The cast of Netflix’s ‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’
The Knives Out sequel, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, will premiere on Netflix on December 23, 2022. The film will also have a run in select theaters, with that release date to be announced soon.
The December date announcement was accompanied by two new photos from the sequel written, directed, and produced by Rian Johnson.
Knives Out premiered on November 27, 2019 and starred Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Toni Collette, and Don Johnson. The cast also included Michael Shannon, LaKeith Stanfield, Katherine Langford, Jaeden Martell, Noah Segan, Edi Patterson, Riki Lindhome, and Christopher Plummer.
Glass Onion will star Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Jessica Henwick, Madelyn Cline, Kate Hudson, and Dave Bautista.
Netflix’s description of the sequel: “If Knives Out was about the murderous ties of flesh and blood, Glass Onion makes a good case for being just as wary of one’s closest friends. When a tech billionaire Miles Bron (Norton) invites some of his nearest and dearest for a getaway on his private Greek island, it soon becomes clear that all is not perfect in paradise. And when someone turns up dead, well, who better than Blanc to peel back the layers of intrigue?”
Behind the scenes of Netflix’s ‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’
In an interview with Netflix’s TUDUM, Rian Johnson discussed the expanded role of Daniel Craig’s character, detective Benoit Blanc.
“You definitely get to know him a little bit better,” explained Johnson. “In the first one, because of the way it was structured, Marta, Ana de Armas’ character, was very much the protagonist. In a big way, Blanc was the threat. He was almost the antagonist in terms of just the story structure, because you were worried, even as they got closer, that he was going to catch her and he was going to have to turn her over at the end. So Blanc was always outside of the sphere of our protagonist and was a little bit more of an enigma in the first movie. Whereas, in this one, Blanc gets an invitation to come to this murder mystery on this island. We’re very much meeting these people and getting into this world through his eyes.”
Markella Kavenagh, Sara Zwangobani, Dylan Smith, and Megan Richards in Prime Video’s ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’
Prime Video’s much-anticipated The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power made its San Diego Comic-Con debut on July 22, 2022, bringing 21 cast members – plus series creators/showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay – to the Hall H stage. The panel was moderated by Tolkien superfan Stephen Colbert and included the debut of clips and the official trailer, as well as details on what viewers can expect when they tune in on September 2nd.
The series takes place in the Second Age of Middle-earth, thousands of years before the events that transpired in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. The epic fantasy features some familiar characters from Tolkien’s writings, along with new characters created just for the show. Among the new characters is Isildur’s sister Eärien, played by Ema Horvath. And while Hobbits weren’t around during the Second Age, their ancestors the Harfoots are represented by new characters including Marigold Brandyfoot, played by Sara Zwangobani.
In addition to the packed Hall H panel, the cast of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power participated in red carpet interviews. Here’s what Ema Horvath and Sara Zwangobani had to say about their journeys to Middle-earth.
Ema Horvath Interview – “Eärien”
What did they tell you about your character to prepare you for the role?
Ema Horvath: “Just the scripts, really, and the relationship is pretty clear between her, Isildur, and her father. I spend most of my time hanging out with both of them and building the character that way.”
Was there something about her you really latched onto?
Ema Horvath: “She’s quite risk averse which I myself am in contrast to Maxim (Baldry) who loves taking risks. She’s kind of a thinker; she spends a lot of time thinking and drawing. I’m definitely more of a thinker than a doer so, yeah, that was my in.”
I heard this isn’t actually your first time digging into Middle-earth.
Ema Horvath: “No, it’s not. When I was 10, I played a dwarf in a musical production of The Hobbit.”
But you’re not a dwarf in this.
Ema Horvath: “I’m super-human. I’m Númenórean.”
What can you tell us about your character?
Ema Horvath: “She’s Isildur’s sister, the baby of the family. She’s an aspiring architect. She draws a lot. She is kind of overlooked by her father which leaves her kind of vulnerable to attention from other sources. And she’s quite smart, but she doesn’t really know it.”
She doesn’t really know it?
Ema Horvath: “Yeah, she’s quite insecure. And she’s on the cusp of womanhood so she’s still in that naïve sort of ‘do people really like me? Am I worthy’ stage of life, you know?”
Why is she going to be a fan favorite?
Ema Horvath: “Oh, I hope she is. I think she’s quite human in the sense of like when you feel like you haven’t been quite recognized or noticed for your efforts. I think that’s quite a human emotion. How she deals with it…we’ll see if fans like or love that or don’t like it.”
What’s it like walking into Comic-Con and seeing this finished version on a massive screen?
Ema Horvath: “I mean, it’s insane. It’s insane. I mean, we were told stories of Hall H and stuff, but it’s not until you are there you are like, ‘Whoa, okay.’ And to watch it – we were sitting backstage when they were showing clips and stuff and the reverb from backstage is so loud.”
And what was it like walking onto the set?
Ema Horvath: “Oh, it’s awesome. Well, Númenor has never been seen before. It’s like Tolkien’s Atlantis. It’s this incredible civilization and they built the whole city… Well, not the whole city but several blocks of it with little alleyways and stuff. It’s awesome. And if you know the lore there’s this little alleyway and I don’t even know if it’s on screen, but they have graffitied Númenórean writing over Elvish. So if you know the story, it’s a very beautiful detail.
And there’s like a bird poop guy making bird poop, yeah. There’s so many craftsmen on the set. It’s awesome.”
There’s actually a dedicated bird poop guy?
Ema Horvath: “I remember walking (on set) and was like, ‘What’s that guy’s job?’ They’re like, ‘Bird poop.’”
Do you think people need to know anything about Lord of the Rings to understand this?
Ema Horvath: “I don’t think so. I mean, obviously, there’s things that might be interesting, that might have a level of context that some people don’t get. But the stories and the relationships themselves I think are compelling enough on their own.”
With a show like this are you a binge-watcher or a week-to-weeker?
Ema Horvath: “I’m a binge-watcher, but I think this week-to-week which is good. Drip feed it to the world.”
Sara Zwangobani Interview – “Marigold Brandyfoot”
What was it like stepping onto these sets and did they tell you everything about your character before you started?
Sara Zwangobani: “No, because I got the call three days before I was due to arrive in New Zealand, and then I was on set two weeks later. So they tried to give me a massive crash course in my character. I mean, yes, it’s not like they were holding that back, but it was all very, very sudden. So, I did discover a lot on the job.
I will say though when I first landed in New Zealand the very first thing I got to do was go with Kate Hawley who built the world, the costumes, the design, and she took me into this room that was like this amazing…it was like a museum to all things Tolkien and to all the worlds that you will see when you see the show. And that was…I mean, I didn’t want to leave. It was incredible.
So even though it was a whirlwind for me, straightway I went, ‘Oh, this is phenomenal. I can see what this is going to be.’ And I’m a fantasy fan so it spoke to me quite directly. So even with that much notice, I just was like, ‘I’m there.’”
As a fantasy fan, why do you think the works of Tolkien have endured so well for such a long time?
Sara Zwangobani: “Well, I think there’s a lot of answers to that question and a lot of layers. Part of it is his world-building. Part of it is his passion for history and his passion of language. And the battle of good and evil. But I ultimately think it’s because it’s about friendship and loyalty and love. It’s about finding within ourselves to overcome that which is dark within us in order to be better and do better. We see that in his work over and over. And the poetry of it, I think, speaks to us all.”
What spoke to you about the character?
Sara Zwangobani: “She’s a mom. She’s a matriarch which I am not but I aspire to be one day. She’s passionate about her family. She is filled with love for her family, but also she’s surrounded by love from her family. And Harfoots – I mean, I can’t wait for you to see them, their love and laughter and light. They have been through some stuff though, so we see that in them as well. But yeah, I’m not even sure where Marigold and Sara begin and end. I’ve been with them for so long.”
But a Harfoot should not be confused with a Hobbit.
Sara Zwangobani: “No. A Harfoot should not be confused with a Hobbit. We are their ancestors. You will see sparks of the Hobbits within us, but we have lived a different experience.”
Is living a different experience what sets them apart? Are they very similar?
Sara Zwangobani: “I think it is what sets them apart, actually. I mean, of course, you will see some remnants and energies and all that kind of thing. But I think the experiences is what sets them apart. The Harfoots have been through quite a lot when we first meet them, and I think that’s really the essence in the difference. But you will definitely feel familiarity.”
What’s going to make everybody love your character? Why is she going to become a fan favorite?
Sara Zwangobani: “That’s a really good question. I think because despite the fact that she’s a bit of a hardass, she has a twinkle in her eye the whole time and I think that people will see that. I think that they will see underneath it all that she’s a bit of a softy. And I think they will see how much she loves her family and her world.”
Poster of Ema Horvath as Earien in Prime Video’s ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’
Prime Video’s released the following description of season one:
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power brings to screens for the very first time the heroic legends of the fabled Second Age of Middle-earth’s history. This epic drama is set thousands of years before the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings books, and will take viewers back to an era in which great powers were forged, kingdoms rose to glory and fell to ruin, unlikely heroes were tested, hope hung by the finest of threads, and one of the greatest villains that ever flowed from Tolkien’s pen threatened to cover all the world in darkness.
Beginning in a time of relative peace, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared reemergence of evil to Middle-earth. From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of the elf capital of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, to the farthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone.
Paddy Considine and Sian Brooke in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 1 episode 1 (Photo by Ollie Upton / HBO)
HBO’s much-anticipated Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon, begins with a voiceover explaining that the first century of the Targaryen reign is closing and King Jaehaerys Targaryen’s health is fading. Still, their House maintains complete control of the kingdom thanks to 10 powerful, adult dragons.
His sons have died and Jaehaerys believes the only thing that can tear down House Targaryen is House Targaryen. And so, in the year 101 he calls a great council to Harrenhal to choose an heir.
14 claims have been submitted but only two are considered: Princess Rhaenys Targaryen and Prince Viserys Targaryen, the king’s oldest male heir. The lords name Viserys (Paddy Considine) as king, and the woman who deserved it is passed over.
The story picks up during the ninth year of King Viserys I’s reign. It’s also noted this is 172 years before the birth of Mad King Aerys’ daughter, Princess Daenerys.
(This is a recap so there are spoilers ahead! Consider yourself warned.)
A dragon soars, swooping through the clouds and flying over the city. Not a soul looks up; dragons are a common sight during this period. Princess Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) jumps off her dragon, Syrax, and is welcomed by Ser Harrold Westerling (Graham McTavish) and Alicent Hightower (Emily Carey). It’s obvious Ser Harrold and Alicent don’t share Rhaenyra’s fondness for dragons as suitable transportation.
(Princess Rhaenyra is King Viserys’ daughter, Alicent Hightower is the Hand of the King’s daughter, and Ser Harrold has served in the Kingsguard for decades.)
Rhaenyra’s mother, Aemma Targaryen (Sian Brooke), is far along in her pregnancy and chides her daughter for being reckless. Aemma’s worried Rhaenyra will get hurt, but Rhaenyra would rather be a knight than a wife and loves the thrill of dragon riding.
“The child bed is our battlefield,” says Aemma. “We must learn to face it with a stiff lip.”
Steve Toussaint, Rhys Ifans, Milly Alcock, and Paddy Considine in ‘House of the Dragon’ episode 1 (Photo by Ollie Upton / HBO)
King Viserys’ council meets and Lord Corlys “The Sea Snake” Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) warns that the Free Cities are conspiring and have gathered at Bloodstone. Calling themselves the Triarchy, they’re killing off pirates in the Stepstones. The group is led by Craghas Drahar, nicknamed the Crabfeeder.
Lord Coryls’ report is interrupted by Princess Rhaenyra’s arrival as the king’s cupbearer. The talk turns to Prince Daemon and his continuing absence from the council. Lord Lyman Beesbury (Bill Paterson), Master of Coin, wants him to attend the meetings, but King Viserys points out Daemon’s kept busy as Commander of the City Watch. There’s also talk about the large amount of funds Daemon requests for the Watch.
Sir Otto Hightower, Hand of the King (Rhys Ifans), changes the subject to the Heir’s Tournament. Plans are moving forward and Grand Maester Mellos (David Horovitch) believes his forecast for the date of the heir’s birth Is still accurate. Lord Beesbury points out the tournament’s a costly event and suggests it be delayed until after the child’s actually born. King Viserys doesn’t agree and predicts the child will be born on the last days of the planned week-long tournament.
King Viserys is certain he’ll be blessed with a son this time.
What we’ve learned thus far about King Viserys is that he has a good sense of humor and genuinely loves his wife and daughter. He’s convinced his male heir will sit on the throne when he’s gone.
Matt Smith and Milly Alcock in ‘House of the Dragon’ episode 1 (Photograph by Ollie Upton / HBO)
Rhaenyra meets in private with her uncle, Prince Daemon (Matt Smith), who’s seated on the Iron Throne. He insists it will be his one day and Rhaenyra reminds him he could be killed for treason with such thoughts. He dislikes court and doesn’t regret missing council meetings.
It’s apparent they share a special bond, and Daemon presents her with a necklace made of Valyrian steel. He places it around her neck and says, “Now you and I both own a small piece of ancestry.”
Alicent helps Rhaenyra study history, and Rhaenyra confesses she hopes her father gets what he’s always wanted—a son. All she wants to do is explore and ride dragons. Oh, and eat only cake.
The King has an abscess that’s worrying his attendants, and he blames the wound on the Iron Throne. Grand Maester Mellos suggests it be cauterized and Otto Hightower reminds him that it needs to be kept secret.
King Viserys visits his beloved wife in her tepid bath, the only place she finds comfort. He’s convinced their baby is a boy, revealing he had a dream of their son being born wearing Aegon’s iron crown. In the dream, he placed their son on the Iron Throne to the accompaniment of bells ringing and dragons roaring.
Aemma confesses she cannot do this again. She’s suffered multiple miscarriages and stillbirths, and this pregnancy has taken its toll on her body more so than any of the others. Aemma apologizes for not providing him an heir but reveals she’s mourned all their dead children and will not go through this again.
Prince Daemon assembles the gold-cloaked members of the City Watch, which, under his command, has gone from a group of disorganized scoundrels to a well-oiled – and ruthless – enforcement machine. King’s Landing has become riddled with thieves and other lawbreakers, and he turns the Watch loose on the city.
“Beginning tonight, King’s Landing will learn to fear the color gold,” declares Daemon.
They take advantage of their commander’s penchant for violence and brutally attack anyone they believe to be a criminal. Hands of thieves are chopped off, rapists lose their penises, and those accused of murder lose their heads – courtesy of Prince Daemon’s sword, Dark Sister. By the time they’re finished, a cart full of body parts is removed from the city.
The following morning Otto Hightower fills King Viserys in on Daemon’s raid. They’re still discussing the raid when they enter the council chambers and find Prince Daemon has, for once, joined them. The tension’s palpable between Otto Hightower and Prince Daemon, and while Otto believes the Watch needs to be more restrained, Daemon suggests they were simply enforcing the Crown’s laws.
Prince Daemon explains the city is currently lawless and terrifying, and King Viserys agrees it needs to be made safe. “I just hope you don’t have to maim half of my city to achieve it,” says Viserys.
Daemon replies, “Time will tell.”
Lord Corlys appears to agree with Prince Daemon, and Otto Hightower – who’s on the losing side of this argument – brings up that Daemon’s been absent too long from the Vale and his wife. Daemon doesn’t love his wife and points out that in the Vale, the sheep are better looking than the women.
(Prince Daemon is married to Lady Rhea Royce, heir to Runestone and the head of House Royce.)
King Viserys attempts to play peacemaker, reminding Otto that Daemon has a history of provoking him for sport. Daemon leaves after a warning about his behavior, and once he’s gone, King Viserys concedes the City Watch might be a good thing.
Prince Daemon demonstrates his lust for sex is as strong as his lust for power and blood by spending time in a brothel. He’s preoccupied and has a difficult time finishing, and his lover Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno) soothes him by stroking his vanity.
Matt Smith in ‘House of the Dragon’ episode 1 (Photo by Ollie Upton / HBO)
The day of the Heir’s Tournament arrives and the jousting begins. King Viserys welcomes the massive crowd and announces that his wife has begun her labor.
Rhaenyra and Alicent have front-row seats and cheer as knights are knocked from their horses. They also gossip about who’s having sex with who, but then a mysterious knight catches their attention. His name is Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) and he’s of Dornish descent. His skills are impressive, and he manages to unseat better-known knights.
(Ser Criston is the common-born son of the steward to the Lord of Blackhaven.)
A Baratheon knight asks for the favor of The Queen Who Never Was – Lord Corlys’ wife, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen. He receives it but still loses to Ser Criston Cole.
Prince Daemon is next to enter the arena and chooses to compete against the eldest son of Otto Hightower. Hightower gets in the first hit, but Prince Daemon aims for the horse’s legs and unseats him in the second pass.
Prince Daemon rides over to the stands and asks for Lady Alicent’s favor. After glancing at her father, she obliges with a crown of flowers.
King Viserys is summoned to his wife’s side and receives the devastating news the baby is breach. Aemma’s doing her best to deliver the baby and has been given Milk of the Poppy for the pain. She’s barely able to talk between screams, and King Viserys is forced to choose between the life of his wife or his unborn child. King Viserys, still certain his son will be crowned king, chooses the baby.
Aemma’s arms and legs are held and she’s absolutely terrified when she realizes their plan is to cut the child from her womb. She remains conscious as the deep incision is made and her blood soaks the sheets. She passes away without holding the baby who took her life.
While Aemma’s taking her last breaths, war has broken out on the field. It’s no longer a friendly competition and some knights are gravely injured.
Eve Best and Steve Toussaint in ‘House of the Dragon’ episode 1 (Photo by Ollie Upton / HBO)
Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys reflect on the state of things, suggesting this bloody tournament might not be the appropriate way to welcome an heir to the world. None of these knights have known real war, and Princess Rhaenys says it’s a marvel that war didn’t break out on the field at first blood.
The tournament resumes and it’s now come down to Prince Daemon and Ser Criston. Prince Daemon gets in the first hit, but ultimately, it’s Ser Criston who unseats the Commander of the Watch. Daemon doesn’t give up and demands his sword, while Criston’s weapon of choice is a mace.
It’s a fierce battle and the upper hand switches multiple times. However, Ser Criston emerges victorious and asks for Princess Rhaenyra’s favor which he receives. (Daemon is not a gracious loser.)
Unfortunately for King Viserys, his son lasts only a matter of minutes before also passing away.
Aemma and her baby, Baelon, are wrapped and placed on a funeral pyre. King Viserys looks beaten as he stands in silence, surrounded by his people.
Prince Daemon whispers to Princess Rhaenyra that the people are waiting for her, and she wonders if her father found happiness in those few minutes his male heir was alive. Daemon reminds her that Viserys needs her now more than ever.
Princess Rhaenyra approaches the pyre, looks at her father who doesn’t meet her eyes, and then says, “Dracarys.” Her dragon, Syrax, responds to the command and lights the pyre on fire.
The council assembles and Otto Hightower believes it’s urgent they name the King’s successor. Others argue the precedent is set and the heir is Prince Daemon. However, both Grand Maester Mellos and Otto think that would be a horrible mistake, given Daemon’s history and personality.
King Viserys reminds Otto it was his suggestion that Daemon be named Commander of the Watch. Otto admits he believes Daemon should be kept far away from the seat of power. King Viserys vehemently disagrees, assuring everyone his brother will have a place at court.
As it’s suggested by Grand Maester Mellos that Daemon could murder the King to take the crown, we’re shown Daemon is hiding nearby, eavesdropping on this entire discussion.
Viserys doesn’t believe Daemon even wants the throne and Daemon smirks. Viserys is wrong.
Otto Hightower believes Princess Rhaenyra could be named heir and that it’s only history, not the law, that says a Queen can’t sit on the Iron Throne. Lord Lyonel Strong (Gavin Spokes), Master of Laws, warns that might throw the kingdom into disarray.
Otto Hightower is certain Daemon would be a second Maegor, and King Viserys needs to protect the realm from him.
“I will not be made to choose between my brother and my daughter!” says King Viserys.
The argument continues and King Viserys has had enough. He storms out of the council meeting without naming an heir.
Otto has a raven sent to Oldtown with a secret message. He then suggests to his daughter, Alicent, that she get close to King Viserys. He wants her to go to the King in his chambers and offer him comfort. Otto goes a step further and suggests she should wear one of her mother’s dresses for the visit.
Alicent does what she’s told and finds King Viserys polishing a ring and working on a large sculpture of Valyria. She brought a book and explains she just wanted to look in on him. Alicent reveals that when her mother died all she wanted was for someone to say they were sorry.
“I’m very sorry, Your Grace,” says Alicent.
Prince Daemon and the men of the Watch have rented out a brothel, and the drinking and whoring momentarily ceases when Daemon’s asked to give a speech.
The following day Otto Hightower reports to the King and the council about the prior evening’s activities. During his speech, Daemon toasted Viserys’ dead son and called him “the heir for a day.” Otto also adds the evening was a celebration, which is an insult to Viserys’ wife and deceased baby.
Prince Daemon is summoned before King Viserys who’s seated on the Iron Throne. Viserys demands to know if Daemon actually said “the heir for a day,” and Daemon says each person mourns in their own way. Viserys is enraged, accusing Daemon of laughing and celebrating with whores rather than being with family and mourning the deaths.
“You chose to celebrate your own rise, laughing with your whores and your lickspittles!” screams King Viserys.
The brothers argue, each accusing the other of mistreatment and neglect. They share dragon blood but aren’t close, and Viserys has sent Daemon away for the past 10 years – anything to keep him from King’s Landing.
Daemon calls Otto a c*nt while Viserys views him as unwavering and loyal. “He doesn’t protect you – I would,” counters Daemon. When Viserys asks from what, Daemon replies, “Yourself,” and calls his brother weak.
King Viserys announces he’s naming a new heir and banishes Daemon from King’s Landing. He’s ordered to return to his wife in the Vale.
Paddy Considine and Milly Alcock in ‘House of the Dragon’ episode 1 (Photograph by Ollie Upton / HBO)
Later, Viserys and Rhaenyra have a private chat in front of the skeleton of the great dragon, Balerion. He asks what she sees when she looks upon a dragon and she answers, “I suppose I see us.”
Rhaenyra thinks without the dragons, Targaryens are just like everyone else. Viserys confesses he believes the Targaryens don’t control the dragons and thinks they are a power that shouldn’t have been trifled with. Any Targaryen king – or queen – must understand this. He apologizes for wasting years wanting a son.
King Viserys believes Rhaenyra could be a great ruler and was made to wear the crown. Viserys also shares a secret long held by their family. Dreams have often guided them and Aegon foresaw that the end of men would begin with a terrible winter out of the North. Whatever dwelled within the winds would destroy the world of the living.
When winter comes, all of Westeros must stand united against it. For that to happen, a Targaryen must be on the Iron Throne. Aegon called his dream The Song of Ice and Fire, and now she must carry this secret and protect it.
While Prince Daemon and Mysaria take to the air on Caraxes, lords of the various Houses, as well as King Viserys’ council, pledge their loyalty to Viserys and his named heir, Princess Rhaenyra.
Milly Alcock and Paddy Considine in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 1 episode 1 (Photo by Ollie Upton / HBO)
House of the Dragon focuses exclusively on House Targaryen and as we see in episode one, there’s enough backstabbing, jealousy, and even actual love, to warrant following this particular House of fair-haired dragon riders.
Prince Daemon appears to be a slightly more twisted version of Jaime Lannister. And speaking of Jaime, the Targaryens’ history of incest is clearly not just the standard for past generations. Aemma’s multiple failed pregnancies and Daemon’s attraction to his niece hint there’s a disturbing amount of inbreeding still going on. So, yes, there’s that factor to deal with once again.
King Viserys begins episode one as a decent, good-humored ruler with a sincere desire to follow in King Jaehaerys’ footsteps and maintain a peaceful kingdom. He’s even, initially, capable of tolerating his brother, even though his trusted advisors Otto Hightower and Grand Maester Mellos warn him Daemon has his sights set on the Iron Throne.
Although women are considered lesser during this era, Princess Rhaenyra, Princess Rhaenys, and Alicent Hightower are no shrinking violets. Episode one does a decent job of setting them up as potentially powerful players in the quest to rule the kingdom.
The acting is superb; there’s not a single scene in which the ensemble, led by Paddy Considine and Matt Smith, isn’t fully committed to this world and these characters. After Game of Thrones, it was expected the production design, costumes, and effects would be impressive, and the below-the-line team didn’t let GoT fans – or new viewers, for that matter – down.
The world doesn’t seem as expansive as Game of Thrones, but that’s understandable given the limited focus of House of the Dragon. The spinoff manages to capture the GoT vibe without feeling like a knock-off, although it’ll be a challenge for this 10-episode season not to wind up feeling a bit claustrophobic if the action continues to take place solely in King’s Landing.
The premiere accomplished what it needed to, establishing the key players, and dropping hints at what’s to come. Plus, it didn’t hurt that there were plenty of magnificent dragons!
Chandler Kinney, Malia Pyles, Maia Reficco, and Zaria in ‘Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin’ episode 7 (Photograph by Karolina Wojtasik/HBO Max)
HBO Max’s Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin season one episode seven opens with Elodie (Lea Salonga) receiving her first communication from A. It’s a flyer for the Millwood Carnival in 1999 and on the back, it reads: “Meet me in the hall of mirrors.”
A flashback shows Elodie (Emily Bautista) and Angela (Gabriella Pizzolo) running through the hall of mirrors. They begin to kiss and Davie (Ava DeMary) catches them. Elodie backs away and asks Angela what she’s doing, adding, “Did you see that, Davie? How she attacked me?”
Davie warns Angela, “Well, don’t think you can come on to me next.”
Present-day Elodie burns the flyer.
Imogen (Bailee Madison) and Tabby (Chandler Kinney) learn from Faran that her mom’s been discharged from the hospital. Imogen wonders if they’re going to need to tell their friends the truth about their own assaults when they discuss the trip to Rosewood. She’s worried about the stigma not just on her but on her baby.
Tabby admits she thought about going to the police but didn’t. “Maybe I’d go now if it wasn’t for Sheriff Beasley being basically the Slender Man,” she says. Imogen remembers there being a female officer who showed up the night her mom died. She was nice and might listen to Tabby now.
Monday, November 9: Corey (Zakiya Young) returns home in a wheelchair with a broken leg and Faran asks if she needs anything before she goes to school. Corey doesn’t and says Zeke’s at the garage getting her brakes checked. She admits they won’t find anything because they’re not the reason she crashed.
Corey blames the crash on the “diva stunt” Faran pulled. Faran lays into her mom, telling her she’s scarred for life and has been in pain for years. Corey stands by what she did.
Over lunch at school, the girls admit their mothers must have visited Rose and all signed in under the name A. Waters. They think it’s a confirmation of their guilt. Faran (Zaria) and Noa (Maia Reficco) wonder why A’s targeting them and why A’s not going after the rapist. And Imogen’s confused about why he killed Karen.
They’re clearly missing something and Noa pounds the table and says a little too loud, “Yeah! Like who the f**k A is!” Noa brings up Sheriff Beasley since he went to school with their moms and knew Angela. Imogen doesn’t think he’d kill his own daughter; he loved Karen. Noa agrees but says he has demons and reveals she caught him engaged in oral sex with a boy during community service.
Imogen believes they should definitely keep him as a suspect. Also, what about Tabby’s boss, Wes? Tabby seems surprised by that, and Mouse (Malia Pyles) suggests Angela’s dad should be considered, too. They don’t know anything about him, and he could still be around.
Madame Giry (Kate Jennings Grant) informs Faran she’ll be dancing Giselle for her next semester. Faran’s ecstatic but the joy’s short-lived when Madame Giry also tells her Kelly withdrew from dance class.
Faran asks Kelly (Mallory Bechtel) why she quit and learns Kelly thinks she sent the masked man after her. Kelly assumes it was Henry. Faran asks what happened and if that’s why she quit Swan Lake, but Kelly isn’t buying the innocent act.
“You made your point pretty clear, I think. You know – with the knife,” says Kelly. Faran looks stunned and asks if someone tried to stab her. Kelly thinks maybe she should have her father arrest her. Kelly’s parting words are, “Talk to me again and maybe I still will.”
The girls have a meeting in the ladies room and Faran worries she accidentally set A’s sights on Kelly. Or, maybe it’s because Kelly is a bully just like her sister was.
Noa and Faran decide to go to the carnival; they aren’t letting A ruin their lives.
The students are forced to partner up in health class and take care of a simulated baby. Chip (Carson Rowland) offers to team up with Imogen and she accepts. She thinks they should trade off and offers to take the first night.
Mr. Smithee gives Tabby’s film class their next assignment. They will write, direct, and edit a short film based on some aspect of their lives, something meaningful and important to them. Tabby has a short flashback of the night she was raped.
Ash (Jordan Gonzalez) invites Mouse to the carnival and she admits her moms never let her go. She confesses that when she was a little girl, a man at the carnival offered her cotton candy and then tried to take her. Her moms saw what was happening and screamed her name. The man ran off and was never caught.
Ash asks who he was, and Mouse says he was a stranger. Since then, every year during the carnival they go out of town.
Noa’s track practice doesn’t go well. She comes in last and is frustrated. Her coach asks if she’s getting enough rest and how her diet is. She admits it’s not great because her mom just got a job at Pinball Pizza. Her coach has a trainer she wants her to meet.
Faran and Henry (Ben Cook) are practicing and as Faran’s lifted in the air her back begins to hurt, forcing them to stop. As Henry rubs her back, he asks when the pain started. She admits she’s had it on and off for eight years. Most of the time it’s manageable but every now and then it gets unbearable, and she gets cortisone shots at the clinic.
Derek Klena, Chandler Kinney, and Carson Rowland in ‘Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin’ episode 7 (Photograph by Karolina Wojtasik/HBO Max)
At the theater, Wes (Derek Klena) seems to think he has a good idea for their next double feature – The Last House on the Left and Virgin Spring. Tabby isn’t happy because both movies depict graphic rape scenes. As Wes tries to convince her that these movies have morals, Tabby grows increasingly angry. She grips a pen tightly and then stabs Wes through the hand with it. Oh, wait…that wasn’t real. She doesn’t really stab him.
After Tabby snaps out of her daydream, Wes reminds her that if she’s going to attend film school, she must have critical distance. Tabby insists they have no idea what they are actually saying about sexual violence. She wonders if they have any idea what it’s like to watch those scenes as a woman. Tabby asks Chip if their Psycho project taught him nothing about trauma and the female body.
Mouse receives a text from Steve saying, “Hi Again, I got us tickets to the carnival so we can ride the carousel together. It’s your favorite.” Mouse decides to take matters into her own hands, googles him, and finds out where he works.
Imogen’s simulated baby won’t stop crying and Sidney (Sharon Leal) offers to take her. She just needed to be burped and Sidney takes the opportunity to ask Imogen if she plans to keep her baby. Imogen admits she doesn’t know, and Sidney points out that she’s 16 and has so much ahead of her. Imogen confirms the school nurse mentioned adoption as a possibility. Sidney has the name of an agency and asks if she can make her an appointment. Imogen agrees.
Tuesday, November 10: Imogen needs to use the restroom and asks the lady at the school’s front desk to watch her fake baby. When she returns, the baby’s gone.
The bell rings and students are pouring out of their classes with their fake babies as Imogen starts to panic. She finds Chip and tells him someone stole their baby who she’s named Clarice.
She’s still panicking and Chip talks her through it, calmly. After everyone leaves the hall, they hear their baby’s muffled cry and find her in a closet. Chip thinks it was just a prank but there’s a note attached to the baby that reads: “You’re a bad mother,” with the A in red in the word bad. Imogen changes her mind and thinks they should tag team the assignment. She then asks for a ride to an adoption agency after school.
Madame Giry tells Faran not to be angry at Henry after he told her Faran’s back hurts. Giry reveals when she was in her 20s, she broke her ankle during a performance. She has a doctor she wants Faran to see.
Henry’s sorry he pissed Faran off but he’s not sorry for blurting anything out. He’s happy she’s getting checked out, and Faran orders him to go to the doctor with her. It’s the least he can do.
Tabby revisits the woods where she was raped and has flashbacks to that night. As she turns around, the man in the mask is standing there with a knife. She screams and falls, but it wasn’t real. It was just in her head.
Tabby’s waiting for the female deputy at the station when Sheriff Beasley (Eric Johnson) spots her. He’s been meaning to call her in and orders her to come with him. He asks when the last time she saw Tyler was, revealing a witness told him the last time Tyler was seen was at the party she and Imogen hosted. Beasley also knows Tabby and Tyler fought.
Tabby explains Tyler was harassing one of her friends. Beasley claims she assaulted Tyler but Tabby insists she was protecting her friend. She hasn’t seen Tyler since that night but she’s sure he’s fine.
“Guys like Tyler are always fine in towns like Millwood and with guys like you looking out for them,” says Tabby.
Before she can leave, Beasley asks what she’s doing in “his” station. She lies and says she was there to pay for one of her mom’s parting tickets but realized she forgot it.
Imogen and Chip visit the adoption agency, and Imogen explains she had plans to keep her baby but circumstances have changed. The agent offers to talk her through a few scenarios and, assuming Chip’s the dad, asks if he supports the adoption. Before Imogen can correct her, Chip agrees to whatever Imogen decides is best for the baby.
After the visit’s over, Chip says he played along because he felt like she needed some support. They head to the pizza place for lunch with their fake baby, and Imogen’s having a fun time. Chip asks, “Hey, question. Do you think babies like carnivals?”
Faran informs her mom that Madame Giry sent her to see a doctor because she has chronic pain. Giry’s doctor said the surgery her mom forced her to have was a huge mistake. The doctor wants her to do physical therapy three times a week, wear a brace, and stop dancing for at least six months. Faran’s going to follow the doctor’s suggestions so she’ll get better the right way.
The trainer Noa’s coach sent her to suggests her problem is shortness of breath. He wants to give her an inhaler, but Noa’s reluctant to use it.
Mouse pays Steve a visit at his work while he’s in the middle of talking to customers. He hypocritically says she crossed a line because this is his place of work. Mouse correctly points out he showed up at her school, won’t stop calling, and won’t stop texting. She tried to be nice and understanding but now she’s pissed and tells him to stop f**king with her.
Steve confesses he knows all about her, including that she was almost snatched as a child. He shocks Mouse by revealing he’s in a support group with her mom. Mouse asks when they meet and he tells her every other Tuesday. She thinks that’s impossible because her mom has book club those days. Mouse suddenly realizes her mom isn’t in a book club.
Mouse returns home and begins cutting up the photos she took of people who’ve lost a child. Just then she receives a text from A: “The man who tried to take you WASN’T a stranger.”
Shawn (Alex Aiono) asks Noa how it went with the trainer and explains the trainer has helped other guys, including Greg and Tyler. (That’s not at all suspicious, right?) The trainer suggested an inhaler, but Noa admits she isn’t sure how she feels about it because it might be doping. She asks if he’s using an inhaler and Shawn insists he’s not. He’s 100% natural talent.
Elodie’s reading a book at home when Mouse asks if it’s for her book club. Mouse then asks if it’s an all-ages book club or for adults. She says adults. Mouse tells her Ash asked her to the carnival and she’s decided to say yes. Elodie’s upset, but Mouse has made up her mind. Her mom asks what if “he” is there. Mouse asks if the guy who tried to take her was a stranger, and her mom says yes – a total stranger.
Imogen fills Tabby in on her day with Chip and asks her if it’s okay that she says yes to going to the carnival with him. Tabby wonders if she’s crushing on Chip and Imogen claims she isn’t but admits he’s cute. Still, she’ll say no if it’s weird for Tabby. Tabby says Chip is just a friend and if she wants to go with him, she should.
Wednesday, November 11: Mouse has a one-on-one with her mom Shirley (Kim Berrios Lin) while Elodie’s out. Shirley explains Elodie canceled their annual trip to the mountains and admits she doesn’t know how long she can keep doing this with Elodie. She has tried to get her to move on.
Tabby decides to tell the school nurse about the rape but before she does, she sees a poster for a blood drive. The nurse says they need as many students as possible to donate.
It’s carnival time and Ash thinks it’s funny Mouse’s favorite ride is the carousel. When Mouse says she wants to have fun at the carnival with her boyfriend, Ash asks, “Boyfriend?” She gets embarrassed for assuming they’re dating, but there’s no need for that because Ash says he’d love to be her boyfriend.
Sidney and Tabby are at the carnival and discuss the topic of Tabby’s short film. Tabby confesses there’s a story she kind of wants to tell – a personal one. She’s thinking about telling her mom, but then has a flashback of that night after spotting members of the football. She tells her mom it’s too soon to share.
The Beasleys are also at the carnival and Martha (Jennifer Ferrin) seems to be in a good mood, suggesting they play cornhole like they used to. Tom brings up that they played that when there were four of them; it doesn’t make sense to play it now. Kelly interjects, “Right, because I’m not enough.”
Chip brings Imogen cotton candy and she apologies she can’t get on any rides. When he notices Imogen watching a couple kiss, he asks her, “Imogen, would you ever want to…” She says no. He says he gets it because he’s spent the past three years watching movies in his basement while crushing on his best friend even though he already knew it wasn’t going to happen. Chip believes he’s not boyfriend material and Imogen insists that’s not it.
Imogen tries to tell him her reality, but he cuts her off. Chip calls her a badass that any guy would be lucky… He doesn’t finish that sentence because Imogen kisses him. After the kiss, she tells him she likes him too.
Faran and Henry are on the Ferris wheel and he thinks she’s still upset with him for going to Giry. Faran admits she’s upset with the situation but not with him. She assures him she will dance again.
Alex Aiono and Maia Reficco in ‘Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin’ episode 7 (Photograph by Karolina Wojtasik/HBO Max)
Football players from Rosewood show up at the carnival and start stuff with the Millwood High football players. Shawn tries to fight them and Noa breaks it up and gets mad at him for being involved in a fight.
Elodie receives a text: “If you’re not honest with Mouse your worst fears will come true.”
She abruptly gets up and says they shouldn’t have let her go. The man is still out there and it’s too dangerous. Shirley insists this paranoia must stop. She warns, “Do not walk out that door. If you do, I don’t know what’s going to be waiting for you when you get back.”
Ash and Mouse enter the hall of mirrors and she spots the masked man. Mouse tries to run away but she can’t figure out how. No matter where she turns, she keeps seeing him. Somehow, Ash doesn’t see him and asks what’s wrong. She finally locates an exit and runs into her mom. Elodie wants to come clean and tell her the truth.
Elodie confesses the man who tried to take her was her biological father. Mouse is confused because she always thought she came from a donor. Elodie admits after college she needed money and saw a posting at a women’s clinic of a couple looking for a surrogate.
Mouse wants to know how she was able to keep her if she was his surrogate. Elodie reveals they didn’t use an agency. Mouse guesses it was her dad at the carnival and pieces together he might not have been trying to abduct her. Maybe he just wanted to spend time with her. Elodie admits she doesn’t know. Mouse confesses she was the one who sent her the text, so it wasn’t from A. Elodie claims she doesn’t have any other secrets to tell.
Imogen tells Tabby that she and Chip kissed, and it was nice. Tabby thinks it might be time to tell the girls about what happened to her. Tabby’s going to ask for their help with something. She thinks that if the guy who attacked them goes to Millwood High, she knows how to catch him.
Thursday, November 11: Mouse tells the girls she saw A in the hall of mirrors. Her mom told her the truth about a dark family secret and her other mom kicked Elodie out. As Tabby’s about to tell them what happened to her and Imogen, they all receive a text. They’re shocked when they see a photo of Tyler, dead. The episode ends with Imogen saying, “A killed him?”
Christina Ricci as Misty and Elijah Wood as Walter in ‘Yellowjackets’ season 2 (Photo Credit: Kailey Schwerman / SHOWTIME)
Season two of Showtime’s award-winning thriller Yellowjackets has added Elijah Wood in a season-long guest starring role. According to the official announcement, Wood is playing Walter, “a dedicated Citizen Detective who will challenge Misty in ways she won’t see coming.”
Wood will be joining returning Yellowjackets stars Melanie Lynskey (Castle Rock), Juliette Lewis (Camping), Christina Ricci (Z: The Beginning of Everything), and Tawny Cypress (Unforgettable). It was recently announced that Servant‘s Lauren Ambrose has taken a series regular role for season two, playing the adult version of Van. Liv Hewston, the teen version of Van, has been upped to series regular for the upcoming season.
Obi-Wan Kenobi‘s Simone Kessell has signed on to play the adult Lottie Matthews. Courtney Eaton, the teen version, will be a regular in season two.
Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson (Narcos) created the popular series and serve as executive producers along with their fellow showrunner Jonathan Lisco and Creative Engine’s Drew Comins.
Season one of the addictive drama scored seven Emmy Awards nominations and averaged over 5 million viewers. Melanie Lynskey won the Best Actress in a Drama Series award at the 2022 Critics Choice Awards, and the series also earned two Writers Guild nominations.
Yellowjackets currently stands as the second-most streamed series in Showtime’s history. Filming is expected to get underway on season two this month in Vancouver.
Showtime’s official synopsis:
“Equal parts survival epic, psychological horror story and coming-of-age drama, Yellowjackets is the saga of a team of wildly talented high school girls soccer players who become the (un)lucky survivors of a plane crash deep in the remote northern wilderness. The series chronicles their descent from a complicated but thriving team to savage clans, while also tracking the lives they’ve attempted to piece back together nearly 25 years later, proving that the past is never really past and what began out in the wilderness is far from over.”
(Updated with a photo of Elijah Wood in Yellowjackets.)
Netflix has set premiere dates for much of its fall and winter culinary lineup including Chef’s Table: Pizza, Nailed It! season seven, Easy-Bake Battle: The Home Cooking Competition, and Somebody Feed Phil season six. The streaming service’s lineup of food (and drink) oriented programming also includes Drink Masters, The Great British Baking Show: Holidays season five, Snack VS. Chef, and Cook at All Costs.
The Great British Baking Show Collection 10 is also a part of Netflix’s fall lineup, however, the premiere date hasn’t been announced.
CHEF’S TABLE: PIZZA – Premieres September 7, 2022
• The long-running culinary hit returns with a season that’s all about the pizza pie. From Portland to Phoenix, Italy to Japan, go inside the kitchens of chefs whose creativity elevates this ordinary dish to an art form via their unique flavors, inspiring backgrounds, and passion for creating the perfect slice.
• Featured Chefs: Chris Bianco (Phoenix, Ariz.), Gabriele Bonci (Rome, Italy), Ann Kim (Minneapolis, Minn.), Franco Pepe (Caiazzo, Italy), Yoshihiro Imai (Kyoto, Japan), Sarah Minnick (Portland, Ore.)
THE GREAT BRITISH BAKING SHOW COLLECTION 10 – Coming this Fall 2022
• The Great British Baking Show follows a group of amateur bakers as they compete against each other in a series of challenges, attempting to impress judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith with their baking skills. One contestant is eliminated each week, and the winner is selected from the contestants who reach the finals.
NAILED IT! SEASON 7 – Premieres October 5, 2022
• The Emmy-nominated series is back with a season full of tricks and treats as we celebrate Halloween. Featuring ghoulish surprises from some favorite Netflix shows – Umbrella Academy, Cobra Kai, and The Witcher, the desserts are intentionally scary this time!
• Host: Nicole Byer
EASY-BAKE BATTLE: THE HOME COOKING COMPETITION – Premieres October 12, 2022
• Life is complicated, but cooking doesn’t have to be! Enter Easy-Bake Battle, a new culinary competition series inspired by Hasbro’s iconic Easy-Bake Oven, featuring skilled and ultra clever home cooks, all with a ton of heart and soul, facing off and using their most ingenious kitchen hacks to prove who can make the easiest, fastest, and most delicious food.
• Host: Antoni Porowski
SOMEBODY FEED PHIL SEASON 6 – Premieres October 18, 2022
• Everybody Loves Raymond creator Phil Rosenthal travels the globe to take in the local cuisine and culture. This season will feature Phil traveling to all new destinations, including Croatia, Philadelphia, Nashville, Austin and Santiago and includes a special tribute episode to Phil’s parents, Helen and Max.
• Phil will also release his highly anticipated book Somebody Feed Phil: The Book on October 18, 2022, via Simon & Schuster. As the companion cookbook to the Netflix show, this is the ultimate collection of must-have recipes, never-before-heard stories, behind-the-scenes photos, and more from the first four seasons of the beloved series.
DRINK MASTERS – Premieres October 28, 2022
• Twelve of the world’s most innovative mixologists infuse, stir and blend their way through a series of high-stakes cocktail challenges to win a life-changing prize and the title of The Ultimate Drink Master.
THE GREAT BRITISH BAKING SHOW: HOLIDAYS SEASON 5 – Premieres November 18, 2022
• Deck the halls with sugar, butter and chocolate as competitors from past seasons bake wondrous winter treats for judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith.
SNACK VS. CHEF – Premieres November 30, 2022
• Hosted by comedians Megan Stalter and Hari Kondabolu, this new food competition sees 12 chefs go head-to-head in the ultimate snack showdown. Not only must they recreate some of the world’s most iconic snacks, they’ll also be challenged to invent their own original snacks inspired by beloved classics. Only one will prevail and claim the $50,000 prize.
COOK AT ALL COSTS – Premieres December 16, 2022
• Do luxury ingredients always make the best dishes? Or can humble items be transformed into a recipe for success? Hosted by chef and restaurateur Jordan Andino, Cook at All Costs is a cooking competition where skill meets strategy, as three home cooks put their money where their mouths are to bid on ingredients in a high-stakes, auction-packed cook off. With $25,000 in their banks, the homecooks will have to decide if they want to bid big for the best ingredients, save their money for the basics, or gamble on a surprise – because in the end, the cook who best impresses our celebrity guest chef will win all the money left in their bank. Can the THRIFTY dish topple the PRICEY plate or will the WILDCARD wow the guest judge for the win? This is Cook at All Costs!
A rogue lion that kills any human he comes across turns a family’s vacation into a fight for survival in the action thriller, Beast.
The movie begins with newly widowed Dr. Nate Daniels (Idris Elba, Luther) and his two daughters – Meredith (Iyana Halley, This is Us) and Norah (Leah Jeffries, Empire) – arriving in South Africa on vacation. Hoping to reconnect with his daughters and bond, Nate is determined to show them where he met their mother. He’s even planning on having his best friend Martin Battles (Sharlto Copley, District 9), a game reserve manager, take them on a special tour.
At first, the tour of the reserve is beautiful and impressive, with Nate and his daughters witnessing a pride of lions and the place where Meredith and Norah’s mother took a stunning self-portrait. But when Martin takes Nate and the girls to a small village to show them around, they stumble across a terrifying and gruesome scene.
They discover the villagers have been brutally killed by a rogue lion. “I’ve never seen anything like this. Multiple attacks without eating its prey. Lions don’t do that…at least no lion I’ve ever seen,” says Martin to a shocked Nate.
Realizing they’re in danger, Martin orders Nate to return to the girls in his Jeep and get ready to go back to town. What was to be a fun and memorable vacation turns into a deadly fight for survival as the rogue lion begins hunting them.
Idris Elba, Sharlto Copley, Iyana Halley, and Leah Jeffries in ‘Beast’ (Photo Credit: Lauren Mulligan / Universal Pictures)
Reminiscent of the 1970s films Grizzly and Day of the Animals, Beast is a B-grade “animals attack” movie with solid performances by Idris Elba and Sharlto Copley that raise the film above other movies of its ilk. It’s a suspenseful, edge-of-your-seat thriller with plenty of jump scares.
Idris Elba is pitch-perfect as Nate, a loving father who becomes desperate to get his daughters away from the killer lion and quickly realizes just how dire their situation is. Sharlto Copley steals every scene he’s in as Martin Battles, Nate’s best friend and manager of the reserve. Martin’s accustomed to protecting the wild animals from poachers and is genuinely shocked to come across a deadly rogue lion hunting humans. The scene where he searches for the lion and slowly realizes that he’s the one being hunted is one of the most suspenseful in the film.
The CGI effectively creates a realistic-looking lion that is sure to have the audience screaming and jumping in their seats as it roars, charges, and attacks. The audience at this film critics’ screening did precisely that.
Tense and entertaining, Universal Pictures’ Beast is a crowd-pleasing adventure thriller with everything a decent B-grade movie should have.
GRADE: B-
MPAA Rating: R for bloody images, violent content, and some language
Running Time: 1 hour 33 minutes
Release Date: August 19, 2022
Directed By: Baltasar Kormákur (Everest, Contraband)
Dan Levy joins Sex Education season 4 (Photo Courtesy of Netflix)
Emmy Award winner Dan Levy has joined the cast of Netflix’s Sex Education season four. Levy, who recently finished up work as showrunner, writer, and star of Schitt’s Creek (which he also created), will play Thomas Molloy in season four.
The Sex Education casting announcement describes Thomas as “a famous author, and Maeve’s US course tutor at her Ivy League college.”
FIlming is now underway on season four starring Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson, Ncuti Gatwa, Aimee-Lou Wood, Emma Mackey, and Connor Swindells. Kedar Williams-Stirling, Mimi Keene, George Robinson, Chinenye Ezeudu, Dua Saleh, Alistair Petrie, and Samantha Spiro also star.
Newcomers to the series for the fourth season include Doctor Who’s Thaddea Graham, Kamikaze‘s Marie Reuther, Felix Mufti, Anthony Lexa, Alexandra James, and Imani Yahshua.
Lauren Nunn created the series and serves as writer and executive producer. Jamie Campbell and Ben Taylor are also executive producers, and Clare Couchman is a co-executive producer. Nunn’s writing team features Troy Hunter, Krishna Istha, Selina Lim, Ethan Harvey, Annalisa Dinnella, Bella Heesom, and Thara Popoola. Dominic Leclerc, Michelle Savill, and Alyssa McClelland direct.
Netflix offered this synopsis of season four:
“Following the closure of Moordale Secondary, Otis and Eric now face a new frontier – their first day at Cavendish Sixth Form College. Otis is nervous about setting up his new clinic, whilst Eric is praying they won’t be losers again. But Cavendish is a culture shock for all the Moordale students – they thought they were progressive but this new college is another level. There’s daily yoga in the communal garden, a strong sustainability vibe and a group of kids who are popular for being… kind?!
Viv is totally thrown by the college’s student-led, non-competitive approach, while Jackson is still struggling to get over Cal. Aimee tries something new by taking an Art A Level and Adam grapples with whether mainstream education is for him. Over in the US, Maeve is living her dream at prestigious Wallace University, being taught by cult author Thomas Molloy. Otis is pining after her, whilst adjusting to not being an only child at home, or the only therapist on campus…”
Paramount+ has set a September 18, 2022 premiere for season six of the popular military drama, SEAL Team. The premiere date announcement was accompanied by a two-minute trailer for the show’s upcoming season.
New episodes of the 10-episode season will arrive on Sundays.
Season six stars David Boreanaz as Jason Hayes, Max Thieriot as Clay Spenser, and Neil Brown Jr as Ray Brown. AJ Buckley returns as Sonny Quinn, Toni Trucks is back as Lieutenant Lisa Davis, and Raffi Barsoumian stars as Omar Hamza. Boreanaz serves as an executive producer along with Spencer Hudnut, Christopher Chulack, Sarah Timberman, Carl Beverly, and Mark Owen.
The first four seasons aired on CBS, with the show moving to Paramount+ for seasons five and six.
Poster for Paramount+’s ‘SEAL Team’ season 6
The SEAL Team Plot, Courtesy of Paramount+:
SEAL Team follows the professional and personal lives of the most elite unit of Navy SEALs as they train, plan, and execute the most dangerous, high-stakes missions our country can ask of them. Jason Hayes (Boreanaz) is the respected, intense leader of the Tier One team whose home life has suffered as a result of his extensive warrior’s existence.
His team includes his trusted confidant, Ray Perry (Brown, Jr.), the longest-tenured operator with whom Jason shares an ingrained shorthand; Sonny Quinn (Buckley), an exceptional, loyal soldier with a checkered past who still combats self-destructive tendencies; Clay Spenser (Thieriot), a young, multilingual second-generation SEAL with insatiable drive and dedication; Omar Hamza (Barsoumian), a senior chief with fifteen years of experience as a SEAL, the son of Syrian immigrants with deep understanding of the Middle East. Vital to the team’s success is Lieutenant Lisa Davis (Trucks), a no-nonsense, take-charge officer.
Deployed on clandestine missions worldwide at a moment’s notice and knowing the toll it takes on them and their families, this tight-knit SEAL team displays unwavering patriotism and fearless dedication even in the face of overwhelming odds.
Woniya in season 1 of The History Channel’s ‘Alone: Frozen’
Six of Alone’s strongest survivalists were selected for The History Channel’s Alone: Frozen season one, and after just five days the field was done to five. Episode one featured three out of the six competitors and episode two, “Frost Bound,” catches us up with the other three Alone veterans who’ve accepted this special challenge – Woniya, Greg, and Michelle.
The Alone spinoff switches things up by challenging the competitors to survive 50 days in the freezing cold Labrador wildness during the North Atlantic winter. Anyone who manages to make it to Day 50 will receive a share of the $500,000 prize money.
Woniya Thibeault, Age 45, California – Season 6, Survived 73 Days
49 Days Left: Woniya loves her beautiful little beach but describes the area she’s about to make her temporary home as sparse. There are only a few tiny trees and bare rock, but at least she’s on the ocean.
Woniya was the runner-up on season six, the first season that took place in the Arctic. She was thrilled to be able to test all of her skills on that season and hopes to carry that forward to the first season of Alone: Frozen.
She wound up tapping after 73 days because she was certain she wouldn’t have passed the medical check. Her body was done but she definitely didn’t want to leave.
Woniya made her much of her own gear for Alone: Frozen, including leather boots. This season’s also different because now she has a partner in life, Taylor, and when she participated in season six, she didn’t. Being without him is going to be difficult.
She finds a water bottle on the beach and is excited about the prospect of having portable water.
The sun’s nearly down when Woniya’s dropped off, so her first priority is shelter rather than food. She sets up her ridge pole and it’s not beautiful, but at least it’s functional. She throws her tarp over it and admits the challenge will be finding firewood and tender because it’s so wet.
Woniya plans on positioning the tarp so that it covers the shelter and is also under her sleeping bag.
As she settles in for the night, she’s wowed by the Aurora Borealis. The sky is gorgeous and she thinks it’s a good sign.
47 Days Left: She’s going to work on her permanent shelter today. There’s not a lot of building materials but she discovered a spot with a rock cliff she can build against. The weather turns wet and windy as she starts her build. The rocks will provide two walls which should cut down on the amount of time it takes to put up a shelter.
Woniya admits she doesn’t feel as connected to this place, and the conditions are harsher than Alone season six.
She gets two and a half sides of her shelter built and puts her tarp over it. A combination of logs and sod will complete it, but her tendonitis is flaring up from all the sawing. The rain’s pouring down as she gets under her shelter.
44 Days Left: Woniya’s concerned about her tarp because there are multiple holes in it. There’s water collected on top of it, too. She admits this is so much more challenging than she expected.
Woniya cries as she says she doesn’t want to be cold, wet, and miserable. She’s thinking about what she put on hold to be here, and she misses her beautiful life at home. She never thought she’d consider leaving on day six.
Greg in season 1 of The History Channel’s ‘Alone: Frozen’
Greg Ovens, Age 58, British Columbia – Season 3, Survived 51 Days
49 Days Left: Greg doesn’t have time to check out the resources as there’s only two hours left of sunlight. He’s going to find a nearby spot and throw up his tarp for the night. Hopefully, he won’t be visited by any polar bears.
Greg went 51 days in season three in Patagonia and says his fall in the lake – plus not eating for a long time – caused him to go downhill fairly rapidly. He realized he wasn’t thinking straight and was forced to tap.
He’s twice as old as almost all the other competitors but with age comes wisdom. Greg’s determined to be more patient and less stressed out this time. He hopes he’ll deal with the challenges differently than he did in season three.
Greg’s concerned about polar bears and worried about his very primitive temporary shelter. He’s set it up amongst the trees and hopes to get to work on a much better one soon.
He gathers some firewood as he thinks about the harsh conditions they’ll be enduring over 50 days. It won’t be easy, that’s for sure.
As he’s grabbing wood, he finds bear scat and footprints. He really, really doesn’t want to see a polar bear. Male polar bears can weigh 1700+ pounds.
48 Days Left: The wind’s kicked up and the weather’s turning nasty, and Greg admits he’s not feeling great about sleeping on the ground. His shelter’s a lean-to and he’s hoping for the best when it comes to protecting him from bears.
Greg sets out to find mussels and admits to being obsessed with living off the land. He loves coming up with new ideas for fishing and trapping. And although he’s gathered some mussels, he decides he needs to try fishing.
He relies heavily on fish when he’s on his own and thinks there should be lots of fish in this area.
Unfortunately, the kelp goes out as far as he can toss his handline. It’s the worst fishing spot he’s seen in his lifetime. He’ll have to dine on mussels today.
The tide’s coming in as Greg discovers he’s lost his pot. He set it down when he was looking for bait and without it, he can’t boil water, make tea, or cook the mussels. “I don’t see why I would do something so stupid,” he admits.
Greg goes through the footage he’s shot to figure out where he left it. It doesn’t help and he thinks it’s possible the tide took it away. So, he can’t catch fish and now his pot is missing.
Greg doesn’t like the overwhelming feeling of not being in control.
A short while later he finds his pot and yells at himself to hang onto it.
47 Days Left: The tarp’s a bust as his down-filled sleeping bag is soaked. He’s going to have to use the black tarp provided for the camera gear to cover everything for now. (That tarp doesn’t count as one of the contestants’ 10 items.) He expects the rain to keep up all day and picks up his sleeping bag, showing it’s soaking wet.
“This is much harder than I thought it would be. The mental struggle is extreme; that’s what I’m finding the hardest is just mentally dealing with the failures,” he admits.
Greg reminds himself to be careful because he’s not 30 anymore. He confesses he’s the kind of guy who doesn’t know when to quit.
He gets in a tussle with a tree and gets soaking wet in the process. All of this is very déjà vu-ish and brings Patagonia back to mind. It took him three months to recover from that experience.
46 Days Left: The sleeping bag’s no longer soaking wet but it took forever to dry it out. He cooks up his mussels for breakfast and decides to try and trap the seagulls that come by during low tide. (FYI, one cup of seagull meat has 300 calories.)
Greg starts work on his bird trap which looks complicated, but he swears will work. It’s one of his new ideas and he’s hopeful it’ll catch something.
45 Days Left: Greg says the lack of food and wet bedding isn’t much fun. Getting any substantial food would be a game-changer and he heads out to check his seagull trap. Unfortunately, he set the trap too close to the water and part of it was destroyed.
Greg thinks he’s wasting his time and it was a lot of work for nothing. He’s finding out there’s just not enough food here and he’s getting very stressed out. He’s sure things will only get worse from here on out.
44 Days Left: Greg’s having panic attacks because this is much harder than he thought it would be. It’s only day six but it’s reminding him so much of Patagonia and how he struggled and suffered there. That’s what’s creating his anxiety.
“I’m just not ready for suffering like this again,” confesses Greg.
Michelle in season 1 of The History Channel’s ‘Alone: Frozen’
Michelle Finn, Age 47, Maine – Season 8, Survived 21 Days
49 Days Left: Michelle’s from the East Coast of Maine and feels a kinship with Labrador. She tapped out after 21 days during season eight because she wasn’t successful at procuring food. She went from 120 pounds to 98 over 21 days.
Michelle feels honored to be given another shot at testing her survival skills. “This season, I really want to win the show,” says Michelle.
After being dropped off, Michelle immediately begins hunting for clams. They’re scattered all over the beach and she’s determined to eat as much as possible as soon as possible.
48 Days Left: Morning arrives and Michelle wakes up after camping on the beach. She also saw the Aurora Borealis and it was cool. She hasn’t seen it since she lived in Alaska.
The day’s gorgeous but she knows bad weather’s coming in. That means she needs to get to work quickly on a shelter. The challenge will be cold, wet, and windy, so she needs a campsite that’s protected but with access to what she needs.
Michelle finds bear scat and recites the bear warning: “Black, fight back. Brown, lie down. White, good night.” She absolutely doesn’t want a polar bear to know she’s there so her shelter needs to provide protection against the weather and predators.
Michelle finds the perfect spot and starts cutting down trees. She wasted too much energy on constructing a large shelter on Alone season eight. This time she wants to keep it simple and small. “The smaller I can make it, the warmer it will be,” says Michelle.
Her shelter will be an A-frame completely covered to the ground by the tarp. Ribs internally will be attached to the support beam across the center.
She takes a break from shelter building to check on the fire and hears something large nearby. Michelle grabs her camera to check it out and discovers it’s just the water. The level’s gone up much more than she anticipated and now she’s nervous because the weather’s changing. She needs to make sure her shelter can support the snowfall. Labrador can get 30” of snow in one day.
45 Days Left: It’s raining and Michelle plans to go collect food. She hopes there are lots of mussels, crabs, clams, and periwinkles around.
It’s only 21 degrees as she wears gloves while digging for clams. She spots mussels out in the open and can’t believe her luck.
As she’s gathering food, she recalls a childhood spent outdoors and growing up in a family that grew their own food. “The connection with food sources was always big in our family, so I feel really grateful for this level of clams and mussels,” says Michelle.
Michelle sewed one of her gaiters shut with fishing line and has been using it to store the food she collected. She’s got a pot full by the time she’s finished and is really happy about how much she was able to find.
Michelle hopes to make it to 50 days in better condition than she was at 21 days on season eight.
44 Days Left: Michelle woke up feeling sick, weak, and nauseous. She made sure to hydrate and feels better, and her goal for the day is to gather a lot of firewood and store it in the shelter.
Her stomach’s feeling raw, but she hopes that will pass. She doesn’t think it’s caused by hunger. Her mind races thinking about what could be causing her to feel sick.
