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.
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.
HBO's upcoming Harry Potter TV series is still far from getting a specific release date, but there's already been a ton of casting news to get us plenty excited for the new adaptation — including who's confirmed to take on the role of the titular wizard and who might be tipped to play the villainous Voldemort. In addition to the three young actors who have been cast as Harry, Ron, and Hermione, some already big names have been confirmed to be playing other classic characters, too. These include not only the IT Crowd's Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley, but also Dexter's John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, and Nick Frost (the Cornetto Trilogy) taking on the mantle of Rubeus Hagrid. Filming has already begun for the first season, adapting the Philosopher's Stone book into eight episodes — making it four times the length of the first among the Harry Potter movies. 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. If filming wraps by the end of 2025, that gives HBO a full year for post-production (which is likely to be quite complicated for a big-budget fantasy series), as well as getting started on season 2. 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." Bloys also 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.
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.
How to watch The Pitt - can you stream in the UK?
It's one of the most critically acclaimed series of the year.
The 77th Emmy Awards unfolded on Sunday night (14th September), and it was a big night for medical drama The Pitt, which took home its fair share of awards. Having gone into the evening with a total of 13 Emmy nominations for its first season, the show picked up the best drama series win, while Noah Wyle won the award for best actor in a drama. 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. Receiving the trophy for the best drama series 2025 Emmy, showrunner R Scott Gemmill dedicated the award to “all the healthcare workers, frontline first responders" and added: "Respect them, protect them, trust them.” 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 Pitt is available to watch on HBO Max in the US, having premiered back in January this year and wrapped up on 10th April. The show was renewed for a second series in February, with the new instalment slated to premiere on HBO Max in the US in January 2026. Can you watch The Pitt in the UK? At the moment, The Pitt isn't available to watch in the UK and a release date has yet to be announced. Many fans had been hoping the series might air on Sky and NOW in the UK as part of their deal with Warner Bros Discovery (WBD), but the show won't be airing on their platforms, according to The Guardian. Some HBO Max titles, including And Just Like That... and Our Flag Means Death, materialise on other platforms in the UK, and it's possible that this could be the case for The Pitt, too. However, there's also a chance that the show is being withheld for when the UK version of HBO Max launches in early 2026, meaning viewers could have quite a wait on their hands. 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.
​​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.
The Last of Us season 2 first-look footage released with new cast members
We finally have glimpses of Isabela Merced, Kaitlyn Dever and Catherine O'Hara's new characters.
HBO sure knows how to drum up a major dose of excitement - and with the release of its latest teaser trailer, it's achieved just that and more. As well as getting a look at all the exciting new Max shows set to come out later this year and next, fans of The Last of Us were overjoyed to get an elongated glimpse at what's to come in the anticipated second season. Sure, we've had first-look images, but with the longest slot in the teaser trailer, The Last of Us season 2 looks to be just as dramatic as (if not more than) the first. Not only do we get a quickfire snapshot into some of the gun-wielding action to come, but we also, most excitingly, get our first look at some of the new characters joining the series. The clip in question sees Joel (Pedro Pascal) being asked by Catherine O'Hara's mystery character: "Did you hurt her?" As Joel quietly whispers "no", we get some fleeting scenes of Ellie (Bella Ramsey) screaming on a gurney, and Joel's brother Tommy (Gabriel Luna) using a sniper gun to take out the infected that are about to storm his hideout. View oEmbed on the source website Elsewhere, there are more gun fights as we catch glimpses of Jeffrey Wright's character and Ellie both turning their weapons on the enemy – as for who that actually is, we'll have to wait and see. But the clip ends with Joel tearfully stating to O'Hara's character: "I saved her." While we know that season 2 will follow on in the same vein of adapting the video games (and The Last of Us Part 2 in particular), this exchange of dialogue shows that the showrunners aren't sticking exactly to script. Actually, the very same scene plays out with Joel in the game, but he delivers that line to his brother Tommy. Read more: Doctor Who episode featuring Huw Edwards removed from BBC iPlayer - will be edited and reinstated Silo season 2 release date confirmed on Apple TV+ Of course, details about the upcoming season are being kept under wraps for those that haven't played the game - so that means, as of now, we don't have names for O'Hara or Wright's characters. However, we do get blink-and-you'll-miss-it glances at Kaitlyn Dever's Abby and Isabela Merced's Dana. View Affiliate Playlist on the source website And while fans of the games will already know in what direction the second season will go, it doesn't mean that there won't be some surprises in store too. Showrunner Craig Mazin previously revealed as much in an interview with ComicBook.com. He admitted: "It will be different. Just as this season was different. Sometimes it will be different radically and sometimes it will be barely different at all. But it's going to be different and it will be its own thing." He added: "It won't be exactly like the game. It will be the show that Neil [Druckmann, co-creator] and I want to make." As of now, there's no exact release date, but we do know that the new season will be landing on our screens sometime in 2025. The Last of Us season 2 is coming in 2025. Season 1 is available on Sky Atlantic and NOW with an Entertainment Membership. 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.
House of the Dragon season 2 finale clips leak online days ahead of release
House of the Dragon season 2 episode 8 has leaked online in multiple clips.
Large segments of the final episode of House of the Dragon season 2 have leaked online days ahead of its release. The HBO fantasy drama has been airing its epic second run for the last seven weeks but now segments of season 2 episode 8 of the Game of Thrones spin-off prequel have made their way onto social media platforms TikTok and X, formerly known as Twitter. Variety reports that a single TikTok account posted 14 videos and roughly 30 minutes of footage from the unaired finale, which have now gone viral on social media despite the original account being taken down. HBO declined to comment on this story when approached by RadioTimes.com. To avoid spoiling the episode we shall refrain from any plot details here, but the scenes shown are major plot developments for the show. The finale will pick up from the seventh episode, titled The Red Sowing, which saw Queen Rhaenyra I Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) expand her roster of Dragonriders by recruiting bastards from the Targaryen family tree to ride the biggest dragons on Dragonstone. View oEmbed on the source website The episode concluded with Rhaenyra empowered by now boasting new Dragonriders in the form of King's Landing blacksmith Hugh Hammer (Kieran Bew), tavern regular Ulf White (Tom Bennett), and fisherman Addam of Hull (Clinton Liberty), the last of whom is the bastard son of Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint), the Hand of the Queen. Meanwhile, Rhaenyra's husband King Consort Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) was forced to make some tough political decisions to ensure the support of the Riverlords while at Harrenhal. Finally, Prince Regent Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) plotted his next move as his ailing brother King Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) faced a difficult recovery, and their mother Dowager Queen Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) took time out away from court in the depths of depression. Read More House of the Dragon season 2 cast: Full list of characters for new episodes Where is Nettles in House of the Dragon? Who is Hugh Hammer’s mother in House of the Dragon? House of the Dragon book changes from source material Fire and Blood explained House of the Dragon season 3 release date speculation, cast and plot news Is Rhaenyra in love with Mysaria? House of the Dragon season 2 episode 6 airs major book change Who is Alyn of Hull in House of the Dragon and who plays him? Who is Alys Rivers and who plays her in House of the Dragon? In defence of House of the Dragon’s Alicent Hightower Who wins in the House of the Dragon book? Major book spoilers within Who is Ser Gwayne Hightower and who plays him in House of the Dragon? Who is Ser Simon Strong in House of the Dragon and who plays him? House of the Dragon season 2 airs on Sky Atlantic and NOW in the UK – find out more about how to sign up for Sky TV. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide to see what's on tonight. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Batman Arkham Asylum TV spin-off reportedly shelved for now
The series has reportedly died in development hell.
The Arkham Asylum TV series, which was set to take place in DC's Batman universe, is reportedly no longer moving forward at Max, at least not in its current form. Antonio Campos had come onboard to serve as writer and showrunner back in October 2022, but according to Variety Campos's version is no longer in the works. The publication added that, although the series has been shelved, another project set at the Asylum could still be on the cards in the future. The Arkham Asylum series, which was announced in 2020, was originally meant to be a spin-off to Matt Reeves's series of films and would focus on the inner workings of the Gotham City Police Department. Terrence Winter was attached to write and executive produce, but he departed from the project in November 2020 due to creative differences. Reeves then announced in 2022 that the GCPD show would focus on Arkham Asylum, describing it as a "horror movie or a haunted house that is Arkham" during an interview with YouTube channel The Cyber Nerds. In December 2023, DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn clarified that it was meant to be set within the company's new universe, the DCU, rather than in the same universe as The Batman. Read more: Steven Moffat talks Doctor Who Christmas special: 'Nicola Coughlan will break your heart' Russell T Davies on how Doctor Who can get away with rewriting its own history Supacell ending explained: Does Michael save Dionne? Arkham Asylum might have been shelved, but there are plenty of other Batman and DC stories on the horizon, including The Penguin, a crime drama series with Colin Farrell in the titular role, and The Batman – Part II, which is currently scheduled for release in October 2026. There's also the DCU-set Batman: The Brave and the Bold to look forward to, which has lined up The Flash's Andy Muschietti to direct. There's currently no word on a release date. 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.
Pennywise return for Bill Skarsgård revealed for new IT prequel series
Welcome to Derry takes place before the events of Stephen King's horror classic.
Bill Skarsgård looks set to return to his terrifying role as Pennywise in a new IT prequel series for Max, which he will also executive produce. According to Deadline, the actor is reuniting with director Andy Muschietti and producers Barbara Muschietti and Jason Fuchs for the nine-parter, which has been given the working title Welcome to Derry. He previously played the role in the two-part film adaptation of Stephen King's classic horror novel back in 2017 and 2019, both of which were huge box office successes – with the opening instalment becoming the highest-grossing horror film of all time unadjusted for inflation. The new series will expand that world with an original story by Muschietti, Muschietti and Fuchs, with the latter serving as showrunner alongside Brad Caleb Kane. Previous cast members announced for the show include Taylour Paige (Zola), Jovan Adepo (Babylon), Chris Chalk (Perry Mason) and James Remar (Oppenheimer), while there is also a recurring role for Madeleine Stowe (Revenge). Although no exact plot details have been announced for the show so far, it is expected to take place in the 1960s and focus on Pennywise's backstory in the lead-up to the events of IT, incorporating several elements from the novel that didn't make it into the film. Read more: House of the Dragon star says "don't get expectations up" for flashbacks Star Trek: Discovery's Sonequa Martin-Green says "door is open" for her return When the show 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!" Meanwhile, Andy Muschietti – who will direct four of the show's nine episodes – and Barbara Muschietti teased that the show would explore "the depths of Steve's novel, in all its heart, humour, humanity and horror". Production on the show originally began in May last year, but was suspended due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes – which also meant that the initial 2024 release was pushed back to 2025, although no precise premiere date has been confirmed at this stage. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide to see what's on tonight. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
How to watch Quiet on Set - can you stream in the UK?
The documentary explores allegations about the on-set experiences of Nickelodeon child stars and crew during the late '90s and early 2000s.
Nickelodeon has been one of the most popular destinations for children's TV since the ‘90s, with the channel producing iconic programmes such as Drake & Josh, The Amanda Show, Zoey 101 and iCarly. But in the recent Investigation Discovery documentary series Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, former show writers and child stars made claims of a toxic work environment and inappropriate behaviour on the sets of shows run by producer Dan Schneider. Schneider has since sued the producers of the series for defamation, accusing the show of misleading "millions of people to the false conclusion that I was in any way involved in heinous acts like those committed by child predators". What is Quiet on Set about? The documentary explores allegations about the on-set experiences of Nickelodeon child stars and crew during the late '90s and early 2000s. In the four-parter, former show writers and child actors, including Drake Bell, make claims about a toxic work environment and inappropriate behaviour on the sets of Nickelodeon shows run by producer Dan Schneider. On 1st May 2024, it was announced that Schneider has sued the Investigation Discovery network for defamation over his portrayal in the documentary, with the lawsuit branding it a "hit job". In a statement, Schneider said: "Recently the docuseries Quiet on Set highlighted mistakes I made and poor judgment I exhibited during my time at Nickelodeon, most of which happened decades ago during my early career as a producer, working on shows for Tollin/Robbins Productions. There is no doubt that I was sometimes a bad leader. I am sincerely apologetic and regretful for that behaviour, and I will continue to take accountability for it. "However, after seeing Quiet on Set and its trailer, and the reactions to them, I sadly have no choice but to take legal action against the people behind it. In their successful attempt to mislead viewers and increase ratings, they went beyond reporting the truth and falsely implied that I was involved in or facilitated horrific crimes for which actual child predators have been prosecuted and convicted. "I have no objection to anyone highlighting my failures as a boss, but it is wrong to mislead millions of people to the false conclusion that I was in any way involved in heinous acts like those committed by child predators. I owe it to myself, my family, and the many wonderful people involved in making these shows to set the record straight." Warner Bros Discovery, producers Maxine Productions and Sony Pictures Television are also named in the complaint along with Investigation Discovery. They are yet to comment on the filing of the suit. When Quiet on Set first began airing in the US, Schneider directly addressed some of the allegations made in the documentary in an interview published on his official YouTube channel, DanWarp. He admitted that watching the series was "very difficult" as he faced his "past behaviours – some of which are embarrassing and that I regret". "I definitely owe some people a pretty strong apology," he added. "I hate that anybody worked for me and didn't have a good time." He continued: "I would snap at people sometimes. I would be snarky when I could have given them a nicer answer. I would not give people the time they needed. I would be in too big a hurry to get onto the next thing I had to do. "Watching that, there were so many times I wanted to pick up the phone and call some of those people and say 'I'm so sorry' and 'let's talk about it'." He added that "seeing the hurt in some people's eyes... made me feel awful and regretful and sorry". The docuseries features the revelations from Drake Bell (former Nickelodeon star) about the alleged sexual abuse he suffered at the hands of former dialogue coach, Brian Peck. Peck was convicted of committing a lewd act against an unnamed minor in 2004 and was sentenced to 16 months in prison and ordered to register as a sex offender. In response to Bell's allegations, Schneider said in the interview that when Bell told him what had happened, he "was more devastated by that than anything that ever happened to me in my career thus far". Schneider claims he did not hire Peck on his productions. A spokesperson for Schneider has previously said in response to the documentary (via The Hollywood Reporter): "Everything that happened on the shows Dan ran was carefully scrutinised by dozens of involved adults, and approved by the network. Remember, all stories, dialogue, costumes, and makeup were fully approved by network executives on two coasts. "A standards and practices group read and ultimately approved every script, and programming executives reviewed and approved all episodes. In addition, every day on every set, there were always parents and caregivers and their friends watching filming and rehearsals. Had there been any scenes or outfits that were inappropriate in any way, they would have been flagged and blocked by this multilayered scrutiny." Meanwhile, a Nickelodeon spokesperson said in a statement: "Though we cannot corroborate or negate allegations of behaviours from productions decades ago, Nickelodeon as a matter of policy investigates all formal complaints as part of our commitment to fostering a safe and professional workplace environment free of harassment or other kinds of inappropriate conduct. "Our highest priorities are the well-being and best interests not just of our employees, casts and crew, but of all children, and we have adopted numerous safeguards over the years to help ensure we are living up to our own high standards and the expectations of our audience." On Bell, the network also told Variety: "Now that Drake Bell has disclosed his identity as the plaintiff in the 2004 case, we are dismayed and saddened to learn of the trauma he has endured, and we commend and support the strength required to come forward." Where to watch the Quiet on Set documentary in the US Quiet on Set is available to watch now in the US on Max. The series is also available to rent or buy from Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video. Can you watch Quiet on Set in the UK? Quiet on Set became available to stream in the UK on discovery+ from Monday 25th March. You can add a discovery+ subscription to your Prime Video membership for £3.99 per month. A discovery+ subscription is also free for any Sky Q, Sky Glass and Sky Stream customers. Check out more of our Documentaries coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to see what's on tonight. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The Penguin trailer gives tense look at Colin Farrell’s Batman spin-off
"Can you imagine, to be remembered like that?"
The first proper trailer has been revealed for The Penguin, an upcoming DC-Comics-inspired drama which sees Irish actor Colin Farrell reprising his role as crime boss Oswald Cobblepot. Fans will remember that Farrell first played the legendary DC villain The Penguin in Matt Reeves's 2022 film The Batman, looking utterly unrecognisable under jaw-dropping prosthetics, going toe to toe with Robert Pattinson in the former Twilight star's first outing as DC's Dark Knight. The Penguin is an eight-part series destined for Max, formerly known as HBO Max, over in the USA. Here in the UK, its home hasn't been announced officially, but observant TV fans will know that HBO series generally end up on Sky TV and its streaming service NOW. Plot details are thin on the ground, but the official press bumf tells us that the show "continues The Batman epic crime saga that filmmaker Matt Reeves began with Warner Bros Pictures’ global blockbuster The Batman, and centers on the character played by Farrell in the film." No kidding! The trailer itself is a lot more interesting than that synopsis. Take a look below and you'll find yourself gripped by a tense 1 minute and 36 seconds of drama. View oEmbed on the source website As Farrell's Penguin recounts the story of a previous crime boss, who was so beloved that a parade was thrown in his name, the trailer intercuts shots of people screaming and explosions going off. It's clear that Gotham City is in for another rough few weeks while the show is on air. But with no mention of Pattinson's Batman in the show's cast list, who's going to stand in Penguin's way? Joining Farrell in the cast are Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz, Michael Kelly, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Deirdre O’Connell, Clancy Brown, and Michael Zegen. The show is executive produced by Matt Reeves and Colin Farrell themselves, along with Dylan Clark, Bill Carraro, Daniel Pipski, Lauren LeFranc (who is credited as writer and showrunner) and Craig Zobel (director of the first three episodes). In terms of The Penguin release date, the trailer ends by telling us to expect the drama on our screens 'this fall'. That's autumn 2024 to anyone that doesn't use the American lingo for such things. Looking a little further down the line, The Batman 2 film is now expected to arrive in 2026. It'll be interesting to see how The Penguin does or doesn't play into it. We're certainly looking forward to seeing more. Read more: The Batman ending explained: How does Robert Pattinson film end? How to watch Batman movies in order and where to stream The Batman producer reveals there are “inevitably” ideas for sequels The Batman soundtrack - full list of music in DC Comics film Check out more of our Sci-Fi or Film coverage or visit our TV Guide to see what's on tonight. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10 – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Why won't there be a Our Flag Means Death season 3?
Fans of the series aren't letting Our Flag Means Death go without a fight.
Although UK fans will undoubtedly be very happy to learn that the second season of Our Flag Means Death is coming to British shores from this week, it doesn't change the fact that the series hasn't been renewed for season 3. It was announced last month that Max, HBO's streaming service, cancelled the series after a two season run. The news came as a surprise for a show that has consistently garnered acclaim, especially for its representation of queer storylines. The series follows Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby), an unhappy aristocrat who abandons his family and comfortable life to become a pirate despite his lack of experience in crime and at sea. Essentially, it's a midlife crisis that sees Stede try to become a 'gentleman pirate' with little to no experience. But along with his slightly dysfunctional crew, we follow the gang aboard the Revenge as they are faced with misadventure and blossoming romance. It's safe to say that there a loyal legion of fans behind the series, who are mourning the loss of the show in our schedules, but why exactly won't there be a third season of Our Flag Means Death? Read on to find out. Why won't there be a Our Flag Means Death season 3? On the announcement of Our Flag Means Death being cancelled on Max, a spokesperson said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter: “While Max will not be moving forward with a third season of Our Flag Means Death, we are so proud of the joyous, hilarious, and heartfelt stories that creator David Jenkins, Taika Waititi, Rhys Darby, Garrett Basch, Dan Halsted, Adam Stein, Antoine Douaihy, and the entire superb cast and crew brought to life. "We also thank the dedicated fans who embraced these stories and built a gorgeous, inclusive community surrounding the show." The pirate comedy, which was created by David Jenkins and starred Rhys Darby and Taika Waititi, was critically acclaimed and beloved by many fans so it's safe to say that the news has come as a shock to many. While Max haven't provided an exact reason to cancel the show, it does seem as though the decision to end the series with season 2 was one that Waititi previously thought was a good decision. Speaking to Consequence back in 2023, the actor – who also serves as an executive producer on Our Flag Means Death – said that the season 2 finale, in regards to his character Ed and Stede (Darby), “feels like a natural end to their story. Just because I feel like, you know, they’ve been through so much and then wind up in that nice place at a happy ending”. He added: “I love the show so much and maybe it can survive without Rhys and I. Maybe, I don’t know. I do I think the character of Blackbeard is something I’m really proud of.” But for Jenkins, he told the same publication that he felt as though the series was envisioned as being three seasons long. Jenkins said: “You can tell the story in three seasons and get a full sense of a relationship: A couple first understanding love in the first season, then to a relationship that’s a little more mature, and they’re learning what to do with that love.” He revealed that a third season would then focus on Stede and Edward “learning how to keep and hang onto that love as it gets more mature". But of course, with Waititi being an in-demand writer, director and producer, there's also the matter of finding a time for a third season that would fit in everyone's schedules. Jenkins acknowledged that three seasons would be the limit if only due to Waititi’s schedule, as “I feel like that’s about as long as you can hang on to somebody who’s directing 50 things at once”. Waititi's most recent film release, Next Goals Wins, will be followed by directing the film adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro's novel Klara and the Sun. Waititi's What We Do In The Shadows is also set to end with its sixth season. As for where that leaves Our Flag Means Death, there's certainly been a push from fans for the series to get a renewal, with funds being raised ($21,000 to be exact) for a Times Square billboard for the cause, as well as ongoing petition that calls on streamers like Apple TV+, Prime Video and Netflix to consider picking the series up. View Green Video on the source website Our Flag Means Death seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream on BBC iPlayer now. Check out more of our Comedy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10 – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The White Lotus adds The Last Kingdom star and more to season 3 cast
The cast of HBO's The White Lotus is expanding, and season three is full of epic actors that will, no doubt, keep you hooked when the hit comedy-drama series returns. In recent developments, three new actors have been added to its cast and they include Arnas Fedaravičius (The Last Kingdom), Nicholas Duvernay (Bel-Air) and Francesca Corney (The Buccaneers). They join a long list of actors announced for season 3, including Jason Isaacs (Archie), Leslie Bibb (Iron Man), Michelle Monaghan (Mission: Impossible) and Parker Posey (Lost in Space) to name a few. Fedaravičius will join his The Last Kingdom co-star on the series, as Ewan Mitchell (House of the Dragon) will also star in season three. The former played a fan favourite on the Netflix series called Sithtric, who, along with Finan (Mark Rowley), was the closest ally to main character Uhtred of Bebbanburg (Alexander Dreymon). The actor featured in seasons 2 to 5 and returned for the epilogue movie Seven Kings Must Die, which released last year. Duvernay and Corney were recently on screens as Drew in Bel-Air and Jean Hopeleigh in The Buccaneers, respectively. The new season will be set in Thailand, with filming expect to begin in and around Bangkok, Phuket and Ko Samui in February 2024. Read more: True Detective confirms fan theory about Matthew McConaughey's Rust Cohle The Watcher producer keeps season 2 under wraps: "I'm very excited" Thailand was previously rumoured as the location for the third season, with creator Mike White saying (as per Variety): "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." View Green Video on the source website View Affiliate Playlist on the source website The White Lotus seasons 1 and 2 are available on Sky Atlantic and NOW. Find out more about how to sign up for Sky TV. Looking for something else to watch? Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10 – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Jason Momoa on a possible second season of On The Roam
"I guess that this is the hardest one because I'm not being my characters."
In Jason Momoa's upcoming documentary series, On The Roam, he travels the United States as he meets different creatives whose work he admires, and goes deep into their world - and over eight episodes, viewers get the chance to see that, too. In one of the episodes, Momoa travels to North Carolina to rebuild historic bikes with some of the best experts in the world, and he goes on to race them on a dirt track with those he calls "the Roamers". The series shows the actor in a different light from what many will have seen him in before, and as viewers soak in Momoa "chasing art, adventure and friendship through the lends of craftsmanship", there's no doubt they'll be after a second season. Read more: James May on Britain's colonial past: "It'd look odd if you avoided it" Robbie Williams doc: 'Most raw and honest portrayal of a star's life’ Ahead of the series's release, Momoa spoke with RadioTimes.com and other press about the possibility of an On The Roam season 2, and for him it's a matter of waiting to see what audiences think. "I'm going to be directing for the rest of my life, acting as long as I can, and this is my passion," he explained. "And this can take place when I'm in all these different places. "So it can always be taking place, I'll never stop loving this. If someone doesn't like it, I'm still gonna do this." He explained that he will still "go meet people and do these things" and believes that sharing these experiences in the docuseries is "a beautiful thing". "It's not this great conflict within it. It's really about just us as humans and the things that we love and and can unite on and build together." "It's interesting, and so whether it's interesting to anyone else, we're gonna find out," Momoa told RadioTimes.com and other press. He continued: "As for season two, people can be like, 'I don't know, that's not really my vibe.' And I don't know if you can ever tell, dude. I want to come in and do my job. "So, you know, what are you gonna do? Everyone loves different things. I can't control that. "I mean, it's just me, I ain't acting, it's just me up there, so I guess that this is the hardest one because I'm not being my characters, you just get to see behind the curtain and who I am, and that, to me, is is very vulnerable." View Green Video on the source website On the Roam, stream on discovery+ now. Looking for something else to watch? Check out more of our Documentaries coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to see what's on tonight. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10 – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Will there be a prequel to The Polar Express amid 'Christmas Express' rumours?
Rumours are rife that a prequel movie to The Polar Express is coming to Max this Christmas.
With the Christmas countdown fast approaching, naturally thoughts are already turning towards the best new Christmas films for 2023. And one festive film many appear to be looking forward to this year is a Polar Express prequel starring Tom Hanks, with a poster showing a younger version of Hanks's Conductor character from the original film doing the rounds on social media. Released in 2004 and an adaptation of Chris Van Allsburg’s 1985 children’s tale, The Polar Express tells the story of a sceptical young boy who has his faith in Father Christmas restored when he is invited to travel to the North Pole on a magical train. So, can fans expect The Christmas Express to come to Max this Christmas, as the poster doing the rounds on social media teases, or are the rumours too good to be true? Read on for everything you need to know. Will there be a prequel to The Polar Express? No, The Christmas Express isn’t coming to Max in 2023. While a fake fan-made poster for a film titled The Christmas Express has been widely shared on social media, there has been no word from Hanks or HBO on any such film. The poster teases the film as a prequel to The Polar Express, featuring a younger version of Tom Hanks's Conductor character from the original film. It also features the Warner Bros Logo (the studio behind the original movie), and claims the film is coming "exclusively on Max" in December 2023. View oEmbed on the source website Unfortunately, those hoping to watch The Christmas Express this festive season won’t find it on Max, or on any streaming platform, because it doesn't exist. Where to watch The Polar Express The Christmas Express might be a hoax, but fans can always watch (or re-watch) the original movie, which is available on Sky Cinema and NOW. To access The Polar Express on NOW, you’ll need to sign up for a Cinema pass, which costs £9.99 per month. In addition, you can buy The Polar Express on DVD from Amazon UK at the cost of £4.99, or £5.99 on Blu-ray. Alternatively, you can head over to Amazon Prime Video where the film is available to rent for £3.49 and as a digital download for £7.99. View Green Video on the source website Check out more of our Film and Sci-Fi coverage, or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to see what’s on tonight. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10 – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
And Just Like That's Carrie-Aidan limbo is worse than Big's death
As Carrie held Big in her arms as he slowly faded from the world in And Just Like That's opening episode, it was unquestionably the worst moment of her life to date. The writer was no stranger to heartbreak, but the death of her husband was a new kind of pain that jolted her into unchartered territory. Nothing in her world had prepared her for that moment – or the days, weeks, months and years of adjusting to a world without Big. But little did Carrie know that the most tragic development was yet to come. The AJLT season 2 finale was abuzz with activity as showrunner, writer and director Michael Patrick King set the stage for the now confirmed third season. Miranda, whose career is once again on an upward trajectory, cleared the air with both Steve and Che, Charlotte is committed to making her re-entry into the art world work, and Carrie has finally bid adieu to her beloved apartment as she settles into her opulent townhouse with her new housemate. But said housemate is not Aidan, the very reason she purchased the property in the first place. All that extra space – and there's a lot, far more than any one person could ever need – would be put to good use when his boys came to stay in New York. Instead, Carrie will be living there alone with her kitten – who is a delight, we should add – and she'll be doing that for not one, not two, not three, not four, but FIVE WHOLE YEARS. And we thought Seema was in a tough spot... It was an especially cruel blow considering Aidan had not long stepped inside her apartment after repeatedly refusing not to, suggesting their future together was about to begin. Yes, Aidan has returned to Virginia and there he will stay for half a decade, apparently, following the antics of his son Wyatt. The 14-year-old was so distressed by his dad's absences during his visits to see Carrie that he had crashed Aidan's truck into a tree while high on magic mushrooms, breaking several bones in the process. "Just give me some time," Aidan asked Carrie when he told her he was heading straight back to Norfolk following their conversation and staying firmly put for now. But giving someone time and essentially disappearing from their life for FIVE WHOLE YEARS (yes, I'm still on the all caps) are two wildly differing requests. Read more: And Just Like That, Samantha Jones's cameo was a complete waste of time Carrie's big decision in And Just Like That means more than you think To ease their collective heartache, Aidan attempted to reassure Carrie that their hiatus would fly by quicker than a snap of the fingers, just as the past decade had. And although she was bitterly disappointed, the cracks in her heart almost audible, Carrie took the news in her stride, which isn't something that could be said for most people. She'd waited this long for him. What was another few years? After all, the course of true love never did run smooth. The death of Big would also undoubtedly have bolstered her ability to shoulder life's great burdens. But although this latest obstacle in Carrie's life seemingly pales in comparison to Big's demise, in some ways it's actually worse. As harrowing as that experience was, the door was firmly closed on that chapter and in time, Carrie was able to turn her gaze towards the future, because what other option was there? As painful, and at times impossible, as it was engaging with the world following his death, there was certainty, however heavy the weight of that was at the time. Carrie and Big's future, or lack thereof, was set in stone. Plus, as we later learned, Carrie had apparently been married to the wrong man all along. They were not meant to be, despite what six seasons and two movies had led us to believe, which in time helped her to recalibrate her sense of self. But Carrie and Aidan's future is cloaked in uncertainty. This current predicament, by contrast, sees Carrie trapped in the worst kind of limbo. The couple almost had it. After previously being driven apart by circumstance or bad timing or whatever you want to call it, they were ready to step into the future together. But now, they must wait, and wait, and wait yet again, until the universe finally gives them the nod. It's a horror show ending for both of them after suffering a death and a divorce respectively, and there is every chance that their waiting game will not pan out as they both hope. As we saw with Big, who knows what destabilising events could be lurking around the corner? View Green Video on the source website And Just Like That is available to watch on Sky Comedy and NOW in the UK and on HBO Max in the US. Check out more of our Comedy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10, PLUS a £10 John Lewis and Partners voucher delivered to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.