Creating, writing and producing series featuring strong female characters has been a hallmark of much of Barbara Hall’s career. Her stamp has been on Homeland, Judging Amy, Joan of Arcadia, Army Wives and this season’s new CBS Sunday night series Madam Secretary, starring Téa Leoni as a newly appointed Secretary of State...

2014

Aug

THE MAN, THE MYTH, THE 'LEGENDS' By Donna J. Plesh

Many in the U.S. might recognize Sean Bean from Game of Thrones or the Lord of the Rings movies but he has been a staple in films and British TV series for several decades. Now he’s back on American TV starring in the new TNT series Legends...

2014

Aug

WHEN A NOVEL CROSSES OVER TIME AND TELEVISION By Donna J. Plesh

Diana Gabaldon was working as a research professor in the late 1980s when she decided she wanted to write a novel. One novel led to another until Gabaldon had a wildly successful series on her hands. Now, the first novel, Outlander, has been adapted for a 16-part series on Starz...

2014

Jun

'VICIOUS': NEW COMEDY IMPORT FROM SIRS, WITH LOVE By Donna J. Plesh

When you have two “Sirs” starring in a television series, you know it might be something special, especially when the “Sirs” in question are British acting greats Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Derek Jacobi...

2014

Jun

SWORDPLAY CERTIFICATE PAYS OFF FOR STAR OF BBC'S 'MUSKETEERS' By Donna J. Plesh

Writer Adrian Hodges says the 10-episode BBC America series The Musketeers, which already has been renewed for a second season, is not an adaptation of the book. “This is a series of new adventures," he explains...

2014

Jun

FOR 'MURDER IN THE FIRST' CREATOR STEVEN BOCHCO, LESS IS MORE -- FEWER HOURS PER SEASON, THAT IS By Donna J. Plesh

Creating a drama series for television is nothing new for Steven Bochco. He’s been doing it for decades — Hill Street Blues, NYPD Blue, LA Law and Murder One, to name but a few. Now he’s back, with TNT's Murder in the First...

2014

May

DIVING DEEP FOR D-DAY HISTORY By Donna J. Plesh

June 6 marks 70 years since Allied forces landed along the beaches of France’s Normandy coast to begin the daunting task of retaking much of Europe from Nazi forces. NOVA's "D-Day’s Sunken Secrets" takes a new look at the historic battle and finds a surprising new story...

2014

Apr

WGN IMAGINES SUPERNATURAL CONSPIRACY IN 'SALEM' WITCH TRIAL SERIES - BUT THE REST IS HISTORY By Donna J. Plesh

Our television screens today seem to have been invaded by every variety of undead beings... and the latest mysterious souls coming to entertain us are witches...

2014

Apr

'ORPHAN BLACK' IS BACK: SEND IN THE CLONES By Donna J. Plesh

A little more than a year ago, BBC America premiered the Canadian-produced science fiction drama/thriller Orphan Black, starring Tatiana Maslany. After winning a Peabody, it’s finally returning for Season 2...

2014

Apr

BREAKING THE 'BLETCHLEY CIRCLE' CODE WITH TWO OF ITS STARS By Donna J. Plesh

Season 2 of The Bletchley Circle, about former codebreaking solving crimes in postwar London, begins Sunday on PBS. Between seasons, TVWW's Donna Plesh chatted with two of its stars...

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Donna J. Plesh

TVWW contributor Donna J. Plesh died April 2, 2015, from ovarian cancer. She was 71. Donna covered television since the early 1980s, initially for the Orange County Register and its TV magazine. She also was a member of the Television Critics Association. Donna was always a cheerful spirit within the TVWW network and often gave readers a kind, up-close viewpoint in her interviews with a wide variety of television stars. She will be missed.

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