Entertainment NOW

Entertainment Now | July 24 - 30, 2021 By Kyla Brewer TV Media W hen the Pentagon offi- cially released videos showing "unidentified aerial phenomena" in 2020, it rekindled the debate about extraterrestrial life. As the conver- sation about aliens rages on, a sci- fi drama series that has captured the imaginations of millions of fans with its alien story is returning for Season 3. Aliens and their human allies struggle to keep their existence a secret in "Roswell, New Mexico," which kicks off its highly anticipat- ed third season on Monday, July 26, on CW. The story centers on biologist Liz Ortecho (Jeanine Mason, "So You Think You Can Dance"), her former crush Max (Nathan Parsons, "Gen- eral Hospital"), an alien, and trou- bled alien drifter Michael (Michael Vlamis, "New Girl"). Max's alien sister, Isobel (Lily Cowles, "Brain- Dead"), and Michael's love inter- est, a human named Alex (Tyler Blackburn, "Pretty Little Liars"), have also played heavily into the plot lines. Set in the city famous for being the site of an alleged UFO crash in 1947, the show is based on the "Roswell High" book series by Me- linda Metz. This is not the first time Metz's novels have been adapted for television. "Roswell" aired on The WB and UPN from 1999 to 2002 but failed to strike a chord with audiences. The new version seems to be faring better than the original. The show's creator, Carina Adly MacK- enzie ("The Originals"), "aged up" the characters when she devel- oped the current series, thus add- ing another layer of relevance by exploring issues like immigration and sexuality. MacKenzie, who also served as an executive producer and co- showrunner for "Roswell, New Mexico," announced via Twitter that she would be leaving the show before Season 3's debut due to "fundamental differences." De- spite her imminent departure, she had nothing but praise for the se- ries. "I am so proud of what we built over the last two years, and I be- lieve in the heart and soul of the show: asking tough questions, striving to make the world better, amplifying marginalized voices and fighting the good fight," MacKenzie wrote. It appears that legacy is poised to continue in Season 3. Although the main plot points of the new season have not been confirmed, before she left the show, MacKenzie talked to the website Digital Spy about Isobel's next love interest being a woman. What's more, reports have indicat- ed that the third season would also touch on racism within the police department — another hot topic. While critical reaction to "Ro- swell, New Mexico" has been mixed, the CW show has done well enough in the ratings to continue for not only this season but also another. Long before its scheduled premiere date, CW decided to re- new the series for a fourth season. The announcement, which was made back in February, is a pretty clear indication of the network's faith in the series. One reason for the show's pop- ularity is likely the strength of its cast, many of whom will be return- ing for Season 3. Mason portrays Liz, a scientist and daughter of undocumented immigrants who returned to her hometown of Roswell when her research funding fell through. The actress first rose to fame as a danc- er on the Fox reality TV dance com- petition series "So You Think You Can Dance," which she won in 2009. She landed a recurring role as Dr. Sam Bello in "Grey's Anato- my" and has appeared in several other TV shows, including "Bun- heads" and "NCIS: Los Angeles." When Liz arrived back in Ro- swell, she reconnected with her high school crush, Max, unaware that he's really an alien with other- worldly powers. Australian-born American actor Parsons got his big break in daytime TV playing Ethan Lovett on "General Hospital" from 2009 to 2012. "Roswell, New Mexico" is not his first foray into the sci-fi/fantasy genres, though. He played a vampire in the seventh season of HBO's "True Blood" and a werewolf in CW's "The Origi- nals." Screenwriter and actor Vlamis appeared in a number of short films before landing the role of Michael in "Roswell, New Mexi- co." He made his television debut on Fox's "New Girl" and is known for co-writing the screenplay for a biopic about late rapper Mac Miller. Even though "Malex" (the re- lationship between Max and Alex) may be over, Blackburn is set to return in Season 3. They are best known for their role as Caleb in Freeform's "Pretty Little Liars," a role they reprised in its spinoff "Ravenswood." Cowles, meanwhile, appeared in four episodes of the political satire "BrainDead" before joining "Roswell, New Mexico" as Max's sister, Isobel. Amber Midthunder plays Liz's previously deceased sister, Rosa, whom Max resurrected in Season 1. A member of the Fort Peck Sioux Tribe, Midthunder is known for her work on "Legion," "Long- mire" and "Banshee." Fans of CW's popular "The Vampire Diaries" may recognize Michael Trevino as Tyler Lock- wood from that series. In "Ro- swell, New Mexico," he stars as Kyle Valenti, a doctor and son of the town sheriff. Heather Hemmens will also be back as Maria DeLuca, Liz and Rosa's best friend. She's a CW alum as well, having starred in "Hellcats" from 2010 to 2011. Hemmens also appears opposite Jamie Foxx ("Ray," 2004) in the Netflix series "Dad Stop Embar- rassing Me!" Given what appears to be a po- tential romance, it seems Christian Antidormi may return as Forrest in Season 3 as well. The Australian actor has appeared in popular Aus- sie TV shows such as "Home and Away" and "As the Bell Rings," as well as the American series "Spartacus: War of the Damned." This season, rumor has it that the cast will explore the history of the alien race and their home plan- et as Parsons does double duty as both Max and the mysterious new character, Mr. Jones. Michael Vlamis stars in "Roswell, New Mexico" Worlds collide: Aliens and humans work together in 'Roswell, New Mexico' 2 | Cover story A/Grindstone Charlie's B/Norris Insurance 1 x 4" Moore's Home Health 5 x 2"

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