Q and A: Week of April 22

Q: My favorite new show this year far and away is “Vikings.” Will we get another season, or was this a one-season deal? — Patrick L., via email

A: The History Channel has picked up “Vikings” — its first scripted drama series — for a 10-episode second season. As of now, “Vikings” continues to be the No. 1 new cable series of 2013, and has launched History to No. 1 in cable in its Sunday 10 p.m. time period.

Dirk Hoogstra — executive vice president of development and programming — says of the show’s renewal: “Vikings is a win-win for us. As our first scripted series, ’Vikings’ has paid off in a big way, with critical acclaim, strong ratings and a passionate, loyal fan base. We could not be more proud of the entire cast and crew and everyone involved in the making of ’Vikings.’ Season two will begin production this summer to air in 2014.”

Q: Is it true they are making a “Finding Nemo” sequel? I really hope so because I really loved that movie. — Jane S., Tampa, Fla.

A: You heard correctly. In the new movie, Ellen Degeneres’ character, Dory, will be the focus, with the movie appropriately named “Finding Dory.” While it’s still super early in the production process, there is a little bit I can tell you about the movie. The new film picks up about a year after the action of “Finding Nemo,” with Ellen’s forgetful fish Dory on her own adventure to reunite with loved ones. According to Disney, the film will feature new characters along with familiar ones, including Nemo and his dad, Marlin.

Q: “Bates Motel” is gloriously and exquisitely creepy, and is one of my favorite shows of the season. There’s still lots more story that can be told, so please tell me that A and E will bring it back for another season. — Erica F., Birmingham, Ala.

A: The first season of “Bates Motel” premiered as the most-watched scripted drama in the history of the A and E Network, so you can bet that Vera Farmiga and Freddie Highmore will be back for more mouth-dropping drama. Production begins later this year on a 10-episode second season, which will air in 2014.

Q: I really enjoy MTV’s “Teen Wolf.” It seems like it has been off the air for a long while. When does it return? — Frankie, via email

A: You won’t have to wait much longer, Frankie. Season three begins June 3, with the show picking up four months after season two ended. It also will be a super-size season of 24 episodes, with lots of new cast members: twin alphas Ethan and Aiden (played by Charlie and Max Carver), alpha leader Deucalion (Gideon Emery), alpha wolf Kali (Felisha Terrell) and tough 17-year-old Cora (Adelaide Kane), who has her own ties to the werewolves.

Mary McDonnell

Q: Will “Major Crimes“ be back? I enjoyed the first season and felt it had a good cast. Hope we will see them again. — Amma B., via e-mail

A: As I reported in an earlier column, “Major Crimes,” which stars Mary McDonnell and is a spinoff of “The Closer,” will return for a 15-episode second season. But now I have a premiere date to give you: June 10 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. I have a few more premiere dates of TNT favorites to reveal.

Season three of “Falling Skies” begins June 9 at 9 p.m. ET/PT with a two-hour season premiere. Gloria Reuben (Noah Wyle’s fellow “ER” alum) and Robert Sean Leonard (“House”) are set to guest-star this season. Season four of “Rizzoli and Isles” will start up Tuesday, June 25 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, followed by the second-season premiere of “Perception” at 10 p.m. “Franklin and Bash” kicks off its third season on Wednesday, June 19 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, as Heather Locklear joins the cast as the firm’s newest partner.

Q: Since Jimmy Fallon will be taking over “The Tonight Show” when Jay Leno retires, does this mean Conan O’Brien could return to “Late Night”? — Debbi W., Akron, Ohio

A: Jimmy will be taking over “The Tonight Show” beginning in fall 2014. TBS recently announced that Conan’s show has been renewed through November 2015. In Hollywood, anything is possible, but if Conan were to return to NBC, it would have to be when his contract with TBS is up. If they need someone to host “Late Night” during the one-year interim, my vote is with Joel McHale.

Q: Will “The Great Gatsby” ever be released? I remember it was supposed to come out around Christmas, but I’ve heard nothing about it since. — Nina H., The Villages, Fla.

A: Leonardo DiCaprio again teams up with director Baz Luhrmann to star in this drama based on the book we all read in high school (and was one of my all-time favorites). “The Great Gatsby” will be making its way to theaters on May 10.

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Q and A: Week of Aug. 27

Q: I’ve really been looking forward to Leonardo DiCaprio’s “The Great Gatsby” coming out for Christmas, but now I hear it’s been postponed. Why the delay, and when will it come out? — Cassandra W., via e-mail

A: The Baz Luhrmann 3-D adaptation of the classic novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald — which also stars Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan and Joel Edgerton — is now slated for a summer 2013 release. Warner Bros. president of distribution, Dan Fellman, reasoned: “We think moviegoers of all ages are going to embrace it, and it makes sense to ensure this unique film reaches the largest audience possible” [by giving it a summer release].

Q: I just watched the season finale of “Rizzoli & Isles,” and already I can’t wait for the next season. Please tell me it has been renewed for a fourth season! — Dottie R., Roanoke, Va.

A: I am happy to report that there will indeed be a fourth season of TNT’s hit drama, which stars Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander. The summer’s No. 1 returning scripted drama will be back in summer 2013 for another 15 episodes of mystery-solving fun. TNT has proved to be a summer force to be reckoned with, with such original scripted hits as “R & I,” “Falling Skies,” “Perception,” “Dallas” and more shows that are smashing viewing records all over the place.

Q: Can you tell me what one of my favorite actors, Gabriel Byrne, has been up to since “In Treatment”? What can I see him in? — Roger T., via e-mail

A: The talented Irishman stars in the new History channel scripted series called “Vikings,” which is based upon a real-life Viking king named Ragnar Lothbrok — played by Travis Fimmel — who literally exploded out of Scandinavia and onto the world stage in the 8th century. A young Norwegian farmer with a wife and family, Lothbrok is deeply frustrated by the unadventurous policies of his local chieftain, Earl Haraldson (played by Gabriel), who continues to send his Viking raiders east every summer, to the Baltic states and Russia, whose populations are as materially poor as themselves. Haraldson and Lothbrok become adversaries as Lothbrok’s ambitions threaten Haraldson’s rule. The series — now filming in Ireland — also stars Jessalyn Gilsig, Gustaf Skarsgard, Clive Standen and Katheryn Winnick. It is set for a 2013 release.

Readers: A few months back, I held a contest for one reader to win the great summer read “Eat, Drink, and Be Married” by Rebecca Bloom. After sifting through the entries, I have randomly chosen a winner: Dorine T. of Terryville, Conn. Be on the lookout for your book, and I hope you enjoy it! All others who’d like to get in one last summer pleasure, head to amazon.com and order a copy for yourself — and maybe one for a friend. And go to www.celebrityextraonline.com to read my full interview with the talented author, and to see what she has coming up next.

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