Author: Erin Carlson

Bill Hader

Bill Hader is saying goodbye to Saturday Night Live after eight years.

“It was a hard decision, but it has to happen at some point,” Hader tells The New York Times. “It got to a point where I said, ‘Maybe it’s just time to go.'”

The move comes on the heels of THR‘s report that Hader has landed his first starring role in a film. Lawless, an indie comedy being produced by Mike White and David Bernad via their RipCord Productions, will shoot this summer.

STORY: Bill Hader in Talks to Star in ‘Lawless’ Comedy

The 34-year-old SNL player, known for such memorable characters as the nightlife-loving Weekend Update correspondent Stefon, follows former castmates Kristen Wiig and Andy Samberg out the door. Since leaving in 2012, Wiig has pursued a career on film while Samberg will star alongside Andre Braugher in an upcoming Fox cop comedy from Parks and Recreation‘s Dan Goor and Mike Schur.

Fellow veteran Seth Meyers also departs after the fall season to prepare for the late February launch of Late Night with Seth Meyers.

As for Hader, the actor-comedian has balanced big-screen appearances with his regular gig on SNL. He had a supporting role in the Simon Pegg–Jason Bateman comedy Paul and a cameo in Men in Black 3, for example. Hader can next be heard as a voice in DreamWorks’ Turbo.

Reps for SNL and Hader did not immediately respond to THR‘s request for comment.

Twitter: @ErinLCarlson

Email: erin.carlson@thr.com

Michelle Dockery

The fourth season of Downton Abbey will premiere Jan. 5 and run through Feb. 23 in the U.S., PBS announced Tuesday.

As previously reported, Shirley MacLaine will reprise her role as Martha Levinson, Cora’s (Elizabeth McGovern) mother, and there will also be some new faces in the cast. Among them: Tom Cullen as Lord Gillingham, a Crawley family friend whose history with Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) goes back to childhood; Nigel Harman as a visiting valet named Green; and Dame Harriet Walter as Lady Shackleton, a friend of the Dowager (Maggie Smith).

PBS has also unveiled a new series on its primetime line-up: Last Tango in Halifax, a British dramedy premiering Sept. 8. ahead of the finale of Masterpiece Mystery! series Silk. The network picked up the six-episode first season from the BBC, which previously aired it last year; Last Tango attracted 7.3 million viewers in the U.K., making it one of BBC One’s highest-rated programs. A second season has been ordered.

PHOTOS: ‘Downton Abbey’ Cast Celebrates Season 3

Written by Sally Wainwright, who executive produces along with Matthew Read, Last Tango tells the modern-day tale of childhood sweethearts Alan (Derek Jacobi) and Celia (Anne Reid) — both widowed and in their 70s — who rekindle the flame after reuniting online. 

“I fell in love with Last Tango and its stars from the moment I saw it,” said Beth Hoppe, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager, General Audience Programming, PBS. “And love and family and all the complications that come with it are at the heart of this warm comedy-drama.”

Meanwhile, the 1959-set third installment of Call the Midwife returns next year as the Swinging Sixties begin to sweep through London.

Twitter: @ErinLCarlson

Email: erin.carlson@thr.com

Michelle Dockery

The fourth season of Downton Abbey will premiere Jan. 5 and run through Feb. 23 in the U.S., PBS announced Tuesday.

As previously reported, Shirley MacLaine will reprise her role as Martha Levinson, Cora’s (Elizabeth McGovern) mother, and there will also be some new faces in the cast. Among them: Tom Cullen as Lord Gillingham, a Crawley family friend whose history with Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) goes back to childhood; Nigel Harman as a visiting valet named Green; and Dame Harriet Walter as Lady Shackleton, a friend of the Dowager (Maggie Smith).

PBS has also unveiled a new series on its primetime line-up: Last Tango in Halifax, a British dramedy premiering Sept. 8. ahead of the finale of Masterpiece Mystery! series Silk. The network picked up the six-episode first season from the BBC, which previously aired it last year; Last Tango attracted 7.3 million viewers in the U.K., making it one of BBC One’s highest-rated programs. A second season has been ordered.

PHOTOS: ‘Downton Abbey’ Cast Celebrates Season 3

Written by Sally Wainwright, who executive produces along with Matthew Read, Last Tango tells the modern-day tale of childhood sweethearts Alan (Derek Jacobi) and Celia (Anne Reid) — both widowed and in their 70s — who rekindle the flame after reuniting online. 

“I fell in love with Last Tango and its stars from the moment I saw it,” said Beth Hoppe, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager, General Audience Programming, PBS. “And love and family and all the complications that come with it are at the heart of this warm comedy-drama.”

Meanwhile, the 1959-set third installment of Call the Midwife returns next year as the Swinging Sixties begin to sweep through London.

Twitter: @ErinLCarlson

Email: erin.carlson@thr.com