Why you should watch DTF St Louis: The super weird crime show with a soft underbelly
Jason Bateman, David Harbour and Linda Cardellini are embroiled in a love triangle that turns deadly in Steve Conrad’s deliciously dark comedy, where people let their freak flags fly.
Add DTF St Louis to your watchlist **Contains spoilers from episode 1 of DTF St Louis.** More often than not, new shows have a habit of feeling like a version of something you've seen before. Even if it's not a prequel or a sequel, a reboot or a reimagining, there's a flavour, so to speak, that evokes something else. Nowhere is that more apparent than in the crime genre, where it's increasingly rare to find originality – although tried and tested formulas can still deliver satisfying results if executed well. Case in point: Mare of Easttown. But DTF St Louis, a darkly comic murder-mystery airing on HBO in the US and Sky Atlantic in the UK, feels fresh and uninhibited by what has come before. Created, written and directed by Steve Conrad (The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, The Pursuit of Happyness), the limited series stars Ozark's Jason Bateman ("I appreciate Jason’s commitment to showing the rest of the world how strange the state of Missouri truly is at its core," reads one YouTube comment) and David Harbour as colleagues Clark Forrest, a local weatherman, and Floyd Smernitch, a sign language interpreter. It's not your average crime series dynamic, that's for sure. The pair strike up a friendship after Floyd narrowly stops Clark from being decapitated by a stop sign while reporting on an incoming tornado and they grow close – so close, in fact, that Clark, who's married and has two kids, feels comfortable enough to share a dark secret with Floyd. He's downloaded a hook-up app: DTF St Louis (that's 'down to f**k', for the uninitiated. Fans of Jersey Shore, of which this writer was regrettably one, will already be well acquainted with the term). And he gently encourages Floyd, who's also married (Linda Cardellini plays his wife Carol) to do the same. <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2026/02/0104DTF-StLouisS01-770c68f.jpg" width="6000" height="4000" alt="Two men wearing matching green waterproof jackets with the hoods up and protective goggles stand out in heavy wind and rain during what appears to be a live weather report. One holds a microphone branded “News 10,” speaking into it while bracing against the storm, as the other gestures emphatically toward something off-camera. Sheets of rain slash across the frame, and a third person in a dark rain poncho stands with their back to the camera in the foreground, adding to the sense of chaotic, on-the-ground reporting in extreme conditions." title="DTF St Louis" /> After some hesitation, Floyd follows Clark's lead (a Duane Reade bag has yet to make an appearance) – and then he winds up dead, his body uncovered in a pool house propped up next to a Bloody Mary in a can and, interestingly, some gay porn. Curiouser and curiouser. DTF St Louis constantly finds ways to surprise you. While it doesn't come as a shock that Clark and Carol were having an affair (it was right there in the way they greeted each other at his cornhole party), you certainly don't anticipate that Floyd knows. He's an easy man to underestimate, and the show also enjoys playing with timeline and perspective, which makes the moment he drops that bomb – delivered so calmly, and in sign language of all things – truly delicious television. Deploying needle drops is an art form and Ozzy Osbourne's spiky rendition of Sunshine of Your Love works exquisitely here, capturing both the sexual charge between Clark and Carol and the huge "Oh, f**k" rattling around Clark's head after he's been arrested for murder live on air. And people say the weather is boring. But is he really capable of murdering his friend? Even if all signs points to Clark being guilty – his recumbent bike captured on CCTV, the affair – DTF St Louis has set out its stall as a show that doesn't play by the rules, so perhaps not. And that doesn't just extend to the central mystery. Eyebrow-raising moments and absurd dialogue are par for the course across the four episodes made available for review. Unusual professions are standard practice – Floyd used to be married to a fortune teller; in one scene, he encounters a roller dancer and hypnotist. It's certainly not every day you meet a porn positive detective, and Floyd's passion for hip-hop dance is an inspired turn. Plus, who knew Harbour could pop it and lock it quite so gracefully? <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2026/02/0103DTF-StLouisS01-53820ad.jpg" width="5616" height="3744" alt="A man with a thick moustache and short, slightly tousled hair stands inside what appears to be a convenience store or supermarket. He wears a green jacket and looks off to the side with a small, knowing smile. In the blurred foreground, colourful packaged goods line a shelf, while behind him are glass-fronted refrigerators stocked with drinks. The wall above the fridges features a blue mural-style graphic of a city skyline." title="DTF St Louis" /> Then there's Clark and Carol, who refer to their hook-ups at the Quality Garden Suites as "dream meetings", granting each other's niche sexual desires, such as Clark being unpacked from a cardboard box as he pretends to be a sex robot, or Carol sitting on his face while she "goes about her tasks", like ringing FedEx. Two birds, one stone. When she first tells him, "You can do anything with me. You never have to have any fears about sharing anything with me," it reads like a cheap male fantasy. Having sex with your friend's hot wife – and she's game for anything? Yup, we've seen this film before. Except we haven't. DTF St Louis makes no bones about its weirdness, or how disappointing or cruel life can be, but it has a soft underbelly. As per Conrad's earlier work, he is clearly drawn to stories about people who have done an inventory of their lives and decided they want more – or just different. That often surfaces in the quieter moments: Floyd's clothes don't fit properly, so he's trying to "lose a few"; he attempts to connect with his socially reclusive, rock-throwing stepson by going to therapy with him. That desire for more might also manifest as an affair with someone who understands you more than your partner, and who doesn't judge your kinks — there's a distinct lack of judgement in this series — or embracing hip-hop dance as an out of shape, middle-aged white man. Putting aside the salacious, scandalous aspects of DTF St Louis, the series threads grounded, human concerns through the eccentricity, like, what comes first: midlife malaise or a marriage in decline? Or does the decline of a marriage facilitate midlife malaise? The show's preoccupation with connection, meaning, reinvention and self-growth is deceptively confronting, and never once dulled by the many off-kilter things people say and do in this glum-looking Midwestern suburb that appears entirely normal from the outside. But as one gentleman puts it: "Nobody's normal, they just look that way from across the street."
DC releases Lanterns trailer and fans are divided on its gritty approach to comic book material
Let's just say, there's a reason they dropped 'green' from the title...
DC Studios has dropped a first look trailer at sci-fi detective series Lanterns – and its generating spirited debate online. The series follows Green Lantern Corps veteran Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) as he trains up incoming recruit John Stewart (Aaron Pierre), while the pair unravel the dark mystery at the heart of a Nebraskan town. Announced in January 2023 as part of writer-director James Gunn's new vision for Warner Bros' shared DC Universe, Lanterns was always said to be drawing inspiration from HBO crime drama True Detective. However, many fans have expressed shock on social media over just how heavily the project is leaning in that direction, while seemingly discarding the bold sci-fi elements and bright colour palette that defines a typical Green Lantern comic book. A particular source of derision and disdain has been the first glimpse at Hal's costume (see image, above), which is a very dark, muted shade of green – and draped rather mundanely over a plastic coat hanger. Of course, a more vibrant take on the Green Lantern universe was rejected by mainstream audiences in 2011, when a since-disowned film adaptation starring Ryan Reynolds failed critically and commercially. So, this more grounded approach to the material isn't entirely without reason. You can judge DC Studios' Lanterns trailer for yourself by tuning in to the teaser below, which teases a premiere in August. View oEmbed on the source website Chandler bagged the role of Hal Jordan in 2024, after original choice Josh Brolin (Weapons) turned it down, while Pierre became the clear fan-favourite to play John Stewart following the success of his Netflix action flick Rebel Ridge. Line of Duty and Trainspotting alum Kelly Macdonald co-stars as the sheriff of the town where their investigation takes place, while Nathan Fillion will reprise the role of Guy Gardner, another Green Lantern, from Superman and Peacemaker season 2. Lanterns is co-created by Damon Lindelof (HBO's Watchmen), Chris Mundy (Ozark) and comic book writer Tom King, whose influential work in the medium is also the basis for this summer's Supergirl solo film. Lanterns is coming to HBO Max in August. Add Lanterns to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Sci-fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Paramount+ and HBO Max set to merge – but HBO tipped to operate with "independence"
Paramount CEO David Ellison has said that "HBO should stay HBO".
Following the news that Paramount Skydance had won out in its battle to acquire Warner Bros Discovery, beating out Netflix's offer with a bid that was deemed "superior", the company has reaffirmed its plan to combine Paramount+ and HBO Max. Paramount CEO David Ellison spoke about this plans during an investor call, as reported by Variety, now that the wheels are in motion for the deal to go ahead. He said: "As we said, we do plan to put the two services together, which today gives us a little over 200 million direct to consumer subscribers. We think that really positions us to compete with the leaders in the space. "At Paramount, by the middle of this year, we’ll have completed the consolidation of our three services under one unified stack, and you can see us taking a similar approach to this platform going forward. "And we think the combined offering, and given the amount of content and what we can do from the tech side, really will put us in a position to be able to compete with the most scaled players in DTC [direct to consumer]." While it has not yet been confirmed exactly how this will work in practice and whether the new streamer will be retaining one title or another, Ellison did say that "HBO should stay HBO", suggesting a special place would be marked out for the brand, which has for many years been synonymous with premium, critically lauded content. Ellison said on the call: "Casey [Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and HBO Max Content] and his team do absolutely a remarkable job at HBO. And as we said, we do plan for that to be able to operate with independence, so that HBO can, candidly, do what it does incredibly well. "Our viewpoint is HBO should stay HBO. They built a phenomenal brand. They are a leader in the space, and we just want them to continue doing more of it. But by bringing the platforms together, all of our content will be able to reach even a broader audience than we can do standalone." HBO's current, ongoing dramas include A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and House of the Dragon, Euphoria, The White Lotus and The Last of Us, amongst many others. Meanwhile, upcoming additions include DC's Lanterns and the new Harry Potter series. HBO Max has yet to launch in the UK, and will actually be arriving later this month. Based on the prospective deal, it seems it may only be doing so, at least in its current form, in the short-term. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
DTF St Louis is a super weird crime show with a soft underbelly
**Contains spoilers from episode 1 of DTF St Louis.** More often than not, new shows have a habit of feeling like a version of something you've seen before. Even if it's not a prequel or a sequel, a reboot or a reimagining, there's a flavour, so to speak, that evokes something else. Nowhere is that more apparent than in the crime genre, where it's increasingly rare to find originality – although tried and tested formulas can still deliver satisfying results if executed well. Case in point: Mare of Easttown. But DTF St Louis, a darkly comic murder-mystery airing on HBO in the US and Sky Atlantic in the UK, feels fresh and uninhibited by what has come before. Created, written and directed by Steve Conrad (The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, The Pursuit of Happyness), the limited series stars Ozark's Jason Bateman ("I appreciate Jason’s commitment to showing the rest of the world how strange the state of Missouri truly is at its core," reads one YouTube comment) and David Harbour as colleagues Clark Forrest, a local weatherman, and Floyd Smernitch, a sign language interpreter. It's not your average crime series dynamic, that's for sure. The pair strike up a friendship after Floyd narrowly stops Clark from being decapitated by a stop sign while reporting on an incoming tornado and they grow close – so close, in fact, that Clark, who's married and has two kids, feels comfortable enough to share a dark secret with Floyd. He's downloaded a hook-up app: DTF St Louis (that's 'down to f**k', for the uninitiated. Fans of Jersey Shore, of which this writer was regrettably one, will already be well acquainted with the term). And he gently encourages Floyd, who's also married (Linda Cardellini plays his wife Carol) to do the same. <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2026/02/0104DTF-StLouisS01-770c68f.jpg" width="6000" height="4000" alt="Two men wearing matching green waterproof jackets with the hoods up and protective goggles stand out in heavy wind and rain during what appears to be a live weather report. One holds a microphone branded “News 10,” speaking into it while bracing against the storm, as the other gestures emphatically toward something off-camera. Sheets of rain slash across the frame, and a third person in a dark rain poncho stands with their back to the camera in the foreground, adding to the sense of chaotic, on-the-ground reporting in extreme conditions." title="DTF St Louis" /> After some hesitation, Floyd follows Clark's lead (a Duane Reade bag has yet to make an appearance) – and then he winds up dead, his body uncovered in a pool house propped up next to a Bloody Mary in a can and, interestingly, some gay porn. Curiouser and curiouser. DTF St Louis constantly finds ways to surprise you. While it doesn't come as a shock that Clark and Carol were having an affair (it was right there in the way they greeted each other at his cornhole party), you certainly don't anticipate that Floyd knows. He's an easy man to underestimate, and the show also enjoys playing with timeline and perspective, which makes the moment he drops that bomb – delivered so calmly, and in sign language of all things – truly delicious television. Deploying needle drops is an art form and Ozzy Osbourne's spiky rendition of Sunshine of Your Love works exquisitely here, capturing both the sexual charge between Clark and Carol and the huge "Oh, f**k" rattling around Clark's head after he's been arrested for murder live on air. And people say the weather is boring. But is he really capable of murdering his friend? Even if all signs points to Clark being guilty – his recumbent bike captured on CCTV, the affair – DTF St Louis has set out its stall as a show that doesn't play by the rules, so perhaps not. And that doesn't just extend to the central mystery. Eyebrow-raising moments and absurd dialogue are par for the course across the four episodes made available for review. Unusual professions are standard practice – Floyd used to be married to a fortune teller; in one scene, he encounters a roller dancer and hypnotist. It's certainly not every day you meet a porn positive detective, and Floyd's passion for hip-hop dance is an inspired turn. Plus, who knew Harbour could pop it and lock it quite so gracefully? <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2026/02/0103DTF-StLouisS01-53820ad.jpg" width="5616" height="3744" alt="A man with a thick moustache and short, slightly tousled hair stands inside what appears to be a convenience store or supermarket. He wears a green jacket and looks off to the side with a small, knowing smile. In the blurred foreground, colourful packaged goods line a shelf, while behind him are glass-fronted refrigerators stocked with drinks. The wall above the fridges features a blue mural-style graphic of a city skyline." title="DTF St Louis" /> Then there's Clark and Carol, who refer to their hook-ups at the Quality Garden Suites as "dream meetings", granting each other's niche sexual desires, such as Clark being unpacked from a cardboard box as he pretends to be a sex robot, or Carol sitting on his face while she "goes about her tasks", like ringing FedEx. Two birds, one stone. When she first tells him, "You can do anything with me. You never have to have any fears about sharing anything with me," it reads like a cheap male fantasy. Having sex with your friend's hot wife – and she's game for anything? Yup, we've seen this film before. Except we haven't. DTF St Louis makes no bones about its weirdness, or how disappointing or cruel life can be, but it has a soft underbelly. As per Conrad's earlier work, he is clearly drawn to stories about people who have done an inventory of their lives and decided they want more – or just different. That often surfaces in the quieter moments: Floyd's clothes don't fit properly, so he's trying to "lose a few"; he attempts to connect with his socially reclusive, rock-throwing stepson by going to therapy with him. That desire for more might also manifest as an affair with someone who understands you more than your partner, and who doesn't judge your kinks — there's a distinct lack of judgement in this series — or embracing hip-hop dance as an out of shape, middle-aged white man. Putting aside the salacious, scandalous aspects of DTF St Louis, the series threads grounded, human concerns through the eccentricity, like, what comes first: midlife malaise or a marriage in decline? Or does the decline of a marriage facilitate midlife malaise? The show's preoccupation with connection, meaning, reinvention and self-growth is deceptively confronting, and never once dulled by the many off-kilter things people say and do in this glum-looking Midwestern suburb that appears entirely normal from the outside. But as one gentleman puts it: "Nobody's normal, they just look that way from across the street." DTF St Louis will debut in the US on March 1 on HBO Max and in UK on Sky and NOW from 2 March. Check out more of our Comedy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Industry season 4 release schedule: When is episode 8 airing in the UK and US?
Episodes are being released in both the UK and US in tandem, but when will new instalments be landing on our screens?
We're unfortunately at that point where the end of the fourth season of Industry is nigh, and with only one episode left to go, it really is all up in the air as to how the rest of the series will unfold. At this point in time, plenty of Industry fans would have expected to see a season renewal for the hit HBO/BBC show, but the future of Industry is yet to be announced. What we do know, though, is that with the stakes have notched up even higher in the most recent seventh episode, it really is all to play for going into the finale. Not only have we been served revelations about Tender CFO Whitney (Max Minghella), supposed Russian involvement in the company and a bit more about illusive Hayley (Kiernan Shipka), we've also seen the likes of Yasmin (Marisa Abela) and Henry (Kit Harington) have to face their biggest downfall yet. Will they (and more importantly, their relationship) survive this? For now, we'll just have to wait patiently and see how the various loose ends and glaring questions of the series get answered in the final episode. But just when is the season 4 finale out? Read on for everything you need to know about the release schedule of Industry season 4, including how many episodes there are and where you can watch them in the UK and US. When is Industry season 4 episode 8 out in the UK and US? The eighth and final episode of Industry season 4 will air in the UK on Monday 2 March 2026 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Episodes of the new series are set to air weekly both in the UK and US, meaning that episodes will be released every Monday here in the UK and every Sunday in the US on HBO and HBO Max at 9pm ET. In the US, episode 8 will air on Sunday 1 March on HBO. Season 4 premiered in the UK on Monday 12 January 2026 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The UK release is in line with the US, where season 4 premiered on Sunday 11th January. How many episodes of Industry season 4 are there? There are eight episodes in the fourth season of Industry. Industry season 4 release schedule The full release schedule for Industry is as follows: Episode 1 - Tender - UK: Monday 12 January and US: Sunday 11 January (out now) Episode 2 - The Commander and the Grey Lady - UK: Monday 19 January and US: Sunday 18 January (out now) Episode 3 - Habseligkeiten - UK: Monday 26 January and US: Sunday 25 January (out now) Episode 4 - 1000 Yoots, 1 Marilyn - UK: Monday 2 February and US: Sunday 1 February (out now) Episode 5 - Eyes Without a Face - UK: Monday 9 February and US: Sunday 8 February/early HBO Max streaming release on Friday 6 (out now) Episode 6 - Dear Henry - UK: Monday 16 February and US: Sunday 15 February (out now) Episode 7 - Points of Emphasis - UK: Monday 23 February and US: Sunday 22 February (out now) Episode 8 - Both, And - UK: Monday 2 March and US: Sunday 1 March Industry seasons 1-3 are available to stream on BBC iPlayer in the UK, season 4 premieres on Monday 12 January 2026 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The drama airs on HBO in the US. Check out more of our Drama 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.
Daniel Radcliffe wants to stop Harry Potter TV series stars being asked about the original films' cast
"I would like not to be weird spectral phantoms in these children’s lives."
Daniel Radcliffe might have been skyrocketed to fame as the face of the Harry Potter film series but, ahead of HBO's upcoming TV reboot of the beloved fantasy franchise, the actor has urged fans to stop talking about the original movies’ cast. The upcoming TV series, which is expected to premiere in 2027, will be led by newcomers Dominic McLaughlin as the titular character, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. Speaking about the new young stars in a recent interview with Screen Rant, Radcliffe said: "When these kids got cast, there is a whole thing around the internet being like, ‘We have to look after these kids!'" He continued: "If you really mean that, then one of the things you can do is don’t ask about us – me, Emma [Watson] and Rupert [Grint] – all the time. "I would like not to be weird spectral phantoms in these children’s lives. Just let them get on [with it], it’s going to be a new, different thing. I’m sure Dominic is going to be better than me." Radcliffe previously revealed that he wrote a letter to McLaughlin, who was cast as an 11-year-old, the same age that Radcliffe and Grint were when they were cast in the first movie, 2001’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, while Emma Watson was only 10. "I wrote to Dominic and sent him a letter, and he sent me a very sweet note back," the actor said. He continued: "I don’t want to be a spectre in the life of these children, but I just wanted to write to him to say, ‘I hope you have the best time, and an even better time than I did – I had a great time, but I hope you have an even better time.'" The actor concluded: "I just see these pictures of him and the other kids, and I just want to hug them. They just seem so young. I do look at them and say, ‘Oh, it’s crazy I was doing that at that age.’ But it’s also incredibly sweet, and I hope they’re having a great time." Other actors joining the three lead child stars in the new reboot include John Lithgow as Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Hogwarts headmistress Professor McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Professor Snape, Paul Whitehouse as Hogwarts caretaker Argus Filch and Nick Frost as gamekeeper and Care of Magical Creatures professor Hagrid. Harry Potter author JK Rowling has faced backlash in some quarters due to her views on transgender rights. In 2020, she published a lengthy statement detailing her stance on sex and gender debates – the essay was criticised and disputed by LGBTQ+ charities including Stonewall. Rowling has also shared her views on social media, including in a 2024 post on X (formerly Twitter), in which she insisted that “there are no trans kids” and opposed the idea that a child can be “born in the wrong body”. In May 2025, Rowling set up the JK Rowling Women’s Fund, which describes itself as offering legal funding support to “individuals and organisations fighting to retain women’s sex-based rights”. Harry Potter actors including Radcliffe, Grint and Watson, have distanced themselves from Rowling's views and have issued statements supporting the transgender community. Others, including Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter and Jim Broadbent, have defended the author from the criticism she has received. View Green Video on the source website The Harry Potter series will stream on HBO Max. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Friends gets new UK streaming availability date confirmed after Netflix departure
Friends has a new UK streaming home following the series’ departure from Netflix – and we now know when it will arrive there. The show, which had been a mainstay on Netflix since 2018, left the streamer in December due to the expiration of licensing agreements. But those who want to watch (or rewatch) the series are in luck, as American streaming platform HBO Max is set to launch in the UK and Ireland on 26th March 2026 – and all episodes of Friends will be available. The platform will offer shows such as the critically acclaimed US medical drama The Pitt, as well as the hotly-anticipated new seasons of Euphoria and House of the Dragon. HBO Max will also be the home of the upcoming Harry Potter TV series, and new DC Studios drama Lanterns. It will also offer a number of big films including Superman, One Battle After Another, Sinners, A Minecraft Movie and Dune: Part One, and host TNT Sports in the UK from launch. Alongside Friends, existing shows in the catalogue will include Succession, The Sopranos and Game of Thrones. Subscription prices will begin at £4.99 per month for a basic package with ads, up to £30.99 per month for a sports subscription package, which gives subscribers access to TNT Sports. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
HBO Max confirms UK & Ireland release date - and it’s launching with an award-winning series
The platform will also be home to the upcoming seasons of Euphoria and House of the Dragon later in 2026.
HBO Max has finally confirmed a UK and Ireland launch date - and there isn’t too long to wait. The streamer, which has been available in the US and over 110 territories globally, will launch in the UK and Ireland on 26th March, 2026. Alongside HBO content, the platform will also be home to Warner Bros Pictures, Warner Bros Television, DC Studios and Max Originals shows and movies, with the entirety of the first season of the critically acclaimed medical drama The Pitt set to be available from launch. The winner of five Primetime Emmys, including Outstanding Drama Series in 2025, The Pitt is a much-celebrated drama that digs deep into the professional turmoil and personal crises that healthcare professionals in a Pittsburgh hospital go through in their daily lives. Episodes of The Pitt's second season will be released weekly following the launch of the platform in the UK. Later in 2026, the platform will also be home to the hotly-anticipated new seasons of Euphoria and House of the Dragon, as well as the upcoming Harry Potter TV series, and new DC Studios drama Lanterns. HBO Max will also be home to a number of big films including Superman, One Battle After Another, Sinners, A Minecraft Movie and Dune: Part One. An extensive range of the HBO and Warner Bros. Television libraries will also be available, including all episodes of Succession, Friends, The Sopranos and Game of Thrones. Sports fans will also be able to access their TNT Sports streaming subscription via HBO Max in the UK from launch. There will be four different streaming packages available, starting from £4.99 per month for a basic package with ads, followed by £5.99 for a standard package with ads. Alternatively, it'll be £9.99 for the same tier but without ads, or £14.99 per month for a premium package. JB Perrette, CEO and President of Global Streaming and Games at Warner Bros. Discovery, said: "After decades of delighting audiences in the UK & Ireland with our remarkable stories and brands, it’s a huge thrill to finally bring it all together on HBO Max, and also offer it directly to all consumers." Andrew Georgiou, President & Managing Director for Warner Bros. Discovery UK & Ireland and Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe, added: "Launching HBO Max in the UK & Ireland marks a significant moment for viewers here. HBO Max will offer them their most loved series and movies from HBO, Warner Bros. and DC Studios, alongside premium sports from TNT Sports in the UK, within an outstanding single destination for this great content and strong value proposition." He continued: "Nowhere else will you be able to get The Pitt, House of the Dragon, Euphoria, Lanterns, Superman, One Battle After Another, as well as the eagerly awaited Harry Potter series, all together." Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Harry Potter TV series star John Lithgow reveals taking Dumbledore role was "hard decision"
“People insisted I walk away from the job."
John Lithgow has opened up about playing Albus Dumbledore in the forthcoming Harry Potter TV series, saying it was a “hard decision”. It was announced that the actor would be taking on the role of the Hogwarts headmaster in HBO’s adaptation of JK Rowling’s famous books back in October, with Lithgow receiving backlash from some fans due to Rowling’s views on transgender rights. Speaking at Rotterdam Film Festival, where his latest film Jimpa screened on Sunday (1st February), Lithgow was asked about Rowling’s statements on trans issues, to which he responded (per Variety): “I take the subject extremely seriously. She has created this amazing canon for young people and it has jumped into the consciousness of the society.” He added that he finds Rowling’s views “ironic and inexplicable” given that Harry Potter is about “good versus evil” and “kindness versus cruelty”. “I’ve never met her, she’s not really involved in this production at all," he continued. “But the people who are, are remarkable. “It upsets me when people are opposed to me having anything to do with this. But in ‘Potter’ canon you see no trace of transphobic sensitivity. She’s written this mediation of kindness and acceptance. And Dumbledore is a beautiful role.” He added that he considered stepping down after people insisted he walk away from the role due to Rowling’s comments on transgender rights. “It was a hard decision," he said. “It made me uncomfortable and unhappy that people insisted I walk away from the job. I chose not to do that.” Rowling has faced backlash in some quarters due to her views on transgender rights. In 2020, she published a lengthy statement detailing her stance on sex and gender debates – the essay was criticised and disputed by LGBTQ+ charities including Stonewall. Rowling has also shared her views on social media, including in a 2024 post on X (formerly Twitter), in which she insisted that “there are no trans kids” and opposed the idea that a child can be “born in the wrong body”. In May 2025, Rowling set up the JK Rowling Women’s Fund, which describes itself as offering legal funding support to “individuals and organisations fighting to retain women’s sex-based rights”. Harry Potter actors including Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, have distanced themselves from Rowling's views and have issued statements supporting the transgender community. Others, including Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter and Jim Broadbent, have defended the author from the criticism she has received. The Harry Potter TV series will premiere in early 2027 on HBO. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Harry Potter TV series: Release date speculation, casting & latest news
Everything to know about the new Wizarding World TV series adapting the original seven books.
As filming on HBO's upcoming Harry Potter TV series continues, some key figures behind the production are starting to give their assessments of how it's going thus far, and what fans can expect. For instance, in December 2025, HBO Max head of original content Sarah Aubrey spoke about the series while on a panel at Content London, as reported by Variety. Aubrey said that she was visiting the set of the series the following day, before adding: "I just keep thinking, it’s such a delightful adaptation of the books. And I think when people watch it, they [will] think, 'These are the books.'" Meanwhile, Warwick Davis, currently the only star to be returning from the Harry Potter movies to play the same part of Filius Flitwick in the series, spoke about the new adaptation on Times Radio, as reported by Deadline. "I’m working on it at the moment, but I can’t really tell you anything other than we’re retelling those wonderful stories but with more depth and detail than has been seen before," he said. "They’re very faithful adaptations of the book. "We’re obviously telling the same story so there are similar moments that we’re experiencing as actors on the set. But it’s weird being back in the same studios again, doing it all again, because Leavesden is where we shot the films." Of course, with filming ongoing, we're still far off from getting a specific release date, but more news is being revealed frequently. Most recently, Hans Zimmer and his collective of composers, named Bleeding Fingers, were tapped to compose the score for the series. Hans Zimmer, Kara Talve and Anže Rozman said in a statement together: "The musical legacy of Harry Potter is a touch point for composers everywhere and we are humbled to join such a remarkable team on a project of this magnitude. The responsibility is something that myself, Kara Talve and Anže Rozman do not take lightly. "Magic is all around us, often just beyond reach, but as in the world of Harry Potter, you simply must look for it. With this score we hope to bring audiences that little bit closer to it whilst honoring what has come before." For more on the Harry Potter series, including the potential release date, more casting news, and the TV show's plot, the rest of this watch guide below has you covered. Harry Potter TV series release date speculation HBO's Harry Potter adaptation is currently expected to premiere in 2027, following comments by CEO & President of Warner Bros. Discovery, David Zaslav. Originally reported by TVLine, Zaslav told press back in November 2024: "Oh, it could probably be [2027], something like that." "But don’t hold me to any of that, because we’re just getting started in the writing and casting process." Although an exact release date hasn't been announced yet, we'll update this page as soon as we hear more. A lot has happened since Zaslav's comments, including the casting of the key actors, but logistically it still looks like a 2027 release date for the Harry Potter show is doable. Filming for the new Harry Potter began in July 2025, kickstarting what is intended to be a seven-season adaptation, taking place across the UK in locations like London Zoo, King's Cross Station, and Hertfordshire. One obvious concern is making sure the show stays on track to release one new season per year, so the lead actors don't end up growing too old for their roles. Speaking about HBO's plans to film new seasons as quickly and efficiently as possible, HBO CEO Casey Bloys, explained to Collider’s Steve Weintraub: "From 11 to 13, is a big jump in kids' lives. You can get away with 13 to 15, something like that. So we are going to have to think about scheduling and shooting so that they don’t grow too much between seasons. It is a consideration." "I think an annual schedule would be tough, but it depends on how much is written ahead of time." In November 2025, Bloys confirmed that season 2 was already being written. Bloys told reporters during a press conference, as reported by Deadline: "The plan is to still try and get it — I don’t know if it’s going to be like stop shooting Season 1 on Friday and start Season 2 on Monday. "There’ll be a break in there, but we’re going to do whatever we can to not have a huge gap. For the kids, obviously, but also for viewers. You know, trying to not have massive gaps. It is a big show, lots of special effects, obviously, massive operation, but we’re going to do what we can." Bloys also previously confirmed that author JK Rowling is involved in the project, amid ongoing controversy regarding her views on trans rights, which have turned many former fans away from the franchise. In response to these concerns, an HBO spokesperson said (via Variety): "We are proud to once again tell the story of Harry Potter — the heartwarming books that speak to power of friendship, resolve and acceptance". "JK Rowling has a right to express her personal views. We will remain focused on the development of the new series, which will only benefit from her involvement." This has done little to quell concerns over Rowling's impact as a public figure, and how her income from the Potter franchise may be used to facilitate anti-LGBTQ+ projects. In recent years, the author was notably absent from the 20-year anniversary special of the Harry Potter movies, and the 2023 Hogwarts Legacy spin-off game faced boycotts. Meanwhile, several fan-run organisations have distanced themselves from Rowling, including the international association for real-life Quidditch, which has renamed the sport "quadball." Who will be the cast starring in the Harry Potter TV series? As mentioned above, the lead stars playing Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger have been confirmed. Back in September 2024, there was an open casting call looking for the three kids, with Warner boss Channing Dungey admitting it would be "tricky" to allocate the roles (via Variety). Now we know that, in HBO's Harry Potter series, Dominic McLaughlin will play Harry, Arabella Stanton will play Hermione and Alastair Stout will play Ron. Stanton is known for having previously starred in the West End production of Matilda, as well as the Andrew Lloyd Webber production of Starlight Express. Stout has been seen in TV advertisements, while McLaughlin will be seen in Sky Original comedy Grow. Following the lead actors being announced, showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director/executive producer Mark Mylod said in a statement to Variety: "After an extraordinary search led by casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann, we are delighted to announce we have found our Harry, Hermione and Ron". "The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen. We would like to thank all the tens of thousands of children who auditioned. It's been a real pleasure to discover the plethora of young talent out there." Meanwhile, HBO previously announced that John Lithgow is set to play Albus Dumbledore in the new Harry Potter show. Lithgow previously said of taking on the role: "It came as a total surprise to me. I just got the phone call up at the Sundance Film Festival for yet another film, and it was not an easy decision because it's going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I'm afraid. But I'm very excited." Elsewhere, Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You) will star as Severus Snape, Janet McTeer (Tumbleweeds) will star as Minerva McGonagall, and Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead) will appear as Rubeus Hagrid. While those four series regulars had previously been rumoured to be joining the project, some other new additions have been more unexpected. The more surprising additions are Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell and Paul Whitehouse (The Fast Show) as Argus Filch, who will appear in guest/recurring roles. Thallon is currently best known in the theatre world and most recently starred in the Royal Shakespeare Company's 2025 Hamlet. In June, a whole load of new additions were also announced to fill out supporting roles. Katherine Parkinson (Rivals) will play Molly Weasley, Lox Pratt (Lord of the Flies) will play Draco Malfoy, Johnny Flynn (Ripley) will play Lucius Malfoy and Bertie Carvel (The Crown) will play Cornelius Fudge. Meanwhile, Leo Earley will play Seamus Finnigan, Alessia Leoni will play Parvati Patil, Sienna Moosah will play Lavender Brown, Bel Powley (Masters of the Air) will play Petunia Dursley and Daniel Rigby (I, Jack Wright) will play Vernon Dursley. Unfortunately, those hoping for returns from the film franchise's stars, such as Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson or Rupert Grint, are out of luck – it's not looking likely. Chatting to ComicBook.com, Radcliffe quashed any speculation about him making an appearance. He said: "My understanding is that they’re trying to very much start fresh, and I'm sure whoever is making them will want to make their own mark on it and probably not want to have to figure out how to get old Harry to cameo in this somewhere." He continued: "So I'm definitely not seeking it out in any way… but I do wish them, obviously, all the luck in the world, and I'm very excited to have that torch passed. But I don't think it needs me to physically pass it." Argus Filch star David Bradley told RadioTimes.com: "I think it’ll be very interesting to see what they will do with the extra time they’ll have to film more of the books than we could. "The Goblet of Fire and the last two, they were quite chunky – how do you condense those into a two and a half hour film? "Of course, you’ve got to sacrifice quite a lot of plot and characters. I’m assuming the reason they’re doing it is they’ll be able to include more of the story because they’ll have more screen time – a lot more than the films had. I’ll be interested. I haven’t had the call yet!" Asked whether it felt strange to see a new adaptation in the works, Jason Isaacs, who played Lucius Malfoy, mused: "It’s no weirder for me than for everybody else who’s seen the films. I happen to be in the films too." View Green Video on the source website He continued: "They make a new Spider-Man every 15 minutes. You know, there was a ton of stuff in the books that we left out. Yeah, it's an odd feeling, but it’s no odder for me than it is anyone else. I can’t wait to see them and see what they do." Behind the camera, we know that His Dark Materials writer Francesca Gardiner will serve as showrunner, while Succession director Mark Mylod is attached to produce and film some episodes. Meanwhile, JK Rowling will executive produce the series, alongside Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts. "Max’s commitment to preserving the integrity of my books is important to me, and I’m looking forward to being part of this new adaptation which will allow for a degree of depth and detail only afforded by a long form television series," said Rowling. Who is playing Voldemort in the Harry Potter series? The actor who will be playing Voldemort in the Harry Potter HBO series hasn't been revealed just yet, but well-known contenders like Matthew Macfadyen, Matt Smith, Paul Bettany, Cillian Murphy and Tom Hiddleston are in the running, according to Online Betting Guide. However, known entertainment industry leaker Daniel Richtman recently posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the Harry Potter TV show is "auditioning both men and women for Voldemort", so there is a chance Tom Riddle could be portrayed by a woman. There is no confirmation of either claim yet, but we will be updating this guide as soon as we hear more. What is the Harry Potter TV series about? The series will be based on all seven books in the series, originally published between 1997 and 2007. A statement from the newly branded Max explained: "The stories from each of Rowling’s Harry Potter books will become a decade-long series produced with the same epic craft, love and care this global franchise is known for. "The series will feature a new cast to lead a new generation of fandom, full of the fantastic detail, much-loved characters and dramatic locations that Harry Potter fans have loved for over 25 years." It continued: "Each season will be authentic to the original books and bring Harry Potter and these incredible adventures to new audiences around the world, while the original, classic and beloved films will remain at the core of the franchise and available to watch globally." The Harry Potter series will stream on HBO Max. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Euphoria season 3 star reveals new episodes will "break the mould" for television
The popular HBO drama will return this spring.
Colman Domingo has teased what we can expect from Euphoria season 3, and it looks like the upcoming season is more ambitious than ever. Speaking to Deadline, Domingo said: "We’re gonna have a devastatingly gorgeous, epic season that I think is breaking the mould of television. I think it’s gonna become more cinema than television." Domingo will return as recovering drug addict and sponsor to Rue Bennett (Zendaya), Ali Muhammad. Ali is set to get more of a backstory this season, with Domingo promising that viewers will "get to look at the building blocks of Ali". He added: "I think you may get a little bit of his origin story, which I think is great, and so you can understand why Ali is who he is." Fans will be pleased to know that there’s not long to wait until Euphoria hits our screens again – season 3 will premiere in April 2026. It’s not yet clear if episodes will land at the same time in the UK as the US, but the HBO Max rollout in the UK and Ireland in March suggests that this could be the case. Other stars have also hinted at what the new season has to offer. Speaking on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Sydney Sweeney admitted that Cassie is "crazy", adding that in the new season she’s "even worse". Meanwhile, series creator Sam Levinson spoke at the HBO Max presentation in London in December and revealed (via Variety) that the story picks up five years after season 2. He said: "We basically pick up Rue south of the border in Mexico, in debt to Laurie [Martha Kelly], trying to come up with some very innovative ways to pay it off." Responding to circulating rumours about Cassie and Nate’s [Jacob Elordi] controversial relationship, Levinson confirmed that wedding bells are indeed ringing. He added that viewers can expect the pair's wedding to be an "unforgettable night". He also revealed where we can expect to find the other characters post high school. "Jules [Hunter Schafer] is in art school, very nervous about having a career as a painter and trying to avoid responsibility at all costs. Maddy [Alexa Demie] is working in Hollywood at a talent agency for a manager, she’s obviously got her own side hustles going. "And Lexi [Maude Apatow] is an assistant to a showrunner played by Sharon Stone, who is just absolutely delightful and a true icon." In addition to the return of many now-household names, new confirmed cast members include Spanish singer Rosalía as well as YouTuber Trisha Paytas, Poker Face star Natasha Lyonne, Till's Danielle Deadwyler, horror icon Eli Roth and the American football player Marshawn Lynch. Euphoria is available to watch on Sky Atlantic and NOW with an Entertainment Membership. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
How to watch The Pitt - can you stream in the UK?
The Pitt has won big at the 2026 Golden Globes, which unfolded on Sunday night (12th September). The HBO medical drama won best TV drama at the awards ceremony, as well as the best actor award for Noah Wyle. The show, which was created by R Scott Gemmill and executive produced by medical drama veteran John Wells, debuted on HBO Max back in January and has received critical acclaim for its realistic depiction of healthcare workers. Season 2 kicked off on the platform last week, picking back up with Dr Robby (Wyle) and his team of doctors and nurses in the overcrowded emergency department of the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital 10-months on. With The Pitt being a HBO Max title, viewers in the UK might be wondering whether they can watch the show. Read on for everything you need to know. How to watch The Pitt in the US The first season of The Pitt is available to watch in its entirety on HBO Max in the US, having premiered back in January this year and wrapped up on 10th April. The first episode of the second season became available to watch on the platform on Thursday 8th January, with subsequent episodes releasing weekly at 9pm ET. Can you watch The Pitt in the UK? At the moment, The Pitt isn't available to watch in the UK. However, both seasons of the show will land on HBO Max when the platform launches in the UK in late March 2026. The launch is part of an expansion by HBO into European countries, including Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Liechtenstein. What is The Pitt about? The medical drama, from R Scott Gemmill (ER, Jag, NCIS Los Angeles), is set in a cash-strapped Pittsburgh hospital where the action unfolds in real-time across one single, 15-hour shift, with each episode dedicated solely to one of those hours. "What can you do in 15 hours?" star, writer and executive producer Noah Wyle said (via AV Club). "Is that enough time to fall in love or out of love? Is that enough time to find faith or lose faith? Is it enough time to find your life’s calling or recognise that you’re a fish out of water? "That was the canvas that we got to play with. But ultimately, you can’t do days' worth of relationships in one 15-hour shift. Everything has to be somewhat grounded to the plausible if not the probable." Speaking to Variety about the origins of the show, Gemmill said that for many years, he had no interest in making another hospital-set series. But during the pandemic, he had a change of heart. "We realised that there was a reason to do it again, as long as we could find a way to do it that was fresh for both us and the audience so that we weren’t just retreading what we’d done in the past," he explained. Producer Wells, who previously worked with Gemmill on ER, added: "We've stayed in touch with many of the doctors and writer-doctors we worked with, and they started telling all of us about what the problems are now — and there's some significant problems. "It seemed like within the context of trying to follow someone through an entire day, you could actually touch on just how difficult being in these urban medical settings are now." Who stars in The Pitt? The main cast is as follows: Noah Wyle as Dr Michael "Robby" Robinavitch Tracy Ifeachor as Dr Heather Collins Patrick Ball as Dr Frank Langdon Katherine LaNasa as Dana Evans Taylor Dearden as Dr Melissa "Mel" King Fiona Dourif as Dr Cassie McKay Isa Briones as Dr Trinity Santos Gerran Howell as Dennis Whitaker Shabana Azeez as Victoria Javadi Is there a trailer for The Pitt? Yes – you can watch the trailer right now. Enjoy it below. View oEmbed on the source website Check out more of our Drama 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.
It: Welcome to Derry finale cameo may change everything we think we know about Beverly's film journey
The finale cameo in It: Welcome to Derry connects to a scene in It: Chapter Two.
It: Welcome to Derry creators Andy Muschietti and Jason Fuchs have explained how Sophia Lillis’ cameo enhances the meaning of the two It films. Lillis made a cameo as Beverly Marsh in the epilogue scene of the season 1 finale, titled Winter Fire, which was released on HBO Max last week. Speaking about the scene, Muschietti, who helmed the finale, told Entertainment Weekly in a new interview: "It was important for me to make a stronger connection to the movies. The idea of bringing Beverly back in the epilogue was a last-minute idea." Set before the events of IT: Chapter One (2017) and Chapter Two (2019), the epilogue sees Beverly and her father grieving her mother after she has committed suicide at Juniper Hill asylum. Ingrid (Joan Gergson), now elderly and institutionalised, walks into the room and tells Beverly: “You know what they say about Derry; no one who dies here ever really dies”. It’s the same line that Gregson’s Ingrid delivers to adult Beverly (Jessica Chastain) in the 2019 sequel. Speaking about that link between It: Welcome to Derry and the 2019 sequel, Fuchs explained: "That scene takes on a different meaning when you go back and rewatch." He added: "Beverly might not remember that encounter, but somewhere that’s deep in the recesses of her mind. Now you understand why It would choose that form to take. This is a deep-seated memory of hers. The most traumatic moment of her life is linked to an early encounter with Mrs. Kersh." It: Welcome to Derry is available on Sky Atlantic and NOW. Add It: Welcome to Derry to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Sci-fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
What does Netflix acquiring Warner Bros Discovery mean for viewers like you? Streaming giant confirms acquisition plans
What could the deal mean for the price of your Netflix subscription increase and the future of cinema-going?
One of the biggest shifts in the entertainment industry for decades is about to occur, as Netflix has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Warner Bros Discovery, including its film and television studios, HBO Max and HBO. The development comes after a drawn-out bidding war for the WBD's assets between Netflix and rivals Paramount and Comcast. The deal is worth nearly $83 billion and is expected to close in 2026. The streamer said the cash and stock transaction is valued at $27.75 per WBD share, with a total enterprise value of approximately $82.7 billion (equity value of $72.0 billion). The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2026 after Warner Bros completes its planned separation of its studio and streaming assets under Warner Bros from its linear television business under Discovery Global, with Netflix getting its hands on the Warner Bros side. However, there could be big roadblocks ahead for the deal, which is yet to be approved by competition authorities. US President Donald Trump has flagged potential competition concerns over Netflix’s acquisition of Warner Bros, saying at an event in Washington DC that it “could be a problem” because a combined Netflix-Warner Bros would “have a very big market share”. He also said he will be involved in the process of approving the acquisition. To complicate matters further, Paramount Skydance – which has been trying to acquire Warner Bros for some time now – said on Monday that it has made another offer to buy Warner Bros Discovery. Paramount, which is backed by the Ellison family, said it was making a direct offer to shareholders of $30 per share to take the entire company, including its traditional TV networks which are excluded from the Netflix deal. It said it is proposing a “superior” alternative to the Netflix deal, and argued that it had a greater prospect of approval by regulators. But if Netflix's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros does go ahead, what would it mean for Netflix subscribers? And how could ownership from a streaming giant change things for Warner Bros which is, at its heart, a movie studio? Read on for everything we know so far. What does Netflix acquiring Warner Bros Discovery mean for viewers like you? It’s not a done deal yet, and you’re not going to instantly have access to a host of new titles on Netflix, but eventually it will mean that the streamer will gain access to the vast library of Warner Bros' content, which includes the Harry Potter and DC Comics franchises. Netflix will also get hold of all HBO shows, which include Succession and Game of Thrones. The streamer will also take control of an extensive TV archive that includes Friends and The Big Bang Theory, both of which are scheduled to be removed from Netflix at the end of the year, and classic movies such as Casablanca and Citizen Kane. In a statement shared on Friday, Ted Sarandos, the co-chief executive of Netflix, said "Our mission has always been to entertain the world. "By combining Warner Bros' incredible library of shows and movies – from timeless classics like Casablanca and Citizen Kane to modern favourites like Harry Potter and Friends – with our culture-defining titles like Stranger Things, KPop Demon Hunters and Squid Game, we'll be able to do that even better. "Together, we can give audiences more of what they love and help define the next century of storytelling." David Zaslav, president and CEO of Warner Bros Discovery, said: "Today's announcement combines two of the greatest storytelling companies in the world to bring to even more people the entertainment they love to watch the most.” Will Warner Bros continue releasing movies in cinemas? In the acquisition announcement on Friday, Netflix said it "expects to maintain Warner Bros' current operations and build on its strengths, including theatrical releases for films". In a similar vein, Sarandos said on a conference call with investors and press that Netflix will “continue to support” a “life cycle that starts in the movie theatre” for Warner Bros films, but added that he doesn’t think “long exclusive windows” are consumer-friendly. He noted that Netflix has released 30 films in cinemas in 2025, though most of those movies had a shorter theatrical run than those from a typical studio. Netflix's cinema releases in 2025 have included Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein and Kathryn Bigelow’s A House of Dynamite. Could the price of Netflix subscriptions increase? Naturally, another question on many viewers’ lips is whether the acquisition will affect their monthly subscription cost. At present, the answer to this is unknown, but it seems rather likely that Netflix will hike prices in order to offset acquisition costs. Currently, Netflix's lowest price tier is the Standard with Ads-tier for £5.99 a month, and after that it's £12.99 a month for Standard and £18.99 for Premium. Check out more of our Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Game of Thrones' new spin-off series gets final epic trailer with Targaryen chaos - as its second season gets major update
Our return to Westeros is fast approaching.
Sky has unveiled the final trailer for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms ahead of the series' premiere. The six-part series, which is based on George RR Martin's popular trio of Dunk and Egg novellas and will serve as a prequel to Game of Thrones, will be released on Sky and NOW on 19th January 2026, with episodes airing weekly. Set 100 years before Game of Thrones, and 72 years after House of the Dragon, the story will take a view of Westeros from the ground up, following Dunk and his resourceful squire “Egg”, who is actually the young Aegon V Targaryen, as they journey through the Seven Kingdoms. The footage shows the lowly hedge knight arriving in the small town of Ashford Meadow in the middle of the Reach in Westeros, where he attempts to earn some money by entering a tourney as a knight - only to be mocked by those around him - and appears to have a lighter tone than Game of Thrones. The trailer also gives fans a first look at the series’ take on the Targaryens, and they’re certainly not being put on the pedestal we're used to. "If I can call myself a champion, some great house might take me into its service, perhaps even house Targayren", Dunk says, before Raymun (Shaun Thomas) warns him that Targaryens are "incestuous aliens" and "tyrants". Watch the trailer for yourself below: View oEmbed on the source website The release of the trailer comes as A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms gears up to start shooting its second season. Showrunner Ira Parker announced the news at HBO Max's presentation in London on Wednesday (3rd December), revealing that season 2 is set to begin production next week in Belfast, Ireland. The second season is expected to premiere in 2027. Parker previously revealed that the Game of Thrones spin-off will break from franchise tradition in a big way. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Parker revealed the new series won’t feature the grand title sequence that was present in both Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. Talking about how this decision was made in order to reflect the attitude of main character Dunk, Parker said: "All decisions came down to Dunk, trying to channel the type of person he is into every aspect of this show, even the title sequence." He continued: "The title sequences on the original [Game of Thrones] and House of Dragon are big and epic and incredible. Ramin Djawadi’s score is orchestral and large and beautiful. That's not really Dunk’s MO. He’s plain and he’s simple and he’s to-the-point. He doesn't have a lot of flash to him." A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will be released on 18th January on HBO. House of the Dragon series 1 and 2 are available to stream on Sky and NOW – find out more about how to sign up for Sky TV. If you’re looking for something else to watch in the meantime, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide, or visit our dedicated Fantasy hub. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
HBO Max finally confirms UK and Ireland release window as new service to boast some of the world's biggest shows
The launch of the platform will mark the first time viewers can watch HBO content somewhere other than Sky.
The long-awaited launch of HBO Max in the UK and Ireland will take place in March 2026, it has been confirmed. The launch window was unveiled for the first time by Casey Bloys, the content boss for HBO and Max, during a content showcase in London on Wednesday night (3rd December). The news followed the announcement earlier on Wednesday that the Warner Bros Discovery-owned streamer is coming to Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Lichtenstein on 13th January. Some of HBO Max's popular dramas include The Pitt, It: Welcome to Derry, House of the Dragon, The Last of Us, The White Lotus, Euphoria, Industry, and the upcoming A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, while movies on the platform include Superman, The Batman, Dune, the Harry Potter franchise, and more. HBO Max will also be offering the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina, which will be broadcast live on the streamer from 6th to 22nd February 2026. In the UK, Sky is currently the exclusive home for HBO series such as Succession and Game of Thrones due to a long-term deal with Warner Bros. Discovery. Thanks to an expanded partnership between Sky and Warner Bros. Discovery announced last year, HBO content will still be available to watch on Sky for free even after HBO Max's UK and Ireland launch, though it will no longer be the only place fans can access HBO content on those shores. Speaking during a content panel on Wednesday, Sky executive director of scripted originals Meghan Lyvers said she is optimistic about the situation. “What we have seen is that the majority of the titles on Sky that have performed and customers have responded to are Sky Originals. That is incredibly fortunate for us in terms of the shows that we’ve been asked from the business and the audiences to continue making,” she said. She added: “So our mantra is business as usual, which is we’re going to continue our strategy, we’re going to keep making the shows and keep delivering what we have been for the last couple of years.” Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Game of Thrones' new prequel A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms gets release month confirmed after premiere delayed
It's almost time to return to Westeros. HBO boss Casey Bloys has confirmed a release window for upcoming prequel A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, and it's coming sooner than fans might have expected. Bloys, HBO's CEO, revealed the Game of Thrones spin-off is coming our way in January 2026, while House of the Dragon season 3 will air later in the year. Speaking to TheWrap at the Emmys, he said: "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will be in January, and then House of the Dragon will probably be just outside this Emmy cycle." Based on George RR Martin's Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas, the six-part series will star Peter Claffey as Ser Duncan the Tall and Dexter Sol Ansell as young Aegon V Targaryen, AKA Egg. The series will be set approximately 90 to 100 years before the events of Game of Thrones, with the Targaryen dynasty still on the throne. It's good news that the series is coming so early in 2026, as it's release date was previously pushed back, with it originally being set to premiere in 2025. A synopsis for the show reads: "A century before the events of Game of Thrones, two unlikely heroes wandered Westeros… a young, naïve but courageous knight, Ser Duncan the Tall, and his diminutive squire, Egg. "Set in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne, and the memory of the last dragon has not yet passed from living memory, great destinies, powerful foes, and dangerous exploits all await these improbable and incomparable friends." Francesca Orsi, HBO's Head of Drama Series and Films, previously teased what to expect, telling Deadline: “You’re going to be so impressed by Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell as Dunk and Egg, the two leads, the sort of brotherhood, the paternal nature between Dunk and this young man. “So much so that we’re already planning on how do we build this for the three seasons in total. We’re not picking it up officially, but it’s looking very good. We’re looking at it as a holistic piece, seasons 2 and 3, because there’s three novellas.” It sounds like there will be plenty of trips to Westeros in the near future, then. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will be released in January on HBO. House of the Dragon seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream on Sky and NOW – find out more about how to sign up for Sky TV. If you’re looking for something else to watch in the meantime, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide, or visit our dedicated Fantasy hub. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
​​Cillian Murphy finally responds to Voldemort casting rumours for Harry Potter TV series
The evil wizard was previously played by Ralph Fiennes.
Cillian Murphy has shut down speculation that he could portray Lord Voldemort in the new Harry Potter TV series. The Peaky Blinders star has long been rumoured to play the supervillain – who was previously portrayed on the big screen by Ralph Fiennes – in the upcoming HBO show, filming on which began in July. But during an appearance on Josh Horowitz's Happy Sad Confused podcast, Murphy explained that while his children have shown him the online chatter, there was no truth to it. “I don’t know anything about that,” he said. “Also, it’s just really hard to follow anything Ralph Fiennes does. The man is an absolute acting legend, so good luck to whoever’s gonna fill those shoes.” He also joked that he’s “very attached” to his nose, as Voldemort's nose was depicted as flat with two slits for nostrils in the films. Back in December, original Voldemort actor Fiennes gave his blessing to Murphy to take over the infamous character during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live. Asked for his thoughts on the topic, Fiennes responded: “Cillian is a fantastic actor. That’s a wonderful suggestion. I would be all in favour of Cillian. Yeah.” Fiennes first appeared as the evil wizard in the fourth Harry Potter film, 2005’s Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and went on to star in three additional films: Order of the Phoenix and Deathly Hallows Part 1 and 2. Asked whether he would consider reprising the role, Fiennes told Variety back in 2022 – a year prior to HBO announcing the new TV adaptation – that he would definitely be up for playing Voldemort again and that there was “no question about it”. The majority of the main cast for the upcoming TV series has been announced, including the central trio of Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. Other major roles confirmed include John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Nick Frost as Hagrid, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, and Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape. It’s yet to be confirmed who’ll be taking on the role of Voldemort. Harry Potter author JK Rowling has faced backlash in some quarters due to her views on transgender rights. In 2020, she published a lengthy statement detailing her stance on sex and gender debates – the essay was criticised and disputed by LGBTQ+ charities including Stonewall. Rowling has also shared her views on social media, including in a 2024 post on X (formerly Twitter), in which she insisted that “there are no trans kids” and opposed the idea that a child can be “born in the wrong body”. In May 2025, Rowling set up the JK Rowling Women’s Fund, which describes itself as offering legal funding support to “individuals and organisations fighting to retain women’s sex-based rights”. Harry Potter actors including Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, have distanced themselves from Rowling's views and have issued statements supporting the transgender community. Others, including Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter and Jim Broadbent, have defended the author from the criticism she has received. The Harry Potter series will begin on HBO in 2027. Check out more of our Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
IT: Welcome to Derry confirms UK release date as creepy Stephen King spin-off arrives soon
Bill Skarsgård will soon be back on our screens as the terrifying clown.
A UK release date for It: Welcome to Derry has been confirmed – and there isn’t too long to wait The series, which is a prequel to the Andy Muschietti-directed films based on Stephen King’s It, will premiere in the UK via Sky Atlantic and NOW on Monday 27th October 2025. This coincides with its HBO Max release a day earlier (Sunday 26th October) in the US. The news was confirmed after HBO Max took to social media to share the news, posting an image of the Capitol Theatre – a location that will play a key role in the new series – with the "it" in Capitol flashing in red letters. The caption alongside the post reads: "Everyone’s dying to see IT.” View oEmbed on the source website Based on King’s novel of the same name published in 1986, It: Welcome to Derry will focus on a different bunch of children taking on Pennywise the Dancing Clown 27 years before Muschietti’s films. Bill Skarsgård will reprise his role as the iconic clown Pennywise – a part he played in both of Muschietti’s movies – while the likes of Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, Taylour Paige, James Remar and Stephen Rider will also star. When the series was first announced back in 2023, King said: "I’m excited that the story of Derry, Maine’s most haunted city, is continuing, and I’m glad Andy Muschietti is going to be overseeing the frightening festivities, along with a brain trust including his talented sister, Barbara. Red balloons all around!" Muschietti, who will direct four of the show's nine episodes, and his sister Barbara Muschietti, who co-developed the series, added that it would explore "the depths of Steve's novel, in all its heart, humour, humanity and horror". Read more: Wednesday season 2 finally unveils Lady Gaga’s role - with bizarre consequences Harry Potter TV series will feature a book character cut from the films as new castings confirmed IT: Welcome to Derry will be available from Monday 27th October (aligned with the US TX) on Sky Atlantic and streaming service NOW. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Sex and the City icon Kim Cattrall reveals why she turned down Samantha Jones role 4 times before accepting
Kim Cattrall last played Samantha in a cameo for And Just Like That season 2.
Kim Cattrall has said that she turned down the iconic role as Samantha Jones in Sex and the City on four occasions before accepting the part. The actress went on to appear in six seasons of the HBO comedy-drama before starring in two feature film spin-offs, and then made a much-discussed cameo in the second-season finale of the sequel show And Just Like That. However, in a discussion with The Times, Cattrall revealed that it was her perceptions of women ageing that almost stopped her taking the part at the age of 41, telling the publication that she turned down the role four times before accepting it. On her "self-inflicted ageism" when it came to taking on a sexually confident role, Cattrall said: "Well, that changed — 40 became sexy. It became, ‘Man, let’s have more of that'." Describing herself as a self-proclaimed "serial monogamist" and "antithesis" of Samantha, Cattrall also denied that Samantha was a "nymphomaniac", instead claiming that Samantha was "just enjoying the main course" while everyone else was "nibbling on the appetisers". "And it was always on her terms — that I always insisted on," noted Cattrall of Samantha's sex life. Cattrall also revealed that she is content with the part being all she ends up being remembered for as she "put a lot of love" into the role. RadioTimes.com has reached out to a representative of Cattrall for further comment. The comments on Samantha come after Cattrall denied last year that she would be making any appearances as the character in the third season of And Just Like That. The actress responded on X, formerly known as Twitter, to excited fans speculating on rumours of a return, posting: "Aw that's so kind but I'm not." In the meantime, the third season of the Sex and the City sequel series is currently airing with the remaining members of the original quartet - Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, and Kristin Davis - still in major roles. The new episodes will also see guest appearances from Logan Marshall-Green, Mehcad Brooks, and Jonathan Cake, with Rosie O'Donnell appearing in the recent premiere as a nun who loses her virginity to a night of passion with Miranda Hobbes (Nixon). And Just Like That... season 3 airs weekly on Sky Comedy and NOW in the UK. The previous two seasons are available to stream on NOW. Add And Just Like That... to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Comedy 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.
Isabela Merced didn't have chemistry test with Bella Ramsey for The Last of Us season 2
An 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' approach from season 1.
TV shows or films that have two characters heavily interacting often need a chemistry test, to see if their actors can make the on-screen sparks portrayed in the script fly in real life, but not Bella Ramsey when it comes to The Last of Us season 2, apparently — in this case, with new co-star Isabela Merced. Portraying Dina from The Last of Us Part 2 game, Merced is set to spend a lot of time together with Ramsey's Ellie throughout the season. That's if the HBO version of TLOU follows the main story beats of its source material, anyway. Like what we've seen so far in episode 1 at the time of writing, the equivalent events of the game see Ellie and Dina head off on a perilous cross-country adventure to face off against dangerous new enemies like Abby. Although the season's trailer seems to show that we might be spending some more episodes in Jackson first, the best friends turned romantic interests will nevertheless have many scenes together in the meantime and afterward. While you might think some initial actor-to-actor experimentation through a screen test might be required, Ramsey has revealed that wasn't the case. In fact, it wasn't needed for her time with Pedro Pascal as Joel in season 1 either. Speaking to Radio Times at the recent Last of Us press event ahead of season 2's launch, we asked the Ellie actress if she and Merced did a chemistry test or if it was along the lines of 'here's your new person!', and Ramsey's answer was quite surprising. "Yeah, it was like that. No chemistry test," said Ramsey. "Same as season 1, me and Pedro were just like, 'Here you go, spend the rest of the year together and like each other,' which we did, thankfully. "And same with me and Isabella, we were very much just, like, thrown into it, and yeah, relied on each other heavily throughout the whole thing, as you always do with someone that you're working with that closely," she explained further. In a way, this is quite a delight to hear when thinking about how this reflects on the relationship between actors and their project's creators. The Last of Us co-creators and showrunners Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin, instead of just putting two actors together — and immediately expecting them to give the dual performance needed to decide if it will work — had enough faith in the talents of those actors that they would build the necessary chemistry themselves over time. As a bonus to this method that we've seen in season 1, Ellie and Joel's well-performed relationship in the Last of Us series's first outing has a higher degree of authenticity due to Ramsey and Pascal's real-life friendship. Going from father figure Joel to a friendship and romance with Dina in season 2, Ramsey also mentioned to us how this new relationship does even more for Ellie's character in season 2. She said, "Yeah, it's a really nice thread throughout the season, Ellie and Dina. And I think it's really nice to see Ellie in, sort of, a different dynamic of relationship. "Because, obviously, we literally just mostly saw Ellie and Joel [in] season 1. And so for now, for Ellie to be in sort of a romantic-ish thing and have a crush on someone, I think it's a really sort of cool thing to see. "And I think [it] makes her seem more like a well-rounded teenager, and one that's relatable, not just in the apocalyptic world, [but] in today's world. And yeah, that relationship was so special and was really fun to play," Ramsey clarified. As far as season 2 goes so far with episode 1, the lack of chemistry test between Ramsey and Merced has worked out for the show once again — with Ellie and Dina's dance scene at Jackon's New Year's Eve party portraying enough believability for their new blossoming relationship as it did in TLOU Part 2. Although we've got a lot more to see from the new members of The Last of Us season 2's cast, Merced has so far proven to be a great love interest for the live-action Ellie. View Affiliate Playlist on the source website The Last of Us season 2 is now showing on Sky Atlantic and NOW. Check out more of our Sci-Fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guideto find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The Last of Us makes another major character change from the game – not just Abby
Reshuffling the game's dynamics in multiple ways.
With the premiere of The Last of Us season 2, we've confirmed that the hit HBO adaptation has made some character tweaks just as it did for season 1 — including some previously less-heard names like Eugene and big ones like antagonist Abby. Just like the entire rework of Bill & Frank's story in episode 3 of the first season, this opening chapter of TLOU's next era comes with changes that will definitely be noticeable by fans of the games. Depending on which alteration you look at, some might be welcome in offering a new experience without altering the main course of the source material. Another, however, might be a little confusing in light of what we currently know after seeing the end of episode 1. Warning: Spoilers ahead for those who have not watched episode 1 of The Last of Us season 2. The change to Abby's story in The Last of Us season 2 As we finally see the debut of Abby in The Last of Us season 2, played by Kaitlyn Dever, the big change to the story of the main antagonist to Joel and Ellie isn't in her actual backstory — but the way that it's portrayed. In The Last of Us Part 2 game — on which season 2 of the TV show is based — the history of Abby, her allies, and their reasoning for going after Joel is very much hidden for a long portion of the game. Still, their intentions are the same. Abby's father was still the Firefly surgeon who Joel killed among many other Fireflies in order to save Ellie, but it was kept a mystery until around the second half of the game. Switching you to play as Abby herself, this acts as an unexpected twist that intends to start altering the player's perspective on how she's initially viewed as a villain. In the first episode of TLOU season 2, however, we learn this within the game's first scene. This is as Abby, Owen, and the rest of the few remaining comrades stand over the graves, already declaring a drive to go after Joel and what they know so far to start doing so. In a way, immediately lifting the curtain on Abby's story does get the viewer up to speed right away — saving much more time to cover the events of the game's long story within the smaller scope of a TV show. In another, this does take away an opportunity for viewers who hadn't played the games to be met with that same degree of surprise that players of The Last of Us Part 2 were hit with. When asked about the reasoning for the change by RadioTimes.com, showrunner Craig Mazin noted that the decision was down to the medium differences between playing the original game and watching the adapted events as a weekly TV series. Mazin said, "Our feeling was in this medium, it was important to give people enough context, because we weren't [going to do] a long stretch where there would just be Abby, because the game was saying you're Abby now, you can't just press triangle and be Joel or Ellie, you have to be Abby for a long time. We don't have that." Eugene's character has been altered as well Another change in season 2 from The Last of Us Part 2 has been the fate of Eugene, while Dina's character differs from her original counterpart to have more of a friendship with Joel. In the game, Eugene was an ex-Firely turned Jackson patrolman who died of a stroke at age 73. As Ellie and Dina talked about Eugene during their patrol in the game — which was adapted in episode 1 — such a fate was quite notable, since dying of natural causes in a post-apocalyptic, Cordyceps-ridden world was such a rare thing. View oEmbed on the source website In the show, however, it has been implied that Eugene was infected before Joel had to put him down. Revealed by Gail, an original character not in the game and portrayed by Catherine O' Hara, we're assuming for the time being that changing Eugene's death in this way was to elevate her backstory. That's not just hers, though. Because we know that Eugene is to be played by Joe Pantoliano, it looks like we'll be seeing the character in future episodes — supposedly via flashbacks. With that, we'll hopefully get to see more of the mystery around Eugene revealed, and this change could potentially enhance his story compared to how it was in the game. Dina is friends with Joel in this version Ellie's best friend and romantic interest Dina, played by Isabela Merced in The Last of Us season 2, has also been reutilised in an interesting way to be another daughter figure for Joel. Although still as close with Ellie as she was in TLOU Part 2, Mazin seems to have also decided to add a new angle to Dina's character by adding her into the tension between the two. As Joel mentions to Gail in his therapy session, Dina is kind and friendly in a way that she could be more of a daughter to him than Ellie — even though neither is really Joel's child, as Gail points out. Dina even mentions to Ellie that she's planned to watch movies with Joel. Dina and Joel were nowhere near this close in the game, so this uniquely added friendship could be used as a way to generate additional conflict either between Ellie and Joel, or Ellie and Dina in their blooming relationship. Either way, Mazin has definitely made for some unique viewing that will even get those who have played The Last of Us Part 2 game guessing as to what changes will be coming next in season 2 of the show. View Affiliate Playlist on the source website The Last of Us season 1 is available on Sky Atlantic and NOW with an Entertainment Membership. Season 2 is released weekly. Check out more of our Sci-fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on this week. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Harry Potter series 'lines up cast for Severus Snape and Professor McGonagall'
The HBO TV series is in the final stages of some major cast confirmations.
Just a week after it was confirmed that John Lithgow would be starring in HBO's Harry Potter TV series as Albus Dumbledore, it looks as though the show has found its Severus Snape and Professor McGonagall. According to a Deadline exclusive, Oscar nominated actress Janet McTeer is in negotiations to play Professor Minerva McGonagall while Emmy nominee Paapa Essiedu is reportedly closing a deal to star as Professor Severus Snape. Essiedu's casting has been rumoured since December 2024 with no news actually being confirmed on whether the I May Destroy You alum will be officially joining the cast or not. As of 8th March, it's looking likely but HBO have declined to comment on the matter. HBO did say in a statement: “We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumour and speculation. As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalise deals.” What we do know is that the roles themselves are major for the Potter universe, with both Severus Snape and Professor McGonagall being previously played in the movies by late acting legends Alan Rickman and Dame Maggie Smith, respectively. The series itself will be based on all seven books in the series and will "become a decade-long series produced with the same epic craft, love and care this global franchise is known for," according to a statement from Max. Designed to run over the course of a decade, the series comes from writer and showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod. When speaking at an event for Max back in December, Gardiner confirmed that the new series will stick to the "canonical" age of Snape, who will only be 31 in the show and much younger than he was in the films. Therefore, the casting selection of Essiedu is more than fitting. While things are yet to be confirmed, both actors bring a wealth of experience to the table but tackling the world of Potter will undoubtedly be a major feat. Of course, McTeer is known for her roles in Ozark, Tumbleweeds, The Menu and more recently, KAOS. Essiedu has also been at the helm of numerous TV shows including The Capture, Gangs of London, The Lazarus Project and has more recently been seen in Black Mirror's Demon 79. Read more: Simon Fisher-Becker, Doctor Who and Harry Potter star, dies aged 63 Strike and One Day stars' thriller The Stolen Girl confirms release date Amandaland future confirmed by BBC after ratings success for the comedy spin-off For both, it will also mark a return to HBO, with McTeer having starred in film Into The Storm as Winston Churchill's wife Clementine, while Essiedu starred in Michaela Coel's hit series I May Destroy You for the network. As previously mentioned, Lithgow has now been confirmed as Hogwarts headmaster Dumbledore, with the actor telling Screen Rant: "It came as a total surprise to me. "I just got the phone call up at the Sundance Film Festival for yet another film, and it was not an easy decision because it's going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I'm afraid. But I'm very excited." Lithgow also confirmed that he will be adopting an English accent for the role, saying: "[He's] certainly an Englishman. In fact, there’s a good deal of controversy that an American has been hired to play him. He’s such an icon. I’m half-English." The Harry Potter series will stream on Max. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The White Lotus confirms future ahead of season 3 launch
Are we heading on another deadly vacation?
With anticipation at an all-time high for the third season of The White Lotus, fans will be delighted to know the dramedy will return yet again for season 4! As first reported by Variety, HBO has announced that the Mike White series will continue, but details of who will star in the cast and where it will be set are being kept under wraps. Rumours of a fourth season have been swirling since last year, as HBO and Max chief Casey Bloys revealed in November that White had pitched ideas for another instalment. The renewal comes ahead of the launch of season 3, which premieres on Sunday 16th February, as a new crop of holiday-makers head to Thailand. Returning to the White Lotus cast is Natasha Rothwell as Belinda, and she will be joined by Carrie Coon, Michelle Monaghan, Patrick Schwarzenegger and Aimee Lou Wood to name just a few of the high-profile names starring. With just a little under a month to go until season 3, there still isn't much known about the plot beyond a "spirituality" theme – and of course an added dose of mystery. It is likely the show will keep its hook of a death that is explained throughout the season, with White previously telling NPR how effective it has been with seasons 1 and 2. "When that first season became such a water cooler show [that] people were talking about, I was like, 'Had I only known if I'd put a dead body at the beginning of Enlightened, maybe people would've watched Enlightened,'" White explained. "You realise these kinds of hooks do actually get viewers. It clearly is something that drives interest in the show... As somebody who's been working in the margins, it is kind of nice to have viewers." The White Lotus season 3 begins on HBO and Max on 16th February in the US, and on Sky Atlantic and NOW on 17th February in the UK. Find out more about how to sign up for Sky TV. Check out more of our Drama 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.
How to watch Get Millie Black – is it coming to the UK?
The HBO and Channel 4 drama has landed in the US, but when will it be coming to the UK?
With first-look images and a trailer for Get Millie Black having been released recently, excitement for the gripping five-part drama has steadily been building for some time now. Starring Time's Tamara Lawrance in the lead role of Millie Jean-Black, the series follows the police detective as she quits Scotland Yard to return home to Jamaica. But there, she's faced with a case that's set to "expose more than she may be willing to confront," according to the synopsis. The new drama is a co-production between HBO and Channel 4 and in a similar fashion to the recently released third season of Industry, UK fans have to wait that bit longer for the series to land on our screens. But will Get Millie Black actually be coming to the UK and just when will it be available to watch? Read on to find out as the series premieres in the US. How to watch Get Millie Black – is it coming to the UK? Good news – Get Millie Black is coming to the UK and will be premiering on Channel 4. But the bad news is that, as of now, there's no confirmed UK release date for the series. We do know that it will land on Channel 4 at some point in 2025, though. As for the US, the five-part series premieres on HBO and Max from Monday 25th November at 9pm ET/PT. Get Millie Black cast: Who stars in the series? The series is led by Tamara Lawrance, who is known for her roles in The Long Song, Time and Mr Loverman. She'll be leading Get Millie Black as police detective Millie Jean-Black who returns to Jamaica after quitting her post at Scotland Yard. The rest of the cast includes Joe Dempsie (Game of Thrones), Gershwyn Eustache Jnr (Joan), Chyna McQueen and Jamaican singer Dorothy 'Patra' Smith. The full cast list for Get Millie Black is as follows: Tamara Lawrance as Millie Jean-Black Joe Dempsie as Luke Holborn Gershwyn Eustache Jnr as Curtis Chyna McQueen as Hibiscus Dorothy 'Patra' Smith as Hit Girl Nestor Aaron Absera as Corsica Peter John Thwaites as Freddie Summerville What is Get Millie Black about? The new series marks the screenwriting debut of Booker Prize award-winning author Marlon James and has been described as "a vivid, unflinching, and gripping five-part crime noir". According to the official synopsis: "Get Millie Black follows the inimitable Millie-Jean Black, a police detective who quits Scotland Yard to return home to Jamaica, where she is soon pursuing a missing persons case that threatens to expose more than she may be willing to confront. "Get Millie Black is a deeply personal and wholly authentic version of Kingston, which has never been seen on screen before. Told through the unique perspective of Millie (Tamara Lawrance) – a girl born on the Rock, raised in London, who claims to be both British and Jamaican, Millie yet somehow belongs to neither place. "It is a story peopled by a host of unforgettable characters; ‘gully queen’ Hibiscus (Chyna McQueen), her brilliant partner on the Jamaican Police Force, Curtis (Gershwyn Eustache Jnr), who is forced to keep his love life secret from his colleagues; game-playing Scotland Yard Inspector Luke Holborn (Joe Dempsie); and Hit Girl (Dorothy ‘Patra’ Smith), go-go-club owner and underworld entrepreneur." Get Millie Black trailer You can watch the HBO teaser trailer for Get Millie Black below. View oEmbed on the source website Get Millie Black premieres in the US on Monday 25th November on HBO and Max, with a UK release date yet to be confirmed for Channel 4. Check out more of our Drama 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.
We Live in Time: When is it coming to streaming?
Everyone is talking about Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield’s new time-hopping romance, We Live in Time, which has been released in cinemas in the US. Written by Nick Payne, the film follows Tobias, a soon-to-be divorcé who is muddling his way through life until he collides with Almut (Florence Pugh), a chef fighting a cancer diagnosis, and wakes up to the pain and joy of existence. Speaking about what drew her to the film, Pugh told Vanity Fair she was thinking back to classic romance films such as Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and Love Actually, when she first read the script for the film. "Especially as Brits, we grow up with the quirkiest and most beautiful of love stories. And I think it’s been a long time since we’ve had one of those,” she said. She added: "When I read it, I just fell in love with the idea of getting to be in one of those movies that will matter to a lot of people, and will live for a long time. “And it’s about the simplest of things, which is that we are here, I personally believe, for one reason only: to love and be loved.” If you’re not ready to bawl your eyes out in the cinema, the film will likely be available to watch from the comfort of your own home later this year. Read on for everything you need to know about the movie's latest streaming options. When is We Live in Time coming to streaming? The movie’s production company, A24, has a deal with Warner Bros Discovery to bring its theatrical films to the streaming service in the US So if you live in the US, Latin America, the Caribbean, you’ll be able to watch the film on Max at a later date, likely by the end of 2024 or beginning of 2025. Where can I watch We Live in Time in the UK? UK fans have a little wait as We Live in Time isn't coming to cinemas on our shores until 1st January 2025. A UK streaming release date is yet to be announced. The film is distributed by StudioCanal in the UK and Ireland, meaning it likely won't land on Max in the UK, but fans will have to stay tuned for more details. We Live in Time digital release date Before it lands on streaming, the film will be available to purchase or rent on video-on-demand platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, and YouTube. Studios typically wait at least 45 days after a movie’s theatrical release before releasing the project on digital, meaning the earliest the film could arrive on streamers is around the end of November. Check out more of our Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The Penguin's Colin Farrell promises dramatic showdown: "It's well-earned"
"No prizes for guessing who betrayed who."
HBO's The Penguin has already proven to be a ratings smash, but star Colin Farrell has teased that things are going to get even more explosive as the season continues, particularly between Oz Cobb and Cristin Milioti's Sofia Falcone. Oz, the gangster attempting to rise through the ranks in Gotham's underworld, and Sofia, the daughter of Carmine Falcone, who spent years in Arkham State Hospital, have a complex relationship throughout the season – with Farrell teasing betrayal, pain, and a dramatic showdown between the two of them. Farrell exclusively told RadioTimes.com: "They have a history, which is explored in particularly in episode 4, which is mostly Cristin’s episode. "We go into her backstory, and we see very vividly why she is the Sofia that we meet at this time in the present and what she has been put through and how she's been kind of subjugated and treated with extraordinary, immense cruelty. "We share history, and we share a very particular event that took place as well, and there was a certain betrayal that happened between the two of us. "No prizes for guessing who betrayed who - I betrayed her trust, to a certain extent. I don't think I knew exactly the gravity of the consequences that were going to be inflicted upon her [but] I'm not sure that would have changed Oz's mind if he had known." Farrell added: "There's a closeness also between the two of them. They are two sides to the same coin, in many ways. "They both come from extraordinary pain and very kind of deeply troubled backgrounds. And they all have aspirational dreams of what they think the world should be and how they should be treated within that world. "But there's a collision that happens throughout the end of the season, there's a crash that takes place between the two of them, and it's well-earned, the way it was drawn. She was a dream to dance with, Cristin, and she was amazing as Sofia." Even after just one episode, The Penguin, which is set one week after the events of The Batman, has received widespread acclaim - but some fans were a little disappointed to discover that Robert Pattinson, who played Bruce Wayne/Batman in the film, won't be appearing. Explaining why, Farrell told IGN: "This story takes place over five or six weeks, so it seemed to make sense to the creatives, to Matt [Reeves] and to Lauren [LeFranc], that he didn't need to appear in this. "And it's a very different side of Gotham, as well. Not that Batman doesn't get his hands dirty in the shadows, of course, but it's a very, very different part of Gotham that I've never seen before. It's really the underbelly of the city and it's down in the gutter." View Affiliate Playlist on the source website The first episode of The Penguin is already available to watch on Sky and streaming service NOW, with new episodes out every Monday - find out more about how to sign up for Sky TV. Check out more of our Sci-Fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The Last of Us unveils ominous season 2 trailer – with first look at Kaitlyn Dever
Prepare for heartbreak - The Last of Us season 2's ominous new trailer is officially here! The second instalment of the hit Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey series is set for release in the first half of 2025, with the chilling footage giving first looks at new characters, including the long-awaited Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever. The trailer opens with new arrival Catherine O'Hara, who's playing a therapist, sitting down with Pascal's Joel. He and Ellie have clearly settled down – he's got his guitar out, Ellie's met the captivating Dina, played by Isabela Merced, and all is well after the events of last season, right? Wrong! Following on from Joel's monumental lie to Ellie at the end of season 1, and foreshadowing all of the horror to come in season 2, O'Hara's character tells him: "Say the thing you're afraid to say. Say it out loud, no matter what it is. No matter how bad. What did you do?" View oEmbed on the source website And so, we get a glimpse of all of the terrible, terrible things about to happen: Dever's Abby looking towards a wooden cross, an army of infected traversing across the snow, Ellie desperately crawling away from imminent death, the words 'Feel her love' scrawled across a wall in what appears to be blood. Oh, and clearly absolute emotional turmoil for Ellie, Joel, and for us. Buckle in. Fans have noted how faithful season 2 appears to be for building on the game, judging from the scenes that have played out in the trailer - a sentiment that fits with creator Neil Druckmann's recent comments. The Naughty Dog boss told Variety: "There’s stuff in this season that I’m really excited about – stuff that we hinted at – one scene in particular comes to mind that I think fans of the game will eat up, because it really kind of tells you a lot of backstory of this important character that there wasn’t really a way for us to even do that in the game." View Affiliate Playlist on the source website The Last of Us season 2 will be released in 2025. Season 1 is available on Sky and NOW. Get one month free Sky Stream, Sky TV and Netflix. 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.
The Penguin: Release date, cast, trailer, news for The Batman spin-off
Colin Farrell's Batman baddie steps out of the shadows this weekend.
The world of 2022 blockbuster The Batman is expanding with the launch of spin-off series The Penguin, which picks up with Colin Farrell's sinister villain as he attempts to make a play for Gotham City. The actor, known for The Banshees of Inisherin and The Gentlemen among other credits, is almost unrecognisable in the DC show, donning substantial prosthetics to transform into the crime lord. While Batman (Robert Pattinson) himself won't be appearing in the miniseries, Sofia Falcone aka The Hangman (Cristin Milioti) will be making her debut, following the murder of her father, Carmine (John Turturro), in the earlier film. Those who enjoyed the dark tone of Matt Reeves's epic will find a lot to enjoy here, with The Penguin capturing all the grittiness while providing a fresh perspective on the dangerous streets of Gotham City – courtesy of showrunner Lauren LeFranc. Read on for everything you need to know about The Penguin, as the hotly anticipated show premieres on Sky Atlantic and NOW this weekend. The Penguin release date The Penguin will premiere on Sky Atlantic and NOW on Friday 20th September, airing first at 2am (coinciding with US debut) and again at the more reasonable time of 9pm. The show will get off to an irregular start, with episode 2 not arriving until Monday 30th September (again at 2am and 9pm), but it will commence a regular rhythm from there – dropping one new episode per week every Monday. The US rollout is slightly different, however, with the show debuting on HBO and Max on Thursday 19th September, before taking a break until Sunday 29th September, and airing regularly on Sundays thereafter. The Penguin first entered developed all the way back in September 2021, with the series receiving an order from HBO following the success of 2022 blockbuster The Batman. Filming began in March 2023 but was halted due to the Hollywood labour disputes. Production resumed in November and finished in February 2024. When the series was first announced, Farrell said: "The world that Matt Reeves created for The Batman is one that warrants a deeper gaze through the eyes of Oswald Cobblepot. "I couldn’t be more excited about continuing this exploration of Oz as he rises through the darkened ranks to become The Penguin. Will be good to get him back on the streets of Gotham for a little madness and a little mayhem." Showrunner Lauren LeFranc said: "I have long been a fan of the world of The Batman, and Matt’s film is such a powerful and bold entry into the canon. "I am excited and humbled to continue telling stories in the grimy world of Gotham City – and what better excuse to channel my inner villain than to tell the story of Oswald Cobblepot?" View Affiliate Playlist on the source website The Penguin cast: Who will star in HBO series? The Penguin stars Colin Farrell as the titular Batman villain, who is attempting to consolidate his power in the world of organised crime after suffering quite a bruising in his 2022 film debut. Cristin Milioti (Palm Springs) co-stars as Sofia Falcone, the daughter of crime lord Carmine Falcone (John Turturro), who was executed by The Riddler during the events of The Batman. The actor told Total Film: "Sofia has a cauldron bubbling inside her at all times, and she’s in the most unsafe place she could possibly be. Hong low can she swallow this for, sit on this volcano, until it finally erupts?" Fans shouldn't expect to see many familiar faces from The Batman, least of all the vigilante himself, with Robert Pattinson confirmed not to be appearing in any episodes of the series. The Penguin showrunner Lauren LeFranc explained (via SFX Magazine): "I understand why people’s desire would be to have Batman, or to think that unless Batman’s in a show or a film then it doesn’t have the same punch. "To me, I think it packs a different punch. Matt’s films are through the lens of the Batman, so you’re high up, looking down on the city. It’s a different perspective. With Oz, you’re in the city streets, you’re in the grit and the muck and the grime. "He’s looking up, wanting to claw his way to the top." Here's a full list of actors set to appear in The Penguin: Colin Farrell as Oz Cobb/Penguin Cristin Milioti as Sofia Falcone/Hangman Rhenzy Feliz as Victor Aguilar Michael Kelly as Johnny Vitti Shohreh Aghdashloo as Nadia Maroni Deirdre O'Connell as Francis Cobb Clancy Brown as Salvatore Maroni James Madio as Milos Grapa Scott Cohen as Luca Falcone Michael Zegen as Alberto Falcone Theo Rossi as Julian Rush Carmen Ejogo as Eve Karlo François Chau as TBC David H. Holmes as TBC Craig Walker as TBC Jared Abrahamson as TBC Mark Strong as TBC What will happen in The Penguin? The Penguin will explore Oz Cobb's rise to power in Gotham's criminal underworld following the events of The Batman. Farrell also gave us a clue as to what to expect when he told RadioTimes.com: "What an adventure. I never have any idea what any of this s**t is going to turn out to be, that we do over the years. You just keep your fingers crossed and do the best you can… "It’s dark, The Penguin. It’s so dark. I’m so glad to be done with it, and I loved it, but man I was ready not to sit in the makeup chair anymore when we finished." When is The Penguin set? The Penguin will pick up one week after the events of The Batman. How many episodes will there be of The Penguin? The Penguin will consist of eight episodes, released weekly. Is there a trailer for The Penguin? Yes! Check out the trailer from San Diego Comic Con below: View oEmbed on the source website The Penguin is set for release on Sky and NOW on Thursday 19th September. 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.
The White Lotus season 3 and new Game of Thrones spin-off first look released
It's time to return to The White Lotus and the world of Westeros – well, at least in 2025. But that certainly doesn't stop us from getting all kinds of excited after the release of HBO's teaser of upcoming shows. As well as being treated to glimpses of Industry, The Gilded Age and The Last of Us season 2 in the trailer, we also got a 2025 preview of some of next year's most anticipated watches: The White Lotus season 3 and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. The third instalment in The White Lotus will see us jet-setting to Thailand, and in the brief glimpse we get so far of the new season, it certainly looks to be a sunlit paradise. But that's always the way of the series before things start to go awry. At the beginning of the trailer, we see a smiling Belinda (Natasha Rothwell) remove her sunglasses in the hotel lobby, looking happy to see someone. News of Rothwell's return came as a nice surprise to fans after her appearance in season 1 left her character's spa manager career at a bit of a loose end. In the dedicated clip of The White Lotus season 3, though, we see the new batch of holidaymakers making their way onto the resort and looking happy to be there. We see Jason Isaacs, Parker Posey, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sam Nivola and Sarah Catherine Hook all walking together, and then quickly flash to some poolside conversation with Posey's character, Leslie Bibb and Michelle Monaghan. Posey says to the other women: "What happens in Thailand stays in Thailand." But what could be about to happen in the idyllic holiday destination? View oEmbed on the source website As of now, details about the new season of The White Lotus remain under wraps, aside from knowing that it could centre on the themes of death and spirituality. Creator Mike White previously teased: "The first season kind of highlighted money, and then the second season is sex. I think the third season would be maybe a satirical and funny look at death and Eastern religion and spirituality. "It feels like it could be a rich tapestry to do another round at White Lotus." Read more: The Last of Us season 2 first-look footage released with new cast members House of the Dragon season 2 confirms game-changing Game of Thrones twist But that's not the only series that has got everyone talking, as we also get our first glimpse of Game of Thrones prequel A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. While a short clip, we do get a welcome introduction to Peter Claffey's Ser Duncan the Tall, who introduces himself as such. We don't see much of the new character, but he draws his sword before we then pan to a fighting scene in what looks to be a gravesite. House of the Dragon season 2 may have now reached its end, but at least fans of the franchise won't be without their hit of fantasy action for too long - as the new series is set to debut next year. Based on George RR Martin's Tales of Dunk and Egg and set 90 years before A Song of Ice and Fire, the series will follow Duncan the Tall (Claffey) and a young Aegon V Targaryen, nicknamed Egg, played by Dexter Sol. The synopsis for the series reads: "[The show follows] a young, naïve but courageous knight, Ser Duncan the Tall, and his diminutive squire, Egg. "Set in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne, and the memory of the last dragon has not yet passed from living memory, great destinies, powerful foes and dangerous exploits all await these improbable and incomparable friends." The White Lotus season 3 and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will air in 2025. Check out more of our Drama 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.