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Bean lives: 'Legends' renewed for a second season on TNT

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Author: 
Andrew Warren / TV Media
Sean Bean stars in “Legends”

Sean Bean stars in “Legends”

Bean lives: It was a simple but effective ad campaign: slap the Twitter hashtag #DontKillSeanBean all over the place and watch the crowds come knocking.

The message, of course, refers to the often remarked upon fact that characters played by Sean Bean have an unfortunate habit of, well, dying. It happened in HBO's "Game of Thrones," it happened in 2001's "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" and it even happened in 1995's James Bond hit "GoldenEye."

In "Legends," the Bean-headlined spy drama on TNT that used the #DontKillSeanBean campaign to promote its freshman season, the English actor has remained very much alive. That said, a second season has been announced, and though Bean may feel a sense of security (what with playing the show's main character and all), with his history, he may want to keep a close eye on the show's script writers.

Based on Robert Littell's novel "Legends: A Novel of Dissimulation," "Legends" showcases Bean as an FBI operative who specializes in completely changing himself into different people whenever he goes deeply undercover. Spending so much time pretending to be other people, though, has its consequences, as he begins to question his sanity.

"Legends" also stars Morris Chestnut ("Boyz n the Hood," 1991), Ali Larter ("Resident Evil: Afterlife," 2010), Tina Majorino ("Napoleon Dynamite," 2004), Amber Valletta ("Transporter 2," 2005) and Mason Cook ("The Lone Ranger," 2013) as supporting cast members.

He's survived one season of "Legends," and if this trend continues, Sean Bean may even outlive the second. The sophomore season of "Legends" will premiere on TNT later in 2015.

 

Two women, two seasons: It's one of the most critically acclaimed comedies on television, and it's back for a second season.

Comedy Central's "Broad City" may have gotten its start as an online series, but that fact hasn't held it back on TV screens. Its debut season, starring Ilana Glazer ("Little Horribles") and Abbi Jacobson ("Jest Originals") as a pair of low-income women living in New York City, drew praise and acclaim from TV critics, and it's exactly that positive feedback that's drawing in the guest stars for the encore season.

Premiering Wednesday, Jan. 14, on Comedy Central, "Broad City's" second season will see a bevy of high-profile folks marching across the screen, including big Hollywood stars Seth Rogen ("This Is the End," 2013, "Superbad," 2007), Amy Ryan ("Capote," 2005) and Patricia Clarkson ("The Green Mile," 1999, "Shutter Island," 2010).

That trio is far from the only guest stars who will be stopping by to visit the Big Apple this season. Other confirmed appearances include Kumail Nanjiani ("Life as We Know It," 2010), David Wain ("The Ten," 2007), Alia Shawkat ("Arrested Development") and Janeane Garofalo ("Wet Hot American Summer," 2001).

From 2009 to 2011, "Broad City" lived as a web series that attracted a large and loyal following. Amy Poehler ("Parks and Recreation"), who appeared in the finale of the web series, serves as executive producer for the laugh-out-loud comedy.

Season 2 of "Broad City" gets underway Wednesday, Jan. 14, on Comedy Central.

 

Remembering a legend: She remains one of the most celebrated musical performers of all time. Her awards and accolades are legion: Grammy Awards, Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards. She's in the Guinness Book of World Records and starred in numerous films, for which she received great acclaim.

Tragically, Whitney Houston passed away early in 2012, but her legacy will remain for a long, long time.

Lifetime is carrying on that legacy with an evening celebrating Houston's life Saturday, Jan. 17. That night will mark the world premiere of "Whitney," an original biopic that chronicles the legendary performer's life, and especially her relationship with singer and songwriter Bobby Brown.

Starring as the songstress herself is Yaya DaCosta ("All My Children," "TRON: Legacy," 2010), while Arlen Escarpeta ("American Dreams") will be starring as her lover and eventual husband Bobby Brown.

Also starring in the biopic are Yolonda Ross ("Treme"), Mark Rolston ("The Shawshank Redemption," 1994), Suzzanne Douglas ("School of Rock," 2003), Hampton Fluker ("The Blind Side," 2009) and Saundra McClain ("As the World Turns").

Immediately following the two-hour film, Lifetime will follow up with "Beyond the Headlines: Whitney Houston," an hour-long documentary about the late singer's life and death that will include exclusive interviews with many of her friends, colleagues and industry insiders.

She was a titan of music, and her legacy lives on throughout the music industry. "Whitney" premieres Saturday, Jan. 17, on Lifetime.