Netflix has given One Piece an early season three renewal and unveiled a one-minute first-look video along with new photos from the upcoming second season. The just-announced third season will return to Cape Town to shoot.
One Piece premiered in August 2023, and season two is targeting a 2026 launch. The streamer didn’t confirm when season three will be released.
The popular series based on Eiichiro Oda’s bestselling manga series stars Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy, Mackenyu as Roronoa Zoro, Emily Rudd as Nami, Jacob Romero as Usopp, and Taz Skylar as Sanji. Ian Stokes will team up with Joe Tracz as co-showrunners for season three.
“Netflix’s epic high-seas pirate adventure, One Piece, returns for season two—unleashing fiercer adversaries and the most perilous quests yet. Luffy and the Straw Hats set sail for the extraordinary Grand Line—a legendary stretch of sea where danger and wonder await at every turn,” reads Netflix’s synopsis. “As they journey through this unpredictable realm in search of the world’s greatest treasure, they’ll encounter bizarre islands and a host of formidable new enemies.”
Matt Owens and Joe Tracz guide season two as writers, executive producers, and co-showrunners. Additional executive producers for the series include Eiichiro Oda, Marty Adelstein, Becky Clements, Tetsu Fujimura, Chris Symes, Christoph Schrewe, and Steven Maeda. The series was created in partnership with Shueisha and produced by Tomorrow Studios (an ITV Studios partner) and Netflix.
According to Netflix, the first season is one of the streamer’s most downloaded series of all time. Season one drew 100 million views and spent eight weeks on the Global Top 10 list.
The Tinder Swindler‘s Cecilie Fjellhøy found a new passion in life: helping others who thought they’d found love only to realize they’d been conned. Netflix’s six-episode docuseries Love Con Revenge focuses on Fjellhøy’s quest for justice for women who’ve been caught up in con artists’ lies.
The docuseries, directed by Max Shapira, will premiere on September 5, 2025. Netflix offers this description: “After falling victim to a sophisticated romance scam in The Tinder Swindler, Cecilie Fjellhøy partners with Private Investigator Brianne Joseph to help other victims reclaim their lives and expose digital predators in the provocative unscripted series, Love Con Revenge.”
Chris McLaughlin is the showrunner and Ruth Kelly serves as executive producer.
“I never imagined my story would resonate the way it has. Since The Tinder Swindler, I’ve heard from people all over the world who’ve been targeted by criminals hiding behind love,” said Cecilie Fjellhøy. “Love Con Revenge is a way for me to use what I’ve learned to help others heal, reclaim their voices, their power, and their lives.”
Commenting on the docuseries, creative director James O’Reilly stated, “Love Con Revenge uncovers the jaw-dropping scale of romance fraud—and the emotional and financial toll it takes on victims. This is a truly modern crime that is exploding in the United States and around the world. It’s been incredible to follow Cecilie and Brianne as they investigate these cases—to bring justice to the victims and hold the perpetrators to account who’ve gotten away with this for far too long.”
There’s an odd correlation between comedy and horror. The timing, build-up, and payoff to both laughs and scares are very similar. This is why comedians can be such great horror filmmakers, as evidenced by the likes of Jordan Peele and John Krasinski. A few years back, writer/director Zach Cregger from the sketch comedy troop The Whitest Kids U’Know splashed into horror with the incredible Barbarian. And now, he’s back to show that his first horror movie was no fluke with Weapons.
Weapons is about a town in which, one night at 2:17am, an entire class of third graders got up out of their beds and ran from their houses into the night. Well, almost an entire class. One kid was left. And no other children from the school disappeared, just the one class.
That’s the setup. And, as was the case with Barbarian, Weapons is best approached with little to no preconceptions or knowledge of the plot. The movie itself is about the town trying to solve the mystery of the missing kids, and it’s shown from the perspectives of several different characters, everyone from the teacher of the class (Ozark’s Julia Garner) to one of the parents (Thanos himself from Avengers: Inifinity War and Endgame, Josh Brolin) to the remaining child (Cary Christopher from Days of Our Lives). And it’s a wild ride.
Weapons is the kind of movie that is always one step ahead of the viewer, right up until the end. Zach Cregger has crafted a chilling and suspenseful vision of a town where hope is basically lost, but no one wants to admit it. There’s a lot of finger-pointing, which results in plenty of false flags and red herrings, all of which just adds to the mystery. There’s always a surprise or a twist up ahead.
Weapons is a very cold movie. Cregger has captured both the eerie chill of the small town as well as the frozen desperation of its confused citizens. It’s a community in crisis, and along with cinematographer Larkin Seiple (Everything Everywhere All at Once), Cregger approaches it with a creepy detachment, almost as if the viewer is seeing things that they shouldn’t be seeing. Which leads to them seeing some really disturbing stuff.
Cregger knows his horror. Although Weapons is unlike anything else, it still feels familiar, as Cregger wears his influences on his sleeve. The film’s overall atmosphere reeks of modern masterpieces like Sinister, Longlegs, and Get Out. Visually, Cregger winks and nods to (and sometimes even downright quotes from) classics like The Shining, Curtains, and The Brood. Despite all of these mashed-up ingredients, Weapons still manages to hold on to its own firm identity. Cregger tosses all of his favorites into a blender and puts his own spin on his unique story.
Of course, Cregger also knows his comedy. While Weapons is by no means a comedy, it does have moments of “intentional unintentional” humor, meaning that what is happening is played completely straight (even horrifically so), but some of the situations are so outlandish that they border on humorous. Weapons is a smart movie, but in typical horror movie fashion, it’s filled with dumb decisions made by the characters. These dumb decisions are driven by grief, curiosity, anger, and even greed, and they all boil over into a seriously crazy climax. With no other emotions left to go on, the audience can only laugh.
Weapons hits all the right notes. It’s a psychological thriller, a bloody slasher movie, a cunning mystery, and a supernatural horror flick. It’s scary, shocking, gory, and, in its own weird way, funny. Overall, it’s just plain entertaining. While Zach Cregger’s resume may still be a bit too short for him to be considered a “master of horror,” he’s definitely on the right track. He’s one to keep an eye on.
GRADE: A
Rating: R for strong bloody violence and grisly images, language throughout, some sexual content, and drug use
Running Time: 2 hours 8 minutes
Release Date: August 8, 2025
Studio: New Line Cinema
Jeremy Irvine in ‘Outlander: Blood of my Blood’ episode 2 (Photo Credit: Starz)
The first episode of Starz’s Outlander: Blood of my Blood mainly focused on Jamie’s parents, Brian and Ellen, in the days surrounding the death of Red Jacob and the selection of a new Laird for Clan MacKenzie. Claire’s parents put in brief but pivotal appearances in episode one and are at the heart of the action in episode two.
The following recap of episode two, “SWAK (Sealed with a Kiss),” has tons of spoilers. Continue reading only if you’ve seen the episode!
WWI Western Front, Battle of Passchendaele, Belgium 1917
Bombs explode and soldiers scramble for safety as Starz’s Outlander: Blood of my Blood episode two begins. Lt. Henry Beauchamp (Jeremy Irvine) frantically searches for Private Charlton, and his captain advises him to stay with the rest of his men. Henry promised his men he wouldn’t leave anyone behind (this time) but the captain orders him to stand down.
Henry disobeys and runs through a barrage of bullets to retrieve the injured man. He’s suffered a gutshot, and Henry lies and says he’ll be fine. The men watch as the captain threatens to shoot Henry for disobeying an order. But he won’t, because the men would attack him. Henry promises not to do it again.
Henry hands off the letter the now-deceased private wrote to his mom and then writes his own letter to whom it may concern, describing what he’s going through as hell on earth. He’s lost friends, but some of the things he’s seen in war are worse than death. Henry doubts he’ll be able to erase the images from his mind. Physical injuries may heal, but an injured mind will not.
Henry says he’s writing as a witness to the insanity of war and the tragedies of young men dying. He claims they’re trying to hold onto their sanity while holding onto hope.
Hermione Corfield in ‘Outlander: Blood of my Blood’ episode 2 (Photo Credit: Starz)
War Office: Postal and Telegraph Censorship Department, London, 1917
Hundreds of bags of letters make their way through the hands of the women staffing the office. A cup of coffee is accidentally spilled on Julia’s work and she hurriedly tries to write down the work assignments she remembers reading on the nearly destroyed paperwork.
Julia (Hermione Corfield) takes charge of a Passchendaele regiment just as her co-worker spots a flyer for a meeting hosted by women suffragists demanding women be allowed to vote. She warns Julia to be careful, but Julia is passionate about the cause. She hopes one day to be allowed to attend university and earn a degree. (The scene also serves to inform us that Julia has a near-photographic memory.)
The women go through letters to home, redacting passages that give away any possibly important details. Julia opens Henry’s letter that isn’t addressed to anyone. In it, Henry asks what there is to live for. Julia hides the letter in her book before getting back to work.
Later at home, she reads the entire letter and writes back. Julia doesn’t have the answers Henry is seeking, and admits she also wonders why they “must live through this abominable war.” She compares their circumstances to raindrops, never too small to make a difference.
“We too are shaped and changed by our suffering until we are strong enough, like water, to carve our way through rock,” writes Julia. She reveals that after her parents died, she paused her studies to help with the war effort. Julia also feels alone and understands why he questions their circumstances. She suggests that Henry not give up and that he can write back, if he wants to.
Henry does write back and says there was magic in her words. He now has hope.
They continue exchanging letters and each one becomes increasingly personal. They share details of their families and Julia reveals she’s in a Scottish phase. There’s something magical and romantic about Scotland. She writes of a folklorist named J.F. Campbell who told of a man who joined the circle of a fairy dance in the Highlands. When he came out, he felt he’d only briefly been away. In actuality, it had been years. Julia compares that to their letters, saying she could spend an eternity in the dance of their words.
Henry confesses he’s found his soulmate and seals his letter with a kiss. He quotes poet John Donne; she quotes Robert Burns‘s description of the Highlands. Henry jokes that he’s worried she’ll run off with a Highlander and confirms he’s always wanted to visit Scotland.
Julia has just finished reading a letter from Henry in which he said he was requesting a month’s leave to come to London when German planes fill the skies. They drop bombs and one blows out the window where she’s standing.
Henry’s men are engaged in combat as Julia writes to him from under a table by candlelight. She confesses her greatest fear is that they’ll never meet. Henry writes that he now calls her his hope.
Henry’s just been handed a letter when an explosion rocks his trench. More bombs send dirt and debris into the trench, burying the injured men.
Julia thumbs through the letters but there isn’t one from Henry. The war office receives a telegraph that Henry’s regiment plus two others were involved in ground attacks. 1,399 men have died.
Julia won’t give up hope but writes to Henry that it’s been two weeks since he last wrote. She admits to being frightened but still has hope.
Jeremy Irvine and Hermione Corfield in ‘Outlander: Blood of my Blood’ episode 2 (Photo Credit: Starz)
Julia leaves work and walks through the streets and down a flight of stairs. Suddenly she looks up when a man passing by says, “Hope springs eternal.” She can barely believe her eyes as Henry gently caresses her face. Their foreheads touch, followed by a kiss that turns from tentative to passionate.
They barely make it back to Julia’s place before starting to take off each other’s clothes. Before they get far, Henry asks if she’s worried they’re not married yet. She takes the “yet” as a proposal and says yes.
They giggle as they fight with their clothes before experiencing each other’s naked body for the first time. The camera pulls away and focuses on Julia’s naked back as they make love.
The next scene shows Henry carrying his bride across the doorway. Julia can’t believe the priest squeezed them in at the last minute.
Henry experiences a terrible nightmare, waking with a scream when a car backfires outside. Julia comforts him as he sobs, and finally he calms down as she reminds him to hold onto his hope.
Hermione Corfield in ‘Outlander: Blood of my Blood’ episode 2 (Photo Credit: Starz)
Julia and Henry Time Travel to Scotland in 1714
The story moves forward to Julia waking next to one of the standing stones. The diamond has fallen out of her wedding ring and she searches for it but gives up as she looks around the area. Julia walks back to where she left Henry after the accident, but he doesn’t respond when she calls out.
She spots a horse and quickly scribbles a message on a boulder. It reads “SWAK” with an arrow pointing toward the direction she’s heading. Julia stops the carriage and asks if they’ve seen her husband, explaining their motorcar had an accident. The three passengers speak Gaelic and don’t speak English. She asks about Inverness and they respond, “Inbhir Nis.” They indicate she should join them, but Julia wants to remain here to look for Henry.
Before she can react, one of the men places a bag over her head and the other knocks her out. Her unconscious body is placed in the carriage.
Meanwhile, Henry looks around the stones and calls out for his wife. He finds the SWAK message and heads in the direction of her arrow. He sees the town and hurries toward it.
Julia is tended to by Mistress Porter (Sara Vickers), a housekeeper, at Castle Leathers. She’s told the Connors left her there as payment for their debts. Julia tries to escape but is stopped at the door by Simon Beaufort Fraser (Tony Curran) who seems pleased she’s a fiery sassenach. Brian (Jamie Roy) watches from the doorway as Julia is stunned to learn they think she’s their new maidservant. She tells them she’s Julia Beauchamp from Hyde Park, London, and Lord Lovat isn’t impressed. She’s now his property.
Brian confronts his dad, reminding him they should have demanded money from the Connors. Lord Lovat admits that he prefers a new woman to satisfy his needs instead.
Henry’s also called a sassenach when he approaches two men in the woods. He sees other men and understands something strange has happened to them. Malcolm Grant (Jhon Lumsden) pays for Henry’s ale in a tavern and tells him he owes him. Henry notices flyers on the wall that indicate the year is 1714.
Henry’s grabbed and nearly tossed down a well after mistakenly inserting himself in clan matters. Malcolm Grant saves him again, as Henry explains he was just pointing out something he’s sure Malcolm already noticed from the flyers. Henry whispers an explanation in Malcolm’s ear and is taken to see Mr. Grant.
Over at Castle Leathers, Julia begs Mistress Porter to help her, pleading that she was in the Highlands on holiday with her husband and isn’t a servant. Henry’s business in Edinburgh turned into a brief vacation and somehow they got separated. She believes Henry’s looking for her. Mistress Porter thinks he’s probably not coming.
Mistress Porter is convinced Julia must have been knocked senseless and that’s why she’s so confused. Julia says King George V is on the throne; Mistress Porter corrects her that it’s 1714 and King George I is the ruler.
Julia is warned that Lord Lovat is known for paying “special attention” to the servants.
Jeremy Irvine and Jhon Lumsden in ‘Outlander: Blood of my Blood’ episode 2 (Photo Credit: Starz)
Bowmont House, Clan Grant
Henry’s taken to speak with Isaac Grant (Brian McCardie) and repeats what he whispered. Henry deduced from conversations and paperwork that the Grants’ proposed deal with the Campbells would mean the Campbells would still collect rents on the properties they are supposedly selling Isaac. Malcolm also believes that’s true but couldn’t convince his dad that the deal wasn’t fair.
But Henry’s observation doesn’t end there. He also believes that Isaac Grant’s advisor, Padraig Druiminn, was paid off to misrepresent the Grants’ interests. Isaac has Arch Bug (Terence Rae) confront Druiminn, and after an offscreen fight Bug returns with a sack of coins. Henry was right.
Isaac Grant asks Henry to replace Druiminn as his new bladier. Henry explains he’s searching for someone, and Isaac says taking the position would allow him to travel all over the area, not just on Grant lands. Also, an Englishman alone in the Highlands would have a huge target on his back unless he worked for the Grants.
Henry accepts the position.
Later, Arch Bug escorts Henry to the bladier’s quarters, pointing out Henry’s predecessor’s head, which is now atop a spike.
Hermione Corfield in ‘Outlander: Blood of my Blood’ episode 2 (Photo Credit: Starz)
Julia is forced to accept that at least for now she’s a servant at Castle Leathers. As she’s working, she looks for any information that may be helpful in figuring out a way out of her predicament. She’s just finished stealing a map when Lord Lovat tells her she’ll do as he says. Julia pretends she hears Mistress Porter calling her and escapes.
That night she makes a run for it but is chased down by Brian on horseback. She begs him to let her go and explains that she’s just trying to find her husband. Brian understands but a storm’s coming and it’s too dangerous outside. And if she runs off now, his father will just send Balloch after her.
Julia doesn’t listen and only makes it a few feet before Balloch grabs her. She screams but Balloch won’t release her. She’s taken to Lord Lovat and about to be whipped for her insolence when Brian speaks up and says it was his fault. He lies and says he convinced her to flee.
Brian is whipped in Julia’s place.
One month has passed and we’re now caught up with the events of the first episode. Henry meets with Red Jacob’s advisor, Ned (Conor MacNeill), and Ned apologizes for the actions of Dougal. Ned wonders how the MacKenzies can make things right with the Grants. He proposes a marriage between Ellen MacKenzie and Malcolm Grant to smooth things over. Their marriage would benefit both clients. Henry insists Isaac Grant wants Dougal’s head, not Ellen’s hand.
Ned changes the offer. He noticed Henry was asking around for a woman at the gathering but didn’t find one he liked. Ned will help him locate the woman he’s after if he takes the betrothal offer to Isaac Grant. Henry agrees to present the offer to Lord Grant.
Over at Castle Leathers, Julia studies the maps and then uses a piece of the paper to write a letter to Henry about her last memory. She recalls the sound of a swarm of bees near the stones and then they were separated. Julia’s not sure if she’s dead, lost her mind, or fallen through the looking glass. She’s still madly in love with him, Claire, and their unborn child.
Julia admits she doesn’t think this letter will get to him; it’s more a record of her thoughts.
Henry also writes to Julia, explaining he’s constantly searching for her. He must act brave but doesn’t feel it. Only his memories of her and Claire give him hope.
Henry vows that he will find his way back to her. “I will not rest until we are reunited,” writes Henry.
Julia confesses she can only bear this by clinging to the thought that Henry is home with Claire. She asks Henry to kiss Claire and promises to find a way home to them.
Henry calls Julia his anchor and his reason for carrying on. He seals his letter with a kiss. Julia also finishes her letter and seals it with a kiss.
Jamie Roy and Harriet Slater in ‘Outlander: Blood of My Blood’ (Photo Credit: Starz)
Red Jacob MacKenzie’s body is being tended to following his death as Starz’s Outlander: Blood of my Blood episode one begins and Droughtlander ends. The Outlander prequel introduces characters we’ve heard about but don’t really know, up to this point. Outlander: Blood of my Blood charts the love stories responsible for giving us Jamie Fraser and Claire Beauchamp.
The following is a very detailed recap of episode one, “Providence,” which premiered on the Starz app on August 8, 2025 at midnight. Episodes air on Starz linear on Fridays at 8pm ET/PT.
And now on to the recap—spoilers ahead!
The series begins at Castle Leoch, home to Clan MacKenzie. Jacob’s oldest child, Ellen (Harriet Slater), disagrees with the way her father’s funeral is being conducted, but she doesn’t have any say in the matter because she’s female. Ellen’s nervous that the clan leadership may pass to someone outside their family since her father didn’t name a successor. Her maid believes the gathering will do the right thing and name one of her two brothers, either Colum or Dougal, as the new Laird.
A flashback shows how close Ellen and her father (Peter Mullan) were and that he taught her to be strong and independent. Ellen was concerned about eventually having to marry and give up her freedom, and her father gave her a MacKenzie brooch to wear with MacKenzie plaid, even though that’s typically for men.
“Wear it as you would wear armor, as my promise to you,” said Jacob. “A MacKenzie you are, and a MacKenzie you’ll always be.”
Returning to current events, we learn that both of Ellen’s sisters—Jocasta (Sadhbh Malin) and Janet (Ailsa Davidson)—are married. Ellen still rejects the idea of marriage for herself.
The clan gather at Jacob’s funeral and Jocasta whispers about their father dying while having sex with a maidservant. Family members’ conversations paint a picture of Ellen’s special close relationship with Jacob. It’s believed she may never love any man as much as she did her father.
Harriet Slater and Peter Mullan in ‘Outlander: Blood of my Blood’ episode 1 (Photo Credit: Starz)
Another flashback shows Jacob confessing that he had Ellen and her brothers learn to play chess so they would know how to be patient and then strike without mercy. Jacob understood the clan would never bend a knee to her as a laird, but she could be a laird’s wife. And if she had been born male, her name would have been James. She was named Ellen because it means “torch.” He always knew she’d be what lights his way.
Later, men wearing hoods quietly run through the woods. Dougal MacKenzie (Sam Retford) and his group ambush them, and Dougal warns one of the masked men to never try to plunder MacKenzie land again. He cuts one of the man’s fingers off, while the MacKenzie men whoop in victory.
Back at the castle, Dougal suspects Simon Fraser of Lovat orchestrated the raid. The Frasers and MacKenzies are bitter enemies, and Dougal wants revenge. But Red Jacob’s trusted advisor Ned Gowan (Conor MacNeill) reminds him Fraser isn’t capable of it. Dougal then decides it’s probably the work of the Grants, but Colum (Seamus McLean Ross) pops in and disagrees. He warns Dougal to be careful since rumors of a war between the MacKenzies and Grants would be welcomed by some.
Red Jacob’s passing has made rival clans believe MacKenzie land is ripe for the picking. Ned reminds them Jacob was a beloved man in these parts and people will toast to his death. He also admits the clan’s torn between choosing Colum or Dougal as laird.
Colum points out Dougal is prone to solving problems with violence and lacks diplomacy. Dougal thinks any votes cast for his brother will be cast out of pity.
Jamie Roy, Tony Curran, and Rory Alexander in ‘Outlander: Blood of my Blood’ episode 1 (Photo Credit: Starz)
Castle Leathers: Clan Fraser of Lovat
Brian (Jamie Roy) is adamant he won’t go to the MacKenzie gathering. He teases Murtagh (Rory Alexander) that he only wants to go to see a lassie and wonders if he needs him as a wingman. Murtagh admits it’s true, and Brian reminds him he’s not welcome on MacKenzie land. Murtagh points out that they’ve never seen his face. Maybe he’d even find a lassie of his own there.
Brian’s dad, Lord Lovat (Tony Curran), joins Murtagh and Brian for dinner, celebrating the death of his sworn enemy and hoping he’s in hell where he belongs. He blames Jacob for stealing his title and lands, and claims Jacob confessed to betraying him. Murtagh confirms he’s going to the gathering, and Lord Lovat asks him to spy on private conversations. That’s not at all what Murtagh has in mind; he’s going for the women and the games.
Lord Lovat chuckles when he thinks of the clan choosing the “lame-legged one” (Colum) or the brother whose penis gets him in trouble. Lord Lovat believes the MacKenzies had him ostracized from society and orders his son to attend the gathering, too. The tension’s thick enough to cut with a knife as Brian stops his father from accosting a new maid (Hermione Corfield as Julia, Claire’s mother).
The maid’s urged by another housekeeper to return to the kitchen. She’s reminded not to engage with Lord Lovat and to make herself no more noticeable than a piece of furniture.
Over at Castle Leoch, Ellen and Colum chat as the MacKenzie land is prepared for the gathering. They know that if Dougal is chosen, Colum will either be forced to leave or killed. Ellen throws her support behind Colum as the games get underway.
Later, Colum asks Dougal as his “blood of my blood” to yield to him. Colum is the oldest and much wiser, but Dougal reminds him their father knew he was stronger. Colum’s sure Dougal will bring nothing but disgrace to their name, while Dougal is equally certain his leadership will be needed if there’s a war. Dougal thinks Colum is weak and afraid of losing the title of laird. He also thinks the men won’t bend their knees to a cripple.
Murtagh and Brian arrive, and Murtagh sends Brian off as he looks for the lassie who’s caught his eye. Murtagh’s auntie, Mistress Fitz (Sally Messham), rushes over and demands to know what he was thinking when he brought a Fraser to the gathering. Murtagh’s preoccupied and his auntie warns him the lassie he’s staring at—Ellen—is a lady who won’t give him the time of day.
Still, Murtagh only has eyes for Ellen.
Harriet Slater and Jamie Roy in ‘Outlander: Blood of my Blood’ episode 1 (Photo Credit: Starz)
Brian’s getting unwanted attention while throwing an axe at targets. He manages to lose the men who are questioning him in the crowd. His hiding spot just happens to be next to Ellen’s hiding spot, and he jokes that he thought it was the horses talking to him when she suddenly speaks.
They look at each other through openings in the wood, and it appears to be love at first sight. Brian tries to joke about horses that talk and says they’re much better company than chickens. Asked why she’s hiding, Ellen says it’s been a long day, and unwanted suitors have worn her out. Brian jokes that he’s also hiding out from suitors as the men who were looking for him are heard nearby.
Ellen suggests he leave before he’s found and Brian runs off, and then suddenly returns to Ellen’s side. He asks if she’ll meet him at the bridge at the edge of the estate tomorrow during the tynchal. (Tynchal is a Scottish way of hunting in groups.) Ellen smiles and agrees, and for the first time in this episode there’s a light in her eyes as she watches him run off.
The following day, Colum and Dougal welcome Isaac Grant (Brian McCardie) to Castle Leoch, and Grant introduces his son Malcolm (Jhon Lumsden) and spokesperson/bladier, Henry (Claire’s father, played by Jeremy Irvine). The group joins others gathered inside the castle, and Malcolm is clearly infatuated with Ellen, reminding her they met as wee bairns. Dougal watches the interaction, frowning.
Ned Gowan corners Henry and Henry’s accent gives him away as English, though he’s a Grant now. Ned offers a bond of friendship between their clans, but Henry replies using the word “financial” rather than “friendship.” Henry reminds Ned that money can transform enemies into friends. Ned’s nosy and asks how Henry came to work for the Grants, and Henry explains he made a good impression on Malcom at Inverness.
Ned informs Colum that he doesn’t believe the Grants were responsible for the raid. Dougal would rather go to war with them than strike a friendship, but Colum understands they need the Grants’ support to be named laird. Ned reminds them both the Grants have over 300 men.
Ellen tries to secretly escape the festivities to meet with Brian, but Malcolm follows her like a puppy in love into the woods. He won’t take no for an answer and refuses to leave her alone. She’s forced to let him to walk her back to the castle so that he won’t get suspicious.
Murtagh’s among the men taking part in the tynchal, stalking boars with the MacKenzie clan.
Malcolm watches Ellen as she walks through the gates and then leaves to join the hunt. Unfortunately, his path is near a secret door that opens into the woods, and he sees Ellen hurriedly slipping away from the castle. He’s joined by one of his men and informed his father has left. Malcolm thinks there’s no reason for him to stay around since it’s obvious Ellen isn’t interested in him.
Ellen rides through the meadow to the bridge, where Brian is already waiting. She claims she’s only there to say farewell, since it isn’t proper to meet a man without a chaperone. Brian begs her to stay and suggests they use the bridge as chaperone. She’ll stay on one side, and he’ll remain on the other. He finally asks her name, and they introduce themselves by first name only. He asks for her surname and she replies, “Ellen MacKenzie of Leoch.” He looks shocked and she wonders why. He responds, “I’m Brian Fraser, bastard son of Simon Fraser, formerly Lord Lovat of Beaufort, presently of Leathers.”
Ellen and Brian agree it’s unfortunate that they come from rival families. They also agree they can’t stop thinking about each other. Ellen walks to the middle of the bridge and Brian meets her there. They gently touch hands, and he asks for forgiveness that he’s bold. She grabs his hands and won’t let him walk away. Ellen’s certain her brothers won’t allow her to be in a relationship with a Fraser. Many obstacles will be in their path going forward, but Brian doesn’t care. He’d bargain with the devil just to spend another minute with her.
Sam Retford and Séamus McLean Ross in ‘Outlander: Blood of my Blood’ episode 1 (Photo Credit: Starz)
Back at the tyrnacl, Murtagh’s hailed as a champion for killing a boar. He’s washing his hands as Jocasta shyly approaches with a towel. She notices he’s watching a redhead and admits she knows he’s looking for her sister, Ellen. Murtagh flirts a little and Jocasta’s absolutely glowing when he walks away.
Ellen doesn’t join Ned, Colum, and Dougal for dinner and Mistress Fitz says rumor has it she was walking around with Malcolm Grant. Dougal jumps to the conclusion the Grants are trying to take Ellen from them, but Colum remains silent. Dougal gets up to chase his sister down, and Colum warns him not to do anything foolish. Ned follows Dougal but Dougal storms off, determined to get Ellen back. It turns out, Colum doesn’t care what Dougal does. If Malcolm took Ellen, the MacKenzies could force the Grants to give them money. And if Dougal gets in trouble or dies, that solves another problem.
Dougal and his men chase after Malcolm’s carriage, intercepting the Grants’ men on the road. A fight breaks out and Dougal attacks Malcolm. Henry holds one of Dougal’s men at knifepoint, threatening to slit his throat if Dougal doesn’t stop fighting. Dougal reluctantly lets Malcolm up and demands his sister’s return. Malcolm confirms he doesn’t know where Ellen is, and he won’t forget what just happened when it’s time to vote on the new laird.
Ellen returns that evening and Mistress Fitz is incredibly relieved. Ellen lies that she just wanted to be alone in her grief. Fitz describes what Dougal did and Ellen rushes off to talk to her brothers. Dougal’s furious with Ellen, and even Colum doesn’t side with his sister. Colum knows the Grants will now come for them, and Ellen would be better off dead if that’s the case.
Dougal insists he fought in her name for her honor, and Colum calls his brother a fool for his actions. No matter how many times they ask, Ellen won’t say where she was or who she was with. Colum turns on his sister, reminding her that she owes her brothers everything and that only if one of them is laird will she be kept in the luxury she’s accustomed to. Ellen replies, “If that’s true and that’s your attitude, let the Grants come.”
A flashback shows Ellen asking her dad who he’s naming as his heir. Jacob knew neither son had the necessary traits to be a laird. He believed she knew how to influence her brothers, and that he didn’t intend to name an heir anytime soon.
Ellen bathes and whispers the name “Brian.”
Ned informs Dougal and Colum that everyone in the Highlands knows what happened with the Grants. Colum believes they should make amends immediately. After Dougal leaves, Ned confirms he’s aware Colum got just what he wanted and now he’ll prove he can put out the fire. This should convince people he’s the rightful laird. Colum appreciates Ned’s intellect and promises to keep him as an advisor if he’s laird.
Ned’s not sure how they’ll smooth this over with the Grants, and Colum proposes giving Ellen to Malcolm as a wife. Jacob promised Ellen that would never happen, but Colum doesn’t care. “My father is dead and so is his word,” says Colum.
Jeremy Irvine and Hermione Corfield in ‘Outlander: Blood of my Blood’ (Photo Credit: Starz)
Henry and Julia Embark on a Life-Altering Road Trip
The action shifts focus to Claire’s parents, Henry and Julia Beauchamp, in their real time period. They pull off the side of the road and make love in a field, happy to be away from the innkeeper’s prying eyes. They head back to town as Julia notes that Claire would love all this open space. Julia chats about making raspberry jam and wine and explains that raspberry leaves help women in childbirth.
Henry (Irvine, this time in his actual time period) is concerned about Claire, and Julia tells him not to worry; she’s probably at the British Museum right now with Uncle Lamb (Henry’s brother). He’s actually concerned about how Claire will feel when she learns she’s about to have a sibling. They joke about whether it will be a brother or sister just as a buck steps into the road. The car overturns, crashing into a raging river. They scream for each other but can’t reunite until they’re dumped into a calmer section of water. They appear to emerge unscathed, although the car is trashed.
After walking for hours, Henry stops to remove a stone from his shoe. Julia climbs a small hill to get her bearings, promising to be right back. The episode ends with Julia screaming and Henry running in her direction, only to discover the circle of stones. Julia’s nowhere to be seen.
So, the first episode of Outlander: Blood of my Blood confirms what the season one trailer teased: both Henry and Julia are time travelers! What the trailer hadn’t revealed is that they traveled to the same year and were employed by rival clans.
Kelsey Loper in ‘Alone’ season 12 (Photo Credit: The History Channel)
The field has narrowed to just three as we arrive at The History Channel’s Alone season 12 episode eight. Season 12 marks only the third season in the series’ history with two women remaining in the competition as part of the top three. The weather’s chilly but clear, the fish are biting for one of the remaining participants, and the others are surviving on plants and days-old warthog jerky.
The following is a recap of episode eight, “Weak Spot,” which means there are spoilers ahead.
Kelsey Loper: Age 35, Winnett, Montana Day 21, 12:13pm – Kelsey puts another line out while eating her warthog jerky. She jokes that she’ll starve when the final 10 pieces are gone. Kelsey admits she’s so tired she doesn’t know if she can still pull back her bow. She plans on taking a few days off from hunting to rest up.
Kelsey reveals half of the contestants were certain there would be so much game to hunt that they would last for a really long time. As she boils more water, she says she’s a great hunting guide, although some of her clients have been skeptical about her skills since she’s a woman. Winning Alone will help show that women are stronger than they think they are.
3:14pm – The weather’s chilly, so she’s going to spend a little downtime working on dreamcatchers. One of the dreamcatchers will be for her cousin’s baby girl. (She’s the baby’s godmother.) Kelsey’s using paracord, bird feathers, warthog hair, bluebush, and a porcupine quill to make the dreamcatcher.
Day 22, 1:06pm – Kelsey listens to baboons engaged in what sounds like a fight not far away. She spots at least 20 of them, but she didn’t bring her bow with her for protection. However, she does have bear spray provided by THC. More baboons have arrived and Kelsey estimates there are now about 40 of them. She yells at them to leave, and it seems to do the trick.
She heads to her lookout rock to improve her mood. Kelsey’s happy to see two adults and one baby rhino not far away. (THC confirms rhinos can’t be hunted by Alone participants.)
Returning to camp, Kelsey discovers her stuff is still there and baboons haven’t touched it. She finds a blister beetle and uses it as a topwater bait. Kelsey’s last fish was on day 16, and she’s disappointed they seem to have stopped biting.
The bug doesn’t attract any fish, so she gives up for a while.
Day 23, 8:39am – Kelsey grabs her bow and heads out in search of a warthog. She’s giving it her all and the sun feels good on her face. She spots two warthogs running in the distance and works herself into a position to take a shot if they run back toward her.
Kelsey takes a shot, but it’s too low because she can’t draw her bow back to her anchor point. She confesses this might be her last day hunting. Kelsey gets emotional but says she’s not giving up. She’s going to keep pushing herself since she still has food, water, and a shelter.
Katie Rydge in ‘Alone’ season 12 (Photo Credit: The History Channel)
Katie Rydge: Age 45, Emerald Beach, AUS Day 22, 8:21am – It’s 34 degrees as Katie eats a breakfast of buffalo thorn leaves and acacia seed soup. She hasn’t caught a fish since day one and has lost 22 pounds. Katie’s hopeful that something will change as she sets off with her bow to look for meat.
Waterbucks normally hang out on the nearby hill, so Katie finds a spot to sit and wait for the right opportunity.
9:21am – The wind’s coming from the right direction to keep her scent away from the waterbuck. Unfortunately, no animals show up so she returns to her camp.
Video catches baboons exploring Katie’s camp while she’s away.
2:58pm – The baboons took her insulated fur hat so before heading back out, she secures and closes up her shelter so they can’t steal anything else. She picks more plants to eat, including wormwood, cabbage, and mint. Katie also harvests Cape Wire Grass while explaining that wild plants have a higher nutritional content than what you buy in shops.
4:06pm – She digs a little in the clay by the water and finds wild garlic.
6:37pm – Katie makes a soup from wild garlic, wild mint, and acacia seeds. She’s dealt with the psychology of poor food security before, particularly with the Indigenous people in the Northern Territory of Australia. Katie believes she has an edge in the competition because she understands how to feed herself consistently.
Day 23, 1:47pm – She finishes her shelter and heads out to hunt. The grass seeds gave her a little extra energy. She sees a mom, dad, and two baby warthogs and follows them, bow ready. Fortunately for them, they head up the hill into impenetrable brush.
Katie believes she missed a great opportunity but now considers that it’s possible to still get a pig in the future.
6:01pm – She heats up plant food soup, hoping tomorrow will bring a different meal.
Nathan Olsen in ‘Alone’ season 12 (Photo Credit: The History Channel)
Nathan Olsen: Age 52, Buhl, Idaho Day 23, 6:58am – He’s been out fishing for a couple hours and has already caught a massive catfish that’s almost 4’ long. But what’s cool is that he caught two-for-one. A small catfish ate the scorpion bait, and then the big catfish tried to eat the little one.
He believes the momentum’s back and says he’s been successful early in the mornings and at night. Nathan’s learned he can use catfish meat to fish for other catfish. He’s feeling good about moving forward with his shelter, now that he replenished his energy.
He cooks a full pot of catfish and thinks about how our ancestors always dealt with feast or famine. It takes a toll on you both mentally and physically.
Nathan works on his shelter, saving some catfish for lunch.
Day 24, 10:16am – Nathan starts his day with a big breakfast, knowing he has one more day of fish before he’s out of food again. Energy replenished and two fishing lines out, he returns to work on his shelter. He’s decided to concentrate on fishing and his shelter and not do any hunting.
Nathan walks a bit further away to retrieve flat metamorphic stones for his construction. He’s been working on his shelter for nine days and it is currently chest high. Nathan knows the shelter is overkill, but if the season goes long, it will be worth it. He’s lost 20 pounds since day one.
2:12pm – Nathan brings over more material and a substantial part of two walls topple over. His reaction is bleeped. One weak spot that he knew about ruined the construction. He admits he used stones where he shouldn’t have. Now, more of the wall might come down.
Nathan’s forced to reassess his shelter. He’s burned a lot of calories already.
He checks his fishing line and has two snagged hooks. He’s already lost nine of his 25 hooks, so the only choice is to dive for these. Nathan retrieves one, but the other is lost.
Nathan admires everyone who’s ever competed on Alone. It takes a lot of courage to not just try to survive by yourself but also put yourself out in the public eye.
Wizards Beyond Waverly Place returns to whip up a little season two magic on September 12, 2025 with the release of the first two episodes. The new season debuts on Disney Channel before launching on Disney+ on October 8.
The premiere date announcement was accompanied by a new poster and a short teaser for the upcoming season, which welcomes back Selena Gomez in a guest-starring role along with Bill Chott as Mr. Laritate, Sean Whalen as Mantooth, and Amanda Tepe. Also guest starring are Freya Skye as Piper, Harvey Guillén as Gossip Stone, Kirsten Vangsness as Bigelow McFigglehorn, Recker Eans as Quentin, Tobias Jelinek as Lord Morsus, Patrick Bristow as Wiz M.D., and Eleanor Sweeney as Bella Bianchi.
Season two stars David Henrie as Justin Russo, Janice LeAnn Brown as Billie, Alkaio Thiele as Roman Russo, Max Matenko as Milo Russo, Taylor Cora as Winter, and Mimi Gianopulos as Giada Russo.
“In season two of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, Billie grapples with the fact that being part of the Russo family might be more complicated than she thought—especially now that she’s not the only wizard in the house,” reads Disney Channel’s synopsis. “Thanks to Roman and Milo’s new magical powers, Justin is now tasked with training three young wizards for the Family Wizard Competition. As the stakes rise inside and outside the family, a mysterious new threat emerges, one that could unravel the Russos forever.”
Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas are the writers and executive produce along with Selena Gomez, David Henrie, Gary Marsh, and Jonas Agin.
Poster for ‘WIZARDS BEYOND WAVERLY PLACE’ (Disney/Disney)
Prime Video has released the official trailer and set a September 1, 2025 premiere date for the music-driven series The Runarounds. Outer Banks‘ Jonas Pate created the young adult drama, drawing inspiration from the real-life musicians who star in it.
The band consists of William Lipton, Axel Ellis, Jeremy Yun, Zendé Murdock, and Jesse Golliher. The cast also includes Lilah Pate, Maximo Salas, Kelley Pereira, Marley Aliah, Mark Wystrach, Brooklyn Decker, Hayes MacArthur, and Shea Pritchard.
“The Runarounds follows a group of recent high school graduates from Wilmington, North Carolina, who come together the summer after graduation to form a rock band, united by their shared love of music and near-impossible dream of stardom. Over the course of one unforgettable summer, they throw themselves into the pursuit of their big break—falling in love, getting into trouble, and building the kind of bonds that feel like family along the way,” reads Prime Video’s synopsis. “With original music, romantic entanglements, and the raw highs and lows of coming-of-age, The Runarounds captures the rush of risking everything at the edge of adulthood to chase your dreams.”
Pate, Joon Yun, David Wilcox, Josh Pate, Shannon Burke, Scott Lambert, and Lisa Mae Fincannon serve as executive producers. Additional executive producers include David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Matt Thunell. The series is produced by Skydance Television.
The Penguin topped the list of the 2025 Critics Choice Super Awards winners, earning four wins including Best Superhero Series, Best Actor in a Superhero Series (Colin Farrell), Best Villain in a Series (Farrell again), and Best Actress in a Superhero Series (Cristin Milioti). On the film side, four movies – Dune: Part Two, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, Sinners, and Deadpool & Wolverine – tied with two wins each.
The annual Critics Choice Super Awards recognize the best films and series in the Superhero, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Horror, and Action genres.
5TH ANNUAL CRITICS CHOICE SUPER AWARDS FILM NOMINEES & WINNERS:
BEST ACTION MOVIE Civil War
The Fall Guy WINNER: Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
Monkey Man
Rebel Ridge Warfare
BEST ACTOR IN AN ACTION MOVIE WINNER: Tom Cruise – Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
Taron Egerton – Carry-On
Ryan Gosling – The Fall Guy
Dev Patel – Monkey Man
Aaron Pierre – Rebel Ridge
Jack Quaid – Novocaine
BEST ACTRESS IN AN ACTION MOVIE
Emily Blunt – The Fall Guy
Ana de Armas – From the World of John Wick: Ballerina
Kirsten Dunst – Civil War
Cailee Spaeny – Civil War WINNER: June Squibb – Thelma
Anya Taylor-Joy – Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
BEST SUPERHERO MOVIE*
Captain America: Brave New World WINNER: Deadpool & Wolverine
The People’s Joker
Robot Dreams
Thunderbolts*
Venom: The Last Dance
BEST ACTOR IN A SUPERHERO MOVIE*
David Harbour – Thunderbolts*
Tom Hardy – Venom: The Last Dance WINNER: Hugh Jackman – Deadpool & Wolverine
Anthony Mackie – Captain America: Brave New World
Lewis Pullman – Thunderbolts*
Ryan Reynolds – Deadpool & Wolverine
BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPERHERO MOVIE*
Emma Corrin – Deadpool & Wolverine
Vera Drew – The People’s Joker
Lady Gaga – Joker: Folie à Deux
Jennifer Garner – Deadpool & Wolverine
Julia Louis-Dreyfus – Thunderbolts* WINNER: Florence Pugh – Thunderbolts*
BEST ACTOR IN A HORROR MOVIE
Nicolas Cage – Longlegs
David Dastmalchian – Late Night With the Devil
Hugh Grant – Heretic WINNER: Michael B. Jordan – Sinners
Bill Skarsgård – Nosferatu
Justice Smith – I Saw the TV Glow
BEST ACTRESS IN A HORROR MOVIE
Lily-Rose Depp – Nosferatu
Willa Fitzgerald – Strange Darling
Sally Hawkins – Bring Her Back WINNER: Demi Moore – The Substance
Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners
Naomi Scott – Smile 2
BEST SCIENCE FICTION/FANTASY MOVIE
Alien: Romulus Companion WINNER: Dune: Part Two
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
Mickey 17
The Wild Robot
BEST ACTOR IN A SCIENCE FICTION/FANTASY MOVIE
Austin Butler – Dune: Part Two WINNER: Timothée Chalamet – Dune: Part Two
David Jonsson – Alien: Romulus
Robert Pattinson – Mickey 17
Jack Quaid – Companion
Miles Teller – The Gorge
BEST ACTRESS IN A SCIENCE FICTION/FANTASY MOVIE
Naomi Ackie – Mickey 17
Lupita Nyong’o – The Wild Robot
Cailee Spaeny – Alien: Romulus WINNER: Sophie Thatcher – Companion
Alicia Vikander – The Assessment
Zendaya – Dune: Part Two
BEST VILLAIN IN A MOVIE
Austin Butler – Dune: Part Two
Emma Corrin – Deadpool & Wolverine WINNER: Hugh Grant – Heretic
Jack O’Connell – Sinners
Lewis Pullman – Thunderbolts*
Denzel Washington – Gladiator II
Colin Farrell stars in ‘The Penguin’ (Photo Credit: Max)
5TH ANNUAL CRITICS CHOICE SUPER AWARDS TELEVISION NOMINEES & WINNERS:
BEST ACTION SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE
9-1-1
Black Doves
The Day of the Jackal
The Gentlemen
Reacher WINNER: Shōgun
BEST ACTOR IN AN ACTION SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE
Sterling K. Brown – Paradise
Theo James – The Gentlemen
Eddie Redmayne – The Day of the Jackal
Alan Ritchson – Reacher WINNER: Hiroyuki Sanada – Shōgun
Ben Whishaw – Black Doves
BEST ACTRESS IN AN ACTION SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE
Angela Bassett – 9-1-1
Viola Davis – G20
Keira Knightley – Black Doves
Lashana Lynch – The Day of the Jackal
Zoe Saldaña – Lioness WINNER: Anna Sawai – Shōgun
BEST SUPERHERO SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE*
Agatha All Along
The Boys
Fallout
The Last of Us WINNER: The Penguin
Superman & Lois
BEST ACTOR IN A SUPERHERO SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE*
Charlie Cox – Daredevil: Born Again WINNER: Colin Farrell – The Penguin
Walton Goggins – Fallout
Tyler Hoechlin – Superman & Lois
Pedro Pascal – The Last of Us
Antony Starr – The Boys
BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPERHERO SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE*
Danai Gurira – The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live
Kathryn Hahn – Agatha All Along WINNER: Cristin Milioti – The Penguin
Erin Moriarty – The Boys
Ella Purnell – Fallout
Bella Ramsey – The Last of Us
BEST HORROR SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE
Anne Rice’s Interview With the Vampire
Evil
From WINNER: The Last of Us
True Detective: Night Country
What We Do in the Shadows
BEST ACTOR IN A HORROR SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE
Kevin Bacon – The Bondsman
Matt Berry – What We Do in the Shadows
Mike Colter – Evil
Michael Emerson – Evil WINNER: Pedro Pascal – The Last of Us
Harold Perrineau – From
BEST ACTRESS IN A HORROR SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE
Natasia Demetriou – What We Do in the Shadows WINNER: Jodie Foster – True Detective: Night Country
Katja Herbers – Evil
Melanie Lynskey – Yellowjackets
Niecy Nash-Betts – Grotesquerie
Bella Ramsey – The Last of Us
BEST SCIENCE FICTION / FANTASY SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE WINNER: Andor
Black Mirror
Doctor Who
Dune: Prophecy
Fantasmas
Severance
BEST ACTOR IN A SCIENCE FICTION / FANTASY SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE
Ncuti Gatwa – Doctor Who
Walton Goggins – Fallout WINNER: Diego Luna – Andor
Adam Scott – Severance
Tramell Tillman – Severance
Julio Torres – Fantasmas
BEST ACTRESS IN A SCIENCE FICTION / FANTASY SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE
Adria Arjona – Andor
Caitriona Balfe – Outlander
Kathryn Hahn – Agatha All Along WINNER: Britt Lower – Severance
Cristin Milioti – Black Mirror: USS Callister: Into Infinity
Michelle Yeoh – Star Trek: Section 31
BEST VILLAIN IN A SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE
Vincent D’Onofrio – Daredevil: Born Again
Michael Emerson – Evil WINNER: Colin Farrell – The Penguin
Takehiro Hira – Shōgun
Julianne Nicholson – Paradise
Jesse Plemons – Black Mirror: USS Callister: Into Infinity
* Superhero categories also include comic book and video game-inspired series
John Grisham’s bestselling novel The Rainmaker was adapted into a feature film in 1997, directed by Francis Ford Coppola and starring Matt Damon. Now, 30 years after it was first published, Grisham’s novel is adapted into a series set to premiere on USA Network on August 15, 2025 at 10pm ET/PT.
Milo Callaghan (Rivals) stars as Rudy Baylor, John Slattery (The Good Fight) plays Leo Drummond, Lana Parrilla (Once Upon a Time) is Jocelyn “Bruiser” Stone, and Madison Iseman (Witchboard) is Sarah Plankmore. P.J. Byrne (Dear Santa) plays Deck Shifflet, Dan Fogler (A Complete Unknown) stars as Melvin Pritcher, Wade Briggs (Foundation) is Brad Noonan, and Robyn Cara (Bodkin) is Kelly Riker.
“Rudy Baylor, who is fresh out of law school, goes head-to-head with courtroom lion Leo Drummond as well as his law school girlfriend, Sarah,” reads USA Network’s synopsis. “Rudy, along with his boss, Bruiser, and her disheveled paralegal, Deck, uncover two connected conspiracies surrounding the mysterious death of their client’s son.”
USA Network released this description of the series’ first episode: “Rudy Baylor and girlfriend Sarah Plankmore are thrilled to be starting at top law firm Tinley Britt. When Rudy’s first day spirals out of control and forces him to take a job at the less reputable J. Lyman Stone, they end up on opposite sides of an important wrongful death case involving Leo Drummond’s most important client.”
Poster for ‘The Rainmaker’ (Photo by: USA Network)
Michael Seitzman guides the 10-episode first season as showrunner, writer, and executive producer. Additional executive producers include John Grisham, Jason Richman, David Gernert, and Jason Blum.
Commenting on the series, Seitzman said, “The Rainmaker began as John Grisham’s fastest-selling novel, then became a feature film, and now, it’s a TV series. What is it about this story that keeps drawing people in? Maybe it’s the David-and-Goliath legal thriller, the dangerous romance, or the coming-of-age story. For me, above all, it’s the characters. They jumped off the page in John’s book and were a joy to expand upon in our show. Not to mention, Milo Callaghan, who plays Rudy Baylor, is your next crush.”
Madison Iseman as Sarah Plankmore (Photo by: Christopher Barr/USA Network)Lana Parrilla as Jocelyn ‘Bruiser’ Stone (Photo by Christopher Barr/USA Network)John Slattery as Leo Drummond (Photo by Christopher Barr/USA Network)Robyn Cara as Kelly Riker (Photo by: Christopher Barr/USA Network)Dan Fogler as Melvin Pritcher in ‘The Rainmaker’ (Photo by: Christopher Barr/USA Network)Wade Briggs as Brad Noonan (Photo by: Christopher Barr/USA Network)PJ Byrne as Deck Shifflet (Photo by: Christopher Barr/USA Network)
