The CW's Beauty and the Beast Panel at New York Comic Con 2013

During New York Comic Con 2013, attendees joined Kristin Kreuk and Jay Ryan, along with executive producers Jennifer Levin ("Without a Trace") and Sherri Cooper ("Brothers and Sisters") for the Beauty and the Beast panel.

Winner of the 2012 People's Choice Award for Favorite New TV Drama, Beauty and the Beast is a modern twist on the well-known story. In the second season, Detective Catherine Chandler (Kreuk) reunites with Vincent Keller (Ryan) after last season's abduction - but not in the way she planned. He's changed: his scar has disappeared, his memory has been wiped clean and he returns as a supercharged beast on a mysterious mission. Catherine needs to unravel the reasons behind Vincent's change if she has any hope of recovering their epic love, while also trying to solve the secrets that swirl around her own life.

This season, Beauty and the Beast will be moving away from a 'crime of the week' and delving more into mythology, suspense and action. You can catch new episodes of Beauty and the Beast, Mondays at 9pm ET on The CW.

The panel discusses the volatility between Catherine and Vincent, mythology and beasts, filming in NYC and who Catherine's father really is and what he's been doing. 

- Kim Weling

The CW's Reign Panel at New York Comic Con 2013

During New York Comic Con, The CW's Reign panel attendees screened the pilot episode, followed by a discussion and Q&A with the cast, including Adelaide Kane ("Teen Wolf"), Toby Regbo ("One Day"), Torrance Coombs ("The Tudors") and executive producer Laurie McCarthy ("CSI: Miami").

Reign takes place 500 years ago, with the story of teenage Mary Queen of Scots, who is joined by her four best friends as ladies-in-waiting, as she arrives in France, betrothed to Prince Francis, with a promising future ahead. Unbeknownst to her, she will soon be fighting for survival amid fierce foes, dark forces and dangerous sexual intrigue.

It's a show filled with sex, lies, betrayal and beheading with mythology and superstition mixed in. With a glimpse at some phenomenal fashion thus far, Reign reminds me of the "Gossip Girl" of the 16th century but much darker, with a Blair-Chuck-Dan love triangle and Blair surrounded by her minions. I do like the chemistry between Adelaide, Toby and Torrance's characters. I am routing for a romance between Mary Queen of Scots and Sebastian, Prince Francis' half brother, so I'll definitely be tuning in to see how it all plays out.  

You can catch Reign on Thursday nights on The CW at 9pm ET.

Check out some of the video footage I took during the panel:


The cast of Reign discuss their experiences on set.

Adelaide Kane and Laurie McCarthy discuss fashion and costume design on the show, from sourced costumes, couture and vintage pieces, original and handmade pieces, with wardrobe done by Meredith Markworth-Pollack.

- Kim Weling