Exclusive: Iconic British comedian Harry Enfield has stepped down as director of his production company after 12 years.
The Harry & Paul star founded Balloon Entertainment in 2012 alongside Skins writer Bryan Elsley, with a focus on “nurturing emerging talent.” Its first commission was Channel 4 comedy Dates.
Enfield was terminated as director of Balloon Entertainment on January 12, according to Companies House. The remaining three directors are Elsley, development boss Dave Evans and company manager Lindsay Taggart. Deadline understands Enfield could still make shows for Balloon and he remains on good terms with the company. Balloon declined comment and reps for Enfield did not respond to requests for comment.
Balloon has been a consistent player in UK TV over the past dozen years, making numerous shows with and without Enfield.
Past shows include An Evening With Harry Enfield & Paul Whitehouse, Channel 4/Netflix cyber-thriller Kiss Me First and BBC Three drama Clique, the...
The Harry & Paul star founded Balloon Entertainment in 2012 alongside Skins writer Bryan Elsley, with a focus on “nurturing emerging talent.” Its first commission was Channel 4 comedy Dates.
Enfield was terminated as director of Balloon Entertainment on January 12, according to Companies House. The remaining three directors are Elsley, development boss Dave Evans and company manager Lindsay Taggart. Deadline understands Enfield could still make shows for Balloon and he remains on good terms with the company. Balloon declined comment and reps for Enfield did not respond to requests for comment.
Balloon has been a consistent player in UK TV over the past dozen years, making numerous shows with and without Enfield.
Past shows include An Evening With Harry Enfield & Paul Whitehouse, Channel 4/Netflix cyber-thriller Kiss Me First and BBC Three drama Clique, the...
- 3/1/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Ella-Rae Smith has been set as the lead of Tubi’s horror thriller My Bloody Galentine, from writer Eliza Maher and director Traci Hays. The project will premiere on February 13.
Smith will bring to life the character of Jadyn, the girl next door with a heart of gold who’s never left the United States — until now. She’s Glow’s Social Media Manager.
My Bloody Galentine ponders the question: What sucks more than being single on Valentine’s Day? Being dumped Right before Valentine’s Day… And on the eve of beginning a new job in another country. Consequently, Jadyn’s first day at Glow Beauty, the renowned skincare company, is off to a rough start. When she bursts out in tears during a planning meeting for her boss’ annual Valentine’s Day soiree, her new co-workers Brandi (Cassie Clare) and Alex (Miriam-Teak Lee) help her pull herself together.
Smith will bring to life the character of Jadyn, the girl next door with a heart of gold who’s never left the United States — until now. She’s Glow’s Social Media Manager.
My Bloody Galentine ponders the question: What sucks more than being single on Valentine’s Day? Being dumped Right before Valentine’s Day… And on the eve of beginning a new job in another country. Consequently, Jadyn’s first day at Glow Beauty, the renowned skincare company, is off to a rough start. When she bursts out in tears during a planning meeting for her boss’ annual Valentine’s Day soiree, her new co-workers Brandi (Cassie Clare) and Alex (Miriam-Teak Lee) help her pull herself together.
- 2/7/2024
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Crime star Dougray Scott and Buccaneer Media, the Scottish police drama’s producer, have hired a Creative Director for Buccaneer Scotland, as it seeks to supercharge the scale of its productions in the Celtic country.
The Lighthouse development chief Neil Duncan hired to run Buccaneer Scotland slate as Creative Director, focusing on showcasing Scottish literary, acting and behind the camera talent through its worldwide operations and partnerships.
Scott and Buccaneer teamed to launch Buccaneer Scotland in November 2021, with Mission Impossible 2 star Scott taking an equity stake in the business. He had moved back in Scotland after a long period living in the U.S. to film Crime and will be joint CEO of Buccaneer Scotland alongside Buccaneer Media bosses Richard Tulk-Hart and Tony Wood.
Wood, the veteran drama producer and co-creator of The Only Way is Essex, noted big budget U.S. productions such as Starz’s Outlander had...
The Lighthouse development chief Neil Duncan hired to run Buccaneer Scotland slate as Creative Director, focusing on showcasing Scottish literary, acting and behind the camera talent through its worldwide operations and partnerships.
Scott and Buccaneer teamed to launch Buccaneer Scotland in November 2021, with Mission Impossible 2 star Scott taking an equity stake in the business. He had moved back in Scotland after a long period living in the U.S. to film Crime and will be joint CEO of Buccaneer Scotland alongside Buccaneer Media bosses Richard Tulk-Hart and Tony Wood.
Wood, the veteran drama producer and co-creator of The Only Way is Essex, noted big budget U.S. productions such as Starz’s Outlander had...
- 10/15/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s Friday, Friday, gotta get down on Friday — especially when it’s New Music Friday! We’re breaking down this week’s best new tracks to keep on your radar.
New Music Friday – September 15th, 2023
Sza and Justin Bieber – “Snooze (Acoustic)”
Tate McCrae – “Greedy”
Demi Lovato – “La La Land (Rock Version) with Nita Strauss”
J Balvin, Usher and DJ Khaled – “Dientes”
Sia – “Gimme Love”
Citizen Queen – “Replay”, plus Clique (EP)
Dustin Lynch ft. Jelly Roll – “Chevrolet”
Zara Larsson and David Guetta – “On My Love”
Other noteworthy releases include Triple Charm – “No Problema”, Emei – “Don’t Know About The World”, Gatlin – “How Do You Sleep At Night?”, Tank God & Miggy Dela Rosa – “Eyes Up”, Laur Elle – “Lost Cause”, The Beaches – “If A Tree Falls” plus Blame My Ex, Indi Star – “Hurt A Little”, Oliver Tree – “Fairweather Friends”, charlieonnafriday – “Undefeated” , Madison Beer – “Sweet Relief”
Keep On Your Radar:
Ed Sheeran – Autumn...
New Music Friday – September 15th, 2023
Sza and Justin Bieber – “Snooze (Acoustic)”
Tate McCrae – “Greedy”
Demi Lovato – “La La Land (Rock Version) with Nita Strauss”
J Balvin, Usher and DJ Khaled – “Dientes”
Sia – “Gimme Love”
Citizen Queen – “Replay”, plus Clique (EP)
Dustin Lynch ft. Jelly Roll – “Chevrolet”
Zara Larsson and David Guetta – “On My Love”
Other noteworthy releases include Triple Charm – “No Problema”, Emei – “Don’t Know About The World”, Gatlin – “How Do You Sleep At Night?”, Tank God & Miggy Dela Rosa – “Eyes Up”, Laur Elle – “Lost Cause”, The Beaches – “If A Tree Falls” plus Blame My Ex, Indi Star – “Hurt A Little”, Oliver Tree – “Fairweather Friends”, charlieonnafriday – “Undefeated” , Madison Beer – “Sweet Relief”
Keep On Your Radar:
Ed Sheeran – Autumn...
- 9/15/2023
- by Mikael Melo
- ET Canada
It’s Friday, Friday, gotta get down on Friday — especially when it’s New Music Friday! We’re breaking down this week’s best new tracks to keep on your radar.
New Music Friday – September 8th, 2023
Olivia Rodrigo – “all-american b***h (live from rehearsal)”, plus Guts (Album)
Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion – “Bongos”
The Rolling Stones – “Angry”
Carly Pearce – “We Don’t Fight Anymore” (featuring Chris Stapleton)
Citizen Queen – “Whatchu Want”
Leigh-Anne and Ayra Starr – “My Love”
Marshmello and Dove Cameron – “Other Boys”
The Chainsmokers – “Summertime Friends”
The Chemical Brothers – “For That Beautiful Feeling”
Tyler Childers – “Rustin’ in the Rain”
LP – “Long Goodbye”
Other noteworthy releases include Katelyn Tarver – “Ignorance Is Bliss”, Romy – “Mid Air” (featuring Beverly Glenn-Copeland), Laufey – “Lovesick”, James Blake – “Tell Me”, Courtney Barnett – “Get On With It”.
Keep On Your Radar:
Citizen Queen – Clique (EP)
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A post shared by Citizen Queen...
New Music Friday – September 8th, 2023
Olivia Rodrigo – “all-american b***h (live from rehearsal)”, plus Guts (Album)
Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion – “Bongos”
The Rolling Stones – “Angry”
Carly Pearce – “We Don’t Fight Anymore” (featuring Chris Stapleton)
Citizen Queen – “Whatchu Want”
Leigh-Anne and Ayra Starr – “My Love”
Marshmello and Dove Cameron – “Other Boys”
The Chainsmokers – “Summertime Friends”
The Chemical Brothers – “For That Beautiful Feeling”
Tyler Childers – “Rustin’ in the Rain”
LP – “Long Goodbye”
Other noteworthy releases include Katelyn Tarver – “Ignorance Is Bliss”, Romy – “Mid Air” (featuring Beverly Glenn-Copeland), Laufey – “Lovesick”, James Blake – “Tell Me”, Courtney Barnett – “Get On With It”.
Keep On Your Radar:
Citizen Queen – Clique (EP)
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Citizen Queen...
- 9/8/2023
- by Mikael Melo
- ET Canada
Jodie Whittaker, Tamara Lawrance and Bella Ramsey don prison-issue tracksuits in the first image from their upcoming series “Time.”
“Doctor Who” star Whittaker, Lawrance (“The Silent Twins”) and Ramsey (“The Last of Us”) star as three inmates in a women’s prison in the U.K. in a follow-up to the Sean Bean series of the same name.
Jimmy McGovern returns to pen the second anthology-style season of the show with some actors from the series’ first outing – including Siobhan Finneran as prison chaplain Marie-Louise – reprising their roles. Helen Black co-writes while Andrea Harkin directs.
Also joining the cast are Sophie Willan (“Alma’s Not Normal”), Julie Graham (“Shetland”), Alicia Forde (“Waterloo Road”), Lisa Millett (“The A Word”), Kayla Meikle (“The Capture”), James Corrigan (“This Is Going to Hurt”), Nicholas Nunn (“Clique”) and Maimuna Memon (“Sherwood”).
Set in the fictional, high-security prison Carlingford, Kelsey (Ramsey), Orla (Whittaker) and Abi (Lawrance) arrive...
“Doctor Who” star Whittaker, Lawrance (“The Silent Twins”) and Ramsey (“The Last of Us”) star as three inmates in a women’s prison in the U.K. in a follow-up to the Sean Bean series of the same name.
Jimmy McGovern returns to pen the second anthology-style season of the show with some actors from the series’ first outing – including Siobhan Finneran as prison chaplain Marie-Louise – reprising their roles. Helen Black co-writes while Andrea Harkin directs.
Also joining the cast are Sophie Willan (“Alma’s Not Normal”), Julie Graham (“Shetland”), Alicia Forde (“Waterloo Road”), Lisa Millett (“The A Word”), Kayla Meikle (“The Capture”), James Corrigan (“This Is Going to Hurt”), Nicholas Nunn (“Clique”) and Maimuna Memon (“Sherwood”).
Set in the fictional, high-security prison Carlingford, Kelsey (Ramsey), Orla (Whittaker) and Abi (Lawrance) arrive...
- 6/13/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Bella Ramsey-starring BBC prison drama Time has added BritBox North America as co-producer and revealed more cast plus first-look image (above).
BritBox also co-produced Season 1 of the heartwrenching show, which starred Sean Bean and Stephen Graham and won two BAFTAs in 2022.
Joining The Last of Us star Ramsey, Tamara Lawrance and former Time Lord Jodie Whittaker are BAFTA-award winner Sophie Willan, Julie Graham (Shetland), Alicia Forde (Waterloo Road), Lisa Millett (The A Word), Faye McKeever (The Responder), Kayla Meikle (The Capture), James Corrigan (This Is Going to Hurt), Nicholas Nunn (Clique) and Maimuna Memon (Sherwood).
The three-parter, which is penned by Jimmy McGovern and Helen Black, will move to life inside a women’s prison called Carlingford, where Kelsey (Ramsey), Orla (Whittaker) and Abi (Lawrance) are thrown together to face an unfamiliar world. With the ever-present threat of violence within its walls, they discover that an unexpected sense of community,...
BritBox also co-produced Season 1 of the heartwrenching show, which starred Sean Bean and Stephen Graham and won two BAFTAs in 2022.
Joining The Last of Us star Ramsey, Tamara Lawrance and former Time Lord Jodie Whittaker are BAFTA-award winner Sophie Willan, Julie Graham (Shetland), Alicia Forde (Waterloo Road), Lisa Millett (The A Word), Faye McKeever (The Responder), Kayla Meikle (The Capture), James Corrigan (This Is Going to Hurt), Nicholas Nunn (Clique) and Maimuna Memon (Sherwood).
The three-parter, which is penned by Jimmy McGovern and Helen Black, will move to life inside a women’s prison called Carlingford, where Kelsey (Ramsey), Orla (Whittaker) and Abi (Lawrance) are thrown together to face an unfamiliar world. With the ever-present threat of violence within its walls, they discover that an unexpected sense of community,...
- 6/13/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Here is a wrap-up of all the news you need to know from Wednesday, May 17, 2023.
Conan O'Brien has landed a TV series on HBO Max.
Conan O'Brien Must Go is described as a new international travel series.
The four-episode series is currently in production and will feature O'Brien visiting new friends he's met through his podcast, "Conan O'Brien Needs a Fan," where he dives deep with listeners from across the country and the world.
It's certainly a different direction for O'Brien and we're sure his fans will be thrilled.
"My fans around the globe never asked me to visit them, so I did," he said in a statement.
Nina Rosenstein, Executive Vice President of HBO Programming added: "Conan is a national treasure…at least that's what he keeps telling me. It's been an absolute dream to work with him, Jeff, and the whole Conaco team."
"They're everything you'd hope for – insanely smart,...
Conan O'Brien has landed a TV series on HBO Max.
Conan O'Brien Must Go is described as a new international travel series.
The four-episode series is currently in production and will feature O'Brien visiting new friends he's met through his podcast, "Conan O'Brien Needs a Fan," where he dives deep with listeners from across the country and the world.
It's certainly a different direction for O'Brien and we're sure his fans will be thrilled.
"My fans around the globe never asked me to visit them, so I did," he said in a statement.
Nina Rosenstein, Executive Vice President of HBO Programming added: "Conan is a national treasure…at least that's what he keeps telling me. It's been an absolute dream to work with him, Jeff, and the whole Conaco team."
"They're everything you'd hope for – insanely smart,...
- 5/17/2023
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Neil Forsyth’s The Gold is a true crime drama with a distinctive perspective. As much as it’s about the cat-and-mouse chase between the robbers of £26 million’s worth of gold bullion in November 1983, and the special task force trying to catch them, it’s also about the British class system. Over six episodes (airing weekly on BBC One and available as a box-set on BBC iPlayer), Forsyth tells a story about villains on both sides of the social divide and the entrenched systems protecting those at the top. His London is just as veined with establishment corruption, freemasonry and snobbery as it is with armed robbers, hooky fences and locals who keep their mouths shut for fear of reprisal.
The ensemble drama covers the period from the 1983 robbery, then the largest gold heist in British history, to the investigation and sentencing of select ring leaders. The story, as the newspapers show,...
The ensemble drama covers the period from the 1983 robbery, then the largest gold heist in British history, to the investigation and sentencing of select ring leaders. The story, as the newspapers show,...
- 2/12/2023
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Con Men & Gymnasts: Deadline’s The Hot Ones Mipcom Dramas From BBC Studios & All3Media International
When you’re deep in among the cocktail parties and dinners or meeting up with much missed contacts at Mipcom this week, it might be easy to forget why everyone is there: the shows. To help you remember, we bring you Deadline’s The Hot Ones, our guide to some of the best TV being sold in Cannes in 2022. You may hear whispers along the Croisette about the next big global hit, and The Hot Ones is our pick of a wealth of programing, featuring some of the biggest names in television from the top players in distribution.
Here are two more dramas:
The Following Events Are Based on a Pack of Lies
BBC Studios
Length: 5 x 60’
Producer: Sister
As the cameras were preparing to roll for BBC drama The Following Events Are Based on a Pack of Lies, a plethora of jaw-dropping con man docs dropped on Netflix to much acclaim.
Here are two more dramas:
The Following Events Are Based on a Pack of Lies
BBC Studios
Length: 5 x 60’
Producer: Sister
As the cameras were preparing to roll for BBC drama The Following Events Are Based on a Pack of Lies, a plethora of jaw-dropping con man docs dropped on Netflix to much acclaim.
- 10/17/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
U.K. broadcaster ITV has commissioned “Line of Duty” and “Bodyguard” creator Jed Mercurio’s Htm Television to produce crime thriller series “Payback” with BritBox International as co-production partner.
The six-part series stars Morven Christie (“The Bay”), Peter Mullan (“The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power”), Prasanna Puwanarajah (“Ten Percent”) and Derek Riddell (“Industry”).
Written by Debbie O’Malley (“Call the Midwife”), “Payback” follows Lexie Noble (Christie) as she becomes entangled in a police operation to topple a notorious crime lord, Cal Morris (Mullan). The drama will be filmed in Glasgow, Edinburgh and surrounding areas.
Christie said: “I fell in love with Lexie from the first page, and I’m absolutely delighted to be working with Peter and this wonderful team in my hometown.”
“Payback” was commissioned by ITV head of drama Polly Hill.
Hill said: ” ‘Payback is a brilliant thriller which questions how well you know your partner...
The six-part series stars Morven Christie (“The Bay”), Peter Mullan (“The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power”), Prasanna Puwanarajah (“Ten Percent”) and Derek Riddell (“Industry”).
Written by Debbie O’Malley (“Call the Midwife”), “Payback” follows Lexie Noble (Christie) as she becomes entangled in a police operation to topple a notorious crime lord, Cal Morris (Mullan). The drama will be filmed in Glasgow, Edinburgh and surrounding areas.
Christie said: “I fell in love with Lexie from the first page, and I’m absolutely delighted to be working with Peter and this wonderful team in my hometown.”
“Payback” was commissioned by ITV head of drama Polly Hill.
Hill said: ” ‘Payback is a brilliant thriller which questions how well you know your partner...
- 9/1/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Shetland’s Series 7 return is a bittersweet one for fans of the Scottish BBC crime drama. The six-episode run will be actor Douglas Henshall’s last in the lead role of Di Jimmy Perez. Henshall’s departure though, doesn’t mean the end for Shetland, which has been renewed for an eighth series due to arrive in 2023. A new, as-yet-unannounced, lead actor will be joining the returning cast for that run.
Series 7, which starts on BBC One on Wednesday the 10th of August at 9pm, promises to tie up Perez’s loose ends and follow up on last series’ will-they-won’t-they frisson with Irish carer Meg. Before Perez says his final goodbye to the evidence board though, there’s a missing person case to solve, and a host of new characters to interrogate. Here’s who he’ll be meeting…
Shauna Macdonald as Rachel Cairns
Rachel Cairns is the mother of Connor and Abbey,...
Series 7, which starts on BBC One on Wednesday the 10th of August at 9pm, promises to tie up Perez’s loose ends and follow up on last series’ will-they-won’t-they frisson with Irish carer Meg. Before Perez says his final goodbye to the evidence board though, there’s a missing person case to solve, and a host of new characters to interrogate. Here’s who he’ll be meeting…
Shauna Macdonald as Rachel Cairns
Rachel Cairns is the mother of Connor and Abbey,...
- 8/10/2022
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Very few The Mediapro Studio shows, indeed very few Spanish series in general, have lit a fire on the open market like “The Head,” an Antarctic-set thriller which lifts off as a murder mystery to constantly evolve into other realms.
Starring Álvaro Morte, “Money Heist’s” Professor and Japanese pop idol Tomohisa Yamashita, written by Alex and David Pastor and directed by Jorge Dorado, “The Head” broke viewership records on co-financiers Hulu Japan and HBO Asia and sold to over 90 countries including HBO in the U.S.
The Mediapro Studio retained IP. “Sales opened doors to new markets and clients with whom we hadn’t worked before,” said Laura Fernández Espeso, CEO of The Mediapro Studio. It also began blazing a trail for Tms’s drive into English-language series, one of its biggest ambitions.
Yet a sequel was, by any measure, a tall order. Season 1 was always conceived as a limited series , notes Ran Tellem,...
Starring Álvaro Morte, “Money Heist’s” Professor and Japanese pop idol Tomohisa Yamashita, written by Alex and David Pastor and directed by Jorge Dorado, “The Head” broke viewership records on co-financiers Hulu Japan and HBO Asia and sold to over 90 countries including HBO in the U.S.
The Mediapro Studio retained IP. “Sales opened doors to new markets and clients with whom we hadn’t worked before,” said Laura Fernández Espeso, CEO of The Mediapro Studio. It also began blazing a trail for Tms’s drive into English-language series, one of its biggest ambitions.
Yet a sequel was, by any measure, a tall order. Season 1 was always conceived as a limited series , notes Ran Tellem,...
- 3/24/2022
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
The Mediapro Studio has unveiled first key cast for Season 2 of crime thriller “The Head,” one of its biggest international hits, with John Lynch and Katharine O’Donnelly reprising their lead roles as biologist Arthur Wilde and young doctor Maggie Mitchell.
They will be joined by the Spanish actor of Armenian-Lebanese origin Hovik Keuchkerian who shot to fame playing Moscow in “Money Heist,” as well as Ireland’s Moe Dunford (“Vikings”), Sweden’s Josefin Nelden (“The Restaurant”) and British thesp Olivia Morris (“Hotel Portofino”). More substantial name cast will be announced in upcoming weeks.
A huge global hit for The Mediapro Studio, the production-distribution arm of media giant Mediapro, “The Head” is heralded by the company as a model for high-end success: It clinched some 25 distribution deals and aired in 90 countries, allowed The Mediapro Studio to retain a large part of the IP and promised to become the basis for a franchise.
They will be joined by the Spanish actor of Armenian-Lebanese origin Hovik Keuchkerian who shot to fame playing Moscow in “Money Heist,” as well as Ireland’s Moe Dunford (“Vikings”), Sweden’s Josefin Nelden (“The Restaurant”) and British thesp Olivia Morris (“Hotel Portofino”). More substantial name cast will be announced in upcoming weeks.
A huge global hit for The Mediapro Studio, the production-distribution arm of media giant Mediapro, “The Head” is heralded by the company as a model for high-end success: It clinched some 25 distribution deals and aired in 90 countries, allowed The Mediapro Studio to retain a large part of the IP and promised to become the basis for a franchise.
- 3/3/2022
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
U.K. broadcaster Channel 4 has commissioned “Suspect” (working title), an adaptation of Christoffer Boe’s hit Danish series “Forhøret.”
The 8 x 30’ drama stars James Nesbitt (“Bloodlands”), Joely Richardson (“The Tudors”), Anne-Marie Duff (“Sex Education”), Richard E. Grant (“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”), Ben Miller (“Bridgerton”), Niamh Algar (“Deceit”), Antonia Thomas (“Small Axe”), Sacha Dhawan (“Doctor Who”), Sam Heughan (“Outlander”) and Imogen King (“Clique”).
The series will follow veteran detective Danny Frater as he investigates the unnatural death of his daughter and sets out on a mission for the truth, retracing her last days and hours, in an agonising crusade to discover what really happened to his only child.
“I could relate to Danny, with his flaws, vulnerabilities and the devastating situation he faces, from the very first moment I picked up the script,” Nesbitt said. “Each episode of ‘Suspect’ is an intensely theatrical double-hander, a psychological battle of...
The 8 x 30’ drama stars James Nesbitt (“Bloodlands”), Joely Richardson (“The Tudors”), Anne-Marie Duff (“Sex Education”), Richard E. Grant (“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”), Ben Miller (“Bridgerton”), Niamh Algar (“Deceit”), Antonia Thomas (“Small Axe”), Sacha Dhawan (“Doctor Who”), Sam Heughan (“Outlander”) and Imogen King (“Clique”).
The series will follow veteran detective Danny Frater as he investigates the unnatural death of his daughter and sets out on a mission for the truth, retracing her last days and hours, in an agonising crusade to discover what really happened to his only child.
“I could relate to Danny, with his flaws, vulnerabilities and the devastating situation he faces, from the very first moment I picked up the script,” Nesbitt said. “Each episode of ‘Suspect’ is an intensely theatrical double-hander, a psychological battle of...
- 9/29/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
The world of “The Witcher” keeps growing.
Netflix’s prequel series “The Witcher: Blood Origin” has cast Sophia Brown as Éile, an elite warrior who is blessed with the voice of a goddess. She has left her clan and position as a queen’s guardian to follow her heart as a nomadic musician. A grand reckoning on the Continent forces her to return to the way of the blade in her quest for vengeance and redemption.
Jodie Turner-Smith was originally cast in the role, but she had to exit the series in April due to scheduling conflicts.
Set in an elven world 1,200 years before the world of “The Witcher,” the prequel series “Blood Origin” will tell a story lost to time, including the creation of the first prototype Witcher and the events that lead to the pivotal Conjunction of the Spheres, when the worlds of monsters, men and elves merged to become one.
Netflix’s prequel series “The Witcher: Blood Origin” has cast Sophia Brown as Éile, an elite warrior who is blessed with the voice of a goddess. She has left her clan and position as a queen’s guardian to follow her heart as a nomadic musician. A grand reckoning on the Continent forces her to return to the way of the blade in her quest for vengeance and redemption.
Jodie Turner-Smith was originally cast in the role, but she had to exit the series in April due to scheduling conflicts.
Set in an elven world 1,200 years before the world of “The Witcher,” the prequel series “Blood Origin” will tell a story lost to time, including the creation of the first prototype Witcher and the events that lead to the pivotal Conjunction of the Spheres, when the worlds of monsters, men and elves merged to become one.
- 7/8/2021
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Giri/Haji and Marcella star Sophia Brown will co-star with Laurence O’Fuarain (Vikings) and Michelle Yeoh (Crazy Rich Asians) in Netflix’s anticipated fantasy series The Witcher: Blood Origin, we can reveal.
Brown has been cast in the role of Éile, an elite warrior blessed with the voice of a goddess, who leaves her clan and position as Queen’s guardian to follow her heart as a nomadic musician. A grand reckoning on the Continent forces her to return to the way of the blade in her quest for vengeance and redemption.
Rising Brit actress Brown takes over from Jodie Turner-Smith who, as we revealed in April, had to exit due to scheduling conflicts.
Shoot is due to get underway in the UK in August on the spinoff origin story. With the three leads set, supporting cast will be revealed imminently.
2020-21 Netflix Pilots & Series Orders
Set in an...
Brown has been cast in the role of Éile, an elite warrior blessed with the voice of a goddess, who leaves her clan and position as Queen’s guardian to follow her heart as a nomadic musician. A grand reckoning on the Continent forces her to return to the way of the blade in her quest for vengeance and redemption.
Rising Brit actress Brown takes over from Jodie Turner-Smith who, as we revealed in April, had to exit due to scheduling conflicts.
Shoot is due to get underway in the UK in August on the spinoff origin story. With the three leads set, supporting cast will be revealed imminently.
2020-21 Netflix Pilots & Series Orders
Set in an...
- 7/8/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Noomi Rapace and Nicholas Pinnock are joining Matthias Schoenaerts in the star cast of “Django,” an English-language reimagining of Sergio Corbucci’s classic 1966 Western. Set in the Wild West of the 1860s and ’70s, the project marks one of the biggest high-end European series of 2021.
Star of “Prometheus,” “Sherlock Holmes” and “What Happened to Monday,” Sweden’s Rapace will play Elizabeth, who is described as a powerful and merciless enemy of John Ellis. Along with his fiancee Sarah, John Ellis is the founder of New Babylon, a city of outcasts which welcomes everyone from any background, race or creed.
British actor Pinnock — whose credits include movies such as “The Last Tree” and “Dark Encounter” as well as popular TV dramas “Counterpart,”“Fortitude,” “Marcella and “For Life” — takes the key role of John Ellis. Schoenaerts (“Bullhead”) plays the titular role of Django.
German on-the-rise star Lisa Vicari, Martha Nielsen in “Dark,...
Star of “Prometheus,” “Sherlock Holmes” and “What Happened to Monday,” Sweden’s Rapace will play Elizabeth, who is described as a powerful and merciless enemy of John Ellis. Along with his fiancee Sarah, John Ellis is the founder of New Babylon, a city of outcasts which welcomes everyone from any background, race or creed.
British actor Pinnock — whose credits include movies such as “The Last Tree” and “Dark Encounter” as well as popular TV dramas “Counterpart,”“Fortitude,” “Marcella and “For Life” — takes the key role of John Ellis. Schoenaerts (“Bullhead”) plays the titular role of Django.
German on-the-rise star Lisa Vicari, Martha Nielsen in “Dark,...
- 5/11/2021
- by John Hopewell and Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
The Bodyguard’s Keeley Hawes and Max Beesley have joined the cast of the dark, disturbing modern-day reimagining of ‘The Midwich Cuckoos’.
The eight-part series is will see Hawes take on the role of gifted psychotherapist Dr Susannah Zellaby, while Beesley plays Local officer Dci Paul Kirby.
Aisling Loftus (A Discovery of Witches), Ukweli Roach (Blindspot), Synnøve Karlsen, Lara Rossi (Robin Hood), Lewis Reeves (I May Destroy You), Rebekah Staton (Raised by Wolves) and Anneika Rose (Line of Duty) will also star.
The series is described as an unnerving fable for our turbulent times, a thrilling, strange and at times horrifying journey into parenthood, which lays bare any parent’s worst fear: that the thing most precious to us – a child – might desire our destruction.
Also in news – Mark Rylance & Simon Pegg to star in Channel 4 series ‘The Undeclared War’
Hawes stated: “I’m absolutely delighted to be working...
The eight-part series is will see Hawes take on the role of gifted psychotherapist Dr Susannah Zellaby, while Beesley plays Local officer Dci Paul Kirby.
Aisling Loftus (A Discovery of Witches), Ukweli Roach (Blindspot), Synnøve Karlsen, Lara Rossi (Robin Hood), Lewis Reeves (I May Destroy You), Rebekah Staton (Raised by Wolves) and Anneika Rose (Line of Duty) will also star.
The series is described as an unnerving fable for our turbulent times, a thrilling, strange and at times horrifying journey into parenthood, which lays bare any parent’s worst fear: that the thing most precious to us – a child – might desire our destruction.
Also in news – Mark Rylance & Simon Pegg to star in Channel 4 series ‘The Undeclared War’
Hawes stated: “I’m absolutely delighted to be working...
- 4/28/2021
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Ella-Rae Smith has all of the key ingredients needed to be a star, and that’s exactly what she’s on her way to becoming. Both beautiful and talented, Ella-Rae has been taking the world by storm since making her first TV appearance back in 2016 and she’s already built an international fan base. Over the years, she has worked her way up to bigger roles. She is best known for being in shows like Clique, Into the Badlands, and The Stranger. Recently, she has also started to focus on big-screen opportunities and at this point, it’s safe to say that she
10 Things You Didn’t Know about Ella-Rae Smith...
10 Things You Didn’t Know about Ella-Rae Smith...
- 4/18/2021
- by Camille Moore
- TVovermind.com
Sky Studios, the pay TV network’s production arm, has promoted Gabriel Silver – who oversaw the commissioning of “Chernobyl” – to the role of director of commissioning, drama in the U.K., overseeing a broad slate of ambitious projects.
Silver, who is currently senior commissioning editor and executive producer at Sky Studios, takes up his new role with immediate effect, reporting into chief content officer Jane Millichip.
Most recently Silver has overseen a critically acclaimed slate of Sky Original dramas that includes Emmy and BAFTA-winning series “Chernobyl” and global hit “Gangs of London,” plus returning franchises “Temple,” “Britannia” and “Cobra.” He is currently exec producing upcoming Sky Original dramas “Extinction,” starring Paapa Essiedu, and “The Baby,” a co-production between Sky and HBO.
Prior to joining Sky in 2017, Silver worked at a range of indies including as a development and executive producer at Left Bank Pictures and at Kudos, where he script...
Silver, who is currently senior commissioning editor and executive producer at Sky Studios, takes up his new role with immediate effect, reporting into chief content officer Jane Millichip.
Most recently Silver has overseen a critically acclaimed slate of Sky Original dramas that includes Emmy and BAFTA-winning series “Chernobyl” and global hit “Gangs of London,” plus returning franchises “Temple,” “Britannia” and “Cobra.” He is currently exec producing upcoming Sky Original dramas “Extinction,” starring Paapa Essiedu, and “The Baby,” a co-production between Sky and HBO.
Prior to joining Sky in 2017, Silver worked at a range of indies including as a development and executive producer at Left Bank Pictures and at Kudos, where he script...
- 4/13/2021
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Filming has wrapped in Scotland on under-the-radar UK horror The Origin, starring Chuku Modu, Kit Young (star of Netflix’s upcoming fantasy series Shadow And Bone), Iola Evans (The 100), newcomer Safia Oakley-Green, Arno Lüning and Luna Mwezi (Platzspittzbaby).
The Stone Age-set film, which shot in an “isolation bubble” on location in the Scottish Highlands, is the sophomore feature from UK producer Oliver Kassman, whose critically lauded 2019 debut feature Saint Maud played at Toronto, London, Sitges and Fantastic Fest, and was picked up by A24.
The film marks the feature debuts of director Andrew Cumming and screenwriter Ruth Greenberg and had backing from Screen Scotland and BFI. Kassman produces for his banner Escape Plan. Plot details are being kept under wraps.
Executive producers are David Kaplan and Sam Intili for New York’s Animal Kingdom (It Follows), in co-production with Scottish producer Wendy Griffin...
The Stone Age-set film, which shot in an “isolation bubble” on location in the Scottish Highlands, is the sophomore feature from UK producer Oliver Kassman, whose critically lauded 2019 debut feature Saint Maud played at Toronto, London, Sitges and Fantastic Fest, and was picked up by A24.
The film marks the feature debuts of director Andrew Cumming and screenwriter Ruth Greenberg and had backing from Screen Scotland and BFI. Kassman produces for his banner Escape Plan. Plot details are being kept under wraps.
Executive producers are David Kaplan and Sam Intili for New York’s Animal Kingdom (It Follows), in co-production with Scottish producer Wendy Griffin...
- 12/4/2020
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
The New York Latino Film Festival (Nylff) has set their lineup for their forthcoming hybrid edition of its fest which will take place September 14-20.
In the wake of the pandemic, many festivals have either canceled or pivoted to an entirely virtual program. Nylff is one of the Latinx-based film fests that have continued with plans for their annual fest — with the appropriate changes. The 21st edition will be a combination of virtual events and in-person, drive-in screenings that celebrates Latinx creators. The fest will also host the first Latino drive-in experience to take place both in New York and in The Bronx.
This year’s festival features nearly 75 films representing more than 10 countries, spanning all genres including features, shorts, documentaries, web series and experimental films.
“Inspired by the resilience of the Latino community, Nylff is proud to return with a fresh format featuring our first-ever drive-in experiences,” said Calixto Chinchilla,...
In the wake of the pandemic, many festivals have either canceled or pivoted to an entirely virtual program. Nylff is one of the Latinx-based film fests that have continued with plans for their annual fest — with the appropriate changes. The 21st edition will be a combination of virtual events and in-person, drive-in screenings that celebrates Latinx creators. The fest will also host the first Latino drive-in experience to take place both in New York and in The Bronx.
This year’s festival features nearly 75 films representing more than 10 countries, spanning all genres including features, shorts, documentaries, web series and experimental films.
“Inspired by the resilience of the Latino community, Nylff is proud to return with a fresh format featuring our first-ever drive-in experiences,” said Calixto Chinchilla,...
- 9/1/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Ruth Underwood.
Glasgow-based Synchronicity Films, which co-produced with December Media The Cry, the BBC/ABC psychological thriller directed by Glendyn Ivin, has opened an Australian arm.
Former BBC drama development exec Ruth Underwood is heading the Melbourne office with the remit to produce high-end drama for the domestic and international markets, including potential UK-Australian co-productions.
Its first project is an adaptation of The Cry author Helen FitzGerald’s latest novel Ash Mountain. Set in Australia, the tome follows Fran, a single mother who returns to her sleepy hometown to care for her dying father when a devastating bush fire breaks out.
Nent Studios UK represents the international distribution rights for Ash Mountain. The Times‘ reviewer Mark Sanderson hailed a “compassionate novel about the consequences of crime [which] bursts with black humour and features a bravura portrayal of a bush fire that eventually descends on the community like the wrath of God.
Glasgow-based Synchronicity Films, which co-produced with December Media The Cry, the BBC/ABC psychological thriller directed by Glendyn Ivin, has opened an Australian arm.
Former BBC drama development exec Ruth Underwood is heading the Melbourne office with the remit to produce high-end drama for the domestic and international markets, including potential UK-Australian co-productions.
Its first project is an adaptation of The Cry author Helen FitzGerald’s latest novel Ash Mountain. Set in Australia, the tome follows Fran, a single mother who returns to her sleepy hometown to care for her dying father when a devastating bush fire breaks out.
Nent Studios UK represents the international distribution rights for Ash Mountain. The Times‘ reviewer Mark Sanderson hailed a “compassionate novel about the consequences of crime [which] bursts with black humour and features a bravura portrayal of a bush fire that eventually descends on the community like the wrath of God.
- 8/18/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Peacock Unveils Trailers for Originals Slate Including ‘Brave New World’ and ‘Psych 2’ Movie (Video)
Ahead of its nationwide launch next month, Peacock released trailers for all of its original series that debut with the newest streaming service.
This first wave of Peacock originals includes the streamer’s “Brave New World” adaptation, the “Psych” movie sequel “Psych 2: Lassie Come Home,” new drama “The Capture,” David Schwimmer workplace comedy “Intelligence,” the documentary film “In Deep with Ryan Lochte,” unscripted series “Lost Speedways,” and kids’ shows “Cleopatra in Space,” “Where’s Waldo?” and “Curious George.”
Premiere dates for future Peacock originals, including a new “Saved By the Bell,” will be announced later this year.
Also Read: NBCU's Peacock Streaming Service Will Be Free for 3 Months for Android Users
Peacock became available to Comcast — NBCU’s parent company — subscribers on April 15. When it launches nationally July 15, Peacock will have two separate tiers of service, both of which will be free to Comcast, as well as Cox, subscribers. The paid tier,...
This first wave of Peacock originals includes the streamer’s “Brave New World” adaptation, the “Psych” movie sequel “Psych 2: Lassie Come Home,” new drama “The Capture,” David Schwimmer workplace comedy “Intelligence,” the documentary film “In Deep with Ryan Lochte,” unscripted series “Lost Speedways,” and kids’ shows “Cleopatra in Space,” “Where’s Waldo?” and “Curious George.”
Premiere dates for future Peacock originals, including a new “Saved By the Bell,” will be announced later this year.
Also Read: NBCU's Peacock Streaming Service Will Be Free for 3 Months for Android Users
Peacock became available to Comcast — NBCU’s parent company — subscribers on April 15. When it launches nationally July 15, Peacock will have two separate tiers of service, both of which will be free to Comcast, as well as Cox, subscribers. The paid tier,...
- 6/25/2020
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
ViacomCBS’ entertainment and youth group has promoted two executives under president of content and chief creative officer Nina Diaz, as the broader media conglomerate continues to realign internally in the wake of the reunion of Viacom and CBS.
Trevor Rose has been named executive vice president of talent and content development and head of talent of entertainment and youth, an elevation from his previous role as senior vice president of talent and series development for MTV Studios, VH1, Cmt and Logo. Rose has spent 16 years at the company, first as an assistant in VH1’s talent department, before moving on to package scripted and unscripted series such as “Scream,” “The Breaks,” “Daytime Divas,” “Hit the Floor” and “Best Week Ever.” Rose has also executive produced series including “Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party,” “Hip Hip Squares” with Ice Cube and MTV Studio’s upcoming “Jodie” with Tracee Ellis Ross.
Justin Rosenblatt...
Trevor Rose has been named executive vice president of talent and content development and head of talent of entertainment and youth, an elevation from his previous role as senior vice president of talent and series development for MTV Studios, VH1, Cmt and Logo. Rose has spent 16 years at the company, first as an assistant in VH1’s talent department, before moving on to package scripted and unscripted series such as “Scream,” “The Breaks,” “Daytime Divas,” “Hit the Floor” and “Best Week Ever.” Rose has also executive produced series including “Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party,” “Hip Hip Squares” with Ice Cube and MTV Studio’s upcoming “Jodie” with Tracee Ellis Ross.
Justin Rosenblatt...
- 5/19/2020
- by Elaine Low
- Variety Film + TV
ViacomCBS has promoted veteran executives Trevor Rose and Justin Rosenblatt to senior roles in the Entertainment & Youth Group division. Rose is being elevated to Evp, Talent & Content Development and Head of Talent, Entertainment & Youth. Rosenblatt is being upped to Svp, Alternative & Comedy Content for ViacomCBS’ Entertainment & Youth Group. The moves are part of the post-merger integration and further consolidation of top creative executives at the new Entertainment & Youth division, run by Chris McCarthy, under Nina L. Diaz, President of Content and Chief Creative Officer for the entire group. They also follow the recently announced departure of Sarah Babineau, Head of Comedy Central Content & Creative Enterprises, who will be exiting the company at the end of the year.
Rose previously served as Svp, Talent and Series Development for MTV Studios, VH1, Cmt and Logo. A 16-year veteran, he joined VH1 as an assistant in the Talent department, quickly rising through the ranks.
Rose previously served as Svp, Talent and Series Development for MTV Studios, VH1, Cmt and Logo. A 16-year veteran, he joined VH1 as an assistant in the Talent department, quickly rising through the ranks.
- 5/19/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
NBCUniversal’s new streaming service Peacock has unveiled the list of original series and movies that will be available when the platform rolls out nationwide July 15.
This first wave of Peacock originals include the streamer’s “Brave New World” adaptation, the “Psych” movie sequel “Psych 2: Lassie Come Home,” new drama “The Capture,” David Schwimmer workplace comedy “Intelligence,” the documentary film “In Deep with Ryan Lochte,” unscripted series “Lost Speedways,” and kids’ shows “Cleopatra in Space,” “Where’s Waldo?” and “Curious George.”
Premiere dates for future Peacock originals will be announced later this year, according to the streaming service.
“Our variety of Peacock Originals at launch demonstrates how we deliver timely and timeless content – no matter the genre or format,” Peacock’s president of original content Bill McGoldrick said in a statement. “We’re proud to establish our voice and are excited to build on our strategy to attract a wide audience to Peacock.
This first wave of Peacock originals include the streamer’s “Brave New World” adaptation, the “Psych” movie sequel “Psych 2: Lassie Come Home,” new drama “The Capture,” David Schwimmer workplace comedy “Intelligence,” the documentary film “In Deep with Ryan Lochte,” unscripted series “Lost Speedways,” and kids’ shows “Cleopatra in Space,” “Where’s Waldo?” and “Curious George.”
Premiere dates for future Peacock originals will be announced later this year, according to the streaming service.
“Our variety of Peacock Originals at launch demonstrates how we deliver timely and timeless content – no matter the genre or format,” Peacock’s president of original content Bill McGoldrick said in a statement. “We’re proud to establish our voice and are excited to build on our strategy to attract a wide audience to Peacock.
- 5/14/2020
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
With the coronavirus pandemic forcing production on many scripted and un-scripted series to shutter, there were plenty wondering precisely how many original feathers NBCU’s Peacock would be able to launch with, especially after chairman Matt Strauss said the bulk of the streaming service’s originals slate had been pushed to 2021.
The service has now answered that question, announcing which originals will be available upon its July 15 launch. Headlining the list is the series adaptation of Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World,” which is set to star “Solo: A Star Wars Story” and “Hail, Caesar!” vet Alden Ehrenreich, “Downton Abbey” alum Jessica Brown Findlay, and Harry Lloyd.
In addition, subscribers to the new service will be able to watch the first seasons of international thriller “The Capture,” David Schwimmer comedy “Intelligence,” sports documentary “In Deep with Ryan Lochte,” and the feature “Psych 2: Lassie Come Home” when the streamer launches.
The service has now answered that question, announcing which originals will be available upon its July 15 launch. Headlining the list is the series adaptation of Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World,” which is set to star “Solo: A Star Wars Story” and “Hail, Caesar!” vet Alden Ehrenreich, “Downton Abbey” alum Jessica Brown Findlay, and Harry Lloyd.
In addition, subscribers to the new service will be able to watch the first seasons of international thriller “The Capture,” David Schwimmer comedy “Intelligence,” sports documentary “In Deep with Ryan Lochte,” and the feature “Psych 2: Lassie Come Home” when the streamer launches.
- 5/14/2020
- by Will Thorne
- Variety Film + TV
“Charm City Kings,” directed by Angel Manuel Soto and written by Sherman Payne, is an earnest coming-of-age story about a Baltimore 14-year-old named Mouse (Jahi Di’Allo Winston) torn between joining the Midnight Clique, an extreme dirt bike crime gang in stormtrooper-esque shiny white breastplates, or becoming a veterinarian. While that setup might make eyes roll, it’s inspired by the 2013 documentary “12 O’Clock Boys,” in which an actual kid (real name Pug) wrestled with those same options. The film’s truly ridiculous plot choices — the phony twists that make you leave the theater feeling like you’ve inhaled a tank of carbon monoxide — are its own invention, bolted onto a likable, if formulaic, charmer.
Soto opens on home movie-style footage of Mouse’s older brother Stro (Tyquan Ford) pushing himself to “hit 12,” rearing up on his bike’s back wheel until he’s as straight as a clock hand. Stro,...
Soto opens on home movie-style footage of Mouse’s older brother Stro (Tyquan Ford) pushing himself to “hit 12,” rearing up on his bike’s back wheel until he’s as straight as a clock hand. Stro,...
- 1/29/2020
- by Amy Nicholson
- Variety Film + TV
Meek Mill stars as Blax, the leader of a group of Baltimore, Maryland dirt bike riders known as the Midnight Clique, in Charm City Kings. The Angel Manuel Soto-directed film will debut at Sundance Film Festival on January 27th before hitting theaters in April.
In the film’s new trailer, main character Mouse (portrayed by Jahi Di’Allo Winston) yearns to be a part of the Midnight Clique. The teenager’s brother was a renowned rider with the infamous crew before his tragic death and their mother (Teyonah Parris) is...
In the film’s new trailer, main character Mouse (portrayed by Jahi Di’Allo Winston) yearns to be a part of the Midnight Clique. The teenager’s brother was a renowned rider with the infamous crew before his tragic death and their mother (Teyonah Parris) is...
- 1/16/2020
- by Althea Legaspi
- Rollingstone.com
The 2020 Sundance Film Festival has broken a record weeks before it begins: Of the 16 films in Dramatic Competition, seven tell stories primarily about the lives of black characters: “The 40-Year-Old Version,” “Charm City Kings,” “Farewell Amor,” “Miss Juneteenth,” “Nine Days,” “Sylvie’s Love” and “Zola.”
Surveying the last 30 years of Sundance, there’s usually been at least one in-competition film with black leads. In 1992 and 1989, there was one black film in competition, while 1993 had two. But prior to 2020, there had never been more than five.
Black filmmakers saw a renaissance in the late ’80s and early ’90s, a period that introduced Spike Lee, Wendell B. Harris Jr, Robert Townsend, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Julie Dash, Matty Rich, the Hudlin Brothers, Leslie Harris, and others. Some of their films premiered and competed at Sundance, but even then they never composed a significant presence.
Between 1989 and 1993, a total of 10 films with black leads...
Surveying the last 30 years of Sundance, there’s usually been at least one in-competition film with black leads. In 1992 and 1989, there was one black film in competition, while 1993 had two. But prior to 2020, there had never been more than five.
Black filmmakers saw a renaissance in the late ’80s and early ’90s, a period that introduced Spike Lee, Wendell B. Harris Jr, Robert Townsend, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Julie Dash, Matty Rich, the Hudlin Brothers, Leslie Harris, and others. Some of their films premiered and competed at Sundance, but even then they never composed a significant presence.
Between 1989 and 1993, a total of 10 films with black leads...
- 12/5/2019
- by Tambay Obenson
- Indiewire
The feature film lineup at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival has been unveiled, featuring 118 films. Among the highly-anticipated premieres we have Josephine Decker’s Shirley, Miranda July’s Kajillionaire, Eliza Hittman’s Never Rarely Sometimes Always, Janicza Bravo’s Zola, Kirsten Johnson’s Dick Johnson Is Dead, Brandon Cronenberg’s Possessor, Julie Taymor’s The Glorias, Dee Rees’ The Last Thing He Wanted, Sean Durkin’s The Nest, Michael Almereyda’s Tesla, Benh Zeitlin’s Wendy, and more.
Check out the list below and return for our coverage from January 23-February 2, 2020.
U.S. Dramatic Competition
Presenting the world premieres of 16 narrative feature films, the Dramatic Competition offers Festivalgoers a first look at groundbreaking new voices in American independent film. Films that have premiered in this category in recent years include The Farewell, Honey Boy, Clemency, Eighth Grade, Sorry to Bother You and The Miseducation of Cameron Post. 47% of the directors in this year’s U.
Check out the list below and return for our coverage from January 23-February 2, 2020.
U.S. Dramatic Competition
Presenting the world premieres of 16 narrative feature films, the Dramatic Competition offers Festivalgoers a first look at groundbreaking new voices in American independent film. Films that have premiered in this category in recent years include The Farewell, Honey Boy, Clemency, Eighth Grade, Sorry to Bother You and The Miseducation of Cameron Post. 47% of the directors in this year’s U.
- 12/4/2019
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
On Tuesday night in New York, Amazon had its Beyonce moment: Like “Homecoming” brought home a slew of Emmy nominations for Netflix, Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty show seems likely to generate awards buzz for the streaming service — and the superstar.
Rihanna got a standing ovation from the exclusive crowd at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, who came to see the star present her fall/winter 2019 collection at New York Fashion Week show, but ended up witnessing a full-blown television production that will stream on Amazon Prime on Sept. 20.
The show was unlike anything previously staged during Fashion Week — and possibly anywhere. Rather than a catwalk show, the event was more of an audio-visual experience, combining music, art, fashion and dance, creating a multi-sensory experience for the audience. Leave it to Rihanna to bring together lingerie, Emmy-worthy choreography, music, celebrities — Migos, DJ Khaled, Big Sean, A$AP Ferg, Fat Joe, Fabolous,...
Rihanna got a standing ovation from the exclusive crowd at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, who came to see the star present her fall/winter 2019 collection at New York Fashion Week show, but ended up witnessing a full-blown television production that will stream on Amazon Prime on Sept. 20.
The show was unlike anything previously staged during Fashion Week — and possibly anywhere. Rather than a catwalk show, the event was more of an audio-visual experience, combining music, art, fashion and dance, creating a multi-sensory experience for the audience. Leave it to Rihanna to bring together lingerie, Emmy-worthy choreography, music, celebrities — Migos, DJ Khaled, Big Sean, A$AP Ferg, Fat Joe, Fabolous,...
- 9/11/2019
- by Elizabeth Wagmeister
- Variety Film + TV
"Can you save my life?" 4Digital Media has debuted an official Us trailer for a "family adventure" movie titled 2 Hours, also known as 2:Hrs. The plot is a bit odd: three school friends ditch classes, and somehow stumble into the lab of a mad scientist lady. There they discover her latest invention, The Vitalitron, which predicts the time of death of any living creature. Tim discovers he only has two hours left to live, so he and his mates create a bucket list that will cram a lifetime into the next two hours. Anyone want to bet that he doesn't die at the end of two hours, but learns a few lessons along the way? What an original idea. Starring Harry Jarvis, Ella-Rae Smith, Alhaji Fofana, Keith Allen, Siobhan Redmond, Seann Walsh, Marek Larwood, and Kirsty Dillon. It looks pretty bad - almost made-for-tv bad, but that's why it's being...
- 6/27/2019
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
The film is currently shooting in central London.
Veteran UK actors Diana Rigg and Terence Stamp have joined Edgar Wright’s Last Night In Soho, rounding out the cast of the Working Title film.
It has recently begun production on location in London, with Wright directing from a screenplay he co-wrote with Krysty Wilson-Cairns.
Further new cast include Rita Tushingham (Doctor Zhivago), Michael Ajao (Attack The Block) and Synnøve Karlsen (Clique).
They join previously announced cast members Anya Taylor-Joy, Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie and Matt Smith.
Wright’s long-time producer Nira Park is producing alongside Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner.
Veteran UK actors Diana Rigg and Terence Stamp have joined Edgar Wright’s Last Night In Soho, rounding out the cast of the Working Title film.
It has recently begun production on location in London, with Wright directing from a screenplay he co-wrote with Krysty Wilson-Cairns.
Further new cast include Rita Tushingham (Doctor Zhivago), Michael Ajao (Attack The Block) and Synnøve Karlsen (Clique).
They join previously announced cast members Anya Taylor-Joy, Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie and Matt Smith.
Wright’s long-time producer Nira Park is producing alongside Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner.
- 6/25/2019
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
The BBC has named Fiona Campbell the new boss of its youth-skewing online channel, BBC Three, replacing outgoing controller Damian Kavanagh, who is leaving in the new year to run Endemol Shine-owned producer Tiger Aspect.
Campbell has been heading up the documentary unit at BBC Studios, the U.K. pubcaster’s production division. She also worked at BBC Three previously as its head of documentaries and features.
BBC Three transitioned from a free-to-air broadcast channel to an online service in 2016 and has since become a home for challenging factual series and breakout comedies such as Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s “Fleabag.”
“BBC Three has always had its finger on the pulse of what young audiences want and the content represents the beating heart of innovation, risk-taking and creativity at the BBC,” said Campbell, who starts as controller in the new year.
She added: “This is an incredibly exciting time for the...
Campbell has been heading up the documentary unit at BBC Studios, the U.K. pubcaster’s production division. She also worked at BBC Three previously as its head of documentaries and features.
BBC Three transitioned from a free-to-air broadcast channel to an online service in 2016 and has since become a home for challenging factual series and breakout comedies such as Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s “Fleabag.”
“BBC Three has always had its finger on the pulse of what young audiences want and the content represents the beating heart of innovation, risk-taking and creativity at the BBC,” said Campbell, who starts as controller in the new year.
She added: “This is an incredibly exciting time for the...
- 12/18/2018
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
Fleabag and Clique broadcaster BBC Three has named documentary producer Fiona Campbell as its new boss.
The youth skewing online network has appointed Campbell, who is currently Head of BBC Studios’ Documentary Unit, as its new Controller, to start in the new year.
This follows the departure of Damian Kavanagh to become Managing Director of Peaky Blinders co-producer Tiger Aspect.
Campbell has held a variety of roles at the British public broadcaster including Digital Director for BBC News, Head of Current Affairs for the BBC and Head of Documentaries and Features for BBC Three.
Charlotte Moore, BBC Director of Content, said, “We had a very strong field for the role, but Fiona was the standout candidate. She is a wonderful creative leader with a wealth of broadcasting and digital experience. She has a proven track record of innovation, creativity and an ability to reach young audiences. She knows how to...
The youth skewing online network has appointed Campbell, who is currently Head of BBC Studios’ Documentary Unit, as its new Controller, to start in the new year.
This follows the departure of Damian Kavanagh to become Managing Director of Peaky Blinders co-producer Tiger Aspect.
Campbell has held a variety of roles at the British public broadcaster including Digital Director for BBC News, Head of Current Affairs for the BBC and Head of Documentaries and Features for BBC Three.
Charlotte Moore, BBC Director of Content, said, “We had a very strong field for the role, but Fiona was the standout candidate. She is a wonderful creative leader with a wealth of broadcasting and digital experience. She has a proven track record of innovation, creativity and an ability to reach young audiences. She knows how to...
- 12/18/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Is the first season of the Clique TV show on Pop heating up or leaving you cold? As we all know, the Nielsen ratings typically play a big role in determining whether the TV show Clique is cancelled or renewed for season two. Unfortunately, most of us do not live in Nielsen households. Because many viewers feel frustration when their viewing habits and opinions aren't considered, we'd like to offer you the chance to rate all of the Clique season one episodes below.
A Pop TV drama, Clique stars Synnøve Karlsen, Aisling Franciosi, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Emma Appleton, Ella-Rae Smith, Sophia Brown, and Louise Brealey. The British thriller centers on childhood friends Georgia Cunningham (Franciosi) and Holly McStay (Karlsen) who head off to university together, only to be drawn into a demanding social life with a seedy side. They soon become part of a co-ed...
A Pop TV drama, Clique stars Synnøve Karlsen, Aisling Franciosi, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Emma Appleton, Ella-Rae Smith, Sophia Brown, and Louise Brealey. The British thriller centers on childhood friends Georgia Cunningham (Franciosi) and Holly McStay (Karlsen) who head off to university together, only to be drawn into a demanding social life with a seedy side. They soon become part of a co-ed...
- 11/8/2018
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Television is hitting its annual homestretch. As the film world gears up for another contentious awards season, the TV realm continues ever onward, filling up the pre-holiday calendar with plenty of new offerings on streaming and cable.
Perhaps subconsciously matching the Academy-chasing stories on the feature side, plenty of this month’s brand new TV options are adaptations of acclaimed existing stories: November promises an on-screen look at a beloved novel of young friendship and not one but two TV series based on podcasts.
So which of the new offerings for the month are worth checking out? Our overviews of potential new favorites are all gathered below.
(We do this roundup of new shows pretty much every month — if you missed any of those previous picks, here are some notable TV premieres from February, March, April, May, June, July, August, October, and our giant fall preview.)
“Homecoming”
Answers aren’t...
Perhaps subconsciously matching the Academy-chasing stories on the feature side, plenty of this month’s brand new TV options are adaptations of acclaimed existing stories: November promises an on-screen look at a beloved novel of young friendship and not one but two TV series based on podcasts.
So which of the new offerings for the month are worth checking out? Our overviews of potential new favorites are all gathered below.
(We do this roundup of new shows pretty much every month — if you missed any of those previous picks, here are some notable TV premieres from February, March, April, May, June, July, August, October, and our giant fall preview.)
“Homecoming”
Answers aren’t...
- 11/1/2018
- by Steve Greene
- Indiewire
BBC Three and Pop have unveiled the first-look at the new season of youth-skewing mystery drama Clique.
The image shows Holly, played by Synnove Karlsen, and her new clique, this time a band of brothers rather than a group of young women.
The second season will explore the power of friendship between intensely smart, complicated and ambitious young people on the cusp of an ever-enticing but dangerous adult world. Living in a house share with Louise, played by Sophia Brown, and some younger, student activists, Holly is trying to put the past behind her. Nonetheless, she finds herself the subject of intense attention from those around her — fellow students keen to hear about the events of last year, but also a close-knit, smart and magnetic set of young men.
Led by charismatic, good-looking Jack, the boys’ clique of libertarian, freewheeling renegades has a no-nonsense attitude to what they see as a patronizing university administration.
The image shows Holly, played by Synnove Karlsen, and her new clique, this time a band of brothers rather than a group of young women.
The second season will explore the power of friendship between intensely smart, complicated and ambitious young people on the cusp of an ever-enticing but dangerous adult world. Living in a house share with Louise, played by Sophia Brown, and some younger, student activists, Holly is trying to put the past behind her. Nonetheless, she finds herself the subject of intense attention from those around her — fellow students keen to hear about the events of last year, but also a close-knit, smart and magnetic set of young men.
Led by charismatic, good-looking Jack, the boys’ clique of libertarian, freewheeling renegades has a no-nonsense attitude to what they see as a patronizing university administration.
- 10/23/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Epix’s forthcoming Batman prequel Pennyworth, which will tell the early story of Bruce Wayne’s legendary butler, has found its leading man in British thespian Jack Bannon, Warner Bros. announced Monday.
The drama, which received a 10-episode series order in May, will follow a young Alfred Pennyworth as he forms a security company and goes to work with a young billionaire named Thomas Wayne — who is not yet Bruce Wayne’s father — in 1960s London.
Update: It has also been announced that Ben Aldridge (Reign, Fleabag) will fill the role of Thomas.
Bannon’s version of Alfred, formerly a British Sas soldier,...
The drama, which received a 10-episode series order in May, will follow a young Alfred Pennyworth as he forms a security company and goes to work with a young billionaire named Thomas Wayne — who is not yet Bruce Wayne’s father — in 1960s London.
Update: It has also been announced that Ben Aldridge (Reign, Fleabag) will fill the role of Thomas.
Bannon’s version of Alfred, formerly a British Sas soldier,...
- 10/15/2018
- TVLine.com
Epix and Warner Bros. TV have found their Alfred Pennyworth. Jack Bannon has been cast in the title role of the upcoming Epix drama series Pennyworth, a Batman prequel from Gotham showrunner Bruno Heller, executive producer/director Danny Cannon and Warner Horizon Scripted TV.
The 10-episode Pennyworth will begin production October 22 at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in the UK, becoming the first series to film in the Warner Bros.-owned studio complex north of London which has housed production for such movies as WB’s Harry Potter/Fantastic Beasts franchise, The Dark Knight, Inception and Wonder Woman as well as outside productions such as Jason Bourne, Kingsman, Paddington and the most recent Mission Impossible installments.
Based on DC characters created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger, Pennyworth follows Bruce Wayne’s legendary butler, Alfred Pennyworth (Bannon), a former British Sas soldier in his 20’s, who forms a security company and...
The 10-episode Pennyworth will begin production October 22 at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in the UK, becoming the first series to film in the Warner Bros.-owned studio complex north of London which has housed production for such movies as WB’s Harry Potter/Fantastic Beasts franchise, The Dark Knight, Inception and Wonder Woman as well as outside productions such as Jason Bourne, Kingsman, Paddington and the most recent Mission Impossible installments.
Based on DC characters created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger, Pennyworth follows Bruce Wayne’s legendary butler, Alfred Pennyworth (Bannon), a former British Sas soldier in his 20’s, who forms a security company and...
- 10/15/2018
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Pop, the joint venture between CBS and Lionsgate, believes that British mystery drama Clique can be the next Pretty Little Liars or Gossip Girl as it searches for “modern grown ups” to help it become “The CW 2.0”.
Justin Rosenblatt, Executive Vice President of Original Programming and Development, at the network told Deadline that the psychological thriller, which was created by Skins’ Jess Brittain, was a “really fun ride” that he hopes will help the channel move to the next level.
The first season of Clique, which is produced by BBC Studios and Balloon Entertainment, will launch on Pop on November 7 at 10pm, while the second season, which Pop has come on board as a co-producer, will launch in line with British network BBC Three early next year.
The first season found Holly, played by Synnove Karlsen, drawn to a group of alluring, confident but troubled young women at a university in Edinburgh,...
Justin Rosenblatt, Executive Vice President of Original Programming and Development, at the network told Deadline that the psychological thriller, which was created by Skins’ Jess Brittain, was a “really fun ride” that he hopes will help the channel move to the next level.
The first season of Clique, which is produced by BBC Studios and Balloon Entertainment, will launch on Pop on November 7 at 10pm, while the second season, which Pop has come on board as a co-producer, will launch in line with British network BBC Three early next year.
The first season found Holly, played by Synnove Karlsen, drawn to a group of alluring, confident but troubled young women at a university in Edinburgh,...
- 9/25/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Pop has two big series set for this fall. Today, the network announced the premiere dates for their upcoming TV shows, Wolf Creek and Clique.
Based on the horror movie franchise, Wolf Creek "centers on serial killer Mick Taylor (John Jarratt) as he terrorizes tourists in the Australian outback." The series' second season premieres on October 21st at 10 p.m. Et/Pt.
Read More…...
Based on the horror movie franchise, Wolf Creek "centers on serial killer Mick Taylor (John Jarratt) as he terrorizes tourists in the Australian outback." The series' second season premieres on October 21st at 10 p.m. Et/Pt.
Read More…...
- 8/17/2018
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
In today’s roundup, “Outlander” will return to Starz in early November for Season 4, while Busy Philipps heads to late night on E!.
Dates
“Outlander” will return for Season 4 on Sunday, Nov. 4 at 8 p.m. Et/Pt on Starz. The Fraser clan try to make a new home in colonial North Carolina this season, as Claire (Caitriona Balfe) and Jamie (Sam Heughan) must negotiate a tenuous loyalty to the current British ruling class–despite Claire’s knowledge of the American Revolution to come. Meanwhile in the 20th century, a shocking discovery makes Claire and Jamie’s daughter Brianna (Sophie Skelton) and her would-be love interest, historian Roger Wakefield (Richard Rankin), consider following in Claire’s time-traveling footsteps.
Busy Philipps is heading to late night with her own talk show, “Busy Tonight,” beginning on Sunday, Oct. 28 at 10 pm. Et/Pt on E!. The half hour talk show airing every Sunday through...
Dates
“Outlander” will return for Season 4 on Sunday, Nov. 4 at 8 p.m. Et/Pt on Starz. The Fraser clan try to make a new home in colonial North Carolina this season, as Claire (Caitriona Balfe) and Jamie (Sam Heughan) must negotiate a tenuous loyalty to the current British ruling class–despite Claire’s knowledge of the American Revolution to come. Meanwhile in the 20th century, a shocking discovery makes Claire and Jamie’s daughter Brianna (Sophie Skelton) and her would-be love interest, historian Roger Wakefield (Richard Rankin), consider following in Claire’s time-traveling footsteps.
Busy Philipps is heading to late night with her own talk show, “Busy Tonight,” beginning on Sunday, Oct. 28 at 10 pm. Et/Pt on E!. The half hour talk show airing every Sunday through...
- 8/16/2018
- by Tara Bitran
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix received critical acclaim early this year for an eight-episode (so far) British series about teen runaways who fall for one another, “The End of the F***ing World.” The streaming service hopes for a successful repeat with “The Innocents,” and just debuted that show’s newest trailer. While “The End of the F***ing World” featured a possible-psychopath protagonist, “The Innocents” stars Sorcha Groundsell (“Clique”) as a young woman who shape-shifts, transforming herself into humans who bear little resemblance to her blue-eyed self.
Groundsell’s June McDaniel learns of her unique ability after she and fellow classmate Harry Polk (Percell Ascott) flee their stern families. Well, what’s left of their families: June’s mother, a fellow shape-shifter, abandoned her three years ago, worried about harming her child. Golden Globe nominee Guy Pearce (“Mildred Pierce”) plays Halvorson, a professor who vows to reconnect and cure mother and daughter.
Hania Elkington...
Groundsell’s June McDaniel learns of her unique ability after she and fellow classmate Harry Polk (Percell Ascott) flee their stern families. Well, what’s left of their families: June’s mother, a fellow shape-shifter, abandoned her three years ago, worried about harming her child. Golden Globe nominee Guy Pearce (“Mildred Pierce”) plays Halvorson, a professor who vows to reconnect and cure mother and daughter.
Hania Elkington...
- 8/8/2018
- by Jenna Marotta
- Indiewire
The creator of hit drama series “Skins” and the team behind popular BBC show “People Just Do Nothing” are joining forces on “GARY1987,” a new comedy set in the world of virtual reality.
“Skins’” Bryan Elsley and “People Just Do Nothing’s” Steve Stamp, Allan Mustafa and Jack Clough will develop the series for the international market. Entertainment One is the studio partner and will produce and the series alongside Elsley’s Balloon Entertainment. Distribution will also be handled by eOne.
The series will follow unemployed Gary, who becomes involved in the world of Vr with an eye to making money, but gets in over his head.
“Bryan is a brilliant force in the creative landscape, which is why we couldn’t be more excited to be teaming up with his production company…as well as the talented team behind the original breakout hit U.K. series ‘People Just Do Nothing,...
“Skins’” Bryan Elsley and “People Just Do Nothing’s” Steve Stamp, Allan Mustafa and Jack Clough will develop the series for the international market. Entertainment One is the studio partner and will produce and the series alongside Elsley’s Balloon Entertainment. Distribution will also be handled by eOne.
The series will follow unemployed Gary, who becomes involved in the world of Vr with an eye to making money, but gets in over his head.
“Bryan is a brilliant force in the creative landscape, which is why we couldn’t be more excited to be teaming up with his production company…as well as the talented team behind the original breakout hit U.K. series ‘People Just Do Nothing,...
- 7/3/2018
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
Victoria star Leo Suter, Outlander’s Stuart Harris and Darkest Hour’s Imogen King have joined the cast of the second season of Clique after U.S. network Pop boarded the show.
As Deadline revealed earlier this year, the show was handed a second season by BBC Three and Pop. Filming has now begun on the drama, created by Skins’ Jess Brittain, in Edinburgh, with a number of new faces joining the cast.
While the first season, which saw Holly, played by Synnove Karlsen, drawn to a group of alluring, confident but troubled young women, the second will see her encounter a radically different clique, this time a band of brothers.
Suter, who also starred in Jack Whitehall’s Bad Education, will be joined by The Hollow Crown’s Barney Harris, Outlander’s Stuart Campbell alongside King, Mary, Queen of Scots’ Izuka Hoyle and newcomers Jyuddah Jaymes and Nicholas Nunn.
As Deadline revealed earlier this year, the show was handed a second season by BBC Three and Pop. Filming has now begun on the drama, created by Skins’ Jess Brittain, in Edinburgh, with a number of new faces joining the cast.
While the first season, which saw Holly, played by Synnove Karlsen, drawn to a group of alluring, confident but troubled young women, the second will see her encounter a radically different clique, this time a band of brothers.
Suter, who also starred in Jack Whitehall’s Bad Education, will be joined by The Hollow Crown’s Barney Harris, Outlander’s Stuart Campbell alongside King, Mary, Queen of Scots’ Izuka Hoyle and newcomers Jyuddah Jaymes and Nicholas Nunn.
- 4/26/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Pop said it would expand its lineup of original series with a new series led by actress Anna Paquin and three new pilots.
The cable network, owned jointly by CBS Corp and Lionsgate, aims for young adults and tends to compete with networks such as Bravo, E! and Lifetime. Pop was once better known as the TV Guide Channel, and showed TV favorites alongside a scrolling grid of programming on the set-top box. Since 2015, however, it has curated a group of original series and older favorites that celebrate fandom.
“We are heading into this year’s upfront with an ever-growing linear television audience, a premium slate of original content with A-list talent, and carriage across all major distributors and almost every over-the-top service,” said Brad Schwartz, President of Pop. “Building on this momentum, we’re introducing more premium scripted content than ever before.”
Pop’s new series include “Clique,” a...
The cable network, owned jointly by CBS Corp and Lionsgate, aims for young adults and tends to compete with networks such as Bravo, E! and Lifetime. Pop was once better known as the TV Guide Channel, and showed TV favorites alongside a scrolling grid of programming on the set-top box. Since 2015, however, it has curated a group of original series and older favorites that celebrate fandom.
“We are heading into this year’s upfront with an ever-growing linear television audience, a premium slate of original content with A-list talent, and carriage across all major distributors and almost every over-the-top service,” said Brad Schwartz, President of Pop. “Building on this momentum, we’re introducing more premium scripted content than ever before.”
Pop’s new series include “Clique,” a...
- 4/25/2018
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
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