Helen Mirren completes British invasion of SNL

• Following in the footsteps of her Arthur co-star, Russell Brand, Dame Helen Mirren will host this coming Saturday’s edition of Saturday Night Live on NBC. Mirren’s hosting stint of the late-night comedy show will come the night after the premiere of the release of the re-make of the Dudley Moore classic, Arthur, on Friday, April 8 (22 April in the UK). Sandwiched in between Brand’s February appearance and Mirren’s host duties on Saturday, saw Sir Elton John hosting last week’s edition of SNL.

DCI Hunt trades in Audi Quattro for the courtroom

• 2011 turns out will be a busy year for Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes star, Philip Glenister. Glenister has signed on to play Henry Venn in Undisclosed, a new BBC One courtroom drama, co-starring David Suchet, about a solicitor who is drawn into the story of his brother’s death over 20 years ago. This follows the news that Glenister’s recent series, Mad Dogs, has been renewed for a second season. Produced by Left Bank for Sky1, Mad Dogs tells the story of a group of forty-something friends that get together in Majorca who’s sun and fun weekend takes a murderous left turn quickly. Written by Cris Cole, who exhibits a bit of David Lynch and Coen Brothers tendencies with Mad Dogs, employs a great cast that includes Life on Mars co-star, John Simm, Marc Warren (Hustle) and Max Beesley, along with Ben Chaplin as their soon to be deceased friend, Alvo.

Commissioners give new life to Rev, Doc Martin…now, how about Whites with Alan Davies?

• When you’re able to count the Archbishop of Canterbury as amongst your most loyal fans, it’s probably a good bet that your series will be renewed for another season. Calling it “…really rather good“, the Archbishop felt Rev portrayed a very realistic depiction of an inner-city church and it’s commitment to run down and challenging areas.
• Maybe the great Martin Clunes can’t count on a high-ranking religious figure as part of the audience for Doc Martin, but the ITV audience mega-hit has begun filming on a fifth season in Cornwall this week. Clunes will reprise his role as Dr. Martin Ellingham, the curmudgeonly GP in the fictional village of Portwenn, alongside Caroline Catz, who returns as Louisa Glasson.
• My Family is no more. Mrs. Brown’s Boys gets a second series. No word yet on Whites, starring Alan Davies, unfortunately, but you can follow the progress of the Bring Back Whites campaign and petition here.