Celebrity Extra: Michael Emerson
By Dana Jackson
Q: Is it true that Michael Emerson's character on the show "Evil" was originally going to be killed off after the first season? I've always enjoyed his acting ever since I saw him on "Lost." -- T.C.
A: Yes, according to TVLine, Robert and Michelle King -- the creators behind the CBS (and later, Paramount+) series "Evil" -- had once discussed killing off the show's protagonist Dr. Leland Townsend and replacing him. However, this didn't mean getting rid of the talented Michael Emerson entirely. Robert explains, "We were going to kill him at the end of the first season, and yet his doppelganger in Des Moines, who's an insurance adjuster, pops up and starts taking over for him. We really were into the idea of doubles then."
Michael Emerson as Dr. Leland Townsend in "Evil". Photo Credit: Courtesy of CBS Studios
If you go back and watch the first season, you'll see how they reworked this initial idea when Dr. Kristen Bouchard (played by Katja Herbers) confronts Leland about his past. The series ended on Paramount+ in 2024, but fans are hoping that the show will live to see another day. Even the most famous horror writer of all time, Stephen King, continues to sing its praises, stating that "Evil" is "smart, thought-provoking, and occasionally very scary."
Q: What's Ben Affleck up to these days? Is he filming any upcoming movies? I only see him when the paparazzi takes a picture of him. -- S.D.
A: Don't forget he's also been busy filming commercials for Dunkin Donuts! All kidding aside, the Oscar-nominated Ben Affeck has been quite busy as a multihyphenate (actor-writer-director-producer) in recent years, including the upcoming movie "Animals."
In the political thriller, Affleck plays a mayoral candidate whose son is kidnapped. He and his wife, who's played by Kerry Washington ("Scandal"), must resort to extreme measures to rescue their child. The film will premiere on Netflix and in select theaters this Oct. 9 and also stars Steven Yeun ("Beef"), Gillian Anderson ("The Crown"), and Ray Fisher ("The Piano Lesson").
Earlier this year, Affleck starred opposite his bestie, Matt Damon, in "The Rip" -- a crime thriller that also premiered on Netflix. Prior to this, he starred in "The Accountant 2" with Jon Bernthal.
Q: I recently discovered the show "Murderbot" on Apple TV. Will it be coming back for another season? -- W.C.
A: Yes, while Apple is often criticized for not advertising their shows as much as the other streamers do, "Murderbot" found a big enough audience to warrant an early season renewal back in 2025. Since it's based on the popular sci-fi book series "The Murderbot Diaries" by Martha Wells, there's plenty of content to mine for at least another season (or three).
Alexander Skarsgard ("Succession") will return as the titular character, along with regulars from last season like David Dastmalchian ("Dexter: Resurrection") and Noma Dumezweni ("Presumed Innocent"). It's also been confirmed that several acclaimed comedians and actors will be joining them, including Patton Oswalt ("The Dink"), Steve Buscemi ("Wednesday"), and Wanda Sykes ("Curb Your Enthusiasm"). Production began this past August, so you likely won't see new episodes until 2027.
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