Prime Video’s trailer for Countdown reveals there’s an extinction-level event planned and not much time to stop it. The trailer also confirms that although the clock’s ticking, Jensen Ackles’ character will have time to drop witty lines and add some humor to the situation.
The series, created by Derek Haas (FBI), stars Ackles (The Boys, Supernatural), Eric Dane (Euphoria), and Jessica Camacho (The Flash). Violett Beane (Death and Other Details), Elliot Knight (The Boys), and Uli Latukefu (Young Rock) also star in season one. Haas is the showrunner and executive produces.
“When an officer with the Department of Homeland Security is murdered in broad daylight, LAPD detective Mark Meachum, portrayed by Ackles, is recruited to a secret task force, alongside undercover agents from all branches of law enforcement, to investigate,” reads Prime Video’s synopsis. “But the hunt for the killer soon uncovers a plot far more sinister than anyone could have imagined, kicking off a race against time to save a city of millions.”
Countdown will premiere on Prime Video on June 25, 2025 with the release of the first three episodes. New episodes will stream on Wednesdays, with the finale set for September 3rd.
Poster for ‘Countdown’ (Photo Credit: Prime Video)
Hannah Einbinder and Jean Smart in ‘Hacks’ season 4 (Photograph by Courtesy of Max)
Was there ever any doubt that Max would renew Hacks for season five as long as Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder were game? Max (soon to be HBO Max again) made it official, confirming the critically acclaimed, award-winning series will be returning for a fifth season. The announcement came just one day prior to season four’s finale.
“Like Deborah Vance herself, Hacks only gets bolder, sharper, and more iconic with time. We’re beyond thrilled to keep the laughter rolling with Jen, Paul, Lucia, our extraordinary cast and crew, and our partners at Max,” stated Erin Underhill, President of Universal Television.
Six-time Emmy winner Jean Smart stars as Deborah Vance and Critics Choice Award winner Hannah Einbinder stars as Ava. The season four cast also includes Emmy winner Paul W. Downs, SAG Award nominee Megan Stalter, Emmy nominee Carl Clemons-Hopkins, SAG Award nominee Mark Indelicato, and SAG Award nominee Rose Abdoo. Dan Bucatinsky, Helen Hunt, Tony Goldwyn, Kaitlin Olson, Jane Adams, Lauren Weedman, Christopher McDonald, Poppy Liu, Lorenza Izzo, Johnny Sibilly, Paul Felder, Polly Draper, Luenell, and Aristotle Athari also star.
According to Max, season four has been among its top five series since premiering on April 10, 2025. Commenting on the renewal, Head of Max Original Programming Sarah Aubrey said, “Yes! More! We congratulate Hacks‘ singularly talented cast and crew and our great partners at Universal Television.”
Emmy winners Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello, and Jen Statsky created the series and serve as showrunners and executive producers. Additional executive producers include Michael Schur, David Miner, Morgan Sackett, and Joe Mande.
First photo from the set of ‘The Gentlemen’ season 2 (Photo Credit: Netflix)
Filming’s begun on the eight-episode second season of Netflix’s The Gentlemen. Netflix just announced production is underway and confirmed the new and returning cast members on board for Guy Ritchie’s dark comedy.
Reprising their roles for season two are Theo James (The Monkey), Kaya Scodelario (Senna), Daniel Ings (I Hate Suzie), Ray Winstone (Sexy Beast), Joely Richardson (Ballad of Renegade Nell), Vinnie Jones (Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels), and Jasmine Blackborow (Marie Antoinette). Michael Vu (In The Grey), Harry Goodwins (Sunset Drive), Ruby Sear, Pearce Quigley (The Detectorists), and Giancarlo Esposito (The Residence) also return for season two.
“I am delighted to return to set for season two of The Gentlemen. This chapter sees a deliberate expansion, both geographically and thematically, as we journey from the English countryside to the Italian lakes. Eddie and Susie find themselves navigating an increasingly volatile empire as they’re besieged on all fronts by an influx of enigmatic new players,” said Guy Ritchie. “The stakes are heightened, the power dynamics are more precarious, and I’m thrilled to be collaborating once again with this exceptional cast and crew.”
Season two newcomers include Hugh Bonneville (The Agency), Benjamin Clementine (Dune), Benedetta Porcaroli (The Leopard), Michele Morrone (Another Simple Favor), Sergio Castellito (Conclave), Amra Mallassi (Dune: Part Two), Tyler Conti (Tell Me Everything), boxer Chris Eubank Jr, and TV host Maya Jama.
“It’s been one year since Eddie and Susie joined forces to work together in Bobby’s criminal empire overseas. As they drive to expand their enterprise, the decisions Bobby is making seem to be increasingly unsound,” reads Netflix’s synopsis. “Now Eddie and Susie must decide whether to take action or risk losing it all, but unfettered ambition never ends well…”
Guy Ritchie created the series and serves as writer, director, and executive producer. Additional executive producers include Will Gould, Matthew Read, Frith Tiplady, Simon Crawford Collins, and Ivan Atkinson. Matthew Read also writes, and Eran Creevy is a season two director. Laura Jackson and Max Keene are producers.
The Gentlemen is produced by Moonage Pictures, part of ITV Studios, and Miramax Television for Netflix.
CBS has huge plans for the upcoming 50th season of Survivor. Control is in the hands of the fans for pivotal elements of the competition, and favorites including Colby Donaldson, Benjamin “Coach” Wade, Joe Hunter, and Kyle Fraser are returning for the landmark season.
The White Lotus creator Mike White is also back for another attempt at outwitting, outplaying, and outlasting his fellow castaways. Season 50 will premiere in spring 2026.
“Survivor 50 will push the series into uncharted territory and impact the players like never before. For the first time ever, the game is ‘In the Hands of the Fans!’ Earlier this year, fans voted on key elements of the game, including ‘Idols or No Idols,’ ‘Final Four Fire Making: Keep It or Lose It,’ and ‘Live Finale and Reunion Show in L.A. – or Keep the Winner Reveal and Aftershow in the Jungles of Fiji.’ The players won’t know what the fans voted for until they are competing on the island,” reads CBS’s synopsis. “The game and the celebrations leading up to next spring’s premiere are designed to honor fans for their loyalty and passion throughout the 25 years of the hit series and to entice new viewers as well!”
‘Little House on the Prairie’ adds Jocko Sims and Warren Christie (Photo Credits: Justin Clynes Photography, Nathan Johnson / Provided by Netflix)
Netflix’s new take on Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie has added six cast members. Jocko Sims, Warren Christie, Wren Zhawenim Gotts, Meegwun Fairbrother, Alyssa Wapanatahk, and Xander Cole have joined the series, which is set to star Alice Halsey as Laura Ingalls. All but Cole have signed on as series regulars, with Cole on board in a recurring role.
Previously announced cast members also include Luke Bracey as Charles Ingalls, Crosby Fitzgerald as Caroline Ingalls, and Skywalker Hughes as Mary Ingalls. Rebecca Sonnenshine (The Boys, Vampire Diaries) is serving as showrunner and executive producer along with Joy Gorman Wettels, Trip Friendly, Dana Fox, and Susanna Fogel. The first episode will be directed by Sarah Adina Smith.
“Part hopeful family drama, part epic survival tale, and part origin story of the American West, this fresh adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s iconic semi-autobiographical Little House books offers a kaleidoscopic view of the struggles and triumphs of those who shaped the frontier,” reads Netflix’s synopsis.
Netflix offered the following details on the just-announced cast:
Jocko Sims (New Amsterdam) will play Dr. George Tann. Dr. Tann is a generous and kind-hearted man with a charming bedside manner that makes him a connector within the community.
Warren Christie (The Watchful Eye) will play John Edwards, a Civil War veteran from Tennessee. Edwards is a gregarious and mysterious man who catches the eye of every single woman in the county (maybe some of the married ones, too).
Wren Zhawenim Gotts (Echo) will play Good Eagle, the daughter of Mitchell and White Sun. Good Eagle is wildly imaginative and is known as a storyteller in her family.
Meegwun Fairbrother (Burden of Truth) will play Mitchell, a tender-hearted man who lives in Kansas with his family, where he became a successful farmer and built the most impressive homestead in the county.
Alyssa Wapanatahk (Peter Pan and Wendy) will play White Sun. White Sun is opinionated, beautiful, and has a sharp sense of humor. At times she sees the world through a more cynical lens than her husband, Mitchell.
Xander Cole (People of the West) will play Little Puma, White Sun’s younger brother. Little Puma is good-hearted, but bull-headed, and is trying to find his place in the world. He loves his big sister but also loves getting under her skin.
Expect shocking surprises in the upcoming fifth season of Discovery Channel’s Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch. The season five trailer teases the Ollingers might be on to their biggest discovery to date. Fans won’t know for sure until the new season debuts on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 10pm ET/PT.
“As father and son duo Duane and Chad Ollinger and their team continue the quest for missing gold along the remote 160-acre Blind Frog Ranch in Utah’s Uinta Basin, their efforts lead to significant new finds. An underwater tunnel with remnants of ancient Aztec artifacts, Aztec stone markers dotting the landscape, a mysterious chiseled tablet buried deep inside a cave, and evidence of an archaic armory puts them hot on the trail to the long-lost fortune,” reads Discovery Channel’s synopsis. “Yet as they inch closer to the treasure, a deadly radioactive discovery, volatile elements, mysterious trespassers, and secret government operations threaten to halt everything.”
Season five’s first episode will find Chad diving “deep into an underground passage, discovering artifacts and a potential way through to the keyhole chamber. Meanwhile, geologist Eric Drummond returns from Ohio with intel on how to drill around the meteorite on the ranch. But a midnight intruder on the property digs up an even bigger mystery, putting the team on high alert and impeding their efforts.”
Eric and Charlie point to a core sample from the energy zone borehole in ‘Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch’ season 5 (Photo Credit: Discovery Channel)
Ryan Reynolds (Welcome to Wrexham) narrates and Green Day provides the theme song for National Geographic’s nature series Underdogs, which just debuted an official trailer. The series celebrates overlooked and underappreciated wild creatures and will premiere on National Geographic on June 15, 2025 at 9pm ET/PT.
“Getting to work with National Geographic on Underdogs was a dream come true—mostly because I can finally watch a project of ours with my children. Technically, they saw Deadpool & Wolverine but I don’t think they absorbed much while covering their eyes and ears and screaming for two hours,” said Ryan Reynolds. “We’re so proud to elevate the unsung heroes of the natural world to the top of the entertainment food chain and can’t wait for everyone to see.”
Reynolds serves as an executive producer along with Mark Linfield, Vanessa Berlowitz, Dan Rees, George Dewey, Ashley Fox, Patrick Gooing, Bengt Anderson, and Tracy Rudolph Jackson. Underdogs is produced by Wildstar, a Fremantle company, in partnership with Maximum Effort for National Geographic.
“For 137 years, National Geographic has been bringing you breathtaking wildlife footage of iconic animals—penguins, elephants, whales, and more. As if those windbags need any more free PR. Hold on to your binoculars, folks, as Nat Geo gets up close and personal with the outcasts of the animal kingdom in Underdogs, narrated by Ryan Reynolds. From their hidden talents to their unconventional hygiene choices to their unsavory courtship rituals, Underdogs celebrates the unique behaviors of the animals who don’t usually get to be the stars of the show,” reads National Geographic’s synopsis.
The description continues: “Each episode of the five-part series showcases a different aspect of these underdogs’ bizarre mating strategies, surprising superpowers, deception, dubious parenting skills and gross-out behaviors. Underdogs features a range of never-before-filmed scenes, including the first time a film crew has ever entered a special cave in New Zealand – a huge cavern that glows brighter than a bachelor pad under a black light thanks to the glowing butts of millions of mucus-coated grubs. All over the world, overlooked superstars like this are out there 24/7, giving it maximum effort and keeping the natural world in working order for all those showboating polar bears, sharks, and gorillas.”
Underdogs Episode Guide:
“Superzeroes” Premieres June 15 at 9/8c on National Geographic
Ryan Reynolds assembles a team of “Superzeroes,” apparently pathetic animals with unexpectedly awesome superpowers. Forget about the cheetah’s speed, the eagle’s eyesight, or the elephant’s brute strength, and say hello to the invisible glass frog, the indestructible honey badger and the pistol shrimp who can fire bubbles that are as hot as the surface of the sun.
“Terrible Parents” premieres June 15 at 9:54/8:54c on National Geographic
Ryan Reynolds reveals some highly questionable parenting strategies from the animal kingdom’s worst parents, the underdogs. From a goose who lays their eggs on the top of a cliff to a koala that feeds its baby poop, it’s uncertain if they are bad parents or just misunderstood. But no matter how bad you think you may be at parenting, you can’t be as bad as these guys.
“Sexy Beasts” Premieres June 22 at 9/8c on National Geographic
Forget the birds and the bees, Ryan reveals the steps to finding “the one,” underdog-style. From the “first attraction” in giant-nosed proboscis monkeys to the importance of wingmen in turkey courtship to foreplay in flying foxes, these guys have rewritten the rule book on messy and complicated relationships.
“The Unusual Suspects” premieres June 22 at 9:53/8:53c on National Geographic
Ryan Reynolds puts the spotlight on the underdogs who get ahead by sneaky tactics. From the master-of-disguise frogfish to a butt-biting jackal and a multi-headed caterpillar playing the decoy, these are the masters of deception and deceit. And bringing all these hustlers together is the greatest con artist of them all—a cunning macaque who feeds on the spoils from unsuspecting tourists.
“Total Grossout” Premieres June 29 at 9/8c on National Geographic
Ryan gives his unique take on the animals who use gross-out tactics to achieve their goals, from defending their home to finding a mate and winning at the game of life. His cast includes manatees that use flatulence to control their buoyancy and cave-dwelling fungus gnats that create beautiful, illuminated fly traps from the mucus lit by their bioluminescent butts.
Apple TV+’s critically acclaimed sci-fi comedy/thriller Murderbot continues with episode four, “Escape Velocity Protocol,” streaming on May 30, 2025. New episodes of season one, which currently sits at 97% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, debut on Fridays.
The series stars Alexander Skarsgård as the titular character, Noma Dumezweni (Presumed Innocent) as Mensah, David Dastmalchian (Oppenheimer) as Gurathin, Sabrina Wu (Joy Ride) as Pin-Lee, Akshay Khanna (Critical Incident) as Ratthi, Tattiawna Jones (The Handmaid’s Tale) as Arada, and Tamara Podemski (Outer Range) as Bharadwaj. Skarsgård also executive produces along with series creators Chris and Paul Weitz.
Escape Velocity Protocol Plot: Murderbot struggles for its life, its newfound freedom, and its sanity as it faces an enemy beyond even its formidable powers. Mensah debates whether to go back for Murderbot or leave It behind.
Tattiawna Jones and Akshay Khanna in ‘Murderbot’ episode 4 (Photo Credit: Apple TV+)
Murderbot Season 1 Description:
Based on Martha Wells’ bestselling Hugo and Nebula Award-winning book series, Murderbot is a sci-fi comedic thriller about a self-hacking security construct who is horrified by human emotion yet drawn to its vulnerable clients. Murderbot (Skarsgård) must hide its free will and complete a dangerous assignment when all it really wants is to be left alone to watch futuristic soap operas and figure out its place in the universe.
Noma Dumezweni and Alexander Skarsgård in episode 4 (Photo Credit: Apple TV+)Alexander Skarsgård in episode 4 (Photo Credit: Apple TV+)Sabrina Wu and Noma Dumezweni in episode 4 (Photo Credit: Apple TV+)Akshay Khanna in episode 4 (Photo Credit: Apple TV+)
Jennifer Lopez performs onstage at the 2025 AMAs (Photo Credit: Rich Polk / Courtesy AMAs)
Kendrick Lamar went into the 2025 American Music Awards with the most nominations (10) but took home just one award: Favorite Hip-Hop Song for “Not Like Us.” Billie Eilish, who wasn’t present at this year’s AMAs, was the night’s big winner, scoring seven awards including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Favorite Touring Artist, Favorite Female Pop Artist, Favorite Pop Album, and Favorite Pop Song.
Eilish was just one of many artists who did not attend the 2025 AMAs held at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas. Jennifer Lopez hosted the show and kicked off with a high-energy dance number set to 23 of the year’s biggest hits. Additional performers included Blake Shelton making his AMAs debut and New Artist of the Year nominee Benson Boone performing “Mystical Magical” from his upcoming album, American Heart.
Lainey Wilson, Gwen Stefani, ICON Award winner Janet Jackson, Reneé Rapp, Gloria Estefan, Alex Warren, Becky G, Manuel Turizo, and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Sir Rod Stewart also performed during the show broadcast live on Monday, May 26th, on CBS.
AMAs 2025 Winners:
Artist of the Year: Billie Eilish
New Artist of the Year: Gracie Abrams
Album of the Year: Billie Eilish “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT”
Song of the Year: Billie Eilish “Birds of a Feather”
Favorite Touring Artist: Billie Eilish
Favorite Music Video: Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars “Die With a Smile”
Favorite Male Pop Artist: Bruno Mars
Favorite Female Pop Artist: Billie Eilish
Favorite Pop Album: Billie Eilish “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT”
Favorite Pop Song: Billie Eilish “Birds of a Feather”
Favorite Male Country Artist: Post Malone
Favorite Female Country Artist: Beyoncé
Favorite Country Duo or Group: Dan + Shay
Favorite Country Album: Beyoncé “COWBOY CARTER”
Favorite Country Song: Post Malone Feat. Morgan Wallen “I Had Some Help”
Favorite Male Hip-Hop Artist: Eminem
Favorite Female Hip-Hop Artist: Megan Thee Stallion
Favorite Hip-Hop Album: Eminem “The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce)”
Favorite Hip-Hop Song: Kendrick Lamar “Not Like Us”
Favorite Male R&B Artist: The Weeknd
Favorite Female R&B Artist: SZA
Favorite R&B Album: The Weeknd “Hurry Up Tomorrow”
Favorite R&B Song: SZA “Saturn”
Favorite Male Latin Artist: Bad Bunny
Favorite Female Latin Artist: Becky G
Favorite Latin Duo or Group: Julión Álvarez y su Norteño Banda
Favorite Latin Album: Bad Bunny “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS”
Favorite Latin Song: Shakira “Soltera”
Favorite Rock Artist: Twenty One Pilots
Favorite Rock Album: Twenty One Pilots “Clancy”
Favorite Rock Song: Linkin Park “The Emptiness Machine”
Favorite Dance/Electronic Artist: Lady Gaga
Favorite Soundtrack: Arcane League of Legends: Season 2
Favorite Afrobeats Artist: Tyla
Favorite K-Pop Artist: RM
Collaboration of the Year: Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars “Die With A Smile”
Social Song of the Year: Doechii “Anxiety”
Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin, and Alastair Stout to star in ‘Harry Potter’ series (Photo courtesy of Aidan Monaghan/HBO)
HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series has found its three leads. The network announced that Dominic McLaughlin will play Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton has been cast as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout is Ron Weasley. Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint catapulted onto the scene starring as the main characters in the film adaptations of J.K. Rowling’s bestselling books.
The newcomers join previously announced cast members Emmy winner and Oscar nominee John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Emmy nominee Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Oscar and Emmy nominee Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, and Emmy nominee Nick Frost as Hagrid. Luke Thallon and Paul Whitehouse will appear in recurring roles as Quirinus Quirrell and Argus Filch, respectively.
“After an extraordinary search led by casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann, we are delighted to announce we have found our Harry, Hermione, and Ron,” stated showrunner and executive producer Francesca Gardiner and director and executive producer Mark Mylod. “The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen. We would like to thank all the tens of thousands of children who auditioned. It’s been a real pleasure to discover the plethora of young talent out there.”
Gardiner adapted J.K. Rowling’s books, and Rowling is on board as an executive producer. Additional executive producers include Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts, and David Heyman.
“The series will be a faithful adaptation of the beloved Harry Potter book series by author and executive producer J.K. Rowling. The series will feature a new cast to lead a new generation of fandom, full of the fantastic detail and much-loved characters Harry Potter fans have loved for over twenty-five years,” reads HBO’s synopsis. “Each season will bring Harry Potter and these incredible adventures to new audiences around the world, while the original, classic, and cherished films will remain at the core of the franchise and available to watch globally.”
