Cover art for Harlan Cobin’s 1st Myron Bolitar novel (Photo Credit: Penguin Random House)
Netflix’s upcoming adaptation of Harlan Cobin’s Myron Bolitar novels has added three series regulars: Jabari Banks (Bel Air), Chloe Fineman (SNL), and Jamie McShane (Task). The series has also cast Ben McKenzie (Gotham) in a recurring guest star role.
The four just-announced actors join Colin Woodell, KJ Apa, and Diane Guerrero, who Netflix previously announced as stars.
“After an injury ends his NBA dreams, Myron Bolitar reinvents himself as a sports agent—using charm, smarts, and a ruthless partner to navigate the high-stakes and dirty world of sports, where saving his clients often means risking himself,” reads Netflix’s synopsis.
Myron Bolitar Character Descriptions, Courtesy of Netflix:
Colin Woodell as Myron Bolitar: A former college basketball star whose NBA career came to an abrupt end, Myron reinvented himself as a sports agent. He built his agency, MB Sports, on an unwavering belief in overlooked athletes, with the same heart and fierce competitive drive he once brought to the court.
KJ Apa as Win Lockwood: Born into extraordinary privilege, Win walked away from the family business to build something of his own alongside his closest friend, Myron. Unflappable, endlessly resourceful, and fiercely loyal, he’s the one Myron turns to when clients find themselves in trouble.
Diana Guerrero as Esperanza Diaz: A former professional wrestler turned Myron’s indispensable right hand at MB Sports. Armed with endless grit and razor-sharp wit, Esperanza is the backbone of the agency and the steady force keeping both Myron and clients in check.
Jabari Banks as Dwayne Richmond: A charismatic tennis prodigy who experts anticipate will be among the best players in the world. He’s the star client at MB Sports and the picture of cool, from his signature shoes to his trademarked sunglasses.
Chloe Fineman as Parker Quinn: Parker is a sports reporter for a major sports publication who has built a stellar reputation through hard work and an undeniable passion for the game.
Jamie McShane as Detective Ray Dimonte: A seasoned NYPD homicide detective.
Ben McKenzie as Gavin Pierce: One of the biggest agents in sports, Gavin was Myron’s agent during Myron’s brief professional career. Following Myron’s injury, Gavin dropped Myron, and the two have never reconciled their differences.
David E. Kelley and Kyle Long are the co-showrunners, writers, and executive producers. Additional executive producers include Harlan Coben, Matthew Tinker, and Rick Muirragui. Greg Yaitanes is serving as an executive producer and is on board to direct multiple episodes.
Poster for ‘Afterlife with Archie’ (Photo Credit: Disney+)
Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa’s (Riverdale, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) and Francesco Francavilla’s (The Black Beetle) Afterlife with Archie comic book is being adapted into a series at Disney+. Aguirre-Sacasa and Greg Berlanti are on board as executive producers, along with Jimmy Gibbons, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, and Archie Comics Studios’ Jon Goldwater.
“This was the comic book that started it all. Before there was a Riverdale, before there was a Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, there was Afterlife with Archie, which I collaborated on with the best horror artist in the business, Francesco Francavilla,” stated Aguirre-Sacasa. “Getting to turn Afterlife into a TV series for the amazing team at Disney+ with our incredible partners at Berlanti Productions, WB, and, of course, Jon (Goldwater) and his Archie family is truly a full-circle moment—and the ultimate dream project for me.
Time to say a prayer for Archie, Betty, Veronica, and the whole gang, ‘cause THE ZOMBIES ARE COMING!!!!”
Goldwater says he always believed Afterlife with Archie was meant to be made into a live-action series. Disney+ agrees and is targeting a Halloween 2027 launch.
“We are so happy to reunite with Roberto on this exciting series that takes us back into the Riverdale world that we so love, and we are thankful to Disney+ and WBTV for giving us the opportunity to revisit some of our favorite characters in a unique and thrilling way,” said Berlanti and Schechter. “A special thank you to Jon Goldwater for letting us continue to play within the beloved Archie universe and trusting us to bring Archie’s various stories to life.”
Disney+ offers this synopsis:
“From Warner Bros. Television, Aguirre-Sacasa and Greg Berlanti will serve as executive producers, bringing their signature blend of heart, humor, and high stakes to a story that turns the all-American town of Riverdale into a zombie-overrun apocalypse—where the only thing scarier than the undead is trying to survive your teenage years. When a supernatural spell from a certain teen witch backfires, unleashing an army of the possessed dead upon Riverdale, Archie, and his friends must fight to stay alive, testing the friendships, romances, and loyalties that have always held them together.”
Netflix’s The Idaho Murders: College Nightmare takes a deep dive into the lives of the four University of Idaho students brutally murdered in November 2022. The three-part documentary series premieres on July 29, 2026 and was directed by Unknown Number: The High School Catfish‘s Skye Borgman.
“When I first came to this story, I kept coming back to one simple thought: four young people lost their lives, and they deserved to be remembered for far more than the tragedy that took them. Making this series became deeply personal to me because I felt a responsibility to keep Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin at the center of every decision we made,” stated Skye Borgman. “At a time when so much attention has been focused on the case itself, I felt it was important to create something that brings the focus back to who they were, the lives they lived, and the love that still surrounds them.”
Borgman, Oscar nominee Joe Berlinger, Gina Scarlata, Jon Kamen, and Jen Isaacson serve as executive producers.
“On November 13, 2022, four University of Idaho students — Madison, Kaylee, Ethan, and Xana — had their futures stolen from them. Their bodies were found in an off-campus home, leaving a tight-knit college town shattered and a nation gripped by grief. For weeks, a killer walked free,” reads Netflix’s synopsis. “This three-part documentary series is the definitive chronicle of one of the most chilling murder cases in recent memory—honoring four young lives while tracing every step from that devastating night to the arrest that followed.
With unprecedented access to the victims’ families and police footage, the series peels back the layers of a case that forever changed Moscow, Idaho, and asks the question that haunts everyone left behind: How do you make sense of something so senseless?”
We get the serious version of Thor (Chris Hemsworth) in the official trailer for Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Doomsday. He’s taken on a leadership role of the diverse group of superheroes, warning the newly formed team, “I’ve fought with many warriors in my time. They were far stronger than all of us put together. And they died. They died facing enemies and threats that scared me far less than this one.”
They don’t stand a chance unless they stand together against Doctor Doom (Robert Downey Jr.). The “they” includes Chris Evans as Steve Rogers/Captain America, Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man, Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson/Captain America, Florence Pugh as Yelena, and Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman.
Ebon Moss-Bachrach is Ben Grimm/The Thing, Wyatt Russell is John Walker/U.S. Agent, Channing Tatum is Gambit, Simu Liu is Shaun/Shang-Chi, Ian McKellen is Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto, Tom Hiddleston is Loki, James Marsden is Scott Summers/Cyclops, Patrick Stewart is Professor Charles Xavier/Professor X, and Joseph Quinn is Johnny Storm/Human Torch.
Sebastian Stan plays Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier, David Harbour is Alexei/Red Guardian, Letitia Wright is Shuri/Black Panther, Lewis Pullman is Robert Reynolds/Sentry, Kelsey Grammer is Hank McCoy/Beast, Kathryn Newton is Cassie Lang, Danny Ramirez is Joaquin Torres/Falcon, Winston Duke is M’Baku, Alan Cumming is Kurt Wagner/Nightcrawler, Hannah John-Kamen is Ava/Ghost, Rebecca Romijn is Mystique, Mabel Cadena is Namora, and Tenoch Huerta Mejia is Namor.
Marvel’s official synopsis: “In Avengers: Doomsday, beloved heroes from three distinct universes will be set on a deadly collision course and face an existential threat unlike anything they’ve ever encountered.
Avengers: Doomsday opens in theaters on December 18, 2026.
Anthony and Joe Russo direct and Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito and Jonathan Schwartz serve as producers.
Matt Smith and Emma D’Arcy in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 3 episode 5 (Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO)
HBO’s House of the Dragon season three, episode five begins with a conversation between Ser Roderick Dustin (Tommy Flanagan), Lord Oscar Tully (Archie Barnes), and Lord Piper (Antonio Magro). Dustin and Tully are disappointed to learn the crossings to Tumbleton have been destroyed. Tully orders Lord Piper to take 100 of his fastest men, head to Stoney Sept, and proceed from there. It’ll delay their arrival by a week, but it can’t be helped.
(The following is a recap of season three, episode five and there are spoilers.)
Dustin’s getting antsy and tired of hearing about Criston Cole. He asks for permission to take his Winter Wolves and hunt Criston Cole down.
Lord Piper’s barely made it back to his tent before he’s attacked. His throat’s slit as a small group of Criston Cole’s men attack the camp and set it on fire.
Elsewhere, men slink around Harrenhal looking for Aemond Targaryen. Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin) spots them and confirms many bounty hunters have come seeking Aemond to collect Queen Rhaenyra’s reward. Alys insists Aemond’s no longer there and she scares the men as she speaks of the castle’s ghosts. She tosses a stone and wakes up bats that flood the halls. The men scurry off.
Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) is still in bed, recovering, and he wakes from a nightmare of Aegon dragging him into the dark. Alys comforts him as he recalls Helaena’s prophecy that he’ll die.
Grand Maester Orwyle (Kurt Egyiawan) delivers a potion to Alicent (Olivia Cooke) to end Helaena’s pregnancy. Orwyle confesses that he serves Queen Rhaenyra now and this is the last time he can help her without telling Rhaenyra what he’s doing.
Helaena (Phia Saban) doesn’t want to abort her baby, but Alicent insists that Rhaenyra will kill the baby since Aegon’s heir would be a threat to Joffrey. When Alicent mentions Aemond vanishing, Helaena corrects her. She’s seen Aemond at Harrenhal and describes him as burning but not from fire. Alicent continues to beg Helaena, but Helaena insists the child is hers and she won’t kill it.
Lady Sabitha Frey (Sarah Woodward) is upset that Queen Rhaenyra (Emmy D’Arcy) pledged Harrenhal as a trophy to whoever kills Aemond. Jace promised the castle to them in exchange for safe passage for the Winter Wolves, but Rhaenyra doesn’t seem to think she needs to honor Jace’s word. A glare from Rhaenyra finally silences Lady Frey. She agrees a place on the council will suffice for now.
The small council meets and Alyn (Abubakar Salim) and Lady Frey are now part of Rhaenyra’s advisors. Addam (Clinton Liberty) and Lady Baela Targaryen (Bethany Antonia) inform the council that a village outside of Wendish Town is burning and that Vhagar was responsible. Rhaenyra doesn’t understand Aemond’s motivations, and Ser Torrhen Manderly (Dan Fogler) whispers to Lady Frey, explaining who the various players are in the room. Daemon (Matt Smith) glares at him and then suggests Vhagar burned the farms to eat the sheep. Torrhen finally realizes he’s upsetting Daemon and stops whispering.
Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno) and Daemon continue their rivalry to be Rhaenyra’s top advisor, taking sides to defend the small folk versus the City Watch. Rhaenyra ignores them and asks about Vhagar’s whereabouts. Baela admits they couldn’t track her.
Daemon’s furious that two Gold Cloaks were murdered in Flea Bottom that morning, and he’s frustrated that Rhaenyra won’t burn Lord Ormund Hightower’s army out of Tumbleton. He insists his men will take care of it.
Orwyle’s received word from Lord Tully that Criston Cole’s men are delaying them. Rhaenyra orders Addam and Baela back to the Riverlands to find Aemond and figure out what he’s up to. Addam explains they’re exhausted and haven’t eaten, and Rhaenyra agrees they need rest and wants to send Daemon instead. But Daemon’s fixated on the dead Gold Cloaks and wants to take care of that matter first. Rhaenyra offers to have Ser Luthor do it instead, but Daemon won’t listen.
Rhaenyra follows Daemon out of the meeting and demands that he stop undermining her. Daemon insists he’ll do what she asks but must take care of the Gold Cloaks now since they’re not being paid. He doesn’t like that she’s acting out of revenge and thinks she’s allowing herself to be “rattled by vapid taunts.”
Rhaenyra learns Prince Joffrey has returned, but she doesn’t immediately go to see him.
Meanwhile, Larys (Matthew Needham) insists they need to return to Rook’s Rest, but Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) is adamant they head to Wendish Town since Vhagar was there. Neither Larys nor Aegon knows which way is west, but that doesn’t stop Aegon from trudging forward through the woods. Larys thinks Vhagar’s long gone, so Aegon decides they’ll go to Harrenhal instead. Larys tries to reason with Aegon, but Aegon’s way past rational thought. He blames Aemond for everything and is obsessed with killing him.
Mysaria visits Alicent and orders her to show what Grand Maester Orwyle brought. Alicent claims it’s for Helaena’s headache but Mysaria’s not buying it. Alicent changes her story and insists she’s pregnant from a lover and needs to abort. She drinks the potion and asks Mysaria not to say anything.
Alicent’s brother, Ser Gwayne Hightower (Freddie Fox), describes Oldtown to Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel), inviting him to make his home there after the war. Suddenly, one of their men is thrown from his horse. Cole goes down too, and they discover that “crow’s feet” traps have been placed on the trail. Criston’s forced to kill his horse to stop its suffering.
Daemon urges Ser Luthor Largent (Tom Cullen) to order his men to show a little more restraint when dealing with the smallfolk. They’re discussing the mood of the Gold Cloaks when yelling draws their attention. They discover two more slain Gold Cloaks, their throats cut and their bellies ripped open.
James Norton and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 3 episode 5 (Photograph by Kevin Baker/HBO)
A dove is sent from a Hightower loyalist in Flea Bottom to Lord Ormund Hightower (James Norton) reporting the Gold Cloaks’ deaths. Ormund orders trees cut down to secure Tumbleton’s walls, certain Rhaenyra’s sending an army.
Lord Ormund quizzes Prince Daeron Targaryen (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) on his studies, and Daeron assures him he’s been learning about his Hightower relatives and not his Targaryen bloodline. Daeron’s studies include House Greyjoy, House Peake, House Osgrey, Gardener, and Dorne. Ormund asks about Meria Martell (the Yellow Toad of Dorne), the only woman with a military mind. Daeron hasn’t studied her, and Ormund describes her as hideous-looking but incredibly intelligent. She wouldn’t submit to Aegon the Conqueror and declared Dorne would never bow down.
The Hightowers were among Aegon’s armies who marched on her, unaware she poisoned her own wells and hid her men in the desert. The castle was empty, but it was just a ruse. She slaughtered everyone when they let their guard down. Meria Martell outwitted everyone, and Dorne is still unbroken.
Ormund’s stunned when Daeron beats him in chess, and Daeron braces for his wrath. Although he’s obviously upset, Ormund insists Daeron shouldn’t apologize for winning. He’s convinced Daeron is the king everyone’s been waiting for and shows him a gold coin with his face on it.
Alicent gives her necklace to the maid in exchange for help escaping. She tells Helaena the plan, certain now’s the time because Rhaenyra’s men will be busy keeping the peace. Alicent wants to escape through the same hidden door the men used to kill Helaena’s son, Jaehaerys. The room is Baela’s now, but she’ll be out hunting.
However, they must leave Helaena’s daughter, Jaehaer, behind. Alicent claims they’ll send for her and promises Rhaenyra won’t hurt her. Helaena knows her mother’s lying.
Addam and Baela are striking out in their hunt for Vhagar. Baela’s determined to keep searching while Addam knows they need to rest. Baela believes Rhaenyra holds her partially responsible for Jace’s death and that she needs to do something to get back in Rhaenyra’s good graces. She thinks her future will be to marry someone to pay off Rhaenyra’s debt. Addam promises that if that’s true, he’ll rescue her.
Aemond wakes and calls for Vhagar, but Alys says she flew off. He manages to step outside after asking if he’s a prisoner. Aemond insists he needs to find his dragon because without her, he’s nothing. He asks about Aegon and learns that Rhaenyra spread the news that he killed him. Aemond admits that as a child he worshipped Aegon and had a complicated relationship with his mother.
The Larys and Aegon road trip has hit a speed bump. Aegon finally admits his dragon’s dead, he’s a cripple, and there’s no possible way he’ll make it to Wendish Town and kill his stupid brother. Larys wants to go back to Rook’s Rest, but Aegon would rather waste time airing his grievances. He rants about Aemond being the better fighter and how he was forced to just sit and applaud him. Aegon believes their mother loved Aemond more, and now Aemond’s “killed” him.
Larys admits he thinks all of Aegon’s whining is fascinating. “You could have risen to greatness but instead you trampled your birthright in the mud,” says Larys. He calls Aegon mediocre, lazy, and not just a terrible king but a terrible man.
Aegon remains silent as Larys walks away.
Daemon’s shocked to find Rhaenyra in prayer, laughing that she’d spend time appeasing the Seven. She believes there’s no harm in it, and Daemon takes a seat. He reveals six Gold Cloaks are dead with their throats cut and bowels removed and thinks this is just the start of an attack. Rhaenyra confesses she was wrong; the enemy is within. Daemon points out the men were slain in the daylight without any witnesses, so there’s more than one person scheming against her reign.
Rhaenyra’s still upset the Septon denied her requests and Daemon argues that neither Targaryens nor God needs septons. Daemon believes she underestimated the reaction to her claiming the iron throne and should have realized as a woman her reign would always be opposed.
Rhaenyra is upset that she doesn’t know where Aegon, Aemond, or the gold are. She feels the dread of something crouched and waiting. She wonders why Daemon, given his reputation, he hasn’t been able to find them. Daemon walks off, saying, “You are more than this.”
Cole, Gwayne, and the men are forced to hack their way through the woods without their horses. Gwayne believes they need to abandon their plan, but Criston insists they march on to catch up with Oscar Tully’s army.
Matthew Needham and Tom Glynn-Carney in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 3 episode 5 (Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO)
Larys makes it back to camp and Aegon joins him not long afterward. Aegon tells him to hire a ship and suddenly Tyland Lannister (Jefferson Hall) stands in front of them, wondering what ship. (The last we saw Tyland he was tossed into the ocean during the Battle of the Gullet.)
Alicent and Helaena dress as maids and are trying to sneak out but Mysaria knows everything. Alicent pleads with Mysaria not to tell Rhaenyra and urges her to think for herself. She’s certain Rhaenyra will choose Daemon over Mysaria in the end and suggests that the White Worm remembers it’s wise to play all sides. They’ll remain Rhaenyra’s captives and no harm’s done. If Mysaria says nothing, she’ll earn a favor from the Hightowers.
Helaena is adamant that she needs to go outside but Alicent tells her to look at the moon through the window.
Mysaria leaves without replying.
It’s late at night when Queen Rhaenyra finally enters Joffrey’s bedchamber.
Cole’s men continue their long march through the woods as heavy rain falls. They’ve been marching so long without food that men are dying, but the others don’t stop. Gwayne pauses briefly to pull off a leach, while Criston walks by unbothered.
Four armed men climb into Harrenhal Castle and refuse to believe Alys when she claims Aemond’s not there. They attack her and Aemond comes to her rescue, slaughtering the men but running out of energy as the fourth man dies.
Tyland and Larys argue over whether Aegon should return to King’s Landing. Larys is sure Braavos is their destination, and he’s got the means there to take care of Aegon. Tyland insists Aegon needs to go to Lannisport to prepare to retake the throne.
While they’re arguing a man attempts to steal their bag. He holds Aegon’s crown and Aegon reacts by killing him quickly before he can call out.
Daemon and Ser Luthor meet with the remaining Gold Cloaks, assuring them they’ll find the attackers. They demand their pay and Daemon shushes them, reminding them that without the City Watch there would be no queen or king. They need to trust Queen Rhaenyra and if they do, they’ll be repaid twice what they’re owed. He gives a rousing speech and rallies the troops, as Ser Luthor instructs them to stay in groups of three or four.
Cole’s men have made it within eyesight of Stoney’s Sept when they discover the bridge has been destroyed by the Rivermen after they crossed. They’ve failed their mission and the grueling march has been for nothing.
Daemon plucks the eye out of a man who’s been caught as a conspirator to kill the Gold Cloaks. He swears he acted alone, and Daemon threatens to take his other eye. He finally admits it was the king’s work, but not King Aegon. Inside his boot is a gold coin that he claims is from King Daeron Targaryen for killing traitors.
Daemon takes the coin and Ser Luthor kills the man while he screams for mercy.
Gwayne thinks they should head to Tumbleton and meet with Ormund. Criston Cole refuses to do that and instead wants to raft or swim the river. He’s still determined to battle the Rivermen even though they’re vastly outnumbered. Gwayne points out it’ll be a march toward certain death and then realizes that was Criston’s plan all along.
Criston confesses that’s true. He won’t continue to serve the highborn and will fall as the realm’s greatest warrior, dying a glorious death in battle. Songs will be sung about him.
Daemon drops the gold coin with Daeron Targaryen on it in front of Rhaenyra. He’s more certain now that they should have burned Ormund’s army when they had the chance.
Criston delivers a speech to rally his remaining men, urging them not to lose heart. The Seven are watching over them and they must continue in their resolve. Some men leave as he’s speaking.
Daemon goes in search of Ser Luthor and finds him seated at a long table, surrounded by slain Gold Cloaks. Behind the dead men, the words “A Feast for Traitors” are written in blood on the wall.
Helaena finds a secret door in the wall and she and her mother step through it, along with Helaena’s cat. They haven’t gone far when they encounter a brick wall, and Helaena wants to turn back. Alicent is terrified because they can’t; the door shut behind them.
‘This Summer Will Be Different’ (Photo Credit: Berkley)
Francesca Reale (Stranger Things) and Roby Attal (The Haunting of Bly Manor) have signed on to star in Netflix’s This Summer Will Be Different. The series, based on Carley Fortune’s bestselling romance novel, will shoot in Prince Edward Island and Toronto.
Netflix’s announcement confirmed Reale will play Bridget and Attal is on board to play Felix, aka Wolf. Sophie Nélisse (Yellowjackets) was previously announced to play Lucy in the 10-episode first season.
Netflix’s synopsis reads: This Summer Will Be Different is a simmering, sun-soaked romance set across multiple summers on Prince Edward Island about Lucy, a young woman navigating her 20s and her first real love with her best friend’s brother, the one person she was never supposed to fall for.
Speaking to Netflix’s Tudum, author Carley Fortune explained, “I fell in love with Prince Edward Island first in the pages of L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables and again when I visited with my best friend in my early 20s. […] That vacation, the beauty of the island, the warmth of its people, and the friendships that sustain us are the foundation of This Summer Will Be Different. I’m thrilled to bring this sweeping love story to the screen with Netflix and to transport audiences to the glittering shores and windswept beaches of PEI.”
Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart are the co-creators and co-showrunners. Clark and Stewart also executive produce along with author Carley Fortune, Jennifer Kawaja, Elise Cousineau, and Samantha Levine. Sphere Media produces the series.
Francesca Reale’s recent credits include Do Not Enter, Musica, Parachute, and Do Revenge. Roby Attal’s credits include The Sex Lives of College Girls, Dexter: Original Sin, and Lady in the Lake.
Colin Farrell in ‘Sugar’ season 2 episode 5 (Photo Credit: Apple TV)
Apple TV’s Sugar season two, episode five opens with a body being prepared for cremation. John Sugar (Colin Farrell) announces that Ji Moon died of an overdose and that he’s the one who killed him. But he quickly adds, “And brought him back to life.”
(The following is a recap of season two, episode five – “Unknowns” – and there are spoilers.)
John drives Ji (Raymond Lee) to Open Road, a rehab facility where he should be safe from dirty cops and drug dealers. It’s not the first time John’s used this facility for a client, and he knows they’re very discreet.
John has Val (Sasha Calle) take Ji’s friend home; they’re in on the lie that Ji’s dead. John pays for a fake death certificate that lists Ji’s cause of death as fentanyl overdose. The added detail of his body being shipped back to Korea is a clever touch.
John returns to Teddy’s ranch just to make sure everything is picked up and no evidence is left behind that could indicate Ji is still alive. He retrieves the Narcan pump and heads to Vega’s place. John punches the dirty sheriff in the face, making a good show of being angry that Vega got Ji killed.
His next stop doesn’t involve any violence. John delivers the good news to Danny (Jin Ha) that his brother is safe … for now. Danny’s all smiles.
But John isn’t done with this case, even after making sure that Ji’s away from bad influences and safe. He meets with Tom Flyberg (Shea Whigham) and informs him that Ji’s case involves corrupt sheriffs. Tom confirms some sheriffs turn corrupt after working in the jails and making connections with drug dealers. John’s not sure what Vega’s deal is, but he does know that the street price of fentanyl is down 90% in Ez4’s territory, Vega’s jurisdiction.
Tom says, “What we got here is a fire sale in Downer Town.”
John wants to move Ji into witness protection, but Tom knows that won’t work. The government won’t fork over the cash to fund Ji in witness protection because his case against Vega isn’t strong enough. Tom reminds him that although Ji witnessed Vega committing murder, he was in the middle of stealing a thermos full of drugs at the time.
Tom promises to check with his guys anyway. Before John leaves, Tom admits he still doesn’t understand why Vega’s helping someone buy up the fentanyl market in Downer Town because that’s Sergey’s market.
Colin Farrell in ‘Sugar’ season 2 episode 5 (Photo Credit: Apple TV)
John pops into Paramount Pictures to take a guided tour of the backlot. Apparently, he’s done this before because the tour guide, Steff, knows him and appreciates his knowledge of films.
Danny heads to the gym and his trainer, Teddy, is extremely disappointed about the fight he got into at the Japanese restaurant during his meeting with Len Pankow. He can’t believe Danny threw away his chance, and Danny warns him not to bring up Ji again or he’ll hit him.
John finally gets time to work on his Senator Pavich investigation and breaks into the house of Dr. Stanley Ondaatje, the professor who met with Pavich recently. John looks through Stanley’s desk as the professor’s parrot keeps repeating, “What the heck?!” He finds a drawing with circles at the corner of a rectangle. There are what appear to be mathematical equations next to three of the circles.
John’s almost caught but manages to hide when the professor returns for his planner. After he leaves, John finds a room filled with pots of succulents.
Sugar returns to his hotel room, decides against dinner in the restaurant, and checks his messages. So far none of his fellow aliens have responded. He leaves another message telling anyone else who stayed behind that he’s still on Earth. After that, he takes a swim to relax. It’s obvious he’s feeling lonely and missing his fellow travelers.
He finally calls Melanie (Amy Ryan) and reveals he stayed behind. John’s happy to hear her voice and happy that she’s in Paris on tour with her band. He asks about Wylie the dog, but Melanie needs to get off the phone because she’s busy.
John spends his days watching Pavich’s house from the backyard of the house he recently bought. He seems restless and unsure what to do with himself.
Val talks to him about Chuy and suggests that maybe, like Ji, Chuy also knew about the dirty sheriffs and that’s why he was murdered. She thinks it’s possible he will have a video on his phone, and John suggests that she visit Chuy’s grandmother to see if she has his phone.
John admits to himself that he’s gotten better at lying, a skill that didn’t come naturally to him. He’s gotten used to it because of his job.
John did his succulent research and deliberately runs into Dr. Stanley Ondaatje in Echo Park where they grow. The professor studies them as a hobby, and John claims he admires them for their ability to survive in the face of adversity.
That night, Val calls and reveals the hospital never gave Chuy’s grandmother Chuy’s phone. John still wants to keep trying to make a case against Vega.
The hotel’s restaurant is closed but they make John his first-ever cheeseburger, not even reacting when he says it’s his first. He’s surprised to see Charlotte (Laura Donnelly) checking in again; he thought she left. John apologizes for jumping to conclusions and accusing her of looking through his room when she was just leaving him a note.
Vega sent one of his men to tail Sugar and learns about Sugar’s trip to the studio and his encounter with Dr. Ondaatje. There’s really nothing unusual to report.
John is still wondering about Chuy’s phone and thinks he’s missing something. He recalls the artwork at Chuy’s grandmother’s house and thinks Chuy’s mom, Sandra, might know something. He can’t locate her in the tent cities or tunnels where she normally hangs out, but someone who knows her leads him to her location. Unfortunately, by the time he gets there, she’s dead from an overdose.
John gently covers her body and considers his next move. He’s kneeling by her body when he finds a phone with artwork that matches Chuy’s grandmother’s house in Sandra’s bag.
Jin Ha in ‘Sugar’ season 2 episode 5 (Photo Credit: Apple TV)
Danny’s forced to apologize to Nestor Rodrigues’ friend that he punched in the restaurant. And because he says he’s sorry, Nestor still wants to fight him in Las Vegas. Danny holds up the contract and his fellow boxers cheer, happy he’s getting a real shot.
John stays with Sandra’s body at the coroner’s office and learns that it’s the coroner’s fifth drug overdose of the day. The coroner confirms that’s more than usual, even though the city-wide rates are supposedly down.
Meanwhile, Vega’s not satisfied that he knows everything about Ji’s death. He returns to the cabin.
John believes the crooked cops’ case will get worse before it gets better. Back at the hotel, Charlotte is basically ignoring him and he continues to apologize. He explains why he has cameras in his room, and she finally starts talking to him, even admitting she comes on a little strong. Her table’s ready and she asks him to join her. John accepts.
They discuss beautiful cities, and John makes his fifth movie reference. Charlotte laughs, points it out, and then realizes she needs to leave to get to work. They talked the night away.
Back in his room, he imagines Peg (Laura San Giacomo) telling him he’s going to hell because he’s assimilating.
Episode five ends in the morgue, with hundreds of temporary urns (basically just boxes) full of the ashes of people who died either unidentified or unclaimed.
The official trailer for Paramount+’s Lioness season three hints that Joe’s work is about to affect her personal life in a dramatic way and she’s ready to take out whoever she needs to. “I’m going to find whoever was behind this and I’m going to kill them all,” says Joe (Oscar winner Zoe Saldaña) in the intense season three trailer.
In addition to Saldaña, season three stars Oscar winner Nicole Kidman as Kaitlyn, Oscar winner Morgan Freeman as Edwin Mullins, Emmy nominee Michael Kelly as Byron Westfield, Laysla De Oliveira as Cruz, Dave Annable as Neal, Jill Wagner as Bobby, and LaMonica Garrett as Tucker. James Jordan is Two Cups, Genesis Rodriguez is Josie Carillo, Austin Hébert is Randy, Jonah Wharton is Tex, Thad Luckinbill is Kyle, Hannah Love Lanier is Kate, and Ian Bohen plays Grady.
Zoe Saldaña as Joe, Laysla De Oliveira as Cruz, and Ian Bohen as Grady in season 3 (Photo Credit: Lauren Smith/Paramount+)
“In season three, hidden networks, foreign operatives, and personal betrayals collide. Joe (Saldaña) walks the line between duty and home as unseen forces circle her world,” reads Paramount+’s synopsis. “Patterns appear where they shouldn’t, names vanish, and paths rearrange. Guided by Kaitlyn (Kidman) and Westfield (Kelly), Joe confronts enemies operating in the shadows, leaving her to reckon with a war that now reaches into every part of her life.”
The new season premieres on August 2, 2026.
Executive producers include Zoe Saldaña, Nicole Kidman, Taylor Sheridan, David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, David Hutkin, Bob Yari, Michael Friedman, Jill Wagner, David Lemanowicz, Geyer Kosinski, and Keith Cox.
Erica Ford, Jack Patten, and Matija Gredic in ‘Robin Hood’ season 1 (Credit: Aleksandar Letic/MGM+)
MGM+’s Robin Hood has added three key players to the ensemble for season two. The expanded roster of series stars was announced as filming on the new season gets underway at PFI Studios in Serbia.
Season one starred Jack Patten as Rob, Lauren McQueen as Marian, Sean Bean as the Sheriff of Nottingham, Lydia Peckham as Priscilla of Nottingham, Steven Waddington as the Earl of Huntingdon, and Connie Nielsen as Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine. Season two’s just-announced cast includes
James Purefoy as King Henry, the formidable monarch whose ruthless vision for England sets the season’s events into motion;
Colin O’Donoghue as Prince Richard, Henry’s eldest son and rightful heir whose fate threatens to plunge the kingdom into civil war;
Luke Roberts as Amaury D’Montfort, an ambitious Norman nobleman whose political aspirations place him at the center of Nottingham’s growing power struggle.
MGM+ offers this description of the new season: “Season two of Robin Hood two expands the world beyond Sherwood and Nottingham into the treacherous courts of England, France, and Rome, transforming the outlaw rebellion into a high-stakes battle for the soul of a kingdom.
As the Angevin empire threatens to tear itself apart, Rob and Marian are drawn into the orbit of kings and queens, forced to wield the very instruments of Norman power—politics, gold, and betrayal—to secure a future for the Saxons. What begins as a fight for survival becomes a reckoning with power itself. Sweeping in scope yet intimate in emotion, Season two deepens the romance, sharpens the rivalries, and reimagines the legend as a prestige drama about love, legacy, and the price of becoming history.”
John Glenn guides season two as showrunner and Jonathan English directs. Glenn, English, and Hidden Pictures’ Todd Lieberman are the executive producers.
“MGM+, Lionsgate, and Todd have been extraordinary partners—fearless in backing our vision of this classic legend,” stated Glenn and English. “Their support has allowed us to expand the world in season two in a way that feels both epic and intimate. We’re thrilled and grateful to continue the journey with a team that believes in our ambition for where this story can go and in delivering a season that will connect with audiences in an even more powerful way.”
‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ SDCC Activation (Photo credit: Hulu)
Percy Jackson and the Olympians fans heading to the 2026 San Diego Comic-Con will once again be able to visit the mythical world of the series. Disney Entertainment Television is bringing the Percy Jackson and the Olympians activation back to the SDCC, along with the return of Hulu’s gigantic Animayhem activation.
The Percy Jackson Experience will be set up on the corner of 5th and L Street and will be open daily throughout the SDCC’s four-day run, July 23 through July 26.
DET offers this description of this year’s Percy Jackson activation:
“Guests will be invited to step inside a titan-sized trident, embarking on a journey of their choosing with Percy, Annabeth, or Thalia on a quest to defeat the evil Titans. While on their journey, guests can expect hidden season 3 easter eggs, prophecy-led clues, on-site photo moments, and exclusive Camp Half-Blood goodies.”
Hulu’s Animayhem: Fandom Fuel Up will also be open daily at Palm Trees Garden in San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter, featuring Futurama and King of the Hill themes.
Per Hulu: “The iconic Planet Express returns to Comic-Con alongside Bobby Hill’s new Robata Chane venture. Guests can enjoy themed offerings like Fry’s 100 Days of Cold Brew and Robata Chane-inspired yakitori. As guests fuel up, they’ll explore immersive environments, uncover hidden Easter eggs, and capture shareable moments inspired by fan-favorite storylines from each series.”
