
TV News Wrap-Up: Catherine Zeta-Jones in ‘Prodigal Son,’ ‘Dexter’ Revival Finds its Villain, ‘Punky Brewster’ Premiere Date
Normally, the beginning of the year is a slow news week. However, 2021 came out of the gate strong with feuding award shows, casting surprises, and the return of a classic.
Here are a few TV news highlights from the past week.
‘Prodigal Son’ Adds Catherine Zeta-Jones as New Season 2 Series Regular
- Academy Award winner Catherine Zeta-Jones is set to become Michael Sheen’s boss in Season 2 of Prodigal Son.
- TV Line is reporting that Zeta-Jones will join the second half of the season as Dr. Vivian Capshaw.
- As Sheen’s Dr. Martin Whitly begins working at the Claremont Psychiatrics infirmary, Dr. Capshaw enjoys putting him in his place changing bedpans and mopping floors. However, she starts to change her mind when she sees him treating patients.
- Season 2 of Prodigal Son returns to FOX Tuesday, Jan. 12 at 9 pm.

Grammy Awards Postponed
- As Southern California continues to grapple with a crippling surge in Covid-19 cases, The Recording Academy has postponed the 63rd Grammy Awards to March 14.
- Variety reports that a statement from The Recording Academy reads, “After thoughtful conversations with health experts, our host and artists scheduled to appear, we are rescheduling the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards to be broadcast Sunday, March 14, 2021.”
- Coincidentally, March 14 is the same date as the Screen Actors Guild Awards. According to TV Line, SAG-AFTRA released a statement that reads, “we are extremely disappointed to hear of the conflicting date, March 14th, announced today for this year’s Grammy Awards telecast.”
- “We announced the same date for the SAG Awards last July with the intent to give the greatest possible scheduling consideration for other awards shows. We expect the same consideration from sister organizations throughout the industry,” the statement continued.
- There is no word on either show changing its date.
Clancy Brown Joins ‘Dexter’ Revival as Big Bad
- Showtime’s Dexter revival has found its main villain in TV vet Clancy Brown. According to TV Line, he plays Kurt Caldwell, the unofficial mayor of Iron Lake.
- The official character description reads: “Kurt realized the American dream by going from driving big rigs, just like his father did, to now owning several trucks and the local truck stop. Powerful, generous, loved by everyone — he’s a true man of the people. If he’s got your back, consider yourself blessed. But should you cross Kurt, or hurt anyone that he cares for, God help you.”
- The ten-episode limited series takes place seven years after the show’s original finale, during which Dexter faked his death and was last seen working in the Oregon woods.

ASHLEY AUFDERHEIDE, CLANCY BROWN
Peacock Announces Premiere Date for ‘Punky Brewster’
- Peacock will premiere the Punky Brewster revival Thursday, Feb. 25.
- Variety reports that the streaming network will release all 10 episodes of the sequel to the ’80s favorite on the same day.
- The new series picks up with a grown-up Punky, once again played by Soleil Moon Frye, raising three kids as a single mom. She is joined by Cherie Johnson as Punky’s best friend Cherie and Freddie Prinze Jr. as her ex-husband Travis.
- For fans looking to jump into a time machine back to 1984, the original series is now streaming on Peacock.
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