Radio Times
type: channel
link: https://www.radiotimes.com
date: 2025-12-22T10:36:58.000Z
update period: hourly
update frequency: 1
update base: 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00
items: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms release date, trailer and latest news
items: When is It: Welcome to Derry set? Full timeline explained
items: What does Netflix acquiring Warner Bros Discovery mean for viewers like you? Streaming giant confirms acquisition plans
items: HBO Max finally confirms UK and Ireland release window as new service to boast some of the world's biggest shows
items: Euphoria season 3 release window finally confirmed – as surprising plot details revealed for Rue, Cassie and more
items: Industry season 4 drops electric teaser as release window confirmed
items: Will there be The Penguin season 2? Latest news and speculation
items: The Last of Us season 3: Release date speculation and latest news
items: It: Welcome to Derry risks ruining Pennywise for good with one fatal mistake
items: Big Little Lies' Laura Dern teases season 3: "We are very excited"
items: V for Vendetta isn't just another cash-grab remake – it could be the most important
items: How It: Welcome to Derry's genius Pennywise risk pays off – and makes it scarier than the films
items: It: Welcome to Derry stars reveal how "terrifying" Bill Skarsgård was kept hidden on set
items: The 7 best Stephen King Easter eggs in It: Welcome to Derry
items: Peacemaker season 2 ending explained: How finale sets up Superman's Man of Tomorrow
items: Game of Thrones' new prequel A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms gets release month confirmed after premiere delayed
items: ​​Cillian Murphy finally responds to Voldemort casting rumours for Harry Potter TV series
items: 13 ways the Harry Potter TV series could be salvaged – from Peeves to Voldemort's death
items: Harry Potter TV series' Hagrid has key element questioned by original film director: "Part of me was like, what's the point?"
items: Former EastEnders star Zack Morris lands role in critically acclaimed US medical drama
items: Harry Potter TV series confirms further major castings with Weasley family
items: Industry star reveals whether controversial character will return for season 4 after explosive third season
items: The Last of Us season 3 confirmed to have major creative shake-up behind the scenes – where does this leave new episodes?
items: House of the Dragon season 3: Release date speculation, cast and plot news
items: Harry Potter TV series confirms Rivals and The Morning Show stars in iconic roles as nine castings revealed
items: Who is Dominic McLaughlin? Meet the star playing Harry Potter in TV series
items: Who is Arabella Stanton? Meet the Harry Potter TV series star behind Hermione
items: Harry Potter TV series officially confirms new Harry, Ron and Hermione
items: The Last of Us season 2 finale ratings take a steep plunge after season 1
items: The Last of Us season 2 ending explained: Is [SPOILER] dead?

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms release date, trailer and latest news
type: item
date: 2025-12-22T09:29:42.000Z
creator: David Craig
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: HBO
subject: Sky Atlantic
description: Another era in Westeros history is set to be explored on screen.
encoded: 2026 is set to be a bumper year for fans of the Game of Thrones franchise, as viewers are transported to another era of Westeros in the latest fantasy series instalment. Not only is the third season of fiery prequel House of the Dragon set to arrive later in the year – with star Matt Smith potentially letting slip an August release date – but the long-awaited Dunk and Egg-centric prequel A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is also due to debut at the beginning of the year. Following a delay from late 2025 to early 2026, HBO’s CEO revealed that the Game of Thrones spin-off will arrive in January 2026, with Sky confirming exactly when UK viewers can expect the series to swoop onto screens. The series draws inspiration from George RR Martin's Dunk and Egg novellas, and stars Peter Claffey as Ser Duncan the Tall and Dexter Sol Ansell as his young squire, the future Aegon V Targaryen. Both the author and HBO executive Francesca Orsi have heaped praise on the two lead actors, with talk of a potential three-season run already brewing – but alas, we're still a way off from the initial premiere. If you're eager for another trip to Westeros, read on for everything we know so far about A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms release date speculation There’s not long now for fans to wait for A Knight of the Seven Kingdozms, as the second prequel set in the Game of Thrones franchise will be released on Sky Atlantic and NOW on 19th January 2026 in the UK. The broadcaster has also confirmed that the first series will consist of six half-hour episodes. While Sky hasn’t yet confirmed the exact time the series will air, if it follows the same release pattern as House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones, episodes could become available to stream in the UK from midnight, shortly after the US premiere. Following the same format, the first episode would then receive its linear broadcast on Sky Atlantic later that day, typically around 9pm–10pm UK time on 19 January 2026. …

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When is It: Welcome to Derry set? Full timeline explained
type: item
date: 2025-12-15T11:55:00.000Z
creator: Nicola Austin
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: HBO
subject: Sky
description: Pennywise's reign of terror spans a fair few decades.
encoded: Following recent adaptations of The Institute and The Long Walk, HBO’s highly anticipated series It: Welcome to Derry marks the latest Stephen King story to make its way to the screen. Now the horrifying first season has ended with a bang (and a jaw-dropping cameo), fans are looking to a potential season 2 and how that will fit into the It timeline. With the original novel spanning over 1,000 pages, there’s plenty of fascinating material that didn’t make it into the 2017 and 2019 It films. Interwoven with the Losers Club’s story in King’s 1986 classic are five distinct "Derry" interludes, which offer vital insights into Pennywise’s influence and the evils that unfold in the cursed town. Here's everything you need to know about the It timeline and where Welcome to Derry fits. When is It: Welcome to Derry set? It: Welcome to Derry is set in 1962, 27 years before It: Chapter 1, and it's expected that, if it gets greenlit, season 2 will go further back in time and will be set in 1935. Andy Muschietti’s films shifted the timeline of Stephen King’s original novel, with the director first shifting the events of It Chapter One to the summer of 1988, as opposed to 1958 in the novel. As a result, the adult reunion then took place in 2016, 27 years on from the Loser Club’s experience with Pennywise. It: Welcome to Derry serves as a prequel to Muschietti's films, with the series set in the early swinging sixties. Events unfold once again (you guessed it!) 27 years earlier than the dark deeds of It Chapter One, in 1962. The terrifying prologue – which perfectly establishes the film’s atmospheric and visceral body horror – is set four months before the main events of the show, which take place in April 1962. The show directly draws from material of the Derry interludes, particularly the story of the Black Spot nightclub – an establishment which predominantly Black soldiers from the nearby Army base frequented – occurred during this year. While Muschietti, alongside producer Barba…

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What does Netflix acquiring Warner Bros Discovery mean for viewers like you? Streaming giant confirms acquisition plans
type: item
date: 2025-12-09T15:17:42.000Z
creator: Molly Moss
subject: Movies
subject: HBO
subject: HBO Max
subject: Netflix
subject: News
subject: On demand
description: What could the deal mean for the price of your Netflix subscription increase and the future of cinema-going?
encoded: 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…

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HBO Max finally confirms UK and Ireland release window as new service to boast some of the world's biggest shows
type: item
date: 2025-12-04T11:05:16.000Z
creator: Molly Moss
subject: Drama
subject: Movies
subject: TV
subject: HBO
subject: HBO Max
subject: News
subject: On demand
description: The launch of the platform will mark the first time viewers can watch HBO content somewhere other than Sky.
encoded: 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.” Che…

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Euphoria season 3 release window finally confirmed – as surprising plot details revealed for Rue, Cassie and more
type: item
date: 2025-12-04T10:49:20.000Z
creator: Morgan Cormack
subject: Drama
subject: TV
subject: HBO
subject: News
subject: On demand
description: We finally know some further details about Euphoria season 3.
encoded: After years of speculation, we finally know which month HBO's Euphoria is set to hit screens and it's good news. It turns out that we won't be waiting too much longer for new episodes, with it now being confirmed that Euphoria season 3 will premiere in April 2026. As of now, no further details have been given over if episodes will land at the same time in the UK as the US but we can imagine it'll be the case, especially with HBO Max being confirmed to rollout in the UK and Ireland in March next year. Series creator Sam Levinson spoke at the HBO Max presentation in London this week, revealing further exciting details about what's to come for some of the fan-favourite characters – and you may be left surprised at where we find the likes of Rue and Cassie. Levinson revealed (via Variety): “Five years felt like a natural place because if they’d gone to college they’d be out of college at that time. "We basically pick up Rue [Zendaya] south of the border in Mexico, in debt to Laurie [Martha Kelly], trying to come up with some very innovative ways to pay it off.” As for Sydney Sweeney's Cassie, Levinson teased: “And then Cassie is living in the suburbs with Nate [Jacob Elordi], they’re engaged and she’s very addicted to social media and envious of what appears to be the big lives that all of her high school classmates are living at this point in time. “I feel strongly this is our best season yet… I will say that Cassie and Nate do in fact get married. I’m confirming it. And I promise that it will be an unforgettable night.” Whether fans have been waiting four years since the finale for Cassie and Nate to tie the knot is certainly a stretch, but Levinson has only confirmed rumours that have been floating around since paparazzi pictures surfaced of Sweeney on the Euphoria set in a wedding dress. Season 2 saw their relationship develop very unexpectedly, especially seeing as Cassie and Maddy used to be best friends, with Nate and Maddy being the 'it' couple that underpinned …

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Industry season 4 drops electric teaser as release window confirmed
type: item
date: 2025-11-24T17:23:06.000Z
creator: Morgan Cormack
subject: Drama
subject: TV
subject: BBC
subject: HBO
subject: News
description: It's time to return to the heady world of finance.
encoded: Harper, Yasmin and the gang return along with a slew of new faces in the first teaser trailer for Industry season 4. The hit BBC/HBO co-production's moody promo unveils not only a first look at the cast of new characters, but also gives us a sneak peek into some of the significant drama to come. As well as Harper (Myha’la) seemingly living out a brand new, successful chapter of her career, things continue to be complicated for Yasmin (Marisa Abela) as she navigates a new life as the wife of Sir Henry Muck (Kit Harington). In the trailer, which unfolds to the sound of Nina Simone’s Lilac Wine, we see Muck about to drive off in his vintage convertible car with Yasmin by his side, but nursing a bloody hand. Although season 3 appeared to show Yasmin turning her back on the world of finance altogether, it may not be quite that easy, as we see her come face-to-face with Harper once again. It wouldn't be an instalment of Industry without its fair share of secrets, sex, arguments, boardroom tension and chain smoking – all of which appear to be in plentiful supply in the new trailer. You can watch it for yourself below. View oEmbed on the source website Along with the teaser, HBO has announced that the new season will be released in the US on Sunday 11th January at 9pm. However, a UK release date is yet to be revealed – though the BBC has also confirmed a January 2026 release window. All episodes of Industry season landed in October 2024, coming two months after the US, which premiered the third season in August that same year – but it appears fans won't have as long to wait for season 4. The new trailer also gives us a look into the world of new character Whitney Halberstram, who is played by The Handmaid's Tale star Max Minghella. He remains a mystery so far – how does he get swept up into the high-stakes world of the series? We'll just have to wait and see. Read more: Hijack writer's "gripping" new thriller casts Torchwood star opposite David Morrissey Red Eye season 2 re…

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Will there be The Penguin season 2? Latest news and speculation
type: item
date: 2025-11-24T12:00:05.000Z
creator: James Hibbs
subject: Sci-fi
subject: TV
subject: HBO
subject: NOW
subject: Sky
description: Could Oz Cobb be back for more?
encoded: *Warning: Spoilers ahead for The Penguin episode 8.* Although many fans of The Penguin are willing another season into existence, it appears we're no closer to knowing whether the HBO series will return for more. However, we do now know a few more parameters around the potential of a second season. For starters, showrunner Lauren LeFranc has said that we can't look ahead to The Penguin season 2 when we still don't have The Batman Part II. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, she said that the "intention of our first season always was, we’re launching Oz into the second film, and so we couldn’t air a second season until after Matt’s movie comes out". Similarly, chairman and CEO of HBO and HBO Max Content Casey Bloys told Deadline about a potential second season: “It’s definitely possible. Obviously, Matt has the film that he needs to work on. But there’s definitely a possibility. I think probably what’s most important in that world right now is getting the movie started, and I know they’re dealing with that now.” With the note that things ended on in season 1, series star Colin Farrell has previously admitted that it may be hard for his protagonist to come back from such a disturbing turn of events. Having murdered Vic (Rhenzy Feliz) in the finale, Farrell told The Hollywood Reporter: "I certainly think it makes [a second season] more difficult. [Killing Vic] is a very hard thing to claw back from. It’s not impossible, but it’s a tougher hill to climb." It's certainly a valid point to remember, but does that mean we could be seeing more of Cristin Milioti's Sofia instead? While nothing has yet been confirmed, Milioti remains excited about whatever shape her character's future takes, whether in another season of The Penguin, The Batman II or in her own spin-off series. Speaking to RadioTimes.com exclusively, Milioti said: "I'd play her for the rest of my life. I mean, I love that show, and I love those people. You know, it was like, across the board, 10 out of 10s. And…

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The Last of Us season 3: Release date speculation and latest news
type: item
date: 2025-11-18T15:00:27.000Z
creator: Molly Moss
subject: Sci-fi
subject: TV
subject: HBO
subject: On demand
subject: Sky
description: The hit series is officially returning for more.
encoded: *Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Last of Us season 2.* There are some serious changes afoot in the behind-the-scenes team of The Last of Us for season 3 as co-creator Neil Druckmann and co-writer Halley Gross have now officially stepped back from the series. The news was announced a few months ago, with many fans wondering just what direction the series will take now that Naughty Dog studio head returns to his day job and is working on their next major release, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Speaking to Variety about his decision to step away as co-showrunner, Druckmann said: "It was quite challenging to be as involved as a co-showrunner on Season 1 and Season 2, while running a studio and working and directing and writing a game." Series star Bella Ramsey spoke about Druckmann's departure on Variety's Awards Circuit podcast, saying: “The world of The Last of Us is his creation, and so his voice and creative input. It doesn’t just go away in season 3 because he’s not as actively involved. It will always be his creation. And we’re always in everything that we do, honoring the game and Neil’s creation. He’ll definitely be missed on set. But his spirit is the story.” We do know that Ramsey is set to take much more a backseat in the third season though, as it's been confirmed that season 3 will focus on Kaitlyn Dever's Abby. The dramatic finale did end with the focus shifting from Ellie (Bella Ramsey) to Abby as she was roused from sleeping by Manny, with a Seattle Day One title card appearing on screen – revealing that we will be following Abby's journey in season 3, as is the case part way through the second game. But when will The Last of Us season 3 be released? Read on to find out everything we know so far. The Last of Us season 3 release date speculation A release date for The Last of Us season 3 has not yet been confirmed. However, HBO and Max content chairman and CEO Casey Bloys has said that they still have their sights set on a 2027 releas…

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It: Welcome to Derry risks ruining Pennywise for good with one fatal mistake
type: item
date: 2025-11-17T08:00:43.000Z
creator: David Opie
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: Comment
subject: HBO
subject: NOW
subject: Sky
description: Welcome to Derry dares to hold Pennywise back – only to reveal far too much.
encoded: Eddie who? Richie whatshisname? As strong as the cast were in Andy Muschietti's IT, Pennywise is always the first name that comes to mind when you think of his twofold adaptation. As such, it didn't take long for Bill Skarsgård's deranged clown to dance its way into our hearts and nightmares alike (while showing up occasionally in my therapy sessions too). It's safe to say then that if there's one thing we'd want to see more of in the prequel series Welcome To Derry, it's Pennywise, even if it was reduced to a weird gross baby puddle by the end of IT: Chapter Two. The show is set 27 years before the events of the first film, making it easy to bring Pennywise back in its full splendour. Yet for the first few episodes, Skarsgård doesn't show up at all. IT is there, of course. It's in every nook and cranny of Derry, its evil seeping into every brick and the mind of every resident. Stephen King's most recognisable antagonist even shows up to terrify a new batch of kids each week, but not in his most recognisable form. Instead, IT appears as various nightmares made flesh, from Lilly's pickled father to a baby-faced demon in the premiere. It would have been easy to simply rely on the iconography of Pennywise, maximising the show's scares by giving viewers what they came for. But what you want isn't always best for you. Muschietti and his team smartly recognised that in writing this show, choosing to hold back on revealing Pennywise in full until five episodes in. Risky? Yes, but this was actually the best way to reintroduce a once-terrifying character who audiences have grown somewhat desensitised to. How could you not after Pennywise was meme'd into oblivion back when the films first came out? Building on the tension that comes with waiting to see it, this idea that Pennywise could leap out at any moment, helped remind us how scary IT really is while erasing those dancing memes from our minds completely. It's unfortunate then that Welcome To Derry risks undoing all this,…

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Big Little Lies' Laura Dern teases season 3: "We are very excited"
type: item
date: 2025-11-13T11:14:24.000Z
creator: Jess Bacon
subject: Drama
subject: TV
subject: Exclusive
subject: HBO
subject: News
description: Details about the upcoming season are being kept firmly under wraps.
encoded: It’s been eight years since the award-winning second season of Big Little Lies graced our screens, following on from the acclaimed adaptation of Liane Moriarty’s novel of the same name. Back in September, it was confirmed that the long-awaited third season was finally in development with Mr & Mrs Smith co-creator and showrunner Francesca Sloane set to write the first episode. To date, there have been very few details about the new season, but ahead of the release of the second season of Palm Royale, Laura Dern and her producing partner Jayme Lemons have opened up about returning to the show. “Let me tell you everything,” Lemons joked, before Dern added: “I can only tease that we have a group chat of amazing female friends that are very excited to spend as much time as possible together.” Dern is set to reunite with Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman on the project, who are also serving as executive producers, alongside creator David E Kelley and Sloane. In the meantime, Dern and Lemons and their production company, Jaywalker Pictures, have other projects in the pipeline from Palm Royale to The Dolls, a HBO series about the Christmas Eve riots in Walmart Arkansas. <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/11/Palm-Royale-439108d.jpg" width="8256" height="5504" alt="Four women stand in a dimly lit, slightly eerie hallway decorated with hanging ropes and rustic wooden beams. In the foreground, a woman in a bright blue, feather-trimmed dress folds her arms with a tense, guarded expression. Beside her, another woman wears a pale blue sleeveless dress, a colourful silky headscarf, and holds an orange handbag, looking alert and slightly anxious. Behind them, two older women in pastel and sequined outfits watch with concern. The scene has a dramatic, suspenseful atmosphere." title="Palm Royale" /> “We read a lot of IP that is so worthy of being made. It's hard to determine the right ones to go after,” Lemons continued. “It's a really long and…

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V for Vendetta isn't just another cash-grab remake – it could be the most important
type: item
date: 2025-11-12T16:08:30.000Z
creator: Louise Griffin
subject: Sci-fi
subject: TV
subject: Comment
subject: HBO
description: Could it be the exception to the rule?
encoded: I'm officially done with cash grab remakes. That's not a particularly hot take. In fact, I think it's how a lot of TV audiences have been feeling over the past few years. Particularly within the sci-fi and fantasy genres, finding a new, original series to watch instead of a sequel, prequel or, most dreaded of all, a remake, has been like finding a needle in a haystack. The reasons for that are pretty clear. The TV industry as a whole has been facing a funding crisis, making commissioners less likely to take a gamble on something new, and more likely to rely on an IP that's already proven itself worthy. It's a sad state of affairs but probably inevitable. But, while we've been bombarded with remakes, there are still some that are worth getting on board with, and a TV adaptation of V for Vendetta could very well be one of them. It's been reported that DC is developing a V for Vendetta TV series on HBO, with Pete Jackson penning the show and James Gunn and Peter Safran on board as executive producers. Based on Alan Moore and David Lloyd's graphic novel of the same name and released in 2005, the original movie followed Natalie Portman's Evey as she encountered masked freedom fighter V, an anarchist attempting to ignite a revolution against a fascist totalitarian regime. For the past 20 years, the film has stayed in the cultural and political zeitgeist in more ways than we could have predicted – particularly with the Guy Fawkes mask used as a symbol of anti-establishment rebellion (perhaps most recognisably by the hacktivist group Anonymous). So, if the movie is still culturally relevant, why do we need a remake? Well, it's the type of story we need to hear again and again, especially in the midst of the current political climate. Across the globe, we're currently facing the rise of the far right – and we have been for some time. To speak specifically of the UK, it's clear to me that a culture of racism, xenophobia, homophobia, and sexism has become normalised, with 'deb…

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How It: Welcome to Derry's genius Pennywise risk pays off – and makes it scarier than the films
type: item
date: 2025-10-28T16:22:44.000Z
creator: Louise Griffin
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: Comment
subject: HBO
subject: Sky
description: The Dancing Clown is nowhere to be seen in Welcome to Derry's first episode.
encoded: **Warning – It: Welcome to Derry spoilers ahead.** If the opening episode of It: Welcome to Derry didn't leave you reeling, you might be dead inside. I'm not being dramatic. The opening episode of the long-awaited prequel doesn't just throw us in at the deep end, but holds us under the water until we're gasping for breath. The gory first instalment introduces viewers to the ill-fated Matty, who's trying to escape an abusive home environment. But, after he's picked up from the side of the road by a strange family, the showrunners hold nothing back as they force Matty (and us!) to witness the birth of a demonic baby, amping up the body horror as Matty is snatched before our very eyes. After Matty's classmates (AKA the current Losers Club) witness strange and nightmarish happenings, things go from bad to worse with the movie theatre scene – a brutal sequence that sees most of our new Losers Club toyed with and murdered, as our good friend, the demon baby, makes its gruesome return. Of course, we know whose handiwork this is. Despite manifesting in a different form, we know exactly who feeds on fear in this way. But, then, why don't we ever see the dread creature that haunts Derry, Pennywise? In fact, the showrunners have confirmed that we won't see Pennywise as we know and hate him for some time. Of course, his presence is felt all over the first episode, but for those hoping to get a glimpse of the Dancing Clown this early on, you might be disappointed. In my book, though, that's the best decision that could have been made. In hiding Pennywise from us, the showrunners master an age-old rule of horror movie magic: hiding the monster. Any horror fan will be familiar with the rule, which has been used in thrillers and horrors across the ages, from Jaws to Jurassic Park to the Blair Witch Project to Paranormal Activity to A Quiet Place and beyond. In short, hiding the monster allows our imaginations to run free. Nothing the filmmaker could ultimately show us on screen cou…

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It: Welcome to Derry stars reveal how "terrifying" Bill Skarsgård was kept hidden on set
type: item
date: 2025-10-27T17:07:57.000Z
creator: Nicola Austin
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: HBO
subject: News
subject: Sky
subject: Video
description: Pennywise is back to haunt another generation of young Derry residents – and viewers!
encoded: Pennywise the Dancing Clown is officially back on our screens, with Bill Skarsgård reprising his chilling role and once again delivering that haunting grin as the malevolent creature. Set in 1960s Derry, the eight-episode HBO horror prequel introduces a new gang of kids terrorised by the killer clown, while also delving deeper into Pennywise’s sinister origins. Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com, the young cast revealed how the Swedish actor was deliberately kept hidden on set to heighten their reactions when encountering Skarsgård in full costume. Star Amanda Christine, who plays Ronnie in the prequel, explained: "I had wanted to see him on set, but like the way we were kind of working, he was kind of kept like a secret, in a way, and it was like, very top secret.” “We kind of got glimpses of him here and now and then, but once we got to that official scene, when we got to see him, it was so scary because he's tall, his outfit, plus the head, and sometimes he had teeth and, like, blood.” She continued: “It was just like, 'Oh my gosh. I've never been afraid of clowns. But at this moment, I'm terrified! I'm terrified!'" Co-star Blake James, who plays Will Hanlon – father of It’s Losers Club member Mike Hanlon – added: “I don't know any other word to use besides terrifying! He's like, six five as well.” Asked what specifically made Skarsgård’s portrayal so frightening, he added: “Not only is his makeup crazy scary, his facial movements are wicked as well. He's six foot five, so you're like, looking up at him. It's terrible, I don't wish that on anybody!” Recalling the filming of a particularly tense sewer scene, Arian S Cartaya, who plays Derry newcomer Rich, said: “So I only saw him in full costume, like I never saw Bill as a human being. So, we were filming that scene, and he lunged towards us, and I screamed as hard as I could, and I c*****d my pants. Meanwhile, young lead Clara Stack, who plays Lilly, shared: “I think there was so much anticipation leading up …

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The 7 best Stephen King Easter eggs in It: Welcome to Derry
type: item
date: 2025-10-27T10:30:53.000Z
creator: Nicola Austin
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: HBO
subject: Sky
description: The chilling prequel dives deep into King’s interconnected world of horror.
encoded: Horror maestro Stephen King has written an incredible number of books over the decades, and fans will know that many of them are subtly interconnected in increasingly intricate ways – as new prequel It: Welcome to Derry proves. In King’s mythology, The Dark Tower acts as the spine of this shared universe, linking recurring characters, locations and supernatural abilities across his stories. Andy and Barbara Muschietti, the filmmakers behind the 2017 and 2019 It movies, tap into this intriguing web of connections in the new HBO horror-drama. Inspired by Mike Hanlon's interludes in Stephen King's behemoth novel, the Muschiettis have packed the prequel with plenty of nods to King’s wider world. From the inclusion of familiar faces and locations, to blink-and-you’ll-miss-them Easter eggs, long-time fans should get a lot out of it. Read on to discover the major references and Easter eggs woven throughout the eight-part series. It: Welcome to Derry's best Stephen King Easter eggs explained 1. The Hanlon family and their connection with the Black Spot As referenced in Ben Hanscom’s research into Derry’s dark history in It: Chapter One, the Black Spot fire was just one in a long line of tragic events in the cursed town’s unsettling past. In the novel’s second interlude, Mike Hanlon’s father, Will, recounts the story of how he and his comrades in the Air Force created the Black Spot as a safe space for Black patrons. Following a racially motivated arson attack by a white supremacist group, the establishment was destroyed, killing several people trapped inside. As the Muschiettis tweaked Mike’s backstory and the fate of his parents in the films, It: Welcome to Derry explores the same event from a slightly different perspective. Set in 1962, the showrunners have opted for Mike’s grandfather, Leroy Hanlon (Jovan Adepo) to don the Air Force uniform rather than Will. Exploring the events leading up to this pivotal moment, Leroy will also be working alongside none other than The S…

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Peacemaker season 2 ending explained: How finale sets up Superman's Man of Tomorrow
type: item
date: 2025-10-10T09:45:12.000Z
creator: David Opie
subject: Sci-fi
subject: TV
subject: HBO
subject: Sky
description: Things aren't looking good for Chris. **CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR PEACEMAKER SEASON 2 EPISODE 8**
encoded: **Warning: Spoilers ahead for Peacemaker season 2 episode 8.** Will Peacemaker ever find any actual peace? The penultimate episode of season 2 left Chris Smith in a very bad place. Yes, even worse than the Nazi-loving dimension he's just escaped from. Because on the team's way out, both Peacemaker's (alternate) brother and (alternate) father ended up dying, forcing Chris to relive the loss of his family all over again. With Peacemaker now in custody and the rest of the gang in disarray, what does this mean for the final chapter of season 2? And how do we go from that to the setup for season 3, not to mention James Gunn's Superman sequel Superman, Man of Tomorrow, which this episode will also launch. Grab yourself a Big Belly burger and settle in as we take a closer look at the end of season 2 and what's next for Peacemaker. Peacemaker season 2 ending explained The finale starts one month prior where we finally get to the night Chris and Emilia Harcourt acted on their feelings and shared a kiss. Copious amounts of tequila aside, it's an incredibly sweet, affecting sequence that wouldn't feel out of place in a modern-day rom-com. That's not to say it's cheesy either, especially when Emilia nearly pummels a guy with freckles. The chemistry Chris and Emilia share feels genuine, rooted in affection for their friends and each other. Back in the present, Chris rejects efforts made by the gang to visit him in prison. He claims to a guard that he's become the angel of death as a result of the trauma he's endured, but if that's true of anyone, it's Rick Flag Sr. Time and time again, he sends A.R.G.U.S. agents to investigate unlocked doors in the inter-dimensional space that Peacemaker first introduced us to at the start of this season. John Economos points out that this feels reckless, especially given that the agents can't be tracked once they pass through each door. Most of the doors are locked though, thankfully. That is, until they reach number 22. At first, it looks like…

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Game of Thrones' new prequel A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms gets release month confirmed after premiere delayed
type: item
date: 2025-09-16T11:34:21.000Z
creator: Louise Griffin
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: HBO
subject: HBO Max
subject: News
subject: NOW
subject: Sky
description: Westeros awaits!
encoded: 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 nove…

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​​Cillian Murphy finally responds to Voldemort casting rumours for Harry Potter TV series
type: item
date: 2025-09-12T11:01:30.000Z
creator: Molly Moss
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: HBO
subject: HBO Max
subject: News
subject: On demand
description: The evil wizard was previously played by Ralph Fiennes.
encoded: 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 …

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13 ways the Harry Potter TV series could be salvaged – from Peeves to Voldemort's death
type: item
date: 2025-09-05T06:00:48.000Z
creator: Louise Griffin
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: HBO
description: The Harry Potter TV series is filming, with one recent casting proving that it will include elements that the films never did. Here's what it needs to do.
encoded: When it was announced that HBO was set to remake Harry Potter as a TV series, perhaps the biggest response they received was a baffled: "But why?" For one, the Potter franchise been mired in controversy as a result of JK Rowling's views on the trans community. 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”. The Harry Potter books have also already been adapted into a massively successful film franchise – and not even that long ago. But, for all our cynicism, the recent announcement that Professor Binns will appear in the series has proven it can at least offer something the films never did – enough time for an in-depth adaptation of the books. After all, the plan is to dedicate a full season of the TV show to each book, allowing around an extra eight hours per book to add back in back stories, scrapped characters, and moments that the films just did not do justice. So, while not everyone is happy about the TV series at all, if it does have to happen, there may be a few ways it can be salvaged for those who make the decision to watch it. Here's how. 1. Add Peeves back in It's the obvious answer for a reason. Peeves was a hugely important character in the Harry Potter books who was unceremoniously cut from the films due to a lack of technology at the time. Comedian and actor Rik Mayall was lined up to play the mischievous poltergeist who's at the heart of ev…

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Harry Potter TV series' Hagrid has key element questioned by original film director: "Part of me was like, what's the point?"
type: item
date: 2025-08-28T09:27:40.000Z
creator: Louise Griffin
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: HBO
subject: News
description: "It's more of the same."
encoded: Harry Potter director Chris Columbus, who directed the first two films in the original series, has questioned one big element of the new HBO series. First-look photos of key characters have been shared by HBO, with the cast and crew also being spotted on location in busy London spots like King's Cross station (where else?!). But, while new cast members are taking on the familiar characters, many have noticed that the costumes – particularly Nick Frost's getup as the half-giant Hagrid – look incredibly similar to the films. Hagrid was originally played by Robbie Coltrane, who sported a long brown overcoat for the role, complete with long curly hair and a long beard. Speaking on The Rest is Entertainment podcast, Columbus pointed out the similarity in Frost's costume: "As of yesterday, I saw photographs online of Nick Frost as Hagrid. "Now, that’s not Nick Frost – that’s presumably still Martin [Bayfield]...a rugby player who played Hagrid with a giant sort of fake rubber Hagrid head that we sometimes replaced with CGI. "So I’m seeing these photographs of, now it looks like Martin – I could be wrong – wearing a Nick Frost head, walking down the streets of London. And he’s wearing the exact same costume that we designed for Hagrid." He added: "Part of me was like, what’s the point? Part of me was like, okay, great. I thought everything was going to be different, but it’s more of the same, which is interesting. "It’s very flattering for me because that’s exactly the Hagrid costume that we designed. So part of it is really exciting – I’m excited to see what they’re going to do with it. But part of it is sort of déjà vu all over again.” The new TV series, which is expected to be released in 2027, is expected to reimagine the wizarding world, with each season focusing on a different book from JK Rowling's wildly popular series. Columbus, who has said he doesn't want to be involved in the reboot, recently opened up to Radio Times magazine about the scenes he wishes he could…

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Former EastEnders star Zack Morris lands role in critically acclaimed US medical drama
type: item
date: 2025-08-22T12:56:15.000Z
creator: Molly Moss
subject: Drama
subject: TV
subject: HBO
subject: News
description: The star departed from EastEnders back in 2022.
encoded: HBO’s hit medical drama The Pitt has made an exciting addition to its second season, with former EastEnders star Zack Morris set to join the cast. According to Deadline, Morris has joined the team as Jackson Davis, a patient brought to the ED after an outburst in the college library. From creator R Scott Gemmill (ER, NCIS: Los Angeles), The Pitt follows a team of doctors and nurses as they navigate a host of challenges in a Pittsburgh hospital emergency room, with the action unfolding in real time. Noah Wyle leads the cast of the series as Dr Michael 'Robby' Robinavitch, while Katherine LaNasa, Shawn Hatosy, Taylor Dearden, Patrick Ball, Isa Briones, Fiona Dourif, Supriya Ganesh, Shabana Azeez and Gerran Howell also star. Alongside Morris, other new additions to season 2 include Sepideh Moafi as a series regular, and Laëtitia Hollard, Lucas Iverson, Charles Baker, Irene Choi and Lawrence Robinson in recurring roles. Gemmill previously revealed that the second season will pick up 10 months after the events of season 1's finale and take place over "Fourth of July weekend" during a day-long shift. "Nine, basically 10 months later gives a lot of room for us to have developed a few stories in the interim, and catch up with everyone," she told TV Line. Season 2 is currently in production and is set air in January 2026. 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.

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Harry Potter TV series confirms further major castings with Weasley family
type: item
date: 2025-08-19T15:45:10.000Z
creator: Morgan Cormack
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: HBO
subject: News
subject: On demand
description: The stars of the Weasley family have been confirmed.
encoded: HBO's Harry Potter TV series has now found its Weasley family, with it being confirmed just who is who in the iconic red-haired clan. It had previously been confirmed that Dominic McLaughlin will be leading the cast as Harry Potter, along with Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. Well, joining Stout in the Weasley household will be on-screen siblings Tristan Harland as Fred Weasley, Gabriel Harland as George Weasley, Ruari Spooner as Percy Weasley and Gracie Cochrane as Ginny Weasley. Real-life twins Tristan and Gabriel Harland have starred in multiple episodes of ITV's The Last Kingdom, while Spooner has starred in a short film and Cochrane has had various roles on stage. This, of course, marks a big milestone for the young actors, who will be seen in the anticipated series that is due for release in 2027. They join previously announced cast members including young actors Rory Wilmot and Amos Kitson, who are set to play Neville Longbottom and Dudley Dursley, respectively. Sherlock's Louise Brealey will play Madam Rolanda Hooch, and Andor's Anton Lesser will play Garrick Ollivander, whilst other notable casting includes John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley, Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy and Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy. The series will be written and executive produced by Francesca Gardiner, whilst Mark Mylod will executive produce and direct multiple episodes of the series for HBO in association with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros Television. Read more: Harry Potter TV series first-look image released of new star as new cast members confirmed Harry Potter icon calls out "racist" objections to Professor Snape casting for TV series 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 …

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Industry star reveals whether controversial character will return for season 4 after explosive third season
type: item
date: 2025-08-12T15:48:11.000Z
creator: Morgan Cormack
subject: Drama
subject: TV
subject: BBC
subject: Exclusive
subject: HBO
subject: News
description: Will Kenny be returning to our screens any time soon?
encoded: Now starring in Outlander: Blood of My Blood, Conor MacNeill is swapping the suits of Pierpoint & Co for the 18th century in his new role as Ned Gowan. While this new and exciting role sees MacNeill bring the earlier years of Ned's story to life in Blood of My Blood, there's no denying that many TV fans will widely recognise MacNeill for his stint as the ever-controversial Kenny Kilbane in BBC and HBO's Industry. Kenny, who featured in all three seasons of the show, certainly went through quite the character arc. But with MacNeill having not been announced as part of the main cast for season 4, was that due to filming commitments for Outlander's spin-off series, or did Kenny's story finish up with season 3? We posed the question to MacNeill in an exclusive chat ahead of the release of Outlander: Blood of My Blood, with the actor revealing to RadioTimes.com: "Kenny's gone from Pierpoint – at the end of season 3, Pierpoint is gone itself. I don’t know is the God's honest truth. It felt very explosive." He continued: "I would work in Industry forever, it's such a brilliant team of people to work with. But the great thing about Industry is how cutthroat it is because that's the truth of that world, right? "And so those storylines – like where that happened, it felt so right. It also felt like Kenny deserved it a bit as well. It's like, you can't get away with your s**t. You get called in at some point. But also, his life had changed and I think the toxicity of Pierpoint ... he didn't gel there as well as he did in the beginning because he wasn't playing by the rules anymore. I think that's that world." While it doesn't look as though MacNeill will be seen as Kenny for the foreseeable, he did enjoy the role – despite it also coming with its fair share of "icky headspaces", he says. Read more: Outlander: Blood of My Blood star says Caitríona Balfe has been an "unbelievable support" with series James Norton spotted on set of Grantchester's final season – is Sidney Chambers…

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The Last of Us season 3 confirmed to have major creative shake-up behind the scenes – where does this leave new episodes?
type: item
date: 2025-07-03T09:31:17.000Z
creator: Morgan Cormack
subject: Sci-fi
subject: TV
subject: HBO
subject: News
subject: On demand
description: Neil Druckmann has officially stepped back from the HBO series.
encoded: It seems like just yesterday that The Last of Us fans were reeling from the events of the season 2 finale and also finding out that the upcoming third season will focus on Kaitlyn Dever's Abby. After all, it was co-creator Neil Druckmann who had officially confirmed the season 3 direction just last month. Well now, in surprising news for all, Druckmann has stepped back creatively from the HBO series along with executive producer and writer Halley Gross, who has exited the show. Druckmann released a statement on the official Instagram account for Naughty Dog (the PlayStation-owned video game studio behind The Last of Us franchise), which read: “I’ve made the difficult decision to step away from my creative involvement in The Last of Us on HBO. “With work completed on season 2 and before any meaningful work starts on season 3, now is the right time for me to transition my complete focus to Naughty Dog and its future projects, including writing and directing our exciting next game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, along with my responsibilities as Studio Head and Head of Creative.” He continued: “Co-creating the show has been a career highlight. It’s been an honour to work alongside Craig Mazin to executive produce, direct and write on the last two seasons. "I’m deeply thankful for the thoughtful approach and dedication the talented cast and crew took to adapting The Last of Us Part I and the continued adaptation of The Last of Us Part II.” Druckmann co-created and directed the original Naughty Dog video game, but has been an integral part of the behind-the-scenes team in bringing the game to life for TV. According to Deadline, he will not write or direct any season 3 episodes but will continue to serve as co-creator and executive producer on the series. As for where that leaves the creative direction of the HBO series, it's anybody's guess at the moment. With a dedicated behind-the-scenes team that are passionate about sticking true to the game but leaving enough r…

House of the Dragon season 3: Release date speculation, cast and plot news
type: item
date: 2025-07-02T12:22:40.000Z
creator: Aimee Hart
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: HBO
subject: Sky Atlantic
description: Keep up with the Targaryens with our House of Dragon season 3 guide.
encoded: *Warning: Spoilers ahead for all episodes of House of the Dragon season 2.* House of the Dragon season 3 is still far enough away to make us long for it with all our being. That said, there are still plenty of much-appreciated updates regarding the show circling, with new information being released about production, scripts, new characters and more. For example, the latest is that House of the Dragon's third season is officially in production, with the cast having recently received a new batch of scripts for some of the episodes. In other news, fresh cast announcements have arrived. According to Variety, Happy Valley star James Norton is reportedly set to play key character Ormund Hightower. Ormund is the nephew of Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) and will be seen leading a march on King's Landing against Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) as the war continues to heat up. Read on for everything you need to know about House of the Dragon season 3 and the future of the Targaryen dynasty, and, most importantly, make sure to check back regularly as we'll be updating this guide with more information as it gets revealed. House of the Dragon season 3 release date speculation While there's no confirmed release date for Season 3 at this early stage, we estimate an early to mid-2026 release date. We do know that season 3 is currently being written and production is under way, having started back in March 2025. In February 2025, stars Matt Smith and Fabien Frankel said during a panel at MegaCon in Florida that they had received scripts for the fourth, fifth and sixth episodes of season 3. This means that everything seems to be progressing in line with the planned schedule. As any Game of Thrones or House of the Dragon fan knows, the scale of the HBO series is absolutely epic, and it takes a long time to put together. House of the Dragon was renewed for season 3 in June 2024, before season 2 had even been released, demonstrating tremendous faith in the Thrones spin-off. Who will be in the cast …

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Harry Potter TV series confirms Rivals and The Morning Show stars in iconic roles as nine castings revealed
type: item
date: 2025-06-09T15:45:04.000Z
creator: Molly Moss
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: HBO
subject: News
subject: On demand
description: The upcoming series has cast the Malfoys, the Dursleys and a Weasley.
encoded: HBO’s Harry Potter TV series continues to expand its cast, and now nine more stars have been revealed – and there are big names from series including Rivals and The Morning Show. Lox Pratt (Lord of the Flies) has been cast as Draco Malfoy, while Johnny Flynn (The Outfit, Stardust) will star as Draco’s father, Lucius Malfoy. Cast as Hogwarts pupils are Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan, Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil and Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown. Additionally, Katherine Parkinson (IT Crowd, Rivals) has been cast as Molly Weasley and Bertie Carvel (The Sister) as Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic, while Bel Powley (A Small Light) will play Petunia Dursley and Daniel Rigby (Flowers) will star as Vernon Dursley. Fans of the book will recall that the Dursleys reluctantly take Harry in after his parents’ deaths, making him live in a cupboard under the stairs. Their son, Dudley, is yet to be cast. The new stars join previously announced cast members John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid. The three stars set to play the iconic trio Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley were also previously announced, with newcomers Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout set to take on the roles. The new series is set to land on our screens in 2027, with cameras due to start rolling in mid-summer 2025. Warner Bros Discovery first announced the project back in 2023, revealing that the TV series will be based on all seven books penned by JK Rowling, published between 1997 and 2007, with the first season set to adapt the first novel. As per the show's synopsis by HBO: "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 dram…

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Who is Dominic McLaughlin? Meet the star playing Harry Potter in TV series
type: item
date: 2025-05-28T13:45:53.000Z
creator: Molly Moss
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: HBO
subject: On demand
description: The upcoming Harry Potter TV series's trio of young leads have been announced.
encoded: A new era of Harry Potter fandom is fast approaching as the hotly anticipated HBO TV adaptation gears up to begin production later this summer. The cast of the adaptation, which will span at least a decade and be based on the seven books in the series, has been shaping up nicely in recent weeks, with the likes of John Lithgow, Paapa Essiedu, Janet McTeer, Nick Frost, Luke Thallon and Paul Whitehouse set to star. And now the three lead child stars have been confirmed, with Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout set to feature as the iconic trio, Harry, Hermione and Ron. The news comes after an open casting call for the roles was announced last year, with more than 30,000 children auditioning – but it was McLaughlin, Stanton and Stout who ultimately bagged the parts. Following the announcement, showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director/executive producer Mark Mylod said in a statement: "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." They continued: "The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together on-screen. "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." The Harry Potter film franchise first hit cinemas over two decades ago, capturing hearts around the world and launching its child stars into the limelight, and the same will no doubt be the case for our new trio. So, wondering who McLaughlin, who's taking over the titular role from Daniel Radcliffe in the upcoming TV adaptation, is and where you've seen him before? Read on for everything you need to know about the star. Who is Dominic McLaughlin? Dominic McLaughlin is a Scottish actor who's set to appear in two TV series over the course of the next year, including BBC action adventure series Gifted and …

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Who is Arabella Stanton? Meet the Harry Potter TV series star behind Hermione
type: item
date: 2025-05-28T11:58:18.000Z
creator: Molly Moss
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: HBO
subject: On demand
description: The rising star beat thousands of hopefuls to land the role.
encoded: As HBO’s Harry Potter TV series gears up to kick off filming, the cast continues to shape up rather nicely, with the three lead child stars now having been confirmed. Following months of speculation, HBO has finally revealed who will be portraying the Harry Potter trio, with Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout set to star as Harry, Hermione and Ron An open casting call for the parts was announced last year, and more than 30,000 children auditioned. The trio will join previously announced cast members including John Lithgow, Paapa Essiedu, Janet McTeer, Nick Frost, Luke Thallon and Paul Whitehouse, while further casting announcements are expected soon. Wondering who the Hermione actress is who’ll be taking over the iconic role from Emma Watson in HBO's upcoming TV adaptation? Read on for everything you need to know about the star. Who is Arabella Stanton? Arabella Stanton is a rising actress from Britain. She is best known for starring as Matilda Wormwood in Matilda the Musical in London’s West End from 2023 to 2024. On Instagram, the star previously reflected on her West End debut playing Matilda, revealing: “I started auditioning for Matilda the Musical the week after my 9th birthday and feel so lucky and honoured to have spent the age of 9 being able to play Matilda Wormwood at the Cambridge Theatre, London for the Royal Shakespeare Company (and at Buckingham Palace for an extra special performance at the BBC 500 Words Final)." She added: "Being able to play the part of Matilda as my West End debut has been incredible... dreams really can come true!” How old is Arabella Stanton? The rising star is 11 years old and is following in the footsteps of Emma Watson, who played Hermione in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone when she was the same age. What has Arabella Stanton previously starred in? Stanton might be best known for playing the titular role in Matilda the Musical, but she has also previously appeared in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s play Starl…

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Harry Potter TV series officially confirms new Harry, Ron and Hermione
type: item
date: 2025-05-27T15:31:49.000Z
creator: Morgan Cormack
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: HBO
subject: News
subject: On demand
description: Harry, Hermione and Ron have now been cast for the upcoming HBO series.
encoded: After months of speculation, the leading three stars of HBO's Harry Potter TV series have now been confirmed. The HBO original series will be led by newcomers Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. While all three stars are newcomers to the world of TV, Stanton may be familiar to some musical fans, as she previously starred in the West End production of Matilda, as well as the Andrew Lloyd Webber production of Starlight Express. As for Stout, he has been seen in TV advertisements, while McLaughlin is set to be seen in Sky Original comedy Grow. Generally, it's understood that this is the first time all three youngsters are set to be in front of a major TV series camera, though. Alongside the announcement comes a first-look picture of the trio (which can be seen above), beaming as they crouch in the grass. On the announcement of the casting, showrunner and executive producer Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod (executive producer and director of multiple episodes) said in a statement: “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.” Casting had previously been announced last month, confirming that John Lithgow would play Albus Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu would be Severus Snape, Janet McTeer would play Minerva McGonagall, and Nick Frost would star as Rubeus Hagrid. Alongside the four series regulars, Luke Thallon and Paul Whitehouse were announced to be appearing in guest and recurring roles. Read more: The Last of Us season 2 finale ratings take a steep plunge after season 1 Pierce Brosnan responds to Mob…

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The Last of Us season 2 finale ratings take a steep plunge after season 1
type: item
date: 2025-05-27T11:27:41.000Z
creator: Morgan Cormack
subject: Sci-fi
subject: TV
subject: HBO
subject: News
subject: NOW
subject: On demand
description: The viewership figures are in.
encoded: *Warning: This article contains minor spoilers for the ending of The Last of Us season 2.* With the final episode of The Last of Us season 2 having now aired, we've been left reeling in the wake of close calls with death, surprise plot developments and one hell of a cliffhanger ending. It's no secret that this second instalment continued to draw in a mixed reaction from fans, but it seems as though the viewing figures correspond to the tempered down reaction of the season. It's now been revealed that the season 2 finale saw 3.7 million cross-platform viewers, meaning it's 55 per cent down from the season 1 finale. The first season's final episode saw an impressive 8.2 million cross-platform viewers tune in, so it's safe to say that numbers are down in a big way for this second outing. However, despite initially low numbers, HBO have said that they expect significant growth in numbers following the Memorial Day holiday weekend. The network have underlined the potential for growth by stating that season 2 numbers are already pointing at a larger average number of viewers than season 1. They stated that season 2 is tallying nearly 37 million global viewers per episode, with that figure only growing. For context (via Deadline), the season 1 premiere eventually went on to generate nearly 32 million viewers in 90 days post-premiere, which is the largest audience for an HBO and Max debut season ever. The second season of The Last of Us has continued to prove controversial among viewers, with the season deciding to take on a big narrative swing early on in the season by killing off co-lead Joel, played by Pedro Pascal. Essentially a drawn-out revenge mission by Ellie (Bella Ramsey), the second season followed her as she set her sights on Seattle to confront Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) for her actions. The finale saw Ellie come face-to-face with two of Abby's friends, Owen (Spencer Lord) and Mel (Ariela Barer), eventually shooting and killing them both. Read more: Doctor Who's Mill…

The Last of Us season 2 ending explained: Is [SPOILER] dead?
type: item
date: 2025-05-26T02:00:36.000Z
creator: Louise Griffin
subject: Sci-fi
subject: TV
subject: HBO
description: Fans are left on quite the cliffhanger.
encoded: *Warning: Major spoilers ahead for The Last of Us season 2 episode 7.* With the end of The Last of Us season 2 comes the end of the road for various characters – and the beginning of a new chapter for others. Episode 7 saw Ellie finally come face-to-face with Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) again, amid her quest for revenge after Joel's (Pedro Pascal) death. But Abby certainly isn't about to go quietly. Thankfully, The Last of Us has been renewed for season 3, so we know the story will continue, but we've been left on a gigantic cliffhanger. Here's what you need to know about how The Last of Us season 2 ended – and those dramatic final scenes! Beware of game spoilers – and potential season 3 spoilers – ahead, though! The Last of Us ending explained: Is Ellie dead? No, Ellie isn't dead, and her story will continue in future seasons of The Last of Us – unless the show takes a huge departure away from the game. However, she certainly came close to death a few times in episode 7. One of those brushes with death comes as a result of an encounter with the Seraphites. Ellie figures out that Abby is in the aquarium and, after a fight with Jesse (Young Mazino), goes to find her alone, while he goes to meet with Tommy (Gabriel Luna). But, after surviving a dangerous trip on a boat, Ellie washes up on shore and inadvertently falls right into the clutches of the Seraphites. She narrowly avoids being killed and strung up when a signal indicates that the Seraphites' village is under attack, and they leave her. Undeterred, she arrives at the aquarium to take on Abby and encounters Owen (Spencer Lord) and Mel (Ariela Barer). When Owen grabs a gun, Ellie shoots him dead – but also accidentally fatally injures Mel, who reveals she's pregnant in her dying moments. She asks Ellie to cut out her baby – but she's unable to, and sobs over Mel's dead body. Tommy and Jesse find Ellie and take her away. When they arrive back at the theatre, Ellie and Jesse make their peace – but they soon hear a distur…

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