Even though it’s essentially a fate accompli that FOX will renew FRINGE for a second season, credit must go to J.J. Abrams for not taking any chances. As evidence by the inspired casting choice of Leonard Nimoy to play the mysterious and enigmatic founder of Massive Dynamics, William Bell, in FRINGE’s May 12 finale (and beyond).
“He [Nimoy] plays William in a way that’s kind of unexpected,” revealed FRINGE executive producer Jeff Pinkner at last week’s Paley Festival Panel honoring the show. “And you go, ‘Oh my God, I now see why these two men were simpatico, were like minded, even though one went into an insane asylum and one went on to be one of the richest men in America.’ Maybe there’s something to that.” 
