Stranger Things season 5 cast: Meet the new and returning characters
Here’s your guide to the main nerds and newbies in Stranger Things season 5.
The first four episodes of Stranger Things season 5 are finally upon us, launching the Hawkins gang back onto our screens for one final battle against big bad Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower). The fifth and final season of the Netflix show picks up with our heroes united by a single goal: to find and kill Vecna. But with his whereabouts and plans unknown, and Hawkins under lockdown, this is far from an easy task. Despite a whole host of incredible guest actors featuring throughout the show’s run (we’re still not over Bob!), fans will be pleased to hear that the Duffer Brothers have focused on wrapping up OG characters’ storylines in season 5 rather than introduce too many more new faces. "We're doing our best to resist [adding new characters] for season 5," Matt Duffer previously told Indiewire. "We're trying not to do that so we can focus on the OG characters, I guess." Having said that, there are a few new faces this time around, with new additions to the cast including Linda Hamilton as the mysterious new character, Dr Kay. So as we wait patiently for volume 2 to drop later in December, read on for everything you need to know about the returning and new cast members in Stranger Things season 5. Full Stranger Things season 5 cast The following cast members are in Stranger Things 5. David Harbour as Jim Hopper Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven / Jane Hopper Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers Noah Schnapp as Will Byers Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler Cara Buono as Karen Wheeler Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair Priah Ferguson as Erica Sinclair Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield Joe Keery as Steve Harrington Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley Brett Gelman as Murray Bauman Jamie Campbell Bower as Henry Creel / One / Vecna Nell Fisher as Holly Wheeler Jake Connelly as Derek Turnbow Linda Hamilton as Dr. Kay Sherman Augustus as Lt Colonel Sullivan Alex Breaux as Lt Robert Akers Sherman Augustus as Lt Colonel Sullivan Amybeth McNulty as Vickie Joe Chrest as Ted Wheeler Clayton Royal Johnson as Andy Hunter Romanillos as Chance Randy Havens as Scott Clarke Stranger Things season 5 cast: Who are the new characters? Linda Hamilton plays Dr Kay Who is Dr Kay? A hyper-intelligent and intimidating government agent overseeing the military occupation in Hawkins, head scientist Dr Kay is taking on Dr Martin Brenner’s (Matthew Modine) work following his death º and hunting Eleven (Brown) in the process. What else has Linda Hamilton been in? Actor Linda Hamilton is the latest in a long line of iconic '80s stars to join the behemoth Netflix sci-fi show. She’ll be instantly recognisable to fans for her work across both TV and film – most notably for her role as Sarah Connor in James Cameron’s Terminator franchise. She has also starred in NBC’s spy comedy Chuck as CIA agent and Chuck (Zachary Levi) and Ellie’s (Sarah Lancaster) estranged mother and the 1987 TV series, Beauty and the Beast Jake Connelly plays Derek Turnbow Who is Derek Turnbow? A classmate of Holly Wheeler (Nell Fisher), he’s a bully and a rude, spoiled kid who is the son of the Turnbow family, real estate owners in Hawkins. With the third episode titled "The Turnbow Trap", expect him to feature heavily in this one! What else has Jake Connelly been in? The latest young newbie in Hawkins, this is Connelly’s first major acting role. He’s previously featured in Juan C Linares’s short Between the Silence. Alex Breaux plays Lt Robert Akers Who is Lt Robert Akers? Despite his military title, Lt Akers functions chiefly as one of Dr Kay’s (Hamilton) henchmen, working at her side in the lab while tracking down Eleven (Brown). What else has Alex Breaux been in? With previous experience in the Stranger Things universe playing a younger Dr Brenner in Stranger Things: The First Shadow on Broadway, Breaux has also starred in American Primeval and See. Stranger Things season 5 cast: Who are the returning characters? Noah Schnapp plays Will Byers Who is Will Byers? The most timid member of the party, Will is taken prisoner in the Upside Down during the events of the first season, and after he is freed finds himself possessed by the Mind Flayer in season 2. Despite Will’s direct connection to the shadow dimension falling to the wayside in seasons 3 and 4, it looks like it’ll be front and centre in season 5 – with Vecna declaring "William, you are going to help me one last time". What else has Noah Schnapp been in? Stranger Things has been Schnapp's most prominent role to date – but he had a small role in Adam Sandler’s Hubie Halloween, Steven Spielberg's Bridge of Spies and also starred in Waiting for Anya and Hubie Halloween. Millie Bobby Brown plays Eleven/Jane Hopper Who is Eleven? A telekinetic girl who mysteriously arrived in Hawkins in the first season and soon proves herself to be the only match for the creatures of the Upside down. Across the first three seasons she is taken in by Hopper and forms a romantic relationship with Mike, but at the end of the third season, she loses her powers. Following the reveal of her ties to Henry Creel (Bower) and how she inadvertently created Vecna, she’s bracing for the upcoming showdown with her former ‘friend’ following the opening of the Rifts at the end of season 4. What else has Millie Bobby Brown been in? Stranger Things was a breakout role for the young actor – although she had already had a prominent part in the BBC miniseries Intruders. Since then she's starred as Madison Russell in the MonsterVerse film series, plays the title role in the Enola Holmes films, along with other Netflix films Damsel and The Electric State. Winona Ryder plays Joyce Byers Who is Joyce Byers? Will and Jonathan Byers' mother, Joyce is a caring, strong-willed woman who works as a retail clerk. A lifelong Hawkins resident, she has been more affected than most by the strange events in the town – from the disappearance of her son Will in season one to the death of her love interest Bob in season 2. She also reunites with Hopper – who appeared to die at the end of season 3 – teaming up with Murray (Brett Gelman) to travel to Russia and rescue him. Joyce and her family return to Hawkins in the final adventure, following their move to California in season 4. What else has Winona Ryder been in? After breaking through with a succession of hit roles in the late '80s – including Beetlejuice and Heathers – Ryder become one of the biggest Hollywood stars in the '90s, appearing in a succession of big films such as Bram Stoker's Dracula, The Age of Innocence, Little Women, The Crucible, Alien: Resurrection and Girl, Interrupted. Other big-screen credits have included Star Trek and Black Swan, while her TV work also includes a main role in the acclaimed 2020 series The Plot Against America. David Harbour plays Jim Hopper Who is Jim Hopper? The Hawkins chief of police, Hopper has lived in Hawkins nearly all his life and was at school with Joyce. A recovering alcoholic, he forms a close bond with Eleven and takes her in as his daughter after saving Will from the Demogorgon. He was seemingly killed by an explosion caused by a Russian machine used to open a portal to the Upside Down at the end of the previous run, but Joyce (Ryder) and Murray (Brett Gelman) rescue him from a Russian jail as he’s going toe-to-toe with a Demogorgon in season 4. They return to Hawkins and he’s helping train Eleven (Brown) for her upcoming fight with Vecna. What else has David Harbour been in? Hopper has become Harbour's most well-known role, but he's also become a fan favourite in the MCU thanks to his loveable turn as the washed up Red Guardian in Thunderbolts and Black Widow. He’s also played the title character in the 2019 Hellboy reboot and starred as none other than Santa himself in Violent Night. Finn Wolfhard plays Mike Wheeler Who is Mike Wheeler? An intelligent but snarky teenager, Mike is close friends with Lucas, Dustin and Will and usually plays the role of Dungeon Master during their games of Dungeons & Dragons – until they join the Hellfire Club. He develops feelings for Eleven soon after she first arrives in town and the two eventually start a rocky relationship. With season 4 splitting The Party between Hawkins and California, Mike is firmly back in ‘leadership mode’ for their mission to hunt down Vecna in season 5, according to star Wolfhard. What else has Finn Wolfhard been in? Before starring in Stranger Things, Wolfhard had appeared in only minor TV roles – but he's since gone on to pick up some impressive film credits, including It, Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio. Gaten Matarazzo plays Dustin Henderson Who is Dustin Henderson? Another member of Mike's friendship group, Dustin is an enthusiastic science nerd who is obsessed with monsters and has the most extensive knowledge of Dungeons & Dragons. He forms an unlikely but endearing friendship with Steve in season 2 and also Hellfire Club DM Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn) in season 4. However, following Eddie’s tragic sacrifice in the Upside Down at the end of season 4, Dustin is still grieving his friend while trying to track down Vecna in season 5. What else has Gaten Matarazzo been in? Matarazzo first found fame as a Broadway child actor – playing Benjamin in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and as Gavroche in Les Misérables – but starring as Dustin is what really made his name. He’s also starred in the film Honor Society, along with tallying up a number of impressive voice roles in Cartoon Saloon's My Father’s Dragon, Andy Serkis's Animal Farm and Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy. Caleb McLaughlin plays Lucas Sinclair Who is Lucas Sinclair? Another close friend of Mike, Will and Dustin, Lucas is initially sceptical of Eleven when she arrives in Hawkins but soon learns to trust her. He is known for his excellence when it comes to the slingshot – which proves to save the gang in season 3 – and has been in an on-off relationship with Max since season 2. However, she was nearly killed by Vecna in season 4, and remains at her bedside in hospital as she’s in a coma. Season 4 saw him become the school’s basketball star, scoring the final points to win the match for the Hawkins Tigers. What else has Caleb McLaughlin been in? Before he started playing Lucas, McLaughlin had starred as Young Simba in the Broadway production of The Lion King and he's also had roles in the films High Flying Bird and Concrete Cowboy. Sadie Sink plays Max Mayfield Who is Max Mayfield? An avid skateboarder and tomboy who arrives in Hawkins with her aggressive older brother in season 2, Max soon befriends Mike, Will, Lucas and Dustin and eventually begins a relationship with Lucas. She also becomes close friends with Eleven, especially in the third run. Following the death of her step-brother Billy Hargrove – who was possessed by the Mind Flayer in season 3 – she finds herself a target of Vecna, who almost kills her. She’s currently in the hospital in a coma with Lucas (McLaughlin) by her side. What else has Sadie Sink been in? Sink starred as Ziggy Berman in the Netflix Fear Street trilogy in 2021, a year that also saw her take on a key role in Taylor Swift's All Too Well: The Short Film. She's also starred in Annie and The Audience on Broadway, along with films Dear Zoe, The Whale and O’Dessa. She’s also set to make her West End debut next year in Robert Icke’s take on Romeo and Juliet. Natalia Dyer plays Nancy Wheeler Who is Nancy Wheeler? Mike's older sister, Nancy was initially in a relationship with Steve, but soon finds herself falling for Jonathan instead. She is very handy with a gun and has aspirations to be a journalist, working alongside Jonathan as an intern at the Hawkins Post in season 3 – which eventually leads to her making key discoveries about the Mind Flayer. In season 4, she went toe-to-toe with Vecna in the Upside Down, alongside Steve (Keery), Robin (Hawke) and Eddie (Joseph Quinn). What else has Natalia Dyer been in? Dyer's screen credits include the films Hannah Montana: The Movie, Velvet Buzzsaw, Yes, God, Yes, Things Heard & Seen and horror film, All Fun and Games. Charlie Heaton plays Jonathan Byers Who is Jonathan Byers? Will's brother, Jonathan is an outsider who eventually begins a relationship with his long-term crush Nancy, with whom he becomes an intern at the Hawkins Post. He leaves Hawkins with the rest of his family at the end of season 3 – but helps rescue Eleven from the clutches of Lt Colonel Sullivan in the desert at the end of season 4. With the shadow dimension infiltrating Hawkins, he teams up with his old gang to help in their final fight with Vecna. What else has Charlie Heaton been in? Stranger Things is Heaton's most well-known role – but he's also appeared in films such as Marrowbone, The New Mutants, The Souvenir Part 2 and alongside Al Pacino in Billy Knight, in addition to an episode of the anthology series Soulmates. Joe Keery plays Steve Harrington Who is Steve Harrington? A popular student at Hawkins high school, Steve is first introduced as Nancy's boyfriend, but the pair split up in season 1. Despite initially being a minor villain, he becomes far more sympathetic from the second season onwards, forming a close bond with Dustin, acting as a protector of the kids and helping in the fight against the Demogorgon. While working at ice cream shop Scoops Ahoy in season 3 he develops feelings for his co-worker Robin – although is rebuffed when she reveals she's a lesbian. In season 4, he took on Vecna (and a whole host of demobats!) alongside Nancy and Robin, and in season 5, he looks to help support his grieving friend Dustin. What else has Joe Keery been in? Keery had relatively few credits to his name before starring in Stranger Things, but he's since gone on to have roles in the films Molly's Game, Spree and Free Guy in addition to the Netflix specials Death to 2020 and Death to 2021. He’s also starred in season 5 of Noah Hawley’s much loved TV series Fargo. Maya Hawke plays Robin Buckley Who is Robin Buckley? Introduced in season 3 as Steve's co-worker at Scoops Ahoy, Robin hates her job but is able to help the gang when she decodes the Russian radio message and finds the base along with Steve, Dustin, and Erica. She has been in a band for 12 years and is a lesbian – which is revealed due to the influence of truth serum. She then teamed up with Nancy and Steve to stand against Vecna in Season 4, severely injuring him. What else has Maya Hawke been in? The daughter of Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke, Hawke's first major role was as Jo March in the BBC adaptation of Little Women in 2017, while she's also had some very impressive films roles in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City, Bradley Cooper's Maestro and voicing Anxiety in Disney and Pixar’s sequel, Inside Out 2. Brett Gelman plays Murray Bauman Who is Murray Bauman? Murray is a private investigator and conspiracy theorist who helps Nancy and Jonathan in their mission to shut down Hawkins National Laboratory in season 2, and helps Joyce and Hopper infiltrate the secret underground base in Starcourt Mall in season 3. He also teams up with Joyce as they rescue Hopper from a brutal Russian prison in season 4, and is set to help the gang in their final fight. What else has Brett Gelman been in? Gelman famously played the role of Martin in Fleabag, and has also had roles on Eagleheart, Go On, and Twin Peaks. On the big screen, he's appeared in The Other Guys, The Disaster Artist, Without Remorse and Boy Kills World. Priah Ferguson plays Erica Sinclair Who is Erica Sinclair? You can’t spell America without Erica! Lucas' super sassy (and scene stealing) younger sister, Erica plays a key role in helping Dustin, Steve, and Robin infiltrate the Russian base beneath Starcourt Mall in season 3 and further helps the gang rescue Steve, Robin, Nancy and Eddie from the Upside Down. She briefly joined the Hellfire Club in their final session as Lady Applejack, a level 14 chaotic good half-elf rogue. What else has Priah Ferguson been in? Child actor Ferguson has appeared in TV series The Curse of Bridge Hollow, as well as episodes of Atlanta and Mercy Street. Her film credits include Perfectville, The Oath and The Curse of Bridge Hollow. Cara Buono plays Karen Wheeler Who is Karen Wheeler? Nancy and Mike's mother, Karen is loving and doting but isn't always aware of what her children are getting up to – and sometimes appears bored with family life, until she considers having a fling with Billy (Montgomery) in season 3. In the fifth season, she’ll be facing a Demogorgon, alongside daughter Holly (Fisher), as it breaks into the Wheeler family home. What else has Cara Buono been in? Buono has appeared in some of the most acclaimed TV shows of all time – playing Dr Faye Miller in Mad Men and Kelli Moltisanti in The Sopranos. Film roles include Hulk, Let Me In and Monsters and Men. Nell Fisher plays Holly Wheeler Who is Holly Wheeler? The youngest Wheeler sibling, Holly has been there from the start, witnessing the Demogorgon bending the walls of Joyce’s house back in season 1. While she’s played a more background role in the show so far, that’s all going to change with season five, as she “finds comfort in an imaginary friend” – with signs pointing to a certain big bad. She’ll also face a Demogorgon alongside her mother Karen, in a tense underwater scene. What else has Nell Fisher been in? Fisher has most notably starred in Evil Dead Rise, the fifth entry in the iconic horror franchise, as the youngest sister Kassie. She’s also starred in the films Bookworm and Choose Love. Jamie Campbell Bower plays Vecna Who is Vecna? The major big bad unveiled in season 4, Vecna is pulling all the strings in both the shadow dimension and Hawkins, murdering the town’s children and opening rifts in the process. Revealed to be Henry Creel (aka 001), the first child with telekinesis to be taken by Dr Brenner (Modine), he was sent to the Upside Down by Eleven, who opened the first gate. He seeks to destroy Eleven and merge the two dimensions, creating a whole new (terrifying!) world. What else has Jamie Campbell Bower been in? Bower has starred in several blockbuster franchises including The Twilight series, Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts and Mortal Instruments. Stranger Things season 5 premieres on Netflix UK on Thursday 27th November. Add Stranger Things 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.
The Mighty Nein release schedule: When are new episodes out on Prime Video?
It’s time to grab your pink lollipop and Uk'otoa card game as the long-awaited adaptation of Critical Role’s second role-playing campaign, The Mighty Nein, has finally landed! First announced back in January 2023, the series follows the beloved ragtag band of fugitives and misfits on their magical adventures in the realm of Wildemount, with the threat of war looming over the powerful reality-shaping arcana relic known as "the Beacon". But what's next for the gang? Here's everything you need to know about when episode 4 is released. How many episodes of The Mighty Nein are there? There are eight episodes in total of The Mighty Nein season 1, released across November and December. This marks a much shorter run of episodes in comparison to Critical Role’s first animated series, The Legend of Vox Machina, which consisted of 12 episodes across the three seasons. However, the episode runtimes are a lot longer, ranging from 42 to 48 minutes in length compared to TLOVM’s 22-minute episodes. Star and CEO of Critical Role Productions Travis Willingham recently explained to fans at GalaxyCon San Jose 2025 that this was due to feedback about the pacing in TLOVM. “We were trying to cram so much stuff into these twelve-episode seasons,” Willingham explained, “and because of that, a lot of the feedback that we got was like, 'Man, the pace is so fast. I wish it would just take a breath.' “And we feel the same way. But we're also trying to accordion so much stuff into a season. We did the math one time and it was somewhere between uh squishing 28 to 32 hours [of gameplay] down into twelve, 22-minute episodes per season. Which is crazy! It's almost impossible.” “But going 44-minutes meant we have a little bit more road, a little more runway” he continued, “each season has more time total to be able to tell those stories. And it was important to us to start from an origin perspective for Mighty Nein” The Mighty Nein release schedule: When are new episodes released? Critical Role fans are certainly being treated with a three episode premiere, but from there on out it’s back to the weekly drop format for the animated series. Here's an overview of the release schedule for The Mighty Nein: The Mighty Nein episode 1 – Mote of Possibility – Wednesday 19th November 2025 The Mighty Nein episode 2 – Who Will You Be? – Wednesday 19th November 2025 The Mighty Nein episode 3 – The Fletching & Moondrop Traveling Carnival of Curiosities – Wednesday 19th November 2025 The Mighty Nein episode 4 – The Mighty Nein – Wednesday 26th November 2025 The Mighty Nein episode 5 – Little Spark – Wednesday 3rd December 2025 The Mighty Nein episode 6 – Many Gifts – Wednesday 10th December 2025 The Mighty Nein episode 7 – Belonging – Wednesday 17th December 2025 The Mighty Nein episode 8 – The Zadash Job – Wednesday 22nd December 2025 The Mighty Nein premieres on Prime Video on Wednesday 19th November 2025. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Doctor Who star hints Kate Lethbridge-Stewart might not survive The War Between the Land and the Sea
Jemma Redgrave is back in action in The War Between the Land and the Sea.
Whovians considering skipping the upcoming spinoff series The War Between the Land and the Sea may have to think again following the latest tease from a major fan favourite Doctor Who star. In the Doctor’s absence, UNIT’s Commander-in-Chief Kate Lethbridge-Stewart (Jemma Redgrave) steps up to try to halt an impending attack from the Sea Devils in this five-part standalone story. Likened to Independence Day, The War Between the Land and the Sea explores a growing conflict between humanity and the ocean dwellers, who are enraged by the state of the sea due to the pollution and the climate crisis. To try and avert the looming international conflict, Lethbridge-Stewart and her team - in particular, low-level UNIT operative and unlikely ambassador Barclay Pierre-DuPont (Russell Tovey) - attempt to reason with the Classic era villains. But will everyone make it out alive? Star Jemma Redgrave isn’t so sure, as she exclusively told RadioTimes.com: “If she survives this series, I don't know where she can go next…” The Doctor Who star continued: “But I've had a most extraordinary time and journey with this character and through different series of Doctor Who and now through this series.” “And every time I get the call, it feels like another gift. Long may it last.” Writer Pete McTighe added: “The character of Kate Lethbridge-Stewart... I think if you're a huge fan of Doctor Who and you know that legacy character and you love that character like I do, I think you'll be very surprised about the journey that she goes on through the show. Her character arc, in particular for Doctor Who fans, is probably the most surprising.” The fan favourite character was first portrayed by Beverley Cressman back in 1995, before Jemma Redgrave debuted in the reintroduced role in the 2012 episode "The Power of Three". She’ll also be joined by fellow UNIT colleagues Colonel Christofer Ibrahim (Alexander Devrient) and Scientific Advisor Shirley Anne Bingham (Ruth Madeley), along with General Austin Pierce, with Colin McFarlane reprising his role from Torchwood: Children of Earth. We have no idea what the Doctor - and any of their many companions - would do without the help of the illustrious UNIT leader, (her double-bluff against the Zygons remains a real highlight) so we’ll be crossing our fingers that she makes it through the events of the upcoming miniseries! 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 Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Sci-fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The War Between the Land and the Sea writer promises Easter Eggs for fans of classic Doctor Who
Fans of the Whoniverse will no doubt be keeping their eyes peeled for any familiar faces and nods to the wider Doctor Who franchise when spinoff The War Between the Land and the Sea debuts on the BBC next week. The Earth-based drama explores an impending conflict between mankind and returning foes the Sea Devils, as the Unified Intelligence Taskforce (UNIT) are forced to step up in the Doctor’s absence. The series features the return of a whole host of characters, including Jemma Redgrave, Alexander Devrient and Ruth Madeley reprising their UNIT roles, along with Colin McFarlane returning as General Austin Pierce from Torchwood: Children of Earth. And with the focus on the Sea Devils - who were last seen clashing with Jodie Whittaker’s Thirteenth Doctor in the 2022 special Legend of the Sea Devils - fans are finally set to discover more about this formidable but somewhat mysterious foe. When asked about ties to the wider Doctor Who universe, writer Pete McTighe revealed: “There are absolutely Easter eggs to be seen – if you get the pause button ready, you'll be seeing plenty of stuff.” <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" /> “What's great about the Sea Devils as a civilisation is we didn't really know much about them before,” Davies explains. “Essentially, they were monsters on a beach in Portsmouth, or in Sea Base, we didn't really delve into their culture and their society, and that's what we're able to do a lot more of here.” And it looks like Whovians will finally get a glimpse at their home world. “We spend a lot more time with them, we actually go to their world in episode 3, which is incredible,” he continues. “You get to see how they live and their environment and all the different species, so that's been a huge amount of fun to expand the backstory.” First debuting in the 1972 serial The Sea Devils alongside Jon Pertwee’s Third Doctor, the species has certainly had quite the makeover since its original appearance. They’ve dwelled in the Earth’s oceans for millions of years, but upon awakening to find that mankind has polluted the seas, they soon take action. 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 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.
Why was Holly Wheeler recast in Stranger Things season 5? Nell Fisher character explained
The youngest member of the Wheeler family is finally getting her time to shine.
Following almost 10 years of D&D campaigns, duets and a discovery of Eggo’s, the final adventure in Hawkins is upon us – and fans have not been left disappointed by the showdown in Stranger Things season 5 volume 1. With the town under military quarantine, multiple rifts opening up and Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) still looming large. the party members are going to need all the help they can get to defeat the big bad once and for all. Stranger Things has always been a close-knit family-and-friends affair, with the main party’s relatives all tangled up in the strange events. This time round, one of the youngest cast members has stepped up to the plate. Holly Wheeler, the younger sister of Mike and Nancy Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard and Natalia Dyer), has entered the fray – with a new actor being welcomed to Netflix's flagship sci-fi series in the role. Here's everything we know about Holly's recasting and what part she plays in the fifth instalment. Already raced through season 5 volume 1? Check out our ending explained, or delve into the soundtrack of season 5. Why was Holly Wheeler recast in Stranger Things season 5? With Holly now older and set to play more of a substantial role – promoted from supporting cast to the main party – the Duffer Brothers have opted to recast the role, bringing in an older and more experienced actor. Holly Wheeler has been there from the start, witnessing the very fabric of Joyce Byers's (Winona Ryder) walls shift from the inter-dimensional effects of a Demogorgon searching for Will (Noah Schnapp) back in season 1. Originally played by twins Anniston and Tinsley Price since 2016, the youngest of the Wheeler children has quite literally grown up over the course of the show’s four seasons. But with season 5 of Stranger Things set in the Autumn of 1987 - approximately a year after the heartbreaking events of season 4 (miss you, Eddie Munson!) – there’s another time jump to contend with. While this shift helps age up the main characters to match the actor’s real-life ages – as the delays in production has resulted in the cast visibly maturing between seasons – the same can’t be said for the twins. This isn’t the first time a recurring family member’s screen time has been upgraded. Priah Ferguson’s brilliantly sharp and sassy Erica Sinclair, sister of Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), played a major role in seasons 3 and 4, following her debut back in season 2. Actress Fisher opened up about her role, telling RadioTimes.com of her favourite moment: "I have this amazing sequence with Cara [Buono] who plays my mum where it's like quite a lot of action. "In the trailer we saw a little sneak peek of her and I hiding underwater and there's a whole lot to follow, which was a dream to film." How old is Holly Wheeler in Stranger Things season 5? Holly Wheeler is meant to be between 9 and 10 years old in Stranger Things season 5 – but there's been a lot of back and forth about the character's age over the course of the seasons. Actress Fisher is 14, although would have been 12 for most of season 5's production schedule. Who plays Holly Wheeler in Stranger Things season 5? With a more substantial arc in the fifth outing, the Duffer Brothers have turned to Evil Dead Rise’s Nell Fisher to take on the mantle of the youngest Wheeler sibling. Her experience in the fifth film in the classic horror franchise will no doubt have played a key role in the recasting – especially with the numerous Evil Dead references woven throughout Stranger Things's four seasons. Writer Matt Duffer exclusively told Radio Times: "We were very careful not to expand the cast too much, because the cast is already so large, but I think Nell Fisher is a really exciting new talent, and she's playing Holly Wheeler, and she's just absolutely phenomenal. So we're excited to introduce her to the world." Stranger Things 5 part 2 premieres on Netflix on Christmas Day. Add Stranger Things 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.
Doctor Who boss reveals how new spin-off is linked to Torchwood: Children of Earth
There's one big link between the two spin-offs.
As Doctor Who fans prepare to dive head-first into a brand new spin-off with the forthcoming five-part series The War Between the Land and the Sea, the show’s creator and franchise stalwart – has opened up about any further Whoniverse connections. The mini series features UNIT (Unified Intelligence Taskforce) commander-in-chief Kate Lethbridge-Stewart (Jemma Redgrave), Colonel Christofer Ibrahim (Alexander Devrient) and newcomer Barclay (Russell Tovey), as they attempt to halt the growing international crisis between mankind and the Doctor’s old enemy, The Sea Devils. Along with spotlighting the iconic ancient foes – who first faced off against Jon Pertwee’s Third Doctor back in 1972 – the new chapter has direct links to early noughties spin-off Torchwood, particularly its third season, Children of Earth, most prominently, the return of Colin McFarlane's General Austin Pierce. When asked about potential ties, showrunner and writer Russell T Davies exclusively told RadioTimes.com: “I think you’ll have fun if you watch this and Children of Earth together, because they’re both about alien species – or otherworldly species – encountering the human race in an ambassadorial context.” Eagle-eyed Torchwood fans will undoubtedly want to move this to the top of their watchlist, as Davies confirmed: “We use a lot of the same sets as we used in Children of Earth… you’ll see a lot of the same staircases appear, a lot of the same corridors… It’s in the same world.” In one of the spin-off show’s darkest arcs, the hugely popular third instalment saw the alien race known as 456 return to Earth, demanding the British government hand over 10 per cent of the world's children – or they would destroy the human race. As a result, the government ordered the assassination of all Torchwood members in an attempt to cover up their past involvement with the aliens dating back to 1965, with disastrous consequences for the covert team. The upcoming UNIT-centric spin-off features a similarly tense showdown between mankind and another species, with Davies noting: “It is how I think we would approach an alien species, as ambassadors, for formal talks, so [it’s a] very different show, very different things happening, but I hope someone splices together the scenes that take place in the same corridors.” We can’t wait to see the inevitable fan edit of the crossover when The War Between the Land and the Sea splash-lands on our screens this December! 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 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 boss reveals future of new spin-off – and promises "powerful" credits scene
"Stay tuned for the very end, keep watching.”
As Doctor Who fans count down the days to spin-off series The War Between the Land and the Sea, the show’s creator and stars have shared an intriguing new teaser about the five-part BBC drama. Billed as a miniseries launching on BBC One and iPlayer, the upcoming UNIT-centric (Unified Intelligence Taskforce) show – starring Russell Tovey, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Jemma Redgrave – will feature a “powerful” end-credits scene that is sure to excite Whovians. Asked whether The War Between the Land and the Sea is strictly a standalone series, showrunner and writer Russell T Davies exclusively told RadioTimes.com: "It's a complete story – it absolutely ends... and I will say, stay tuned for the very end, keep watching.” While the Doctor Who stalwart is keeping quiet on the exact specifics, he confirmed that fans should temper their expectations regarding a potential cameo from the Time Lord, clarifying: “That doesn't mean... that sounds like the Doctor appears – that's not what happens! But within the story, the credits start to roll... keep watching!” As we await the next slice of timey-wimey adventure following that huge Billie Piper-shaped cliffhanger ahead of the 2026 Christmas special, it’s encouraging to see the BBC continue to expand the franchise with another spin-off, joining beloved shows Torchwood, The Sarah Jane Adventures and Class. <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" /> With a powerful geopolitical eco-thriller plot spotlighting the effects of pollution and the climate crisis within the iconic Sea Devils’ (aka Homo Aqua) realm, fans can look forward to a compelling drama set within the beloved universe and driven by a star-studded cast. The relationship between Tovey’s UNIT worker Barclay and Mbatha-Raw’s Sea Devil, Salt, is set to form the emotional core of the series – with the pair “changing each other forever”. And Davies is certainly full of praise for the performances, teasing: “It's one of the most powerful endings within the most amazing performance from one of this cast you'll ever see.” We’re sold! Star Mbatha-Raw also opened up about her experience on the show, telling RadioTimes.com “it's been an amazing journey”. When asked about the future of the spin-off, the Loki star added: “I think this particular chapter of the story feels fully-formed as its own thing, but there's a whole world out there under the sea, so who knows what Russell has in mind?” 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 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.
Hazbin Hotel season 3 release date speculation and latest news
Everything we know so far about Hazbin Hotel season 3 – from release date speculation and returning cast to plot teasers from creator Vivienne Medrano.
Following the climactic two-part season 2 finale, fans of the hit adult animated musical comedy Hazbin Hotel are already looking to book their next stay in the Hellaverse. Fortunately, the series has already been renewed for two more seasons – and thanks to the reveal from Vox actor Christian Borle at GalaxyCon New Orleans, we know that the cast has finished recording the third instalment, with recording already under way for the fourth. A24 and Prime Video confirmed that Hazbin Hotel seasons 3 and 4 were greenlit back in July 2024, with creator Vivienne Medrano announcing the news during the Amazon Studios animation panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2024. Hazbin Hotel season 3 will see Erika Henningsen return as Charlie Morningstar, while Stephanie Beatriz will also be back as Vaggie. Series creator Vivienne Medrano has also confirmed that Jeremy Jordan will return as Lucifer, who is Charlie's father. So, without further ado, here’s what we know so far about Hazbin Hotel season 3. Hazbin Hotel season 3 release date speculation Fans had to wait for 1 year and 8 months to pass between the finale of Hazbin Hotel season 1 and the premiere of season 2. But with recording already complete for the third season, fans hadn't been expecting to weather another huge gap between seasons. However, when asked recently about the season 3 timeline, Vivienne Medrano gave a disappointing update. In an interview with Collider, she said: “I would say [it will be] a similar wait for Season 3…but less of a wait for Season 4 because they were greenlit together.” Based on this update, season 3 will most likely debut in the summer of 2027. Hazbin Hotel season 3 cast Hazbin Hotel season 3 will once again star Erika Henningsen as Charlie Morningstar, the founder and manager of the titular rehabilitation establishment, alongside Stephanie Beatriz as her girlfriend Vaggie. The third season will also feature the highly anticipated return of Jeremy Jordan as Charlie’s father, Lucifer, as confirmed by creator Vivienne Medrano. Here's an overview of the other key players from Hazbin Hotel season 2, many of whom are likely to return for the third entry: Erika Henningsen as Charlie Stephanie Beatriz as Vaggie Keith David as Husk Kimiko Glenn as Niffty Alex Brightman as Sir Pentious Blake Roman as Angel Dust Amir Talai as Alastor Christian Borle as Vo Joel Perez as Valentino Patrick Stump as Abel Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer as Rosie Jeremy Jordan as Lucifer (returning for season 3) Hazbin Hotel season 3 plot theories Hazbin Hotel season 3 certainly set the ball rolling for further exploration of the soul ownership deal between Alastor and Rosie. With that long-awaited reveal of his past life, the series is also set to delve into why Alastor was absent for so long. Medrano recently shared in an interview with Polygon, “The Rosie and Alastor deal is the first stepping stone in a much bigger story that involves so much, moving into season 3. Obviously, that is a perfect question: How is she that powerful? The answer could be many things, but the answer is in season 3. I’m very excited for people to see it.” The third entry is also set to delve deeper into Charlie’s complicated family dynamic, with the exciting return of Lucifer, along with more revelations about the mysterious Lilith, queen of Hell, who Medrano describes as “iconic” to the Hellaverse. Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com about the next instalment, Medrano said: “I don't think it’s too much of a spoiler to just say season 3 is really the Morningstar season. Lucifer is one of my personal favourites, so anything to do with him and all the relationships he has that develop throughout the show to me are some of my favourites.” Is there a Hazbin Hotel season 3 trailer? It looks like those pesky demons have been at play again, as unfortunately there's no footage yet - just the seasons 3 and 4 announcement. We'll update this page when that changes. Hazbin Hotel season 2 is available to stream on Prime Video – try Amazon Prime Video for free for 30 days. Add Hazbin Hotel 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 Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
5 things Stargate needs to learn for a successful revival as '90s phenomenon returns to screens
The revival could be a hit – if it follows our simple five rules.
Stargate is officially coming back to screens and, having franchise veteran Martin Gero on board is an excellent start for the new series – but there are other things it needs to get right. After over thirty years of storytelling, spanning multiple mediums including films, television series, books and games, the iconic '90s sci-fi franchise Stargate is officially set to return. The news was confirmed this week by Prime Video after an announcement video confirmed that a revival series has been greenlit by Amazon MGM Studios – excitingly with franchise stalwart Martin Gero on board as creator, writer, executive producer and showrunner. It was also confirmed that Dean Devlin and "master of disaster" Roland Emmerich, who were the major players behind the original 1994 Stargate movie, are also on board as executive producers. This is undoubtedly fantastic news for Stargate fans who have missed the many adventures through time and space since the final episode of Stargate Universe aired back in 2011(!), but we can’t help but wonder just where the wormhole will take viewers next. Described as a “bold new chapter” in the ​​iconic science fiction franchise, not much else has been revealed about the upcoming series. But we have five initial suggestions that we think could help turn this revival into a hit. Read on for our full list of things the Stargate revival show should do in order to succeed. 5 things Stargate needs to learn as '90s phenomenon returns to screens 1. Balance accessibility for new viewers with meaningful nods for long-time fans One of the major factors that will surely make or break the new series is satisfying both Gaters (die-hard fans) and new – or more casual – viewers who will be delving into the franchise for the first time, with the show acting as a clear jumping-on point. Striking this balance is undoubtedly one of the hardest elements to get right in a revival, reboot, or any new series set within an established universe. You don’t have to look far to see how difficult it is to nail: both Star Wars shows The Mandalorian and Ahsoka have creaked under the weight of introducing nostalgic characters from other formats. This is particularly true of the former, as the show – which primarily began as a Western-esque series about Din Djarin’s endearing relationship with Grogu – has ballooned considerably. View oEmbed on the source website At the same time, the new series should be able to stand on its own without getting too bogged down by what came before. Familiar alien foes (such as the iconic Goa’uld and the Replicators), returning locations and planets (like Chulak and Abydos), and a few meaningful, plot-driven cameos can help satisfy long-time fans, but the story itself should remain accessible for newcomers. Thankfully, Martin Gero has confirmed that he’s making the show for fans and newcomers alike – and potentially even those who don’t currently love a sci-fi franchise. “This is a show for everyone, everywhere,” he reiterated. It’s fantastic to have the original creators on board to help shape a new version of the show, one that aims to carve out its own unique chapter in the Stargate universe – and hopefully, complete with its own unique team (complete with the dysfunctional but endearing dynamic!) 2. Remember what made the franchise beloved, without copying and pasting it There are so many brilliant elements that drew such a huge fanbase to the beloved Stargate universe. Whether it’s the unique premise allowing for countless adventures exploring other worlds, cultures, and technologies through the titular gateway; the blend of science fiction and ancient mythology (particularly Egyptian); the excellent character development; or the genuine humour – there’s just so much to enjoy. The “everyday people in extraordinary settings” angle also adds a strong sense of relatability to the show, with many of the core team made up of military figures or scientists based on Earth. It’s an accessible jumping-on point that helps ground the more fantastical elements. Where the franchise suffered in its later stages was in diluting its original formula, particularly with the introduction of characters from another show (Farscape). While the crossovers between SG-1 and Atlantis were incredibly fun and often a real highlight, the later additions to the SG-1 cast felt like a departure from the grounded, human-focused military science fiction that defined the series. <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/11/GettyImages-153945003-66aceb0-e1763574157821.jpg" width="2288" height="1530" alt="Stargate Atlantis cast: Joe Flanigan as Lt. Col. John Sheppard, Jewel Staite as Dr. Jennifer Keller, Robert Picardo as Richard Woolsey, Jason Momoa as Ronan Dex, Rachel Luttrell as Teyla Emmagan, David Hewlett as Dr. Rodney McKay" title="Stargate Atlantis cast: Joe Flanigan as Lt. Col. John Sheppard, Jewel Staite as Dr. Jennifer Keller, Robert Picardo as Richard Woolsey, Jason Momoa as Ronan Dex, Rachel Luttrell as Teyla Emmagan, David Hewlett as Dr. Rodney McKay" /> Likewise, Stargate Universe marked a significant tonal shift, embracing a much darker atmosphere with far less of the humour fans loved. This revival gives Gero a valuable opportunity to right some of those past missteps and take the franchise back to its roots – but with a new story. Recent franchise reboots and legacy sequels have often strayed into overly familiar territory, taking beloved instalments and almost recreating them beat-for-beat (Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Ghostbusters: Afterlife, for example). There’s a real opportunity here for the Stargate creative team to carve out its own identity instead of falling into that same trap. Thankfully, the Stargate revival is a new adventure rather than a straight-up reboot, and the creators – many of whom worked on previous iterations – can craft a brand-new story within this rich science-fiction sandbox. It’s a chance to acknowledge the past while confidently dialling up some chevrons and guiding the franchise into its next phase. And it’s clear that Martin Gero knows exactly what people love about the franchise: “I think what’s amazing about the Stargate construction is that it takes place today. It takes place on Earth, the Earth that you recognise. But yet this gateway to the stars allows us to tell these amazing stories with epic scope, [an] incredible sense of humour and again, like a sense of presence in the real world.” 3. Bring something new to the universe One of the biggest draws of the Stargate franchise is the unique titular device itself. The ‘Astria Porta’ gateway allows for near-instantaneous travel and almost endless adventures across the cosmos. Think the TARDIS – but instead of a blue box, a physical portal to the stars. This central mechanism alone opens the door to a multitude of storytelling opportunities, especially when paired with the franchise’s recognisable blend of military drama, ancient mythology, and science fiction. SG-1 laid the groundwork for this beloved formula, while the second series, Stargate Atlantis, built on it by taking the concept to a whole new level. Travelling to – well – Atlantis in the Pegasus Galaxy, the show used the city’s Stargate as the hub for a joint international expedition. Stargate Universe, meanwhile, bucked this trend in favour of a more survival-based narrative, following a multinational team of soldiers and civilians forced through a Stargate after an attack. And the prequel series Stargate: Origins travelled back in time – and to the planet Abydos – to explore the early mysteries surrounding the gate’s discovery. <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/11/GettyImages-154227119-34565de.jpg" width="3000" height="2000" alt="Christopher Judge as Teal'c, Amanda Tapping as Maj. Samantha Carter, Richard Dean Anderson as Colonel Jack O'Neill, Michael Shanks as Dr. Daniel Jackson in Stargate SG-1" title="Christopher Judge as Teal'c, Amanda Tapping as Maj. Samantha Carter, Richard Dean Anderson as Colonel Jack O'Neill, Michael Shanks as Dr. Daniel Jackson in Stargate SG-1" /> There are so many opportunities to introduce new species and technologies across new worlds through the classic planet-of-the-week structure, all while exploring different mythologies along the way. Previously, the franchise has delved into Egyptian gods and Asgard, inspired by Norse mythology. Other major mythologies that could make brilliant additions - each capable of shaping a whole new suite of alien races - include Mayan and Incan, as well as Celtic. Additionally, alongside a refreshed military-scientific central team (hopefully based on Earth once again), potentially with ties to previous teams, the new series can bring the franchise up to date by weaving in contemporary sci-fi concepts, modern moral quandaries (much like Star Trek and Doctor Who), cutting-edge science (including AI, nanotech, and alternative energy), and fresh thematic explorations each week. 4. Focus on character-driven storytelling One of the biggest criticisms of franchise sequels, spinoffs, and extended universes is nostalgia-driven storytelling that reuses familiar story beats at the expense of real character development and world-building. Star Trek: Picard, The Mandalorian, and Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi have all leaned heavily on these elements, sometimes overshadowing the main story. While the Stargate revival could potentially fall into the same trap if the creative team relies too heavily on cameos from fan-favourite SG-1 and Atlantis characters or repeats familiar storylines, it also has the opportunity to stand out from the overly familiar landscape of current sci-fi and fantasy. The core characters in both SG-1 and Atlantis consisted of a diverse cast ahead of its time, with strong female leads and representation of different cultures and mythologies. They were afforded compelling arcs throughout the series – none more so than Christopher Judge’s Teal’c, who evolved from a Jaffa warrior serving the Goa’uld into a rebel fighter and trusted friend of the main team. The revival now has the opportunity to introduce a new central team of fan favourites for a new generation - with nuanced, layered characters whose personal growth drives the wider plot, even within the planet-of-the-week structure. By balancing character development with expansive world-building, the series could deliver a fun, engaging sci-fi adventure grounded in relatable, character-driven stakes, in a similar vein to Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. 5. Make it (intelligent) fun! While certain concepts and storylines in fantasy and sci-fi shows can feel a little silly or on-the-nose, the central storytelling device in the Stargate franchise is actually grounded in science. The SG-1, Atlantis, and Universe teams all worked with scientific advisors to help guide the storylines concocted in the writers’ room. Notable contributors included Mika McKinnon, a freelance scientist and geophysicist, who helped ensure that concepts – particularly wormhole theories – were as consistent with real-world physics as possible. Another key element for the revival to capture is the sense of awe, wonder, and fun - something often missing in today’s sci-fi landscape. The humour throughout SG-1 and Atlantis, largely thanks to the team dynamics and especially Colonel O’Neill’s sarcastic quips, was one of the franchise’s most beloved features. The new series also has the chance to bring a whole host of alien species to life using modern technology and a much bigger budget. “We’re going to be able to do things that we could not do in 1997, and even beyond that,” consulting producer Brad Wright explains. “We’re going to be able to do almost anything in terms of visual effects and everything our imagination can come up with now.” Fire up the dial-home device – we’re counting down the days to the next adventure in the cosmos! Add Stargate 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.
Meet the cast of Mighty Nein: Every Critical Role character explained
The second animated adventure from the "nerdy-ass voice actors'" role-playing campaign is upon us!
Critters can finally dive back into the expansive world of Exandria – albeit on the new continent of Wildemount – with the next animated adventure from the Critical Role gang, adapting the beloved second campaign, The Mighty Nein. With a new adventure comes a whole new raft of characters, factions and missions. The Mighty Nein is quite the different beast to The Legend of Vox Machina, with a war looming large on the continent and a greater focus on arcane magic and relics. The main voice cast are all back, along with a whole host of big-name guest stars, including Disney icons Ming-Na Wen and Auli'i Cravalho, Star Trek legend Jonathan Frakes, Dune: Prophecy star Mark Strong and a newer guest star at the Critical Role table, voice actor Robbie Daymond. But who are the new roster of characters who make up this ragtag band of misfits and fugitives? Who's in the cast of The Mighty Nein? Below is the main line-up for The Mighty Nein – the second animated series from the cast of Critical Role – which is now available to stream on Prime Video. Read on to find out more about the cast and characters. Laura Bailey as Jester Lavorre Taliesin Jaffe as Mollymauk Tealeaf Ashley Johnson as Yasha Nydoorin Matthew Mercer as Essek Thelyss Liam O'Brien as Caleb Widogast Marisha Ray as Beauregard Lionett Sam Riegel as Nott the Brave Travis Willingham as Fjord Stone Laura Bailey plays Jester Lavorre Who is Jester Lavorre? Fan favourite character Jester is a tiefling (with water genasi ancestry) cleric of the Traveler and a member of The Mighty Nein. Born and raised in the Lavish Chateau, she is delightfully chaotic, but her penchant for pranks soon gets her into trouble with a powerful politician Fearing for her daughter’s safety, Jester’s mother – the Ruby of the Sea – hires Fjord (Willingham) to help her escape from the city guards and travel to the Pillow Trove in Zadash. However, that’s trickier than it sounds, as she’s a blue tiefling with bright blue hair and wields a giant pink spiritual weapon – a lollipop! She also talks to her invisible best friend, the god known as the Traveler. The show’s vibrant visuals (Jester’s included) is an element which Critical Role star and CEO Travis Willingham believes will particularly resonate with viewers: “Visually, this group is striking. A blue tiefling, green goblins, orcs, humans in stark black-and-white. And unlike Vox [Machina], this group is heavy on magic – Jester’s divine chaos, Fjord’s eldritch sword, Caleb’s fire, Molly’s blood magic.” Taliesin Jaffe plays Mollymauk Tealeaf Who is Mollymauk Tealeaf? Mollymauk is a lavender tiefling blood hunter with red eyes and lavishly adorned curled horns. He’s a flamboyant tarot reader for the carnival – The Fletching and Moondrop Traveling Carnival of Curiosities – until an unexpected incident with a dangerous new act causes a catastrophic event. Described as having an “endearing wit” which is a “stark contrast to his mysterious ability to manipulate blood to his will”, all is not as it seems with Molly, especially as he begins to experience strange, fragmented memories. Molly’s magic – and the series’ larger focus on arcane magic – is certainly intriguing. Willingham teases that it’s “central and personal”, hinting that Molly’s blood magic “opens a new domain”. Ashley Johnson as Yasha Nydoorin Who is Yasha Nydoorin? Yasha is a barbarian woman from the wastes of Xhorhas in the Kryn Dynasty. She’s known by many titles, most notably “The Orphan Maker”, a harrowing moniker earned through her roving mercenary work. Ashley Johnson fans may need to temper their excitement, though, as the character doesn’t appear in many of the Mighty Nein's early adventures. This reflects Johnson’s absence from the second campaign while filming the television series Blindspot. Executive producer and star Sam Riegel explains: “She appears at the edges at first – the pilot and a few later episodes. She doesn’t meet the main group until later. For fans, it might feel strange, but it’s intentional.” Matthew Mercer as Essek Thelyss View oEmbed on the source website Who is Essek Thelyss? Essek is a Kryn elf and an elite spy for the Dynasty - a powerful nation in Wildemount who are integral to the larger political machinations of the campaign. The elf, voiced by Dungeon Master Matt Mercer, will stop at nothing to protect those he loves. The Kryn Dynasty stands on the brink of war with the Dwendalian Empire - most notably over a missing arcane beacon - and the Mighty Nein might just have inadvertently found themselves caught in the middle of it! Liam O'Brien as Caleb Widogast Who is Caleb Widogast? Caleb is a human wizard and a member of The Mighty Nein who first forges an unlikely ally with his partner-in-crime, the goblin known as Nott the Brave (Riegal). The pair initially run into Beauregard during their travels to the The Fletching and Moondrop Traveling Carnival of Curiosities, before begrudgingly becoming allies. A somewhat dishevelled wizard with a penchant for fire magic – and, being a Liam O’Brien character, a tragic past – Caleb is haunted by guilt and on the run from his former life. On creating the character, Riegel teased: “Liam built Caleb as someone who had committed something unforgivable and struggled with self-forgiveness.” Marisha Ray as Beauregard Lionett Who is Beauregard Lionett? Beauregard, or Beau, is a human monk of the Cobalt Soul and a (somewhat unwilling!) member of The Mighty Nein. Described as “part MMA fighter and part kickass detective”, she’s been tasked with a secret mission to root out corruption within her order following a suspicious explosion. Her first encounter with some of the Mighty Nein didn’t go to plan, as partners-in-crime Caleb and Nott inadvertently set her horse free while she was travelling to meet an informant. Marisha’s character in the second campaign couldn’t be more different from her first, with Willingham noting: “The real grounding comes in the pairings... Those relationships are where they find belonging. Beau’s just out there being Beau!” Sam Riegel as Nott the Brave Who is Nott the Brave? Nott is a rogue goblin whose pickpocketing tendencies often land her - and her new friend Caleb - in trouble. Armed with a crossbow, alcohol, and a mysterious porcelain mask, the goblin is another character running from a painful past. Riegel reflected on creating the character: “I wanted Nott to struggle with alcohol abuse and also reflect the trans experience.” “Whenever we start a new campaign, we’re given themes about what the campaign might entail and a location” he continued, “then we develop characters on our own. Some of us paired up – Liam and I worked on Nott and Caleb together.” Travis Willingham as Fjord Stone Who is Fjord Stone? Fjord is a half-orc warlock/paladin and a member of the Mighty Nein. Tasked with protecting Jester as they travel to Zadash, he wields a mysterious glowing sword which grants him strange powers – following the explosion of the ship he once worked aboard, the Tide's Breath. Willingham recalls: “I remember being on a long flight from Australia and creating Fjord in 16 hours – pirate ships, water, eldritch energy. The Southern accent came later, thanks to a Scooby-Doo session I’d done.” Riegel quipped: “Travis made his character really hot.” To which Willingham laughed: "That’s my flaw.” The Mighty Nein premieres on Prime Video on Wednesday 19th November 2025. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Who is Dr Kay in Stranger Things season 5? Linda Hamilton character explained
Everything we know about Linda Hamilton’s mysterious new character Dr Kay in Stranger Things season 5 – including plot details, cast info and what the Duffer Brothers have revealed so far.
Stranger Things has certainly had its fair share of iconic '80s guest stars across its four seasons. From The Goonies’ Sean Astin as fan-favourite character Bob Newby to A Nightmare on Elm Street’s Robert Englund and The Princess Bride’s Cary Elwes, the beloved Netflix show is set to continue the tradition with its latest instalment. Joining the cast for the fifth and final season is potentially its biggest guest star yet – as the series looks set to go out with a bang – with creators the Duffer Brothers managing to snag none other than sci-fi icon and Terminator star Linda Hamilton.. As we head back to Hawkins and the horrors of the Upside Down for the very last time, what can we expect from the shady-looking Dr Kay in Netflix’s beloved '80s inspired sci-fi adventure? Here's everything we know so far about Linda Hamilton’s mysterious Stranger Things character! Who is Dr Kay in Stranger Things season 5? Described as a new government agent leading the investigation into the Upside Down in Hawkins, Dr Kay appears to be stepping into a similar role to Dr Martin Brenner (Matthew Modine), following his death in the penultimate episode of season 4. With the town under military quarantine and the hunt for Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) intensifying, Dr Kay has been described as another key antagonist for Mike (Finn Wolfhard) and the party to contend with, as she investigates the increasingly chaotic events while the Upside Down bleeds into the real world. “She’s hyper-intelligent and intimidating,” Matt Duffer told Empire. “She’s a scientist but if she needs to, she can get into a fight and shoot a gun.” And judging by the season 5 trailer, she’ll certainly be joining the fight. Despite being billed as a major obstacle for the group, she appears to bolster their ranks in the battle with the show's big bad – Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower). As teased in the footage, there’s an intense action sequence for fans to look forward to, as an explosive battle rages between government officials and waves of attacking Demogorgons. Amidst the fray, Hamilton can be seen standing alongside other soldiers firing their weapons at the deadly humanoid creatures who have escaped from the parallel universe. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, the Duffers also revealed that the new character brings an “unhinged quality” and is described as “so scary” because she has no emotional connection to Eleven. “There was that paternal quality that Brenner had. Dr Kay has none of those feelings. She really views her just as a weapon that needs to be acquired.” Looks like it’ll be Judgment Day for Eleven! Who is Linda Hamilton? Actor Linda Hamilton is the latest in a long line of iconic '80s stars to join the behemoth Netflix show. She’ll be instantly recognisable to fans for her work across both TV and film – most notably for her role as Sarah Connor in James Cameron’s Terminator franchise. First appearing in the role back in 1984’s The Terminator, Hamilton went on to star in two further major instalments – most memorably in the beloved sequel Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), which saw her undergo an impressive transformation from the first film, and later in the sixth film, Terminator: Dark Fate (2019), as she returned 35 years on from the original alongside co-star Arnold Schwarzenegger. Hamilton also voiced the character in threequel Terminator Salvation (2009) and appeared in the Universal theme park attraction T2-3D: Battle Across Time. Fans of NBC’s spy comedy Chuck will also recognise Hamilton as Mary Bartowski, the estranged mother of Chuck (Zachary Levi) and Ellie (Sarah Lancaster) – who was revealed to be a CIA agent. Very fitting! But not content with saving the world in the Terminator franchise, Hamilton looks to be doing the same in the Stranger Things universe, as the seemingly apocalyptic events signal one final stand against Vecna. So how did the Duffers Brothers get such an icon on board? Turns out she was a huge fan of the hit Netflix show all along! “I don’t know how to be a fangirl and an actress at the same time,” she said during a video announcement at the Netflix Tudum event back in 2023. “I’m gonna work on that. I’ll see you in Hawkins.” As we buckle up and grab the tissues for what’s bound to be an emotional rollercoaster of a fifth and final season later this month, let’s hope this isn’t “hasta la vista, baby” for Hawkins! Stranger Things season 5 volume 1 will be released on Thursday 27th November in the UK. Seasons 1-4 are available on Netflix now. Sign up for Netflix from £5.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream. Check out more of our 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 <a id="menurjqo" class="fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/audio/podcasts/" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/audio/podcasts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Link The Radio Times Podcast">The Radio Times Podcast.
The Mighty Nein review: Critical Role level up with magical new adventure
The Wildemount adventures begin as Critical Roles expands its animated universe.
Critters can once again delve into the world of Exandria with the long-awaited adaptation of the nerdy-ass voice actors’ most viewed – and undoubtedly most beloved – live-action tabletop role-playing campaign, The Mighty Nein. The animated version of their second live-streamed games has long been on the wishlist of fans following the release of The Legend of Vox Machina, and it’s certainly been quite the wait since the show’s announcement back in January 2023. Spanning over 550 hours and six major story arcs across three and a half years, there’s plenty of source material for the Critical Role gang and Titmouse, Inc to sink their (mimic) teeth into, with at least two seasons on the way. The team has evidently taken on board viewer feedback about TLOVM’s rushed pacing, with the first season of The Mighty Nein starting from a session-zero perspective – laying the groundwork for this brand-new collection of complex characters. Set around 20 years after the events of The Legend of Vox Machina, The Mighty Nein unfolds on the continent of Wildemount, on the brink of war. Political tensions are at breaking point between the two powerful nations of the Dwendalian Empire and the Kryn Dynasty. Drawn together by a tragic event – and seemingly by circumstance – the “motley group of assholes" find themselves at the centre of a major play for power, as a powerful arcane relic known as The Beacon falls into dangerous hands. The group of fugitives and outcasts attempt to band together to expose the false flag that’s been set in motion, and in turn, help save the realm from all-out war. The adventuring party has seriously levelled up with a treasure trove of arcane magic – there are brand new spells, new powers and new feats this time round. Unlike their more stereotypical predecessors, this band of misfits consists of a more intriguing collection of classes and species. There’s the utterly chaotic Tiefling cleric Jester (Laura Bailey) and her travelling companion Fjord Stone (Travis Willingham), an orphaned half-orc warlock and sailor who’s exhibiting strange powers from an acquired arcane sword. Nott the Brave (Sam Riegel), an alcoholic goblin rogue with certain pick-pocketing tendencies, soon partners up with the dishevelled and deeply depressed wizard Caleb Widogast (Liam O'Brien), who’s currently wanted for murder. The pair bump into Beauregard "Beau" Lionett (Marisha Ray), an abrasive monk from the Cobalt Soul who’s investigating potential corruption in her order. The group converge at the Fletching and Moondrop Traveling Carnival of Curiosities, where Mollymauk "Molly" Tealeaf (Taliesin Jaffe), a tiefling blood hunter and tarot card reader, currently resides. The show also lays the foundations for Yasha Nydoorin (Ashley Johnson), an Aasimar barbarian and famed mercenary from the wastes of Xhorhas. Straight from the get-go, it’s clear that The Mighty Nein is a different beast to the high fantasy of its predecessor. This is an undoubtedly bigger and darker world, with a greater focus on the complex political machinations and moral ambiguities at play throughout the various warring factions. The story itself feels more developed, with higher stakes and an exploration of mature themes, delving into the follies and corruption of power. And the longer episodes – coming in at around the 45-minute mark – are a marked improvement, giving more room to establish and explore the characters while setting the stage for the intricate setting. Packed with court intrigue, political plays, clandestine organisations and plenty of twists and turns, the overarching narrative is also a more gripping outing. View oEmbed on the source website Despite the more ambitious setup and mature tone, the CR gang have retained the incredibly character-driven storytelling, with the endearing pairings and party dynamic front and centre. There’s also a greater focus on backstory – particularly Liam O'Brien's scruffy wizard Caleb, and Travis Willingham's orc warlock, Fjord. Adapting a second D&D campaign brings with it more complex and refined character builds, and the MN are certainly a fascinating bunch. They’re more morally grey than Vox Machina, but also far more compelling and nuanced, especially as the VM party intentionally leaned into more straightforward fantasy tropes. There’s also plenty more inner demons and buried pasts to unearth – with some tantalising teases at what’s to come – and while Liam’s characters can occasionally veer into overly emotional territory, overall there’s a stronger balance struck across the band of misfits. Rest assured, the adult humour is still in abundance too, with some genuinely hilarious moments – primarily courtesy of fan favourite Jester. Laura Bailey is a genuine standout, and there’s some brilliant moments throughout the party members as they capture the amusing chaos of failed roll attempts (“Oh f**k you, water!). And yes, there are a lot of changes from the original campaign, with certain events and key players from arc three onwards – namely Essek Thelyss and Trent Ikithon, the Luxon beacons, the Volstrucker and the Cerberus Assembly – introduced much earlier. But this makes for a much more rounded story and a stronger jumping-on point. There’s also something here for both new and diehard fans, with the inclusion of events that Critters didn’t get to see in the original campaign, along with an impressive roster of guest actors, including Mark Strong, Ming Na Wen, Nathan Fillion and Jonathan Frakes. The animation from Titmouse, Inc once again brilliantly brings this more magical outing to life, featuring vibrant, distinctive character designs and richly detailed environments – particularly the stunning Lucid Bastion of the Kryn Dynasty. The studio excels at translating D&D’s intricate magic systems to screen, impressively depicting the array of incantations and components that make each spell feel tactile and real. Two gorgeously animated dungeon crawls – both taking the form of heists – also stand out, alongside fun and immersive locations such as the Lavish Chateau (complete with its own musical sequence), a travelling circus, a certain beloved shopkeeper’s establishment, and the prestigious Soltryce Academy. Eagle-eyed fans are once again rewarded with a treasure trove of Easter eggs to spot – “318008” being a particular favourite! The biggest drawback of this first outing is simply that you don’t want it to end. As the credits roll on the final episode, it’s hard not to feel a pang of disappointment that the CR gang chose to wrap things up just as the characters and storylines start to meaningfully converge. It’s a conclusion that feels a little premature. Still, it’s an excellent slice of magical mayhem that lays the groundwork for a more expansive outing and deeper character development – with some very exciting teases for what’s in store… The Mighty Nein will begin on Prime Video on 19th November. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Stranger Things spin-off releases first look and confirms cast for "epic" new series
It’s time to grab your walkie-talkie, flashlight and bike - as we’re heading back to Hawkins!
As we eagerly await our next trip back to the Upside Down later this month, fans have been treated to a first look at the upcoming animated spin-off, Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85. Debuting on Stranger Things Day - the date when Will Byers first went missing in Hawkins (6 November, 1983) back in the first season - we’ve finally been given our first glimpse of the animated series, with two brand new stills and a short featurette featuring exciting footage of the main party in action. First announced in April this year, Stranger Things: Tales From ‘85 follows in the footsteps of animated revivals such as X-Men ‘97 and Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, tapping into the wave of nostalgic outings that evoke the spirit of Saturday morning cartoons. Set in the winter of 1985, the series follows Eleven, Max, Mike, Lucas, Dustin and Will as they face new monsters and unravel a paranormal mystery terrorising their town. It’s also been confirmed that Hopper will appear in the series. View oEmbed on the source website The creators of Stranger Things and executive producers of Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85, the Duffer brothers, commented: "When we started talking about whether there was anything else we wanted to do with Stranger Things, this was one of our first ideas." "The idea was to evoke the feeling of an '80s cartoon. With animation, there are really no limits. Eric and his team can just go wild – and they have!" Eric Robles, showrunner and executive producer, added: "What we’ve been able to capture is the magic of Hawkins in a new way. Our story takes place between seasons two and three, but we soon learn that nothing is quite as it seems." As glimpsed in the first-look stills and footage, the gang are back on their iconic bikes for a brand new adventure - and it certainly looks like they soon find themselves in a sticky situation… It also appears that we’ll see a new addition to the creepy Upside Down creatures alongside Demogorgons and Demodogs - with what looks like an even deadlier version of Little Shop of Horror’s carnivorous plant, Audrey II. The animation comes courtesy of Flying Bark Productions, the studio behind Marvel’s What If…?, Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur and also Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie. The voice cast has also been revealed, with Brooklyn Davey Norstedt voicing Eleven, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max, Luca Diaz as Mike, EJ (Elisha) Williams as Lucas, Braxton Quinney as Dustin, Ben Plessala as Will, and Brett Gipson as Hopper. Additional voice cast members announced include Odessa A’zion, Janeane Garofalo, and Lou Diamond Phillips. With the fifth and final season of Stranger Things coming to a close in December, fans are sure to be left with a monster-shaped hole to fill. However, with this animated outing joining the West-End production, there’s certainly plenty for fans of the franchise to delve into. Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85 is coming to Netflix in 2026. 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.
Major Harry Potter TV series format rumour debunked as filming continues
This is one myth that can be filed in the Rumours! wizarding newspaper.
With filming underway and casting announcements trickling in for the upcoming HBO Harry Potter TV series, it’s no surprise that plenty of rumours have been flying around faster than a golden snitch. With seven seasons planned for the HBO series – designed to introduce Harry Potter to a whole new generation – there’s certainly scope to include much more from the books that never made it to the big screen, along with creating a more faithful adaptation of the source material. For example, we already know that certain characters will finally be making their live-action debut in the wizarding world (Professor Binns, Peeves and Charlie Weasley are all set to appear). However, it seems that the latest hotly debated rumour among fans and the media has quickly been debunked; the series will not be deviating from the films with the addition of a narrator. Following recent casting announcements, including Richard Durden as Professor Cuthbert Binns, The Witcher and House of the Dragon-themed blog Redanian Intelligence reportedly claimed that Tom Turner, one of the latest cast additions, was set to be a series regular as the show’s narrator. Nevertheless, according to Deadline, British actor Turner – known for roles in Ready Player One, Cruella and Beauty and the Beast – won’t be taking on the mantle of narrator. This latest rumour rapidly gained traction across social media and Reddit, once again dividing the fanbase over a potential departure from the beloved big-screen adaptations. While some users were cautiously optimistic about the potential change in format, stating, "if done right it can be a real positive to the show", others were far less enthusiastic, with one fan commenting it was "yet another reason to completely avoid this series". With the line-up for Audible’s star-studded full-cast adaptation of JK Rowling’s Harry Potter books recently revealed – along with the first audiobook release – there may have been some crossed wires regarding narrators. In HBO's series, Dominic McLaughlin is taking on the mantle of the Boy Who Lived, while Alastair Stout plays Harry Potter’s best friend, Ron Weasley. Arabella Stanton also joined the cast as the last of the young main trio, the studious witch Hermione Granger. Other notable casting includes Nick Frost (the Cornetto Trilogy) as Rubeus Hagrid, Dexter's John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore and the IT Crowd's Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley. While the exact release date is yet to be revealed, the Harry Potter series will stream on HBO Max. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The Witcher season 4 ending explained: Every twist broken down by cast
Stars Liam Hemsworth, Anya Chalotra and Freya Allan break down that brutal finale. **CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR THE WITCHER SEASON 4**
*Warning: Full spoilers ahead for The Witcher season 4.* With brand new characters, ever expanding storylines and an escalating conflict amongst the nations, The Witcher season 4 is certainly a sprawling one. As the core trio are once again scattered across the Continent, each going on their own path, the final episode saw Ciri (Freya Allan) in a particularly sticky situation, captured by the infamous bounty hunter and Witcher killer, Leo Bonhart (Sharlto Copley). Just how will this impact the various factions searching for the lost lion cub of Cintra?! There’s plenty to unpack as we wait for the final chapter in Geralt (Liam Hemsworth), Yennefer (Anya Chalotra) and Ciri’s destiny-fuelled saga to unfold (thankfully, the fourth and fifth season were filmed consecutively, so there shouldn’t be too long to wait!). Here's everything you need to know about how season 4 ended – complete with a breakdown from the cast. Why did Geralt have such a weird reaction to being knighted? On their travels to visit the Druids of Caed Dhu, Geralt and his rag-tag company (aka the hansa), comprised of Jaskier (Joey Batey), Regis (Laurence Fishburne), Cahir (Eamon Farren) and Zoltan (Danny Woodburn), find themselves embroiled in an intense battle between Nilfgaardian and Northern forces (comprised of both Lyria and Rivia soldiers.) As they sail down the river Yaruga, they’re ambushed by archers, and just as they’re about to be wiped out by a fire-fuelled weapon, a returning Milva (Meng'er Zhang) swoops in to save the day. Despite Geralt’s insistence to remain impartial amidst the unfolding war across the Continent, the company can’t stand by and watch the Nilfgaardian forces claim the crossing. So begins the fierce Battle for the Bridge on the Yaruga, as Geralt, Cahir and Zoltan fight alongside the Northern forces to help save Queen Meve. Meanwhile, Milva miscarries during this period, but is cared for by Regis and the rest of the company. Following the aftermath of the battle, Geralt is knighted by Queen Meve, finally becoming “Geralt of Rivia”. But why did he have such a weird reaction? Breaking that moment down exclusively with RadioTimes.com, Geralt actor Hemsworth pointed out that Geralt's life has been made infinitely more complicated now he effectively belongs to Meve. He explained: "There's that initial [thing of] 'This is funny, and now you belong to me forever'. It's funny and ironic to him, I think. But it's definitely gonna create some complications." Did Yennefer stop Vilgefortz? Not yet. Despite rallying rival mages, strategising and even sending Fringilla in undercover in the wake of the Thanedd coup, Yennefer and the sorceresses fail to stop Vilgefortz and his cloaked minions (note: Death Eater rip-offs) in the Battle of Montecalvo. In what is perhaps the biggest change to the source material this season, Yennefer rallies together the remaining sorceresses after their brutal showdown with Vilgefortz to form The Lodge of Sorceresses. Following her failed trip to save her “daughter” from the clutches of ruthless Nilgaard emperor Emhyr (Bart Edwards), Yennefer and the remaining sorceresses, Fringilla (Mimî M. Khayisa), Philippa (Cassie Clare), Triss (Anna Shaffer), Sabrina (Therica Wilson-Read) and elven leader Francesca (Mecia Simson) band together to unite their strength for a common cause. Explaining why that major change to the source material was made, showrunner Lauren Schmidt-Hissrich told RadioTimes.com: "There are moments that are completely ripped from the books, and then we also have to do some different things with our characters. I think Yennefer is the perfect example – in these books, in this period of time, she's actually off-page quite a bit. She's a jade statue. "We just knew that that was not what we needed to do with the character this season. So we did have to create a story. We always try to stick to the spirit of The Witcher, and I think that's the most important thing to us, is when we do create things, when we do have to go off the path, the most important thing is feeling like it's still The Witcher." With Vilgefortz still out there, Ciri is still at risk, along with the future of magic. She proposes that they form the sisterhood to clean up the mess at the castle, while making sure that there’s a home for Ciri to come back to. In possession of the dagger Vesemir used to wound Vilgefortz, Yennefer asks Triss to use it to track him back to Stygga in order to fulfil her promise – to destroy him once and for all while he’s weak. After initially arguing against the idea, Triss unlocks the portal matrix using the dagger. Before Yennefer steps through, she asks Triss to promise to rebuild Aretuza in case she doesn’t make it back. Once she steps through the portal, she ends up in the middle of the sea, presumably in Stygga, on her way to the powerful mage’s stone lair. Meanwhile, Vilgefortz mutilates and kills the three remaining mages who survived the battle, waiting for the arrival of Yennefer and his “final victory.” What happened to Ciri and The Rats? The Rats foolishly attempt to enact their plan of ambushing bounty hunter Leo Bonhart (Sharlto Copley) at the Chimera’s Head, despite his offer of taking them in alive. As Ciri races back on Kelpie to help, the young bandits go toe-to-toe with the ruthless mercenary, but he soon overpowers them, gleefully maiming and mutilating the gang in gruesome ways. He even shoves one of Kayleigh’s green bombs inside his stomach! While Leo is interrogating Mistle (Christelle Elwin) on Falka/Ciri’s whereabouts, she arrives and, witnessing the brutal and bloody massacre, she then pours all her rage and her hate into the ensuing duel with Leo. “If your friends had fought like you, maybe they’d still be alive,” he taunts, before overpowering and disarming her. As she regains consciousness following the attack, she discovers she’s bound, while Bonhart nonchalantly beheads the Rats one by one to collect his bounty. His accomplice then cruelly makes Ciri watch the mercenary behead Mistle last. So begins one of Ciri’s darkest and most traumatic arcs from the novel The Tower of the Swallow... Actress Allan explained of Ciri's fate: "For Ciri, it's as low as it's ever got and it's got pretty low before. But this is traumatic, it's going to be embedded in her forever. It's going to be a long old journey out of that pit." What happens to Emhyr and the fake Ciri? Following Yennefer’s discovery that former Aretuza novice Teryn (Frances Pooley) is in fact a “false Ciri” planted by Vilgefortz, Nilfgaard’s emperor instructs his spymaster Skellen (James Purefoy) to prevent the truth of Ciri’s identity from being exposed. While Teryn reaffirms her loyalty to the White Flame, Yennefer portals to Geralt to tell him that the wedding is a sham and Ciri is still out there. With the news of the fake marriage soon to spread across the Continent, Emhyr turns to removing the one who “stands in the way of his destiny”. “With two parallel destinies, only one can bear fruit,” Xarthisius preaches, and the two set a shadowy caged beast (presumably a Jackapce) on Geralt’s scent using Renfri's brooch that the Witcher dropped in the season 4 finale. Who is ‘little Nimue’ and what is her significance? Throughout the episode, it’s revealed that the main trio’s story is actually being told by traveller Storyteller Stribog to a group of children, with the mysterious new character “little Nimue” introduced in these interludes. After telling Stribog that she has a “destiny to find” and is leaving to study in Aretuza, the old storyteller hands her the book “A Half Century of Poetry” by Julian Alfred Pankratz, Viscount of Lettenhove, aka Dandelion’s memoirs! Inside is a picture of Ciri next to a mysterious tower, teasing the next novel in the series, The Tower of the Swallow. The new addition is a direct tie to the final book in the series, The Lady in the Lake, and a nod to the series’ legends and myths, as the sorceress chronicles the historical events of the Witcher legend. She serves as a somewhat meta-historian in a rather bonkers, timey-wimey finale. The Witcher season 4 is available to stream now on Netflix. Sign up for Netflix from £5.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream. Check out more of our 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.
What does Emhyr want with Ciri in The Witcher season 4? White Flame’s plan explained
The story is headed down a dark path... **CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR THE WITCHER SEASON 4**
*Warning: spoilers for The Witcher season 4 ahead.* As war rages across the ravaged Continent in The Witcher season 4, the driving force behind the ongoing assault is Nilfgaard’s iron-willed emperor, Emhyr var Emreis (Bart Edwards). The cold and calculating emperor is fuelled by his desire for dominion as he seeks to conquer the Northern Kingdoms, and is one of the biggest threats to Ciri (Freya Allan), Geralt (Liam Hemsworth) and Yennefer (Anya Chalotra). Everyone wants Ciri’s Elder Blood for their own means, whether that’s securing their fortunes or fulfilling their destiny-fuelled prophecies, and Emhyr is no different. But what exactly is Emhyr’s dark plan for his biological daughter, and what is he up to with spy master Stefan Skellen (James Purefoy) and the dark mage Vilgefortz (Mahesh Jadu)? Here’s everything you need to know about the ominous The Witcher villain, the White Flame. Who is Emhyr in The Witcher season 4? As revealed in the closing moments of season 2, the ruthless Nilfgaardian emperor is none other than Emhyr var Emreis, Ciri’s biological father who was long thought to be dead. Previously known as Duny (also known as the Urcheon of Erlenwald), Emhyr is the son of Fergus var Emreis, the former Emperor of Nilfgaard. After his father was overthrown by an usurper, Emhyr fled the kingdom – only to be cursed by a sorcerer to take on the form of a humanoid hedgehog. He then fell in love with the Princess of Cintra, Pavetta (Gaia Mondadori). He claimed her hand in marriage through the “Law of Surprise” at the banquet at Cintra back in season 1, and when the two kissed, his curse was lifted. Geralt saved Duny by helping convince Queen Calanthe (Jodhi May) to accept his proposal, and in return, he invoked the same custom for the "child of surprise", tying together their destinies – much to the later chagrin of Duny/Emhyr. Following Ciri’s birth, Vilgefortz visited Emhyr and told him of Ithlinne’s prophecy, convincing him that his child would inherit the Elder Blood and rule the Continent. And who do we know has Elder Blood? None other than his daughter, Ciri. This “information” fuelled his future ambitions. He returned to Nilfgaard, overthrew the usurper and claimed the throne – setting out to conquer the entire Continent as the White Flame. What does Emhyr want with Ciri in The Witcher season 4? Be warned, it’s about to get pretty dark here on out, as The Witcher takes a leaf out of George R. R. Martin’s playbook… As the ambitious Emhyr sets out to rule the Continent – fuelled by delusions of grandeur and talk of destiny – he obsessively hunts Ciri to secure Nilfgaard’s future, unite the nation, and fulfil the prophecy. Yes, that’s right – he intends to marry and impregnate his own daughter. Yikes. He believes Ciri will secure his bloodline by giving birth to the prophesied child of destiny with Elder Blood. Their child would then be considered the ultimate heir to Nilfgaard and the prophesied saviour (or more likely, conqueror) of the world. However, Vilgefortz has played the Nilfgaard emperor, as he’s planted a “false Ciri” in the shape of Teryn (Frances Pooley), the Aretuza novice who Geralt saved back in season 3. Once he discovers she’s a fraud, there’ll surely be hell to pay. “Emhyr is very headstrong, very troubled, but is determined to find her, and he hasn’t wavered from that once,” says actor Bart Edwards. What is Emhyr’s plan in The Witcher season 4? When Emhyr discovers Vilgefortz’s deception, he confronts the Mage, who reveals that he seeks to harness Ciri’s Elder Blood for himself. “Cirilla is far greater than you, power like that could never be yours. She will, however, be mine.” Despite this deception, his spymaster Skellen convinces him to go ahead and announce his engagement to Ciri, hoping it will crush the morale of the Cintrans aiding the Northern forces. This will buy them time to search for the real Ciri. Determined to fulfil the prophecy, Emhyr gives Skellen an ultimatum: return Ciri before the wedding, or face his wrath. And so, the hunt for the true Ciri continues… The Witcher season 4 is available to stream now on Netflix. Sign up for Netflix from £5.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream. Check out more of our Sci-fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The Witcher season 4 review: Liam Hemsworth's Geralt falls flat as Netflix flagship fantasy loses its magic
Will Henry Cavill’s departure prove the final nail in the coffin for the "Witcherverse"?
Following the shock news that leading man – and self-confessed Witcher fan – Henry Cavill was hanging up Geralt’s swords and wolf medallion back in 2022, fans of Netflix’s flagship fantasy series were understandably left reeling. The Hunger Games star Liam Hemsworth was shortly announced as the new the White Wolf for the final two seasons. But with huge shoes to fill, as many considered Cavill’s portrayal of the beloved monster hunter definitive, the controversial announcement certainly left a dark cloud over the project. Casting concerns aside, there’s no denying that the writers have long played fast and loose with the source material in season 4, taking plenty of creative liberties with certain character arcs and events – much to the frustration of those who love Andrzej Sapkowski’s books and the CD Projekt games. While the third outing attempted to right the ship with a more faithful adaptation, season 4 faces even bigger challenges. Can Netflix win over returning viewers with the introduction of fan favourite characters such as Regis (Laurence Fishburne) and Leo Bonhart – or Cavill’s departure prove the final nail in the coffin for the "Witcherverse"? Picking up after the devastating (and Continent-altering) events of the Thanedd Coup, season 4 sees Geralt (Hemsworth), Yennefer (Anya Chalotra), and Ciri (Freya Allan) once again scattered across the war-ravaged Continent. The former lion cub of Cintra embraces her “Falka” persona among the rebel gang of outlaws known as the Rats, while Geralt embarks on yet another (!) rescue quest, forming a new found fellowship of misfits along the way. Meanwhile, Yennefer seeks to unite the remaining sorceresses for a final showdown with Vilgefortz (Mahesh Jadu), the mage who's secretly been pulling the strings all along. View Green Video on the source website Thankfully, the latest instalment isn’t split into multiple parts – as that month-long gap between volumes last season certainly hurt the pacing. Netflix has instead opted for a full release, to its credit. Geralt, Yennefer and Ciri’s intertwined stories are recapped through a clever narrative framing device, as book characters Storyteller Stribog and Nimue recount previous events, tying together the series’ legends and myths Sapkowski’s novels. While season 3 was buoyed by the heartwarming found family dynamic as the trios destinies finally converged, this season certainly suffers with their frustrating separation. After more than a two year wait – and with Cavill’s departure looming large – it’s admittedly difficult to feel excited about yet another search for Ciri. Overall, the fourth outing is unfortunately a frustrating and inconsistent entry, marked by a significant drop in quality. The shifting tone – paired with uneven performances and production elements – 0ccasionally tips the series into melodrama. The sprawling story has ballooned with an ever expanding roster of characters, locations, factions and shifting allegiances, resulting in an unwieldy amount of plotlines to juggle. Certain threads are also far more compelling than others. Sharlto Copley is an entertaining standout as the infamous bounty hunter Leo Bonhart, and is proves a much stronger antagonist than the naff(?) Vilgefortz. On the flipside, The Rats’ storyline is a slog to get through, lacking the charm and charisma of Shadow and Bone’s similarly rag-tag band, The Crows. It’s also disappointing that Ciri’s enigmatic father, Emhyr var Emreis (Bart Edwards), has seemingly faded into the background. Thankfully, many of Baptism of Fire’s major moments are faithfully adapted, including the introduction of fan favourites Regis (Laurence Fishburne) and Leo Bonhart (Sharlto Copley), Ciri’s dark arc with The Rats and the Battle for the Bridge on the Yaruga. However, Yennefer’s arc – and the events leading to the creation of the Lodge of Sorceresses – undergoes significant changes. It was always going to be a bold move to recast Geralt, and unfortunately, it just doesn’t work. It’s incredibly jarring to see and hear Hemsworth as Geralt. Rather than adapting a similarly deep, gravelly tone as Cavill, he questionably decides to channel his brother’s Thor-like accent. While the Aussie actor is competent in the action sequences, his stature and overall take on the monster hunter unfortunately just doesn’t measure up. He’s less physically imposing than his predecessor and lacks the stoicism and chemistry of his predecessor. As feared from the much-maligned trailer sequences (here’s looking at you, “Let’s f**king move!”) the writers still fail to grasp the show’s main protagonist, with awkward dialogue and inconsistent characterisation. Despite showrunner Lauren Smith Hissrich's insistence that the “show is bigger than one actor”, many fans tuned in purely for Cavill’s performance and his endearing dynamic with co-stars Anya Chalotra and Freya Allan. Hemsworth does his best with the material he’s been given, but his delivery and performance often falls flat – which may just prove the final straw for many long-time viewers. Jaskier (Joey Batey) fans are also dealt somewhat of a blow, as the bard’s development from last season regresses in favour of comic relief. While the renowned Bremervoord musician has brought to life a number of bangers, such as Toss a Coin to Your Witcher and Burn Butcher Burn, this season's musical interlude is a misfire in comparison. The baffling, Aladdin-esque musical sequence in the otherwise engaging, hansa-centric episode The Joy of Cooking will likely divide viewers. Inconsistencies also lie in the show’s production values. The large-scale Battle for the Bridge is a real standout (dodgy ogre VFX aside), while the Battle of Montecalvo falls flat due to lacklustre production design and unconvincing magic VFX. As Cavill’s absence looms large over a story weighed down by uneven writing and tone – plus questionable performances and production design – it’s clear that Netflix’s flagship fantasy series has lost its magic. Unless season 5 pulls off a (monster) miracle, this might be one quest even Geralt can’t complete. The Witcher season 4 is available to stream now on Netflix. Sign up for Netflix from £5.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream. Check out more of our Sci-fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. 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Who is Regis in The Witcher season 4? Laurence Fishburne character explained
The series's first higher vampire has arrived!
Andrzej Sapkowski’s Witcherverse is packed full of fantasy staples, with the Continent’s many elves, dwarves, monsters and mages – and that only continues in season 4 of The Witcher. While the Netflix series has featured a multitude of the aforementioned monsters, season 4 will feature an exciting first; the introduction of the true higher vampires. Vampires have already debuted back in season 2 with the Bruxae. Geralt (previously played by Henry Cavill, with Liam Hemsworth now taking over) and Ciri (Freya Allan) encountered Vereena (Agnes Born) in A Grain of Truth, fans of the CD Projekt game will be aware that there are many species of both lesser and higher vampires. The fourth instalment will finally introduce true higher vampires in the shape of fan favourite character Regis, played by The Matrix and John Wick stalwart Laurence Fishburne. But can he be trusted? And what impact will he have on the battle for the fate of Ciri and the Continent? Who is Regis in The Witcher? Regis, aka Emiel Regis Rohellec Terzieff-Godefroy, is a centuries-old higher vampire who features in both the book series and the game as a loyal companion to Geralt and a key member of his travelling company on their quest to find Ciri. He debuts in the midpoint of the fifth novel Baptism of Fire and becomes a key character throughout the remainder of the series, appearing in The Tower of the Swallow and The Lady of the Lake. He is also a major character in the Blood and Wine expansion of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and can also be seen in the beloved card game Gwent. Regis is a noble, wise and surprisingly empathetic higher vampire who is the barber surgeon of Dillingen and a healer. He bumps into Geralt and his companions in an old elven cemetery on their way to Nilfgaard. Despite being a higher vampire, Regis has sworn off drinking altogether, following a previous significant addiction which led to a particularly sticky ending with the local villagers! Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com, Fishburne revealed he'd never read the books or played the game, adding: "When I got the offer, [showrunner] Lauren [Hissrich] explained to me what she was wanting to do with the relationship between Geralt and Regis, and that it was a different kind of relationship for him, and that Regis was a vampire who didn't drink blood, which I thought was really fascinating. "So I said yes, knowing that I didn't know anything and that I was going to have to just be able to surrender to the material and to the situation." What are higher vampires in The Witcher? As part of the Witcherverse lore, vampires are categorised by their species and class. Lesser vampires are more beast-like, primitive predators, while higher vampires are significantly more intelligent and powerful, often appearing more humanlike. Common species of lesser vampires encountered in the game include the Ekimma and Fleder, while higher vampires include the aforementioned Bruxae and Alps, Katakans, Nekurats, and Mula. But here’s where it gets a bit complicated – higher vampires are broken down into two categories; higher-class vampires and true higher vampires. While they both share similar traits and abilities, such as telepathy and shapeshifting, true higher vampires – like Regis and Dettlaff van der Eretein – are far more powerful and can only be permanently killed by another true higher vampire. Meanwhile, Witchers can kill lower or lesser vampires with a silver sword, but not true higher vampires. Why is Regis important in The Witcher? Despite their initial misunderstanding and caution of the vampire, Regis becomes an integral part of Geralt’s travelling party, joining the rag-tag company of Milva (Meng'er Zhang), Jaskier (Joey Batey), Cahir (Eamon Farren) and book character, Angoulême. Along with being an ally and helping the gang on their journey, almost instantly offering them shelter, along with food and drink, at his cottage, he also aids them in several dangerous encounters (such as a seemingly impossible test set by a crazed priest during a witch hunt). He even saves Geralt’s life, with the Witcher eventually considering him a close companion and friend. View oEmbed on the source website It’s not often that a higher vampire will willingly befriend a self-confessed monster hunter such as Geralt, let alone save one. This dynamic and Regis’s actions help to change the Witcher’s black-and-white view of supposed ‘sentient’ monsters, significantly altering his outlook, perspective and signature cynical nature. Here’s hoping that the hugely talented Laurence Fishburne will do the fan-favourite character justice as he makes his debut in season 4. The Witcher season 4 will be released on 30th October on Netflix. Sign up for Netflix from £5.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream. Check out more of our 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.
Why was Vesemir recast in The Witcher season 4? Kim Bodnia exit explained
Geralt isn’t the only Witcher getting a make-over.
As fans of The Witcher brace themselves for a brand new leading man – The Hunger Games’ star Liam Hemsworth, stepping into the White Wolf’s shoes following Henry Cavill’s shock departure – Geralt isn’t the only Witcher getting a makeover of sorts. Killing Eve star Kim Bodnia previously played Vesemir, Geralt's endearing father figure and mentor, but won't be returning for season 4 of Netflix's flagship fantasy drama. The show is set to welcome a new Vesemir to the fold, alongside other new faces including Laurence Fishburne as Regis. Here's everything we know about Vesemir's recasting. Why was Vesemir recast in The Witcher season 4? Bodnia didn't return as the veteran monster hunter due to his commitments to Apple TV+ original film F1, the Joseph Kosinski-directed Formula 1 blockbuster. A spokesperson for Bodnia explained to RadioTimes.com: "Kim will not return as Vesemir as his current shooting diary didn’t fit in with Netflix’s shooting schedule of The Witcher season 4." Bodnia played Kaspar Smolinski in F1, the team principal and former engineer for the fictional Formula 1 racing team APXGP, which retired driver Sonny Hayes (played by star Brad Pitt) was racing for. The scheduling issue arose when filming on the F1 movie was paused due to the 2023's Writers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild strikes, with the cast and production crew joining the industrial action. As filming took place during actual F1 Grand Prix weekends to capture footage of real races amongst the iconic tracks, the subsequent delay prevented Bodnia's return as the Kaer Morhen leader and veteran. Who is playing Vesemir in The Witcher season 4? With Bodnia out of the Netflix series due to scheduling conflicts, Scottish actor and Trainspotting star Peter Mullan was recently revealed to be stepping up as the grizzled monster slayer. Fantasy fans will best know Mullan as the fateful Dwarf King Durin III in Prime Video’s big budget Lord of the Rings adaptation, The Rings of Power (that epic Balrog moment!). He also stars in the Outlander prequel spin-off, Blood of My Blood, as Red Jacob MacKenzie, laird of Clan MacKenzie and father to Ellen (Harriet Slater). With a fine fantasy pedigree and plenty of experience, there’s no doubting Mullan’s calibre. It’s just a shame that fans will be losing the previously established chemistry between Cavill and Bodnia, as their bond is such an important element to both Geralt and Ciri (Freya Allan). When did we last see Vesemir in The Witcher? We last saw the leader of the remaining ragtag band of monster hunters back in season 2 at the ancient stronghold of Kaer Morhen, the remote fortress high in the Blue mountains of Kaedwen. Geralt had taken Ciri back to the fortress so she could be trained in the ways of the Witchers by his former mentor and the brotherhood. Vesemir taught Ciri about the Conjunction of Spheres, the power of her Elder Blood and the plight of the Witchers – with her blood potentially proving key to creating more Witchers. However, following Ciri’s possession by demon Voleth Meir and a subsequent attack by a basilisk, Vesemir was almost killed, while others didn't survive. With even more of their numbers dwindling, Vesemir and the remaining Witchers (Lambert, Eskel, and Coen) were left to rebuild Kaer Morhen. View oEmbed on the source website But what's next for the leader of the remaining Witchers? Fans of the book and game will certainly be surprised at the characters’ return, giving his brief appearance in the early chapters of the final book, The Lady of the Lake, following his time training Ciri in the third book, Blood of Elves. Therefore, does this signify even more significant departures from the source material? According to showrunner Lauren Hissrich, it certainly does. “Honestly, we didn't think we would see him again after that season," the showrunner told Entertainment Weekly. "Then in the writers' room, it's like, 'Well, wait, what if we start to bring the Witchers back in because there's some future events that we know we want Vesemir for in the series?'” The specific role Vesemir will play in the upcoming fourth instalment is yet to be revealed, but the leader of the Witches will certainly be in a safe pair of hands with Mullan. Only time will tell whether the changes to certain character arcs and events pays off, though. The Witcher season 4 will be released on 30th October on Netflix. Sign up for Netflix from £5.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream. Check out more of our 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.
Why did Henry Cavill leave The Witcher? Liam Hemsworth recast explained
Everything you need to know about one of the strangest TV recastings.
Shockwaves rippled through the fanbase of Netflix’s flagship fantasy series when it was announced that star – and self-confessed The Witcher fan – Henry Cavill was hanging up the titular monster hunter’s sword and medallion. Cavill took his final bow as Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher’s third season, which aired in the summer of 2023 – less than a year after his shock departure was announced. With seven seasons initially planned, Cavill announced that The Hunger Games star Liam Hemsworth was set to be taking on the mantle of the role. It was confirmed shortly after that would be for the final two instalments, the fourth and fifth seasons were then filmed back-to-back. However, the decision to recast has certainly been met with considerable scepticism from fans, particularly given Cavill’s well-documented passion for author Andrzej Sapkowski’s source material. Here’s what we know about Cavill’s departure, Hemsworth’s decision to take on the role and showrunner Lauren Schmidt-Hissrich’s thoughts on The Hunger Game star’s portrayal of the iconic White Wolf. Why did Henry Cavill leave The Witcher? There’s been no shortage of speculation online following Cavill’s announcement, including rumours of a conflict with the writers over departures from the source material. However, showrunner Lauren Schmidt-Hissrich has since clarified that Cavill had other roles he wanted to commit to, and she didn’t want to force him to finish the show. Shortly after his departure, Cavill posted a video on Instagram confirming his return as Superman, following a cameo in the post-credits scene of Black Adam. Unfortunately, the comeback was short-lived, as James Gunn later revealed that Cavill’s Superman was one of the casualties of the DCU reboot at DC Studios. He has since confirmed leading roles in the Highlander reboot and the Warhammer 40k TV series. Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com about the recast, Schmidt-Hissrich said: "I think it's been really interesting to talk to people about it, because it feels like new information out in the world, but we've lived through this for so long, and I think Henry has gone off, he’s happy, and is doing wonderful things. And he originated this character. He was brilliant at it.” “And I think we opened a new chapter, and now we're with Liam, and I think it really is about just embracing where we're at and staying present. And we're just excited for everyone to see what Liam can now do." Who is replacing Henry Cavill as Geralt on The Witcher? As revealed in Cavill’s announcement, The Hunger Games star Liam Hemsworth took on the mantle of the White Wolf, with the former Witcher star enthusiastic about the “fantastic” Aussie actor. Following the announcement, Hemsworth praised the former Geralt, noting that he was “inspired” by and a fan of Cavill "for years". He also expressed that he, too, is a Witcher fan – an important factor in his decision to take on the iconic role. Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com, Hemsworth revealed that he was "pretty reluctant at that point” and that he had “a lot of concerns and questions about it all". “I was a big fan of the video game and then I watched the series, and was a fan of the series, and I read the books." Asked what specifically he was reluctant about, he reflected: "Just the situation [of] coming into a series that's already established a really passionate fanbase. I appreciate these fans, and I appreciate the fact that they care so much about it.” "I think if I wasn't a fan myself, if I didn't care about it, I wouldn't have come on board. The reason I came on board was because I was a fan, and because I thought that I could do justice to this character. I thought that could bring an interesting interpretation to this part of the story." He added that he was most excited about “where Geralt is at this part of the story – his emotional state, and where he's heading". He continued: “I think he's in a very real place of change and a place that I don't think he's been in often in his life. There's a lot of doubt and confusion and worry." The upcoming series is set to adapt the events of Baptism of Fire, the third book in the main Witcher saga, focusing on the formation of Geralt’s rag-tag company – the Hansa – as they travel to Nilfgaard to rescue Ciri. Hemsworth added: "It's through these other people around him that he sees how much love and care and how much they believe in his journey and his mission right now, yeah, that he's able to lean on them and accept that, help that you know, that he's really able to push forward and find himself again and find a new version of himself." How has the show managed the transition between actors? Henry Cavill was always going to be a tough act to follow, with Hemsworth having some big boots to fill – but showrunner Lauren Schmidt-Hissrich recently told RadioTimes.com how they approached the transition. "We knew there were things that we knew that were really important to keep with Geralt – obviously, his look has to stay the same.” "He's a different human being, but I think there's so many things that are sort of synonymous with Geralt, the white wig and the yellow eyes and the black leather and not wearing any colour, and the way he walks through the world.” "Those things had to stay but really, those conversations were so driven by Liam the first time that we met.” Whether recasting the iconic role has paid off, only time will tell. For now, we’ll toss a coin to our Witcher as season 4 arrives! The Witcher season 4 is available to stream now on Netflix. Sign up for Netflix from £5.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream. Check out more of our 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.
When is It: Welcome to Derry set? Full timeline explained
Pennywise's reign of terror spans a fair few decades.
Following recent adaptations of The Institute and The Long Walk, HBO’s highly anticipated series It: Welcome to Derry marks the latest Stephen King story to make its way to the screen. Now, the first horrifying episode is here, with fans completely hooked on the prequel, which also includes plenty of Easter eggs and references to other King works. With the original novel spanning over 1,000 pages, there’s plenty of fascinating material that didn’t make it into the 2017 and 2019 It films. Interwoven with the Losers Club’s story in King’s 1986 classic are five distinct "Derry" interludes, which offer vital insights into Pennywise’s influence and the evils that unfold in the cursed town. But with It: Chapter One and Two star Bill Skarsgård the only major cast member returning as the terrifying inter-dimensional entity, where exactly does this next instalment fit into the larger timeline of Pennywise’s reign of terror? When is It: Welcome to Derry set? It: Welcome to Derry is set in 1962, 27 years before It: Chapter 1. Andy Muschietti’s films shifted the timeline of Stephen King’s original novel, with the director first shifting the events of It Chapter One to the summer of 1988, as opposed to 1958 in the novel. As a result, the adult reunion then took place in 2016, 27 years on from the Loser Club’s experience with Pennywise. It: Welcome to Derry serves as a prequel to Muschietti's films, with the series set in the early swinging sixties. Events unfold once again (you guessed it!) 27 years earlier than the dark deeds of It Chapter One, in 1962. The terrifying prologue – which perfectly establishes the film’s atmospheric and visceral body horror – is set four months before the main events of the show, which take place in April 1962. The show directly draws from material of the Derry interludes, particularly the story of the Black Spot nightclub – an establishment which predominantly Black soldiers from the nearby Army base frequented – occurred during this year. While Muschietti, alongside producer Barbara Muschietti and writer Jason Fuchs, has taken some creative liberties with the original timeline, they’ve remained faithful to 1962 as a key moment in Derry’s dark history. This event was briefly referenced in the 2017 movie, as Mike Hanlon’s grandfather recounts it to a young Mike, with the horror-drama set to further explore this chilling chapter of Derry’s dark history. What is the timeline of It: Welcome to Derry and the It films? In its most basic terms, the timeline is as follows: It: Welcome to Derry – 1962 It: Chapter 1 – 1989 It: Chapter 2 – 2016 As in the King novels, It: Welcome to Derry explores an earlier surfacing of the evil shape-shifting entity, a cyclical event which occurs approximately every 27 years as Pennywise feeds on the fears and hatred of Derry’s residents, particularly children. This cycle – and the subsequent patterns of activity – was discovered by the Loser Club historian as he researched Pennywise’s reign of terror in Derry, unearthing the inexplicable violence, unspeakable deeds and mass death linked with Pennywise’s awakenings. View Green Video on the source website Mike’s interviews conducted with the town’s older generations often proved integral, as he discovered key information about historical events in Derry. Inspired by the haunting second interlude in the novel, Muschietti and co explore the events leading up to the tragedy of the club in 1962, as recalled by Mike Hanlon’s father, Will Hanlon. This event is key in exploring Pennywise’s influence and amplification of human cruelty in Derry, while helping to connect the prequel to the latter films, along with introducing fan favourite Stephen King character Dick Hallorann to the franchise. Clever! How is It: Welcome to Derry connected to the It films? Alongside introducing a new generation of Derry residents, including a younger Will Hanlon, It: Welcome to Derry connects directly to both the It films and Stephen King’s wider mythos The series follows a young airman, Leroy Hanlon (played by Jovan Adepo) who is the father of Will Halon, and who later becomes the grandfather of Mike. Leroy is stationed at a nearby air base in Derry, Maine, and works alongside fellow service man and familiar face from King’s universe – Dick Hallorann, played by Chris Chalk. Before he became the Overlook Hotel cook in The Shining, the iconic Stephen King character was a fellow serviceman with his own supernatural gifts. The pair are instrumental in founding the Black Spot nightclub and uncovering, along with serving as key members in a plot which explores Pennywise’s fascinating origin. Longtime King fans can also expect the return of the turtle motifs that appeared in Muschietti’s films – which are a nod to Maturin, the cosmic being representing balance against Pennywise in King’s larger Dark Tower mythology. It: Welcome to Derry is coming to Sky Atlantic and NOW on Monday 27th October 2025 – sign up for Sky TV. Check out more of our Sci-fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast. Add It: Welcome to Derry 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.
It: Welcome to Derry stars reveal how "terrifying" Bill Skarsgård was kept hidden on set
Pennywise is back to haunt another generation of young Derry residents – and viewers!
Pennywise the Dancing Clown is officially back on our screens, with Bill Skarsgård reprising his chilling role and once again delivering that haunting grin as the malevolent creature. Set in 1960s Derry, the eight-episode HBO horror prequel introduces a new gang of kids terrorised by the killer clown, while also delving deeper into Pennywise’s sinister origins. Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com, the young cast revealed how the Swedish actor was deliberately kept hidden on set to heighten their reactions when encountering Skarsgård in full costume. Star Amanda Christine, who plays Ronnie in the prequel, explained: "I had wanted to see him on set, but like the way we were kind of working, he was kind of kept like a secret, in a way, and it was like, very top secret.” “We kind of got glimpses of him here and now and then, but once we got to that official scene, when we got to see him, it was so scary because he's tall, his outfit, plus the head, and sometimes he had teeth and, like, blood.” She continued: “It was just like, 'Oh my gosh. I've never been afraid of clowns. But at this moment, I'm terrified! I'm terrified!'" Co-star Blake James, who plays Will Hanlon – father of It’s Losers Club member Mike Hanlon – added: “I don't know any other word to use besides terrifying! He's like, six five as well.” Asked what specifically made Skarsgård’s portrayal so frightening, he added: “Not only is his makeup crazy scary, his facial movements are wicked as well. He's six foot five, so you're like, looking up at him. It's terrible, I don't wish that on anybody!” Recalling the filming of a particularly tense sewer scene, Arian S Cartaya, who plays Derry newcomer Rich, said: “So I only saw him in full costume, like I never saw Bill as a human being. So, we were filming that scene, and he lunged towards us, and I screamed as hard as I could, and I c*****d my pants. Meanwhile, young lead Clara Stack, who plays Lilly, shared: “I think there was so much anticipation leading up to the moment of seeing him, and we were all really excited for it and really scared too. So seeing him for the first time, I think we're all just in awe and kind of shocked.” She also praised Skarsgård’s performance, adding: “Bill did a really good job of obviously endowing that character and scaring us. So it was super terrifying, but also so much fun." While it might be a few more episodes before we see Skarsgård’s killer clown in full terrifying force, there’s no doubt the encounter will deliver plenty more nightmare fuel in the prequel It: Welcome to Derry. And if the first episode’s shocking cinema sequence is anything to go by, it’s probably best to keep the lights on — or you might just end up floating too! New episodes of It: Welcome to Derry are released weekly on Sky Atlantic and NOW. Add It: Welcome to Derry 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.
The 7 best Stephen King Easter eggs in It: Welcome to Derry
The chilling prequel dives deep into King’s interconnected world of horror.
Horror maestro Stephen King has written an incredible number of books over the decades, and fans will know that many of them are subtly interconnected in increasingly intricate ways – as new prequel It: Welcome to Derry proves. In King’s mythology, The Dark Tower acts as the spine of this shared universe, linking recurring characters, locations and supernatural abilities across his stories. Andy and Barbara Muschietti, the filmmakers behind the 2017 and 2019 It movies, tap into this intriguing web of connections in the new HBO horror-drama. Inspired by Mike Hanlon's interludes in Stephen King's behemoth novel, the Muschiettis have packed the prequel with plenty of nods to King’s wider world. From the inclusion of familiar faces and locations, to blink-and-you’ll-miss-them Easter eggs, long-time fans should get a lot out of it. Read on to discover the major references and Easter eggs woven throughout the eight-part series. It: Welcome to Derry's best Stephen King Easter eggs explained 1. The Hanlon family and their connection with the Black Spot As referenced in Ben Hanscom’s research into Derry’s dark history in It: Chapter One, the Black Spot fire was just one in a long line of tragic events in the cursed town’s unsettling past. In the novel’s second interlude, Mike Hanlon’s father, Will, recounts the story of how he and his comrades in the Air Force created the Black Spot as a safe space for Black patrons. Following a racially motivated arson attack by a white supremacist group, the establishment was destroyed, killing several people trapped inside. As the Muschiettis tweaked Mike’s backstory and the fate of his parents in the films, It: Welcome to Derry explores the same event from a slightly different perspective. Set in 1962, the showrunners have opted for Mike’s grandfather, Leroy Hanlon (Jovan Adepo) to don the Air Force uniform rather than Will. Exploring the events leading up to this pivotal moment, Leroy will also be working alongside none other than The Shining’s Dick Hallorann (Chris Chalk), another co-founder of the establishment. The intergenerational storytelling highlights the cyclical nature of the town’s racism, discrimination and hate crimes – with Pennywise feeding directly on the fear and violence they generate. 2. The Shining and Doctor Sleep As previously mentioned, Chalk’s Dick Hallorann will feature prominently in the prequel – though this isn’t the same kindly figure from the Overlook Hotel we all know and love. Known for his brief appearance in The Shining and his greater mentor role for Danny Torrence in the belated sequel Doctor Sleep, It: Welcome to Derry features a much younger version of the character gifted with psychic abilities. The character is referenced in the original 1986 novel, and throughout the series we see how he eventually befriends Mike’s grandfather, Leroy Hanlon, and becomes the co-founder of the veterans bar, The Black Spot. The When They See Us alum explained recently: “Dick is in Derry because Dick f**ked up. And that's the truth. You'll see the show and you'll get that." "Dick thinks all of these people are corny," said Chalk, of his character's relationship with Derry's townsfolk. "He doesn't respect a single one of them, and that's the journey of Dick. The Dick you know is super nice.... Good luck with this, Dick." 3. Other references to It: Chapter One and Two There are plenty of other nods to the two It films, including the arrival of a meteorite, which plays a key role in Pennywise’s origins. The series also features a black-and-white photo of Bob Gray, one of Pennywise’s human aliases from the novel. The ambiguity around why this shapeshifting cosmic entity sometimes adopts that alias has intrigued fans over the years. Promotional trailers for the series hint that we may finally learn more about this fascinating aspect of Pennywise’s character. A giant Paul Bunyan statue is also shown being erected in the town – the same statue that Pennywise later uses to terrorise Richie Tozier. The original statue that inspired the novel is located in Bangor, Maine, and remains a popular spot for King fans. Eagle-eyed viewers may also spot graffiti in the girls’ bathroom featuring the name Alvin Marsh inside a heart, referencing the character who becomes the abusive father of Beverly Marsh in It: Chapter One and Two. 4. The Dark Tower Throughout both It: Chapter One and Two, several Turtle motifs appear, which are a nod to the cosmic turtle Maturin from Stephen King’s novels (yes, really!). In Chapter One, a LEGO turtle and TRTL brand walkie-talkie are spotted in Georgie's room. Additionally, a model turtle is present on a desk at Derry Elementary in Chapter Two. These references allude to the benevolent cosmic entity who plays a significant role in King’s mythos. Maturin is one of the twelve Guardians of the Beam in The Dark Tower series, serving as a protector of the multiverse. He originates from a higher-dimensional, spiritual plane known as the “Macroverse” and is an opposing force to Pennywise. While the Muschiettis never fully explored the significance of the shelled creature in the two films, there are even more recurring turtle motifs in the eight-part series, giving the show room to delve deeper into this arcane lore. Along with Bert the turtle appearing as the school mascot – with one of the kids dressed up in a turtle costume – there’s also a turtle charm on one of the main children’s bracelets, and she even says “turtles are lucky”. Keep your fingers crossed, Dark Tower fans! 5. Shawshank Redemption Considered one of the best movies of all time, The Shawshank Redemption is a hugely popular adaptation of Stephen King’s 1982 novel. The titular prison now makes its debut in the It franchise, with a navy-blue bus bearing the stencilled words ‘Shawshank State Prison’ making an appearance. 6. Juniper Hill Asylum View oEmbed on the source website The infamous psychiatric hospital in Maine appears in several of King’s books, including It, Castle Rock, 11/22/63 and Gerald’s Game. Alongside patients such as Henry Bowers, the bully from It: Chapter One and Two, Welcome to Derry character Lilly (Clara Stack) has an intriguing history with the asylum. 7. Carrie Finally, the cinema prominently featured in the first episode of It: Welcome to Derry is the Capitol Theatre. This real-life cinema, based in Burlington, Iowa, closed its doors in March 1977. The historic Art Deco theatre’s final screening was Carrie, an adaptation of Stephen King’s 1974 novel. New episodes of It: Welcome to Derry are released weekly on Sky Atlantic and NOW – sign up for Sky TV. Add It: Welcome to Derry 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.
Who could Matthew Rhys voice in Invincible season 4? Key characters explained
The actor is the first major casting for season 4.
The past 24 hours have certainly been a whirlwind for Invincible fans thanks to the latest exciting announcement from the team behind Robert Kirkman’s animated adaptation. Not only has the beloved Prime Video show been renewed for a fifth season, but a brand new addition to the already impressive voice cast has been announced, which certainly caused plenty of speculation online. Matthew Rhys, most known for The Americans, Perry Mason and voicing Emperor Belos in The Owl House, was briefly revealed among the cast in the renewal video, sparking debate over just which character the Welsh actor has voiced in the upcoming seasons. With Mark (Steven Yeun) and Oliver Grayson (Christian Convery) set to join their father Nolan (JK Simmons), Allen (Seth Rogen) and the Coalition of Planets in the upcoming showdown with the Viltrumites, there’s certainly plenty of key characters yet to make their appearance in the show. Read on to find out more about the key characters that the Welsh actor could be voicing in Invincible season 4. General Thragg (the most obvious suspect) With a certain supreme overlord of the Viltrumites set to make his long-awaited debut in the fourth season, many fans have instantly connected the announcement of the Perry Mason star to the deadly Thragg - and for good reason. The arrival of Conquest on Earth has certainly paved the way for the Grand Regent, with season 4 promising appearances from two of the deadliest villains from Kirkman’s comic book series. The brutal leader is the ultimate warrior and the strongest of the (dwindling) pure-blooded Viltrumites, and is hell-bent on restoring the empire to their former glory. The major antagonist has a huge role to play in the looming Viltrumite war, with the defeat of Conquest by the Graysons and their allies making them prime targets for Thragg and his army. But how likely is it that Matthew Rhys will voice the Viltrumite leader? Well, the Welsh actor has certainly earned plaudits for his voice work as the main villain for The Owl House, and the character certainly shares a lot of similar traits to Thragg. Rhys also has plenty of experience in voice acting - significantly more than the major cast - so despite not being as well known as newcomers Jeffrey Dean Morgan or Jonathan Banks (with the latter only making a brief cameo), he could definitely bring the fearful command and intensity of Thragg to the screen. Space Racer (another likely candidate) Another character set to play a major role in the looming conflict has already been quietly introduced in the show. Remember those sci-fi novels which Nolan published? Well, the books include key information to help bring down the Viltrumites, with Space Racer proving a key part. Over 100 years ago, Nolan overpowered and buried the alien known as Space Racer, as he proved a major threat to the Viltrumites as he wielded an incredibly powerful gun which fired indestructible blasts. View Green Video on the source website However, with Nolan and Allen setting out on a mission to recruit allies for the Coalition of Planets against the Viltrumites, Nolan will undoubtedly need the gun - and its owner - to join their cause. While Rhys is potentially more suited to the villainous Thragg, Kirkman and co generally tend to cast bigger names for their major characters - and there’s none more anticipated than the Viltrumite leader. Therefore, Space Racer is more of a safe bet. Dinosaurus (a possible contender) Dinosaurus, aka David Anders, is another fan-favourite character who is yet to be introduced in the series, but has a major impact on Mark Grayson and his outlook on superheroism. The character is an antagonist in the comics, with the highly intelligent superhuman dinosaur possessing hugely destructive powers and immense strength. Think the Incredible Hulk with jaws! While his extremist actions and views often see him coming to blows with Mark and the Guardians of the Globe, Dinosaurus does play an integral role in the upcoming Viltrumite conflict, surprisingly aiding Mark. This intriguing foe-turned-friend provides a fascinating delve into the morally greyer areas of superheroism, and Matthew Rhys's experience in the dark legal drama Perry Mason could certainly be a perfect fit for the role. If Robert Kirkman and co follow a similar suit to previous seasons in regards to casting, we’ll have to wait until season 4 debuts to find out just who is voicing the major players. Roll on 2026! View Affiliate Playlist on the source website Invincible season 3 is available to stream in full now on Prime Video – you can sign up now for a free 30-day Prime Video trial. Check out more of our Sci-fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The Wheel of Time's cancellation could signal a worrying change to the TV landscape
Robert Jordan's epic is just the latest in a long string of fantasy series to be cancelled.
**Warning: Contains spoilers for The Wheel of Time season 3.** Streaming service Prime Video shocked fantasy fans when it announced the sudden cancellation of hit expansive series The Wheel of Time, following a mere three-season run. With weeks of radio silence and uncertainty of a renewal following the conclusion of the third instalment, fans of the fantasy show were left reeling at the news, especially as the latest season received the highest rating from critics and fans alike, and even landed on the Nielsen Streaming Top 10 Chart (amassing 534 million minutes). Like many fantasy shows which have been cruelly cancelled in – or even before – their prime, The Wheel of Time fans have launched a hugely popular petition which has quickly garnered over 150,000 signatures, with the hope that the fantasy saga is shipped to other streaming services, (a lá The Expanse, which was ironically picked up at Prime Video). However, is this latest cancellation – in a long line of more diverse fantasy series being cancelled – a worrying sign of a larger shift in the TV landscape? It’s undoubtedly hard being a fantasy fan at the moment. As previously mentioned, TV shows within this genre are constantly being cancelled by streaming giants – primarily Netflix and Prime Video – either after their first season or just as they’re hitting their stride. Aside from The Wheel of Time, this includes popular and genuinely well-rated shows such as The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, The Acolyte, Lockwood & Co., Kaos, Warrior Nuns, Willow, The Bastard Son and the Devil Himself and most notably, The OA. As a result, audiences are hesitant to commit to starting a fantasy or YA-led show with the fear that they might be cancelled, having a direct impact on viewing numbers. Aside from the genre, the most prominent – and concerning – theme connecting the long list of cancelled shows is that diverse casts are at the forefront, along with more prominent female characters. While it’s hard being a fantasy fan, it’s even more difficult being a female, person of colour, and/or queer fantasy fan, due to the rise in misogynistic and discriminatory comments from audiences, co-ordinated review bombings and significant backlash across social media. The treatment of the Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power cast, most notably Morfydd Clark, Sophia Nomvete and Ismael Cruz Cordova, is a prime example. <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2024/10/LOTRS2FG02070404Still1422R13000-97cde55-e1727954799355.jpg" width="1879" height="1254" alt="Morfydd Clark as Galadriel; Benjamin Walker as High King Gil-galad; Ismael Cruz Córdova as Arondir in The Rings of Power season 2 episode 8" title="Morfydd Clark as Galadriel; Benjamin Walker as High King Gil-galad; Ismael Cruz Córdova as Arondir in The Rings of Power season 2 episode 8" /> Due to the controversy over Galadriel’s expanded arc and a person of colour playing Arondir, an elf in a show about a wholly fictional fantasy world filled with Balrogs, orcs and talking trees, the actors received ignorant and downright unacceptable backlash from a certain section of the fan base. And it’s not just the Rings of Power cast facing this torrid wave of abuse, take for example the wonderfully talented cast of The Acolyte – along with certain actors in the latest big-screen Star Wars trilogy – who have been subjected to awful discrimination. While this once welcome shift towards more diverse representation in a typically more male-dominated genre was long overdue, certain audiences appear to be pushing against this. In contrast, the beauty of Robert Jordan’s universe and The Wheel of Time show is the overwhelming acceptance and normality of powerful women, queer relationships and diverse cultures in everyday life. Jordan’s fictional world is one much more tolerant than our own and refreshingly free of hatred. In fact, both the book and show feature one of the most fascinating shifts in gender roles in the fantasy genre to date, tied to the core take on magic in the universe – the One Power. As the showrunner Rafe Judkins explained, these elements are an “unquestioned, innate part of this fantasy world” with certain dynamics and relationships commonplace. There’s no backlash or hatred explored within the text or subtext, and it’s all the richer for it. In fact, Rosamund Pike and Sophie Okonedo's take on Moiraine and Siuan’s expanded loving relationship, spanning years of their lives, was undoubtedly one of the most moving and emotional in the show. Furthermore, the show had literally just hit its stride with the best season yet, garnering praise from both critics and fans alike. The third instalment currently sits at its highest rating on Rotten Tomatoes with 97 per cent, along with the standout fourth episode, The Road to the Spear, quickly becoming the top-rated episode of the show on IMDb with an impressive 9.4/10. Even star Rosamund Pike noted the improved fan response to the third season, revealing on David Tennant’s podcast that "they loved some things, they hated others, but this third season, they're like, 'This is our show,' and that's very exciting". The third season of the show left us with plenty more story to tell, as Rand had just become the Car'a'carn, the "Chief of chiefs", with his significant battle with the madness beginning to take shape. There was also the shocking cliffhanger with the White Tower schism significantly altering the Aes Sedai and there’s still the apocalyptic Last Battle to come between the Dragon Reborn and the Dark One. While the third season adapted book four, The Shadow Rising, there are still 10 more books to go in the expansive saga, with so many more momentous events and arcs to unpack. It’s so disappointing to see such an accepting fantasy show be cancelled. This certainly feels like a reflection on the current trend of studios unfortunately leaning away from greater representation and more liberal viewpoints, potentially due to the shifting political landscape. Let’s just hope another streaming service picks up the series – as Robert Jordan wrote, “no one knows the Great Pattern the Wheel weaves, or even the Pattern of an Age. We can only watch, and study, and hope” – as the epic fantasy saga certainly deserves to be told in full. The Wheel of Time seasons 1 to 3 are available to stream on Prime Video. View Affiliate Playlist on the source website Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Thunderbolts* lays the groundwork for Avengers: Doomsday – and shows it the path to success
The new film has been heralded as a return to form for the MCU, but what lessons should future instalments take from it?
Warning: Contains spoilers for Thunderbolts* There’s no denying that Marvel has hit somewhat of a bumpy road post Avengers: Endgame. The game-changing climatic events of the Infinity saga – which was the culmination of over 10 years of interconnected storytelling – reached the very highs of superhero filmmaking, so it’s no surprise that the studio has been struggling to recapture that magic. The following Multiverse saga has proven fairly messy to say the least. The studio has been attempting to pass the baton from the first generation of heroes to a newly emerging roster including Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) and Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) for some time now. The franchise has also taken a knock from audiences suffering superhero fatigue post-pandemic, there’s been a shift from quantity over quality (due to the launch of Disney+) and it appeared that the studio lost sight of the direction for its cinematic universe, instead relying on nostalgia for previous projects to win back fans (here’s looking at you, Deadpool & Wolverine). And while the multiverse is a fun concept, particularly for longtime comic book fans who are well versed in the often bonkers crossover events, the huge scope, expanded ensembles and low stakes due to time-wimey shenanigans have undoubtedly led to apathy and disillusionment among viewers. Sponsored by Vue Save up to 30% on the latest releases at Vue in 2025 Are you a movie lover who always wants to be up to date with the latest releases? Then you're in luck, as RadioTimes.com readers can enjoy new films at Vue Cinemas for less. Customers will receive up to 30% off films with Vue Pass, as long as they have a RadioTimes.com account. It's a great time for new releases, with films such as Wicked, Nosferatu, The Brutalist and Moana 2 taking UK cinemas by storm. Head to your nearest Vue to catch these movies and more for up to 30% less if you're signed up as a RadioTimes.com member. Save up to 30% with Vue Pass Thankfully, the latest instalment from director Jake Schreier proves a return to form for the franchise, with Florence Pugh’s ragtag band of antiheroes recapturing the heart, humour and amusing antics of early Infinity Saga instalments such as Guardians of the Galaxy and The Avengers. The team-up, featuring the likes of Yelena Belova (Pugh), John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Red Guardian (David Harbour) and Bob (Lewis Pullman), is undoubtedly protagonist-driven and set within a (refreshingly) self-contained story. The excellent cast also share a genuine chemistry and emotion, with Schreier unafraid to delve into darker themes such as guilt, depression and battling your inner demons. The entertaining fractious and chaotic antiheroes become an unlikely band of heroes, with redemption at the core of the story. While Thunderbolts* replicates the winning framework of early MCU entries, the cast and crew also bring a fresh angle to the franchise with the darker themes, a whole new – and self-aware – team (#notmyavengers!) and an introduction of Mission: Impossible-esque practical stunts. The critically-praised film – plus the subsequent post-credit scenes – lays the groundwork for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday and shows the path to success for the next big instalment, especially with star Anthony Mackie recently sharing in an interview with IGN that the creative team are looking to recapture "that old Marvel feeling". Avengers: Doomsday needs to be a character-driven story first and foremost Director Jake Schreier has utilised an overlooked element in the recent MCU – focusing on the story and characters over fan service and incessant cameos. Thunderbolts* works so well because the excellent ensemble are afforded the time to delve into their complex characters, gradually opening up with one another, allowing the audience to fully connect with – and care for – the endearingly chaotic crew. The best MCU entries undoubtedly follow a similar character-driven format with their own distinct feel, such as the political thriller of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, the ragtag galactic escapades of the Guardians of the Galaxy and the unique, futuristic world building of Black Panther. It also helps that the characters have been introduced in previous films and TV shows, including Black Widow and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, with Bucky proving the connective tissue bridging the gap between the old and new phases. Furthermore, it’s surprisingly self-aware, with the absence of the Avengers looming large. The team are constantly told that the Avengers are gone and that the world is lacking in the heroes department – perhaps this is Marvel accepting and admitting their difficulties in assembling a new roster of heroes post-Endgame? Why the Avengers: Doomsday casting announcement is a concern While Thunderbolts* tells a timely and emotional story set in a predominantly self-contained outing – an element which looks to be replicated in the upcoming retro futuristic The Fantastic Four: First Steps – the casting announcements for Avengers: Doomsday seem to tell a different story. It’s fair to say that Robert Downey Jr and the Russo brothers reveal at San Diego Comic-Con 2024 were met with groans and bemusement by many fans, especially following Downey Jr’s jibe at the studio in his speech after winning Best Supporting Actor at the 2024 BAFTA ceremony. Concern that Marvel was wheeling out previous stalwarts in an attempt to ‘save the franchise’ were further stoked in the recent five-and-a-half-hour-long casting announcement for Avengers: Doomsday. Along with the Thunderbolts/New Avengers and Fantastic Four teams, there were notable X-Men reveals from the original films, the newer instalments and even Channing Tatum’s Gambit, whose comedic take on the beloved mutant debuted in Deadpool & Wolverine. The casting certainly hints at a similar approach to multiverse instalments such as Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Spider-Man: No Way Home and Deadpool & Wolverine, with the films featuring an onslaught of cameos from previous actors and a whole load of fan service. While Chris Evans’s cameo as Johnny Storm in Deadpool & Wolverine was amusing, and likewise, it was heartwarming to see Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire swinging alongside Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, it’s time for the Marvel machine to move on from the past. Thunderbolts* succeeds because it’s a more grounded, character-driven story like early MCU instalments. There are also genuine stakes (something which has been missing since the snap in Avengers: Infinity War), a darker tone and a narrative which finally affords audiences the time to truly care for these individuals. The film looks forward rather than to the past, too, establishing a genuinely excellent team led by the likes of the incredibly talented (and bankable) stars such as Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan and Lewis Pullman. The New Avengers vs Sam Wilson’s Avengers is also an intriguing and unique angle. Marvel needs to balance the character-driven format with the wider set-up when approaching Avengers: Doomsday, or they risk losing even more fans who have come back on board due to Thunderbolts*. Hopefully, these newer teams – alongside the likes of Shang-Chi – can decisively form the new generation of heroes which will finally take the MCU into a new era. And who better to lead the way? Thunderbolts* is now showing in UK cinemas. Check out more of our Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The Wheel of Time Season 3 ending explained: Is Rand accepted as Car'a'carn?
The widely-praised season has come to an end.
The third season of Prime Video’s hit fantasy series Wheel of Time has undoubtedly been the best in the show’s history, thanks to standout episodes The Road to the Spear and Goldeneyes. But with so many threads to resolve, does the season finale stick the landing? Well, the final episode certainly delivered on the action, with Rand (Josha Stradowski) attempting to unite the Aiel clan chiefs, while Elaida do Avriny a'Roihan (Shohreh Aghdashloo) made a deadly play for power. The highly-anticipated season finale surprisingly doesn’t quite resolve several of the gripping threads in the series, leaving the show open-ended for the fourth season - which is yet to be announced. Need a recap on all the major events that occurred in the action-packed finale? Read on for a deep dive into everything you need to know about the ending of The Wheel of Time season 3. The Wheel of Time Season 3 ending explained: Is Rand accepted as Car'a'carn? Entering the glass columns in Rhuidean and gaining the dragon markings on both of his arms was just the first part in becoming the Car'a'carn; Rand still needed to unite the rest of the Aiel clan chiefs in agreement that he’s truly He Who Comes with the Dawn. He travelled to Alcair Dal with the wise ones and was presented to the rest of the clans, though he wasn’t the only one. Couladin (Set Sjöstrand) - with the help of a scorned Lanfear (Natasha O'Keeffe) - also declared himself with matching dragon markings. To prove he is the rightful Car'a'carn, Rand revealed the secret history of the Aiel from the Age of Legends, which he discovered through his ancestors eyes in Ter'angreal. But the shocking knowledge that the Aiel once followed the Way of the Leaf and were Oathbreakers leads to violence erupting within the clans. To quell the violence and prove his claim, Rand channels the One Power and brings rainfall to the desert waste, an event which hasn’t been seen since the Breaking of the World. The season ends without confirming whether he's been accepted as the true Car'a'carn though, instead closing on a cliffhanger as Egwene (Madeleine Madden) begs Rand to "let go, please" as he’s channeling the One Power. Do Moiraine's visions come true and does Lanfear murder her? Following the visions she experienced of both her and Rand dying in the glass columns at Rhuidean, Moiraine (Rosamund Pike) is determined to protect the Dragon Reborn at Alcair Dal. She knows they need the Aiel nation on their side for the Last Battle, so to keep Lanfear at bay, the two go head-to-head in the desert wasteland, as their uneasy alliance comes to an end. At one point, Lanfear appears to almost kill the Aes Sedai by strangling her, but Moiraine - with the help of the Sakarnen and a strategic swing by Lan (Daniel Henney) - manages to get back into the fight. However, Lanfear soon sends Lan reeling and uses his sword to stab Moiraine in the stomach, as witnessed in one of Moiraine’s visions. But Moiraine channels the incredible power of the Sakarnen orb and rips the sword out of her stomach, slashing Lanfear in the neck with it before she escapes through a portal, with Moiraine escaping her fate. Does Elaida's coup succeed at the White Tower? Unfortunately, yes. After a whole season of political manoeuvring and shady power plays, the powerful Aes Sedai of the Red Ajah, Elaida do Avriny a'Roihan, manages to depose and overthrow Siuan Sanche (Sophie Okonedo) from the Amyrlin seat. Using a decoy to lure Siuan Sanche’s remaining allies from the White Tower, she seized power, stating that the Siuan had been accused of being a dark friend, working in consort with the shadow to hide the dragon’s existence from the tower, preventing their ability to control him. For these crimes, she sentenced her to be stilled, brutally hurling arrows at her. In a heartbreaking and shocking moment - and a twist for book readers - Elaida condemns Siuan to death for her crimes against the tower, working with Moiraine to hide the location of the Dragon Reborn from the Aes Sedai. But not before she gives one of the most moving speeches of the series yet, with Sophie Okonedo shining in her final moment. "The world is changing, we cannot stand behind these walls and pretend we have control, the only thing we have control over is what we do. So what will you do? Will you stand behind this woman who stands for nothing, who loves nothing but power? It’s not the tower or the seat which makes us, us. "We are the power, the light shines through us, that is the truth. You hear my words and know that they are true. If you stay here, you will burn with this tower that you claim to love. But I will never burn, because I am Siuan Sanche, daughter of the river, water itself, and I defy you." What happens to the collar in Tanchico? Nynaeve (Zoë Robins), Elayne (Ceara Coveney), Thom Merrilin (Alexandre Willaume), Mat (Dónal Finn) and Min (Kae Alexander) are in a race against to locate the collar before Liandrin Guirale (Kate Fleetwood) and her remaining Black Ajah allies find it and use it against Rand. The party splits up and Elayne and Tom manage to take out a Black Ajah with her balefire weapon, while Nyaeve finds the cuff and faces Liandrin. The villain takes the cuff from Nyaeve and chains her, sending her crashing into the sea. However, just as it looks like Nyaeve is going to drown, she regains the power to channel and - in an incredible feat - manages to part the sea as she walks back to the shore. Meanwhile, Matt and Min also successfully take out another Black Ajah, but Matt ends up entering a gateway which takes him to an Eelfinn creature, asking him what his needs are. Unaware that he’s made three wishes (to fix his mind from all the memories, to be free of the One Power and to get out of the dimension), Matt ends up back in Tanchiko but in a noose, just like Min’s visions. (Unlike the book, where he’s hung on the tree of life in Rhuidean.) Despite regaining their ability to channel and successfully adding the balefire weapon to their arsenal, the gang are unsuccessful in retaining the a'dam cuffs, as we see Moghedien taking them from Liandrin before she proposes they work together going forward. Eeek! View Affiliate Playlist on the source website The full third season of The Wheel of Time is available to stream on Prime Video. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide or Streaming Guide to find out what to watch tonight. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Devil May Cry ending explained: Do Dante and Lady stop White Rabbit?
*Warning: This article contains full spoilers for the final episode of Devil May Cry.* Castlevania showrunner Adi Shankar has successfully added another excellent game-to-TV adaptation to his belt with Capcom’s Devil May Cry, introducing demon-hunter-for-hire Dante (Johnny Yong Bosch) to the small screen. The star studded eight-episode Netflix series certainly keeps viewers on the edge of their seats with a tense season finale showdown, with Dante and Lady (Scout Taylor-Compton) battling for the fate of Earth, facing off against White Rabbit (Hoon Lee) and his demon horde to prevent the gates of Hell being opened. The eighth instalment certainly packs a punch - with exciting character introductions from the game laying the groundwork for certain story adaptations - but for non-gamers, this may have raise some unanswered questions. Whether Devil May Cry is renewed for a second season still remains to be seen, but with several major antagonists teased in the season finale - and five main games to adapt (along with reboot DmC: Devil May Cry) - there are certainly plenty more adventures in store for Dante if Netflix plan to greenlit further seasons. Devil May Cry ending explained: Do Dante and Lady stop White Rabbit? Following a tense showdown between the trio - which saw the antagonist using demon blood to significantly alter his form and power - it appeared that White Rabbit’s plan was finally going to come to fruition. With both parts of the amulet complete and the sword of Sparda in its true form with blood from the two brothers (as he drives the sword through Dante), White Rabbit successfully opens the gates to Hell - transforming the city. However, Lady has one demon bullet remaining, and with her last shot she hits the red core in White Rabbit’s chest, significantly weakening him. And with the knowledge that his twin brother lives, Dante is resolute in living so he can find his twin. He then removes his father’s sword from his chest, transforms into his demon form and charges into the antagonist, piercing him through the stomach before splitting him in half with the sword - finally killing him. Dante then removes the amulet from the Force Edge sword of Sparda, closing the gate to the demon realm - restoring the city. What is Operation Inferno? Following White Rabbit’s death, VP Baines (Kevin Conroy) and DARKCOM operatives recover White Rabbit’s main device, which can detect and hold open rifts between the two realms, from Anders (Benjamin Abiola), before killing the mole. The shady government agency then uses the technology to "wage the final war against Hell itself", enacting Operation Inferno. Along with carrying out VP Baines’s holy mission to fight for humanity’s souls, the operation is also a nod to Devil May Cry 4, referring to the 16th mission of the game (along with the Divine Comedy). As part of the operation, several missiles are sent through the portal to Hell, destroying innocent Makai residents while damaging the realm. The army is then sent in to conquer, with soldiers taking selfies with the American flag as they unleash destruction, along with photos of soldiers posing with dead demon bodies and parading giant skull trophies on their vehicles. The president then reveals that Hell and demons are real in an announcement to all American citizens, as VP Baines partners with the Urboros Corporation to build a detention facility down in Hell. Who is the Uroboros Corporation? In one of the final reveals, we see VP Baines standing next to the ominous looking leader of the Uroboros Corporation, complete with a Van-Dyke style moustache and beard, an all-white suit with a dark blue cravat and a burgundy fur trimmed cape. Many fans of the games will recognise this as Arius, the main villain of Devil May Cry 2. The wealthy antagonist is the CEO of Uroboros and a modern day sorcerer who is looking to utilise demonic power for his own gains. Much like the Umbrella Corporation in the Resident Evil games, the Uroboros Corporation is a multinational conglomerate acting as a villainous corporation in Devil May Cry. Along with scientific, medical and biological research, the company is a weapons manufacturer and is currently running the detention facility down in Hell. Does Dante find his brother Vergil? As revealed by White Rabbit, Dante now knows that his twin brother Vergil - who he thought he watched die when they were children - is in fact alive. He then sets out on a mission to try and track him down after all these years. "Knowing there’s a chance, I have to go out there to try and find him," Dante says to Lady. "You could come with me if you want? We could do an odd couple buddy cop thing. Riggs and Murtaugh, Tango and Cash, Dante and Lady." Unfortunately for Dante, Mary brings him into DARKCOM and the demon hunter is put into cryostasis, halting his plans. Meanwhile, back in Hell, Vergil (also known as 'The Knight') kills the prison guards in the Uroboros Corporation’s detention facility and frees the inmates. While informing the prisoners that King Mundus grants them their freedom and that they should show him gratitude, he transforms from his demon alter ego to his white-haired human form, brandishing a katana. This reveal potentially teases Vergil’s Black Knight arc from the games, as the character is tortured and controlled by King Mundus, as seen in the ending of Devil May Cry 3. If - and when - Dante escapes from DARKCOM, his family reunion might be more complicated than he thought! Devil May Cry is available to stream on Netflix now. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide or Streaming Guide to find out what to watch tonight. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The Wheel of Time season 3's darkest scene yet shows a welcome new side to Rand
*Warning: Spoilers ahead for The Wheel of Time season 3 episode 6.* Along with setting up a significant showdown in the Two Rivers and featuring key developments to the Tanchico storyline, The Wheel of Time season 3 episode 6 continues to address one of its biggest criticisms with even more crucial developments in Rand Al'Thor’s (Josha Stradowski) integral arc. Following the excellent Rand-centric fourth episode, The Shadow in the Night finally addresses the increasing danger of the Dragon Reborn’s power, as Rand begins to exhibit the negative effects of channelling the tainted One Power. The latest instalment in the fantasy series circles back to the uncomfortable truth of the Dragon Reborn prophecy - will he make or break the world? Following a warning from Lanfear (Natasha O'Keeffe) to Moiraine (Rosamund Pike) that she’s going to send a little surprise for Rand to handle, Forsaken member Sammael (Fares Fares) attacks Egwene (Madeleine Madden) and Rand, with Aviendha (Ayoola Smart) also jumping into battle. As Sammael attempts to hit Rand with a burst of power from his infused hammer, Rand creates a protective shield, composed of a mix of golden woven threads and a much darker tainted power - which mesmerises him - as sparks of lighting dispatch grey men in the background. However, Aiel member Alsera (Julie Van Leeuwen) is caught in the crossfire of Rand’s destructive power and he unfortunately finds her dead. “Life is a dream in which we all must wake,” Aviendha warns Rand. But in his grief and anger, he refuses to accept Alsera’s fate, crossing a distinct line as he attempts to use the One Power to bring her back from the dead. “I can do anything!” Rand screams, in one of The Wheel of Time’s darkest scenes yet. “What does the prophecy say? I bring destruction but also creation,” as he attempts, for want of a better word, necromancy. This season is excelling in the long overdue exploration of the many facets of Rand - whether that’s the glimpse into his Aiel ancestry, his journey to become the Car'a'carn or the greater examination of the effect the Dragon Reborn’s power is having on the character. Along with featuring another powerful performance from Josha Stradowski, the spotlight on Rand’s growing mental instability and the effects of channelling the One Power is an integral element in the fate of the world, as they’re preparing to face the Dark One in the last battle. The Dragon Reborn is undoubtedly their biggest weapon in the upcoming war. But as the band of heroes attempt to recruit allies and locate several magical objects to try to gain an upper hand, can they also protect Rand from his slow descent into madness? Viewers and book readers alike are aware of The Taint, the corruption of the One Power by the Dark One, which can cause those who channel it to go mad - especially male users. Most notably Lews Therin, a previous incarnation of the Dragon. So how can Rand and his allies help prevent him from this seemingly doomed fate? Can they find a path to help him control this growing madness? It doesn’t help that those closest to Rand - his anchors to this world - consistently neglect to support him along his path and even use him. Even Egwene heartbreakingly reveals that she already believes that the madness has taken over due to his relationship with Lanfear. Another key scene in The Shadow in the Night finally gives us a fascinating insight into Rand’s constant struggle against the call of his power - along with a literal manifestation of the temptation - as Moiraine seeks his guidance on using the all-consuming power. “Don’t submit. If the Aiel and the Forsaken have taught me anything, it’s that the Aes Sedai don’t know everything about it,” Rand explains. View Green Video on the source website “If I stopped fighting it, even for a second, I’d be gone. It’s just always there, even now, it’s calling me, pulling at me. Sometimes I can’t stop myself from reaching out to it.” Thanks to Moiraine’s visions in the rings of Ruidian - which show many possible futures throughout alternate timelines - tied to the powerful Aes Sedai, the Dragon Reborn and Lanfear - we have an inkling of just where his darkness might take him. Moiraine also revealed that in certain future timelines, Rand kills her and also Egwene. Will Lanfear eventually manage to turn him? Does he succumb to the darkness and become Darth Rand? It’s fantastic to see this narrative thread finally addressed, as it’s such an integral part of the larger story, along with a key part to Rand’s deepening arc - an element which hasn’t truly been explored in the series until now. The temptation of power is a well-used trope in fantasy - think Boromir and Galadriel from the Lord of the Rings, Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, Angel in Buffy, etc - but it’s also a brilliant test of a protagonist. Furthermore, added complexity makes for a much more fascinating and nuanced hero. Boromir’s emotional end wouldn’t have been as impactful if he wasn’t tempted into trying to take the ring and in turn, willingly sacrifice himself to save Merry and Pippin in an act of humility and redemption. Actress and executive producer Pike recently spoke to RadioTimes.com about this element, reinforcing that "it's very interesting to have a hero who will, by necessity, go mad when he uses the full potential of his power". Just as Lanfear is a much more complex and interesting villain, this growing temptation for Rand makes for a flawed but more realistic and relatable hero. His potential descent into madness due to the Taint makes for a compelling arc, tied to the prophesied final battle against the Dark One. View Affiliate Playlist on the source website The Wheel of Time season 3 airs weekly on Prime Video. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide or Streaming Guide to find out what to watch tonight. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The Wheel of Time season 3 has finally done a key villain justice with a bold storytelling choice
The Wheel of Time has its black-and-white villains – but Lanfear is a more compelling beast.
Warning: Contains spoilers for The Wheel of Time season 3 episode 5. Following on from one of the show’s best episodes yet is certainly a tough act, but The Wheel of Time season 3 episode 5 features plenty of exciting character moments amid new cities and realms, thrilling politicking and also several shock revelations. Titled Tel’aran’rhiod, the fifth instalment in the series took viewers on a fascinating journey to the World of Dreams, as Egwene (Madeleine Madden) begins to explore her Dreamwalking powers, as guided by the Aiel Wise Ones. But when Egwene travels with Moiraine (Rosamund Pike) to the dream world, she begins to see the possible futures for her friends, inadvertently discovering Rand’s (Josha Stradowski) painful betrayal with Lanfear (Natasha O'Keeffe) in what she (heartbreakingly) believed was their shared future. By further exploring Lanfear’s complicated dynamic with Rand and their shared past - along with Egwene’s discovery that Lanfear has been haunting her nightmares - the episode delivers on adding even more intrigue and nuance to The Wheel of Time’s most fascinating villain. The fantasy genre can often be guilty of falling into the archetypal story trope of the core good vs evil conflict, with very clear-cut characters serving specific roles and purposes. While this isn’t a criticism of the many beloved novels and adaptations which utilise this form of storytelling - as viewers know exactly what they’re getting with this more traditional approach - the downside is that it can often limit the boundaries of certain characters. While the major players often inhabit a more black-and-white dichotomy, it’s the morally grey characters which are often more fascinating. For example, the Dark One (Fares Fares) is undoubtedly The Wheel of Time’s archetypal big bad, but Lanfear is a far more compelling beast. A standout flashback to the Age of Legends in episode 4, The Road to the Spear, revealed that Rand’s ancestor Charn served the Aes Sedai, and in particular the Collam Daan university researcher Mierin Eronaile​​ - who would later become known as Lanfear. In this vision, Mierin was working on an exciting breakthrough which she hoped would help advance mankind for good, having discovered a power which can be utilised by both men and women. However, to access that power, they had to drill through the 'Bore' - a calamitous event which led to the release of the Dark One. By affording viewers a fascinating insight into her past and her motivations for scientific advancement, along with deepening her relationship with Rand, the showrunners have helped expand upon the novel’s depiction of the villain. Discussing the flashback with Screen Rant, showrunner Rafe Judkins described how the scene was "really important to the Rand-Lanfear relationship", and how this scene builds upon the book version of the character as "a lot of that’s hinted at in the books… but to actually see this woman in those shoes aspiring to a greater scientific goal lets you feel for Lanfear in a different way". Furthermore, Lanfear and Rand’s pivotal discussion about her past in episode 5 further highlights the character’s complicated and conflicting nature, as she argues that she isn’t that person anymore. "You were driven and brave. You wanted the world to be a better place and you wanted people to have more than they had," Rand counters. Lanfear admits that she still wants that and that she loves Rand - the dark parts and the light. She’s one of the 13 Forsaken, is an incredibly powerful and dangerous channeller, and will manipulate anyone to serve her own means. And yet, it does appear that she truly loves Rand in this moment. Are they the two sides of the same coin, destined to save the world? Or lovers doomed to break it? It’s hard to know what her true motivations are so far - does she truly love Rand, does she love him because of her relationship with the previous dragon Lews Therin, or is she merely using him for her own personal gain? You can’t help but feel for Rand, as he’s constantly used and controlled by those nearest to him, while Lanfear embraces him as a whole. Telling him that she accepts and loves both his dark and light parts is certainly a powerful means of manipulation if so, as his friends and mentor consistently reject this notion. She’s even struck up an uneasy alliance with Moiraine to help keep Rand on the "right" path, heading to the Stone of Tear. Is she doing this to truly help Rand fulfil his legacy so they can both save the world - or merely rule it together? Aligning herself with the band of heroes is an undeniably risky move for her if discovered by the other members of the Forsaken, which lends itself more to the argument that she does love Rand and is helping to guide him on his journey to save the world. However, while previously mentioning that she could escape her dark oaths, she hinted that she needs a certain magical item to do so, the item which Moiraine has coincidentally just secured. "There’s a sa’angreal for women, the Sakarnen," Lanfear teases - could she end up wielding it later in the show, perhaps taking on a similar role to Demandred? View Green Video on the source website Moiriaine’s visions in Ruhidean also reveal that Lanfear kills Moiraine in several alternate timelines, while episode 5 spotlights how she’s terrorising Egwene in her nightmares - undoubtedly born from jealousy of her relationship with Rand. These added complications highlight the duality of the Dreamwalker, adding further intrigue and character development. Lanfear is certainly walking a tightrope this season, and this added depth and expansion of the character from the books is undoubtedly strengthening her arc, much like Leandrin’s upcoming flashback in episode 6. It would be so easy for the writers to position the character so viewers would hate her, but these additions make for a much more interesting and impactful arc. Plus, it certainly helps that actor Natasha O'Keeffe is one of the best actors in the shows, consistently stealing scenes as she exudes an inimitable swagger and effortless confidence. It’s genuinely so refreshing to see such a complex fantasy villain, with Lanfear undoubtedly one of the most interesting (and entertaining!) characters. View Affiliate Playlist on the source website The Wheel of Time season 3 airs weekly on Prime Video. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide or Streaming Guide to find out what to watch tonight. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.