Leverage Returns to TNT June 20 with 2-Hour Event

TNT – the network that knows drama (remember, they saved “Southland” ) – will be starting season 3 of “Leverage” in its new time slot with a two-hour event on Sunday June 20, 2010 at 9:00 PM ET/8C. Back to back episodes will air, as follows:

“The Jailhouse Job” – Sunday, June 20, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)
In order to save the life of an innocent inmate, Nate must bring down the corrupt warden of the Super-Max prison where he’s currently incarcerated and escape… whether he wants to or not. Elisabetta Canalis and Edwin Hodge (brother of LEVERAGE star Aldis Hodge) guest-star.

“The Reunion Job” – Sunday, June 20, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT)
To uncover a password, the team infiltrates the high school reunion of an amoral software magnate who’s the IT department for the Axis of Evil.

One of the stars of the show, Aldis Hodge, who plays Alec Hardison, resident computer expert and hacker, was available for questions about the show and this upcoming season. Here are a few excerpts:

When asked how Hodge avoids being the nerd on the show, Hodge responded “Because I'm a nerd in real life and I like think that I'm sort of cool. It’s a lot of, especially when it comes to TV there’s a lot of assumption that goes with playing a specific character. When your hear computers or geek or whatever you just automatically think pocket protector, glasses, not very social, always kind of clumsy. You think that kind of a - that kind of model. When it came to the pilot and when it came down to me and Dean Devlin, and John Rogers trying figure this character out, you know, we kind of wanted to throw a different spin on it because nowadays I mean computer nerds, we’re coming off kind of the shape of society but we’re not just one thing. And I don't want the audience to get what they’re already used to having and wanted to give them something different and something fresh. And it’s funny people say there’s a cool vibe there. I'm like I feel like I'm kind of dorky and corny sometimes but that’s just me. But if you all think it’s cool hey I'm thinking I'm going to keep giving it to you.

When asked about what this show is really about, Hodge explains that his “quick definition is, you know, a group of criminals who take down corporate bad guys in order to give back to those that they take advantage of. Now it may take a little figuring out but usually people end up saying Robin Hood. They usually say Robin Hood on the very first shot. But yes, you know, we are a lot of people said that of, you know, Oceans 11 with Robin Hood in there, a little A Team in there.”

“Leverage”, however, takes the “Robin Hood” theme and gives it a modern update, and Hodge’s role brings computers and technology into the mix, something of which Robin Hood couldn’t even dream.

If you need a refresher on where things left off at the end of Season 2, a short recap video is below, plus a short look at season 3. Don’t forget to tune in on Sunday June 20th for a new season of action!

“Leverage” season 2 recap

Behind the Scenes with the “Leverage” Season 3


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