Poker Face Is Over As We Know It

"Peacock has officially canceled Rian Johnson's Columbo-esque guest-star bonanza after two seasons, putting Charlie Cale, Natasha Lyonne's human bullshit detector on the run, out of a job. But it might not be the end of the road for the shoe just yet. Variety reports that Johnson and his producers have hit the town in search of a new distributor. The twist? Lyonne's out, and Peter Dinklage is in as the new Charlie Cale."

"Frankly, I'm into it. After all, in these dark times, we are in need of new institutions that can persist for a long time, on television and elsewhere, and this could be an opportunity to do just that. Dinklage makes for a fun first handoff, having already kicked the leather-jacket-and-attitude tires earlier this year in a terrific cameo on The Lowdown, where he played an old buddy of Ethan Hawke's Lee Raybon who blows into town, whoops his ass,"

"Still, the format raises questions. Should the switch be a Doctor Who- style regeneration, with an in-universe reason for Charlie Cale to "rebirth" every two seasons? (I'm thinking no.) Is it more of a James Bond thing, where you simply reset the terms of the show every cycle? Or should the show avoid drawing attention to the change entirely: same character, same history, new actor, no big deal?"

"However Poker Face decides to handle things should it get picked up, some continuity should carry over, preferably in a way that specifically nods to Lyonne's origination of the character. Maybe every Charlie Cale should have Lyonne's voluminous curly red hair. (Put Dinklage in a wig!) Or maybe they should inherit her raspy New York accent. (Let Dinklage go full New Yawk!) Just go crazy with it."

Peacock canceled Poker Face after two seasons and producers are shopping the series to a new distributor. Natasha Lyonne will not return as Charlie Cale, and Peter Dinklage has been named to succeed her. The producers plan to rotate lead actors every two seasons. The recasting approach raises format questions about whether to provide an in-universe explanation, reset the show each cycle, or maintain uninterrupted character continuity with a new performer. Suggestions include carrying forward visual or vocal traits that nod to Lyonne's original portrayal. Lyonne remains busy with other projects.

Read at Vulture