Q and A: Week of Oct. 1

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Q and A: Week of Oct. 1

Q: I know it won’t start back up until next year, but can you give me any scoop about “Hannibal”? — Linda F., Galveston, Texas

A: As we saw in the season-two finale, Gillian Anderson’s character, Dr. Bedelia du Maurier, was more than just Hannibal Lector’s psychologist — she’s his getaway buddy (possibly lover?). Executive producer Bryan Fuller confirmed that Gillian has been bumped up from a recurring character to series regular. He also teased that when the show returns in 2015, it will be one year after Hannibal and Bedelia jetted off to Europe (after the bloodbath that he caused at his house), and that the show will feel like “a pilot for a new series starring Mads Mikkelsen and Gillian Anderson.”

Bryan Fuller told TVLine.com: “The cast and crew of ‘Hannibal’ are positively giddy to be welcoming Gillian to season three as a series regular. A striking presence on stage and screen, she brings wit, grace and intelligence to every role she embodies. Screenwriting is so much easier when you’re inspired by a great actor, and Gillian has filled the ‘Hannibal’ writers room with wonderful inspiration. I can’t wait for audiences to see her make a bigger meal out of ‘the Cannibal’ than ever before.”

Q: “Banshee” is my all-time favorite TV series that airs on Cinemax. I’ve watched seasons one and two several times, and have bought the DVDs for both seasons. Can you please tell me when season three will return? — John F., Palm Springs, Calif.

A: “Banshee” will return for a new season in early 2015. The series — which is executive-produced by one of my favorite authors, Jonathan Tropper, and one of my favorite screenwriters, Alan Ball — centers on Lucas Hood, an ex-con and master thief who tracks down Carrie Hopewell, his former lover and partner in crime, who is now the wife of the Banshee, Pa., prosecutor. Lucas becomes Banshee’s sheriff and continues his criminal activities, even though he’s being hunted by the criminals he betrayed years earlier.

A bit of a spoiler for you: Jonathan Tropper revealed that while Proctor still will be an important nemesis for Lucas, Chayton will be back in a big way. Also, Dennis O’Hare, whom I loved on “True Blood,” will guest-star on one episode.

Q: Will “Cougar Town” be back for another season? — Carly T., via email

A: The Cul-de-Sac Crew will return to TBS for its sixth and final season in early 2015. SPOILER ALERT: Brian Van Holt, who plays the hilariously dim-witted Bobby Cobb, will be leaving the series early, with his final appearance in the season-six opener.

Q: I was happy to read in your column that “Beauty and the Beast” would be returning, but I haven’t seen it on the CW’s fall schedule. — Tina R., via email

A: The cop drama/romance/fantasy series will return for a third season as a midseason show, which means sometime in early to spring 2015.

Q: I know you like to read, so I was wondering if you knew the answer to this. I heard that one of my favorite books is being made into a movie. It’s called “Veiled Threats” by Deborah Donnelly. Is that true? — Regina T., Akron, Ohio

A: It has indeed been made into a movie, now retitled “The Wedding Planner Mystery,” and it will premiere on the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries Channel on Sunday, Oct. 19, at 9/8c. The show stars Erica Durance (“Smallville”), Brandon Beemer (“Days of Our Lives”) and Andrew Walker (“When Calls the Heart”). I spoke with Brandon recently, and he told me about working on the film and with Hallmark and with the lovely and talented Erica Durance.

“I’ve always heard that Hallmark was a great, great network to work for. They run a tight ship. They know exactly what they want, and they know exactly what they are doing. I read the script, and I thought it was pretty fun, and it was good. I also loved the fact that I’d be working in Vancouver. I’ve never been to Vancouver. I was very grateful. So I went to Vancouver and had one of the best times shooting a project that I’ve probably ever had. The people were so great. And Vancouver was so awesome.”

Q: I just got caught up on season one of HBO’s “True Detective,” and I wondered if you could give me any scoop about season two. — Kyle L., via email

A: I can tell you that Colin Farrell and Vince Vaughn have signed on to star in next season’s hit HBO series, which is rumored to be about the “bloody murder of a corrupt city businessman found dead the night before a major transportation deal.” It will involve three police officers from different cities working together. There is no casting news yet on who will play the third police officer, who is said to be a female character.

Q: Can you give me any info about the latest 007 movie? Is it still happening? — Paul T., via email

A: The 24th James Bond film is indeed happening, Paul, with actors Daniel Craig, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris returning, along with director Sam Mendes. They start shooting in December, with an anticipated fall 2015 release date. Sam confirmed that the latest film with be the second of a two-part project, meaning it will be a continuation of “Skyfall.”

READERS: I have some exciting book-to-series news for you. Hulu announced that it has ordered a nine-hour series adaptation of Stephen King’s 2011 bestseller “11/22/63,” a thriller in which high-school English teacher Jake Epping travels back in time to prevent the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The series is being developed by J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot Productions. Of this latest project, Stephen King said: “If I ever wrote a book that cries out for long-form, event-TV programming, ’11/22/63’ is it. I’m excited that it’s going to happen, and am looking forward to working with J.J. Abrams and the whole Bad Robot team.”

Q and A: Week of Nov. 11

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Q and A: Week of Nov. 11

Dana Davis

Q: Can you tell me if one of my favorite shows, “Franklin and Bash,’ will be back for another season? — Jamie F., via email

A: I am happy to report that TNT has renewed the hour-long courtroom comedy/drama for a fourth season. I recently spoke with series co-star Dana Davis, and she told me all about how great it is to work on the show: “It’s just too fun working with Mark-Paul (Gossaaler) and Breckin (Meyer), because they’re really, really funny. And I respect them so much. I find it amazing to work with people like Breckin, Mark-Paul and Kumail Nanjiani. They’re so much fun, and they light up a room.”

Before season four begins, Dana will be busy. She is co-starring in the Syfy pilot “High Moon.” But more important, she has a project of her own she wants the world to see. “I had this idea for a show, called “The Wish i Mayz,” that teaches kids about music, all the while, giving them amazing music to listen to. It’s about three aliens from the Star Planet who speak only in song, and that’s how they teach the kids on Earth about music. Right now, I am pitching it around town. I want to evolve children’s music, and also stimulate their brains a little bit more. I want to give them music that they can keep with them for a lifetime.”

Come back next week to read my entire interview with Dana.

Q: I am a huge “X-Files” fan, and my husband and I have been rewatching the series at home on DVD. Can you tell me if there will be another feature film? — Carissa G., Tacoma, Wash.

A: If series stars David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, and series creator and head writer Chris Carter have their way, there will be a third movie. All parties are interested, they told a crowd of fans at the Paley Center for the Media in New York this past October. (They were there to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the sci-fi cult hit.) According to David: “It’s really up to 20th Century Fox at this point.” Gillian added: “If it takes fan encouragement to get Fox interested in that, then I guess that’s what it would be.”

Q: I know “Drop Dead Diva” has been on the bubble for a few seasons. I have my fingers crossed that it’ll be back for at least one more. — Leila P., via email

A: Lifetime recently announced that “Diva” will indeed return for a sixth season. Look for 13 new episodes next year. (I’ll let you know when there’s a firm date.)

Q: Is it true? Have the Jonas Brothers really broken up? — Mollie H., via email

A: Sorry tweens, but the pop-music trio has decided to call it quits. According to the band’s publicist, Jesse Derris: “There is a deep rift within the band. There was a big disagreement over their music direction.”