Casting News: Boston Blue Adds Marg Helgenberger, Tracker Books Vampire Diaries Vet, And More

Marg Helgenberger is returning to familiar territory at CBS.

The "CSI" franchise vet has joined "Boston Blue" Season 2 in the recurring role of Gwen Silver, the estranged biological mother of Maggie Lawson's Sarah, TVLine has learned.

Gwen is described as "a complex yet charming woman whose temperament is not unlike the climate of her Cape Cod home — unpredictable. Gwen returns to Boston with a very personal and emotional agenda just when Sarah least expects it. Though Gwen loves her daughter more than anything, her arrival adds a complicated layer to the Silver family dynamic."

"Boston Blue" returns Friday, October 9 at 10 p.m.; check out TVLine's Fall TV Preview for additional Season 2 scoop.

• CBS' "Tracker" has cast "The Vampire Diaries" alum Michael Malarkey in the recurring role of Adam, a private investigator for high-end law firms who "runs into Reenie (Fiona Rene), an old friend he hasn't seen in years, and their familiar banter brings questions about their history and possible future." Season 4 kicks off Sunday, October 4 at 9:30 p.m. (get scoop).
• "Heated Rivalry" has added six more actors to its Season 2 roster: Brendan Morgan ("The Handmaid's Tale") as Zane Boodram, Gerry Dee ("Animal Control") as Coach Cooper, Michelle Mylett ("Letterkenny") as Lisa, Lauren Chan ("The Traitors Canada") as Gen, and Nick Stahl ("Let the Right One In") as Curtis Barrett. Additionally, David Tomlinson ("Fellow Travelers") will play Cody Kent, who was originally named Dallas Kent in Rachel Reid's "Game Changers" books upon which "Heated Rivalry" is based. The Canadian hockey drama is set to return in Spring 2027, streaming stateside on HBO Max.
• Madonna will open the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, marking her first live performance at the ceremony in 23 years. Hosted by Snoop Dogg, the VMAs air Sunday, September 27 at 7:30 p.m. on CBS and MTV.
• "Saturday Night Live" has added Saidah Belo-Osagie and Grace Reiter as featured players for Season 52. Belo-Osagie's credits include the short film "Tinge" and solo show "Saidah Gets Closure," while Reiter has appeared in HBO's "The Chair Company" and the upcoming Netflix comedy "Minimum Wage." "SNL" returns Saturday, September 26 at 11:30 p.m. on NBC, with host Jalen Brunson and musical guest KATSEYE.

Photos by Mike Klubeck & Jill Petracek