The Matrix Resurrections trailer is just is stunning on its second, third, and fourth viewing as it is on its first. This first visually impressive trailer serves up groundbreaking action scenes, a wealth of references to red and blue, and the return of Carrie-Anne Moss as Trinity.
Warner Bros. Pictures debuted the mesmerizing footage at the 2021 CinemaCon and the reactions of those in the audience was overwhelming positive. Social media lit up with reactions and fans begged the studio to launch the trailer online. Just two weeks later, WB responded with the release of the first trailer for the fourth film of The Matrix franchise.
The nearly three minute trailer is backed by Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit” and introduces Thomas Anderson (Keanu Reeves) as a man desperately in need of some answers. His therapist (Neil Patrick Harris) listens as Thomas describes dreams that aren’t just dreams – dreams the audience realizes are Neo’s memories that Thomas either can’t or won’t acknowledge as part of his past.
Director Lana Wachowski teases The Matrix Resurrections will in fact resurrect Neo’s story where it left off, although the trailer doesn’t absolutely confirm that’s true.
The cast also includes Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Candyman) Jessica Henwick (Iron Fist), Jonathan Groff (Mindhunter), Priyanka Chopra Jonas (Quantico), and Christina Ricci (The Lizzie Borden Chronicles). Telma Hopkins (Dead to Me), Eréndira Ibarra (Sense8), Toby Onwumere (Empire), Max Riemelt (Sense8), Brian J. Smith (Treadstone), and Jada Pinkett Smith (Gotham) also star.
Lana Wachowski, David Mitchell, and Aleksander Hemon wrote the screenplay and Wachowski directed. Wachowski, Grant Hill, and James McTeigue produced, with Garrett Grant, Terry Needham, Michael Salven, Jesse Ehrman, and Bruce Berman executive producing.
The behind-the-scenes team includes directors of photography Daniele Massaccesi and John Toll, production designers Hugh Bateup and Peter Walpole, editor Joseph Jett Sally, costume designer Lindsay Pugh, visual effects supervisor Dan Glass, and composers Johnny Klimek and Tom Tykwer.
Warner Bros Pictures will release The Matrix Resurrections in theaters and on HBO Max on December 22, 2021.
The studio released the following description of this much-anticipated addition to the Matrix franchise:
“The Matrix Resurrections” is a continuation of the story established in the first MATRIX film. It reunites Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss as cinematic icons Neo & Trinity in an expansion of their story that ventures back into the Matrix and even deeper down the rabbit hole. A mind-bending new adventure with action and epic scale, it’s set in a familiar yet even more provocative world where reality is more subjective than ever and all that’s required to see the truth is to free your mind.”
ABC’s A Million Little Things returns to primetime with season four episode one, “family first.” Episode one is set to air on September 22, 2021, with new season four episodes airing on Wednesdays at 10pm ET/PT.
David Giuntoli stars as Eddie Saville, Romany Malco plays Rome Howard, Christina Moses is Regina Howard, Grace Park plays Katherine Saville, and James Roday Rodriguez stars as Gary Mendez. Allison Miller is Maggie Bloom, Stephanie Szostak is Delilah Dixon, Floriana Lima is Darcy Cooper, Tristan Byon is Theo Saville, Lizzy Greene is Sophie Dixon, and Chance Hurstfield plays Danny Dixon.
“family first” Plot: Gary struggles in the aftermath of his encounter with Peter. Meanwhile, Regina and Rome put on a united front following the closure of Someday and the deportation of Tyrell’s mother. Sophie deals with mixed emotions surrounding her mother while Delilah faces a difficult decision. Eddie inches closer to finding out who caused the accident, and Maggie navigates a new career opportunity on the season four premiere.
A Million Little Things Description, Courtesy of ABC:
A group of friends bands together to tackle issues heightened by the challenges our world is facing right now.
David Giuntoli in ‘A Million Little Things’ season 4 episode 1 (ABC/Jack Rowand)James Roday Rodriguez in the “family first” episode (ABC/Jack Rowand)Christina Moses and Romany Malco in season 4 episode 1 (ABC/Jack Rowand)David Giuntoli, Romany Malco, Adam Swain, and Christina Moses in season 4 episode 1 (ABC/Jack Rowand)David Giuntoli, Floriana Lima, and James Roday Rodriguez in season 4 episode 1 (ABC/Jack Rowand)
Skylar Astin as Ma and Jane Levy as Zoey Clarke in ‘Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist’ (Photo by: Sergei Bachlakov/NBC/Lionsgate)
Roku and Lionsgate have given Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist fans a reason to sing. The series remains cancelled (bummer) but at least fans will have another opportunity to catch the charismatic cast break out in song in a feature-length film described as a “holiday encore.”
Filming is expected to take place this month in Vancouver, with the special premiering during the holiday season on The Roku Channel. The Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist revival marks the first Roku Original film created for The Roku Channel.
“Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist is the kind of show that doesn’t just entertain people, it speaks to them,” stated Colin Davis, Roku’s Head of Original Scripted Programming. “The show has a healing power about it, which is brought to life by the incredibly talented cast through music and dance. That connection with the audience is what makes bringing a holiday-themed film like Zoey to life with the original cast so special. We are absolutely thrilled to call Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas our first Roku Original film and make it available to both longtime fans and new ones on The Roku Channel this holiday.”
Series creator Austin Winsberg said, “I am so extremely grateful to The Roku Channel for helping us get Zoey to sing again. I can’t think of a more appropriate time to hear someone’s heart song than the holidays. And Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas will be an opportunity to provide the fans and new viewers alike a chance to all tap their toes and get in the holiday mood. This show has always been about empathy, compassion and the triumph of the human spirit. The Roku Channel has sure lifted mine and I hope that our film can have the same effect on viewers everywhere…”
Winsberg is writing the holiday special and will executive produce along with Kim Tannenbaum, Eric Tannenbaum, Paul Feig, David Blackman, and Daniel Inkeles. Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist pilot director Richard Shepard is on board to helm the Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas. The film’s produced by Lionsgate in association with the Tannenbaum Company, Feigco Entertainment and Universal Music Group’s Polygram Entertainment and Zihuatenejo Productions.
Roku released the following description of the feature-length film:
“The film picks up where season two left off, continuing Zoey’s journey as she navigates work, family, love, and everything in between. Golden Globe nominated Jane Levy, Skylar Astin, Alex Newell, John Clarence Stewart, Andrew Leeds, Alice Lee, Michael Thomas Grant, Kapil Talwalkar, David St. Louis, Mary Steenburgen, Peter Gallagher, and Bernadette Peters (nominated for an Emmy for her performance in the series), will all reprise their roles, bringing the same love and passion to the full-length feature film that loyal fans have come to know from the television show.”
ABC’s 30th season of Dancing with the Stars will feature a Cobra Kai villain, a WWE superstar, a Spice Girl, and a professional basketball player. The 13 just-announced celebrities will be joining previously announced contestants Gold medal Olympian Suni Lee and pop star JoJo Siwa when the 30th season kicks off on Monday, September 20, 2021.
Tyra Banks will host season 30, and Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough are set to judge the celebs and their professional dancer partners.
Celebrities:
• Country singer Jimmie Allen
• Spice Girl Melanie C
• Christine Chiu (Bling Empire)
• Brian Austin Green (Beverly Hills, 90210)
• Melora Hardin (The Office)
• Social media star Olivia Jade
• Matt James (The Bachelor)
• Amanda Kloots (“he Talk)
• Martin Kove (Cobra Kai)
• Gold medal Olympian Suni Lee
• WWE Superstar Mike “The Miz” Mizanin
• Kenya Moore (The Real Housewives of Atlanta)
• Peloton star instructor Cody Rigsby
• NBA star Iman Shumpert
• Popstar JoJo Siwa
Professional dancers:
• Brandon Armstrong
• Lindsay Arnold
• Alan Bersten
• Sharna Burgess
• Cheryl Burke
• Witney Carson
• Artem Chigvintsev
• Val Chmerkovskiy
• Sasha Farber
• Jenna Johnson
• Daniella Karagach
• Pasha Pashkov
• Gleb Savchenko
• Emma Slater
• Britt Stewart
ABC’s ‘Dancing With The Stars’ stars Tyra Banks (ABC/Laretta Houston)
Dancing with the Stars Season 30 Celebrity Bios, Courtesy of ABC:
JIMMIE ALLEN – Signed to BBR Music Group’s Stoney Creek Records, multiplatinum recording artist and songwriter Jimmie Allen has been blazing trails since the beginning of his breakout career. He made history as the first Black artist to launch a career with two consecutive No. 1 hits off his 2018 debut album “Mercury Lane” (which The New York Times dubbed as one of 2018’s strongest) – the first being his debut single “Best Shot,” which claimed the No. 1 spot on Country radio for three weeks, and second being “Make Me Want To.” In July 2020, Allen released his star-studded collaboration project “Bettie James” that has since garnered 171+ million streams and a slew of critical acclaim for the music, the historic nature of various collaborations and its subsequent place in country music history.
On June 25, 2021, Allen released the project’s follow-up album “Bettie James Gold Edition.” The reigning 2021 ACM New Male Artist of the Year and 2020 CMA New Artist of the Year nominee has amassed more than 850 million on-demand streams. His current single “Freedom Was A Highway” with superstar Brad Paisley is climbing through the Top 20 on Country radio as he is out on the road on Paisley’s headline Tour 2021 as special guest this summer.
MELANIE C – The start of Melanie’s career really needs no explanation at all, as it is rather well documented. After the iconic 1996 debut single “Wannabe” topped the charts in 37 countries, Spice Girls’ debut album “Spice” went on to sell more than 31 million copies worldwide, becoming the bestselling album of all time by a female group. The girls went on to sell more than 85 million records, releasing three studio albums, 13 singles, and winning a host of awards including a BRIT for Outstanding Contribution to British Music. In 2012, Melanie reunited with the Spice Girls for what she described as the highlight of their career as a group – performing at the Olympic Closing Ceremony in London.
CHRISTINE CHIU – Christine Chiu most recently produced and starred in Netflix’s breakout smash hit series, “Bling Empire.” She is a co-owner and founder of Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery and the Regenerative Medicine Aesthetic Institute, as well as the SPA at BHPS. As chief creative officer, she designed the luxe clinic and developed branded partnerships in the non-invasive Spa at BHPS. She has led the development and amplification of the Dr. Chiu brand and has been the spokesperson for the Institute and a respected beauty expert in both dermatology and surgery for national and local print, digital and television media.
BRIAN AUSTIN GREEN – Brian Austin Green quickly gained overnight fame as he endeared himself to millions as the sweet and naïve David Silver on the teen phenomenon “Beverly Hills, 90210.” As an actor, director and producer on the show, his resume is as extensive as it is versatile. Green was recently seen on the reboot of “BH90210” on Fox, on which he also served as executive producer.
Green also recently became part of the Masked family at Fox, serving as part of the judging panel on the new “Masked Dancer” along with Paula Abdul, Ken Jeong and Ashley Tisdale. He also starred on the FX show “Anger Management,” opposite Charlie Sheen, playing the role of Sean who dated his ex-wife and becomes his best friend. He starred in “Wedding Band” for TBS as the lead character Tommy – lead singer of the band of four longtime friends who play in a band for hire.
MELORA HARDIN – Melora Hardin is well known for her portrayal of Jan Levinson, Steve Carell’s rigid, former corporate boss and love interest, on the critically acclaimed NBC series “The Office.” Additionally, Hardin was Emmy®-nominated in 2016 for her recurring role of Tammy Cashman on Amazon’s Golden Globe®-winning comedy “Transparent.” She recently wrapped the fifth and final season of Freeform’s “The Bold Type.” Hardin starred as Jacqueline Carlyle, a strong but nurturing editor-in-chief at a high-end women’s magazine, inspired by the life of Joanna Coles of Cosmopolitan. She also recurs on the ABC series “A Million Little Things.”
OLIVIA JADE – Olivia Jade is a content creator whose social platforms have gained a following of over 3.7 million and focus on fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and promoting confidence to young women. In 2017, Jade became a Sephora Collection Ambassador and continued this partnership throughout 2018. Previously, she landed on People’s Ones to Watch list as the Influencer to Watch and was nominated for a Shorty Award for Best Breakout YouTuber. After a nearly two-year hiatus, Jade was welcomed back to her online community with open arms.
MATT JAMES – Charismatic and engaging, Matt James was the first Black Bachelor on ABC’s 25th season of its hit romance reality series “The Bachelor.” A total package with strong family values and a great career, the 30-year-old real estate broker, entrepreneur and community organization founder has used his growing platform for good. The North Carolina native went to Wake Forest University, where he majored in economics and played wide receiver for the football team. He went on to play professional football before moving to New York City, where he now resides.
AMANDA KLOOTS – Amanda Kloots is a television host, bestselling author, Broadway actress and award-winning fitness entrepreneur. Kloots can currently be seen as a co-host of “The Talk,” CBS’ Daytime Emmy® Award-winning talk show highlighting current events, pop culture, family, celebrity and trending topics of the day. Kloots recently released her memoir, the New York Times bestseller “Live Your Life: My Story of Loving and Losing Nick Cordero” that was co-authored with her sister Anna Kloots. A former Broadway dancer and Radio City Rockette, Kloots performed on a variety of stage, film and TV productions for over 17 years. Her love of dance and fitness led her to work and lead classes at one of New York’s premiere fitness studios.
MARTIN KOVE – Seasoned actor Martin Kove is best known for his iconic portrayal of villainous karate sensei, John Kreese, in “The Karate Kid” trilogy. Kove recently reprised his role for season two of Netflix’s breakout series “Cobra Kai” (based on “The Karate Kid” franchise and set 30 years later). “Cobrai Kai” has been lauded as the most in-demand digital original series in the world (with tens of millions of views in a matter of days). With over 100 films under his belt, some of Kove’s most notable credits include “Rambo II,” opposite Sylvester Stallone, and westerns such as “Hard Ground” with Burt Reynolds and the re-make of “Gentle Ben,” both which appeared on The Hallmark Channel.
SUNI LEE – Suni Lee is a three-time Olympic medalist, taking home the esteemed gold medal as the all-around champion in women’s gymnastics at the 2020 Olympic Games. As the first Hmong-American Olympian, her story is more than just triumph, it’s one of representation. Born and raised in Minnesota, Lee’s journey now takes her to Alabama, where she will compete as a college freshman this fall at Auburn University. At just 18 years old, Lee hopes to inspire and empower her peers and the next generation to work hard toward their passions and achieve their dreams.
MIKE “THE MIZ” MIZANIN – WWE’s resident Hollywood A-lister is ready for his close-up every time he enters the ring. Born in Cleveland, Mike “The Miz” Mizanin has made a career out of turning hurdles into his own personal trail of awesomeness. While in college, he auditioned for “The Real World” and went on to become one of the most popular cast members of the show’s 10th season, “Back to New York.” It was on this show where he debuted his wrestling alter ego: “The Miz.”
In the years following, he became a mainstay on MTV, hosting various popular shows on the network and competing on “The Real World”’s sister show, “Real World/Road Rules.” After moving to Los Angeles, he auditioned for the WWE’s “Tough Enough,” where his performance impressed the WWE executives enough to grant him a developmental contract. In the 12 years and counting that followed, “The Miz” has become one of WWE’s biggest stars. He has won the WWE, U.S., Intercontinental, and Tag Team titles (making him the 25th Triple Crown and 14th Grand Slam Champion in the history of the WWE).
KENYA MOORE – Actress and producer Kenya Moore is best known for her role on eight seasons of the highly rated and über popular reality series Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.” Also an entrepreneur, she has grown her hair care line, Kenya Moore Hair Care, over the past four years into a national brand that is carried in over 2,200 Sally’s Beauty Supply stores across the nation. The world was first introduced to Moore in 1993 when she made history becoming the second Black woman to be crowned Miss USA.
CODY RIGSBY – Born in California and raised in North Carolina, Cody Rigsby came to New York after college and worked as a professional dancer on projects including Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj, Victoria’s Secret, ELLE Magazine, SNL and more. This city, and the dance world within, gave Rigsby the tenacity to become a Peloton instructor; and his belief that life should be experienced authentically and fully is represented throughout his rides. Rigsby’s personal fitness goals are to be driven by the intention to always present the best version of himself, while inspiring members to be the same. As the director of Cycling Content at Peloton, Rigsby reminds everyone in his class to push themselves, but have a good time doing it, because we all need to have a little more fun.
IMAN SHUMPERT – Iman Shumpert is a father, rapper, producer, entrepreneur, actor and NBA basketball player. He became a fan favorite in New York with his gritty defensive play and high-top fade haircut, reminiscent of past Knicks players. Drafted No. 17 by the New York Knicks in 2011, he played four seasons for the team. He went on to win an NBA Championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers and play for the Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings and Brooklyn Nets.
JOJO SIWA – JoJo Siwa is a global superstar, singer, television and film star, bestselling author and social media sensation. Siwa has over 60.5 million followers on social media and over 3.6 billion views on YouTube. In 2020, she was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People. A consumer products powerhouse, her famous JoJo Siwa bow has sold more than 80 million bows globally to date. Next, Siwa will star in and executive produce “The J Team,” a new live-action musical premiering on Paramount+. Siwa also serves as creative director and executive producer of the upcoming series “Siwa’s Dance Pop Revolution” on Peacock.
Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio (The Revenant) and Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook) star as astronomers attempting to save a world set on destroying itself in Don’t Look Up from Oscar winning writer/director Adam McKay (The Big Short). The teaser trailer quickly up amassed more than 2 million views and prompted user comments about Netflix’s deep pockets, the number of A-list celebs that can be packed into one movie, and the need for a comedic end-of-the-world film right about now.
In addition to DiCaprio and Lawrence, the huge ensemble includes two-time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett, three-time Oscar winner Meryl Streep, Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet, Emmy winner Michael Chiklis, and two-time Oscar nominee Jonah Hill. Oscar winner Mark Rylance, Rob Morgan, Tyler Perry, Ron Perlman, Ariana Grande, Scott Mescudi, Himesh Patel, Melanie Lynskey, and Tomer Sisley also star in the Netflix original film.
Netflix is set to release Don’t Look Up in select theaters on December 10, 2021 followed by a release on the streaming service on December 24th.
The teaser trailer was accompanied by the first batch of photos and the following synopsis:
Kate Dibiasky (Lawrence), an astronomy grad student, and her professor Dr. Randall Mindy (DiCaprio) make an astounding discovery of a comet orbiting within the solar system. The problem — it’s on a direct collision course with Earth. The other problem? No one really seems to care. Turns out warning mankind about a planet-killer the size of Mount Everest is an inconvenient fact to navigate.
With the help of Dr. Oglethorpe (Morgan), Kate and Randall embark on a media tour that takes them from the office of an indifferent President Orlean (Streep) and her sycophantic son and Chief of Staff, Jason (Hill), to the airwaves of The Daily Rip, an upbeat morning show hosted by Brie (Blanchett) and Jack (Perry).
With only six months until the comet makes impact, managing the 24-hour news cycle and gaining the attention of the social media obsessed public before it’s too late proves shockingly comical — what will it take to get the world to just look up?!
Oscar nominee Riz Ahmed (Sound of Metal) stars in Amazon Studios’ sci-fi thriller, Encounter, which just released an official teaser trailer. The one-minute trailer introduces Ahmed as a dad who’s forced into confronting a threat that’s teased but left unseen in the new video.
In addition to Riz Ahmed, the cast includes Oscar winner Octavia Spencer (The Help), Rory Cochrane (White Boy Rick), Lucian-River Chauhan (Heartland), and newcomer Aditya Geddada.
Michael Pearce (Beast) directed and co-wrote the screenplay with Joe Barton (The Ritual). Pearce’s behind the scenes team includes cinematographer Benjamin Kracun, editor Maya Maffioli, and production designer Tim Grimes.
Derrin Schlesinger, Piers Vellacott, and Dimitri Doganis produced, with Fred Berger, Kate Churchill, Jenny Hinkey, Daniel Battsek, Ollie Madden, Julia Oh, Zander Levy, and Katherine Butler executive producing.
Encounter screened at the 2021 Telluride Film Festival and is part of the Special Presentations section of the Toronto International Film Festival running September 9-18. Amazon Studios will release the R-rated thriller in theaters on December 3, 2021 followed by a release on Prime Video on December 10th.
The Plot, Courtesy of Amazon:
A decorated Marine goes on a rescue mission to save his two young sons from a mysterious threat. As their journey takes them in increasingly dangerous directions, the boys will need to leave their childhoods behind.
Mike Flanagan, the creator of The Haunting of Hill House, is ready to serve up more nightmare-inducing content with his new Netflix series Midnight Mass. The intense new trailer introduces the world to the fine folks who live on Crockett Island. And by “fine,” I mean strange and quite possibly insane.
The limited series stars Hamish Linklater, Zach Gilford, Kate Siegel, Rahul Abburi, Crystal Balint, Matt Biedel, and Alex Essoe. Annarah Cymone, Annabeth Gish, Rahul Kohli, Kristin Lehman, Robert Longstreet, Igby Rigney, Samantha Sloyan, Henry Thomas, and Michael Trucco also star.
Mike Flanagan directs and serves as executive producer along with Trevor Macy. “I’m just going to admit it… Midnight Mass is my favorite project so far,” said Flanagan in a letter released in August. “As a former altar boy, about to celebrate 3 years of sobriety, it’s not hard to see what makes this so personal. The ideas at the root of this show scare me to my core.
There is darkness at work on Crockett Island. Some of it is supernatural, but the scariest is born of human nature. The darkness that animates this story isn’t hard to see in our own world, unfortunately. But this show is about something else as well… faith itself. One of the great mysteries of human nature. How even in the darkness, in the worst of it, in the absence of light – and hope – we sing. I hope you enjoy our song.”
All seven episodes will premiere on Netflix on September 24, 2021.
The Plot, Courtesy of Netflix:
Midnight Mass tells the tale of a small, isolated island community whose existing divisions are amplified by the return of a disgraced young man (Gilford) and the arrival of a charismatic priest (Linklater). When Father Paul’s appearance on Crockett Island coincides with unexplained and seemingly miraculous events, a renewed religious fervor takes hold of the community – but do these miracles come at a price?
This little island, so sleepy it might be dead. The isolated community on Crockett Island experiences miraculous events – and frightening omens – following the arrival of a charismatic, mysterious young priest.
Poster for the limited series ‘Midnight Mass’ (Photo Credit: Netflix)
Apple TV+’s fall 2021 programming lineup will include the premieres of three series just for kids and families. Wolfboy and the Everything Factory will debut on September 24th and Get Rolling With Otis arrives on October 8th. The third new family-friendly series, Puppy Place, is set to premiere on October 15th.
Apple TV+’s announcement of its kid-friendly new fall series was accompanied by the release of the first trailer for Joseph Gordon-Levitt, HITRECORD, and Bento Box Entertainment’s Wolfboy and the Everything Factory. The announcement also included details on the newest additions to Apple TV+’s kids and family programming.
Wolfboy and the Everything Factory
Inspired by the work of visual artist Toff ‘Wirrow’ Mazery, co-created by Emmy Award winner Edward Jesse (HITRECORD’s “Create Together”), developed by Emmy winner Michael Ryan (All Hail King Julien, Kung Fu Panda) and executive produced by Emmy winner Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Mr. Corman), HITRECORD and FOX Entertainment’s Bento Box Entertainment, the 10-episode animated epic Wolfboy and the Everything Factory follows Wolfboy (voiced by Kassian Akhtar), an imaginative oddball who discovers a strange realm at the centre of the earth where fantastical beings called ‘Sprytes’ create things for the natural world on the surface – clouds, trees, rabbits, dreams, hiccups, memories, time… everything!
With his newfound Spryte friends, Wolfboy learns that not only can he use the creative energy of the Everything Factory to make his wild imagination come to life, but that he is destined to play a central role in an age-old battle between the forces of creation and destruction. Wolfboy soon comes to realize that being different is what makes him special – and that, ultimately, it’s the oddballs and dreamers who change the world.
In addition to young newcomer Akhtar as the titular Wolfboy, the series is voiced by Critics’ Choice Award nominee Archie Yates (Jojo Rabbit), who portrays Sprout, Lilly Williams as Xandra, Cristina Milizia (DC Superhero Girls) as Floof and Gordon-Levitt voicing Professor Luxcraft. The series is peppered with a number of special performances, including Juno Temple (Ted Lasso) and Gordon-Levitt’s former 3rd Rock from the Sun castmate, stage and screen legend John Lithgow.
‘Wolfboy and the Everything Factory’ (Photo Credit: Apple TV+)
Get Rolling With Otis
Based on the Penguin Random House book series by Loren Long, Get Rolling With Otis will premiere globally on Apple TV+ Friday, October 8. This animated adventure series from 9 Story Media Group and Brown Bag Films welcomes young viewers to Long Hill Dairy Farm, home to Otis the Tractor and all his friends. Otis may be little, but he has a big heart. Whenever he sees a friend in need, he hits the brakes, asks how they’re feeling, and rolls into action to help!
The series is executive produced by Vince Commisso, Wendy Harris, author Loren Long, Darragh O’Connell, Angela C. Santomero, and Jane Startz.
Puppy Place
Based on the best-selling books from Scholastic, Puppy Place chronicles the adventures of dog-loving siblings, Charles and Lizzie Peterson, and the puppy pals they foster in search of forever homes.
Premiering on Apple TV+ Friday, October 15, each of the eight live-action episodes tells the story of a puppy who finds his or her way to the Peterson family. Charles (Riley Looc) and Lizzie (Brooklynn MacKinzie), whose different approaches complement, inspire, and occasionally confound one another, do whatever it takes to find a happy, loving home for each and every dog. Discovering what makes each puppy special offers a unique perspective that helps the pair overcome their own individual hurdles.
Country music artist Trace Adkins has signed on to star in Fox’s new midseason drama, Monarch, created by Melissa London Hilfers. The three-time Academy of Country Music Award winner will be joining Golden Globe nominee Anna Friel (Pushing Daisies) and Oscar winner Susan Sarandon (Dead Man Walking) in what’s described as a Country music-driven family drama set to premiere on Sunday, January 30, 2022.
Trace Adkins is playing Roman family patriarch Albie; Susan Sarandon is the family’s matriarch, Dottie Cantrell Roman; and Anna Friel is attached to star as Nicolette “Nicky” Roman.
Melissa London Hilfers is writing and executive producing, with Michael Rauch (Royal Pains) serving as showrunner and executive producer. Gail Berman, Hend Baghdady, and music manager Jason Owen also serve as executive producers. Jason Ensler (The Passage) is on board to direct the first episode.
Fox released the following description of Monarch season one:
“Monarch is a Texas-sized, multi-generational musical drama about America’s first family of country music.
In Monarch, ‘Texas Truthteller’ and reigning King of Country Music ALBIE ROMAN (Adkins), along with his insanely talented, but tough as nails wife, Queen of Country Music DOTTIE CANTRELL ROMAN (Sarandon), have created a country music dynasty. But even though the Roman name is synonymous with authenticity, the very foundation of their success is a lie. And when their reign as country royalty is put in jeopardy, heir to the crown NICOLETTE ‘NICKY’ ROMAN (Friel) will stop at nothing to protect her family’s legacy, while ensuring her own quest for stardom.”
Fox’s Fantasy Island season one episode six airs on a special day – Sunday – and features the much-anticipated reunion of Melrose Place stars Laura Leighton, Josie Bissett, and Daphne Zuniga. Episode six, “The Big Five Oh,” will air on Sunday, September 12, 2021 at 8:30pm ET/PT. Episode seven airs in the series’ normal Tuesday, September 14th at 9pm ET/PT.
The cast of the reboot is led by Roselyn Sánchez as Elena Roarke, a descendant of the iconic Mr. Roarke. Kiara Barnes (The Bold and the Beautiful) plays Ruby Akuda and John Gabriel Rodriguez (Rosewood) is Javier.
“The Big Five Oh” Plot: When old friends Nettie, Camille and Margot come to the Island to celebrate their 50th birthdays, their fantasies expose fault lines in their friendship.
Series Description, Courtesy of Fox:
Fantasy Island takes place at a luxury resort, where literally any fantasy requested by guests is fulfilled, although they rarely turn out as expected. Delving into the ‘what if’ questions – both big and small – that keep us awake at night, each episode will tell emotional, provocative stories about people who arrive with dreams and desires and depart enlightened and transformed through the magical realism of Fantasy Island.
Serving as steward of this mysterious island is Elena Roarke (Sanchez), a descendant of the iconic Mr. Roarke. Elena set aside her own ambitions, and even the love of her life, to uphold her family’s legacy. Sophisticated, insightful and always charming, her calm exterior masks the challenges of the responsibilities she has assumed.
Assisting Elena is Ruby Akuda (Barnes), a young woman with an old soul who arrives on Fantasy Island with a terminal illness and is given a new lease on life there; and pilot Javier (Rodriquez), who also is the head of island transportation and a jack of all trades.
