TV News Roundup: New O.J. Simpson Doc Coming to A&E, ‘How to Get Away With Murder’ Casts Jimmy Smits
In today’s roundup, “How to Get Away With Murder” casts Jimmy Smits and A&E Network announces a new documentary on O.J. Simpson.
CASTING
Jimmy Smits is joining the cast of ABC‘s “How to Get Away With Murder” in Season 4. Smits will have a guest arc opposite Viola Davis on the network drama. On brand with all Shondaland series, details about his season-long recurring role have not been revealed, but his character will be a prominent figure in Annalise’s (Davis) life and will have a key role in this season’s mystery. Smits is repped by UTA, Brillstein Entertainment Partners, and Tom Hoberman.
Whoopi Goldberg will be voicing the role of Uma’s mother, Ursula, the sea witch from “The Little Mermaid” in “Descendants 2.” The upcoming Disney Channel Original Movie starring Dove Cameron is set to premiere on Friday at 8 p.m. ET. The news was announced earlier this week during director and choreographer Kenny Ortega’s appearance on ABC’s “The View.” “Descendants 2” will air across multiple channels — ABC, Disney Channel, Freeform, Disney XD, Lifetime, and Lifetime Movies.
“Shadowhunters” has upped Alisha Wainwright, who plays Maia, to a series regular for the upcoming third season. During the show’s panel at San Diego Comic-Con, executive producers Todd Slavkin and Darren Swimmer also revealed that previously announced guest star Sarah Hyland (“Modern Family”) will portray an iteration of Seelie Queen in the Aug. 7 and Aug. 14 episodes of the series. “Shadowhunters” airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on Freeform.
SPECIALS
A&E Network announced that “Guilty: The Conviction of O.J. Simpson” will premiere in October on A&E. The new, original documentary will unravel new details of the former football star’s Las Vegas conviction for armed robbery with previously unreleased audio tapes and exclusive interviews from those closest to the case. In a two-hour-special, experts examine Simpson’s state of mind and how it affected the way the Las Vegas Police Department approached his case.
GREENLIGHTS
E! announced development for “The Platinum Life,” set to premiere this fall. The series follows an elite group of music’s savviest women and their significant others as they live their lavish lives. Leading ladies include the spouses of some of the music industry’s biggest names, including Nelly and Ne-Yo.
PREMIERE DATES
Season 2 of “Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath” is slated to premiere on Aug. 15 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on A&E Network. The original documentary series will further explore accounts of former Scientology members whose lives have been impacted by the church’s practices. Leah Remini serves as executive producer for her No Seriously Productions, and Myles Reiff serves as showrunner and executive producer.
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