Interview: Eric Winter Explores His New Powers

As most of you “Witchees” already know, “The Witches of East End” returns for its second season on Lifetime this Sunday, July 6 at 9/8c. I spoke with series star Eric Winter, who plays Dash Gardiner, about what to expect this season from the show, and his character specifically. At the very end of the first season, Dash’s and his brother Killian’s warlock powers (which they never even knew they had) returned to them in full force when their mother died. The second season should be very interesting as the brothers hone and develop their magical powers.

Celebrity Extra: First off, congratulations to you on your second-season renewal. I can’t wait to see what the show has in store for us.

Eric Winter: Thank you! It’s so rare nowadays, it seems, to get a second season, with all of the other great shows that are out there. Everybody was happy to get back to work. We have a great group of cast and crew, so it was nice to get back and see everybody.

CE: How was the return to work after the hiatus? Did you all just pick back up where you left off?

EW: Yeah, we all just got right back on that bike. We all really like each other, and it’s a pretty smooth ride for the most part. Everybody was just happy to see each other, to reconnect, and it was good to dive into some new material.

CE: Along with the new material, you’ve got some new cast members.

EW: There are a couple of cast additions, which are good changes, but for me in particular, there is a massive change in character for Dash. I thought that my brother and I were very underused last year. And this year we are being used in a way that’s going to expand the cast we have and really propel the story. You’re going to get a nice, well-rounded cast and interaction of story lines now. For me personally, it’s a much more exciting role to play than last year. Dash really does a 180.

CE: Another thing I am excited for this second season is 13 episodes, up from 10 from season one.

EW: That was a nice little bonus. A little something to expand on some stories and dive into more stuff, and they give us a little longer to tell it. So that was actually perfect.

CE: Now that you and Killian are aware of your warlock powers, that should be fun for you guys to play — it’s not just the ladies having all the fun.

EW: That’s a huge bonus for us, that we have a lot more to play with and a lot more to explore. That’s been a major positive, as far as I’m concerned, when it comes to playing this character. I also think it added another level to our involvement, because now we are in the know with everything that is going on. Last year, we were definitely way out of the loop with what was taking place. And now we are in on the secret. It adds to the dynamics.

CE: Last we saw Dash and Killian, Dash had left Killian for dead and set him adrift on his boat. How’s Killian going to feel about that?

EW: That’s one of the things that will have to play out for the audience to see how that unfolds. But, if it were me, I’d be angry.

CE: Dash is definitely not in control of his powers yet. Will we see him practicing and exploring?

EW: His entire life, Dash didn’t know he had these powers, so now he’s in this new stage of exploration and trying to figure out how to harness the power. How do you control it and how do you access it? It’s much like what Freya went through last year.

CE: Tell me about the addition of Ingrid and Freya’s brother, Frederick Beauchamp (played by Christian Cooke).

EW: He definitely brings a nice, strong, edgy, young energy to the show, which is great, especially for the Beauchamp family. There’s a bit of tension between him and Aunt Wendy, and he’s also trying to form a relationship with his sisters. It definitely adds a nice layer to that family dynamic — having that male energy thrown in there out of nowhere, when they didn’t even know it existed.

CE: This season’s tag line is “Darkness Is Rising.” Talk to me about that. Sounds a lot like Dash to me.

EW: A big part of that darkness is, for sure, Dash, and that rise of power and what he’s ultimately trying to go after. It also encompasses his rivalry with his brother and everything else. There are obviously other issues that are going to be problems for the Beauchamp family that will continue to come out, and that has to do with the darkness as well. That tag line in general speaks to a danger that’s going to be within East End, but also within the Beauchamp family.

CE: Can you give me a little teaser about what viewers can expect this season?

EW: You are going to see a much darker and edgier show than last year. It will have a darker tone to it. Even the risks they take are going to be stronger and bolder, which I think the viewers will like. There’s a lot more conflict and danger than last year. Last year it took awhile for a lot of that stuff to play out. This year you’re going to see it happen much more often.

CE: Everything you said about this season makes me very happy.

EW: I’m glad you like it. It’s a fun show. I really think that the true fans of the show are going to enjoy the second season much more. That’s one thing that I can honestly say. Sometimes first seasons can be so good, but then the quality of the show goes down; they run out of ideas. But I think our story has only gotten better. It will please our current fans, and I think it is strong enough to draw in new fans. I think you will be very pleased. We’re back with guns blazing.

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Q and A: Week of Aug. 19

Q: Can you tell me what Mary McCormack has been doing since “In Plain Sight” ended? — Paula S., via e-mail

A: You can catch Mary now in the independent film “Escape from Polygamy,” which premieres Saturday, Aug. 24 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Lifetime. Beginning Oct. 3, Mary returns to series television in the new NBC single-camera comedy “Welcome to the Family,” which also stars Mike O’Malley (“Glee”), Ella Rae Peck (“Deception”) and Ricardo Chavira (“Desperate Housewives”). “Family” gets a prime spot, airing after NBC comedy mainstay “Parks and Rec,” hopefully helping to fill the void that “The Office” has left in the network’s Thursday night comedy block.

Q: A while back you mentioned “Witches of East End” was going to be a series on Lifetime, and I wondered if you had any more information on it? I loved the book, so I am curious about the series. — Annette D. in Connecticut

A: Lifetime recently announced a premiere date for its newest drama, which features an all-star cast headlined by Emmy Award-winner Julia Ormond, Madchen Amick, Jenna Dewan Tatum and Rachel Boston as a family of witches living in the secluded seaside town of East Haven. “Witches of East End” will cast its spell beginning Sunday, Oct. 6, at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Also set to star are Eric Winter, Daniel DiTomasso, Jason George and Academy Award and Golden Globe nominee Virginia Madsen.

As you mentioned, the series is inspired by Melissa de la Cruz’s best-selling novel “Witches of East End,” and centers on the mysterious Beauchamp family: Joanna (Ormond) and her two grown daughters: Freya (Dewan Tatum) and Ingrid (Boston), both of whom are unaware that they are witches. Freya is recently engaged to the man of her dreams, wealthy playboy Dash Gardiner (Winter), but when she finds herself inexplicably drawn to Dash’s troubled, enigmatic brother, Killian (DiTomasso), bizarre occurrences begin to manifest in her life. Joanna’s long-estranged sister Wendy (Amick) shows up, forcing Joanna to reveal to her daughters they are immortal witches who possess great untapped powers.

Q: I thought Tom Cruise was passing the “Mission: Impossible” mantle to Jeremy Renner. Now I hear Tom will star in the fifth movie. Is that true? — Gerald L., via e-mail

A: Yes and no. Tom will star in “Mission: Impossible 5,” which is scheduled for a 2015 release (most likely summer). Jeremy will be his co-star, but he was never brought on to replace Tom; he was added to the roster to partner with him. And as long as Tom keeps drinking from the Fountain of Youth, I say they should keep him on as long as they can.

Q: Is “Poltergeist” being remade? — Linley J., Harrisburg, Pa.

A: Details are sketchy about the new project, but I can tell you that an updated “Poltergeist” is in production, with Sam Rockwell in talks to co-star with Rosemarie DeWitt, according to “Variety.”

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Q and A: Week of July 8

Krysten Ritter

Q: Now that “Don’t Trust the B---- in Apt. 23” has been canceled, what are Krysten Ritter’s plans? — Hailey F., via e-mail

A: The hilarious and gorgeous actress is set to reprise her role of Gia Goodman in the “Veronica Mars” movie. Krysten recently tweeted: “Veronica Mars has a special place in my heart because it was my first big acting job, and it was also one of the loveliest on-set experiences you could ever ask for.”

Q: I read about a year ago that TNT was planning a mobster-type series based on the book “L.A. Noir: The Struggle for the Soul of America’s Most Seductive City” by John Buntin. Is that project still happening, or did it get canceled? — Freddie T., via e-mail

A: “Lost Angels” is indeed going full-steam ahead, with a projected debut on TNT later this year. The cast includes Jon Bernthal, Neal McDonough, Milo Ventimiglia, Jeffrey DeMunn, Jeremy Strong, Alexa Davalos, Thomas Jane, Simon Pegg and, recently announced, Edward Burns. The story centers on the true, decades-long battle between the LAPD — under legendary Los Angeles Police Chief William Parker — and the West Coast gang, led by mob boss Mickey Cohen.

Eric Winter, photo by Gabriel Goldberg

Q: I was glad to read in your column a couple of weeks ago that Eric Winter will be guest starring on “Rizzoli and Isles,” one of my favorite shows. Can you tell me what else he’s up to? — Pam B., New Orleans

A: The handsome actor, who played the duplicitous FBI agent Craig O’Laughlin on CBS’s “The Mentalist,” has a couple of projects in the pipeline. According to Eric, right now he is having a blast working on the set of “Rizzoli and Isles,” calling Sasha Alexander and Angie Harmon two of the best ladies in the business.

“I am so happy to be a part of this show,” he told me. “It’s a huge hit on TNT, and it’s such a great cast. I love the dynamic between my character (BT) and Maura. I really hope the fans enjoy it!”

Eric also co-stars with Ellen Page and Willem Dafoe in the PlayStation 3 videogame, “Beyond: Two Souls,” which will be released Oct. 8. For all you nongamers out there, this game is a pretty big deal, with a storyline rivaling a big-screen movie. It will contain extended scenes, bonus scenes and features, and a bunch of other cool stuff for excited “Beyond” fans.

Q: We seem to be inundated with reality TV shows, and I just read about one more being added to the list, called “Summer Camp.” What can you tell me about this show? — Kevin H., Tallahassee, Fla.

A: “Summer Camp” is a new reality competition series from the producers of “Big Brother,” where the cast competes in summer camp-style events to win cold hard cash. The show premieres on the USA network July 11, airing at 8/7c.

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Interview: Sasha Alexander, "Maura Is in a Funky Place"

The dynamic duo of “Rizzoli and Isles” — played by Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander, respectively — is back and better than ever this fourth season of the TNT hit cop-show drama, which airs Tuesday nights at 9/8c. I spoke with the doctor half of the duo, Sasha Alexander, about the new season and what’s in store for chief medical examiner Dr. Maura Isles. And yes, I also asked her about “Dawson’s Creek.” I just couldn’t resist.

Celebrity Extra: Last we saw Maura, she was going to anonymously donate a kidney to her sister. Where does season four pick up?

Sasha Alexander: We start about three months after Maura has donated her kidney to her sister. Like you said, her sister doesn’t know. Maura’s in a funky place, because emotionally I think she is recovering from the surgery, but she’s kind of bummed out that nobody has really reached out and thanked her. Not her mom, not her sister, not anyone. And so she’s just feeling a little bit vulnerable and fragile. And she’s not her normal sunny self, and it’s kind of a bummer for Jane (Rizzoli) and for everyone else, because they are having to tiptoe around her.

But I think it’s funny to see her that way. Watching Jane try to help lift her spirits, it leads to some funny antics. Like, Maura wants to spy on her kidney to make sure that Kayleen’s taking care of it properly. There’s a scene where she spies on her and she’s pumping all this artificial sweetener into her coffee, and she’s like: “That is just not OK. It’s so unhealthy. She’s not treating my kidney well.” It was really funny.

It’s sweet because it brings Maura and Kayleen together. They do end up forming a relationship, which is going to lead to Maura playing big sister to Kayleen. And Kayleen’s going to come to her for help with their mom, Hope, and it leads to a lot more of the family drama. Paddy Doyle is on trial, and we’re going to uncover what really went on with Hope and with Paddy. There’s a lot of cover-up. A lot of secrets. A lot of lies. And it’s going to put Maura in a position of having to choose between these people that she’s just met who she’s related to and her real friends and family, Jane and the Rizzolis.

CE: Your show always has the best guest stars. Who’s on board for this season?

SA: Sharon Lawrence is back as Hope. And John Doman is back as Paddy Doyle. Amaury Nolasco joins us as Lt. Martinez, who is a person from Jane’s past who we’re going to find out about. Eric Winter is a love interest for Maura. He plays a bomb-squad tech who Maura’s attracted to.

CE: Switching gears a bit, I am a huge “Dawson’s Creek” fan, so I would be remiss if I didn’t ask you about your experience on that show.

SA: I had a wonderful experience there, and the thing that always makes me laugh is that I went to prom with Dawson. I remember Katie (Holmes), Michelle (Williams) and I trying on so many dresses over the course of the three months. They were really, really picky about the prom dress. It was a big deal. But I had a wonderful time. All of them were wonderful. James (Van Der Beek), Josh (Jackson) and Michelle are all still dear friends. You know, we don’t have shows like that anymore. I loved the innocence and the beauty of that show. And I just thought it was a really fun experience for me, and I thought it was a really positive show. I wish there was something like it on the air now.

DD: Another big role for you was as Kate Todd on “NCIS” — and boy, what an exit! Her death was so startling.

SA: The reactions were just enormous. I remember I took off for Europe that summer, and when it aired, people just went nuts, and CBS called and was like: “Oh my God! You have to come back. We have to figure out what to do.” And it was wonderful to have such a positive reaction in the sense that people really loved Kate, and they still do. I think it was shocking because nobody saw it coming. I can say that I don’t like it when people walk up to me and re-enact it for me. It’s not an image of oneself that we like to keep reliving. But, it is what it is. It was a good, shocking TV moment.

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Q and A: Week of June 11

Eric Winter, photo by Gabriel Goldberg

Q: I was dismayed to read that “GCB” wasn’t renewed for a second season! Is there anything we can do to save this show? — Vivian D., via e-mail

A: I’m not sure if we can save the show — if you read my column regularly, then you know I LOVE this show! — but we sure can try. First, there is a website set up where you can sign a petition: SaveGCB.com. I spoke with two of the series stars about its cancelation, and they are just as sad as we are. Eric Winter, who plays Luke Lourd, told me that “GCB” deserved to be saved because “the ‘GCB’ fans are the real deal. They’re passionate and they love their show. This is an extremely creative and smart show that just needs more of a chance to take off and run.”


Mark Deklin, who plays Blake Reilly, echoed Eric’s sentiments, telling me: “What’s really touched me the most is the way the fans have embraced Blake and Cricket. The outpouring of love and loyalty across all the social media has been astounding. So my gratitude to the fans is huge, as is my admiration and affection for my colleagues. On the night we got the news that we weren’t being renewed for a second season, I got a text from Miriam (Shor, who plays Cricket) that said, ‘I will miss you most of all, Scarecrow.’ If there was a moment in which I got a little choked up, it was probably the moment when I read that text. I’ve become incredibly fond of the Caruth-Reillys.”

Q: Can you tell me if my favorite show, “Harry’s Law,” will return next season? — Laurie B., Canton, Mich.

A: This is the part of my job that I hate: Telling good readers like you when a network has canceled their favorite show. “Harry’s Law” really struggled with ratings its second season — my guess is fans didn’t/couldn’t keep up with all the day and time changes that NBC kept dealing it.

Larry Hagman (J.R. Ewing, Dallas)

Q: I’ve been hearing about the new “Dallas,” but haven’t been able to find it on the schedule. Please tell me the show wasn’t scrapped before it even aired! — Cara D., via e-mail

A: Don’t you worry: “Dallas” returns to TV for 10 episodes on TNT beginning Wednesday, June 13, at 9/8c with a two-hour season premiere. You’re not the only one who’s excited. Personally, I can’t wait to see what the new generation of Ewings has in store for us — and Larry Hagman as J.R. will be up to no good, for sure.

Readers: I have had dozens of people write in to ask about the fate of NBC’s “Community,” and I am thrilled to report that the offbeat comedy has been renewed for a 13-episode fourth season. While it might be shorter than normal, let’s just be glad we even got another season with this talented group!

Q: I know this is the final season of “The Closer,” but it hasn’t been on in months, and I am afraid I missed the finale! — Delia D., via e-mail

A: “The Closer” returns to TNT after a six-month hiatus to air its final six episodes. So tune in Monday, July 9, at 9 p.m. ET/PT as Kyra Sedgwick and company bring seven years of this groundbreaking and record-breaking show to an end.

Q: I really like this season of “Single Ladies” on VH1. Can you tell me more about Ricky Whittle? He plays Charles on the show. — Candice W., Columbus, Ohio

A: The hunky U.K. native got his start in sports, which segued into modeling, and now he’s poised to take Hollywood and the acting world by storm. I asked Ricky recently about how he got his start in acting and he told me simply: to meet girls. “At the time, I’d loved to have said I did it because I wanted to be recognized as a great actor, but I was shallow. I was young. I’ll be honest — at that time I was at university, and I was in the library six days a week reading books. I thought, ‘Do I want to stay in the library, or do I want to be on TV and get lots of girls?’”


Aside from his gig on “Single Ladies,” you can catch him soon on the big screen in “Austenland,” which is about an American woman (played by Keri Russell) who goes to England for a fantasy vacation where you interact with people from Jane Austen books. Ricky told me: “I play Capt. George East. Basically, Jane Seymour is running a brothel, and we’re paid to romance the women who come to the resort. My character is Caribbean. He doesn’t really fit into the ‘Pride and Prejudice’ time. But you’ve got your Mr. Darcys there, and your other Austen characters. He’s a former soap actor, and he thinks he’s the best thing since sliced bread. It was very fun to play.”

Q: Can you tell me what one of my favorite actresses, Thandie Newton, has coming up? — Pete W., Omaha, Neb.

A: Thandie is set to star in the DIRECTV original suspense-drama called “Rogue,” which begins production in August and will air summer 2013 for a 10-episode run. Thandie plays a morally and emotionally conflicted cop named Grace, who is tormented by the possibility that her own actions contributed to her son’s death. Grace’s search for the truth is further complicated by her forbidden relationship with the crime boss who may have had a hand in the death.

Q: Is Josh Lucas from “The Firm” married? Does he have children? — Ann N., Fairport, N.Y.

A: The handsome 40-year-old — whose show “The Firm” was recently canceled by NBC — married his girlfriend, Jessica, in early March. The two also are expecting their first child together.

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Interview Outtakes

Most of the time when I am conducting an interview with a celebrity, I have more interview material than space for printing the interview. Here are some blurbs from stars that did not make it to the print version of the interview, but were too good not to publish.

Jennie Garth

Jennie Garth (on deciding to compete on “Dancing with the Stars”): I had like a moment of insanity when I said yes to that. I didn’t realize, sometimes you get yourself into things and you are like, “What have I done?” And that was definitely one of those things for me, but once you are in, you can’t get out. I just had to keep moving forward. I had to keep going. It was go-time, and I had to go. It ended up going well — much better than I thought — but every moment, every turn, was unknown to me. I was in unknown territory. But it was fun, and it was exhilarating. It was challenging, and it was kind of freeing in that I really feel that I could do anything.

Jaime Pressly (on doing a wrap-up or reunion show for “My Name Is Earl”): I would be game to go back to that set and work with those people any day, any time. And I think everybody else that was a part of the show would say the same thing. It was the greatest job I’ve ever had and the greatest group of people that you could ever ask to work with. They all hold a very dear place in my heart, and I miss them all terribly.

Erin Karpluk

Erin Karpluk (on similarities between her and her character on “Being Erica”): I like that when life gets her down or she stumbles in life, she is able to pick herself up, dust herself off and keep going. So that is something that I have learned personally from her. I've heard from friends and family that there are certain quirks and mannerisms that are my own that come out in the character. Usually any kind of awkward moments she is having is probably pretty authentically Erin, because I find that I can be awkward in life, and I’m not afraid to make mistakes. That is something of me that I bring to the character. And then on a dramatic level, anything to do with family is something that I can just draw upon from real life. The one thing that Erin and Erica both are is we are very committed and empathetic toward our loved ones. My family and my friends mean more to me than anything. I feel very lucky to have that connection in my own personal life, so I can draw upon that in my acting experiences. The fact that I work with such wonderful cast members, it just makes it so easy for us to have that connection. It’s like a real family I have now when I go back to Toronto to shoot. It’s really lovely to go back to those actors and create those connections.

Ross Thomas (on working with Helen Hunt and Dennis Quaid on “Soul Surfer”): It was a bit surreal, to be honest. They both are icons in their own right and a pleasure to work with. Helen is an avid surfer — surfing is what really brought us together. Dennis is interested in learning and getting good. At first, he played golf on his days off, but we got him hooked, and he became a surf junkie. I think that really carried over into our performances, that sense of family.

Jane Seymour (by Charles Bush)

Jane Seymour (on her children in the biz): My son, Johnny, one of the twins, is becoming a rock star. He is about to be signed by a major label. He’s writing this amazing music. He’s extraordinary. He’s the lead singer and the lead guitarist. I’m just in awe of his talent. Then my oldest son, Sean Flynn, he’s 25, he does the most extraordinary photographic art. Collectors have already been buying his stuff. He was studying to be a filmmaker and all of a sudden, the next thing I know, he’s doing this really unique, extraordinary photographic art. One of my daughters, Katherine Flynn, is an actress. She also writes great comedy. She ended up staring opposite me in a movie called “Perfectly Prudence” for the Hallmark Channel just recently. She was fantastic in it. She played my daughter. Of course, it wasn’t much of a stretch. But it was fun, because she had a lot of scenes with Joe Lando who, of course, was my “Dr. Quinn” co-star.

Heather Locklear (on flexing her comedy chops on “Saturday Night Live” in the ’90s): That was my favorite! That was my most favorite thing I’ve done where you could see that I’m funny. I had such a great time doing it. And that “Melrose Place” take-off was so funny. So perfectly perfect. I have a meeting coming up for something soon, something funny, so we’ll see.

Mark Pellegrino (by Eric Williams)

Mark Pellegrino (on the variety of the roles he’s played): Well, I’m glad that it is happening that way. Some folks would like to say that I’ve played bad guys. I think if I play the bad guy, I try to — I can never look at myself as a bad guy. I always try to bring out the good and the moral and the right that the person is going for, so hopefully any variety that I’m able to bring to a role just happens because I’m trying to find the human thing and not act in an archetypal way.

Eric Winter (on possibly working with wife, actress Roselyn Sanchez): You know, I don’t know. If the right project ever came up, and it made sense, then sure. I mean, we’re not completely against it, but it’s one of those things that a lot of couples — sometimes you keep it separate, but if the right opportunity presents itself, then who knows?

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Q and A: Week of Jan. 24

Q: I love the show “The Mentalist,” and I especially love the addition of Agent Craig O’Laughlin. What can you tell me about the actor who portrays him (I could swear I’ve seen him a movie recently), and will his romance with Grace Van Pelt continue? — Lydia G., via e-mail

A: Eric Winter (left, photo by Gabriel Goldberg), 34, plays the dashing young FBI agent on the hit CBS show. Previously, Eric was best known for his work on “Days of Our Lives,” “Moonlight” and “Brothers and Sisters.” The recent movie you’re referring to is “The Ugly Truth,” with Gerard Butler and Katherine Heigl, which Eric said was a thrill to work on.


“That was just a huge opportunity that (director) Robert Luketic and Lakeshore gave me,” he told me recently. “And it was really awesome; I had such a blast working with those guys. And my relationship with Katie (Heigl) and Gerry (Butler) was a ton of fun. It was a huge opportunity. It was kind of a fun, vulgar romantic comedy — it changes up from the normal romantic-comedy pace that you’re used to.”


As far as O’Laughlin’s relationship with Van Pelt: “From what I understand, they plan on doing a slow burn. Whatever happens between the two of us is definitely going to play its course. But there’s a lot to do with my character aside from that relationship. I’m not in the writing room, so I don’t know. But I know they have it well worked out, and they’ve been great with me so far.”

Q: On “Sons of Anarchy,” they refer to SAMCRO all the time. Who or what is SAMCRO? — Sonny W. in Tenn.

A: As you know, FX’s hit show “Sons of Anarchy” centers on the Teller-Morrow family of Charming, Calif. SAMCRO refers to the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club, Redwood Original Chapter. When “Sons” returns this fall, expect some changes in the town of Charming, including a new mayor and a new sheriff.



Q: The summer series “The Glades” on A&E was a great show with good plots and characters. Will it be returning anytime soon? — Barbara E., via e-mail

A: When “The Glades” debuted in July 2010, it broke viewing records for A&E, making it the most watched, highest-rated original drama for the network, so you can bet it will be back for a second season. The police procedural, which takes place and is filmed entirely Florida, will pick up again this summer.

Q: On Christmas Day, CNN aired a show called “After Jesus: The First Christians.” Will it be aired again? — Maureen G. in Florida

A: The two-hour documentary, narrated by Liam Neeson, has been a Christmas and Easter staple for the network since it first aired in 2006. While there is no official word from CNN, be on the lookout for it come Easter time.

Q: A while back, I remember watching a TV show where celebrities researched their family lineage to see where they came from and their history and all that. What was the name of the show, and will it be back for another season? — Gerry F., via e-mail

A: The show you’re referring to is “Who Do You Think You Are?” and it airs on NBC. It’s produced by actress Lisa Kudrow (who researched her own background during the show’s first season), and it will be back for its second season on Friday, Feb. 4. This season will feature Gwyneth Paltrow, Steve Buscemi, Rosie O’Donnell, Tim McGraw, Lionel Richie, Kim Cattrall, Vanessa Williams and Ashley Judd. If you missed any of the first season, it will be released on DVD on March 15.

Q: Now that Dana Delany is no longer on “Desperate Housewives,” where can I see this gorgeous and talented actress? — Stephanie D., Altoona, Pa.

A: The former Wisteria Lane resident is still on ABC, but she stars in a brand-new drama called “Body of Proof,” which debuts Tuesday, March 29. Dana (left, photo ABC) plays a neurosurgeon, Dr. Megan Hunt, whose world is turned upside down when an accident puts an end to her time in the operating room. In her new career as a medical examiner, she is determined to solve the puzzle of who or what has killed the victims. Jeri Ryan, John Carroll Lynch, Nicholas Bishop and Sonja Sohn co-star.

Q: It seems like everyone in Hollywood got married or engaged over the holidays! In a previous column, you mentioned the engagement of Shania Twain, and I hear she married on New Year’s Day. I also heard that Valerie Bertinelli got married, and Sherri Shepherd got engaged. I am missing any others? — Irene R., via e-mail

A: A few you missed are: the engagement of Natalie Portman to her “Black Swan” choreographer Benjamin Millepied (as well as the announcement of her pregnancy), the first sightings of new couple Meg Ryan and John Mellencamp, the engagement of LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian, Reese Witherspoon’s engagement to Jim Toth (although her rep denies rumors of Reese’s pregnancy), as well as the marriage of Kellie Pickler to songwriter Kyle Jacobs. On the flip side, Macaulay Culkin and Mila Kunis broke up, as did Taylor Swift and Jake Gyllenhaal. And I’m sure there are a few I missed.

READERS: Are you following Celebrity Extra on Twitter or Facebook yet? If not, you’re missing out on exclusive content, such as expanded interviews and up-to-the-minute news. I also will be featuring some Twitter/Facebook-exclusive contests shortly, so sign up to follow me (twitter.com/Celebrity_Extra; on Facebook, go to tiny.cc/celebrityextra and click “Like”). Each time I reach increments of 500 followers, I’ll give away something cool to one of them, so get in the loop.

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Interview: Eric Winter Confirms "Dreaminess" of Rob Lowe, Among Other Things

When Eric Winter (left, photo by Gabriel Goldberg) decided to leave “Days of Our Lives” back in 2006 (after playing Rex DiMera since 2002), neither he nor I could have guessed where his career would take him in the four years since. While many might recognize him for playing Rob Lowe's brother on “Brothers and Sisters” or Katherine Heigl's "perfect man" love interest in the feature film "The Ugly Truth," Eric is back on the small screen in a new role: Agent Craig O’Laughlin on the CBS hit drama series “The Mentalist.” When I got the chance to catch up with Eric recently, he filled me in on his days since “Days.”

Celebrity Extra: Last we spoke, CBS had just canceled the Hugh Jackman-produced nighttime drama “Viva Laughlin,” which I absolutely loved and was so sad to see go. But after that, you got an even bigger break when you were cast on “Brothers and Sisters.” Tell me about working on that show.

Eric Winter: That show was a lot of fun to work on. They were very welcoming. It was a great atmosphere there. And with that many heavy-hitters, you never know what you’re gonna get. And it was just really pleasant.

CE: What did you like best about the show and your character, Jason McCallister?

EW: I think with my character, it was a cool thing to explore. Here’s a guy who is openly gay but he’s a minister and fights for things he believes in. It was an interesting dynamic that his brother is a very conservative Republican (Robert McCallister, played by Rob Lowe) who’s running for office. There were a lot of good social, economic and cultural differences that were expressed through there.

CE: More important, is Rob Lowe just as dreamy in person as he is on TV?

EW: (Laughter) He’s a good-looking guy. Obviously, for me, I wouldn’t say dreamy, but he’s a very handsome guy. And just really, really cool. But yes, you probably would find him dreamy.



CE: After that, you were in “Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay,” which is quite different from your role on “B and S.”

EW: I thought that this sequel — and not just because I was in it — was so damn funny, because it just pushes the envelope with so many things. It racially offended everybody. It was sexist … it was everything. They just got in everyone’s face, and it was so funny and so well written and well directed. That was just a blast. Very hard-core but funny.

CE: After that you were in “Moonlight,” which still has an incredible cult following. How was that show to work on?

EW: That was a fun show too. I would have loved to have the chance to do a lot of the vampire-type stuff and mess around with all the effects, but we never got to dive into that part of my character. That was something they were talking about doing the next season, and then the show got canceled. So, we never really know what would have happened to my character and ultimately what his motivation was. They were finding their groove. Again, another show (like “Viva Laughlin”) that was ahead of its time.

CE: Yes, it seems nowadays that networks aren’t giving shows that much of a chance to really develop, grow and build their audience …

EW: It might not have been a nice hit for the CBS audience, but the ones who loved it loved it, and I think CBS was ahead of its time on two shows in the same year — and that was “Viva Laughlin” and “Moonlight.”

CE: After “Moonlight” you scored a plum part in the feature film “The Ugly Truth.” You must have been thrilled to land that part.

EW: Absolutely. That was just a huge opportunity that (director) Robert Luketic and Lakeshore gave me. And it was really awesome, and I had such a blast working with those guys. And my relationship with Katie (Heigl) and Gerry (Butler) was a ton of fun. We just laughed a lot. It was another fun environment to be in. It was a huge opportunity. It was kind of a fun, vulgar romantic comedy — it changes up from the normal romantic-comedy pace that you’re used to.

CE: What can you tell me about your new role on CBS' "The Mentalist" of Agent Craig O’Laughlin, and what fans can expect from his appearance?

EW: Well, I’m kind of learning myself to keep a lot of stuff under wraps. But what I do feel is there has to be something else there. I don’t think I’m just an FBI guy that came on and happened to find (Grace) Van Pelt attractive. I honestly don’t know. But I know that my character is an ex-football player who is in the FBI. I go back in a couple of weeks to shoot other episodes. And I have a few more episodes lined up for next year. My goal is to keep this character all business. He’s hot stuff, but he’s not a jerk. He’s not a jerk, in my mind, with Van Pelt. And he’s not doing anything wrong. She and Rigsby were broken up, so it’s sort of fair territory. It’s just a really funny, awkward situation.

CE: Were you worried coming in, because even though Van Pelt and Rigsby were broken up, there are bound to be fans who are upset?

EW: Yeah, you’re always going to get that. But hopefully with the way I treat her and the way I portray my character, people will see he’s not a bad guy. Maybe they will like him, too, and see he’s doing some good things for her. I want it to be a true triangle. But it’s a really tricky situation to be in.

CE: As an actor, I would think it would be fun to play an FBI agent — you get to be the man in charge, you learn how to handle firearms, how to take down suspects, etc.

EW: Oh yeah, it’s the best. It’s my first time playing something like this, and it’s been a lot of fun. It’s really fricking cool to learn the ins and outs — what the FBI does and the CBI does, and how they handle situations. We have on-set experts who walk us through stuff and help us keep it real. It’s been a very fun thing for me to explore.

CE: You said that you’re working on a couple of more episodes — should we start a campaign to make you a permanent cast member?

EW: Yes! You’ve got to start campaigning. From what I understand, they plan on doing a slow burn. Whatever happens between the two of us (O’Laughlin and Van Pelt) is definitely going to play its course. But there’s a lot to do with my character aside from that relationship. I’m not in the writing room, so I don’t know. But I know they have it well worked out, and they’ve been great with me so far.

CE: What’s the thing you like best about working on a weekly episodic show?

EW: Simon (Baker) works his butt off. He’s very, very busy on that show. But I think that with me it’s a lot of fun because I get to explore the character, but I have some time off so I can be looking for some other things as well, films and so forth. It’s a very fun, comfortable environment, and I have a great character to play, which keeps me very interested and motivated with that project. It’s comfortable and exciting at the same time.

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