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Each week, executive editor Adam Bryant satisfies your need for TV scoop. Please send all questions to mega_scoop@tvguide.com.



Do you have any new info on The Blacklist's new season? — Roger

How about some exclusive casting news? Tony-nominated Broadway veteran Norm Lewis — who is currently starring in the title role of The Phantom of the Opera and did a stint last season on Scandal — has been tapped to play J.P. Laskin, a business associate of Red's who doesn't exactly agree with his recent moves in the ongoing war with Berlin. In fact, I hear Laskin may even be tempted to switch sides. Of course, once Red finds out about the betrayal, he'll probably make the choice for him. Perhaps playing a "phantom" will come in handy!



I'm really curious to see how Nick and Jess are doing after their break-up last season on New Girl. What will their dynamic be like when the show returns? — Lindsay

Four months have passed since Nick and Jess were last romantically involved, but unfortunately for Jess, it's been a bit of a slow summer in the love department. That doesn't mean Jess will be running back to her ex though. In fact, Nick turns out to be a decent support system when Ms. Day attempts to get back out on the dating scene. But ultimately, it will be another housemate — and pretty much the last one most would expect — who will give Jess some great advice on how to pick up a dude. Living with boys isn't all bad after all!



Is Gotham's version of James Gordon more of an antihero? — Matt

Not initially. But when you consider that all of Gordon's steel-jawed good intentions to clean up Gotham eventually end with a man dressed in a rubber Batsuit coming to save the day, it's pretty much assured that he'll face some challenges. But that doesn't mean he's doomed to fail. "There will be triumphs. The mere fact that he tries to maintain his integrity is a victory," executive producer Danny Cannon says. "He finds a way, not to control it, but he learns what Gotham is. It's this vast machine and its internal engines are driven by corruption and have been since the beginning of time. Gordon has to change in order for that machine to not break down."



Got any new CSI spoilers? — Shannon

Yep! I can exclusively reveal that Necessary Roughness star Marc Blucas will be heading to Las Vegas. Blucas will play Adam King, a former addict who has used his own life experiences to help others as the director of a high-end rehab facility in the desert. When one of his patients ends up dead in a swimming pool, the CSIs will be forced to take a closer look at the sometimes controversial treatment methods Adam employs.



Any Damon-Elena scoop on The Vampire Diaries? — Meredith

Until the duo is reunited — which doesn't seem likely to happen for a while — there isn't much to tease on that front. On the other hand, the tension between Caroline and Stefan will come to a head early on when our favorite blonde finally confronts him about her feelings — and Elena overhears the whole thing! Even though Nina Dobrev told us Elena would be all "awko-taco" about a Stefan-Caroline pairing, you'll still be surprised by her reaction.



Criminal Minds spoilers, please! — Mandy

Although we meet her in the premiere, viewers won't get the full 411 on Jennifer Love Hewitt's character Kate Callahan for a while. Some of her secrets will emerge when a case early in the season hits a little too close to home. (Hint: It involves a plane crash.) And although she'll fill in the blanks to at least one member of the BAU, he or she may not be the first person to find out.



I know everyone is focused on Danny and Mindy on The Mindy Project, but what can you say about the love lives of everyone else at the practice? — Jessi

Remember Lauren, that single mom Peter fell hard for at the end of last season? It looks like Peter won't be the only one competing for her affections this season once Jeremy throws his hat in the ring. The good news: That'll leave Peter free to go on a disastrous blind date with Allison Tolman. Aw, jeez!



I'm dying for some information on the new season of Hannibal. Got anything? — Brett

As creator Bryan Fuller already said, the Season 3 opener, which picks up nearly a year after the events of the Season 2 finale, will be all about Hannibal and Bedelia's fabulous new life in Europe — except it may not be so fabulous. Although the duo poses as husband and wife while Hannibal stalks a new victim, it won't be long before one of the locals discovers the murderous truth about Dr. Lecter. Even worse, I hear Bedelia could be the reason the cat gets out of the bag! How many betrayals must Hannibal suffer?!



I know it doesn't premiere for a while, but I'm really interested in Battle Creek. Anything you can tell me about it? — Justin

I can tell you that the show is assembling a pretty great guest cast. First, the buddy-cop drama from Breaking Bad's Vince Gilligan and House's David Shore has enlisted Patton Oswalt to play Mayor Scooter Hardy. Now, I can exclusively reveal that another former House regular — Kal Penn is a series regular — Peter Jacobson will play Darrel, Mayor Hardy's chief of staff and brother. Anyone else think Hugh Laurie might make a good governor?



Any hints at what to expect this season of Boardwalk Empire? — Philip

Expect to see a lot of young Nucky via flashbacks to his days working for The Commodore in nascent Atlantic City. It will become pretty clear how Nucky became the man he is today. (He sees plenty of things a kid has no business seeing.) It'll also underline just how alone Nucky is in the present day. Speaking of being alone, if you thought things couldn't get any worse for Chalky at the end of last season, just wait until you see how he's spending his time this year.



I loved seeing Christian Borle on Masters of Sex this week. Any other cool guest stars coming up? — Heather

Indeed! Sunday's episode will introduce Spartacus: Blood and Sand star Erin Cummings as Miss Kitty, a high-end prostitute whom Betty helps Masters recruit for a specific mission that may or may not involve Bill and Virginia's research. Let's just say that Kitty is willing to lend a helping hand with Lester's, ahem, performance problem. In that case, perhaps Dr. Masters should be taking notes.



So glad Halt and Catch Fire was renewed! Do you have intel on what Season 2 will look like now that Joe blew things up? — Molly

Don't worry: Joe won't be wandering in the wilderness forever. In fact, even though the producers want to deepen the excellently developed ensemble, Joe will remain first among equals. "Joe for us has always been the reason that we're here," co-executive producer Christopher Cantwell says. "He is the catalyst that enters everybody's life. [Whether] he's a constructive or destructive force, he's the one that everyone is attached to. We want to explore how this guy continues to affect the ebb and flow of these other characters' lives." That said, look for Joe's mysterious backstory to hit the back burner. "We needed to start from the place [of mystery] to get him to the place he ended up," co-executive producer Christopher C. Rogers says.



Mega Rave: I'm generally opposed to reboots, but I am totally on board for this! They just better keep the theme song.



Mini Rant: Sure, he didn't play the best game, but it's going to be hard to watch the rest of this season of Big Brother without Donny in the house. Thanks for nothing, Team America!



This Week's Recommendation: Boardwalk Empire (Sunday, Sept. 7 at 9/8c on HBO) and Sons of Anarchy (Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 10/9c on FX) Although these two shows about law-breakers couldn't be more different, they both begin what are sure to be emotional, heavy-hitting final seasons this week. Whether you prefer bootlegging or gun-running, it'd be a shame to miss these great shows' final acts.



Crave scoop on your favorite TV shows? E-mail questions to mega_scoop@tvguide.com or drop us a line at Twitter.com/TVGuide



(Additional reporting by Joyce Eng, Robyn Ross and Kate Stanhope)