You see this picture? That's Christopher Egan in NBC's new midseason drama Kings. He'll be playing a David-like character -- as in David versus Goliath -- when the series debuts later this year or in early 2009. And in an interesting casting coup reported by EW's Michael Ausiello, Macaulay Culkin has been cast on Kings as King Silas' nephew. The king, by the way, is the formidable Ian McShane. Joel reported just how formidable McShane is at last summer's TCA.

Culkin is a long way from the adorable Kevin McAllister in the Home Alone movies, but he's still got that charismatic appeal.

Since Kings is all about power, as McShane's nephew who has been exiled from the kingdom and returns after David's success defeating the Goliath of the show -- a killer tank -- I can see him perhaps as a Mordred character. In other words, an antagonist with issues.

Culkin isn't the only name to join Kings in some capacity: Brian Cox, Miguel Ferrer, Leslie Bibb and Michael Stahl-David are also on board for guest arcs.

First it looked like there wasn't going to be a fourth season of Deadwood at all. Then David Milch said he was trying to raise the $60 million himself for another season. Now comes official word that Milch and HBO have reached a deal. After this third season, the show will wrapup with two two-hour movies.

Interestingly, HBO did offer Milch a fourth season. But it was for only 6 episodes, and Milch didn't want to do that. So they're going with the movies instead.

David Milch pretty much confirms the news we posted last week, that Deadwood will vanish after this third season. And in true Deadwood fashion, Milch had this to say:

"How &%$#@! is it that we're not coming back?"

Milch also confirms that it was HBO that decided not to pick up the options on the cast, which freed the actors to go look for other work. Milch doesn't sound too happy about it, but he's still busy. He's working on the new surfer drama John From Cincinnati, which the same network is interested in.

In news that might be kind of a shock for fans, it looks like the upcoming third season of Deadwood might be the last.

HBO is letting the cast "explore their options," which bascially means that they are free to consider other options.  In fact, creator/writer David Milch is exploring his own option, concentrating on a new surfer drama for HBO titled John From Cincinnati.

More on this as it develops ...

(thanks to Dave for the heads up)