Today's Entertainment

2 • May 12 - 18, 2019 • Brainerd Dispatch By Kyla Brewer TV Media W ith dragons patrolling the skies and zombies around ev- ery corner on cable, network televi- sion has some serious competition these days. However, one network is stepping up its game with an es- pionage thriller worthy of a closer look. Jennifer Carpenter ("Dexter") stars as Erica Shepherd, a brilliant codebreaker and former CIA opera- tive who was convicted of treason after selling out four of her fellow agents to save her daughter in "The Enemy Within," airing Monday, May 13, on NBC. Three years after she was sent to a supermax prison, Shepherd was recruited by FBI Agent Will Keaton (Morris Chestnut, "Rosewood") to help him track down the terrorist responsible for the death of his fiancée, one of the agents Shepherd betrayed. The drama boasts an intensity of- ten reserved for the big screen as the agents track a network of ruth- less spies. Daring plot twists, emo- tionally charged drama and thrilling action sequences add to the show's appeal, promising to raise it above typical prime-time network fare. When Carpenter, best known for her role in the cable series "Dexter," was interviewed by Danielle Turchi- ano for variety.com in February, the actress explained that she hoped the show would elevate network television to the next level. "I want to do the muscling of raising the bar for network televi- sion to feel like the complicated world of cable," Carpenter said. Likewise, her co-star has had high praise for NBC's "The Enemy Within." In an April article on chica- gotribune.com, series star Chestnut explained that the show was much more than a one-dimensional spy drama. "The one thing about this show that I love is it's not just an FBI show or a CIA show," Chestnut said. "We're dealing with layers and layers of issues and emo- tions. And mine is working with this woman, knowing she cost my fiancée her life and I still don't have closure on that." The show's combination of high-stakes action and intense drama requires serious acting chops and, luckily, its cast is more than capable. Carpenter first came to the attention of audiences as the title character in the super- natural thriller "The Exorcism of Emily Rose" (2005), which earned her an MTV Movie Award. She also starred in the zombie flick "Quaran- tine" (2008) before landing her most famous role as Debra Morgan in Showtime's "Dexter." She also appeared in the CBS dramas "The Good Wife" and "Limitless." Chestnut got his big break in the Oscar-nominated film "Boyz n the Hood" (1991). He went on to ap- pear in TV movies and series, includ- ing "Out All Night" and "C-16: FBI," and hit the silver screen again in "Under Siege 2: Dark Territory" (1995), "The Game Plan" (2007) and "The Best Man" (1999). The latter earned him an NAACP Image Award nomination. TV fans may also recognize him from his leading role in the Fox drama "Rosewood," which garnered him another NAACP Image Award nomination. "The Enemy Within" also boasts a talented supporting cast. English actor Raza Jaffrey ("Code Black") portrays FBI interrogator Daniel Zain, Keaton's friend and confidant. TV aficionados may recognize Jaf- frey from his roles in BBC One's "Spooks" (known as "MI-5" in the U.S.) and Season 4 of Showtime's "Homeland." Kelli Garner plays Kate Ryan, a technical analyst from the FBI's Cyber Division. Garner is known for her role as Faith Domergue in Martin Scorsese's "The Aviator" (2004), as well as roles in "Lars and the Real Girl" (2007) and "Horns" (2013). Canadian model and actor Noah Mills has taken on the role of FBI agent and former Army Ranger Ja- son Bragg in "The Enemy Within." In addition to his work as a model, Mills has ap- peared in the television series "The Brave" and "2 Broke Girls." Cas- sandra Freeman ("Inside Man," 2006) rounds out "The Enemy Within's" regular cast as FBI Training Academy in- structor Jacqueline Pettigrew. Free- man has recently had roles in the Netflix series "Luke Cage" and the FX hit "Atlanta." Young actress Sophia Gennusa (who played a younger version of Carpenter's character in "Limit- less") recurs as Shepherd's teenage daughter, Hannah, while Noah Bean ("Nikita") portrays her es- tranged husband, Christopher. Broadway's James Carpinello ("So Notorious") also appears in a recur- ring capacity as CIA Deputy Director of Operations Anthony Cabrera. Russian stage actor Lev Gorn stars as the show's big, bad, former Rus- sian SVR agent Mikhail Vassily Tal. Gorn is best known as Arkady Zotov from "The Americans." While some critics have panned "The Enemy Within" for taking it- self too seriously, Carpenter has been almost unanimously praised for her performance as Shepherd. Her intensity and commitment to the role offers fans of high drama an option unlike most other net- work television programs of late. Including DVR viewings, the show has consistently pulled in more than seven million average viewers per episode since its February pre- miere. Those are decent numbers for any show, network or cable. Carpenter seems to have capti- vated audiences once again. Watch her as disgraced CIA operative Erica Shep- herd as she helps Agent Keaton track down spies in "The Enemy Within," airing Monday, May 13, on NBC. Dangerous minds Jennifer Carpenter stars in espionage thriller 'The Enemy Within' Cover Story this week Morris Chestnut in a scene from "The Enemy Within" Conan During a campaign event in Iowa, South Bend Mayor Pete Buttegieg was heckled by an anti-gay protester. Buttegieg handled it like a pro, saying, "Settle down, Mr. Vice- President." The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon E.L. James, the woman who wrote "Fifty Shades of Grey," has just come out with her newest erotic novel. It's called "The Mister," and the story is actually about income inequality. Or as Bernie Sanders put it, "I've never been so turned on in my life!" A science teacher in Japan was arrested for teaching his students how to make ecstasy. The teacher says he feels terrible … but also really, really good. The Late Late Show With James Corden According to a report, men's beards actually contain more harmful germs and bacteria than dog fur. Men's beards are nastier than dog fur! On top of that, dogs don't make you try to listen to their Indie folk album. [Tiger] Woods has had to overcome potentially career- ending injuries to make it back to championship form. And it just goes to show, it really does, that you can achieve anything with hard work, perseverance and a multimillion- dollar Nike sponsorship. Late Night With Seth Meyers Delta Airlines has announced it will be cutting its seat recline distance in half, to avoid disputes between passengers. "Oh, we'll find a way," said a passenger holding a baby and a tuna sandwich. Today was Get to Know Your Customers Day. "There's nothing left to learn," said your Amazon Echo. The European Union today threatened to impose tariffs on $20 billion worth of imported U.S. goods, including ketchup, fish and tractors. Which coincidentally is also the title of Kid Rock's new album. Late Laughs HomeCare&Hospice 218.454.1542 | knutenelson.org We know it can be hard... but it's okay to askforhelp.

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