USA TODAY International Edition
Who will take home the gold on Emmy night?
A ‘Potter’ alum enrolls, alongside two Olympians
Amazon’s “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and its star, Rachel Brosnahan, left, are favored on a big night for TV.
It’s time for another round of “Dancing With the Stars.” But this fall, the ballroom pros might have more star wattage than many of the celebrities on ABC’s reality series.
For Season 27, “Harry Potter” star Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood), “Dukes of Hazzard” lead John Schneider and “Facts of Life” actress Nancy McKeon are taking the stage to compete for the mirrorball trophy, along with a mix of other actors, athletes – including Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton and blind skier Danelle Umstead – a comic, a model, a reality star, a radio host and a recording artist.
Last spring’s shortened all-athletes version of the ABC reality series “was obviously all about high competition,” executive producer Andrew Llinares says. But the show returns to its regular full-season glory Sept. 24 (Mondays, 8 EDT/PDT), where “we’ll have a whole variety of people and there might be a little bit more of a fun (mood). You’ll see more of a journey, more of a progression in people.”
One of them, Irish actress Lynch, says she’s excited to return to dance about a decade after being rejected by a dance college, and to “have something more to talk about besides her four “Potter” films.
“I want to introduce other things (and) try to challenge myself to be outgoing,” she says.
Lynch learned Irish dancing and ballet as a child, then studied other forms of dance for fun while on set in London, where she was obsessed with Michael Jackson. She is looking forward to her most high-profile project since the “Potter” films, because “the thing that I love, that lights me up, is performing.”
The list of contestants who will soon be performing the waltz, jive, salsa, chacha, foxtrot and more:
Evanna Lynch, 27
How you know her: The actress and animal-rights activist played delightfully eccentric and artistic Ravenclaw student Luna Lovegood in the “Harry Potter” movies from 2007 to 2011.
Her partner: Keo Motsepe, who already has been coaching Lynch through new dance moves and Instagram ideas. Their partner hashtag: #kevanna.
Mary Lou Retton, 50
How you know her: She’s the first American woman to win a Team USA all-around gold medal for gymnastics, with perfect-10 scores in 1984.
Her partner: Pro Sasha Farber, who married fellow pro Emma Slater this year.
Tinashe, 25
How you know her: The pop/R&B singer was an actress and girl-group member before going solo with her biggest hit, “2 On.”
Her partner: Brandon Armstrong, a longtime member of the show’s performing dance troupe who will mark his first time as a pro partner.
Danelle Umstead, 46
How you know her: She’s a visually impaired Alpine skier who has won medals in three Paralympic Games with her husband, Rob, as her guide.
Her partner: Pro Artem Chigvintsev, who often skied to school while growing up in Russia.
Bobby Bones, 38
How you know him: He’s an “American Idol” mentor and host of country radio’s “The Bobby Bones Show.”
His partner: Australian dancer Sharna Burgess is a three-time runner-up on “DWTS.”
Juan Pablo Di Pace, 39
How you know him: TheArgentinian actor played Jesus in “A.D. The Bible Continues,” Kimmy Gibler’s estranged husband Fernando in “Fuller House” and Nicolas Trevino in TNT’s “Dallas.”
His partner: Two-time champion Cheryl Burke, who’s newly engaged to actor Matthew Lawrence.
John Schneider, 58
How you know him: For playing Bo Duke in the original “Dukes of Hazzard” series and as Clark Kent’s adoptive father, Jonathan, on “Smallville.” He was in the news earlier this year, sentenced to jail for unpaid alimony.
His partner: English pro Emma Slater won the mirrorball with NFL running back Rashad Jennings in Season 24.
Nikki Glaser, 34
How you know her: She’s a stand-up comic who has appeared on Netflix specials and Comedy Central roasts.
Her partner: Russian dancer Gleb Savchenko hasn’t placed in the top three yet, but he choreographed one of the sexiest “DWTS” routines of all time.
DeMarcus Ware, 36
How you know him: The former linebacker played for the Dallas Cowboys from 2005 to 2013 before joining the Denver Broncos for three seasons and winning a Super Bowl.
His partner: ProLindsay Arnold, who famously performed a salsa with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on a fellow dancer’s shoulders last season.
Milo Manheim, 17
How you know him: He sang and danced as Zed in the Disney Channel musical movie “Zombies.”
His partner: Pro Witney Carson, who was a champion in Season 19 with partner Alfonso Ribeiro.
Alexis Ren, 21
How you know her: The “Sports Illustrated” swimsuit model with more than 12 million followers on Instagram and a “Maxim” cover, trained in ballet.
Her partner: Pro Alan Bersten, who had a tumor removed from his neck this year.
Joe Amabile, 31
How you know him: The reality TV personality from the most recent seasons of “The Bachelorette” and “Bachelor in Paradise” has been nicknamed “Grocery Store Joe” because he’s a trader-turned-grocery store buyer.
His partner: Jenna Johnson, last season’s champion with Adam Rippon.
Nancy McKeon, 52
How you know her: The actress played Jo Polniaczek on the 1980s NBC sitcom “The Facts of Life.”
Her partner: Val Chmerkovskiy is a longtime pro who also will be a judge on “Dancing With the Stars: Juniors.”