Kristin Kreuk on the ‘Beauty and the Beast’ red carpet at Comic Con (Photo Credit: Richard Chavez / Showbiz Junkies)
Beauty and the Beast star Kristin Kreuk is returning to The CW Network as the star of Burden of Truth. The new legal drama was just picked up by The CW from Entertainment One and will premiere during the 2018 summer primetime season.
Burden of Truth was created by Brad Simpson (Rookie Blue, King) and has series star Kristin Kreuk, Ilana Frank (The Eleventh Hour, Saving Hope, Rookie Blue), Linda Pope (Saving Hope, Rookie Blue), and Jocelyn Hamilton (Mary Kills People, Cardinal) on board as executive producers. ICF Films, eOne, and Eagle Vision are producing the series, and Adam Pettle (Saving Hope) is the first season’s showrunner.
In addition to Kreuk, the cast includes Peter Mooney (Rookie Blue, Camelot, Heroes Reborn), Alex Carter (NCIS, Ransom, Saving Hope), Benjamin Ayres (Saving Hope, Bitten, Dan for Mayor), Nicola Correia-Damude (Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments), Meegwun Fairbrother (Hemlock Grove), and Star Slade.
“Kristin Kreuk is a tremendous force both on-screen and behind the camera on Burden of Truth,” stated Stuart Baxter, President, of International Distribution, eOne. “This series combines the drama and social responsibility of Erin Brockovich with the charm and production values of Smallville. We’re delighted to have partnered with The CW, making it the perfect U.S. network home for this smart, legal drama.”
The CW hasn’t set a summer premiere date for season one which will consist of 10 episodes. When Burden of Truth does premiere, it will be joining a summer lineup that includes the new fantasy/adventure series The Outpost as well as new seasons of Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Penn & Teller: Fool Us, Masters of Illusion, Supergirl, The 100, and Life Sentence. New episodes of the final season of The Originals will also air as part of the network’s summer primetime schedule.
The Burden of Truth Plot: Kristin Kreuk stars as a big city lawyer who returns to her hometown to take on what she thinks is a simple case, only to find herself in a fight for justice for a group of sick girls.
Adan Canto, Italia Ricci, Kiefer Sutherland, Kal Penn, and Paulo Costanzo in ‘Designated Survivor’ season 2 episode 16 (ABC/Ben Mark Holzberg)
“We don’t have much time. I need your help to find the bomb,” says President Kirkman (Kiefer Sutherland) to Dr. Andrea Frost (Kim Raver) who he’s enlisted to help the FBI find a dirty bomb somewhere in D.C. in season two episode 16 of ABC’s political thriller, Designated Survivor.
The episode begins where episode 15 left off with the discovery of a dirty bomb somewhere in D.C. Kirkman confronts the leader of East Han Chiu and tells him he suspects he has something to do with it. Kirkman warns him that until those involved have been caught and the bomb neutralized, the Secret Service will be keeping him company for his protection.
Kirkman meets with FBI Director John Forstell (Reed Diamond) and they go over their approach to locating the bomb. Using various investigation tactics, they’re able to narrow down the possibilities to the eastern seaboard.
As time is of the essence, Kirkman calls back Frost to get her to use her new tech to assist the FBI in finding the bomb and the bombers. At first, Frost is hesitant to work with the FBI due to the fact they tried to obtain her new tech. However, Kirkman assures her that her tech is safe and that he and the country need her help. She willing agrees to trust him.
Meanwhile, Agent Hannah Wells (Maggie Q) is interrogating Joon Kim (Daniel Jun) about what he might know about the dirty bomb. He insists he knows nothing. Near the end of the interrogation, Joon passes out and has something coming out of his mouth. He’s rushed to the hospital because he seems to be poisoned.
Emily Rhodes (Italia Ricci) meets with Kendra Daynes (Zoe McLellan) to talk about taking action against Cornelius Moss for leaking confidential information. First, Kendra tells Emily she needs to know where Emily got the information.
With Chuck’s help Wells is able to track the bomb to a container on the docks. But, she and the disposal unit discover the container is empty. It does have traces of radiation indicating the bomb had been there.
Back at the White House, President Kirkman and his staff are being moved to the bunker for safety due to the threat. Seth Wright (Kal Penn) deals with the press, acting as though it’s just another busy day at the White House. One reporter seems to suspect something is going on. He tells Seth after the press briefing that he’s gotten wind of news the cabinet has cleared their schedules. He presses Seth to tell him what’s really going on. Seth plays it off as though the reporter is wrong.
Kendra gets a special order for Frost so she can use her data mining tech to help find the bomber. Frost, again, is reluctant because it goes against the constitutional rights of the American people. Kirkman has to convince her it’s for the safety and good of the people to protect them from the bomb. (Seriously, a dirty bomb is somewhere in the D.C. area ready to go off and she’s hesitant to help find the bombers? C’mon!!)
Wells checks in to see how Joon is doing in the hospital and it turns out the kid pulled one over on them. He used baking soda to make it look like he was poisoned and now he’s on the run.
Seth tells Kirkman, Emily, and Lyor Boone (Paulo Costanzo) about the reporter and his intel. They suggest the President take five minutes out of the bunker to do a photo op with a visiting religious group to make it look like a normal day at the White House. Kirkman agrees after convincing Ritter (LaMonica Garrett), the head of his Secret Service, to go along with it.
Kendra meets with Emily again saying she can’t go after Moss because the way Chuck got the evidence that he leaked information will be thrown out in court. Emily tells Kendra she needs to defend and fight for the President, but it falls on self-righteous ears.
Frost emails Chuck some new intel about who the bomber might be and where. Wells, accompanied by another agent and the bomb disposal unit, locate Joon where the bomb should be. Wells and the other agent take Joon into custody and interrogate him, but he only says they’re wrong. He claims he doesn’t know anything.
Back in the bunker, Kirkman plays chess with his new VP to pass the time. She admits she doesn’t want to be president; when he left the bunker for the photo shoot it made her the Designated Survivor and it freaked her out a bit. Kirkman tells her one of the reasons he picked her to be his VP is because she doesn’t want to be president. He knows if she did become the president, she would do what’s best for the country and not be ambitious.
The reporter catches up to Seth as he’s trying to get to the bunker and tells him he knows something is going on. He thanks him for the tip with the email. Seth has no clue what he’s talking about.
Thanks to additional intel from Frost, Chuck, Wells, and the bomb squad are able to locate the bomb in a van with only 1:20 left to disarm it. The bomb squad rise to the occasion and are able to disarm it with just three seconds left. Whew! The bomb disposal unit tells Wells the bomb isn’t dirty and is no more than a pipe bomb.
Seth delivers another press briefing on the incident and is answering questions when the eager reporter asks about Moss being investigated for being a leaker. Seth says he can’t comment on it. Kendra realizes Emily leaked it to the reporter so that she would have to go after Moss. When Kendra confronts her about it, Emily’s adamant that going after Moss and protecting Kirkman is the right thing to do.
FBI Director Forstell tries to talk to Wells and apologize to her for the fallout between them, but she says he needs to apologize to the President. Forstell heads to the White House and apologizes to Kirkman for his investigation into Kirkman’s wife. Kirkman acknowledges Forstell was just doing his job and that‘s all anyone can expect from him.
Wells interrogates Joon and he finally breaks down and admits a mystery man kidnapped his girlfriend and warned him if he didn’t do as he was told, they would kill her. Chuck has a little more luck and is able to track the suspected bomber named Arturo to a specific location. Wells and another agent search the location and discover Arturo’s dead body. Wells realizes the bomb they found was a decoy because of all the bomb-making equipment around them. She calls Forstell to warn him the dirty bomb is in the subway. Forstell runs into the already evacuated area to get his FBI men out and just as he enters the subway entrance, the bomb goes off. The blast kills Forstell and five other agents.
President Kirkman addresses the nation about the tragedy and vows to hunt down and bring those responsible to justice.
Wells and other agents are able to use what Joon told them, along with a few other discoveries, to figure out the country Kunami is behind the attacks because they don’t want peace between East and West Han Chiu. Seems it would hurt their selling of arms to the countries.
President Kirkman has the ambassador of Kunami brought in and confronts him with the paper trail of emails, making it seem as though Kunami is indeed behind the attack. The ambassador denies it but can’t explain away the data.
In the last scene of the episode, Kirkman’s in the war room with his staff and generals planning an immediate attack on the leader of Kunami. The VP, Emily, and Boone suggest he go through diplomatic channels and protocols. Kirkman, determined to defend his country and strike back, orders the strike on Kunami.
Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 16 Review:
Finally, Designated Survivor has gotten back to what made it such a popular show in its first season. Season two episode 16 airing on April 4, 2018 returned the series to being a political suspense thriller and not a political soap opera. The stakes are high once again with a dirty bomb (and a bomber) in the D.C. area and the target being unknown for most of the episode. The drama and intensity are back and made the hour-long series engaging and exciting to watch.
With war about to begin between the U.S. and Kunami and the possibility that someone or some other country is truly behind the bombing, Designated Survivor seems to have returned to what it does best…being an intense and suspenseful hour of television. Here’s hoping it stays that way.
Universal Pictures just released the first official trailer for the comedy film, Johnny English Strikes Back. The two minute trailer declares the world’s greatest spy is back as Rowan Atkinson reprises his role as the bumbling spy who somehow manages to solve cases. In the first trailer, Rowan Atkinson’s Johnny English fires a missile at French cyclists, has trouble figuring out how VR works, and fails a sneak attack due to his magnetic boots.
Universal Pictures had set an October 2018 release, however the trailer doesn’t confirm a targeted theatrical release date. The first Johnny English film was released on July 18, 2003. Johnny English Reborn followed on October 21, 2011. According to Box Office Mojo, Johnny English grossed $160 million worldwide. Johnny English Reborn also rang up $160 million worldwide during its theatrical run.
Johnny English Strikes Again was directed by David Kerr from a script by William Davies. Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, and Chris Clark served as producers on the comedy sequel.
In addition to Rowan Atkinson, the cast includes Ben Miller (I Want My Wife Back), Olga Kurylenko (The Death of Stalin), Emma Thompson (Saving Mr. Banks), and Jake Lacy (I’m Dying Up Here).
The Plot:Johnny English Strikes Again is the third installment of the Johnny English comedy series, with Rowan Atkinson returning as the much loved accidental secret agent. The new adventure begins when a cyber-attack reveals the identity of all active undercover agents in Britain, leaving Johnny English as the Secret Service’s last hope. Called out of retirement, English dives head first into action with the mission to find the mastermind hacker. As a man with few skills and analogue methods, Johnny English must overcome the challenges of modern technology to make this mission a success.
Rowan Atkinson returns as Johnny English in ‘Johnny English Strikes Again’ (Photo by Giles Keyte / Focus Features)
Holly Taylor as Paige Jennings and Keri Russell as Elizabeth Jennings in ‘The Americans’ season 6 episode 2 (Photo by Patrick Harbron/FX)
FX’s The Americans star Matthew Rhys pulls double duty for season six episode two which marks his third time as director on the critically acclaimed series. The episode titled “Tchaikovsky” finds Rhys’ character, Philip, dealing with issues at the travel agency while Elizabeth (Keri Russell) is kept busy working multiple targets associated with the arms control summit.
Season six episode two begins with the relationship between the chain-smoking Elizabeth and her retired spy husband obviously strained. Meanwhile, over at the FBI office Agent Stan Beeman (Noah Emmerich) meets with Agent Dennis Aderholt (Brandon J. Dirden) who lets him know there’s a meeting set up that evening at 6pm. Dennis also reveals the Bureau’s aware Oleg Burov is back in town, but not as part of the official Russian diplomatic team attending the summit. The FBI and CIA know Oleg is out of the KGB, and they know he’s claiming to be in the U.S. to attend a class on urban transport planning.
Stan and Dennis aren’t buying this cover, but they have no idea what he’s really up to.
Elizabeth continues to spy on the summit attendees and she follows Patrick McCleesh (Reed Birney) into a book store where they chitchat about the summit. (Patrick believes Elizabeth is a woman named Megan who works at the State Department.) She claims her boss thinks Gorbachev is the second coming, while Patrick reveals he and some of his colleagues don’t want to make a deal with the Russians. The discussion continues, and Patrick thinks the Russians can’t afford an arms race and want a deal. Patrick’s frustrated because he thinks the summit could win America the Cold War if it’s handled correctly.
They make a date for lunch in the State Department cafeteria.
Stan meets with Sofia Kovalenko’s boyfriend, Gennadi (Yuri Kolokolnikov), who’s upset because Sofia’s mad at him. Stan assures him everything will be fine and even gets a hug at the end for being so helpful.
Elizabeth’s back at her nursing assignment where her patient, Erica (Miriam Shor), is demanding Morphine for pain. Elizabeth can’t give it to her because it would be an hour early, but Erica’s husband, Glenn (Scott Cohen), doesn’t listen and gives her the pain killer. Erica begs Glenn to help her end it all, tired of living in so much pain. He promises it will be over soon.
A short while later, Elizabeth gently asks Glenn if he’s planning on helping Erica end her life. He confesses he is and Elizabeth asks how. Glenn doesn’t want to talk about it, but Elizabeth says it can go wrong if he doesn’t handle it correctly. He reveals he’s been keeping a little Morphine from each bottle and that by next month he should have enough to do it.
Elizabeth tells him that might not work and could make things worse. She then suggests she’s willing to help him.
Later, Elizabeth meets with Claudia (Margo Martindale) and goes over her conversation with Glenn. Claudia reminds her she needs to keep Erica alive through the summit. Elizabeth says she’s got a lunch date at the State Department cafeteria with Patrick McCleesh, an old contact who’s working on the summit negotiations.
Claudia passes on the message that Elizabeth needs to get a lithium-based radiation sensor from another old contact, General Lyle Rennhull. Claudia doesn’t know why or even the name of the person who asked for this item, only that the order comes from the person Elizabeth met with in Mexico City.
Elizabeth realizes things are getting dicey and asks Claudia to finish training Paige if something happens to her. Claudia assures her she’ll be fine, but Elizabeth is not convinced.
Stan’s still in relationship counseling mode and visits Sofia Kovalenko (Darya Ekamasova) to talk about Gennadi. Sofia’s fed up and thinks Gennadi is cheating on her. She’s done with Gennadi, and her friend at TASS has suggested she should put Gennadi behind her. Stan reminds her she and Gennadi are doing dangerous work and they’re important. Sofia doesn’t care; she’s over Gennadi.
20 minutes in and we get the first scene with Philip and Elizabeth. She’s outside smoking and apologizes for being so busy. He asks if she wants to talk about it and she says Paige is good at this but she made a mistake the other night. Philip reminds her they made mistakes when they were learning. The conversation’s short and impersonal.
At the FBI, Dennis asks Stan about Gennadi and Sofia. Stan reports that Sofia met a guy at work and they should be worried about what secrets Sofia’s revealing to this new man in her life. Stan admits he likes working on drug dealers and murderers better than handling Russian investigations.
Victor Slezak as Rennhull and Keri Russell as Elizabeth Jennings in ‘The Americans’ (Photo by Patrick Harbron/FX)
Elizabeth meets with General Rennhull who claims he doesn’t want anything to do with her. She asks for the lithium-based radiation sensor and he says no, warning her not to contact him again. Elizabeth won’t be dissuaded and demands he bring the sensor to her on Thursday or else.
Stan watches Gennadi enter a restroom at the airport carrying a briefcase. He passes info to a man in the adjacent stall.
Elizabeth goes through security and signs in for a tour of the State Department so she can make her lunch meeting with Patrick McCleesh. She wanders into a nearby restroom without being noticed while the tour guard is speaking. Elizabeth changes into her “Megan” disguise as her tour group notices she’s no longer with them.
Elsewhere, Philip approaches Jeremy – one of his travel agency’s clients – and learns the man’s using a budget travel company to book his trips now. He apologizes and says he’ll come back for their next vacation booking.
Back in his office, Philip informs Stavos that Jeremy booked his trip through someone else. He wants to know what happened and Stavos apologizes for not checking in with Philip before losing the client. Jeremy had a long-term relationship with Philip, but Stavos didn’t refer him to Philip even though he kept asking what Philip would think about the travel arrangements Stavos suggested.
Elizabeth and Patrick sit down for lunch in the cafeteria. She watches security guards going table to table and convinces Patrick to eat outside. Patrick reveals a secret, swearing Elizabeth to silence. He says White House Chief of Staff Don Regan has been worried that President Reagan has become forgetful and unfocused. Reagan is misinterpreting what Russia is offering and doesn’t understand what the Russia/America arms deal really entails.
Elizabeth immediately reports in to Claudia, telling her Patrick learned Reagan is going senile. They’re not sure what to do with that information. Paige (Holly Taylor) arrives and Claudia puts on a record by Tchaikovsky.
On their walk home from Claudia’s, Paige asks if their people ever use sex to get information. Paige says she’s reading a book about it, but Elizabeth claims that sex is never used. She tries to cover by saying that sometimes when you’re working a target, a relationship can develop that could lead to something intimate taking place. Lines might be crossed and it’s never black and white.
Later that night, Elizabeth (dressed as Megan) meets General Rennhull in the park. He never wants to see her or any other Russians again, and he refuses to give her the sensor. He claims he’s never been a traitor and had assumed he was doing the right thing last time he met with the Russians. She warns him he’ll be exposed, disgraced, and will go to jail. However, if he brings her the sensor, they’ll never come to him again. It will be over.
Elizabeth gives General Rennhull one more chance to deliver, setting up a meeting for Saturday night. She walks away before he can answer.
Back at Erica’s house, Elizabeth takes photos of Glenn’s work while he’s away from his desk. Erica’s still in immense pain yet she continues to draw. Elizabeth watches as Erica goes through a particularly difficult moment, and then Erica forces Elizabeth to try her hand at drawing.
Henry and Philip have a chat on the phone, and Philip expresses disappointment in Stavos’ handling of the long-time customer they lost. Henry wonders why his dad passed the customer off to Stavos when he’d always been the one booking the family’s trips, and Philip laughs and tells his son he sounds like Stavos.
Paige keeps watch as her mom heads into the park on Saturday night to meet with General Rennhull.
Elizabeth approaches the meeting spot and General Rennhull pulls a gun, declaring he’s not going to jail and he’s not betraying his country. She begs him to not pull the trigger, saying she’s sorry she pushed too far. She sinks to her knees and tells him she’s a mother of two, continuing to beg for her life.
As she talks, Elizabeth takes her purse off her shoulder and sets it on the ground. She springs into action, launching herself at General Rennhull as he fires two shots that miss. They land on the ground, struggling over the gun. Elizabeth gets it under the General’s chin and fires. She winds up with a dead General and a face covered in blood.
Paige races up and Elizabeth yells at her to return to her car and follow the plan. Elizabeth then grabs the gun, picks up her purse, and runs off.
Freeform’s Shadowhunters season three episode three disclosed the identity of Lilith’s Owl and needless to say it was a real shocker. Leading up to the big reveal, Jace was firmly convinced the Owl was Jonathan. He let Clary on the secret that he’s been seeing Jonathan in his dreams. However, Clary and Izzy determined Jonathan couldn’t possibly be the Owl – and it turns out they’re correct. Clary and Izzy don’t know it yet, but down in Lilith’s secret lair the Owl was revealed to be Jace.
Up next, season three episode four titled “Thy Soul Instructed” airing April 10, 2018. Episode guest stars include Anna Hopkins and Chai Hansen.
The season three cast includes Katherine McNamara as Clary Fray, Dominic Sherwood as Jace Wayland, Alberto Rosende as Simon Lewis, Emeraude Toubia as Isabelle Lightwood, Matthew Daddario as Alec Lightwood, Isaiah Mustafa as Luke Garroway, and Harry Shum Jr. as Magnus Bane. Season three guest stars include Alisha Wainwright as Maia Roberts and David Castro as Raphael Santiago. The series is executive produced by Todd Slavkin, Darren Swimmer, McG, Matt Hastings, Mary Viola, Martin Moszkowicz and Robert Kulzer.
“Thy Soul Instructed” Plot: Jace’s concerns grow about his mental state and turns to Luke for information on his family’s past. Clary and Izzy go after a rogue vampire and Simon hunts for a new apartment.
Katherine McNamara and Dominic Sherwood in ‘Shadowhunters’ season 3 episode 4 (Freeform/John Medland)Emeraude Toubia in ‘Shadowhunters’ season 3 episode 4 (Freeform/John Medland)Katherine McNamara as Clary and Dominic Sherwood as Jace (Freeform/John Medland)Katherine McNamara and Dominic Sherwood in ‘Shadowhunters’ season 3 episode 4 (Freeform/John Medland)David Castro, Emeraude Toubia, and Katherine McNamara (Freeform/John Medland)Chai Hansen and Alberto Rosende in ‘Shadowhunters’ season 3 episode 4 (Freeform/John Medland)
NBC has set a Sunday, June 17, 2018 at 10pm ET/PT premiere for the third season of the dramatic series Shades of Blue. The network also confirmed the cop drama starring Jennifer Lopez will end with the conclusion of season three. According to the official announcement, Shades of Blue season three will bring “Lopez’s complex character to a fitting resolution.”
The third and final season will consist of 10 one-hour episodes. In addition to Lopez, season three’s cast includes Ray Liotta (Goodfellas), Drea de Matteo (Sopranos, Sons of Anarchy), Dayo Okeniyi (Terminator: Genisys, Hunger Games), Vincent Laresca (The Aviator, Fast and Furious Tokyo Drift), Hampton Fluker (Aquarius, The Blind Side), and Sarah Jeffery (Rogue, Wayward Pines). Nick Wechsler (Revenge, Chicago P.D.) is a recurring guest star.
“I have enjoyed producing and starring in this beautifully complicated world and playing such an empowering yet flawed character – a women, a detective, but, first and foremost, a mother,” stated Lopez. “Now looking at it with a little distance, playing Harlee strengthened me and helped me grow into a more self-assured woman. It’s crazy how some parts permeate your soul and change you forever and for that I am grateful. We crafted a poetic three-season arc on how her journey ends, which is true redemption. The way only Harlee could have done it – the hard way, the road less traveled. I thank NBC and all the talented actors, writers, crew and producers for going on this journey with us!”
“We are very proud that this remarkable series attracted iconic stars like the incomparable Jennifer Lopez and Ray Liotta to broadcast television,” added Lisa Katz, Co-President, Scripted Programming, NBC Entertainment. “We are so grateful for all the hard work and dedication of Jack Orman and his incredible producers as well as the entire cast and crew.”
“This is one of our flagship shows and we’re excited to share the final chapter with viewers who will be on the edge of their seats discovering how Harlee’s story concludes. It has been a supreme pleasure to work with executive producers Jennifer Lopez, Jack Orman, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, Benny Medina, Ryan Seacrest and Nina Wass,” said Universal Television President Pearlena Igbokwe.
The Plot: Harlee Santos (Jennifer Lopez) is a charismatic single mother and resourceful detective at the heart of a tight-knit crew of Brooklyn detectives, led by enigmatic Lt. Matt Wozniak (Ray Liotta) who often leads the team to step outside the limitations of the law in order to effectively protect their precinct and their own.
E!’s The Royals season four episode four found London plunged into darkness, apparently at King Robert’s command. Jasper was stuck locked in the back of an ambulance while an angry mob beat at the door until escape arrived in the unlikely form of his dad. Jasper finally managed to make it back to Princess Eleanor who was busy continuing her string of good deeds by inviting regular everyday citizens into the palace while the lights remained off throughout the land.
Up next, season four episode five titled “There’s Daggers in Men’s Smiles.” The new episode airs on April 8, 2018 at 10pm ET/PT and E!’s released two new clips featuring the Royal family. One clip features Liam, Helena, Eleanor, and Cyrus watching the television as King Robert declares the government is unfit and he’s dissolving it. The second clip finds Jasper introducing his girlfriend to his deadbeat dad and she’s surprisingly fine with the fact the criminal is dating her grandmother. The clip also reveals Jasper’s dad and Eleanor have both slept with the same woman!
Season four consists of 10 one-hour episodes starring Elizabeth Hurley as Queen Helena, Max Brown as King Robert, Jake Maskall as Cyrus, Tom Austen as Jasper, Alexandra Park as Princess Eleanor, William Moseley as Prince Liam, and Genevieve Gaunt and Wilhelmina. Brian Robbins, Joe Davola (One Tree Hill, Smallville), and Shauna Phela are the executive producers.
“There’s Daggers in Men’s Smiles” Plot: In Sunday night’s episode, King Robert makes a decision that affects everyone in the family – and in the kingdom. Count Bellagio, aka Jasper’s criminal father, tries to settle into the palace, and Cyrus and Liam contemplate their next move against King Robert.
The Royals Season 4 Plot: Drama about a fictional British Royal family, who inhabit a world of luxury and regal tradition, but one that also involves intrigue and unexpected twists revealing the complexities faced by royals trying to maintain high-profile relationships under scrutiny, and continuing to shine a light on the anarchy in the monarchy.
The fourth season of The Royals picks up after the charming, potentially duplicitous, Prince Robert (Max Brown) is crowned King of England. Prince Liam (William Moseley) and his recently dethroned uncle Cyrus (Jake Maskall) form an unlikely alliance, Queen Helena (Elizabeth Hurley) struggles to control her unruly brood as she figures out her role in the palace. And, after a heated on again-off again relationship, bodyguard Jasper (Tom Austen) tries to capture Princess Eleanor’s (Alexandra Park) heart one more time just as they are about to face their biggest obstacle yet.
Veep series creator Armando Iannucci delivers another politically relevant satire with IFC Films’ The Death of Stalin, an R-rated comedy inspired by true events. The bizarre behind-the-scenes struggle for control immediately following the death of brutal dictator Joseph Stalin is the setting of writer-director Iannucci’s latest venture into the twisted world of politics and power.
Iannucci’s The Death of Stalin is set in Moscow in 1953 and focuses on the events surrounding the sudden passing of Stalin, focusing on the reactions of those seeking to advance their own positions. The knives are out and no one among the Russian elite is safe as different factions vie to fill the void in leadership. Honing their backstabbing abilities seems to be this group’s favorite form of exercise, along with targeting their enemies with biting one-liners.
Despite the fact The Death of Stalin has so many key figures to weave into the story, Iannucci and co-writers David Schneider and Ian Martin did an outstanding job of developing each individual character. Even with a swift 107-minute running time, we’re provided with enough information on their backstories and personalities to understand how they fit into this complex dance of power-hungry Russians. Alliances of opportunity form among the newly deceased Stalin’s Central Committee members and those fluid bonds provide plenty of hilarious moments in this surprisingly timely film.
Iannucci’s assembled a first-rate cast that includes Jeffrey Tambor, Steve Buscemi, Simon Russell Beale, Jason Isaacs, Adrian McLoughlin, Michael Palin, Paddy Considine, Olga Kurylenko, and Andrea Riseborough. The approach to taking control by the colorful characters portrayed by the talented ensemble varies, and their intricate and complicated maneuverings are incredibly entertaining to watch unfold.
The Death of Stalin is comical look at an all too relatable group of crooked political figures. Even those turned off by the very thought of watching anything political at this point in time will find themselves caught up in this clever political farce.
GRADE: A-
MPAA Rating: R for language throughout, violence and some sexual references
Running Time: 1 hour 47 minutes
Directed By: Armando Iannucci
Dermot Crowley as Kaganovich, Paul Whitehouse as Mikoyan, Steve Buscemi as Krushchev, Jeffrey Tambor as Malenkov, and Paul Chahidi as Bulganin in ‘The Death of Stalin’ (Photo by Nicola Dove, Courtesy of IFC Films)
20th Century Fox and Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool have teamed up with Omaze to support the nonprofit campaign, F*ck Cancer. In a special minute-long video, Deadpool declared his love for all things pink (but not the pop singer) and announced the opportunity for fans to become superheroes by joining the fight against cancer. The special pink Deadpool suit as well as other memorabilia will be included in a drawing open to anyone who donates at least $10 to the cause.
F*ck Cancer is a nonprofit dedicated to cancer prevention, early detection and providing support to those affected. Per the fundraising campaign’s website: “LetsFCancer believes that people diagnosed with cancer, as well as their families and support network, should have equitable access to early detection, prevention and psychosocial support. This incredible organization creates campaigns around behavior change and promotes scientifically proven routes for cancer prevention. It supports and runs programs around early dectecion and screening, in addition to providing psychosocial support to their community through retreats and events. And it provides the cancer community with a space to be heard, feel connected and unite both digitally and in person. LetsFCancer’s not just an organization, it’s a movement. Thanks for joining.”
The F*ck Cancer sweepstakes began on April 3, 2018 and runs through May 21, 2018 at 11:59pm PT. Winners will be announced on or around May 29th. Enter for a chance to win – and support an important cause – at omaze.com/deadpool.
Deadpool 2 is set to open in theaters on May 18, 2018. In addition to Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson/Deadpool, the cast includes Morena Baccarin as Vanessa, Josh Brolin as Nathan Summers/Cable, Brianna Hildebrand as Negasonic Teenage Warhead, TJ Miller as Weasel, Zazie Beetz is Domino, Leslie Uggams as Blind Al, and Karan Soni as Dopinder.
The Deadpool 2 Plot: After surviving a near fatal bovine attack, a disfigured cafeteria chef (Wade Wilson) struggles to fulfill his dream of becoming Mayberry’s hottest bartender while also learning to cope with his lost sense of taste. Searching to regain his spice for life, as well as a flux capacitor, Wade must battle ninjas, the yakuza, and a pack of sexually aggressive canines, as he journeys around the world to discover the importance of family, friendship, and flavor – finding a new taste for adventure and earning the coveted coffee mug title of World’s Best Lover.
Eric Bana will star in ‘Dirty John’ (Photo Credit: Rebecca Bana)
Eric Bana has signed on to star in Bravo Media’s Dirty John, a new anthology series produced by Universal Cable Productions, Los Angeles Times Studios, and Atlas Entertainment. Bana will be starring opposite Connie Britton (Nashville, Friday Night Lights) in the series’ first season.
Dirty John is based on Los Angeles Times reporter Christopher Goffard’s articles and true crime podcast. Alexandra Cunningham (Desperate Housewives, Chance) is writing the first season and is serving as one of the show’s executive producers. Eric Bana and Connie Britton are also executive producing along with Richard Suckle, Charles Roven, Mark Herzog, Christopher G. Cowen, and Chris Argentieri.
A premiere date has not yet been announced.
Dirty John marks Bana’s first starring role in a U.S. scripted television series. Bana’s film credits include King Arthur: Legend of the Sword with Charlie Hunnam, Special Correspondents opposite Ricky Gervais, and the horror film, Deliver Us from Evil. He also starred in Lone Survivor, Closed Circuit, Deadfall, Hanna, The Time Traveler’s Wife, Star Trek, and Lucky You. Bana played The Incredible Hulk/Bruce Banner in 2003’s Hulk.
Bana first came to the attention of American audiences as the star of Chopper, a gritty crime thriller directed by Andrew Dominik (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford) and released in 2000. Playing Mark “Chopper” Read earned Bana the Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role award from the Australian Film Institute. He also won Best Actor awards at the Stockholm Film Festival and the IF Awards.
The Plot: Eric Bana will star as John Meehan, a handsome and romantic charmer who sweeps Debra Newell (Connie Britton) off her feet and pulls her into his web of lies. The series chronicles the true story of how a romance with Meehan spiraled into secrets, denial and manipulation.
