Image Credit: Jamie McCarthy/WireImage.comMandy Patinkin might be heading back to a regularly scheduled TV gig: Showtime confirms that Patinkin has been cast in the pilot for Homeland, starring Claire Danes. The show centers on an American soldier who returns to the United States after several years as a prisoner of war in Iraq. Danes plays a CIA officer convinced that the soldier may actually be connected to Al-Qaeda, and Patinkin will play Saul, Danes’ boss and mentor.
Here is my one simple request: Please, Homeland, do not have Saul be an emotionally distant genius with a tragic past. Look, I love me some Mandy Patinkin. Chicago Hope holds a true and special place in my heart, I’ve watched Dead Like Me, oh, six times? And I even watched him on Criminal Minds. And in all of these roles… he’s sporting some serious guilt about fatherhood. Heck, even Inigo Montoya had daddy issues. So for the love of all that is Patinkin and holy, let’s find a new set of hang-ups for whoever this character turns out to be.
That said, good gravy, I hope this pilot gets picked up — Patinkin and Danes alone would sell me on it, but a POW-turned-sleeper-cell story from 24 producers? Bring it!
I know there are some Evita fanatics in the PopWatch nation. Make yourselves heard! Are you glad to see Patinkin heading back to TV?
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Was he in Broadway version of Evita that I’m not aware of, or did you mean Yentl? That’s my first thought when I see him. I know he wasn’t in Evita the movie.
I also am excited to see him in a series again. He’s brilliant.
Wekk apparently he did win a Tony for being in Evita in 1980. Not surprised thought. I obviously need to brush up on my Broadway history.
Well not Wekk. Sorry.
He originated the role of Che in Evita on Broadway and won the Tony for it.
I hope he plays a heavy-drinking swordsman hell-bent on avenging the murder of his father when he was a young boy.
yes that guy is the man !!!!!!! :u
Hopefully he doesn’t leave this show after season one…
Patinkin always leaves shows early. I am surprised he still gets casts with a track record like that…
Perhaps because his talent and his choices are respected.
i agree with todd. hes done it at least twice (chicago hope, criminal minds). its selfish and obviously hurts the show. as they say “fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me”
Then again, we are talking a show on Showtime so unlike the broadcast shows mentioned, it’s not going to be a 24 ep order for a first season, more like 11 or 13, so maybe he will stick around for more than one year. Though if the writing’s not good, and he thinks he’s been sidelined, etc etc…I might just have to eat my words.
As for Broadway, I never saw him in Evita, but I do know him from Sunday in the Park with George, so I always think of him and think of Sondheim.
What ruins shows is running the idea till it is dead. Patinkin knows the secret is to leave them wanting more. He sticks around for the interesting stuff and leaves when it starts to stale.
He actually rejoined Chicago Hope as a full time cast member in season 6 and he frequently guest starred before that. As for Criminal Minds, he left because it became too sociopath violent for his tastes. Can’t say I blame him. I stopped watching myself a while back.
You killed my career, prepare to die!
DESCAMISADOS!
I hope they have someone waiting in the wings to take over for Mandy. He’s an excellent actor, but he has a history of bailing out of every television series he’s been on.
I think the problem is he is used to plays and movies where the role is short term. As someone else said this will be on Showtime that does not do 22+ episode a season more like 12+.
What are they nuts, hiring an actor as undependable and unpredictable as Patinkin. I man, I loved him in Princess Brid, but… he’s apprently good for definite ters stuff like movies and Broadway, but he’s known to abandon TV series with little notice.
I still miss him on CM.