Emmy Award-winning actor Sean Hayes (NBC’s “Will & Grace”) will guest star in a multi-episode arc on NBC’s “Smash” as Terrence Falls, a comedic television and film star who is making his Broadway debut in the musical “Liaisons,” based on the novel “Les Liaisons Dangereuses.” Due to a series of comic circumstances, he becomes a major thorn in the side for Ivy Lynn (Megan Hilty) and other characters. – NBC

Take a look at the following behind the scenes filming pictures of Katherine McPhee shooting Season 2 of SMASH in NYC in late July:

EW.com‘s “Inside TV” column posted the following SMASH Season 2 Spoilers:

What can we expect in the next season of Smash? Will Ivy and Karen be friends?
As if! And I have to agree with Megan Hilty, who says that the pair’s constant rivalry is “part of the rollercoaster ride of their relationship.” But, she adds, “They have to have a reason to come together and usually it’s over a common enemy. Those are some of my favorite scenes to play.” And our faves to watch!

Was [Megan Hilty] happy about how Smash‘s first season ended, with Karen getting the part and her character on the brink of destruction?
Yes — because she gets to come back with a vengeance in season 2! But, says Hilty, it doesn’t happen “in the way you’d expected [it] to.” “All I do know is that in the very first episode, you’ll see her making some very big changes — like within the first couple of minutes, which is exciting. It’s time for her to explore something new.” she says.

NBC’s musical drama SMASH has added theater vet Andy Mientus to its Season 2 ensemble, in the series regular role of Kyle, a poor kid from Brooklyn with dreams of writing for Broadway. Kyle is also best friends with Jimmy, another Brooklynite/Season 2 arrival to be played by Newsies‘ Tony-nominated Jeremy Jordan. – TVLine

She already has an Oscar, a Golden Globe and a Grammy. Now Jennifer Hudson is going for an Emmy. The Dreamgirls co-star is set to appear in a multi-episode arc on NBC’s musical drama Smash next season, beginning with the second-season premiere. Hudson will play Veronica Moore, a Tony Award-winning Broadway star who impacts the lives of Karen (Katharine McPhee) and Ivy (Megan Hilty). “This series is a showcase for some of the best musical talent in the business and that’s a fitting description for Jennifer Hudson,” NBC chairman Bob Greenblatt said. – Deadline

Another Broadway vet is making a transition to the stage in NBC’s Smash. Jeremy Jordan will play a singer from Brooklyn. Jordan earned a Tony Award nomination for his work in the Broadway musical. He’ll still stay with the musical while shooting the series. The NBC drama is looking to fill several roles now that it has decided to cut several characters. Gone are philandering fiancé Dev (Raza Jaffrey), devious assistant Ellis (Jaime Cepero), Julia’s Husband Frank (Brian d’Arcy James), and Julia’s former lover Michael (Will Chase). – EW

E Online‘s latest “Spoiler Chat” column posted the following SMASH Season 2 Spoilers:

Diana: So excited that Smash dropped the dead weight, aka Ellis and Dev! Do you have any information on season two that you care to share?
While most viewers were delighted to see Ellis and Dev kicked to the curb, one of their costars is sad to see the duo exit (stage left). “The fact that they aren’t going to be back is a disappointment to me,” Christian Borle, who won a Tony Award this weekend for his work in Peter and the Starcatcher, tells us. Still, he is excited about getting back to work (or is it tech?) on the NBC hit. “I’m excited to see where it will go, whether [Tom and Julia] write another musical.”

TVLine‘s “Matt’s Inside Line” column posted the following SMASH Season 2 Spoilers & Teasers:

Smash | Though much about Season 2 – now under the purview of showrunner Josh Safran and minus the characters of Ellis, Dev, Frank and Michael – is up in the air, Ivy of course will still be a key player. As such, I picked Megan Hilty’s brain about what new obstacles the Bombshell production could be met with, having already burned through leading lady woes, showstopper problems and, you know, the peanut smoothie caper. “Oh, there are so many different things…,” the Broadway vet mused. “There could be rival musicals, and there is awards season to tackle…. So many things!” As for Ivy herself, Hilty suspects that Derek’s bed sheets might cool some come when the NBC drama returns at midseason. “I think they will always have a very strong mutual understanding of each other, and they’ll always be in each other’s lives,” she says, “but I’m kind of hoping that Ivy gets a boyfriend – like a really good boyfriend! – in Season 2.”

According to TV Line the ensemble for Bombshell,Smash‘s musical-within-a-show, is set to swell based on these casting calls for not one or two butthree new series regulars being added for Season 2.

For starters, NBC’s musical drama is looking to cast the role of Courtney, an African-American chorus member in her mid- to late-20s who packs a powerhouse voice. She is described as “incredibly attractive and confident, but also open-minded and non-judgmental.” In keeping with the series’ “introduction” of American Idol finalist Kat McPhee as Karen, TVLine’s Michael Slezak suggests Idol alumni Syesha Mercado or Melinda Doolittle for this gig, giving the edge to the latter and her stronger pipes.

Also on board for Season 2 is the character of Danny, a straight, working class fella in his mid-20s and from Brooklyn. He is summed up as “sexy, charismatic and musically gifted, but also self-destructive and remote.” Applicants must have the skills to sing in a rock and/or soul voice. For Danny, Slezak suggestsThe Voice’s Chris Cauley or Idol‘s Matt Giraud.

Lastly, there is Joe, a Brooklyn-born gent who is in his early to mid-20s and is “gay, very cute, incredibly open and optimistic.” Slezak likes Idol Season 10 alum Stefano Langone for this one.

Production on Season 2 of Smash – now shepherded by new showrunner Josh Safran (Gossip Girl) — is set to begin in July, despite the show being announced as a midseason entry.

The Viewer Ratings for SMASH, Season 1 Episode 15 (1.15) “Bombshell” was UP from the last episode and reached 6.06 Million total viewers. The episode was UNCHANGED in the 18-49 age demographic and scored a total of 1.8 Million adult viewers. Check out the SMASH Season 1 Ratings Page.