#Middlebury #Celebrity Extra
Q: I was so excited to read in your column that Helena Bonham Carter will be joining “The Crown” for seasons three and four. Do you have any more casting news? – Katie F., via email
A: As you know, we have our new Queen Elizabeth, Olivia Colman, and our new Princess Margaret, Helena Bonham Carter. Now get ready for your new Prince Philip: “Outlander” and “Game of Thrones” star Tobias Menzies. As I wrote previously, the roles are being recast because the characters themselves are aging, and producers wanted slightly older actors instead of relying on prosthetics, age makeup and the like. I am a fan of this decision because that kind of stuff often takes me out of the story. I’m also excited to see what this new crop of actors will bring to their roles.
Tobias Menzies (Depositphotos)
And don’t feel bad for the original actors. They knew going into the project that they would be recast after season two, and they all agreed with the logic of the decision. For season three, we’ll catch up with the Royal Family in the ’70s. We’ll also get to meet Camilla Parker Bowles, who, as you know, dated Prince Charles before he was betrothed to Princess Diana. Early word has it that producers are on the hunt for Diana and Margaret Thatcher, both of whom will be heavily featured in season four (not season three, as previously speculated).
According to the BBC, filming won’t begin until this summer, with season three premiering sometime in 2019. But don’t despair: Seasons three and four will be filmed back to back, so there won’t be quite as long a wait after the third installment.
Q: I know George Clooney’s twins have probably been keeping him pretty busy, but when will I get to see his handsome face onscreen again? – Kyle R., Boston
A: George makes his return to series television soon as director, executive producer and star of the original Hulu series “Catch 22,” a six-part limited series based on the seminal novel of the same name by Joseph Heller. “The Sinner” star Christopher Abbott will portray the lead character of Capt. John Yossarian, with George playing Col. Cathcart and Hugh Laurie as Major de Coverley. No word yet on when the series will premiere.
READERS: I know many of you have been waiting with bated breath to find out whether your favorite CW shows have been renewed. Without further ado, let me announce with glee that my favorite CW show, “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” will return for a fourth season. Although I am bummed to hear that it will be the show’s final season, creator and star Rachel Bloom had it planned for four seasons from the beginning. Also returning are “Supernatural,” “Arrow,” “Supergirl,” “Riverdale,” “The Flash,” “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow,” “Black Lightning,” “Dynasty” and “Jane the Virgin.” Come May, we’ll learn the fates of “iZombie,” “The 100,” “Life Sentence” and “Valor.”
Write to Cindy at King Features Weekly Service, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803; or e-mail her at letters@cindyelavsky.com.
(c) 2018 King Features Synd., Inc.
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