It's game over for Hightown, which will end its run with its upcoming third season.

Despite a renewal, the Monica Raymund drama has been off the air since December 2021, fueling speculation that the show may not be long for this world.

The good news is that seven episodes have been produced for Hightown Season 3 and promise to bring the show to a close.

We'll need to tune in to find out how well the show wraps up because Hightown Season 2 left us with more questions than answers.

TVLine has confirmed that the final season will begin unspooling on Friday, January 26, 2024.

If you want to learn more about the season ahead, check out our Hightown Season 3: Everything We Know post.

Meanwhile, one of the most popular dating formats on the small screen is not going anywhere.

Netflix revealed Tuesday that Love is Blind has been renewed through Season 7.

The sixth season of the Nick and Vanessa Lachey-hosted reality TV hit will hit the air on February 14, 2024.

"Singles who want to be loved for who they are have signed up for a less conventional approach to modern dating, and will choose someone to marry without ever meeting them," the logline teases. 

Stranger Things Season 5: Everything We Know

"Over several weeks, the newly engaged couples will move in together, plan their wedding, and find out if their physical connection matches their strong emotional bond developed in the pods.

"When their wedding day arrives, will real-world realities and external factors push them apart, or will they marry the person they fell blindly in love with?

"Hosted by Nick and Vanessa Lachey, this addictive series will uncover whether looks, race, or age do matter — or if love really is blind."

While Peacock has been ramping up the promotional train for Dr. Death Season 2, footage of the documentary companion Cutthroat Conman hasn't been as prominent.

Peacock has finally unveiled the trailer for the 90-minute special that is set to premiere on December 21, 2023.

Dr. Death Season 2 Sets Peacock Premiere Date

Dr. Death: Cutthroat Conman reveals the shocking rise and fall of Paolo Macchiarini, the superstar celebrity surgeon who ascended to global fame after performing the world's first synthetic organ transplant…

Only to be exposed as an international conman whose web of lies extends decades, ensnared many including those in his personal life and left a trail of devastated patients grappling with a nightmare.

Over in the world of Apple TV+, we got our first look at Palm Royale, a star-studded Palm Beach-set series.

Kristen Wiig leads the ensemble cast alongside Laura Dern, Allison Janney, Ricky Martin, Josh Lucas, Leslie Bibb, Amber Chardae Robinson, Mindy Cohn, Julia Duffy, and Kaia Gerber.

With extra special guest star turns by the legendary Bruce Dern and the iconic, multiple-award-winning Carol Burnett.

Palm Royale' makes its global debut on Apple TV+, premiering the first three episodes on March 20, 2024, followed by new episodes every Wednesday through May 8.

"Palm Royale is a true underdog story that follows Maxine Simmons (Kristen Wiig) as she endeavors to break into Palm Beach high society," the logline teases.

"As Maxine attempts to cross that impermeable line between the haves and the have-nots, Palm Royale asks the same question that still baffles us today: How much of yourself are you willing to sacrifice to get what someone else has?"

"Set during the powder keg year of 1969, "Palm Royale" is a testament to every outsider fighting for their chance to truly belong."

Love Is In The Air For These TV Couples

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There is so much good TV waiting in the wings, not to mention some movies we've been aching to see.

Here's a list of everything we're excited about in the entertainment world.

Teen Wolf: The Movie (Paramount+)

MTV's biggest scripted hit returns with a movie, and we are so here for it.

Enemies were plentiful in Beacon Hills, and they're mounting once again, forcing Alpha Scott McCall to gather a trusted band of allies to ward off evil with their many respective (supernatural) talents.

What has us the most worried is Allison Argent's return from the dead, bow in hand, hunting the man she once loved.

This is going to be good, so plan on catching it on release day, January 26.

Harrison Ford's Continued Renaissance

Ford's first regular role in 1923 is just the tip of the iceberg for the actor's very big year ahead.

February finds him starring alongside Jason Segal in the Apple TV+ series, Shrinking, a comedy about, you guessed it, shrinks. Ford's greatest roles have always been infused with humor, and he should be in his element here.

Add to the fact that it's written by Brett Goldstein, Bill Lawrence, and Segal, and it adds up to a spectacular treat.

Most exciting of all, Ford is hoping to recapture the magic as iconic adventurer Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

Dial us is for excitement as the charming actor makes 2023 one to remember!

Shrinking premieres on Apple TV+ on January 27, and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny drops in theaters on June 30.

Star Trek: Picard Season 3

Troll haters be damned, we cannot wait to see the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation reunited for this final season of Admiral Picard’s retirement-but-not-really adventures.

We imagine it’ll be like Ocean’s 11 and R.E.D. had a space-traveling, galaxy-saving baby, and it’s going to be the best of all worlds.

Additionally, the possibility exists of this final arc spinning off into the fan-endorsed Raffi and Seven series. We know that Michelle Hurd and Jeri Ryan are up for it, and the world needs more badass, smart-mouthed, high-flying, confident-but-vulnerable, romantically linked adventuring partners. Right?

Star Tre: Picard Season 3 premieres February 16 on Paramount+.

Yellowjackets Season 2

Showtime's ensemble thriller about a group of young girls forced to survive after a plane wreck and how their lives were affected 30 years later is the closest to watercooler TV (apart from Game of Thrones) that we've come in a long time.

Yellowjackets Season 1 ended with more questions than we care to count, but the story was so well told throughout that we have no doubts that answers will be coming and that they'll knock our socks off.

So far, we know that Simone Kassell had been cast as adult Lottie, but we suspect we'll be in for many surprises once the season gets underway.

Yellowjackets Season 2 premieres on March 24 on streaming and March 26 on linear TV. Spoilers can ruin the experience, so we know when we'll be watching!

Poker Face (Peacock)

Russian Doll's Natasha Lyonne starring in a series written by Knives Out scribe Rian Johnson? Sign us up!

Poker Face finds Lyonne's character on a crime-solving road trip in which she encounters characters played by Adrien Brody, Chloë Sevigny, and Tim Meadows, among others.

Little by little, Peacock is adding impressive talent to its lineup, and this is definitely one to watch.

Poker Face premieres January 16 on Peacock.

65 (In Theaters)

What is it about Adam Driver that allows him to fit into so many different roles? His enviable talent, of course, and his relatability, for sure.

So who better to blast off hoping to find alien life only to find himself as the sole adult survivor, caring for a child on earth 65 million years ago?

Epic tales of survival are always a good bet, and with Driver at the helm, 65 should set the course for incredible action and adventure.

Agatha: Coven of Chaos (Disney+)

Kathryn Hahn will reprise her iconic role in this WandaVision spinoff.

Aubrey Plaza, Joe Locke, and Patti LuPone are just some of the big names teased, so we're very excited to see what happens next.

Will Wanda pop up and save the day again, or will Agatha unleash holy hell on the world?

There are many questions, and we deserve some answers. Coming Winter 2023.

John Wick: Chapter 4 (In Theaters)

It all started for us when someone killed John Wick's puppy. There was never a more direct hit on our senses, opening us to all of Wick's rage.

We've fought by his side for three installments so far, and although we know relatively little about John Wick: Chapter Four, we also have little doubt that the violence will be similarly earned.

Fan-favorite Keanu Reeves ensures that John Wick is a hero for the ages, and what scares us the most is that director Chad Stahelski has said time might be up for Wick's chances for a happy ending.

John Wick: Chapter 4 is in theaters on March 24, 2023.

The Last of Us (HBO)

Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey headline this TV adaptation of the hit video game series.

The project hails from Naughty Dog's Neil Druckmann and Chornobyl's Craig Mazin.

There's a lot at stake in this universe.

We've watched the entire first season and can't wait to share our thoughts next month!

The Last of Us premieres on January 15 on HBO.

Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning, Part One (In Theaters)

When was the first trailer for Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning, Part One, anyway? It might have been before we knew it would be released in two parts.

Tom Cruise has successfully ridden the waves as Ethan Hunt for six films, and already the promise of the seventh and eighth is off the charts.

The villain this go around will be played by Esai Morales, and Cruise will be accompanied by many familiar faces, including Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, Rebeca Ferguson, Henry Czerny, and Vanessa Kirby.

Go big or go home is a motto Cruise lives by, and it's worked exponentially well so far.

Mission Impossible – Dead Dead Reckoning, Part One premieres in theaters on July 14, 2023.

Doctor Who (Disney+)

Doctor Who celebrates its 60th anniversary with the return of David Tennant and Catherine Tate.

That's right, folks. We're getting three special episodes before Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson take over as the new Time Lord and companion, respectively.

Russell T. Davies is also back as showrunner, so we should expect a season that pays homage to the iconic franchise.

What could possibly go wrong?

Doctor Who returns to Disney+ on December 23, 2023.

The White Lotus Season 3 (HBO)

Mike White proved with The White Lotus Season 2 that the series deserves to return yearly for more murder and mystery.

With very few details about Season 3, all we can do is speculate.

Unconfirmed rumors suggest Connie Britton will be back alongside Laura Dern.

Wouldn't that be dream casting?

The Walking Dead Universe Expansion (AMC)

The end was just the beginning of The Walking Dead universe.

The main series is over, but Daryl is off to Paris, Maggie and Negan to New York, and Rick & Michonne will reunite to battle the CRM.

Three new spinoffs will expand the franchise and, hopefully, give us some long-overdue answers.

Will this mark the end of the franchise? That's the bigger question.

Scream VI (In Theaters)

Scream was successfully revived last year, and we have another movie on the way.

Unfortunately, Neve Campbell will not be a part of the fun, but we've been promised much more screentime for Courteney Cox. It's not the same, but we'll have at least one OG back for the latest wave of terror.

The returning cast from Scream 5 will also make for some connective tissue as Ghost Face takes Manhattan.

Manhattan should make for a different level of horror.

Scream VI is in theaters on March 10.

The Mandalorian (Disney+)

It's been a minute but the adventures of Grogu and Din resume in early 2023.

After such a lengthy hiatus, there's a lot to cover. Hopefully, the series can keep up the pace.

We should also expect set-up for some of the spin-offs.

Hooray, right?

Barbie (In Theaters)

They had some of us at Barbie. They had all of us at Margot Robbie. Toss in Ryan Gosling and Little Women director Greta Gerwig (and her co-writer, Noah Baumbach), and Barbie promises to have a little something for everyone.

We expect the summer to be very, very pink and for Barbie sales to skyrocket with the debut. We haven't even begun to see the promotional tie-ins yet. Be still our beating hearts!

Additional cast members to wet your appetite include Will Ferrell, Kate McKinnon, America Ferrera, and Michael Cera. This is going to be ginormous!

Barbie drops in theaters on July 21, 2023.

Power Book II: Ghost Season 3

After a stellar Power Book II: Ghost Season 2, it'll be very interesting to see how they top it with the new season!

Coming off a shocking death, Monet will be grieving and trying to figure out a way forward for her fractured family. All while seemingly unaware of who really killed her son.

The Tejada drama should be juicy this season, and if you add Tariq into the mix as a man who can never stay out of trouble, you've got all the makings for another satisfying season of one of Starz's top series.

Outer Banks (Netflix)

After a harrowing ordeal on a ship in their quest to retrieve their golden cross, the ever-evolving Pogues got stranded on an island and seemed pretty content about it.

But we know they can't stay out of trouble or not pursue more danger and adventure, especially JJ, and we're counting down the seconds until it returns!

Following John B and the gang, including instant fan favorite Cleo, on the next stage of their adventure fighting against the odds and the Rafes and Wards is bound to be exciting as they face bigger and more dangerous challenges.

And we definitely have our eyes on the romances too, from the established John B and Sarah to whatever is potentially blossoming between Cleo and Pope and Kiara and JJ.

Next Level Chef (FOX)

The Gordon Ramsay hit is back and promises to be bigger and better than ever.

We certainly can't wait to see this fun competition series of chefs creating fabulous dishes, sometimes under spectacularly bad circumstances.

And we also can't wait for the batch of contestants with inspiring stories who make it impossible to root for just one person.

Next Level Chef returns Feburary 12 on FOX and to its regular time period on Feb 16.

Party Down (Starz)

It's been 13 years since the end of Starz's cult comedy of struggling actors working for a catering company.

With much of the original cast returning (including Adam Scott, Jane Lynch, and Megan Mullally) for the six-episode revival, this promises to be one of the funniest "new" comedies of 2023.

Party Down was always a clever, quirky show. Hopefully, this time around, it gets the attention it deserves!

Party Down returns on Starz on February 24.

Schmigadoon Season 2 (Apple TV+)

Cinco Paul's joyful ode to classic musicals had a fully self-contained Season 1, so the announcement of a second season was a surprising treat! 

"Schmicago" boasts an impressive returning cast as well as new faces (including Titus Burgess and Patrick Page). Though details are slim, it promises to lovingly parody the darker, sexier musicals of the 1960s-70s.

We can't wait to be razzle-dazzled all over again! 

Schmigadoon Season 2 is expected to premiere sometime in 2023.

19 Scenes Elevated by Song Choice

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Severance Season 2 (Apple TV+)

The slow-burn start of one of television's darkest new dystopian dramas led to a heart-racing finale and so many questions left unanswered!

Season 2 still doesn't have a premiere date, but it's set to air some time in 2023, and we cannot wait to find out how it all goes down!

Will the Innies and Outies find a way to work together to bring down Lumon? How will Outie Mark cope with the truth about his wife? And just what is going on with those baby goats? 

Severance Season 2 will return sometime in 2023.

Magnum PI (NBC)

The hearts of Magnum PI fans were shattered last spring when CBS canceled this iconic reboot.

But thanks to NBC's decision to swoop in and resurrect the handsome PI and his beloved team, our broken hearts are happily on the mend.

With the beautiful Hawaiian scenery, fast cars, and fun storylines, who wouldn't enjoy an hour in the Magnum universe?

And with Thomas and Juliet finally admitting their growing romantic feelings towards one another, there's much to be excited about in this upcoming season.

Magnum PI returns to NBC on February 19.

Hunters (Prime Video)

After an entertaining first season, Hunters will be back for one final hunt.

This time, Hitler is on the list. Can the Hunters finally destroy the ultimate enemy once and for all?

We can't wait to see what they have in store for us.

Hunters premieres January 12 on Prime Video.

Vikings: Valhalla (Netflix)

Erikson's story is far from over.

This Vikings prequel series is a refreshing look at one of the most interesting eras.

Blood and war are at their core, and we love it.

Vikings: Valhalla premieres on January 12 on Netflix.

YOU (Netflix)

Joe is back, and this time as a teacher in England.

Season three saw Joe grow after finding love, but it seems that he never learns.

Who's the unlucky lady he has his eyes on this time around?

YOU part 1 premieres February 9 and part 2 on March 9 on Netflix

Hightown (Starz)

In the one or so year that Hightown has been off the air, Jackie must have gotten into many shenanigans with her newfound power.

Hightown is never scared of choosing violence.

This, and its knack for introducing gripping storylines and interesting characters, is why we need it back soon.

Hightown will likely return sometime in 2023.

Your Honor (Showtime)

Deciding to make more seasons of a limited series is not usually a good idea.

Your Honor, however, looks promising in the coming season.

Even after losing their children, it looks like the Desiato and Baxter families haven't learned a lesson.

With an addition of a great new cast, it looks like we're in for a ride. Your Honor premieres January 15 on Showtime.

Bel-Air (Peacock)

Remaking a comedy as a drama is something few people thought would work.

Bel-Air tells the beloved story of Will but with a dramatic twist. Jabari Banks stepped into the role like he was born for it. 

We are looking forward to seeing what more they have for us.

Bel-Air premieres February 23 on Peacock.

Wolfpack (Paramount+)

Teen Wolf might be over, but Jeff Davis is not done with telling this kind of story.

Wolfpack will be set in the same universe as Teen Wolf but with a different cast.

It will dive into the werewolf lore in an all-new environment.

Wolfpack premieres January 26 on Paramount+.

Ted Lasso Season 3 (Apple TV+)

The world needs more Ted Lasso. We didn't know it when the show premiered in 2020, but the cultural phenomenon has stolen our hearts and lives rent-free in our souls.

While we understand and appreciate Jason Sudeikis and his team wanting to take the time to produce the most perfect final season ever, this warm hug of a show is guaranteed an effusive welcome back by Richmond F.C. supporters and Coach Beard enthusiasts worldwide.

It goes beyond wanting to see the club promoted or morbid curiosity about Nate's turn to the Dark Side. We genuinely miss these characters. Even Nate.

We choose to #Believe 2023 is the year they'll come back to us.

Star Trek: Lower Decks Crossover with Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (Paramount+)

Never before in history have there been so many Star Trek series running at the same time, with five separate series and two others greenlit and in pre-production.

Despite a good start, the idea of further crossovers seemed nixed when Discovery leaped into the 32nd century.

So when it was revealed Tawny Newsome and Jack Quaid would be portraying live-action versions of their animated characters from Star Trek: Lower Decks on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2, the fandom went wild.

While details remained highly secret, Newsome confirmed that she and Quaid will physically be on Pike's Enterprise, interacting with the crew members.

Nevertheless, with anticipation already high for Season 2 of Strange New Worlds, this extraordinary event only raises the fervor.

—————————————

Did we cover what you hope to see in 2023? Let us know in the comments!

The post Bring On 2023! TV and Movies We Can’t Wait to Watch appeared first on TV Fanatic.

“Hightown is such an incredible show, and we could not be happier that it’s been renewed for a third season,” said Kathryn Busby, President, Original Programming for Starz on Tuesday.

“We are excited to return to Cape Cod to see our iconic characters battle their past mistakes as well as new foes in the dangerous underworld that lies beneath this idyllic setting.”

Monica Raymund (Chicago Fire), James Badge Dale (24, The Kitchen), Riley Voelkel (Roswell, New Mexico, The Originals), Amaury Nolasco (Prison Break Deception), Atkins Estimond (The Resident, Lodge 49), and Dohn Norwood (Mindhunter, The Sinner) star.

On Hightown Season 2, the picture-perfect version of summer on Cape Cod clashes with its off-season reality.

Jackie Quinones (Monica Raymund) achieving her dream of becoming a real cop, is out to do some good in this world.

Thrust immediately into the crime wave of deadly carfentanyl flooding the Cape, Jackie is laser-focused on bringing down drug dealer Frankie Cuevas (Amaury Nolasco), the man Jackie holds responsible for the death of her best friend, Junior.

For Jackie, it is personal but then again, for Jackie, everything is personal.

When Frankie’s cousin Jorge (Luis Guzmán) joins his operation, he introduces a new level of violence and chaos.

With disgraced officer Ray Abruzzo (James Badge Dale) off the force and mired in depression, Jackie finds a new partner in Leslie (Tonya Glanz), the only other female on the force.

Through it all, Jackie must walk the tightrope of sobriety as she struggles to stay above an ocean of secrets, betrayal and the shame and failure of her past.

There is still a lot of stories to unpack, and thankfully, it will all play out on Starz.

What are your thoughts on the news?

Hit the comments.

TV Shows That Ended Too Soon

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The post Hightown Renewed for Season 3 at Starz! appeared first on TV Fanatic.

With multiple deaths and harrowing developments for all of the characters, it's hard to believe we still have three more episodes left this season.

TV Fanatic got the chance to chat with Rebecca Cutter, the creator of the thrilling Starz drama, about recent developments.

Cutter stepped behind the camera to direct Hightown Season 2 Episode 7 and loved every single minute of it.

"It was amazing working with this cast," Rebecca shared. 

"They love me and trust me, and I love them and trust them. As a showrunner, you're already making tons of creative decisions," Rebecca added, saying that directing felt like the organic next step.

Hightown has been a show about imperfect people trying to do what is best for themselves, so I asked Rebecca how she felt about showing these flawed people to the world.

"I think this is true of most people, If you're honest with yourself, but these people, in particular, they're always doing anything they can to sort of feel better about themselves," Cutter added, saying that anything they can do to make themselves feel better, even if it's just for a short time, they do it.

"That's like a very honest portrayal of humanity," the showrunner said. 

"It makes story choices really interesting and fun because it's not people necessarily doing what's best for themselves, but it's believable," Rebecca said, sharing that the decisions the characters make may not be necessarily the best, but they are looking out for themselves over anyone else.

Jackie's (Monica Raymund) journey throughout Hightown Season 2 has been heartbreaking, and even though she fell off the wagon, she turned to Ray in her time of need.

"Jackie and Ray are really sort of like the two tent poles of the series, and I love keeping them apart and then bringing them together in these really explosive ways," Cutter said of the relationship, revealing that she enjoys the brother and sister-like bond between them.

"There's still more conflict between them to come, and there's still more really lovely sort of brother and sister moments, it's never just a clean line with those two. There's always ups and downs and bumps with them."

A pivotal moment during Hightown Season 2 Episode 7 found Ray (James Badge Dale) telling Renee (Riley Voelkel) that she was being investigated and followed.

This development came after Renee killed Jorge (Luis Guzmán) and tried to cover it up.

Ray lost his job due to Renee informing on him, so it looks like Ray is scheming his way back to the top spot.

"I think he's been very clear at what he wants this season, which is to get his job back and to get Frankie and to pay back Frankie for what he did," Rebecca said of Ray's machinations. 

Rebecca said that while Ray and Renee love each other, they use each other.

"It's never just one or the other."

Rebecca said that she believes Ray likes having power over Renee.

Renee and Ray's relationship initially seemed to be in good standing, but Frankie (Amaury Nolasco) being in prison and Ray trying to take him down has put a strain on it.

I asked Rebecca whether she thought they could be together if Frankie was not in the picture.

"Yes, I do, but I do think they're both people that are always scanning the horizon. I don't think either of them could just settle down," Rebecca said, adding that she believes it wouldn't be an easy process for them.

One of the episode's biggest moments found Frankie realizing that Jorge was dead when his stash was found in the trailer.

This sent Frankie on a mission to find out the truth, and Rebecca said that this is the first time that Frankie's back is against the wall this season.

"There start to be cracks in every direction, and you'll see him acting more and more desperate as it continues."

Hightown continues Sundays on Starz and Starz Play.

The post Hightown Creator Rebecca Cutter Breaks Down Jackie’s Relapse, Ray’s Scheming, & More appeared first on TV Fanatic.

The series continues to impress with its compelling characters, some of the most well-written on the small screen.

Hightown Season 2 Episode 4 is set to air Sunday, November 7, and finds Renee in a wild situation.

TV Fanatic has an exclusive clip of the game-changing episode.

Leslie calls Renee to a meeting. Jackie accompanies Leslie, and Renee is immediately concerned about what the two women want.

Renee was an informant at one point, and Leslie tries to act like Renee did the department such a big favor.

Renee is too smart and knows they are both after something else, and she doesn't want to betray Frankie in the process.

The trajectory of the conversation changes the moment Leslie says they want Jorge.

Jorge has been getting under Renee's skin since his arrival on Hightown Season 2 Episode 1, so of course she would love nothing more than to see his downfall.

But Renee also knows that working with Leslie to take him down could come back to haunt her.

Frankie is all about family, and if he learns the truth, she could be in a lot of trouble with him.

The clip ends on a somewhat ominous note, and we cannot wait to see how it plays out when the episode drops on Starz and Starz Play.

Here is the official logline for the second season:

In the second season of “Hightown,” the picture-perfect version of summer on Cape Cod clashes with its off-season reality. Jackie Quinones (Monica Raymund), achieving her dream of becoming a real cop, is out to do some good in this world.

Thrust immediately into the crime wave of deadly carfentanyl flooding the Cape, Jackie is laser-focused on bringing down drug dealer Frankie Cuevas (Amaury Nolasco), the man Jackie holds responsible for the death of her best friend, Junior. For Jackie, it is personal, but then again, for Jackie, everything is personal.

When Frankie’s cousin Jorge (Luis Guzmán) joins his operation, he introduces a new level of violence and chaos.

With disgraced officer Ray Abruzzo (James Badge Dale) off the force and mired in depression, Jackie finds a new partner in Leslie (Tonya Glanz), the only other female on the force.

Through it all, Jackie must walk the tightrope of sobriety as she struggles to stay above an ocean of secrets, betrayal and the shame and failure of her past. Riley Voelkel, Atkins Estimond, and Dohn Norwood also star  

Check out the clip below.

The post Hightown Season 2 Episode 4 Exclusive Clip: Will Renee Betray Frankie? appeared first on TV Fanatic.

The thrilling Starz drama is back!

We watched the first four episodes, and it features everything that made the inaugural season a success and more.

We got to chat with cast members Riley Voelkel (Renee), Amaury Nolasco (Frankie), Don Norwood (Al), Atkins Estimond (Oscito), Monica Raymond (Jackie), and James Badge Dale (Ray), as well as creator Rebecca Perry Cutter and EP Gary Lennon.

Hightown Season 2 gets off the ground running, with the characters in very different places than before.

With Frankie out of prison, we get to see a different layer of his and Renee's relationship, something that both Voelkel and Nolasco are happy about.

There's also some drama on the horizon for them because Frankie's cousin Jorge (Luis Guzman) is also on the scene, creating a lot of conflicts.

"He is the older cousin who Frankie really loves. And they obviously have a ton of history together," series creator Rebecca Cutter shared, noting that the character is reminiscent of Joe Pesci in Goodfellas.

"He's very comedic and sharp and funny, but very dangerous. He could turn on a dime," Cutter continued. 

Frankie is on the outside this season, says Cutter, adding that we get to see him managing his businesses while trying to stop Renee and Jorge arguing.

If you watch Hightown online, you know Renee is the reason Ray lost his badge, and Riley thinks there has to be some comeuppance on the back of it.

Al finds himself in this position of power, thanks to taking on the sergeant role after the suspension of Ray.

"Alan was sort of the sidekick in a way," Don shares of the power shift, noting that his relationship with Ray has completely changed.

Don said that this creates an interesting dynamic as we move further into the world of the show. The actor also teased that we will get a much more comprehensive look at Al's life than before, seeing his wife introduced into the story and such.

Al's path crosses with Oscito, who finds himself behind bars after shooting at Jackie. Atkins teases that it's a very different direction for the character.

"He's really having to kind of find his way back and really kind of survival situation he found himself in. And he's also dealing with the ramifications of the things that he did in the first season," Atkins shares.

"So we really have to watch him kind of pick up the pieces and try to figure out what's next."

In many ways, Oscito has switched places with Frankie this season, but it seems like there are some problems between them. Atkins notes that we started to see a rift form in the first season, and it only gets worse.

Atkins says he thinks Frankie is probably concerned about whether Oscito will talk, which will be a significant driving force of their arc.

Both Don and Atkins were happy about the prospect of working together more closely on the second season.

"It was a real treat to work with Don," Atkins said.

"There's some really cool things that happen because of the opposition and the objective. Both of our characters are very much in opposition to each other."

"So there are some really cool moments. And also, I didn't get to work with Don very much in the first season. Happy to get the opportunity to have some more time with them," Atkins shared.

Don said that he didn't get much screentime with Atkins before this season, so he lapped up the opportunity to dig into their arc this season.

As for Jackie and Ray, their roles have essentially swapped this season, with Jackie having insider knowledge and Ray on the outside looking in.

"Everyone is kind of in a really new place this season," said Rebecca.

"That was a really fun challenge. Jackie's definitely where Ray was last season, you know, she's really hot on the case."

"In many ways, she's kind of replaced drugs and alcohol with this idea of like being on the hunt and the investigation and the thrills."

"I think that is kind of her new drug in Season 2."

"Ray is now sort of on the outside looking in, and he has to really look at his life, and he's trying all these different things to kind of fill that void, and nothing hits for him like police work. So ultimately, he by hook or by crook, he's going to try to get back to that."

Monica and James were happy with the decision to switch gears because it shows these different sides of the characters.

"It's turned into this very special relationship because I think that we see ourselves in the other person," Monica said of the pairing.

"In some ways, he's one out of two people in my life that I feel like I can actually let my guard down and be vulnerable with because he understands the pain," Raymond says of Jackie and Ray.

Jackie is not on drugs when we pick up, but Monica stresses that the character is battling her demons to keep on the straight and narrow.

The actress said that Jackie was very different on the first season to the one we meet in Season 2, adding that "we get to sort of see a little bit more of a tighter package with it, but like that mess still exists inside of her."

James said that he has a lot of fun coming back and the show rewriting the rules because this is the first time he's done a second season of a series.

"As an actor, I think changes are refreshing," he said, citing Rebecca's excellent creative choices.

"All these characters have changed over that time period that you haven't seen them. Jackie's changed. Ray has changed, maybe not for the better."

"But he's changed, and I've changed as a human being also. So, anytime you throw a curveball, it's great. I want a lot more."

As for Ray, he's understandably in a very different mindset because of what happened with Renee, but James feels like Ray is obsessed with her to an extent.

"Is that love? I don't know. It's obsession. Definitely," James teased.

"It haunts him. I think Ray haunts himself, and now he's dealing with the repercussions of his actions, and I think there's a struggle for Ray to recognize what is the truth and what is real."

As for the big crime that kicks off the season, a new wave of drugs makes their way to the Cape, killing teenagers. That's one of the major jumping-off points in the premiere. 

"We really wanted to show sort of a wider impact. I mean, I think season one really focused so much on people who were kind of the criminal element. There was also an interesting idea about like which deaths does the public care about, which deaths the police focus on," Rebecca said. 

"There's an aspect of these deaths that causes sort of a media sensation."

Rebecca said that this raises the stakes for the police because these deaths become very high profile, but the ultimate goal is to expand the world of Cape Cod to show a larger world and the bigger effect.

Gary likes that the show is tackling these storylines because they are so relevant to the world today.

I asked Rebecca about how many seasons she envisions for the series, and she believes the show could go on for a while yet, and that she has some ideas percolating for a potential third season — and beyond.

Hightown Season 2 premieres tonight at 9 p.m. on Starz, and it will be available on Starz Play internationally at the same time.

Check out the trailer below.

The post Hightown Cast and Crew Previews Season 2’s Big Changes appeared first on TV Fanatic.

STARZ has dropped the official trailer for Hightown Season 2, and it teases a mich darker season than before.

The second season will premiere Sunday, October 17 across all STARZ platforms, including at 9 PM ET/PT on STARZ in the U.S. and Canada, and will air day and date internationally on the STARZPLAY premium streaming platform across Europe, Latin America, and Japan.

The series is created by Rebecca Cutter (Gotham), who will also make her television directorial debut this season.

Academy Award®–nominated filmmaker Rachel Morrison (Mudbound, Fruitvale Station) also returns to direct two episodes of the ten-part second season. Lead actress

Lead star Monica Raymund (Chicago Fire, The Good Wife) also steps behind the camera to direct this season.

Other directors include Brandon Sonnier (L.A.’s Finest), Radium Cheung (The Sinner), Antonio Negret (Prodigal Son), and Eagle Egilsson (The Wire).

Monica Raymund, James Badge Dale (24, The Kitchen), Riley Voelkel (Roswell, New Mexico, The Originals), Amaury Nolasco (Prison Break, Deception), Atkins Estimond (The Resident, Lodge 49), and Dohn Norwood (Mindhunter, The Sinner) return in their previous roles.

Luis Guzmán (Traffic, Code Black) guest stars as Jorge Cuevas, Frankie’s charmingly hilarious but deadly cousin.

Season two guest stars also include Jona Xiao (Gifted, Being Mary Jane) as Daisy, Carlos Gómez (Law & Order True Crime, Madame Secretary) as Rafael Quinones, and Mark Boone Junior (Sons of Anarchy, Paradise City) as Petey.

Cecil Blutcher (Premature, Random Acts of Flyness) is also set as as Vernon and Crystal Lee Brown (Black Lightning, Mindhunter) as Janelle on the second season.

As for what we can expect on Hightown Season 2, Starz has shared the following:

The picture-perfect version of summer on Cape Cod clashes with its off-season reality.

Jackie Quinones (Monica Raymund) achieving her dream of becoming a real cop, is out to do some good in this world.

Thrust immediately into the crime wave of deadly carfentanyl flooding the Cape, Jackie is laser-focused on bringing down drug dealer Frankie Cuevas (Amaury Nolasco), the man Jackie holds responsible for the death of her best friend, Junior.

For Jackie, it is personal but then again, for Jackie, everything is personal.

When Frankie’s cousin Jorge (Luis Guzmán) joins his operation, he introduces a new level of violence and chaos.

With disgraced officer Ray Abruzzo (James Badge Dale) off the force and mired in depression, Jackie finds a new partner in Leslie (Tonya Glanz), the only other female on the force.

Through it all, Jackie must walk the tightrope of sobriety as she struggles to stay above an ocean of secrets, betrayal and the shame and failure of her past.

Sounds like another stellar season, right?

Check out the trailer below.

The post Hightown Season 2 Trailer Teases Darkness, Redemption, & More! appeared first on TV Fanatic.

The series from Emmy® Award–winner Jerry Bruckheimer (Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Top Gun: Maverick, CSI franchise) and Lionsgate Television is created by Rebecca Cutter (Gotham), who makes her television directorial debut this season.

Academy Award®–nominated filmmaker Rachel Morrison (Mudbound, Fruitvale Station) directs two episodes of the ten-episode second season.

Lead actress Monica Raymund (Chicago Fire, The Good Wife), Brandon Sonnier (L.A.’s Finest), Radium Cheung (The Sinner), Antonio Negret (Prodigal Son), and Eagle Egilsson (The Wire) also directed this season.

Monica Raymund, James Badge Dale (24, The Kitchen), Riley Voelkel (Roswell, New Mexico, The Originals), Amaury Nolasco (Prison Break Deception), Atkins Estimond (The Resident, Lodge 49) and Dohn Norwood (Mindhunter, The Sinner) return in their previous roles.

Luis Guzmán (Traffic, Code Black) guest stars as Jorge Cuevas, Frankie’s charmingly hilarious but deadly cousin.

Season two guest stars also include Jona Xiao (Gifted, Being Mary Jane) as Daisy, Carlos Gómez (Law & Order True Crime, Madame Secretary) as Rafael Quinones, Mark Boone Junior (Sons of Anarchy, Paradise City) as Petey, Cecil Blutcher (Premature, Random Acts of Flyness) as Vernon and Crystal Lee Brown (Black Lightning, Mindhunter) as Janelle.

In the second season of Hightown, the picture-perfect version of summer on Cape Cod clashes with its off-season reality. Jackie Quinones (Monica Raymund) achieving her dream of becoming a real cop, is out to do some good in this world.

Thrust immediately into the crime wave of deadly carfentanyl flooding the Cape, Jackie is laser-focused on bringing down drug dealer Frankie Cuevas (Amaury Nolasco), the man Jackie holds responsible for the death of her best friend, Junior.

For Jackie, it is personal but then again, for Jackie, everything is personal.

When Frankie’s cousin Jorge (Luis Guzmán) joins his operation, he introduces a new level of violence and chaos.

With disgraced officer Ray Abruzzo (James Badge Dale) off the force and mired in depression, Jackie finds a new partner in Leslie (Tonya Glanz), the only other female on the force.

Through it all, Jackie must walk the tightrope of sobriety as she struggles to stay above an ocean of secrets, betrayal and the shame and failure of her past.

The post Hightown Season 2: Premiere Date Revealed! appeared first on TV Fanatic.

In a truly harrowing turn of events, Junior died of an overdose. It was a development that always seemed like a possibility. 

And something that came after the character managed to beat the odds and survive the hit put out on him. 

If you watch Hightown online, you know that Osito spared Junior's life, killed Kizzle, and attempted to help Junior escape the Cape for a new life in Miami. 

It was an unfortunate end for a character that had various brushes with death throughout Hightown Season 1. 

"I'm not going to say I was surprised," Shane Harper tells TV Fanatic exclusively of Junior's tragic fate. 

"I think the reality is for a lot of people that are on that path with addiction to heroin and fentanyl," the actor continued.

"I think death is a very real, and almost likely, thing that happens, which is really heavy."

"So I wasn't surprised. I think it was obviously sad to see him go, but I think it really serves the story in a really honest way."

"I think it's important to see the effects of that. And again, I think that it was grounded. It was grounded in that harsh reality, you know?"

"I was sad to see him go because I did build an affinity for him."

"He's trying so hard to do the right thing, even in that last scene. You just want him to get on the bus and make it."

"You don't need to shoot up again in the bathroom one more time before you make your life change. Your life needs to change now," Harper adds of Junior's fateful decision.

"You can't keep putting it off. You might lose your life."

"So again, yeah, really important story to end that way. I'm proud that it ended that way because I think it's an honest thing to share."

What did you think of Junior's demise?

Do you think it was needed to highlight the pitfalls of being addicted to drugs?

Hit the comments below. 

Hightown concludes its stellar first season Sunday, July 12 at 8/7c. The series has already been renewed for Season 2. 

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The post Hightown: Shane Harper Breaks Down Junior’s Fate appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Osito finally caught up with Krista, and well, Krista did not live to tell the tale. It was one of the most shocking TV scenes in recent memory. 

We got to chat with the wonderful Atkins Estimond, who plays Osito, about that development, and so much more. 

TV Fanatic: Osito managed to take down Krista in one of the most brutal ways possible. What did you think of that development?

Atkins Estimond: He was hoping that junior would be able to do this task.

They wanted to get rid of her in a way that wouldn't call a lot of attention to what was happening.

But that did not work as Junior kind of went in there and bungled the situation. So Osito had to step in and kind of improvise.

I think that at this point, it affected him. I don't think he was completely just unaffected by the way things went down.

It was a brutal way to kill somebody, and you know, he is a killer, but I still think that this one kind of got to him and also, it's not how they wanted to do things.

I know it's a very messy situation. This is definitely not going to be something that's looked over by law enforcement.

I think that there's a lot of confusion for him. This is not a good situation.

Osito was forced to kill Krista because Junior couldn’t go through with it. How will that change his relationship with Junior going forward?

They both just went through something pretty traumatic. I think that you have Osito sharing a part of him with Junior that he probably doesn't share with anyone, so I think junior is still reeling from what happened.

So they've kind of been in a way bonded together in this kind of a trial by fire moment that they went through.

I think really you have Osito trying to calm him down and let him know that what he's feeling is normal and that he himself felt it the first time he had to kill somebody.

I don't know to what effect it actually has on Junior.

You see afterward, he goes into his room and he kind of breaks down, but, I think in that moment he was trying to really kind of connect with him and be like, 'you're going to be okay. Like I've gone through this path, you know?'

Do you see him Osito as a villain, or do you see him as someone doing what he has to do to make ends meet?

I would definitely say he's doing what he has to do.

I don't think that the job that he does is something he does because he enjoys it. I don't think that, and even in the motel there, he kinda mentioned it.

He's not a psycho, and he does have nightmares, or at least he did have nightmares about it.

So, killing isn't something that comes easy to him, but he does it because it's what he knows. It's what he's been doing.

I think that he's kind of a product of his environment and these are the cards that he was dealt, and he's trying to play the best card he can with him.

Osito has already had a lot of run-ins with some of the other characters. What was your favorite?

The moment with Ray and the garage was a very nice and intense moment.

It's the first time up until this point in the season, and Ray has really just been looking for Osito and to kind of stumble upon him at that moment. That interaction was definitely a favorite scene of mine.

I know the show only premiered a few weeks ago, but what has the reaction to Osito been like?

Oh, yeah, it's been surprising. I feel like a lot of people have enjoyed him.

A lot of people have reached out to me and told me that Osito was their favorite character and that they're kind of surprised at themselves to be rooting for him because he's not a great guy.

That a lot of people want to hate him, but find themselves rooting for him is a very interesting position to be in for a character who, after the Christmas thing, I figured that a lot of people would be upset.

And there were some people who were reaching out that they were upset about what happened, that they hated him, or they're angry with him. And despite that, they are still rooting for him. He seems to be a pretty well-liked character. 

I understand Osito is completely different from the roles you’ve played before. Has it been fun for you, as an actor, to play this type of role?

Yes, it has been.

The preparation has been very different and this is the kind of thing as an actor that every actor wants to be able to show their range and their skill sets.

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This was definitely that kind of opportunity for me. Coming from the types of roles that I've had, I really had to approach this in a different way.

And in the process of doing that, getting to be able to play in that space has been a lot of fun for me.

Hightown continues Sundays on Starz. 

The post Hightown: Atkins Estimond Breaks Down Latest Murder, Discusses Osito’s Motives appeared first on TV Fanatic.