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Today β€” 1 January 2025Main stream

'Missing You' features actors who appear in other Harlan Coben shows. Here's where you might recognize them from.

1 January 2025 at 00:01
A man with brown and gray hair and a brown beard holds a phone to his ear while staring out of a window. He's wearing a blue and white dressing gown.
Richard Armitage as Ellis Stagger in "Missing You."

Vishal Sharma/Netflix

  • "Missing You" is the latest adaptation of a book by Harlan Coben.
  • It follows detective Kat Donovan whose fiancΓ© disappeared.
  • The series includes several actors from other Netflix shows based on Coben's work.

The latest Harlan Coben Netflix thriller, "Missing You," features a handful of actors from previous adaptations of the author's mystery novels.

Rosalind Eleazar plays detective Kat Donovan, a woman whose fiancΓ©, Josh Buchanan (Ashley Walters), disappeared without a trace eleven years ago.

When she spots his profile on a dating app it forces her to reexamine her life, including the suspicious circumstances surrounding her father's death.

"Missing You" was released on Netflix exactly one year after the previous Coben series, "Fool Me Once," starring Michelle Keegan, which was one of the streamer's most-watched shows of the year.

The cast of the new series includes three actors who subscribers might recognize from previous Coben adaptations.

Richard Armitage plays Ellis Stagger in "Missing You" and previously appeared in "Stay Close," "The Stranger," and "Fool Me Once."
A composite image of the same man dressed in four different outfits. On the far left, he has long black and gray hair and short stubble. He's wearing a black leather jacket with a gray hoodie and red flannel shirt underneath. In the middle left, he has swept-back brown hair and is running toward the camera. he's wearing a brown suede jacket and has a navy blue shirt on. There is a silver wedding ring on his left hand. On the middle right he has neat black and gray hair, and he's wearing a navy blue and white striped jumper. On the far right, he's got black and gray hair and a dark beard. He's wearing a blue nightgown with white piping. He's holding a blue phone up to his right ear.
Richard Armitage in "Stay Close," "The Stranger," "Fool Me Once," and "Missing You."

Netflix

Richard Armitage plays a major role in "Missing You" as sergeant Ellis Stagger, Donovan's police boss who is involved with the mystery surrounding her father's death. The series marks Armitage's fourth appearance in a Coben Netflix series.

In 2020 he played Adam Price, a father of two whose wife goes missing shortly after a mysterious stranger (Hannah John-Kamen) approaches him out of the blue and tells him a secret.

Then, in 2021, he played paparazzi photographer Ray Levine who is one of the major suspects in the murder of Stewart Green (Rod Hunt) in a cold case that resurfaces in the present day.

And in 2024, he played Joe Burkett in "Fool Me Once," Maya Stern's (Michelle Keegan) dead husband who mysteriously appears on a nanny cam in their home.

James Nesbitt plays Calligan and also appeared in "Stay Close"
A composite image of a man in two outfits. On the left he is standing up and has gray hair, dark eye brows, and is wearing a dark blue jacket with a gray jumper, blue shirt and gray tie on underneath. On the right, he's sitting in a chair got gray hair and is wearing a gray pinstripe suit with a blue shirt. He's holding a black phone to his right ear.
James Nesbitt in "Stay Close" and "Missing You."

Netflix

Irish actor James Nesbitt plays Calligan, a nefarious gangster, in "Missing You" and it's insinuated that he had something to do with the death of Donovan's father.

He has a pretty murky backstory, as one police officer tells Donovan that Calligan almost murdered his classmate with a claw hammer when he was at school.

Nesbitt previously starred in "Stay Close" with Armitage and played detective Michael Broome, the police officer who investigates the disappearance of Del Flynn (Ross Boatman), a businessman who vanished exactly 17 years after Green went missing.

As is the case in all good Coben TV shows, he realizes he has a surprisingly personal connection to the case.

Marc Warren plays Monte Leburn and appeared in "Safe"
A composite image of the same man. On the left, he's standing in a city street, he has short dark hair and stubble, he's wearing a gray striped hoodie with a black T-shirt. On the right, he has a buzz cut and short stubble. He is propped up against a white pillow and he's wearing a gray jumper.
Marc Warren played Monte Leburn.

Netflix

Rounding out the Coben alumni is Marc Warren, who plays Monte Leburn, the hitman who confessed to killing Donovan's father β€” despite having no reason to do so.

His actions confuse Donovan as she tires to find the truth truth about his death.

Audiences might recognize Warren from "Safe," in which he played Dr. Pete Mayfield, the best friend of Tom Delaney (Michael C. Hall), a widower. Delaney asks Mayfield for help when his daughter, Jenny (Amy-Leigh Hickman), goes missing after a house party.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Yesterday β€” 31 December 2024Main stream

The ending of Harlan Coben's 'Missing You' explained, including who killed Clint and what happened to Josh

31 December 2024 at 19:01
A Black man with short hair and a goatee leaning on a blue tiled wall with his arm pressed against his forehead. He's wearing a dark gray t-shirt. There is a tattoo sticking out from underneath his sleeve on his right arm, but it isn't clear what it says.
Ashley Walters as Josh Buchanan in "Missing You."

Netflix

  • "Missing You" follows Kat Donovan whose fiancΓ©, Josh Buchanan, disappears.
  • She starts hunting for answers after she spots him on a dating app 11 years later.
  • Her investigation also forces her to ask who murdered Clint Donovan, her father.

Warning: Spoilers ahead for "Missing You."

Netflix has kicked 2025 off strong with "Missing You," the latest thriller based on a Harlan Coben book.

It follows the hugely successful Coben adaptation "Fool Me Once," which became one of Netflix's most-watched shows of all time in 2024.

The new series revolves around Kat Donovan (Rosalind Eleazar), a detective who has never gotten over her fiancΓ©, Josh Buchanan (Ashley Walters) disappearing without warning 11 years ago.

He left shortly after her father Clint Donovan (Lenny Henry), a police inspector, was murdered. It's another incident that she wants answers for after a hitman confessed to the killing.

Who really killed Kat's father? Why did Josh leave? All the answers are revealed by the end of "Missing You."

Josh Buchanan was never on the dating app, his profile was created by Titus Monroe's scamming group

An older man with short white hair wearing gold framed glasses. He's wearing a green zipped jacket with a blue and yellow checked shirt, and a burgundy tie.
Steve Pemberton as Titus Monroe in Harlan Coben's "Missing You."

Netflix

"Missing You" starts with Kat spotting Josh on the Melody Cupid dating app. But it emerges his account was faked as part of an extensive romance scam being run by a man called Titus Monroe (Steve Pemberton), from his remote farm.

He and his associates had a room full of laptops, computers, and phones that they used to lure unsuspecting single people into fake online relationships.

Once their victims were invested, the scammers invited them on a fake romantic getaway, kidnapped them, and held them at the farm where Titus forced them to transfer him thousands of pounds.

That's what happened to Rishi Maghari (Rudi Dharmalingam), the lecturer, who audiences meet in the first episode.

Buchanan's dating profile was harvested from a Facebook account made by his secret daughter, Sadie (Amelie Dokubo), whom he had with an unknown woman after leaving Kat.

In the final episode, the scam operation is stopped when Titus realizes that the police are closing in and he burns the farm down. He tries to kill Dana Fells (Lisa Faulkner), one of his scam victims, and her son Brendan (Oscar Kennedy) to cover his tracks. But Kat arrives and shoots Titus dead before he can kill anyone.

But none of this answers the key mystery behind Josh's disappearance or Clint's death, it just ties up the subplot regarding the various missing people that Kat was investigating.

Clint Donovan was blackmailed into working for a gangster to hide that he was gay

Two Black men having a conversation in the street. The man on the left is facing the camera and has a shaved head and a black goatee. He's wearing a dark blue jacket and a light blue polo shirt with two small white hexagonal stripes down the middle. The other man, who has his back to the camera, has short black hair and is wearing a light t-shirt. He also has a silver chain around his neck.
Lenny Henry as Clint Donovan and Cyril Nri as Parker in "Missing You."

Netflix

By the end of "Missing You," Kat learns that her father was a corrupt officer working for Calligan (James Nesbitt), a gangster.

It's a surprise because Kat had an idealistic view of her father as a hardworking police officer. But that's not the only twist: Calligan points her toward someone called Parker (Cyril Nri), who is revealed to be a man that Clint was having an affair with.

Kat learns that her father was secretly gay, and Calligan was using that to blackmail him into working for him. Parker and Clint were in a committed relationship, which they kept secret because of Clint's family and his job.

Josh left after accidentally killing Clint, who was trying to cover up his secret relationship

A Black man with short hair and a goatee leaning on a blue tiled wall with his arm pressed against his forehead. He's wearing a dark gray t-shirt. There is a tattoo sticking out from underneath his sleeve on his right arm, but it isn't clear what it says.
Ashley Walters as Josh Buchanan in "Missing You."

Netflix

When Kat finds Josh in Scotland, she initially thinks he left because he knew Clint was corrupt and, for a moment, it looks like they could rekindle their relationship.

But when the tech genius Charlie Pitt (Charlie Hambley) finds Josh's fingerprint on the knife that killed Clint, it all comes crashing down, and Josh tells Kat the truth about why he left.

11 years ago, on the night of Clint's death, Kat's friend Aqua Vanech (Mary Malone), saw a heated exchange between the police officer and Parker, which made it clear they were together. In his desperation to keep his secret, Clint attacked Aqua at her home while berating her for being able to live as her true self as a transgender woman.

Josh happened to arrive at Aqua's home while Clint threatened her with a knife and stepped in to defend his friend. In the ensuing struggle, Josh accidentally stabbed Clint, killing him.

Then DCI Stagger (Richard Armitage) arrived. He covered up Clint's death β€” including paying off hitman Monte Leburne (Marc Warren) β€” to hide Clint's corruption and protect his family.

The guilt Josh felt led him to leave Kat.

"Missing You" ends on an emotional cliffhanger, as it's clear that Kat and Josh aren't sure whether their relationship can continue now that she knows he killed her father.

Read the original article on Business Insider

The 13 best true crime shows and documentaries of 2024

31 December 2024 at 00:44
This is a composite image of two men. On the left is a modern photo of a clean-shaven man with slicked-back ginger hair. He's wearing a light green blazer and a white T-shirt with black buttons on the collar. On the right is an old photo of a young man dressed in a white jumpsuit with a red, gold, and blue eagle designed on the front of it. He has a red scarf on underneath. He has dark hair and a mustache.
Drake Bell in "Quiet on Set," and Paul Kevin Curtis as seen in "The Kings of Tupelo."

Investigation Discovery/Netflix

  • 2024 has been a fascinating year for true crime fans.
  • Shows like "Baby Reindeer" and "The Asunta Case" dramatized shocking true stories.
  • Documentaries including "American Nightmare" and "Quiet on Set" gave viewers fresh insights into stories.

2024 has been a big year for true crime.

The genre has grown to new heights in the past decade, as streaming services and podcasts feed audiences' fascination with the darker side of humanity. This year that has included stalking in "Baby Reindeer" to child exploitation in "Quiet on Set."

Here are the best true crime shows and documentaries so far this year.

1. 'American Nightmare'
Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn in Netflix's "American Nightmare."
Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn in Netflix's "American Nightmare."

Netflix

Netflix started 2024 strong with "American Nightmare," which tells the story of a bizarre kidnapping.

Denise HuskinsΒ was forcibly taken from her boyfriend's house in Vallejo, California in 2015 and reappeared two days later over 400 miles away near her family home in Huntington Beach.

Using interviews with Huskins and her boyfriend, Aaron Quinn, the gripping three-part docuseries explains how the authorities suspected she faked the kidnapping in a move similar to the plot of the 2014 movie, "Gone Girl."

But the case takes an even stranger turn when a police officer stumbles onto a disbarred lawyer, Matthew Muller.

2. 'Lover, Stalker, Killer'
Dave Kroupa in Netflix's "Lover, Stalker, Killer."
Dave Kroupa in Netflix's "Lover, Stalker, Killer."

Netflix

Mechanic Dave Kroupa had no idea what he was getting into when he started dating Liz Golyar in 2012.

"Lover, Stalker, Killer" explains how the Nebraska couple enjoyed going out and drinking, but things turned deadly when Kroupa called things off and started dating computer programmer, Cari Farver.

Farver went missing just two weeks into their relationship.

The documentary explores how Golyar killed Farver and impersonated her online to evade the authorities.

3. 'Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV'
Drake Bell in episode two of the Investigation Discovery docuseries "Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV."
Drake Bell in episode two of the Investigation Discovery docuseries "Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV."

Investigation Discovery

"Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV" is a shocking four-part Investigation Discovery docuseries about kids TV channel Nickelodeon and the abuse faced by some of its most famous actors.

The show is based on Business Insider's reporting and explores the allegations that producer Dan Schneider created a toxic work environment at Nickelodeon.

It also sees actor and musician Drake Bell talk publicly for the first time about being sexually assaulted by dialogue coach, Brian Peck.

4. 'The Asunta Case'
TristΓ‘n Ulloa as Alfonso Basterra, and Candela PeΓ±a as Rosario Porto Ortega in "The Asunta Case."
TristΓ‘n Ulloa as Alfonso Basterra, and Candela PeΓ±a as Rosario Porto Ortega in "The Asunta Case."

Manuel Fernandez-Valdes/Netflix

Spain was shocked when the body of 12-year-old Asunta Basterra Porto was discovered near the city of Santiago de Compostela in 2013.

It was later discovered that her adoptive parents, lawyer Rosario Porto and journalist Alfonso Basterra, murdered her after their divorce.

The tragic death is dramatized in Netflix's "The Asunta Case," which gives audiences an insight into what happened to the couple in the immediate aftermath of the murder.

5. 'Under the Bridge'
Viritka Gupta as Reena Virk in "Under the Bridge."
Viritka Gupta as Reena Virk in "Under the Bridge."

Hulu

Hulu's "Under the Bridge" dramatizes Rebecca Godfrey's true crime book of the same name about the 1997 murder of Canadian teenager, Reena Virk.

What makes the show more interesting than a typical crime drama is that it puts Godfrey in the middle of the mystery. The author is played by "Mad Max: Fury Road" star Riley Keough.

Although Godfrey didn't help the investigation in real life, it adds an extra layer of drama to the show, helping to keep viewers invested.

6. 'Baby Reindeer'
Richard Gadd as Donny Dunn and Jessica Gunning as Martha Scott in "Baby Reindeer."
Richard Gadd as Donny Dunn and Jessica Gunning as Martha Scott in "Baby Reindeer."

Ed Miller/Netflix

"Baby Reindeer" dramatizes the show's lead actor and writer's experience with stalking, and became a huge talking point after it was released in April 2024.

Richard Gadd plays a fictional version of himself, Donny Dunn, an aspiring comedian who is stalked by a woman called Martha Scott (Jessica Gunning) after he shows her a moment of kindness at the pub where he works.

Gadd also uses the show to also tackle subjects like sexuality and sexual assault. But it became a global phenomenon because audiences tried to track down the "real Martha" online.

In May, 58-year-old Fiona Harvey came forward as the woman the character is based on, but challenged Gadd's depiction of her and has taken legal action against Netflix.

7. 'Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult'
Miranda Derrick at the 2022 YouTube Streamy Awards. and a photo of Melanie Lee and Robert Shinn from "Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult."
Miranda Derrick at an awards ceremony, and Melanie Lee and Robert Shinn from "Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult."

Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

"Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult" dives into the murky world of TikTok dancers and content creators. It starts by looking at Miranda Derrick, a dancer who cut ties with her family after joining the controversial Shekinah Church in Los Angeles.

From there, the compelling three-part series introduces the audience to Shekinah Church pastor Robert Shinn, and explores allegations of abusive behavior and coercion within the church.

Derrick denied being in a cult in June 2024, and said that she has received death threats because of the Netflix docuseires.

8. 'How to Rob a Bank'
A photo of Scott Scurlock in disguise as the Hollywood Bandit, and another of Scurlock at home.
Scott Scurlock used disguises to rob banks in Seattle during the 1990s.

Netflix

Scott Scurlock's life sounds like something out of a Steven Spielberg movie.

In the 1990s, he lived in a huge tree house on his own property and started robbing banks in the Seattle area using makeup and prosthetics to disguise himself.

He even earned himself the nickname "The Hollywood Bandit," because of his techniques.

Scurlock's free-spirited life is the focus of Netflix's "How to Rob a Bank," and features surprisingly honest interviews with his fellow bank robbers and friends.

9. 'Perfect Wife: The Disappearance of Sherri Papini'
Sherri Papini after her arraignment in Sacramento, California.
Sherri Papini after her arraignment in Sacramento, California.

Rich Pedroncelli/AP

Another docuseries with some striking similarities to "Gone Girl" is Hulu's "Perfect Wife: The Disappearance of Sherri Papini."

As the title suggests, it revolves around Papini β€” who went missing after she went for a run in Redding, California, in November 2016. She was found three weeks later in Yolo County, California, 150 miles from home.

The docuseries explains how it took authorities six years to arrest her for faking the kidnapping, while also looking at the ramifications the hoax had on her family.

10. 'The Man with 1000 Kids'
Jonathan Jacob Meijer holding a baby.
Jonathan Jacob Meijer has fathered over 550 children.

Netflix

Audiences learn the jaw-dropping story of prolific Dutch sperm donor, Jonathan Jacob Meijer, in "The Man with 1000 Kids."

Meijer does not appear in the three-part docuseries, but five families who used his sperm to conceive share how they discovered the truth about how many children he has and the subsequent dangers.

Meijer has not been convicted of a crime, but the show bears the hallmarks of the true crime genre.

Meijer confirmed he has over 550 children worldwide, and was banned from donating sperm to new families in 2023.

11. "I Am a Killer"
A man handcuffed.
Gary Black in handcuffs, as seen in "I Am a Killer."

Netflix

While many true crime shows on this list focus on the victims, "I Am a Killer" revolves around perpetrators.

Each episode features interviews with a convicted killers in the United States, as they explain the reasons for their crime, their mindset at the time, and how they feel about their actions.

The fifth season arrived on Netflix in October, and features several complex, heartbreaking cases β€”Β including that of Ashley Morrison, who was convicted as an accomplice when her boyfriend murdered his grandmother in 2014.

12. "Until I Kill You"
A man and a woman staring at each other while sitting on a small sofa. On the left, the man with shaggy brown hair and brown wears a brown leather jacket with a blue buttoned-up shirt underneath. He's rolling a cigarette. On the right, a woman with light brown hair in a braid wears a blue denim jacket over a turquoise dress and a burgundy polar turtleneck.
Shaun Evans as John Sweeney and Anna Maxwell Martin as Delia Balmer in "Until I Kill You."

ITV

In November, British network ITV released "Until I Kill You," which dramatizes the life of Delia Balmer (Anna Maxwell Martin), a nurse who survived two brutal attacks by her ex-boyfriend, John Sweeney (Shaun Evans).

The authorities later learned that Sweeney was a serial killer, known as the "Scalp Hunter."

The intense four-part drama charts their relationship and how Sweeney went on the run for several years before he was caught. It also looks at the way the legal system treated Balmer, and the trauma she endured when testifying against Sweeney in court.

13. "The Kings of Tupelo"
An image of a man with black hair and a short mustache dressed in a white leather jumpsuit with a high collar. There is a red, yellow, and blue eagle design on the front of the jumpsuit.
A photo of Paul Kevin Curtis dressed as Elvis, as seen in "The Kings of Tupelo."

Netflix

"The Kings of Tupelo" is another Netflix docuseries featuring a case that almost seems too wild to be true. It revolves around Paul Kevin Curtis, an Elvis impersonator who claims he discovered a fridge full of body parts when he was working as a janitor in a Mississippi hospital.

He claimed that the fridge was part of an illegal organ-harvesting operation, and was trying to publicize his theory when he started feuding with a local Taekwondo instructor, James Everett Dutschke.

The three-part docuseries explains how and why Dutschke went on to frame Curtis for attempting to assassinate Barack Obama with ricin in 2013.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Before yesterdayMain stream

Netflix announced a slate of new shows for 2025. These are the 17 we're most excited about.

30 December 2024 at 07:13
A composite image of a man and a woman. On the left is an older man with slicked-back dark hair, a mustache, and mutton chops. He is wearing old, victorian style clothing with a high-collared white shirt, bow tie, and a navy blue waistcoat. On the right is a woman with dark hair and dark eye makeup lying on a medical bed. There is a slim red light that is projected across her face.
Kim Rossi Stuart as the Prince of Salina in "The Leopard," and Kaitlyn Dever as Belle Gibson in "Apple Cider Vinegar."

Netflix

  • Netflix's 2025 slate of new TV shows includes the latest Harlan Coben thriller.
  • The streamer will also release a true crime series about a controversial influencer.
  • Here's a full list of all the confirmed new shows.

2024 was a big year for Netflix thanks to the likes of "Baby Reindeer," "3 Body Problem," and "Avatar: The Last Airbender" β€” and it looks like 2025 will be equally huge.

The streamer will release new chapters of beloved shows, including "Stranger Things" season five, "Wednesday" season two, " and "You" season five.

But there are also plenty of brand-new shows on the slate for 2025. Here are the ones that we're the most excited about.

'Missing You'
A black woman wearing a brown jacket and a pink top with a zig-zag pattern on it. She's holding a phone to her ear.
Rosalind Eleazar as Detective Kat Donovan in "Missing You."

Vishal Sharma/Netflix

Netflix Synopsis: "Eleven years ago Detective Kat Donovan's fiancΓ© Josh β€” the love of her life β€” disappeared and she's never heard from him since.

"Now, swiping profiles on a dating app, she suddenly sees his face and her world explodes all over again. Josh's reappearance will force her to dive back into the mystery surrounding her father's murder and uncover long-buried secrets from her past."

Release date: January 1

'American Primeval'
A woman with dark tied-back hair in dark clothing points a revolver at someone off screen. She has a gold ring on her left hand.
Betty Gilpin as Sara Rowell in "American Primeval."

Matt Kennedy/Netflix

Netflix synopsis: "This is America…1857. Up is down, pain is everywhere, innocence and tranquility are losing the battle to hatred and fear. Peace is the shrinking minority, and very few possess grace β€” even fewer know compassion. There is no safe haven in these brutal lands, and only one goal matters: survival."

Release date: January 9

'Sakamoto Days'
sakamoto taro in sakamoto days. he's an old man with white hair pulled into a ponytail and a white mustache and glasses, wearing a yellow shirt and green apron. he's cooking something, the steam wafting up beneath him
"Sakamoto Days" tells the story of a retired hitman.

Netflix

Netflix synopsis: "Follow the action-packed story of legendary ex-hitman Taro Sakamoto, as he bands with comrades to face off against the looming threat of assassins to ensure a peaceful life with his beloved family. Sakamoto and company run wild in no-holds-barred, over-the-top battles that have stolen the spotlight and captivated audiences far and wide.

"In a world overrun by assassins like the special force 'The Order' from the Japanese Association of Assassins (JAA), and a mysterious individual called 'X (Slur)' targeting assassins, what is the true meaning of strength for Sakamoto?

"Get ready for non-stop assassin action as chaos ensues in the ordinary (and not-so-ordinary) life of Sakamoto and his comrades!"

Premiere date: January 11

'The Residence'
uzo aduba and randall park in the residence. aduba is wearing a beige sweater vest and suite, park is in a grey suit. they're standing in a room with old furniture
Uzo Aduba and Randall Park in "The Residence."

Erin Simkin/Netflix

Netflix synopsis: "132 rooms. 157 suspects. One dead body. One wildly eccentric detective. One disastrous State Dinner. 'The Residence' is a screwball whodunnit set in the upstairs, downstairs, and backstairs of the White House, among the eclectic staff of the world's most famous mansion."

Premiere date: March 20

'Devil May Cry'
dante in devil may cry. he's a young man with white hair wearing a red coat and grinning widely. he's holding two pistols in front of him, crossing his wrists
"Devil May Cry" is an adaptation of a game.

Netflix

Netflix synopsis: "In this animated adaptation of the popular Capcom game and from the vision of Adi Shankar, sinister forces are at play to open the portal between the human and demon realms. In the middle of it all is Dante, an orphaned demon-hunter-for-hire, unaware that the fate of both worlds hangs around his neck."

Premiere date: April 2025

'Adolescence'
An image of a man with short dark hair in a black fleece and an orange polo shirt looking at a boy in a green top. There is a white wall with a green stripe in the middle behind them.
Owen Cooper as Jamie Miller and Stephen Graham as Eddie Miller in "Adolescence."

Netflix

Netflix synopsis: "'Adolescence' tells the story of how a family's world is turned upside down when 13-year-old Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper) is arrested for the murder of a teenage girl who goes to his school.

"Stephen Graham will play Jamie's father and 'appropriate adult', Eddie Miller. Ashley Walters stars as Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe, and Erin Doherty is Briony Ariston, the clinical psychologist assigned to Jamie's case."

Premiere date: Date in 2025 TBD

'Apple Cider Vinegar'
A woman with dark hair and dark eye makeup lying on a medical bed that is moving into a circular MRI machine. There is a slim red light that is projected across her face.
Kaitlyn Dever as Belle in "Apple Cider Vinegar."

Courtesy Of Netflix

Netflix synopsis: "Set at the birth of Instagram, 'Apple Cider Vinegar' follows two young women who set out to cure their life-threatening illnesses through health and wellness, influencing their global online communities along the way.

"All of which would be incredibly inspiring if it were all true. This is a true-ish story based on a lie, about the rise and fall of a wellness empire; the culture that built it up and the people who tore it down"

Premiere date: Date in 2025 TBD

'Department Q'
A composite image of a man and a woman. On the left is a man with gray and black hair. He's wearing a dark blue suit with a black t-shirt. He also has black glasses on. On the right is a woman with shoulder-length brown hair. She's wearing a pink dress. She also has small necklace on with a pink pendant attached.
Matthew Goode and Kelly MacDonald appear in "Department Q."

John Nacion/Getty Images/Karwai Tang/WireImage

Netflix synopsis: "Department Q is an adaptation of the novels of the same name from Danish author, Jussi Adler-Olsen. Created by Scott Frank, the series revolves around Carl Morck, a former top-rated detective in Edinburgh assigned to a new cold case whilst wracked with guilt following an attack that left his partner paralyzed and another policeman dead."

Premiere date: Date in 2025 TBD

'Hostage'
A composite image of two women. On the left is a woman with tied-back brown hair wearing a gold-striped top with a high collar. She has a white coat on over the top. She also has chunky gold earrings in. On the right is a woman with gray and blond hair. She's wearing black glasses, a gray overshirt and a black t-shirt.
Suranne Jones and Julie Delpy appear in "Hostage."

Jeff Spicer/Getty Images/Michael Tullberg/Getty Images

Netflix synopsis: "When the British Prime Minister's husband is kidnapped and the visiting French President is blackmailed, the two political leaders both face unimaginable choices.

"Forced into a fierce rivalry where their political futures, and lives, might hang in the balance, can they work together to uncover the plot that threatens them both?"

Premiere date: Date in 2025 TBD

'The Leopard (Il Gattopardo)'
kim rossi stuart in the leopard. he's wearing a white shirt with voluminous sleeves, a navy vest with a pocketwatch chain, and a cravat around his neck while posing with a hand on his hip as he looks back. his hair has been styled back, and he has a thick mustache and small goatee.
"The Leopard" is set in the 1800s.

Lucia Iuorio/Netflix

Netflix synopsis: "Based on what many consider to be one of the greatest Italian novels of all time, 'The Leopard' is a dazzlingly sensuous epic, set against the backdrop of revolution in 1860s Sicily.

"At its heart is Don Fabrizio Corbera, the Prince of Salina, who leads a life surrounded by beauty and privilege. But as Italy moves towards unification and the old aristocratic order is threatened, he realizes that his family's future is in jeopardy. New allegiances must be made, each one a threat to his principles.

"Eventually Don Fabrizio is faced with an impossible choice. He has the power to engineer a marriage, between the rich and beautiful Angelica and his nephew Tancredi, that could secure his family's legacy, but doing so he would break his favorite daughter, Concetta's heart.

"The series will be a modern exploration of timeless themes β€” power, love, and the cost of progress."

Premiere date: Date in 2025 TBD

'Leviathan'
a young man and an older man in a blue military uniform and helmet. they're poking out of a hatch, and the young man is holding binoculars
"Leviathan" is a about a prince and a girl in disguise.

Netflix

Netflix synopsis: "In 1914, on the eve of war, a fugitive prince and a girl in disguise meet aboard a bioengineered airship, the HMS Leviathan, and change the course of history."

Premiere date: Date in 2025 TBD

'Running Point'
kate hudson as isla gordon in running point. she's a young woman with blonde hair wearing a white shirt and sitting at an ornately decorated desk. in front of her is a large stone that's a holds a giant candle, and there are gold trophies behind her
Kate Hudson as Isla Gordon in "Running Point."

Katrina Marcinowski/Netflix

Netflix synopsis: "When a scandal forces her brother to resign, Isla Gordon (Kate Hudson) is appointed President of the Los Angeles Waves, one of the most storied professional basketball franchises, and her family business.

"Ambitious and often overlooked, Isla will have to prove to her skeptical brothers, the board, and the larger sports community that she was the right choice for the job, especially in the unpredictable, male-dominated world of sports."

Premiere date: Date in 2025 TBD

'Sirens'
A composite image of two women. On the left, an older woman with longer ginger hair is wearing a white dress with pearl earrings. On the right, a younger blond woman has her hair tied back with two long fringe strands on the front. She has silver hoop earrings and a silver dress.
Julianne Moore and Milly Alcock lead "Sirens."

Lyvans Boolaky/Getty Images/Karwai Tang/WireImage

Netflix synopsis: "Devon (Meghann Fahy) thinks her sister Simone (Milly Alcock) has a really creepy relationship with her new boss, the enigmatic socialite Michaela Kell (Julianne Moore). Michaela's cult-ish life of luxury is like a drug to Simone, and Devon has decided it's time for an intervention.

"When Devon tracks her sister down to say WTF, she has no idea what a formidable opponent Michaela will be. Told over the course of one explosive weekend at The Kells' lavish beach estate, Sirens is an incisive, sexy, and darkly funny exploration of women, power, and class."

Premiere date: Date in 2025 TBD

'Toxic Town'
toby Eden, Jodie Whittaker, Matthew James Hinchliffe in toxic town. whittaker has her hand resting on eden's neck, as hinchliffe, seemingly a reporter, speaks to them while holding out a recorder
Toby Eden, Jodie Whittaker, and Matthew James Hinchliffe in "Toxic Town."

Ben Blackall/Netflix

Netflix synopsis: "Based on one of the UK's biggest environmental scandals, 'Toxic Town' is the story of the people at the heart of the Corby poisonings. Focusing on the mothers, who took on a David and Goliath battle for justice, the series traces through the years of their fight as a terrible truth comes to the surface."

Premiere date: Date in 2025 TBD

'Too Much'
left: meg stalter smiling on a red carpet, wearing a satin-like pink dress with bows on the straps. she's wearing her brown hair loose and long; right: will sharpe on a red carpet with a neutral expression. he's wearing a corduroy-like brown jacket with a zipper, white t-shirt, and is wearing his dark hair chin length and slightly curly
Megan Stalter and Will Sharpe will star in Lena Dunham's "Too Much."

David Crotty/Getty Images; Lia Toby/Getty Images for The Walt Disney Company Limited

Netflix synopsis: "Jessica is a New York workaholic in her mid-thirties, reeling from a broken relationship that she thought would last forever and slowly isolating everyone she knows. When every block in New York tells a story of her own bad behavior, the only solution is to take a job in London, where she plans to live a life of solitude like a Bronte sister.

"But when she meets Felix β€” who is less Hugh Grant in Notting Hill and more Hugh Grant's drunken roommate β€” she finds that their unusual connection is impossible to ignore, even as it creates more problems than it solves. Now they have to ask themselves: do Americans and Brits actually speak the same language?

"From the creator of 'Girls' and the producers of 'Love Actually, Too Much' is an ex-pat rom-com for the disillusioned who wonder if true love is still possible, but sincerely hope that it is."

Premiere date: Date in 2025 TBD

'The Undertow'
jamie dornan in a black suit with a black tie and white shirt, standing on a red carpet with his hands in his pockets and smiling slightly
Jamie Dornan stars in 'The Undertow.'

Joe Maher/Getty Images for BFC

Netflix synopsis: "Jamie Dornan will play the roles of identical twins, Adam and Lee, whilst Mackenzie Davis will play Adam's wife Nicola. The series is based on the Nordisk Film Production AS television series Twin, created by Kristoffer Metcalfe."

Premiere date: Date in 2025 TBD

'The Witness'
left: jordan bolger, a young man with neatly trimmed facial hair, wearing a black hat and scarf over a navy double breasted jacket; right: max fincham, a younger man wearing a black jacket, loose black tie, silver chain necklace, and with his hair worn in a trimmed afro
Jordan Bolger and Max Fincham will star as AndrΓ© Hanscombe and his son Alex in "The Witness."

Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images; Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

Netflix synopsis: "When Rachel Nickell was murdered on Wimbledon Common in 1992, AndrΓ© became a single parent overnight. Putting his own grief to one side, he made his son Alex β€” the only eyewitness to the attack β€” the centre of his world.

"Navigating the unscrupulous media furore and the urgency of an increasingly desperate police investigation, his sole concern became the welfare of his traumatised son. This is the story of how a father and son moved through the aftermath of unimaginable tragedy, from darkness into light."

Premiere date: Date in 2025 TBD

Read the original article on Business Insider

Only 15 TV shows received a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes this year. See them all here.

28 December 2024 at 00:44
A composite image of a live action still and animated one. On the left is a photo of a man with short light brown hair and a ginger beard wearing a blue hooded jacket. On the right is an animated still of a woman withturqoise and purple hair covering her left eye. Her right eye is bright pink and there is a purple stripe painted underneath her eyelid. She is wearing a purple hood that has white teeth stitched to it with purple stitching and the occasional pink stitch.
Jack Lowden as River Cartwright in "Slow Horses" season four, and Jinx, voiced by Ella Purnell, in "Arcane" season two.

Apple TV+/Netflix

  • There were some great TV shows in 2024, but only 15 earned a 100% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
  • The list includes a British spy series, a docuseries about Simone Biles, and a crime drama.
  • Here are the shows that got 100% on Rotten Tomatoes in 2024.

2024 has been a solid year for television as shows like "House of the Dragon," "Fallout," and "Baby Reindeer" got audiences talking.

But while those three, in particular, were very successful, they didn't receive the hallowed 100% rating on the reviews aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes. ("Baby Reindeer" got 99%)

Instead, the list of perfect scorers includes a British Apple TV+ show about hapless MI5 spies, an animated series based on "League of Legends," and a crime drama based on books by Michael Connelly.

Here are all the shows that received a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Note: All scores were current on the date of publication.

"Slow Horses"
A man with light brown hair and a ginger beard is handcuffed to the inside handle of a car. He's wearing a blue hooded jacket. There is a British police car behind him outside.
Jack Lowden as River Cartwright in "Slow Horses."

Apple TV+

Synopsis: "A dysfunctional team of MI5 agents and their obnoxious boss, the notorious Jackson Lamb, navigate the espionage world's smoke and mirrors to defend England from sinister forces."

Critics' consensus: "The stakes get more personal than ever before in Slow Horses' superb fourth season, proving that this spy series is saddled up for the long haul with no signs of fatigue."

"Pachinko"
Lee Min-ho in "Pachinko"
Lee Min-ho as Koh Hansu in "Pachinko"

Russ Martin/Apple TV+

Synopsis: "The hopes and dreams of a Korean immigrant family across four generations as they leave their homeland in an indomitable quest to survive and thrive.

Critics' consensus: "Pachinko's second season continues the travails and triumphs of the Baek family with ever-expanding breadth without missing a beat, further cementing this soulful series as one of television's best."

"Arcane: League of Legends" season two
jinx in season two of arcane, her hair colored blue and purple and with colorful graffiti behind her. she has on a purple hood with white markings reminiscent of teeth
Jinx in season two of "Arcane."

Netflix

Synopsis: "The origins of two League champions, set in the utopian Piltover and the oppressed underground of Zaun."

Critics' consensus: "Expansive in scope while hurtling towards the endgame at a rollicking pace, Arcane's second and final season is a supremely satisfying capper to an epic saga."

"Heartstopper" season three
Kit Connor and Joe Locke in "Heartstopper" season 3 episode 3

Samuel Dore/Netflix

Synopsis: "Teens Charlie and Nick discover their unlikely friendship might be something more as they navigate school and young love."

Critics' consensus: "Heartstopper maintains its ooey gooey goodness while still allowing its young protagonists to grow in this fun, loving new season."

"Matlock"
Kathy Bates as Madeline Matlock in the 2024 "Matlock" reboot

Brooke Palmer/CBS

Synopsis: "Brilliant septuagenarian Madeline 'Matty' Matlock, who, after achieving success in her younger years, decides to rejoin the workforce at a prestigious law firm where she uses her unassuming demeanor and wily tactics to win cases and expose corruption from within."

Critics' consensus: "Case closed -- this Matlock reboot is a winner thanks to the ever reliable Kathy Bates and the intriguing wrinkle it puts on the legendary series' original concept."

"Girls5eva"
sara bareilles and renee elise goldsberry as dawn and wickie in girls5eva. they're standing together on stage, back-to-back, singing into microphones dramatically and wearing glittery cowboy-inspired outfits
Sara Bareilles and RenΓ©e Elise Goldsberry in "Girls5Eva" season three.

Emily V. Aragones/Netflix

Synopsis: "When a one-hit-wonder girl group from the 1990s gets sampled by a young rapper, its members reunite to give their pop star dreams one more shot -- this time while balancing spouses, kids, jobs, debt, aging parents, and shoulder pain."

Critics' consensus: "Sustaining a high note with enough finesse to go platinum, Girls5Eva's third season is just as daffy and jubilant as the first two."

"Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos"
An older white man wearing a brown blazer and a navy blue shirt. He has his right hand raised and there's a black leather watch on his wrist. There is a bookcase behind him.
David Chase in "Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos."

HBO

Synopsis: "Acclaimed filmmaker Alex Gibney delves deep into the psyche of renowned Sopranos creator and writer, David Chase, to illuminate his life and career while offering a unique window into his unparalleled work on the iconic program.

Critics' consensus: "A thorough dissection of The Sopranos that gleans insight into both its production process and creator David Chase himself, 'Wise Guy' is essential viewing for fans of one of television's landmarks."

"Colin From Accounts"
On the left is a man with gray hair wearing a blue and green shirt-jacket with a dark blue denim jacket underneath. On the right is a woman with shoulder-length blond hair wearing a cream-colored coat and a brown jumper with a pink, blue, and orange floral design. They both look shocked.
Patrick Brammall as Gordon Crapp and Harriet Dyer as Ashley Mulden in "Colin From Accounts."

Paramount+

Synopsis: "Ashley and Gordon are brought together by a car accident and an injured dog, and learn to navigate life together while showing their true selves, scars and all.

Critics' consensus: "Retaining its first season's laidback charms without resting on its hind legs, Colin from Accounts' second outing is as cranky, funny, and delightful as ever.

"Supacell"
A still from "Supacell" of actor Tosin Cole with golden eyes.
Tosin Cole leads "Supacell" as Michael Lasaki-Brown.

Netflix

Synopsis: "In South London, a group of normal people suddenly develop superpowers, and the only apparent connection between them is that they are all Black; as they deal with the impact of their powers on their daily lives, one man must bring them together."

Critics' consensus: "Finding a fresh approach to the superhero genre, Supacell works as both a savvy social commentary and satisfying entertainment."

"Such Brave Girls" season two
Three women in a bathroom at home while staring at the camera. In the foreground is a teenager with shoulder-length black hair, she's wearing a brown patterned shirt with a gray t-shirt. There is a hair tie around her left wrist. In the background is an older woman with short ginger hair in a long black dress with a floral pattern. On the right is a blond teenager in a silver jacket with a purple dress on underneath, she also has purple boots on. She's sat on the toilet which is behind a bathtub.
Kat Sadler as Josie Johnson, Louise Brealey as Deb Johnson, and Lizzie Davidson as Billie Johnson.

Hulu

Synopsis: "Single mother Deb and her two daughters, Josie and Billie, attempt to piece their lives back together after their narcissistic father and husband finally leaves them."

Critics' consensus: "Painfully funny and sometimes just downright painful, Such Brave Girls is a spiky showcase for its trio of stars.

"Simone Biles: Rising"
A Black woman with her hair tied back in a bun. She has four ear piercings on her left ear, and she's wearing a bejeweled red, white, and blue gymnastic outfit. She is standing in a stadium which is out of focus behind her.
A still of Simone Biles in "Simone Biles: Rising."

Courtesy of Netflix

Synopsis: "Simone Biles, the gymnastics superstar, withdrew from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to mental health concerns; after a hiatus, she embarked on a journey to rebuild her skills and mental fortitude, preparing for her triumphant return."

Critics' consensus: "Pairing the visual spectacle of Simon Biles' prowess with intimate insight into what makes her tick, Rising is an outstanding portrait of a champion."

"The Lincoln Lawyer" season three
A man with short dar hair wearing a black suit, a white shirt and a black tie detailed with small white spots stands in front of a whiteboard. There is a photo on the board of a woman with long brown hair wearing a white top and a blue baseball cap. Another picture attached to the board is a mug shot of another man with short dark hair.
Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as Mickey Haller in "The Lincoln Lawyer" season three.

Courtesy Of Netflix

Synopsis: "Idealistic lawyer Mickey Haller runs practice out of the back of his Lincoln Town Car, taking on cases big and small across Los Angeles."

What critics said: Rotten Tomatoes doesn't have a critics' consensus for the show, but the reviews it included said "The Lincoln Lawyer" packs enough twists into season three without trying to overdo things. It knows that it's a slick procedural series and it has fun exploring its core cast through the lens of a dramatic mystery.

"Geek Girl"
A young girl with long ginger hair and red lipstick staring directly at the camera. There is a blue display behind her that is out of focus.
Emily Carey as Harriet Manners in "Geek Girl."

Netflix

Synopsis: "Awkward teen Harriet strives to fit in, then she gets scouted by a top London model agent and learns that some people are meant to stand out."

What critics said: "Geek Girl" also doesn't have a critics' consensus, but the reviews praised the series for its wholesome Cinderella-like storyline. Some critics also applauded Emily Carey for her lovably awkward performance as Harriet Manners.

"Delicious in Dungeon"
laois, marcille, and chilchuk in delicious in dungeon, standing in front of a large, fallen mushroom with legs. laois is a human wearing armor, marcille is an elf with braided hair and blue robes, and chilchuk is a half-foot wearing a brown tunic and scarf
Laois, Marcille, and Chilchuk in "Delicious in Dungeon."

Studio Trigger/Netflix

Synopsis: "Adventurers make a foray into a cursed buried kingdom to save their friend, cooking up a storm along the way."

What critics said: Despite not having a critics' consensus, the reviews suggest that "Delicious in Dungeon" is a delightful watch and never takes itself too seriously, while also building out its world in an interesting way.

"House of Ninjas"
A Japanese man with shaggy black hair and cuts on his nose in a black hooded outfit. He's holding a sword.
Kento Kaku as Haru.

Netflix

Synopsis: "Years after retiring from their formidable ninja lives, a dysfunctional family must return to shadowy missions to counteract a string of looming threats."

What critics said: The handful of reviews praised "House of Ninjas" for deconstructing a typical family dynamic through the lens of being warriors. Some said that it does struggle to balance its darker themes with moments of romance.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Sony Pictures CEO blamed the failure of 'Kraven' and 'Madame Web' on bad reviews: 'These are not terrible films'

27 December 2024 at 08:11
A composite image of a man and a woman. On the left is a muscular man with shoulder-length dark hair and a beard. He's wearing a brown sleeveless leather vest and has a tooth on a black necklace. On the right, a woman with long, straight brown hair stands behind a large spider-web that is attached to a branch. She's wearing a white vest and has a silver necklace around her neck.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson in "Kraven the Hunter" and Dakota Johnson in "Madame Web."

Sony Pictures Releasing

  • Sony Pictures CEO Tony Vinciquerra blamed critics for the failure of "Kraven" and "Madame Web."
  • He said that the recent Marvel movies were "crucified" by the press.
  • Vinciquerra said that the studio needs to "rethink" how they continue the franchise.

Tony Vinciquerra, the Sony Pictures CEO, said critics are to blame for the box office failure of its recent Marvel movies "Kraven the Hunter" and "Madame Web."

Sony has owned the rights to Spider-Man and other superhero characters since buying them from Marvel in the 1990s. In 2017, Sony launched a new series of Marvel movies, a rival to Disney's popular Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Some have done pretty well, like the "Venom" trilogy, which stars Tom Hardy as the titular antihero and has collectively made some $1.8 billion, according to TheNumbers.com.

Others less so, particularly "Madame Web" and "Kraven the Hunter," released in February and December respectively.

According to Box Office Mojo, "Madame Web" just broke $100 million worldwide, and "Kraven the Hunter" has made $43 million at the time of writing.

"Madame Web" had a budget of $80 million per Forbes, and Variety reported that "Kraven the Hunter" had a budget of more than $100 million, marking both as uninspiring returns on investment.

Speaking to The Los Angeles Times, Vinciquerra described "Kraven" as "the worst launch" that Sony has had since starting its Marvel franchise.

He said: "So that didn't work out very well, which I still don't understand, because the film is not a bad film."

"Kraven" currently has a 17% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Vinciquerra went on to defend "Madame Web," which received a lowly 11% score.

He said: "'Madame Web' underperformed in the theaters because the press just crucified it. It was not a bad film, and it did great on Netflix. For some reason, the press decided that they didn't want us making these films out of 'Kraven' and 'Madame Web,' and the critics just destroyed them."

"They also did it with 'Venom,' but the audience loved 'Venom' and made 'Venom' a massive hit. These are not terrible films. They were just destroyed by the critics in the press, for some reason," he said.

The movies are origin stories for Spider-Man characters, and are distinct from the Tom Holland-led "Spider-Man" movies in the Disney Marvel franchise.

"Madame Web" was met with overwhelming criticism on its release. The Daily Telegraph's Robbie Collin said: "What an unreservedly hopeless film this is: a sort of two-hour explosion in a boringness factory, in which the forces of dullness and stupidity combine in new and infinitely perturbing ways."

The Wall Street Journal's Zachary Sprang tore into "Kraven" and wrote: "About as exciting as the board meeting from which it surely sprang."

Vinciquerra also suggested that the studio might need a new strategy in light of the persistently poor critical showing.

He said: "I do think we need to rethink it, just because it's snake-bitten. If we put another one out, it's going to get destroyed, no matter how good or bad it is."

For now, Sony hasn't announced its next live-action Marvel movie, although it's soon to release an animated Spider-Man sequel, "Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse."

Read the original article on Business Insider

Ranked: All of Sony's Marvel movies, including 'Spider-Man' and 'Kraven the Hunter'

27 December 2024 at 07:53
Aaron Taylor-Johnson in "Kraven the Hunter."
Aaron Taylor-Johnson in "Kraven the Hunter."

Sony Pictures

  • Aaron Taylor-Johnson leads "Kraven the Hunter," an origin story for the "Spider-Man" villain.
  • Sony produced the movie, and it previously made all the "Spider-Man" films alongside Marvel.
  • Here's every Sony Marvel movie, ranked.

When superhero fans think of Marvel movies, they tend to think of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Avengers. But Marvel Studios and Disney aren't the only ones adapting over 80 years of beloved comic book adventures.

In 1999, Sony and Columbia Pictures bought the rights to "Spider-Man" and other characters from Marvel Entertainment, which was still facing financial difficulty after filing for bankruptcy in 1996.

Fast-forward to the early 2000s, and Tobey Maguire starred in Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man." Sony continued to make Marvel movies in the years that followed and even set up its own shared universe to rival the MCU.

The studio found success in bringing the alien antihero, "Venom," to the big screen with Tom Hardy playing the lead in two movies, which have raked in $1.4 billion worldwide, according to industry data provider thenumbers.com.

The most recent film, "Kraven the Hunter," tells the villain's origin story, with Aaron Taylor-Johnson starring in the title role. Here's how it stacks up against the other "Spider-Man" movies.

18. "Madame Web"
Madame Web characters coming out of the subway
Isabela Merced, Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, and Celeste O'Connor.

Jessica Kourkounis/Sony

Rotten Tomatoes score: 11%

"Madame Web" is the most nonsensical Sony Marvel movie thanks to its baffling story. Ezekiel (Tahar Rahim), a man with spider-like powers, hunts a group of girls who he believes will kill him in the future. Cassandra Web (Dakota Johnson) uses her clairvoyant abilities to stop him. editing means most of Ezekiel's scenes are dubbed over, which pulls the audience out every time he speaks.

The poorly-written movie also tries to shoehorn as much Spider-Man-related lore into the plot as possible, including the birth of baby Peter Parker β€” which bears little influence on the adventure. It just happens. Basically, "Madame Web" is a mess.

17. "Morbius"
Jared Leto as Michael Morbius in "Morbius."
Jared Leto as Michael Morbius in "Morbius."

Courtesy of Sony Pictures

Rotten Tomatoes score: 15%

"Morbius" follows Dr. Michael Morbius (Jared Leto) as he tries to cure himself of a degenerative disease using bats from Costa Rica. Instead, he turns into a bloodthirsty vampire. While it attempts to be a comic book horror movie, "Morbius" quickly descends into a predictably boring punch-up between Leto and Matt Smith. Yawn.

16. "Kraven the Hunter"
A still from "Kraven the Hunter" showing Aaron Taylor Johnson wearing a sleeveless brown leather vest and leather wristcuffs.
Aaron Taylor Johnson stars as the titular character in "Kraven the Hunter."

Jay Maidment / Sony Pictures

Rotten Tomatoes score: 17%

"Kraven the Hunter" tries to replicate the success of "Venom" by pitching its lead character, played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson, as a brutal vigilante who has no issue with dishing out bloody vengeance against those who wrong him.

The action is nothing special, though Taylor-Johnson does a decent job of carrying those sequences. The convoluted origin story tries to cram too much into its two-hour runtime, and the result is a mediocre mess.

15. "Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance"
A charred skeleton wearing a leather jacket with a flaming skull screaming toward the left.
Nicolas Cage as Ghost Rider in 'Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance."

Sony Pictures Releasing

Rotten Tomatoes score: 19%

Nicolas Cage's second time as Ghost Rider came in 2011's "Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance," with a completely forgettable storyline involving demons hunting a young boy. Fans have seen this plot numerous times over: a grizzled fighter protects an innocent person. It falls flat on its flaming face.

14. "Ghost Rider"
ghost rider
Nicolas Cage as Ghost Rider in "Ghost Rider."

Columbia Pictures

Rotten Tomatoes score: 27%

"Ghost Rider" isn't a bad film, but it is incredibly average. It's a shame because the character is completely over the top: He's a motorbike rider who turns into a flaming skeleton at night and fights demons. But it was moderately successful, earning $228 million worldwide, according to Box Offive Mojo. Cage's wacky performance shows he had fun with the role, but the film doesn't showcase how scary Ghost Rider can be like he is in the comics, which feels like a missed opportunity.

13. "Venom"
A black gooey creature with white curved eyes, and a large open mouth with rows of spikey teeth and a long pink tongue dripping with saliva.
Venom in the "Venom" movie.

Sony Entertainment

Rotten Tomatoes score: 30%

The first "Venom" movie is a strange blend of a dark, gritty superhero movie and a slapstick rom-com around journalist Brock and a gooey, Symbiote alien called Venom. It never quite finds its footing, and the outcome is a subpar comic book adventure that somehow managed to make $800,000 worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo. Stranger things have happened.

12."Venom: The Last Dance"
A black gooey alien with white eyes that curl up around its head. It has a large set of teeth protruding from its mouth.
Venom in "Venom: The Last Dance."

Sony Pictures Releasing

Rotten Tomatoes score: 37%

"Venom: The Last Dance" is the worst of the "Venom" trilogy. It attempts to create a new big villain for Sony's growing universe with the god of the Symbiotes, Knull (Andy Serkis). But it fails to tap into anything interesting about the character from the comics because the story is pulled in so many different directions.

The messy plot sees Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) on the run from Knull's huge monsters who have been sent to kill the not-so-dynamic duo. Rushed sub-plots include: Brock and Venom running from the military, an alien-loving family looking for Area 51, and a talented scientist experimenting on the Symbiotes.

Throw in some painfully generic dialogue, and "Venom: The Last Dance" feels like someone asked an AI to make a comic book movie with the prompts: "Venom," "Tom Hardy," "rock music," and "cinematic universe."

11. "The Amazing Spider-Man 2"
amazing spider-man 2
Andrew Garfield as Spider-Man in "The Amazing Spider-Man 2."

Sony / Columbia Pictures

Rotten Tomatoes score: 51%

Andrew Garfield played Parker for a second time in "The Amazing Spider-Man 2." He revels in the chance to explore the hero even further as he grapples with his family's legacy. His chemistry with Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy deepens including that heartbreaking ending. It's just disappointing that, like other early "Spider-Man" movies, it tries to do too much.

This sequel is so preoccupied with setting up sequels and a spinoff that it forgets to focus on the fact that audiences fell in love with Garfield's take on both Parker and Spider-Man.

10. "Venom: Let There Be Carnage"
Carnage in Venom 2, Venom: Let there be Carnage
Carnage in "Venom: Let There Be Carnage."

Courtesy of Sony Pictures

Rotten Tomatoes score: 57%

"Venom: Let There Be Carnage" is similar to the first film, except a piece of the Symbiote is now bonded to a depraved serial killer called Cletus Kasady (Woody Harrelson), and they call themselves Carnage. The film's boring plot revolves around Brock (Hardy again) and Venom trying to stop Carnage from killing more people. There's not much substance to it, but it leans harder into the fun slapstick comedy between Eddie and Venom.

9. "Spider-Man 3"
spider man 3 tobey maguire
Tobey Maguire as Spider-Man in "Spider-Man 3."

Sony Pictures

Rotten Tomatoes score: 63%

"Spider-Man 3" is the mediocre ending to Sam Raimi's trilogy, starring Tobey Maguire as the titular hero. Although the film's attempt to adapt the Venom storyline is admirable, it ultimately falls short.

It tries too hard to cram in Topher Grace as Eddie Brock/Venom, Harry Osborn (James Franco) as the new Green Goblin, and Thomas Haden Church as the Sandman. Plus, the climax rushes at breakneck speed to resolve everything, making the film a disappointing end to Raimi's trilogy and Maguire's time as Spider-Man.

8. "The Amazing Spider-Man"
A man with brown hair crouching down while wearing a red and blue costume. His arms are crossed.
Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker in "The Amazing Spider-Man."

Sony Pictures Releasing

Rotten Tomatoes score: 71%

"The Amazing Spider-Man" arrived in theaters in 2012, only five years after "Spider-Man 3". The new take on the hero introduced Garfield as Parker in an edgier story that leaned closer to the "Ultimate Spider-Man" comics.

Garfield's dedicated performance and his endearing dynamic with Emma Stone's Gwen Stacy make up for the cluttered plot, which sees Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans) try to turn the world into lizards to rid humanity of all illnesses.

7. "Spider-Man"
Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst kissing upside down in "Spider-Man."
Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst in "Spider-Man."

Columbia Pictures

Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%

2002's "Spider-Man" is the blueprint for every subsequent cinematic version of the iconic hero. Raimi masterfully translated the Web-Slinger from the page to the screen, complete with the will-they-won't-they dynamic with Mary-Jane Watson (Kristen Dunst). Maguire delivers a pitch-perfect dorky performance as Parker, but he also nails Spider-Man's signature quips.

The story is cheesy in places, but when the characters are that engaging, who cares? It gets bonus points for Willem Dafoe's delightfully ham-fisted Norman Osborn, also known as the Green Goblin.

6. "Spider-Man: Far From Home"
Spider-Man in Far From Home
Spider-Man almost lets out an expletive at the end of "Far From Home" when his identity is revealed.

Columbia Pictures

Rotten Tomatoes score: 91%

Back in 2019, "Spider-Man: Far From Home" looked at how Parker copes with the death of his mentor, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), following the events of "Avengers: Endgame." Although it's understandable why he fails to notice that Quentin Beck (Jake Gyllenhaal) is up to no good as a new "hero" named Mysterio, it's irritating nonetheless.

He arrives in the story claiming to be from a different universe, holding all the information about a mystery unfolding around the world, and Peter barely suspects a thing.

Regardless, it is still pretty fun watching Spider-Man try to work out of his comfort zone across Europe, proving that the hero doesn't need the cityscape of New York to thrill audiences. Plus, Holland and Zendaya's adorably awkward dynamic adds a surprisingly authentic teen romance story amongst the thrilling fight sequences and plot twists.

5. "Spider-Man: Homecoming"
spider man homecoming
Tom Holland as Spider-Man in "Spider-Man: Homecoming."

Marvel/Sony

Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%

"Spider-Man: Homecoming" is Tom Holland's second outing as the Wall-Crawler after his MCU introduction in "Captain America: Civil War." While most MCU movies involve end-of-the-world stakes, "Homecoming" refreshingly focuses on a smaller threat, as the hero tries to stop Michael Keaton's Vulture from selling experimental weapons to gangsters in his neighborhood. It deserves your attention for its smart third-act twist.

4. "Spider-Man: No Way Home"
Peter Parker Spider-Man: No Way Home
Tom Holland as Peter Parker in "Spider-Man: No Way Home."

Columbia Pictures

Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%

Yes, Maguire and Garfield returning to play their respective Spider-Men next to Holland in the multiverse story is an exhilarating treat. It helps that the trio has exquisite chemistry together throughout the climax. However, the plot is just an excuse to bring heroes and villains back from previous films rather than trying to tell a truly original story.

However, it manages to raise emotional stakes outside of the multiverse mcguffin, largely due to a tearjerker gut punch involving Parker's Aunt May (Marisa Tomei).

The sequel also does a great job of pushing Holland's young hero to his limits. It'll be interesting to see how Marvel and Sony carry him forward after stripping the character back to basics in the film's closing moments. Tom Holland confirmed "Spider-Man 4" starts filming in Summer 2025.

3. "Spider-Man 2"
spider-man 2
Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker in "Spider-Man 2."

Sony

Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%

Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man 2" continues the franchise by exploring how Parker copes with maintaining his life and his college degree while battling a man with eight mechanical arms. Sure, it's a silly premise, but the film offers a fascinating juxtaposition between Parker's insecurities next to the villainous Doctor Octopus' (Alfred Molina) genuine desire to better the world.

Plus, Spidey's fight with Doc Ock on the subway is one of the best live-action superhero fights of all time.

2. "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse"
Miles Morales/Spider-Man (voiced by Shameik Moore) in "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse."
Miles Morales/Spider-Man (voiced by Shameik Moore) in "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse."

Sony Pictures Animation

Rotten Tomatoes score: 95%

"Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" is the follow-up to 2018's "Into the Spider-Verse," and sees Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) face the realization that he was never meant to get spider-powers. It's crammed full of Easter eggs that nod to live-action "Spider-Man" movies and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The comic-inspired animation also makes each new dimension unique with different color palettes and musical cues. And that's without mentioning the fiercely elegant fight scenes. But it's Miles' conviction that he's meant to be a hero that really makes his story worth revisiting again and again.

1. "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse"
spider man miles morales
Miles Morales/Spider-Man (voiced by Shameik Moore) in "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse."

Sony Pictures Animation

Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%

"Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" hurls the audience into a multiverse story with numerous Spider-Men. But it does a fantastic job of weaving in a heartfelt, coming-of-age story about a young teenager, Miles Morales (Shameik Moore). He struggles to balance the weight of getting superpowers with the pressure of starting a school for talented students and making his parents proud.

Throw in its gorgeous animation style, and it's easily the best Sony Marvel movie of the last two decades.

Read the original article on Business Insider

'Deadpool' director says he got paid $225,000 for the movie, which launched a franchise worth over $2.9 billion

27 December 2024 at 04:15
A man in a red and black suit with black circles on the mask and white lenses holds his hands up to his face in shock. A hole in the sleeve of his suit shows his scarred white arm. Behind him is a metal man.
Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson in "Deadpool."

20th Century Studios

  • Tim Miller was paid $225,000 for directing the first "Deadpool" movie in 2016.
  • The superhero movie raked in $782 million at the box office.
  • It launched a huge franchise, which is worth $2.9 billion after 2024's "Deadpool & Wolverine."

Back in 2016 Tim Miller directed "Deadpool", launching a lucrative global superhero franchise β€” work he said earned him a relatively small $225,000.

The violent, R-rated movies star Ryan Reynolds as the titular foul-mouthed superhero. According to TheNumbers.com, the franchise is now worth over $2.9 billion after the riotous success of the third film, "Deadpool & Wolverine."

Collider reported that Miller discussed his salary during a recent panel at the CCXP convention in Brazil, which took place from December 5-8.

He said: "You guys might not know, but it's not really a profitable thing to be a first-time director in Hollywood, and I'll tell you exactly. I got $225,000 to direct 'Deadpool.' I know it sounds like a lot of money, but for two years of work, that's not a ton of money."

Miller said he was grateful for the opportunity, but joked that at the time, his agent told him: "'Dude, you make more on an episode of 'The Walking Dead!'"

The director went on to say that there's a misconception about typical salaries in Hollywood. "I think a lot of people think that everyone's getting paid millions and millions in Hollywood. It's just not the case, not always," he said.

The minimum salary for members of the Director's Guild of America in 2024 is $237,670 for a guaranteed shoot of 10 weeks.

In July 2024, Reynolds said he "let go of getting paid" for "Deadpool" because it was a passion project for him and he wanted to see it on the big screen. The film was a risk because of its violence and profanity, which meant that younger fans and families couldn't go see it.

Regardless, it still made $782 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo. For Miller, that success overrides the small salary.

He said: "You know what I feel? Nothing but pride. I mean, I feel like every time I walk down the aisles out there on the floor of CCXP and I see all these Deadpool figurines, I think they wouldn't be here if we hadn't made that film. And I feel uniquely fortunate that I could be part of it."

Miller's work on "Deadpool" propelled his career forward. He directed 2019's "Terminator: Dark Fate" as well as episodes of Netflix's "Love, Death, and Robots." He also created the animated anthology video game series, "Secret Level," for Amazon Prime Video.

He also joked that he should've negotiated a merchandise deal into his contract.

"Then my second thought is, I wish my director deals had a piece of the merchandising so that I could get some money from all of that."

Rob Mitchell, the director of theatrical insights at Gower Street Analytics, told Business Insider that backend and merchandise deals allow actors and directors to take on "riskier" projects that earn more if the project is successful.

He said: "The most famous one is Jack Nicholson's deal on the original 'Batman' film that he got a huge payday out of. He took a salary cut, but took a backend and made an absolute fortune of it. That isn't uncommon, that would happen with big stars in riskier projects."

Read the original article on Business Insider

The 9 most talked-about Netflix shows in 2024

25 December 2024 at 00:36
A composite image of a man and a woman. On the left is a man with a messy head of hair and short facial hair staring at the camera. He's wearing a brown checked suit with a yellow shirt. On the right, a woman with long brown hair tied in a bun looks in a black and white wool coat and a white top looks to the left.
Richard Gadd in "Baby Reindeer" and Michelle Keegan in "Fool Me Once."

Netflix

  • Netflix has produced some of the most captivating and divisive shows of 2024.
  • It hooked viewers with a mystery in "Fool Me Once," and stoked controversy with "Baby Reindeer."
  • Here are the nine most talked-about shows on Netflix in 2024.

2024 has been a huge year for Netflix, with the streamer's shows sparking huge conversations.

Here are the nine most talked-about shows on Netflix in 2024.

"Fool Me Once"
Michelle Keegan as Maya Stern and Richard Armitage as Joe Burkett in "Fool Me Once."
Michelle Keegan as Maya Stern and Richard Armitage as Joe Burkett in "Fool Me Once."

Netflix

Harlan Coben's binge-worthy thrillers, with their twist-filled storylines, are a constant favorite among Netflix subscribers, and "Fool Me Once" was no different.

Released in January, the series followed ex-soldier Maya Stern (Michelle Keegan), who spots her dead husband on a nanny cam inside her house. As she tries to find the truth, she reexamines her time in the military, as well her sister's murder, which took place before her husband's death.

Audiences couldn't get enough, and flocked to social media to unpack the story's plot holes and identify filming locations.

According to Netflix, it was one of the streamer's most-watched shows of all time, racking up 98 million views.

"American Nightmare"
Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn in Netflix's "American Nightmare."
Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn in Netflix's "American Nightmare."

Netflix

In 2024, Netflix released several buzzy docuseries, starting with "American Nightmare."

The three-part series examines the kidnapping of Denise Huskins, which police in Vallejo, California claimed she faked with her boyfriend.

The show charts how the media hounded Huskins and her partner, Aaron Quinn, as a result of the accusations, and also details her horrific kidnapping.

It got subscribers making comparisons to "Gone Girl," and talking about how the media sometimes portrays victims.

"Baby Reindeer"
Richard Gadd as Donny Dunn and Jessica Gunning as Martha Scott in "Baby Reindeer."
Richard Gadd as Donny Dunn and Jessica Gunning as Martha Scott in "Baby Reindeer."

Ed Miller/Netflix

"Baby Reindeer" is arguably the most talked about show of the year. The show follows Donny Dunn (Richard Gadd), an aspiring comedian, who is stalked by an older woman called Martha Scott (Jessica Gunning), after he serves her at the pub where he works.

The semi-autobiographical drama was partly based on Gadd's experiences of stalking and sexual assault. The show was presented as a true story, which turned audiences into armchair detectives as they searched for the real people the characters were based on.

From there, the real story only got more twisted as a woman named Fiona Harvey came forward as the person Scott is based on. She is suing Netflix for defamation, and the case goes to trial in 2025.

"The Man with 1000 Kids"
Jonathan Jacob Meijer on a beach as seen in Netflix's "The Man with 1000 Kids."
Jonathan Jacob Meijer as seen in Netflix's "The Man with 1000 Kids."

Netflix/YouTube

The streamer continued to explore unbelievable true stories with "The Man with 1000 Kids." It followed families from different countries who discovered they used the same sperm donor, a Dutchman named Jonathan Jacob Meijer.

The series highlighted the risks of prolific sperm donors, and Meijer's insistence that what he did wasn't wrong. Many viewers were particularly shocked at the allegation that Meijer mixed his sperm with another donor's, something he denied.

Meijer said that the number of children he's fathered is actually 550, and has threatened to sue Netflix for defamation.

"Dancing For the Devil"
Miranda Derrick at the 2022 YouTube Streamy Awards. and a photo of Melanie Lee and Robert Shinn from "Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult."
Miranda Derrick at the 2022 YouTube Streamy Awards, and Melanie Lee and Robert Shinn from "Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult."

Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

"Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult" exposed the darker side of fun dance videos on TikTok. Its main focus is Melanie Wilking, a content creator and dancer, who claims that Miranda Derrick, her sister, was brainwashed by a cult-like organization called the Shekinah Church.

The religious group is run by pastor Robert Shinn, who also runs a talent management company for content creators and dancers. In the docuseries, Wilking claimed its members cut ties with their loved ones after joining the church.

In a statement on social media, Derrick denied that Shekinah was the reason for her family troubles, which only fueled further discussion. In 2022, Shinn has denied the accusations of abuse made against both himself, and Shekinah church.

"Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story"
Two men in a large room holding black shotguns. The man on the left is wearing a short-sleeved pink polo shirt, and the man on the right is wearing a a green and white striped shirt.
Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch in "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story."

Netflix

"Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story" was bound to cause controversy after the families of victims accused its creator,Β Ryan Murphy, of not contacting them before using their stories in season one: "Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story." Murphy said he contacted them but they didn't reply.

The second season of the "Monster" anthology series tells of how the brothers murdered their parents, alleging they experienced years of abuse. It caused uproar over the depiction of the Menendez brothers, including a moment that suggested the siblings were in a sexual relationship.

However, it also ignited sympathy for their case and opened up the possibility that the pair could be released from prison.

"Nobody Wants This"
kristen bell and adam brody as joanne and noah in nobody wants this. they're both wearing light overshirts, holding blue mugs as they stand together on a bridge outdoors. noah is pressing a kiss to kristen's head
Kristen Bell and Adam Brody as Joanne and Noah in "Nobody Wants This."

Adam Rose/Netflix

Most of the other entries on this list got viewers talking because of controversies, murder, and mayhem. But subscribers flocked to watch "Nobody Wants This" partly because it's so wholesome.

The rom-com follows Joanne (Kristen Bell), a sex-positive podcaster, and Noah (Adam Brody), a rabbi, as they navigate their vastly different lives while dating.

Viewers were particularly enamored by Noah's emotional support of Joanne. But the moment when he kisses her while holding her face had everyone swooning.

"The Perfect Couple"
Nicole Kidman as Greer Winbury in "The Perfect Couple."
Nicole Kidman as Greer Winbury in "The Perfect Couple."

Netflix

"The Perfect Couple" follows Amelia Sacks (Eve Hewson), as she prepares to marry her boyfriend Benji Winbury (Billy Howle) at his family's lavish home on Nantucket.

When her best friend is found dead on the morning of the wedding, Sacks' life is turned upside down.

Aside from Nicole Kidman's frosty performance as Greer Winbury, the family's steely matriarch, the murder mystery's opening sequence surprised viewers because of its fun, flashmob-style dance to Meghan Trainor's "Criminals."

"Black Doves"
A heavily pregnant woman wearing a yellow coat and a green shirt. She has brown hair cut into bangs and she's firing a gun. There is a car parked behind her with the driver's door open.
Keira Knightley as Helen Webb in Netflix's 'Black Doves."

Stefania Rosini/Netflix

"Black Doves" didn't spark controversy, nor did it dive into a horrifying true crime story. But it did feature Keira Knightley as Helen Webb, a badass spy out to avenge her lover's death, which was enough to grab viewers' attention.

Some noticed that it's the latest in a string of spy shows set in London, following "Slow Horses," "The Agency," and "The Day of the Jackal."

But "Black Doves" stands out largely because of Knightley's ferocious performance and her killer outfit choices as a spy masquerading as the wife of a UK government minister.

Read the original article on Business Insider

The best TV shows of 2024

Screenshots from Baby Reindeer, Nobody Wants This, and A Man on the Inside

Netflix; Rebecca Zisser/BI

  • 2024 may not have been as big a year for television as 2023 – but there were plenty of gems.
  • Series like FX's "Shōgun," Prime Video's "Fallout," and Netflix's "Baby Reindeer" cut through the noise.
  • Here are the BI entertainment team's favorite television series of the year.

Amid shake-ups in the television industry, 2024 still delivered a slate of great TV series ranging from familiar continuations to ambitious debuts.

That includes series like FX's "Shōgun," an immersive adaptation that brought top Japanese talent to American screens; the Brian Jordan Alvarez comedy "English Teacher," which turns high school culture wars into comedy fodder; and hits like "Baby Reindeer," which captivated the world with a story pulled from creator Richard Gadd's life.

Here are our favorites from this year.

"Abbott Elementary" season 4
Chris Perfetti as Jacob, Tyler James Williams as Gregory, Quinta Brunson as Janine, and Sheryl Lee Ralph as Barbara on season four of "Abbott Elementary."
Chris Perfetti as Jacob, Tyler James Williams as Gregory, Quinta Brunson as Janine, and Sheryl Lee Ralph as Barbara on season four of "Abbott Elementary."

Gilles Mingasson/Disney

Season four of "Abbott Elementary" picks up with Janine (Quinta Brunson) and Gregory (Tyler James Williams) officially dating after their slow-burn romance played in the show's previous seasons. At the start of this season, the pair are unsuccessfully trying to keep their relationship a secret from their Abbott Elementary coworkers when they return to school.

The writing of "Abbott Elementary" remains as sharp and culturally relevant as ever, and the latest season sprinkles in new characters that keep the show fresh and exciting β€” from Jacob's younger brother Caleb (Tyler Perez) and an IT guy named O'Shon (Matthew Law) whom the staff have a crush on to a lovable guinea pig named Sweet Cheeks who breaks through Melissa's (Lisa Ann Walter) tough exterior. β€” Olivia Singh

"Arcane" season 2
ekko in season two of arcane, sitting on a hoverboard and holding a golden weapon in his left hand. he's looking forward intently
Ekko in season two of "Arcane."

Netflix

Netflix and Riot Games' "Arcane" is one of the most impressive and ambitious animated works of the past decade β€” and while it doesn't always find its footing, the end result is still so spectacular.

The series is adapted from Riot Games' massively popular video game "League of Legends," honing in on a small cast of characters who live in Piltover, the gleaming city of progress, and Zaun, its less-than-scintillating undercity. The conflict between the two cities has reached a critical point by season two. Unfortunately for all parties, so has the evolution of Hextech, a magic-powered technology that has spiraled out of control and turned one of its developers into a misguided messiah. Oops!

Season two is nothing if not ambitious and widens its scope while leveling up its already excellent animation, courtesy of the French studio Fortiche. In the process, it loses some of the intimate character work and tight focus that made its first season truly extraordinary. Still, the second season serves as a fitting conclusion and is a harbinger of good things to come from Riot's entertainment arm. β€” Palmer Haasch

Read Haasch's interview with "Arcane" showrunner Christian Linke.

"Baby Reindeer"
Richard Gadd as Donny Dunn in "Baby Reindeer."
Richard Gadd as Donny Dunn in "Baby Reindeer."

Ed Miller/Netflix

Few shows caused as much of a stir this year as "Baby Reindeer," starring and written by comedian Richard Gadd. Netflix and the creator himself billed the series as a true story based on Gadd's real-life experience of being stalked by an older woman. Unfortunately, the show's stalker character, Martha Scott, was quickly outed as Fiona Harvey, who took legal action against the streamer.

Despite all the behind-the-scenes controversy, "Baby Reindeer" is a work of art. Gadd lays himself bare as Donny, who's loosely based on himself. He's a powerhouse in episode four, which flashes back to explain the source of Donny's trauma before meeting Martha.

It's an engrossing watch with equally powerful performances from Jessica Gunning, who plays the disturbed but deeply sad Martha, and Nava Mau, who plays Donny's girlfriend, Teri. β€” Caralynn Matassa

Read about the legal drama behind "Baby Reindeer.'

"The Boys," season 4
Jack Quaid as Hughie Campbell, Erin Moriarty as Annie January, and Karl Urban as Bully Butcher on season four, episode seven of "The Boys."
Jack Quaid as Hughie Campbell, Erin Moriarty as Annie January, and Karl Urban as Bully Butcher on season four, episode seven of "The Boys."

Prime Video

If "The Boys" is Prime Video's NSFW answer to superhero fare like the Marvel Cinematic Universe, then season four feels like the equivalent of "Avengers: Infinity War" β€” minus a snap from a villain that wipes out half the universe.

Season four of "The Boys" is darker than past seasons, as the characters confront deep-seated traumas. For an aging Homelander (Anthony Starr), this means grappling with the legacy he'll leave behind for his son Ryan. For his nemesis Billy Butcher (Karl Urban), it means coming to terms with his looming death and trying to prevent Ryan from succumbing to Homelander's darkness.

It's a season filled with even more gory, jaw-dropping scenes and yet another Emmy-worthy performance by Starr, particularly in Homelander's gory homecoming episode.

The endgame is nearing, with aΒ fifth and final season of "The Boys"Β likely premiering in 2026. Season four ends with the perfect foundation for all hell to break loose one last time. β€” OS

"English Teacher"
Brian Jordan Alvarez as Evan Marquez in The English Teacher season 1 episode 1
Brian Jordan Alvarez as Evan Marquez in "English Teacher."

Richard Ducree/FX

It's astounding that it took this long for Brian Jordan Alvarez to get a series order after the release of his excellent 2016 web series "The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo" β€” but thankfully, "English Teacher" premiered this year.

The series stars Alvarez as Evan Marquez, a beleaguered but idealistic Texas high school teacher who comes under fire at work when a parent complains about him kissing his ex-boyfriend in front of the students.

While "English Teacher" embraces the thorny politics of being an American educator in 2024, it doesn't spin them into saccharine teaching moments or cheap jokes. It mines them for character threads and comedy. β€” PH

"Fallout"
Walton Goggins as The Ghoul in "Fallout." he's a man with a sunken face, caity for a nose, and cowboy hat standing in a desert with broken buildings in the background
Walton Goggins as The Ghoul in "Fallout."

Prime Video

With "Fallout," Jonathan Nolan proved that prestige-y video game adaptations weren't exclusive to HBO. Rather than directly adapting one of the multiple games in the postapocalyptic "Fallout" universe, Nolan instead leverages the style, humor, and striking visual identity of the games to show us something new.

"Fallout" stars Ella Purnell as Lucy, a naive resident who grew up in an underground bunker known as a Vault, established to protect humanity from nuclear armageddon. However, after tragedy befalls her home, she ventures to the surface, only to learn it isn't as deserted or unsurvivable as she was led to believe.

The series features stellar performances from Purnell and Walton Goggins, who spends most of the season admirably noseless. And while it's set in the grim aftermath of a nuclear apocalypse, it's also irreverently funny and endearing. β€” PH

Read Eammon Jacobs' review of "Fallout" and Jason Guerrasio's interview with Walton Goggins.

"Hacks" season 3
Jean Smart, Paul W. Downs in "Hacks" season 3
Jean Smart and Paul W. Downs in "Hacks."

Jake Giles Netter/Max

The Max original "Hacks" has only gotten better with age, and in season three, it feels like the show has hit its stride.

The show follows veteran stand-up comedian Deborah Vance, who, on the coattails of a successful comedy special, is gunning for her dream: a late-night hosting gig. After cutting her young writer, Ava Daniels, loose at the end of season two, Deborah realizes that she needs Ava β€” and Ava craves working with Deborah again, too.

This central relationship β€” and all the ways Deobrah and Ava support, encourage, and mess each other up β€” is constantly in flux. Season three not only succeeded in being funnier and more resonant than its predecessors but also in shifting Deborah and Ava's power dynamic into something new and a bit dangerous ahead of season four. β€” PH

Read Haasch's interview with "Hacks" stars Carl Clemons-Hopkins and Mark Indelicato.

"Industry" season 3
A woman holds a phone in front of a series of desks in a financial office.
Harper (Myha'la) has a new role in season three of "Industry."

Simon Ridgway/HBO

Move over, "Succession" β€” there's another contender for the best HBO show about horny, psychopathic capitalists. "Industry," the show about London's most dedicated and depraved bankers, finally broke through to the mainstream with its third season.

Seasons one and two delivered well-written, well-acted, character-driven drama about the highs and lows of a group of young bankers trading stocks (and spit). Still, season three upped the ante, spending more time away from the office in lavish locations, such as the English countryside, a yacht in the Mediterranean, and a Davos-like conference in Switzerland.

The change in scenery enhanced the story and deepened our understanding of the series' core group of complicated characters, most of whom have greatly evolved since we first saw them sitting and sweating at their Pierpoint desks.

All of it leads to an explosive finale that's massive in both budget and sheer plot, effectively wiping the slate clean for a now-confirmed season four. It's an appropriately daring move for a show confident in its vision. It's peak TV at its peak. β€” Samantha Rollins

Read Rollins' interview with "Industry" showrunners Mickey Down and Konrad Kay.

"Love Island USA" season 6
"Love Island USA" host Ariana Madix
"Love Island" season six host Ariana Madix.

Ben Symons/Peacock

There were many (many) reality dating shows that aired in 2024. Having regrettably watched most of them, I can confirm that the latest installment of "Love Island USA" blew them all out of the water.

The franchise, which spun off of the UK edition, has the secret sauce that makes this genre sing. It's largely thanks to a format that other shows have tried β€”Β and failed β€”Β to replicate, wherein participants must constantly recouple to find true love (and win a cash prize).

Season six had a particularly explosive set of personalities among its cast, leading to some serious drama, shocking betrayals, truly memorable moments, and fan-favorite standouts, including Serena Page, Leah Kateb, and Jana Craig. β€” CM

"A Man on the Inside"
Sally Struthers as Virginia, Danielle Kennedy as Helen, John Getz as Elliot, Susan Ruttan as Gladys, Ted Danson as Charles in episode 104 of A Man on the Inside.
Charles (Ted Danson) with residents of Pacific View in "A Man on the Inside."

Colleen E. Hayes/Netflix Β© 2024

"A Man on the Inside" is initially presented as a spy mystery series as Charles Nieuwendyk (Ted Danson), a widower who recently lost his wife, accepts a job to go undercover in a retirement home.

That's all background noise to the main event, which follows the lives of a kooky gang of residents who find community with each other after being left behind by their loved ones.

Anyone who has seen Danson in any of his other many roles would not be surprised that he is an incredible leading man. However, the show's real strength is the supporting cast, especially Margaret Avery, Stephen McKinley Henderson, and Sally Struthers, who provide so much humor and heart that they may make you shed tears.

"A Man on the Inside" proves we really need more TV shows centered on older characters, and there's ample talent out there to make those stories worth watching. β€” Ayomikun Adekaiyero

Read Rollins' interview with "A Man on the Inside" creator Mike Schur.

"Mr. and Mrs. Smith"
maya erskine as jane in mr. and mrs. smith, standing in a kitchen and hoding a gun up. she's wearing a black ribbed sleeveless shirt
Maya Erskine as Jane in "Mr. and Mrs. Smith."

David Lee/Prime Video

Prime Video's "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," a reboot of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's 2005 film (mostly in name only), is deeply funny, emotionally stirring, and clever.

Sure, both titles share a similar premise β€” a husband and wife who are both assassins β€” but the television series flips it on its head to create something much better.

Donald Glover and Maya Erskine play two strangers who, upon taking a new job as shady agents for a mysterious boss, are paired together as a cover story.

The 10-episode season features a laundry list of guest stars, ranging from Ron Perlman to Micaela Coel. β€” PH

Read Haasch's review of "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" and Jacobs' interview with guest star Ron Perlman.

"Nobody Wants This"
Kristen Bell as Joanne and Adam Brody as Noah on "Nobody Wants This."
Kristen Bell as Joanne and Adam Brody as Noah on "Nobody Wants This."

Hopper Stone/Netflix

Rom-coms are so back.

Six years after Netflix was credited with a rom-com renaissance thanks to hits like "Set It Up" and "To All the Boys I've Loved Before," the streamer struck gold again with "Nobody Wants This," a comedy series starring Kristen Bell and Adam Brody. The show became an instant hit, proving audiences yearn for more high-quality modern rom-coms.

"Nobody Wants This," created by Erin Foster and loosely inspired by her love story, follows Noah (Brody), an attractive and newly single rabbi, and Joanne (Kristen Bell), the outspoken agnostic host of a sex podcast. Despite their different views on religion and lifestyle, they pursue a relationship.

Noah and Joanne's swoon-worthy first kiss scene went viral, people realized that Brody had been leading man material all along, and the show jumped to the No. 2 slot on the streamer's Top 10 list for English-language TV in the week of its debut. Unsurprisingly, "Nobody Wants This" will be returning for a second season, which begins filming in February. β€” OS

"One Day"
Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall in "One Day."
Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall in "One Day."

Ludovic Robert / Netflix

The second attempt at bringing David Nicholls' bestselling novel "One Day" to the screen (after a 2011 film adaptation) is a rousing success.

The novel of the same name is already beautifully tragic, relatable, and perspective-altering, but the Netflix show amplifies all these strengths with gut-punching performances from leads Leo Woodall and Ambika Mod, who play destined lovers Dexter and Emma.

With each episode set in a different year, "One Day" takes audiences on a 14-year journey as the two grow into adults and fall in love with other people and each other, but never at the right time. For romantics or young people worried about the future, this is the show to watch from 2024. β€” AA

"The Penguin"
Cristin Milioti in "The Penguin"
Cristin Milioti in "The Penguin."

Macall Polay/HBO

Colin Farrell leads the spinoff sequel to the 2022 film "The Batman," playing the titular comic book villain Oz "Penguin" Cobb. It was fascinating how quickly it became apparent that the show had more in common with "The Sopranos" than nearly anything DC Studios has released.

Farrell utterly transforms as Cobb, the mobster clawing to the top in Gotham after the death of crime boss Carmine Falcone in "The Batman" left a power vacuum. Still, Cristin Milioti is the real standout as Sofia Falcone, Carmine's daughter and accused psychopathic serial killer, fresh out of a stay in Arkham State Hospital. β€” CM

Read Jacobs' interview with "The Penguin" showrunner Lauren LeFranc.

"The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives"
A still from "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" featuring Jessi Ngatikaura, Jennifer Affleck, Mayci Neeley, Taylor Frankie Paul, Mikayla Matthews, Layla Taylor, and Demi Engemann standing next to each other in teal, white, cream, and brown dresses.
The cast of "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" includes Jessi Ngatikaura, Jennifer Affleck, Mayci Neeley, Taylor Frankie Paul, Mikayla Matthews, Layla Taylor, and Demi Engemann, along with Whitney Leavitt (not pictured).

Disney / Fred Hayes

On its surface, "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" was a show greenlit solely because of a TikTok scandal where several couples in a Mormon community were implicated in an alleged swinging scandal. That premise didn't seem like it'd carry far, but turns out the swinging was possibly the least dramatic thing about these women.

After a moderately slow start, "Secret Lives" turns the dial up to 11 in episode four, a group birthday vacation where all hell breaks loose as the group of friends and frenemies start calling one another out. (Shout out to the truth box, the real MVP.)

It was hard not to root for Taylor Frankie Paul and follow her tumultuous relationship with Dakota Mortensen or to root against the deeply annoying Whitney Leavitt, who became the sleeper villain of season one. We're dying to see what becomes of MomTok when the show returns in 2025. β€” CM

Read Haasch's interview with Taylor Frankie Paul and Mayci Neeley.

"Shōgun"
cosmo jarvis and anna sawai in shogun as blackthorne and toda mariko, wearing 17th century japanese clothing and walking together in a courtyard. there's a gun and sword strapped to blackthorne's waist
Cosmo Jarvis and Anna Sawai in the "Shōgun" episode "Crimson Sky."

Katie Yu/FX

There was no stopping "Shōgun" at the 2024 Emmys, and for good reason. Based on James Clavell's 1975 novel, the stunning historical epic focuses on an English sailor who finds himself shipwrecked in Japan and crosses paths with Lord Toranga, a powerful warlord.

With incredible performances, sweeping visuals, and mesmerizing battle sequences, it's no wonder the show set a record for the most Emmys won by a single season of television and that the creators decided to rethink their limited series plan and continue the show with second and third seasons. β€” CM

"The Traitors" season 2
Ekin-Su and Dan Gheesling on "The Traitors" season two.
Ekin-Su was unexpectedly poisoned on "The Traitors."

Peacock

They were the words heard 'round the reality TV-loving world: "Oh lord, not Ekin-Su."

Few shows were as memed as "The Traitors," the US iteration of the international competition series where reality stars and celebrities try to deceive one another to claim a cash prize.

Season one, which aired in 2023, was entertaining, but season two reached new heights, largely thanks to compulsively watchable characters like meme factory Phaedra Parks and "Shahs of Sunset" star MJ Javid, who gave us one of the best reaction shots of the year. β€” CM

Read Matassa's interview with "Big Brother" alum Dan Gheesling, who tried and failed to extend his gaming skills to "The Traitors."

"X-Men '97"
A shirtless man holding up a blue-gloved fist with metal claws sticking out of his hand.
Wolverine in "X-Men '97."

Marvel Studios/Disney

Not only did "X-Men '97" expertly capture the spirit of the original animated "X-Men" series, but it also made it feel modern and relevant to the 2020s amid some gorgeously animated action.

The performances are seamless with the original show, adding new dimensions to the Marvel Universe that fans, new and old, will appreciate.

It deserves all of the praise for easily navigating the messy Jean Grey/Madelyne Prior clone saga from the comics. Season two can't come quickly enough. β€” Eammon Jacobs

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Paramount greenlit another 'Sonic' movie as the latest is pacing to beat Disney's surprisingly weak 'Lion King' prequel

20 December 2024 at 05:11
A composite image of two CGI characters. On the left is a black and red hedgehog with glowing orange eyes, he has orange lightning around his hands, and there is broken glass behind him. On the right is a yellow lion cub with orange eyes, a white chin and chest, staring right at the camera.
"Sonic the Hedgehog 3" introduces Shadow, an antihero. "Mufasa: The Lion King" is a prequel about Mufasa, Simba's father, as a cub.

Paramount Pictures/Disney

  • Paramount announced "Sonic the Hedgehog 4," just as the third movie is about to release.
  • "Sonic the Hedgehog 3" is projected to have a bigger domestic opening than "Mufasa: The Lion King."
  • 2019's "The Lion King" remake made $1.6 billion worldwide, but the prequel has far lower expectations.

Paramount announced that a new Sonic movie is already in development ahead of the opening weekend for "Sonic the Hedgehog 3."

The announcement came as revenue projections for "Sonic 3" came in surprisingly strong β€” and ahead of Disney's anticipated "Mufasa: The Lion King."

The franchise is based on the beloved Sega video games about the blue speedster, who has been starring in games for more than 30 years. Paramount brought Sonic into live-action in 2020's "Sonic the Hedgehog" movie and a 2022 sequel.

"Parks and Recreation" star Ben Schwartz voices Sonic in the movie franchise, and Jim Carrey plays his nemesis, Dr. Robotnik.

Combined, the two films have made $707 million, according to TheNumbers.com. And Paramount seems to have faith in the third film as Variety reported that the studio has already greenlit "Sonic the Hedgehog 4" for Spring 2027 ahead of the threequel's release on December 21.

"Sonic the Hedgehog 3" is competing with the Disney prequel "Mufasa: The Lion King" over the holidays.

The Hollywood Reporter estimated that "Sonic" would come out on top, with $60 million from its first weekend versus $50 million from "Mufasa."

The outlet sources its estimates from theater chains and major analytics companies like Nielsen and Comscore, and is widely respected in the movie industry.

The difference is a shock, given the historic power of the "Lion King" story. The 2019 remake of "The Lion King" raked in $1.6 billion worldwide, making it one of Disney's greatest financial successes.

"Sonic the Hedgehog 3" earned a healthy 87% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes ahead of its release, while "Mufasa" got a "rotten" 54% rating.

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The new 'Superman' trailer gives a first look at David Corenswet's new Man of Steel. Here's who's in the cast.

An image showing a man flying in a blue and red superhero costume. It is mainly light blue with a red cape. On his chest is a red and yellow "S" symbol. He has red trunks on with a yellow belt.
David Corenswet on the poster for "Superman."

Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Studios

  • The first trailer for James Gunn's "Superman" gives a first look at David Corenswet's hero.
  • It also introduces a handful of other heroes, villains, and monsters.
  • Here is the cast of the new DC movie and who they play.

It's been over a decade since audiences last saw a solo "Superman" movie in theaters, but director James Gunn has finally revealed the first trailer for his new DC reboot.

The film stars "Twisters" actor David Corenswet as the new version of the Man of Steel, as he takes over the role from Henry Cavill. The trailer starts with Superman crashing down in the snow before calling his dog, Krypto, for help.

It then introduces audiences to the new iteration of the DC Universe as Clark Kent balances his life as a young reporter at the Daily Planet and as a superhero. It puts some of the focus on his relationship with Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) a fellow reporter, as well as Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult), a nefarious tech billionaire.

The action also sees Superman fighting a huge monster and a mysterious black-suited figure. Take a look below.

David Corenswet plays the new Superman, taking the mantle from Henry Cavill.
A composite image of two photos of the same man. On the left, he is dressed in a gray suit with a black tie, he's wearing glasses and has messy black hair. On the right he's dressed in a blue superhero outfit with a red cape. There is a symbol on his chest that is dirty from a fight. He has slicked back black hair and with a fringe curl. He also has a dirty face.
David Corenswet as Clark Kent and Superman.

Warner Bros Pictures/DC Studios

Corenswet is known for his roles in "Pearl," "The Politician" and "Look Both Ways." He also starred in 2024's "Twisters" alongside Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones.Β 

He told the "Manly Things (Sort Of)" podcast that he bulked up significantly for the role.

Corenswet said: "Getting to bulk up for 'Superman'Β was...Β I was looking for an excuse to really throw on some weight. I thought 210 was going to make me happy, but then I got up to 238... I wasn't 238 when we started shooting. 238 was my max."Β 

He added: "It didn't feel great... I did it so quickly that my body just hadn't adjusted to the extra weight... But that was at the peak of my bulk, and then I slowly lost weight before we started shooting.Β 

"I started shooting at about 228. I put on one of those sweatshirts, and I was like an XL or double XL, and I was like, 'I fill this out. This is amazing.' I didn't fit into any of my pants."

Rachel Brosnahan joins Corenswet as Lois Lane, Superman's love interest and colleague.
A woman with shoulder-length black hair in a white top and a black waistcoat. She's holding a newspaper and a white coffee mug.
Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane in "Superman."

Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Studios

Rachel Brosnahan plays Lois Lane, a determined reporter at the Daily Planet and the love interest of Superman/Kent.Β 

The actor is known for her roles in "House of Cards" and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," she reportedly beat actors like "Sex Education" star Emma Mackey, "Bridgerton" lead Phoebe Dynevor, and "Ready or Not" actor Samara Weaving to the role.

In February, Brosnahan told Variety what drew her to the role, saying: "I have always loved Lois Lane. She's smart, ambitious, and can be funny. She knows she's the smartest person in the room more often than not."

Nicholas Hoult is on villain duties as Lex Luthor.
A composite image of a man. On the left he's wearing an all brown suit and has brown hair. On the left, h's dressed in a black suit and a white shirt, he is completely bald and he's holding a silver gun.
Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor in "Superman."

Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images/Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Studios

British star Nicholas Hoult originally auditioned to play Superman in the film, but Gunn decided to cast him as the hero's archnemesis, Lex Luthor, instead.Β 

Hoult told The Hollywood Reporter that he enjoyed working with Gunn on getting Luthor right.

He said: "I was like, 'Oh, this is exciting where he imagines this character being, and hopefully I can bring the energy that he wants to what he's written on the page.'Β Yeah, you do want him to be imposing and dangerous. That's something about that character. Whenever you're playing the villain, I suppose you want people to feel that they are dangerous."

Nathan Fillion plays Guy Gardner, one of the many Green Lantern superheroes in DC comics.
A composite image of the same man. On the left he is wearing a gray suit with a black shirt, he has long dark hair. On the right he has blond hair that his cut with a straight fringe. He's wearing a black leather jacket.
Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner in "Superman."

Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Studios

Nathan Fillion voiced the Hal Jordan Green Lantern in several animated movies and starred in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" and "The Suicide Squad."

In "Superman," he's playing Guy Gardner, a hot-headed member of the Green Lantern Corps.

Isabela Merced plays another superhero called Hawkgirl.
A composite image. On the left is a woman with tied back brown hair and a braided fringe. She's wearing a purple glittery outfit. On the right is a woman in a white and black leather outfit, with a gold and black helmet on. She is flying through the sky with wings that stem from her back, she is also carrying a large metal mace.
Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl in "Superman."

Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images/Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Studios

Isabela Merced is playing Hawkgirl, a hero with a complicated backstory involving reincarnation. She also appeared in the Sony Marvel movie "Madame Web" as another superhero, Anya Corazon, and had a very gross role in "Alien: Romulus."

Edi Gathegi plays Mr. Terrific, whose intelligence is said to rival Batman's.
A composite image of a Black man. On the right he's wearing a gray suit with a black shirt. On the right he's weaing a black and red leather jacket, there is a black mask across his face in a "T" shape.
Edi Gathegi as Mr. Terrific in "Superman."

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images/Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Studios

Edi Gathegi is playing Mr. Terrific, a tech genius who uses his inventions to fight injustice. The actor has also played a superhero before β€” Darwin in "X-Men: First Class."

Anthony Carrigan plays another new DC hero named Metamorpho.
Anthony Carrigan plays another new DC hero called Metamorpho
Anthony Carrigan and his counterpart, Matamorpho.

John Shearer / Getty Images / DC Universe Infinite

Carrigan can briefly be seen as Metamorpho toward the end of the trailer β€” although he's easily mistaken for another character, Brainiac, due to the alien-like design of his face.

But it is definitely Metamorpho due to his purple crystal shoulder that can be seen on the right of the screen.

β€”Jorge (@djodjeee_) December 19, 2024

The character is typically a hero in the comics, but this ominous shot might suggest he has a villainous role to play in the film.

Carrigan is best known for his role in "Barry" but he has played two supervillains in DC shows "Gotham" and "The Flash."

Krypto the Superdog as himself.
A small white fluffy dog with a cape barking at a superhero in a red and blue outfit lying in the snow.
Krypto the Superdog in "Superman."

Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Studios

James Gunn previously told fans on Instagram that his version of the character was inspired by his rescue dog, Ozu.

He wrote: "Gosh, how difficult would life be if Ozu had superpowers?" - and thus Krypto came into the script & changed the shape of the story as Ozu was changing my life."

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Tom Holland said acting with his girlfriend Zendaya is a 'saving grace': they vent about what happened on set back at their hotel room

19 December 2024 at 03:18
A woman and a man standing on a red carpet. On the left, a woman with dark slicked-back hair with spider-web earrings. She's wearing a gray suit jacket with silver detailing. On the right, a man with slicked-back dark hair smiles while wearing a black leather jacket and a white shirt. Behind them is a red wall which reads "Spider-Man: No Way Home" and "London."
Zendaya and Tom Holland at the "Spiderman: No Way Home" premiere in London, 2021.

Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

  • Tom Holland said working on films with Zendaya is the "best thing" that's happened to him.
  • He said the couple can vent about what annoys them on set back at their hotel room.
  • Holland and Zendaya have worked on three "Spider-Man" movies together.

Tom Holland said working on set with Zendaya, his girlfriend, is a "saving grace" because they can vent about what's annoyed them when they get back to their hotel room.

Rumors of their relationship started in 2017 when they were working on "Spider-Man: Homecoming," but they didn't make things official (and public) until 2021 after photos of them kissing in public surfaced online.

They have starred in three "Spider-Man" movies together, and are expected to reprise their roles in the as yet untitled fourth movie.

On Wednesday's episode of the "Dish" podcast, Holland briefly opened up about how the pair's relationship is useful when they're working on the same project.

He joked: "Studios love it. One hotel room. Separate drivers. We're not crazy now. Listen it's work, alright?"

When asked about having Zendaya as his costar, he said: "Oh God, yeah. It's a saving grace. Yeah, best thing that's ever happened to me.

"It's just that perfect thing when you're on set and a director will give you a note that maybe you don't agree with, or I know that she doesn't particularly like, and it's just that, like, familiar glance at each other of like, can't wait to talk about that later."

While Marvel Studios is still figuring out the plan for "Spider-Man 4," the couple will next appear in Christopher Nolan's upcoming movie for Universal Pictures.

The premise and title are currently being kept under wraps, although it's rumored to be a futuristic action movie about helicopter cops in New York.

Holland said: "To be perfectly honest with you, I don't know anything about it. I'm super excited. Everything is very, very hush-hush. I met with him, it was awesome, he loosely pitched what it was. I'm sure when he's ready, he'll announce what it is."

In November, Zendaya told Vanity Fair that working with Holland is "strangely comfortable."

She said: "It's like second nature, if anything. You feel extra safe with the person you're acting beside. I love working with him. He's so talented, and so passionate about what he does.

"He always gives things one thousand percent, even if he's absolutely worn down. I really appreciate that about him."

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Meet the real J. Robert Oppenheimer's family, including his wife Kitty, 2 children, and grandchildren

17 December 2024 at 07:50
Four people walk in front of a crumbling building, two men in suits and two women in skirts
Robert Oppenheimer and his wife, Katherine, and daughter, Toni, visit the Acropolis in Athens in 1958.

AP Photo

  • J. Robert Oppenheimer was the director of the Los Alamos Laboratory during the Manhattan Project.
  • During the World War II-era project,Β  scientists created the world's first atomic bomb.
  • Oppenheimer had a wife and two children. He also has grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Robert Oppenheimer led the Manhattan Project, which created the world's first atomic bomb for the United States during World War II.

He famously quoted the Hindu text "The Bhagavad Gita" following the first nuclear weapons test, saying: "Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds." Shortly after the US dropped nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan, he resigned from the Manhattan Project.Β 

In 2023, Cillian Murphy portrayed the theoretical physicist in Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer." The film was met with huge critical acclaim, earning five awards at the 2024 Golden Globes, including best picture. It also won seven awards at the 2024 BAFTAS, with Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr. taking home awards for best actor and best supporting actor, respectively.

In addition to Oppenheimer's nuclear work, the film looks at the scientist's complex personal life, including his marriage to Katherine Oppenheimer, nΓ©e Puening.

Here's everything you need to know about the real Oppenheimer's family.

Katherine "Kitty" Oppenheimer was married three times before she married Oppenheimer.
Katherine Puening smiles in a photograph.
Katherine "Kitty" Oppenheimer, nΓ©e Puening, smiles in a photograph.

Corbis/Getty Images

Katherine "Kitty" Oppenheimer, nΓ©e Puening, married the scientist in 1940, only two years before he joined the Manhattan Project.

Kitty had been married three times before, as she wed musician Frank Ramseyer in 1932 before their marriage was annulled in 1933.Β 

Shortly afterward, in 1934, she was involved with the Communist Party of America, and became John Dullet Jr.'s. common-law wife when they lived together in Chicago, before separating in 1936.

Kitty then married Oxford doctor Richard Stewart Harrison in 1938, but had an affair with Oppenheimer while Harrison was working in California. She divorced Harrison in 1940, and married Oppenheimer a day later.Β 

They remained married until Oppenheimer's death from throat cancer in 1967, and Kitty scattered his ashes into the water by the island of St. John in the Virgin Islands, where they had spent plenty of time with their children, Peter and Toni.

Kitty spent the rest of her life with Robert Serber, another physicist from the Manhattan Project, whose wife had died by suicide. Kitty died in hospital in 1972, just as the pair had set out to go sailing to Japan, the Galapagos Islands, and Tahiti.

Peter Oppenheimer has spent most of his life on his father's ranch in New Mexico.
J. Robert Oppenheimer’s wife Katherine and children Katherine and Peter, circa 1940.
Peter Oppenheimer as a child.

Corbis/Getty Images

Oppenheimer had two children with his wife, Kitty. Their oldest child, Peter, was born in Pasadena, California, in May 1941, before the family moved to Los Alamos for the Manhattan Project.

When Peter was just two months old, the Oppenheimers left him with friends Haakon and Barbara Chevalier, according to "American Prometheus." Robert said his wife was exhausted. The couple then spent two months at the family's ranch, Perro Caliente, in New Mexico.

According to the Nuclear Museum, Peter struggled with anxiety as a child and didn't have a good relationship with his mother.Β 

"Robert thought that, in their highly charged, passionate, falling in love, that Peter had come too soon, and that Kitty resented him for that reason," Oppenheimer's secretary, Verna Hobson, said during a 1979 interview.

When his father died in 1967, Peter moved back to the family's Perro Caliente ranch in New Mexico. He's worked as a carpenter over the years and has three children.

Katherine "Toni" Oppenheimer died in 1977.
J. Robert Oppenheimer’s wife Katherine and children Katherine and Peter, circa 1940.
Katherine "Toni" Oppenheimer as a child.

Corbis/Getty Images

Toni Oppenheimer was born in 1944 and lived at Los Alamos until she was three. That's when her father became director of the Institute for Advanced Study and moved the family to Princeton, New Jersey.

As a baby, Toni lived with the Oppenheimers' friend Pat Sherr for several months. Robert visited regularly but asked if she wanted to adopt Toni, Sherr later recalled. When Sherr asked him why, he said, "Because I can't love her," adding that he wasn't "an attached kind of person."Β 

However, a childhood friend of Toni's described Robert as a "loving dad" in an April interview with The Winchester Star.

Toni had polio when she was young, which is largely why the family started visiting St. John in the Virgin Islands; the warmth seemed to help her condition.

Toni had a complicated relationship with her mother, largely because of Kitty's alcohol use.Β 

"She leaned on Toni an awful lot and it was difficult for her in that way, but she wanted only good and happiness for Toni," Hobson said of Kitty in 1979.Β 

Two years after Robert's death in 1967, the United Nations rejected Toni's application to become a translator. The FBI wouldn't grant her the appropriate security clearance for the job.

She struggled to cope with losing her father and her job opportunity, and after living on the island of St. John for a while, she died by suicide in January 1977, just a month after she turned 32.

Peter Oppenheimer had three children: Charles Oppenheimer, Dorothy Vanderford, and Ella Oppenheimer.
Charles Oppenheimer, speaks into a microphone while wearing a suit, against a green background
Charles Oppenheimer, grandson of US physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, during a press conference at the Japan National Press Club in 2024.

Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP via Getty Images

Although Toni didn't have any children before her death, Peter Oppenheimer has three: Charles, Ella, and Dorothy.Β 

Dorothy Vanderford, who was born in 1973, is Oppenheimer's oldest grandchild. She works in the nuclear industry and has a PhD in English.Β 

In 2023, she spoke to KSNV about the film and said that Christopher Nolan didn't consult the family about making his movie.

After seeing the movie, she said, "There were a few things that I didn't agree with and didn't like, but overall I felt like it was a good movie."

Charles Oppenheimer was born in 1975 and has worked in software development for many years.Β 

The youngest sibling, Ella, keeps her life private.Β 

Both Dorothy and Charles took part in a lengthy interview in 2015 about their grandfather for the Atomic Heritage Foundation.

At the time, Charles said that many historians find his grandfather a mysterious figure.

"In particular, people are having a hard time pinning down who this guy was. I guess it's made it difficult to deal with for the family, for some people. Not for me," he said.

Charles has two daughters with his wife, Karen Pak Oppenheimer, which means that Oppenheimer has at least two great-grandchildren.

Both Charles and his wife are co-executive directors of the Oppenheimer Project, which honors Robert's legacy.Β 

In a recent essay for The New York Times, Charles wrote that nuclear war would end the world as we know it. "I'm not afraid to be the voice calling for increased unity in the world, even though my grandfather was eventually attacked for this," he wrote.Β Β 

This story was originally published in July 2023 and was updated on December 17, 2024.

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A new report suggests 'Barbie 2' could happen — but don't get your hopes up yet

13 December 2024 at 15:38
Ryan Gosling as Ken and Margot Robbie as Barbie in "Barbie."
Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie as Ken and Barbie in "Barbie."

Courtesy of Warner Bros.

  • "Barbie" director Greta Gerwig said she was at "totally zero" regarding ideas for a sequel.
  • THR reported in December 2024 that "Barbie 2" is in "early stages" based on a concept from Gerwig and Noah Baumbach.
  • However, reps for Gerwig, Baumbach, and Warner Bros. denied THR's report, calling it inaccurate.

It looks like everyone is living in a "Barbie" world, and the party might not be over yet.

The 2023 Greta Gerwig-directed movie starring Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken raked in $1.4 billion globally, winning the box office battle against Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer."Β 

"Barbie" wasn't just a box office sensation. The movie earned an 88% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, landed eight Oscar nominations, and became a pop culture phenomenon.Β 

Given its critical and commercial success, it's only natural to wonder whether the studio is planning "Barbie 2" with Mattel, the toy company behind Barbie.

Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz previously told Time magazine that the company is keen to make "more 'Barbie' movies."

"We're looking to create movies that become cultural events. If you can excite filmmakers like Greta and Noah to embrace the opportunity and have creative freedom, you can have a real impact," he said.

At the time, Gerwig said she was unsure about taking on a sequel, but a new report suggests that she might be back for more.Β 

Greta Gerwig addressed 'Barbie 2' in a 2023 interview with The New York Times

In an interview published in July 2023, the director told The New York Times that she exhausted all her ideas for "Barbie."

"I feel like that at the end of every movie, like I'll never have another idea, and everything I've ever wanted to do, I did," Gerwig said.

She added, "I wouldn't want to squash anybody else's dream but for me, at this moment, I'm at totally zero."

However, speaking to Uproxx about Ken's obsession with Sylvester Stallone in the movie, Gerwig joked that the "Rocky" star could show up in "Barbie 2," or even direct it himself.

"You never know!" she said. "Or that he's going to direct it. I mean, he's welcome to it. It would be an honor. It would be such an honor."

While Gerwig wasn't sold on the idea of returning, star and producer Robbie told Time in June 2023 that conversations about a sequel had yet to happen.

"It could go a million different directions from this point," she said.Β 

But Robbie also said that "you fall into a bit of a trap if you try and set up a first movie whilst also planning for sequels."Β 

Mattel is also looking to make movies based on its other properties, like a Hot Wheels movie being developed by J.J. Abrams.Β 

A new report suggested a 'Barbie' sequel could be in the works, but it's unclear

On December 13, 2024, The Hollywood Reporter published a story reporting that Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, who cowrote the "Barbie" screenplay, presented Warner Bros. with an idea for a sequel that was in the "early stages." The publication also said that talks about a deal were in similarly early stages.

Don't get excited yet, though: Gerwig and Baumbach's rep denied THR's report, telling the publication, "There is no legitimacy to this reporting."

And a rep for Warner Bros. said, "THR'sΒ reporting is inaccurate."

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'The Kings of Tupelo' explains a wild attempt to kill Obama. Here is where the would-be assassin is now.

13 December 2024 at 08:55
A man with dark hair and black sunglasses speaks to reporters. He's wearing a black suit with a red shirt and a black and white striped tie. Stood behind him is a man with longer black hair wearing a blue shirt and a yellow tie.
James Everett Dutschke speaking to reporters.

Associated Press

  • James Everett Duchtske tried to assassinate Barack Obama with ricin letters in 2013.
  • He carried out the plot to frame his associate, Paul Kevin Curtis.
  • The wild story is the focus of the Netflix docuseries, "The Kings of Tupelo."

James Everett Dutschke, a former Taekwondo instructor, sent poisoned-laced letters in an attempt to kill President Barack Obama in 2013.

The failed attempt was meant to frame his associate, Paul Kevin Curtis, an Elvis impersonator.

Netflix explains how the bizarre set of events unfolded in its latest true crime docuseries, "The Kings of Tupelo."

The three-part series is mainly told from Curtis' perspective, as he explains his belief that an illegal organ harvesting operation was being run out of a Mississippi medical center.

The feud began when Dutschke refused to publish Curtis' claims in a newspaper he owned.

It culminated in an April 2013 attempt kill Obama as well as Roger Wicker, a US Senator from Mississippi, and a local judge.

Dutschke sent letters to the trio that were dusted with the poison ricin.

James Everett Dutschke is serving a 25-year prison sentence for sending the ricin letters

A man with short dark hair in an orange prison outfit is handcuffed with two men in suits walking by his side.
James Everett Dutschke and two US Marshals in 2014.

Reuters

GQ profiled Curtis 2013, a few months after the attempts. He told the magazine that authorities arrested him before realizing that Dutschke was actually the prepatrator.

The Secret Service managed to intercept the letters to Obama and Wicker. Although the letter to Holland was opened, no one was hurt.

Dutschke was arrested 10 days after Curtis and charged with the attempted assassination.

He struck a plea deal with federal prosecutors, agreeing to a 25-year prison sentence, with no right to appeal. He was sentenced in May 2014.

According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Dutschke remains incarcerated in the Tucson penitentiary and is not due for release until 2034.

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Netflix's 'The Kings of Tupelo' is about an Elvis impersonator framed for plotting to kill Barack Obama. Here's what happened to Paul Kevin Curtis.

12 December 2024 at 03:49
An image of a man with black hair and a short mustache dressed in a white leather jumpsuit with a high collar. There is a red, yellow, and blue eagle design on the front of the jumpsuit.
A photo of Paul Kevin Curtis dressed as Elvis as seen in "The Kings of Tupelo."

Netflix

  • Netflix's "The Kings of Tupelo" is about an Elvis impersonator called Paul Kevin Curtis.
  • He went down a rabbit hole of conspiracy theories after he said he discovered a fridge full of body parts.
  • In 2013, he was accused of using ricin to try to assassinate Barack Obama.

Netflix is continuing its trend of telling true crime stories that seem almost too wild to be true with "The Kings of Tupelo."

The three-part docuseries follows Paul Kevin Curtis, an Elvis impersonator from Tupelo, Mississippi, who was accused of using the poison ricin to try to assassinate Barack Obama in 2013.

As shown in the series, Curtis was a self-employed janitor in 1999 when he said he discovered a fridge full of body parts while cleaning the morgue at the North Mississippi Medical Center. After raising the issue with management, Curtis claims he was ejected from the building by security guards and was told he was banned from the hospital. North Mississippi Medical Center did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

He attempted to publicize his unfounded theories that the body parts were being used for an illegal operation. But when the media ignored him, Curtis approached James Everett Dutschke, a Wayne Newton impersonator, who also lived in Tupelo.

In 2013, GQ reported that Dutschke owned an independent newspaper and promised to publish any story that the mainstream media wouldn't. However, the pair's relationship soured when he refused to publish Curtis' story, fearing it could harm his chances of starting a political career.

This led to a feud between the two men, and Dutschke framed Curtis for attempting to assassinate Obama.

Dutschke sent letters containing ricin, signed with Curtis' name, to Obama in April 2013, as well as US Senator Roger Wicker and Lee County Justice Court Judge Sadie Holland.

The authorities arrested Curtis on April 17, 2013, but quickly established that Dutschke was the culprit when they found his DNA on a dust mask that he wore while making the ricin. Curtis was released without charge.

Paul Kevin Curtis avoided prison and still performs in Tupelo

Dutschke pleaded guilty in 2014 and was sentenced to 25 years in prison for sending the ricin letters.

Curtis posts pictures and videos on Instagram of him singing, but doesn't share much about his personal life.

He has made a few promotional posts about "The Kings of Tupelo," which he appears in throughout.

In one post, he wrote, "Watch my life story on Netflix on December 13, 2024. I am the first Elvis Presley impersonator ever framed in a presidential assassination plot and lived to tell the story."

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50 Cent reacted to Jay-Z accusations by making a joke about the Super Bowl — here's why

10 December 2024 at 05:09
A composite image of two Black men. On the left, a man wears a blue and white wavy shirt with a white tee underneath. He's wearing a black New York Yankees baseball cap. He has a large gold chain around his neck with a gold "50" attached to it. On the right a man with large dread locks and a short mustache wears a burgundy suit and a black tie.
50 Cent and Jay-Z.

Alexander Tamargo/Getty ImagesAxelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty Images

  • Rapper Jay-Z has been accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old with Sean "Diddy" Combs.
  • 50 Cent appeared to react to the news by posting a photo from his appearance in HBO's "Entourage."
  • Here's what his joke about the Super Bowl means.

50 Cent reacted to the accusations that Jay-Z sexually assaulted a 13-year-old with Sean "Diddy" Combs by posting a joke about the Super Bowl.

On Sunday, Jay-Z (real name Shawn Carter) was named in a civil suit that accused him of raping a 13-year-old girl with Combs in 2000 after the MTV Video Music Awards in New York.

Both rappers denied the allegations, and Carter called the allegations "heinous" in a statement posted on the X account of his company Roc Nation.

50 Cent (aka Curtis Jackson) was quick to react with a jab at Combs following their 20-year feud.

Jackson posted a photo on Instagram on Sunday that appeared to be a reference to the situation. The picture was of 50 Cent's appearance in "Entourage" season six, when he pulls up next to Turtle (Jerry Ferrara) and insults his car before driving off in a scene that became an instant meme.

In the caption 50 Cent wrote: "Ok I don't know what's going on, but are we gonna still have the Super Bowl. I'm just asking for a friend!"

The Super Bowl reference reflects the role Roc Nation often plays in organizing the halftime show at the yearly NFL championship and implies that the allegations could affect the arrangement.

In October, Bloomberg reported that Roc Nation had extended its partnership with the NFL, and that Carter will continue to produce the halftime show.

50 Cent's post is his latest joke about allegations relating to Combs. The "Power" actor first started taunting Combs about the allegations in November 2023 when Cassie Ventura, Combs' ex-girlfriend, filed a lawsuit against him for rape, sexual assault, and human trafficking.

Since then, 50 Cent confirmed that he's producing a documentary about the sexual assault allegations against Combs, with profits going to victims of sexual assault.

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'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,' the latest 'Game of Thrones' prequel, is coming in 2025. Here's what to know about it.

9 December 2024 at 14:37
a man in a blue tunic, and green cloak, walking through a crowd of merchants while clutching his sword. he's tall and blonde
"A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" is an adaptation of G.R.R. Martin's novella "The Hedge Knight."

Steffan Hill/HBO

  • HBO is expanding the "Game of Thrones" universe with another prequel.
  • "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" takes place between the main series and "House of the Dragon."
  • It's based on George R. R. Martin's novellas and follows a knight and his squire.

"House of the Dragon" season three probably won't air until 2026, but "Game of Thrones" fans have another prequel to look forward to in the meantime: "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms."

Although the "Game of Thrones" ending disappointed many fans in 2019, HBO recognized that the world of Westeros is a lucrative property. And there's plenty of material to use considering all the spinoff stories and novellas that George R. R. Martin has written.

The network is also working on other "GOT" prequel shows, including "Nine Voyages," "Ten Thousand Voyages," and "The Golden Empire."

"A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" is set about 70 years after "House of the Dragon" and 100 years before "Game of Thrones," as the network fills in the huge timeline of the fantasy franchise.

The story follows Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire, Egg. Here's what you need to know about "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms."

'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' is about Dunk and Egg

A man with brown hair wearing a gray tunic holding a sword.
Peter Claffey as Ser Duncan the Tall in "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms."

HBO/YouTube

The first season is based on Martin's first novella in the "Tales of Dunk and Egg" series, which is called "The Hedge Knight."

It introduces Ser Duncan the Tall, a knight who roams the country offering his services. At a tournament to prove his knightly skill, Duncan meets a boy with a shaved head called Egg.

Egg's real name is Aegon Targaryen, a distant member of the feared rulers of Westeros.

The series depicts his youth away from the centers of power β€” but later in his life, he bypasses many in the line of succession to be crowned Aegon V and take the Iron Throne.

After "The Hedge Knight," the unlikely duo's adventures continue in "The Sworn Sword" and "The Mystery Knight."

In May 2023, HBO executive Francesca Orsi told Deadline that the network plans to adapt each of the three novellas into a six-episode season.

But, as with the source material for "Game of Thrones," Martin has not finished Dunk and Egg's story. In a 2015 blog post, the writer said he plans to write more Dunk and Egg stories, with tentative titles including: "The She-Wolves of Winterfell," "The Village Hero," "The Sellsword," "The Champion," "The Kingsguard," and "The Lord Commander."

Should Martin release these in the future, HBO could easily turn "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" into a longer-running series.

'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' will premiere in late 2025

In March 2024, Warner Bros. CEO David Zaslav confirmed to investors that "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" would start streaming on Max in "late 2025," IGN reported.

Warner Bros. Discovery's head of global streaming and games, JB Perrette, said that the "late 2025" launch was still a go, Variety reported in December. The publication indicated that, according to its sources, the series would likely premiere in the fourth quarter of 2025 β€” i.e. sometime in October, November, or December.

The 'Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' cast is led by Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell

"A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" stars Peter Claffey ("Bad Sisters") as Ser Duncan the Tall, and Dexter Sol Ansell ("The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes") as Egg, his young squire.

In June 2024, HBO announced that five other actors had joined the cast, per Deadline. "True Detective: Night Country" star Finn Bennett will play Prince Aerion Targaryen, "The Gentlemen" actor Daniel Ings will play Ser Lyonel Baratheon," and "Fargo" season five star Sam Spruell will play Aerion's father, Maekar Targaryen.

Additionally, "The Crown" alum Bertie Cavel will play Maekar's brother, Baelor Targaryen, and Tanzyn Crawford will play Dunk's love interest, Tanselle.

In August, Entertainment Weekly reported several more actors had joined the cast of the prequel, including "A Good Girl's Guide to Murder" star Henry Ashton as Daeron Targaryen.

He isn't the same Daeron who gets mentioned in "House of the Dragon," because "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" is set 100 years later β€” the Targaryens often reuse names.

Ashton will be joined by Edward Ashley as Ser Steffon Fossoway, Daniel Monks as Ser Manfred Dondarrion, Youssef Kerkour as Steely Pate, Tom Vaughan-Lawlor as Plummer, Shaun Thomas as Raymun Fossoway, and Danny Webb as Ser Arlan of Pennytree

The first trailer for 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' showcased Dunk and Egg

A young bald boy roasting a fish over the top of a fire.
Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg in "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms."

HBO/YouTube

HBO released the first teaser for "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" as part of a 2024-2025 preview trailer in August 2024, alongside footage from other highly anticipated shows including "The Penguin," "IT: Welcome to Derry," and "The Last of Us" season two.

The footage sees Dunk introduce himself as Ser Duncan the Tall while also giving a brief look at Egg. There are a few quick shots of Dunk training with his sword and a moment where he punches someone during a fight.

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Here's a timeline of the Sabrina Carpenter-Barry Keoghan drama as the actor asks fans to stop harassing his young son

9 December 2024 at 06:51
Barry Keoghan and Sabrina Carpenter attend The 2024 Met Gala
Barry Keoghan and Sabrina Carpenter attended the 2024 Met Gala in May.

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

  • Reports emerged last week that Sabrina Carpenter and Barry Keoghan had split up.
  • Neither has directly addressed their relationship status publicly.
  • Keoghan posted a statement online asking fans to stop "intimidating" his son.

Sabrina Carpenter and Barry Keoghan have reportedly split up β€” and fans are speculating about why things appear to have gone sour.

The couple never confirmed they were dating, but made multiple high-profile appearances together, including a party after the Grammy awards in February, Vanity Fair's Oscars after-party in March, and the Met Gala in May.

Keoghan was even seen supporting Carpenter during her performance at Coachella, and he also appeared in the music video for "Please Please Please."

Earlier this month reports suggested they had split up.

Here's a complete timeline of the drama between Carpenter and Keoghan.

August 19: Barry Keoghan and Sabrina Carpenter have an 'on and off' relationship, People reports
Barry Keoghan and Sabrina Carpenter attend the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in March 2024.
Barry Keoghan and Sabrina Carpenter attend the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscars party in March.

Dave Benett / VF24 / WireImage for Vanity Fair

In August, rumors swirled that Carpenter and Keoghan had parted ways, and an unnamed source toldΒ PeopleΒ that the pair had an "on-and-off" relationship.

But Keoghan dampened speculation after liking one of her Instagram photos about the release of her album "Short n' Sweet."

December 3: Reports emerge that the pair had split up
Sabrina Carpenter at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards.
Sabrina Carpenter at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards.

Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

On December 3, People reported that the couple had separated after a year of dating, citing an unnamed source supposedly close to both celebs.

"They are both young and career-focused, so they've decided to take a break," the source said.

The report did not have any detail about the reason for the breakup, or the rumors that Keoghan had cheated on the "Please Please Please" singer.

December 3: Rumors circulated that Keoghan cheated with TikToker Brekkie Hill
A man with short brown hair and a burgundy bomber jacket. He's stood against a black backdrop with the words "92NY" written in white on it.
Barry Keoghan at a screening of "Bird" at 92NY.

Gary Gershoff/Getty Images

Fans were quick to speculate that there was a bigger reason behind the split. Many looked to Deux Moi, the blind-item gossip account, which had posted a report saying the "A-list singer who's having her breakout year and her foreign boyfriend are done for good." Many took this as a reference to Carpenter and Keoghan.

The post went on to suggest that Keoghan was cheating on Carpenter with a "blonde, semi-famous, LA based influencer (who's particularly big on TikTok)."

Fans believe that Brekkie Hill, a content creator with 4.3 million followers on TikTok, is the other person involved.

UNCONFIRMED reports are circulating that Sabrina Carpenter and Barry Keoghan have broken up after Barry allegedly cheated on Sabrina. pic.twitter.com/F9addTGS8d

β€” Pop Flop (@PopFlopHQ) December 3, 2024
December 7: Hill says she's never met Keoghan
A man with short dark hair wears in a black suit with a white open-collar shirt underneath, the shirt has long white ties on the front of it. He's also wearing a necklace with a ring on it and a gold brooch.
Barry Keoghan at the Governors Awards in Los Angeles.

Steve Granitz/FilmMagic/Getty Images

In a December 7 video on TikTok, Hill said that she'd never met Keoghan.

"To put it simply for you all, no, I did not get with Barry. I have never even encountered this man in my life. The only time I've seen him is on my TV screen from watching 'Saltburn,'" she said.

Fans noted that Hill had also reposted the rumors of Keoghan cheating on her Snapchat account, something she said she did because she thought they were "ridiculous."

Hill added: "I'm sorry but if I really was the one getting with Barry, why in the world would I be reposting about it? … Coming from someone who has been cheated on … I would never want to homewreck any relationship or put any girl through that pain β€” ever."

December 7: Keoghan deactivates his Instagram account and asks fans to stop "intimidating" his son
Barry Keoghan attends the 2024 Governors Awards.
Barry Keoghan attends the 2024 Governors Awards.

Michael Buckner/Getty Images

Keoghan deactivated his Instagram account on December 7, and indirectly addressed the situation in a statement on X.

He said he "can only sit and take so much. My name is being dragged across the internet in ways I usually don't respond to."

The actor said that he'd received abuse online that "no person should ever have to read" regarding his looks and parenting.

He also said people had been "knocking on my grannies door" and "sitting outside my baby boys house intimidating them."

At the end of his statement, he asked fans: "Please be respectful to all."

Please be respectful
x pic.twitter.com/N03eHAIbC8

β€” Barry Keoghan (@BarryKeoghan) December 7, 2024
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