Q and A: Week of Dec. 29

Q: There is a series on Cinemax called “The Knick,” which stars Clive Owen, and it’s my favorite new show of the year. Will it be back for another season? — Daniel in North Carolina

A: “The Knick,” which is set in New York in 1900, centers on the Knickerbocker Hospital and its groundbreaking surgeons, nurses and staff, who push the boundaries of medicine in a time of astonishingly high mortality rates and no antibiotics. The series has been renewed for a 10-episode second season — in fact, the show was renewed before the first season even premiered. Such an action shows the much-deserved confidence Cinemax has in the show’s high-caliber star (Clive Owen) and director (Steven Soderbergh).

Q: When will “Portlandia” return? — Sue Y., via email

A: The hit IFC comedy returns for its fifth season on Jan. 8 at 10 p.m. ET, with Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein leading the goth charge in this fondly satiric showcase of Portland, Oregon’s most eccentric characters. To see a sneak peak of the new season, go to ifc.com/videos, and use the drop-down tab to search for “Portlandia.”

Q: Do you know if “Outlander” on Starz will be available as a DVD set for purchase at the end of the series year? — Rhonda B., via email

A: While as of yet there is no official DVD release date, I can say with confidence that the wildly popular fantasy/romance/time-travel series will be available on DVD once season one has concluded (at the end of May 2015). If I am wrong, may I be forced to time-travel through the Craigh na Dun stones without a protective gemstone somewhere on my person.

Q: I was thrilled to read in your column that “The Good Witch” was going to be a regular prime-time series on the Hallmark Channel. Can you give me some inside scoop about it? — Betty S., via email

A: I do have some news to share, the biggest of which is that “Desperate Housewives” hunk James Denton has been added to the cast of “The Good Witch,” which will have its two-hour season-one premiere on Feb. 28 at 8/7c, and is slated for a 10-episode run. James plays Cassie’s new next-door neighbor, a divorced doctor and single dad who stirs things up in Middleton when he discovers that Cassie’s (series star Catherine Bell) signature charm is more than just a magic touch.

Q: I’ve been waiting and waiting for a new “Celebrity Apprentice.” Can you tell me when or if it will be back? — Jeremy R., Harrisburg, Pa.



A: I’ve been anxious for my guilty pleasure’s return as well, and we don’t have too much longer to wait, Jeremy. Donald Trump and company will return to NBC on Jan. 4. This season, which is the show’s 14th, promises to bring us more fantastically fun feuding drama with such stars as Kate Gosselin, Ian Ziering, Kevin Jonas, Geraldo Rivera, Brandi Glanville, Shawn Johnson, Sig Hansen, Vivica Fox, Gilbert Gottfried, Lorenzo Lamas, Leeza Gibbons, Kenya Moore, Johnny Damon, Terrell Owens, Keshia Knight Pulliam and Jamie Anderson. Also, the late Joan Rivers, who took home top honors for season eight, filmed two episodes before her death earlier this year. In those episodes, she’ll be sitting in for Ivanka Trump as a judge. Donald Trump told “Today” show’s Matt Lauer that they had considered cutting Joan’s scenes, but ultimately, they decided, “in memoriam, we’re going do something to honor her during those two shows. She was so good, and I think she would have liked it that way.”

Q: Will “Cedar Cove” be back for another season? I miss it already! — Hannah F., via email

A: The Hallmark Channel has indeed renewed the Andie MacDowell-starring hit drama for a third season. Of the renewal, Andie said: “I am so very grateful to Hallmark Channel for a third season, and cannot wait to rejoin the cast and crew to continue making the kind of television of which we can all be proud.”

Q: I am a huge fan of “Graceland,” and am anxious to know if it’ll be back for another season. Can you give me any good news? — Dana F., via email

A: I love being the bearer of good news: The USA network has indeed renewed the crime thriller for a third season. As you probably know, fans were getting a bit antsy for some news, since it seemed to take a bit longer than usual for the network to decide on the pickup. But we can all breathe more easily now, knowing that we won’t be left hanging after that awesome season-two cliffhanger finale. There’s no word yet on a premiere date, but I’d look for it come summer 2015.

Q: I need my “Rizzoli and Isles”! — Gina D., Conyers, Ga.

A: Well, that wasn’t really a question, Gina, but I think I catch your meaning. You’re wondering when TNT’s hit procedural crime drama will return from its midseason hiatus to finish out its fifth season, right? You have just a little while longer to hang on. Our favorite cop and doctor team (Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander, respectively) will be back Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. And, hold onto your hat, it’s also been renewed for a sixth season!

Q: My husband and I are fans of “Bates Motel.” I would like to know if it’s coming back and when. — Gert B., Rochester, NY

A: A and E’s mesmerizing series adaptation of the Alfred Hitchcock classic movie will return for its third season this coming March. Expect 10 more spine-tingling episodes of the Vera Farmiga- and Freddie Highmore-starring thriller. Former “Sons of Anarchy” cast member Ryan Hurst joins the show for its third season, cast in the role of Chick Hogan, and ex-con who owns a bike shop and also runs an illegal firearms operation near Dylan’s new farm. He will butt heads with Dylan’s father, Caleb, who’s played by another “Sons,” alum Kenny Johnson.

Q: Can you tell me when “The Following” will return to TV? It did get picked up for another season, right? — Steve F., via email

A: The Kevin Bacon-starring suspense thriller will be back for a third season with 15 new episodes beginning Monday, March 2 at 8/7c with a two-hour season premiere (and picking up the following week in its 9/8c time slot). Also on tap for early 2015 premieres: “Bones” returns from it winter hiatus March 26 at 8/7c; “Glee” makes a movie to Fridays starting with its premiere on Jan. 9 (also a two-hour premiere); and “American Idol” returns for its 14th season, sans Randy Jackson, on Jan. 7 at 8/7c. Ryan Seacrest, Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr. will be back, and Adam Lambert will be filling in for Keith as a guest judge during the New York auditions. Keith took time off from the show in order to be with his wife, Nicole Kidman, after the death of her father.

Q: I’ve gotta have my “Justified”! — Freddie F., via email

A: You’ll have it, Freddie, in just a few more weeks. The hit FX Western series will be back for its sixth and final season on Jan. 20 at 10 p.m., with Sam Elliott and Garret Dillahunt joining the cast. Get ready for that much-anticipated Raylan/Boyd final showdown!

Q: Two of my favorite shows, “Scandal’ and “How to Get Away with Murder” haven’t been on for weeks. What is going on, and when will they be back? — Frankie F., Biloxi, Miss.

A: Don’t worry, the two hit ABC dramas are merely on winter hiatus. Olivia and Annalise will be back on Jan. 29, at 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET, respectively. “Murder” has its two-hour season finale on Feb. 26, and taking its time slot starting March 5 is “American Crime.” The 11-episode series — which stars Felicity Huffman, Timothy Hutton and Penelope Ann Miller — tells the story of young couple in Modesto, California, were brutally attacked in their home, leaving Matt Skokie, a war vet, murdered, and his wife, Gwen, unconscious, barely hanging on. The crime sends shock waves throughout the community, stirring up tensions across socioeconomic and racial lines in this gritty new drama from the points of view of all those involved. Another new ABC drama, premiering Sunday, March 1, is the 10-episode “Secrets and Lies.” The story focuses on Ben, played by Ryan Phillipe, who is a person of interest in the death of a neighborhood boy, which is being investigated by Det. Andrea Cornell, played by Juliette Lewis.

Q: I know season four just ended, but I have to know: Will my favorite show, “Hell on Wheels,” be back for another season? — Jane T., via email

A: The AMC Western period drama, which is about the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad across the United States, will be back for its fifth and final season of 14 episodes, which will be split in half for its airing. The first seven episodes will premiere in summer 2015, with the final seven airing summer 2016.

Readers: I have great news for all you “Longmire” fans! You guys asked, and Netflix listened. The streaming video website has picked up the former A and E series — which was canceled earlier this year after three seasons — for a 10-episode fourth season. The beloved Western crime drama will return sometime in 2015 — an exact date has not yet been announced. According to Netflix, season four picks up moments after season three’s exciting finale.

And in disturbing news: I reported a few months ago that NBC was developing a family sitcom starring Bill Cosby that was to possibly debut this summer. Well, in the midst of multiple rape allegations, the network has decided to pull the project, which was going to be a multigenerational family show with Bill as the patriarch of the family, dispensing wisdom on relationships and parenthood.

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Interview: Kasha Kropinski Says, "Hold Onto Your Socks!"

AMC's smash historical-drama hit "Hell on Wheels" concludes its third season tomorrow, Oct. 5. I spoke with series regular Kasha Kropinski recently, and she told me all about this period Western, and also a few spoilers as to what to expect from the series finale. So hold onto your 10-gallon hats, and get ready for the ride!

Celebrity Extra: I want to first congratulate you for being picked up as a season regular this year. You must have been thrilled!

Kasha Kropinski: Gosh, when I first arrived on the show, I was only intended to be a five-episode guest star. And then it grew and evolved, and I was brought back for the second season. And then plugging along in the second season as a guest star, I never expected to come back each year. I’m always terribly surprised when they do call and say, “You’re back on the show.” So, when season three came along and I was offered a series-regular contract, I was just so surprised because I don’t anticipate anything. I don’t hold my breath about things, especially because I have been in the industry since I was 9 years old. So, I’ve grown accustomed to being let down and being disappointed. I’ve developed a relaxed outlook toward things and missed opportunities. To actually be contracted and to be given this very sort of important and substantial thing in my career, I was just so shocked and stunned. It’s my first series-regular job that I’ve ever had, so it’s sort of a different echelon. It’s quite unfamiliar; it’s unknown territory.

CE: Back when "Hell on Wheels" first premiered, I thought it was a show about a motorcycle gang, but I quickly found out I was mistaken ...

KK: I had the exact same reaction. Prior to auditioning for "Hell on Wheels," I did testing for an NBC pilot, which was also a period piece, a Western. And it came down to me and another girl, and she got the job. It was quite a disappointment because I had been doing it for so long, and so I was at a loss as to what to do. I thought, I’m not getting any traction. I’m not accomplishing anything. And there was a little turmoil in my head. And I think it was a few weeks later that the audition for "Hell on Wheels" came through. And again, as you said, when I got the call from my agent I thought, “Oh, so it’s a motorcycle gang.” And I thought, “I wonder how I’ll fit in there. I’ll probably be someone’s daughter or something. Or picking up all the motorcycle wheels that are running around on the floor.”

But, anyway, I read the material, and I saw that it was indeed a Western set in the 1800s, just like the previous show had auditioned for. I had a moment of uncertainty and a moment of anxiety because I thought, “Oh my gosh, it’s another one. Can I really do this again?” But then I definitely had this resolve within myself that I’m going to get this one because I just adore period pieces. So I decided that I’m going to get this job. I dressed in my version of an 1800s Western costume. I love dressing up for auditions. I know some people discourage it and say it’s not exactly the best idea, but every time I’ve done that, it’s gone really well, so I’m sticking with it.

I’m just so fascinated by the Civil War time period. I just think it’s so dark and brutal and tragic, and it just aches with sorrow. I remember one night when we studied this at school, I was really compelled by it. And we studied a lot of literature, as well as the history itself, and just everything about that time was gorgeous in its devastation. To have the opportunity to do a television show about that, to act something I’m so passionate about, to put those two things together — I was really thrilled. And the pilot script was just so beautiful. There was all this exquisite imagery and dialogue. And I think that the pilot script was actually quite different from how the show has evolved to this point. I think it was sort of more poetic at the beginning.

CE: In what ways can you relate to Ruth?

KK: That’s a good question. Well, it’s difficult because the show is set in a time in which the circumstances are highly unusual. You know, just that concept of traveling across America to build a railroad was such a radical concept. Today I see in Los Angeles that they’re building the metro or the public transport, and it’s in the middle of everyday life, you know? The workers are just constructing and building, and no one really looks twice. But in those days, it was really a massive undertaking, and the fact that you had to live where you worked.

When I think about relating to Ruth, obviously, I can’t relate to her situation. But I think this show has shown a young girl growing up, and of course I can relate to that. I was a teenager when I started on the show, so I can see I don’t want to say that I mirror Ruth because I don’t really, but just dealing with being an adult and having to make decisions and deal with consequences and all that sort of thing. I have just freshly turned 22, and I was homeschooled, so I suppose I am like Ruth in that way. I had a bit of a sheltered upbringing in that way. I didn’t socialize at school or I didn’t have that experience, so I think I’m quite a bit of a Bambi in some ways, and I think Ruth is too. So, in those ways I can relate.

But obviously, people being killed left, right and center, it’s not, thankfully, something I deal with. I think that Ruth is such an unusual person and because of that peculiarity, she’s interesting. I don’t necessarily have to relate to a character I’m portraying. I know some people like to find an entryway of relating in every way to the character. But that’s not something I find vital. What I like best is playing somebody who’s totally different from me, and inhabiting someone else’s shoes as opposed to seeing if our shoes fit.

CE: What can you tell me about the finish of season three of the show? And feel free to be vague if being specific will get you in trouble.

KK: Oh gosh, I don’t want to be vague. Everybody keeps going on about confidentiality, and I just think, “Well, can we say what doesn’t happen?” I mean, you can say what doesn’t happen, but apparently that is also a step too far.

I think people are going to be totally and utterly and completely shocked by what happens in these last few episodes. When I read the script, it is totally left-field what transpires, and I think people probably have created an idea of what they think is going to happen. But I don’t think anyone could come up with what actually transpires. Some new relationships develop. Some unexpected relationships come to fruition. I think you should expect some death and destruction, as usual; it is "Hell on Wheels" after all. I don’t think that would be a spoiler at all. Just hold onto your socks; they just might blow off.

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Q and A: Week of Sept. 30

Q: One of my favorite shows is AMC’s “Hell on Wheels.” Can you give me any clues about the season finale? — Holly F., via email

A: Well, I don’t want to give too much away and spoil the surprise! But I did speak recently with series regular Kasha Kropinski (who plays Ruth), and she gave me a little tease as to what to expect as the season winds down. The South African beauty (who is a total sweetheart!) told me: “People are going to be totally and utterly shocked by what happens in these last few episodes. It is totally left field what transpires. I think that people already have created an idea of what they think is going to happen. But I don’t think anyone could come up with what actually transpires.”

“Some new relationships develop; some unexpected relationships come to fruition. Expect some death and destruction, as usual — it is ‘Hell on Wheels,’ after all. I don’t think that’s a spoiler at all. Just hold onto your socks because they might blow off.” Check back later this week for the full interview.

Q: I was heartbroken when you announced that TNT had not renewed ”Monday “Mornings.” I spent 46 years as a registered nurse, mostly in a hospital, in various areas. This was the only hospital-based show I have been able to watch past the first episodes. I appreciated the doctors being challenged about decisions and outcomes. — Elizabeth B., via email

A: I have received quite a few letters expressing dismay over the cancelation of “Monday Mornings.” This series hit home with a lot of viewers, but apparently not enough for the numbers people at TNT. I miss the days when networks gave shows longer that one season to build an audience, and gain momentum and a following. Imagine if “The Office” had debuted this season instead of 10 years ago: With the low numbers the show’s first season brought in, it would have been canceled in a flash. Just imagine all the great television we’d have missed out on!

Q: I feel like I’ve been waiting forever. When will “Awkward” return with new episodes? — Nicole F., Athens, Ga.

A: MTV’s hit comedy returns from its summer hiatus on Tuesday, Oct. 22, at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT with 10 new episodes to round out the third season.

READERS: It’s time for another contest! In honor of “China Beach” finally being released on DVD, I’m giving away four copies of the first season to four lucky readers. There are four ways to win, and you can enter once via each method. You can send me a letter: Cindy Elavsky, King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475; enter at letters@cindyelavsky.com; follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/celebrity_extra to get details; and like my FB page for details http://www.facebook.com/pages/Celebrity-Extra/152752278792. All those who enter are eligible for the grand-prize drawing to win a box set of the entire series! Get your entries in and/or postmarked by Oct. 31.

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