Bryan Cranston as Walter White, and Jonathan Banks as Mike, in a scene from Breaking Bad.URSULA COYOTE/The Associated Press
MORE MIKE
Grim "fixer" Mike Ehrmantraut may have be been killed on Breaking Bad, but he'll rise from the ashes in the upcoming prequel series. Actor Jonathan Banks has signed a deal to star opposite Bob Odenkirk in Better Call Saul, the upcoming prequel to the Emmy-winning Breaking Bad. The new show's premise will focus on Odenkirk's slick criminal lawyer character, Saul Goodman, in the days before he became legal counsel for teacher-turned-meth-kingpin Walter White (Bryan Cranston). Banks will reprise his role of Ehrmantraut, a savvy private investigator whom Goodman employs on complicated cases. Co-conceived by Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan, Better Call Saul is slated to debut this fall on AMC.
Source: Variety
FROCK FEST
Did the well-heeled lords and ladies of Downton Abbey really dress better than the maids and manservants heeding their every need? Viewers can judge for themselves when an exhibition of costumes from the popular British drama go on display at the Spadina Museum in Toronto next month. The exhibit will feature garments worn by actors portraying both the servants and aristocracy, including First World War nurses uniforms, extravagant evening dresses and several maid uniforms. "We chose costumes that help tell the story," said Spadina Museum administrator Karen Edwards.
Source: Toronto Star
JUST GET OUT
Former teen star Drake Bell wants Justin Bieber booted out of the United States. Known primarily for his four-season run on Nickelodeon's Drake & Josh (he was Drake), the 27-year-old actor has lent his name to a petition launched on the White House website that requests the U.S. government deport the Canadian-born pop star and revoke his green card. Bell has even been urging his nearly three million Twitter followers to sign the petition and "become part of the movement." So far, the petition has collected more than 53,000 signatures.
Source: White House
COMRADE KARDASHIAN?
Is Russia ready for the Kardashians and Joan Rivers? NBC Universal has announced it will launch E! Entertainment Television in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States this summer. The programming lineup will include the latest seasons of the reality series Keeping Up With the Kardashians and the Rivers-hosted Fashion Police, along with new E! arrivals such as Rich Kids of Beverly Hills. NBC Universal executive Satpal Brainch called the launch of E! into the untapped markets "an exciting development for both the channel and our business."
Source: Hollywood Reporter