Charlie Burnz (Crystal), who is slowly but surely losing his grip on reality, befriends a talented young New York street singer Emma Payge (Haddish). Together, they form an unlikely yet hilarious and touching friendship that kicks the generation gap aside and redefines the meaning of love and trust.

Crystal co-wrote the screenplay with his fellow Saturday Night Live alum and Emmy-award winning writer Alan Zweibel based on the short story The Prize also written by Zweibel. Crystal, Zweibel, and Haddish are producing the project with Fred Bernstein and Dominique Telson. Rick Jackson, Claudine Marrotte, and Samantha Sprecher are serving executive producers.

“We’ve assembled a terrific and gifted cast,” said Astute Films’ President Bernstein. “Billy and Alan Zweibel gave us a wonderful script, and great actors want to work with Billy. We are thrilled!”

Rocket Science is handling international sales on the highly anticipated feature. CAA is handling US rights.

Badgley, whose film credits include Greetings from Tim Buckley, Margin Call, and John Tucker Must Die, is repped by CAA, Anonymous Content, and Adam Kaller. Benanti, who won the 2008 Tony for her performance in Broadway’s Gypsy and is also known from TV’s Supergirl and Younger, is repped by UTA and Untitled Entertainment.

Smith is repped The Gersh Agency and Judi Farkas Management, while Nyambi is a client of Abrams Artists Agency and ATA Management.

Hayden Panettiere’s ex Brian Hickerson’s domestic violence case dismissed

“The case against Brian Hickerson was dismissed without prejudice [Thursday,]” Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office spokesman Greg Risling told Page Six in a statement Friday. “Our office was unable to proceed because we could not secure a material witness. The protective order also was dismissed.”

According to a Los Angeles court filing, Hickerson also no longer has to pay his $50,000 bail.

Hickerson was arrested for domestic violence by the LAPD in May after he and Panettiere, 30, got into a physical altercation at their home after a night of drinking in Hollywood.

At the time, cops saw redness and marks on Panettiere’s body, TMZ reported.

Following the scuffle, Hickerson was ordered to stay 100 yards away from the “Heroes” star. He was arraigned in Los Angeles in July and pleaded not guilty.

As Page Six previously reported, Panettiere has not seen Hickerson since the alleged incident in May.

The duo began dating over the summer following her split from boxer Wladimir Klitschko, the father of her 4-year-old daughter, Kaya.

Meanwhile, the actress was spotted holding hands with Hickerson’s brother, Zach Hickerson, earlier this month.

A rep for Panettiere did not respond to our request for comment.

Photos of Hayden Panettiere holding hands with alleged abuser ex’s brother shocks family

“It’s a very strange set of circumstances,” the insider said of the Nashville star’s rumoured new fling with Brian Hickerson’s brother Zach.

Panettiere, 30 — who as Radar first reported exclusively, is now living in New York City — showed PDA with the South Carolina-based pastor downtown in the Big Apple on Sept. 4, in exclusive photos revealed by In Touch.

“I don’t know if it’s better than the alternative,” said the concerned pal. “How strange it may be, the one positive thing about this is Zach is certainly not the violent temper that Brian is.”

Despite her family’s concerns, Panettiere appeared carefree as she strolled with Brian’s brother. “They were walking hand-in-hand, talking and laughing together,” an eyewitness told In Touch.

“She was jumping up and down making funny faces, and he was flexing his muscles and laughing. They looked happy together.”

Sources reveal to Radar the unlikely couple have “been involved for two months now.”

As Radar readers know, the actress’ bad new beau Brian faces a felony domestic violence charge for allegedly beating his famous girlfriend in a May 2 incident.

A responding officer testified Hayden suffered bruises on her arms and eyelids, and swelling on her face.

On May 23, a Los Angeles County judge issued a protective order against Brian, preventing him from coming within 100 yards of the actress.

The new pairing isn’t sitting well with her loved ones. “Those close to Hayden are not going to pretend to understand it or condone it,” but “there’s nothing anyone can do,” said the informant.

“She has been reluctant to talk about it because she knows how people feel — it’s definitely something she would not want to discuss. And she doesn’t want to share too much especially because of what’s going on with Brian and his legal issues.”

With high-powered attorney Shawn Holley by Brian’s side, a jury trial begins in Los Angeles court on Sept. 24.

‘Thelma & Louise’ Scribe Callie Khouri Urges Writers To Re-Elect WGA West President David A. Goodman

Khouri, who won the Oscar for Thelma & Louise, said in an email blast to the guild’s members Monday that the Forward Together opposition candidates – led by presidential candidate Phyllis Nagy – don’t have the experience needed to bring the agency campaign to a successful conclusion.

“I have served two terms on the board and on one negotiating committee, and I know from firsthand experience the level of research, preparation, and strategic planning required of the leadership and staff in a campaign like this one,” she wrote in support of WGA West president David A. Goodman and his team of running mates. “I take the writers of the Forward Together slate at their word when they say they care about our Guild and are running because they believe it’s what’s best for us all. I would hope that they would be willing to contribute their ideas and help see this action through to a successful conclusion, something we all want.

“But based on all I’ve read, and after listening to all the statements on candidates night, I do not believe the Forward Together slate has the experience or the plan required to move this negotiation forward in a way that will ultimately be best for all writers. Perhaps the details of that plan are laid out in a private chatroom somewhere to which I was not privy, but it still doesn’t speak to the lack of experience. The suggestion that our current leadership doesn’t have a plan, or is fumbling their way through this is frankly ludicrous and not helpful.

“Current leadership has done the work, they’ve done the listening, and they thoroughly understand the risks and realities. Negotiations are about leverage and power. 95.3% of us voted to stand together and see this through and that’s what I intend to do.

“I have been a member of the WGA for twenty-nine years. I’ve seen us win some and lose some. But after all these years I know one thing for sure; nothing makes a writer more vulnerable than a weak and fractured union. I am voting for experience, strength and unity.”

She also urged members to elect Marjorie David as vice president; Michele Mulroney as secretary-treasurer; and board candidates Liz Alper, Angelina Burnett, Rob Chavis, Dante Harper, Zoe Marshall, Luvh Rakhe, Meredith Stiehm and Nicole Yorkin.

‘Catherine The Great’: HBO/Sky Sets Premiere Date For Limited Series

The drama is set against the politically tumultuous and sexually charged court of Russian empress Catherine the Great (Mirren) who wielded supreme power throughout Russia for nearly half of the 18th century. The HBO/Sky production follows Catherine towards the end of her reign during her passionate affair with Grigory Potemkin (Clarke). Amid scandal, intrigue and immense conflict, they develop a unique and devoted relationship, overcoming their adversaries and together serving as the architects of modern-day Russia through a series of liberalizing reforms. Penned by HBO’s Elizabeth I scribe Nigel Williams, it also stars Joseph Quinn, Gina McKee, Rory Kinnear, Richard Roxburgh, Kevin McNally and Sam Palladio.

The series is executive produced by Helen Mirren, Philip Martin, who also directs, Nigel Williams, David Thompson, for Origin Pictures and Charlie Pattinson and Christine Healy for New Pictures.

Amazon Inks First-Look Deals With Connie Britton, Forest Whitaker & Nina Yang Bongiovi’s Significant Prods. – TCA

Under the pacts, both Britton, via her production company Deep Blue, and Whitaker and Yang Bongiovi’s Significant Productions, will develop television series to premiere exclusively on Amazon Prime Video in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.

“Connie Britton is a multi-talented actress who has captivated audiences with her portrayal of smart, complicated women,” said Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon Studios. “Britton’s ability to create memorable characters and identify compelling stories makes her a perfect fit for Amazon Studios. We look forward to seeing what she creates for the global Amazon Prime Video audience.”

Four-time Emmy nominee Britton most recently starred in and served as executive producer for the first season of Bravo’s scripted anthology series Dirty John, which earned her both Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice nominations for her work. Britton also starred as the female lead in the first season of Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk’s American Horror Story for FX. She teamed up with Murphy again in American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson for FX, and most recently for Murphy’s Fox procedural first-responder drama, 9-1-1. In film, Britton most recently wrapped production on Good Joe Bell, in which she stars alongside Mark Wahlberg.

“I’m thrilled to be joining Jen and the team at Amazon, and my hope is to contribute thoughtful, provocative, female-driven and inclusive programming to their exceptional platform, telling stories that will reflect ourselves back to ourselves in ways we’ve never seen before,” said Britton. “I know this will be an exciting and purposeful collaboration.”

Whitaker and Yang Bongiovi co-founded Significant Productions in 2010 to develop and produce content with a focus on diversity and inclusivity in front of and behind the camera. The company’s projects include feature films, documentaries, TV and digital ventures.

“Significant Productions, fueled by the vision of Forest Whitaker and Nina Yang Bongiovi, has given a platform to emerging talent and created brilliant, critically acclaimed, and commercially successful projects across film and television,” said Albert Cheng, COO and co-head of Television, Amazon Studios. “We are looking forward to working with Significant Productions as they continue to develop fresh voices to tell even more important, inclusive stories.”

Whitaker and Yang Bongiovi have been behind a string of critically acclaimed and monetarily successful films including Ryan Coogler’s Fruitvale Station (2013), Rick Famuyiwa’s Dope (2015), Chloe Zhao’s Songs My Brothers Taught Me (2015), Michael Larnell’s Roxanne Roxanne (2018) and Boots Riley’s Sorry To Bother You (2018), all of which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in U.S. Dramatic Competition over the past five years. Fruitvale Station, Dope, and Songs My Brothers Taught Me also premiered internationally in Cannes. Currently, Yang Bongiovi and Whitaker are executive producing, and Whitaker is also starring in, the premium series Godfather of Harlem, which will premiere on Epix this fall.

“Teaming up with Amazon Studios for our producing endeavors in television empowers us to amplify what we’ve been building these last nine years,”said Whitaker and Yang Bongiovi. “Championing inclusive stories as wells as diverse talent and creators is in our DNA, and creating cultural impact is our brand. Having Albert Cheng, Vernon Sanders and Jennifer Salke in our corner is truly remarkable. We’re thrilled to join the extraordinary roster of talent at the studio.”

Hayden Panettiere’s daughter living with ex Wladimir Klitschko in Ukraine

“[Hayden’s] life is in flux with her daughter living away, and she has other issues weighing on her mind,” a source told People.

The 29-year-old actress’s child, Kaya, has apparently been living in Ukraine with Klitschko, 43, since last summer.

Meanwhile, Panettiere’s current boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, is facing a felony domestic violence charge. Panettiere’s family is “begging” her to dump Hickerson, with a source telling People, “It is totally out of control and she has to get over this guy.”

The LAPD arrested Hickerson in May. Page Six reported that cops were called after the couple got into a physical altercation in their home after a night of drinking in Hollywood.

At the time, TMZ reported that police saw redness and marks on Panettiere’s body.

Hickerson was ordered to stay 100 yards away from the “Heroes” star. He pleaded not guilty.

The duo began dating last summer.

Hayden Panettiere’s family ‘begging’ her to dump allegedly abusive boyfriend

The “Nashville” star’s friends and family are “begging” her to dump allegedly abusive boyfriend Brian Hickerson, according to a new report from People.

Hickerson currently faces a felony domestic violence charge. A source told the outlet that as a result, those closest to Panettiere, 29, “are begging her to straighten up and move ahead.”

“It is totally out of control and she has to get over this guy,” the source said.

“Her friends and family have been worried about her for quite a while, and things seem to have gotten worse,” the source added. “She needs to do some soul-searching. For whatever reason, she continues this relationship, but it has done nothing but take her down lower. It’s a sad situation.”

Panettiere’s family broke their silence on the ongoing trauma that not only the “Heroes” star faces but also other victims of domestic violence as well.

“We are hopeful that the judge makes the right decision,” the family said. “It’s an important message in terms of domestic violence for all women.”

Page Six previously reported that LAPD arrested Hickerson after a night of drinking with Panettiere. They returned to their home — where the alleged attack occurred — in the early morning hours. Police saw redness and marks on Panettiere’s body when they arrived and took Hickerson into custody.

Hickerson was later ordered to stay 100 yards away from the actress after he pleaded not guilty to one count of felony domestic violence.

Jonathan Jackson Announces a New Album

Enation is an "alternative post-punk three-piece" band made up of Jackson on vocals, guitar, and piano with his brother Richard Lee Jackson on drums, percussion, and backing vocals along with Jonathan Thatcher on bass and bass synth. The group has released numerous albums since they formed in 2003, their most recent, Anthems for the Apocalypse, in 2017. In 2018, they toured the U.K., supporting Echo & The Bunnymen. "There are some moments that stay with you," Jackson mused. "Performing at the Royal Albert Hall in London is one of them."

Jackson can't wait for fans to hear their new music because he feels it's something really special. "Our new album, Ultraviolet Empire, is a throwback record," he explained. "It's a record we played together live in the studio. Most of the songs are one take — just letting the band play. It was amazing playing with our co-producer Colin Linden and capturing something so raw and visceral."

With the new record due out in the fall, we'll be sure to update you as Jackson releases more information about it, including a release date. We can't wait to hear it!

Hayden Panettiere's family speaks out about boyfriend's alleged assault

Brian Hickerson was arrested by police on May 2 after an argument with the former Nashville star at her home reportedly turned physical.

His lawyers tried to fight the charges against him in court on Wednesday, arguing Panettiere was also to blame for the bust-up, but the judge ruled prosecutors had enough evidence to move forward with the case, and denied the defendant’s motion for dismissal.

Hickerson, who had previously pleaded not guilty, was also slapped with a restraining order, demanding he stay at least 100 yards (91 metres) away from Panettiere.

If convicted of the felony, he faces up to four years in prison and now Hayden’s family has released a statement, encouraging the judge to take a tough line.

“We are hopeful that the judge makes the right decision,” it reads. “It’s an important message in terms of domestic violence for all women.”

Panettiere and Hickerson were first linked in August, 2018, shortly after the actress split from her fiance, former boxing champ Wladimir Klitschko — the father of her four-year-old daughter, Kaya.

Another Round Of Tony Award Presenters Announced: Jake Gyllenhaal, Shirley Jones Join Roster

Also joining previously announced presenters Darren Criss, Tina Fey, Samuel L. Jackson and Laura Linney, among others, will be Abigail Breslin, Kristin Chenoweth, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Josh Groban, Danai Gurira, Christopher Jackson, Jane Krakowski, Lucy Liu, Aasif Mandvi, Sienna Miller, Catherine O’Hara, Kelli O’Hara (Tony Nominee, Kiss Me, Kate), Anthony Ramos, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Marisa Tomei, Samira Wiley and BeBe Winans.

The American Theatre Wing’s 73rd Annual Tony Awards, hosted by Corden, will air on CBS Sunday, June 9, 8-11 pm ET/delayed PT) live from New York’s Radio City Music Hall. The Tony Awards are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing.

Karen Olivo, Aaron Tveit and Danny Burstein will co-host the pre-telecast Creative Arts Awards. Hosting red carpet coverage will be Hamilton‘s Montego Glover and ET Live’s Denny Directo, beginning at 5 pm ET on Twitter at @CBS and on ET Live at ETonline.com/live.

Hayden Panettiere's BF Charged with Felony Domestic Violence

The L.A. County District Attorney's Office has charged Hayden's BF, Brian Hickerson, with 1 count of felony domestic violence. If he's convicted, Brian faces up to 4 years in prison.

TMZ broke the story ... Brian was arrested earlier this month after an argument with Hayden allegedly turned physical. As we told you ... the couple had been out drinking before an argument ensued at their pad. Law enforcement sources initially said the injuries were marks and redness, but we're now told the injuries were far more serious.

Hickerson appeared in court this morning and pled not guilty to the charge. His bail was set at $50k. The judge also issued a protective order that prohibits Hickerson from being 100 yards near Panettiere or contacting her. He'll be back in court next month.

Cops arrested Brian almost immediately after the altercation after determining he started the fight. Hayden and Brian have been dating since last summer.

Grey's Anatomy Promotes 3 Actors to Series Regular Ahead of Season 16

“Chris, Jake, and Greg have been recurring for us as guest stars and have popped as fan favorites,” Grey’s Anatomy showrunner Krista Vernoff said in a statement. “We are excited to continue revealing their characters and we are beyond thrilled to welcome them to the Grey’s Anatomy family.”

Germann and Borelli joined Grey’s last season as Dr. Thomas Koracick and Levi Schmitt, respectively, while Carmack — who play Dr. Atticus Lincoln (aka “Link”) — joined the series this season.

Splitting Up Together Cancelled at ABC

The often swoon-worthy series from Emily Kapnek (Suburgatory) starred Jenna Fischer and Oliver Hudson as parents of three whose divorce gave them a new perspective on their marriage. In April’s Season 2 finale, the couple moved into their garage apartment Lisa Apple, the woman Martin dated while he and Lena were apart, and the ex-lovers’ baby girl, Annie.

Charming as the show was, it struggled in the Nielsens. Splitting Up was ABC’s third-lowest-rated comedy of the season, averaging just 0.66 in the demo. (Only Fresh Off the Boat and Speechless fared worse.)

Nashville Vet's Netflix Role

The series, set to debut in 2020, centers on a tight-knit group of North Carolina teens who embark on a mission to find their ringleader’s missing father. In the process, they stumble across a treasure map that unearths a long-buried secret. Esten will play Ward Cameron, a wealthy, self-made businessman who exudes a casual authority. He also is father to Sarah (The Originals‘ Madelyn Cline) and Rafe (Love, Simon‘s Drew Starkey).

Esten wrapped up his role as country singer Deacon on ABC/CMT’s Nashville last year after six seasons. His other TV roles include Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Enlightened, Big Love and The Office.

Hayden Panettiere’s boyfriend arrested for domestic violence: Report

Sources tell TMZ the former Nashville star had enjoyed a date night in Hollywood with Brian Hickerson on Wednesday, before heading back to their home, but they soon became engaged in a heated argument, which appeared to turn physical.

Police were called to the property in the early hours of Thursday, when they questioned both Panettiere and Hickerson.

Insiders claim officers noticed redness and marks on the actress’ body, and placed Hickerson in handcuffs.

The realtor and aspiring actor was taken to a local police station, where he was booked for felony domestic violence.

Hickerson was released hours later after posting $50,000 bond.

The news emerges seven months after Panettiere’s man was involved in a domestic dispute with his father, David, during the couple’s visit to his native South Carolina in late October.

Reports at the time suggested cops had been called to investigate a claim of assault and battery at the family’s Greenville property, where his dad was noted to have severe bruising and bleeding on his face.

However, David played down the clash by insisting he had just fallen.

Representatives for Panettiere have yet to comment on Thursday’s arrest.

She has been linked to Hickerson since last August, shortly after her split from her fiance Wladimir Klitschko was made public.

Hayden and the now-retired Ukrainian boxer had been dating since 2009, and became engaged in 2013, a year before welcoming their daughter Kaya.

Robert Wisdom on The Fix 5/6/19

“The Fix” stars Robin Tunney as Maya Travis, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Severen “Sevvy” Johnson, Scott Cohen as Ezra Wolf, Adam Rayner as Matthew Collier, Merrin Dungey as CJ Emerson, Breckin Meyer as Alan Wiest, Marc Blucas as River “Riv” Allgood, Mouzam Makkar as Loni Kampoor and Alex Saxon as Gabe Johnson.

Guest starring is Cranston Johnson as Detective James Meloy, Robbie Jones as Detective North, Skye P. Marshall as Angela Ashley, Erik Palladino as Leo Foster, Rich Ting as Nemo, KJ Smith as Charlie, David Rees Snell as Detective Michael Reed and Robert Ray Wisdom as Buck Neal.

“Queen for a Day” was written by Brook Sitgraves Turner and directed by Michael Katleman.

Robert Wisdom on The Fix 4/29/19

“The Fix” stars Robin Tunney as Maya Travis, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Severen “Sevvy” Johnson, Scott Cohen as Ezra Wolf, Adam Rayner as Matthew Collier, Merrin Dungey as CJ Emerson, Breckin Meyer as Alan Wiest, Marc Blucas as River “Riv” Allgood, Mouzam Makkar as Loni Kampoor and Alex Saxon as Gabe Johnson.

Guest starring is Cranston Johnson as Detective James Meloy, Robbie Jones as Detective Vincent North, Skye P. Marshall as Angela Ashley, Erik Palladino as Leo Foster, Molly C. Quinn as Lindsay Meyer, Taylor Kalupa as Jessica Meyer, KJ Smith as Charlie and Robert Ray Wisdom as Buck Neal.

“Ghost Whisperer” was written by Catherine LePard and directed by Randy Zisk.

Mark Wahlberg, Connie Britton, Reid Miller Topline ‘Good Joe Bell’

Mark Wahlberg is producing the film alongside Jake Gyllenhaal and Riva Marker, via their Nine Stories banner, Cary Fukunaga of Parliament Of Owls, Daniela Taplin Lundberg of Stay Gold, Eva Maria Daniels of Vision Chaos, Ryan Ahrens of Argent Pictures, and Stephen Levinson.

Argent and Hercules Film Fund and are co-financing the film, which will begin filming next week in Utah.

Ossana and McMurtry will serve as executive producers with Argent’s Jill Ahrens, Ben Renzo, Tony Parker, Derick Brooks, Michael Finley, and Drew Brees as well as Paris Kassidokostas-Latsis, Terry Dougas, and Jean-Luc De Fanti on behalf of Hercules Film Fund and Rhea Films.

Endeavor Content is handling worldwide sales.

Laura Benanti Joins ‘What Is Life Worth’ With Michael Keaton & Stanley Tucci

The Black List script from Max Borenstein is based on Kenneth Feinberg’s memoir. Feinberg, a powerful DC insider lawyer, was put in charge of the 9/11 Fund. In almost three years of pro bono work on the case, he fought off the cynicism, bureaucracy and politics associated with administering government funds to victims’ families — and in doing so, discovered what life is worth.

Benanti will play Karen Abate, the widow of a New York City firefighter who died in 9/11 and turns up at Feinberg’s office with her three kids to tell him her story.

The Tony Award winner is currently starring on Broadway as Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady and plays recurring character Quinn on TVLand’s Younger.

Benanti’s other lauded stage credits include Meteor Shower, She Loves Me, Gypsy, Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown, Into The Woods,The Wedding Singer and Nine.

Her other TV credits include recurring and guest appearances on The Detour, Supergirl, Law & Order: SVU, Nashville, The Good Wife, Elementary, Nurse Jackie, The Big C and as First Lady Melania Trump on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. She is repped by UTA.

Shunori Ramanathan and Victor Slezak also recently joined What Is Life Worth. Spotlight’s Michael Sugar is producing alongside MadRiver Pictures’ Marc Butan, Sean Sorensen, Borenstein, Bard Dorros and Keaton. Kim Fox will exec produce along with Riverstone’s Nik Bower and Deepak Nayar. Riverstone and Ingenious are financing, with Peter Touche and Andrea Scarso executive producing. IMR International is handling worldwide sales; UTA and ICM Partners are on domestic.

Robert Wisdom on The Fix 4/22/19

“The Fix” stars Robin Tunney as Maya Travis, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Severen “Sevvy” Johnson, Scott Cohen as Ezra Wolf, Adam Rayner as Matthew Collier, Merrin Dungey as CJ Emerson, Breckin Meyer as Alan Wiest, Marc Blucas as River “Riv” Allgood, Mouzam Makkar as Loni Kampoor and Alex Saxon as Gabe Johnson.

Guest starring is Derek Fisher as Vick Marshall, Molly C. Quinn as Lindsay Meyer, Robin Givens as Julianne Johnson, Robbie Jones as Detective Vincent North, Skye P. Marshall as Angela Ashley, Erik Palladino as Leo Foster, Freda Foh Shen as Judge Sandra Song, Mitchell Edwards as Severen Johnson Jr., KJ Smith as Charlie and Robert Ray Wisdom as Buck Neal.

“The Fugitive” was written by Denise Hahn and directed by Stacey K. Black.

Will Chase on Madam Secretary 4/21/19

GUEST CAST includes: Tracee Chimo Pallero (Nina Cummings), Will Chase (Senator Owen Callister), Yasen Peyankov (Russian Foreign Minister Konstantin Avdonin).

Robert Wisdom on The Fix 4/15/19

“The Fix” stars Robin Tunney as Maya Travis, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Severen “Sevvy” Johnson, Scott Cohen as Ezra Wolf, Adam Rayner as Matthew Collier, Merrin Dungey as CJ Emerson, Breckin Meyer as Alan Wiest, Marc Blucas as River “Riv” Allgood, Mouzam Makkar as Loni Kampoor and Alex Saxon as Gabe Johnson.

Guest starring is Lynn Collins as Dr. Carys Daly, Chasten Harmon as Star Johnson, Robbie Jones as Detective Vincent North, Erik Palladino as Leo Foster, KJ Smith as Charlie and Robert Ray Wisdom as Buck Neal.

“Lie to Me” was written by Ola Shokunbi and directed by Wendey Stanzler.

Bo Burnham To Star Opposite Carey Mulligan In ‘Promising Young Woman’; Alison Brie, Adam Brody, Connie Britton + More

Margot Robbie is attached to produce the project via her LuckyChap Entertainment banner.

Mulligan stars as Cassie, who everyone said was a promising young woman until a tragic event abruptly derailed her future. Now she’s a medical school drop-out, living at home with her worried parents and working at a coffee shop with a concerned boss (Cox). It seems like she is at a standstill, except for the double life Cassie leads at night.

Fennell is also producing the pic with FilmNation’s Ben Browning and LuckyChap’s Robbie, Josey McNamara, and Tom Ackerley. FilmNation’s Ashley Fox is the executive producer, with Fiona Walsh Heinz co-producing. Focus Features and Universal Pictures International will distribute the film worldwide.

Will Chase on Madam Secretary 4/14/19

GUEST CAST includes: Skipp Sudduth (Peter Harriman), Will Chase (Senator Owen Callister)

Steve Kazee to Play Rachel Bilson's Groom in Fox Pilot

Described as a “structurally inventive dramedy,” Lovestruck will set its entire first season during the course of a single night at a wedding. As we get to know the wedding party, per the official logline, “we’ll learn surprising reveals about both their present and past. We’ll see that things aren’t always what they seem and explore the complicated bonds of love, friendship and family at different stages of life.”

Kazee will play Alex Fletcher, the groom to Bilson’s bride, Daisy. Alex is a charming, caring and earnest music journalist who has a way with words. The actor joins a cast that also includes Kathleen Turner, Andie MacDowell, Richard Roxburgh (Rake), Madeline Wise (Crashing) and Usman Ally (A Series of Unfortunate Events).

Lovestruck hails from creator Tom Kapinos (Californication, White Famous), who also will pen the script. Sanaa Hamri (Empire) will direct the pilot, which is inspired by the French series Quadras. (To see all of the pilots currently in contention at Fox, check out our handy 2019 pilot guide.)

In addition to his work on Shameless, Kazee’s TV credits include Blindspot, Nashville and Legends.

Robert Wisdom on The Fix 4/1/19

“The Fix” stars Robin Tunney as Maya Travis, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Severen “Sevvy” Johnson, Scott Cohen as Ezra Wolf, Adam Rayner as Matthew Collier, Merrin Dungey as CJ Emerson, Breckin Meyer as Alan Wiest, Marc Blucas as River “Riv” Allgood, Mouzam Makkar as Loni Kampoor and Alex Saxon as Gabe Johnson.

Guest starring is Robin Givens as Julianne Johnson, Daniella Alonso as Effy, Vannessa Vasquez as Dia Briseño, Angela Lin as Laura Wu, KJ Smith as Charlie, Lynn Collins as Dr. Carys Daly, Daniel Buran as Pockmark and Robert Wisdom as Buck Neal.

“The Wire” was written by Jerome Schwartz and Denise Hahn, and directed by Steve Robin.

Robert Ray Wisdom on The Fix 3/25/18

“The Fix” stars Robin Tunney as Maya Travis, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Severen “Sevvy” Johnson, Scott Cohen as Ezra Wolf, Adam Rayner as Matthew Collier, Merrin Dungey as CJ Emerson, Breckin Meyer as Alan Wiest, Marc Blucas as River “Riv” Allgood, Mouzam Makkar as Loni Kampoor and Alex Saxon as Gabe Johnson.

Guest starring is Michael Gladis as Ben Mitchell, Chasten Harmon as Star Johnson, Robbie Jones as Detective Vincent North, Vannessa Vasquez as Dia Briseño, Abraham Lim as Ares Ahn, Edward Zo as Max Shen and Robert Ray Wisdom as Buck Neal.

“Revenge” was written by Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain, and directed by Michael Katleman.

Will Chase on Madam Secretary 3/31/19

GUEST CAST includes: Tracee Chimo Pallero (Nina Cummings), Skipp Sudduth (Peter Harriman), Will Chase (Owen Callister)

‘Nashville’ Begins Road To Broadway: Lionsgate Announces Stage Musical

Delman, president of Blue Spruce Productions and a producer or co-producer of Book of Mormon, Hello, Dolly!, Fun Home, Mean Girls, among many others, will serve as lead producer of the planned Nashville musical. He acquired the theatrical rights from Lionsgate and ABC Studios, co-producers and distributors of the TV series.

The announcement was made today by Lionsgate and Delman. Additional details including production dates and creative team will be announced later.

Though various Lionsgate films and series have been adapted for concert-style stage productions (La La Land in Concert, The Hunger Games in Concert, Dirty Dancing–The Classic Story on Stage, Now You See Me Live), the Nashville project would mark the studio’s first Broadway production. In it’s announcement today, the studio indicated other stage productions based on Lionsgate film and TV properties could follow.

Delman, whose Broadway credits have garnered 10 Tony Awards, said in a statement, “Nashville, with its complex, relatable characters and sweeping emotional gestures, has all of the narrative elements that I look for in great theatrical source material. From that rich DNA, we will be building an original story with entirely original music, written by major Nashville and Broadway songwriters.”

The producer said the show would “deliver Broadway’s first score of true contemporary country music – a genre that has exploded with mainstream audiences in recent years. Lionsgate has a treasure-trove of sterling IP, and I’m honored to be a part of this new phase of their live entertainment division.”

Jenefer Brown, Lionsgate SVP, Global Live & Location Based Entertainment, said in a statement that the Nashville project “kicks off an exciting slate of iconic Lionsgate properties that we will be bringing to a variety of platforms, transforming them into events that will expand the viewing experience for their fans and take our already successful live entertainment business to the next level.”

Created by Callie Khouri, Nashville debuted on ABC in 2012 with a cast that included Connie Britton, Hayden Panettiere, Eric Close and Charles Esten. Though the series, set in the title city and tracking the personal and professional ups and downs of stars and non-stars of the country music firmament, developed a fiercely loyal fanbase, slipping ratings prompted the network to cancel the series after four seasons.

In 2016, Lionsgate announced that Nashville would move to the country-focused CMT, with streaming rights going to Hulu. The series continued for another two seasons.

Numerous Nashville soundtrack and compilation CDs and digital downloads were released from 2012 through last year, and several national and international concert tours from 2014 to 2016 featured stars of the show including Esten, Clare Bowen, Chris Carmack, Will Chase, Jonathan Jackson and Aubrey Peeples.

The Flash: Kimberly Williams-Paisley to Play Sherloque's Ex-Wife

TVLine has learned that Williams-Paisley will play “multiple versions” of Renee Adler, one of Earth-221 detective Sherloque Wells’ many ex-wives.

Interestingly (at least to me), this is far from the first time Williams-Paisley and The Flash‘s Tom Cavanagh have worked opposite each other. The two costarred in the 2006 film How to Eat Fried Worms (photo at right), and as of late Cavanagh has played ADA Miles Strasburg to Williams-Paisley’s legal eagle Claire Darrow in Hallmark Movies & Mysteries’ Darrow & Darrow franchise (photo here).

The actress’ previous TV credits also include According to Jim, Two and a Half Men, Nashville, Relativity and Netflix’s recent holiday movie, The Christmas Chronicles.

Elsewhere in The Flash‘s next episode, titled “Goldfaced”: Barry and Ralph go undercover as criminals to purchase a device that could help them stop Cicada, while Iris ends up in a dangerous situation as she investigates a lead on Cicada’s whereabouts.

Final Draft Awards: Callie Khouri, Boots Riley, Tanya Saracho To Be Honored

Khouri will be presented the Hall of Fame Award for her contribution to the art of screenwriting and devotion to writers and the writing community. Her movie credits also include Something to Talk About starring Julia Roberts and Dennis Quaid, and she also created Nashville, which ran for six seasons on ABC and CMT.

Previous Final Draft hall of famers include Aaron Sorkin, Nancy Meyers, Lawrence Kasdan, Paul Schrader, Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, Steven Zaillian, Robert Towne, Oliver Stone and Sydney Pollack.

Riley, who wrote and directed his feature film debut Sorry to Bother You which debuted last year at Sundance, will receive the New Voice Award for Film. Saracho, who saw Vida renewed for a second season at Starz, will receive the New Voice Award for Television.

Final Draft, the screenwriting software company, will hold its awards ceremony January 29 at the Paramount Theatre on the Paramount lot, where it will also announce winners of its 2018 Big Break Screenwriting Contest.

MGM Aretha Franklin Biopic Sets Liesl Tommy To Direct Jennifer Hudson; Callie Khouri Scripting ‘Respect’

Tradecraft’s Scott Bernstein is producing with Harvey Mason, Jr., latter a Grammy Award nominated music producer who has written and produced songs for both Franklin and Hudson. Glickman and Adam Rosenberg oversee for the studio.

Tommy got six Tony noms for Eclipsed, including Best Director. Her work includes a 2012 production of Hamlet at California Shakespeare Theatre and Les Misérables. She is also on board to direct Born A Crime, based on Trevor Noah’s autobiography, starring Lupita Nyong’o for Paramount Players. In addition to developing and directing Frozen Live, the multi-media theatrical extravaganza adaptation of the Disney film for the Hyperion Theater in Disneyland, Tommy has also directed episodes of AMC’s Walking Dead, HBO’s Insecure and OWN’s Queen Sugar created by Ava DuVernay.

Respect tracks Franklin’s coming of age to icon status, with 20 No. 1 R&B hits, 18 Grammy Awards en route to becoming the first female to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Said Tommy: “The story of Aretha Franklin’s journey from child prodigy in Detroit to international supernova is rife with struggle and triumph, making her life one of the great American stories of all time. As a filmmaker there is no greater gift than to be able to bring this transcendent chronicle of a woman’s fight for self-realization to visual life with the enormous talents of the soulful Jennifer Hudson, Callie Khouri, and our incredible producers.”

“It is an absolute honor to be a part of bringing Ms. Franklin’s story to audiences who adore her around the world. She is one of the most iconic and talented artists of all time and what a dream come true it is to portray her extraordinary life on screen. I could not be more excited to be working alongside Liesl Tommy, a brilliant and thoughtful director, who is no doubt the perfect choice to lead the film,” said Hudson.

Tommy is represented by WME, MGMT Entertainment and Schreck Rose Dapello; Khouri is UTA; Hudson CAA. Tradecraft is represented by UTA and Eric Sherman at Ziffren.

Critics’ Choice Awards Nominations

BEST ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Amy Adams – Sharp Objects (HBO)
Patricia Arquette – Escape at Dannemora (Showtime)
Connie Britton – Dirty John (Bravo)
Carrie Coon – The Sinner (USA Network)
Laura Dern – The Tale (HBO)
Anna Deavere Smith – Notes From the Field (HBO)

Golden Globes Nominations

Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Amy Adams, Sharp Objects
Patricia Arquette, Escape at Dannemora
Connie Britton, Dirty John
Laura Dern, The Tale
Regina King, Seven Seconds

Splitting Up Together, Kids Are Alright Get Full-Season Orders at ABC

Inspired by executive producer Tim Doyle’s childhood, The Kids Are Alright follows a large Irish Catholic family navigating the trials and tribulations of life in 1970s Los Angeles. The show stars Michael Cudlitz (The Walking Dead) and Mary McCormack (In Plain Sight), as well as Sam Straley, Caleb Foote, Sawyer Barth, Christopher Paul Richards, Jack Gore, Andy Walken and Santino Barnard.

Meanwhile, Splitting Up Together stars Jenna Fischer (The Office) and Oliver Hudson (Scream Queens) as newly divorced parents attempting to cohabitate for the good of their three children. Additional cast members include Bobby Lee, Diane Farr, Lindsay Price, Olivia Keville, Van Crosby and Sander Thomas. The show is executive-produced by Ellen DeGeneres, Emily Kapnek (Suburgatory), Jeff Kleeman (Little Big Shots) and Dean Holland (Parks and Recreation).

These two join previously announced full-season orders for freshman comedy Single Parents, Nathan Fillion’s The Rookie, tearjerker A Million Little Things and Grey’s Anatomy spinoff Station 19.

Julianne Hough, Kimberly Williams-Paisley & Dallas Roberts Cast In ‘Jolene’ Episode Of Dolly Parton’s Netflix Anthology Series

Based on Parton’s Grammy-winning classic, the “Jolene” episode, filmed in Atlanta, tells the story of an unexpected friendship between two very different women who find themselves part of the iconic love triangle, ultimately impacting each other’s lives in profound ways.

Hough will play Jolene, a flirtatious free-spirit with aspirations of escaping her small hometown of Coventry, GA to follow her dreams of becoming a successful singer-songwriter.

Parton will play Babe, a sparkly force of nature and the proud proprietor of Baby Blue’s, a local honky tonk with a notorious reputation for its scantily-clad waitresses and eclectic crowd. Babe plays mother hen to all her waitresses, but none are closer to her than Jolene.

Williams-Paisley will portray Emily, a devoted wife and mother who starts a new chapter of her life as the president of the Coventry’s Women’s League. In her search for personal fulfillment and purpose, she’s pulled into Jolene’s orbit.

Roberts will play Aaron, a loving husband and father wrestling with the marathon of marriage as well as the imminent threat of a mid-life crisis.

Scored by new and classic Parton music, each stand-alone episode in Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings will begin with an introduction by Parton talking/singing to camera (as herself) about the meaning behind each song. Each episode will feature a different cast and Parton will star/guest star in some stories.

The series is produced by Magnolia Hill Productions and Sandollar Productions in association with Warner Bros Television where Magnolia Hill has a deal. Patrick Sean Smith executive produces and serves as showrunner. Longtime collaborators Parton and Sam Haskell also executive produce.

Under a similar deal at NBC, Parton and Haskell produced the movie Coat Of Many Colors, based on Parton’s song, which was watched by almost 16 million viewers, and its sequel, Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love. They aired as holiday specials in 2015 and 2016, respectively.

Released 45 years ago, Jolene is one of Parton’s signature songs. It has remained relevant as it’s embraced by a new generation of singers and fans through Parton’s collaborations with her goddaughter Miley Cyrus and, most recently, Pentatonix. Additionally, Cyrus’ interpretation of the song has nabbed 160 million viewers on YouTube alone.

Known for her roles in Grease: Live!, Footloose, Safe Haven and as a two-time professional champion and judge on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, Hough most recently appeared as female fitness pioneer Betty Weider in George Gallo’s feature Bigger. She’s repped by WME and Untitled Entertainment.

Williams-Paisley played Peggy Kenter on Nashville. Her other TV credits include a starring role on According to Jim, a recurring on Two and A Half Men and a guest role on Royal Pains.

Roberts is known for his role as Owen Cavanaugh on The Good Wife. He most recently starred as Bob Armstrong on Insatiable and guest-starred on FBI.

Netflix Christmas movies

Will Chase on Madam Secretary 10/28/18

GUEST CAST includes: Sandra Daley (Adele Steele), Joel De La Fuente (President Datu Andrada), Will Chase (Owen Callister)

“DIRTY JOHN” STARRING CONNIE BRITTON AND ERIC BANA PREMIERES SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25 AT 10PM ET/PT

For a look at the trailer, visit: https://www.bravotv.com/dirty-john/season-1/videos/watch-the-official-dirty-john-trailer

Debra Newell has a seemingly perfect life: she’s successful, beautiful and lives in one of California’s most desirable coastal cities, Newport Beach. The only thing missing is love. So when she finally meets charming and handsome doctor John Meehan, she’s quickly swept into a whirlwind romance, much to the dismay of her daughters Terra (Julia Garner) and Veronica (Juno Temple). Their fast-tracked relationship creates tension between Debra and the girls, leaving them no choice but to investigate the stranger who has swept their mother off her feet. And with a fraught family history, the backstory of Debra and her mother Arlane (Jean Smart) provides insight into why she may have been so vulnerable to John in the first place. As Debra gets drawn deeper into his lies and sinister game of psychological manipulation, it results in horrific consequences for an entire family.

The anthology series, “Dirty John,” received a two season, straight to series order from Bravo Media. The second season will be a based on an all-new story. Cunningham and Reiner both serve as executive producers along with Richard Suckle and Charles Roven for Atlas Entertainment; Mark Herzog, Christopher G. Cowen and Chris Argentieri for Los Angeles Times Studios; and series stars Connie Britton and Eric Bana.

Early next year, sister network Oxygen Media will air a companion documentary “Dirty John, The Dirty Truth” produced by Herzog & Co and Los Angeles Times Studios. The special delves into the life of John Meehan through the eyes of the real people he deceived and traces his trail of deceit that started long before he met Debra Newell.

For more information on the show, please visit: Bravotv.com/dirty-john. Fans can check out the official Facebook page @DirtyJohnBravo, Instagram handle at @DirtyJohnBravo and join the conversation on Twitter @BravoTV using the hashtag #DirtyJohn.

Lifetime Greenlights ‘Victoria Gotti: My Father’s Daughter’ And ‘Death Of A Cheerleader’ Remake

Lifetime said today it has greenlit two movies for 2019 to add to the network’s collection of originals. The first is Victoria Gotti: My Father’s Daughter, which will be executive produced, narrated, and co-written by the real-life Victoria Gotti. The second is a remake of Death of a Cheerleader, the cult hit that< originally starred Kellie Martin, who will be back for the new iteration.

Victoria Gotti takes us deep into the world of what it was like to grow up as the daughter of mob boss John Gotti, revealing the glamour, glitz and unique hardships of her world. Chelsea Frei will play the titular Victoria as she shares never-before-revealed stories about her life, from being a sensitive child growing up with her father (Maurice Benard), the tragedy of her younger brother’s death, and her relationship with a the man who would become her husband — a relationship her father did not approve of.

Victoria Gotti: My Father’s Daughter is produced by Relevé Entertainment for Lifetime with Victoria Gotti. Jennifer Wachtell (The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks) and Holly Carter (Home is Where You Find It) will serve as executive producers. Catherine Cyran (The Prince & Me) directed the script co-written by Gotti and David Schneiderman (Chasing Liberty). The film is based on Gotti’s book This Family of Mine: What It Was Like Growing Up Gotti. Victoria Gotti will appear on camera narrating her story.

Inspired by Randall Sullivan’s Rolling Stone article about the real-life murder of a popular, affluent and beautiful Northern California high school cheerleader at the hand of a classmate, Death of a Cheerleader stars Aubrey Peeples as Bridget Moretti, a shy outsider from a lower middle-class background who aspires to be beautiful, popular and perfect in everything. She believes that her key to all of this would be the rich and popular Kelly Locke (Sarah Dugdale), who is the leader of the school’s most prestigious clique. When Bridget tries to develop a friendship with Kelly, things don’t go as planned as she gets rejected. It leaves her humiliated and fuels a jealous rage that will lead to murder.

Martin starred alongside Tori Spelling in the original, and returns to play the FBI agent who cracks the case.

Death of a Cheerleader is produced by Just Singer Entertainment and Reunion Pacific Entertainment. Executive producers are Matthew O’Connor, Paddy Bickerton, Steve White and Sheri Singer. Paul Shapiro directs the script written by Caitlin D. Fryers.

Frei is repped by Paradigm Talent Agency.

‘Panic’: Ray Nicholson, Will Chase & Kevin Alves Join Amazon YA Pilot As Series Regulars

Written and created by Oliver, Panic centers on a forgotten rural town where every year the graduating seniors risk their lives in an illegal, high-stakes game to win life-changing money–and a chance to escape. Anonymous judges force the players through a series of challenges that will compel them to confront their deepest fears – and upend their ideas of who they are, who to trust, and who they might become. This year, 47 players — three of them played by Olivia Welch, Mike Faist and Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut — will compete for the biggest pot ever. All of them will be changed. Only one will win.

Nicholson will play Ray Hanrahan. Big, good-looking and dangerous, Ray is the only kid you’d expect to succeed in a town like Carp: a high school apex predator. He has a long memory and a short fuse. Nicholson, whose credits include The Outsider and the upcoming Now Is Everything, is the son of Jack Nicholson.

Chase is Sheriff Kean, a man with an intimidating presence who keeps the local kids on edge. He lost his son to the competition and is hellbent on putting an end to the game for good. Chase played Luke Wheeler on Nashville and recently recurred on Stranger Things and Sharp Objects. Next up is a recurring role on NBC’s midseason drama The Village. He is repped by manager Anthony Calamita and Jackoway Austen.

Alves is set as Bishop. Messy and kind of cute with a big heart, he is the best friend of Heather (Welch). Bishop has more of a chance than anyone to escape Carp but appreciates where he’s at in life at the moment — especially now that he’s done with high school forever. He would support Heather and Natalie (Chestnut) no matter what but is very worried when both join the competition, Akves, who recently recurred as Bat on Shadowhunters and guested on Chicago Fire and Saving Hope, is repped by Connekt Creative Agency and D2 Management.

Palladio Joins Catherine the Great

The HBO limited series does not yet have a premiere date.

Grey's Anatomy EP Krista Vernoff Says Not to Judge Chris Carmack's Hot Doc by His Cover: 'He Defies Expectations

“He’s the first ortho god that we’ve had [at Grey Sloan] since Callie, who was an ortho goddess in my mind,” the EP says. Formerly the team surgeon for the Seattle Mariners, Link “brings the confidence of that. And Chris brings his own sense of humor to the set, and that has been really joyful to explore.”

What’s more, Link — whose as-yet-undisclosed full name is a punchline all its own — isn’t likely to remind viewers of a younger Alex or an older DeLuca. “He’s got a different energy than any of the other men in our cast,” Vernoff teases. “It’s fun and funny. And when you look like that, men are maybe disinclined to like you off the bat, but Link is so likable that he defies expectations.”

Robert Wisdom Joins ‘The Fix’

Jonathan Jackson offers his Emmy Award to Mount Athos Monastery

During his five day visit, Jackson spent most of his time at the Vatopedi Monastery in the Monks Republic Mount Athos to honour the Dormition of the Virgin Mary but also visited the Xenophontos and Simonopetra Monasteries.

Jackson, who attended all services with his son, is overwhelmed by the life of Athonite monks. He has characterized Archimandrite Ephraim, Abbot of Vatopedi Monastery, as “a man filled with the love of Christ”. Jackson has been in close contact with the Vatopedi Monastery ever since he was baptized Greek Orthodox in 2012. In an interview given to Greek journalist, Jackson stated that he has read much about the Holy Mountain and dreamt of visiting Mount Athos and seeing the holy place where people for more than 1000 years are praying for mankind.

As a pilgrimage to Mount Athos, Jackson offered his Emmy Award he received in 2012 to Metropolitan Bishop Atlantas Alexios and received the blessing by Abbot Efraim. “This symbolic gesture deeply touched the holy father,” stated vimaorthodoxias.gr.

In the same year and during his acceptance speech for his Emmy Award, he thanked the Holy Trinity as well as the monks of Mount Athos.

Jackson later explained in an interview, “These people (are) dedicating their lives to prayer, and not just praying for themselves, but truly praying for all of us. And then the thought kind of crossed my mind: with all the destruction, chaos and insanity that goes on in this world, if their prayers weren’t happening, what would this world be like? I felt personally like I just wanted to thank them because I really believe that their prayers mean a lot.”

Skai.gr reported that Jackson is planning a film about Elder Joseph the Hesychast, (1897-1959) a monk of Mount Athos acclaimed to be the spiritual father of Elders Ephrem of Philotheou, Joseph of Vatopedi, Charalampus of Dionysiou and others, who are directly credited for revitalising six of the twenty monasteries on Mount Athos. The film location is to take place on Mount Athos and on the island of Paros where the Elder was born.

Jackson’s well-known character was ‘Lucky Spencer’ on the ABC Daytime soap opera General Hospital, a role that has won him five Emmy Awards.

American Horror Story: Connie Britton, Dylan McDermott Back for Season 8

Britton and McDermott starred in Horror Story’s first season as married couple Vivien and Ben Harmon, who moved into the haunted home that gave Season 1 its name. It’s not yet confirmed that the actors will be reprising those specific roles, but it seems likely, given that Season 8 — titled American Horror Story: Apocalypse — will merge the worlds of Murder House and Coven (Season 3).

Cody Fern (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story) will also appear in Apocalypse as a grown-up version of evil Murder House baby Michael Langdon.

Series co-creator Ryan Murphy recently shared a photo from the Season 8 set, which reunited Coven stars Sarah Paulson, Lily Rabe, Emma Roberts, Frances Conroy, Gabourey Sidibe, Taissa Farmiga and Stevie Nicks.

Also set to appear in Apocalypse, described as a nightmarish tale that “begins with the end of the world”: AHS alumni Kathy Bates, Billie Lourd, Leslie Grossman, Adina Porter, Evan Peters, Billy Eichner, Cheyenne Jackson and Jessica Lange.

American Horror Story: Apocalypse premieres Wednesday, Sept. 12, at 10/9c on FX.

Laura Benanti To Replace Apple-Bound Lauren Ambrose In Broadway’s ‘My Fair Lady’

Ambrose’s final My Fair Lady performance will be Sunday, Oct. 21. Benanti, who won the 2008 best featured actress Tony for her role opposite Patti LuPone in Gypsy, will begin My Fair Lady on Tuesday, Oct. 23.

Benanti’s limited engagement in My Fair Lady, directed by Bartlett Sher, is scheduled through Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019, at the Vivian Beaumont Theater.

“Eliza Doolittle has been my dream role for as long as I can remember,” Benanti said, “so I couldn’t be more excited to join this brilliant company. Working with Bart and getting to be part of this show is a dream come true.”

Benanti joins a cast of 37 headed by Harry Hadden-Paton, Norbert Leo Butz, Rosemary Harris, Allan Corduner, Jordan Donica, Linda Mugleston, and Clarke Thorell.

Kerstin Anderson will play the role of Eliza Doolittle at all Tuesday evening performances beginning October 30.

Lincoln Center Theater is producing Lerner & Loewe’s My Fair Lady in association with Nederlander Presentations.

Oliver Hudson, Eva Marcille on Match Game

Celebrity panelists for Sept. 6 include the following:
Mario Cantone (actor and comedian)
Sandra Bernhard (actress and comedienne; host, “Sandyland”)
Oliver Hudson (“Splitting Up Together”)
Caroline Rhea (actress, comedian and talk show host)
Adam Rodriguez (“Criminal Minds”; “Empire”; “Jane the Virgin”; “Magic Mike” films)
Eva Marcille (“The Real Housewives of Atlanta”)

Joining the celebrity panelists are contestants Kevin Arbouet (hometown: Oakland Gardens, New York), Jennifer Naso (hometown: Larchmont, New York), Victory Joseph (hometown: San Bruno, California) and Deborah Smith (hometown: Woodland Hills, California).

NBC Buys Music Drama From ‘Nashville’ Alums, Milo Ventimiglia & Craig Brewer

Written by Lavender and Ulin, the untitled project centers on gifted musician Madison, who fears her life in the music business is over after an epic breakdown on stage goes viral. With a new boldness she teams up with her musical prodigy sisters to form a band that might be more than what they bargained for. Thrust into a world that is far more cutthroat and challenging than they ever imagined, they try to balance their individual ambitions, dreams and secrets while trying to survive the roller coaster that is fame and success.

Lavender and Ulin executive produce with Ventimiglia and Cundiff via DiVide with Brewer, who also attached to direct.

Lavender and Ulin worked on soapy country music drama Nashville for its entire four-season run on ABC, rising to executive producers. Under their 20th TV deal, the duo also recently worked on Fox’s The Gifted. They are repped by CAA and attorney Todd Rubenstein at Barnes Morris.

Ventimiglia has earned two Emmy nominations for lead actor in a drama series for his portrayal of Jack on NBC/20th TV’s praised series This Is Us, which is going into its third season. He’s repped by WME, Management 360 and McKuin Frankel Whitehead.

Brewer is co-executive producer on Fox’s Empire. In features, he most recently co-wrote the screenplay for The Legend of Tarzan, which has grossed more than $356 million worldwide.

Hayden Panettiere and New Boyfriend Brian Hickerson Enjoy a Date Night at Movie Premiere

The Nashville star and her new boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, enjoyed a night out on the town when they went to the Los Angeles premiere for the film Breaking and Exiting. Hayden could hardly contain her joy on their date night, with a source telling E! News, "Hayden was non-stop glowing with excitement. She looked really happy in general, and her and Brian were very cute while sitting together."

Just two weeks ago, news broke of the actress' split from former boxer Wladimir Klitschko, after which she promptly started dating the aspiring actor. But an insider says, "She definitely was not trying to hide the fact that she has a new boyfriend, and it seemed like everyone in her group of friends got along with him as well."

That being said, the source added, "They were not over-the-top affectionate, but everyone could tell they were a couple."

During the screening of the movie, "Her and Brian were sitting with a group of friends in the back of the theatre and she was laughing, smiling together."

Afterwards, the duo and their friends headed over to HYDE Sunset for the film's after party. With Hickerson by her side, Panettiere chatted and posed for pictures with the movie's director, Peter Facinelli, before introducing her beau to other party attendees. The source said, "Hayden was very social and was in a great mood."

Her positive attitude following her breakup from her boyfriend of nine years is no surprise considering the fact that the 28-year-old and her ex split amicably. "Hayden and Wladimir are on great terms and friendly. They are a big part of each other's lives and will continue to be. Hayden is back in Los Angeles and figuring out what's next," a source previously told E! News.

Meanwhile, the insider says her 3-year-old daughter, Kaya, is staying "with her dad and his family in Europe and Florida. They also spend time together as a family with Hayden."

Hayden Panettiere selling home amid Wladimir split rumors

Located in the fancy Green Hills neighborhood, the house was built in 2012 and is relatively modest by celeb standards. Just under 5,000 square feet, it has four bedrooms and five bathrooms. What it lacks in grand spaces it makes up for with a show-stopping interior. Each room is uniquely styled — and could appear right at home on a Hollywood set or a Pinterest board.

According to a recent tour of the house provided by Panettiere, the dining room was designed with the motif of being underwater, topped with a light fixture that looks like a sea urchin. Another highlight is daughter Kaya’s paisley and pink room.

The house has the latest smart features, including iPad-controlled functions and Lutron lighting and audio. There’s also plenty of luxe amenities such as a heated pool and spa, sauna and fitness rooms.

Panettiere appears to be in a period of flux. Her show “Nashville” just aired its finale last month. She’s also rumored to be splitting with her fiance, Ukranian boxer Wladimir Klitschko, who’s Kaya’s father. E! recently reported a sighting of Panettiere with aspiring actor Brian Hickerson around Los Angeles.

“Think there are a lot of changes going on in her life. But I think they’re positive changes. And I think that she’s taking some time,” her mom, Lesley Vogel, told Radar, confirming Panettiere’s split from Klitschko.

Hayden Panettiere splits from boxer fiance

The Nashville actress’ mother Lesley Vogel confirmed the news in an exclusive interview with Radar.

“Think there are a lot of changes going on in her life. But I think they’re positive changes. And I think that she’s taking some time,” Vogel told Radar.

Vogel also said her daughter, 28, has been taking a “break” from working after her hit show Nashville recently ended after six years.

Amid the split and her show ending, Panettiere has relocated from Nashville to her native Los Angeles, Vogel confirmed.

Panettiere and boxer Klitschko, 42, are still on good terms, and recently took a trip together with their daughter Kaya, 3.

“She just was in Greece with Wlad and her daughter,” Vogel said.

Radar can confirm that fans spotted the former couple together in Greece on July 30.

The co-parents also vacationed together in Barbados earlier this year.

The exes started dating in 2009, and announced their engagement in 2013 — but never tied the knot.

He stood by her through two bouts of rehab for her battle with postpartum depression.

Fortunately, “I think she is in a very good place,” Vogel assured.

9-1-1 Season 2: No Current Plans for Connie Britton to Return

“We love Connie Britton, [but] it was always envisioned to be a one-year role,” Newman told reporters. “So it wasn’t a surprise [that she left]. If Connie expressed interest and had time in the future, I know [exec producer] Ryan [Murphy] would be thrilled to bring her back to the show.”

Britton’s exit was first announced last March when it was revealed that her 9-1-1 contract was only for one season. However, at the time, Murphy remained optimistic that the Nashville and Friday Night Lights vet might return on a guest-star basis.

“We’re in the process of renegotiating her deal so she can come in and do a couple of episodes to keep her character alive,” Murphy told us. “She really loves the cast and crew and she’s very hopeful that that can happen.”

Britton has since signed on to star opposite Eric Bana in the Bravo true-crime anthology Dirty John.

Grey's Anatomy Adds Chris Carmack as 'Ortho God' Ahead of Season 15

Carmack, who just wrapped a six-season run on the country-music series, will recur as an orthopedic surgeon who starts slicing and dicing at Grey Sloan Memorial in Season 15. Though we don’t yet know the character’s name or many details about his life, we can report that he’s known as an “ortho god” and therefore is probably pretty good at his job.

And, because Season 15 is the “Season of Love,” you can probably put good money on the notion that “ortho god” might also be positively divine outside the operating theater, too… like, say, in the bedroom?

In addition to playing Nashville‘s gay country star Will Lexington, Carmack’s TV résumé includes roles on The O.C., Desperate Housewives, Smallville and NCIS.

Carmack’s casting isn’t the only staffing change we’ll see at the hospital this season. As previously reported, Kim Raver will be a series regular when the ABC drama returns on Thursday, Sept. 27.

Nashville Series Finale: When Did Scarlett Meet Her Man? Why No 'Javery' Baby? And More Burning Qs Answered

In that spirit, we wanted to follow-up on our coverage of Nashville‘s series finale with some answers for those questions burning a hole in your rhinestone-studded heart. From the frustratingly long wait for an Avery/Juliette reunion to Deacon’s perpetually busted sink, we got the scoop straight from the show’s cast and Powers That Yeehaw.

Read on for some answers regarding:

WHY DID THE SHOW SAVE THE JULIETTE/AVERY REUNION UNTIL THE FINAL FEW MINUTES OF THE FINALE? | Avery and Juliette’s reconciliation this season was hindered onscreen by Ju’s involvement in a cult and offscreen by Hayden Panettiere’s absence in several episodes, but executive producer/co-showrunner Marshall Herskovitz says the Barnes/Barkley family’s story ultimately played out the way he wanted it to. With the caveat that Panettiere’s availability “was contractual and not for me to get into,” the EP says that it was basically time for Juliette to pull herself together: “We didn’t want to end the series with her still being this person whose life is out of control.”

Hence Ju’s journey through The Movement for Coherent Philosophy hell and her subsequent departure from the music biz, all of which prepped her for the romantic resolution fans wanted. “I was mainly just happy that there was a happy ending for them,” Jonathan Jackson tells TVLine, adding that “there were times throughout Season 6 where I didn’t really know” how it would pan out for Cadence’s perpetually stressed parents.

WHY INTRODUCE DEACON’S DAD SO LATE IN THE SERIES’ RUN? | “From the first day I came on the job, I wanted to bring Deacon’s father back,” Herskovitz says. He and co-showrunner Ed Zwick originally planned to bring Gideon into the story in Season 5, but eventually felt that there were too many storylines already in play. When it looked like the same situation would happen in Season 6, “finally we said, ‘We just have to do it.’ It’s too important a storyline, so we shoehorned it in.” He adds that he considers the decision a success. “I’m so grateful that we went for it, because to me, it brings the whole series together — the journey that [Deacon] goes on of forgiveness of himself and his father.”

HOW DID CLARE BOWEN’S REAL-LIFE HUSBAND WIND UP IN THE EPISODE? | The idea for an episode-ending time jump was courtesy of co-executive producer Jesse Zwick, “and within two minutes of him saying that, I said to myself, ‘Oh, well, we have to show Clare and Brandon,'” Herskovitz says. “They had just gotten married.” If musician Brandon Robert Young looks familiar, it’s because he showed up in the series’ third On the Record special. When we point out that the several month jump isn’t much time to meet someone, date and get engaged, Herskovitz good-naturedly tsks. “In the show, they’re not married yet!” he says, laughing.

WHY DIDN’T THE TIME JUMP SHOW JULIETTE AND AVERY’S BABY? | Mainly because the show played it a little fast and loose with exactly how many months had passed between scenes. “It had a lot to do with syncing up where all these people would be in their lives,” Herskovitz says. For instance, Maddie’s move to her own place probably happened weeks after, but Juliette is clearly in her third trimester when Avery comes out to the farm to stay; showing the baby after it was born would’ve stretched the timeline too far for the writers’ tastes.

WHAT HAPPENED TO DEACON AND JESSIE’S ROMANCE? | “To be really honest, what Ed and I have always done in our television work, going all the way back, was to be improvisational about stories and to see what happens,” says Herskovitz, who admits the EPs and writing staff “didn’t know what Jessie was going to be” at first and that the writing staff was divided on whether or not Deke and Jake’s mom should end up together. Despite adoring Kaitlin Doubleday (“We just think she’s a fantastic actress and a great person… She won our hearts.”), Herskovitz says that blackmailing Brad for custody of their son ultimately became Jessie’s main duty in the final season. Still, “I can’t say that there wasn’t a little bit of regret among a bunch of the writers that somehow we couldn’t figure out a way to have [Deacon and Jessie] beat that.”

WHEN WILL DEACON REALIZE THAT HE’S NOT A PLUMBER? | The sink in Deacon’s old house — where Scarlett resides — seemed to need a lot of fixing over the past few seasons, and Deke always took it upon himself to do so… which ultimately led to the fixture needing to be fixed again. “I think that’s part of his character, that stubbornness,” Charles Esten says, lapsing into character as he continues. “I think the answer would be, ‘Why am I going to hire a plumber? He’d just get down there and he won’t fix it, either. He’ll charge me and not fix it. I’ll have to wait and get another appointment. I’m a grown man. I got tools. Plus, I’ve got to get out of Highway 65. Those girls are driving me crazy. My dad’s driving me crazy. By the way, I’m smart enough as a songwriter to know this? Yeah, it’s a metaphor. I can’t fix that other stuff. I’m going to fix this godd–n sink.'” He laughs. “So there’s all that.”

‘Nashville’ Series Finale: Creator Callie Khouri On Emotional Ending, The Big Return & Possible Spinoff

It was payback time for the final season’s villain, the arrogant label owner Brad (Jeffrey Nordling). With help of Deacon (Charles Esten), Alannah (Rainee Lyleson), the object of Brad’s unwelcome sexual advances in the final season’s #metoo storyline, pulled off a sting operation, getting Brad’s harassment on tape. She, Deacon and Zach (Cameron Scoggins) then used the recording to blackmail Brad into selling his Shiny New Records to Deacon and Zach for a fraction of its value. And Jessie (Kaitlin Doubleday) got full custody of their son Jake.

Meanwhile, Juliette (Hayden Panettiere) sold her Nashville mansion to move to a farm outside the city with Candace, and Avery (Jonathan Jackson) finally found out that he would be a father again. Maddie (Lennon Stella) broke up with Twig while Daphne (Maisy Stella) did not win the singing competition but stayed true to herself, and her mentor Ilse (Ilse DeLange) offered Deacon to write songs together.

In a flash-forward a few months later at the end of the finale, Avery joins (now heavily pregnant) Juliette and Candace on the farm, his band with Gunnar (Sam Palladio) and Will (Chris Carmack) is successful, as is Alannah, Daphne signs with Highway 65, Zach and Will get back together, while Scarlett (Clare Bowen) is engaged (!) to a guy, played by Bowen’s real-life husband, Brandon Young.

In the most emotional part of the finale, Deacon has a flashback to his wedding night with Rayna, forgives his father (Ronnie Cox) and invites him on stage where the two are soon joined by the cast and crew of the show, including creator Callie Khouri who thanked the city of Nashville, ends the show with “And may we all have a life that’s good.”

In an interview with Deadline, Khouri, who directed the finale, talks about how Britton’s cameo came to be, who couldn’t make it to the big cast reunion in the final scene, what the future holds for all characters, and why Scarlett and Gunnar did not end up together. She also hints that she already has an idea for a Nashville spinoff series.

DEADLINE: Let’s start with the final scene featuring the show’s cast and crew. Are there any Nashville alumni that you couldn’t get? I didn’t see Oliver Hudson or Aubrey Peeples.

KHOURI: Yeah, Oliver was working, and Aubrey, who played Layla, was working, and there were several people that, it just wouldn’t work in their schedule. But they were with us in spirit, and I was really glad that the people who made it did get to come. It was very emotional.

DEADLINE: How was it reuniting with some actors who hadn’t been on the show in years?

KHOURI: We would be up on stage setting up a shot for Chip and Ronnie’s scenes, and I would look out in the house, and see groups of people sitting there with their arms around each other, and laughing, and it was just one of those moments where you go, “Wow, something really happened in the last six years for all of us,” And to get to all be together at the very end, and finish on that stage was just really satisfying to all of us.

It was a perfect ending to the whole experience, it was like getting to relive the entire show in one day..The fact that we were on the stage of the Ryman, which is really important to all of us who worked on the show, it is our church, and the kind of music that we did, every time we shot there, it was just absolutely incredible.

DEADLINE: Connie Britton was in the Ryman, and the finale also featured the return of her character Rayna. How did that scene come to be?

KHOURI: We made it happen. Obviously Connie was working on another show, 9-1-1, and working on some other stuff too, her son was on spring break, and we just had to figure out how to get it on the day that she could be there. She literally had one day that she could do it. So we just moved everything around in the schedule to make that happen, because it was too important. I was so sure that to finish the show without her would leave on such a wrong note, that it was just impossible.

And I think she, and everyone in the cast, felt that. We all felt like she needed to be there. It would just be some horrible injustice not to get to have that moment with everybody, and she really wanted it, and I think she was really glad she came, Everybody got to hug and kiss on each other, and it was just like old home week, and so, it was really, really beautiful.

DEADLINE: Let’s talk about Deacon.What is in store with him? Will he finally find happiness after Rayna?

KHOURI: Well, we put a scene in there with Ilse DeLange who played Ilse de Witt where she asks him if maybe he’d like to write sometime. So, for me I think, wouldn’t that be great if he found somebody who wasn’t Rayna, but really spoke the same language musically, someone that the girls really liked, and I think the girls really felt like, with the Jessie character, that it was too soon. And even though there was real chemistry between them, I think he felt like, “Oh, I can’t just go off with the first person I meet after Rayna,” And so, I think it was just a little grace note, to say there is life ahead of you. You will go on to love again.

DEADLINE: What about Daphne and Maddie, what happens with them and their careers?

KHOURI: Maddie goes off in a much more pop direction, and I think that she and Daphne will eventually get together and sing again when Daphne’s a little older. But I think both of them want to find out who they are without the other one, which is a really normal thing for sisters to do. And then, I think they’ll come together when Daphne’s older, and maybe find a great career together, because their sound together is not to be matched.

DEADLINE: At the end of the finale, we saw Juliette happily living on a farm and reuniting with Avery. Will she ever return to music or this is it and she’s just content with her new life?

KHAURI :I think what she’ll do is she’ll write. I think she really wants to not be that character with the big shows and all of that. I think she’s going to try to find a much more manageable way of doing that, and that maybe she and Avery would do things together. I think that she is going to get into producing. I think that she is really going to grow up. I think she’s always going to be Juliette, and she’s always going to have that temper, but I think she really went through a transformation. And when you lose everything, then you have to figure out what do you really want.

DEADLINE: When you first started the show, was there an ending you had in mind, and how different is it from where Nashville ended?

KHOURI: No, there wasn’t, because honestly, every step of the way, I just was like, “They’re not going to make a show about Nashville.” I never believed for a second that it was really going to happen. And I was like, “Okay, I’ll write the pilot,” and then I was like, “Okay, well, we’ll get a season out of this thing, but they’re never going to pick us up.” And it just kind of kept going like that. So, I didn’t plan the ending.

DEADLINE: When did you start building towards the ending that we saw?

KHOURI: We started talking about it in season five, because we knew we were going to end, but it wasn’t really until we started working on season six. (Co-showrunner) Marshall (Herskovitz) came in at the beginning of season five, and he was just such a fantastic partner, I just loved his commitment to character, and the show calmed down quite a bit, it was a little more realistic, I guess, in terms of the drama. It wasn’t quite so melodramatic.

So, we wanted to do something that was a nice result for everybody, but that things don’t work out for everybody. It’s not like, “Oh, Scarlett and Gunnar end up together,” and all that, which…I think is really true. I think if the show had gone on for several years, we would’ve had to decide which of our characters really weren’t going to make it in show business because not everybody does. There’s some of the most talented people in the world in Nashville, and people are scratching their heads to this day, going, “How did that not happen, how is that possible that that person didn’t become a huge star?” That’s what happens, and so we would’ve had to make those kind of decisions.

DEADLINE: In the finale, I think all of the main characters did make it.

KHOURI Right, they made it to varying degrees. A lot of them have their moment, but it didn’t mean that that moment was going to last forever, as I’m sure you’re aware. A lot of careers are short bursts of…

DEADLINE: You mentioned Gunnar and Scarlett.This was one of the show’s favorite on-again, off-again couple. Why did you decide that those two should not be together at the end?

KHOURI: Because sometimes the things you really want just don’t happen, and that was one of those things. I think it would’ve been a little too fairy-tale. Tthe person who looks the most like a fairy should not have the fairy-tale ending.

DEADLINE: And the veteran with PTSD, he will be okay, right?

KHOURI: Yeah. And he’ll have years of therapy.

DEADLINE: Nashville has had a close relationship with fans. Are you planning you keep the show alive through fan events or any other ways?

KHOURI: Personally, I’m ready to go with “Nashville 2.0,” I think we have great characters that we could pick it up with, we’ll just see if anybody wants to make it. I love the characters, I love the show, I love the music, and I think it would be a blast to havea new generation.

DEADLINE: Like a Nashville spin-off?

KHOURI: Yeah.

DEADLINE: Do you have anything in the works at all, or just an idea?

KHOURI: I just have an idea. I have other stuff going on, that I haven’t even been able to think about it for a second. I’m just telling you what’s in my head, I don’t know if it’s in anyone else’s head beside mine. (Nashville producer) Lionsgate or somebody would have to make that happen.

DEADLINE: Is there anything more about that idea you can share at this point?

Khouri: Not at this point. I like the multi-generational shows. I just personally love those, and that was one of the things I always loved about Downton Abbey and shows like that, was that you were with people of a lot of different ages, so I don’t know. That’s all.

‘Nashville’ Series Finale: Behind The Surprising Character Return

In a flashback scene from Rayna and Deacon’s (Chip Esten) wedding night, the two reminded fans why they were Nashville’s golden couple. Deacon had the vision of Rayna just as he was to walk out on stage at the Ryman in the last minutes of the finale where he was joined by his father and almost the entire cast of the series from all six seasons, including Britton.

“Rayna got to do the impossible,” Britton said about returning to Nashville. “She got to come back from the dead. I got to do the most wonderful, which was to go back to my Nashville family and celebrate all the hard work and love and care that went into that show. Being on the Ryman stage, reunited with 6 years of cast and crew, is a moment I’ll cherish and never forget. I am grateful.”

Getting Britton for the finale was not easy, Nashville creator Callie Khouri told Deadline in a finale post-mortem Q&A.

We made it happen,” she said. “Obviously Connie was working on another show, 9-1-1, and working on some other stuff too, her son was on spring break, and we just had to figure out how to get it on the day that she could be there. She literally had one day that she could do it. So we just moved everything around in the schedule to make that happen, because it was too important. I was so sure that to finish the show without her would leave on such a wrong note, that it was just impossible.”

“And I think she, and everyone in the cast, felt that,” Khouri added. “We all felt like she needed to be there. It would just be some horrible injustice not to get to have that moment with everybody, and she really wanted it, and I think she was really glad she came, Everybody got to hug and kiss on each other, and it was just like old home week, and so, it was really, really beautiful.”

Nashville Series Finale: Charles Esten and Connie Britton on That Beautiful Ending

In the final hour of the show, we got to see Deacon (Charles Esten) finally forgive his father, the girls embark on their own journeys as young artists, Juliette (Hayden Panettiere) and Avery (Jonathan Jackson) reconcile, Scarlett (Clare Bowen) and Gunnar (Sam Palladio) embark on new chapters in their lives, and about a million other lose ends tied up in a nice bow. Perhaps most satisfying of all though, we got to see one final moment between Rayna (Connie Britton) and Deacon!

Rather than give us a dream sequence or some kind of message from beyond, Nashville decided to keep Rayna's return grounded in reality, making it a flashback to her and Deacon's wedding night. The memory of Rayna forgiving Deacon for all that had passed between them — no matter how hard — was exactly what Deacon needed in that moment before going on stage to forgive his father. It was a beautiful tribute not only to Rayna's character, but the relationship between Rayna and Deacon that was such a staple of the show from the very beginning. We even got to see her perform one last time in the final number with the entire cast!

"Rayna got to do the impossible," Connie Britton said of the finale. "She got to come back from the dead. I got to do the most wonderful, which was to go back to my Nashville family and celebrate all the hard work and love and care that went into that show. Being on the Ryman stage, reunited with six years of cast and crew, is a moment I'll cherish and never forget. I am grateful."

To get his thoughts on what it felt like to reunite on that stage one last time, TV Guide also spoke with Charles Esten, who breaks down that touching reunion, all those finale twists and turns and his tenure on the ABC-turned-CMT drama in the interview below!

How do you feel now that Nashville has reached the end of the end?

Charles Esten: Well, I can say that I've been grateful for all the things that offered a sense of closure. The last thing you want to do is walk away and say like, "Oh, we didn't do this. Oh, we should have this. We didn't do that." Those are the things that makes it hard. I mean, in the song that we always sing on the show, "A Life That's Good," one of the phrases is Deacon's line. I always sing this one: "I wanna look back and say I did all that I could." That is a great feeling to be able to say that. This has been a long road, and Deacon has been down this hard, tough road, and honestly just everybody is part of the show that has worked very, very hard. It wasn't always easy. There were difficult times. So you just want to be able to look back and say you did all that you could, and I'm actually feeling that type of closure now. I know that I gave my heart and my soul to this role and did all that I could.

Did it feel like the right way to end it, bringing everyone on stage, even Rayna, to perform one last time?

Esten: The character of Rayna, obviously the whole show was built around her in the early days and her life and her career. And Rayna still looms large and factors into everything. At the very end, that's out of necessity. That's who that character was and how she impacted everybody on our show, especially Deacon. To have not had her there in some form like that that we had would not have felt like closure. It would have felt like well we finished, but not really. Having everybody on that stage, even that moment I found offered a whole lot of warmth and closure. I've been thinking about it a lot and it's such an unusual ending to do it like that, but then again, this has always been an unusual show, and almost in the same way we would have scenes and songs.

It's almost like the whole show is a long concert, and at the end of a long concert, what happens? Everybody comes out on stage and sings the hit... By the time we were done, we were more able to sort of just hug on each other and hug on each others neck and say thank you... So there was a little bit of that that felt great, and getting to be on stage with everybody, and just put your arms around everybody and the crew included. We were very fortunate to get picked up after the ABC years. Not only that [we got] two more years. but to know that the last year was the last year, that was a gift from CMT that I'll always appreciate. It meant the writers could draw it to a close, and it also meant that we could emotionally get there more slowly than just finding out it was done and over.

Was there ever a point early in the show's run where you stepped back and realized, "Wow, we've really got something special here?"

Esten: For me with Nashville, it just kept getting better and better. The script was amazing and, "Oh, it's gonna shoot in Nashville? And oh, Connie Britton's playing Rayna? And oh, T Bone Burnett is doing the music?" It just kept going from strength to strength like that. Then I showed up and saw the level of interest that every single department had in being truthful that the wardrobe would look exactly like. It wasn't a bunch of people wearing cowboy hats with straws coming out of their mouth. We looked like on the set what you look like when you went downtown and walked around through the city. The same thing, the sets were immaculate. Our Bluebird looked exactly like the Bluebird... All the instruments were exactly dead on what they should be. And I just kept going, "This thing is not letting down. It's impressing me more at every turn."

Where it really kicked in, I would say, was when I was watching the first episode because until that point, I hadn't seen — I had seen Connie and I singing together and I knew what I sounded like, and I knew what we sounded like together. I thought, "That's great, we should be good." And then what opened to me was all the other talent all around us. I remember seeing Sam and Clare, or Scarlett and Gunnar sing, "If I didn't Know Better," and I remember watching that going, "This is magical. My character is nowhere near this scene." This Bluebird scene shot with these two incredible voices, these great actors, incredible voices, while this other stuffs going on with Deacon and Teddy (Eric Close) and the whole campaign. There's JD Souther playing Watty White and saying, "You got to hear this." It's a really wonderful thing where you could be in love with your own show. That's when I fully fell for it then.

Charles Esten, Clare Bowen, Maisie Stella, Ronny Cox, Lennon Stella, Nashville

Let's talk about that Rayna scene. I loved that it turned out to be a memory instead of a dream or a hallucination or anything like that. What do you think that moment is for Deacon, and how did it sort of influence his decision about his father?

Esten: Well, I think it served a dual purpose. I think in some sense, Deacon sort of shut down because the mourning process was just almost not trying to remember. If he ever did remember, it was also, "I wasted time. I should've done this, I should've done that. He wasn't able to use Rayna's help in those memories to help him through missing and mourning her. That needed outside help. It needed the girls and Scarlett and Jessie (Kaitlin Doubleday) and Highway 65. Finally, he starts to get there.

And then this other thing happens: his father. And the girls don't understand, they just see this nice grandpa. He's probably just sitting there thinking, "What would Rayna say?" Because Rayna knew all of it. She knew his darkest stuff from the beginning. He knew her stuff about her dad and her mom. And who can talk about forgiveness more than Rayna? How did she do that? "How did she forgive me for what I did to her life? And then, "Oh wait, I remember, and the time I remember is literally the most beautiful time of my life, that moment." So to think that in that one moment, not only does he have this memory of this bit of wisdom and warmth and love that she blessed him with, but also for the rest of his life he can go there too. He can have those memories, those moments like that.

And was it a good piece of closure for Deacon, finally forgiving his dad?

Esten: What I love about this is what we've been exploring is the issue of forgiveness. Deacon came from an abusive, dysfunctional situation that was all caused by the father and his drinking. I love that we got to explore this because Deacon has needed all this forgiveness for so long. From the very beginning, there's a whole lot of "I'm sorry's" coming out of Deacon, and he was given that grace and that forgiveness.

It's one thing to talk about forgiveness for somebody that has completely changed and is now just a sweet old grandpa that plays music. Yes, most people would be able to find their way around to forgiving that man. But then to find out that he's still drinking. He lied about it. What I essentially find out is he's human. This is where you're really testing grace and forgiveness. That is, OK, yes, you're right. He's drinking. He lied about it. Does that mean that he's unforgivable and irredeemable forever and always? But that's the nature of forgiveness and grace is that it's for us as much as it's for them or perhaps more than it's for them. Deacon knew that, without that forgiveness, he has this hard shell about him that his daughters are always going to see and always know. He has no peace in his own heart regarding his father. Forgiveness, in terms of the closure that we were talking about with his father, that feels like closure to me.

What did you think of that little tease at the end with Ilse (Ilse DeLange) saying maybe they'll start to write together? Is that a little seed that they planted that maybe there might still be love in Deacon's future?

Esten: What I actually liked a lot about it was that everything we've been through the last two seasons, or the season and a half, where he sort of slowly opened up with Jessie, it seems to me sort of more realistic like the next one to come along wouldn't be the one. You know what I mean? That would be unlikely. But that person, if they had a good heart and a good caring heart, could help open them back up and help through the pain that brings up armor, [help them] let the armor down a little bit, so that there'd even be a situation where Ilsa could say "I'd love to write with you someday" in a slightly flirtatious way, with a little bit of meaning. And Deacon, instead of going, "Oh, no, I don't think that would be ... I don't know. I gotta go." He'd be like, "Um, yeah, you seem like a really kind person that treated my daughter really well. You're obviously beautiful. You have a gorgeous voice. Yeah, I don't know where this will lead, nobody does, but I would like to write with you." And I like that phrase, because writing with somebody is a special thing in Nashville. So it's a better way than saying, "I'd love to go on a date with you sometime." They're not the same thing. It's the sitting down and sharing of yourself with somebody to write this song.

So I like the nebulous quality behind it. Certainly doesn't mean that they're gonna end up even dating, but it means that Deacon's heart is in a better place. It's more open and more — in some sense more healthy and open and maybe even a little bit brave, not just protecting itself so much, which doesn't get you anywhere in the long run.

What do you think you'll miss most about making this show?

Esten: There's a lot of hard questions, but that's the easiest: It's the people. It's the people that I got to spend time with day in and day out in good times and in bad. In hard dramatic scenes and in funny light scenes. In long days doing concerts on stage and days so cold outside that we'd have to stop because tears were just coming out of your eyes from the hold. And brutally hot days just trying to keep yourself from sweating... Just rain, shine, good times, bad — that crew, that cast is truly special. I'll miss them and take a part of them with me for the rest of my days.

Nashville Finale Recap: Take a Bow

Nashville wraps its six-season run with an episode that is simultaneously satisfying (in that it gives all of the main characters happy, or happy-ish, endings) and frustrating (in that I would’ve liked maybe more than five minutes of Javery domestic bliss). But in retrospect, isn’t that fitting for a series that often made me ridiculously happy, sometimes made me weep and occasionally made me roll my eyes in exasperation?

Before we get to the return of a certain redhead, please allow me a moment to thank you all for reading along all these years. Nashville was one of the first series I covered for TVLine. Knowing that you guys were right there with me when it came to Gunnar’s hair or Scarlett’s hemp necklaces or Juliette’s general lack of character progression prior to Season 4 made it a blast to write about this show. Not exactly sure where I’ll next apply my talent for coming up with country-music-tinged double-entendres, but that’s a problem for another time.

Read on for the highlights of “Beyond the Sunset.”

CLAYBOURNE ON THE ROAD? | Bucky shows up at Deacon’s house in the morning and is practically vibrating with excitement: Since Deke’s Opry appearance, there’s serious interest in a new tour. “Who’s the headliner?” Deacon asks, clueless. “You,” Buck says. Deke scoffs, but Maddie and Daphne are excited for him. Anyway, the whole thing is tabled for a while when Deacon calls Zach — who has ditched the sweatshirt for a suit and is busy with staff at his Zach Welles for Senate 2018 campaign headquarters — and says he’s got an “opportunity” for the guy we all once thought might be gunning to kill Rayna. (We were wrong! It’s cool!)

THE GUYS RECONCILE | Will thinks it’s a good time to try to lure Avery back to their band, so Gunnar puts on his big-boy pants and asks Barkley to return. “What I’ve learned from this whole mess is, I find these girls and I think they’re just going to solve all my problems. But really, it’s time for me to grow out of that,” he says. Um, Avery? Have you not read a single recap I’ve written? I STARTED SUGGESTING THIS IN SEASON 1. #Hailey #NeverForget

Then the boys get into a fun bit of reflection that’s rewarding for long-time viewers. They think back to Avery as we met him, all greasy and lascivious and not-real-nice. Or, as Gunny puts it: “You were a total tool!” (Ha!) “I was insecure!” Avery counters. (Double ha!)

It’s a nice, light moment for Avery, who elsewhere in the episode learns that Juliette is selling her home in Music City and planning to move to a farm half an hour outside town. While she’s nattering on about how she’s going to raise sheep and goats and have a fresh start, Avery’s eyes narrow. “There’s something you’re not telling me,” he says, but she deflects, assuring him that he’ll be able to see Cadence as often as he likes.

AVERY KNOWS | Later, Avery comes into the studio while Hallie is recording. (Side note: It is a tragedy that we didn’t get more of Rhiannon Giddens singing in this show. The woman’s voice is like honey dripped over a piece of sun-warmed amber.) While they’re talking, Avery tells her about Ju’s farm dream, mentioning that his ex-wife’s impulsive actions remind him why he can’t be with her anymore… which prompts Hallie to blurt “She’s pregnant.” Normally, I’d take issue with Avery finding out this way, but we’ve only got about 20 minutes left, so I’ll let it pass.

“How could you keep this from me?” an understandably angry Avery demands when he arrives at Juliette’s immediately after. You’ve gotta give it to our girl: She keeps calm and tries to explain her actions in a way he might understand. “I was going to tell you. I just didn’t want to influence you or how you felt,” she says. “Avery, I love you, but I don’t want to trap you. I want you to come up to me and say that you need me and you want to spend the rest of your life with me, not because you feel like you have to save me or you’re worried about me, but because you’re worried about yourself without me. But you don’t feel that way anymore. And I will survive.” Damn, Avery, I’m about to say all that to her, and she’s not carrying my kid!

NASHVILLE’S NEXT COUNTRY STAR IS… | Nashville’s Next Country Star is down to the Top 3, and Daphne is one of them. (Jenny Leigh and the other guy But Brad gets to pick her finale song, and he chooses a huge, commercial number that she hates because it doesn’t jive with her stripped-down, acoustic aesthetic. Ilse is mad on her behalf, but Brad — shocker! — doesn’t care. “I’m just giving her a chance to sink or swim,” he maintains.

Gideon sends Daphne a good-luck card and necklace, which infuriates Deacon so much that he runs over to the motel and demands that his dad not manipulate his daughter. Gideon says he meant no harm, and explains that he was sober for 28 years but started taking “sips” of booze to calm himself after he lost his home in the storm. But he soon realized he couldn’t control it, and he knew he’d miss out on even more of Deacon and the girls’ lives if he didn’t do something. He promises that he hasn’t had a drink since Daphne found him with the broken glass, and points out that the bottle Deke threw last episode was full and had an intact seal.

“I can’t say I’ll never drink, but I’ll never be the man who hurt you again. And I’ll never hurt those girls,” he vows.

And though Deacon doesn’t love the idea, Daphne invites her granddad to the Nashville’s Next Country Star finale. She performs the song Brad wanted, but does so on acoustic guitar, which infuriates the Shiny New Records label head. Then, she loses the competition to Jenny Leigh. Daph holds it together until she comes off stage, then she cries to her family, who assure her they’re still very proud of her. Ilse swings by to offer her condolences, and… my, my, does Daphne’s coach have a thing for Deacon? Sure seems so by her offer to write with him when he gets back from his tour, which is like the Nashville equivalent of swiping right on Tinder. Deke blushes, and his daughters pick up on it. “I would not be opposed to that!” Daphne says.

#METOO FTW! | Alannah continues her weird flirtation (?) with Brad, even going as far as to head to his hotel room while they’re in Memphis for a gig. “You lured me here with the promise of a party,” she says, noting that he’s the only person there, and isn’t that sketchy? You already know what’s going to happen, so I’ll shorthand it: He is a physically aggressive letch, she pushes him away and has to hit him in order to get him to stop, he says she’ll never work again as she hightails it out of his suite.

Later, Alanna, Zach and Deacon march into Shiny New like they own the place… which they probably will in a few minutes. “Here’s what’s gonna happen, Brad. I am gonna offer you $15 million, and you are going to sell me Shiny New Records before we walk out of here.” Brad balks — the company’s worth a heck of a lot more — but it turns out Alannah recorded him attacking her in the hotel room via her phone’s memo app. PLUS, she’s got all the women he Weinstein’d before — including Jessie and the ones who agreed to settlements — to join her in taking him down. Looks like there’s not a fidget spinner in the world big enough to calm you down now, you porkpie-hat-wearing jackass! Oh, Jessie adds, “And one more thing: You’re gonna grant me full custody of Jake.”

ALL’S TERRIBLE THAT ENDS TERRIBLE | Hope you guys didn’t like Twig, because he’s the one somewhat sympathetic character who gets wholly shafted in this finale. Maddie likes him but doesn’t like-like him, which Scarlett picks up on as the chat. “OK, you listen to me: The only thing you need to do right now is to honor what you’re feeling at the moment,” Scarlett says. No, Maddie, you listen to me: DO NOT TAKE ROMANTIC ADVICE FROM SCARLETT

My cries fall on deaf ears, though, because Mads gives Twig some really nice, professional grade headphones as a sort of consolation prize, because she’s totally breaking up with him. Can you break up with someone you kissed twice? Eh, now Twig is crying and I feel bad and let’s just let this whole storyline go, shall we?

WRAPPING IT UP | As Juliette is packing up her house for the move, she sits down at a keyboard and starts to sing her feelings. And that’s convenient, because now we have a soundtrack for our time jump!

In a montage, we see:

* Daphne sign as a Highway 65 artist
* Maddie moving into her own place
* Zach and Will holding hands and looking happy, apparently reunited
* Jessie and Jake watching a scary movie together
* Gunnar, Will and Avery putting out an album as The Last Highways

Then we get to Avery pulling up at Juliette’s farm, where she’s pushing Cadence on the swingset. As she turns around, we can see that she’s very pregnant. Avery wastes no time. “Juliette, I need you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. And if you would — ” She interrupts him. “Yes.” They cry. It’s soooo what I wanted to happen… last season. Or even 45 minutes ago. But I guess we get what we get and we don’t get upset.

Then we go to the Ryman, where Deacon is getting ready to go onstage. Scarlett is having a small heart attack about not being able to find her engagement ring (wha??), but then she does. Turns out, Scar is getting hitched to one of the other musicians we’ve never met before! (Side note: That’s actually Clare Bowen’s real-life husband, Brandon Robert Young.) Gideon also is there to tell Deacon he’s proud of him, but things still aren’t OK between them, and his presence sends Deke back into the dressing room to freak out and have a minute to himself.

Except, he’s not alone. As he flashes back to his wedding night with Rayna, suddenly we’re in their bedroom and he asks, “Is this real?” She appears in a nightie and silky robe, all glowy from their nuptials. “You bet your sweet ass this is real, honey,” she teases him, “and I’ve got the ring to prove it.” They talk about how they’ve had their hard times in the past, and they’ll probably hurt each other in the future, but they have to choose each other because they’re made for each other. “And I’m going to love you forever. Forever and ever,” she says, smiling. “Amen,” he adds. You know what they say: The couple that quotes Randy Travis lyrics together stays together… until a stupid complication from a stupid car crash sends one to the Grand Ole Opry in the sky. (Side note: Wouldn’t that Rayna reveal have had a lot more power if CMT hadn’t spoiled it in a teaser weeks ago?)

‘IS THIS REAL?’ | With that memory fresh in his mind, Deacon takes the stage at the Ryman and invites Gideon to join him. “This man has been a profound influence on my life and my music,” he tells the crowd as a stunned Gideon gets suited up with a guitar. As the band launches into “A Life That’s Good,” Deke suddenly remembers something. “Oh Dad, I’m sorry. Do you know this song?” he whispers. “Son, I know all your songs,” Gideon answers simply, and OK, Nashville, you got me a little teary with that one.

As they sing, they’re joined by Maddie and Daphne, then Scarlett, Gunnar, Avery, Juliette, Will and Rayna. WAIT WHAT? Yup. As the scene dissolves into real life, the fourth wall is broken and the show’s entire cast — including some actors we haven’t seen in a very long time — as well as the crew join in the singing.

And then it’s over, y’all.

Nashville EP, Stars Take Us Inside That Unexpected Series Finale Ending

On Thursday, Nashville ended its series finale with a fourth-wall-breaking bit that brought back most of the actors who’d appeared on the show over the past six seasons — including Connie Britton, who left the drama when Rayna died in Season 5.

After Deacon brought out Gideon to join him onstage at Ryman Auditorium, they began to play “A Life That’s Good.” Slowly, they were joined by Daphne, Maddie and Scarlett, then Avery, Will and Juliette. The scene moved from fiction to reality as Britton stepped out to stand next to Charles Esten, and the shot pulled back to show the TV cameras filming it all.

Then more people — including current and former cast members, as well as series creator Callie Khouri — then came out to sing along, while “Celebrating 6 wonderful years” popped up on the bottom of the screen, turning the fictional moment into a real one.

Marshall Herskovitz tells TVLine that he and fellow co-showrunner Ed Zwick got the idea for the atypical ending from the way they closed their early 2000s ABC drama Once & Again. “What we felt at that time, and what we felt at this time, was that it’s a way to really thank the audience. It’s a way to connect with the audience more directly,” he says.

Read on for more scoop from Herskovitz and series stars Charles Esten and Jonathan Jackson about how the unexpected ending came together.

LOOSE LIPS SINK ‘SHIPS | The sequence took a day to shoot, and it was filmed in front of a live audience that was sworn to secrecy. “We just expected it to leak” to the public, Herskovitz says, laughing as he notes that it didn’t.

WHO WAS THERE… | Sharp-eyed, longtime viewers likely noticed some familiar faces onstage with Britton, Esten & Co. Former cast members Eric Close, Will Chase, Judith Hoag, Nick Jandl, Sylvia Jeffries, Kyle Dean Massey, Dana Wheeler-Nicholson and Melvin Ray Kearney II returned for the farewell, as did country star/occasional guest star Pam Tillis and former executive music producer Buddy Miller. “It went pretty deep. We were really thrilled. Obviously, we didn’t have money to pay everybody what they should have been paid to do that,” Herskovitz notes. “The fact that they were all willing and excited to come back was just really gratifying.”

… AND WHO WASN’T | Among the missing: Aubrey Peeples and Oliver Hudson, both of whom couldn’t make the filming because of scheduling conflicts, per a rep for the show.

A FINALE THAT’S GOOD | “So many people were there,” says Jonathan Jackson, marveling as he recalls singing “A Life That’s Good” with the cast and crew. “It was just beautiful.” Esten echos his co-star. “It was an emotional day,” says the actor, who shot the flashback with Britton around the same time. “I thought the length of this long show and all that we’ve been through with these cast members does have a parallel to this long concert performance. So when it’s done, let’s bring everybody out,” he added. “To end there with everybody coming out on that stage is so deeply meaningful, especially when we started on the Opry, we lived in The Bluebird, and we ended at the Ryman.” He chuckles. “There’s some mathematical perfection there that I really get attached to.”

Connie Britton On Her Initial Reluctance to Return for Nashville Series Finale: 'Rayna's Gone'

Because, without her powers of persuasion, it might not have happened.

“I’ll admit: When they first called me to do it, I was a little against it,” former series star Connie Britton tells TVLine exclusively, chuckling. “Because I thought, ‘Rayna’s gone. And I don’t like the idea of having her come back as a ghost.”

(For those of you who might’ve dropped out of the series but come back for its swan song, a brief catch-up: Britton exited the show in Season 5 after Rayna died from complications from a car accident. Everyone cried.)

But after talking with Khouri about other, more corporeal ways that the First Lady of Country Music might show up to see off the CMT drama, Britton says she was amenable. “Then she told me about the last moment on the Ryman stage, and I loved the idea of that. So we made it happen,” the actress adds, recalling that she shot both the flashback and the group sing over the course of two days.

Scheduling her visit “was a little bit tough,” says executive producer and co-showrunner Marshall Herskovitz, noting that Britton stars in Bravo’s upcoming true-crime anthology series Dirty John, which is currently in production. But “it worked out, and everybody was thrilled.”

During the episode, Rayna appears as Deacon recalls a conversation that took place in their bedroom the evening they wed. She reminds him that even though they are flawed individuals who have hurt each other in the past, “we must choose each other. And I choose you exactly the way you are.” The memory helps him come to terms with his conflicted feelings for his father, Gideon, whom he invites onstage to play “A Life That’s Good” at the end of the hour. (For a full recap of the episode, go here.)

“It was just… remembering ‘How do you forgive me? How do you go on with it, knowing that it can all fall apart?'” series star Charles Esten says. “But most of all, it was just my friend Connie again, and I think you’ll agree that that stage wouldn’t have been the same — especially the gang’s all here [number] — without Connie.”

Britton says that playing opposite Esten “felt just like picking up right where we’d left off.” She laughs. “It just all came back.”

Everything except the double-take she had to do upon seeing how much her TV daughters, Lennon and Maisy Stella, had grown since she saw them last.

“They’re like different people! I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, where are my little girls?” she says, laughing. “But they’re both doing great, and I will always love them.”

Lennon and Maisy Stella: “We Lucked Out”

The sibling stars have practically grown up on the show, right before our very eyes, with poise, grace and gratitude you don’t often see these days in young Hollywood.

Maybe that’s because this is young Nashville.

Lennon, who plays Maddie Jaymes, has a gorgeous home in Music City and plans to remain here to continue her solo career as an artist. After all, how could she leave? So many of the elder Stella’s career memories began in this city and on a show built around its community. And having those memories and years of growth on film to relive over and over again is truly a blessing to her.

“It definitely has its parts that can be difficult, like having all of your awkward phases documented,” the 18-year-old star joked to CMT.com during a recent chat.

“But it was so special. Being surrounded by the people on this show—everyone is amazing. It was the most amazing group of humans to be raised by.”

And that’s not necessarily the gospel truth for every TV show out there. “We lucked out. It’s really rare — that’s not always how it goes,” she said. “Obviously, having your sister with you is just the dream. We’re just so close, so it was the perfect setup. Having Maisy there was the best part of it, and having all that documented, you and your sister from age 8 and 12 to 14 and 18 is incredible.”

And Maisy shares the same feelings as her sister about her time as a cast member, maybe to a deeper extent because her time on Nashville began at an even earlier age.

“I really don’t even remember filming season one because I was so young!” the younger Stella said with a laugh. “As far as I can remember, my everyday life was on that show. But I never even felt like I was working, it was just so fun for me.”

For Maisy, being a part of the Nashville cast was a gift in that she was a part of a show not afraid to push the envelope and show how locals welcome and celebrate love and acceptance no matter who their neighbors are.

“I was very proud to be a part of something that touches on subjects that are controversial, I guess you could say. Especially in the South … to have a show about Nashville, which is wonderful but still is a part of the South, and have an openly gay character on a show, amongst other things. That’s the thing that makes me feel most accomplished.”

Although gifted with immeasurable talent as a singer, instrumentalist and songwriter just like her sister (the Stella family genes are strong, y’all,) Maisy revealed some exciting, albeit slightly surprising news during our chat.

“I’m going to stick to acting,” she said.

As she continues to spread her wings, there’s no doubt she will soar. But don’t worry, as her sister works hard on her debut album, Maisy will be right there, holding her hand and cheering her on just as Lennon has always done for her all these years.

“Lennon is my favorite person in the entire world, I live for her, I love her so much. She is my best friend,” Maisy said. “We have never gone through any stage of jealousy or competition or anything like that at all. Words cannot describe how excited I am that she’s doing music.”

We can’t wait to watch the next chapter unfold for these two loving sisters. Catch them on tonight’s (July 26) finale of Nashville, 9 p.m. ET on CMT.

Nashville: Will Rayna Return for the Series Finale? Charles Esten Weighs In!

Promos for the final stretch of episodes as well as the series finale have hinted that she might be back, with a blink-and-you'll-miss-it shot of a very blurry but very familiar figure in a scene with Deacon (Charles Esten). The theories about this potential return range from dream to hallucination to flashback to miraculous resurrection (but we wouldn't hold our breath on that last one if we were you), so we took the question to Esten himself to see what he could tease from that scene we all want answers about.

"There's a nebulous shot that people aren't sure what it is, but they think they know. They may, they may not," Esten told TV Guide. "I will just say that in some form or another, there would be no way to have a final episode that didn't in some form have Rayna looming somewhere through the storyline... It would have felt like, 'Well, we finished, but not really.'"

With a show built entirely around Rayna, her loved ones and her place in her industry, it's truly impossible to imagine the show coming to a close without paying tribute to her in some way. How Nashville will end up doing that is something fans will have to watch and find out for themselves!

Nashville's series finale airs Thursday, July 26 at 9/8c on CMT.

Charles Esten Sets a Guinness World Record

We’ve stockpiled our tissues in preparation for Thursday night’s (July 26) series finale of Nashville, and there’s no doubt Esten will have a few himself on the big night.

But there have been several highlights for Esten in the last few days on his national press tour; the most intriguing one being the Guinness World Record he just set for “Most Consecutive Weeks to Release an Original Digital Single by a Music Act.”

Remember back in July of 2016 when he made the announcement promising to release a new single every Friday for “as long as it made sense?” Well, it made sense for an entire year, with his campaign, #EverySingleFriday, yielding 54 original songs that he either wrote or co-wrote, recorded and released each Friday.

“At the time, I had no idea how it would go, or how long I could do it,” he said in a statement.

“I only knew that, as a lifelong songwriter, through my role as Deacon Claybourne on Nashville, I had found my way to Music City and, surrounded by some of the most talented people in the world, I was feeling a level of inspiration and creativity that needed a different kind of outlet that an EP or album.”

And now that outlet has landed him a Guinness World Record title.

Esten stopped by NBC’s Today show to perform “Halfway Home,” a song from his record-setting campaign. He’ll headline a sold-out show tonight (July 25) at New York’s City Winery before taking the stage for another sold-out show at City Winery in Boston on Thursday (July 26).

But if you think he’s gonna miss his final turn as Deacon tomorrow night, think again. Esten plans to pause his concert, tune into CMT and watch the series finale with fans and friends.

See, you need those tissues already don’t you?

The final episode of Nashville starring Esten airs tomorrow night at 10 p.m. ET on CMT.

Can Nashville's Deacon Ever Forgive His Dad? Charles Esten, EP Preview Finale

The revelation that Gideon, Deacon’s estranged father and fellow recovering alcoholic, is drinking again pretty much obliterates the men’s fledgling reconciliation, showrunner Marshall Herskovitz tells TVLine.

“Going into the finale, Deacon feels that there’s just been too many betrayals,” the EP previews. “He cannot trust this man, and he’s got to draw boundaries, otherwise, he’s going to get drawn into it in some way.”

It’s a rough place for Deacon to be as the CMT series kicks off its swan song (Thursday, 9/8c), but Herskovitz says series star Charles Esten outright asked for it.

“I remember talking about this with Chip before the season started, and I remember Chip saying to me, ‘Whatever you do, just put me in the worst position possible,'” Herskovitz says, laughing. “That’s what I just love about him as an actor. It’s like, just make it as hard as you can make it for Deacon, because he knew that’s where the gold is.”

If that’s the case, consider the series-ender dipped in 24 karats of misery: While Deke is wrestling with his inability to forgive his father’s transgressions, an opportunity he thought impossible presents itself. Before the end of the hour, Deacon is caught up in reflecting on his life, which longtime viewers know hasn’t always been as good as his hit song suggests.

“For me, the anger is so intense because of how hard [Deacon] held off not letting him back into [his] life, to keep the wound protected,” Esten says. “Not only that, but it’s just a reminder of the frailty” that reminds Deacon he might someday lose his sobriety, as well.

Still, the actor previews, “It’s really satisfying to me that the arc finishes not just in the last episode, but maybe in the last line of the last scene of the last episode… If we’re talking about solving the Rubik’s cube of who he is and his deepest hurts, and trying to overcome them, I think we just did that.”

Nashville: New Series Finale Trailer Hints at Happy Ending for [Spoiler]

In a preview released Thursday for the CMT drama’s final episode, Will and former love Zach seem to have reunited, walking together on the bridge where Deacon proposed to Rayna. Good luck, you lovebirds!

Elsewhere in the promo for the July 26 hour (9/8c), we see Zach informing Brad that he’s going to buy Shiny New Records (while Deacon and Alannah look on), Daphne anxiously awaiting the outcome of Nashville’s Next Country Star and Avery angrily asking Juliette, “How could you keep this from me?”… so, we’re guessing he’s somehow found out about the baby. (Her answer to that question, by the way, is no surprise but will break the heart of longtime viewers.)

Then there’s that shot, first teased in a previous promo, that sure makes it look like a certain redhead will appear in the drama’s swan song. “Is this real?” Deacon asks. Welp, we’ll find out soon!

Nashville Recap: Deacon, Freakin'

Gideon’s assurances that he hasn’t had a drink in decades were shaky enough after Daphne found an empty bottle under his bed in last week’s episode. But they lose all credence at the end of this week’s, when Deacon confirms that his dad fell off the wagon and attempted to hide it.

It’s a blow to their newly patched-together relationship, which wasn’t on very sturdy ground to start with. And it’s not necessarily the kind of transgression that Deke will be willing to forgive in time for next week’s series finale.

Elsewhere in Music City, Steve Earle gives Gunnar tips on living his best musical life, Avery and Juliette have a medical scare and Sean’s wife tries to gift him to Scarlett like a puppy with a bow tied around its furry little neck.

Read on for the highlights of “I Don’t Want to Lose You Yet.”

JU DROPS THE MIC | A crowd of reporters have set up on Juliette’s lawn in response to the she said/cult said story. While she watches them with a concerned look on her face, Ju notices that Cadence’s forehead is a little warm. “You feelin’ all right?” Mama Barnes says, and the tone of her voice (and the fact that she is on a primetime soap) cause me to write this in my notes: IF YOU MAKE THE KID TERMINALLY SICK, I WILL END YOU. Related: I’m not sure whom, exactly, I will end, but the sentiment is true.)

Later, during a hangout with Hallie, Juliette confesses that she’s pregnant. Hallie urges her friend to tell Avery, but Juliette says no, because he’d immediately return to her side “but that doesn’t mean he could ever love me again.”

Despite her sadness over Avery, Juliette presses forward with a press conference held in front of The Movement for Coherent Philosophy’s headquarters. Rosa and her son are there to lend credence to Ju’s claims, and Ms. Barnes decrees that she will continue to dog the cult until it stops being evil. “Darius, wherever you are, you can’t hide from me,” she says into the cameras. “I will never stop fighting until justice prevails.” Oh, and one more thing: Juliette announces she’s retiring from the music business and dropping out of public life. Kthanxbye!

MEDICAL DRAMA | That evening, Cadence is definitely running a temperature. When Ju calls, Avery comes over to see what’s up. He mentions that he saw the press conference and he’s surprised by her plans to eschew fame. Juliette mentions that she bought a farm outside of Nashville and that’s a big part of her dream… and Cadence’s fever reaches 104, and all conversation is tabled as they bundle her up in a blanket and rush her to the hospital.

Ju and Avery rush their kid into the emergency room as though her leg got bitten off by a crocodile or something. I totally understand being freaked out when your child is sick, and 104 is a very high fever, but maybe pour on some chill so the toddler doesn’t start losing her stuff, ok? The diagnosis: pneumonia and dehydration, which is a huge relief to both parents as they cuddle by Cadence’s bedside. “Why is it when you smile at me that way, all the pain disappears?” Avery asks his ex-wife… who still doesn’t think it’s time to tell him about the little Barkley brewing in her belly.

THE SAGE ON THE STAGE | Gunnar is having a creative dry spell, so Will tries to cheer him up by getting him a ticket to Steve Earle’s show at The Bluebird. (Side note: Will’s comment about Fleetwood Mac all sleeping together and that hug that he holds too long are making me even sadder that the show never explored an attraction between him and Gunnar. What? It could have worked, people!)

Earle superfan Gunnar happily attends and is psyched when the musical legend sees him in the crowd and asks to meet him afterward. When Gunnar details his current problems writing and performing, Earle suggests “Try not being Gunnar Scott for a change.” Two things: 1) In a show where, at one point or another, almost every character has been advised to just be themselves in order to better their situation/stay true to their art, Gunny is told to do the exact opposite; and 2) If this is leading to a Chris Gaines-type situation, I AM HERE FOR IT.

TWIG SNAPS | Twig calls to apologize to Maddie, who’s still not over the fact that he was lying for Jonah the whole time she dated the pop star. Her rebuke leads Twig to reconsider his life, which manifests as him refusing to go on the European tour and quitting as Jonah’s… entourage member #1? I don’t even know. “I think I’m done being your bitch,” he tells Bieber Jonah, which leads the pop star to call Twig a loser. Nice. Later, Twig finds Maddie to tell her what happened, and they kiss.

WHAT’S YOUR DEAL, GIRL? | Avery and Alannah meet for the 400th time to have a conversation where he promises that they’ll work out and she says they’re doomed. Then, she and Brad meet up and have strangely flirty banter in which he talks about them falling for each other but admits “I cannot figure you out.” That makes two of us, Brad. The next day, Alannah has an intriguing coffee date with Deacon (we’re not privy to most of what’s discussed).

FOR WHOSE BENEFIT? | When Scarlett learns the therapy ranch is going to have to close because it’s behind on payments, she immediately starts planning a benefit concert to save the place. Sean agrees to perform, and, oh dear, looks like his wife Angela is now a card-carrying member of the Sunshine Does, Indeed, Shine Out of Scarlett O’Connor’s Behind Society. “You just waltzed right in, and suddenly, now he has something to live for,” Angela tells her. Instead of being mad about it, Sean’s wife seems resigned. “Sometimes, I think he’d be better off with you,” she says, a notion which Scarlett soundly rejects.

Know who doesn’t reject that idea? Sean, who has a MEANINGFUL performance with Scar at the benefit, then declares his admiration backstage. “You broke into my heart like some kind of wild angel. You busted open the doors,” he says, which is rather poetic for a man who barely strung together three-word sentences when we first met him, no? Scarlett gently but firmly shuts him down, saying that she’s just a novelty that seems better because he hasn’t seen her at her worst. Meanwhile, Angela is “the one who kept you alive,” Scar points out, adding that he’d better run after his wife if he’s going to have any shot at keeping their family together. He kisses her, and she doesn’t pull away, then adds, “I’ll never forget you” before running after Angela. Scarlett cries a little. Also, WOW way to treat your wife, who has been through hell with you, like a consolation prize, dude.

On stage, Gunnar debuts his new stage self… which looks a lot like his old stage self, except wearing a ripped vest and about 15 percent more hair product. He plays an electric guitar, which is new for him, and sings a song called (wait for it) “Goin’ Electric.” Will is on backup, the song is about 30 seconds long and I’m fairly certain Gunny cut loose harder and better during Dangerous Brother Jason’s arc in Season 1. But still, I’m proud of you, you little bleached-tipped toaster!

UNDER THE INFLUENCE | Deacon, Gideon, Maddie and Daphne attend the benefit, too. But afterwards, Daphne doesn’t want to ride with her grandfather but won’t say why. What we know but Deke does not: Daph caught her grandpa out of sorts with an empty bourbon bottle earlier, and he asked her not to tell her dad.

With a furious, knowing look on his face, Deacon grabs the keys from his father and searches the car, uncovering a full bottle of booze. He hurls it away, starting to cry very angry tears. “I knew it. I knew you were lying to me,” Deacon says, ordering his dad to get out of his sight and seemingly severing their tenuous ties: “You’re not my father.”

Nashville Recap: Cult Classic

Sigh. Two episodes left after this one, y’all. Can you believe it?

Read on for the highlights of “For the Sake of the Song.”

GIDEON’S SECRET | Daphne has turned into the breakout It Girl of Nashville’s Next Country Star, which makes everyone in her family happy. Gideon starts reminiscing about how he taught Deacon how to play guitar, but Deke bristles at the whitewashed memory: As he recalls it, there was a lot of yelling, drinking and throwing of lit cigarettes involved in the instruction.

When Deacon is back at his old place to fix the sink, he remarks on how Gideon has started disappearing for long stretches of the day. Scarlett thinks maybe her grandfather is drinking again — and honestly, I’m surprised Deacon hasn’t leapt to that conclusion himself by this point. Newly suspicious, Deke trails Gideon the next day… and finds him playing music with some old friends in one of the guys’ garages.

After he gets caught playing spy, the guys invite him to stay and watch. Deacon is almost overcome by Gideon’s rendition of a sweet waltz; with tears in his eyes, he beats a hasty retreat back to the house. That night, he confronts his father about his polished version of their shared history. “You did everything you could to take away my music,” Deke yells, and he only gets angrier when Gideon counters that he only pushed his son to do better out of love. “The only think your love ever gave me was a habit that ruined my life… You do not get to take credit for my music. It is mine.”

Later, the older man reminds Deacon that his own father drank and beat him, and adds that he’s proud of Deke for breaking the cycle. “We were both victims of circumstance, but you rose above it,” he says. Still, acknowledging how raw his son’s feelings are, Gideon says he’ll sit out Deacon’s appearance at a Bluebird Café songwriters circle that evening.

But when Scarlett learns that Gideon isn’t there, she secretly gets him to attend, so he’s in the audience when Deacon tells the audience that his favorite song was the song his dad first taught him, “Little Bitty Ditty.” And as Deke strums, he has good memories of Gideon teaching him the tune. By the end of the episode, they’re playing together and laughing in Deke’s home studio.

And that’s why it’s such a gut-punch when Daphne, who’s in Gideon’s room dropping off clean laundry, finds an empty bourbon bottle under the bed.

THE CASE OF THE EX | Jonah’s ex, Mia, crashes a pajama party he throws at his house, and Twig is tasked with distracting Maddie long enough for the pop star to get his old girlfriend to leave. But when Twig’s love for Mads/guilty conscience gets the better of him, he confesses what’s really going on, leading to Maddie finding Jonah making out in the laundry room with Mia. Maddie leaves in tears, probably not thinking much about how she and Twig were thisclose to kissing before he told her the truth.

YOU MESS WITH THE BARNES, YOU GET THE HORNS | When Juliette arrives for a meeting with Darius… wait, hold up. Juliette, why are you entering the literal headquarters of the cult that locked you away from your family, and you’re doing so alone?! Without Glenn or your lawyers or, heck, Hallie to witness what’s going on? Oy. Even Darius knows that’s stupid, which is why he has Laura in the room to “document” the visit.

At first, Darius is his usual, avuncular self, apologizing that his team in Bolivia was “concerned but overly cautious” and that’s why they treated Juliette like a prisoner. “Don’t give me that crap,” Ju replies. “Your team does only what you say.” She adds that she wants justice for “people who fell for your charade, people like me.” And that’s when Laura scurries from the room and Darius shows his true self for the first time.

In very menacing fashion, the Movement for Coherent Philosophy head reminds her that she signed a non-disclosure agreement the moment she left for the South American country, and if she speaks to the press about what happened, “the movement will sue you for every penny you’re worth,” he details. “You will have nothing. Your family will have nothing. So yes, it’s over.”

I love Juliette for how she completely disregards his threats and talks to a national newspaper, which results in a front-page story. “Have you ever heard the expression, ‘Don’t poke the bear?'” Glenn frets. “Have you ever heard the expression, ‘Don’t threaten Juliette Barnes?'” she throws back at him.

It seems like a win… until Inside Edition runs a story about Juliette demanding special treatment and lashing out verbally and physically while she was away.

WHO’S ZOOMIN’ WHO? | Alannah starts to realize that Jessie’s warnings about Brad were really well founded — she even learns that he’s paid settlements to six former employees — but she still starts acting all coquettish around him and I seriously don’t know if she’s playing him or struggling to understand where the boundaries are or what but guess what, girl? Your storyline is getting the two-sentence treatment this week.

Charles Esten Joins TNT Thriller Tell Me Your Secrets

Tell Me Your Secrets, which is toplined by Lily Rabe, Amy Brenneman and Hamish Linklater, marks Esten’s first major acting commitment since Nashville, whose series finale airs later this month on CMT.

Created and written by Harriet Warner, Tell Me Your Secrets, produced by Bruna Papandrea’s Made Up Stories and Turner’s Studio T, is described as an intense, morally complex thriller. It revolves around a trio of characters, each with a mysterious and troubling past: Emma (Rabe) is a young woman who once looked into the eyes of a dangerous killer, John (Linklater) is a former serial predator desperate to find redemption, and Mary (Brenneman) is a grieving mother obsessed with finding her missing daughter. As each of them is pushed to the edge, the truth about their pasts and motives grows ever murkier, blurring the lines between victim and perpetrator.

Esten will play Saul Barlow, a grieving father who has coped with the disappearance of his daughter by walking away from materialism and trying to move on from the loss. This has severely strained his relationship with his wife (Brenneman), who refuses to give up the search.

For six seasons, four on ABC and two on CMT, Esten played the male lead, Deacon Claybourne, on country music drama series Nashville. His TV series credits also include Enlightened and Big Love. Esten is repped by Stone Manners Salners.

Nashville Recap : Too Brittle, Too Late?

(Still, cults = bad. Don’t @ me.)

The Juliette that returned to Music City in last week’s Nashville is calm. She’s centered. She’s sad, of course — after all, it’s hard to stay chipper after watching the love of your life macking on Tinky Winky — but she’s reasonable. And, as we learn in this week’s episode, she’s pretty resigned to the fact that Avery is most likely done with her for good.

And would Ju have been able to achieve this inner equilibrium without the assistance of Darius’ sham psychology therapy? Maybe not, she admits to Hallie during this week’s episode. “How can something be so helpful and so harmful at the same time?” she asks.

While I’m having a very hard time accepting the way Juliette and Avery handle her return in terms of how it affects Cadence, I’m happy they’re at least back in the same zip code. Where there’s even a flicker of love, there’s hope, right? And a fetus. Can’t forget about the fetus.

Read on for the highlights of “Strong Enough to Bend.”

I GOT A NEW ATTITUDE | Based on the fuchsia frottage she walked in on last week, I expect Juliette to go nuclear on Avery once Alannah climbs off. But she’s much less fiery than I expected her as she softly says, “I didn’t mean… It’s fine. I just needed to see the baby,” while her ex-husband chases his new lady toward the front door. There’s a very awkward meeting between the two women, then a highly spun-out Avery promises he’ll call Alannah in a little while. “You don’t have to,” she says. “I want to,” he maintains.

He finds Juliette staring at Cadence, asleep in her bed. “All the times my mama woke me up in the middle of the night just to say she was sorry,” she muses sadly, turning down Avery’s offer to rouse their kiddo. Exhausted, Juliette says she’ll stay somewhere else and sort things out with him the next day.

That’s how she ends up at Hallie’s, lamenting everything that’s happened. “Avery knew it was going to be a disaster. Why didn’t I?” Ju wonders. “Because they were helping you?” Hallie answers gently. But all the understanding in the world isn’t likely to change one awful reality: “Avery. I’ve lost him,” Juliette says, sounding rather final.

MUSICAL PARENTING | The next day, Avery watches as Juliette reunites with their daughter. (Side note: When Cadence kisses her mama on the lips, I DIE FROM THE CUTENESS.) What’s less cute: the conversation that the little girl’s folks have after she goes down for a nap. “I can’t do this anymore, following you around, picking up the pieces, waiting for the next disaster to happen,” Avery tells Juliette. “You really didn’t give me any choice.” She quietly agrees with him but doesn’t at any point mention their baby growing in her uterus; if I had to guess, I’d say it’s because this newly enlightened Juliette wants him to stay with her out of love, not obligation. Which is noble and all, but we only have a handful of episodes left, kids! Get to reuniting!

After Alannah is Distant and Unreachable Emo Girl for a while, she finally tells Avery that “I can’t be the one that breaks up your family.” He counters very definitely that “I’m not taking her back.” Later, as Avery moves out of the house, Juliette pleads with him to “Please keep talking to me.” He says he’ll try. And here’s the part where I wonder why Avery, who is so concerned about the effect Juliette’s absence has had on their daughter, is so quick to decamp once she’s back. Has this child ever had both of her parents in the same home for more than a few weeks at a time?

A VOICE OF REASON | “Get professional help, or I’m out,” Scarlett tells Sean, and because she’s come to her senses a bit, she is allotted more than one sentence in this week’s recap. Let’s back up. After a call from Sean’s wife, Scarlett forces him to go to the Veterans’ Administration Hospital with her to try and get some help for his PTSD. But after waiting for hours without seeing anyone, he balks, spitting “I’m not your project” at Scar. He later stops by her house and apologizes, pointing out that she has taken such an interest in him because of his musical background, and clearly, “The person who needs to be back on stage is you.” She scoffs, but by the end of the hour, she’s jotting a few things down in her notebook of lyrics.

GRANDPA GOES A STEP TOO FAR | Despite inviting Gideon to stay with him and his family, Deacon bristles at his dad’s jovial manner with Daphne and Maddie. And Deke loses his damn mind when Gideon suggests that some of the younger man’s memories of his abusive behavior don’t exactly line up with the truth. After an admittedly scary explosion at Gideon while Daph is around, Deke swings by an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting to confess that his anger at his father is like his “armor.” He tells the group, “People that he hurt aren’t here to speak now. If I forgive him, then there’s no one left to be witness to what he’s done to them… and to me.” But he also tearfully acknowledges that if he doesn’t let go of his hatred, “then I’m the broken one.”

Also of note in Deacon’s world: He and Jessie run into each other in the grocery store and do that thing where they offer thanks for what each did for the other. Then she kisses him and they part. Oh, and Brad seems to have dropped the custody suit, so mission accomplished, right?

Later, at the house, Deacon tells his dad that he’s “trying.” Gideon understands. “I appreciate that, son,” he says.

A STAR IS FORLORN | Brad tells Daphne her Nashville’s Next Star vote totals are dropping and suspects it’s because she’s “hiding” behind her guitar during performances. He tasks Ilse, her coach, with helping her connect with an audience. Daphne freaks out, walks out of rehearsal and skips the next one before realizing that Ilse doesn’t mean “be sexy” she just means “be human.” So at the next show’s taping, Daph puts down her instrument before performing a great tune called “Without Warning,” essentially doing exactly what Brad asked. It’s a hit with the audience.

Final Nashville Soundtrack Arrives July 27

Arriving July 27, it is the final Nashville soundtrack to be released.

The compilation is made up of 16 performances that embody the personal and artistic growth of each character beloved by Nashies everywhere.

Several cast members lent their voices to both the recording and songwriting credits, blending their on-screen roles and their off-screen talents.

Giddens sings “Let Love In,” an original she co-wrote with Dirk Powell. Chris Carmack sings “My Turn,” an original co-written by Morris and Chris Gelbuda. Charles Esten performs his original, “Itty Bitty Ditty.”

Clare Bowen and her husband Brandon Young co-wrote the opener, “When You Came Along,” with cast mate, Jake Etheridge.

Sam Palladio sings “Going Electric,” a song he co-wrote with Trent Dabbs and Jabe Beyer. Lennon Stella co-wrote “Without Warning,” a song performed by her sister Maisy Stella, and sings “A Little Fire,” a song she co-wrote with Sarah Buxton and Kate York.

The album closes with an all-sing of the series’ signature song, “A Life That’s Good,” by Ashley Monroe and Sarah Siskind.

Here is the complete track listing and songwriter information for The Music of Nashville, Season 6 Volume 2:

1. “When You Came Along” by Clare Bowen, Jake Etheridge
Writers: Clare Bowen, Jake Etheridge, Brandon Young

2. “The Giver” by Jonathan Jackson
Writers: Jill Andrews, K.S. Rhoads

3. “Let Love In” by Rhiannon Giddens
Writers: Rhiannon Giddens, Dirk Powell

4. “Sorry Now” by Rainee Blake
Writers: Jill Andrews, Trent Dabbs

5. “Go” by Rainee Blake, Chris Carmack, Jonathan Jackson, Sam Palladio
Writers: Tim Lauer, Micah Wilshire, Ricky Young

6. “Without Warning” by Maisy Stella
Writers: Kevin Griffin, Lennon Stella, Marylynne Stella

7. “Love Goes On” by Ilse DeLange
Writers: Ilse DeLange

8. “I’ll Waltz You Home” by Ronny Cox
Writers: Ronny Cox, Howard Russell Smith

9. “Going Electric” by Sam Palladio
Writers: Jabe Beyer, Trent Dabbs, Sam Palladio

10. “Bring Me An Angel” by Jake Etheridge
Writers: Jake Etheridge

11. “Little Fire” by Lennon Stella
Writers: Sarah Buxton, Lennon Stella, Kate York

12. “Itty Bitty Ditty” by Charles Esten
Writers: Charles Esten

13. “My Turn” by Chris Carmack
Writers: Chris Gelbuda, Maren Morris

14. “Love Can Hold It All” by Lennon Stella, Maisy Stella
Writers: Peter Groenwald, Tim Lauer, Lauren Strahm

15. “Free” by Hayden Panettiere
Writers: Jill Andrews, K.S. Rhoads

16. “A Life That’s Good” by Nashville Cast
Writers: Ashley Monroe, Sarah Siskind.

Nashville Recap: Aghast From the Past

But did you see Avery’s face (!) when Juliette (!!) returned from Club Hell to find him disrobing Alannah (!!!) on the couch?!?

Read on for the highlights of “The House That Built Me.”

NOPE, NOPE, NOPE | It’s fitting that I’m going to continue my tradition of giving Scarlett very little attention in this recap, because she continues her ridiculous/borderline dangerous obsession with pushing PTSD victim Sean too far — only this time it’s about spending time with his family and it ends with him holed up in a bathroom with a gun after learning about a friend’s suicide… which still isn’t a wake-up call that maybe Scar should call in a professional. Instead, she chatters at him about how nice the breeze feels on his face and later smiles at his wife when he seems to come around a little. Where is that horse center boss that used to yell at Scarlett every episode? I could use a tag-team partner here, and that woman was SCARY.

#ALANNAHTOO | While Will, Avery and Gunnar bemoan the fact that they’re getting bumped off bills thanks to Alannah’s absence, the purple-haired one is getting all excited about the prospect of opening for The Lumineers on tour. And Brad is full of promises like that… until she makes it clear, after a night of near-Weinsteining on his part, that she’s not interested in any hanky-panky. All of a sudden, the opening gig for The Lumineers is off, and she’s irked. That’s when Avery suggests that maybe they should write songs together… a choice that doesn’t sit well with Gunnar and Will.

Nashville Recap Season 6 Episode 12

THE GINS OF THE FATHER | I know I have given Deacon a hard time here about his vest choices in the past, but he looks very nice as he wears one while getting ready to play a live radio gig at a nearby college. (Daphne and Maddie, however, tease him mercilessly about it.) At the show, Deke plays “Like New,” which we heard in Seasons 2 and 4, and I like it a lot. An old man watches from the back of the auditorium and approaches while Deacon is signing autographs after the performance. The man wants to get coffee or something, but Deke seizes up, grabs his guitar and his girls, and leaves. “Who is that?” Maddie wonders. “No one,” Deacon huffs.

Of course, it is someone worth mentioning: Deacon’s father, who was a mean drunk and left Deke, his mother and Beverly when Deacon was about 17. Maddie feels like her dad should give his father an opportunity to state his case; though Deacon grumbles that he’s not interested, he somehow winds up at the old man’s motel, wondering what he wants.

The gist of it is that Gideon Claybourne lost his home in Corpus Christi, Texas, during Hurricane Harvey, and he’s looking to settle down somewhere new. He’s not asking for anything from Deacon, but Gideon does want his kid to know that he’s stopped drinking. Deacon is unmoved, remembering his pop as a physically abusive person on whom Deacon once had to pull a shotgun. “I understand that’s how you see it,” Gideon says, sadly. “That’s how we see it, because that’s how it was!” Deacon replies.

DADDY’S HOME | When Deacon tells his daughters about Gideon’s arrival, they can’t understand why he’s allowing his own father to be essentially homeless. But when he snaps a little at them, they stop asking. That doesn’t mean, however, that Maddie heeds his words. So she visits her grandpa and brings him to Highway 65, where he tells Deacon why he left all those years ago: “You were becoming me, and whatever else I did, I wasn’t gonna let that happen.” Deacon scoffs angrily. “Yeah, well, it did anyway,” he says. But Gideon gets choked up as he disagrees, saying that if they were that similar, his son wouldn’t have all of the success he’s had or “all these people who love you.”

Next thing we know, Deacon brings Gideon home, surprising Maddie and Daphne. “Girls, this is your grandfather,” he says, a little warily but a lot less mad than earlier in the hour. Daphne hugs the older man.

THE RECKONING | Now, back to that thing I mentioned earlier. Avery and Alannah write a song together, and they’re so into how cute they are as they recite the lyrics that I would do just about anything to stop their schmoopy Dr. Seuss bit. But then Alannah climbs on Avery and starts wiggling, and then they’re kissing…but it comes to a quick stop as he glances past her torso… then the look of horror that crosses Avery’s face as he hastily tugs down Alannah’s shirt is DELICIOUS. It shall sustain me for quite some time.

Because Juliette has arrived home after escaping The Movement for Coherent F—kery, only to find her husband making out with one of Jem’s Holograms, and she is not pleased.

Kelli O’Hara & Will Chase To Tame Broadway’s ‘Kiss Me, Kate’

Kiss Me, Kate will begin preview performances at Studio 54 on Broadway on Thursday, February 14, 2019 and opens officially on Thursday, March 14, 2019. The limited engagement runs through Sunday, June 2, 2019.

Chase will play “Petruchio/Fred Graham” to O’Hara’s “Kate/Lilli Vanessi.” The musical, with book by Sam and Bella Spewack and music and lyrics by Cole Porter, will be directed by by eight-time Tony nominee and Roundabout’s Associate Artistic Director Scott Ellis.

Additional cast members will be announced soon.

Warren Carlyle will choreograph, with music direction by Paul Gemignani. The creative team includes David Rockwell (Sets), Jeff Mahshie (Costumes), Donald Holder (Lighting), Brian Ronan (Sound) and David Brian Brown (Hair & Wig design).

Tony-winner O’Hara (2015, The King & I) appeared in the Roundabout’s 2006 revival of The Pajama Game opposite Harry Connick Jr. Chase returns to Roundabout following his Tony nominated role in 2012 revival of The Mystery of Edwin Drood. In 2016, O’Hara and Chase starred in a sold-out benefit concert reading of Kiss Me, Kate directed by Scott Ellis.

O’Hara’s other stage credits include The Bridges of Madison County and South Pacific, with TV credits including Showtime’s Master of Sex, Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why and CBS’ Blue Bloods.

Chase can be seen on HBO’s Sharp Objects and YouTube Red’s Impulse, and most recently appeared on FX’s American Crime Story: The Assassination Of Gianni Versace, Netflix’s Stranger Things and HBO’s The Deuce. He’s probably best known as country star Luke Wheeler on ABC’s Nashville.

Kiss Me, Kate, based on Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, features such Porter classics as “Too Darn Hot,” “So In Love” and “Always True To You In My Fashion.”

Nashville Recap: Juliette Is Finally Back! But Does Her Return Come Too Late?

Don’t get me wrong; I’m more than happy that this week’s episode gives us no sign of the Juliette-bot we saw the last time we visited The Movement for Coherent Philosophy’s South American outpost. But shouldn’t there have been some explanation for how Ms. Barnes snapped back to being her feisty self after months as the cult’s passionless plaything? Like, did that overworked “volunteer” faint in the yard and all of a sudden Ju was like, “You know what? I am being totally railroaded by this Dr. Phil-wannabe and his stupid, pseudo-psychological BS. And while we’re on the topic, why does everyone in this place wear ill-fitting sweaters?”

Or, as the CMT drama continues its slow slide to the series finale, maybe I should just light a candle at the altar of St. Reba in thanks for the fact that Ju manages to escape the movement’s clutches in the most unbelievable way possible. Because Alannah is on a mission, y’all, and Ju can’t get back to Music City quick enough for my tastes.

Read on for the highlights of “No Place That Far.”

ME TIME IS OVER | Juliette is working outside at the center when a woman toiling nearby passes out. The fainter has worked at 12-hour shift without a break, Ju huffs at a staffer looking on with very little interest, and she wasn’t allowed to take a break. The staffer parrots some line about how all of the “volunteers” choose how long they work, but Juliette says she’ll take it up with Darius when he returns.

So she does. And, as usual, the movement’s founder says all the right things, including promising her that he’ll deal with anyone who threatens the well-being of his little community. This mollifies her a little bit, but she makes it very clear: “I’m gonna help make things right, and then I’m going home.”

That earns her a visit the next day from Bill and Sharon, two of Darius’ henchmen, who are handling Juliette now that Darius has once again gone traveling. She comes at them hard, spitting threats and raising her voice, which gives them all the ammunition they need to treat her like she’s a threat to the community. They lock her in a room until her “agitated state” abates, with a soldier posted outside the door until she has a “chance to calm down.” An irate Juliette also gets a constant companion/minder named Rosa (played by Mia Maestro, who’ll always be Alias‘ Nadia Santos to me!), who’s ostensibly there to make sure that Juliette isn’t a danger to herself.

DIGGING IN DEEPER | The next day, Sharon and Bill cite Juliette’s “erratic behavior, baseless accusations [and] physical threats” as reasons why they held the country star against her will. I mean, have you met her? That’s just a normal Tuesday morning in the ol’ Barnes/Barkley household. The pair is holding Juliette’s passport, which they tell her she’ll get back once she figures out why she’s so angry. Or, they’ll tie her up. “Are you ready to accept help, Juliette?” they ask with their simpering, gaslighting, extremely punchable faces.

Back in her room/jail cell, Juliette lashes out at Rosa, saying the woman has lost all self-respect and dignity. This makes Rosa cry, which in turn makes Juliette’s antennae twitch. But when Ju wonders what dirt the movement has on Rosa, her minder tells her to hush up. “You’ll make it worse,” she whisper-shouts.

In the middle of the night, Juliette wakes up and barfs. Rosa comes in to see what’s the matter, and Juliette tearfully tells her she’s pregnant — and that her medical work-up she apparently received when she arrived in Bolivia didn’t catch it because it was too early in her first trimester. Though Rosa is skeptical, she slips out and returns with a pregnancy test that turns out positive.

THE GREAT ESCAPE | Concrete proof of the lil’ Barkley growing in her belly seems to galvanize Juliette, but Rosa refuses to help her escape. Turns out, the woman has a good reason: She has a son on the compound somewhere, but he was taken from her by the cult’s Powers That Be and he’s on lockdown. “I’m not allowed to see him,” she cries to Juliette, adding that fighting is futile: “The only thing you can do in this place is submit.”

That gives Ju an idea: She fakes a breakthrough — and total acquiescence — so that Sharon and Bill will back off a bit. Then she, along with a reluctant and scared Rosa, retrieve her passport and her file from the main office. (There’s a complicated sequence of events to get there; all you really need to know is that they’re successful.) Just before she scoots, Juliette says they’re going to grab Rosa’s son and go together, but the other woman says no. “I’ll come back for you,” Ju promises, and when Rosa says she won’t, Ju retorts, “You don’t know me.” Then they hug and Juliette runs.

Even though she’s in the middle of nowhere, Bolivia, a van happens by. “Por favor, aeropuerto!” Ju cries, and the driver is like, “OK!” And you know what? I want her back in Music City so badly, I’M JUST GOING TO GO WITH IT.

Side note: Is it me, or was this whole Ju-in-a-cult plot awfully light on the terrible details? Maybe I’ve just watched too much Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, but I expected to see some true horrors at the movement’s stronghold: members cleaning toilets with their toothbrushes and reporting on each other, that kind of thing. After so much build-up, the cult seemed more like an especially strict boarding school than any kind of real threat to our resident spunky blonde, no?

CRAZY IN LOVE | Anywhoodle, back at home, Will is attempting to mediate between Gunnar (“Of all the girls in Nashville, you had to pick her!) and Avery (“You said it was over”) when Alannah walks in and promptly walks out. Avery finds her and apologizes a lot, and she suggests that maybe she should leave the band. When he protests, she’s all, “Um, Brad approached me?” Translation: She’s basically already made up her mind. “No matter what happens with the band, it doesn’t have to change this,” Avery promises, stroking her hair. “But could it?” I reply.

In case you’re worried about Gunnar and Avery, they have a beer together and make up, with Avery alerting his bandmate that Alannah is probably going to leave. “I guess I’ve gotta go back to singing the high, girly parts again,” Gunny says. (Ha!) Avery admits that it still feels like he’s cheating on Juliette, but that he’s scared by how much he likes Alannah. I get it, Avery: I’m scared by how much you like Alannah, too.

Eventually, even though Jessie gives Alannah a friendly warning to stay away from Brad, the purple-haired chanteuse signs with Shiny New Records. Then she drinks a little too much at her signing celebration and calls Avery to inform him that she is Seriously Messed Up. “If you saw it all, you’d never want to be with me,” she sob-talks into the phone, and Avery, you need to RUN because it is FAR TOO SOON FOR THIS INSANITY. She leaves the call on a vaguely troubling note, so OF COURSE Avery hustles over to her apartment, where OF COURSE she’s a hot mess who insists that he shouldn’t have come but is secretly pleased that he did. (Side note: That last observation is not based on any of Rainee Blake’s acting choices and is instead informed by my knowledge of me/every girl I knew circa sophomore year of college. And junior year.) (OK and senior year.)

But Avery is used to faaaaaaaaaaaaaar more terrible behavior than this, and he calmly tells her that he’s not scared off by her messiness. “Maybe we can be messes together,” she says.

TWIG SNAPS | Maddie plays Twig a song she wrote. He mixes it for her and she loves it. Then Twig confesses that he likes her, and he tries to kiss her, but she backs away and things become incredibly awkward between them. By the end of the episode, they’re on the path to being friends again — but she doesn’t know that Jonah never actually broke up with Mia. Oh yeah, and Twig has been covering for him this whole time…

Nashville Sneak Peek: Juliette's Back! Has She Finally Come to Her Senses?

Yes, we’re finally getting an update on Cadence’s mom and what she’s been up to these past few episodes. It looks like an extended stay at The Movement for Coherent Philosophy’s Bolivian retreat center has helped Ju remember who she is and how much she likes ordering people around, as evidenced by this exclusive sneak peek of Thursday’s installment (CMT, 9/8c).

The hour checks in with Avery’s ex/current/who knows? wife, whom we last saw calmly informing her partner that she was going to stay at the South American facility for as long as it took for her to get her life in order. Seems like some of her spunk is back now. In the video above, Juliette complains about something troubling she witnessed at the center, Darius worries that her anger will distract her from her “journey.” Nonsense, she says. “I’m going to help make things right.” And then?

Nashville Recap: An Inconvenient Truth

I… [whispers] I think Gunnar is in the right in this week’s episode.

I KNOW. What is happening? I have never, ever agreed with any Gunnar thought, romantic choice or hairdo in the show’s entire six-season run. Can we attribute this anomaly to almost-end-of-series nostalgia? A human growth hormone high? Misplaced grief over Juliette’s several-episodes-and-counting absence?

Who knows? It’s a turvy-topsy world when I’m yelling at Avery and thinking Gunnar makes some good points, but here we are.

Read on for the highlights of “Two Sparrows in a Hurricane.” There are a lot of all-caps. I apologize in advance.

MOURNING STAR | Daphne’s time on Brad’s country-music reality competition begins, and they’re barely done with the first day before Brad is leaning on Daphne to write a song about her dead mom. It’ll help her be a real artist, he argues, while conveniently leaving out the fact that the strong Rayna Jaymes connection will certainly drive up ratings for his series.

So Daph writes a sweet, sad tune called “Crashing Memories,” even though Deacon is adamant that his younger daughter not be pushed into exploiting her grief for the cameras. And when she performs it on stage during the taping of the show, it’s a huge success: standing ovation, and a “yes” from all three judges, including Brad. But as soon as Daph comes off stage, she’s sobbing into Deacon and Maddie’s arms. Oh, honey.

OVER AND OVER AGAIN | The most space I’m giving Scarlett’s storyline this week is a (n admittedly long)sentence, because she pushes PTSD-suffering Sean into playing another open mic, even though he says he doesn’t want to, and then he performs and it’s great but it causes him to kiss her and then have a breakdown about the horrors he faced while in the military and even though the episode ends with him smiling and saying he’s going to continue to sing, WHAT IS YOUR PATHOLOGICAL NEED TO KEEP FLICKING AT THIS FRAGILE VASE OF A MAN, SCAR?

SOMETIMES, GOLIATH WINS | Jessie’s new attack dog of a lawyer says she can win the custody battle against Brad, but it’s going to take money and it’s going to require Jake to testify. Deacon quickly volunteers the cash — after all, he’s all wrapped up in this, too — but Jessie refuses to make her son take the stand. Then she has about three breakdowns about what a mess her life is, ultimately deciding not to fight her ex in case she loses and therefore loses Jake altogether. So she and Deacon sadly agree to part ways, both of them crying after it’s over. (But is it really over? It’s probably not really over.)

AVERY, ALONE | Gunnar apologizes to Avery for coming after him in the previous episode, and Avery doesn’t mind at all. Of course, he tells his friend, he’d never go after a woman Gunnar was so openly into. And if you think things are kind of weird at practice — “Does this whole band need to go to couples’ therapy or what?” observes Will, who’s there to check out a new song — Alannah’s like, “Hold my six-string.”

After rebuffing — probably for the last time — Gunnar’s romantic overtures, she hightails it to Avery’s place, where he’s feeling a little lonely. They have a drink before setting out for the evening’s show, and that’s when she gives a big monologue that on the surface is all about seizing opportunities but in the subtext is basically take my clothes off NOW. They kiss. I’m a little disappointed in how quickly Avery is being taken in by this low-key manic pixie dream girl, given how easily he called Juliette on her ish back in the day, but maybe he’s rusty? Anyway, they’re kissing, and kissing, and even more kissing in the parking lot near the venue… and that’s where Gunnar sees them and seethes.

But Avery and Alannah don’t know that Gunny witnessed their nookie. So as the pair are eye-shtupping each other from across the stage during the gig that night, Gunnar does the most baller thing I’ve ever seen him do: He stops playing the drums IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAMN SONG, Y’ALL and leaves. I love that he’s like, “You can take my girl, but you shall never take my crowd-pleasing beats!”

In the dressing room afterward, Avery says he never thought of the consequences of their actions. Then Alannah launches into some talk about how women always have to consider consequences of their decisions regarding men, which is true but somehow also insufferable in the way that she twists it to mean that she thinks Avery is worth whatever trouble Gunny throws her way. “I’m sorry if that was a mistake,” she adds.

Next time we see Yoko, she’s taking a meeting with Brad, who promises her a solo album, tour and fat advance check, and she’s not saying no…

Nashville Midseason Premiere Recap: Never Give All the Heart

More in the “Stop messing with an already screwed-up situation” way. The “Juliette may be outta town on the most ill-advised of walkabouts, but that doesn’t mean you can move your Manic Panic jars into Avery’s bathroom just yet” way. The (and I can’t believe I, of all people, am saying this, but…) “Stop breaking Gunnar’s heart because, good Lord, can’t you see he’s the softest of all possible soft boys and you are going to reduce him to smithereens?” way.

Yep, the CMT drama is back to finish out its final season, and I. Have. Feelings.

Read on for the highlights of “Pick Yourself Up.”

HEARTBROKEN | Right after Will is rushed to the hospital after collapsing during The Chew performance in New York, his doctor informs a worried Avery, Gunnar and Alannah that their bandmate is suffering from a heart infection. “Are any of you aware that he was using needles, injecting steroids?” the physician asks, and I scream “HIPAA violation!” at the screen, to no avail. Avery and Alannah are shocked to hear that Gunnar knew. And Gunnar is so mad that he yells at Will when they visit the next morning, saying that he’s been “stupid” about putting himself at so much risk. Will jokes and apologizes, but he looks rough.

Will’s doctor tells him to take it easy, saying that he might need surgery, because there’s “something ambiguous on your mitral valve.” He also nixes the idea of playing shows anytime soon, a fact that Will blatantly ignores when the band is given the opportunity to fill in for Lady Antebellum at the upcoming Music City Music Festival.

Several people in Nashville are relieved to hear that Will is OK. These include Scarlett, who brings him healthy food and urges him to write songs while he’s laid up, and Zach, who surprises his ex with a home visit. Though things between the two of them start off rather icy, at least on Will’s part, it’s clear Zach still cares for him, and they’re kinda flirty by the time Zach takes off. (His mention that he and Hot Mark broke up might have something to do with it?)

By the end of the episode, Will has eaten a banana and written a song. Progress? Yeah, I think it’s progress.

JESSIE’S MESS | Deacon can’t apologize enough for how he inserted himself into the Jessie-Brad-Jake situation, and even though Jessie understands why her boyfriend roughed up her ex a little, she can’t help but acknowledge that it’s “going to make things a lot worse.” Deacon mentions that, in addition to wanting Brad to lay off Jake, the incident made him flash back to the way his own father treated him, which was not great.

Like he promised, Brad sues Jessie for full custody of their son. And when a lawyer informs Deke and his lady that his past brushes with the law (drunk and disorderly charges, violence, etc.) kinda support Brad’s claim, Deacon thinks the only option is for them to break up so Jessie can say Jake is in no danger from him being around. Thing is, neither of them want that. So they both tear up a little and vow to fight Maitland… though they have no idea what that will look like or how they’ll win.

HAIR OF THE DOG, MADS? | Maddie spends much of Jonah’s “birthday week” knocking back booze with him and his friends while Twig stares at her longingly. Things Mads does not know: a) That Jonah’s ex, Mia, has been texting him on the regular, and b) how to cover up a hangover. When she comes down to breakfast and nearly barfs into her bacon, Deacon immediately orders her upstairs so he can yell at her. She’s 18, he angrily points out, and the daughter of an alcoholic — what the heck was she thinking?! She screams back that she’s an adult. “Not in this house, you’re not!” Deke counters. Her response? “Then maybe I should move out!”

They’re both crying as he calms down and explains that alcohol was the reason that he lost so many years with Rayna and with her; he doesn’t want his daughter to repeat his mistakes, especially if her genetics make her more susceptible to addiction. She promises to be “careful,” and he seems to be OK with that. Meanwhile, I’m ready to sit on this child’s chest until she quits exhibiting any signs of reverting to Season 4 Mads. Get comfy, Maddie, because I can wait as long as it takes…

Ultimately, Maddie agrees to spend a few nights at Scarlett’s, just to see how living on her own might feel. But when she sees how upset Daphne is at the prospect of her big sis moving out, Maddie decides to stay put.

ALANNAH’S ANGLE | Alannah isn’t doing great at hiding her growing attraction to Avery, but he’s so distracted by Juliette’s continued absence that he doesn’t notice. Meanwhile, Gunnar has noticed how his ladyfriend doesn’t ever want to stay the night — just spitballing here, Gunny, but maybe that’s because both of you seem to take off only the barest minimum of clothing before you hit the sack? — and he has to badger her into wanting to go out for a proper date with him.

One night, Alannah goes directly from making the guitar with two necks (what? After six years of recapping this show, I’m getting desperate for sex euphemisms) at Gunnar’s to swinging by Avery’s for a little talking, drinking and dancing it out. Avery seems happy just to have a conversation partner who’s not likely to decamp to Bolivia in the middle of their chat; they both fall asleep in the living room, and he thanks her the next morning for the support.

But when Gunnar sees tabloid photos of his woman sneaking out of his bandmate’s house in the morning — during the aforementioned date, no less! — he loses it. He rushes to the studio and says he’s going to take Avery down, but it’s Gunnar, so of COURSE that isn’t going to happen. The saddest part, I think, is that Gunny is less angry that Alannah might have slept with Avery and more angry that she didn’t bolt out of his house as soon as possible like a scared rabbit. “Did you cuddle?!” Gunnar yells. Aw, guys, Gunnar just wants someone to be his Big Spoon. May I humbly nominate Will? He’s got a broad chest, strong arms and a medical order that is tantamount to bedrest. Plus, he and Gunnar did kiss that one time…

Nashville Trailer: [Spoiler] Is Pregnant, and... Is That Who We Hope It Is?

But we also can’t confirm that it isn’t.

And while it’s unlikely that Connie Britton will return for the CMT series’ swan song, Deke sure looks at someone in the new video and incredulously asks, “Is this real?”

But that’s not the biggest bombshell from the promo, released Wednesday ahead of the drama’s return on Thursday (9/8c). We’ve got two reasons to celebrate in the back half of the season: Juliette is finally aware that the Movement for Coherent Philosophy is a cult holding her against her will (!), and she’s pregnant (!!).

Knowing that Cadence’s little sibling is growing in her belly seems to give Ms. Barnes the extra fire she needs to liberate herself. Because, as she tells Rosa, a new character played by Alias alum Mia Maestro, “I’m not goin’ down without a fight.”

Ju’s renewed fighting spirit comes at precisely the right time, too; as we see elsewhere in the video — and as previous trailers have hinted — Avery and Alannah are deep into the canoodling stage of their flirtation, and Gunnar is not amused.

Meanwhile, Brad looks like he might just be the creator of a #MeToo situation, Maddie threatens to move out, Will’s bill of health is not so clean, and Deacon’s father Gideon (played by St. Elsewhere vet Ronny Cox) arrives in town, much to Deke’s dismay.

Nashville: Will's Collapse Will Have Life-Changing Consequences

When The Last Highways found out they were going to perform on The Chew, but only be playing songs Alannah (Rainee Blake) was lead on, Will started to work overtime in order to regain the spotlight. Due to his previous steroid use, this was bad news bears for his heart. Will had what appeared to be a heart attack on stage, collapsing mid-performance. Oh yeah, and it all happened on live TV. Yikes!

"I think it's fair to say that he survives because people have seen promos and all that," showrunner Marshall Herskovitz tells TV Guide. "But it does have an impact on his life."

Collapsing in front of a live audience will no doubt have an effect on his career (that video has "viral" written all over it), but it will also have lasting effects on his health and the way he lives his life.

Luckily, he's got some seriously devoted bandmates and friends there to pick him back up after his fall.

"These are people who love each other very much, and I think they pull together," Herskovitz says. "In spite of all the drama that's going on in that band, I think they care very much about Will, and I think that's part of the storyline moving forward — how they deal with someone who has a significant health issue."

Nashville returns for its final run of episodes Thursday, June 7 at 9/8c on CMT.

Nashville Stars, Olympian Lindsey Vonn, Johnny Knoxville Are Presenters at 2018 CMT Music Awards

Representing the artist community are Lauren Alaina, Leon Bridges, Luke Combs, RaeLynn, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland and Backstreet Boys.

CMT stars Cody Alan, Katie Cook and Nashville’s Kaitlin Doubleday and Lennon and Maisy Stella will also present awards.

iHeartRadio’s Bobby Bones, NHRA drag racer Courtney Force, Mudbound and Country Strong actor Garrett Hedlund, the Today show’s Hoda Kotb, Action Point’s Johnny Knoxville, The Joel McHale Show’s Joel McHale, This Is Us actress Chrissy Metz, P.K. Subban from the Nashville Predators and Olympian Lindsey Vonn round out the night’s cast of celebrity presenters.

Carrie Underwood is the record-holder for the most CMT Music Award wins with 17 trophies. Underwood, Jason Aldean and Florida Georgia Line lead the nominees with four nominations each.

Voting to determine the winners in each category for the CMT Music Awards closes at the end of the day Monday (June 4) at CMT.com. On the morning of the show, Blake Shelton and Hoda Kotb will announce the five finalists for video of the year live on Today from Shelton’s Ole Red bar in Nashville.

And for those who want to be there on Wednesday, tickets and a limited number of VIP experiences are available through Ticketmaster and CID, respectively.

Luke Combs and Texas soul singer Leon Bridges will film the next CMT Crossroads live in downtown Nashville on the night before the 2018 CMT Music Awards. Fans are invited to attend the Crossroads concert, which kicks off Tuesday (June 5) at 8:30 p.m. CT on the corner of 5th and Demonbreun. Arrive early to secure a good spot because the event is standing room only, first-come, first-served. The concert special premieres June 28 at 10 p.m. ET.

Join the conversation by following @CMT on Twitter and Instagram, using the hashtag #CMTawards and liking the CMT Music Awards on Facebook.

Lennon and Maisy's Viral Video Turns 6

Back in 2012, the sisterly duo caught the attention of fans around the world with their rendition of Robyn's hit song "Call Your Girlfriend."

Perhaps it was their signature voices. Or maybe it was their unique use of two butter tubs. Whatever the case may be, fans couldn't say enough good things about the pair. And now, it's time to celebrate a big anniversary.

"Six years ago today," Lennon and Maisy wrote on Twitter with a screengrab of their viral content. "This video completely changed our lives, THANK YOU."

So what exactly have these two been up to? We're so glad you asked.

In addition to starring on CMT's hit series Nashville, the pair released a children's book called In the Waves. They've also walked in fashion shows and collaborated with Pottery Barn Teen for an exclusive furniture collection.

But perhaps there first love remains music and acting.

Whether performing on the small screen or big stages, these two have continued to follow their dreams and delight fans of all ages. And perhaps the best is yet to come!

The final episodes of Nashville premiere June 7 only on CMT.

New Nashville Video: Juliette Takes On the Cult, Deacon Has Daddy Issues

“The back half of Season 6 is really intense,” star Chris Carmack previews in a freshly released sneak peek at the remainder of the CMT drama’s final season. And the first footage from the series’ upcoming episodes backs him up.

Let’s start with Ms. Barnes, who apparently ditches her peasant dress, returns from Bolivia and immediately begins the work of dismantling Darius’ mind-control empire. “You control people by fear and intimidation,” she near-yells at him; at another point, Ju holds a press conference in front of the cult’s headquarters and promises to “pursue this as long as it takes.” (Feisty Juliette is SO much better than brainwashed Juliette, yes?)

Elsewhere in the video:

* Deacon goes off on his father, Gideon — played by St. Elsewhere vet Ronny Cox — while Maddie and Daphne look on in horror. (Mia Maestro, who, like Cox, will recur in the second half of the season, can be seen in some of Juliette’s scenes.)

* Gunnar watches Avery and Alannah canoodle… but they don’t know he can see them.

* Scarlett is called in to help when Sean, her veteran friend from the horse farm, holes up at his house with a gun.

* Brad sweet-talks Daphne, who’s a contestant in his televised country-music singing competition, but it’s pretty clear that he does so mainly to get under Deacon’s skin.

* Members of the Nashville cast — including Charles Esten and Hayden Panettiere — give their thoughts on episodes to come.

Nashville returns Thursday, June 7, at 9/8c.

Jimmy Fallon, Fergie, Connie Britton & More Set For Paley Center’s Tribute To Music On Television

Other confirmed guests include Annabelle Attanasio, AJ Calloway, Gaby Espino, Santino Fontana, Amy Forsyth, Damon J. Gillespie, Carla Hall, Casey Johnson, Jaime Lee Kirchner, Litzy, Rarmian Newton,Fabián Ríos, Shirley Rumierk, Leslie Uggams, Dionne Warwick, Lynn Whitfield, Tristan “Mack” Wilds, and Deborah Joy Winans.

The event will honor the groundbreaking musical moments from television including music-based series, variety, and talk shows, as well as pay tribute to the famous TV theme songs. “The Paley Honors shines a spotlight on the Paley Center’s overall mission to explore the role television plays in shaping our society,” said Maureen J. Reidy, the Paley Center’s President & CEO. “This year we’re so proud to present this first of its kind celebration that will highlight the historic and iconic musical moments that have thrilled generations of television fans.”

The occasion benefits the creation of the Paley Center’s Music Collection, which will become part of the Paley Archive as well as the Paley Center’s ongoing Education Programs.

Obie Awards Set Andrew Garfield, Laura Benanti, Lucy Liu, Matthew Broderick As Presenters

This year’s presenters include Academy Award and two-time Tony Award nominee Andrew Garfield, Emmy Award nominee Lucy Liu, as well as two-time Tony Award and Obie Award winner Matthew Broderick. Other presenters include Oliver Platt, Laura Benanti, Laura Osnes, Beth Malone, David Morse, Itamar Moses, Arian Moayed, William Ivey Long, Natasha Katz, David Henry Hwang, David Zinn, Emilio Sosa, Lilli Cooper, and Pixie Aventura. Hitchens and Barbey will also present along with Chair of the Obie Judges Michael Feingold.

Emmy and Obie-winning actor John Leguizamo will serve as this year’s Obie Awards. Tony Award-nominated and three-time Obie Award-winning actress Kathleen Chalfant will receive a special Obie Award for Lifetime Achievement.

‘Splitting Up Together’ Renewed For Season 2 By ABC

Single-camera Splitting Up Together premiered March 27 to solid numbers — 2.1 Live+same day in 18-49 — and 7.2 million viewers — thanks in no small part to being the lead-out of the hugely rated debut of the revived Roseanne. Since then Splitting Up Together has settled in with about half those numbers. With help from the goosed up premiere, Splitting Up Together season-to-date average is a 2.1 18-49 in L+7/most recent ratings.

Fischer and Hudson star as Lena and Martin, the couple whose marriage is reinvigorated by their divorce. They still live in the same house, alternating weeks, with one living upstairs and doing the parenting while the other lives downstairs in the guest apartment.

Diane Farr, Lindsay Price, Olivia Keville, Van Crosby and Sander Thomas co-star in the comedy from A Very Good Production and Piece of Pie Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television. Based on the Danish series created by Mette Heeno, it is executive produced by Ellen DeGeneres, Emily Kapnek, Jeff Kleeman, Dean Holland, Heeno, Mie Andreasen and Hella Joof.

Younger Books Laura Benanti to Play Self-Made Billionaire in Season 5

Tony Award winner Laura Benanti, currently a series regular on TBS’ The Detour, will appear in two episodes of the TV Land comedy’s upcoming season, playing a self-made billionaire named Quinn, TVLine has learned. The character, who’s slated to be introduced in August, pitches a book to Millennial on her every-woman-for-herself approach to business.

In addition to The Detour, Benanti has also held down roles on shows like Supergirl, Nashville, Law & Order: SVU, The Good Wife and Nurse Jackie. There’s also a pretty good chance you’ve seen her on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert — though we wouldn’t blame you for thinking you were watching Melania Trump.

Younger‘s fifth season premieres Tuesday, June 5 at 10/9c.

Nashville Selling Nearly 2,000 Costumes

The luxury consignment website The Real Real is selling 1,770 clothing items and accessories from CMT’s Nashville. And the hoard includes 77 pieces of jewelry, much of which has already been sold.

“We’ve done 168 episodes, so the volume of clothing we had was pretty amazing,” Nashville’s costume designer Susie DeSanto tells InStyle. “We had a warehouse full of thousands and thousands of pieces — including some big-ticket, high-end items — and with the show coming to an end, we had to find each one a new home. This was definitely a way for us to give back to the fan base who loves the show, plus everything is quite a bit more affordable now.

“There are tons of Connie [Britton]’s leather jackets and pants,” she adds. “Then there’s a Zuhair Murad dress that Hayden [Panetierre] wore last season, which I tracked all over the world to get it to Nashville in her size.”

A few items not for sale include 250 costumes that were held for a possible Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum exhibit.

“The cast was really attached to their characters’ clothes,” DeSanto said, “so, of course, we let them go through and pick out what they wanted to keep before we started selling everything to the rest of the world.”

Happy shopping, y’all! The show’s final episodes return on June 7.

Nashville Cast Promises 'Magic'-Filled Swan Song for CMT Series

“There was magic in the very beginning,” Charles Esten says. “There’ll be magic in the end.”

Esten is joined in the clip by co-stars Hayden Panettiere, Claire Bowen, Sam Palladio, Jonathan Jackson, Chris Carmack and Lennon and Maisy Stella, all of whom speak about why they think the show has connected with viewers over the course of six seasons.

“They’re very human stories,” Panettiere says. “There’s been a lot of love there, and a lot of respect.”

Nashville returns with its final midseason premiere on Thursday, June 7, at 9/8c.

Chaley Rose on Code Black

GUEST CAST includes: Chaley Rose (Pepper Russo), Alex Lange (Max), Cuyle Carvin (Firefighter).

‘Nashville’ Cast & Crew Celebrate Wrapping Last Episode Of Final Season

Lennon Stella, who plays Maddie, posted a photo from her first day on set saying that working on the show has been “magic” and adding “No words could possibly express my gratitude.” Chris Carmack took to Instagram to post a video of the spot that once served as Gunnar and Will’s house. Sam Palladio posted a selfie of him and co-star Hayden Panettiere on set of the final day of taping saying, “Blessed beyond belief to have been surrounded a cast and crew that I can call family.” Show creator and executive producer Callie Khouri kept it short and sweet saying, “that’s a wrap.”

Nashville has been on quite a journey since it premiered on ABC in 2012. It was canceled suddenly in May 2016 and then moved to CMT for its final two seasons. Nashville follows country stars Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere), Deacon Claybourne (Charles Esten) and the Highway 65 family as they strive to keep Rayna Jaymes’ dream alive and pursue their music while juggling relationships, family and the ever-changing industry. Jonathan Jackson, Clare Brown, Sam Palladio, Kaitlin Doubleday, Rachel Bilson and Lennon Stella also star. Connie Britton played Jaymes for the series’ first four-plus seasons.

The final eight episodes will air on CMT starting on June 7.

Chaley Rose on Code Black 4/25/18

GUEST CAST includes: Chaley Rose (Pepper Russo), Troy Winbush (Principal Grant).

Nashville: Grammy Winner Steve Earle to Counsel [Spoiler] in Final Season

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Steve Earle will guest-star as himself in an upcoming Season 6 episode of the CMT drama, TVLine has learned exclusively.

Series star Sam Palladio tells TVLine that the prolific rock/folk/country musician will arrive just when Gunnar could use a pick-me-up.

“Gunnar has been really struggling to write… He’s trying to get his writing hat back on and feel connected to what he’s doing,” Palladio says. “Gunnar ends up sitting down and getting some songwriter advice.” He adds that Earle “encourages him to stop overthinking and to just jump off that cliff and go for it and do something that people have never seen you do before.” Earle’s previous TV acting credits include recurring as The Wire‘s Walon and Treme‘s Harley Watt, as well as appearances on Law & Order: SVU and 30 Rock (in which he performed “The Ballad of Kenneth Parcell”). And in a nice bit of symmetry, Gunnar sang one of Earle’s songs, “If Momma Coulda Seen Me,” in Nashville‘s first season.

Other upcoming guest stars on the country-music drama include Mia Maestro (Alias), who’ll play Rosa, a member of The Movement for Coherent Philosophy who is starting to doubt her involvement in the group, and Ronny Cox (Stargate SG-1), who’ll play Gideon, Deacon’s estranged father.

Nashville, which is produced by Lionsgate and Opry Entertainment, will resume its final season on Thursday, June 7, at 9/8c.

CONNIE BRITTON TO LEAD BRAVO MEDIA’S SCRIPTED ANTHOLOGY SERIES ‘DIRTY JOHN’

Four-time Emmy Award-nominated Connie Britton most recently starred in the first season of FOX’s “9-1-1,” from executive producer Ryan Murphy. She also appeared this fall in the Golden Globe nominated, “SMILF,” for Showtime. Britton is best known for her Emmy Award-nominated starring roles on “Nashville” and “Friday Night Lights.” Her role on “Nashville” also earned her a Golden Globe nomination. She received another Emmy Award nomination for her role in the first installment of “American Horror Story.” Additional television credits include: “American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson,” “Spin City,” “24” and “The West Wing.”

Britton recently completed production on “Land of Steady Habits,” based on the debut novel from Ted Thompson, written and directed by Nicole Holofcener. Her recent film credits include “Professor Marston & The Wonder Woman,” “Beatriz at Dinner,” “Me & Earl & the Dying Girl,” “This Is Where I Leave You,” “The To-Do List,” “Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World” and “American Ultra.”

In April 2014 Britton was appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme. In this role, she raises awareness of UNDP’s work in poverty eradication and women’s empowerment, advocating to the American and global public.

Scripted anthology series DIRTY JOHN received a two season, straight to series order from Bravo Media earlier this year. Produced by Universal Cable Productions (UCP), the studio behind Amazon’s “Homecoming” and Netflix’s “Umbrella Academy,” in association with Los Angeles Times Studios and Atlas Entertainment, the series will be executive produced and written by Alexandra Cunningham (“Chance,” “Desperate Housewives”). In addition to Britton, Richard Suckle and Charles Roven will serve as executive producers for Atlas Entertainment and Mark Herzog, Christopher G. Cowen and Chris Argentieri will serve as executive producers for Los Angeles Times Studios.

Britton is represented by WME, Untitled Entertainment & Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush & Kaller. WME also reps Los Angeles Times Studios, Atlas Entertainment, and Alexandra Cunningham.

March For Our Lives: Amy Schumer, Yara Shahidi Join L.A. Rally Speaker Line-Up; Hollywood Tweets March Support

The actors will share the stage with students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, site of the February 14 shooting in Parkland, Florida. Other speakers and performers will include Denver Choir, Lara Downes, Ta’Rhonda Jones, Cappie Pondexter, Bret Lockett, Hasan Piker, Jacob Sartorius, Mason Cook, Meg Donnelly, Sierra Dupri. Trevor Hall will be providing a video of the song “Angel Rays” in honor of the 17 victims, and L.A. mayor Eric Garcetti will make the opening remarks.

Scheduled to begin at 9 am, the L.A. march is one of more than 800 currently being planned in solidarity with Saturday’s national March For Our Lives in Washington, D.C. The student-led campaign against gun violence and school shootings is designed to “call on lawmakers to prioritize the lives of young people nationwide.”

The main march in Washington, D.C. kicks off at 10 AM ET, along Pennsylvania Ave NW from 3rd Street NW to 12th Street NW. The stage, located at 3rd and Constitution Streets, NW, will serve as the hub for the day’s program which will begin at noon ET, with speakers including the Parkland students who launched the event. Musical performances will come from Common, Miley Cyrus, Andra Day, Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson, Demi Lovato and Vic Mensa others.

The New York march and rally is set for 11 AM ET at the corner of West 72nd Street and Central Park West, making its way to and down Sixth Avenue to 43rd Street.

Counting L.A., Washington D.C. and New York City, marches and rallies are being planned in 836 locations worldwide, including Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Liverpool and Reykjavik, to name a few, according to The March For Our Lives website.

The Downtown L.A. march will convene on the corner of 6th Avenue and Spring Street, proceeding to Los Angeles City Hall and Grand Park for the rally, where students, teachers, community leaders, and artists will speak “to honor the 17 lives tragically claimed in Parkland, Florida on February 14, 2018 and to demand immediate action on gun violence prevention.”

“We are witnessing our generation, actively come together, in a global conversation, demanding action from lawmakers to invest in and assure our right to safety,” said Grown-ish star Yara Shahidi. “I am inspired and motivated to continue to contribute through action, and am honored to be joining March For Our Lives, in Los Angeles this Saturday, to stand in solidarity with my peers from across the country, to demand an end to the gun violence plaguing our schools and our communities, once and for all.”

The event has received financial donations of at least $500,000 from George and Amal Clooney, Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw, Jeffrey Katzenberg and Oprah Winfrey.

Riley Smith Cast In Fox Legal Drama Pilot Produced By Danny Strong

The untitled project (formerly known as Infamy), a legal drama set at a wrongful-conviction firm, hails from 20th Century Fox TV and studio-based Danny Strong Productions. Penned by Elliot and directed by Patricia Riggen, it revolves around a legal team led by Madeline Scott (Lefevre), a fierce and fearless lawyer with a hunger for justice. They reopen investigations, putting their own lives in danger to exonerate the innocent that were “proven” guilty.

Smith will play Levi Scott, Madeleine’s brother.

Smith starred as Frank Sullivan on the CW’s Frequency and also appeared in a major arc on Nashville. He currently can be seen opposite Lucy Hale in a major recurring role on the CW’s Life Sentence. Smith is repped by Gersh and Sanders Armstrong Caserta Management.

Nashville Sets Series Finale Date, Adds Mia Maestro and St. Elsewhere Vet

The country-music drama will return for the series’ final eight episodes on Thursday, June 7, at 9/8c, CMT announced just after the midseason finale aired Thursday. As usual, all episodes will be available to stream on Hulu the day after they air.

In addition, Nashville will add two recurring guest stars in the last batch of episodes. Mia Maestro (Alias, The Strain) will play Rosa, a true-believer member of The Movement for Coherent Philosophy who is starting to doubt her involvement in the organization.

Meanwhile, Ronny Cox (St. Elsewhere, Stargate SG-1) has been cast as Deacon’s father, Gideon Claybourne. Per the official character description, Gideo is a “recently reformed lifelong alcoholic” and “crusty, frustrated, would-be musician” who’ll enter the action as he tries to repair his relationship with his son.

“It was just such a happy turn of events for us that we could get” Cox, Nashville co-showrunner Marshall Herskovitz tells TVLine. “It just gives us a real chance to do real drama, a story about a really badly sundered relationship where these two men have not seen each other in many years.”

Herskovitz adds that Cox will sing during his time on the show.

Nashville Midseason Finale: EP Weighs In on Juliette's Absence, Deacon's Big Misstep and Will's Scary Collapse

Thursday’s episode both marked the halfway point in the CMT drama’s final season and set up some serious heartache for Avery, whose reaction to Juliette’s decision to stay at a cult retreat in Bolivia included removing his wedding ring and telling Deacon he’s “done” with his flighty wife.

“I will not live my life like this anymore,” a highly upset and seemingly over-it Avery said during the hour. And when new bandmate Alannah started ever-so-slightly cozying up to him? Let’s just say, he didn’t immediately turn her away.

Meanwhile, Deacon couldn’t stop himself from getting physically involved when Brad was rough with Jake. Though the interaction was over before it really began, Brad seemed to relish the idea of pressing charges against Jessie’s new man. “Did you just assault me?” the irksome record-label exec said, smiling, as he sauntered past an instantly regretful Deacon.

And in New York, while taping a performance at The Chew, Will’s steroid use caught up to him. He collapsed in the middle of a song, and seemed unresponsive as emergency medical personnel strapped him to a gurney.

We wanted to know what all of this means for the series’ final eight episodes, which will debut on Thursday, June 7 (9/8c). So we went straight to co-showrunner Marshall Herskovitz for the answers… well, the ones he was willing to give up, at least. Read on for the scoop:

TVLINE | First of all, I’m very worried about Juliette and Avery. This seems like a bad place for them as a couple, where we’re leaving them before the break. Is he as done with her as he sounds like he is?

I wish I could answer a question like that, but I can’t. [Laughs] Well let me say this. What can I say? I have to figure out what is safe to say… All right, we know Juliette’s going to be back. I’ll just give that away right now. So she’ll be back. I can say that Avery feels as done as he is. What he feels is what he feels, you know what I mean? I can’t speak to the future one way or the other, but I think you could certainly defend the way he feels. God almighty, he’s put up with so much from Juliette over the years.

I think what we want to look forward to, though, is the possibility of transformation. The possibility of someone changing their lives, and what does that mean and what does that mean for the people around them? So yes, we’re leaving Juliette and Avery in a bad place — and I hear about it on Twitter literally hundreds of times a day and I understand that — but this is the nature of drama. A story would not be a good story if there were not moments in the story when things look dark. That doesn’t say where it’s going to come out at the end, but that’s just a part of all good drama.

TVLINE | We’ve also been hearing from readers who’ve noticed that Hayden Panettiere has not been on screen that much in the past few episodes. I know you’ve spoken before about how it can be challenging to give all of the characters in the show airtime, but even given that, her on-screen presence feels a little sparse as of late. Can you address how much we’ll see her in the second half of the season?

Well, I can easily say that she’s Number One on the call sheet, in the parlance of our business, and she’s such a central part of this show and we are not in any way going to slight her story. I think I can say that.

TVLINE | In this last episode it seemed like Alannah and Avery seemed to have a little bit of a kinship. Am I reading too closely into that, or is that something that’s going to be explored as we move on?

Oh my gosh. Boy would I like to speak about that. But I can’t! [Laughs] Look: What’s there is there to be seen. I’ll put it a different way. There is a connection. What happens there will have to be explored, you know? We’ll find out if it’s real or not.

TVLINE | We see Will collapse during the performance, after Googling about tapering steroid use. Has he been trying to do that himself?

No. That’s not what’s happening. But I’m not at liberty to say what is happening.

TVLINE | Can you give us a gauge of how bad off he is? It looks really bad.

What happens to him is real. In other words, again it’s very hard for me because I don’t want to give away upcoming stories. It wasn’t a trick, put it that way.

TVLINE | Deacon’s stepping into the Brad-Jessie-Jake fight seems certain to have legal ramifications. Will it affect Deacon’s relationship with Jessie, as well?

You know, I think it certainly puts their relationship in danger because even though it wasn’t very violent, it was still technically assault, and that’s what [Brad] said. “Did you just assault me?” And you know, assault is a criminal act that has repercussions. I personally find it a very delicious turn in the story, because every piece of it comes out of the character of these people. In other words, there was almost an inevitability about it, even though we didn’t see it coming.

You know Deacon has this history of violence, at lashing out, and Jessie has this history of being tormented by [Brad], and [Brad] has a history of being cruel. So it was sort of an inevitable clash, and yet I can truthfully say, we didn’t plan on this. We just realized that it had to happen. And as a storyteller, that’s a great moment when you realize that the characters themselves are telling you what must happen.

Nashville's Chris Carmack and Sam Palladio Preview Their New Band Name

Until tonight’s midseason finale, that is.

Though we won’t spoil the name ahead of airtime (CMT, 9/8c), we thought you might like to hear how the band’s new handle came about. So when series stars Chris Carmack and Sam Palladio stopped by TVLine’s New York offices this week, we asked.

TVLINE | The new band gets a name this week. Did you all talk about how that came about?

CARMACK | More than you could possibly imagine.

PALLADIO | Oh my God. [Production has] got to jump through so many loopholes to end up with a name.

CARMACK | Because everything is a band name!

PALLADIO | Right.

CARMACK | [Gesturing to objects within reach] Table Tops! Sorry, can’t do it. Bottled Water! Sorry, it’s already a band. Picture Frames! Sorry, can’t do it.

PALLADIO | So the name that was printed in the scripts and went through all the loops that we had to then try our best to veto, the band was going to be called The Brilliant Ideas. That was the band name.

CARMACK | We were all a little disappointed with that.

PALLADIO | We were all a little disappointed. So we had about a week before we started shooting the episode where they announce our name. So we all took it upon ourselves, like, “Right, we can do this. We can give them some options that they haven’t heard.”

TVLINE | So you all brainstormed.

PALLADIO | Yes. It was Chris, myself, Jonathan [Jackson, who plays Avery] and Rainee [Blake, who plays Alannah]. We were sending group emails. Got a list together. Sent them to Marshall Herskovitz, our showrunner. “Hey dude, can any of these fit the bill?”

CARMACK | Originally, it was just an email saying, “Hey, can we have a couple of suggestions?” He was like, “You would not believe how hard it is.”

PALLADIO | So we took it on ourselves. And actually, [BAND NAME REDACTED] was one of mine. [Laughs] So Gunnar named the band, man!

Magnum P.I.: Jay Hernandez Scores Title Role in CBS Reboot Pilot

Jay Hernandez (Scandal, Last Resort) has nabbed the title role in Magnum P.I., the Eye net’s in-the-works reboot of the classic ’80s action-drama. He succeeds Tom Selleck, who played the iconic private eye during the series’ original CBS run.

Hernandez’s Thomas Magnum is a decorated ex-Navy SEAL who, upon returning home from Afghanistan, repurposes his military skills to become a private investigator. Reboot vet Peter Lenkov (Hawaii Five-0, MacGyver) penned the pilot along with his fellow Five-0 writer Eric Guggenheim. Fast & Furious‘ Justin Lin will handle directing duties.

Hernandez’s TV resume also includes stints on The Expanse, Gang Related and Nashville.

Nashville Recap: Gone-for-Good Girl?

When Juliette extends her stay in Bolivia — without answering a single phone call or message from her worried baby daddy since she left weeks before — Avery decides it’s time to get on a plane and bring his lady home. Problem is, Juliette has zero desire to return to Music City or the life she led there. Is she brainwashed? Does she really just need time to think and grow? I’m leaning toward the former, and from the looks of Avery’s tearstained face, he’s right there with me.

Meanwhile, a bit farther north, Alannah is totally going to be the death of the guys’ new band, and Deacon and Jessie finally get it on. Read on for the highlights of “Can’t Help But Wonder Where I’m Bound.”

A SHORT, STRANGE TRIP IT’S BEEN | Maddie flies to Miami to meet Jonah; she’ll perform with him at his concert, then hang out with him and the guys for the rest of the weekend. The pop sensation is sweetly attentive to her for the five minutes that he’s in town… but the morning after the show, he announces that Richard Linklater wants him to read for a role in a new movie, and he’s got to go to Texas to do it. Rather than bring Mads with him, Jonah encourages her to stay with his entourage, who are seeming more and more to me like an idiot version of the Life and Death Brigade. When two of the juggleheads offer Twig and Maddie psychedelic mushrooms, they both pass. But then the guys peer-pressure Twig into cramming one into his mouth, and then Maddie takes it upon herself to babysit a freaked-out Twig until he stops tripping. They bond about how he was forced to grow up too soon, thanks to an absent dad and a checked-out mom, and their interaction looks an awful lot like mutual flirting the next morning. But then Jonah comes home and everything is back to normal, though Twig looks disappointed. (Side note: I’d wondered if maybe Twig was in love with Jonah, and not crushing on Maddie, but this episode seems to answer that for me, right?)

BRAD IS A BAD DAD | Both Daphne and Jake perform at their school’s open house evening, which is attended by Jessie, Deacon, Brad and his new wife. Daphne sings a lovely song she wrote. Brad does a spoken-word piece about Star Wars. It’s a little weird. And wait, Indiana Jones? And hating his dad, and being bullied? Oh god, there’s a Game of Thrones reference at the end. “I’m a wildling, y’all are a bunch of crows,” Jake says, gently placing the microphone on the stage rather than dropping it to end his number. (I don’t know why, but I loved that little detail.) Afterward, Deacon and Jessie gush over both kids’ performances, but Brad only has kind things to say about Daphne’s. He tells her she should be a star, an idea she’s clearly tossing around in her head later as she looks at an application for Brad’s American Idol-like country-music competition.

When Deacon happens to have a moment alone with Jake a few days later, he reiterates that he loved what he saw up on that stage. “The words you said and the heart behind it, it cut right through me,” Deke says, commiserating about having a father who didn’t quite do his job and offering himself as a cautionary tale who blindly accepted his dad’s lack of confidence in his abilities. He adds that feeling things deeply can be painful, but “it’s worth it. It’s a gift. You keep doing what you’re doing.” Jessie overhears all — and can’t quite believe it when Jake initiates a handshake with Deacon before leaving for Brad’s — which makes her very, very appreciative of her boyfriend’s ability to parent.

The moment Jake is out the door, Jessie’s lips are on Deacon’s face. “We’ve gotta hurry, or we’re gonna miss the show,” he tells her, chuckling. “We’re gonna miss the show,” she answers, leading him to her bedroom, because NOTHING knocks down impediments to boning faster than a mom than watching her romantic partner take care of her kid.

THREE GUYS, A GIRL AND A ROUGH PLACE | Will is so jealous of Alannah’s popularity since joining the band, he tries to drown her out with his electric guitar during a gig, then hits the gym so hard in frustration that he nearly passes out. Gunnar is so jealous of Alannah’s ex — even though Gunny EXPLICITLY TOLD HER he wasn’t looking for a relationship in the first place — that he gets all weird and asks her inappropriate questions, like whether she and her former partner hooked up on a night she wasn’t with Gunnar. (Still, she shows up at Gunny’s house of her own accord at the end of the episode, so that’s something.)

In other news, reporters have started contacting Bucky about the guys’ side project. But the writers don’t really want to talk to anyone other than Alannah. And when one of the journalists lets it slip that Brad alerted them to her rising stardom, Deacon doesn’t like that one bit.

JULIETTE GOES ALL THE WAY | When Juliette isn’t aboard her private jet when it returns from Bolivia, Avery calls The Movement for Coherent Philosophy’s Bolivian facility but is told that he can’t speak to Juliette. So, on Deacon’s advice, Avery flies there himself to bring his wife/ex-wife/reason for breathing home himself. Once he gets to her — which is no easy task, thanks to the movement’s stonewalling receptionist — he finds Juliette sitting in a simple blue dress in her bedroom. He’s elated to see her, but she doesn’t show much emotion at all when he embraces her and asks her to come home.

When he notes she’s not acting like herself, she says, “You’re right. I’m not the person I was. But I am more myself than I have ever been in my life.” She goes on to say that she’s lived her entire life for other people, a statement on which Avery quickly and unequivocally calls BS. He reminds her that she’s never given a damn what anyone else thought. “I understand why you think that, but you’re wrong,” she says, a little too evenly, almost as though she’s repeating something she’s been told ad nauseum. “I needed people too much. I had to control everything because I was afraid if I didn’t, I would be erased.” And then, things get real bad.

Juliette tells Avery he’s part of the problem — “You had a stake in keeping me the way that I was” — and says she can’t be with him or have anything to do with her old life “until I learn how to fill this whole in my heart on my own, not from the outside.” That means she’s not coming home, she adds, suggesting that Cadence come live with her until she’s ready to return to the United States. Avery looks like he’s trapped in some terrible dream, telling her that that is not an option. (Interesting, too, that Juliette doesn’t once mention her daughter until Avery mentions her name, eh?) Juliette drops the suggestion quickly, saying she’ll FaceTime the toddler every day.

“You are not the problem. I am,” she says dispassionately while Avery cries and tries to figure out what the hell is going on, exactly. “And I can’t communicate with you or anyone else until I can change that.” And when he literally begs her, on his knees, to come back, she pulls him close and kisses him. “I’ve already made my decision,” she states, then turns away, leaving him to find his own way out.

Nashville Recap: Gunnar Strikes Again!

Avery has no idea where his wife is, exactly, nor when she’s coming home.

Sure, we knew that Juliette had taken off for Bolivia as part of a Movement for Coherent Philosophy service trip to help children who’d survived trauma. But, as we learn in the exclusive sneak peek at Thursday’s episode (CMT, 9/8c), Avery hasn’t heard from her since she left. And it kinda feels like she doesn’t want to be found.

There’s also beer, pizza and Gunnar acting like a complete noob about Alannah, so enjoy!

Nashville Recap: Gunnar Strikes Again!

Nashville‘s resident blonde (at least while Juliette’s out of town) does his thing in this week’s episode — and by “his thing,” I mean “sleeps with a woman with whom he is professionally involved,” even though that arrangement didn’t work out for him with Scarlett… or Erin… or Hailey… or Zoey… or Autumn. Dude, the list goes on an it is embarrassing how inadequate you are at keeping it in your pants when a pretty woman with sweet pipes makes eyes at you.

Also? Daphne hates Jessie. Yeah, you knew that, but she like really hates her this week. And Scarlett falls back into her old patterns, as well.

Read on for the highlights of “Beneath Still Waters.”

ALANNAH’S A HIT | The newest member of Will, Avery and Gunnar’s band is a gigantic hit on Twitter after their first show together, so Gunnar suggests making her a bigger part of the group. Will is cranky about it, but that’s probably more because he can’t find his “vitamins” (read: ‘ROIDS) than anything else. Anyway, Gunny goes to Alannah’s house to hear more of her music, and she plays him a gorgeous ballad she wrote about how you need to let things go before you break them “or before they break you,” she says. He manages to control himself long enough to bid her goodnight and leave, but when he gets to his car, he tells himself, “Don’t be an idiot.” Then he turns around… and is an idiot. When he knocks on Alannah’s door once more, she knows exactly why he’s there. I do kind of love that she’s the more aggressive of the pair, and that he’s all, “I’m not ready for a relationship” and she’s all, “Who said I was?”

The next morning, they wake up next to each other and she promises that it can stay a casual, fun thing. “Don’t worry. No one has to know,” she says, rolling back on top of him for a little wakey wakey eggs and hey-now. But all it takes is one moment of weirdness at rehearsal and the guys totally know what’s going on. (You guys know how I write in all caps sometimes? I assure you that they’re used here to accurately represent exactly what Gunny sounds like in the scene.) “You two look kinda sexy together,” Avery notes when Alannah starts rubbing up on Will while they’re singing. “ALMOST TOO SEXY,” Gunnar says in what I’m sure he thinks is a totally suave way. “It’s a joke! EVEN I WANT TO MAKE OUT WITH WILL RIGHT NOW.” (Side note: Stop teasing me, Nashville.)

The moment Alannah steps outside, Avery looks at Gunnar and says, “What were you thinking?!” (Ha.) “Band 101: Don’t sleep with bandmates!” There’s more ribbing, and it’s warranted. Then the band plays that night and they’re amazing, and even Gunnar is able to keep himself in check. (Perhaps by concentrating on his sweet porkpie hat.) After the show, Brad Maitland lumbers up to Alannah and gives her his card, telling her to distance herself from the boys. What if they’re my friends? she asks. “I’m the only boy you will ever need, all right?” he sleazes. Oh, so Brad is the new Jeff Fordham? Well smirk my turtle and call me daisy! At the end of the evening, Alannah goes home alone, leaving Gunnar to stare after her with his Gunny, googly eyes.

MAKING INROADS | Daphne hates Jessie, and Jessie is fully aware. But Deacon is irked by his younger daughter’s stinkface attitude toward his new lady, so he sets up a dinner for the three of them and Jake, so they can hash everything out. It goes poorly. Thank goodness Jessie puts on her big-girl pants and gets some time alone with Daphne, confessing that she’s afraid she’ll mess everything up for the people she cares about so much. “You need to know that I am not trying to replace your mother, OK? I couldn’t. I wouldn’t. And I’m not trying to take your father from you, either.” Daphne cries and apologizes. Jessie cries and smiles. They hold hands and all is well.

MEANWHILE… | Can we get some webisodes about Juliette’s adventures with Culty McWorrisome in Bolivia? Anyone?

HORSE SENSE | Scarlett’s need to gather all the wounded puppies of the world to her side manifests as she fixates on Sean, a military vet at the ranch who’s got PTSD and is on the verge of losing his wife and baby daughter. When she sees him drunk and rambling around downtown Nashville, she follows him and starts talking about how she knows music is important to him. How does she know? Well, she’s been Google-stalking him.

She invites him to stay at her house, because that’s a totally sensible thing to do to a stranger struggling with his mental health. When he sobers a bit, he realizes that she was talking about him like she knows him — and when she confesses to the online research, particularly a video of him playing guitar with a friend at his high school graduation, things go bad quickly. See, the friend died while the two of them were serving abroad in the military. “I watched his jaw get shot off. So anytime you wanna rub my face in it, just keep going on about music,” he says, angry and agitated.

Before Scarlett retires to her room, she asks him one question: “I’m just wondering: Who does it help if you give up what you love?” And that seems a little ballsy a query for a suffering veteran whom you barely know, Scarlett, but maybe that’s just me.

But because Scarlett is an angel in a grandma cardigan, her prodding works: The next day at the ranch, Sean picks up a guitar and starts singing. Just a little bit, and just to himself, but it’s a start.

Nashville Recap: Sad in the Sack

This week’s Nashville finds the label head/widower/poster boy for Dad sexiness nearing a major milestone: His first real nookie since Rayna kicked the bucket last season.

But buttons are barely unbuttoned and chests are barely heaving before Deke starts having some capital-F Feelings about the whole thing, and before you know it, he’s sobbing on Jessie’s floor. It’s sad. It’s touching. It’s not wholly unexpected. But is it the end for a relationship that’s just getting started?

Elsewhere, Juliette makes a bold decision about her immediate future and the WAG Band becomes the WAAG Band. Or WAGA Band. GAAW, maybe? I’ll explain later.

Read on for the highlights of “Where the Night Goes.”

THE BOY BAND GETS A GIRL | “OK guys, I’ve got a question,” Gunnar asks Will and Avery, “Why is it always me singing the high, girly part?” Oh Gunny, I have so many answers to that. When the guys respond that he’s got the voice that can do it, he counters tha the wants to hire a pretty girl to croon along with them. Bucky agrees that some of the hottest acts in country right now — Little Big Town, Alabama Shakes — are co-ed. And so the guys go about adding a little estrogen to the WAG Band’s sausage party.

For some reason, they decide to go out and try to find someone by attending a bunch of shows. (Isn’t narrowing the pool exactly the kind of thing Bucky would do for them?) They all seem enamored of Alannah, who’s got pink and purple hair and a rad voice. And after Gunnar sniffs out that she’s single, he’s her biggest champion. Will and Avery like her, too, and it becomes official when she debuts with them at a gig that night: Alannah is part of the band. I think she blends well with them, but I’m too distracted by Gunnar making googly eyes at her while they’re all up on stage. Maybe try dating someone — and I’m just spitballing here — who’s not in/affiliated with your band, bro? See how that works out for once?

THE BOLIVIAN EXIT | At home, Avery is still bowled over by the news of Juliette’s recovered rape memory. And he’s trying to be as supportive as possible. But when Darius suggests that she needs to serve others in order to kickstart her new life… and that the best way to do that is via a two-week, Movement for Coherent Philosophy service trip to Bolivia… Avery is incensed.

“I don’t trust this guy. Why are you letting him control your whole life like this?” he wonders, but Ju maintains that she’s not. Later, when she presses him for an answer, he blurts out, “Do you even need us anymore, except to save you from yourself?” But she’s growing more sure of herself by the minute. “I do not need you to save me,” she replies. “I am saved.”

The next night, when Juliette wakes up alone, she finds Avery sleeping on the couch. She cozies up to him and apologizes. “I’m sorry I’m not a normal person. You deserve a normal person in your life,” she whispers. “It’s OK,” he answers softly. “I’m used to it. Sort of.” She tells him she needs him “more than anyone in this world” and they have sex. But when he wakes up in the morning, she’s gone and she’s not answering her phone. Bolivia? Avery’s face looks like “Aw hell NO-livia,” amirite? (I’ll show myself out.)

THE REAL JONAH FORD | Jonah’s “crazy” (according to him) ex writes a song ragging on Maddie. Jonah tries to apologize in person, but the paparazzi get in the way. (Side note: I’ll spare you all my usual rant about how I’ve been led to believe this thing is really out of character for that town, but suffice to say, I’m still irked by the show’s inconsistent invocation of invasive tabloid media.) Finally, he shows up at the house and begs her to see that a) he truly is no longer dating his ex and b) he’s just a ball of anxiety who thinks that his own music is “crap.” Then he asks her to accompany him to an EP rollout party. She says yes.

They’re at the event for a very brief time — cute braids, Mads! — before he tells her they’re leaving. Oh, and he kisses her in front of everyone. They wind up buying lots of yummy donuts and staying out all night. At one point, I start to think the show is going to go full Arianna Grande and have Jonah lick a donut, but it doesn’t happen. Eh, probably for the better.

LET’S GET IT ON | That leaves us with Deacon, who is necking in the car with Jessie when things get a little hotter than they’ve previously gotten. They make a quick plan to go to her place… but then they realize they don’t have condoms, and in the discussion about whether or not to pick some up on the way, their nether regions cool considerably. (Side note: Oh just GO TO A DRUGSTORE. In terms of impediments to sex, this is a rather small one, no? Teddy was literally in danger of losing his job and his liberty, and he was still banging Ol’ Leopard Panties on the regular. Deacon, BE BETTER THAN TEDDY.) (Side note to my side note: Deacon later does to go a drug store.)

Anyway, there’s a lot of back and forth during the hour about where and when Jessie will finally get her hands on Deke’s six-string, if you know what I mean. They finally wind up at her place, on her couch, and they’re sweetly nervous around each other… until they start kissing. Then she’s on his lap, and then they’re horizontal, and it is ON. Deacon starts working his way down her neck and, oh wait, it’s actually OFF. Because he’s crying. And it’s not “One Manly Tear Sliding Down My Face as I Briefly Think About My Dearly Departed Wife.” It’s more “Sobbing So Ugly I Feel the Need to Hide My Face With My Hand and Slither Off the Couch in Horrified Embarrassment Combined With Nasty Breath Hitches.” Or, shorter: Nice work, Esten.

For her part, Jessie is very understanding and comforting. “If you need to talk about Rayna, it’s fine. It’s OK,” she says, petting him like he’s a Chihuaua who just heard thunder. He starts apologizing (“I thought I could… I wanted to”) but she shushes him. “It’s been 11 months,” he notes, adding that he’s had some sort of breakdown every single day and wondering why he can’t seem to get past things, because it feels like Maddie and Daphne are doing OK with their grief. Jessie just hugs him as he tries to remember how to breathe.

DEKE’S WALK OF SHAME | Once Deacon composes himself, they share some ice cream and stay up talking. Their last conversation before Jessie falls asleep with her head in his lap (NOT LIKE THAT) is about how they should sleep under the stars by a river sometime. Of course, this makes him think about Rayna, because everything makes him think about Rayna. And he sadly whispers that he’s sorry that he’s broken, but Jessie doesn’t hear him, because she’s conked out.

In the morning, they’re weird around each other. And Jessie is a little less Earth Mother than she was a few hours earlier. “You don’t have to say anything. I know that Rayna is a hell of an act to follow,” she says, misreading his awkwardness as he prepares to leave. “Just so you know, I know that I’m not her… She was larger than life, and I can’t compete with that.” But he stops her before she can say anything more. “I was gonna say, please don’t give up on me,” he says softly. And she’s relieved.

Deke and Maddie both arrive home in the very early morning to find that Daphne’s sleepover at a friend’s house ended when the girl got food poisoning. So Daph’s been home alone all night. Oops!

Final Nashville Concert Tour Has One U.S. Date — Find Out Where and When

The tour’s single date in the United States will take place on Sunday, March 25, at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Opry Entertainment announced Tuesday.

Series stars Charles Esten, Clare Bowen, Sam Palladio, Chris Carmack, Lennon and Maisy Stella and Jonathan Jackson will perform at the event, which also will feature “special guests,” a promo for the show promises. A release that accompanied the announcement said Kaitlin Doubleday — as well as Nashville newbies Jake Etheridge, Nic Luken and Rainee Blake — were slated to attend.

A few weeks after the Opry date, members of the cast will launch the tour’s European leg, which includes stops in England and Ireland.

Nashville, currently in its sixth and final season, airs Thursdays at 9/8c. Tickets for the U.S. date go on sale here on Friday, Feb. 2, at 11 am/10c.

Nashville Recap: Well You Can Tell My Heart, My 'Roid Ragey Heart

Just a day after former Team USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar was sentenced to up to 175 years in prison for sexually abusing more than 150 girls and women in his care, the CMT drama aired an episode in which Hayden Pannettiere’s character, Juliette, remembered that a man Juliette knew as “Uncle” paid her mother to engage in sexual activities with her as a child.

“I think this is something really important for people to be able to talk about,” co-showrunner Marshall Herskovitz told TVLine when we discussed the episode Wednesday after we’d viewed a screener of the episode. “My god, the bizarre coincidence that we’re talking on the day when this monster was sentenced is sort of remarkable.”

In the Nashville episode, titled “That’s My Story,” Darius decides Juliette has reached the point in her Movement for Coherent Philosophy journey called “witnessing”: She reclines in a dark room full of candles and other movement members while Darius coaches her to delve deeper into a troubling, vague memory about an older man who knew her mother. As Juliette’s memory crystallizes, she remembers that she — and not Jolene — was in the bedroom with the lecherous old man while her mother cried and pocketed a stack of bills in the living room. The realization of what actually happened causes Juliette to sob.

Read on as Herskovitz explains why the country-music drama chose to tackle the subject at this point in the season, and what the discovery might mean for Juliette and Avery as they move forward.

TVLINE | This is relatively early in the season to have such a large revelation happen.

Yes.

TVLINE | What was the thinking behind revealing Juliette’s abuse now, as opposed to later?

Because it actually opens the door to a lot of story that’s going to follow. It’s been very interesting to watch the reactions of the audience on Twitter to this guy Darius and to this movement she’s getting into and they’re saying “Oh no, don’t get involved in a cult!” What’s interesting to me is that, regardless of where this is going to go, there’s a lot that this man teaches that’s absolutely correct and very helpful to her. So it’s not a simple situation at all. What [happens] in this episode, the revelation of what was done to her, is life-changing to her. And he facilitates that. So there’s an interesting combination of dark and light here.

TVLINE | We’ve talked before about how the things Darius says are not wrong, but the whole atmosphere of the movement is a little creepy.

[Laughs]

TVLINE | I’m wondering if the fact that Juliette is making such gains in such a controversial environment — how might that play with her family and friends?

I’m always constrained, because I don’t want to talk about future story, and that’s the problem. But we were always really interested in the idea that this man and his movement really helps her but at the same time, there’s just something that raises the hairs on the back of your neck, like there’s something wrong here. How do you do that, how do you accomplish that, and how do you walk that fine line? Obviously, Avery has been suspicious from Day 1 about this guy. I don’t think I’m giving away much to say that his reaction to this revelation is complicated by the fact that he’s suspicious of this guy. In other words, he understands the huge significance of what Juliette has discovered, and he feels awful for her. But at the same time, he still has suspicions about the group.

TVLINE | This is a very big storyline and it’s arriving in one that has had rather small ones. Why this bombshell, when the show has trafficked lately in quieter, smaller moments?

Well actually, I think there are going to be some very big stories this year. Speaking a little inside baseball here for a second, every year, you hear the complaints about the first two or three episodes of Game of Thrones. What’s happening? Nothing’s happening! And then all of a sudden, it begins to accumulate, and then so much happens. When you’re doing a serialized story with many characters, you have to lay a lot of pipe in the beginning of the season. And we’ve been doing that, and I don’t want the audience to get the impression that this is going to be a nice, quiet season where everyone just sits in rooms and talks. There’s going to be lots that happens. This is the first big bombshell, but there’s a lot more coming.

TVLINE | What was Hayden’s reaction when you first pitched her the storyline?

Oh, she’s so game. [Laughs] Hayden is such a remarkable performer. We keep talking about this — she should be a director, because she understands what the camera needs to see. Most actors experience the scene through their own emotions and what they’re experiencing in the scene. Hayden has the ability to do that and at at the same time understand what the camera needs to see or what the audience needs to feel. And that does not, in any way, undermine the authenticity of what she’s doing. I find that remarkable, and it’s extremely rare. Actors like that usually become directors, because they’re actually filmmakers…

I think she got the importance of [the abuse storyline]. She got that this is something that can potentially help people understand a trauma that plays a huge role in so many people’s lives, and we’re just beginning to understand that as a society. And I think she understands that and feels good about telling that story.

Nashville Recap: Well You Can Tell My Heart, My 'Roid Ragey Heart

Yep, even though he pastes on a toothpaste-commercial-caliber grin and maintains he’s only injecting a little human growth hormone, it’s clear that Will is hurting something awful in the wake of his break-up with Zach. Yes, it seems like it happened 10 years ago. Yes, Zach was never all that impressive to begin with. But pain is pain, people. And now that Gunnar has gotten a glimpse of his roommate’s true anguish, what’s he going to do about it?

Read on for the highlights of “Jump Then Fall.”

GOIN’ BACK TO CALI | Zach informs Deacon that he’s going to leave Nashville, but he’ll still be a major partner in Highway 65. “I’ve decided to pursue a Senate bid in California,” the tech whiz says, and Deke wishes him well. Will tries to do the same a few days later, stopping by the label as Zach is packing his office, but Perfect Mark is there, and things get awkward fast. Zach tries to go the “Welp, I wish you well!” route, but the pleading note in Will’s lovelorn voice make that just about impossible. “Why couldn’t we make it work?” Will asks, all but begging. When Zach admits that he couldn’t get past Will’s refusal to back him up during the Highway 65 tense time, there’s not much else to say.

So Will hits the gym, hard, and gets some admiring glances from an onlooker. Or maybe the guy is just concerned, because Will is making dying elk sounds as he bench-presses a massive amount of weight. No, it’s definitely admiration: All it takes is a brief hello, and pretty soon Will has taken the guy home and is kissing him with abandon in the foyer. That’s where Gunnar finds them — that moment made me laugh out loud — and there’s a round of stilted introductions (in which Will gets the guy’s name wrong) before Gunnar leaves and Will and gymbro wind up in bed. Will is athletically going at his appointed task when the guy asks him what’s wrong; turns out, Will’s Little Lexington doesn’t seem to want to stand up and cheer.

At the doctor, Will can’t even bring himself to whisper the word “erection,” but his physician is all business as she tells him his problem is likely psychological and connected to the breakup. Still, she runs some bloodwork and is concerned to see a lot of junk in Will’s blood that shouldn’t be there. He admits that he’s been using some human growth hormone and steroids in order to get an edge in the gym, and she urges him to follow a protocol that will help his biochemistry even out. And that night, he’s about to take her advice and toss the vials he’s keeping in the bathroom… but then he thinks twice and prepares to inject himself, instead. That’s when Gunnar walks in, and though Will admits he’s using HGH and then plays the moment off as no big deal, it’s clear that Gunnar (correctly) thinks something is really wrong.

ONE STEP FORWARD, TWO STEPS BACK | After their date and kiss in the previous episode, Deacon and Jessie are gingerly stepping up to the idea of being a couple. But they agree they should probably keep it from their kids for a while… until Daphne sees them at a café and everyone knows everything. So Deke gets weird, and then he apologizes but Jessie gets weird, and they finally agree that they want to be together after he goes to her house and tells her than her hanging up the phone on him made him feel “like the floor fell out from under me.” They smooch, unaware that at home, Daphne is having a sobbing breakdown in her sister’s arms. While both girls acknowledge that they want Deacon to be happy, “I hate this, and I hate her,” Daphne says. “Now I just really feel like mom’s gone.” (Side note: Great work here — and in the ballad she performs after — by Maisy Stella.)

WATER RISING | Juliette genuinely seems to be doing better, and if only she weren’t quoting Darius’ hackneyed platitudes every five minutes, Avery might be able to relax and be happy about his wife’s progress. (Sample dialogue, which gets a well-deserved eyeroll from Avery: “I want us to connect more as a family, not just see each other. That’s why there’s so many problems in this world: We interact, but we never really communicate on a deeper level.”) But he’s worried about her rapid assimilation into the Movement for Coherent Philosophy, and he admits as much to her. So she proposes a visit, in order for Avery to meet the man in charge and see everything she’s been so excited about for the past few weeks. A wary Avery agrees.

At the center, Avery asks Darius to explain coherent philosophy, and while a lot of words stream from the guru’s mouth, none of them really mean much. “I don’t know what it is. That’s the problem,” Avery tells Ju in the car on the way home. “He’s one guy who created a philosophy and now it’s like he’s controlling everything you think.” She’s not happy with how the day went, saying that the people in the movement “accept me exactly where I am and when I’m with them, I feel like maybe I can accept myself, too.”

And after Juliette comes home late from another evening with Darius & Co., Avery brings up the weird vibes he’s getting from Ju’s new bestie. “You’re putting all of your trust into this guy. You’re spending all of your time there. You’re living your whole life by his words,” he says. Juliette counters that maybe he’s jealous of Darius, or sad because Juliette’s not leaning on him the way she used to. And the next morning, she’s not angry as she heads out for another workday with the group, but she’s also not really listening to what Avery’s saying.

BIEBER? I BARELY KNOW ‘ER! | Jonah’s wooing of Maddie continues. He invites her to a club, where he asks her to sing on a track he’s recording the next day. That goes well, and they are quite canoodly as they hang out with his friends that evening… until a paparazzi photo of them fleeing the studio appears on a TMZ-like site, and Jonah gets angry. He explains that he just wants to get to know her without the interference that goes along with him being a huge pop star, and she is very level-headed as she tells him she doesn’t think she’s his girlfriend or anything that serious. And when people online start talking smack about her not being good enough for him, Mads decides to end things before they begin. She won’t let Jonah kiss her, saying that she knows the Internet is a harsh mistress, and she wants to avoid that kind of exposure if at all possible. But Jonah won’t let up, so he finds a place where they can get to know each other without flashbulbs going off: an old folks’ bingo game, where they appear to have a great time.

9-1-1 Renewed for Season 2 at Fox

The network announced Tuesday that it has renewed Ryan Murphy’s star-studded procedural less than three weeks into its rookie run. The drama — starring Angela Bassett, Peter Krause and Connie Britton — got off to a strong start in its Jan. 3 premiere, drawing 6.8 million total viewers and a 1.8 rating. Not only did it build substantially on its X-Files lead-in (5.2 mil/1.4), but it won the night in the demo and represented the TV season’s best drama launch since ABC’s The Good Doctor. With DVR playback and multiplatform viewing, that debut audience swelled to 15 million.

“With a bold concept, award-winning stars and a flawless execution, Ryan, Brad [Falchuk] and Tim [Minear] have done it again,” said Dana Walden and Gary Newman, co-CEOs of the Fox Television Group, in a joint statement. “They have tapped into the cultural zeitgeist and reimagined the procedural as only they could, bringing it to life with a dream team of actors led by Angela, Peter and Connie. This is storytelling at its best and we’re so pleased that it’s resonated with our audience. We’d like to thank everyone involved with this production for their stellar work, and we look forward to another thrilling season of 9-1-1.”

Laura Benanti doesn’t need to meet Melania Trump