Eric Mabius in “Signed, Sealed, Delivered”
By Cindy Elavsky
Q: I was watching the Hallmark Channel, and I saw a commercial for a movie with Eric Mabius, and I think he works in a post office. Can you tell me more about that? I really liked him on “Ugly Betty.” — Brenda K., via email
A: While Eric previously has starred in a couple of movies for Hallmark, what you saw advertised is a new prime-time series that talented actor is starring in. In “Signed, Sealed, Delivered,” which premieres Easter Sunday, April 20, at 8/7c, Eric plays Oliver, a U.S. Postal Detective who solves puzzles and mysteries centering on letters that find their way to the Dead Letter Office. When I spoke with Eric recently about this new role that brought him back to series television, he told me how excited he is to help usher in “a new Hallmark Channel.”
“I’d worked with Hallmark before on a couple of movies, and I thought: ‘Why not Hallmark? Why not do an original series?’ I firmly believe, and I think Hallmark shares the same belief, that this show is going to change everyone’s opinion of Hallmark. It’s not your mother’s Hallmark anymore. It’s really taking on issues in a way that’s still family-friendly but much more; it’s not just escapism.”
Executive producer Martha Williamson, who also brought us “Touched By an Angel,” has really brought her A-game to this project, as Eric told me: “Based upon the content of the show and Martha’s pedigree, every episode is a real gem. We’re tickled when we come to the table for the read-throughs because she has all these surprises up her sleeve. She’s really aiming for the stars.”
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Q: With the final season of “Californication” upon us, does David Duchovny have another series or movie on the horizon? — Samuel D., Port Orange, Fla.
A: NBC has ordered a 13-episode period drama called “Aquarius,” in which David stars as a police detective hunting a hippie cult leader who turns out to be Charles Manson. The series will cover the early years of Manson and his “family,” with the full story playing out in future seasons (if it gets renewed). David told “Variety”: “I’m thrilled to be working with (NBC Chairman) Bob Greenblatt again and coming back to broadcast television. I think ’Aquarius’ has a chance to be a special show and I can’t wait to get going.”
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Q: I read that my favorite comedic actress, Amy Poehler, has a brother in the business too. Is that true? What can I see him in? — Fred S., via email
A: Amy’s brother, Greg, currently stars in and executive produces (with Amy) the Swedish sitcom “Welcome to Sweden,” which chronicles Greg’s real-life experiences of moving to Sweden to marry to his Swedish girlfriend. The series — which co-stars Amy, Josephine Bornebusch, Lena Olin, Patrick Duffy and Illeana Douglas — is now airing in Sweden, and will begin airing here in the U.S. this fall on NBC.
Write to Cindy at King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475; or e-mail her at [email protected].
© 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.