Discovery Channel’s unscripted survival series Naked and Afraid returns for a 15th season on February 19, 2023. The new season promises higher stakes and a surprising twist that finds two Naked and Afraid medics stepping in front of the camera and taking part in the challenge.
The naked survivalists will attempt to find food, water, and shelter in such inhospitable climates as the jungles of Guyana and Devil’s Canyon in Mexico.
The teaser trailer for the new season shows the contestants are absolutely miserable. One admits that what looked like paradise turned out to be hell, while another believes the jungle’s trying to kill her. One survivalist even points out that everything in the area is named after the Devil, adding, “Not today, Satan.”
Discovery offered this description of the crazy new season:
“To kick-off a season packed with franchise firsts, two survivalists from overseas fight to become the first foreigners to endure 21 days on U.S. soil in America’s Wild West. Others will use their time in the wilderness to seek redemption for past failures. Four survivalists who tapped out in previous challenges – and have deep regrets about their fateful decisions – seize their last chance to prove their resolve and triumph as a tribe. These survivalists have no idea what they are in for.
This season, survivalists get down and dirty for grueling challenges that are as raw as the third degree burns on their feet. No one can imagine the brutal journey that they are about to embark on. From a battle-tested MMA fighter to a professional backpacker, even the toughest will be knocked down and forced to put their ultimate survival skills to the test. Pushed way beyond their comfort zones, survivalists quickly go from pumped to punished by unrelenting insects, unpredictable temperatures and unfamiliar terrain.”
New episodes will arrive on Sundays at 8pm ET/PT on Discovery Channel. Episodes will be added to discovery+ the same day as their Discovery Channel premiere.
Naked and Afraid is a Renegade 83 production for Discovery Channel.
Season two episode three of Paramount+’s Mayor of Kingstown is shorter than usual and seems like a filler episode. Bunny’s still in jail, Mike still hasn’t located Iris, and Kyle’s still in need of a good therapist by the time episode three wraps up.
“Five at Five” opens with Iris (Emma Laird) explaining she thought Milo (Aidan Gillen) died in the riot and didn’t know where to go. He demands to know if she slept with Mike, and Iris says she didn’t.
Elsewhere, Robert and his SWAT guys do a quick search of an apartment, making sure there aren’t any concealed weapons or drugs, and clearing the way for Ian (Hugh Dillon) to have a chat with the older woman who rents the place. She assumes they know who her grandson is.
She’s correct.
Mike (Jeremy Renner) is not having a good day. An FBI agent confronts him as he’s heading into the office, pissed that he let Iris run away. Mike warns the agent to do what he needs to do, but Milo will kill Iris if they try and force her to testify against him.
Iris is shoved to the back burner when Mike learns Ian and Stevie (Derek Webster) led a raid on the Commons. Ian and Stevie claim they got a tip about drugs, and Mike is absolutely furious. “Are you f**king kidding me? When is there not drug activity?” asks Mike, sarcastically.
Mike reminds them that Bunny took a hit for him after he negotiated a deal to get all the leaders inside. They can’t screw with Bunny’s crew while he’s locked up. Ian points out Bunny’s a drug dealer, and Mike fights back, again reminding them Bunny’s on the inside trying to help calm down the streets. If they hassle his family, the sh*t will hit the fan.
Ian and Mike get in each other’s faces, and Ian blames Mike for making his job more difficult. Mike leaves but not before he tells them to f**k off and warns them that he’s not their janitor.
Over at the temporary jail, Bunny (Tobi Bamtefa) remains certain they need to trust Mike at least for a while. If it doesn’t go the way they want it to shake out, then they’ll handle it their way.
Mike pays Bunny a visit, ordering him to get the leaders lined up. Mike’s working on getting everything in order on the outside, and Bunny confesses Mike’s word doesn’t mean much to him at this point. Mike asks what he needs and Bunny says, “Backs turned, 5:00 tomorrow.” Mike agrees.
Mike tells Carney (Lane Garrison), Captain Moore’s new second-in-command, what Bunny needs, and Carney says he’ll get it done.
Kyle (Taylor Handley) shows up at the Kingstown Police Department and gets a hug from Ian. Kyle’s been suspended without pay, so he quit.
Ian wants him back, but Kyle’s going to have to be patient. The State will have to declare it a righteous shoot before he can get back out on the street. Until then, Kyle has to keep calm and not make any waves.
Kyle’s desperate to come back, and Ian reminds him that at least he has something to live for with a wife and a kid on the way. He assures Kyle he’s got his back.
Kyle’s next stop is to talk with his brother. He needs to earn and he needs to stay busy or else he’ll lose it. Mike thinks he should work around their mom’s house, but that doesn’t interest Kyle. Mike’s next suggestion is for Kyle to check the train station and taxis for any sign of Iris. Kyle thinks his bro should just let the FBI worry about her. Anyway, she’s probably already back in New York.
But Mike’s really worried and that’s why he wants Kyle to help him search.
Obsessing over Iris, Mike checks in with Joseph the Russian (George Tchortov) to see if he’s heard from Milo. Joseph’s still loyal to Milo, and Mike assumes Joseph knows Iris’s location. Joseph calls her a whore and everyone knows what happens when someone talks to the Feds.
Mike beats the crap out of Joseph and then leaves, warning him that he’ll be back.
Later, Joseph supervises the placement of a new tracker under Iris’s skin. She has a new bed, closet, and safe, and will need to make $5000 a night…or else.
Mike calls Assistant DA Evelyn Foley (Necar Zadegan) and she assures him that she’s “working” her boss. Everything’s good as far as she knows. Mike made promises and needs release dates, and Evelyn warns him she’s not a paper to be pushed around. Also, she needs to see him in 30 minutes. She doesn’t say why other than that the world is changing.
It turns out Evelyn wants Mike to join her as they tour a prison along with Captain Moore (Michael Beach). Wendy, the woman giving the tour, explains that within five years all of the prisons in Kingstown will be under contract with the Warwick Group. She also claims that in their prisons, they have violence under control. Captain Moore points out that’s because they don’t offer education services, yard time, or cafeterias.
Evelyn informs Mike that Warwick’s doing the report on the riot and that this scenario is a likely outcome. Some of the inmates from tent city are heading to Anchor Bay, and the rest will be moved to Warwick Detention – the private prison they’re currently touring.
If there isn’t enough room there, they’ll move them to other facilities – even if that means moving them to other states.
One of Milo’s girls who Mike saw exiting Joseph’s place earlier with a baby approaches him and says she knows where Iris is. If Mike still wants to save Iris, she’ll leave a door open in the alley at the club.
Mike visits the club that night and snoops around. He’s knocked out, and when he comes to, he’s in a room with Joseph and a couple of his thugs. Mike wonders if the baby is Joseph’s and if Milo knows he’s screwing one of his whores.
Joseph reacts by hitting Mike with his gun and, of course, Mike’s able to disarm him. He leaves after warning Joseph to tell Milo he knows he’s out and he’s coming for him.
5:00pm arrives and the guards turn their backs. All hell breaks loose in the yard and the leader of the Bloods attacks Bunny, but Bunny manages to get the upper hand. The other gang leaders stand back and let Bunny settle matters.
Mike arrives later and Bunny confronts him about allowing the cops to hassle his family and not telling him what went down. If Mike doesn’t get him out of prison, there will be payback. Bunny warns he’s coming for Mike – not the guards or cops on the street. Mike says the order to hassle his family came from KPD, and Bunny points out that Mike no longer has control over his own people.
If Bunny’s not out in 48 hours, then he’ll come for Mike. Bunny almost died today and he’s done playing along with Mike’s plan. Mike owes him and he plans on collecting that debt.
Mike tells Carney to make sure nothing happens to Bunny. Whatever happens to Bunny will happen to Carney. If Bunny bleeds, Carney bleeds.
Teyana Taylor and Aaron Kingsley in ‘A Thousand and One’ (Photo Courtesy of Sundance Institute / Photo by Focus Features)
The Sundance Film Festival named A Thousand and One from writer/director A.V. Rockwell the winner of the prestigious U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic. Directors Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson’s The Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project won the U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Documentary at the 2023 festival which hosted in-person screenings as well as access online.
“This year’s Festival has been an extraordinary experience,” said Joana Vicente, Sundance Institute CEO. “The artists that comprise the 2023 Sundance Film Festival have demonstrated a sense of urgency and dedication to excellence in independent film. Today’s award winners highlight our programs’ most impressive achievements in the current moment of cinematic arts. I hope you will join me in congratulating our winners, as well as thanking all artists across sections for sharing their stories with the Sundance community.”
Over 15,000 submissions were received for this year’s festival, and 111 feature-length and 64 short films were screened.
2023 Sundance Film Festival Award Winners
The U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic was presented to A.V. Rockwell for A Thousand and One / U.S.A. (Director and Screenwriter: A.V. Rockwell, Producers: Eddie Vaisman, Julia Lebedev, Lena Waithe, Rishi Rajani, Brad Weston) — Convinced it’s one last, necessary crime on the path to redemption, unapologetic and free-spirited Inez kidnaps 6-year-old Terry from the foster care system. Holding on to their secret and each other, mother and son set out to reclaim their sense of home, identity, and stability in New York City. Cast: Teyana Taylor, Will Catlett, Josiah Cross, Aven Courtney, Aaron Kingsley Adetola.
The U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Documentary was presented to Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson for Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project / U.S.A. (Directors and Producers: Joe Brewster, Michèle Stephenson, Producer: Tommy Oliver) — Intimate vérité, archival footage, and visually innovative treatments of poetry take us on a journey through the dreamscape of legendary poet Nikki Giovanni as she reflects on her life and legacy.
The World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic was presented to Charlotte Regan for Scrapper / U.K. (Director and Screenwriter: Charlotte Regan, Producer: Theo Barrowclough) — Georgie is a dreamy 12-year-old girl who lives happily alone in her London flat, filling it with magic. Out of nowhere, her estranged father turns up and forces her to confront reality. Cast: Harris Dickinson, Lola Campbell, Alin Uzun, Ambreen Razia, Olivia Brady, Aylin Tezel.
The World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Documentary was presented to Maite Alberdi for The Eternal Memory / Chile (Director and Producer: Maite Alberdi, Producers: Juan de Dios Larraín, Pablo Larraín, Rocío Jadue) — Augusto and Paulina have been together for 25 years. Eight years ago, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Both fear the day he no longer recognizes her.
A scene from ‘Radical’ from director Chris Zalla (Photo Courtesy of Sundance Institute)
Festival Favorite Award: Selected by audience votes from the feature films that screened at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, the Festival Favorite Award was presented to Radical / U.S.A (Director and Screenwriter: Christopher Zalla, Producers: Ben Odell, Eugenio Derbez, Joshua Davis) — In a Mexican border town plagued by neglect, corruption, and violence, a frustrated teacher tries a radical new method to break through his students’ apathy and unlock their curiosity, their potential… and maybe even their genius. Based on a true story. Cast: Eugenio Derbez, Daniel Haddad, Jenifer Trejo, Mia Fernanda Solis, Danilo Guardiola.
The Audience Award: U.S. Documentary, Presented by Acura was awarded to Beyond Utopia / U.S.A. (Director: Madeleine Gavin, Producers: Jana Edelbaum, Rachel Cohen, Sue Mi Terry) — Hidden camera footage augments this perilous high-stakes journey as we embed with families attempting to escape oppression from North Korea, ultimately revealing a world most of us have never seen.
The Audience Award: U.S. Dramatic, Presented by Acura was awarded to The Persian Version / U.S.A. (Director, Screenwriter, and Producer: Maryam Keshavarz, Producers: Anne Carey, Ben Howe, Luca Borghese, Peter Block, Corey Nelson) — When a large Iranian-American family gathers for the patriarch’s heart transplant, a family secret is uncovered that catapults the estranged mother and daughter into an exploration of the past. Toggling between the United States and Iran over decades, mother and daughter discover they are more alike than they know. Cast: Layla Mohammadi, Niousha Noor, Kamand Shafieisabet, Bella Warda, Bijan Daneshmand, Shervin Alenabi.
The Audience Award: World Cinema Dramatic, Presented by United Airlines was awarded to Shayda / Australia (Director, Screenwriter, and Producer: Noora Niasari, Producer: Vincent Sheehan) — Shayda, a brave Iranian mother, finds refuge in an Australian women’s shelter with her 6-year-old daughter. Over Persian New Year, they take solace in Nowruz rituals and new beginnings, but when her estranged husband re-enters their lives, Shayda’s path to freedom is jeopardized. Cast: Zar Amir Ebrahimi, Osamah Sami, Leah Purcell, Jillian Nguyen, Mojean Aria, Selina Zahednia.
The Audience Award: World Cinema Documentary, Presented by United Airlines was awarded to 20 Days in Mariupol / Ukraine (Director and Producer: Mstyslav Chernov, Producers: Michelle Mizner, Raney Aronson-Rath, Derl McCrudden) — As the Russian invasion begins, a team of Ukrainian journalists trapped in the besieged city of Mariupol struggle to continue their work documenting the war’s atrocities.
The Audience Award: NEXT, Presented by Adobe was awarded to KOKOMO CITY / U.S.A. (Director and Producer: D. Smith, Producers: Harris Doran, Bill Butler) — Four Black transgender sex workers explore the dichotomy between the Black community and themselves while confronting issues long avoided. World Premiere.
The Directing Award: U.S. Documentary was presented to Luke Lorentzen for A Still Small Voice / U.S.A. (Director and Producer: Luke Lorentzen, Producer: Kellen Quinn) — An aspiring hospital chaplain begins a yearlong residency in spiritual care, only to discover that to successfully tend to her patients, she must look deep within herself.
The Directing Award: U.S. Dramatic was presented to Sing J. Lee for The Accidental Getaway Driver / U.S.A. (Director and Screenwriter: Sing J. Lee, Screenwriter: Christopher Chen, Producers: Kimberly Steward, Basil Iwanyk, Andy Sorgie, Brendon Boyea, Joseph Hiếu) — During a routine pickup, an elderly Vietnamese cab driver is taken hostage at gunpoint by three recently escaped Orange County convicts. Based on a true story. Cast: Hiệp Trần Nghĩa, Dustin Nguyen, Dali Benssalah, Phi Vũ, Gabrielle Chan.
The Directing Award: World Cinema Documentary was presented to Anna Hints for Smoke Sauna Sisterhood / Estonia, France, Iceland (Director: Anna Hints, Producer: Marianne Ostrat) — In the darkness of a smoke sauna, women share their innermost secrets and intimate experiences, washing off the shame trapped in their bodies and regaining their strength through a sense of communion.
The Directing Award: World Cinema Dramatic was presented to Marija Kavtaradze for Slow / Lithuania, Spain, Sweden (Director and Screenwriter: Marija Kavtaradze, Producer: Marija Razgute) — Dancer Elena and sign language interpreter Dovydas meet and form a beautiful bond. As they dive into a new relationship, they must navigate how to build their own kind of intimacy. Cast: Greta Grinevičiūtė, Kęstutis Cicėnas.
The Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award: U.S. Dramatic was presented to Maryam Keshavarz for The Persian Version / U.S.A. (Director, Screenwriter, and Producer: Maryam Keshavarz, Producers: Anne Carey, Ben Howe, Luca Borghese, Peter Block, Corey Nelson) — When a large Iranian-American family gathers for the patriarch’s heart transplant, a family secret is uncovered that catapults the estranged mother and daughter into an exploration of the past. Toggling between the United States and Iran over decades, mother and daughter discover they are more alike than they know. Cast: Layla Mohammadi, Niousha Noor, Kamand Shafieisabet, Bella Warda, Bijan Daneshmand, Shervin Alenabi.
The Jonathan Oppenheim Editing Award: U.S. Documentary was presented to Daniela I. Quiroz for Going Varsity in Mariachi / U.S.A. (Directors: Alejandra Vasquez, Sam Osborn, Producers: James Lawler, Luis A. Miranda, Jr., Julia Pontecorvo) — In the competitive world of high school mariachi, the musicians from the South Texas borderlands reign supreme. Under the guidance of coach Abel Acuña, the teenage captains of Edinburg North High School’s acclaimed team must turn a shoestring budget and diverse crew of inexperienced musicians into state champions.
A U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award: Ensemble was presented to the cast of Theater Camp / U.S.A. (Directors and Screenwriters: Molly Gordon, Nick Lieberman, Screenwriters: Noah Galvin, Ben Platt, Producers: Erik Feig, Samie Kim Falvey, Julia Hammer, Ryan Heller, Will Ferrell, Jessica Elbaum) — When the beloved founder of a run-down theater camp in upstate New York falls into a coma, the eccentric staff must band together with the founder’s crypto-bro son to keep the camp afloat. Cast: Molly Gordon, Ben Platt, Noah Galvin, Jimmy Tatro, Patti Harrison, Ayo Edebiri.
A U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award: Creative Vision was presented to the creative team of Magazine Dreams / U.S.A. (Director and Screenwriter: Elijah Bynum, Producers: Jennifer Fox, Dan Gilroy, Jeffrey Soros, Simon Horsman) — An amateur bodybuilder struggles to find human connection as his relentless drive for recognition pushes him to the brink. Cast: Jonathan Majors, Haley Bennett, Taylour Paige, Mike O’Hearn, Harrison Page, Harriet Sansom Harris.
A U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award: Acting was presented to Lio Mehiel for Mutt / U.S.A. (Director, Screenwriter, and Producer: Vuk Lungulov-Klotz, Producers: Alexander Stegmaier, Stephen Scott Scarpulla, Jennifer Kuczaj, Joel Michaely) Jury citation:— Over the course of a single hectic day in New York City, three people from Feña’s past are thrust back into his life. Having lost touch since transitioning from female to male, he navigates the new dynamics of old relationships while tackling the day-to-day challenges of living life in between. Cast: Lío Mehiel, Cole Doman, MiMi Ryder, Alejandro Goic.
A U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award: Clarity of Vision was presented to The Stroll / U.S.A. (Directors: Kristen Lovell, Zackary Drucker, Producer: Matt Wolf) — The history of New York’s Meatpacking District, told from the perspective of transgender sex workers who lived and worked there. Filmmaker Kristen Lovell, who walked “The Stroll” for a decade, reunites her community to recount the violence, policing, homelessness, and gentrification they overcame to build a movement for transgender rights.
A U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award: Freedom of Expression was presented to Bad Press / U.S.A (Directors: Rebecca Landsberry-Baker, Joe Peeler, Producers: Conrad Beilharz, Garrett F. Baker, Tyler Graim) — When the Muscogee Nation suddenly begins censoring its free press, a rogue reporter fights to expose her government’s corruption in a historic battle that will have ramifications for all of Indian country.
A World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award: Creative Vision was presented to Fantastic Machine / Sweden, Denmark (Directors and Producers: Axel Danielson, Maximilien Van Aertryck) — From the first camera to 45 billion cameras worldwide today, the visual sociologist filmmakers widen their lens to expose both humanity’s unique obsession with the camera’s image and the social consequences that lay ahead.
A World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award: Verite Filmmaking was presented to Against the Tide / India (Director and Producer: Sarvnik Kaur, Producer: Koval Bhatia) — Two friends, both Indigenous fishermen, are driven to desperation by a dying sea. Their friendship begins to fracture as they take very different paths to provide for their struggling families.
A World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award: Creative Vision was presented to Sofia Alaoui for Animalia / France, Morocco, Qatar (Director and Screenwriter: Sofia Alaoui, Producers: Margaux Lorier, Toufik Ayadi, Christophe Barral) — A young, pregnant woman finds emancipation as aliens land in Morocco. Cast: Oumaïma Barid, Mehdi Dehbi, Fouad Oughaou.
A World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award: Cinematography was presented to Lílis Soares for Mami Wata / Nigeria (Director and Screenwriter: C.J. “Fiery” Obasi, Producer: Oge Obasi) — When the harmony in a village is threatened by outside elements, two sisters must fight to save their people and restore the glory of a mermaid goddess to the land. Cast: Evelyne Ily, Uzoamaka Aniunoh, Kelechi Udegbe, Emeka Amakeze, Rita Edochie, Tough Bone.
A World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award: Best Performance was presented to Rosa Marchant for When It Melts / Belgium (Director and Screenwriter: Veerle Baetens, Screenwriter: Maarten Loix, Producers: Bart Van Langendonck, Ellen Havenith, Jacques-Henri Bronckart) — Many years after a sweltering summer that spun out of control, Eva returns to the village she grew up in with an ice block in the back of her car. In the dead of winter, she confronts her past and faces up to her tormentors. Cast: Charlotte De Bruyne, Rosa Marchant.
The NEXT Innovator Award presented by Adobe was presented to KOKOMO CITY / U.S.A. (Director and Producer: D. Smith, Producers: Harris Doran, Bill Butler) — Four Black transgender sex workers explore the dichotomy between the Black community and themselves, while confronting issues long avoided.
The Short Film Grand Jury Prize presented by Shutterstock was awarded to When You Left Me On That Boulevard / U.S.A. (Director and Screenwriter: Kayla Abuda Galang, Producers: Alifya Ali, David Oconer, Udoy Rahim, Samantha Skinner) — Teenager Ly and her cousins get high before a boisterous family Thanksgiving at their auntie’s house in southeast San Diego in 2006. Cast: Kailyn Dulay, Melissa Arcaya, Elle Rodriguez, Whitney Agustin, Gina May Gimongala, Allan Wayne Anderson.
The Short Film Jury Award: U.S. Fiction presented by Shutterstock was awarded to Rest Stop / U.S.A. (Director and Screenwriter: Crystal Kayiza, Producers: Jalena Keane-Lee, Brit Fryer) — On a bus ride from New York to Oklahoma, Meyi, a young Ugandan-American girl, realizes her place in the world through her mother’s ambitious effort to reunite their family. Cast: Leeanna E. Tushabe, Alicia Basiima, Khalid Semakula, Robert Wanyama, Margaret Bisase, Olivia Nantongo.
The Short Film Jury Award: International Fiction presented by Shutterstock was awarded to The Kidnapping of the Bride / Germany (Director and Screenwriter: Sophia Mocorrea, Producer: Sarah Valerie Radu) — Luisa from Argentina and Fred from Germany are confronted with their social roles at their wedding. The German tradition of kidnapping the bride shakes the couple’s equality. There is no room for love in this role-play of marriage. Cast: Rai Todoroff, David Bruning, Tatiana Saphir, Anne Kulbatzki, Michaela Winterstein, Niels Bormann.
The Short Film Jury Award: Animation presented by Shutterstock was awarded to The Flying Sailor / Canada (Directors and Producers: Wendy Tilby, Amanda Forbis, Producer: David Christensen) — Two ships collide in a harbor, an explosion shatters a city, and a sailor is blasted skyward, where he soars high above the mayhem and toward the great unknown.
The Short Film Jury Award: Non-Fiction presented by Shutterstock was awarded to Will You Look At Me / China (Director, Screenwriter, and Producer: Shuli Huang) — As a young Chinese filmmaker returns to his hometown in search of himself, a long-overdue conversation with his mother drives them into a quest for acceptance and love.
A Short Film Special Jury Award, International: Directing presented by Shutterstock was awarded to AliEN0089 / Chile (Director and Screenwriter: Valeria Hofmann, Producers: Augusto Matte, Daniela Camino, Pascual Mena) — While a gamer uploads a testimonial video to denounce the harassment she suffers in a video game, a stranger enters her home and hacks her computer, blurring the boundaries between the real and virtual worlds. Cast: Mariana di Girolamo.
A Short Film Special Jury Award, U.S: Directing presented by Shutterstock was awarded to The Vacation / U.S.A. (Director and Screenwriter: Jarreau Carrillo, Producers: Marttise Hill, Julius Pryor) — A Black man attempts to take a vacation. Cast: Drew Harris, Jarreau Carrillo, Ohene Cornelius, Trae Harris.
Kiefer Sutherland admits he’s not feeling well and hasn’t slept for a few days in the opening seconds of Paramount+’s Rabbit Hole teaser trailer. Sutherland’s character John Weir drinks, takes pills, doesn’t trust anyone, and can’t tell the difference between what’s real and what’s not. Deception is reality, and the enemy is everywhere. Sounds intriguing, doesn’t it?
Joining Kiefer Sutherland in the eight-episode season are Charles Dance (Game of Thrones) as Dr. Ben Wilson, Meta Golding (Empire) as Hailey Winton, Enid Graham (Mare of Easttown) as Josephine “Jo” Madi, Jason Butler Harner (Ozark) as Valence, Rob Yang (Succession) as Edward Homm, and Walt Klink (The English) as The Intern.
Paramount+ has set a March 26, 2023 premiere date. The first two episodes will arrive on March 26th, followed by new episodes every Sunday.
This is Us‘ John Requa and Glenn Ficarra write, direct, and serve as executive producers. Sutherland is also executive producing, along with Charlie Gogolak, Suzan Bymel, and Hunt Baldwin.
Paramount+ offered this description of the spy thriller:
“In Rabbit Hole, John Weir (Sutherland), a master of deception in the world of corporate espionage, is framed for murder by powerful forces who have the ability to influence and control populations.”
Actor, producer, and director Joanna Kerns has the honor of directing the first episode of ABC’s A Million Little Things‘ final season. Season four wrapped up in May 2022, and season five episode one – “the last dance” – arrives on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at 10pm ET/PT.
The cast includes David Giuntoli as Eddie Saville, Romany Malco as Rome Howard, Allison Miller as Maggie Bloom, Christina Moses as Regina Howard, Grace Park as Katherine Kim, and James Roday Rodriguez as Gary Mendez. Stephanie Szostak is Delilah Dixon, Tristan Byon is Theo Saville, Lizzy Greene is Sophie Dixon, and Chance Hurstfield is Danny Dixon.
“the last dance” Plot: The family of friends gathers once again to celebrate the life of a loved one who dies unexpectedly. Meanwhile, Katherine shows Maggie the secret to registering for baby gifts, and Rome supports his father through a difficult transition.
Christina Moses, Joanna Kerns, and DJ Nash on the set of ‘A Million Little Things’ season 5 episode 1 (ABC/Sergei Bachlakov)
The Season 5 Plot:
As Rome Howard says, “Life isn’t just about the moments, it’s about who you share them with.” And as the fifth and final season of the beloved ABC drama series A Million Little Things unfolds, we’ll watch through laughter and tears as we bring this incredible journey to its conclusion. Along the way, we’ll explore the depths of friendship, love, and sorrow as we bid this special family of friends goodbye, once again proving that friendship really is a million little things.
David Giuntoli, Cameron Esposito, Grace Park, Christina Moses, Allison Miller, Romany Malco, Lizzy Green, and Chance Hurstfield in ‘A Million Little Things’ season 5 episode 1 (ABC/Sergei Bachlakov)Christina Moses and Romany Malco in season 5 episode 1 (ABC/Sergei Bachlakov)Allison Miller and Grace Park in season 5 episode 1 (ABC/Sergei Bachlakov)Chance Hurstfield in season 5 episode 1 (ABC/Sergei Bachlakov)Cameron Esposito and Grace Park in season 5 episode 1 (ABC/Sergei Bachlakov)Romany Malco, Allison Miller, Lizzy Greene, David Giuntoli, Chance Hurstfield, Grace Park, Christina Moses, and Cameron Esposito (ABC/Sergei Bachlakov)
Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal in ‘The Last of Us’ season 1 episode 3 (Photograph by Liane Hentscher/HBO)
HBO snags the title for the “least surprising news” announcement of 2023. Granted, the year is young. The network confirmed The Last of Us starring Pedro Pascal (The Mandalorian) and Bella Ramsey (Game of Thrones) has been renewed for a second season. Are you surprised? No? Neither are the 22 million viewers who’ve checked out episode one.
The Last of Us debuted to the second-largest audience, with only House of the Dragon drawing in more eyeballs.
“I’m so grateful to Neil Druckmann and HBO for our partnership, and I’m even more grateful to the millions of people who have joined us on this journey,” said executive producer and co-creator Craig Mazin. “The audience has given us the chance to continue, and as a fan of the characters and world Neil (Druckmann, co-creator) and Naughty Dog created, I couldn’t be more ready to dive back in.”
The series pulled off an impressive stunt by increasing its viewership by 22% for episode two. According to HBO, that growth is the highest of any HBO original drama in the network’s history.
“Craig and Neil, alongside EP Carolyn Strauss, and the rest of our phenomenal cast and crew, have defined a genre with their masterful debut season of The Last of Us,” said Francesca Orsi, Executive Vice President, HBO Programming, Head of HBO Drama Series and Films. “After pulling off this unforgettable first season, I can’t wait to watch this team outshine themselves again with season two.”
The sci-fi action-adventure series is based on Naughty Dog’s video game developed for Playstation. Mazin and Druckmann serve as writers and executive producers. Additional executive producers include Carolyn Strauss, Evan Wells, Asad Qizilbash, Carter Swan, and Rose Lam.
“I’m humbled, honored, and frankly overwhelmed that so many people have tuned in and connected with our retelling of Joel and Ellie’s journey. The collaboration with Craig Mazin, our incredible cast & crew, and HBO exceeded my already high expectations,” said executive producer Neil Druckmann. “Now we have the absolute pleasure of being able to do it again with season two! On behalf of everyone at Naughty Dog & PlayStation, thank you!”
In addition to Pascal as Joel and Bella Ramsey as Ellie, season one’s cast includes Gabriel Luna as Tommy, Anna Torv as Tess, Nico Parker as Sarah, Murray Bartlett as Frank, Nick Offerman as Bill, Melanie Lynskey as Kathleen, and Storm Reid as Riley. Merle Dandridge is Marlene, Jeffrey Pierce is Perry, Lamar Johnson is Henry, Keivonn Woodard is Sam, Graham Greene is Marlon, and Elaine Miles is Florence.
The nine-episode first season premiered on Sunday, January 15, 2023 at 9pm ET/PT. The season finale is set for March 12th.
The Plot: The Last of Us takes place 20 years after modern civilization has been destroyed. Joel, a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie, a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone. What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal and heartbreaking journey as they both must traverse the U.S. and depend on each other for survival.
NBC’s Quantum Leap returns from its three-week break with season one episode 11, “Leap. Die. Repeat.” Episode 11, airing on Monday, January 30, 2023 at 10pm ET/PT, will find Ben dealing with a time loop.
The sequel stars Raymond Lee (Kevin Can F**k Himself) as physicist Ben Song and Caitlin Bassett as Addison. Ernie Hudson (The Family Business) plays Herbert “Magic” Williams, Mason Alexander Park (The Sandman) is Ian Wright, and Nanrisa Lee (First Love) plays Jenn Chou.
“Leap. Die. Repeat.” Plot: When Ben leaps into one of five people in an elevator at a 1962 nuclear reactor, he must figure which one triggers a bomb that kills them all. Each time the bomb goes off, he leaps into another one of them an hour earlier and the scene resets on a loop.
Caitlin Bassett as Addison and Raymond Lee as Dr. Ben Song in ‘Quantum Leap’ season 1 episode 11 (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)
Season One Synopsis:
It’s been nearly 30 years since Dr. Sam Beckett stepped into the Quantum Leap accelerator and vanished. Now, a new team, led by physicist Ben Song (Lee), has been assembled to restart the project in hope of understanding the mysteries behind the machine and the man who created it.
Everything changes, however, when Ben makes an unauthorized leap into the past, leaving the team behind to solve the mystery of why he did it. At Ben’s side throughout his leaps is Addison (Bassett), who appears in the form of a hologram only Ben can see and hear. She’s a decorated Army veteran who brings level-headed precision to her job.
At the helm of the highly confidential operation is Herbert “Magic” Williams (Hudson), a no-nonsense career military man who has to answer to his bosses who won’t be happy once they learn about the breach of protocol. The rest of the team at headquarters includes Ian Wright (Park), who runs the Artificial Intelligence unit “Ziggy,” and Jenn Chou (Lee), who heads up digital security for the project.
As Ben leaps from life to life, putting right what once went wrong, it becomes clear that he and the team are on a thrilling journey. However, Addison, Magic, Ian and Jenn know that if they are going to solve the mystery of Ben’s leap and bring him home, they must act fast or lose him forever.
Raymond Lee as Dr. Ben Song, Caitlin Bassett as Addison, and Highdee Kuan as Mallory Yang in episode 11 (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)Caitlin Bassett as Addison and Raymond Lee as Dr. Ben Song in episode 11 (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)Raymond Lee as Dr. Ben Song and Caitlin Bassett as Addison in episode 11 (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)Ernie Hudson as Magic and Georgina Reilly as Janis Calavicci in episode 11 (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)Robert Picardo as Dr. Edwin Woolsey, Highdee Kuan as Mallory Yang, Mike Wade as Moe Murphy, Raymond Lee as Dr. Ben Song, and Joseph Dinicol as Eugene H Wagner in episode 11 (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)Raymond Lee as Dr. Ben Song in season 1 episode 11 (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)Raymond Lee as Dr. Ben Song in episode 11 (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)
Toni Collette and John Leguizamo in ‘The Power’ (Photo Courtesy of Prime Video)
Prime Video has released the first batch of photos from the upcoming drama series The Power starring Oscar-nominee Toni Collette (The Sixth Sense). Described as an emotionally driven global thriller, The Power will premiere on March 31, 2023.
In addition to Toni Collette as Mayor Margot Cleary-Lopez, the cast includes John Leguizamo as Rob Lopez, Auli’i Cravalho as Jos Cleary-Lopez, Toheeb Jimoh as Tunde Ojo, and Josh Charles as Daniel Dandon. Eddie Marsan stars as Bernie Monke, Ria Zmitrowicz is Roxy Monke, Zrinka Cvitešić is Tatiana Moskalev, and Halle Bush is Allie Montgomery.
The Amazon Studios and SISTER production is based on the award-winning novel by Naomi Alderman, with Raelle Tucker (True Blood) serving as showrunner.
Prime Video offered this description of The Power:
“The Power is our world, but for one twist of nature. Suddenly, and without warning, teenage girls develop the power to electrocute people at will. The series features a cast of remarkable characters from London to Seattle, Nigeria to Eastern Europe, as the Power evolves from a tingle in teenagers’ collarbones to a complete reversal of the power balance of the world.”
Toni Collette as Margot Cleary-Lopez (Photo Credit: Prime Video)Auli’i Cravalho as Jos Clearly-Lopez (Photo Credit: Prime Video)Zrinka Cvitešić as Tatiana (Photo Credit: Prime Video)Toheeb Jimoh as Tunde Ojo (Photo Credit: Prime Video)Ria Zmitrowicz as Roxy Monke (Photo Credit: Prime Video)Josh Charles as Governor Daniel Dandon (Photo Credit: Prime Video)John Leguizamo as Rob Lopez (Photo Credit: Prime Video)Halle Bush as Allie (Photo Credit: Prime Video)
NBC is celebrating the life of the incredible artist who’s brought joy to millions with Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love. The two-hour special event featuring dozens of Burnett’s famous friends and fans will air on April 26, 2023 at 8pm ET/PT.
“I’m so excited NBC decided to throw me a birthday party and invited all of my closest friends,” said Carol Burnett. “I can’t wait to look back at so many wonderful moments throughout my career, I feel so lucky to share this night with everyone.”
The career retrospective will include musical performances by Bernadette Peters, Billy Porter, Jane Lynch, Katy Perry, and Kristin Chenoweth.
“It’s hard to imagine anyone in television more beloved than Carol Burnett,” said Jen Neal, Executive Vice President, Live Events and Specials, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. “To throw this wonderful birthday celebration is clearly our honor, and we can’t wait to share the love that we all have for her with all her adoring fans.”
Aileen Quinn, Amy Poehler, Bill Hader, Bob Mackie, Cher, Ellen DeGeneres, Julie Andrews, Kristen Wiig, Laura Dern, Lily Tomlin, and Marisa Tomei will join the celebration. Sofia Vergara, Steve Carell, Susan Lucci, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Vicki Lawrence are also on board to help Burnett celebrate.
Carol Burnett, Brian Miller, Steve Sauer, and Paul Miller are executive producing along with Baz Halpin, Mark Bracco & Linda Gierahn of Silent House Productions.
“This special is going to be the best party ever,” said Bracco. “It will be an evening of music, comedy, and dozens of big stars paying tribute to the one and only Carol Burnett. We look forward to everyone at home celebrating right along with us.”
‘Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love’ (Photo by: Chris Haston/NBC)
NBC’s Description of the Special:
The special will share some of the funniest and most memorable moments of Burnett’s legendary career. From her Broadway debut in Once Upon a Mattress, her early appearances on The Garry Moore Show, her hit films The Four Seasons, A Wedding, Pete ‘n’ Tillie, her iconic role as Miss Hannigan in Annie, to her acclaimed sketch comedy series The Carol Burnett Show, which ran for 11 seasons on CBS and played an instrumental role in the evolution of comedy.
The musical tributes will pay homage to Carol’s renowned career performances, including: “Old Friends,” dedicated to Carol’s 60-year friendship with Julie Andrews; “Only an Octave Apart,” which Carol sang alongside Beverly Sills in the 1976 television special Sills and Burnett at the Met; Carol’s memorable songs from the hit film Annie; and a tribute to her classic theme song, “I’m So Glad We Had This Time Together” from The Carol Burnett Show.
Fox just announced early pickups for three shows that are part of their Animation Domination block – The Simpsons, Family Guy, and Bob’s Burgers. The network has given the three shows two-season renewal orders.
The renewal will take The Simpsons through at least seasons 35 and 36 … just let that sink in … extending its record as the longest-running scripted series in history. Family Guy is now renewed through seasons 22 and 23. And Bob’s Burgers will stick around for seasons 14 and 15.
“With this trio of renewals, we celebrate excellence in animation on FOX, our wonderful, long-time partnership with 20th Television and the brilliant creators and incredible voices behind these forever favorites,” stated Michael Thorn, President, Scripted Programming for FOX Entertainment. “Three-plus decades of The Simpsons, more than two decades of Family Guy, and over a decade of Bob’s Burgers proves the enduring power of the animation genre on our network and the infinite fan affinity for these outrageously funny comedy classics.”
According to Fox, The Simpsons, Family Guy, and Bob’s Burgers rank in the Top 10 among comedies in the 2022-23 season.
“Across 750 episodes of The Simpsons, 400 episodes of Family Guy, and 250 episodes of Bob’s Burgers, we couldn’t be more proud to continue delivering these three animated hits with the most brilliant teams in animation. Our relationship with FOX over the past three decades has allowed this trio of shows to thrive, grow and deliver immeasurable moments of hilarious and irreverent entertainment for fans, and we are absolutely thrilled that FOX is doubling down on each of these iconic shows,” said Marci Proietto, EVP of 20th Television Animation.
