Netflix’s first two-minute teaser trailer for Damsel confirms the princess at the heart of the film isn’t of the damsel-in-distress variety. Stranger Things‘ Millie Bobby Brown slips into action mode as a princess who is forced to take on a fire-breathing dragon, among other dangerous tasks.
“What I really loved in the script from Dan Mazeau was embracing the idea of a fantasy adventure and a princess and dragon story, but taking it into a place [where] it’s completely upside down,” said Oscar-nominated director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo in an interview with Netflix’s Tudum. “It was a very intense journey that I was so excited to design and to develop. At the core, this is such a beautiful story about a young woman becoming a strong, independent, and empowered adult. Elodie doesn’t have any kind of support. It’s a real survival experience.”
Joining Millie Bobby Brown in the dark fairy tale action thriller are Ray Winstone, Nick Robinson, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Angela Bassett, and Robin Wright. Joe Roth, Jeff Kirschenbaum, and Chris Castaldi produce, and Sue Baden-Powel, Zack Roth, Millie Bobby Brown, Robert Brown, Dan Mazeau, and Mark Bomback serve as executive producers.
Netflix offers this brief synopsis of Damsel: “A dutiful damsel agrees to marry a handsome prince, only to find the royal family has recruited her as a sacrifice to repay an ancient debt. Thrown into a cave with a fire-breathing dragon, she must rely on her wits and will to survive.”
Netflix has confirmed it’s targeting a 2024 premiere but hasn’t announced the date.
The trailer for Netflix’s action comedy series The Brothers Sun warns that you don’t mess with mama, and you definitely don’t screw around with mama’s family. The trailer dropped as part of the streaming service’s 2023 Geeked Week, with the launch date for the eight-episode family crime drama set for January 4, 2024.
Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All at Once) stars as Mama Sun, Justin Chien play Charles, Sam Song Li is Bruce Sun, Highdee Kuan is Alexis, and Joon Lee plays TK. Season one features recurring cast members Alice Hewkin as May/June, Jon Xue Zhang as Blood Boots, Jenny Yang as Xing, Madison Hu as Grace, and Rodney To as Mark.
Brad Falchuk and Bryon Wu created the series, with Falchuk serving as showrunner. Wu, Falchuk, Mikkel Bondesen, and Kevin Tancharoen executive produce.
Showrunner Falchuk describes The Brothers Sun as delving into “what it means to be a son, what it means to be a brother, and also what it means to try and keep a family together.”
“We do an extreme version of it because they’re a crime family and there are people shooting at them and trying to kill them, but the conflicts they’re having, the problems they’re having internally, the emotional problems are very, very universal,” said Falchuk.
Executive producer Kevin Tancharoen and Viet Nguyen directed the eight-episode season. The writers included Falchuk, Wu, Andrew Law, SJ Son, Justin Calen-Chenn, Ally Seibert, Amy Wang, and Jason Ning.
“I’ve always believed that the best type of genre is where there happens to be a little bit of medicine in that popcorn, but popcorn has to be first,” said director Kevin Tancharoen to Netflix’s Tudum. “I think that makes the viewing experience a lot more enjoyable when you’re not aware of some of the subconscious medicine that you’re having because you’re so entertained by the popcorn. I just want everyone to have a lot of fun because these characters are a lot of fun. And I hope at the end of it, you feel like you’re a family member.”
In addition to releasing the first teaser, Netflix unveiled the teaser poster and a batch of photos from the 2024 release.
When the head of a powerful Taiwanese triad is shot by a mysterious assassin, his eldest son, legendary killer Charles “Chairleg” Sun (Chien) heads to Los Angeles to protect his mother, Eileen (Yeoh), and his naive younger brother, Bruce (Song Li) — who’s been completely sheltered from the truth of his family until now.
But as Taipei’s deadliest societies and a new rising faction go head-to-head for dominance — Charles, Bruce, and their mother must heal the wounds caused by their separation and figure out what brotherhood and family truly mean before one of their countless enemies kills them all.
NBC’s Transplant season three episode six will find Claire reaching a critical point in her working relationship with Dr. Devi. Episode six, “Audition,” will air on Thursday, November 16, 2023 at 9pm ET/PT.
Hamza Haq leads the cast as Dr. Bashir “Bash” Hamed and Sirena Gulamgaus stars as Amira. Rekha Sharma plays Dr. Neeta Devi, Laurence Leboeuf is Dr. Magalie “Mags” Leblanc, and Ayisha Issa stars as Dr. June Curtis. Jim Watson plays Dr. Theo Hunter, Torri Higginson is Claire Malone, and Gord Rand is Dr. Mark Novak.
“Audition” Plot: Bash treats a diabetic woman overly dependent on her 18-year-old son and whose shocking health crisis calls on all of his expertise. June is put to the test emotionally and physically with a difficult patient. Claire presents an ultimatum to Dr. Devi.
Sirena Gulamgaus as Amira Hamed and Hamza Haq as Dr. Bashir Hamed in ‘Transplant’ season 3 episode 6 (Photo by: Yan Turcotte/Sphere Media/CTV)
The Season 3 Plot, Courtesy of NBC:
The new season finds Bashir “Bash” Hamed (Haq) continuing his journey to start over, but with each new milestone comes a new challenge. While pursuing Canadian citizenship for himself and his younger sister, Amira (Gulamgaus), Bash closely examines who he’s becoming in his adopted country.
Still being asked repeatedly to prove himself, Bash works closely with his colleagues as they move forward following the dramatic conclusion of season two. Everyone continues to find themselves looking to adapt to change and understand how they fit in, both within and beyond the walls of York Memorial Hospital.
After Dr. Bishop’s (John Hannah) sudden departure, the team gains a new boss with the forward-thinking Dr. Neeta Devi. Dr. Devi has big ideas when it comes to overhauling the emergency department at York Memorial.
Laurence Leboeuf as Dr. Magalie Leblanc and Ayisha Issa as Dr. June Curtis in season 3 episode 6 (Photo by: Yan Turcotte/Sphere Media/CTV)Ayisha Issa as Dr. June Curtis and Sarah Booth as Leslie in season 3 episode 6 (Photo by: Sphere Media/CTV)Torri Higginson as Claire Malone and Rekha Sharma as Dr. Neeta Devi in season 3 episode 6 (Photo by: Yan Turcotte/Sphere Media/CTV)Sugith Varughese as Dr. Aajay Singh and Hamza Haq as Dr. Bashir Hamed in season 3 episode 6 (Photo by: Sphere Media/CTV)Ayisha Issa as Dr. June Curtis and Torri Higginson as Claire Malone in season 3 episode 6 (Photo by: Sphere Media/CTV)Laurence Leboeuf as Dr. Magalie Leblanc in season 3 episode 6 (Photo by: Sphere Media/CTV)Hamza Haq as Dr. Bashir Hamed and Jayne Heitmeyer as Elena in season 3 episode 6 (Photo by: Sphere Media/CTV)
SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher and SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland officially confirmed the end of the 118-day strike. Screen Actors Guild members are now free to return to work after seven months of walking the picket lines and demanding fair treatment by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
The Directors Guild of America (DGA) rarely strikes and agreed to a new deal in early June. On May 2, 2023, 110,000+ members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) went on strike and remained on the picket lines for 148 days until a fair deal was brokered on September 27th. SAG was the last of the three major guilds to make a deal for its members in 2023, beginning their work stoppage on July 14th and ending it on November 9th.
The 2023 strike was the longest in SAG history.
Fran Drescher and Duncan Crabtree-Ireland sent the following update to their members on November 9th:
“Dear SAG-AFTRA Members:
We did it! Our historic TV/Theatrical/Streaming strike is over as of 12:01 AM this morning. After 118 days on strike, we are set to change the future of our industry with a transformative contract that includes gains for every category of SAG-AFTRA member who works this contract.
This revolutionary agreement achieves major breakthroughs in addressing compensation via residuals and protections from generative artificial intelligence technology while reaffirming the role human performers play in the production of film, television, and streaming entertainment.
Tomorrow, the National Board will meet to review the tentative agreement and vote on whether or not to send it to you, the membership, for a ratification vote.
Although full details will not be shared in advance of tomorrow’s meeting, we wanted to share just a few key deal points:
• More than one billion dollars in new wages and benefit plan funding;
• A streaming participation bonus;
• Minimum compensation increases that break the so-called ‘industry pattern;’
• For the first time, consent and compensation guardrails on the use of AI;
• Raised Pension & Health caps that will channel more value into our funds; and
• Critical protections for diverse communities.
We’re proud of the phenomenal efforts of our TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee, and send our sincerest thanks to you — the members — who made these gains possible by granting a strike authorization prior to negotiations and remaining resolved throughout the 118 days of our strike. Your solidarity helped us achieve the necessary leverage to secure these unprecedented gains.
We’re also grateful to our union siblings who stood by our side – literally and figuratively – from the very beginning. We truly could not have succeeded without your unwavering support.
Effective immediately, all SAG-AFTRA members should fulfill their contractual obligations and return to work. Members and influencers may resume services relating to publicity and the promotion of motion pictures produced under the CBA and Television Agreement, without consequence or conflict with the union.
Please keep an eye out for an email from SAG-AFTRA and follow us on social media (@sagaftra) for news on the National Board’s recommendation.
In unity,
Fran Drescher
President
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland
National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator”
Investigation Discovery is set to premiere the new documentary series Let Us Prey: A Ministry of Scandals on November 24, 2024. The true crime docuseries explores Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) Churches and charts the struggles of victims of IFB’s predatory behavior via interviews with survivors and church defectors.
The first two episodes of the four-part docuseries air on November 24th at 9pm ET/PT. The final two episodes follow on November 25th.
Emmy-winning director Sharon Liese (The Flagmakers) created the series and directs, with ITV America’s Good Caper Content producing for ID.
ID offers this lengthy description of the docuseries:
“Since its inception in the 1950s, the IFB has evolved into one of the dominant religious forces in the United States today with an estimated 8 million believers spread out over 6,000 churches across the country. Let Us Prey uncovers the dark inner-workings behind the IFB’s cheery and virtuous exterior by exposing depraved secrets and violence that have existed within their churches for decades.
Rituals oriented towards ‘breaking a child’s will,’ mind control, and torture are only the tip of the iceberg. Below the surface lurks accusations of rape and physical abuse of members, including minors, at the hands of IFB figureheads.
Anchored by the testimony of survivors who have come forward to tell their stories and seek justice, Let us Prey explores the deep pain and lifelong trauma they experienced. Survivors and IFB defectors Ruthy Heiler, Kathy Durbin and Amanda Householder, among others, share their accounts of abuse at the hands of church leaders and the violence, manipulation and suspected cover-ups of other members.
Also featuring key independent voices, including Fort Worth Star-Telegram reporter Sarah Smith – one of the first journalists to uncover IFB’s tangled web of abuse allegations and unregulated teen boarding schools – Let Us Prey offers a deeper understanding of how those within the IFB have continued to operate unchecked for years. Through powerful, emotional testimonies and archival footage, Let Us Prey reveals the sexual abuse of IFB members and the insidious efforts to cover up pastors’ abuse and silence survivors.”
A 17-year-old missing Amish girl sets the team in motion on NBC’s Magnum PI season five episode 16. “Run With the Devil” will air on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at 9pm ET/PT.
Jay Hernandez leads the cast as Thomas Magnum, Perdita Weeks is Juliet Higgins, Zachary Knighton stars as Orville ‘Rick’ Wright, Stephen Hill is Theodore ‘TC’ Calvin, Amy Hill is Kumu, and Tim Kang plays Det. Gordon Katsumoto.
“Run With the Devil” Plot: Magnum and Higgins agree to help a teenage Amish boy who has traveled to Hawaii in search of his runaway sister. Rick sets out to find TC a date to the Marine Corps Ball.
Jay Hernandez as Thomas Magnum, Tait Blum as Jacob, and Perdita Weeks as Juliet Higgins in ‘Magnum PI’ season 5 episode 16 (Photo by: NBC)
The Season 5 Plot, Courtesy of NBC:
Magnum P.I. is a modern take on the classic series centering on Thomas Magnum, a decorated former Navy SEAL who, upon returning home from Afghanistan, repurposes his military skills to become a private investigator. A charming rogue, an American hero and a die-hard Detroit Tigers fan, Magnum lives in a guest cottage on Robin’s Nest, the luxurious estate where he works as a security consultant to supplement his P.I. business.
The “majordomo” of the property is Juliet Higgins, a beautiful and commanding disavowed MI:6 agent whose second job is to keep Magnum in line, with the help of her two Dobermans. When Magnum needs backup on a job, he turns to his trusted buddies and fellow POW survivors Theodore ‘TC’ Calvin, a former Marine chopper pilot who runs Island Hoppers, a helicopter tour business, and Orville “Rick” Wright, a former Marine door-gunner-turned-impresario of Oahu’s coolest nightclub and the most connected man on the island.
With keys to a vintage Ferrari in one hand, aviator sunglasses in the other, and an Old Düsseldorf longneck chilling in the fridge, Thomas Magnum is back on the case!
Tait Blum as Jacob and Jay Hernandez as Thomas Magnum in season 5 episode 16 (Photo by: NBC)Malia Manuel as herself in season 5 episode 16 (Photo by: NBC)Tait Blum as Jacob and Amy Hill as Teuila “Kumu” Tuileta in season 5 episode 16 (Photo by: Zack Dougan/NBC)Patrick Fabian as Sam Bedrosian in season 5 episode 16 (Photo by: NBC)Perdita Weeks as Juliet Higgins and Danielle Larracuente as Nora Diaz in season 5 episode 16 (Photo by: NBC)Zachary Knighton as Orville “Rick” Wright in season 5 episode 16 (Photo by: NBC)Stephen Hill as Theodore “TC” Calvin in season 5 episode 16 (Photo by: NBC)
Inside Out‘s Riley’s turns 13 which means she’ll be experiencing a bunch of new emotions in the 2024 sequel to the Oscar-winning 2015 film. Pixar’s first Inside Out 2 teaser trailer and new photos reveal one powerful new emotion the now-teenage Riley will be dealing with: Anxiety.
Maya Hawke (Stranger Things, Asteroid City) provides the voice of Anxiety, and director Kelsey Mann promises this new addition will have quite an impact on the other emotions.
“Anxiety, voiced by Maya Hawke, might be new to the crew, but she’s not really the type to take a back seat,” states Mann. “That makes a lot of sense if you think about it in terms of what goes on inside all our minds.”
The returning voice cast includes Amy Poehler as Joy, Phyllis Smith as Sadness, and Lewis Black as Anger. Mindy Kaling and Bill Hader provided the voices of Disgust and Fear in the original film, however, they aren’t returning for the sequel. Instead, Liza Lapira is taking over as Disgust and Tony Hale voices Fear.
Disney and Pixar released this description of the animated sequel opening in theaters in summer 2024.
“Inside Out 2 returns to the mind of newly minted teenager Riley just as headquarters is undergoing a sudden demolition to make room for something entirely unexpected: new Emotions! Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust, who’ve long been running a successful operation by all accounts, aren’t sure how to feel when Anxiety shows up. And it looks like she’s not alone.”
Violett Beane and Mandy Patinkin in ‘Death and Other Details’ (Photo by: Hulu)
Career Opportunities in Murder and Mayhem starring Emmy winner Mandy Patinkin (Homeland) and Violett Beane (God Friended Me) has a new title and a premiere date. The Hulu crime drama, now officially titled Death and Other Details, will premiere on the streaming service on January 16, 2024 with the release of the first two episodes.
New episodes of the 10-episode series will stream on Tuesdays leading up to the final two episodes dropping on March 5th.
Joining Patinkin and Beane in the mystery thriller are Lauren Patten, Rahul Kohli, and Angela Zhou. Hugo Diego Garcia, Pardis Saremi, and Linda Emond also star. Mike Weiss and Heidi Cole McAdams write, executive produce, and serve as showrunners. Additional executive producers include Mark Martin and Marc Webb, with Webb directing the pilot.
Violett Beane and Rahul Kohli (Photo by: Hulu)
“Set amidst the glamor of the global elite, Death and Other Details centers on the brilliant and restless Imogene Scott (Beane), who finds herself in the wrong place/wrong time (okay, it was kinda her fault) and becomes the prime suspect in a locked room murder mystery,” reads Hulu’s synopsis. “The setting? A lavishly restored Mediterranean ocean liner. Suspects? Every pampered guest and every exhausted crew member. The problem? To prove her innocence, she must partner with a man she despises — Rufus Cotesworth (Patinkin), the world’s greatest detective.”
Series creators Mike Weiss and Heidi Cole McAdams told Entertainment Weekly that their love of Agatha Christie helped to inspire the series.
“We’ve read everything she’s ever written. We wanted to capture the atmosphere of those works and drag her style into our contemporary world. That means memorable locations. Wardrobe — overseen by the immensely stylish costume designer Mandi Line — drew inspiration from Katharine Hepburn and Grace Kelly,” offered Weiss and Cole McAdams.
Violett Beane as Imogen Scott (Photo by: Hulu)Violett Beane as Imogene Scott and Lauren Patten as Anna (Photo by: Hulu)Mandy Patinkin as Rufus Cotesworth (Photo by: Hulu)
Austin Butler follows up his Oscar-nominated performance as Elvis Presley with a starring role in Apple TV+’s epic limited series Masters of the Air. The two-minute teaser trailer does a terrific job of setting the stage, introducing a few of the key players, and confirming executive producers Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Gary Goetzman haven’t lost a step since they delivered Band of Brothers.
Joining Austin Butler for the nine-episode action drama are Callum Turner, Anthony Boyle, and Nate Mann. Rafferty Law, Academy Award-nominee Barry Keoghan, Josiah Cross, Branden Cook, and Ncuti Gatwa also star.
John Orloff adapted Donald L. Miller’s book for the series and serves as a co-executive producer. Additional co-executive producers include Graham Yost, Darryl Frank, Justin Falvey, and Steven Shareshian. Directors include Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck, Cary Joji Fukunaga, Dee Rees, and Tim Van Patten.
Masters of the Air premieres on January 26, 2024 with the release of the first two episodes. New episodes arrive on Fridays through the season finale set for March 15.
Austin Butler and Callum Turner in ‘Masters of the Air’ (Photo Credit: Apple TV+)
The Plot, Courtesy of Apple TV:
Masters of the Air follows the men of the 100th Bomb Group (the “Bloody Hundredth”) as they conduct perilous bombing raids over Nazi Germany and grapple with the frigid conditions, lack of oxygen and sheer terror of combat conducted at 25,000 feet in the air. Portraying the psychological and emotional price paid by these young men as they helped destroy the horror of Hitler’s Third Reich, is at the heart of Masters of the Air. Some were shot down and captured; some were wounded or killed. And some were lucky enough to make it home. Regardless of individual fate, a toll was exacted on them all.
Masters of the Air is enormous in both scale and scope, and depicts a unique and crucial time in world history. A genuine cinematic achievement, the series shot on locations ranging from the bucolic fields and villages of southeast England, to the harsh deprivations of a German Prisoner of War Camp.
Lainey Wilson backstage at ‘The 57th Annual CMA Awards.’ (Credit: Jamie Schramm/CMA)
Lainey Wilson took home five awards during the 57th Annual CMA Awards, including her first-ever CMA Entertainer of the Year trophy. Wilson’s other wins came in the Album of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Music Video of the Year, and Musical Event of the Year categories.
Jelly Roll made his CMA Awards debut performing “Need a Favor” with Country Music Hall of Famer Wynonna Judd. His big night continued with his first CMA win as New Artist of the Year. Accepting the award, Jelly Roll said, “There is something poetic about a 39-year-old man winning New Artist of the Year. I don’t know where you’re at in your life, or what you’re going through, but I want to tell you to keep going, baby.”
Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning hosted the awards show, which was held in Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on November 8, 2023. Bryan also entertained the audience with a medley of his hits “Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day,” “One Margarita,” “That’s My Kind Of Night,” “Play It Again” and “Country Girl (Shake It For Me).”
Additional performers included Tanya Tucker and Little Big Town singing “Delta Dawn;” Carly Pearce and Chris Stapleton singing “We Don’t Fight Anymore;” Old Dominion and Megan Moroney performing “Can’t Break Up Now;” and Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown Band, and Coral Reefer Band member Mac McAnally teaming up to pay tribute to legendary songwriter and CMA Award winner Jimmy Buffett.
The 57th Annual CMA Awards Winners:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
• Lainey Wilson
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist, Producers and Mix Engineer
• “Fast Car” – Luke Combs
• Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton
• Mix Engineer: Chip Matthews
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist, Producer and Mix Engineers
• Bell Bottom Country – Lainey Wilson
• Producer: Jay Joyce
• Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
SONG OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Songwriter
• “Fast Car”
• Songwriter: Tracy Chapman
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
• Lainey Wilson
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
• Chris Stapleton
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
• Old Dominion
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
• Brothers Osborne
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artists and Producers
• “wait in the truck” – HARDY (feat. Lainey Wilson)
• Producers: HARDY, Joey Moi, Jordan Schmidt, Derek Wells
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
• Jenee Fleenor – Fiddle
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artists and Director
• “wait in the truck” – HARDY (feat. Lainey Wilson)
• Director: Justin Clough
