Adam Pally Joins Idris Elba in Paramount+’s ‘Knuckles’ Series

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April 17, 2023

Knuckles Series — Idris Elba as the title character in ‘Knuckles’ (Photo © 2022 Paramount Pictures and Sega of America, Inc.)

Adam Pally will reprise his role as Wade Whipple from Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 for Paramount+, Paramount Pictures, and SEGA of America’s Knuckles series. Idris Elba was previously announced to take on the title role in the live-action series.

Recurring cast members will include Edi Patterson (The Righteous Gemstones), Julian Barratt (Mindhorn), Scott Mescudi (Don’t Look Up), Ellie Taylor (Ted Lasso), and guest star Rory McCann (Game of Thrones). Tika Sumpter is on board to reprise her role as Maddie in a guest-starring role.

Production is now underway in London on the series set between the events of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Sonic the Hedgehog 3. The franchise’s third film is scheduled for release on December 20, 2024.

The Paramount+ series brings together the creative team from the feature films. Jeff Fowler, director of the Sonic the Hedgehog movies, is directing the series’ pilot. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 screenwriter John Whittington is the show’s head writer. Fowler, Whittington, Idris Elba, Neal H. Moritz, Toby Ascher, and Toru Nakahara will serve as executive producers. Ged Wright, Brandon Trost, Jorma Taccone, and Carol Banker are also directing. Brian Schacter and James Madejski join Whittington as writers.

Paramount+ released this description of the series:

“The new live-action series will follow Knuckles on a hilarious and action-packed journey of self-discovery as he agrees to train Wade as his protégé and teach him the ways of the Echidna warrior.”

‘The Idol’ Series Drops a Teaser Trailer and Confirms June Premiere

By

Rebecca Murray

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April 17, 2023

Back in November 2021 HBO announced they’d greenlit Abel “The Weeknd”” Tesfaye, Sam Levinson (Euphoria), and Reza Fahim’s The Idol. Flashforward to April 2023, and we finally have a confirmed June 4th premiere for the series set in the music world and starring Lily-Rose Depp (daughter of Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis).

HBO’s premiere date announcement arrived with a teaser trailer and photos.

In addition to Lily-Rose Depp, the cast includes Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye, Troye Sivan, Dan Levy, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and Eli Roth. Hari Nef, Jane Adams, Jennie Ruby Jane, Mike Dean, Moses Sumney, Rachel Sennott, Ramsey, Suzanna Son, and Hank Azaria also star.

Levinson, The Weeknd, Fahim, Ashley Levinson, Joseph Epstein, and Aaron L. Gilbert (for BRON) executive produced. Levinson directed and co-wrote the series with The Weeknd and Fahim.

The Idol Lily-Rose Depp and The Weeknd — Lily-Rose Depp and The Weeknd in ‘The Idol’ (Photograph by Eddy Chen/HBO)

HBO released this description of The Idol:

“After a nervous breakdown derailed Jocelyn’s (Lily-Rose Depp) last tour, she’s determined to claim her rightful status as the greatest and sexiest pop star in America. Her passions are reignited by Tedros (Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye), a nightclub impresario with a sordid past. Will her romantic awakening take her to glorious new heights or the deepest and darkest depths of her soul?”

New season one episodes will premiere on Sundays at 9pm ET/PT.

The Idol Dan Levy — Dan Levy (Photograph by Eddy Chen/HBO)

The Idol Lily-Rose Depp — Lily-Rose Depp (Photograph by Eddy Chen/HBO)

The Idol Star The Weeknd — Abel ‘The Weeknd’ Tesfaye (Photograph by Eddy Chen/HBO)

The Idol Troye Sivan — Troye Sivan (Photograph by Eddy Chen/HBO)

The Idol Rachel Sennott — Rachel Sennott (Photograph by Eddy Chen/HBO)

The Idol Moses Sumney — Moses Sumney (Photograph by Eddy Chen/HBO)

The Idol Eli Roth — Eli Roth (Photograph by Eddy Chen/HBO)

Full Trailer Reveals More of Lily-Rose Depp as a Pop Star

‘Cruel Summer’ Season 2 Sets Summer 2023 Premiere

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Rebecca Murray

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April 17, 2023

Cruel Summer Season 2 Cast — Lexi Underwood, Sadie Stanley, Griffin Gluck, Lisa Yamada, KaDee Strickland, and Sean Blakemore in ‘Cruel Summer’ (Freeform/Frank Ockenfels)

It’s taken two years, but Freeform’s finally set a premiere date for the second season of Cruel Summer. Season one of the coming-of-age anthology series debuted in April 2021 and wrapped up in June 2021. Season two will launch on June 5, 2023.

The second season will kick off with the release of the first two episodes at 9pm ET/PT. Additional new season two episodes will air on Mondays at 10pm ET/PT.

The first season starred Olivia Holt, Chiara Aurelia, Michael Landes, Froy Gutierrez, Harley Quinn Smith, Allius Barnes, Blake Lee, and Brooklyn Sudano. Sadie Stanley, Lexi Underwood, Griffin Gluck, KaDee Strickland, Lisa Yamada, and Sean Blakemore star in season two, with Paul Adelstein and Braeden De La Garza appearing in recurring roles.

Bert V. Royal created the series, and Elle Triedman serves as executive producer and showrunner. Additional executive producers include Bill Purple, Tia Napolitano, and Iron Ocean Productions’ Jessica Biel and Michelle Purple. Cruel Summer‘s an eOne production.

Freeform released this description of season two:

“Set in an idyllic waterfront town in the Pacific Northwest, the next chapter of Cruel Summer follows the rise and fall of an intense teenage friendship. Approaching the story from three different timelines surrounding Y2K, the season twists and turns as it tracks the early friendship between Megan, Isabella, and Megan’s best friend Luke, the love triangle that blossomed, and the mystery that would impact all of their lives going forward.”

The first season scored the highest ratings of any original series on Freeform. Season one averaged 6.8 million viewers and was the highest-rated new cable drama among women ages 18-34.

‘The Equalizer’ Season 3 Episode 15 Photos, Cast and “No Way Out” Promo

By

Rebecca Murray

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April 17, 2023

The team helps out a victim of domestic abuse on CBS’s The Equalizer season three episode 15. Directed by Richard Lyons from a script by Rob Hanning and Vanessa Herron, episode 15 – “No Way Out” – will air on Sunday, April 23, 2023 at 8pm ET/PT.

Queen Latifah leads the cast as Robyn McCall. Season three also stars Tory Kittles as Detective Marcus Dante, Adam Goldberg as Harry Keshegian, Liza Lapira as Melody “Mel” Bayani, and Laya DeLeon Hayes as Delilah. Lorraine Toussaint returns as Viola “Vi” Marsette. Brett Dalton, Gabriel Sloyer, Chris Vance, and Stephen Bishop recur.

“No Way Out” Plot: Aunt Vi enlists the help of McCall and the team when she realizes her masseuse is a victim of domestic abuse. Also, McCall trains Dee on situational awareness and Dante goes against orders by chasing after the man who shot his friend Manny.

The Equalizer Season 3 Episode 10 — Laya DeLeon Hayes as Delilah and Queen Latifah as Robyn McCall in ‘The Equalizer’ season 3 episode 10 (Photo: Michael Greenberg © 2023 CBS Broadcasting, Inc)

The Equalizer Plot:

The Equalizer is a reimagining of the classic series starring Academy Award® nominee and multi-hyphenate Queen Latifah as Robyn McCall, an enigmatic woman with a mysterious background who uses her extensive skills as a former CIA operative to help those with nowhere else to turn. McCall presents to most as an average single mom who is quietly raising her teenage daughter. But to a trusted few, she is The Equalizer – an anonymous guardian angel and defender of the downtrodden, who’s also dogged in her pursuit of personal redemption.

Robyn’s clandestine work and her personal life collide when her smart and observant daughter, Delilah, and her aunt Vi, who lives with Robyn to help her balance life as a working mother, discover her secret career as a vigilante. While Robyn contends with uncertainty at home, she is joined in her pursuit of justice by Melody “Mel” Bayani, an edgy bar owner and sniper from Robyn’s past; and Harry Keshegian, a paranoid and brilliant white-hat hacker.

As Robyn aids the oppressed and exploited, she sometimes works with Marcus Dante, an NYPD detective who once sought to uncover her identity, but now respects the need for Robyn’s type of justice even as he often questions her methods.

‘So Help Me Todd’ Episode 18 Photos, Cast and “Gloom and Boom” Plot

By

Rebecca Murray

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April 16, 2023

So Help Me Todd Episode 18 — Marcia Gay Harden as Margaret, Skylar Astin as Todd and Tonja Kahlens as Tanya in ‘So Help Me Todd’ episode 18 (Photo: Michael Courtney © 2023 CBS Broadcasting, Inc)

Margaret and Todd face an explosive situation on CBS’s So Help Me Todd season one episode 18. Directed by Nick Gomez from a script by Stefanie Mah Woodburn, episode 18 – “Gloom and Boom” – will air on Thursday, April 27, 2023 at 9pm ET/PT.

Oscar winner Marcia Gay Harden stars as Margaret Wright, Skylar Astin plays Todd Wright, and Tristen J. Winger is Lyle. Madeline Wise plays Allison, Inga Schlingmann is Susan, and Rosa Arredondo stars as Francey.

“Gloom and Boom” Plot: When a stranger with a bomb appears at the law firm demanding Margaret reverse her efforts to free her client on death row or the bomb will detonate, Margaret and Todd must rely on their legal and detective skills to untangle the crime, uncover the intentions of the bomber, and save everyone at the firm.

The Plot:

Marcia Gay Harden and Skylar Astin star as razor-sharp, meticulous attorney Margaret Wright and Todd, her talented but scruffy, aimless son whom she hires as her law firm’s in-house investigator. As the black sheep of the well-heeled Wright family, Todd is a laidback, quick-thinking, excellent former private detective who fell on hard times after his flexible interpretation of the law got his license revoked. Margaret’s penchant for excellence and strict adherence to the law is at complete odds with Todd’s scrappy methods of finding his way through sticky situations: by the seat of his wrinkled pants.

When Todd inadvertently teams with his mother on a case, she’s surprised to find herself duly impressed by – and proud of – his crafty ability to sleuth out information with his charm and his wide-ranging tech savvy. At last, Margaret sees a way to put her son on a “suitable” path to living an adult, financially solvent life she approves of, and she asks him to join her firm. Todd agrees since it means getting his license back and once again doing the job he excels at and loves.

Mother and son working together is a big first step toward mending their fragile, dysfunctional relationship, and they may even come away with a better understanding of each other at this pivotal point in their lives. But whether Todd and Margaret will be able to accept each other for who they are is another case entirely.

Steph Curry Documentary ‘Underrated’ Sets July Premiere

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Rebecca Murray

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April 14, 2023

Director Peter Nicks’ Stephen Curry: Underrated will get a limited theatrical release on Friday, July 21, 2023. The Apple Original Films and A24 documentary will also be available to stream on Apple TV+ on July 21st.

Nicks, two-time Oscar nominee Ryan Coogler, Erick Peyton, Sean Havey, Ben Cotner, and Marissa Torres Ericson produced the documentary on the popular nine-time NBA All-Star and Golden State Warriors point guard. Emily Osborne, Sev Ohanian, and Zinzi Coogler served as executive producers.

Apple TV+ offered this description of the documentary:

“Stephen Curry: Underrated is the remarkable coming-of-age story of one of the most influential, dynamic, and unexpected players in the history of basketball: Stephen Curry. This feature documentary — blending intimate cinéma vérité, archival footage, and on-camera interviews — documents Curry’s rise from an undersized college player at a small-town Division I college to a four-time NBA champion, building one of the most dominant sports dynasties in the world.”

Underrated currently sits at 100% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes following its premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.

‘FBI: International’ Season 2 Episode 18 Photos, Cast, and “Blood Feud” Promo

By

Rebecca Murray

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April 14, 2023

Alon Moni Aboutboul reprises his role as Pavel Novikoff on CBS’s FBI: International season two episode 18. Directed by Avi Youabian from a script by Hussain Pirani, episode 18 – “Blood Feud” – will air on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at 9pm ET/PT.

Season two stars Luke Kleintank as Special Agent Scott Forrester, Heida Reed as Special Agent Jamie Kellett, Carter Redwood as Special Agent Andre Raines, Vinessa Vidotto as Special Agent Cameron Vo, and Eva-Jane Willis as Europol Agent Megan “Smitty” Garretson.

Yuriy Sardarov guest stars as Sergei Diatchenko.

“Blood Feud” Plot: The Fly Team jumps into action to protect Forrester when a Russian hitman seeks revenge on him. Also, Raines is sent into a tailspin when someone close to him is taken.

FBI International Season 2 Episode 18 — Luke Kleintank as Special Agent Scott Forrester in ‘FBI: International’ season 2 episode 18 (Photo: Nelly Kiss © 2023 CBS Broadcasting, Inc)

FBI: International Series Description, Courtesy of CBS:

FBI: International is the third iteration of the successful FBI brand that follows the elite operatives of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s International Fly Team. Headquartered in Budapest, they travel throughout Europe with the mission of tracking and neutralizing threats against American citizens wherever they may be, putting their lives on the line to protect the U.S. and its people. The Fly Team’s Special Agent Scott Forrester, their accomplished and dedicated leader, puts his missions ahead of his personal life and is often accompanied by his trusty Schutzhund dog, Tank.

Second in command is Special Agent Jamie Kellett, a heroic and fearless investigator – and her extensive network of informants is a powerful resource. Special Agent Andre Raines shines in the field and makes good use of his accounting background in tracking criminal enterprises’ moving money; and Special Agent Cameron Vo, a competitive West Point grad who excels at interrogation and strategy. Newly embedded with the Fly Team is Megan “Smitty” Garretson, a streetwise Europol agent with an extensive undercover background who liaises with each host country they inhabit.

First Look: ‘Happiness for Beginners’ with Luke Grimes and Ellie Kemper

By

Rebecca Murray

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April 14, 2023

Happiness for Beginners Luke Grimes and Ellie Kemper — Luke Grimes as Jake and Ellie Kemper as Helen in ‘Happiness for Beginners’ (Photo by Barbara Nitke / NETFLIX)

Netflix has released the first official photos from the upcoming film adaptation of Katherine Center’s bestselling novel Happiness for Beginners. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt‘s Ellie Kemper and Yellowstone‘s Luke Grimes star in the comedy premiering on July 27, 2023.

Kemper and Grimes are joined by Nico Santos, Blythe Danner, and Benjamin Cook. Shayvawn Webster, Esteban Benito, and Julia Shiplett also star.

Describing her attraction to the project, Kemper told Netflix’s Tudum she believed it “was such a well-told story of one woman’s experience in getting to know herself better.” Kemper added, “I was immediately excited about the prospect of playing a woman whose outlook on life, when we first meet her, isn’t so sunny. I’ve played a lot of optimistic rubes, and Helen was neither.”

Vicky Wight adapted Center’s book and directs. Wight also serves as a producer along with Geoff Linville and Berry Meyerowitz. Author Katherine Center, Jeff Sackman, and Larry Greenberg executive produce.

Happiness for Beginners marks Wight’s second adaptation of a Center novel. She also wrote and directed The Lost Husband, based on Center’s 2013 novel, starring Leslie Bibb and Josh Duhamel.

“Katherine is the perfect novelist when it comes to adaptation because she’s hands off,” said Wight in a Tudum interview. “She understands that the novel can’t go word-for-word on-screen, so she’s very supportive about the process of reshaping the story while keeping the integrity of her source material.”

Happiness for Beginners Cast — Esteban Benito as Mason, Ellie Kemper as Helen, Gus Birney as Kaylee and Julia Shiplett as Sue (Photo by Barbara Nitke / NETFLIX)

The Plot, Courtesy of Netflix:

Helen (Kemper) has always lived her life as far from the edge as possible. Finding herself newly divorced and a little lost, Helen decides she needs a reset and signs up for the “Adventure of a Lifetime!” The adventure is a backcountry survival course hiking the Appalachian Trail with a group of oddball strangers.

From the beginning, Helen’s plan to be the best hiker is tested, and she finds more than just herself in the wilderness. Based on the wildly popular novel by Katherine Center, Happiness for Beginners reminds us that sometimes you have to get lost before you’re found.

Happiness For Beginners Ellie Kemper — Blythe Danner as Gigi, Aaron Weiner as Mike, Ellie Kemper as Helen and Alexander Koch as Duncan (Photo by Barbara Nitke / NETFLIX)

Happiness For Beginners — Ellie Kemper as Helen and Luke Grimes as Jake (Photo by Barbara Nitke / NETFLIX)

Happiness For Beginners Luke Grimes — Luke Grimes as Jake (Photo by Barbara Nitke / NETFLIX)

Happiness For Beginners Movie — Ben Cook as Beckett, Nico Santos as Hugh, Ellie Kemper as Helen, Luke Grimes as Jake and Shayvawn Webster as Windy (Photo by Barbara Nitke / NETFLIX)

‘CSI: Vegas’ Season 2 Episode 19 Photos, “Dead Memories” Cast and Plot

By

Rebecca Murray

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April 14, 2023

CSI Vegas Season 2 Episode 19 — Paula Newsome as Maxine Roby and Jay Lee as Chris Park in ‘CSI: Vegas’ season 2 episode 19 (Photo: Sonja Flemming © 2023 CBS Broadcasting, Inc.)

Original CSI star Eric Szmanda continues his guest-starring run on CBS’s CSI: Vegas with season two episode 19. Directed by Pam Veasey from a script by Craig O’Neill, episode 19 – “Dead Memories” – will air on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 10pm ET/PT.

The second season stars Paula Newsome as Maxine Roby, Marg Helgenberger as Catherine Willows, Matt Lauria as Joshua Folsom, and Mandeep Dhillon as Allie Rajan. Ariana Guerra plays Detective Serena Chavez, Lex Medlin is Beau Finado, and Jay Lee is Chris Park.

“Dead Memories” Plot: When wrongly accused former suspect Gene Farrow (J.P. Manoux) enters the Crime Lab covered in blood, wielding a cleaver and looking for Allie Rajan, the CSI team investigates his peculiar story about a macabre party with a fatal ending.

The Season 2 Description, Courtesy of CBS:

CSI: Vegas, the sequel to the Network’s global hit CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, returns for a second season in Las Vegas – the city where it all began. Amidst the neon lights and long shadows, dark threats continue to lurk in Sin City. Maxine Roby leads her brilliant team of Crime Scene Investigators – Joshua Folsom, Allie Rajan, Detective Serena Chavez, Chris Park, and Beau Finado – as they use science to solve baffling cases. Catherine Willows returns to help the CSIs face off with a dealer of death who is planning to beat the odds in Las Vegas.

This combined force will deploy the latest forensic techniques to do what they do best – follow the evidence – in order to preserve and serve justice in Sin City.

‘Blue Bloods’ Season 13 Episode 18 Photos, Cast and “Family Matters” Plot

By

Rebecca Murray

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April 14, 2023

Dylan Walsh returns to guest star as Mayor Chase on CBS’s Blue Bloods season 13 episode 18. Directed by Ralph Hemecker from a script by Jack Ciapciak and Peter D’Antonio, episode 18 – “Family Matters” – will air on Friday, April 21, 2023 at 10pm ET/PT.

The cast is led by Tom Selleck as Frank Reagan, Donnie Wahlberg as Danny Reagan, and Bridget Moynahan as Erin Reagan. Will Estes stars as Jamie Reagan, Len Cariou is Henry Reagan, Sami Gayle is Nicky Reagan-Boyle, Marisa Ramirez plays Det. Maria Baez, and Vanessa Ray is Officer Eddie Janko.

“Family Matters” Plot: Danny and Baez investigate a case of grand larceny tied to feuding crime families when the gifts are stolen during a mob wedding. Also, Frank clashes with Mayor Chase (Walsh) when an influx of immigrants arrive in the city; Erin questions whether her district attorney campaign is compromising her day job; and Eddie enlists Jamie’s help to bust a drug dealer responsible for fentanyl overdoses in order to comfort a grieving grandfather (Larry Manetti).

Blue Bloods Plot:

Blue Bloods is a drama about a multi-generational family of cops dedicated to New York City law enforcement. Frank Reagan is the New York Police Commissioner, and heads both the police force and the Reagan brood. He runs his department as diplomatically as he runs his family, even when dealing with the politics that plagued his unapologetically bold father, Henry, during his stint as chief.

A source of pride and concern for Frank is his eldest son, Danny, a seasoned detective, family man and Iraq War vet who on occasion uses dubious tactics to solve cases with his partner and new mother, Detective Maria Baez. Erin, the middle daughter, is a New York assistant D.A. who serves as the legal compass for her siblings and father, while also pursuing a run for district attorney. Jamie is the youngest Reagan, a Harvard Law graduate and the family’s golden boy.

Unable to deny the family tradition, Jamie decided to give up a lucrative future in law and follow in the family footsteps as a cop. He’s found a friend and ally in his wife, Eddie, who keeps him on his toes, and has very different reasons than the Reagans for joining the police force.