Celebrity Extra: Felicity Huffman
By Dana Jackson
Q: I read somewhere that "The Good Doctor" is going to have a spin-off series. I hope this doesn't mean that this series is ending anytime soon. Who will be in the spin-off? -- A.P.
A:"The Good Doctor," which stars Freddie Highmore as a young autistic surgeon, is currently in its sixth season on ABC. It's based on a series out of South Korea with the same title. Actor Daniel Dae Kim ("Lost," "Hawaii Five-O") bought the rights to the series and sold it to ABC here in the U.S. The show has been a hit for ABC, so I don't see it going anywhere, unless Highmore and/or the show's creators decide not to continue.
"The Good Lawyer," the upcoming spin-off series, will premiere on March 6 on ABC. It stars Felicity Huffman ("Desperate Housewives"), Kennedy McMann ("Nancy Drew") and Bethlehem Million ("Sick"). According to TVLine.com, Highmore's character will appear in the first episode, as he "seeks legal representation to help him win a case and puts his faith in a promising young lawyer [played by McMann] who has obsessive compulsive disorder."
Some wondered if Huffman's acting career would ever recover after her involvement in the college admissions scandal, resulting in her serving a short jail sentence in 2019. That appears to be behind her, as it looks like she'll soon be adding another hit show to her resume.
Felicity Huffman ("Desperate Housewives"). Photo Credit: Depositphotos
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Q: I thought "Criminal Minds" was returning, but I can't find it anywhere in my channel guide. Is it not coming out for another year? -- L.J.
A:In 2020, after 15 seasons, the violent crime procedural ended its run on CBS in what was assumed to be its series finale. Two years later, it was announced that a reboot was in the works for CBS's subscription streaming service, Paramount+. Returning cast members include Joe Mantegna, Paget Brewster and Aisha Tyler, but fan-favorite Mathew Gray Gubler as Dr. Spencer Reid was absent due to a scheduling conflict.
The show now has a new title, "Criminal Minds: Evolutions," and is one of Paramount+'s top streamed programs. It's also been given the green light for a second season.
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Q: How is Michael J. Fox doing lately, and how many years has it been since he was first diagnosed with Parkinson's disease? -- B.B.
A: In a new documentary for AppleTV+, Michael J. Fox discusses with filmmaker Davis Guggenheim that he first noticed symptoms in 1991 but kept his diagnosis hidden until 1998. Two of the biggest roles of his career came his way by luck, even though he was blessed with talent. First, when Matthew Broderick backed out of the sitcom "Family Ties," Fox was cast as Alex P. Keaton, the role that ended up launching his career. Then, when Meredith Baxter-Birney, who played his onscreen mom, went on maternity leave, Fox was able to play Marty McFly in the blockbuster film "Back to the Future."
His last major acting role was a two-episode guest appearance in "The Good Fight" as the character he portrayed for a recurring basis on "The Good Wife."
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