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Italy’s Rainbow Group — the company behind the hit “Winx Club” animation franchise — has optioned the rights to adapt mythological saga “Game of Gods,” which has drawn millions of young adult readers on user-generated fiction platform Wattpad.

The “Game of Gods” film adaptation will be produced by Rainbow and its Colorado Film live action unit, in tandem with Wattpad Webtoon Studios as associate producer.

Colorado previously adapted Wattpad title “The Tearsmith” into a young adult hit for Netflix.

Set on the Yale University campus, “Game of Gods” blends suspense, romance and Greek mythology in a contemporary retelling of the myth of Hades and Persephone. The narrative involves a young female student named Haven who gets caught up in the Games of the Gods, “a mysterious ritual organized by the powerful and dangerous Lively brothers,” according to the synopsis.

The book series, by an Italian author whose pen name is Hazel Riley,...

Move over, Winx Club. Anime men might have the most dramatic transformations in the entire entertainment industry. In a short span of time, they go from being ordinary, scrawny men to buff and intimidating. It isn’t realistic by any means.

Recently, the anime community has noticed Sung Jinwoo from Solo Leveling has undergone this transformation. While the point of the series is that he went from being the weakest hunter to the strongest, his glow-up was instantaneous after his “reawakening” in the Double Dungeon.

Sung Jinwoo from Solo Leveling. [Credit: A-1 Pictures]

His transformation has raised eyebrows but his hard work in Solo Leveling explains it all. Sung Jinwoo didn’t just need a serum to become miraculously strong. He throws himself into combat and endless dungeons to earn his skills and eventually the muscular body.

Anime fans have joked that the inspiration behind his drastic transformation came from Saitama, the protagonist of One Punch Man,...

Italy’s Rainbow Group, the company led by Iginio Straffi — creator of the hit “Winx Club” animation franchise — has announced a partnership with a group of Italian equity investors that are providing a roughly €90 million ($92 million) cash injection.

Under the deal, Tec Movie — which is part of a unit within top Italian merchant bank Mediobanca called the Equity Club — will hold a roughly 40% stake in Rainbow.

The deal “marks a strategic move for Rainbow to further consolidate its position as a leading Italian TV production and animation house with a view to future global growth,” according to a Rainbow statement.

Rainbow Group is now “looking to consolidate its international leadership and exploring strategic M&a transactions involving both major IP and companies in Italy and worldwide that share synergies with the group,” the statement added.

Straffi set up Rainbow in 1995, which has become Italy’s leading animation company and the only...

Remember the 2004 Nickelodeon animated series, "Winx Club?" No worries if you don't; the fantasy show revolves around a group of teen girls known as the Winx, who can turn into fairies with different abilities. While this might sound like a clichéd genre convention, "Winx Club" is anything but, with its character-focused storytelling working hand-in-hand with its refreshing outlook on traditional gender roles. Every female character in "Winx Club" is powerful, self-sufficient, and a far cry from the "damsel in distress" trope; together, they work to expose societal double standards and toxic masculinity. Even on a surface level, the magical universe of "Winx Club" takes us on fun, memorable adventures that require fighting adversaries with the elements as a part of its complex magic system.

Series creator Iginio Straffi had been interested in a live-action adaptation since 2011, which eventually led to Netflix's "Fate: The Winx Saga" being produced by Rainbow,...

Keke Palmer is one of the few actresses who worked on both Nickelodeon and Disney Channel at the start of her fame.

During an appearance on The Toast, hosted by Claudia & Jackie Oshry, she explained the differences between working on the two networks as a kid. She had her breakthrough role on Nickelodeon’s True Jackson, VP, and went on to star in Disney’s Jump In!

“I’ll say Disney is really amazing when it comes to not only the storytelling that you see onscreen, but the storytelling even within the company, like they are storytelling through marketing, through their employees,” Palmer said. “People got pins in the office. They are literally a whole like universe, and I think that feels good, especially when you’re a little kid ’cause the magic doesn’t end. So, there’s an element of being a part of it that feels really,...

TV show cancelations are nothing new, but as measures of success continue to change in the age of streaming, they've become an all-too-common occurrence. In just the past few years, streaming practices, the pandemic and 2023's historic writers' and actors' strikes have all had a noticeable impact on whether a show gets renewed. Big-budget genre shows and Lbtgq+-friendly series have been hit particularly hard, with many shows not getting the chance to find their audience and creatives not given enough notice to give the series a satisfying conclusion. That said, there's still a glimmer of hope.

Nowadays, with each new cancelation comes an outcry from fans on social media, and if they make enough noise, they might just save their favorite shows. For instance, fans of Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Community successfully got their shows picked up for additional seasons after cancelation, and Firefly and Veronica Mars were both revived as movies.

The Fate: The Winx Saga cast made major characters for season 2. Inspired by the Winx Club animated series, Fate: The Winx Saga stars Abigail Cowen as Bloom, a teenager who discovers she inherited the power of ancient fairies. In Fate: The Winx Saga, Bloom plunges into a realm of fairies and monstrous Burned Ones. There are striking parallels between Fate: The Winx Saga and J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter franchise, with Bloom compared to Harry himself. Like Harry, she is a "Chosen One" figure who grew up in the normal world and is introduced to magic when she attends school.

In Bloom's case, Fate: The Winx Saga turns this idea on its head by killing off the Dumbledore figure. Farah Dowling was murdered at the end of Fate: The Winx Saga season 1, and in season 2, her killer takes over the school. It's a bold twist, ensuring the story feels fresh and original rather than derivative.

A TV series adaptation of the Cotton Malone books by Steve Berry is in development at Amazon MGM Studios, Variety has learned exclusively.

There are currently 18 bestselling novels in the Cotton Malone series, which began with “The Templar Legacy” in 2006 and with “The Atlas Maneuver” being the most recently published in February 2024. The series has sold over 15 million copies worldwide. It is not currently known which book would serve as the basis for the first season of the show should it move forward at Amazon.

Per the show’s official logline, “An ex-u.S. Justice Department agent turned antiquarian book dealer, Cotton Malone continues to serve his country when secrets and conspiracies buried deep in America’s past come to light and threaten its future. These action-packed mysteries take Malone on international adventures, rooting out enemies not only in hostile nations, but in the highest echelons of the United States’ most powerful and clandestine cabals.

The world’s most famous fairies are ready to enchant again. The teaser trailer for the all-new Winx Club series, coming in 2025 on Rai and Netflix, has been revealed.

The trailer gives an exclusive first look at the reboot, which celebrates a return to the origins of the saga that has captivated millions of fans around the world but has been transformed with innovative special effects and a compelling narrative.

Anticipation for the teaser has ignited the excitement of the global Winx Club community, and the new images give fans a taste of the magic that awaits them. The reboot will transport viewers back to the Magic Dimension as it has never seen before.

The return to the origins of the series will be a fusion of the iconic themes that have made it a worldwide phenomenon with a renewed contemporary vision, allowing fans to experience the adventures of the fairies from a new perspective.

Italy’s Rainbow Group – the company led by Iginio Straffi, creator of the hit “Winx Club” animation franchise – is set to launch into the high seas with a live-action series adaptation of Hugo Pratt’s “Corto Maltese” graphic novels. The comics follow the title character, a swashbuckling sea captain whose adventures take him around the world.

On Wednesday, Rainbow announced a partnership with Cong Sa, the company which owns all of Pratt’s IP. In addition to producing the new live-action TV series, which is currently in development, Rainbow will manage the “Corto Maltese” licensing rights worldwide, the companies said in a joint statement.

Pratt, whose real name was Ugo Eugenio Prat, is legendary figure in the international comic book community, best known for his work on “Corto Maltese,” the long-running historical adventure strip that ran in a number of European publications from 1967-1989. His first, and perhaps most revered,...

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Initially broadcast in 1977, Nickelodeon became a host for some of the most popular childrens entertainment in television history. Creating various live-action and animated shows such as Hey Arnold!, iCarly, and Invader Zim, Nickelodeon challenged childrens entertainment by airing bizarre, emotionally deep, and action-packed programming. While many of its best properties are still around today, much of Nickelodeons legacy is steeped in nostalgia, continuing to bridge the generation gap and evoke memories of growing up with its colorful characters.

But even as people fondly recall shows like SpongeBob SquarePants, The Fairly OddParents, and All That, countless other shows have been forgotten over the networks long history. Having helped define childrens television and push the boundaries of what was possible, Nickelodeons legacy is curious. While series like Rugrats are still around today and their influences can be seen everywhere, many shows became evolutionary dead...

2024 has been an incredibly tough year for the entertainment world. After bidding farewell to so many beloved stars in 2023, including Matthew Perry, Tina Turner, Andre Braugher, and many more, the new year hasn’t brought much relief.

The industry lost more legends who have left a lasting imprint on millions of hearts. Yet, their work and legacy will continue to live on, reminding people of the joy and inspiration they brought into their lives.

Carl Weathers In addition to starring as Greef Karga, Carl Weathers directed some episodes of The Mandalorian Credit: Lucasfilm

Carl Weathers has been a celebrated name through generations, the former football player became famous for his iconic role as Apollo Creed in the Rocky series alongside Sylvester Stallone and was reported to have passed away peacefully in his sleep on February 1 at the age of 76 as per Deadline.

Related“My joke worked”: Not Carl Weathers,...

It has been confirmed that Pokemon voice actor Rachael Lillis has passed away. She was well-known for voicing Misty and Jessie in the popular animated show. A fellow Pokemon castmate shared the news. She was only 46.

Beloved Pokemon Voice Actor Passes Away After Battle With Cancer

Rachael died on Saturday, August 10 after battling cancer. Veronica Taylor, who provided the voice for Ash Ketchum, shared the news on Monday via social media.

Veronica wrote on X, “Rachael was an extraordinary talent, a bright light that shone through her voice whether speaking or singing,” Taylor wrote. “She will be forever remembered for the many animated roles she played, with her iconic performances as Pokemon’s Misty and Jessie being the most beloved.”

YouTube/The Official Pokemon YouTube Channel

The Pokemon voice actor was first diagnosed with breast cancer in May. Veronica’s tribute mentioned the outpouring of love and support Rachael received from her fans,...

Rachael Lillis, the voice actress cherished by millions of Pokemon fans worldwide, passed away on Saturday at 55.

The actress had been battling breast cancer since her diagnosis in May, a fight that garnered immense support from her fans and peers alike.

Lillis, known for her iconic roles as Misty and Jessie in the original English dub of the Pokémon anime series, left a lasting impact on the world of animation.

Initial reports stated that Lillis was 46. However, the New York Times confirmed with her sister, Laurie Orr, that she was born on July 8, 1969.

Lillis is celebrated for her contributions to voice acting, particularly by the Pokemon community.

Several tributes have poured in for the legendary voice actor.

Rachael Lillis’ friend Veronica Taylor led tributes

Born in Dallas, Texas, in 1969, Lillis began her career in voice acting in the 1990s, quickly becoming a central figure in one of the most popular anime series of all time.

Rachael Lillis, voice actor for Pokémon’s Misty and Team Rocket’s Jessie, has died. She was 46.

Lillis died on August 10 after being diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2024. Her Pokémon co-star, Veronica Taylor, shared a post on social media following Lillis’ death.

“We all know Rachael Lillis from the many wonderful roles she played. She filled our Saturday mornings and before/after school hours with her beautiful voice, her terrific comic timing, and her remarkable acting skills,” Taylor, who voices Ash Ketchum in the animé series, shared on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

In a statement, Taylor added, “Rachael was an extraordinary talent, a bright light that shone through her voice whether speaking or singing. She will be forever remembered for the many animated roles she played, with her iconic performances as Pokémon’s Misty and Jessie being the most beloved.”

“Rachael was so thankful...

Rachael Lillis, a voice actor who starred in many “Pokémon” films and series as the characters Misty, Jessie and more, died Aug. 10. She was 46.

Lillis was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2024. Veronica Taylor, Lillis’ “Pokémon” co-star who voiced the lead character Ash Ketchum, posted a statement on X Monday morning that announced Lillis’ death.

“It is with a very heavy heart that I share the news of the passing of Rachael Lillis on Saturday evening, 10 August 2024,” Taylor wrote. “Rachael was an extraordinary talent, a bright light that shone through her voice whether speaking or singing. She will be forever remembered for the many animated roles she played, with her iconic performances as ‘Pokemon’s’ Misty and Jessie being the most beloved. Rachael was so thankful for all the generous love and support that was given to her as she battled cancer. It truly made a positive difference. Her family...

Sandy Cheeks takes center stage in Netflix’s new installment in the “SpongeBob SquarePants” universe, “Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie.” When the beloved residents of Bikini Bottom get snatched up and hauled off to Texas, Sandy and SpongeBob head out on an adventure to save the whole neighborhood.

Of course, the cast is full of familiar “SpongeBob SquarePants” voices, but the adventure also spends some time on the road with Sandy’s family and introduces some new — yet also familiar — names to the cast. So if you’re wondering who’s who in the new “SpongeBob” movie, here’s a handy guide to the “Sandy Cheeks Movie” cast and characters.

Carolyn Lawrence as Sandy Cheeks (Photo Credit: Netflix / Getty Images)

Sandy Cheeks is once again voiced by Carolyn Lawrence, the voice actress who has played the character from the original series through numerous spin-off series, films and video games.

Iginio Straffi, creator of the six teenage fairies in the hit “Winx Club” TV franchise, is launching a new animated series titled “Mermaid Magic” that will drop globally on Netflix on Aug. 22.

Created and produced by Straffi’s Italy-based Rainbow studio, “Mermaid Magic” is penned by U.S. head writers Rich Burns and Nancy Cohen, known for their work on DreamWorks Animation’s “Spirit Riding Free,” and showrunner Guy Bar’ely, whose credits include “Minions” and “Kung Fu Panda.”

The CG-animated series is produced by Rainbow and its Canada-based VFX animation studio Bardel.

Set in the underwater world of Mertropia, “Mermaid Magic” follow the adventures of “warrior mermaids” Princess Merlinda and her inseparable friends Sasha and Nerissa who emerge from the sea and embark on an epic journey to battle the wicked pirate Barbarossa, “who is draining the ocean’s magic,” as the provided synopsis puts it. “The series provides a dazzling blend of magic,...

The most powerful fairies on the globe are back. After rumors and a massive deal of anticipation, creator Iginio Straffi has unveiled at the latest edition of Italy’s Comicon Napoli that Rainbow Studios will be launching the new, CGI-animated Winx Club series on Netflix in 2025.

The new series will premiere worldwide on the world-leading SVOD platform to celebrate the incredible legacy of Winx Club, among the most loved shows worldwide by both new and longtime fans, now ready to show a totally fresh look in a “throwback” version that will make everyone fall in love once again.

The news was followed by the appointment of Playmates Toys and Giochi Preziosi as master toy partners, which will create an enchanting new Winx Club toy line. Leading companies in the toy industry, providing top quality and know-how, Playmates and Giochi Preziosi will release globally a new collection of fashion dolls, accessories,...

"She had the will to win, but she also had the will to live." Transmission Films has revealed the first trailer for A Horse Named Winx, a documentary film about the famous racehorse from Australia. Winx's final race in April 2019 was watched by millions worldwide. From the wilful foal who was hard to catch, to a plain leggy teenager who kept to herself & turned her back on affection, Winx became a front page phenomenon, and in the process thrust her trainer Chris Waller and jockey Hugh Bowman onto the world stage. But away from the cameras, coping with the enormous pressure of maintaining the winning streak was testing Team Winx to the limit. A Horse Named Winx goes behind the sports headlines and spectacular victories to reveal the unforgettable spirit of a champion, who away from the racetrack faced her biggest battle and once again refused to be beaten.

In a first for Italy, young adult romantic drama “Fabbricante di Lacrime” (“The Tearsmith”) – a Netflix Italy original – has reached the No. 1 slot on the streamer’s global movie chart in the non-English-language category.

Based on the turgid eponymous Italian bestseller by a writer who goes by the pen name Erin Doom, “The Tearsmith” dropped globally on Netflix April 4 and rapidly climbed the streaming giant’s global charts. “The Tearsmith,” directed by Alessandro Genovesi, has now been ensconced in Netflix’s No. 1 non-English-language movie slot for two weeks.

Set in the U.S., “Tearsmith” follows two diametrically different orphans named Nica and Rigel who are adopted by the same family from the Sunnyside Orphanage, dubbed “the grave” by the children there. Nica is naive and innocent and Rigel – who was her nemesis at the abusive orphanage – is a violent bully. In their new home, the pseudo siblings fall in love,...

Janice Burgess, who as an executive, producer or creator had a hand in some of the most seminal Nickelodeon animated series of the past 20 years, died Saturday in Manhattan, according to the New York Times. She was 72.

In 1998, Burgess created the first iteration of what would eventually become The Backyardigans, a fanciful show where five animal neighbors in a communal backyard imagine new settings and adventures. The first season of 20 episodes aired in 2004, with critics praising its appeal for both kids and parents as well as its “artistic exactitude” when portraying different genres and setting.

The series ran for four seasons on Nick Jr. (through 2013) with Burgess taking home the Emmy for Outstanding Special Class Animated Program in 2008. During that time, she also worked as the story editor for Nickelodeon’s revival of Winx Club and is credited as a writer on Bubble Guppies.

After working for Children’s Television Workshop in the early ’90s,...

Janice Burgess, the two-time Daytime Emmy winner who created the beloved animated musical series The Backyardigans for Nickelodeon, has died. She was 72.

Burgess died Saturday in hospice care in Manhattan of breast cancer, her former Nickelodeon colleague Brown Johnson told The New York Times.

The Backyardigans ran for four seasons on Nick Jr. from 2004-13 and was a big hit with preschoolers. It centered on five animal neighbors — Uniqua, Pablo, Tyrone, Tasha and Austin — who meet in their shared backyard and embark on imaginary and magical adventures, often visiting different parts of the world or traveling back or forward in time.

Burgess was a production executive at Nick Jr. when she came up with the idea for a live-action show called Me and My Friends, with the characters wearing full-body puppet costumes. When execs didn’t go for that, she suggested computer animation to get The Backyardigans greenlighted.

“Making The...

Janice Burgess, creator of Nickelodeon’s “The Backyardigans,” died on Saturday in hospice care in Manhattan, according to The New York Times. She was 72.

“We are saddened to learn of the passing of one of the great architects of Nick Jr. and creator of the globally beloved series, ‘The Backyardigans,'” Nickelodeon said in a statement. “Janice was one of the greats–inherently creative and kind, and dedicated to the preschool audience everywhere.”

Animation writer Fracaswell Hyman, who met Burgess while both were working on “Gullah Gullah Island,” wrote on Instagram, “Janice swept in with her acid-tongued wit, flowing Hermes scarves and omnipresent cigarettes. Instead of an overseer, she became a friend. She recognized my magic before I did and made sure I was in the room and under consideration for many of the shows that came my way including ‘Little Bill’ and ‘Taina.'”

The statement continued, “Janice, Maria Perez-Brown...

Netflix is resurrecting Fate: The Winx Saga after its cancelation with a graphic novel sequel, giving the show's cult following a chance to find out what is in store for the series' beloved characters. The upcoming graphic novel, titled Fate: The Winx Saga Vol. 1 Dark Destiny, will continue the story from where Season 2 left off. Writer Olivia Cuartero-Briggs promises a "female-centric and character-driven narrative", ensuring the beloved fictional universe is in capable hands. Stay turned for more details to come, before the graphic novel arrives in 2024.

Netflix is bringing back Fate: The Winx Saga for a sequel, this time in graphic novel form. The teen drama was originally released on Netflix between 2021 and 2022, before being canceled after two seasons. There remains enough of a cult following surrounding the Winx Club franchise that there remains fan outcry, hoping for the show to return in some capacity – and now that wish has been granted.

Iginio Straffi, creator of the six teenage fairies in the “Winx Club” TV franchise that bewitched millions of tween girls and spawned Netflix’s live-action “Fate: The Winx Saga,” is launching a new series titled “Gormiti – The New Era.”

The male-skewed “Gormiti” live-action series follows four boys — each representing a different elemental tribe of their homeland Gorm — and Ao-ki, a Light Girl, who leads and trains them. With her help, the boys must learn to master their elemental arm bracers, which when used properly summon legendary heroes and gods of the corresponding elements to fight on their behalf. Standing in their way is Voidus, leader of the evil Darkans, who are looking to escape their shadowy world of Darkor and conquer Gorm.

The Gormiti first surfaced in 2005 as a collection of colorful and highly detailed toys manufactured by Italy’s Giochi Preziosi, which is now co-financing the 20-episode (10 per season...

Rome-based distribution and production exec Thomas J. Ciampa — who last year exited WarnerMedia where he was Italy, Spain and Portugal country manager — is joining Rainbow Group, the prominent Italian indie best known for creating the hit “Winx Club” TV franchise.

In his new position as Rainbow Group’s COO, Ciampa will play a key role in the strategic development and investment strategies of the company’s portfolio, which is expanding from producing animated content for children to encompassing all audiences and market segments.

The “Winx Club” animated TV series — which has bewitched tween girls around the world — was spun into the live-action series “Fate: The Winx Saga” by Rainbow and Netflix, which commissioned and co-produced the show’s first two seasons but passed on making a third installment last year.

Alongside its kids content, Rainbow has been churning out hit genre titles in recent years through its Rome-based Colorado Films,...

Blood Witches are not considered "magical beings" like Fairies, as they gain their powers through unnatural means, specifically human sacrifice and blood manipulation. Blood Witches have the ability to control people by manipulating their blood, giving them complete control over a person's body and the ability to heal or harm them. Blood Witches and Fairies have been in conflict for over a millennium, with both groups harboring intense hatred and distrust towards each other. Blood Witches can steal Fairies' magic and have similar physical attributes to them, but their ultimate goal is to bring back their dead loved ones.

Most high fantasy stories feature a group of mythical villains, and in the case of Fate: The Winx Saga, those supposed villains are the Blood Witches. Based on the animated series Winx Club, Fate: The Winx Saga is a teen drama live-action reboot created by Brian Young and features a strong...

As Taylor Swift once said, “August slipped away like a moment in time,” and August 2023 has been no different. Summer starts to come to a close at the end of August as kids head back to school, Labor Day looms and folks soak up those last few days before the official start of fall on Sept. 21. Netflix will say goodbye to some important titles at the end of this month as well.

The majority of films leaving Netflix will leave on the last day, so there is still time to squeeze some in before the month fully ends. Those leaving the streamer Aug. 31 include “If Beale Street Could Talk,” “Mean Girls,” the “Open Season” films, “Paranormal Activity,” “The Ring” and “Sleepless in Seattle” among others.

While plenty of new films and television shows have arrived on Netflix in August like “Heartstopper” Season 2 and some of the “Despicable Me” films as...

Is it beginning to feel a little like 2020 to anyone else? As the major Hollywood studios continue to refuse even entertaining the completely reasonable requests from the striking actors' and writers' guilds, they've already started pushing back films that were previously set to arrive in the next couple of months, with more delays potentially on the way. Meanwhile, Netflix is doing better than ever -- although, in this case, it's thanks to their deeply unpopular but undeniably successful crackdown on password sharing and not because everyone is stuck at home with nothing else to do but finally stream those films and TV series they've been meaning to catch up on.

Speaking of which (how's that for a segue?), if you've been planning to watch any of the films or shows leaving Netflix in August 2023, now's the time to get cracking. There's nothing departing this month too likely to vanish completely into the streaming void.

Barbie's diverse collection of outfits and appearances in the film have inspired a wave of creative and impressive cosplay. Instagram users @costumekenz, @immeari, @julialoky, and more have perfectly recreated iconic Barbie looks, including the cowgirl outfit, pink beach dress, and retro rollerblade outfits. The popularity of Barbie and Ken's classic and Toy Story-inspired outfits further demonstrates the long-lasting impact of these beloved characters.

Barbie just wouldn't be Barbie without her massive variety of iconic outfits, and this makes her the perfect subject for cosplay. The doll version of Barbie has been around for decades and has seen nearly 200 varieties—including different outfits and skin and hair colors. This provided Greta Gerwig's Barbie movie with a lot of opportunity. Margot Robbie's version of the classic doll wore several outfits designed for the popular children's toy over the years, as well as those created specifically for the film. This allowed...

Netflix's Fate: The Winx Saga was cancelled, and while this seemed like bad news for the possibility of future Winx-related content, it is actually good for the franchise. Fate: The Winx Saga is a teen drama show based on the animated series created by Italian animator Iginio Straffi, Winx Club, co-produced by Rainbow SpA, and later Nickelodeon. Fate: The Winx Saga follows Bloom, a teenager who finds out she is a fairy, as she moves to Alfea to learn to control her powers and discover her origins. Throughout its first and second seasons, Fate tracks the adventures of Bloom and her friends as they face various threads and enemies.

After the debut of Fate: The Winx Saga season 2 on Netflix, show-runner Brian Young announced the news of the show's cancelation on Instagram, revealing that Netflix would not go forward with Fate: The Winx Saga season 3. Despite the platform's...

Netflix and Spin Master’s first trailer for their upcoming series Unicorn Academy promises an adventure that’s anything but mundane and a story full of magic, music and more.

Slated to debut this November on Netflix, Unicorn Academy‘s initial movie and eight-episode series follows a young teen named Sophia, whose been selected to attend a prestigious academy. Upon arrival, she learns it’s actually the ancient and magical Unicorn Academy, setting her on a course of adventure, mystery and friendship that entwines her destiny with a powerful unicorn.

The series is part of a deal between Spin Master and Netflix and is based on Julie Sykes’ popular Nosy Crow series of the same name. A new lane in more ways than one for the company behind Paw Patrol, Sago Mini and Bakugan, Spin Master’s president of entertainment Jen Dodge calls the show the biggest drop of content...

Just because a fantasy series is popular doesn't mean that it has consistently good episodes. In fact, beloved adaptations like Fate: The Winx Saga and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power were mostly hit or miss when viewed at a granular level.

Related: 10 Best Fantasy Shows Like Carnival Row

Some popular fantasy shows were liked because they had engaging source material in the form of books or cartoons, and those fandoms automatically gravitated toward the shows. Others had long runs that kept audiences hooked despite poorly written episodes. As a result, most of these fantasy series got canceled after a point.

The Shannara Chronicles

Based on the novels by Terry Brooks, The Shannara Chronicles took place centuries after the death of humankind. It revolved around elf Princess Amberle, human Rover Eretria, half-elf Wil, and enigmatic Mareth as they embarked on a quest to stop a Demon army from destroying the world.

Freddie Thorp is a British actor. He is best known for his roles in Netflix’s Safe and the movie Summit Fever (2022).

Freddie Thorp Biography: Age, Early Life, Family, Education

Freddie Thorp was born on March 7, 1994 (Freddie Thorp: Age 29), in Chelsea, London to Antonia Manley and Nick Thorp. Thorp went to school at Summer Fields School in Oxford before going to Eton College.

In 2013 Thorp went to New York City to take classes at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute.

In an exclusive interview with uInterview, Thorp discussed what got him interested in acting.

“My dad is a musician or was a musician in the 80s so that probably normalized the creative industry for me as a profession and perhaps I kind of looked up to it,” Thorp revealed. “I never wanted to follow him into music and obviously, I had always been fascinated with storytelling and I was like,...

Fantasy TV has been going through a rough patch lately, with critically acclaimed shows like Warrior Nun and Lockwood And Co. getting axed by streaming giant Netflix. However, there have been a number of beloved fantasy shows that got canceled after cliffhanger finales pre-Netflix too, and fans were left high and dry with no resolution in sight.

Related: 10 Big TV Plot Holes (That Aren't Actually Plot Holes)

Fans invest a lot of time and energy into fantasy worlds, as there is new lore, rules, and a whole new universe to accept and think about in these shows. However, some fan-favorite fantasy fare got a rough end as they clearly set up for at least another season, but didn't get that renewal. The ensuing cliffhangers infuriated loyal fans to no end.

First Kill (2022)

Fans were disappointed to see the First Kill canceled in 2022 as it had a gripping romance as well as riveting drama.

Netflix’s live-action Fate: The Winx saga takes its inspiration for a magical story of female bonding and saving the world from a Nickelodeon animated series. There are many other shows and movies that follow the same themes. Hidden magic, female empowerment, and a search for identity are all found in Fate: The Winx Saga.

Netflix’s Fate: The Winx Saga was canceled after two seasons, but those first two seasons packed a lot of story into a short time. Bloom (Abigail Cowen) discovers she’s a fire fairy and attends a boarding school where she makes friends with different fairies who each specialize in different elements. The group of young women bond despite their differences and end up saving their school - twice - as well as the world of magic altogether. There are many other movies and shows like Fate: The Winx Saga that incorporate those same ideas that fans will also enjoy.

Take a look at where you can watch Ballmastrz: 9009 seasons 1 and 2 and what potential streaming service to find it on.

If dystopian, post-apocalyptic, dark-colored anime is up your street then you should really check out Ballmastrz: 9009. Developed by the animation studio, Titmouse, Inc. — which was partly responsible for Nick Kroll’s Big Mouth — and first aired on Adult Swim in 2018, the futuristic animation is the brainchild of Christy Karacas. Karacas has already worked with Adult Swim on the black comedy animation, Superjail!, and other well-received shows like Robotomy that were aired on Cartoon Network. With a special episode just released, Ballmastrz: Rubicon, we’re going to take a look at where you can catch up on seasons one and two: on HBO Max via the one and only Amazon Prime.

Watch Ballmastrz: 9009 on Amazon Prime Video

Ballmastrz: 9009 Plot

Ballmastrz: 9009 is a high-octane animation that takes place in a post-apocalyptic future.

This week’s “Saturday Night Live” used the shared Nickelodeon experience of host Keke Palmer and cast member Kenan Thompson to create an homage to one of the network’s most iconic shows: “Kenan & Kel.”

In a pre-taped sketch set up like a documentary, we see Palmer approach Thompson and pitch him on the idea of doing a project together. Little does he know, the project Palmer has in mind is a reboot of “Kenan & Kel” – the sitcom that ran from 1996 to 2000 – with Palmer starring opposite Thompson instead of Kel Mitchell.

“I thought it was gonna be a Jordan Peele-produced streaming series,” Thompson says in the sketch. “I wouldn’t have said yes to ‘Kenan & Kel’ but now it’s just Kelly.”

Cut to Palmer telling the camera this was all part of a grand plan: “I had already sold the show before I even met Kenan.

The first season of Netflix’s Fate: The Winx Saga ended by introducing the Dragon Flame — an ancient energy source that allows Bloom to awaken long-dormant fairy magic. In just two seasons, The Winx Saga distanced itself substantially from the Winx Club cartoon. Many of the core characters were essentially the same, but the fairy world, nature of magic, and overall tone had been altered significantly. Some Winx Club fans remain upset with the changes —especially Fate: The Winx Saga's whitewashing of Musa and Flora from the old show — while others have come to accept the new version as simply a different take on the beloved IP.

The Dragon Flame that's pioneered by Bloom is a huge magical power with great consequences. Most of Fate: The Winx Saga season 2 focuses on Bloom trying to control the Dragon Flame, and the extra powers that come with it. The Dragon Flame comes...

Netflix’s Fate: The Winx Saga adapts the popular Winx Club cartoon for live-action, making some notable changes along the way. The live-action Winx Club show is part Harry Potter, part Avatar: The Last Airbender, starring a group of Fairies studying magic at the prestigious Alfea academy. The Winx Saga holds true to the original cartoon in many ways, but it also makes some major changes to the world, tone, lore, and characters of Winx Club.

The original Winx Club cartoon was created by Italian comic artist Iginio Straffi, and brought to America via Nickelodeon (and briefly 4Kids). Winx Club ran for eight seasons and tells the story of a group of Fairy friends studying magic at Alfea College — a Hogwarts-like academy in the Magic Dimension. Bloom, a fire Fairy, leads her friends as they stop witches, sorcerers, and other magical creatures from bringing chaos. Fate: The Winx Saga has...

Fate: The Winx Saga has brought the magical Fairy world of Winx Club to Netflix as a gritty live-action reboot, but it leaves behind a few key cartoon characters, including the Tecna Winx Club character, the Fairy of Technology. While core characters like Bloom, Stella, Aisha, Musa, and Sky all make the jump to live-action in Fate, two of the original show’s main Fairies have been kept out – Flora the Fairy of Nature (who is replaced by her cousin Terra), and the Winx Club Tecna character, who isn’t mentioned at all.

The idea for Fate: The Winx Saga has been long on creator Iginio Straffi's mind, as the show was initially conceived all the way back in 2011 when Viacom became co-owner of his studio and started financing his projects. The series premiered on Netflix in January of 2021 and saw 57 million subscribers in its first month of running.

Fate: The Winx Saga brought the fairy magic of Winx Club to live-action on Netflix, but it also made some changes to that magic along the way, including six different types of Winx fairies. In Winx Club, there was a wide range of different fairy abilities. Each fairy wielded powers unique to themselves, determined by their own distinct personality and history. Musa was the Fairy of Music, for instance, Aisha was the Fairy of Waves, Tecna was the Fairy of Technology, and Flora was the Fairy of Nature. These skill sets were highly specific and specialized to each Winx character, rather than adhering to a more uniform system like Harry Potter or Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Fate: The Winx Saga changes that formula by introducing six core elements that every fairy’s magic connects to – fire, water, earth, air, light, and mind. Aisha’s “waves” magic simply becomes water magic,...

In terms of worldbuilding, Fate: The Winx Saga creates an intricate web of lore, magic, and ancient history, both adapting and changing the canon of Winx Club. Even fans who grew up with the Nickelodeon cartoon were unfamiliar with, for example, what Specialists are in Fate: The Winx Saga's unique universe. Being Netflix’s live-action adaptation of the long-running and well-loved Winx Club cartoon, Fate: The Winx Saga draws most of its setting from the original, while making significant changes in terms of tone, characters, and narrative stakes. Season 1 of Fate: The Winx Saga introduced the audience to Bloom (Abigail Cowen), a young fire fairy who has just arrived at the Otherworld, a magical dimension-of-sorts where most Fairies reside and use elemental magic for channeling their inner power and ultimately fighting evil.

After unintentionally setting her parents’ room on fire back on Earth, which leads to her mother suffering third-degree burns,...

Iginio Straffi, creator of the magical “Winx Club” TV franchise and founder of its Rainbow S.p.A production company, was a bit surprised that Netflix cancelled the live-action “Fate: The Winx Saga” after two seasons. But he also sees it as an opportunity.

“I still have to hear what Netflix has to say officially,” Straffi said in an exclusive interview with Variety after he learned from showrunner Brian Young that the series was axed. “I will be talking to Netflix to fully understand what happened.”

The “Winx Saga” cancellation means that contractually Straffi, who created the six trendy fairies that have become a global IP, can now forge ahead with a long-planned, live-action “Winx” movie budgeted at more than 100 million. It’s “probably the most important project of my entire career,” he said.

For its creator, turning “Winx” into a live-action movie franchise is a culmination of the saga’s journey.

Winx Club creator Iginio Straffi promises more projects after Netflix's cancelation of Fate: The Winx Saga. A live-action adaptation of the Nickelodeon animated series Winx Club, the series debuted on the streaming service in January 2021. The story follows Bloom (Abigail Cowen), a fairy with fire powers who enrolls at a magical boarding school in Alfea. She shares a room with a number of other fairies, learning more about her past, but dangerous ancient creatures emerge and prove to be a threat. All in all, during Fate: The Winx Saga season 1, the show looked to be off to a strong start.

In terms of its viewership, and according to Nielsen's data, the fantasy drama trailed only Bridgerton in the first days of its release with 918 million minutes viewed. Netflix later reported, in April 2021, that 57 million subscribers watched season 1 in the initial 28 days of its debut. But despite the promising start,...

Netflix officially pulled the plug on Fate: The Winx Saga after two seasons earlier this week.

However, the franchise may not be dead yet.

Winx franchise creator Iginio Straffi revealed this week that the Netflix cancellation "is for a bigger reason."

“Fate has been an exciting adventure, a great achievement, and a hit watched by millions globally, re-confirming the power of the Winx world,” Straffi shared on Instagram.

“I am working on many exciting Winx projects in the near future, some of which I take so much joy in sharing with you.”

One of those projects is a "brand new CG Winx animated series reboot," which is set to go into production soon.

The creator promises the show will "sweep you back to the Winx world."

If that wasn't enough Winx goodness, Straffi said that a "big budget Winx movie" is in the works.

“For all the love you have given to Winx,...

Iginio Straffi, the man behind the Netflix live-action series Fate: The Winx Saga, has given fans new hope after the teen drama was canceled earlier this week. Taking to Instagram on Thursday, November 3, Straffi wrote, “Fate has been an exciting adventure, a great achievement, and a hit watched by millions globally, re-confirming the power of the Winx world. I am working on many exciting Winx projects in the near future, some of which I take so much joy in sharing with you.” Straffi, who created the original Nickelodeon animated series Winx Club, which Fate is based on, revealed that a “brand new CG Winx animated series reboot is going into production.” While he didn’t provide further details on what the show would entail, he promised it would “sweep you back to the Winx world.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Iginio Straffi (@straffiiginio) Even more exciting,...

“Gutted” fans of Netflix’s latest casualty have just had their hopes fuelled.

Earlier this week, it was announced that the streaming service had cancelled Fate: The Winx Saga.

Those who enjoyed the show questioned the decision, highlighting that the series topped the charts in several countries globally and that the latest season, which was released in September 2022, ended on a giant cliffhanger.

It was showrunner Brian Young who announced the news, writing on Instagram: “This is not fun news to share, but Netflix [has] decided not to move forward with season three of Fate: The Winx Saga. This is especially tough because I know how many of you loved this season. It’s a heartbreaking silver lining, but a silver lining all the same.”

However, on Thursday (3 November), Iginio Straffi, who created Winx Club, the show’s source material, shared an exciting update on Instagram.

He wrote in a...

Fans of Fate: The Winx Saga, take heart. Creator Iginio Straffi has posted that there are other projects in the works now that the Netflix live-action series has been canceled after two seasons.

“Fate has been an exciting adventure, a great achievement, and a hit watched by millions globally, re-confirming the power of the Winx world,” Straffi wrote via Instagram on Thursday. “I am working on many exciting Winx projects in the near future, some of which I take so much joy in sharing with you.”

Straffi revealed that a “brand new CG Winx animated series reboot is going into production.” No details were given, although Straffi said that the new show will “sweep you back to the Winx world.”

Even bigger, was news that a “big budget Winx movie” is also in the works, something Straffi called his dream. Again, no specifics on the project.

“For all the love you have given to Winx,...