TV fans probably don’t need any more incentive to travel to the San Diego Comic-Con in a few weeks, but NBC has sealed the deal even further, announcing a number of starry panels featuring the network’s most buzzed-about shows.
Fans will no double be lining up hours before the “Community” panel, which will bring returning executive producer Dan Harmon to San Diego, along with co-exec producer Chris McKenna, plus stars Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Yvette Nicole Brown, Alison Brie, Jim Rash and Ken Jeong.
Other highlights include “The Blacklist,” “Hannibal,” “Grimm,” and “Revolution,” plus NBC talent from “Saturday Night Live,” “Late Night with Seth Meyers” and “Ironside” also participating on various other panels.
A special trailer for the new Friday night series “Dracula,” starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers, will debut during the “Grimm” panel.
Panel schedules:
Thursday, July 18
“The Blacklist” (Sony Pictures Television)
Who: James Spader, Megan Boone, Diego Klattenhoff and executive producers Jon Bokenkamp, John Eisendrath and John Fox
For decades, ex-government agent Raymond “Red” Reddington (James Spader) has been one of the FBI”s Most Wanted fugitives. Now, he”s mysteriously surrendered to the FBI with an explosive offer: He will help catch a long-thought-dead terrorist under the condition that he speaks only to Elizabeth “Liz” Keen (Megan Boone), an FBI profiler fresh out of Quantico. Liz soon discovers that Red has compiled a secret list of criminals over the years: a “blacklist” of politicians, mobsters, spies, and international terrorists. He will help catch them all … with the caveat that Liz continues to work as his partner.
“Hannibal” (Gaumont International Television)
Who: Hugh Dancy, executive producer Bryan Fuller, executive producer/director David Slade and executive producer Martha De Laurentiis
“Hannibal,” which is based on the characters created by author Thomas Harris in his novel “Red Dragon,” was one of the best-reviewed series of the past season and was recently renewed for season two. Hugh Dancy plays criminal profiler Will Graham while Mads Mikkelsen plays psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter.
Saturday, July 20
“Grimm” (Universal Television)
Who: David Giuntoli, Silas Weir Mitchell, Russell Hornsby, Reggie Lee, Sasha Roiz, Bitsie Tulloch, Bree Turner, Claire Coffee, and executive producers Todd Milliner, David Greenwalt, Jim Kouf and Norberto Barba
“Grimm,” a drama series inspired by the classic Grimm Brother”s Fairy Tales, follows Portland homicide detective Nick Burkhardt (Giuntoli) as he tries to find the balance between normal life and his birthright as a Grimm, an elite line of criminal profilers who have the ability to see the monsters that lurk below a seemingly human surface.
“Revolution” (Warner Bros. Television)
Who: Executive producer Eric Kripke and others to be determined
In its first season, “Revolution” examined why the Earth”s power was turned off and asked how the world”s citizens are expected to survive. In the season finale, the power is turned back on, but at what cost and consequence? The second season begins in the fall.
Sunday, July 21
“Community” (Sony Pictures Television)
Who: Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Yvette Nicole Brown, Alison Brie, Jim Rash, Ken Jeong and executive producers Dan Harmon and Chris McKenna
“Community” is back at Comic-Con and ready to celebrate with the show”s devoted fandom. Come be a part of the study group for a panel and Q&A moderated by Chris Hardwick (“The Nerdist”) and find out firsthand what surprises are in store for the series when it returns to NBC for its fifth season.
Additionally, some NBC stars will pop up on other panels. “Ironside” star Blair Underwood will appear on the TV Guide Fan Faves panel on Friday, July 19, while “Saturday Night Live” alum Seth Meyers and “Late Night with Seth Meyers” producer Michael Shoemaker will appear at the Hulu panel on Sunday, July 21.
Additional panelists are expected to be announced in the coming weeks, so stay tuned.