Celebrity Extra: Ethan Hawke
By Dana Jackson
Q: Is the Ethan Hawke series "The Lowdown" returning for another season? I really enjoyed it but don't know anyone else who watched it. -- G.C.
A: Fortunately, enough people watched "The Lowdown" on FX and Hulu to earn a second-season renewal back in January. Recent Oscar nominee Ethan Hawke ("Blue Moon") will return as "truthsorian" Lee Raybon. According to TV Insider, filming was set to begin this spring with returning cast members Ryan Kiera Armstrong and Keith David. Joining them will be Tommy Lee Jones (Oscar-winning actor of "The Fugitive"), Betty Gilpin ("GLOW"), and Austin Amelio ("The Walking Dead").
Ethan Hawke as Lee Raybon in "The Lowdown". Photo Credit: Courtesy of FX
Q: Is it true that Taylor Frankie Paul is still going to compete on "Dancing with the Stars" even after her "Bachelorette" season was scrapped? I find this hard to believe. -- F.T.
A: There have been some misleading headlines lately that have led readers to believe that reality star Taylor Frankie Paul ("The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives") would be competing on "Dancing with the Stars" this fall. However, when ABC canceled Paul's season of "The Bachelorette" just days before it was set to air (after footage of her domestic violence arrest was taking over the internet), any chance of her doing the cha-cha live on Tuesday nights were reduced to zero.
So far, two other high-profile reality stars have been named as competitors for the upcoming fall season. Ciara Miller and Maura Higgins, both fan-favorite faithfuls from Peacock's "The Traitors," are the first to make the roster for season 35 of "DWTS." The rest of the cast and their accompanying pros will be announced sometime in late August to early September.
In the meantime, a special spin-off competition will air this summer. "Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro" will be hosted by recent mirrorball champion Robert Irwin, and judges will include Mark Ballas, his mother, Shirley, and Julianne Hough. Several other "DWTS" pros will serve as mentors. Look for the 12 hopefuls to begin competing on Monday, July 13, on ABC at 8 p.m. ET.
Q: I was shocked to learn that "Law & Order: Organized Crime" has been canceled. I think the mistake was moving it to Peacock exclusively. Will Stabler now return to "SVU"? -- P.P.
A: Christopher Meloni's very popular character of Detective Elliot Stabler led the "Law & Order: SVU" spin-off "Organized Crime" on NBC for four seasons. It was moved to Peacock because of its longer storylines and grittier style. Unfortunately, not enough of its audience followed it, and the series was canceled.
This does open up a return for Meloni to return to "SVU" and reunite with his good friend/former co-star Mariska Hargitay. However, he has a new series called "The Land" launching on Hulu, where he plays the head coach of an NFL football team. It's reportedly still filming.
Meanwhile, "SVU" has been renewed for its 28th(!) season, and there doesn't appear to be an end in sight. I'm almost certain that you'll see Stabler on your TV screen at some point in the future.
Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com.
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