TV News Wrap-Up: ‘9-1-1’ Producer Teases Connie Britton Return, Whoopi Goldberg Joins ‘Star Trek: Picard,’ Katey Sagal Cast In Pilot, and More

The TCAs have wrapped up but now we enter the pilot season. 

This is the time of year where networks and services secure rights to new programming and start to move on pilot commitments. It also means an abundance of casting news.

Add to that news of the SAG awards and the impending release of HBO Max and Peacock and its safe to say we’re not out of the casting woods yet. 

Take a look at this week’s TV News wrap-up for the highlights. 

—

The SAG award winners were announced on Sunday night at a ceremony at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. A TV Line recap summarizes the night’s events “Game of Thrones‘ farewell run, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Fosse/Verdon led the TV pack with two wins each, while The Morning Show‘s Jennifer Aniston gave newbie streamer Apple TV+ its first major award win.” The Crown and Fleabag also took home major awards.

Sir Patrick Stewart invited former castmate Whoopi Goldberg to Star Trek: Picard Season 2, and she accepted. Stewart appeared on The View on Wednesday with a formal invitation for Goldberg, inviting her to reprise her role as the mystical bartender Guinan from Star Trek: The Next Generation. Goldberg accepted the invite and then said to the audience, “Star Trek was one of the great experiences from the beginning to the end.” Stewart replied, “it was wonderful having you, and we cannot wait to have you with us again one more time.” Goldberg’s character appeared in 29 episodes of the original series. Watch the moment below.

Original Black Lightning cast member Damon Gupton exits ahead of Season 4. Gupton has played Inspector Bill Henderson since the series premiere in 2018 but announced on Twitter last Sunday that his run has ended. Gupton wrote: “And that’s a wrap. My final night on the set of @blacklightning. In December before X-mas I was told Chief Henderson is not in the plans for season 4 and that I would be let go. My [heart] to a helluva hard working crew. Big [thanks] to cast, writers, producers, staff, CW, WB #BlackLightning” He also gave a shout out to the fans and reflected that he was, “Disappointed I’m not allowed to continue the ride with you but glad we had the time we did.” Black Lightning is currently airing its third season. 

How to Get Away with Murder adds True Blood alum Lauren Bowles for final episodes. TV Line exclusively reported that Bowles will play Assistant U.S. Attorney Montes who will face off against Connor and Michaela in court. She’ll make her first appearance when the show returns on Thursday, April 2nd.

Katey Sagal has been cast in Rebel, an Erin Brockovich-inspired drama, from Grey’s Anatomy executive producer Krista Vernoff. According to TV Line, Rebel will follow blue-collar legal advocate without a law degree, Annie “Rebel” Bello. The official logline describes her as “a funny, messy, brilliant and fearless woman who cares desperately about the causes she fights for and the people she loves. When Rebel applies herself to a fight she believes in, she will win at almost any cost.” The drama previously secured a pilot commitment in October. Sagal recently appeared on The Conners as Louise, a new love interest for Dan, and had a three-episode run Grand Hotel. Sagal’s other credits include Sons of Anarchy, 8 Simple Rules, Futurama, and Superior Donuts.

ABC announced that This Is Us actress Chrissy Metz will be performing at the 2020 Oscars. TV Line reports that Metz will perform “I’m Standing With You,” a ballad featured in the 2019 film Breakthrough, in which Metz plays a Christian mother whose son miraculously covers from an accident that left him near death. The Oscars will air live on Sunday, February 9th at 8/7c on ABC. 

Impeachment: American Crime Story has cast Betty Gilpin as Ann Coulter. Deadline reports the GLOW actress will play the conservative pundit on American Crime Story‘s third season about the Clinton-Lewinsky sex scandal. Gilpin has received critical praise for her role on GLOW which is currently producing ts fourth and final season on Netflix. 

Details have started to come out about Connie Britton’s return to 9-1-1.  TV Line reports that producer Tim Minear believes Abby has some unfinished business. Minear told TV Line, “Abby promised she would come back and she never did. So there’s unfinished business for Abby, and definitely also for Buck. He’s kind of lost at sea right now. He’s still trying to figure out who he is, and his relationship with Abby started to redefine him. Once she left, he had to figure out who he was without her.” Oliver Stark who plays buck also said, “…I don’t know what [Abby’s return] means. I don’t know what that’s going to stir up. But it’s teasing at stuff, which is always fun.” New episodes of 9-1-1 Season 3 are expected to return in the spring. 

—

What are your thoughts on this week of TV News? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. 

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

25 Most Spectacular Streaming and Cable TV Shows of the Decade