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Gala, Julia, and Kate Scott leave luxury living in Manhattan behind for refuge in rural Spain, where secrets of the past await. The Apple TV+ series Land of Women gives us these three generations of women who find themselves starting anew in La Muga, a charming Catalonian village tucked among rolling vineyards. Gala once knew comfort as a socialite but now flees for safety with her spirited mother Julia and teenage daughter Kate in tow, after Gala’s husband lands in massive debt.

Creator Ramón Campos envisioned this picturesque Spanish setting as the ideal backdrop for this family’s journey. The rustic streets and terraced fields bursting with grapes become as much a character as those walking them.

Through the lens of director Ken Biller, we’re immersed in the landscapes, taking in the townsfolk and tasting the atmosphere of small town life. Yet just as the soil holds generations of history,...

Star Wars and Star Trek share similar storytelling elements, such as opening chase scenes and planet-killing superweapons. There are intentional or unintentional parallels between the two franchises, from similar-sounding names to nearly identical plotlines. Recent Star Wars and Star Trek projects, Skeleton Crew and Star Trek: Prodigy, show similarities in plot and themes.

While Star Wars and Star Trek are very different franchises despite their similar names, there have inevitably been many times when they have told the same story. This may seem unlikely at first glance, as Star Wars and Star Trek fans have been rivals for as long as anyone can remember. Star Wars leans more into space fantasy, telling a story about another galaxy in the distant past and creating new mythology to captivate modern audiences. Star Trek, meanwhile, is science fiction, offering humanity a glimpse of an optimistic future of exploration and technological innovation.

Of course,...

Both Star Trek: DS9 and Voyager showcase similar prison episodes, but DS9's story was more effective Voyager producer Kenneth Biller initially struggled with making Harry Kim and Tom Paris' mental deterioration believable in Voyager's "The Chute." Voyager used alien technology as a plot device to explain their mental state effectively but could have looked to DS9 for guidance.

One episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine proved that Kenneth Biller was wrong about the challenges of Star Trek: Voyager's season 3 prison episode. Voyager and DS9 were sister shows in the Star Trek timeline, running concurrently with each other for several seasons. Although there was a lot of similarity between the two show's creative teams, producer and writer Ken Biller only worked on Voyager during the 1990s era of the Star Trek franchise.

One early Voyager episode that Biller worked on was season 3, episode 3, "The Chute," a dark story...

Star Trek: Voyager writer/producer Ken Biller wanted to mimic Tng's "The Inner Light" for Janeway and Chakotay. Biller proposed a plot for "Resolutions" where Voyager left Janeway and Chakotay behind to age 40 years. Implementing the Janeway/Chakotay romance would have dramatically altered the series' premise.

Star Trek: Voyager almost incorporated a Star Trek: The Next Generation episode premise for one of Captain Janeway's (Kate Mulgrew) and Commander Chakotay's (Robert Beltran) most romantic episodes, but abandoned the idea before it aired. Tng was the blueprint for the other 1990s-era Star Trek series, meaning that Voyager and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine often borrowed heavily from it for story ideas. It isn't at all surprising then that Voyager would be interested in copying one of Tng's most popular episodes, "The Inner Light," for an important episode at the end of season 2 involving Janeway and Chakotay.

Season 2, episode 25, "Resolutions" saw Janeway and...

Producer Ken Biller wanted Captain Janeway to punish Chakotay more harshly in a season 2 episode of Star Trek: Voyager. Biller believed that Captain Picard from Star Trek: The Next Generation would have thrown Chakotay in the brig for his actions. While Janeway did punish crew members with time in the brig, she ultimately let Chakotay off with only a stern talking-to.

Star Trek: Voyager producer Ken Biller thought that Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) would have punished Commander Chakotay (Robert Beltran) much harsher than Captain Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) did in a season 2 episode. Biller was an instrumental part of Voyager's creative team, beginning his Star Trek timeline tenure as a writer and story editor in Voyager's first season. By season 2, Biller had adopted a producing role, and by the end of the series he had been promoted to executive producer and showrunner. Biller also directed two episodes of Voyager and contributed story ideas to countless others.

This post contains spoilers for Star Trek: Lower Decks.

Since its very first episode, Star Trek: Lower Decks has excavated the most embarrassing parts of Star Trek lore, refusing to let even tangential parts of the franchise go forgotten. The Next Generation‘s second-worst enemy race the Pakleds became major antagonists in Lower Decks, and Boimler showed unironic appreciation for a Tom Paris commemorative plate. Heck, even the Space Fun Helmet made a brief appearance.

So it’s no surprise that Lower Decks would eventually get around to one of the great debates in Star Trek history: how do you solve a problem like Tuvix? Directed by Cliff Bole, the Voyager season two episode “Tuvix” used that old Trek standby, a transporter accident, to pose a knotty moral quandary. When an exotic plant disrupts the transporter beam carrying Vulcan security chief Tuvok and Talaxian guide/cook Neelix, the two combine into one being,...

“We’re really looking for figures who were transformative in their field, and that have left a kind of indelible mark,” reveals “Genius” showrunner Kenneth Biller about the criteria he uses to choose subjects for the NatGeo anthology series. Season one focused on the life of theoretical physicist Albert Einstein (Geoffrey Rush), but season two switched gears to examine surrealist painter Pablo Picasso (Antonio Banderas). The second installment now has seven Emmy nominations, including Best Limited Series and Best Movie/Mini Actor for Banderas. Watch our exclusive video interview with Biller above.

See Antonio Banderas (‘Genius: Picasso’): We ‘travel through life with a backpack filled with greatness and miseries’ [Exclusive Video Interview]

To be featured in this series, it’s not enough that the person be “an undeniable genius,” Biller explains. They also have to be “a recognizable figure,” and most importantly they need to have lived a life “that was long...

A version of this story about Antonio Banderas was first published in the Miniseries/Movies issue of TheWrap’s Emmy magazine.

When “Genius” producer Kenneth Biller went to the Spanish town of Málaga to visit Antonio Banderas, he quickly learned the hierarchy. The Andalusian coastal city, he was told on his way in from the airport, has two local heroes who are particularly esteemed by the town in which they were born.

“They explained to me, in Spanish, ‘El primero is Picasso,'” Biller said. “‘El segundo is Antonio.'”

And No. 2 played No. 1. In “Genius: Picasso,” Banderas takes on a role that had long haunted him, and one he’d spent years avoiding, of the protean artist who cast a huge shadow in his hometown, where he grew up during the reign of dictator Francisco Franco.

“Picasso was enormous in Málaga,” Banderas said. “We didn’t have many heroes.

Catching the first season of National Geographic’s Genius—starring Geoffrey Rush as Albert Einstein—Golden Globe- and Emmy-nominated actor Antonio Banderas found what he considered “quality television,” not knowing at the time that the series from Ron Howard and Kenneth Biller would turn to Spanish painter Pablo Picasso for Season 2.

“It taught me a lot of things about somebody that I thought I knew a lot about. In reality, I knew nothing about [Einstein’s] personal life, which was very interesting because you picture scientists in a completely different way,” Banderas told Deadline today of his first impressions of the series.

Offered the part of Picasso by Howard and Biller, Banderas found himself conflicted. On the one-hand, Picasso was a life-long hero of the actor’s, an inspirational artist born in his own hometown of Málaga. On the other, Banderas wondered if attempting to portray the iconic Spanish painter would be a bridge too far.

Antonio Banderas (“El Mariachi”) has signed on to play Pablo Picasso in Season 2 of National Geographic’s Emmy-nominated “Genius.” The limited-run series will chronicle the life and work of the Spanish painter.

“The life story of Pablo Picasso has long since fascinated me and I have so much respect for this man, who also comes from my birthplace Málaga,” said Banderas. “I am thrilled to tell an authentic story of one of the most innovative painters in the world.”

“Genius” comes from Brian Grazer and Ron Howard’s Imagine Entertainment, Fox21, Madison Wells Media’s OddLot Entertainment and Eue/Sokolow, and will premiere in 2018.

“Antonio was the natural choice. He, like Picasso, has a no-holds-barred approach to life that will add to the genuineness that we’re looking for,” said Howard. “He has such tremendous range as an actor, who I know will bring this brilliant and unconventional artist to life.

The 2017 Emmy nominations caused quite a stir when they were announced this morning, causing mixed reactions from fans that ranged from excited to disheartened. But no one was more elated than this year’s nominees, many of whom expressed their gratitude with written statements, while others took to Twitter and Instagram to share their excitement.

Read MoreIndie Film Invades the Emmys: Jean Marc-Vallée, Reed Morano and More Cinematic Voices Dominate Kevin Spacey, “House of Cards”

If at first you don’t succeed, try try try try try try try try try try again! #Emmys2017 #Hoc pic.twitter.com/NkABF5qRTb

— Kevin Spacey (@KevinSpacey) July 13, 2017

David Gelb, Creator, “Chef’s Table”

“We are honored and thrilled for this recognition of the hard work and talent of our relentless production and post teams. We are deeply grateful to our incredible chefs for letting us into their lives (and feeding us), and to...

First season starring Geoffrey Rush as Einstein ended on Tuesday night.

National Geographic announced on Wednesday the second season of its scripted anthology series Genius will chronicle the life and work of Spanish painter Pablo Picasso.

The new season from Fox 21 Television Studios is expected to commence shooting later this summer in time for a 2018 debut. Casting will get underway shortly.

Brian Grazer and Ron Howard’s Imagine Entertainment is once again on board as executive producer alongside Madison Wells Media’s OddLot Entertainment and Eue/Sokolow.

National Geographic said more than 45 million people worldwide watched the first season,...

Nat Geo has revealed the subject of Genius' second season: Pablo Picasso.

Showrunner Ken Biller and

...

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Nat Geo has revealed the subject of Genius' second season: Pablo Picasso.

Showrunner Ken Biller and executive producers Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Francie Calfo and Gigi Pritzker will all return to oversee Genius' take on the iconic artist, the network announced Wednesday.

"The remarkable story of

...

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“Genius” chronicled the life and work of Albert Einstein, but for its second season, it’ll tackle a genius of a different kind. National Geographic announced Wednesday that the series’ Season 2 will follow the life of Spanish painter Pablo Picasso. Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Ken Biller, Francie Calfo and Gigi Pritzker will return as executive producers, with Biller returning as showrunner. Also Read: 'Genius': This Einstein Wants to Know If the Real One Is a Communist (Exclusive Video) “The remarkable story of artistic visionary Pablo Picasso is the perfect subject for season two of ‘Genius'” said executive producer Ron Howard in a statement.

National Geographic has announced who its next “Genius” might be, and the choice moves the ongoing drama series from the world of science to art.

Following its well-received exploration into the life of Albert Einstein, Season 2 will dig into the complex life of artist Pablo Picasso. The artist, who lived from 1881 to 1973, is famed for his skewed looks at the world, which surrounded him created not just a lifetime’s work of unforgettable art – but an entire movement that made us reassess what art could be.

Read More: ‘Genius’: Hear the Song That Foreshadowed Johnny Flynn’s Breakout Role as Young Einstein

“Genius” is executive produced by Brian Grazer and Ron Howard, the latter of whom directed the first episode of Season 1. Executive producer and showrunner Ken Biller will return for Season 2.

There is no official word yet as to who will play Picasso, but in the first season of “Genius,” Geoffrey Rush and Johnny Flynn played the older and younger versions of Einstein (respectively). Producers said they plan to court a similar level of talent for the next season.

Prior to “Genius,” on screen Picasso has been portrayed on screen about 40 times, with portrayers including Marcial Di Fonzo Bo in Woody Allen’s “Midnight in Paris” and Anthony Hopkins in the film “Surviving Picasso.”

Also, Picasso mingled with plenty of other historical figures of his time we might look forward to seeing depicted — from the official release:

His passionate nature and relentless creative drive were inextricably linked to his personal life, which included tumultuous marriages, numerous affairs and constantly shifting political and personal alliances. He lived most of his life in the vibrant Paris of the first half of the 20th Century and crossed paths with writers and artists including Ernest Hemingway, Coco Chanel, Henri Matisse, Marc Chagall, Gertrude Stein, Georges Braque, and Jean Cocteau.

“What we were looking for, as with Albert Einstein, was someone who saw the world in a completely different way,” Biller said during a conference call this morning tied to the announcement. “One in scientific realm and one in art realm. This is a declarative statement, that ‘Genius’ is not only about scientists, [but people] who are iconic figures in history who changed the world. Pablo Picasso came to mind among many figures for Season 2.”

Picasso was the first name the producers considered for the project, Biller said, and after discussing several names, “we circled back to that idea and felt that his story, which is rich and emotional and passionate and controversial, would not only allow us to expand the palette, but his life was so turbulent and interesting. It’s a fascinating story.”

Howard said many men and women were considered for the project, and the producers used the success of depicting Albert Einstein’s life as a guide in finding a story subject with similar breadth.

“We wanted to try to live up to an achievement we were very proud of, with Einstein’s life, and we needed to know the drama was there,” Biller said. “Talking to friends, family, and kicking it around, his name stimulates curiosity in people. He’s famous, a household name, but you don’t really know the story of his life – how through the turbulence, he achieved artistic greatness in many ways and over many years.”

Biller said the producers considered a female subject for Season 2, and are “hoping to do a woman for Season 3.”

“Unfortunately the way history works, when you Google ‘geniuses’ online, history doesn’t remember a lot of [women],” Biller said. “The pool from them to choose is smaller. We explored ideas of people in science, politics, the arts. It’s a fun parlor game. There are probably very few people you could mention that we didn’t discuss on some level.”

Biller pointed out that although Season 1 was about Einstein, it spent time on the women characters surrounding him, including his first wife, physicist Mileva Maric.

“We did feel a responsibility to explore this other brilliant scientist we didn’t know, Mileva,” Biller said. “You’ll see also in Picasso’s story that there are many fascinating women in his life who inspired him and were artists in their own right. We will give them their due and explore what it was like to be a woman not only in that time but also in Picasso’s life.”

Given the subject matter, Howard said he expects to be able to play with visuals in Season 2. Like Season 1 of “Genius,” Season 2 will cover different stages of Picasso’s life and include two actors portraying the artist.

“We have no casting in mind yet but we’re hoping to attract that same level of talent to the project,” Biller said.

Biller defended the idea of portraying Einstein’s sexuality. “The idea of seeing Einstein with his pants down wasn’t designed for titillation,” he said. “One of the truths of Einstein is that most of the world didn’t know about was he had many sexual relationships. He was not faithful to his wife. He had an unorthodox view of sexuality and monogamy. If we were going to spend ten hours exploring character, the audience wouldn’t be interested in watching him at a blackboard for ten hours.”

“We’re in heavy development of the show,” he added. “We have some of the same writers from the first season, and some new ones. Our intention is to be in production before the end of this year in the fall.”

The Season 1 finale of “Genius” aired Tuesday, June 20. The 10-episode second season is expected to air in Spring 2018.

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Since strokes of Genius sometimes come from a paintbrush, Spanish artist Pablo Picasso will be the subject of Season 2 of the NatGeo series.

The announcement was made by executive producer Ron Howard the morning after Season 1 — which followed Albert Einstein (played by TVLine Dream Emmy Nominee Geoffrey Rush) — came to a close.

RelatedSarah Wayne Callies, Kate Bosworth, Jason Ritter to Star in NatGeo Military Miniseries

Howard told reporters on Wednesday that choosing the co-founder the Cubist movement (and so much more) followed “hours and hours and hours of discussion and debate,” which he said points to the potential longevity of the biographical series.

Back in April, when National Geographic Channel announced a Second 2 renewal for its first scripted series, Genius, the network said that the subject for the anthology series’ second installment would be revealed during the June 20 Season 1 finale. The plan has changed, and there will be no announcement tonight. Instead, Nat Geo is planning to make the reveal during a conference call with Genius executive producers Ron Howard and Ken Biller tomorrow, June 21. I hear the…...

Albert Einstein: physicist, Nobel laureate, romantic and … owl? Trying to get a handle on the complex person whose name is literally synonymous with genius was the biggest challenge for Nat Geo Channel’s first scripted anthology series, which even has the title “Genius.”

Einstein was best associated with his theory of relativity, which is one of the two pillars of modern physics, and his mass-energy equivalence formula, E=mc². Beyond the science and iconic shock of grey hair, though, was a man who started out very differently from how we now perceive him.

Read More: Ron Howard Avoided Directing TV Until ‘Genius,’ and He Has a Reason for That — IndieWire’s Turn It On Podcast

“The goal of the show is to really humanize, get under the skin of Albert Einstein,” showrunner Ken Biller said. “We discovered that he lived this big, bold, brash, complicated, messy life.”

Einstein as a...

In accomplishments, impact, and general appearance, there are few figures in history who need an introduction less than Albert Einstein, a man whose impact on global culture is well-documented and rarely disputed. “Genius,” National Geographic’s largest foray into scripted drama to date, wants to make the point that, even in his day, Einstein was already a celebrity.

Out on the streets of Berlin as a rally passes or in a lecture hall with eager observers lining the rafters, the Einstein of “Genius” becomes a figure that demands attention. His scientific insights made him a target for fascist suppressors and inquisitive thinkers alike, which makes the show’s continuous decision to boldly intone Einstein’s greatness, as if it were something to be proven, all the more curious. Context is vital to understanding the man’s true achievements, but the self-imposed, continuous weight of history somehow robs this series of...

Author: Daniel Goodwin

National Geographic’s first scripted drama series Genius charts the incredible life of theoretical physicist Albert Einstein. As well as his scientific endeavours, the story tells of the icon’s rise from modest beginnings, his struggle to be taken seriously by his establishment and peers as an intellectual radical during a time of global unrest.

Genius also tells of Einstein’s tumultuous love affairs, his anti-Semitic battles in Europe and problems he faced as a husband and father which made for an exhilarating, challenging life. HeyUGuys met with first episode Director and Executive Producer Ron Howard, Exec Producer Gigi Pritzker, Geoffrey Rush (Einstein) and Emily Watson (Elsa Einstein) to discuss the series, its origins and process of bringing such remarkable characters back to life…

Gigi Pritzker (Exec Producer): “We spent a number of years with numerous writers, trying to work Einstein’s story into a three...

Cue the handmaids.

The Tribeca Film Festival announced its second annual Tribeca TV program on Thursday and it includes a range of world premieres, popular show returns and a slate of independent pilots. One of the most highly anticipated debuts will be Hulu’s adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel, “The Handmaid’s Tale.”

Tribeca 2017 Lineup: New Fillms From Alex Gibney, Azazel Jacobs and Laurie Simmons Lead the Eclectic Mix

The series has been in the news lately, and not only because it will premiere soon. The dystopian story about a government forcing fertile women to become breeders for their high-ranking officials has struck a nerve among progressive women who are wary of having their health and reproductive rights controlled. Recently, protestors dressed in the handmaids’ red robes and white bonnets made an appearance in the Texas Senate gallery as its members were passing abortion legislation.

The TV lineup...

The second season of TNT's spy drama Legends premiered yesterday, so executive producer Ken Biller spoke with the Hollywood Reporter to dish some details on the plans for season two.

The series, which follows Sean Bean as a covert operative, has not faired so well in the ratings. Season one averaged just a hair above 1.5 million viewers, and it seems season two has lost even more steam, with a season premiere of .676 million.

Read More…...

Sean Bean is alive and well and heading into a second season of the TNT action series Legends (new episodes premiere on Monday). Sean, along with new show runner Ken Biller, talks about the big changes that start out this new season and how it is a great place for new fans to jump in. Plus Dave Kindig knows Bitchin Rides. His car lovers’ series is into season two on Velocity and he talks about why so many of us are fascinated with four wheel toys.

http://serve.castfire.com/audio/2604343/comicmix_2015-10-29-143943.64.mp3

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Perception co-creator/showrunner Ken Biller has signed an overall deal with Fox21 Television Studios. Under the pact, he is returning to TNT as the new showrunner on Fox21 TV Studios’ TNT drama Legends executive produced by Howard Gordon. He'll also develop new projects. Biller is taking the reins of Legends as part of a creative revamp or “reimagining,” as he put it, of the action series starring Sean Bean heading into its second season. The series, developed by Gordon…...

Love is in the air on TNT's Perception, but with Pierce and Moretti finding romance elsewhere, does that put an end to the series-long "will they or won't they" question?

"I wouldn't assume it's gone forever, but it's safe to say it's definitely on the backburner," executive producer Kenneth Biller tells TVGuide.com.

At the end of Perception's summer season, Pierce (Eric McCormack) reunited with his college girlfriend Miranda (Perrey Reeves), while Kate...

Read More >...

Exclusive: On the heels of TNT’s renewal of Perception for a third season, the series’ co-creator/executive producer Ken Biller has signed a new, two-year oevrall deal with ABC Studios, the studio behind the drama series starring Eric McCormack. Under the pact, Biller will continue as executive producer and showrunner of Perception as well as develop new projects for network and cable. “Ken’s been part of the ABC family for many years, and we’re thrilled to keep him in the fold,” said ABC Studios Evp Patrick Moran. Before co-creating Perception with Mike Sussman, Biller, repped by CAA and Steve Berson, co-developed and executive produced ABC Studios’ cult syndicated fantasy series Legend Of The Seeker. “I love making television, so I’m really grateful for the opportunity to keep working at ABC Studios,” Biller said. His other series credits include ABC/ABC Studios’ Six Degrees as well as NBC’s E-Ring,...

As Disney Channel readies its buzzy Girl Meets World spin-off, the beloved cast of Boy Meets World will come together for their first-ever reunion at the 2nd Annual Atx Television Festival.

Taking place in Austin, Texas from June 6-9, the weekend-long event celebrates outstanding television past, present and future. In typical festival fashion, screenings and Q&As will be all the rage. But what sets Atx apart is an intimate environment in which attendees can interact with the industry folks — both onscreen and off — they admire most.

Related | Girl Meets World Cast — William Daniels Returns as Mr. Feeny!

Set to...

TNT has ordered a second season of Perception, its freshman drama starring Eric McCormack. Perception, produced by ABC Studios, currently ranks second behind TNT’s just launched Closer spinoff Major Crimes among basic cable’s top new scripted series this year. The network has ordered 13 episodes for season two, which is slated to air in 2013. “Perception has captured the imagination of TNT’s audience of armchair detectives with wonderfully intricate cases, emotionally charged situations and, of course, a terrific cast led by Eric McCormack,” said TNT’s head of programming Michael Wright. Perception, which airs Mondays at 10 Pm, is averaging 7 million viewers (Live + 7), with 1.8 million adults 18-49 and 2.3 million adults 25-54. It centers on Dr. Daniel Pierce (McCormack), an eccentric neuroscience professor with paranoid schizophrenia who is recruited by the FBI to help solve complex cases. Rachael Leigh Cook stars as FBI agent Kate Moretti, Pierce’s former student who...

The curse of brilliancy is the burden of the few and the gifted. It is a double-edged sword that can be used both to help and harm simultaneously. But in the world of Dr. Daniel Pierce, his genius is a remarkable gift that he shares with his students and those who seek his aid. When asked to assist a former student who now works with the FBI, he willing offers his services, but as everyone begins to learn, his grasp on his own personal reality is tenuous at best. In a recent press conference call, star Eric McCormack talked about what attracted him to the complex, volatile role and what he sees ahead in the world of Perception.

What drew you to the part? Was it immediately you read the script and went “I’ve got to do it” or how did it all happen for you?

Eric: Yes, it...

Falling Skies returns to TNT in June. Now, if only they would put the first season on iTunes in Canada...

Cable channel TNT has announced premiere dates for the series in its summer schedule, which includes two of the coolest shows on TV: Leverage and Falling Skies. The slate also features returnees Rizzoli & Isles, Franklin & Bash and The Closer. These five continuing series will be joined by debutants Dallas, Perception, Major Crimes and the unscripted competition show The Great Escape.

“Each show in TNT’s summer lineup entertains in its own unique voice, but together these drama series are designed to appeal to viewers who want to be taken on a great ride,” Michael Wright, executive vice president, head of programming for TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies (TCM), said in a press release. “Whether it’s a clever procedural, an action-adventure drama, or a sweeping family saga, the dramas...

Get ready to head back to Southfork ranch: TNT's "Dallas" reboot has been scheduled for the summer! The continuation of the '80s soap starring Larry Hagman and Patrick Duffy bows on TNT Wed., June 13 at 9 p.m. Et. Season 1 of "Dallas" will have 10 episodes.

"The Closer" begins its final six episodes on Mon., July 9 at 9 p.m. Et. Its spinoff, "Major Crimes" starring "Battlestar Galactica's" Mary McDonnell, debuts after "The Closer" finale on Mon., Aug. 13, at 10 p.m. Et. It moves to its regular timeslot, Mondays at 9 p.m. Et, the following week. Season 1 of "Major Crimes" will consist of 10 episodes.

Other TNT summer premieres include "Leverage" Season 5 on Sun., July 15 at 8 p.m. Et; "Rizzoli & Isles" Season 3 on Tues., June 5 at 9 p.m. Et; "Franklin & Bash" Season 2 on Tues., June 5 at 10 p.m. Et; "Falling Skies" Season 2 on Sun., June 17 at 9 p.m. Et; new reality series "The Great Escape" Sun.

Get ready to head back to Southfork ranch: TNT's "Dallas" reboot has been scheduled for the summer! The continuation of the '80s soap starring Larry Hagman and Patrick Duffy bows on TNT Wed., June 13 at 9 p.m. Et. Season 1 of "Dallas" will have 10 episodes.

"The Closer" begins its final six episodes on Mon., July 9 at 9 p.m. Et. Its spinoff, "Major Crimes" starring "Battlestar Galactica's" Mary McDonnell, debuts after "The Closer" finale on Mon., Aug. 13, at 10 p.m. Et. It moves to its regular timeslot, Mondays at 9 p.m. Et, the following week. Season 1 of "Major Crimes" will consist of 10 episodes.

Other TNT summer premieres include "Leverage" Season 5 on Sun., July 15 at 8 p.m. Et; "Rizzoli & Isles" Season 3 on Tues., June 5 at 9 p.m. Et; "Franklin & Bash" Season 2 on Tues., June 5 at 10 p.m. Et; "Falling Skies" Season 2 on Sun., June 17 at 9 p.m. Et; new reality series "The Great Escape" Sun.

Neal McDonough and Cary Elwes will guest-star on TNT’s upcoming new series, Perception, TVLine has learned exclusively.

TNT Renews Southland, Orders New Eric McCormack Crime Drama

Created by Star Trek: Voyager‘s Kenneth Biller and Mike Sussman and set to premiere next summer, Perception stars Eric McCormack (Will & Grace) as an eccentric neuroscientist/university professor who helps an FBI agent (played by Rachael Leigh Cook) solve criminal cases.

McDonough, who played Edie’s husband on Desperate Housewives, will appear in one episode as the CEO of an agricultural technology company. His character enlists a codebreaker (The Princess Bride‘s...

Production has begun on TNT's new series Perception. The show stars Eric McCormack, Rachael Leigh Cook, Arjay Smith and Kelly Rowan. The story "centers on on a neuropsychiatry professor (McCormack) who aids the FBI in solving complex cases." McCormack is also a producer on the series, which will be added to TNT's programming lineup in summer 2012. Keep reading for more details on the show.

Here is the official Press Release:

TNT began production this week on its intriguing new original series Perception, starring Emmy® and Screen Actors Guild Award® winnerEric McCormack (Will & Grace, Who Is Clark Rockefeller?). The series about an eccentric neuroscientist who helps solve complex criminal cases also stars Rachael Leigh Cook (She’s All That), Arjay Smith (The Day After Tomorrow) and Kelly Rowan (The O.C.). TNT has ordered 10 episodes of Perception, which will join the network’s lineup in summer 2012.

In Perception, McCormack plays Dr. Daniel Pierce,...

Not 24 hours after TVLine reported on the strong possibility of renewal, TNT officially announced that Southland will be back for a 10-episode Season 4.

The cabler also announced that Perception, a new drama starring Eric McCormack (Will & Grace), has been ordered to series.

Southland Star Wagers $100 On Renewal

“Southland has been acknowledged by many critics as one of the sharpest, most entertaining and most authentic dramas on television today,” says Michael Wright, Evp/head of programming for TNT. “John Wells, Chris Chulack and their teams created a brilliant roller coaster ride this season, with countless riveting scenes and unforgettable character arcs.

TNT has renewed Southland for a fourth season and picked up a new crime drama called Perception.

The network had ordered 10 more episodes of Southland, which averaged 2.9 million viewers this season, up 6% from last year.

Perception stars Eric McCormack (Will & Grace) as an eccentric neuroscientist who helps the federal government solve complex crimes. Rachael Leigh Cook, Arjay Smith and Kelly Rowan also star. The show is from Kenneth Biller (Star Trek: Voyager).

TNT just announced that it has picked up drama pilot Perception to series with a 10-episode order and has renewed cop drama Southland for a fourth season, also with a 10-episode order. Perception, which will premiere next year, stars Eric McCormack as a neuroscientist who works to solve complex criminal cases. Also starring in the ABC Studios-produced series are Rachael Leigh Cook, Arjay Smith and Kelly Rowan. Perception was created by executive producer Kenneth Biller and co-executive producer Mike Sussman, with McCormack serving as producer. Alan Poul directed and served as executive producer for the pilot. “When we saw the pilot for Perception, it confirmed what we thought from the first pitch: It’s a perfect fit for TNT’s original series lineup,” said TNT's head of programming Michael Wright. “With its blend of intensity, emotion, humor, smart storytelling, sharp direction and a buzz-worthy performance from Eric McCormack, Perception...

Eric McCormack seems headed back to TNT's primetime. Word is that TNT is closing in on a series order for the drama pilot Perception starring the Will & Grace alum. The project, from ABC Studios, centers on Dr. Geoffrey Pierce (McCormack), an eccentric, frequently erratic and brilliant university professor in neuropsychiatry who helps the FBI solve complex cases working with sexy, sharp-tongued and smart FBI agent (and his former student) Kate Rossi (Rachael Leigh Cook). Kenneth Biller and Mike Sussman co-wrote the pilot, which was directed by Alan Poul. Perception is one of four pilots ordered by TNT last fall along with Dallas, Bird Dog and an untitled project from Allan Loeb. It was the first one to cast its lead. McCormack previously starred in TNT's ad-agency drama Trust Me. Meanwhile, TNT is close to renewing cop drama Southland for a fourth season.

Exclusive: Rachael Leigh Cook is set as the female lead opposite Eric McCormack in the TNT drama pilot Perception. The project, from ABC Studios, centers on Dr. Geoffrey Pierce (McCormack), an eccentric, frequently erratic and absolutely brilliant university professor in neuropsychiatry who helps the FBI solve complex cases. Cook will play sexy, sharp-tonged  and smart FBI agent Kate Rossi who recruited her former professor Pierce to work for the bureau. The setup appears similar to that on Castle between Nathan Fillion's Richard Castle and Stana Katic's Kate Beckett and on The Mentalist between Simon Baker's Patrick Jane and Robin Tunney's Teresa Lisbon. Kenneth Biller and Mike Sussman co-wrote the pilot, with Alan Poul directing. Cook, who started off as a teen actress, recently recurred on USA's Psych.

Eric McCormack, from "Will and Grace" fame, has signed up to play the lead role in TNT¹s new show "Perception." This is a new pilot from executive producer Kenneth Biller, who produced "Smallville," and co-executive producer Mike Sussman, who produced "Star Trek: Voyager."

This will be McCormack¹s third time working with TNT - he starred in the short-lived the 2009 series "Trust Me" and co-produced the 2007 pilot "Imperfect Union." In addition to his new starring role, the actor will also act as a producer on "Perception."

"Perception" is about Dr. Geoffrey Pierce, an eccentric neuroscientist who uses his unique outlook to help the federal government solve complex cases. His knowledge of human behavior and understanding of the human mind, helps the quirky professor pull lessons from an odd and imaginative view of the world. Biller and Sussman both wrote the pilot episode.

"Eric McCormack is an intelligent, intuitive and...

Eric McCormack, from "Will and Grace" fame, has signed up to play the lead role in TNT¹s new show "Perception." This is a new pilot from executive producer Kenneth Biller, who produced "Smallville," and co-executive producer Mike Sussman, who produced "Star Trek: Voyager."

This will be McCormack¹s third time working with TNT - he starred in the short-lived the 2009 series "Trust Me" and co-produced the 2007 pilot "Imperfect Union." In addition to his new starring role, the actor will also act as a producer on "Perception."

"Perception" is about Dr. Geoffrey Pierce, an eccentric neuroscientist who uses his unique outlook to help the federal government solve complex cases. His knowledge of human behavior and understanding of the human mind, helps the quirky professor pull lessons from an odd and imaginative view of the world. Biller and Sussman both wrote the pilot episode.

"Eric McCormack is an intelligent, intuitive and...

“Will & Grace” star Eric McCormack signed on to headline a new TNT drama about a neuroscientist who uses his knowledge of human behavior to help the government solve complicated crimes. According to “The Hollywood Reporter,” McCormack agreed to star in the TNT pilot, to be written by Kenneth Biller (“Smallville”) and Mike Sussman (“Star Trek: Voyager”). McCormack also committed to produce the pilot along with Biller, Sussman and ABC Studios.

TNT announced that former Will & Grace star Eric McCormack has officially been cast in the network’s new drama Perception. The Emmy-award winning actor will play Dr. Geoffrey Pierce, a crime-solving neuroscientist, who works with the federal government to solve complex cases using his knowledge and imaginative view of the world. The series comes from executive producer Kenneth Biller (Smallville) and co-executive producer Mike Sussman (Star Trek: Voyager). McCormack will also serve as a producer for the series.

What do you think, PopWatchers? Who else would you like to see join the cast of The Perception? McCormack is great, but...

Award winning Canadian actor Eric McCormack has signed up to play the lead role in TNT.s "Perception" (working title), a dramatic pilot from executive producer Kenneth Biller and co-executive producer Mike Sussman. This is McCormack.s third project with TNT after previously starring in the 2009 series "Trust Me" and co-producing the 2007 pilot "Imperfect Union." He will also act as a producer on thsi new series. Premise, from TNT "Perception" centers on Dr. Geoffrey Pierce, an eccentric neuroscientist who uses his unique outlook to help the federal government solve complex cases. With an intimate knowledge of human behavior and a masterful understanding of the mind, this quirky, crime-solving professor pulls lessons from an odd and imaginative view of the world.

Following some pretty intense final negotiations, Eric McCormack has closed a deal to return to TNT as the star of the network's pilot Perception. The Will & Grace alum will play the lead in the project, Dr. Geoffrey Pierce, an eccentric, frequently erratic and absolutely brilliant neuroscientist who helps the FBI solve complex cases. Kenneth Biller and Mike Sussman co-wrote the pilot, which is produced by ABC Studios. McCormack will serve as producer. At TNT, McCormack previously toplined ad agency drama Trust Me.

Eric McCormack ("Will & Grace") has signed up to play the lead role in TNT's "Perception" (working title), a dramatic pilot from executive producer Kenneth Biller ("Smallville," "Legend of the Seeker") and co-executive producer Mike Sussman ("Star Trek: Voyager"). This marks McCormack's third project with TNT after previously starring in the 2009 series "Trust Me" and co-producing the 2007 pilot "Imperfect Union." He will also act as a producer on "Perception." "Perception" centers on Dr. Geoffrey Pierce, an eccentric neuroscientist who uses his unique outlook to help the federal government solve complex cases. With an intimate knowledge of human behavior and a masterful understanding of the...

Exclusive: Eric McCormack is eyeing a return to TNT as the star of the network's pilot Perception. The Will & Grace alum is in negotiation to play the lead in the project, Dr. Geoffrey Pierce, an eccentric, frequently erratic and absolutely brilliant neuroscientist who helps the FBI solve complex cases. Kenneth Biller and Mike Sussman co-wrote the pilot, which is produced by ABC Studios. At TNT, McCormack previously toplined ad agency drama Trust Me. He recently played the title character in the Lifetime movie Who Is Clark Rockefeller?, recurred on the CBS comedy The New Adventures of Old Christine and starred in the Artsclub Theatre production of Glengarry Glen Ross in Vancouver. Perception is one of 4 pilots recently greenlighted by TNT - along with Hollywood & Vine, Dallas, and an untitled project from Allan Loeb - and the first one to cast its lead.

The TNT cable channel has a new series in mind, and just the right people to take it on. Mike Sussman and Kenneth Biller, who connected for the first time in 1996 as writers for the Upn series "Star Trek: Voyager," have taken on a new project for the Turner channel that seems to have received at least some inspiration from the popular USA network series "Psych." The duo are developing a pilot called "Perception" through ABC Studios centered around Dr. Geoffrey Pierce, an "eccentric neuroscientist who uses his unique outlook to help the federal government solve complex cases," according to TV Week. The show is part of an overall slate of pilots announced for TNT and sister stations TBS and Turner Classic Movies Wednesday. "These pilots reflect our enthusiasm for relatable but complex ...

TNT and TBS have ramped up their development by taking a chance on four new projects from producers and writers like Dean Devlin (Leverage); Kenneth Biller and Mike Sussman (Star Trek: Voyager), and Allan Loeb (The Switch, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps). TNT ordered three pilots: An update of TV’s long-running Dallas, which will focus on rivals J.R. and Bobby Ewing, from Cynthia Cidre (The Mambo Kings); Perception, a drama from Biller and Sussman that’s about an eccentric neuroscientist who help the Feds solve complex cases, and the untitled Loeb project, a drama based on The Rabbit Factory by novelist Marshall Karp.