Grace Van Patten to star in Hulu’s ‘Tell Me Lies’ (Photo Courtesy of Hulu)
Carola Lovering’s Tell Me Lies is being adapted into a series, with Hulu announcing Grace Van Patten is on board to star. Van Patten also has a role in Hulu’s Nine Perfect Strangers, starring Oscar winner Nicole Kidman (The Hours) and two-time Oscar nominee Melissa McCarthy (Can You Ever Forgive Me?, Bridesmaids), debuting on August 18, 2021.
Emma Roberts and Karah Preiss are executive producing through their Belletrist production company. Meaghan Oppenheimer is attached to write the pilot and also executive produces along with Rebelle Media’s Laura Lewis and Vice Studios’ Shannon Gibson.
Author Lovering will be involved as a consulting producer.
Hulu released the following description of Tell Me Lies:
Tell Me Lies follows a tumultuous but intoxicating relationship as it unfolds over the course of 8 years. When Lucy Albright and Stephen DeMarco meet at college, they are at that formative age when seemingly mundane choices lead the way to irrevocable consequences. Although their relationship begins like any typical campus romance, they quickly fall into an addictive entanglement that will permanently alter not only their lives, but the lives of everyone around them.
Grace Van Patten will play Lucy Albright, on the surface, a sheltered but well-adjusted girl from an affluent Long Island town. Her acerbic humor and often cool demeanor has earned her the label of “Ice Queen” among her friends. But beneath her confident façade Lucy is hiding a childhood trauma that has left her feeling disconnected from her peers. When she meets Stephen, Lucy sees a dark streak in him that she recognizes in herself, and will inadvertently bring her demons to light.
Camila Cabello stars as an aspiring fashion designer determined to start her own business in the official trailer for Amazon Studios’ fresh take on Cinderella. The romantic musical’s new trailer, which teases this is the legend you know but the story you don’t, also introduces Billy Porter as this adaptation’s fabulous version of Cinderella’s fairy godmother.
The cast also includes Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Robert, Idina Menzel as the evil stepmother, Minnie Driver as Queen Beatrice, and Pierce Brosnan as King Rowan. James Corden, James Acaster, and Romesh Ranganathan play the mice who are transformed into footmen.
Kay Cannon (Blockers, Pitch Perfect) adapted the classic fairy tale and directed the PG-rated 2021 version. Leo Pearlman, James Corden, Jonathan Kadin, and Shannon McIntosh served as producers.
Amazon Studios has set a September 3, 2021 premiere date on Amazon Prime Video.
The Plot, Courtesy of Amazon:
Cinderella is a modern musical with a bold take on the story you grew up with. Our ambitious heroine (Cabello) has big dreams and with the help of her Fab G, she perseveres to make them come true.
Nicholas Galitzine and Camila Cabello star in Amazon’s ‘Cinderella’
Critics Choice Awards winner Christian Slater (Mr. Robot) and two-time Emmy winner Tony Hale (Veep) will lend their voices to the upcoming Halloween special, LEGO Star Wars Terrifying Tales. The cast announcement was accompanied by the official poster for the upcoming special.
Tony Hale will voice Vaneé and Christian Slater is on board as Ren. Hale and Slater join LEGO Star Wars cast members Jake Green as Poe Dameron, Raphael Alejandro as Dean, Dana Snyder as Graballa the Hutt, and Trevor Devall as Emperor Palpatine. Mary Elizabeth McGlynn is NI-L8 and Matt Sloan is Darth Vader.
Ken Cunningham directs and David Shayne writes and executive produces. James Waugh, Josh Rimes, Jacqui Lopez, Jill Wilfert, Keith Malone, and Jason Cosler are also on board as executive producers.
The new animated special will premiere on Disney+ on October 1, 2021.
LEGO Star Wars Terrifying Tales Plot, Courtesy of Disney+:
After the events of The Rise of Skywalker, Poe and BB-8 must make an emergency landing on the volcanic planet Mustafar where they meet the greedy and conniving Graballa the Hutt who has purchased Darth Vader’s castle and is renovating it into the galaxy’s first all-inclusive Sith-inspired luxury hotel. While waiting for his X-Wing to be repaired, Poe, BB-8, Graballa, and Dean (a plucky and courageous young boy who works as Graballa’s mechanic) venture deep into the mysterious castle with Vader’s loyal servant, Vaneé.
Along the way, Vaneé shares three creepy stories linked to ancient artifacts and iconic villains from across all eras of Star Wars. As Vaneé spins his tales and lures our heroes deeper into the shadowy underbelly of the castle, a sinister plan emerges. With the help of Dean, Poe and BB-8 will have to face their fears, stop an ancient evil from rising, and escape to make it back to their friends.
Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, Ryan Seacrest, and Luke Bryan prepare for ‘American Idol’ season 20 (ABC/Eric McCandless)
Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie will return as judges for the 20th season of American Idol. Host Ryan Seacrest is also set to return for the fifth season on ABC, and 20th season overall.
“Luke, Katy, Lionel and Ryan are music and industry icons that have become synonymous with Idol on ABC,” stated Rob Mills, executive vice president, Unscripted and Alternative Entertainment, Walt Disney Television. “Their star power is unmatched, and their support is a gift to our contestants that have deeply benefited from their wisdom over the past four seasons—and they’re ready to do it again. As we begin a momentous season, I think it’s safe to say this dream team has officially cemented their legacy on Idol.”
Season 20 is expected to air in spring 2022. Auditions will begin on August 6, 2021 and continue through September 21st. In order to keep everyone involved safe, the upcoming auditions will be conducted virtually.
“American Idol is still the original music show that genuinely creates superstars and continues to evolve to allow true artists to succeed in this unique business,” said executive producer and showrunner Megan Wolflick. “The chemistry and passion Katy, Luke, Lionel and Ryan bring is second to none. We couldn’t be more ecstatic that they are returning for this iconic 20th season in search of the freshest new talent that this nation has to offer.”
According to the network, American Idol seasons 18 and 19 ranked first in AI‘s time period for two years running among adults 18-49.
“We are thrilled that Katy, Lionel, Luke and Ryan will be back to help discover our next American Idol,” said executive producer Eli Holzman, CEO of Industrial Media. “This dream team has selected and guided some of the most talented Idol contestants in the history of the series, and we can’t wait to see who they’ll find next.”
ABC released the following details on the upcoming season 5/20 auditions:
“Season five auditions will kick off Friday, Aug. 6, with the return of ‘Idol Across America,’ the live virtual nationwide search for the next superstar, taking place across all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. For the second year in a row, ‘Idol Across America’ offers hopefuls the opportunity to showcase their talents face-to-face with an American Idol producer, from anywhere in America, across any official audition date for a chance to proceed to the judge audition round of the competition. Last season’s first-ever ‘Idol Across America’ virtual auditions successfully kicked off many hopeful’s American Idol journeys, including ABC’s season-four winner, Chayce Beckham.”
“Idol Across America” Auditions:
• Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina (Aug. 6)
• Connecticut, New Jersey, New York (Aug. 8)
• Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas (Aug. 11)
• Florida, Michigan, Virginia, West Virginia (Aug. 13)
• Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi (Aug. 16)
• Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee (Aug. 18)
• Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada (Aug. 21)
• Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming (Aug. 23)
• Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin (Aug. 25)
• Open Call: Nationwide (Aug. 27)
• Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah (Aug. 31)
• Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont (Sept. 2)
• Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C. (Sept. 8)
• Open Call: The South (Sept. 10)
• Open Call: East Coast (Sept. 13)
• Open Call: West Coast (Sept. 16)
• Open Call: Nationwide (Sept. 21)
Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom recently welcomed their first child, daughter Daisy Duke. Luke Bryan’s been busy with the five-part documentary series Luke Bryan: My Dirt Road Diary debuting August 6, 2021 on IMDb TV, and Lionel Richie’s preparing to return to Las Vegas for 10 nights of shows beginning September 10, 2021.
Season three episode two of The CW’s Roswell, New Mexico opens with Isobel (Lily Cowles) and Michael (Michael Vlamis) arguing over how to get info out of Jones (Nathan Dean). Isobel suggests water while Michael believes their problem can be solved with a show of firepower. Isobel disarms her brother and reminds him they can’t kill an alien who claims to come in peace. “It’s too ironic,” says Isobel, absolutely nailing the situation.
Michael reminds her Jones deserved to die in the ‘40s but Isobel points out their mothers didn’t kill him; they stuck him in a pod. She wants to learn everything she can before they decide what to do. Michael doesn’t pull any punches and believes setting Jones free is basically unleashing Noah Part 2.
They finally agree to get as much as they can from Jones, aware Max’s life hangs in the balance.
Jones reveals their planet was known as the Oasis and had a “bit more of a twinkle” in its eye than Earth. The political climate shifted and forced some to hide out from the dictator. He explains their mothers – the engineer and the empath – chose to hide underground. After trying to form a resistance but failing to topple the dictator, they figured out how to build a ship and flee to another world.
Jones claims he was a prisoner of the dictator, but also his secret weapon. He was seven when he realized he could resurrect living things. The dictator forced him to use his healing powers which drained him – just like it does Max. When he refused, the dictator tortured his parents and eventually killed them.
Jones hated being used as a pawn in someone else’s war but then he finally found someone he wanted to save – Max. He claims he wasn’t even supposed to be on the ship but was trying to rescue Max and keep him from being forced to use his powers. Jones also believes the humans would have killed them all when they landed if he hadn’t started the fire.
Isobel wonders how Jones even knew about Max and Jones explains healing forms a psychic connection. Jones was healing a rebel so the dictator could torture him for information when Jones “saw” someone chained up who was just like him.
Jones broke loose and tried to save Max. The twist…it wasn’t the dictator who had Max chained up; it was their mothers. Nora tricked the dictator into believing she was on his side and stole Jones’ DNA to create Max. Jones is sure Michael and Isobel’s mothers had the best intentions, but they were overmatched against the dictator.
Jones recalls a tale a preacher told him after they landed here about a great flood that destroyed this planet. He says their home planet had something similar happen, but it was a fire rather than a flood. “And through the devastation walked the one who would become the dictator,” recites Jones.
The dictator had powers unlike any others, and everyone believed he was immortal. Jones claims he and Max were basically just ammunition caught in a war zone. Jones would do anything he could to protect Max.
Isobel and Michael step outside the cave to discuss what they’ve learned. Michael doesn’t want to believe Jones’ story and refuses to accept their mothers made Max. Michael’s sure Jones is lying but Isobel knows no one lies about everything. Some parts of his story must be close to the truth.
After a short tantrum, Michael agrees Isobel could be right. However, he can’t listen to any more of Jones’ story today.
Michael’s done but Isobel’s not. She rejoins Jones who admits he knew Max was sick the moment he touched him. Isobel asks if Jones can heal Max, and Max claims he’s not sure. Isobel’s next question gets a better answer. She asks if he wants to heal Max and Jones replies, “I traveled across the galaxy to save that kid.” Jones thinks saving Max will help absolve him of the harm he’s done in the past.
Before Isobel leaves, Jones tells her her mother was incredibly strong and decent. He’s fine with whatever decision Isobel makes about his life because he believes she’s just like her mother. She’ll do what’s right.
Isobel rushes out of the cave and is overcome with emotion.
Meanwhile, Max wakes up alone in bed. Anatsa (Sibongile Mlambo) woke up first and has been reading his manuscript. Surprisingly, Max isn’t upset. She confesses she was hooked three sentences in. After thanking him for sex, she takes off while all Max can do is chuckle.
In LA, Liz (Jeanine Mason) wakes to find a shirtless Heath (Steven Krueger) whipping up eggs in her kitchen. They have a slightly uncomfortable conversation about the previous night’s sexual activities before getting ready for work. (Got to say, I love the chemistry between Jeanine Mason and Steven Krueger.)
A short while later at work, Liz is absorbed in her research and dismissive of Heath. She refuses to say anything about the project she’s working on and Heath wonders if her attitude has anything to do with spending the night together. Heath figures out she’s trying to replicate something from her research in Roswell and since she doesn’t have the usable samples she needs, he suggests she should go home and get them. He promises to take care of things in the lab if she wants to go back to Roswell for a few days.
Liz admits being able to get the unusual DNA she had would speed up their research but that research was destroyed. She can’t go home – there’s nothing left for her there. Liz becomes upset because what she’s got in LA isn’t getting her anywhere.
Heath compares her need for the abnormal DNA to a rum maker’s need for a specific extinct tree used in its barrels. They were ultimately able to use extinct germinated bacteria to make the barrels so maybe nothing is lost forever in Roswell.
“You’re a genius!” says Liz, rewarding Heath’s brilliance with a kiss and promises of a date this coming Friday.
Episode one of the new season found Wyatt Long (Dylan McTee) recognizing Rosa and attacking her in the diner. Rosa (Amber Midthunder) managed to inject him with one of her mom’s mind-wiping drugs, leaving Wyatt without any memories from the past decade. Episode two finds Rosa accompanying him to see Kyle (Michael Trevino) who diagnoses him with retrograde amnesia. Kyle suggests Wyatt should get back to his normal life, but Wyatt’s not sure what that means. Kyle says to stick with hanging out with his friends and family. He can find them by looking for ”any dickweed with a Confederate flag.”
After Wyatt leaves, Kyle confirms it’s possible he won’t ever get his memories back. The dose Rosa injected was 100x what her mom gave to Cameron. Rosa admits she didn’t want to erase his life, but she panicked. Kyle assures her she shouldn’t feel bad. “Long’s the guy who thought it was funny to tape a ‘whites only’ sign above a drinking fountain,” says Kyle.
Alex (Tyler Blackburn) is working in a booth at the café when someone in an alien costume walks by and knocks over his water. They quickly exit the café before Alex notices they’ve left a calling card that reads: “You have questions. The answers lie right here. Longitude: 84. 187546 Latitude: 44.954719”
Alex puts on his uniform and heads over to the location. He discovers he’s not the only one there and takes a seat opposite an Air Force colonel named Ramos (David DeSantos). Within minutes of his arrival, Alex and Ramos find themselves trapped in a room that’s being drained of oxygen.
They tear up the room as the oxygen is sucked out. Suddenly, it dawns on Alex that Ramos isn’t who he appears to be. Alex connects the dots and figures out Ramos is in on it. His service badge has too many stars and Alex realizes it’s fake.
Ramos uses a remote control to turn the lights and air back on. It also opens the door to the rest of the Deep Sky facility. Eduardo Ramos officially introduces himself as Alex’s boss and shows off the Lockhart machine. They’ve been studying it for 50 years and aren’t any closer to understanding what it does. “Every 47 days at 11:11pm it turns on for precisely one minute,” explains Ramos. The last time was 46 days ago.
The Lockhart machine will be Alex’s project as Ramos hands him a ring and welcomes him to Deep Sky.
Kyle’s mom pays him a visit before leaving town for good. She drops off an old radio of his father’s and reminds him he doesn’t owe this town anything. She believes Roswell’s changed and the Valentis have given everything they have to give.
Their goodbye chat is cut short when Kyle receives a text from Maria (Heather Hemmens). He joins Max at the bar and learns Maria was attacked and had another vision. She puts Kyle off when he says they need to get her brain scanned and instead wants to talk about her vision. She’s sure someone is about to be murdered.
Maria describes the vision and Max is confused. They all assumed it was Max’s funeral but he’s alive and well in her vision. Maria wants to force another vision to get more info, but Kyle insists she needs to stop injuring her brain. Max agrees and reluctantly Maria says she’ll go to the hospital but first she wants to stop at the café to check on another part of her vision.
She asks them to meet her on the café’s roof and they quickly regret doing so. Maria’s determined to trigger another vision and knows she can do it by being afraid for her life by jumping off the roof. Kyle’s worried Max’s heart is too weak to allow him to use his powers to catch her, but Maria refuses to listen. She leaps off the ledge and, fortunately, Michael’s there to stop her fall in mid-air.
Rather than be thankful, she’s pissed Michael interfered. She needed to be scared to induce another vision but Michael saved her. She points out his abilities are the only ones that don’t have limits, something Michael appears to have never considered before. Maria says if she has to scare herself to find out who’s getting murdered, she will. She can’t just sit by on a barstool like Michael does. (Sick burn there, Maria!)
Later, Michael and Max have a heart-to-heart and Michael finally asks for more info on Jones and their home planet. He realizes time’s running out and needs answers now. In a nice bro bonding moment, they both admit to being scared and stupid. Max reveals that the night they found Jones it sparked a memory of when he was younger and chained up. He always thought Louise was trying to break the chain and set him free, but he’s not sure. Either Nora and Louise were trying to save him or they were trying to stop Jones from taking him away. Max remembers running to Jones and that Jones felt safe.
Max confesses he didn’t tell Michael this earlier because he didn’t want to ruin any memories he had of his mom. Max needs to know why he’s a clone and why someone made him, and he thinks Jones has all the answers. (Max is still unaware Michael has completed the cage and he and Isobel have been speaking with Jones.) Max doesn’t want to die before getting the answers he needs.
The streets are empty and Rosa’s alone spray-painting a rose on the side of the café when Wyatt shows up unexpectedly to thank her. They briefly discuss his racist family as he delivers a gift of art supplies.
Michael’s alone sitting at a campfire drinking a beer when he recalls Jones saying the dictator had extraordinary abilities. Flames couldn’t touch him and, apparently, they also can’t touch Michael, something he learns by sticking his hand into the campfire.
Max shocks Anatsa by showing up in uniform at the café where she’s busy jotting down notes. She had no idea he’s a cop and reveals she’s actually a reporter investigating racism and the new sheriff’s questionable record.
Kyle, reluctantly, agrees to Isobel and Maria’s plan of forcing a vision with an injection of adrenaline.
Michael returns to the cave to confront Jones, demanding to know why the dictator helped his mom. Michael believes he’s the dictator’s son and Jones confirms Michael is his heir.
Max steps outside just as a taxi arrives with Liz. They stare at each other and are rendered momentarily speechless.
Fox revived the classic Fantasy Island series with a new version featuring Roselyn Sánchez (Devious Maids) as Elena Roarke, a relative of Mr. Roarke played by Ricardo Montalban in the original TV series. The new drama, set to premiere on August 10, 2021, has just released a batch of photos, an episode one plot description, and a season one trailer.
Joining Roselyn Sánchez for the first season are Kiara Barnes (The Bold and the Beautiful) as Ruby Akuda and John Gabriel Rodriguez (Rosewood) as Javier. Prodigal Son‘s Bellamy Young puts in a guest starring appearance in the series’ first episode.
“Hungry Christine/Mel Loves Ruby” Plot: In the series opener, Roarke welcomes a local morning show host, Christine Collins, who has a simple fantasy: she wants to eat. And eat. And eat. But when Christine gets to Fantasy Island, she’ll realize that she’s hungry for much more than food. Roarke’s other guests include Ruby Akuda, who arrives on Fantasy Island with her husband; Ruby is afflicted with a terminal illness and is given a new lease on life.
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 Okoro (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.
As season five of Money Heist kicks off more than 100 hours have passed since the gang took over the Bank of Spain. The just-released official trailer shows the possibility of their arrests are imminent and the military has been called in to put an end to the heist.
The cast of Money Heist season five includes Álvaro Morte as the Professor, Úrsula Corberó as Tokyo, Miguel Herrán as Rio, and Itziar Ituño as Lisbon. Hovik Keuchkerian plays Bogota, Pedro Alonso is Berlin, Jaime Lorente is Denver, Najwa Nimri is Alicia Sierra, Belén Cuesta is Manila, and Rodrigo De la Serna stars as Palermo.
Season five also features J Esther Acebo, Enrique Arce, Darko Peric, and Luka Peros.
The first installment of season five, Volume 1, will launch on Netflix on September 3, 2021. Volume 2 will follow on December 3rd.
The Plot, Courtesy of Netflix:
The gang has been shut in the Bank of Spain for over 100 hours. They have managed to rescue Lisbon, but their darkest moment is upon them after losing one of their own. The Professor has been captured by Sierra and, for the first time, doesn’t have an escape plan. Just when it seems like nothing else could go wrong, an enemy comes on the scene that is much more powerful than any they’ve faced: the army. The end of the greatest heist in history is approaching, and what began as a robbery will turn into a war.
Official poster for ‘Money Heist’ season 5 (Photo Courtesy of Netflix)
Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock attempts to lay down the law by issuing a list of rules in the new official trailer for Venom: Let There Be Carnage. Meanwhile, Woody Harrelson’s serial killer Cletus Kasady is ready to indulge in a little Carnage…which prompts Eddie to break the rules and promise Venom he can eat anyone.
The nearly three minute trailer arrives with a tease of a fall release.
Hardy and Harrelson are joined by Michelle Williams, Naomie Harris, Reid Scott, and Stephen Graham. Andy Serkis directs from a screenplay by Kelly Marcel (story by Marcel and Tom Hardy).
The Columbia Pictures film is produced by Hardy, Avi Arad, Matt Tolmach, Amy Pascal, Kelly Marcel, and Hutch Parker. Barry Waldman, Jonathan Cavendish, and Ruben Fleischer executive produce. Fleischer directed 2018’s Venom which grossed $856+ million during its worldwide theatrical run.
The Plot:
Tom Hardy returns to the big screen as the lethal protector Venom, one of MARVEL’s greatest and most complex characters.
A new photo arrives from Venom Let There Be Carnage (Photo Courtesy of Columbia Pictures)
Bleecker Street’s new trailer for the adult relationship comedy Together focuses on a married couple dealing with being in constant close quarters for far too long during the Covid-19 pandemic. The R-rated dark comedy stars James McAvoy (It Chapter Two, Glass) and Emmy nominee Sharon Horgan (Catastrophe) as the couple with issues who appear to be on the verge of killing each other. Samuel Logan co-stars as their young son.
Together comes from three-time Oscar nominated director Stephen Daldry (The Reader, The Hours, Bill Elliot) and screenwriter Dennis Kelly (Utopia).
Bleecker Street’s set an August 27, 2021 release date.
The Plot, Courtesy of Bleecker Street:
“Academy Award nominee Stephen Daldry’s new comedy, Together, starring James McAvoy and Sharon Horgan, is the story of a family, like so many, who found a way to survive – together. This hilarious and heartbreaking story intimately shows two partners forced to re-evaluate themselves and their relationship through the reality of lockdown.”
Poster for the dark comedy, ‘Together’ (Photo Courtesy of Bleecker Street)
Amazon Studios releases the first photo from ‘The Lord of the Rings’ series
Amazon Studios’ much-anticipated The Lord of the Rings (the working title) series will arrive on Prime Video on Friday, September 2, 2022. Yes, you read that right. 2021 is no longer an option, thanks to delays in production due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and now Amazon’s aiming for September 2022.
The official premiere date announcement was accompanied by the first photo from the series.
“The journey begins September 2, 2022 with the premiere of our original The Lord of the Rings series on Prime Video,” stated Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon Studios. “I can’t express enough just how excited we all are to take our global audience on a new and epic journey through Middle-earth! Our talented producers, cast, creative, and production teams have worked tirelessly in New Zealand to bring this untold and awe-inspiring vision to life.”
Filming wrapped up today in New Zealand on the series’ first season.
Season one stars Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Robert Aramayo, Owain Arthur, Maxim Baldry, Nazanin Boniadi, Morfydd Clark, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Charles Edwards, and Trystan Gravelle. Sir Lenny Henry, Ema Horvath, Markella Kavenagh, Joseph Mawle, Tyroe Muhafidin, Sophia Nomvete, Lloyd Owen, Megan Richards, Dylan Smith, Charlie Vickers, Leon Wadham, Benjamin Walker, Daniel Weyman, and Sara Zwangobani are also part of the huge ensemble cast bringing to life J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth.
J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay guide the series as showrunners and executive producers. Lindsey Weber, Callum Greene, J.A. Bayona, Belén Atienza, Justin Doble, Jason Cahill, Gennifer Hutchison, Bruce Richmond, and Sharon Tal Yguado are also involved as executive producers. Charlotte Brändström directs, Christopher Newman produces, and Wayne Che Yip is a co-executive producer.
“As Bilbo says, ‘Now I think I am quite ready to go on another journey.’ Living and breathing Middle-earth these many months has been the adventure of a lifetime. We cannot wait for fans to have the chance to do so as well,” stated co-showrunners Payne and McKay.
The Plot, Courtesy of Amazon:
Amazon Studios’ forthcoming series 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, 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 the greatest villain 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 re-emergence 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 furthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone.
