Peacock’s new limited series “Apples Never Fall” is cut from the same cloth as “Big Little Lies,” with both shows adapted from the novels of Australian author Liane Moriarty.
“Apples Never Fall” follows a family, led by four adult children, trying to piece together the mysterious disappearance of their mother Joy (Oscar-nominee Annette Bening). Bening is reliably excellent in this limited series, as is “Jurassic Park” star Sam Neil, who plays her on-screen husband. And Jake Lacy and Allison Brie shine as two of the four adult kids. All four performances have been praised by critics and its these turns that could lead the Emmy charge for the series.
Brian Lowry (CNN) stated: “As for the old expression ‘How do you like them apples?,’ in this case, happily, the answer is quite a lot.”
Matthew Gilbert (Boston Globe) opined: “If the ending to the mystery is predictable, the getting...
“Apples Never Fall” follows a family, led by four adult children, trying to piece together the mysterious disappearance of their mother Joy (Oscar-nominee Annette Bening). Bening is reliably excellent in this limited series, as is “Jurassic Park” star Sam Neil, who plays her on-screen husband. And Jake Lacy and Allison Brie shine as two of the four adult kids. All four performances have been praised by critics and its these turns that could lead the Emmy charge for the series.
Brian Lowry (CNN) stated: “As for the old expression ‘How do you like them apples?,’ in this case, happily, the answer is quite a lot.”
Matthew Gilbert (Boston Globe) opined: “If the ending to the mystery is predictable, the getting...
- 4/23/2024
- by Jacob Sarkisian
- Gold Derby
“The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart” features a powerhouse performance from veteran star Sigourney Weaver, who once again reminds us that she is one of the best in the business. The acclaimed Amazon Prime Video limited series follows a young girl who survives a violent upbringing and is then subsequently raised on a flower farm by her grandmother. Weaver plays the grandmother, June, and ties the entire series together with the sheer might of her performance. She propelled the story to greatness and, as a result, propelled the series to excellent reviews.
Robert Lloyd (Los Angeles Times) opined: “The series, which is sensitively written, expertly performed by actors young and old, and beautifully shot, is in no rush to give up its mysteries, and by drawing out the drama, what’s obvious in the story comes off as proportionally more subtle.”
Chris Vognar (The Wrap) explained: “Weaver is the emotional...
Robert Lloyd (Los Angeles Times) opined: “The series, which is sensitively written, expertly performed by actors young and old, and beautifully shot, is in no rush to give up its mysteries, and by drawing out the drama, what’s obvious in the story comes off as proportionally more subtle.”
Chris Vognar (The Wrap) explained: “Weaver is the emotional...
- 4/17/2024
- by Jacob Sarkisian
- Gold Derby
Leo Woodall first came to prominence when he featured in season two of HBO’s “The White Lotus.” In that series, he played the, uh, “nephew” of Tom Hollander‘s character and made quite a splash in the role. Now, Woodall has gone from supporting player to leading man with Netflix’s new miniseries, “One Day.”
Adapted from David Nicholl‘s 2009 book of the same name (and the second adaptation overall after the much-maligned 2011 Anne Hathaway movie), “One Day” follows Woodall and “This is Going to Hurt” star Ambika Mod as two students (Dexter and Emma) who meet on graduation night. That chance meeting sparks an entwined relationship that encompasses friendship and lovers across a 20-year period as they continually meet on various July 15ths.
The result is a swooning, epic romance that hinges on the charisma of its two leads. Thankfully, both Woodall and Mod are up to the task.
Adapted from David Nicholl‘s 2009 book of the same name (and the second adaptation overall after the much-maligned 2011 Anne Hathaway movie), “One Day” follows Woodall and “This is Going to Hurt” star Ambika Mod as two students (Dexter and Emma) who meet on graduation night. That chance meeting sparks an entwined relationship that encompasses friendship and lovers across a 20-year period as they continually meet on various July 15ths.
The result is a swooning, epic romance that hinges on the charisma of its two leads. Thankfully, both Woodall and Mod are up to the task.
- 3/18/2024
- by Jacob Sarkisian
- Gold Derby
Exclusive: TV and film writers will want to circle this one in their calendars: Poor Things and The Favourite producer Element Pictures is launching Storyhouse, a new Dublin-based screenwriting festival that will celebrate storytellers and storytelling.
Speakers at the first edition include Poor Things writer and Oscar nominee Tony McNamara, Arthur Harari, who won a BAFTA for Anatomy Of A Fall, and Iranian writer-director Ali Abbasi (Holy Spider). Molly Manning Walker (How To Have Sex) will also be there and appear in conversation with Charlotte Regan (Scrapper).
Other highlights include frequent Element collaborator Lenny Abrahamson (Room) interviewing One Day and Patrick Melrose scribe David Nicholls. The festival sessions will run over March 21-22. The venue is Dublin’s Light House Cinema, which is owned by Element co-founders and co-CEOs Andrew Lowe and Ed Guiney.
Storyhouse will cater for aspiring writers as well as established names and industry professionals. Storyhouse Lab,...
Speakers at the first edition include Poor Things writer and Oscar nominee Tony McNamara, Arthur Harari, who won a BAFTA for Anatomy Of A Fall, and Iranian writer-director Ali Abbasi (Holy Spider). Molly Manning Walker (How To Have Sex) will also be there and appear in conversation with Charlotte Regan (Scrapper).
Other highlights include frequent Element collaborator Lenny Abrahamson (Room) interviewing One Day and Patrick Melrose scribe David Nicholls. The festival sessions will run over March 21-22. The venue is Dublin’s Light House Cinema, which is owned by Element co-founders and co-CEOs Andrew Lowe and Ed Guiney.
Storyhouse will cater for aspiring writers as well as established names and industry professionals. Storyhouse Lab,...
- 2/22/2024
- by Stewart Clarke
- Deadline Film + TV
ITV Spent $68M On Diverse Shows In 2023
ITV invested £54.2M ($68M) of its Diversity Commissioning Fund last year on shows made by or about people from under-represented backgrounds such as Lenny Henry’s Three Little Birds. The fund was launched in 2022 with £80M to be spent across three years to “drive change towards racial equity and disability equity in whose stories get told,” with one quarter reserved for content made by “production companies led by People of Colour and/or Deaf, Disabled and/or Neurodivergent people.” The figures came as part of the Love Island network’s Diversity Acceleration Plan report for the previous 12 months, which said 475 productions across around 160 production companies have embedded Dei using ITV’s production principles over the past three years. The BBC has a similar £100M fund across a three-year period to March 2024 and says it has already exceeded this target. ITV said plans for...
ITV invested £54.2M ($68M) of its Diversity Commissioning Fund last year on shows made by or about people from under-represented backgrounds such as Lenny Henry’s Three Little Birds. The fund was launched in 2022 with £80M to be spent across three years to “drive change towards racial equity and disability equity in whose stories get told,” with one quarter reserved for content made by “production companies led by People of Colour and/or Deaf, Disabled and/or Neurodivergent people.” The figures came as part of the Love Island network’s Diversity Acceleration Plan report for the previous 12 months, which said 475 productions across around 160 production companies have embedded Dei using ITV’s production principles over the past three years. The BBC has a similar £100M fund across a three-year period to March 2024 and says it has already exceeded this target. ITV said plans for...
- 1/31/2024
- by Max Goldbart and Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Neve McIntosh (“Shetland”) and James Anthony-Rose are joining the seven-episode fourth season of Masterpiece on PBS’ “All Creatures Great and Small.”
The drama, based on a collection of stories by best-selling author James Herriot that have sold 60 million copies internationally, is currently filming on location in Yorkshire and will air on the network in early 2024 and Channel 5 in the UK this fall.
Season 4 will return to Yorkshire Dales, picking up in 1940 as Churchill takes office and Europe is under serious threat. With Tristan away serving in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, Siegfried Farnon (Samuel West) and James Herriot (Nicholas Ralph) bring in some extra hands to help around the practice.
McIntosh will play the highly efficient bookkeeper Miss Harbottle, while Anthony-Rose will play undergraduate vet student Richard Carmody who arrives at Skeldale as part of his placement under the guidance of James.
Also Read:
‘Succession,’ ‘Abbott Elementary’ and ‘The Other Two...
The drama, based on a collection of stories by best-selling author James Herriot that have sold 60 million copies internationally, is currently filming on location in Yorkshire and will air on the network in early 2024 and Channel 5 in the UK this fall.
Season 4 will return to Yorkshire Dales, picking up in 1940 as Churchill takes office and Europe is under serious threat. With Tristan away serving in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, Siegfried Farnon (Samuel West) and James Herriot (Nicholas Ralph) bring in some extra hands to help around the practice.
McIntosh will play the highly efficient bookkeeper Miss Harbottle, while Anthony-Rose will play undergraduate vet student Richard Carmody who arrives at Skeldale as part of his placement under the guidance of James.
Also Read:
‘Succession,’ ‘Abbott Elementary’ and ‘The Other Two...
- 6/27/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
On Sunday, March 12, Edward Berger's film "All Quiet on the Western Front" won four Academy Awards: Best Original Score, Best Cinematography, Best International Feature, and Best Adapted Screenplay. In terms of Oscar records, it is only the fourth film in a language other than English to win that many awards. Although based on a 1928 German novel by Erich Maria Remarque, it is the first filmed version of "All Quiet" that was made in Germany. The previous two iterations were made in America, with Lewis Milestone's astonishing 1930 adaptation having won Best Picture, and the Delbert Mann's 1979 TV movie being readily available on multiple streaming services.
Berger's version of was co-written by the director and Scottish screenwriter/competitive athlete Lesley Paterson, now the possessor of both an Academy Award and three gold medals from the Xterra Triathlon World Championships. Oh, and she has also won two gold medals...
Berger's version of was co-written by the director and Scottish screenwriter/competitive athlete Lesley Paterson, now the possessor of both an Academy Award and three gold medals from the Xterra Triathlon World Championships. Oh, and she has also won two gold medals...
- 3/17/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
German composer Volker Bertelmann won the original score Oscar Sunday night for his music for the World War I epic “All Quiet on the Western Front.”
“By working on a film like that, you are always touched,” Bertelmann said in accepting the honor, referring to the harrowing nature of the film. “Sometimes you have to make the screen very small because there are so many explosions happening.”
It is Bertelmann’s first Academy Award. He was previously nominated, under his stage name Hauschka, for his music for the 2016 film “Lion” (co-composed with Dustin O’Halloran). He won the BAFTA for “All Quiet” on Feb. 19.
The German-language remake of the 1930 antiwar classic is the latest in a series of collaborations with director Edward Berger. Their best-known work in the U.S. is the five-part Benedict Cumberbatch series “Patrick Melrose,” which aired in 2018 on Showtime.
For this adaptation of the Erich Maria Remarque classic,...
“By working on a film like that, you are always touched,” Bertelmann said in accepting the honor, referring to the harrowing nature of the film. “Sometimes you have to make the screen very small because there are so many explosions happening.”
It is Bertelmann’s first Academy Award. He was previously nominated, under his stage name Hauschka, for his music for the 2016 film “Lion” (co-composed with Dustin O’Halloran). He won the BAFTA for “All Quiet” on Feb. 19.
The German-language remake of the 1930 antiwar classic is the latest in a series of collaborations with director Edward Berger. Their best-known work in the U.S. is the five-part Benedict Cumberbatch series “Patrick Melrose,” which aired in 2018 on Showtime.
For this adaptation of the Erich Maria Remarque classic,...
- 3/13/2023
- by Jon Burlingame
- Variety Film + TV
“All Quiet on the Western Front” came out of the BAFTAs with seven wins, including Best Film and Best Director, and boasts nine Oscar nominations. With the influential international Academy voting bloc, could this win Best Picture?
Foreign-language Best Picture wins are still rare, especially without the directing nod that “All Quiet” lacks. Bong Joon Ho won Best Director and Best Picture with “Parasite” in 2020, and it remains an anomaly. The Korean crowd pleaser grossed $252 million worldwide and also won the SAG Ensemble award that went to 2022 Oscar winner “Coda” and 2023 frontrunner “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”
Still, grabbing a Best Picture nomination shows how competitive “All Quiet on the Western Front” could be in many categories and Netflix’s formidable awards machine is now focused on its strongest contender, from Best International Feature, Adapted Screenplay, and Cinematography to Production Design, Sound, and Score.
Over a wide-ranging conversation, Swiss director Edward Berger,...
Foreign-language Best Picture wins are still rare, especially without the directing nod that “All Quiet” lacks. Bong Joon Ho won Best Director and Best Picture with “Parasite” in 2020, and it remains an anomaly. The Korean crowd pleaser grossed $252 million worldwide and also won the SAG Ensemble award that went to 2022 Oscar winner “Coda” and 2023 frontrunner “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”
Still, grabbing a Best Picture nomination shows how competitive “All Quiet on the Western Front” could be in many categories and Netflix’s formidable awards machine is now focused on its strongest contender, from Best International Feature, Adapted Screenplay, and Cinematography to Production Design, Sound, and Score.
Over a wide-ranging conversation, Swiss director Edward Berger,...
- 2/28/2023
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Best Cinematography at the Oscars will be a particularly interesting category this year, since two of the nominees are the only nominations received by their respective films.
SEEJohn Williams (‘The Fabelmans’): 5 reasons why we’re all underestimating him at Oscars
It’s also interesting because four movies that received quite a bit of below-the-line support from other academy branches –”Top Gun: Maverick,” “Avatar: The Way of Water,” “The Batman,” and even the presumptive Best Picture favorite, “Everything Everywhere All At Once” – were omitted from the category. In fact, none of the bigger theatrical releases were nominated in favor of two streaming movies, two movies that didn’t make much of a dent at the box office, and Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis.” Also, only two of this year’s Cinematography-nominated films received a Production Design nomination (“Elvis” and “All Quiet on the Western Front”), whereas last year the two categories matched five-for-five.
SEEJohn Williams (‘The Fabelmans’): 5 reasons why we’re all underestimating him at Oscars
It’s also interesting because four movies that received quite a bit of below-the-line support from other academy branches –”Top Gun: Maverick,” “Avatar: The Way of Water,” “The Batman,” and even the presumptive Best Picture favorite, “Everything Everywhere All At Once” – were omitted from the category. In fact, none of the bigger theatrical releases were nominated in favor of two streaming movies, two movies that didn’t make much of a dent at the box office, and Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis.” Also, only two of this year’s Cinematography-nominated films received a Production Design nomination (“Elvis” and “All Quiet on the Western Front”), whereas last year the two categories matched five-for-five.
- 2/27/2023
- by Edward Douglas
- Gold Derby
Edward Berger’s German-language version of “All Quiet on the Western Front” packs a cinematic punch for a lot of reasons, as evidence by its seven BAFTA Awards, including Best Film. One of the winners was composer Volker Bertelmann, whose score is one of the year’s most singular.
The film’s theme is minimalism cranked to the max: three huge, distorted notes, played on a 100-year-old harmonium and hanging in the air at unexpected times throughout the film. At times, a vicious snare drum patter comes out of nowhere and feels as if it is attacking the viewer; at other times, more bucolic, pastoral music frames both the beauty of the European countryside and the barbarity of the fighting.
Bertelmann is a sometime rock musician who sometimes records under the name Hauschka and has a long history as an experimental composer working with everything from prepared piano to orchestras.
The film’s theme is minimalism cranked to the max: three huge, distorted notes, played on a 100-year-old harmonium and hanging in the air at unexpected times throughout the film. At times, a vicious snare drum patter comes out of nowhere and feels as if it is attacking the viewer; at other times, more bucolic, pastoral music frames both the beauty of the European countryside and the barbarity of the fighting.
Bertelmann is a sometime rock musician who sometimes records under the name Hauschka and has a long history as an experimental composer working with everything from prepared piano to orchestras.
- 2/20/2023
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
All Quiet on the Western Front has put the proverbial cat among the pigeons at this year’s film awards season.
The German-language adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque’s 1929 anti-war novel was released on Netflix last October to little fanfare.
However, the film swept last night’s (19 February) Bafta Awards, picking up wins in seven of the 14 categories it was nominated in, including Best Film, making it the most highly decorated non-English language film in Bafta history.
At the Oscars, All Quiet is nominated for a further nine awards, making it the second-most nominated film this year.
It’s fair to say then, that the film has been well-received in Britain and the US, however, it did not receive quite such a warm welcome in its native Germany.
Many native critics were unhappy with director Edward Berger’s adaptation, which changed elements from the book – Germany’s best-selling novel of all time.
The German-language adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque’s 1929 anti-war novel was released on Netflix last October to little fanfare.
However, the film swept last night’s (19 February) Bafta Awards, picking up wins in seven of the 14 categories it was nominated in, including Best Film, making it the most highly decorated non-English language film in Bafta history.
At the Oscars, All Quiet is nominated for a further nine awards, making it the second-most nominated film this year.
It’s fair to say then, that the film has been well-received in Britain and the US, however, it did not receive quite such a warm welcome in its native Germany.
Many native critics were unhappy with director Edward Berger’s adaptation, which changed elements from the book – Germany’s best-selling novel of all time.
- 2/20/2023
- by Tom Murray
- The Independent - Film
All Quiet on the Western Front director Edward Berger has launched a new production label, Nine Hours, and signed a two-year first-look deal with production giant Fremantle.
Berger, riding high on the success of All Quiet, which picked up 9 Oscar nominations, including for best picture, launched the new company together with producing partners Luke Rivett (Corner Office, Berlin Station) and Jeanne Tremsal (So Long Daddy, See you in Hell).
Fremantle’s deal will give the company the first crack at Nine Hours’ television projects and second-look access to Berger’s new film pipeline.
All Quiet on the Western Front, made for Netflix, has been a breakout success this awards season. In addition to its 9 Oscar nominations, the German film is the front-runner for this year’s BAFTA awards, with an astounding 14 nominations. The first-ever German adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque’s classic anti-war novel, the film stars Felix Kammerer, Albrecht Schuch and Daniel Brühl.
Berger, riding high on the success of All Quiet, which picked up 9 Oscar nominations, including for best picture, launched the new company together with producing partners Luke Rivett (Corner Office, Berlin Station) and Jeanne Tremsal (So Long Daddy, See you in Hell).
Fremantle’s deal will give the company the first crack at Nine Hours’ television projects and second-look access to Berger’s new film pipeline.
All Quiet on the Western Front, made for Netflix, has been a breakout success this awards season. In addition to its 9 Oscar nominations, the German film is the front-runner for this year’s BAFTA awards, with an astounding 14 nominations. The first-ever German adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque’s classic anti-war novel, the film stars Felix Kammerer, Albrecht Schuch and Daniel Brühl.
- 2/3/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ Director ‘Speechless and Overwhelmed’ By Historic BAFTA Nominations
“All Quiet on the Western Front” director Edward Berger has said he is “speechless and overwhelmed” by the Netflix drama’s record-making BAFTA nominations.
The German helmer — best known for directing episodes of “Deutschland 83” and “Patrick Melrose” — also co-produced and wrote the World War One film. He called it “an enormous honor” to be acknowledged by the British Film Academy.
“All Quiet” picked up 14 nominations on Thursday — tying with “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon” as the most-nominated non-English language film in the awards’ history. The film is also one of the most-nominated titles in BAFTA history, coming second (alongside 2007’s “Atonement”) only to “Gandhi” (1982).
Said Berger: “That the film has resonated with so many people is a testament to Erich Maria Remarque’s extraordinary book, written one hundred years ago and yet sadly still relevant today. It was our north star.
“The novel’s powerful anti-war message unites us,...
The German helmer — best known for directing episodes of “Deutschland 83” and “Patrick Melrose” — also co-produced and wrote the World War One film. He called it “an enormous honor” to be acknowledged by the British Film Academy.
“All Quiet” picked up 14 nominations on Thursday — tying with “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon” as the most-nominated non-English language film in the awards’ history. The film is also one of the most-nominated titles in BAFTA history, coming second (alongside 2007’s “Atonement”) only to “Gandhi” (1982).
Said Berger: “That the film has resonated with so many people is a testament to Erich Maria Remarque’s extraordinary book, written one hundred years ago and yet sadly still relevant today. It was our north star.
“The novel’s powerful anti-war message unites us,...
- 1/19/2023
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Composer Volker Bertelmann grew up reading the 1929 novel “All Quiet on the Western Front” when he was in school, which served as the basis for the 1930 Best Picture winner and the new 2022 Netflix adaptation, which recently made the Oscar shortlist in five categories including Best Score. “It’s a surprise and at the same time you feel uplifted on that day [for being] acknowledged for your work,” Bertelmann reveals about the film’s success on the awards front.
We talked with Bertelmann as a part of Gold Derby’s Film Composers Oscar Shortlist Panel Q&a event. Watch our exclusive video interview above.
SEEWatch hundreds of Gold Derby interviews with 2023 awards contenders
The film begins with a devastating battle scene in which there are notably no music cues at all. How does Bertelmann know as the composer when to showcase his score and when to hold back? “There’s definitely an intuitive...
We talked with Bertelmann as a part of Gold Derby’s Film Composers Oscar Shortlist Panel Q&a event. Watch our exclusive video interview above.
SEEWatch hundreds of Gold Derby interviews with 2023 awards contenders
The film begins with a devastating battle scene in which there are notably no music cues at all. How does Bertelmann know as the composer when to showcase his score and when to hold back? “There’s definitely an intuitive...
- 1/13/2023
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
Three top film composers will reveal secrets behind their projects when they join Gold Derby’s special “Meet the Experts” Q&a event with 2023 awards contenders. They will participate in two video discussions to premiere on Thursday, January 12, at 4:00 p.m. Pt; 7:00 p.m. Et. We’ll have a one-on-one with our senior editor Marcus Dixon and a roundtable chat with all of the group together.
RSVP today to our entire ongoing contenders panel series by clicking here to book your free reservation. We’ll send you a reminder a few minutes before the start of the show.
This “Meet the Experts” panel welcomes the following Oscar contenders on the 2023 shortlist:
All Quiet on the Western Front (Netflix)
Synopsis: A young German soldier’s terrifying experiences and distress on the western front during World War I.
Bio: Volker Bertelmann (aka Hauschka) was an Oscar nominee for “Lion.” Other...
RSVP today to our entire ongoing contenders panel series by clicking here to book your free reservation. We’ll send you a reminder a few minutes before the start of the show.
This “Meet the Experts” panel welcomes the following Oscar contenders on the 2023 shortlist:
All Quiet on the Western Front (Netflix)
Synopsis: A young German soldier’s terrifying experiences and distress on the western front during World War I.
Bio: Volker Bertelmann (aka Hauschka) was an Oscar nominee for “Lion.” Other...
- 1/9/2023
- by Chris Beachum and Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
Benedict Cumberbatch has entered into final negotiations to star in the Netflix limited series ‘Eric.’
Set in 80’s New York, the six-episode series would see Cumberbatch take on the role of Vincent Sullivan, the lead puppet maker and puppeteer of America’s most popular children’s show, whose life begins to unravel when his young son, Edgar, disappears. Now homeless and dealing with substance addiction, Vincent finds his only companion is Eric, a seven-foot-tall blue puppet, who leads him on a journey to find his son and find a way home.
Also in news – Gabriel Byrne cast in ‘John Wick’ spin-off ‘Ballerina’
The series comes from the creative mind of Abi Morgan who writes and executive produces the project. Jane Featherstone, Lucy Dyke, and Carolyn Strauss of Sister will also executive produce, with Lucy Forbes directing. Morgan executive produces via Little Chick.
Cumberbatch has previously starred in Showtime’s ‘Patrick Melrose,...
Set in 80’s New York, the six-episode series would see Cumberbatch take on the role of Vincent Sullivan, the lead puppet maker and puppeteer of America’s most popular children’s show, whose life begins to unravel when his young son, Edgar, disappears. Now homeless and dealing with substance addiction, Vincent finds his only companion is Eric, a seven-foot-tall blue puppet, who leads him on a journey to find his son and find a way home.
Also in news – Gabriel Byrne cast in ‘John Wick’ spin-off ‘Ballerina’
The series comes from the creative mind of Abi Morgan who writes and executive produces the project. Jane Featherstone, Lucy Dyke, and Carolyn Strauss of Sister will also executive produce, with Lucy Forbes directing. Morgan executive produces via Little Chick.
Cumberbatch has previously starred in Showtime’s ‘Patrick Melrose,...
- 1/5/2023
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Benedict Cumberbatch is in final talks to star in the Netflix limited series “Eric,” Variety has learned exclusively from sources.
The six-episode series was originally announced in November 2021. Set in 1980’s New York, the show would see Cumberbatch star as Vincent Sullivan, the lead puppet maker and puppeteer of America’s most popular children’s show, whose life begins to unravel when his young son, Edgar, disappears. Now homeless and dealing with substance addiction, Vincent finds his only companion is Eric, a seven-foot tall blue puppet, who leads him on a journey to find his son and to find a way home.
Netflix declined to comment.
The series hails from writer and executive producer Abi Morgan, whose past onscreen writing credits include shows like “Sex Traffick” and the Emmy-winning series “The Hour,” as well as films like “The Iron Lady,” “The Invisible Woman,” and “Suffragette.” Jane Featherstone, Lucy Dyke, and...
The six-episode series was originally announced in November 2021. Set in 1980’s New York, the show would see Cumberbatch star as Vincent Sullivan, the lead puppet maker and puppeteer of America’s most popular children’s show, whose life begins to unravel when his young son, Edgar, disappears. Now homeless and dealing with substance addiction, Vincent finds his only companion is Eric, a seven-foot tall blue puppet, who leads him on a journey to find his son and to find a way home.
Netflix declined to comment.
The series hails from writer and executive producer Abi Morgan, whose past onscreen writing credits include shows like “Sex Traffick” and the Emmy-winning series “The Hour,” as well as films like “The Iron Lady,” “The Invisible Woman,” and “Suffragette.” Jane Featherstone, Lucy Dyke, and...
- 1/4/2023
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
This story about “All Quiet on the Western Front” composer Volker Bertelmann first appeared in “The Race Begins” issue of TheWrap’s awards magazine.
The new German-language version of “All Quiet on the Western Front” is one of the most harrowing and brutal war movies (or anti-war movies) ever made, and the music has a lot to do with that. At times, brutally sharp drum beats come out of nowhere and seem to assault the audience; other times, three enormous, foreboding chords blast in and linger, an unholy Dies Irae hanging in the air.
The film’s director, Edward Berger, has said that he wanted music that would attack the images on screen — and to provide that attack, he turned to his longtime collaborator, Volker Bertelmann (who often composes under the name Hauschka). Bertelmann has scored three films for Berger, as well as five episodes of “Patrick Melrose” and three of “Your Honor.
The new German-language version of “All Quiet on the Western Front” is one of the most harrowing and brutal war movies (or anti-war movies) ever made, and the music has a lot to do with that. At times, brutally sharp drum beats come out of nowhere and seem to assault the audience; other times, three enormous, foreboding chords blast in and linger, an unholy Dies Irae hanging in the air.
The film’s director, Edward Berger, has said that he wanted music that would attack the images on screen — and to provide that attack, he turned to his longtime collaborator, Volker Bertelmann (who often composes under the name Hauschka). Bertelmann has scored three films for Berger, as well as five episodes of “Patrick Melrose” and three of “Your Honor.
- 12/8/2022
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
As the Academy grows into an ever more international body, directors working outside the English language are no longer seen as fringe contenders — among the diverse array of filmmakers in the running for this year’s international feature Oscar are a number of names who could cross over into other categories.
Top of the list is ultra-cool Korean genre stylist Park Chan-wook, whose dizzying neo-noir romance “Decision to Leave” has been steadily gaining admirers since winning him the director prize at Cannes. Park is already known to Hollywood, having directed the 2013 Searchlight release “Stoker,” but has never been recognized by the Academy: now feels the time.
With five Oscars to his name, Mexico’s Alejandro G. Iñárritu has certainly received his due from the Academy, so don’t necessarily bet against his ambitious return to his home country: a sprawling, self-autobiographical meditation on art and identity, “Bardo” didn’t wow critics at the fall fest,...
Top of the list is ultra-cool Korean genre stylist Park Chan-wook, whose dizzying neo-noir romance “Decision to Leave” has been steadily gaining admirers since winning him the director prize at Cannes. Park is already known to Hollywood, having directed the 2013 Searchlight release “Stoker,” but has never been recognized by the Academy: now feels the time.
With five Oscars to his name, Mexico’s Alejandro G. Iñárritu has certainly received his due from the Academy, so don’t necessarily bet against his ambitious return to his home country: a sprawling, self-autobiographical meditation on art and identity, “Bardo” didn’t wow critics at the fall fest,...
- 12/7/2022
- by Guy Lodge
- Variety Film + TV
Six top international filmmakers will reveal secrets behind their projects when they join Gold Derby’s special “Meet the Experts” Q&a event with 2022/2023 awards contenders. They will participate in two video discussions to premiere on Tuesday, November 22, at 4:00 p.m. Pt; 7:00 p.m. Et. We’ll have a one-on-one with our senior editor Denton Davidson and a roundtable chat with all of the group together.
RSVP today to our entire ongoing contenders panel series by clicking here to book your free reservation. We’ll send you a reminder a few minutes before the start of the show.
This “Meet the Experts” panel welcomes the following Oscar and guild contenders:
All Quiet on the Western Front (Netflix)
Synopsis: A young German soldier’s terrifying experiences and distress on the western front during World War I.
Bio: Edward Berger was an Emmy nominee for “Patrick Melrose.” Other projects have included “Jack,...
RSVP today to our entire ongoing contenders panel series by clicking here to book your free reservation. We’ll send you a reminder a few minutes before the start of the show.
This “Meet the Experts” panel welcomes the following Oscar and guild contenders:
All Quiet on the Western Front (Netflix)
Synopsis: A young German soldier’s terrifying experiences and distress on the western front during World War I.
Bio: Edward Berger was an Emmy nominee for “Patrick Melrose.” Other projects have included “Jack,...
- 11/16/2022
- by Chris Beachum and Denton Davidson
- Gold Derby
Four top film cinematographers will reveal secrets behind their projects when they join Gold Derby’s special “Meet the Experts” Q&a event with 2022/2023 awards contenders. They will participate in two video discussions to premiere on Wednesday, November 16, at 4:00 p.m. Pt; 7:00 p.m. Et. We’ll have a one-on-one with our senior editor Daniel Montgomery and a roundtable chat with all of the group together.
RSVP today to our entire ongoing contenders panel series by clicking here to book your free reservation. We’ll send you a reminder a few minutes before the start of the show.
This “Meet the Experts” panel welcomes the following Oscar and guild contenders:
All Quiet on the Western Front (Netflix)
Synopsis: A young German soldier’s terrifying experiences and distress on the western front during World War I.
Bio: James Friend was a BAFTA winner for “Rillington Place” and a nominee for “Your Honor.
RSVP today to our entire ongoing contenders panel series by clicking here to book your free reservation. We’ll send you a reminder a few minutes before the start of the show.
This “Meet the Experts” panel welcomes the following Oscar and guild contenders:
All Quiet on the Western Front (Netflix)
Synopsis: A young German soldier’s terrifying experiences and distress on the western front during World War I.
Bio: James Friend was a BAFTA winner for “Rillington Place” and a nominee for “Your Honor.
- 11/9/2022
- by Chris Beachum and Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
Exclusive: Prasanna Puwanarajah said he jumped at the opportunity to appear in The Crown portraying infamous television journalist Martin Bashir, pummeled by a BBC inquiry that condemned the “deceitful” methods he used to obtain the controversial 1995 Panorama TV interview with Princess Diana, because ”roles like that just don’t really exist for Asian actors.”
Related Story Belfast Film Festival World Premiere For ‘Ballywalter’, Actor Prasanna Puwanarajah's First Feature; Seána Kerslake And Patrick Kielty Star Related Story Theo James Set To Lead Guy Ritchie's Netflix TV Series 'The Gentlemen' Related Story David Letterman Interviews Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy In Kyiv On Netflix's 'My Next Guest Needs No Introduction'
The actor’s comments come as the UK print media continue to whip itself into a frenzied state over the Emmy-winning Netflix and Left Bank Pictures series, which takes a looking-through-the-keyhole approach to events that involved the late Queen Elizabeth II,...
Related Story Belfast Film Festival World Premiere For ‘Ballywalter’, Actor Prasanna Puwanarajah's First Feature; Seána Kerslake And Patrick Kielty Star Related Story Theo James Set To Lead Guy Ritchie's Netflix TV Series 'The Gentlemen' Related Story David Letterman Interviews Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy In Kyiv On Netflix's 'My Next Guest Needs No Introduction'
The actor’s comments come as the UK print media continue to whip itself into a frenzied state over the Emmy-winning Netflix and Left Bank Pictures series, which takes a looking-through-the-keyhole approach to events that involved the late Queen Elizabeth II,...
- 11/3/2022
- by Baz Bamigboye
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Prasanna Puwanarajah as an actor has appeared in Doctor Foster: A Woman Scorned, Ten Percent and Patrick Melrose, and he’ll next pop up in two episodes of The Crown‘s upcoming fifth season portraying Martin Bashir, the controversial journalist who conducted the infamous BBC interview with Princess Diana. However, on Thursday he’ll wear a different hat when the Belfast Film Festival opens with the world premiere of Ballywalter, which marks his feature directing debut.
The film stars Northern Irish comedian and presenter Patrick Kielty — husband of So You Think You Can Dance host Cat Deeley — in his first major acting role playing Shane who, broken after the collapse of his marriage, chooses to rehabilitate by joining a stand-up comedy course; and Seana Kerslake as Eileen, a sharp-tongued Ballywalter local who has moved back home with her mum and pregnant sister, and borrowed her ex’s battered Toyota...
The film stars Northern Irish comedian and presenter Patrick Kielty — husband of So You Think You Can Dance host Cat Deeley — in his first major acting role playing Shane who, broken after the collapse of his marriage, chooses to rehabilitate by joining a stand-up comedy course; and Seana Kerslake as Eileen, a sharp-tongued Ballywalter local who has moved back home with her mum and pregnant sister, and borrowed her ex’s battered Toyota...
- 11/1/2022
- by Baz Bamigboye
- Deadline Film + TV
In 2021, “WandaVision” star Paul Bettany made history as the first man to be Emmy-nominated for a lead performance on a Marvel TV series, thus laying the groundwork for 2022 hopefuls Tom Hiddleston (“Loki”), Oscar Isaac (“Moon Knight”) and Jeremy Renner (“Hawkeye”). Although he lost the last Best TV Movie/Limited Series Actor race to Ewan McGregor (“Halston”), he may now get an immediate second shot at the same prize based on his work on “A Very British Scandal.” Luckily for him, there is ample precedent for back-to-back bids in this category.
The first man recognized twice in a row for TV movie and/or limited series roles was Mickey Rooney. His example has been followed by 16 others, beginning with George C. Scott. Next came Hal Holbrook and Laurence Olivier, the latter of whom then became the category’s first three-time consecutive nominee with his 1975 bid for “Love Among the Ruins.”
SEEClaire...
The first man recognized twice in a row for TV movie and/or limited series roles was Mickey Rooney. His example has been followed by 16 others, beginning with George C. Scott. Next came Hal Holbrook and Laurence Olivier, the latter of whom then became the category’s first three-time consecutive nominee with his 1975 bid for “Love Among the Ruins.”
SEEClaire...
- 6/22/2022
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
Allison Williams has boarded the upcoming Showtime limited series “Fellow Travelers” alongside Matt Bomer, Variety has learned exclusively.
The series was picked up at Showtime back in April with an eight-episode order. It is based on the novel of the same name by Thomas Mallon.
The show is described as an epic love story and political thriller, chronicling the volatile romance of two very different men who meet in the shadow of McCarthy-era Washington. Bomer will play the handsome, charismatic Hawkins Fuller, who maintains a financially rewarding, behind-the scenes career in politics. Hawkins avoids emotional entanglements – until he meets Tim Laughlin, a young man brimming with idealism and religious faith. They begin a romance just as Joseph McCarthy and Roy Cohn declare war on “subversives and sexual deviants,” initiating one of the darkest periods in 20th-century American history.
Williams will star as Lucy Smith, the daughter of a prominent U.
The series was picked up at Showtime back in April with an eight-episode order. It is based on the novel of the same name by Thomas Mallon.
The show is described as an epic love story and political thriller, chronicling the volatile romance of two very different men who meet in the shadow of McCarthy-era Washington. Bomer will play the handsome, charismatic Hawkins Fuller, who maintains a financially rewarding, behind-the scenes career in politics. Hawkins avoids emotional entanglements – until he meets Tim Laughlin, a young man brimming with idealism and religious faith. They begin a romance just as Joseph McCarthy and Roy Cohn declare war on “subversives and sexual deviants,” initiating one of the darkest periods in 20th-century American history.
Williams will star as Lucy Smith, the daughter of a prominent U.
- 6/7/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
The BAFTAs are one of the best predictors of who will win Best Actor category at the Oscars. In the past decade, nine of the 10 BAFTA champs went on to take the Oscar. The current frontrunner in both races is Will Smith (“King Richard”). But he has a strong rival in Benedict Cumberbatch for his layered portrayal of Phil Burbank in Jane Campion’s intoxicating neo-western, “The Power of The Dog.”
The one BAFTA winner that didn’t repeat at the Oscars was the English actor Chiwetel Ejiofor for “12 Years a Slave”; he lost to Matthew McConaughey, who was ineligible at BAFTAs as “Dallas Buyers Club” was not released in time in England. However, there is more than just nationality propelling Cumberbatch’s candidacy to triumph at BAFTA this year.
Ever since “The Power of The Dog” premiered at the Venice Film Festival last September, critics have raved about Cumberbatch’s performance.
The one BAFTA winner that didn’t repeat at the Oscars was the English actor Chiwetel Ejiofor for “12 Years a Slave”; he lost to Matthew McConaughey, who was ineligible at BAFTAs as “Dallas Buyers Club” was not released in time in England. However, there is more than just nationality propelling Cumberbatch’s candidacy to triumph at BAFTA this year.
Ever since “The Power of The Dog” premiered at the Venice Film Festival last September, critics have raved about Cumberbatch’s performance.
- 3/12/2022
- by Nick Bisa
- Gold Derby
The upcoming Apple limited series “Manhunt” has added Anthony Boyle and Lovie Simone to its cast, Variety has learned.
The pair join previously announced series lead Tobias Menzies. The show is based on the book “Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer” by James Swanson. Menzies will star as Edwin Stanton, Abraham Lincoln’s War Secretary and friend, who was driven nearly to madness by the need to catch Lincoln’s assassin, John Wilkes Booth (Boyle), and to carry out Lincoln’s legacy. The series will also feature Black historical figures, including Mary Simms (Simone), a former slave of the doctor who treated Booth’s injury and gave him safe harbor after his crime.
The show marks the second Apple series in which Boyle will star. He is also set to appear in the Apple World War II drama “Masters of the Air.” His recent TV credits include “The Plot Against America” at HBO,...
The pair join previously announced series lead Tobias Menzies. The show is based on the book “Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer” by James Swanson. Menzies will star as Edwin Stanton, Abraham Lincoln’s War Secretary and friend, who was driven nearly to madness by the need to catch Lincoln’s assassin, John Wilkes Booth (Boyle), and to carry out Lincoln’s legacy. The series will also feature Black historical figures, including Mary Simms (Simone), a former slave of the doctor who treated Booth’s injury and gave him safe harbor after his crime.
The show marks the second Apple series in which Boyle will star. He is also set to appear in the Apple World War II drama “Masters of the Air.” His recent TV credits include “The Plot Against America” at HBO,...
- 2/25/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Benedict Cumberbatch is set to star in the limited series “Londongrad” currently in development at HBO, Variety has learned exclusively.
Based on the book “The Terminal Spy” by Alan Cowell, the series tells the true story of Alexander Litvinenko, the Kgb agent and later defector killed by poisoning with the radioactive isotope polonium-210 in 2006 in England. Cumberbatch will star as Litvinenko and will also serve as an executive producer on the project under his Sunnymarch banner.
David Scarpa is writing “Londongrad” and will also executive produce. Bryan Fogel will direct and executive produce via Orwell Productions. Len Amato of Crash&Salvage will executive produce as well alongside Adam Ackland and Claire Marshall of Sunnymarch.
Cumberbatch has held multiple highly-regarded TV roles during his career. Perhaps most famously, he played the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes in the BBC series “Sherlock,” for which he earned multiple Emmy and BAFTA nominations. He also recently...
Based on the book “The Terminal Spy” by Alan Cowell, the series tells the true story of Alexander Litvinenko, the Kgb agent and later defector killed by poisoning with the radioactive isotope polonium-210 in 2006 in England. Cumberbatch will star as Litvinenko and will also serve as an executive producer on the project under his Sunnymarch banner.
David Scarpa is writing “Londongrad” and will also executive produce. Bryan Fogel will direct and executive produce via Orwell Productions. Len Amato of Crash&Salvage will executive produce as well alongside Adam Ackland and Claire Marshall of Sunnymarch.
Cumberbatch has held multiple highly-regarded TV roles during his career. Perhaps most famously, he played the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes in the BBC series “Sherlock,” for which he earned multiple Emmy and BAFTA nominations. He also recently...
- 10/28/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
As the 46th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival (running September 9–18) moves forward in hybrid form with live events in Toronto as well as virtual screenings, Joana Vicente and Cameron Bailey, Co-Heads of TIFF, are mounting two awards tributes to follow the already announced TIFF Ebert Director Award to Canadian auteur Denis Villeneuve (“Dune”).
This year’s Actor Tributes go to Oscar nominees Benedict Cumberbatch (“The Imitation Game”) and Jessica Chastain. Cumberbatch stars in two films showing at TIFF, Jane Campion western “The Power of the Dog” (Netflix) and Will Sharpe’s period drama “The Electrical Life of Louis Wain” (Amazon).
Chastain’s performance (and makeup) as a notorious televangelist in “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” (Searchlight), is picking up Oscar buzz. Michael Showalter’s long-delayed marital dramedy will make its world premiere at TIFF.
2021 Oscar-winners Sir Anthony Hopkins (Sony Pictures Classics’ “The Father”) and Chloé Zhao (Searchlight’s...
This year’s Actor Tributes go to Oscar nominees Benedict Cumberbatch (“The Imitation Game”) and Jessica Chastain. Cumberbatch stars in two films showing at TIFF, Jane Campion western “The Power of the Dog” (Netflix) and Will Sharpe’s period drama “The Electrical Life of Louis Wain” (Amazon).
Chastain’s performance (and makeup) as a notorious televangelist in “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” (Searchlight), is picking up Oscar buzz. Michael Showalter’s long-delayed marital dramedy will make its world premiere at TIFF.
2021 Oscar-winners Sir Anthony Hopkins (Sony Pictures Classics’ “The Father”) and Chloé Zhao (Searchlight’s...
- 8/12/2021
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
As the 46th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival (running September 9–18) moves forward in hybrid form with live events in Toronto as well as virtual screenings, Joana Vicente and Cameron Bailey, Co-Heads of TIFF, are mounting two awards tributes to follow the already announced TIFF Ebert Director Award to Canadian auteur Denis Villeneuve (“Dune”).
This year’s Actor Tributes go to Oscar nominees Benedict Cumberbatch (“The Imitation Game”) and Jessica Chastain. Cumberbatch stars in two films showing at TIFF, Jane Campion western “The Power of the Dog” (Netflix) and Will Sharpe’s period drama “The Electrical Life of Louis Wain” (Amazon).
Chastain’s performance (and makeup) as a notorious televangelist in “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” (Searchlight), is picking up Oscar buzz. Michael Showalter’s long-delayed marital dramedy will make its world premiere at TIFF.
2021 Oscar-winners Sir Anthony Hopkins (Sony Pictures Classics’ “The Father”) and Chloé Zhao (Searchlight’s...
This year’s Actor Tributes go to Oscar nominees Benedict Cumberbatch (“The Imitation Game”) and Jessica Chastain. Cumberbatch stars in two films showing at TIFF, Jane Campion western “The Power of the Dog” (Netflix) and Will Sharpe’s period drama “The Electrical Life of Louis Wain” (Amazon).
Chastain’s performance (and makeup) as a notorious televangelist in “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” (Searchlight), is picking up Oscar buzz. Michael Showalter’s long-delayed marital dramedy will make its world premiere at TIFF.
2021 Oscar-winners Sir Anthony Hopkins (Sony Pictures Classics’ “The Father”) and Chloé Zhao (Searchlight’s...
- 8/12/2021
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Academy Award nominee Antonio Banderas (“Pain and Glory”) is set to star in Studiocanal’s ”The Monster of Florence,” a six-hour limited series based on The New York Times bestseller “The Monster Of Florence: A True Story” by Douglas Preston and Mario Spezi.
“The Monster of Florence” relates the extraordinary real life investigation carried out by American fiction writer Preston and Italian crime reporter Spezi into what Studiocanal describes as “one of the most riveting and notorious serial murder cases in European history. Banderas will play Spezi.
Denmark’s Nikolaj Arcel, Academy Award nominated for “A Royal Affair,” will direct from scripts written by Arcel and Anders Thomas Jensen, who penned the screenplay for Susanne Bier’s Oscar winner “In a Better World.” Arcel also co-wrote the original “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” starring Noomi Rapace. Banderas and Emanuel Nuñez will serve as executive producers.
Delivering an original twist...
“The Monster of Florence” relates the extraordinary real life investigation carried out by American fiction writer Preston and Italian crime reporter Spezi into what Studiocanal describes as “one of the most riveting and notorious serial murder cases in European history. Banderas will play Spezi.
Denmark’s Nikolaj Arcel, Academy Award nominated for “A Royal Affair,” will direct from scripts written by Arcel and Anders Thomas Jensen, who penned the screenplay for Susanne Bier’s Oscar winner “In a Better World.” Arcel also co-wrote the original “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” starring Noomi Rapace. Banderas and Emanuel Nuñez will serve as executive producers.
Delivering an original twist...
- 6/28/2021
- by John Hopewell and Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Patrick Melrose actress Jessica Raine and Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi have been cast as the leads in Amazon’s The Devil’s Hour, the latest series from Sherlock and Dracula producer Hartswood Films.
From rising British writer Tom Moran, The Devil’s Hour is a UK original that tells the story of Lucy Chambers (Raine), a woman who wakes up every night at exactly 3.33Am, in the middle of the so-called devil’s hour between 3Am and 4Am.
Lucy Chambers’ eight-year-old son is withdrawn and emotionless. Her mother speaks to empty chairs. Her house is haunted by the echoes of a life that isn’t her own. Now, when her name is inexplicably connected to a string of brutal murders in the area, the answers that have evaded her all these years will finally come into focus.
Capaldi features in the six-part series as a reclusive nomad, driven by a murderous obsession.
From rising British writer Tom Moran, The Devil’s Hour is a UK original that tells the story of Lucy Chambers (Raine), a woman who wakes up every night at exactly 3.33Am, in the middle of the so-called devil’s hour between 3Am and 4Am.
Lucy Chambers’ eight-year-old son is withdrawn and emotionless. Her mother speaks to empty chairs. Her house is haunted by the echoes of a life that isn’t her own. Now, when her name is inexplicably connected to a string of brutal murders in the area, the answers that have evaded her all these years will finally come into focus.
Capaldi features in the six-part series as a reclusive nomad, driven by a murderous obsession.
- 6/22/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
In a pioneering alliance, Starzplay is partnering with Studiocanal, Europe’s leading film-tv production-distribution-sales company, on Starzplay’s first French co-production, the series “All Those Things We Never Said.”
Adapting the bestselling novel of the same title by Marc Levy, France’s most-read living author, the comedy-drama series is commissioned by Starzplay and Studiocanal parent, Vivendi’s Canal Plus Group — Europe’s second-biggest pay TV/SVOD operator.
Written by Levy, who will also showrun, the 10-part half-hour series has just initiated principal photography, starring Jean Reno and Alexandra Maria Lara. Studiocanal will handle international sales outside Starzplay and Cpg’s extensive distribution footprints.
Levy’s original novel was published in 2008. Described by Studiocanal, Starzplay and Cpg as “a bittersweet comedy with soul” and “wryly fun,” it taps into human relations — a reconnection with a father and a lost first love; a second chance at life — which carries new meaning as...
Adapting the bestselling novel of the same title by Marc Levy, France’s most-read living author, the comedy-drama series is commissioned by Starzplay and Studiocanal parent, Vivendi’s Canal Plus Group — Europe’s second-biggest pay TV/SVOD operator.
Written by Levy, who will also showrun, the 10-part half-hour series has just initiated principal photography, starring Jean Reno and Alexandra Maria Lara. Studiocanal will handle international sales outside Starzplay and Cpg’s extensive distribution footprints.
Levy’s original novel was published in 2008. Described by Studiocanal, Starzplay and Cpg as “a bittersweet comedy with soul” and “wryly fun,” it taps into human relations — a reconnection with a father and a lost first love; a second chance at life — which carries new meaning as...
- 5/19/2021
- by John Hopewell and Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix has ordered “The 39 Steps,” a limited series based on the 1915 John Buchan novel that will star Benedict Cumberbatch, with Edward Berger at the helm and Mark L. Smith writing.
The series will reunite Cumberbatch and Berger, who last worked together on Showtime’s 2018 mini-series “Patrick Melrose.” The at least six-hour series will be produced by Anonymous Content, Chapter One Pictures and SunnyMarch, the U.K.-based film and TV production company founded by Cumberbatch, Adam Ackland and Adam Selves.
“The 39 Steps” has already been adapted several times, most famously by Alfred Hitchcock in 1935, starring Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll. Buchan’s original spy thriller takes place just before the outset of World War I, centering on Richard Hannay, a man who comes into possession of a key to a global conspiracy and goes on the run.
Cumberbatch was most recently seen in “The Mauritanian,” and remains in the thick of the Marvel Cinematic Universe,...
The series will reunite Cumberbatch and Berger, who last worked together on Showtime’s 2018 mini-series “Patrick Melrose.” The at least six-hour series will be produced by Anonymous Content, Chapter One Pictures and SunnyMarch, the U.K.-based film and TV production company founded by Cumberbatch, Adam Ackland and Adam Selves.
“The 39 Steps” has already been adapted several times, most famously by Alfred Hitchcock in 1935, starring Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll. Buchan’s original spy thriller takes place just before the outset of World War I, centering on Richard Hannay, a man who comes into possession of a key to a global conspiracy and goes on the run.
Cumberbatch was most recently seen in “The Mauritanian,” and remains in the thick of the Marvel Cinematic Universe,...
- 4/9/2021
- by Elaine Low
- Variety Film + TV
Jennifer Jason Leigh has joined Amazon Prime Video’s “Hunters” for the drama’s upcoming second season, TheWrap has learned.
“Hunters” follows a diverse band of Nazi hunters living in 1977 New York City. The Hunters, as they’re known, have discovered that hundreds of high-ranking Nazi officials are living among us and conspiring to create a Fourth Reich in the United States.
The first season, which launched last year on Feb. 21, starred Al Pacino, Logan Lerman and Jerrika Hinton. As of right now, we know that Lerman and Hinton will be returning, but there’s no word yet on if Pacino will be back.
“The Hateful Eight” star Leigh has joined the cast of “Hunters” Season 2 in the leading role of Chava. No details about the character have been provided and the plot for the show’s second batch of episodes is being kept under wraps.
Created by David Weil,...
“Hunters” follows a diverse band of Nazi hunters living in 1977 New York City. The Hunters, as they’re known, have discovered that hundreds of high-ranking Nazi officials are living among us and conspiring to create a Fourth Reich in the United States.
The first season, which launched last year on Feb. 21, starred Al Pacino, Logan Lerman and Jerrika Hinton. As of right now, we know that Lerman and Hinton will be returning, but there’s no word yet on if Pacino will be back.
“The Hateful Eight” star Leigh has joined the cast of “Hunters” Season 2 in the leading role of Chava. No details about the character have been provided and the plot for the show’s second batch of episodes is being kept under wraps.
Created by David Weil,...
- 4/5/2021
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
Vivendi-owned European film and TV studio Studiocanal has sealed a deal with Shanghai Senyu Media to represent Studiocanal’s “The Adventures of Paddington Bear” animated series in mainland China. Rights are being promoted at the virtual edition of Hong Kong rights market FilMart.
The series debuted on Nickelodeon in western markets and has already delivered two seasons. Two feature movies have been completed and a third has been announced.
The series is targeted at a pre-school audience. Each 11-minute episode takes a lead from Michael Bond’s original books and tells a new story in animated form. It is written by Jon Foster and James Lamont and produced by Heyday Films, Studiocanal, Copyrights Group, with the participation of French broadcaster M6.
Senyu Media has previously distributed other western children’s IP in China including “Pj Masks” and “Paw Patrol.” “Paddington is a renowned brand in China and we believe it...
The series debuted on Nickelodeon in western markets and has already delivered two seasons. Two feature movies have been completed and a third has been announced.
The series is targeted at a pre-school audience. Each 11-minute episode takes a lead from Michael Bond’s original books and tells a new story in animated form. It is written by Jon Foster and James Lamont and produced by Heyday Films, Studiocanal, Copyrights Group, with the participation of French broadcaster M6.
Senyu Media has previously distributed other western children’s IP in China including “Pj Masks” and “Paw Patrol.” “Paddington is a renowned brand in China and we believe it...
- 3/17/2021
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Anthony Boyle has signed on to star in in Apple’s World War II drama “Masters of the Air,” a continuation of the “Band of Brothers”/”The Pacific” franchise from Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks.
Boyle joins previously announced cast members Callum Turner and Austin Butler. Based on the book of the same name by Donald L. Miller, “Masters of the Air” follows the true story of the American bomber boys in World War II who brought the war to Hitler’s doorstep. Boyle will star as Major Crosby.
Boyle most recently starred in the HBO miniseries adaptation of “The Plot Against America.” He is also known for starring as Scorpius Malfoy in the play “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” for which he won an Olivier Award. He reprised that role in the show’s Broadway production in 2018. Boyle’s other TV credits include “Patrick Melrose,” “Derry Girls,” and “Ordeal by Innocence.
Boyle joins previously announced cast members Callum Turner and Austin Butler. Based on the book of the same name by Donald L. Miller, “Masters of the Air” follows the true story of the American bomber boys in World War II who brought the war to Hitler’s doorstep. Boyle will star as Major Crosby.
Boyle most recently starred in the HBO miniseries adaptation of “The Plot Against America.” He is also known for starring as Scorpius Malfoy in the play “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” for which he won an Olivier Award. He reprised that role in the show’s Broadway production in 2018. Boyle’s other TV credits include “Patrick Melrose,” “Derry Girls,” and “Ordeal by Innocence.
- 3/16/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Prasanna Puwanarajah’s debut feature, Ballywalter, in the making - Production / Funding - UK/Ireland
The actor’s first feature-length effort is currently shooting in Northern Ireland, and will be toplined by Paul Mallon, Joanne Crawford and Tara Cush. British actor Prasanna Puwanarajah is now filming his first feature in Northern Ireland, a comedy entitled Ballywalter. Before moving into filmmaking, Puwanarajah studied medicine at New College, Oxford, and worked extensively in the NHS and for Médecins du Monde. His previous acting credits include the TV series Defending the Guilty, Patrick Melrose and Doctor Foster: A Woman Scorned. The project was penned by Belfast-born Stacey Gregg, the writer-director of the upcoming psychological thriller Here Before (see the news), and writer of The Innocents, Riviera and Your Ma’s a Hard Brexit. The story has been described as “a bittersweet comedy set in the village of Ballywalter” and will star actors Paul Mallon, Joanne Crawford and Tara Cush...
Amazon’s purportedly billion-dollar-budgeted Lord of the Rings TV series will take place Long before the events of Peter Jackson’s movies. Setting the tone for this small screen return to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, the first two episodes will be directed by J.A. Bayona, who helmed Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.
The Lord of the Rings TV series is set during Middle Earth’s Second Age—that’s thousands of years before Bilbo Baggins, Gollum or Aragorn ever existed! Moreover, the end of said age was a full millennium before the Wizards even arrived in Middle Earth, which makes the series a prequel in an epochal sense.
Amazon hopes the new Lord of the Rings TV show will be the next Game of Thrones, evidenced by its early Season 2 order. While Covid-19 temporarily halted its New Zealand production back...
The Lord of the Rings TV series is set during Middle Earth’s Second Age—that’s thousands of years before Bilbo Baggins, Gollum or Aragorn ever existed! Moreover, the end of said age was a full millennium before the Wizards even arrived in Middle Earth, which makes the series a prequel in an epochal sense.
Amazon hopes the new Lord of the Rings TV show will be the next Game of Thrones, evidenced by its early Season 2 order. While Covid-19 temporarily halted its New Zealand production back...
- 12/3/2020
- by Joseph Baxter
- Den of Geek
After her turn in “Get Out,” Allison Williams is reuniting with Blumhouse to star and executive produce the upcoming tech horror thriller “M3GAN” for Universal, according to an individual with knowledge of the project.
Screenwriter Akela Cooper wrote the screenplay that is based on a story by James Wan. Gerard Johnstone (“Housebound”) is set to direct “M3GAN.”
“M3GAN” centers on Gemma (Williams), a brilliant roboticist at a toy company who uses artificial intelligence to develop M3GAN, a life-like doll programmed to be a kid’s greatest companion and a parent’s greatest ally. After unexpectedly gaining custody of her orphaned niece, Gemma enlists the help of the M3GAN prototype – a decision that has unimaginable consequences.
Jason Blum and James Wan are producing the thriller. Michael Clear, of Wan’s Atomic Monster banner, will executive produce the film with Judson Scott overseeing for the banner. Blumhouse...
Screenwriter Akela Cooper wrote the screenplay that is based on a story by James Wan. Gerard Johnstone (“Housebound”) is set to direct “M3GAN.”
“M3GAN” centers on Gemma (Williams), a brilliant roboticist at a toy company who uses artificial intelligence to develop M3GAN, a life-like doll programmed to be a kid’s greatest companion and a parent’s greatest ally. After unexpectedly gaining custody of her orphaned niece, Gemma enlists the help of the M3GAN prototype – a decision that has unimaginable consequences.
Jason Blum and James Wan are producing the thriller. Michael Clear, of Wan’s Atomic Monster banner, will executive produce the film with Judson Scott overseeing for the banner. Blumhouse...
- 10/7/2020
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Allison Williams will return to the world of horror in the Atomic Monster and Blumhouse doll/tech-centric horror thriller M3GAN, directed by Gerard Johnstone (Housebound) and written by Akela Cooper (The Nun 2) from a story by James Wan:
"After her turn in Get Out, Allison Williams is reuniting with Blumhouse to star in the upcoming tech horror thriller M3GAN.
In the film, Williams plays Gemma, a brilliant roboticist at a toy company. She uses artificial intelligence to develop M3GAN, a life-like doll programmed to be a kid’s greatest companion and a parent’s greatest ally. After unexpectedly gaining custody of her orphaned niece, Gemma enlists the help of the M3GAN prototype - a decision that has unimaginable consequences.
Akela Cooper wrote the script that is based on a story by James Wan, and Gerard Johnstone (Housebound) will direct the film.
Jason Blum and...
"After her turn in Get Out, Allison Williams is reuniting with Blumhouse to star in the upcoming tech horror thriller M3GAN.
In the film, Williams plays Gemma, a brilliant roboticist at a toy company. She uses artificial intelligence to develop M3GAN, a life-like doll programmed to be a kid’s greatest companion and a parent’s greatest ally. After unexpectedly gaining custody of her orphaned niece, Gemma enlists the help of the M3GAN prototype - a decision that has unimaginable consequences.
Akela Cooper wrote the script that is based on a story by James Wan, and Gerard Johnstone (Housebound) will direct the film.
Jason Blum and...
- 10/7/2020
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Exclusive: Allison Williams is reuniting with Blumhouse for the upcoming tech horror thriller M3GAN, in which she’ll star and executive produce. The Girls actress starred in Blumhouse’s Oscar-winning socially conscious blockbuster Get Out which grossed over $255M worldwide. M3GAN is also being produced by Atomic Monster for Universal.
In the film, Williams plays Gemma, a brilliant roboticist at a toy company. She uses artificial intelligence to develop M3GAN, a life-like doll programmed to be a kid’s greatest companion and a parent’s greatest ally. After unexpectedly gaining custody of her orphaned niece, Gemma enlists the help of the M3GAN prototype – a decision that has unimaginable consequences.
Akela Cooper wrote the script that is based on a story by James Wan. Gerard Johnstone (Housebound) will direct the film. Jason Blum and Wan are producing the thriller. Michael Clear,...
In the film, Williams plays Gemma, a brilliant roboticist at a toy company. She uses artificial intelligence to develop M3GAN, a life-like doll programmed to be a kid’s greatest companion and a parent’s greatest ally. After unexpectedly gaining custody of her orphaned niece, Gemma enlists the help of the M3GAN prototype – a decision that has unimaginable consequences.
Akela Cooper wrote the script that is based on a story by James Wan. Gerard Johnstone (Housebound) will direct the film. Jason Blum and Wan are producing the thriller. Michael Clear,...
- 10/7/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Sky Studios Elstree, the large-scale film and TV production facility being developed by Comcast’s European pay-tv operator Sky, sister company NBCUniversal, and finance firm Legal & General, has received the green light to proceed with construction following a decision late Wednesday by the local government, Hertsmere Borough Council.
According to Sky, the studios are likely to generate up to an additional £3 billion ($3.79 million) of production investment in the U.K.’s economy in the first five years of operation. Sky Studios Elstree will become home to a host of Sky Originals, created by Sky Studios, as well as major film productions from Universal Pictures, Focus Features and Working Title, and television series from Universal Studio Group. Independent producers will also be welcome.
The final design for the facility sees 12 sound stages on site, with the ability to merge together and sub-divide sound stages to accommodate productions of all sizes, Sky said.
According to Sky, the studios are likely to generate up to an additional £3 billion ($3.79 million) of production investment in the U.K.’s economy in the first five years of operation. Sky Studios Elstree will become home to a host of Sky Originals, created by Sky Studios, as well as major film productions from Universal Pictures, Focus Features and Working Title, and television series from Universal Studio Group. Independent producers will also be welcome.
The final design for the facility sees 12 sound stages on site, with the ability to merge together and sub-divide sound stages to accommodate productions of all sizes, Sky said.
- 7/9/2020
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
More than 3,500 members of the U.K.’s film and TV industry have signed an open letter calling on gatekeepers to make a number of “strategic commitments” to reshape the landscape and improve representation.
Organizers of the letter — which comes just one week after the U.S. Black Film Collective issued a similar open letter to Hollywood — include “The Boy with the Topknot” producer Nisha Parti, actor and writer Meera Syal, “Patrick Melrose” actor Indira Varma, playwright Tanika Gupta, actor-director Pooja Ghai and presenter Anita Rani.
The group credits the U.S. Black Film Collective’s initial “powerful and eloquent” open letter, sent last week and signed by hundreds of supporters. “As the U.K. TV and Film industry suffers from the same lack of diverse representation in front of and behind the camera, we, a group of women of color working in the industry, have revised it to address...
Organizers of the letter — which comes just one week after the U.S. Black Film Collective issued a similar open letter to Hollywood — include “The Boy with the Topknot” producer Nisha Parti, actor and writer Meera Syal, “Patrick Melrose” actor Indira Varma, playwright Tanika Gupta, actor-director Pooja Ghai and presenter Anita Rani.
The group credits the U.S. Black Film Collective’s initial “powerful and eloquent” open letter, sent last week and signed by hundreds of supporters. “As the U.K. TV and Film industry suffers from the same lack of diverse representation in front of and behind the camera, we, a group of women of color working in the industry, have revised it to address...
- 6/21/2020
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Cast members from the 1990s prime time soap Melrose Place – Josie Bissett, Thomas Calabro, Marcia Cross, Laura Leighton, Heather Locklear, Doug Savant, Grant Show, Andrew Shue, Courtney Thorne-Smith and Daphne Zuniga – have reunited for the Stars in the House benefit series for The Actors Fund.
Hosted by Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley, the Stars in the House YouTube series has been posting special reunion episodes for weeks, welcoming casts from Frasier, Glee, Desperate Housewives, Sctv and Taxi, as well as original Broadway casts from Spring Awakening and Les Misérables, among others.
The Tuesday, April 28 episode featured the Melrose cast reminiscing about their years in West Hollywood’s most iconic apartment complex. The reunion supported The Actors Fund, and viewers were able to donate while they watched. Viewers could also ask questions and interact with with the cast in real time during the show.
One of the more revealing exchanges saw...
Hosted by Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley, the Stars in the House YouTube series has been posting special reunion episodes for weeks, welcoming casts from Frasier, Glee, Desperate Housewives, Sctv and Taxi, as well as original Broadway casts from Spring Awakening and Les Misérables, among others.
The Tuesday, April 28 episode featured the Melrose cast reminiscing about their years in West Hollywood’s most iconic apartment complex. The reunion supported The Actors Fund, and viewers were able to donate while they watched. Viewers could also ask questions and interact with with the cast in real time during the show.
One of the more revealing exchanges saw...
- 4/29/2020
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
With production grinding to a halt in the face of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the entertainment industry has found itself navigating uncharted territory. To offer a better sense of how, The Hollywood Reporter is running a regular series that focuses on how Hollywood's writers, actors, directors, executives and others are living and working in these challenging times.
Producer Rachael Horovitz temporarily relocated to London awhile back with her husband and children while she was in production on the Benedict Cumberbatch series Patrick Melrose, a Showtime series that went on to win a BAFTA for best miniseries. Temporary turned into ...
Producer Rachael Horovitz temporarily relocated to London awhile back with her husband and children while she was in production on the Benedict Cumberbatch series Patrick Melrose, a Showtime series that went on to win a BAFTA for best miniseries. Temporary turned into ...
- 4/24/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
You could tell that there was something wrong with The Rhythm Section as early as last April when Paramount didn’t include the title in its CinemaCon reel of then-intended big pics like Terminator: Dark Fate and Gemini Man.
After what was buzzed to be a female James Bond pic from 007 Eon producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson, we finally learned why Paramount didn’t bet on this critically panned-audience rejected knock-off of La Femme Nikita. Rhythm Section reps Blake Lively’s lowest wide opening at the domestic box office with $2.8M. It’s an unfortunate setback for the former Gossip Girl alum, who’s proved herself to be bankable on a global basis with A Simple Favor ($97M+) and The Shallows ($119M). Man, she even injured her hand during filming. Note this is a film that she over-delivered on, and critics have been quick to note her sublime performance.
After what was buzzed to be a female James Bond pic from 007 Eon producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson, we finally learned why Paramount didn’t bet on this critically panned-audience rejected knock-off of La Femme Nikita. Rhythm Section reps Blake Lively’s lowest wide opening at the domestic box office with $2.8M. It’s an unfortunate setback for the former Gossip Girl alum, who’s proved herself to be bankable on a global basis with A Simple Favor ($97M+) and The Shallows ($119M). Man, she even injured her hand during filming. Note this is a film that she over-delivered on, and critics have been quick to note her sublime performance.
- 2/2/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Two Cities Television, the production company behind Sky and CBS Showtime drama Patrick Melrose, has sold a 25% stake to Stv Productions, the UK production arm of Scottish broadcaster Stv.
The deal means that BBC Studios is exiting Two Cities, with Stv Productions — which recently made BBC One’s Glenda Jackson drama Elizabeth Is Missing — effectively replacing it as a minority shareholder. Stv has the option to turn its equity holding into a majority stake over the next three years.
Two Cities was founded in 2016 and is led by Michael Jackson, the former BBC One controller, Channel 4 CEO and Universal Television chairman, and former Line Of Duty and The Fall executive producer Stephen Wright. It made Benedict Cumberbatch drama Patrick Melrose in 2018 and is currently developing an adaptation of Michael Wolff’s Donald Trump book Fire and Fury in partnership with Topic Studios.
Stv Productions managing director David Mortimer said:...
The deal means that BBC Studios is exiting Two Cities, with Stv Productions — which recently made BBC One’s Glenda Jackson drama Elizabeth Is Missing — effectively replacing it as a minority shareholder. Stv has the option to turn its equity holding into a majority stake over the next three years.
Two Cities was founded in 2016 and is led by Michael Jackson, the former BBC One controller, Channel 4 CEO and Universal Television chairman, and former Line Of Duty and The Fall executive producer Stephen Wright. It made Benedict Cumberbatch drama Patrick Melrose in 2018 and is currently developing an adaptation of Michael Wolff’s Donald Trump book Fire and Fury in partnership with Topic Studios.
Stv Productions managing director David Mortimer said:...
- 1/8/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
“His Dark Materials” star Morfydd Clark has landed a lead role in Amazon’s upcoming “Lord of the Rings” series.
She joins a cast that includes Markella Kavenagh, Joseph Mawle and Maxim Baldry. Sources say Clark will play young Galadriel, the character famously portrayed by Cate Blanchett in Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” films. This would mark one of the first major characters from the book or film announced for the show.
Amazon declined to comment. Reps for Mawle did not immediately respond to Variety’s request for comment.
The “Lord of the Rings” series is being developed by the writing team of JD Payne and Patrick McKay. Additionally, “Game of Thrones” alum Bryan Cogman has signed on as a consulting producer on the project with J.A. Bayona set to direct multiple episodes. Amazon gave the series a two-season order when it was first announced.
She joins a cast that includes Markella Kavenagh, Joseph Mawle and Maxim Baldry. Sources say Clark will play young Galadriel, the character famously portrayed by Cate Blanchett in Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” films. This would mark one of the first major characters from the book or film announced for the show.
Amazon declined to comment. Reps for Mawle did not immediately respond to Variety’s request for comment.
The “Lord of the Rings” series is being developed by the writing team of JD Payne and Patrick McKay. Additionally, “Game of Thrones” alum Bryan Cogman has signed on as a consulting producer on the project with J.A. Bayona set to direct multiple episodes. Amazon gave the series a two-season order when it was first announced.
- 12/18/2019
- by Justin Kroll
- Variety Film + TV
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