TV News Wrap-Up: ‘Batwoman’ Finds its Poison Ivy, ‘Insecure’ Season 5 Premiere Date, Kate Walsh Returns to ‘Grey’s Anatomy’

There’s a new Will in Bel-Air, Steve Urkel makes his triumphant return, and Issa Rae prepares for goodbye.

Smell ya later and check out this week’s news!

Kate Walsh Returning to ‘Grey’s Anatomy’

• Grey’s Anatomy may have lost a few favorites during Season 17, but never fear, one of its most familiar faces is scrubbing in for Season 18. Kate Walsh is set to check back in for several episodes as Dr. Addison Montgomery
• Walsh announced the news on Instagram saying, “I’m so excited to be home again.”
• Addison first appeared in the Season 1 finale as Derek’s wife. After two seasons, her character left to lead the spinoff Private Practice. She last appeared on Grey’s Anatomy as a special guest star in Season 8.
• For her part, Grey’s Anatomy showrunner Krista Vernoff is thrilled for Walsh’s return, declaring on Twitter, “Christmas came early this year.”
• Grey’s Anatomy Season 18 premieres Thursday, Sept. 30 at 9/8c on ABC.

‘Dickinson’ Season 3 Sets Premiere Date for Final Episodes

• AppleTV+ is preparing its final ode to Dickinson, as the show’s upcoming Season 3 will be its last, per The Hollywood Reporter.
• Dickinson Season 3 is set to premiere Friday, Nov. 5, and feature guest stars Ziwe, who is also writing for the series, as Sojourner Truth, Billy Eichner as Walt Whitman, and Chloe Fineman as Sylvia Plath.
• “When I set out to make Dickinson, I envisioned the show as a three-season journey that would tell the origin story of America’s greatest female poet in a whole new way, highlighting Emily’s relevance and resonance to our society today,” creator/showrunner Smith said. “In my wildest dreams, I could never have imagined how rich and satisfying the experience of making this show would become, and the incredible joy it has been to tell Emily’s story along with Hailee and our brilliant, passionate cast and crew.
• “I can’t wait to share our epic final season with the world, and to bring our audience along with us to the conclusion of Emily’s coming-of-age saga, as she continues to fight for her own poetic truth, while reckoning with so many of the issues that face us now,” Smith continued. “Thank you to Hailee Steinfeld and our entire Dickinson team for making this such an unforgettable creative journey. I’m grateful for my partnership with Apple and can’t wait to continue telling more original stories with them in the years ahead.”
• Dickinson is streaming on AppleTV+, with the first three episodes of Season 3 premiering Friday, Nov. 5, followed by new episodes every week. The season finale is scheduled to debut Dec. 24.

‘Insecure’ Releases Premiere Date, Teaser for Fifth and Final Season

• Following the emotional roller coaster of Insecure Season 4, Issa, Molly, Tiffany, and Kelli are set for their last ride. Deadline reports, Insecure Season 5 will premiere Sunday, Oct. 24 on HBO.
• In addition to the premiere date, HBO also released a teaser featuring Issa reflecting on where she finds herself and how to move forward.
• The clip includes Issa in front of a mirror confessing to her reflection, “I keep fronting everybody like I’m not scared about what’s next for me but I’m terrified. So, what am I supposed to do now?”
• Insecure Season 4 ended with Issa reconciling with ex Lawrence, right before his ex Condola discovered she was pregnant. Issa also found herself struggling to figure out her fractured friendship with Molly, and whether they could find a way back to one another.
• Star/creator Issa Rae previously announced that Season 5 would be the acclaimed comedy’s last.
• Insecure is available on HBO Max, with Season 5 premiering Sunday, Oct. 24 on HBO.

https://youtu.be/O67pizJ6Fig

Emily VanCamp Leaving ‘The Resident’

• Fox’s The Resident is losing yet another cast member, as Emily VanCamp is exiting after four seasons.
• The Resident Season 4 began with VanCamp’s Nic Nevins marrying longtime love interest Conrad Hawkins. Her character then gave birth to their first child in the Season 4 finale.
• VanCamp asked to exit at the end of Season 4, and there are no details on how her character will be written out of the show.
• She recently returned to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, reprising Sharon Carter. The season finale revealed Sharon’s role as the Power Broker, setting up a possible future arc for the character.
• Promos for The Resident Season 5 have hinted at Matt Czuchry’s Conrad receiving bad news, and have notably not featured VanCamp.
• The Resident Season 5 premieres Tuesday, Sept. 21 at 8/7c on FOX. 

Bridget Regan Joins ‘Batwoman’ as Poison Ivy

• In its continuing effort to make Bat mythology its own, Batwoman has cast Bridget Regan as Poison Ivy, per TVLine.
• Pamela Isley is a “former botany student of Gotham University, a passionate, brilliant scientist with a mind for changing the world for the better. Pamela’s plans shifted when she was experimented on by a colleague and injected with various plant toxins that turned her into the infamous Batman villain Poison Ivy. With a formidable power coursing through her veins, Pamela used her powers to do what she thought was right … even if Batman and those closest to her disagreed with her dangerous methods. Now effectively wiped off the board for years, Batwoman and the Bat Team must prepare themselves for Poison Ivy to return with a vengeance.”
• On Batwoman Season 2 Episode 18, “Power,” the finale’s last scene showed The Penguin’s umbrella and top hat washing ashore next to roots and plants that were definitely moving.
• Regan joins new cast member Robin Givens as Jada Jet, Nick Creegan as Marquis Jet, and Victoria Cartagena as Renee Montoya.
• Regan will recur as Ivy during Batwoman Season 3, which premieres Wednesday, Oct. 13 at 9/8c on The CW.

‘Bel-Air’ Casts Newcomer Jabari Banks as Will

• Peacock has found its new Will. Variety reports, the streamer’s The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reboot has tapped Jabari Banks for the lead role of Will.
• Based on Morgan Cooper’s viral video, Bel-Air is a dramatic retelling of the ’90s comedy that made Will Smith a star.
• In fact, Smith is the one who delivered the good news to Banks, which can be seen in the video below. The West Philadelphia native is also a singer, songwriter, rapper and basketball player, so it sounds like he’s perfect for the part.
• “Set in modern-day America, Bel-Air is a serialized one-hour dramatic analogue of the 90’s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air that leans into the original premise: Will’s complicated journey from the streets of West Philadelphia to the gated mansions of Bel-Air. With a reimagined vision, Bel-Air will dive deeper into the inherent conflicts, emotions and biases that were impossible to fully explore in a 30-minute sitcom format, while still delivering swagger and nods to the original show.”
• Bel-Air has received a two season order from Peacock, however until it debuts, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is available on HBO Max.

 

Jaleel White to Reprise Steve Urkel for Animated Holiday Special

• The ’90s nostalgia continues with Jaleel White set to jump back into his famous suspenders for an animated Cartoon Network special.
• TVLine reports, White will voice Steve Urkel in the animated musical holiday special Did I Do That to the Holidays? A Steve Urkel Story.
• In the cartoon, written and executive produced by Wyatt Cenac, “The holiday season has arrived, and brilliant but accident-prone Steve Urkel has already ruined his local celebration by publicly humiliating a shopping mall Santa. In his attempt to make things right and score some nice points with the big guy in the North Pole, Steve creates an invention that only makes things worse. Using his big brain and even bigger heart, Steve must find the real Santa to see if together they can help the city rediscover the holiday spirit.”
• White played Urkel on Family Matters for nine seasons, and has not portrayed the character in any capacity since the show ended in 1998. There is no word on whether his alter ego Stefan Urquelle will also appear in the special.
• Did I Do That to the Holidays? A Steve Urkel Story does not have a premiere date yet, but it will air as part of Cartoon Network’s ACME Night programming schedule.

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