How much is Disney Plus? What’s included in the UK price
Here's everything you need to know about Disney's streaming service, which has everything from Disney originals, Pixar, Marvel, Star and so much more.
Disney Plus is now a well-established giant in the streaming world thanks to its continuous releases of original shows, new films and gripping series. For families, its child-friendly options include films such as the live-action Lilo & Stitch, as well as classics like The Lion King, Toy Story, and The Incredibles. While its growing selection of adult-focused content includes ongoing releases like The Bear, Only Murders in the Building, and reality hits like The Kardashians. That's not forgetting the Marvel Cinematic Universe films and series, like the brand-new addition of Deadpool and Wolverine. Plus there's the Star Wars shows, including The Acolyte and The Book of Boba Fett. Read more the best Disney Plus deals here. We've also got round-ups of the best Disney Plus shows and best Disney Plus movies, so you can delve deeper into what Disney Plus is all about – including compatible devices and the price increase. Get Disney Plus from £5.99 a month Take a look at some of the tech world's new releases, like the reMarkable Paper Pro Move and Samsung Galaxy S25 FE. Jump to: What is Disney Plus: What's included in the UK subscription? How much does Disney Plus cost in the UK? How do I sign up for Disney Plus in the UK? How many people can watch Disney Plus at once? How many devices can you use Disney Plus on? What TV shows are on Disney Plus? What movies are on Disney Plus? Is Disney Plus worth it? Can I download Disney Plus films and TV shows? What is Disney Plus: What's included in the UK subscription? Disney Plus is a major streaming service owned by The Walt Disney Company which features a host of new and past TV series and films from Disney and its many subsidiaries. That means you can not only expect to find Disney projects like The Little Mermaid and The Bear but also shows and films from: Pixar Marvel Star Wars Fox National Geographic Star Disney Plus subscribers have access to a range of shows and films made by Disney's creative studios (FX, Fox, 20th Century Studios, ABC, Searchlight and Freeform) with Star – a section added after launch catering for more mature content. Also, Hulu titles are often added as a part of Star. From award-winning movies including Poor Things and Almost Famous to TV shows including Family Guy, Grey’s Anatomy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. See our guide to can you watch Hulu in the UK to see what you can watch with a Disney subscription. As per streaming services like Netflix, you don't have to buy each show or film you watch; instead, you pay a monthly subscription for access to all titles on the service’s massive library. Disney Plus has now released two new cheaper subscription plans to help you save on your membership. The Standard with Ads plan usually costs just £5.99 a month. This plan includes access to 1080p Disney content which can be streamed across two devices; you will have adverts and will be unable to download content to play offline. Check out the Disney Plus ad tiers explained for more. The plan above this, the Standard plan, costs £9.99 a month and has all the benefits of the Standard with Ads membership, plus there are no adverts and you can download content to watch offline on two devices. If you want to go all out, then the Premium plan could be the one for you. For £14.99 a month, you can enjoy ultra-high definition (4K HDR) ad-free content streamed and downloaded across four devices. Get Disney Plus from £5.99 a month How much does Disney Plus cost in the UK? The cost of your Disney Plus subscription depends on the plan you've chosen. The Standard with Ads plan usually costs £5.99 a month. The Standard plan costs £9.99 a month or £99.90 a year, and the Premium plan costs £14.99 a month or £149.90 a year. Disney Plus sometimes runs deals, such as the £1.99 per month offer for June 2025, which sees you secure the streaming service for less. Get Disney Plus from £5.99 a month How do I sign up for Disney Plus in the UK? You can sign up to Disney Plus on their website or through the Disney Plus app. You can download the app on most Android and Apple devices, as well as most Smart TVs and Amazon Fire TV Stick. You can also sign up via your PS5 or Xbox Series X games console. Check out our guide to find out how to download the Disney Plus app. You’ll be able to sign up for the service through Sky Q and NOW – Disney Plus will be available as an add-on. How many people can watch Disney Plus at once? The amount of devices you can stream Disney Plus on simultaneously depends on the plan you've signed up for. The Standard with Ads and Standard plans allow streaming on two devices, while Premium subscribers can stream on four devices at once. How many devices can you use Disney Plus on? You can also register up to ten devices, and Disney Plus will support seven profiles. The Disney Plus app can be downloaded on most Apple and Android devices, Smart TVs and Amazon Fire TV streaming devices, as well as consoles such as the PS5 and Xbox Series X. What TV shows are on Disney Plus? Top Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar and Fox shows are available for all subscribers, including: Star Wars series The Acolyte, where a Padawan reunites with her Jedi Master to investigate a series of crimes Also there's Star Wars' Andor, a series that acts as a prequel to the movie Rogue One. Marvel Studios is rolling out an ambitious slate of shows set in its cinematic universe, which started with WandaVision and continued with Agatha All Along. Season four of Only Murders in the Building, a comedy series fronted by Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez, whose apartment building is plagued by a series of incidents. Star Originals including Welcome to Wrexham, a docuseries about Ryan Reynolds's purchase and ownership of one of professional football's oldest clubs, which is soon returning for its third season. National Geographic shows like the new series of Animals Up Close with Bertie Gregory, which shows us the daily lives of some of the world’s most extraordinary animals in new detail. Cartoon shorts like I Am Groot series two and Forky Asks a Question from the world of Toy Story. 32 seasons of hit animation series The Simpsons and new episodes of its sister show Futurama. All seven seasons of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, an animated series delving into what happened between Episode II and Episode III, as well as a second series of spin-off Star Wars: The Bad Batch. Percy Jackson and the Olympians was a treat for Rick Riordan fans which came out earlier in the year. Get Disney Plus from £5.99 a month As much as we love watching films in the comfort of our own homes, we also love going to the cinema, too. Here's how to get cheap cinema tickets. What movies are on Disney Plus? Disney Plus hosts a gigantic library of classic Disney movies (think Snow White) alongside Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar and Fox movies. The biggest films to look out for include… The Marvel Cinematic Universe. Almost all of the MCU superhero films will be available to watch, including Deadpool & Wolverine. Oscar nominees such as the The Banshees of Inisherin, Alien: Romulus, and Elton John: Never Too Late. The Little Mermaid - Disney's latest foray into live-action remakes starring Halle Bailey as Ariel. The Menu - a black comedy starring Ralph Fiennes in which 12 privileged guests arrive on a lavish private island and are served by a former celebrity chef. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, along with all the previous Star Wars films, are available on Disney Plus. Disney Plus original movies including Strange World and Lady and the Tramp. 20th Century Fox classics including Mrs Doubtfire. The entire Pixar collection, including new release Elemental. The X-Men movies, including the acclaimed X-Men: Days of Future Past. The brand new Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny film is available to stream, starring Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antonio Banderas and, of course, Indiana Jones himself— Harrison Ford. Get Disney Plus from £5.99 a month Is Disney Plus worth it? There’s certainly a lot going for the subscription service, with the Standard with Ads plan (costing £5.99 a month) and the Disney Plus Standard plan (costing £9.99 per month) being cheaper than Netflix’s standard package (£12.99). At the launch of the service, a weak spot for Disney Plus was that its content was almost exclusively child and teen-friendly, leading to a shortage of mature titles for adults to dive into. However, that totally changed with the inclusion of Star in 2021 - oh, and just in case you're a parent nervous about your little ones watching something they should, here's our explainer on the Disney Plus parental controls. Marvel Studios also regularly produces original television series for Disney Plus set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and with Secret Invasion, Eyes of Wakanda, and Loki all launching in the last few years, Disney has quickly established itself as the streamer of choice for comic book aficionados. Disney Plus may well be the best streaming service for Marvel fans, Star Wars lovers or those with children - or indeed anyone with an interest in the streaming service's rapidly growing choices for both young and old, at a very reasonable price. Get Disney Plus from £5.99 a month Read more in our ‘Is Disney Plus worth it?’ analysis Can I download Disney Plus films and TV shows? Yes, you can download titles and watch them later on the Disney Plus app. You can only do so on iOS or Android devices, currently, you're unable to watch Disney offline on PCs or game consoles. Downloads will last 30 days. Get Disney Plus from £5.99 a month Want more Disney? Check out our guides to how to get Disney Plus on your smart TV and recommendations of Disney Plus offers, or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide. Plus, here's the Apple AirPods Pro 3 UK release date and Apple Watch Ultra 3 UK release date.
How to watch Black Mirror in chronological order
The complete timeline of Netflix's Black Mirror is packed with Easter eggs linking episodes.
**WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR SEASON 1-7 OF NETFLIX'S BLACK MIRROR** The seventh season of Black Mirror is now available to stream on Netflix, bringing us six new sci-fi stories to dive in to. This brings the grand total number of episodes to 34, with just two being directly connected, USS Callister and its sequel, USS Callister: Into Infinity. This means that technically, other than those two, every episode of the series can be watched in any order – but is there a particular order that is best? Of course, there's a good argument to be made that they should be watched in release order. However, there are other fun ways you can come to them, given that there is reason to believe that they all exist in the same universe – or, at least, multiverse. This is because there are an absolute mass of Easter eggs sprinkled throughout the show, references that weave a spider’s web of connections between the eclectic instalments. But is it possible to untangle this web into a coherent Black Mirror timeline? Answer: sort of. It’s not pretty – and it relies on a fair bit of reasonable guesswork – but it is possible to watch the Netflix series in a chronological order. Read on for how you can watch Black Mirror in chronological order, including season 7. How to watch Black Mirror in chronological order Beyond the Sea (Season 6, episode 3) While this episode takes place in a definitively alternate version of history, the date is very much made clear – the episode is set in 1969, making it the earliest to have featured in the Black Mirror timeline. Demon 79 (Season 6, episode 5) Another episode where the date is made abundantly clear, this one takes place a decade after Beyond the Sea - in 1979. If you're looking for Easter eggs, keep your eyes peeled for the White Bear symbol on the talisman, and a glimpse of the Metalhead dogs in Nida's vision of the future. Bandersnatch (interactive special, released 2018) Another one of the few Black Mirror episodes to give a definitive date, it’s clear Netflix’s choose-your-own-adventure is primarily set in July 1984. San Junipero (Season 3, episode 4) Although seemingly set in 1987 and 2002, viewers learn that the episode’s characters are alive in a version of our future and living through the past with help from some VR. However, as most of the episode takes place decades ago (be it artificially), it still goes first in the timeline. Plaything (Season 7, episode 4) It's hard to know exactly when the modern timeline of Plaything featuring Peter Capaldi takes place, but we do know exactly when the flashback sequences take place – 1994. Therefore, as the majority of the episode takes place in the flashbacks, we'd fit it in here in the timeline. Mazey Day (Season 6, episode 4) Another of Black Mirror season 6 to be set in the past, this one takes place in the mid-2000s. Look out for two San Junipero references (to the Quagmire and Yorkie) and to fictional show Sea of Tranquility, which is mentioned across the series and we can only assume is very long running. The National Anthem (Season 1, episode 1) Cut forward now to a version of the modern-day (at least, the modern-day when the episode was released in 2011). Although it’s unclear exactly when the events of the episode take place, other instalments refer to Prime Minister Michael Callow (Rory Kinnear) after he has sex with a pig. A sentence that only makes sense in the very strange world of Black Mirror. Smithereens (Season 5, episode 2) Not only does this Andrew Scott episode seem to be set in the modern-day à la The National Anthem, but a headline visible in the episode points to the launch of the 'cookie' – a technology central to Be Right Back (soon on the list). It’s also clear Michael Callow, the prime minister in The National Anthem, is still head of the UK in Smithereens (and apparently dealing with Brexit-style EU negotiations). Fifteen Million Merits (Season 1, episode 2) We know. This makes little sense given the vastly sophisticated technological landscape presented in the episode. However, in The Waldo Moment – spoiler: it’s the next episode on this list – a poster of game show Fifteen Million Merits, featuring the face of central character Abi (Jessica Brown Findlay), is visible. The Waldo Moment (Season 2, episode 3) We know this takes place a year after the events of The National Anthem. That’s because in the final ‘one year later’ scene in Black Mirror's debut episode, a news ticker refers to the ‘Tillsdale fire inquiry’, something that appears in an identical news alert in The Waldo Moment. Be Right Back (Season 2, episode 1) A news ticker in the episode states “Geraint Fitch cleared of wrongdoing following paparazzi scuffle”. That’s exactly the same headline seen on TV during the National Anthem’s 'one year later' closing moments. Shut Up and Dance (Season 3, episode 3) There’s nothing definitive that reveals the date here, but the technology used within the episode indicates it’s set close to the modern-day. However, a Waldo moment sticker appearing on a laptop owned by Kenny (Alex Lawther) indicates the story takes place after the events of The Waldo Moment. White Bear (Season 2, episode 2) In Shut Up and Dance, viewers can catch a news article titled ‘Victoria Skillane trial latest'. This indicates that episode is set before White Bear, which follows a convicted Skillane after trial. Common People (Season 7, episode 1) This episode is likely to take place prior to Hated in the Nation, given that Amanda is teaching in her school about ADIs – mechanical bees which were weaponised in a season 3 episode. Meanwhile, it likely takes place after The Waldo Moment, as one of the users on Dum Dummies has the username I_AM_Waldo. Playtest (Season 3, episode 2) The next episode in the list, Hated in the Nation features the news ticker announcement “Shau Saito announces immersive new gaming system”. That’s the secret system that was first trialled in Playtest before being made public. Hated in the Nation (Season 3, episode 6) Likely to take place after White Bear: as well as mentions of Prime minister Michael Callow, several tweets in the episode wish death on to Victoria Skillane. As reasoned above, it's also probable this episode is set after Playtest. Loch Henry (Season 6, episode 2) Loch Henry appears to be set relatively close to the present day due to the lack of any futuristic tech and the use of video tapes. However, there is a poster in the offices of a production company Davis and Pia go to a meeting with, for a documentary called The Callow Years. One would assume this would be released after he had left office, and as he was still being called Prime Minister in Hated in the Nation, this must come after it. Joan is Awful (Season 6, episode 2) Joan is Awful is another episode which seems to be set fairly close to the present day, but its place in the timeline is set by what appears on Joan's Streamberry account – not only are there shows called Finding Ritman (a reference to Bandersnatch), The Callow Years and Sea of Tranquility, but the Loch Henry documentary is also present, meaning this has to be set after that episode. Bête Noire (Season 7, episode 2) This one seems largely close to the present day, with the only high tech element being the gaming headset Kae uses – something which is essentially available now. That is, until the end. The episode's ending reveals Verity has developed a technology far beyond our capabilities, but she seems to be a particularly advanced mind when it comes to computing and has kept the discovery to herself. The only other point of reference we have is that Barnie's Chicken has gone bust, after still being open and operating in Shut Up and Dance and Joan is Awful. Therefore, it must come after those episodes. Crocodile (Season 4, episode 3) Again, there’s no definitive year given. But the technology in the snowy episode – including the memory-reading machine – appears very rudimental. All other tech indicates the episode is set close to the present day. Hotel Reverie (Season 7, episode 3) While there are lots of Easter eggs in Hotel Reverie, few of them seem to give us any real handle on when the episode is set. The only element which is definitive is the presence of streaming service Streamberry, so we assume it takes place close to Joan is Awful and Loch Henry. However, the nubbin technology seems more advanced that the memory reading device in Crocodile, so we will place it after that. Eulogy (Season 7, episode 5) The Eulogy system uses a similar nubbin technology to that seen in Hotel Reverie, and while it delves into similar technological fields as those in Crocodile, it seems more advanced. With little else to go one, we'll place it after those episodes. Nosedive (Season 3, episode 1) Yes, despite the futuristic cars, looks like this Bryce Dallas Howard adventure happens relatively close to Hated in the Nation. A news ticker in that episode announces “Reputelligent shares nosedive” – that’s a reference to this season three opener. Men Against Fire (Season 3, episode 5) Although it appears like the soldiers in the episode are fighting some futuristic war, the augmented reality technology prominent in the story is seen more in more advanced forms in later episodes. Arkangel (Season 4, episode 2) The episode’s widely used parental filters are very similar to the eye tech used in Men Against Fire and The Entire History of You. And since it’s available to parents, not just the military, we can guess ArkAngel is set after Men Against Fire. The Entire History of You (Season 1, episode 3) There’s no date in sight during this season one episode, but it's clear the eye implant technology has become incredibly popular and is used by most – but not all – people. White Christmas (Season 2, episode 4) Now, we know for sure this instalment takes place after The Waldo Moment (a gamer carried the tag I_AM_WALDO in the episode). But we can also guess that White Christmas takes place after Arkangel, Men Against Fire and The Entire History of You as it appears everyone now wears high-tech lens technology, not only soldiers and kids of protective parents. Hang the DJ (Season 4, episode 4) Nothing to indicate this episode follows on from White Christmas – however, the dating app central to the episode is seen in the episode USS Callister. USS Callister (Season 4, episode 1) We can guess this episode is set a fair bit after the events of Playtest. Although the virtual reality video game tech featured is fairly similar, it’s clear such systems are widely available in the world of USS Callister. Logical leap: Callister is set after Playtest. USS Callister: Into Infinity (Season 7, episode 6) This episode takes place just a matter of months after the first USS Callister. Striking Vipers (Season 5, episode 1) While we can’t be sure when Striking Vipers takes place, the story clearly is set close to the events of USS Callister with similar VR gaming devices seen in both episodes. Black Museum (Season 4, episode 6) A gold mine of Easter Eggs, the episode references almost all episodes above. Intriguingly, it features the DNA scanner used by Robert Daly (Jesse Plemons) in USS Callister. This indicates Black Museum is set several years after USS Callister. Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too (Season 5, episode 3) We can say with a fair bit of certainly the story helmed by Miley Cyrus takes place after Black Museum: a news ticker in the episode states: “Museum Owner’s Body Found in Smoking Ruins”. This refers to the ill-fated Rolo Haynes (Douglas Hodge), curator of the Black Museum. Metalhead (Season 4, episode 5) In Black Museum, a news ticker states “autonomous military dog robot unveiled”. These look like the same terrifying robo-killers in Metalhead, apparently set in a post-apocalyptic world – one that’s at the end of the timeline. Which, let’s face it, sounds very Black Mirror. Black Mirror season is available 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 from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
World on Fire season 2: Release date, cast and latest news
The World War Two drama is returning to BBC One, four years after the first season aired.
Peter Bowker's World War Two drama World on Fire first aired on BBC One in 2019 and was notable for its star-studded cast including Lesley Manville, Helen Hunt and Sean Bean. Now, after a long wait, the series is back, with some cast change-ups and a whole new set of stories to tell, while also following up on the central storylines around Harry, Kasia, Robina, Lois, Stan and more. The new season picks up in 1941, with plenty more to follow in its re-telling of the war - but when can fans expect to see it on BBC One, who is in the cast for season 2 and what is it about? Read on for everything you need to know about World on Fire season 2. When will World on Fire season 2 air on BBC One? It's been a long wait, but the second season of World on Fire will finally arrive on BBC One at 9pm on Sunday 16th July 2023. New episodes will then air weekly on BBC One, while the full season will also immediately become available in full on BBC iPlayer. When the first season was airing, writer Peter Bowker told RadioTimes.com that he had detailed plans for more seasons, each of which would cover a year of the war. "I know what happens over six series for the main characters," he said. "If you pitch a show, people will often ask ‘What happens in series 4, episode 3? What happens to this character?’ You've got to know and not be English about it." What is World on Fire season 2 about? The new season of World on Fire picks up in 1941, with RAF pilots being sent to destroy German bombers prowling the skies above Manchester and rescue operations under way on the streets below. The synopsis for the season says that in this new instalment, the "true reality of war has arrived in Britain". The synopsis continues: "Telling the story of World War Two through the eyes of ordinary people, following intrepid young heroes fighting for freedom, World on Fire series 2 will take viewers from the war-torn streets of Britain deep into Nazi Germany, the resistance within occupied France, and the brutal sands of the North African desert – where troops struggle to adapt to a very different kind of combat." View Green Video on the source website World on Fire cast - who is back for season 2? While many of the cast from season 1 have returned for season 2, there are some notable absences. These include Sean Bean, whose character Douglas Bennett has been killed off between seasons, Nancy Campbell star Helen Hunt and Vernon star Arthur Darvill. Those who are returning for this season include Jonah Hauer-King as Harry Chase, Lesley Manville as Robina Chase, Julia Brown as Lois Bennett, Blake Harrison as Stan Raddings, Yrsa Daley-Ward as Connie Knight and Zofia Wichłacz as Kasia Tomaszeski. They are joined by new cast members including Mark Bonnar, Gregg Sulkin and Ahad Raza Mir. You can find a full list of the main cast for World on Fire season 2 here: Lesley Manville as Robina Chase Jonah Hauer-King as Harry Chase Blake Harrison as Stan Raddings Julia Brown as Lois Bennett Zofia Wichłacz as Kasia Tomaszeski Parker Sawyers as Albert Fallou Eugenie Derouand as Henriette Guilbert Mark Bonnar as Sir James Danemere Gregg Sulkin as David Ahad Raza Mir as Rajib Miriam Schiweck as Marga Cel Spellman as Joe Broughton Yrsa Daley-Ward as Connie Knight Eryk Biedunkiewicz as Jan Tomaszeski Ewan Mitchell as Tom Bennett Mateusz Wieclawek as Grzegorz World on Fire season 2 trailer You can watch the trailer for World on Fire season 2 right here now. View oEmbed on the source website World on Fire returns to BBC One and iPlayer on Sunday 16th July 2023. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Is The Mandalorian's Moff Gideon dead and can Giancarlo Esposito return?
Here's everything you need to know about the Imperial officer played by Giancarlo Esposito.
Warning: This article contains major spoilers for The Mandalorian season 3 finale. He's the Mandalorian villain we just can't seem to get rid of, but is Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito) finally gone for good? The finale episode of season 3 saw the villainous Gideon attempting to complete the Purge of Mandalore after his grand return in episode 7, and after his return was teased all season. While he didn't exactly complete his mission, we find out that he was able to create clones using Dr Pershing's research – and he causes quite the catastrophe when he appears to destroy the Darksaber once and for all. As Gideon is engulfed in flames in the finale episode of season 3, we wouldn't blame fans for being suspicious. So, is he really gone for good? Is Moff Gideon dead in The Mandalorian? Episode 8 saw Djarin, Bo-Katan and Grogu battling Gideon, who was well protected in his Dark Trooper suit. However, the end of the battle saw Gideon engulfed in flames in a huge explosion, which Grogu protected Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Bo-Katan (Katee Sackhoff) from using The Force. It seems unlikely that he'll have survived such a hellish demise – but there are a few caveats to that. First of all, Gideon was wearing his Dark Trooper armour. It's clear it's a pretty powerful suit, considering he was able to crush the Darksaber with it, so could he have survived while wearing it? We wouldn't put it past him. Plus, while Djarin flooded out the clones, presumably killing them, who's to say Gideon didn't create more? He may even have some in hiding, preparing for the event of his death. For now, we're going to assume Gideon is gone – but we've been, ahem, burnt before, so we're staying wary. Previously speaking about the finale, Esposito told Collider: "Yeah, I think it’s going to be quite a surprise to many of the fans, what really is happening. He’s very democratic, he’s with the counsel trying to bring people together. And so you see people relying on, and trying to figure out, who is going to be that all-powerful leader. "Right now, you’ve got Moff Gideon who’s in the mix. He’s back. He’s back after having been shuttered for a little bit – obviously he escaped, and obviously he has ideas on how to divide and conquer." View Green Video on the source website Who is Moff Gideon in The Mandalorian? As long-time Star Wars fans will know, ‘Moff’ is not an actual name, but a rank in the Imperial hierarchy. And quite a high rank too: technically, Moffs are ‘Sector Governors’ and can only be outranked by ‘Grand Moffs’ (such as Peter Cushing’s Grand Moff Tarkin). In other words: Moff Gideon used to be a pretty big deal. As viewers learned in the season 1 finale, the character played a role in the Great Purge, an Imperial effort to wipe the Mandalorians from the galaxy. During the Purge, Gideon was responsible for decimating Mandalore and causing its people to flee. Gideon also claimed the Darksaber after defeating the Mandalorians' leader Bo-Katan. We also later learned that Gideon was part of the Imperial Security Bureau - the covert intelligence arm and secret police for the Empire that we had a better look at in the Disney+ series Andor. Since the fall of the Empire, Gideon has been a member of the Shadow Council - a group of high-ranking imperial officers who survived the fall of Emperor Palpatine and the establishment of the New Republic. Gideon's mission appears to have been to harness the power of Grogu's blood to transfer to a new host. Could this be Emperor Palpatine? Gideon was clearly aching to become the leader of the Empire's remnants over the likes of Grand Admiral Thrawn (Mads Mikkelsen) and is seen in debate with Brendol Hux (Brian Gleeson) and Captain Gilad Pellaeon (Xander Berkeley). Why did Moff Gideon want Grogu? We now know that Moff Gideon wanted Grogu in order to obtain his blood for his experiments. This is revealed to be due to Grogu's high "M-count" aka his midichlorian count which means his physiology is strong with the Force. Gideon wished to transfuse Grogu's blood into a test subject. The experiments, mostly conducted with the help of emotionally torn scientist Dr Penn Pershing were deemed a failure. Gideon was later apprehended for his crimes and lost the Darksaber in combat with Din Djarin. What exactly is the Darksaber he carried? Just to make Gideon even more mysterious, at the end of The Mandalorian’s first season, he’s seen wielding one of the strangest weapons seen in the Star Wars Universe. After The Mandalorian forces him to crash-land a TIE fighter, Gideon is seen cutting himself out of the wreckage with a mysterious glowing black blade. What exactly is this sword? Answer: a Darksaber, an ancient artefact first created by Tarre Vizsla, the first Mandalorian to become a Jedi. How did Gideon get hold of it? What are its powers? Better read our complete guide to the Darksaber. After losing the Darksaber in combat with Din Djarin, the weapon later ended up once again owned by Bo-Katan Kryze. Gideon previously claimed the weapon from Kryze as he was a chief participant in the Purge of Mandalore. Who is actor Giancarlo Esposito? Just in case you haven’t been paying attention, we’ll make it clear here: Moff Gideon is played by Giancarlo Esposito. If you don’t recognise him as drug lord/Los Pollos Hermanos owner Gus Fring from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, you may also know Esposito from The Boys as Vought boss Stan Edgar. Esposito’s very long list of screen credits also includes Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing, Dear White People, The Usual Suspects, 2016’s The Jungle Book, Stargirl, Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials and Money Monster. The Mandalorian season 1 to 3 are available to stream on Disney Plus. Sign up to Disney Plus for £7.99 a month or £79.90 for a year. Check out more of our Sci-Fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
WandaVision release date: Disney+ Marvel series cast, plot and everything you need to know
Scarlet Witch and the Avengers' resident android are the stars of their own limited series.
This is not a drill: the final episode of WandaVision arrives next week and all the pieces are in place for a truly epic conclusion to Marvel's first Disney Plus series. After a slow start packed with intriguing mysteries, answers have been flooding in the latest episodes, with today's instalment taking us on a revealing journey through Wanda's troubled life. The trip down memory lane culminates in revealing exactly where the "hex" originated from, following weeks of speculation and suspicion cast on several Westview residents. Fans should buckle up for next week's season finale, which co-star Teyonah Parris (aka Monica Rambeau) has described as "epic and incredibly sad" (via The Hollywood Reporter). Even with the new information, there are still a lot of questions looming over WandaVision and we can't answer them all just yet - but we do have all the latest details on the mysterious White Vision as well as the force known as Chaos Magic. While the series has dominated social media every Friday since its debut, fans shouldn't get their hopes up for a second season just yet, with producer Kevin Feige revealing the story will instead continue in 2022's Doctor Strange 2. Sign up to Disney Plus for £7.99 a month or £79.90 a year WandaVision kicks off an exciting slate of Marvel TV series on Disney+, all of which will be connected in some way to upcoming movies in the juggernaut franchise. Here’s everything you need to know about WandaVision on Disney Plus, including release date, episode count, cast and much more. WandaVision release date WandaVision premiered on Friday 15th January on Disney Plus. Notably, this is was slightly later than some fans might have expected, as the series was originally said to be arriving on the streaming service in late 2020. The series also launched on Disney+ with a double episode, with the remaining installments having been released on a weekly basis from then on. In total, there will be nine episodes of the series which will be released weekly, with the season finale set to air on Friday 5th March - conveniently, just two weeks before the premiere of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. Episodes began around the half-hour mark, but have fluctuated to longer lengths as the show has progressed. View oEmbed on the source website Filming was largely completed by March, just prior to the pandemic spiralling out of control, meaning the crew have been able to focus on post-production in the months that have followed. For more on the MCU, find out how to watch all the Marvel movies in order. WandaVision cast As you’d probably expect, Elizabeth Olsen reprises her role as Wanda Maximoff, the superhero known as Scarlet Witch because a) she wears a lot of red, and b) she has witch-like powers that can manipulate minds and matter. Paul Bettany is also back as Vision – although it’s not exactly clear how. The android died during the events of Avengers: Infinity War before Thanos’ snap, and he wasn't brought back to life in sequel film Endgame. Teyonah Parris also plays a key role in the series. The Dear White People actress plays an adult version of Monica Rambeau, the daughter of Maria (Lashana Lynch) from Captain Marvel. Interestingly, in the comics, Rambeau becomes super-powered herself and even leads the Avengers for a time. Could Carol Danvers have some competition? Two other Marvel Cinematic Universe stars who make a welcome return in the show are Ant-Man and the Wasp's Randall Park, aka Agent Jimmy Woo, and (surprisingly) Kat Dennings, who played Jane Foster's assistant Darcy Lewis in the first two Thor movies. As we near the series finale, all of these characters have now appeared in some capacity, though we could be in for a surprise WandaVision cameo at some point in the final few episodes according to Paul Bettany and Elizabeth Olsen. Is Evan Peters in WandaVision? Yes! Evan Peters made his shock debut in the series at the end of the fifth episode, but it remains unclear who exactly he's playing at this point. The character seems to have the memories of Aaron Taylor-Johnson's Quicksilver from Avengers: Age of Ultron, yet he has the appearance of Evan Peters' incarnation from the X-Men film franchise. Prominent fan theories at the moment suggest that Wanda has pulled this version of Pietro Maxmioff into the MCU from a parallel universe, or that Peters' casting is simply a misdirect and that he's playing an entirely new role. He could well be just another Westview resident forced to comply with Wanda's warped new version of reality or perhaps a sinister villain in disguise. For now, we'll just have to wait and see. WandaVision age rating WandaVision is actually more age-appropriate than any Marvel release to date - while the movies are usually rated PG-13 in America, WandaVision has been dubbed TV-PG – in other words, more suitable for younger viewers. This may be because, in the earlier episodes at least, there's no sign of the usual superhero bust-ups or violence – though the series can be a bit creepy, which could be too much for younger kids. WandaVision trailer Properly showing off the dreamlike TV-sitcom premise of the series and the strange and warped reality Wanda and Vision appear to be trapped in, the full teaser is a seriously mind-melting look at Marvel's first Disney+ series. View oEmbed on the source website And later, in December 2020, a second trailer was released – once more showcasing the Golden Age sitcom style of the new series. View oEmbed on the source website In January 2021, Marvel Studios dropped a new TV spot promoting the imminent premiere of WandaVision, which spotlights the original music created for the series by Frozen songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. The lyrics humorously recite the faux premise for the fantasy series: "A newly-wed couple, just moved to town, a regular husband and wife." Of course, that couldn't be further from the truth. Check out the musical teaser below. View oEmbed on the source website Was WandaVision affected by the coronavirus? Originally it seemed that WandaVision had largely dodged the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic, which shut down a number of other Disney+ productions and delayed others, given that filming had wrapped in March. However, in July Disney apparently carried out more filming for the series, suggesting that some planned pick-up shots or reshoots were delayed. It also seems likely that the extensive postproduction needed for a series of this scale would also have been slowed down by production staff needing to work from home. Want more WandaVision content? Check out our latest WandaVision review, our guide to the WandaVision cast, the WandaVision release schedule, Agatha Harkness, the Darkhold and the creepy WandaVision commercials. Plus, we ask: when is WandaVision set and how did Vision survive? WandaVision releases new episodes on Disney+ on Fridays. You can sign up to Disney Plus for £7.99 a month or £79.90 a year. Want something else to watch? Check out our full TV Guide.
Did you spot the Game of Thrones star in His Dark Materials?
Lyanna Mormont star Bella Ramsey made an important appearance in the season two opener.
Daemons! Witches! And, um, spoiled omelettes! His Dark Materials is well and truly back, with its season two opener delivering a total spectre-cal for viewers (read our His Dark Materials review). But amid all the action and world-hopping, one thing in particular might have stood out to you. Well, one person: actress Bella Ramsey. Most recognisable for playing fan-favourite young noblewoman Lyanna Mormont in fantasy series Game of Thrones, the 17-year-old star makes an appearance early on in the episode. As new allies Lyra (Dafne Keen) and Will (Amir Wilson) explore Cittàgazze, a seemingly abandoned city, they cross paths with a girl named Angelica, played by Ramsey. If you can’t quite remember, she’s the character who tells Lyra and Will (Wyra?) that the adults of Cittàgazze have temporarily fled to avoid the menacing spectres – creatures that attack only adults but are harmless (and invisible) to children. Without giving too much away, Angelica is a character in The Subtle Knife, the Phillip Pullman His Dark Materials novel, which season two is primarily based on. If the TV series is faithful to the book, she will have a bigger role in future episodes. Fans of the books may also have noticed that Angelica was accompanied by her younger brother, Paolo. However, in the TV show, she’s accompanied by another girl called Paola (played by Ella Schrey-Yeats). Why the change? As Kahleen Crawford, casting director explained to RadioTimes.com, Ella’s audition was simply too good. “It was the casting process. We had phenomenal kids coming in, and young adults coming in to see us for these roles. Some of them had come through from the earlier search for Lyra, in fact. We’d met some, we’d been able to bring some of the kids back in. They invest with us early in the casting process, and it’s good if you can keep them in mind for things that might come up later down the line, and see if you can then find an opportunity to cast them […]we just had an embarrassment of riches in the casting process. She added: “Ella and Bella were so strong in their performances. If I’m remembering correctly, it was essentially decided that their parts should be made bigger – and there would be more for them to do onscreen. “So yeah, that’s what happened there. Sorry Paolos!” Despite her aggressive cat-attacking ways in the episode, turns out that Ramsey was a delight to work with on set. That’s according to Dafne Keen, who told RadioTimes.com Ramsey is far from her character in real life. “Ironically she's such a sweetheart,” Keen said. “She's so intelligent, so profound and so fun to be around at the same time. She's such a cool person and such an incredible actress. she's one of those people who if you start acting with her, it's impossible not to be in the scene.” Of course, His Dark Materials and Game of Thrones aren’t Ramsey’s only recent screen roles. The actress has also appeared in The Worst Witch (as lead Mildred Hubble), Netflix series Hilda (as the titular Sparrow Scout) and Judy Garland biopic Judy (as Lorna Luft). Ramsey won’t be the only new face to appear in His Dark Materials this season, with the show welcoming Terence Stamp, Simone Kirby and Jade Anouka. As teased in previous episodes, the show will also welcome Sherlock’s Andrew Scott as Will’s father Colonel John Parry/ Jopari. And if that isn’t enough, Parry's Fleabag co-star Phoebe-Waller Bridge will voice John Parry’s daemon too. Now that’s some truly out-of-this-world casting. Read more about the His Dark Materials cast, the His Dark Materials release schedule, the His Dark Materials books and the His Dark Materials age rating, plus find out where His Dark Materials is filmed, including the scenes set in Cittàgazze. Additional reporting by Huw Fullerton. His Dark Materials comes to BBC One on Sunday 8th November at 8:10pm. Check out what else is on with our TV Guide, or take a look at our new TV shows 2020 page to find out what’s airing this autumn and beyond.
Sacha Baron Cohen's iconic character Borat made an explosive return at the weekend with a long-awaited sequel about the Kazakhstani reporter. The mockumentary, which saw Borat travel once again to America – this time with his long-lost daughter Tutar (Maria Bakalov) – to deliver a bribe to Vice President Mike Pence, became one of the most-talked about films of the month on Friday, mainly thanks to a scene featuring Donald Trump's lawyer and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani. While on their quest to curry favour with the leaders of the free world, Borat and Tutar find themselves in a variety of cringeworthy situations – from performing a fertility dance at a Southern American debutante ball, to bursting into a Republican convention dressed as Donald Trump. Baron Cohen recently revealed to The New York Times that revisiting Borat during lockdown was one of his most gruelling stunts to date, adding that he had to be in character for five days whilst living in a house with "two conspiracy theorists". Wondering whether it's worth the watch? Here's everything you need to know about Borat 2, how to watch it and whether it's any good. Borat 2 release date Borat 2 was released on October 23rd and fans are now able to watch Sacha Baron Cohen's eagerly-awaited sequel on Amazon Prime Video. How to watch Borat 2 in the UK You can watch Borat 2 in the UK on Amazon Prime Video, which you'll be able to access with a Prime subscription – the film arrived on the platform on Friday 23rd October. Amazon revealed that Prime Video would be the home to Borat Subsequent Moviefilm back in September. You can sign up for Amazon Prime for £7.99 a month with a 30-day free trial. Borat 2 review: Is Borat 2 any good? The first reviews for Borat 2 are in, with critics generally applauding the comedy. Subsequent Moviefilm currently holds an 84 per cent score on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. In particular, the sharp satire of the film has been praised, with The Independent declaring the project “a jaw-dropping expose of America in the here and now” in a four-star review. Similarly, the BBC said, “it’s the ripped-from-the-headlines relevance that makes it so fascinating”. In a largely positive review, Variety labelled Borat 2 as “a staggering act of comedic revolt with built-in viral potential". However, not all feedback has been completely positive. Gifting the movie only three stars, The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw wondered if the character was “overstaying its welcome”. The Daily Mail labelled the sequel as "crass, vulgar and unutterably puerile" but added that those that loved the original Borat "will be smitten again". However, K Austin Collins at ] Rolling Stone applauded Baron Cohen's courage in the film, noting: "It's the high-wire act that makes the movie so good – the dangers Cohen dives into headfirst, against all better judgement." Borat 2 cast: Who is Maria Bakalova? While many viewers watched the film for Borat, many found that he was almost overshadowed by his co-star Maria Bakalova, who plays Borat's estranged 15-year-old daughter Tutar Sagdiyev. The 24-year-old Bulgarian actress trained at The Krastyo Sarafov National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts in Sofia, where she graduated in 2019. She has mainly featured in Bulgarian films. Various others appear in the film including Tom Hanks and former New York mayor and Trump advisor Rudy Giuliani, who agrees to be interviewed by Borat's daughter Tutar, who is posing as a reporter. Borat 2 trailer A teaser trailer for Borat 2 was released in September, in which Borat praised Donald Trump as the "strongest premier in history" after his recent Presidential election debate. The trailer sees Baron Cohen as Borat, poking fun at the President in his signature style. A full trailer was released in October, teasing some of the adventures Borat embarks on in the sequel, from shopping for disguises to getting pulled over by police for making his daughter sit on top of his car while he drives. View oEmbed on the source website What is Borat 2 about? In this Borat sequel, we follow the Kazakhstani journalist as he quarantines in America and attempts to "give his daughter as a gift to someone close to the throne" in the US – which judging by the trailer, is Republican Vice President Mike Pence. Throughout the film, we watch as Borat, who is now a pariah after disgracing Kazakhstan in his last movie, attempt to please his country's leader by delivering a bribe to someone high up in Trump's administration – but as to be expected, things don't go entirely to plan. According to Deadline, the sequel was shot discreetly and quickly in the US as the COVID-19 shutdown restrictions were eased within the film industry. Filming reportedly took place in the US and overseas, with Cohen having to wear a bulletproof vest on two shoots. Sacha Baron Cohen's 2006 comedy classic Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan made over $262 million (£204 million) and achieved critical acclaim. Sign up for Amazon Prime for £7.99 a month with a 30-day free trial. Check out our lists of the best Amazon Prime series and best Amazon Prime movies, or visit our TV Guide to find something else to watch.
Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and more star in the new paranormal comedy from Amazon Prime Video.
Shaun of the Dead. Hot Fuzz. The World’s End. And now Truth Seekers. Although not exactly slotting nicely in within the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy, the new Amazon Prime series will certainly appeal to fans of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. Created and starring the Spaced duo, the new comedy-horror will follow a team of part-time paranormal investigators who uncover and film ghost sightings across the UK. However, while staking out churches and abandoned hospitals with an armoury of homemade gizmos, their brushes with the supernatural become more intense – and terrifying. Although their previous works have generally seen Pegg in the lead role, Truth Seekers will see Frost playing the central character, a broadband installer called Gus. Elsewhere, the series also boasts several big-name stars including the Malcolm McDowell AKA the man who killed Captain Kirk in Star Trek Generations. Which other stars are set to appear in the series? And who exactly will they play? Here’s everything you need to know about the cast and characters of Truth Seekers. Nick Frost plays Gus Gus is the show’s protagonist, a broadband engineer for Sky Smyle. He spends his spare time building his YouTube channel, Truth Seeker, in which he documents paranormal activity. What else has Nick Frost been in? First coming to screens in Channel 4 sitcom Spaced, Frost played central roles in Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and The World's End. Alongside long-time collaborator (and best friend) Simon Pegg, Frost also starred in 2011’s Paul. Frost has also appeared in Attack the Block, Hyperdrive and Doctor Who. Malcolm McDowell plays Richard Richard is Gus’ technically-challenged and foul-mouthed father. What else has Malcolm McDowell been in? The esteemed actor is probably best known for his role as the ultra-violent Alex DeLarge in Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange. His (very very long) list of screen credits also includes The Artist, Star Trek Generations, Heroes, Easy A and 2019’s Bombshell (as Rupert Murdoch). Gamers may also recognise his voice from the God of War, Call of Duty and Fallout franchises. Simon Pegg plays Dave Dave is Gus’ boss over at Smyle. Try not to look too closely at his hair. What else has Simon Pegg been in? Coming to prominence through Channel 4 sitcom Spaced, Pegg has since starred in the Cornetto Trilogy films (alongside Nick Frost) and the Mission Impossible movies. He’s also completed the ‘nerd hatrick’ by appearing in Doctor Who (as The Editor), Star Wars (junkyard dealer Unkar Plutt) and Star Trek (Scotty). Samson Kayo plays Elton John Not that one. The Elton John in Truth Seekers is a budding Smyle employee who pairs up with Gus on broadband troubleshooting jobs – and paranormal escapades. What else has Samson Kayo been in? You may recognise Kayo from his roles in Famalam, Dave comedy Sliced and in Murder in Successville (as will.i.am). He also starred in ITV2 sitcom Timewasters. Emma D'Arcy plays Astrid Without giving too much away, Astrid has a very special connection to the paranormal – a link that brings her into contact with Gus. What else has Emma D'Arcy been in? A relative screen newcomer, D'Arcy has enjoyed roles in Hanna, Wild Bill and Wanderlust (as Naomi). Susie Wokoma plays Helen Helen is Elton’s agoraphobic housebound sister. What else has Susie Wokoma been in? From Phoebe Waller-Bridge's Crashing, to Half of a Yellow Sun and The Inbetweeners 2, Wokoma has many credits to her name. However, you’ll probably know her best as Cynthia from Chewing Gum, or Raquel from Crazyhead. She also starred in recent Netflix film Enola Holmes. Julian Barratt plays Dr Peter Toynbee Dr Toynbee, a character who’s not immediately in the show, is an occult expert. What else has Julian Barratt been in? The Mighty Boosh: that’s where you know him from. The comedian played Howard Moon (alongside many other characters) in the surreal BBC comedy also starring Noel Fielding. Barratt has also appeared in Flowers, Nathan Barley, Garth Marenghi's Darkplace and 2017 film Mindhorn. Truth Seekers is coming to Amazon Prime Video on 30th October. Check out our lists of the best Amazon Prime series and best Amazon Prime movies, or visit our TV Guide to find something else to watch. Sign up to an Amazon Prime free trial here. If you're looking for more to watch, check out our TV guide.
Truth Seekers review: Amazon series is heavy on horror but terrifyingly light on laughs
Nick Frost and Simon Pegg's new Amazon series is stuffed with scares, but lacks the wit of the Cornetto Trilogy.
Fondly remember Simon Pegg and Nick Frost slinging vinyls at Shaun of the Dead’s undead army? Still laugh at the pair trailing a swan after your 12th Hot Fuzz re-watch? Or drunkenly stumbling through an alien-infested pub crawl in The World's End? Well then, you're going to be seriously underwhelmed by Amazon's Truth Seekers. Look, we know what you’re thinking: but isn’t it just a TV version of the outstanding Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy? The honest answer – the one we wish really we didn't have to give: absolutely not. While the eight-part Amazon Prime Video series may appear on the surface to be another adrenaline-packed visual comedy scare-fest from Frost and Pegg, Truth Seekers places much more emphasis on horror than any comedy. This isn’t too surprising considering the show’s premise: while Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz followed relatively ordinary people accidentally stumbling on to the paranormal, Truth Seekers centres on a man hell-bent on seeking the supernatural. The man in question: Gus Roberts (Frost), a Sky Smyle broadband engineer who moonlights as an amateur ghost hunter, uploading his paranormal escapades on YouTube. With Pegg’s character (Smyle boss Dave) playing only a small role in early episodes, Gus instead pairs up with apprentice Elton (Samson Kayo) to hunt hauntings in eerie abandoned hospitals, old mansions and underground bunkers. And hauntings they find. From flayed zombies, to a genuinely terrifying plague doctor and punctured eyeballs, Truth Seekers is undoubtedly Pegg and Frost’s scariest project to date. But it’s certainly not their funniest. By far. In fact, virtually all the notably laughs in the show’s first four episodes – that’s roughly two hours of screen-time – can be seen in the two-minute series trailer. View oEmbed on the source website Outside of the horror, the majority of Truth Seekers is packed with dialogue that at best will register an occasional fleeting smile and at worst boredom. Although musical cues (a tired plodding bass) will signal when a joke has been made, you’ll often be left wondering where the punchline was. Even when Julian Barratt – arguably one of the country’s greatest deadpan comics – finally appears in the fourth episode, the script offers him no opportunity to make viewers smile, let alone laugh. Significantly, without Frost and Pegg collaborator Edgar Wright (who helmed the Cornetto Trilogy and Channel 4 sitcom Spaced), Truth Seekers is missing its much-needed flair and energy. Gone are the whip pans, matching scene transitions and, alas, all broken fence gags. Instead, Truth Seekers director Jim Field Smith (Criminal, The Wrong Mans) opts for a slow and delicate style, one that further shrinks the impact of the already subtle dialogue. Why such an approach? Well, speaking to RadioTimes.com on set, Simon Pegg indicated the new tone was to “distinguish ourselves from our work with Edgar”. And, very revealingly, he was keen to compare Truth Seekers to Inside No. 9 rather than Shaun of the Dead or Hot Fuzz. “You can make a comedy that doesn't make you laugh in a weird way,” he explained. “And yet you still find really funny.” But here’s the thing: as an anthology comedy-horror series, the excellent Inside No. 9 is able to serve up a completely new and outright absurd premise each episode. And any small joke is magnified by the massively out-of-the-ordinary situation and huge personalities presented. With Truth Seekers, though, the slow-moving plot soon loses all novelty, while the characters are far from unique. In fact, four episodes gone, we still couldn’t identify the distinguishing characteristics of anyone on screen – the two exceptions being short-fused dad Richard (Malcolm McDowell) and guarded agoraphobe Helen (played brilliantly by Susan Wokoma). Everyone else? They're a bit scared sometimes. Other times they’re not. That’s about it. This isn’t down to the actors themselves, with many putting in solid performances (particularly Samson Kayo). But there’s nothing in the script, penned partly by Frost and Pegg, that gives anyone real flavour. To be blunt, it's difficult to actually care about any of the characters. And that makes the show’s (many) attempts at emotional moments fall short. We simply don't know how the character is feeling in that given situation as we don’t really have any idea who they are. This isn’t to say that Truth Seekers isn’t worth a watch: if you’re looking for a solid piece of horror this Halloween, we certainly recommend streaming the first three episodes. But we’re warning you now: the show’s untapped potential will ultimately be the scariest thing of all. Truth Seekers is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video from 30th October 2020 – you can sign up for Prime with a free 30 day free trial. Check out our guides to the best movies on Amazon Prime and the best Amazon Prime series, or see what else is on with our TV Guide.
Julian Barratt wants to do Mighty Boosh comeback show: "We'll see where we go from there"
The comedian says he and Bake Off's Noel Fielding are open to a Boosh reunion.
Julian Barratt has said that he’s looking to reunite with comedy partner Noel Fielding for a Mighty Boosh reunion. Although the Flowers star didn’t reveal when the pair might work on new Boosh material, but did say the comedy troupe hoped to embark on a future live show. “We think we might do something live at some point for people who grew up on us who want to see us,” Barratt told RadioTimes.com and other press. “We'll see where we go from there. That'll be in a bit. I don't know when.” Could the surreal comedy ever return to screens as well? “I don't know, we'd have to get back on the Boosh-mobile first,” said Barratt. “It was so all-consuming when we were doing and we both do different things at the moment. We’d need to get back on that horse, if you know what I mean.” However, despite working on other projects, both Barratt and Fielding still remain friends and stay in close contact. “Noel and I are still friends. He's had a daughter and I've got boys and we're doing that for a bit […] He lives very close to me, so I do actually see him most days,” Barratt explained, joking: “He never sees me, but I see him.” He added: “When I had kids and he was tripping the light fantastic and heading out all hours of the night, he'd be getting back in the small hours and I'd be taking the kids out at dawn in a pushchair. We were in different time zones. And now it's fun to see him in the mornings looking bedraggled by parenthood.” View oEmbed on the source website Filmed before lockdown, Barratt is set to join another comedy duo – Simon Pegg and Nick Frost – in upcoming supernatural sitcom Truth Seekers, launching on Amazon Prime Video. The show is set to follow a team of part-time paranormal investigators (led by Frost’s Gus) as they stumble on an apocalyptic conspiracy. Barratt's role in the Truth Seekers cast? Dr Peter Toynbee, a slick and mysterious character only seen briefly in the show’s trailers. Although not able to give too many details away about his part, Barratt did offer a few hints what to expect. “He's a smooth operator and a man on a mission,” he teased. “He's quite logically heading somewhere better and he doesn't care about the people he throws under the bus on the way.” While keeping tight-lipped about his character, Barratt opened up about series’ tone, which he says will be in line with the Cornetto Trilogy (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and World’s End). “The scripts are eerie, frightening, funny in equal mix,” he explained. “It's like the films that Simon and Nick have previous made: the comedy is there and the horror and all the other stuff is not thrown away. It's given its due. It is scary to a certain extent,” Barratt added: “It'll have scary moments, definitely. My kids love scary stuff. They've seen too much. I make them watch The Ring every night. Just before bed. They haven't slept for four years.” Truth Seekers is coming to Amazon Prime Video. Check out our lists of the best Amazon Prime series and best Amazon Prime movies. Sign up to an Amazon Prime free trial here. If you're looking for more to watch, check out our TV guide.
The truth behind The Real Des: The Dennis Nilsen story
Dennis Nilsen’s crimes will be explored in ITV’s new documentary.
Following on from ITV’s drama series Des, Dennis Nilsen – the notorious killer of at least 12 young men across London during the 80s – will once again be explored in new documentary, The Real Des: The Dennis Nilsen story, which will be narrated by David Tennant. The hour-long film will delve deeper into the real cases and the mind of the killer, who was the focus of the three-part drama, starring former Doctor Who star David Tennant. Known as a “kindly killer” the documentary will detail Nilsen’s moves between 1978 and 1983, after which he admitted to killing as many as 15 young men. So where is he now? Is he still alive? And are his victims known? Here’s everything you need to know about the Dennis Nilsen story. When is Des: The Real Dennis Nilsen story on? The documentary will air on ITV on Thursday, September 17th at 9pm. It comes after the drama series, which aired on ITV on Monday night, and continued on Tuesday 15th and Wednesday 16th. All episodes will be made available to stream on the ITV Hub once broadcasted. Who is Dennis Nilsen? Dennis Nilsen – from Aberdeenshire, Scotland – was one of the most prolific serial killers in UK history. Although he is known to have killed 12 men from 1978 and 1983 in London, the actual number is disputed, with Nilsen claiming to have killed 15. However, Nilsen claimed not to remember much of some murders, offering only vague victim profiles to the police. Although appearing to rarely recall their names, he reminisced fondly about the exact conversations he enjoyed with victims. In his lifetime, Nilsen is believed to have attempted to kill seven others. Nilsen murdered almost all his victims through strangulation alone. However, if this method failed to kill, he also drowned several men in his bath when they were unconscious. He hid the bodies in his flat, often washing and redressing them after death. After several days he would dissect the bodies before burning them in a bonfire, or – later on – boiling the remains and flushing them down the drain. As the ITV series Des and the documentary suggest, Nilsen preferred to be called “Des”, with his post addressed to “Des Nilsen”. Controversially, in Killing for Company: The Story of a Man Addicted to Murder (the book which the series is based on), author Brian Masters suggested “Des” was the more human side to serial killer “Dennis Nilsen”. Nilsen served in the Metropolitan Police from 1972 to 1973, several years before his murder spree. He claims to have resigned from the force due to homophobia, with Masters noting Nilsen “left with a moderate report and with no complaints having been lodged against him". Although Nilsen admitted he was fascinated at seeing dead bodies in the police morgue, this was not noticed by his colleagues. Prior to joining the police, Nilsen worked as a cook in the army, a job which took him to Germany. Dennis Nilsen – from Aberdeenshire, Scotland – was one of the most prolific serial killers in UK history. Although he is known to have killed 12 men from 1978 and 1983 in London, the actual number is disputed, with Nilsen claiming to have killed 15. However, Nilsen claimed not to remember much of some murders, offering only vague victim profiles to the police. Although appearing to rarely recall their names, he reminisced fondly about the exact conversations he enjoyed with victims. In his lifetime, Nilsen is believed to have attempted to kill seven others. What crimes did Dennis Nilsen commit? We may never know exactly how many people Nilsen killed, but he was convicted for six counts of murder. Immediately after he was arrested, Nilsen claimed he had murdered 15 men and spoke about each killing in-depth over 30 hours of police interviews. However, months afterwards, Nilsen then claimed he had fabricated three victims. This irked police who noted Nilsen had never contradicted himself or hesitated when speaking about these murders previously. Although depicted as a ‘gay killer’ by the media of the time, many of Nilsen’s victims were not homosexual. Nilsen mainly preyed on homeless and vulnerable men, or simply those looking to continue drinking after a night down the pub. Who were Dennis Nilsen's victims? Nilsen’s known victims are: Stephen Dean Holmes, 14. Nilsen’s first victim, Holmes’ remains were only first identified in 2006. Kenneth Ockenden, 23. The Canadian student was one of the few of Nilsen’s victims ever reported missing Malcolm Barlow, 23. An epileptic orphan, he had spent most of his life in care homes. Barlow had only entered Nilsen’s flat to thank him for offering medical assistance the previous day. John Howlett, 23 Howlett was strangled in his sleep by Nilsen Graham Allen, 27. Father of one Stephen Sinclair, 20. Nilsen’s final victim was a heroin addict, who often self-harmed. At least six of Nilsen’s victims have never been identified. How did Dennis Nilsen get caught? In February 1983, Nilsen’s crimes were finally discovered by police after blocking his drains with human remains. He initially said the body parts were remnants of a KFC meal, but law enforcement was alerted after a drainage worker discovered what was eventually identified as a human knuckle. According to Masters, when confronted by Police, Nilsen acted horrified at the discovery, exclaiming "Good grief, how awful!" However, after being asked where the rest of the body was hidden, he immediately confessed. “It's a long story; it goes back a long time,” he said. “I'll tell you everything. I want to get it off my chest. Not here — at the police station." At the time of his arrest, Nilsen was employed at a Jobcentre in Denmark Street, London. How did Dennis Nilsen die? In 2018, Dennis Nilsen died in prison aged 72 after suffering a ruptured aneurysm. Who is Brian Masters? Brian Masters, 81, is a journalist and author. Throughout his career, he has written about the royal family – and several mass murderers, including Rosemary West and Jeffrey Dahmer. After writing a letters to Nilsen shortly after his arrest in 1983, Masters met with the killer in prison without having "felt the slightest unease”. This and their subsequent meetings were documented in book Killing for Company, in which Nilsen described in depth each murder. The last episode of Des airs on ITV on Wednesday, September 16th at 9pm. The Real 'Des': The Dennis Nilsen Story is on ITV on Friday 17th September at 9pm . You can buy Brian Masters’ original biography on Dennis Nilsen, Killing for Company, on Amazon. Find out what else to watch with our TV Guide
David Tennant, Daniel Mays, Jason Watkins and Chanel Cresswell all star in ITV's Dennis Nilsen drama.
Whether as Dennis Nilsen or Des, you probably know him as one of the most notorious serial killers in UK history – a man who killed up to 15 victims across London in the late 1970s and early 1980s. But here's the thing: despite his infamy, nobody seems to know a lot about his case. Most are not familiar with the story of how Nilsen was actually caught by the police. Or his lengthy confessions. Or the families that were left devastated by his crimes. New ITV drama Des will seek to correct this, shining a light on Dennis Nilsen’s life and crimes with a host of top talent. This includes former Doctor Who star David Tennant, who’ll portray the titular mass-murderer. But what other characters and acting talent will feature in the show? Here’s everything you need to know about the cast of Des. David Tennant plays Dennis Nilsen Dennis Nilsen – or ‘Des’, as he preferred to be called – was a Scottish Jobcentre worker who murdered up to 15 men across London from 1978 to 1983 “To the outside world, Dennis was a normal (even boring) individual," says David Tennant. "But he had a very dark, secret life where he had murdered." “He took them to his flat, murdered them, and kept their bodies under his floorboards. Eventually, he would remove their bodies and burn their remains in his back garden. “He finally got caught when he moved to his Muswell Hill flat – trying to flush human remains down the toilet.” What else has David Tennant been in? Tennant is perhaps best known for playing The Tenth Doctor in BBC’s Doctor Who from 2005 to 2010. He’s also starred in Broadchurch (as DI Alec Hardy), the Harry Potter film series (Barty Crouch Jr), Jessica Jones (Kilgrave) and Good Omens (Crowley). Daniel Mays plays DCI Peter Jay Jay was one of the lead investigators in the Nilsen case, directing a team of policemen at Hornsey Police Station in North London. “Even with all of the experience that Peter Jay had as a policeman, he had never encountered anything of this magnitude and scale,” says Mays. “The world’s media and the spotlight were on Peter himself to lead the investigation with his team of officers. It was a really pressurised, difficult and strenuous situation they had to go through. DCI Jay was a real person, who passed away in 2017. What else has Daniel Mays been in? Mays has starred in Line of Duty (series corrupt copper Danny Waldron), Netflix drama White Lines (Marcus), Good Omens (Arthur Young) and Ashes to Ashes (Jim Keats). You might also recognise Mays from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story as Tivik, an ill-information rebel spy. Jason Watkins plays Brian Masters Brian Masters is a biographer and author. Before meeting Nilsen, Masters mainly wrote about the royals, such as the Duchess of Devonshire. However, after hearing about Nilsen case in the media, he reached out to the serial killer for an interview, eventually becoming his biographer. “He was interested in the psychology of Nilsen and what makes an individual commit such horrific crimes,” explains Watkins. “Some of the headlines were mixing up the London gay scene with murder and somehow being homosexual was possibly linked to the salaciousness of the crimes committed. "It was inferred in some of the headlines that being homosexual was a dysfunctional thing and might possibly lead you to commit terrible crimes. He was appalled, quite rightly, by this atmosphere within the press. He wanted to right a wrong.” What else has Jason Watkins been in? Watkins has become a regular face on British TV, enjoying both comedian and dramatic roles. You may recognise him from BBC satire W1A (as Simon Harwood), Trollied (Gavin Strong ), Line of Duty (series four’s Tim Ifield) and Netflix’s The Crown (Harold Wilson). Watkins also earned the BAFTA TV Award for Best Actor after playing the titular lead in 2014’s The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies. Ron Cook plays DCS Geoffrey Chambers Chambers is Peter Jay’s boss and the superior officer of the Nilsen investigation. What else has Ron Cook been in? With a career spanning four decades, Cook has plenty of screen credits to his name. These include Mr Selfridge (where he played accountant Arthur Crabb), Little Dorrit (Mr Chivery), Hot Fuzz (George Merchant) and 2004’s Thunderbird blockbuster (Parker). Barry Ward plays DI Steve McCusker McCusker was a real officer who worked on the Dennis Nilsen case, operating as Jay Peter’s second-in-command. What else has Barry Ward been in? The Irish actor has appeared in Whites Lines (as Mike Collins), The End of the F***ing World (Alyssa's dad Leslie) and The Fall (Dr Patrick Spencer). Chanel Cresswell plays Lesley Mead Lesley was the partner of Graham Allen, the seventh of Nilsen’s victims to be identified. What else has Chanel Cresswell been in? Cresswell is perhaps best known for portraying Kelly in 2006’s This is England film and its TV spin-offs, This Is England '86 (2010), This Is England '88 (2011) and This Is England '90 (2015). She won a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the latter show. You may also recognise Cresswell as Katie McVey from Trollied. Jay Simpson plays DS Chris Healey Healey is one of the lead investigators on the Dennis Nilsen case. What else has Jay Simpson been in? Simpson is perhaps best known for playing Ian 'Brookie' Brooke in Foyle's War. However, you might have also seen him in Black Mirror, Primeval, The Bill, Peep Show and 2005’s Pride and Prejudice film. Ben Bailey Smith plays DC Brian Lodge DC Brian Lodge is one of the police officers working on the Nilsen case. What else has Ben Bailey Smith been in? Yes, that really is Doc Brown. However, if you don’t recognise him as his comedy rapper alter ego, you might have spotted him in David Brent: Life on the Road, Fleabag, Doctor Who, Law & Order: UK, The Inbetweeners and CBBC show 4 O'Clock Club. Des is coming to ITV. Find out what else to watch with our TV Guide.
Sanditon series 2 is NOT in the works at Amazon, confirms Andrew Davies
Writer Andrew Davies has ended speculation that new episodes are in development.
Calling all Sanditon fans, afraid we’ve got some bad news: a second series of the seaside Andrew Davies drama is not currently in development. Many fans have speculated that the ITV show – which is based on an unfinished Jane Austen manuscript ­– may have found a new home at Amazon after the streaming giant tweeted they may “make a case” for a new season earlier this year. The social media post received over 15,000 retweets and 8,000 likes. However, a representative for writer Andrew Davies told RadioTimes.com confirmed the show hasn’t been greenlit by Amazon, saying: “A second series of Sanditon is not out of the question, but it is not yet set up.” Additionally, Sanditon producers Red Planet Pictures also confirmed a second series was still not in the works. In a statement, Belinda Campbell, executive producer of Sanditon, thanked fans the show’s fanbase, known as the Sanditon Sisterhood, for their support so far. “We’ve been avidly following the Sanditon Sisterhood’s growing community since the show first aired, both in the UK and then in the US, and are completely bowled over by their unwavering support, love and dedication,” she said. “We always felt that Jane Austen’s unfinished novel was the perfect starting point for a long and exciting adventure and very much believe that the brilliant characters she created for us have more to say and do.” “Although there is no official greenlight or announcement for a second series, we continue to look into all the options available. It’s wonderful that the fans are so passionate and we’d love to be able to give them some good news if and when we can.” Amazon declined to comment on this story. View oEmbed on the source website Addition: RadioTimes.com understands Amazon's initial tweet concerning Sanditon was meant as a light-hearted post. As previously exclusively revealed by RadioTimes.com, the period drama was cancelled by ITV in December 2019 after just one series. An ITV spokesperson said at the time: “We loved Sanditon and we were very proud to have it on ITV. We would have loved it to return, but unfortunately we just didn’t get the audience that would make that possible for us, which is heartbreaking for everybody involved in this wonderful adaptation.” Since the drama was axed, over 69,000 fans have signed a petition for ITV to renew the show. The series has aired in the US and across 21 countries worldwide. Rather than ending on a happy note (like other Austen stories), the series concluded on a dramatic cliff-hanger, with leads Charlotte (Rose Williams) and Sidney (Theo James) tearfully bidding each other goodbye, their fate uncertain. Speaking previously to RadioTimes.com about how the story may continue, Davies said: “I don’t know if you could tell from watching it, but we were rather counting on getting a second series,” he said. “We thought if wrap up Charlotte and Sidney at the end of the first series, we’d have to have a new heroine take over or something like that in series two.” He added: “I do sympathise with everyone who felt upset about Charlotte and Sidney not getting their happy ending. Although, happy endings don’t always happen.” Sanditon is on at 10pm Sundays, ITV3. You can also watch the series on the ITV Hub. See what else is on with our TV Guide.
Bruno Tonioli to return to Strictly Come Dancing for end of 2020 series
The Italian stallion is set to return to the Strictly dance floor.
Will Bruno Tonioli appear on the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing? Absolutely, yes! Although it was feared Bruno would miss some episodes due to Coronavirus travel restrictions, the judge will appear virtually throughout the series. He's also set to appear in the final and semi-final of the competition in person. As the BBC has confirmed: "Bruno will be keeping a close eye on the series throughout the run and will be involved remotely in the Sunday night Results show each week, from across the pond. Plus, Bruno will be making his grand return to the show full time towards the end of the series." Bruno added: "I absolutely adore being part of Strictly and can't wait to see what incredible dancing this year has in store! Lockdown has resulted in me being in LA for the foreseeable, but I'm excited to be involved as much as I possibly can. There was no cha-cha-chance I'd miss out!" Bruno – who has featured on Strictly since the show started – also appears as a judge of Dancing with the Stars (the US version of Strictly). In previous years, he flew between the countries each week to honour both commitments. Head Strictly judge Shirley Ballas previously indicated she thought Tonioli would appear in every episode of the 2020 series. “All I can say is, I’ve known Bruno 11 years. If there is a way to fly backwards and forwards, he will find the way,” she said at this year’s TV BAFTA awards. She continued: “If he has to walk on water, he will. But if it’s not safe, then that’s a different situation but I know Bruno and Bruno will fly his little arms. I love him so much and I know he will give his all to get there.” Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One later this year. If you’re looking for something else to watch, check out our TV Guide.
Shangela Laquifa Wadley, Bob The Drag Queen and Eureka O'Hara are starring their own spin-off show.
Halleloo to all those gagging for another fix of RuPaul’s Drag Race: three of the most recognisable queens in TV her-story – Shangela Laquifa Wadley, Bob The Drag Queen and Eureka O'Hara – have landed their own show, titled We're Here. Premiering on HBO, the six-part unscripted series will see the Drag Race alumni tour small-town America. Along the way, they'll teach newfound Drag daughters how to sashay out of their comfort zones – and into drag. Basically, just think of Drag Race crossed with Queer Eye. Season one saw the queens perform makeovers in Gettysburg, Twin Falls, Branson, Farmington and Ruston. All episodes were met with critical acclaim, with HBO now recommissioning We’re Here for a second run. But while the show is available to watch on HBO (and HBO MAX) in the US, can UK viewers actually binge We’re Here? Answer: yassss! You can find all the tea below. How to watch We're Here in the UK We're Here is available to watch on NOW TV from 14th August. You can sign up for NOW TV’s Entertainment Pass with a 7 day free trial for new customers – afterwards, it’s £8.99 a month. Get your NOW TV entertainment pass right now! We’re here is not currently available on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video. Who are the queens on We’re Here? Bob the Drag Queen Real name Caldwell Tidicue, Bob the Drag Queen started doing drag (under the name Tidicue) after watching the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race on TV. After changing her name, Bob competed on the eighth season of Drag Race. Known for her comic performances (and a standout Uzo Aduba impression), she was crowned winner of the competition, winning $100,000. Shangela Laquifa Wadley Shangela, real name DJ Pierce, was a contestant on Drag Race all the way back in season two, becoming the first queen to be eliminated. However, she returned next season and was placed sixth. She returned to the RuPaul franchise (again) for All Stars 3, where she was controversially voted out of the contest in third place. Eureka O'Hara Like Shangela, Eureka O'Hara (the drag persona of David Huggard) has enjoyed more than one shot at Drag Race fame. She first featured in season nine, but had to pull out of the competition due to a torn ACL injury. However, she returned in the show’s next season, finishing in the top three with Kameron Michaels and winner Aquaria. Is there a trailer for We're Here? Sort of: you can see a (very upbeat) clip from episode one below. View oEmbed on the source website Get your NOW TV entertainment pass right now! Find out the best movies available on NOW TV with a Sky Cinema Pass, or check out our TV Guide for more to watch.
Euphoria could air 'bridge episodes' ahead of season 2, says Zendaya
Bonus material set between seasons of the HBO hit could be produced under socially-distanced conditions.
Alongside most live-action TV and film, hit HBO series Euphoria has been hit by major delays due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis. However, despite the second season filming forced to close production amid the pandemic, one of its key stars say fans may be treated to several "bridge" episodes. Zendaya – who plays struggling drug addict Rue Bennett – recently teased viewers may be treated to bonus material that can be safely put to camera. "There is an idea to do a couple of bridge episodes that can be shot safely but aren't necessarily part of Season 2," she hinted to Teen Vogue. "So, hopefully, we will be able to do those in the coming months. I can't wait." The Spider-Man star added: "There is a beautiful second season that has been written, but in order to do it the way we want to do it, we need to wait until it's safer [to film]." But how can filming be made safe in the coronavirus era? The star gave insight into the "bubble" system that was employed while producing her upcoming movie Malcolm & Marie, shot in July this year. "Everyone had to quarantine and get tested in order to shoot in isolation," Zendaya said. "We created our own little bubble and made sure that once we were in, we couldn't leave. We were able to workshop and rehearse together — it was very much like a play. I did my own hair and makeup and dressed in my own clothes." A hit with critics, Euphoria follows a group of teens through their experiences with drugs, sex and relationships. The first season landed in the UK on Sky Atlantic, on 6th August 2019, and was available on NOW TV and Sky Q shortly after. Season two is expected to land on the same platforms. If you’re looking for more to watch check out our TV Guide.
John Wick 5 is coming, and will be filmed back-to-back with fourth movie
Keanu Reeves' retired hitman is returning to the action once again.
Still fresh (but probably a bit blood-soaked) from his third movie, John Wick is set to return for a fourth and fifth instalment. The two future chapters of the action movie franchise starring Keanu Reeves will be filmed back-to-back next year. Speaking on an earnings call, CEO of Lionsgate Jon Feltheimer said (via Deadline): "We're also busy preparing scripts for the next two instalments of our John Wick action franchise, with John Wick 4 slated to hit theatres Memorial Day weekend 2022 [27th May]. "We hope to shoot both John Wick 4 and 5 back-to-back when Keanu becomes available early next year." Reeves (who plays Wick) is currently shooting The Matrix 4 in Berlin, with production having resumed after a coronavirus-caused shutdown. The sequel to the seminal sci-fi trilogy is scheduled to be released in April 2022, weeks before John Wick 4 hits cinemas. The first three John Wick movies were huge box office hits for Lionsgate, collectively earning the studio $587 million worldwide. The neo-noir thrillers follow the titular retired hitman who seeks vengeance after his dog, given to him by his dead wife, is killed. Alongside Reeves, the films also star Ian McShane (as Winston), Lance Reddick (Charon), Bridget Moynahan (Helen Wick), Matrix co-star Laurence Fishburne (The Bowery King) and David Patrick Kelly (Charlie). John Wick 4 is likely to follow on from the events of John Wick 3, which saw Wick with a $14 million bounty on his head. The Continental, a TV show based in the John Wick universe, is currently in development at US Network Starz. Looking for something else to watch? Check out our guide to the best TV series on Netflix and best movies on Netflix, or visit our TV Guide.
Listen to an exclusive preview of the new Alan Partridge podcast
From The Oasthouse has been described as very good/sensational (by Alan Partridge).
Good news, Alan Partridge aficionados: The legendary This Time host/recovering Toblerone addict is bouncing back on the (digital) airwaves with a new podcast series. Partridge will front 18 episodes of From The Oasthouse: The Alan Partridge Podcast, available on Audible from 3rd September 2020. Will it see a feature to rival mid-morning matters? A firearms accident that could threaten the life of a guest, perhaps? Thanks to a new exclusive preview of the series, we can promise listeners will be treated to Alan’s full low-down on the likes of motorway service stations, hair-combing and BDE. Speaking about the upcoming project, Partridge said: "Like most people, I assumed those who hosted podcasts were pale, tech-obsessed social lepers who live with their mums and couldn’t get a platform on any meaningful broadcaster so started spouting their bloated opinions into their USB microphones to flatter their groaning sense of self-importance. "But then I spoke to a man I’d never heard of before from Audible. HE called ME and made me an offer. I countered. He came back. I countered again. In short, we hammered out the details (to my satisfaction) and the result is a series of podcasts. They’ve been described as very good/sensational." The show’s official synopsis reads, “For the first time, this famously private man welcomes us into his home and bears all through a fascinating series of conversations and richly sound-designed audio vignettes.” It adds: "Without the BBC or North Norwich Digital’s editorial management breathing down his neck, this new podcast will give Partridge the opportunity to fully realize his creative vision, in the highest quality audio. "In keeping with podcasting’s rich heritage, each episode is recorded at home in Alan’s Oasthouse (his shed), after which audio is sent directly to Audible to ensure it meets the technical specifications laid down in his contract." From The Oasthouse: The Alan Partridge Podcast is available to pre-order now from Audible. You can sign up for a free 30-day trial on Audible to explore more titles or visit our TV guide for what to watch.
Idris Elba reveals his favourite role ever ahead of tonight's BAFTAs honour
The actor has revealed his most beloved character – and it's not John Luther.
John Luther? Stringer Bell? Thor’s Heimdall perhaps? Chances are if asked what Idris Elba’s greatest screen role is, you’ll have one character in mind. It turns out that there’s a part the man himself considers his best. Speaking to the British Academy ahead of the BAFTAs 2020 (broadcast on Friday 31st July, 7pm BBC One), Elba said portraying Nelson Mandela in 2013 film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom would be his top pick. “That brings a lump to my throat,” he said. “It was an honour to portray him. I dedicated that role to my dad. He reminded me of Mandela, with his big white hair and infectious smile.” Elba also opened up about his first ever screen role – as a murderer in a crime reconstruction scene on Crimewatch in 1994. “I was thankful for the job. It sounds weird but, at the time, getting a job on Crimewatch was the first rung on the ladder. A lot of actors don’t like to admit they did Crimewatch, but I’m not embarrassed by it.” After Crimewatch, Elba enjoyed several small roles in dramas such as Law & Order, before deciding to move across the Atlantic. “At the time, the pinnacle [in the UK] was to get on Casualty, The Bill or Silent Witness. I’d done all of those and I thought to myself, ‘Maybe I do want to be bigger,’” he said. “I remember looking at actors across the pond and seeing how their careers looked, and I thought, ‘I could have a piece of that.’” Elba, who recovered from coronavirus earlier this year, is set to receive the BAFTA Special Award, one of the academy’s highest accolades. According to BAFTA, the gong has been given “in recognition of his exceptional career and commitment to championing diversity and new talent in the industry”. Viewers of the ceremony will see some “very special surprise guests” present the award (via video conferencing software). The special socially-distanced BAFTAs ceremony will be hosted by Richard Ayoade, who will be joined (virtually) by guest presenters for each award. These include Adrian Lester, Normal People’s Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal, Greg Davies, Himesh Patel, Jessica Hynes and Gangs of London’s Joe Cole and Sope Dirisu. The Virgin Media BAFTAs will air on Friday 31 July from 7.00pm BBC One. If you’re looking for something to watch, check out our TV Guide.
How to watch the Doctor Who: Time Lord Victorious panel at Comic-Con@Home
Expect exciting new announcements about the multi-platform series.
Although Whovians worldwide may be in the midst of a great Doctor Who drought – the BBC sci-fi series not expected to return until late 2020/early 2021 – fans still have some major events to look forward to. The biggest at the moment: the Doctor Who: Time Lord Victorious panel at Comic-Con@Home 2020. As you might have guessed, this will be no usual Comic-Con panel, with the San Diego festival being hosted online due to the coronavirus pandemic. Although this means that that fans won’t be able to congregate in cosplay, plenty more will be able to view the e-event. The panel will delve into the BBC’s multi-platform Time Lord Victorious Doctor Who story, set to be told across 12 weeks in comics, novels, audio, vinyl and digital mediums. But how exactly can you attend the Comic-Con@Home panel? And when? Here’s everything you need to know about the Doctor Who: Time Lord Victorious panel When is the Doctor Who: Time Lord Victorious panel at Comic-Con@Home? The Doctor Who: Time Lord Victorious panel at Comic-Con@Home is on Saturday 25th July 2020 at 2pm local time (10pm in the UK). How to watch the Doctor Who: Time Lord Victorious panel at Comic-Con@Home Like all Comic-Con@Home panels, Doctor Who: Time Lord Victorious will be streamed live on the event’s official YouTube channel. It’s expected to be uploaded in the same place later on. A link to the exact video will be available closer to the time. Who will appear on the Doctor Who: Time Lord Victorious panel at Comic-Con@Home? Andrew Sumner (head of Titan Entertainment, the publishers behind the project) will join writer Jody Houser, artist Roberta Ingranata, colourist Enrica Eren Angiolini, editor Jake Devine, senior creative editor David Leach and BBC producer James Goss to discuss the new comic series. If you’re looking for more to watch, check out our handy TV Guide.
Sabrina boss reveals season five would have featured Riverdale crossover
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina was recently cancelled by Netflix
Look away now if you’re still not over the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina cancellation: the teenage witch was due a Riverdale crossover story. At least that’s what we can glean from am intriguing tweet from Riverdale and Sabrina showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa. While promising fans the show’s fourth and final season would be “our best yet”, he said a fifth run of the Netflix show would tell the “Witch War” story. View oEmbed on the source website A tale currently unravelling in the Sabrina comics, this plot sees the teenage witch (played by Kiernan Shipka on-screen) cross paths with Riverdale residents, including Betty Cooper (Lili Reinhart) and Veronica (Camila Mendes). Speaking previously about the Sabrina cancellation, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa told TV Line: “The cast, beginning with Kiernan as everyone’s favourite teen witch, has been an absolute joy. “I am beyond thankful to the crew, writers, editors, assistants, and everyone for pouring so much love into this dark dream of a show. “I’m also grateful to our partners at Netflix, Warner Bros., Berlanti Television and Archie Comics for letting us tell the story we wanted to tell, the way we wanted to tell it. We can’t wait for everyone to see Part Four.” The first season of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina – based on the comics of the same name – was released in October 2018. The next two runs arrived in April 2019 and January 2020, respectively. The fourth and final season of Sabrina is expected to air later this year and will see The Eldritch Terrors descend upon Greendale. As the Netflix synopsis teases: “The coven must fight each terrifying threat one-by-one (The Weird, The Returned, The Darkness to name a few), all leading up to…The Void, which is the End of All Things.” Riverdale is also expected to return for a fourth series, however production has been halted to due the coronavirus pandemic. You can watch seasons 1-3 of The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina on Netflix. Check out our lists of the best TV shows and best movies on Netflix, or visit our TV Guide for something else to watch.
Riverdale spin-off Katy Keene to land on BBC iPlayer
The musical teen drama follows an aspiring fashion designer in New York City
Calling all Riverdale fans: spin-off show Katy Keene will soon be available to watch on BBC iPlayer. The 13-part musical drama – which follows the exploits of the titular fashion designer in New York City– is set to land on the streaming service on 25th July 2020. Based on Archie’s Comics, the show sees Keene (played by Lucy Hale) cross paths with the likes of fashion icon Gloria Grandbilt (Katherine LaNasa), aspiring singer-songwriter Josie McCoy (Ashleigh Murray), boxer K.O. Kelly (Zane Holtz) and NY socialite Xandra Cabot (Camille Hyde). The BBC synopsis teases: "As these aspiring artists take on the runway, the recording studio, Broadway, and the NYC social scene, they will find more than just a career in the big city — they'll find long-lasting friendship." However, best not get too attached to the series. Katy Keene was recently cancelled after one season after reportedly low ratings. Lead Lucy Hale announced the news in a tear-filled Instagram video, saying the show had been "truly, one of the highlights of my life". The star added it would "take some time to get over it" and that acting is "a job that has broken my heart numerous times. This is a bad one." https://www.instagram.com/p/CCKZKvuA4rE/ Creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa also waved goodbye to Katy Keene on social media, commenting he was "so proud of this show and the beautiful souls who came together to make it." https://www.instagram.com/p/CCKRRoED_MA/ Riverdale, which is available to UK audiences on Netflix, has currently halted filming its upcoming fourth season due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Production was forced to shut down after a crew member came into contact with the virus. A spokesperson for Riverdale said at the time: "We have been made aware that a team member from Riverdale, which is produced in Vancouver, was recently in contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19. "The team member is currently receiving medical evaluation. We are working closely with the appropriate authorities and health agencies in Vancouver to identify and contact all individuals who may have come into direct contact with our team member." Katy Keene is available to watch on BBC iPlayer from 25th July. Riverdale is available to stream on Netflix now. You can also check out the best Netflix series and best Netflix movies to keep you entertained or visit to our TV guide for more to watch.
Chicken Run star Julia Sawalha "furious" as she's axed from sequel for sounding "too old"
The Ab Fab actress, who voiced Ginger, said she was "devastated and furious" by the news.
Chicken Run star Julia Sawalha has announced she is not being cast in Netflix's sequel Chicken Run 2 for sounding “too old”. Posting on social media, the actress (who voiced lead Ginger in the 2000 stop-motion comedy) said she was "devastated and furious" at the news, saying she had “officially been plucked, stuffed & roasted". Sawalha, 51, said that, after sending a voice test to producers (which can be seen here), she was told the role would be recast. View oEmbed on the source website “I went to great lengths to prove to the production that my voice is nigh on the same as it was in the original film," she wrote. "If they will be using some of the original cast members…let’s be frank, I feel I have been unfairly dismissed. “To say I am devastated and furious would be an understatement. I feel totally powerless, something in all of this doesn’t quite ring true. I trust my instincts and they are waving red flags.” However, Sawalha – who is also known for playing Saffy in Absolutely Fabulous – also wished the new production “best of luck and the greatest success” with the newly-announced sequel. RadioTimes.com has reached out to Aardman Animations and distributor Netflix for comment. Sawalha’s statement comes days after reports Rocky – the rooster voiced by Mel Gibson, now 64 – would also be recast. View oEmbed on the source website Chicken Run – the first full-length feature from Wallace and Gromit studio Aardman – followed a group of chickens in a Great-Escape-style attempt to escape a farm and the devilish Mrs Tweedy. The Chicken Run sequel, which is set to start production next year, is set to follow Ginger and Rocky (now parents) as they face a "terrible threat" to "the whole of chicken-kind". As a synopsis released by Aardman says: “For Ginger and her team, even if it means putting their own hard-won freedom at risk – this time, they’re breaking in!” Check out the best Netflix series and best Netflix movies to keep you entertained or visit to our TV guide for more to watch.
Shirley Ballas speaks out on whether Bruno Tonioli will judge Strictly 2020
The Strictly head judge has shone further light whether the Italian dancer will feature on the 2020 series
After reports claiming the contrary, it looks like Bruno Tonioli may be going to the Strictly Come Dancing ball after all. Shirley Ballas, head judge on the BBC entertainment show, has said her fellow judge will appear on the upcoming series, if travel guidelines allow. "They are again rumours, so it will be according to the flights,” she recently said on TalkRadio. "If he can get backwards and forwards safely but knowing Bruno and he’s such an amazing man, he will do everything in his power not to let the British public down." Previously reports aroused fears Tonioli, who lives in the US, would be unable to appear at all on the show due to travel restrictions from the coronavirus pandemic. Tonioli – who has appeared in every series of Strictly Come Dancing since the show started in 2004 – also sits on the panel of US series Dancing with the Stars, requiring him to fly between London and LA every week. This travel would not be possible under the current UK rules, which require anyone entering the country to self-isolate for 14 days. However, these quarantine laws are reviewed every three weeks and may be sufficiently relaxed when Strictly returns at a date later in the year (yet to be decided). Of course, even if the rules are not relaxed Tonioli could return to Strictly, going into self-isolation before the series begins. This would, however, mean he wouldn’t be able to appear on Dancing with the Stars. If Tonioli is unable to appear on Strictly Come Dancing, there are rumours of a potential replacement: Cheryl, star of The X Factor and BBC’s The Greatest Dancer. "If Cheryl does end up doing it there would be nothing wrong with that. She's a lovely girl. I like her," Tonioli told The Sun. "Of course she's not me, but we're all different. We all have different things to offer but I've heard nothing concrete." He added: “For years and years I've spent two days of each week on the plane flying between London and LA. "Under normal circumstances, I take a deep breath and do the travel. I love the show and love to do it and normally I'm destroyed by Christmas, but this year is different for everyone. "Under the current restrictions they just won't allow it. I don't know what's going to happen." Although the team have started pre-production on the show (via the help of video conferencing), it’s unclear when the series may air. However, the BBC has said viewers can expect a “shorter” series of Strictly with a smaller celebrity line-up. Strictly Come Dancing will return later this year. If you’re looking for more to watch, check out our TV Guide.
How accurate is Netflix's Eurovision movie? All the ways it isn't realistic
Netflix calling! Although Will Ferrell's new comedy contains brilliant easter eggs for fans, the movie also features some major Eurovision inaccuracies
2020: the year of the great Eurovision drought. With the world’s largest (and weirdest) musical event cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, there’s simply no way fans can get their fill of campy Euro-pop with some incredibly questionable staging. At least, that’s what we thought before Netflix unveiled new comedy Eurovision Song Contest: the Story of Fire Saga. Although not a true story, the comedy from Anchorman’s Will Ferrell serves viewers a large slice of Eurovision in a film featuring plenty of easter eggs and callbacks for longtime viewers. For instance, the hamster wheel Ferrell uses in one performance? That’s, of course, a wink to the background dancer/wheel-runner in Ukraine’s 2014 entry Tick-Tock. And the brief glimpse of singing trolls on stage? That’s a reference to Lordi, the Finnish metal group who actually won the 2006 competition wearing full monster prosthetics. However, despite attention to detail in some areas, there’s plenty the film gets wrong about the Eurovision Song Contest. The semi-finals scores aren’t revealed on the night As most Eurovision fans will know, the competition isn’t just one night of entertainment. Although the UK only competes in the grand finale (being one of the ‘big five’ contributors to the contest), other countries have to compete in the contest’s semi-finals. Held a few days beforehand the grand finale, performers sing to stay in the competition, with only half of the acts in the two semi-finals progressing to the final. Although Eurovision Song Contest: the Story of Fire Saga doesn’t forget the semi-finals exist, it doesn’t portray the night’s voting particularly accurately. While votes are cast by the public and a panel of judges, the exact points received by each country in the semi-final are kept secret until after the contest. This is to ensure there are no clear favourites going into the final. In the film, however, these results are slowly revealed in order to ramp up and a bit of tension – and perhaps also to introduce viewers to the beautifully awkward process where each country’s spokesperson reveals their nation’s votes. The Eurovision Song Contest isn’t hosted by random Europeans Okay, we’re absolutely not saying your average Eurovision host doesn't come across as extremely and/or awkward. Or that they appear to be selected at random (remember when the actual Euron Greyjoy presented?). However, normally, the hosts have a strong connection to the country hosting the contest. And, although improbable, the contest in the film is held in the Scottish capital Edinburgh. Not only does this mean that the UK somehow won Eurovision the previous year (which, even as the film jokes, is very unlikely), but that the hosts should have a link to the UK Eurovision effort. For instance, the last time the UK hosted the contest (1998, Birmingham), BBC commentator and presenter Terry Wogan fronted the contest alongside Ulrika Jonsson. If the UK hosted contest today it’s likely Graham Norton would co-present the contest. Sadly, 'Corin Ladvitch' and 'Sasha More' – the duo who front the contest in the Netflix movie – wouldn’t stand a chance of getting picked in real life. Mainly because they’re fictional. Songs aren’t allowed to go over three minutes Eurovision can be a very long show – just ask anyone who watched all five hours of the 2019 contest. So, to keep it as short as can be, each act only gets three minutes on stage. And the following act has 30 seconds to prepare themselves. Take any longer and it’s likely they’ll be disqualified. Now, although Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams were disqualified in the film for changing their entry song at the last minute (a real Eurovision rule), they would have still been booted out the contest even if they stuck to their original song. The duo actually spent so long preparing their act on stage they would have gone well over the three minute mark. Sure, this twist would have delivered a severely unsatisfactory ending for viewers, but it would have upheld the sacred (and downright lengthy) Eurovision rulebook. And that’s all that really matters, right? For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides. Graham Norton doesn’t speak during performances The BBC commentator is undoubtedly one of the best parts of Eurovision, dropping perfectly-pitched pithy remarks throughout the contest. Be it referring to a contestant’s leather trousers (“It must be like a paddling pool in there”) or the host’s awkward conversational links (“Nothing has gone wrong. This was planned”) he always delivers. But, being the true professional he is, Norton never speaks over the performances, allowing viewers to watch them in their full glory – no matter how lacking. However, in Story of Fire Saga, Norton offers commentary throughout each track, something that wouldn’t be heard during the actual broadcast. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga lands on Netflix on Friday 26th June. Check out our lists of the best TV shows on Netflix and the best movies on Netflix, or see what else is on with our TV Guide.
All the cast and cameos in Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga
Netflix's new Eurovision comedy features some blink-and-you'll-miss appearances from past winners of the Song Contest
Hate to remind you, but Eurovision 2020 was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, there’s a silver lining to this huge cloud: fans can still catch many of their favourite Song Contest stars in new Netflix comedy Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga. Telling the story of small-town Icelandic musicians Lars Eriksong (Will Ferrell) and Sigrit Eriksdottir (Rachel McAdams), The Story of Fire Saga sees the duo cross paths with many real Eurovision stars – including plenty winners – for a gigantic singalong. You can even expect an appearance from a certain Irish BBC commentator with a few brilliantly pithy remarks. So, what cameos, characters and actors can you expect to find in Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga? Here’s all you need to know… Will Ferrell plays Lars Erickssong Who is Lars Erickssong? Lars is one of the film’s two main characters, an Icelandic musician who has dreamed of Eurovision glory ever since watching ABBA win the contest in 1974. Who is Will Ferrell? A comedy actor best known for his roles in Step Brothers, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Talladega Nights and Saturday Night Live. Ferrell himself is an avid Eurovision fan and has attended the contest on several occasions. Rachel McAdams plays Sigrit Ericksdottir Who is Sigrit Ericksdottir? She’s one half of Icelandic music duo Fire Saga, alongside Lars. Since childhood, she’s also had a massive crush on her bandmate (don’t worry, as she says in the film, they’re probably not related). Who is Rachel McAdams? McAdams had her first breakthrough role with comedy Mean Girls, where she played leader of the plastics Regina George. McAdams has since starred in The NoteBook, Guy Richie’s Sherlock Holmes movies, Doctor Strange and True Detective. In case you’re wondering, McAdams doesn’t sing in the film: she’s dubbed over by Swedish singer Molly Sandén. Dan Stevens plays Alexander Lemtov Who is Alexander Lemtov? Lemtov is the lion-loving Russian act in the film’s Eurovision contest. Who is Dan Stevens? Best known as Matthew Crawley in Downton Abbey, Stevens has since appeared in Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast, Apostle and superhero series Legion. Demi Lovato plays Katiana Who is Katiana? She’s the Icelandic singer tipped to represent her country at the Eurovision Song Contest. Who Demi Lovato? Popstar extraordinaire, Lovato is know for such hits as Heart Attack, Sorry Not Sorry and I'm Ready (with Sam Smith) Pierce Brosnan plays Erick Erickssong Who is Erick Erickssong? Lars’ (very handsome) father who is disgusted by his son’s Eurovision ambitions. Who is Brosnan, Pierce Brosnan? The actual James Bond. Well, one of them: Brosnan played 007 across four films, including GoldenEye and The World Is Not Enough. Outside of MI6, Brosnan has also appeared in Mamma Mia!, Mrs Doubtfire and The World’s End. Graham Norton plays Graham Norton Who is Graham Norton? As all UK-based Eurovision fans will know, the host of The Graham Norton Show provides the wry commendatory for the BBC’s Eurovision broadcast. He plays himself in Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, delivering his brilliantly tongue-in-cheek put-downs. Who are the real-life Eurovision stars in Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga? As mentioned above, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga features many actual Eurovision stars, many appearing in a super Eurovision Medley (about halfway through the movie). Here are the faces eagle-eyed viewers will spot: Netta The Israeli singer stormed the contest’s 2018 edition, winning with female empowerment (and chicken-clucking) anthem Toy. Loreen Loreen won the contest for Sweden in 2012 with Europhia, indisputably one of the best Eurovision entries of all time. Conchita Wurst <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2018/05/GettyImages-489237139-bcac204.jpg" width="2760" height="1856" alt="Conchita Wurst representing Austria performs the song "Rise Like A Phoenix" after winning the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 Grand Final in Copenhagen, Denmark, on May 10, 2014. AFP PHOTO/JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images)" title="DENMARK-ENTERTAINMENT-EUROVISION-SONG-CONTEST" /> The bearded drag queen won the 2014 competition for Austria with entry Rise Like a Phoenix, a song that could definitely double as a James Bond theme. Alexander Rybak The violin-playing singer-songwriter is best known for winning the 2009 contest for Norway. He returned to represent Norway in 2018 with track That's How You Write a Song, which finished fifteenth overall. Salvador Sobral In the park scene set in Edinburgh, the singer can be seen and heard performing Amar pelos dois, the delicate jazz waltz that won the contest in 2017. Jamala The singer won the 2016 contest for Ukraine with politically-charged song 1944. Bilal Hassani The YouTube star performed for France in the 2019 contest, his entry Roi finishing in a respectable 16th place. John Lundvik Lundvik competed for Sweden in the 2019 contest, finishing in fifth place with song Too Late for Love. That’s pretty impressive – before you consider he also co-write the UK’s 2019 entry, Bigger Than Us, which finished last in the grand finale. Anna Odobescu Anna competed for Moldova in the 2019 contest with single Stay. If you don’t remember her in the grand finale it’s because she didn’t qualify: Odobescu was knocked out in the contest’s semi-final. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga lands on Netflix on Friday 26th June. Check out our lists of the best TV shows on Netflix and the best movies on Netflix, or see what else is on with our TV Guide.
Audible just released 40 more audiobooks completely free for members
A meditation course from P Diddy, anyone?
Another 40 audiobook titles have just landed completely free for members on <a href="https://go.skimresources.com/?id=71026X1569659&isjs=1&jv=14.1.3-stackpath&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.radiotimes.com%2Fnews%2Fradio%2F2020-03-20%2Faudible-just-made-hundreds-of-titles-completely-free-to-help-during-coronavirus-crisis%2F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.uk%2FAudible-Membership%2Fdp%2FB00OPA2XFG%3Ftag%3Dradtim0b-21%26ascsubtag%3D732100&xguid=01E11HZZYK5F9AHYCH85RZAHM0&xs=1&xtz=-60&xuuid=a516aa49847026b3628ab6e71bcf059a&xcust=732100&xjsf=other_click__contextmenu%20%5B2%5D">Audible – all to calm you during the coronavirus pandemic. The new listens will expand on the service’s Sleep Collection, which includes a bedtime story narrated by Nick Jonas (The Perfect Swing by James McGirk). Also, P Diddy – the actual P Diddy – narrates a meditation titled Honor Yourself. New titles also include stories read by Marvellous Mrs Maisel’s Tony Shalhoub and Australian celebrity chef Curtis Stone. Other titles added include bedtime stories, eight hours of extended soundscapes, additional sound baths, AMSR listens and more. If you’re not an Audible member, there’s still plenty of content to enjoy for free. The platform previously made hundreds of titles available for all at stories.audible.com. No log-ins, credit card or passwords needed. Titles available to listen on the service include Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre (narrated by Westworld’s Thandie Newton), Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (read by Downton Abbey’s Dan Stephens) and The Return of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle. View oEmbed on the source website On the site, Audible says: “For as long as schools are closed, we’re open. Starting today, kids everywhere can instantly stream an incredible collection of stories, including titles across six different languages, that will help them continue dreaming, learning, and just being kids.” They add: “[We recognise] that people are at home, in many cases with children home from school, and that stories have the power to entertain, teach and to keep minds active, alert, and engaged.” You can also sign up for a free 30-day trial on Audible and explore even more titles Plus, we've put together a guide in case you've ever found yourself wondering, just how does Audible work? The best audiobook and podcasts on Audible If you’re looking for other ways to keep yourself entertained during these difficult times why not check out our TV Guide for the latest shows to watch right now, scroll through our best films on Netflix list, sample our best TV shows on Netflix recommendations – or perhaps see what Disney+ has to offer.
Britain’s Got Talent judges feel “physically sick” after escape act almost drowns
Stunt performer Christian Wedoy put his life in David Walliams' hands as he locked himself in a water tank for over four minutes
To all those looking for a nice uplifting story for these troubled times: you best stop reading now. That's because we’re about to talk about Christian Wedoy, the Britain’s Got Talent escape artist who seemingly put his life in the judges’ hands. The performer caused a real splash during Saturday’s audition show (23rd May), after locking himself in a tank of water, apparently holding his breath for over four minutes as he broke through five locks – with the help of David Walliams. View oEmbed on the source website When first taking to the stage, the Norwegian act explained the trick to the judges – Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Walliams – telling them: “Houdini’s record was three minutes 30 seconds. And at that time there is a possibility of dying.” Then, while Wedoy lowered himself into the tank, his assistant Hans handed five keys to the judges. As they were informed, only one of these keys could open a critical lock. And, just to make things more interesting/more-likely-to-cause-a-death, Hans instructed Walliams to pick four of these keys to be sliced apart. With Wedoy having held his breath for over two minutes at this point, Walliams rushed on stage with the one remaining key, which – would you believe it – was the right one. It was then down to the escape artist to pick his way through another four locks trapping him in the tank. Finally, with paramedics on standby, a breathless Wedoy emerged from the water after four minutes and 24 seconds. Receiving a standing ovation from the crowd, the judges praised the performance, Dixon claiming she’d felt “physically sick” from all the tension. Wedoy left the stage with four yeses, sending him into the next round. Interestingly, this isn’t the first time the would-be Houdini has appeared on a Got Talent show. Wedoy, who also goes by the stage name Lord Christian, featured on Norway's Got Talent in 2017, performing a similar water escape in the audition round. He made it all the way to the contest’s semi-finals where he smashed through wooden planks held by the show’s presenters with samurai weapons –all while completely blindfolded. View oEmbed on the source website In the same year, he also featured in both Sweden's Got Talent and Germany's Got Talent, passing the audition round but failing to reach the final. Wedoy also runs a successful YouTube page (80 million views), which features instructional videos about how to hold your breath and escape from a tiny water tank. Just in case you want to take up a new hobby during lockdown.* *Do not do this at home – you’ll spill water everywhere. Britain’s Got Talent airs Saturdays on ITV at 8pm. If you’re looking for more to watch check out our TV guide.
Normal People star Paul Mescal shares thoughts on series 2
The Irish actor said it would be "amazing" to play Connell once more *CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR NORMAL PEOPLE**
Loved Normal People, but want to know more about what happened after the events of the TV show and Sally Rooney book? Connell actor Paul Mescal has some very interesting thoughts on his character’s future. While the BBC Three Dublin-set adaptation ended ambiguously (spoiler alert) – with Connell leaving lover Marianne for a writing course in New York – Mescal has suggested there’s more to the story. Speaking to Wonderland about the possibility of a second series, he said, “There’s no question that character to me is still alive and breathing and very much has a lot of life left to live, and has a relationship with Marianne that is maybe unfinished.” But he also added: “I do feel like the series that has finished is its own thing, and I’m totally comfortable with that. It’s not on the cards at the moment, but if I got the opportunity to play him again, amazing.” Speaking further about the series one cliffhanger, Mescal commented: “The romantic in me is like why doesn’t she just tell him to stay? Or why doesn’t she come over to New York? But it doesn’t make sense in the reality of those two characters’ lives. “I think ultimately if they did decide to stay together at that moment, it would be way more disappointing than the reality of the ending.” It’s not just Mescal that would be keen for a second run. Asked by RadioTimes.com if he could imagine a Normal People series two, director Lenny Abrahamson said he hopes to revisit the characters in “10 years time”. “I have a fantasy of doing a kind of 10 year - seeing where they are in 10 years time sort of thing, if I’m not too decrepit at that point,” he said. Fortunately for fans, the BBC has announced Conversations with Friends, an adaptation of the debut novel by Normal People writer Sally Rooney, is in development. “It’s the same basic team,” co-producer Ed Guiney explained to us. “Lenny [Abrahamson] is going to direct it and is across it as an executive producer. And Alice Birch and all of us at Element [Pictures]. So that’s what we’ll be turning our attention to next. But maybe down the line we’ll come back to Connell and Marianne.” You can watch Normal People now on BBC iPlayer – check out what else is on with our TV Guide
John Krasinski sells Some Good News and steps down as host
New episodes of the feel-good show are unlikely to be available to UK viewers
We’ve got some good news about, well, Some Good News: John Krasinski's feel-good YouTube series has been picked up by a major network. Following a massive bidding war, The Office star’s heartwarming show has been sold to US network CBS, according to The Hollywood Reporter. However, this comes with some bad news: it’s unclear if the show will now be available to UK viewers, with CBS’ on demand service CBS All Access not available in the country. Although he’ll continue to serve as producer, Krasinski says he’ll no longer host the show. A new presenter will be announced at a later date. RadioTimes.com has reached out to Krasinski for comment. View oEmbed on the source website “Could not be more excited and proud to be partnering with CBS/Viacom to be able to bring Some Good News to so many more people!” Krasinski said about the move, according to the publication. “From the first episode, our goal was to create a news show dedicated entirely to good news. Never did I expect to be joining the ranks of such a historic news organization as CBS.” Krasinski self-financed and self-produced eight weekly episodes of Some Good News, which shares uplifting stories to those stuck at home due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Since the channel launched, Some Good News has garnered more than 2 million subscribers and netted around 70 million views. According to THR, Krasinski had received calls from networks after airing its very first episode, but was hesitant to sign a deal in order to keep the show free to viewers. Now the show will be available to US subscribers CBS All Access, costing $5.99 a month with ads and $9.99 a month without ads. However, as Krasinski’s statement indicates, he hopes the move means even more people will see the show. The actor appeared to end his run presenting SGN on Sunday in an episode featuring stars of The Office and the original Broadway cast of Hamilton. In the instalment, Krasinski said the show would be taking a break and thanked viewers for watching. "For this episode of SGN," he said while signing off, "I'm John Krasinski, no longer needing to remind you that no matter how hard things get, there is always good in the world." If you’re looking for more to watch, check out our TV guide.