Netflix’s three-part documentary series American Nightmare examines the 2015 case of Denise Huskins and her boyfriend Aaron Quinn. The trailer hits the key elements of the story and teases a deeper dive into the subsequent rush to wrap the case up in a tidy bow.
The Tinder Swindler‘s filmmakers Felicity Morris and Bernadette Higgins directed the docuseries and served as producers. Rebecca North and Fiona Stourton executive produced.
“After a home invasion and abduction, a young couple’s recounting of the events is too far-fetched for the police to believe. Why did the victims seem so calm? Was it all a hoax?,” reads Netflix’s synopsis. “From the filmmakers behind The Tinder Swindler, this three-part docuseries unravels the consequences of our cultural rush to judgment and the damage done when law enforcement decides the truth can’t possibly be true.”
The docuseries will incorporate real interrogation footage along with new interviews from parties involved in the case. American Nightmare premieres on Netflix on January 17, 2024.
Morris Chestnut to star in ‘Watson’ (Photo credit: Diondre Jones / Courtesy of CBS)
Morris Chestnut (The Resident, Our Kind of People) will take on the lead role in Watson, a new medical drama just given a series order by CBS. The drama’s expected to join the network’s primetime schedule during the 2024-2025 season.
Elementary‘s Craig Sweeny will guide the series as showrunner. Sweeny wrote the pilot and serves as an executive producer along with Chestnut, Shäron Moalem MD, PhD, and Kapital Entertainment’s Aaron Kaplan and Brian Morewitz. The first episode is directed by Larry Teng who also executive produces.
CBS offers this description of the new series, which is a modern take on Sherlock Holmes: “In Watson, a year after the death of his friend and partner Sherlock Holmes at the hands of Moriarty, Dr. John Watson (Chestnut) resumes his medical career as the head of a clinic dedicated to treating rare disorders. Watson’s old life isn’t done with him, though – Moriarty and Watson are set to write their own chapter of a story that has fascinated audiences for more than a century.
Watson is a medical show with a strong investigative spine, featuring a modern version of one of history’s greatest detectives as he turns his attention from solving crimes to solving medical mysteries.”
“We are thrilled to feature such a beloved character from the world of Sherlock Holmes at the center of this series and have it brought to life by Morris Chestnut in a fresh and unexpected take on the immortal doctor,” stated Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment. “Craig Sweeny’s bold new vision for the complex Dr. Watson deftly interweaves rich character storytelling with edge-of-your-seat medical mysteries.”
How is the relationship between Gabi and Sir going to change now that the truth about Annie was revealed on NBC’s Found season one episode 11? Episode 12’s trailer teases that Gabi’s ready to get rid of Sir…one way or another. Episode 12, “Missing While Eccentric,” will air on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 10pm ET/PT.
Found stars Shanola Hampton as Gabi, Kelli Williams as Margaret, Brett Dalton as Detective Mark Trent, Gabrielle Walsh as Lacey, Arlen Escarpeta as Zeke, Karan Oberoi as Dhan, and Mark-Paul Gosselaar as Sir.
“Missing While Eccentric” Plot: When a confused and battered young woman lands on Zeke’s doorstep and says she was kidnapped and her abductor still has her friends, the team races to put the minimal clues together. Gabi shares devastating news with Dhan.
Shanola Hampton as Gabi Mosely in ‘Found’ season 1 episode 12 (Photo by: Matt Miller/NBC)
The Plot, Courtesy of NBC:
In any given year, more than 600,000 people are reported missing in the U.S. More than half that number are people of color that the country seems to forget about.
Public relations specialist Gabi Mosely (Hampton) — who was once herself one of those forgotten ones — and her crisis management team now make sure there is always someone looking out for the forgotten missing people. But unbeknownst to anyone, this everyday hero is hiding a chilling secret of her own.
Gabrielle Elise Walsh as Lacey Quinn, Shanola Hampton as Gabi Mosely, Kelli Williams as Margaret Reed, and Karan Oberoi as Dahn Rana in episode 12 (Photo by: Matt Miller/NBC)Karan Oberoi as Dahn Rana, Shanola Hampton as Gabi Mosely, Kelli Williams as Margaret Reed, Brett Dalton as Detective Mark Trent, and Anisa Nyell Johnson as Detective Shaker in episode 12 (Photo by: Matt Miller/NBC)Mark-Paul Gosselaar as Sir in episode 12 (Photo by: Steve Swisher/NBC)Karan Oberoi as Dahn Rana and Brett Dalton as Detective Mark Trent in episode 12 (Photo by: Matt Miller/NBC)Mark-Paul Gosselaar as Sir and A’Zaria Carter as Teen Gabi in episode 12 (Photo by: Steve Swisher/NBC)Gabrielle Elise Walsh as Lacey Quinn and Arlen Escarpeta as Zeke Wallace in episode 12 (Photo by: Steve Swisher/NBC)Mike Whaley as Richard Mosely and A’Zaria Carter as Teen Gabi in episode 12 (Photo by: Steve Swisher/NBC)
Author Truman Capote earns the wrath of New York’s high society after unveiling devastating secrets in the official trailer for FX’s FEUD: Capote Vs. The Swans. The second installment in Ryan Murphy’s FEUD anthology series focuses on the author’s relationship with the mega-rich women who run NYC and what happens when their hard-earned trust is shattered.
Tom Hollander leads the cast as Truman Capote. Naomi Watts plays Barbara “Babe” Paley, Diane Lane is Slim Keith, Chloë Sevigny is C.Z. Guest, and Calista Flockhart plays Lee Radziwill. Demi Moore stars as Ann “Bang-Bang” Woodward, Molly Ringwald is Joanne Carson, Treat Williams is Bill Paley, Joe Mantello is Jack Dunphy, and Russell Tovey is John O’Shea.
Season two of FEUD is based on Capote’s Women: A True Story of Love, Betrayal, and a Swan Song for an Era by Laurence Leamer. Jon Robin Baitz adapted the book for the series, with Gus Van Sant, Max Winkler, and Jennifer Lynch directing. Ryan Murphy, Alexis Martin Woodall, Baitz, Van Sant, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Naomi Watts, Eric Kovtun, and Scott Robertson serve as executive producers.
Tom Hollander as Truman Capote in ‘FEUD: Capote Vs. The Swans’ (Photo CR: Pari Dukovic/FX)
FX offers this description of the new season:
“Acclaimed writer Truman Capote surrounded himself with a coterie of society’s most elite women – rich, glamorous socialites who defined a bygone era of high society New York – whom he nicknamed ‘the swans.’ Beautiful and distinguished, the group included grande dame Barbara ‘Babe’ Paley, Slim Keith, C.Z. Guest, and Lee Radziwill. Enchanted and captivated by these doyennes, Capote ingratiated himself into their lives, befriending them and becoming their confidante, only to ultimately betray them by writing a thinly veiled fictionalization of their lives, exposing their most intimate secrets.
When an excerpt from the book Answered Prayers, Capote’s planned magnum opus, was published in Esquire, it effectively destroyed his relationship with his swans, banished him from the high society he so loved and sent him into a spiral of self-destruction from which he would ultimately never recover.”
FEUD: Capote Vs. The Swans premieres with the release of the first two episodes on January 31, 2024 at 10pm ET/PT. New episodes of the eight-episode season arrive on Wednesdays.
The Exorcist sequel, The Exorcist: Believer, didn’t wow horror fans or critics in 2022. 20th Century Studios is hoping for a better reception for their The Omen prequel, The First Omen. The minute-long official trailer suggests that “to control those who don’t believe, create something to fear.” That warning comes as snippets of nuns, priests, and other characters are shown moving in reverse.
The first trailer’s release was accompanied by the debut of the teaser poster.
Servant‘s Nell Tiger Free stars in the psychological horror film, which is based on characters created in The Omen by author David Seltzer. The cast also includes Tawfeek Barhom (Mary Magdalene), Sonia Braga (Kiss of the Spider Woman), Ralph Ineson (The Northman), and Bill Nighy (Living).
Arkasha Stevenson directed and co-wrote the screenplay with Tim Smith and Keith Thomas (story by Ben Jacoby). David S. Goyer and Keith Levine served as producers, with Smith, Whitney Brown, and Gracie Wheelan executive producing.
Poster for ‘The First Omen’ from 20th Century Studios
“When a young American woman is sent to Rome to begin a life of service to the church, she encounters a darkness that causes her to question her own faith and uncovers a terrifying conspiracy that hopes to bring about the birth of evil incarnate,” reads 20th Century Studios’ synopsis.
The original film opened in June 1976 and grossed $60+ million during its theatrical run. The R-rated horror film earned two Oscar nominations, winning for Best Original Score (Jerry Goldsmith). It was also nominated for a WGA award, a Grammy, and a BAFTA award. Damien: Omen II followed in June 1978, with Omen III: The Final Conflict premiering in 1981. The fourth film, Omen IV: The Awakening, debuted in 1991.
An unsuccessful remake was released in 2006 with Liev Schreiber and Julia Stiles taking over the lead roles. The story of the son of the Devil also made its way to television in A&E’s 2016 series Damien starring Bradley James in the title role.
The First Omen opens in theaters on April 5, 2024.
Juno Temple as Dorothy “Dot” Lyon and Jon Hamm as Roy Tillman in ‘Fargo’ season 5 episode 8 (Photo CR: Michelle Faye/FX)
FX’s Fargo season five episode eight begins with Danish Graves (Dave Foley) scanning his handwritten Debtors of North Dakota ledger and selecting three men – Marlin Everett, John Sasquatch, and Blew Noyes – all white and about 6’ tall. Graves takes the three men to the North Dakota Court Services and officially has their names changed. To what isn’t disclosed yet, but all three now have the same legal name.
You wouldn’t expect Dot (Juno Temple) to go quietly as Roy Tillman (Jon Hamm) tries to check her out of the hospital, and she doesn’t disappoint. Instead of signing her name, she writes “Help Me” on the release form. She’s unsuccessful in stealing the pen but succeeds in snagging a paper clip without Roy noticing.
Roy threatens to put the nurse’s brother back in jail if she tries to stop him from completing the sign-out process.
Dot is almost saved from being hauled away by her abusive first husband when North Dakota Deputy Witt Farr (Lamorne Morris) steps into the hospital waiting room. Witt immediately realizes Dot’s in danger, but Dot refuses to go with him, worried that if she tries Roy will kill the deputy.
Before Roy drags her away, Dot whispers to Witt, “Tell Wayne I’ll be there soon.”
Witt calls Minnesota Police Deputy Indira Olmstead (Richa Moorjani) and fills her in on what just went down, describing Dot’s demeanor as that of a trapped animal. Indira, who’s having a bad morning after being forced to evict an elderly couple as part of her job, doesn’t think the FBI will be much help since they never return phone calls.
Roy takes Dot back to the ranch and chains her up in an empty outbuilding. He claims she broke her vow; Dot says he broke multiple bones, including three ribs. After a minute of pulling on her chains, Dot changes tactics and begs to be let go to take care of her daughter. Plus, they’re getting kittens next year, and she’s in love with the most wonderful man who happens to be her best friend. Who will remind him to take Lactaid when he eats cheese?
Dot points out Gator was almost her age – 15 – when she was forced into marrying Roy, but Roy doesn’t care. She’s his property, no matter what’s happened in the years since she escaped.
“I promise to let you go as soon as you beg me to let you stay and mean it,” says Roy.
Dot makes her own promise. She promises to kill him.
Karen enters the building with minimal supplies for Dot, including a cot and a bucket to use as a restroom. She slaps Dot across the face, warning her never to open her mouth in her presence. As Karen makes a quick exit, Dot realizes Roy’s third wife is obviously much more accepting of Roy’s abuse and lifestyle.
After they leave, Dot sets to work trying to free herself using the paper clip. She gets a bolt loose and uses a piece of the metal cot as a saw on her chains, freeing one of her legs.
Indira’s rotten day continues when she returns home earlier than expected and catches her no-good husband with another woman. She finally does what she should have done years ago and kicks him out of her house – and her life.
Meanwhile, Roy Tillman and his family arrive at the 2019 Stark County Election Debate. He’s greeted with applause by the crowd packed into the auditorium but is stunned when he steps on the stage and discovers three men (the ones who legally had their names changed) assembled behind podiums next to his.
The men are all Roy Tillmans but with different middle names.
Jon Hamm as Roy Tillman in ‘Fargo’ season 5 episode 8 (Photo CR: Michelle Faye/FX)
Roy attempts to take charge of the debate, but it quickly slips away from him. The first question is about spending $500,000 on unnecessary military equipment, including a tank. His claims that he’s all about preparedness and defense are echoed by the three Roys, who go on to mimic his words and gestures. The audience laughs at Roy’s increasing discomfort as he tosses his podium aside – as do the Roys.
He storms off the stage, calling the whole thing a travesty. Photographers ask for a photo of all the Roy Tillmans, and that pushes Roy over the edge. He pushes one photographer away and then punches the female moderator in the face.
Danish Graves appears proud of what he’s pulled off, making his exit as chaos erupts in the auditorium behind him.
Back at the farm, Dot’s temporarily forced to stop trying to escape when Gator (Joe Keery) puts in an appearance. He demands to know what she told the FBI, and Dot says she didn’t say anything. Dot seems to still be under the delusion that she met with Gator’s mom, Linda, and she assures him Linda’s fine and never meant to abandon him.
Gator refuses to believe her, and Dot reacts by pointing out his dad refused to name him Roy Jr, even though he’s the fifth boy in a long line of firstborn Roys and the only one without the name. Dot reveals that it’s because Roy thought he was a loser from the moment he was born.
Gator hopes Dot dies without ever seeing her daughter again.
Witt arrives at the ranch’s front gate and is met by an angry Gator who refuses to allow the deputy onto the property. Gator gives the order to shoot Witt if he returns.
Danish reports in to Lorraine Lyon that the operation was a success; they’ve effectively ruined Roy’s shot at re-election. And as fate would have it, Witt’s passing the gas station where Danish is pulled over. Witt explains that Dot’s being held against her will at the Tillman ranch, and she needs help.
Witt’s called away, but before he takes off, he warns Danish to do something fast. “I don’t know how long she’s got,” says Witt.
Danish appears conflicted about what to do next and decides not to call Lorraine with an update.
Roy and family arrive back at the ranch after the debate debacle, and Karen suggests this is all Dot’s fault. She’s brought a curse down upon their family and is rubbing her sins in their faces.
”Toxic” plays in the background as Roy steps out of the vehicle without saying a word and sets out on a long (as in two minutes) walk to the outbuilding where Dot’s chained up, face fixed in a grimace the entire length of the walk. Once inside, he beats her – the beating takes place off-screen, but the audio and the shot of Dot’s face afterward reveal the brutality of the attack.
Roy stands over Dot, and she warns him it’s his last chance to let her go. Roy appears unconcerned by her threat and Dot channels her inner tiger, wrapping her chain around his neck. An intense struggle ensues, but Dot’s physically no match for the towering Roy.
Dot rolls around the floor, avoiding Roy’s attempts at whipping her with the chain. She picks up the piece of metal she worked loose from the cot but it’s no use because Roy’s a massive man and much stronger, even though she’s fueled by rage. The foreman interrupts with news that Danish Graves is at the gate. Before he leaves, Roy grabs Dot by the throat and snarls, “Only one way you’re getting out of here…”
Dot swears she’ll escape, the same as Linda. Roy handcuffs Dot to the bed and assures her she’ll wind up buried right next to Linda. Dot doesn’t want to accept that Linda’s dead, and Roy’s admission jars her.
Following Roy’s departure to meet with Danish, Dot breaks a small window and screams out, “I’m here!” Suddenly, she falls silent as she stares at the windmill. It’s the same one where she dug up the box with Linda’s postcard in episode seven. Scenes from her imagined visit with Linda at Camp Utopia play through her head, and she’s forced to accept that was all just a dream.
Danish pulls up to the big house and doesn’t answer his phone before meeting with Roy. Danish admits he was behind the Roys at the debate, and warns Roy that as it stands now, he’ll lose his re-election and might be charged with assault. However, Danish can make all his problems disappear – and fix the election – if Roy returns Dot.
Danish believes this is a good deal and that Roy should take it. Roy responds by shooting Danish in the stomach. He finishes him off with another shot.
Night falls and Indira arrives at the Lyon estate, done with her previous life. She takes the job Lorraine offered and informs her new boss that Witt found Dot, and she’s currently being held against her will at the Tillman ranch. (Indira doesn’t know Danish went to see Roy.) Lorraine tells Indira her new job starts immediately.
The episode ends with a truck carrying Danish’s dead body pulling up to the windmill as Dot watches from captivity. A secret compartment below a metal container is opened, and Danish’s body is unceremoniously dumped into the hole. Dot sinks down to her knees, and for the first time in the season, she appears almost defeated.
* * * * * * * *
New Fargo season five episodes air on FX on Tuesdays at 10pm ET/PT.
A&E’s new clip from Casey Anthony’s Parents: The Lie Detector Test features Casey’s dad, George, hooked up to a polygraph machine. George appears a bit confused and fidgety as he’s asked about Caylee Anthony’s body.
George and his wife, Cindy, agreed to participate in polygraph examinations in order to clear their names following renewed accusations by their daughter, Casey. The two-hour special featuring the lie detector tests will air on A&E and Lifetime on Thursday, January 4, 2024 at 9pm ET/PT.
George and Cindy Anthony (Photo Credit – Mary Beth Koeth, Courtesy of A&E)
“Casey Anthony’s Parents: The Lie Detector Test dives into the new accusations against George, the latest twist in a story that started with Caylee’s disappearance in June 2008 and triggered a nationwide media frenzy,” reads A&E’s synopsis.
“Caylee’s death was ruled a homicide when her remains were discovered in a wooded area near the Anthony’s home the following December. Casey was charged in connection with Caylee’s murder and, following a fiery trial, was acquitted of murder charges in July 2011, though the court of public opinion holds strong views that justice was not done for Caylee. Cindy and George Anthony have had a tempestuous relationship with their daughter with stunning accusations leveled by both sides over the years. As old wounds are ripped open again, will the polygraph tests finally bring closure?”
Retired FBI Agent George Olivo administered the lie detector tests. Olivo was a Senior Polygraph Examiner for the LA division of the FBI and has administered thousands of tests over the course of his lengthy career.
The true crime special was executive produced by Matt Sprouse, Erica Hanson, Sam Dean, and Lauren Ranzino for York & Wilder. Elaine Frontain Bryant, Shelly Tatro, and Brad Abramson served as executive producers for A&E.
Two-time Emmy winner Zendaya wished everyone “the most beautiful new year” while sharing the poster for her upcoming movie Challengers on Instagram. The R-rated drama finds Zendaya playing a tennis coach caught up in a love triangle with Mike Faist (West Side Story) and Josh O’Connor (The Crown).
Oscar nominee Luca Guadagnino, director of 2015’s A Bigger Splash, 2017’s Call Me by Your Name, 2018’s Suspiria, and 2022’s Bones and All, directed Challengers from a screenplay by Justin Kuritzkes. The film was originally set to open in theaters on September 15, 2023, but was delayed due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Amazon MGM Studios is now targeting an April 26, 2024 theatrical release.
“Challengers stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach and a force of nature who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court. Married to a champion on a losing streak (Faist), Tashi’s strategy for her husband’s redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick (O’Connor) – his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend,” reads MGM’s synopsis. “As their pasts and presents collide, and tensions run high, Tashi must ask herself, what will it cost to win.”
Zendaya, Guadagnino, Amy Pascal, and Rachel O’Connor served as producers. Bernard Bellew, Lorenzo Mieli, and Kevin Ulrich executive produce, with music by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.
Zendaya will next be seen reprising her role as Chani opposite Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides in Dune: Part Two, arriving on March 1st. Chalamet was nominated for an Oscar for his lead performance in Guadagnino’s Call Me by Your Name, and reunited with the director for the cannibal love story Bones and All.
Gary Oldman and Kristin Scott Thomas in ‘Slow Horses,’ now streaming on Apple TV+)
Apple TV+ has given the critically acclaimed spy drama Slow Horses an early season five renewal just days after the season three finale premiered. The previously announced fourth season will be adapted from the fourth novel, Spook Street, of Mick Herron’s Slough House book series. Season five will be adapted from Herron’s London Rules novel.
“In season five of Slow Horses, everyone is suspicious when resident tech nerd Roddy Ho has a glamorous new girlfriend, but when a series of increasingly bizarre events occur across the city, it falls to the Slow Horses to work out how everything is connected,” reads Apple TV+’s synopsis. “After all, Lamb knows that in the world of espionage, ‘London Rules’ should always apply.”
Oscar winner Gary Oldman returns to head up the cast as Jackson Lamb, the “brilliant but cantankerous leader of the spies, who end up in Slough House due to their career-ending mistakes as they frequently find themselves blundering around the smoke and mirrors of the espionage world.” Oscar nominee Kristin Scott Thomas, BAFTA Scotland Award winner Jack Lowden, Saskia Reeves, Rosalind Eleazar, Christopher Chung, Samuel West, Sophie Okonedo, Aimee-Ffion Edwards, Kadiff Kirwan, and Oscar nominee Jonathan Pryce also star.
The series premiered in April 2022, with season two following in December 2022. The six-episode third season kicked off in November 2023. Apple TV+ hasn’t announced a premiere date for season four.
Will Smith (from Veep, not the Oscar-winning actor) adapted the series and serves as an executive producer. Additional executive producers include Jamie Laurenson, Hakan Kousetta, Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, Douglas Urbanski, Gail Mutrux, Julian Stevens, and Graham Yost.
A director for season five has yet to be confirmed.
Slow Horses currently sits at 97% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. The series has been nominated for five BAFTA Awards, and Oldman earned a Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Series, Drama nomination from the Golden Globes.
The first teaser trailer for 9-1-1 season seven has a real Titanic vibe. The 30-second video shows a ship in distress but doesn’t confirm that Athena (Angela Bassett) and Bobby (Peter Krause) are on board. However, given their history, there’s a 99.9% likelihood the twosome’s honeymoon plans will come to an abrupt – and watery – end.
At the end of season six, the couple decided to spend their honeymoon on a cruise without telling any of their friends. And so, of course, the new season will begin with a dramatic rescue at sea.
Season seven marks the show’s move from Fox to ABC. The new season kicks off on Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 8pm ET/PT.
“Thanks to the creative drive of Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Tim Minear, as well as the talented cast, 9-1-1 has been one of the most defining and original dramas on network television over the last six seasons and we are honored to bring it to the esteemed group of series on ABC,” stated Craig Erwich, president, Disney Television Group when the move was announced in May 2023. “It’s a privilege to keep 9-1-1 in the family with 20th Television producing, and we look forward to telling more heart-racing and uplifting stories about these beloved characters on our air.”
In addition to Angela Bassett and Peter Krause, the series stars Jennifer Love Hewitt as Maddie Kendall, Oliver Stark as Evan “Buck” Buckley, Kenneth Choi as Howie “Chimney” Han, Aisha Hinds as Henrietta “Hen” Wilson, Ryan Guzman as Eddie Diaz, and Gavin McHugh as Christopher Diaz. Bassett, Krause, Alexis Martin Woodall, John J. Gray, Kristen Reidel, and Juan Carlos Coto executive produce.
‘9-1-1’ season 7 poster (Disney)
“The series explores the high-pressure experiences of first responders — including police officers, firefighters and dispatchers — who are thrust into the most frightening, shocking and heart-stopping situations. These emergency responders must try to balance saving those who are at their most vulnerable with solving the problems in their own lives,” reads ABC’s synopsis. “The show draws from real-life, high-pressure experiences of first responders who regularly face heart-stopping situations that are often unpredictable, intense, and uplifting at the same time.”
