January 17 is ABC day for the television critics’ press tour, and the day kicks off with ABC Family and the net’s new president Tom Ascheim.
Ascheim kept things short and introduced the popular drama The Fosters, with a full panel including Executive Producers Peter Paige, Bradley Bredeweg, and Joanna Johnson, with actors Jake T. Austin, Cierra Ramirez, Teri Polo, Sherri Saum, Maia Mitchell, Hayden Byerly, David Lambert, and Danny Nucci.
The producers talked about the issues the family faces, and also discussed the upcoming guest appearances from Rosie O’Donnell.
Teri Polo has had extremely complimentary things to say about having Sherri Saum as an acting partner. The entire cast seemed to interact like a real family, which was very amusing to see.
It was announced on the panel that Jamie MacShane will be appearing on the series as Callie and Jude’s father.
Paul Lee Session
Before ABC Entertainment Group President Paul Lee came on stage, a video from Jimmy Kimmel with celebrities (and Paul Lee) reading “mean tweets” was shown. Lee also talked about the success of shows on their lineup but acknowledged that there are some slots like Tuesday at 10 and Thursday at 8 that need attention.
Lee announced that Jaimie Alexander will be reprising her movie role as Sif on the 15th episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D..
Also announced was Rising Star, ABC’s attempt at a Voice/American Idol type success. Look for that in June.
Some talk came up about the Marvel-based Agent Carter, featuring Hayley Atwell. Early reports seemingly now confirmed by Paul Lee is that Reaper creators Tara Butters and Michele Fazekas will be involved. Lee also seems very pleased with the script. This is somewhat amusing, as Butters is married to Arrow Executive Producer Marc Guggenheim. Must be some Marvel vs. DC rivalry in that household!
Resurrection
The next panel was for Resurrection, a series with a very mysterious concept that looks pretty fascinating. It will premiere Sunday, March 9 on the network. Aaron Zelman, Tara Butters, and Michele Fazekas (them again!) are executive producers, and the cast includes Kurtwood Smith, Frances Fisher, Omar Epps, Devin Kelley, and Matt Craven.
The show will be on for a limited run which could offer a “focus on great storytelling.” Should the show continue for a second season, it will also return for a limited number of episodes every year. They do, however, know how the show could end.
Black Box
ABC then premiered an upcoming show called The Black Box from Executive Producers Amy Holden Jones and Ilene Chaiken. Kelly Reilly plays neuroscientist Catherine Black, who studies fascinating brain cases while at the same time harboring her own bipolar nature.
Suburgatory
Suburgatory is finally back, and the panel started with a clip and a message from Jane Levy, who sadly could not make it to the press tour.
Although he is not on the panel, Alan Tudyk will be back for a few episodes. At the panel, though, were Chris Parnell, Allie Grant, Ana Gasteyer, Carly Chaikin, Cheryl Hines, Jeremy Sisto, and executive producers Emily Kapnek, Patricia Breen, and Andrew Guest.
Mind Games
The Mind Games panel started with a promo reel that seems different from what was shown this summer. The show features Christian Slater and Steve Zahn as two brothers who can convince people of doing things. The “moral gray area” of what they do is going to be a theme in the series.
Mixology
Mixology is a new half hour series that completely takes place in the course of an evening at a bar – seeing which characters make it through taking someone home, or what else might happen. The show stars Vanessa Lengies, Frankie Shaw, Adan Canto, Adam Campbell, Alexis Carra, Craig Frank, Kate Simses, Ginger Gonzaga, Andrew Santino, and Blake Lee. The concept seems high but the cast seems likable.
