Much like those pesky robots sent from the future to protect John Connor on Fox’s now defunct action adventure that was TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES, Thomas Dekker is back. Yet unlike his previous role that saw the young actor spend the better part of two seasons struggling to accept the responsibility that comes with being singled out as humanity’s last hope, his newest character is only too happy to bear the burden. Which was just one of the reasons Dekker decided to return to the small screen as Adam, the de facto leader of the titular Coven on the CW’s much-anticipated companion piece to THE VAMPIRE DIARIES, THE SECRET CIRCLE. But just what else attracted him to the role following a two and a half year absence spent shooting movies? We caught up with Dekker at the recent Television Critics Association Press Tour in Los Angeles to find out just that. See for yourself after the jump.

Being an actor who seems to relish jumping from role to role and maintaining some semblance of anonymity we have to start off by asking just what brought you back to television?
Thomas Dekker: What drew me back was that I hadn’t done TV in two and a half years. Obviously my heart is kind of in indies, jumping around and experimenting with film and all that but I really was interested in doing something again that was — for lack of a better word — pulpy. Something sort of mainstream that was easy for young people to grasp hold. It’s fun to do that kind of stuff and I’ve always wanted to work with [SECRET CIRCLE executive producer] Kevin Williamson. I didn’t go out looking for TV, he brought the show to me and I just kinda went, “Yeah let’s do it.” As much as I am picky, I also tend to be a little bit impulsive, which is why I now find myself living in Vancouver [Where THE SECRET CIRCLE shoots].

Did you familiarize yourself with the L.J. Smith source material before the start of shooting?
No and that was one of the things Kevin Williamson and I talked about at the beginning. How much are we following exactly the rules and laws of these books and we sort of decided for my character it’s a bit of a diversion, somewhat different and we’re sort of playing with that. So I’ve not read the books kind of on purpose and am just kind of going with my own thing.

Right from the outset it would seem that the Pilot is setting up a love triangle between your character Adam, his current girlfriend Diana (Shelley Hennig) and newcomer Cassie (Britt Robertson). What can you tell us about that?
Diana is the lovely perfect innocent one in our Pilot and who knows where she’ll end up if it comes down to this love triangle business. But the really cool thing that we’re discovering is that Cassie and Adam’s affection is not just a crush, it’s written in their magical blood as it were, their family lineage, so it’s literally a physical fate that they cannot control no matter how they try.

What’s it like being only one of two guys in the Coven?
Being the main guy, the guy who takes care of the Coven, that was one of the things that really attracted me to the role. I always try to find — and this is so weird to say — duality in every role I do, find kind of two opposites and put them together. And what I liked about this guy, this all-American-strong-take-care-of-the-group kind of guy, is that to be a witch he has to be in tune with nature, with spirituality and have sensitivity somewhere in there so it’s fun to fuse those two ideas.

Knowing your affinity for things out of the ordinary, would it be safe to assume that practicing magic was something that might have interested you growing up?
I actually must say that growing up I was obsessed with the 90′s movie The Craft. I thought it was the coolest thing I had ever seen and was really into it as an idea and I think I bought a Wiccanism book one time. I’ve done the Wiji board and sayance and all that but I’ve never done the full deal. Never caused a storm or anything.

What’s it like working so closely with Britt Robertson?
Well, Britt and I did a film together years ago where I played a witch and she was trapped in a burning car, so apparently we just keep repeating ourselves. But we’ve kept in touch throughout the years and Britt’s just awesome. It’s weird because Britt and I have a very brother sister relationship in person but I feel that we have a very kind of strong chemistry once the camera rolls where as Shelley Hennig who plays Diana, my girlfriend on the show, we’re not so brother sister in person. We’re more — I don’t know how to put it — but then on camera we’re very chilled out so it’s a weird thing that happens.

With THE VAMPIRE DIARIES as its lead in, it’s not hard to imagine THE SECRET CIRCLE playing a fairly substantial part in your life for the next six or seven years. Does the prospect of that terrify you?
Absolutely. I can stand here and be honest and say I love the show and I’m excited about it, but at the same time whenever that kind of talk comes up, and it could be anything if you said “could last seven years of your life” just sounds petrifying to me. But who knows we’ll see what happens, it could be magical. No pun intended.

THE SECRET CIRCLE premieres on the CW this Thursday September 15th at 9pm (Friday September 16th at 9PM on MuchMusic in Canada) and stars Brittany Robertson, Thomas Dekker, Gale Harold, Natasha Henstridge, Phoebe Tonkin, Logan Browning, Ashley Crow, Shelley Hennig and Adam Harrington. Download the series premiere for free online by clicking here.

Full disclosure: After a weekend spent chained to our desk editing a seemingly never-ending barrage of video direct from San Diego Comic Con 2011, our brain power, not to mention ability to stare at our admittedly beautiful 27″ iMac is probably not where it should be for a Tuesday morning. Which is why we, in lieu of actual content, we have opted to take the easy way out by posting some fantastic exclusive shots of a handful of your favorite small screen stars from this past weekend’s Con. But did our photag extraordinaire Jennifer Schadel capture your favorites? Find out for yourself, after the jump.

Ryan McPartlin (CHUCK)

Yvonne Stahovski (CHUCK)

John Barrowman (TORCHWOOD)

Mark Christopher Lawrence (CHUCK)

Manu Bennett & Liam McIntyre(SPARTACUS)

Lucy Lawless (SPARTACUS)

Liam McIntyre (SPARTACUS)

Chris O’Donnell (NCIS: LA)

Renee Felice Smith & Barrett Foa (NCIS: LA)

Eric Balfour (HAVEN)

Felicia Day (EUREKA)

Christopher Gorham (COVERT AFFAIRS)

Ian Somerhalder (THE VAMPIRE DIARIES)

Paul Wesley (THE VAMPIRE DIARIES)

Nina Dobrev (THE VAMPIRE DIARIES)

Thomas Dekker (THE SECRET CIRCLE)

Britt Robertson (THE SECRET CIRCLE)

Photo Credits: Jennifer Schadel

Thanks to our inexplicable need to point out actors who remind us of, well other actors, comes our latest separated at birth: Former TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES star Thomas Dekker and current SMALLVILLE guest star David Gallagher, who will next be seen swooping into Metropolis on November 13 playing one-half of “The Wonder Twins.” Thoughts?

Thomas Dekker was our first. On-set interview that is. 

Which is why — aside from starring in one of the most criminally under-appreciated television shows in recent memory — we’ll always have a soft spot for the TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES star. 

And, why this TV Addict took it upon himself to brave the horde of 50,000 strong that converged upon Toronto’s Annual FanExpo over the weekend to provide fans of the show with some much needed closure. And, as luck would have it, a little hope — courtesy of the always classy and candid Dekker (Who was on hand to promote the slasher flick Laid to Rest) and was more than happy to take a few minutes to reflect upon his now infamous YouTube video, the one thing he would have changed about the series and of course, what was in store for Connor and Co. had the proverbial powers that be not put the kibosh on a third season of Sarah Connor’s Chronicles.

The TV Addict: How do you feel about being here in Toronto right now instead of the Warner Bros. lot shooting season three of the show?
Thomas Dekker: I definitely miss the show a lot. In fact, it sort of catches me off guard how much I miss the show sometimes. I really miss the people I got to work with everyday and the environment of knowing where you were working on a daily basis. And of course, the story. I loved the story and I knew where the third season was going and I thought it was just so cool. I love that Josh [Executive Producer Josh Friedman] had the balls to make everybody kind of wait, and be patient. Unfortunately I guess people really weren’t that willing to be patient.

Since you brought it up, just how cool was season three going to be?
I’ve divulged too much in the past [so I have to be careful as to not piss off Josh] but I mean it was going to be really interesting because there were questions in the future like is Sarah Connor at the age she would be in the future or is she already dead? I know which one that is, and it was the more interesting of the two to me. Plus what is she doing in the past? Also my sort of relationship with Allison and finding Cameron would play a large part in the season, do I go with the robot I know or do I go with the human that doesn’t know me? The fact that Danny Dyson became a very important part of it was also very exciting because it harkened back directly to the second film.

Has there been any talk of continuing the story in a different form, a comic book perhaps?
They’ve spoken about doing a TV movie. Well, not a TV movie, but kind of like a direct-to-DVD movie [Think: BATTLESTAR GALACTICA's THE PLAN]. Obviously it’s difficult because the show is based on a movie and they just had one come out, so it’s kind of hard to make a movie with our show because everyone has kind of forgotten about us. But they’re hoping, at least when I spoke to [Producer] James Middleton that’s where they are with it.

When did you find out that TERMINATOR had been officially terminated?
Obviously we’d seen the ratings and we had an inkling about it. But it was tricky, because the show was so popular overseas. In the end, it really came down to DOLLHOUSE or us and that was sort of what happened. I think we were too expensive and DOLLHOUSE was a lot cheaper.

So pretty much your salary cost us another season?!
[Laughs] It wasn’t my salary let me tell you that much! But I think that it ultimately did come down to money. 

Where were you when you found out?
I ultimately found out while I was shooting Nightmare on Elm Street, I got a text from Josh that was typically Josh, “Show’s cancelled. Call me.” And that was that.

What inspired you to take to the internet and post a video on YouTube video (see above)?
I was in Chicago doing the movie and we were shooting nightshifts. Having just woken up, I was surfing the net just to see how people were reacting to the show and I found myself really touched by videos, blogs and all these things that random people of all ages and groups had done to try and save the show. It was nice to get the affirmation that people wanted more of something we worked so hard on. So I just kind of thought it would be funny of me to ask FOX to give me my job for another year. I really just wanted to make something to let them [the fans] know that we knew they were trying and we appreciated it and appreciate them.  The best part was that a lot of people though that I was drunk, stoned or f*cked up. Which tends to happen a lot of my stuff. I can assure you, I have many moments of non-sobriety but that wasn’t one of them. It’s actually really funny that I sort of come off as a crack head even though I’m not.

Looking back, to you have a favourite episode?
I’d say the bit that really just summed up the whole show to me was the ending montage of “Adam Raised a Cain,” where it’s the song that little Savannah Weaver was singing with John Henry, and they’re burying Derek and Sarah’s been arrested. i just think that that is a testament to the beauty of the show. It was a piece that was so poetic to me and one that you don’t normally see in a sci fi television vehicle. Moments like that made me very proud. And obviously I loved our last episode ‘Born to Run.”

Is there anything, be it a performance or an episode, that you would love the ability to travel back in time and change?
I wish I wasn’t so fat by the end of the season. But other than that, no. You know, I think all of us are pretty satisfied and proud. Even the episode that got kind of dissed or whatever, like the 20′s episode [Self Made Man], which was more experimental — I liked and thought it was high concept sci fi.

Garret Dillahunt is on what seems to be 15 different shows this fall, Summer [Glau] has jumped to Joss Whedon’s DOLLHOUSE, what’s next for you?
I’m doing movies right now, which is nothing against TV, but I’ve done a lot of TV and I’m really trying to branch out and I’m having a really good time with that. I did an indie called All About Evil, then Nightmare on Elm Street and next up is another indie that I start in two weeks but can’t disclose what it is yet. But it’s with a filmmaker that I’ve wanted to work with for my entire life, so I’m really excited. So yeah, I’m getting to do all this stuff, but it’s not the family like TERMINATOR. I miss the family.

Completely devoid of a filter, or better-still a high-powered Hollywood publicist to ask “Do you really think this is a good idea?” comes a shirtless, foul-mouthed, not-safe-for-work, cigarette smoking Thomas Dekker; Doing his part to fight for his future and save TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES. Or as this TV Addict likes to call it, a trend we get behind.

Now don’t get us wrong. We’re not asking for your average run-of-the-mill Joe or Jane six-pack to go shirtless in support of his or her favorite show. Really, a trip to Subway in support of CHUCK will suffice. But imagine if you will the possibilities should Dekker’s video plea become a trend. After-all, who is going to say “No” to a shirtless Yvonne Strahovski, Adam Baldwin, Tamoh Penikett or Eliza Dushku? Think about it!

Thanks to Nice Girls TV for the Tip!

Yesterday, this TV Addict was surprised to discover, courtesy of our friends over at Buzz Sugar that author Jodi Picoult was none to thrilled with the ending being changed in the upcoming film adaptation of her best-selling book My Sister’s Keeper. Revealing to USA Today in a recent interview that, “Having the ending changed would certainly not have been my choice. I wrote the ending very intentionally because I wanted to leave the reader with a certain message. And changing that ending changes that message. However, I am excited to see the movie and to judge it on its strengths.”

Now I know what you’re thinking, “Umm… TV Addict, what exactly does this have to do with television?” Well, it turns out that when he’s not busy saving the world from killer robots sent from the future, TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES star Thomas Dekker spends his hiatus shooting movies. The most recent of which was Nick Cassavetes big screen adaptation of you guessed it, My Sisters’s Keeper.

So what does Dekker have to say in defense of Cassavetes’ film? “While the ending may piss fans of the book off. I did finally see a cut of the film a couple of weeks ago and loved it.” revealed Dekker in an exclusive one-on-one with the TV Addict. “I was actually surprised, because you’re treading on territory that could be really “Hallmark-ey” or “Lifetime-ey” and it didn’t feel like that. Nick Cassevetes [the director] has a very dark sensibility about everything and I think that it events it out.”

In other-words, the 16-year-old in Jericho NY who made headlines by starting the Facebook Group “Save My Sister’s Keeper!” probably shouldn’t count on Dekker to be your 1,601 member.

Turns out that actor Thomas Dekker has learned a thing or two about fighting for the future over the course of two season on TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES.

Because on a chilly morning in January, Dekker took an unscheduled break from his exhaustive shooting schedule to drop by the Hotel Palomar, fight for his future employment (or as they call it in the biz, a third season pickup for TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES) to talk up what fans can expect when TERMINATOR returns to the airwaves this Friday February 13th at 8PM on FOX.

With apologies for starting this interview off on a bit of a negative note, I have to ask, are you surprised to still be on the air?
Thomas Dekker: I am and I’m not surprised, because internationally we’re doing really really well [in the ratings]. So it’s kind of that tough thing, because obviously, when you look at the ratings stateside you think “huh?” But then you look and see how we’re doing around the rest of the world and you kind of get it.

Sort of like how PRISON BREAK is huge internationally, but not so much in America?
Exactly. Most of the fan mail I get is from England.

Have you started to get recognized when you travel?
I’ve rarely been recognized because of the hair difference. Just when everyone got used to me with the long hair…. God I miss my long hair….

Really? Because I have to say, I’m not sure the fandom misses Emo John Connor.
[Laughs] The short hair is more fitting with the character, but for me, it’s a psychological need to be able to hide.

Moving on to John, what’s his deal? When is he going to smarten up, ditch Riley and stop putting his family in danger?
Don’t lose faith. All I’m going to say is don’t lose faith. He’s got a plan and he’s had a plan. What I love so much about our back nine, for me personally, is John is a lot smarter even than I think everybody gives him credit for.

I hope John has a plan, because fans are starting to lose faith in him.
Oh, I did too. But we save him. I swear.

Is John aware that Riley isn’t whom she appears to be?
I don’t want to say yes or no because that’s kind of a big thing.

Well at the very least, can you assure fans that John will try to be a better son.
I think you;ve got to cut John some slack! I mean, can you imagine having to grow up with that [Sarah] all your life? Jesus Chris, I mean I have issues with my Supermom!

What I will say is that where we went with John and Sarah’s relationship gave us a lot of drama and it was a believable evolution after what happened to him in the beginning of the second season where it would only be natural that he would want to push her away and act out. I understand though that it was weird, having him both mature and act out at the same time. That said, after we killed Cromartie in Mexico and Sarah broke down only to be embraced by John, we kind of felt that that was the moment that I stop with the sh*t and realize this woman is falling apart and I do love her. And remember, John really is the only one who is on her side about her craziness with the three dots which of course isn’t craziness at all.

Since you brought it up, what can you tell us about the three dots?
We’ve actually shot episodes that clear up the three dots. Which is part of what I love about our back nine [episodes]. All these weird things we’ve done that have left fans wondering what the hell it all means pretty much get answered boom, boom, boom, boom and give-way to new stuff, which is really satisfying for me.

Were you surprised where the back nine take the show?
Yes. Although we’re not told much, I’ve kind of been given clues here and there that make me think we’re building up to something extremely exciting. Something that makes me pray we get a third season. Let’s just say that things get really interesting with John Henry [formerly Cromartie] and my father.

Your father?
Just wait.

So what you’re saying is that the season ends on a massive cliffhanger that will have fans fuming if FOX doesn’t renew the show?
Well there’s closure and at the same time a total lack of closure. There is closure to what’s been propelling all of season two. But at the same time, the season will end on a new note that for me, personally, will have be desperate to see more.

Don’t miss the thrilling return of TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES this Friday February 13th on FOX at 8PM

Which is why we’ve decided to take a page from Sarah Connor and Co. and fight for the future. Their future.

Because we don’t trust you America. I mean sure, in a perfect world, TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES and DOLLHOUSE wouldn’t need our help. But if the cancellations of KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL and ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT have taught us anything, it’s that we don’t live in a perfect world, far from it. And time and time again, you, America, can’t resist flipping to the likes of WIFE SWAP, SUPERNANNY and HOWIE DO IT.

Which brings us to our plan.

If you solemnly swear (in the comments below) to tune into TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES at 8PM and DOLLHOUSE at 9PM on FOX this Friday February 13th, you will automatically be entered to win an incredible TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES poster autographed by stars Lena Headey, Thomas Dekker and Summer Glau.

One winner will be chosen at random and notified via email on Saturday February 14 so please be sure to enter with a valid email address.

First the Television Critics Association Press Tour, then Comic Con and now the FOX Fall Press Junket, do you ever tire of talking about the TERMINATOR?
Thomas Dekker: It’s very lucky we’re in love with the show because if we weren’t…
Summer Glau: Sometimes things get blurry. People do tend to ask the same questions and it gets to the point where I almost don’t recognize anything that’s coming out of my mouth.

So you’re pretty much the TV equivalent of Presidential Candidates on the campaign trail. Is this a part of the business you enjoy? Doing the TERMINATOR ‘stump speech’.
Thomas: I’ve strangely managed to coast along acting for fifteen years without doing much of this. But if it will help the show be seen then we’re happy to do it.

Well at the very least I’m sure you’ve gotten to visit some cool places promoting the show?
Thomas: Best trip ever [laughs].
Summer: We went to Australia.
Thomas: It was a wild week. We were in Australia just the two of us for a week.
Summer: We had a really good time, that was a crazy week.
Thomas: Yes, drunken beach photographs and all! [Click for some pics]
Summer: Germany
Thomas: We’re very popular in Europe.

Heading into tonight’s season premiere, you’ve [Thomas] made it pretty clear the last time we talked that John Connor is going to finally start to grow up this season. But Summer, we don’t seem to know so much about what’s in store for Cameron this season.
Summer: It’s a big question. The show picks up right after the explosion and things change. Cameron’s going to be a lot more complicated than before and there were clues in season one hinting about the possibility of what her agenda is.
Thomas: Sometimes they [robots] go bad and we don’t know why…

Clearly Derek doesn’t trust Cameron [as Brian Austin Green revealed in our recent interview with him], yet the Connors seem to have really grown attached to her.
Thomas: I think in a surprisingly strange way I think Sarah accepts Cameron even more than John does this season. Which is a big switch from last year. Have you noticed that? [talking to Summer]. I think it’s an interesting thing that Sarah kind of lets Cameron take John’s place.
Summer: John’s having a huge rebellion this season and he’s got a new girl in his life.
Thomas: Maybe that’s why Sarah needs you.
Summer: She does need me, I’m all she’s got!

So in a way, Cameron’s the daughter Sarah never had. And speaking of potential daughter, or daughter-in-laws for Sarah — I met Leven Rambin yesterday [stay tuned for the interview]. How are your scenes working out with her?
Thomas: You know it’s always tough because you meet someone in the morning and you’re shooting these romantic… although we haven’t done anything crazy yet… that’s in a couple of weeks. But she’s very nice. Although it’s got to be tough for anyone new to come on the set because we worked such long hours that first season and it really was only the three of us that we created our own unique kind of language. But new people coming in… well, it’s a new adventure.

I imagine the workload must be less with more additions to the cast this season?
Summer: You would think that…
Thomas: But no. We have more characters but everything is so much bigger. There’s more money being spent on more locations, which equals more plot. So it kind of evens out.

Do you prefer locations to shooting on the Warner Bros. lot?
Summer: Location. I love studio because it’s sort of like home. But locations look beautiful which is nice.

What would you say is the overarching theme of the season?
Thomas: At the TCA’s Josh said that it was evolution. But for me it’s trust no one. Nothing is safe or sacred. I just feel like fans will be shocked every week as to what’s happening to all of us.

At Comic Con it was revealed that a major character will die this season.
Thomas: One of us who was at the panel at Comic Con, which was me, Lena, Richard, Brian, Shirley and Garret. One of us will die. Soon.

And I assume you both know who it is?
Thomas: Yes and we can’t tell you.

Really? Because it would really help me in my quest to become the next better looking version of Michael Ausiello.
Thomas: We were shocked as to who dies. But it will be worth it for the story.
Summer: Oh yeah.

Well I hope it’s not Cromartie. Because I’m fairly sure that that killing an indestructible Robot that can easily be rebuilt is somewhat of a cop out.
Thomas: Here’s the point. The shock does not come out of necessarily whether they’re really dead or not. The shock comes because that death, in its own way, is what causes Judgement Day.

Don’t miss the return of TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES tonight on FOX at 8PM.

In the fourth installment of Advertising Anarchy [theTVaddict.com's take on how networks might wish to consider promoting some of our favorite new and returning shows come Fall 2008] we offer up a first look at the new John Connor. Who both star Thomas Dekker and showrunner Josh Friedman promise will, for lack of a better phrase, kick some serious Terminator butt this season.

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