LG has officially unveiled the StanbyME 2 Max, a supersized version of its portable lifestyle screen that swaps the original's 27-inch display for a much larger 32-inch 4K panel. It sits somewhere between a TV and a giant tablet, whilst making you consider whether you need a television fixed to your wall.

The headline upgrade is the bigger screen. The StanbyME 2 Max now packs a 32-inch 4K UHD display, giving films, games and box sets a noticeable boost over the original model's QHD panel. LG has also added Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support, so the picture should look sharper and the built-in speakers should sound considerably fuller, too.

Under the bonnet sits LG's latest Alpha 8 AI Processor Gen3, which handles everything from upscaling lower-resolution content to optimising sound on the fly. AI Picture Pro enhances contrast and detail, AI Super Upscaling sharpens older content to better suit the larger display, while AI Sound Pro creates a virtual 11.1.2 surround sound effect without needing an external speaker system.

Of course, the StanbyME has never really been about raw specs. The whole point is that it goes where a normal TV can't.

Like its predecessor, the screen clips onto a wheeled stand that can be rolled from room to room, but it can also be detached completely if you want to use it elsewhere. It's a very posh version of seeing a screen rolled into history to watch Downfall.

It'll also rotate between landscape and portrait mode, making it better suited to everything from TikTok and Instagram Reels to video calls and mobile apps. In many ways, it feels less like a traditional television, but it's easy to see how it can fit into modern life.

LG is also leaning into the "lifestyle" side of things. The StanbyME 2 Max comes with access to LG Gallery+, letting users display more than 5,000 artworks when the screen isn't busy streaming TV. So instead of staring at a blank black rectangle in your living room, you can pretend you're the sort of person who owns a digital art gallery.

Powering the whole thing is a built-in battery that promises up to four-and-a-half hours of video playback on a single charge, meaning you won't need to be tethered to a socket. When it does eventually run flat, you can recharge it either through the docking stand or directly via USB-C.

Entertainment options include LG Channels, the company's free ad-supported streaming service, alongside the usual selection of apps available through webOS.

The StanbyME 2 Max has already picked up a CES 2026 Innovation Award in the Content & Entertainment category, although LG has yet to confirm UK pricing or a release date. Given the original StanbyME wasn't exactly cheap, expect this bigger, smarter model to command a fairly premium price when it eventually lands.

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Whilst Department Q may sound like some kind of offshoot of some Bond-esque section of the Government, it’s actually a pretty good hit Netflix show. Or both. So good in fact that season two is going to be hitting our screens before long, with some pretty impressive names already added to the cast list.

Matthew Goode stars in the leading role as surely detective DCO Carl Morck and leads a semi-reluctant team of oddballs. A somewhat cantankerous boss, his team of misfits includes Akram Salim, played by Alexej Manvelov, Leah Byrne as DC Rose Dickson and DS James Hardy, who is played by Jamie Sives. The first season followed the team as they dug into a cold case of a missing woman from years ago, and followed the trail of her abduction. The series itself is based on the best-selling crime novel series by Danish author Jussi Adler-Olsen, and the second season is expected to pick up on a second cold case. Mark Bonnar is set to return as Stephen Burns, as is Kate Dickie as Moira Jacbonson.

Season two has officially kicked off filming, and is set to welcome several new faces, including British actor Greg Wise (The Crown), Irish actor Aisling Franciosi (Game of Thrones), and Scottish actor Tony Curran (Outlander).

Also joining the ensemble is Hamish Clark (Monarch of the Glen) as Christopher Herron, Alex Ferns (Waiting for the Out) as Phil Allenbeck, Ross Anderson (Knight of the Seven Kingdoms) as Ricky Daddario, Rebecca Root (Heartstopper) as June Lovesay and Isla Johnston (The Queen's Gambit) as Agnes.

Dept. Q comes from writer-director Scott Frank (The Queen’s Gambit) and is exec produced by Frank, Rob Bullock and Charlotte Moore. The production company is Left Bank which TV swats will recognise as the same team behind The Crown, another of Netflix’s major hitters.

As for what season 2 is about, executive producer Rob Bullock said in a statement: “This season, Carl and his band of misfits tackle a terrible crime hidden in the highest echelons of Scottish society. It is a story for our times: rich and powerful people who believe they are above the law. Carl, of course, knows otherwise.”

We don’t know exactly when the second season will be landing, with no official release date from the streamer, but with production under way it hopefully won’t be long until we more mystery and Morck one liners on our screens.

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If there’s anyone you can rely on to lift the spirits of you and your (cha)buddies, it’s comedian Asim Chaudhry.

The quick-quipping wheeler-dealer star of TV’s People Just Do Nothing and Hollywood sleeper hit Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die has already made it to honorary wingman status after joining us in the Shortlist Pub Corner earlier this year for a hilarious chat. So, as Men’s Mental Health Week kicks off in the UK, who better than Asim for some friendship-saving life advice?

Asim’s teamed up with men's grooming brand Harry's for the Dial Up The Feel Good campaign, in partnership with men's mental fitness charity Talk Club, encouraging men to check in on the people they care about.

The campaign follows new YouGov research commissioned by Harry's, which found that more than half (56%) of UK men say humour or banter makes emotional conversations easier, while 41% say sending a funny meme or video is their way of saying "I'm thinking of you" without getting too mushy.

While we’re slowly stepping away then from the ‘Man-up’ approach to dealing with our personal struggles, there’s still work to be done, and even a star on the rise like Asim isn’t immune to those mood-killing moments of doubt and despair.

“A few weeks ago, I was in a proper rut, just completely stuck in my own head, staring at the walls of the studio and feeling creatively drained,” he tells us.

“It’s that classic imposter syndrome thing where you pour everything into a script, it hits a wall, and suddenly you're looking at the whole industry thinking, ‘What am I even doing here?’ When your job is making people laugh, feeling completely blank inside is a weird, heavy place to be.”

The route to recovery? A simple chat with his closest of friends, his wife.

“My wife actually works as a therapist, so she knows how to handle my emotional maturity, or lack of it. She saw I was spiralling. What got me back on my feet wasn't some massive epiphany. She didn't give me a big motivational speech or try to fix my career. She just dragged me out of the house for a massive walk to the park.

“We just sat there, and it grounded me. It reminded me of the team element of being married, and how much the simple things matter. We went home, I spent some time with my little boy, and hearing him laugh just completely shut down all the silly industry anxieties I was holding onto.

“Growing up in Hounslow, left to my own devices, I learned how to just get on with things. But sometimes you get so caught up in the madness of the business that you forget to unplug.”

Got a friend who’s also in need of a pick me up? We asked Asim for his top tips for helping a friend through some of life’s most challenging life events.

Asim Chaudhry on what to say or do if…

1…Your pal breaks up with their partner

I think the instinct is often to try and fix it, but most of the time your mate doesn't need solutions - they just need someone in their corner. I'd probably start by checking in and seeing what they need. Sometimes that's a proper chat, sometimes it's getting them out of the house for a coffee or a walk, and sometimes it's just sending them a stupid meme to let them know they're not on their own.

Breakups can make people feel isolated, so I think the important thing is consistency. Don't just ask how they're doing once and disappear. Keep checking in, even if it's with something as simple as "Fancy a pint?" or "Want to watch the game?" Those little moments can make a bigger difference than people realise.

2…Your mate loses their job

I've had moments in my career where things haven't gone to plan and it can really knock your confidence. When someone loses a job, it's easy for them to start questioning their value, so I'd remind them that a job is something you do, not who you are.

I'd also try and be practical. Ask if there's anything you can actually help with - whether that's looking over a CV, making introductions or just giving them a break from thinking about it for an hour. Sometimes the best thing you can do is help someone remember they're more than whatever setback they're dealing with.

3… A friend’s loved one passes away

That's one of those situations where there's rarely a perfect thing to say. I think people put pressure on themselves to come up with some profound words when actually just being there is what matters.

When someone is grieving, I try not to make it about finding a solution because there isn't one. I'd check in, listen if they want to talk, sit with them if they don't and help with practical things where I can. A lot of people disappear after the first week or two, but grief doesn't work to a timetable. Sometimes checking in a month later can mean just as much.

4… You’ve had a massive bust-up with a (cha)buddy

The older I've got, the more I've realised that being right isn't always the most important thing. If it's someone you genuinely care about, you've got to be willing to put your ego to one side.

I'd probably start by picking up the phone. Text messages are brilliant for a lot of things, but they're terrible for tone. I'd be honest about my part in whatever happened and actually listen to their side too. Most friendships survive disagreements if both people are prepared to have an honest conversation.

And if it gets too serious, a badly timed joke can sometimes help as well. That's probably the comedian in me.

5…Your mate is so blue they can’t even get out of bed

I'd take it seriously and I'd make the effort to show up. Sometimes when people are struggling, the smallest tasks can feel overwhelming, so I'd try not to pile pressure on them.

Maybe that's a phone call. Maybe it's turning up with a coffee. Maybe it's sitting with them and getting them out for a ten-minute walk. The key thing is reminding them they're not carrying everything on their own.

That's one of the reasons I wanted to support Harry's partnership with Talk Club. The campaign is all about encouraging people to make that call, send that message or check in on a mate, because those small acts of connection can genuinely make a difference when someone's having a tough time.

One of the things I like about the Harry's Feel Good Hotline campaign is that it recognises connection doesn't always have to be some huge emotional conversation. Sometimes it's a check-in, a joke, a message or a quick call. Those little moments can be enough to let someone know they're seen, and that can be incredibly powerful when they're having a tough time.

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Sadie Sink is on a hot streak – and rightfully so. She's fresh off her West End run as Juliet in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, and set to star in the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Now, she’s been confirmed to lead in the new adaptation of Pulitzer-Prize winning Jeffery Eugenides novel The Marriage Plot.

FX and Disney are on board the project, and have greenlit a limited series based on the 2011 novel. The series has been written by Will Arbery and is set to be directed by Hiro Murai.

The story focuses on three college friends from Brown University — Madeleine Hanna, Leonard Bankhead, and Mitchell Grammaticus — beginning in their senior year, 1982, and subsequently follows them during their first year post-graduation. They are caught in an all-consuming love triangle as they reconcile their youthful romantic aspirations with looming adulthood, and make life-altering choices about love and identity. And to think when we graduated the only all-consuming choice was whether to have a Pot Noodle or Beans on Toast.

We don’t have any further information on casting yet, with no clues as to who the other two in the aforementioned triangle would be, but fans of Luca Guadagnino's Challengers will no doubt be excited nonetheless. However, we do know Sink will on board as an executive producer, alongside Arbery and Murai. The series will stream on Hulu.

Speaking about the project, Gina Balian, president of FX Entertainment, described it as “ambitious, character-driven storytelling” in an official statement. According to her, “The Marriage Plot is a perfect fit for FX: ambitious, character-driven storytelling that offers another great opportunity to partner with exceptional artists. We look forward to building on our partnerships with Will and Hiro, both of whom are extraordinary talents with whom we are proud to work again.”

Sink is best known for playing Max Mayfield in Netflix's Stranger Things which concluded on December 2025 with the fifth season.

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Televisions are becoming gloriously complicated again.

Just when you thought you’d nailed all the acronyms (OLED, HDR, QLED, etc), there’s a bunch of new jargon to master as a fresh wave of screen TV tech heads to the high street. But don’t fret if you don’t know your True RGB from your Freely - we’re here to help you through what’s hot to watch in 2026.

It’s actually a great time to buy a new telly. The latest display innovations mean better-than-ever picture quality, while screen sizes are getting bigger than ever.

And with a summer of sport on the way, led by the FIFA World Cup, who doesn’t want a shiny new screen to catch all the action on?

We’ve taken an early look at the latest models and the best of the rest, so you can upgrade your viewing with confidence. Whether you want a picture-perfect OLED, massive Micro RGB, or simply the best value gogglebox around, we’ve got you covered…

Best TV for Picture Quality

• Samsung R95H Micro RGB
• Price: £3,299 (65-inch)
• Screen sizes available: 65-, 75-, 85-inches
• Size: 1442.9 x 831.2 x 52 mm (wxhxd)
• Display Technology: Micro RGB
• HDMI: Yes, x 4
• HDR: YesOperating System: Tizen
• Price: £3,299
• Weight: 19.1kg

Samsung’s latest flagship TV, the R95H, uses ground-breaking Micro RGB display technology for a truly scintillating picture. Micro-sized red, green, and blue LED backlights offer breathtaking brightness and colour richness. Powered by Samsung’s Micro RGB AI Engine, the R95H delivers exceptional colour accuracy, along with deep blacks and pristine detail. Not only is the R95H exceptionally bright, it sports a Glare Free screen coating that keeps unwanted room reflections and lights at bay. All this makes it ideal for bright room viewing.

Sound isn’t too shabby either, thanks to an 8-channel Dolby Atmos audio system. And if you need more reasons to buy, there’s also Tizen, Samsung’s highly polished smart platform, which comes with all the key streaming services, alongside Samsung TV Plus, a collection of free-to-watch linear channels.

The price tag may be toppy, but if you want the next-gen image quality, it’s definitely worth paying.

Best TV for Sports

• Sony BRAVIA 7 II True RGB
• Price £1,999 (55-inch)
• Screen sizes available: 50-, 55-, 65-, 75-, 85-, 98-inches
• Size: 1228 x 784 x 80mm (wxhxd)
• Display Technology: True RGB
• HDMI: Yes, x 4
• HDR: YesOperating System: Google TV
• Price: £1,999
• Weight: 18.4kg

Sony has been turning heads with its own take on Micro RGB technology, dubbed True RGB. The BRAVIA 7 II is the more affordable of its two debut launches (positioned under the all-singing and dancing BRAVIA 9 II), and we reckon it's the sweeter buy. Prices range from £1,899 for the 50-inch, up to £6,999 for the 98-incher.

Image quality is exceptionally good, with superb colours, punchy HDR and pronounced contrast. It looks great when you want to hunker down in the dark and watch a movie (it boasts Dolby Vision and IMAX Enhanced certification), but what’ll win you over is its bright room performance, colour fidelity and motion handling.

Long a strong suit for BRAVIA screens, frame interpolation is top-notch, with minimal blur and exceptional clarity, perfect for watching fast-moving sports.

Best TV for games

• LG OLED Evo C6
• Price: £2,599 (65-inch)
• Screen sizes available: 42-, 48-, 55-, 65-, 77- 83-inches
• Size: 1441 x 826 x 45.1mm (wxhxd)
• Display Technology: OLED
• HDMI: Yes, x 4
• HDR: YesOperating System: web OS
• Price: £2,599
• Weight: 16.6kg

The C series from LG is one of the world’s best-selling OLED TVs for good reason. Combining superb 4K picture quality with a feature-rich webOS smart TV platform, it’s a premium all-rounder and an irresistible option for gamers - and this year’s C6 OLED Evo may be its best yet.

All four HDMI inputs offer 4K/120Hz support, and there’s a host of PC friendly features, including a 165Hz refresh rate for PC gamers, low input lag Game mode, and NVIDIA G-Sync / AMD FreeSync Premium support.

OLED picture performance, as you’d expect, is gorgeous. Powered by LG’s latest Alpha 11 Gen 3 processor, HDR highlights are the brightest we’ve seen on a C series model, while black levels remain deep and inky. Whether you’re playing Overwatch or binging The Boroughs, the C6 looks detailed, vibrant and highly cinematic.

Best TV for value

• Hisense E7Q
• Price: £319 (50-inch)
• Screen sizes available: 43-, 50-, 55-, 65-, 75-, 85-, 98-inches
• Size (Dimensions without stand): 1119 x 649 x 80 mm (wxhxd)
• Display Technology: QLED
• HDMI: Yes, x 4
• HDR: YesOperating System: VIDAA
• Price: £319
• Weight: 9.4kg

Flagship flatscreens are all well and good, but when your purse demands you rein in your expectations, there are still exceptional buys to be had. This 50-inch Hisense E7Q will set you back just £319, while the monster 98-inch Pro version is a mere £1,199 (from AO.com).

There’s no skimping on features either. The E7Q is built around the VIDAA smart TV, so it comes with all the usual streaming apps and offers bright, colour-rich pictures courtesy of its QLED panel. Home cinema niceties include Dolby Vision HDR support and Filmmaker Mode, but there are also dedicated Game and Sport Modes, making it ideal for the footie.

But what really sells this affordable Hisense to us is the provision of Freely, the Internet delivered stablemate of Freeview. With Freely, you don’t need a traditional TV aerial to watch all your mainstream TV channels (BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 and so on), just Wi-Fi and an internet connection. This means you can park your new screen in any room, anywhere you like, without having to run cables. Hurrah!

Best TV for Pay channels

• Sky Glass Air
• Price: From £17 monthly + channel package (65-inch)
• Screen sizes available: 43-, 55-, 65-inches
• Size (Dimensions without stand): 1446 x 829 x 34 mm (wxhxd)
• Display Technology: QLED
• HDMI: Yes, x 3
• HDR: YesOperating System: Sky Entertainment OS
• Price: £17 monthly + channel package
• Weight: 24.2kg

So what if you fancy a snazzy new 4K TV, but would rather pay for one on a contract, like a smartphone? Sky Glass Air is for you. This smart-looking LED model comes with Sky’s premium pay TV services baked in, with no external set-top box or dish required. The entire Sky channel enchilada is delivered over Wi-Fi.

Slimmer and some might say sexier, than the step-up Sky Glass Gen 2, Sky Glass Air is available in three screen sizes (43-, 55- and 65- inches) and comes in a choice of colours - Sea Green, Carbon Grey or Cotton White.

There’s HDMI with eARC, Wi-Fi 6 for ultra stable connectivity, and Dolby Vision HDR. Gamers might want to give the Air a swerve though, as it’s a 60Hz screen with noticeably high input lag.

Picture quality is bright and punchy. An Auto picture mode works in the background, optimising picture quality based on what you’re watching.

Obviously, the real attraction here is the broader Sky experience. The Sky OS neatly unifies live TV, streaming apps and cloud recording into one easy-to-use interface. Obviously what you can watch depends on your subscription package, but there’s no doubting the sheer variety on offer when it comes to entertainment, movies and sports. We’d suggest the best deal is the recently announced Sky Ultimate TV bundle (£24 a month), which includes Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max and Hayu, along with all the Sky general entertainment channels.

Sky Glass Air prices start at £6 a month (for the 43-inch model ) for a 48 month contract, plus your chosen monthly channels bundle.

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Good news, Vault dwellers! Amazon has finally lifted the lid on the Fallout TV show season 2 release date — and it’s coming soon enough that it might just dodge the real end of the world.

Amazon held a Prime Video TV show streaming showcase in New York’s Beacon Theatre yesterday, and used the event to promote its upcoming slate of shows and movies.

The biggest announcement was that Fallout season 2 will air in December 2025. The first season was something of a surprise mega-hit for Amazon — it’s the second most-streamed show on the service, following the vastly-more-expensive-to-produce Lord of the Rings spin-off, the Rings of Power. Fallout pulled off the near-impossible,

Doubling down on its confidence in the show, Amazon revealed that it’s already greenlit a third series of Fallout’s TV adaptation, too.

Fallout is based on the video game series of the same name, and tells an original story in its post-nuclear apocalypse world. It stars Ella Purnell, Walton Goggins and Kyle MacLachlan, blending humour with action as the world limps on centuries after a nuclear war.

What to expect in Fallout season 2

Now we’ve got a release window for Fallout season 2, we can turn our attention to what’s set to come next for the show.

Walton Goggins, who plays ‘The Ghoul’ on the show, has stated previously that season 2 takes what made the first batch of episodes special and “blows it out of the water.”

The show’s return will see the iconic gaming location of New Vegas — an irradiated version of Las Vegas that’s even sleazier than the real thing — take centre stage, much to the excitement of series fans who consider the game based around that settlement to be the Fallout high point.

There’s also been a number of interesting casting announcements — not least of all being Home Alone’s Macaulay Culkin joining the show.

And a third series is unlikely to be the last we see of the show. Aaron Moten who plays Maximus in the show, revealed the planned story could stretch over as many as five or six seasons.

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The hotly anticipated return of the Fallout TV show draws closer, as cast and crew confirm Fallout season 2 has completed filming. And one of the show’s stars has celebrated the news in fittingly ghoulish fashion.

Walton Goggins, the game-to-TV adaptation’s gunslinging Ghoul took to Instagram to reveal he’d finished with this series of the show… by tearing the skin from his face:

Not his actual skin, of course, but instead the rubbery prosthetic makeup he has to wear to convincingly pull off his irradiated character’s post-nuclear look. He tears at the sand-blasted red skin and chucks it at the camera — so here’s hoping it’s not needed for any post-production reshoots.

Other stars of the show also shared the news in more sedate fashion — lead actress Ella Purnell shared a photo with co-star and onscreen father Kyle MacLachlan, saying “"aaaaand that’s a wrap on @falloutonprime Season 2 folks!"

The official Fallout X account also shared a clip of Goggins’ skin removal, alongside the caption "Achievement unlocked! Fallout Season 2 has wrapped production."

But with post-production having kicked off in earnest — and this being a post-heavy, CGI-filled show — there’s no sign yet of a release date.

Returning to the wasteland

Airing on Amazon Prime Video from April 2024, the first season of the Fallout TV show was that rarest of things — a crossover smash hit that not only entertained streaming viewers, but was rapturously received by the hard-to-please fans of the games the show is adapted from.

The first series followed Purnell’s vault-dwelling Lucy, part of a commune that’s survived a post-nuclear war fallout for generations in underground living quarters, as she hunts down her missing father — unearthing a conspiracy along the way. The show deftly mixes established lore with great action and humour, and found legions of fans, prompting a swift follow up season.

As such, season 2 of the show began filming in November 2024, and we’ve had a trickle of news relating to its return since — though the production was delayed by Los Angeles’ brutal wildfires earlier this year, we’ve seen sets of iconic in-game locations, and heard news of wild casting moves, including the prime-time return of child star Macaulay Culkin.

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You can now see one episode of the new season of Black Mirror in the boozer where it was filmed: The Shacklewell Arms in East London.

The episode being shown is called Eulogy, and follows Paul Giamatti’s (The Holdovers, Billions) character attempting to pay tribute to a loved one by bringing to life old Polaroids and memories into something more tangible using AI. In typical Black Mirror fashion, the plot feels like a near reality and will no doubt be unnerving.

The AI voice will be brought to life by Patsy Ferran (Mickey 17), who described it as “a more human story of potential regret and sadness” when talking to Radio Times about the episode.

The latest installment of the terrifying and hit anthology series Black Mirror is set to release on 10th April on Netflix, the show's home since leaving Channel 4. This season of the show has six new episodes to be enjoyed (or maybe endured depending on how heavy they are), and as always, it is bringing along a stellar cast of names along for the ride. Cast members revealed so far include Peter Capaldi, Issa Rae, Will Poulter, as well as Giamatti.

In an unusual turn for the series, season 7 will also feature sequel episodes for the first time, returning to iconic stories from the past to explore their themes even further.

If you want to see the episode in a communal setting with other like-minded pub and Black Mirror enthusiasts, tickets are available and free—although we recommend booking because the small Dalston-based pub will only have limited seating.

The screening will be on Saturday, 12th April at 7pm, so you won’t have long to wait. It’s a great opportunity to experience some of the environment, creating a unique viewing opportunity. The episode looks a bit weepy, so maybe take some tissues and hope there’s no ugly crying. You can find the pub at the below address:

71 Shacklewell Lane

London

E8 2EB

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Main image via Netflix

Season 2 of Peacemaker is set to return this summer after a three-year hiatus. John Cena will return in the titular role, and DC Studios CEO James Gunn will write and direct the second season. And though it’s early days for the production, we’ve already got a glimpse of what to expect.

This first teaser, released overnight, offers little, considering it only lasts 11 seconds. But it does confirm that Cena, Daniella Brooks, and Jennifer Holland will all return for more of the comedic and bombastic action season that one delivered in abundance.

In this brief taste of what's to come, we see that Peacemaker is going to be facing the pressures of becoming more heroic — something that will no doubt be a theme throughout this season and what it means for Peacemaker’s conflicted character.

Following closely behind Superman

Superman will be released on July 11th, marking the first feature-length film in the newly-rebooted DC Universe. Just over a month later, season 2 of Peacemaker will arrive on August 21st.

The second season of Peacemaker marks the third project of the new DC Universe under Gunn’s guidance, which is undoubtedly a cause for confusion, considering the first season was part of the old universe before Gunn took charge as CEO.

What will no doubt spark more questions for the average DC movie viewer is that former Aquaman actor Jason Momoa is being recast as the bounty hunter Lobo, while Robert Pattinson’s Batman is being kept completely separate from this iteration of the DC universe. So before long we’ll have yet another Batman joining the fray, too.

It will be interesting to see how the Peacemaker show handles the shift to a reshaped universe, if it mentions it at all. Cena’s is one of the few characters from the former cinematic universe to seemingly make the cut into Gunn’s new vision unscathed. Luckily, we won’t have to wait long to find out where he fits in, with the second season arriving on HBO Max in the US and Sky Atlantic here in the UK late this summer.

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Think your family’s got drama? In new blockbuster crime series MobLand, they settle arguments with knives, not WhatsApp groups - and Dame Helen Mirren’s the one in charge.

The slick new crime drama from Guy Ritchie and Top Boy creator Ronan Bennett isn’t your typical story of gangsters and guns. Set in the heart of London’s underworld, MobLand drops you into the inner circle of the Harrigans, a crime family who live like royalty and kill like it's business as usual.

Leading the charge in the tale of warring crime families are Pierce Brosnan as dad Conrad Harrigan, a dangerously charismatic crime kingpin with ice in his veins, and Helen Mirren as Maeve, the family’s no-nonsense matriarch who could run a boardroom (or an arms gang). Add Tom Hardy as their confident and loyal fixer, Joanne Froggatt as his fiercely loyal wife, Lara Pulver as icy Bella Harrigan, and breakout turns from Anson Boon and Mandeep Dhillon as key players in the crime dynasties - and you’ve got a star-studded cast built primed for chaos.

MobLand is funny and vicious in equal measures - set amid sprawling country estates as much as the gritty streets of London, and with the kind of moral ambiguity that’ll leave you rooting for the villains. We sat down with the cast to get the behind the scenes secrets on the on-set chaos, even starrier plans for season two, and why Helen Mirren might be the most terrifying mob boss of all time.

1. It’s savage, stylish and if the knives don’t Get You, the charm will kill you

There’s violence in MobLand, but it’s the kind that sneaks up on you. “He finishes someone off by stomping on his neck - like squashing a bug,” says Anson Boon, of one of Pierce Brosnan’s most shocking moments in the series. The Pistol star explains. “I watched it and was like, Oh my gosh. That is awful!”

After Life star Mandeep Dhillon explains that it’s the contrast that makes it hit especially hard: “It’s very funny and has its light-hearted sides, and then totally shocks you when you’re in a false sense of security with something very dark.” She adds, “They live like royalty but do the most awful things… It’s more dangerous at the top.”

“It’s funny because these characters are so charming and alluring - but you know that they’ll screw you over at the drop of the hat. None of them can be trusted,” shares Spooks’ Lara Pulver.

And then there’s Pierce Brosnan, whose character’s duality left everyone reeling. “Pierce and Helen both do these brilliant character switches. It’s so juicy and fun to watch,” says Downton Abbey star Joanne Froggatt. In fact, in one scene she remembers, “I have this scene with Pierce and he’s really scary, really scary… and then he just goes, ‘Right, okay, off we go then,’ and he’s lovely and warm. Then he walked out and did this thing that wasn’t in the script, where he just started whistling, like your granddad might. It was so dark and eerie - it was just brilliant.”

Even off-set, his presence was surreal. Pulver shares: “He turned up on set and got out of his car in his suit, with his sunglasses on. One of our runners just went, ‘Oh my Gosh, you look like a movie star’ - I was like, he is a freaking movie star! It was really adorable.”

2. It’s packed with Guy Ritchie energy

Guy Ritchie’s name isn’t just on the project, it’s etched into its DNA. “He’s almost his own brand now,” says Joanne Froggatt. “If you put the Guy Richie stamp on it, there’s certain things you know you’re going to get.”

“It’s the twinkle, isn’t it?” agrees Lara Pulver, “The moments where you go from dark, to twinkle.”

“It was our job to colour in the rest,” explains Lara Pulver, “Grit, wit, something a bit edgy, something very truthful. You still want to be able to care about these people, even though they're chaotic and messy.”

“They’re not lovable, but you love to watch them,” adds Froggatt.

3. Dame Helen Mirren is the ultimate mob boss

Forget Vito Corleone or Tony Montana. Dame Helen Mirren rules MobLand - and the entire cast would willingly join her criminal empire. On who would make the best mob boss, there’s no doubt between them - it’s Mirren, through and through.”Helen Mirren,” says Anson Boon, without a second thought.

“She’s pretty naughty. She’s so fun. She just comes out with these one-liners… she commands so much respect because she’s so good at what she does. She has such a presence,” confesses Boon, “I’d work for her, if she was a crime boss. She could recruit me.”

“She’d handle business,” agrees Mandeep Dhillon. “Absolutely. I’d work for her.”

“She’s a boss", nods Joanne Froggatt. “Hands down,” adds Lara Pulver.

4. The cast bonded over Taylor Swift and green beans

For all its blood and tension, the set of MobLand wasn’t without its silliness. Anson Boon found himself in a scene that turned even more surreal between takes: “We were doing this dinner party scene which gets very violent and dangerous, at this seemingly ordinary, lovely family dinner party. I was drinking from a wine glass of water during the scene, and I was thinking, why does this grape juice taste like green beans? It tasted like a soggy roast dinner.” The answer? Tom Hardy. “I realised Tom kept throwing things in my drink between every take.”

Joanne Froggatt had a dinner party moment of realisation too: ”I did Downton Abbey for many years, and there were a lot of dinner parties in that - and I did sit there and go, wow! They wouldn't have this at the Abbey!”

There were more laughs off-set, too. “On the last day of the shoot, Lara turned into a DJ in the makeup trailer. At half seven in the morning, we were all dancing in the makeup trailer to Taylor Swift and the mimosas came out,” Froggatt reveals, before clarifying, “We didn’t have any mimosas, actually. We were good. We were too tired.”

“It’s not what you'd expect from the masculine MobLand!” she adds.

5. They’re dreaming big for season two

The cast aren’t done with MobLand - and if they get their way, season two could bring in some serious heat. “It really does feel like we’ve just started,” says Dhillon. “The book is not closed yet, we’re not done with these characters,” adds Boon.

So, with an already A-list cast, who would be their dream picks to join the ensemble for a second season? “Gary Oldman. He would be so good in it. He’s my favourite actor,” shares Boon.

“We need to get Al Pacino,” muses Pulver. “That would be very cool - an Al Pacino-Pierce Brosnan face off!” adds Froggatt, eyes lighting up at the showdown.

But, fans won’t have to wait until then to see more stars join the cast though, teases Pulver: “Fantastic British stock. I don’t think they’ve been announced yet.” Boon adds, “There are a few surprises that you'll learn as the season goes on - people that come into really important roles, really great actors. We won't spoil it for you now, but you should be excited.”

MobLand is available to stream on Paramount+ now.

A Scooby-Doo live-action series is officially coming to Netflix, with the news causing intense waves of nostalgia for everyone aged 20-40.

Everyone will be familiar with the classic Hanna-Barbera cartoon from days of non-flat screen TVs, scheduled, non-skippable ad breaks, and Sunny Delight. But Netflix has announced that a live-action adaptation is officially on the way. Back in April 2024, the streaming site initially green lit a first series of eight episodes - although given how excited the entire office is, it probably won’t be long until another series is confirmed.

As you’d imagine, the whole crew are back, with the team of Shaggy, Daphne, Freddy, Velma, and the eponymous Scooby Doo all back in detective mode. The first series will reportedly focus on the story of how the crime-solving team came together.

Netflix announced on X that this series will be a “modern reimagining” of the original show, where “old friends Shaggy and Daphne team up at summer camp with scientific townie Velma, and the strange but handsome Fred to solve the mystery of a lonely lost Great Dane puppy who may have witnessed a supernatural murder.”

Warner Bros. will produce the series, with Greg Berlanti’s own production company also involved. Scott Rosenberg and Josh Appelbaum—the names behind hits including Cowboy Bebop and High Fidelity—are writing and executive producing. They will be joined by Andrew Nemec and Jeff Pinkner, Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, and Leigh London Redman, all also executive producing.

There have been no announcements on casting yet, although the original live action line up of Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, Matthew Lillard, and Linda Cardinellini will take some beating.

Whilst many will be familiar with the 2002 live-action film adaptation of Scooby-Doo this will be the first live action series adaptation of the show. Scooby-Doo has seen numerous spin-offs already, including Velma in 2023, and Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? in 2019. And, not forgetting the memorable sequel to the 2002 film, Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, which, amongst many unforgettable moments, included Daphne's iconic head-to-toe purple outfits and those purple Versace boots that we’re convinced were the reason behind the recent return of knee-high.

Peter Friedlander, vice president of scripted series at Netflix, said: “Mystery Inc. is back in business! We’re excited to bring Scooby-Doo to TV as a live-action series for the first time.

“The beloved franchise has had an impact on pop culture that is undeniable — it’s rich with universal themes of friendship that generations of fans have long embraced. Together with creative powerhouses Berlanti Productions and Midnight Radio, we’re committed to delighting longtime fans and opening up a world of groovy adventures for a new era of meddling kids.”

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Main image credit: John M. Heller/Getty

We're now six episodes into series three of The White Lotus and Mike White is yet to disappoint. We've had Jason Isaacs playing a Southern American businessman, Jon Gries making a surprise return as Greg / Gary, plus Parker Posey and that accent. It's fair to say that between the beautiful scenery of Koh Samui in Thailand, and the less scenic antics of the guests, The White Lotus has deliveredonce again.

But if your head is spinning at all the easter eggs and red herrings, fear not, as we've pulled together the ten wildest theories about what's going to happen in series three.

1. Valentin & Mook were involved in the robbery

We definitely haven’t heard the end of the robbery storyline - the main theory is that Valentin and his friends (especially the mysterious if haunted Vlad) were involved. Fans are also speculating that the sweet and lovely Mook is also involved - is there another reason she constantly appeases Gaitok’s unrequited love? And is very friendly with the other guards? During the hotel-shop robbery, a snake bracelet was among the items stolen - is it going to make a mysterious reappearance around one of the characters’ wrists…

2. There’s a second gun

Don’t you think it was a little easy for Gaitok - who seemingly hasn’t been able to do a single thing right throughout the series yet - to find the gun in the Ratcliffe’s room on his first go? Also, the opening scene teased a shooting - surely there is at least a second gun if not more.

3. The dead body in the opening scene wasn’t a shooting victim but killed by the poison fruit

Mike White is synonymous with red herrings. For every single easter egg he sends our way, you can almost guarantee that at least fifty per cent of them are red herrings designed to distract us. The Pong Pong tree mentioned early on in the show, although perhaps a little obvious, could be foreshadowing a death.

The tree exists in real life, and is sometimes called the suicide tree because people often use the seeds from the fruit to take their own life. Fan theories hypothesise that the body in the water is one of the men, either who has taken their own life (Tim) or been poisoned. And, it’s a red herring to distract away from the chaos that unfolds thanks to the gunshots.

4. Saxon sexually abused Piper who’s trying to protect Lochlan, and seeks her escape through Buddhism

A darker, heavier theory, but the incest theme is perhaps Mike White’s most controversial to date. The theory is that Saxon - played by Patrick Schwarzenegger - sexually assaulted Piper - Sarah Catherine Hook - which explains why she is permanently stand-offish with him, and goes out of her way to try and protect Lauchlin from Saxon - worried that he will attempt similar advances. Plus, fans reckon that the parents (or at least Victoria) knows about it, hence the dependency on her pills.

Another fan theorised that each member of the Ratcliff family represents breaking one of the five precepts in Buddhism. One precept is to refrain from stealing, implying Tim and his current legal predicament. Another is to refrain from intoxicants which connects to Victoria and her pills. A refrain from sexual misconduct would be Saxon, for obvious reasons. This would leave refrain from lying and killing to Piper and Lochlan. If Piper is lying about why they came to Thailand and about what Saxon has done to her in the past, that would leave the killing to Lochlan. Whilst it’s more of a tenuous hypothesis, it would tie in with the theory that the body in the water in the opening scene is not a victim of the shooting but the poison fruit.

5. Greg will bribe Belinda to keep quiet, giving her the money that Tanya promised her in the first place

5. Greg will bribe Belinda to keep quiet, giving her the money that Tanya promised her in the first place

The Greg/Gary reappearance gets 10/10 from us as a twist. We know there is already tension building there as Greg has tried to invite Belinda to a dinner at his villa, already ominously telling Chloe that he needs her help with something. A murder feels almost too obvious (unless Greg blackmails Saxon into doing it for him), so the theory is that Greg will use his (Tanya’s) money to bribe her into silence, finally allowing Belinda to open her own spa as she was originally promised back in season one.

6. It’s actually a monkey who is doing the shooting, not a person

Hear me out, monkeys have been everywhere since this series started. White has gone out of his way to signpost the monkeys in this series - from Belinda being worried that one will jump on her head to the female trio commenting on them when they arrived, monkeys are definitely going to feature. And, wouldn’t it be a classic White Lotus twist if there wasn’t a serial gunman, but a light-fingered monkey?

7. The Monkey will shoot Greg/Gary

Stay with me. This series has focused a lot on themes of karma and reincarnation, exploring different aspects of Buddhism. The theory is that Greg/Gary will be the victim of the gunshots heard in the opening scene, and that monkey is the reincarnated spirit of Tanya. If you need some evidence, may I present to you the detectives of Reddit:

• In the first episode (series one), Tanya shows up wearing a dress that has monkeys all over it
• In the second episode — Tanya falls asleep during a massage that Belinda is giving her, and says she was dreaming she was on top of a mountain in Asia with a cyanide pill
• In the third episode - named “Mysterious Monkeys” — Tanya has another dream where she’s in the ocean and throwing her mother’s ashes in the water. She wakes up from the dream and the background noise is monkeys screeching.
• In season two the theme continues. In her hotel room, a monkey painting hangs in the background, and in episode five, Quentin casually mentions someone who “died like a monkey,” right before Tanya meets her own tragic end.
• Now in season three, the monkey imagery has taken over. The very first shot of the season is a monkey, and they’re scattered throughout the environment, always present, always watching.
• The first episode of season three is called “same spirits, different forms” which could be a hint to reincarnation

8. There will be three victims in the end

Apart from this being the third series, there have been references to threes and trios throughout the season - three siblings, three friends, the three monkeys (see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil). And, let’s not forget Chelsea’s conviction that “bad things always happen in threes”.

9. Rick is wrong about his father

Rick feels like the character we know the least about. For instance, what actually is his job? We’re all guessing it’s along the hitman / private investigator path, but we don’t actually know. We know about his difficult upbringing, fuelling his desire to visit Thailand and the owner’s husband. However, after Rick reveals a picture of his father in the most recent episode, fans have been quick to speculate that his real father is still alive, and connected with The White Lotus hotels.

10. Laurie’s daughter is Portia (Tanya’s old assistant)

Anyone else remember Portia? Tanya’s long-suffering assistant, played by Haley Lu-Richardson in season two. The toxic trio often reference their kids, but we don’t have many details beyond that. All that has been referenced is Laurie’s daughter, who is “such a cool girl” and “doing so well”. So well that she’s flying around the world with a millionaire, perhaps? This is definitely the most far-fetched theory, but let’s face it, we wouldn’t put anything past Mike White at this point.

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Image credit: HBO

HBO’s Harry Potter reboot has been fairly tight-lipped on its casting so far - John Lithgow is the only other major name that has been circulated. And, this was only due to an initial blunder from Lithgow who mentioned it in an interview whilst HBO declined to comment.

But, the most recent name to be connected with the series is Nick Frost who is reportedly in talks to play Rubeus Hagrid. Known for his acting in Edgar Wright’s Cornetto Trilogy, Paul, and Get Away to name a few, Nick Frost is reportedly nearing a deal to play Hagrid according to Deadline.

Once again, HBO declined to comment on the rumours, issuing the same statement they had given previously when the John Lithgow/Albus Dumbledore reports were circulating. Whilst Lithgow has since confirmed his role in the series, all Frost has said on the matter are a few ambiguous words on Instagram.

On Thursday 20th, Frost posted a selfie with the caption: “What a bloody lovely day! It’s happening, it’s actually happening. Stay cool.” Fans have been speculating in the comments, with some posting Hagrid GIFs, commenting about his potential casting in the Harry Potter TV show - whilst others are hoping for another Pegg x Frost collaboration.

For those completely unfamiliar with the Potter-world, Hagrid is the groundskeeper at Hogwarts, and a key character across all seven books. The role was played in the original films by Robbie Coltrane, who won hearts with his endearing performance as the gentle giant.

Other actors speculated to be cast in the series include Paapa Essiedu who is reportedly being considered for Severus Snape, and Janet McTeer as McGonagall. Meanwhile, for the main trio of Harry, Ron, and Hermione, HBO is choosing unknown actors, and has received a reported 32,000 audition tapes to find them.

Francesca Gardiner is showrunning and is serving as executive producer along with Mark Mylod. Mylod is also set to direct multiple episodes.

HBO plans to produce the Harry Potter series over the course of a decade, adapting each book into an individual season, and keep them faithful to the books.

Whilst J.K. Rowling has become a very controversial figure over recent years, a spokesperson for HBO told Variety “J.K. Rowling has a right to express her personal views,

“We will remain focused on the development of the new series, which will only benefit from her involvement.”

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Main image credit: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/WireImage

I would bet that nearly every single child growing up in the UK has a core memory of Blue Peter - it was an unspoken rule that anyone who obtained the coveted Blue Peter badge had automatic playground superiority. If I took a shot for every snotty primary school kid who brought in some kind of Blue Peter paraphernalia in for show and tell, I would be blackout right about now.

Blue Peter is cemented in the collective British childhood; as the BBC’s (and the world’s) longest running children’s show, it has graced our screens for over 66 years with the first episode airing in 1958. But, the BBC has announced a major shake-up for the beloved show, as it will be moving away from a live format to being pre-recorded only.

The BBC has said that this change is owing to a change in viewing habits, and has cancelled future live episodes. At its peak, the show ran three times a week on BBC One. The show will continue to be broadcast on iPlayer, BBC Two and CBBC according to the BBC, in its new pre-recorded format.

Blue Peter has seen 43 presenters including Valerie Singleton, Anthea Turner, Richard Bacon, Matt Baker, Gethin Jones, and Helen Skelton to name a few.

Former host, Simon Thomas, shared his reaction to the news on Instagram on Friday (21st). “Apparently (I had no idea) today is the last ever LIVE Blue Peter on television,” he wrote. He clarified that “the show isn’t finishing”. Thomas said he would be “forever grateful” for his time on Blue Peter, saying that “the show took a chance” on him, despite being “a complete unknown”, and he had previously been told he “would never make it as a kids presenter.”

Thomas went on to say that “We probably didn’t realise it at the time; but we were working in the last years of the golden age of children’s TV”. He finished by saying that reminiscing had “reaffirm[ed] how blessed” he feels to have been able to work on the show. Other ex-presenters including Mat Baker, Katy Hill, and Zoe Salmons commented on his post, sharing their memories and love for the show.

Shini Muthukrishnan, Joel Mawhinney, and Abby Cook comprise the current presenter lineup.

A BBC spokesperson said: “Blue Peter continues to be loved by generations across the UK.

“As we continue to navigate a challenging market and young audience viewing habits evolve, it is necessary to make some changes to ensure that BBC Studios Kids and Family Productions delivers a dynamic, digital-first brand that will future-proof the show and sustain its legacy for years to come.”

With YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram all becoming popular streaming platforms with growing audiences for Children’s entertainment, Blue Peter might just be the first casualty of the industry's fight for survival.

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Main image via BBC

Adolescence has made a splash across screens since it launched last week - unsurprising for a gripping crime show with an insane cast. Plus, it’s all filmed in a single continuous shot, so every episode unfolds in real-time, leaving viewers completely immersed in the intense unfolding of the truth.

With Steven Graham co-writing with Jack Thorne - the guy behind hits including Toxic Town, Enola Holmes, and His Dark Materials TV adaptation in 2019 its strong cast is only matched by the superb writing which will leave your head spinning.

A quick recap on the plot for anyone else who binge-watched it in two days and has subsequently forgotten the detail: in an English town, police break down the door of a family home and arrest Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old boy, on suspicion of the murder of a classmate, Katie Leonard. Jamie is held at a police station for questioning, and then remanded in custody at a Secure Training Centre. Investigations at Jamie's school, and questioning by a forensic psychologist, reveal that Jamie has been deeply disturbed by school bullying via social media.

Adolescence isn’t based on an individual real-life case, but Stephen Graham revealed that the series was inspired by the growing knife-crime epidemic in the U.K. So if you’re after another mini-series to fill the gap, here are our top ten picks:

1. Toxic Town

Released at a similar time to Adolescence, Toxic Town has also received equal critical renown. Starring Jodie Whittaker, Claudia Jesse, and Amiee Lou Wood, it follows the true story of the Corby toxic waste case from 2009. Described as a British Erin Brockovich, it follows three mothers whose babies have all been born with birth defects as they embark on a journey for the truth.

If you’re after a real-life tense legal drama, this has to be on your list.

You can watch Toxic Town on Netflix.

2. Broadchurch

If you haven’t watched Broadchurch, where have you been? Although it’s well known and the first series was released over ten years ago in 2013, if you haven’t watched all three series, it’s definitely worth a watch - for David Tennent and Olivia Coleman alone.

Set in a picturesque British coastal town, each series follows slow-burn cases that rock the tight-knit community. It’s a must watch if you haven’t yet, or a rewatch if you’ve forgotten whodunnit.

You can watch Broadchurch on ITVX.

3. Criminal: United Kingdom

These might be some of the most tense watches I’ve had (aside from Adolescence). This series did not get the hype it deserved - it has one of the most incredible guest stars including Kit Harrington, Sharon Hogan, Kunal Nayyar, David Tennant, Hayley Atwell, and Youssef Kerkour. Each episode follows a separate case during police interrogation as they battle for a confession.

Plus, if you enjoy it, they have a French, Spanish, and German version - so whack on the subtitles and enjoy.

You can watch Criminal: UK on Netflix.

4. Safe

It wouldn't be a fair crime-drama listicle without a Harlen Coben feature. Netflix’s King of Crime, Coben’s Safe follows Tom Delaney - a widowed surgeon trying to raise his two daughters in a seemingly safe and picturesque area of England. After his 16 year old daughter Jenny goes missing, Tom uncovers a tangled web of secrets as he searches for her.

You can watch Safe on Netflix.

5. The Pembrokeshire Murders

Starring Luke Evans, The Pembrokeshire Murders is another series that should have gotten more hype. It’s a three-part series based on the real-life Pembrokeshire murders by serial killer John Cooper. Detective Superintendent Steve Wilkins decides to reopen two unsolved 1980s murder cases linked with a string of burglaries, hoping that using newly developed forensic DNA technology will help catch the suspect. And spoiler alert, it does.

You can watch The Pembrokeshire Murders on ITVX.

6. Andrew Tate: The Man Who Groomed the World?

Adolescence was heavily inspired by the rising knife crime in England, and the wave of young men being heavily influenced online. If this was one of the things about Adolescence that had you gripped, this documentary is an eye-opening dive into Tate’s alleged crimes, online footprint, public image, and the impact he has had on men.

You can watch Andrew Tate: The Man Who Groomed the World? on BBC iPlayer and Apple TV

7. Honour

You may be sensing a theme here as Honour is (yet another) British mini-series based on a real life case. Starring Keeley Hawes, it depicts the investigation into the disappearance and murder of honour killing victim Banaz Mahmod in 2006. The screenplay was created using first-hand experiences of key figures from the real case, including chief detective Caroline Goode. As well as a good crime drama, it’s an interesting insight into Iraqui-Kurdish family dynamics in modern day society.

You can watch Honour on ITVX.

8. A Confession

ITV may just be the GOAT of British real-life crime mini-series at this point. Starring Martin Freeman as Detective Superintendent Steve Fulcher, A Confession follows Fulcher’s investigation into the disappearance of a young woman in 2011. It first aired in 2019, inspired by a true story and follows Fulcher as he is accused of breaching protocol in order to obtain a confession. It’s like a play within a play - an investigation into an investigation - and is definitely worth a watch.

You can watch A Confession on Netflix and ITVX.

9. Believe me: The Abduction of Lisa McVey

Mixing it up with a Canadian-American crime-drama, Believe Me is based on the true abduction of McVey who escaped a serial killer using reverse psychology. However, after she escapes, the only person who believes her is Police Sergeant Larry Pinkerton, who is investigating the murders of nine women and believes her abductor to be the same perpetrator. It’s a tense race for truth as more secrets come to light as the investigation unfolds.

You can watch Believe me: The Abduction of Lisa McVey on Netflix.

10. The Undoing

The Undoing is an American mystery psychological thriller miniseries based on the novel You Should Have Known by Jean Hanff Korelitz. Set in New York on the Upper East Side, it follows Grace (played by Nicole Kidman) a wealthy therapist and her paediatric oncologist husband (Hugh Grant) who get embroiled in a murder case and must act fast to protect her son. It’s a classic too-good-to-be-true, have-it-all family whose fate takes a dark turn when a school mum is murdered.

It’s no wonder it was one of the most successful shows on Sky, with Susanne Bier of The Night Manager and After The Wedding directing, and David E Kelley writing the screenplay.

You can watch the Undoing on Now TV.

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It’s hard to say which is more iconic in Brit culture between The Inbetweeners and Oasis. The former gave us unforgettable moments from punching a fish in the face, ‘oohh fwend’, and of course, the ‘is this a word??’ revision scene amongst countless others.

Whilst the Gallagher brothers have given us bangers like Wonderwall, Don’t Look Back in Anger, and Champagne Supernova, alongside more family drama than an Eastenders episode.

Now however, you can have the best of both all in one place as Inbetweeners stars James Buckley and Joe Thomas have teamed up once again, taking on the roles of Liam and Noel in a Red Nose Day special. The story will chart the Gallagher brothers’ journey from Manchester lads to global rock sensations all with a comedic twist.

It’s a better cross-over than Greggs and Nigella, but what should viewers expect - other than Buckley and Thomas’ signature banter?

Well, the BBC has revealed there will be drama, sibling showdowns, and unexpected celebrity cameos, wrapped up in a heavy dose of Britpop nostalgia, iconic 90s music moments, and cheeky humour. Sign me right up.

Who else is starring?

They’ve got an outrageously star-studded cast joining them, including: Hugh Dennis, Martin Lewis, Micky Flanagan, Vernon Kay, Mark Silcox, Tasha Ghouri, Melvin Odoom, Roisin Conaty, and Piers Morgan. The cast are all rumoured to be stepping into recognisable roles from the band’s legendary story.

“I had such a fun time with Joe, making this sketch for Comic Relief, and was honoured to be asked to be a part of it.” Buckley said, and admitted to being “a huge Oasis fan”, so “getting to be Liam for the day was a dream come true.”

Joe Thomas said that he “grew up watching Comic Relief and the big sketch was always a highlight of the night. So it’s both thrilling and nerve wracking to be a part of it.”

The sketch will air as part of the Red Nose Day broadcast on Friday 21st March, which starts at 7pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

For die-hard fans or any others who were left heartbroken and ticketless, Comic Relief are offering the chance to experience the ultimate Oasis gig with an exclusive opportunity.

The lucky winners will receive two VIP tickets in the Royal Box at Wembley Stadium for the highly anticipated Oasis Reunion Tour on Saturday 2 August 2025, hosted by BBC Radio 2’s weekly mid-morning host Vernon Kay – a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for any fan.

Winners will also take home a piece of rock ‘n’ roll history, with a guitar signed by both Liam and Noel Gallagher, plus a set of official tour merchandise, as well as travel and accommodation for the night of Saturday 2 August. To find out how to enter online, via text or for free via post and for terms and conditions visit bbc.co.uk/rednoseday.

Photo credit: Credit: Jordan Mansfield/Comic Relief

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You might know Kaitlin Olson as the iconic Sweet Dee in the long-running It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Or you might be a fan from the hit show Hacks, where she plays Deborah "DJ" Vance Jr. But the early-adopters amongst us (a gang which I for once will tentatively count myself in) will soon know her from playing the sassy, and smart Morgan in Disney+’s new show High Potential. Think the wit and pace of Lorelai Gilmore and the brains of Sherlock Holmes merged together, solving crimes in eccentric outfits in LA, and you’d be on the money. As you can imagine, it’s one of the best watches you’ll have this year.

Already renewed for a second season that’s set to film in May, Kaitlin Olson sat down with us and spilled all the BTS secrets on her new crime-solving hit.

Shortlist: Hello Kaitlin! What has been your favourite episode of High Potential so far?

Kaitlin Olson: I loved the Pilot - it’s hard to say as all of them are great but I think the pilot encompassed all the elements of Morgan - how her mind works, but also her family and how much they mean to her. I also loved the hostage episode as that showed Morgan’s family and her relationships. Basically I love all the moments that show those authentic family moments.

SL: In High Potential you make a great crime fighting duo alongside Daniel Sunjata — but if you could be a member of any other crimestopping team, which would it be?

KO: Jessica Fletcher from Murder She Wrote. I think she would be a great duo with Morgan - Morgan would be sassy and Jessica would bring that sweet older-lady energy.

SL: High Potential is streaming on Disney+ — if Morgan was going to feature in any other Disney+ show which would you love her to be in?

KO: I mean, why not put her in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia? I think that would be such a fun crossover. I think Sweet Dee would hate her - I do not think they would get along!

SL: Are there any of Morgan’s traits that you feel like you have in real life? What do you feel connects you with her?

KO: Definitely being a mother and how much she loves and prioritises her kids, I really relate to that and connect with that. She’s quite a smartass too. Although whereas Morgan doesn’t care what people think and is a rule breaker, that’s definitely where we differ - I’m a rule follower.

SL: Which of the characters do you feel you would get on with in real life?

KO: Daphne and Soto. I love the relationship between Morgan and Daphne - as Daphne is a younger, up and coming detective there was potential for her to be jealous and have that rivalry with Morgan but [we] fought hard for that not to happen. I think Daphne and Morgan have a unique camaraderie.

When Morgan first starts, she doesn’t really trust anyone in the squad, but she does trust Daphne. They have a more unique relationship from the start - you know, I steal her lollipop and apologise because I feel really bad about it, this helps bring a more unique dynamic and relationship. It’s really great to see female leads relying on each other and being supportive instead of jealous as they can often stereotypically be.

SL: Who does Morgan have the most interesting relationship with?

KO: Karadec definitely. They have this ongoing relationship where they like and don’t like each other simultaneously. I know there are a lot of people gunning for their romance and for that to happen - maybe it will, who knows? I think what they do have is an authentic mutual trust that builds between them - they have a sort of sibling relationship at some points as they are both very different characters and personalities but ultimately need one another.

SL: Is there anything you’d love to see Morgan take on or to challenge her in the next series?

KO: Maybe lose one of the team for an episode and not have them working on one of the cases - Morgan always is the one who does the final solve, but she needs the team - so maybe a situation where she needs Karadec’s help.

SL: What was the hardest scene to film?

KO: Having to memorise that much information - like, Morgan’s mind works really fast and she knows so many facts that having to memorise it all can be a lot. One of the first scenes where I’m in a grocery store and doing all this quick maths - remembering all the figures was so hard - I had to put a post-it note on the ham!

SL: Anything you can hint about what people can expect from Season 2?

KO: Looking more into the characters’ backgrounds more and Morgan’s childhood. We start shooting in May…

SL: What drew you to Morgan as a character?

KO: How beautifully flawed she is. I think she’s quite misjudged because of the way she dresses and looks - when she joins the team she is seen and valued for the first time for what she can offer. There’s also a certain reluctance about Morgan with her intellect - it’s more of a challenge to her than something she brags about. Her brain is secondary to her personality and her identity as a mother. I really fell in love with Morgan when I read the script and thought I could bring something special to the role.

SL: What are you currently binge watching? And what do you think Morgan would be watching?

KO: I’ve been watching Paradise and Lioness. I don’t know, I think Morgan’s probably the same as me, but I don’t think she would be good to watch TV with - I think she'd be really annoying to watch with - a bit like my husband because he’s a writer! They’re the kind of people you want to watch stuff in a separate room from for sure.

SL: In the series, Morgan orders a Manhattan as her go-to drink, what’s yours?

KO: Probably a tequila, soda and lime.

SL: Finally, what can viewers expect from the season finale?

KO: A cliffhanger. (*cue dramatic pause). More on the Morgan and Roman storyline too.

• Stuck for what to watch? Check out the best movies and TV shows to stream this week

Main Photo Credit: High Potential is available to stream on Disney+

Jason Sudeikes, star and producer of Apple TV+ smash hit Ted Lasso, has confirmed the heartfelt comedy show will return for a fourth season.

That’s despite season three’s finale suggesting Ted’s time on the touchline was done. Ted appeared to be done managing the show’s fictional team AFC Richmond, leaving many fans yearning for even more of the optimistic football show.

And now, like a brush with the hand of god, their prayers have been answered.

Sudeikes didn’t give away much information about the next season of the show when he revealed the news on the New Heights podcast, hosted by the Kelce brothers.

The moustachioed manager did confirm that the next season will indeed see Ted’s return to AFC Richmond, but the twist this season will be that he is now managing the club's women’s team – something that was teased at the end of the third season during the show's wrap-up montage.

It will be interesting to see how the show justifies Ted’s return after his initial departure, which was emotionally charged and driven by his decision to return home to be with his son. It would be some twist if it turns out that Ted isn’t that into being a good dad after all.

Season three of Ted Lasso finished two years ago now, but Sudeikis did also confirm the same writers are working away at the next batch of episodes. So although we don’t have any information regarding when to expect season four, at least we know the brilliantly positive brains behind the show’s success so far are busy working away.

Due to the show's new focus, with new players and a different team, it will be incredibly exciting to see who is cast to join the show and who is going to return.

• If you can’t wait for even more Ted Lasso but need to make the most of your subscription, here are all the best shows to watch on Apple TV+, with plenty of genuinely cracking shows on offer.

Country trio Remember Monday has officially been announced as this year’s UK Eurovision entry and it has got most of the UK feeling nostalgic about some of the best and weirdest entries of all time. To this day I’m still not sure which is weirder, Jedward entering Eurovision for Ireland in 2011, or Jedward actually finishing in the top ten.

From the iconic Lordi in 2006 to Latvian pirates in 2008, Eurovision has been home to the whacky and the wonderful - and of course you can’t really talk about Eurovision in the first place without mentioning ABBA. But amongst all the memorable performances and songs that litter Eurovision’s long history, it can be easy to forget some of the legendary artists that have represented the UK.

1. Lulu, 1969

Clearly, the Eurovision judges were a little indecisive that year, as there was not one winner, but four. Luckily for the UK, Lulu was one of those winners, and was placed in joint first with her song Boom bang-a-bang, which remains to this day one of the biggest earworms you can catch, so maybe don’t have a listen unless you’re prepared to be singing the chorus for the next week or so.

2. Sandie Shaw, 1967

Sandie had to be on the list not just because she’s one of the most successful British singers of the 60s, but also because she made history by being the first British entry to win Eurovision. She has had three UK number one singles including (There's) Always Something There to Remind Me, and Eurovision winner Puppet on a String - a sample of which has recently appeared in JADE’s Angel of my Dreams, proving that good songs are timeless.

3. Cliff Richard, 1968, 1973

It’s almost hard to believe that singing and acting legend Sir Cliff Richard entered Eurovision back in the day. Harder still to believe that he represented the UK again just a few years later. Potentially the most famous UK artist to enter Eurovision, it’s no surprise that he ranked second (by one point) in 1968 and third in 1973.

4. Olivia Newton John, 1974

I’m not sure whether it’s more like a sleeper agent being reactivated, or Pavolv’s dogs, but every time someone mentions Olivia Newton John, I will immediately yell ‘Let’s get physical!’ Unfortunately, this particular track was not the one she performed in 1974, but she still finished fourth with Long Live Love, just losing out to ABBA, which made 1974’s Eurovision the battle of the legends.

5. Bucks Fizz, 1981

As well as having one of the best band names in history, Bucks Fizz also made history by winning the competition for Britain the fourth time in 1981, thanks in part to the coordinated dance moves and the unforgettable skirt-ripping move (you know the one I mean). They are undeniably up there in the British pop hall of fame.

6. Gina G, 1996

If anyone can stop themselves from dancing and/or joining in when they hear the chorus of Ooh Ah Just a Little Bit, I applaud you. This is one of those songs where you see the title and are immediately singing it in your head. It’s no wonder really that it became a UK No.1, despite only finishing eighth place at the competition.

7. Katrina + the Waves, 1997

If you don’t immediately recognise this band, you’re not alone, I guarantee you. Nor would you be alone if you weren’t sure how their 1997 Eurovision song Love Shine a Light went. However, if you’re familiar with the well-known tune Walking on Sunshine, then you’ll know Katrina + the Waves. They went on to win their Eurovision year, which is sort of to be expected from anyone who can produce a banger like Walking on Sunshine.

8. Blue, 2011

Ah, Blue. Probably now best known for featuring on Strictly Come Dancing, Love Actually, and Hollyoaks just as much as their music careers. The band reformed in 2011 especially for Eurovision with their song I Can, and were ultimately ranked eleventh.

9. Bonnie Tyler, 2013

Bonnie Tyler firmly cemented herself in UK pop history with Total Eclipse of the Heart and Holding Out for a Hero to name a few bangers. She was a surprising (if iconic) choice for Eurovision in 2013, placing nineteenth with her song Believe in Me which later made it into the UK Charts. Despite finishing nineteenth, she is one of the only UK entrants with three Grammy Award nominations, three Brit Award nominations, and an MBE.

10. Olly Alexander, 2024

A familiar face from British pop over the last decade, known for both his acting and music. Formerly of pop group Years and Years, Olly achieved a UK No.1 with King and has collaborated with musical legends including The Pet Shop Boys and Elton John. Despite finishing eighteenth overall, Olly remains a key icon in UK Eurovision history.

• The BIG London Gig List: Your guide to the very best shows and concerts in 2025

[Main Image Credit: Keystone/Hulton Archive, Reg Burkett/Daily Express, Getty Images]

Amazon spends tens of billions of dollars a year on movies, TV shows and music.

It might not stop us complaining about Prime Video ads, but you do get quite a lot for your money with a Prime subscription. Today we're only interested in the finest cuts on Prime Video, though.

It's a real jumbled selection box. We have some comedy, horror, and a good selection of sci-fi and fantasy, where Amazon Prime Video really excels at the moment.

UPDATE: More than 20 years on from the Legally Blonde films, Elle is back with... Elle. It's a TV series that acts as a prequel to Legally Blonde, charting the life and times of the movie's lead character before she became the lawyer-in-waiting that has proved to be one of the more enduring characters from the pantheon of 2000s comedy movies.

But our first recommendation to those new to the service? It's probably Fallout. While this is a show based on a video game series, those who never play games are likely to love it too. It's just that good.

Disagree with our selection? Or think we've forgotten a show that deserves a spot in this hall of fame? Let us know in the box at the bottom of this article.

And it is worth noting that all of the following Prime Video shows are available in the UK, please check if they are available in your country.

New release series on Prime Video

Elle

More than, yikes, 25 years on from the original Legally Blonde, Elle is back in her own TV show. This time she’s played by Lexi Minetree rather than the iconic Reese Witherspoon. It’s a prequel, an origin story, in which we find out how Elle became the character you know and (possibly) love from the 2001 classic. And, sure, its far less beloved 2003 movie sequel.

• Stream on Prime Video

More of the best shows on Prime Video

Spider-Noir

Nicolas Cage is Spider-Man in this latest stylish take on the superhero, which sees a cloned version of Spider-Man act as a noir-ish detective character — Ben Reilly in this timeline. It’s weird and brilliant, and sees Cage chew through the scenery in irresistible style. Reilly has long since retired his superhero persona, but a fresh conspiracy makes him take up his old mantle once more in later life. Available in both full colour and evocative monochrome.

• Stream on Prime Video

Bait

British national treasure Riz Ahmed reaffirms what a talent he is with Bait, a show he created and stars in. It’s semi-autobiographical, as Ahmed plays an actor tipped to play James Bond. Bait is sharp and funny, and features a biting supporting performance from Guz Khan. Just don’t come expecting to like the main character, as Ahmed’s Shah Latif leans into the narcissistic side of the acting class.

• Stream on Prime Video

Young Sherlock

More than 15 years after he directed the Sherlock Holmes movie starring Robert Downey Jr., Guy Ritchie returns to the detective with this TV series. It's an eight-part show, with Hero Fiennes Tiffin playing a 19-year-old version of the iconic character. As you might expect from Ritchie, it leans into action and laddishness. Mixed reviews, but it does feature some great action and looks top drawer.

• Stream on Prime Video

The Track

This charming documentary looks at the real story of a Sarajevo luge team’s attempt to compete in the 2022 Winter Olympics. Mirza Nikolajev, Zlatan Jakić, and Hamza Pleho face bureaucracy, disbelief and more in a watch that is heart-warming while showing how Sarajevo continues to be marked by the Bosnian War that happened decades earlier.

• Stream on Prime Video

Steal

Sophie Turner — her off Game of Thrones — rocks the screen in Steal, a six-part thriller. She plays Zara, an ordinary office worker who finds herself wrapped up in a heist. And that’s just the start of this rollercoaster ride of a show. Come with your suspension of disbelief stocked up and ready to go, but this is one hell of a ride if you can roll with it.

• Stream on Prime Video

The Night Manager

Almost a decade after the original, The Night Manager season 2 has arrived. Tim Hiddleston and Olivia Colman reprise their roles as an unlikely intelligence agent and his savvy handler. While the original season was based on a John le Carre book, season two is a fresh story set nine years on. That may sound like a recipe for everything to go swiftly off the rails, but this new chapter continues with all the snap and style we remember from 2016.

• Stream on Prime Video

• Stream on Prime Video

Malice

David Duchovny and comedian Jack Whitehall star in Malice, a show in which Whitehall plays a tutor, Adam, to a wealthy family headed up by Duchovny’s Jamie Tanner. But in the vein of The Talented Mr Ripley, there’s a darkness under Adam’s superficially charming exterior. It’s the tale of a cunning sociopath wreaking havoc, trotting by gleefully over six episodes.

Gen V

Not many spin-offs make it into consideration for our best-of lists. But Gen V certainly does. This is a The Boys spin-off, in which the action moves to Godolkin University, where the next generation of superheroes are raised and trained. It’s no cosy “young adult” alternative to The Boys, though, with the same black streak of violence and oddness struck through its core. Definitely one for fans of the original series to check out, especially as season two leads up to The Boys's fifth and final season.

• Stream on Prime Video

The Girlfriend

This thriller is based around a bit of an eye-opening premise. Laura’s (Robin Wright) life revolves around her son. She’s a successful gallery owner, but to say she’s obsessed with her son would be a bit of an understatement. So when he (Laurie Davidson) brings home a girlfriend (Olivia Cooke), the tension begins to rise as Laura begins to suspect she is not as she appears on he surface. A deliciously twisty ride based on a novel by Michelle Frances.

• Stream on Prime Video

Atlanta

Winner of multiple Emmy awards, among others, Atlanta is the tale of two cousins who try to make it work in Atlanta’s music scene. They are played by Brian Tyree Henry and Donald Glover, who also created the show. Exactly what we want to see, Atlanta lasted four seasons before its creators decided to wrap it up in 2022. And all four of them are excellent.

• Stream on Prime Video

The Assassin

Keeley Hawes stars in The Assassin, which is a blast of an action thriller series. She plays a middle-aged and menopausal assassin, Julie. She is retried and living in Greece, but the action heats up when her past comes back to haunt her. Julie ends up on the run with her previously estranged son, played by Freddie Highmore. It’s packed with comedy, action and, well, some swearing. And Hawes is great as usual.

• Stream on Prime Video

The Institute

An adaptation from horror maestro Stephen King. A clutch of teenagers are kidnapped and taken to the institute, after they show signs of having special powers. The series sees them plan their escape. It’s one of the better televisual King adaptations — not that this is saying much. The Institute has attracted comparisons to Stranger Things, and while it doesn’t quite reach those heights, it’s worth a watch.

• Stream on Prime Video

Countdown

Jen Ackles stars in Countdown, Amazon’s latest crime show. He is Mark Meachum, an LA detective who becomes part of a secret group investigating the case of a Homeland Security agent murdered in broad daylight. It takes an old-school approach, rather than trying to break the mould. If you’re eagerly awaiting the return of Reacher, this is a solid show to fill that particular void in your viewing line-up.

• Stream on Prime Video

The Expanse

The beauty of Amazon Prime - and Netflix - is that these platforms breathe life into previously dead shows, like The Expanse. It's a show about what happens when humans colonise the solar system (spoiler: it ain’t great). Syfy cancelled it after three seasons but Amazon gave The Expanse a new home. Why? Well, for one thing CEO Jeff Bezos is a big fan. We’re glad he did - this is stunning sci-fi and universe-building at its best.

Right now, only seasons 3-5 are available to stream. Here's hoping the first three come back soon.

• Stream on Prime Video

Bosch

Bosch is a brilliant, easy watch, and is now in its fifth season. It stars Titus Welliver as the titular Harry Bosch, whose acting raises this show above your average police procedural. As does the writing. Overseen by Eric Overmyer, whose credits include The Wire, Treme and Boardwalk Empire, this is a top-quality show. And its spin-off Bosch Legacy is equally as good.

• Stream on Prime Video

Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan

The Jack Ryan series of movies, those starring Harrison Ford at least, were a lot of fun. While a prequel movie with Chris Pine stumbled, this alternate TV take is well worth a watch.

John Krasinski is effortless as Ryan, a CIA analyst forced into the field. As is The Wire’s Wendell Pierce as Jack Greer, Ryan’s mentor - a role that once belonged to James Earl Jones. Big shoes to fill, then, but he manages it. It’s a little Mission: Impossible lite in places but well worth a watch, especially in 4K.

• Stream on Prime Video

The Boys

The Boys is one of the most original takes on the superhero genre we have seen. The concept (based on Garth Ennis' great comic) is that the world is filled with superheroes but they are all, well, dicks. Underneath their ews is that there's a team of anti-heroes that can put a stop to them, lead by Karl Urban.

This is one gory, violent, hilarious show that's not for the faint hearted. The second season onwards is darker with the arrival of Stormfront to shake up the superheroes.

• Stream on Prime Video

The Marvelous Miss Maisel

It was about time a show gave Rachel Brosnahan a chance to shine. After bit parts in movies and a stint on House of Cards, The Marvelous Miss Maisel sees her in fantastic form as a 1950s housewife who decides one day to become a stand-up comic. There’s a lot to love about the show, but Brosnahan’s main performance as ‘Midge’ Maisel steals it - her transformation when she eventually gets on the stage is brilliant to watch.

• Stream on Prime Video

Good Omens

Good Omens gets the TV treatment, thanks to a joint production between the BBC and Amazon Studios. The result is a superb six-part series with one of the best acting pairing seen on TV in recent years. David Tennant and Michael Sheen shine as angels Aziraphale and Crowley, and their job is to stave off the impending apocalypse.

• Stream on Prime Video

The Man in the High Castle

The Man in the High Castle was one of the first Prime Video Originals and it ran for four seasons, concluding at the end of 2019. It's a fantastic-looking show that is based on Philip K. Dick's novel where in a parallel universe the Nazis won and the changes this makes to the world. By the end of the show it deviates from the book but it's well worth going the distance.

• Stream on Prime Video

Hanna

What started off as a spin-off of the successful child assassin movie has mutated into something far better. This is a great show that reveals just what you can do when you allow a premise and characters time to breath. Esme Creed-Miles (daughter of Samantha Morton) is the titular teenage assassin.

• Stream on Prime Video

The Wheel Of Time

The Wheel of Time feels like Amazon testing the fantasy waters before it unleashes the Lord of the Rings show on to us all but for all its faults, there is a lot to like with this epic saga. Rosamund Pike plays Moraine, a noble who has tasked herself with finding The Dragon Reborn, someone who is the key between light and dark. While the first season takes its time, it has really found its way and is a compelling watch.

• Stream on Prime Video

Reacher

Three seasons of proof Alan Ritchson is a much more faithful Jack Reacher than Tom Cruise, who took on the role in the Reacher films. This is the Reacher of the source books by Elmore Leonard, where he's an intimidating and gruff mountain of a man. True to this style, the show features lots of baddies getting their heads knocked together and no-nonsense action. Season two is even better than the first in some respects, while Season three features an enemy way bigger than Reacher.

• Stream on Prime Video

Outer Range

Fresh from The Avengers, Josh Brolin is back in this sci-fi mystery series that focuses on a rancher who finds something strange happening on his land. Although series is yet to end, we're hooked with the mysteries that keep cropping up.

• Stream on Prime Video

Invincible

Robert Kirkman has done it again with this existential look at superheroes and what these powers do to relationships. Mark Grayson is the son of the most powerful superhero on the planet, Omni-Man. Now 17, Grayson is set to follow in his dad's footsteps as he develops special powers but everything is not as it seems.

• Stream on Prime Video

The Better Sister

The Better Sister stars Jessica Biel and Elizabeth Banks as the titular sisters. It’s solid twisty entertainment for fans of the crime drama genre. Like a bit of “eat the rich” sentiment in your shows? The Better Sister puts that on the plate, as well as a lot more. It’s a drama between two feuding sisters. It’s a murder mystery. It’s a police drama.

• Stream on Prime Video

The Tick

Amazon announced it has cancelled The Tick, and that can only be because Amazon doesn’t know how to have fun. It is a superhero parody with heart, and a brilliant cast. ‎Peter Serafinowicz is superb as the titular Tick, the superhero without superpowers, playing it without any knowing wink that he is in on the joke.

And that’s the brilliance of the show, which really stepped up in the second season. Unfortunately, the show was cancelled after Season 2, despite fans' efforts to get the show revived.

• Stream on Prime Video

The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings of Power

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of power is a stunning-looking show that is every bit as cinematic as the Peter Jackson movies. Although it's set thousands of years before the events of LOTR, there are plenty of call backs for die hard fans and a new mythology to sink your teeth into. It's not perfect, but its epic and the second season shows far more promise.

• Stream on Prime Video

The Handmaid's Tale

The Handmaid's Tale is a faithful-ish adaptation of Margaret Atwood's fantastic dystopian classic novel that has outgrown the plot of the book. Now in its fifth season we are nearing completion of the story of June's rise from humble Handmaiden to freedom fighter. Thanks to Amazon's buyout of MGM, all episodes are available to stream.

• Stream on Prime Video

The Terminal List: Dark Wolf

2022 series The Terminal List gets a spin-off series that acts as a prequel in Dark Wolf. And some will be happy to hear the spotlight moves from Chris Pratt, in the original, to Taylor Kitsch’s Ben Edwards. He’s a Navy SEAL who becomes a CIA spy. Expect violence and efficient twisty thrills in this espionage show based on the world created by author Jack Carr.

• Stream on Prime Video

American Gods

American Gods is full of deliciously addictive storytelling, rich characters and mind-bending fantasy. It's a dark and binge-worthy series with some truly excellent performances.

• Stream on Prime Video

Citadel

Citadel is one of Amazon's most expensive TV shows ever, behind The Rings of Power. It's also a riot, an action-packed show that takes inspiration from movie series including James Bond and Mission Impossible. Richard Madden and Priya Copra Jonas star as spies who have had their memories wiped, but are called back into service .

• Stream on Prime Video

Tales From The Loop

It's pretty rare that a show has been inspired by something other than a book, but this one is based on the paintings of Simon Stålenhag. It's a great premise - each painting is like a jumping off point for an episode, a glimpse into a bigger narrative. It's a lot of fun - a time-travelling series that has hints of Twin Peaks and its big streaming rival's hit show Stranger Things

• Stream on Prime Video

The Devil's Hour

Both Peter Capaldi and Jessica Raine shine in this psychological thriller which is about a woman who wakes up each night between 3-4am - also known as the devil's hour. This mystery leads her to becoming involved in a number of grizzly murders in her town.

• Stream on Prime Video

Upload

A show that perhaps hasn't attracted as many eyeballs as it deserves. Upload looks at a world where people can upload themselves to a sort of digital afterlife. The show was created by Greg Daniels, a key force behind the US The Office and Parks & Rec. It's smart and funny, and becomes a sharp social satire over its three seasons.

• Stream on Prime Video

Hacks

Hacks stars Jean Smart (24, Legion) who is a Las Vegas comedian. She teams up with a younger comedy writer to try and revive her career and freshen up her act. This one is a must watch but be warned: only two seasons are available through Amazon Prime. You'll have to look elsewhere for the brilliant seasons 3 and 4.

• Stream now on Prime Video

Hunters

Hunters is a show that is gory, silly and clearly a little ridiculous. However, it is also engaging, in the vein of a B-movie revenge thriller. A little uneven in spots, but Al Pacino as a Nazi hunter? Surely worth a crack.

• Stream on Prime Video

Fargo

Who would have thought back in 1996 when the movie Fargo came out that over 25 years later a TV show based on it would have been on for a decade? Fargo the TV show doesn't share characters with the film, but is based in the same world and has that unmistakeable Fargo vibe.

It's now five seasons long, each one critically acclaimed. Each season also tells its own story, although we still recommend watching them in order if you're game for the ride.

• Stream on Prime Video

The Rig

The Rig is a great old-school supernatural shocker that follows the exploits of a group of oil riggers who may have drilled into something that's from out of this world. The cast is great and also a who's who of UK TV, with Iain Glen, Mark Bonnar and Martin Compston all starring.

• Stream on Prime Video

The Patriot

No, it’s not a show about Mel Gibson’s big-screen vehicle but a darkly comic show about a spy who needs to stop Iran from going nuclear. Unfortunately there are only two seasons as it was cancelled by Amazon but they are a refreshing watch, balancing fun and frenetic action and, to be honest, we’ll watch RoboCop’s Kurtwood Smith in anything.

• Stream on Prime Video

Red Oaks

The 80s is a TV gold mine. Stranger Things used the era of Walkmans and shell suits as a backdrop for some crazy stuff. Red Oaks tempers the craziness but ramps up the warmth and fun, creating a wonderful coming-of-age story that needs to be seen. It is a show that doesn’t shirk big issues, but they are wrapped in a lot of affection for the era and its characters.

• Stream on Prime Video

Cross

Aldis Hodge is Detective Alex Cross in this adaptation of the stories of James Patterson’s Cross novels. It’s both a police procedural and a thriller, with a forensic psychology twist. You do need to give it some time as this is not the fastest-paced show off the blocks. But the investment is worth it. The real star here is Hodge’s performance, cementing the actor as a true screen attention magnet.

• Stream on Prime Video

Clarkson’s Farm

Even if you don’t have a high opinion of Jeremy Clarkson, there’s a good chance you’ll love Clarkson’s Farm. It’s the behind-the-scenes story of Diddly Squat Farm, which the TV host bought all the way back in 2008. The show itself, though, only began in 2021, after the previous proprietor of the farm retired. It’s funny and touching, and has a broader appeal than Top Gear follow-up The Grand Tour.

• Stream on Prime Video

Mr. And Mrs. Smith

Mr. And Mrs. Smith is no longer just a minor cheesy classic movie. It’s also a Prime Video TV show. But instead of being a real-life married couple, as in the movie, Donald Glover and Maya Erskine play agents who have to play as a married couple. By flip-reversing matters, we get to see their relationship develop over the first season. Plus, y’know, there’s plenty of spy action too.

• Stream on Prime Video

The Walking Dead

After 11 seasons and more than a decade since the first episode, The Walking Dead concluded in 2022. The entire run is available on Prime Video. And while fans will tell you it goes off the boil in at least the last few seasons, it was electric TV in those early years.

If you’ve somehow missed this TV institution, The Walking Dead follows Rick Grimes’s (Andrew Lincoln) and collaborators attempts to survive in a zombie apocalypse. It’s based on a series of graphic novels by Robert Kirkman.

• Stream on Prime Video

Kevin Can F Himself

It's so good to see Annie Murphy on the small screen again after Schitts Creek and this is the perfect show for her. Kevin Can F Himself is about a 'sitcom wife' who shows just what happens when you are pushed to the absolute edge. Amazon hasn't bigged up that it has this show and it's a massive shame as we are huge fans.

• Stream on Prime Video

Gotham: Caped Crusader

There's a trend for bringing back classic animated series, and we're here for it. Caped Crusader feels like a continuation of Batman: The Animated Series, which began in 1992. This Batman is a detective, and the style is pure noir. Bruce Time is at the head of this one. He worked on the key 1990s Batman animated series and it basically the main man of DC's animated output.

• Stream on Prime Video

Secret Level

A show where each episode, each short sub-15-minute film, is based in the universe of a game or gaming property. There’s Pac-Man, Warhammer 40,000, Armored Core, Unreal Tournament and more. The quality of the episodes is up and down, but this is obviously a show you want to check out if you have any significant relationship with the games involved. It has been renewed for a second season too.

• Stream on Prime Video

Nathan for You

A fab palate cleanser for those who want a break from heavy drama series. Nathan For You is a comedy reality show first aired a decade ago.

Nathan Fielder talks to real people and real businesses, as a sort-of awkward business coach whose ideas are plain horrible. It sounds like a Kitchen Nightmares pastiche on paper, but Fielder’s unique, awkward and deadpan style makes Nathan for You a true original.

• Streaming on Prime Video

The Power

The Power is a 10-part series, adapted from the best-selling novel by Naomi Alderman. It's a thriller with a cracking premise: teenage girls the world over gain the power to electrify things. What ensues is a shift in how the world is run and the implications of this. While it doesn't quite 'spark' as well as the book does, it's a great watch.

• Stream on Prime Video

Undone

After the brilliance of Bojack Horseman for Netflix, creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg headed to Amazon for Undone, an animated show that uses rotoscoping to create its unique look. Undone tackles some of the same themes of Bojack, albeit in a much more dramatic way - its trippy visuals give the whole thing an unreal feel and the likes of Bob Odenkirk, Daveed Diggs and Rosa Salazar star.The second season of Undone is streaming now and is just as trippy as the first.

• Stream on Prime Video

Fleabag

It seems a little trite to heap more praise on a show that it is pretty much universally loved but the thing is (looks to camera, with a wry smile), they’re right. Phoebe Waller-Bridge's adaptation of her own one-woman stage show manages to be stunningly crass, utterly hilarious and tear-inducing all at the same time. Yes, Waller-Bridges is perfect as Fleabag but the rest of the cast are just as good, characters rounded with surgical precision.

• Steam on Prime Video

Fallout

Alongside The Last of Us, Fallout stands out as one of the best video game adaptations made to date. Missed the games? Fallout is set in a world ravaged by nuclear war, where civilisation has been decimated but some survivors live on. And the most radiation-wrecked of them become ghouls, as played by Walton Goggins in the show. It’s a blast, and a recommended watch whether you are familiar with the games or not.

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• If you are looking at what the rival has to offer, then head to our best Netflix shows guide.
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How we choose our best Amazon Prime Video TV show list

Like all guides on ShortList, this best Amazon Prime series list was chosen by the editorial team. We started by sifting through the thousands of TV shows available on the service, and distilled these shows by their IMDb ranking which is an indicator that Prime Video uses (Amazon owns IMDb).

Then using our own editorial expertise, where we have near 20 years' of reviewing experience, we watched hours upon hours of shows - many more than what are on this list. If a show hasn't grabbed our attention by the third or fourth episode, then it is unlikely to be on this list.

On the flip of this, sometimes we add in shows that are being shown weekly on the service. They may go into this guide from episode 1 but if there is a severe drop-off in quality then we will reassess their insertion in the round-up and take them out if necessary.

The final say is done by the editor and creator of this list, Marc Chacksfield. He has nearly 20 years experience reviewing movies and show, both online and in magazines. You can read his bio for more information.

For the most part, this Prime Video show list is made up of scripted TV shows - there are some episodic fact-based shows on the site, but we are mainly focusing on prestige television here.

We haven't added any FreeVee content to this list. While the shows on their are decent, they are ad-funded and don't make up this list. And we haven't added anything from any of the Prime Video 'channels' you can get. This is because these are usually paid-for additions to the main Prime Video service.

If your fave show isn't one of our current pics, then let us know below!

James Bond is officially in a new era, and not just because Daniel Craig walked into the sunset. Last year, the franchise underwent its biggest behind-the-scenes shake-up since Sean Connery first ordered a vodka martini. Longtime custodians Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson, who have overseen 007 since the 1990s, ceded creative control to Amazon Studios, following Amazon’s 2022 acquisition of MGM and a reportedly eye-watering extra $1 billion to fully unlock Bond’s future.

Then came the next seismic development: Denis Villeneuve, the director behind Dune and Blade Runner 2049, signed on to helm Bond 26. Not exactly a journeyman choice, Villeneuve is a mood-first, auteur filmmaker, which immediately signalled a tonal shift. And it looks as though the new bond will be cast this year.

Some boundaries remain firmly in place. The next Bond will reportedly be male and from the British Isles, which quietly rules out a lot of internet favourites. Previous names like Hardy, Elba, Cavill, and Hiddleston seem to have aged out of contention. The key now looks to be whether the actor is right for Bond, right for Villeneuve’s story and a fresher face.

With casting still officially unstarted and a tentative timeline pointing towards a 2028 release, speculation is doing what it does best: running wild. Here are the names that actually make sense, along with the man currently leading the pack.

8. Joseph Quinn

Quinn is a wildcard here. Known for volatility and emotional rawness, he’s less traditionally “Bond” than others on this list. But that may be the point. If Villeneuve is planning a more fragile, psychologically exposed 007, closer to espionage noir than action spectacle, Quinn’s intensity could be an asset rather than a risk. However it does seem unlikely, especially with the young actor now firmly locked in with the MCU as the Fantastic Four's Human Torch.

7. Regé-Jean Page

Page remains one of the most divisive Bond suggestions. On the plus side: undeniable screen presence, classic leading-man looks, and international recognition. On the downside: he’s yet to fully escape the gravitational pull of Bridgerton. Bond could be the role that redefines him, or it could expose limitations if the performance leans too suave and not enough steel.

6. Damson Idris

Idris brings confidence, charm and modern edge. His work in Snowfall proves he can carry long-form storytelling and complex character arcs, but Bond would require a slight recalibration: less flash, more discipline. If Villeneuve is interested in exploring power, control and identity, Idris could offer a compellingly contemporary take on 007.

5. Harris Dickinson

Dickinson is the sort of actor Bond producers have historically loved, young, serious, and not yet fully claimed by a defining role. From Beach Rats to Triangle of Sadness, he has an unnerving stillness that could translate beautifully into a more introspective, psychologically complex 007. He wouldn’t be a loud Bond, but he could be a haunting one, which, under Villeneuve, feels entirely plausible.

4. Dev Patel

Patel has quietly transformed into one of the most compelling actors of his generation. Gone is the wide-eyed charm of his early roles, replaced by a sharper, darker intensity seen in The Green Knight and Monkey Man. He brings intelligence, emotional depth and a physicality that feels earned rather than imposed. Casting Patel would signal confidence: a Bond defined by thoughtfulness and inner tension, not just bravado.

3. Aaron Taylor-Johnson

Taylor-Johnson remains the benchmark. He’s already impressed the old guard, reportedly acing a top-secret screen test back in 2022, and his physical credibility is beyond doubt. Films like Nocturnal Animals and Bullet Train show he can combine menace with charisma, while Kick-Ass proved long ago he can anchor a franchise. The question now is whether he feels too obvious, or whether that experience is exactly what a newly Amazon-owned Bond needs to steady the ship.

2. Aaron Pierre

Pierre has bags of presence. There’s a grounded physicality to him that feels imposing without tipping into cartoonish toughness. Roles in The Underground Railroad and Rebel Ridge show an actor capable of quiet authority and controlled intensity. He still feels under the radar, although that won't last long after being cast in the Lanterns, which could work strongly in his favour if the brief really is “fresh face, new energy”.

1. Callum Turner

At this moment, Turner feels like the most complete candidate. He’s British, the right age, and crucially still sits in that sweet spot between recognisable and overexposed. Performances in The Capture, Emma and Masters of the Air show an actor comfortable with moral ambiguity, internal conflict and quiet authority, all traits that modern Bond demands. He has the look, yes, but also the restraint. If Villeneuve wants a Bond who feels serious, watchful and slightly unknowable, Turner fits almost too neatly.

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Euphoria's third and final season is finally on the way, three years after season 2 debuted. The coming-of-age series has become a key text for millennials, with its daring portrayal of love, lust and drug taking among suburban teens, and has been a spring-board to stardom for its cast.

We don't know much yet about season 3 of Euphoria, but we do know which existing members of the cast are set to return and who's joining for the show's swansong.

The season 3 announcement on the official Euphoria Instagram account was accompanied by a list of who would be starring in this season, and looking at the line-up, some familiar faces won't be returning. The biggest miss will undoubtedly be Angus Cloud (Fez), who sadly passed away after Season 2 aired.

The returning cast for season 3 is listed below:

• Zendaya
• Hunter Schafer
• Eric Dane
• Jacob Elordi
• Sydney Sweeney
• Alexa Demie
• Maude Apatow
• Martha Kelly
• Chloe Cherry
• Colman Domingo

The new joiners for season 3 include:

• Rosalía
• Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
• Toby Wallace
• Marshawn Lynch
• Darrell Britt-Gibson
• Kadeem Hardison
• Priscilla Delgado
• James Landry Hébert
• Anna Van Patten

Spanish artist Rosalía is the most notable name among cast members joining the show, though the Grammy-winning singer has minimal acting credits to date. On top of all that, plenty of rumours about who else may be joining the cast, including iconic actress Sharon Stone (Basic Instinct, Casino), have been floating around as anticipation mounts.

The most noticeable names missing from the returning cast list include the aforementioned late Angus Cloud, Nika King, Austin Abrams and Algee Smith, as well as Storm Reid and Barbie Ferreira, who had already said they won't be returning. Dominic Fike is also missing from the cast list. However, Variety has reported that the Little Death actor will return for season 3.

Where is Rue's family?

As played by Zendaya, Rue is the face of the show, where we witness her constant struggles with substance abuse as she navigates her late teens, joined by an eclectic cast of pals with their own problems and a love for the sesh.

Looking at the cast list, Rue's family are missing altogether -- it will be interesting to see how this is excused, with a time jump being speculated to justify how none of the cast look like teenagers anymore. Otherwise, it could all end up a bit like Toby Maguire's Spider-Man, who is clearly a middle aged man playing a teen by the time Spider-Man 3 rolled around.

For a time, it felt like the third season of Euphoria would never arrive, especially when you consider how many of the cast have been propelled into super-stardom, and how little had been mentioned about the hit show’s possible return in the last couple of years. I'd written off the show and added it to the list of tele I wish had endings like Mindhunter and Glow, so the return is more than welcome.

There is still no information about when to expect the last season of Euphoria, but knowing the show exists will be satisfying enough for many fans.

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The BAFTAs took place in London’s Royal Festival Hall over the weekend, with celebs from across the world getting glammed up to celebrate movies from a more Brit-led perspective.

Shortlist 2024 favourite Conclave was one of the big winners of the night, picking up both best film and Outstanding British Film awards. Among others. It was also the most-nominated of all this year’s films, earning a slot in 12 categories.

As well as being a bit more grown-up than some, Conclave cost peanuts to make compared to a Marvel movie. It had a reported production budget of $20 million, and made around $95 in cinemas.

Conclave did start popping up in cinemas again after receiving a solid bunch of nominations in the Oscars. And may well do so again in some screens, particularly if this strong BAFTA run is matched in its US counterpart, the Academy Awards, AKA the Oscars, held on March 3rd.

The Brutalist, a 3.5-hour-plus epic, was the other big winner and picked up four of its own awards, including Best Director for Brady Corbet. And both Wicked and Dune: Part Two cleaned up in the more technical awards, with two wins a piece.

The ceremony was hosted by David Tennant, who performed a bold opening number, The Proclaimers' I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles), while fully decked out in a kilt. It's quite a thing to behold:

But for now, let’s take a proper look at all those BAFTA award winners.

Best film

Conclave

Outstanding British Film

Conclave

Best Director

The Brutalist (Brady Corbert)

Best Leading Actress

Mikey Madison (Anora)

Best Leading Actor

Adrien Brody (The Brutalist)

Best Supporting Actress

Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Perez)

Best Supporting Actor

Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain)

Best Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer

Rich Peppiatt (Kneecap)

Best Non English Language Film

Emilia Perez

Best Documentary

Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story

Best Animated Film

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl

Best Original Screenplay

A Real Pain

Best Adapted Screenplay

Conclave

Best Original Score

The Brutalist

Best Casting

Anora

Best Cinematography

The Brutalist

Best Editing

Conclave

Best Production Design

Wicked

Best Costume Design

Wicked

Best Make-up and Hair

The Substance

Best Sound

Dune: Part Two

Best Special Visual Effects

Dune: Part Two

Best Short Animated Film

Wonder to Wonder

British Short Film

Rock, Paper Scissors

British Contribution to Cinema

MediCinema

Children’s & Family Film

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl

EE Rising Star Award

David Jonsson

Netflix is committing hard to Dungeons & Dragons with a brand new live-action show based on the veteran tabletop role-playing game. Set to be called The Forgotten Realms (inspired by the D&D campaign of the same name), Shawn Levy (Deadpool & Wolverine, Stranger Things, The Adam Project) is set to produce, alongside showrunner Drew Crevello (WeCrashed). It's part of Hasbro Entertainment's continued push to adapt its licenses — and a perfect fit for Netflix’s catalogue of established, geek-friendly IP.

According to Deadline, Levy is focussing the live-action series around Forgotten Realms as it's one of the most popular tabletop D&D campaigns — it was first designed by Ed Greenwood in the 80s, and has seen new material released continually since its inception, meaning there will be plenty of pre-existing stories for the creators to dive into. This show will undoubtedly scratch Netflix's fantasy itch now that The Witcher is ending following five seasons and an underwhelming critical response.

The show will be the second time the iconic campaign has been adapted in recent years after the Chris Pine-led 2023 film, Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves, used the same source material.

The 2023 film was critically successful but financially less so after making just over $200 million dollars worldwide. It's a shame because it was a good time and an enjoyable footnote in the Hugh Grant renaissance we're currently experiencing.

A long campaign to production

In 2021, in response to the increased popularity of D&D, Hasbro subsidiary eOne began to prioritise getting a D&D show into production. It hasn't been plain sailing with the show, which was planned to be made over at Paramount before being scrapped after an internal direction shift.

Now, Hasbro Entertainment is in charge thanks to eOne being acquired by Lionsgate, and the project is now moving ahead at Netflix. The show will be completely unrelated to the previous live-action iterations of D&D, which will no doubt cause plenty of confusion during the build-up to release for all the people who enjoyed the film. Hopefully, the show keeps the irreverent, humourous tone of the movie, if nothing else.

Dungeons & Dragons is a tabletop RPG first released in 1974. Purchased by Wizards of the Coast in 1997 — owners of the similarly popular Magic: The Gathering card game — D&D sits under Hasbro's umbrella portfolio of big-earning brands. In the past, Hasbro has also greenlit film adaptations of Transformers (a money-printing franchise which will now seemingly never end) and G.I. Joe.

A D&D show will no doubt be a big earner if done right, thanks to its huge growth in recent years and dedicated fan base. The unique world of fantasy and monsters is perfectly positioned for a hit-show, bringing new fans to the game whilst satiating pre-existing ones. Netflix is also a prime spot for a D&D-inspired show — it’s easily arguable that a big part of the RPG’s ongoing modern success is down to its prominent reference in the Netflix mega-hit Stranger Things show.

There is still no indication of when this show will be released, but now that key creatives are in place, it hopefully won’t be long until we're enjoying Netflix's take on this fantasy epic.

• Check out the best shows to watch on Netflix

Image Credit: Wizards of the Coast

HBO's The Last of Us TV show may be sticking around for longer than expected after HBO executive Francesca Orsi revealed the studio anticipates the hit show will run for four seasons.

In an interview with Deadline, Orsi confirmed there's still no 'final plan' before adding, "I think it's looking like four seasons. I wouldn't want to confirm that, but it's looking like this season and then two more seasons after this and we're done."

Based on Naughty Dog’s fungal-apocalypse smash hit game series, many expected the gut-wrenching TV adaptation to have at least three seasons, thanks to the second game's extended playtime. While the first season was easily able to accommodate the gripping storyline of the first, shorter game, The Last of Us Part II’s story is already confirmed to be split across at least two TV seasons.

However, four seasons may be a bit longer than anticipated — potentially offering greater insight into this downtrodden world than ever before. We hope there aren't two years between each season; otherwise, HBO will have to start de-ageing all the cast in post.

Stretching to four seasons

Orsi hinting at more of The Last of Us means there's plenty of fun to be had predicting where the fourth series will go. It could go any direction, from exploring more of the mid-season time jump to overtaking the source material, which wouldn't be a first for HBO. Game of Thrones famously, and somewhat disastrously, eventually saw its HBO TV adaptation outpace the rate with which author George R. R. Martin could pump out new novels to new episodes. As long as The Last of Us it doesn't go down the spin-off show for every character route, it's easy to remain optimistic.

The first season closely followed the plot of the original game, introducing the odd excursion to break viewers' hearts and offering even more character development. But largely it remained faithful to the same story. It's safe to assume the upcoming season will follow suit, continuing to add further depth to the brutality already on display — the trailer has continued this theme, only cementing how bleakly terrifying this journey will be.

It certainly won't be one to watch before bed, and you'll need something nearby to soak up the tears or hide behind.

The second season of The Last of Us is set to arrive in April, although there is still no exact date. It will be available to watch in the UK on Sky Atlantic and Now TV.

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Hogwarts' new headmaster might be ready to pick up that floaty quill and sign on for the upcoming HBO TV adaptation of the Harry Potter books.

Deadline is reporting that veteran actor John Lithgow (3rd Rock From the Sun, The Crown, Terms of Endearment) is ready to don the robe of Albus Dumbledore, the iconic wizard of J. K. Rowling’s beloved magical franchise.

If true, Lithgow would become the fourth Hollywood star to take on the role. Cinema’s first Dumbledore was Richard Harris, and was recast following his death in 2002 by Michael Gambon, who became synonymous with the role over six films. The Fantastic Beasts prequel spin-offs had a younger Dumbledore, played by Jude Law.

Lithgow is a masterful actor, currently enjoying some awards season buzz with his appearance in Vatican drama Conclave. He’d be the first Dumbledore not to be English or Irish, being American, and at 79 years old, would be pushing 90 by the conclusion of what is planned as an epic 10 year retelling of the Harry Potter story.

More muggle casting rumours

HBO’s Harry Potter TV show is set to air in late 2026 or early 2027, and is being billed as a more “faithful” adaptation of the books than the Daniel Radcliffe-fronted movies were — not that I recall anyone claiming they were playing particularly fast and loose with the source material. We’re guessing it’s more the potential here to deep-dive into each novel thanks to the extended run-time a TV show allows for — each series here is expected to cover one book.

Such a high-profile franchise is obviously being met with feverish anticipation — and a healthy dose of trepidation — from series fans. The Potter franchise remains massively popular, but its creator J. K. Rowling alienated a large amount of the fanbase with her anti-trans stance, while recasting iconic roles, when the original films were so perfect in that respect, will need to be expertly considered.

So far, we’ve heard Cillian Murphy being lined up for villain Voldemort (something that previous Voldemort, Ralph Fiennes, is said to be in favour of), Ted Lasso’s Brett Goldstein as Hagrid, Paapa Essiedu as Snape, and both Sharon Horgan and Lesley Manville for McGonagall. There was also a previous rumour that saw Mark Rylance in the Dumbledore role — arguably a more natural fit than Lithgow.

As for the kids? 32,000 audition tapes are being sifted through right now as HBO looks to find its perfect new Harry, Hermione and Ron. That Sorting Hat is going to be kept very busy.

Image Credit: Christopher Polk/Variety / Getty Images

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Lights, camera, action!

In the past two decades, I’ve featured in nine Hollywood films and one TV commercial. My resume includes Spider-Man 3 (2007), an Intel commercial, White Boy Rick, Escape Plan 3, Cherry, Judas and the Black Messiah, White Noise, Shooting Stars, A Man Called Otto, and the upcoming Superman reboot. I even had a speaking part in one indie film called Dandelion.

You may not know my name, but you’ve almost certainly seen me on screen. Well — just about. I’m a regular Hollywood extra, helping to make up the cast of thousands that flesh out the blockbuster worlds we head to the cinema for.

While it’s not all glitz and glamour, working in movies is one of my favourite things to do. I do it as often as I can secure a role. And over the years, I’ve built up behind-the-scenes knowledge that you just wouldn’t know unless you’ve put the hours in on-set.

So how do you become a movie extra?

You don’t have to live in Hollywood, but if you do, you’ll have lots of opportunities. I live in Cleveland, Ohio, thousands of miles from Los Angeles, so my opportunities are limited. Cleveland offers some tax incentives to lure the film industry here, and some major films have been shot at least partly here.

There is a local casting agency that books most of the extra roles here in Cleveland, so check around your city to see if there is a similar agency there. Once you sign up with the casting agency and get on their email blast list, you’ll be alerted when there are roles you can apply for. City centres always tend to attract productions, but you’d be surprised how many UK locations act as doubles for similar spots in the US — London and Liverpool regularly double for New York City, with the Canary Wharf area in East London a regular stand in for Wall Street.

Do you have to be extraordinary-looking or talented to be booked as an extra? Definitely not. I am very much just a regular-looking woman of a certain age. I have no training as an actor. When you’re an extra, you’re literally the background, like wallpaper. You’re not meant to stand out. In order to be selected, you just need to complete the application as directed, be fully available during the shooting dates, and be the sort of background person the director happens to be looking for that day. If you always show up on time and follow all of the rules on set, the casting agents get to know you as a good extra and you’re more likely to be booked again. Being flexible helps, too, as shooting days are often shifting around until the last minute.

If it’s something you're interested in, I encourage you to give it a shot. Maybe I’ll see you on set sometime! If you do get into the biz, here’s 5 things you can expect from life as a Hollywood extra.

1. Extras are the bottom of the totem pole

There is literally no one below background extras on a movie set. “Cast” includes everyone with a speaking role in the film, from the big stars down to the one-liners. “Crew” is a huge group, consisting of camera operators, production assistants, wardrobe, hair/makeup, and many other folks behind the scenes that make movies happen. And finally, the extras, who are referred to as “background” on set. You can see the hierarchy in everything you do on set, from where we hang out between scenes to meals and snacks. From what I’ve seen, cast members get meals brought to them. Crew either gets first dibs on the meal line or an entirely separate (and better) meal. On one movie I did, we filmed well into the night; cast and crew got dinner while extras did not.

Of course, we’re not there to eat. I’ve since learned to keep small snacks in my pockets at all times, just in case. While we are herded about like sheep, and there’s a lot of hurry up and wait, it’s still a very cool experience being an extra. It can feel kind of glamorous being dressed up by the wardrobe, and getting your hair and makeup done, especially if it’s a period piece or your costume is particularly cool. You do get to see movie stars sometimes, up close and personal.

People come from all walks of life to be a movie extra. Some extras have aspirations of Hollywood stardom. Some folks, like me, have regular jobs and just do it for fun. Though it’s rare, I actually became close friends with some of the other extras from the first film I did, and we remain friends to this day.

2. If you say one word, you’re no longer an extra

As I alluded to above, there is a world of difference between extras and cast. But the difference between them can be as little as a single spoken word. In the film Dandelion, I am speaking barely audible ad-libbed nonsense for a few moments while the star sings. I did have a handful of scripted lines, but only one clear line – “Excuse me?” – made it into the film. Just two words! And for that, I had a completely different filming experience. Rather than waiting with the extras between scenes, I had my own dressing room. It was actually a hotel room, since we were shooting the film in a hotel lobby bar. Crew would stop by and check on me, bringing me food and beverages while I waited. I was able to nap between scenes, which was nice because it was an overnight shoot.

My two-word line was reflected in my paycheck. As an extra, you get paid just about minimum wage, though you do get time-and-a-half each hour after the first eight hours on set each day. As a cast member, you have to be paid at least “scale.” This rate is set by the actor’s union, SAG-AFTRA, which stands for Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. I don’t know if I can say the exact amount, but let’s just say it’s multiple times more than minimum wage.

3. Filming takes longer than you’d think

It can take a surprising amount of time to film even a very brief scene. On Spider-Man 3, I spent about a week of full days filming a scene that lasted just about one minute. Each day of filming can be incredibly long, up to 16 hours. Sometimes your call time is well before dawn, and sometimes you shoot well into the night or even overnight. Some film sets have been more challenging than others, but however it goes, I’m just grateful to be there.

4. Extras can’t expect to see themselves in the final product

Although I always get a kick of seeing myself on the big screen, I never expect or count on that. It doesn’t always (or even usually) happen. I did not appear on screen at all in many of the films I did, even one where there was a camera right in my face for several of the takes. The director just didn’t use that angle. A couple of times I was able to find myself in a crowd only by watching the scene repeatedly or in slow motion. In other films, I’ve been able to see myself quite clearly (though briefly.) You just never know.

5. You’re not likely to meet stars — but you might get lucky!

The cardinal rule of being an extra is that you must not bother the cast or crew. You might literally brush shoulders with a big star in a scene but still not be allowed to talk to them or even look at them. I’ve been in that situation with both Matthew McConaughay (White Boy Rick) and Adam Driver (White Noise) and did not speak to either of them. I didn’t even make direct eye contact. You most definitely cannot ask for autographs or photos. If you break this rule, you can be dismissed from the set immediately. Hilariously, on one film I did, the major star had notes on how he wanted me to brush past him in our scene. But he didn’t tell me, he told the director, who told the assistant director, who told a production assistant, who told me, “Don’t turn aside to allow him to pass, walk straight and let him turn aside instead.”

However, sometimes the stars come to you. While waiting between scenes, Tom Hanks came over to chat with us extras on the set of A Man Called Otto. He certainly didn’t have to do that, but he was so kind to do so. He is the only star I’ve ever actually met on set while working as an extra, though I’ve worked on set with Tom Holland, LeBron James, and many others. When I had a speaking role on Dandelion, I did meet the star of the film, KiKi Layne, and we had a nice conversation. As I’ve mentioned, being a cast member is totally different from being an extra.

• The best Hollywood blockbusters, ever!

Lead Image Credit: PS Photography / Getty Images

Crack open the piggy bank — your Netflix subscription is about to get more expensive yet again.

Without much fanfare, Netflix is raising the cost of every tier of its subscription TV and movie streaming service. New subscribers will immediately have to pay the higher costs, while current subscribers will see the new prices reflected in their next billing period.

Here’s the breakdown of how each tier now looks:

Standard with Ads:

Was: £4.99 a month

Now: £5.99 a month (up £1)

What you get: Full HD streaming on up to two devices at once, some content exclusions, adverts during streams, downloads restricted to one device.

Standard:

Was: £10.99 a month

Now: £12.99 a month (up £2)

Features: Full HD streaming on up to two devices at once, no adverts, downloads on two devices, all content.

Premium:

Old price: £17.99 a month

New price: £18.99 a month (up £1)

Features: 4K HDR streaming on up to four devices at once, no adverts, downloads on six devices, spatial audio surround sound options, full content library.

The price increase comes despite Netflix celebrating its highest ever quarterly subscriber increase — it saw an additional 18.9 million subscribers join its service in the last quarter of 2024. We’ll assume then that the majority are opting for that cheaper tier then, thus the price hike — but Netflix always justifies its subscription cost increases not in subscriber shortfall, but to ensure they can invest in new productions.

Netflix’s ‘Extra Member’ options — e.g., the tier Netflix is using to crackdown on password sharers — also get updated. To become an ‘Extra Member’ of a household’s streaming package now costs £5.99 (up £1), while Netflix is also introducing a new option here, ‘Extra Member with Ads’, for £4.99 for those that can stomach interruptions during their shows.

If you get your subscription through a separate provider (say, bundled in with a Sky TV, EE or Virgin subscription) your price — for now — stays the same. But expect that to eventually change too.

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If, as a fan of the games, you were pleasantly surprised by just how good season one of Amazon Prime’s Fallout TV show was, you’d have been ecstatic at the show’s cliffhanger ending reveal.

[And yep, if you’ve not seen season one, you should probably stop reading RIGHT NOW and go ahead and catch up. Spoilers are a’coming…]

As Kyle MacLachlan, aka secret Vault-Tec bastard Hank MacLean, made a quick escape from justice in his stolen Power Armour in the final episode, he raced off to a familiar neon-soaked location in the distance — New Vegas.

It’s the setting of Fallout: New Vegas, the game many fans consider the best in the series, and has since been confirmed as the main location for the show’s season 2 return. According to an apparent fresh production leak, it seems the show runners will be looking beyond the dilapidated Las Vegas ruins to the game’s wider Mojave landmarks for inspiration, too.

Over on the Fallout subreddit, what seems to be a behind-the-scenes photo shows set designers working on a giant, battered dinosaur head.

It’ll be immediately recognizable to Fallout: New Vegas players as ‘Dinky the Dinosaur’, the landmark mascot for the Novac motel settlement. In the game, it’s the setting for a memorable detective-like sleuthing quest, and is also the sniper’s nest for player companion and New Californian Republic soldier Boone.

Who knows if any of those elements will be referenced in the show — Dinky also doubles up as a shop full of miniature dinosaurs in the game, if that’s useful to any set dressers out there — but it’s good to see the attention to detail seen in series one looks set to carry over.

It’s not the only element from New Vegas set to make an appearance. Showrunners Graham Wagner and Geneva Robertson-Dworet revealed that the secret, sinister Mr House will be involved in upcoming storylines in some way, and that we’ll find out why New Vegas — relatively shiny and functional in the games — looks more dilapidated in the upcoming show. We can’t wait to find out — no official release date yet, but we’re expecting a 2026 return.

• Fallout: Season 2 - 5 things to know about the return of Prime Video's apocalyptic hit

When not saving the world from demogorgans and shadowy government agencies onscreen in the Stranger Things series, Finn Wolfhard is a keen video game player. And in a new interview with PlayStation as part of their Playmakers campaign, he’s revealed an unlikely video game hero he’d like to play on the big screen.

“It would be cool to be in a God Of War movie but as the scrawny son,” joked Wolfhard. No, you know what, as Kratos. I’d bulk up.”

“Might be time for bulking season if I’m going to be the next Kratos. Playstation, where do I sign up?!”, he added on an Instagram post accompanying the promo clip.

Wolfhard’s got tongue firmly in cheek here we think, but that idea of him playing the son of Kratos, Atreus, in a live action adaptation? That’d be pretty spot on casting, we’d say.

A TV myth in the making?

For the uninitiated, the God Of War series is one of PlayStation’s premier gaming franchises. A hack-and-slash adventure, early games saw the anti-hero Kratos taking on the gods of Greek mythology. The more recent PS4 and PS5 games shifted to a Norse mythology theme, and paired the beefy bruiser Kratos with a diminutive son, Atreus, who doesn’t half share a likeness with Wolfhard — pop some bear skins on him, chop that hair up, and give him a bow and arrow and he’d be well away.

And a God Of War live action series is in development, and recently got a new showrunner on its books — Ronald D. Moore, whose previous credits include Outlander and For All Mankind.

Elsewhere in the interview, Wolfhard discussed his between-takes gaming habits on the Stranger Things set. He “plays a lot of games with Gaten Matarazzo,” aka Dustin in Stranger Things. “We played It Takes Two together, which was really fun.” His favourite game is Final Fantasy 10, he last beat Astro Bot, Shadow of the Colossus was his favourite gaming soundtrack, Bloodborne the game he found most difficult, and LittleBigPlanet the gaming universe he’d most like to live in.

As for what’s next for Wolfhard, after a year long shoot we’ll have the fifth and final season of Stranger Things hitting Netflix at some point this year. And, as it’s still early days for the God Of War show’s production, who knows? Wolfhard will have a Stranger Things shaped hole in his schedule going forward, and that could make for a nice genre-matched way for him to fill it — plus, we’ll know why there’s a worldwide protein powder shortage if he gets that bodybuilding lead role.

• Amazon's God of War show just added a TV god as showrunner

Frasier will not be returning for a third season of its revived run, after the show was cancelled by Paramount Plus.

The streamer doesn’t release too much in the way of viewership figures, but how Frasier has been canned suggests it’s all down to the limited popularity of the show's recent return.

Frasier came back to our screens in October 2023, and a second season came out in September 2024. However, its maker CBS Studios is hopeful of finding another home for the show. It's not ending because Kelsey Grammer has lost interest all of a sudden, at least.

One contender is Amazon’s Prime Video, which currently offers the classic Frasier seasons — all 11 of them — over in the US.

Was Frasier any good anyway?

The show’s revival received mixed reviews, ending up with a 60% rating over at Rotten Tomatoes, and a 50% rating for its second season. Not many called it a disaster, but it was always going to be tricky to recapture the magic of one of the most beloved sitcoms from the peak era of the form.

Sitcoms: they aren’t what they used to be, are they? David Hyde Pierce did not return to play Niles Crane in the reboot, which didn't help.

"It isn’t so much about not doing that show, it’s about the other opportunities that I have that I don’t want to turn down,” he told Metro last year, around the launch of The Exorcism, in which he featured.

In his place we got Nicholas Lyndhurst as Alan Cornwall, a University professor and old friend of Frasier.

Executive producer Chris Harris talked about the potential for a third season of Frasier just after the second rolled-out, in November.

"We think there’s definitely more fun to be had in watching what Roz and Frasier will be like in a Season 3,” Harris told TV Insider.

We’re far from the early years of streamers seeming ready to green-light any and every project, though, a phenomenon so stark South Park parodied it in 2017.

We’ll be keeping an eye out for any news of Frasier season 3 being picked up for another run.

• The greatest sitcom characters of all time

Season 2 of The Last of Us, the post-apocalyptic prestige TV show that proved video games could be adapted for television and please fans and critics alike, finally has an official release date window.

The Emmy-winning drama series, starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, will return to Sky and its Now streaming service this April, following the critically-acclaimed first season’s conclusion in January 2023.

That’s a pretty quick turn around as far as TV shows are concerned these days, with the HBO network keen to strike while the iron is hot and capitalise on the feverish reception the first series arrived to.

Here's a new look at season 2, with a fresh trailer:

What to expect

Much like the first series, which adhered incredibly closely to the plot of the blockbuster game it was based on, The Last of Us season 2 is expected to follow closely the plot of the second game in the series.

And if you thought the first series was grim, whoah there — things are about to get very dark indeed.

Often considered one of the most brutal games out there — and a game our content director waited three years to complete — it’s set four years after the conclusion of the first entry in the series (though the show will stretch the gap to five years).

Ellie (Bella Ramsey), who has settled in Jackson, Wyoming, with Joel (Pedro Pascal) is out for revenge following the murder of someone close to her. It also introduced a third core character, Abby (played in the show by Kaitlyn Dever), a militia fighter in conflict with a religious cult. Their stories will eventually be intertwined, with horrific effect.

Again, there’s a zombie-like horde to deal with — but it's the desperate and violent actions of the human survivors that will shock the most.

A cosy series to see us through the Spring, then! We can’t wait.

• 2025 TV preview: The shows to add to your new year watchlist

Looking back at 2024 in TV and comparing it to our preview for the year, it’s safe to say that things turned out pretty well on balance.

We’d assert that seven of our initial picks lived up to expectations, while only two outright disappointed, and one caused an almighty split befitting these polarised times. We’ll leave it up to you to figure which ones fit into which categories.

Alternatively you can get with the New Year spirit and look forward to (hopefully) better times. We’re choosing to do just that, and the following 2025 TV preview offers plenty of reason for good cheer.

It’s a list that packs hotly anticipated follow-up seasons, ambitious movie spin-offs, and exciting original productions. We’re not going to lie, it’s a pretty genre-heavy collection, with stacks of sci-fi, fantasy, and horror. Escapism certainly seems to be the order of the day right now, doesn’t it?

Experience tells us that there will be several shows that swing in from left field and knock us sideways, but based on what we know the following series are going to be big in 2025.

Indeed, it is going to be such a big year for consequential TV, we haven’t even found space to include the final seasons of The Handmaid’s Tale and The Bear, among others. Whoever said that the era of great TV had passed?

Top 10 upcoming TV shows of 2025

Severance Season 2

The first season of Severance was one of those unexpected TV happenings that we referenced in the introduction, landing on the little-watched Apple TV+ from out of nowhere and completely blowing us away. It was nigh-on perfect. Season two of this quirkily stylish slice of workplace sci-fi has reportedly experienced some production issues, but we’re hopeful that Ben Stiller can thread the needle and pull us deeper into the show’s delicious mysteries. To be any more specific would risk spoiling things for the many people who missed season one. If that’s you, go and watch it now.

The Last of Us Season 2

Fans of the Sony PlayStation game series that The Last of Us is closely based on will be approaching the second season with mixed feelings. There’ll be excitement, because the first season of post-apocalyptic drama was the kind of pitch-perfect adaptation that few dared hope for. But there’s also trepidation, because the second game upon which this follow-up season is based has been extremely divisive. Even those who loved it (raises hand from behind cover) will be steeling themselves for a gruelling story in which it can be difficult to know who – if anyone – to root for.

It: Welcome to Derry

No, this isn’t the Derry Girls spin-off of your dreams. Sorry about that. Rather, Welcome to Derry is a prequel to the excellent 2017 and 2019 It movies, which were themselves adaptations of Stephen King’s 1986 horror novel. This new nine-episode series is set in the 1960s, before the events of the first It chapter, while we’re also promised the origin story of Pennywise the psychotic trans-dimensional clown. It’s being developed by the people behind those earlier movies, and Bill Skarsgård is returning as the child-killing antagonist. Sold.

Daredevil: Born Again

It’s fair to say that Disney’s attempts to transition Marvel’s cinematic dominance to the small screen have been largely unsuccessful. What’s interesting about Daredevil: Born Again is that it’s a continuation of a pre-existing Netflix show, which ran for three mostly successful seasons (and assorted spin-offs) from 2015 onwards. The encouraging news is that the core cast is returning – Charlie Cox, Vincent D’Onofrio, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson, and even Jon Bernthal – but it remains to be seen if the gritty action-drama style that marked the earlier seasons makes it through the Mickey Mouse filter.

Andor Season 2

A long time ago (2022) in a universe far, far away (Pinewood Studios, London)… an overtly political Star Wars TV show was made that unified fans in love and positivity. It’s a fantastical story alright, but it also just so happens to be true. The first season of Andor rocked, taking the primary-coloured Star Wars universe and stirring in some shades of murky grey. With the mauling that subsequent Star Wars spin-offs have received (fairly or otherwise), and with The Mandalorian now seemingly bound for cinemas, one suspects that Andor has become Disney’s only TV hope.

Alien: Earth

After 2024’s Alien: Romulus returned some sorely needed credibility and hope to a beleaguered franchise, we’re a whole lot more excited about Alien: Earth. It also helps that Noah Hawley is helming the show. Having made a resounding and wholly unexpected success of the Fargo TV show, he’s as close to a safe pair of hands as it’s possible to get in this game. We’re also liking the sound of a prequel series set two years before the events of the original Alien film.

The Studio

Where does Hollywood’s ultimate stoner, Seth Rogen, find the time (and drive) to complete all of his myriad projects? We don’t know, but The Studio suggests that he isn’t slowing down any time soon. Rogen writes, partly directs, and stars in this Apple TV+ dramedy that sends up Hollywood in all its vacuity. Rogen plays the new head of a beleaguered old school studio as it struggles to compete with the streaming era. If nothing else, the celebrity cameo factor looks to be strong with this one.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Now that House of the Dragon has at least begun to redeem the tarnished Game of Thrones brand (in televisual terms at least), fans are likely to be a lot more receptive to this new spin-off series. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is an adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas. Set some 90 years before Ned Stark and his entourage set off for King’s Landing at the outset of GoT, it promises to be a somewhat lighter, lower stakes affair than either of the preceding series.

Stranger Things Season 5

Nine years is a long time for any modern series to run, but when that series involves a cast of kids who have literally grown up in front of our eyes, it’s extra special. To point out that Stranger Things has never been as good as its first series would be churlish given the almost universal good will that continues to flood its way from an avid cross-generational fanbase. This final season of ’80s-referencing sci-fi fantasy will doubtless bring out the sniffles in kids and adults alike.

Untitled Vince Gilligan Apple TV+ series

It feels a bit strange including a series about which so little is known. We don’t even have a title for Vince Gilligan’s next TV project, but the mere association of the Breaking Bad creator's / X-Files writer's name is more than enough for us. Add in a modern day Albuquerque, New Mexico setting, not to mention Rhea Seehorn starring in the main role, and it would seem to be a natural follow-on from Better Call Saul. However, early murmurings of a vaguely sci-fi nature have us excited for something just a little bit different.

- The best movies of 2024

2024 wasn't a vintage year at the cinemas, certainly not in terms of the blockbusters that we’re used to seeing fill our theatres. Only two movies, Inside Out 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine, have crossed the billion-dollar mark at the box office, while the likes of Madame Web, Joker: Folie a Deux and Argylle have all flopped despite their massive production budgets.

Aside from the adventures of Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, Marvel's superheroes skipped the cinema in 2024, and we’re still waiting for the Star Wars and James Bond producers to get their acts together and deliver something new for blockbuster season. It’s been a quiet year, to say the least.

But, 2025 is looking a lot healthier, with tonnes of blockbusters on the way. We’ve rounded up 10 of the biggest below: some of them are reboots, some are sequels to the biggest franchises in the world, and others we’re just really excited about. Let’s dive in… and don't forget to vote for your most-anticipated below, too!

2025 Blockbuster movies you can't afford to miss

Every second not spent wrapping presents, burning turkey or ferrying in-laws from one dinner to another over the Christmas period counts — so the last thing you want to be doing with those rare moments of downtime is to be stuck watching adverts. A new update rolling out now to Sky Glass TVs and Sky Stream set top boxes banishes adverts to the darkest corners of streaming hell, all at the tap of a button.

For a £5 a month fee, the Sky Entertainment OS for Glass and Stream devices gets upgraded with a ‘Skip Ads’ button that will jump straight past adverts and into the next bit of programming you actually want to watch. Sky offered something similar before, but adverts had to be manually scrolled through — this all-but cuts them out entirely.

Entertainment OS refresh

It’s not the only new feature coming to Sky’s devices. Equally long-awaited is the addition of Apple AirPlay, which lets iPhone, iPad and Mac owners beam content wirelessly to Sky Glass and Sky Stream devices, whether that’s photo albums, web pages or playlists. If you’re an Amazon user, the Amazon Music app gets a HD streaming upgrade, boosting the quality of tracks played through Sky’s devices.

A few other interface tweaks join the update. A Netflix-style ‘Next Episode’ button will appear at the end of shows in a series, letting you jump to the next installment with a single button press, and new episodes will now autoplay after a countdown timer counts down.

If you’ve got a favourite star and don’t want to miss anything they’re in, you can now add individual actors — and everything they appear in — to your ‘Playlist’ section, letting you keep track of their new and upcoming roles. Profiles can now be customised further too with celebrity avatars, including the stars of A League of Their Own and Brassic.

It’s a meaty update for Sky subscribers then — and it’s not a bad time to jump onboard as a newcomer, either. A new Sky Essential TV package starts at just £15 a month, and grants access to access to Sky Atlantic, Netflix Standard with Ads and discovery+, as well as free to air channels like BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky News and Sky Arts.

• Best movies to watch on Sky and Now streaming

Want to catch up on Sky TV and Netflix’s top shows like The Day of the Jackal, Penguin and Squid Game without breaking the bank? A new Sky TV deal bags the best of Sky and Netflix streaming under one genuinely-affordable subscription package.

Sky Essential TV costs just £15 a month, and gets subscribers access to Sky Atlantic, Netflix Standard with Ads and discovery+, as well as free to air channels like BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky News and Sky Arts.

• The best Sky TV series to stream with Now TV

“We’re excited to share our world-class TV experience with even more people, at an everyday low price with Sky Essential TV”, said Ben Case, Managing Director Sky TV.

“Our new TV pack makes it easier than ever to get the biggest and best shows from Sky, Netflix and discovery+ all in one place, just in time for the Christmas TV season.”

For those that can stretch a little further, an extra £7 a month upgrades viewers to the Sky Ultimate TV pack. That £22 per month subscription gets you everything on the Essential tier, and adds Sky Max, Sky Comedy, Sky Documentaries, Sky Crime, Sky Showcase and Sky Witness, as well as U&alibi, Comedy Central, U&GOLD and National Geographic.

Each package can be paired with either the Sky Stream plug-and-play box, or the Sky Glass TV if you’re on the market for a new screen, too. Sky Glass starts at £14 a month over a 48 month contract, with both streaming devices featuring 4K HDR streaming, voice control and a host of web connected services including support for top streaming apps like Disney+, Prime Video and BBC iPlayer, as well as games, fitness and music services, too.

Considering picking up the ad-supported tier of Netflix would cost you a fiver a month alone, this is a great way to up your binge-watching game, just as we hit food-coma sofa-slob season.

• The best Netflix movies

The Simpsons has always been great at sneaking pop culture references into its episodes, to the point that we often find ourselves hit with a pang of déjà vu upon watching classic films or TV episodes for the first time.

That really familiar scene or visual? You think you’ve already seen it because you have already seen it, in a Simpsons episode that probably aired before you were old enough to watch the original.

There are so many references there, some of which you probably didn’t even realise were references.

While regular episodes are packed with references, it’s often even more visible in the ‘Treehouse of Horror’ Halloween specials, with most of the anthologies recalling horror classics – or classics in general. That’s before you get onto the myriad Twilight Zone nods which come with the territory.

Some are made obvious in segment titles like ‘I Know What You Diddly-Iddly Did’ or ‘Citizen Kang’, but others are a little more subtle.

The good news is that Disney Plus has plonked all of the Treehouse of Horrors into one place - so there's no need to sift through all of the seasons to find them. There is (finally) a dedicated section for all 30 of the Treehouse of Horror episodes.

Want to know where to start? Here are 10 of The Simpsons’ best Treehouse of Horror references, along with a bit about the original.

• Best Simpsons episodes: 10 classic Simpsons episodes
• The best Disney Plus shows revealed

Best Treehouse of Horror episodes

SOMETHING MISSING FROM OUR SHORTLIST?

Tell us about it, and if enough people agree we'll add it in.

Kratos has been through hell and back — not just in the mega-successful PlayStation games, but in seeing his starring God of War franchise adapted for the small screen. But after a few turbulent months, it seems the Amazon Prime Video show’s development is back on track... and then some.

The adaptation of the long-running PlayStation series has a new writer, executive producer and showrunner in the shape of the impeccable Ronald D. Moore.

According to Deadline, he’s taking over from showrunner and executive producer Rafe Judkins and executive producers Hawk Ostby and Mark Fergus, who recently left the project.

Work from that original creative team had been relatively advanced, with “multiple scripts prior to the changeover” having been completed. But it's thought Moore is likely to wipe the slate clean and take the series in a new creative direction.

God-tier signing

Moore’s involvement with the God of War project sees him returning to work with Sony Pictures TV Studios, where he previously worked on Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams for Amazon Prime Video, Outlander for Starz, and For All Mankind for Apple TV+.

Those later two were mega hits, each with their own spin-off shows currently in development. And each has a piece of the God of War puzzle in their DNA — historical brutality in Outlander, and big-budget effects-driven show making with For All Mankind. With God of War’s mythological muscle flexing, monstrous cast and otherworldly historical settings, Moore has the experience needed to pull off an ambitious adaptation.

The bar is raised high now, too — game-to-TV adaptations have produced two bona-fide hits in recent years with HBO’s The Last of Us and Amazon Prime Video’s Fallout.

It’s a fine line to walk in order to serve fans and bring in a broader audience necessary to elevate viewing numbers. Moore will be joined on that quest by a key member of the God of War game franchise’s development team — Santa Monica Studio’s creative director Cory Barlog is still onboard as an executive producer, the man responsible for the game series’ most recent big hits on PS4 and PS5.

• Best Amazon Prime Series to watch right now

You could watch Beatles documentaries eight days a week with a Disney+ subscription at the moment, with the House of Mouse doubling down on Fab Four content over the past few years.

Not content with the critical acclaim of Peter Jackson’s Get Back doc, or the long-awaited streaming release of the classic Let It Be behind-the-scenes film, Disney+ will soon become the streaming home of Beatles ‘64, an all-new documentary produced by Martin Scorsese and director David Tedeschi.

As the name suggests, the film focuses on the year 1964 — a pivotal moment in The Beatles career which sees them touch down on US soil for the first time, sparking the ‘Beatlemania’ fandom that pop music has never quite seen the likes of since.

Beatles ‘64 covers off all the key events — the band’s touchdown at Kennedy Airport, the debut Ed Sullivan Show performance and their first American gig at Washington’s DC Coliseum. The documentary’s archive footage will be interspersed with new interview footage from surviving band members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr (both also acting as producers), as well as fans whose young minds were blown by The Beatles’ arrival stateside.

Excitingly, the archive footage onshow here, upscaled to glorious 4K resolution, has been restored by Park Road Post — the same video effects studio that did such a phenomenal job restoring aged World War One footage for Peter Jackson’s moving They Shall Not Grow Old documentary. In other words, it should look fantastic.

Beatles ‘64 hits Disney+ on November 29th — and should go some way towards soothing the woes of those who missed out on tickets for McCartney’s winter UK tour later this year.

• The best music documentaries (and where to watch them)

There’s something endlessly comforting about a great crime drama. The familiar rhythm of clues and red herrings, the troubled detective staring moodily out of a rain-streaked window, the slow, creeping realisation that nothing is quite as it seems. It’s television as a pressure release valve, tense, twisty, and designed to keep you saying “just one more episode” until suddenly it’s 2am.

Netflix, of course, has gone all-in on the genre. From bleak Nordic noir and prestige British procedurals to glossy American thrillers and true-crime-adjacent slow burns, the streamer’s crime library is deep enough to swallow entire weekends whole. Some shows lean hard into the puzzle, others into the psychology, and a few are simply there to make you gasp, rewind, and immediately message your group chat.

Whether you’re in the mood for a cerebral whodunnit, a cat-and-mouse serial killer saga, or a detective story that’s really about grief, obsession or institutional rot, these are the best crime dramas currently streaming on Netflix.

18. Good Girls

A playful, suburban crime drama, Good Girls mixes humour, escalating criminal misadventures, and relatable family dynamics. It’s lighter fare compared to the heavier prestige dramas, but the stakes, twists, and excellent performances make it addictive. Perfect for viewers who like their crime fun, dramatic, and a little chaotic.

17. Orange Is the New Black

A blend of crime drama, social commentary, and ensemble comedy, Orange Is the New Black was Netflix’s early prestige hit. Its depiction of life inside a women’s prison is often sharp, funny, and politically pointed, though later seasons lose some focus. Still, it’s impossible to ignore the influence it had on streaming storytelling, its memorable cast, and its fearless exploration of difficult subjects.

16. The End of the F***ing World

A darkly comic twist on crime-adjacent storytelling, The End of the F**ing World* is nihilistic, funny, and occasionally violent, but always oddly tender. James and Alyssa’s misadventures mix coming-of-age angst with criminal escapades, producing a show that is simultaneously bleak and heartwarming. It’s short, punchy, and completely unlike anything else on the list, making it a cult favourite.

15. Kin

A quieter, family-focused take on crime, Kin blends gangland drama with emotional depth. It’s a slow burn, showing the human side of criminal enterprises, loyalty, betrayal, and the consequences of choices. Its realism and measured pacing set it apart from flashier shows, allowing the tension to simmer and the characters to resonate. For viewers who like their crime drama with heart as well as grit, Kin delivers.

14. Dear Child

A German psychological crime thriller that excels at suspense and creeping dread, Dear Child takes viewers deep into trauma and mystery. Every episode builds tension through claustrophobic direction and slow-burn storytelling, culminating in shocking reveals. It’s the kind of series that rewards patience and attention, pulling you into its unsettling world and leaving you thinking long after the credits roll.

13. Griselda

Stylish, star-studded, and unapologetically excessive, Griselda chronicles the life of the notorious drug queenpin Griselda Blanco. Sofia Vergara disappears into the role, anchoring a series filled with crime, ambition, and brutality. The show revels in its cinematic flair and high-stakes tension, blending historical crime storytelling with modern production values. While it’s more spectacle than subtlety, it’s impossible to look away from Blanco’s ruthless rise to power.

12. Lupin

Lupin injects a burst of charm and style into the crime genre. Omar Sy is magnetic as a modern gentleman thief, using wit, disguise, and elaborate schemes to pull off heists and exact revenge. It’s clever, slick, and fun — more about outsmarting the system than brute force. Its pacing, twists, and Sy’s charisma make it bingeable, and while it’s lighter than prestige dramas, it’s still immensely satisfying for fans of crime with style.

11. The Sinner

A concept-driven crime series, The Sinner inverts the usual whodunnit by asking why instead of who. Bill Pullman’s detective navigates psychologically complex cases, each rooted in trauma, buried secrets, and moral ambiguity. Some seasons are uneven, but at its best, it’s tense, clever, and deeply unsettling, with twists that keep you second-guessing. It’s a slow burn, more about character dissection than action, but the payoff is quietly devastating.

10. Unbelievable

A quiet powerhouse, Unbelievable follows two detectives as they hunt a serial rapist while exposing systemic failure in law enforcement. It’s a restrained, smart, and deeply human crime drama, anchored by incredible performances from Kaitlyn Dever, Merritt Wever, and Toni Collette. The series balances investigative procedure with emotional storytelling, showing the impact of crime on survivors and the perseverance required to find justice. Unbelievable is intense, affecting, and one of the most thoughtful crime dramas of recent years.

9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_InqQJRqGW4

Absurd, addictive, and unapologetically over-the-top, Money Heist transforms a heist into pure operatic spectacle. The series thrives on high emotion, clever twists, and elaborate planning, with the Professor orchestrating chaos like a chess master. The show knows exactly what it is: a melodrama with flair, dramatic tension, and moments of genuine suspense. It’s less about realism and more about momentum, excitement, and big personalities, and when it hits, it’s impossible to look away.

8. Top Boy

Top Boy is raw, authentic, and unflinchingly honest, a portrait of life in modern London’s housing estates. It focuses on survival, loyalty, and consequence in the drug trade without glamorising it, giving every character depth and motivation. The dialogue is sharp, performances from the cast are pitch-perfect, and the storylines hit hard and fast. Top Boy manages to blend tense crime drama with social realism, making it both thrilling and emotionally resonant. Every street, corner, and conversation feels alive, drawing you into a world that’s as compelling as it is dangerous.

7. When They See Us

A departure from standard crime thrillers, Ava DuVernay’s When They See Us is an essential, gut-wrenching watch. The miniseries reconstructs the harrowing story of the Central Park Five, combining meticulous attention to real events with powerhouse performances. It’s an unflinching look at racial injustice, the failures of the legal system, and the resilience of youth wronged by the state. Emotionally devastating and uncomfortably truthful, it’s a series that stays with you long after the credits roll.

6. Narcos

Few series capture the scale and chaos of organised crime like Narcos. By weaving historical events with high-stakes storytelling, the series charts the rise and fall of some of the world’s most notorious drug lords. Wagner Moura’s Pablo Escobar is iconic, commanding every frame he’s in, while the political and law enforcement perspectives add depth and tension. Narcos doesn’t shy away from the human cost of power, the collateral damage, betrayals, and moral compromises are brutal and unflinching. Every season is a sprawling, immersive ride through the machinery of empire and crime.

5. Ozark

Cold, bleak, and relentlessly tense, Ozark is a Netflix crime drama at its most anxiety-inducing. Jason Bateman’s Marty Byrde is a financial wizard dragged into laundering cartel money, while Laura Linney’s Wendy Byrde grows darker, smarter, and scarier with each season. The show thrives on moral ambiguity, claustrophobic tension, and the slow-burn consequences of every decision. With each season, the stakes escalate, the violence sharpens, and the Byrde family’s survival feels more fragile than ever. It’s a masterclass in tone, pacing, and suspense that keeps viewers perpetually on edge.

4. Peaky Blinders

Style, swagger and slow-motion violence collide in Steven Knight’s Birmingham-set gangster epic. Peaky Blinders thrives on atmosphere, razor-sharp suits, pounding soundtracks and Cillian Murphy’s hypnotic performance as Tommy Shelby. It’s melodramatic, sure, but when it hits, it really hits, and with the new film dropping this year, it's the perfect time to catch up.

3. Breaking Bad

The gold standard for modern TV crime dramas, Breaking Bad charts the unforgettable descent of Walter White from mild-mannered chemistry teacher to full-blown criminal mastermind. What starts as a desperate bid to provide for his family quickly spirals into something far darker, driven by ego, pride and a taste for power. Meticulously plotted, relentlessly tense and packed with iconic performances, it’s a show that rewrote the rulebook, and still looms large over everything that followed.

2. Better Call Saul

A prequel that somehow becomes its own masterpiece, Better Call Saul takes the comic relief of Breaking Bad and turns him into one of TV’s most tragic figures. Watching Jimmy McGill’s slow, painful transformation into Saul Goodman is gripping television, built on razor-sharp writing, moral grey areas and devastating character work. It’s a crime drama less concerned with shootouts than consequences, where every small decision carries weight, and where the line between good and bad blurs long before it finally snaps.

1. Mindhunter

David Fincher’s meticulous deep dive into the minds of serial killers remains one of Netflix’s greatest (and most frustratingly unfinished) crime dramas. Set in the late 1970s, it follows FBI agents pioneering criminal profiling by interviewing some of America’s most notorious murderers. It’s all slow-burn dread rather than cheap thrills, with chilling performances, especially Cameron Britton’s unnervingly calm Ed Kemper, and an oppressive sense that evil isn’t loud, but methodical. Cold, cerebral and quietly terrifying, Mindhunter proves crime drama doesn’t need gunfights and explosions to stand out.

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Bad news for fans of strange 1990s TV shows — Netflix has stopped work on the live action reboot of Power Rangers.

The news originally broke on X, through account @Jinsakuu.

Netflix has been attached to the long-standing series since 2021, but we've seen relatively little of what were once bold plans.

Netflix produced a short hour-long movie of the franchise, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always, in April 2023 for the show's 30th anniversary. It was well-regarded, but did not make much of an impact on the Netflix chart.

It entered the top 10 English language movies at number eight, with 6.5 million hours viewed. And it slipped out into obscurity after. It racked up 12.2 million hours by the end of June 2023, but was thoroughly out-watched by the two seasons of Power Rangers: Dino Fury, with a collective 65-plus million hours.

A new TV movie falling flat can’t have helped Netflix’s faith in the project. According to TVline, Power Rangers license holder Hasbro is already “exploring a new creative direction” with a different partner.

As Power Rangers fans will know, we’ve actually just (well, in late 2023) had a new series on Netflix, Power Rangers: Cosmic Fury. However, this was intended to be the last season before this big supposed reboot.

As usual, Power Rangers: Cosmic Fury snagged its key battle scenes from original Power Rangers source and inspiration Super Sentai, and not even its latest stuff. Its content comes from the 2017-2018 run.

Producer Jonathan Entwistle was signed up to work on the Netflix Power Rangers project, which was envisioned as a whole universe of content, including multiple forms of movies and TV shows.

Netflix’s deal with Hasbro was confirmed in 2021, and since then we’ve been able to stream the two new seasons of Power Rangers Dino Fury and Power Rangers Cosmic Fury on the service.

Hasbro’s new partners had better get things moving quickly, as if there’s no new season released in 2024, it will be the first time we’ve not seen a new series of Power Rangers in a year since its 1993 inception.

• The best Netflix show, ranked by readers

Prime Video is gearing up to produce its next big TV show, and this one has some real stars in its roster.

The Flash TV show’s Jessica Camacho has signed on for Countdown, a Prime Video show in development.

We already knew Jensen Ackles would star, after the show was announced last week.

Ackles barely needs an introduction for TV fans, but he starred in The Boys as Soldier Boy, and was of course co-lead in Supernatural.

But what is Countdown?

Ackles stars as police officer Mark Meachum, who is enlisted into a team of agents.

The show’s blurb describes this organisation as “a secret task force of undercover agentsfrom all branches of law enforcement to investigate. But as the truth of a more sinister plot comes into focus, the team must overcome their conflicting personal agendas to unite and save a city of millions."

The Countdown begins

Countdown is headed up behind-the-scenes by Derek Haas. He spent more than a decade as a film screenwriter, on movies like 3:10 to Yuma, Wanted and 2 Fast 2 Furious. However, more recently he’s been busy with a slew of procedural shows: Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, Chicago P.D. and FBI: International.

“I love making shows that keep you on the edge of your seat with nonstop action, drama, surprises, and suspense, and I can’t wait to work with Jensen and for everyone to see Countdown,” says Haas.

Our big question: is Countdown going to end up as one of these procedurals, which often run for endless seasons? Or are we looking at something a little more specific and interesting?

The first season of Countdown will feature 13 episodes, and there’s no release date as yet. We likely have a while to wait given we’re only at the stage of casting announcements.

There are rumours we’ll get to see Jensen Ackles in The Boys season 4, though, alongside Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who played Ackles character’s father in Supernatural. It's out on June 13.

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Timothy Olyphant will play the voice of the terminator in upcoming animated Netflix show Terminator Zero

This casting news was revealed as part of the Next on Netflix: Animation event, which was held in Los Angeles.

We’re yet to hear how Olyphant will play the terminator, what he'll sound like, but we do know a little about Terminator Zero as a show. It’s an eight-part series that focuses on a resistance soldier sent back to 1997 to protect a scientist, Malcolm Lee, working on a system to rival SkyNet before it goes rogue and scorches the Earth.

In classic Terminator fashion, a terminator assassin is also hunting down Lee.

The show is out on August 29, and is written by Mattson Tomlin. He wrote 2020 Netflix film Project Power, and is currently working on Batman Part II.

A few initial teaser images of Terminator Zero were released a few weeks ago, giving a sense of the style here. It seems to rely a bunch of lighting and transparency effects rather than pure hand-drawn animation. Have a look.

This was just one of a bunch of stories to come out of the Next on Netflix event. We also heard a Ghostbusters show is on the way, courtesy of Sony Pictures animation. And a spin-off series of Hotel Transylvania films, Motel Transylvania, is coming too.

Two Spongebob Squarepants spin-off movies are in the works. We already knew about Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie, due in August. There’s another for 2025, dubbed Planton: The Movie. It centres on Plankton and his desire for Mr Krab’s secret formula. They really are spreading the crab paste thin on Spongebob Squarepants, but we at ShortList sure are big fans of the spongey one.

There was an also a first look at upcoming Wallace and Gromit movie Vengeance Most Fowl, which we’ve already taken a deeper look in a teaser preview.

Still hoping for another Terminator film? While James Cameron has reportedly written a script for the movie, there's been no green-lighting of the production as yet.

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UK readers will be able to watch Batman universe TV show The Penguin on Sky and NOW later this year when it arrives.

Sky has snagged streaming rights for The Penguin in the UK, Ireland, Austria, Germany, Italy and Switzerland, according to Deadline.

Its home over in the US is HBO Max, which we knew from the start as this is a Warner Bros. production, and WB owns HBO.

Those in the UK and Europe won't have to suffer any release lag either, as The Penguin will be broadcast across the US and Europe on the same date.

This is not the first bit of good news NOW and Sky subscribers have had of late. In mid-May we heard the entire run of The Walking Dead was coming to the streamer, along with future spin-offs such as The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live.

We don’t yet know the most important bit, though: when is The Penguin coming out, exactly?

It's pencilled in for Autumn 2024, or "the Fall” for US readers, but that’s a fairly wide window.

The Penguin will see Colin Farrell reprise the role of Oswald Cobblepot, having played the classic villain in 2022 flick The Batman. It helped secure the movie an Oscar nomination for Best Makeup and Hairstyling, although The Whale ended up snagging the award.

The first season of The Penguin will feature eight episodes, and will follow the events of the 2022 film, charting Cobblepot’s rise to become a Gotham city crime kingpin.

If it’s as good as we hope, The Penguin could be an important step in the rise of DC, which has been a long time coming after James Gunn became creative head in 2022.

However, Gunn is not credited on The Penguin. Lauren LeFranc leads the production, following writing and production jobs on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Hemlock Grove and YouTube Premium series Impulse.

• Batman actors, ranked: who’s the best Batman?

Comedy icon Alan Partridge is returning to our screens, and the filming of his next series is already in progress.

Steve Coogan’s next slice of Partridge is called And Did Those Feet… with Alan Partridge. It sees Alan return to life in Norfolk after spending a year in Saudi Arabia.

“Seeing himself and his homeland anew, there are pressing and frankly glaring questions he’d like to ask of himself and, on behalf of himself, of the country,” says the BBC.

So far, the BBC has released just one still from the production of And Did Those Feet… with Alan Partridge.

It's a riposte to a Daily Mail story, in which a bunch of photos from the production were published earlier in May:

“I’m delighted to follow the Daily Mail’s exclusive coverage of filming and their gallery of paparazzi-style images with my own press release more or less confirming the details they’ve announced. All best, Alan.”

No mean Feet

The BBC says the show began filming on May 13 in the South of England, and we originally heard about it following its confirmation in February 2024.

There will be six 30-minute episodes, in classic BBC comedy fashion, but as yet we don’t know when they will be broadcast.

And Did Those Feet… with Alan Partridge will see Alan tackle the subject of mental health. “One of the first - if not the first - documentary to address the issue of mental wellness,” says the BBC — not entirely seriously, of course.

“This look into the state of the nation (and Alan’s own psyche) through a unique lens – that of Alan Partridge – promises to further bolster the already iconic repertoire of the most legendary comedy character in the UK,” says Jon Petrie, the BBC’s Director of Comedy Commissioning. “This series will firmly cement Alan Partridge as a national treasure."

We’ve been in an Alan Partridge TV show drought since 2021, when season two of This Time With Alan Partridge was broadcast.

However, there has been other Alan Partridge content since, including podcast From the Oasthouse. Its third series was released on August 31, 2023.

• The best alternative BBC comedies through the ages

In a moment fantasy fans should not miss, we have new trailers for the biggest names in televisual fantasy adaptations.

Not only has Prime Video has released a trailer for the second season of Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, HBO dropped a teaser for House of the Dragon season 2 on the same day.

We’ll get to see the return and rise of Sauron, and the creation of the initial three rings of power that prefaced the action of the original Lord of the Rings epics.

On the Game of Thrones side, House of the Dragon Season 2 picks up where the first left off, continuing the saga of the Westerosi Civil War.

Have a look at both trailers here and here:

Both of these sci-fi epics are set years before the action of the stories that inspired them, but which is picking up more heat right now?

Based on pure YouTube viewing figures, The Rings of Power is ahead. At the time of writing it’s the number one trending video on YouTube, and has amassed 2.4 million views, to the 1.8 million of the House of the Dragon teaser.

Of course, despite all the parallels we’re not quite dealing with a like-for-like situation here.

House of the Dragon season 2 is out in just a month, on June 16. It has already had its share of teaser trailers to soak up the initial excitement.

Lord of the Rings: The Rings of power season 2 isn’t out until August, and this is the first of Prime Video’s trailers for the show's second run.

The critical reception to the shows’ first seasons was similar, with House of the Dragon averaging 69% on Metacritic to the 71% of The Rings of Power.

Neither has entirely conventional source materials either. The Rings of Power is based on the appendices of the Lord of the Rings books and bits of the Silmarillion, which flesh out the world-building elements not covered in the text of the main saga.

The House of the Dragon is based on George R. R. Martin’s Fire & Blood. It’s a published tome, but one written like a history book rather than a conventional novel.

• Best fantasy movies on Netflix

The Walking Dead spin-off The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live finally has a UK release date, and we now know it’s coming to SKY’s NOW.

UK viewers will be able to watch the show with a NOW subscription from May 31.

Missed the The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live first time around? This series is a spin-off of the original zombie show. It’s set after the conclusion of the main series, and focuses on Rick Grimes and Michonne.

The show was first broadcast by AMC in the US, back in February 2024. And it was a massive hit, apparently.

"The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live is the most successful series in the history of AMC+, even including the original series,” says AMC executive vice president Mike Pears. “It is fitting that it will lead the way as Sky brings this entire universe to U.K. fans in the coming weeks and months on Sky and NOW.”

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live was generally well-liked by the critics, and currently sits at 88% fresh at Rotten Tomatoes.

The thrill here for old-school fans of the series is in seeing Andrew Lincoln return, and resuming the love storyline between Rick and Michonne.

There’s more than just The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live coming for NOW subscribers too. This is part of a much wider content distribution deal that could keep you busy for, well, absolutely ages.

From May 19, the full 11-season run of The Walking Dead will come to NOW. Further spin-offs the Walking Dead: Dead City and The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon are heading our way too, but not this month.

Daryl Dixon, first broadcast in September 2023, will come to NOW this August, while Dead City is due “later this year.” The second seasons of these spin-offs are on the cards too, once they’re out.

• Best NOW TV shows ranked

The 2024 BAFTA TV awards took place on May 12 at the Royal Festival Hall in London. Want to know who won?

We’ll give you the full run-down shortly, but a few of the winners are worth highlighting.

Netflix's Top Boy won the Best Drama award, beating Slow Horses, Happy Valley and The Gold. It was no doubt helped by the show coming to an end with Netflix’s season three, and managing to stick the landing.

Squid Game: The Challenge also picked up a BAFTA, in the somewhat less starry Reality TV category. Netflix picked up a third TV show win with Class Act, in the International category, for a solid showing in a field often dominated by BBC wins.

You can watch the red carpet interview show below, and there are separate clips for each of the awards over at BAFTA’s YouTube channel:

Here’s the full list of 2024 TV BAFTA winners, along with links for where you can watch them:

Drama series

Top Boy - Watch on Netflix

Leading actress

Sarah Lancashire, Happy Valley - Watch on iPlayer

Leading actor

Timothy Spall, The Sixth Commandment -Watch on iPlayer

International show

Class Act - Watch on Netflix

Limited drama

The Sixth Commandment - Watch on iPlayer

Supporting actress

Jasmine Jobson, Top Boy - Watch on Netflix

Supporting actor

Matthew MacFayden, Succession - Watch on NOW

Female comedy performance

Gbemisola Ikumelo, Black Ops - Watch on iPlayer

Male comedy performance

Mawaan Rizwan, Juice - Watch on iPlayer

Reality

Squid Game: The Challenge - Watch on Netflix

Scripted comedy

Such Brave Girls - Watch on iPlayer

Comedy entertainment programme

Rob & Romesh Vs - Watch on NOW

Entertainment performance

Joe Lycett, Late Night Lycett - Watch on Channel 4

Entertainment programme

Strictly Come Dancing - Watch on iPlayer

Factual entertainment

Celebrity Race Across the World - Watch on iPlayer

Factual series

Lockerbie - Watch on NOW

Documentary

Ellie Simmonds: Finding My Secret Family -Watch on ITVX

Specialist factual

White Nanny Black Child - Watch on My5

Live event

Eurovision Song Contest - Watch on iPlayer

Short film

Mobility - Watch on iPlayer

Sport

Cheltenham Festival (day 1)

Current affairs

The Shamim Begum Story - Watch on iPlayer

News coverage

Channel 4 News: Inside Gaza, Israel and Hamas at War

Daytime TV

Scam Interceptors - Watch on iPlayer

Soap

Casualty - Watch on iPlayer

Netflix has confirmed Heartbreak High will get a third season, but it will also be its last.

Missed it so far? Heartbreak High is a reboot of an Australian teen soap from the mid 90s.

The Guardian described it as the original show meets “Mean Girls, but with more sex,” and the first season came away with remarkably strong reviews and a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score.

Season 2 came out in April, and didn’t get as universally positive a reception. But you won’t find anyone saying it actually represented a huge step down from the original.

The third season will top off the story, and hopefully give the writers a chance to bring the thing to a satisfying close.

“All of us who work on the series are grateful to have the opportunity to see what kind of mess evolves in season three,” says Fremantle Head of Scripted Carly Heaton.

But should we be focusing on the show’s renewal, or that Heartbreak High has also effectively been cancelled at the same time?

Netflix is talking up Heartbreak High season 2’s success, calling it “one of the most popular shows both in Australia and around the world.”

However, when you actually dig up the numbers a different picture begins to appear.

Heartbreak High season 2 only entered the global Netflix chart at number seven in its first week. It peaked at number five in its second week with 20 million weekly hours viewed.

That probably sounds like a lot, but is not all that high compared to mega hits like The Gentlemen and Fool Me Once, which sailed well above 100 million hours in a week.

Its performance is, however, somewhat similar to that of Heartstopper Season 2, which peaked at 28.5 million hours in its first week on stream in August 2023.

It does make you wonder: does YA content struggle to reel in the big viewership numbers when it isn’t attached to Stranger Things or Wednesday? If Netflix was hoping for a cross-generational mega-hit with Heartbreak High, it seems it didn't find it.

• Best Young Adult books: great YA books to read today

What are some things that can ruin a movie? Mobile phones, noisy popcorn eaters, teenagers and ads. But Amazon’s plans for ads on Prime Video are worth a shout, even if they may be the work of the devil.

Prime Video plans to add interactive adverts to its streaming apps, according to Adweek.

They are “interactive ad formats that are seamlessly shoppable,” according to Amazon Ads Vice President Alan Moss.

What this will mean in practice is you’ll be able to use your TV remote to add the product in an advert to your Amazon basket, or see more information about those products.

There’s no suggestion we’ll be hitting the checkout right from the infrared remote of your old LG TV set — yet — but as any frequent Amazon shopper knows, you can come back to the checkout after weeks only to find something in there you completely forgot about.

Ad nauseum

Does this mean you could end up ordering a Fallout Bobblehead between episodes of Fallout? We think it’s more likely you’ll see more commonly-advertised stuff in these ads. Perhaps an air fryer, one that pops up every few days despite you having bought one back at Christmas.

This is part of a new era of Prime Video viewing that arguably began when Amazon added adverts to Prime video on January 29, 2024.

You now have to pay an additional $2.99 or £2.99 a month if you want to be able to watch ad-free.

Despite Amazon being an ad leviathan, Prime was actually one of the later services to incorporate adverts. Netflix started in 2022, Disney+ in 2023, while Sky’s NOW quietly began adding ads to its service way back in 2021.

• Best movies on Amazon Prime Video (May 2024)

Main image credit: LG