Armie Hammer’s landed the lead role in Paramount+’s The Offer. The limited series focuses on the making of The Godfather starring Marlon Brando as recalled for the first time by Oscar-winning producer Al Ruddy. Ruddy’s going to be involved with the production as an executive producer.
Golden Globe and Critics Choice Awards nominee Hammer (Call Me by Your Name) will play producer Ruddy in the limited event series. According to the official announcement, The Offer will consist of 10 episodes and will be written and executive produced by Oscar nominee Michael Tolkin (The Player). Nikki Toscano (Hunters) and Emmy Award winner Leslie Greif (Hatfields & McCoys) also executive produce.
Armie Hammer was recently seen in Rebecca co-starring Lily James and based on the classic novel by Daphne Du Maurier. He recently wrapped up work on Death on the Nile directed by Kenneth Branagh; Dreamland for writer/director Nicholas Jarecki; and writer/director Taika Waititi’s Next Goal Wins with Michael Fassbender and Elisabeth Moss.
Hammer’s credits also include On the Basis of Sex, Hotel Mumbai, Sorry to Bother You, Nocturnal Animals, and Birth of a Nation. Hammer’s breakthrough role playing the Winklevoss twins Cameron and Tyler in The Social Network earned him a Screen Actors Guild nomination as did his supporting performance as Clyde Tolson in 2011’s J.Edgar directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Leonardo DiCaprio in the title role.
Armie Hammer’s expected to return to the stage in 2022 for Tracy Letts’ The Minutes directed by Anna D. Shapiro.
Missy Peregrym as Special Agent Maggie Bell and Zeeko Zaki as Special Agent Omar Adom ‘OA’ Zidan in ‘FBI’ season 3 episode 3 (Photo: Michael Parmelee / 2020 CBS Broadcasting, Inc.)
David Zayas (Dexter) guest stars as a cartel leader on CBS’s FBI season three episode three, “Liar’s Poker.” Episode three was directed by Alex Chapple from a script by Joe Halpin and will air on Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at 9pm ET/PT.
Missy Peregrym and Zeeko Zaki lead the cast as Special Agent Maggie Bell and Special Agent Omar Adom ‘OA’ Zidan. Jeremy Sisto stars as Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jubal Valentine, Alana De La Garza is Special Agent in Charge Isobel Castille, and John Boyd plays Special Agent Stuart Scola.
Episode three guest stars also include Ben Shenkman, Carmen Lamar Gonzalez, Diego Aguirre, Sir Brodie, and Tracey Conyer Lee. Robert Montana, Jorge Sanchez-Diaz, Paul Douglas Anderson, Chris Walker, and Michelle Vo also guest star in “Liar’s Poker.”
“Liar’s Poker” Plot: When the leader of a drug cartel and one of the world’s most wanted men, Antonio Vargas (Zayas), is apprehended by the team, the entire FBI headquarters is put at risk when his henchmen unveil a terroristic threat to free him. During the turmoil, Isobel must make the difficult decision whether to sacrifice her conscience or her career.
FBI is a fast-paced drama about the inner workings of the New York office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This elite unit brings to bear all their talents, intellect and technical expertise on major cases in order to keep New York and the country safe.
Born into a multigenerational law enforcement family, Special Agent Maggie Bell commits deeply to the people she works with as well as those she protects. Her partner is Special Agent Omar Adom ‘OA’ Zidan, a West Point graduate via Bushwick who spent two years undercover for the DEA before being cherry-picked by the FBI. Overseeing them is Special Agent in Charge, Isobel Castille, who operates under intense pressure and has undeniable command authority.
The team also includes Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jubal Valentine, the nerve center of the office whose ability to easily relate to and engage with both superiors and subordinates makes him a master motivator. Newest to the team – and the FBI – is smart and outspoken Special Agent Tiffany Wallace, who spent six years with the NYPD and is now partner to Special Agent Stuart Scola, an Ivy League-educated Wall Streeter-turned-FBI agent. These first-class agents tenaciously investigate cases of tremendous magnitude, including terrorism, organized crime and counterintelligence.
John Boyd as Special Agent Stuart Scola, Alana De La Garza as Special Agent in Charge Isobel Castille and Katherine Renee Turner as Special Agent Tiffany Wallace in season 3 episode 3 (Photo: Michael Parmelee / CBS 2020 CBS Broadcasting, Inc.)Katherine Renee Turner as Special Agent Tiffany Wallace, Jeremy Sisto as Assist. Special Agent in Charge Jubal Valentine, John Boyd as Special Agent Stuart Scola, Zeeko Zaki as Special Agent Omar Adom ‘OA’ Zidan and Missy Peregrym as Special Agent Maggie Bell (Photo: Michael Parmelee / CBS 2020 CBS Broadcasting, Inc.)Missy Peregrym as Special Agent Maggie Bell in season 3 episode 3 (Photo: Michael Parmelee / CBS 2020 CBS Broadcasting, Inc.)Jeremy Sisto as Assist. Special Agent in Charge Jubal Valentine, Alana De La Garza as Special Agent in Charge Isobel Castille, John Boyd as Special Agent Stuart Scola, Katherine Renee Turner as Special Agent Tiffany Wallace, Zeeko Zaki as Special Agent Omar Adom ‘OA’ Zidan and Missy Peregrym as Special Agent Maggie Bell (Photo: Michael Parmelee / CBS 2020 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. )Zeeko Zaki as Special Agent Omar Adom ‘OA’ Zidan and Missy Peregrym as Special Agent Maggie Bell in season 3 episode 3 (Photo: Michael Parmelee / CBS 2020 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. )
Global phenoms BTS, no strangers to breaking records, have entered the record books yet again – this time with the release of their new album BE and its lead single “Life Goes On.” On Monday, November 20, 2020, Billboard announced the Hot 100 dated December 5th and coming in at number one on the chart is “Life Goes On” by BTS. The group can now claim three number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 in a span of three months. Their smash hit “Dynamite” was the group’s first number one on the chart, followed by Jawsh 685, Jason Derulo, and BTS’ Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat).
BTS earned the fasted accumulation of three number one hits on the Hot 100 chart of the past 42 years, going back all the way to The Bee Gees. “Life Goes On” is also the first Hot 100 number one in the chart’s 62-year history to be performed predominantly in Korean.
Not content to stop there with chart-topping achievements, their album BE (Deluxe Edition) was number one this week on the Billboard 200 album chart. According to Nielsen Music/MRC Data, their album earned 242,00 equivalent album units, snagging the group its fifth number one album in a span of two and a half years. That makes them the fastest group to do so since The Beatles did it in 1968.
Billboard released two new charts back in September – Billboard Global Excl. U.S. and Billboard Global 200. BTS has the number one spot on both those charts as well.
To top off the impressive success of both the new album and single, BTS became the first group in history to simultaneously hit number one on the Artist 100, Hot 100, and Billboard 200 charts. Lastly, seven of the tracks from the album BE are currently charting on the Hot 100. The only track that did not chart is the “skit.”
The album BE shares the honest emotions and thoughts the band has experienced during the pandemic. The record, created in the midst of COVID-19, carries the hopeful message that life goes on.
And, the good news for the popular K-pop group hasn’t slowed down. BTS was named the Music Innovator of 2020 by WSJ Magazine and most recently the group was nominated for Best Pop/Duo Group Performance at the 63rd Grammy Awards. Winners will be announced on January 31, 2021. A video of four out of seven members – RM, Jungkook, V, and Jimin – watching the Grammy announcement live was posted via Twitter and showed them celebrating their Grammy nomination.
CBS’s Bull season five is taking a two-week break and will air a rerun during its December 7, 2020 time slot. After the brief break, season five continues with episode four on Monday, December 14th at 10pm ET/PT. Dan Lerner directed episode four, “The Ex Factor,” from a script by Glenn Gordon Caron.
The season five cast is led by Michael Weatherly as Dr. Jason Bull. Freddy Rodriguez plays Benny Colón, Yara Martinez stars as Isabella “Izzy” Colón, Geneva Carr is Marissa Morgan, Jamie Lee Kirchner is Danny James, Christopher Jackson plays Chunk Palmer, and MacKenzie Meehan stars as Taylor Rentzel.
“The Ex Factor” Plot: TAC braces for an un-jolly Christmas when Bull and Benny represent Marissa and her estranged husband, Greg (guest star David Furr), in federal court after they’re charged with money laundering and fraud connected to Greg’s restaurant. As Bull and Benny defend the divorcing couple together so the prosecution can’t use them against each other, they search for jurors who will believe Marissa had no knowledge of Greg’s business dealings.
Also, as Bull and Izzy prepare to baptize Astrid before the Christmas holiday, they reach an impasse regarding what they want from their renewed relationship.
Bull stars Michael Weatherly as Dr. Jason Bull in a drama inspired by the early career of Dr. Phil McGraw, the founder of one of the most prolific trial-consulting firms of all time. Brilliant, brash and charming, Dr. Bull is the ultimate puppet master as he combines psychology, human intuition and high-tech data to learn what makes jurors, attorneys, witnesses and the accused tick. This season, Bull finds it harder than ever to navigate his personal life, as he balances fatherhood and his renewed relationship with Isabella “Izzy” Colón, his ex-wife. Izzy’s brother is Benny Colón, Bull’s trusted associate, a quick-witted lawyer who acts as defense attorney in the company’s mock trials.
Bull’s enviable group of experts at Trial Analysis Corporation shape successful narratives down to the last detail. In addition to Benny, his team includes Marissa Morgan, a neurolinguistics expert from the Department of Homeland Security who monitors shifting jury reactions in real-time for Bull; former NYPD detective Danny James, the firm’s tough but relatable investigator; Taylor Rentzel, a working mother and former colleague of Marissa’s who is an expert at coding and computer hacking; and Chunk Palmer, a former all-American lineman and stylist-turned-lawyer, who helps clients prepare their look and testimony for trial.
In high-stakes trials, Bull’s combination of remarkable insight into human nature, three Ph.D.’s and a top-notch staff creates winning strategies that tip the scales of justice in his clients’ favor.
The first – and only – season of Fox’s Filthy Rich comes to an end with episode 10, “1 Corinthians 3:13.” And since this is the finale, it’s time for the Sunny Club to finally launch. Margaret (Kim Cattrall) takes a moment to remember those who’ve passed (Reverend Paul and Eugene) as they celebrate the opening of Sunny Club.
Eugene (Gerald McRaney) is with Ginger (Melia Kreiling) watching the broadcast and claims that’s all part of his past. Ginger’s not with her siblings to celebrate and notes that Antonio and Mark (no longer pretending to be Jason) now have ownership stakes while she doesn’t, even though they wouldn’t have much of anything without her.
Tina (Rachel York) is more upset by this turn of events than Ginger, and mom and daughter argue about it away from Eugene. Tina doesn’t understand why the boys ended up with half of Eugene’s company while Ginger got practically nothing. (I guess $6 million is nothing.) Ginger warns her mom they’re going to protect Margaret and Rose at least for a few more days by keeping Eugene’s resurrection a secret.
Meanwhile, Margaret’s getting used to Mark (Mark L. Young) lying about being Jason. She’s accepted it, mainly because Rose is so obviously in love. Margaret warns Mark to toe the line or else she’ll haul him off to jail.
Briefly catching up with Franklin (Steve Harris), he reveals he’s set for four or five lifetimes and is done worrying about Margaret, Sunny Club, and the Sunshine Network. He’s decided to retire now that Margaret knows about his dirty deeds.
Margaret puts Antonio (Benjamin Levy Aguilar) in charge of Praise Per View and Mark will run the fraud division now that she’s given them spots on the Board of Directors. Eric (Corey Cott) is looking pretty unkempt as he questions her decisions and wonders if Franklin knows what’s going on. She informs her son Franklin’s moved on.
Eric figures out the only reason why she’s accepting Mark and Rose’s upcoming marriage is that she wants to keep Mark’s shares in the family. Margaret claims she’s protecting Rose, but Eric disagrees. He’s done being the nice guy in the family.
Margaret takes a file on Mark Conley and locks it in the safe away from prying eyes.
Becky (Olivia Macklin) is having a hard time dealing with finding her brother’s dead body and can’t sleep. She confesses to Eric she sees his dead body every time she closes her eyes.
After leaving Becky’s bedroom Eric runs into Rose (Aubrey Dollar) who’s super happy to be getting married. Eric calls her crazy and tells her Margaret’s only okay with it to keep Mark’s shares in the family.
Rose rings up Ginger, needing her help since everyone else seems to be going crazy in their family. When Ginger says something about a wedding present, Eugene’s ears perk up. He can’t believe Ginger was keeping Rose’s wedding from him and Ginger explains his appearance would steal the attention away from Rose at her own wedding. He’s adamant he should walk his daughter down the aisle, but Ginger reminds him he doesn’t want/need attention.
Eric can’t live with the fact he killed Luke and signs a confession stating he committed murder. Seconds later, a very much alive Luke Taylor (Cranston Johnson) comes into the interrogation room. He’s actually an FBI agent – not a reporter – and is now in possession of Eric’s confession. He demands Eric where a wire and suggests that when Eric looked at the crime board, he probably zeroed in on Reverend Paul and other family members. But Luke thinks the devils you don’t know are far more dangerous.
Luke’s aware the 1820 club is international now and believes they’re coming for Margaret’s business. By being more successful, she’s now a legitimate target. Eric’s unwilling to spy on his family and Luke gives him 24 hours to decide. If he declines, he’s going to jail.
Mark and Antonio have a friendly brotherly conversation at the kitchen table, and Mark warns Antonio not to fall for any golddiggers. Ginger arrives looking all sparkly and she reminds them she couldn’t be on the stage since she’s not a shareholder. They toast her, well aware they wouldn’t be rich or own stock in the company if it wasn’t for her.
Ginger replies, “Let’s be honest. If it weren’t for the women in your lives…Veronica, Yopi…you two would still be broke.”
Shortly thereafter, Antonio tells Margaret he wants to give Ginger some of his shares. He believes she needs a seat at the table. Margaret completely disagrees and shuts that suggestion down.
Business talk over, for now, the family begins the wedding rehearsal without Eric. Rose makes her way down the stairway as Margaret recalls the first time she walked down those stairs into Eugene’s arms. Ginger realizes Margaret wasn’t 18 when she married the 23 or 24-year-old Eugene.
Tina’s been babysitting Eugene and mistakenly talks him into doing right by his daughters when he was supposed to stay put.
Eugene heads over to Franklin’s place and Franklin reacts as if he’s seen a ghost. Eugene wants Franklin to make him “alive” again and reveals only Ginger and Tina know he didn’t die in the crash. He wants Eugene to prepare Margaret for his reappearance and warns him he has business to do that might upset her.
Margaret reminds Ginger she offered her a stake in the company, but she walked away. Only Antonio and Mark have really listened to her, according to Margaret. Ginger reveals she could have destroyed Sunny Club this week but chose not to because she actually cares about the family.
Margaret threatens Ginger that she’ll never have a seat on the board.
While Ginger helps Rose get ready for her wedding, Rose confesses she’s been praying her dad’s spirit would visit her for her wedding. Before Margaret can reveal her secret, Franklin calls and warns her they’ll discuss her keeping Eugene’s secret later. Rose grabs the phone and begs Franklin to come to the wedding. He refuses.
Eugene bumps into the other resurrected season one character, Luke. Eugene agrees to testify in court against the powerful 1820 players. He turns down the offer of witness protection because he’s protected by God.
Night falls and Eric’s outside drinking and rehearsing. Yopi (Alanna Ubach) and Rachel (Aqueela Zoll) arrive, and Antonio rushes out to hug Rachel. Eric wasn’t unaware until now there’s something going on between the two, and Yopi hangs back to fill him in. “If you love her, you’ll let her move on,” says Yopi.
In a quiet moment before the wedding, Eric tells his mom Becky asked for a divorce. They both cheated and now he’s wondering if he’d known about his dad’s philandering ways, things might have been different.
After he leaves, Margaret grabs Mark’s folder from the safe. She hands it over to Rose, but Rose doesn’t want to know what it contains. Margaret explains she wants Rose to completely understand who she’s marrying.
Becky’s asleep in bed when Ginger wakes her for the wedding. Becky wants to escape from this and Ginger offers her a place to stay. Eric enters the room just as Ginger’s gently kissing Becky and he realizes his sister is Becky’s lover.
A short while later as they wait for Rose to come down the stairs for the ceremony to begin, Ginger whispers an apology to Eric. “My wife is sleeping with my sister and my brother is hitting on my girlfriend. I think I’m the sorry one,” says Eric.
Rose descends the stairs, pausing halfway down to stare at Mark. After an uncomfortable moment, Rose blurts out, “Everyone, please go home!” She tells Mark to pretend he never knew her.
Mark chases her upstairs and Rose reveals she knows Mark killed Jason twice. He was high and crashed the car which put him in a coma, and then he euthanized Jason in the hospital. Mark becomes emotional as he confesses they did crazy things while selling weed and getting by. He loves her and is happy that, no matter what, he allowed her to drag him back into this family after he returned to Colorado.
He suggests they get married at City Hall, but Rose needs time to think. She doesn’t want him to wait for her and he leaves, heartbroken.
Eugene, looking spiffy in a tuxedo, stands outside and stares at the house.
Eric, Ginger, and Antonio discuss the shocking turn of events. Eric’s drunk and picks fights with his siblings, even going as far as to repeatedly push Antonio. He takes a couple of swings and Antonio takes him down, grabbing him in a chokehold. Eric is pleading for Antonio to just kill him when Eugene walks in and breaks things up.
Ginger can’t believe he’s there; he was supposed to remain at her place.
Margaret’s outside when Franklin arrives and she reminds him he’s supposed to stay away from her family. He’s done something to protect the business and reveals total chaos is coming. Before he can deliver the bombshell, Margaret hears Rose scream.
She rushes in and discovers Rose in Eugene’s lap, sobbing.
After comforting his daughter, Eugene takes a seat at the other end of a ridiculously long dinner table across from Margaret. She demands to know where he’s been and he claims he was on a spiritual quest. The ghosts of Franklin’s mother, his mother, and Margaret’s mother guided him.
Margaret’s justifiably upset, furious he never reached out to her or their children during this quest. Eugene claims he’s given up material things and doesn’t care that Margaret’s made him richer since taking over the business. He says he’s made amends to his sons but hasn’t done so with his girls.
Eric, Rose, Ginger, and Antonio discuss Eugene’s resurrection, and Ginger confesses she was harboring him until after the wedding. Rose and Eric can’t believe she hid this huge secret. “He was my father! He was just your sperm donor,” snarls Rose, adding, “We’re done.”
Ginger joins Eugene and Margaret as he lays his cards on the table. He believes Ginger’s more like Margaret than either will admit and he’s realized there’s only way to satisfy his daughter. He’s giving her his ownership stake in Monreaux Limited.
Ginger’s shocked and assures Margaret she didn’t want this. Margaret believes Eugene’s insane and then becomes confused when he says he has six children. Just then Becky walks downstairs cradling her baby girl.
In a deeply grotesque and disturbing twist, it turns out Eugene’s the father of Becky’s baby. The family gathers, shocked into silence. “You are a monster,” says Margaret, speaking for everyone on the planet.
Eugene’s fine with giving away the business but is going to keep the Monreaux plantation. Becky and Eugene walk off and neither looks back. Franklin tells everyone to leave but it’s Margaret who gets them moving when she screams, “Everyone out now!”
Margaret and Franklin stare at each other and then Franklin begins making a pile of kindling out of portraits and furniture. They don’t say a word as he pours alcohol on the pile. He tosses a lighted candle onto the pile and smiles at Margaret as the smoke and flames rise.
Margaret is the last to leave the house. She turns and stares as the fire spreads throughout the plantation. The family’s gathered nearby and she joins them to watch it burn to the ground.
Filthy Rich deserves its cancellation. What a complete waste of time and talent, although I do feel vindicated for hating the Eugene storyline throughout the entire season.
Series star Imogen Waterhouse steps behind the camera to direct The CW’s The Outpost season three episode nine. Episode nine, “She Is Not a God,” was written by Jason Faller and Kynan Griffin and will air on December 6, 2020 at 9pm ET/PT.
The cast is led by Jessica Green as Talon and includes Jake Stormoen as Captain Garret Spears, Imogen Waterhouse as Gwynn Calkussar/Rosmund, Anand Desai-Barochia as Janzo, and Aaron Fontaine as Tobin. Reece Ritchie plays Zed, Izuka Hoyle is Wren, Jaye Griffiths is Yavalla, Georgia May Foote is Falista, and Adam Johnson as Munt.
“She Is Not A God” Plot: Tobin’s (Fontaine) secret is revealed to Gwynn (Waterhouse). Talon (Green) learns of a long-lost deadly power. Meanwhile, two groups hunt for Yavalla (Griffiths) – one group in hopes to find a cure and the other trying to kill.
After summoning Zed (Ritchie) and his Blackblood comrades to save the Outpost, Talon (Green) finds herself betrayed by her own kind and struggles to reconcile her human friends and her Blackblood heritage. With the demonic Lu Qiri providing the muscle to enforce Zed’s master plan, the Outpost’s human inhabitants are enslaved as miners in search of a mysterious substance to solve a dark riddle.
From her bedroom under house arrest, Gwynn (Waterhouse) plots her escape and the overthrow of her new foes. To save her beloved Garret (Stormoen), Talon is forced to summon a Blackblood Priestess named Yavalla (Griffiths) into the world. Yavalla prophesies a paradise for Blackbloods, and an era of peace for the world, but she soon discovers a power that threatens every living creature.
As Gwynn and Tobin (Fontaine) become Yavalla’s unwilling allies, Talon and her friends must fight, suffer, and sacrifice their way to save each other and vanquish their new enemies. As Talon discovers more about her lost family from Yavalla, she must piece together the truths from the lies, and solve the mystery of her heritage and a forgotten power, before the world becomes enslaved to a new power that could consume every living being.
NBC’s pick up of the Canadian series Transplant was such a success that they promptly snag another Canadian medical drama, Nurses, to fill a primetime timeslot. Entertainment One and IFC Films’ Nurses will have its U.S. premiere on NBC on Monday, December 7, 2020 after its successful run on Global TV.
Episode two will air on December 14th. The series will move to the Tuesdays at 10pm ET/PT timeslot beginning January 5, 2021.
The cast of the first season is led by Tiera Skovbye (Riverdale), Natasha Calis (The Posession), Jordan Johnson-Hinds (Blindspot), Sandy Sidhu (Home Before Dark), and Donald MacLean Jr. (Workin’ Moms).
The medical drama comes from executive producers Ilana Frank, Linda Pope, Vanessa Piazza, Adam Pettle, Jocelyn Hamilton, and Tassie Cameron. Season one consists of 10 episodes, and season two has already wrapped up production in Canada.
Nurses Description, Courtesy of NBC:
Set in Toronto, Nurses follows five young nurses working on the frontlines of a busy downtown hospital, dedicating their lives to helping others, while struggling to help themselves.
The ensemble cast includes Tiera Skovbye as Grace Knight, a young nurse looking for a fresh start until someone from her past turns up who could jeopardize her career; Natasha Calis as Ashley Collins, a wild and unapologetic adrenaline junky who lives for the fast pace of the hospital; Jordan Johnson-Hinds as Keon Colby, a former college football star who’s trying to prove he’s more than he was on the field; Sandy Sidhu as Nazneen Khan, the whip-smart daughter from a wealthy family in India who moved to Canada to reinvent herself and is now starting her first job ever; and Donald MacLean Jr. as Wolf Burke, soft-hearted and playful, who has a secret that may find him in over his head.
Along with the young team of nurses, the medical series also features a supporting cast played by Cathy White (Vikings) as Sinead O’Rourke, the head nurse and den mother of the new graduates; Ryan-James Hatanaka (Chicago P.D.) as Dr. Evan Wallace, the charming and attractive head of the ER who gets all the nurses’ attention – especially Grace’s; and Nicola Correia-Damude (Shadowhunters) as Dr. Vanessa Banks, the magnetic OBGYN with a cutting wit who never lets Keon forget a mistake.
Episode one, “Incoming,” finds Wolf trying to reunite missing fingers with their owner.
Sandy Sidhu as Nazneen, Cathy White as Sinead, Natasha Calis as Ashley, Jordan Johnson-Hinds as Keon, Donald MacLean Jr. as Wolf, and Tiera Skovbye as Grace in ‘Nurses’ (Photo by: Ken Woroner/eOne/NBC)Sandy Sidhu as Nazneen in episode 1 (Photo by: Ken Woroner/eOne/NBC)Sandy Sidhu as Nazneen, Tiera Skovbye as Grace, Donald MacLean Jr. as Wolf, Jordan Johnson-Hinds as Keon, and Natasha Calis as Ashley in episode 1 (Photo by: Ken Woroner/eOne/NBC)Donald MacLean Jr. as Wolf in episode 1 (Photo by: Ken Woroner/eOne/NBC)Jordan Johnson-Hinds as Keon and Natasha Calis as Ashley in episode 1 (Photo by: Ken Woroner/eOne/NBC)
The animated comedy Back to the Outback will debut on Netflix next fall. The upcoming comedy adventure is set in Australia and features the voices of Isla Fisher, Tim Minchin, Eric Bana, Guy Pearce, and Keith Urban.
Miranda Tapsell, Angus Imrie, Rachel House, Celeste Barber, Wayne Knight, Aislinn Derbez, Diesel Cash La Torraca, and Jacki Weaver also lend their voices to animal characters.
The animated film marks the directorial debuts of Clare Knight and Harry Cripps. “I have always been touched by stories of hidden beauty,” said co-director Knight. “Maddie [the snake] is both uniquely beauty and beast, and to get to present that message in comedy is the icing on the cake.”
Co-director Cripps wrote the screenplay. “Growing up in Australia, I spent a lot of time in the Blue Mountains which has many different types of snakes and spiders, and I always preferred them to the cute cuddly animals, so it’s such a treat to make a film where the heroes are these poisonous but beautiful little creatures. This film is a love letter to Australia’s incredibly diverse and unique wildlife,” explained Cripps.
Daniela Mazzucato serves as a producer, with Weed Road Pictures’ Akiva Goldsman and Greg Lessans executive producing. Rupert Gregson-Williams wrote the music with songs by Tim Minchin (Broadway’s Matilda).
Back to the Outback Plot Description, Courtesy of Netflix:
Tired of being locked in a reptile house where humans gawk at them like they’re monsters, a ragtag group of Australia’s deadliest creatures plot a daring escape from their zoo to the Outback, a place where they’ll fit in without being judged for their scales and fangs. Leading the group is Maddie (Fisher), a poisonous snake with a heart of gold, who bands together with a self-assured Thorny Devil lizard Zoe (Tapsell), a lovelorn hairy spider Frank (Pearce), and a sensitive scorpion Nigel (Imrie). But when their nemesis — Pretty Boy (Minchin), a cute but obnoxious koala — unexpectedly joins their escape, Maddie and the gang have no choice but to take him with them.
So begins a hair-raising and hilarious road trip across Australia, as they are pursued by a zookeeper Chaz (Bana) and his adventure-seeking mini-me (La Torraca).
Back to the Outback is an animated adventure that proves just because something’s different, doesn’t mean it isn’t beautiful.
Jason Schwartzman as Josto Fadda in ‘Fargo’ season 4 episode 11 (Photo Credit: FX)
And now we’ve come to the end of FX’s Fargo season four. Episode 11, “Storia Americana,” offers up a few chills, lots of thrills, more than a few kills, and a final scene that confirms a major plot twist. Don’t tune out without watching the credits as there’s a surprise appearance in the final two minutes that’s absolutely pivotal to the season four story.
Season four episode 11 opens with a montage of all the key players who’ve bitten the dust over the previous 10 episodes. Mixed into this recap of the dead are scenes of Josto (Jason Schwartzman) drinking as he thinks about his dead brother, as well as a snippet of Loy Cannon (Chris Rock) meeting with Ebal Violante (Francesco Acquaroli) in the park.
Over at the Smutny place, Loy’s men are removing boxes that had been stored in the funeral home as the property is turned back over to the family.
Loy hands over Donatello Fadda’s missing ring to Ebal in the park while over at the hospital, Doctor Harvard (Stephen Spencer) – recently recovered from the poisoning meant to kill him – calls Nurse Oraetta Mayflower a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Josto’s an angry drunk and he shows up at the hospital and grabs Dr. Harvard as he’s heading to his car. After a smack in the head, he sticks him in the backseat next to his now ex-future father-in-law, Milvin Gillis (Eric Slater). A short drive later, both men are dead in the backseat. The car’s riddled with bullet holes as Josto leans against the hood, having a smoke. He finishes up and sets the car on fire, tosses his gun, and casually walks away.
Murderess Oraetta Mayflower’s bail is paid and she’s set free. The cops don’t tell her who supplied the bail money and Oraetta (Jessie Buckley) hightails it out of there, less concerned about who and more concerned about putting some distance between herself and a jail cell.
Loy assures Ebal they can end the war if Ebal’s able to get his house in order.
Josto’s informed the deal he struck with Happy has paid off, which is actually far from the truth. Loy’s in on the plan and has his men mow down Happy and a few of his minions while they’re eating at Spud’s. Happy’s nephew, Leon (Jeremie Harris), was tasked with putting a bullet in Loy but when he arrives in Loy’s hotel room and prepares to shoot his ex-boss in the back, he’s grabbed by Opal (James Vincent Meredith) and choked to death.
Loy’s so cool and collected he doesn’t even turn around from his spot staring out the window to watch Opal off Leon.
Josto expects to be part of a celebration when he meets up with his men but instead everyone’s standing behind Ebal. He’s shocked to see Oraetta among the group and she greets him, mistakenly assuming he’s the one who bailed her out.
“You stand accused of crimes against the family,” states Ebal, adding, “You have conspired with this woman to kill your own father.”
Oraetta confirms Josto asked her to kill his father in the hospital, but Josto’s confused and claims he’s innocent. Oraetta reminds Josto he said his dad was in a lot of pain and he didn’t like to see him like that. Plus, he specifically asked, “Will you take care of him?”
Josto proclaims his innocence, but the fact they shared many nights together at her apartment doesn’t help his case. Josto attempts to order Ebal to stop this mess but to no avail. They don’t believe his story that he never wanted his father dead.
“You kill your father so you can wear the crown. Then you kill your brother so you don’t have to share,” says Ebal, holding aloft Donatello’s missing ring.
Josto’s hauled away by two of his men as Ebal informs him New York’s aware of what’s happened. Oraetta’s also grabbed and taken away.
They reluctantly share the backseat of a car and she explains they made her talk. Josto’s done with her and fully aware they’re both about to die. She begins beating him up when he calls her a hag and only stops when it annoys one of their captors enough he pulls his gun and demands she stop.
Their short road trip ends in the middle of nowhere. Oraetta and Josto are forced to stand in front of a large grave. Josto tries to talk his way out of the situation but it doesn’t work. Oraetta has one final request and asks, “Can you shoot him first so I can watch?”
Request granted. Josto’s shot in the head and falls dead into the grave. Her death follows seconds later, body tumbling into the pit and landing next to Josto’s.
Chris Rock as Loy Cannon in ‘Fargo’ season 4 episode 11 (Photo Credit:: FX)
Loy arrives home with his family and discovers their front door’s wide open. He has his wife and daughters remain outside while he checks the place out. Loy notices shoes on the floor, a bowl of food on the table, and a baseball cap. He quietly climbs the stairs to the second floor and spots Satchel’s clothing on the ground. Pushing open his son’s bedroom door, he finds Satchel (Rodney L. Jones III) sound asleep in his bed. His dog, Rabbit, is at his feet.
Loy grabs his son up in a hug. He calls for Buel (J. Nicole Brooks) and she slowly walks into the house as Satchel comes running downstairs. They stare at each other a moment before falling into each other’s arms. Satchel’s sisters join in the family hug.
Loy smiles but doesn’t join the group hug. Satchel stares at his father from his mother’s warm embrace.
Later, Loy has a face-to-face meeting with Ebal and learns their deal has been changed. Ebal passes Loy a typed letter and Loy discovers the Fadda mob is taking half his business. Loy crinkles up the paper and shouts, “We made a deal!”
Ebal explains this is part of a bigger deal that involves New York, Miami, Chicago, Texas, California, and Kansas City. It’s a new national plan and Loy’s just a big fish in a very small pond while the Faddas are powerful all over the country. Even if Loy killed Ebal, another man would just slip into his place. Ebal suggests Loy should adjust his thinking and be thankful they’re leaving him half his business. Loy will now work with the Faddas or else they’ll kill him. He’s effectively run out of options.
Arriving back at home, Loy informs Opal the war’s over and they’ve lost.
After sending Opal away, Loy stands at his front door and looks in on his family. Lemuel’s blowing his horn and everyone’s having a good time. He’s still standing there smiling while cradling a bag of oranges when Zelmare Roulette (Karen Aldridge) gets her revenge by stabbing him in the back, which is fitting since that’s what he did to her and what led to the death of her lover, Swanee. He spins around and is shocked Zelmare’s his attacker. She stabs Loy again – this time in his stomach – and stands over him as he slumps to the ground. “For Swanee,” she says before backing away.
Zelmare’s still standing on the porch holding the bloody knife when Satchel opens the door. He heard a commotion, and she shushes him before dropping the knife and walking away.
Satchel sits down next to his father as he takes his final breaths. Loy places a shaking hand on Satchel’s cheek as Satchel stares in his eyes, never flinching. He only looks away after his father’s died.
Season four began with our reliable narrator, Ethelrida (E’myri Crutchfield), laying out the history of the Kansas City mobs. The season comes to a close with Ethelrida reading her history report to her parents around the dining room table as scenes from the season spin across the screen.
The setting shifts and a poised and collected Ethelrida looks directly into the camera and says, “My name is Ethelrida Pearl Smutny. This is my history report.” She stands, picks up two suitcases, and leaves as the screen fades to black and the credits begin.
But, Fargo season four isn’t over just yet.
As the credits roll, Fargo welcomes back Bokeem Woodbine! As you may recall, Woodbine starred as Mike Milligan in season two. You also may recall Ben Whishaw played Rabbi Milligan this season before being swept up by a tornado. Apparently, season four showcases Woodbine’s character’s backstory but doesn’t actually confirm the twist until the final two minutes of the season. It turns out Mike Milligan and Satchel Cannon are one and the same, something many fans have suspected and debated about over the past few months.
As an added bonus, Brad Mann (season two’s Gale Kitchen) is in the driver’s seat while Woodbine’s Mike Milligan loads his gun in the back.
Georgie Henley stars in ‘The Spanish Princess’ season 2 (Photo Credit: Starz)
Although the title of Starz’s The Spanish Princess season two episode eight is “Peace,” Queen Catherine’s story throughout much of the season finale is one of unhappiness and betrayal. The season two finale closes the book on Catherine of Aragon as King Henry VIII’s first wife and moves forward the story of his second, Anne Boleyn.
Episode eight opens with King Henry (Ruairi O’Connor) in a rage after Queen Catherine (Charlotte Hope) finally reveals she’s lost yet another son. His anger ramps up when he realizes she miscarried before Edward Stafford was executed and that Stafford knew and kept it a secret.
King Henry threatens to behead Queen Catherine for her failure and deceitfulness. He turns his anger on Maggie Pole (Laura Carmichael), ordering her ejected from the palace and demanding his son be brought to him.
After Henry storms away, Maggie calls Henry a monster and wonders how Catherine can remain by his side. Catherine informs Maggie her words are treasonous and she’s no longer willing to help her if King Henry takes drastic action.
Catherine’s in a rotten mood when she drags Princess Mary into the chapel to pray. She finally apologizes to the child for her father’s actions. Mary only pays attention and joins her in prayer after Catherine tells her she loves her.
Meanwhile in Scotland, Meg (Georgie Henley) – accompanied by Hal Stewart (Thoren Ferguson) – convinces noblemen to join her by offering to pay them in English gold. She requests they protect her son, their future king, from the Duke of Albany and others currently in control.
Now that she’s no longer alone in her fight, she retrieves her son Jamie as he’s practicing sword fighting with Alexander Stewart (Mark Rowley). Stewart has no option other than to turn him over, given that she’s accompanied by men who are prepared to fight.
Back in England, Maggie Pole attempts to comfort her sobbing daughter, Ursula (Amelia Gething). Queen Catherine’s turned against them now and stands with King Henry, and Ursula’s rightfully concerned about their future. Maggie promises they won’t starve and their wealth will be returned…or she’ll see the Tudors burn in hell.
Their conversation’s interrupted by the arrival of her son, Henry (Theo Ancient), and many soldiers. He reads the order from King Henry confiscating the Stafford estate in its entirety. Maggie refuses to leave the doorway and Henry begs her to get out of the way. She again refuses, threatening that he’ll need to run her through with his sword if he wants to enter the estate.
Once more to Scotland we go and Meg triumphantly returns to Edinburgh Castle, now in possession of her sons. She orders the Duke of Albany (Gordon Kennedy) from the castle, declaring she’ll take over as regent of Scotland for her son, King James. Meg assures the Duke she’s no longer worried about what King Henry or Queen Catherine want and is only acting in the best interest of Scotland and her sons from this moment on.
The Duke says goodbye to James and Alexander, understanding he’s in no position to fight for control. Meg warns those gathered not to underestimate her because she’s a woman. She will rule with her son and punish any who stand against her.
Lina (Stephanie Levi-John) informs Queen Catherine that King Henry has summoned his son and is set to make an announcement. Although she wasn’t invited, Queen Catherine prepares Princess Mary to stand before King Henry alongside her half-brother.
Members of the court and other nobility have gathered and Thomas Boleyn (Richard Pepper) bows as Queen Catherine arrives with Princess Mary. He calls her attendance unexpected and Queen Catherine’s undeterred, believing Princess Mary has every right to be present.
Bessie Blount stands next to her son in front of King Henry as he bestows the Dukedoms of Richmond and Somerset on his only male heir. The boy’s also appointed Lord High Admiral, Lord President of the Council of the North, and Warden of the Marshes.
Princess Mary is ignored. Catherine asks if Henry will give Princess Mary the throne and responds, “No, I’ll have a son for that.”
As the event’s breaking up, Henry’s sister Mary (Sai Bennett) approaches for a word. Mary wants to know if Catherine’s the source of the rumor Meg is sleeping with the Duke of Albany. Mary realizes Catherine’s no longer fighting on Meg’s behalf and that Catherine doesn’t know Meg has evicted the Duke and now rules Scotland alongside her son.
Catherine believes Meg must rule with Angus, her husband. Mary informs her King Henry’s no longer standing firm behind that marriage and will allow her to seek an annulment from the Pope. Before she walks away to pay her respect to King Henry, Mary apologizes that she and Catherine won’t be good friends any longer.
Queen Catherine’s list of friends and confidants has significantly shortened. She’s also being noticeably pushed from the King’s circle and her influence is being minimalized.
Thomas Boleyn seeks to fill Queen Catherine’s spot with his own daughter, Anne.
Ursula and her husband, Henry Stafford (Milo Callaghan), watch as Henry Pole and the other soldiers pack up all of the Stafford household’s belongings. Maggie’s remained firmly in place blocking the doorway and is standing there when Sir Thomas More (Andrew Buchan) arrives. He informs her she’s no longer Lady Pole, Countess of Salisbury. King Henry’s stripped her of her title.
Maggie makes it clear they’re no longer friends and she feels betrayed by everyone. However, she’s not fearful since she has nothing to lose. She warns those who do should be afraid.
Queen Catherine attempts to speak with King Henry about their relationship. It’s clear he’s finished with this marriage and wants to move on to someone who can give him a legitimate male heir. He believes their marriage is cursed and demands to know if she had sex with his brother, Arthur. Once again, Catherine denies she did and swears she was a virgin when she came to Henry’s bed.
Henry refuses to believe his daughter’s capable of ruling England. He will place Henry FitzRoy on the throne rather than Princess Mary but clings to the belief God has promised him dozens of sons.
Lina and Oviedo (Aaron Cobham) are at odds over whether to leave their service to Queen Catherine and King Henry. Oviedo doesn’t feel safe and suggests they meet up with Rosa and her husband who are currently docked nearby. Lina was already aware of this and confesses Rosa wants to see them. However, Lina doesn’t feel now’s the right time to leave Queen Catherine.
Charlotte Hope and Stephanie Levi-John star in ‘The Spanish Princess season 2 (Photo Credit: Starz)
Queen Catherine blames Wolsey for the troubles in her marriage, and Lina lends a sympathetic ear. When she attempts to bring up Rosa, Catherine claims not to have time to discuss that now. She also rudely dismisses Lina’s talk of her sons, obviously jealous of Lina’s good fortune.
Catherine spots Maggie Pole outside and wonders if she’s there to beg King Henry for mercy.
Maggie’s accompanied by Thomas More but it’s Thomas Boleyn who walks with her to speak with King Henry. It’s apparent Maggie dislikes Thomas and believes he’ll toss away any of his friends – as he did with Edward Stafford – to secure his own family’s place in court.
Maggie asks for an audience alone with King Henry and confesses she’d like to come clean about a lie. She admits Queen Catherine did lie with Arthur; she was not a virgin when she wed Henry.
King Henry immediately seeks out Queen Catherine to accompany him hunting. They ride out deep into the forest and Catherine’s suddenly leery. She points out there’s not much prey in that area but Henry insists she keep walking while he follows close behind.
Henry finally points to a spot by the lake and pushes her to the ground on its bank. He reveals Maggie Pole has finally told the truth and confirmed Catherine slept with Arthur. She heard their lovemaking from outside the bedroom door. Catherine denies it once again, adamant that since Maggie wasn’t in their bedroom, she couldn’t possibly know what happened.
Henry explains Maggie swore on the Bible and reveals Arthur even spoke to her of his joy in making love to Catherine. Catherine’s forced to acknowledge Arthur wasn’t a liar and reluctantly admits it’s true. They recite Bible verses supporting their opposing sides of the argument. Catherine’s convinced God isn’t punishing them while Henry is equally certain God is.
Henry’s actually relieved she finally admits to being a wanton whore. Catherine reminds her husband he loves her still. He claims to hate her, given that he’s been tossed into the flames of Hell due to their relationship. She begs him to understand she’s always been his, but he’s already detached himself from this marriage.
Catherine spots movement in the nearby trees and Henry refuses to say who it is. She thinks he brought Wolsey with them to kill her, but she survives the meeting. She’s left alone to struggle in the dirt as Henry strides away, calling for his horse. By the time she returns from the shoreline, Henry is gone. She rides home alone.
In Scotland, Meg addresses Parliament and is thankful they have acknowledged her son as king. When she assures them Scotland’s more than a match for “that greedy English king and his deceitful wife,” one of the men speaks up and reminds her she’s a Tudor who rushed into marriage with Angus Douglas.
He’s rude when he addresses Meg and she sends him off to prison. She warns the others gathered the same fate could befall them.
Oviedo and Lina meet up with Rosa (Nadia Parkes) at the docks, and Rosa’s ecstatic the couple will be joining them on their voyage to the Ottoman Empire. She loves the idea of their children growing up together. Lina explains they haven’t decided to leave, and Rosa reveals her husband has already offered Oviedo a job on the ship.
Lina confronts Oviedo, upset he didn’t tell her about this offer. He’s convinced they should leave and have a life where they can be together with their boys as a family every day.
Lina admits to Rosa she’d love to go but can’t because Catherine’s in pain. Rosa suggests she do what’s best for her husband and sons.
Catherine finally makes it back to the castle as Maggie’s instructing Thomas More and Thomas Boleyn to return everything taken from the Stafford estate. Queen Catherine’s looking bedraggled and Thomas Boleyn asks about her guards who are nowhere to be seen. She confronts Maggie and asks what she told King Henry. Maggie replies, “I’m a loyal servant to the King. Is that not what you’d have me be?”
Catherine writes to Meg asking for her help. She’s desperate for Meg’s assistance now that Henry’s pushing her aside and denying Princess Mary’s right to inherit the throne.
That letter arrives in Scotland along with one from King Henry. Meg doesn’t open either and instead tosses both into the fire. Meg believes Catherine’s as lost as Henry and will not entertain correspondence from either.
Hal informs her Angus is gathering men and will challenge her right to rule. Meg names Hal her most senior officer but he believes someone from another house other than Stewart might be a better choice. He also reminds her that her son’s reign isn’t recognized by all of the clans. Meg stands firm; she wants Hal and not just to lead her army.
“I want you, Hal, forever…until the end of Heaven and Earth,” says Meg. Sparks fly as they kiss.
Lina and Oviedo return home and as she bathes her sons, she discovers one is being bullied by English boys.
The following day Catherine confesses to Lina that Maggie told Henry she slept with Arthur. Catherine believes Henry is going to annul their marriage. She apologizes to Lina for her ill-temper and how she’s treated her. She asks for forgiveness and wonders if there’s anything she can do for Lina’s family.
Their conversation’s cut short by the arrival of King Henry and Thomas Boleyn. King Henry informs his wife that Thomas’ daughters, Anne and Mary, will now be part of the Queen’s household as her ladies.
Later, Catherine wakes from a nightmare and sees King Henry outside with Anne Boleyn (Alice Nokes). She watches as Henry gazes upon Anne’s naked body standing before him and as Anne backs slightly away, not allowing Henry to touch her. Catherine aims a crossbow in the couple’s direction but tosses it aside without firing.
Back in Scotland, Angus (Andrew Rothney) leads a group of soldiers to Edinburgh Castle. He’s stopped at the gates but continues to scream out Meg’s name. Angus joins the soldiers as they approach the west side after being denied entrance through the front gate. Meg’s happy about this development and has her men fire cannons at Angus and his fellow traitors.
Meg’s practically giddy watching Angus and his men wiped out, laughing with glee as she orders the cannons to continue to shoot.
Lina finds Catherine alone in the chapel praying. She explains Rosa’s in port and she wants to leave with Oviedo and her boys. Catherine’s saddened but understands, confessing she wishes she could accompany her.
King Henry schools his young son on the family’s history, with Maggie Pole watching closely over the boy. Catherine asks for time alone with Henry and Maggie leaves without acknowledging Catherine.
Catherine shocks Henry by informing him she’s made the decision to leave and will live away from court, but she will always be his wife. She will not be pushed from this marriage and hopes he will find peace.
Next, Catherine speaks briefly with Anne Boleyn. She assures her what she has with King Henry won’t last and she’ll never be Queen of England.
Catherine writes down her thoughts and hopes for her daughter, explaining why they’re leaving. She doesn’t regret anything and wouldn’t change a thing that’s happened to her. Catherine writes that she’s known joy, love, and friendship in this beautiful world of Camelot.
Catherine hopes her daughter will forgive her father and that she’ll pray King Henry finds his way again.
Catherine and Princess Mary’s final act is to set free their caged bird.
