Showtime’s Billions season seven episode seven’s promo shows Mike Prince’s people hosting a black-tie gambling event. The promo also offers a snippet of Prince being turned down, something that doesn’t happen often enough. Episode six brought Bobby Axelrod back into the thick of things when he struck a deal with Chuck Rhoades to help out Grigor Andolov (John Malkovich), which meant that Axe now owes Chuck a favor. That has to come into play soon, given that we’re in the final stretch of the final season. However, there’s no sign of Axe in the promo or the episode’s photos.
Episode seven, “DMV,” will air on Paramount+ with Showtime on Friday, September 22, 2023. Season seven episodes also air on Showtime on Sundays at 8pm ET/PT.
Season seven stars Paul Giamatti as Chuck Rhoades, Corey Stoll as Mike Prince, Maggie Siff as Wendy Rhoades, David Costabile as Mike “Wags” Wagner, Asia Kate Dillon as Taylor Mason, and Dola Rashad as Kate Sacker. Jeffrey DeMunn plays Chuck Rhoades Sr., Sakina Jaffrey is Daevisha “Dave” Mahar, Kelly AuCoin is “Dollar” Bill Stern, Daniel Breaker is Roger “Scooter” Dunbar, and Toney Goins plays Philip Charyn.
Damian Lewis reprises his role as Bobby Axelrod for the final season.
“DMV” Plot: Prince’s latest play promises to enhance his political platform but puts Philip in a tough position. Chuck and Wendy face a family crisis as a consequence of Senior’s poor judgment. Wags and Scooter team up to boost employee morale at Prince Cap.
David Costabile as Mike ‘Wags’ Wagner and Daniel Breaker as Roger “Scooter” Dunbar in ‘Billions’ season 7 episode 7 (Photo Credit: Christopher T. Saunders / SHOWTIME)
The Season 7 Plot, Courtesy of Showtime:
In season seven, alliances are turned on their heads. Old wounds are weaponized. Loyalties are tested. Betrayal takes on epic proportions. Enemies become wary friends. And Bobby Axelrod returns as the stakes grow from Wall Street to the world.
Corey Stoll as Michael “Mike” Prince and Dola Rashad as Kate Sacker in the “DMV” episode (Photo Credit: Christopher T. Saunders / SHOWTIME)Paul Giamatti as Chuck Rhoades in season 7 episode 7 (Photo Credit: Christopher T. Saunders / SHOWTIME)Daniel Breaker as Roger “Scooter” Dunbar, Corey Stoll as Michael “Mike” Prince, David Costabile as Mike ‘Wags’ Wagner, Dola Rashad as Kate Sacker and Maggie Siff as Wendy Rhoades in the “DMV” episode (Photo Credit: Christopher T. Saunders / SHOWTIME)Dola Rashad as Kate Sacker and Maggie Siff as Wendy Rhoades in season 7 episode 7 (Photo Credit: Christopher T. Saunders / SHOWTIME)Daniel K. Isaac as Ben Kim, Kelly AuCoin as “Dollar” Bill Stern, Asia Kate Dillon as Taylor Mason, Eva Victor as Rian and Louis Cancelmi as Victor Mateo in season 7 episode 7 (Photo Credit: Christopher T. Saunders / SHOWTIME)Kelly AuCoin as “Dollar” Bill Stern, Asia Kate Dillon as Taylor Mason and Eva Victor as Rian in the “DMV” episode (Photo Credit: Christopher T. Saunders / SHOWTIME)Toney Goins as Philip Charyn in season 7 episode 7 (Photo Credit: Christopher T. Saunders / SHOWTIME)
David James Elliot and Stephen Amell in ‘Heels’ season 2 episode 8 (Photo Credit: Starz)
Starz’s Heels spent season two building up the tension heading into a massive showdown between the Duffy Wrestling League (DWL) and Florida Wrestling Dystopia (FWD). The build-up pays off with season two episode eight – the season finale – and the arrival of “Harmageddon,” an epic event pitting the wrestling rivals against each other in the ring. The night was supposed to be a huge win for the FWD; however, it didn’t go as scripted, and the result was season two ending on a huge cliffhanger.
Now the question is, will Starz renew the drama for a third season or leave fans hungering for answers? Season two’s ratings never reached season one levels, making it unlikely the show will return.
”High Flying” Recap
Ace (Alexander Ludwig) attempts to make friends with the senior citizen center resident who tossed excrement in his face as Starz’s Heels season two episode eight kicks off. Jack (Stephen Amell) is having a flashback to his dad warning him he’s not a flyer and to keep his feet on the ground inside the ring. And Staci (Alison Luff) is also engaged in a difficult meeting as “High Flying” begins, seeking legal advice from her friend/lawyer Bonnie.
After getting confirmation that what she’s about to discuss is confidential, Staci opens up about the DWL.
Meanwhile, Continuum’s Brooks Rizzo (Josh Segarra) tries to get out of accompanying Jen Lussier (Emmy Raver-Lampman) to Georgia for Harmageddon, whining about needing to stay around to wrap up escrow on a house. Rizzo seems to get his way and assures Jen that The Condamned and Crystal will be wrestling. Jen’s not going if they’re not there.
Rizzo also reveals he’s learned Gully and Jack legitimately hate each other. He doesn’t think either man will like the idea of blending their promotions or working together on Continuum.
Jack asks about the meeting with Bonnie, and Staci explains that Bonnie believes they should keep what they know to themselves. Staci admits she doesn’t feel good about it but will follow Bonnie’s advice. They also need to hide the banker boxes somewhere and get Willie to come completely clean about the DWL’s dirty laundry.
Speaking of Willie (Mary McCormack), she and Gully (Mike O’Malley) have a private meeting about her future – and Crystal’s. He’ll make a deal that will give Crystal the freedom to guest wrestle at DWL, or whatever Willie believes Crystal should do. He’ll even understand if Willie thinks Crystal should remain at the DWL full-time. However, he’s brought deposits for both Willie and Crystal and wants her answer tonight.
A short while later, Willie takes Staci out into a garden area and explains the property is being taxed at a lower rate because it’s listed as the Spade Family Farm. That’s just one example of how they’re gaming the system to keep the taxes down. Willie continues to fill Staci in on the DWL’s sketchy existence and admits she’s happy to pass all this info off on Staci so she can stop worrying about it alone. It’s now Staci’s job to deal with it.
Gully’s lawyer meets with Gully and Jack to sign the documents confirming the lawsuit will be dropped after Harmageddon takes place. Jack signs and extends his hand, but Gully doesn’t shake it. Instead, he reminds Jack it’s not a done deal until the referee declares FWD the winner.
“Do what you promised or else I’ll bulldoze the DWL,” warns Gully.
Ace was alone and comforting a patient when he passed away, and when he gets home, he describes the experience to his mom. He confesses he couldn’t comfort his dad or call 9-1-1 when he discovered him with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Ace calls himself a coward, and his mom reminds him there’s nothing he could have done.
The night of the big Harmageddon showdown arrives, and there’s a massive crowd ready to be entertained. Fans are snapping up merchandise, and the stands are filling as Crystal (Kelli Berglund) hands Bobby the bag with cash that Willie just gave her from Gully. Bobby opens it and is impressed with the amount, and notes that everywhere she goes, people just notice her.
Ace vapes as he and his big bro have a casual chat before everything gets underway. Jack apologizes for The Condamned having to take the fall, but Ace doesn’t mind. Jack knows his brother deserves to win, and Ace points out that just because he’s not going to win the match doesn’t mean he’s a loser.
“It’s just a story. We’ll write a new one tomorrow – a resurrection,” suggests Ace.
Ace turns serious and calls his brother the brains and the inspiration behind the league. The DWL wouldn’t exist without him.
After mutual “go f*ck yourselves,” they hug and get ready for the evening’s entertainment.
Crystal finds Willie, gives her a hug, and thanks her for looking out for her. She hands back the bag of cash and confirms she doesn’t want to leave the DWL.
Staci guides Jen through the crowd, and they meet up with Gully and his group. Handshakes and smiles all around as they make-nice in front of Jen.
Wild Bill (Chris Bauer) gives Jack a pep talk and reminds him to leave all the backstage shenanigans backstage and concentrate on what’s happening in the ring. Wild Bill does a complete rundown of the events of the season that led up to this incredible showdown and tells Jack to play things beat-by-beat – just as he has so carefully planned out.
“Just…go wrestle,” says Bill.
Jack thanks him for being a real friend, and Bill thanks Jack for giving him a family.
AJ Mendez and Kelli Berglund in ‘Heels’ season 2 episode 8 (Photo Credit: Starz)
Eddie Earl (Joel Murray) and Bobby take their seats at the announcer’s table as Harmageddon’s about to begin. Crystal’s going on first, and it’s the first time the crowd’s seen her since she acted like she switched to the FWL. Bill warns her the crowd’s hate is going to wash over her like a wave, and Crystal psyches herself up as her music plays.
Bill was right and a chorus of boos greet Crystal’s entrance. Crystal just smiles and waves at the crowd, accepting their hatred as if it doesn’t bother her. Elle Dorado (A.J. Mendez) joins her in the ring and the match begins. Jen watches from her front-row seat, all smiles as the crowd gets into the match.
Crystal seems to be easily winning the match, barely breaking a sweat. She taunts the crowd and tells them the DWL has nothing – that’s why she left for the FWD. Elle Dorado gets her second wind, spurred on by Crystal’s taunts. However, the script had Crystal winning so that’s what happens.
After the match, she grabs the mic and says she’s sorry Duffy didn’t recognize her greatness. “I am the best thing to ever come out of this town,” says Crystal, calling herself a goddess while the crowd boos.
The night continues and the tag team of Diego Cottonmouth (Robby Ramos) and Wild Bill pull off a win.
It’s now down to the main event, and Gully accompanies Rooster (Allen Maldonado) as he struts toward the ring. Gully gets the crowd worked up for the showdown between Rooster and The Condamned. The crowd chants Condamned, but he doesn’t show up and Rooster orders the crowd to shut up. Rooster doesn’t want to spend another minute in Duffy and says he’s going to take his title and go home since The Condamned is too scared to appear.
The lights flicker, the crowd picks up their chant again, and suddenly The Condamned is seated on the ropes just a foot behind Gully. The match begins as Staci explains to Jen how a last-man-standing match works.
From the sidelines, Gully takes a bat to The Condamned’s leg when his back is turned. Gully then signals for his wrestlers to join Rooster in the ring. They kick and hit The Condamned while he’s down, but Condamned manages to struggle to his feet against overwhelming odds.
He’s knocked back down as soon as he stands up, and Gully tells his men to string up The Condamned. His arms are held tight by the ropes as Gully punches him in the face. Gully turns to Rooster and hands him his baseball bat, telling him to finish The Condamned off. Rooster’s about to knock out The Condamned when Crystal jumps in the ring and tells him not to do it. This isn’t what they signed up for.
The crowd agrees with Crystal, but Gully grabs the mic and tells Rooster not to listen to her. Rooster takes the mic and says he’s not winning this way. He leaves the ring, telling Gully he’s done taking his blood money.
Crystal launches herself at Gully, telling him it’s over. She and Rooster then run off, while Eddie Earl says the two traitors have returned home and saved their family.
Meanwhile, The Condamned is still tied up on the ropes as Gully and Dystopian wrestlers take on Jack who’s come to rescue his brother. Jack chases them all off, except for Gully, and grabs the mic.
“Hey Duffy, sometimes being in business, when you want to get things done, you got to do them yourself,” says Jack. He extends his hand and helps up Gully, and then adds, “Isn’t that right…partner?”
They both smile and shake in the middle of the ring while the crowd doesn’t know how to respond.
Jack rips off his jacket to reveal an FWD t-shirt while Eddie Earl and Bobby call Jack a Benedict Arnold.
“It’s times like this that I wish this was all fake!” yells Eddie.
Jack claims he was with Charlie Gully this whole time while Ace struggles against the ropes. Jack gets personal and, just inches from Ace’s face, says he hopes the DWL dies just like their coward father did.
Jack calls the crowd idiots and then claims he sold the DWL to Charlie Gully. It was only his baby brother riding back into town that kept Jack from turning things over to Gully earlier. The crowd quiets as Jack says it’s time to put Ace down and end the Spade legacy.
Allison Luff and Emmy Raver-Lampman in ‘Heels’ season 2 episode 8 (Photo Credit: Starz)
Jack announces the last man standing match is now him versus his brother with the DWL on the line. If Jack wins, then he and Gully will burn the Dome down.
The bell rings, signaling the match is on and all hell breaks loose as DWL and FWD wrestlers emerge from the tunnel and begin fighting. Ace works himself free and Gully hands Jack a chair. Jack whispers to his brother, making sure he’s ready to go. Ace confirms he’s ready.
Jack hits him a couple of times with the chair and then tosses him into a corner. He slams Ace a few more times and then throws the chair out of the ring, declaring, “I’m burning this Dome down. I’m Jack Spade and this is my town!”
Backstage, it appears Wild Bill is having a heart attack, but no one notices as the wrestlers are all cheering on the Spades.
The last man standing match continues, and Ace knocks Jack out of the ring. Ace momentarily gets the upper hand and while Jack’s stunned, Ace tosses the bell into the ring and slams Jack onto the announcer’s table.
Ace grabs the bell and is about to clobber Jack with it when Gully yells, “Ace, don’t do it! That’s your brother!”
Ace puts the bell down and goes after Gully instead. While Ace is preoccupied, Jack hits him from behind. Eddie Earl wonders what Jack’s going to do with the announcer’s table, and Jack slams his brother onto it, following with some punches.
Jack then climbs the stairs and stands above the tunnel while Ace is laid out on the table, gasping for breath. Jack spreads his arms, rips off his shirt, and launches himself onto Ace, breaking the table in two. They’re both unable to get up until the count reaches six, and both make it to their feet.
They have another whispered exchange, and Ace confirms he’s following Jack’s lead. Jack says they’re going to blow the roof off this joint as they make it back into the ring.
Ace knocks Jack down and then pummels him but is “injured” in the process. Jack struggles over to the ropes and can hardly stand up, as backstage everyone realizes Jack is no longer sticking to the script. Rooster knew Jack would do this, and now even Gully seems concerned about Jack’s improv.
Jack delivers a punishing Shooting Star Press – one of the most difficult and dangerous moves in all of wrestling – to take out Ace. Ace smiles, and neither brother stands up as they lay sprawled out in the ring.
Jack urges Ace to get up and take the win, but Ace refuses and says it doesn’t matter. He’s all smiles as Jack continues to tell him to get up – people pay to see The Condamned, not Jack Spade.
The crowd helps the ref count, and Ace reminds Jack that Gully will put them out of business if the DWL wins. The wrestlers backstage are all incredibly tense as they know Jack’s got to get up or Gully gets the DWL.
Jack finally confesses to his brother he can’t get up. He’s critically injured and Ace will need to get up at the count of nine and sell this. Ace does as his brother asks, even though Gully’s screaming at Jack to get up.
No one knows Jack is hurt as Ace is declared the winner. The crowd goes wild, and Gully tells Jack he’s going to kill him.
The wrestlers backstage are stunned into silence as all Jack can do is just lie there in pain. Staci finally realizes that there’s something wrong and rushes to Jack’s side. She asks why he didn’t get up, and he admits he can’t feel his legs.
The episode – and the season (and possibly the series) – ends with Jack still flat in the ring as the crowd applauds, unaware he’s seriously injured.
The “A Bold New Take” behind the scenes featurette from The Color Purple begins with producer Oprah Winfrey saying, “There’s nothing that’s been more vital to me culturally, artistically, than The Color Purple.” Interviews with the cast , including Halle Bailey, Fantasia Barrino, and Taraji P. Henson, and director Blitz Bazawule describe the importance of the story and why it’s still incredibly relatable.
Fantasia Barrino stars as the adult Celie, with Phylicia Pearl Mpasi playing the young Celie. Halle Bailey plays young Nettie, Ciara is adult Nettie, Danielle Brooks plays Sofia, Taraji P. Henson stars as Shug Avery, and Colman Domingo stars as Mister. Corey Hawkins is Harpo, H.E.R. is Squeak, and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor is Mama.
Blitz Bazawule (The Burial of Kojo) directed and Marcus Gardley (The Chi) wrote the screenplay based on the novel by Alice Walker and the musical stage play, book (of the musical stage play) by Marsha Norman, music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray. Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders, and Quincy Jones served as producers. Alice Walker, Rebecca Walker, Kristie Macosko Krieger, Carla Gardini, Mara Jacobs, Adam Fell, Courtenay Valenti, Sheila Walcott, and Michael Beugg executive produced.
The behind-the-scenes team includes director of photography Dan Laustsen, production designer Paul Denham Austerberry, editor Jon Poll, choreographer Fatima Robinson, and costume designer Francine Jamison-Tanchuck. The music is by Oscar and Emmy nominee Kris Bowers.
The Color Purple will open in theaters on December 25, 2023.
Citizens go above and beyond to investigate murders in SundanceTV’s True Crime Story: Citizen Detective. The new addition to the True Crime Story franchise will premiere on October 12, 2023, with new episodes of the six-episode season premiering on Thursdays at 10pm ET/PT on SundanceTV, AMC+, and Sundance Now.
True Crime Story: Citizen Detective, executive produced by Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato, Tom Campbell, Jim Fraenkel, and Josh Bingham, features the stories of a young man who died just blocks from his home and the identification of bodies found in barrels.
SundanceTV offers this description of the new true crime series:
“The six-part series tells the gripping stories of everyday citizens who have solved or are attempting to solve a murder. Each episode focuses on an individual citizen detective – or a group working together – and the case that they’re consumed by, unpacking the details of the case and exploring the psyches of those who simply need to know what happened and why?
With these cases, the stories of the crime and the investigator are intertwined – by learning about one, we learn about the other. As our citizen sleuths walk us through their personal involvement, the details of the case naturally unfold. And in their telling, we learn about the detectives themselves: the emotions that drove them, the evidence that compelled them, the investigatory tactics they’ve applied in the hopes of achieving what law enforcement couldn’t… or hasn’t, at least not yet.”
‘True Crime Story: Citizen Detective’ season 1 poster (Image Courtesy of World of Wonder Productions / Sundance TV)
True Crime Story: Citizen Detective Episode Guide
Episode 1 – “The Mays Family” – Premieres Thursday, October 12 at 10pm ET/PT
A young mother is found unresponsive in bed, and her cause of death is determined to be an accidental heroin overdose. But her family questions everything about the circumstances around her death, so they launch their own investigation.
Episode 2 – “Rebekah” – Premieres Thursday, October 19 at 10pm ET/PT
It was a mystery that plagued law enforcement for over 20 years: four unidentified bodies found inside barrels in the woods. One woman searching for answers from her own troubled past sets herself on a journey to give the victims back their names.
Episode 3 – “Deb & Judy” – Premieres Thursday, October 26 at 10pm ET/PT
A young man leaves home for the corner store but dies on a rainy sidewalk just down the street. Bystanders claim that he fell off of his bike, but his mom and sister don’t buy it. They hit the streets to find answers.
Episode 4 – “John” – Premieres Thursday, November 2 at 10pm ET/PT
When a college student was found dead in rural Quebec, police refused to call it a murder. But years later, her brother continues his own investigation into her death. On the eve of a trip to return to the scene of the crime, tragedy strikes again.
Episode 5 – “Lisa” – Premieres Thursday, November 9 at 10pm ET/PT
A young girl’s life was thrown into chaos when her single mother died by a gunshot wound in their remote mountain home. The journey for the truth would be long and arduous, and it would be 30 years until justice was finally served.
Episode 6 – “Josh” – Premieres Thursday, November 16 at 10pm ET/PT
A young man whose childhood was marked by tragedy learns of a relatively unknown serial killer, and finds himself thinking about unidentified victims. It isn’t long before that pursuit becomes a full-time job… and identifying victims an obsession.
Horrormeister John Carpenter (Halloween, The Fog) is finally back in the director’s chair with Peacock’s John Carpenter’s Suburban Screams. Carpenter created the horror anthology series based on true events, and directs one of the six season one episodes.
The unscripted series dives into tales of evil that took place in American suburbs via reenactments and personal archives. Joining Carpenter as episode directors are Jordan Roberts, Michelle Latimer, and Jan Pavlacky.
Carpenter composed the anthology series’ theme music and served as an executive producer along with Roberts, Sandy King, Tony DiSanto, Patrick Smith, and Andy Portnoy. Roberts guides the series as showrunner.
John Carpenter’s Suburban Screams will premiere on Friday, October 13, 2023.
Peacock offered this description of the horror anthology:
“John Carpenter’s Suburban Screams is a genre-busting unscripted horror anthology series from the mind of legendary director, writer, and producer, John Carpenter. The series explores the dark secrets and unspeakable evil that sometimes lurks beneath the surface of the sun-drenched streets, manicured lawns and friendly neighbors of suburbia.
Each episode focuses on one true tale of terror, told by the real people who lived through it. Their firsthand accounts are brought to life through premium cinematic scene-work, news clips, home photos, and archival footage, combining the visual language of horror films with the tools and techniques of documentaries, creating a uniquely frightening experience for viewers.”
Just two weeks after the premiere of One Piece, Netflix has officially announced the live-action series has been renewed for season two. One Piece‘s creator and illustrator Eiichiro Oda even shot a short video – with the help of a Transponder Snail – confirming the good news. Oda hinted that season two would find the Straw Hat crew in need of a doctor and then drew Tony Tony Chopper.
Oda’s message also asked fans, both those who love the popular Manga and those who were just introduced to Monkey D. Luffy and his ragtag crew, to be patient. The ongoing writers and actors strike is going to push back the start of production for the just-announced second season.
Eiichiro Oda’s full message:
“To the Straw Hat Grand Fleet: What did you think of Season 1 of the live-action ONE PIECE? I spent a long time working on it with Netflix and Tomorrow Studios. It seems people around the world have been enjoying the show, which makes the hard work from the production team truly worth it.
To everyone who’s been a fan of ONE PIECE for years, and to those who experienced ONE PIECE for the first time, thank you so much.
Two weeks after the launch, I just received some great news. Netflix has decided to renew the show! The adventures of Iñaki and the live-action Straw Hats will continue onward!
It’ll still take a while to get the scripts ready, so please be patient.
From here on, it seems to me the Straw Hats will need a great doctor… We will see!”
Netflix’s renewal announcement did not include any details on the plot or even the number of episodes fans can expect from season two. The eight-episode first season premiered on August 31, 2023 and racked up 37.8 million in two weeks, earning the #1 spot on the streaming service.
Season one starred Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy, Mackenyu as Roronoa Zoro, Emily Rudd as Nami, Jacob Romero as Usopp, and Taz Skylar as Sanji. Matt Owens and Steven Maeda guide the series as writers, executive producers, and showrunners. Creator Eiichiro Oda, Marty Adelstein, and Becky Clements also executive produce.
Based on Japan’s highest-selling manga series in history by Eiichiro Oda, One Piece is a legendary high-seas adventure unlike any other. Monkey D. Luffy is a young adventurer who has longed for a life of freedom since he can remember. Luffy sets off from his small village on a perilous journey to find the legendary fabled treasure, ONE PIECE, to become King of the Pirates! But in order to find the ultimate prize, Luffy will need to assemble the crew he’s always wanted before finding a ship to sail, searching every inch of the vast blue seas, outpacing the Marines, and outwitting dangerous rivals at every turn.
R.L. Stine’s bestselling books come to life in Disney+ and Hulu’s new Goosebumps series which just released a full trailer. In support of the new series, the streaming services have also released a batch of photos along with plot details and the cast list.
Justin Long (Barbarian) stars as Mr. Bratt and Rachael Harris (Lucifer) plays Nora. Zack Morris (EastEnders) is Isaiah, Isa Briones (Star Trek: Picard) stars as Margot, Miles McKenna (Guilty Party) is James, Ana Yi Puig (Gossip Girl) is Isabella, and Will Price (The Equalizer) plays Lucas.
Stine’s Say Cheese and Die!, The Haunted Mask, The Cuckoo Clock of Doom, Go Eat Worms!, and Night of the Living Dummy from the Goosebumps book series provide material for the new live-action series. And Hulu and Disney+ offered this description of what fans can expect of the show:
“Plunging viewers into a world of mystery and suspense, the new Goosebumps series follows a group of five high schoolers as they embark on a shadowy and twisted journey to investigate the tragic passing three decades earlier of a teen named Harold Biddle — while also unearthing dark secrets from their parents’ past.”
Justin Long and Rachael Harris star in ‘Goosebumps’ (Photo: Disney/David Astorga)
The Muppets‘ Nicholas Stoller and Pokémon Detective Pikachu‘s Rob Letterman created the series and serve as executive producers. Hilary Winston, Neal H. Moritz, Scholastic Entertainment’s Iole Lucchese, Pavun Shetty, Conor Welch, Scholastic Entertainment’s Caitlin Friedman, Erin O’Malley, and Kevin Murphy also executive produce.
Goosebumps will premiere on Disney+ and Hulu as part of the streaming services’ Halloween-themed programming. Five episodes of the 10-episode series will debut on October 13, 2023, followed by new episodes on Fridays.
Ana Yi Puig (Photo: Disney/David Astorga)Will Price (Photo: Disney/Katie Yu)Rachael Harris (Photo: Disney/David Astorga)Isa Briones, Will Price, Miles McKenna, Zack Morris, and Ana Yi Puig (Photo: Disney/David Astorga)The cast of ‘Goosebumps’ (Photo Credit: David Astorga / Disney)
Two seconds into the trailer for Netflix’s The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and even without the credits popping up on screen, it’s obvious this is a Wes Anderson production. Every frame – and every line of dialogue – screams Wes Anderson.
Ralph Fiennes and Benedict Cumberbatch lead a cast that includes Dev Patel, Ben Kingsley, and Richard Ayoade. Writer/director Wes Anderson produces along with Steven Rales and Jeremy Dawson.
The short film (just 39 minutes) is set to premiere on Netflix on September 27, 2023.
The Plot: A beloved Roald Dahl short story about a rich man who learns about a guru who can see without using his eyes and then sets out to master the skill in order to cheat at gambling.
Discovery Channel’s set an October 15, 2023 premiere date for season 16 of the gritty survival series Naked and Afraid. New episodes will air on Sundays at 8pm ET/PT.
Recently, the Naked and Afraid franchise expanded to include Naked and Afraid: Castaways featuring survivalists attempting to make it without any supplies other than what they can scavenge from wreckage on a remote island in the Pacific Ocean. The franchise also introduced Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing, a twist on the format that pit 12 N&A all-stars against each other in a 45-day competition with a $100,000 grand prize at stake.
Naked and Afraid: Solo was introduced in February 2023 and featured eight former Naked and Afraid survivalists who were challenged to spend 21 days naked, afraid, and completely on their own.
Discovery Channel’s ‘Naked and Afraid’ season 16 poster
Discovery Channel offered this description of the upcoming 16th season of the original survival series:
“Kicking off with back-to-back fan challenges – where ordinary people with little outdoor experience attempt to go from viewer to survivalist – this season features an ICU trauma nurse and a banker who suffered brain damage in a devastating car accident as they embark on a brutal 14-day journey in the wilderness. Despite years of rehabilitation and medical training, hurdles are bound to arise as they attempt to survive extreme temperatures, relentless mosquitoes, and the most venomous snake in Mexico.
This season, challenges may vary from 14 to 21 days, but they are just as grueling and raw as ever. A circus performer, inexperienced city folk and even a previous contestant who is seeking redemption after poisoning the waters in her last challenge, must face the dangers of Mother Nature in hopes of surviving, Naked and Afraid.”
Stede insists he and Blackbeard are on a break, refuses to admit he dumped the handsome pirate, and is shocked when Blackbeard declares their status as “former” shipmates in the trailer for Max’s Our Flag Means Death season two. The two-minute trailer puts fans through the wringer as it teases a “will they or won’t they reunite” scenario for the upcoming season.
The eight-episode second season stars Rhys Darby as Stede Bonnet, Taiki Waititi as Captain Blackbeard, Samson Kayo as Oluwande, Vico Ortiz as Jim, Ewen Bremner as Buttons, Joel Fry as Frenchie, Matthew Maher as Black Pete, Kristian Nairn as Wee John Feeney, Con O’Neill as Izzy Hands, David Fane as Fang, Samba Schutte as Roach, Nat Faxon as The Swede, and Leslie Jones as Spanish Jackie. Recurring season two guest stars include Ruibo Qian, Madeleine Sami, Anapela Polataivao, and Erroll Shand.
Minnie Driver and Bronson Pinchot will also appear in season two as guest stars.
David Jenkins created the popular pirate comedy and serves as showrunner. Jenkins also executive produces alongside series star Taika Waititi, Garrett Basch, Dan Halsted, Adam Stein, and Antoine Douaihy.
Season two premieres on October 5, 2023 with the release of the first three episodes. Two new episodes arrive each Thursday, with the season finale set for October 26th.
Joel Fry and Taika Waititi in ‘Our Flag Means Death’ season 2 episode 2 (Photograph by Nicola Dove/Max)
The Plot, Courtesy of Max:
Our Flag Means Death is based (very) loosely on the true adventures of 18th-century would-be pirate Stede Bonnet (Darby). After trading the seemingly charmed life of a gentleman for one of a swashbuckling buccaneer, Stede became captain of the pirate ship Revenge. Struggling to earn the respect of his potentially mutinous crew, Stede’s fortunes changed after a fateful run-in with the infamous Captain Blackbeard (Waititi).
To their surprise, the wildly different Stede and Blackbeard found more than friendship on the high seas…they found love. Now, they have to survive it.
Rhys Darby in ‘Our Flag Means Death’ season 2 episode 2 (Photograph by Nicola Dove/Max)
