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New England drama: HBO brings an award winning novel to the screen

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Author: 
Andrew Warren / TV Media
Frances McDormand and Richard Jenkins star in “Olive Kitteridge”

Frances McDormand and Richard Jenkins star in “Olive Kitteridge”

New England drama: HBO is bringing a classic of modern literature to the screen.

"Olive Kitteridge," the charming novel by author Elizabeth Strout, won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction back in 2009, and now the premium channel has made a four-part miniseries based on this award-winning work.

Premiering with its first two parts the evening of Sunday, Nov. 2, and airing the final two the following night, "Olive Kitteridge" will follow the lives of the people living in a small New England town that seems pretty placid on the surface but roils underneath with tragedies, affairs and crime.

The lens through which the audience experiences all this drama is Olive Kitteridge herself, a woman whose razor wit and love for her family go hand in hand. Academy Award winner Frances McDormand ("Fargo," 1996, "Almost Famous," 2000) stars in that role, and she's not the only awards show darling on the cast.

Golden Globe winner Bill Murray ("Groundhog Day," 1993, "Lost in Translation," 2003) also stars, and as one of Hollywood's biggest darlings -- not to mention box office draws -- his inclusion in the cast of a TV miniseries has certainly turned some heads.

Actors helping to round out the cast include Oscar nominee Richard Jenkins ("Jack Reacher," 2012), John Gallagher Jr. ("The Newsroom"), Zoe Kazan ("It's Complicated," 2009) and Rosemarie DeWitt ("Rachel Getting Married," 2008).

HBO's track record with adapting novels to the screen is a good one -- "Game of Thrones" is one of the biggest hits on television, after all -- and with Frances McDormand, Bill Murray and Richard Jenkins headlining a diverse ensemble cast, "Olive Kitteridge" could end up becoming another feather in its proverbial cap.

"Olive Kitteridge" premieres Sunday, Nov. 2, on HBO and concludes the following night.

 

Lots of 'Liars': One of ABC Family's most popular shows may be on mid-season hiatus right now, but that hasn't stopped activity from going on behind the scenes -- and there's been lots of it.

Although the second half of its fifth season isn't anticipated to hit the airwaves until January, "Pretty Little Liars" will be airing a one-off holiday episode on Sunday, Dec. 9 , on ABC Family -- the perfect Christmas present for its legions of fans.

The teenage drama has been, in a lot of ways, the jewel in ABC Family's crown, and that means it has no trouble attracting guest stars to its ranks. The second half of season 5 will be no exception, with three actors coming on board for an episode later in the season; Lauren Tom ("Futurama"), Oliver Kiernan-Jones ("Glee") and Anne-Marie Johnson ("Girlfriends") have all signed up to appear in the season's 21st episode.

It may not be the only time that "Pretty Little Liars" fans will see them, either. It's quite possible that the gigs will turn into recurring roles, adding to "Liars'" already diverse cast.

And what a diverse cast it is. With Troian Bellisario ("Lauren"), Lucy Hale ("Scream 4," 2011), Laura Leighton ("Melrose Place"), Sasha Pieterse ("X-Men: First Class," 2011) and Ian Harding ("Adventureland," 2009) all starring, "Pretty Little Liars'" strong and diverse lineup has certainly contributed to its success and popularity.

With no premiere date announced as of press time, fans of "Pretty Little Liars" will just have to look forward to the Sunday, Dec. 9, Christmas special on ABC Family to tide them over until season 5 returns.

 

'Lost' in L.A.: It was just over a decade ago that "Lost" first hit the airwaves on ABC, and that makes it the perfect time for one of its most popular -- and most eye-catching -- actors to land a new role.

Josh Holloway captured plenty of hearts with his portrayal of the roguish Sawyer in "Lost," and while another show he starred in, last season's "Intelligence," was canceled after just a single season, he's still something of a hot commodity.

That's probably why he's been snatched up to star in the pilot of "Colony," a drama in consideration by USA. Created and produced by "Lost's" Carleton Cuse, the show is set in L.A. following an alien invasion.

Holloway will play an ex-FBI agent who's forced into helping the occupiers to bring down a resistance movement that's been growing in strength, all in a bid to protect his family.

Besides "Lost" and "Intelligence," Holloway has also made his way onto the big screen. He starred alongside Tom Cruise in 2011's "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol," in 2013's "Battle of the Year" and in this year's "Sabotage."

Although it's still in the pilot stage, "Colony's" combination of a popular actor, an interesting premise and a producer with a proven record may carry it through to earning itself a full series order.