TV News Roundup: Rainn Wilson to Guest Star on ‘Roadies,’ Jack Griffo on ‘NCIS: LA’
In today’s TV news round-up, there is new casting for Starz’s “American Gods,” Showtime’s “Roadies” and “NCIS: L.A.,” plus HBO has announced the premiere date for their movie “All the Way,” starring Bryan Cranston.
CASTING NEWS:
Jack Griffo will have a guest appearance in “NCIS: L.A.” The Nickelodeon star, who posted the news on Twitter, will be playing a military cadet named McKenna. His storyline will revolve around him sneaking out to meet up with his girlfriend, but when they’re interrupted by intruders, he has to sacrifice his own life so that his girlfriend can escape. Griffo will appear in episode No. 22 of the current season, which will air in April.
Griffo, who stars in “The Thundermans” on Nick, is repped by Amsel, Eisenstadt , Frazier & Hinojosa Talent Agency and Alchemy Entertainment.
Starz has cast Emily Browning in their hotly anticipated adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s “American Gods.” Browning will be playing Laura Moon, the wife of Shadow Moon who gets a second chance on her relationship after going on an unexpected journey. Browning joins previously cast Ian McShane as Mr. Wednesday and Ricky Whittle as Shadow.
“I’ve been fascinated by Emily Browning since ‘A Series of Unfortunate Events,’ ” the author said of the “Sucker Punch” and “Legend” star. “She has a challenge ahead of her: Laura is a tricky character, and the Laura on the screen is even trickier and more dangerous than the one on the page. She’s going to have a wonderful time bringing Laura to life.”
Comedian Yassir Lester will be a series regular in Fox’s time-travel comedy pilot “Making History,” Variety has learned. He joins stars Adam Palley and Leighton Meester in the project that hails from Phil Lord, Chris Miller, Seth Cohen and Julius “Goldy” Sharpe.
Lester is a writer on “The Carmichael Show” and “Girls,” and “Making History” marks his first starring role in a pilot. He is repped by UTA, Truhett/Garcia Management and law firm Lichter, Grossman, Nichols, Adler & Feldman.
Christopher Meloni of “SVU” and new “Underground” fame will take a seat on Bravo’s “Inside the Actors Studio” on March 31. Host James Lipton commented: “Think ‘Oz,’ think ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,’ think ‘Wet Hot American Summer,’ and you’ll have some idea of the variety, scope, startling candor and unbridled hilarity Christopher Meloni brought to our ‘Inside the Actors Studio’ stage.”
Rainn Wilson is set to guest star in Showtime’s new series “Roadies.” Wilson will play Bryce Newman, a famous and extremely self-important music journalist. “Roadies” hails from Cameron Crowe, marking his first television series. The show chronicles the rock world through the eyes of the backstage workers who put the show on the road.
USA Network has tapped Rafael Amaya, star of sister network Telemundo’s series “El Senor de los Cielos,” to make a crossover appearance in the upcoming drama “Queen of the South.” Amaya will re-create his character Aurelio Casillas, a drug lord who seeks power while eluding the DEA. His character will come face-to-face with Alice Braga’s Teresa Mendoza. The series is currently shooting in Dallas.
PREMIERE DATES:
HBO has announced that “All the Way” will premiere on May 21. Bryan Cranston returns in his Tony-winning role as President Lyndon B. Johnson during his first year in office following the Kennedy assassination for “All the Way,” which is directed by Jay Roach and also stars Anthony Mackie, Melissa Leo, Bradley Whitford and Stephen Root.
Bravo‘s “Million Dollar Listing New York” will premiere its fifth season on April 21 with a 90-minute episode. The new season will find Manhattan real estate superstars Fredrik Eklund, Luis D. Ortiz and Ryan Serhant tackling some of their toughest clients and dramatic personalities to date.
Discovery Channel announced their miniseries “Harley and the Davidsons” will premiere on September 5. Consisting of three two-hour installments, the story follows the birth of the iconic Harley-Davidson brand launched in 1903. The following installments will run Sept. 6 and 7. The network also announced that Gabe Luna, Alex Shaffer and Sean Scully have been added to the cast.
AWARD SHOWS:
Hailee Steinfeld will perform at the 2016 Radio Disney Music Awards, joining previously announced performers Ariana Grande and DNCE for the April 30 show. The “Pitch Perfect 2” star will perform her hit “Love Myself,” which had a 13-week run on Radio Disney’s Top 30, and her latest single “Rock Bottom” featuring DNCE, which has been on the charts for three weeks.
EXECUTIVE NEWS:
Discovery Channel has promoted Phil Zimmerman to vice president of communications.
In his elevated role, Zimmerman will continue to help drive Discovery’s communications strategies. He most recently served as senior director and oversaw the publicity campaigns for such series like “Deadliest Catch,” “Gold Rush,” “Bering Sea Gold” and “Skywire Live With Nik Wallenda.” Zimmerman will continue to report to Laurie Goldberg, EVP of communications for Discovery, Animal Planet and Science Channel.
Related stories
'Sleepy Hollow' Star Joins Discovery Miniseries 'Harley and the Davidsons'
'American Gods' Casts Ian McShane as Mr. Wednesday
'Daredevil' Actor Cast in Discovery Miniseries 'Harley and the Davidsons'
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