The French Dispatch release date: Cast, trailer and cinema details for new Wes Anderson movie
All the details about the upcoming Wes Anderson film with an exceptional all-star cast.
The French Dispatch was yet another victim of pandemic-related delays but it Wes Anderson's latest film is set to see the light of day in the not too distant future following its Cannes premiere. The film, which has been described as a "love letter" to journalists, has an epic cast, both in terms of size and A-lister status. Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Timothée Chalamet, Benicio del Toro and Frances McDormand are just some of the names you can expect from the ode to The New Yorker. But when will it hit cinemas? And just how does such a big cast weave into the story? We have all the answers you need to know. The French Dispatch release date: When is it out in cinemas? The French Dispatch is set to land in UK and US cinemas on 22nd October 2021. The film was originally meant to be released on 24th July 2020 but, like many highly anticipated 2020 releases, suffered significant delays due to COVID-19. The French Dispatch cast Wes Anderson is all about go big or go home when it comes to aesthetics, quirkiness and cast, and The French Dispatch certainly delivers on the latter. Bill Murray plays the editor of the fictional titular newspaper, and he is joined by a host of savvy journalists and the subjects they encounter. These are played by Benicio del Toro, Adrien Brody, Tilda Swinton, Bond girl Léa Seydoux, Frances McDormand, Timothée Chalamet, Owen Wilson, Liev Schrieiber, Elisabeth Moss, Edward Norton, William Dafoe, Saoirse Ronan, Rupert Friend, Henry Winkler and Anjelica Huston. As if that weren’t enough to stomach, the film will also feature other noteworthy stars in undisclosed roles: Fisher Stevens, Kate Winslet and Alex Lawther. Wes Anderson directs, produces, writes the screenplay and devises the story. The French Dispatch trailer As well as the trailer that was released last year, Searchlight Pictures recently released a clip which you can watch below. View oEmbed on the source website And here's the trailer, too. View oEmbed on the source website The French Dispatch plot: What is it about? The film is set in the 20th century and evolves around the eponymous The French Dispatch, a newspaper inspired by The New Yorker which operates in the fictional French town of Ennui-sur-Blasé. Instead of following one story, the film features an anthology of intertwining short stories following the many characters that work for the newspaper and the people they encounter. When speaking to French publication Charente Libre in April of last year, Anderson stated: “The story is not easy to explain. [It’s about an] American journalist based in France [who] creates his magazine." That would be Bill Murray's Arthur Howitzer Jr. For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides. "It is more a portrait of this man, of this journalist who fights to write what he wants to write. It's not a movie about freedom of the press, but when you talk about reporters you also talk about what’s going on in the real world," Anderson added. Some of the stories include the May ’68 student occupation protests, inspired by Mavis Gallant’s real-life article “The Events in May: A Paris Notebook” and which centres on Timothée Chalamet and Frances McDormand. Adrien Brody also features as Julien Cadazio, who is based on “The Days of Duveen”, a six-part spread in The New Yorker on art dealer Lord Duveen. Tilda Swinton is The French Dispatch's resident art critic, while Benciio del Toro is the convicted murderer she is doing a profile on. Looking for something else to watch? Check out our TV Guide or visit our dedicated Movies hub.
Meet Iceland's Eurovision 2021 act Daði and Gagnamagnið who will sing 10 years
Say "halló" to Icelandic band, Daði & Gagnamagnið, hoping to be No.1 at Eurovision.
Daði & Gagnamagnið were looking promising to take home the crown at last year's planned Eurovision but, of course, that sadly got scrapped due to the pandemic. Now, they're back for another shot at it at Eurovision 2021. Unfortunately, a member of the group tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week ahead of their semi-final appearance. Thus, they competed via a recording of their second rehearsal rather than performing live at the semi-final and will be doing the same again for tonight's final. Their 2020 song, Think About Things became a Tik Tok phenomenon when Eurovision was cancelled last year, and we can happily report their new song, 10 Years is just as catchy. The world was clearly rooting for them last time, but can they finally be crowned Eurovision 2021 champions? Who is representing Iceland at Eurovision 2021? Instagram: @dadimakesmusic Daði & Gagnamagnið are Iceland’s entry to Eurovision 2021 having originally been poised to perform in 2020. Their journey is an interesting one: three years ago, Gagnamagnið supported Daði Freyr during Söngvakeppnin when competing to represent the country in 2017. They finished second but decided to return to the national competition as Daði & Gagnamagnið this year and were subsequently voted as Iceland’s official Eurovision 2020 nomination. The band is family-led and consists of: Daði Freyr Pétursson (lead vocalist), his sister, Sigrún Birna Pétursdóttir, Daði’s wife, Árný Fjóla Ásmundsdóttir (dancer), and their friends Hulda Kristín Kolbrúnardóttir (backing vocalist), Stefán Hannesson (dancer) and Jóhann Sigurður Jóhannsson (dancer). The name ‘Gagnamagnið’ translates into English as ‘data plan’ and the band are known for their signature teal green sweaters, depicting printed pixel art images of themselves. What is Iceland’s Eurovision 2021 song called? Daði & Gagnamagnið will be singing a song called 10 Years which they have chosen a replacement for last years choice, Think About Things. As for who wrote the track, which can definitely be described as funky, it was penned by Daói himself! Listen to it, and check out the cool instruments they are using, below! View oEmbed on the source website Where did Iceland come in 2019’s Eurovision? Iceland made it into the top ten in the last contest, represented by Hatari, who finished in 10th place with 232 points. The country debuted in 1986 and are yet to finish in first place. Although they almost made it twice, once 21 years ago in 1999, when Selma came in second place with her song All Out of Luck and ten years later in 2009, when Yohanna belted out her ballad, Is It True? After 35 years, will Daði & Gagnamagnið finally emerge victorious? For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides. When is Eurovision 2021? The Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final will take place on Saturday 22nd May 2021 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. BBC One will be broadcasting live coverage of the event, while Graham Norton commentates. Ken Bruce will be providing commentary on BBC Radio 2. The semi-finals will be held on Tuesday 18th and Thursday 20th May, and will be broadcast on BBC Four. Why was Eurovision 2020 cancelled? The Eurovision Song Contest grand final was set to take place at the Ahoy Rotterdam Arena on Saturday 16th May, but then COVID came along and ruined everything and the show was cancelled. Shine a Light and Eurovision Come Together took the show's place, but watching past performers was not a patch on the real thing - so bring on the show this year where will celebrate it doubly hard! Relive the last two contests on DVD by buying Eurovision 2018 here and Eurovision 2019 here. The Eurovision Song contest 2021 will air on the BBC this May. Check out the full list of Eurovision winners here. If you're looking for something to watch tonight, check out our TV Guide.
Meet Belgium's Eurovision 2021 act Hooverphonic who will sing The Wrong Place
Belgium has nominated Hooverphonic to be the best at Eurovision.
Hooverphonic are now performing in Eurovision 2021 after originally having been chosen to represent Belgium in the 2020 contest and they will have thought it worth the wait as they put on quite the show and made it through to the grand final. They were part of the first wave of acts in the Eurovision 2021 semi-finals and while things looked dicey for them for a while, they were the last act announced to have made the final. The three-piece band have been in the business for over 25 years now so they will be used to performing on big stages which may give them an edge over some of the less experienced performers on the night. But can they go all the way after making the final? We will find out Saturday, but here is all you need to know about Hooverphonic. Who is representing Belgium at Eurovision 2021? Instagram: @hooverphonicoff Twitter: @HooverphonicOff Hooverphonic has a huge 26-year history behind them: the band originally formed back in 1995 and so over the years, members have come and gone. The members now feature Luka Cruysberghs (lead vocals) Alex Callier (producer/songwriter) and Raymond Geerts (lead guitar). What is Belgium's Eurovision 2021 song called? While the song may be called The Wrong Place, Hooverphonic will be in the right place to perform when the night begins - unless they have a terrible sense of direction. The song was written by Hooverphonic member Alex Callier alongside Charlotte Forêt and if you want to hear the song ahead of the big night then you can check out the music video for it by pressing play below! View oEmbed on the source website Where did Belgium come in the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest? As promising as this year’s entry sounds, they still have a way to go in the competition, as 2019's representative, Eliot failed to even qualify in the final, finishing in 13th place with 70 points in the semi-final. Nevertheless, just has Hooverphonic has a long history as a band, so has their affiliation with Eurovision, as 2020’s Contest will be the 62nd time Belgium will participate, since its debut as one of the original seven inaugural countries at the very first Eurovision Song Contest in 1956. Hooverphonic's will undoubtedly have been inspired to know that Belgium did win the Contest once, albeit in 1986 with the song, J’aime la vie, performed by Sandra Kim. When is Eurovision 2021? The Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final will take place on Saturday 22nd May 2021 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. BBC One will be broadcasting live coverage of the event, while Graham Norton commentates. Ken Bruce will be providing commentary on BBC Radio 2. The semi-finals will be held on Tuesday 18th and Thursday 20th May, and will be broadcast on BBC Four. For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides. Why was Eurovision 2020 cancelled? Of course, the 2020 Eurovision did not go ahead as by that point we were right in the midst of the first stage of the global pandemic and everyone flying to the Netherlands to compete was considered to be the wrong move - understandable. Shine a Light and Eurovision Come Together aired instead and looked back at some classic performances from the history of the competition but nothing competes with the real thing and happily, 2021 is set to go ahead. You can buy the DVD and watch Eurovision 2018 here and Eurovision 2019 here if you want to revisit the last two competitions - and why wouldn't you? The Eurovision Song contest 2021 will air on the BBC this May. Check out the full list of Eurovision winners here. If you're looking for something to watch tonight, check out our TV Guide.
Meet the Ukraine's Eurovision 2021 act Go_A who will sing Shum
Go_A wild for Ukraine, as they send their nomination to Eurovision.
After taking a year off for obvious reasons, Eurovision 2021 is certainly highly anticipated and Ukraine have got off to a great start after they were part of the first of the two Eurovision 2021 semi-finals which are taking place ahead of the Eurovision 2021 final. It was a successful night for Ukraine and their act, Goa_A as not only did they put on a strong show, but they also did enough to get the points needed to make it into the top 10 that got through to Saturday night's grand final - we are quite looking forward to watching them take to the stage again. But will the electro-folk band who have been together nearly 10 years go all the way in the competition? They certainly have the experience to make an impact and they are already liked by the judges. Here's everything you need to know about Ukraine's entry for 2021. Who is representing Ukraine at Eurovision 2021? Instagram: @go-a_band Go_A, formed in late 2012, is a Ukrainian music band which combines authentic Ukrainian vocals, modern dance bits, African drums and powerful guitar vibes into an explosive musical mélange. The band's name means "return to the roots" and is an amalgamation of the English word "Go" with the Greek letter "Alpha", which symbolises the beginning of everything. The band has already participated in many festivals including Koktebel Jazz Festival, Kraina Mriy, Gogolfest, Vedalife, Trypilske Kolo, Slava Frolova Art Picnic, Polyana Music Festival, Kyiv Open Air, White Nights vol2, SheFest and showcased Ukrainian music internationally in Israel, Poland and Belarus. In November 2016, the band launched their debut album #Ідиназвук (Follow The Sound). Go_A's music is gradually gaining popularity abroad: in Spring 2019 their song Vesnianka reached the Top 10 іTunes Dance Chart in Slovakia. What is Ukraine’s Eurovision 2021 song called? The name of the song they will be performing in the 2021 contest is one that is fun to say - Shum! The song has been written by two members of the band, Taras Shevchenko and Kateryna Pavlenko and is of the Folktronica music genre - which is a bit techno like and very in keeping with the sort of song that tends to do well in the competition. Time will tell whether the song will be enough to see them score enough points to make an impact. You can listen to Shum right now to see what you think. View oEmbed on the source website Where did Ukraine come in 2019’s Eurovision? Ukraine first entered the Eurovision Song Contest in 2003 and rapidly became one of the most successful countries in the competition, having never failed to qualify for the Grand Final. In 15 years that Ukraine has competed at Eurovision, two of their entries became winners. Ruslana became Ukraine’s first Eurovision winner in 2004, with the song Wild Dances. In 2015, Jamala brought Ukraine back to Eurovision and secured the nation’s second victory in 2016, singing 1944. However, the country attracted controversy last year, when the Ukrainian public broadcaster UA:PBC decided to withdraw from the competition, having been unable to reach an agreement with the top three from their national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2019; MARUV, Freedom Jazz and KAZKA. So, can Go_A complete a hat-trick and win again? When is Eurovision 2021? The Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final will take place on Saturday 22nd May 2021 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. BBC One will be broadcasting live coverage of the event, while Graham Norton commentates. Ken Bruce will be providing commentary on BBC Radio 2. The semi-finals will be held on Tuesday 18th and Thursday 20th May, and will be broadcast on BBC Four. For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides. Why was Eurovision 2020 cancelled? The grand final of 2019's Eurovision Song Contest was set to take place at the Ahoy Rotterdam Arena on Saturday 16th May. Alas, COVID came along and before we knew it we were in the midst of a global pandemic and events worldwide were cancelled - including the best singing show in the world. We did get the Shine a Light show that aired on BBC One and Eurovision Come Together but while it was great to have a trip down Eurovision memory lane, it was not quite enough to cause us to forget that we were not getting the full show. You can buy the DVD and watch Eurovision 2018 here and Eurovision 2019 here if you fancy reliving those two years - and what great years they were! The Eurovision Song contest 2021 will air on the BBC this May. Check out the full list of Eurovision winners here. If you're looking for something to watch tonight, check out our TV Guide.
Meet Romania's Eurovision 2021 act Roxen who will sing Amnesia
Meet Roxen, the 21-year-old Romanian who wants to rock Rotterdam.
Roxen was supposed to take to the state for the cancelled Eurovision 2020 and like many other countries, Romania has kept her on board for the 2021 contest. She has had to pick a new song like everyone else as per the rules put in place for Eurovision 2021 and she will be hoping to do her country proud by securing herself a respectable finishing position. Roxen may be new to Eurovision but her country has been part of the contest for many years now - only they have never won! Will this be their year? Here is all you need to know about Roxen. Who is representing Romania at Eurovision 2021? Age: 21 Instagram: @isroxen Roxen – full name Larisa Roxana Giurgiu is Romania’s promising entry to Eurovision 2021. She has been singing since the age of seven, but has only been on the professional music scene since 2019, when she was featured on Romanian producer Sickotoy’s “You Don’t Love Me”. The song reached number 3 in Romania and was playlisted by radio stations in several countries including France, the USA, Russia and Spain. Her debut single, Ce-ți cântă dragostea, released in November of the same year peaked at number five in Romania. What is Romania’s Eurovision 2021 song called? Roxen will represent Romania with Amnesia following her original choice for 2020 that was a track called Alcohol You. Amnesia has been described as a dark ballad and was penned by Adelina Stîngă and Victor Bouroșu. Want to hear the song for yourself, just press play on the video below! View oEmbed on the source website Where did Romania come in the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest? The country’s hopes will be riding on Roxen this year, as Romania actually failed to qualify last year, coming only in 13th place in the semi-final with 71 points. Romania has already passed its silver anniversary at Eurovision, having joined the Contest in 1994. They’ve finished in the top five on three occasions, with their best placing at third in 2005 and 2010. In 2017, the country landed in the top 10 with Yodel by Ilinca ft. Alex Florea. Will Roxen reach a record for Romania and win first place? She is definitely one to watch! When is Eurovision 2021? The Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final will take place on Saturday 22nd May 2021 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. BBC One will be broadcasting live coverage of the event, while Graham Norton commentates. Ken Bruce will be providing commentary on BBC Radio 2. The semi-finals will be held on Tuesday 18th and Thursday 20th May, and will be broadcast on BBC Four. Why was Eurovision 2020 cancelled? You probably do not need us to explain this one but just in case you somehow missed it, and please tell us how if you did, the global pandemic was the cause for the 2020 competition being cancelled. Replacement shows were lined up in Shine a Light that aired on the same day on BBC One and we also had Eurovision Come Together so we were not completely devoid of Eurovision fun, but nothing can beat the real thing and we will be celebrating the big night twice as hard this year to make up for it. You can buy the DVD and watch Eurovision 2018 here and Eurovision 2019 here if you want a trip down recent Eurovision memory lane. The Eurovision Song contest 2021 will air on the BBC this May. Check out the full list of Eurovision winners here. If you're looking for something to watch tonight, check out our TV Guide.
Meet Austria's Eurovision 2021 act Vincent Bueno, who will sing Amen
All you need to know about the Austrian hopeful.
Austria is bringing one of their musical icons to the stage in 2021 as Vincent Bueno, who is multi-talented will be representing the country for Eurovision 2021. Like many of his competitors, Vincent was all set to try and win the 2020 competition which obviously did not go ahead and he is back for another go this year. But will he emerge victorious in May? Only time will tell but for now, here is all you need to know about Vincent Bueno. Who is representing Austria at Eurovision 2021? Age: 35 Instagram: @officialvincentbueno Twitter: @vincebueno Eurovision viewers will be watching with stars in their eyes, as Rotterdam welcomes Vienna’s star, Vincent Bueno to the Contest. In the space of only 12 years, since beginning his career, Vincent has had incredible opportunities and is a real talent to look out for: he began dancing at the tender age of four and is a graduate of music and performing arts. By 11, he had mastered the piano, guitar, drums and bass guitar. In 2008, Vincent featured in Austria’s musical theatre competition, Musical! Die Show – which unlike Western and Asian talent show contests, is comparatively more difficult and challenging due to its theatre leanings – beating 10 contestants to become the winner.He performed popular numbers from Grease, Phantom of the Opera, Jungle Book, Jesus Christ Superstar, Miss Saigon, Singin’ in the Rain and Mary Poppins and was lauded by veterans of the original West End cast of Miss Saigon. Two years later, he performed for Filipino television, signing a contract with Star Records, now called Star Music. What is Austria’s Eurovision 2021 song called? Vincent was set to perform an energetic number of his own, called Alive, composed by himself and young producers and composers in 2020 but now, as per the rules, he has to choose a different song for 2021. So now we have him singing Amen which was written by Tobias Carshey, Ashley Hicklin and Jonas Thander. Check the song out for yourselves below: View oEmbed on the source website Where did Austria come in 2019’s Eurovision? Austria will have their hopes riding on Vincent this year as the nation failed to qualify for the final in 2019, finishing in 17th place with only 21 points. Despite that, the country has enjoyed a long history with Eurovision, having joined the Contest in 1957 and has performed 51 times. It has also won on two occasions: in 1966 with the song Merci, Chérie by Udo Jürgens and in 2014 with the song, Rise like a Phoenix, performed by Conchita Wurst. However, it has placed last eight times and has received no points on four occasions. So, will Vincent receive a standing ovation and win, or will the curtain fall on him? When is Eurovision 2021? The Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final will take place on Saturday 22nd May 2021 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. BBC One will be broadcasting live coverage of the event, while Graham Norton commentates. Ken Bruce will be providing commentary on BBC Radio 2. The semi-finals will be held on Tuesday 18th and Thursday 20th May, and will be broadcast on BBC Four. Why was Eurovision 2020 cancelled? Not only did COVID force us all to stay indoors for much of 2020, but it also brought down the biggest and best singing competition in the world! While there were alternatives aired on the BBC in Shine a Light and Eurovision Come Together that showcased classic Eurovision acts, nothing compares to the real thing and we can't wait to celebrate the contests return in May. You can buy the DVD and watch Eurovision 2018 here and Eurovision 2019 here if you want to relive the last two contests. The Eurovision Song contest 2021 will air on the BBC this May. Check out the full list of Eurovision winners here. If you're looking for something to watch tonight, check out our TV Guide.
Who is Slovenia’s Eurovision 2021 entry Ana Soklic who will sing Amen?
Slovenia is sending Ana Soklič to serenade at the Eurovision Song Contest.
Ana has been lined up to compete in Eurovision 2021, and after having to miss the 2020 contest, she will get her moment to shine in the spotlight. She has had to change her song, as per the rules put in place, but will that work in her favour and will her tune be the one to see Slovenia through to victory? Here’s everything you need to know about Ana, including all you need to know about the song she will be singing. Who is representing Slovenia at Eurovision 2021? Age: 37 Instagram: @annasoklich Ana Soklič was Slovenia’s entry to Eurovision 2020 and she is back for 2021. She has been singing since 2004, releasing only five singles over the course of her time and she was due to perform last year before the cancellation. What is Slovenia’s Eurovision 2021 song called? Ana will be singing Amen, which coincidentally is the same song name that Austria has for the competition this year. The new track, a replacement for the song she was supposed to sing last year, was written by Ana alongside Žiga Pirnat and Charlie Mason. And you can check it out for yourself ahead of the big night by watching the video below! View oEmbed on the source website Where did Slovenia come in 2019’s Eurovision? In 2019, the country finished in a respectable 15th place, scoring 105 points with the song, Sebi by duo Zala Kraji and Gašper Šanti. Slovenia debuted in the Contest in 1993, having previously entered as part of Yugoslavia. Their best ranking to date was seventh place, achieved in 1995 and 2001. Whilst they have not won so far, Slovenia won Eurovision Choir of the Year in 2017. Will Ana sing her way to Eurovision stardom? When is Eurovision 2021? The Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final will take place on Saturday 22nd May 2021 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. BBC One will be broadcasting live coverage of the event, while Graham Norton commentates. Ken Bruce will be providing commentary on BBC Radio 2. The semi-finals will be held on Tuesday 18th and Thursday 20th May, and will be broadcast on BBC Four. Why was Eurovision 2020 cancelled? The blame for Eurovision 2020 being cancelled can be put at the feet of the global pandemic - much like every other event cancellation in 2020 and early 2021. Replacement shows were lined up including Shine a Light and Eurovision Come Together, which were fun and welcomed, but we are pleased the main show will be back to entertain us for 2021. Buy the DVD and watch Eurovision 2018 here and Eurovision 2019 here if you want to relive them - and why wouldn't you? The Eurovision Song contest 2021 will air on the BBC this May. Check out the full list of Eurovision winners here. If you're looking for something to watch tonight, check out our TV Guide.
Meet Moldova's Eurovision 2021 act Natalia Gordienko who will sing Sugar
Moldova’s Natalia Gordienko is moving to Rotterdam in May.
She's back! Eurovision 2021 hopeful, Natalia Gordienko, will be taking to the stage once more as she represents Moldova for a second time - she was originally down to try and claim her country victory in the abandoned 2020 contest. But will she be able to triumph this time around? Well, she has had an extra year to get herself ready and she has a replacement tune ready to go that could well be a crowd-pleaser on the night. Here are all the details you need to know about the Moldova hopeful. Who is representing Moldova at Eurovision 2021? Age: 33 Instagram: @natalitsa Facebook: Natalia Gordienko Natalia is a Moldovan singer, dancer and actually represented her country in the 2006 contest, singing Loca and finished in 20th position. She may not have won Eurovision back then, but that did not clip her wings, having received the honorary title of "Emeritus Artist" of Moldova in 2008, participated in national and international competitions, positioning in first or second place and released two albums in 2011 and a single in 2015. For the first time as a solo singer, she will perform in the Netherlands once again and try her luck for the top spot. What is Moldova’s Eurovision 2021 song called? Natalia was due to sing Prison, a powerful ode to a maddening love, as the singer is trapped with the memories of her lover and struggles to be free of them. Alas, that song was not meant to be and a replacement has been lined for this year called Sugar which has been written by Mikhail Gutseriev and Sharon Vaughn. Have a listen to the track below! View oEmbed on the source website Where did Moldova come in 2019’s Eurovision? Moldova made its debut at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2005 and already came in sixth place, with the song, Bunica Bate Toba performed by Zdob și Zdub. In total, Moldova has appeared in the Grand Final on nine occasions. In 2017, SunStroke Project took the nation to the top three in the Grand Final for the very first time. In 2019, Moldova was represented by Anna Odobescu with her song Stay, but failed to qualify for the final, finishing in 12th place with 85 points. So, can Natalia finally secure victory for Moldova? When is Eurovision 2021? The Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final will take place on Saturday 22nd May 2021 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. BBC One will be broadcasting live coverage of the event, while Graham Norton commentates. Ken Bruce will be providing commentary on BBC Radio 2. The semi-finals will be held on Tuesday 18th and Thursday 20th May, and will be broadcast on BBC Four. Why was Eurovision 2020 cancelled? While we had our fingers crossed that the mighty Eurovision Song Contest would be able to go on, alas, even that was not immune to a global pandemic and the 2020 contest was abandoned. Instead of the main show, we had Shine a Light on BBC One and Eurovision Come Together- both featuring classic Eurovision acts performing. Not quite the same but we did appreciate the effort. You can buy the DVD and watch Eurovision 2018 here and Eurovision 2019 here. The Eurovision Song contest 2021 will air on the BBC this May. Check out the full list of Eurovision winners here. If you're looking for something to watch tonight, check out our TV Guide.
What is Quibi? Streaming service shuts down after 6 months
The newest streaming service to enter the market has just been shut down – here's everything you need to know.
Mobile-focused platform Quibi has announced it is closing and will be selling its content, just six months after arriving on the streaming scene. The video app, which provided "quick bites" of content for subscribers, said that launching the service during the COVID-19 pandemic had brought "unprecedented challenges" and that it will be winding down the business as a result. But what is Quibi? And which titles was it home to? Here's everything you need to know about Quibi, which was launched by former Walt Disney Studios chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg, and why it is closing down. What is Quibi? And what does Quibi mean? Quibi, short for ‘Quick Bites’ was a premium streaming service – exclusively for mobile devices. The platform targeted people on the go, wherever they may be. As such, all programmes lasted between four and 10 minutes and consisted of feature-length stories spread across many bite-sized episodes. Quibi was looking to stream a more interactive viewing experience, comparable to when Netflix released their own interactive Black Mirror episode, Bandersnatch. All content was downloadable, so there was no need for a Wi-Fi connection or data coverage to view. US viewers could subscribe under two pricing tiers: $4.99/month (approx. £4/AU$7) with ads and $7.99/month (£6/AU$12) for an ad-free service. Why is Quibi shutting down? In an open letter to employees, investors and partners, Quibi's founders Jeffrey Katzenberg and Meg Whitman wrote that they would be closing the app "with an incredibly heavy heart" after launching during a pandemic resulted in the business facing "unprecedented challenges". "Quibi is not succeeding," they wrote. "Likely for one of two reasons: because the idea itself wasn't strong enough to justify a standalone streaming service or because of our timing." They added that, as entrepreneurs, their instinct is "to always pivot, to leave no stone unturned" but they felt as though they'd "exhausted all [their] options". "Over the coming months we will be working hard to find buyers for these valuable assets who can leverage them to their full potential," they added. Was Quibi available in the UK? Quibi arrived in the US on April 6th 2020, but never launched in the UK. Quibi shows Quibi had plans to release a massive 175 original shows and 8,500 episodes in its first year, with viewers able to watch originals with household names such as Jennifer Lopez, Chrissy Teigen, Chance the Rapper, Liam Hemsworth, Sophie Turner, Nicole Richie, Reese Witherspoon and more from the app's launch. It was also announced that Quibi would become the home for content created by the likes of Hollywood royalty like Steven Spielberg and major forces in TV production like BBC Studios, the commercial arm of the BBC. Quibi divided programming into three categories: “Movies in Chapters”, feature-length films broken into episodes seven-10 minutes long; unscripted and documentary series; and Daily Essentials shows, five-six-minute quick bites of news, entertainment and lifestyle programming. Although Quibi offered a list of 51 launch titles, some of these are news programmes that broadcast various dayparts (like the four from NBC News). If you’re looking for more to watch, check out our TV guide.
Cast of Mulan 2020: Who's in the new Disney remake and who voiced the 1998 original?
Much-loved Mulan is returning to our screens as a visually stunning live-action
After months of delay, Disney fans finally get to see the highly-anticipated live-action remake of Mulan starring Liu Yifei as the titular character. Set to arrive on Disney+ at the end of this week, this Niki Caro-directed movie tells the iconic story of Mulan, a young, spirited and determined woman who took her ailing father's place in the Imperial Chinese Army whilst disguised as a man, and ultimately earned the respect of her nation and her father. Starring the likes of Jason Scott Lee, Donnie Yen, Jet Li and Rosalind Chao, this live-action retelling of Chinese folklore story 'The Ballad of Mulan', accompanied by a moving soundtrack, is set to be one of the biggest blockbusters of the year – despite its current inability to debut in cinemas due to the ongoing pandemic. If you can't wait for Mulan to land on your TV screen, don't forget to sign up to Disney+ for £5.99 a month or £59.99 a year and purchase Mulan for £19.99. Here's everything you need to know about the cast of Mulan's live-action remake. Mulan cast 2020 Liu Yifei plays Mulan Donnie Yen (Rogue One) plays Commander Tung Jason Scott Lee (The Jungle Book) plays Bori Khan Yoson An plays Chen Honghui Gong Li (Memoirs of a Geisha) plays Xian Lang Jet Li (Lethal Weapon 4) plays The Emperor of China Tzi Ma plays Hua Zhou Rosalind Chao plays Hua Li Xana Tang plays Hua Xiu Liu Yifei plays Mulan Who is Mulan? Hua Mulan is the eldest daughter of Hua Zhou who subverts both tradition and Chinese law by disguising herself as a male soldier in order to enlist in the Imperial Army in place of her ailing father, when it is announced that one man per family must serve. Along the way, she is tested and learns to harness her innermost strength and embrace her true potential. What else has Liu Yifei been in? Having been known as Fairy Sister in the entertainment industry, she then starred in The Forbidden Kingdom and Outcast. Donnie Yen plays Commander Tung Who is Commander Tung? He is the high-ranking leader of the Imperial Army and becomes a mentor to Mulan. Both his and Chen’s character are based on Li Shang from the 1998 film. Li Shang’s character was divided into these two men, as the film’s producer, Jason Reed who said in a statement: "having a commanding officer that is also the sexual love interest was very uncomfortable and we didn’t think it was appropriate". What else has Donnie Yen been in? Donnie Yen gained international recognition for playing playing Wing Chun grandmaster Ip Man in the 2008 film Ip Man, a box office success, as well as Chirrut Îmwe in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) and Xiang in xXx: Return of Xander Cage (2017). Jason Scott Lee plays Bori Khan <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2020/03/Jason-Scott-Lee-a888cff-e1584030602772.jpg" width="620" height="413" alt="HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 09: Jason Scott Lee attends the World Premiere of Disney's 'MULAN' at the Dolby Theatre on March 09, 2020 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)" title="Los Angeles World Premiere Of Disney's "Mulan"" /> Who is Bori Khan? Bori Khan is a Rouran warrier leader hellbent on avenging his father’s death Khan is based on Shan Yu from the animated film. What else has Jason Scott Lee been in? Jason Scott Lee is best known for his roles as Bruce Lee (no relation) in the 1993 martial arts film, Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story and Mowgli in Disney’s live action remake of The Jungle Book in 1994. In recent years, Lee played Hades Dai in 2016’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny and in 2019, he voiced the main character, The Swordsman, for Kevin McTurk's crowdsourced short puppetry film, The Haunted Swordsman. Yoson An plays Chen Honghui Who is Chen Honghui? Chen is a confident and ambitious recruit to Commander Tung’s unit and becomes Mulan’s ally and romantic interest. Both Chen and Tung are based on Li Shang’s character in the animated film. What else has Yoson An been in? Yoson An rose to fame for being cast in a leading role in Dead Lucky, an Australian crime drama thriller series alongside Rachel Griffiths in 2018. In the same year, he starred in Mortal Engines, a post-apocalyptic action adventure film directed by Christian Rivers and also starred Robert Sheehan, Hugo Weaving and Leila George. Gong Li plays Xian Lang <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2020/03/Gong-Li-e8bb633-e1584030842411.jpg" width="620" height="413" alt="SHANGHAI, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 19: Gong Li attends Tiffany & Co. 'Vision & Virtuosity' exhibition for celebrating the brand's 180 years of artistry on September 19, 2019 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images)" title="Stars Highlight Tiffany & Co. 'Vision & Virtuosity' Exhibition In Shanghai" /> Who is Xian Lang? Xian Lang is a powerful shape-shifting witch and Bori Khan’s ally. What else has Gong Li been in? Gong Li, one of China’s most famous Fifth Generation actresses has starred in three of four Academy Award for Best International Feature Film-nominated Chinese-language films. She is also most notable for having appeared in Oscar-nominated Farewell My Concubine (1993), Breaking the Silence (2000), Memoirs of a Geisha (2005), Curse of the Golden Flower(2006) and Coming Home (2014) Jet Li plays The Emperor of China Who is the Emperor of China? He is a wise and benevolent ruler of China who orders the conscription of one man from each household to serve in the Imperial Army and fight the Hun Army. What else has Jet Li been in? Jet Li is best known for his roles in Lethal Weapon 4 (1998), his leading role as Han Sing in Romeo Must Die (2000), The One (2001) with Jason Statham, The Forbidden Kingdom (2008) with Jackie Chan, all three Expendables films with Sylvester Stallone and as the lead villain in The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008) Tzi Ma plays Hua Zhou Who is Hua Zhou? Mulan’s father and renowned war veteran, who is recalled to the Imperial Army despite his failing health and whom Mulan replaces secretly. What else has Tzi Ma been in? Tzi Ma has had roles in television shows, such as The Man in the High Castle, 24 and in films, including: Dante’s Peak, Rush Hour and Arrival. Rosalind Chao plays Hua Li Who is Hua Li? Hua Li is Mulan’s mother and Zhou’s wife. What else has Rosalind Chao been in? Rosalind Chao is famed for her roles in mid-1980s CBS show, AfterMASH where she played Klinger’s South Korean wife, Soon-Lee, Rose Hsu Jordan in 1993’s The Joy Luck Club, recurring character Keiko O’Brien on Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in the 1990s and Dr. Kim in The O.C in 2003. Xana Tang will play Hua Xiu Who is Hua Xiu? Hua Xiu is Mulan’s younger sister whose character was added to the film's plot, as filmmakers felt that her addition would serve as a "a broader emotional context and added more motivation for [Mulan]". Who was in the original 1998 Mulan cast? Ming-Na Wen plays Fa Mulan Lea Salonga plays Fa Mulan (singing voice) Eddie Murphy plays Mushu BD Wong plays Captain Li Shang Donny Osmond plays Captain Li Shang (singing voice) Miguel Ferrer plays Shan Yu June Foray plays Grandmother Fa Harvey Fierstein plays Yao Gedde Watanabe plays Ling Jerry Tondo plays Chien-Po James Hong plays Chi-Fu Soon-Tek Oh plays Fa Zhou Pat Morita plays The Emperor of China George Takei plays First Ancestor For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 Miriam Margolyes plays The Matchmaker Freda Foh Shen plays Fa Li James Shigeta plays General Li Mulan releases on Disney+ on Friday 4th September. Sign up to Disney+ for £5.99 a month or £59.99 a year – get Mulan for £19.99 with Premier Access.
When is Altered Carbon: Resleeved on Netflix? What is it about? Is there a trailer?
Everything you need to know about Altered Carbon's animated spin-off
It was only February that season two of Netflix’s Altered Carbon was released, but fans will be delighted to know that a new addition to the franchise – spin-off animated film Altered Carbon: Resleeved – is now streaming on Netflix. Here are all the details you need to know... When is Altered Carbon: Resleeved out on Netflix? The sci-fi animation is available to watch now, having dropped on Netflix on Thursday 19th March 2020. Who is in the cast of Altered Carbon: Resleeved? If you're wondering whether Takeshi Kovacs will feature, you're in luck. The charismatic former Envoy (played by Joel Kinnaman, Anthony Mackie and various others in the live-action) will appear – in Resleeved, he's voiced by Ray Chase, a voice artist previously best known for playing lead protagonist Noctis in video game Final Fantasy XV (2016) and Jason Blood and Etrigan the Demon in the DC animated film Justice League Dark (2017). Also providing vocals for the film are Doug Stone (playing Tanaseda), Kaiji Tang (Shinji), Chris Conner (Ogai), Brittany Cox (Holly), Elizabeth Maxwell (Gena / Reileen) and Jamieson Price (Genzo). Resleeved is available to watch dubbed in a number of different languages, as well as in its original Japanese with subtitles. What is Altered Carbon: Resleeved about? On the planet Latimar, Takeshi Kovacs must protect a tattooist while investigating the death of a yakuza boss alongside a no-nonsense CTAC. The film is directed by Jō Nakajima and written by Dai Sato and Tsukasa Kondo. "Dai Sato, the creative mind behind Cowboy Bebop, further explores and expands upon the Altered Carbon universe in this anime adaptation," said Netflix. Is there a trailer for Altered Carbon: Resleeved? Yes, and it has very strong Love, Death & Robots vibes going on. You can watch it here: View oEmbed on the source website When is Altered Carbon season 3 coming out? Release date, cast for Netflix series How many seasons of Altered Carbon will there be? What's new on Netflix? The latest films and TV shows to watch Altered Carbon: Resleeved is streaming now on Netflix
As the Disney+ series comes to the UK, it's time for a Mandatory Mandalore-splain of Star Wars' coolest antiheroes
With Disney+'s The Mandalorian finally coming to the UK, it's high time to find out more about this mysterious group of warriors and bounty hunters from the Star Wars universe. Who or what is a Mandalorian? Where are they from? Why do they wear that armour, and how many of them have we met in the Star Wars universe? Sign up for Disney+ for £5.99 a month or £59.99 a year We try to answer all your burning questions below. What is a Mandalorian? The Mandalorians are a fictional warrior religion/society from the Star Wars film series and TV shows, hailing from a planet called Mandalore and known for their status as feared fighters, mercenaries and bounty hunters as well as their distinctive armour (which they can't remove in the presence of others at any time). Mandalorians aren't a species, but various individuals who follow a particular "creed" - in other words, anyone could become one if they immerse themselves in the culture that began on Mandalore. The first Mandalorian seen in the Star Wars universe was bounty hunter Boba Fett, whose distinctive armour and attitude made him a fan favourite despite minimal appearances in 1980's The Empire Strikes Back and 1983's Return of the Jedi. But at the time, he wasn't a Mandalorian – the term Mandalorian is never uttered in the films, but the popularity of Fett inspired numerous works creating a backstory for his society in other parts of the Star Wars franchise. The Mandalorians debuted by name in Star Wars #68 "The Search Begins", a comic book published by Marvel in 1983, which described Boba and another character, Fenn Shysa to be among the super-commandos - the official defenders of Mandalore. Later, Star Wars: Attack of the Clones (2002) introduced bounty hunter Jango Fett, who also wore Mandalorian armour and served as the genetic model for Boba Fett (his "father") and the Republic's entire clone army. Since then spin-off media and Star Wars TV series inluding Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels have filled in more backstory about the Mandalorians, whose homeworld was gutted by a war with the Galactic Republic's Jedi Knights in the distant past and who developed their armour and trademark gadgetry to battle the powerful force-users. Rebels features a prominent female Mandalorian warrior named Sabine Wren, who was used to introduce more aspects of Mandalorian history and culture to audiences. In Disney+'s The Mandalorian we learn even more about the Mandalorian life, which is closer to a religion than a society and involves all sorts of rules and rituals related to their armour and sense of honour. Where are the Mandalorians from? The Mandalorians are originally from the planet Mandalore, a fictional world created for the Star Wars franchise. In real life, the design that would become the typical Mandalorian look was initially conceptualised by George Lucas for The Empire Strikes Back as a group of white-armoured “supercommandos”, armed with weapons built into white suits and who were supposed to fight the Jedi. Originally, the soldiers were called Super Troopers and were intended to look alike, however they were developed into a sole bounty hunter character named Boba Fett. Fett was so popular that various parts of spin-off media built an entire society around his backstory, though some of those details have since been removed from canon. Who is The Mandalorian? In the Disney+ series we follow a specific Mandalorian Bounty Hunter (played by Game of Thrones' Pedro Pascal) with an initially mysterious identity, though more of his history and motives are revealed over the course of the series. Many people refer to this individual Mandalorian as "Mando" colloquially, though it seems this is a general term for people from his society rather than a nickname he has acquired personally. Are Boba and Jango Fett Mandalorians? The prequels' Jango Fett is indeed a true-blooded Mandalorian, although Boba, his son is not technically a Mandalorian depending on how you look at it. Although both don the armour of the planet Mandalore, in Attack of the Clones George Lucas established that Boba Fett is a clone of Jango. Jango raised Boba as his son on the planet of Kamino, so he didn't grow up in the Mandalorian culture, and and as a clone he does not truly possess a homeland. Then again, considering he possesses 100% of the genetic material of an actual Mandalorian, was immersed in the culture by his "father" Jango and given that Mandalorians often welcome "foundlings" into their ranks (again, it's more of a religion than a species) it's easy to consider Boba a fair representative of the Mandalorian people. Who killed Boba Fett? If you're struggling to remember what happened to the best-known Mandalorian in the Original Trilogy, we'll give you a quick refresher. After capturing Han Solo (Harrison Ford) for Jabba the Hutt and living it up on Tattooine, Boba ended up being accidentally knocked into the Sarlacc pit mid-battle, presumably perishing slowly in the monster's stomach. It was an ignominious end for the galaxy's greatest bounty hunter - though spin-off books have since hinted that Boba could have survived... Are there any Mandalorian Jedi? Yes, despite the hostility between the Mandalorian and the Jedi, Star Wars history has it that a character named Tarre Vizsla became the first Mandalorian Jedi, building a weapon called the Darksaber which he used to unite his people by becoming their Mand’alor. The Darksaber has played a crucial role in Star Wars spin-off media (particularly the Clone Wars and Rebels TV series), and is a glowing black sword with the usual properties of the Jedi's lightsaber and immense significance to the Mandalorians themselves. The first episode of the Mandalorian will be available to UK viewers from Tuesday 24th March on Disney+
When is Sara Pascoe's new BBC comedy Out Of Her Mind on TV?
Adrian Edmondson, Juliet Stevenson and Cariad Lloyd will star in Out Of Her Mind, a six-part comedy from Sara Pascoe
Comedian Sara Pascoe has a new comedy on the way! Here's what we know so far... When is Out Of Her Mind on TV? The drama was commissioned in August 2019, and casting was announced in March 2020. Transmission details for BBC Two will be confirmed in due course – watch this space! What is Out Of Her Mind about? Six-part comedy Out Of Her Mind explores "heartbreak, family and how to survive them," and it's written comedian Sara Pascoe – who is also the show's star. According to the BBC, "The series subverts the traditional sitcom format by combining eccentric characters, animation, and scientific explanation." The synopsis continues: "Sara Pascoe doesn’t know why everyone else in the world is pairing up and having babies and sets out on a mission to understand them. She tries to prove that romantic love is mere chemicals and conditioning and doesn’t deserve our respect. This conflicts a little with preparations for her sister’s wedding, and her best friend’s first pregnancy. "The show is a full-hearted, full-brained approach to narrative comedy with characters that are full of life (apart from one ghost)." Executive producers include Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Miles Ketley and Pascoe herself. Who is in the cast? Pascoe will be joined by Juliet Stevenson, The Split's Fiona Button, and Cariad Lloyd. The cast also includes Adrian Edmondson, Navin Chowdhry, Sean Gilder. Tom Stuart, Scroobius Pip, Jumayn Hunter, Sheila Reid, Jack Gleeson, Cash Holland, Lorraine Ashbourne and Cian Barry. Sara Pascoe said in a statement: "Out Of Her Mind is a direct expression of my mind. We've turned my brain into a theme-park, and everyone's invited! The cast are INCREDIBLE and I can't wait for people to see what we've made."
Comedian Chris Ramsey confirmed as the host of Little Mix: The Search's live shows
The Strictly Come Dancing star will host the upcoming talent show
Strictly contestant Chris Ramsey has been confirmed as the host of the live shows for Little Mix's upcoming BBC One talent show The Search. The new series will see the girl band, which rose to fame on The X Factor, find and mentor the next big pop band. Band members Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson, Jade Thirlwall and Leigh-Anne Pinnock are "beyond excited" to have him on board, with Chris confessing that his goal was to be the fifth member of the band: In a BBC statement, he said: "Since the moment I heard their first single, I knew I wanted to be the fifth member of Little Mix… sadly it looks like I’m going to have to settle for just hosting their new show with them!” The girls added: "We’re so happy Chris has come on board to present The Search. He’s genuinely one of the funniest people we know, and he’ll bring loads of his South Shields charm to the show. We can’t wait!" The band also announced the news on its Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/B9lmmhwh15M/ Chris and the girls also have a unique connection – he, Jade and Perrie are all from South Shields. Little Mix is looking to find the next boy, girl or mixed-sex band, having auditioned pre-formed groups and solo stars who they will place together as a band. The groups who make it to the live stage will have the chance to work with Little Mix’s award-winning vocal coaches, songwriters and producers, with the winner receiving the grand prize: be a supporting act for the girls as they go on their summer 2020 tour and perform in front of tens of thousands of people. Little Mix: The Search launches on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in Spring 2020.
Daniel Craig responds to No Time to Die coronavirus pushback: "Don't curse our movie"
James Bond fans were shocked all around the world when it was announced that the release of the upcoming James bond film, No Time to Die, was to be pushed back by seven months amid coronavirus fears. The producers stated they had postponed the release of the film from April to November after "careful consideration and thorough evaluation of the global theatrical marketplace". The announcement came only a few days after the founders of two 007 fan sites urged the film studios to delay its release. It’s new UK release date is 12thNovember, and in the US on 25 November. The hotly-anticipated 25th James Bond film, No Time to Die, which marks Daniel Craig's final appearance as the iconic British secret service agent, had originally been due for release on 3rd April. However, this is not the first time the film’s release has been delayed. There is a reason why the hiatus between No Time to Die and the previous instalment, Spectre (released in 2015) was the second longest in the history of the franchise – and it was not just due to the current coronavirus crisis. In August 2018, Danny Boyle, who had previously directed the films, departed production of No Time to Die, citing creative differences. Cary Joji Fukunaga (best known for having directed HBO’s True Detective) was subsequently roped in to direct the film only three months before production was due to begin. Still, the film was afflicted with unfortunate occurrences, for example when Craig injured his ankle, which pushed the release date back once more. View oEmbed on the source website The British tabloids called it a "cursed film", which enraged Craig, who gave an interview for GQ Magazine wherein he said, “Don’t curse our movie. We’re doing our best here.” This time, the James Bond star instead took a humorous view over recent events, going on Saturday Night Live to showcase a parody ‘sneak peek’ of his final film. Between now and November, the cast, crew and fans will be hoping that Craig’s final film as 007 will not face any further setbacks. No Time To Die will release in UK cinemas on 12th November.
When is Penny Dreadful: City of Angels on TV? Who is in the cast? What’s it about?
All the details about the upcoming Penny Dreadful spin-off…
Four years after Penny Dreadful ended, fans will be bale to revisit the series' haunting world thanks to upcoming sequel Penny Dreadful: City of Angels. Starring Game of Thrones actress Natalie Dormer, the spin-off takes the show into a brave new world – and promises to be just as creepy as the original. Here's everything we know about it so far... When will Penny Dreadful: City of Angels be released and where can I watch it? The series premiered on Showtime in the US on 26th April 2020, so UK fans have had a bit of a wait. However, it has now been confirmed that the entire series will be available for Sky Atlantic and NOW TV users from 1st July. In other words, yes, it's time for a major binge. What is Penny Dreadful: City of Angels about? The new series takes place 40 years after the original series. It's set in 1938 Los Angeles during Hollywood's Golden Age, a time and place deeply intertwined with Mexican-American folklore and social tension. When a macabre murder shocks the city, Detective Tiago Vega (Daniel Zovatto) goes on a heroic journey, reflecting the rich history of Los Angeles, from the construction of the city's first freeways and its deep traditions of Mexican-American folklore, to the dangerous espionage actions of the Third Reich and the rise of radio evangelism. Soon, Tiago and his family grapple with powerful forces threatening to tear them apart. View oEmbed on the source website Speaking of the show, Creator John Logan told reporters at the Television Critics Association: "The most important thing to remember for me about this show is, while it's set in 1938, it's about 2020. "Looking over the world landscape now, I am struck by parallels... particularly the rise of extremist political hatred, a sort of racist demagoguery that is taken for granted, by the pernicious influence of foreign power in our electoral process, and particularly by the marginalisation and victimisation of an ethnic community. And as the son of immigrants myself, this is a story I wanted to tell." Who’s in the cast? Game of Thrones actress, Natalie Dormer plays Magda, a supernatural demon who can assume the form of anyone she chooses and manifests in a number of guises throughout the story. Dormer divulged that, whilst viewers will meet two of her character's iterations in the series premiere, the following episodes will reveal more. "Every good protagonist needs an antagonist and I just have a lot of fun interweaving with all the cast, being several antagonists, which I am thrilled to be doing. Every character [has a] different wig, different voice, different physicality." Here's a glimpse at the character's many faces: View oEmbed on the source website Lorenza Izzo will play Magda's sister, Santa Muerte, the Angel of Holy Death. An original Penny Dreadful star will make an appearance as a brand new regular character – Rory Kinnear, who played the Creature in the original series. This time, he's stars as Dr Peter Craft, a successful German paediatrician and the Head of the German-American Bund, an organisation he hopes will ensure the USA’s isolation from the growing threat of war in Europe. Craft is set to go head to head with Herman Ackermann (Ethan Peck), the charismatic second-in-command at the German-American Bund, while Piper Perabo (Covert Affairs) plays Craft's wife, Linda. The character has been described as a fading American Beauty "who's unhappy with her husband and tired of suburban life". As well as Daniel Zovatto (It Follows) playing Detective Tiago Vega, viewers will get to meet the extended Vega family. Johnathan Nieves plays Mateo Vega, Tiago's kind-hearted but volatile younger brother. Jessica Garza (The Purge) has been cast as the youngest of the Vega family, Josefina, who also possesses a powerful spirit waiting to be unleashed. Adriana Barraza (Babel) is Maria, the Vega family's formidable matriarch, who will do whatever is necessary to protect her children from the perilous world of 1938 social politics and deadly spirits. And Adam Rodriguez (Criminal Minds) will recur as Raul Vega, the eldest son of the Vega family and an honourable union leader and advocate for his people. Michael Gladis (Mad Men) will essay the role of Councilman Charlton Townsend, the ambitious head of the LA City Council's Transportation Committee. Brent Spiner (Star Trek: The Next Generation) will play Captain Ned Vanderhoff, precinct captain at the Hollenbeck police station in Boyle Heights — Tiago Vega boss. As a veteran officer under much pressure, Vanderhoff struggles to stabilise the volatile and mutable city. Dottie Minter, played by Lin Shaye (Insidious), will be an invaluable collaborator in the fight against Third Reich espionage in LA. Creators have also cast Thomas Kretschmann (Avengers: Age of Ultron) as Richard Goss, an aristocratic and mysterious German architect with grand plans for the future of Los Angeles who's got unsettling connections to City Hall. Finally, Shadowhunters' Dominic Sherwood will play the role of Goss' chauffeur and bodyguard, Kurt, who has a surprising background. Is there a trailer? Yes! You can watch it here: View oEmbed on the source website
This brand-new comedy stars Brenda Blethyn, Jimmy Akingbola, Blake Harrison and Barbara Flynn
Brenda Blethyn leads the cast of Kate & Koji, an upcoming comedy drama that ITV is hoping will leave viewers in splits. The series relates the trials and tribulations of an unlikely friendship between a café owner and an asylum seeker. When is Kate & Koji on ITV? The six-part comedy drama begins on Wednesday 18th March 2020 at 8pm on ITV. Each episode is half an hour long. What is Kate & Koji about? As ITV puts it, "Kate & Koji centres around a working-class woman who runs an old-fashioned café in a seaside town and who develops a strong, if sometimes volatile, friendship with an asylum-seeking African doctor. Although from very different worlds, Kate and Koji are similar in ways which they do not recognise, including a dogged determination to never back down!" When the fur does start to fly, Kate's resourceful nephew 'Medium' acts as peacemaker. Who is in the cast of Kate & Koji? Golden Globe winner and Vera star Brenda Blethyn plays Kate. She's joined by Jimmy Akingbola, who plays the part of bubbly Koji. He has had roles in longstanding British and American dramas, including The Bill, New Tricks, Silks, NCIS and Scorpion and works as a regular voice for BBC World Service and BBC Radio 4 and 7. The role of 'Medium' is played by The Inbetweeners star Blake Harrison, while Barbara Flynn stars as Councillor Bone, Kate's lifelong arch enemy. Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars at No. 42 actress Meera Syal will guest star as a GP who might represent a threat to Koji.
Neighbours delay Susan and Karl scenes in Dublin and cancel 35th anniversary celebrations over coronavirus fears
Neighbours’ 35th Anniversary celebrations have been halted
Fans eager to see Karl and Susan Kennedy jetting off to Dublin, Ireland will see their hopes dashed, as the coronavirus crisis tightens its grip on one of the UK’s most beloved soaps. It was announced only a few days ago that Neighbours’ Karl (Alan Fletcher) and Susan Kennedy (Jackie Woodburne) were to jet off to Ireland following the drama of the 35th anniversary. The cast and crew were to film a special storyline later this month, however, as the coronavirus outbreak develops, it has been decided that production will be halted. Furthermore, there was supposed to be a special event at the Adelphi Theatre in London to celebrate turning 35, which has also been cancelled due to fears of the virus getting worse. A Neighbours spokesperson told RadioTimes.com: "Due to the current coronavirus situation and cautions around international travel, cast who were flying in from Australia will no longer be visiting the UK for the Neighbours 35th Anniversary celebrations. Whilst this is obviously very disappointing, the wellbeing of all our cast and crew is our utmost priority. "Filming in Dublin with Alan and Jackie has therefore been cancelled for now, however we love our UK and Irish audience and will definitely be back in the future." As Jackie Woodburne (who plays Susan Kennedy) originally hails from Carrickfergus, Northern Island, she was reportedly "delighted" to be filming in the region. For the time being, viewers will have to wait for a Neighbours’ touch of the Irish for a while longer. Neighbours 35th anniversary spoilers: Day-by-day guide to all the drama Neighbours spoilers: Finn unleashes his rage as both Marks face love woes Neighbours cast: Who is joining, leaving and returning to the soap? Visit our dedicated Neighbours page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers.
British broadcasters 'drawing up' action plans for coronavirus crisis as major shows like Celebrity Race Across the World face cut
Popular shows are under threat of axe or delay
The impact of coronavirus on our daily lives and the economy has been palpable, but its affect on Britain's TV programming schedules could also be profound. BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 are seriously reconsidering the impact of COVID-19 on their in-house and independent producers and are deciding whether or not to cancel or postpone certain shows, according to Deadline. These television and broadcasting corporations are meticulously monitoring advice from Public Health England and the World Health Organisation or WHO, as the virus has now globally infected 92,000 people and has claimed the lives of 3,000, as of 6th March. What action is the BBC taking on coronavirus? The BBC is currently reviewing programmes scheduled to begin filming and is reassessing productions that involve international filming, large crowds or live audiences. A celebrity edition of the popular BBC programme Race Across the World, which is about to begin production and involves stars travelling thousands of miles across different countries, could mean entering coronavirus danger zones. (This is not to be confused with the second series of the original show, which has concluded production and will air on BBC Two later this month. Although there are no pressing concerns for the moment, the risk may impact programmes such as one of the broadcaster’s flagship and long-standing Antiques Roadshow, as it is filmed with huge crowds of people. A producer has stated to the publication that whilst self-isolation is crucial, television encompasses a global outlook, it "is about going out into the world and mingling with people or bringing audiences to studios". The impact of the virus could also disrupt major Euro sporting events, including the Olympics and Paralympics, which is why, according to a source, the BBC is verifying its insurance arrangements on its TV rights deals with these events, as well as for the Eurovision Song Contest, Glastonbury and Wimbledon. What action is ITV taking on coronavirus? ITV’s CEO, Carolyn McCall has declared that the corporation is "working through our contingency plan by program genre," while ITV Studios staff are receiving relevant guidance and are obligated to follow guidelines, including signing off from managers on certain travel requests. While all broadcasters are reconsidering programmes with live studio audience formats, producers are currently contemplating ways to vet audiences, seeing as it was announced that a worker on-site at Maidstone Studios – home to shows such as ITV’s Catchphrase – was diagnosed with coronavirus this week. However, the worker was an employee of an NHS Trust at Maidstone business park, rather than a TV crew member. ITV, in any case, is still keeping "an eye on Euro 2020", as any cancellation would result in loss of advertising revenue, thus creating an extreme deficit. The broadcaster, alongside BBC, have already had to resort to adapting their coverage of the Six Nations Rugby, with matches being postponed. The situation is also being monitored by ITV's soaps, Coronation Street and Emmerdale, as they insist they are putting safety first. What action are Channel 4 and Channel 5 taking on coronavirus? Channel 4 has reportedly created an "at-risk productions" list – programmes that involve overseas filming, such as First Dates Hotel, as well as UK hospital shows, such as one of its flagship shows, 24 Hours in A&E. In fact, an individual said that hospitals may lock down in order to reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading. Channel 5 has also reportedly taken similar measures in terms of certain kinds of productions that could involve a risk to TV crew health and so, a watching brief is being maintained, however there are no existing plans of any show cancellations. The channel’s owner, Viacom International Studios could potentially implement group travel restrictions to their producers.
Who is Norway’s Eurovision 2020 entry, Ulrikke, who will sing Attention?
Attention everyone! Norway’s new star is soaring to the Netherlands…
In Norway’s aptly named Melodi Grand Prix 2020, Ulrikke Brandstorp crossed the finish line to become her country’s representative at Eurovision 2020. But will she pip the other contestants to the post in Rotterdam? Here's the low-down… Who is representing Norway at Eurovision 2020? Age: 24 Instagram: @ulrikkeofficial Twitter: @Ulrikkeofficial Ulrikke Brandstorp is Norway’s Eurovision nomination. She is a singer, songwriter and musical actress and known for participating in singing contests, Idol, The Voice and TV show, Stjernekamp. Soon after that, she appeared on Addresse: Tel Aviv (a show about Eurovision), charity show Håp i ei gryte and Idrettsgallaen, where she paid tribute to ski athletes Marit Bjørgen and Ole Einar Bjørndalen with a moving performance. Since 2019, she has been essaying the role of Liesl in the musical, The Sound of Music, performing in the Folketeateret in Oslo. View oEmbed on the source website What is Norway’s Eurovision 2020 song called? View oEmbed on the source website Ulrikke will be singing Attention, written by herself, Christian Ingebrigtsen and Kjetil Mørland. The song – which is composed in English – narrates a girl ‘longing for attention’ from her lover, who is seemingly ‘inattentive’ to her needs and so, she questions their relationship. Where did Iceland come in last year’s Eurovision? Whilst Norway been performing at Eurovision for a long time, since 1960 for a total of 59 times, the nation has finished last more times than any other. Last year, however, their representative, KEiiNO who performed Spirit in the Sky finished in an impressive 6th place with a total of 331 points. Nonetheless, Norway has won the contest an impressive three times: the most recent and memorable win was the song Fairytale, performed by the remarkable Alexander Rybak, who sang and played the violin and won by a landslide with a massive 387 points. The country also won back in 1985 and 1995. Can Ulrikke live up to her marvellous predecessors and scoop victory for Norway once again? When is Eurovision 2020? This year’s Eurovision Song Contest grand final will take place at the Ahoy Rotterdam Arena on Saturday 16th of May and will be broadcast live on BBC One. The semi-finals will take place on Tuesday 12 and Thursday 14 May, with 10 countries from each qualifying to Saturday’s grand final – and both will be aired on BBC Four. Click here to read more about Eurovision 2020 The Eurovision Song Contest 2020 final is on 16th May 2020
Who is Belarus’s Eurovision 2020 entry, VAL, who will sing Da Vidna?
Belarusian group VAL initially competed against a staggering 49 acts to reach the country’s national final to choose the nomination for Eurovision. Will they be able to beat 42 countries at Eurovision? Here, you will find all you need to know… Who is representing Belarus at Eurovision 2020? Age: 25 Instagram: @val.music Couple Valerie Gribusova and Vlad Pashkevich are the duo behind VAL. They are an eclectic pair who like to experiment with house, R&B, pop and hip-hop styles of music, combined with vogue and fashion. Since they launched first single Кто ты есть (Who Are You), the couple has pushed the boundaries of their music and performances. Lead singer, songwriter and dancer Valerie Gribusova previously competed in The Voice of Ukraine and won the singing competition Slavic Bazaar. Her partner in music and love, Vlad Pashkevich is a music producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose production studio ToneTwins produced Belarus’ Eurovision 2017 entry Story Of My Life by Naviband. View oEmbed on the source website What is Belarus’s Eurovision 2020 song called? View oEmbed on the source website VAL will be singing Da Vidna, which means "Until Dawn". The lyrics send a rousing and enlightening testament to love and traversing through darkness and solitude to brightness and intimacy. Where did Belarus come in last year’s Eurovision? Belarus only finished in 24th position with 31 points, meaning VAL have got their work cut out for them. The nation has only been competing in Eurovision since 2004. Its best placing was sixth in 2007, with the song Work your Magic, performed by Dmitry Koldun. Will Belarus’s VAL be the best in Eurovision this year? When is Eurovision 2020? This year’s Eurovision Song Contest grand final will take place at the Ahoy Rotterdam Arena on Saturday 16th of May and will be broadcast live on BBC One. The semi-finals will take place on Tuesday 12 and Thursday 14 May, with 10 countries from each qualifying to Saturday’s grand final – and both will be aired on BBC Four. Click here to read more about Eurovision 2020 The Eurovision Song Contest 2020 final is on 16th May 2020
Who is Germany’s Eurovision 2020 entry Ben Dolic, who will sing Violent Thing?
Germany announces their Eurovision 2020 representative, Ben Dolic…
Ben Dolic faced a 100-strong crowd from all over Germany and international expert panel of 20 music professionals to compete in Rotterdam and successfully won over them. Can Ben win over Eurovision too? Here is all you need to know… Who is representing Germany at Eurovision 2020? Age: 22 Instagram: @bendolic Twitter: @BenDolic97 Even at the young age of 22, Ben is no stranger to showbiz. When he was 12, he entered and reached the semi-final of the Slovenian version of Got Talent. In 2016, whilst still at high school, he joined the music group, D Base with whom he performed at the Evrovizijska Melodija or EMA - the Slovenian preselection process for the Eurovision Song Contest. And he took part in the eighth season of The Voice of Germany, finishing as runner-up. View oEmbed on the source website What is Germany’s Eurovision 2020 song called? View oEmbed on the source website Ben will sing Violent Thing, written by Borislav Milanov, Peter St. James, Dag Lundberg, Jimmy Thorén and Connor Martin. Despite the "violent" title, the lyrics are a playful and mischievous rendition of young love, so Eurovision viewers are in for a peppy number. Where did Germany come in last year’s Eurovision? The nation only finished in 25th position with 24 points in 2019, so Ben will have to pull his socks up if he wants to climb the leader board. As one of the seven countries that made its debut at Eurovision in 1956, Germany has participated in the contest 62 times and has competed in every contest more than any other country. Ben will hopefully be inspired by the fact that Germany has won the contest twice – in 1982 with the song Ein bißchen Frieden performed by Nicole and exactly ten years ago in 2010, with the song Satellite, performed by Lena. Can Ben guide Germany to greatness once again? When is Eurovision 2020? This year’s Eurovision Song Contest grand final will take place at the Ahoy Rotterdam Arena on Saturday 16th of May and will be broadcast live on BBC One. The semi-finals will take place on Tuesday 12 and Thursday 14 May, with 10 countries from each qualifying to Saturday’s grand final – and both will be aired on BBC Four. Click here to read more about Eurovision 2020 The Eurovision Song Contest 2020 final is on 16th May 2020
Who is Croatia’s Eurovision 2020 entry Damir Kedžo, who will sing Divlji vjetre?
Croatia sends Damir Kedžo to croon for Eurovision 2020…
Damir Kedžo left 15 other contenders in the dust, when he won Croatia’s national final, Dora 2020, in their bid to find their Eurovision representative. Can he do the same at Rotterdam in May? Here are all the details… Who is representing Croatia at Eurovision 2020? View oEmbed on the source website Age: 32 Instagram: @damirkedzo Damir is well known in the Croatian music scene and may well give the other Eurovision contestants a run for their money, as he has 16 years of professional singing under his belt. His songs have also been some of the most listened to in his home country for the last few years and his singles are award-winning hits, including Sve u meni se budi, which became the number one hit song in Croatia, attracting five million YouTube views. What is Croatia’s Eurovision 2020 song called? View oEmbed on the source website Damir will be singing Divlji vjetre, which means "Wild Wind" in English. The track was written and composed by Ante Pecotić. Whilst the lyrics are not yet available to see, judging by its English translation, we can hazard a guess that it will be a powerful number with a strong message. Where did Croatia come in last year’s Eurovision? Damir will have his work cut out for him if he wants to beat last year’s result of failure to qualify for the final and an overall position of 14th place and 64 points. Out of the 24 times that Croatia has performed at Eurovision, the country’s highest placing in the contest so far has been fourth place, which the nation achieved twice – in 1996 and 1999. Does Damir dare to dash to the top? When is Eurovision 2020? This year’s Eurovision Song Contest grand final will take place at the Ahoy Rotterdam Arena on Saturday 16th of May and will be broadcast live on BBC One. The semi-finals will take place on Tuesday 12 and Thursday 14 May, with 10 countries from each qualifying to Saturday’s grand final – and both will be aired on BBC Four. Click here to read more about Eurovision 2020 The Eurovision Song Contest 2020 final is on 16th May 2020
Who is Cyprus’s Eurovision 2020 entry Sandro who will sing Running?
It was back in November 2019 when it was announced that Sandro – full name Alessandro H. Ruetten - will compete in Rotterdam in May 2020. So, it looks like the singer has been preparing for a while to have a shot at making it to the top, but will he be able to do it? Here is everything you need to know… Who is representing Cyprus at Eurovision 2020? View oEmbed on the source website Age: 23 Instagram: @sandromusic_official Sandro has been immersed in music from a very young age – he began singing and playing the drums when he was only four years old. Hailing from a musically inclined family, it may come as no surprise that he started playing the guitar at the age of eight and learnt piano. He formed his first band at 15 and began writing and producing his own rock and pop songs. He is known for his skilled voice and natural abilities to connect with the audience and convey his songs’ emotions. Sandro first made it to the national stage when he appeared on The Voice of Germany – only because his cousin applied on his behalf! In 2019, he was invited to represent the USA at the New Wave festival – the most prestigious international singing event in Russia. What is Cyprus’s Eurovision 2020 song called? View oEmbed on the source website Sandro will be singing Running and is pulling out all the stops to ensure he sings the best, as the song is co-written by himself and Alfie Arcuri, the Australian singer-songwriter who won The Voice Australia in 2016. It is Sandro’s philosophy that music must be authentic, truthful and reach people’s hearts, so Eurovision viewers may need a tissue on stand-by during his performance on the night! Where did Cyprus come in last year’s Eurovision? The country finished in 13th position in 2019’s Contest, with 149 points – a dramatic fall from the previous year, which was Cyprus’s best year, as Eleni Foureira finished in second place with a whopping 262 points with song Fuego. Cyprus has a significant history with Eurovision, having joined in 1981, but did not compete in three separate occasions in 1988, 2001 and most recently, 2014 due to ineligibility, disqualification and public indifference and economic difficulties respectively. If Cyprus achieved silver position only in 2018, will Sandro have a shot at gold in 2020? When is Eurovision 2020? This year’s Eurovision Song Contest grand final will take place at the Ahoy Rotterdam Arena on Saturday 16th of May and will be broadcast live on BBC One. The semi-finals will take place on Tuesday 12 and Thursday 14 May, with 10 countries from each qualifying to Saturday’s grand final – and both will be aired on BBC Four. Click here to read more about Eurovision 2020 The Eurovision Song Contest 2020 final is on 16th May 2020