It’s all fun and games until someone ends up dead for one wealthy family and their friends in Netflix’s The Perfect Couple. A detective on the case declares, “These people are used to getting whatever they want. The minute they feel they are losing control, they burn it all down,” and truer words have never been spoken.
The murder mystery’s official trailer arrived just ahead of its September 5, 2024 premiere and features Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Meghann Fahy, Eve Hewson, and Dakota Fanning. Ishaan Khatter, Billy Howle, and Jack Reynor also star in the six-episode limited series.
“Amelia Sacks is about to marry into one of the wealthiest families on Nantucket. Her disapproving future mother-in-law, famous novelist Greer Garrison Winbury, has spared no expense in planning what promises to be the premiere wedding of the season — until a body turns up on the beach,” reads Netflix’s synopsis. “As secrets come to light, the stage is set for a real-life investigation that feels plucked from the pages of one of Greer’s novels. Suddenly, everyone is a suspect.”
Based on Elin Hilderbrand’s bestseller, The Perfect Couple was adapted by Jenna Lamia who serves as showrunner and executive producer. Susanne Bier directs and executive produces, with author Hilderbrand also involved as an executive producer. Additional executive producers include Josh Barry, 21 Laps Entertainment’s Shawn Levy, Gail Berman and Hend Baghdady for The Jackal Group, and Nicole Kidman and Per Saari for Blossom Films.
Director Ali Abbasi has launched a Kickstarter campaign in support of The Apprentice. Coming off of its North American premiere at the Telluride Film Festival, Briarcliff Entertainment announced the film starring Sebastian Stan as a young Donald Trump would get an October 11, 2024 theatrical release. The pre-election date release is good news for Abbasi and his controversial movie. However, the filmmaker wants to expand the film’s audience via the “Release the Apprentice” Kickstarter campaign.
“The Apprentice is first and foremost humanist, which makes it radically different from all the political noise,” stated executive producer Amy Baer.
“Despite the integrity of the film and without even seeing it, Trump’s campaign sought to suppress it,” said producer Dan Bekerman. “The idea that artists can no longer freely criticize the powerful should concern us all. We need your help to resoundingly reject this dangerous precedent.”
The Apprentice was written by Gabriel Sherman and stars Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump, Jeremy Strong as Roy Cohn, and Maria Bakalova as Ivana Trump.
“A young Donald Trump (Stan), eager to make his name as a hungry scion of a wealthy family in 1970s New York, comes under the spell of Roy Cohn (Strong), the cutthroat attorney who would help create the Donald Trump we know today,” reads the official synopsis. “Cohn sees in Trump the perfect protégé—someone with raw ambition, a hunger for success, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to win.”
Director Abassi, Louis Tisne, Scythia Films’ Daniel Bekerman, Profile Pictures’ Jacob Jarek, and Tailored Films’ Ruth Treacy and Julianne Forde served as producers. Amy Baer, Gabriel Sherman, Fred Benenson, Compton Ross, Thorsten Schumacher, Levi Woodward, and Niamh Fagan executive produce. Additional executive producers include Greg Denny, James Shani, Noor Alfallah, Andy Cohen, Andrew Frank, Neil Mathieson, Lee Broda, Blair Ward, Brian Tyler Cohen, and Anders Erden.
“The crowdfunding campaign features tiered reward levels based on donation amounts, including a $25 donation which allows fans to stream the film after it hits theaters, and a $100 donation which entitles fans to see their name in a special section on the end credits roller. Higher level pledges include one of three actual toupees worn by Sebastian Stan on-screen and VIP tickets to attend the film’s Premiere in NYC. All backers will be provided with an official ‘Backer Badge Kit’ that they can use to amplify the film and the campaign.”
2022’s Smile proved how truly terrifying the titular facial expression can be. The 2024 sequel, Smile 2, picks up the twisted tale with a new main character: a pop star who witnesses a bizarre death.
“About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events,” reads Paramount Pictures’ synopsis. “Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control.”
Smile‘s Kyle Gallner returns for the sequel. The cast also includes Rosemarie DeWitt, Lukas Gage, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Peter Jacobson, Ray Nicholson, Dylan Gelula, and Raúl Castillo. Plus, the trailer teases a brief appearance by Drew Barrymore.
The original film’s writer and director Parker Finn returns to handle both duties on the sequel. Marty Bowen, Wyck Godfrey, Isaac Klausner, Parker Finn, and Robert Salerno serve as producers.
Smile posted a $22 million opening weekend gross when it hit theaters on September 30, 2022. The R-rated horror film exited theaters after ringing up $217 million worldwide at the box office. With an estimated budget of just $17 million, Smile sits at 80% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon in ‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon’ season 2 (Photo Credit: Emmanuel Guimier/AMC)
Comic-Con favs Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride joined Louis Puech Scigliuzzi, showrunner David Zabel, and executive producer Greg Nicotero for The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season two panel and press conference. The new season debuts on AMC on September 29, 2024 at 9pm ET/PT and finds Daryl questioning his decision to remain in France.
During the press conference, the TWD team confirmed the first two six-episode seasons were conceived as a whole. Taking the action to France allowed The Walking Dead spinoff to not only showcase how the apocalypse affected another part of the world but also reinvigorate the franchise.
”You know, the stories are different, the relationships are different, the settings are different, and even the light is different. So, different things happen to us,” offered Norman Reedus when asked how the setting affects his approach to Daryl. “The show’s very different in Europe. You’re on a TV show that’s become such a massive thing. It sort of moves itself, and you get swept up in the monster of it. We reinvented the show, because it looks different, half of it’s in French, it’s completely different, the relationships are different. The show itself feels to me like making art again, like we did in the beginning, of the show in Georgia.”
Without giving away spoilers, Melissa McBride added, “I have to say that one of my favorite scenes is with two of them. The connections that are made between the characters, the landscape of France, it’s so beautiful, but it’s all like a gift wrap to these new things that are evolving within Daryl, for instance. [Norman] goes places I’ve never seen him go before as far as acting, or the character, a little deeper in a very special way.”
Greg Nicotero admits that even though he’s been with the franchise since the very beginning, there are things in season two that surprise him. “There’s the premiere episode, which I directed, there’s a scene with Melissa and Ash and there’s a moment there that I didn’t see coming when I read the script and when we shot it. And it was really interesting because you feel like you know Carol and then she just makes this one statement and it really makes you look at her differently,” says Nicotero. “I really appreciate that they’re getting that opportunity. And it’s the same with Daryl. There are surprises that their characters go through that still give us more layers than they are. “
Melissa McBride as Carol Peletier in ‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon’ season 2 (Photo Credit: Emmanuel Guimier/AMC)
One of the big topics of conversation surrounding season two was how much French to include. The goal was authenticity, so characters were allowed to speak French when they should. If characters are communicating with Daryl or Carol, then they would speak enough English to communicate. There’s quite a bit of French language in the upcoming season, to go with the season’s European tone.
Basically, according to David Zabel, the goal was to make it feel like a French show. The crew was 97% French, which helped lend to the authenticity as they incorporated French culture and history. Plus, there’s the added element that the disorientation of introducing another language created, lending a vulnerability to these characters we’ve known for over a decade.
”There’s a lot of action coming in season two. The writing is really tight. What we noticed is that there’s a lot going on, but it still breathes,” says McBride. “It’s not just like we have to hit a plot point or have to get from A to B. We’re going to feel this, we’re going to ride this emotion, and we’re going to end up here. So, it feels like a good ride.”
Both McBride and Reedus feel there’s something special about The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol. “I think characters mean a lot to a lot of people. They inspire,” says McBride. “I feel like my character…I feel like we’re having a lot more fun with these characters. Like, there was a lot of heavy stuff to go through to get to this point. Not that there’s not a lot of heavy stuff now. I just feel like it’s something different.”
“It has the energy of the first couple of seasons of our original show. Like, we’re excited. It’s fun to shoot,” confirms Reedus. “But also like you were talking about the language and part being in French is that we don’t know what you’re saying. Are we going to fight? Are we going to get along? And now you’ve got the two of our characters trying to figure stuff out together.”
And one final highlight out of the press conference. Reedus was asked if, given their chemistry, Carol and Daryl will ever get together. “Well, in season three you find out that we’re related,” joked Reedus. “No, I don’t know yet. Never say never.”
David Boreanaz as Jason Hayes in ‘SEAL Team’ episode 6 season 7, (CREDIT: Michael Moriatis/Paramount+)
Tensions boiled over and the truth spilled out on Paramount+’s SEAL Team season seven episode five. And now, thanks to a decision Jason makes to be home with his son, the action in episode six takes place without BRAVO’s leader. Episode six, “Hundred-Year Marathon,” was directed by David Boreanaz and streams on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Season seven stars David Boreanaz as Jason Hayes, Neil Brown Jr. as Ray Perry, A.J. Buckley as Sonny Quinn, Toni Trucks as Lieutenant Lisa Davis, Raffi Barsoumian as Omar Hamza, and Beau Knapp as Drew Franklin.
“Hundred-Year Marathon” Plot: BRAVO’s next mission is in Cambodia and they’re without their leaders, as Jason is home with his son and Ray is pulled into diplomatic negotiations.
Raffi Barsoumian as Omar Hamza and Justin Melnick as Brock Reynolds in episode 6 season 7 (CREDIT: Michael Moriatis/Paramount+)
The series follows the lives of the Navy SEALs’ most elite unit as they execute dangerous high-stakes operations to defend their country at a deeply personal cost. In the final season, Jason Hayes (Boreanaz) struggles to balance his warrior’s existence with the responsibilities of single fatherhood. Ray Perry (Brown Jr.), his trusted second in command, questions whether he will be able to leave the battlefield behind as his retirement nears. Dedicated door-kicker Sonny Quinn (Buckley) battles against changing tides as Jason and Ray’s shifting focus means that other teammates must shoulder more responsibility. Both Omar Hamza (Barsoumian) and Drew Franklin (Knapp) find diving into work an effective way to distance themselves from their past traumas.
Vital to mission success is Lieutenant Lisa Davis (Trucks), a no-nonsense officer who ushers the team into a new era of warfare against powerful rivals for supremacy on the world stage. Ripped away from their loved ones at a moment’s notice to be deployed across the globe, Bravo team remains dedicated to their duties. Even in the face of overwhelming odds, they know this is the price to keep the families they left behind safe.
Raffi Barsoumian as Omar Hamza in episode 6, season 7 (CREDIT: Michael Moriatis/Paramount+)Beau Knapp as Drew Franklin in episode 6, season 7 (CREDIT: Michael Moriatis/Paramount+)A.J. Buckley as Sonny Quinn in episode 6, season 7 (CREDIT: Michael Moriatis/Paramount+)Tyler Grey as Trent Sawyer in ‘SEAL Team’ episode 6, season 7 (CREDIT: Michael Moriatis/Paramount+)
Drones fill the orange-tinted sky as citizens are forced to hide from authorities in Neon’s 2073 trailer. Directed by Oscar winner Asif Kapadia (Best Documentary, Amy), 2073‘s trailer teases a terrifying world that is, unfortunately, not all that difficult to imagine. As the trailer declares, “This is not fiction. This is not a documentary. This is a warning.”
Neon offers this synopsis:
“It’s the year 2073, and the worst fears of modern life have been realized. Surveillance drones fill the burnt orange skies and militarized police roam the wrecked streets, while survivors hide away underground, struggling to remember a free and hopeful existence. In this ingenious mixture of visionary science fiction and speculative nonfiction, Academy Award-winning filmmaker Asif Kapadia transports us to a future foreshadowed by the terrifying realities of our present moment. Two-time Academy Award nominee Samantha Morton (In America, Sweet and Lowdown) plays a survivor besieged by nightmare visions of the past—a past that happens to be our present, visualized through contemporary footage interconnecting today’s global crises of authoritarianism, unchecked big tech, inequality, and global climate change.
2073 is an urgent, unshakable vision of a dystopic future that could very well be our own.”
Naomi Ackie (Blink Twice) and Hector Hewer also star. Director Kapadia and Tony Grisoni wrote the screenplay.
Poster for Neon’s ‘2073’
“2073 is about a feeling of dread at what is happening and being normalized around the world. The film started after seeing Brexit happen through lies and corruption in the UK, I felt I had to make a film to understand why the world seemed to be moving towards lies, authoritarianism, violence. I interviewed journalists around the world, was I going crazy, or was something happening? The journalists agreed, there was a global trend, a democratic recession, technology played a huge part and this was also aiding the destruction of the planet’s ecosystem,” said Kapadia in support of the film screening at the Venice Film Festival. “2073 has come out of those interviews and research. My aim was to connect the dots between many complex issues and countries in a single cinematic film.”
Kapadia’s behind-the-scenes team includes cinematographer Bradford Young, editors Chris King and Sylvie Landra, production designer Robin Brown, and costume designer Verity May Lane.
Oscar-winner Jordan Peele’s reboot of Scare Tactics has scared up an October 4, 2024 premiere on USA Network, Bravo, E! and Syfy. The reimagined horror-comedy series is inspired by the classic show that aired for five seasons and was hosted by Shannon Doherty, Stephen Baldwin, and Tracy Morgan.
Monkeypaw Productions’ Jordan Peele, Win Rosenfeld, and Jamal Watson executive produce along with WMTI Productions’ Scott Hallock. Elan Gale guides the series as showrunner and executive producer.
USA Network offers this description of the reimagined series: “This audacious reboot will turn unsuspecting individuals into the main characters of their very own horror movies in a cinematic approach to the hidden camera concept.
The series will be hosted by Flip, a spectral pre-teen obsessed with horror movies and fascinated by human fear. With twisted glee, Flip creates horrific cinematic scenarios and drops real people into the leading roles. Each episode will feature devious pranksters setting up friends and family, known as targets, in hilariously twisted scenarios that blur the lines of reality, horror and comedy. From a casual dinner party that takes an unexpectedly cannibalistic turn to a pair of newlyweds that are the proud new parents of something … less than human, the targets will navigate one unreal decision after another as audiences laugh, jump and are left breathless for more.
Anyone can be a target, including WWE superstars ‘The New Day’ when a seemingly run-of-the-mill promo opportunity with Cody Rhodes turns into a terrifying paranormal event.”
Hulu’s Tell Me Lies, the streamer’s sexiest series, returns for season two on September 4, 2024. The new season kicks off with the release of the first two episodes, followed by new episodes of the eight-episode season on Wednesdays.
The trailer reveals that Stephen has been assigned as a teacher’s assistant in one of Lucy’s classes. Which, of course, will lead to sparks flying and plenty of sexual tension.
Hulu offered this description of season two: “Tell Me Lies season two picks up as Lucy Albright (Grace Van Patten) and Stephen DeMarco (Jackson White) return to college, not speaking after their dramatic breakup at the start of the summer. Yet while very much at odds, they find themselves in a new version of their addictive dynamic – which is as infuriating as it is inescapable. Meanwhile, the story expands deeper into the lives of Lucy and Stephen’s friend group, as the fallout from season one impacts all of their lives in unexpected ways.”
The season two cast also includes Cat Missal as Bree, Spencer House as Wrigley, Sonia Mena as Pippa, Branden Cook as Evan, and Alicia Crowder as Diana. Lucifer‘s Tom Ellis joins the fun as Professor Oliver, and Thomas Doherty recurs as Leo, a student who’s interested in Lucy.
Meaghan Oppenheimer is the showrunner, writer, and executive produces along with Emma Roberts, Karah Preiss, Matt Matruski, and Laura Lewis Stephanie Noonan. Shannon Gibson, and Sam Schlaifer also executive produce. Tell Me Lies author Carola Lovering is involved as a consulting producer.
Dan Attias, Tyne Rafaeli, Eva Vives, and Ed Lilly direct the eight-episode season. Writers include Matthew-Lee Erlbach, Mona Mira, Bill Kennedy, Nicki Renna, Allison Davis, and Victoria Bata.
And to get ready for the new season, Hulu released a batch of stills from episode one, “You Got a Reaction, Didn’t You?”
Catherine Missal, Sonia Mena, and Grace Van Patten in ‘Tell Me Lies’ season 2 episode 1 (Disney/Josh Stringer)Natalee Linez, Jackson White, Branden Cook, and Catherine Missal in season 2 episode 1 (Disney/Josh Stringer)Spencer House season 2 episode 1 (Disney/Josh Stringer)Grace Van Patten in season 2 episode 1 (Disney/Josh Stringer)Grace Van Patten and Sonia Mena in season 2 episode 1 (Disney/Josh Stringer)
Paramount Network’s Yellowstone season five part two trailer opens with John Dutton (Kevin Costner) discussing the family’s legacy. “We build something worth having, someone’s going to try and take it,” says John. Kayce declares his actions are for his family, not the ranch, before donning a hoodie and looking as if he’s about to whip out a gun while hurrying down a street.
The 40-second teaser includes a snippet of an FBI raid, Jamie warning someone (most likely Beth) that if they destroy him, they’ll destroy themselves. The season 5 part two video ends with Beth on the phone: “Unlike you, I keep my promises.”
Paramount Network also unveiled a new poster ahead of the Yellowstone Labor Day marathon. Both the trailer and poster follow on the heels of the release of the first five photos from part two.
Season five stars Kevin Costner as John Dutton, Luke Grimes as Kayce, Kelly Reilly as Beth, Wes Bentley as Jamie, and Cole Hauser as Rip. Kelsey Asbille stars as Monica, Brecken Merrill is Tate, Jefferson White plays Jimmy, Forrie Smith is Lloyd, Denim Richards is Colby, Ian Bohen is Ryan, Finn Little is Carter, Ryan Bingham is Walker, and Gil Birmingham is Thomas Rainwater.
“Yellowstone chronicles the Dutton family who controls the largest contiguous cattle ranch in the United States,” reads Paramount Network’s synopsis. “Amid shifting alliances, unsolved murders, open wounds, and hard-earned respect – the ranch is in constant conflict with those it borders – an expanding town, an Indian reservation, and America’s first national park.”
Season five part two premieres on Sunday, November 10, 2024.
Poster for season 2 of Roku’s ‘Honest Renovations’
Roku’s popular Honest Renovations starring Jessica Alba and Lizzy Mathis will return for a third season. The renewal comes just days after the premiere of season two which scored the top spot among Roku’s streaming content.
Season one premiered in August 2023, and season two launched in August 2024. Roku did not announce a target date for the third season.
“As parents, friends, and business partners, we have loved sharing the stories of these incredible families we have worked with to transform their homes in a hands-on way,” said series stars and executive producers Alba and Mathis. “We are thrilled to continue that work with The Roku Channel for a third season.”
The series is produced by 3 Arts Entertainment, MGM Television, Summit House Entertainment, and Rahmath Productions. Additional executive producers include Dunia McNeily, Oly Obst, Lucilla D’Agostino, and Jordana Starr.
“We are proud to have partnered with Jessica, Lizzy, and the entire production team on Honest Renovations for the past two seasons. Our streamers love Jessica and Lizzy’s compassionate, relatable nature, while they transform the homes of these remarkable families. We look forward to spreading the series’ life-changing impact to more families in season three,” said Brian Tannenbaum, Head of Originals, Roku Media.
Plans were previously announced for a special winter holiday-themed special to air this December. “Honest Renovations: A Holiday Makeover” will feature Alba and Mathis helping out a family of 10 transform their home before their annual holiday party.
Roku offers this description of the series: “As working mothers and entrepreneurs, Jessica Alba and Lizzy Mathis are all too familiar with the challenges and pressures of parenting. Bringing a bold twist to the home improvement genre, Honest Renovations follows Alba and Mathis as they help families complete the home renovations of their dreams while confronting parenting issues through candid conversations.”
