X-Men MCU reboot release date speculation, cast rumours and news
The original mutants might be coming back – but the MCU's brand new team aren't far behind.
The X-Men are about to undergo their boldest film reinvention since 2011's First Class, with a blockbuster reboot planned that will carry the team forward in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In recent years, a number of characters from 20th Century Fox's classic X-Men films have already cropped up in the MCU, with several more joining the party in December's epic crossover Avengers: Doomsday. However, fans shouldn't get too attached to any of these returning favourites, who seem to be on their farewell tour – with a group of fresh faces gradually assembling to pick up where they leave off. It's not yet clear who will be inheriting the iconic roles of Storm, Cyclops and Jean Grey, among others, but we do know the creatives tasked with telling their stories – and roughly when to expect to see the team in action. If you're as excited as we are for a new generation of Marvel mutants, read on for everything we know so far about the X-Men reboot in the MCU. X-Men MCU reboot release date speculation View Green Video on the source website Marvel Studios has yet to announce when its X-Men reboot will be released, but we do know that it will be sometime after December 2027's crossover spectacular Avengers: Secret Wars. Previously, producer Kevin Feige explained (via Deadline): "The whole story of Secret Wars really leads us into a new age of mutants and of the X-Men. Again, [it's] one of those dreams come true. We finally have the X-Men back." As Variety reported last summer, Marvel Studios currently has four release dates assigned for unspecified Marvel projects in 2028, February, May, November and December, one of which is likely to be X-Men. Some have speculated that the February date could go to Ryan Coogler's third Black Panther film, which is known to be in development and would return the series to the US and Canada's Black History Month (where it launched in 2018). If that proves to be true, it would leave the X-Men free to nab the early summer date or, alternatively, see it move to the end of the year. For now, we can only speculate on what is planned – but we'll update this page when concrete details emerge. X-Men reboot cast rumours: Who could star? Marvel is yet to announce any cast members for its MCU-set reboot of the X-Men, but there are plenty of rumours circulating as to who could inherit the wide range of iconic roles. Some of the speculative fan castings that have gained the most attraction include Taron Egerton as Wolverine, Harris Dickinson as Cyclops, Sadie Sink as Jean Grey and Julia Butters as Kitty Pryde – but not one of them is confirmed right now. Addressing the online chatter, Egerton told The New York Times: "I'd be excited but I'd be apprehensive as well, because Hugh [Jackman] is so associated with the role that I'd wonder if it'd be very difficult for someone else to do it. "Hopefully if it does come around, they'll give me a shot." Three years later, Egerton discussed the continued online discourse with The Hollywood Reporter, explaining that fan demands for him to be the next Wolverine were "almost like a joke at this point". "Every time I have a project come out, there's a moment where people talk about it... It's quite strange, but it's flattering," he concluded. It's possible that Egerton may be too established to be considered, with Marvel reportedly seeking younger, lesser-known talent for the project. (Jackman himself was famously an unknown when he was first cast in the role decades ago.) A talent agent told Variety that the direction is being taken to "keep the cost down" on a film that will inevitably require a large ensemble of actors, to populate both the faculty and student body of Xavier's unusual school for mutants. X-Men reboot creatives: Who is writing and directing the film? The upcoming X-Men reboot will be directed by Jake Schreier, who previously wowed Marvel fans with his soulful team-up film Thunderbolts*. Although it didn't light up the box office as hoped, the Florence Pugh-led antihero film did receive a generally positive response from critics and fans, who praised the memorable characters and allegorical themes. Prior to his Marvel blockbuster, Schreier had been best known for directing Netflix miniseries Beef, which earned numerous awards for its chaotic first season starring Steven Yeun and Ali Wong. In April 2026, Schreier announced to Collider that he was bringing his Beef collaborators with him to the MCU, with series creator Lee Sung Jin and season 1 co-writer Joanna Calo tapped to work on the script. Calo is also known for her work on The Bear. View oEmbed on the source website "We had a great experience with him on Thunderbolts*," producer Kevin Feige said to ComicBook.com, addressing his reunion with Schreier. "He has his pulse on, shall we say, a younger demographic. "He's younger than me for sure, but he’s tapped into that in a way that I think [is] much more important for X-Men. Because X-Men, as it was in the comics, will be a very youth-oriented, focused and cast movie." Schreier himself told The Playlist that the MCU's X-Men reboot would be "recognisably different from what came before," so expect a clean break from the earlier iterations after Doomsday and Secret Wars. Previously, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes screenwriter Michael Lesslie had been attached, although it's not clear if he is still involved. Which X-Men are already in the MCU? Marvel Studios has introduced several X-Men characters to the MCU in recent years, with 2023's box office smash-hit Deadpool & Wolverine adding two of the most popular mutants. Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman reprised their respective roles from earlier entries, for a cameo-filled extravaganza that also folded Dafne Keen's Laura (aka X-23) and Channing Tatum's long-delayed Gambit into MCU continuity. Prior to that film, we'd seen Patrick Stewart reprise the role of Charles Xavier (aka Professor X) for an alternate universe scene featured in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Alas, that version of the character was made short work of by an out-of-control Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), meaning that he'll be playing an entirely separate variant – perhaps the original Fox version – in the forthcoming Avengers: Doomsday. Another direct X-Men connection was established in 2023's The Marvels, with a perplexing post-credits scene that saw Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) transported to an alternate universe. There, she was shocked to be faced by her late mother, Maria (Lashana Lynch), and none other than Hank McCoy aka Beast (played by Kelsey Grammer, returning from Fox films X-Men: The Last Stand and Days of Future Past). Grammer is one of the legacy X-Men actors confirmed to be returning for Avengers: Doomsday, so here's hoping we'll get some resolution to that confounding plot twist in the imminent blockbuster. Joining Stewart and Grammer – in what could be a swan-song for the original X-Men cast – are Ian McKellen as Magneto, James Marsden as Cyclops, Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler and Rebecca Romijn as Mystique. In terms of brand new mutants, the MCU also has Kamala Khan aka Ms Marvel (Iman Vellani), who was revealed to have the empowering gene at the end of her six-part Disney+ series. At the time, Vellani told Marvel.com: "I emailed Kevin Feige in all caps. I was like, 'Are you doing this like for real? Are you sure? I'm so honoured!' I was like yelling at him through an email. I was freaking out. "This is the biggest deal in the world, and the fact that it's happening in our show is crazy." Notably, this is a major change from the comic books, where the character was originally an Inhuman (although, the source material has since been retroactively tweaked to match up with the live-action version). Besides individuals, Marvel has also introduced a key location from the X-Men lore to its cinematic universe, that being Wolverine's favoured hideout Madripoor – which was depicted in 2021's The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. Could that be where Jackman's clawed mutant headed after the events of Deadpool & Wolverine? We'll just have to wait and see. Marvel Cinematic Universe films and streaming shows are available on Disney+. Add Marvel shows to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Sci-fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
All 76 times EastEnders has used emotional Julia's Theme - from Ian Beale's tears to Nigel Bates's death
The tears flow when this classic theme from Simon May replaces the traditional doof doof...
Simon May's theme tune to EastEnders is one of the most recognisable compositions in British music history. In fact, during a 2008 poll by PRS for Music, it was voted as more of an earworm than the national anthem. May was approached by creators Julia Smith and Tony Holland in 1984 to write the tune, originally opting for a more edgy piece that reflected the serial's apparent grittiness. This was vetoed, and a new piece that would "bring people in from the kitchen or garden" was chosen instead. He also crafted a "romantic pre-empt", which could be used in place of the traditional drum beats to conclude an episode. Named Julia's Theme, in tribute to Smith, it features several slow piano buildups that can allow for it to be cut at any given point. It has become synonymous with the tragic, heartwarming, tender or emotional moments from the BBC soap's 41-year history, with fans often speculating which moment will be awarded the treatment. View oEmbed on the source website Here, as it is used once more in the soap, Radio Times looks back at all 76 times Julia's Theme has been used, plus the alternative arrangements we've heard from time to time. Every time EastEnders has used Julia's Theme... 1. Ian cries to grandmother Lou Beale (1985) The first use of Julia’s Theme is intended to provide an emotional backing to this sweet family scene between a teenage Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) and his steely grandmother, Lou Beale (Anna Wing). Fitting that Ian is the first to get the theme, and he is the longest-running character in the show's history. 2. Sue Osman breaks down to her husband Ali after the death of their son (1985) A heartbreaking moment for original cafe owners Sue (Sandy Ratcliff) and Ali Osman (Nejdet Salih), who discovered their son Hassan had died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). 3. Sue Osman holds baby Annie Smith (1985) Having recently suffered the devastating loss of baby Hassan, Sue holds the infant Annie, daughter of Mary ‘The Punk’ Smith (Linda Davidson). 4. Den Watts and Michelle Fowler hide the paternity of her unborn baby (1985) EastEnders’ first big mystery surrounded Michelle Fowler’s (Susan Tully) baby daddy, and while the local landlord impregnating his teenage daughter’s schoolmate would be deeply controversial by today’s standards, the producers of 1985 thought it warranted a Julia’s Theme. The pair met at the canal, with the arrival of Roly the dog cementing to viewers that Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) was Michelle's secret fella. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 5. Pauline Fowler has a heart-to-heart with son Mark on Southend Beach (1985) An emotional reunion occurs between Pauline (Wendy Richard) and her errant son, Mark Fowler (David Scarboro), on the beach of Southend in Essex after he spent much time away from Walford. 6. Lofty Holloway asks Michelle Fowler to marry him (1986) Michelle’s saga continues as barman Lofty Holloway (Tom Watt) pops the question to her. 7. Michelle Fowler agrees to marry Lofty Holloway (1986) After a long and complicated road, Michelle finally agreed to marry softie Lofty Holloway in search of a simple family life. 8. Lofty Holloway and Michelle Fowler share a kiss (1986) Perhaps by this point, Julia’s Theme should’ve been renamed Michelle’s Theme. 9. Sue Osman tells Michelle Fowler that she's had a false pregnancy (1986) Another tragic time for Sue as she reveals to Michelle that she has experienced a false pregnancy in her difficult journey with motherhood. 10. Den Watts wishes Michelle Fowler good luck for her wedding the next day (1986) Like most soap weddings, this one didn’t go to plan, and Den’s brief encounter with Michelle on the eve of her wedding led to her jilting poor Lofty at the altar the following day. 11. Arthur Fowler returns from prison (1987) Having stolen the local charity money and suffered a nervous breakdown, Arthur (Bill Treacher) spent a spell in prison but finally came home and was reunited with his family. 12. Dot Cotton and Ethel Skinner reminisce about the war (1987) While caring for baby Vicki, the Walford pensioners reflect on their very different experiences of wartime Britain in this two-hander episode. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. Read More: EastEnders two-handers ranked: All 24 episodes, from Pat & Peggy to Den & Angie 13. Magda Czajkowski asks Simon Wicks to move in with her (1987) Spirited caterer Magda (Kathryn Apanowicz) solidified her new romance with roguish Wicksy (Nick Berry) by asking him to move in with her - shame it wouldn’t last long. 14. Arthur Fowler turns down Christine Hewitt... but kisses her goodbye (1992) Arthur should’ve known better than to pursue an adulterous relationship with his gardening assistant, Mrs Hewitt (Elizabeth Power). 15. Mark Fowler takes Mandy Salter back to his family home for Christmas dinner (1992) In a touching end to the Christmas Day episode from 1992, an empathetic Mark (now Todd Carty) took troubled teen Mandy Salter (Nicola Stapleton) back to an incredibly crowded but joyous festive scene at the Fowler house. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 16. Pauline Fowler and Pat Butcher have a heart-to-heart after Pat ran over and killed a girl (1993) It was an eventful Christmas for Pat (Pam St Clement), who was drink-driving in her cab and took the life of a girl named Stephanie. Here she unloaded her feelings to her former sister-in-law, Pauline. 17. Nigel Bates tells stepdaughter Clare that her mother Debbie has died (1995) In one of EastEnders’ most tearjerking scenes, from a distance we see Nigel (Paul Bradley) sit his stepdaughter Clare (Gemma Bissix) down on a park bench and break the news to her that her mum Debbie has died in a traffic accident, and she collapses into his arms. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 18. Pauline Fowler walks away from husband Arthur's grave after his funeral (1996) A sad farewell to the Fowler patriarch, who died from a brain haemorrhage sustained during a prison riot. Arthur was recently remembered by Ian Beale, who explained the reasoning behind his bench in the Square Gardens to Bea Pollard (Ronni Ancona). 19. Cindy Beale flees with her sons Steven and Peter (1996) Having endured a tortured marriage to Ian Beale and having cheated on him multiple times, Cindy (Michelle Collins) fled the UK with help from lover David Wicks (Michael French) and Barry Evans (Shaun Williamson) but was forced to leave daughter Lucy behind as she fled on a train for a new life in Italy. 20. Grant, Courtney and Peggy Mitchell scatter Tiffany's ashes (1999) Heading to the Sussex coast in Peacehaven, Grant (Ross Kemp) and Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor) take baby Courtney to say a final farewell to her mother Tiffany following her tragic death in a traffic collision on New Year’s Eve. 21. Bianca Butcher tearfully departs Walford for Manchester with son Liam Butcher (1999) Though this use of the theme marked Bianca's (Patsy Palmer) and Liam’s exits, the camera focuses in on poor Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen), left to consider a life without his wife and son. 22. Frank and Peggy Butcher vow to fight Dan Sullivan for the Queen Vic (2000) Despite having lost a huge share of the Queen Victoria pub thanks to her son Phil (Steve McFadden), Peggy vows to put up a fight against the hard-nosed Dan Sullivan (Craig Fairbrass) alongside her husband Frank (Mike Reid). 23. Sonia Jackson breaks down after giving her child Chloe up for adoption (2000) Fortunately for Sonia (Natalie Cassidy), she’d reunite with Chloe - now named Rebecca - just months later, and would eventually gain parental responsibility in 2005. 24. Roy and Pat Evans reconcile (2001) After the damage inflicted by her affair with and undying love for ex-husband Frank Butcher, Pat mended her marriage with husband Roy (Tony Caunter) at last. 25. Ian Beale and Laura Dunn marry (2001) Third time lucky for Ian, after his unions with Cindy and Mel (Tamzin Outhwaite) went down the pan. 25 years later, we know that this marriage didn’t go too smoothly either. Just two months after her divorce from the chippy owner, Laura (Hannah Waterman) tripped on one of her son Bobby’s toys on the staircase and died. 26. Jim Branning proposes to Dot Cotton (2001) Atop the London Eye, Jim Branning (John Bardon) chose the moment to pop the question to a surprised but touched Dot Cotton - and she accepted as they stood together looking over London. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 27. Peggy Mitchell says goodbye to Frank Butcher in Spain (2002) After hearing Frank’s plea for forgiveness and regrets over how their relationship ended, he asks for one final chance from Peggy. She concludes there’s too much water under the bridge, and they can never be with one another. 28. Sonia Jackson and Jamie Mitchell break up (2002) One of Walford’s most tortured pairings, Sonia and Jamie (Jack Ryder) parted ways - but not for the final time - following a period of terrible rows and Jamie’s fling with Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan). 29. Dr Anthony Trueman proposes to Zoe Slater (2002) If only we could’ve warned poor Zoe about how this one would turn out. Fast-forward 23 years, and their long-lost daughter Jasmine (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness) bludgeoned Anthony (Nicholas Bailey) over the head with a salt lamp, and Zoe was (briefly) sent to prison for the murder. 30. Little Mo Morgan returns from prison (2002) Having served time in prison for almost killing abusive husband Trevor Morgan (Alex Ferns), the meek but steely Little Mo (Kacey Ainsworth) came back to Walford at last; however, she’d never be the same again. 31. Pauline and Martin Fowler return home after the departure of Mark (2003) "If you love me, let me go." A tragic final scene for Mark as he told tearful mum Pauline that his HIV medication was no longer working, and this would be the last time she’d see him alive. Just months later, news would reach Albert Square that he’d passed away following complications from AIDS. 32. Alfie Moon and Kat Slater walk away together after she jilts Andy Hunter at the altar (2003) With Alfie (Shane Richie) having interrupted her wedding to gangster Andy Hunter (Michael Higgs), Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) walked out of the church with soulmate Alfie, and the pair headed off down the road together after committing to each other at last. 33. Zoe Slater leaves Walford for Ibiza (2005) A fresh start for Zoe after the trauma of Den Watts's violent end, though not quite the one she expected. As we now know, she reunited with Anthony off-screen and fell pregnant with twins. Believing her daughter had died during childbirth, and that her son would have a better life without her, Zoe left behind a keyring from her Ibiza trip and ran out of the hospital. 34. Stacey Slater returns to Walford after her mother Jean's suicide attempt (2005) Not long after she arrived in Walford, we finally saw the upsetting dynamic between put-upon carer Stacey (Lacey Turner) and her mentally unwell mother Jean (Gillian Wright) as the latter struggled with bipolar disorder. Stacey emotionally returns home and stares at a photo of her absent brother Sean Slater - but he wouldn’t be absent for long. 35. Nana Moon dies in Alfie's arms (2005) A tragic moment for poor Alfie, who had been raised by his paternal grandmother. The two sat watching an animatronic dancing snowman, which conveniently ran out of battery as she died. 36. Grant and Courtney Mitchell leave Walford for a new life in Portugal (2006) The end of one of his longer return stints, Grant said goodbye to Walford following the end of his marriage to scheming wife Carla (Christianne Oliveira) and the end of his affair with Jane Beale (Laurie Brett), departing for a new life in Portugal with his daughter Courtney (Megan Jossa) - and he’s been based there ever since. 37. Martin and Sonia Fowler leave Walford for Manchester with daughter Rebecca (2007) What seemed like a definitive exit for the young Fowler clan actually just marked the end of James Alexandrou’s time as Martin. Seven years later, James Bye would take on the role. 38. Frank Butcher’s funeral (2008) As part of an emotional week of episodes in his honour, Frank Butcher was given a true Walford goodbye as his loved ones gathered, with soulmate Pat Evans being particularly emotional, dressed in red, and remembering some parting words he gave to her: “Take care of yourself, babe.” You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 39. Garry Hobbs and Dawn Swann leave Walford on a tugboat with her daughter Summer (2009) Where exactly were Garry (Ricky Groves) and Dawn (Kara Tointon) heading on that boat? Wherever the destination, it wasn’t a happy one. During a brief return in 2025, he explained that they’d travelled for a while and then separated. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 40. Dot and Rachel Branning lay flowers on Bradley's grave (2010) Following his heartbreaking death as part of the 25th anniversary live episode, Bradley was bid farewell by Walford in emotional scenes, and his step-grandmother, Dot, and mum Rachel (Pooky Quensel), laid flowers on his grave after the funeral. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 41. A secretly pregnant Amira Masood leaves Walford after learning her husband Syed is gay (2010) A truly nightmarish situation for Amira (Preeya Kalidas), who asked Chelsea Fox (Tiana Benjamin) to keep quiet about her expectant baby after learning that her husband, Syed (Marc Elliot), was seeing Christian Clarke (John Partridge). You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 42. Stacey Branning holds her daughter Lily after giving birth (2010) In a moment of pure joy and elation, Stacey holds her newborn daughter Lily - secretly the biological daughter of Ryan Malloy (Neil McDermott), but for now, officially, the daughter of her romance with Bradley. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 43. Syed Masood admits his feelings for Christian Clarke, and they make things official (2010) The climax of quite a rollercoaster ride for Syed, who had been disowned by his mother and was unaware that Amira was expecting their daughter. Of course, this was only just the beginning of the drama! You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 44. Stacey Branning flees the country on a plane to Mexico with baby Lily (2010) Following a dramatic few years in Walford, being framed by Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) for attempted murder and confessing to killing Archie Mitchell to his daughters, Stacey fled the law on a plane for a new life in Mexico with baby Lily - but not before Max Branning (Jake Wood) confessed his love to her one last time. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 45. Charlie Slater leaves Walford by train (2011) An unusual exit, as you’d have thought the black cab driver (played by Derek Martin) might have used his trusty taxi to head to his daughter Lynne’s house. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 46. Phil Mitchell and Shirley Carter leave for their honeymoon together after deciding not to marry (2011) After a wedding day that ended in the pair deciding marriage was not for them, Shirley (Linda Henry) and Phil's loved ones waved them off as they drove off, not ‘just married’. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 47. Kat and Alfie Moon are reunited with son Tommy following his kidnapping by Ronnie Branning (2011) A fitting use of the music following a particularly harrowing storyline. Ronnie Mitchell’s son James had died from SIDS, and in a moment of panic, she’d swapped the child with Tommy. After Ronnie (Samantha Womack) finally confessed to her crime, Kat and Alfie were joyfully reunited with their son. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 48. Jane Beale leaves Walford after the end of her marriage to Ian (2011) After the trials and tribulations of recent years, including Ian’s fling with Glenda Mitchell and her fight to become the mother to a baby, Jane and Ian’s marriage came to an end, and Jane walked out of Walford for escape. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 49. Jim Branning moves into a care home (2011) Following actor John Bardon’s stroke in 2008, the illness was written into the soap for Jim. Bardon’s retirement meant that Jim moved permanently into a care home three years later, in sad scenes for his family. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 50. Ricky Butcher leaves Walford after a goodbye to his family (2012) After an ill-advised case of adultery with former flame Mandy Salter, Ricky Butcher left Walford for a new job away from his heartbroken wife Bianca, who rejected him for the final time. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 51. Zainab Khan departs Walford with son Kamil Masood for Pakistan (2013) A painful exit for one of EastEnders’ most formidable characters, played by Nina Wadia. She realised that her reconciliation with husband Masood was never going to work, and moved away. Come back soon, Zainab! You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 52. Jean Slater leaves Albert Square to live with husband Ollie Walters in Brighton (2013) Unlucky Jean Slater found family, friends and a new identity for herself in Walford, but chose to leave it all behind for love in the shape of kind Ollie (Tony O'Callaghan). She’d be back a few years later when it all went wrong. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 53. David Wicks leaves Walford after his split from Carol Jackson (2014) The childhood sweethearts' relationship broke down following a botched wedding and his subsequent heart attack. By the time he returned, Carol (Lindsey Coulson) had long since departed and ultimately decided that they would never work. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 54. Peter Beale and pregnant Lauren Branning leave Walford for New Zealand (2015) After discovering the truth about who killed Lucy Beale, Peter and Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) got a happy ending as they left Walford together via the tube station and were revealed to be expecting their first child, later named Louie Beale. This was the final appearance of Ben Hardy in the role of Peter. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 55. Kat and Alfie Moon leave Walford with their children for a new life in Spain (2015) This exit resulted in us getting the utterly bizarre Irish spin-off series Redwater, which, according to current executive producer Ben Wadey, exists in a ‘parallel universe’. Interesting! You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. Read More: EastEnders boss Ben Wadey reveals old spin-off Kat & Alfie: Redwater exists in "parallel universe" 56. Carol Jackson rides out of Walford (2015) Following her successful treatment for breast cancer and the heartache of her split with David, long-suffering Carol left Walford for a new adventure on the back of a motorcycle. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. Read More: EastEnders icon reveals the very good reason why she won't be returning to the soap 57. Charlie Slater dies (2016) Kat broke down in tears as she said one final “Goodnight” to father Charlie, who had died following a heart attack. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 58. Shabnam Masood leaves Walford with her daughter Jade Green (2016) After the discovery that husband Kush (Davood Ghadami) fathered a child with her friend Stacey and after securing guardianship of her long-lost biological child Jade (Amaya Edward), Shabnam (Rakhee Thakrar) left Walford and a heartbroken Kush behind. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 59. Les and Pam Coker walk home after getting justice for their murdered grandson, Paul (2016) A bittersweet moment for the Cokers, played to perfection by Lin Blakely and Roger Sloman, who lost their grandson Paul in a vicious, homophobic attack while he was on a night out with boyfriend Ben Mitchell (then Harry Reid). You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 60. Masood Ahmed leaves Walford with son Kamil Masood bound for Pakistan (2016) After the rest of his family left Walford and romantic opportunities dried up, Masood (Nitin Ganatra) decided to start afresh in Pakistan with his son Kamil. He’d be back in a couple of years! You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 61. Lauren Branning leaves Walford and boyfriend Josh Hemmings behind (2018) As we said goodbye to one Branning sister, another one decided that it was time to move on. Following her sister Abi's funeral, Lauren left Walford with her son, Louie and ended her romance with Josh Hemmings (Eddie Eyre). Fortunately, Lauren wasn’t away for too long, and it’s difficult to imagine the Square without her these days. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 62. Dr Harold Legg dies with Dot Branning at his bedside (2019) Dr Legg (Leonard Fenton) said an emotional goodbye to close friend Dot Branning when he finally passed away in February 2019, almost 39 years to the day of his first appearance. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 63. Iconic Walford residents light memorial candles following Dr Harold Legg's funeral (2019) Following the death of Albert Square’s OG GP, Dot was joined by Lofty and Mary the Punk to remember him outside the house that was once home to his surgery. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 64. Max Branning leaves Walford (2021) After placing his granddaughter, Abi Branning Jr., in the care of his ex-wife Rainie Highway (Tanya Franks) and her husband Stuart (Ricky Champ), Max tearfully left Walford after failing to win the heart of Linda Carter (Kellie Bright). He returned to Walford last year. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 65. Mick Carter and his family walk away from court following the sentencing of his abuser, Katy Lewis (2021) Another bittersweet moment, which gained a ‘Julias’ Theme’, and an opportunity for Mick (Danny Dyer) to get some closure following the childhood abuse he experienced at the hands of Katy (Simone Lahbib). You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 66. Tiffany Butcher-Baker emotionally leaves Walford (2021) After the end of her marriage to Keegan (Zack Morris), an emotional Tiff (Maisie Smith) decided to leave the Square behind and left with her older brother Liam (Alfie Deegan) to live with dad Ricky in Germany. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 67. Keegan and Tiffany Butcher-Baker leave Walford for Germany after reconciling (2022) Butcher, Baker, tearjerker maker? A new beginning for this young couple warranted the only use of Julia’s Theme in 2022. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 68. The sun rises on Walford after the death of Lola Pearce-Brown (2023) In one of the most tear-jerking instalments of recent memory, Lola Pearce-Brown’s life peacefully came to a close following her brain tumour diagnosis and a fox, symbolically representing Lola (Danielle Harold), was seen passing through Walford as the sun rose on Albert Square. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 69. Karen Taylor flees Walford with Mitch and Bailey Baker, Mia and Mackenzie Atkins (2023) Despite this seeming like the last time we’d ever see Karen (Lorraine Stanley), she returned to Albert Square just months later following the death of her son, Keanu. We won't ask how she managed to get daughter Chantelle's memorial tree on a flight. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 70. Whitney Dean leaves Walford behind with her children (2024) After 15 years of heartache, Whitney (Shona McGarty) departed Walford on a bus with baby daughter Dolly and foster daughter Britney Wainwright (Lola Campbell) after she explosively jilted cheating fiancé Zack Hudson (James Farrar) at the altar. The scenes mirrored her arrival, with Britney even wearing a similar outfit. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 71. Suki and Eve Panesar-Unwin bask in Nish Panesar’s demise as they lie in hospital (2025) The BBC soap’s first sapphic wedding finally got a happy ending, as Sukeve (Balvinder Sopal and Heather Peace) realised that Nish’s death meant their ordeal was finally over. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 72. Martin Fowler dies in the arms of Stacey Slater (2025) View oEmbed on the source website The explosive 40th anniversary week ended with the death of EastEnders’ firstborn son, Martin Fowler, after he was injured saving true love and ex-wife Stacey Slater following an explosion in the Queen Victoria pub. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 73. Phil Mitchell returns home with his loved ones after a stay in a mental health unit (2025) A turbulent few months for Phil concluded with him finding closure at his parents’ graveside alongside best pal Nigel, cousin Billy (Perry Fenwick), friend Linda and granddaughter Lexi (Isabella Brown). You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 74. Martin Fowler is laid to rest (2025) The heartbreaking funeral of Walford favourite Martin Fowler as Stacey and his friends and family said a sad farewell to Martin. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 75. Sonia Fowler and Bianca Jackson leave Walford for Bali with Bex and Julia Fowler (2025) What an exit. Sonia gave us one last blast on her trumpet as she and Bianca were wheeled out of Walford in the back of a boat en route to Bali. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. 76. Nigel Bates passes away (2026) Following a long and difficult journey with young-onset dementia, Nigel Bates dies in his nursing home, and his wife Julie (Karen Henthorn) and his best friend Phil embrace in grief at their loss. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. Alternative EastEnders Themes Kathy's Theme (1998) In April 1998, a special version of the theme tune - which was somewhat reminiscent of the 'jazzy' version which had debuted five years earlier - accompanied Kathy Mitchell's move to South Africa. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. Later in the month, a new beginning dawned for the Bates family, leaving viewers wondering whether we’d ever see the clan again. Of course, Clare would return a decade later, while Paul Bradley and Karen Henthorn have reprised their Nigel and Julie roles in recent years. 'Kathy's Theme', as the music has been affectionately dubbed, was used in this instance too. Peggy's Theme (2010-) There's nobody more deserving than Peggy Mitchell. For the matriarch's exit in 2010, Simon May took to his piano to craft the music. Playing out as she took one final look at her beloved Queen Victoria pub, this wouldn't be the last time we heard the music. On occasion, it has replaced Julia's Theme, such as following Ronnie Mitchell's imprisonment, before a fireworks display during the 30th anniversary live episode, and also during Peggy's definitive departure in 2016. Pat's Theme (2012) A more solemn version of the theme aired during Pat Evans' emotional final episode on 1st January 2012. It was accompanied by the screen fading to black and was also released commercially by Simon May. Jubilee Theme (2022) View oEmbed on the source website 2022 was a special year for the BBC soap as the Platinum Jubilee was celebrated for Queen Elizabeth II and her then-heir Charles, Prince of Wales and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, paid a visit to the set. Dot's Theme (2022) This was a special theme created to commemorate the passing of actress June Brown and the end of Dot Branning's time on this mortal coil. You can watch this episode on BBC iPlayer here. Read more: 7 EastEnders spoilers next week: Twisted villain Eddie Knight returns and drops a huge bombshell Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add EastEnders 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 Soaps 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.
Euphoria cast: Full list of characters and actors in HBO show in season 3
The cast of the HBO drama series returns with Zendaya and Hunter Schafer leading the ensemble.
It may have proven critically divisive, but Euphoria season 3 is already a hit with audiences. The opening episodes of the HBO drama have been a ratings smash for the network as the long-awaited episodes continue to capture audience interest, despite some clear controversial choices. Rue Bennett (Zendaya) has found herself in more scrapes than ever before as she is thrust into a world of crime. Meanwhile, Rue's ex, Jules Vaughn (Hunter Schafer), is now an artist and a 'sugar baby', while Cassie Howard (Sydney Sweeney) is exploring a career on OnlyFans as she prepares to wed the toxic Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi). Elsewhere, Cassie's sister Lexi (Maude Apatow) is working in TV, while Maddy Perez (Alexa Demie) is trying to make it in PR - but is facing some roadblocks and memories from the past. So, who else is back and who's new? And who isn't returning? Here is your guide to the cast and characters of Euphoria season 3. Euphoria cast: Full list of characters and actors The full main cast for Euphoria season 3 is below. Zendaya as Ruby "Rue" Bennett Hunter Schaefer as Jules Vaughn Eric Dane as Cal Jacobs Jacob Elordi as Nathaniel "Nate" Jacobs Sydney Sweeney as Cassandra "Cassie" Howard Alexa Demie as Madeleine "Maddy" Perez Maude Apatow as Alexis "Lexi" Howard Martha Kelly as Laurie Chloe Cherry as Faye Valentine Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Alamo Brown Toby Wallace as Wayne Colman Domingo as Ali Muhammed Read more about the major players and who plays them below. Zendaya plays Ruby "Rue" Bennett What is happening to Rue in season 3? Our lead character and the series narrator has relapsed into drug use and is now involved in the world of crime following her need to pay off a debt to drug lord Laurie. What else has Zendaya starred in? Beginning her acting success as a child star on Disney Channel show Shake It Up before a role in the series KC Undercover. Zendaya has also starred in the MCU Spider-Man films as MJ, musical The Greatest Showman, sci-fi epic Dune and its sequels, her self-co-produced film Malcolm & Marie, Challengers and The Drama. Zendaya won two Emmys for Lead Actress for her work on the first and second seasons of Euphoria. Hunter Schafer plays Jules Vaughn What is happening to Jules in season 3? Rue's ex is living in New York in a penthouse apartment, working as an artist, but has a complicated love life with a rich older man... What else has Hunter Schafer starred in? Schafer can be heard voicing acting in the English dub of the Japanese animated film Belle, starring in the horror film Cuckoo, as Tigris in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, and in the upcoming Blade Runner TV series. Eric Dane plays Cal Jacobs What is happening to Cal in season 3? Cal has been succeeded by his son, Nate, as head of the family - but will be confronted by his past this season. What else has Eric Dane starred in? Dane was best known for his role as Dr Mark “McSteamy” Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy, Jason Dean in Charmed, and Captain Tom Chandler in The Last Ship. Dane also has appeared in the films Marley & Me, Valentine’s Day and Burlesque. Dane sadly passed away before the release of season 3. Jacob Elordi plays Nathaniel "Nate" Jacobs What is happening to Nate in season 3? Toxic Nate has taken over his father's business but is struggling financially as he and Cassie try to lead a 'perfect' life. What else has Jacob Elordi starred in? Outside of Euphoria, Elordi is best known for his role as Noah Flynn in The Kissing Booth trilogy on Netflix, Saltburn, Wuthering Heights, and his Oscar-nominated turn in Frankenstein. Sydney Sweeney plays Cassandra "Cassie" Howard What is happening to Cassie in season 3? The emotionally vulnerable Cassie is engaged to be married to Nate Jacobs, but is unhappy and pursuing a career on OnlyFans. What else has Sydney Sweeney starred in? Sweeney has appeared in acclaimed television series such as The Handmaid’s Tale, Everything Sucks!, Sharp Objects and The White Lotus. Sweeney has also appeared in films such as Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Under the Silver Lake, The Voyeurs, Anyone But You, and The Housemaid. Alexa Demie plays Madeleine "Maddy" Perez What is happening to Maddy in season 3? Maddy has moved to Los Angeles and works in PR but is struggling to make much money. Maddy soon finds herself crossing paths once again with former best friend Cassie... What else has Alexa Demie starred in? Demie has appeared in small roles in the series Ray Donovan, Love and The OA. Demie has also had roles in films such as Mid90s, Waves and Mainstream. Maude Apatow plays Alexis "Lexi" Howard What is happening to Lexi in season 3? Lexi is now working at Warner Bros under a famous producer, Patricia Lane (Sharon Stone), but remains in touch with Rue, Maddy and her sister Cassie. What else has Maude Apatow starred in? Apatow has starred in the films of her director father Judd Apatow and opposite mother Leslie Mann in Knocked Up, Funny People and This Is 40. Apatow has also appeared in the series Girls and Hollywood, plus films such as Other People, The House of Tomorrow, Euphoria creator Sam Levinson’s film Assassination Nation, and The King of Staten Island. Martha Kelly as Laurie What is happening to Laurie in season 3? A former school teacher, Laurie is an quietly-spoken drug lord who Rue has a huge debt with and who has a feud with Alamo Brown. What else has Martha Kelly starred in? The stand-up comedian is best known for her TV role in Baskets and film roles in Marriage Story and Corporate Animals. Chloe Cherry plays Faye Valentine What is happening to Faye in season 3? Faye is still attached to Laurie's gang and acts as a drug mule, but is now in love with Laurie's enforcer, Wayne. What else has Chloe Cherry starred in? A former pornographic actress and model, Faye is Cherry's first major acting role and she has now signed with British modelling agency Anti-Agency London. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Alamo Brown Who is Alamo Brown? A drug lord and strip club owner who is in a feud with Laurie, but also ends up becoming Rue's employer. What else has Adewale Akinnoye-Agbaje starred in? The British actor is best known for his film roles in The Mummy Returns, GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra, The Bourne Identity and Thor: The Dark World. In television he also played the memorable roles of Simon Adebisi in Oz and Mr Eko in Lost. Toby Wallace as Wayne Who is Wayne? Wayne is a relative and criminal enforcer of Laurie's and the lover of Faye Valentine. What else has Toby Wallace starred in? Wallace is best known for his role in the film Babyteeth and has also starred in the series Pistol and will soon star in the Assassin's Creed TV series. Who else is back? Colman Domingo plays Ali Muhammed What is happening to Ali in season 3? Ali continues to be a support system for Rue as her sponsor in her Narcotics Anonymous meetings, but once again finds Rue growing even harder to help. What else has Colman Domingo starred in? Aside from his role as Victor Strand in Fear the Walking Dead, Domingo has an acclaimed film career with roles in films such as Lincoln, Selma, If Beale Street Could Talk, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Zola. Domingo was Oscar-nominated for his turns in Sing Sing and Rustin, while he also won an Emmy for his work as Ali in Euphoria. Nika King plays Leslie Bennett What is happening to Leslie in season 3? Leslie is now estranged from Rue after deciding to cut off Rue to protect younger daughter Gia. What else has Nika King starred in? King has had television roles in the series Greenleaf, Best Friends Whenever and 2 Broke Girls. Alanna Ubach plays Suze Howard What is happening to Suze in season 3? Suze is supporting her "masterpiece" eldest daughter Cassie as she marries Nate. What else has Alanna Ubach starred in? Ubach is best known for her film roles in Coco, Legally Blonde, Meet the Fockers and various voicework roles. Dominic Fike plays Elliot What's happening with Elliot? Elliot is set to appear in season 3, but in what capacity is yet to be revealed. Elliot was previously friends with Rue, but proved to be a love rival as Jules cheated with him. What else has Dominic Fike starred in? Singer-songwriter Fike made his acting debut in Euphoria, having been previously known for his music career. Who isn't back in Euphoria season 3? Angus Cloud plays Fezco "Fez" O'Neill What has happened to Fezco? Fezco is now in prison following the shoot-out at the end of season 2. What else has Angus Cloud starred in? Euphoria was Cloud’s breakout role, but he also appeared in the film North Hollywood. Tragically, Cloud died at the age of 25 on 31st July 2023. Algee Smith plays Christopher McKay What happened to McKay? He split from Cassie and his friendship with Nate came to an end. What else has Algee Smith started in? Smith is also known for his roles in the series The New Edition Story as Ralph Tresvant and his turn in Kathryn Bigelow’s film Detroit. Smith also starred as Jake Winters in Judas and the Black Messiah and appears in the film Mother/Android. Barbie Ferreira plays Katherine "Kat" Hernandez What happened to Kat? Kat hasn't been mentioned in season 3. What else has Barbie Ferreira starred in? Ferreira has also appeared in the HBO series Divorce and the HBO Max film Unpregnant. Javon “Wanna” Walton plays Ashtray O'Neill What happened to Ashtray? He was gunned down during a shoot-out with police in the season 2 finale. What else has Javon "Wanna" Walton starred in? Walton has appeared in the Amazon series Utopia, plus voiced Pugsley Addams in The Addams Family 2 animated film. Austin Abrams plays Ethan Daley What happened to Ethan? He split from Kat but played a major role in Lexi's play, 'Our Life'. What else has Austin Abrams starred in? Abrams appeared as Ron Anderson in The Walking Dead and Dash & Lily. Abrams has also starred in the films The Kings of Summer, Paper Towns, Brad’s Status, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, and Chemical Hearts. Storm Reid plays Gia Bennett What happened to Gia? Rue’s younger sister Gia is now estranged from her and doesn't return calls or messages. What else has Storm Reid starred in? Reid is known for her film roles in 12 Years a Slave, Sleight, A Wrinkle in Time, Don’t Let Me Go, The Invisible Man and the Netflix miniseries When They See Us. Euphoria season 3 continues on Mondays on Sky Atlantic and NOW and HBO Max. If you’re looking for more to watch check out our TV Guide.
Euphoria soundtrack: Full list of songs for seasons 1-3
There's some major shake-ups to the new third season of Euphoria as Labrinth exits the HBO show – but what songs feature in the new episodes?
The music used in HBO drama Euphoria has long been an integral part of the show’s makeup, but this season is set to be starkly different from the rest. Ahead of the release of the anticipated third season, it was announced that Labrinth would no longer be featuring on the Euphoria soundtrack after previously being slated to collaborate with Hans Zimmer for season 3. With renowned composer and music producer Zimmer now taking on the role of sole composer, we're sure the season ahead is set to feature some moody new anthems. Read on to find out about all the songs featured in the latest episode, as well as the soundtracks for Euphoria seasons 1 and 2. Euphoria season 3 soundtrack: Full list of songs Euphoria season 3 episode 1 Ride Like the Wind - Christopher Cross Love Is Like Oxygen - Sweet Sunset and Vine - Waylon Jennings *How Much Is That) Doggie in the Window - Patti Page Teufel - Schwarzer Engel Reckless - Lil Blood Trouble Man - Marvin Gaye Little Green Apples - The Temptations Euphoria season 3 episode 2 Say So - Doja Cat WASSUP - Young Miko (How Much Is That) Doggie In The Window - Patti Page Get It Sexyy - Sexyy Red I Wanna Be Loved By You - Marilyn Monroe Speak Low - Billie Holiday Euphoria season 1 soundtrack Euphoria season 1 episode 1 Formula - Labrinth When RIP - Labrinth Hold Up - Beyoncé Can't Get Used to Losing You - Andy Williams Home from Rehab - Labrinth New Girl - Labrinth The Only South I Knew - Kofa Getcha' Weight Up (feat Big Yae, CBM Muley & Cet Dollar) - Rockstar JT Brighter Tomorrow - Soul Swingers Once Again - Stratus Planning Date - Labrinth Beckham - Baby Tate Home - Audri & Aaron I'm Gone - Tommy Genesis Forever - Labrinth Narcos - Migos What to Say - Leo Soul Secrets - Hass Irv Feelings - Lil Dude GOAT - Kenny Mason Cocky AF - Meghan Thee Stallion 2 True - Nesha Nycee I Know There's Gonna Be (Good Times) - Jamie XX New Level (feat Future) - A$AP Ferg Motivation - Sam Austins Pusha - JAG Billy Boy - $not Run Cried the Crawling - Agnes Obel Snowflake - Jim Reeves Euphoria season 1 episode 2 Nate Growing Up - Labrinth Likes and Dislikes - Labrinth Gangster - Labrinth Say Goodnight - Labrinth Stuntin' Like My Daddy - Lil' Wayne All for Us - Labrinth Pusha - JAG Release the Hounds - Jarina de Marco Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words) - Bobby Womack Following Tyler - Labrinth We All Knew - Labrinth Kat's Denial - Labrinth Goh - What So Not dead yet (with phem) - gabriel black Étude de Concert in D Flat Major, S144 No. 3: "Un Sospiro" - Franz Liszt Visualizer - Labrinth Even the Nights Are Better - Air Supply Mount Everest - Labrinth I've Never Felt So Alone - Labrinth Shy Guy - Labrinth Organ Sonata: Fugue - Kyler Brown Still Don't Know My Name - Labrinth Euphoria season 1 episode 3 Virgin Pina Coladas - Labrinth Fun At The Alley - Labrinth We All Knew - Labrinth Planning Date - Labrinth Nonstop - Drake Work - Charlotte Day Wilson Okokok - Jaira Burns Smooth Up In Ya - Bulletboys Grapefruit Diet - Labrinth Bangville - Fredo Bang Champagne Coast - Blood Orange Good While It Lasted - Old Man Canyon Taking Responsibility - Kilo Kish Juicy - Doja Cat dead yet (with phem) - gabriel black The Purge - Scarlxrd KenPark - SosMula Solo - City Morgue A Prince - Jorja Smith Love Me Right - Amber Mark Gepetto - Jacquie Preparing for Call - Labrinth Nate Growing Up - Labrinth Ife Morrison - Ghetto Love Drop Top (feat Yella Beezy & Flipp Dinero) - Swagger Rite Give Her Some Money - Malibu March Hell No - Von Sell Dancing With Your Ghost - Sasha Alex Sloan Swamp - Future Pelo X Gon' Give It To Ya - DMX All for Us - Labrinth Euphoria season 1 episode 4 Forever - Labrinth I've Never Felt So Alone - Labrinth Mount Everest - Labrinth New Generation - The Carnivals Euphoria Funfair (feat Gustave Rudman) - Labrinth In My Dreams - AHONHI I colori di dicembre (From Don't Look Now) - The Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra The Lake (feat Gustave Rudman) - Labrinth Euphoria season 1 episode 5 Lucky Star - Madonna Maddy's Story - Labrinth Malamente - ROSALÍA Werkin Girls - Angel Haze you should see me in a crown - Billie Eilish Nate Growing Up - Labrinth Live Or Die - Labrinth WTF Are We Talking For - Labrinth Tru Tru - OHNO So Icy Princess Intro - Asian Doll Run the Road - Santigold Fabric - cupcakKe Same Girl (2011 Solo Piano Version) - Randy Newman Gallows - CocoRosie Euphoria season 1 episode 6 Demanding Excellence - Labrinth I Only Have Eyes For You - The Flamingos Professor Finessor - Bali Baby All For Us - Labrinth The Turk - Pigeon Hole Tempo (feat Missy Elliott) - Lizzo Bubblin - Anderson .Paak Chain -Lolo Zouaï Dope House (Chopped & Screwed) - Black Oshin 151 Rum - JID Just Me and You - The Dreamliners Inside-Looking Out - The Animals Be Gully - OHNO Love Surrounds You - Ramsey Fell in Love - Victoria J Smalltown Boy - Bronski Beat Gangster - Labrinth Euphoria season 1 episode 7 The Trials and Tribulations of Trying to Pee While Depressed (Euphoria Version) - Labrinth Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time) - The Delfonics Eli's Coming (Single Version) - Three Dog Night We All Knew - Labrinth Sad Moments, Bad Times - Labrinth Mr. Sandman - The Chordettes Gangster - Labrinth When I RIP - Labrinth WTF Are We Talking For - Labrinth Be Mine - Amandla Stenberg Reverie - Arca Ready Set Go - A3C I'm Not In Love - Kelsey Lu Frutas - Vel Nine When You Are Near Me (Euphoria Version) Every Single Night - Fiona Apple Euphoria season 1 episode 8 Stay Flo - Solange Rhythm of the Night - DeBarge Arriving at the Formal - Labrinth Dancin - Kash Doll Mi Gente - J Balvin Queen Of This S**t - Quay Dash Blow the Whistle - Too $hort Euphoria - BTS 911 (Clap For Em) - Grip Dangerous (Oliver Remix) - Big Data My Body Is a Cage - Arcade Fire Still Don't Know My Name - Labrinth Loner - Kali Uchis A Song for You - Donny Hathaway All For Us - Labrinth & Zendaya Euphoria - Trouble Don't Last Always - Part 1: Rue Mount Everest - Labrinth Me in 20 Years - Moses Sumney Sarf - Tahj Keeton Ave Maria - Labrinth All For Us - Labrinth Euphoria - F**k Anyone Who's Not a Sea Blob - Part 2: Jules Liability - Lorde Stabat Matar - Arvo Pärt Lo Vas A Olvidar (with ROSALÍA) - Billie Eilish Van den Budenmayer: Concerto en mi mineur - SBI 152 - Version de 1798 - Zbigniew Preisner Madreviolo - Arca Anoche - Arca Love Me Low -Ai Bendr Véronique - Zbigniew Preisner Générique de fin - Zbigniew Preisner Weronika - Zbigniew Preisner Euphoria season 2 soundtrack Euphoria season 2 episode 1 soundtrack Don’t Be Cruel - Billy Swann Look At Grandma - Bo Diddley Jump Into the Fire - Harry Nilsson Think (Instrumental) - Curtis Mayfield Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymystic - Isaac Hayes What Time It Is - Sonny Skillz I Want Action - Poison I Walk On Gilded Splinters - Johnny Jenkins Who Am I - The O’Jays Vampy Thing - Analogue Skywalker Hit ‘Em Up - Tupac Shakur Right Down the Line - Gerry Rafferty Dirty Work - Steely Dan Affix 44577 Benji - Decadez Hypnotize - 2007 Remaster - The Notorious B.I.G. Thirsty - Jackie Bistrow Who’s That - Virus Syndicate Just My Luck - David Fredericks Nate Growing Up - Labrinth Dead of Night - Orville Peck Runway - Blaq Tuxedo Back That Azz Up - Juvenile, Lil’ Wayne, Mannie Fresh Mr Bangbadaboom - Thrillah Uhuh Yeah - G.L.A.M., Colbie Ferrari - Troyman Queen - Foxxi DIRT - B.O.B. I Can’t Wait - Nu Shooz Party Up - DMX Madonna - Tarik Straight Shooter - Jody Upshaw 4,5,6 - Big Mali Pull Up - Derek Minor, Greg James, Thicc James Auld Lang Syne - Labrinth (I Just) Died in Your Arms - Cutting Crew Euphoria season 2 episode 2 soundtrack Mount Everest - Labrinth Come Rain Or Come Shine - Judy Garland Do What You Want, Be What You Are - Daryl Hall and John Oates Outlast (feat Dueling Experts, Apollo Brown & Joell Ortiz) - Mello Music Group Dmnd - Jiggz and Damis Haunted - Laura Les Right Down the Line - Gerry Rafferty You Are - Raia Was seaside_demo - Seb She Brings the Rain - Can Six Short Interludes - Ennio Morricone Hennythings Possible - Vintage Lee Return of the Mack - Mark Morrison Blue Monk - Thelonius Monk Understand Me - Labrinth Euphoria season 2 episode 3 soundtrack Mystify - INXS Never Let Me Down Again - Depeche Mode The Look - Roxette Chains of Love - Erasure Lips Like Sugar - Echo & The Bunnymen She Sells Sanctuary - The Cult It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over - Lenny Kravitz I Can Dream About You - Dan Hartman Need You Tonight - INXS Never Tear Us Apart - INXS Call Me Irresponsible - Bobby Darin Effigy (I’m Not An) - Ministry Como La Flor - Selena Emotions - Brenda Lee Gangsta Nation - Westside Collection If - Jo Stafford Watercolor Eyes - Lana Del Rey Euphoria season 2 episode 4 soundtrack I’ll Be Here in the Morning - Townes Van Zandt Summertime/Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child - Mahalia Jackson How Long - Tove Lo Devil Inside - INXS I Was Dancing In the Lesbian Bar - Jonathan Richman This Is How We Do It - Montell Jordan trademark usa - Baby Keem sad4whatt - Ericdoa Heartbeat - Red 7 Bailala - Chiki Di Vitamin C - Can Don’t Cha - The Pussycat Dolls New Sensation - INXS Way Over My Head - Lovetaps, Chit Duty, Melika Method of Modern Love - Daryl Hall & John Oates Drink Before the War - Sinéad O’Connor U could tëll - Yeat Love Like This - Faith Evans True - Spandau Ballet Life at the Outpost - Skat Brothers Need You Tonight - INXS I’m Tired - Labrinth Until I Fall - Lucinda Chua (Pick Me Up) Euphoria” - James Blake, Labrinth Euphoria season 2 episode 5 soundtrack We All Knew - Labrinth What's Up - Labrinth Fever - Sharon Cash Yeh I F**kin’ Did It - Labrinth It Never Rains in Southern California - Albert Hammond Euphoria season 2 episode 6 soundtrack Stairway To The Stars (feat. Bud Powell, Pierre Michelot & Kenny Clarke) - Dexter Gordon My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It) - En Vogue Stand By Me - Ben E. King I'll Be There For You/You're All I Need To Get By (feat. Mary J. Blige) [Puff Daddy Mix] - Method Man Quiet, The Winter Harbour - Mazzy Star Peace Piece - Bill Evans Euphoria season 2 episode 7 soundtrack Amore mio aiutami (Version No. 2) - Piero Picconi Minuet in a major, D. 334 - Gerhard Oppitz Ti prego amami - Ennio Morricone Love Will Keep Us Together - Captain & Tennille Uno che grida amore - Ennio Morricone Luna, amore e no - Piero Picconi The World Hurricane - Air Vivre Pour Vivre - Frances Lai Count My Blessings - Fleacoo E'vero Ogni Mondo E Felice - Piero Picconi More - Bobby Darin Spartacus Love Theme - Alex North Oops (Oh My) (feat. Missy Elliott) - Tweet 'Surrender' From Il commissario Pepe - Armando Trovajoli Cannibal Holocaust (Main Theme) - Riz Ortolani Euphoria season 2 episode 8 soundtrack Uno che grida amore - Ennio Morricone Main Titles (The Fury) - John Williams La Strada Suite: I. Nozze in campagna, È arrivato Zampanò - Marzio Conti, Orchestra Sinfonica Del Teatro Massimo Di Palermo Un homme qui me plaît (Concerto pour la fin d'un amour) - Frances Lai L'amore Dice Ciao (Slow Take) - Armando Trovajoli Can’t Get You Out Of My Head - Kylie Minogue Elliot's Song - Dominic Fike Ti prego amami - Ennio Morricone Les Choses De La Vie (Final) - Philippe Sarde I'm Tired - Labrinth and Zendaya Well, there are some new tracks to add to your Spotify playlist! Euphoria season 3 is airing weekly on HBO Max, Sky Atlantic and NOW. Catch up on seasons 1-2 on HBO Max and NOW. 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.
EastEnders cast: Who is joining, leaving and returning to the soap?
All the changes to life in Albert Square you need to keep up with.
We're finally in 2026 in EastEnders. 2025 saw some major exits, including the deaths of Nish Panesar and Martin Fowler, along with the departure of Stacey Slater. Elsewhere, we experienced some major comebacks with the returns of Zoe Slater, Anthony Trueman (RIP), and Max Branning. RadioTimes.com is here with a handy update on which characters are leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders in the coming months. So who's in? Who's out? And which rumours are true? Read on for all the latest details on cast changes for EastEnders. EastEnders cast 2026 The full present regular cast for EastEnders can be found below in order of the character's first appearance. Gillian Taylforth as Kathy Beale Letitia Dean as Sharon Watts Adam Woodyatt as Ian Beale Alice Haig as Vicki Fowler Michelle Collins as Cindy Beale Steve McFadden as Phil Mitchell Ross Kemp as Grant Mitchell Kim Medcalf as Sam Mitchell Paul Bradley as Nigel Bates Gemma Bissix as Clare Bates Thomas Law as Peter Beale Karen Henthorn as Julie Bates Perry Fenwick as Billy Mitchell Laila Morse as Mo Harris Jessie Wallace as Kat Moon Michelle Ryan as Zoe Slater Rudolph Walker as Patrick Trueman Shane Ritchie as Alfie Moon Angela Wynter as Yolande Trueman Gillian Wright as Jean Slater Emma Barton as Honey Mitchell Zaraah Abrahams as Chelsea Fox Diane Parish as Denise Fox Grace as Janet Mitchell Jake Wood as Max Branning Jacqueline Jossa as Lauren Beale Scott Maslen as Jack Branning Freddie Phillips as Will Mitchell Pierre Counihan-Moullier as Oscar Branning Kitty Castledine as Penny Branning Ellie Dadd as Amy Mitchell Tameka Empson as Kim Fox Lillia Turner as Lily Slater Frankie Day as Ricky Branning Sonny Kendall as Tommy Moon Isabella Brown as Lexi Pearce Kellie Bright as Linda Carter Charlie Suff as Johnny Carter Harriet Thorpe as Elaine Peacock Elliot Briffett as Bert Moon Cody Briffett as Ernie Moon Arayah Harris-Buckles as Pearl Fox Harry Farr as Ollie Carter Stephen Aaron-Sipple as Mark Fowler Jake McNally as Louie Beale Michael Jose Pomares Calixte as Raymond Fox Tony Clay as Callum Highway Maylo Miller as Mica Fox Shiv Jalota as Vinny Panesar Balvinder Sopal as Suki Panesar-Unwin Arthur Gentleman as Albie Watts James Farrar as Zack Hudson Ross Boatman as Harvey Monroe Lois Hawkins as Annie Carter Delroy Atkinson as Howie Danes Heather Peace as Eve Panesar-Unwin Aaron Thiara as Ravi Gulati Jaden Ladega as Denzel Danes Juhaim Rasul Choudhury as Davinder "Nugget" Gulati Colin Salmon as George Knight Francesca Henry as Gina Knight Sophie Khan Levy as Priya Nandra-Hart Aaliyah James as Avani Nandra-Hart Elijah Holloway as Harry Mitchell Lewis Bridgeman as Barney Mitchell Dayo Koleosho as Kojo Asare Laura Doddington as Nicola Mitchell Alex Walkinshaw as Ross Marshall Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness as Jasmine Fisher Ronni Ancona as Bea Pollard Joshua Vaughn as Josh Goodwin And here are the changes to the cast coming soon... DEPARTING Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) When is Nigel Bates leaving? 29th April 2026. We always knew that Nigel Bates's time in Walford would be limited following his return on Christmas Eve 2024. Now it is confirmed that Nigel's journey with young-onset dementia will end in late April as he passes away following a bout of pneumonia. Will Nigel get a goodbye with Phil Mitchell before he leaves this mortal coil? And will Julie and Clare get the goodbye they deserve? Fans can watch Nigel's final episode on Wednesday 29th April 2026. Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) When might Sam Mitchell be returning? 2026. Kim Medcalf has reprised the role of Sam Mitchell for a short stint since December 2025. The character returned following the discovery of a lump in her breast, which turned out to be breast cancer and required a lumpectomy. Sam is now undergoing further tests and treatment, but will she decide to part on better terms with son Ricky Branning (Frankie Day) and brother Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden)? The character appeared set to leave in February but decided to stay in Walford to continue her cancer treatment with her family at her side. Radio Times still understands that Kim Medcalf is only back for a limited stint, but it remains to be seen when and how Sam will leave Walford. Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. RETURNING Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) When is Grant Mitchell returning? 27th April 2026. Ross Kemp has been confirmed to be reprising his role as Grant Mitchell for a short stint this Spring as the character becomes involved in two big storylines. Speaking about his comeback, Kemp said: "I’m truly delighted to be stepping back into Grant Mitchell’s shoes and returning to EastEnders later this year. "As well as exploring Grant’s attempts to reconnect with his son Mark, it’s especially an honour to be part of Nigel’s powerful ongoing dementia storyline, which holds deep personal meaning for me due to a close family connection in real life." Executive producer Ben Wadey added, "We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Ross back once more to the legendary role of Grant. "The Mitchells remain one of EastEnders’ defining dynasties, and we can’t wait to see them reunited again. As always when Grant is around, drama inevitably follows him…" Eddie Knight (Christopher Fairbank) When is Eddie Knight returning? Spring 2026. George's evil and racist adopted father, Eddie Knight, is returning to EastEnders in the coming weeks, having been imprisoned in 2024 for killing George's biological father, Henry Asare, years prior. George was pivotal in getting Eddie sent down around the time of Eddie's wife, Gloria's, death. An EastEnders spokesperson told Radio Times: "We can confirm Christopher Fairbank will be returning to EastEnders for a short stint later this spring." So, what brings Eddie back into George's life and will he manage to cause more harm to the Knigth clan? Libby Fox (Belinda Owusu) When is Libby Fox returning? 2026. Yes! Denise Fox's younger daughter, Libby Fox, will be back on Albert Square at some point in 2026, as she appeared in the 2027 flash-forward episode, once again played by Belinda Owusu. The episode presents some potential brides for Max, which include Libby's older sister, Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams), and even Denise herself, given that Jack was calling the bride and Denise's phone is one of the ones to ring - despite Denise being absent from the episode, having apparently walked out on Jack the night before. Is the reason for Libby's reappearance that her sister or mother is getting married? We'll have to wait and see. Read More: 21 EastEnders questions we have following that epic Max Branning flashforward episode WHO MAY BE RETURNING? Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) When is Stacey Slater returning? TBC. Lacey Turner took an extended break from the show recently, with Stacey departing for a new life in Brazil alongside her brother, Sean Slater, with her two youngest children, Arthur and Hope. However, Turner has affirmed that she will return to the soap in the future, but no firm return date has been set. So, expect to be without Stacey for a while yet! Which characters departed EastEnders in 2026? The following characters departed EastEnders in 2026. Nish Panesar (Guest) Dr Anthony Trueman Joel Marshall Jake Moon (Guest) Chrissie Watts (Guest) Lola Pearce (Guest) Cora Cross (Guest) Sandra Goodwin (Guest) Which characters departed EastEnders in 2025? The following character departed EastEnders in 2025. Nish Panesar Mr Lister (guest) Councillor Donald Barker (guest) Garry Hobbs (guest) Minty Peterson (guest) Peggy Mitchell (guest) Eric Mitchell (guest) Angie Watts (guest) Reiss Colwell Martin Fowler Grant Mitchell (guest) Brenda Collins (guest) Gaz (guest) Andy (guest) Ruby Allen Roman Allen Tom "Rocky" Cotton (guest) Terry Cant (guest) Bex Fowler (guest) Julia Fowler Bianca Jackson Sonia Fowler Felix Baker Bernadette Taylor Jay Brown Jonno Highway (Guest) Hope Fowler Arthur Fowler, Jr. Stacey Slater Stuart Highway (Guest) Ben Mitchell (Guest) Norma Unwin (Guest) Tobias "Okie" Okyere Junior Knight Anna Knight Freddie Slater Teddy Mitchell Barry Evans (Guest) Debbie Bates (Guest) Pat Evans (Guest) Which characters departed EastEnders in 2024? The following characters have departed EastEnders in 2024. Ashton (Guest) Harold Martin (Guest) Sam Mitchell Keanu Taylor (Guest, hallucination) Lucas Johnson (Guest) Ben Mitchell Gloria Knight (Guest) Eddie Knight (Guest) Keeley Wainwright (Guest) Britney Wainwright Dolly Dean-Hudson Whitney Dean Monique Knight (Guest) Xavier Knight (Guest) Karen Taylor (Guest) Stevie Mitchell Debbie Colwell (Guest) Ayesha Siddhu (Guest) Dean Wicks Chrissie Watts (Guest) Jake Moon (Guest) Jane Beale (Guest) Bobby Beale Pastor Gideon Clayton Lola Pearce-Brown (Guest) Joe Wicks (Guest) Holly (Guest) David Wicks (Guest) Micky Miller (Guest) Nancy Carter (Guest, fantasy) Lee Carter (Guest, fantasy) Which characters departed EastEnders in 2023? The following characters have departed EastEnders in 2023. DCI Samantha Keeble (Guest) Ricky Butcher (Guest) Scarlett Butcher Edward "Jed" Chadwick (Guest) Ryan Malloy (Guest) Dr Ash Kaur Vi Highway Shifty Shiv (Guest) Roxy Mitchell (Guest) Duncan Boyd (Guest) Lola Pearce-Brown Lauren Branning (Guest) Louie Beale (Guest) Finlay Baker Jo Cotton (Guest) Peggy Taylor (Guest) Lisa Fowler (Guest) Arthur "Fatboy" Chubb (Guest) Graham Foster (Guest) Dorian Gates (Guest) Nadine Keller (Guest) Theo Hawthorne Karen Taylor Mitch Baker Bailey Baker Mia Atkins Mackenzie Atkins Keanu Taylor Tom "Rocky" Cotton Which characters departed EastEnders in 2022? The following characters departed EastEnders in 2022. Iqra Ahmed Mila Marwa Kioni Marwa Gray Atkins Keegan Baker Tiffany Butcher Isaac Baptiste Aaron Monroe Nancy Carter Avery Baker Rainie Highway Roland Highway Stuart Highway Dana Monroe Frankie Lewis Dr Nina Gupta Kheerat Panesar Lofty Holloway (Guest) Mary Smith (Guest) Disa O'Brien (Guest) Ian Beale (Guest) Colin Russell (Guest) Barry Clark (Guest) Kirsty "Dotty" Cotton Jada Lennox Alyssa Lennox Mick Carter Janine Carter Shirley Carter EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and from 6am on BBC iPlayer. Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. If you’re looking for more to watch, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
What is Pluto TV? How to watch streaming service in the UK
Pluto TV is the UK home of Star Trek: Discovery and much more.
Many will already have this free-to-use service, but the ViacomCBS-owned streamer is not the most well-known streaming service compared to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus and NOW so this is one some may need to know more about. ViacomCBS is the owner of well-known brands such as Channel 5, Nickelodeon and MTV so you know the streaming service will have connections to some big shows. So, without further ado, here is all you need to know about Pluto TV and accessing the service in the UK. Watch Pluto TV Buy Amazon Fire Stick HD for £39.99 at Amazon Buy Roku Streaming Stick HD for £30.89 £25.50 (save £5.39 or 17%) at Amazon For more on lesser-known streaming services, here's our guide to MUBI and our guide to Shudder. What is Pluto TV? Pluto TV is a streaming service that was launched by Viacom and is the leading free streaming TV service in the US. In the UK it has over 100+ channels, with 13 curated live TV channels on its launch in 2018. It also includes numerous films and TV series to watch on-demand. It is entirely free and requires no sign-up or contacts and subscriptions. There is a variety of live TV channels as well as on-demand packages ranging from reality TV to documentaries. Watch Pluto TV Buy Amazon Fire Stick HD for £39.99 at Amazon Buy Roku Streaming Stick HD for £30.89 £25.50 (save £5.39 or 17%) at Amazon How to watch Pluto TV in the UK Pluto TV is available to watch on NOW and Roku devices in the UK. The service is also available on, Amazon Fire Stick, Android, Apple TV Plus, Chromecast, iPhone, LG, PlayStation, Roku and Samsung TV Plus. The app is free to download from on Apple App Store, Amazon Appstore, and Google Play. It also requires no subscription or sign-ups. Watch Pluto TV Buy Amazon Fire Stick HD for £39.99 at Amazon Buy Roku Streaming Stick HD for £30.89 £25.50 (save £5.39 or 17%) at Amazon What is available on Pluto TV? There are a variety of live TV channels including a Sci-fi channel for Pluto TV that will be airing the new episodes of Star Trek Discovery. There are numerous box sets including for hit shows such as Baywatch, Hell’s Kitchen, and Most Haunted. You can also catch reality TV classics like Ex on the Beach, The Simple Life, Maury and Geordie Shore. The service also contains numerous films to watch on-demand, including Cruel Intentions, Halloween, Love and Other Drugs, Muriel’s Wedding, and Wilde. Watch Pluto TV Buy Amazon Fire Stick HD for £39.99 at Amazon Buy Roku Streaming Stick HD for £30.89 £25.50 (save £5.39 or 17%) at Amazon Looking for something else to watch? Then do be sure to visit our TV Guide.
EastEnders reveals Ravi Gulati mental health storyline to reach climax this month - as key charity involvement confirmed
Ravi Gulati's emotional turmoil reaches a crisis point this April.
This article includes discussion of suicide that some readers may find distressing. Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) is to reach a crisis point on EastEnders later this month. The BBC One soap has been airing an ongoing storyline surrounding the character's mental health in recent months as Ravi has begun to self-harm and grown increasingly erratic and unstable. In a career-best performance from Thiara, viewers have seen Ravi dealing with immense guilt surrounding his criminal exploitation of vulnerable Kojo Asare (Dayo Koleosho) and Harry Mitchell (Elijah Holloway) in a drug operation. If that wasn't enough, he's also had to come to terms with violently attacking his son Davinder 'Nugget' Gulati (Juhaim Rasul Choudhury) after being spiked in a revenge plot by the Mitchells, and also dealing with the pressure of being an undercover informant for the police in an organised crime organisation. In the coming weeks, as he continues to fear for protecting his family, Ravi's spiralling mental health will lead him to consider taking his own life. Ravi's partner, Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan Levy), step-mother Suki Panesar-Unwin (Balvinder Sopal), and his children will be seen trying their hardest to help, and will ultimately get him the help he needs. EastEnders has also confirmed that the soap has been working with Samaritans on the story in a bid to portray these scenes as accurately and sensitively as possible. Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. Executive Producer Ben Wadey said of the story: "EastEnders always takes great care when researching storylines such as Ravi’s and we’re grateful to Samaritans for the advice they have given us, helping us ensure Ravi’s story is told with the care and sensitivity it deserves." Meanwhile, Lorna Fraser, Head of Media Advisory Service at Samaritans, added: "Storylines responsibly reflecting experiences of mental health and suicide can help tackle stigma and encourage viewers who might be struggling to talk about how they are feeling. "We’re proud to have supported EastEnders with covering Ravi’s self-harm and mental health crisis sensitively and grateful for their efforts in making this as safe as possible. We hope it helps anyone watching to seek support if they need it." If you need help and support on issues raised within this article, please visit Samaritans, CALM, Rethink Mental Illness and Mind for guidance. Read more: 5 EastEnders spoilers next week: Vicki Fowler and Zack Hudson targeted by mystery blackmailer EastEnders reveals Jasmine Fisher trial outcome and emotional exit in dramatic early BBC iPlayer release EastEnders cast: Who is joining, leaving and returning to the soap? Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add EastEnders 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 Soaps 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.
Emmerdale cast: who is leaving, returning to and joining the cast?
All the comings and goings in the lively village in 2026.
We've finally arrived at 2026 in Emmerdale - and there have been some big changes. The year has started with a bang with the departure of Kev Townsend (Chris Coghill), while Ray Walters (Joe Absolom) stabbed his evil adopted mother, Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths), to death to end her cycle of abuse, before being murdered himself by a mystery assailant. However, there will be more changes in the village in 2026. Read on for your essential guide from RadioTimes.com to the latest Emmerdale cast news that you absolutely need to know. Emmerdale cast: Who is leaving, returning to and joining the cast? Emmerdale cast 2026 The full present regular cast for Emmerdale can be found below. Ryan Hawley as Robert Sugden Chris Chittell as Eric Pollard Claire King as Kim Tate Isabel Hodgins as Victoria Sugden James Hooton as Sam Dingle Ned Porteous as Joe Tate Lisa Riley as Mandy Dingle Mark Charnock as Marlon Dingle Dominic Brunt as Paddy Kirk Eden Taylor-Draper as Belle Dingle Emma Atkins as Charity Dingle Jeff Hordley as Cain Dingle Tony Audenshaw as Bob Hope Patrick Mower as Rodney Blackstock Nicola Wheeler as Nicola King Zoe Henry as Rhona Goskirk Rosie Bentham as Gabby Thomas Charlotte Bellamy as Laurel Thomas Lucy Pargeter as Chastity "Chas" Dingle Danny Miller as Aaron Dingle Nick Miles as Jimmy King Jack Downham as Noah Dingle Katie Hill as Sarah Sugden Gabrielle Dowling as Cathy Hope Alfie Clarke as Arthur Thomas Natalie J. Robb as Moira Dingle Ash Palmisciano as Matty Barton Rebecca Bakes as Angelica King Chris Bisson as Jai Sharma Joe-Warren Plant as Jacob Sugden Luca Hoyle as Elliot Windsor Harvey Rogerson as Leo Goskirk Huey Quinn as Kyle Winchester Kai Assi as Archie Breckle Laura Norton as Kerry Wyatt Michelle Hardwick as Vanessa Woodfield Mike Parr as Ross Barton Jonny McPherson as Dr Liam Cavanagh Amelia Flanagan as April Windsor Amy Walsh as Tracy Robinson Charlie Munro Joyce as Carl Holliday Arthur Cockroft as Moses Dingle Jack Jennings as Johnny Woodfield Tilly-Rue Foster as Dotty Thomas Karen Blick as Lydia Dingle Andrew Scarborough as Graham Foster Bobby Dunsmoir as Isaac Dingle Olivia Bromley as Dawn Fletcher James Moore as Ryan Stocks Rebecca Sarker as Dr Manpreet Sharma Jay Kontzle as Billy Fletcher Bradley Johnson as Vinnie Dingle Joshua Richards as Bear Wolf Noah Ryan Aspinall as Lucas Taylor Bella James as Eve Dingle Lawrence Robb as Mackenzie Boyd Kevin Mathurin as Charles Anderson Louise Jameson as Mary Goskirk William Ash as Caleb Miligan Flo Wilson as Claudette Anderson Beth Cordingly as Ruby Miligan Caroline Harker as Dr Caitlin Todd Fred Kettle as Dylan Penders Shebz Miah as Kammy Hadiq Bradley Riches as Lewis Barton Here are the following changes ahead of the regular cast. Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. REPORTEDLY LEAVING Dawn Fletcher (Olivia Bromley) When is Dawn Fletcher reportedly leaving? 2026. Actress Olivia Bromley is reportedly set to leave Emmerdale later this year after bosses apparently decided to write out the long-suffering character Dawn Fletcher. A source told The Sun: "Olivia is adored by everyone at Emmerdale so the decision to axe her has not gone down well at all. "She's a popular member of the cast and if they can get rid of Olivia, then the feeling is virtually no-one is safe." The source added that Bromley was understanding of the decision that had been made and is preparing to film her exit in a couple of months. ITV declined to comment when approached by Radio Times. Dawn is presently engaged to the villainous Joe Tate (Ned Porteous) after ending her marriage with Billy Fletcher (Jay Kontzle) by having an affair with Joe. How will mum-of-three Dawn leave the village? RETURNING Kev Townsend (Chris Coghill) When is Kev Townsend returning? Summer 2026. Robert Sugden's estranged prison husband and Lewis Barton's secret biological father, Kev Townsend, is to return to Emmerdale as actor Chris Coghill reprises his role. Kev fled the village after placing Robert and Aaron in danger, escaping the clutches of John Sugden, and deciding Lewis was better off without him. Emmerdale producer Laura Shaw said in a statement that "Chris is most definitely back by popular demand". She added: "With Kev’s son, Lewis, in the village still unaware of who his father is, it's safe to say that there’s a lot of unfinished business and drama ahead." Coghill, who's also known for his appearances in EastEnders, Shameless and Slow Horses, added: "I’m really pleased to be returning to Emmerdale, I had a brilliant time last year. Kev is a complex character that I love playing." He continued: "He has psychopathic tendencies but also an energy and vulnerability that I think makes him pretty unique. I’m properly looking forward to getting back at it." Victoria Sugden (Isabel Hodgins) When is Victoria Sugden returning? TBC. Actress Isabel Hodgins has taken maternity leave from Emmerdale. Isabel revealed to The Mirror: “I will miss it. I love the people there, but I’ve worked there for 19 years, so I feel like I’ve done what I’ve wanted to do and been selfish with my career. “Now, it’s time to devote my life to being a mum, that feels right to me. But there’s still FaceTime, so they won’t forget me!” The character left the village to stay with stepmother Diane Sugden to escape her guilt for killing half-brother John Sugden in self-defence. Will Victoria feel more at peace when she eventually returns? REPORTEDLY RETURNING Sadie King (Patsy Kensit) When is Sadie King reportedly returning? 2026. Iconic Emmerdale villainess Sadie King is reportedly set to make a return later this year as Patsy Kensit is tipped to reprise her role for a new storyline. According to The Sun, the star will return as the character in a "dramatic storyline" later this year. A source told the publication: “This signing has been kept a top secret as bosses want Patsy’s return to shock fans. “She is apparently delighted to be get her teeth back into the meaty role." The source continued: “Scriptwriters want to keep the show going with explosive plots and divisive characters.” Radio Times has contacted ITV for comment. Who has left Emmerdale in 2026? The following characters departed in 2026. Kev Townsend Celia Daniels John Sugden Ray Walters Who has left Emmerdale in 2025? The following characters departed in 2025. Wendy Posner Anthony Fox Tom King (Guest) Suzy Merton Amy Wyatt Leyla Harding Dylan (Guest) Ella Forster Brenda Walker Cathy Hope Nate Robinson (Guest) Gail Loman Cara Robinson (Guest) Bernice Blackstock (Guest) Faith Dingle (Guest) Steph Miligan Who has left Emmerdale in 2024? The following characters departed in 2024. Heath Hope Lisa Dingle (Guest, voice) Damon "Harry" Harris (Guest) Amit Sharma Gus Malcolms Ethan Anderson Nicky Miligan Suni Sharma Josh Cope (guest) Samson Dingle Emma Barton (Guest) Nate Robinson Helen Fox (Guest) Tom King Amelia Spencer Esther Spencer Daz Spencer (Guest) Will Taylor Jade Garrick (Guest) Who has left Emmerdale in 2023? The following characters departed Emmerdale in 2023. Priya Sharma Amba Metcalfe Marcus Dean Ally Naomi Walters Marshall Hamston Rishi Sharma Georgia Sharma Colin Hamston Dan Spencer Victor Anderson Craig Reed Bernice Blackstock David Metcalfe Theo Metcalfe Damon "Harry" Harris Chloe Harris Reuben Harris Zak Dingle Who left Emmerdale in 2022? The following characters have departed Emmerdale in 2022. Gavin Ellis Chapman DS Rogers Carol Butler Meena Jutla Jason Denshaw Alex Moore Kit Sandra Flaherty Faith Dingle PC Harriet Finch Liv Dingle Diane Sugden Al Chapman Who else will be in the village by the end of the year? View Riddle on the source website Visit our dedicated Emmerdale page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. If you’re looking for more to watch check out our TV Guide. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Alison Hammond reveals she has been approached for Strictly Come Dancing presenting job: "It’s unrealistic"
Could Alison Hammond be a replacement for Tess Daly or Claudia Winkleman?
Alison Hammond has revealed that she has been approached to take on a presenting role with Strictly Come Dancing. The beloved host of The Great British Bake Off and This Morning has multiple popular series on the go, including the upcoming Channel 4 series Your Song, and has been linked with popular series such as The Celebrity Traitors. However, one huge talking point has been that Hammond has been a firm favourite among bookmakers to take on the job of presenting Strictly Come Dancing following the departures of long-running presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Now, in an interview with Emma Cox in the upcoming issue of Radio Times, Hammond has said that she has indeed been approached over taking on a presenting role with the beloved BBC dance show. "I have, actually," Hammond told Cox with a laugh. "You didn’t expect that answer, did you? I can’t lie, I’m incapable." However, when asked whether she is likely to take on the role, Hammond seemed more pessimistic. "I’m so busy, babes, that I’m not sure it’s going to happen," she revealed. "It’s unrealistic. I’m so happy they considered me but, like Traitors, I can’t do it because everything clashes." Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. She added, "I would have loved to have done it –anybody that gets it, they’re going to land the perfect job. But I’m so happy with everything I’ve got. What would I drop, to do Strictly?" Whatever happens, it's certainly a time of huge change for Strictly Come Dancing, with multiple long-running professional dancers also having been confirmed to be leaving the popular dance show. Among those confirmed to have either departed or changed roles in the BBC behemoth are Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, and Michelle Tsiakkas. Meanwhile, in recent weeks, another rumoured replacement for Tess and Claudia has been the British actress and comedienne Miranda Hart, but the BBC has yet to confirm who is due to take over the reins of the show. Read More: Graham Norton's "high-stakes" new ITV game show finally gets its start date confirmed Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? confirms contestant wins full £1 million prize pot on Jeremy Clarkson quiz Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and iPlayer later this year. Add Strictly Come Dancing 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 Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Coronation Street airs major stumble for Maggie Driscoll as secret almost rumbled in early ITVX release
Spoiler warning for Friday 3 April 2026.
*Warning: Spoilers for Friday 3 April 2026's episode of Coronation Street, available now on ITVX and YouTube.* Coronation Street aired a major stumbling block for scheming Maggie Driscoll (Pauline McLynn) on Friday. The ITV soap has already revealed to viewers that Rovers Return landlord Ben Driscoll (Aaron McCusker) is actually the secret son of the late cobbles icon Jim McDonald (Charlie Lawson) after he had a brief liaison with Maggie years prior. This also means that Ben is actually the half-brother of his new close friend Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson). However, Ben has always believed that his dad, Alan Driscoll (Aidan O'Callaghan), was his biological father. Fans also know from a special flashback episode that Maggie was also responsible for Alan's death. During Friday's episode, Maggie attempted to get through to her grandson Will Driscoll (Lucas Hodgson-Wale) following his suffering at the abusive hands of his teacher, Megan Walsh (Beth Nixon). However, a brainwashed Will would not betray Megan - even though Maggie came close to getting her grandson to open up to her. View oEmbed on the source website Yet, Ben interrupted Maggie's attempts to get through to Will, and an explosive argument ensued between mother and son. Blaming Ben for stopping Will from opening up to her, Maggie also accused Ben of failing to protect his own son from Megan. In response, a furious Ben told Maggie that he often wished it were she who had died instead of his dad, Alan. Ben proclaimed Alan to have been a "good man", which Maggie questioned and said he never really knew Alan as she did. Maggie then exclaimed: "And here you are, taking his side over mine, your own flesh and blood!" Of course, the implication here is that Alan is not Ben's flesh and blood, and this immediately piqued Ben's interest. Maggie rowed back on the meaning and explained she meant because Alan was dead and she wasn't, before storming out. Towards the end of the episode, a saddened Ben spoke with his partner Eva Price (Catherine Tyldesley) about the row, and she maintained that Maggie was just winding him up and they would all come through this together. However, with Ben's son Ollie and Steve's daughter Amy growing romantically closer as secret cousins, will this force the truth out? Coronation Street continues on Easter Sunday on ITV1, ITVX and YouTube. Read more: 7 Coronation Street spoilers next week: Carl Webster double-crosses Theo Silverton and Maggie confesses Coronation Street airs huge discovery for Gary Windass as Theo Silverton caught out in early ITVX release Coronation Street airs heartbreaking scenes as George tries to save Todd from evil Theo in early ITVX release Coronation Street airs weeknights at 8:30pm and from 7am on ITVX. Visit our dedicated Corrie page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add Coronation Street to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.
Peaky Blinders sequel TV series confirms British film icon in major recast - plus more starry new cast members
There's a new face for Duke Shelby on the way...
More details about the upcoming Peaky Blinders TV sequel have been revealed - including a major recast. The BBC has confirmed that the new series, which is set in the 1950s, will see the role of Tommy Shelby's eldest son and heir, Erasmus "Duke" Shelby, now played by Billy Elliot film star Jamie Bell. The role was previously played in Peaky Blinders season 6 by EE BAFTA Rising Star nominee Conrad Khan before the part was recast to Saltburn star and Oscar nominee Barry Keoghan in the recent feature film Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man. However, given the decade time jump, we will now see an older Duke as he leads the Shelby clan and Peaky Blinders gang into a new future following the end of Tommy Shelby's story. The official synopsis reads: "In this new era of Peaky Blinders, a decade after World War Two, the race to rebuild Birmingham becomes a brutal contest of mythical dimensions. "This is a city of unprecedented opportunity and jeopardy. At its blood-soaked heart is Duke Shelby (Jamie Bell): older, wiser, more ambitious, and most certainly more dangerous." However, Bell isn't the only new cast member who has been confirmed for the series. Stranger Things and Industry star Charlie Heaton will also play a leading role in the show, which has been given a two-season order of six episodes. Additionally, Downton Abbey and Silo alum Jessica Brown Findlay has also been cast, alongside No Time To Die and Marvel star Lashana Lynch, and Stereophonic actress Lucy Karczewski. No character details have yet been revealed. Read More: 12 Peaky Blinders questions we have after THAT ending to The Immortal Man Peaky Blinders creator and writer Steven Knight revealed in a statement: "I am thrilled that we are announcing a new era of Peaky Blinders, moving the story to post-war Birmingham in the early 50s. "We are incredibly fortunate to have Jamie Bell taking the role of Tommy Shelby’s oldest son, Duke, and to have Charlie Heaton also leading the cast. There are more exciting cast announcements to come, and Peaky is on the road again." The series is already filming in Birmingham and will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK and on Netflix globally. Read More: What happens to Arthur Shelby in Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man? Peaky Blinders veteran reacts to [SPOILER]'s shocking fate: "You want it to be as explosive as the character has been" Rebecca Ferguson reveals why she studied Cillian Murphy’s sex scenes and how intimacy coordinators were used for Peaky Blinders film Peaky Blinders' Cillian Murphy talks casting his "acting hero" in the film – as writer reveals how this impacted villainous role Peaky Blinders veteran Sophie Rundle remembers late Helen McCrory: "It's devastating that she's not here to finish it" Finn Shelby explained - what happened in the Peaky Blinders finale? Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is now available on Netflix– sign up from £5.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media. Add Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man 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 Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Adolescence, Celebrity Traitors, and EastEnders win big at esteemed television awards ceremony
Other winners included Big Boys, Last One Laughing, and Anna Friel.
The Royal Television Society has crowned its winners for its 2026 ceremony. Leading the charge was the BBC with a total of 16 wins, followed by Netflix with five wins - four of which went to the acclaimed limited series Adolescence. Elsewhere, EastEnders took home the award for soap & continuing drama, while Channel 4 comedy Big Boys took home the award for comedy drama. So, without further ado, here is the full list of winners from the big Royal Television Society Awards 2026 winners: Full list of shows and stars that took home awards Arts WINNER - The Last Musician of Auschwitz Nick Cave's Veiled World The Trouble With Mr Doodle Breakthrough award WINNER - Owen Cooper, Adolescence Ellis Howard, What It Feels Like for a Girl Kaydrah Walker-Wilkie, Just Act Normal Maximilian Fairley, Unforgotten Children’s programme WINNER - Crongton Sky Kids Investigates: World. War. Me. Wolf King Comedy drama WINNER - Big Boys Dreaming Whilst Black Juice Comedy entertainment WINNER - Last One Laughing Taskmaster Would I Lie to You? Comedy performance – female WINNER - Philippa Dunne, Amandaland Jordan Gray, Transaction Katherine Parkinson, Here We Go Lucy Punch, Amandaland Comedy performance – male WINNER - Steve Coogan, How Are You? It's Alan (Partridge) Adjani Salmon, Dreaming Whilst Black Jon Pointing, Big Boys Oliver Savell, Changing Ends Daytime programme WINNER - BBC Breakfast – Our Girls: The Southport Families Loose Women The Marvellous Miniature Workshop Documentary series WINNER - Bibaa & Nicole: Murder in the Park Boyzone: No Matter What Murder 24/7 Drama series WINNER - Blue Lights Code of Silence Slow Horses This City Is Ours Entertainment & reality WINNER - The Celebrity Traitors Married at First Sight UK Race Across The World Entertainment performance WINNER - Rob Beckett & Romesh Ranganathan - Rob & Romesh Vs Romesh Ranganathan - Romesh: Can't Knock the Hustle Claudia Winkleman - The Celebrity Traitors Formatted popular factual WINNER - The Assembly Go Back to Where You Came From The Jury: Murder Trial History WINNER - Flight 149: Hostage of War Simon Schama: The Road to Auschwitz Unforgotten: The Bradford City Fire Leading actor – female WINNER - Narges Rashidi, Prisoner 951 Rose Ayling-Ellis, Code Of Silence Erin Doherty, A Thousand Blows Tamara Lawrance, Get Millie Black Leading actor – male WINNER - Bobby Schofield, Unforgivable Anthony Boyle, House of Guinness Malachi Kirby, A Thousand Blows Stephen Graham, Adolescence Limited series and single drama WINNER - Adolescence Get Millie Black I Fought the Law What It Feels Like for a Girl Live event WINNER - Holocaust Memorial Day 2025 VE Day 80: A Celebration to Remember Last Night of the Proms: Finale Presenter WINNER - Hamza Yassin, Hamza’s Hidden Wild Isles Martin Lewis, The Martin Lewis Money Show Live Davina McCall, Stand Up To Cancer: Cancer Clinic Live Science & the natural world WINNER - Underdogs Confessions Of A Brain Surgeon Pangolin: Kulu's Journey Scripted comedy WINNER - Things You Should Have Done Here We Go How Are You? It's Alan (Partridge) Such Brave Girls Single documentary WINNER - Grenfell: Uncovered (Rogan Productions for Netflix) Gaza: Doctors Under Attack Groomed: A National Scandal Soap and continuing drama WINNER - EastEnders Casualty Hollyoaks Sports presenter, commentator or pundit WINNER - Gabby Logan, Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 Alex Jacques, 2025 Formula 1 Highlights Ruby Tui, Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 Sports programme WINNER - 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 Final Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 Supporting actor – female WINNER, Anna Friel, Unforgivable Aimee Lou Wood, Toxic Town Erin Doherty, Adolescence Saskia Reeves, Slow Horses Supporting actor – male WINNER - Owen Cooper, Adolescence Alexej Manvelov, Dept. Q Christopher Chung, Slow Horses Joshua McGuire, The Gold Writer – comedy WINNER - Kat Sadler, Such Brave Girls Adjani Salmon & Ali Hughes, Dreaming Whilst Black Tom Basden, Here We Go Jack Rooke, Big Boys Writer – drama WINNER - Jack Thorne & Stephen Graham, Adolescence Adam Patterson & Declan Lawn, Blue Lights Catherine Moulton, Code of Silence Sally Wainwright, Riot Women Judges’ award WINNER - Stephen Graham, Hannah Walters and Matriarch Productions Outstanding achievement award WINNER - Sir Michael Palin 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.
BAFTA TV Awards 2026 nominations revealed: Full list of nominees including Celebrity Traitors, Doctor Who legend and EastEnders
Adolescence, A Thousand Blows, Andor, and Trespasses lead the way.
We finally have the BAFTA TV Awards 2026 nominations in, and it's a big night ahead for Stephen Graham. Multiple nominations are in for the beloved Liverpuddlian actor, including 11 nominations for Adolescence and a further seven for A Thousand Blows. Elsewhere, the acclaimed Star Wars series Andor and Channel 4 historical drama Trespasses each have six nominations, while The Celebrity Traitors has five. Meanwhile, Doctor Who legend Matt Smith is nominated for his turn in The Death of Bunny Munro, while EastEnders and Coronation Street go head to head with Casualty for the Soap award. Read below for the full list of nominees at the BAFTA TV Awards 2026. BAFTA TV Awards 2026 nominations revealed: Full list of nominees including Doctor Who legend and Netflix smash hit Actor in a Comedy Jim Howick, Here We Go Jon Pointing, Big Boys Lenny Rush, Am I Being Unreasonable? Mawaan Rizwan Juice Oliver Savell, Changing Ends Steve Coogan, How Are You? It's Alan (Partridge) Actress in a Comedy Diane Morgan, Mandy Jennifer Saunders, Amandaland Katherine Parkinson, Here We Go Lucy Punch, Amandaland Philippa Dunne, Amandaland Rosie Jones, Pushers Children’s: Non-Scripted A Real Bugs Life Boosnoo! Production Team Deadly 60 Saving Sharks World.war.me (Sky Kids Investigates) Children’s: Scripted Crongton Horrible Science Shaun the Sheep The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball Current Affairs Breaking Ranks: Inside Israel’s War (Exposure) The Covid Contracts: Follow the Money Gaza: Doctors Under Attack Undercover in the Police (Panorama) Daytime The Chase Lorraine Richard Osman’s House of Games Scam Interceptors Drama Series A Thousand Blows Blue Lights Code of Silence This City Is Ours Entertainment The Graham Norton Show Last One Laughing Michael McIntyre’s Big Show Would I Lie to You Entertainment Performance Amanda Holden and Alan Carr, Amanda & Alan’s Spanish Job Bob Mortimer, Last One Laughing Claudia Winkleman, The Celebrity Traitors Lee Mack, The 1% Club Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan, Rob & Romesh Vs… Romesh Ranganathan, Romesh: Can’t Knock the Hustle Factual Entertainment The Assembly Go Back to Where You Came Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars Race Across the World Factual Series Bibaa & Nicole: Murder in the Park Educating Yorkshire See No Evil The Undercover Police Scandal: Love and Lies Exposed International The Bear The Diplomat Pluribus Severance The Studio The White Lotus Leading Actor Colin Firth, Lockerbie: A Search for Truth Ellis Howard, What It Feels Like for a Girl James Nelson-Joyce, This City Is Ours Matt Smith, The Death of Bunny Munro Stephen Graham, Adolescence Taron Egerton, Smoke Leading Actress Aimee Lou Wood, Film Club Erin Doherty, A Thousand Blows Jodie Whittaker, Toxic Town Narges Rashidi, Prisoner 951 Sheridan Smith, I Fought the Law Siân Brooke, Blue Lights Limited Drama Adolescence I Fought the Law Trespasses What It Feels Like for a Girl Live Event Coverage Holocaust Memorial Day 2025 Last Night of the Proms: Finale Ve Day 80: a Celebration to Remember News Coverage BBC Newsnight: Grooming Survivors Speak Channel 4 News: Israel-Iran: The Twelve-Day War Sky News: Gaza: Fight for Survival Reality The Celebrity Traitors The Jury: Murder Trial Squid Game: The Challenge Production Team Virgin Island Scripted Comedy Amandaland Big Boys How Are You? It's Alan (Partridge) Things You Should Have Done Short Form Donkey Hustle and Run Rocket Fuel Zoners Single Documentary Grenfell: Uncovered Louis Theroux: The Settlers One Day in Southport Unforgotten: the Bradford City Fire Soap Casualty production team Coronation Street production team EastEnders production team Specialist Factual Belsen: What They Found Simon Schama: The Road to Auschwitz Surviving Black Hawk Down Vietnam: the War That Changed America Sports Coverage The 2025 Ryder Cup Production Team The FA Cup Final - Richard Hughes, Sarah Williams, Nicola Kirk, Stephen Lyle, Andrew Clement, Andy Underhill UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 Production Team Wimbledon 2025 Production Team Supporting Actor Ashley Walters, Adolescence Fehinti Balogun, Down Cemetery Road Joshua McGuire, The Gold Owen Cooper, Adolescence Paddy Considine, Mobland Rafael Mathé, The Death of Bunny Munro Supporting Actress Aimee Lou Wood, The White Lotus Christine Tremarco, Adolescence - Chyna McQueen, Get Millie Black Emilia Jones, Task Erin Doherty, Adolescence - Rose Ayling-Ellis, Reunion P&O Cruises Memorable Moment Award (Voted for by the Public) Adolescence - Jamie snaps at the Psychologist Big Boys - I Didn’t Make It, Did I? Blue Lights - The Police are warned of an ambush to silence a key witness The Celebrity Traitors - Alan Carr wins the Celebrity Traitors Last One Laughing - Bob Mortimer and Richard Ayoade’s speed date What It Feels Like for a Girl - Byron leaves for Brighton to start uni, where she introduces herself as Paris BAFTA Television Awards 2026 P&O Cruises Memorable Moment Award nominees revealed – here’s how to vote 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.
What happens in the second Dune novel, Dune Messiah? Spoilers for book series
The original novel Dune has been covered in film now, but what happens next in the story?
Frank Herbert's epic series of Dune books is set to increase once again as we await Dune: Part Three. This film - which now has a trailer - continues on from the second film from director Denis Villeneuve which adapted the final portion of the original 1965 novel Dune and details what happens once Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) and his mother, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), join up with the Fremen, including the young woman he has long dreamt about, Chani (Zendaya). Together, the Atreides - through some unsettling religious manipulation - lead the Fremen in a crusade against the Harkonnens and the Imperium - resulting in one cataclysmic ending. However, the story of the novel Dune does not end there, with this third and final film from Villeneuve adapting the second novel from Frank Herbert in the series, the unique 1968 sequel novel Dune Messiah. View oEmbed on the source website So, what exactly happens in Dune Messiah? Well, here's what goes down and what it all means in the grand scheme of things. *Spoiler warning for Dune Messiah and potentially a third Dune film* What happens in the second Dune novel, Dune Messiah? There’s a time-jump The story of Dune Messiah opens 12 years after the end of Dune. Much has changed in the interim, but many character relationships are the same. Paul-Muad’Dib is the Emperor of the Known Universe and - as they never parted in the first Dune novel - Chani remains by his side as his concubine and closest advisor. Stilgar is also still a close advisor and is now a Minister of State. With the Atreides dynasty now based on Arrakis and overseeing Spice production and Fremen culture, the planet has become the governmental and religious centre of the Imperium. The Imperium has begun terra-forming parts of the planet, and reservoirs of water are being grown, as previously envisioned by Dr Liet-Kynes and hinted at in Paul’s visions (as seen in Dune: Part Two). Emperor Paul-Muad’Dib is all-powerful and is guilty of genocide Having unleashed the Holy War caused by the Fremen that he once dreaded, Paul is now the most powerful ruler in history, and the crusading Fremen has left no corner of the Known Universe untouched, and 61 billion people have perished. Despite the mass death and destruction, Paul’s powerful prescient abilities mean that he has foreseen this as the “narrow path” that avoided even more devastation. Many more than just the Fremen have joined the religious juggernaut behind Muad’Dib, but the religion around this messiah is centred on Arrakis and led by the Qizarate, among whom the high priest is Korba, one of Paul’s former loyal Fedyakin commandos. Lady Jessica is absent Despite her vital role in her son’s ascent to power and God-like status - and her appearance in Dune: Part Three - Lady Jessica is absent in the second novel. Having retired to the old Atreides homeward of Caladan, Lady Jessica has returned to the place she was happiest: her home with her late lover, Duke Leto Atreides. Jessica is not the only one, as Gurney Halleck has also returned to Caladan. Regardless of her absence, Jessica is heavily mentioned and counsels her son from afar and is remembered by the Bene Gesserit for her betrayal of their plans. Yet, Paul is not the only Atreides remaining on Arrakis. Read More: Dune: Part Three star confirms they are only in "one scene" of film Alia Atreides is a religious icon Now a young woman by the time of Dune Messiah, but having been sentient since the womb with all the prescient abilities of her powerful brother, Alia Atreides is worshipped among the religions around him as St. Alia of the Knife, another living deity like her brother. Taking part in many holy ceremonies, Alia is tired of the pomp and circumstance of it all. In the first novel, a four-year-old Alia had been the one to slay her maternal grandfather, Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, with a Gom Jabbar needle and had proclaimed her brother as the Kwisatz Haderach. Despite having had the abilities of an adult Reverend Mother since being a child, Alia is still a maturing young woman and experiences a sexual awakening in the novel. The Bene Gesserit, who consider Alia’s abilities to be unnatural, regard her as an Abomination and fear what dangers lie beneath the surface of her consciousness. Princess Irulan Corino is part of a conspiracy against the Atreides Having never known the affection of her husband and with her family living in exile, Princess Irulan Corrino plots against her husband with his enemies in a conspiracy. The conspirators against Paul include Irulan and Jessica’s Bene Gesserit tutor Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam who represents her sisterhood, Edric of the Spacing Guild, whose Spice-related abilities as a Guild Navigator means he can shield the cabal from the Atreides’ prescient abilities, disaffected Fremen who resent Paul’s changes to Arrakis, and Scytale, a shapeshifting Face-Dancer of the genetic manipulators the Bene Tleilax. These parties have been enacting their plots in multiple ways, with Irulan feeding Chani contraceptives to prevent her from having Atreides heirs as she tries to persuade Paul to give her a child of her own. Meanwhile, the Bene Tleilax have given Edric a gift to present to Paul, undermining his standing with the Fremen who will consider it unnatural… Duncan Idaho is resurrected - with a catch Edric gifts Paul with a ghola, a manufactured human body grown from the remains of his old swordmaster and mentor, Duncan Idaho. This ghola is named Hayt and has been trained as a Mentat - a human ‘thinking computer’ - and also a philosopher with no memories of the life of Duncan Idaho, but occasionally flashes of his old life come through and carry his appearance as a younger man than even Paul knew. Paul accepts Hayt as a gift - an act which horrifies the Fremen and even leads to doubts and confusion from his sister Alia. Hayt’s presence also leads to sexual confusion from Alia, who finds herself attracted to him despite her abilities giving her memories of the original Duncan Idaho. Chani longs to give Paul children - but he predicts tragedy After Irulan fed Chani contraceptives through her diet, Chani switched to a Fremen diet and then became pregnant by Paul, but the impact of the poisoning has hastened the pregnancy. Chani realises what Irulan has been doing and longs to kill her, but Paul stops her as he believes his consort still has her uses and can cause them no more harm. Paul also had been aware of what Irulan was doing, but his visions had shown that if Chani gave birth to Paul’s heirs, then she would undoubtedly die. Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam is taken prisoner Having been exiled to never return to Arrakis, Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam is arrested by Paul’s troops aboard a Guild Heighliner in the planet's orbit and taken to a cell in Paul’s citadel. Irulan visits the captive Mohiam, and the two communicate through their Bene Gesserit abilities. It becomes clear that Irulan is being pragmatic and trying her best to survive in the Imperium, but Mohiam instructs her to sow seeds of discontent and hints at even pushing a potential incestuous union between Paul and Alia to preserve the Atreides bloodline. Eventually, Mohiam is called into a meeting with Paul, and he reveals an offer to her: leave Chani alone, stop plotting for Irulan to bear his heirs, and accept the gift of his sperm. Mohiam promises to write to the Sisterhood on the offer, but knows that artificial insemination is against the laws of her order - Paul has trapped her. Emperor Paul-Muad'Dib is blinded Paul is lured out by a messenger from one of his loyal Fedaykin commandos, Otheym, in the form of his daughter Lichna. This Fremen girl is Scytale in disguise, and this is a trap. Paul, aware of Scytale’s plotting and the trap, goes into the desert to meet with Otheym, who reveals a Fremen conspiracy against Paul. Otheym gives Paul another gift of Tleilaxu origin, a dwarf named Bijaz, who possesses a perfect memory for recording everything that happens. When Paul’s troops attack the Fremen conspirators against him that Otheym led him to, a group of Fremen rebels set off an atomic weapon known as a stone burner, which blinds Paul. The Fremen believe that a blind man must walk into the desert alone, but due to his powerful psychic abilities, Paul is still able to see events as they happen - only further increasing his religious standing. Chani gives birth to twins - and dies After an accelerated pregnancy that weakened her body, Chani gives birth to not just one child that Paul foresaw but two: a son and a daughter, both with the prescient abilities of a Kwisatz Haderach. Despite this surprise, what Paul dreaded most happens: Chani dies in childbirth. Paul is shattered with grief for his true love. Hayt’s true purpose - and Scytale's plan - is revealed Bijaz’s true purpose as Scytale’s servant is revealed, and to deliver a secret command to Hayt, which appears to be to kill Paul when a certain code phrase is revealed. Chani’s death prompts Paul to experience profound grief, and this triggers Hayt, which only revives the latent memories of Duncan Idaho, and he refuses to kill Paul. This reveals that Hayt’s true purpose was to show the powers of the Bene Tleilax and Scytale, then offers to revive Chani for Paul as a ghoul. Paul fears what the Bene Tleilax may force Chani to do and that they will plot to influence the Imperium for their ends, so he refuses. Scytale then threatens to kill Paul’s children in exchange for Paul’s shares in the Imperium’s conglomerate CHOAM to let them live. Then, through his son’s oracular abilities, Paul can see the dangers and aims a dagger at Scytale and kills him. After slaying this enemy, Bijaz then repeats the Bene Tleilax's offer to Paul. In response, Paul has Duncan execute the Tleilaxu agent. A new status quo comes to the Imperium After the killing of Scytale with aid from his infant son, Paul has lost his prescient abilities and is now totally blind and decides to embrace Fremen tradition and goes into self-imposed exile in the desert. Naming his twin children his heirs with the names Leto II and Ghanima, Paul leaves them in the care of Alia, who is named Holy Imperial Regent, and he asks her to spare all of the other conspirators against him. Once Paul has departed, a ruthless Alia orders Stilgar to execute the treacherous Korba, who plotted to blind her brother to increase his own religious power, along with an imprisoned Edric and Reverend Mother Mohiam. Stilgar complies. Irulan is spared, as after being so moved by the loss of Paul and Chani, she has renounced any further devotion to the Bene Gesserit and House Corrino and devotes herself to helping to raise Paul and Chani's heirs. Finally, an emotional Alia and the restored Duncan enter into a new and romantic stage of their relationship. What is the meaning behind Dune Messiah? While Frank Herbert's Dune was a coming-of-age novel and the rise of the anti-hero Paul Atreides to power, Dune Messiah is a darker psychological tale about Paul's downfall and loss of everything he holds dear. All of the darker themes and fears about the dangers of messiahs present in the first book are realised, and Paul himself feels trapped and resigned to his destiny in Dune Messiah. While Dune is an epic novel with a huge ensemble, Dune Messiah is much more intimate and concentrated on political conspiracies and palace intrigues, all while underlining the central message of the first book: beware your heroes and beware how religious fervour can be used by governments to maintain control. In an essay by Frank Herbert titled Dune Genesis, the author wrote: "How did it evolve? I conceived of a long novel, the whole trilogy as one book about the messianic convulsions that periodically overtake us. Demagogues, fanatics, con-game artists, the innocent and the not-so-innocent bystanders - all were to have a part in the drama. This grows from my theory that superheroes are disastrous for humankind. Even if we find a real hero (whatever-or whoever-that may be), eventually fallible mortals take over the power structure that always comes into being around such a leader." Herbert finished this tale with his third novel, Children of Dune, which continues the story of Paul's children, Leto and Ghanima. Read more: 13 Dune Part Two scenes we all won’t be forgetting in a hurry Dune: Part Two review – A spectacular return to Arrakis Who is Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen in Dune: Part Two? Austin Butler character explained What happened in Dune: Part One? Recap for the first Denis Villeneuve film in franchise How is Dune: Part Two different from the book? Book changes explained Which characters are missing in Dune: Part Two? Stellan Skarsgård says reading Dune was “useless” for his Baron Harkonnen portrayal Dune director on casting Austin Butler: ‘I needed a playboy – a rockstar’ Dune: Part Two cast – Full list of actors and characters in sequel What is the age rating for Dune: Part Two? Age suitability explained How to watch Dune: Part One on DVD, Blu-ray and streaming Dune: Part Two is showing in cinemas now. Check out more of our Sci-Fi coverage or visit our TV Guide to see what's on tonight. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10 – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Coronation Street cast: who is leaving, returning to and joining the soap?
Your essential guide to the comings and goings on the cobbles in 2026.
With twists and turns galore in soapland, it can be hard to keep track of all the comings and goings in the cast of Coronation Street. We have now started 2026 in earnest, following the shocking death of Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank) during the crossover event with Emmerdale, Corriedale. RadioTimes.com is here with a handy update on which characters are leaving, joining and returning to the cobbles of Coronation Street in the coming months. So who's in? Who's out? And which rumours are true? Read on for all the latest details on cast changes. Coronation Street cast 2026 The full present regular cast for Coronation Street can be found below. William Roache as Ken Barlow Barbara Knox as Rita Sullivan Kate Ford as Tracy McDonald Sue Nicholls as Audrey Roberts Ben Price as Nick Tilsley Michael La Vell as Kevin Webster Sue Devaney as Debbie Webster Sally Dynevor as Sally Metcalfe Tina O'Brien as Sarah Barlow Simon Gregson as Steve McDonald Jack P. Shepherd as David Platt Rob Mallard as Daniel Osbourne David Neilson as Roy Cropper Jane Danson as Leanne Battersby Georgia Taylor as Toyah Habeeb Alan Halsall as Tyrone Dobbs Jimmi Harkishin as Dev Alahan Samia Longchambon as Maria Windass Andy Whyment as Kirk Sutherland Gareth Pierce as Todd Grimshaw Sam Robertson as Adam Barlow Jennie McAlpine as Fiz Dobbs Antony Cotton as Sean Tully Sam Aston as Chesney Brown Elle Mulvaney as Amy Barlow Tanisha Gorey as Asha Alahan Ryan Prescott as Ryan Connor Alison King as Carla Connor-Swain Liam McCheyne as Dylan Wilson Mikey North as Gary Windass Patti Clare as Mary Taylor Charlie Wrenshall as Liam Connor Jr. Peter Gunn as Brian Packham Cherylee Houston as Izzy Armstrong Kyran Bowes as Jack Webster Isabella Flanagan as Hope Stape Catherine Tyldesley as Eva Price William Flanagan as Joseph Brown Macy Alabi as Ruby Dobbs Joe Duttine as Tim Metcalfe Bobby Bradshaw as Jake Windass Grace Ashcroft-Gardner as Lily Platt Sair Khan as Alya Nazir Dolly-Rose Campbell as Gemma Winter Liam Bairstow as Alex Warner Joshua Leavy as Harry Platt Aurora Bradshaw as Susie Price Julie Goulding as Shona Platt Harriet Bibby as Summer Spellman Sally Carman as Abi Webster Maureen Lipman as Evelyn Plummer Jason Callender as James Bailey Trevor Michael Georges as Ed Bailey Ryan Russell as Michael Bailey Jane Hazlegrove as Bernie Winter Mollie Gallagher as Nina Lucas Tony Maudsley as George Shuttleworth Jude Riordan as Sam Blakeman Vinta Morgan as Ronnie Bailey Vicky Myers as DS Lisa Connor-Swain Jodie Prenger as Glenda Shuttleworth Cait Fitton as Lauren Bolton Claire Sweeney as Cassie Plummer Jacob Roberts as DC Kit Green Sydney Martin as Betsy Swain Henry Meller as Dorin Pop Ryan Mulvey as Brody Michaelis James Cartwright as Theo Silverton Jonathan Howard as Carl Webster Savanna Pennington as Joanie Michaelis Molly Kilduff as Shanice Michaelis Raphael Akuwudike as Ollie Driscoll Aaron McCusker as Ben Driscoll Pauline McGlynn as Maggie Driscoll Lucas Hodgson-Wale as Will Driscoll Beth Nixon as Megan Walsh Olivia Frances-Brown as Jodie Ramsey Below are the upcoming changes to the regular cast. LEAVING Cassie Plummer (Claire Sweeney) When is Cassie Plummer leaving? Summer 2026. Actress Claire Sweeney has confirmed that she will be leaving the role of Tyrone's scheming mother and Steve's girlfriend, Cassie Plummer, in the coming months. Sweeney will be leaving the show to join the cast of the UK and Ireland tour of Annie to play Miss Hannigan. Radio Times understands that ITV bosses have known about the actress's departure from the soap for a while now and that they already have a big storyline planned for the character's exit. A Coronation Street spokesperson said: "We wish Claire every success playing Miss Hannigan and congratulate her on being offered a role she has long wanted to play. "Cassie will be on the cobbles until the summer during which time she will continue to make her presence felt in Weatherfield leading up to a great exit storyline." Will Cassie leave the Street on bad terms? Theo Silverton (James Cartwright) When is Theo Silverton leaving? 2026. Actor James Cartwright has been confirmed to be leaving his role as villainous Theo Silverton. The character has been at the centre of a domestic abuse storyline that has seen him victimise his partner, Todd Grimshaw. When approached by Radio Times following reports of an exit for the character, a Coronation Street spokesperson said: "James joined Coronation Street on a finite contract and was fully aware of his character's story arc and how long he would be in the show. He still has scenes to film in the Todd/Theo storyline and will be on screen until later this year." It's safe to say that many fans have been clamouring to see Theo get his just desserts and face the consequences of his abhorrent actions, but as for just how Theo will be departing Weatherfield, we just don't know yet... Debbie Webster (Sue Devaney) When is Debbie Webster leaving? 2027. Actress Sue Devaney is being written out of the show as her fan-favourite character Debbie Webster is due to be killed off in a long-running dementia storyline. Devaney first appeared as 15-year-old Debbie Webster and starred in the role for one year before returning to the soap in 2019, and has been a main cast member since 2020. A source told Metro: "It’s one of the show’s biggest storylines of the year, and a real chance for Sue to finally get her time in the spotlight – it will just be devastating for fans that it will effectively be her final storyline." Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. They added: "It’s one of many major storylines new boss Kate Brooks has in the bag, and there will not be a dry eye in the house. "There is no doubt in the Corrie family that she will give the performance of a lifetime and make Debbie’s exit one to remember for years." The report also revealed that the character of Debbie was expected to stay in the show beyond 2025 to complete the long-running storyline, so there is plenty of Debbie still to come on-screen. The storyline was later confirmed by ITV and actress Sue Devaney, who revealed in June 2025 that she would still be on the soap until at least 2027. Who has left Coronation Street in 2026? The following characters have left Coronation Street in 2026. Billy Mayhew Becky Swain Lou Michaelis (Guest) Mal Roper Miles Silverton (Guest) Who has left Coronation Street in 2025? The following characters departed Coronation Street in 2025. Mason Radcliffe Matty Radcliffe (Guest) Brie Benson (Guest) Gus Deering (Guest) Anthea Deering (Guest) Eric Sandford (Guest) Yasmeen Nazir Tommy Orpington (Guest) Max Turner Rob Donovan Daisy Midgeley Julie Carp Bobby Crawford PC Craig Tinker Eileen Grimshaw Jason Grimshaw (Guest) Mick Michaelis Lou Michaelis Logan Radcliffe (Guest) Aadi Alahan Noah Hedley (Guest) Jenny Bradley Pete Lang (Guest) Dee Dee Bailey Gail Chadwick (Guest) Who has left Coronation Street in 2024? The following regular characters have departed Coronation Street in 2024. Sarge Bailey (Guest) Moses Ekundayo Harvey Gaskell Violet Wilson (Guest) Eliza Woodrow Simon Barlow Nathan Curtis Tommy Orpington Beth Tinker Rowan Cunliffe Nicky Wheatley Dorian Pop Alina Pop Stu Carpenter Damon Hay Paul Foreman Sabrina Adetiba Joel Deering Rowan Cunliffe Richard Hillman (Guest, dream sequence) Jesse Chadwick Gail Chadwick Who has left Coronation Street in 2023? The following regular characters have departed Coronation Street in 2023. Griff Reynolds Jacob Hay Mike Hargrave Esther Hargrave Teddy Thompkins Cilla the Cincilla Daryan Zahawi Rufus Donahue Faye Windass Jackson Hodge Miley Hodge Justin Rutherford Karen Rutherford Aggie Bailey Aaron Sandford Geoffrey "Spider" Nugent Isabella Benvenuti Henry Newton Shelly Rossington Stephen Reid Darren Vance Courtney Vance Crystal Hyde Peter Barlow Who left Coronation Street in 2022? The following regular characters have departed Coronation Street in 2022. Ted Spear Marrium Nazier Clint Stubbins Linda Hancock Grace Vickers Lydia Chambers Jon Spear Emma Brooker Laura Neelan Elsie Ben Chancellor Imran Habeeb Cathy Matthews Nicky Wheatley Camilla Perrin Mimi Halliday Frank Bardsley Phill Whittaker Geoff Metcalfe (Guest, hallucination) Saira Habeeb Rick Neelan (Guest, hallucination) Kelly Neelan Leo Thompkins James Bailey Martha Fraser Wendy Crozier Harvey Gaskell Who else will remain in Weatherfield by the end of the year? Visit our dedicated Coronation Street page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. If you’re looking for more to watch check out our TV Guide. Take part in the Screen Test, a project from Radio Times and the Universities of Sussex and Brighton, to explore the role of television and audio in our lives. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Coronation Street spoilers for this week as evil Megan Walsh's pregnancy stuns the Driscolls
Can Will Driscoll come to see just how evil Megan really is?
The fallout from Megan Walsh's arrest continues on Coronation Street this week. The ITV soap has seen the abusive Megan (played by Beth Nixon) finally caught out and arrested, thanks to a brave Sam Blakeman (Jude Riordan) and encouragement from his step-mother Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) and her sisters Toyah Habeeb (Georgia Taylor) and Eva Price (Catherine Tyldesley). However, Megan's victim, Will Driscoll (Lucas Hodgson-Wale), remains in love with her and can't see past her manipulations, even as his family try to convince him otherwise. In Monday's episode (23 March 2026), Will's dad, Ben Driscoll (Aaron McCusker), calls a family meeting to discuss Megan's pregnancy and her refusal to do a DNA test, as it would prove her abuse of Will. However, the meeting grows chaotic as Will continues to defend Megan, even to his furious grandmother, Maggie Driscoll (Pauline McGlynn). As the week continues, Ben tries to get Will to see a counsellor and, hopefully, open up about his experience with Megan. The dire lack of evidence against Megan grows worse as Ben and his partner Eva are horrified to learn that the police have found no evidence on Megan and Will's phones that suggests abuse. Will's week grows more troubled as he insists on returning to school but becomes a laughing stock over the stories about him and Megan. As Ben struggles emotionally and feels he has let Will down, pals Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) and Tim Metcalfe (Joe Duttine) prove to be some steadfast support for the troubled pub landlord. Of course, we know already that Steve is actually Ben's half-brother, but that's a secret yet to be exposed... Read More: Coronation Street fan favourite to face fire horror in shocking storyline next month Meanwhile, Sam's troubles continue as he is suspicious when he gets an apology and support from teacher Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard), who has now broken off his romance with Megan. Sam's pal Hope Stape (Isabella Flanagan) only fuels Sam's paranoia by suggesting Daniel is still secretly Megan's ally - prompting Sam to later bin his phone as he grows paranoid that Daniel has bugged him. Will Sam ever get back to normal? And will Megan ever face justice? Either way, it seems Megan is in danger in the coming weeks if that recent flash-forward episode is anything to go by... Read more: 5 Coronation Street spoilers next week: Theo Silverton stuns Todd Grimshaw with surprise wedding Coronation Street cast: who is leaving, returning to and joining the soap? Coronation Street airs weeknights at 8:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX. Visit our dedicated Corrie page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add Coronation Street 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 Soaps 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.
Harry Potter TV series star says he has received death threats over taking Snape role: "I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t affect me emotionally"
The Capture star Paapa Essiedu will portray Severus Snape in the upcoming TV series.
Paapa Essiedu has said he has received death threats following his casting in the upcoming Harry Potter TV series. The British actor, known for his turns in I May Destroy You and The Capture, will portray the iconic and enigmatic character Severus Snape in the HBO Max adaptation of JK Rowling's much-loved novels. Speaking to The Sunday Times, Essiedu has shared that abusive responses to his casting in the show, which will premiere in early 2027, have not been a comfortable experience for him. "It really matters," he told the paper. "The reality is that if I look at Instagram I will see somebody saying, ‘I’m going to come to your house and kill you.’ So while I’m pretty sure I’m not going to be murdered…" After reportedly laughing, he is noted to have added: "That could age badly! But, yes, while I hope I’ll be OK, nobody should have to encounter this for doing their job. Many people put their lives on the line in their work. I’m playing a wizard in Harry Potter. And I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t affect me emotionally." Despite any vitriol experienced, Essiedu said that "the abuse fuels" him and has made him more "passionate" about taking on the role of Snape. He said of himself as a child: "I would imagine myself at Hogwarts on broomsticks, and the idea that a kid like me can see themselves represented in that world? That’s motivation to not be intimidated by someone saying they’d rather I died instead of doing work I’m going to be really proud of." Last year, Harry Potter film series star Jason Isaacs spoke out against the "racist" abuse that Essiedu was facing over Essiedu's casting in the TV series adaptation. “Paapa Essiedu is one of the best actors I’ve ever seen in my life. I’ve seen some people online who are being rude about him. What they’re being is racist,” Isaacs said at FanExpo Denver, according to Collider. “All the cast of the new Harry Potter TV series are amazing. They will be swallowing their tongues, hopefully – you know, their digital tongues – when they see what [Essiedu] does on screen.” Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. The upcoming television series is expected to include eight episodes in its first season and has cast child actors Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, and Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, the last of whom will also voice Hermione in the Audible series Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions. Other series regulars in the television series will include The Crown star John Lithgow as Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore, Ozark actress Janet McTeer as his deputy Minerva McGonagall, and Hot Fuzz star Nick Frost as half-giant caretaker Rubeus Hagrid. Essiedu, meanwhile, can currently be seen in The Capture season 3 and will soon star in an emotional new BBC drama named Babies. Read More: Daniel Radcliffe wants to stop Harry Potter TV series stars being asked about the original films' cast Harry Potter TV series confirms Rivals and The Morning Show stars in iconic roles as nine castings revealed Cillian Murphy finally speaks out on those Voldemort casting rumours for Harry Potter TV series The Harry Potter TV series will premiere in early 2027 on HBO Max. 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.
Peaky Blinders creator reveals plan for Arthur Shelby changed while writing The Immortal Man: "Everything falls apart after that"
How do you solve a problem like Arthur Shelby?
*Spoiler warning for Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man* One of the biggest questions fans had going into Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man was how it would handle the absence of one of the show's biggest characters: Arthur Shelby Jr. (Paul Anderson). The eldest Shelby sibling had always been a violent and troubled figure, sometimes proving to be a thorn in the side of his younger brother Tommy (Cillian Murphy). Peaky Blinders season 6 ended with Arthur still alive but mourning the departure of his brother Tommy. However, in the opening of The Immortal Man, we learn that Arthur is dead and buried in Tommy's garden - initially suggested to be either through Arthur's own actions or an accident in a struggle with Tommy. As the film goes on, we discover a much darker truth... "I’ve been avoiding saying that for so long,” Knight said on The Immortal Man podcast, as noted by TUDUM. "Sometimes something occurs to you that explains what you’ve been writing," he noted. "I was writing this intense guilt. And then you think, ‘Well, that’s why he’s so guilty. Because it was him.’" In the film, Tommy later admits to his sister Ada's corpse that he was the one who was responsible for Arthur's death, and it was no accident. View oEmbed on the source website “Everything that Tommy has ever stood for is family,” Knight concluded. "And here he is, he shot his own brother. Everything falls apart after that. There is nothing left because everything you’ve ever stood for, everything you’ve represented, has gone. Tommy Shelby killed his everything all at once." Of course, actor Paul Anderson has had thoughts on what happened to Arthur. Elsewhere, there's a lot to dig into regarding the end of the film in its entirety - so strap in. Read More: 10 Peaky Blinders questions we have after THAT ending to The Immortal Man Peaky Blinders movie star Rebecca Ferguson reveals whether enigmatic Kaulo could return Peaky Blinders creator talks contemporary importance of Tommy Shelby fighting fascism: "Look what happened last time" Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man review – Big screen spin-off keeps a firm red right hand on proceedings Steven Knight explains how Peaky Blinders film ended up quite different from his initial plans Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is now available on Netflix– sign up from £5.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media. Add Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man 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 Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
12 Peaky Blinders questions we have after THAT ending to The Immortal Man
Where does the Peaky Blinders franchise go from here?
*Spoiler warning for the ending of Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man* We have a lot to dig into following the ending of Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man. We have off-screen deaths and some bloody on-screen deaths, but it's certainly the end of an era for the Shelby clan and their continued dominance of crime and politics in Birmingham. While it may be a swan song for Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) and his siblings, this doesn't mean it's the end of the road for the clan - in fact, we know a sequel series is coming to the BBC and Netflix. View oEmbed on the source website Regardless of the fact that Cillian Murphy's Tommy won't feature, we know there are a lot of people who could, and this also impacts where it may go next. So, without further ado, here are the biggest questions we have following the explosive Peaky Blinders movie. 12 Peaky Blinders questions we have after THAT ending to The Immortal Man 1. What's next for Erasmus “Duke” Shelby? Well, it seems Duke Shelby is finally ready to truly succeed his father Tommy Shelby as the “Gypsy King” and a much more legitimate and honourable leader of the Peaky Blinders. The old generation of Shelbys is gone, so Duke is now the oldest of the new generation and the true head of the family. It seems Barry Keoghan is primed to be the lead of the new Peaky Blinders sequel series, but he will have big shoes to fill in the absence of Cillian Murphy. We would also expect the return of Duke’s second-in-command, Elijah Hayes, played by Steve star Jay Lycurgo. Read More: Barry Keoghan reveals why Peaky Blinders film's story of fathers and sons moved him so much – and talks Beatles film role 2. Will we continue to see Kaulo Chiriklo? Rebecca Ferguson’s Kaulo plays an influential role in The Immortal Man and is even name-checked as a spiritual successor to Polly Gray. As such, it would make sense to see this “Gypsy Queen” return for a larger role in the sequel series. While Ferguson is a very in-demand Hollywood actress, she can be seen in the ongoing TV series Silo, which has now wrapped filming - meaning she will have a lot more time on her hands. Something tells us that Duke Shelby will need some of her otherworldly guidance in the series to come. However, Ferguson gave a mixed response to the prospect of a return when speaking to Radio Times magazine. Ferguson told Michael Hodges, "I never say no." However, she continued, "I think that Kaulo was so essential for this film, but I don’t always feel that a character needs to have a continuation; we can be satisfied with not being satisfied." Read More: Rebecca Ferguson reveals why she studied Cillian Murphy’s sex scenes and how intimacy coordinators were used for Peaky Blinders film 3. Will Hayden Stagg continue to play a role in the franchise? Stephen Graham played a relatively small role in Peaky Blinders season 6 despite much fanfare, before returning as one of Tommy Shelby’s few allies in The Immortal Man. Steven Knight previously indicated to Metro that he wanted Graham to remain in the franchise going ahead, so we very much expect Stagg to play an advisory role to Duke in the series to come. In the absence of key Peaky icons, Graham can add an air of authority and prestige to proceedings. 4. Have we seen the last of Charlie Strong, Johnny Dogs, and Curly? Three remaining stalwarts of the Peaky universe, Charlie, Johnny and Curly are very much old men by The Immortal Man and given their personal attachment to Tommy, perhaps it would make more sense to leave their stories with Tommy’s. However, they have survived The Immortal Man, and Duke is starved of links to his father, so perhaps these men could prove a representation of Tommy’s legacy in the series to come. Read More: Peaky Blinders' Cillian Murphy talks casting his "acting hero" in the film – as writer reveals how this impacted villainous role 5. Will Charles Shelby play a bigger part in the future? Tommy commented in season 6 that Charles could be the light side of the coin to Duke’s dark when it comes to inheriting Tommy’s world. Charles went into the army and a more legitimate world after the events of the series, having been raised by his stepmother, Lizzie Shelby. We get told he is in Africa during World War II, and he is present at Tommy’s funeral pyre in a background and non-speaking role in the final scene of The Immortal Man. Could Charles return to play a major role as the more legitimate face of the Shelby family in the sequel series? Brotherly relationships have been so key to the world of Peaky Blinders, and the difference in upbringing between Duke and Charles seems ripe for drama… 6. Will Karl Thorne and his sister Elizabeth Younger return? Karl Thorne, the son of Ada Shelby and Tommy’s old childhood friend Freddie Thorne, features in The Immortal Man as an assistant to his mother in her work as an MP. It is Karl who is present when Ada is shot and killed by Beckett and is seen comforting his younger half-sister, Elizabeth Younger, Ada’s daughter with Colonel Ben Younger (Kingsley Ben-Adir), who was named after Aunt Polly, during their mother’s funeral. Given that both Karl and Elizabeth are members of the new generation of Shelbys, can we expect them to return here? And would Karl have a chip on his shoulder, given how Duke was indirectly involved in Ada’s bloody demise? Read More: Peaky Blinders veteran Sophie Rundle remembers late Helen McCrory: "It's devastating that she's not here to finish it" 7. Will we see Lizzie Shelby again? Natasha O’Keeffe’s Lizzie Shelby (née Stark), the estranged second wife of Tommy, is absent from The Immortal Man, having left him in the season 6 finale following the death of their daughter Ruby and his adultery with Lady Diana Mitford (Amber Anderson). Tommy’s son by Grace, Charlie, was left to live with Lizzie after this, with Lizzie going unmentioned in the film. Given her importance in Tommy’s life in the series and Charles’s thereafter, could we see Lizzie’s story revisited? 8. Will we ever see a comeuppance for Sir Oswald Mosley and Diana, Lady Mosley? The chief antagonist of seasons 5 and 6, British fascist politician Sir Oswald Mosley, helped convince Tommy into thinking he was dying until the final episode saw Tommy realise the truth. Oswald and his equally insidious wife, Diana, helped implode Tommy’s life in the final season and got away unscathed, marrying in Germany in the presence of Adolf Hitler. The pair received a real-life comeuppance when they were imprisoned during World War II, but this is not depicted in the series and takes place before the events of The Immortal Man. It feels a shame to deprive the audience of the characters’ downfalls, so could we see them again? Read More: Peaky Blinders star confirms key character won't be returning for upcoming film despite cliffhanger 9. Will we ever hear again from Gina Gray and her evil uncle Jack Nelson? Speaking of antagonists, we don’t see the downfalls of. While we saw Tommy’s vengeful cousin Michael Gray (Finn Cole) executed in the finale, his scheming wife Gina (Anya Taylor-Joy) and her shady uncle Jack Nelson (James Frecheville) receive no comeuppance. It is hinted that the Nelson clan’s hold on Boston is damaged by the events of the finale, but we do not see either of the nasty gangster Jack or Lady Macbeth figure, Gina, again. Will they rear their heads in the sequel series? Read More: Peaky Blinders season 6 ending explained: What happened to Tommy Shelby? 10. What happened to Finn Shelby? This feels like a key relationship fated to be tackled in the sequel series. While in The Immortal Man, we see Tommy note to Ada’s corpse that he is the last of the Shelby siblings left, fans will no doubt wonder about the youngest sibling, Finn Shelby, last played by Harry Kirton. The character was excommunicated from the family and the Peaky Blinders gang by Duke in the season 6 finale after his loose lips and insubordination threatened everyone’s survival. Finn swore revenge on his nephew, Duke, before departing. With no update on Finn’s whereabouts in the film, could he stage a comeback to challenge Duke in the sequel series? We would be very surprised if this didn’t happen… Read More: Finn Shelby explained - what happened in the Peaky Blinders finale? 11. What on earth is going on with Alfie Solomons? Though it feels unlikely given his absence in The Immortal Man, we have to wonder whether we will see Tom Hardy’s Alfie Solomons again. The colourful character was apparently killed off at the end of season 4 before returning ghoulishly ‘alive’ in season 5 and then much more normally in season 6. He only interacts with Tommy in these scenes, but he does talk about new real-world events, so his status remains ambiguous. Was Tommy speaking with a ghost or imagining such interactions? It remains a possibility and one that Steven Knight, in interviews, has heavily implied. Either way, an on-screen confirmation would be great! 12. When and where does the show go next? Well, we somewhat have an answer to this already in the press release for the new seasons due to arrive from the BBC and Netflix. It read: “Britain, 1953. After being heavily bombed in WWII, Birmingham is building a better future out of concrete and steel. “In a new era of Steven Knight’s Peaky Blinders, the race to own Birmingham’s massive reconstruction project becomes a brutal contest of mythical dimensions. This is a city of unprecedented opportunity and danger: with the Shelby family right at its blood-soaked heart.” Peaky Blinders creator and writer Steven Knight added: “I’m thrilled to be announcing this new chapter in the Peaky Blinders story. “Once again it will be rooted in Birmingham and will tell the story of a city rising from the ashes of the Birmingham blitz. “The new generation of Shelbys have taken the wheel and it will be a hell of a ride.” Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is now available on Netflix– sign up from £5.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media. Add Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man 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 Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Peaky Blinders movie star Rebecca Ferguson reveals whether enigmatic Kaulo could return
"Kaulo, is the only person who can say, 'Stop' and [Duke Shelby] listens."
*Spoiler warning for Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man* Actress Rebecca Ferguson has left us wondering if we will be seeing her Peaky Blinders character, Kaulo Chiriklo, again. The film The Immortal Man introduced us to this Romany 'Queen' who is the identical twin sister of Duke Shelby's mother, Zelda, also played by Ferguson in flashbacks. In the present day, Kaulo tracks down Duke's father Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) and seduces him while apparently channelling her sister's spirit, and offering to bring him peace by encouraging him to unite with his son. Later, Kaulo speaks with Duke and encourages him to claim Tommy's 'throne' by killing his father and giving him peace. View oEmbed on the source website Of course, Tommy sniffs out Kaulo's game but agrees to stay aligned with Duke in the hope that he will choose his father's side over that of his new 'surrogate' father figure, the Nazi villain John Beckett (played by Tim Roth). In the end, Duke chooses Tommy but also loses him, and ends the film with Kaulo at his side as the new head of the Shelby clan. But is this the last we will see of Kaulo? Read More: Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man ending explained – does Tommy Shelby die? Speaking about whether we could see Kaulo again, Ferguson told Michael Hodges in the latest issue of Radio Times: "I never say no." However, she continued, "I think that Kaulo was so essential for this film, but I don’t always feel that a character needs to have a continuation; we can be satisfied with not being satisfied." So, it would seem to be more of a case of 'never say never'. Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. The film certainly positioned Kaulo to play a matriarchal role in the franchise, with Tommy Shelby even comparing Kaulo to his late aunt Polly Gray (the late Helen McCrory). Could we see Kaulo take on a similar role to Polly in her relationship with her nephew, Duke? Read More: Rebecca Ferguson reveals why she studied Cillian Murphy’s sex scenes and how intimacy coordinators were used for Peaky Blinders film Either way, Ferguson explained to Radio Times her view on Kaulo and Duke's relationship. The actress shared: "Oh, I love Barry, he’s amazing, such an open soul and he feeds off things around him. I loved our relationship. His character Duke is self-centred, obsessed, but also so self-sabotaging, so, he’s unpredictable, a time bomb that could just pop any second. Kaulo, is the only person who can say, 'Stop' and he listens. It’s like tough love, isn’t it?" For the longer interview from Michael Hodges with Rebecca Ferguson and more cast members, read the full Radio Times magazine, out now – also, for future issues, subscribe here. Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is in cinemas now and is released on Netflix on 20 March 2026. Read More: Peaky Blinders creator talks contemporary importance of Tommy Shelby fighting fascism: "Look what happened last time" Peaky Blinders veteran reacts to [SPOILER]’s shocking fate: “You want it to be as explosive as the character has been” Peaky Blinders icon Cillian Murphy: "I do believe in generational trauma, I also believe it can be stopped" Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man review – Big screen spin-off keeps a firm red right hand on proceedings Peaky Blinders star breaks silence on major character absence from The Immortal Man film: "It’s something you don’t see on TV" Steven Knight explains how Peaky Blinders film ended up quite different from his initial plans 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.
Peaky Blinders veteran reacts to [SPOILER]'s shocking fate: "You want it to be as explosive as the character has been"
"You want it to be as explosive as the character has been."
*Spoiler warning for Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man* Now that Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is finally out widely on Netflix, we can dig into some pretty big spoilers. Of course, we always expected some major deaths in the film, but one that came as a gruesome surprise occurred pretty much halfway through the film. Having been ordered by Nazi villain John Beckett (played by Tim Roth) to assassinate his aunt Ada Thorne MP (Sophie Rundle), Erasmus "Duke" Shelby (Barry Keoghan) stalked her as she walked through a blitzed Birmingham on her way to hand over evidence against Duke and the Peaky Blinders. Set against the tense track Puppet by Fontaines DC frontman Grian Chatten, Duke couldn't go through with killing his aunt, but followed after her regardless. View oEmbed on the source website However, despite Duke's inability to murder Ada and attempt to warn her, Beckett himself emerged from a car and shot Ada at point-blank range in the head before admonishing Duke for his failure and fleeing. Ada's corpse was held by her distraught son, Karl Thorne (Kasper Hilton-Hille). In the aftermath, Tommy swears vengeance against Beckett – but not until after he sees the spectre of Ada on his journey to Birmingham, meaning he's aware of her passing even before he is told. Read More: Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man ending explained – does Tommy Shelby die? Speaking to Michael Hodges for Radio Times, actress Sophie Rundle avoided too explicitly spoiling the film, but did discuss Ada's fate. "I was pleased, that’s what you want to happen in these big mythic pieces," revealed Rundle. "You want it to be as explosive as the character has been. "I’m trying to speak in code, but it’s a fitting punctuation to the past 14 years of my life." She added: "I do kind of wish I could go back and start from the beginning now, with all that I am and all that I know now and do it again. But then it wouldn’t be what it became. So maybe that ignorance and that “Let’s just f**king do it” energy is what is powerful". Read more: Peaky Blinders creator talks contemporary importance of Tommy Shelby fighting fascism: "Look what happened last time" Of course, Ada isn't the only Shelby sibling to be killed off in the film, with Arthur Shelby (Paul Anderson) killed before the events of The Immortal Man, and Tommy himself perishing following his revenge against Beckett. So, the story leaves us in a place where we will follow the next generation of Shelbys in the upcoming sequel seasons. Read more: Peaky Blinders creator talks contemporary importance of Tommy Shelby fighting fascism: "Look what happened last time" Rebecca Ferguson reveals why she studied Cillian Murphy’s sex scenes and how intimacy coordinators were used for Peaky Blinders film Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man review – Big screen spin-off keeps a firm red right hand on proceedings Steven Knight explains how Peaky Blinders film ended up quite different from his initial plans Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is out now on Netflix. 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.
Oscar winners 2026: Full list as One Battle After Another wins best picture, Michael B Jordan takes home best actor
Other big winners on the night included Jessie Buckley for best actress and Sean Penn for best supporting actor.
In a very big night for the film, One Battle After Another was named best picture at last night's 98th Academy Awards in LA – with director Paul Thomas Anderson's film beating the likes of Sinners and Hamnet to become the latest winner of Hollywood's most coveted honour. The film took home an additional five awards, including best director for Anderson, best music, best casting, and best adapted screenplay. An absent Sean Penn also took home the award for best supporting actor, beating the likes of Frankenstein's Jacob Elordi and Sentimental Value's Stellan Skarsgard, for his performance in One Battle After Another. Meanwhile, Michael B Jordan took home a much-contested best actor award for his work as identical twins in the night's most-nominated film, Sinners, while the film also won best original screenplay, best music, and best cinematography. Awards season constant Jessie Buckley did indeed win best actress for her turn in Hamnet, while Amy Madigan won her first Oscar for her turn as Gladys in the horror film Weapons. Elsewhere, there were also wins for the likes of K-Pop Demon Hunters for best animated feature, Sentimental Value for best international film, and Mr Nobody Against Putin for best documentary feature. Read below for the full list of nominees and winners. Oscar winners 2026: Full list of Academy Awards winners Best picture Bugonia F1 Frankenstein Hamnet Marty Supreme One Battle After Another - WINNER The Secret Agent Sentimental Value Sinners Train Dreams Best director Chloe Zhao – Hamnet Josh Safdie – Marty Supreme Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another - WINNER Joachim Trier – Sentimental Value Ryan Coogler – Sinners Best actor Timothée Chalamet – Marty Supreme Leonardo DiCaprio – One Battle After Another Ethan Hawke – Blue Moon Michael B Jordan – Sinners - WINNER Wagner Moura – The Secret Agent Best actress Jessie Buckley – Hamnet - WINNER Rose Byrne – If I Had Legs I'd Kick You Kate Hudson – Song Sung Blue Renate Reinsve – Sentimental Value Emma Stone – Bugonia Best supporting actor Benicio del Toro – One Battle After Another Jacob Elordi – Frankenstein Delroy Lindo – Sinners Sean Penn – One Battle After Another - WINNER Stellan Skarsgaard – Sentimental Value Best supporting actress Elle Fanning – Sentimental Value Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas – Sentimental Value Amy Madigan – Weapons - WINNER Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners Teyana Taylor – One Battle After Another Best original screenplay Blue Moon It Was Just an Accident Marty Supreme Sentimental Value Sinners - WINNER Best adapted screenplay Bugonia Frankenstein Hamnet One Battle After Another - WINNER Train Dreams Best animated feature Arco Elio K-Pop Demon Hunters - WINNER Little Amélie of the Character of Rain Zootropolis 2 Best international film The Secret Agent It Was Just an Accident Sentimental Value - WINNER Sirat The Voice of Hind Rajab Best original score Bugonia Frankenstein Hamnet One Battle After Another Sinners - WINNER Best original song Dear Me from Diane Warren: Relentless Golden from K-Pop Demon Hunters - WINNER I Lied to You from Sinners Sweet Dreams of Joy from Viva Verdi! Train Dreams from Train Dreams Best costume design Avatar: Fire and Ash Frankenstein - WINNER Hamnet Marty Supreme Sinners Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. Best cinematography Frankenstein Marty Supreme One Battle After Another Sinners - WINNER Train Dreams Best documentary feature The Alabama Solution Come See Me in the Good Light Cutting Through Rocks Mr Nobody Against Putin - WINNER The Perfect Neighbour Best film editing F1 Marty Supreme One Battle After Another - WINNER Sentimental Value Sinners Best production design Frankenstein - WINNER Hamnet Marty Supreme One Battle After Another Sinners Best makeup and hairstyling Frankenstein - WINNER Kokuho Sinners The Smashing Machine The Ugly Stepsister Best sound F1 - WINNER Frankenstein One Battle After Another Sinners Sirat Best visual effects Avatar: Fire and Ash - WINNER F1 Jurassic World: Rebirth The Lost Bus Sinners Best casting Hamnet Marty Supreme One Battle After Another - WINNER The Secret Agent Sinners Best short documentary All the Empty Rooms - WINNER Armed Only with a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud Children No More: "Were and are Gone" The Devil is Busy Perfectly a Strangeness Best short film (animation) Butterfly Forevergreen The Girl Who Cried Pearls - WINNER Retirement Plan The Three Sisters Best short film (live action) Butcher's Stain A Friend of Dorothy Jane Austen's Period Drama The Singers - WINNER Two People Exchanging Saliva Check out more of our Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
EastEnders airs unannounced return for fan-favourite character during Mother's Day episode in early BBC iPlayer release
Spoiler warning for the episode on Monday 16 March 2026.
**Warning: Contains major spoilers for the Monday 16 March 2026 episode of EastEnders, available now on BBC iPlayer.** EastEnders has aired the surprise return of a beloved character in the episode set on Mother's Day 2026. The BBC One soap's Monday episode aired amusing scenes of the Beale clan coming together to celebrate the day, with Lauren Beale (Jacqueline Jossa) causing a stir by inviting her divisive father, Max Branning (Jake Wood), to join them. In early scenes, Lauren's doting husband Peter Beale (Thomas Law) teased that he had a surprise for his wife on the special day, with Lauren's lateness due to a talk with Max potentially threatening to ruin it. However, to Max's chagrin and Lauren's delight, the surprise was revealed to be Max's former mother-in-law and Lauren's grandmother, Cora Cross, played once again by British TV legend Ann Mitchell! Steely matriarch Cora is the mother of Lauren's mother, Tanya Cross (Jo Joyner), and Rainie Cross (Tanya Franks), and appeared as a regular character from 2011 to 2015, before making further guest appearances in 2017 and 2018 - primarily as an adversary to Max. Cora really has never been a fan of Max's and took the opportunity to make barbed remarks at his expense during the celebrations, particularly when he asked after his granddaughter Abi "AJ" Brannign Jr., who is living with Tanya after his reckless guardianship. It was revealed that Peter had invited both Cora and Tanya, but Lauren's mother chose not to attend. In addition to digging at a riled Max enough that he was asked to leave, Cora also referred to a present Mark Fowler (Stephen Aaron-Sipple) as "Muscles", made comments on the 'resurrection' of Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins), and also reminded Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) that he had bought the services of her drug-addicted daughter Rainie when she was a sex worker back in 2014. Read More: EastEnders star teases "fantastic" storyline for Ian and Elaine: "The fight is on" Still, there were heartwarming scenes from Cora's return, too. While spending some time with her great-grandsons, Cora dug deep with Lauren following the attack she experienced last week, and encouraged her to embrace a new business opportunity with Mark - even though neither she nor Lauren is aware that Mark is involved in criminal enterprises. Elsewhere, Cora also managed to catch her wayward grandson Oscar Branning (Pierre Counihan-Moullier) before she left and made clear how much she loves him despite his delinquent behaviour in recent years. Cora also encouraged Oscar to settle down before they shared an embrace before her departure. Though with a love triangle tipped to be on the way between Oscar and twins Jasmine Fisher (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness) and Josh Goodwin (Josh Vaughn), we'll have to wait and see about that! Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. The warm scene was witnessed by Ian and his mother, Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) and saw them express their father-and-son love for each other too. The lovely guest appearance by the sassy Cora will no doubt go down a treat with fans who have been calling for her to make a return in recent years. Could we see Cora turn up to make some remarks later in the year? Here's hoping! Read more: 6 EastEnders spoilers next week: Zoe Slater's son arrives and Bea Pollard commits fraud EastEnders confirms Holby City legend cast in pivotal role alongside Zoe Slater's long-lost son for trial storyline EastEnders reveals why Clare Bates is estranged from Nigel as she returns after 18 years in BBC iPlayer release EastEnders' Max Branning makes reckless move to show commitment to Linda Carter in early BBC iPlayer release Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add EastEnders 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 Soaps 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.
Rebecca Ferguson reveals why she studied Cillian Murphy’s sex scenes and how intimacy coordinators were used for Peaky Blinders film
The Dune and Silo star plays the mysterious Kaulo in Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man.
Rebecca Ferguson has spoken about her approach to her intimate scenes in Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man. The Swedish actress, known for her roles in the Dune and Mission: Impossible series, joins the franchise for the feature film outing, playing the mysterious Kaulo Chiriklo, the identical twin sister of Tommy Shelby's former lover, Zelda, with whom he sired his eldest son, Erasmus "Duke" Shelby (Barry Keoghan). The film sees Tommy (Cillian Murphy) and Kaulo get very up close and personal, but with a rather interesting twist - but we won't spoil more here... Speaking about working with intimacy coordinators, Ferguson told Michael Hodges in the upcoming issue of Radio Times magazine: "I think it’s wonderful that we can have intimacy coordinators and sometimes they are needed, but for me, it’s very off-putting and it makes me feel very uncomfortable because I have enormous boundaries and I can verbalise them. "So we could sit down and say, what do you need to feel safe? What do I need to feel safe? And then she could step out of the scene." Speaking about how she approached the scene with Murphy, Ferguson continued: "I had called Cillian and asked him how he wanted to work. It sounds so silly, but I said, 'I’ve studied your sex scenes…' And he went, 'That’s really weird and awkward.' And I went, 'I know, but bear with me. This is not just a regular sex scene. This is not us getting our kit off, getting on with it, bish bash bosh. This is a moment of release. This is a moment of intimacy, there’s magic.'" Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. We'll leave fans to see the more surprising aspects of this scene in the film! Separately in the same interview, Ferguson discussed the difficulties female actors face compared to male actors. Read More: Peaky Blinders icon Cillian Murphy: "I do believe in generational trauma, I also believe it can be stopped" "One of the first things to do is to not to let yourself feel undermined," noted Ferguson. "When you start thinking that you are not worth more than a male lead star, or a female, then you’ve already placed yourself beneath them. If you go on a film set and there is a big male star there you have to project your power as well." For the longer interview from Michael Hodges with Rebecca Ferguson and more cast members, read the full Radio Times magazine, released on 17 March 2026 – subscribe here. Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is in cinemas now and is released on Netflix on 20 March 2026. Read More: Peaky Blinders creator talks contemporary importance of Tommy Shelby fighting fascism: "Look what happened last time" Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man review – Big screen spin-off keeps a firm red right hand on proceedings Peaky Blinders star breaks silence on major character absence from The Immortal Man film: "It’s something you don’t see on TV" Steven Knight explains how Peaky Blinders film ended up quite different from his initial plans 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.
Which film has won the most Oscars ever? Academy Award winner records
Find out who's had the most nominations and wins for acting, directing, screenwriting and more.
The Oscars 2026 are upon us, as the who's who of Hollywood descend on the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles — hoping either to claim a golden statuette or deliver what might be the finest performance of their career: the gracious-in-defeat face. This year, Ryan Coogler's Sinners leads the charge with an impressive – and well-deserved – 16 nominations – including in almost every major category, making it the most nominated film in Academy Awards history. But will the vampire horror sweep the board and officially become the most successful film in Oscars history? Elsewhere, Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another and Chloé Zhao's Hamnet are also in the running for a truly memorable night, having picked up 13 and eight nods respectively, while Marty Supreme, Sentimental Value and Frankenstein have nine nominations apiece. Read more: Every best picture Oscar winner of 21st century ranked – from Crash to Moonlight Oscar nominations 2026: Full list of nominees as Sinners smashes record with 16 nods As the glitzy ceremony rolls around once again, we're taking a look at some of the biggest Oscar records, from the most-decorated film of all time to the actors who have won more than anybody else. There's even a chance that we could see more records broken tonight, with both Sinners and One Battle After Another in the running to make Oscars history. If you're interested to find out more about the impressive Oscar records spanning the history of the nearly 100-year-old event, read on to find out about the films and people with the most Academy Awards. Which film has won the most Oscars of all time? Three films hold the record of winning the most Academy Awards, having garnered 11 Oscars each: Ben-Hur (1959), Titanic (1997) and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003). Out of these, Titanic received the most nods with a total of 14 nominations. <a id="menur4co" class="fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Link Download the Radio Times app">Download the Radio Times app for more Oscars 2026 coverage – including exclusive features. But it's entirely possible that Sinners – with its whopping 16 nominations – could equal or better that record. The film is up for the best picture trophy, while Coogler has been nominated for best director — and would become the first Black winner in the category if successful. Three of its stars (Michael B Jordan, Wunmi Mosaku and Delroy Lindo) are also all in the running across the various acting categories. Other nominations for Sinners include best original screenplay, original score, original song, costume design, cinematography, editing, production design, makeup and hairstyling, sound, visual effects and casting. Then there's One Battle After Another, which has received 13 nominations. As well as being in the running for best picture, PTA has been nominated for best director and Leonardo DiCaprio for best actor. Teyana Taylor has been nominated for best supporting actress, while co-stars Benicio del Toro and Sean Penn are also competing in the best supporting actor category. The film is also up for best adapted screenplay, original score, cinematography, editing, production design, sound and casting. Who has won the most Oscars of all time? The person who has triumphed more times at the Oscars than anyone else in history is Walt Disney. America’s most iconic filmmaker racked up a whopping 26 Oscars, four of which were honorary awards, and he also holds the record for the most nominations on record – 59. Who has won the most Oscars for acting? Actress Katharine Hepburn holds the record for the most Oscars for acting, having won four Academy Awards across her career and earned a total of 12 nominations. Hepburn won Oscars in the best actress category for her performances in the films Morning Glory (1933), Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967), The Lion in Winter (1968) and On Golden Pond (1981). Actors Jack Nicholson, Daniel Day-Lewis and Walter Brennan, meanwhile, are the three men with the most Oscars for acting, having each won three times. While some of Brennan and Nicholson’s awards were for best supporting actor, all three of Day-Lewis’s victories were for best leading actor, and he holds the record in that category. If Sean Penn wins best supporting actor for One Battle After Another, he will become one of just seven actors to have won three acting Oscars. Who is the most nominated actor at the Oscars? The person with the most nominations for acting is Meryl Streep, who has received 21 nods over the course of her career. She has won three times for Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), Sophie’s Choice (1982) and The Iron Lady (2011). Streep has also been nominated for The Deer Hunter, The French Lieutenant's Woman, Silkwood, Out of Africa, Ironweed, A Cry in the Dark, Postcards from the Edge, The Bridges of Madison County, One True Thing, Music of the Heart, Adaptation, The Devil Wears Prada, Doubt, Julie & Julia, August: Osage County, Into the Woods, Florence Foster Jenkins, and The Post. But it's worth noting that Emma Stone, with her best actress nomination for Bugonia, has surpassed Meryl Streep as the youngest woman to earn seven Oscar nominations. Who has won the most Oscars for directing? John Ford won none of his four Oscars for his famous Westerns. Instead, he holds the Best Director record for The Informer (1935), The Grapes of Wrath (1940), How Green Was My Valley (1941) and The Quiet Man (1952). Although Ford has won the most Oscars of any director, William Wyler holds the record for the most nominations in this discipline earning 12, three of which won him some silverware. Ford was nominated for five overall, boasting an enviable conversion rate. Which British person has won the most Oscars? Film composer John Barry has won more Oscars than any other Brit. He has garnered five Academy Awards in total, two for Born Free (1966), and one each for Lion in Winter (1968), Out of Africa (1985) and Dances with Wolves (1990). Who has won the most Oscars for screenwriting? Five people have been awarded three screenwriting Oscars: Billy Wilder, Charles Brackett, Francis Ford Coppola, Woody Allen, and Paddy Chayefsky. But it is Allen who has won the most Academy Awards in the Best Original Screenplay category, for his films Annie Hall (1977), Hannah and Her Sisters (1986), and Midnight in Paris (2011). Which British actor has won the most Oscars? That would be Daniel Day Lewis with his three wins for My Left Foot, There Will Be Blood and Lincoln. The actor was also nominated for Oscars for his turns in In the Name of the Father, Gangs of New York and Phantom Thread. The Academy Awards will air on Sunday 15 March 2026. Check out more of our Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Emmerdale spoilers for this week as Robert Sugden moves into Butler's Farm amid new Joe Tate plot
A new era is set to begin for 'Emmerdale Farm'.
It's the dawn of a new era this week on Emmerdale. The ITV soap will see a big change at Butler's Farm in the coming days after Moira Dingle (Natalie J Robb) decided to give up the home she has had since arriving in the village in 2009 to ease the burden on her family, as husband Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) deals with his prostate cancer diagnosis. As a result, Moira finally gave in and accepted the Tate family's offer for the farm, with Joe Tate (Ned Porteous) especially delighted to get the land. Joe then installed his conflicted accomplice in framing Moira for involvement in Celia Daniels's modern slavery operation, Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley), back in the farm that was once run by the Sugdens. Disowned by his uncle Cain, Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) felt guilty but ultimately stood by his soulmate, Robert. Now, this week, Cain will decide to move his family into the Dingle Homestead, and when he goes to the Woolpack later, he is hardly in the mood for celebrating, despite being with his extended family. The Dingles are suspicious when Joe arrives and offers Cain's sister-in-law, Lydia Dingle (Karen Blick), an apology for his past behaviour and a pay rise. Joe's actions also court the suspicions of his step-grandmother, Kim Tate (Claire King), too. The time soon comes for Cain to sadly leave Butler's Farm behind, with Robert then swiftly and rather uncomfortably replacing the Dingles that once lived there. Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. However, keen to restore some goodwill and also to gain an experienced farmhand, Robert soon offers Moira's son, Matty Barton (Ash Palmisciano), a job on the farm if he wants it. Will Matty accept? Cain and his struggling sons soon arrive at the Dingle Homestead, with Cain resolving to carve out their future with a new Dingle Farm, with Cain's extended family keen to help him realise his ambitions. Read More: Emmerdale cast: who is leaving, returning to and joining the cast? Amid these plans, Aaron makes a sweet gesture for his partner when he reveals to Robert that he has repaired the old 'Emmerdale Farm' sign belonging to the Sugdens, and they are now ready to start a whole new era for the Sugden farming dynasty. However, their landlord may have other ideas, as it's clear that Joe Tate is up to something - and his surrogate father Graham Foster (Andrew Scarborough) warns him that he knows what he is up to. Just what does dastardly Joe have planned for the Dingles and Sugdens? Read More: Coronation Street and Emmerdale stars confirmed for contract changes as cast appearances set to reduce Speaking of the changes we will see in the coming days, producer Laura Shaw earlier commented: "The Sugdens have always been at the centre of our village, having been the original farming family when Emmerdale was first created. "This return to the farm’s roots is a powerful moment, echoing the early drama that unfolded when Annie Sugden and her sons, Jack and Joe, farmed the land. Taking over the tenancy, grandson Robert wants to do his best and make his dad proud. With his loyal partner, Aaron, they are ready for this new chapter and committed to making the farm thrive." She concluded: "Farming remains a vital presence in Emmerdale, providing a daily dose of excitement and fresh air for our audience." Read more: 5 Emmerdale spoilers next week: Paddy Dingle and Dylan Penders charged after huge Bear Wolf mistake Emmerdale airs shock passion for Graham Foster after Rhona Goskirk ultimatum in early ITVX release Emmerdale airs Paddy Dingle twist as incriminating new evidence found in early ITVX release Emmerdale's Cain Dingle gains an unlikely ally amid prostate cancer battle in early ITVX release Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1. Stream on ITVX. Add Emmerdale 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 Soaps 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.
To be or not to be? There's no question the 'emotionally manipulative' Hamnet deserves to win the 2026 Oscar for best picture
The tragic tale of William Shakespeare's family life is well deserving of its flowers.
To be or not to be? It probably shouldn’t be a question. Somehow, for many pundits and critics, Chloé Zhao’s adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s acclaimed historical fiction novel Hamnet has become something of a villain this Oscars season. It’s a bizarre take when the tragedy has so much to offer. The film tackles a lesser-known element of William Shakespeare’s life: the loss of his son Hamnet. Like O’Farrell’s novel, though, this text primarily centres its experience on Shakespeare’s wife and Hamnet’s mother, here named Agnes. Portrayed with ferocity and heartbreaking nuance by Irish triple-threat Jessie Buckley, Agnes is a spiritual, earthy and misunderstood figure — one who draws the attention of Shakespeare in his youth (a moving Paul Mescal) and before his success as a playwright in London. Primarily set in the pastoral setting of Stratford-Upon-Avon, we see how the Shakespeare clan grows in size following Agnes and Shakespeare’s wedding, with the pair welcoming three children and living an idyllic life as William's career in London begins to take off. View Green Video on the source website However, the true crux of the drama occurs when a malady claims the life of their son Hamnet (the wonderful young talent Jacobi Jupe) and sets them on diverging paths… until Shakespeare’s works come to the rescue. A moving examination of grief and the power of art, Hamnet has signalled another vote of confidence in Zhao from the film industry, after the plaudits and gongs won for her much-celebrated film Nomadland. The prospect of a female and non-white Oscar-winner gaining recognition from the Academy so close to her previous wins should be welcomed – as although ceilings can be shattered, in the film industry they can always quickly grow back, leaving a long wait until the next slice of the pie. Separately, success for Hamnet would be just recognition for one of our finest acting talents in Jessie Buckley, who continues to give emotionally true performances in a singular range of roles. It is highly likely — at least at this stage — that Buckley will take home the award for best actress, but her performance is not the sole selling point of this touching and ethereal cinematic experience. A costume drama – linked to Shakespeare no less – would not be a groundbreaking best picture win as such, but Hamnet being so grounded in the female experience in plot, style, performance and creation makes it a pivotal competitor this year. Equally, the absence of Mescal, the ever-brilliant Emily Watson and Jacobi Jupe in their respective categories feels a crying shame, meaning Hamnet is only able to compete on limited fronts. Snobbery or a lack of recognition towards "women's films" is nothing new in the industry or in film criticism, of course, but it feels very strange here when one considers the pedigree of the talent on show. There have been complaints about Hamnet being stereotypical "Oscar bait", but the chief issue many have had has been around claims that Zhao's film is "emotionally manipulative". The final act, in particular, swells with pure emotion as Agnes attends a performance of her husband’s play Hamlet, thanks to the touching work of Buckley, Mescal, and both Jacobi and Noah Jupe. The score from Max Richter — which includes his recognisable track On the Nature of Daylight — only further crystallises the sheer emotion of the scene. Some have argued that the film does not earn this sentimentality and outpouring of emotion – and I have had to ask them what film they have been watching. How can a film moving crowds of moviegoers to tears be manipulative, especially when using the sheer emotion evoked from Shakespeare's own work? Good cinema is designed to play with our emotions. It endeavours to capture shades of the human experience that are hard to put into words. It reaches out to a pained soul in the audience – just as Shakespeare’s own work did. To be or not to be? Here, there’s no question, Hamnet is well deserving of its flowers. Check out more of our Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The Capture season 3 airs update on Callum Turner’s Shaun Emery - and he almost had a much bigger role
*Spoiler warning for The Capture season 3 episode 1, which is available now on BBC iPlayer* The Capture has offered an update on Rachel Carey's original co-lead of the show, Lance Corporal Shaun Emery, played by Callum Turner. The first season of the BBC thriller saw Carey (Holliday Grainger) investigating Emery for murder, but later discovered he had been framed with 'Correction'. Despite this, the first run of episodes ended with Emery accepting his fate in prison on a charge of manslaughter to avoid worse accusations of child abuse and to complete a kind of penance for his own actions when acting as a soldier. In the third-season premiere, which picks up months after the season 2 ending in which Carey exposed 'Correction', Emery is revealed on BBC News to be free from prison and reunited with his loved ones. So, a happy ending for the character - even if it remains off-screen. Speaking at a press screening for the season 3 premiere, show creator and writer Ben Chanan answered simply at first when Radio Times asked if we would see more of Emery's story addressed: "No." Chanan then continued: "He's out, he's out. He got released, so that's it. Who knows? Seasons 4, 5, 6... "What I will tell you is, we did, in fact, think of bringing him back in more significantly, but then this idea kicked in, and...I think we ran it the right way, just in terms of the narrative." He revealed at the same event: "Did you see the original idea? Yeah, sort of, half of it. I sat down to write an episode in which the Home Secretary was assassinated, but Carey catches the attacker, and he doesn't show up at work like that. She tracks him down. He dies before she can question him. That was the original thing. And as I was writing, I was thinking, but then the mystery is kind of over, the bad guys are already dead. That's a bad idea." Of course, Acting Commander Rachel Carey now has enough to contend with following that explosive premiere that saw Home Secretary Isaac Turner (Paapa Essiedu) gunned down in front of her by a mystery man who, in the shocking cliffhanger, now appears to be her new boss: Noah Pierson (Killian Scott). Yet, Emery almost had a role here... Read More: The Capture season 3 episode 1 confirms character of Skins and Game of Thrones favourite – as creator teases role Ben Chanan exclusively told Radio Times that at one point, it was Emery who was the killer. "We actually sat down, we put a writers' room together, and we fleshed out quite a different story, which involved bringing Shaun Emery (Callum Turner's character from season 1) back as the killer, and the only person who sees him is Carey," Chanan explained. "But as I was writing it, as much as I would love any excuse to get Callum Turner back, I, at the same time, found I was writing myself into a cul-de-sac with that story." Well, just how the thriller follows up that jaw-dropping cliffhanger, we'll have to wait and see! Meanwhile, Callum Turner is certainly busy enough with numerous film roles and James Bond speculation - so who knows where we'll see him next! Read more: The Capture season 3 review: The best thriller on TV returns to provide Holliday Grainger's finest hour The Capture writer teases secret theme for season 3 after previously tackling justice system and fake news The Capture season 3 continues next Sunday on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Seasons 1 and 2 are now available to stream on iPlayer. Add The Capture to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. 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.
The tragic tale of William Shakespeare's family life is well deserving of its flowers
Hamnet is in cinemas now and available to rent on multiple streaming platforms. Add it to your watchlist Warning: The following contains spoilers for the film Hamnet. To be or not to be? It probably shouldn’t be a question. Somehow, for many pundits and critics, Chloé Zhao’s adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s acclaimed historical fiction novel Hamnet has become something of a villain this Oscars season. It’s a bizarre take when the tragedy has so much to offer. The film tackles a lesser-known element of William Shakespeare’s life: the loss of his son Hamnet. Like O’Farrell’s novel, though, this text primarily centres its experience on Shakespeare’s wife and Hamnet’s mother, here named Agnes. Portrayed with ferocity and heartbreaking nuance by Irish triple-threat Jessie Buckley, Agnes is a spiritual, earthy and misunderstood figure — one who draws the attention of Shakespeare in his youth (a moving Paul Mescal) and before his success as a playwright in London. View Green Video on the source website Primarily set in the pastoral setting of Stratford-Upon-Avon, we see how the Shakespeare clan grows in size following Agnes and Shakespeare’s wedding, with the pair welcoming three children and living an idyllic life as William's career in London begins to take off. However, the true crux of the drama occurs when a malady claims the life of their son Hamnet (the wonderful young talent Jacobi Jupe) and sets them on diverging paths… until Shakespeare’s works come to the rescue. A moving examination of grief and the power of art, Hamnet has signalled another vote of confidence in Zhao from the film industry, after the plaudits and gongs won for her much-celebrated film Nomadland. The prospect of a female and non-white Oscar-winner gaining recognition from the Academy so close to her previous wins should be welcomed – as although ceilings can be shattered, in the film industry they can always quickly grow back, leaving a long wait until the next slice of the pie. Separately, success for Hamnet would be just recognition for one of our finest acting talents in Jessie Buckley, who continues to give emotionally true performances in a singular range of roles. It is highly likely — at least at this stage — that Buckley will take home the award for best actress, but her performance is not the sole selling point of this touching and ethereal cinematic experience. A costume drama – linked to Shakespeare no less – would not be a groundbreaking best picture win as such, but Hamnet being so grounded in the female experience in plot, style, performance and creation makes it a pivotal competitor this year. Equally, the absence of Mescal, the ever-brilliant Emily Watson and Jacobi Jupe in their respective categories feels a crying shame, meaning Hamnet is only able to compete on limited fronts. Snobbery or a lack of recognition towards "women's films" is nothing new in the industry or in film criticism, of course, but it feels very strange here when one considers the pedigree of the talent on show. There have been complaints about Hamnet being stereotypical "Oscar bait", but the chief issue many have had has been around claims that Zhao's film is "emotionally manipulative". The final act, in particular, swells with pure emotion as Agnes attends a performance of her husband’s play Hamlet, thanks to the touching work of Buckley, Mescal, and both Jacobi and Noah Jupe. The score from Max Richter — which includes his recognisable track On the Nature of Daylight — only further crystallises the sheer emotion of the scene. Some have argued that the film does not earn this sentimentality and outpouring of emotion – and I have had to ask them what film they have been watching. How can a film moving crowds of moviegoers to tears be manipulative, especially when using the sheer emotion evoked from Shakespeare's own work? Good cinema is designed to play with our emotions. It endeavours to capture shades of the human experience that are hard to put into words. It reaches out to a pained soul in the audience – just as Shakespeare’s own work did. To be or not to be? Here, there’s no question, Hamnet is well deserving of its flowers.
Game of Thrones movie tipped to be in development from Andor writer - and it concerns House Targaryen
A new chapter in House Targaryen's history may be heading to the big screen.
Is Game of Thrones finally heading to the big screen? The smash hit HBO franchise, which began with the main series and spawned prequels House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, has long been rumoured to be getting the cinematic treatment. Page Six Hollywood now reports that former House of Cards showrunner and Andor writer Beau Willimon has already submitted a draft of the script to Warner Bros Discovery (the owners of HBO), who are apparently pleased with it. A source speaking to the publication suggests that the film would explore the conquering of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros by Aegon I Targaryen, dubbed 'The Conqueror' in the lore of Westeros. "All of 'Game of Thrones' stems back to him, and you’ve never seen him on any of the shows," the source noted. However, the main issue that leaves the project uncertain going ahead will be the current acquisition plans by Paramount to take over Warner Bros Discovery, which is tipped to see streaming services HBO Max and Paramount+ merge. While Warner Bros Discovery and Paramount have a deal, the takeover still awaits regulatory approval. Radio Times has reached out to Warner Bros Discovery for comment on the report. It's a story that author George RR Martin has told in detail in his fictional history of House Targaryen, titled Fire and Blood. Aegon becomes the first ruler of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros when he and his sister-wives, Visenya and Rhaenys Targaryen, decide to conquer the continent with their dragons. The characters are ancestors of the Targaryens featured in House of the Dragon, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, and the central Game of Thrones series. Much of Aegon's reign ends up including a bloody war with the independent kingdom of Dorne after he forges the Iron Throne. House of the Dragon added a prophecy of "Aegon's dream" to the Targaryen lore, so this may also feature in the film and tie it to the multiple Game of Thrones series. Meanwhile, we were recently given an explosive look at the third run of House of the Dragon, which depicts the Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of Dragons. This series is based on later segments of Fire and Blood by George RR Martin. Read More: George RR Martin confirms all-new Game of Thrones prequel set just 10 years before original series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms star reveals unexpected connection to original Game of Thrones series Kit Harington "angered" by Game of Thrones fans who petitioned for season 8 remake House of the Dragon season 3 will arrive on HBO Max in June. Seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream on Sky and NOW, along with Game of Thrones and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms – find out more about how to sign up for Sky TV. Add House of the Dragon, Game of Thrones and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. If you’re looking for something else to watch in the meantime, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide, or visit our dedicated Fantasy hub. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.