BAFTA-winning The Night Manager actor confirmed for all-star political thriller on Northern Ireland peace process
"It's about the belief that dialogue can triumph over violence," said director Terry George.
Chris O'Dowd will lead the cast of an upcoming political thriller titled Ceasefire, which dramatises events leading up to the Good Friday Agreement that brought peace to Northern Ireland. The former IT Crowd and Black Mirror star will play Niall O'Dowd (no relation), an Irish-American journalist who played a covert role in connecting the Irish Republican Army (IRA) with US President Bill Clinton's government. The upcoming feature film, titled Ceasefire, will follow O'Dowd as he "risks his life" to secure a lasting peace between the "deadliest enemies", with an all-star cast assembled to play key figures in the true story. Hollywood legend Jane Fonda has been cast as the US Ambassador to Ireland Jean Kennedy Smith, the sister of assassinated President John F Kennedy, who represented the Clinton administration in Dublin between 1993 and 1998. John C Reilly will play American politician Bruce Morrison, known for being an intermediary between Gerry Adams and Clinton, while Ciarán Hinds will portray businessman William J Flynn, another active participant in the peace process. BAFTA-winning The Night Manager alum Tom Hollander, also known for The White Lotus and Feud: Capote vs The Swans, has been announced for a leading role in the film too, although his character is yet to be confirmed. Ceasefire is the latest project from film director Terry George, whose past works In the Name of the Father, The Boxer and Some Mother's Son, have examined aspects of The Troubles. He is also known for harrowing 2004 drama Hotel Rwanda. George wrote the script for the film, which is expected to commence filming in Ireland later this year. The filmmaker said in a statement (via Deadline): "Ceasefire is about the fragile, dangerous, often invisible work required to end conflict. "It's about the belief that dialogue can triumph over violence. It's a message and a story that is dramatic, moving and vital. I am honoured to tell it." View Green Video on the source website Producers Trevor Birney and Patrick O'Neill added: "The war in Northern Ireland was an intractable conflict. After 25 years, any hope for an end to the violence had all but gone. "The story behind the process that led to peace is thrilling and emotional and a critical contemporary reminder that individuals – not governments – can bring about change that can save the lives of innocents caught up in a war they didn't want. "Terry is one of Ireland's greatest filmmakers and he has assembled an amazing cast for the film. We are beyond excited to be going into production on Ceasefire later this year." Ceasefire is coming soon. Check out more of our Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast. Add shows to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.
Ricky Gervais's new Netflix comedy Alley Cats confirms release date
The animated series sees the After Life cast reunite – as you've never seen them before.
Ricky Gervais sitcom Alley Cats finally has a confirmed premiere date on Netflix, with the animated series set to arrive this summer. The six-part comedy imagines the "trials and tribulations of a group of feral British cats from all walks of society, who seek companionship while ruminating on everyday life". Gervais voices the main character alongside a cast containing many of his After Life collaborators, including Tom Basden, David Earl, Kerry Godliman, Diane Morgan, Jo Hartley, Andrew Brooke and Tony Way. Joining the party for this latest project is EastEnders legend Natalie Cassidy, whose prior work in the comedy genre includes Psychoville, Mandy and Motherland. If you're excited to see what's in store, mark your calendars: Alley Cats will be available to stream on Netflix from Friday 7 August 2026. Netflix promises that Gervais's "signature style of heart and social commentary" will feature in the series, which marks his first self-produced animated effort since The Ricky Gervais Show concluded in 2012. That series took segments from the podcast of the same name (also featuring Stephen Merchant and Karl Pilkington), and brought them to life in a retro style evoking The Flintstones and Scooby-Doo producers Hanna-Barbera. Therefore, Alley Cats marks Gervais's first major foray into scripted animation (besides his work on a popular 2006 episode of The Simpsons). Don't Hug Me I'm Scared producers Blink Industries are behind the design of the show. The comedian will be in attendance at this June's Annecy International Animation Festival, where he'll join a discussion of the upcoming project and the first two episodes will be screened for guests. Speaking to Radio Times earlier this year, Gervais said it was a "no brainer" to work with his After Life cast again in Alley Cats. "You know them, you trust them, you know what they're good at [and] it's fun," he explained. Alley Cats is coming to Netflix on 7 August 2026. Sign up for Netflix from £5.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream. Check out more of our Comedy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast. Add shows to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.
Harry Potter TV series renewed for season 2 at HBO – as major star addresses Voldemort casting rumours
Would the latest suggestion be a Vision-ary choice?
HBO's Harry Potter TV series has been renewed for a second season, prior to a single episode being released, as the streamer attempts to limit the hiatus between each instalment. The show is expected to devote an entire season to each entry in JK Rowling's series of books, meaning that the second entry will be based primarily on Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Production will resume in the autumn, with season 1 writer Jon Brown (The Franchise, Succession) being promoted to co-showrunner alongside Francesca Gardiner in order to facilitate the show's demanding overlapping schedule. "It has become clear that bringing on a co-showrunner is the key to maintaining our momentum," said Gardiner in a statement. The comment implicitly addresses concern that a slow production cycle could result in stars Dominic McLaughlin (Harry), Alastair Stout (Ron) and Arabella Stanton (Hermione) growing up faster than their characters. "I've loved working with Jon from the very first day we met on Succession through to these recent times together on Harry Potter," she continued. "Not only do I have huge admiration for his writing, but he's also a brilliant collaborator and a lovely person." Brown commented: "It has been a joy to write on Philosopher's Stone and I'd like to thank Francesca and HBO for putting their faith in me to continue this remarkable journey. Seems you're never too old to get your invitation to Hogwarts." View Green Video on the source website The news comes with speculation still rampant over who will play the Wizarding World's big bad, Lord Voldemort, in the rebooted series, with original star Ralph Fiennes recently playing down rumours of his return. It seems more likely that, as with the rest of the Harry Potter cast, the role will go to a new actor, with suggestions ranging from Cillian Murphy to Tilda Swinton and, most recently, Paul Bettany. The actor, known for playing JARVIS/Vision in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, addressed the murmurs of his involvement in a new interview for the US launch of Amadeus, where he expressed reluctance to take on another role requiring extensive make-up. "Unfortunately, it's just a rumour," he said. "I'm not sure that I could face any more prosthetics in my life. I've had a lot of them... Maybe by then we'd be able to AI my nose [but] nobody's even asking me to do it. "We're talking about it as if anybody's interested in hiring me... they're just not!" In the same interview, Amadeus co-star Will Sharpe interjected that he thought Bettany would be "excellent" in the villainous role. But for now, we'll just have to wait and see who the show bosses will settle on. View oEmbed on the source website Harry Potter author JK Rowling has faced backlash in some quarters due to her views on transgender rights. In 2020, she published a lengthy statement detailing her stance on sex and gender debates – the essay was criticised and disputed by LGBTQ+ charities including Stonewall. Rowling has also shared her views on social media, including in a 2024 post on X (formerly Twitter), in which she insisted that "there are no trans kids" and opposed the idea that a child can be "born in the wrong body". In May 2025, Rowling set up the JK Rowling Women's Fund, which describes itself as offering legal funding support to "individuals and organisations fighting to retain women’s sex-based rights". Harry Potter actors including Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, have distanced themselves from Rowling's views and have issued statements supporting the transgender community. Others, including Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter and Jim Broadbent, have defended the author from the criticism she has received. Harry Potter will be coming to HBO in the US and HBO Max globally on 25 December 2026. Subscribe to HBO Max in the UK from £5.99 a month. Add Harry Potter to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Death Valley season 2 release date is finally confirmed for hit BBC One series
A litter pick takes a lethal turn in the season premiere.
It's almost time for another expedition into Death Valley, as the BBC has announced a premiere date for the hotly anticipated second season. Gwyneth Keyworth and Timothy Spall star in the comedic murder-mystery series, playing the unlikely partnership of plucky detective Janie Mallowan and actor John Chapel, who was once her idol as a TV detective named Caesar. The series was a runaway hit on BBC One and iPlayer last year, besting David Mitchell's Ludwig in overnight ratings to become the broadcaster's biggest comedy launch in five years. It's no surprise, then, that a renewal soon followed, with Death Valley season 2 now confirmed to premiere on Sunday 17 May at 8:15pm on BBC One. Viewers will also be able to binge the box set on iPlayer from that same date. The opening episode of Death Valley season 2 stages an awkward reunion between the pair, whose fragile friendship was blown apart when it emerged that John had started dating Janie's mother, Yvonne (Gavin & Stacey's Melanie Walters). They'll need to put their entangled personal lives to one side when called to investigate a suspicious death among a community service group, after one of its members is pushed from the top of a ruined castle. According to the synopsis, the suspects include "the deceased's spiteful ex-wife, a sarky young offender, a hardened criminal, a disgraced Welsh politician and their happy-go-lucky supervisor". John will take a typically eccentric approach to the case, going undercover within the group to glean who might have been capable of such a terrible crime. Meanwhile, we'll find out how Janie is faring with her promotion to the rank of Detective Inspector. That's not the only change in her life, as she's also flown the nest in protest of her mother's love life, moving in with her pathologist colleague Helen Baxter (played by a returning Alexandria Riley). View oEmbed on the source website Steffan Rhodri and Rithvik Andugula complete the series regulars, while guests include SNL UK's Hammed Animashaun and Absolutely Fabulous icon Jane Horrocks, plus Alexandra Roach (Nightsleeper), Hannah Daniel (The Guest) and newcomer Jacob Ethan Tanner. Also set to make guest appearances are Roisin Conaty (After Life), Mark Lewis Jones (Chernobyl), Jim Howick (Here we Go), Owen Teale (Game of Thrones), Asim Chaudhry (People Just Do Nothing), Lynn Hunter (Submarine), Rhiannon Clements (Pushers), Mike Bubbins (Mammoth) and Liz Carr (Silent Witness). Death Valley season 2 comes to BBC One and iPlayer on Sunday 17 May 2026. Catch up on season 1 now. Add Death Valley to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Philomena Cunk favourite Diane Morgan is reunited with Motherland co-star in first look at new BBC sci-fi sitcom
A widowed older woman finds an unlikely ally in her robotic home helper in the upcoming BBC sitcom.
Diane Morgan reunites with a fan-favourite Motherland co-star for her latest BBC sitcom Ann Droid, which dropped a selection of first-look images today. The upcoming series follows Sue (played by The Royle Family and Riot Women star Sue Johnston) after she is gifted a high-tech "Basic Eldercare Robot" by her well-meaning son, Michael (Motherland's Paul Ready). The high-tech helper is intended to look after Sue when Michael moves out (again) to have another crack at repairing his ailing marriage, much to the chagrin of his mother, who considers the "overly attentive" appliance to be her "worst nightmare". Nevertheless, over time an "unlikely friendship" develops between the two, when widowed Sue realises that her robotic aide can help with "settling scores" and other such things that her son "never gets round to". Described as a "buddy comedy between an older woman and her robot who isn't quite as advanced socially as she is technically," the series asks a key question in the age of AI: "What is replaceable and what is not?" These first-look images offer a glimpse of the odd pairing of Sue and 'Linda' (the name her second-hand Ann Droid goes by), including a snap of the latter fresh out of her rather worn-out box on the doorstep. Another image gives us our first look at Sue and her son, Michael, affectionately pictured together in her kitchen. This marks the latest collaboration between Morgan and Ready, following their memorable partnership as close friends Liz and Kevin in Motherland, who navigated the world of suburban parenting alongside Julia (Anna Maxwell Martin). It remains to be seen whether Michael is quite as timid as stay-at-home dad Kevin, but the characters are connected by their similarly imperfect marital life. Ann Droid is a six-part sitcom headed to BBC One and iPlayer later this year, co-created by Morgan and former Taskmaster contestant Sarah Kendall (Dreamland). The series was commissioned in May of last year and started filming in October. At the time, Johnston commented: "I'm thrilled to be back in the heart of BBC comedy. Diane and Sarah have created a comedy that will resonate with lots of different audiences, for different reasons and I cannot wait to get started." Ready added: "I don't know much, but I do know that if you get a chance to work with Diane Morgan, you take it. Immediately! Can't wait to be reunited and bring Michael to life in her brilliant comic series." Ann Droid is coming soon to BBC One and iPlayer. Check out more of our Comedy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast. Add Ann Droid to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.
Friends icon Lisa Kudrow reveals surprising opinion of beloved character: "He was horrible"
The comedy star isn't mincing her words in a new interview.
Friends star Lisa Kudrow has revealed her unfiltered thoughts on one of the show's most iconic storylines – and characters – as she blasts Ross (David Schwimmer) for being a "bad boyfriend". Kudrow became a household name through the character of Phoebe Buffay, one of the six principal members of the Central Perk pals, whose lives were chronicled across 10 seasons of the legendary sitcom. In that time, the show's most famous (or infamous) coupling was Ross and Rachel (Jennifer Aniston), whose will-they-won't-they dynamic stretched across the entire run. Their initial dalliance came to an end after a blazing row over Rachel's demanding job, which brought her in close proximity to handsome colleague Mark (Steven Eckholdt), whom Ross felt rather threatened by. These strains eventually caused Rachel to suggest a "break" in their relationship, at which point Ross immediately slept with another woman. Cue: decades' worth of debate over whether this was an act of cheating, or if they really were "on a break". Kudrow's mind is made up: "Well, no [they weren't]. But it's beyond that. It's beyond break or not — he was a bad boyfriend." The actor told Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show: "We did the reunion just, like, five years ago… We were all so like, 'They were on a break.' Like, 'Rachel, that hysterical shrew, not letting him sleep with someone and won't get back together.'" However, since rewatching the sitcom as a way to remember her late co-star Matthew Perry, Kudrow has come to see the storyline from a different point of view. "She shouldn't have gotten back with him because he was horrible," she continued, to supportive cheers from the studio audience. Kudrow concluded: "To me, it's like, I don't care if he slept with three other women or no other women. You had a crisis at work, so you weren't available for a few nights, and he flipped out. And you're like, 'Wow!'" The actor is referencing the cringe-inducing moment when Ross turns up at Rachel's office with a picnic basket as she's frantically working out-of-hours on a company emergency. However it was intended, the gesture proves to be highly misjudged. You can find Kudrow's full conversation with Fallon below, where she also discusses the third and final season of The Comeback. View oEmbed on the source website Friends is available to stream on HBO Max. Subscribe from £5.99 a month. Check out more of our Comedy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast. Add Friends to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.
Mock the Week revival returning for special bonus episodes ahead of official season 2 on TLC
The satirical panel show won't need to worry about a shortage of material...
Mock the Week's revival is going from strength to strength, with additional episodes ordered to air this summer in anticipation of a continually chaotic news cycle. The satirical panel show, hosted by Dara Ó Briain, started life on BBC Two, where it enjoyed a remarkable 17-year run before facing the axe in 2022. Fortunately, it wouldn't be gone for long. Earlier this year, free-to-air channel TLC staged a revival for the series, which teamed returning host Ó Briain with new regular panellist Rhys James, to a positive reception from viewers. So much so that, in addition to the previously confirmed second season (coming in September), Warner Bros Discovery – which owns TLC – has now commissioned five additional episodes of Mock the Week to air during the summer. Ó Briain commented: "The Prime Minister in trouble, the world running out of oil, and the most chaotic World Cup in history about to start? Well, that sounds like a week worth mocking. Of course we're back!" Indeed, with so many shocking stories in the news, and troublingly few signs of the cycle slowing down, Mock the Week won't be short of topics to cover or controversy to court during its special summer run. Mock the Week's summer edition will consist of five episodes in total, which begin on TLC at 9pm on Sunday 7 June. Guests for the abridged run are still to be confirmed, but the network promises more of "the nation's favourite comedians". The previous season boasted appearances from the likes of Hugh Dennis, Russell Howard, Sara Pascoe, Katherine Ryan and Ahir Shah, among others. Warner Bros Discovery's Graham Lafferty said: "We are delighted to be partnering with [producers] Angst to bring viewers an extra burst of Mock the Week this summer on TLC. "Following May's elections and a football World Cup from North America, fans of the series can expect more comedy gold as topical satire meets a summer packed with global and local events and an ever-changing news agenda." Mock the Week is available to stream on TLC via Discovery+ and HBO Max. Add Mock the Week to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Daredevil: Born Again season 2 ending explained - Kingpin's fate is a grave injustice
Matt Murdock's idea of justice is called into question in a tone-deaf finale.
**Warning: contains full spoilers for Daredevil: Born Again season 2 episode 8.** Daredevil: Born Again season 2 has ended on rather odd note, with the future of Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) hanging in the balance while Wilson Fisk (Vincent D'Onofrio) essentially gets off scot-free. The whole season has been building towards a conclusive showdown between these arch-enemies, which finally takes place after the earth-shattering trial of Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll). But while Born Again season 2's finale, titled The Southern Cross, will have major ramifications for Matt himself, it may leave fans divided over the fate of New York's unstable Mayor, formerly known as Kingpin. For all the build-up and angst that preceded it, Daredevil: Born Again's towering villain is handed a gentle ultimatum that hardly seems appropriate given the extent of his violent and ruthless crimes. Is this really the end of his story? Read on for our take on the strange Daredevil: Born Again season 2 ending – including Kingpin's fate, Matt's enormous sacrifice and the potential return of The Defenders. Daredevil: Born Again season 2 ending explained – Kingpin's fate is a grave injustice Daredevil: Born Again season 2 ends with a battle at a New York City courthouse, where the dynamic between Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) and Wilson Fisk (Vincent D'Onofrio) is permanently transformed. Prior to the riot breaking out, Matt had turned up to defend Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll) against the trumped-up charges put against her by Mayor Fisk's corrupt administration, making an enormous sacrifice in order to do so. In front of the entire courtroom and media in attendance, he outed himself as the masked vigilante known as Daredevil, and used this revelation to provide damning witness testimony against the crook formerly known as Kingpin. With Karen acquitted and Fisk's credibility severely damaged, it initially seems to be a resounding victory for all those who have been working to topple the New York City regime. That is, until reports of a shooter send the premises into lockdown, with Fisk using the opportunity to broadcast one last message to his dwindling supporters, appealing for their loyalty and defence against the rebels seeking to bring him down. BB Urich (Genneya Walton) responds with a parody of the message, which successfully diminishes its impact (but the rapid rate at which she writes, films and edits these videos must rank as one of the most implausible elements of the season). View Green Video on the source website As both sides call their troops, the result is a chaotic scene somewhat resembling Washington DC's real-life January 6 attack on the Capitol building, as swarms of enraged civilians descend on the premises seeking retribution. Although Fisk still has a smattering of Anti-Vigilante Task Force (AVTF) members to rely on, he appears to be outnumbered by the New York City residents seeking to end his reign. Not that it matters, as he makes short work of those who approach him. On his journey through the courthouse corridors, Kingpin kills and maims dozens of the protestors, eventually turning up in the main reception with blood splattered across his once-pristine white suit. Finally, he is overwhelmed by the crowd. Daredevil puts an end to the pile-on, before offering a rather lenient deal to his longtime foe. Essentially, he tells Kingpin to 'just go away' – to leave New York and never return. The question is: does that seem a fair punishment, given Fisk's countless acts of barbarity (in this season alone)? At this late stage in his crime-fighting career, Daredevil generally doesn't kill and has firmly resisted suggestions that he may have to break that rule in Fisk's case, so it isn't surprising to see him seek a non-lethal resolution to their feud. However, that this proposition contains no real penalty for Fisk is arguably just as morally questionable as capital punishment. Sure, he's banned from New York City and stripped of his political authority, but he's given a loose leash to rebuild elsewhere. To Matt Murdock, it appears, Fisk can commit whichever unspeakable crimes he likes, so long as they are geographically removed from his own stomping ground. When we last see Kingpin, he is stood on a beach, yearning for the city from which he's been banished. Although the moment is pitched as being the momentous, even emotional, conclusion to a decade-long storyline, it feels neither satisfying nor just. The multiple murders and criminal conspiracies he's been party to in just the past 12 months seem a distant memory to Matt, Karen, the NYPD, the District Attorney and, above all, the writers of the show. Adding to the confusion, leaked set photos suggest that Kingpin will, in fact, be back next year. So what's the point in any of this? What will happen to Matt Murdock in season 3? Once the dust settles on the courthouse catastrophe, Matt Murdock has to face the daunting consequences of his decision to unmask as Daredevil. Although it helped put a stop to Fisk's authoritarian rule, Matt has now definitively lost the legal and physical protection that his secret identity had once afforded him. After a fleeting taste at a normal life with Karen, the police turn up to arrest him for his many years' worth of vigilante activity. Resigned to due process, Matt goes quietly to jail. It's a perilous situation for Matt to be in, given that any one of the dangerous criminals that he's put behind bars could take this opportunity to enact their revenge. For more insight into how Daredevil in prison might unfold, check out Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark's The Devil in Cell-Block D, which some fans speculate could be a key influence on Born Again season 3. Luke Cage returns – but will The Defenders reunite? Mike Colter reprises the role of Luke Cage in the Daredevil: Born Again season 2 finale, marking his first time in the role since the Netflix/Marvel shows were cancelled in 2019. It had been strongly hinted that Luke and Jessica Jones were still together, and that Danielle was their shared daughter from the comic books, but Colter's appearance is a welcome confirmation regardless. What remains a mystery, however, is precisely what he's been up to with the enigmatic Mr Charles (Matthew Lillard), who has apparently been recruiting powered individuals for covert missions overseas. At the tail-end of this season, he releases Luke from active duty and replaces him with Benjamin Poindexter aka Bullseye (Wilson Bethel), freeing up Harlem's unbreakable hero to play a larger role in Born Again season 3. A leaked photo from the set of the next chapter showed Ritter, Colter and Finn Jones in costume as Jessica, Luke and Danny Rand (aka Iron Fist) respectively, which has raised hopes that Netflix's short-lived The Defenders could, at last, get a second life. For now, it's unclear exactly what this trio are up to, but it might be that they return to the streets of New York City to fill the void when Hell's Kitchen loses its horn-headed hero. (A refurbed Alias Investigations office suggests that Jessica is back for good.) One ticking time bomb on the brink of detonating is Heather Glenn (Margarita Levieva), whose descent into villainy sees her don the Muse mask for the first time – but will she really continue his gruesome legacy? Born Again season 3 is currently filming in New York City, so there won't be too long until we find out. Daredevil: Born Again is available to stream on Disney+. Sign-up to Disney+ from £5.99 a month. Add Daredevil: Born Again to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Sci-fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Daredevil: Born Again season 3 release date speculation and latest news
Daredevil: Born Again is returning for a third season on Disney+, meaning fans can rest easy knowing that the show's latest shocking cliffhanger will be resolved. The season 2 finale saw the rivalry between Daredevil (Charlie Cox) and Kingpin (Vincent D'Onofrio) spill out onto the streets of New York City, culminating in a climactic riot at the central courthouse. The momentous ending left some huge questions about the next chapter, some of which have already been answered by leaked photos from the set – if you'd rather not know what they captured, be warned of details below. Daredevil: Born Again star Cox, who debuted as the Hell's Kitchen vigilante almost a decade ago on Netflix, recently told Entertainment Weekly that the next episodes will feel distinct from what's come before. "I haven't read the whole thing," he began, "but it feels like we've shed the skin of the Mayor Fisk era. It feels like it's a new book, a new dawn a little bit. It's still a continuation, obviously, but it's slightly different. "I can't give anything away, but it's a new thing, which is fun." If you're as intrigued as we are, read on for everything we know so far about Daredevil: Born Again season 3 on Disney+. And if you can't get enough of New York City crimefighters, check out our coverage of The Punisher and Spider-Man: Brand New Day, too. Daredevil: Born Again season 3 release date speculation Daredevil: Born Again season 3 does not yet have a confirmed premiere date, but the new episodes are expected to arrive sometime in March 2027. Defying the trend of increasingly lengthy breaks between seasons, Born Again has so far managed to stick to a rapid one-year production cycle, helped along by two advance renewals from Disney+. That begs the question: will the streamer soon order a fourth season or wrap things up as a trilogy? View Green Video on the source website Total viewership is likely to be the most significant deciding factor, but precise Disney+ streaming numbers are not made available to the public, so it's difficult to say with certainty how Born Again has been performing. So far, it hasn't cracked today's top 10 streaming shows, according to trusted North American ratings by Nielsen, while on Disney+ UK's internal top ten it has been challenged by the likes of The Testaments and Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair. That said, fellow Marvel series Wonder Man also appeared to underperform according to similar metrics, yet it was still handed a second season earlier this year, suggesting that studio expectations and critical reception are important factors too. Daredevil: Born Again season 3 cast – rumoured and returning <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2026/05/born-again-season-3-defenders-set-photo-a4741ed.jpg" width="2400" height="1601" alt="Mike Colter, Finn Jones and Krysten Ritter walk side by side in costume on a Brooklyn street set during Daredevil: Born Again season 3 filming, surrounded by crew and production equipment in April 2026" title="born-again-season-3-defenders-set-photo" /> Charlie Cox will lead the cast of Daredevil: Born Again season 3, reprising the role of blind lawyer Matt Murdock, who leads a not-so-secret double life as the vigilante of Hell's Kitchen. In season 2, Cox reunited with another prominent face from Marvel's Netflix years, as Krysten Ritter stepped back into the boots of her tortured and acerbic private investigator Jessica Jones. It seems that the party is only getting bigger, however, with the recent finale giving us a fleeting glimpse of Mike Colter as Luke Cage, as he returns home from a mysterious assignment abroad. In an added twist, former Iron Fist star Finn Jones was recently spotted on the set of Daredevil: Born Again season 3, suggesting a full reunion for Netflix's short-lived crossover The Defenders is on the cards. Of all the Marvel/Netflix shows, Iron Fist had the weakest reception from critics and fans alike, with Jones catching some flack by association, so it will be interesting to see if Born Again can offer some redemption for those past disappointments. Daredevil: Born Again also looks set to bring back Deborah Ann Woll as Matt's love and ally Karen Page, plus Margarita Levieva as his unstable ex Heather Glenn – who appears poised to become the next homicidal menace, known as Muse. Another leaked set photo recently revealed that Zabryna Guevara's character Sheila Rivera will be running for Mayor of New York City in Born Again season 3, in the wake of Wilson Fisk's violent fall from grace. Perhaps she shouldn't feel too comfortable, though, as Vincent D'Onofrio has also been snapped filming in New York City, sporting a bushy beard as Fisk attempts to fly under the radar. Wilson Bethel and Arty Froushan are also expected to reprise their roles as cold-blooded killers Benjamin Poindexter and Buck Cashman, while Matthew Lillard's return as Mr Charles seems likely given how season 2 positioned him. It's still to be confirmed whether Genneya Walton will reprise her role as BB Urich, who was last seen taking her uncle's old office at the New York Bulletin. But we can be certain that Michael Gandolfini has taken a bow as her doomed primary source, Daniel Blake. Here's an overview of the key players in the Daredevil: Born Again cast ahead of season 3: Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock / Daredevil Vincent D'Onofrio as Wilson Fisk / Kingpin Deborah Ann Woll as Karen Page Margarita Levieva as Heather Glenn Wilson Bethel as Benjamin 'Dex' Poindexter / Bullseye Zabryna Guevara as Sheila Rivera Arty Froushan as Buck Cashman Krysten Ritter as Jessica Jones Mike Colter as Luke Cage Finn Jones as Danny Rand / Iron Fist Daredevil: Born Again season 3 plot theories Daredevil: Born Again season 3 will pick up from the earth-shattering events of the previous finale, which saw Matt Murdock arrested for his activities as Daredevil. Matt revealed himself to be the vigilante of Hell's Kitchen in a dramatic courtroom scene as he sought to bring down Wilson Fisk once and for all. It's a daring gambit for which he may pay a very high price. Sadly, it also doesn't appear to have been successful, given that set photos suggest Fisk will feature in Born Again season 3 in some capacity – can he, once again, build back up from nothing? Meanwhile, a perplexing plot thread that demands resolution involves Mr Charles, an enigmatic figure with ties to people so powerful that they make Kingpin look comparatively small-fry. He seems to be running some kind of spy outfit for powered individuals, which has so far drawn Luke Cage and Bullseye into its murky depths. Perhaps Matt himself could be next, as a means to stay out of prison. Matt's imminent prosecution seems to have brought his old teammates firmly out of hiding, with Jessica Jones being joined by Luke Cage and Danny Rand (aka Iron Fist) in season 3. It's fortunate that someone will be around to keep an eye on New York City in Matt's absence, with new threats sure to emerge – including Heather Glenn, whose descent into insanity might well lead her to don the chilling Muse mask herself. There's likely to be much speculation about the future of Marvel's 'street-level' heroes after Born Again season 3, with The Defenders reunion potentially reviving calls for further spin-offs or perhaps another team-up series. It will also be interesting to see if the next episodes pave the way for the return of other unaccounted for heroes, such as Misty Knight (Luke Cage's Simone Missick), Colleen Wing (Iron Fist's Jessica Henwick) or Claire Temple (Daredevil's Rosario Dawson). Notably, Claire was briefly referenced in a scene from Born Again season 2 (when Matt considers asking her for help), although Dawson might well be too busy with fellow Disney+ series Ahsoka to reprise the role. Is there a Daredevil: Born Again season 3 trailer? There's no trailer just yet – but we'll update this page when that changes. Daredevil: Born Again is available to stream on Disney+. Sign-up to Disney+ from £5.99 a month. Check out more of our Sci-fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast. Add Daredevil: Born Again to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.
Will there be a season 2 of Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord?
That epic finale was just the beginning...
Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord finally puts one of the franchise's most iconic villains at the centre of his very own series, chronicling his life in the years following Order 66 and the end of the Clone Wars. Sam Witwer reprises the role that he has voiced across various animated projects, after inheriting it from The Phantom Menace stars Ray Park (who handled the fight scenes) and Peter Serafinowicz (who dubbed over the dialogue). In this untold chapter of the villain's dark story, he sets his sights on taking a disillusioned Jedi as his apprentice, as part of a broader plan to take brutal revenge on those who betrayed him. The Star Wars franchise is roaring back to life this year after a quiet 2025, with Maul – Shadow Lord kicking things off on a high note, ahead of The Mandalorian and Grogu's debut this summer and video game Galactic Racer waiting further down the line. If you can't get enough of a galaxy far, far away, here's everything we know so far about the future of Maul – Shadow Lord on Disney+. Will there be a Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord season 2? Yes! Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord has been renewed for a second season on Disney+. Series creator (and Lucasfilm boss) Dave Filoni announced that the show had been renewed in early April, prior to a single episode airing, suggesting that the studio was confident it would resonate with viewers. They were right to feel that way, it seems, as Maul – Shadow Lord season 1 earned high praise upon release, even breaking a record on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes for the highest-rated Star Wars series. View Green Video on the source website When could Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord season 2 be released? Disney Plus and Lucasfilm is yet to announce a premiere date for Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord. The series comes from a different animation studio to Filoni's previous animated series, The Bad Batch, so we can't be sure that the show will follow the same time frame at this stage. Experienced Taiwan-based studio CGCG is handling the series – the outfit also known for Your Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Man and Jurassic World: Chaos Theory – so there's reason to be optimistic that they can keep to a reasonably good pace. Their work utilises similar character models to past Star Wars shows, such as The Bad Batch, The Clone Wars and Rebels, but boasts lush backgrounds, stylised colours and effects that give it a distinct visual identity. For this reason, fans would probably be understanding of a slight wait, but with any luck it can be limited to no longer than 18 months, which would point to a launch in autumn/winter 2027. That's just speculation for now, though! We'll update this page when concrete details about Maul – Shadow Lord season 2's release plans are laid out. What could happen in Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord season 2? Plot details for Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord season 2 have been kept under wraps so far, but we can safely assume it will continue revealing the untold life story of the fearsome crime boss Maul (voiced by Sam Witwer). Introduced in 1999's The Phantom Menace, where he was swiftly defeated by Obi-Wan Kenobi and long-thought dead, the striking character has received a new lease of life from George Lucas's protege Dave Filoni. He revealed that Maul didn't actually die at the end of Episode I as it appeared, but rather continued operating between the films as a deadly crime lord (as explored in The Clone Wars and Rebels). Just as The Clone Wars gave Anakin Skywalker a previously unmentioned Padawan in Ahsoka Tano, Maul – Shadow Lord is exploring a darker twist on their dynamic as the forgotten Sith seeks out an apprentice of his own. Disillusioned Jedi Devon Izara (voiced by Gideon Adlon) is targeted by Maul in season 1, and her conflict over whether to embrace the dark side or stick to the light looks poised to be a key part of this series. It adds an element of mystery to a show where, perhaps regrettably, the fate of the title character was sealed many years earlier (see 2017's Rebels episode Twin Suns). Is there a trailer for Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord season 2? Alas, there's no new footage to share just yet, but we'll update this page if that changes. Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord is available to stream on Disney+. Sign-up to Disney+ from £5.99 a month. Add Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Sci-fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Lanterns release date, cast, trailer and latest news on DC series
Will this radical reinvention pay off? There's not long until we find out...
It's a big summer for DC Comics fans with two major projects coming to its rebooted cinematic universe. Hot on the heels of the Milly Alcock-led Supergirl film (which flies into cinemas in June), we'll be getting a bold – and rather controversial – take on the Green Lantern mythos. Created by Chris Mundy (Ozark), Damon Lindelof (Watchmen) and comic book writer Tom King, HBO Max's Lanterns stars Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre as two famous members of the cosmic police force. Veteran Hal Jordan (Chandler) and rookie John Stewart (Pierre) are paired up to investigate a grisly murder that shocks a small Nebraskan town, but is there more to the case than meets the eye? Fans are certainly hoping so, as Lanterns has caught a lot of flack online for its seeming lack of sci-fi elements, which presents a stark departure from the generally vibrant and outlandish source material. Whatever the reception to the show, we do know that Pierre's John Stewart will be sticking around for at least one more appearance, as he's joined the cast of James Gunn's Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow. If you're intrigued to know more about the next big addition to DC's film and TV universe, read on for all the essential details on HBO Max's Lanterns – including the confirmed release date. Lanterns release date Lanterns will premiere on HBO Max on Sunday 16 August (US) / Monday 17 August (UK). The series drops simultaneously on both sides of the Atlantic, but the UK launch falls into the early hours of the following morning due to the time difference between the two regions. Nevertheless, it should be easier to dodge spoilers than if there were weeks or months separating the international rollout from the US debut, as has been the case numerous times in the past. The release date was finally confirmed alongside a new image which actually shows something Green Lantern-related! That being, the charging of the power ring in the cosmic lantern (see below). The image has enjoyed a warmer reception than most other advance looks at the series, which have been criticised for bearing little resemblance to the source material. Lanterns cast: Who stars in the DC Comics adaptation? Aaron Pierre (Rebel Ridge) and Kyle Chandler (Godzilla) star in Lanterns, playing DC Comics characters John Stewart and Hal Jordan, both of whom are members of the titular intergalactic police force. Green Lanterns wield rings that, among other abilities, allow them to create powerful constructs of whatever they can imagine, with the ring's strength derived from the wearer's willpower. Chandler's Hal will be eyeing retirement after years of service in the Corps, with Pierre's John being a recent recruit chosen to take over the former's unruly sector. The Green Lantern mythos hasn't had the most glorious luck transitioning to live-action, with 2011's critically panned Ryan Reynolds film being a low point, but things appear to be looking up in James Gunn's rebooted DC Universe. The writer-director introduced Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion) – one of the less likeable members of the Corps – in last summer's Superman, with the character confirmed to return in Lanterns. The Lanterns cast also includes Line of Duty's Kelly Macdonald as small town sheriff Kerry, Garret Dillahunt (Fear the Walking Dead) as modern cowboy William, and Ulrich Thomsen (Banshee) as comic book villain Sinestro. Nicole Ari Parker and Sherman Augustus has been cast as John Stewart's parents, Bernadette and John Snr, with Poorna Jagannathan, Jason Ritter and Paul Ben-Victor rounding out the main cast. Intriguingly, Ozark star Laura Linney and Mission: Impossible alum Paula Patton have also bagged roles on the show, but their characters remain undisclosed for now. Here's an overview of all the confirmed names for HBO's Lanterns: Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan Aaron Pierre as John Stewart Kelly Macdonald as Kerry Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner Garret Dillahunt as William Macon Poorna Jagannathan as Zoe Ulrich Thomsen as Sinestro Nicole Ari Parker as Bernadette Stewart Jason Ritter as Billy Macon Sherman Augustus as John Stewart Sr Paul Ben-Victor as Antaan Chris Coy as "Waylon Sanders" Cary Christopher as Noah Laura Linney as TBC Paula Patton as TBC Lanterns plot: What is it about? Lanterns combines sci-fi elements from DC's cosmic Green Lantern comic books with a gritty Earth-based murder mystery. The show introduces Hal Jordan and John Stewart – two of the most prominent characters to have held the Green Lantern mantle – depicting them as mentor and rookie on this eerie case. The mismatched pair will have to find a way to get along and extract secrets from the residents of a small Nebraskan town, which appears to be somewhat suspicious of outsiders. The Lanterns trailer was met with a flurry of criticism aimed at its drab colour palette and subdued characters, which evoke fellow HBO drama True Detective more so than a typical Green Lantern story. A recent image, released exclusively to ScreenRant, doubled down on that polarising vibe, showing a dishevelled Hal and incredulous John wearing ordinary clothes in a rather plain-looking bar. See here: View oEmbed on the source website With Hal's arch-nemesis Sinestro confirmed to appear, it's possible that the series will become more fantastical at a later point in its run – or at least allude to greater threats in the wider DC Universe. The show's tagline, which is featured on the digital poster unveiled by James Gunn, declares that "only one can wear the ring," implying that Hal and John may end up in a fight to claim its power. However, this too has provoked ire among fans, who point out that the Green Lantern Corps of the comics has hundreds of ring-wearers, including several humans, in active service at any given time. View oEmbed on the source website Lanterns trailer Lanterns dropped its first teaser trailer in March 2026, which received a decidedly mixed reception from fans. You can come to your own verdict below: View Green Video on the source website Lanterns is coming soon to HBO Max. Subscribe from £5.99 a month. Add Lanterns to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Sci-fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The Crown prequel tipped to see creator Peter Morgan return to write series beginning with events in 1901
The reported project comes with a £500 million price tag.
The Crown creator Peter Morgan is reportedly crafting a prequel series that would span almost five decades leading up to the events of the first season. According to the Daily Mail, the story will begin in 1901, with the death of Queen Victoria, and proceed to chart the various milestones and crises faced by the Royal Family up until 1947, when The Crown picks up the thread. A project of this description was first touted to be in the works back in April 2022, as the original series prepared to launch its final iteration, which starred Dame Imelda Staunton, Sir Jonathan Pryce and Lesley Manville, among others. This would prove to be the most controversial era of the lavish Netflix series, with some viewers criticising The Crown for becoming more sensationalised the closer it came to present-day events. Morgan himself said that he wouldn't want to bring the show any closer to contemporary times, to avoid the series becoming more "journalistic" than "historical" and missing aspects of recent stories that may come to light further down the line. However, he suggested in a 2024 interview with The Hollywood Reporter that a prequel series was still very much on the table. "I cannot imagine any circumstances in which I’d want to go further into the present, as it were, but at the same time, I don’t think I’m done with the subject," said Morgan. "I might find some way of coming into it from a different way. If you go back in time, you always have that wonderful opportunity for metaphor. You can find a story in the past and tell that, and it [will] actually be a story about the present, but in camouflage. "And that, I think, might be a more elegant way forward. To move forward from where I left the show off at the moment feels too soon." View Green Video on the source website These remarks offer some clues as to what Morgan has planned for the supposed prequel, with the deal between Netflix and Left Bank Pictures reportedly valued at a jaw-dropping £500 million. An insider has now told the Daily Mail: "Netflix has been locked in negotiations with the company for quite a long time about this spin-off series, but they've recently finally managed to seal the deal and come to an agreement. "Peter had already been putting pen to pad and casting is expected to take place next year." It remains to be seen how many seasons the prequel could run for, but with such a hefty sum involved, it's likely that several would be planned to examine this momentous era, which encompasses both World Wars and the abdication of Edward VIII. We'll bring you more news on the project as it comes in. The Crown is available to stream on Netflix. Sign up for Netflix from £5.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream. Add The Crown to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Scrubs revival finally gets its future confirmed after returning from 16 years off screens
JD has a big challenge to tackle in the next chapter.
The quirky doctors of the Sacred Heart aren't clocking off yet as a second season of Disney's hit Scrubs revival is on the way, chronicling the later lives of original trio JD (Zach Braff), Elliot (Sarah Chalke) and Turk (Donald Faison). Fans of the original series were relieved and delighted to find that this revival lives up to its legacy, by developing the returning characters in exciting new ways and setting up a slew of memorable new additions. In addition to positive reviews, Scrubs season 10 also drew a sizeable crowd, with the premiere episode reaching 11 million viewers in North America alone, where the series also became ABC's top-ranked comedy of the year (among adults aged 18-49). Scrubs lead actor, Braff, has made it known that, unlike Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair, this revival was always intended to run for multiple seasons – and the team has been busy putting together plans for what to do next. For one thing, co-star John C McGinley told Deadline that fans could expect "a lot more" of him in season 2, following the poignant reveal that JD's mentor Dr Cox would become his patient moving forward. Dr Cox was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease, named microscopic polyangiitis, which is incurable and requires expert care to treat – an enormous challenge in any case, but particularly between two people with such a storied history. "[JD] needs a threat, he needs consequence," said McGinley. "There has to be jeopardy, and that jeopardy is Cox, however Billy [Lawrence, creator] writes it. I think Cox will be more thickly woven into the tapestry of season 2. I'm completely speculating." Beyond Dr Cox, Braff has also assured fans that the Scrubs team have heard their demands for the original cast to have larger roles, telling TVLine that they're "working on" overcoming the hurdles involved. For example, Sacred Heart head nurse and Turk's wife Carla could only appear in a handful of the new episodes, due to her pre-existing commitments to fellow Disney comedy High Potential (starring It's Always Sunny's Kaitlin Olson). View Green Video on the source website "We only had nine episodes and we had so much to do," Braff explained. "I know some people are like, 'Wait, I want more Johnny [C McGinley], I want more Neil [Flynn as The Janitor], I want more Judy [Reyes as Carla].' We get it, and we're working on it." Original series creator and revival producer Bill Lawrence, also known for Ted Lasso and Shrinking, has previously committed to bringing back Ken Jenkins as fearsome veteran Dr Bob Kelso in the second chapter of the reboot, too. "Dr Kelso will be back next year," he told Deadline in February. "It just didn’t work out this year but it will next year." That particular returnee to the Scrubs cast would be quite momentous, given that the 85-year-old Jenkins was believed to have retired, having not taken a major role since 2018's A Series of Unfortunate Events season 2 on Netflix. We'll bring you more updates on Scrubs season 2 (aka season 11) as they come in. Scrubs is available to stream on Disney+. Sign-up to Disney+ from £5.99 a month. Add Scrubs to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Comedy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Rivals star and Pride & Prejudice icon confirmed for new 'propulsive lunar thriller' series
An astronaut goes missing on a trip to the moon in ITV's high-concept new series.
Alex Hassell and Jennifer Ehle have joined the cast of ITV's upcoming space thriller First Woman, which imagines a shocking disappearance that takes place on the lunar surface. The synopsis reads: "A biologist taking part in a groundbreaking research project, Claire Reith (Andrea Riseborough) is the first woman to set foot on the moon, and her disappearance throws suspicion on her fellow astronauts and China's rival base. "With hundreds of thousands of miles between them, can her husband Ben (Ashley Walters) uncover the truth behind his wife's disappearance?" It adds: "With the action switching between Mission Control in the UK and the lunar surface, this is a race against time like no other, with the remaining astronauts under increasing pressure and Ben hoping against hope that he and his wife can be reunited. "But how well can two people really know each other?" Rivals star Hassell has been cast as the UK's "polished, pragmatic and disciplined" Prime Minister Christopher Scott, while Pride and Prejudice alum Jennifer Ehle will play Space Flight Authority investigator Helen Sadler. Of principal concern to Helen will be the claim that Claire had willingly left her Lunar Module in the moments prior to her disappearance, as she suspects Mission Control of attempting to hide something. Meanwhile, PM Scott will be fending for his political career as the catastrophic events unfold, potentially having to take drastic measures "in pursuit of his own personal ambition". They join First Woman leads Riseborough (Alice & Jack) and Walters (Adolescence) in the high-concept series, which is created by lead writer Lydia Yeoman (Curfew) and directed by Philip Martin (Scoop, The Crown). The commission was announced last week and filming is currently taking place in Belfast. Riseborough commented: "As a kid, I dreamed, perhaps more than anything, of space. Of emptiness and stars, and the vastness of all that those 'grounded' reflected on in verse. "I can't imagine a kinder, bolder, braver team than Philip and Ashley with whom to step into that realm. This will be endlessly compelling - I hope - for all who want to journey with us. I cannot wait." Walters added: "What an honour to be a part of such a bold and propulsive drama with a team of people that I have dreamt of working with. I always want to be a part of projects that make us converse and think outside the box. This one does just that." First Woman is coming soon to ITV. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast. Add shows to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.
From season 4 finally confirms UK rollout - with a treat for fans
The fourth season of sci-fi chiller From finally has a confirmed UK schedule, following weeks of uncertainty over when exactly it would make the journey across the pond. The hit series stars Lost alum Harold Perrineau as one of the unfortunate inhabitants of a mysterious town, where those who enter find themselves unable to leave. Retired soldier Boyd Stevens (Perrineau) steps up as the leader of the community, who find themselves tormented by all manner of terrors as they attempt to understand – and hopefully escape – their nightmarish ordeal. From season 4 premiered in the US earlier this month on MGM+, but UK viewers have not yet been able to tune into the latest episodes. Fortunately, that's changing soon, as Sky has confirmed today. Mark your calendars: From season 4 will premiere on Sky One and NOW on Thursday 14 May 2026, kicking off with a double-bill that should be a treat for fans eager to catch up. After the launch, From season 4 will drop back to a pace of one episode per week, which suggests a likely finale on Thursday 9 July – although that's unconfirmed for the time being. If you're as excited as we are, check out the From season 4 trailer below: View Green Video on the source website Earlier this year, From was renewed for a fifth and final season that will ensure creator John Griffin can finish the story as he originally intended. Indeed, lead actor Perrineau has pushed back against unfounded speculation that the show has been "cancelled", reiterating instead that From always had a five-season plan, which is now reaching its natural conclusion. Comparisons with Lost have been made due to the isolated setting and countless viewer questions, while From executive producers Jack Bender, Jeff Pinkner and Perrineau all share credits on that earlier series. Here's hoping that Griffin's ending to From will be a tad less polarising. From is available on Sky One and NOW. Check out more of our Sci-fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast. Add From to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.
X-Men MCU reboot release date speculation, cast rumours and news
The original mutants might be coming back – but the MCU's brand new team aren't far behind.
The X-Men are about to undergo their boldest film reinvention since 2011's First Class, with a blockbuster reboot planned that will carry the team forward in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In recent years, a number of characters from 20th Century Fox's classic X-Men films have already cropped up in the MCU, with several more joining the party in December's epic crossover Avengers: Doomsday. However, fans shouldn't get too attached to any of these returning favourites, who seem to be on their farewell tour – with a group of fresh faces gradually assembling to pick up where they leave off. It's not yet clear who will be inheriting the iconic roles of Storm, Cyclops and Jean Grey, among others, but we do know the creatives tasked with telling their stories – and roughly when to expect to see the team in action. If you're as excited as we are for a new generation of Marvel mutants, read on for everything we know so far about the X-Men reboot in the MCU. X-Men MCU reboot release date speculation View Green Video on the source website Marvel Studios has yet to announce when its X-Men reboot will be released, but we do know that it will be sometime after December 2027's crossover spectacular Avengers: Secret Wars. Previously, producer Kevin Feige explained (via Deadline): "The whole story of Secret Wars really leads us into a new age of mutants and of the X-Men. Again, [it's] one of those dreams come true. We finally have the X-Men back." As Variety reported last summer, Marvel Studios currently has four release dates assigned for unspecified Marvel projects in 2028, February, May, November and December, one of which is likely to be X-Men. Some have speculated that the February date could go to Ryan Coogler's third Black Panther film, which is known to be in development and would return the series to the US and Canada's Black History Month (where it launched in 2018). If that proves to be true, it would leave the X-Men free to nab the early summer date or, alternatively, see it move to the end of the year. For now, we can only speculate on what is planned – but we'll update this page when concrete details emerge. X-Men reboot cast rumours: Who could star? Marvel is yet to announce any cast members for its MCU-set reboot of the X-Men, but there are plenty of rumours circulating as to who could inherit the wide range of iconic roles. Some of the speculative fan castings that have gained the most attraction include Taron Egerton as Wolverine, Harris Dickinson as Cyclops, Sadie Sink as Jean Grey and Julia Butters as Kitty Pryde – but not one of them is confirmed right now. Addressing the online chatter, Egerton told The New York Times: "I'd be excited but I'd be apprehensive as well, because Hugh [Jackman] is so associated with the role that I'd wonder if it'd be very difficult for someone else to do it. "Hopefully if it does come around, they'll give me a shot." Three years later, Egerton discussed the continued online discourse with The Hollywood Reporter, explaining that fan demands for him to be the next Wolverine were "almost like a joke at this point". "Every time I have a project come out, there's a moment where people talk about it... It's quite strange, but it's flattering," he concluded. It's possible that Egerton may be too established to be considered, with Marvel reportedly seeking younger, lesser-known talent for the project. (Jackman himself was famously an unknown when he was first cast in the role decades ago.) A talent agent told Variety that the direction is being taken to "keep the cost down" on a film that will inevitably require a large ensemble of actors, to populate both the faculty and student body of Xavier's unusual school for mutants. X-Men reboot creatives: Who is writing and directing the film? The upcoming X-Men reboot will be directed by Jake Schreier, who previously wowed Marvel fans with his soulful team-up film Thunderbolts*. Although it didn't light up the box office as hoped, the Florence Pugh-led antihero film did receive a generally positive response from critics and fans, who praised the memorable characters and allegorical themes. Prior to his Marvel blockbuster, Schreier had been best known for directing Netflix miniseries Beef, which earned numerous awards for its chaotic first season starring Steven Yeun and Ali Wong. In April 2026, Schreier announced to Collider that he was bringing his Beef collaborators with him to the MCU, with series creator Lee Sung Jin and season 1 co-writer Joanna Calo tapped to work on the script. Calo is also known for her work on The Bear. View oEmbed on the source website "We had a great experience with him on Thunderbolts*," producer Kevin Feige said to ComicBook.com, addressing his reunion with Schreier. "He has his pulse on, shall we say, a younger demographic. "He's younger than me for sure, but he’s tapped into that in a way that I think [is] much more important for X-Men. Because X-Men, as it was in the comics, will be a very youth-oriented, focused and cast movie." Schreier himself told The Playlist that the MCU's X-Men reboot would be "recognisably different from what came before," so expect a clean break from the earlier iterations after Doomsday and Secret Wars. Previously, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes screenwriter Michael Lesslie had been attached, although it's not clear if he is still involved. Which X-Men are already in the MCU? Marvel Studios has introduced several X-Men characters to the MCU in recent years, with 2023's box office smash-hit Deadpool & Wolverine adding two of the most popular mutants. Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman reprised their respective roles from earlier entries, for a cameo-filled extravaganza that also folded Dafne Keen's Laura (aka X-23) and Channing Tatum's long-delayed Gambit into MCU continuity. Prior to that film, we'd seen Patrick Stewart reprise the role of Charles Xavier (aka Professor X) for an alternate universe scene featured in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Alas, that version of the character was made short work of by an out-of-control Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), meaning that he'll be playing an entirely separate variant – perhaps the original Fox version – in the forthcoming Avengers: Doomsday. Another direct X-Men connection was established in 2023's The Marvels, with a perplexing post-credits scene that saw Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) transported to an alternate universe. There, she was shocked to be faced by her late mother, Maria (Lashana Lynch), and none other than Hank McCoy aka Beast (played by Kelsey Grammer, returning from Fox films X-Men: The Last Stand and Days of Future Past). Grammer is one of the legacy X-Men actors confirmed to be returning for Avengers: Doomsday, so here's hoping we'll get some resolution to that confounding plot twist in the imminent blockbuster. Joining Stewart and Grammer – in what could be a swan-song for the original X-Men cast – are Ian McKellen as Magneto, James Marsden as Cyclops, Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler and Rebecca Romijn as Mystique. In terms of brand new mutants, the MCU also has Kamala Khan aka Ms Marvel (Iman Vellani), who was revealed to have the empowering gene at the end of her six-part Disney+ series. At the time, Vellani told Marvel.com: "I emailed Kevin Feige in all caps. I was like, 'Are you doing this like for real? Are you sure? I'm so honoured!' I was like yelling at him through an email. I was freaking out. "This is the biggest deal in the world, and the fact that it's happening in our show is crazy." Notably, this is a major change from the comic books, where the character was originally an Inhuman (although, the source material has since been retroactively tweaked to match up with the live-action version). Besides individuals, Marvel has also introduced a key location from the X-Men lore to its cinematic universe, that being Wolverine's favoured hideout Madripoor – which was depicted in 2021's The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. Could that be where Jackman's clawed mutant headed after the events of Deadpool & Wolverine? We'll just have to wait and see. Marvel Cinematic Universe films and streaming shows are available on Disney+. Add Marvel shows to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Sci-fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Martin Lewis confirmed to receive special award 2026 at the BAFTA Television Awards
The journalist has been a key voice guiding many people through the cost of living crisis.
Martin Lewis will receive a special honour at this year's BAFTA Television Awards, which recognises his outstanding career helping people navigate the complicated financial world. In recent years, the journalist's reputation has grown to become one of the most trusted faces on British TV, with millions relying on his advice to make important decisions about how to get the most from their money. A regular fixture on our screens for the past two decades, Lewis has hosted his own self-titled show on ITV1 since 2012, which shifted from a pre-recorded to a live format during the pandemic. He's also taken advice segments on Good Morning Britain and This Morning, in addition to presenting his most pressing concerns directly to the government of the day, leading to changes in policies relating to energy bills and mortgages, among others. Alongside his TV work, Lewis still acts as chairman for popular website MoneySavingExpert.com, which he founded in 2003, which offers guidance on a wide range of financial matters. With all this in mind, it should come as no surprise that BAFTA deems Lewis to have "made an outstanding contribution to television" through a "remarkable body of work that has had a significant cultural, social or industry impact". The academy will present him with the Special Award at this year's ceremony on 10 May 2026, with Lewis following in the footsteps of past recipients, such as David Olusoga, Delia Smith and Lenny Henry. In a statement, Lewis said: "For many years, people assumed I was a financial adviser. I'm not. I never have been. I am, proudly, a broadcast journalist. That is why this level of recognition at BAFTA's TV Awards feels so meaningful. "If someone had told the young man retraining in 1997 for a postgrad in broadcast journalism that this would happen, his jaw would have dropped, he'd have smiled in disbelief, and asked: 'What on earth for?' And, truthfully, I still feel a bit like that today. View oEmbed on the source website "Campaigning journalism does not just mean exposing stories. It can also mean engaging viewers to take action. I'm incredibly grateful for the privilege ITV has given me over the past 14 years, inviting me into people's sitting rooms, in the evenings, with a platform to share information that I believe can help improve people's quality of life. "Yet I'm most grateful for the privilege so many of those watching have given me by listening and acting on it." He continued: "Thanks so much to BAFTA for recognising that, it's incredible, and in doing so it shines a much-needed spotlight on TV consumer journalism, which plays a vital role in society to help redress the imbalance of power between consumers and the big institutions of commerce and the state." Jane Millichip, CEO of BAFTA, added: "We are delighted to honour Martin Lewis with the BAFTA TV Special Award. "For many years Martin has been a powerful voice in British television, informing millions across the UK how to manage their finances, and empowering them to understand and stand up for their rights. "Martin has consistently proved the power of television to drive positive societal change. His expertise is unique in the TV landscape and his ability to turn information into meaningful, tangible advice is unmatched." For more information on the upcoming event, consult our full list of BAFTA Television Awards 2026 nominees, or peruse the options for the viewer-decided Memorable Moment award. The BAFTA Television Awards 2026 take place on 10 May 2026. Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast. Add shows to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.
Avengers: Doomsday release date, trailers and latest news
The full cast list has now been revealed for the upcoming MCU film – and it's certainly a star-studded affair.
Avengers: Doomsday is coming up fast, with all eyes on Marvel Studios as fans anticipate the first trailer debuting online. So far, we've had a few brief teaser clips showing off key factions in the crossover epic, but a more substantial promo was shown to attendees at CinemaCon, which offered a closer look at what the blockbuster has in store. Reports from those on the scene at the Las Vegas event have hyped the long-awaited returns of Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) and Shang-Chi (Simu Liu), who have been absent from the Marvel Cinematic Universe since 2019 and 2021 respectively (via Deadline). Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen also feature prominently as they step back into the shoes of Professor X and Magneto, for what will very likely be the final time (although we have thought that before). The trailer's online launch is sure to be a 'break the internet' kind of day, but when can we expect it to arrive? It's anybody's guess, but one possibility is that it will be attached to fellow MCU flick Spider-Man: Brand New Day this summer. In the meantime, directors Anthony and Joe Russo have encouraged fans to look for "clues" in each of the existing snippets, with fan theories appearing at a rapid rate – including a few that a Doctor Doom expert told us. Avengers: Doomsday has a lot of pressure riding on it to turnaround Marvel's fading fortunes, which were only highlighted by last year's trilogy of box office disappointments (Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts* and Fantastic Four: First Steps). If you're eager to know more about the Avengers: Doomsday cast, plus the current release date and fleeting story details released so far, read on for your full guide to what might be the biggest film of the year. Avengers: Doomsday release date Avengers: Doomsday will be released in cinemas on Friday 18th December 2026. The epic film had previously been scheduled for early May of that year – a weekend that the MCU has previously dominated – but was forced to move as production was behind schedule. In its new spot, the Marvel flick will face formidable competition from Dune: Messiah – the third film in Denis Villeneuve and Timothée Chalamet's sci-fi saga – which means that sci-fi fans will be having a very merry Christmas indeed. Downey Jr and Chalamet recently addressed the clash at a special screening for Marty Supreme, suggesting "Dunesday" as the nickname for any double-feature events that might occur (referencing 2023's epic 'Barbenheimer'). "We'll see if we're still friends by then," joked Downey Jr (via Variety). Who will star in Avengers: Doomsday? Confirmed cast members Avengers: Doomsday stars Robert Downey Jr as Victor Von Doom; a towering villain that unites the combined might of several superhero teams. It's unclear precisely what Doom has planned, or if he'll have any direct connection to Downey Jr's earlier role of Tony Stark (aka Iron Man), but comic book fans know that he is not to be underestimated. It appears that Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) will play a major role in the resistance to Doom's machinations, with the first Avengers: Doomsday trailer revisiting the character after his final moments in Endgame. Previously, Deadline had reported that Hayley Atwell would also appear as Peggy Carter, which seems very likely given how the short clip references Steve's marriage and apparent fatherhood. Some fans aren't ruling out the possibility of a misdirect, however, with one theory suggesting that this version of Steve could be a member of HYDRA – adapting a controversial storyline from the source material (see 'Secret Empire'). Even before Evans's reveal, the cast of Doomsday was looking spectacularly starry, boasting the Avengers, Fantastic Four, X-Men and Thunderbolts teams, as well as wild cards Namor (Tenoch Huerta) and Loki (Tom Hiddleston). Anthony Mackie is reprising the role of Sam Wilson aka Captain America, who was tasked with putting together a new Avengers team at the end of his recent solo outing Brave New World. Likely candidates for that group include Letitia Wright's Shuri, the new Black Panther, plus Chris Hemsworth's Thor, Simu Liu's Shang-Chi, Paul Rudd's Ant-Man and Danny Ramirez's Falcon. As previously confirmed, the cast of Fantastic Four: First Steps will also reappear here, comprised of Pedro Pascal (Mr Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby (Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn (Human Torch) and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Thing). First Steps director Matt Shakman said – apparently mistakenly – in an interview that Mr Fantastic would go on to be "leader" of the Avengers, but Pascal himself has since corrected the record. "It’s big news to me, that's for one," he joked, in an interview with Associated Press. "There is something that happens in the comics where he is sort of drawn in by the Avengers family and asked to be put into a leadership position. "That is something that happens in the comics. It isn't necessarily something that my character's future entails." The Thunderbolts* cast will also reappear in Doomsday, with Florence Pugh (Black Widow), Sebastian Stan (Winter Soldier), Wyatt Russell (USAgent), Hannah John-Kamen (Ghost), David Harbour (Red Guardian) and Lewis Pullman (Sentry) all credited in the announcement. Meanwhile, in a surprise move, Marvel Studios has also announced the return of several cast members from 20th Century Fox's X-Men franchise, which appears to have been revived in the wake of Deadpool & Wolverine's success. Returning from that smash-hit is Channing Tatum as Gambit, alongside franchise veterans Patrick Stewart (Professor X), Ian McKellen (Magneto), Rebecca Romijn (Mystique), Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler), James Marsden (Cyclops) and Kelsey Grammer (Beast). Both Cumming and Marsden had warm words to say about returning from a long absence, with their incarnations of Nightcrawler and Cyclops not being seen since 2003's X-Men 2 and 2014's Days of Future Past respectively. On filming Doomsday, Paradise's Marsden said (via Deadline): "It's been a blast. It really has. It's been a nice little homecoming to a role that really put me on the map. It was the first real event project that I was ever a part of, and a very beloved character – this icon from the comics. And so, to step back into that role was pretty special." Meanwhile, Cumming described it as "really healing and really nice to go back to something that was a terrible experience when I did it the first time" (in another Deadline chat), although his time on set was short as his scenes were scheduled tightly so that he could be released to host the next season of The Traitors (US). Here's the confirmed Avengers: Doomsday cast in full: Robert Downey Jr (Doctor Doom) Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards/Mr Fantastic) Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm/Invisible Woman) Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm/The Human Torch) Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Ben Grimm/The Thing) Anthony Mackie (Sam Wilson/Captain America) Chris Hemsworth (Thor) Letitia Wright (Shuri/Black Panther) Winston Duke (M'Baku) Paul Rudd (Scott Lang/Ant-Man) Simu Liu (Shang-Chi) Danny Ramirez (Joaquin Torres / Falcon) Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova/Black Widow) Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier) Wyatt Russell (John Walker/US Agent) Hannah John-Kamen (Ava Starr/Ghost) David Harbour (Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian) Lewis Pullman (Bob/Sentry) Patrick Stewart (Charles Xavier/Professor X) Ian McKellen (Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto) James Marsden (Scott Summers/Cyclops) Rebecca Romijn (Raven Darkhölme/Mystique) Alan Cumming (Kurt Wagner/Nightcrawler) Kelsey Grammer (Hank McCoy/Beast) Channing Tatum (Remy LeBeau/Gambit) Tenoch Huerta Mejia (Namor) Tom Hiddleston (Loki) As you might have noticed, that list includes some rather glaring omissions who were thought to be all but guaranteed for the next Avengers film. The absence of Tom Holland's Spider-Man, Brie Larson's Captain Marvel, Chris Pratt's Star-Lord, Mark Ruffalo's Hulk and Elizabeth Olsen's Scarlet Witch have been greeted with particular outcry from the fanbase. However, there is hope yet that these characters could factor into the story, with Marvel teasing on its social media channels that there is "always room for more" cast members. During a recent appearance at Chicago-based convention C2E2, Olsen reaffirmed that she knows nothing about Doomsday and its follow-up Secret Wars, adding that she prefers not to hold any Marvel secrets that could get her in trouble (via Deadline). Hugh Jackman, Ryan Reynolds and Andrew Garfield are also uncertain, with the latter Spider-Man actor recently telling GQ that he is "unequivocally" not appearing in the blockbuster. It's just so hard to believe him after No Way Home! Recently, Marvel fans have been debating the probability of Reynolds returning as Deadpool for the crossover, with a source telling The Hollywood Reporter that the Merc with a Mouth would have a role – albeit, probably a small one. Reynolds himself later cast doubt on the claim, telling Variety that he hasn't "stepped foot on set", although that may just be some creative wording from the actor – after all, he could well have filmed scenes or recorded audio remotely. As for Jackman, the actor recently appeared on The Graham Norton Show, where he told the host that he is "never saying 'never' ever again," after cancelling his post-Logan retirement for 2023 hit Deadpool & Wolverine. In a recent interview with ComicBook.com, his former co-star Marsden suggested that, if Jackman is in the film, they don't have any scenes together, adding that he "missed" exploring the "brotherly" rivalry between Cyclops and Wolverine. Sadly for fans of Fox's original X-Men cast, Famke Janssen also revealed (via Entertainment Weekly) that Marvel Studios hasn't ever reached out to her about the prospect of a Jean Grey comeback. Likewise, Halle Berry has repeatedly shot down rumours that she is returning as Storm, telling Variety at the Crime 101 premiere that she isn't being "coy" or "silly" when denying her involvement, so the reunion seems destined to be incomplete. Something to consider, though, is that this line-up is for Avengers: Doomsday only, which is one half of a two-part storyline set to conclude in 2027's Secret Wars – so it seems likely that the sequel could scoop up some late-comers. Case in point: Benedict Cumberbatch has already told Business Insider that he'll be in the "next one" as Doctor Strange, after previously assuring fans that Marvel Studios was "cooking up a storm" with its latest cinematic event. What is Avengers: Doomsday about? Avengers: Doomsday does not yet have an official plot synopsis, but the movie is set to formally introduce Victor von Doom as a major threat to the Marvel multiverse. The character made a brief appearance in the Fantastic Four: First Steps post-credits scene, where he is seen (albeit, only from behind), approaching the universe's most powerful four-year-old: Franklin Richards. What does he want with him exactly? That remains to be seen. It's possible that the intricacies are still being worked out! Producer Kevin Feige confirmed (via The Hollywood Reporter) over the summer that the script was still being worked on after cameras started rolling, which he actually views as a strength of the production. He said: "Those actors, both the ones that are playing these characters for the first or second time and the ones playing them for the 10th or 12th time, are the best in the world at it, and know these characters so well. So if they have an idea, you want to listen to it and you want to adjust to it and you want to improve it. I wouldn't want to change that." Much like Infinity War and Endgame, which became two of the highest-grossing films of all time, Doomsday and its sequel Secret Wars will serve as two parts of a larger narrative – with one leading directly into the other. Teasing the plot to The Hollywood Reporter, co-director Joe Russo said: "I think these movies are going to be a surprise to people – we found a way into the story that’s very exciting to us but we think very radical and I think it’s going to challenge audiences." In the 2016 comic book series Secret Wars, upon which the film may be inspired, Doctor Doom salvages elements of a destroyed multiverse and reforms them as 'Battleworld' – a domain in which he is the unquestioned god and ruler. Prior to this storyline, the Marvel comics had dealt with the concept of incursions, whereby one reality would collide with another, either destroying both or causing one side to take a deadly defensive action. Perhaps these terrifying events might begin occurring in Avengers: Doomsday, leading Doctor Doom to create his surreal new reality as he did in the source material – leaving enormous questions lingering for Secret Wars to answer. The post-credits scene in Thunderbolts* added weight to this theory, with Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) addressing a "space crisis" which could well be other planets or realities on a collision course with Earth. Yelena vents frustration that her own New Avengers teams are viewed negatively by the press and public, while Sam Wilson's separately assembled team is regarded as more legitimate – and refusing to share intel. That's when an inter-dimensional ship carrying the Fantastic Four is spotted entering the atmosphere, with the team likely to be carrying a dire warning of apocalyptic threat (if the film's subtitle is any indication). Interestingly, the Thunderbolts* post-credits scene was actually filmed on the set of Avengers: Doomsday, with director Jake Schreier describing it as "a small hint of that film" (via Entertainment Weekly). Another threat to the Fantastic Four will come from a most unexpected place, with Nightcrawler actor Alan Cumming recently revealing that he's filming an action scene that involves "hitting Pedro Pascal against the head" (via Buzzfeed). No doubt Mr Fantastic and Nightcrawler will eventually reconcile to face their real adversary. Don't expect the crossover to come to a neat conclusion, though, with Captain America star Mackie apparently confirming that – as expected – Doomsday will end on a cliffhanger comparable to the catastrophic 'snap' in 2018's Infinity War. "It's one of those stories that really pushes the boundaries," he teased in an interview with Collider. The cliffhanger at the end... the last moments of the film, it really builds and sets us up for a way for the continuation of the Marvel saga, which is really exciting." Mackie added: "You see these characters, and you see how they're introduced and how they play in the universe moving forward, and no one is safe. Everyone is expendable." Why was Avengers: The Kang Dynasty cancelled? Previously, the fifth movie in the Avengers franchise was to be named The Kang Dynasty and to continue plot threads previously established in Disney Plus series Loki and Marvel blockbuster Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Jonathan Majors appeared in both projects as variants of Kang the Conquerer; a powerful time-travelling menace who was initially intended to be the MCU's next Thanos-level threat. However, Majors was dropped by Marvel Studios after he was found guilty of assaulting and harassing his ex-girlfriend by a jury in New York. He was convicted on two counts but acquitted of a different assault charge and of aggravated harassment. Some had expected Marvel Studios to continue the storyline with a new actor as Kang, but the company has instead decided to go in an entirely different direction with its plans. Avengers: Doomsday trailer Marvel dropped the teaser for Avengers: Doomsday in December 2025, playing first before screenings of Avatar: Fire and Ash before being released online days later. Watch here: View oEmbed on the source website Other short teasers, featuring Thor, Black Panther, Namor and the X-Men, have also been released, but the full-length trailer has so far been reserved only for attendees of industry event CinemaCon. View oEmbed on the source website We'll update this page when that hotly anticipated longer trailer eventually turns up online. It's possible that Disney is saving it to stick in front of Spider-Man: Brand New Day in cinemas this July, but that's just a theory. View oEmbed on the source website Avengers: Doomsday is coming to cinemas in December 2026. Check out more of our Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Daredevil: Born Again season 2 release schedule – When is episode 8 out?
A gruelling finale awaits the devil of Hell's Kitchen.
Daredevil: Born Again season 2 drops its finale next week, with Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) and Wilson Fisk (Vincent D'Onofrio) poised for their most bitter clash in the long history of the Marvel drama. The former Kingpin turned Mayor of New York has been particularly volatile since the sudden death of his wife, Vanessa (Ayelet Zurer), who sustained fatal injuries during an ambush by Bullseye (Wilson Bethel). Fortunately, Matt doesn't have to face him alone, with Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter) returning to the frontlines after Fisk targeted herself and her young daughter for elimination. Ritter's long-awaited homecoming to the Marvel Cinematic Universe had been highly anticipated until episode 6's reveal, which left some viewers arguing that her character's role feels disappointingly tacked on. The Breaking Bad alum has been spotted on the set of Born Again season 3, which is currently filming in New York City, so whatever happens in next week's finale, it seems safe to assume that Jessica will live to fight another day. If you can't wait to find out what's in store, here's your updated guide to the Daredevil: Born Again season 2 release schedule on Disney+ – including when to expect episode 8. When is Daredevil: Born Again season 2 episode 8 out? Daredevil: Born Again season 2 episode 8 will be available on Disney+ from Tuesday 5 May (in the US) or Wednesday 6 May (in the UK). The difference in date comes down to the time difference between the UK and the US, with American audiences getting the show on Tuesday evening, which unfortunately equates to the early hours of the morning over here. That means most UK-based viewers won't be among the first to catch each episode, as it will be past many of our bedtimes (mine included), but at least we'll have something to look forward to on Wednesday mornings. How many episodes are in Daredevil: Born Again season 2? Daredevil: Born Again season 2 will consist of eight episodes in total. That's one fewer than the first season, but on the bright side, a third season is confirmed to be on the way – so it's not like we'll be short on Daredevil goodness anytime soon. Daredevil: Born Again season 2 release schedule Barring any as-yet-unannounced double-bills, Daredevil: Born Again season 2 is likely to follow a two-month rollout. Here's when to mark your calendars for each new instalment: Daredevil: Born Again season 2 episode 1 – Tuesday 24 March (US) / Wednesday 25 March 2026 (UK) – out now Daredevil: Born Again season 2 episode 2 – Tuesday 31 March (US) / Wednesday 1 April 2026 (UK) – out now Daredevil: Born Again season 2 episode 3 – Tuesday 31 March (US) / Wednesday 1 April 2026 (UK) – out now Daredevil: Born Again season 2 episode 4 – Tuesday 7 April (US) / Wednesday 8 April 2026 (UK) – out now Daredevil: Born Again season 2 episode 5 – Tuesday 14 April (US) / Wednesday 15 April 2026 (UK) – out now Daredevil: Born Again season 2 episode 6 – Tuesday 21 April (US) / Wednesday 22 April 2026 (UK) – out now Daredevil: Born Again season 2 episode 7 – Tuesday 28 April (US) / Wednesday 29 April 2026 (UK) – out now Daredevil: Born Again season 2 episode 8 – Tuesday 5 May (US) / Wednesday 6 May 2026 (UK) Daredevil: Born Again is available to stream on Disney+. Sign-up to Disney+ from £5.99 a month. Check out more of our Sci-fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast. Add Daredevil: Born Again to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.
Hollywood icon confirmed to replace Helena Bonham Carter in The White Lotus season 4 after recast decision
Mike White has called upon a repeat collaborator to fill the sudden vacancy.
The White Lotus season 4 has recruited Laura Dern as a last-minute addition to the new episodes, where she'll be replacing the outgoing Helena Bonham Carter. New episodes of the mystery drama are currently filming on the French Riviera, with showrunner Mike White spinning us another yarn following an all-new bunch of holidaymakers. Seven Dials and Harry Potter star Carter was one of the first actors announced to be joining the series with season 4, but her stay at The White Lotus proved to be short-lived as she parted ways with the production mere days into filming. An HBO spokesperson told Deadline that "it had become apparent that the character which Mike White created for Helena Bonham Carter did not align once on set". The role is now to be reworked to fit White's past collaborator Dern, whom he has previously worked with on HBO comedy-drama Enlightened, which ran for two seasons and earned her a Golden Globe. She also appeared in his 2007 indie film Year of the Dog, co-starring opposite The White Lotus season 1 guest Molly Shannon. Dern herself took an uncredited voice cameo in season 2, as the estranged wife of Dominic (Michael Imperioli). However, that won't be the character she's playing in season 4. Rather, the lead character will be a version of Carter's vacant role, but modified to better suit Dern's sensibilities. She joins a long list of established and rising stars in The White Lotus season 4 cast, including Vincent Cassel (Westworld), Steve Coogan (Legends), Alexander Ludwig (Vikings), Chris Messina (Based on a True Story) and Kumail Nanjiani (Taskmaster). Specifics about each character are being kept under wraps for the time being, but we can expect the usual mix of oblivious tourists, frustrated locals and overworked staff drawn into the hotel's chaotic orbit. The daughter of Hollywood veterans Bruce Dern and the late Diane Ladd, Laura Dern has forged a celebrated career including Blue Velvet, Jurassic Park, Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Marriage Story. On the small screen, she co-starred in both seasons of Big Little Lies and recently spoke hopefully about the prospect of a third, as did creator David E Kelley when he spoke to Radio Times earlier this month. The White Lotus is available to stream on NOW and HBO Max. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast. Add The White Lotus to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.
Widow's Bay release schedule: When is the next episode on Apple TV?
Mysteries abound in this spooky new comedy with a stellar cast and crew.
Apple TV's new horror comedy Widow's Bay has arrived on the streamer, casting The Americans and The Beast in Me star Matthew Rhys as a sceptical Mayor investigating a supposedly cursed island. Parks and Recreation writer Katie Dippold is behind the quirky series, which takes place on the mysterious Widow's Bay, located about 40 miles off the coast of New England in the United States. We're introduced to Mayor Tom Loftis (Rhys), who initially seeks to dispel long-held speculation that the quaint town is cursed, stemming from its bizarre history of unexplainable incidents. But in his quest to boost tourism to the destination, he finds that there may be more to the rumours than he'd expected. In addition to Rhys, Widow's Bay boasts British comedy star Kate O'Flynn (Bridget Jones's Baby, Everyone Else Burns), plus Barry's Stephen Root, A League of Their Own's Dale Dickey and Snowfall's Kevin Carroll in its main cast. View Green Video on the source website Adding to the star-power is executive producer and director Hiro Murai, who is best known for his work on several of Donald Glover's most acclaimed projects, such as Atlanta, Mr & Mrs Smith and his viral This is America music video. If that zany premise and top-tier talent has piqued your curiosity, read on for when to expect new episodes of Widow's Bay on Apple TV – including when the season finale drops. When is the next episode of Widow's Bay on Apple TV? Widow's Bay is dropping new episodes on Wednesdays on Apple TV. The series premiered on 29 April with a double bill that introduced us to the titular island and its eccentric characters. You can expect new episodes until the finale drops in late May – find our full release schedule below for details. How many episodes are there in Widow's Bay? Widow's Bay consists of six episodes in total. Widow's Bay release schedule in full Here's the full Widow's Bay release schedule on Apple TV, so you can stay up to date with each episode of the new horror comedy as they drop. Mark your calendars for the following: Widow's Bay episode 1 – Wednesday 29 April 2026 Widow's Bay episode 2 – Wednesday 29 April 2026 Widow's Bay episode 3 – Wednesday 6 May 2026 Widow's Bay episode 4 – Wednesday 13 May 2026 Widow's Bay episode 5 – Wednesday 20 May 2026 Widow's Bay episode 6 – Wednesday 27 May 2026 Widow's Bay premieres on Apple TV on 29 April 2026. Start your seven day free Apple TV trial. Add Widow's Bay to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The House of the Spirits release schedule: When is the next episode on Prime Video?
All the information you need to keep up with the buzzy adaptation.
Prime Video launches its multigenerational drama The House of the Spirits this month, with episodes to arrive rapidly on the streaming platform in April and May. The series is based on the novel of the same name by Isabel Allende, which follows "three generations of women — Clara, Blanca, and Alba — in a conservative South American country shaped by class struggle, political upheaval, and magic". Set across 50 years, Allende's book was partly inspired and frequently compared to Gabriel García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude, which was itself recently adapted for the screen at rival streamer Netflix. This is the second attempt to bring The House of the Spirits to live-action, following a rather underwhelming 1982 take that enlisted A-list stars such as Meryl Streep, Antonio Banderas, Glenn Close and Jeremy Irons. Although the cast of Prime Video's version may not be as internationally recognisable (yet), they seem to have done a better job shepherding this story to the screen, according to Allende herself. The author, who serves as executive producer alongside Desperate Housewives alum Eva Longoria, said of the new adaptation: "When I saw the miniseries, I saw what it always should have been." If you're looking forward to checking out this intriguing project, read on for everything you need to know about The House of the Spirits release schedule on Prime Video. When is the next episode of The House of the Spirits on Prime Video? View Green Video on the source website New episodes of House of the Spirits are released on Prime Video on Wednesdays. The series, which adapts Isabel Allende's novel of the same name, premiered on 29 April 2026 with a triple-bill launch, and will be keeping up its brisk pace over the weeks to come. For more on that, read on for our full The House of Spirits release schedule, including when to expect the series finale. How many episodes are there in House of the Spirits? Prime Video's adaptation of The House of the Spirits consists of eight episodes in total. The House of the Spirits release schedule in full Here's your full guide to The House of the Spirits release schedule on Prime Video, so that you can stay up to date on the buzzy adaptation of Isabel Allende's legendary novel. Mark your calendars accordingly: House of the Spirits episode 1 – Wednesday 29 April 2026 House of the Spirits episode 2 – Wednesday 29 April 2026 House of the Spirits episode 3 – Wednesday 29 April 2026 House of the Spirits episode 4 – Wednesday 6 May 2026 House of the Spirits episode 5 – Wednesday 6 May 2026 House of the Spirits episode 6 – Wednesday 13 May 2026 House of the Spirits episode 7 – Wednesday 13 May 2026 House of the Spirits episode 8 – Wednesday 13 May 2026 House of the Spirits is available to stream on Prime Video. Sign up for Amazon Prime for £8.99 a month. Add House of the Spirits to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
A Taste for Murder cast: Who stars in ITV's mystery drama?
Radiant sunshine, delicious food and the odd gruesome murder. It's not your average holiday (we hope)!
ITV's latest crime drama, A Taste for Murder, whisks viewers away to the picturesque island of Capri, Italy, where a series of perplexing cases await an unsuspecting Met police detective. DCI Joe Mottram (Warren Brown) is in the throes of grief after his wife's sudden death, but hopes that a trip to Italy with his daughter to see the in-laws will help them to process their loss. This retreat soon becomes a busman's holiday for the detective, who can't resist getting stuck into some local investigations after one strikes very close to home. Meanwhile, he'll find himself bonding with Italian father-in-law and accomplished chef Gennaro Da Vinale (Urbano Barberini), whose delicious recipes offer a distinct element to this otherwise familiar cosy crime series. Professor T, Hotel Portofino and Patience screenwriter Matt Baker (not to be confused with the former The One Show presenter) has dreamt up the new series, so it could well strike a chord if you were a fan of those earlier hits. For a primer on who appears in the new series, which is streaming now on ITVX, read on for our full guide to the cast of A Taste of Murder, led by Brown and Downton Abbey legend Phyllis Logan. A Taste for Murder cast: Who stars in ITV's mystery drama? Here's a round up of the key players in ITV's A Taste for Murder – read on for more detailed profiles on each character and the actor playing them, including where you might have seen them before. Warren Brown as DCI Joe Mottram Phyllis Logan as Elena Da Vinale Beau Gadsdon as Angelica Cristiana Dell'Anna as Police Inspector Lara Sarrancino Marouane Zotti as Deputy Inspector Gianni Gallo Urbano Barberini as Gennaro Da Vinale Alessandro Fella as Luca Gaia Scodellaro as Daria Alessandro Bedetti as Daniele Giuseppe Bonifati as Andrea Carlotti Hattie Gotobed as Emily O'Brien Warren Brown as DCI Joe Mottram Who is DCI Joe Mottram? A British police detective grieving the recent death of his beloved wife, who was half-Italian. He takes his teenage daughter on a trip to Italy to see her late mother's side of the family, but their picturesque getaway is soon interrupted by a serious criminal investigation. What else has Warren Brown been in? A regular face on our TV screens, Brown has previously appeared in Ten Pound Poms, The Responder, Trigger Point and Luther, among other credits. Cristiana Dell'Anna as Police Inspector Lara Sarrancino Who is Police Inspector Lara Sarrancino? The lead detective at the local police station. Professional and forthright, she is initially resistant to DCI Mottram's meddling in her sensitive investigation. What else has Cristiana Dell'Anna been in? The Italian actor recently portrayed Francesca Cabrini in a self-titled biopic about the Catholic missionary. Marouane Zotti as Deputy Inspector Gianni Gallo Who is Deputy Inspector Gianni Gallo? He is Inspector Sarrancino's partner on the force. What else has Marouane Zotti been in? Zotti recently appeared opposite Sophie Turner in her Prime Video thriller Steal. Other credits include Citadel: Diana, Bodkin and I May Destroy You. Phyllis Logan as Elena Da Vinale Who is Elena Da Vinale? Elena is Joe Mottram's mother-in-law, who is worried about the impact that her daughter's death has taken on him and her granddaughter, Angelica. Of course, she is also grieving herself, but hopes that time together in their beautiful Italian home will help the family move forward. What else has Phyllis Logan been in? The actor recently wrapped a celebrated run as Elsie Hughes-Carson in the Downton Abbey franchise, spanning the entire original series and its three sequel films. She went on to lead 5's detective drama Murder Most Puzzling. Other credits include Lovejoy, The Good Karma Hospital, Guilt, Shetland and her debut feature Another Time, Another Place. Beau Gadsdon as Angelica Who is Angelica? Angelica is Joe's daughter, who has a rather challenging relationship with her father. She wants to strike out on her own in a manner typical of most teenagers, but the recent loss of her mother means emotions are always running high. What else has Beau Gadsdon been in? Most recently, Gadsdon has appeared in horror sequel The Conjuring: Last Rites and 5's hit detective drama Ellis. Other credits include The Crown, where she portrayed a young Princess Margaret (Vanessa Kirby), and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, where she played a young Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones). A Taste for Murder supporting cast Urbano Barberini (Casino Royale) plays Gennaro Da Vinale: The husband of Elena and a chef, who runs a restaurant Alessandro Fella (Portobello) plays Luca: A restaurant worker accused of a serious crime Gaia Scodellaro (The Equalizer 3) plays Daria: Another employee at Gennaro's restaurant Alessandro Bedetti (Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy) plays Daniele: A young man that Angelica gets to know on the trip A Taste for Murder premieres on ITV1 on Wednesday 29 April 2026. Stream now on ITVX. Add A Taste for Murder to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Ted Lasso season 4 finally gets premiere date confirmed as first look at new episodes unveiled
The Apple TV sitcom dropped a brief teaser set to a moving new song.
Apple TV has announced a premiere date for Ted Lasso season 4, which is headed to the streaming platform this August. After three years away, Jason Sudeikis's ever-optimistic football coach is returning to AFC Richmond, only this time to help the women's team out of their slump. He'll be reuniting with some firm favourites from the original series, including club owner Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham) and marketing pro Keeley Jones (Juno Temple), plus a number of brand new characters. Joining the party are Tanya Reynolds (The Other Bennet Sister) and Faye Marsay (Andor) in as-yet-undisclosed roles, while Grant Feely (Obi-Wan Kenobi) is taking over the expanded role of Ted's son, Henry. If you're excited to see what the next chapter has in store, then mark your calendar accordingly: Ted Lasso season 4 will premiere on Apple TV on Wednesday 5 August 2026. The announcement was accompanied by a brand-new image from the upcoming season, which features Ted himself alongside his longtime pal Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt) and new assistant coach, as played by Reynolds. While Ted grins in the centre, the colleagues to either side of him appear considerably less confident in the players they're working with, who are languishing in the second division at the start of this chapter. Apple also unveiled the very first Ted Lasso season 4 teaser trailer, which is relatively light on plot and dialogue, but drops some fleeting hints as to what our characters have been up to since we last saw them. From romance for Rebecca to friction between Keeley and Roy, it seems as if there will be plenty to tug at the heartstrings – and if you're wondering, the Ted Lasso season 4 trailer song is Rubber Band Man by Mumford & Sons and Hozier. Watch the promo here: View oEmbed on the source website Ted Lasso co-star Waddingham bagged the scoop of an August launch for season 4 back in February, when she let slip on the BAFTA Film Awards red carpet that the show was likely to return then – before hastily adding that she could be "wrong". It means that Ted Lasso season 4 will be kicking off just a couple of weeks after the FIFA World Cup 2026 concludes, making it a lovely way to celebrate or console depending on whether your favoured team wins or loses. In addition to the aforementioned, the Ted Lasso cast also includes Brett Goldstein and Jeremy Swift. Meanwhile, original series star Nick Mohammed has declined to confirm whether he appears as Ted's former protege Nate Shelley. Ted Lasso is available to stream on Apple TV. Season 4 coming soon. Start your seven day free Apple TV trial at Apple. Add Ted Lasso to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Comedy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Severance favourite Adam Scott teases show's ending and what fans can expect from season 3
Can the sci-fi drama avoid the kind of dud finale that has damaged several of its peers?
Severance star Adam Scott has teased "so many surprises" in the third season of the Apple TV, with filming due to start imminently on the next chapter. The hit series explores the ramifications of an eerie medical procedure, which allows an individual to separate the consciousness of their work self and their leisure self, creating what is referred to as an 'innie' and an 'outie'. Although a life without work might sound appealing, the moral quandaries of this arrangement soon present themselves, with 'innies' subjected to a surreal and sometimes cruel work environment. The second season saw the sterile underground offices of Lumon Industries descend into chaos, as innies Mark S (Scott) and Helly R (Britt Lower) chose each other over their own outie counterparts. Fans have been waiting more than a year to find out what happens next – and sadly, we're still not much closer to finding out. Severance season 3 is expected to shoot for the remainder of the year, with an eye to releasing sometime in 2027. In an interview ahead of the Canneseries TV festival, Scott revealed that his executive producer status gives him access to all the show's status, from what's coming up next all the way up to the eventual ending of the series. Speaking to Variety, he revealed: "I'm involved in all of it. We talk with the writers and Dan [Erickson, creator] all the time. I know everything about what's going on. [As an actor] I like having as much information as possible." "It's going to be great. There are so many surprises," continued Scott. "I can't wait to shoot it. It's been over two years since we finished shooting season 2. We're all anxious to get back. We miss each other." View Green Video on the source website Of course, Scott gave nothing away about what specifically we can expect from the plot, but acknowledged that mysteries had been a key component of the show's success and hailed a series famous for ending on an ambiguous note. "Something we’re always trying to do on the show is retain an element of mystery," he added. "I loved the way The Sopranos ended. I was frustrated by it, but it was brilliant and I still haven't figured it out." There are so many bizarre questions about the Severance universe that one can't help but fear we won't get answers to all of them before its likely conclusion with season 4, but hopefully the writers can settle on a finale that keeps most people happy. As fellow sci-fi and fantasy hits – from Lost to Game of Thrones and Stranger Things – have proven, it's easier said than done. Severance is available to stream on Apple TV. Start your seven day free Apple TV trial at Apple. Add Severance to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Sci-fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
New The Big Bang Theory spin-off series confirms release month with first-look images
The franchise veers off in an unexpected direction with this latest entry.
The Big Bang Theory's eccentric sci-fi spin-off Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is heading to HBO Max this summer, with a release month confirmed along with a slew of first-look images. Although only the latest show to spin out of the hit nerdy sitcom, following Young Sheldon and Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage, this entry in the universe stands out for its outright sci-fi premise. Comic shop owner Stuart (Kevin Sussman) takes centre stage for the first time after he inadvertently brings about a "multiverse armageddon" when he breaks a machine designed by original series leads Leonard (Johnny Galecki) and Sheldon (Jim Parsons). Despite their characters being explicitly referenced in the synopsis, it has yet to be confirmed whether Galecki and Parsons will be reprising their iconic roles for the series, or if they will simply be referred to from off-screen. We do know, however, that alternate versions of The Big Bang Theory characters will be seen as Stuart takes a journey across the multiverse, with girlfriend Denise (Lauren Lapkus), pal Bert (Brian Posehn) and frenemy Barry (John Ross Bowie) in tow. If you're as intrigued as we are to find out what all this means for the future of The Big Bang Theory franchise, the good news is that we don't have much longer to wait! Stuart Fails to Save the Universe will premiere on HBO Max in July 2026. Now that HBO Max is finally up and running here in the UK, it's likely that the show will launch simultaneously here and across the pond on the shiny new streaming platform. An intriguing first-look image from the series show the core characters in what could be a post-apocalyptic universe (see top of page), donning dark colours next to a metal vehicle as they receive some worrying information. Another image of the ensemble sees them look ahead in fright at an unseen presence, holding a giant mechanical device which is presumably the cause of their imminent adventure. <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2026/04/john-ross-bowie-lauren-lapkus-kevin-sussman-brian-posehn-03c84b3.jpg" width="1920" height="1280" alt="(L-R) John Ross Bowie, Lauren Lapkus, Kevin Sussman and Brian Posehn star in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe; their characters are standing in a row, looking shocked and worried at something ahead of them. Stuart is holding a large technological instrument." title="john-ross" /> Another image shows off a completely different location, with Stuart and Denise sharing a moment alone by a shimmering blue lake in the middle of a forest. The characters met, and eventually married, in the original Big Bang Theory series. Lapkus went on to play the title character in Netflix comedy The Wrong Missy as well as the voice role of Jennifer Sh'reyan in Star Trek: Lower Decks. Sussman has recently appeared in acclaimed miniseries The Dropout and Lessons in Chemistry. The synopsis for Stuart Fails to Save the Universe teases, as the title suggests, that things "don't go well" as the hapless group traverses the multiverse – and certainly, in the image above, Stuart and Denise do seem to be grappling with a dilemma. The bold new direction for The Big Bang Theory comes from original series creators Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, plus screenwriter Zak Penn, whose work includes Marvel blockbusters X2 and The Avengers, plus sci-fi hits Ready Player One and Free Guy. View Green Video on the source website Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is coming to HBO Max in July 2026. Subscribe to HBO Max from £5.99 a month. Check out more of our Comedy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast. Add Stuart Fails to Save the Universe to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.
British TV legend Nicola Walker's much-anticipated "messy" anti-romantic comedy confirms release date
The series imagines a nightmarish scenario for a mother – and the battle of wits that follows.
Comedy-drama Alice and Steve has its confirmed release date on Disney+, bringing together British TV icon Nicola Walker and New Zealand comic Jemaine Clement. The story follows Alice (Walker) after she discovers that her longtime best friend Steve (Clement) has started dating her daughter, Izzy (A Good Girl's Guide to Murder star Yali Topol Margalith), who is almost three decades his junior. The shocking revelation leaves Alice "devastated" and seemingly doomed to "lose her best friend and her daughter in one fell swoop," but she's not going down without a fight. The synopsis, courtesy of Disney+, teases: "Alice tries everything she can to end the relationship. Unfortunately for her, Steve's more than ready for the attack, and what begins as a perfect friendship, devolves into an all-out feud." If you're intrigued to see how this story unfolds, you can tune in to all six episodes of Alice and Steve on Disney+ from Monday 8 June 2026. Alice and Steve is created by former Sex Education writer Sophie Goodhart, with Stath Lets Flats alum Tom Kingsley on directing duties. The first two episodes were screened at Canneseries, a prestigious TV festival held in France, over the weekend. Disney describes the series as an "anti-romantic comedy" or even a "wrong-com," with first look images showing the core trio of characters on the cusp of their lives changing forever. Clement rose to stardom in the comedy world as one half of musical duo Flight of the Conchords (with Bret McKenzie), with later credits including What We Do in the Shadows, Moana, A Minecraft Movie and the last two Avatar films. On the other hand, Walker is among the most recognisable faces on British TV, owing to various hit shows, such as Spooks, Last Tango in Halifax, Unforgotten, The Split and Annika. In addition to rising star Topol Margalith, the series also features Joel Fry; another actor with a strong comedic background, through the likes of W1A, Plebs and Our Flag Means Death. When the series was announced, Walker said in a statement: "I'm thrilled to be stepping into the fabulous world of friendship, motherhood, marriage frantic revenge and fierce love that Sophie Goodhart has created, and to be doing it with Jemaine Clement is completely joyful!" Clement added: "I really relate to Steve – he's classy, stylish and an all-round good guy – except for when he isn't. I'm excited to be working with the wonderful Nicola Walker and seeing how Steve and Alice's relationship descends into absolute chaos." Alice & Steve is coming to Disney+ on Monday 8 June 2026. Sign-up to Disney+ from £5.99 a month. Add Alice & Steve to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Comedy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Missing classic episode of The Morecambe & Wise Show has finally been discovered after nearly 60 years
The long-lost show sees the comedy duo "in their prime".
A lost episode of The Morecambe and Wise Show has been recovered after decades spent missing, which looks set to be broadcast on the BBC once again in the coming months. The duo are often considered two of the most iconic comedians in modern British history, yet not every episode of their legendary sketch show was archived at the time of broadcast. One such 'lost' instalment, dating back to their September 1968 return to the BBC (after a stint at the now-defunct ATV), is the latest to be rediscovered by a charitable trust called Film is Fabulous. The organisation is run by film collectors, cinema lovers and vintage television enthusiasts, which aims to ensure vulnerable materials held in the UK are preserved when their original owners pass away. It announced on its X (formerly Twitter) account that The Morecambe & Wise Show would be the latest beneficiary of their diligent work, with a long-lost episode likely to be returned to the BBC Archives imminently. View oEmbed on the source website In an interview with BBC News, Professor Justin Smith, of De Montfort University in Leicester, who sits on the Film is Fabulous Board of Trustees, revealed the episode featured risqué skits involving a balloon dancer and a nudist camp. "It is very much of its time and very tongue-in-cheek obviously. But what comes across is the spark that Eric and Ernie had, they were in their prime," he said. "It is fast-paced, it is witty and it has many of their trademarks that we associate with vintage Morecambe and Wise." If all goes to plan, further details will be shared on the episode this coming Tuesday, which is hoped to receive a very belated repeat on the BBC in a timeframe of mere months. Previously, Film is Fabulous has restored missing episodes of Doctor Who, Steptoe and Son, The Likely Lads, ITV Playhouse and The Basil Brush Show among others, returning precious items to the BBC and BFI archives as appropriate. Most recently, it made headlines just last month for unearthing Doctor Who episodes The Nightmare Begins and Devil's Planet, dating back to November 1965, offered by the estate of an anonymous individual who had died. The Morecambe and Wise Show is available to stream on BBC iPlayer. Check out more of our Comedy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast. Add The Morecambe and Wise Show to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.
Amandaland season 2 release date finally confirmed by BBC as beloved spin-off series returns
Expect more cringe-inducing moments from SoHa's newest influencer.
It's almost time for another trip to Amandaland as the hit BBC sitcom returns to our screens next month. Lucy Punch reprises the title role of South Harlesden's gloriously pretentious single parent, who first won our hearts in Motherland, as she forges ahead with an exciting new chapter. As teased in the recent season 2 trailer (see below), our enterprising Amanda will be continuing to develop her online lifestyle brand 'Senuous' (a self-coined term meaning "sumptuous luxury," in case you'd forgotten). The marketing push begins with a talk at a 'careers week' event held by her son's school, where she'll be forcefully pushing back against the idea that her work is, in any way, "shallow". From the hilarious teaser, there looks to be plenty more iconic Amanda moments in store – if you're as excited as we are, mark your calendars for Wednesday 6 May 2026, when the new season premieres at 9pm on BBC One. All episodes will be available as a box set on BBC iPlayer from that date too, so you can watch at your leisure. View oEmbed on the source website Amandaland season 2 sees the return of Philippa Dunne as long-suffering bestie Anne, Joanna Lumley as straight-talking mum Felicity and Samuel Anderson as potential love interest Mal. In an interview with Radio Times last month, Dunne spoke to the immense pressure of bringing Amanda and Anne back to the screen after such a successful first run. "Obviously there's a big responsibility... We didn't want to make a mess of it or ruin the reputation of [Motherland]." she explained. "But we're just really delighted, blown away [and] so happy that people not only like it, but love it. "I'm really glad that the hard work has paid off and that people like it and have received it really well." Addressing co-star Punch, Dunne added: "She's one of my favourite people I've ever worked with, ever. I loved her the minute I met her, I still love her now! I love Anne and Amanda. The joy of the job is getting to play characters like that side by side." Amandaland's season 2 premiere is penned by Motherland co-creator Holly Walsh and Ghosts co-creator and star Laurence Rickard, who may be better known to comedy fans as Robin the Caveman. Amandaland season 2 premieres in May. Stream season 1 on BBC iPlayer now. Check out more of our Comedy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast. Add Amandaland to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.
Netflix's Unchosen ending abandons a strong premise for something blander
Subtlety goes out the window in an underwhelming final act.
**Warning: This article contains spoilers for Unchosen.** Netflix's Unchosen ends with an explosion of violence inside its cloistered cult, which falls under the control of an even more ruthless figure than before. Throughout the series, we've seen married couple Rosie (Molly Windsor) and Adam (Asa Butterfield) process their confusing feelings towards enigmatic outsider Sam (Fra Fee). Initially appearing as the brave hero-type by rescuing their daughter from a near-death experience, Sam later discloses that he's on the run from the law, but remains vague about how this came to be. Of course, we ultimately learn that he is a cold-blooded killer, whose cunning mind renders him highly effective at coercing the cult's pious and submissive followers. The final act picks up against the backdrop of an almighty storm, as Rosie and Adam attempt to flee the fellowship's compound after learning that Sam had threatened their young daughter, Grace. As the rain becomes torrential, they are intercepted by an increasingly unstable Sam, who is furious to see that Rosie's bags are packed, having deluded himself into thinking they had a future together. The subsequent struggle is without doubt Unchosen's weakest section, which is particularly disappointing when it also happens to be the dramatic crescendo. For a moment, it's easy to forget that this story is unfolding in the confines of a fundamentalist cult, as Sam very nearly drowns Rosie in a large vat at the sawmill. Although Unchosen screenwriter Julie Gearey has clarified (via TUDUM) that Sam isn't a "full psychopath," I suspect it would be difficult to draw that conclusion if someone were holding your own head underwater while manically screaming. My point being that, whether Gearey intended for this or not, Sam appears completely unhinged in these distressing scenes, which discard his devious strategies and emotional manipulation in favour of plain brutality. The former was far more interesting to watch unfold, particularly in the context of a cult, where the agency and critical thinking of members is purposefully eroded day-by-day, making them vulnerable targets to someone with Sam's charisma and intellect. By contrast, this slasher movie set-piece feels like a rushed and easy way out of a story that had seemed to be taking a more measured approach. Fortunately, whether by his genuine love for her, his genuine religious awakening, or both, Sam decides not to kill Rosie and lets her up for air, before she flees the scene with Grace in tow. In the epilogue, they wind up at the home of Mrs Phillips (Siobhan Finneran), who has moved in with the outsider son she had been forced to disown many years earlier. Before we get there, though, Sam and Adam have their final confrontation. Adam aims the revolver left by Mr Phillips (Christopher Eccleston) at Sam, who has now calmed down from his near-murderous outburst. Sam disarms Adam by handing him the mobile phone on which he recorded their sexual encounter, reminding the devout believer of the 'sinful' secret that he's kept buried for all these years. "All I had to do was manipulate you, Adam, because that's who you are," declares Sam, as his prey collapses to his knees in shock and horror. It's a welcome, if sudden, return to the scheming Sam we first met, but it sits uncomfortably that Adam gets a more thoughtful, poignant ending than Rosie, who is reduced to begging for her life and thrashing around in a dirty tub. Violence against women and girls is a very real scourge on society, so you could argue that there's an ugly truth to how this finale plays out. But the extreme force of this scene feels unearned and unnecessary in a story that had initially been about the less obvious abuses found in cults, such as coercive control and sexual crimes. That idea falls to the wayside in a sequence that could just as easily take place on Emmerdale Farm than it could on the grounds of a cloistered religious community. Gearey does, at least, return to the original premise in her last scene, which takes us back to the worship hall one year on from these grim events. With ex-leader Mr Phillips in custody (framed for a drunk driving fatality) and would-be successor Adam cowed by scandalous footage, we learn that it's Sam himself who has stepped up to become the cult's new head. He certainly has the people skills for the job, although it is surprising that neither Rosie nor Mrs Phillips has tipped off the police to Sam's location, now that they've realised that he's a dangerous murderer on the run. Would they not want to protect the people they know who remain inside, even if those same individuals have disowned them for defecting? Or what about Mr Phillips, whose identification of Sam to the police could well have saved his own skin? As for Adam, did he also walk away or has he been locked in an empty bedroom, just as he'd once done to his own brother? The latter would be poetic justice for a man who, lest we forget, has committed inexcusable crimes of his own – but we just don't know. These unresolved plot threads add to the sense that this ending really could have used a bit more time in the oven. Unless the series has sights on becoming the UK's answer to The Handmaid's Tale, in which case we have many, many more joyless seasons to go. Unchosen is available to stream on Netflix. Sign up for Netflix from £5.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream. Add Unchosen to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.