News

The anime community has undeniably gotten bigger in the past few years, and some series in particular are responsible for it. Most seasoned anime fans grew up watching either Naruto, Bleach, or One Piece. Recently, most new fans have started their journey with Hajime Isayama’s Attack on Titan.

Eren Yeager from Attack on Titan. [Credit: Mappa]

I personally grew up watching Fairy Tail and One Piece, but I still remember watching the first episode of Attack on Titan in 2013. From the get-go, it was a unique, one-of-a-kind series. I also never would’ve predicted Eren’s arc would go the Lelouch route. It’s what makes Attack on Titan so amazing.

That, however, is the downside of having Attack on Titan as your first-ever anime. This industry has several genres to explore, from slice-of-life to horror. Not all of them will live up to the high-quality animation and intense storytelling of Isayama’s story.

This article discusses sensitive themes. Reader discretion is advised.

The wondrous world of anime is a convoluted hotpot of various emotions induced by memorable and sometimes shocking stories. However, when it specifically comes to the shock factor, there are anime that literally leave fans gasping for air. These stories don’t generally start out with complicated premises or a noticeable body count. Good anime often depends on a slow-burn buildup and an eerie atmosphere that usually entails the coming of something disturbing.

However, sometimes nothing can prepare the viewers for a reality-breaking revelation or a mind-boggling conclusion that is more traumatizing than inspiring. From one of the most well-known mecha franchises to unsettling psychological thrillers, these unpredictable anime endings petrified fans.

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion’s Unexpected Sacrifice Made It Memorable Stream Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion on CrunchyrollImage via Sunrise

Lelouch vi Britannia is one of...

Apple Original Films and Warner Bros. Pictures have finally launched the full-length official trailer for Joseph Kosinski's F1, the upcoming summer action blockbuster starring 2x Academy Award-winner Brad Pitt (Fight Club; Bullet Train; Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood) as Sonny Hayes, "the greatest that never was."

Speaking with reporters at the trailer launch, the Top Gun: Maverick director teased what we can expect from his next high octane thriller, "Watching Brad drive around at speeds over 180 miles an hour was really impressive to see because it's not something you can just learn overnight. The dedication and the focus that Brad put into this process has been amazing to witness. This film has got it all: Brad Pitt, speed, thrills, an epic underdog story, drama, humor, and a little bit of romance."

As per the synopsis, the film follows Hayes, "Formula 1's most promising phenom of the 1990s...

Brit actress Kelly Reilly, aka ‘Beth Dutton” on the Paramount TV series “Yellowstone”, streaming final Season 5 Part 2, March 16, 2025 on Peacock, poses for “Cowgirl” magazine, photographed by Beau Simmons:

Reilly first appeared in 1995 on the TV series “The Biz”. Her other television work includes starring roles in the British crime drama “Above Suspicion”, (2009–2012)…

…the psychological medical drama “Black Box” (2014), the anthology crime drama “True Detective” (2015) and the historical fantasy drama “Britannia” (2018).

Since 2018, she has played the wild ‘Beth Dutton’…

…on the Paramount Network…

…neo-Western drama series “Yellowstone”, now in its fifth season opposite Kevin Costner.

Reilly's movie work began in 2000 in the English comedy feature “Maybe Baby”.

She gained a supporting role in the romantic drama “Pride & Prejudice” (2005)…

…a leading role in the horror thriller “Eden Lake” (2008),…

…the role of ‘Mary Morstan’ in “Sherlock Holmes” (2009) and its 2011 sequel “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows”…

…a leading role in “Flight...

Brit actress Kelly Reilly, aka ‘Beth Dutton” on the Paramount TV series “Yellowstone”, streaming final Season 5 Part 2, March 16, 2025 on Peacock, poses for “Cowgirl” magazine, photographed by Beau Simmons:

Reilly first appeared in 1995 on the TV series “The Biz”. Her other television work includes starring roles in the British crime drama “Above Suspicion”, (2009–2012)…

…the psychological medical drama “Black Box” (2014), the anthology crime drama “True Detective” (2015) and the historical fantasy drama “Britannia” (2018).

Since 2018, she has played the wild ‘Beth Dutton’…

…on the Paramount Network…

…neo-Western drama series “Yellowstone”, now in its fifth season opposite Kevin Costner.

Reilly's movie work began in 2000 in the English comedy feature “Maybe Baby”.

She gained a supporting role in the romantic drama “Pride & Prejudice” (2005)…

…a leading role in the horror thriller “Eden Lake” (2008),…

…the role of ‘Mary Morstan’ in “Sherlock Holmes” (2009) and its 2011 sequel “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows”…

…a leading role in “Flight...

Brit actress Kelly Reilly, aka ‘Beth Dutton” on the Paramount TV series “Yellowstone”, poses for “Cowgirl” magazine, photographed by Beau Simmons:

Reilly first appeared in 1995 on the TV series “The Biz”. Her other television work includes starring roles in the British crime drama “Above Suspicion”, (2009–2012), the psychological medical drama “Black Box” (2014), the anthology crime drama “True Detective” (2015) and the historical fantasy drama “Britannia” (2018).

Since 2018, she has played ‘Beth Dutton’ on the Paramount Network…

…neo-Western drama series “Yellowstone”, now in its fifth season opposite Kevin Costner.

Reilly's movie work began in 2000 in the English comedy feature “Maybe Baby”.

She gained a supporting role in the romantic drama “Pride & Prejudice” (2005), a leading role in the horror thriller “Eden Lake” (2008),…

…the role of ‘Mary Morstan’ in “Sherlock Holmes” (2009) and its 2011 sequel “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows”…

…a leading role in “Flight” (2012), and co-starred in the thriller “10x10” (2018).

Click the images to enlarge…...

Known for his creative flair and business acumen as much as for his talent for throwing the best parties, French entrepreneur and producer Pascal Breton is celebrating a milestone in the 11-year history of his Paris-based Federation Studios. That is the launch of “The Agency,” the anticipated U.S. remake of “Le Bureau des Legendes” starring Michael Fassbender, which Federation executive produced alongside George Clooney and is co-distributing internationally with Paramount Global Content Distribution.

Federation Studios previously sold Eric Rochant’s smash hit spy series “Le Bureau des Legendes” widely, but retained the IP, allowing the outfit to make a lucrative deal with Paramount for the remake and remain in the picture as co-distributor and executive producer.

A disruptor at heart, Breton was vying for a career in academics after getting a PhD in political science with a prophetic thesis about how television has changed the rules of political life.

Brit actress Kelly Reilly, aka ‘Beth Dutton” on the Paramount series “Yellowstone”, poses for the latest issue of “Town & Country” magazine, wearing Dior, Chopard, Balenciaga and a whole lot more, photographed by Sebastian Kim:

Reilly first appeared in 1995 on the TV series “The Biz”. Her other television work includes starring roles in the British crime drama “Above Suspicion”, (2009–2012), the psychological medical drama “Black Box” (2014), the anthology crime drama “True Detective” (2015) and the historical fantasy drama “Britannia” (2018).

Since 2018, she has played ‘Beth Dutton’ on the Paramount Network…

…neo-Western drama series “Yellowstone’ opposite Kevin Costner.

Reilly's movie work began in 2000 in the English comedy feature “Maybe Baby”.

She gained a supporting role in the romantic drama “Pride & Prejudice” (2005), a leading role in the horror thriller “Eden Lake” (2008),…

…the role of ‘Mary Morstan’ in “Sherlock Holmes” (2009) and its 2011 sequel “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows”…

…a leading role in “Flight...

Exclusive: Sky and the executive producer of Britannia have been slapped with a £6.5M ($8.5M) lawsuit in the UK by a writer who claims the fantasy Roman Empire series was stolen.

Britannia ran for three seasons on Sky before Deadline revealed its cancelation in 2023. Starring The Walking Dead actor David Morrissey as a military leader who spearheads the Roman invasion of Britannia, the drama aired on Amazon Prime Video and later Epix in the U.S.

Benjamin Crushcov, a writer and teacher, has alleged in a High Court lawsuit that Sky and other defendants misappropriated his idea and original script for Britannia, and then conspired to cover-up the drama’s true origins.

James Richardson, co-founder of Britannia producer Vertigo Films, is named as a defendant. The third defendant is Karen Hyland, a journalist who Crushcov accuses of taking a copy of his work and handing it to Richardson.

In a joint statement,...

The Dcu has numerous projects underway, all under the careful guidance of James Gunn and Peter Safran. The most immediate releases include the animated series Creature Commandos and a new Superman film set for a 2025 release, along with several live-action shows centered on prominent DC characters.

Recently, there have been multiple updates regarding the Lanterns series, which will be a cosmic detective story featuring three notable Green Lanterns. It has been confirmed that Nathan Fillion will portray Guy Gardner.

Hal Jordan will be portrayed by Kyle Chandler, despite fan concerns regarding the actor’s age. The only remaining uncertainty is the casting of John Stewart, which is crucial since the show will reportedly focus on Stewart, with Jordan taking on a mentor role. Given that the studio has cast an older Hal Jordan (Josh Brolin was also considered), it’s likely that Jordan may either retire or meet his end by the series’ conclusion.

Dcu has plenty of projects in the works under the watchful eyes of James Gunn and Peter Safran. The projects closest to us are the ‘Creature Commandos’ animated series and ‘Superman’ scheduled for a 2025 release, still plenty of live-action shows focusing on the most notable DC characters are in the works.

In recent weeks, we’ve got plenty of updates related to a ‘Lanterns’ show, a cosmic-detective story focusing on three notable Green Lanterns. We know that Guy Gardner will be portrayed by Nathan Fillion.

Hal Jordan will be played by Kyle Chandler, despite numerous protests from fans due to the actor’s age. So far, the only unknown in the equation is the role of John Stewart.

This is the most important role overall since the show will apparently focus on Stewart with Jordan serving more like a mentor-type figure. Considering that the studio did indeed cast an older...

Code Geass was a series that was crafted with a vision no one saw coming. A character as smart as Lelouch choosing to take on the Britannian army while still being a high-schooler seems more like a fever dream. However, for someone with his wit, it was more than possible. He had the mind to execute the most overly thought-out missions that would put Aizen’s plans to shame.

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion | Credit: Studio Sunrise

In only two seasons, the series managed to show us viewers what it is like to see someone as young as Lelouch grow and fall. To strive for a rule of absolute freedom to becoming what he hates the most, the series perfectly summed up the line ‘You either die a hero or you live long enough to become the villain.’

Code Geass Gave All the Burden to One Man

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion...

Rebel Ridge not only walks through thrilling action sequences and a compelling crime drama but also features memorable performances from a talented set of actors. Serving as Jeremy Saulnier's fifth feature film, Rebel Ridge is significantly different from the director's previous works. Unlike Blue Ruin, Green Room, Hold the Dark, and Murder Party, Rebel Ridge does not feature graphic violence and relies more on gradually building tension to keep a viewer hooked.

However, despite this, Saulnier's directorial forte is still on full display as he cleverly explores subjects like racism and flawed laws surrounding civil asset forfeiture and misdemeanor sentences. The film's gripping narrative is held together by its cast, which includes both familiar and new faces. Since the cast plays a crucial role in selling Rebel Ridge's crime drama to audiences, viewers may be curious where they know the movie's actors from.

Actor

Role

Aaron Pierre...

Palisades Park Pictures has secured a distribution deal with Entertainment Film Distributors (Efd) for U.K. rights to “The Magic Faraway Tree,” an adaptation of Enid Blyton’s beloved children’s novel.

The family adventure feature stars Andrew Garfield (“The Amazing Spider-Man”), Claire Foy (“The Crown”), Nicola Coughlan (“Bridgerton”), Jessica Gunning (“Baby Reindeer”), Jennifer Saunders (“Absolutely Fabulous”) and Rebecca Ferguson (“Dune”).

Ben Gregor (“Britannia”) directs from a script by Simon Farnaby (“Paddington 2”). Currently in production, the film follows a modern family relocating to the English countryside, where the children discover a magical tree with eccentric inhabitants. At the top of the tree, they are transported to spectacular and fantastical lands and, through the joys and challenges of their adventures, the family learns to reconnect and value each other for the first time in years.

Pippa Harris (“1917”) and Nicolas Brown (“Penny Dreadful”) of Neal Street Productions produce alongside Danny Perkins...

Rebecca Ferguson has become one of Hollywood's most coveted stars, with several exciting projects in varying development stages. The Swedish actress rose to prominence in the 2010s and is best known for her roles in blockbuster franchises like Dune and Mission: Impossible. Rebecca Ferguson's best movies & shows range from science fiction to action to musicals to more, and she'll continue to provide such variety over the next few years with a slew of interesting films, including some major franchise projects.

In the past two years, Ferguson saw her tenure in the Mission: Impossible franchise end in Dead Reckoning, though with that series, it's not entirely impossible that Ilsa Faust could return for more. She began her tenure as the lead on the Apple TV+ sci-fi series Silo, which was met with acclaim from fans and critics. In 2024, she received near unanimous acclaim for her role as Lady Jessica in the sci-fi masterwork Dune: Part Two,...

Rebecca Ferguson has been cast in 'The Magic Faraway Tree'.The 'Dune' actress, 40, has signed on to star as the terrifying headmistress Dame Snap in the upcoming Palisades Park Pictures movie adaptation of Enid Blyton's book series for children, which will be directed by 'Britannia' filmmaker Ben Gregor.In a statement, the director said: "Rebecca is a towering screen presence, one of the finest actors of her generation, and will be an electrifying addition to our movie."The actress will star opposite the likes of Andrew Garfield, Claire Foy, Jennifer Saunders, Pippa Bennett-Warner, Nicola Coughlan and Nonso Anozie in the picture, which is currently filming at Shinfield Studios in the UK.Ferguson is best known for starring opposite Tom Cruise as the secret agent Ilsa Faust in the 'Mission: Impossible' franchise, though exited the series after her character was killed off in last year's 'Dead Reckoning'.

Anne Mensah, Netflix’s U.K. VP of content, is one of the streamer’s most senior U.K. executives, overseeing scripted, unscripted, film and acquisitions. “Any content that comes out of the U.K. slate I look after in some way,” she explains before adding: “Or, more specifically, somebody who’s better than me looks after it and I cheer in the background.”

It’s a statement typical of Mensah, who throughout our hour-long interview is always quick to give credit to the colleagues and creatives she works with both locally and internationally as well as being unabashedly enthusiastic about the content. Before I’ve even managed to hit “record” on our conversation, we’re chatting about “The Gentlemen,” which has been renewed for a second season, and “Love Is Blind U.K.,” which is just about to launch when we speak. When I tell her I’ve seen the first four episodes under embargo,...

Jennifer Saunders (“Absolutely Fabulous”), Laurence Olivier Award-winner Hiran Abeysekera (“The Life of Pi”) and Pippa Bennett-Warner (“Gangs of London”) have joined the cast of the film adaptation of Enid Blyton’s “The Magic Faraway Tree,” which is currently in production.

The film, based on Blyton’s beloved “The Faraway Tree” series, follows the Thompson family as they move to the English countryside and discover a magical tree. The fantastical tree’s residents transport visitors to distant lands, setting the stage for a series of whimsical adventures.

Saunders has been cast as the children’s grandmother, Abeysekera as the Angry Pixie, and Bennett-Warner as the grandmother’s assistant, Hannah. Newcomers Delilah Bennett-Cardy, Billie Gadsdon and Phoenix Laroche will play the Thompson children.

These actors join previously announced cast members Andrew Garfield, Claire Foy, Nicola Coughlan, Jess Gunning, Nonso Anozie, Dustin Demri Jones, Mark Heap, Oliver Chris, Lenny Henry, Simon Russell Beale and Michael Palin.

Britannia is a great follow-up to Those About To Die. The show explores the captivating brutality of the Roman Empire through a fantastical, folk-horror lens. Britannia has a very different tone from Those About To Die, creating a welcome contrast.

The popularity of Those About To Die, a streaming success despite its 50% Rotten Tomatoes score, speaks to the unwavering interest in stories about the notorious Roman Empire. The hit show is a reminder to revisit the 2018 series Britannia, which covers an earlier period of Roman history. Set in 43 Ad, this historical fantasy drama explores the invasion of Britain from the perspective of the native Celts, who battle the Roman incursion as they navigate their own tribal feuds. Most notable for its psychedelic folk-horror flavor, Britannia's three-season run earned it a respectable 92% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Britannia was written by Jez Butterworth, the celebrated English playwright, in collaboration with his brother Tom.

Stars: Millie Brady, Ashley Kumar, Abby Fitz, Shonagh Marie, Pollyanna McIntosh | Written by Darach McGarrigle | Directed by Ian Hunt-Duffy

In scientific terms, double blind refers to an experiment in which neither the subjects nor those in charge of the experiment know who is getting the drug and who is getting a placebo. The new Irish thriller Double Blind, not to be confused with another medical thriller of the same name, revolves around one such experiment, a first stage trial of a drug that might eliminate the need for sleep. And if that sounds familiar, it might be due to another recent Irish film, The Sleep Experiment, based off of the creepypasta The Russian Sleep Experiment. But while there are echoes of that here, the two tell their stories in very different ways.

Double Blind follows Claire, a broke young woman who volunteers for a clinical trial run by Blackwood Pharmaceuticals.

Nicola Coughlan, Nonso Anozie and Jessica Gunning have joined the cast of the upcoming adaptation of Enid Blyton’s “The Magic Faraway Tree.”

Coughlan (“Bridgerton”) will portray the woodland fairy Silky, joined by Anozie (“Ted Lasso”) as Moonface. Gunning (“Baby Reindeer”) takes on the role of Dame Washalot, with Dustin Demri-Burns (“Slow Horses”) as Saucepan Man. Mark Heap (“Friday Night Dinner”) will play Mr. Oom Boom Boom, and Oliver Chris (“Trying”) Mr. Watzisname.

The film, based on Blyton’s beloved “The Faraway Tree” series, follows the Thompson family as they move to the English countryside and discover a magical tree. The fantastical tree’s residents transport visitors to distant lands, setting the stage for a series of whimsical adventures.

Adding to the star-studded cast, British icons Lenny Henry, Michael Palin and Simon Russell Beale will portray mystical wise men from the Land of Know-Alls. Previously announced cast members include Claire Foy and Andrew Garfield.

Jeff Zucker and Gerry Cardinale’s RedBird Imi on Thursday closed its £1.15 billion ($1.45 billion) acquisition of TV and film production powerhouse All3Media, the largest TV producer in the U.K., from Warner Bros. Discovery and Liberty Global. The company is behind such shows as the reality/competition series The Traitors and Squid Game: The Challenge, drama series The Tourist, and such films as World War I epic 1917.

Regulators in the U.S., the U.K. and Germany approved the deal.

Early this year, RedBird Imi acquired a stake in Media Res, the studio behind the Apple TV+ shows The Morning Show and Pachinko, founded by former HBO executive Michael Ellenberg. The addition of All3Media gives RedBird Imi an expanded production business. It also owns the unscripted production company EverWonder Studios, the children’s entertainment company Hidden Pigeon Company, and the digital news outlet Front Office Sports.

Last week, RedBird...

Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy have joined the cast of magical family adventure feature “The Magic Faraway Tree,” based on Enid Blyton’s beloved children’s classic.

The film — from Neal Street Productions, Elysian Film Group and Ashland Hill Media Finance — has been adapted by BAFTA winner Simon Farnaby (“Wonka” and “Paddington 2”) and will be directed by Ben Gregor. Palisades Park Pictures are handling sales in Cannes. Principal photography will begin in June, with additional casting currently underway.

Based on “The Faraway Tree” series of novels for children, “The Magic Faraway Tree” follows Polly (Foy) and Tim (Garfield) and their children Beth, Joe and Fran — a modern family who find themselves forced to relocate to the remote English countryside. Soon after the family’s arrival in the countryside, the children discover a magical tree and its extraordinary and eccentric residents including treasured characters Moonface, Silky, Dame Washalot and Saucepan Man.

Get ready for a bloody battle! Wolverine faces off against vampires in Kevin Eastman's gritty cover art for the upcoming Marvel event, Blood Hunt. Marvel teases Wolverine: Blood Hunt will draw on Logan's past and his battles with vampires, all while upping the blood and violence. Tmnt's Tom Waltz teams up with artist Juan Jose Ryp for Wolverine: Blood Hunt, featuring Wolverine, vampires, and more!

Wolverine lets loose against a vicious army of vampires in new Blood Hunt cover art from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles co-creator Kevin Eastman. The artwork evokes the gritty spirit of Eastman’s original Tmnt comics as Logan shows no mercy in battle against his bloodthirsty foes.

Marvel Comics revealed Kevin Eastman’s variant cover for Wolverine: Blood Hunt #1 on its website. The issue will be released in June and kicks off a four-issue miniseries by writer Tom Waltz and artist Juan José Ryp. Eastman...

Exclusive: The CW has rounded out the series regular cast of The Librarians: The Next Chapter. Callum McGowan, Olivia Morris, Bluey Robinson and Caroline Loncq join previously announced Jessica Green and guest star Christian Kane, who reprises his role as Jacob Stone, in the spinoff series.

From writer and executive producer Dean Devlin, The Librarians: The Next Chapter is a spinoff of the original TV series The Librarians, which followed the adventures of the custodians of a magical repository of the world’s most powerful and dangerous supernatural artifacts. The new series centers on a “Librarian” (McGowan) from the past, who time traveled to the present and now finds himself stuck here. When he returns to his castle, which is now a museum, he inadvertently releases magic across the continent. He is given a new team to help him clean up the mess he made, forming a new team of Librarians.

Here’s the latest episode of The Filmmakers Podcast, part of the podcast roster here on Nerdly. If you haven’t heard the show yet, you can check out previous episodes on the official podcast site, whilst we’ll be featuring each and every new episode as it premieres.

For those unfamiliar with the series, The Filmmakers Podcast is a podcast about how to make films from micro-budget indie films to bigger-budget studio films and everything in between. Our hosts Giles Alderson, Dom Lenoir, Dan Richardson, Andrew Rodger and Cristian James talk about how to get films made, how to actually make them and how to try not to f… it up in their very humble opinion. Guests will come on and chat about their filmmaking experiences from directors, writers, producers and screenwriters, to actors, cinematographers and distributors.

The Filmmaker’s Podcast #387: Making an Olivia Colman starring StudioCanal movie...

Joe Wright, director behind the Golden Globe and multi-bafta winning films Pride and Prejudice, The Darkest Hour and Atonement, is set to direct and executive produce The Department, based on the acclaimed French espionage political thriller The Bureau, from George Clooney and Grant Heslov’s Smokehouse Pictures, MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios. Wright replaces Clooney, who initially was slated to direct the series.

Also boarding the series are Tony Award-winning writer Jez Butterworth and John-Henry Butterworth, who will executive produce and pen all 10 episodes. Clooney and Heslov will executive produce through their Smokehouse Pictures along with David C. Glasser and 101 Studios.

Given a straight-to-series at Showtime in 2023, The Department will premiere on Paramount+ with Showtime later this year.

Michael Fassbender is reported to be in talks to star in the series.

“Joe Wright is a visionary director with a gift of focusing on...

Services like Max, Starz, AMC+ and PBS Kids are available at deep discounts over what customers would pay to get them individually.

Bundles are awesome for audiences who love to watch video via streaming. By taking advantage of streaming bundles, viewers get to reduce the number of bills they pay each month for streaming services, and usually get to take a sizeable discount over what the individual services included would cost individually. Amazon’s Prime Video Channels is doing its part to bring more bundled choices to Prime Video subscribers, introducing five new bundles featuring discounts of up to 40% on streamers like Max, AMC+, MGM+, and more.

The new streaming bundles on Amazon start at just $7.99 per month. Each bundle comes with a combination of two different streaming services. More such bundles could be headed to Prime Video in the future. 30-Day Free Trial $8.99+ / month amazon.com The Streamable’s Favorite...

V for Vendetta's iconic mask design was inspired by historical figure Guy Fawkes, connecting the series central character to British history, and tying into the story's themes of revolution and resistance against prevailing ideologies. Alan Moore embraced artist David Lloyd's idea for the mask, recognizing its "genius" and citing its connection to Britian's past as an inspiration. The V mask has transcended the original comic, becoming a symbol of activism and resistance globally, influenced by the 2005 film adaptation of V for Vendetta.

In the 1980s, V for Vendetta presented its central revolutionary character, V, behind a mask inspired by the historical British figure Guy Fawkes. According to writer Alan Moore, artist David Lloyd anticipated skepticism when he pitched the Fawkes-based design for V. Instead, Moore immediately saw the brilliance of the idea, with the tale of Guy Fawkes coming to inform the character in every way, beyond just his visual style.

Bruce Labruce has consistently stuck two middle fingers up at the status quo ever since he and G.B. Jones first began churning out queer punk zines and experimental movies in the late ’80s. As his directing career progressed from a Toronto basement to film festivals and beyond, the co-father of Queercore put those two middle fingers — and the other eight as well — to increasingly subversive use.

Films like “The Raspberry Reich,” “Otto, Or Up with Dead People,” and “L.A. Zombie” (which was banned by Australian censors in 2010) pushed the envelope with their explicit blend of taboo-busting sex and violence. Twincest, amputee fetishism, zombie porn… Nothing’s off the table for one of cinema’s most daring provocateurs, and that’s true again of his latest feature, “The Visitor,” which started out as a London art exhibition before washing up on German shores to premiere as a film in this year’s Berlinale.

Exclusive: UK Director Ben Gregor says his upcoming adaptation of Enid Blyton’s The Magic Faraway Tree will tap into children’s post-pandemic anxiety and retreat into screens as it celebrates the joy of being outdoors in nature, in a subtext that will chime with parents worldwide.

Wonka and Paddington 2 actor and writer Simon Farnaby’s screenplay transposes Blyton’s 1943 classic – about the adventures of three children who discover a magic tree in an enchanted wood – to modern Britain.

The new version will revive the tree’s ragbag collection of characters such as Moonface, Saucepan Man, Dame Washalot, Silky, Angry Pixie and Mister Watzisname as well as the lands at the top of the tree including the Land of Goodies and the Land of Birthdays.

For its contemporary reboot, the three protagonists are uprooted from their hi-tech home in an ultra-modern London Nine Elms-Battersea Power Station-style development to a ramshackle...

Stars: Millie Brady, Ashley Kumar, Abby Fitz, Shonagh Marie, Pollyanna McIntosh | Written by Darach McGarrigle | Directed by Ian Hunt-Duffy

In scientific terms, double blind refers to an experiment in which neither the subjects nor those in charge of the experiment know who is getting the drug and who is getting a placebo. The new Irish thriller Double Blind, not to be confused with another medical thriller of the same name, revolves around one such experiment, a first stage trial of a drug that might eliminate the need for sleep. And if that sounds familiar, it might be due to another recent Irish film, The Sleep Experiment, based off of the creepypasta The Russian Sleep Experiment. But while there are echoes of that here, the two tell their stories in very different ways.

Double Blind follows Claire, a broke young woman who volunteers for a clinical trial run by Blackwood Pharmaceuticals.

Yellowstone's Kelly Reilly has had an extensive career, starring in a variety of projects ranging from British TV shows to Hollywood movies. Reilly's performances often showcase inspiring and bold female characters who navigate male-dominated worlds. Some notable highlights of Reilly's career include her roles in Above Suspicion, Pride and Prejudice, Britannia, and Yellowstone, where she has received critical acclaim for her performances.

Kelly Reilly's movies and TV shows are an exciting mix of drama and crime. Reilly started her career with the children’s program The Biz and has since appeared in projects like the Paramount Network original Yellowstone, Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes movies, and the Denzel Washington-starrer Flight. Interestingly, after her role on The Biz, Reilly took her acting journey further with a letter she addressed to the producers of the ITV crime drama Prime Suspect. Starring in the fourth season as a lawyer’s daughter,...

Award-winning dramatist Jez Butterworth has revealed that his new play is part-inspired by his encounters with disgraced mogul Harvey Weinstein.

The British playwright, who previously penned The Ferryman and Jerusalem as well as Sky Atlantic drama Britannia, told the BBC’s Front Row radio show that his experience with Weinstein – when the pair worked together on the 2001 Birthday Girl starring Nicole Kidman – has stayed with him and influenced his writing on The Hills of California.

Butterworth said: “My very early experiences in the film business were with Miramax, specifically Harvey Weinstein. It became very clear, very quickly that that was the rules of the game. I was meeting actresses in California who wanted to do my film but would not talk to me because they’d had encounters with him.”

When the accusations against Weinstein were made public in 2017, Butterworth read out an open letter on the BBC’s Newsnight programme,...

Here's a list of TV shows that aired (or are expected to air) during the 2021-22 season (roughly September 2021 through August 2022) but won't return for the 2022-23 season. Not finding a show that you believe has been cancelled? Check our other season lists or our network, cable, and streaming show status pages.

Latest additions: The Flight Attendant (Max), Farzar (Netflix), Back to Life (Showtime), Ten Percent (Sundance Now), Suspicion (Apple TV+), Snowflake Mountain (Netflix), Would I Lie to You? (The CW), I Love That for You (Showtime), Amber Brown (Apple TV+), Dancing with Myself (NBC), Britannia (Epix), The Final Straw (ABC), Snake in the Grass (USA Network), The Premise (FX on Hulu), Pause with Sam Jay (HBO), Rat in the Kitchen (TBS), Astrid & Lily Save the World (Syfy), Love Life (HBO Max), Sweet Life: Los Angeles (HBO Max), Legendary (HBO Max),...

Exclusive: The long-gestating modern-day movie adaptation of Enid Blyton’s children’s classic The Magic Faraway Tree has got fresh impetus with new financiers and creatives aboard and a start date lined up for June of this year.

Elysian Film Group and Neal Street Productions are behind the project which is scripted by BAFTA winner Simon Farnaby, riding high off the success of box office hit Wonka, which he co-wrote with Paul King.

Ben Gregor (Britannia) is newly aboard to direct the feature, based on the book series by beloved British author Blyton, also known for creating hit kids properties such as Noddy and Famous Five.

Casting is in process on the film, which will be repped for worldwide sales at next month’s EFM by Tamara Birkemoe’s US and UK-based Palisades Park Pictures. CAA Media Finance is co-repping domestic.

Updated for a contemporary audience, The...

The Wicker Man was inspired by a 1676 engraving called "The Wicker Image" and aimed to be a more cerebral horror movie. The film was shot in 25 different locations throughout Scotland, with aerial shots of Summerisle filmed in South Africa. Christopher Lee starred in the movie for free and even paid for his own promotional tour, showing his passion for the film.

Robin Hardy's The Wicker Man is one of the most beloved cult horror films of the 1970s. Although the film was not a box office success at the time of its release, it grew in popularity through word of mouth. As such, the film currently holds an 89% certified fresh Rotten Tomatoes rating and remains one of the most beloved horror movies ever made. While the movie remains on many best-of lists for horror movies over the years, there is a lot that fans of the movie might not know,...

Most Popular Anime Characters of All Time, Ranked From Naruto to Levi Ackerman ( Photo Credit – IMDb )

Since the dawn of time, anime has had a sort of hold on the world. Despite being native to Japan, it’s a form of media that’s watched and enjoyed all around the world by millions of fans. However, some anime ends up being much more famous than the rest. Names like “Dragon Ball Z,” “Naruto,” “One Piece,” “Attack on Titan,” and “Demon Slayer” are some of the many names that are not only popular in the anime community but have achieved popularity globally — even if people haven’t watched them, they’ve at least heard references about them at one time or another.

These mainstream anime have some of the most popular and well-written characters in them — we’re going to be listing the names, and our claims will be backed up with some trivia.

"Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion" is one of the most anime TV programs out there. It takes about three series-sustaining premises and fuses them into one. In an alternate world where Britain crushed the American Revolution but then fell to Napoleon, the Holy Britannian Empire rules from the North American continent.

Exiled Britannian prince Lelouch lives in the conquered Japan ("Area 11"), waiting for the day when he can take revenge on his father Emperor Charles for the death of his mother, Lady Marianne. He gets his chance when he meets a green-haired witch named Cc, who gives him the "power of a king" — Geass. If Lelouch stares someone in the eye, he can issue one single command that they must obey. He uses his new power to become masked revolutionary "Zero," naming his followers the Black Knights. At the same time, he must also keep a secret identity from his teenage peers,...

On Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at 10:00 Pm on PBS, “Secrets of the Dead” unveils its Season 21 Episode 2, titled “Death in Britannia,” which delves into a fascinating archaeological discovery.

The episode centers around a skeleton dating back to the Roman occupation of Britain. What makes this discovery particularly intriguing is an iron nail driven through the heel bone of the skeleton, which raises the possibility of a crucifixion.

Scientists and researchers are prompted to conduct further investigations into this ancient enigma. The implications of this find, if indeed it does indicate a crucifixion, could shed new light on the history and practices of the Roman era in Britain.

“Secrets of the Dead” is known for its deep dives into historical mysteries and archaeological revelations, and this episode promises to unravel the secrets behind this remarkable skeleton, providing viewers with a glimpse into a captivating chapter of Britain’s past.

Tune in to...

Award-winning horror writer-director Christopher Smith will direct concept horror comedy “Spider Island.”

Written by Christopher Jolley (“The Price We Pay”) and David Quantick (“Veep”), the film will follow a group of social media influencers going to the launch party of a new luxury resort on a beautiful island – one that is infested with deadly spiders.

Smith has won awards at Neuchatel for “Detour” and “Black Death” and at Bucheon for “Severance.” Most recently he directed HBO series “Spy/Master.”

The U.K.’s Vertigo Films will produce the film. Protagonist Pictures is handling worldwide rights, launching sales ahead of the upcoming American Film Market. Automatik VFX will handle visual effects with Seb Barker (“The Wheel of Time”) serving as VFX supervisor.

Production is set to begin in early 2024 in Mauritius. The film will feature a multinational cast.

Smith said: “For a while now, I’ve been searching for the perfect project...

Viaplay Content Distribution has partnered up with German broadcaster Ard Degeto to co-produce “Ronja the Robber’s Daughter,” an epic adventure series.

Ard Degeto will join the series’ existing co-production partners, Filmlance International, Film i Väst and Ahil Films. Along with co-producing, Ard Degeto will also premiere “Ronja” in Germany — in addition to other Viaplay series including the psychological thriller “Veronika,” the drama “Limbo” and dark comedy-drama “Below,” which were acquired as part of the deal.

A modern adaptation of Astrid Lindgren’s world-famous story, “Ronja the Robber’s Daughter” is written by Hans Rosenfeldt (“The Bridge”) and directed by Lisa James Larsson. Astrid Lindgren’s books have sold over 165 million copies worldwide.

“Ronja the Robber’s Daughter” follows the enchanting adventures of a young girl born into a band of

robbers set in and around a fortress in medieval Scandinavia. As Ronja grows up, she learns that the

surrounding forest can be magical and dangerous,...

Driven by a TikTok trend in September, the Roman Empire became a popular topic online, especially fueled by a trend that emerged on TikTok in early September. The trend consists of women asking their boyfriends and husbands how frequently they think about the Roman Empire and being surprised by the answer.

The TikTok trend primarily suggests a male inclination towards the Roman Empire. Looking at the audience demographic breakdown of popular shows in the genre, we can see that their audiences are mostly made up of men, but not overwhelmingly. Beside Starz’s “Spartacus: Gods of the Arena” and UK’s “Britannia,” shows that men made up almost two-thirds of the audience, the other shows on our list below have a balanced gender breakdown. In the case of Netflix’s docudrama “Roman Empire,” the audience is even slightly female-skewed.

Analyzing the generational demographics, it’s evident that the majority of...

Romance is found in some of the happiest stories and fairytales. However, it is also used to portray the deepest tragedies. This latter plot is especially prevalent in romance anime. Very often, something tragic will happen to anime couples that packs suck a punch, fans can't help but cry.

Each couple is different. Anime seems to come up with increasingly sad things to do to its characters. These story elements are so unspeakably distressing that some fans can only bring themselves to watch the show once. These romances are by no means poorly written, but the tragedies they feature are so sad that they sit in audiences' hearts long after finishing them.

Related: 10 Saddest Anime Heroes

Makoto Ito, Kotonoha Katsura, & Sekai Saionji (School Days)

School Days is a tragedy waiting to happen from its first episode. Kotonoha Katsura has a crush on Makoto Ito, and Sekai Saionji initially encourages their relationship.

Multi-award-winning British actress Samantha Morton, and Ruby Stokes appear in the first set of spine-chilling images for Paramount+’s upcoming horror-thriller series “The Burning Girls”.

Morton will star as Reverend Jack Brooks — a single parent haunted by a tragedy from her previous church, who bears the onus of her husband’s death — while Stokes stars as Jack’s 15-year-old daughter Flo — a teenager who marches to the beat of her own drum.

“Set in Chapel Croft, a village haunted by a dark and turbulent history, ‘The Burning Girls’ sees Reverend Jack Brooks and her daughter Flo arrive in the hope of a fresh start. They soon find a village rife with conspiracies and secrets where uncovering the truth can be deadly in a community with a bloody past,” as per the logline.

Read More: ‘The Crowded Room’ Trailer: Tom Holland’s Past Unravels In Psychological Thriller Series

Jack Brooks, played by Samantha Morton,...

In 1973, the killer of Welsh teenagers Sandra Newton, Pauline Flynn and Gwendoline Hughes was not caught, despite a high-profile and widespread investigation by South Wales Police. The girls’ families spent the next three decades not knowing who was responsible for brutally taking the lives of their loved ones, or whether he still lived alongside them in the local Neath and Port Talbot communities.

In 2002, a development in forensics changed everything. The cold case was reopened with much pared-down resources, and crime scene DNA was successfully used to identify Wales’ first recorded serial killer. Steeltown Murders is the story of the loss, guilt and suspicion that followed the 1970s murders, and of the perseverance of the officers who were eventually able to provide the victims’ families with the answers they’d been denied years before.

Here are the actors making up the cast behind Steeltown Murders‘ dramatisation of real-life figures and events.

Are you ready to go for the Full Monty once again?

It's been 25 years since the cult classic had this group of out-of-work steel workers taking it all off in Sheffield, England.

Will they do it again?

You'll have to watch the trailer below to find out.

The new eight-part series follows the same band of brothers as they navigate the post-industrial city of Sheffield and society's crumbling healthcare, education, and employment sectors.

The comedy-drama will uncover what happened to the gang after they put their kit back on, exploring their brighter, sillier, and some of their more desperate moments.

But the series will also highlight how the fiercely funny world of these working-class heroes – still residing in Sheffield – has changed in the intervening decades.

Fans of the movie won't be disappointed as many of the original cast members are returning, including Robert Carlyle as "Gaz," Mark Addy as "Dave,...

Your favorite crew is back!

Disney+ has unveiled the teaser and key art for the eagerly awaited new Original series “The Full Monty.” This eight-part series, which comes from the producers of the legendary BAFTA Award-winning film, will debut only on Disney+ in Canada on June 14.

Read More: Disney+ Announces ‘The Full Monty’ Revival With Original Cast

The comedy-drama will explore the gang’s happier, sillier, and more desperate times as it reveals what happened to them after they put their outfit back on. It will also show how, in the intervening years, the fiercely humorous world of these working-class heroes, who are still based in Sheffield, has transformed.

The teen daughter of Gaz Schofield, Destiny Schofield, who will be portrayed by rising talent Talitha Wing, is also introduced in the teaser.

Older. None the wiser. After 25 years, your favourite crew is back! #TheFullMonty, an Original series, is streaming June 14, only on #DisneyPlus Canada.

Disney+ has debuted the trailer for the highly anticipated, brand-new Original series ‘The Full Monty’. From the makers of the iconic BAFTA-award-winning movie, the eight-part series will premiere exclusively on Disney+ on Wednesday 14 June in the UK.

Taking place 25 years after the original British smash hit, the 8×60’ series will follow the same band of brothers as they navigate the post-industrial city of Sheffield, and society’s crumbling healthcare, education, and employment sectors. The comedy-drama will uncover what happened to the gang after they put their kit back on, exploring their brighter, sillier and more desperate moments. It will also highlight how the fiercely funny world of these working-class heroes – still residing in Sheffield – has changed in the intervening decades.

Reprising their roles are fan-favourite roles with Robert Carlyle as Gaz, Mark Addy as Dave, Lesley Sharp as Jean, Hugo Speer as Guy, Paul Barber as Horse, Steve Huison as Lomper,...

Welcome to Deadline’s International Disruptors, a feature where we shine a spotlight on key executives and companies outside of the U.S. shaking up the offshore marketplace. This week, we’re talking to UK indie veteran Vertigo Films, producer of hit TV shows Britannia, Bulletproof and James Corden and Sally Hawkins starrer Mammals and feature films Monsters, Bronson and Streetdance 3D. Last year, Federation Entertainment acquired a majority stake in the company and we talk about that deal, Vertigo’s pivot from UK indie film to television and why they’re turning their heads back to the indie film space again.

James Richardson and Allan Niblo remember the exact moment they decided to make the jump from the indie film space into the television sphere. It was at the 2014 American Film Market – one of their busiest markets – when the Vertigo Films co-founders walked into the Loews in Santa Monica...