All the TV news that you need to know… in just 10 minutes.
Rumour has it Penny (Kaley Cuoco) could be walking out on The Big Bang Theory (2007-current) when season 10 ends. Sources say the 30-yearold isn’t happy that Bernadette and Howard (Melissa Rauch and Simon Helberg) have stolen Penny and onscreen hubby Leonard’s (Johnny Galecki) thunder and she’s ready to wave goodbye to her $1 million-perepisode contract. NB! Read more on p34 & 45. Kaley Cuoco is unsettled on The Big Bang Theory.
Medical drama The Night Shift’s (2014-current) season 3 finale (August 2016) saw Dr Zia (Ken Leung) fired by the hospital’s new owner and his colleagues walk out in protest. The cliffhanger has been solved and the fourth season will return in 2017 without Ken, who’s confirmed his departure “to pursue other interests despite the producers wanting me to stay,” he says.
Batman prequel series Gotham (2014-current) is adding big guns late into its third season. Acting veteran James Remar (Harry Morgan in serial killer drama show Dexter, 2006-2013) has signed on to play Frank Gordon, uncle to main character Detective James Gordon (Ben McKenzie), in a recurring role. Frank’s reemergence 25 years after Jim’s dad died in a car crash is going “to rock Jim’s world,” says James. It’s unknown how many episodes he’ll be in or when he’ll make his Gotham debut.
Zombie apocalypse show Z Nation (2014-current) has been renewed for a fourth season, ranking consistently in network NBC’s 10 most-watched scripted series. Meanwhile, The Walking Dead’s (2011-current) ratings have dipped from 17 million for the season 7 premiere to 10 million, its lowest since season 3 in 2012. Emilia Clarke is joining Star Wars.
With fantasy series Game Of Thrones (2011-current) winding down, its cast are looking elsewhere for an income. And it seems that Emilia Clarke, Daenerys in Game of Thrones, is heading out of this world for work – she’s reportedly joined the upcoming and as-yetuntitled 2018 Star Wars spin-off film about a young Han Solo (famously played by Harrison Ford in the original Star Wars movies, 1977-current). Taking over the smuggler role is Alden Ehrenreich, Hobie in 2016’s comedy movie Hail Caesar with George Clooney.
Drag queen RuPaul (host of fashion reality show RuPaul’s Drag Race, 2009-current) is taking on comedy in 2 Broke Girls (2011-current). But don’t expect outrageous behaviour, hair and fashion – RuPaul Andre Charles will cameo as himself, giving Max and Caroline (Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs) tips on business and love when he picks them up hitch-hiking.
BBC One has renewed period nursing drama Call The Midwife (2012-current) for three more seasons, taking it up to a total of nine. Seasons 7, 8 and 9 will have eight episodes each, with a further three Christmas specials.
Elijah Wood (Frodo Baggins in the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, 2001-2003) has found his new precious with his sci-fi series Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency (2016-current). The show, which follows detectives Dirk Gently (Samuel Barnett) and his reluctant sidekick Todd Brotzman (Wood) as they investigate supernatural cases, has been renewed for a 10-episode second season due in 2017.
Nia Long hasn’t had to wait long to find a new role after her ill-fated sitcom Uncle Buck (2016) was canned after just seven episodes. She’ll be joining the third season of music-inspired drama Empire (2015-present) in the recurring role of Vegas club owner Giuliana, who can’t help but bump heads with fan favourite character Cookie ( Taraji P Henson).
Star Trek fans who’ve been missing out on a new TV show to match up with the movie reboots (2009-current) are in luck with the newly announced Star Trek: Discovery (2017). The 13-episode series will bridge gaps left by Star Trek: Enterprise (2001-2005) and will see Michelle Yeoh (Lotus in season 2 of Netflix series Marco Polo, 2014-current) as Han Bo, captain of the Shenzhou.
It’s been five years since John Morrison was last seen in the WWE but he’s on the way back to TV… although not in the ring. He’ll be guest starring in the upcoming sixth season of sitcom Baby Daddy’s (2012-currnet) as hockey player-turned-wrestler Ryan who’s got a secret history with his friend Danny’s (Derek Theler) mom.
Matthew Perry’s sitcom The Odd Couple (2015-current) with Thomas Lennon has been axed after three seasons. Also cut from the schedule is period drama show Masters Of Sex (2013-2016), which won’t be returning for a fifth season. Parent network Showtime said in a statement, “Masters Of Sex was beautifully written and acted. It will still be available on our streaming platforms.” Matthew Perry needs a new job.