Radio Times
type: channel
link: https://www.radiotimes.com
date: 2026-01-30T14:41:26.000Z
update period: hourly
update frequency: 1
update base: 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00
items: Bookish creator Mark Gatiss teases key revelation about Book’s past in "ambitious" season 2
items: Adjoa Andoh details how Bridgerton’s diversity in front of and behind the camera is "really wonderful"
items: Jason Statham is the modern-day Steve McQueen, says Shelter director
items: John Bishop explains why Bradley Cooper's film about life is "like watching a memory"
items: Bridgerton stars break down what that surprise nod to the Queen Charlotte spin-off means for season 4
items: Bridgerton star reflects on what it means to be part of the show's East Asian representation: "It’s pretty monumental"
items: Bridgerton star defends Lady Araminta – and explains why fans should empathise with her
items: Original Blake's 7 star reveals her biggest hopes and fears for reboot – from female representation to politics
items: Slow Horses star teases intriguing character change for season 6
items: Taskmaster's Alex Horne teases "never-before-seen" moment in season 21 involving movie star contestant
items: Doctor Who legend Alex Kingston "isn’t buying" Billie Piper regeneration twist
items: Netflix takes Bridgerton superfan to season 4 premiere to meet the cast – and fan has surprising connection to beloved star
items: School Spirits stars reveal how they've influenced Maddie and Wally's fate in season 3
items: Bridgerton star reveals how season 4 sets up her own leading story: "I’m buzzing to one day do it"
items: Jade from The Traitors reveals which video games she played to prepare – and it’s not the one you’d expect
items: Bridgerton star teases "confronting" season 4 character dynamic between Francesca and Michaela
items: Doctor Who's Carole Ann Ford: "I wanted to leave much earlier – but now I don't know what my life would be without it"
items: LEGO Smart Brick preview: These next-gen blocks rock
items: Siobhán McSweeney details what separates The Traitors Ireland from other international formats
items: Steve Coogan reveals why he didn't want to understand Roy Keane's perspective while making Saipan
items: Éanna Hardwicke explains how playing Roy Keane was more about capturing an "attitude" than impression
items: Scott Pilgrim EX creators "wouldn't call it a traditional beat 'em up" – Here's why
items: "It's basically changed my entire life" - Erik Flom on his Counter-Strike journey
items: Doctor Who legend Carole Ann Ford reveals her "emotional" reaction when watching David Bradley’s William Hartnell
items: Baldur's Gate 3 star Devora Wilde pitches her Lae'zel return idea: "That might be quite cool"
items: Doctor Who legend Carole Ann Ford says BBC has a "duty to the fans" to continue show
items: Is Rental Family based on a true story?
items: Star Trek legend reveals improvised callback to 30-year-old episode in new spin-off
items: Chris Chibnall on Doctor Who, Broadchurch and Agatha Christie's Seven Dials – The Radio Times Writers' Room
items: Doctor Who icon reveals her and William Hartnell's own alternative backstory for the Doctor and Susan

Bookish creator Mark Gatiss teases key revelation about Book’s past in "ambitious" season 2
type: item
date: 2026-01-30T14:41:26.000Z
creator: Louise Griffin
subject: Drama
subject: TV
subject: Exclusive
subject: News
subject: Radio Times Covers Party 2026
subject: Video
description: "It's really rich, this new season, and much more ambitious."
encoded: With Bookish season 2 on the horizon, creator Mark Gatiss has teased that the new instalment of the detective series will delve further into Gabriel Book's past. The crime drama, which follows the eccentric book shop owner and unlikely detective, gave us a dramatic revelation at the end of season 2 – that Book was in love with Jack's father, a man named Felix. Now, Gatiss has confirmed that season 2 will give us much more detail on what happened between the pair. Explaining what's to come in season 2 at the Radio Times Covers Party 2026, Gatiss revealed: "The first story is set in the world of spiritualism. The second story is about a murder in a tailor shop, and the third story is set in Germany where Book and Jack go to find out what happened to Jack's father, Felix." Also teasing what's to come in the later episodes, when we'll find out more about Book's past with Felix, he revealed: "Episode 5 [and] 6, that's what it's about. So we will find out what happened, who Felix was, what happened to him, the whole shebang!" View Green Video on the source website Season 1 proved wildly popular with fans, and Gatiss admitted he's been relishing the chance to write more of the series. "It's a real passion project," he explained. "The idea of a gay detective in a dangerous world, but also in the post-war world, which is something I've always been really interested in. "I love murder mysteries. I've always wanted to be a period detective, so to have that as a vehicle for all kinds of stories, is very, very exciting. "We've got some amazing people on series 2 coming: Miranda Richardson, Simon Callow, Claire Skinner, Alan Corduner. "It's really rich, this new season, and much more ambitious, having established, as it were, the precinct of the lane and without it stretching credulity, having murders quite close to home, we've sort of opened it up a bit, so I'm really excited about it." First-look images of season 2 were recently unveiled, with the show set to reunite us with Po…

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Adjoa Andoh details how Bridgerton’s diversity in front of and behind the camera is "really wonderful"
type: item
date: 2026-01-30T09:00:40.000Z
creator: Morgan Cormack
subject: Drama
subject: TV
subject: Exclusive
subject: Netflix
subject: News
subject: On demand
subject: Pass the Mic
subject: Video
description: The Bridgerton star spoke to Pass the Mic about the show's diversity on and off the screen.
encoded: Since its initial release, Bridgerton has been celebrated for rethinking what many think of as it relates to period dramas. A genre of TV that was often concerned with primarily white leading casts, Bridgerton's arrival on our screens has not only breathed new life into the medium, but has also proven that diversity can be done seamlessly and effectively for any major series. Yerin Ha marks a first for the series though, with her character Sophie Baek being the show's first East Asian lead and opening the doors on another level of joyous representation. While Bridgerton has continued to be a beacon of light for many in terms of onscreen representation, series star Adjoa Andoh also took the opportunity to highlight the behind-the-scenes diversity of the show also. When asked about her hopes for the future of diversity and representation within TV and film, Andoh told RadioTimes.com for Pass the Mic: “We live in the world, don’t we? And it’s lovely to have the world be able to watch themselves on screen. "We all love that, we love to see it – put a baby in front of a mirror and it’s the most fascinating thing ever. I don’t think we ever lose that fascination, whoever you are, from whatever background you are. "To have the range and the multiplicities of the stories, you will have stories that may focus on one demographic more and then another demographic but to have all the stories at a variety of times, it’s great." She added: "At a deepest level, we’re all human beings – we all love, we all get scared, we all need warmth and friendship, all those things and that’s common to all human beings. So to see all human beings in front of the camera and behind the camera is really wonderful.” Since season 1 premiered all the way back in 2020, the period drama has spawned a loyal legion of fans who are dedicated to the stories, its characters and often female-led storytelling. Previously speaking to Radio Times magazine about why casting actors of colour in a period drama is …

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Jason Statham is the modern-day Steve McQueen, says Shelter director
type: item
date: 2026-01-29T17:17:01.000Z
creator: Patrick Cremona
subject: Movies
subject: Exclusive
subject: News
subject: Video
description: It wouldn't be January without a new action film starring Statham.
encoded: It's become something of a tradition that every January brings with it a brand new Jason Statham action vehicle – and the latest entry in that ever-expanding canon arrives in UK cinemas this weekend. Shelter follows a fairly similar pattern to a lot of previous Statham flicks; he stars as a reclusive man with a mysterious, violent history who is called back into action when some shady figures from his past show up, teeing up all manner of stunts, car chases and brutal brawls. This time around his character is one-time assassin Mason, who we find living in exile at a lighthouse somewhere in the Outer Hebrides. But when a storm causes a dramatic boat accident that kills his fellow islander and former army pal, he finds himself caring for the friend's young daughter. And it doesn't take long after his first venture to the mainland for supplies before his whereabouts are located by his nefarious ex-employers, kicking off a high-octane action romp. The film is directed by Ric Roman Waugh, who has previously helmed a number of films starring fellow action heroes such as Gerard Butler and Dwayne Johnson. But speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com ahead of release, Waugh said there were a few things that set Statham apart from his peers. "I call him modern-day Steve McQueen," he explained, referencing the iconic star of The Great Escape and Bullitt, among many other classic movies. "Because he’s authentic – there’s nothing fake about Jason. And what I love about him in this movie is you get your cake and eat it too. You’re seeing the big action star that we all know, but you’re also seeing this family man." View Green Video on the source website He continued: "You're also seeing this guy who lives his own life with a code and also lives his action in real life; he is a martial artist... he is a fighter... he is a man that keeps himself fit everyday. "So we live vicariously through his characters of bringing that code, bringing that respect, bringing that sense of justice an…

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John Bishop explains why Bradley Cooper's film about life is "like watching a memory"
type: item
date: 2026-01-29T14:04:46.000Z
creator: Patrick Cremona
subject: Movies
subject: TV
subject: Exclusive
subject: News
subject: Video
description: Will Arnett plays a character inspired by the popular scouse comedian in new movie Is This Thing On?
encoded: With his first two films as director, Bradley Cooper took on some pretty major projects. For his debut behind the camera, he helmed A Star Is Born – the latest remake of one of Hollywood's most beloved musical stories, starring alongside pop superstar Lady Gaga in a film that would go on to build a legion of devoted fans and receive a glut of awards nominations. His follow-up was no less ambitious, this time a biopic exploring the life – and marriage – of legendary composer Leonard Bernstein, with Cooper again taking on the lead role and the Oscars again rewarding it with a number of major nods. But for his third film as director, Is This Thing On?, Cooper has gone in a slightly different, perhaps more lowkey, direction. This time around, the inspiration is none other than popular UK comedian and one-time Doctor Who star John Bishop, with Will Arnett playing a man who goes through loosely the same experiences as the Scouse comic. The film – which is set in New York rather than Liverpool – follows Arnett's character after he stumbles into a comedy career while his marriage is collapsing, only for his newfound interest to rejuvenate his life and help put a spark back into his marriage. " It's been a bit of a surreal experience seeing it," Bishop said of watching the film during an exclusive interview with RadioTimes.com ahead of release. "I think more so now we are doing these chats now. "We just had a screening in Liverpool at the weekend with friends and family and so they were seeing this projection onto the cinema screen of a life that they'd seen happen in real!" He added that because the film was inspired by what had happened between him and his wife, rather than being a more explicitly biographical film, he was able to take "a step back" – but he still found himself a little overawed by what he was seeing. "The moments in it and the essences in it are so on point [that it was at times like watching a memory," he said. "And it's mad because it came about, throug…

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Bridgerton stars break down what that surprise nod to the Queen Charlotte spin-off means for season 4
type: item
date: 2026-01-29T12:00:10.000Z
creator: Morgan Cormack
subject: Drama
subject: TV
subject: Exclusive
subject: Netflix
subject: News
subject: On demand
subject: Video
description: Bet you weren't expecting that, dear reader.
encoded: *Warning: This article contains a minor spoiler for the Bridgerton season 4 part 1 finale.* Although it was released back in 2023, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story remains a fan-favourite spin-off of the original Regency drama. The series lifted a lid on the indomitable Queen (Golda Rosheuvel) and her backstory, taking us through her whirlwind romance with King George and was a hit of a series. There haven't been any plans for a continuation of that spin-off but nevertheless, fans of the Regency drama remain committed to the memory of Queen Charlotte series. Going forward in the original series, fans now have a greater understanding of the younger years of not only the Queen, but also of Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) and Lady Violet (Ruth Gemmell). So, fans will undoubtedly be delighted to see a small nod to the Queen Charlotte series in Bridgerton season 4! While not a big moment by any means, eagle-eyed fans will spot that Lady Danbury makes her way through the Queen's palace with her in tow, but stops for a moment to admire one of the grand paintings adorning the hallway. When she looks up at it properly, we then get to see that it's actually a portrait of the Queen and Lady Danbury but as their younger selves. As Danbury stops to look at it, the Queen turns back and says: "Agatha?" but no more words are exchanged as she simply smiles and carries on. Seeing as the Queen Charlotte spin-off was such a success, how did it feel to incorporate that nod to the series and their younger characters? Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com, Adjoa Andoh said: “You’ve got it, woo! First of all, I’m chuffed that you got that because it’s very delicately in there and not everybody will perhaps notice it. I think what it’s saying is ‘Do you remember, audience? Do you remember those young women?’. "You see that remembrance and you understand the length of that friendship and all the vulnerabilities that were on display in that spin-off series. That series was a real gift to us an…

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Bridgerton star reflects on what it means to be part of the show's East Asian representation: "It’s pretty monumental"
type: item
date: 2026-01-29T11:00:17.000Z
creator: Morgan Cormack
subject: Drama
subject: TV
subject: Exclusive
subject: News
subject: Pass the Mic
subject: Video
description: Katie Leung stars as Lady Araminta Gun in Bridgerton season 4 and chats to Pass the Mic about what the role means to her.
encoded: Known for her roles in the Harry Potter films, Annika and Nightsleeper, actress Katie Leung is making her Bridgerton debut in the anticipated fourth season of the hit Netflix series. Starring as Lady Araminta Gun, Leung's character is a complex one, and John's cousin Michaela (Masali Baduza) first meets her treating her stepdaughter Sophie (Yerin Ha) terribly. As we dig into their own back stories, we come to find out how the two women crossed paths and how Araminta went on to employ Sophie as her live-in maid. While their character dynamics aren't exactly close, the introduction of Leung's Araminta, Ha's Sophie and Araminta's daughters Rosamund (Michelle Mao) and Posy (Isabella Wei) all signal a shift for Bridgerton, as they all step into the spotlight as the show's first East Asian lead family. Ha is heading up the cast as Bridgerton's first ever East Asian romantic lead, a feat worth celebrating in any TV landscape but for such a major series, it just continues to show that people from all backgrounds can be in leading roles in period dramas. But what does it mean to Leung to also be part of such storytelling? Chatting exclusively to RadioTimes.com for Pass the Mic, Leung admitted: "It feels pretty monumental. I think especially because we’re looking at a family dynamic, it’s not just any role within Bridgerton, it’s the dynamic of the family that’s explored and that is why it’s important because people can watch it and resonate because it’s universal, relationships are what matters." She went on: "It’s quite a blessing to be a part of it and I hope that it’s just – I feel like we’re still not quite there yet, where we need to be. And that’s why Bridgerton is so successful because it has always been a diverse show and it’s successful because it’s so well written and it’s all about … it’s so that people can resonate with the relationship dynamics. "The more we see of that, the more we are going to be working towards something where we’re all going to be happier an…

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Bridgerton star defends Lady Araminta – and explains why fans should empathise with her
type: item
date: 2026-01-29T09:00:51.000Z
creator: Morgan Cormack
subject: Drama
subject: TV
subject: Exclusive
subject: Netflix
subject: News
subject: On demand
subject: Video
description: Lady Araminta is set to be Bridgerton's new antagonist but actress Katie Leung says that fans should "empathise" with her.
encoded: There's a brand new family on the block in Bridgerton season 4 and as fans get whisked up into Benedict (Luke Thompson) and Sophie's (Yerin Ha) love story, we also get introduced to the fierce and often cruel matriarch of Lady Araminta Gun. Played by Harry Potter and Annika star Katie Leung, there's a lot that meets the eye to her new character. Having been married and widowed twice, Araminta is majorly concerned with making sure that her daughters Rosamund (Michelle Mao) and Posy (Isabella Wei) debut this season but she's also described as "fabulous, discerning, and blunt". So, it's safe to say that Araminta will be forging her own path in the Ton this season and isn't one to care too much about the opinions of others. Araminta will undoubtedly be a character that gets the Bridgerton fanbase talking, not least because she does fall into the 'antagonist' category. But what is it that she wants viewers to understand about her character? Chatting exclusively to RadioTimes.com, the actress revealed: "I think the main thing to understand is that she is a single mother who’s trying to juggle just surviving. Especially back then, in this Regency era, having two daughters is not ideal because the sons manage the household. So, she’s had to do everything herself, having been married twice and widowed twice. "So, she’s inevitably built up this wall of protection for herself, for her daughters and she’s on survival mode. She has to take on this ruthless, high-achieving stance attitude in order to achieve her goals." Read more: Bridgerton star teases "confronting" season 4 character dynamic between Francesca and Michaela Unforgotten season 7 releases major production update – and confirms Peaky Blinders and Coronation Street favourites for new cast Leung continues: "The thing to understand as well is that she loves her daughters, she just doesn’t really show it so much. She shows it through different ways but not in the affectionate way that we see in someone like Violet, for …

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Original Blake's 7 star reveals her biggest hopes and fears for reboot – from female representation to politics
type: item
date: 2026-01-28T17:00:56.000Z
creator: Louise Griffin
subject: Sci-fi
subject: TV
subject: Exclusive
subject: News
subject: Video
description: "We were the Robin Hoods in space and we were fighting for the dispossessed."
encoded: Excitedly chatting a few days after the news hits that a Blake's 7 reboot is in development, original star Sally Knyvette declares: "It's about time!" The actress starred as Flight Officer Jenna Stannis in the iconic sci-fi that aired from 1978 to 1981 and followed Roj Blake (Gareth Thomas) and his group of rebels as they waged war on the totalitarian Terran Federation. While Knyvette stepped away after season 2, in part due to being disappointed with how her character had been written, the series has now been part of her life for almost 50 years. Over the years since it ended, she's heard whisperings of reboots various times - but she's hoping that this time, with director Peter Hoar, exec Matthew Bouch and producer Jason Haigh-Ellery at the helm, might be the one to make it all the way, But what exactly does the reboot need to do to succeed? Knyvette has a few key requirements... Keep it political - but "focused" In the wake of the reboot news, some fans expressed their fears that the series would become "too woke" - despite the fact that it has been overtly political since its inception. To that, Knyvette says: "Don't let it be too woke. I would agree on that. I couldn't agree more. Let it stick to what it's about - the evil forces of the Federation." However, she goes on to add: "You look at the governments around the world now and you think we've all got to stand up to what's going on a lot of the time. I'll only say that in a very generalised way. "But we were the Robin Hoods in space and we were fighting for the dispossessed, we were helping those that were being attacked by evil forces and long may it remain in that vein, because anything that can lighten the rather dark load of what's going on in the world at the moment would be fantastic." "Woke is such a big word. It covers so many things and I want to be careful, because I'm not against the way life is going at all, in many, many ways but what I want to see is people with backbone and resilience and not …

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Slow Horses star teases intriguing character change for season 6
type: item
date: 2026-01-28T16:29:09.000Z
creator: Louise Griffin
subject: Drama
subject: TV
subject: Exclusive
subject: News
subject: Radio Times Covers Party 2026
subject: Video
description: There's about to be a personality shift for Roddy Ho.
encoded: It seems Slow Horses' Roddy Ho (Christopher Chung) might have learnt a few lessons after being (checks notes) nearly run over, shot at, locked up, interrogated, hacked, and honey trapped in season 5. Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com at the Radio Times Covers Party about what's ahead for his expert hacker in season 6 of the beloved spy thriller, Chung teased a bit of a personality change... "Roddy is a little bit more spiritual," he revealed. "He might have learned a few things from season 5, from the love that he didn't get returned back to him. You might see him in a little bit more of a holistic place in season 6." He added: "Playing Roddy is so brilliant because you just get to say exactly the things that you are not allowed to say in real life and be completely unfiltered, uncensored, and as obnoxious as you like, but trying to imbue him with a sense of humanity. It's always really fun." View Green Video on the source website Asked if he has a bit more of that humanity in season 6 after his experiences in season 5, Chung responded: "I think he does. "Well, I don't know if that's necessarily something that he would show to anyone else. He always has the wall up, even though inside maybe he's a little bit more like a puppy dog than anyone would realise." Season 6, which is due to be released later this year, will adapt two of Mick Herron's novels at the same time. Reflecting on how that might change the feel of the show, Chung explained: "I think every season of Slow Horses has a slightly different feel to it. "So I think what we've managed to do this season is to combine the two books into one and give it a real propelling force forward, to really elevate the series from where we left off in season 5." And as for the future of the show? "I'd be happy to play Roddy until – well, not the day I die, because that could be a long time. But I think the day that I have to take my Roddy Ho hat off will be a very sad day, so hopefully it's not anytime soon." Slow Ho…

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Taskmaster's Alex Horne teases "never-before-seen" moment in season 21 involving movie star contestant
type: item
date: 2026-01-28T15:56:37.000Z
creator: Louise Griffin
subject: Entertainment
subject: TV
subject: Exclusive
subject: News
subject: Radio Times Covers Party 2026
subject: Video
description: Kumail Nanjiani, what did you do?!
encoded: Taskmaster's Little Alex Horne has unsettled and excited us in equal measure with a cryptic tease about season 21, involving new contestant Kumail Nanjiani. The Eternals actor is one of the latest stars to take on the show, and has already filmed alongside fellow comedians Amy Gledhill, Armando Iannucci, Joanna Page and Joel Dommett. And, when asked by RadioTimes.com at the Radio Times Covers Party 2026 about which moment is most likely to go down in Taskmaster history, the Hollywood actor immediately came to mind for Horne. "There is a moment involving Kumail Nanjiani. I don't want to give much away, but he gives a lot away about what he does by himself in his hotel room. So that's what you've got to tune in for," he teased. "He surprised himself by what he revealed, and I was sat next to him, and it's a big moment. It's a never-before-seen Taskmaster moment." Consider us intrigued! View Green Video on the source website Meanwhile, it seems comedy legend Iannucci also has a tricky time ahead of him, with Horne giving his take on each of the season 21 contestants. Horne said: "Armando Iannucci's in it, which is a surprise to me, because he's a comedy legend and a very clever man, you'd think. Not on Taskmaster! "It turns out Armando is an idiot, which is so nice to [know]. I found him quite daunting to meet and work with, but within five minutes, you realise he's the same as everyone else. He crumbles under pressure. "And then we've got Kumail Nanjiani from the movies, Joel Dommett from The Masked Singer, Amy Gledhill, who's just fabulous at everything, and Joanna Page from Gavin & Stacey. So it's a high calibre line-up." View Green Video on the source website Meanwhile, Horne is fresh from a trip to the US with his Taskmaster Live on Stage USA tour. Chatting about any dream American contestants, he immediately listed off: "Ali Wong, Sarah Silverman, Conan O'Brien. "I'd get Seth Myers and John Oliver on because they just did our one in America, the live show, and th…

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Doctor Who legend Alex Kingston "isn’t buying" Billie Piper regeneration twist
type: item
date: 2026-01-28T15:09:02.000Z
creator: Louise Griffin
subject: Sci-fi
subject: TV
subject: Exclusive
subject: News
subject: Radio Times Covers Party 2026
subject: Video
description: "She's not a Gallifreyan!"
encoded: Doctor Who legend Alex Kingston has given her take on the latest regeneration twist, which saw Ncuti Gatwa's the Time Lord regenerate into returning star Billie Piper – and she's not having any of it! With the details of the twist still being left up in the air, the River Song actress, who starred alongside David Tennant and Matt Smith during their eras on the show, is insistent that Piper isn't playing the new Doctor. Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com at the Radio Times Covers Party 2026, Kingston said: "I didn't see the Billie Piper twist coming at all. To be perfectly honest, I still don't quite believe it because she's not a Gallifreyan, she's a human. "I think there's some playing going on here. But I don't buy that she's the next Doctor, and if she is, they're gonna have to work hard to convince me, because she's not a Gallifreyan!" Of course, Piper previously starred as companion Rose Tyler in Doctor Who and, with her recent return, does that mean we could see a comeback for River too? View Green Video on the source website "I haven't really stopped being River because I do so many audio recordings and boxsets of of her journeys with the Doctors, but also she has her own River Song Diaries," Kingston pointed out. "So I've never left that world. Would I like to come back? 100 per cent. It's nothing but sheer joy when you work on Doctor Who, and I've actually even said that I believe that, because she's been saved in a computer program, she could come back in a computer program. Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. "She could 3D print herself. She could hack into any computer in the universe and cause mayhem. I just feel like there's a lot of opportunity if they wanted to go down that route. "But maybe they feel like that's the end of that character…

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Netflix takes Bridgerton superfan to season 4 premiere to meet the cast – and fan has surprising connection to beloved star
type: item
date: 2026-01-28T14:05:38.000Z
creator: Morgan Cormack
subject: Drama
subject: TV
subject: Exclusive
subject: Netflix
subject: News
subject: On demand
subject: Video
description: "I feel like I identify with her."
encoded: We're well and truly in the swing of Bridgerton season and Netflix have thought of an incredible way to mark the occasion – and that's by treating one mega fan to an experience of a lifetime. The streamer held a competition to find the biggest Bridgerton fan out there and after sifting through countless applications and nominations from loved ones, they crowned one lucky winner. Well now, RadioTimes.com can reveal what went down when Sarah – who was none the wiser as to what surprises she had in store – found out that she was going to be whisked away to the Bridgerton premiere in Paris. Having been nominated by her best friend, we find out more about Sarah's personal life and how she spends a lot of her time caring for others but ultimately, always keeping Bridgerton close to her heart. So much so, in fact, that she identifies with Nicola Coughlan's Penelope, even revealing that she keeps dying her hair ginger to match the character's. "I do, I keep going 'Oh, I'm in my Penelope Bridgerton phase!'," she tells the camera, thinking she's applying to be on a quiz show. In the clip, we see how everything is pulled off on the day in question, with Sarah being told that she's going on a first aid course for work with her friend and travelling to a training centre. Once there, a series of random events occurs but once in the room with the other 'participants', the teacher asks Sarah to go up to the front and asks her about her favourite TV show. Regaling the room about how much she loves Bridgerton, she's then asked to write the show's name on a whiteboard. But as she does, the walls slowly come away from her, revealing an extravagant ballroom with Regency dancers circling the floor in gowns and suits – just like it's been pulled straight from the series. Sarah's then told to make her way to the throne, where she's told she's been nominated by her friend and is invited to attend the Paris premiere, a true dream come true for any fan. Speaking of her experience, Sarah said:…

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School Spirits stars reveal how they've influenced Maddie and Wally's fate in season 3
type: item
date: 2026-01-28T10:00:27.000Z
creator: Louise Griffin
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: Exclusive
subject: News
subject: Paramount Plus
subject: Video
encoded: School is officially back in session in School Spirits season 3 - and, by this point, stars Peyton List and Milo Manheim know exactly where they want their characters to go. The supernatural drama is set to pick up after the massive cliffhanger that saw Maddie (List) return to her body, while Simon (Kristian Flores) is now the one trapped in the afterlife. Meanwhile, Wally's (Manheim) fate was left up the air. Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com about what's to come in season 3, List and Manheim revealed their requests and questions for the show's creative team. Manheim told us: "They want to hear about what we think makes sense for our characters. "I feel like Wally, in the past, has always been such a team player and down for anything, but I told them he's always sort of a step behind figuring things out, and this season, I'd love for him to be a step ahead. I'd love for him not only to go along with a plan, but maybe come up with a plan. "I think that they really took that note well, and I think we see that happen this season. It's a very adventurous season for Wally." Asked whether Maddie will be helping Simon this season like he helped her, List explained: "That was my first question for the creators and the directors as well! I just wanted to make sure that Maddie is fighting for Simon as hard as he fought for her. "But she has so many other concerns and worries with this new superintendent at the school and with her relationship with her mother... "[She has] so many things that Simon kind of ends up...she's so worried about him, but there's so many other things happening." As for what this all means for Maddie and Wally's relationship? "Wally's really going on his own individual journey this season," Manheim says. "He's done a lot of helping out for others, and I think it's time he starts thinking about himself and putting his needs first. We're definitely a new side of Wally this season." As List points out, Maddie has more than ever to deal with this sea…

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Bridgerton star reveals how season 4 sets up her own leading story: "I’m buzzing to one day do it"
type: item
date: 2026-01-27T09:00:55.000Z
creator: Morgan Cormack
subject: Drama
subject: TV
subject: Exclusive
subject: Netflix
subject: News
subject: On demand
subject: Video
description: How exactly does Bridgerton season 4 set up Eloise for her own love story?
encoded: It's now been confirmed that the next seasons of Bridgerton will see Eloise (Claudia Jessie) and Francesca (Hannah Dodd) taking the lead in their respective instalments. While we don't exactly know who will be first up, it's exciting news nonetheless for fans of the novels who have waited patiently for the Bridgerton sisters to get their own turns in the limelight. While this upcoming fourth season of the show focuses on their unserious brother Benedict (Luke Thompson), the series will surely set up his siblings for their own stories as the show has previously done in subtle ways. But how does season 4 set the stage for Eloise's own season, if at all? When chatting exclusively to RadioTimes.com – which you can watch in the video above – the actress revealed: "In terms of setting her up, I think Eloise is desperately trying to find her way of doing it, right? "That’s what I’ve always been excited to be able to one day do, is to show love or romance or whatever her journey is in the most Eloise way possible. "I think she’s just trying to find out her way of doing it." Jessie continued: "That’s what I think the set-up is until ultimately we see what her way of doing it is, her version of it. I’m buzzing to one day do it. I love this show with my whole heart, I love my colleagues, I love Eloise so I’ll be buzzing to do it.” As fans of the Regency drama will know, Eloise hasn't been concerned with matters of the heart and has been more preoccupied with tracking down Lady Whistledown. Finally learning the truth of her identity and coming to blows with best friend Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) over it, Eloise's story has gone through its own various twists but the Bridgerton daughter has never been interested in making her social debut. Read more: Bridgerton star teases "confronting" season 4 character dynamic between Francesca and Michaela The Night Manager season 2 airs major death of [spoiler] in shocking twist ahead of the finale However, last season did see Eloise take a…

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Jade from The Traitors reveals which video games she played to prepare – and it’s not the one you’d expect
type: item
date: 2026-01-27T08:00:02.000Z
creator: Helen Daly
subject: Entertainment
subject: Gaming
subject: Technology
subject: TV
subject: Exclusive
subject: Interview
subject: News
subject: Video
description: Four games fit for a finalist.
encoded: Jade Scott made it to the final of The Traitors season 4, and she made no secret of her video game experience in the show’s candid pieces to camera. So, here at Radio Times Gaming, we couldn’t resist the opportunity to get on the phone with Jade and find out which games she played in preparation. Surprisingly, Jade didn’t name Among Us — for many, the definitive game like The Traitors — on her list of favourites, noting that she finds it “a bit childish”. What did she play, then? As Jade told us: “I was playing a lot of social deception games. So I played a lot of Project Winter, [which is] a bit different.” Project Winter, if you were wondering, is an 8-player survival game where players have to handle traitorous social situations as well as the deadly weather. Jade continued: “I've never really played Among Us. I just find it a bit childish. That said, I was playing a lot of Dale & Dawson, which was so unserious.” Dale & Dawson: Stationary Supplies can support anywhere from four to 21 players, and it tasks managers and specialists with spotting the slackers in their workforce (and firing them). And did Jade find that her gaming experience really helped in the castle? In Jade’s words: “I think gaming, there's a level of communication needed, especially in teamwork games, right? And you're always talking, whether to your friends, or you are always speaking to teammates that you get allocated with. “I think that helped a lot, especially when I was speaking at the roundtables. Like, I didn't quite realise... it's one thing to speak and it's another thing to watch yourself back when you speak, so that was actually really, really nice to see. “And also, I managed to hit one of the vases with the rocks, so I think that was where my hand eye coordination came in.” Since returning from The Traitors castle, however, Jade’s gaming habits have changed a little. As she puts it: "After coming back, I was kind of like, 'I need a break from social deception games'. So, at the mom…

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Bridgerton star teases "confronting" season 4 character dynamic between Francesca and Michaela
type: item
date: 2026-01-25T09:00:51.000Z
creator: Morgan Cormack
subject: Drama
subject: TV
subject: Exclusive
subject: Netflix
subject: News
subject: On demand
subject: Video
description: What does Bridgerton season 4 hold for Francesca and Michaela?
encoded: In among the romantic story of Colin (Luke Newton) and Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) at the end of Bridgerton season 3, fans of the period drama were also left on a bit of a cliffhanger as it related to Francesca (Hannah Dodd). She may have had an intimate marriage ceremony and wed Lord John Stirling (Victor Alli), but there was a clear spark between Francesca and John's cousin Michaela (Masali Baduza) once they met. Their season 3 meeting only led fans into overdrive about what the future could hold and seeing as we now know that Francesca is set to be one of the leads of an upcoming season, many will be waiting to see what becomes of her connection with Michaela. Teasing what's to come between them in season 4, series star Hannah Dodd teased: “What can I say? I think Michaela is a character that challenges Francesca whereas John is a character that makes space for Francesca. They’re both really important for Francesca to move forward." Dodd continues: "I think Francesca is very inhibited by rules of society and rules she puts on herself and expectations she puts on herself. Michaela throws that away and even in life, in modern day, when you meet that person and you’re like ‘Why don’t you feel like this?’ I think that’s the dynamic between the two of them. "It’s quite a confronting feeling for Francesca and a new feeling, a challenging one. I just think there’s an exploration of those feelings.” As fans of the original Julia Quinn novels will know, the role of Michaela has been gender-flipped for the series. The original novels also see Lord Stirling die and Francesca fall in love with Michaela, but as for how that will play out in the series, we'll have to wait and see. Read more: Legally Blonde prequel series finally gets release date confirmed – with added good news for Elle Woods fans Steal's Sophie Turner reveals *that* twist made her want to sign onto the show In terms of what's been happening with Francesca since we last saw her on our screens, Dodd also said: …

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Doctor Who's Carole Ann Ford: "I wanted to leave much earlier – but now I don't know what my life would be without it"
type: item
date: 2026-01-25T08:00:20.000Z
creator: Louise Griffin
subject: Sci-fi
subject: TV
subject: BBC
subject: Doctor Who Insiders
subject: Interview
subject: Video
description: The trailblazing Doctor Who companion reflects on her complex relationship with the beloved series.
encoded: Despite her original run on Doctor Who spanning just two seasons, Carole Ann Ford has lived with her trail-blazing character, Susan Foreman, for more than 62 years. "I can't imagine not having her in my head," she tells RadioTimes.com, as she sits down for an in-depth interview at her London home. "I haven't been apart from her." Ford first appeared as Susan Foreman, the first ever Doctor Who companion and the Time Lord's granddaughter, in the iconic first serial An Unearthly Child, broadcast in 1963. Starring alongside William Hartnell, who played the First Doctor, she paved the way for every single companion that would come after her. Looking back on her memories of filming An Unearthly Child all those years ago, Ford recalls: "It somehow cemented Susan within me. I think, when I walked through the junkyard and saw the TARDIS, it was a feeling of home." Part of the magic of the early days of Doctor Who was also the chemistry between Ford and her co-stars, including the late great Hartnell, who Ford spent hours with on set creating their own backstory for their characters. There was also the "adorable" William Russell, who played Ian Chesterton ("I suggested to them that maybe Susan could have crush on him") and the "kind and thoughtful" Jacqueline Hill (Barbara Wright). "They're very much missed. I can't believe that they're no longer here," Ford says. "[Hill] would love to have seen how it progressed and and Russ was there to see the big time happening for us and being part of it. "It's always difficult when you lose mates like that. And as we were just the four of us for a long time, we were like a family. We knew how the other person worked and what made them tick. "It's very important to know how your fellow actor is going to react if you make a slight change in the dialogue...We were all so relaxed with each other. We knew each other so well. You had to jolly well trust each other, because there's so much potential for it to go wrong." Of course, despite Doct…

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LEGO Smart Brick preview: These next-gen blocks rock
type: item
date: 2026-01-24T08:00:27.000Z
creator: Guy Cocker
subject: Gaming
subject: Technology
subject: Comment
subject: Exclusive
subject: Video
description: We go hands-on with the first genuinely new LEGO upgrade in decades.
encoded: There have been a few major innovations in LEGO's history: LEGO Technic in 1977, and the minifigure a year later, but those are nearly 50 years ago now. In the interim, the LEGO brand has kept its place as the world's favourite toy mainly by pairing up with kids' favourite intellectual property, including Star Wars, Marvel, Minecraft and Super Mario. Enter the Smart Play system, out this year, which incorporates modern digital technology such as sensors, speakers and lights to offer the first new way to play with LEGO in decades. We went hands on at the CES conference in Las Vegas to find out more! So, what actually is this new range? The Smart Play system incorporates the Smart Brick itself, which is the hub of the whole experience thanks to the built-in sensors, speakers, lights and custom chips it houses. Check out LEGO Smart Play at LEGO These allow it to be aware of data such as movement, as well as proximity to other Smart products. Those include the Smart tags and Smart minifigures, both of which tell the Smart Brick how to behave — for example, make duck noises if the tag is attached to a duck, or mimic Darth Vader's breathing and vocals if it's a Smart minifigure of the Sith Lord. The real genius, though, is how LEGO's engineers have programmed the Smart Brick to enhance LEGO play and make it more fun and interactive. Maarten Simons, the Design Manager on the project for the last few years, started our CES session with a relatively simple demonstration, attaching a Smart Tag to the Smart Brick to play simple musical notes and flashing lights when you tilt and move the brick around. Another Smart Tag tells the brick to be a car, making engine noises as you move, tyre screeching noises as you go round a corner, and a crashing noise when you hit something. There were similar demos with a helicopter, a duck and a dinosaur. However, things get a lot more fun when you combine multiple LEGO items that feature Smart Bricks, as they interact with each other in both …

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Siobhán McSweeney details what separates The Traitors Ireland from other international formats
type: item
date: 2026-01-23T22:00:02.000Z
creator: Katelyn Mensah
subject: Entertainment
subject: Reality TV
subject: TV
subject: Exclusive
subject: News
subject: Video
description: "They're not backward at coming forward, shall we say?"
encoded: It's been a long time coming but The Traitors Ireland is finally making its way to BBC One, and fans of the juicy and deceptive format are in for a treat. Hosted by comedy great Siobhán McSweeney, viewers will be transported to Slane Castle in County Meath, Ireland, as a group of strangers play the ultimate murder mystery game. Kicking off at 12:10am on Saturday 24th January, it has been teased that the players make a decision that ripples through the castle as the Traitors are chosen and the lies begin. But are the rumours of this series' cutthroat nature true? Well, speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com, McSweeney was sure not to give away any spoilers but teased there is something slightly different about the Irish cast to other international formats that audiences may pick up on. She explained: "One of the franchise, who goes around the whole world setting up the show, a lovely man. He was with us as we helped set up the show, as it was our first series, and of course, everybody was asking him, 'Oh, are we different to everybody else?' Every country wants to be somewhat exceptional in their own sort of way. "[There are] particular characteristics that make them all this more special. And he quite brilliantly, and I [was] delighted to hear, he was like, 'Nah, everyone is sort of the same, it's a global village out there, everybody is sort of behaving the exact same, Traitors, Faithfuls, etc.'" But there was one difference that McSweeney noted, and it was the immediate chatty nature of the cast before they'd really got to know one another, which spawned moments that perhaps show producers weren't expecting to happen until much later down the line. She added: "Before people even had their first cup of tea, they were chatting away. "Usually it takes a while for the contestants to loosen up and to have a chat and to 'Oh, hello, what's your name?' and they're polite, whereas people were going up the stairs to the front door of the castle, they were already [chatting …

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Steve Coogan reveals why he didn't want to understand Roy Keane's perspective while making Saipan
type: item
date: 2026-01-23T10:07:27.000Z
creator: Patrick Cremona
subject: Movies
subject: Exclusive
subject: News
subject: Video
description: The Alan Partridge star plays former Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy in the new film about the infamous 2002 bust-up.
encoded: As football bust-ups go, it's hard to think of many that have crossed over into the news cycle to quite the same extent as the infamous spat between Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy ahead of the 2002 World Cup. The argument – which ultimately led to Keane missing out on his only chance to play at a World Cup – stemmed from the legendary midfielder's issues with what he perceived to be a lacklustre preparation for the tournament, and sparked huge debate among fans. That debate continues to divide people to this day – especially in Ireland – and so when RadioTimes.com exclusively spoke to star Steve Coogan, who plays McCarthy in new film Saipan, we asked if he tried to see both sides of the argument or if he looked at things entirely from the manager's perspective. "Objectively, I – Steve Coogan, the actor – can look at both those points of view and go well, actually, I can see both," he responded. 'They're both compelling, and they've got a certain about of credibility. "[But] as an actor, I almost deliberately wanted to not see Roy's point of view because playing Mick, I wanted to get inside [his] head and it doesn't help me to have lots of empathy with Roy's point of view." Coogan added that he reached out to McCarthy and chatted to him, attempting to "get more of a feeling of what was driving him or what made him tick". And it was only afterwards, while watching the film, that he truly began to get a sense of the two sides of the argument. "That's the joy of it," added Éanna Hardwicke, who plays Keane. "It's getting to watch it and for that to be revealed. Like, I was very much staying in my lane. We did have a few script chats before we started filming, and I learned a lot from that. "[But] I think I, probably quite lazily, just [thought] I'm going to stay in the lane of this thing, and then afterwards, you get to see the film, and you get to see the kind of richness of how opposite their perspectives were, actually." View oEmbed on the source website Coogan also poin…

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Éanna Hardwicke explains how playing Roy Keane was more about capturing an "attitude" than impression
type: item
date: 2026-01-22T14:23:16.000Z
creator: Patrick Cremona
subject: Movies
subject: Exclusive
subject: News
subject: Video
description: The star of The Sixth Commandment takes on the role of the legendary Irish midfielder in new film Saipan.
encoded: There haven't been many footballers in the past few decades with a larger, stronger presence than Roy Keane. The legendary Manchester United and Republic of Ireland star – who is of course now an opinionated Sky Sports pundit – was something of a major force, known for his deeply competitive spirit and occasionally hot-headed temperament, both on and off the pitch. Both of those qualities are very much on display in new film Saipan, which dramatises Keane's infamous bust-up with Ireland manager Mick McCarthy in the run-up to the 2002 World Cup, a spat which ultimately saw the iconic midfielder miss out on what was his only opportunity to play at football's most prestigious tournament. The film sees The Sixth Commandment star Éanna Hardwicke take on the role of Keane alongside Steve Coogan – no stranger to playing real people – as McCarthy. And speaking to RadioTimes.com for an exclusive interview ahead of the film's release, Hardwicke explained how he approached the challenge of playing such a well-known figure. "I think we were really on the same page with this, and I've loved and admired so many of Steve's real character portrayals," he revealed, adding that deciding how to approach a real life character tended to depend on the particular film or TV project in question. "The extent to which the physical accuracy, the vocal accuracy, is important, and then the extent to which you're just trying to capture the essence or soul of someone in your own way," he explained. "For me, it was probably the latter in this. We're telling a story about an event rather than a biopic. So for me, it was always about capturing a spirit, an attitude." He explained that there were certain projects – such as Coogan's portrayal of Jimmy Savile in 2023 BBC series The Reckoning – where "pinpoint accuracy" and "precision" are more important, but that in Saipan he felt "freed from the biopic-ness." View oEmbed on the source website With Keane having been a public figure now for almost three…

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Scott Pilgrim EX creators "wouldn't call it a traditional beat 'em up" – Here's why
type: item
date: 2026-01-21T15:25:04.000Z
creator: Rob Leane
subject: Gaming
subject: Technology
subject: Exclusive
subject: Interview
subject: Video
description: Bryan Lee O’Malley returns for a new story.
encoded: Scott Pilgrim EX might be a successor to a 2010 beat ‘em up (Scott Pilgrim vs the World: The Game), but its developers wouldn’t call this new release a “traditional” entry in that genre. On the Radio Times Gaming podcast this week, as we continue to preview the big games of 2026, we’ve shared our exclusive interview with Scott Pilgrim EX community manager Ziva Reby. During the chat, which you can also enjoy as a video (see the player above or the Radio Times Gaming YouTube channel), Reby explains why EX isn’t “a traditional beat 'em up”. Before we got onto that, Reby revealed that Bryan Lee O’Malley — Scott Pilgrim’s comic book creator — has been very hands-on with this project. “ Bryan has been involved in the process since the beginning,” Reby told us at the Gamescom conference last summer. “I think he wanted to be more involved in this game. So, he works with our narrative designer, Yannick [Belzil], to craft a brand new story.” As for what that story will entail, Reby teased: “Yannick and Brian work together to create this new version of Scott, Metal Scott. The origin [of whom] will have to be discovered as you play the game. “Of course, Scott is super enthused to have kind of a video game version of himself. Ramona's a little less enthused by the idea, 'cause of course, Metal Scott has kidnapped all the members of the Sex Bob-Ombs as well as their instruments. And they have a show tonight.” As we saw when we demoed the game, it doesn't strictly stick to the rules of the beat ‘em genre, which seems fitting for a counter-culture icon like Scott Pilgrim. In fact, at times it feels more like a role-playing game. Reby explained, “So, we can't call it an RPG, but I wouldn't call it just a traditional beat 'em up in the style that people know from our company here at Tribute Games. “There's elements of RPG, like shopkeeping, where you can upgrade certain stats. You can buy badges, accessories, to give yourself different abilities. You can really build a build that is …

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"It's basically changed my entire life" - Erik Flom on his Counter-Strike journey
type: item
date: 2026-01-21T15:00:21.000Z
creator: Cole Luke
subject: Gaming
subject: Technology
subject: Exclusive
subject: Video
description: "You did this because you were stupid."
encoded: Just at the end of last year, Monster Energy flew the Radio Times out to Hungary for the Counter-Strike 2 StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, held within the MVM Dome. It was a truly fantastic event, with unbelievable play on show from the teams involved, but, only one team could remain standing, and it was Team Vitality who ended up taking the trophy back home to France. In amongst this, we got the chance to speak to venerable Counter-Strike player and streamer, Erik Flom (who otherwise goes by fl0m), for a quick interview about his thoughts on CS, past, present and future. We also interviewed Chris Alesund, AKA GeT_RiGhT, and you can check out that interview on the Radio Times Gaming YouTube channel. But as for Flom, who has been part of the scene for over two decades now, we were curious to hear what the biggest changes in Counter-Strike have been for him. "I mean, the scale," Flom told us, without missing a beat. "I used to go to events, and I was hoping to win them, not to lose money. Now, you know… I've built my entire life. I have a great house, family. It's basically changed my entire life". Compare this to when Flom first started, he tells us it was "very small potatoes. No salaries, no nothing. You're just doing it because you're stupid, basically. And now… we're in here. We're in Budapest, and there's an arena with 20,000 people." It can certainly be easy to get swept up in the moment of it all, particularly when you're among thousands of people, with pyrotechnics going off, punctuating the craziest strats you’ve ever seen in esports. But not all in Counter-Strike land has been hunky dory. View oEmbed on the source website Last year, Valve made changes to how the controversial skins market operates, causing some to see the value of their Steam inventories go down by thousands of pounds, with others becoming richer overnight. The move came out of nowhere and sent shockwaves across the community. But had it affected the professional Counter-Strike scene? Flom w…

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Doctor Who legend Carole Ann Ford reveals her "emotional" reaction when watching David Bradley’s William Hartnell
type: item
date: 2026-01-21T08:00:56.000Z
creator: Louise Griffin
subject: Sci-fi
subject: TV
subject: Doctor Who Insiders
subject: Exclusive
subject: News
subject: Video
description: "Every time I see it, I burst into tears."
encoded: For many Doctor Who fans, watching the 50th anniversary docudrama An Adventure in Space and Time was emotional - but no one's experience could compare to Carole Ann Ford's. Ford played Susan, Doctor Who's first ever companion, who assisted the debut Doctor actor William Hartnell in his adventures across the galaxy from 1963-1964, with some of their earliest experiences on set being dramatised for the modern special. In the docudrama, David Bradley playing Hartnell and Claudia Grant played Ford. While Ford, who made a cameo in the special, admitted the experience of seeing herself played as a character felt "extremely creepy", on the whole, she loved An Adventure in Space and Time. Recalling how she felt when she watched the film, created by Mark Gatiss, she exclusively told RadioTimes.com: "I loved it. I've seen it a few times. Now, every time I see it, I burst into tears. I find it very emotional, looking at Bill as he was, and everybody else who’s no longer with us. "Mark did a fabulous job with his research. He took me out to lunch so we could have a good old chat about it, which was fabulous. I loved it. He's a wonderful man - he really digs deep into what he's doing. I know he researches everything. He certainly researched that really, very well." Meanwhile, during the in-depth chat about her time on Doctor Who, Ford also reflected on her close friendship with her old co-stars, including the late Hartnell. "I thought he was adorable!" she said. "He was very charming, very sweet, very considerate, and took it all very seriously, which I approved of. I don't like people messing about and giggling – they've got to take the work seriously." She added: "The part was so important to him. It was everything to him. And because of that, he was a real perfectionist with it." Meanwhile, she remembers Jaqueline Hill, who played Barbara Wright as "a lovely, kind, thoughtful lady, who was a great actress." As for William Russell? "My first impression was 'Cor!', and then I s…

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Baldur's Gate 3 star Devora Wilde pitches her Lae'zel return idea: "That might be quite cool"
type: item
date: 2026-01-19T17:18:23.000Z
creator: Rob Leane
subject: Gaming
subject: Technology
subject: Exclusive
subject: Video
description: What does the future, or the past, hold for Lae’zel?
encoded: Devora Wilde, who played Lae’zel in the beloved Baldur’s Gate 3, has been chatting to us about potentially revisiting her iconic Githyanki character. Wilde is the latest guest in our Arcade Hang interview series, and you can watch our BG3 chat in the player above (or over on the Radio Times Gaming YouTube channel). Of course, despite the fact that Dungeons & Dragons mainly takes place in a vaguely historical setting, it didn’t take long for talk to turn to the future. And given that Wilde is constantly told that she looks like Lae’zel (much to the actor’s chagrin), surely that puts her in good stead for the live-action BG3 adaptation that fans keep asking for? Wilde answered with a laugh, “When is that happening? Yeah, I'd love that. That would be amazing. Yeah, it would put me in good stead. I guess I'd have to have some prosthetics, but I'm fine with that.” She could have whatever treatment Walton Goggins gets to remove his nose in Fallout? “Yeah, absolutely,” Wilde concurred. “I think they could do it.” And then, she added, looking right down the lens of the camera: “Do it. Do it, please. “Yeah, that would be amazing. That would be taking the dream to another level.” Thinking of games rather than live-action adaptations, it’s worth noting that Dungeons & Dragons rights-holders Wizards of the Coast have said they are definitely going to do another Baldur's Gate. Someday, somehow. As Wilde told us: “It could be many years [away], though, couldn't it? Because if you think about how huge Baldur's Gate was.” She did concede, though, that “It's exciting” as a prospect. And given how many endings Lae’zel survives in, she seems to be in a strong position to return for a sequel. “Yeah. I think I'm fine,” Wilde said. “I'd be just happy to be involved. “It'd be weird to play Lae'zel again in any capacity, though. I suppose there would be that extra expectation of, like, people now know and love the game and the characters.” In fact, Wilde has one other suggestion up her sle…

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Doctor Who legend Carole Ann Ford says BBC has a "duty to the fans" to continue show
type: item
date: 2026-01-18T08:00:03.000Z
creator: Louise Griffin
subject: Sci-fi
subject: TV
subject: BBC
subject: Doctor Who Insiders
subject: Exclusive
subject: News
subject: Video
description: "The fans are very loyal and they've stuck with it through thick and thin."
encoded: Doctor Who's first ever companion has said the BBC has a "duty to the fans" to continue the show after recent discussions about its future following the end of the deal with Disney. Carole Ann Ford, who reprised her role as Susan Foreman in the latest season of the show alongside Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor, has praised the loyalty of the fanbase. "The fans are very loyal and they've stuck with it through thick and thin over the years," she exclusively told RadioTimes.com. "And when the BBC weren't producing it, they were producing it themselves. There's a huge love out there [and] it'd be a shame to to squash that. I do think they have a duty to the fans to reproduce it, to carry it [on], to keep it going." Ford's words echo those of former showrunner Steven Moffat, who also spoke to RadioTimes.com about the BBC's "national duty" to continue Doctor Who. Thankfully, despite the deal ending with Disney, it seems the Beeb are very committed to Doctor Who, with chief content officer Kate Phillips assuring fans that the show will continue. Indeed it has since been confirmed that Russell T Davies will return to pen a new Christmas special this year. Elsewhere during the in-depth chat, Ford looked back on her first memories on Doctor Who, starting with filming the first ever serial An Unearthly Child, which aired in 1963. "It somehow cemented Susan within me," she recalled. "Strangely enough, I think, when I walked through the junkyard and saw the TARDIS, it was a feeling of home... By this time, I was very familiar with it, and it was Susan's home, and when I looked at it, I didn't see the outside, I saw the inside, which was much bigger!" Meanwhile, she also reflected on how she and her co-star, the late William Hartnell, who played the First Doctor, would invent backstories for their characters, after they felt they hadn't been given enough information from the writers. "Bill and I put our heads together and we made it up," she revealed. "We thought that the most likely thing…

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Is Rental Family based on a true story?
type: item
date: 2026-01-16T08:00:47.000Z
creator: Katelyn Mensah
subject: Movies
subject: Video
description: We spoke to Brendan Fraser and Hikari about the charming film.
encoded: Rental Family is Brendan Fraser's latest offering to the world of cinema, and follows Phillip Vanderploeg, an American actor living in Japan constantly searching for a stable job and whose life changes when an unexpected gig comes his way. Phillip, played masterfully by Fraser, is hired by a company that provides actors to play stand-in family members and friends for strangers — a service that is difficult to believe is real. "Squaring the ethics behind the whole notion of this is a tricky one, isn't it? Because you could be helping or you could be doing harm," Fraser told RadioTimes.com. "That's where the movie lives. Is it blurring the line between the fantasy? Or, is the big belief the reality and the blurred region in between? And those are the conflicts that each of these characters come up against." So, is there any truth to the service and the tale of Fraser's character? Is a rental family a real service? Yes, a rental family service was first offered in Japan in the 1990s. Better known as a professional stand-in service, it provides clients with actors who stand in as their friends, family members or co-workers at social events like weddings. The first reported service was offered by Japan Efficiency Corporation, which provided professional actors for "soft service - reaching others with a sympathetic heart". Rental family services have been featured in various series and movies over the years, including 2004's Surviving Christmas starring Ben Affleck. Is Rental Family based on a true story? The story of Rental Family is fictionalised, even though the service itself is based in reality. "I really wanted to make a story, or write a story, about connection between people or total strangers and how that looks like," writer-director Hikari told RadioTimes.com. "It's all about feeling for me and just by creating a character like Phillip who is [a] fish out of water, [an] American guy, [the] token white guy living in Tokyo, because that's kind of my experience whe…

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Star Trek legend reveals improvised callback to 30-year-old episode in new spin-off
type: item
date: 2026-01-15T08:00:50.000Z
creator: Louise Griffin
subject: Sci-fi
subject: TV
subject: Exclusive
subject: News
subject: Paramount Plus
subject: Video
description: Robert Picardo wanted to plant Easter eggs for Voyager fans.
encoded: Star Trek legend Robert Picardo has revealed that fans are in for a callback that has been 30 years in the making in new spin-off Starfleet Academy. The actor is reprising his role as the Doctor in the new spin-off, three decades after he originated the role on Star Trek: Voyager. And for him, it was crucial to give fans of the '90s series some Easter eggs to find. "I had the [greatest] Easter egg of all time," Picardo exclusively told RadioTimes.com. "I repeated the same first laugh that I got in Voyager when I say the line 'Medical Tricorder' with withering sarcasm. It's exactly my first scene in Voyager, when they hand me the wrong instrument and [it's like] ‘You're the biggest idiot I've ever seen.’ "So I asked if I could do that again as a surprise for the fans who've watched the old pilot 30 times." The new spin-off is set in the 32nd century, after the events of Discovery and a whopping 800 years after we last saw the Doctor. Now, we're set to see him dispensing wisdom (and sharing his love of opera) with cadets at Starfleet Academy as a teacher, with the spin-off following the next generation of officers as they try to save the world while grappling with school pranks, classmate rivalry and first loves. Picardo has also teased that we're set to see a completely new side to the Doctor in the new series. "Late in the season, you'll see a side of the character that you've never seen before, as far as the emotionality. So that was a challenge to do," he told us. "There's a sort of a surprise event that happens late in the episode for my character. I'm anxious to see how longtime fans who know the character respond." "It's hard to say what he's been doing for the last 800 years!" Picardo added. "Now the Star Trek canon sort of acts as a whole, and there's a reference in the pilot to my having taught young cadets on Star Trek: Prodigy, so the Doctor has a history of teaching... In that respect, he has been teaching before and he's a natural teacher, if not an easy…

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Chris Chibnall on Doctor Who, Broadchurch and Agatha Christie's Seven Dials – The Radio Times Writers' Room
type: item
date: 2026-01-15T08:00:09.000Z
creator: James Hibbs
subject: Drama
subject: TV
subject: Interview
subject: Video
description: Chibnall, best-known for his work on Doctor Who and Broadchurch, is the latest guest on our interview series looking at the art of screenwriting.
encoded: Welcome back to The Radio Times Writers' Room! This time around we're welcoming Chris Chibnall, the writer best known for creating hit crime drama Broadchurch - and acting as showrunner on Doctor Who. Chibnall started his screenwriting career by co-creating Born and Bred, a period medical drama, before working on episodes of Life on Mars and developing a version of Merlin which never got off the ground. A lifelong fan of Doctor Who, his first work in the Whoniverse was on Torchwood, which he acted as lead writer on for both seasons one and two. He also wrote episodes of the main series for David Tennant and Matt Smith's Doctors, before taking the reins of the sci-fi behemoth in 2018, crafting his own era which introduced the first female Doctor, played by Jodie Whittaker. Whittaker was cast having previously starred in Chibnall's ITV series Broadchurch, which kept the nation guessing for three seasons and catapulted Olivia Colman to new heights of fame and acclaim. Now, Chibnall brings us Agatha Christie's Seven Dials, his first ever adaptation which also happens to be taking on one of the works of the best-selling fiction author of all time. The series stars Mia McKenna-Bruce as Lady Eileen ‘Bundle’ Brent, who finds herself becoming an amateur sleuth when a practical joke at a lavish country house party appears to have gone horribly, murderously wrong. The three-part series also stars Martin Freeman and Helena Bonham Carter, and Chibnall has teased that it's a "really propulsive... cinematic thriller", one which is "quite different" from Christie's other works. Throughout our chat, Chibnall spoke about his work on Law & Order UK, revealed the run of Torchwood he's most proud of and even teased the upcoming adaptation of his novel Death at the White Hart. He also revealed some of his favourite scenes that he's ever written, and explained why he doesn't ever intend on returning to write more Doctor Who. "I don't feel like I have any unfinished business, and I'm not t…

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Doctor Who icon reveals her and William Hartnell's own alternative backstory for the Doctor and Susan
type: item
date: 2026-01-14T17:00:26.000Z
creator: Louise Griffin
subject: Sci-fi
subject: TV
subject: Doctor Who Insiders
subject: Exclusive
subject: News
subject: Video
description: "Bill and I put our heads together and we made it up."
encoded: Doctor Who has seen countless writers across its 62-year history – but now it's been revealed that even its original stars, William Hartnell and Carole Ann Ford gave it a go! Ford, who played the first ever companion Susan Foreman, has revealed that she and Hartnell, who starred as the first incarnation of the Time Lord, invented a backstory to explain how the Doctor's travels began, before the first ever serial An Unearthly Child. Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com, Ford recalled that the pair were "never given any" backstory – so felt they should fill in the gaps! "Bill and I put our heads together and we made it up," she revealed. "We thought that the most likely thing was that the TARDIS was not this year's model. It was a previous model which had been tarted up a bit, and the tarted up bits weren't quite working as smoothly as they should have done. "So Bill, my grandfather, was in a huge sort of aircraft hangar-type place with loads and loads and loads of other TARDISes, all being tinkered with. And he was tinkering away with it and making everything work more smoothly, when suddenly there was an invasion from another planet. <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2008/09/15.jpg" width="1500" height="900" alt="Carole Ann Ford as Susan Foreman, Jacqueline Hill as Barbara Wright, William Russell as Ian Chesterton, and William Hartnell as The Doctor for Doctor Who." title="Carole Ann Ford as Susan Foreman, Jacqueline Hill as Barbara Wright, William Russell as Ian Chesterton, and William Hartnell as The Doctor for Doctor Who." /> "Everybody was going crazy, and he just bundled me into the TARDIS and said, 'Right, we're out of here.' So we got in with only a partially-working TARDIS, which he continued to fiddle with throughout the series, and finished up where we finished up – Totter's Lane." Speaking about the importance of having a backstory to work with, Ford added: "An actor has to have an idea of what happened before you step…

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