Mega Buzz: House of Cards' New Season, a Blacklist Affair and Vampire Hatred

Every week, senior reporter Natalie Abrams satisfies your need for TV scoop. Please send all questions to mega_scoop@tvguide.com or tweet them to @NatalieAbrams.

Can you tell me anything about the new season of House of Cards? — Kathy
Zoe and now-Vice President Frank Underwood are still on the outs, but he has a new ally. Jackie Sharp (Molly Parker), a third-term Democratic congresswoman, will fall into line for Frank's army, but not without some degree of resistance. "I don't think this character is a sociopath," Parker says. "But I do think she's interested in control. She's interested in power and fearlessness. She has a past and she has secrets, but she's not self-destructive. She has a conscience."

Are Tom and Liz headed for divorce on The Blacklist? — Lola
It's not looking good. Tom invites Liz to go on a trip for a teachers' conference, but her job once again interferes. Don't worry though, the mysterious Jolene will also be on the trip to help Tom pick up the pieces. Actually, maybe you should worry...

Any scoop on The Vampire Diaries? — Max
Don't you hate Damon right now? And not, like, love to hate, just hate? Well, get ready for your indignation to deepen. By the end of this week's episode, he'll be responsible for a steep body count, which will have Stefan running to join your "I Hate Damon" Club.

You said you had more scoop on the arrival of Jess' sister on New Girl. — Clark
And I shall deliver! The introduction of Linda Cardellini as Jess' troublemaker sister Abby will show a new color on New Girl: orange. "Abby is a total mess and basically a low-level criminal," executive producer Liz Meriwether tells me. "Jess has to get her out of jail. It was fun to shoot a scene in a women's prison because I could pretend I was on Orange Is the New Blackfor a second."

I'm so hooked on The Originals. Tell me what's next. — Charlie
Rebekah and Klaus are in for a rough time now that the witches have kidnapped them. "We go outside of the Quarter and we put Rebekah and Klaus into a trap situation in a creepy, horrible, messed-up sanitarium from back in the day," executive producer Julie Plec says. "We'll learn why Genevieve's revenge is so specifically targeted toward Rebekah and what she's going to do to make Rebekah suffer as much as possible." It's safe to say that Klaus will soon find out that Rebekah had a role in summoning their father.

Do you have any scoop on Nashville? — Laurie
Producers are looking to cast the role of Luke Wheeler's son Colt, a "too-cool-for-school" brooder who couldn't care less about his dad's music — or any country music for that matter. His tastes skew more toward EDM and rap. Though he's initially skeptical of "Nashville princesses" like Maddie, he can't help but be impressed by her musical talents, and the two end up bonding over their mutual embarrassment of their parents' relationship both on and off the stage.

What do you know about the Modern Family wedding? — Jon
It's coming before the end of the season, but Cam and Mitchell will first have to deal with the difficulties of planning a same-sex wedding. "Jay [doesn't really] understand what a wedding day looks like between two men," Eric Stonestreet says. "Things that traditionally are paid for by the father of the bride and those sorts of things become a confusing issue."

What's coming up on Arrow? — Andrea
It's finally time for Nyssa al Ghul (Katrina Law)! She'll make her way to Starling City this week and will return later this season. In related news, we'll learn much more about what -- and who -- has been occupying Sara's time over the last six years. Expect to see a few flashbacks to the weeks surrounding the accident on the Queen's Gambit.

I know it's early, but do you have any scoop on Under the Dome? — Mark
Even under the dome, it's possible to see new faces, but none will rock Big Jim and Junior's world as much as the return of the eccentric Pauline Rennie, aka Junior's mom and Big Jim's presumed-dead wife. Suffice it to say, the mommy issues will be out in full force!

I still can't believe John Ross cheated on Pamela with Emma so soon after they eloped! Where do things stand on the new season of Dallas? — James
Things will still be hot and heavy between John Ross and Pamela... and between John Ross and Emma. Playa! However, it won't take long for someone to catch on to John Ross' infidelity. But it's not the new Mrs. Ewing who is suspicious, but rather a former Mrs. Ewing, if you catch my drift.

Elementaryscoop! — Howard
Remember when I told you that Sherlock and Joan will cross paths with a guy (Army Wives' Jeremy Davidson) suspected of killing his wife who receives a ransom note that says that she's alive? Well, I've learned exclusively that Mad Menstar Cara Buono will play said wife, Sarah Cushing, a Manhattan socialite.

What's going to happen to Cyrus on Once Upon a Time in Wonderland? — Sam
An upcoming episode will explain Cyrus' backstory, including how he ended up in that bottle. "Cyrus is described as very arrogant and selfish," Peter Gadiot teases. "He's quite the opposite of the romantic Cyrus we see. He's going to be a complete d--- basically, and he's going to be punished for it by going into the bottle. After spending centuries in there to mull over his choices, he's realized it's good to be good."

Mega Rave: I don't know what's more hilarious: Anna Kendrick telling Conan O'Brien that Katy Perry "finger-banged" her cleavage, or Coco's reaction to hearing the story. Watch, you won't regret it.

Natalie's Mini Rant: If only the Super Bowl was half as exciting as the Puppy Bowl...

This week's recommendation: The Walking Dead (Sunday at 9/8c on AMC) The real treat in this often-tense episode about Carl and Rick's struggle to survive is a long-overdue glimpse into Michonne's past. (Bonus: Eagle-eyed fans will notice a few shot-for-shot remakes of panels from the comics.)

Crave scoop on your favorite TV shows? E-mail Natalie at mega_scoop@tvguide.com or drop me a line at Twitter.com/TVGuide
(Additional reporting by Adam Bryant, Liz Raftery, Robyn Ross and Kate Stanhope)