2012: The year film stars flock to television
Image by: AFP/ ©courtesy of Fox Television
As American television networks prepare the fall line-up of shows, new series on the network schedules will feature several film stars, such as Kevin Bacon, Sigourney Weaver and Dennis Quaid, to draw audiences to the small screen.
Themes in the upcoming season include news and politics, with thrillers the most popular genre. Here are some of the highlights from the four major networks, CBS, ABC, NBC and Fox, plus a cable channel. Most are from upcoming dramas with high-profile actors and/or directors:
Elementary
A modern take on Sherlock Holmes set in New York City
starring Jonny Lee Miller (
Dark Shadows) as the iconic detective with a female Watson
played by Lucy Liu (
Kung Fu Panda 2). Trailer:
Vegas
Based on a true story, this 1950s period drama stars Dennis
Quaid (
G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra) as Ralph Lamb, a former rodeo
star turned Las Vegas sheriff. From the writers/producers of
GoodFellas and
Walk the Line, it also stars Michael Chiklis (
The Shield) as a casino mobster.
Trailer:
The Following
Starring Kevin Bacon as a former FBI agent dragged out of
retirement to search for a serial killer who has created a cult of
serial killers:
Trailer:
Revolution
An epic thriller from producer/director J.J. Abrams (
Star Trek,
Super 8) takes place in a post-apocalyptic landscape of
empty cities, with all technology from computers to planes and
lights unplugged. Directed by
Iron Man director Jon Favreau.
Trailer:
1600 Penn
Bill Pullman, who last played the American president in
Independence Day, again takes on the commander-in-chief
and head of a dysfunctional family living in the White House.
Trailer:
Political Animals
On cable channel USA, this political mini-series stars Sigourney Weaver as the former First Lady and current Secretary of State with Irish actor Ciaran Hinds (John Carter) as her divorced husband, the ex-President.
SHARE YOUR OPINION
If you have an opinion you would like to share on this article, please send us an e-mail to the Times LIVE iLIVE team. In the mean time, click here to view the Times LIVE iLIVE section.