News

Channel 5 is joining The Forsytes.

The Paramount network has taken UK rights on PBS Masterpiece’s splashy adaptation of John Galsworthy’s The Forsyte Saga, which stars Doctor Who’s Millie Gibson and Francesca Annis as formidable matriarch Ann.

Penned by British screenwriter Debbie Horsfield (Poldark), the series chronicles the lives of four generations of an upper-class family of stockbrokers, set against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving late-Victorian world. True Blood star Stephen Moyer (Sexy Beast) also features alongside the likes of Jack Davenport (The Morning Show) and Gibson.

This is the third Forsyte Saga adaptation. A version aired in 1967 on the BBC and 35 years later on ITV. The new show is made by ITV Studios-backed Mammoth Screen and is a rare example of a British show being greenlit by an American network, with Channel 5 coming in at a later date. Channel 5 also combines with PBS Masterpiece...

Picture: The Super Mario Bros Movie – Illumination Studios

It’s a busy end to February on Netflix UK with 45 new additions to the library this week, including Illumination’s Super Mario Bros movie, Kate Hudson’s new Netflix comedy Running Point, and every episode of the first season of Pokemon Horizons.

First of all, here are the week’s highlights:

The Super Mario Bros Movie (2023)

Director: Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic

Genre: Animated, Action, Adventure | Runtime: 92 Minutes

Cast: Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key

Illumination Studios greatly adapted one of the world’s most iconic and beloved video games. With plenty of action and easter eggs galore, it’s one to watch with all the family this weekend.

Mario and Luigi, the plumber duo from Brooklyn, are transported to the Mushroom Kingdom, where they find themselves in a conflict between the mushroom princess, Peach, and the tyrannical fire-breathing turtle Bowser,...

On Thursday morning, Amazon founder and executive chair Jeff Bezos posed a question to his X followers: “Who’d you pick as the next Bond?”

Just one day prior, that inquiry may have felt a bit presumptuous: while Amazon’s $8.5 billion MGM acquisition in 2022 gave it the rights to distribute the Bond films, Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson had long been the heads of Eon Productions and the franchise’s custodians. That gave them an unprecedented level of artistic command regarding all things 007.

But in the early morning hours before Bezos’ tweet, Amazon MGM Studios announced a new joint venture with Wilson and Broccoli that would give the studio creative control over James Bond.

“We now live in a world that we’ve never lived in before with this franchise, and that’s the Broccoli family not having the final creative say,” Fandango director of analytics and Box Office...

Fremantle is readying to unleash ‘Sandokan’ onto industry insiders during next week’s London TV Screenings.

“It’s simply a great epic adventure, based on a known IP. It’s ‘Poldark’ meets ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’,” enthuses CEO Commercial and International Jens Richter, promising action, adventure and some good old-fashioned pirating.

Starring Can Yaman (“Daydreamer”), Ed Westwick (“Gossip Girl”) and John Hannah (“Spartacus: Blood and Sand”), it’s based on the series of novels by Emilio Salgari and produced by Fremantle’s Italian content powerhouse Lux Vide. Set in the mid-1800s, it heads to a place inhabited by native Dayak tribes yet dominated by British law. Sandokan is used to fighting for his survival, but one thing catches him by surprise: love.

“There’s a portion of romance,” admits Richter. With each episode set in a different environment, “Sandokan” will “fit the needs of the market perfectly,” he adds.

Many people enjoy Valentine's Day with a romantic dinner or something more lavish, while others are content to spend a night enjoying some wonderfully romantic series'. With so many to choose from, we've taken some of the work out of the task of choosing with this handy list. However you choose to celebrate the holiday, don't miss these great love stories to get in the spirit.

Bridgerton Courtesy: Netflix

Created by Chris Van Dusen for Netflix, Bridgerton is based on a series of novels by Julia Quinn which chronicles the lives of the eight siblings of the noble Bridgerton family who live in the Regency era of London High Society. The series is the first from Shondaland for Netflix, and has aired three seasons with a fourth to come in 2026.

This historical drama is romance at its finest. From the costumes, the modern music played in the style of the particular time period,...

The channels are available whether or not customers are signed up for paid Prime Video subscriptions.

Prime Video’s free programming options just got a major boost. The streamer already carries hundreds of free streaming channels which were formerly shunted to the now defunct Freevee service, but it’s adding one option that provides value to viewers of all ages: PBS. As first announced in November, customers can now access hundreds of live PBS channels on Prime Video, with no subscriptions or other costs required.

Key Details: Over 150 local PBS stations from across the country can now be streamed on Prime Video. The service is also hosting a free PBS Kids channel, as well as PBS Drama, and PBS Documentaries channels. All this PBS content is available even to non-paid Prime Video viewers. 30-Day Free Trial $8.99+ / month amazon.com

There are now more than 150 local PBS stations from various markets in...

There’s plenty of college and pro football to watch this week, alongside some great new shows and films.

Have you lost track of the days yet? With all the time off during the holidays, it can be really hard to keep track of which day is which between Christmas and New Years. Sometimes, the only way to distinguish one day from another is to use new TV and movie premieres to remember what’s happening when.

If that describes you, check out the list of new TV and movie premieres coming to top streamers in the coming week! I’ll keep you entertained no matter how much post-holiday malaise sets in in the next few days with this awesome list of titles.

Monday, Dec. 30 ‘For Life’ series premiere | Acorn TV

This may seem like a bit of an off-the-wall selection for some, especially since it’s not only on...

Emilia Clarke (“Game of Thrones”), Edgar Ramirez (“Emilia Perez”) and Jack Farthing (“Spencer”) will star in “Next Life” from writer-director Drake Doremus (“Like Crazy”), L.A. and London-based production and management company 42, Mutressa and Fetisoff Illusion have announced.

“Next Life” tells the love story of Ivy (Emilia Clarke), who finds herself confronted with parallel universes in which her life unspools in very different ways set against the modern London jazz scene.

Mutressa’s Elika Portnoy, Gleb Fetisov of Fetisoff Illusion and 42’s Ben Pugh and Kate Buckley are producing alongside Doremus. John Palfery Smith will also produce. Production is currently underway in London and set to wrap in late December. CAA Media Finance is representing worldwide rights.

Clarke is best known for her role as Daenerys Targaryen in the HBO award winning series “Game of Thrones,” for which she received four Emmy nominations and three Critics Choice Award nominations.

Go back in time with period dramas and literary adaptations that transport you to another era.

I love when stories whisk me away to another time and place. That’s one of the great powers of television – and few streamers have mastered the art of transporting viewers into lush period dramas, gripping mysteries, and quality adaptations like PBS Masterpiece. Whether it’s the sweeping landscapes of “Poldark,” or the upstairs-downstairs drama of “Downton Abbey,” this streamer offers an escape into worlds where the stakes are high, the romance is hot, and the storytelling is top-notch. If you’ve never explored PBS Masterpiece, now’s the time - it’s the ultimate destination for anyone who loves rich narratives, complex characters, and a little bit of British flair. Here’s everything you need to know about PBS Masterpiece.

7-Day Free Trial $5.99+ / month PBS Masterpiece via amazon.com Everything you need to know...

It's unlikely that fans will ever get to see a Poldark season 6, but there are still a few ways the show could continue in one fashion or another. Based on the Poldark novel series by Winston Graham, the British historical drama TV show premiered in March 2015 and lasted until August 2019 with Poldark season 5. The show follows Ross Poldark (Aidan Turner), a British Army vet who served in the American Revolutionary War. When he returns to Cornwall, he finds his estate in ruins and must work to rebuild his fortune.

In his efforts to rebuild, Poldark hires a scullery maid, Demelza Carne (Eleanor Tomlinson), who he eventually falls in love with and marries. A sprawling historical epic, Poldark struggles through a tumultuous time in world history as he tries to keep his family together and return the Poldark name to glory. The final season sees the French threatening to invade England,...

Exclusive: Award-winning documentary filmmaker Pinny Grylls, and award-winning filmmaker, video artist and actor Sam Crane have signed with Anonymous Content for representation.

The duo teamed to direct their debut feature, Grand Theft Hamlet, which won the Documentary Grand Jury Award at SXSW this year. The movie documents their journey to stage a live performance of Hamlet inside Grand Theft Auto, which won a Stage Innovation Award. The film has been long listed for four British Independent Film Awards and will be distributed in cinemas in the UK and U.S. in 2025 and on Mubi. Additionally, the project garnered numerous awards including The Frontier Competition Grand Prize at Dmx Docs, Vancouver International Film Festival Audience Award and Best Documentary at Sitges, and was screened at Hot Docs, Vision Du Reel, CPHDox and more this year.

Deadline’s Damon Wise praised about Grand Theft Hamlet, “The premise is a winner, and there...

The Apprentice’sMaria Bakalova and Peter Mullan are to star in No Way Off, a suspense thriller directed by UK filmmaker Brian Kelly, and being introduced to buyers by Altitude at the AFM this week.

On Christmas Eve, a young mother and her infant son wait at a bus stop. When her bus pulls up, its driver is wearing a latex Santa mask. When the woman wakes up, she realises she has been abducted.

It’s produced by Matthew James Wilkinson for his Stigma Films banner, and written by Gaby Hull.

Kelly’s credits include directing episodes of Downton Abbey,...

Chelsea Peretti is among a bevvy of guest stars set to appear on the second season of Daisy May Cooper’s BBC hit comedy “Am I Being Unreasonable?”

In addition to the “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” actor, fellow guest stars will include Tom Davis (“Wonka”), Denise Black (“Queer as Folk”), Jamali Maddix (“Never Mind the Buzzcocks”), British rapper and poet Kojey Radical and Cooper’s “This Country” co-star (and real-life brother) Charlie Cooper.

According to the synopsis, Season 2 will begin where Season 1 left off – “mid panic attack.”

“Has Nic got away with murder? Quite possibly. Has she raised her son Ollie to follow in her murky footsteps? Kicked out of the family home for brotherly love – loving the wrong brother – Nic is reduced to sharing a caravan with her not so trustworthy best friend Jen. Nic’s Husband Dan has taken up roller-blading to channel his mid-life crisis. Shunned at the school...

Beta Film’s thriller series “The Couple Next Door,” commissioned by the U.K.’s Channel 4 and Starz in North America, has taken the global market by storm.

Beta Film secured major deals in more than 55 territories across the world, including Rtl in Germany, Rai in Italy, Amazon in the Netherlands (first window) and Rtl in the Netherlands (second window), as well as Vtm in Belgium, and Yes in Israel. NBC Universal snapped up the six-hour drama for Brazil and Latin America, and Now TV for Hong Kong.

Hailed by The Guardian as “a sexy, fantastic time,” “The Couple Next Door” was Channel 4’s biggest drama streaming launch of all time and had a triumphant linear debut last winter.

The six-hour drama stars Sam Heughan, Eleanor Tomlinson, Jessica De Gouw and Alfred Enoch.

The show explores the stultifying claustrophobia of suburbia and the fallout of chasing your darkest desires.

Approval has been granted for council officers to move forward with the sale of the leasehold for Bristol’s Bottle Yard Studios.

The council will retain ownership of the freehold of the UK studios, which has housed productions including Hellboy and BBC drama series such as The Outlaws and Poldark, while selling on a long-leasehold to a private bidder. Councillors voted six to three in favour of the proposal during yesterday’s meeting (October 14).

Councillors accepted an amendment to ensure that the final decision on sale plans would be considered by the committee at a later date. This amendment was...

Equity, the UK performing arts and entertainment trade union, has called on Bristol City Council to rethink the sale of Bottle Yard Studios amid fears the facility would eventually be closed.

Bristol City Council owns the film and TV studios that has hosted productions including feature Hellboy and BBC drama series such as The Outlaws and Poldark.

The council said the sale is intended to “unlock greater investment opportunities, which cannot be pursued under council ownership”. It plans to sell the lease of Bottle Yard on a 10-year term, while retaining the freehold.

However, Equity – a union representing over 50,000 performers...

Hulu has unveiled the full trailer for the eight-part series, ‘Rivals’, based on the celebrated novel by Dame Jilly Cooper and produced by Happy Prince, part of ITV Studios.

Set against the backdrop of the drama, excess, and shocking antics of the power-grabbing social elite of 1980s England, the show delves headfirst into the ruthless world of independent television in 1986. Part of Cooper’s Rutshire Chronicles series it is packed full of romantic entanglements, dastardly deals, sex and wit.

The ’80s set saga stars Alex Hassell, Bella Maclean, Katherine Parkinson, David Tennant, Aidan Turner and Nafessa Williams, Emily Attack, Danny Dyer, Rufus Jones, Luke Pasqualino, Claire Rushbrook.

Written by Dominic Treadwell-Collins and Laura Wade, the lead director is BAFTA-nominated Elliot Hegarty, who also serves as executive producer on episodes 1-4. Eliza Mellor serves as Series Producer. Dee Koppang O’Leary (“The Crown”) and Alexandra Brodski (“Somewhere Boy”) also direct episodes.

Also...

Hulu has revealed the new trailer for the eight-part Rivals series, which is based on the celebrated novel by Dame Jilly Cooper and produced by ITV Studios’ Happy Prince. The series will debut on Hulu in the U.S. on October 18, 2024.

Set against the backdrop of the drama, excess, and shocking antics of the power-grabbing social elite of 1980s England, Rivals delves headfirst into the ruthless world of independent television in 1986.

The series stars Alex Hassell as the dashing ex-Olympian, Member of Parliament, and dangerously charismatic Rupert Campbell-Black, David Tennant as Lord Tony Baddingham, and Aidan Turner as Declan O’Hara.

Nafessa Williams plays Cameron Cook, Katherine Parkinson portrays Lizzie Vereker, and Bella Maclean plays Taggie O’Hara.

The Rivals series also stars Emily Atack, Catriona Chandler, Oliver Chris, Danny Dyer, Rufus Jones, Lisa McGrillis, Luke Pasqualino, Claire Rushbrook, and Victoria Smurfit.

Rivals is executive produced by Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Alexander Lamb,...

Federation Appointment

Federation Stories U.K. has appointed Beth Warin as the new head of development for the company. Warin will work alongside Polly Williams, managing director, and will be responsible for the company’s international drama production slate.

Warin joins from the BBC where she was drama commissioning executive, supporting commissioning editors Jo McClellan and Gaynor Holmes editorially across their slates including “Lockerbie” and “The Night Manager” Season 2.

Federation Stories’s recent credits includes “I, Jack Wright,” a British family drama series created by Chris Lang and starring John Simmy. The banner also has projects in development with broadcasters in the U.K., the US and Europe.

Created three years ago, Federations Stories is the U.K. office of European production studio Federation Studios. The U.K. outpost was set up by two former eOne executives Arielle Gottlieb and Williams. Gottlieb exited the company in February as part of a restructure.

Warning: This article discusses topics of sexual assault, suicide, and political and religious beliefs.

There are loads of fantastic period drama TV shows from the UK that US viewers havent seen but should check out. Some of the best TV shows of all time are period dramas, with the genre being so popular because of how many settings and plots come under the label. Period dramas are set in the past, which can vary from ten years ago to centuries. This allows for all manner of characters and stories to unfold.

Period dramas continue to soar in popularity, especially in recent years, as streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime are jumping on the trend. TV shows like Bridgerton are notably successful because they send audiences back in time and draw them into a new world. British TV is known for producing stellar period dramas, and some titles are relatively unknown in the United States,...

Disney+ has set a premiere date for Rivals, the Jilly Cooper adaptation starring David Tennant, Aidan Turner, Katherine Parkinson, and Danny Dyer.

Lee Mason, Disney’s director of scripted content in Europe, announced at the Edinburgh TV Festival that the eight-part series will drop on October 18 in the UK. Rivals will stream on Hulu in the U.S.

It is part of Cooper’s bestselling Rutshire Chronicles and is set against the backdrop of the excess and antics of the power-grabbing social elite of 1980s England.

The series chronicles the cutthroat world of independent television in 1986 and the long-standing rivalry of ex-Olympian, MP, and notorious womanizer Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) and his neighbor Tony Baddingham (Tennant), controller of Corinium Television.

Poldark star Turner is TV presenter Declan O’Hara, a fierce intellectual with an even fiercer temper who is wooed to Corinium from the BBC. Other cast includes EastEnders actor Dyer as Freddie Jones,...

Period romance TV shows based on classic literature use costuming, archaic language, and historical backdrop to provide engaging escapism. Chemistry between leads and incorporation of historical events create compelling storytelling in period romance series like "My Lady Jane" and "The Spanish Princess." Love, conflict, and societal change are explored in romantic period dramas like "Poldark" and "The Tudors," offering a mix of history and love stories.

Romance isn't always taken seriously as a genre, but the period piece TV shows that tell sweeping love stories for the ages are some of the most highly regarded on television. This is because so many period romance series are based on seminal works of classic literature. The costuming, archaic language, and rules of propriety strongly differ from how love and courtship unfold today. This allows the audience to engage in an attractive form of escapism while watching. In recent years, period romance television...

Starz has unveiled the teaser trailer and release date for The Couple Next Door, a sexy and dangerous new series starring Outlander leading man Sam Heughan, Poldark‘s Eleanor Tomlinson, How to Get Away With Murder‘s Alfred Enoch, and Pennyworth‘s Jessica De Gouw. The Couple Next Door is “a deliciously dark, psychological drama, exploring the claustrophobia of suburbia and the fallout of chasing your deepest desires,” according to Starz. The network says that the six-part series is “an addictive, emotional roller coaster and looks at how we never know what goes on behind closed doors.” As the logline describes, “When Evie (Tomlinson) and Pete (Enoch) move into an upscale neighborhood, they find themselves in a world of curtain twitching and status anxiety. But soon find friendship in the shape of the couple next door, alpha traffic cop Danny (Heughan) and his wife, glamorous yoga instructor Becka (De Gouw). As time goes on,...

Hulu has revealed a new teaser trailer and more photos for the eight-part series Rivals, based on the celebrated novel by Dame Jilly Cooper and produced by Happy Prince, part of ITV Studios. The series is set to debut on Hulu in the U.S. and on Disney+ in other countries later this year.

Set against the backdrop of the drama, excess, and shocking antics of the power-grabbing social elite of 1980s England, Rivals delves headfirst into the ruthless world of independent television in 1986.

This second wave of images (view the first wave of images here) introduces nine more iconic characters from the drama: Sarah Stratton, Caitlin O’Hara, James Vereker, and Freddie Jones.

There’s also Paul Stratton, Valerie Jones, Bas Baddingham, Lady Monica Baddingham, and Maud O’Hara.

The first looks are accompanied by a teaser trailer showcasing the ’80s set saga, which also stars Alex Hassell, Bella Maclean,...

Disney+ has unveiled a teaser trailer alongside more first-look images of the eight-part series, ‘Rivals’, based on the celebrated novel by Dame Jilly Cooper and produced by Happy Prince, part of ITV Studios.

Set against the backdrop of the drama, excess, and shocking antics of the power-grabbing social elite of 1980s England, the show delves headfirst into the ruthless world of independent television in 1986. Part of Cooper’s Rutshire Chronicles series it is packed full of romantic entanglements, dastardly deals, sex and wit.

The first-looks feature alongside a teaser trailer showcasing the ’80s set saga which also stars Alex Hassell, Bella Maclean, Katherine Parkinson, David Tennant, Aidan Turner and Nafessa Williams.

Nine more iconic characters from the drama have been unveiled in this second wave of images, introducing Sarah Stratton, Caitlin O’Hara (Catriona Chandler – ‘Pistol’, ‘Enola Holmes 2’), James Vereker (Oliver Chris – ‘The Crown’, ‘Trying’), Freddie Jones (Danny Dyer – ‘EastEnders,...

Channel 4 has picked up the detective series starring Breaking Bad’s Laura Fraser about a neurodivergent self-taught criminologist.

Patience has just wrapped filming and was made by Couple Next Door producer Eagle Eye drama for PBS Distribution and Beta Film, as part of Eagle Eye’s long-running partnership with the German major.

Fraser is Detective Bea Metcalf, the first person to spot the talents of Patience Evans (Ella Maisy Purvis), who works in the criminal records department of Yorkshire Police, cataloguing and filing the evidence produced during major cases. A young autistic woman, she craves routine and order, relishing the solitude and structure her job provides, but she yearns for more.

Neurodiversity will play a thematic role in the series, with all neurodivergent characters within the series played by neurodiverse actors — including Purvis.

“Patience is a captivating crime drama that not only delivers gripping mysteries, but also offers a...

Viewers can save as much as $5 per month with these new bundles, which are exclusively available on Prime Video channels.

Are you shopping around for a new streamer? If you subscribe to Amazon Prime or Prime Video, you have an excellent opportunity to find a new service at a fantastic price thanks to four new bundle options available on the Prime Video Channels digital store. These deals are exclusively available to customers with Prime Video access, but if that’s you take a look below and see if any of the bundles available are a good fit for your needs!

Get Ad-Free Max/Cinemax for $21.99 (Normally $26.98) Click here to get this bundle. Click “Start Your Bundle Subscription.” Double-check that your payment and contact information are correct. Click “Confirm” to start exploring Max and Cinemax. Get Max/Cinemax Bundle $21.98 per month amazon.com Get ad-free Max and Cinemax for just $21.98 per month,...

Poldarks unique take on historical drama captivates viewers, leaving them yearning for more of Ross Poldarks adventures. Shows like The White Queen, The Paradise, and Land Girls offer similar historical aesthetics, drama, and strong female characters. Fans of Poldark will find joy in Mr. Selfridge, Little Dorrit, and Wuthering Heights, with their captivating storytelling and talented performances.

Shows like Poldark present audiences with something completely different relative to what most people expect from a period drama. Based on Winston Grahams books of the same name, Poldark is a historical drama that plays out over five seasons, and many viewers were left wanting more. The show takes place after the American Revolutionary War, focusing on a British soldier named Ross Poldark, who returns home to find his entire life in disarray. His father has died, his home is a mess, and the love of his life has moved on.

With all these items in focus,...

Watch Clueless if you loved Bridgerton season 3; Penelope's journey mirrors Tai's, finding love by being authentic. Emma is a deep link to Bridgerton; story challenges social norms like Bridgerton does; Colin and Penelope echo Cher and Tai. Clueless most rewarding movie to watch post-Bridgerton; parallels with high school social contracts and Regency England; enjoy Alicia Silverstone and young Paul Rudd.

With Bridgerton season 3 in its mid-season break until June 13, theres one movie fans should watch to fill the vacuum. It might not seem like the most immediately logical choice, but season 3s Colin and Penelope story makes it the perfect option.

Naturally, when the shows fans are looking for movies and TV shows to watch after Bridgerton, historical romance tends to top the bill. Outlander is a recent parallel; theres enough in both Downton Abbey and Poldark to make them good options; and, of course, Pride & Prejudice is the slightly tamer blueprint.

Black Sails, a prequel to Treasure Island, features engaging characters and intense storylines, making it a favorite among viewers. Fans continue to discover and rewatch Black Sails for its complex characters and historical pirate adventures. Other shows like Poldark, Rome, and Turn offer similar historical drama experiences for those craving more after Black Sails.

Black Sails was an underrated but fantastic series about pirates that aired on Starz for four seasons. It is a prequel series based on author Robert Louis Stevenson's work before the story of Treasure Island took place. Black Sails followed the adventures of Captain Flint and his various crewmates, and the interesting, complex characters along with the intense and unique storylines made it a favorite among viewers. While the show concluded several years ago, for those looking for a new show to fill the hole Black Sails left behind, there are several options available.

Even...

Hulu today gave a first glimpse of the avidly awaited eight-part series Rivals, based on the celebrated novel by Dame Jilly Cooper and produced by Happy Prince, part of ITV Studios. The series is set to debut on Disney+ in other countries later this year.

Set against the backdrop of the drama, excess, and shocking antics of the power-grabbing social elite of 1980s England, Rivals delves headfirst into the ruthless world of independent television in 1986.

This first wave of images unveiled six iconic characters from the drama. Alex Hassell plays the dashing ex-Olympian, Member of Parliament, incorrigible rake, and dangerously charismatic Rupert Campbell-Black.

David Tennant features as Lord Tony Baddingham, controller of Corinium Television and Rupert’s single-mindedly ambitious and egotistical adversary. Aidan Turner is journalist and TV presenter Declan O’Hara, who becomes caught in the crossfire of the long-simmering feud between Rupert and Tony.

Nafessa Williams is pictured as Cameron Cook,...

Disney+ thas revealed a set of first-look images of the eight-part series, ‘Rivals’, based on the celebrated novel by Dame Jilly Cooper and produced by Happy Prince, part of ITV Studios.

Set against the backdrop of the drama, excess, and shocking antics of the power-grabbing social elite of 1980s England, the show delves headfirst into the ruthless world of independent television in 1986. Part of Cooper’s Rutshire Chronicles series it is packed full of romantic entanglements, dastardly deals, sex and wit.

Also in news – Exclusive: New Poster for Freud’s Last Session starring Anthony Hopkins & Matthew Goode

Six of the iconic characters from the drama have been unveiled in this first wave of images. Alex Hassell features as the dashing ex-Olympian, Member of Parliament, incorrigible rake, and dangerously charismatic Rupert Campbell-Black.

David Tennant features as Lord Tony Baddingham, controller of Corinium Television and Rupert’s single-mindedly ambitious and egotistical adversary.

Disney+ is building buzz for its Jilly Cooper adaptation Rivals by teasing first-look images of the eight-part series. The series will stream on Hulu in the U.S.

Rivals is part of Cooper’s bestselling Rutshire Chronicles and is set against the backdrop of the excess and antics of the power-grabbing social elite of 1980s England. Scroll on for more images.

Rivals chronicles the cutthroat world of independent television in 1986 and the long-standing rivalry of ex-Olympian, MP, and notorious womanizer Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) and his neighbor Tony Baddingham (David Tennant), controller of Corinium Television.

Poldark star Aidan Turner is TV presenter Declan O’Hara, a fierce intellectual with an even fiercer temper who is wooed to Corinium from the BBC. Other cast includes EastEnders actor Danny Dyer as Freddie Jones, a self-made electrics millionaire.

Among the wider ensemble is Nafessa Williams (Black Lighting), Bella Maclean (Sex Education), Katherine Parkinson...

Tom Hollander and Niamh Algar are set to lead “Iris,” a new Sky Original drama from “Luther” creator Neil Cross. It is a Sky Studios and Fremantle co-production.

“‘Iris’ is a sun-drenched chase thriller about a rootless and enigmatic genius, Iris Nixon who steals a code from charming philanthropist Cameron McIntyre and goes on the run,” reads the logline. “Armed only with her lethal intelligence and chameleonic charm, the clock is ticking for her to work out what the code could unleash before she is found.”

Algar (“Mary & George”) stars as Nixon, a social media manager and puzzle addict who spends her free time solving complex riddles. When she stumbles across a post online about a highly secretive code, she puts herself forward to try and crack it – leading her straight to Cameron McIntyre (Hollander). But all is not as it seems and — realizing she has unwittingly unlocked a powerful...

Exclusive: The Forsyte Saga, John Galsworthy’s sweeping portrait of a wealthy British family in 1880s London, is getting its third TV adaptation in less than 60 years.

PBS Masterpiece has set a six-part season based on the 1920s novels, with BAFTA-nominated Poldark writer Debbie Horsfield penning the adaptation, designed to become a returning series.

It follows the BBC’s 1967 adaptation, which was watched by audiences of up to 18M. The 2002 version aired on ITV and featured a cast including Damian Lewis and Gina McKee.

The latest reimagining is housed at Mammoth Screen, the ITV Studios-backed British production company behind Parade’s End, The Serpent, and Victoria. Filming begins next month in England, Wales, and Italy.

Mammoth has gathered an ensemble cast for the series, led by BAFTA-winner Francesca Annis (Lillie), who plays formidable Forsyte matriarch Ann.

True Blood star Stephen Moyer (Sexy Beast) features as Ann’s eldest son, Jolyon Senior,...

Short films featuring the likes of Dua Lipa and Tobias Menzies (The Crown, Game of Thrones, Manhunt) reading extracts from the six books on the 2024 shortlist for the International Booker Prize for fiction translated into English will debut on Thursday, courtesy of Sharon Horgan and Clelia Mountford’s production company Merman.

The other performers are Eleanor Tomlinson (One Day, Poldark, The Outlaws), David Jonsson (Rye Lane, Industry), Anya Chalotra (The Witcher, Wanderlust), and Antonia Thomas (Still Up, Lovesick, The Good Doctor).

The shortlist films are directed by Charlotte Hamblin, a screenwriter, actor and director known for her performances in Downton Abbey, Call the Midwife and Operation Mincemeat. They will be published on the Booker Prizes website and social channels at 9 a.m. London time/1 a.m. LA time on Thursday. A trailer for the films was just posted on YouTube.

“An avid reader and host of her own book club...

Fans of international entertainment will want to take another look at MHz Choice today. The service just absorbed another international streamer: Topic. The combined service offers Nordic crime dramas, thrillers and true-crime stories along with the best mysteries, dramas, and comedies from across the globe. You can sample the service with a 7-day Free trial.

7-Day Free Trial $7.99+ / month MHz Choice via amazon.com

Starting today, MHz Choice subscribers can access critically-acclaimed series like Denmark’s “The Killing,” the UK’s “Temple”, Germany’s “Pagan Peak,” Finland’s “Arctic Circle,” and more. Subscribers will also be able to watch more shows with English-language dubbing options.

Popular MHz Choice series include “The Bridge,” “Arctic Circle,” “Spiral,” “Professor T,” “The Sea Beyond,” “The Returned,” “Mongeville,” and “A French Village.”

New Pricing

If you were a MHz Choice subscriber, the price remains $7.99/month, but the annual price actually decreases from $89.99/year to $79.99/year.

If you ware a Topic subscriber,...

Poldark ends after 5 seasons, wrapping up the epic tale of Ross Poldark with romance, action, and intrigue. Season 5 focuses on Ross's efforts to save his friend Ned Despard and prevent a French invasion. Fans were left wanting more as the series concluded abruptly, with no news of a revival or spinoff in the works.

Poldark season 5 was the historical drama's last outing, but it packed several years' worth of excitement into its final eight episodes. Set in England around the turn of the 19th century, the series follows Captain Ross Poldark (Aidan Turner) as he returns home from fighting in the American Revolutionary War to find that his life has fallen into shambles. Based on the novels by Winston Graham, Poldark drew inspiration from the books, filled in the gaps, and fleshed out the story Graham started in the 1940s.

Across its five-season run, Poldark received high praise from critics...

Poldark had to make significant changes from the books to fit the time restrictions of each episode, resulting in some scenes being difficult to understand without the context of the books. Ross's character undergoes a drastic change in the show due to the condensed timeline, but the books provide a deeper understanding of his development and the reasons behind it. The addition of new characters in the show led to a different storyline and location, as the cast didn't return to Cornwall like in the novels.

Poldark, the historical drama based on Winston Graham’s books of the same name, ended in 2019 — but season 5 concluded in the year 1799, several decades before the novels final stories, which were set in 1820. As with most novel adaptations, many aspects of the books end up changing to bring the story to a more visual medium, and Poldark is no different, as there are major differences between the versions.

Forget all about Anne Hathaway, Jim Sturgess, Rafe Spall and co. That lot are yesterday’s chip paper. The stars of the 2011 One Day film have been superseded by this new bunch, now bringing David Nicholls’ hit 2009 romance novel to life for a new 14-episodes Netflix series. Adapted by Wild Rose and Three Girls screenwriter Nicole Taylor, One Day is a bittersweet love story set across two decades. It’s the story of Emma and Dexter, whose first night together at their university graduation sparks almost two decades of will-they-won’t-they romance.

Read on to see cast members from This is Going to Hurt, White Lotus season two, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, Poldark and more.

Ambika Mod as Emma Morley

Sketch and improv comedian Ambika Mod made her name in 2022 BBC One drama This is Going to Hurt. Mod played Shruti, a trainee doctor working on the obstetrics ward alongside...

Sparky Pictures, in association with Templeheart Films and Kenmore Films, are delighted to reveal British Sci-Fi thriller Blank is out now on UK Digital Download including Sky Cinema, Virgin, YouTube, Rakuten, Google Play, ITunes and to rent/buy on Amazon Prime Video. Directed by Natalie Kennedy, the film stars Rachel Shelley (The L Word), and Heida Reed, and Wayne Brady (The Wayne Brady Show). Blank is written by Stephen Herman and produced by Rebecca-Clare Evans (In Another Life). Synopsis: After checking in at an AI-operated writer’s retreat, Claire finds herself trapped in her unit with a malfunctioning android. As her captor becomes increasingly unstable, she has to outsmart the technology to make it out alive…

The post Blank | British Sci-Fi Thriller from Director Natalie Kennedy – out now on UK Digital appeared first on Horror Asylum.

Mark Shelmerdine, the veteran producer who revived London Films as an indie powerhouse and played a pivotal role in the development of the international TV distribution market, died October 26 in Santa Barbara surrounded by his family. He was 78.

Among his achievements, he was among the first UK indie TV producers to retain rights to a broadcast production and was a founder of the LA branch of BAFTA.

Shelmerdine’s death was confirmed to Deadline by his friend Brian Eastman. The producer had survived a rare and potentially deadly form of bile duct cancer by receiving a life-saving liver transplant in 2018 through a trial in Houston, and was one of the longest living survivors of the MD Anderson Cancer Center and Houston Methodist Hospital program.

Born on March 27, 1945, Shelmerdine spent part of his childhood in Singapore before moving to the UK. He was awarded a place to attend Sidney Sussex College...

British actress Eleanor Tomlinson has given a full explanation of why she has made a default decision not to film sex scenes, with very few, fully justified exceptions.

The star of BBC drama Poldark, and an upcoming Channel 4 drama The Couple Next Door about intimate partner-swapping, told The Times newspaper that, for one particular sex scene in the latter, she was convinced on-screen nudity would distract from the narrative.

She said:

“I have done nudity before but, for me, it’s based on each project and how necessary I feel it is. And I didn’t feel like it was for this. I mean, there was a conversation where they were pushing for it and the harder they pushed for it, the more I felt like saying, ‘No, you’re just not being creative here. There are so many more interesting ways that you can show this.’ So much...

Netflix's limited series "All the Light We Cannot See" is a compelling WWII drama that explores themes of hope, heartbreak, and connection. Viewers looking for more historical war dramas can turn to acclaimed shows like "Band of Brothers," "The Pacific," and "Transatlantic" for similar storytelling. "All the Light We Cannot See" is a short binge, but other series like "Outlander" and "Poldark" offer longer, immersive narratives set in different periods and perspectives during wartime.

Netflix released the four-episode limited series All the Light We Cannot See on November 2, 2023, and following a quick binge, viewers might be left wanting more. Thankfully, numerous historical war drama television shows exist and are available on streaming platforms. All the Light We Cannot See is based on Anthony Doerr's 2014 book of the same name and tells the story of two people who share a connection, thanks to a radio broadcast, while World War II rages on around them.

The first trailer for The Couple Next Door has arrived and things are getting steamy and dangerous for Outlander‘s Sam Heughan as he engages in an affair with Poldark‘s Eleanor Tomlinson. The six-part dark thriller is poised to arrive on Starz early next year with a release date to be announced, but ahead of the show’s earlier release on Channel 4 in the UK, the network has unveiled an exciting first look. As revealed in the trailer, below, Evie (Tomlinson) and her husband Pete (Alfred Enoch) are new to an upscale suburban neighborhood where they meet neighbors Danny (Heughan) and his wife Becka (Jessica De Gouw). “The Couple Next Door” Coming soon @Channel4 pic.twitter.com/u4i5O8zBt8 — Sam Heughan (@SamHeughan) November 6, 2023 (Credit: Starz) But traffic cop Danny and yoga instructor Becka don’t appear to have a conventional relationship as they explore relations outside of their marriage.

“The Gilded Age,” Julian Fellowes’ critically lauded follow-up to “Downton Abbey,” has returned for a second season on HBO. Although “The Gilded Age” slightly alters the formula that made “Downton Abbey” so popular, swapping out turn-of-the-century England for a rapidly developing America in the late 1800s, it takes place just a few decades before its predecessor. Does that just reflect Fellowes’ fascination with a particular period? Or should we take it as a sign from a master of the genre that this is the ideal setting for a period piece TV show?

Inspired by “The Gilded Age” Season 2, we took a look at Ranker’s list of the 101 Best Period Piece TV Shows (24K votes) to see if readers’ favorite period dramas and comedies happen to center around one period in particular. We also examined the fanbases for some of the most popular shows to see if fans tend to...

What would you do if your best friend told you they were going to die? Nothing to be done, no medicine, no doubts. That’s the predicament facing Jimmy and Tully, two friends living in Scotland in “Mayflies,” the two-part miniseries debuting on Acorn TV on Monday, Oct. 30. When one of them gets a terminal diagnosis, it sparks a conversation that will affect both of their lives forever. You can watch with a 7-Day Free Trial of Acorn TV.

How to Watch 'Mayflies' When: Monday, October 30, 2023 Where: Acorn TV Stream: Watch with a 7-Day Free Trial of Acorn TV. 7-Day Free Trial$6.99+ / month acorn.tv About 'Mayflies'

Jimmy Collins (Martin Compston) and Tully Dawson (Tony Curran) have been best friends for three decades, having bonded over a mutual love of music, movies and more. But when Tully receives a terminal cancer diagnosis, it casts a pall over...

Netflix's Bodies is a captivating crime thriller with attention to detail and strong performances from the cast members. The show explores four different timelines as detectives investigate the same murder, incorporating elements of time travel in a unique way. The leading and supporting actors in Bodies bring depth to their well-written characters, with some having established careers and others making their mark.

Netflix's Bodies weaves an intriguing crime thriller that not only impresses with its attention to detail but also with the strength of the performances of its cast members. Set in four different timelines, the Netflix original crime series walks through the mystery-solving endeavors of four different detectives who somehow end up investigating the same murder. Although the show's synopsis already hints its story involves elements of time travel, its use of time travel as a narrative device is not as mainstream as it seems.

Apart from bringing...

Beta Film’s Channel4/Starz drama series “The Couple Next Door” is moving across European neighborhoods, being sold ahead of Mipcom to Movistar Plus+ in Spain and throughout the Nordics.

Public broadcasters Nrk for Norway, Yle for Finland, Svt for Sweden, Dr for Denmark and Ruv for Iceland snagged the thriller, starring Sam Heughan and Eleonor Tomlinson.

The show explores the stultifying claustrophobia of suburbia and the fallout of chasing one’s darkest desires. Beta Film will present a first exclusive trailer at the traditional Beta Brunch at Mipcom on Tuesday in Cannes.

When Evie (Tomlinson) and Pete move into an upscale neighborhood, they find themselves in a world of curtain twitching and status anxiety. Soon, they find friendship in the shape of the couple next door, alpha traffic cop Danny (Heughan) and his wife, wellness devotee Becka. But before they know it, things get out of control.

Loosely adapted...

Beta Film has released a moving trailer for the Ukrainian war drama “In Her Car,” a gripping series about the ongoing crisis told through the eyes of those who are living it, the company announced ahead of Mipcom.

“In Her Car” (10 x 30’) is produced by Starlight Media and Gaumont in co-production with France Télévisions, Zdf (Germany) and Swiss public broadcaster Srf. The show was also boarded in its early stages by Nordic public broadcasters Svt (Sweden), Dr (Denmark), Yle (Finland), Nrk TV (Norway) and RÚV (Iceland). Showrunner and creator Eugen Tunick directs alongside Arkadiy Nepytaliuk.

The story begins with the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Lydia, played by Anastasia Karpenko, (“How is Katia?”), is a seasoned therapist who alongside her practice fields questions and concerns from her followers on social media. Privately, her life is in disarray, as she tries to divorce a husband who not only cheated on...