Q and A: Week of Aug. 26

Q: I think I’ve finally dealt with the death of Matthew Crawley on “Downton Abbey” and am now eager for more upstairs/downstairs drama. Can you tell me when new episodes will begin airing? — Frannie P., via e-mail

A: Series four of “Downton Abbey,” which pick up in winter 1922, is scheduled to premiere Jan. 4, 2014, on PBS. Michelle Dockery, who plays the newly widowed Mary, assured fans at the Television Critics Association panel this year that as far as she knows, no other major characters are set to exit this season (referring to last season’s deaths of Matthew and Lady Sybil).

Michelle told the TCA panel: “As much as I think it was sad to see Dan (Stevens, who played Matthew) go, it opens up an opportunity for Julian (Fellowes, “Downton Abbey’s creator and head writer) to take the character in all new directions. The fourth (season) is about recovery. She’s starting a new life. There are various suitors who are being thrown in her direction. But she’s very reluctant to go through with any of it because she can’t stop thinking about Matthew.”

Q: I thought Jay Leno was going to retire and hand “The Tonight Show” reins over to Jimmy Fallon. Is that ever going to happen? — Brendan W., Spokane, Wash.

A: NBC officially announced that Jay Leno’s last day will be Feb. 6, 2014, with his staff of 170 getting paid through September as part of the agreement. Jimmy Fallon will take over hosting duties on Feb. 24, after the closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympics. “The Tonight Show” will relocate to New York City from Los Angeles for Jimmy’s tenure as host. Seth Meyers — writer, comedian and “Weekend Update” anchor on “Saturday Night Live” — will take over Jimmy’s position at “The Late Show.”

Q: Is it true that Lea Michele and Kate Hudson of “Glee” do not get along off-screen? — Bridget L., via e-mail

A: Chalk that rumor up to good acting — just because their characters didn’t get along doesn’t mean the actresses behind the characters don’t. In fact, Kate offered up her Los Angeles home to Lea so she could hide out for a few weeks after the death of her beau, Cory Monteith.

In other “Glee” news, NeNe Leakes is set to return for multiple episodes this season as Coach Roz. This makes me happy, because even though I love Coach Sylvester, there is always room for the hilarious Roz.

Q: I loved Showtime’s series “The Borgias” and was so bummed when it was canceled without a resolution. Any chance it’ll come back as a movie or something to wrap things up? — Jerry T., Montgomery, Ala.

A: The Jeremy Irons-starring period drama, which ended its third season this past June, has gotten a wrap-up — in e-book form. Mid-August saw the release of “The Borgia Apocalypse,” a book based on the intended two-hour series finale that never came to fruition.

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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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