Jeffrey Tambor stars in ‘Transparent’ (Photo by Jennifer lasen / Amazon Prime Video)
Amazon Studios officially announced the critically acclaimed, award-winning series, Transparent, has earned a fifth season. Season five will premiere on Amazon Prime Video in 2018, with filming expected to take place next year. Season four is set to premiere on September 22, 2017.
Created by Jill Soloway, Transparent‘s cast includes Jeffrey Tambor (Arrested Development), Judith Light (Dallas), Gaby Hoffmann (Girls), Jay Duplass (Togetherness) and Amy Landecker (Louie). Andrea Sperling (Spivak) and Soloway executive produce.
“Over the past few seasons the Pfeffermans have gone across the world, back in time and made many, many trips to the deli,” stated Joe Lewis, Head of Comedy, Drama and VR, Amazon Studios. “We’re so excited to see what magic Jill and the incredible team bring to this always groundbreaking series in season five.”
“We are extremely grateful to Amazon Studios for their continued trust and support and to our audience for their warm embrace of the Pfeffermans. We look forward to another season of comedy and drama, love and weirdness, God and sex – in the service of community and in pursuit of peace, joy, freedom and human rights for all,” said Jill Soloway.
The Plot:Transparent is a comedic, half hour novelistic series that explores identity, love, sex, God and boundaries through the lives of a complicated American family. Tambor is Maura Pfefferman, whose reintroduction to her family as a woman sets their journey in motion. Her ex-wife Shelly (played by Light), and their children – Ali (played by Hoffmann), Josh (played by Duplass), and Sarah (played by Landecker) – explore the uneven terrain of their own lives with poignant and meaningful results.
Freestyle Digital Media’s unveiled the official trailer for the thriller, Don’t Sleep, starring Shadowhunters‘ Dominic Sherwood. The cast also includes Drea de Matteo (Sons of Anarchy), Cary Elwes (Life in Pieces), Jill Hennessy (Shots Fired), and Alex Rocco (Episodes). Rick Bieber wrote and directed Don’t Sleep, with Ken Clark and Eric Donaldson producing.
Don’t Sleep opens in select theaters and VOD on September 29, 2017.
The Plot: Shawn and Zach are young lovers who move into a guesthouse together on an estate owned by Mr. and Mrs. Marino. When bizarre events begin to occur with increasing danger, Zach slowly remembers a forgotten time in his childhood when he suffered from what appeared to be a severe and violent psychosis –memories erased by a series of electroconvulsive shock treatments administered by his psychiatrist. As the terrors surrounding their lives grow to deadly proportions and innocent people are slaughtered, Zach is forced to question his own sanity and fears for Shawn’s safety. Once the threat of psychotic behavior turns into the possibility of demonic possession, Zach is confronted with a horrific reality he never could before have imagined.
Danielle Panabaker from The CW’s ‘The Flash’ at Comic Con 2017 (Photo by Richard Chavez / Showbiz Junkies)
The CW’s The Flash star Danielle Panabaker has perfected the art of discussing the series, Caitlin Snow, and Killer Frost without revealing anything that could in the slightest bit be considered a spoiler. At the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con, Panabaker steered cleared of anything to do with what’s in store for Killer Frost in season four but was more than happy to discuss season three during roundtable interviews.
The Flash season four is set to premiere on October 10, 2017.
How did it feel to play the two different sides of the character in season three?
Danielle Panabaker: “It was great. It’s so fun. I’m so grateful to be on a show that offers us the opportunity to go to such extremes. And to get to play both, a really good version and a really bad version, all in one show – oftentimes all in one episode – was awesome.”
That’s kind of why you do a superhero show, to get to do that kind of stuff, isn’t?
Danielle Panabaker: “Absolutely. I was dying to suit up and get out there with the boys. I remember I think it was probably our finale and I was like, ‘That’s all the fighting we’re going to do?’ I always want to do more.”
What are her true feelings for Barry?
Danielle Panabaker: “You know, I don’t know how to answer that question. I think Barry loves Iris and Barry proposed to Iris.”
Is Caitlin going to turn to anyone for help in managing Killer Frost in season four?
Danielle Panabaker: “Here’s what I can tell you about the upcoming season. Fans who love Caitlin Snow won’t be disappointed. Fans who love Killer Frost won’t be disappointed.”
What’s interesting to hear from the two camps: the people who love Caitlin and then the people who love Killer Frost?
Danielle Panabaker: “Honestly, it’s so flattering and humbling to get to do such different roles, and to have them both well received is humbling, for sure.”
Which is your favorite?
Danielle Panabaker: “Both, and that is the fun of the show. You get the opportunity to do both. I imagine, and I hope for all the actors who come join us, it’s fun to be a villain because you really get to push it. Like, it’s go big or go home. You really get to play and have fun. I think that’s why Mark Hamill had so much fun on our show is he really got to go be out there.”
How many hours now does it take to do the Killer Frost makeup and costume?
Danielle Panabaker: “You know, the hair and makeup people we had last year really had it down to a science and it was probably about 90 minutes to get everything done.”
Is there a chance to do a hybrid version, in your mind, of this character?
Danielle Panabaker: “In my mind for sure there’s a chance for a hybrid version.”
Have you suggested it to the writers?
Danielle Panabaker: “Absolutely. Have they ever listened to me? No, they have not.”
Everyone’s saying how much lighter in tone season four is than season three. Do you get to participate in that lighter tone? Do you have those lighter moments?
Danielle Panabaker: “As a viewer of the show as well I’m excited to see the lighter aspects. I also think it does make for a lighter mood on set. Grant (Gustin) is such an unbelievable, incredible actor and he really goes there when it comes time for him to do that emotional stuff. You want to be respectful of your other actors’ process. Tom Cavanagh is so goofy and I think this year it’s going to give him some free rein to do all that.”
Can you talk about the relationship between Caitlin and Cisco?
Danielle Panabaker: “Can I talk about the relationship this season? No. Can I talk about the relationship in the past? Yes. It’s one of my favorite relationships. It feels very much like two siblings to me. It feels like there’s a lot of love and a lot of care, you know, in the same way that I have a lot of love for Carlos (Valdes). I do feel like he’s my brother, and hopefully that translates.”
How long did it take you to master figuring out the acting involved in doing Killer Frost’s power?
Danielle Panabaker: “I had a couple of questions for Armen (Kevorkian). Our visual effects guys are unbelievable, Armen in particular. Armen has directed at least twice on the show and he’s coming up to do another one…I hope I’m allowed to say that. Too late! So, I just would ask him questions and really go to him for an indication of what’s going to look great. I think it was like episode 19 – her ice skating through the city was unbelievable. That was so cool how they did that.”
Is there part of Caitlin that misses being part of the team?
Danielle Panabaker: “Yes, I imagine there is a part of Caitlin that misses being part of Team Flash and that family.”
Do you miss being a part of Team Flash?
Danielle Panabaker: “Yes and no. Sometimes I get tired of shooting in the cortex all day. But, I love these guys. I mean, they are a family. They all came to my wedding. I do love them very much.”
Donovan W. Carter, John David Washington, Dwayne Johnson, Eddie George, and Omar Benson Miller in ‘Ballers.’ (Photo: Jeff Daly / Courtesy of HBO)
Season three of HBO’s popular half-hour series Ballers finishes up with four new episodes in September 2017. The comedy/drama set in the worlds of finance and football stars Dwayne Johnson, Rob Corddry, Troy Garity, John David Washington, Omar Benson Miller, and Dule Hill. The series, which earned a fourth season renewal on August 8, was created by Stephen Levinson. Levinson, Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, Peter Berg, Evan Reilly, Rob Weiss, Julian Farino, Denis Biggs, and Karyn McCarthy serve as executive producers.
The Season 3 Plot: After baring his soul at the rookie symposium and undergoing hip surgery, Spencer Strasmore returns with a new outlook and fresh goals, hoping to forge bonds with new players across the country while improving his relationships with existing clients. With league certification in hand, Joe Krutel and Spencer go after a jackpot deal. Ricky Jerret’s newfound discoveries affect his personal and professional life; Vernon Littlefield and Reggie accept a risky endorsement deal; ex-player Charles Greane learns that working in the front office is as rough as playing on the gridiron; and Jason Antolotti continues to orchestrate deals to satisfy both players’ bank accounts and their oversized egos.
In an ever-changing business where the shelf life for stardom and multi-million-dollar contracts are short, Spencer is intent on proving that the key to successful sports management isn’t just about making money and having fun – it’s about delivering on the promises you make. Looking at the whirlwind lifestyles and real-life problems of former and current football players, Ballers stars Dwayne Johnson as ex-superstar Spencer Strasmore, who has reinvented himself as a financial manager for today’s players in sun-soaked Miami.
Ballers September 2017 Episodes:
Episode #27 (season 3, episode 7): “Ricky-Leaks”
Debut date: SUNDAY, SEPT. 3 (10:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT)
Spencer (Dwayne Johnson) finds himself in damage-control mode after an incident involving Ricky (John David Washington) and a brash high-schooler. Excited over a possible plum job, Charles (Omar Benson Miller) bristles at Julie’s (Jazmyn Simon) lack of disclosure at work. Looking to reduce Vernon’s (Donovan Carter) suspension, Reggie (London Brown) impresses Candace (Emayatzy Corinealdi) at the league office. Spencer and Joe (Rob Corddry) find themselves at odds with Anderson (Richard Schiff) over ASM’s future.
Written by Rob Weiss; directed by Rob Weiss.
Episode #28 (season 3, episode 8): “Alley-Oops”
Debut date: SUNDAY, SEPT. 10 (10:30-11:00 p.m.)
Spencer (Dwayne Johnson) gets unexpected info that leads him to reassess his priorities. Joe (Rob Corddry) considers the best way to break bad news to the ASM staff. Marginalized once again by Larry (Dulé Hill), Charles (Omar Benson Miller) decides to take matters into his own hands.
Written by Rashard Mendenhall; directed by David Katzenberg.
Episode #29 (season 3, episode 9): “Crackback”
Debut date: SUNDAY, SEPT. 17 (10:00-10:30 p.m.)
Spencer (Dwayne Johnson) learns that his master plan to bring a team to Las Vegas may be in jeopardy. Ricky (John David Washington) arrives at a crossroads, personally and professionally. Charles (Omar Benson Miller) sees his wish come true in Miami, but ends up with regrets.
Written by Evan Reilly & Steve Sharlet; directed by Julian Farino.
Episode #30 (season 3, episode 10): “Yay Area” (season finale)
Debut date: SUNDAY, SEPT. 24 (10:00-10:30 p.m.)
Spencer (Dwayne Johnson) and Joe (Rob Corddry) get a late-game assist in their efforts to win over team owners. After soul-searching, Ricky (John David Washington) maps out a new future. Jason (Troy Garity) gets Charles (Omar Benson Miller) another crack at a coveted job. Reggie (London Brown) makes an impact at training camp.
Written by Evan Reilly; directed by Julian Farino.
A scene from A&E’s ‘Born This Way’ (Photo by Elizabeth Weinberg)
A&E Network’s given a fourth season order to the docuseries Born This Way from executive producers Jonathan Murray, Gil Goldschein, Laura Korkoian, Elaine Frontain Bryant, and Shelly Tatro. The critically acclaimed series earned Emmy nominations in 2016 and 2017 in the Outstanding Unstructured Reality Series category, winning that category in 2016. Born This Way was also recognized as a “television programming that inspires, informs and motivates” by the 2016 Television Academy Honors.
Per A&E, season four will consist of eight new hour-long episodes.
“Over the past three seasons, Born This Way has been a prime example of quality storytelling that motivates us to celebrate and embrace diversity,” said Elaine Frontain Bryant, EVP and Head of Programming, A&E Network. “We are honored to reunite with these incredible young adults and their families as they fearlessly share their accomplishments, struggles and dreams, shifting society’s perception about differences along the way.”
The Plot:Born This Way follows a group of seven young adults born with Down syndrome along with their family and friends in Southern California. Throughout the series, they pursue their passions and lifelong dreams, explore friendships, romantic relationships and work, all while defying society’s expectations. In their willingness and courage to openly share their lives, through a lens that is not often shown on television, we learn they have high hopes just like anyone else. The series also gives voice to the parents, allowing them to talk about the joy their son or daughter brings to their family, and the challenges they face in helping them live as independently as possible.
Netflix just released the first photos from the upcoming Western limited series, Godless, from Oscar winner Steven Soderbergh (Traffic). The seven episode series stars Jeff Daniels (The Newsroom), Michelle Dockery (Downton Abbey), and Jack O’Connell (Unbroken). The series also features Kim Coates (Sons of Anarchy), Scoot McNairy (Halt and Catch Fire), and Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Game of Thrones).
The original limited series is executive produced by Casey Silver and is written and directed by Scott Frank (A Walk Among the Tombstones). Netflix is set to premiere Godless on November 22, 2017.
The Godless Plot: Notorious criminal Frank Griffin (Jeff Daniels) and his gang of outlaws are on a mission of revenge against Roy Goode (Jack O’Connell), a son-like protégé who betrayed the brotherhood. While on the run, Roy seeks refuge with hardened widower Alice Fletcher (Michelle Dockery), an outcast herself, in a worn-down, isolated mining town of La Belle, NM — governed mainly by women. When word reaches La Belle that Griffin is headed their way, the town bands together to defend against the murderous gang in a lawless western frontier.
Samuel Barnett, Elijah Wood, and Jade Eshete in ‘Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency’ season 2 (Photo Credit: Ed Araquel/AMC)BBC America’s crazy, kooky, and immensely entertaining series, Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency, will return for season two beginning on October 14, 2017 at 9pm ET/PT. Season one’s Samuel Barnett (Dirk), Elijah Wood (Todd), Jade Eshete (Farah), Hannah Marks (Amanda), Mpho Koaho (Ken), Fiona Dourif (Bart), Dustin Milligan (Friedkin), Michael Eklund (Martin – Rowdy 3), Osric Chau (Vogel – Rowdy 3), Viv Leacock (Gripps – Rowdy 3), and Zak Santiago (Cross – Rowdy 3) are all on board reprising their roles. Joining the series for season two are John Hannah (The Mage), Amanda Walsh (Suzie Boreton), Tyler Labine (Sherlock Hobbs), Izzie Steele (Deputy Tina Tevetino), Aleks Paunovic (Wygar Oak), and Alan Tudyk (Mr. Priest).
BBC America also unveiled the first official trailer for the upcoming season as well as batch of photos from season two and the updated synopsis. The series is based on Douglas Adams’ novels and was created by Max Landis who also writes and executive produces. Robert Cooper is the showrunner.
The Dirk Gently Plot: Every season is a dizzying, smart, dangerous, unexpected and (for us, not the people involved) fun adventure that explores a different genre. Season one was about time travel with body-swapping, and this season involves an injection of fantasy. The vast dangers lurking in the fantasy realm navigate a path to Earth, becoming a threat in reality, and it’s up to Dirk (Barnett) and the gang to stop them in their tracks. But first – they need to find each other… Everything and everyone continues to be connected… from the sterile chambers of the government organization Blackwing, to the sleepy town of Bergsberg and the magical land of Wendimoor. After a few misfires, Dirk Gently steadily finds his footing on the new case to “find The Boy”, and with the help of his friends, makes the necessary connections to solve the mystery before it’s too late.
Disney and Marvel Studios just announced an incredible new Superpower of STEM Challenge in support of Thor: Ragnarok. The challenge, which is open to girls 15-18 years old and in grades 10-12, asks girls to create a unique do-it-yourself project that can be recreated and used by others. The contest encourages girls to channel their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) superpowers for a chance to win fantastic prizes.
The Superpower of STEM Challenge is a joint project of Disney, Marvel Studios, Dolby Laboratories, Synchrony Bank, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Broadcom MASTERS, and Society for Science & the Public. Disney and Marvel provided the following details on the Superpower of STEM Challenge:
Five finalists will be selected to come to Los Angeles and present their projects, in person, to a panel of experts and to attend the Red Carpet Premiere of Marvel Studios’ THOR: RAGNAROK. Each finalist will receive: Two round-trip tickets to Southern California for the finalist and her parent or guardian, including scheduled meals, ground transportation to and from organized activities, hotel accommodations, from October 8 through October 11, 2017; the opportunity to be on the red carpet at the Premiere of Marvel Studios’ THOR: RAGNAROK, $500 deposited into a high-yield savings account from Synchrony Bank; a tour of the Walt Disney Studiosin Burbank, California; and more.
One grand-prize winner will be selected from the five finalists to attend an immersive three-day mentorship in New York City with Disney Imagineering to build her STEM story, creating a professional-level video teaching other young people how to recreate her Challenge-winning project. The winner will also have the opportunity to demonstrate her Superpower of STEM project live to the nation with a brief appearance on Good Morning America. (The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of Good Morning America / ABC News.)The video created during her mentorship will be made available to students, teachers and families worldwide on the American Association for the Advancement of Science education resource website ScienceNetLinks.com.
Complete contest information will be available from August 23, 2017, through September 23, 2017. Entries will be accepted beginning on August 23, 2017 at 4:00AM PT through 6:00PM PT on August 23, 2017. For application forms, eligibility requirements, official contest rules and more information about MARVEL STUDIOS’ THOR: RAGNAROK SUPERPOWER OF STEM CHALLENGE, please visit www.marvelstudiosstemchallenge.com.
More on Thor: Ragnarok – In Marvel Studios’ Thor: Ragnarok, Thor is imprisoned on the other side of the universe without his mighty hammer and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarok—the destruction of his homeworld and the end of Asgardian civilization—at the hands of an all-powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela. But first he must survive a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against his former ally and fellow Avenger—the Incredible Hulk!
The cast includes Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson, Karl Urban, Mark Ruffalo and Anthony Hopkins. Thor: Ragnarok opens in theaters on November 3, 2017.
Anson Mount as Black Bolt and Serinda Swan as Medusa in ‘Marvel’s Inhumans.’ (Photo Credit: ABC)
Marvel’s Inhumans debuted new footage at the 2017 San Diego Comic Con that showed Medusa’s hair with CG effects as well as Black Bolt’s special sign language. Teamed up together for roundtable interviews, Anson Mount and Serinda Swan discussed those aspects of their Inhumans characters as well as how they worked together to make sure they were in sync as husband and wife on screen.
ABC’s Marvel’s Inhumans is set to premiere on September 29, 2017.
How difficult was it to figure out how to play Black Bolt?
Anson Mount: “The actual creation/translation part of it wasn’t that difficult because it’s me making it up so I’m just doing whatever is intuitive to me. Getting it into the muscle memory of my body so that I can actually pay attention to my fellow actors on set, that’s a learning process. As well as learning to let go of the mind-mouth connection and turning it into a mind-hand connection. I legitimately felt the difference between the beginning and the end of the season. It’s a little bit like learning to operate a horse on a set. Part of your brain is paying attention to what (the horse) is thinking so that you can actually do a scene at the same time. It was a little like that. It’s a skill, just like anything else.”
Is there consistency to it? Is it its own language?
Anson Mount: “Would you like to see my glossary on Google docs?”
Serinda Swan: “He would send me videos every night of his monologues. I would get the video and I would learn. You’ll see when you watch the show, you’ll see there’s a word for humans. And, it’s not just like the basic words. There’s words for like, ‘And then we went over here and sat down.’ It’s all there. It’s incredible to see it.”
(Anson Mount points out his Google docs on his phone – video at 3:01.)
Anson Mount: “There’s my glossary. I kept it over the course of the whole season. I would make my videos the night before and send them to Serinda.”
What can you tell us about the Medusa effects?
Serinda Swan: “It is such a huge thing that they’re taking on. I don’t think they’ve ever had to do human hair in that capacity, so they were just like, ‘Be patient.’ Double Neg did it and (Anson) was saying they did the wolves in The Grey and they are incredible. They are absolutely incredible. So, I just had to trust and I had to learn how to ‘hact’ – which is hair act. Like, ‘What is normal?’ It’s a limb, right, so for the simple things when we’re sitting and talking, I’m not going to sit and talk and have a sip of coffee and go, ‘Coffee…drink.’ (Overemphasizing concentrating on picking up the cup.) So, it was finding the normalcy of what she’s grown up with and having Serinda take that on.
And then when it came to be fighting, I really used it as another limb. So when you fight, everything kind of pulls up and tightens. When that happens, I had to figure out just how to do that just with my body and my spine. And then trust that they’re going to have your back, literally, and build something around that that moves. So, on set I would move my hands a little bit. I saw it last night and was blown away and so excited because it’s such a huge part of her. I was so happy.”
Anson Mount: “You were great. You did exactly what you said you wanted. You could tell you were aware of what was going to be happening in post, but you were letting it do its thing. I would have been eyebrow acting all the way.”
Serinda Swan: “I was trying not to! Like the first time, I stood in the mirror and I was like, ‘Okay, angry hair.’ (Makes a mean face.) ‘No, that’s angry face.’ ‘Okay, angry hair.’ (Less angry face.) ‘Okay, we’re getting there.’”
Anson Mount: “See, when I sign, I have to keep myself from moving my mouth. Sometimes my mouth will (grimace) because it wants to talk.”
Serinda Swan: “It was such a cool experience.”
Watch the full Anson Mount and Serinda Swan Inhumans interview:
(Interview by Fred Topel. Article by Rebecca Murray.)
Common stars in Black Samurai (Photo Courtesy of Starz)
Common is set to star in and executive produce the action drama, Black Samurai. The series is a Starz, Jerry Bruckheimer Television, and RZA’s Wu Films production and is based on the novels and 1977 feature film. Cormac and Marianne Wibberley are attached as showrunners and will write the show’s pilot. Bruckheimer, RZA, Mitchell Diggs, Jonathan Littman, KristieAnne Reed, Derek Dudley, Shelby Stone, Diane Crafford, and Andre Gaines are executive producing.
According to Starz, the updated story will be “a mash-up of the spy and martial arts genres and infused with the heart, soul, and music of Common and the Wu-Tang Clan, creating a modern-day international action star.”
“I’m beyond excited about Black Samurai. This is a unique and special project that offers something rarely seen in art and culture today,” said Common. “It’s an honor to play the character of Robert Sand and to have my production company, Freedom Road Productions partnering with Jerry Bruckheimer Productions, RZA and Starz to deliver something fresh and new to people. I can’t wait to dig into this character and the martial arts worlds of gun-fu, kung-fu, jujitsu and more. Look out world, Black Samurai is coming!”
“We cannot wait for the world to meet Robert Sand – part Jason Bourne, part James Bond, and 100% the hero we need today. Black Samurai promises to be an action-packed ride and with the Bruckheimer team, Common, RZA and Andre at the helm, we can feel certain this will be exceptional storytelling,” stated Carmi Zlotnik, Starz’ President of Programming.
“We are absolutely thrilled to partner with Starz, Common, RZA and Andre Gaines on Black Samurai,” added Bruckheimer. “This incredible creative team will combine all of their talents and experience to bring the classic book series to brand new life with cutting edge artistry, music and imagery.”
The Plot: Based on the Black Samurai novels written by Marc Olden, the series will follow the character of Robert Sand (Common), a highly-trained American Army Ranger whose life is transformed when he meets a legendary Japanese master who invites him to train as a samurai. After his beloved sensei and samurai brothers are killed by mercenaries, Sand is thrust on a worldwide journey of both revenge and self-discovery.
