Hollywood Exclusive by Marilyn Beck & Stacy Jenel Smith

Surprise for 'The Shunning' Fans: Sherry Stringfield Character Much Expanded/'Rizzoli & Isles' Growing and Changing for Season 2, Says Young

Fans of Beverly Lewis' one-million-plus seller, "The Shunning" — about a young Amish woman whose world turns upside down when she learns she was adopted — will be surprised by the Hallmark Channel original movie adaptation of the book, debuting this Saturday (4/16). Barely seen in the novel, the worldly birth mother figures prominently in "Beverly Lewis' The Shunning.'"

"When I got to the location, I was about to read the books, and they're like, 'Don't read them! Don't read them!'" recalls Sherry Stringfield, who plays the character of Laura Mayfield-Bennett. "I go, 'No? OK, I'll wait.' There are three books. I think there might be two more movies," she adds.

The actress, still fondly remembered as Dr. Susan Lewis of "ER," says she'd definitely be game to continue as the wealthy, troubled Laura in the next installments of the story. She adores Danielle Panabaker, who does a nice job with the challenging part of betrothed, bothered and rebellious Amish girl Katie Lapp, and she enjoyed working with director Michael Landon Jr. His decision to expand Stringfield's character's presence in the TV film got author Lewis' stamp of approval, by the way.

"My agent had read the script, and he was like, 'There's some interest in you for this,' and I read it and thought, 'Wow, it's actually good,'" Stringfield recalls. "I'm like, 'Yes, I love it.' I was shooting a series pilot in San Diego, and I go, 'Oh, my God. Don't give it to anyone else because I'm not there.'" (That pilot, a female cop show called 'Criminal Behavior' for Lifetime, did not get picked up for a series.)

"Cable only does, like, 12 episodes a season, so that is the only reason, honestly, that I considered it. You know, you can have a life with that. That's doable. But any more than that becomes problematic," says the divorced actress, who's the mother of a 10-year-old daughter and a 7-year-old son.

There are still viewers who remember her for leaving "ER" in consideration of wanting to reconnect with her personal life back in 1996 — five years before returning to the long-running NBC hit.

"It's funny, some people go — gasp — 'You still think you made the right decision?' What? Gosh, I'm happy they even care. It just boggles my mind, though...

"Don't get me wrong, I love money.

But it's not what drives me. Or fame — I'm not driven by that," adds the avowed feminist. "I enjoy my relationships and my friends and my family. I'm an outdoors person. If I get away from those things for too long, I don't feel good."

THE VIDEOLAND VIEW: Look for some changes when TNT's "Rizzoli & Isles" returns to the lineup in July. That's the word from Lee Thompson Young, who says the team is two episodes into its second season, production-wise.

According to him, we'll see a "deepening and strengthening of the relationships between the people inside the homicide unit ... Everyone's life is getting filled out, and that's really interesting to play as an actor."

He also says there are "definitely some partner dynamics" ahead between Angie Harmon's Rizzoli character and her former partner in the homicide detective squad, played by Bruce McGill.

"There'll be workplace shifts, too. And the sets have been updated."

He points out, "Obviously Sasha (Alexander) and Angie (Harmon) are fabulous, and they will always be the core of the show. But there are other avenues to explore with the rest of the ensemble, and they're doing a good job of introducing each person's character."

Young, who plays Harmon's new partner, Barry Frost, tells us the way the show took off and became a hit and "the size of the response we had was a pretty big surprise to all of us."

The personable actor and USC grad, who was once known as the title tween favorite of the Disney Channel's "The Famous Jett Jackson," has been busy elsewhere between "Rizzoli & Isles" camera calls.

'I did 'The Good Guys' on Fox, then an episode of 'The Event,' then came back to 'Rizzoli and Isles," says Young, whose credits also include the big-screen "Friday Night Lights" and "Akeelah and the Bee." "It's nice to mix it up a little bit and get a fresh perspective every time. It's like a palate cleanser. I like to fight against routine and getting stale."

THE BIG-SCREEN SCENE: Casting is under way for the actress who'll play Claire Danes' 16-year-old daughter in "As Cool As I Am" — yes, Danes is playing the mom role now. In fact, she also will have a 15-year-old son in the film, in which she plays the wife of a lumberjack — until her adultery splits the marriage and causes all sorts of upheaval.

JUST WHAT WE NEED: Casting forces on a yet-untitled reality show are looking for a therapist they're describing as like Dr. Phil, but more rugged and preferably from a rural or country upbringing in the Southwest. A cowboy shrink? They prefer a doctor, but will consider a psychologist. They prefer someone who's already been on TV, but will consider someone with public speaking experience only. Stay tuned.

To find out more about Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith and read their past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2011 MARILYN BECK AND STACY JENEL SMITH

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