Celebrity Extra: Dania Ramirez
By Dana Jackson
Q: Why did "Alert: Missing Persons Unit" kill off Nikki? She was one of the leads on the show. Who will replace her? -- J.M.
A: It was definitely shocking when the producers of Fox's "Alert: Missing Persons Unit" decided to kill off their female lead, played by Dania Ramirez. This usually doesn't happen unless the actress wants to leave the show, but nothing has been reported that it was Ramirez's choice.
Dania Ramirez in "Alert: Missing Persons Unit". Photo Credit: Steve Wilkie/FOX
Executive producer Carla Kettner explained to TVLine that the biggest factor in the decision to write out the character was their "commitment to keeping the show fresh and surprising." The plot twist happened a month before the finale because Kattner wanted the members of the investigative unit to cope with their grief over several episodes so that it would feel real.
There's still a question of whether "Alert" will get renewed. Ratings have been trending downward, but the network might be more inclined to renew the show if a big name is cast as Ramirez's replacement.
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Q: How is Christina Applegate doing these days since her multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis? Will she ever return to acting? -- D.W.
A: Christina Applegate essentially had to retire from acting on screen once her hit series "Dead to Me" wrapped up. Filming the final season was extremely hard on her body due to her MS, and she told the press that she's "probably not going to work on camera again." However, never say never!
Shortly thereafter, she started a podcast with actress and friend Jamie-Lynn Sigler ("The Sopranos"), who also has MS. "MeSsy" provides insight into their daily lives of living with the disease, with the hosts sharing their vulnerability and adopting a sense of humor about their devastating diagnoses. Special guests on "MeSsy" have also included Applegate's "Married ... with Children" parents Katey Sagal and Ed O'Neill.
Since making an announcement about her possible retirement, Applegate has committed to two television projects. First up is an animated reboot of "Married ... with Children," where Applegate will do the voice of Kelly Bundy, but the second project, a TV movie, is one that will really test her physical endurance. In Lifetime's "Your Time Is Up," she'll star as a "disheveled psychologist" who has a "unique approach" in how she conducts her therapy sessions due to her unconventional upbringing.
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Q: Since the show "Lucifer" isn't coming back, what can I see Tom Ellis in next? -- E.H.
A: Welsh actor Tom Ellis became a huge star in America after he starred in the series "Lucifer." Actually, it wasn't until the show was revived by Netflix after being canceled by Fox after three seasons that Ellis really hit it big. He co-starred in the Hulu series "Tell Me Lies," but it's his next series that should give you a heavy dose of him.
"CIA," the upcoming latest installment in CBS's "FBI" franchise, just announced Ellis as a "rule-breaking, loose-cannon CIA case officer." However, his co-star, who will play a by-the-book FBI agent, has yet to be announced. Look for "CIA" as part of the 2025-26 TV season.
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