TV News Wrap-Up: John de Lancie in ‘Picard’ Season 2, ‘Queer as Folk’ is Back, ‘MacGyver’ Canceled
A fan favorite returns to the Star Trek universe, MacGyver is CBS’s latest casualty, and NCIS is ready to break its glass ceiling.
Make it so and check out this week’s news!
John de Lancie returns as Q for ‘Picard’ Season 2
Jean-Luc Picard is set to be reunited with one of his most powerful enemies. John de Lancie will return to the franchise in Star Trek: Picard Season 2, per TVLine.
A teaser released during First Contact Day, a celebration of all things Star Trek, features Q’s voice saying, “the trial never ends.”
de Lancie debuted as the all-powerful Q on The Next Generation pilot “Encounter at Farpoint,” appearing in the show several more times during its seven seasons. The character also popped up to cause trouble on Deep Space Nine and Voyager.
Star Trek: Picard Season 2 is currently in production, with its premiere set for 2022 on Paramount+.
Season 5 to be Last for ‘MacGyver’
Even a paper clip and rubber band couldn’t save MacGyver from cancellation. Deadline reports, Season 5 will be the end for the action drama.
The reboot of the ’80s classic stars Lucas Till in the title role of a science genius/secret agent who uses nothing but his wits and everyday items to save the world. It co-stars Tristan Mays, Justin Hires, Meredith Eaton, Levy Tran, and Henry Ian Cusick.
“The past five years have been what I will look on later as the most formative years of my life. Lots of tough, lots of love. I made life long friends, actually no, family,” wrote Till on Instagram. “I learned to push myself to new limits, breaking through and through and through. Was nervous to take up the mantle of an icon and you guys allowed me into your homes and accepted me. I’m like the Roger Moore of MacGyvers now thanks to your support.”
According to TVLine, the series is averaging 4.8 million viewers this season, ranking ninth out of CBS’ 14 dramas.
MacGyver airs Fridays at 8/7c on CBS, with its series finale currently scheduled for Friday, April 30 at 8/7c.
Renée Elise Goldsberry Joins ‘She-Hulk’
As The Falcon and the Winter Soldier continues to build Marvel’s Disney+ success, one of its upcoming projects adds a Tony winner to its cast. Hamilton star Renée Elise Goldsberry has joined She-Hulk, per Deadline.
True to Marvel Studios form there are no details on her character.
She-Hulk focuses on Jennifer Walters, a lawyer who develops her own green alter ego following a blood transfusion from her cousin Bruce Banner.
Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black) will star as Jennifer, with Mark Ruffalo returning as Bruce Banner/The Hulk and Tim Roth appearing as Emil Blonsky/Abomination.
Goldsberry is set to star in the upcoming Peacock comedy Girls5eva. She joins Busy Phillips, Sara Bareilles, Paula Pell, and Ashley Park as a ’90s one-hit girl group trying to make an improbable comeback as middle-aged women with families and regular jobs.
All eight episodes of Girls5eva premiere on the streamer Thursday, May 6.
Robert I. Mesa Bumped up to Recurring on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’
Robert I. Mesa, who currently plays James Chee, has been promoted to recurring cast member on Grey’s Anatomy, per Variety.
He is the long-running medical drama’s first Indigenous doctor. He will next be seen on Season 17 Episode 12, “Sign O’ the Times,” airing April 15. Per the official synopsis, “Maggie (Kelly McCreary) will ‘treat a patient wounded in the Seattle protests,’ while other doctors struggle to help a COVID denier (who presumably has COVID).”
Grey’s Anatomy airs Thursdays at 9/8c on ABC.
‘Queer as Folk’ Reboot gets Series Order
Game-changing British drama Queer as Folk is getting the reboot treatment at Peacock. The new version has received a series order from the streaming network, per Variety.
The update follows “a diverse group of friends in New Orleans whose lives are transformed in the aftermath of a tragedy.” Stephen Dunn is set to write and direct.
Created by Russell T. Davies, the original featured TV favorites Aiden Gillen and Charlie Hunnam, airing for 10 episodes between 1999-2000.
North American fans may be more familiar with the Showcase/Showtime version that ran for five seasons from 2000-2005.
“It is a surreal honor to adapt the notoriously groundbreaking series by Russell T. Davies. When the show originally aired, the idea of unapologetic queer stories on TV was so provocative that I felt I could only watch Queer as Folk in secret,” said Dunn. “But so much has changed in the last 20 years and how wonderful would it be if the next generation didn’t have to watch Queer as Folk alone in their dank basements with the sound muted, but with their family and friends and the volume cranked all the way to the max…”
The original UK Queer as Folk is streaming on Pluto TV, with the Showtime version available on Hulu.
‘NCIS: Hawaii’ Eyes Female Lead
CBS’ unconfirmed NCIS spinoff is planning to do things differently, tasking a woman with leading the series and the team.
TVLine reports its sources have the character possibly named Jane Tennant, as Special Agent in Charge of “NCIS Pearl.”
CBS has not officially confirmed or ordered its next NCIS, however, it’s hard to imagine the network heading into the new season with only two series in its flagship franchise. The network previously announced NCIS: New Orleans will be ending with its current Season 7.
NCIS: LA airs Sundays at 9/8c on CBS.
NCIS: New Orleans airs Sundays at 10/9c on CBS.
NCIS airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on CBS.
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Stephanie Holland
Stephanie Holland is a nerdy lover of Star Wars, Disney, Doctor Who, Arrowverse, Star Trek and WWE. Is living the dream of turning a lifelong obsession with TV into an actual job. Still waiting for a reboot of the '80s classic Small Wonder.