ABC’s medical drama The Good Doctor season two continues on Monday, November 26, 2018 with an episode titled “Empathy.” Season two episode nine was directed by Joanna Kerns from a script by Karen Struck. Kerns is best known for her starring role in Growing Pains, and after directing an episode of that popular sitcom in 1992 she’s continued behind the camera directing dozens of episodes of shows including This Is Us, Jane the Virgin, and The Goldbergs.
Tyler Ritter guest stars in episode nine as George Reynolds. Mason Gooding guests as Billy Cayman.
The series’ season two cast includes Freddie Highmore as Dr. Shaun Murphy, Antonia Thomas as Dr. Claire Browne, Nicholas Gonzalez as Dr. Neil Melendez, Hill Harper as Dr. Marcus Andrews, Richard Schiff as Dr. Aaron Glassman, and Tamlyn Tomita as Allegra Aoki. Christina Chang is Dr. Audrey Lim, Fiona Gubelmann is Dr. Morgan Reznick, Will Yun Lee is Dr. Alex Park, and Paige Spara plays Lea.
The “Empathy” Plot – Dr. Neil Melendez, Dr. Morgan Reznick and Dr. Claire Brown grapple with a patient’s wish to perform an operation that would keep him from acting on his pedophilic urges; and Dr. Shaun Murphy learns a lesson in empathy.
The Good Doctor Season 2 Plot:
Dr. Shaun Murphy, a young surgeon with autism and savant syndrome, relocated to San Jose, California, to join the prestigious St. Bonaventure Hospital’s surgical unit. Alone in the world and unable to personally connect with those around him, his only advocate, Dr. Aaron Glassman, challenged the skepticism and prejudices of the hospital’s board and staff by bringing him in to join the team. Shaun’s world has begun to expand as he continues to work harder than he ever has before, navigating his new environment and relationships to prove to his colleagues that his extraordinary medical gifts will save lives.
Will Yun Lee and Freddie Highmore star in ‘The Good Doctor’ season 2 episode 9 (ABC/Bettina Strauss)Nicholas Gonzalez, Fiona Gubelmann, and Antonia Thomas in season 2 episode 9 (ABC/Bettina Strauss)Tyler Ritter, Fiona Gubelmann and Antonia Thomas in season 2 episode 9 (ABC/Bettina Strauss)Freddie Highmore in ‘The Good Doctor’ season 2 episode 9 (ABC/Bettina Strauss)Mason Gooding, Freddie Highmore, and Will Yun Lee (ABC/Jeff Weddell)
Gabriel Macht stars in ‘Suits’ season 8 episode 10 (Photo Credit: USA Network)
USA Network’s set a January 23, 2019 premiere date for the second half of Suits season eight. Suits will be returning to USA Network’s primetime lineup with six new episodes airing on Wednesdays at 10pm ET/PT.
The cast of season eight includes Gabriel Macht as Harvey Specter, Rick Hoffman as Louis Litt, Sarah Rafferty as Donna Paulsen, Amanda Schull as Katrina Bennett, Dulé Hill as Alex Williams, and Katherine Heigl as Samantha Wheeler.
Suits was created by Aaron Korsh. Korsh executive produces along with David Bartis, Doug Liman, Gene Klein, Genevieve Sparling, Ethan Drogin, Christopher Misiano, and Mark Winemaker.
The Suits Plot:
“Suits centers on a fast-paced Manhattan corporate law firm led by legendary lawyer Harvey Specter (Macht), his intelligent but delicate partner, Louis Litt (Rick Hoffman), and secretary-turned-COO Donna Paulsen (Rafferty). After surviving leadership turmoil and the loss of key partners, the trio continues to tackle top corporate cases with the support of the formidable Alex Williams (Hill) and the undeniably talented Katrina Bennett (Schull). Muscling her way into the firm, powerhouse attorney Samantha Wheeler (Heigl) joins the ranks of Zane Specter Litt and challenges the status quo. Together, these top minds must rely on their knowledge, wit, and intuition to keep their clients at bay and their firm afloat.
In the first part of the season, with Robert Zane (Wendell Pierce) as new managing partner of the firm, Harvey, Louis, and Donna are forced to navigate the shaken dynamic while still standing their ground. Katrina works hard to prove herself and is eventually promoted to senior partner, and Alex and Samantha go head-to-head for name partner. Their battle just about tears the firm apart as Harvey and Robert pick sides. In a last-ditch effort to unify the team, Louis takes over as managing partner at Donna’s suggestion, and both Alex and Samantha get their name on the wall.”
CBS’s first season of the hit drama series God Friended Me continues with a new episode airing on Sunday, November 25, 2018. Season one episode nine is titled “King’s Gambit” and was directed by Tricia Brock from a script by Richard Lowe.
Season one’s cast includes Brandon Micheal Hall as Miles Finer, The Flash‘s Violett Beane as Cara Bloom, Suraj Sharma as Rakesh, Javicia Leslie as Ali Finer, and Joe Morton as Reverend Arthur Finer. Victoria Janicki plays Nia, Kyle Harris is Eli, Erica Gimpel is Trish, and Abby Awe plays Lucy.
The first season’s recurring cast members include Victoria Janicki as Nia, Brent Sexton as Ray, and Francesca Ling as Parker. Guest starring are Jeremie Harris as Graham Harper, Daniel London as Aleksander Leff, Jordana Rose as Annabelle, Chuck Cooper as Larry, Christine Cartell as Aleksander’s wife, and Colton Osorio as Matty.
The “King’s Gambit” Plot – The team reunites with private detective Ray Nicolette (Brent Sexton) when Miles is sent a friend suggestion for a chess star who vanished after losing a huge match to his rival 10 years ago.
The God Friended Me Season One Plot Description:
God Friended Me is about an outspoken atheist whose life is turned upside down when he receives a friend request on social media from “God” and unwittingly becomes an agent of change in the lives and destinies of others around him. Miles Finer is intelligent, hopeful and optimistic, but he doesn’t believe in God. This puts him at odds with his father, Reverend Arthur Finer, a beloved preacher at Harlem’s Trinity Church for 25 years who is stung by his son’s strong rejection of his faith. Miles feels he’s found his purpose in life hosting a podcast where he’s free to speak his mind, but that changes when he receives the ultimate friend request.
After repeated pokes by “God,” Miles’ curiosity takes over, and he accepts the request and follows the signs to Cara Bloom, an online journalist suffering from writer’s block. Brought together by the “God” account, the two find themselves investigating “God’s” friend suggestions and inadvertently helping others in need. Joining them on their journey are Miles’s supportive sister, Ali, a doctoral psych student by day and bartender by night, and his best friend, Rakesh, a sometime hacker who helps Miles and Cara research the enigmatic account. Miles is set on getting to the bottom of what he believes is an elaborate hoax, but in the meantime he’ll play along and, in the process, change his life forever.
Violett Beane as Cara Bloom and Brandon Micheal Hall as Miles Finer in ‘God Friended Me’ season 1 episode 9 (Photo Credit: David Giesbrecht / 2018 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc)Jordana Rose as Annabelle and Jeremie Harris as Graham Harper (Photo Credit: David Giesbrecht / 2018 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc)Brandon Micheal Hall as Miles Finer and Victoria Janicki as Nia. (Photo Credit: David Giesbrecht / 2018 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc)Brandon Micheal Hall as Miles Finer and Suraj Sharma as Rakesh Singh in season 1 episode 9 (Photo Credit: David Giesbrecht / 2018 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc)Joe Morton as Reverend Arthur Finer, Brandon Micheal Hall as Miles Finer, Jeremie Harris as Graham Harper, Jordana Rose as Annabelle, Brent Sexton as Ray, Violett Beane as Cara Bloom, and Daniel London as Aleksander Leff (Photo Credit: David Giesbrecht / 2018 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc)
The CW’s Supernatural takes a short vacation for the Thanksgiving holiday and then returns on November 29, 2018 with a brand new episode. Season 14 episode seven is titled “Unhuman Nature” and was directed by John Showalter from a script by Eugenie Ross-Leming and Brad Buckner. The episode features a road trip with the newly bonded team of Jack and Dean.
The season 14 cast includes Jensen Ackles as Dean Winchester, Jared Padalecki as Sam Winchester, Misha Collins as Castiel, Alexander Calvert as Jack, and Samantha Smith as Mary Winchester. Mark Pellegrino is Nick, Jim Beaver plays Bobby Singer, and Danneel Ackles is Anael. The season’s executive producers include Robert Singer, Andrew Dabb, Phil Sgriccia, Jeremy Carver, Eugenie Ross-Leming, and Brad Buckner.
The “Unhuman Nature” Plot: CARPE DIEM – Sam (Padalecki) and Castiel (Collins) track down a Shaman (guest star Dimitri Vantis), who may be able to help a friend. Nick (Pellegrino) continues to spiral down a dark path as he looks for answers surrounding the deaths of his wife and son. Jack (Calvert) turns to Dean (Ackles) for help enjoying the human experience.
A scene from Trafalgar Releasing’s ‘Burn the Stage: The Movie.’
BTS’ Burn the Stage originally took form in a docuseries on YouTube Red. The series premiered on March 28, 2018 and, over the course of eight episodes, followed BTS members around during their sold-out Wings Tour. Fans might wonder if there’s already been a docuseries covering the tour, is there a justification for bringing Burn the Stage to the big screen? Rest assured, most of the film consists of new footage not shown in the docuseries.
BTS’Burn the Stage: The Movie opened on Thursday, November 15, 2018 in limited theaters and grossed more than $3.6 million domestically during its first four days in release. $2.3 million of that was over the weekend, and that weekend gross was large enough to earn it a spot in the Top 10 at the box office.
Throughout the film we’re provided with a glimpse behind the scenes at what takes place during the tour including stage rehearsals along with what takes place during the concerts, like wardrobe changes and hurrying to the next stage performance. Concertgoers are aware of the maneuverings on stage, but fans don’t necessarily stop to consider what else occurs backstage.
BTS allows fans the opportunity to understand the exhaustion and injuries that occur on tour, whether it’s through watching ice being placed on the back of their necks to help cool down in brief moments or members of the group grimacing in pain before they jump up ready to give their all again. We’re even offered the opportunity to witness moments of self-doubt when a member doesn’t hit the right note. Basically, the audience is forced to see the group as just humans who give it their all to put on an amazing concert for their fans.
The documentary also features interviews with each member of BTS. They share their thoughts on not only the tour but life in general as a group. They speak highly of their fans, which isn’t surprising as they’ve always credited their success to their ARMY.
Their lighter sides are brought forth as well throughout the nearly hour and a half running time. Burn the Stage includes scenes of the group goofing around and letting loose, enjoying their days off by either shopping or enjoying a BBQ complete with drinks and pool time.
One of the main noticeable differences between the docuseries and the movie is the film’s narrated throughout by each member of BTS. Each part’s like a metaphor for their journey of being in a desert trying to reach the mirage, in this case the mirage being them trying to reach their hopes, dreams, and goals.
The film’s entertaining, however fans might find the docuseries better in a number of ways. The docuseries gave fans more from the BTS members and delved further into their thoughts and feelings. It’s also worth noting the docuseries shares more of what transpires behind the scenes. In the docuseries, while performing in Chile youngest member Jungkook was having trouble with the altitude and admitted he didn’t prepare his body well enough. The docuseries shows how he transformed from being on the verge of passing out and needing oxygen to being able to get up and finish the concert without his fans ever knowing any of that went down.
In the docuseries Jungkook says, “I knew my body wasn’t in good shape before we started. My body knew it and I knew it, but I sang with only one thought in my mind, that I won’t be able to see them again for a long time.”
Moments like that are missing from the movie, and their inclusion could have helped paint a better picture for those who don’t really follow BTS or those who are still on the fence about the group.
However, even with its flaws Burn the Stage: The Movie still does BTS justice in showing their hardships along with the success of not only the Wings Tour but the rising global success of a Korean boyband.
Dennis Quaid can’t seem to let go of the house he sold to Michael Ealy and Meagan Good in the official trailer for Screen Gems’ The Intruder. The creepy thriller hints that the situation will dramatically escalate, with Quaid – playing against type – becoming increasingly deranged.
Joseph Sikora co-stars in the drama from director Deon Taylor (Meet the Blacks, Supremacy). David Loughery wrote the script and director Taylor, Roxanne Avent, Mark Burg, Jonathan Schwartz, and Brad Kaplan produced.
The behind the scenes team includes director of photography Daniel Pearl, editor Melissa Kent, production designer Andrew Neskoromny, and costume designer Seth Chernoff.
Screen Gems is set to release The Intruder in theaters on April 26, 2019. The MPAA rated the film PG-13 for violence, terror, some sexuality, language and thematic elements.
The Intruder Plot:
When a young married couple (Michael Ealy and Meagan Good) buys their dream house in the Napa Valley, they think they have found the perfect home to take their next steps as a family. But when the strangely attached seller (Dennis Quaid) continues to infiltrate their lives, they begin to suspect that he has hidden motivations beyond a quick sale.
Keanu Reeves brings his wife and kids back to life after a fatal car accident in the new trailer for Replicas. The official minute and a half trailer sets up the story and shows Reeves’ character will be fending off the government in order to keep his family safe.
Joining Keanu Reeves (the John Wick and The Matrix franchises) in the thriller are Alice Eve (Marvel’s Iron Fist, Before We Go, Star Trek Into Darkness), Thomas Middleditch (Silicon Valley), and John Ortiz (Silver Linings Playbook).
Jeffrey Nachmanoff (Homeland, Hostages) directed the sci-fi drama from a script by Chad St. John. The behind the scenes team includes director of photography Checco Varese, editors Jason Hellmann and Pedro Javier Muniz, production designer Johnny Breedt, and costume designer Julia Michelle Santiago.
Replicas is set to open in theaters on January 11, 2019. The MPAA has rated the film PG-13 for thematic material, violence, disturbing images, some nudity and sexual references.
The Plot:
In this sci-fi thriller, neuro-scientist William Foster (Keanu Reeves) is on the verge of successfully transferring human consciousness into a computer when his family is tragically killed in a car crash. Desperate to resurrect them, William recruits fellow scientist Ed Whittle (Thomas Middleditch) to help him secretly clone their bodies and create replicas. But he soon faces a “Sophie’s choice” when it turns out that they can only bring three of the four family members back to life.
Poster for the sci-fi film ‘Replicas’ starring Keanu Reeves.
Margaret Qualley and Norbert Leo Butz join ‘Fosse/ Verdon’ (Photos Courtesy of FX)
FX’s upcoming limited series Fosse/Verdon has just completed casting its series regular roles. The network also just confirmed the show’s working title – Fosse/Verdon – is the official title for the eight-episode limited series.
Margaret Qualley, soon to be seen in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and Norbert Leo Butz (Bloodline, Mercy Street) were just announced as rounding out the cast. Qualley will be playing Ann Reinking and Butz has signed on to play Paddy Chayefsky.
Oscar winner Sam Rockwell (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri) and four-time Oscar nominee Michelle Williams (Manchester by the Sea, Brokeback Mountain) lead the cast as Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon, respectively.
Per FX, the Fosse/Verdon recurring cast also includes:
Aya Cash as JOAN SIMON
Nate Corddry as NEIL SIMON
Susan Misner as JOAN MCCRACKEN
Bianca Marroquin as CHITA RIVERA
Kelli Barrett as LIZA MINNELLI
Evan Handler as HAL PRINCE
Rick Holmes as FRED WEAVER
Paul Reiser as CY FEUER
Ethan Slater as JOEL GREY
Bryon Jennings as GEORGE ABBOTT
Laura Osnes as SHIRLEY MACLAINE
The limited series will be executive produced by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Sam Rockwell, Michelle Williams, Joel Fields, Thomas Kail, Steven Levenson, and George Stelzner. Levenson’s also confirmed as the showrunner and wrote episode one of Fox 21 Television Studios and FX Productions project. Kail directed the first episode. Actress/dancer Nicole Fosse, Fosse and Verdon’s daughter, is a co-executive producer. Andy Blankenbuehler and Susan Misner will choreograph Fosse/Verdon.
The Fosse/Verdon Plot:
“Based on Fosse, the biography written by Sam Wasson, this eight-part limited series tells the story of the singular romantic and creative partnership between Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon. He was a visionary filmmaker and one of theater’s most influential choreographers and directors. She was the greatest Broadway dancer of all time. Together they changed the face of American entertainment – at a perilous cost. Featuring Fosse’s choreography, the series explores the hidden corners of show business, the price of pursuing greatness, and the suffering inflicted in the name of art.”
Harry Treadaway as Brady Hartsfield and Brendan Gleeson as Detective Bill Hodges in ‘Mr. Mercedes’ season 2.
AT&T Audience Network has given Mr. Mercedes a renewal order for a third season. The popular crime thriller is based on the bestselling trilogy by Stephen King. According to the network, season three will begin production early next year. The new season, which will shoot in South Carolina, will consist of 10 one-hour episodes.
AT&T Audience Network is targeting a 2019 premiere of the series’ third season.
Mr. Mercedes season three has David E. Kelley (Big Little Lies, Ally McBeal) back to oversee the writer’s room. Jack Bender (Lost, Under the Dome) is executive producing and directing. Stephen King, Marty Bowen, Wyck Godfrey, Tom Lesinski, Jenna Santoianni, Shane Elrod, and Kate Regan are also executive producing the upcoming season.
“Stephen King breaking story, Brendan Gleeson heading the cast, Jack Bender leading the charge… I’m excited,” stated David E. Kelley.
“I am extremely proud of our show and I couldn’t be more excited to continue unraveling this story with Stephen King, David E. Kelley and our superlative cast led by Brendan Gleeson,” added Jack Bender.
The cast of season two included Brendan Gleeson, Harry Treadaway, Holland Taylor, Jharrel Jerome, Breeda Wool, Justine Lupe, and Jack Huston.
“Mr. Mercedes has resonated with such a wide audience, so we’re thrilled to bring it back for a third season for our customers,” stated Daniel York, senior executive vice president and chief content officer for AT&T. “David E. Kelley, Jack Bender and Sonar have crafted a series that honors the original work by Stephen King and we can’t wait to see where they take the show in a ‘post-Mr. Mercedes world.'”
A Look Back at Season 2:
“The 2nd season of Mr. Mercedes took place a year after Brady Hartsfield’s thwarted attempt to perpetrate a second mass murder in the community of Bridgton, Ohio. Since the incident, Hartsfield had been hospitalized in a vegetative state. Retired Detective Bill Hodges did his best to move on from his Brady obsession, teaming up with Holly Gibney to open Finders Keepers, a private investigative agency. But when unexplainable occurrences began to affect hospital staff members attending to Brady, Hodges was haunted by the feeling that Brady was somehow responsible.”
First official poster arrives for the documentary series ‘The Innocent Man’ (Photo Credit: Netflix)
Netflix is bringing John Grisham’s The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town to life as a documentary series. The streaming service has set a December 14, 2018 global premiere date for the six part series and has released the first official poster promoting the The Innocent Man.
Discussing the project, director Clay Tweel (Finders Keepers, Gleason, Out of Omaha) said, “As a filmmaker I often find that the best stories are the ones we tell ourselves, but what surprised me was the extent to which that idea also permeates the criminal justice system. By re-examining these old cases I hope that viewers will identify the biases involved, even their own.”
The documentary series is being produced by Maura Anderson and Shannon Riggs. Author John Grisham, director Tweel, David Gernert, and Ross Dinerstein serve as executive producers.
“The documentary series of The Innocent Man is gripping, compelling, and ultimately just as heartbreaking as the book,” said John Grisham. “Though I know the story well, I can’t wait to watch it again.”
The Innocent Man Plot:
In a story that gained national attention with John Grisham’s best-selling non-fiction book, The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town, the six-part documentary series The Innocent Man focuses on two murders that shook the small town of Ada, Oklahoma, in the 1980s — and the controversial chain of events that followed.
The Innocent Man includes interviews with victims’ friends and families, Ada residents, attorneys, journalists, and others involved in the cases. (Grisham appears, as does attorney Barry Scheck, co-director of the Innocence Project.) Developed as a documentary series by Tweel and Ross Dinerstein, it blends new footage with compelling archival video and photos.
