Apple TV+ has set a February 4, 2022 premiere date for Suspicion starring Oscar nominee Uma Thurman (Pulp Fiction). The Apple Original series will launch with the release of the first two episodes of the eight episode season, with new episodes arriving on subsequent Fridays.
Joining Uma Thurman for season one are Kunal Nayyar (The Big Bang Theory), Noah Emmerich (The Americans), Georgina Campbell (Black Mirror), Elyes Gabel (Scorpion), Elizabeth Henstridge (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Tom Rhys-Harries (White Lines), and Angel Coulby (Dancing on the Edge).
Man in the High Castle‘s Rob Williams is the showrunner and executive produces with Emmy Award nominee Chris Long (The Americans), Anna Winger, Amit Cohen, Maria Feldman, and Liat Benasuly. Keshet Productions’ Howard Burch and Alon Shtruzman along with Keshet Media Group’s Avi Nir also executive produce.
In addition to announcing the premiere date, Apple TV+ also released the first photos featuring Uma Thurman and Noah Emmerich.
The Plot, Courtesy of Apple TV+:
“When the son of a prominent American businesswoman (Thurman) is kidnapped from a New York hotel, the eye of suspicion quickly falls on four seemingly ordinary British citizens who were at the hotel on the night in question. As they find themselves in a trans-Atlantic cat and mouse race to evade the combined forces of the National Crime Agency and the FBI to prove their innocence, it becomes apparent that not everyone can be trusted.
Who is really behind the mysterious abduction, and who is only guilty of being in the wrong place at the wrong time?”
Uma Thurman and Noah Emmerich in ‘Suspicion’ (Photo Credit: Apple TV+)Georgina Campbell in ‘Suspicion’ (Photo Credit: Apple TV+)Kunal Nayyar, Tom Rhys-Harries, Georgina Campbell and Elizabeth Henstridge in ‘Suspicion,’ premiering globally February 4, 2022 on Apple TV+.Kunal Nayyar and Tom Rhys-Harries in ‘Suspicion’ (Photo Credit: Apple TV+)Uma Thurman stars in ‘Suspicion’ (Photo Credit: Apple TV+)
Apple TV+’s award-winning feel-good comedy Ted Lasso is spreading a little holiday cheer with the release of a brand new holiday short. The five-minute video finds the AFC Richmond gang shocked to discover their fearless leader’s mustache has gone missing. And because this is a Ted Lasso holiday video, there’s both a happy ending and an important life lesson dished out.
The stop-motion animated short features the voices of series stars Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Brendan Hunt, Jeremy Swift, Juno Temple, Brett Goldstein, Phil Dunster and Nick Mohammed.
Ted Lasso holds the record as the “most nominated freshman comedy series” in Emmy history, winning in categories including Best Comedy, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Supporting Actor. The series also won a Peabody Award, three Critics Choice Awards, two Writers Guild Awards, and Jason Sudeikis earned a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series.
The Series Plot, Courtesy of Apple TV+:
“Jason Sudeikis is Ted Lasso, an American football coach hired to manage a British soccer team—despite having no experience. But what he lacks in knowledge, he makes up for with optimism, underdog determination…and biscuits. Sarah Niles joins the cast this season as ‘Sharon,’ a sports psychologist who has been brought in to work with AFC Richmond.”
Oscar winner Guillermo del Toro’s riveting adaptation of William Lindsay Gresham’s Nightmare Alley, published in 1946, tells the story of carnival hustler Stanton Carlisle (Oscar nominee Bradley Cooper) and the three strong women who play integral roles in his life.
Oscar nominee Toni Collette’s Zeena the Seer helps introduce Stan to the art of mind-reading and warns of the dangerous path he’ll head down if he gives in to the dark side of the con. The sweet and spirited Molly (two-time Oscar nominee Rooney Mara) has known nothing other than the carnival life and when Stan showers her with attention, she’s unable to resist his charms. Two-time Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett plays Dr. Lilith Ritter, a cunning psychiatrist who pulls the unsuspecting (but not undeserving) Stan in and traps him like a fly inside an inescapable web.
Two-time Oscar nominee Richard Jenkins plays a pivotal role as Ezra Grindle, a filthy rich and morally corrupt businessman who turns to Stan in an attempt to soothe his guilty conscience.
Paired up for a Zoom press conference, Rooney Mara and Richard Jenkins spoke about their entry points into their characters. “I don’t know if there’s one specific thing,” said Mara. “Guillermo writes these incredible character biographies and to me, that was when it all clicked for me was when I read that. There’s so many little things in there that might seem meaningless to some people but that just make a person feel real. That to me was my real entry point was reading that biography and learning all these little things about Molly.”
“When I read the text, when I read the script I remember thinking, ‘Okay, you spend your life trying to connect with this vision, this person who you feel responsible for their death that you loved. And then you see them…you see them…and all of your life this is what it’s been geared toward and then you see them. And then you find out in a second and a half that it’s all not true.’ What is the human response to that? How do you even wrap your head around it? I think that just really interested me,” said Jenkins.
Mara admitted she’d never analyzed the story from that point of view and Jenkins added, “Yeah, you see those beautiful gardens and he’s built this to honor this woman. And for me, that was when I just said, ‘Yeah, I would love to play this. I would love to see what happens here.’”
Guillermo del Toro and co-writer Kim Morgan felt it was very important to have the symmetry of three women and three fathers for Stan. “These three figures each illuminate this negative space that Stan is,” explained Guillermo del Toro. “Kim and I discussed this very detailed and she said, ‘We’re going to have the archetypes – the ingenue, the femme fatale, the earthy heart-of-gold humanistic character. I want the three to survive and in fact thrive after Stan.’ And they all see him in some way but they’re hoping he’s not that.”
Rooney Mara appreciated the fact del Toro and Morgan included representations of three archetypes in the story. “So many times in film are women are reduced down to their archetype but you’re only seeing one of those. And all these three women, while they represent three different archetypes, they did feel like fully, well-rounded humans,” said Mara. “I think it’s really unique to have all three of those archetypes in one film in the way that this film has them. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen that.”
Molly and Ezra are on the receiving end of Stan’s hubris and both characters have distinctly different reactions to their interactions with the charming hustler.
“I always wondered, ‘Do I like Stan?’ I don’t know why that just kept coming up. I realized I didn’t; I needed him. I liked him when I needed him and when I didn’t, I didn’t,” said Jenkins. “You know, this is a fairly self-involved human being and I found that really interesting to do. I mean, there were times when I would look at Stan and feel great empathy for him. And then times I would look at him and think, ‘I’d like to squash him.’ So, it was, I guess, human – that’s a good word for it. I never tried to choose when those moments happened. They just seemed to find their way in and out.”
“I think the beautiful thing about Molly is she has the ability to have love and compassion for anyone, even in their worst moments, almost to a fault – almost to her undoing. And so that’s kind of how I thought of Stan. I was able to sort of love all parts of him,” explained Mara.
* * * * * * * * * *
Searchlight Pictures is releasing Nightmare Alley in theaters on December 17, 2021.
Grammy nominee Cassadee Pope will be on the road in early 2022 promoting her ninth album, Thrive. The 2022 “Thrive Tour” will kick off on March 18th in Baltimore, Maryland, at the Sound Stage. Tickets are set to go on sale on Friday, December 17, 2021.
“Seeing the reaction to Thrive has been so validating and beautiful. I can’t wait to see that in its physical form on the Thrive Tour!” says Pope. “This music is me to the core and I’m looking forward to showing people what that looks like night after night. Rocking out with my fans again will feel so good.”
Nickolas Wheeler of The All-American Rejects and Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild produced Pope’s Thrive album, which dropped in October 2021. Pope wrote or co-wrote every song on the album, which is described as a blend of pop-punk and country music.
Thrive Tour 2022 Dates:
March 18, 2022 – Baltimore, MD at Sound Stage
March 20, 2022 – Boston, MA at Sinclair
March 22, 2022 – New York, NY at Gramercy Theatre
March 23, 2022 – Philadelphia, PA at Ardmore Music Hall
March 25, 2022 – Pittsburg, PA at Thunderbird Music Hall
March 26, 2022 – Detroit, MI at Crofoot
March 27, 2022 – Columbus, OH at A&R Bar
March 29, 2022 – St. Louis, MO at Old Rock House
March 30, 2022 – Chicago, IL at Lincoln Hall
March 31, 2022 – Minneapolis, MN at Turf Club
April 1, 2022 – Milwaukee, WI at Rave II
Amanda Seyfried as Elizabeth Holmes in ‘The Dropout’ (Photo by: Beth Dubber/Hulu)
Oscar nominee Amanda Seyfried (Mank) perfectly captures disgraced billionaire and founder of Theranos Elizabeth Holmes in the first photos from Hulu’s The Dropout. The limited series’ first photos arrive as the real Holmes stands trial for wire fraud and is facing a possible 20 year prison sentence if convicted.
The series will also star Naveen Andrews (Sense8, Instinct) as Sunny Balwani.
Elizabeth Meriwether (Single Parents, New Girl) guides the limited series as showrunner and executive produces with Liz Heldens, Liz Hannah, Katherine Pope, Rebecca Jarvis, Victoria Thompson, and Taylor Dunn. Michael Showalter is directing episodes and is also on board as an executive producer with his Semi-Formal Productions producing partner Jordana Mollick.
Hulu will release the first three episodes on March 3, 2022, with additional episodes dropping on subsequent Thursdays. The Dropout is a Searchlight Television and 20th Television production.
Hulu released the following description of the limited series:
“Money. Romance. Tragedy. Deception. Hulu’s limited series The Dropout, the story of Elizabeth Holmes (Seyfried) and Theranos is an unbelievable tale of ambition and fame gone terribly wrong. How did the world’s youngest self-made female billionaire lose it all in the blink of an eye?”
Naveen Andrews as Sunny Balwani and Amanda Seyfried as Elizabeth Holmes (Photo by: Beth Dubber/Hulu)Elizabeth Holmes as played by Amanda Seyfried in ‘The Dropout’ (Photo by: Beth Dubber/Hulu)Sunny Balwani (played by Naveen Andrews) and Elizabeth Holmes (played by Amanda Seyfried) – Photo by: Beth Dubber/Hulu
Paramount+’s Why Women Kill will stick around for a third season. The subscription streaming service officially renewed the anthology series created by Marc Cherry for season three but didn’t confirm when we can expect it to arrive or who will star in the new season.
“Why Women Kill explores the intricate lives of its female characters with a style, charm and dark humor only Marc Cherry can provide,” stated Nicole Clemens, President, Paramount+ Original Scripted Series. “We’re so excited that the audience for the series continues to grow, with the second season of Why Women Kill ranking within the top 10 series on Paramount+ in terms of both overall engagement and new subscriber acquisition. We can’t wait to share the new cast of riveting, scandalous characters Marc Cherry has created when the series returns for its third season.”
Season one of the dark comedy premiered in August 2019 and starred Lucy Liu (Elementary), Ginnifer Goodwin (Once Upon a Time), and Kirby Howell-Baptiste (The Good Place). Season two arrived in June 2021 and featured Allison Tolman (Fargo), Lana Parrilla (Once Upon a Time), B.K. Cannon (Sin City Saints), and Jordane Christie (Containment).
Season two of the CBS Studios and Imagine Television Studios production was executive produced by Marc Cherry, Imagine’s Brian Grazer, Acme Productions’ Michael Hanel and Mindy Schultheis, Marc Webb, Samie Kim Falvey, Francie Calfo, and David Warren.
A Look Back at Season 2, Courtesy of Paramount+:
Set in 1949, season two explored what it means to be beautiful, the hidden truth behind the facades people present to the world, the effects of being ignored and overlooked by society, and the lengths one woman will go in order to finally belong.
CBS’s NCIS: Hawai’i will return from its month-long winter break with season one episode 10, “Lost.” Directed by Tim Andrew from a script by Jan Nash, episode 10 – “Lost” – will air on Monday, January 3, 2022 at 10pm ET/PT.
Vanessa Lachey (Call Me Kat, Truth Be Told) leads the cast as Special Agent in Charge Jane Tennant, Alex Tarrant plays Kai Holman, Noah Mills stars as Jesse Boone, and Yasmine Al-Bustami plays Lucy Tara. The first season also stars Jason Antoon as Ernie Malik and Tori Anderson as Kate Whistler.
Guest stars include Sharif Atkins, Nathaniel Ashton, Michael Broderick, Christopher Redman, and Kim Hawthorne.
“Lost” Plot: NCIS crosses paths with Whistler’s team while investigating a shipping container filled with contraband weapons. Also, Tennant debates arresting Alex’s friend’s dad, knowing it will cause her friend to move away.
The world’s most successful television series continues on the seductive shores of the Aloha State with NCIS: Hawai’i, where the first female Special Agent in Charge of NCIS Pearl Harbor, Jane Tennant, has thrived and risen through the ranks by equal parts confidence and strategy in a system that has pushed back on her every step of the way. Together with her unwavering team of specialists, they balance duty to family and country while investigating high-stakes crimes involving military personnel, national security and the mysteries of the sun-drenched island paradise itself.
Paramount+’s Yellowstone prequel, 1883, will delve into the hows and whys of the Dutton family’s dangerous trek through inhospitable territory to settle in Montana back in the late 1800s. The new drama from Taylor Sheridan focuses on John Dutton’s great grandparents James and Margaret Dutton, played by real-life spouses/Grammy Award-winning Country music superstars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, as they leave Texas in an effort to find the perfect location to call home.
As production was getting underway, Yellowstone star Kevin Costner welcomed Tim McGraw into the fold, posting on Instagram that “Dutton” looked good on the Country music star. And during an interview with Entertainment Weekly, McGraw recalled filming was tough but well worth it in order to be a part of this project. “It’s super dusty and super hot. There’s no way around it. At the same time, it’s like every kid’s fantasy to do something like this, to put your chaps on, your cowboy hat, and your gun holsters every day. Then you get on a horse and try to survive this journey,” said McGraw.
Faith Hill spoke to Parade about the couple’s decision to dip back into the acting world with Taylor Sheridan’s 1883. “We were like, ‘We have to do it and go on this adventure together,’” said McGraw. “It begins with a song. If the song is right, then you don’t give it a second thought, because writing is a real craft that should be respected. We read the material and we were like, ‘How can we not do it?’”
Season one of the Yellowstone prequel also stars Audie Rick as James and Margaret’s young son, John Dutton (who will eventually add Sr. behind his name), and Isabel May as their pretty teenage daughter, Elsa. Oscar nominee Sam Elliott (A Star is Born) is a tough-as-nails cowboy named Shea Brennan, Oscar winner Billy Bob Thornton plays Marshal Jim Courtright, and LaMonica Garrett stars as Thomas.
Paramount+ released the following descriptions of additional season one characters:
Marc Rissmann plays Josef, a European immigrant who is married to ‘Risa’, who travels with an employed crew to guide his group across the frontier.
Eric Nelsen plays Ennis, a young, handsome cowboy who agrees to help escort a group of inexperienced men, women and children north to find a home.
James Landry Hébert plays Wade, a young cowboy who finds himself as part of a crew for a caravan of hopeful travelers making their way north for a better life.
Dawn Olivieri plays Claire, a fierce, practical and sharp widow who joins her brother and his family on a trip to find a new home.
Emma Malouff plays Mary Abel, the daughter of Claire and the niece of James and Margaret Dutton, who joins her family on their journey West.
Alex Fine plays Grady, an experienced cowboy and the leader of a crew of six drovers, who agrees to help an inexperienced crew round-up longhorn for their long journey.
Gratiela Brancusi plays Noemi, a woman with two young boys who is recently widowed.
Anna Fiamora plays Risa, a young immigrant woman who is married to ‘Josef’ and joins the traveling camp to move west.
Amanda Jaros plays Alina, a weary but hopeful immigrant woman who speaks little English but has much resolve.
Nichole Galicia plays Guinevere, a local prostitute who works in Fort Worth, Texas.
Stephanie Nur plays Melodi, a beguiling prostitute who works at the saloon.
Noah Le Gros plays Colton, a young cowboy in the wagon camp who knows the ropes and has some smart insights about the dangers of their journey.
Martin Sensmeier plays Sam, a Comanche Native-American Warrior.
Yellowstone season four is currently airing on Sundays at 8pm ET/PT on Paramount Network. Season one of 1883 will release episodes one and two on Paramount+ on Sunday, December 19, 2021.
The Plot:
“1883 follows the Dutton family as they embark on a journey west through the Great Plains toward the last bastion of untamed America. It is a stark retelling of Western expansion, and an intense study of one family fleeing poverty to seek a better future in America’s promised land – Montana.”
ABC’s cop drama The Rookie will return from its 2021-2022 winter break with season four episode 10, “Heart Beat.” Directed by SJ Main Muñoz from a script by Fredrick Kotto, episode 10 is set to air on Sunday, January 2, 2022 at 10pm ET/PT.
Season four stars Nathan Fillion as John Nolan, Mekia Cox as Nyla Harper, Alyssa Diaz as Angela Lopez, and Richard T. Jones as Wade Grey. Melissa O’Neil is Lucy Chen and Eric Winter stars as Tim Bradford.
Guest stars include Jenna Dewan as Bailey, Matthew Glave as Oscar Hutchinson, Arjay Smith as James Murray, Helena Mattson as Ashley McGrady, and Steve Kazee as Jason Wyler.
“Heart Beat” Plot: Now that John Nolan knows about Bailey’s past, he must decide if they still have a future. Meanwhile, when a plane crashes in the middle of the city the team races to find out why.
Nathan Fillion and Jenna Dewan in ‘The Rookie’ season 4 episode 10 (ABC/Raymond Liu)Jenna Dewan and Corbin Reid in season 4 episode 10 (ABC/Raymond Liu)Helena Mattsson in season 4 episode 10 (ABC/Raymond Liu)Nathan Fillion, Melissa O’Neil, and Eric Winter in season 4 episode 10 (ABC/Raymond Liu)Nathan Fillion and Mekia Cox in season 4 episode 10 (ABC/Raymond Liu)Melissa O’Neil and Eric Winter in season 4 episode 10 (ABC/Raymond Liu)Jenna Dewan in the “Heart Beat” episode (ABC/Raymond Liu)
A murder at high school reunion afterparty is the setup for The Afterparty, Apple TV+’s upcoming murder-mystery comedy series. The just-released trailer introduces the soon-to-be victim, played by Dave Franco (The Rental), as a rich dude no one actually likes who hosts a party for his former classmates.
The search for the murderer is told through different (probably conflicting) perspectives. Tiffany Haddish (Girls Trip) stars as the police detective in charge of the investigation, and Sam Richardson (Veep), Zoë Chao (Love Life), Ben Schwartz (House of Lies), Ike Barinholtz (The Mindy Project), Ilana Glazer (Broad City), and Jamie Demetriou (Fleabag) play the classmates under investigation.
Season one will premiere on Friday, January 28, 2022 with the release of the eight-episode season’s first three episodes. New episodes will follow on subsequent Fridays.
Oscar-winning filmmakers Chris Miller and Phil Lord (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, 21 Jump Street) are the creative forces behind the Apple TV+ series. Miller created the series and serves as director and showrunner. He also executive produces with Phil Lord, his Lord Miller producing partner, as well as Emmy nominee Anthony King.
Poster for ‘The Afterparty’ season 1 (Photo Credit: Apple TV+)
Apple TV+’s official season one description:
“The Afterparty is a genre-defying series centered on a murder mystery at a high school reunion, with each episode exploring a different character’s account of the fateful evening in question, all through the lens of popular film genres and unique visuals to match the storyteller’s perspective.”
