'Looking' Alum Russell Tovey Joins the Cast of ABC's 'Quantico'

 KARWAI TANG/WIREIMAGE

Looking Vet Russell Tovey has been cast as Harry Doyle on ABC's Quantico, The Hollywood Reporter has announced.

Tovey's character is described as a mischievous gadabout. Part Thomas Crown, part grown-up Artful Dodger, the mysterious Harry can be anything to anybody — and is just as likely to seduce your husband as he is to pick his pocket when it's over.

The role was specifically created for Tovey.

Quantico returns to Sundays at 10 p.m. in the fall.

ABC Renews 15 Series, Including the TGIT Dramas, 'Quantico' and 'Once Upon a Time'

ABC has issued pick-up orders for the following series for the 2016-2017 season: America’s Funniest Home Videos, The Bachelor, black-ish, Dancing with the Stars, Fresh Off the Boat, The Goldbergs, Grey’s Anatomy, How to Get Away with Murder, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Middle, Modern Family, Once Upon a Time, Scandal, Shark Tank and Quantico.

“We’re very proud of our strong roster of performers, and we’re excited about what they will bring us creatively next season,” said Channing Dungey, the new President of ABC Entertainment.

Noticeably absent from the renewal list were Nashville and Castle. The fates of both shows may not be known until May.

'Quantico' Preview: Will Caleb Dump Shelby?

Quantico stars Priyanka Chopra, Johanna Braddy and Anabelle Acosta.
Photo Credit: ABC/Phillippe Bosse

Alex races the clock to find the real bomber on this week's episode of Quantico, airing Sunday, December 6 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

At Quantico, an emergency disciplinary hearing causes deep secrets to be spilled, while in the future Alex works covertly with her team to find the real bomber before her time runs out.

Watch a sneak peek at the episode below.

'Quantico' Preview: Anne Heche Guest Stars as Dr. Susan Langdon

Anne Heche guest stars as Dr. Susan Langdon. Photo Credit:
ABC/Phillipe Bosse

The trainees study former serial killer cases on this week's episode of Quantico ("Guilty"), airing Sunday, November 29 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

At Quantico, the NATS attend a class with guest speaker Dr. Susan Langdon (played by guest star Anne Heche, Another World). Dr. Langdon is a former agent and profiler who tasks the trainees with looking at serial killer cases to find the one victim that doesn't fit the case, but when Simon becomes too good at finding things that don't belong, it's his life that becomes endangered. In the future, Alex is interrogated by a highly sophisticated FBI team while Ryan's life hangs in the balance.

Watch a sneak peek at the episode below.

ABC Announces Midseason Premiere Dates

How to Get Away with Murder returns from its winter hiatus on February 11.
Photo Credit: ABC/Bob D’Amico

ABC has announced midseason premiere dates for new series Of Kings & Prophets,My Diet Is Better Than Yours,The Catch,The Family and The Real O'Neals. Season premiere dates were also announced for returning favorites The Bachelor,Beyond The Tank,Galavant and Marvel's Agent Carter. They will join the schedule with acclaimed series American Crime,previously announced to make its second-season premiere Wednesday, January 6.

Tuesday comedies The Muppets and Fresh Off the Boat will return with all-new episodes beginning Tuesday, February 2. The TGIT lineup of Grey's Anatomy,Scandal and How to Get Away with Murder returns with all-new episodes Thursday, February 11. Once Upon a Time and Quantico return with all-new episodes Sunday, March 6. Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D returns with all-new episodes Tuesday, March 8. Nashville returns with all new episodes Wednesday, March 16.

Below are ABC's midseason premiere dates (all times ET):

Sunday, January 3
8:00-9:00 p.m. Galavant (Season 2 Premiere)

Monday, January 4
8:00-10:00 p.m. The Bachelor (Season 20 Premiere)

Tuesday, January 5
9:00-11:00 p.m. Marvel's Agent Carter (Season 2 Premiere, 2 hours, regular time period 9-10 p.m.)

Wednesday, January 6
10:00 p.m. American Crime (Season 2 Premiere)

'Quantico' Sneak Peek: Will Alex Save Ryan's Life?

Alex needs to remove a bullet from Ryan’s gut before the FBI finds her.

FBI computers are hacked give Alex evidence to clear her name while ticks away as a second bomb is in play on this week's episode ("Over") of Quantico, airing Sunday, November 15 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

In the future, the FBI computer system is hacked and confidential files go public leading Alex to the conclusion that a second bomb is in play somewhere in NYC.

Back at Quantico, the recruits are given individual assignments only to realize they are all connected as part of a lesson to look at the bigger picture.

In the sneak peek below, the FBI has set up a quarantine zone. They know Alex is somewhere in this neighborhood and will search every single house until they find her. Just to complicate things, Alex needs to remove a bullet from Ryan’s gut before they find her.

NEWS: Mary Beth Evans, Susan Seaforth Hayes, Stephen Nichols, Marcia Cross, Kassie DePaiva, Annie Ilonzeh, Danny Pintauro

Nathan Fillion, Kassie DePaiva, Darlene Vogel and Tuc Watkins

Former One Life to Live stars to reunite an an upcoming episode of Castle
Kassie Depaiva (Blair), Tuc Watkins (David) and Darlene Vogel (Melanie) will join Castle star Nathan Fillion (Joey on OLTL) in the 10th episode of this season.

Is The Bold and the Beautiful casting Ivy's mother?
B&B sent out a casting notice for “Claire,” a recurring role for a, “strong, beautiful woman who is 50-60 — and must be Australian.” When asked over the summer about the possibility of casting her TV mother, Ashleigh Brewer (Ivy) quipped, “That would be great. We actually spoke of her yesterday on the show. We said that she was in Australia and doesn’t like getting on planes very much, so we’re going to have to figure out how to get her here. Maybe we can shoot a cruise or something?” The role is expected to begin taping in two weeks.

Mary Beth Evans and Stephen Nichols reveal all to Glamour about life on Days of our Lives
Nichols: "They originally wrote the role as recurring. [Steve was] someone that was going to come in and stir up a bunch of trouble for Bo. There was a dude at NBC at the time that said, 'Why don't we get a character like Falcon Eddie on Rich Man, Poor Man...a guy with a patch.' That's where the idea came from!"

Evans: "I hadn't really seen the show, and there was Stephen in his leather jacket with his scar and patch, and I was this goody-two shoes, and I'm thinking, 'This is weird.' [Laughs] But we had a great connection from the start!"

Bill and Susan Hayes pick their most romantic Salem moments
The Hayes chose Doug Sings “The Look of Love” (1970), Julie Dreams of Dancing With Doug (1976), and Doug and Julie's First Wedding (1976) as their favorites.

Desperate Housewives stars Marcia Cross lands major recurring role on Quantico
Cross will play analyst Caleb Haas’ (Graham Rogers) mother Claire, the ruling force of the Haas clan who has transitioned from decorated FBI agent to high-ranking senator and now Vice Presidential candidate. The public sees a skilled politician, a passionate advocate for her causes, a force for good, but her family sees a different woman: one whose ambition comes before all else. Her husband and Caleb’s father, FBI Deputy Director Clayton Haas — recently revealed as having an affair with an FBI recruit — is played by Mark Pellegrino.

Better Call Saul's Julie Ann Emery Joins Chris Evans in Marc Webb's Gifted
Fox Searchlight will distribute Gifted, which is currently filming in Georgia.

Tony Danza honors his Who's the Boss? costar Danny Pintauro following HIV revelation
Danza and Pintauro (ex-Paul, As the World Turns) recently reunited at the 2015 My Hero Gala at Cipriani in New York City, where Danza presented the 39-year-old former child star with the Courage Award, thanks to his efforts to reduce stigma and discrimination against those affected by AIDS and HIV.

Shonda Rhimes: Bill Cosby did not inspire this week's episode of Scandal
An acclaimed professor was found to have drugged and raped scores of women on Thursday's episode, but Cosby didn’t serve as inspiration. “I don’t need the Cosby scandal to inspire me to tell a story about rape,” says Rhimes. "As if that is the only instance in which rape is relevant. Somewhere in America, a woman is raped every two minutes. Every two minutes. Let’s not diminish or insult the stories of these survivors by suggesting that I could only decide to tell a story about rape because of a celebrity scandal.”

General Hospital alum Annie Ilonzeh joins Empire
The actress is joining Fox’s Empire as TV reporter Harper Scott. The character is one of the best reporters in the business and is focused on Empire. She’s tough, smart, and not above using her seductive appearance to get answers. Ilonzeh (who played Maya on GH) will begin appearing in Empire’s final eight episodes which will air in the spring on Fox once the series takes a break after their midseason cliffhanger.

Steve Kazee to recur on Nashville
The Tony- and Grammy-winning actor, singer and guitarist has joined Nashville in the recurring role of Riff. He will make his debut on the show in early 2016.

Ten years ago, Riff was a country music star at the top of his game: No. 1 hits, platinum albums and sold-out tours. At the Nashville season 3 key arttime, this good old boy from Arkansas enjoyed the thrills of fame – partying and women – and acquired a legion of loyal fans, captivated by his genuine sound and authentic storytelling. However, everything changed when Riff met Heidi, a Southern beauty with a budding musical career of her own. He fell head over boots in love and chose what none of his contemporaries was willing to do – leave it all behind – farm over fortune, the family over fame. Riff and Heidi would join the show’s leading music couple, Rayna (Connie Britton) and Deacon (Charles Esten).

'Quantico' Sneak Peek: Learning New Skills

Jacob Artist guest stars in Quantico. Photo Credit: ABC/Phillipe Bosse

The trainees practice surveillance on Miranda and her son on this week's episode of Quantico, airing Sunday, November 1 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. Glee's Jacob Artist guest stars.

In "God," the NATs learn surveillance by putting it into practice with Miranda and her troubled son, Charlie. Shelby tries to keep Caleb at a distance, but Raina opens the door to a closer relationship with Simon.

In the future, Alex is helped when she tries to hack into an FBI computer.

In the sneak peek below, the agents learn some new skills.

'Quantico' Sneak Peek: Can't Stop Running

Max (Maxwell Eddy) and Simon (Tate Ellington). Photo
Credit: ABC/Phillippe Bosse

The trainees undergo their first assignment in tonight's episode of Quantico, airing at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC, .

In "Found," the trainees leave campus for the first time while undergoing their first undercover assignment. With an evening full of unpredictable events, Alex and Ryan find themselves getting close while the recruits' skills are tested.

In the future, Alex decides to tell her side of the story and sits down for her first public interview leaving everyone watching to wonder who is really telling the truth.

In the sneak peek below, Alex doesn't know how to stop running, Ryan wants to show her how.

'Quantico' Sneak Peek: I Shouldn't Be An Agent

"I shouldn't be an agent," Alex tells Ryan.

The recruits complete a hostage rescue training exercise that shakes Alex's confidence in tonight's episode of Quantico, airing at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC, .

In "Kill," the recruits at Quantico are tasked with performing a hostage rescue training exercise that shakes Alex, making her question her ability and whether she should quit Quantico. While in the future, Alex continues to search for clues, finding one that questions the innocence of one of her closest classmates. But is her clue really what she thinks? No one is who they seem.

Watch a sneak peek below:

'Quantico' Sneak Peek: Simon Squares Off with Ryan

Caleb (Graham Rogers), Simon (Tate Ellington) and Ryan (Jake
McLaughlin). Photo Credit: ABC/Phillipe Bosse

In tonight's episode of Quantico, Alex learns about her father while it's her mother who plays a key role in her future freedom. Quantico ("Cover") airs at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

At Quantico, Alex finally receives information about her father and his FBI past, but in the future it's her mother, Sita, who plays a key role when Liam convinces her to participate in a press conference on national television begging Alex to turn herself in. Also at "Quantico," the NATS learn the art of profiling and focus on their classmates' strengths and weaknesses, ultimately challenging their confidence and camaraderie.

In the sneak peek below, Ryan tells Simon what he thinks of him. Says Ryan: "Every move that you make is like a calculation…it’s a performance! You’re not just a creep, you’re a freak."

'Quantico' Sneak Peek: Alex Parrish Is on the Run, But She's Not Running Away

Priyanka Chopra stars as Alex Parrish. Photo Credit: ABC/Phillippe Bosse

Quantico premiered last Sunday to solid ratings for ABC, and the story continues tonight at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

In the episode, titled "America," Alex is on the run and must outsmart Liam and his team to get into her apartment for anything that could help clear her name.

Meanwhile, in a flashback to Quantico training, the NATS are tasked with finding a needle in a haystack while looking for potential threats to national security.

Watch a sneak peek below:

NEWS: Priyanka Chopra, Steve Mosko, Jake Wood, Julianna Margulies, Michael Urie, Becki Newton

Priyanka Chopra stars in Quantico. Photo Credit: ABC/Guy D'Alema

ABC Apologizes for Confusing Quantico's Priyanka Chopra With Another Indian Actress
ABC made a blunder this week, confusing Quantico star Priyanka Chopra with Indian actress Yukta Mookhey in a promo advertising a Nightline interview with the Bollywood star. The network quickly issued an apology for the mistake.

Ironically, the story — which is headlined “How Quantico Star Priyanka Chopra Dealt With Race Issues,” deals with Chopra’s racial bullying while attending school in the U.S.and prejudice she encountered throughout her life.

Chopra took the error in stride, tweeting “Lol!” about the mix-up.

Millennials Reconnect the Cable Cord as Children Arrive
Millennials, more than a fifth of the total American TV audience of about 292 million adults and children, are considered crucial to the future of television because marketers covet their high earning potential and receptivity to ads. Nielsen analyzed members of the group by segregating them by life situations: millennials living in their parents’ or someone else’s home, those living on their own without children and those living on their own with children.

Since there are roughly two and half times as many millennials in the first two groups as in the third, many additional millennials can be expected to eventually start families. And Nielsen found that millennials who had done so were more likely to subscribe to a pay-television service than their peers without children.

Melrose Place alum Vanessa Williams joins The Flash
Williams — not to be confused with the Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives star of the same name — has been cast as Iris West’s (Candice Patton) mother and Joe West’s (Jesse L. Martin) wife in season two of The CW drama.

Steve Mosko Named Chairman Of Sony Pictures TV
Sony Pictures TV president Steve Mosko has been upped to chairman. He will continue to oversee all television operations for Sony Pictures Entertainment worldwide, reporting to Sony Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton.

“Under Steve’s leadership, Sony Pictures Television has become the industry’s largest independent television studio,” Lynton said. “Our media networks business has expanded to over 150 channel feeds around the world and the company is well-positioned for growth in both production and distribution. Steve is a remarkable executive and we are proud to have him at the helm of Sony Pictures Television.”

In the U.S., Sony Pictures Television’s series portfolio includes The Young and the Restless, Days of our Lives, The Blacklist, The Player, Masters Of Sex, Outlander and Better Call Saul.

Days of our Lives cast to visit Pigeon Forge for book signing
A few cast members of NBC's long-running soap opera will attend a book signing from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, October 31, at the Titanic Museum for "Days of our Lives: 50 Years," a book with a collection of photos that reflect the show's history and celebrate its anniversary. Author and co-producer Greg Meng wrote the book, and it will be released on October 27.

Meng along with cast members Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans), Kristian Alfonso (Hope Williams Brady), Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts), Stephen Nichols (Steve "Patch" Johnson), Jen Lilley (Theresa Donovan), Melissa Reeves (Jennifer Horton), Bryan Dattilo (Lucas Horton) and Thaao Penghlis (Andre DiMera) will be at the Pigeon Forge signing.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Premiere Week
The first week of the 2015–16 television season belongs to history now, and if there’s any good news for the broadcast networks, it is this: Viewers, particularly older ones, are still interested in seeing what linear TV has to offer.

That said, networks have become increasingly adroit at figuring out ways to survive in a world of delayed and depressed viewing.

The Good Wife May Explore Alicia's Alcoholic Tendencies in Season 7
In an interview with CBS’ Sunday Morning, Good Wife leading lady Julianna Margulies revealed that her character’s fondness for pinot noir may soon become more than just a running joke.

“I think Alicia might have a drinking problem,” the Emmy winner told Jane Pauley. “She’s lonely. And I think wine is numbing her out a little bit. And I think that’s something we might address in Season 7.”

In fall TV, lesbians of color take center stage
Lesbian and bisexual women of color are suddenly everywhere on network television, whether they’re cheating on aspiring rappers in Empire, seducing their way through downtown Atlanta on Survivor’s Remorse, causing all kinds of telenovela trouble in Jane the Virgin and playing the sensible, tough-talking sidekicks to slightly unstable sidekicks on two new fall entries, Rosewood and Grandfathered on Fox.

Part of what’s striking about this new crop of characters is the way they differ from TV lesbians of the past, who often existed to spur character growth in the protagonists of shows in which they appeared. Instead, these new gay characters serve very different functions and storylines of their own; they have independent reasons to exist, instead of simply proving that a show’s characters are capable of tolerance.

Jake Wood says it's the "right time" for his EastEnders departure
Speaking on ITV's This Morning following his dramatic scenes on EastEnders Monday night, Wood, who plays Max Branning, explained what's next for his character and real life plans as he takes a year off from the soap.

On his last week on screen in EastEnders, Wood said, “There are twists and turns… obviously they will work my break into the story, and Max is either on the run or gets recaptured, I don’t know, we’ll find out this week. It’ll be interesting to see what plays out…” Before adding, “I’ll return next September… so yeah, it could go on for another year.”

When asked why he wanted to take a break, the actor admitted, “I decided to take a year break, I’ve been there for nine years, done just under a thousands episodes… so nine years without a break, and I’ve got two small children at home so it’ll be nice to reacquaint myself with the family. It felt the right time to take a break.”

Inside Soap Awards short list revealed
Best Actor: Simon Gregson (Steve McDonald, Corrie), Danny Dyer (Mick Carter, EastEnders), Adam Woodyatt (Ian Beale, EastEnders), Michael Parr (Ross Barton, Emmerdale)

Best Actress: Alison King (Carla Connor, Corrie), Kellie Bright (Linda Carter, EastEnders), Charley Webb (Debbie Dingle, Emmerdale), Nikki Sanderson (Maxine Minniver, Hollyoaks)

Scottish TV soaps through the decades
The story of Scottish soap opera is one of strife and conflict. The all-too-literal rise of the apartment block to take the place of the terraces, the country’s declining manufacturing industries and dispersal of mining communities for the cities informed the darker, emotionally wrought storylines that ran from the 1960s into the 1980s. The traditional beauty of small-town Scotland then became the face of its TV drama later in this period. These more picturesque settings gave Scottish soaps more appeal south of the Border, but the frictions of daily life remained a fixture. In recent years, Scottish soaps have addressed more modern concerns – multi-culturalism, substance abuse and sexuality have sprung up alongside themes of heritage and tradition that international audiences have latched onto.

Ugly Betty Reunion: Michael Urie & Becki Newton Tease 'Secret Project'
Urie posted a video on Instagram on September 28 teasing his “super secret project” with Newton.

New X-Files promo: Mulder, Scully and Lots of Questions
In the spot, we see: Mulder in both civilian clothing and his G-man suit, Joel McHale’s character, Scully looking concerned, Skinner!, the empty basement office (and its pencil-pocked ceiling), a mysterious old man, a mysterious young man (in flashback), Area 51 (maybe) and more.

Watch below:

'Quantico' Premieres to Solid Ratings, Modest Start for 'Blood & Oil'

Priyanka Chopra stars in Quantico. Photo Credit: ABC/Guy D'Alema

The Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day ratings are in for Sunday, September 27, and ABC's new serial Quantico got off to a strong start, with mixed results for the network's other dramas.

The fifth season premiere of Once Upon a Time topped its May Sweep averages (5.4 million and 1.7/6) in Total Viewers (+9%) and Adults 18-49 (+6%), but was down 49% from last year, notching a 1.8 rating and 5.87 million viewers at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

At 9 p.m., the series premiere of Blood & Oil (6.3 million and 1.4/4 in Adults 18-49) grew 7% in total viewers over its lead-in, but was down 36% from Resurrection's performance a year ago.

At 10 p.m., Quantico (7.1 million and 1.9/6 in Adults 18-49) shot up 36% over its lead-in and beat the final hour of CBS' CSI finale by 12% in Adults 18-49 (1.9/6 vs. 1.7/5). Despite its late time slot, the new ABC drama held steady on the half-hour among young adults. Quantico drew ABC's largest audience in the hour with regular programming since May 2012 and equaled its best young adult number since September 2012.

Quantico built sharply over ABC's year-ago premiere of Revenge in the hour (5.1 million and 1.3/4 on 9/28/14), rising by 39% in Total Viewers and by 46% in Adults 18-49. Quantico also topped ABC's most recent series debut in the time period (Betrayal = 5.2 million and 1.5/4 on 9/29/13) by strong double digits in viewers (+37%) and young adults (+27%). Among Adults 18-49, Quantico stands as TV’s top-rated 10pm Sunday broadcast series debut in 3 years

ABC Total Viewer and Adult 18-49 Projections:
Once Upon a Time: L3 = 7.3 million/2.2 rating, L7 = 7.7 million/2.3 rating and MP+35 = 3.0 rating
Blood & Oil: L3 = 10.0 million/2.1 rating, L7 = 10.7 million/2.2 rating
Quantico: L3 = 11.2 million/2.9rating, L7 = 12.0 million/3.1 rating

'Quantico' Premieres September 27 on ABC; Watch the First 8 Minutes Now!

Graham Rogers, Brian J. Smith and Jake McLaughlin.
Photo Credit: ABC/Guy D'Alema

A diverse group of recruits has arrived at the FBI Quantico Base for training. They are the best, the brightest and the most vetted, so it seems impossible that one of them is suspected of masterminding the biggest attack on New York City since 9/11. New ABC drama Quantico chronicles their story, premiering Sunday, September 27 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

Quantico stars Priyanka Chopra as Alex Parrish, Josh Hopkins as Liam O’Connor, Jake McLaughlin as Ryan Booth, Aunjanue Ellis as Miranda Shaw, Johanna Braddy as Shelby Wyatt, Tate Ellington as Simon Asher, Graham Rogers as Caleb Haas and Yasmine Al Massri as Nimah Amin.

ABC has just released the first eight minutes of the premiere. Watch below: