Sooner or later our favorite TV shows all come to an end and the cast go their separate ways. If we’re lucky, our favorite performers return in new TV show and movie projects. Here’s where you’ll be able to see some of them…
Alex O’Loughlin, the star of CBS’ vampire drama, Moonlight, is returning to the network. This time, he’ll be playing a serial killer in an upcoming episode of Criminal Minds. The installment will be unique in that it will be told from the point of view of O’Loughlin’s character. Watch for the episode to air in April.
Anne Heche (Men in Trees) is giving television another try. She’s been signed to co-star in HBO’s new Hung series. It’s a dark comedy that centers on a well-endowed but struggling high school basketball coach named Ray (Thomas Jane). Heche will play his ex-wife, who has remarried. The show was picked up for 10 episodes and is expected to premiere in June.
Chris Pratt (Everwood) has landed a role on NBC’s new sitcom called Parks and Recreation. He’ll be playing the love interest of Rashida Jones (Unhitched). The comedy stars Amy Poehler (Arrested Development) and has been described as an Office-style show but set in a small town Parks and Rec department. Originally called Public Service, the show’s expected to debut in April.
Comedy legend Carol Burnett (The Carol Burnett Show) is returning to television but it’s no laughing matter. The six-time Emmy winner will be guesting on the March 17th episode of NBC’s Law & Order: SVU. She’ll be playing a former dancer who gets caught up in the murder of a young couple. SVU Executive Producer Neal Baer said, “Having Carol Burnett on SVU is a dream come true. When you grow up wanting to be a writer, you can count on one hand the actors you’d give anything to work with. Carol Burnett is my ‘thumb.'”
Cybill Shepherd (Moonlighting) will star in a new comedy pilot for Lifetime. Alligator Point focuses on an eccentric group who spend too much time at a Florida Oyster Bar, owned by Shepherd’s character. Others in the cast include Leslie Jordan (Will & Grace) and Charlie Robinson (Home Improvement). Kelsey Grammer (Frasier) is directing the multi-camera pilot.
Ed O’Neill (Married with Children) has been signed to star in a half-hour pilot for ABC. An American Family revolves around three families; a traditional clan, a senior (O’Neill) who becomes a stepfather to a young child after marrying a much younger Latina (Dirty Sexy Money’s Sofia Vergara), and a gay couple (Eric Stonestreet and Do Not Disturb’s Jesse Tyler Ferguson) who’ve adopted a Vietnamese baby
Betty White (Boston Legal) will be stopping by My Name is Earl on NBC. The multi-Emmy winner will play a “crazy witch lady” who lives in a small town where everyone is afraid of her. Look for the episode to air in the Spring.
Angie Harmon (Women’s Murder Club) is joining ABC’s Samantha Who? in a possibly recurring role, says EW. She’ll be playing the infamously crazy ex-wife of Samantha’s current beau, played by Billy Zane. The ABC sitcom is scheduled to return to primetime in late March.
Laura Allen (Dirt) is set to guest star in a pair of episodes of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy. She’ll be playing the ex-girlfriend of Kevin McKidd (Journeyman). On the big screen Allen will next be seen in Old Dogs, a wacky comedy starring John Travolta (Welcome Back, Kotter), Robin Williams (Mork & Mindy), Seth Green (Family Guy), and the late Bernie Mac (The Bernie Mac Show).
This role sounds great for Alex. He is a brilliant actor, and it sounds like a part that will really showcase his talent. I must say though, that I have all of his movies on DVD, I have Moonlight and the 6th season of The Shield, and the man can do no wrong on film. I just hope that Alex has the lead in his own show again soon – it has been way too long. Then he can do movies on the side, lead only, of course – and that would make me happy!