TV News in Review: Highlights From the Week of June 30, 2014 

A lot happens in TV news every week and sometimes it’s hard to keep up with everything. In this new column I’ll highlight the TV news I’m most excited about. So check in here to find out which actor and/or producer is working on a promising new project, what’s been pick up to pilot or series, which of your favorite actors have been cast in your favorite TV show and so much more. I won’t be talking about everything, but all the stories I highlight are what I’m most excited to share and discuss. 

Here are my top 5 stories of the week:

Community on Yahoo

#SixSeasonsAndAMovie is about to become a reality, at least partially. After NBC canceled the much beloved, but woefully ratings-challenged comedy a lot of us were heartbroken. But no fear Human Beings! Yahoo sees the value of continuing with this creative, strange and hilarious show. Season 6 will premiere this fall. Now who do I talk to about getting that movie made?

Source: Yahoo Screen

Arrow Casting News

At the end of season 2, Oliver wakes up  – in Hong Kong – so I knew some exciting cast news would be forthcoming soon enough. Karl Yune has been cast as Oliver’s Hong handler Maseo Yamashiro and Devon Aoki has been cast as Japanese martial arts expert Katana, Oliver’s mentor. So we’re moving to an entirely different island for season 3 flashbacks and I couldn’t be more excited to watch this married couple help mould Oliver Queen into The Arrow.

Sources: TVLine and Deadline

Cybermen Return to Doctor Who

Prepare to be upgraded. It’s almost time for more adventures with the newest Doctor. Where does the time go? I’m very excited about Peter Capaldi, who’s new to me. When The BBC’s Doctor Who account Tweeted a new teaser photo with Cybermen in it, I got excited. Can’t wait for the August 23rd season 8 premiere? Check out this brand new teaser:

Source: The BBC’s Doctor Who

Jamie Bamber on TNT’s Rizzoli & Isles

Of course Jamie Bamber will always hold a special place in my heart because of his work on Syfy’s Battlestar Galatica. So any time he shows up on any American TV show, I’m going to tune in. This week I learned he’d been cast in an arc on Rizzoli & Isles as Paul Wescourt, a successful prosecutor who is accused of killing his mistress. His first appearance will be in the season 5 finale.

Source: TVLine

Hysteria Ordered to Series on Amazon

Part of me loves that Amazon (and Yahoo and Netflix and Hulu and countless others) are getting into the originals game. But a small (tiny, almost insignifcant) part of me also fears for my sleep schedule. It’s already impossible to keep up with all the great television on right now. I’ve got high hopes that this series will fall into that category. Written and executive produced  by Shaun Cassidy Hysteria follows a doctor (Mena Suvari) who returns to her hometown of Austin, Texas to investigate a growing epidemic that appears to be spreading through social media. Sounds like a series that reflects our modern times. I’m in. Hysteria debuts later this year.

Source: Amazon