TV Bits: ‘Parks & Recreation’, ‘Downton Abbey’, ‘The Newsroom’, ‘The Americans’, ‘The Mindy Project’, ‘New Girl’, ‘Game Of Thrones’, And More
Like the last couple of TV Bits, this one is also chock full of casting news. Also after the jump:
And in the world of casting for things that aren’t pilots…
Downton Abbeyhas just bumped up recurring guest starLily Jamesto series regular status for Season 4, presumably to help make up for some of the characters we lost this past season (R.I.P.). James plays Violet’s great niece Rose, and her rebellious personality should help keep the Crawleys on their toes as they push further into the roaring ’20s. [TV Line]
Pawnee’s collection of oddball citizens just got a little bit bigger.Patton Oswaltwill guest star in an upcoming episode ofParks & Recreationdirected byAmy Poehler, playing a guy who misses the good ol' days of 1817, when the town was first founded. [TV Line]
The Newsroomhas added one more to its Romney camp.Constance Zimmerhas booked a recurring role on the HBO drama as Taylor, a spokesperson for presidential candidate Mitt Romney. (Remember, this show takes place ever so slightly in the past.) That should dovetail nicely with her gig on Netflix’sHouse of Cards, where she plays aWashington Posteditor. [Deadline]Michael C. Hallmay be done with television whenDexteris. While Showtime has yet to confirm that the thriller’s upcoming eighth season will be its last, Hall has begun thinking about where he might go next — and he says it likely won’t be anywhere on the small screen. “I don’t want to close that door but another open-ended commitment to something that could potentially go five or more years is a little daunting at this point,” he said.
Then again, he admits, he’s said that before. “The one thing I ruled out whenSix Feet Underended was another television series being my next job and you may see where that got me,” he pointed out. [MetroviaScreen Crush]
Summer Heights HighandAngry BoyscreatorChris Lilleyhas begun production in Melbourne on another new series, a six-parter being co-produced by HBO and Australia’s ABC. No plot details are available as of yet, but if you liked his other shows you’ll want to keep an eye out for this one.
“I want to keep as much of the show as possible a secret, but if you’ve loved my last three shows, this is part four,” Lilleyhas said. “It’s going to be really good.” [The Sun]
Elizabeth and Phillip Jennings will live to spy another year. FX has just renewedThe Americansfor a second season, four episodes into its first. Not that the news should come as a surprise — the series premiere was FX’s most-watched debut ever. [TV Line]
New GirlandThe Mindy Projectare moving to Thursdays, at least temporarily.Mindywill air two new episodes in the first week of April, one in its regular Tuesday evening slot and the other in a special Thursday outing.New Girlhas a rerun airing April 2, followed by a new episode April 4.
While the scheduling shuffle is currently only planned for the one week, it could suggest that Fox is planning on moving the shows to Thursday next season, especially as NBC’sThe Officeis on its way out. [EW]
Those who’ve been dying for a bit ofGame of ThronesSeason 3 footage should be sure to tune intoJimmy Kimmel Livetonight. A new 60-second trailer will be unveiled on the talk show. “I am so excited about this trailer, even I might watch my show,” said the host in a statement.Game of ThronesreturnsMarch 31. [EW]
In the meantime, whet your appetite by checking out these deleted scenes included on the Season 2 DVD / Blu-ray set. Sansa, The Hound, Littlefinger, Varys, Margaery, Loras, Irri, and Doreah all make appearances. [viaVulture]
