‘Designated Survivor’ Revived for Season 3 on eOne

Written by Jasper on September 06 2018

DEADLINE – After very lengthy negotiations, Entertainment One has closed a deal with Netflix for a 10-episode Season 3 order to Designated Survivor, which will become a global Netflix original.

The Kiefer Sutherland-starring series will have a new showrunner, Law & Order: SVU alum Neal Baer, who had been tapped for the job last spring before ABC made the decision in May not to renew the political thriller. He is the series’ fifth showrunner. He and Sutherland are said to have hit it off and had been discussing the Season 3 creative direction while talks with Netflix were going on, with excitement among the show’s producers about what a premium version of the broadcast drama may look like.

The core cast of the series, including Sutherland, Kal Penn, Adan Canto and Italia Ricci, are set to return, with Maggie Q in talks to join them. Production on Season 3 is set to begin later this year for a 2019 premiere.

In Season 3, President Kirkman (Sutherland) will face a political reality… campaigning. What does it take to make a leader? What price will he be willing to pay? This season will explore today’s world of campaigning, smear tactics, debates, campaign finance and “fake news.” Democracy, as we know it, will hang in the balance.

Maggie Q to Star in ‘Death of Me’

Written by Jasper on August 01 2018

Maggie Q and Luke Hemsworth are set to star in the horror-thriller, Death of Me, directed by Darren Lynn Bousman. Principal photography starts this week in Thailand. This must also explain her recent Instagram stories on the make-up test on her arm. Looking forward to this!

SCREEN – The film, about a couple on an exotic holiday who discover they have participated in a husband’s ritual murder of his wife, is financed by Media Finance Capital, Samuel Marshall Productions and Envision Media Arts (EMA). 13 Films is handling international rights.

Bousman, whose previous films include the second, third and fourth entries in the Saw franchise, commented: “I have been so lucky in my career to work in such amazing and unique places. Shooting this film in Thailand and getting to work with such talented actors and crew is a dream come true. I am excited for people to see this incredibly macabre and suspenseful tale we have been working very hard on.”

Producer, Lee Nelson said: “This is the mind-bending genre film we’ve been searching for and Darren is going to take it to the next level. We couldn’t be more excited to be working with our amazing cast and crew. With Maggie Q and Luke Hemsworth we’ve assembled a strong cast and can’t wait to put our unique stamp on the horror genre.”

Executive producer, David Gilbery added: “We are thrilled to be partnering with EMA and 13 Films on what promises to be a really exciting project. Darren is a film maker that we admire and so we were pleased to back him and are looking forward to seeing him do what he does best.”

Emmys: Hollywood Reporter’s Top Supporting Contenders

Written by Jasper on June 05 2018

The Hollywood Reporter listed their 33 top supporting contenders for this year’s Emmy Awards, and Maggie is one of them! Check out the special photo session they did, and their short interview with Maggie.

Favorite TV show as a teen?
Reruns of Wonder Woman, because I was besotted by Lynda Carter.

Most intimidating scene?
It was probably the scene where I find out that the death of my mentor has happened. There was just a particular approach I wanted to take with it, because it’s different than just someone you love, or somebody you’re close to.

Who was your first TV crush?
I think it might’ve been, not current Leo DiCaprio, but Growing PainsDiCaprio. I think that’s probably what it was. I think for movies it was Ralph Macchio.

What inspired you to act?
It wasn’t a female, weirdly enough, because I think [some might] see a female onscreen and think, “Oh, I want to be like her.” Besides Lynda Carter — who I thought was the craziest, bravest woman onscreen at the time — it actually was a film that I saw when I was young. It was called The Killing Fields, and it was John Malkovich and Julian Sands. My mom is an immigrant, and it was a sort of story about what happened during [the Vietnam War in Cambodia] and how people were able to leave. And that to me, [Haing Ngor, who won the best supporting actor Oscar for his portrayal of Cambodian refugee Dith Pran], to be able to portray what my family went through, made me realize that emotions are the great equalizer with us. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a man or a woman, if somebody can give you the idea and the feeling of what happened to your family and their past, that is a huge gift, and that affected me profoundly.

ABC Cancels ‘Designated Survivor’

Written by Jasper on May 12 2018

ABC has announced renewals and cancellations for some of their current shows, and unfortunately, Designated Survivor will not be returning for a third season. The upcoming season finale will serve as the series finale.

DEADLINE – ABC’s Designated Survivor will not see a third season. The network has canceled the Kiefer Sutherland starrer after two seasons. The May 16 season finale will now serve as the series finale.

The political conspiracy drama began its run as one of ABC’s most promising. The network screened the entire opening act at its 2016 upfront presentation where Sutherland received a huge ovation. In its first months on the air, Designated Survivor drew large audiences, setting DVR lift records and snagging the Critics’ Choice award for most exciting new series in its first season.

The series saw ratings declines in Season 2 but continued to be helped by strong delayed increases. Meanwhile, the series underwent a behind-the-scene turnover with a slew of showrunner changes over its two-season run. If renewed for a third season, Designated Survivor was going to bring in again a new showrunner — its fifth.

‘The Con Is On’ Official Trailer

Written by Jasper on April 12 2018

Check out the first official trailer of The Con Is On, previously known as The Brits Are Coming.

This stylish, star-studded caper comedy stars Uma Thurman (KILL BILL franchise) as Harriet and Tim Roth (THE HATEFUL EIGHT) as Peter, a con-artist couple cooking up a jewel-theft scam in L.A. to pay off sexy gangster Irina (played by Maggie Q). Having squandered Irina’s loot one drunken night, Harriet and Peter escape to Hollywood (and Chateau Marmont), where they plot to steal a priceless jewel from Peter’s loopy ex-wife (Alice Eve) to repay the debt. The dazzling cast also includes Parker Posey and Sofia Vergara.

‘Designated Survivor’ 2.08 ‘Home’ Stills & Promo

Written by Jasper on November 29 2017

While on a secret mission to Afghanistan, President Kirkman meets with two infamous warlords and must determine whom he can trust to hand over territories to the United States, while Seth has a run-in with Washington D.C. police that puts his job, reputation and future in the White House on the line.