Who’s up for a Stanley Kubrick themed Community episode? Well, that’s not quite what we’ll be getting in season 4, but close – with veteran actor Malcolm McDowell joining the show for a double bill of episodes, according to THR.
McDowell, perhaps best known for his iconic, ‘ultraviolent’ performance in Kubrick’s 1971 classic A Clockwork Orange, is set to play… a history professor. But that’s probably for the best: I doubt murder and rape would fit in well in the Community-verse. Nevertheless, McDowell is known for his villainous roles, with plenty of recent ventures on the small screen (including Entourage, Heroes and CSI: Miami) – so it’s likely we may see him in a similar role here.
Community has featured plenty of guest stars in its short stint, including Betty White, Kevin Corrigan and John Oliver, with cameo appearances from the likes of Owen Wilson and Jack Black.
The show’s fourth season could be its last, with the episode count dropping to 13 and producers David Guarascaio and Moses Port taking over from creator Dan Harmon (who was fired after the third season) as showrunners.
Executives and fans alike will be hesitant to see how the new season plays out, but I’m quietly confident that it will stand up next to its predecessors just fine – mainly due to the ongoing strength of the phenomenal cast. It’s TV’s smartest comedy, and my favourite show in years. Let’s hope season 4 is everything we’re hoping for when Community returns to screens in October.