News

Following its rip-roaring success at Pigeon Shrine FrightFest, Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment is delighted that the British horror comedy Members Club will be available on UK Digital Platforms from 21st October.

Written and Directed by Marc Coleman, Members Club stars a host of British talent including Dean Kilbey, Perry Benson, Barbara Smith, Juliet Cowan, Mark Monero, Steve Oram, David Schaal, Alan Ford, Liam Noble as well as Peter Andre.

Wet Dreams, a middle-aged male stripper group, have hit rock bottom. After a string of disastrous gigs, the gang considers disbanding. Alan, the group’s happy-go-lucky front man, takes over the business and books the boys a lucrative and mysterious gig in rural Essex. But when the group arrive at the desolate club, their night quickly takes a dark turn when they find themselves tangled up in a plot to raise a murderous 16th century witch from the dead.

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Five years ago, it was announced that Ben Wheatley would be writing, directing, and executive producing Generation Z, a “hilarious, frightening, and political” series that would consist of six hour-long episodes that would “mix flesh-eating zombies into a story that satirizes how Brexit has divided the UK.” That project didn’t make it into production when it was originally supposed to because of the pandemic shutdown… but after making Meg 2: The Trench (you can read our review at This Link and check out our interview with the filmmaker Here), Wheatley circled back around to Generation Z. The show is now ready to start airing on Channel 4 in October, and in anticipation of the premiere, Empire has unveiled two new images. One can be seen above, and the other can be found at the bottom of this article.

The show is described as “a coming-of-age parable for our very...

Black Water Pictures is thrilled to announce that their latest horror comedy, Members Club, will have its world premiere at this year’s Pigeon Shrine FrightFest on 24th August. This highly anticipated film, written and directed by Marc Coleman, is a wild fusion of The Full Monty and From Dusk Till Dawn, promising a unique blend of laughs and scares. It will certainly bring a bit of light relief to the otherwise rather dark and gruesome festival.

Members Club stars an impressive, extensive list of British talent including Dean Kilbey, Top Boy), Perry Benson, Barbara Smith, Juliet Cowan, Mark Monero, Steve Oram, David Schaal, Alan Ford, Liam Noble, and Peter Andre.

The film follows Wet Dreams, a down-and-out middle-aged male stripper group, as they grapple with a series of disastrous gigs and contemplate disbanding. Alan, the group’s optimistic frontman, seizes control and secures a seemingly lucrative gig in rural Essex.

Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith’s anthology show Inside No 9 will begin broadcasting its final series on 8th May, here are the details.

You have to take your hat off to Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith. By the end of the next series, The League Of Gentlemen stars will have written 55 completely new, original comedy dramas, complete with shocks, surprises and twists aplenty. We’re talking about the majestic Inside No 9.

From the silent shenanigans of the wonderful A Quiet Night In (which featured Charlie Chaplin’s granddaughter Oona Chaplin) to the astonishing drama of The Twelve Days Of Christine and, arguably the greatest episode, beautiful ode to double acts Bernie Clifton’s Dressing Room, if you’ve never had the pleasure, it is a series well worth delving into.

Perhaps appropriately, the upcoming series will be the last.

The BBC has revealed that the ninth and final...

The upcoming ninth series of acclaimed anthology show Inside No. 9 will be the last, the BBC confirms. Plus: guest stars revealed.

You have to take your hat off to Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith. By the end of the next series, The League Of Gentlemen stars will have written 55 completely new, original comedy dramas, complete with shocks, surprises and twists aplenty. We’re talking the majestic Inside No 9.

From the silent shenanigans of the wonderful A Quiet Night In (which featured Charlie Chaplin’s granddaughter Oona Chaplin) to the astonishing drama of The Twelve Days Of Christine and, arguably the greatest episode, beautiful ode to double acts Bernie Clifton’s Dressing Room, if you’ve never had the pleasure, it is a series well worth delving into.

Perhaps appropriately, the upcoming ninth series will be the last.

The BBC has now revealed that the guest cast will include Dorothy Atkinson,...

This Wednesday at 7:00 Pm on BBC Two, buckle up for a nostalgic ride with Season 12 Episode 18 of “Celebrity Antiques Road Trip.” This time, actors Julie Graham and Tamzin Outhwaite take the wheel of a 1980s Citroen Dyane as they embark on an antique-hunting adventure across Sussex.

Known for her roles in EastEnders and Red Cap, Tamzin Outhwaite joins forces with Julie Graham, a familiar face from Benidorm, Doctor Who, and Shetland. The duo’s dynamic promises not only a quest for hidden treasures but also a dash of humor and camaraderie as they navigate the scenic roads of Sussex.

For fans of antiques, quirky finds, and a touch of celebrity charm, this episode of “Celebrity Antiques Road Trip” is a must-watch. Join Julie and Tamzin for a journey back in time, blending the allure of vintage items with the charisma of two talented actors. Tune in and enjoy the...

Four years ago, it was announced that Ben Wheatley would be writing, directing, and executive producing Generation Z, a “hilarious, frightening, and political” series that would consist of six hour-long episodes that would “mix flesh-eating zombies into a story that satirizes how Brexit has divided the UK.” That project didn’t make it into production when it was originally supposed to because of the pandemic shutdown… but after making his latest film Meg 2: The Trench (you can read our review at This Link and check out our interview with the filmmaker Here), Wheatley has circled back around to Generation Z and is now knee-deep into filming it! To celebrate the fact that Generation Z is finally being made, Channel 4 has unveiled a batch of first look images, and you can check those out at the bottom of this article.

The show is described as “a coming-of-age parable for...

New Line’s new animated movie, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, is moving from its April 12, 2024 release date to Dec. 13 next year.

The move stems from a chain-reaction of Warner Bros re-dating today, spurred by Legendary Entertainment’s Dune: Part Two going from Nov. 3 this year to March 15, 2024, which then pushed that financier and producer’s other title, Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire from that date to April 12, 2024. Dune: Part Two had to move had to shift on account of the unavailability of its cast to promote during the actors strike.

War of the Rohirrim will now face off on its new December date against Sony’s reboot of The Karate Kid.

The anime feature, directed by Kenji Kamiyama, is set 183 years before the events chronicled in the original New Line Lord of the Rings trilogy. Those Peter Jackson movies, in addition to his Hobbit trilogy,...

Martyn Ford (“Shao Kahn”), Desmond Chiam (“King Jerrod”), Ana Thu Nguyen (“Sindel”), and Damon Herriman (“Quan Chi”) have been cast in the sequel to New Line’s hit 2021 action adventure “Mortal Kombat” based on the blockbuster video game franchise, New Line announced on Thursday morning.

The new additions join a cast which include Karl Urban as “Johnny Cage,” Tati Gabrielle as “Jade,” and Adeline Rudolph as “Kitana.”

The returning cast from “Mortal Kombat” includes Lewis Tan as “Cole Young”; Jessica McNamee as “Sonya Blade”; Josh Lawson as “Kano”; Tadanobu Asano as “Lord Raiden”; Mehcad Brooks as “Jax”; Ludi Lin as “Liu Kang”; Chin Han as “Shang Tsung”; Joe Taslim as “Bi-Han” and “Sub-Zero”; Hiroyuki Sanada as “Hanzo Hasashi” and “Scorpion”; Max Huang as “Kung Lao.”

Also Read:

‘Mortal Kombat 2’ Stages ‘Sabrina’ Reunion With Addition of Adeline Rudolph as Kitana

Simon McQuoid, who directed the 2021 film, is set to return.

Exclusive: WME has signed emerging British actor, writer and stage performer Layton Williams for U.S. representation.

Layton is currently starring in Season 4 of BBC Three state school comedy series Bad Education, on which he is also a writer.

He has played the role of Stephen Carmichael in the show since its first season and appeared in the 2015 film adaptation. The series, from Jack Whitehall, ran between 2012 and 2014 for three seasons before being revived this year.

Williams’ TV and film credits also include Beautiful People, Benidorm, The Cleaner, Murder They Hope and I Hate Suzie.

He began his career aged 11 on stage in Billy Elliot: The Musical and became the first Black actor to play the famous title role. He has starred in other West End shows such as Thriller Live, The Car Man, Hairspray the Musical and Rent. He also played the title role in 2021’s Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.

Love Island fever is here once again, thanks to a new winter series hosted by Maya Jama.

The contestants in the South African villa this year include a former body double for Emma Watson and an extra from the sitcom Benidorm.

Joining them is 25-year-old financial advisor Ron Hall.

Ron is the show’s first ever partially sighted contestant.

Find out more about the Love Island contestant below.

Why has Ron joined Love Island and what has he said he’ll bring to the villa?

Ron, who is from Essex, said that he wanted to bring “fun and charisma” to the series, adding that he hoped to “have good times and make memories”.

He described himself as “genuine, caring and a nice person”, which he said “you don’t find these days”.

Ron also revealed that he is partially sighted, telling ITV: “It’s added to my character. It...

Love Island fever is here once again, thanks to a new winter series hosted by Maya Jama.

The contestants in the South African villa this year include a former body double for Emma Watson and an extra from the sitcom Benidorm.

Joining them is 25-year-old financial advisor Ron Hall.

Ron is the show’s first ever partially sighted contestant.

Find out more about the Love Island contestant below.

Why has Ron joined Love Island and what has he said he’ll bring to the villa?

Ron, who is from Essex, said that he wanted to bring “fun and charisma” to the series, adding that he hoped to “have good times and make memories”.

He described himself as “genuine, caring and a nice person”, which he said “you don’t find these days”.

Ron also revealed that he is partially sighted, telling ITV: “It’s added to my character. It...

Los Angeles and London-based management and production company 42 has acquired Ob Management, an integrated director management and production firm for commercials and music videos.

Ob founder Otis Bell will stay on to helm the company alongside COO Frida Nilsson. The company will be rebranded as “Ob/42” and continue to operate as a distinct entity within the 42 group. 42 bosses Marc Allen, Josh Varney and Ben Pugh will sit on the board of Ob/42 going forward.

The acquisition includes Probation — which Bell co-founded in 2011 with Matt Davey — a photo agency representing top photographers working in advertising, music and entertainment, which sits alongside Ob Management. It will also include Ob’s U.S. office, Obsidian/Reprobates, headed up by EP Anna Heinrich, which will be consolidated and rebranded under the Ob/42 name as a global identity.

The deal continues 42’s ongoing expansion, which includes the recent hire of former Netflix and Tiger Aspect Productions...

Love Island fever is here once again, thanks to a new winter series hosted by Maya Jama.

The contestants in the South African villa this year include a former body double for Emma Watson and an extra from the sitcom Benidorm.

Joining them is 25-year-old financial advisor Ron Hall.

Ron is the show’s first ever partially sighted contestant.

Find out more about the Love Island contestant below.

Why has Ron joined Love Island and what has he said he’ll bring to the villa?

Ron, who is from Essex, said that he wanted to bring “fun and charisma” to the series, adding that he hoped to “have good times and make memories”.

He described himself as “genuine, caring and a nice person”, which he said “you don’t find these days”.

Ron also revealed that he is partially sighted, telling ITV: “It’s added to my character. It...

Love Island fever is here once again, thanks to a new winter series hosted by Maya Jama.

The contestants in the South African villa this year include a former body double for Emma Watson and an extra from the sitcom Benidorm.

Joining them is 25-year-old financial advisor Ron Hall.

Ron is the show’s first ever partially sighted contestant.

Find out more about the Love Island contestant below.

Why has Ron joined Love Island and what has he said he’ll bring to the villa?

Ron, who is from Essex, said that he wanted to bring “fun and charisma” to the series, adding that he hoped to “have good times and make memories”.

He described himself as “genuine, caring and a nice person”, which he said “you don’t find these days”.

Ron also revealed that he is partially sighted, telling ITV: “It’s added to my character. It...

Love Island fever is here once again, thanks to a new winter series hosted by Maya Jama.

The contestants in the South African villa this year include a former body double for Emma Watson and an extra from the sitcom Benidorm.

Joining them is 25-year-old financial advisor Ron Hall.

Ron is the show’s first ever partially sighted contestant.

Find out more about the Love Island contestant below.

Why has Ron joined Love Island and what has he said he’ll bring to the villa?

Ron, who is from Essex, said that he wanted to bring “fun and charisma” to the series, adding that he hoped to “have good times and make memories”.

He described himself as “genuine, caring and a nice person”, which he said “you don’t find these days”.

Ron also revealed that he is partially sighted, telling ITV: “It’s added to my character. It...

Love Island fever is here once again, thanks to a new winter series hosted by Maya Jama.

The contestants in the South African villa this year include a former body double for Emma Watson and an extra from the sitcom Benidorm.

Joining them is 25-year-old financial advisor Ron Hall.

Ron is the show’s first ever partially sighted contestant.

Find out more about the Love Island contestant below.

Why has Ron joined Love Island and what has he said he’ll bring to the villa?

Ron, who is from Essex, said that he wanted to bring “fun and charisma” to the series, adding that he hoped to “have good times and make memories”.

He described himself as “genuine, caring and a nice person”, which he said “you don’t find these days”.

Ron also revealed that he is partially sighted, telling ITV: “It’s added to my character. It...

Love Island fever is here once again, thanks to a new winter series hosted by Maya Jama.

The contestants in the South African villa this year include a former body double for Emma Watson and an extra from the sitcom Benidorm.

Joining them is 25-year-old financial advisor Ron Hall.

Ron is the show’s first ever partially sighted contestant.

Find out more about the Love Island contestant below.

Why has Ron joined Love Island and what has he said he’ll bring to the villa?

Ron, who is from Essex, said that he wanted to bring “fun and charisma” to the series, adding that he hoped to “have good times and make memories”.

He described himself as “genuine, caring and a nice person”, which he said “you don’t find these days”.

Ron also revealed that he is partially sighted, telling ITV: “It’s added to my character. It...

Love Island fever is here once again, thanks to a new winter series hosted by Maya Jama.

The contestants in the South African villa this year include a former body double for Emma Watson and an extra from the sitcom Benidorm.

Joining them is 25-year-old financial advisor Ron Hall.

Ron is the show’s first ever partially sighted contestant.

Find out more about the Love Island contestant below.

Why has Ron joined Love Island and what has he said he’ll bring to the villa?

Ron, who is from Essex, said that he wanted to bring “fun and charisma” to the series, adding that he hoped to “have good times and make memories”.

He described himself as “genuine, caring and a nice person”, which he said “you don’t find these days”.

Ron also revealed that he is partially sighted, telling ITV: “It’s added to my character. It...

Love Island fever is here once again, thanks to a new winter series that will be hosted by Maya Jama.

The contestants entering the South African villa this year include a former body double for Emma Watson and an extra from the sitcom Benidorm.

Joining them is 25-year-old financial advisor Ron Hall.

Ron will be the show’s first ever partially sighted contestant.

Find out more about Love Island contestant Ron Hall below.

Why has Ron joined Love Island and what will he bring to the villa?

Ron, who is from Essex, said that he wants to bring “fun and charisma” to the series, adding that he hopes to “have good times and make memories”.

He described himself as “genuine, caring and a nice person”, which he said “you don’t find these days”.

Ron also revealed that he is partially sighted, telling ITV: “It’s added to my character.

Love Island fever is here once again, thanks to a new winter series hosted by Maya Jama.

The contestants in the South African villa this year include a former body double for Emma Watson and an extra from the sitcom Benidorm.

Joining them is 25-year-old financial advisor Ron Hall.

Ron is the show’s first ever partially sighted contestant.

Find out more about the Love Island contestant below.

Why has Ron joined Love Island and what has he said he’ll bring to the villa?

Ron, who is from Essex, said that he wanted to bring “fun and charisma” to the series, adding that he hoped to “have good times and make memories”.

He described himself as “genuine, caring and a nice person”, which he said “you don’t find these days”.

Ron also revealed that he is partially sighted, telling ITV: “It’s added to my character. It...

Buckle up, Love Island 2023 is officially on its way.

The hit ITV dating reality show is due to return to screens on 16 January for its second ever Winter series.

Maya Jama will host for the first time. Jama, 28, was unveiled as Love Island’s new presenter in October last year after Laura Whitmore announced her exit.

Last season, we saw Ekin-Su and Davide take home the cash prize, and the couple is still going strong now.

This year, a new group of singles will arrive in South Africa in the hopes of replicating their success – and, of course, finding love.

Ahead of the show’s start date later this month, ITV are releasing the names and details of the first batch of islanders.

Stay tuned for live updates as and when new contestants are announced.

Here are your 2023 Love Island Winter cast...

Tanya Manhenga, 22

Tanya is entering the villa with...

Love Island fever is here once again thanks to the imminent arrival of a winter series hosted by Maya Jama.

The contestants entering the South African villa this year include the show’s first-ever partially sighted contestant and an extra from the sitcom Benidorm.

Joining them is 27-year-old ring girl and actor Olivia Hawkins.

Hawkins can be seen in the background of Daniel Craig’s final James Bond film, No Time to Die.

Find out more about Love Island contestant Olivia Hawkins below.

Why has Olivia joined Love Island and what will she bring to the villa?

In short, Olivia has joined the show because she has never been in a relationship before.

She told ITV: “I’m 27 and I’ve never been in a relationship so I feel like now I’m really ready to settle down and hopefully find the love of my life.

Olivia said that...

Love Island fever is here once again thanks to the imminent arrival of a winter series hosted by Maya Jama.

The contestants entering the South African villa this year include the show’s first-ever partially sighted contestant and an extra from the sitcom Benidorm.

Joining them is 27-year-old ring girl and actor Olivia Hawkins.

Hawkins can be seen in the background of Daniel Craig’s final James Bond film, No Time to Die.

Find out more about Love Island contestant Olivia Hawkins below.

Why has Olivia joined Love Island and what will she bring to the villa?

In short, Olivia has joined the show because she has never been in a relationship before.

She told ITV: “I’m 27 and I’ve never been in a relationship so I feel like now I’m really ready to settle down and hopefully find the love of my life.

Olivia said that...

Love Island fever is here once again, thanks to a new winter series that will be hosted by Maya Jama.

The contestants entering the South African villa this year include a former body double for Emma Watson and an extra from the sitcom Benidorm.

Joining them is 25-year-old financial advisor Ron Hall.

Ron will be the show’s first ever partially sighted contestant.

Find out more about Love Island contestant Ron Hall below.

Why has Ron joined Love Island and what will he bring to the villa?

Ron, who is from Essex, said that he wants to bring “fun and charisma” to the series, adding that he hopes to “have good times and make memories”.

He described himself as “genuine, caring and a nice person”, which he said “you don’t find these days”.

Ron also revealed that he is partially sighted, telling ITV: “It’s added to my character.

Love Island is back in South Africa for its second ever winter edition, with a whole new batch of hopefuls competing to find someone who’s “100 per cent their type on paper”.

The contestants entering the villa this year include the show’s first partially sighted star, a contestant with vitiligo, and one who has been a body double for Emma Watson.

Joining them is Lana Jenkins, a 25-year-old make-up artist from Luton. Find out more about Lana, from her Instagram profile to her claim to fame, below…

What is Lana’s job?

Lana is a make-up artist, who has worked with stars such as actor Michelle Keegan. Ahead of entering the villa, she told ITV: “In my work as a make-up artist I’ve worked with lots of celebrities. Also, when I was six years old I used to live in Spain and I was in an episode of Benidorm as an extra.

Love Island is back in South Africa for its second ever winter edition, with a whole new batch of hopefuls competing to find someone who’s “100 per cent their type on paper”.

The contestants entering the villa this year include the show’s first partially sighted star, a contestant with Vitiligo, and one who has been a body double for Emma Watson.

Joining them is Lana Jenkins, a 25-year-old make-up artist from Luton. Find out more about Lana, from her Instagram profile to her claim to fame, below…

What is Lana’s job?

Lana is a make-up artist, who has worked with stars such as actor Michelle Keegan. Ahead of entering the villa, she told ITV: “In my work as a make-up artist I’ve worked with lots of celebrities. Also, when I was six years old I used to live in Spain and I was in an episode of Benidorm as an extra.

Buckle up, Love Island 2023 is officially on its way.

The hit ITV dating reality show is due to return to screens on 16 January for its second ever Winter series.

Maya Jama will host for the first time. Jama, 28, was unveiled as Love Island’s new presenter in October last year after Laura Whitmore announced her exit.

Last season, we saw Ekin-Su and Davide take home the cash prize, and the couple is still going strong now.

This year, a new group of singles will arrive in South Africa in the hopes of replicating their success – and, of course, finding love.

Ahead of the show’s start date later this month, ITV are releasing the names and details of the first batch of islanders.

Stay tuned for live updates as and when new contestants are announced.

Here are your 2023 Love Island Winter cast...

Tanya Manhenga, 22

Tanya is entering the villa with...

U.K. broadcaster Channel 4 has appointed Charlie Perkins as head of comedy, reporting into chief content officer Ian Katz. Former head of comedy Fiona McDermott left Channel 4 in March to join Apple TV+.

Perkins will manage a team comprising newly promoted commissioning editor Laura Riseam and commissioning executive Joe Hullait. She will also oversee the appointment of a new senior commissioning editor. Channel 4 commissioning editor Jack Bayles is leaving the broadcaster to join “I May Destroy You” producer Various Artists Limited as head of comedy.

Perkins, who will take up the role at Channel 4 later this year, joins from Blink Industries where she was head of comedy. She began her career working on shows such as “Little Britain,” “French & Saunders,” “Benidorm” and “Mock the Week,” moving on to become a producer at alternative comedy venue The Invisible Dot, BBC Radio Comedy and Cave Bear Productions. In 2013, Perkins founded The Paddock comedy collective,...

Channel 4 Hires Charlie Perkins As Head Of Comedy

UK broadcaster Channel 4 has hired Charlies Perkins as its new head of comedy, replacing Fiona McDermott, who recently left to join Apple TV+ after delivering series such as Derry Girls, We Are Lady Parts and Big Boys. The hire brings to an end a lengthy search for McDermott’s successor. Perkins will report directly to Chief Content Officer Ian Katz and will manage a team comprising newly promoted Commissioning Editor Laura Riseam and Commissioning Executive Joe Hullait. She will also oversee the appointment of a Senior Commissioning Editor, and Deadline understands several candidates have been approached. Perkins arrives from London-based Blink Industries, which is behind the upcoming series Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared for Channel 4. Perkins began her career on shows such as Little Britain, French & Saunders, Benidorm and Mock the Week, moving on to become a producer at alternative comedy venue The Invisible Dot,...

Exclusive: Brian Cox, Gaia Wise and Miranda Otto are just some of the names in the voice cast for New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Animation’s upcoming The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.

The movie centers around the fate of the House of Helm Hammerhand, the mighty King of Rohan, a character from the J.R.R. Tolkien book’s appendix. Succession actor Cox will provide the voice of that protagonist.

The anime feature, directed by Kenji Kamiyama, is set 183 years before the events chronicled in the original trilogy of films. A sudden attack by Wulf, a clever and ruthless Dunlending lord seeking vengeance for the death of his father, forces Helm and his people to make a daring last stand in the ancient stronghold of the Hornburg – a mighty fortress that will later come to be known as Helm’s Deep. Finding herself in an increasingly desperate situation,...

Three fiction features and two documentary films were presented to an industry audience at the Cannes Film Market as part of its Thessaloniki Goes to Cannes, the Cannes Film Market’s Works-in-Progress showcase, on May 23.

“Panellinion”

Described as a movie about obsession, madness and loneliness, “Panellinion” is the debut documentary feature of Spyros Mantzavinos and Kostas Antarachas.

The film is named after a coffee-house for passionate chess players in the heart of Athens, which has become a refuge for those who suffocate in modern life. Giannis, the owner, hates chess, but has a fatherly affection for his regulars. Through footage shot in Super8 and black and white, an eclectic crowd that includes scientists, artists and pensioners tell the story of the place which will soon be a memory of the past as Giannis prepares to retire.

Producer Leonidas Konstantarakos of Athens-based Alaska Films told Variety: “We want to use the...

Drama

“Floodlights,” a feature-length single drama for BBC Two and BBC iPlayer tells the story of Andy Woodward, the former professional soccer player whose revelations about the sexual abuse he suffered as a youth player sent shockwaves throughout the industry. In 2016, Woodward went public about sexual abuse by his youth coach, Barry Bennell. After doing so, hundreds more men, many also victims of Bennell, found the courage to speak up about their experiences of abuse, lifting the lid on a national scandal in the U.K.’s most popular sport.

Gerard Kearns (“The Last Kingdom”) portrays Woodward and the cast also includes Jonas Armstrong (“Hollington Drive”), Morven Christie (“Lockwood & Co”) and Steve Edge (“Benidorm”).

“Floodlights,” made with the full cooperation of Woodward, is written by BAFTA-winning screenwriter, Matt Greenhalgh and directed by BAFTA-nominated Nick Rowland (“Calm With Horses”). It is produced by Expectation, part of BBC Studios’ portfolio of indies...

Hannah Waddingham, Emmy winner for Apple TV Plus series “Ted Lasso,” is joining leads Solly McLeod and Sophie Wilde in the cast of Masterpiece and U.K. broadcaster ITV’s literary classic adaptation, “Tom Jones.”

Waddingham has been cast as the seductive and vengeful Lady Bellaston in the miniseries, which is currently filming in Northern Ireland.

Based on Henry Fielding’s classic 1749 novel “The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling,” the series follows the romantic and chivalrous adventures of adopted Tom Jones in 18th-century England.

McLeod (“The Rising”) plays the hero Tom, alongside Wilde (“You Don’t Know Me”) as the heroine Sophia Western. The cast also includes Pearl Mackie (“Doctor Who”) James Fleet (“Bridgerton”), Alun Armstrong (“Breeders”), Olivier winner Shirley Henderson (“Happy Valley”), Tamzin Merchant (“Carnival Row”), Julian Rhind-Tutt (“Britannia”), Susannah Fielding (“This Time With Alan Partridge”), BAFTA-winner Daniel Rigby (“Black Mirror”), James Wilbraham (“In My Skin”), Felicity Montagu (“The Durrells...

The original vamp on 70 years of showbiz life, having Boris Johnson as a boss and why partying is a dying art

Dame Joan Collins, 88, was born in Paddington and trained at Rada. She began appearing in films while still in her teens, with more than 70 credits including Our Girl Friday, Land of the Pharaohs, The Virgin Queen, The Stud and The Bitch. During the 80s, she found fame as Alexis Colby in the US soap Dynasty, a role that won her a Golden Globe. In recent years she returned to TV with the likes of The Royals, Benidorm and American Horror Story. Her new memoir, My Unapologetic Diaries, is out now.

Did returning to your 90s diaries whisk you back in time?

Absolutely. They weren’t written in the usual way. I never put pen to paper. Between 1989 and 2006, I talked into a Dictaphone practically every night when I got home,...

John Challis, who played Boycie in the long-running UK sitcom Only Fools And Horses, has died at age 79 of cancer, his family confirmed.

His family said in a statement that he died “peacefully in his sleep, after a long battle with cancer”.

Challis had a long television career in the UK, but is best known as unscrupulous second-hand car dealer Terrance Aubrey “Boycie” Boyce in the BBC sitcom.

He also played the role in its sequel/spin-off, The Green Green Grass, whch ran from 2005–2009, as well as Monty Staines from the seventh series onwards in the ITV sitcom Benidorm from 2015 to 2018.

Other television appearances include Dixon of Dock Green, The Sweeney, Doctor Who (The Seeds of Doom), Dracula, Beau Geste and Heartbeat, among others.

No information on survivors was immediately available.

Media Statement From The Family Of John Challis

Sunday September 19, 2021

“It is with heavy hearts that we bring you such sad news.

Exclusive: Industry and Skins star Freya Mavor has joined the cast of UK thriller Freegard, which is filming in London.

As previously revealed, cast is led by James Norton (Little Women), Gemma Arterton (The King’s Man), Shazad Latif (Star Trek Discovery), Marisa Abela (Industry), Edwina Findley (The Wire), Julian Barratt (The Mighty Boosh), Sarah Goldberg (Barry) and Jimmy Akingbola (In The Long Run).

Rounding out the cast are Rob Malone (Vikings), Philip Wright (Line Of Duty), Micheal Fenton Stevens (Benidorm) and Charlotte Avery (Doctors).

Based on true events, the movie will chart the story of career conman, Robert Freegard, played by Norton, with Gemma Arterton as the woman who brought him down.

Adam Patterson and Declan Lawn — who won an IFTA last night for their short film Rough — are directing from a script by Michael Bronner (The Mauritanian), Patterson and Lawn (The Salisbury Poisonings). Rabbit Track Pictures and The Development Partnership...

Unspooling 24 August - 2 September 2021 in Pescara, Termoli and Macerata, a new festival is emerging on the international film landscape. Isabel Coixet, the world-famous Spanish filmmaker and screenwriter who won three Goya awards in 2018 thanks to The Bookshop and who recently directed Elisa & Marcela and It Snows in Benidorm, will preside over the Official Selection jury of In Movie Fest 2021, an international festival whose first edition will unfold in Pescara, Termoli and Macerata between 24 August and 2 September this year. This new, large-scale cinematic event is joining the global festival circuit at a time when high-quality cinema is in great need of a boost. “Our aim”, insist the organisers of Screen Film’s festival, “is to offer up new artistic opportunities to help overcome social-cultural crises, and to drive home the message that even the remotest and most unknown of places can be the source...

British Comedian Bobby Ball Dies

Bobby Ball, the British comedian and star of shows including BBC One’s Not Going Out, has died at the age of 76 after testing positive for coronavirus. He was one half of double-act Cannon and Ball alongside Tommy Cannon, while he has appeared in comedies including Last of the Summer Wine and Benidorm. He was also a contestant on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2005. “At first it was thought to be a chest infection but a test proved positive for Covid-19,” his manager said in a statement. “His wife Yvonne said the hospital and staff could not have been more wonderful, as they were outstanding in their care of duty and they did everything possible for him and she cannot praise them enough.” Cannon paid tribute by quoting his partner’s catchphrase: “Rock on, my good friend, I can’t believe this,...

Last year’s release of the Atresplayer Premium pay TV platform involved stepping up Atresmedia’s bet on original TV content production, particularly in fiction series.

Part of its transformation process from traditional broadcasting group to a digital content producer, Atresplayer Premium is giving the group a new distribution window for Spain and the rest of the world.

With a remarkable presence in Spain and Latin America, Atresplayer Premium’s subscribers number has grown significantly from 140,000 at the end of last year to 253,000 in June.

“It’s clear that direct-to-consumer is the way to go. Atresplayer Premium will continue growing in 2021,” says María Rúa Aguete, executive director at research company Omdia.

“Atresplayer shows three different types of programming: Linear broadcasting of the group’s TV channels, previews of programs that will later release on free-to-air, and originals,” explains José Antonio Antón, director of programming, content and digital at Atresmedia.

With Atresplayer Premium,...

Cineworld will begin reopening its cinemas in England with a lineup featuring a special 4Dx screening program that includes four films projected for the first time in the chain’s exclusive multi-sensory 4Dx extreme cinema format.

Christopher Nolan’s “Inception,” Chris Columbus’ “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,” Alfonso Cuarón’s “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” and Steven Spielberg’s “Jurassic Park” will get Cineworld’s 4Dx treatment in 24 cinemas across England. They will be joined in cinemas this weekend by “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” previously screened in 4Dx by Cineworld.

4Dx screenings use in-room practical effects such as motion, water, wind, scent and lighting, timed to what’s happening on the screen. Utilizing high-tech motion programming, audience members’ seats also move in synch with the film’s action.

During the Covid downtime, Cineworld executed full scale refurbishments and special format installations in Wolverhampton, Swindon,...

ABC pickup “The Baker and the Beauty,” BBC’s “Bloodlands,” and “Nasdrovia,” from Spanish powerhouses Movistar Plus and The Mediapro Studio, are among the hot titles selected for this week’s MipTV Drama Buyers Summit.

Screening 15-minute excerpts from series – some complete, some works in progress – the 5th edition of the summit runs as an invitation-only digital event.

Based on the Israeli original, the highest-rated scripted series ever in Israel, the re-versioned hourlong romantic comedy “The Baker and the Beauty” is now set in Miami, showrun by “The Brave” creator Dean Georgaris and produced by Universal Television and ABC Studios, in association with Keshet Studios.

A first commission for “Bodyguard” creator Jed Mercurio’s Hat Trick Mercurio Television, with international distribution handled by Hat Trick Intl., Northern Ireland-set “Bloodlands” stars James Nesbitt as a detective hunting a legendary killer.

Otherwise, the lineup at this year’s Summit underscores the countries and companies now driving MipTV,...

ABC pickup to series “The Baker and the Beauty,” BBC One’s “Bloodlands,” Beta Film-sold “The Sea Beyond” and “Nasdrovia,” from Spanish powerhouses Movistar Plus and The Mediapro Studio, are all set for the 2020 MipTV Drama Buyers Summit.

Screening 15-minute excerpts from series – some complete, some works in progress – the 5th Summit, whose details were announced Thursday, will take place on March 29.

Based on the Israeli original, the highest-rated scripted series ever in Israeli, the re-versioned hourlong romantic comedy “The Baker and the Beauty” is now set in Miami, shownrun by “The Brave” creator Dean Georgaris and produced by Universal Television and ABC Studios, in association with Keshet Studios.

A first commission for “Bodyguard” creator Jed Mercurio’s Hat Trick Mercurio Television, with international distribution handled by Hat Trick Intl., Northern Ireland-set “Bloodlands” stars James Nesbitt as a detective hunting a legendary killer.

Otherwise, the lineup at this year’s...

A major ensemble of stars from British TV and film has come together for upcoming dark comedy Paul Dood's Deadly Lunch Break. 

Tom Meeten (The Ghoul), Katherine Parkinson (The It Crowd), Kris Marshall (Love Actually), Kevin Bishop (Star Stories), Johnny Vegas (Benidorm), Alice Lowe (Sightseers), Mandeep Dhillon (After Life), Craig Parkinson (Black Mirror), Steve Oram (The End of the F***ing World) and Pippa Haywood (Green Wing) are set to star in the film from Nick Gillespie. 

Ben Wheatley's 2nd unit director and Shane Meadow's director of photography, Gillespie once again teams with producer Finn Bruce ...

A major ensemble of stars from British TV and film has come together for upcoming dark comedy Paul Dood's Deadly Lunch Break. 

Tom Meeten (The Ghoul), Katherine Parkinson (The It Crowd), Kris Marshall (Love Actually), Kevin Bishop (Star Stories), Johnny Vegas (Benidorm), Alice Lowe (Sightseers), Mandeep Dhillon (After Life), Craig Parkinson (Black Mirror), Steve Oram (The End of the F***ing World) and Pippa Haywood (Green Wing) are set to star in the film from Nick Gillespie. 

Ben Wheatley's 2nd unit director and Shane Meadow's director of photography, Gillespie once again teams with producer Finn Bruce ...

Viacom-owned Channel 5 and Comedy Central have joined BritBox, the “best-of-British” subscription streaming service created by the BBC and ITV. The platform, already available in North America, is due to launch on home turf in Britain by year’s end.

Under the deal with Viacom, shows from the U.K.’s Channel 5 can appear on BritBox following a 30-day catchup window on the channel’s VOD platform My5. Comedy Central will contribute a selection of its British-produced shows.

The addition of content from those two sources strengthens BritBox’s content lineup, which already includes shows such as “Victoria,” “Happy Valley,” “Broadchurch,” “Les Miserables,” “Downton Abbey,” “Love Island,” “Famalam,” “Gavin & Stacey,” “The Office” and “Benidorm.” These series will be on the service at launch in the U.K. or become available shortly afterward, when licensing agreements with other Svod operators end. BritBox will be available for £5.99 ($7.53) per month.

“We...

In two years of operation, BritBox has snagged more than 650,000 subscribers in North America with its “best of British” lineup of drama, soaps, unscripted shows and live programming. Now that it’s lifted the lid on its plans to launch in the U.K. later this year, the question for co-owners ITV and the BBC is whether the service will succeed on home turf, where Netflix – which faces losing “The Office,” “Sherlock,” and “Love Island,” as the BritBox owners take back their shows – has already made inroads.

The international version of BritBox is a joint venture between ITV and BBC Studios. At home in Britain, ITV has more skin in the game with a 90% stake; the launch is a key part of CEO Carolyn McCall’s plans for Britain’s biggest commercial broadcaster. Pubcaster BBC will not fork over any cash for its 10% share, but has the option to invest...

ITV and the BBC have officially unveiled the launch of UK streaming platform BritBox with ITV holding 90% equity in the venture. The two companies have also revealed the first shows that will be available on the service, which launches in the fourth quarter of the year, including Love Island (above) and HBO co-pro Gentleman Jack.

The service, designed to protect the broadcasters against the growing power of Netflix and Amazon, has been long in the works but today’s news comes after the two parties officially signed the agreement. It will be priced at £5.99.

BritBox, which is separate to its U.S. counterpart, will be an ITV-controlled venture with the commercial broadcaster holding 90% of the equity with the BBC controlling 10%. The public broadcaster has an option to acquire additional share over time up to 25% and ITV will have the ability to bring other shareholders on board. It is expected that...

If there’s one thing the European industry can agree on ahead of the Variety European TV Summit it’s this: a flood of Ott launches looks set to upend the TV market.

New streaming services from global companies like Disney, Warner Bros., Comcast and Apple, as well as local players such as ITV and the BBC’s Britbox, and France Télévisions, TF1 and M6’s service Salto, are going to lead to significant change, say both distributors and rival platforms.

On the plus side for distributors, there is more demand for content from this swathe of upcoming platforms — although there is a big question mark about how many services households will be prepared to pay for.

However, many of the global platforms are taking worldwide rights when they commission original shows, cutting distributors out of the loop.

Meanwhile, some U.S. studios may also keep product back for their own services,...

Late Night Line-Up host Joan Bakewell, Happy Valley producer Nicola Shindler and Luther script supervisor Emma Thomas are to be honored by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA).

Bakewell and Shindler are to be recognised at the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards, while Thomas will be recognised at the British Academy Television Craft Awards.

Broadcaster and journalist Bakewell is to be honored with the BAFTA Television Fellowship, while Shindler will be presented with a Special Award on Sunday 12th May. Bakewell is currently presenting Sky Arts’ Portrait Artist of the Year, while Shindler is producing a new series of BBC drama Trust Me with Alfred Enoch and Russell T Davies’ Emma Thompson-fronted Years and Years.

Meanwhile, Thomas will be recognised with a special award at the BAFTA Television Craft Awards on Sunday 28th April for her services in script supervision. Emma has acted as script supervisor on Goodnight Sweetheart,...