BBC America’s released the first official photo from the drama series Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell based on the book by Susanna Clarke. The seven-part series will debut on BBC America sometime next year and stars Eddie Marsan as Mr. Norrell and Bertie Carvel as Jonathan Strange. Peter Harness (Wallander) adapted the novel, and Toby Haynes directed the limited series.
Alice Englert, Marc Warren, Samuel West, and Charlotte Riley are also featured in the series.
The Plot:
Set at the beginning of the 19th century, England no longer believes in practical magic. The reclusive Mr Norrell (Marsan) of Hurtfew Abbey stuns the city of York when he causes the statues of York Cathedral to speak and move. With a little persuasion and help from his man of business Childermass (Enzo Cilenti), he goes to London to help the government in the war against Napoleon. It is there Norrell summons a fairy (Warren) to bring Lady Pole (Englert) back from the dead, opening a whole can of worms…
Robert Taylor, Katee Sackhoff and Bailey Chase star in ‘Longmire’ (Photo by Cathy Kanavy / Copyright 2013 / A&E)
Netflix confirmed Longmire has been given a fourth season order by the streaming network after being canceled by A&E following season three. The Western drama’s season four will be made up of 10 brand new episodes and will star Robert Taylor, Katee Sackhoff, Lou Diamond Phillips, Bailey Chase, Cassidy Freeman, and Adam Bartley.
Season four will air sometime in 2015.
“When Warner Horizon Television came to us with the idea for a new season of Longmire, we were intrigued because the series is so unique and consistently great. We are thrilled to help continue Walt Longmire’s story for his large and passionate following,” said Cindy Holland, Vice President of Original Content at Netflix.
The Longmire Season 4 Plot:
Season four of Longmire picks up moments after season three’s exciting finale. Walt Longmire (Taylor), having found out who was behind the murder of his wife, succumbs to his darker impulses and takes off in pursuit of the killer with murder on his mind.
Meanwhile, Branch Connally (Chase), the deputy who Walt fired for erratic, violent behavior, believes he has already figured out who the real culprit is. But during his confrontation with this suspected killer, a gun goes off. Now the audience will finally learn what happened and whether Walt can be stopped before he makes a fatal choice.
Ewan McGregor, Brenton Thwaites, and Alicia Vikander star in the dramatic thriller Son of a Gun which has just released a new poster and trailer. The R-rated drama was co-written and directed by Julius Avery and will be available on DirectTV December 11, 2014 followed by a theatrical release on January 16, 2015.
The Plot:
In the criminal world, life is like a game of chess. To gain control, you have to stay a few moves ahead of your opponent. Lose that control, and you risk becoming a pawn in their very dangerous game.
During a six-month stint inside a West Australian prison, rookie criminal JR (BRENTON THWAITES) meets the smart and enigmatic Brendan Lynch (EWAN McGREGOR). In exchange for protection on the inside, JR agrees to help Brendan get outside, hooking up with the influential Sam Lennox (JACEK KOMAN) to orchestrate a daring prison escape that frees Brendan, and inmates Sterlo (MATT NABLE) and Merv (EDDIE BAROO).
JR is rewarded for his efforts, and with a taste of the high life and flirtations with Sam’s beautiful girl Tasha (ALICIA VIKANDER), he gets sucked deeper into Brendan’s criminal world. But whose game is he playing?
Becoming a father-like mentor to JR, Brendan convinces him to join on another high stakes job – robbing a Kalgoorlie gold mine. But with millions of dollars at stake, it’s hard to tell whom JR can trust, and whose side each player is actually on. And with his feelings for Tasha increasing, and his faith in Brendan decreasing, JR must figure out his next move… before its check, mate.
“American Crime” stars Richard Cabral as Hector Tonz, Elvis Nolasco as Carter, Caitlin Gerard as Aubry, Johnny Ortiz as Tony Gutierrez, Benito Martinez as Alonzo Gutierrez, Timothy Hutton as Russ, Felicity Huffman as Barb, W. Earl Brown as Tom and Penelope Ann Miller as Eve in ‘American Crime’ (Photo Credit: ABC / Bob D’Amico)
ABC will be debuting the first episode of American Crime on Thursday, March 5, 2015 at 10pm ET/PT. American Crime is written, directed and produced by John Ridley (screenwriter of 12 Years a Slave) and stars Felicity Huffman, Timothy Hutton, W. Earl Brown, Richard Cabral, Caitlin Gerard, Benito Martinez, Penelope Ann Miller, Elvis Nolasco, and Johnny Ortiz. Season one will consist of 11 episodes.
The network also announced that the murder mystery Secrets and Lies will premiere on March 1, 2015 at 9pm ET/PT. The 10 episode season one will star Ryan Phillippe, Juliette Lewis, KaDee Strickland, Natalie Martinez, Dan Fogler, Indiana Evans, and Belle Shouse.
Secrets and Lies is based on the Australian show created by Stephen Irwin. The American version was developed by Barbie Kligman who executive produces with Aaron Kaplan, Tracey Robertson, Nathan Mayfield, and Charles McDougall. McDougall also directed the pilot.
The American Crime Plot:
A young couple in Modesto, California were brutally attacked in their home leaving Matt Skokie, a war vet, murdered, and his wife, Gwen, unconscious, barely hanging on. The crime sends shock waves throughout the community stirring up tensions across socioeconomic and racial lines in this gritty new drama – from the points of view of all those involved.
The Secrets and Lies Plot:
Ben Crawford (Ryan Phillippe) is about to go from Good Samaritan to murder suspect after he discovers the body of his neighbor’s young son, Tom Murphy, in the woods. Even as Detective Andrea Cornell (Juliette Lewis) digs for the truth in her investigation and pegs Ben as a “person of interest,” the case unfolds from Ben’s perspective — whether he is guilty or not. In trying to clear his name, it is Ben who peels back the layers of these suburbanites’ lives in their quiet cul de sac, revealing their dirty little deceptions and all-too-crowded closets overflowing with skeletons. No one is above suspicion. Ben’s family’s life, already privately in disarray, is turned upside down as he sets out on a complicated journey to prove his innocence.
Ellis Jones (Michiel Huisman) and Adaline Bowman (Blake Lively) in THE AGE OF ADALINE. (Photo Credit: Diyah Pera)
Lionsgate’s released the first trailer for the romantic drama The Age of Adaline starring Blake Lively and directed by Lee Toland Krieger. The film, which finds Lively never aging, also features Harrison Ford, Michiel Huisman, Kathy Baker, Amanda Crew, and Ellen Burstyn.
The Age of Adalind opens in theaters on April 24, 2015.
The Plot:
After miraculously remaining 29 years old for almost eight decades, Adaline Bowman (Blake Lively) has lived a solitary existence, never allowing herself to get close to anyone who might reveal her secret. But a chance encounter with charismatic philanthropist Ellis Jones (Michiel Huisman) reignites her passion for life and romance.
When a weekend with his parents (Harrison Ford and Kathy Baker) threatens to uncover the truth, Adaline makes a decision that will change her life forever.
Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation) and Dave Becky are executive producing the new half-hour comedy Difficult People coming to Hulu and starring executive producer Julie Klausner and Billy Eichner. Difficult People, written by Klausner, earned a straight-to-series order and will film early in 2015.
“I tend to enjoy funny people creating and starring in comedy programs, and Julie and Billy are the funniest around,” said Poehler.
“Amy Poehler, Billy Eichner, and Julie Klausner are a dream team of comedic possibilities. We look forward to bringing this hilarious view of the world to Hulu with our partners at Universal Cable Productions,” added Craig Erwich, Senior Vice President and Head of Content, Hulu.
The Plot:
Difficult People hails from Julie Klausner who stars alongside Emmy(R)-nominated Billy on the Street host Billy Eichner. As best friends living in New York City, their typical, irreverent behavior lands them in some very awkward situations.
Walt Disney Studios has unveiled the official trailer for Cinderella starring Lily James, Game of Thrones‘ Richard Madden, Cate Blanchett, and Helena Bonham Carter. The official trailer pretty much shows off the entire Cinderella film minus the happy ending, but then everyone knows the story anyway so it’s not as if the trailer revealed any spoilers.
Directed by Kenneth Branagh from a script by Chris Weitz, Disney’s set to launch the live-action Cinderella on March 13, 2015.
The Plot:
The story of Cinderella follows the fortunes of young Ella (Lily James) whose merchant father remarries following the death of her mother. Eager to support her loving father, Ella welcomes her new stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and her daughters Anastasia (Holliday Grainger) and Drisella (Sophie McShera) into the family home. But, when Ella’s father unexpectedly passes away, she finds herself at the mercy of a jealous and cruel new family.
Finally relegated to nothing more than a servant girl covered in ashes, and spitefully renamed Cinderella, Ella could easily begin to lose hope. Yet, despite the cruelty inflicted upon her, Ella is determined to honor her mother’s dying words and to “have courage and be kind.” She will not give in to despair nor despise those who mistreat her. And then there is the dashing stranger she meets in the woods. Unaware that he is really a prince, not merely an apprentice at the Palace, Ella finally feels she has met a kindred soul. It appears her fortunes may be about to change when the Palace sends out an open invitation for all maidens to attend a ball, raising Ella’s hopes of once again encountering the charming Kit (Richard Madden). Alas, her stepmother forbids her to attend and callously rips apart her dress. But, as in all good fairy tales, help is at hand, and a kindly beggar woman (Helena Bonham Carter) steps forward and, armed with a pumpkin and a few mice, changes Cinderella’s life forever.
Stan, Rodger, Hayley, Klaus, Steve and Francine in ‘American Dad’ (Photo Courtesy of TBS)
American Dad! moved to TBS for the 11th season and the new home for the animated series has worked out so well that the network has ordered another 22 episode season. Currently airing on Monday nights at 9pm ET/PT, American Dad! has been averaging 3.1 million viewers.
The series was created by Seth MacFarlane, Mike Barker and Matt Weitzman and features the voices of MacFarlane, Wendy Schaal, Rachael MacFarlane, Dee Bradley Baker, and Scott Grimes.
“We are thrilled with American Dad!‘s performance to date and are confident the show is going to continue its tremendous success,” said Deborah K. Bradley, executive vice president, head of program acquisitions, content strategy and licensing for Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. “By ordering a new season while the current season is early in its run, we’re ensuring that Seth MacFarlane and his team will have the freedom to take the misadventures of the CIA agent Stan Smith and his family to a whole new level.”
“TBS has been a spectacular home for this terrific series, and its continued success is a testament to the brilliance of the show, as well as the passion of the network,” commented Jonnie Davis, Twentieth Century Fox Television president of creative affairs. “We join the loyal fans of American Dad in hoping this is the first of many renewals because Seth, Brian and Matt have many more stories to tell.”
The American Dad! Plot:
American Dad! follows staunch GOP supporter and CIA agent Stan Smith and the misadventures of his unconventional family in Langley Falls, Va. Stan’s blissfully unaware wife, Francine, has an unfaltering loyalty that allows her to turn a blind eye toward Stan’s unabashed arrogance. Meanwhile, Stan constantly butts heads with his 18-year-old left-wing activist daughter, Hayley, who knows just how to push her father’s buttons, whether it’s by helping the homeless, demanding women’s rights, or advocating gun control. Hayley’s 14-year-old brother is the geeky-yet-confident Steve, a kid who spends his time playing video games and obsessing about the opposite sex.
The Smith cabinet is rounded out by two rather unconventional members: Roger, the sassy, sarcastic and routinely inappropriate space alien who is constantly trying on new disguises and, with them, new personalities, and Klaus, the attention-starved goldfish with the brain of a German Olympic skier who always throws in his two cents, regardless of whether anyone is listening. Together, this screwball family of radically different personalities is just trying to figure out how to love and trust one another in a bi-partisan world. And with a guy like Stan in charge of national security, it’s guaranteed to be one hilarious ride.
People Magazine has named Thor star Chris Hemsworth 2014’s Sexiest Man Alive. The 31-year-old married father of three’s reaction to the news was to laugh and then quickly figure out how to use the award to get out of chores around the house.
Speaking to People for the Sexiest Man Alive issues, Hemsworth said the magazine’s honor will give him bragging rights at home with his wife. “I can just say to her, ‘Now remember, this is what the people think, so I don’t need to do the dishes anymore, I don’t need to change nappies. I’m above that. I’ve made it now.'”
In a behind-the-scenes video during the photo shoot, Hemsworth said, “The first thing that went through my mind when I was told about the Sexiest Man Alive was, ‘Good, but you’re a couple of years late. I hit my peak a few years ago. I’m on the decline now and I’m not sure if I deserve it.'”
He also admitted that it will be his brothers, including The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 star Liam Hemsworth, who will give him the hardest time about winning the title.
Tom Hardy (Photo by Richard Chavez / Showbiz Junkies)
Filming will get underway on the drama Taboo in 2015, with Tom Hardy (Locke, The Dark Knight Rises) and Ridley Scott executive producing. Hardy is also on board to star in the series created by Steven Knight, and FX in the US and BBC One in the UK are aiming for a 2016 series premiere.
Hardy and his father, Chips Hardy, came up with the original story.
“We are privileged to have landed Taboo and to work with this exceptional team led by Ridley, Tom, and Steven,” said Eric Schrier, President of Original Programming, FX Networks and FX Productions. “Tom’s passion for this project, from conceiving the original idea with his father to portraying James Delaney, promises to infuse this epic story with great personal passion and credibility.”
“FX is the perfect partner to engage with this dark, fantastic world that Tom and Steven have created. We’re glad to have them on board,” said Scott.
And executive producer/actor Hardy added, “Taboo is the first major production our company, Hardy Son & Baker, is setting sail on, and it gives me great pleasure to know that we are in partnership with FX and the BBC. I believe with the high standard of creative talent – with Steve Knight and Ridley Scott at the helm – and with the support and backing of these two great broadcasters, we have found the perfect home and team for Taboo.”
The Plot:
In Taboo, Hardy plays the lead role of “James Keziah Delaney,” a rogue adventurer who returns from Africa with 14 ill-gotten diamonds to seek vengeance after the death of his father. Refusing to sell the family business to the East India Company, he sets out to build his own trade and shipping empire and finds himself playing a very dangerous game.
