The Handmaid’s Tale star Elisabeth Moss joined her fellow cast members to share the news the award-winning series has been renewed for season five. Hulu awarded the critically acclaimed drama an early fifth season order while season four is currently in production.
Hulu’s targeting a 2021 launch of the 10-episode fourth season.
In addition to Emmy Award winner Elisabeth Moss as June Osborne, season four stars Joseph Fiennes as Fred Waterford, Yvonne Strahovski as Serena Joy Waterford, Emmy winner Samira Wiley as Moira Strand, Emmy winner Alexis Bledel as Emily Malek, and Emmy winner Ann Dowd as Aunt Lydia Clements. Max Minghella plays Nick Blaine, Madeline Brewer is Janine Lindo, O-T Fagbenle is Luke Bankole, Amanda Brugel is Rita, Emmy winner Bradley Whitford plays Joseph Lawrence, and Sam Jaeger is Mark Tuello.
Season four is executive produced by Moss, Bruce Miller, Warren Littlefield, Daniel Wilson, Fran Sears, Eric Tuchman, John Weber, Frank Siracusa, Sheila Hockin, Kira Snyder, and Yahlin Chang.
Hulu provided the following description of the much-anticipated fourth season:
“In the upcoming fourth season of The Handmaid’s Tale, June (Moss) strikes back against Gilead as a fierce rebel leader, but the risks she takes bring unexpected and dangerous new challenges. Her quest for justice and revenge threatens to consume her and destroy her most cherished relationships.”
Elisabeth Moss in ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ season 3 episode 13 (Photo Credit: Hulu)
The team’s thrown for a loop when Warrant Officer Ray Perry goes missing on CBS’s SEAL Team season four episode four, “Shockwave.” Directed by Ruben Garcia from a script by Tom Mularz, episode four will air on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 9pm ET/PT.
David Boreanaz leads the cast as Jason Hayes, Max Thieriot plays Clay Spenser, and Neil Brown Jr. stars as Ray Perry. AJ Buckley is Sonny Quinn and Toni Trucks is Lisa Davis. Recurring cast members include Justin Melnick as Brock Reynolds, Tyler Grey as Trent Sawyer, Scott Foxx as Full Metal, and Judd Lormand as Lt. Cdr. Eric Blackburn.
Guest stars include Parisa Fakhri, Emily Swallow, Jamie McShane, Tim Chiou, Alona Tal, Ammar Daraiseh, and Jonathan Medina.
“Shockwave” Plot: When Warrant Officer Ray Perry goes missing following an explosion in Tunisia, his former teammates wrestle with how to help their brother and his family while Bravo Team is sidelined.
SEAL Team is a military drama that 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 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, the longest-tenured operator with whom Jason shares an ingrained shorthand; Sonny Quinn, an exceptional, loyal soldier with a checkered past who still combats self-destructive tendencies; and Clay Spenser, a young, multilingual, second-generation SEAL with insatiable drive and dedication. Vital to the team’s success is Ensign Lisa Davis, 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.
BBC America’s just released the official trailer and new poster for the upcoming first season of The Watch. The series is set in an alternate dimension and was inspired by the characters from Sir Terry Pratchett’s “Discworld” novels.
The Watch episode one will premiere early on AMC+ on Thursday, December 31, 2020. Episodes one and two will then air back-to-back on BBC America on Sunday, January 3, 2021 beginning at 8pm ET/PT.
The season one cast includes Richard Dormer (Game of Thrones) as Captain of The City Watch Sam Vimes, Lara Rossi (I May Destroy You) as Lady Sybil Ramkin, Adam Hugill (1917) as Carrot, Jo Eaton-Kent (Don’t Forget the Driver) as Cheery, Marama Corlett (Blood Drive) as Angua, and Wendell Pierce (The Wire) as Death. Paul Kaye (Game of Thrones) plays Inigo Skimmer (aka The Duke of Stab), Ralph Ineson (Chernobyl) voices Sergeant Detritus, Sam Adewunmi (The Last Tree) is Carcer Dun, Anna Chancellor (Pennyworth) is Lord Vetinari, and James Fleet (Outlander) plays The Archchancellor.
Additional season one stars include Ingrid Oliver (Doctor Who) as Doctor Cruces, Ruth Madeley (Years and Years) as Throat, Hakeem Kae-Kazim (Dynasty) as Captain John Keel, Matt Berry (What We Do in the Shadows) voicing Wayne, and Bianca Simone Mannie (Homeland) as Wonse.
Simon Allen created the series and serves as lead writer and executive producer. Hilary Salmon, Ben Donald, and Richard Stokes executive produce for BBC Studios. Craig Viveiros and Narrativia’s Rob Wilkins also serve as executive producers.
Series Description, Courtesy of BBC America:
The Watch follows an unlikely group of misfits, The City Watch, who are forced to find the guts to save the world, surprising even themselves in the process. The comedic yet thrilling series pits trolls, werewolves, wizards and other improbable heroes against an evil plot to resurrect a great dragon which would lead to the destruction of life as they know it.
The full official trailer’s arrived for season two of Apple TV+’s freaky psychological thriller, Servant. The new trailer comes a little over a month out from the new season’s premiere and shows all of the returning players are going to be going through really traumatic times.
Returning season one cast members include Lauren Ambrose as Dorothy Turner, Toby Kebbell as Sean Turner, Nell Tiger Free as Leanne Grayson, and Rupert Grint as Julian Pearce.
British Academy of Film and Television Arts nominated executive producer/writer Tony Basgallop created the series and executive produces with two-time Oscar nominee M. Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense), Ashwin Rajan, Jason Blumenthal, Todd Black, and Steve Tisch. Taylor Latham and Patrick Markey are co-executive producers.
Season two episode one will premiere on Friday, January 15, 2021. New episodes of the 10-episode second season will drop every Friday.
The Plot, Courtesy of Apple TV+:
The half-hour psychological thriller follows a Philadelphia couple in mourning after an unspeakable tragedy creates a rift in their marriage and opens the door for a mysterious force to enter their home.
Following its suspenseful season one finale, the second season takes a supernatural turn with a darker future for all lying ahead as Leanne returns to the brownstone and her true nature is revealed.
Rupert Grint, Toby Kebbell, and Lauren Ambrose in ‘Servant’ season 2 (Photo Courtesy of Apple TV+)
Chris calls on the team to help a teenage girl on CBS’s S.W.A.T. season four episode six, “Hopeless Sinners.” Directed by Cheri Dvorak from a script by Alison Cross, episode six will air on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 10pm ET/PT.
Shemar Moore leads the cast as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson, Alex Russell plays Jim Street, Jay Harrington is David “Deacon” Kay, and Lina Esco plays Christina “Chris” Alonso. Kenny Johnson stars as Dominique Luca, David Lim is Victor Tan, Patrick St. Esprit is Commander Robert Hicks, and Amy Farrington plays Lieutenant Piper Lynch. Lou Ferrigno, Jr. recurs as Rocker, Deshae Frost plays Darryl, and Michael Beach recurs as Leroy.
Guest stars include Sean Patrick Thomas, Mika Abdalla, Joy Osmanski, Graham Patrick Martin, and Carlos Acuña. Hannah Leigh, Kevin Sifuentes, Elena Campbell-Martinez, David Bowe, Tim Gabriel, and Hannah Bamberg also guest star in episode six.
“Hopeless Sinners” Plot: Chris brings the SWAT team into her personal mission to save a teenage girl from a charismatic, predatory religious leader (Thomas) using his church for illicit gain. Also, Hondo receives troubling news about Darryl related to Leroy, Darryl’s father, being released from prison, and Tan’s wedding planning hits a snag.
Inspired by the television series and the feature film, S.W.A.T. stars Shemar Moore as a former Marine and locally born and raised S.W.A.T. sergeant, tasked to run a specialized tactical unit that is the last stop in law enforcement in Los Angeles. Torn between loyalty to where he was raised and allegiance to his brothers in blue, Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson strives to bridge the divide between his two worlds and acclimate to his new duties as the legal guardian of a teenager.
Sienna Miller and Diego Luna star in ‘Wander Darkly’ (Courtesy of Sundance Institute | Photo by Carolina Costa)
Sienna Miller and Diego Luna are at the top of their games in the relationship drama, Wander Darkly. Unfortunately for both, the story isn’t cohesive enough to make attempting to put together the puzzle pieces of their characters’ lives worth the effort.
Miller and Luna play Adrienne and Matteo, a couple who’ve recently welcomed the arrival of their first child. It’s apparent their relationship’s on rocky ground and that they believed the baby would be the spark that resurrected the flame. Caring for a child might remind them of what drew them to each other in the first place.
Working against the resurrection of their former closeness is the possibility that one or both are being unfaithful. Infidelity—real or imagined—seems to be an ever-present elephant in the room pulling the unmarried couple apart. The tension’s palpable as they head home from a party, and while arguing, they’re suddenly involved in a devastating head-on collision.
For the remainder of the film, the story wanders through their relationship in a non-linear fashion, dropping tidbits about their shared history intended to fill in the blanks. As we’re fed these pieces of their backstory, we’re also expected to suss out who’s alive, who’s dead, and what to accept as factual about Adrienne and Matteo prior to the accident.
While there are the occasional flashes of clever storytelling, for the most part the emotional connection is just not there. It’s difficult to care about the ultimate outcome when the investment in this couple goes no deeper than surface level.
Writer/director Tara Miele’s Wander Darkly’s final act doesn’t deliver the emotional punch needed to justify the frustrating journey leading up to it. Sienna Miller and Diego Luna’s terrific performances aside, Wander Darkly’s frustrating, confusing story requires too much work from the audience for too little payoff.
GRADE: C-
MPAA Rating: R for language and some sexual content/nudity
Netflix just released a nearly 15 minute video exploring the creation of The Queen’s Gambit limited series. The mesmerizing, critically acclaimed limited series is set in the world of a chess prodigy, however you absolutely don’t need to know anything about the game to be drawn in.
The behind-the-scenes featurette includes interviews with series star Anya Taylor-Joy as well as executive producer, writer, and director Scott Frank. William Horberg and Allan Scott also executive produced, Michelle Tesoro edited, Steven Meizler was the cinematographer, and Gabriele Binder designed the costumes. Uli Hanisch was the production designer and Daniel Parker did the hair and makeup design.
The Queen’s Gambit‘s score was composed by Carlos Rafael Rivera.
According to Netflix, The Queen’s Gambit now stands as the “Biggest Limited Scripted Series Ever” on the streaming service. More than 62 million households have streamed the series since its premiere on October 23, 2020.
In addition to an outstanding lead performance by Anya Taylor-Joy, the limited series based on the novel by Walter Tevis features Marielle Heller, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Moses Ingram, Harry Melling, and Bill Camp.
The Plot and Key Characters, Courtesy of Netflix:
The Netflix limited series drama The Queen’s Gambit is a coming-of-age story that explores the true cost of genius. Abandoned and entrusted to a Kentucky orphanage in the late 1950s, a young Beth Harmon (Taylor-Joy) discovers an astonishing talent for chess while developing an addiction to tranquilizers provided by the state as a sedative for the children.
ANYA TAYLOR-JOY is Elizabeth (Beth) Harmon: An orphaned girl in Kentucky who realizes an incredible talent for chess while developing a dependency on tranquilizers at an early age. As she grows into a young woman, Beth is fueled by her addictions, jeopardizing herself and those around her in her determined pursuit of becoming champion.
MARIELLE HELLER is Mrs. Alma Wheatley: A lonely housewife with an absent husband and her own vices, Alma welcomes Beth as both her adopted daughter and much-needed companion.
THOMAS BRODIE-SANGSTER is Benny Watts: Arrogant, confident and calm, Benny Watts, a young chess talent himself, becomes one of Beth’s greatest opponents as well as one of her closest allies.
MOSES INGRAM is Jolene: Fellow orphan, and host to new resident, Jolene, quickly befriends Beth and helps her navigate the rules and regulations of orphan life.
HARRY MELLING is Harry Beltik: A traditional learner and one of the best chess players in the state of Kentucky, Harry is in awe of Beth’s talent and enters her life when she is at a low point.
BILL CAMP is Mr. Shaibel: A janitor who introduces Beth to the game of chess and is quickly humbled by her natural ability at the game. Mr. Shaibel opens new doors for the young prodigy.
Gerard Butler (Angel Has Fallen) and Morena Baccarin (Gotham) play parents attempting to save their family from an apocalyptic event – an incoming comet – in the action thriller, Greenland. A new trailer’s just arrived for the drama directed by Ric Roman Waugh from a screenplay by Chris Sparling.
Joining Gerard Butler and Morena Baccarin in the apocalyptic drama are David Denman, Hope Davis, Roger Dale Floyd, Andrew Bachelor, Merrin Dungey, Holt McCallany, and Scott Glenn. Butler produces with Basil Iwanyk, Sèbastian Raybaud, and Alan Siegel.
STXfilms will release the film on demand on December 18, 2020. The MPAA’s rated Greenland PG-13 for intense sequences of disaster action, some violence, bloody images, and brief strong language
The Plot:
A family fights for survival as a planet-killing comet races to Earth. John Garrity (Butler), his estranged wife Allison (Baccarin), and young son Nathan make a perilous journey to their only hope for sanctuary. Amid terrifying news accounts of cities around the world being leveled by the comet’s fragments, the Garrity’s experience the best and worst in humanity.
As the countdown to global apocalypse approaches zero, their incredible trek culminates in a desperate and last-minute flight to a possible safe haven.
Outlander stars Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish are helping spread a little holiday cheer with a new holiday yule log video. Heughan and McTavish – dressed in kilts, of course – sit in comfy chairs in front of the yule log, passing the time with whisky and a book.
Starz released the special holiday video in support of the upcoming eight-episode series, Men in Kilts: A Roadtrip with Sam and Graham. The travel series will premiere in early 2021 and features the two friends participating in a buddy road trip, which actually sounds like the perfect way to fill those empty hours as we endure another droughtlander.
And speaking of suffering through droughtlander, Starz will be airing a season five Outlander marathon beginning at 10:15am PT/ET on Friday, December 25, 2020.
Starz issued the following description of the Men in Kilts series featuring the two handsome Scots in kilts:
“Men in Kilts: A Roadtrip with Sam and Graham is a fun-filled buddy travelogue through Scotland led by Outlander stars Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish. The two will reunite for an epic adventure, exploring their heritage and meeting an incredible collection of people who truly showcase what it means to be Scottish. The half-hour, eight-episode series offers the duo’s one-of-a-kind perspective on everything from Clans and The Battle of Culloden to whisky tasting and folk dancing, with Sam and Graham’s witty banter and hijinks leading the way.
Whether hanging off the edge of a cliff, wrangling a flock of wild sheep or discovering the true legacy of their Outlander characters, both men dive head first into each and every experience.”
Season 11 episode two of CBS’s Blue Bloods finds the Reagan brothers working together to take down a drug lord. Directed by John Behring from a script by Brian Burns, episode two – “In the Name of the Father” – will air on Friday, December 11, 2020 at 10pm ET/PT.
Tom Selleck returns to lead the cast as Frank Reagan, Donnie Wahlberg is Danny Reagan, and Bridget Moynahan plays Erin Reagan. The cast also includes Will Estes as Jamie Reagan, Len Cariou as Henry Reagan, Sami Gayle as Nicky Reagan-Boyle, Marisa Ramirez as Det. Maria Baez, and Vanessa Ray plays Officer Eddie Janko.
Episode two guest stars include Roslyn Ruff, Aasif Mandvi, Bonnie Somerville, Christopher Cassorino, Lucy Martin, and Andrew Burdette. Harry Bouvy, Alan R. Rodriguez, Stephanie Umoh, Billie Rae, Isabel Ellison, and Emma Victoria Pearson also guest star.
“In the Name of the Father” Plot: Danny and Jamie combine forces to convict a notorious drug lord, as Erin nervously awaits the Governor’s selection for the new District Attorney. Also, Frank and his grandson, Joe Hill (Will Hochman), face a difficult decision as they navigate their new and complicated family ties.
Blue Bloods is a drama about a multi-generational family of cops dedicated to New York City law enforcement. Frank Reagan is the New York Police Commissioner, and heads both the police force and the Reagan brood. He runs his department as diplomatically as he runs his family, even when dealing with the politics that plagued his unapologetically bold father, Henry, during his stint as Chief.
A source of pride and concern for Frank is his eldest son, Danny, a seasoned detective, family man and Iraq War vet who on occasion uses dubious tactics to solve cases with his partner, Detective Maria Baez. The Reagan women in the family include middle daughter, Erin, a New York Assistant D.A. who serves as the legal compass for her siblings and father, and is a single parent to her daughter Nicky, who is pursuing a career in San Francisco. Jamie is the youngest Reagan, a Harvard Law graduate and the family’s “golden boy.”
Unable to deny the family tradition, Jamie decided to give up a lucrative future in law and follow in the family footsteps as a cop. He’s found a friend and ally in his wife, Eddie, who keeps him on his toes, and has very different reasons than the Reagans for joining the police force. The Reagans welcomed a new family addition after Frank learned his deceased son, officer Joe Reagan, has an adult child they never knew about, a young man who is a rising NYPD cop.
