Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie will return as judges on ‘American Idol’ (ABC/Craig Sjodin)
The rebirth of American Idol will continue on ABC. The network has announced the singing competition series has earned a second season and will air during the 2018-2019 primetime season. ABC also confirmed Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie will return as judges, and Ryan Seacrest will be back as host.
“We knew that American Idol on ABC would unleash an opportunity for singers from all walks of life to realize their dreams and that these incredible contestants would have America rooting for their success,” stated Channing Dungey, president, ABC Entertainment. “I am thrilled that Katy, Luke, Lionel and Ryan will be back to once again embark on this Idol journey with us to discover the next crop of inspiring talent.”
“American Idol’s return on ABC has shown once again that viewers love to discover and support raw talent,” added Trish Kinane, president of Entertainment Programming, FremantleMedia North America, executive producer and showrunner of American Idol. “Our new judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie have brought huge credibility, energy and fun to the show this year, and we are so excited to continue the journey with Ryan Seacrest at the helm in the search for the next superstar.”
The first season of the series’ airing on ABC has averaged 9.3 million viewers. American Idol is a FremantleMedia North America and CORE Media Group’s 19 Entertainment production. The popular singing competition is executive produced by Trish Kinan, Jennifer Mullin, and Phil McIntyre.
“Our team is incredibly proud of the success we have had with American Idol on ABC, and we are excited to search for more talent nationwide with a second season. We look forward to furthering our relationship with the network, our partners at FremantleMedia, Luke, Katy, Lionel, Ryan, and all those who audition to become the next American Idol as we continue to entertain fans with incredible performances week after week!” said Dennis Miller, executive chairman of CORE Media Group.
Dylan Minnette in season two of ’13 Reasons Why’ (Photo by Beth Dubber/Netflix)
With the second season premiere just two weeks away, Netflix has released the first set of photos from 13 Reasons Why‘s upcoming season. Season two of the the critically acclaimed drama will debut globally on May 18, 2018.
The cast of season one was led by Dylan Minnette as Clay Jensen and included Katherine Langford as Hannah Baker, Kate Walsh as Mrs. Baker, Brian D’Arcy James as Mr. Baker, Derek Luke as Mr. Porter the guidance counselor, Brandon Flynn as Justin Foley, Justin Prentice as Bryce Walker, Alisha Boe as Jessica Davis, Christian Navarro as Tony Padilla, and Tommy Dorfman as Ryan.
The Plot of 13 Reasons Why Season 1:13 Reasons Why season one follows teenager Clay Jensen as he returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker — his classmate and crush — who tragically committed suicide two weeks earlier.
On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Will Clay be one of them? If he listens, he’ll find out how he made the list. Through Hannah and Clay’s dual narratives, 13 Reasons Why weaves an intricate and heart wrenching story of teenage life that will deeply affect viewers.
13 Reasons Why season two picks up in the aftermath of Hannah’s death and the start of our characters’ complicated journeys toward healing and recovery. Liberty High prepares to go on trial, but someone will stop at nothing to keep the truth surrounding Hannah’s death concealed. A series of ominous polaroids lead Clay and his classmates to uncover a sickening secret and a conspiracy to cover it up.
Wilson Cruz, Kate Walsh, and Andrea Roth in ’13 reasons Why’ (Photo by Beth Dubber/Netflix)RJ Brown and Christian Navarroin season two of ’13 Reasons Why’ (Photo by Beth Dubber/Netflix)Alisha Boe in ’13 Reasons Why’ season 2 (Photo by Beth Dubber/Netflix)Derek Luke and Justin Prentice in ’13 Reasons Why’ (Photo by Beth Dubber/Netflix)
The CW’s The Flash welcomes back guest star Katee Sackhoff as Amunet Black in season four episode 21. The episode titled “Harry and the Harrisons” was directed by Kevin Mock from a script by Judalina Neira and Lauren Certo.
“Harry and the Harrisons” is set to air on May 8, 2018.
The “Harry and the Harrisons” Plot: THE TEAM TURNS TO AMUNET BLACK FOR HELP — With DeVoe’s Enlightenment device nearly complete, in order to disable it The Flash (Gustin) and his team must put their faith in an unlikely ally – Amunet Black (guest star Katee Sackhoff). Meanwhile, Harry (Cavanagh) hits an all-time low when the “Council of Wells” kicks him out but then Cisco (Valdes) introduces him to the “Council of Harrisons.”
The CW’s Riverdale season two episode 20 found Betty pretty much convinced her dad’s the Black Hood, Archie ready to take on the killer (he even returned to sitting by his front door to guard his dad), and Fangs arrested and then shot. As if that wasn’t enough action, the episode ended with the Black Hood showing up at Cheryl’s front door!
Up next, season two episode 21 titled ‘Judgment Night” and airing on May 9, 2018. Cherie Nowlan directed the episode from a script by Shepard Boucher.
The season two cast includes KJ Apa as Archie Andrews, Lili Reinhart as Betty Cooper, Camila Mendes as Veronica Lodge, Cole Sprouse as Jughead Jones, Madelaine Petsch as Cheryl Blossom, Marisol Nichols as Hermione Lodge, Mӓdchen Amick as Alice Cooper, Luke Perry as Fred Andrews, Casey Cott as Kevin Keller, Ashleigh Murray as Josie McCoy, Mark Consuelos as Hiram Lodge, and Skeet Ulrich as FP Jones.
The “Chapter Thirty-Four: Judgment Night” Plot: RIOT NIGHT — When an incident at the Sheriff’s station triggers an all-out war between the North and the Southside, Archie (Apa) and Jughead (Sprouse) find themselves in the fight of their lives. Meanwhile Veronica (Mendes) makes a devastating discovery about Hiram (Consuelos), just as someone from his past arrives in Riverdale looking for revenge. Finally, Betty (Reinhart) comes face to face with the Black Hood.
The cast of the feature film, ‘What We Do in the Shadows.’
Jemaine Clement and Taiki Waititi’s critically acclaimed, award-winning comedy film What We Do in the Shadows has spawned a television series. FX confirmed they’ve ordered a first season of what will be a half-hour comedy series.
Jemaine Clement (star of Eagle vs Shark, Flight of the Conchords, Legion), Taiki Waititi (director of Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Thor: Ragnarok), and Paul Simms (writer of The Larry Sanders Show, Divorce) are on board as executive producers. Scott Rudin, Eli Bush, and Garrett Basch are also executive producing.
The series is set to star Matt Berry (House of Fools), Kayvan Novak (Four Lions), Natasia Demetriou (Year Friends), and Harvey Guillen (The Internship). FX is targeting a spring 2019 premiere of the 10 episode first season.
What We Do in the Shadows only gets better with age thanks to this brilliant adaptation for television by co-creators Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi,” said Nick Grad, President of Original Programming for FX Networks and FX Productions. “Their feature version was a hilarious, fresh take on the mundanity of everyday life that even immortals must face. We are thankful to them, Paul Simms and Scott Rudin, and this amazing cast for taking us deeper into the shadows with this series.”
The 2014 feature film won the San Diego Film Critics Society’s Best Original Screenplay and Best Ensemble awards. It also won Denver Film Critics Society’s Best Comedy Film, Hawaii International Film Festival’s Best Narrative Feature, and Toronto International Film Festival’s Midnight Madness People’s Choice award. Additionally, the film won in New Zealand Film and TV Awards’ Best Supporting Actress (Jackie van Beek), Best Self-Funded Film, Best Production Design, and Best Sound categories.
The Plot: Set in New York City, What We Do in the Shadows follows three vampires who have been roommates for hundreds and hundreds of years.
Netflix has unveiled the first official promotional video featuring the opening sequence of season four of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. They also released five new photos from the upcoming fourth season of the critically acclaimed, award-winning comedy series.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt season four stars Ellie Kemper (The Office) in the title role. The cast of the award-winning half-hour comedy also includes Tituss Burgess (30 Rock, Smurfs: The Lost Village), Jane Krakowski (A Christmas Story Live!, 30 Rock), and Carol Kane (Gotham, Thanks for Sharing). Guest stars over the three seasons have included Tina Fey, Jon Hamm, Amy Sedaris, Josh Charles, David Cross, and Gil Birmingham.
The popular comedy was created by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock. Fey, Carlock, Jeff Richmond (30 Rock) and David Miner (30 Rock, Brooklyn Nine-Nine) serve as executive producers.
Netflix has set a May 30, 2018 premiere date for the first six episodes of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt season four.
The Opening Sequence and Plot Description: In the scene, Kimmy (Ellie Kemper) makes her way to her first day as HR manager at Giztoob, in the style of a 90’s Main Title Sequence, complete with a soundtrack of the original song, “Little Girl, Big City” sung by the multi-talented Jane Krakowski (music by Jeff Richmond and lyrics by Sam Means). The excitement of Kimmy’s new position in life reaches a record screeching halt when she arrives to the office and her first task is to fire someone. But have no fear…it will be done the Kimmy way.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt follows Kimmy Schmidt as she continues to adjust to the 21st century and learn more about who she really is. Joining Kimmy on her journey are her best friend and roommate, Titus Andromedon (Tituss Burgess); her former-employer-turned-friend Jacqueline White (Jane Krakowski); and landlord Lillian Kaushtupper (Carol Kane).
Tituss Burgess and Ellie Kemper in ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’ season 4.Ellie Kemper, Jane Krakowski, and Tituss Burgess.Ellie Kemper in ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’ season 4.Jane Krakowski stars in ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’ season 4.Carol Kane and Ellie Kemper in ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.’
Adan Canto and Kiefer Sutherland in ‘Designated Survivor’ season 2 episode 20 (ABC/Ben Mark Holzberg)
“I’m representing the family of Matthew Jennings,” says Ethan West (Michael J. Fox) to President Kirkman (Kiefer Sutherland) who’s trying to negotiate the release of an American teenager in season two episode 20 of ABC’s political thriller, Designated Survivor.
The episode begins with a back tie benefit dinner and President Kirkman talking to the Ambassador of Bultan, hoping to get him to persuade the Prime Minister of his country to secure the release of Matthew Jennings (Gage Munroe). Matthew was arrested on a charge of graffiti. The ambassador makes it clear that without a trade it’s unlikely the teenager will be released. As the party continues, President Kirkman sees Ethan West who informs him that he’s now representing the mother of the teen.
Emily Rhodes (Italia Ricci) meets with Kendra Daynes (Zoe McLellan) on the President’s choice for a judgeship, Steven Flannery, who back in the day was sort of a mentor to Kendra. Kendra’s excited and tells Flannery who’s hesitant to take the job.
Meanwhile, Agent Hannah Wells (Maggie Q) meets with the automotive entrepreneur and friend of President Kirkman, Dax Minter (Chris Butler), and seeks his help. She tells him she was fired by the President for looking into Frost (Kim Raver) but believes she’s the master hacker they’ve been after. She wants him to invite Frost to lunch to give her time to sneak into her house and find the evidence she needs. He asks why him, and she says because he has the best interests of the President in mind.
Back at the benefit dinner, the Ambassador to Bultan collapses and when Aaron Shore (Adan Canto) checks on him, he doesn’t have a pulse. Early the next day, the President and his staff talk about the death of the ambassador and how it will affect negotiations trying to get Matthew home.
Kirkman decides to have Secret Service Agent Mike Ritter (LaMonica Garrett) investigate who could have poisoned the ambassador. Even though he died of a heart attack, everyone agrees it smells of foul play.
Ritter teams up with Chuck Russink (Jake Epstein) to investigate the ambassador. Working together, they discover the ambassador had a lavish lifestyle and owned a ranch but seemed to have financial issues. They head to the ranch and talk to a man who believes he’s getting his money back from the ambassador who borrowed $2 million from him and invested it in horses.
Back at the White House, President Kirkman meets with Matthew’s mother and assures her that he’s doing everything possible to bring her son home.
In the press room, Seth Wright (Kal Penn) is handling the questions about Matthew when one of the reporters receives an alert that says Matthew has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. Kirkman talks to the Prime Minister of Bultan to try to make a deal to get the kid out, and the Prime Minister wants an agreement signed giving Bultan control of the Pulu islands. Seeing no other option, Kirkman agrees to the deal. He opts not to listen to the reservations voiced by Aaron and Emily.
A problem comes up with Flannery while Kendra, Seth, and Emily are vetting him. It seems he was named in a sexual discrimination suit years ago at a law firm. Seth knows the woman who filed the complaint and offers to talk to her to see if it’s something they should be worried about.
Later, Seth meets with her and it turns out it was a different co-worker who she filed the suit against. But, she adds that Flannery knew about her being turned down for a promotion after turning down a date with a superior.
President Kirkman talks to Matthew via satellite and assures him he’s doing everything he can to get him home. Matthew confesses to Kirkman he’s ashamed of the events that landed him in prison. He knows he’s being used to blackmail America for his release and tells Kirkman not to give in to their demands. The video feed goes dark and Kirkman realizes he can’t go through with the deal and must find another way to get the young man home.
Meanwhile, Ritter and Chuck have discovered the true killer of the ambassador after catching him on video at a café where he swapped out the ambassador’s drink with a poisoned one. The murderer is the CEO of an active environmental firm and he despised the ambassador trying to sell his ranch because of what it would do to the very large oak tree on the property. The CEO had filed for court injunctions but failed.
Chuck rejoins Wells to help her sneak into Frost’s home while she has lunch with Dax. While Chuck monitors the lunch via computer feed, Wells searches the house and discovers a false wall in a closet. Behind the wall is a huge room with computers and large hard drives.
“It’s like NASA,” says Wells as they go about downloading the data in the master computer. Chuck warns Wells that “the subject” is leaving the lunch and heading home. The race is on for Wells to get all the data copied while the subject arrives home. Chuck keeps Wells updated and when the subject is about to enter the home, Wells takes the now 100% copied drive and escapes via the roof, unseen.
Kendra and Emily agree that the old claim shouldn’t stand in the way of the judgeship for Flannery. Kendra admits to Emily that back in the day she and Flannery had a hook-up but that it was consensual. Emily tells her it’s not a big deal and to go ahead and tell him he should be a lock for the judgeship.
Kirkman finds out from his staff that West is on all the media networks claiming the President is soft in dealing with Bultan and mocking the Prime Minister. Kirkman sends for West while asking his staff to do some digging. They discover that West knew Matthew’s aunt years ago and that he blames himself for her untimely death. She was stabbed to death waiting for him and he never showed up for their date.
Kirkman and West team up against the Prime Minister. Kirkman tells him that the Pulu island deal is off the table and that West is going to sue them because they destroyed much of the area’s resources. West tells the Prime Minister to google him and see what he’s up against, promising him he’ll make destroying Bultan financially his mission in life. The Prime Minister asks what they want and Kirkman tells him the release of Matthew. The Prime Minister reluctantly agrees. West thanks Kirkman for letting him help get the boy back safe, and Kirkman assures him everyone deserves a second chance.
Kendra meets up with Flannery who’s excited to become a judge.
Later, Kendra tells Emily she told Flannery it was a no-go and blamed the GOP. She admits to Emily that she’s not sure if she was coerced into the one-night stand with Flannery years ago because of his charm and her wanting his approval.
Kirkman meets with his friend Dax in the Oval Office and reveals Wells thought it was Frost who leaked the private conversation he had with her in the Oval Office to West. Kirkman had the Secret Service sweep the room for devices. They found one in the model car Dax gave him as a gift. It was Dax’s house Wells snuck into while he had lunch with Frost! Dax is the master hacker!
Kirkman asks him why he did it and Dax tells him he’s tired of the government and all of its sanctions and intrusions into his business. Wells walks in and reveals to Dax she was never fired and that they staged that conversation in the Oval Office so he would believe she was. Dax has been set up and played.
Later, Kirkman meets with Frost to thank her for all her help and friendship. She tells him she’s moving to San Francisco partly due to her new business enterprise. He wishes her the very best.
Wells meets with Chuck and they discover after a little digging that the person who killed Rennett is his former handler, Valeria (Nora Zehetner), who was actually trying to kill Wells.
In the last scene of the episode, Aaron meets up with Wells at a bar and tells her he cannot sanction her to go after Valeria because they are going to be doing business with the Russians. Wells gives Aaron her badge and FBI ID and walks out.
Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 20 Review:
Dramatic, suspenseful, and surprising, season two episode 20 titled “Bad Reception” finally reveals the identity and eventual capture of the master hacker via a sting operation on Dax conducted by the President, Wells, Frost, and Chuck. This was a smartly written episode showing just how bright and cunning Kirkman can be when pressed. It also shows once again how Kirkman is truly the President who knows how to take on corrupt foreign leaders to save American lives.
With Wells going rogue to hunt down Valeria and Kirkman about to go up against his former friend, President Moss, the season finale should be both intense and exciting.
AMC’s unveiled the official trailer for the upcoming series, Dietland, set to premiere on Monday, June 4, 2018 at 9pm ET/PT. The series will make its debut with back-to-back episodes, with season one consisting of 10 episodes.
Dietland comes from Marti Noxon (UnREAL, Mad Men) and is based on the bestselling novel by Sarai Walker. The series stars Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife) and Joy Nash (The Mindy Project). The cast also includes Campbell Scott, Tamara Tunie, Alanna Ubach, Kelly Hu, Marc Blucas, Ami Sheth and Jen Ponton.
The Plot:Dietland is a wickedly funny and extraordinarily timed satire about Plum Kettle (Nash), a ghost-writer for the editor of one of New York’s hottest fashion magazines. Struggling with self-image and fed up with how she’s treated by her boss and society, Plum sets out on a wildly complicated road to self-awakening. At the same time, everyone is buzzing over news reports about men, accused of sexual abuse and assault, who are disappearing and meeting untimely, violent deaths.
Plum also finds herself in the middle of two warring factions—one sisterhood who may be responsible for the attacks on male harassers, and the other which preaches female empowerment. She straddles these two groups, trying to make sense of the changing world and her part in it.
Equal parts revenge fantasy and heartfelt journey to self-acceptance, Dietland is a darkly comedic story that explores a multitude of issues faced by women today – including patriarchy, misogyny, rape culture and unrealistic beauty standards.
Campbell Scott (House of Cards) plays Stanley Austen, a one-time industry titan whose influence and clout as the head of the Austen Media empire is threatened by a group of anonymous female terrorists. Tamara Tunie (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit) plays Julia Clark, the wry, fast-talking keeper of Austen Media’s beauty closet. She is as good at keeping secrets as she is at hiding blemishes.
Alanna Ubach (Girlfriends Guide To Divorce) plays Marlowe Buchanan, a former famous sitcom star who lost her job when she returned from hiatus with a few extra pounds and her signature hair style lopped off. A fierce feminist activist and earth mother, she is one of Verena Baptist’s acolytes, and the author of Bangability Theory, a book about the sexualization of women. Kelly Hu (Arrow) is Abra Austen, Stanley’s wife. She is well-educated, well-mannered but a teensy bit bored and resentful of being considered Stanley’s trophy wife.
Marc Blucas (Underground) joins as Bobby, a New York City cop who is also Dominic’s ex-partner and friend. Ami Sheth (Blindspot) is Sana, an artist and acolyte of Verena Baptist (Robin Weigert). Serene despite her shockingly disfigured face, she is a model of self-acceptance for Plum Kettle (Joy Nash), who begins to understand that peace starts within and that inner peace is essential if you have to go to war. And Jen Ponton (30 Rock) is Rubi, a resident at Calliope House. She is colorful, exuberant and very opinionated.
The CW’s The 100 season five episode two concentrated on life inside the bunker. Octavia had her leadership tested by an open revolt and wound up slaying those who wouldn’t fall in line. The revolt, which was led by Skaikru member Kara Cooper (Kyra Zagorsky), was put down by Octavia and her people, with the help of Jaha. Unfortunately, Jaha was stabbed during the uprising and sacrificed his final hours to help Octavia.
Up next, season five episode three titled “Sleeping Giants” and airing on May 8, 2018. Tim Scanlan directed from a script by Aaron Ginsburg and Wade McIntyre.
The season five cast includes Eliza Taylor as Clarke Griffin, Paige Turco as Dr. Abigail Griffin, Bob Morley as Bellamy Blake, Marie Avgeropoulos as Octavia Blake, Lindsey Morgan as Raven Reyes, Christopher Larkin as Monty Green, Henry Ian Cusick as Marcus Kane, Richard Harmon as John Murphy, Luisa d’Oliveira as Emori, Chelsey Reist as Harper, and Tasya Teles as Echo.
The “Sleeping Giants” Plot: HOME — Bellamy (Morley) leads the charge investigating a potential way home. Meanwhile, Clarke (Taylor) and Madi (guest star Lola Flannery) deal with the new, uncertain threat to their home.
The Season 5 Plot: Over the last four seasons The 100 have fought to survive against unimaginable odds, only to see the world end for a second time. Season five begins six years later, with our heroes still separated: Bellamy’s team in space, Clarke on the ground, and hundreds trapped in the bunker below. But when a massive prison ship descends upon the last survivable place on earth, The 100 must come together to reclaim their home.
As two armies converge on one valley, alliances will shift, friends will become foes, and the march to war threatens to destroy all that’s left of the human race. Can our heroes break the cycle, or is humanity doomed to repeat the past? In this epic battle for survival, one thing is certain: there are no good guys.
Cinemax’s upcoming miniseries C.B. Strike is set to premiere on June 1, 2018 at 10pm ET/PT. The series is based on J.K. Rowling’s bestselling novels (written under the name Robert Galbraith) and was adapted by Tom Edge and Ben Richards, with Charles Sturridge, Michael Keillor, and Kieron Hawkes directing.
The cast of C.B. Strike includes Tom Burke, Holliday Grainger, Andrew Brooke, Emmanuella Cole, Matt King, Killian Scott, Martin Shaw, Tara Fitzgerald, Siân Phillips, Kerr Logan, Natasha O’Keeffe, Amber Anderson, Kevin Fuller, Ben Crompton, Sarah Sweeney, Tim McInnerny, and Sarah Gordy. The miniseries was produced in association with BBC One. J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts, and Elizabeth Kilgarriff executive produce.
In support of the miniseries’ upcoming premiere, Cinemax has released details on the plot, cast, and air dates.
The Plot: C.B. Strike is a war veteran turned private detective who operates out of a tiny office in London’s Denmark Street. Although wounded both physically and psychologically, his unique insight and background as a military police investigator prove crucial in solving complex crimes that have baffled the police.
C.B. Strike Episode Guide:
Episode #1: “The Cuckoo’s Calling (part 1)”
Debut date: FRIDAY, JUNE 1 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT)
London, the dead of winter: Supermodel Lula Landry (Elarica Johnson) plummets to her death from the balcony of her Mayfair apartment. After an inquest concludes that she committed suicide due to the pressures of fame, her brother, John Bristow (Leo Bill), seeks Strike’s (Tom Burke) help in finding justice for his adopted sister. Despite Strike’s attempts to get DI Eric Wardle (Killian Scott) to reopen the case as a possible homicide, he is met with a brusque brush-off and left to his own means to prove otherwise. With Robin’s (Holliday Grainger) help, Strike conducts interviews with neighbors, friends and family of the victim, hoping to get to the truth.
Episode #2: “The Cuckoo’s Calling (part 2)”
Debut date: FRIDAY, JUNE 8 (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
After the sudden death of Lula’s friend Rochelle (Tezlym Senior-Sakutu), Strike (Tom Burke) decides to interrogate the rest of Lula’s friends. Strike questions Derrick Wilson (Brian Bovell), the concierge at Lula’s building, to determine his whereabouts when the supermodel died and discover how the potential killer escaped unnoticed. The unoccupied second-floor flat and a bouquet of white roses lead Strike to important conclusions.
Episode #3: “The Cuckoo’s Calling (part 3)”
Debut date: FRIDAY, JUNE 15 (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
Robin (Holliday Grainger) visits a boutique where Lula shopped on the day she died, gathering key information from the salesperson who secretly recorded the celebrated model’s conversation with Rochelle. Strike’s (Tom Burke) tireless analysis of the CCTV footage and a clandestine search of Lula and Bristow’s family home lead him to two possible suspects and eventually point him in the direction of the actual killer.
Episode #4: “The Silkworm (part 1)”
Debut date: FRIDAY, JUNE 22 (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
Strike’s (Tom Burke) new client, Leonora Quine (Monica Dolan), wants help tracking down her missing husband, the once-infamous Owen Quine (Jeremy Swift), a former bad boy of the London literary scene, now toiling away in relative obscurity. Strike’s first port of call is Liz Tassel (Lia Williams), Quine’s agent, still smarting from her client’s reckless behavior. She has dropped him from the agency after his bombastic, unpublished manuscript, “Bombyx Mori,” caused a stir in the industry with its slanderous, thinly disguised fabulist portrayals.
Episode #5: “The Silkworm (part 2)”
Debut date: FRIDAY, JUNE 29 (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
When Owen’s disemboweled body is discovered, Strike (Tom Burke) and Robin (Holliday Grainger) delve deeper into the hidden meanings and concealed secrets of “Bombyx Mori,” fighting to prove the innocence of his incarcerated widow (Monica Dolan). Strike invites Liz (Lia Williams) to lunch and gains insight into Andrew Fancourt (Peter Sullivan), Quine’s famous literary rival, and the feud between them. By looking more closely at the manuscript and putting the pieces of the puzzle together, the true author of an alternative version of “Bombyx Mori” – and the identity of the killer – are revealed.
Episode #6: “Career of Evil (part 1)”
Debut date: FRIDAY, JULY 6 (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
Robin (Holliday Grainger) arrives at the office to accept a package from an impatient motorbike courier. Opening it, she is horrified to discover a severed leg inside, accompanied by famous song lyrics. Interpreting this as a vendetta against him, Strike (Tom Burke) begins to pull together a list of potential suspects from his past, any of whom may have sent the macabre delivery.
One of the names, Jeff Whittaker (Matt King), relates directly to Strike’s late mother, Leda (Kierston Wareing), and he asks his longtime friend Shanker (Ben Crompton) to help him track down the degenerate musician, while Robin begins to research all three suspects. Strike and Robin’s time-consuming, close-working relationship begins to rile her fiancé, Matthew (Kerr Logan), and the couple’s arguments become more frequent. Adding fuel to the fire, their investigation takes Strike and Robin to Barrow-in-Furness for an overnight stay.
Episode #7: “Career of Evil (part 2)”
Debut date: FRIDAY, JULY 13 (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
Strike (Tom Burke) visits several London strip clubs to find out more about Niall Brockbank (Andrew Brooke), who is one of the murder suspects. Robin’s (Holliday Grainger) relationship with Matthew (Kerr Logan) hits a low point and she questions her commitment to marriage. Strike begins to narrow his field of suspects, but the killer continues to taunt them, hitting close to home when he leaves a severed thumb in Robin and Matthew’s tea kettle. Outraged and determined to trap Brockbank, Robin, unbeknownst to Strike, pays Shanker (Ben Crompton) to lead her to Niall’s home, where she tries to question his girlfriend (Emanuella Cole). Brockbank returns home and Robin finds herself in a fight for her life.
Holliday Grainger and Tom Burke star in ‘C.B. Strike’ (Photo Credit: Cinemax)
