TVSquad

I've checked out the first episode of season two of Crash, which airs Sept. 18 at 10 PM ET on Starz. After a major tragedy in his life, Ben Cendars, played awesomely by Dennis Hopper, has taken some time off to get sober. No more drugs.

Somehow, I find that a difficult pill to swallow, so to speak, and I really hope he goes south again soon. No one plays the drugged out crazy guy like Dennis Hopper. His wild eyes and erratic behavior are the best parts of the show, especially as he interacts with his driver Anthony, played by Jocko Sims. Those two have one of the weirdest, most dysfunctional bromances in TV history, and I'd hate to see it messed up with Ben's sobriety.

On the plus side, Eric Roberts has joined the cast as a billionaire entrepreneur who plans to bring a pro football team to Los Angeles. My other favorite character is Kenny, played by Ross McCall. He's definitely no angel, but he seems like he wants to make things right in this episode. Let's just say it's a bit of a heartbreaker.

Anyone else a Crash fan?

Dennis Hopper is set to star in the new original series Crash, produced by Starz and Lionsgate. This is the first drama series for the network. Based on the Academy Award-winning movie, Crash has begun filming in New Mexico and Los Angeles. Sanford Bookstaver (Jericho, Bones, The O.C.) will direct the premiere episode.

According to the press release, the show "will continue to focus on an ensemble cast of characters" and "will explore the complexities of social tolerance in contemporary America by digging at the meaning of what it takes to reach the American dream." Hopper will play Ben, a veteran, maverick producer in the music biz who is looking for his last big score. Other stars include Clare Carey, Luis Chavez, Ross McCall, Jocko Sims, Brian Tee, and Arlene Tur. Crash will come to Starz in October.

Watch your backs, HBO and Showtime! This show looks good. And Paul Haggis is on the team of executive producers. He didn't just give us Crash. He gave us thirtysomething and The Black Donnellys. Don't mess with the Hag.

Shortly after the release of 2005's Crash in theaters, I remember reading that a TV series based on the film was in the works. I even pitched the story to a TV trade magazine, but the editor didn't go for it. She must have guessed the show would be years in the works, and she was right.

Three years later, a TV series is finally starting to gain some steam. The Hollywood Reporter just posted a story that five actors have joined the cast of the series produced by Don Cheadle, Paul Haggis (pictured), Mark R. Harris, Robert Moresco, Tom Nunan, and Bob Yari, all of whom were involved with the movie. Produced by Lionsgate, the series is anticipated to premiere on Starz in 2009.

Here's a rundown on the actors who've just signed. It's interesting that most of these folks are not big-name actors, which I find refreshing in an era where many mega-movie stars are crossing over into TV: