A preview video with Ian’s new character Russ Taylor and Angus Macgyver (Lucas Till) is out and by the looks of it, their first meeting doesn’t go too well! It does however give us a bit more info on Russ’s background and it’s an interesting one! Tune in on Feb 7, 8/7C for the MacGyver season 4 premiere, to see more!
Thank you to CBS and TV Line for this first look video (click on link):
TV Line: “MacGyver First Look: Why Is Henry Ian Cusick Stalking Macgyver? (VIDEO)”
Thank you to Matt Carter for this article highlighting Ian’s new character, Russ Taylor in the upcoming season 4 of Macyver!
“MacGyver Season 4 Premiere Spoilers; Meet Russ Taylor!”
January 17, 2020
“You’ve waited a rather-long time for it, but we are very much pleased to share now first details from the MacGyver season 4 premiere! New episodes are arriving starting on Friday, February 7 and the series is wasting no time bringing on board an exciting new face.
It’s incredible to have Henry Ian Cusick on board. We say this, first and foremost, as someone who loved him down in that hatch on Lost. Also, think about The 100 and the wide array of other great roles that he’s had. Here, he will be a series regular as Russ Taylor, a powerful, resourceful man who is going to be looking to bring the Phoenix Foundation back together. Why? He thinks that they are the only people who can help him stop a major attack that could lead to a lot of significant deaths.
For a few more details on what lies ahead in this episode, check out the full MacGyver season 4 premiere synopsis below:
“Fire + Ashes + Legacy = Phoenix” – Ex-MI6 agent Russ Taylor (Henry Ian Cusick) recruits former Phoenix Foundation members Mac, Riley, Bozer, Matty and Desi to hunt down a bioweapon that’s planned to be used by a mysterious organization for a devastating attack on a major U.S. city, on the fourth season premiere of MACGYVER, Friday, Feb. 7 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
Even though there’s going to be a new feel to the show this season with Russ a major character, this could be an example of good change! The show was fun and action-packed before, but this is a character that should offer some other dimensions and a great counterpoint to Mac and the rest of the team. Because of his history in MI6, we know that he’s very skilled. Yet, personality-wise he may be quite different from the rest of the team. That means new sources of conflict, and also probably more fun for us as a viewer.
One last reminder now — watch the show live! It’s been a long time since the show last aired, and hopefully a lot of diehard fans didn’t forget about it along the way.”
From TV Line: Macgyver Season 4 Promo
Excerpt:
“As noted above, Cusick has joined the Season 4 cast in the series regular role of Russ, a handsome and quick-witted ex-military man and master manipulator who is skilled in propaganda and lie detection, and boasts an extremely high emotional intelligence. He is also very wealthy, and thus is used to both getting his way and enjoying the spoils of war — including expensive suits, fast cars, private jets and a house in Monte Carlo. “
From CarterMatt.com: “Macgyver Season 4 Spoilers: Will Team Phoenix Reunite?”
Excerpt:
“So what could get the gang back together? It seems as though much of it will have to do with newcomer Russ (played by Henry Ian Cusick), an extremely-wealthy man who is looking for their help to solve a problem. While his long-term role in the story remains unclear, we can say one thing with certainty — this is not meant to be a recreation of Jack. This is a very different man with a unique personality and intention.”
*Be sure and tune in Friday, Feb 7 on CBS for the season 4 premiere of Macgyver 8/7C*
CBS has announced the premiere date for MacGyver’s fourth season! The show will return on Friday, Feb. 7, 2020 at 8/7c pm! MacGyver fans are very happy it will remain on Friday nights where it has aired previously.
As this season’s premiere will mark Ian’s debut on the show as Russ Taylor, HIC fans are eagerly anticipating this newest character he is bringing to them. Lucas Till stars as Angus MacGyver and main cast in addition to Henry Ian Cusick, includes Meredith Eaton (Matilda Webber), Tristin Mays (Riley Davis), Levy Tran (Desi Nguyen) and Justin Hires (Wilt Bozer) .
Be sure to tune in on February 7 when Team Mac returns!
Ian first broke the good news on his Twitter account with this announcement, which was followed by the article by Matt Carter. Needless to say, MacGyver fans are very happy about the longer season. Still no premiere date announced yet but expected to be sometime after the new year in 2020.
From Ian on Twitter:
@hicusick “Just heard @MacGyverCBS has been picked up for 9 more episodes! Woohoo! #MacGyverS4 “
From CarterMatt.com:
“MacGyver Season 4 Gets Additional Episodes, Star Confirms “
“For those who were interested in some more MacGyver season 4 news, here’s something that will be right up your alley! In a new post on Twitter, series star/newcomer Henry Ian Cusick confirms that there are nine more episodes coming beyond the original 13 that were ordered. That means that, despite the later premiere date, there will still be an impressive 22-episode order for the show.
We’ve been saying for a while now that MacGyver airing in the new year is hardly a death sentence for the show. Just think of things like this — The Blacklist season 6 premiered in January, and it aired 22 episodes without much of a problem. We think this episode extension means that either MacGyver season 4 will premiere in January, or that we are going to be seeing the show starting later in the spring and running into the summer. We’ve seen that happen with Elementary, so we can’t quite rule that out, either.
No matter when MacGyver is coming back, we would say that this confirms that CBS is very much still interested in the show and telling some of these stories. We like to think that this is important on SO many levels. For one, MacGyver is just solid entertainment start to finish, but it also has an inspirational quality to it. Think in terms of how it can get younger viewers interested in innovation and science. The show tries to ground most of its “Mac hacks” in realism and there have been some fun ones.
We won’t know for a long time, of course, if there will be a season 5. We do imagine that at some point over the next month, we’ll learn more news in regards to the show’s relative premiere date. Stay tuned for that, and if it premieres in January, we may get some more promos and other scoop at some point next month. CBS is likely being diplomatic when it comes to when they want to hand down some more insight on the show and what’s coming up next.”
Ian will be appearing at two fan conventions in the upcoming months!
His first appearance will be in Atlanta at Walker Stalker Con on October 18, 19 and 20. He will be joined by LOST cast members Nestor Carbonell, Jeremy Davies, Maggie Grace and Andrew Divov. For more info, including ticket and photo ops purchases, visit the conventions website here: WalkerStalkerAtlanta
Photo Album from Walker Stalker Atlanta is now up in the gallery on Ian’s official fan website here: Atlanta Photo Album
*Update* Ian had to cancel his Rhode Island appearance due to his MacGyver shooting. He hopes to see you at another con soon!
From Ian on Twitter :
” So sorry, but due to work commitments I will not be able to make @ricomiccon this year. Hope to see you all at another con soon though! Ix “
Ian’s second convention appearance will be in Providence, Rhode Island at the Rhode Island Comic Con, on Nov. 1, 2 and 3rd.
His ‘The Passage’ co-star, Mark-Paul Gosselaar will be appearing too. Visit RICC’s website for all information and ticket, photo op purchases: RhodeIslandComicCon
As HIC fans said goodbye to one of Ian’s characters, Marcus Kane……last week also held the introduction of his newest character, MacGyver’s Russ Taylor!
As fans know Ian was recently signed to join the cast of the CBS show and he was on set shooting the first episode of the new season!
He joins cast mates Lucas Till in the title role, Justin Hires as Wilt Bolzer, Tristin Mays as Riley Davis, Meredith Eaton as Matty Webber and Levy Tran as Desi Nguyen.
Shooting officially began on Monday, July 8th in Atlanta, Georgia.
We’re excited for this new chapter of Ian’s career and wish him all the best with it!
Ian tweeted a selfie of himself and his new cast mates and there were a few other BTS photos released during the first week’s shooting too. Here’s to many more!
Last week, July 9 on The 100’s 9th episode of it’s sixth season, ‘What You Take With You’, fans tearfully had to say their goodbyes to Kane, as Ian’s 100 character closed out his story on the show, by floating himself. If you were following the story, you know Abby had put Kane’s mind chip in another man’s body after Kane had passed away. Greyston Holt portrayed Kane in this new body.
It was something, though, that Kane could not live with and ultimately knew Abby wouldn’t be able to either.
Fans were on both sides of the fence on this and on how his and their story ended….but in the end, all of them agreed on one thing…..we saw the end of a brilliant character, who’s performance by Ian these past 6 years, will remain in the hearts of many and be remembered always.
Below are a few press articles on Ian’s departure from the show, followed by a few caps of his final scene with Paige Turco (Abby Griffin).
‘The 100 Actor Makes Final Appearance On CW Drama Series’
The 100 Says Goodbye To Original Castmember Henry Ian Cusick
‘The 100 Actor Confirms His Exit After Six Seasons: May We Meet Again’
Ian was live tweeting with fans during his final episode and had this to say when it was over:
*photo credits: Tatiana at Yatanis.Tumblr.com*
Henry Ian Cusick (The Passage) has joined the cast of CBS’ action drama MacGyveras a series regular for its upcoming fourth season.
Cusick will play Russ, a lead opposite Lucas Till’s MacGyver. Russ is handsome and quick-witted Oxford-educated ex-military who is a master manipulator and salesman — skilled in propaganda and lie detection with an extremely high emotional intelligence. A very wealthy man, he’s used to getting his way and not beyond enjoying the spoils of war: expensive suits, fast cars, private jets, house in Monte Carlo.
Cusick is the second major new series regular cast addition to MacGyver for next season, along with Levy Tran, who was recently promoted after joining as a recurring last season. The cast expansion follows the exit last season of original co-lead George Eads. Cusick is the same age as Eads, and their characters have a similar ex-military background, so it is plausible that the dynamic of the MacGyver-Russ relationship could be similar to the rapport MacGyver had with Eads’ Jack.
Cusick, best known for his roles on Lost and The 100, is coming off a co-starring role on the Fox vampire drama The Passage. He is repped by Buchwald, Management 360, and attorney James Feldman.
MacGyver, produced by CBS TV Studios, also co-stars Tristin Mays, Justin Hires and Meredith Eaton. In other changes for next season, Terry Matalas is replacing Craig O’Neill as exec producer/co-showrunner alongside Peter Lenkov. James Wan, Henry Winkler and Lee Zlotoff also executive produce. CBS TV Studios produces in association with Lionsgate.
Henry Ian Cusick, best known for playing Desmond on the hit ABC series “Lost,” is signing with talent agency Buchwald for representation.
Cusick also starred in the CW sci-fi/drama “The 100” and was most recently seen in the Fox series “The Passage.”
His other notable television credits include “Scandal,” “24,” “Fringe,” “The Mentalist,” “Body of Proof” and “Inhumans.” Cusick appeared in such films as “Hitman,” “Rememory,” “Chimera,” “Pali Road,” “Just Let Go,” “Not Another Happy Ending,” “Frank vs. God” and “The Girl on the Train.”
His U.K. theater career, spanning nearly 20 years, includes the Royal National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Almeida Theatre. Cusick received a special commendation for his title role in “Torquato Tasso” at the Edinburgh International Festival. His directing credits include “The Other Side” and “The Warriors Will” episodes of “The 100.” Cusick also wrote, directed and starred in the short film “Dress.”
He continues to be repped by Management 360 and attorney Jamie Feldman at Lichter Grossman Nichols Adler Feldman & Clark.
By: Justin Kroll