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Q&A: Michael Emerson talks 'Lost'

Thursday, September 2 2010, 10:33 BST
By Morgan Jeffery, TV Reporter
Ben Linus from Lost season 6
ABC
It's been more than three months now since the Lost gang vanished from our screens, but we're not quite ready to move on just yet. The final season, out on DVD and Blu-ray in the UK on September 13, will feature a brand new 12-minute epilogue to the series, 'The New Man In Charge'. We caught up with actor Michael Emerson - the sinister Ben Linus - to discuss the finale, the DVD scene and his plans for the future.

Are you satisfied with Ben's overall character arc throughout the course of the series?
"Yes, I loved the entire arc and was especially delighted with Ben's end in the finale. It was finer and more satisfying than anything I could have imagined. I'm completely satisfied with Ben's adventure. Of course, there are always the 'paths not followed', which are tantalising. It would have been interesting to explore the relationship between Ben and [childhood friend] Annie."

What were some of your favourite scenes from the final season?
"I especially liked shooting the scenes where I was 'teacher' Ben, because it gave me a chance to play a new character in a different key."

Were you pleased to be able to answer some more of the fan's questions with 'The New Man In Charge'?
"Yes, I think the chapter is a nice addition to the Lost narrative. It's nice to have some of the more particular or practical questions answered since the finale took a more spiritual tone."

What were your thoughts on Lost when you joined the show in the second season?
"I thought of it as a work assignment, one of many guest spots I've done on shows over the years. I'm glad I had no idea what it would turn into or I would have been very nervous."

Do you have a favourite episode of the series?
"I have a number of favourite episodes in different categories, but an episode that captures much of what it was like to shoot Lost in Hawaii was the one where Ben and Sawyer (Josh Holloway) stand on a cliff looking at an island in the distance and trade quotes from Steinbeck [in the third season episode 'Every Man For Himself']."

Do you think of Ben as a hero or a villain?
"I think what's perfect about the Ben storyline is that we are never certain where he falls on the scale of good and evil. It's a tribute to the skill of the writers that the audience could never be certain about Ben, even to the very end."

In your opinion, will he ever join the other characters in the afterlife?
"I think Ben, like all humans, is eligible for the afterlife - it may just take him more time to get there."

Have you ever been tempted to act like Ben in real life?
"It would be pointless, no one would take it seriously. My wife says 'Don't ever give me that Ben look'!"

Which season was the most difficult for you as an actor?
"Season two. I was new to the show, and most of my scene work was fairly violent. As the years went by, I began to see more humour in Ben and enjoyed playing him more."

What's next for you now that Lost is over?
"I really don't have anything lined up. I'm lying low for a while and looking for a stage project."

Do you worry that you will always be associated with Lost and the character of Ben?
"One of my new responsibilities is to make sure I'm not trapped in this role forever. I'm looking for a real change of pace."

Any chance you'll star alongside your wife Carrie Preston on True Blood?
"The time is soon approaching when I will need work whether I like it or not! It would be a real pleasure to play a part on True Blood no matter how small. I am an admirer of Alan Ball and I could share a dressing room with my wife!"

What are your final thoughts on the entire Lost experience?
"I'm still trying to absorb this adventure that I've been on. I don't expect it will ever be duplicated in my life. The almost accidental way I got the role and the unbelievable reach of the series are reminders to me that you can never know where a job will lead you. I will treasure this experience even as I move on into my post-Lost life."

Still sad about the end of Lost? Excited about 'The New Man In Charge'? Leave your comments below!

A sneak peek at new 'Merlin'!

Wednesday, September 1 2010, 12:38 BST
By Morgan Jeffery, TV Reporter
Merlin is back, back, BACK! The boy wizard returns to our screens this month for 13 more magical adventures! We've got our hands on some brand new promo pics and, because we're nice, we thought we'd share them with you. Morgana is back - but is she friend or foe? What's made Uther so furious? And will Arthur EVER discover Merlin's secret?!

Merlin season 3

Merlin season 3

Merlin season 3


Merlin returns to BBC One on September 11.

Like the new pics? Excited that Merlin is back? Share your thoughts below!

A family reunion on 'Smallville'!

Wednesday, September 1 2010, 11:28 BST
By Morgan Jeffery, TV Reporter
It's been a long while since Clark's dramatic battle with Zod and we're itching for some brand new Smallville! To tide us over until the tenth (and final!) season begins, we got a sneak peek at some images from the premiere episode. It's called 'Lazarus' and, as you can see, features the return of a familiar face - Pa Kent himself!

Check out the touching family reunion below...

Clark Kent from Smallville Season 10


Jonathan Kent from Smallville Season 10


Clark and Jonathan Kent from Smallville


Clark and Jonathan Kent from Smallville Season 10


The final season of Smallville premieres on September 24 on The CW.

Happy to see Jonathan back? Excited about new Smallville? Leave your comments below!

First look at the 'Glee' premiere!

Wednesday, September 1 2010, 10:15 BST
By Catriona Wightman, TV Reporter
September's here, which means one thing - 21 days to Glee! To celebrate, we thought we'd treat you to these exciting season premiere photos. New Directions are back together! Quinn's wearing her Cheerios outfit again! Sue's sporting a rather fetching maroon and sky blue tracksuit (and, by the looks of it, is up to more dastardly deeds with Santana)! Will and Sue are arguing in Principal Figgins's office and have been joined by new character Coach Beiste! And hang on, is that Finn and Rachel dancing? We could go on, but we've run out of exclamation marks, so feast your eyes on the snaps below.

The Glee club watch Sunshine perform in "Audition"

The Glee club watch Sunshine perform in "Audition"

Puck tries to get Quinn's attention in "Audition"

Sue and Santana chat in "Audition"

Coach Beiste, Will and Sue argue in "Audition"

Rachel and Finn dancing in Glee


Glee returns on September 21 on Fox.

Do you like the photos? Are you excited about the new season of Glee? Leave your comments below!

Fancy meeting a new Desperate Housewife?

Tuesday, August 31 2010, 11:49 BST
By Catriona Wightman, TV Reporter
Gosh, we've missed the inhabitants of Wisteria Lane. The last season ended with so many cliffhangers that we're dying to know what's happened, but not only that - there's a new housewife in town. Vanessa Williams (Wilhelmina from Ugly Betty) is joining the show for season seven - and if this new trailer is any indication, she's going to be stirring up one very large pot of trouble.



Desperate Housewives returns on September 26 on ABC.

Do you like the trailer? Are you excited about Vanessa Williams joining the show? Leave your comments below!

Another new sneak peek at '90210'!

Friday, August 27 2010, 16:02 BST
By Catriona Wightman, TV Reporter
Bad news - the 90210 gang seem to have come down with senioritis. Luckily, it doesn't seem to stop them from drinking, dancing, squealing, meeting Adrian Grenier and the Kardashians - or getting up to general naughtiness. Hurrah!

Click play below to watch the new promo!



The third season of 90210 premieres on September 13 on The CW.

Do you like the new trailer? Are you excited about the return of 90210? Leave your comments below!

'Gossip Girl' gets gorgeous in Paris

Friday, August 27 2010, 15:15 BST
By Catriona Wightman, TV Reporter
We'd only just recovered from the frankly magnificent Gossip Girl season four trailer when these amazing photos from the premiere landed on our desk! Blair and Serena have hit Paris looking fabulous but they don't look too happy next to that fountain. Meanwhile, back in New York Vanessa seems a bit worried about something - what could it be?

Enjoy the pictures below!

Gossip Girl season 3, episode 1


Gossip Girl season 3, episode 1


Gossip Girl season 3, episode 1


Gossip Girl season 3, episode 1


Gossip Girl season 3, episode 1


Gossip Girl season 3, episode 1


Gossip Girl season 3, episode 1


Gossip Girl season 3, episode 1


Gossip Girl returns on September 13 on The CW.

What do you think about the photos? Are you excited about Gossip Girl in Paris? Leave your comments below!

More 'Glee' photos? Oh, go on then...

Thursday, August 26 2010, 19:06 BST
By Catriona Wightman, TV Reporter
We brought you the Glee season two poster. We brought you snaps of Britney Spears on the set. And now, ladies and gentlemen, we introduce some brand new promotional photos of the cast! Alright, so they're basically the same as the poster, but aren't they exciting? Time for another slushee...

Kurtand Mercedes from Glee Season 2


Sue and Will from Glee Season 2


Puck and Quinn from Glee Season 2


Tina and Arty from Glee Season 2


Finn and Rachel from Glee Season 2


Brittany and Santana from Glee Season 2


Season two of Glee premieres on September 21 on Fox.

Which is your fave photo? Are you excited about Glee? Leave your comments below!

It's a heart-breaking new 'House' pic...

Thursday, August 26 2010, 16:47 BST
By Morgan Jeffery, TV Reporter
Everyone's favourite cranky medical maverick is heading back to our screens! Yep, there's a new season of House on the way, and we've got our hands on this brand new promo pic. Could the grumpy doc's heart be healed at last now that he's hooked up with Cuddy? Check out the image below!

House season 7 poster


House returns to Fox on September 20.

Are you excited about the new season of House? Add your comments below!
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