Doctor Who 2026 Christmas special gets fresh update from Russell T Davies after BBC confirms future
There's a long wait ahead for the festive special – but Davies knows exactly what will happen in it.
As the upcoming Doctor Who spin-off The War Between the Land and the Sea swiftly approaches, Russell T Davies has shared a fresh update on the 2026 Christmas special. The BBC recently confirmed that, while the deal with Disney is now over, the Doctor will return next Christmas for a festive special written by the showrunner. Asked whether he's started writing the special, Davies exclusively told RadioTimes.com: "Not at the moment because I'm busy on [The War Between the Land and the Sea]. I'm also shooting a show in Manchester, so next year my plate clears and we'll get to work on that." While he's keeping quiet on the details of the special, Davies also confirmed he's got the plot all worked out, saying: "I know exactly what happens in it, don't worry about that." Thankfully, we've got a new offering in the Whoniverse to tide us over until then, with spin-off The War Between the Land and the Sea coming our way on 7th December. The five-part series is set to follow everyman Barclay (played by Russell Tovey), who is unexpectedly drawn into efforts to prevent a world-threatening conflict as iconic Who monsters the Sea Devils return. Along the way, he'll forge an unlikely connection with Gugu Mbatha-Raw's Salt, with the pair changing each other forever. <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/11/541153-8570b41.jpg" width="5197" height="3465" alt="Russell Tovey as Barclay Pierre-Dupont and Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Salt in The War Between the Land and the Sea. He is in front of an orange, firey background on the left and she is in front of a blue, sea background on the right. Their hands are touching in the middle." title="541153" /> Davies previously opened up to Radio Times about how the series is set to tackle the climate crisis, explaining: "I think every writer in the world is thinking, how do you write about the climate crisis? We’re already in a climate war. This just dramatises it. "When they first approached me about coming back to Doctor Who in 2021, this was the first bit of my pitch," he added. "I had this idea separately first. "But weirdly, it needs the Doctor Who setting. If I just go and pitch this cold, saying, ‘There is a race of creatures that live in the sea…' They’d say, 'Really? You sure?' The pre-existence of the Sea Devils takes all the problems out of it." Meanwhile, Tovey previously offered some insight on his character at the Edinburgh TV Festival, saying: "It's this narrative of this guy who, basically... he's someone who works in the offices and books people's taxis, but by some series of events, he ends up becoming a very important figure in the world, and having to understand that role and what that entails. "And, in true Doctor Who [fashion, he's] saving the planet. It was just a total joy to play this everyman who's the sort of guy that's drifted into his late 30s, early 40s and, unbeknownst to him, just thought, 'This is what life was going to be.' "I love that. Hopefully, it's inspiring and people feel like it's not over, that things can shift any moment. I'm really proud of it, and I'm terrified of it and excited by it – all of those things. But working on it was brilliant, and the scripts were fab." Stay tuned for more about The War Between the Land and the Sea, including news, interviews, features, and more. The War Between the Land and the Sea is coming to BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 7th December. 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.
David Tennant confirmed to join Downton Abbey favourite for third season of hit BBC anthology drama
Tennant will front the upcoming season of Jimmy McGovern’s BAFTA-winning drama Time, now set in a young offenders institution.
Jimmy McGovern’s acclaimed series Time is to return for a third chapter – with David Tennant set as the new lead. The first season of the prison drama aired in 2021 and starred Sean Bean as mild-mannered prisoner Mark Cobden, with Stephen Graham as his conflicted prison officer Eric McNally, while a 2023 follow-up set in a women's facility was fronted by Jodie Whittaker, Tamara Lawrance, and Bella Ramsey. The latest entry will be set in a young offenders' institution and will "explore the impact of locking up teenagers and the effects on those who look after them". Tennant will play Prison Officer Bailey, while Siobhan Finneran of Downton Abbey and Happy Valley fame will reprise her role of prison chaplain Marie-Louise, a constant across the previous two seasons. The official synopsis reads: "Prison Chaplain Marie-Louise comes to the YOI having lost her faith. When tragedy strikes within the prison, Marie-Louise clashes with veteran officer Bailey, a man in the midst of his own crisis. Bailey knows more about the circumstances that led to this major incident – but will he come clean before the guilt gets too much "Meanwhile, two teenage young offenders, Peter and James, struggle through the terrifying first weeks and months of their incarceration. Can James ever face his broken parents after an unforgivable act of violence and will Peter tell the truth about the death of an innocent man, or does family loyalty mean more? An unlikely friendship between them looks to shift the trajectory of their futures, but in an increasingly unstable environment, is change ever possible?" McGovern said: "Siobhan Finneran is back! And we've got a wonderful leading man in David Tennant. And a brilliant director in Paul Whittington. I think it's going to be wonderful." The new season of Time has been written by McGovern (Unforgivable, Cracker, The Street) and Samuel Bailey, a playwright best known for his work Shook, also set in a young offenders institution. Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, added: "Jimmy McGovern is a master at creating brave, thought-provoking dramas that deeply resonate with BBC viewers, so we are thrilled to be back for a third run of Time. With David Tennant and Siobhan Finneran leading the cast, Samuel Bailey co-writing, Paul Whittington directing and the team at BBC Studios Fiction producing, we are all set for another powerful and memorable piece of work from Jimmy." Read more: BBC One’s Time was written with Sean Bean and Stephen Graham in mind Jodie Whittaker almost missed out on Time role: ‘It was very upsetting’ Spanning three hour-long episodes, the third season of Time will be available on BBC One and BBC iPlayer and is co-produced by BritBox for North America. Time seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream on BBC iPlayer, with both having earned strong reviews from critics and the debut season winning two BAFTAs: Best Mini-Series and Best Actor for Sean Bean. Add Time 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, visit our TV Guide or take a look at the rest of our Drama coverage. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Doctor Who classic The Sea Devils to get "blockbuster" revamp ahead of new spin-off
The Sea Devils return in a newly re-cut classic — just in time for their modern comeback.
Doctor Who fans are in for a treat next month, with the BBC set to unveil a newly re-edited version of 1972 classic The Sea Devils — just hours before the iconic monsters return in brand-new spin-off The War Between the Land and the Sea. The feature-length cut will arrive on BBC iPlayer from 6am and air on BBC Four at 7pm on Sunday 7th December, with the beloved Jon Pertwee adventure reworked into a single 90-minute special. And it’s all perfectly timed: the Sea Devils will be back in action in their new spin-off at 8:30pm that same night on BBC iPlayer and BBC One. The fresh edit condenses the original six episodes into a blockbuster-style presentation, complete with updated sound design by Mark Ayres. It also weaves together Malcolm Clarke’s pioneering 1972 score with new music created by Lorne Balfe for The War Between the Land and the Sea, forming a sonic bridge between the classic era and the modern Whoniverse. Originally written by Malcolm Hulke and directed by Michael E Briant, The Sea Devils stars Jon Pertwee during his 1970–1974 run as the Doctor, alongside Katy Manning as Jo Grant. The story also features Roger Delgado as the Master, who at the time had already cemented himself as one of the franchise’s most iconic villains. Showrunner Russell T Davies teased what’s to come, saying: "52 years after they first rose from the depths, it’s Sea Devil night across the BBC! A great idea never dies, and viewers young and old can now heed the warning: watch the seas!" The re-edited special will lead directly into a double bill of The War Between the Land and the Sea, which explores the monsters’ long-awaited return and marks their most significant screen presence in decades. View oEmbed on the source website The War Between the Land and the Sea – starring Russell Tovey, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Jemma Redgrave – will mark the official end of Disney's deal to co-produce and distribute Doctor Who and its spin-offs. Doctor Who itself will then return for a Christmas special in 2026, written by Russell T Davies – with fans expecting a resolution to the huge cliffhanger that saw Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor regenerate into a character played by Billie Piper. Read more: Doctor Who spin-off The War Between the Land and the Sea releases epic teaser Doctor Who spin-off The War Between the Land and the Sea gives new name for classic monster: "It's racist to say Sea Devil" Doctor Who is available to watch on BBC iPlayer. 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.
Joanna Lumley recalls becoming The New Avengers favourite Purdey as classic series arrives in new format
The vintage spy series is now available newly restored as a box set packed with bonus features.
Dame Joanna Lumley reflects on her star-making role as Purdey in a clip from The New Avengers' Blu-ray release, shared exclusively with RadioTimes.com. The segment, part of a brand-new featurette titled Becoming Purdey, forms part of the bonus material included in StudioCanal's new 10-disc box set, The New Avengers: Series 1 & 2 (4K Edition), available to buy now. In the exclusive footage, Lumley reflects on stepping into the shoes of the chic and formidable agent Purdey and how the series would go on to shape her future career. Originally broadcast between 1976 and 1977 on ITV, The New Avengers served as a follow-up to the hugely popular 1960s spy series The Avengers. The Avengers – known for its inventive plots, playful tone and bold visual flair – aired between 1961 and 1969 and was led by Patrick Macnee as the debonair agent John Steed, previously paired with a succession of sharp, capable partners, most famously Emma Peel (Dame Diana Rigg). The New Avengers introduced a new trio of crime-fighters: the returning Steed, the poised and martial-arts-skilled Purdey (Lumley), and newcomer Mike Gambit (Gareth Hunt). Together, they took on plots involving everything from resurrected Nazis to rogue robots, blending espionage, wit and high-octane action. Airing 26 episodes across two seasons, the sequel was developed by original series producers Albert Fennell and Brian Clemens, with Clemens's son Samuel directing the Becoming Purdey featurette. Read more: Charlie Higson, Paul Whitehouse turned down chance to revive The Avengers The new box set marks the first time the full 26-episode run has been restored in 4K. Fans will also find hours of bonus material, including new introductions and commentaries from cast and crew, archive interviews, a 64-page booklet, a 32-page comic book and the new featurette The Impact of The New Avengers: Reinvented for a New Era. 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.
Yellowstone favourite stars in first look at new Welsh drama about "unspeakable crime"
Kelly Reilly stars in Sky’s chilling Welsh crime drama Under Salt Marsh – and the first trailer is here.
Sky has released the first teaser trailer and a batch of new images for Under Salt Marsh, a haunting new Welsh-set crime drama starring Yellowstone’s Kelly Reilly. The Sky Original series follows former detective Jackie Ellis (Reilly), who has swapped policing for teaching after a devastating case shattered her career and family life. But when a violent storm hits the fictional coastal town of Morfa Halen, Jackie makes a discovery that forces her to confront the past – and an “unspeakable crime” buried within the community. Rafe Spall (Trying, Life of Pi) also stars as Jackie’s estranged former partner, Detective Eric Bull. The pair are reluctantly reunited as the investigation reopens, exposing old wounds and long-buried secrets before the incoming storm wipes away the evidence for good. You can watch the Under Salt Marsh teaser below: View oEmbed on the source website Created, written and directed by Claire Oakley, the six-part drama promises a brooding mix of mystery and emotion, exploring grief, guilt and the corrosive effects of secrecy in a close-knit town. The cast also features Jonathan Pryce (The Crown), Naomi Yang (Chimerica), Dinita Gohil (Treason), Brian Gleeson (Bad Sisters), Kimberley Nixon (Queenie) and Harry Lawtey (Industry), with Mark Stanley, Dino Fetscher, Lizzie Annis, Rhodri Meilir and Julian Lewis Jones rounding out the ensemble. Series lead Reilly is best known to audiences for her role as the sharp-tongued, fiercely loyal Beth Dutton in Paramount’s hit western Yellowstone, where she starred opposite Kevin Costner. Reilly and Cole Hauser are expected to reprise their fan-favourite roles as Beth and Rip Wheeler in a follow-up series currently titled The Dutton Ranch. Under Salt Marsh will air on Sky and streaming service NOW in 2026. 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.
Why might the new Mummy sequel be about to ignore one film in the franchise?
Brendan Fraser’s long-awaited Mummy comeback might rewrite the franchise’s history – by quietly skipping over its least-loved adventure.
Universal’s beloved Mummy franchise looks set to rise from its sarcophagus once more. Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz – who fronted the hit adventure films at the turn of the millennium – are reportedly in talks to return for a new sequel directed by Ready or Not and Scream duo Radio Silence (Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett). According to The Hollywood Reporter, the new project will reunite Fraser’s roguish explorer Rick O’Connell with Weisz’s bookish but brave Evelyn Carnahan, nearly three decades after the pair first awakened the ancient high priest Imhotep in 1999’s The Mummy. Producers from the original trilogy are also on board – but there’s one intriguing twist: industry whispers suggest the film might ignore the events of 2008’s The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. So why might the third entry in the existing Mummy series be erased from canon? To understand the speculation, let’s first take a quick journey back to where it all began. What happened in The Mummy and The Mummy Returns? Stephen Sommers's 1999 blockbuster The Mummy injected old-school adventure into Universal’s classic monster catalogue, mixing Indiana Jones-style derring-do with supernatural thrills. Set in 1920s Egypt, it followed soldier-of-fortune Rick O’Connell (Fraser), spirited librarian Evelyn Carnahan (Weisz) and her bumbling brother Jonathan (John Hannah) as they stumble upon the lost city of Hamunaptra – and accidentally resurrect the cursed high priest Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo). Cue plagues, scarab beetles, sandstorms with faces, and plenty of witty banter amid the chaos. The film became a global hit, grossing over $422m and turning Fraser into a bona-fide leading man. Its success led to 2001’s The Mummy Returns, a bigger, brasher sequel set a decade later. Now married with an eight-year-old son, Alex, Rick and Evie once again battle Imhotep – this time resurrected by cultists hoping to harness the power of the Scorpion King (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, in his film debut). While the sequel leaned more heavily into CGI spectacle, it preserved the pulpy, romantic energy that defined the first adventure. Together, The Mummy and The Mummy Returns became a cornerstone of early-2000s blockbuster nostalgia. What happened in The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor? Released in 2008 and directed by Rob Cohen, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor marked a sharp departure from the formula. Swapping the sands of Egypt for the mountains of China, the film introduced Jet Li as the villainous Dragon Emperor – an ancient warlord cursed into terracotta form. When Rick and Evie’s now-adult son Alex (Luke Ford) awakens him, the family must reunite to stop the Emperor’s army from conquering the world. Why might the new Mummy sequel ignore Tomb of the Dragon Emperor? The 2008 film was a dramatic departure from its predecessors – swapping Egypt for China, mummies for terracotta warriors, and the franchise’s pulpy romantic tone for a more generic adventure feel. It also suffered from another major shift: Rachel Weisz declined to return as Evelyn, reportedly due to script concerns and the long overseas shoot, and was replaced by Maria Bello – a recast that disrupted the chemistry fans loved between Weisz and Brendan Fraser. While the film still earned solid box office returns, it’s widely regarded as the weakest of the trilogy, with poorer reviews and less fan affection. Ignoring it would let the new Mummy sequel streamline the story, return to the tone and mythology of the first two adventures, and reunite the original leads without awkward narrative baggage, effectively giving The Mummy franchise the chance to rediscover its original magic. In an age of legacy sequels like Top Gun: Maverick and Ghostbusters: Afterlife, audiences have shown they’ll reward respectful revivals that capture the old magic. A Mummy film that honours its first two adventures while quietly brushing aside the missteps of the third fits that pattern perfectly. The first three films in The Mummy franchise are currently available to stream on Sky Movies and NOW. Check out more of our Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Watch Harlan Coben's new thriller Run Away before it hits Netflix – exclusive preview and cast Q&A
Get an exclusive first look at Harlan Coben’s gripping new Netflix series Run Away – with a special preview screening and Q&A featuring James Nesbitt, Ruth Jones and the creator himself.
Harlan Coben fans, your next obsession is almost here – and Radio Times readers have the chance to see it first. We’re offering an exclusive opportunity to catch Run Away, Netflix’s gripping new limited series, before it officially launches on New Year’s Day – with a special preview screening and cast Q&A at London’s BFI Southbank. Taking place on Monday 1st December 2025 at 6:20pm, An Evening With Radio Times – Run Away will showcase the first episode of this thrilling new adaptation, followed by a live Q&A with stars James Nesbitt (The Missing, Cold Feet) and Ruth Jones (Gavin & Stacey, Stella), alongside writer Danny Brocklehurst and creator Harlan Coben himself. Tickets go on sale to Radio Times readers from Thursday 6th November 2025 at 12 noon, priced at £22 (£19 concessions), with BFI Members receiving £2.50 off. To book, visit bfi.org.uk/run-away and use the promocode RADIOTIMES. Based on Coben’s 2019 bestselling novel, Run Away stars James Nesbitt as Simon Greene, a man whose seemingly perfect life unravels when his eldest daughter Paige (Ellie de Lange) disappears. When Simon finally tracks her down, he’s drawn into a shocking chain of events that exposes a dark underworld of addiction, violence and long-buried family secrets. Joining Nesbitt are Ruth Jones as private investigator Elena Ravenscroft and Minnie Driver as Simon’s wife Ingrid, alongside Alfred Enoch, Lucian Msamati, Jon Pointing, and Adrian Greensmith. The drama is directed by Nimer Rashed and produced by Quay Street Productions for Netflix, with Coben serving as executive producer through his company Final Twist Productions. "Run Away is about family – about what we will do to keep it intact, what secrets we keep within it, and what secrets we keep as a family," Coben told Netflix’s Tudum. "Every time you walk past a house, there’s a whole universe that goes on behind that door – and none of us have a clue what it is." Filmed in Manchester and across northwest England, Run Away will debut on Netflix on 1st January 2026, kicking off the year with Coben’s trademark mix of mystery, emotion and high-stakes twists. Why not get ahead of the crowd and see it before everyone else? 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.
Thunderbirds at 60 TV mini-series with Gogglebox legend confirms ITV release date
Scarlett Moffatt leads a brand-new ITV mini-series celebrating 60 years of Thunderbirds, with famous fans and original creators joining the celebrations.
It’s time to head back to Tracy Island – because Thunderbirds is officially turning 60, and ITV is marking the milestone with a brand-new celebratory mini-series hosted by Gogglebox favourite Scarlett Moffatt. The four-part retrospective, Thunderbirds at 60, launches tomorrow (Thursday 6th November 2025) across ITVX, ITV Retro’s YouTube channel, and the official Thunderbirds social media pages. A self-confessed Thunderbirds super-fan, Moffatt dives deep into the world of International Rescue to uncover untold stories and celebrate six decades of the show’s enduring legacy. Created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, Thunderbirds first aired in 1965 and followed the daring missions of International Rescue, a secret family-run organisation saving lives around the world with the help of cutting-edge vehicles and the now-legendary Thunderbird craft. Famous for its pioneering "Supermarionation" puppetry and futuristic design, the series became a global phenomenon and remains a defining piece of British sci-fi television. <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/11/anthea-turner-thunderbirds-6a313d5.png" width="3016" height="3526" alt="Anthea Turner and Scarlett Moffatt smiling on an orange sofa with a detailed Thunderbirds diorama featuring Tracy Island and iconic vehicles on the table in front of them, with portraits of the Thunderbirds characters displayed on the wall behind." title="anthea-turner-thunderbirds" /> Across the new Thunderbirds at 60 series, Moffatt will meet an impressive line-up of guests including TV presenter Anthea Turner, Dee Anderson (daughter of Thunderbirds creators Sylvia and Gerry Anderson), original puppeteer Mary Turner, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Ella Vaday, and Anderson Entertainment CEO Jamie Anderson, who continues to oversee his father’s creative legacy today. Speaking about the project, Moffatt said: "I’ve adored Thunderbirds since I was little, so this has been a real bucket-list moment. To go behind the strings and discover the secrets from the people who made it happen was FAB in every sense." From revisiting Blue Peter’s iconic Tracy Island moment to exploring the artistry of Supermarionation and the show’s lasting influence on pop culture and fashion, Thunderbirds at 60 promises a nostalgic and revealing look at why the Andersons’ classic series remains so loved. Revisit Blue Peter’s Tracy Island build with Anthea Turner below: View oEmbed on the source website Read more: Thunderbirds at 60: The grief, genius and enduring magic behind Gerry Anderson’s sci-fi classic Thunderbirds are go again... not that they ever really went away for the show's long-standing fans Add Thunderbirds at 60 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.
James Bond spin-off author reveals why he feared becoming public enemy no. 1 with new book
Crime author Vaseem Khan talks reinventing 007's beloved gadget-master Q and a surprising twist in his new novel.
Only a handful of authors have ever been gifted the opportunity to play in the James Bond sandbox originally devised and expanded by Ian Fleming across a series of 14 007 books. So, for award-winning writer Vaseem Khan, best known for his Baby Ganesh Detective Agency novels, being asked to pen a new series of spin-off novels featuring Bond's beloved gadget-master Q as the lead felt incredibly exciting, but at the same time "tempered by the feeling that people are so wedded to this iconic character". "If I were to make a mess of this..." he tells Radio Times. "...I'd be public enemy number one for Bond fans." Helping to temper his nerves somewhat is that Quantum of Menace – the first in the new Q series – is not a Bond continuation novel in the strictest sense. Instead, it's a sidestep that, according to Khan, "sits somewhere between Mick Herron's Slow Horses and Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club". "It's not a spy novel," he's quick to clarify, with the story of this debut book seeing Q unexpectedly ousted from his role at MI6. Returning to his quiet hometown of Wickstone-on-Water, the man also known as Major Boothroyd soon becomes entangled in an investigation into the death of a childhood friend – renowned quantum computer scientist Peter Napier – and learns that Napier’s cutting-edge work may have drawn dangerous attention. Besides being a successful author, Khan is the Business Development Director at the UCL Security and Crime Science Department, where he helps manage the UCL Dawes Centre for Future Crime. Their work exploring how emerging technologies – such as quantum computing – could be exploited by criminals has directly influenced the themes of his book. The ambition was to provide us with a whole new outlook on Bond's world – and an entirely new Q, too. "It's taking a character that we think we know, and completely reinventing him," says Khan. "He hardly appeared in the [Fleming] books at all… we know very little about him. And in the movies, it's always a five-minute skit of things exploding in the lab and him saying, 'Grow up, 007!' – I wanted a real flesh-and-blood character and I didn't want a caricature, a bumbling boffin tripping over his own laces... "My Q is a scientist, who takes himself very seriously, and he generally knows that he's the smartest person in the room. That being said, I also wanted him to be a fish out of water – he's a man who, in spite of all this success and things that he's done in his life, is now at sea. He's at loggerheads with the establishment, who don't want him around, and he's now having to decipher what the next phase of his life will involve." Q has been portrayed on-screen by several actors, but most notably by Desmond Llewelyn – who played the character in 17 films between 1963 and 1999 – and by Ben Whishaw – who took up the mantle in three cinema outings released between 2012 and 2021. The version who appears in Quantum of Menace is an original creation who, Khan says, lies somewhere "in the middle of these two iconic representations on-screen" – Whishaw's younger whizkid and Llewelyn's elder statesman armourer. "My Q is in his 50s – he’s not Llewelyn, he's a bit younger than that, so he can do a bit more action if necessary, but also, at the same same time, he's clued up on modern tech and cyber security and all of those things the way that Ben Whishaw is." The book also delves into this Q's romantic history, with the police officer investigating Napier's death also happening to be Boothroyd's ex-fiancée, the pair having parted on less than amicable terms. "One of the reasons we love James Bond is that he does have a very colourful romantic life," says Khan of this addition. "Q, of course, is not a womaniser, but nobody is divorced from the practicalities of life, or their emotions." There is also – spoiler alert – passing reference to another romantic affair that might raise a few eyebrows among the Bond fandom: this Q, we learn, had a short workplace romance with Moneypenny, under the nose of an oblivious Bond. It's certainly a departure from established lore, though not one that Ian Fleming Publications objected to. "They've given me almost carte blanche, as long as I don't upset the entire Bond world. If I were to do something really ludicrous – having Q turn out to be Blofeld's best friend or something – that wouldn't pass muster. "The only other restrictions were that if there is something that appears only in the films, we couldn't really use it. So for instance, my first draft had Aston Martins mentioned, but of course, that's largely from the films – Bond's car originally was a Bentley. So I had to go back and change those references... just small things like that." Quantum of Menace is already earning a warm reception from Bond fans and critics – and the good news is that the next entry in the series isn't far off. In fact, the first chapter of the follow-up appears as a teaser at the back of the QoM hardback edition. "The second book is called The Man With the Golden Compass," Khan reveals. "I'm having a lot of fun with these titles, I have to say!" The sequel will see Q now employed by the police as a civilian contractor to consult on a case involving a tech millionaire who has made his fortune creating virtual reality environments for adult gaming. "He’s come to Q’s hometown, bought a massive stately home, and then he’s been gruesomely murdered! The police discover him, and on his body they find a small, round disc coated in gold with Nordic runes — and that allows Q to get involved…" Further blending traditional crime mystery with modern tech elements, The Man With the Golden Compass will also continue to expand on and explore Q's personal life – this time by introducing a family member who Khan calls "possibly [his] favourite character in the series" so far. "That is Q's father, Mortimer Boothroyd. He's a retired historian who Q has not spoken to for three decades for a reason that's revealed in the book, and he's just as prickly and just as acerbic as Q... so when the pair of them meet, sparks fly!" Quantum of Menace, the first book in Vaseem Khan's Q Mysteries series, is out now. Check out more of our Books 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 spin-off The War Between the Land and the Sea has release window confirmed with new-look images
The BBC has confirmed launch details for Doctor Who spin-off The War Between the Land and the Sea – and revealed striking new images.
The BBC has confirmed that Doctor Who spin-off The War Between the Land and the Sea will arrive on BBC iPlayer and BBC One this December – and has released new images offering a first look at the epic drama. The upcoming five-part series will explore how humanity responds when an ancient and terrifying species rises from the ocean, sparking a global crisis. New stills show Russell Tovey’s character Barclay as well as Jemma Redgrave’s returning UNIT leader Kate Lethbridge-Stewart and her crew. The series features an all-star cast, with Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Salt, Ruth Madeley as Shirley Anne Bingham, Alexander Devrient as Colonel Ibrahim, and Colin McFarlane as General Austin Pierce. Other previously announced cast members include Adrian Lukis, Patrick Baladi, Francesca Corney, Mei Mac, Vincent Franklin, Waleed Hammad, Iestyn Arwel, Hannah Donaldson, Manpreet Bachu and Ann Akinjirin. Showrunner Russell T Davies said: "This is a huge, spectacular Christmas treat, with heroes and monsters and battles and romance, in a world on the edge of disaster. And remember. Watch the seas!" Produced by Bad Wolf with BBC Studios for the BBC and Disney, The War Between the Land and the Sea will debut in the UK on BBC iPlayer and BBC One this December, before streaming exclusively on Disney+ outside the UK (where available) in 2026. The series was created by Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies, who co-wrote the series with executive producer Pete McTighe, with Dylan Holmes Williams directing and Lorne Balfe composing the score. The BBC also recently confirmed the future of Doctor Who, announcing that its global partnership with Disney will not continue beyond The War Between the Land and the Sea. However, the beloved sci-fi series will return in 2026 with a brand new Christmas special written by Russell T Davies. The show’s future has been the subject of much speculation, with Disney’s exit marking a major change in Doctor Who’s global strategy. BBC Chief Content Officer Kate Phillips recently reassured fans that the franchise remains in safe hands, saying: "With or without Disney, Doctor Who will still be on the BBC." The most recent episode of Doctor Who aired in May, ending with Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor regenerating into Billie Piper in a twist that shocked fans. Doctor Who is available to watch on BBC iPlayer. 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.
Honor Blackman, Joanna Lumley and Jane Seymour look back on their brushes with James Bond
As Sydney Sweeney fuels Bond girl rumours, we revisit what past leading ladies really thought about life alongside 007.
With rumours swirling that Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney could become the next Bond girl, the debate around what it means to be part of the 007 legacy has been reignited. In a new interview with Variety, Sweeney addressed speculation that she’s being lined up for a role in James Bond 26, following reports that Amazon founder Jeff Bezos – whose company now oversees the franchise through Amazon MGM Studios – wants her for the 2028 film. "To be honest, I don’t know all the Bond rumours," Sweeney said. "But I’ve always been a huge fan of the franchise, and I’m excited and curious to see what they do with it." Asked whether she’d be interested, Sweeney added: "Depends on the script. I think I’d have more fun as James Bond." With speculation mounting about who could next join the Bond universe, we’ve delved into the Radio Times archives to uncover what some of cinema’s most memorable Bond girls said about their time alongside 007 – from the early days of the 1960s to later reflections on fame, independence and the weight of playing opposite the world’s most famous spy. Honor Blackman – Pussy Galore, Goldfinger (1964) By the time she appeared as Pussy Galore in Goldfinger, Honor Blackman had already made her mark on British television as Cathy Gale in The Avengers. Her martial arts skills and commanding presence made her a natural fit for the self-assured pilot and leader of an all-female flying team who sparred with Sean Connery’s Bond. Speaking to Radio Times in 2012, Blackman reflected on how much the Bond franchise – and its portrayal of women – had changed since her day, expressing irritation at the "Bond girl" label and nostalgia for the tougher, more ruthless 007b of earlier films. "There was no such thing as a Bond girl in my day," she said. "And being called one now drives me mad! It makes us sound like bimbos who fell flat on our backs the moment we caught sight of Bond. Pussy was a strong woman and a brilliant character; that’s why I wanted to play her. "But Daniel Craig isn’t allowed to be Ian Fleming’s Bond. Today’s Bond has to care about being liked, he has to be in love, to have remorse about killing. The early James could bed a lady, kill her on his way out then go to the bar and order a martini." In an earlier interview from 2001, she reflected with candour on the role’s lasting shadow over her long career: "The best [thing about playing Pussy] was that I became better-known; the worst is that it is all l am really remembered for." Joanna Lumley – 'The English Girl', On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969) Before becoming one of Britain’s most recognisable screen stars, Joanna Lumley’s first brush with big-screen fame came as one of Blofeld's "Angels of Death" in George Lazenby’s sole Bond outing, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Though her part was small, the film’s sweeping production – shot in the snow-covered Swiss Alps – left a lasting impression on the young model-turned-actress. Looking back in 1999, Lumley told Radio Times how glamorous and surreal the experience was, recalling a movie-making world that felt both extravagant and unreal. "After several years modelling, I got a very small part as a Bond girl, but I was booked for two months," she explained. "We went out to Switzerland, where they had taken over an entire village. Olympic skiers were extras, Bond girls were dressed up to the nines, and it was dream movie-making." Jane Seymour – Solitaire, Live and Let Die (1973) Jane Seymour became an international star in her early twenties with her role as Solitaire in Live and Let Die, Roger Moore’s first outing as Bond. Playing a mystical tarot-card reader who loses her powers after falling for 007, Seymour’s charismatic performance served as a launching pad for her decades-long career in film and television. When Radio Times interviewed her in 1995, Seymour reflected on how that early fame and her romantic public image sometimes affected her later casting. Had her reputation for poise and sensuality – reinforced by her 1986 lifestyle book Jane Seymour’s Guide to Romantic Living, with its advice to perfume light bulbs and perfect "delicate seduction ploys" – worked against her in securing more modern, edgy roles? Seymour, however, was characteristically forthright about her journey through Hollywood and her refusal to be defined by sex appeal alone. "Are you asking if I miss making sex and violence movies?" she said. "Not really. Been there, done that – well not really. James Bond was a distant cousin to the new genre, and I’ve been in some fairly sexy stuff, survived mistakes and dubious projects. [1979 TV movie] Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders was the worst, but also the most successful. "I loathed every minute and don’t understand why I was considered a sex symbol. I'm notoriously minuscule. All my friends have breast enlargements and they look fabulous – like matching pairs of grapefruits. There was a time I thought of having it done, but I looked in the mirror and said, 'You are what you are.' I'd bump into them and it would cause havoc with my backhand. "I'm no prude – I happily run round the house not worrying about clothes – but when your life is this public and you show emotions every day, there are certain parts you want to keep private. I have no need to be an exhibitionist." Check out more of our Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Is Lana Del Rey recording the theme song for new James Bond project?
007: First Light is a new game from the team behind Hitman.
Speculation is growing that Lana Del Rey could finally be lending her voice to a James Bond theme song – this time for 007: First Light, the highly-anticipated new video game. From Hitman developer IO Interactive, 007: First Light was announced earlier this year and will explore Bond’s origins, depicting his early years as a newly-qualified agent. Rumours of Del Rey's involvement began circulating after eagle-eyed fans discovered that Del Rey had registered a new track titled First Light with the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). The registration appeared online over the weekend, quickly prompting theories that the song could be tied to the upcoming Bond title, given the matching name, though neither Del Rey nor IO Interactive has commented publicly. View oEmbed on the source website Dexter: Original Sin star Patrick Gibson is set to take on the role of James Bond in 007: First Light, with Priyanga Burford playing M, Alastair Mackenzie as Q and Kiera Lester as Miss Moneypenny. The ensemble also includes Noémie Nakai as Miss Roth and Lennie James as John Greenway, who will serve as Bond’s mentor during his formative missions. If Del Rey’s First Light is confirmed as the game’s theme, it would represent a long-awaited near-miss turned success. The singer was previously linked to the Bond film Spectre in 2015, revealing that her track 24 – which appeared on the deluxe edition of her Honeymoon album – had originally been written with the franchise in mind. Ultimately, Sam Smith’s Writing’s on the Wall was chosen for the film, going on to win an Oscar for Best Original Song. 007: First Light is set to launch on Friday 27th March 2026, and will be available on Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 and PC. Jonathan Lacaille, the franchise director behind the game, recently told RadioTimes.com that the release will take inspiration from "all the great movies and their legacy" but is also looking to do something new with the 007 character. "We’re not trying to emulate what’s been done in the past, but really trying to propose something fresh that’s specifically for the gaming medium," he said. Watch our interview with Lacaille below. View Green Video on the source website 007: First Light is available for pre-order now. Check out more of our Gaming 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's Millie Gibson finally speaks out on tabloid rumours about her show 'exit'
The actress has suggested she wasn't "able to speak up" to deny the reports she'd been axed.
Millie Gibson has addressed reports surrounding her time on Doctor Who, admitting that she felt "awful" after being put in a "tough" position by claims published by tabloid newspapers. One story published in June 2023 suggested Gibson had been labelled a "diva" after struggling with the show's intense shooting schedule, while another that followed in January 2024 suggested the then 19-year-old had been "dropped" as companion Ruby Sunday. Gibson in fact returned to Doctor Who for several episodes alongside series newcomer Varada Sethu, with both appearing alongside Ncuti Gatwa in 2025's run of episodes. Speaking to The i Paper, the actress admitted that the experience was "horrific" – adding that she wasn't "able to speak up" to deny the reports she'd been axed, as this would've risked spoiling the show's top-secret storylines. "I couldn’t be like, ‘It’s a lie!’ [because] they’d be like, 'Well, that’s spoilers,'" she said. "It was quite hard to stand up for myself without ruining the show. I was like, 'Oh, this is horrific because it just looks like it’s true.'" Gibson added that it was "awful" being the subject of these reports, with friends and associates believing she had indeed been axed. "What was frustrating was the amount of people that were like, 'Oh, sorry, this has happened, mate,' and I was like, 'Yeah, it’s not [happened], but thank you.'" Gibson's next project is 5's period drama The Forsytes, a new adaptation of John Galsworthy's novels, in which she plays Irene. View Green Video on the source website The most recent season of Doctor Who wrapped up in May, with Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor regenerating into none other than Billie Piper – though whether she is truly the next incarnation of the Time Lord remains to be seen. Fans are still waiting for confirmation on when the series might return to the airwaves, with producer Jane Tranter confirming that Disney – which co-produces the show with the BBC – does not have to decide on further seasons until after the upcoming spin-off, The War Between the Land and the Sea, has aired. Read more: Doctor Who producer addresses series future – defends "stories that reflect the world in which we live" Still, BBC executives have stressed that the series is safe no matter what – chief content officer Kate Phillips reassured viewers at the Edinburgh TV Festival that Doctor Who is "going nowhere", adding that it will remain on the BBC "with or without Disney". Doctor Who is available to watch on BBC iPlayer. 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.
Younger actors who auditioned for Bond "didn't have the gravitas"
Debbie McWilliams – former casting director on the Bond series – explains why younger actors have historically failed to land the part of 007.
This article was originally published on 11th April, 2023. Though the search for Daniel Craig's successor as 007 is still ongoing, the latest reports suggest Bond 26 director Denis Villeneuve and his collaborators are looking for a "fresh face" for the role. The rumour mill has also seen younger stars including 29-year-olds Tom Holland and Harris Dickinson linked to the part. Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com in 2023, Debbie McWilliams – who served as casting director on the 007 film series from 1981 until her retirement earlier this year – explained that while younger actors have previously tried out for Bond, including for 2006's Casino Royale, none of them quite fit the bill. "When we started, it was a slightly different feel," McWilliams said of casting Casino Royale, which was set early in Bond's career at MI6. "We did look at a lot of younger actors and I just don't think they had the gravitas, they didn't have the experience, they didn't have the mental capacity to take it on, because it's not just the part they're taking on, it's a massive responsibility. "So we kind of scrubbed that idea and went back to the drawing board and started again." That said, an older Bond doesn't necessarily mean an established movie star – McWilliams insisted that the next actor to take up the mantle of Ian Fleming's super spy should simply be "who's best for the part", pointing to the different levels of fame and success enjoyed by previous 007 actors prior to taking on the role. "Timothy Dalton was known, but he was known as a Shakespearean actor, really. Pierce was known, but that was basically from television. Roger Moore was known from television. Sean Connery wasn't [known] – nobody had ever heard of him. Read more: How to choose the next James Bond, with casting boss Debbie McWilliams "A certain audience had heard of Daniel Craig, but much more the kind of independent cinema audience. He hadn't done any huge commercial film at all, really – [2004 film] Layer Cake I suppose was the most popular of the things he had done prior to Bond, but he wasn't a hugely well known actor." Casino Royale director Martin Campbell previously revealed that among the actors auditioned to play Bond in that film was Henry Cavill, who was then aged just 22 and was indeed ruled out for being too young. Following Daniel Craig's departure from the franchise in 2021's No Time to Die, other actors linked to Bond in the press have included Cavill (now aged 42), Bridgerton's Regé-Jean Page (37), Aaron Taylor-Johnson (35), Idris Elba (53), Slow Horses star Jack Lowden (35), Tom Hardy (48), and James Norton (40). With the prospect of recasting Ian Fleming's spy looming once again, it'll no longer be long-time franchise guardians Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson who will make the call – the pair have stepped back from day-to-day creative decisions, with Amazon MGM Studios assuming full creative control over the James Bond franchise. Visit our Film hub for the latest news and features. If you're looking for something to watch, check out our TV Guide or Streaming Guide. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Doctor Who producer admits he regrets axing beloved companion
Former series boss Philip Hinchcliffe has suggested he'd scrap the early departure of one popular character.
Not every Doctor Who companion has been granted the epic exit storyline they perhaps deserved – and now a former series producer has confessed he'd like to go back and rewrite one character's low-key departure. Harry Sullivan (played by Ian Marter) joined the series in the 1974-75 serial Robot – which also saw Tom Baker make his debut proper as the Fourth Doctor – and was part of the TARDIS team for five subsequent stories. Speaking at a BFI Southbank event to mark the release of the Doctor Who: The Collection – Season 13 Blu-ray set, Philip Hinchcliffe – who served as producer from 1974 to 1977 – explained that upon joining the series, he was keen not just to move away from the previous era's Earthbound, 'UNIT family' set-up, but also cut back on the number of supporting characters. "I wanted to trim it down a bit and go more into the science-fiction side as well, and travel back in time," he said. "I think overall I made the right decision for me, which was to pare it back to Lis and Tom [...] because it gave us room and you didn't feel that your hero was dragging a gang of helpers... I still feel that was the right decision." Hinchcliffe's tenure saw the Doctor venture back out into time and space, writing out UNIT characters including Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart (Nicholas Courtney) and Sergeant Benton (John Levene) as regular characters. <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2022/10/GettyImages-1346554348-2e5c9a7.jpg" width="5520" height="3676" alt="English actors Tom Baker, Elisabeth Sladen (1946 - 2011) and Ian Marter (1944 - 1986), UK, 9th December 1974. Baker has been chosen to star as the fourth Doctor opposite Sladen as companion Sarah Jane Smith and Marter as Harry Sullivan in the television science fiction series 'Doctor Who" title="New Doctor Who" /> Harry, UNIT's medical officer, also left the show – 1975's Terror of the Zygons saw the character opt to stay behind on Earth while the Doctor and Sarah-Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen) travelled on without him. Harry did make one further guest appearance in the same year's The Android Invasion, but his final fate was left ambiguous, with no official farewell scene. Looking back, Hinchcliffe acknowledged that Harry was "such a nice character" and that Ian Marter was "a good actor" who could have stuck around longer. "I could've probably kept Ian Marter for two or three stories more," he said. Notably, Tom Baker was already cast as the next Doctor when Hinchcliffe signed up to Doctor Who, having been hired by his predecessor – outgoing producer Barry Letts. Hinchcliffe was just 29 when he took the job and reflected that he was grateful Letts had already nailed the difficult casting decision of replacing Jon Pertwee. "[Tom] was cast by Barry [Letts] and the Head of Series [Shaun Sutton] and thank God they did, because as a young producer, I'm not sure I'd have got the casting right, so that was a huge asset." The upcoming Doctor Who: The Collection – Season 13 Blu-ray set features restored versions of all six stories from Tom Baker’s second season as the Doctor – Terror of the Zygons, Planet of Evil, Pyramids of Mars, The Android Invasion, The Brain of Morbius and The Seeds of Doom. The box set also includes a range of new and archival special features, covering both the production and legacy of the 1975–76 run. Among the new extras is Worlds Within, a documentary dedicated to Ian Marter – the film explores his work as an actor and writer, including his portrayal of Harry Sullivan and his wider contributions to the Doctor Who universe. Read more: Doctor Who legend reveals what he'd change if he returned to the series Doctor Who producer reveals which "grotesque" story might have pushed things too far Doctor Who: The Collection - Season 13 is available to pre-order now and is set to be released on 20th October. 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.
Patricia Routledge, Keeping Up Appearances icon, dies aged 96
The actress's career spanned more than six decades across stage, film and television.
Dame Patricia Routledge, known for her role as Hyacinth Bucket in the BBC sitcom Keeping Up Appearances, has died aged 96. Her agent confirmed the news in a statement, saying: "We are deeply saddened to confirm the passing of Dame Patricia Routledge, who died peacefully in her sleep this morning surrounded by love. "Even at 96 years old, Dame Patricia’s passion for her work and for connecting with live audiences never waned, just as new generations of audiences have continued to find her through her beloved television roles. She will be dearly missed by those closest to her and by her devoted admirers around the world." Routledge was born on 17th February 1929 in Tranmere, Birkenhead, and studied English Language and Literature at the University of Liverpool before training at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. She began her career on stage at the Liverpool Playhouse and went on to work extensively in theatre, television and film. Her television work included appearances in Coronation Street and Talking Heads, the BBC series of monologues written by Alan Bennett. View oEmbed on the source website From 1990 to 1995, Routledge starred as Hyacinth Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances. The character, a pompous woman preoccupied with her social status, became one of her best-known roles and earned her a British Comedy Award and a BAFTA nomination. She also had a memorable role as the title character in BBC crime drama Hetty Wainthropp Investigates. Outside television, Routledge had a successful stage career, winning a Tony Award in 1967 for her role in Darling of the Day and later received a Laurence Olivier Award for her performance in Candide. Her film credits included To Sir, With Love (1967), Pretty Polly (1967) and If It’s Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium (1969). Routledge received several honours throughout her career. She was named BBC Television Personality of the Year in 1992, awarded an OBE in 1993, and made a Dame in 2017 for her services to entertainment and charity. In 2023, she appeared in a Channel 5 documentary revisiting Keeping Up Appearances, recorded when she was 93, in which she discussed her experiences making the series. Routledge never married and had no children, saying in a 2001 interview: "I didn't make a decision not to be married and not to be a mother. Life just turned out like that because my involvement in acting was so total."
Only Fools and Horses legend Patrick Murray dies, aged 68
The actor, best known as cheeky wheeler-dealer Mickey Pearce in the classic BBC sitcom, appeared in 20 episodes across its 22-year run.
Patrick Murray, best known for playing Mickey Pearce in Only Fools and Horses, has died aged 68. Murray became a household name for his portrayal of the cheeky, boastful wheeler-dealer Mickey Pearce – a fixture in the beloved BBC sitcom from 1983 to 2003. Known for his comic timing and swaggering self-confidence, Murray’s character often clashed with Rodney Trotter (Nicholas Lyndhurst) and was famed for his tall tales of business success. He appeared in 20 episodes across the show’s 22-year run, helping make Only Fools and Horses one of the most popular British comedies of all time. A statement shared by an Only Fools and Horses fan account on X read: "It is with heartfelt sadness that we report the death of our friend Patrick Murray – Mickey Pearce to so many. He was a regular attendee of our conventions, and we will miss his humour and the joy he brought to many." Born in London, Murray spent several years living in Thailand, where he married his wife Anong in 2016. The couple had one daughter, Josie. Murray remained closely associated with Only Fools and Horses throughout his life, often attending fan conventions and reunions. Outside of the BBC sitcom, Murray built up a varied career on both the big and small screen. He first made his mark in the late 1970s, appearing alongside Ray Winstone in both the BBC television play Scum and its 1979 film adaptation. That same year, he featured in the cult classic Quadrophenia, sharing the screen with Sting, Toyah Willcox, Michael Elphick and Timothy Spall. He went on to appear in films including Curse of the Pink Panther (1983), as well as several television roles throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
Thunderbirds at 60: The grief, genius and enduring magic behind Gerry Anderson’s sci-fi classic
As Thunderbirds turns 60, we look back at the emotional story and creative vision that made Gerry Anderson’s sci-fi classic soar.
Sixty years on, Thunderbirds remains one of British television’s most distinctive creations – a show that blended futuristic adventure, cutting-edge model work and genuine emotional warmth in a way that still feels unique. But beneath its soaring rockets and daring rescues lies a more personal story – one rooted in loss, love and the indomitable imagination of its creator, Gerry Anderson. First aired in 1965 and set in the 2060s, Thunderbirds was devised by Gerry and then-wife Sylvia and follows International Rescue – a secret organisation founded by ex-astronaut Jeff Tracy and run by his five sons from their hidden island base. Using an array of advanced craft known as Thunderbirds, each piloted by one of the brothers, the team carries out high-stakes rescue missions across the globe. Blending action, suspense and idealism, the series presented a vision of heroism grounded in cooperation and compassion rather than conflict. Created using the Andersons’ signature 'Supermarionation' technique – a combination of puppetry, model work and special effects – Thunderbirds became a landmark in British television. Its ambitious production design, distinctive characters and iconic theme music helped it stand apart from other science-fiction series of its time. The show went on to inspire feature films, spin-offs and modern reimaginings, securing its status as a cultural touchstone and a lasting symbol of creative ambition. When Jamie Anderson reflects on his father’s most famous creation, he does so with both affection and awe. "I’ve been considering this a lot over the last few months," he says. "And I think Thunderbirds is the one show that taps into the greatest number of important things that were central to Dad’s life, his existence, and his emotional world." For all its futuristic sheen, Thunderbirds came from a deeply emotional place. Gerry’s elder brother Lionel was a Royal Air Force pilot who died in 1944 when his de Havilland Mosquito was shot down over the Netherlands. He was just 22. It’s said that the name Thunderbirds itself was inspired by "Thunderbird Field", the Arizona air base where Lionel trained during the war. His loss haunted Gerry throughout his life, and Jamie – a producer, writer and director who manages his father's legacy through Anderson Entertainment – believes that grief is woven into the very fabric of the show. "I think it’s the one where he put most of his trauma on screen," he says of Thunderbirds, a series which followed Gerry's earlier efforts including Supercar, Fireball XL5 and Stingray. "Those traumatic things from his childhood resulted in themes that are universally resonant – things like family, and family being at the centre of everything." That sense of family became the heartbeat of Thunderbirds, with the close-knit Tracy brothers risking their lives in the name of International Rescue. "That family relationship was drawn from his own – his difficult relationship with his parents and his relationship with his brother,” Jamie explains. “It wasn’t a happy childhood, and his brother became that kind of hero, aspirational figure." In the Anderson household, Lionel’s memory was never far away. "I don’t think Dad was consciously aware of how much of himself he had poured into the emotional engine that drove Thunderbirds," Jamie says. "But he would often say to me, 'I have never and will never get over Lionel’s death.' It came up a couple of times a year – whenever there was news about wartime, or conscription, or stories about people in the services, he’d always end up saying, 'I’ll never get over the loss of my brother.' "He wasn’t nostalgic, but Lionel was his hero. I think there must have been some emotional solace in revisiting that relationship through Thunderbirds." It’s this emotional honesty – combined with the show’s dazzling sense of scale – that explains why Thunderbirds continues to resonate with new generations. Jamie sees it as part of a broader post-war creative flowering, where young men shaped by conflict imagined better worlds. "That whole generation of kids who grew up during wartime and went on to have fantastic creative careers – Dad being the top of that list, but also people like Brian Clemens [the screenwriter and television producer, best known for writing and producing classic British TV series such as The Avengers, The New Avengers and The Professionals]. "These wartime kids grew up in a fractured, difficult, damaged world, then went on to imagine a creative future that was unified, hopeful, and used technology for good." <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/09/Thunderbirds00132-069d8ea.jpg" width="1420" height="1080" alt="Virgil Tracy sits at the controls in the foreground, with Gordon Tracy to his left and Alan Tracy standing behind them in the cockpit of a Thunderbird craft, surrounded by detailed levers and instruments from the classic 1960s Supermarionation series." title="Thunderbirds00132" /> At the same time, Thunderbirds stood apart from much of children’s television that followed. "I maintain that kids don’t really want to see kids on screen," Jamie says. "This obsession with 'kidifying' children’s TV characters just needs to stop. Thunderbirds proves it’s not needed – as does Doctor Who. When I was young, I couldn’t wait to watch things that were too old for me. It’s about not over-engineering things to tick boxes, but instead making what you genuinely care about. That’s what Dad did. He cared deeply about the morals and the inspirational qualities of his hero brother – and those values ended up on screen." That integrity extended to the show’s extraordinary craftsmanship. From its lavish model work to its ambitious 'Supermarionation' puppetry, Thunderbirds was an astonishing technical leap forward from Gerry's previous works. "Technically, the puppetry and special effects advanced as far as they possibly could," Jamie says. "The character designs became more attractive; the aesthetic was nailed. The models – Derek Meddings and his team – clearly had time to play around with blowing things up, making things look bigger, and inventing new tricks. They built such an incredible toolbox that there was almost no challenge too big." The balance between humour and sincerity was just as deliberate. "If you look at the ratio of comedy to serious storytelling, it gradually shifts," Jamie explains. "Fireball XL5 still had a tweeness to it; Stingray mixed that with saccharine romance. But Thunderbirds reached a point where it took itself seriously most of the time. The weight went into the action, drama and aspirational, selfless acts from the boys – with just the right amount of humour on the side. I think they hit a kind of magic golden ratio in the tone of the show." Gerry, however, wasn’t always comfortable with his most famous work. "By the late ’80s, he still thought Thunderbirds was his pinnacle – but he wanted to move on," Jamie recalls. "Then when the BBC resurgence came in the ’90s, that shifted his perspective. Until then, he was quite dismissive about it: 'Yes, I’m the guy that did Thunderbirds, but let’s move on.' But when a new audience embraced it, thinking it was made just for them, I think that awakened him to its true power. It wasn’t something to be slightly ashamed of anymore – it was his calling card." Over the years, Gerry toyed with returning to the world of Thunderbirds. "I’ve got four or five different treatments he wrote between 2001 and 2008. In one of the later ones, the opening disaster was a mining disaster – still referencing the original inspiration from the 1960s [Thunderbirds was part-inspired by real-life mining rescue efforts in the early 1960s, particularly the 1963 Lengede disaster in Germany, which sparked Gerry Anderson’s idea for a series about heroes using technology to save lives.]. "So even in the 2000s, he was going back to that. I think in his mind, it was: if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it." Despite its relatively short original run – just 32 episodes between 1965 and 1966 – Thunderbirds has endured in a way that few franchises can match. Later revivals included Jonathan Frakes’s 2004 live-action film, which failed to capture the spirit of the original, and ITV’s 2015 series Thunderbirds Are Go!, which mixed CGI with practical model work. Yet none of them have dimmed affection for the original. "Unlike Star Trek or Star Wars, which have had constant new iterations, Thunderbirds only ran for 18 months in the mid-'60s," Jamie says. “Since then, there’s really been nothing – other than the films. And yet Thunderbirds has endured. That’s quite special." View oEmbed on the source website That enduring appeal was proven again this month, when the Thunderbirds 60 cinema event brought two classic episodes back to the big screen. "When I first suggested it earlier this year, the reaction from distributors was: 'That’s nice – maybe we’ll get 10 screens,'" Jamie admits. "But I felt strongly that the appetite was still there, and it turned out to be much bigger than any of us expected. We got more screens for two episodes of a 60-year-old TV show than many independent films get now. Seeing three generations of families watching together – and standing ovations at the end – was mind-boggling." He smiles when considering what his father would have made of the event. "I think Dad would have been both massively proud and infuriated that it had been blown up to such high fidelity on the big screen, with puppet wires now two inches thick in close-ups!" That mix of pride, humour and humanity feels fitting for Thunderbirds’ diamond anniversary. It’s a series that dared to dream big, but also one born from the ache of a brother lost too soon. As Jamie puts it, it’s that combination of passion and pain that continues to make it timeless. "It’s basically passions and trauma from the creatives, expressed through their work, that made Thunderbirds so... authentic," he says. "I hate that word, but it’s the best catch-all term we’ve got. It gave audiences the potential to connect with it for the rest of time." Read more: Thunderbirds creator Gerry Anderson-inspired new animated series confirmed Thunderbirds gets special edition Blu-ray set as it turns 60 – and there's more good news for fans 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 producer reveals which "grotesque" story might have pushed things too far
"I would've liked to pull that back a bit."
Doctor Who was regularly wowing audiences and pulling in in some of the show’s highest ever ratings in the 1970s – but during the era overseen by producer Philip Hinchcliffe, it was also criticised in some quarters for its alleged on-screen violence. Most notably, the conservative activist Mary Whitehouse targeted the show on several occasions, most notably receiving an apology from the Director-General of the BBC for a sequence in 1976 serial The Deadly Assassin which saw the Doctor (Tom Baker) apparently drowned by a villain. Speaking at a BFI Southbank event to mark the release of the Doctor Who: The Collection – Season 13 Blu-ray set, Hinchcliffe said that while he understood Whitehouse's motivations, he felt her critiques of the show were not always fair. "I sympathise with her aims, because I think sometimes [...] that the BBC can be rather arrogant and not actually listen [to the viewers]," he said. "What I think she got wrong was muddling up violence – which we didn't really have – with horror and suspense." Hinchcliffe added that he and then-script editor Robert Holmes were designing their Doctor Who for "clever 12 and 13 year olds" – along with their parents, and it was the "parent's job to look after their children's viewing". Whitehouse memorably suggested that another story from Hinchcliffe's tenure, 1976's The Brain of Morbius, "contained some of the sickest and most horrific material seen on children's television". The story saw the Doctor and Sarah Jane (Elisabeth Sladen) face a mad scientist on Karn who was rebuilding the executed Time Lord Morbius. Inspired by Frankenstein, the four-parter drew particular complaints for a scene in which Doctor Solon (Philip Madoc) shoots his assistant Condo (Colin Fay), with a resulting spurt of blood. Looking back, Hinchcliffe admitted that The Brain of Morbius was perhaps the one time where his era might have pushed things too far. "I was always a bit nervous about [The Brain of] Morbius, because it was a bit sort of grotesque, in a way," he said. "I think I would've liked to pull that back a bit. Otherwise, I think we pretty much got it right." The Brain of Morbius remains one of the most talked-about serials from Hinchcliffe’s tenure – and it’s now been fully remastered for Doctor Who: The Collection – Season 13 Blu-ray set. The boxset gathers all six serials from Tom Baker’s second year as the Doctor, including classics such as Terror of the Zygons, Planet of Evil, Pyramids of Mars and The Seeds of Doom. Alongside the restored episodes, fans can dive into hours of special features, from new making-of documentaries and behind-the-scenes footage to interviews with cast and crew reflecting on one of the most acclaimed seasons in Doctor Who history. Doctor Who: The Collection - Season 13 is available to pre-order now and is set to be released on 20th October. 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.
Doctor Who legend reveals what he'd change if he returned to the series
Revered series producer Philip Hinchcliffe explains how he'd approach Doctor Who differently in 2025.
The future of Doctor Who may be somewhat up in the air – the BBC has confirmed that the legendary sci-fi series will continue, just not when it'll return – but a revered former series producer has an idea of how the show should change when it eventually rematerialises. Speaking at a BFI Southbank event to mark the release of the Doctor Who: The Collection - Season 13 Blu-ray set, Philip Hinchcliffe – producer on the show from 1974-77 – explained what he felt the modern version is lacking. Hinchcliffe presided over one of the show's most popular eras, delivering classic stories such as The Seeds of Doom and Pyramids of Mars that remain fan favourites to this day. Though he insisted he'd "never be asked" to return to Doctor Who as a creative consultant, Hinchcliffe suggested that the series should return to its classic format of each story spanning 100 minutes, or four x 25-minute episodes. "That's a very good time for a movie or a television story to be told, in 100 minutes," he said. "That gives you room to introduce characters, to unravel an inciting event of the story – the mystery, and what's going wrong – and you've got the time to get to know the characters, to invest emotionally with the characters, not just the heroes, and there can be plot reversals, and suspense... it doesn't have to be action all the time." <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/01/seeds-of-doom-f8caaad-e1751630446410.jpg" width="1014" height="675" alt="Tom Baker as the Fourth Doctor and Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane Smith in 'Doctor Who: The Seeds of Doom', running hand-in-hand through a garden while being pursued by a menacing Krynoid creature, set against the backdrop of a grand estate." title="seeds-of-doom" /> He continued: "To try and tell an interesting story in 50 minutes is very difficult. "I would want it to be of that length [100 minutes], because if you're watching something, you want to invest in the [supporting] characters, not just the Doctor – it gives you room to tell the story, so that would be my main point that I think would benefit it." The most recent season of Doctor Who wrapped up in May, with Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor regenerating into none other than Billie Piper – though whether she is truly the next incarnation of the Time Lord remains to be seen. Fans are still processing that jaw-dropping finale, while also waiting for clarity on when the series will return. Producer Jane Tranter has confirmed that Disney – which co-produces the show with the BBC – does not have to decide on further seasons until after the upcoming spin-off, The War Between the Land and the Sea, has aired in 2026. Still, BBC executives have stressed that the series is safe no matter what – chief content officer Kate Phillips reassured viewers at the Edinburgh TV Festival that Doctor Who is "going nowhere", adding that it will remain on the BBC "with or without Disney". Meanwhile, repeats of Matt Smith’s debut season will begin airing on BBC Three this autumn, keeping Whovians entertained until fresh episodes arrive. Doctor Who: The Collection - Season 13 is available to pre-order now and is set to be released on 20th October. 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.
Energy bills are set to go up next month, so if you’re worried about paying more, it’s worth looking at ways you might be able to keep costs down. Here’s what you need to know. What’s changing? The energy price cap will rise by 2% from 1 October 2025, meaning the typical annual dual-fuel bill will increase from £1,720 to £1,755. Bear in mind that the price cap is not a cap on your bills, it’s just maximum price energy suppliers can charge for each unit of gas and electricity and for the daily standing charge. These figures relate to the amount a typical household using electricity and gas and paying by Direct Debit would pay over a year. If your energy usage is high, you may end up paying more than this, or less if your usage is low. Make sure you’re on the best possible tariff Around 22m UK households are on their energy supplier’s Standard Variable Rate (SVR) and paying the maximum their supplier is allowed to charge, according to Ofgem, even though they might be able to make significant changes by moving to a cheaper deal. According to TotallyMoney, by switching to a cheaper tariff, households can save an average of £271 a year on their energy bills. Alistair Douglas, chief executive at TotallyMoney, said: "Comparing providers takes minutes, and your energy supply won’t be affected during the changeover. So, check to see if you’re free to switch, and if you’ve not changed providers in the last year, then it’s likely that you can start saving money." If you want protection against costs potentially rising again in coming months, you might want to consider switching to a fixed rate deal, which fixes the unit price of energy for a set period. Tom Lyon, director at Compare the Market said: "Some forecasters have suggested energy prices could rise in autumn after initial predictions suggested they could drop. The launch of new fixed rate deals, which fix the unit price of energy for a set period, can help to simplify budgeting and could allow households to find deals below the energy price cap. If you’re thinking of switching, you might also want to consider whether the supplier charges exit fees if you leave the tariff early." Make your home more energy efficient Reducing your energy usage is one of the best ways to lower bills, and making changes doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Simple steps that can help include sealing gaps and draughts around doors and windows, bleeding radiators to keep them running efficiently, switching to LED light bulbs, and using appliances efficiently, for example washing your clothes at 30°C rather than 40°C. Get help with your bills Every household where the billpayer receives an eligible means-tested benefit should be in line for Warm Home discount, which entitles you to £150 off your energy bills this winter. In England and Wales, this means households in receipt of Housing Benefit, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit and Universal Credit will qualify. The payment should be made automatically, but if you haven’t received a letter telling you you qualify for the Discount by January 2026, you will need to call the Warm Home Discount helpline on 0800 030 9322. If you were born before 22 September 1959 and your annual income is lower than £35,000, you could also get either £200 or £300 (if you’re aged 80 or above) from the Winter Fuel Payment to help you pay your heating costs. If you get your State Pension or other benefits paid into your bank account, that’s how you’ll receive your Winter Fuel Payment, and you should receive this year’s Payment in either November or December.
New and unmissable crime thrillers and murder mysteries on Sky and Netflix perfect for Autumn nights
Discover a world of crime & mystery with Sky Essential TV for £15 a month.
Crime thrillers have a special pull – the moral grey areas, the twists that turn everyday lives upside down, and the performances that keep you second-guessing every move. This season, Sky and Netflix are leaning into the genre with a lineup of tense, character-driven stories that range from psychological mysteries seen in The Iris Affair to political showdowns like Hostage and high-stakes chases in Ballad of a Small Player. It’s a particularly strong collection to dive into this Autumn – with stars like Mark Ruffalo (Task), Keira Knightley (The Woman in Cabin 10), and Sarah Snook (All Her Fault) leading gripping new releases, these thrillers promise intrigue, atmosphere, and the kind of storytelling that makes the season’s longer evenings feel like an invitation to watch just one more episode. Task Sky – watch now Mark Ruffalo headlines this gritty, emotionally charged crime miniseries from the creator of Mare of Easttown. He plays an FBI agent leading a task force into a wave of brutal suburban robberies by a seemingly ordinary family man. With layering of trauma, moral ambiguity, and tension-laden pacing, Task promises raw authenticity. A hard-hitting thriller that pulls no punches, it's one to watch this autumn. Hostage Netflix – watch now This high-stakes political thriller features Suranne Jones as the British Prime Minister whose husband is kidnapped – forcing her and the French President (Julie Delpy) into a volatile power struggle. With its timely premise and strong leads, Hostage balances emotional depth with edge-of-your-seat suspense, earning praise as "a rollicking [...] yarn" (The Guardian) that "ticks all the boxes" for a "propulsive thriller" (Radio Times). The personal and political collide compellingly throughout, creating a tense, emotionally charged drama laced with geopolitical intrigue that makes it binge-worthy for thriller fans craving intrigue with heart – guaranteed to keep you rapt from start to finish. The Iris Affair Sky – coming soon From Luther creator Neil Cross, The Iris Affair is a stylish chase thriller pitting two brilliant minds against each other across sun-drenched Italian landscapes. Expect cat-and-mouse tension and cinematic flair as secrets fly through Florence and Sardinia. Tom Hollander and Niamh Algar bring magnetic performances, and Cross’s taut writing ensures every twist lands. A high-concept thriller with pulse and polish. The Woman in Cabin 10 Netflix – available 10 October 2025 Keira Knightley stars in this psychological thriller as a travel journalist aboard a luxury cruise who witnesses a passenger tossed overboard – but everyone insists they're all on board. Gaslighting, claustrophobia, and twisting tension promise to make for a deliciously paranoid watch. With a stacked cast (Guy Pearce, Hannah Waddingham, Gugu Mbatha-Raw), The Woman in Cabin 10 is set to be both glamorous and unsettling, delivering psychological thrills and blockbuster appeal. All Her Fault Sky – coming soon A taut suburban mystery starring Sarah Snook as Marissa Irvine, whose worst nightmare begins when she arrives to retrieve her son Milo from his very first playdate – only to be met by a stranger who insists Milo doesn’t exist and she’s never heard of him. Built on Andrea Mara’s bestseller (and adapted for the screen by Megan Gallagher), this eight‑part thriller is perfect for fans of psychological suspense that turns the familiar upside‑down. Dakota Fanning, Michael Peña, Jake Lacy, and Sophia Lillis round out the ensemble cast. Ballad of a Small Player Netflix – available 29 October 2025 <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/08/colin-farrell-ballad-of-a-small-player-979ce02.jpg" width="1261" height="840" alt="Colin Farrell in Ballad of a Small Player, wearing a dark velvet suit with a pale pink shirt and white boutonniere, standing against a backdrop of glowing neon signs in a bustling Asian night market street." title="colin-farrell-ballad-of-a-small-player" /> This psychological thriller casts Colin Farrell as Lord Doyle, a high‑stakes gambler lying low amid the neon‑lit casinos of Macau. There, he encounters Dao Ming (Fala Chen), a beguiling casino employee, who may just offer a glimpse of salvation – but in hot pursuit is Cynthia Blithe (Tilda Swinton), a private investigator determined to confront Doyle with what he's running from. Directed by Edward Berger (Conclave), and penned by Rowan Joffé, this adaptation of Lawrence Osborne’s 2014 novel promises a haunting cocktail of addiction, isolation, and blurred reality, along with atmospheric visuals and an immersive score by Volker Bertelmann. Discover a world of crime & mystery with Sky Essential TV for £15 a month.
Crime thrillers and murder mysteries on Sky and Netflix perfect for Autumn nights
When the air turns crisp and the nights draw in, there’s no better time to curl up with a gripping, twist-laden crime thriller. Autumn lends itself perfectly to suspense – the glow of a lamp against the early dark, the quiet rattle of wind at the window, and the comfort of settling in while the outside world feels just a little wilder. The season heightens every clue, every whispered conversation, every turn of the plot... Whether you’re in the mood for something slow-burning and cerebral or fast-paced and high-stakes, we've got you covered with six stories that demand your attention. The Thursday Murder Club Netflix – watch now <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/08/thursday-murder-club-netflix-1d4ff74.jpg" width="6000" height="4000" alt="Elizabeth (Helen Mirren), Ron (Pierce Brosnan), Ibrahim (Ben Kingsley) and Joyce (Celia Imrie) sitting around a table with photos and tea and biscuits on the table." title="Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley and Celia Imrie in The Thursday Murder Club" /> Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley and Celia Imrie unite in this star-studded adaptation of Richard Osman’s record-breaking bestseller. Following four retirees who dabble in cold cases until a real murder disrupts their idyllic community, it’s cosy crime elevated by charisma and wit. Radio Times praised it as "a cute whodunnit adaptation with touches of pathos" and with its mix of humour, heart and mystery — and cast members boasting Oscars, BAFTAs and Golden Globes between them — this is prestige comfort viewing. Sweetpea Sky – watch season 1 now Ella Purnell shines as Rhiannon Lewis — a seemingly sweet receptionist harbouring a secret kill list – in Sweetpea, which blends biting black comedy with tense psychological drama. Part revenge fantasy, part razor-sharp character study, it’s already one of Sky’s buzziest original thrillers – Radio Times called it "a perfect autumn binge-watch" that will "leave you desperate for more" – and with season 2 officially confirmed, now is the perfect time to catch up. True Detective: Night Country Sky – watch now True Detective: Night Country shifts the anthology to Ennis, Alaska, where Detectives Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster) and Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis) investigate the eerie disappearance of eight scientists during the endless polar night. The six-parter became the most nominated season in the series’ history, earning a staggering 19 nominations at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards. It’s tightly-plotted and a masterclass in how setting can shape a story – Rotten Tomatoes called it “frighteningly atmospheric" – and Foster and Reis are electric together, trading sharp dialogue while navigating a case that intertwines personal demons and buried town secrets. Dept. Q Netflix – watch now Based on Jussi Adler-Olsen’s bestselling novels, this adaptation follows Detective Carl Mørck (Matthew Goode) as he heads a cold-case unit in Edinburgh. The cases are complex and deeply human, with the city’s fog and shadows adding to the mood. Goode brings gravitas and vulnerability to Mørck, while the writing smartly balances procedural beats with emotional depth. This is a brooding, character-driven crime thriller that lingers with you – and with season 2 just announced, this is the perfect time to jump on board — as Dept Q becomes Netflix’s next breakout crime franchise. Mare of Easttown Sky– watch now Set in a small Pennsylvania town, Mare of Easttown stars an Emmy-winning Kate Winslet "on stunning form" (Radio Times) as Detective Mare Sheehan, a weary but relentless investigator grappling with a local murder case while juggling the fractures in her personal life. What sets this hit series apart is its authenticity – the lived-in community, the raw family dynamics, and Winslet’s extraordinary performance at the centre. It’s a slow-burn crime thriller that feels as much about grief and resilience as it does about solving the case. Riveting, emotionally charged, and unforgettable. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery Netflix – watch now Rian Johnson’s follow-up to Knives Out whisks detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) to a tech billionaire’s lavish Greek island, where a reunion of friends quickly turns deadly. Playful, sharply written, and brimming with twists, the film earned an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay with The Guardian calls it "an ingenious, head‑spinningly preposterous and enjoyable new whodunnit romp". Glass Onion is slick, stylish, and hugely entertaining – a puzzle-box thriller that knows how to surprise – and Craig has a blast in the lead role, surrounded by a glittering ensemble cast that includes Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, and Kate Hudson. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery Netflix - 12th December Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) will return for a highly-anticipated third film in the Knives Out franchise, with writer-director Rian Johnson once more returning for duties. In a twist for the series of films, Craig's Southern detective will be heading for a gothic mystery that will be as creepy as it is puzzling. At time of writing, the plot has been kept under tight wraps, but it's been described as Blanc's "most dangerous case yet"... One thing's for sure: there'll be a star-studded cast along for the ride including Josh O'Connor, Glenn Close, Kerry Washington, and many more. Discover a world of crime & mystery with Sky Essential TV for £15 a month.
Doctor Who icon Carole Ann Ford stars in first-look pictures of all-new feature film role
The sci-fi legend swaps the TARDIS for terror in new horror film Harbinger.
Doctor Who legend Carole Ann Ford is returning to screens in a brand new horror film, with first-look images revealing her role in Shogun Films' upcoming release Harbinger. Ford famously originated the role of Susan Foreman – the Doctor’s granddaughter – in Doctor Who's very first story An Unearthly Child back in 1963. In Harbinger, Ford plays Sue, the mother of Julia (Jeanine Sothcott), the only surviving victim of serial-killing devil worshipper Henry Decker (Peter Woodward). Julia is persuaded by TV presenter Mike Craggs (Gary Webster) to revisit the site of Decker’s crimes for a paranormal-style broadcast. But when the crew uncover a haunted fortune-telling machine and draw their fortune cards, they unleash a terrifying new evil. Ford said of the experience: "It was such a supportive atmosphere. I’ve fallen in love with everyone on set from my wonderful 'daughter' Jeanine, to the make-up artist Flea. "Having not done a movie for quite a few years I was looking forward to renewing my love for the experience of filmmaking. But never in my wildest dreams could I have anticipated such warmth and generosity from everyone. "Working with Jeanine was so natural, she could easily have been my actual daughter and I look forward to working with her again." Her co-star Jeanine Sothcott added: "It was an honour to work alongside such an amazing, iconic actress – what a total inspiration she is. Carole was warm, funny, gorgeous and generous – I couldn’t have asked for a better on-screen mum. "Her character is strong, loving and positive and it's lovely to see an actress in her eighties not playing a character consigned to bed." After reprising her role of Susan in Doctor Who's 20th anniversary special The Five Doctors in 1983, Ford recently made a surprise comeback in the current era of the series, appearing in the 2025 episode The Interstellar Song Contest alongside Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor. Outside of the TARDIS, Ford is also known for her roles in the classic 1962 sci-fi film Day of the Triffids and the comedy The Great St Trinian’s Train Robbery (1966), while her television credits include Emergency Ward 10, Z-Cars, Public Eye, Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? and Moonstrike. Harbinger is the latest project from indie outfit Shogun Films. Directed by James Crow (Nemesis), the new film also stars Tony Sands and Johnny Palmiero. Shogun founder Jonathan Sothcott said: "One of the privileges of making our films is working with so many legendary older actors. Britain has such a rich heritage of film and television and it’s wonderful that we can offer different roles to such iconic performers." Harbinger will be released in early 2026. Read more: Doctor Who's Carole Ann Ford has story idea for Susan’s return Doctor Who fans call for Susan's return – Carole Ann Ford is on board Check out more of our Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
All Creatures Great and Small season 6 releases emotional first-look trailer ahead of return to screens
The beloved period drama returns to Darrowby in 1945, with fresh challenges, reunions and an emotional trailer narrated by Mrs Hall.
5 has unveiled the trailer for the sixth season of All Creatures Great and Small – giving fans an emotional glimpse at what’s to come when the beloved period drama returns later this month. The trailer, narrated by Anna Madeley in her role as Mrs Hall, promises more heartwarming tales as we rejoin the Skeldale gang in May 1945. Victory in Europe has just been declared, offering the promise of peace at last – but life in Darrowby is far from simple... James (Nicholas Ralph) is juggling veterinary work with the demands of family life, while Helen (Rachel Shenton) is busy raising Jimmy and Rosie as big changes at Heston loom. Siegfried (Samuel West) is as difficult as ever, and Tristan (Callum Woodhouse) returns home after years at war, struggling to readjust. At the heart of it all, Mrs Hall works to keep the household together as everyone looks towards a brighter and more peaceful future... You can watch the stirring new trailer below. The main cast of Ralph, Shenton, West, Woodhouse and Madeley are joined by Patricia Hodge as Mrs Pumphrey and her beloved Pekingese Tricki, Tony Pitts as Helen’s father Richard, and Imogen Clawson as her sister Jenny. They’ll appear alongside long-running guest stars including Mollie Winnard, Conor Deane, Cat Simmons and Lamin Touray. New guest stars for the season include Coronation Street’s Lucy-Jo Hudson and Chris Gascoyne, as well as Gaia Wise (The Dead of Winter), Jonathan Hyde (Titanic), and Philip Martin Brown (Waterloo Road). Speaking last year about her hopes for Helen in season 6, Rachel Shenton said: "Now, we're seeing her as a fully fledged adult, and they [Helen, James and Jimmy] are a young family. "Seeing a bit more of that would be great, because James has been absent [because of the war] until early on in this season." Read more: All Creatures Great and Small season 6 first-look images unveiled All Creatures Great and Small announces good news for fans as season 6 begins filming Nicholas Ralph added: "Certainly because of that separation, having missed the first four months of little Jimmy’s life, getting back to them being a little family, a little unit, a little team, and seeing a lot more of that. Because we’ve missed that, the characters have missed that." All Creatures Great and Small is confirmed to continue beyond season 6, with another Christmas special already confirmed – though its future past 2025 is yet to be announced. All Creatures Great and Small season 6 will launch on Thursday 25th September at 9pm on 5, with episodes available to stream on My5. Seasons 1–5 are available now. You can order James Herriot's All Creatures Great and Small from Amazon. If you're looking for something else to watch, visit our TV Guide or take a look at the rest of our Drama coverage. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Watch The Iris Affair before it hits TV – exclusive preview and cast Q&A
Join us for a sneak peek at Sky’s stylish new thriller – plus a Q&A with stars Niamh Algar, Tom Hollander and creator Neil Cross.
Sky’s gripping new thriller The Iris Affair is coming soon, but lucky Radio Times readers have the chance to catch it early – with a very special free screening. Held at London’s Barbican Centre on Monday 6th October 2025, our exclusive screening in partnership with Sky will showcase the first two episodes of The Iris Affair ahead of their official release, followed by an exclusive Q&A with stars Niamh Algar and Tom Hollander, plus series creator Neil Cross, the mind behind Luther and The Mosquito Coast. So, if you’re eager to hear what inspired Cross’s latest project, or simply want to quiz the cast about what lies in store, you can secure your place with tickets available on a first come, first served basis. Tickets are available now – with a maximum of two per person. The drama sees Algar take on the role of Iris, a brilliant mind who cracks cryptic online puzzles only to stumble upon a dangerous secret that puts her life in jeopardy. Soon, she's drawn into the world of charismatic entrepreneur Cameron Beck (Hollander) and a high-stakes chase across Italy, as a deadly game of cat and mouse begins to unfold. Described as a sleek, sun-drenched thriller, The Iris Affair promises plenty of twists, intrigue and edge-of-your-seat tension when it launches on Sky and NOW this autumn. So why not get ahead of the crowd and watch it before everyone else? The show was first announced, with the working title Iris, in May 2024, with writer/creator Cross saying: "All I wanted to do was to make a show I wanted to watch. "Iris is an unapologetically exciting, witty, chase-driven adventure show and features a lead character the like of which I don't think we've ever met before on TV. "With Niamh Algar and Tom Hollander bringing these complex characters to life, coupled with Terry McDonough's direction, I couldn't be more excited to share this world and these characters." The Iris Affair will launch this autumn on Sky and NOW – get tickets now to our exclusive preview event. 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.
How to choose the next James Bond, with casting boss Debbie McWilliams
"There isn't an absolute ideal mould – there never would be and never should be, because otherwise, it just becomes boring."
For over 40 years, Debbie McWilliams has been a key figure in one of cinema's biggest blockbuster franchises. Having served as casting director on the James Bond films since 1981, she's cast dozens of colourful villains and leading ladies. She has also been tasked with picking the next 007 three times, playing an instrumental role in the hiring of Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and most recently Daniel Craig. She is, one might suggest, the unsung hero of the Bond franchise. "You touch a nerve there," she tells RadioTimes.com. "I am a member of the Academy, so I can vote in the Oscars, but I can't be nominated, and I have battled and battled and battled for years over this." BAFTA, she points out, only introduced an award for Best Casting in 2020, becoming the first major film awards ceremony to do so. "I find it really surprising – I think the trouble is that we don't assert ourselves enough, but we need to, because nobody else is going to if we don't. "I've written to the Academy again this year to say, 'There is a glaring omission, chaps, how about it?' – whether it will ever happen or not, I do not know. "It's really quite shocking, because it means that we remain a kind of second class citizen – although most casting directors now will get a single screen upfront credit, we're the only people who get that who are not eligible for an Oscar... and it's a disgrace, frankly." Though awards recognition appears long overdue (following our conversation, it was announced that the Oscars would indeed be introducing a new award to recognise achievements in casting from 2026), McWilliams insists she's happy with just "getting the job done" – she points to the evolving role and changing face of 'the Bond girl' as one of her proudest achievements. "It was quite a relief that it did start to demand a much more capable actress rather than just a pretty face," she says. "Without naming any names, there are one or two slightly dodgy bits of casting in previous films." Casting Monica Bellucci, then aged 50, as Lucia Sciarra in the 2015 film Spectre was a particular highlight. "I've had some incredibly nice emails from people who are just, you know, ordinary folks who've written all sorts of nice things – there was quite a whoosh of middle-aged ladies when it was announced that Monica Bellucci was going to be in it. They all went, 'Fantastic, a 50-year-old actress is going to be in James Bond!' – and, you know, obviously, she's not your average 50-year-old, but it just proved that the age really didn't matter." Want to own the entire James Bond movie box set? Now's your chance The easiest bit of casting was getting Dame Judi Dench to play Bond's superior M – McWilliams was convinced that Dench, a respected Shakespearean actress, would "never say yes" to a role in a blockbuster, but a personal connection between Dench and the late Bernard Lee, who'd played the original M from 1962 to 1979, meant she leapt at the opportunity to pay tribute to her friend. The most challenging part was Vesper Lynd, Bond's first true love whose betrayal and subsequent demise proves formative for the rookie 00 agent in 2006's Casino Royale. "Prior to that film, there had been a sort of stigma around the 'Bond girl' role and it was very hard to persuade serious actresses to even look at it. "Eva [Green] had always been on the list, but there had been a certain resistance to her – I don't really know why, but I think they felt that maybe she didn't have enough experience. She'd only done a few films and they'd all been very underground, low-budget type of things, but working with someone like Barbara [Broccoli, producer on the Bond series], who has just such a fantastic instinct, we both really, really liked her." Green's first screen test, however, didn't go according to plan. "I'm sure she would be the first to admit she was terrible," says McWilliams. "Nobody had put her in hair and make-up and all the rest of it, so it didn't do her any justice whatsoever, and rather terrifyingly we started shooting Casino Royale without having cast that part. In fact, we hadn't cast Le Chiffre [eventually played by Mads Mikkelsen] either... "But both Barbara and I insisted that Eva came back and had another go – this time, she was in hair and make-up, and she was in wardrobe, and she felt much calmer about the whole thing, and so that's what sealed it." There's one piece of casting in the Bond franchise, though, that generates more discussion and speculation than any other – that of the lead character. With Daniel Craig having bowed out with 2021's No Time to Die, actors linked to the role of 007 in the press have included Bridgerton's Regé-Jean Page, Henry Cavill, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Idris Elba, Slow Horses star Jack Lowden, Tom Hardy, and James Norton. Most of the rumours make her "die laughing", McWilliams says. "I have a theory, which I've trotted out many times, is that when there's a gap in a newspaper, they fill it with a James Bond story, because they haven't got anything else to write about. Why people can't just wait and see, I don't know." There is "no set process" for casting Bond, McWilliams reveals – the number of actors she's met with for the part has varied with each new search. "When Daniel was cast, I met hundreds of people and travelled here, there and everywhere. Barbara Broccoli was the main advocate – she knew she wanted him pretty much from the beginning, but it was proving to everybody else which was the difficulty." Read more about Bond at 70: 70 years of James Bond – the past, present and future of the 007 novels How James Bond’s relationship with the LGBTQ+ community has changed Once an actor's casting is "pretty much decided", they'll then face a final hurdle of a filmed screen test. "It's really just to see how that person looks on screen, and how they respond, and how they feel sitting in that chair." As for the qualities that McWilliams is looking for when casting Bond, she says there's "lots to be taken into consideration" – chiefly though, the person in question must simply be "a brilliant actor" with physical ability and prowess. "There isn't an absolute ideal mould," she explains. "There never would be and never should be, because otherwise, it just becomes boring. "It's the best person for the job and one year it might be one person, one year somebody else – you can't really predict. There isn't an algebraic thing where we say, 'Right, we have this and we have that, and it equals that'. It just doesn't work like that." The approach to each new film and the desired tone will impact casting – the desire to have Casino Royale feel "more contemporary" led to Craig's casting, with the desire "to give Bond a bit more of a kind of menace". "You know, let's face it, as good as Pierce was, he's not a menace, whereas Daniel is – you feel a very strong presence in the room with him, and I think that that is incredibly important." Bond must always be athletic, but also able to blend into a crowd. "He has to look like a regular guy – you can't be Dwayne Johnson. He has to have a great physique – it demands a high level of fitness – but he shouldn't stand out in any situation." As for age, McWilliams explains that while younger actors did try out for Casino Royale, none of them quite fit the bill. "We did look at a lot of younger actors and I just don't think they had the gravitas, they didn't have the experience, they didn't have the mental capacity to take it on, because it's not just the part they're taking on, it's a massive responsibility. "So we kind of scrubbed that idea and went back to the drawing board and started again." That said, an older Bond doesn't necessarily mean an established movie star, with McWilliams pointing to the different levels of fame and success enjoyed by previous 007 actors prior to taking on the role. "The gift of casting a James Bond film..." she says, "... is you don't need to cast a well-known name." When the prospect of recasting Ian Fleming's spy looming once again, it'll no longer be long-time franchise guardians Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson who will make the call – the pair have stepped back from day-to-day creative decisions, with Amazon MGM Studios assuming full creative control over the James Bond franchise. Previously, Broccoli and Wilson would've worked with McWilliams to pick the next Bond – though the studio would also have a view on the casting. Buy the James Bond novels from Waterstones "There's always a bit of back and forth and discussion," McWilliams says of her own role in the series. "I can't impose my will too strongly – although I try to! So no, there's always a level of discussion, but [it was always] Barbara and Michael who [would] have the final say." Without Broccoli, Wilson and McWilliams – who announced her retirement earlier this year – the Bond machine is entering a new era. For the first time in decades, the franchise’s most influential voices are no longer at the controls, leaving the search for the next 007 in uncharted territory – and raising the tantalising question of just what kind of Bond we might meet next. Check out more of our Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
DC movie boss James Gunn would "love to" reshoot more of Peacemaker season 1 to fit the new canon
Gunn admits he’d redo Peacemaker season 1 to fit the DCU — if he could afford it.
James Gunn has admitted he’d happily go back and reshoot more of Peacemaker season 1 to better fit his rebooted DC Universe – if only the budget allowed it. The filmmaker and DC Studios co-CEO addressed lingering fan confusion after the season 2 premiere, The Ties That Grind, revisited the Justice League cameo that closed out season 1. At the time, the scene featured Henry Cavill's Superman, Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman, Jason Momoa's Aquaman, and Ezra Miller's Flash, placing John Cena's Peacemaker firmly in the old DCEU timeline. With that continuity no longer canon, season 2 reframes the Justice League cameo as a Justice Gang moment, slotting in Nathan Fillion's Green Lantern, Isabela Merced's Hawkgirl, and the silhouettes of David Corenswet's Superman, Milly Alcock's Supergirl, and Edi Gathegi's Mister Terrific. Asked if he considered reshooting more of the first season, Gunn told TV Insider: "No, unfortunately I’d have to change too many little things throughout Season 1, and it would cost too much money – and I’d rather just give that money to a few more CGI shots of superheroes." That doesn’t mean he’s ruling it out forever, though. "At some point, I’d love to [George] Lucas the s**t out of it, but right now I don’t have the money,” Gunn said, referencing Star Wars creator George Lucas' penchant for retroactive edits to his original films. View oEmbed on the source website Gunn emphasised that the new DCU canon officially begins with the series Creature Commandos, the big-screen Superman, and Peacemaker season 2. "I’d love for people to watch Season 1. Obviously, we’re changing that one thing, but we’re not gonna go back and reshoot all of it for Season 1, at least not at this point," he explained. Still, his comments suggest that if the DCU grows as planned, nothing is off the table. Gunn has already proven he's willing to remix his past work to align with his new vision, and he’s made it clear he’d happily "Lucas" more of Peacemaker season 1 if he had the cash. Until then, the updated season 2 opener stands as a cheeky compromise – preserving what fans loved, while nudging Peacemaker firmly into the future of the DCU... Peacemaker season 2 is available on Sky Max and NOW – sign up for Sky TV. Add Peacemaker 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 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.
Hostage cast: Who stars alongside Suranne Jones?
Suranne Jones and Julie Delpy lead the cast of Netflix’s gripping new thriller, Hostage.
Across its five tense episodes, Netflix’s Hostage imagines what happens when a high-stakes state visit between the UK and France goes terribly wrong, leaving Prime Minister Abigail Dalton (Suranne Jones) and President Vivienne Toussaint (Julie Delpy) trapped in a spiralling conspiracy. Series star and executive producer Jones has described Abigail as "a fighter" who refuses to give in, even when her family is placed under unbearable strain. As Jones explained of her character’s turbulent arc: "The fact that she is quite volatile in the way she expresses herself sometimes, which I love about her. She wants to remain truthful, and that’s very unusual in the political climate. I think the men around her find that very intimidating and unstabilising." Creator Matt Charman (Oscar-nominated for Bridge of Spies) has been clear that while Hostage hinges on action, it is ultimately a story about power, control and identity. "When I think about the show, I don’t really think about Alex [the kidnapped husband], I think more about the two leaders," he told RadioTimes.com. "They’re the hostages, they’re the ones being held and they’re the ones that are being blackmailed. So, it’s really about riffing on that word 'hostage'." The finale does resolve the core conspiracy but leaves tantalising threads for a potential second season – including the fallout from Sylvie Anderson’s shocking final act – and Charman has hinted that he’d "love to take this story on." For now, though, audiences can revel in the tightly wound performances of its stellar ensemble cast, from Jones and Delpy’s powerhouse pairing to rising stars Corey Mylchreest and Isobel Akuwudike – get the full lowdown on who stars in Hostage below. Read more: 15 tense political thrillers to binge after watching Hostage Hostage cast Suranne Jones as Abigail Dalton Julie Delpy as Vivienne Toussaint Corey Mylchreest as Matheo Lewi Lucian Msamati as Kofi Adomako Ashley Thomas as Alex Anderson James Cosmo as Max Dalton Jehnny Beth as Adrienne Pelletier Martin McCann as Sean For more information about the characters and where you’ve seen the cast before, read on. Suranne Jones plays Abigail Dalton Who is Abigail Dalton? She’s the British prime minister, whose leadership and family are thrown into crisis when her husband is kidnapped during a state visit. Fierce, ruthless and unyielding, Abigail is forced to balance political duty with personal turmoil. What else has Suranne Jones been in? You’ll know her from Doctor Foster, Gentleman Jack, Vigil, Coronation Street and Scott & Bailey. Julie Delpy plays Vivienne Toussaint Who is Vivienne Toussaint? She is the French president, targeted in a blackmail plot during her UK visit. While clashing with Abigail, she must decide how far she’s willing to go to protect her position and country. What else has Julie Delpy been in? She’s known for the Before film trilogy comprising Before Sunrise (1995), Before Sunset (2004) and Before Midnight (2013), as well as the Three Colors trilogy, 2 Days in Paris and Waking Life. Corey Mylchreest plays Matheo Lewis Who is Matheo Lewis? A young figure closely tied to the unfolding conspiracy, whose loyalties and connections place him at the centre of dangerous events. What else has Corey Mylchreest been in? You’ll recognise him from Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, The Sandman, and My Oxford Year. Lucian Msamati plays Kofi Adomako Who is Kofi Adomako? A senior political adviser whose experience and instincts make him vital as the British government scrambles to respond to the escalating crisis. What else has Lucian Msamati been in? He’s appeared in Gangs of London, Conclave, His Dark Materials, Game of Thrones and Luther. Ashley Thomas plays Alex Anderson Who is Alex Anderson? He’s the husband of Prime Minister Abigail Dalton, whose abduction triggers the chain of events that threaten to derail international diplomacy. What else has Ashley Thomas been in? He’s starred in Them, 24: Legacy, Salvation and Top Boy. Thomas is also an award-winning musician, going by the stage name Bashy. Jehnny Beth plays Adrienne Pelletier Who is Adrienne Pelletier? A member of President Toussaint’s trusted inner circle, Adrienne is drawn into the spiralling crisis as loyalties are tested. What else has Jehnny Beth been in? She’s known for Anatomy of a Fall, An Impossible Love and Paris, 13th District. James Cosmo plays Max Dalton Who is Max Dalton? Abigail's father, offering both support and conflict as she navigates the political and personal chaos. What else has James Cosmo been in? You’ve seen him in Braveheart, Troy, Game of Thrones, His Dark Materials and Jack Ryan. Additional cast includes: Martin McCann plays John Shagan Isobel Akuwudike plays Sylvie Anderson Sophie Robertson plays Saskia Morgan Hiftu Quasem plays Ayesha Hostage is streaming now on Netflix. Sign up for Netflix from £5.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream. Add Hostage to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Brian Cox: "I think I’m the best Hannibal Lecter there ever was"
Cox has suggested his subtle, "interior" Hannibal Lecter outshines Anthony Hopkins’ iconic take.
Some of our finest actors have portrayed novelist Thomas Harris's cannibal killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter – most notably Anthony Hopkins in three movies between 1991 and 2002 and Mads Mikkelsen in a 2013-15 television series. But the first performer to bring the character to the screen – albeit credited as "Hannibal Lecktor" – was the Emmy-winning actor Brian Cox, who played the role in Michael Mann's 1986 cult classic film Manhunter. The film – an adaptation of Harris's novel Red Dragon – was met with mixed reviews on initial release, but saw increased interest and critical reappraisal following Hopkins' turn in 1991's Silence of the Lambs. Cox recently reflected on his performance as Lecter/Lecktor at an exclusive preview of 007: Road to a Million season 2 hosted by Prime Video and Radio Times (with the actor reprising his role as the nefarious Controller on the Prime Video series). "It’s a wonderful film," he said of Manhunter. "I think I’m the best Hannibal Lecter there ever was, because I play it internally – I don’t do any funny Chianti s**t… I don’t do any of that," Cox quipped, referring to the famous Silence of the Lambs scene in which Hopkins' Lecter recalls eating a victim's "liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti" before making a dramatic slurping noise. Cox continued: "I play the guy as I think he really is. "God bless [Hopkins], he did it very well – he got a lot of money out of it and he also got an Oscar [for Best Actor]. What can I argue about that? "But at the same time, to me Hannibal Lecter is a much more internal guy than he is externally… he’s somebody who works from the interior out, not from the exterior in, and I think that’s the difference." The Succession star went on to describe Hopkins as a "brilliant actor" and his take on the character "perfectly valid", adding: "There’s no question about Tony’s acting. But my view is… go in, not out. That’s the difference." Hopkins would follow his award-winning Silence of the Lambs turn with two more appearances as Lecter in 2001 film Hannibal and a second screen adaptation of Red Dragon in 2002. Cox's latest project, Prime Video's reality competition series 007: Road to a Million, sees his character set contestants a series of James Bond-inspired challenges in the hopes of winning a sizeable cash prize. Cox recently spoke to Radio Times about the future of the Bond movie franchise and revealed his thoughts on who should replace Daniel Craig as 007 on the big-screen. "There’s so much up for grabs in terms of redefining Bond and how you can bring him up to date," he said. "Is Cillian Murphy being recommended? I think that would be interesting. I like Cillian. He’s very real, he’s got no crap about him." Read more: Brian Cox reveals which Succession character would win 007: Road to a Million You can watch the 007: Road to a Million season 2 trailer below. View oEmbed on the source website Sign up for a 30-day free trial of Prime Video and pay £8.99 a month after that. Add 007: Road to a Million to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.