Best climate change-focused films available to stream or rent now
From Adam McKay satires to Roland Emmerich disaster movies...
When you think of films tackling the pressing issue of climate change, you're first thought might be to be consider the many powerful documentaries on the subject. From Al Gore's influential An Inconvenient Truth to David Attenborough's striking A Life on Our Plant, there are no shortage of factual films that warn us of the dangers of the changing climate or outline what must be done to mitigate the impending crises. But in addition to those docs, there are also several narrative films that explore the same themes through a number of different lenses. Whether you're after a star-studded sci-fi or an urgent indie drama , there are plenty of films that have taken on the intense topic without feeling preachy or dull. Read on for some of the best climate change-focused films from across the years – and also check out our separate list of the best films to teach children about climate change.
Tulsa King season 3 release schedule: When is episode 10 available?
Make sure you don't miss a moment with our handy release guide.
*Warning - contains spoilers for Tulsa King season 3 episode 9* As one of Taylor Sheridan's Paramount Plus shows returns, with Landman back for season 2, another brings its current season to a close. That's right, there is just one episode of Tulsa King season 3 left to air, with the most recent instalment having introduced a major new character to go up against Sylvester Stallone's Dwight 'The General' Manfredi. That's right, Samuel L Jackson has finally joined the series, with his arrival having been teased well before season 3 premiered. That's because his character, Russell Lee Washington Jr, will lead a new spin-off NOLA King, which is already in production and will expand the Tulsa King universe. However, before we get to that there's still the matter of the season 3 finale which, given where the penultimate episode has left off, is sure to be explosive. So, as we approach the thrilling climax, read on for our full guide to the Tulsa King season 3 release schedule, including when episode 10 arrives on Paramount Plus. When is Tulsa King season 3 episode 10 released on Paramount Plus? Episodes are being released weekly, meaning the 10th episode of Tulsa King season 3 will be on our screens on Sunday 23rd November on Paramount Plus. Tulsa King season 3 release schedule: When do new episodes air? There are 10 episodes in the show's third instalment. Episodes will air weekly on Sundays, with the finale airing on Sunday 23rd November: Episode 1 – 21st September (out now) Episode 2 – 28th September (out now) Episode 3 – 5th October (out now) Episode 4 – 12th October (out now) Episode 5 – 19th October (out now) Episode 6 – 26th October (out now) Episode 7 – 2nd November (out now) Episode 8 – 9th November (out now) Episode 9 – 16th November (out now) Episode 10 – 23rd November What time do new episodes of Tulsa King season 3 come out? In the US and Canada, new episodes will be released on Sundays at 3am ET/12am PT. You can watch brand new episodes of Tulsa King season 3 from 8am in the UK every Sunday. Tulsa King streams on Paramount+ - sign up for Paramount Plus+. Add Tulsa King to your watchlist on the 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.
Soap legend Tristan Rogers dies aged 79 – tributes pour in
Rogers was best known for his role as Robert Scorpio in long-running American soap General Hospital.
Soap icon Tristan Rogers has died at the age of 79, his manager, Meryl Soodak, has confirmed. The Australian actor was best known for his role as Robert Scorpio in long-running American soap General Hospital, a part he played for over 1,400 episodes across five decades. Rogers, born in Melbourne in 1946, also gained a legion of fans for his memorable appearances in dramas like The Bay and The Young and the Restless. The beloved star died after a battle with lung cancer, the diagnosis of which he revealed last month. Since the announcement of his death, tributes have been pouring in from those he worked with over his 55-year career. Fellow General Hospital actor Genie Francis posted on X: "My heart is heavy. Goodbye my spectacular friend. "My deepest condolences to his wife Teresa and their children. Tristan Rogers was a very bright light, as an actor and a person. I was so lucky to have known him." View oEmbed on the source website Another General Hospital icon, Jon Lindstrom, added: "I know the sadness I feel at this news is shared by so many of you. #TristanRogers was one of the coolest, funniest people I ever met. "Whenever we were together, which wasn’t nearly often enough, we never missed a chance to try to crack the other one up. I wish I’d had more of those chances. R.I.P." View oEmbed on the source website Finally, Frank Valentini, executive producer on the soap, shared: "The entire @GeneralHospital family is heartbroken to hear of Tristan Rogers' passing. "Tristan has captivated our fans for more than 50 years and Port Charles will not be the same without him (or Robert Scorpio)." Rogers is survived by his wife, Teresa Parkerson, and their children, Sarah and Cale.
15 of the best Star Wars books of all time – from Heir to the Empire to The Fallen Star
You underestimate the power of the written word.
While the countless movies and Disney+ series are what define Star Wars in many people’s minds, the extensive bookverse has long been – and still remains – a core focus of the franchise. Authors such as Timothy Zahn and Kevin J Anderson have influenced high-profile on-screen projects throughout the years, with their characters and stories bleeding into shows such as Ahsoka and Rebels. But which Star Wars novels are the best of the lot? Read on for 15 of the best Star Wars books of all time – from Heir to the Empire to The Fallen Star – as well as whether they feature in the Legends or canon continuity. 1. Heir to the Empire (1991) – Legends Timothy Zahn is largely credited as the man who breathed new life into the Star Wars franchise during a quiet spell in the 1990s, and Heir to the Empire is the one that started it all. Creating new – although now admittedly non-canon – lore with impressive attention to detail, this first book in what became known as the original Thrawn trilogy introduced readers to a vast array of new characters (not least the menacing Grand Admiral Thrawn himself), as well as adding interesting layers to existing ones like Luke Skywalker and Han Solo. While the story amps up in follow-up novels Dark Force Rising and The Last Command, the joy of exploring these fresh ideas for the first time makes Heir the best of the lot. 2. Jedi Search (1994) – Legends Zahn wasn’t the only trilogy writer in the game in the early ‘90s, with Kevin J Anderson’s Jedi Academy trilogy following Luke Skywalker as he sets up a Jedi training camp, with Jedi Search setting the scene with impressive ambition. While Anderson may not offer the punchy dialogue that Zahn has become known for, his out-there ideas feel incredibly Star Wars-y, the scale of his world-building indicative of an author who knows this universe inside out. 3. I, Jedi (1998) – Legends Even though the Star Wars bookverse was several novels deep by the late ‘90s, Michael A Stackpole did something even those inventive outings had yet to do – providing a first-person tale from a character never seen in the films. Following Corran Horn as he learns to develop his Jedi skills under the tutelage of Luke Skywalker, tying in with the aforementioned Jedi Academy trilogy in the process, this provides an interesting insight into how one develops their understanding of the Force, and explores what happens when Luke takes on the role of his former mentor Yoda. 4. Vision of the Future (1998) – Legends In a twist from the usual trilogy set-up, Vision of the Future rounds off the duology The Hand of Thrawn, which picks up after the events of The Last Command. While author Timothy Zahn arguably takes on a few too many subplots in these books, the chance to spend time with lesser-known characters – including those close to Grand Admiral Thrawn, such as Admiral Gilad Pellaeon – is a real treat, and the twists are typically entertaining to uncover. 5. Labyrinth of Evil (2005) – Legends Though the Prequel trilogy introduced a number of great villains, it often felt like they were slightly undercooked. Labyrinth of Evil, set in the lead-up to Revenge of the Sith, goes some way to making them a little more ready-to-eat (this analogy went off the rails fast). Offering greater insight into General Grievous, and especially his relationship with the unflappable Count Dooku, this is one for the proper Prequel-heads among us. 6. Allegiance (2007) – Legends Stormtrooper helmets are up there with the most iconic symbols in the Star Wars franchise – but what goes on in the heads of those inside them was largely unexplored in the Original trilogy. Thankfully, Timothy Zahn’s Allegiance, which follows five Imperial Stormtroopers as they become disillusioned with the Empire, more than makes up for lost time. Bringing humanity to a group of characters that so often offer little besides poor accuracy and monotone one-liners, this unique tale is a prime example of the level of detail the Star Wars novels can provide, away from the constraints of the filmmaking process. 7. Darth Plagueis (2012) – Legends Did you ever hear the tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise? Now you have. While this James Luceno novel is in the ‘Legends’ category, meaning it’s non-canon, this prequel tale exploring Palpatine’s rise from Plagueis apprentice to Plagueis slayer could easily remain the official backstory, making it all the more worthwhile to read. While Palpatine obviously plays a key role in the wider Star Wars story, it’s easy to forget that, in the Original trilogy, the character wasn’t too major a screen presence. So, any extra details on the master manipulator are a joy to behold, and Luceno’s psychological thriller dives deeper into the Sith Lord’s story than any of the films ever could. 8. Scoundrels (2013) – Legends There are few Star Wars characters out there who are more of a blast to hang out with than Han Solo and Chewbacca, and Zahn clearly knows this – crafting a light-hearted and gag-filled novel that follows our favourite smugglers as they join forces with Lando Calrissian and a ragtag group of ne’er-do-wells to pull off their biggest score yet. Free from the pressure of galaxy-ending crises, Zahn is able to focus on fun in this slightly silly romp, making it one of the most outright enjoyable reads in his extensive bibliography. 9. A New Dawn (2014) – Canon Star Wars: Rebels amassed a huge following throughout its four-season run, and continues to influence the franchise through shows such as Ahsoka and The Mandalorian. For those who haven’t yet seen the show, though, or for those simply wanting more from its characters, John Jackson Miller’s A New Dawn provides the perfect introduction to this extensive world, offering a canon prequel to the hit Disney+ series. View Affiliate Playlist on the source website 10. Thrawn: Alliances (2018) – Canon Bringing Grand Admiral Thrawn into Star Wars' literary canon was an exciting moment in 2017, when the simply-titled ‘Thrawn’ hit bookshelves around the globe, but 2018 sequel Alliances offers the peak of this three-book arc. Getting to dive first-hand into the psyche of the galaxy’s most cunning tactician, all while he’s butting heads with its most formidable villain in Darth Vader, makes Alliances one of the most fascinating – and tense – reads in Star Wars lore. 11. Thrawn Ascendancy: Lesser Evil (2021) – Canon Eleven books in and countless stories down, you might assume the whole ‘Thrawn’ thing was getting tiresome for both us as readers and Zahn as a writer by 2021, but the prolific author simply keeps finding new ways to keep the character interesting. In the Ascendancy trilogy, Zahn takes us back to the future war expert’s early days on his home planet of Csilla, as he struggles to navigate internal politics but shows early signs of his military prowess. Stripping back Thrawn’s tools and seeing how he interacts with fellow Chiss is fascinating throughout, but the story comes to a chilling climax in this twist-filled finale. 12. Light of the Jedi (2021) – Canon There was a lot of pressure on Charles Soule back in 2021, as he was tasked with launching a brand new High Republic multimedia project – but thankfully he delivered. Taking readers back to 200 years before The Phantom Menace, Light of the Jedi not only had to create new characters and dynamics, but also lay the groundwork for an entirely fresh era in the Star Wars storyline. Through crafting instantly likeable characters such as noble leader Avar Kriss and wise Master Loden Greatstorm, as well as establishing what the Republic looked like centuries before the films, it proves a winning start to a whole new chapter for the franchise. 13. Brotherhood (2022) – Canon While the on-screen chemistry between Hayden Christensen and Ewan McGregor did a lot of heavy lifting in the prequel trilogy, viewers don’t get that much time to really dive into the ‘brotherly’ relationship between Anakin and Obi-Wan – but, unsurprisingly, Brotherhood helps to make up for that. Set during the Clone Wars, this novel follows the duo as they’re caught in a chilling conspiracy during a politically tense visit to Cato Neimoidia, with author Mike Chen peeling back the layers of their dynamic and taking a comprehensive look at what makes them tick. Some plot points might be slightly predictable, but the back-and-forth between the pair keeps things interesting throughout. 14. Padawan (2022) – Canon It goes without saying that Obi-Wan Kenobi is one of Star Wars’ most iconic characters, and Kiersten White’s Padawan offers a canon tale in Kenobi’s time as a – you guessed it – Padawan. After his Master, Qui-Gon Jinn, goes AWOL, a young Obi-Wan spots an opportunity to prove himself, showing signs of the intelligence and wit that helped him to become one of the Jedi Council’s most trusted members. 15. The Fallen Star (2022) – Canon Claudia Gray takes the themes laid out in Light of the Jedi and its sequel The Rising Storm and explores them with greater depth in The Fallen Star, as the author examines the political and psychological consequences of the Nihil’s attack on the Republic Fair. With the Jedi left shaken, Gray takes a character-first approach to demonstrate how the chaos on Valo changed the culture of the Republic – and lays the groundwork for the paranoia that the Jedi Masters of the Prequel trilogy are still working through centuries later. For all the latest RT Book Club news, interviews, Q&As with the authors, reviews of previous books and more, visit The Radio Times Book Club sponsored by <a title="https://www.oetker.co.uk/radio-times-book-club?utm_source=magazines&utm_medium=others&utm_campaign=uk-dro-prt_radio-times-book-club-digital-article_na_dro_pizza_ristorante&utm_source_platform=803&utm_term=803" href="https://www.oetker.co.uk/radio-times-book-club?utm_source=magazines&utm_medium=others&utm_campaign=uk-dro-prt_radio-times-book-club-digital-article_na_dro_pizza_ristorante&utm_source_platform=803&utm_term=803" data-testid="link-with-safety" data-renderer-mark="true">Dr. Oetker Ristorante.
Wimbledon 2025 TV channel and live stream: How to watch live coverage
Check out our comprehensive guide on how to watch Wimbledon 2025, including TV channel and live stream details.
This Wimbledon finals weekend has already gotten off to quite the start, with a triumphant win in the bag for Poland's Iga Świątek after defeating USA's Amanda Anisimova. While many may have been wishing for a longer match, the 57-minute game saw Świątek come away with quite the win after winning 6-0 6-0 against Anisimova. Anisimova did previously beat Wimbledon final shoe-in and world No. 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals but just lacked the confidence on the day – easy enough to do when it's your first Grand Slam final. Wimbledon 2025 order of play: Full daily schedule Now, all eyes will be on today's anticipated men's singles final between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. Could Sinner bag his first title or will Alcaraz manage to get a rare third win in a row? We'll just have to wait and see but as for where to watch, scroll on to find out as RadioTimes.com brings you all the TV coverage details you need to watch Wimbledon 2025. Wimbledon 2025 on TV and live stream in UK You can watch Wimbledon 2025 live on BBC from Monday 30th June 2025 until Sunday 13th July 2025. Coverage begins around 11am UK time on either BBC One or BBC Two. Check our TV Guide for the specific channel and time each day. Alternatively, every session to be shown on BBC will also be live streamed via BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Red Button. iPlayer can be streamed through a computer or apps found on most smart TVs, phones and consoles. Wimbledon 2025 TV schedule All UK time. Sunday 13th July From 11am on BBC Two From 1pm on BBC One Check out more of our Sport 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.
The Institute creators break down extensive changes from Stephen King novel
"We were able to sort of essentially show him why it's not the departure that it feels like."
Adapting a story from one of the most revered authors of all time is no easy feat – but that’s exactly what the team behind The Institute have taken on. The <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Institute-Export/dp/1982150785/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.V-zoga2vBY8ZKD8lcSz7RAvfAJwF62o3nkznxshJHRFIayx6p3nW3H0dPmfmCKt1PcbqYorsiDasK1JyguGiMKqCdF2rKxfkhFoFhlcwkNBk9zCd91aVaDp4GP3BNfhA4qccyV2TMDYXy7uwiwh5JK5u8V_ohijpH1DjqtPyuMOxB5-UKyYIZ5y_C_Ev5BkjXWYygak5MrfNgmdVfJ1KAqIUoMO6T4VviPG4O0J9TYc.d947P5yj4OnE0leGFk_XfBh5PdoaGdlenIczDpdh0Fg&qid=1749812936&sr=8-1&tag=radtim0b-21&ascsubtag=radiotimes-2292329" target="_blank" rel="sponsored">2019 book focuses on a group of youths with supernatural powers, who are held in the titular Institute for reasons at first unknown. Not only have those behind The Institute adapted this tale for MGM+, though, but writer-producer Benjamin Cavell has revealed they made some big changes from the original novel: most notably focusing more on the character of ‘night knocker’ Tim Jamieson, played by Ben Barnes. "The book introduces the character of Tim for the first 70 pages, and then he disappears for the next several hundred pages until [Tim and the young adults in the Institute] meet," Cavell explained. "And there was a real challenge. I mean, one of the big changes we made is that in the book, the town where he is night-knocking and sort of settling in and hiding out from his past is very removed from the Institute. "I mean, it's hundreds and hundreds of miles away in a different state. It's in South Carolina, and the Institute is in Maine. It felt to us as though we're missing an opportunity to have him nearby." So, in an effort to bring Tim closer to the action, both his storyline and that of the young adults in the Institute take place in the same area, and come together far more quickly than in King’s book. But how did the author himself feel about the switch? "At first he wasn't certain about the change, when we first pitched it to him, just because it's such a departure," Cavell admitted. "But we were able, Jack [Bender, director] and I, together we were able to sort of essentially show him why it's not the departure that it feels like, and it's actually just in some way amplifying what's already there in the book. "Michael Wright from MGM always says that they're like two trains on a track and they're just, you know, they're kind of inexorably coming together. "And that is, I think, helped by having Tim nearby, having Tim start to understand that something untoward is taking place at the Institute." That isn’t the only major change, however, with Cavell and Bender deciding to cast older stars as the young adults in the Institute – including newcomer Joe Freeman, son of Martin. "We luckily found actors who were just a little bit older, starting with Joe Freeman, who's a genius find for his first show, he does a remarkable job, as do our other kids," Bender explained. "The goal in casting slightly older kids was… we didn't want to do a sadistic show, because these kids go through torture, right? "But I will say that Ben's and my approach to this has always been, let's make this a little bit more of a dark ink version... Let's make this a little more edgy." The Institute is now showing on MGM+. Add The Institute to your watchlist on the 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 Guideto find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The Institute review: Joe Freeman proves a breakout star in sinister Stephen King sci-fi
Sometimes a series comes along and introduces a star in the making, and The Institute appears to have done exactly that with its young lead, Joe Freeman. Based on the 2019 Stephen King novel of the same name, the show follows Freeman’s high school-age genius Luke Ellis as he’s kidnapped and wakes up in the titular Institute, which is filled with other young adults with telepathic or telekinetic powers, as the mystery of just what is happening to them and why slowly unravels. In truth, it would be easy to dub this simply as ‘MGM+’s answer to Stranger Things’ – and sure enough, there are similarities. As mentioned, it centres around a group of young people dabbling in the supernatural. Most of the adult characters are quirky and unique. The setting is a relatively small, sleepy town in the United States. Yep, there are definitely familiar elements, and there’s no doubt that fans of the Netflix show will find plenty to enjoy here, with creator Jack Bender and co combining tension and entertainment to similar effect. Yet The Institute also feels like a unique experience in and of itself, bringing a more solemn, less Spielbergian tone to proceedings that allows the series to head more quickly to sinister places. Speaking to RadioTimes.com, Bender and writer-producer Benjamin Cavell explained that they cast the main gang as slightly older than Stranger Things’s initial line-up to enable them to embrace the darkness that King novels provide, and they do make the most of this throughout. Leaning into the horrors that humanity can supply, rather than monsters or the Upside Down, The Institute doesn’t hold back in pushing the boundaries with its unsettling scenes, tackling interesting moral questions in ways that only the elevated world of sci-fi can provide. Certain sequences are Clockwork Orange-esque in their execution, and there is an underlying tension for these young characters in almost every moment, with the cast behind said characters stepping up to the plate in impressive style. Front and centre throughout is Freeman, who embraces the challenge of taking on his first major role with a confidence that suggests he’s on to big things. Son of Martin Freeman and Amanda Abbington, Joe clearly has a pretty useful mentor when it comes to managing the pressure of taking on popular literary adaptations, but ‘nepo baby’ or not, if you have the skill, you have the skill – and it appears Freeman Jr does. Across eight episodes, the 19-year-old is asked to bring such range to his character – charm, smarts, vulnerability, defiance – and, aside from some slightly stiff line deliveries here and there, he delivers it all. While a number of the younger characters get a chance to shine (Fionn Laird’s rebellious Nick Wilholm provides several great moments), the scenes at the Institute rest largely on the shoulders of reluctant leader Luke, and Freeman brings a level of humanity that gets the audience firmly on board. That said, through Mary-Louise Parker’s delightfully deranged antagonist Ms Sigsby, there are moments when you almost start to root for the other side. Emmy winner Parker is clearly having a blast in this mischievous role, toying with her enemies with a glint in her eye. Beneath the playfulness, though, there’s a sense of purpose that eventually takes Sigsby from mischievous to menacing, with her single-mindedness making her a ruthless foe. Outside of the Institute itself, the show also follows the story of Tim Jamieson (Ben Barnes), a ‘night knocker’ battling his own personal demons who joins the local police force and begins to notice strange goings-on. Without a doubt, keeping this seemingly separate narrative strand interesting is the writers’ biggest challenge in early episodes, but through Barnes’s brooding, brave hero, Cavell and his team manage to do exactly that. While it’s a bit of a tired trope to have an out-of-towner come into an area and instantly aim to fix everything – despite all the characters around them suggesting that nothing needs fixing! – the charisma that Barnes brings to the screen helps you to simply enjoy being in his presence, as does his easy chemistry with police deputy Wendy (Hannah Galway), as the pair slowly bond as the season pans out and their teamwork becomes increasingly important. What prevents The Institute from being a bona fide sci-fi classic, then? Well, as is often the case with heightened worlds such as this, there is a tendency to drift into melodrama every so often, with certain lines of dialogue feeling inorganic and unnatural. This leads to some slightly clunky moments, which can take you out of the scene on occasion. At a pretty hefty eight episodes, too, the show almost threatens to outstay its welcome in the middle section of the season, retreading familiar ground at points when a more streamlined narrative may have helped to keep things punchy. Yet these are minor quibbles, and the story is well worth persisting with as, by the end, the plot threads weave together in a satisfying way, creating new character dynamics that would prove interesting to explore in a potential season 2. Whether that comes to pass is yet to be confirmed, but there’s no doubt we’d head back to The Institute in a heartbeat. The Institute will premiere on MGM+ on 13th July. Add The Institute to your watchlist on the 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 Guideto find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The new film aims to capture the motorsport as authentically as possible – but is the narrative itself adapted from real events?
There can't be many sports films in cinema history that have enjoyed as good access as Brad Pitt's new movie F1. The film – which was directed by Top Gun: Maverick's Joseph Kosinski – was able to call on the full support of governing body the FIA, so much so that to some viewers it may well feel like an advert for the sport as much as a film in its own right. The commercial push for the film included creating a bespoke soundtrack featuring artists like Ed Sheeran and Tate McRae, with Apple TV nabbing streaming rights to guarantee it reaches a bigger audience after its theatrical run. In addition to appearances from personalities within Formula 1 – both the drivers who serve as its poster boys and the commentators who cover it in the media – the film was also shot on location during some of the most prestigious grand prix in the calendar. Kosinski told RadioTimes.com that Lewis Hamilton – who serves as a producer – helped when it came to providing "little details" that helped to "really show the amount of preparation, both physically and mentally" that drivers go through ahead of each race. This naturally lends it a degree of authenticity in terms of its depiction of the finer details of the sport. But while the depiction of the sport itself might be true to life, is any of this based on true events? Read on for everything you need to know about the true story behind F1. Is F1: The Movie based on a true story? No, F1 is not based on a true story. The film is an entirely fictional tale, albeit one that is told against the very real backdrop of the sport, with attempts made to capture the reality of Formula 1 as accurately and authentically as possible. While several of the people who feature briefly in the film – such as drivers Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc and commentator David Croft – are playing themselves, there are no real drivers called Sonny Hayes or Joshua Pierce and nor, for that matter, is there such a team as Apex. That said, the filmmakers did reportedly use some true events as loose inspiration for the film. Specifically, the injury suffered by Sonny before the events of the film – which had forced him to retire from Formula 1 in the first place – is rumoured to have been based on that suffered by driver Martin Donnelly in 1990, while he was in practise for the Spanish Grand Prix, according to MotorSport magazine. But beyond that, fans shouldn't spend too much time looking for parallels between the story told here and any real tales from the world of F1 – it is largely a work of fiction, even if the backdrop is true to life. "I have to give a lot of credit to Stefano Domenicali, who runs F1," Kosinski told RadioTimes.com during an exclusive interview ahead of the release. "From the first meeting where Brad and Jerry and I kind of pitched the idea of this film to him, he really understood why we wanted and needed that access and what the potential was for the sport if we could manage to capture it and put it on a big screen and tell a great story inside of it. "And then, as we met each one of the teams and team principals and drivers, they were all willing to help us out, offer us stories, personal experiences, and just were incredibly welcoming for the two seasons that we were travelling with them." "We did an enormous amount of research about Formula 1 [and] how to tell the story correctly," added producer Jerry Bruckheimer. "We had an F1 executive working with us every day to make sure we got everything we needed. "The fact that they let us put our garage in between Ferrari and Red Bull was kind of an indication that they were helping us to make the movie. They were really cooperative and lended their expertise to help make the movie as effective and as realistic as possible." "But it's a fun movie," he continued. "It's not a documentary about F1, and you have to take license. Obviously, [we] condensed time. A lot of the things that happen in the movie would most probably happen over five seasons, but we condensed it into one season." So, there you go: the film is a thrill ride that looks to capture the spirit of the sport while telling its own original story. F1 is now showing in cinemas. Visit our Film hub for the latest news and features, or find something to watch tonight with our TV Guide and Streaming Guide. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Nicolas Cage leads tributes to Julian McMahon after Fantastic Four star's death
The actor played several popular roles over the years.
Stars across the globe have been paying tribute to Julian McMahon after he died on Wednesday (2nd July), aged 56. The Australian actor was well-known for a number of high-profile roles across his decades-spanning career, featuring in blockbuster films like 2005’s Fantastic Four and its sequel, Rise of the Silver Surfer. On the small screen, he won plaudits for his portrayal of Dr Christian Troy in medical drama Nip/Tuck from 2003-2010, even earning a Golden Globe nomination, and gained a strong fan following for his role as half-demon Cole Turner in fantasy show Charmed from 2000-2005. The star passed away in Clearwater, Florida, after being diagnosed with cancer. Leading the tributes to McMahon was Hollywood icon Nicolas Cage, who described him as "kind and intelligent" after the pair shared the screen in this year’s The Surfer. Speaking to Deadline, Cage said: "Such deeply saddening news. I spent six weeks working with Julian, and he was the most talented of actors. "Our scenes together on The Surfer were amongst my favourites I have ever participated in, and Julian is one of my favourite people. He was a kind and intelligent man. My love to his family." Fantastic Four actor Ioan Gruffudd also shared a tribute, saying, "This is terribly sad news about Julian. "Even though we played each other’s nemeses, there was always so much lightness and laughter working together. Every encounter with him was a joy." Meanwhile, Dylan Walsh, who starred alongside McMahon in Nip/Tuck, posted on social media: "Jules! I know you’d want me to say something to make you smile — all the inside jokes. "All those years you had my back, and my god, we laughed. My heart is with you. Rest in peace."
Ringo Starr reveals changes he made to Sam Mendes's Beatles biopic script
Peace, love and a couple of tweaks here and there.
There are few bigger projects in the big-screen pipeline than the four individual movies focused on The Beatles, with fans across the globe excited to see how their heroes will be portrayed in cinemas. Well, those fans can rest assured that the scripts will be relatively true to life, as drummer Ringo Starr has revealed that he has given notes to director Sam Mendes – who will oversee all four movies following each member of the Beatles – on elements of the Starr-focused outing. Written by Jez Butterworth, Peter Straughan and Jack Thorne, the films will explore many elements of each Beatles member’s personal lives, including the relationship between Starr and his first wife, Maureen Starkey Tigrett. On that relationship, Starr claimed he asked for certain elements of the story to be changed so that they better reflected reality. "He had a writer — very good writer, great reputation, and he wrote it great, but it had nothing to do with Maureen and I," Starr told The New York Times. "That’s not how we were. I’d say, 'We would never do that.'" After some tweaks, Starr admits he is now happy with the script, which will see Irish actor Barry Keoghan portray the Liverpudlian. While some have argued that the roles could have gone to lesser-known actors – particularly those with strong links to the city of Liverpool – Starr has started working closely with Keoghan to help his portrayal of the drummer. Speaking on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Keoghan revealed: "I met Ringo the other day, in his house. I didn’t just meet him at his house, had to go up, and he let me in. "I met him at his house and he played the drums for me. He asked me to play, but I wasn’t playing the drums for Ringo. "It was sort of just one of those moments where you’re just in awe and you’re just frozen." Playing the other Beatles will be Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, and Joseph Quinn as George Harrison. Mendes has confirmed that the four separate biopics will all be released in April 2028. The Beatles films will be released in April 2028. 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.
My Life with the Walter Boys confirms season 2 release date on Netflix
Fans of My Life with the Walter Boys don’t have long to wait until they’re reunited with Nikki Rodriguez’s Jackie Howard and the chaos of her new home. Just over 18 months after the first season ended with that dramatic finale, the series is set to return to Netflix on Thursday 28th August. That means we’ll be back in rural Colorado in less than two months’ time, with Alex (Ashby Gentry) and Cole (Noah LaLonde) no doubt causing plenty more headaches for our protagonist this time out. While some criticised the arguable sidelining of Jackie in her own story, season 1 was received well enough to earn an instant renewal, with the news arriving mere days after the first run wrapped up. That run saw grief-stricken Jackie leave her perfect life in Manhattan behind and move in with the Walter family after becoming an orphan. At the same time, she was attempting to keep hold of her dream of studying at the prestigious Princeton University while also becoming close with the two clashing Walter brothers. Speaking at the time of the renewal, creator and showrunner Melanie Halsall said (via Variety): "I am beyond thrilled that My Life with the Walter Boys has been renewed for a second season. "We have been overwhelmed by the love and support that the audience has given the show and can’t wait to dive back into the world of Silver Falls and the lives of these characters." Executive producer Ed Glauser added: "The saying 'it takes a village' couldn’t be more true as it pertains to the success of My Life with the Walter Boys. "From Ali Novak’s original novel, brilliantly adapted by Melanie Halsall, to our wonderful cast who brought her characters to life, and Netflix’s steadfast commitment, we’re thrilled to continue Jackie’s journey with season 2." What will that journey involve? Well, season 2 is likely to pick up from the end of season 1, which left the huge question of whether Jackie will pick Cole or Alex up in the air. The end of August can't come soon enough! My Life with the Walter Boys returns to Netflix on Thursday 28th August. Check out more of our Drama 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.
"What a night" — Oasis fans react as their first comeback concert rocks Cardiff
You might have heard the news that brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher reunited on stage as Oasis for the first time in 16 years last night (Friday 4th July) – and according to those in the venue, it was very much worth the wait. The rock ‘n’ roll stars provided an electric performance at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, with the brothers deciding not to look back in anger and instead team up once more to bring their supersonic tunes to over 70,000 adoring fans. With so many waiting with bated breath to see what the Gallagher brothers had in store, there was a lot of pressure resting on the shoulders of these giants of the music industry, but it appears their masterplan struck a chord with the audience. Andy Bush, presenter of Absolute Radio’s Hometime Show, described the set as "the most amazing thing", admitting he "couldn’t really put it into words". Attempting to articulate his thoughts nonetheless, he added: "It was kind of emotional all the way through to the end. "They were absolutely way more amazing than I could ever possibly imagine. "And as Brendan from our team said, you will hug a grown-up during that gig. It’s incredible." Podcaster Trevor Davey echoed Bush’s sentiments, claiming "there will never be another moment like that". View oEmbed on the source website "Oasis just blew the doubters, and my own expectations, away," he said. "I’ve seen a lot of good gigs in my time but that was up there! Liam was on FIRE, the setlist was incredible, the crowd was lapping it up!" Meanwhile, DJs Baggy Mondays claimed it was the best Oasis gig they’ve ever been to, explaining: "I’ve been to a lot of Oasis shows over the years and honestly don’t remember a better one than this. "If you managed to buy a ticket - for however much - you did the right thing. You’re in for a proper TREAT. "What a night." Throughout the night, the Britpop band played classics like Cigarettes & Alcohol, Little by Little and, of course, Wonderwall. They also paid a touching tribute to Diogo Jota, the Liverpool footballer who tragically passed away in a car crash alongside his brother this week, during a rendition of Live Forever. View oEmbed on the source website The band play again in Cardiff tonight as part of a double-header in the Welsh capital, before moving on to Manchester’s Heaton Park (11th/12th/19th/20th July), London’s Wembley Stadium (25th/26th July/2nd/3rd August), Edinburgh’s Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium (8th/9th August) and Dublin’s Croke Park (16th/17th August). Those who were unable to nab tickets to any of these gigs will at least get to experience the action from the comfort of their own home, as Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight is overseeing a documentary film that will take fans behind the scenes of the reunion tour. Check out more of our Entertainment 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.
Karen Pirie season 2's explosive trailer sees Lauren Lyle investigate a kidnapping
Gripping crime drama Karen Pirie returns this month, and viewers can now get a taste of what to expect from season 2 thanks to an exclusive trailer for RadioTimes.com. Debuting back in 2022, the first run of the Lauren Lyle-led series proved a hit with viewers, who were hooked on every twist and turn as the detective sergeant reopened a historic murder investigation. Now, Karen has been promoted to detective inspector, with the stakes higher than ever as another puzzling, infamous case lands on her desk. As well as navigating the tough task of investigating the crime, our lead character has to contend with mounting pressure from her boss, the media and "sinister forces that would rather the past stayed in the past", according to the synopsis. And based on this exclusive first-look clip, it’s easy to see why this case is causing such a stir, with one character describing it as "one of the biggest missing person cases in this country’s history" – you can watch the trailer at the top of this page. Revealing more about what Karen is up against in season 2, the official synopsis continues: "The 1984 case of Catriona and Adam Grant has confounded investigators and intrigued the public like no other. "Catriona (Julia Brown), the charming young heiress to a vast oil fortune, and her two-year-old son Adam were brutally kidnapped at gunpoint outside a fish and chip shop in Fife. "The ransom notes that followed stirred up an uncontrollable press storm, but when the culprits fell silent, the police faltered, and Catriona and Adam were never seen again. "Now, a man’s body has been discovered, with indisputable links to the original kidnap. With the first piece of evidence in decades, Karen must assemble an unbeatable team alongside her sincere and loveable sidekick DC Jason ‘Mint’ Murray (Chris Jenks) and the brilliant – but romantically complicated – DS Phil Parhatka (Zach Wyatt). "With the international renown of the kidnap and the constant pressure from Catriona’s father, Sir Broderick Grant (James Cosmo), the team take on the biggest challenge of their careers to date. "As Karen delves deeper into what happened in the autumn of 1984, political grudges and painful secrets reveal themselves, and it soon becomes clear… the past is far from dead." Intense stuff! The ITV show is adapted from a series of novels by Val McDermid, with this season based on A Darker Domain, and writer Emer Kenny will once again transfer the story to screen – as well as starring in the programme herself. New cast members joining the show for season 2 include Saskia Ashdown, Frances Tomelty, John Michie, Mark Rowley, James Fleet and Julia Brown, with the producers behind Line of Duty returning to bring this pulse-racing series back to screens later this month. Karen Pirie season 2 will air this summer on ITV1 and ITVX. Check out more of our Drama 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.
Spitting Image returns as YouTube series – and the first episode is streaming now
Spitting Image – but not as you've seen it before.
Satirical comedy show Spitting Image is back to run the rule over the latest political and cultural shenanigans – although in a format you might not expect. In what has been described as a "brand-new era" for the series, Spitting Image is taking to YouTube for short-form vodcast episodes. This show can be found under a new name, The Rest Is Bulls*!t. We'd assume that title to be a tongue-in-cheek nod to the Goalhanger podcast stable (The Rest Is History, The Rest Is Football, The Rest Is Politics, The Rest Is Entertainment, and so on), which is overseen by Gary Lineker. To be clear, The Rest Is Bulls*!t is produced by Avalon, and it appears to have no official connection to Goalhanger. The first episode is now available to stream. In fact, you can watch it below. View oEmbed on the source website The synopsis for this one-off teaser promises jokes based around "exclusive insight into Prince Harry’s ‘truth’ as he tries to ‘make a s**t ton of money out of podcasting’". The description also warns viewers to "brace yourself for the real Paddington Bear and his penchant for something other than marmalade", while also finding out "what really went on when The Donald called President Putin". Further episodes are expected in the autumn, with the brains behind the show aiming to "laugh in the face of these anxiety-inducing, squeaky-bum times of global conflict" and "unhinged world leaders". The original Spitting Image ran for 18 seasons between 1984 and 1996 and was watched by over 15 million viewers, picking up BAFTA and Emmy Awards for its tongue-in-cheek take on western politics and celebrity culture. The show returned to ITV and BritBox in 2020, with 4.4 million viewers tuning in to make the most of some absurdist escapism during a challenging time. This new take on the series is led by big names in Al Murray and Matt Forde, who were also behind the spin-off stage show Idiots Assemble: Spitting Image the Musical, which received strong reviews from critics during its run in 2023. An exact start date for the full first season of The Rest Is Bulls*!t is yet to be confirmed, but fans can expect updates on the official Spitting Image social media platforms in due course. Check out more of our Comedy 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.
Shadow and Bone star Ben Barnes would return to world – says series was cancelled too soon
When it was announced that Shadow and Bone had been cancelled after two seasons, it’s safe to say many fans were not happy. In fact, a petition was launched to bring the show back for a season 3, which received upwards of 200,000 signatures. Unfortunately, despite these efforts, the series was not renewed by Netflix or picked up by another streamer – something Ben Barnes, who played chief villain General Kirigan, remains disappointed about two years on. While Barnes’s time as the Darkling (spoiler) came to a dagger-induced end at the hands of Alina (Jessie Mei Li) in season 2, the star was eager to see the show continue beyond his departure, with a focus on his "favourite" Grishaverse gang. "I think they'd been working on a Six of Crows sort of story, which was honestly probably my favourite book of the series anyway," he explained in an exclusive interview with RadioTimes.com while promoting his new series, The Institute. "So I was kind of excited, just on everyone else's behalf, to see that come to life. "But yeah, I mean, you never know. Maybe they do have another plan for how to adapt that story, but I was sad, certainly, for the actors who are playing the Crows, who I think were really excited and keen to showcase those stories." As mentioned, Barnes’s time on the show looked to be up before the cancellation (while the Darkling returns in novel King of Scars, he assumes a different body), but that hasn’t stopped him from returning to the realm of Leigh Bardugo’s work. The former Narnia star talks proudly about his contribution to the audiobook version of graphic novel Demon in the Wood, and confirmed to RadioTimes.com that he’d jump at the chance to do more in that universe if given the chance. "I love fantasy worlds. I'm a big sci-fi, fantasy genre reader. That's what I read in my own time, mostly," he said. "And so I think, yeah, if there was ever… not that I would be involved in any sort of Six of Crows adaptations or anything, if they ever did anything with that. "But I think, yeah, once you've been in something, you feel like that's part of the patchwork of your story as well. "So, you know, if anyone ever asks you to revisit something like that, it's always very, very appealing to me to cement your part in whatever that thing was." For now, Barnes will soon feature in a new sci-fi/fantasy setting, playing 'night knocker' Tim Jamieson in Stephen King adaptation The Institute. And the science fiction fan admitted he was excited to dive into the world of one of the genre’s most famous authors. "I like the kind of things that Stephen King writes about," Barnes revealed. "He writes about hope and he writes about people trying to overcome unchecked authority, and this has a lot of those elements." He continued: "I loved the structure of it. I loved how you spent all this time with one character, and then it will just completely abandon that in favour of another storyline, which you then get equally invested in. "And I think the cogs start to tick as to how the worlds are going to collide and how the stories are going to connect, and how the characters overcome the odds to challenge the system together." The Institute will premiere on MGM+ on 13th July. Check out more of our Fantasy 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.
Stranger Things fans will love The Institute adaptation, star promises
"It marries a few different things which might feel familiar, but then get sort of bent out of shape."
Following a group of youths as they get caught up in supernatural shenanigans, it’s easy to see why MGM+’s upcoming series The Institute has intrigued Stranger Things fans – and star Ben Barnes has confirmed that there will be plenty for them to enjoy. Based on the 2019 Stephen King novel of the same name, The Institute follows Luke Ellis (Joe Freeman) as he is abducted and wakes up in a facility that houses young people who have telepathic or telekinetic abilities. At the same time, Barnes’s Tim Jamieson arrives in the town as its newly appointed 'night knocker', discovering that his new home is grappling with strange goings-on. And, speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com, Barnes explained that comparisons to Stranger Things are certainly valid. "The Institute has a similar kind of, like, gripping tension to it, that I think Stranger Things does," he revealed. "But it also has that quiet, almost detective-like story to it as well. So it marries a few different things which might feel familiar, but then get sort of bent out of shape. "I don't think it's derivative at all, but it definitely... there'll be things that people find familiar, hopefully." Considering the success of the Netflix series, and the fact that Barnes himself enjoyed Stranger Things’ themes, he added that any connection between the two shows is a good thing. "I did love that show – particularly the first season, which has the most parallels to this, I would say, in terms of having, like, special kids," he added. "But I also love the way that things are handled within the genre. I think you can have those kinds of powers stand in for qualities in human beings, in terms of, like, telepathy being the way that we communicate, or telekinesis being… using powers that we don't know that we have to move or change a system or bend the rules, or whatever it might be. "I think King explores those things really thoughtfully, which I love." The comparisons with Stranger Things felt inevitable to director Jack Bender, who insisted that fans of the Duffer brothers’ work will "adore" what The Institute has in store. However, he added that this show will still feel fresh and unique. "If you adored Stranger Things, then there's no reason you won't adore our show," he told RadioTimes.com, "but the difference is, Stranger Things was very Spielbergian and ‘80s, right? And I always say it was more like a crayon drawing. "And I don't mean crayon [as] demeaning at all. I thought Stranger Things... what I watched of it was very, very well done, and, needless to say, wildly successful. "But I will say that Ben [Cavell, writer-producer]'s and my approach to this has always been, let's make this a little bit more of a dark ink version of that. Let's make this a little more edgy." Cavell agreed, adding: "Everything Jack is saying is, of course, part of things that we talked about throughout. "And I think it's also important that our show doesn't have monsters. I mean, except for human monsters. "And that, I think, is a real difference between what we're doing and Stranger Things." The Institute will premiere on MGM+ on 13th July. Check out more of our Sci-Fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guideto find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
M3GAN 2.0 ending explained: Does M3GAN die?
**Warning: Contains full spoilers for M3GAN 2.0**
A few years after her debut outing, M3GAN is back in sequel film 2.0, this time becoming the hero (kind of) as a new killer robot threatens Cady (Violet McGraw) and Gemma (Allison Williams). After a fun but tense first outing, the story is dialled up to 100 in this action-packed sequel – especially in a dramatic finale that packs one cool twist after another. Need a recap of how it all pans out, and whether M3GAN dies or lives to fight another day? Read on for a full breakdown of M3GAN 2.0’s final scenes – but beware of spoilers. M3GAN 2.0 ending explained: Does M3GAN die? Before getting to what is undoubtedly a chaotic ending, it’s worth recapping just how the finale was set up. After the events of 2022’s M3GAN, Gemma has become a leading voice in the push for the responsible use of AI, but has drawn some criticism for a lack of conviction – including from her own disgruntled team of Cole (Brian Jordan Alvarez) and Tess (Jen Van Epps). This work has had one positive outcome, though, or so it seems – introducing Gemma to Christian (Aristotle Athari), who shares a similar passion for using AI sensibly. What Gemma’s work in the field of tech has also achieved, however, is placing her under the spotlight of the FBI, who, in a rather ill-advised manner, break into her home to see if she is responsible for Amelia (Ivanna Sakhno), a M3GAN-like super-soldier, going rogue. To prove her innocence, Gemma reluctantly agrees to help find Amelia and shut her down – and reluctantly accepts the help of M3GAN, who has been present in Gemma’s home security system the whole time, watching all of this play out. After getting M3GAN’s body back together in one hell of a She’s All That-style montage, Gemma and her team – including niece Cady – track Amelia to a major tech convention. Following a whole load of chaos, and a mad dance sequence, M3GAN, Gemma and co discover Amelia’s mission: she’s looking after a Black Box AI motherboard which has been growing in intelligence across decades. Eventually, our heroes discover that the motherboard is in the well-guarded basement of a company in the US named Xenox, and find their way in. Scooby-Doo-style, the gang split up, with Cole heading into the vents and Tess and Gemma staying with Christian, giving overwatch. After working her way through the headquarters and finding Amelia, M3GAN is overpowered by this bigger, stronger robot, and is also swarmed by guards and gunned down, seemingly dead. Meanwhile, Christian reveals himself to be the mastermind behind this whole operation, and drugs Tess and Gemma, operating on the latter to implant a chip into her brain – ensuring her future cooperation with his plan – and keeping the former hostage. Cady is being held hostage, too, with guards tying her up in an office. It turns out Christian had grown tired of being ignored on the topic of AI, and let Amelia loose to demonstrate just how scary this tech is – culminating in the deadly clash between herself and M3GAN. Now, he’s positioning himself as the leading voice on the responsible use of AI, while keeping the tech to himself to make sure only someone as sensible and definitely-not-unhinged as him has control over its potential. Sponsored by Vue Save up to 30% on the latest releases at Vue in 2025 Are you a movie lover who always wants to be up to date with the latest releases? Then you're in luck, as RadioTimes.com readers can enjoy new films at Vue Cinemas for less. Customers will receive up to 30% off films with Vue Pass, as long as they have a RadioTimes.com account. It's a great time for new releases, with films such as Wicked, Nosferatu, The Brutalist and Moana 2 taking UK cinemas by storm. Head to your nearest Vue to catch these movies and more for up to 30% less if you're signed up as a RadioTimes.com member. Save up to 30% with Vue Pass Eventually, when Gemma wakes up, not only does she notice the chip in her brain, but also recognises a very familiar voice. That’s right, M3GAN has infiltrated the chip, helping Gemma to take down the operating doctor and fight her way to safety. Using M3GAN's guidance, Gemma becomes a full-on action hero, taking out any guard standing in her way. Amid all the chaos, Cole – who had passed out in the vents after accidentally sneezing into a chloroform-doused rag – wakes up and finds Cady, and they break out of her makeshift office prison. Shortly after, Cady, in an attempt to control Amelia, pairs herself with the killer robot – hoping she will now protect Cady, just as M3GAN does. However, this inadvertently reprogrammes Amelia to think for herself, and she turns on the guards and sets herself a new mission: to use the Black Box for a new AI-controlled world, free from human domination. With both Gemma and Amelia now on the loose, Christian realises the jig is up, and aims to make sure no one gets their hands on the motherboard – especially Amelia (understandably, considering she would use it to become an all-powerful entity hellbent on the destruction of humanity). Eventually, Gemma reunites with Cady as they try to destroy the Black Box, while Cole rescues Tess. However, catching Gemma and Cady in the control room, Christian locks them in, preaching about how his plan was definitely very necessary. Unfortunately for him, Amelia is lurking in the background, and dispatches him with ease. Now, she has her sights set on the motherboard, but is intercepted by none other than M3GAN, who has jumped from Gemma’s consciousness back into her battered body, which had more life left in it than we thought. After making out she is on board with Amelia’s plan for a new AI-controlled world, M3GAN hits Amelia with a surprise attack, using a "trick up her sleeve" (an EMP device) to sacrifice herself and blow up both Amelia and the motherboard, allowing Gemma, Cady and the gang to escape. A while after this dramatic showdown, Gemma is seen once again leading the charge for the responsible use of AI – but is putting her money where her mouth is this time, with her team of Cole and Tess equal partners in her new venture. When she sits down to write about her experiences and the need for AI regulations, Clippy pops up in her Microsoft Word document, and begins acting in a suspiciously sassy manner. You guessed it, M3GAN lives on, unveiling her return in animated form as she reveals she made a back-up of herself – conveniently allowing her to return for a potential M3GAN 3. You can’t get rid of her that easily, meat sacks. M3GAN 2.0 is now showing in cinemas. If you're looking for something to watch tonight, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide or visit our Film hub for all the latest news. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Will there be a M3GAN 3? Latest news and speculation
A few years after first wowing audiences and becoming an instant horror icon, M3GAN is back for a sequel in 2.0. Following everyone’s favourite AI-powered doll as she returns to battle a bigger, scarier robot in the form of Amelia (Ivanna Sakhno), the sequel evolves from spooky horror into full-on action romp. Also returning are Gemma (Allison Williams) and Cady (Violet McGraw) – but will the trio be back for more after that ending? Read on for what we know so far about the potential for a M3GAN 3. Will there be a M3GAN 3? There has been no official confirmation that a M3GAN 3 has been greenlit, though Gerard Johnstone, director of both M3GAN films released so far, has said he is "sure" there is a future for the series. Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com, he revealed: "I really hope that there are more, and I'm sure there will be more. "I know that Blumhouse and Universal are already thinking about and working on ideas for another one. I'll be first in line to see it." On that final point, it seems a potential M3GAN 3 would have to have a different filmmaker behind the camera, with Johnstone revealing that 2.0 is his "endpoint" with the franchise. "This is my endpoint," he confirmed. "I've been on these films since 2018, when I got the first script, so it's been a really long run for me, and I've put everything I possibly could into this movie for that reason." Johnstone stepping away from the series will likely not affect any decision on the future of the series, though – after all, plenty of action-horror franchises take on several directors during their lifespan. Ultimately, it appears that the possibility of a third film likely depends on the box office success of 2.0 and the willingness of the cast to sign on for more. Regarding the latter, star Allison Williams seems eager to get back on set for further instalments, telling RadioTimes.com: "We love working together, even with our robotics co-stars… we’re very familial and close at this point. And so I think that really helps." Indeed, she even confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that she has been "dreaming" of a M3GAN trilogy, telling the publication: "I certainly don’t feel like I’m done making these movies with these people and this tonal landscape and the subject matter. "So, yeah, I have been dreaming of a third, for sure." In the meantime, a spin-off film, titled Soulm8te, is set for release in 2026. Its synopsis teases: "A man acquires an artificially intelligent android to cope with the loss of his recently deceased wife. "In an attempt to create a truly sentient partner, he inadvertently turns a harmless lovebot into a deadly soulmate." So, while it’s unclear for now whether M3GAN herself will return, the world she created will live on regardless. Sponsored by Vue Save up to 30% on the latest releases at Vue in 2025 Are you a movie lover who always wants to be up to date with the latest releases? Then you're in luck, as RadioTimes.com readers can enjoy new films at Vue Cinemas for less. Customers will receive up to 30% off films with Vue Pass, as long as they have a RadioTimes.com account. It's a great time for new releases, with films such as Wicked, Nosferatu, The Brutalist and Moana 2 taking UK cinemas by storm. Head to your nearest Vue to catch these movies and more for up to 30% less if you're signed up as a RadioTimes.com member. Save up to 30% with Vue Pass M3GAN 2.0 is now showing in cinemas. If you're looking for something to watch tonight, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide or visit our Film hub for all the latest news. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
M3GAN 2.0 director didn't want sequel to be a "memeable" film
By the time the first M3GAN film was released in cinemas, it had gone viral for a now iconic dance performed by its titular AI-powered doll. Because of this dance, and countless other memorable moments throughout the movie, M3GAN became a fan favourite within the horror community, and was even named Best Villain at the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards. Now, the killer robot is back with a bang in sequel 2.0 – bigger, bolder and just as bloodthirsty. Considering the virality of the debut movie, and how that played into its box office success, you might think director Gerard Johnstone would be tempted to lean into the buzzy nature of the character. Yet, speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com, the New Zealand filmmaker claimed he wanted to avoid making a "memeable" follow-up to the original. "It was never my intention to make a film that just became so memeable," he explained, reflecting on the first outing. "And when I did this film, I made sure that there were some little pockets of joy that people will appreciate, but not so that it can be cut up and rehashed on TikTok or whatever, because that just seems so cynical and, you know, antithetical to creativity in a way. "So no, I wasn't really thinking about that [going viral]. I'm sure the marketing department were, but that's for them to worry about…" While there were no cynical attempts to create TikTok-worthy clips, though, there are undoubtedly moments that will get fans talking when they leave the cinema. Stars Allison Williams and Violet McGraw, who play the creator of M3GAN and her niece respectively, admit there are a few scenes that they expect to make waves – although they remained tight-lipped on what they were. View oEmbed on the source website "There's a couple [of big moments]... it's hard not to spoil them," said Williams. "You have one stunt in particular…" "Yeah, that was fun," McGraw responded. "Really, just every day was fun." "I love the non-spoiler answer: every day was fun. It's perfect. Print that," Williams laughed. As for what that stunt is? Viewers will have to wait until the film hits cinemas to find out. M3GAN 2.0 is in cinemas from Friday 27th June. If you're looking for something to watch tonight, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide or visit our Film hub for all the latest news. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
This City Is Ours confirmed to return for season 2 on BBC
The show is the BBC's most watched new drama launch of the year so far.
After proving a hit with critics and viewers alike, BBC One drama This City Is Ours is returning for a second season. Season 1 of the crime series followed the head of a gang whose decision to retire sparks a ferocious battle for succession between Michael Kavanagh (James Nelson-Joyce) and Jamie Phelan (Jack McMullen), who both saw themselves as the natural successors. The series culminated in a dramatic finale, airing tonight (Sunday 11th May) on BBC One but now available on iPlayer, which teased plenty more to come from the show. So, with this in mind, its renewal shouldn’t prove too much of a surprise, especially after the BBC posted strong viewing figures throughout the eight-episode run – with many finding the show on iPlayer in the weeks since its debut. Episode 1 has been watched by 6.6 million people to date, which is more than triple the initial overnight figure of 1.9 million, making it the channel’s most watched new drama launch of the year so far. Speaking of the series’s renewal, Stephen Butchard, This City Is Ours creator, lead writer and executive producer, said: "We have all been blown away by the incredibly positive response to This City Is Ours, I can’t thank the audience enough for their time and emotional investment. "My heartfelt thanks also to Lindsay Salt and her wonderful team at BBC Drama for their unflinching support and continued belief in the show, our story and our characters - and not least for this opportunity to do it all over again! See you soon!" Salt, director of BBC Drama, added: "This City Is Ours was one of our team’s first commissions when I joined the BBC, and I could not be happier with how Stephen, Saul [Dibb, director] and the Left Bank team have brought it to the screen so classily. "The response from viewers has been a joy to see, with millions discovering its thrilling, character-driven drama for themselves to become gripped by the raging war of the Phelans. "I'm delighted that we now get to build on this fantastic first run and show that things are only just getting started for this very special series." News of the renewal will be sure to delight star Nelson-Joyce, who plays gangster Michael, after he previously told RadioTimes.com he feared getting his hopes up over a possible return for season 2. "The crew is incredible, brilliant writing, [filming] in Liverpool – it's a proper Christmas gift. So I wouldn't want to get my hopes built up to believing that we're going for a season 2, to then not get it," he revealed. "So, I kind of have to just go, 'Well, I enjoyed doing that. If it goes [ahead], fantastic. It's in the hands of the gods now... If we don't, then I have to be grateful for what I've had so far.'" It seems the gods – well, the BBC – have listened. This City Is Ours is available to stream on BBC iPlayer. Check out more of our Drama 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.
Clarkson's Farm will take a break after season 5 – could be show's last
Yet it could continue "if there was a reason for doing it, like a bloody good story".
Jeremy Clarkson has revealed that the team behind Clarkson’s Farm will take a break after filming season 5 – hinting that the fifth outing could be the show’s last. However, Clarkson has admitted that the series could return beyond this "if there was a reason for doing it, like a bloody good story". Speaking to The Sunday Times, Clarkson explained: "Whatever happens we’ll definitely take a short break as the crews are all worn out. "We’ve been filming here two or three days a week, every week, for five years. Everybody could do with a rest." This comes before the release of season 4 of the Prime Video series, which returns on Friday 23rd May. View Affiliate Playlist on the source website The new season will see the audience join Jeremy and his team "as they navigate new challenges, ambitious projects, and hilarious moments at Diddly Squat farm". Taking place a few months after season 3's end, the synopsis reads: "Kaleb is on a nationwide tour, Lisa is working on a new product line, and Jeremy is left to run the farm alone. "In Kaleb’s absence, Jeremy must keep Diddly on track – and comes up with an idea." Read more: Jeremy Clarkson is "a bit incompetent" says Kaleb Cooper, as he talks difficult Clarkson's Farm season 4 Clarkson’s Farm has gathered a mass following since its debut in 2021, something that the former Top Gear presenter admits came as a surprise. "I did think it’d serve up gentle disappointment to the Top Gear, Grand Tour audience," he told The Sunday Times. "I very much was typecast as this man who drove around corners too quickly while shouting and using hyperbole to make a point. I thought, why would anybody who watches Top Gear or The Grand Tour want to watch this bucolic show about farming? "Then they did and it brought a whole new audience who’d never watched a single programme I’d made." Whether this audience will get to witness a season 6 is yet to be seen – but they will get at least two more outings to Diddly Squat regardless. Clarkson's Farm season 4 begins on Friday 23rd May 2025 on Prime Video – sign up for a 30-day free trial of Prime Video and pay £8.99 a month after that. Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Eurovision confirms unexpected gaming crossover with Graham Norton
Roblox is known for its collaborations with high-profile names, programmes and brands – and now we can add Eurovision to the ever-growing list! That’s right, Europe’s premier celebration of delightfully cheesy tunes is coming to the game, with the iconic voice of the show, Graham Norton himself, cropping up as a Roblox character, donning a sharp pink blazer and black trousers. Players are invited to join Norton "from the main stage to the metaverse" as part of the celebrations, as the game aims to become a crucial companion to the real-life competition in Basel, Switzerland. Announcing the move on social media, Norton said: "Hello, world! Welcome to My Eurovision Party 2025." Revealing more information on what "My Eurovision Party 2025" involves, Eurovision revealed: "My Eurovision Party 2025 is live on Roblox, the ultimate virtual universe that lets you create, share experiences with friends, and be anything you can imagine. "The Eurovision Roblox experience offers fans a chance to fly the flag for a country and customise their own Eurovision watch parties." During the semi-finals on Tuesday 13th and Thursday 15th May, as well as the Grand Final on Saturday 17th, Roblox will "become a second-screen companion with real-time updates, performance highlights and in-game celebrations". As part of these celebrations, gamers can play iconic Eurovision songs, including this year’s tunes, test their music skills in a fast-paced rhythm game, help their chosen countries to climb the leaderboards or even become the star player themselves. But that’s not all, as players can also design their own Eurovision Parties, catch 'Eurohearts' scattered around the map to complete their collections, and "chill in dedicated hangout spaces nestled in the Swiss Alps". View oEmbed on the source website Speaking on the collaboration, Martin Green, director of the Eurovision Song Contest, said: "This partnership opens a new chapter in the Eurovision Song Contest universe. "We’re bringing the joyful spirit of the world’s largest live music event to a platform where millions of young people already connect, have fun and express themselves." Sharing in the excitement, Rob Holley, the Eurovision Song Contest’s head of digital, added: "Grab your friends and dive into My Eurovision Party on Roblox! "You can tap along to your favourite songs, climb the leaderboards, deck out your party with iconic ESC performance props, and who knows – you might even run into a few familiar Eurovision stars along the way. "It’s a whole new (and seriously fun) way to experience the Eurovision Song Contest!" My Eurovision Party 2025 is now live in the game, and will be available until 30th May, with Roblox stating that "the experience has been built with a robust safety framework, including friends-only chat, live moderation, and ESG-compliant risk protocols developed in collaboration with Roblox and immersive entertainment specialists Karta". Check out more of our Gaming 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.
Trigger Point season 3 wraps filming – star Vicky McClure's favourite so far
Season 3 will see Lana and co investigating a bomb threat that "reveals itself to be the start of a sinister vendetta".
Hit ITV thriller Trigger Point has wrapped filming on season 3, Vicky McClure has confirmed – with the Lana Washington star describing it as her favourite run of the show so far. Taking to Instagram to share the news, McClure posted: "HAPPY ‘TRIGGER POINT’ 3 WRAP DAY!!! "Not everyone who worked on TP3 is in this pic but every crew & cast member has made it my favourite TP to date! "Thank you SO much everyone, I’ve loved every single day of this shoot with you all. "Can’t wait for you all to watch their hard work and talents hit the @itv screen!" The new instalment follows on from the dramatic season 2 finale, which saw Lana kidnapped by a terror cell, having to choose between her job and those she cares for most. Season 3 will see Lana and co investigating a bomb threat that "reveals itself to be the start of a sinister vendetta". "Someone is targeting individuals, and demanding revenge," reads the official synopsis. "Working alongside the Police Counterterrorism Unit, the Bomb Disposal Squad race against time to find the bomber before they claim their next victim." Predictably tense stuff from the Jed Mercurio-produced drama! The renewal of the series was confirmed as viewing figures remained strong for the ITV show's second outing, with the channel’s head of drama, Polly Hill, saying at the time: "I am delighted that Trigger Point will be returning for a third series and Vicky McClure will be reprising her role as Lana Washington. "The whole cast are amazing in this series... there's going to be lots more twists and turns and of course explosions in this third series, viewers are going to love it." As for what those twists and turns will be, we will have to wait and see – and when we’ll get to see is anybody’s guess, as even McClure herself has admitted she has "no idea" when to expect the show’s return. We’ll keep you updated once a release date is locked in. Trigger Point seasons 1-2 are available to stream now on ITVX. If you’re looking for something else to watch, visit our TV Guide or take a look at the rest of our Drama coverage. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Doc Martin gets US adaptation – with Emmy nominee set to star
In a move very few saw coming, popular ITV comedy-drama Doc Martin is being adapted for American TV – with an Emmy nominee set to star in the lead role. Taking the reins as the titular doctor, a role that earned Martin Clunes a British Comedy Awards nomination, for the Fox series is Josh Charles, who was twice Emmy-nominated for his turn as Will Gardner in mystery drama The Good Wife. The show will run with the title Best Medicine, with the synopsis stating: "[Martin is] a brilliant surgeon who abruptly leaves his illustrious career in Boston to become the general practitioner in a quaint East Coast fishing village where he spent summers as a child. "Unfortunately, Martin’s blunt and borderline rude bedside manner rubs the quirky, needy locals the wrong way, and he quickly alienates the town, even though he’s all they’ve got." Discussing why now was the right time for a US-based take on the series, Michael Thorn, president of Fox Television Network, said: "The story of Doc Martin has resonated worldwide with its humanity, originality and humour, and with Best Medicine coming to Fox, that eccentricity gets a small-town America spin, complete with idyllic charm and absurdity." ITV’s Doc Martin ran for 10 seasons, from 2004 to 2022, and helped to launch the careers of stars including Katherine Parkinson and Caroline Catz to new heights. The former is nominated for a BAFTA at tomorrow's ceremony, and spoke to Radio Times about how she avoided being typecast in the years since Doc Martin and her other major early series, The IT Crowd: "People with a comedic bent are often drawn to extreme characters who vividly differ from each other. "The times I’ve struggled were playing an everyday person, because I don’t think I know how to be normal in real life." Whether Best Medicine will have a similar track record for creating memorable characters like Parkinson’s quirky receptionist Pauline is yet to be seen. The synopsis for the US reboot continues: "Although Martin can expertly address any medical ailment or mystery in this idiosyncratic town, he’s really just desperate to be left the hell alone. Instead, he keeps getting dragged right smack into the middle of their personal chaos, feuds and fantasies. "What the locals don’t know is that Martin’s terse demeanor masks a debilitating new phobia and deep-seated psychological issues that prevent him from experiencing true intimacy with anyone. "But tenacity is the creed of everyone in their small village, and the people who live there may be exactly what the doctor ordered." Best Medicine is set for release in late 2025/early 2026. Check out more of our Drama 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.
Anora star Mikey Madison joins Kirsten Dunst in mysterious mermaid thriller
Mikey Madison is following up her recent Oscar win for Anora with a major team-up – joining Academy Award nominee Kirsten Dunst for a mysterious mermaid thriller. Directed by Alejandro Landes Echavarría, the Brazilian filmmaker behind 2019 war drama Monos, Reptilia will see a dental hygienist seduced into "the dark and wet underworld of Florida’s exotic animal trade". Little else is known about the project at this stage, but the script is penned by Landes Echavarría and Duke Merriman – who previously collaborated on the aforementioned Monos. Black Bear Pictures, responsible for the likes of the Oscar-nominated Sing Sing and Sydney Sweeney horror Immaculate, are behind the project. Reptilia is the first film Madison has signed on to since taking home the Academy Award earlier this year for Anora, after she broke through in horror flick Scream 5 and Quentin Tarantino movie Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood. After wowing audiences in Alex Garland’s Civil War last year, following a three-year break after her award-nominated outing in The Power of the Dog, Dunst has several projects currently in post-production, including Derek Cianfrance crime drama Roofman, which also features big names like Channing Tatum and LaKeith Stanfield. A release window for Reptilia is yet to be confirmed. Sponsored by Vue Save up to 30% on the latest releases at Vue in 2025 Are you a movie lover who always wants to be up to date with the latest releases? Then you're in luck, as RadioTimes.com readers can enjoy new films at Vue Cinemas for less. Customers will receive up to 30% off films with Vue Pass, as long as they have a RadioTimes.com account. It's a great time for new releases, with films such as Wicked, Nosferatu, The Brutalist and Moana 2 taking UK cinemas by storm. Head to your nearest Vue to catch these movies and more for up to 30% less if you're signed up as a RadioTimes.com member. Save up to 30% with Vue Pass 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.
The Accountant 2's Jon Bernthal puts an important spin on the alpha male – and has since The Walking Dead
The star has carved out complex characters from the very beginning.
Warning: Contains spoilers for The Accountant 2. It’s an… interesting time to be a man right now. Look around in popular culture and it can be challenging to spot genuine role models – both fictional or real. Whether it’s beer-chugging blokes using podcasts to fuel anger and hatred in real life or soundbite-spewing scoundrels in films and TV, it seems like there’s a fascination with being mad, 'a lad' or just straight-up bad. It’s a topic that has created heated debate in recent months with the release of Adolescence on Netflix, which dives into how the rise of the 'manosphere' can have a tangible impact on the psyche and behaviour of young men and boys, who with the wrong role models and without adequate support can make grave mistakes, and who after being told that 'manly' men are emotionally impenetrable can fall victim to mental health spirals. On the surface, Jon Bernthal’s filmography looks like it could be a macho type’s dream line-up, hardly helping to eradicate the issues laid out above. In The Punisher, for example, Frank Castle’s body count would make Genghis Khan wince. In The Walking Dead, Shane Walsh often shoots first and asks questions later. And in The Accountant 2, Bernthal’s Braxton Wolff is a rebel who kills without mercy and takes jabs at pretty much everyone he comes into contact with. Yet digging deeper into his career, it becomes clear that the star is putting an important spin on the concept of the alpha male. Make no mistake, it’s tough to call many – if any – of Bernthal’s most prominent characters "role models", but the 48-year-old does regularly use complex roles to ask complex questions. View oEmbed on the source website Study most of his high-profile parts, including in his latest project – a largely testosterone-fuelled, fist-pumping action thriller – and you’ll notice a vulnerability, a tenderness almost, that is often absent from the chest-thumping killers we’ve come to expect in the action genre. In 2016’s The Accountant, Braxton is a relative unknown, only rocking up on the odd occasion and providing little more than a tidal wave of aggression throughout. In the sequel, though, we witness an evolution of the character, see a depth that makes him feel more human. He is still a cold-blooded killer when he wants to be (taking the lives of those who 'deserve' it, of course), but there’s more to him this time around, exemplifying that even the most seemingly 'hard' men can still experience sadness, misery and trauma. Braxton’s emotional depth is laid bare during his introductory phone call, if in a humorous way, as he’s seen practically begging to adopt a puppy so that he has someone in his life to look out for, and who can look out for him. The character’s vulnerability is hammered home more vividly in a dramatic finale, as his kindness towards the kidnapped children at the crux of the story shines through, with whom he displays a lightness of tone that juxtaposes his mountainous build. And it’s most touching in a heart-to-heart chat with his brother, Ben Affleck’s Christian Wolff, sat atop an RV as the siblings discuss their lives, with Bernthal delivering one of his trademark teary-eyed, fidgety performances that never fail to get under the skin. It’s important in a film like this, one filled with bloodshed and brutality, that director Gavin O'Connor sets aside beats here and there to get real for a moment, and to dispel the notion that gruff men are always brave and bold, that they have an impenetrable shield that cannot and should not be breached. In a time of the ever-growing 'manosphere', seeing two 'dudes' being open with and supporting each other sends the right message to the right people – that it’s OK to talk, it’s OK to not to be OK. While these sorts of moments are rare in the action-thriller sphere, looking through Jon Bernthal’s career, the star has carved out moments and characters like this from the very beginning – often using his roles to interrogate the concept of masculinity, and shine a light on what can happen if it takes a wrong turn. Look way back to The Walking Dead, for example, and his character of Shane. There’s no doubting that he’s a slightly dodgy dude – there’s a very clear reason he and Andrew Lincoln’s Rick don’t get on too well, after all. He struggles with his emotions, often exhibiting anger and resentment, even towards those he loves. But beneath the surface, this is a guy who is trying to protect his people, people that he deeply cares about, even if he’s often too stubborn to admit it. In many ways, the character is an exploration of what can happen when men are unable to properly process or display their feelings, an issue many face today, and Bernthal expertly peels back the layers of that across two increasingly intense seasons. And in the Punisher, Bernthal’s most popular role, there is arguably the actor’s ultimate example of the complex alpha figure. Even from his early appearances in the Daredevil series, he’s more than just a brute – he has heart, he hurts – with the episode Penny and Dime explaining Castle’s motivations in a disarming manner. Bernthal is stunning throughout, his one-on-one with Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock providing one of Marvel’s most moving moments. This follows through to his standalone show. The first season picks up, thematically, from where Daredevil left off, culminating in a harrowing penultimate episode – set in a torture chamber – that proves a masterclass from Bernthal as Frank finally lets his mental guard down and uses his feelings as fuel. All this is to say, The Accountant 2 is just the latest in a long line of layered, complex male figures from a performer who always wants to say more than the usual "violence is fun", instead aiming to shine a light on the importance of opening up, of being vulnerable, and providing a warning around what can happen if you don’t. Going this deep on a schlocky action movie and its star might seem a little silly, but injecting humanity into films like this is essential, as these projects often reach the exact audience that needs to see men being vulnerable. Movies like The Accountant 2 can reel viewers in with violence, gunplay and gore, but they can also leave those same viewers with a different perspective on what it is to be an 'alpha', to be a man – and this is just the latest of Bernthal’s projects to do exactly that. The Accountant 2 is now showing in cinemas. If you're looking for something to watch tonight, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide or visit our Film hub for all the latest news. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
ITV's Grace books: How many novels are in the Roy Grace series?
The crime drama has returned to ITV to adapt four more Roy Grace novels.
Detective drama Grace has returned to our screens for its fifth season starring John Simm and Richie Campbell, as Roy has had to juggle the arrival of a son he never knew about, all while continuing to fight crime across Brighton. The series has fast become a real staple of ITV's output, and as is the case for its previous seasons, the new instalment will adapt more of Peter James's Brighton-based books. His best-selling Roy Grace novels are each filled with shocking murders and intrigue, also exploring the personal life of the central detective. This new run of episodes picks up after the devastating season 4 finale, which brought the central mystery of Roy's wife Sandy's disappearance to a close. But where will the show go from here, how many more books are there left in the series to adapt, and will the show get through all of them? Read on for everything you need to know about the Grace books. Which book series is Grace based on? Grace is based on the best-selling Roy Grace series of novels from author Peter James (who has filmed multiple cameo appearances across the seasons). Like the ITV show, the series focuses on Roy and his colleagues as they investigate a series of murders in and around Brighton, all while Roy struggles to solve the mystery of his own wife's disappearance. How many books are there in the Roy Grace series? There are currently 21 novels in the Roy Grace series, with another one on the way later this year. There is also one novella in the series which was released in 2021, titled Wish You Were Dead. All the titles for both the novels and the novella feature the word dead and are a maximum of five words long. Here's a full list of the books featured in the series: Dead Simple (2005) Looking Good Dead (2006) Not Dead Enough (2007) Dead Man's Footsteps (2008) Dead Tomorrow (2009) Dead Like You (2010) Dead Man's Grip (2011) Not Dead Yet (2012) Dead Man's Time (2013) Want You Dead (2014) You Are Dead (2015) Love You Dead (2016) Need You Dead (2017) Dead If You Don't (2018) Dead at First Sight (2019) Find Them Dead (2020) Left You Dead (2021) Wish You Were Dead (Novella, 2021) Picture You Dead (2022) Stop Them Dead (2023) <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/They-Thought-Dead-Multi-Million-Superintendent/dp/1529031451/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.F6-e0r0f-0WxGJBOo6m5Jsd59LWkF7rDXEshFymvieZNHvnOfwl9WY93hK47-YR60iyqi3qC_jIXCMSXqTYYvhbZAK3n06XO4TzE_Oq_vA3V2LkT6_KNOXvecJwi3LUMrbCjwDW9qqX7Auz7_hdE3jXYdaApND5S57-k_UyBaSvmc3mfZTsWuz3fRc9_sI621jIAEiZ-h89tMPeXkiXdPxQelNzL-q54dSz47RuOTVI.lutoiVsYqNVg734UU6G38QaoiE6jTG6wpXie1b4sfhY&qid=1743771820&sr=8-1&tag=radtim0b-21&ascsubtag=radiotimes-1630827" target="_blank" rel="sponsored">They Thought I Was Dead (2024) <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Us-Dead-Roy-Grace/dp/1529090016/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.jFJ3xnA24LLpRpGMmSC0EN-tKnG7xJs2JPXzDX7QqAkSb9UZWGnlu3HeqHylAnF1U-dfD336Hu0BS4cKzV3boAuu7zcCyTcrNu8LJWlHasjCbG414iEk3eMuI9p5vSOcYL2hW0rTWJmdaLcThfB1XQ.3FZqAPWMCqWRJzHL4yd88YdM5oCWrLu5WPQXlbr8pkQ&qid=1743771857&sr=8-1&tag=radtim0b-21&ascsubtag=radiotimes-1630827" target="_blank" rel="sponsored">One Of Us Is Dead (2024) Which books are being adapted in season 5 of the ITV series? This year's season is made up of four feature-length episodes, adapting the next four novels - Need You Dead, Dead If You Don't, Dead at First Sight and Find Them Dead. The synopses for each book are as follows. Need You Dead: "When the body of a woman is found, Grace is called to the scene. At first it looks an open-and-shut case with a clear prime suspect. That is, until Grace realises there is a darker, far more terrifying alternative." Dead If You Don't: "Roy Grace is brought in to investigate what seems to be a straightforward case of kidnapping. But, very soon, Grace finds himself entering a dark, criminal underbelly of the city, where the rules are different and nothing is what it seems." Dead at First Sight: "Roy Grace is called to investigate the suicide of a woman in Brighton, that is clearly not what it seems." Find Them Dead: "Grace’s investigation draws him into the evil sphere of an utterly ruthless drug dealer on trial. A man prepared to order the death of anyone it takes to enable him to walk free from court." Meanwhile, a sixth season has already been confirmed, although which books this will adapt has yet to be confirmed. Will the ITV series adapt more of the books? Beyond the fifth and sixth seasons, nothing has been officially confirmed, but Peter James, John Simm and the rest of the show's cast and creatives have expressed an interest in returning for more. The series is notably getting quite close to catching up with James, despite his prolific output. However, it doesn't seem this will be a problem. Simm was recently asked whether he could see the show going beyond the books and telling completely new stories, to which he said: "Yeah, we've all talked about this. Peter's got a treasure trove of ideas, so I think we'll be all right. "And also, we were speaking yesterday about how pleased we are that the show is kind of deviating from the books now, and it has been quietly over the last few years, really. "For instance, Bella Moy dies quite early on in the books, and we kept Bella Moy alive, and various characters are different and storylines are different. So I think that's quite important. "I quite like the fact that people that have read all the books, they get the rug pulled from under them when they think they know what's going to happen, but it's completely different. I quite like that. Because it's a different thing. A book is not a TV show and vice versa. "So, yeah, I'm not really worried about that. I think we've got plenty of cases to solve." James seemed more than happy with the suggestion that the show overtake his novels, saying that "we've got a hundred more cases lined up at the moment". Grace season 5 is showing on ITV1 and ITVX, with seasons 1-4 available to stream on ITVX. Check out more of our Drama 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.
Fortnite confirms major Star Wars event – with fun twist on fan-favourite character
Fortnite fans have expected some form of Star Wars collaboration for a while now – but they certainly won’t have expected to see a certain (evil) Gungan rocking up as part of a new battle pass. That’s right, Jar Jar Binks is coming to Epic Games’s Battle Royale – and he’s looking slightly more Sith-like than in The Phantom Menace. Beginning on 2nd May, Galactic Battle will see major faces from a galaxy far, far away make their mark in Fortnite, including Mace Windu, Emperor Palpatine and, um, a Wookiee Cuddle Team Leader. But without a doubt, the headline-stealer from this event is none other than Darth Jar Jar, who was born from a fun theory from the Star Wars fan base before coming to life in LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy. View oEmbed on the source website Now, he’s making his gaming debut, and it’s safe to say players are buzzing. One excited X user said: "I underestimated your game Star Wars, you made my boi Darth Jar Jar real." Another added: "Dude I'm so hyped for this new season. Screaming REAL!!!!" Wesa very excited. View oEmbed on the source website Alongside Darth Jar Jar, players will get the chance to pilot and co-pilot X-Wings and TIE Fighters, as well as checking out themed map locations. Unfolding across a month, each week will have its own theme, beginning with an Imperial Takeover on 2nd May and finishing with a Death Star Sabotage on 7th June. In between those, The Pull of the Force, Mandalorian Rising and Star Destroyer Bombardment will drop, with the entire saga concluding with a live event that will "surely have players feeling like they've got the fate of the whole galaxy in their hands". We got a good feelin’ about this. Discover more with Fortnite creative map codes: Fortnite horror maps | Fortnite action-adventure maps | Fortnite hide and seek maps | Fortnite Zone Wars maps | Fortnite fighting maps | Fortnite parkour maps | best Fortnite creative maps | Fortnite Squid Game map codes | Fortnite Monopoly code | Fortnite I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here code | Fortnite Doctor Who map code Check out more of our Gaming 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.
Star Wars: Visions season 3 release date confirmed – with fan-favourite character returning
The release date for Star Wars: Visions season 3 has officially been confirmed – but we have a little while to wait. Speaking during a panel at the Star Wars Celebration event in Tokyo, the show’s executive producer James Waugh revealed that the popular animated series will return on 29th October 2025. While that may prove a painful wait for viewers of the Disney+ show, it promises to be worth it – as a certain fan-favourite character is returning. That’s right, after proving a breakout hit in season 1 opener The Duel, The Ronin himself will grace our screens once more, this time in a follow-up titled The Duel: Payback. Original director Takanobu Mizuno will helm the new episode, which picks back up with the former Sith nicknamed 'Grim', who has become a popular figure with Star Wars fans around the globe – spawning statues, collectibles and even a spin-off book. The Duel isn’t the only story receiving a follow-up, though, with The Village Bride sequel The Lost Ones and The Ninth Jedi sequel Child of Hope arriving as part of season 3. The Ninth Jedi will also get its own standalone spin-off series, set for release in 2026, as part of a new Star Wars: Visions Presents project, which aims to give Visions stories more time to breathe than the usual shorter-form episodes. Speaking of Visions Presents, Waugh teased that it opens the door to a "bold new direction" for the anthology show. Discussing the series’s impact, he added: "In general, Visions is a concept that really came from a passion for the animated medium. "I think we’ve always deeply admired the craftsmen that bring such great storytelling through animation. View Affiliate Playlist on the source website "And so, as we were talking about how we could celebrate that, we ended up coming up with a concept really focused on anime and really focused on celebrating Star Wars through the anime perspective through the idea of really giving Japanese culture a spotlight within Star Wars and its influence on Star Wars in general." In season 3, Star Wars fans can also expect a lighthearted tale of friendship between a young girl and a large bear-like droid in Yuko’s Treasure, created by anime studio Kinema Citrus, as well as a darker and more technical outing in the form of The Song of Four Wings, which appears to focus on the beloved X-Wings – once again demonstrating the variation that Visions provides. Star Wars: Visions season 3 comes to Disney+ on 29th October 2025. Check out more of our Sci-Fi 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.
The Last of Us star Bella Ramsey has proved every doubter wrong with one season 2 moment
Warning: Contains spoilers for The Last of Us season 2 episode 1. Considering Bella Ramsey was actually around 19 years old when filming season 2 of The Last of Us, the debate around whether they had it in the locker to "age up" from the first run to play, um, a now 19-year-old character was always tedious – and it's something the Nottingham-born star seems determined to shut down from the opening moments of the new run. After a chilling opener centred around this season’s antagonist-of-sorts Abby (Kaitlyn Dever), the Sky Atlantic sci-fi reintroduces us to Ramsey’s Ellie as she’s put through a brutal training regime – so brutal, in fact, that viewers may initially believe she’s in a genuine fight for her life. From the off, it is clear we’re dealing with a different beast this time around, an older, more street-wise and physically imposing Ellie who is ready to scrap hard, even if it puts her in danger. Of course, even in season 1, Ellie was never afraid of confrontation, but she was ultimately a much more vulnerable protagonist who largely relied on weaponry to hold her own out in the battlefield. Now, though, we witness the growth of a character who feels like she’d be as useful in a tussle as Joel or Tommy, and that’s credit to the star playing her. Ellie’s physical evolution is displayed vividly in the stature of Ramsey, who holds themselves in a more commanding manner than the last time we saw them in season 1 – a deliberate choice that continues throughout their episode 1 performance, with the stockier-looking character, consistently crossing her arms with rolled-up sleeves displaying fresh tattoos, proving a more assertive screen presence this time around. For fans of the source material, who got to make the most of the gameplay improvements Ellie’s more filled-out build offered, this should come as a welcome relief: This evolution is a key component of Naughty Dog’s 2020 follow-up both story-wise and gameplay-wise, and Ramsey channels the PlayStation sequel’s take on the character right off the bat. However, there’s also an emotional evolution for Ellie from scene one, as the fractured relationship between the teenager and Joel (Pedro Pascal) is hinted at in the opening conversation with Jesse (Young Mazino), who has the unfortunate role of relaying Joel’s strict rules around combat, and explored further throughout the episode. View oEmbed on the source website While season 1’s Ellie didn’t exactly like being told what to do, by the end of that run she respected her new father figure, displaying a reluctant acceptance that out in the wilderness, for her own sake and Joel’s, she had to follow his rules. Here, though, there’s not just a desire for independence, but a need for it. In one short chat with Mazino’s Jesse, Ramsey lays out Ellie’s mindset, her anger at being coddled by Joel displaying a self-confidence and doggedness that has come from years of growing in maturity, stature and respect within her wider circle, but not in the eyes of the person closest to her – and the venomous line delivery emphasises this. We’ve all been there, as a late teen, feeling ready to take on the world and grow as people, even if we’re not quite as ready as we might believe. It’s a running theme throughout the game series’s Part 2, as Ellie brushes up against what she perceives to be an overbearing approach from Joel, and – like the physical aspect of the character – Ramsey channels this emotional weight with ease from the opening scenes. The arrogance in Ramsey’s performance perfectly blends hints of her season 1 childishness with a boldness that is rooted in her growing self-assuredness, echoing the character developments in the game. This blend comes through most clearly in the scenes with Pascal’s Joel himself, as they bump heads in increasingly tense stand-offs. The performance of the leading duo as they pull apart the touching dynamic that developed in season 1 is powerful and compelling, leaning on the bond they built across the previous run. The two leading stars have spoken extensively about their chemistry both on and off screen, and how they constructed that across a year or so of filming in challenging conditions. Without said chemistry, would the disintegration of their bond hit as hard? Would a newly cast Ellie nail these moments to the same devastating degree? It’s hard to imagine so. For Part 2’s most major twists to hit with full force, there has to be a tangible connection between the leading duo, and Ramsey’s ability to run the entire spectrum opposite Pascal – from genuine affection in late season 1 to simmering resentment in season 2’s opener – is already helping to lay the groundwork for those narrative beats to prove even more impactful. Of course, all of this comes from the analysis of one episode in a much longer season – and predominantly one scene of that episode – but already it’s clear that those who worried about Ramsey’s ability to evolve their performance from season 1 to season 2 – and thus from game one to game two – needn’t do so. Both physically and emotionally, The Last of Us has the right person in the right role. Doubters be damned. View Affiliate Playlist on the source website The Last of Us season 2 is now showing on Sky Atlantic and NOW. Check out more of our Sci-Fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guideto find out what's on. 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