The War Between the Land and the Sea writer reveals "massive effects sequence" which was cut from the Doctor Who spin-off
The spin-off's co-writer revealed the rather grotesque details of a cut scene.
The War Between the Land and the Sea writer Pete McTighe has revealed the rather grotesque details of a scene that never made the cut in the Doctor Who spin-off. Russell Tovey and Gugu Mbatha-Raw led the spin-off, which followed a conflict between humanity and the classic Who monsters the Sea Devils (now known as Homo Aqua), with a big focus on climate issues, particularly the damage done to the oceans and waterways of Earth. But not everything writers McTighe and Russell T Davies dreamed up could make the cut. ”There was only one big effects sequence that we ended up having to cut which was from the start of episode 2, which was going to open in this beautiful restaurant on the Italian coast,” McTighe said at convention Gallifrey One (according to CultBox). “This young, hot couple were arriving in a sports car and then went into this amazing restaurant that had glass view of the sea that was beautiful. "They sit down and he was going to propose to her and say he loves her and then suddenly, a squid was going to slap onto the window. And they were like, ‘Sorry, what was that?’ And then another one would spat onto the other window and then another one, another one. And suddenly, there were all these squid attacking this restaurant and the windows exploded!” McTighe went on to say: "It was going to be this massive effects sequence to open the episode but obviously, because it wasn’t an integral part of the story, it was important to put the money into things like the Plastic Apocalypse that were crucial to the show." 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 memorable scene that McTighe is referring to showed plastic pulled from the oceans and waterways raining down on Earth in an act of revenge from Homo Aqua. Actor Alexander Devrient (Colonel Christofer Ibrahim) previously opened up to Radio Times about that scene, saying: "There is no acting required whatsoever. We are already in this world, 100 per cent, and seeing all this plastic, it's so nasty. Physically, you sort of recoil. It just goes to show how much we how much we waste." Meanwhile, speaking about the show's depiction of the climate crisis, Davies previously said: “One of the most boring things you can ever say to a writer is, ‘Don’t be preachy'. "Quite a few religions have been based for thousands of years upon preaching. It’s not bad as a system, it works. The truth is, I don’t have to get on a high horse at all. If I’m writing about the oceans in 2025, then they really are filthy and stinking and half-destroyed. "I would be lying if I didn’t mention these things. It’s only politically engaged because it has no choice.” The War Between the Land and the Sea is available to stream on BBC iPlayer. 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.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 2 casts Bohemian Rhapsody and Mum favourites in major roles
Dunk and Egg are set to encounter some new friends and foes on their adventures in season 2 of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms – and now we know who exactly will be taking on those roles. The show has added Lucy Boynton as Lady Rohanne, Babou Ceesay as Ser Bennis, and Peter Mullan as Ser Eustace Osgrey. The trio are key characters in George RR Martin's second Dunk and Egg novella, The Sworn Sword, which picks up with the unlikely duo a year and a half later, as they're caught in the middle of a dramatic dispute. Boynton is best known for roles in A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story and Bohemian Rhapsody, while Babou Ceesay has most recently been seen in Alien: Earth and Damilola, Our Loved Boy. Peter Mullan is also known for a variety of roles, including in Ozark and I Swear. View Gallery on the source website A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has so far been loved by critics and fans alike after its first season, giving us a very different tone to the previous series in the Thrones franchise. So far, the series has been very faithful to George RR Martin's writing, and showrunner Ira Parker has suggested that will continue for season 2. He teased to Radio Times: "Book 2 takes place at a drought. And obviously you’ve been to Belfast, and you know there’s no way any human being could ever shoot Belfast for a drought, as it rains at some point every single day. So we’re going elsewhere to seek 'unrainings'." He added Radio Times and other press: "We're going to see Egg get into the action a little bit. Dexter's been training. I think people are gonna be impressed." View Green Video on the source website It's also been confirmed that we won't see a fair few characters back for season 2, including Egg's father, Maekar (Sam Spruell). Speaking to Radio Times for the finale, Spruell explained: "As things stand, I'm not [in season 2], but I really hope that we do see Maekar again, rather selfishly. "I love playing a dysfunctional dad who just can't get it right, who sees his own failings reflected in his children. There's nothing more painful than that. "And so I really enjoy the tension that exists within Maekar. And I think there is something in the strength of Egg that's such a clear challenge to Maekar's authority. I really liked the exploration of that as well. So I'm holding out hope that he'll return." A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is available to watch on Sky Atlantic and NOW – find out more about how to sign up for Sky TV. Add 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. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Torchwood star Gareth David-Lloyd reacts to loss of Ianto's shrine: "It kept me going"
The plaque is being torn down after 17 years.
With Torchwood fans left gutted by the news that Ianto's Shrine will be taken down from Cardiff Bay, actor Gareth David-Lloyd has opened up about what it's meant to him all these years. The shrine was created after fan-favourite character Ianto Jones (played by David-Lloyd in the Doctor Who spin-off) was killed off in the third season of Torchwood, and has remained in place for 17 years. Now, however, Mermaid Quay management has confirmed that the shrine will be taken down for maintenance works, and has suggested a plaque honouring the character will come in future. Speaking exclusively with Radio Times, David-Lloyd said the shrine "has been a reminder for me all these years, through a lot of hard times, through times when I [wondered] whether I was going to carry on acting, those times where you don't feel like anyone wants to employ you or even consider you for something, it's a reminder that the work I've done has mattered to somebody somewhere, and it's kept me going". He added: "It's always been close to my heart in that way. So, a big thank you to Carol-Ann [Hillman, the shrine's official caretaker] and everyone involved with its upkeep and looking after it and visiting it and posting about it, posting pictures of themselves by it. Thank you to everyone who's helped with that, because it's kept me going in quite a few ways." The actor, who played Ianto from 2006 to 2009 and has continued to voice him in various audio projects, also said that he hopes people can pay tribute to the character by supporting the causes that would have been close to his heart, shouting out Cancer Research and Dog's Trust in particular. View Green Video on the source website "A plaque would be nice, just for the guys who are really devastated about the fact that it's being taken down," he added. "I heard something about a petition, and I'm not sure if that's going to do any good. I would say a way to pay tribute to Ianto would be to sign the petitions that Ianto would have signed and support the causes that Ianto would have supported. I think Ianto would be much more supportive of that sort of idea than a petition to keep his own shrine up!" He added: "I'd say to the fans, ask yourselves, what do you think is the thing that draws you to Ianto, the thing that you relate to in Ianto, what speaks to you? What do they think that he would have supported?" While Ianto began as a smaller character in the show, his role expanded significantly during the course of the series. Most notably, his romance with John Barrowman's Captain Jack Harkness became a refreshing example of LGBTQ+ representation at a time when it wasn't commonplace on screen. This, David-Lloyd thinks, is why the character has meant so much to so many people. "The biggest clues I've had have been at conventions, when fans have come up and said Ianto and Ianto's relationship with Jack has really helped them in their own personal lives, whether it be coming out to their their family, or accepting themselves for who they are," he reflected. "And that was not something I thought about a lot when I was doing it, but that is a response I've had from a lot of fans, and that's been very touching and flattering over the years. I should imagine it's something to do with that – people have seen something of themselves in him and feel like they can relate to him." 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. He's also seen strides being made in LGBTQ+ representation on screen since Torchwood, adding: "To be honest, at the time, I didn't realise [LGBTQ+ characters were] so under-represented. But now later on, looking back at it, I thought, 'Wow, it really, really was,' so it's wonderful to see so many really, really good, human shows being written with huge LGBT representation." As for what Torchwood and Ianto have meant to David-Lloyd personally? "It was a landmark in my life and career. It changed everything so quickly. I was down and out, depressed and living in London. I was there for five years, I did a few bits and pieces, but I was questioning whether this was my calling, and all of a sudden I was going back home to shoot as a regular in a sci-fi series. "It changed my whole life. So it will always be a big part of me." Torchwood is available to watch on BBC iPlayer. 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.
Torchwood fans mourn the loss of beloved Ianto Jones memorial in Cardiff as management issues update
After 17 years, Ianto's Shrine on Cardiff Bay is set to be torn down and Torchwood fans are officially in mourning. If those words mean nothing to you, we'll need you to cast your minds back to 2009. when the beloved Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood was airing its haunting third season, Children of Earth. All was well - or so we thought. Suddenly and abruptly, after two seasons of making fans fall in love with the romance between Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman) and Ianto Jones (Gareth David-Lloyd), fan favourite Ianto was brutally killed off. Fans were so devastated by the loss that they created a shrine on Cardiff Bay (the location of Torchwood HQ) to pay memory to him, with fans leaving flowers and messages. In particular, many fans remembered the character for being a refreshing example of LGBTQ+ representation when it wasn't commonplace on screen. However, Carole Anne-Hillman, who maintains the shrine, recently revealed that it is soon to be taken down. She said on X (formerly Twitter): "Really sad news, afraid. Ianto’s Shrine is being taken down the end of April. I will try and take off cups and other small items. It is really sad. I am devastated." She has said that reasons for the removal include: "Rotting wood, rusting ironwork and health & safety". Watch Gareth David-Lloyd talk to Radio Times about the news of the shrine's removal below: View Green Video on the source website A spokesperson for Mermaid Quay has also confirmed the news to Radio Times and said: "We can confirm that Ianto’s shrine at Mermaid Quay will be taken down whilst we carry out maintenance work. "This work is required to ensure the lower boardwalk continues to provide a wonderful experience for all our visitors. We hope to work with the local community to explore a new plaque for Ianto once the maintenance works have completed.” Fans have been left gutted by the news, with one writing on X: "Sad to hear about Ianto's Shrine, It's a popular landmark down at the Bay, and for them to want to rid of it.. it just doesn't sit right with me, they should repair it up, but allow the shrine to continue. It's sad to see they want it gone." <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2024/07/Ianto-shrine-1-67ed7c6-e1772627601932.jpg" width="793" height="530" alt="Carol-Anne Hillman (caretaker of the Ianto Jones shrine in Mermaid Quay) with Gareth David Lloyd on the 10th anniversary of Ianto's death in 2019" title="Carol-Anne Hillman (caretaker of the Ianto Jones shrine in Mermaid Quay) with Gareth David Lloyd on the 10th anniversary of Ianto's death in 2019" /> Another added: "Well that's heartbreaking. Ianto's Shrine is such a small yet vital part of Cardiff Bay, and it's a real shame that it can't even be moved in any way to continue to honour the legacy of Doctor Who/Torchwood on Cardiff." One more said: "I was so happy to visit Ianto’s shrine back in 2016 (along with The Doctor Who Experience) but apparently it’s due to be taken down the end of April, sad times, but a testament to #Torchwood and the love for the character that it’s remained this long, R.I.P Ianto’s shrine." An online petition has been launched to save the shrine. View oEmbed on the source website David-Lloyd, who played Ianto, previously opened up to Radio Times about the shrine, saying he would often take friends to visit it - and admitted he was expecting it to one day be taken down. "I know I'll always have an opportunity if friends come over from overseas or are visiting Cardiff," he said. "They always want to go to the shrine to have a picture taken. So I've been there a few times, it's been a couple of months since I've been there... I went for the 10-year anniversary. I know [caretaker, Carol-Anne Hillman] has put up lots of decorations. "My mind boggles that it's still there and I'm just waiting for Mermaid Quay to say, 'Enough is enough, let's take it down!' So it's very weird but very flattering." As for why the character meant so much to so many? He added: "I've had a few experiences where fans have come up, and they've been quite emotional. "And they've said that Jack and Ianto's relationship helped them accept who they were, and come out to their parents or feel that they're given the power to own themselves. I think maybe that has a lot to do with [why Ianto is still so loved], with that sort of relationship being so forefront in a major primetime TV show. Radio Times has contacted Mermaid Quay management for further comment. Torchwood is available to watch on BBC iPlayer. 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.
Doctor Who star Arthur Darvill reveals the one key scene he was "sad" to miss out on filming
He describes Rory Williams as a "gift of a part".
While Doctor Who star Arthur Darvill looks back on his time on the show with absolute delight, he's revealed there was one scene he's "sad" to have not filmed. The Rory Williams actor starred alongside Matt Smith (the Eleventh Doctor) and Karen Gillan (Amy Pond) during Steven Moffat's era of the show, from 2010 to 2012. Following Darvill and Gillan's heartbreaking exit from the series, a mini episode titled PS, built entirely from storyboard drawings of a scene that was never shot, was released on the BBC YouTube channel. The four-minute short depicts Rory's father Brian (played in the series by Mark Williams) reading a letter from his son, explaining why he and Amy won't be coming back. Sitting down for Radio Times's Doctor Who Insiders for an exclusive in-depth interview, Darvill looked back on that scene. Asked whether he wished he could have filmed it, he said: "Oh yeah, absolutely." He added: "In my head, the version of that story is that they were going to film and they ran out of time and money! "So that was always kind of a sad thing not to have filmed. I'm glad it's out there so that people can imagine what it would look like." Otherwise, Darvill insists he wouldn't change a thing about his exit from Doctor Who, which saw Amy and Rory trapped in the past by the Weeping Angels. View oEmbed on the source website "I just think it was beautiful and messy and emotional and really dramatic," he pointed out. "I watched it with a bunch of my mates when it was on, which is very unlike me, and we all got really emotional. Obviously it's hard to separate my experience of making it to what it is on screen, I suppose, because it was also our ending, leaving the show." He added: "I'm glad it wasn't lingered on, and I'm glad it wasn't drawn out. It was like, rip the plaster off and [Amy and Rory are] gone. I think it's good storytelling." 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. Going on to speak about then-showrunner Moffat, and especially the way in which he wrote Rory's Lone Centurion storyline, Darvill added: "Steven's scripts have the through line of the big story. You just open them and go, 'Oh, wow'. He always does it in a surprising way and in a really emotionally true, but very entertaining way. "I just couldn't wait to film all those scenes. It was a gift of a part. We felt like we were shooting Indiana Jones! Suddenly, the scale of those episodes, we were like, 'Oh wow, we're doing a Spielberg.' It was great." Darvill also recently revealed to Radio Times that he and Gillan will be reuniting for a new podcast, which will be aptly called The Pondcast. Darvill said the podcast is a chance to catch up with Gillan, who spends much of her time in the US, explaining: "We really get on and we catch up quite often, and we had such a good time [on Doctor Who]. "It was so long ago and we've forgotten so much that happened, but it was such a formative thing, that we feel now that we're able to look back and celebrate it." Arthur Darvill's full interview will be published later this month. Missing Doctor Who? Register now for Radio Times's Doctor Who Insiders club for exclusive interviews with Doctor Who legends every month. Doctor Who is available to stream on BBC iPlayer. 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.
For All Mankind spin-off series release date finally confirmed with first look at "gripping" new space-race drama
The world of For All Mankind is getting ever bigger!
While its fifth season is on the way, For All Mankind is about to reach even further into the stars with its upcoming spin-off, Star City, which officially has a release date! The new show will arrive on 29 May on Apple TV, just two months after For All Mankind season 5. While alt-history series For All Mankind has shown us what might have happened had the USSR been the first to place a man on the moon, resulting in a never-ending space race, Star City will take us back in time to that key moment and tell the story from behind the Iron Curtain. Described as a "propulsive paranoid thriller", the series will show the lives of the cosmonauts, the engineers, and the intelligence officers embedded among them in the Soviet space program, and the risks they all took to propel humankind forward. First-look snaps from the show see its stars, including Motherland icon Anna Maxwell Martin, and House of the Dragon's Rhys Ifans, in action. Aptly, Star City boasts a starry cast, including Ifans, Martin, Black Doves actress Agnes O'Casey and Bad Behaviour's Alice Englert. Solly McLeod (House of the Dragon), Adam Nagaitis (Chernobyl), Ruby Ashbourne Serkis (I, Jack Wright), Josef Davies (Andor) and Priya Kansara (Bridgerton) round out the cast of the spin-off. Of course, For All Mankind's creators Ben Nedivi, Matt Wolpert and Ronald D. Moore are returning to serve as showrunners for the new series. At the time the show was announced, the trio said: "Our fascination with the Soviet space program has grown with every season of For All Mankind. "The more we learned about this secret city in the forests outside Moscow where the Soviet cosmonauts and engineers worked and lived, the more we wanted to tell this story of the other side of the space race. "We could not be more excited to continue building out the alternate history universe of For All Mankind with our partners at Apple and Sony." Star City will arrive on Apple TV on 29 May. For All Mankind seasons 1-4 are available to stream on Apple TV, sign up now with a 7-day free trial. Add For All Mankind to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Sci-fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Stranger Things creators' new supernatural mystery series finally gets Netflix release date confirmed with first look at action
If you're still missing Stranger Things, look no further! The Duffer Brothers' next supernatural series has officially got its release date. The Boroughs, an upcoming mystery series which the pair are executive producing, will arrive on Netflix on 21 May. The new show will see a band of retirees join forces to stop a monstrous otherworldly threat taking hold of their seemingly perfect retirement home, proving that the gang is much more dangerous than expected. First-look pictures of the series show our group of misfits in all their glory, with the starry cast consisting of Alfred Molina (Sam), Geena Davis (Renee), Alfre Woodard (Judy), Denis O’Hare (Wally), Clarke Peters (Art), Bill Pullman (Jack), Carlos Miranda (Paz), Jena Malone (Claire), Seth Numrich (Blaine), Alice Kremelberg (Anneliese). If you're already seeing parallels with Stranger Things, you're certainly not alone - and all eyes will be on whether the pair's next venture can live up to the global success of the sci-fi series. The Duffer Brothers recently told Tudum of the new show: "While the heroes in The Boroughs have a few more years on them than the kids from Stranger Things, they are a similarly lovable bunch of misfits, and we can’t wait for you to join them on an adventure that is at turns scary, funny, and deeply touching." Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews created the eight-episode series and will act as the showrunners, with the pair explaining to Tudum: "From the beginning, we knew we wanted The Boroughs to feel equal parts scary, mysterious, exciting and emotional. "The challenge was to create a world that could hold all of these different tones at once. Which is why it was so fun to work with the Duffer Brothers — the masters of balancing heart and horror." The Duffer Brothers certainly haven't slowed down after the end of Stranger Things, as they're also executive producing upcoming Netflix thriller Something Very Bad is Going to Happen, while Stranger Things spin-off Tales from '85 on its way in April. The Boroughs will arrive on Netflix on 21 May 2026. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
For All Mankind season 5 first look trailer shows off new cast as revolution grows
A new generation are coming to the forefront as we jump to the 2010s in the alt-history epic.
The new For All Mankind season 5 trailer is officially here - and tensions are building (big time) in what looks to be an epic new instalment. The alt-history epic from Ronald D. Moore, Matt Wolpert and Ben Nedivi follows a world in which the USSR beats the US to the moon in 1969, and the space race never ends, leading up to the colonisation of Mars. In season 5, which will return to Apple TV on 27 March, we're set to jump to the 2010s, years after season 4's Goldilocks asteroid heist, with Happy Valley growing into a thriving colony. But, as seen in the trailer, the nations of Earth are now demanding law and order on Mars, causing major friction between the residents of the two planets. If those on Mars have any hope of future, they have to take action - and quickly. Check out the trailer below: View oEmbed on the source website A new generation will be coming to the forefront in season 5, with new series regulars including The Summer I Turned Pretty star Sean Kaufman, The Killing's Mireille Enos, Homeland's Costa Ronin, Bottoms star Ruby Cruz, and Royalteen star Ines Asserson. They'll be joining returning stars Joel Kinnaman, Toby Kebbell, Edi Gathegi, Cynthy Wu, Coral Peña and Wrenn Schmidt. Fans of the show won't be left wanting for new instalments either, as spin-off series Star City is also on its way, which will tell the story of the Space Race from the Soviet side, exploring a whole new perspective for the franchise. Executive producers Matt Wolpert and Ben Nedivi said at the time of the announcement: "Our fascination with the Soviet space programme has grown with every season of For All Mankind. "The more we learned about this secret city in the forests outside Moscow where the Soviet cosmonauts and engineers worked and lived, the more we wanted to tell this story of the other side of the space race. "We could not be more excited to continue building out the alternate history universe of For All Mankind with our partners at Apple and Sony." For All Mankind season 5 will premiere on Apple TV on Friday 27 March 2026. Seasons 1-4 are available to stream on Apple TV, sign up now with a 7-day free trial. Add For All Mankind to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Netflix confirms One Piece season 2 is heading to cinemas for special screenings and which countries will get them
You can experience the Grand Line in all its glory!
It's almost time for One Piece fans to face the Grand Line in season 2 – and now, Netflix has confirmed the adventure is coming to the big screen! The first two episodes of the new instalment will arrive in cinemas on 10 March to tie in with season 2's release date. Screenings will be available in the US, Canada and Japan, with participating cinemas including AMC, Regal, Cinemark, Alamo and Cineplex. The long-awaited One Piece season 2 will see Monkey D Luffy (Iñaki Godoy) and his Straw Hat Pirates travel to the Grand Line, "a legendary stretch of sea where danger and wonder await at every turn". They'll encounter new faces, visit intriguing new places and battle new foes in their search for the world's greatest treasure, the One Piece. Fans of the show have been treated to teases of what's to come in the lead-up to the release date, and were absolutely thrilled to see a glimpse of an incredibly important character, Laboon the whale, brought to life. Stars Godoy, Emily Rudd (Nami), Mackenyu (Roronoa Zoro), Jacob Romero Gibson (Usopp) and Skylar (Sanji) are all back in action for season 2, with some new cast members entering the fray too. This season, fans will be introduced to Baroque Works, a secret society of assassins, with some starry faces making up their ranks. We'll meet Sophia Anne Caruso as Miss Goldenweek, Charithra Chandran as Miss Wednesday and Lera Abova as Miss All-Sunday, with David Dastmalchian as Mr 3, Camrus Johnson as Mr 5, Jazzara Jaslyn as Miss Valentine and Daniel Lasker as Mr 9. Dastmalchian previously opened up to Radio Times about what he's planning on bringing to the role of Mr 3, teasing: There are things about this character that are very specific and special, and I've never gotten to do it with any role I've ever played before. "I've always been scared of, but excited by, the challenge of something that is new or different for me. So just know that going to prepare for the role meant thinking about things in a way that I had not really done before." Crucially, we'll also get to see the live-action Chopper in action, with Mikaela Hoover voicing the adorable character. Ready to set sail? One Piece will arrive on Netflix – and select cinemas in the US, Canada and Japan – on 10 March. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Red Dwarf co-creator reveals hopeful reaction to new special being scrapped
Red Dwarf fans were gutted when it emerged that a new special from one of the show's original writers had been scrapped - but now co-creator Rob Grant has offered a hopeful outlook on the show's future. Doug Naylor, who created and wrote the sci-fi comedy with Grant from its inception in 1988, revealed last year that his new special, which was set to see Craig Charles's character Lister going back in time to help his 23-year-old self escape from stasis, had been scrapped by UKTV. Grant, who recently announced he is co-writing the first Red Dwarf novel in 30 years with Andrew Marshall, has responded to the news, exclusively telling Radio Times: "It's been going for so long, and I'm sure it'll have another life down the line somewhere. These things happen." A spokesperson for UKTV previously told Radio Times in a statement: "UKTV has no current plans to commission further episodes of Red Dwarf. "It's been a privilege to work with Doug Naylor and the cast in a relationship that began with the Back to Earth specials, which premiered to 4 million viewers, and has subsequently produced three full series, a retrospective and Red Dwarf's first ever feature length, The Promised Land." <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2026/02/432886-3a47c06.jpg" width="4287" height="2854" alt="Danny John-Jules as the Cat, Craig Charles as Dave Lister, Chris Barrie as Arnold Rimmer and Robert Llewellyn as Kryten in Red Dwarf, gathered inside the cramped bunk room, bathed in pink and purple lighting as Kryten examines a small object while the others watch with curiosity and mild concern." title="Danny John-Jules as the Cat, Craig Charles as Dave Lister, Chris Barrie as Arnold Rimmer and Robert Llewellyn as Kryten in Red Dwarf" /> However, as Grant says, that might not be the last we see of Red Dwarf on screen. The two co-creators, who dissolved their partnership in the 1990s, have been working on their own individual Red Dwarf projects since a legal dispute was resolved in 2023. Speaking about how that has impacted his work, Grant explained to Radio Times: "It's common knowledge that there has been a legal dispute over the rights of Red Dwarf for bloody years. It went to court, and it made Bleak House look like an episode of Judge Judy! "But we finally got it resolved [in 2023], and suddenly all these rights became available to me, and one of them was for the prequel, and that's where it started." Grant and Marshall's prequel novel Red Dwarf: Titan will be published in July - and they revealed they've taken it to streamers in the hopes of getting it made into a TV spin-off. "We originally wrote it as a treatment for a TV spin-off and took it around, but it's horribly expensive, and we couldn't really raise enough interest," Grant told us. He added: "We might down the line… we've been talking to streamers about it but, when you read it, [you'll realise] it’s a whole world you'd have to create. It wouldn't be cheap." For now, however, they're focused on the new novel, with Grant explaining: "It's Lister and Rimmer before the accident on shore leave on Titan. "It's set one universe to the side, so we can have familiar characters but we can do different things with them, because the difficulty was writing something that was going to be original and fresh and using the same characters without breaking the canon. "So it was quite an intricate bit of work that actually took us about a year-and-a-half longer than we were hoping!" He added that the story will see Lister and Rimmer "get a message from the far future warning them that all realities are going to collapse unless they do something about it." Grant and Marshall are also keen to continue their new story, with a sequel novel. "We'd love to," Grant said. "We so fell in love with the characters. There are some new ones, and its explores existing characters more deeply." Watch this space! Red Dwarf: Titan will publish in hardback, ebook and audio on 16 July 2026. Red Dwarf is available to stream on BBC iPlayer. 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.
BBC teases potential new streaming partner for Doctor Who as show's future affirmed as "treasured brand"
"There’s a lot of stuff that is changing out there."
While Doctor Who is set to return this year for a Christmas special, its future beyond that is still up in the air following the end of the deal with Disney - and, now, the director of BBC Drama has teased a potential new partner. The BBC announced last year that its deal with Disney had come to an end after partnering on 26 episodes of Doctor Who, which amounted to Ncuti Gatwa's two seasons and spin-off The War Between the Land and the Sea. While the BBC has continually confirmed its commitment to Doctor Who following the end of that deal, there are questions about how the show will now be funded. So, now that the BBC is set to partner with HBO on Richard Gadd and Michaela Coel's new shows, Lindsay Salt, director of BBC drama, was asked whether that partnership could potentially extend to Doctor Who. She didn't rule it out, telling Deadline: "We’ll wait and see how we figure it out. HBO have been great partners creatively. There’s a lot of stuff that is changing out there." Salt also re-emphasised the broadcaster's commitment to Doctor Who, adding: "There are different ways of setting up a show. We just need to make sure we do it in the right way and make sure we take the right time to do it. Ultimately it’s one of the BBC’s most treasured brands, so it’s not going anywhere." 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. As for how the sci-fi could continue with a significantly lower budget? She told the outlet: "I managed to walk into this job when the co-pro market imploded and I’ve learned a lot about the tenacity of producers and writers to make things at all budget levels. Things are getting funded in so many different ways now." Story-wise, this year's Christmas special has a lot to tackle following Gatwa's exit from the show, with the Time Lord regenerating into returning star Billie Piper at the end of the latest episode, The Reality War. Piper has, notably, not been confirmed as the new Doctor - so it seems there's something more going on with her return. While not much is known about the plot of the festive special, longtime Doctor Who composer Murray Gold recently revealed that multiple scripts are being penned, saying on the Half the Picture podcast: "I know that Russell’s written, I think, multiple versions depending on certain outcomes. So that’s all I really know, and I’m not sure [that] I’m even supposed to know that." Doctor Who will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this Christmas. Add Doctor Who to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" class="x_OWAAutoLink" 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 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.
BBC delivers major update on sci-fi romance adaptation based on beloved best-selling novel
The Ministry of Time is set to start filming this year!
In good news for anyone who's not done with yearning after Bridgerton season 4 and Wuthering Heights, the BBC adaptation of The Ministry of Time is officially moving forward and is due to start filming this year. It was announced in 2024 that Kaliane Bradley's bestselling sci-fi romance will be brought to screens by Normal People writer Alice Birch, with Lindsay Salt, the director of BBC Drama, confirming to Deadline that the show is "gearing up to shoot later this year". However, we'll have to wait a bit longer to find out who will take on the roles of the unnamed protagonist and Commander Graham Gore, as she added that casting is not yet set. Bradley's debut novel is set soon after the invention of time travel and follows a government employee known as a "Bridge", whose job is to integrate a first-time time traveller (an "expat"), who would have died in their own time, into the modern world. But complexities that our protagonist could never have expected arise when she meets Graham Gore, an explorer who would have died on Franklin's Expedition to the Arctic, with the pair having to tackle how Britain has changed when it comes to the likes of race, imperialism, gender, religion, and sexuality. Author Bradley said at the time of the BBC commission: "I could not be more excited for The Ministry of Time to find a new home on screen, with the dream-come-true combination of A24, the BBC and the brilliant Alice Birch. "I'm sure Graham Gore would have been delighted too, once someone had explained to him what all that meant." Screenwriter Birch added: "I'm so thrilled to be adapting Kaliane's beautiful, funny, joyful, moving, intelligent book with the BBC and A24. Reading it was an exhilarating, thrilling and heartbreaking experience and I'm so excited to bring this story to the screen." The Ministry of Time is available to buy now. Check out more of our Sci-fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms star confirms a key Targaryen absence in season 2 despite finale cliffhanger
"I really hope that we do see Maekar again."
*Warning: Spoilers ahead for the finale episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 1.* With all eyes now on A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 2, fans will have to say goodbye to one key character, who will not appear in the next instalment. In a subtle difference from George RR Martin's novella, the final scene of season 1 sees Maekar (Sam Spruell) realise his youngest son Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell) is missing and has snuck away to join Dunk (Peter Claffey) on the road. In the novella, it's implied that Maekar gives him permission, while in the series, it's made abundantly clear that this is not the case. While that change got us wondering if we'll see more of Maekar in season 2, Sam Spruell has confirmed that, as it stands, he will not be part of the next instalment. He exclusively told Radio Times: "As things stand, I'm not [in season 2], but I really hope that we do see Maekar again, rather selfishly. View Green Video on the source website "I love playing a dysfunctional dad who just can't get it right, who sees his own failings reflected in his children. There's nothing more painful than that. "And so I really enjoy the tension that exists within Maekar. And I think there is something in the strength of Egg that's such a clear challenge to Maekar's authority. I really liked the exploration of that as well. So I'm holding out hope that he'll return." Maekar's absence in season 2 is in keeping with George RR Martin's second Dunk and Egg novella, The Sworn Sword, which sees the hedge knight and his squire on their next adventure, during which they get drawn into a dispute with Lady Rohanne Webber and Ser Eustace Osgrey. Season 2 is currently filming, with showrunner Ira Parker teasing a little of what's to come. He told Radio Times: "Book two takes place at a drought. And obviously, you’ve been to Belfast, and you know there’s no way any human being could ever shoot Belfast for a drought, as it rains at some point every single day. So we’re going elsewhere to seek 'unrainings'". As for what role Egg will take on in the second season? The showrunner teased to Radio Times and other press: "We're gonna see Egg get into the action a little bit. Dexter's been training. I think people are gonna be impressed." A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is available to watch on Sky and NOW - find out more about how to sign up for Sky TV. 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.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 1 ending explained: Star breaks down key scenes – including a big book change
Maekar actor Sam Spruell breaks down everything you need to know about the finale episode.
Warning: Major spoilers ahead for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 1 episode 6. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 1 has officially come to an end, with Dunk (Peter Claffey) and Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell) off on new adventures. The finale episode was reminiscent of Game of Thrones in that it dealt with the fallout of the events of last week's episode, including the tragic death of Baelor Breakspear (Bertie Carvel). It also explored a devastating scene involving Egg and his brother Aerion (Finn Bennett), teased conflict to come, and teased a major character in season 2. Interestingly, the finale features also one pretty major book change, right at the end of the show. View oEmbed on the source website So, for more intel, Radio Times caught up with Maekar himself, Sam Spruell, to break down all the most crucial scenes. Here's everything you need to know! A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms ending explained: The biggest change from the book Showrunner Ira Parker has kept the series as faithful to George RR Martin's novellas as humanly possible - although there is one big change right at the end of the show, when it's revealed that Maekar has no idea that Egg has snuck off to travel with Dunk. Earlier in the episode, Maekar demands a word with Dunk and tells him that Egg will serve no knight except him. He asks him to train Egg at Summerhall. Dunk declines, and says he's done with princes. However, after some reflection, Dunk makes a counter-offer, saying he'll take Egg to squire on the road, rather than at Summerhall. Maekar refuses. But before Dunk leaves, Egg comes running over to him and says his father has told him to serve him. View Green Video on the source website The pair of them discuss where in the seven kingdoms to go next and Egg tells Dunk there are actually nine kingdoms, stopping him in his tracks and casually blowing his mind. Egg says he hears they have good puppet shows in Dorne - and their destination is decided. The hedge knight and his squire head on their way and we see a beautiful shot of the old man, Ser Arlan, joining them for a moment before veering off to let the two of them continue their journey together without him. But there's one reveal left. As the Targaryens leave Ashford, Maekar looks for his youngest son - and its revealed that the prince never actually gave his son permission to go. In the novella, it's implied that Maekar does agree to let Egg go. Showrunner Ira Parker told Radio Times' Huw Fullerton of that moment: "It felt appropriate to me – one, because Egg just lies all the time to get what he wants. He’s a kid. And the fact that he went and did this – actually, it felt very much in keeping with that character. Also, I agree with you about Maekar, and his decision process. "I will say – look, it may just be my reading and interpretation of the text. But it’s not 100% clear that Maekar actually does give his leave [in the novella], because he talks to Dunk and his camp, and he disappears, and then Egg shows up. "Theoretically, there is a scenario whereby Egg just sort of followed his father out; was hiding in the bushes. His father said, “No, f**k off. I’m not doing that.” And left. And then Egg’s just like, “Yeah, he said I could come, sir.” "So I tried to, as much as possible, stay 100% within the spirit of what George is trying to accomplish. But to be completely honest, that one was just done for fun. It’s become more of a thing in season 2 now, because there are certain people who want me to explore what this means, and the repercussions of that. "It wasn’t done to serialise. I thought it was funny, and I thought it was in keeping with his character. We really never break POV, but I figured at the very end, after we’ve ran the credits, that we can have one private scene with the lords or the princes alone. And maybe we do that at the end of every season, we have one or something after the show is over." Spruell also told us: "For me, it's a much more interesting thing to play what [Parker and Martin] decided on. I was really pleased that it did slightly move away from the novel. "So much of the script stays very close to the novel. It's also it's the technical stuff of making drama for TV work, and propelling us into the next season. So I think that's a much more interesting and dynamic end to hook the audience into coming back for season 2, but also for the actors to play. "And for what it says about Egg as well. He's looking for a role model. He's looking for someone to teach him about the world and guide him through the world in a more honourable way, and even though he's young, he recognises that the person he should be following is Dunk, maybe not his dad." What happened to Raymun and what is Lady Rohanne's importance? <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2026/02/0638AKOTSKS01-8411b0f.jpg" width="8640" height="5760" alt="Shaun Thomas as Ser Raymun Fossoway, Rowan Robinson as Lady Rohanne and Peter Claffey as Ser Duncan the Tall in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" title="Shaun Thomas as Ser Raymun Fossoway, Rowan Robinson as Lady Rohanne and Peter Claffey as Ser Duncan the Tall in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" /> At one point, Raymun Fossoway (Shaun Thomas) tracks down Dunk, and says he doesn't blame him for Baelor's death - but, more importantly, he reveals that he's married Rohanne. The new Lady Rohanne also says she's with child. But is there more than meets the eye when it comes to Lady Rohanne? Well, the second novella, The Sworn Sword, which season 2 will be based on, sees Dunk drawn into a dispute involving Lady Rohanne Webber, also known as the Red Widow, who becomes a major character. We won't spoil too much here, but we're assuming we're going to see a lot more from Lady Rohanne in future - and, considering her reputation, we're a little scared for young Raymun... Why did Egg want to kill Aerion? Earlier in the series, we found out Egg has been mistreated by his older brother, Aerion. Plus, the youngster is traumatised from everything he's seen, including his father killing his uncle at the Trial of Seven. He picks up a knife, making his way to Aerion's room where his brother is sleeping. He creeps up on his brother, seemingly intending to murder him, but is stopped by his father Maekar. Speaking to Radio Times about that brutal moment, Spruell explained: "Maekar sets a terrible example to his kids. He ends up essentially killing his own brother, and then this young, impressionable boy maybe attempts to do the same. "Maybe Maekar has just enough about him, as a dad, to realise that he needs to start parenting by example. Also he maybe has the requisite sensitivity to know that his youngest has been mistreated by his elder brother and what that can do to a person. "Also, I think Maekar really wants to make something of this boy. He's failed with the other two, and this is his chance to get his youngest on the straight and narrow and create a proper and more together heir for the future." How has Baelor's death impacted things? Baelor's death has changed the entire future of Westeros, as he was the heir to the throne. Now, that falls to Maekar. The finale episode sees Baelor's funeral take place, with his surviving family - including his sons - in attendance. Dunk approaches Baelor's son, Valarr Targaryen, who asks why the gods took his father yet left Dunk. Dunk admits he's wondered the same. Maekar demands a word with Dunk. He explains he's sending Aerion to the East. He also mourns his brother, saying he never meant to kill his brother - and that both he and Dunk will be haunted by the whispers about his death for years to come. Dunk argues that, had he not fought, the prince would have had his hand and his foot - and asks whether it was worth it. He says that there may come a day when he - or the realm - needs that foot, perhaps more than a prince's life. Maekar says it's not likely. Spruell explained of Baelor's death: "You meet Maekar [in episode 6] having to deal with the consequences of his actions, and also having to deal with a double edged [sword] of, he says that he didn't mean to do it on purpose, and the gods know that, but I don't think he's entirely convinced by what he says. "The loss of his brother obviously affects him significantly, but there is also the realisation of what this means for his own future and his own bloodline." What's next? There are various mentions of an imminent war in the finale episode, including during a flashback of Dunk with Ser Arlan. The old man tells Dunk that it's customary for boys, when preparing for war, to nail a penny into the oak in the square, and if they return, to take it down. Dunk goes on to nail a penny into a tree and heads on his way. But, for now, Dunk and Egg are headed off on adventures new, with season 2 currently being filmed. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is available to watch on Sky Atlantic and NOW – find out more about how to sign up for Sky TV. Add 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. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 2 release date speculation, latest news
*Warning: Spoilers ahead for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 1 finale.* The first season of George RR Martin's favourite Game of Thrones adaptation has officially ended – and it's safe to say Dunk and Egg have stolen everyone's hearts in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Peter Claffey's Hedge Knight just about made it out alive to continue his journey with his young squire, Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell) – who, it was revealed in episode 3, is an actual Targaryen prince. But what will happen next and where will their journey take them? Read on for everything we know so far about A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 2. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 2 release date speculation A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 2 will be released in 2027, it has been confirmed. The potential release date hasn't been narrowed down further than that, but we wouldn't be surprised if it comes early in the year – perhaps even in January, to mark a year since season 1. Progress seems to be going swimmingly on season 2, as it's already filming. Showrunner Ira Parker recently told The Hollywood Reporter of season 2's production: "It’ll still be six episodes. I think the scope will be the same, maybe even smaller. "The budget has stayed the same, but everything is more expensive due to inflation. Plus, book two takes place in a drought, so we can’t shoot exteriors in Belfast. We have to go to a sunny location with no water, which costs money – that’s a major expense that we did not have in season 1. "I’m having a lot of fun with season 2. It’s going to be a different season, and, I hope, for the better." Who will be in the cast of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 2? Of course, Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell will return as Dunk and Egg in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 2. If the series follows the novellas, we'd expect the majority, if not the entirety, of the rest of the cast to be different this time around, with Egg's family, including his father Maekar (Sam Spruell) not set to appear this time around. What we do know is that season 2 will be based on the second novella, The Sworn Sword, meaning these characters will appear: Peter Claffey as Dunk Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg TBC as Lady Rohanne Webber AKA The Red Widow TBC as Ser Eustace Osgrey of Standfast TBC as Ser Bennis the Brown What will be the plot of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 2? We won't give too much away here, but it will follow the second novella in the series, The Sworn Sword, which sees Dunk and Egg travel to The Reach. While there, they get involved in a dispute between Lady Rohanne Webber (whose reputation as The Red Widow precedes her) and Ser Eustace Osgrey. Parker has also been speaking a little about what fans can expect, with the showrunner telling Radio Times and other press: "We're gonna see Egg get into the action a little bit. Dexter's been training. I think people are gonna be impressed." Is there a trailer for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 2? Not yet! We'll keep this page updated as and when any new footage is released. Revisit the events of season 1 by rewatching that trailer below. View Green Video on the source website A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is available to watch on Sky Atlantic and NOW. Add 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. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Red Dwarf co-creator teases potential on-screen return – with new cast
Red Dwarf's creators, cast, and fans have been trying to get the beloved show back on screens for years – and now, co-creator Rob Grant has revealed a new glimmer of hope for the comedy sci-fi. Grant and fellow writer Andrew Marshall have recently announced a prequel novel, set for release in July, which will follow Lister, Rimmer and co. as they take shore leave on Titan before the events of the TV series. However, Grant has exclusively revealed to Radio Times that he initially had hopes that his new story would be developed for screens – and he's not ruling it out in future. Asked whether he would be interested in the prequel making its way to screens, Grant responded: "Yes! We originally wrote it as a treatment for a TV spin-off and took it around, but it's horribly expensive, and we couldn't really raise enough interest." He added: "We might down the line… we've been talking to streamers about it but, when you read it, [you'll realise] it’s a whole world you'd have to create. It wouldn't be cheap." Craig Charles (Rimmer), Chris Barrie (Lister), Danny John Jules (the Cat), and Robert Llewellyn (Kryten) starred in the original series, which has made multiple comebacks across the years. However, if the spin-off was to make it to screens, Grant is envisioning recasting the characters, admitting of the original cast: "The guys are getting old." He added: "We’d really need to recast. That's what I thought the Titan spin-off might achieve. We’d get a new Rimmer and Lister - but the existing cast could appear in quite decent roles, if they wanted to. "I know – and I'm with them – that the fans adore the cast. I adore them too. And just to a lot of people, it just wouldn't feel right, anybody else playing anything like those parts. But what else can you do? Except AI?!" Grant went on to joke. For now, however, Grant is focused on the new novel, explaining: "It's Lister and Rimmer before the accident on shore leave on Titan. "It's set one universe to the side, so we can have familiar characters but we can do different things with them, because the difficulty was writing something that was going to be original and fresh and using the same characters without breaking the canon. "So it was quite an intricate bit of work that actually took us about a year-and-a-half longer than we were hoping!" He added that the story will see Lister and Rimmer "get a message from the far future warning them that all realities are going to collapse unless they do something about it." Watch Rob Grant speaking to Radio Times about new prequel novel Titan: View Green Video on the source website Red Dwarf: Titan will publish in hardback, ebook and audio on 16 July 2026. Red Dwarf is available to stream on BBC iPlayer. 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.
Doctor Who showrunner reveals reason behind tragic The War Between the Land and the Sea death
Spoilers alert, just in case you still haven't seen the latest Doctor Who miniseries.
The War Between the Land and the Sea didn't hold back when it came to tragedy and loss, killing off a key character from the Whoniverse - and now, Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies has explained why that needed to happen. In episode 3, the spin-off, which saw humanity embroiled in a conflict with the classic Doctor Who monsters the Sea Devils (now known as Homo Aqua), brutally killed off Colonel Christofer Ibrahim (Alexander Devrient) shortly after confirming his relationship with Kate Stewart (Jemma Redgrave). Speaking in a recent behind-the-scenes documentary, Davies explained: "Sadly there has to be a loss. "The problem at the heart of The War Between is real. Never mind your fantasy creatures from under the sea, what we’ve done to the oceans is real, so the drama has to get a patina of reality that you wouldn’t necessarily put into every episode of Doctor Who - it kinds of just opens us up to the fact that someone’s got to die." Redgrave added: "I felt, when I read the scripts, that she didn't know quite how much she felt for him. She never allowed herself to really know how deeply she loved him. The loss of him, in that moment, she knows everything she didn't allow herself to know. It's life-changing for her." Devrient and Redgrave previously opened up to Radio Times about the "risky" romance between Christofer and Kate. "I think the conflict for her is the thing that struck me about the relationship…. I don't believe that she thinks [the relationship] has a future because of the age difference, because of the power imbalance – but mainly for the age difference," Redgrave pointed out. "What we discussed was how differently they both felt about it and that being interesting. It's there in the script, it's there in the episodes that Pete [McTighe] and Russell [T Davies] wrote, the deep differences between the way they feel about this relationship and what the future is for both of them. 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. "I think there's a very key line in episode 2 about [Colonel Ibrahim's] father. [Kate] says ‘He sounds very wise,’ and he says, ‘You should meet him.’ And I think in her mind, that seems impossible. But also she has no time at this minute, there's no time to talk about it. There's no time, really, for their relationship. And I think that's the other difficulty, is that she's so driven, and her work is so important. It's the most important thing that runs through her life." Meanwhile, Devrient added: "There were a lot of little moments that were placed throughout the seasons [of Doctor Who]. And to be honest with you, we weren't even sure, me and Jemma, whether this was going to go any further or not. Initially, we held back a little bit. "Obviously, there is the hierarchy element, when you work in a sort of context that we work in within UNIT, that's quite important. There's an important age gap. There are various different factors that meant that this is quite a tricky and risky potential relationship. "But, in the end, I think also with with what Russell wrote and how he wrote it, we just thought, 'Okay, we're going to go for it.' These two, there is something behind that element of stoicism and respect and loyalty and discipline, something really pure and beautiful, a connection that they can't really fight against. Let's just go with that and explore what that looks like when you're in the midst of yet another catastrophe." The War Between the Land and the Sea is available to watch on BBC iPlayer. Add The War Between the Land and the Sea to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" class="x_OWAAutoLink" 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 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.
House of the Dragon season 3 trailer reveals brutal warfare and teases further tragedy for Rhaenyra Targaryen
The countdown to House of the Dragon season 3 continues, with an explosive teaser trailer now being released for the highly-anticipated new instalment, which is set for release this June. We've finally been given a glimpse at Emma D'Arcy's Rhaenyra Targaryen, Matt Smith's Daemon Targaryen, and Olivia Cooke's Alicent Hightower back in action - and it looks like there's a lot more brutality and torment ahead for the blood of the dragon. The new footage shows Rhaenyra expecting Alicent's surrender - with her son Jacaerys (Harry Collett) warning that she cannot be trusted. Meanwhile, we'll also finally get to see the huge battle sequence that was previously intended for the second season but pushed back into the third, with the Dance of Dragons heralding even more destruction. A final shot shows Daemon telling Rhaenyra: "This is the moment you become queen," but as she looks up, her face streaming with tears, it's clear that's coming at a very big cost indeed. View oEmbed on the source website This season, we're expecting to see an even darker and more tormented Rhaenyra as she grapples with the amount of loss she's endured personally over the past two seasons, and everything that the Dance of Dragons has cost her. After some fans felt that season 2 progressed a little too slowly, it seems there'll be no complaints about the pace of season 3, with showrunner Ryan Condal previously teasing a very dramatic instalment. "While [season 2] was very much about the fits and starts of an early medieval war, season 3 is clearly going to be about total war," he said. Season 3 will also herald a fair few new arrivals, with James Norton joining the cast as Lord Ormund Hightower. It's also confirmed that we're set to meet Daeron Targaryen, Aegon and Aemond's brother. While the release date for House of the Dragon season 3 has been a long time coming, fans haven't been short of Game of Thrones news recently. Prequel series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms launched to rave reviews, with fans keenly awaiting the finale episode. Meanwhile, it's been announced that Westeros is also coming to the Royal Shakespeare Company, with a prequel play set to open this summer. Game of Thrones: The Mad King will be set 10 years before the events of Game of Thrones and will tell an original story based on new material from author George RR Martin, who is also acting as executive producer. So, you might want to prepare yourselves - Westeros awaits! 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 – find out more about how to sign up for Sky TV. Add House of the Dragon 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.
Doctor Who showrunner explains "hard-won" ending to The War Between the Land and the Sea - including unseen stage direction
Warning: Spoilers ahead for the finale of The War Between the Land and the Sea. Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies has broken down the ending to spin-off The War Between the Sea, even letting fans in on a previously unseen stage direction in the script that adds more context. The five-part series followed Russell Tovey's Barclay, and Gugu Mbatha's Salt, unlikely ambassadors for two different species who get thrown together when the world faces up to a conflict between the land and the oceans. Despite seeming doomed by the end of the series, Barclay and Salt find a way to be together, with one dramatic scene showing Tovey's character undergoing a physical change and growing gills. Opening up about that ending in a documentary about the making of the show, Davies explained: "In the end, what we have is love. "Actually, it's very much, as I've explained before, where the show comes from - who we love, what we love, and how we should express that love and show it." Davies added: "The stage directions for that final scene say - and there was no way of voicing this on camera - but the stage directions say, that's the point, if there’s hope for anyone, it's in those two. "It's the way they become each other. It’s like there is no land, there is no sea. They’re both the same. And they physically become the same and they're recognising the same. There’s hope for any of us in any situation. It’s always that. It’s a hard-won ending and I think it’s beautiful and I’m very glad we did it." 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. Davies has also been open about how important it was to tackle climate change in the Doctor Who spin-off, with the writer previously telling Radio Times: "One of the most boring things you can ever say to a writer is, 'Don’t be preachy'. "Quite a few religions have been based for thousands of years upon preaching. It’s not bad as a system, it works. The truth is, I don’t have to get on a high horse at all. If I’m writing about the oceans in 2025, then they really are filthy and stinking and half-destroyed. I would be lying if I didn’t mention these things. It’s only politically engaged because it has no choice." Meanwhile, star Tovey added: "I would want [viewers] to feel activated and angry. "I hope that there will be a whole generation who will watch this and feel that this is going to inspire them to do something. I hope, through the humanising of what the hell is happening on our planet, it will do what David Attenborough does, but through drama, to compel people to wake up and recognise that we have to do something about this." The War Between the Land and the Sea is available to stream on BBC iPlayer. Doctor Who will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this Christmas. Add The War Between the Land and the Sea to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" class="x_OWAAutoLink" 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 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.
Red Dwarf to return in new format with "original and fresh" prequel from series co-creator
The show's co-creator has promised that fans will "laugh their little chippers off".
After recent news of a new Red Dwarf special not making it to screens, the beloved comedy is making a comeback in another form! The first Red Dwarf novel in 30 years, written by series co-creator Rob Grant and collaborator Andrew Marshall, creator of the sitcom 2point4 Children, is set to be published this summer. Red Dwarf: Titan will serve as a prequel to the BBC sci-fi comedy, which followed Craig Charles's Dave Lister who wakes up after three million years to find he's the last living human - and is only accompanied by a hologram of his deceased bunkmate, Arnold Rimmer (Chris Barrie), and a humanoid creature evolved from his pet cat (Danny John-Jules). Speaking exclusively to Radio Times about the new novel, Grant explained: "It's Lister and Rimmer before the accident on shore leave on Titan. "It's set one universe to the side, so we can have familiar characters but we can do different things with them, because the difficulty was writing something that was going to be original and fresh and using the same characters without breaking the canon. "So it was quite an intricate bit of work that actually took us about a year and a half longer than we were hoping!" He added that the story will see Lister and Rimmer "get a message from the far future warning them that all realities are going to collapse unless they do something about it." While the two writers have worked together before, this is Marshall's first time stepping into the world of Red Dwarf. <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/09/432792-145488e-e1771432075780.jpg" width="3844" height="2560" alt="Danny John-Jules as the Cat, Chris Barrie as Arnold Rimmer, Craig Charles as Dave Lister, and Robert Llewellyn as Kryten in Red Dwarf" title="Danny John-Jules as the Cat, Chris Barrie as Arnold Rimmer, Craig Charles as Dave Lister, and Robert Llewellyn as Kryten in Red Dwarf" /> "I was slightly reluctant to start with because obviously I can't replace Doug [Naylor, Red Dwarf co-creator]," Marshall explained. "Doug is irreplaceable." However, he added: "Eventually [Grant] persuaded me that when we worked together, it would be a different perspective on Red Dwarf. The characters are still as they always are, but we would be able to see them from a slightly different perspective. "I was interested in making a wider and deeper version of the characters, so we could just see a little bit more inside... in a book, you can arrange things differently [compared to a sitcom] so that characters can have a bit of a development, and they can each go on a bit of a journey, and that was a very interesting way of looking at it." Fans can expect to be reunited with iconic characters, with Easter eggs peppered in there, with Marshall teasing: "There is a rather sinister character who is a sort of antagonist down on Titan, who is ultimately revealed to be quite significant in the in the Red Dwarf universe." As for that unmistakable Red Dwarf silliness? Grant assures us it's back in full force, with the writer promising that fans will "laugh their little chippers off." Red Dwarf: Titan will publish in hardback, ebook and audio on 16 July 2026. Red Dwarf is available to stream on BBC iPlayer. 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.
Invincible season 4 confirms release schedule – including jam-packed premiere
The arrival of General Thragg is imminent...
Invincible season 4 is officially almost here – and it's time to plan your viewing, as the release schedule has been confirmed! As with previous seasons, the next instalment will have an absolutely stacked premiere on 18 March, with three episodes dropping at once. Then, episodes 4 to 8 will arrive on 25 March, 1 April, 8 April, 15 April, and 22 April respectively. The release schedule was confirmed on Invincible's official social media accounts, with a caption teasing: "One month away!!!!" View oEmbed on the source website Invincible season 4 is set to adapt the Viltrumite War storyline, and will introduce the long-awaited villain General Regent Thragg, who will be voiced by Lee Pace. Prime Video's synopsis for the upcoming instalment teases that season 4 will see Mark (Steven Yeun) struggling with guilt as he fights to protect his home, while the world recovers from the global catastrophe of last season. Meanwhile, the introduction of a new threat (Thragg) could change the world forever. No pressure there, then, Mark. Creator Robert Kirkman has been teasing what's to come, previously saying at a New York Comic Con panel: “There might be a few bits in season 4 that are not from the comic that I’m very excited about, but for the most part, a lot of the big stuff that you guys are fans of the comics, that you’re really dying to get into the show, they’re going to get into the show." View Green Video on the source website Previously speaking to Radio Times, Kirkman also implied that the events of the Invincible War will be heavily felt in season 4, saying: "When we come back for season 4, we're going to be coming back to a very different world filled with very different characters." He also told us a little about the process of adapting the comic books, saying: "With this show, I envision it is a kind of process of, 'If it's not broken, don't fix it.' "So, when we sit down with the source material, if we feel like everything is working, we just try to make sure that we uphold what existed in the comics, trying to put a fresh coat of paint on it, trying to expand things where we can expand them, truncate things where you feel like that's necessary. "But if there's big moments and events that absolutely landed in the comics that I know the fan base is excited to see, you're going to get those moments." Invincible season 4 will begin streaming on Prime Video on 18 March. 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.
Prime Video's adaptation of epic international bestseller finally gets release date confirmed
Isabel Allende's epic family saga is coming soon.
It's time for life to get just a little more magical, as the release date of Prime Video's The House of the Spirits has officially been confirmed. The limited series, which will adapt Isabel Allende's international bestseller, will arrive on 29 April - so there's not too long to wait! Following multiple generations of women across the Trueba family, The House of the Spirits is a groundbreaking story in the magical realism genre. It was an instant best-seller and catapulted its author to global fame. Inspired by Gabriel Garcia Marquez's A Hundred Years of Solitude, the epic family saga follows Clara, Blanca and Alba as they navigate life amid the post-colonial social and political upheavals of an unnamed Latin American country, and how they impact the family's lives in every way. The series, which is being showrun by a team of three - Francisca Alegría, Fernanda Urrejola and Andrés Wood - has been described as Prime Video's "most ambitious Latin American original to date". Javiera Balmaceda, Prime Video's head of local originals, Latin America, Canada & Australia, added (via Variety): "It embodies our unwavering investment in elevating storytelling on the global stage." Allende, who serves as executive producer, said of the story: "When I saw the miniseries, I saw what it always should have been." It seems that the author hasn't been overly protective about how her work has been adapted, however, with the three showrunners saying (via Deadline) that she was happy to let them do what they needed to do - even giving them permission to omit characters if needed. Co-showrunner Urrejola, meanwhile, opened up about why the female-led story of The House of the Spirits is so important right now, asserting: "It is really important to understand how patriarchy kills everything." "That is what is happening right now," she added "We’re facing all the wounds that patriarchy brought to our society and needing to look at that and reinvent ourselves in a more feminine perspective. That is why it is so interesting to watch [this show] right now." She added that she and the team behind the show - which includes Eva Longoria via her Hyphenate Media Group - are telling the story "because we need magical realism at these times". The House of the Spirits will arrive on Prime Video on 29 April. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms fans devastated by episode 5 tragedy – star breaks down "heroic" scenes
"I want to believe that in this darkening world, there is still such a thing as goodness and there is still a space for heroism and truth."
**Warning: Major spoilers ahead for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 5.** No one can say A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is missing the violence from Game of Thrones after that brutal scene in episode 5. After coming to Dunk's (Peter Claffey) rescue in the Trial of Seven, Baelor Breakspear (Bertie Carvel) endured a gruesome demise in the latest episode of the Thrones spin-off. While helping Dunk to a bloody victory in the trial by combat, the Targaryen prince and heir to the Iron Throne is struck by his brother Makear (Sam Spruell) in the midst of the fight. Afterwards, not realising the extent of his injuries, Carvel's Baelor requests help removing his helmet – only for it to be revealed that the back of his head is all but missing, leaving a bloody mess in its wake, with Baelor falling to the ground and dying before our very eyes. While many fans who love George RR Martin's novella knew that moment was coming, they've still been left devastated by the scenes. "The way Bertie Carvel played Baelor seconds before death was perfection. The anxiety you get watching this natural king speak so fondly of Dunk, accepting him, reassuring him. Struggling to speak, even facing death, Baelor never broke composure," one fan said. Another added: "Grieving baelor today," while one more went on to say: "I’ll never forget you baelor targaryen." Recently opening up to Radio Times and other press, Carvel revealed how important Baelor's heroism was to him. "The moment that lit me up when I read the scripts was Baelor arriving on the tourney field," he explained. "One of the things I loved so much about Game of Thrones is that you're continually being wrong-footed about where protagonism sits. It feels very like our world in which you shouldn't attach too greatly to your heroes, because the world is unstable, it's unpredictable, and they might get hit by a truck. "But, in this corner of Westeros, I was delighted to find that heroism can still exist, in a world of hard-bitten cynicism. There is still such a thing as goodness and champions, and that is a story I want to see today. I want to believe that in this darkening world, there is still such a thing as goodness and there is still a space for heroism and truth. "And so the moment where Baelor turns up and does the right thing really answered something I needed. And I cheered and I wept and I wanted that for an audience." Meanwhile, showrunner Ira Parker also spoke to EW about intentionally playing with Maekar's intentions. "We did slightly different versions of culpability, I guess; whether it was accident or whether he meant to kill his brother," he explains. "I think that was really exciting for me to experiment with and to discuss with not only Ira, but Sarah [Adina Smith, director of episode 6]. There is that kind of deep, deep desire to be number one in Maekar that might be realised by the death of his brother. "So all the guilt or all the sadness or all the grief he feels is kind of bracketed by this realisation that this means he's next in line to the throne." A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is available to watch on Sky Atlantic and NOW – find out more about how to sign up for Sky TV. Add 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. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Good Omens season 3 release date confirmed after 3-year break from screens
It's been a long time coming, but Good Omens season 3 finally has a release date. The finale episode of the fantasy series, which follows David Tennant's demon Crowley and Michael Sheen's angel Aziraphale as they team up to end the incoming apocalypse, will arrive on Prime Video on 13 May, almost three years after season 2 aired. The news was confirmed after days of teasing from the Good Omens social media team, with a short teaser showing the crew getting Aziraphale's bookshop ready for action, with the sign on the door being changed from 'Closed' to 'Open'. Last season left us with plenty of unanswered questions, with Aziraphale and Crowley finally admitting their feelings and sharing a kiss before going their separate ways. Plot details about the finale have been thin on the ground, but Sheen recently gave a tease on X, saying: "There’ll be bits you absolutely love and there’ll be things you’ll argue about of course. It should have been 6 episodes but it’s not. "Thank God for what it is. Brilliantly directed, beautiful performances, fantastic new looks, incredible work all round. And there’s nightingales." View oEmbed on the source website As he mentioned, the finale episode will have just 90 minutes to wrap things up, after the season was shortened. Neil Gaiman, co-author of Good Omens, exited the TV series after he was accused of sexual assault, which he has strongly denied. He contributed to writing the Good Omens finale but he did not work on the production and his production company Blank Corporation was not involved. A total of nine women have spoken out against the writer, with their accusations being detailed in a Vulture article published in January 2025, and in a Tortoise Media podcast released in July 2024. View Green Video on the source website Allegations included claims that Gaiman engaged them in "rough" sex and BDSM without their consent. The novelist has firmly denied any non-consensual or illegal conduct in a statement. He said: "As I read through this latest collection of accounts, there are moments I half-recognise and moments I don't, descriptions of things that happened sitting beside things that emphatically did not happen. "I'm far from a perfect person, but I have never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone. Ever." Good Omens season 3 will arrive on Prime Video on 13 May 2026. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Star of iconic British sci-fi TV series reveals why she doesn't regret leaving early
Blake's 7 legend Sally Knyvette has opened up about why she doesn't regret leaving the sci-fi show early. The iconic series, which is set to be rebooted by director Peter Hoar, ran from 1978 to 1982, with Knyvette, who played Jenna Stannis, exiting after the second season, in 1979. She's been open about being disappointed about how her character ended up being written, describing her as going from "intergalactic space pirate" to "dolly bird". Speaking exclusively to Radio Times about whether she's ever regretted leaving the show, Knyvette said: "No. I was young, I was unformed. The BBC, at that time, was a difficult place for young girls, if you looked a certain way. "I needed to develop my own backbone, my own voice, and going to university helped me do that. It gave me confidence. I didn't have that inner confidence and just going away and trying to work on who I was and developing my understanding of literature and particularly Shakespeare, which is my big love, it all has held me in fantastic stead. "I've become a teacher, a director, I do voiceovers - it's broadened everything. I did get offered a series when I first arrived at university, with Patrick Stewart, called Maybury, and I remember my agent at the time was furious that I turned it down. "But I don't regret it. I think it was very fundamental to my own particular growth and I've remained close to the people I was really close to in the show. I love it more now than I did then - so no, I don't regret leaving. It was the right time." With a reboot of the series now in development, Knyvette has also said she'd love to return - or at least to be involved. View Green Video on the source website "Of course I would," she told us. "I sort of gaily walked away from it in the '70s and went off to university and thought I'd never think about it again. And bizarrely, it's just followed me all my life, and now I'm deeply fond of it." As for whether Jenna could come back? Her ending was left rather ambiguous, with Knyvette insisting: "I’m alive! And anyway, if I wasn't, I could be cloned." She added: "We've taken it on in in the Big Finish audios, she's very much alive and kicking. And for me, it's a wonderful full circle, because I did feel as though I was hanging on by my fingernails in those days, and I was very unformed as an actor, and I was playing the glam part, but I wanted to be so much more. "Now, I know I could bring so much more to it." 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.
How Heated Rivalry just ended years of gay TV trauma
Heated Rivalry has proven groundbreaking as a piece of LGBTQ+ TV, simply by letting its characters be happy.
If you grew up in the '90s or '00s and loved a gay character on TV, chances are they ended up dead. The list is pretty endless, from Tara in Buffy and Lexa in The 100, to Poussey in Orange Is the New Black and Maya in Pretty Little Liars, plus every single named gay character ever introduced in The Vampire Diaries (seriously). And, if you've experienced the heartbreak of any of these deaths, you'll be aware of Bury your gays - the trope that has plagued TV for years, involving killing off of LGBTQ+ characters in media, particularly immediately after finding happiness. While it's a trope that most often refers to lesbian characters, gay men and bisexual characters certainly haven't escaped it either. A 2013 Guardian report examined Oscar-nominated performances of heterosexual characters compared to LGBTQ+ characters. It stated: "Of the heterosexual characters, 16.5% (59) die. Of the LGBT characters, 56.5% (13) die. Of the 10 LGBT characters who live, only four get happy endings. That's four characters in 19 years." In recent years though, there has been more and more awareness of the trope, and what it means for representation. For instance, Dan Levy, co-creator of Schitt's Creek, previously told E!: "I think for a long time I was watching nothing but tragedy befall queer characters on television, and the idea of creating a world where, in this particular case two men were falling in love with absolutely no push back, and to be able to depict how much joy that can bring, not just to the characters who are falling in love, but to the community itself who gets to watch it, was important." But, now Heated Rivalry has come along and taken the world by storm, it feels like we've properly turned a corner. In case you've been living under a rock, the wildly popular and incredibly sexy drama follows the high stakes romance between between two rival ice hockey players, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. Along the way, we also meet Scott Hunter and his beau Kip - and somewhere around episode 3, I was feeling pretty certain this was far too many gay characters for them to all make it out alive and well. After Shane's accident on the ice in episode 5, I was convinced the end was nigh and was preparing to subject my household to levels of weeping not seen since I watched the opening scenes of Disney Pixar's Up. When that didn't happen, I became convinced it was Scott and Kip who would face some kind of tragedy - at the very least, a devastating break up. View Green Video on the source website But that didn't happen. Instead, the last two episodes gave us a wholesome, heartfelt ending that warranted some happy tears, with Shane and Ilya going to see Shane's parents and preparing for their future together. In addition, Scott showed off his relationship with Kip for the world to see, inviting him onto the ice at the most pivotal moment of his career and giving him a big old snog. Obviously Heated Rivalry isn't the only series to have given us a happy ending for its LGBTQ+ characters. In recent years, we've seen the likes of Young Royals, Schitt's Creek and Heartstopper radiating LGBTQ+ joy. But it does feel like there's been a shift to prioritise well-rounded storylines for LGBTQ+ characters, and Heated Rivalry is the culmination of this. The monumental success of the show proves once and for all that queer characters do not need to be ill-fated or shrouded in tragedy for a show to be successful. For me, and I'm sure for a lot of other viewers, that's incredibly welcome. It feels like, in many ways, the real world is getting increasingly hostile towards the LGBTQ+ community, and I don't really want to see this reflected in entertainment. I'd rather an escape from it. That's not to say LGBTQ+ media should only be fluffy and light. Heated Rivalry certainly isn't, after all. It balanced its tone beautifully, packing steamy sex scenes, light-hearted humour, high-stakes drama, and heartbreaking tragedy into six episodes, with the loss of Ilya's mother and his complex family dynamics proving central to the story's intricacies. But I think it does signal that writers are taking more and more care with their gay characters, swapping cheap and shocking twists for well thought out storylines. It makes me hopeful for the impact that LGBTQ+ representation will have in the future. If enough writers follow suit, we'll see more well-rounded queer storylines and characters in mainstream TV. Crucially, we can finally be rid of the idea that queer lives are somehow less valuable, or that queer characters exist to serve the storylines of heterosexual characters, and focus on the story without being blindsided by an unnecessary, unfeeling death at every turn. Add Heated Rivalry to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Doctor Who writer responds to question of whether he would take over as showrunner
Pete McTighe co-wrote the recent spin-off, The War Between the Land and the Sea.
With fans waiting news on Doctor Who's future, writer Pete McTighe has addressed speculation about whether he could potentially take charge of the sci-fi in the future. Showrunner Russell T Davies returned in 2023 to steer the show through its 60th anniversary celebrations, and through Ncuti Gatwa's two seasons, as well as spin-off The War Between the Land and the Sea and the upcoming 2026 Christmas special. Of course, there's nothing to suggest he'll be going anywhere anytime soon, but fans can't help to look to the future, with Lucky Day writer McTighe recently being asked whether he could take over at some point. According to CultBox, he responded: “It’s not for me to say. "It’s not my decision. I will give you my party line, which is that position is not vacant. Russell is the showrunner and he’s a friend of mine and whenever he calls, I will come running, but he’s the showrunner and I’m fine with that.” McTighe has written various episodes of the show, including Lucky Day, Praxeus, and Kerblam!, as well as co-writing spin-off The War Between the Land and the Sea. 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. He has also written a fair few mini-episodes, celebrating the classic era of the show, to promote Doctor Who: The Collection, the ongoing set of Blu-ray releases. In 2022, McTighe told Radio Times: "I have dozens – scores – of ideas for Doctor Who episodes. That show is such an important part of my life. It's the reason I'm a writer. "Aside from the main show, the collection trailers that I write and direct are kind of my favourite thing, they're just such good fun to do. But in terms of that episode, I'm not going to tell you about it." He added: "I'm really sorry because I do want to keep it up my sleeve along with all the other ideas I have. Should I be lucky enough to work on the show in future, I'll be pitching that and many other things." Doctor Who will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this Christmas. Add Doctor Who to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" class="x_OWAAutoLink" 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 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.
Severance bucked a terrifying TV trend – now it could become the problem
Severance was a shining example of an original TV show – but is that about to be ruined?
When Severance was first released, it made me so much more hopeful for the future of TV. Now, that could be about to change. As someone whose entire job is writing about sci-fi and fantasy TV, the amount of truly original TV shows I get to report on are actually pretty few and far between. By that, I mean any series that's not based on an existing IP, so not a reboot, remake, spin-off, sequel or prequel. Of course, there's nothing inherently wrong with these shows. I'm a big fan of a lot of them – from Marvel and Star Wars to Game of Thrones and Doctor Who. But, in recent years, we've been absolutely inundated by spin-offs. In many cases, it seems studios are hesitant to take any risks at all, the culmination of which is a massive over-reliance on existing intellectual property (IP). If something already has a fanbase, it's a safe bet, right? When done right, spin-offs can work beautifully. Just look at the brilliance of Andor, masterfully expands the Star Wars and still tell its own story. In countless other cases, it's not worked at all – and has even, in some cases, tainted the legacy of the original show. In 2022, when Severance first aired on Apple TV, I thought it was going to prove the obsession with spin-offs wrong. It was a completely original idea, backed by a streamer that's clearly willing to take a punt on a weird little sci-fi and it absolutely took off, not because of any huge marketing campaigns, but because of word of mouth. Sure, you could argue that it wasn't quite a massive risk for Apple – I suspect they've got the kind of money that makes risks like this not seem that risky. Plus, Ben Stiller was on board as an executive producer and director, which certainly can't have hurt. But, undeniably, it worked because it was a breath of fresh air. Now, it's been reported that Apple has acquired full ownership of Severance, bringing development of future seasons in-house. And (shocker), according to Deadline, showrunner Dan Erickson and director Stiller are said to be mulling over possible spin-offs, prequels or international versions to turn their attention to when this initial story wraps up. But why? Why can't we just leave a good series alone? Why must we spin it off into a thousand different iterations until its legacy has been entirely ruined and it no longer resembles the series it once was? Well, because money. But haven't we already proven that original ideas (like Severance itself) are very capable of bringing in the cash? Why isn't anyone taking the success of shows like Severance as a sign to make more original shows rather than beating the dead horse of spin-off after spin-off? As much as I love Severance itself, I don't really want to see whatever spin-off is about to be dreamed up, whether it's a prequel based on the backstory of Kier Eagan's origin story, a sequel about Mark's life after Lumon, or a sitcom starring the goats from the Mammalians Nurturable division (actually, there might be something in that last one...). Because if that happens, then Severance could be about to contribute to the very problem it seemed so poised to combat. As much as it might sound like it, I'm not entirely against spin-offs. But only very few series have been improved by its spin-offs. It must be a fraction of the amount that have actually been made. So all I'm asking is that there's an ounce more consideration before deciding that every successful series needs to be a franchise. Breaking Bad scribe Vince Gilligan, who not only has had a successful spin-off show in Better Call Saul, put it well when he chatted to Radio Times about his (original!) show Pluribus. He addressed the swathes of reboots and remakes and admitted that there's "a lot of pressure in the business" to stick with familiar IP rather than try something new. "I feel bad for young folks, watching the stories of their grandparents over and over again," he told us. "I think they deserve their own new stories." Say it louder for those at the back, Vince! Clearly the creativity is out there and there's an audience for it. Hopefully the powers that be will put that together – and soon. Severance is available to stream on Apple TV. Start your seven day free Apple TV trial at Apple. Check out more of our Sci-fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast. Add Severance to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-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.
Spider-Noir confirms release date – with two different versions of Nicolas Cage series set to stream
"With no power comes no responsibility."
The release date for Spider-Noir has officially been confirmed, with Nicolas Cage's vigilante set to swing onto screens very soon. A new trailer has confirmed that the series, focused around the noir themed take on the iconic superhero, will come to MGM+'s broadcast channel on 25 May and then will be available to stream globally as a boxset on Prime Video two days later, on 27 May. Most intriguingly, two versions of the show will be released - a "True-Hue" full colour version, and an "authentic" black-and-white version. The trailer has been made available in both versions so you can plan which you're going to watch first. "With no power comes no responsibility," declares the new trailer, which sees Cage's Ben Reilly admitting he's going through an existential crisis. Spider-Noir, based on the Marvel comic Spider-Man Noir, is set in 1930s New York and will follow Cage's private investigator, who was once known as a superhero called The Spider. View oEmbed on the source website After stepping away from his alter ego following a personal tragedy, he has to grapple with his past – when a new, extraordinary, case comes along that could change everything. The series also stars New Girl's Lamorne Morris as Robbie Robertson, alongside Brendan Gleeson as Silvermane, and Sinners breakout Li Jun Li as Cat Hardy. The supporting cast of Spider-Noir includes Abraham Popoola (Andor), Jack Huston (Boardwalk Empire), Andrew Lewis Caldwell (The Matrix Resurrections), Amy Aquino (Juror #2), Andrew Robinson (Hellraiser) and Kai Caster (Yellowstone). Meanwhile, Cage is reprising his role as Spider-Noir after voicing the character in the Spider-Verse – and he's already giving us a good taste of Ben's character in the trailer, unapologetically declaring: "I beat up some guys in a bar, and then I got plastered." Not long now to go now... Spider-Noir will be available to stream on Prime Video from 27 May. 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.
Iconic Doctor Who villain returns in "epic" new story – with returning actress back after 10 years
The renegade Time Lady is back in business!
It's officially time to welcome back one of the Doctor's most iconic enemies – as the Rani will return for more adventures as part of Big Finish's Doctor Who audio dramas. First introduced on screen in 1985, and played by Kate O'Mara, and later portrayed by Anita Dobson and Archie Panjabi in the latest season of the show, the renegade Time Lady has already been at the centre of plenty of adventures in the Whoniverse. And it seems they're not stopping any time soon, with actress Siobhan Redmond returning to voice the character for the first time in 10 years for the new Big Finish box set The War Doctor Rises: Fear of the Light. The new stories will see the War Doctor (voiced by Jonathon Carley) forced to make an uneasy alliance with the Rani, while the Daleks (played by returning voice actor Nicholas Briggs) are out to kill them both. The tales will reveal what happened to the Rani during the Time War and in between her on-screen incarnations "in a story that goes deeper into this morally murky character than ever before". Writer Rochana Patel said of the story: “It’s been over 10 years since the Rani’s last Big Finish appearance, so a rematch is long overdue… "Where’s she been? What’s she been doing? As the universe burns, where does the exiled Rani stand in the war between the Time Lords and the Daleks? All these questions will be answered… And, in these dark and terrible days, are the Rani and the War Doctor enemies…? Or something else...? 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. “For this epic three-part story, I wanted to completely re-examine the Rani as a character, revisit that apathetic scientist that we first encountered in Mark of the Rani, her backstory with the Doctor, and explore what makes her into the woman who re-emerges in Wish World and The Reality War. This is very much the missing piece of the Rani’s story… And, perhaps, the Doctor’s too…” Fans were stunned when it was finally revealed in season 15 episode The Interstellar Song Contest that the returning Mrs Flood, played by Dobson, turned out to be Rani, with Panjabi arriving as another incarnation when the character bi-generated. Previously speaking to Radio Times, Panjabi said she wanted to honour the character's original actress, O'Mara. “I rewatched the episodes and what stood out was this incredible strength and presence,” she said at the time. “She was so unforgettable that I did want the audience to look at the Rani and get a sense of Kate O'Mara’s Rani, just for a split second, while seeing her.” The War Doctor Rises: Fear of the Light is now available to pre-order for £19.99 (download to own) or £29.99 (download to own and collector’s edition CD), exclusively from BigFinish.com. Doctor Who will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this Christmas. Add Doctor Who to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" class="x_OWAAutoLink" 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 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.