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The US Supreme Court has seemingly leaned in favour of West Virginia and Idaho laws banning trans athletes from sports.

On 13 January, the Court heard oral arguments in two high-profile cases – West Virginia v BPJ and Little v Hecox – challenging legislation that bans trans youth from competing in interscholastic and intercollegiate sports.

Lambda Legal, Legal Voice, and the ACLU filed two challenges on behalf of two trans female athletes, Lindsay Hecox and Becky Pepper-Jackson (B.P.J.).

While attending Boise State University in 2020, Hecox – who is now 24 years old- attempted to try out for the school’s women’s track and cross-country teams, but was barred from doing so under Idaho’s overarching Fairness in Women’s Sports Act.

B.J.P., who has identified as a girl since she was in third grade and has taken puberty blockers to avoid male puberty as well as hormone therapy with estrogen, faced a similar roadblock in West Virginia under the state’s Save Women’s Sports Act.

As a result of the girls’ respective lawsuits, federal courts have blocked the enforcement of the two aforementioned bans.

During the nearly three-and-a-half-hour oral arguments, the pair’s legal representation – Kathleen Hartnett and Joshua Block – argued that the two laws violate the rights of both trans and cisgender female students under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

They also argued that West Virginia’s law violates Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination in educational programs, with Block adding: “unlike the case of a cisgender boy, excluding B.P.J from the girls’ teams excludes her from all athletic opportunity while stigmatising and separating her from her peers.“

Idaho solicitor general Alan Hurst defended the state’s ban, arguing that the law “classifies on the basis of sex because sex is what matters in sports.”

Michael Williams, West Virginia’s solicitor general, echoed similar sentiments to Hurst, telling the Court that the state’s law “is indifferent to gender identity because sports are indifferent to gender identity.“

The Supreme Court’s liberal justices – Ketanji Brown Jackson, Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor– seemed to be sympathetic to the Hecox and B.P.J, with the former questioning why the laws should apply to a transgender girl “who does not have, because of the medical interventions and the things that have been done, who does not have the same threat to phyiscal competition and safety and all the reasons that the state puts forward.”

On the other side of the spectrum, conservative justices seemed to lean in favour of the two states, questioning the plaintiff’s arguments that the bans widely discriminate on the basis of sex and gender identity.  

“For the individual girl who does not make the team or doesn’t get on the stand for the medal or doesn’t make all league, there’s a, there’s a harm there. I think we can’t sweep that aside,“ Justice Brett Kavanaugh argued.

However, Kavanaugh seemingly suggested that states that allow transgender girls to participate in school sports should be allowed to do so.

“Given that half the states are allowing it, allowing transgender girls and women to participate, [and] about half are not, why would we at this point, just the role of this court, jump in and try to constitutionalise a rule for the whole country, while there’s still, as you say, uncertainty and debate?“ he asked.

The Supreme Court is expected to issue rulings on the two cases by spring or early summer. 

While reflecting on the oral arguments, Sasha Buchert, counsel, Nonbinary & Transgender Rights Project director, Lambda Legal, said in a statement: “Becky simply wants to be with her teammates on the track and field team, to experience the camaraderie and many documented benefits of participating in team sports.

“It has been amply proven that participating in team sports equips youth with a myriad of skills – in leadership, teamwork, confidence, and health. On the other hand, denying a student the ability to participate is not only discriminatory, but harmful to a student’s self-esteem, sending a message that they are not good enough and deserve to be excluded. That is the argument we made today and that we hope resonated with the justices of the Supreme Court.”

Block echoed similar sentiments in a separate statement, adding: “This case is about the ability of transgender youth like Becky to participate in our schools and communities.

“School athletics are fundamentally educational programs, but West Virginia’s law completely excluded Becky from her school’s entire athletic program even when there is no connection to alleged concerns about fairness or safety. As the lower Court recognised, forcing Becky to either give up sports or play on the boys’ team–in contradiction of who she is at school, at home, and across her life–is really no choice at all. We are glad to stand with her and her family to defend her rights, and the rights of every young person, to be included as a member of their school community, at the Supreme Court.”

You can listen to the full oral arguments for West Virginia v BPJ here and Little v Hecox here.

EXCLUSIVE: Death in Paradise star Shantol Jackson confirmed the exit of one beloved character

Death in Paradise has welcomed a new police officer to the fold, following Ginny Holder’s notable absence from the latest series. Viewers will now meet Police Sergeant Mattie Fletcher, portrayed by actress Catherine Garton.

Darlene was similarly absent from the Death in Paradise Christmas special, making only a brief appearance via video link. Don Gilet returns as Detective Mervin Wilson, joined by Shantol Jackson as DS Naomi Thomas.

Don Warrington reprises his role as Commissioner Selwyn Patterson, with Elizabeth Bourgine back as Catherine Bordey, whilst Shaquille Ali-Yebuah returns as Officer Sebastian Rose.

The series will also feature several high-profile guest appearances, including Sarah Hadland, Siobhan Finneran, Hermione Norris, Steffan Rhodri, Ben Willbond, Gary Wilmot, and Tim McMullan.

In an exclusive chat with Reach PLC and other media, the cast addressed Ginny’s departure, with Shantol Jackson confessing, “We’ll miss her,” reports the Express.

Shantol, who portrays Naomi Thomas, explained, “We definitely Miss Ginny because Ginny’s character, she was like…so Catherine comes in and she’s the older sister, or, you know, the older cousin, but Ginny was like, Queen Mother.”

Shaquille, who plays Officer Rose, added, “She was the auntie.”

Shantol continued, “And the beautiful thing about Ginny was that she was auntie of the police station, so Darlene…she carried that in her character, and then that’s how she was outside of set.

“So, you know, we’ll find that we miss the character and miss the person, but you know, thankfully, Catherine has done so exceptionally well that you don’t feel like there is an empty gap.

“It doesn’t feel like, oh, ‘we are missing a person, or we are missing a character’. It doesn’t feel that way at all. You miss the person, but that space. I think Catherine has done a really good job in carrying Jonny’s baton, and so we’re just really grateful for that.”

Additional guest stars featuring in Death in Paradise include Julian Rhind-Tutt, Ace Bhatti, Louis Davison, Scarlett Alice Johnson, Sean Delaney, Lizzie Davidson, Kojo Kamara, Layo-Christina Akinlude, Sandra James-Young, Phoebe Sparrow, Antonia Bernath, and Trieve Blackwood-Cambridge, who portrayed Selwyn Patterson’s successor when he departed Saint Marie.

The synopsis for the series reveals, “As DI Mervin Wilson (Don Gilet) continues to adjust to life in Saint Marie, he and the police team must face a myriad of baffling cases.

“But whilst attempting to connect with his recently discovered half-brother Solomon (Daniel Ward), Mervin’s newfound familial happiness soon turns to frustration as he discovers the pair are not quite as similar as he hoped they might be.”

The synopsis continues: “A returning Commissioner Selwyn Patterson (Don Warrington) confronts the impact of his recent period of absence, and after some tough love from old friend, Catherine Bordey (Elizabeth Bourgine), he’s determined to win back the trust of the island.

“Meanwhile, Detective Sergeant Naomi Thomas (Shantol Jackson) and Officer Sebastian Rose (Shaquille Ali-Yebuah) help new recruit Sergeant Mattie Fletcher (Catherine Garton) settle into the fold, which might be easier said than done as shadows from her past begin to reveal themselves.”

Death in Paradise is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

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CHRISTIE Brinkley’s daughter, Sailor, has recreated her mother’s iconic photoshoot from over four decades ago in sexy new pics.

The 26-year-old couldn’t resist posing in shots reminiscent of her mom’s famous Sports Illustrated cover while vacationing in the Caribbean over the weekend.

Sailor posted numerous photos on Instagram of her donning a skimpy blue string bikini and her blonde locks flowing straight down during the tropical getaway.

One captured the fashion model holding her hair up, one leg lifted, with a breathtaking view of tall greenery and the ocean in the background.

Another pic showed her leaning her back against a tree, her tiny frame on display as she gazed into the camera.

Other photos further showed Sailor’s confidence in front of the camera as she cheekily looked over her shoulder while riding a bicycle on the sand in another sultry swimsuit, took selfies while admiring the sunset, and checked out her tan lines in the mirror after a day in the sun.

LEGS GO!

Christie Brinkley, 71, puts stunning figure on display in a blue swimsuit

Fans were immediately reminded of Christie‘s memorable SI photoshoot in February 1981, when she posed similarly in a Florida setting.

The mother-daughter pair looked nearly identical in their separate beach pics.

Sailor is the youngest of Christie’s three children and the only one she shares with her ex-husband, Peter Cook, whom she married from 1996 until 2008.

Christie is also a mother to Alexa Ray Joel, whom she shares with her first ex-husband, Billy Joel, and Jack Paris Cook, 30, with her ex-husband, Richard Taubman.

While Sailor appeared comfortable in her skin in her social media pics, she’s admitted that she’s struggled with body dysmorphia since a young age.

“I just have this awful feeling that if I’m not skinny, I’m not worth being celebrated and I’m not worth being praised,” Sailor confessed during a 2020 appearance on Good Morning America.

“I’ve been just been having these moments where I look in the mirror, and I’m just disgusted with myself,” she continued, explaining that the thoughts come on even after witnessing “the tiniest little things like a roll on my stomach, a little pooch on the bottom of my stomach.”

Sailor also said that her mother wasn’t aware of the gravity of her struggles, noting that she first developed an eating disorder at 15 years old.

“My mom didn’t fully know the pain that I was going through when I was at my worst,” she shared.

“I was looking up at all these major figures in modeling that are size double zero, and they’ve got these thin legs and these tiny waists.

“I was seeing them being so celebrated by everyone everywhere and being wanted by all the boys and all that greatness that comes around being this tiny supermodel. And I wanted that,” Sailor revealed.

Christie’s modeling career began in the late 1970s before reaching global fame.

The Uptown Girl author is still wowing fans with her ageless beauty, as she shared photos last week from her island vacation.

Just a few weeks earlier, Christie stunned again in a skintight dress while celebrating her daughter Alexa’s 40th birthday.

THIS isn’t war; it’s an all out nuclear one.

After 18 months of dignified silence, young Brooklyn Beckham has finally hurled his grenade.

And wow, did he hit his target.

Not since Coleen Rooney Tweeted with her famous ellipsis ……. It’s Rebekah Vardy, has my phone popped off the way it did after his story.

Make no mistake, though, this is MAD: mutually assured destruction. Some might say “mad” in the other sense of the word. 

Unequivocally there is no way back now.

I am told Brooklyn made this decision to launch his weapons-grade statement himself. 

He was under absolutely no coercive control from anyone. Indeed it is crystal clear he is utterly sick of the lazy misogynistic trope that has been used against his American wife. The notion he has no mind of his own, and does what his missus tells him.

He, of course, shared his plan with Nicola, who gave him over unwavering support. They are, after all, a team.

For 26 years Brooklyn has toed the Beckham party line, holding his silence and never once airing his family’s dirty laundry. 

Now, for whatever reason, he has decided this ends. Today.

He has, as his generation say, spoken his truth.

Of course no-one knows outside of the two families – the Beckhams and the Peltzs – what has really happened over the past year and a half.

And as the late Queen once said, recollections may vary.

Which is fitting because Brooklyn and Nicola’s situation is so incredibly similar to that of royal exiles, Meghan and Harry (about whom the Queen was referencing in her statement).

Brooklyn, by virtue of his surname, has grown up in the spotlight. 

And as Harry once said, he cannot help who he was born to. He never asked for fame, never asked to be part of this world.

Will Brooklyn now drop his family name? If it is such an albatross around his neck, perhaps he will.

Certainly, married to a billionairess, he doesn’t need their millions. His in-laws, after all, have billions.

However, Brooklyn must surely be aware that he has his platform – 16million followers on Instagram alone – thanks to his superstar parents. To suggest otherwise would be utterly disingenuous.

Brooklyn is genuinely a lovely boy by all accounts. Polite and down to earth. This just seems so extraordinarily out of character.

Clemmie Moodie

They have helped him financially in the past, and given him a leg-up when he’s needed it. 

But not any more.

Brooklyn is genuinely a lovely boy by all accounts. Polite and down to earth. This just seems so extraordinarily out of character. 

Friends tell me his incendiary six-part Instagram soliloquy has absolutely “floored” David and Victoria. 

They are, I’m told, “absolutely blindsided” by this truth bomb.

For a family who, as Brooklyn points out, been at such odds to control their narrative, their very lucrative brand, this is unbelievably out of their hands.

His siblings, too, are devastated to have lost a once loving and loyal brother. 

Over the next few weeks, newspapers, social media and the world of showbiz will be poring over this statement, dissecting it word by word.

I hope all parties concerned can somehow navigate a way through this, and that everyone is getting the support.

Clemmie Moodie

Yet in all this, it’s important we don’t lose sight of the fact these are real human beings with real feelings. Everyone is hurting. No-one wanted this.

For Brooklyn to have gone this far, he must be desperate. Certainly he sounds like a man in pain.

Victoria told me in our interview two months ago that she had therapy; She believes in mental health, and this will hurt her. 

Her beloved eldest son’s words are deeply personal, and she must be hurt, embarrassed and very, very confused.

I hope all parties concerned can somehow navigate a way through this, and that everyone is getting the support – both personal and professional – they may need.

Will the Beckhams do what Brooklyn alleges they have refused to do, and contact him away from prying eyes? (Something David and Victoria folly refute). 

No-one, except them, can possibly know. 

But one thing is for sure – Brooklyn isn’t staying silent any more. 

Netflix’s miniseries includes never-before-seen footage and recordings of the stars opening up about some of their lowest points.

Fans of Take That are gearing up for the release of Netflix’s upcoming documentary series, named after the band, which tells the unbelievable story of one of the world’s most successful boy bands.

The three-part series goes behind the scenes with Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Mark Owen, Jason Orange, and Robbie Williams as they open up about the highs and lows of global fame.

After stealing the hearts of millions of fans, the band’s first split in February 1996 had devastating impacts of some of the band members.

Now-retired singer Jason Orange stayed with the band until their separation in 1996, when he went on to pursue a short career in acting, starring in the crime drama series Killer Net.

However, he soon decided acting was not for him, and would go on to reunite with the band in 2005 and perform as part of The Circus tour.

The documentary includes footage from the our, which shows Jason addressing screaming fans as he stood proudly on stage.

However, earlier footage of the star in his youth suggested he may not have been as content as he seemed.

In a voiceover, he can be heard admitting: “When I was in Take That the first time around, I was the dancer of the band and I accepted it at the time.

“I was told not to bother singing, ever. I suppose I couldn’t tell people how I really feel and I can’t even tell you what I went through to get there. So this time, singing, it’s such a pleasure for me to do it.”

Proud of their friend, his fellow stars said: “Jay has the most beautiful voice, his tone and the way he sings is so beautiful. He never over-sings, he’s a very gentle singer.”

In 2014, Orange announced his official retirement from the band and the music industry, saying in a statement: “I want to start by saying how proud I am of what we have achieved together over the years.

“I have spent some of the best years of my life with Take That and I’d like to thank everyone who has been a part of my journey, including my band mates, who I feel are like brothers to me.

“Most especially my gratitude goes to all of the good and kind, beautiful and ever-loyal fans of the band, without whom none of this could have been possible. Thank-you.”

The star said he was “proud” of what the band had achieved since forming in 1990, adding: “At the end of The Progress Tour I began to question whether it might be the right time for me to not continue on with Take That.

“At the start of this year and with my full knowledge and blessing the guys began writing new material. There have been no fallings out, only a decision on my part that I no longer wish to do this.

“I know how much Mark, Gary and Howard enjoy writing and making music, and they know that they have my full support and encouragement to continue on with what is to be another chapter for the band.”

Take That airs on Netflix on January 27

The money-saving expert took 9,532,571 steps last year – and swears by one essential factor

He’s the expert behind game-changing advice on all things personal finance – whether it’s energy bill tips or DWP claims. So, it may surprise you to learn that Martin Lewis, 53, has now shed light on his personal fitness routine, having achieved an impressive 9,532,571 steps in 2025.

In total, that equates to roughly 26,000 steps per day, which completely smashes the commonly lauded ‘10,000’ daily steps health target. Although the MoneySavingExpert (MSE) founder confessed it had become quite an ‘obsession’ during the past year, he owes much of his triumph to one ‘big rule’.

In a blog updated on January 5, he wrote: “My big rule… if I’m talking, I’m walking. If I have a phone call to make or a meeting that doesn’t need a video call, then I do it while walking. Often, this is outdoors – I try to get all my calls arranged in a row so I can have a long walk. It’s now instinctive that if the phone rings and I’m sitting down, I jump up before I answer it.”

Ahead of his Tuesday shows, Martin also added that he doesn’t get transport to the filming studio and instead opts for a 75-minute walk, even when it’s snowing, raining or freezing outside. He continued: “For many, this will sound bizarre, but I find obeying self-imposed routines can help with health and fitness, so if it keeps me stepping, it’s good.”

Despite Martin’s walking milestones, the NHS suggests that you ‘do not have to walk for hours’ to reap the perks from this low-intensity exercise. In fact, just a brisk 10-minute walk per day can help you build stamina, burn calories, and potentially bolster heart health.

In a past ZOE Podcast, Professor Claire Steves from King’s College London, also revealed that just 45 minutes of walking three times a week could enhance your brain health.

At the time, she said: “So, to improve your cognitive health, you need to do more exercise than you’re doing now – up to a point – unless you’re an Olympic athlete.

“That’s the key thing. If we look at really big population studies, we can see effects, even with minimal levels of exercise and it’s fairly linear…So, whatever you’re doing, if you go up by a third, you’ll be improving yourself.”

What is a ‘brisk walk’?

Official NHS advice encourages Brits to incorporate ‘brisk walks’ into their daily routine. This generally means moving at around three miles per hour, which is faster than a stroll.

If you’re unsure how fast you’re walking, you can download the free Active 10 app on your smartphone. This shares suggestions for boosting your speed.

The health service’s advice adds: “If you’re not very active but are able to walk, increase your walking distance gradually. If your joints are a problem, check whether your local swimming pool holds exercise classes.

“The water helps to support your joints while you move and can help you strengthen your muscles.” For more information, click here.

For the latest money-saving tips, shopping and consumer news, go to the new Everything Money website

The soaps air huge scenes next week across Emmerdale, Coronation Street, EastEnders, Hollyoaks and Home and Away, including secrets, confessions, returns and sad goodbyes

There’s all kinds of drama on the soaps next week, with a death confession, a shock return and a sad goodbye.

Emmerdale airs a dramatic comeback for not-so-dead Graham Foster, leaving residents reeling, while there’s also a secret. On Coronation Street, residents say a sad goodbye to Billy Mayhew – but will Theo Silverton confess?

On EastEnders, there’s a surprise return for one character after years offscreen. Exits are teased too, and Joel Marshall is in court.

Over on Hollyoaks, Dodger Savage is left making an emotional confession. On Home and Away, fans will see a heartwarming moment for two residents.

READ MORE: Emmerdale favourite breaks silence on return after six years and defends fake death plotREAD MORE: Emmerdale fans ‘know’ who Ray’s killer is after flashback – and it’s not Arthur

Emmerdale

Graham makes his big return to the village, six years after his apparent demise. Rhona’s stopped in her tracks when her ex shows up at the vet surgery. Rhona has been trying to contact him but before she can confront him, Joe shows up, causing Graham to hide.

Joe mentions that he thought he saw Graham in the village, and Graham’s rattled to find out Joe is now close with Kim. Soon, both Kim and Joe get the shock of their lives when Graham turns up to Home Farm.

Paddy learns the police are keen to speak to Celia about Ray’s murder, and soon tells Dylan the news. Victoria’s still struggling in the aftermath of killing John, as Robert tries to make her see she did the right thing.

Will she be able to move forward knowing she’s a killer? Laurel feels she’s turned a corner in her relationship with Arthur, unaware that he’s hiding something. As Arthur hides Ray’s cash, only for April to grow suspicious. Arthur soon feels guilty about spending the cash, knowing what Ray put April and others through.

Coronation Street

Sam is suspicious when Leanne shows Megan a boy’s tracksuit top she found in the flat and Megan claims it is Daniel’s. When Sam asks Will if something is going on between Megan and Lee, Will flees and soon, he warns Megan that Sam is onto them, and so she takes action.

Summer’s stolen rucksack is returned to her, and she’s amazed to see it contains Paul’s missing ashes. She soon spirals, and Roy finds her drunk.

Abi warns Jodie away from Carl, and Maggie lets slip how Leanne offered to buy her out of the Rovers using the money from her share of Speed Daal, and Alya’s seething. Theo struggles with his guilt over Billy’s death as his funeral arrives.

Theo approaches Billy’s coffin and tells him how sorry he is for leaving him to die, but is someone listening in? Debbie has a gesture for Todd, Bernie has a plan and Roy confides in Mary about Alice.

Roy’s soon stunned when a man named Mal arrives claiming to be Alice’s husband. Ryan faces danger when two masked robbers approach him at the hotel, armed with a claw hammer. Carl arrives, but can he help Ryan?

EastEnders

Mark Jr is back in Walford, and he soon leaves Vicki, Phil and Sam demanding answers. Lying about his reasons for being back, he wastes no time in telling Phil the truth.

Jasmine is still eager to leave the Square, and Max discovers she’s been lying about her statement to the police. As Vicki opens up to Zack about Joel’s looming trial, she’s grateful for his support.

Her head a mess, she heads to court the next day with Ross and Mark, as well as Zack. Joel tries to put on a front as Tommy gives evidence, while Vicki is soon rushing out of court. As court resumes, emotions run high for Vicki and Avani.

When Joel requests a visitor, it doesn’t go well and things take an interesting turn. Ravi vows to support Avani, but he’s soon left guilty when he fails to show up for his daughter.

When Kat finds out about Jasmine’s plot to flee from Oscar, she’s saddened as Patrick accuses her of putting too much pressure on her to help free Zoe from prison.

George prepares to tell Elaine about Nicola’s pregnancy amid her hopes of a reunion, only fuelled by Bea suggesting he may want her back. Elaine is soon put straight, leading to her lashing out at Ian.

When Elaine realises Ian has retaliated she plots revenge, but things get out of hand. The Beales are not in a forgiving mood, as Ian vows to close Peacock Palace. Ravi and Priya are relieved when Nugget decides to go back to Sixth Form.

Hollyoaks

Sensing Dodger pulling away, Theresa gently questions whether something is wrong, but he continues to hide behind excuses. Mercedes arrives home with Warren once again stepping in to support her. Later, Theresa opens up to Mercedes, revealing how Warren helped her through her darkest moments.

A clash between Dodger and Warren sees him asking Theresa if their relationship is okay. She reassures him and encourages honesty between them.

When Warren questions his changed behaviour since Liverpool, Dodger breaks down and reveals the truth to everyone there, that he was beaten and raped. Warren soon makes a phone call.

Dodger tells Theresa that it’s going to take some time for him to be intimate but she’s willing to wait. Cleo is overwhelmed by Joseph’s cries, while Sienna gives her the cold shoulder after finding out that she knew Dodger had been raped. Dodger and Theresa walk in on Cleo and Sienna arguing.

Events take a worrying turn when Sienna arrives home to Cleo asleep on the couch and finds Joseph having a seizure. As the pair face turmoil, Misbah and Gemma worry that Cleo might have suffered from a postpartum psychosis episode and harmed Joseph.

Also next week, with their hidden history, tensions simmer between Warren and Tinhead. Later, Tinhead is deleting texts demanding money coming from a mysterious sender.

Mercedes makes friends with fellow patient Nikki Shadwick. In the village, Jenson demands his money back from Tinhead or he will tell Warren what he’s done. As Warren turns up, what will happen?

Elsewhere, Mercedes is feeling restless at the rehab clinic and fellow patient Nikki invites her to a yoga session, Mercedes panics when Nikki tells her tomorrow her family are coming in for a group therapy session.

Home and Away

Jo and Eddie enjoy their date, while Remi has a plea for Bree. Bree is left pondering, and soon leaves him heartbroken. David has a request for Jo, leading to her opening up to Lacey.

Leah apologises to Lacey for blaming her for Theo’s death, and the pair bond. David struggles to contain his emotions as he records a raw and powerful piece to camera, capturing the immense toll Wendell’s actions have had on him and his family.

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX. Coronation Street airs weeknights at 8:30pm on ITV1 and ITV X.

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Hollyoaks is available to stream on Channel 4’s streaming service now, while it also airs Mondays to Wednesdays on E4 at 7PM.

Home and Away is available to stream from 6am weekdays, with double bill episodes airing from 6pm on 5Star. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

The 2016 period drama was hailed as the ‘best series in a long time’.

Netflix viewers can’t believe they didn’t know about a 2016 thriller hailed as ‘the best Stephen King adaptation’.

The celebrated horror author published his time travel drama, 11.22.63, back in 2011 and it was adapted into a limited series in 2016.

It follows English teacher Jake Epping, who is given the opportunity to travel back to the 1960s in order to prevent the assassination of former US president John F. Kennedy.

American Reddit users have just stumbled upon the eight-episode show a decade after its premiere, and they thoroughly recommend it. Posting on the platform, one fan raved: “11.22.63 IS SOOO Good!!! Highly recommended.”

They continued: “How did I not know about this until now, 10 years later after it came out? Hulu did not do a good job at promoting it, Netflix put this at the top.”

While it originally aired on Hulu, the historical drama recently landed on Netflix in the US. However, UK audiences can currently purchase the boxset on Prime Video for £5.99.

Oscar nominee James Franco leads the cast as small-town teacher Jake. He sets out to gather as much information as possible in the days leading up to the November 22 assassination, all while building a new life in the 1963 to avoid suspicion.

But his mission to change history quickly turns dangerous.

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The period drama won over critics and casual viewers upon its debut, bagging an impressive 83% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

One fan praised the drama, penning: “11.22.63 is a smart, emotional time travel story that hits far more highs than lows. It blends romance, suspense, and historical drama into a bingeable ride that keeps you hooked through atmosphere and character rather than flashy twists.”

While someone else said: “I just watched the series for the second time, having read the book first. I have to say, this was the best adaptation of a Stephen King novel I have seen, and the best of any films from a book I have ever seen where I read the book in advance.”

For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website.

And a third viewer raved: “I’ve just finished watching 11.22.63 and it’s by far one the best series I’ve watched in a long time. The plot was amazing. I’ve watched a lot of James Franco films and to see him act in a different way compared to his usual comedy type of acting is so bizarre. But yet, he was incredible. I wish this series never ended.”

11.22.63 is available to purchase now on Prime Video

Motherland star Anna Maxwell Martin teams up with Sophie Turner in Prime Video’s new thriller

Thriller enthusiasts are set for a real treat as acclaimed actress Anna Maxwell Martin, renowned for her performances in Motherland and Until I Kill You, is appearing in a fresh Prime Video thriller launching imminently. Arriving on January 21, the series boasts major stars and is headlined by Game of Thrones legend Sophie Turner.

All six episodes will be released simultaneously, allowing viewers to binge-watch the entire series, entitled Steal. This high-octane thriller, already generating considerable buzz amongst fans, centres on ordinary office worker Zara (Turner), who becomes embroiled in the “heist of the century”.

While employed at pension fund investment firm Lochmill Capital, her routine day is shattered when a gang of brutal thieves storms in demanding billions in cash. Zara and her closest friend Luke (Archie Madekwe) are forced to comply with the gang’s orders.

DCI Rhys (Jacob Fortune-Lloyd) is brought in to apprehend the criminals, but as a recently relapsed gambling addict, he must manage to keep his personal financial troubles in check. Meanwhile, Zara decides to take control when the investigation raises more questions than it answers, reports the Express.

Anna Maxwell Martin’s character is shown speaking to Zara in the trailer, demanding she “tell us what you know”, or MI5 “could kill you”. Specifics about her role remain confidential, though she appears to be some form of detective.

Whilst the series isn’t rooted in actual events, Good Housekeeping has described its premise as “scarily real”. Vernon Sanders, Head of Television at Amazon MGM Studios, hailed it as a “uniquely thrilling ride”.

When Prime Video posted the trailer on Facebook, fans rushed to the comments section after spotting the Motherland and Line of Duty star. Shelley Griffiths declared: “Well, if Anna Maxwell Martin is in it, I’ll be watching!”

The actress is particularly renowned for her crime drama performances, having starred in A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, Ludwig and Until I Kill You. In the latter, she portrayed real-life victim Delia Balmer, who endured an abusive relationship with serial killer John Sweeney.

She deliberately avoided speaking to the actual Delia before shooting, ensuring her interpretation remained entirely her own. She revealed in an interview: “I’ve played quite a few real people and I have never met them before. I don’t choose to do that, that’s how I work.

“Our writer filmed a lot of footage of his meetings with Delia, which I had access to. I did meet her very briefly during filming, but only because she wanted to visit the set and of course I was respectful of that.

“I didn’t do lots of research into abusive relationships either, instead I just focused on the character, on who she was, how she responded to things, and what I could gauge about how she interacted with people.”

Her powerful performance as Delia earned her three prestigious awards.

Fans flocked to the Steal trailer’s comments section on YouTube to voice their enthusiasm for her latest project.

@PozoBlue remarked: “Ohhhh this actually looks original and exciting! Looking forward to this!”

@Glasweg1an wrote: “Oooooh Prime video comes through clutch, this looks exciting. Don’t let me down, I`m gonna start this on the 21st.”

@genedeangelo3800 added: “Wow, I’m not impressed easily, this looks amazing. WTF!”

Steal premieres on Prime Video on January 21.

**For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new Everything Gossip website**

LOS ANGELES — The NFL is marking the 60th anniversary of the Super Bowl with a hometown opening act.

Green Day will kick off the big game with an opening ceremony Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, the league announced Sunday. The performance will celebrate six decades of the championship’s history, with the band helping usher generations of Super Bowl MVPs onto the field.

The trio, formed in the East Bay and made up of Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tré Cool, is expected to perform a selection of their best-known anthems as part of the tribute.

“We are super-hyped to open Super Bowl 60 right in our backyard!” lead singer Armstrong said. “We are honored to welcome the MVPs who’ve shaped the game and open the night for fans all over the world. Let’s have fun! Let’s get loud!”

The ceremony airs live at 3 p.m. Pacific on NBC, Telemundo, Peacock and Universo.

“Celebrating 60 years of Super Bowl history with Green Day as a hometown band, while honoring the NFL legends who’ve helped define this sport, is an incredibly powerful way to kick off Super Bowl LX,” said Tim Tubito, the league’s senior director of event and game presentation. “As we work alongside NBC Sports for this opening ceremony, we look forward to creating a collective celebration for fans in the stadium and around the world.”

The opening ceremony will take place ahead of the pregame entertainment, during which Charlie Puth is to perform the national anthem, Brandi Carlile will sing “America the Beautiful,” and Coco Jones will deliver “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

Jonathan Landrum Jr. writes for the Associated Press.

The art of the so-called art song is a thriving business. Singers galore are monthly recording songs from the rich 19th ^{century classical repertory, while composers are busy making new ones. But what was once known as the Lieder recital — the German title for songs in a genre once dominated by Schubert, Schumann, Hugo Wolf and Richard Strauss — has approached its sell-by date.}

The smart shopper will already note signs of staleness and mold in the old practice of a singer in stiff white tie and tails or gaudy gown, standing, arm propped on piano, of the second banana accompanist. Attention here was meant to be drawn not to the singer but the marvels of song, as you followed the text in your program book. The recital acted like a religious experience in which a rarefied atmosphere befits radiance.

A new generation of singers, however, has been strikingly upending the song recital, turning to songs from a wide variety of sources old, new and genre fluid. Singers think thematically and theatrically. Pianists become welcoming creative partners. Other musicians, stage directors, choreographers and dancers may be invited in.

“From Ordinary Things,” which had its premiere as part of CAP UCLA’s series at the Nimoy Theater on Thursday night, is the latest project of one of the least ordinary and most compelling singers of this new generation, Julia Bullock. A rivetingly theatrical soprano, Bullock, in collaboration with percussionist/composer Tyshawn Sorey and director Peter Sellars, has developed a full-scale operatic evening, “Perle Noir: Meditations for Joséphine,” about the chanteuse Josephine Baker and slated next for Australia’s Adelaide Festival in March. Another project has been Bullock’s riveting staging, with dance, of Olivier Messiaen’s mystical, Amazonian, sex-love-death song cycle, “Harawi,” which came to the Wallis in October 2024.

Conor Hanick, a partner of Bullock’s in the experimental collective American Modern Opera Company (AMOC), was the pianist for “Harawi” and is again for “From Ordinary Things.” They are further joined by the equally versatile cellist, Seth Parker Woods. The title comes from the last line of “Shelter,” a song by André Previn with a text by Toni Morrison. “In this soft place/Under your wings/I will find shelter/From ordinary things.”

That leaves us Bullock with extraordinary things, and her program is surprising in all things. She begins in shock, singing unaccompanied, on a dark stage in a darkened hall, performers illuminated by powerful spotlights.

Julia Bullock performs at the UCLA Nimoy Theater on Thursday in Los Angeles.

(Carlin Stiehl/For The Times)

Stark, discomforting amplification diminishes intimacy and the luxurious richness of Bullock’s soprano, which easily fills a room on its own, suggests quiet terror, the lonely state of Nina Simone’s “Images.” The unaccompanied solo about a woman who “thinks her body has no glory” gets it from Bullock. That progresses without a break into the first song, “Nahandove,” from Ravel’s “Songs of Madagascar,” with piano and cello but not the flute in Ravel’s original setting. Here beauty is celebrated with voluptuous rapture, setting the mood for “Oh, Yemanja,” a mythic, watery mother’s prayer from Tania León’s opera “Scourge of Hyacinths.”

A highlight was to have been a pair of songs by León, with texts by Kevin Young, written for the recital, but they were apparently not yet ready. A line from one of them is “All light wrong?” With the program and song texts only available to download on the cellphone, the audience was left in the dark without texts and, with amplification obscuring diction, not knowing what’s what.

Another Young line — “are my chief complaints” — suited the blowsy loudspeakers that messed up balances, which extended to a performance of George Walker’s rarely heard Sonata for Cello, that ends the first half, for no apparent reason other than it gives the spotlight to the instrumentalists and it is a score that begs to be heard.

Parker has been a glowing advocate of the early work, written in 1957, by the late composer whose music is only in the past few years beginning to find its way to the public thanks to the efforts of reviving neglected Black composers. The sonata does not have the vibrant complexity of Walker’s commanding later works, but it is tight, strong, accessible and with an inspired slow movement that it would be hard to get enough of.

Cellist Seth Parker Woods and pianist Conor Hanick at the UCLA Nimoy Theater on Thursday in Los Angeles.

(Carlin Stiehl/For The Times)

The strange second half brought fewer complaints. An intermission bought time to familiarize oneself with text squeezed onto the cellphone screen. Amplification proved less objectionable. Bullock announced that while putting the program together she had come across songs by Robert Owens, a little-known American composer who lived in Munich, Germany, and died in 2017 and who wrote songs in the style of Richard Strauss to texts by the 19^th century poet Joseph von Eichendorff. If not a find, a curiosity.

From there to the avant-garde. “Ultimate Rose” from Salvatore Sciarrino’s 1981 opera, “Vanitas,” turns early music, along with vocal and cello production, marvelously inside out. More Nina Simone, the harsh “Four Women,” then Previn. Along with “Shelter,” Bullock sang a song he wrote with Dory Previn (“It’s Good to Have You Near Again”) and arrangements he made of standards (The Gershwins’ “Love Walked In” and Rogers’ and Hart’s “Nobody’s Heart Belongs to Me”) for his album with Leontyne Price. The encore was Massenet’s “Elégie.”

Each song seems to exist for reasons of its own. Each song creates a different dynamic among the three performers. You listen, left in the dark, wondering but also in wonder, as Bullock asks you a question why each song mattered as much as it did.

You go home and read the texts and find there are no ordinary things.

Jill Halfpenny plays DS Sam Bradley in the tense police drama, which has returned for a second series

After The Flood star Jill Halfpenny shared a sweet message with fans after the police drama returned.

The second series of the tense show started this month, with detective Jo Marshall, played by Sophie Rundle, back on our screens and looking into a new set of murders.

Fans have been gripped by the ITV series so far and as the latest instalment aired on Monday (January 19), Jill – who stars as DS Sam Bradley – expressed her delight in a post on her Instagram Story.

Sharing a screengrab of some of the positive comments about the show, she told fans: “We are so happy you are enjoying After The Flood series 2.”

The drama, which also stars Matt Stokoe and Lorraine Ashbourne, is back two years after season one, which saw police investigating after a man was found dead in an underground car park following a catastrophic flood.

Fans have been thrilled to see it return, with many posting messages on social media calling it “brilliant”. One posted a message on Instagram saying they were “so happy it’s back” as another penned: “Binged it all in one day!”

“Binge watched the whole series already and it’s one of the best shows I’ve seen in a while,” commented another viewer, adding: “Hats off to everyone involved in it.”

Another hailed the “brilliant first episode!” as others shared clapping emojis to show their appreciation.

Lead star Sophie recently shared: “It’s really nice coming back to something that has been recommissioned because people watched it and because people liked it, you know, and I think that’s obviously the only way you can kind of judge whether people want a series two.

“It’s really lovely coming back, you meet people when you’re out and about and they often say, ‘Oh, we loved After the Flood, we loved that one’, so it’s really nice when you go back to something and you think, ‘Okay, to a degree, I think we got that right’ and I think people liked it and people kind of want more, so that is always a really nice starting point.”

For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new Everything Gossip website.

After The Flood airs on ITV.

WHEN the most famous women in the world wanted a show-stopping dress, their designer of choice was Valentino Garavani.

The Italian fashion legend, who last night died, aged 93 at his home in Rome, even had a colour — Valentino red — named after his signature dresses.

Among the many fans of his designs were Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Zendaya, Lady Gaga and Queen Camilla.

JFK’s widow Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Jennifer Lopez and Claudia Schiffer are among those to have worn one of his creations on their wedding day.

Valentino is one of the biggest fashion brands on the planet, making more than a billion pounds worth of sales last year.

Founded in 1960, the company’s V is a sign of luxury found on everything from handbags, shoes and perfume to both men’s and women’s clothes.

LEGEND LOST

Italian fashion designer Valentino who dressed Hollywood A-listers dies aged 93

FLO LEGS IT

Florence Pugh puts on a leggy display as she stuns in plunging polka dot blouse

Valentino has included a red dress in every collection since its launch, and Valentino red gowns have been worn by Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Kidman, Gwyneth Paltrow and Rihanna among others.

But the designer famously fell out with Princess Diana after the late royal ditched one of his creations for a different “revenge dress” for her first public appearance following revelations that King Charles had cheated on her.

Valentino was the last of the classic 20th-century designers, who also included Giorgio Armani and Karl Lagerfeld.

The fashion great, who had a relationship with his male business partner Giancarlo Giammetti, said: “I love beauty. It is not my fault.

‘WOMEN WANT TO BE BEAUTIFUL’

“And I know what women want — they want to be beautiful.”

Right from his birth, this son of an electrical wholesaler was destined to be linked with a world of glamour.

His mother named him after the silent movie star Rudolph Valentino.

He grew up in the small Italian town of Voghera, near Milan, and started designing clothes when he was 12 years old.

Valentino said: “I could do shoes, blouse, scarf, skirt, I did everything. All on top of my school book.”

His parents wanted him to become a doctor, but were supportive when he announced he wanted to go into fashion.

After studying and working in Paris, Valentino set up his own fashion house in Rome in 1960, helped financially by his father.

Aged 28 at the time, he met fashion student Giancarlo, then 18, who became the co-founder of the firm.

The couple had a romantic relationship until 1972 but continued working together professionally for half a century.

Their first famous supporter was Jackie Kennedy, the wife of the US President John F Kennedy.

She wore his couture dresses while mourning her husband after he was assassinated in 1963 and also selected a Valentino for her marriage to the Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis five years later.

Joan Collins wore his frocks at the height of her Dynasty fame in the 1980s and Princess Diana was a close friend who would holiday on his yachts.

Diana was supposed to wear a Valentino in 1994 for an event at the Serpentine Gallery in London after Charles spoke about his affair with Camilla in a Jonathan Dimbleby interview.

But when Valentino leaked the news, she ditched him for a black silk cocktail gown by Christina Stambolian.

I use very slim models without bosoms to be free to create. Sometimes, if the model has a bosom or a little big hips, it gets in the way

Valentino

There were plenty of other women who wanted to wear the brand’s elegant frocks on the red carpet.

Julia Roberts wore Valentino at the Oscars in 2001, Florence Pugh followed suit at the Venice Film Festival 2022 as did Sharon Stone at the Cannes Film Festival in 1995.

Such was his status in the fashion world, he even appeared as himself in 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada alongside Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway.

But he also had an obsession with women’s weight and objected to “fat” women.

In 1986 he said: “Women love to be slim. I prefer too thin to too fat.

“I use very slim models without bosoms to be free to create. Sometimes, if the model has a bosom or a little big hips, it gets in the way.

“That is important when I create something new. Later it can be translated for women much larger.”

‘ADIEU TO THE WORLD OF FASHION’

In 1998, Valentino and Giancarlo sold the firm for around £200million and then later tried and failed to buy it back.

His huge wealth meant he lived a jet-set lifestyle, with homes in London, Rome and New York as well as an 84ft yacht.

Valentino kept designing up until 2008, eventually choosing to quit while he was still at the top of his game.

He said: “I have decided that this is the perfect moment to say adieu to the world of fashion.

“As the English say, I would like to leave the party when it is still full.”

DOLLY Parton may have famously humble beginnings, but her jaw-dropping real estate portfolio in Tennessee now adds up to approximately $180 million.

The U.S. Sun can exclusively reveal that Dolly’s stunning property acquisition in her beloved home state has reached eye-watering proportions. 

The beloved country crooner is now celebrating her 80th birthday after coping with health issues over the past several months. 

While the Jolene singer takes it easy this birthday, she at least has plenty of room and lots of fresh air, especially in her sprawling main Tennessee home in the suburbs of Nashville, worth a stunning $10.3 million.

Dolly’s massive estate property has over 8,000 square feet and is situated on a 60-acre lot. 

The Nine to Five singer’s home has a pool, a pool house, a guest house and a large garage.

DOLLY GOOD SHOW

Dolly Parton on how she’s defied time as she celebrates 80th birthday

It also features several barns and even a chapel.

She purchased the property back in 1997.

Right next door is another property belonging to the singer, where her parents used to live, which she purchased in 1999.

That home is worth $1.5 million 

The property is also expansive, with over 5,000 square feet to the main home which sits on two acres. 

When Dolly wants an even quieter time, she can take a 45-minute drive to another of her stunning Tennessee properties, with her beautiful home on the waters of the Cumberland River.

There, Dolly has a pool with river views, a pool house and a private dock with a boathouse.

According to records, she purchased the property in 2018, and it appears she hasn’t done much structurally to the home since the initial purchase.

Estimates for similar homes nearby are priced around $1.5 million. 

She also owns several plots of land in Tennessee, which add up to around $300k worth of property.

However, by far, the largest asset in Dolly’s property portfolio is her amusement park, Dollywood, of which she is said to own a 50% share. 

The massive amusement park, which also features several resorts on the premises, is worth an estimated $330 million. 

Even more special, the park generates significant local economic impact, with estimates around $1.8 billion annually for her beloved home state of Tennessee.

DOLLY RUSHED TO HOSPITAL 

Dolly’s health problems have overshadowed her birthday celebrations this year.

Last fall she was rushed to the hospital.

After her sister, Freida, posted she had been up all night praying for Dolly, the star was forced to take to social media to tell the world she was not dead.

Dolly said: “I’m not ready to die yet.

“I don’t think God is through with me. And I ain’t done working.”

She had to back out of her Vegas residency in September.

The following week, she missed her induction into the IAAPA’s Hall of Fame for her Tennessee theme park, Dollywood.

Instead, she sent a video message to explain her absence.

“Well hey there, it’s Dolly,” she began.

“And I sure wish I could be with you in person today, but you probably heard that I’ve been dealing with a few health challenges this fall, and my doctors told me to take it easy for just a little while.”

Her health has also sidelined her from attending events at her beloved Grand Ole Opry.

Earlier this month, Dolly announced she would not be attending her 80th birthday celebration at the Grand Ole Opry.

In September of last year, Dolly cancelled dates in her Las Vegas residency, citing health challenges. 

She rescheduled those dates to September 2026.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 1 introduces mysterious stable boy Egg, whom Ser Duncan the Tall meets on his journey.

*Warning – this article contains spoilers for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 1.*

The opening episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has landed on Sky and HBO, drawing Game of Thrones enthusiasts eager to experience the latest prequel series. Set approximately 90 years prior to Game of Thrones and over 70 years following House of the Dragon, the programme chronicles the adventures of humble hedge knight Ser Duncan the Tall as he undertakes a chivalrous journey.

According to the IMDb description for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: “A century before GOT, Ser Duncan the Tall, and his squire, Egg, wandered through Westeros while the Targaryen dynasty ruled the Iron Throne, and dragons were still remembered. Great destinies and enemies await the incomparable friends.”

In the debut episode, viewers witness Ser Duncan entering himself into a potentially transformative tournament that could alter his fortunes completely. Throughout his journey across Westeros, presently under Targaryen rule, he crosses paths with a young boy and aspiring squire called Egg.

Who is Egg in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms?

The knight’s initial meeting with Egg occurs at an inn, where he learns the boy is a stable hand whose mother has died, reports the Express.

Upon learning that Ser Duncan is bound for the tournament, Egg eagerly requests to travel alongside the knight to Ashford and begs to serve as his squire.

Though initially hesitant, Ser Duncan ultimately consents to taking Egg on as his squire (provisionally) and the duo embark on their quest for honour and recognition. The origins of Egg and how he ended up at the stable remain shrouded in mystery. Could Egg be hiding a secret about his past?

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is based on George R. R. Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg, so while we may already know the answers, we’re keeping this a book spoiler-free zone.

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This delivers live and on-demand TV without a satellite dish or aerial and includes hit shows like A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Who plays Egg in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms?

Young actor Dexter Sol Ansell, aged 11, takes on the role of Egg in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, starring alongside former rugby union player Peter Claffey, who portrays Ser Duncan.

Dexter already boasts an impressive acting CV, having previously appeared as Young Coriolanus Snow in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, and David Saunders in The Midwich Cuckoos.

He first graced TV screens in the ITV soap Emmerdale in 2019, featuring as Lucas Taylor in 14 episodes until 2021.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms airs weekly on Mondays at 3am and again at 9pm on Sky Atlantic and NOW.

**For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website**

The holidays are over, but the Christmas Adventurers no doubt are still celebrating. The “Marty Supreme” blimp rests, for now, in its hanger. Chloé Zhao is clearing her mind. And I still have that Neil Diamond song stuck in my head.

All of which brings us to the unveiling of nominations for the 98th Oscars on Thursday. Might Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” or Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” tie or even break the record for most nods for a single movie? Fourteen is the magic number, held by “All About Eve,” “Titanic” and “La La Land.” Somewhere, James Cameron is clutching his crown tightly.

Here are my predictions in key categories.

Picture

“Bugonia”
“Frankenstein”
“Hamnet”
“It Was Just an Accident”
“Marty Supreme”
“One Battle After Another”
“The Secret Agent”
“Sentimental Value”
“Sinners”
“Train Dreams”

Possible surprise: “Weapons”
Possible snub: “It Was Just an Accident”

No “Wicked: For Good”? No “Avatar: Fire and Ash”? The pair of high-profile sequels failed to live up to their predecessors, critically and commercially, leaving the door open for the academy’s international contingent — 24% of Oscar voters live outside the United States — to wave the flags of their countries. The last two years we’ve had two international features nominated for best picture. “Anatomy of a Fall” and “The Zone of Interest” made the cut in 2024; “Emilia Pérez” and “I’m Still Here” found their way in last year. It’s possible we see a record three this year: France‘s “It Was Just an Accident,” Brazil’s “The Secret Agent” and Norway’s “Sentimental Value.”

Voters do have other options for the back end of the 10-picture slate. “F1” looks on track to earn Oscar nods for film editing, sound and visual effects. Maybe that below-the-line love catapults it in. Zach Cregger’s “Weapons” earned a place at the Producers Guild, even with writer-director Cregger off filming “Resident Evil,” removing him from the awards circuit. Perhaps Aunt Gladys has been busy casting spells in her bedroom, working her magic on the film’s behalf, though I’m not sure how she’d obtain a personal item from more than 10,000 voters. She’d have to be busier than Diane Warren.

Director

Paul Thomas Anderson, “One Battle After Another”
Ryan Coogler, “Sinners”
Jafar Panahi, “It Was Just an Accident”
Josh Safdie, “Marty Supreme”
Chloé Zhao, “Hamnet”

Possible surprise: Guillermo del Toro, “Frankenstein”
Possible snub: Panahi

The Directors Guild nominated Anderson, Coogler, Safdie, Zhao and del Toro. But the Oscar field has included one international director for seven straight years, making it likely that dissident filmmaker Panahi, a vocal critic of Iran’s authoritarian regime, earns a nomination for his blistering movie about resistance. That spot could also go to Joachim Trier, the director and co-writer of “Sentimental Value,” a family drama that sneaks in some sharp satire about the sorry state of filmmaking these days.

Actor

Timothée Chalamet, “Marty Supreme”
Leonardo DiCaprio, “One Battle After Another”
Ethan Hawke, “Blue Moon”
Michael B. Jordan, “Sinners”
Wagner Moura, “The Secret Agent”

Possible surprise: Jesse Plemons, “Bugonia”
Possible snub: Moura

If Chalamet had won last year for playing Bob Dylan in “A Complete Unknown,” he would have become the youngest lead actor Oscar winner in history. That he lost to Adrien Brody (“The Brutalist”), still the only actor to win the trophy under the age of 30 (for “The Pianist”), adds a nice little twist to this bit of Oscar trivia. As it is, Chalamet seems well-positioned to eradicate voters’ bias against all the young dudes, his charismatic performance keeping you in the corner of “Marty Supreme’s” often repellent narcissist.

Actress

(Agata Grzybowska/Focus Features)

Jessie Buckley, “Hamnet”
Rose Byrne, “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You”
Chase Infiniti, “One Battle After Another”
Renate Reinsve, “Sentimental Value”
Emma Stone, “Bugonia”

Possible surprise: Kate Hudson, “Song Sung Blue”
Possible snub: Infiniti

Demi loves her. So does Reba and, of course, her mom, Goldie. In fact, it’d be surprising to find a mononym star who hasn’t stumped for Hudson and her star turn “Song Sung Blue,” though, thinking about it, Björk doesn’t feel like the right fit for a movie about a husband-and-wife Neil Diamond tribute band. (But I bet she’d be bringing down the house covering “I Am… I Said.”) It’s easy enough to root for Hudson and her comeback turn (was she ever really gone?), which could lead to her first nomination since her spectacular arrival a quarter-century ago (!) in “Almost Famous.” But among the five likely nominees, who would you boot? I’m a believer in each and every one of them.

Supporting actor

Benicio Del Toro, “One Battle After Another”
Jacob Elordi, “Frankenstein”
Paul Mescal, “Hamnet”
Sean Penn, “One Battle After Another”
Stellan Skarsgård, “Sentimental Value”

Skarsgård, so good as the irascible father and legendary auteur in “Sentimental Value,” didn’t get a nomination from the Actors Awards, guaranteeing this category will keep us guessing until the envelope is opened. Only three actors (Marcia Gay Harden for “Pollock,” Christoph Waltz for “Django Unchained” and Regina King for “If Beale Street Could Talk”) have won an Oscar without an actors guild nod. But Skarsgård has already had a moment, winning the Golden Globe and giving perhaps the night’s best speech, self-deprecating — talking about how raising eight children taught him how to be a bad father — and passionate. “Cinema should be seen in cinemas.” That might not move Ted Sarandos, but I’m sure he picked up a few votes with that capper. (Note: No surprise or snub here. These are the nominees.)

Supporting actress

Odessa A’zion, “Marty Supreme”
Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, “Sentimental Value”
Amy Madigan, “Weapons”
Wunmi Mosaku, “Sinners”
Teyana Taylor, “One Battle After Another”

Possible surprise: Ariana Grande, “Wicked: For Good”
Possible snub: A’zion

“Wicked” won two Oscars last year — production design and costume design — from 10 nominations, recognition that included picture and nods for actors Cynthia Erivo and Grande. The meh reviews (though the movie has its fans among critics) and diminished box office lowered Oscar expectations for the sequel. But seeing Grande, whose Glinda is the center of the new film, slip down the list of expected nominees has been one of more surprising developments of this awards season. She might still turn up, but I’m thinking the field belongs to the quartet of women from best picture nominees plus the undeniable, unrecognizable turn from Madigan in “Weapons.”

Original screenplay

(Eli Ade/Warner Bros. Pictures)

“It Was Just an Accident,” Jafar Panahi
“Marty Supreme,” Josh Safdie and Ronald Bronstein
“Sorry, Baby,” Eva Victor
“Sentimental Value,” Joachim Trier and Eskil Vogt
“Sinners,” Ryan Coogler

Possible surprise: “The Secret Agent,” Kleber Mendonça Filho
Possible snub: “Sorry, Baby”

With “Sorry, Baby,” writer-director Victor looked at the aftermath of sexual assault with wit and wry humor, employing an unconventional, nonchronological structure in its portrait of a woman grappling with trauma and refusing to be defined by it. “Sorry, Baby” was a hard movie to market, and it didn’t find the audience it deserved when it arrived in theaters over the summer. But its fans are a passionate bunch — Julia Roberts gave it a powerful plug at the Golden Globes, calling Victor her “hero” — and I’m wishing, hoping, thinking there are enough of them to put the film among the nominated screenplays.

Adapted screenplay

“Bugonia,” Will Tracy
“Frankenstein” Guillermo del Toro
“Hamnet,” Chloé Zhao and Maggie O’Farrell
“One Battle After Another,” Paul Thomas Anderson
“Train Dreams,” Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar

This group looks set, though I’d sub in Park Chan-wook’s “No Other Choice” for “Bugonia,” Park’s movie offering a more humane — and funnier — look at ugly things people can do when desperate. Park still has never been nominated for an Oscar, despite a resume that includes “Decision to Leave” and “The Handmaiden.”

International feature

“It Was Just an Accident”
“The Secret Agent”
“Sentimental Value”
“Sirāt”
“The Voice of Hind Rajab”

Possible surprise: “No Other Choice”
Possible snub: “The Voice of Hind Rajab”

This could be the spot for Park. If “No Other Choice,” “It Was Just an Accident,” “The Secret Agent” and “Sirāt” are nominated, it would give Neon a clean sweep of the category, a heady accomplishment for the adventurous indie studio. Of course, four out of five wouldn’t be bad either, and I have a suspicion that Venice Grand Jury Prize winner “The Voice of Hind Rajab” breaks through the Neon logjam. Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania’s movie sensitively tells the crushing story of a 6-year-old girl killed in Gaza, blending drama and documentary in a way that has left audiences sobbing. Ben Hania has seen two of her movies nominated — the 2020 feature “The Man Who Sold His Skin” and the 2023 documentary “Four Daughters” — and “Hind Rajab” looks poised to return her to the ceremony.

Animated feature

“Arco”
“Elio”
“KPop Demon Hunters”
“Little Amélie or the Character of Rain”
“Zootopia 2”

Sony Pictures Animation’s “KPop Demon Hunters” is the most-streamed movie in Netflix’s history, passing half a billion views in late December, including one from the kids at the New Year’s Eve party at my house. “Zootopia 2” got some eyeballs, too, becoming Walt Disney Animation Studios’ highest-grossing animated film. There’s a lot of separation between that pair and the remaining contenders.

Documentary feature

“2000 Meters to Andriivka”
“The Alabama Solution”
“Cover-Up”
“My Undesirable Friends: Part 1 — Last Air in Moscow”
“The Perfect Neighbor”

Possible surprise: “Apocalypse in the Tropics”
Possible snub: “The Perfect Neighbor”

The academy’s documentary branch often seems to take a perverse delight in ignoring popular favorites (“Hoop Dreams,” “Fahrenheit 9/11,” “Grizzly Man,” “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie”), so it would not be all that surprising to see Netflix’s chart-topping, true-crime doc “The Perfect Neighbor” become the latest casualty.

Netflix has two other contenders: “Cover-Up,” a riveting portrait of investigative journalist Seymour Hersh, directed by Laura Poitras and Mark Obenhaus, and Petra Costa’s “Apocalypse in the Tropics,” which examines Brazil’s rightward political shift. Harsh realities in Russia inform another trio of potential nominees. Critics group favorite “My Undesirable Friends” is a harrowing look at journalists in Putin’s Russia, while “2000 Meters to Andriivka” follows a Ukranian platoon’s mission to liberate a Russian village. Meanwhile, closer to home, “The Alabama Solution” is a damning indictment of prison conditions in its titular state as well as America.

Not much to feel good about here, which, given the state of the world, feels about right.

The sun is shining, the fire threat is low and for the first time in 25 years, no part of California is experiencing drought. Except of course in the hope and joy department.

It’s the middle of January, which means the holidays are well and truly over and whatever fanciful shine the prospect of a “new” year held as it approached has already dimmed into grim reality.

Of course I want to face this year determined to be a happier, kinder, more empathetic and more just person. But just as it’s tough to honorably pay one’s taxes knowing millionaires and billionaires are weaseling out of theirs, it’s hard to gin up personal-improvement energy when every news cycle brings proof that an alarming number of people are perfectly willing to believe that black is white, science is fake, we should all be cooking with beef tallow and failure to stop when an unidentified ICE agent tells you to is, apparently, punishable by death.

Also all that water everyone has been telling us to drink may be full of microplastics.

See, now I’m just getting upset again. Which is just too 2025 to bear. Mercifully, I have just discovered a cache of surviving holiday mint M&M’s (which may or may not contain beef tallow) and, equally important, I have a plan to make life better for everyone.

(At least until the midterms, when we will discover once and for all if this democratic experiment has any hope of lasting another year.)

It’s very simple, really: We need to demand the resurrection of customer service and put large numbers of well-paid and trained employees back in charge.

Seriously. I know it’s fun, and purportedly “convenient,” to be able to accomplish our banking/shopping/travel/bill paying/ticket buying/food ordering/health monitoring/everything else through a series of apps, websites and self-checkout kiosks.

But the lack of trained and helpful humans is getting out of control.

How many of us have stood, casting wild-eyed glances for help, when the grocery checkout sensors failed to register a carton of eggs that is clearly in the bagging area and there is only one store attendant tasked with aiding 20 or more finicky machines?

Or searched, panic-stricken, for the payment confirmation email that we may or may not have received because we forgot to screenshot an online transaction that is now being called into question via some upsetting email with a DO NOT RESPOND return address?

A friend of mine recently went to her doctor for ongoing treatment of her arthritic hands only to be told that she needed to fill out all her personal information, including her medical history, again because the office had switched systems. Apparently, the job of transferring file information was too difficult (read: expensive) to be accomplished by software, so it was being handed to … the patients. “Don’t worry,” said the guy sitting directly in front of the office computer. “You can just do it now on your phone.”

Yeah, that won’t take time and effort, and did I mention she was there for treatment of her arthritic hands?

The abandonment of any notion of customer service — now often called “customer assistance” or, even better, “customer support” (as in we will supportively assist you by directing you to our website or app, which may or may not be helpful/functioning) — is never clearer than when one travels.

Hideous delays and last-minute cancellations of flights have become so commonplace that airlines now advise building in a cushion of an extra day or two on each end of one’s journey. In other words, in addition to the cost of your actual flight, you should be prepared to pay even more in time or money because the airlines certainly are not.

On a long-planned holiday trip to London and Antwerp, Belgium, in December, our flight from LAX was abruptly moved to the next day — no warning, no explanation, no American Airlines personnel at the gate. Just a series of alerts that those who had the AA app received, along with the reassurance that those who qualified would be issued vouchers via email for lodging and food. Since we lived in the L.A. area (albeit a 90-minute drive from LAX at that time of day), we were out of luck — we could either pay hundreds of dollars for back and forth cab fare or book our own hotel near the airport.

(Other family members, leaving via Charlotte, N.C., had it even worse — a malfunction trapped a plane full of people, including my son and his girlfriend, on the runway for five hours before they were released, after midnight. When they finally tracked down an actual staff member, they were given vouchers to a motel that appeared, as Melissa McCarthy’s character says in “Spy,” “so murdery” that they decided to book their own.)

As if that were not enough to prevent us from ever traveling again, we were victims of the great Dec. 30 Eurostar shutdown, during which all trains into, and out of, the U.K. were abruptly canceled for more than 24 hours due to a power-grid failure in the English Channel Tunnel.

We had just been assured that we would soon be boarding our train from Brussels when the news came down over a loudspeaker, in four languages.

Picture, if you will, hundreds of now-stranded travelers, clamoring in panic-stricken English, French, Dutch and German as they streamed into the Brussels-Midi station where one Eurostar agent, one, stood, not suggesting alternate means of reaching our destination but handing out Xeroxed pages directing everyone to the Eurostar app and website.

Where no tickets were available for days and the process of claiming a refund or compensation for lodging and other expenses was an endless maze of questions that needed to be answered when all anyone wanted to know was how in the hell do we get to London now.

With no flights available until Jan. 3, days after we were scheduled to fly out of Heathrow Airport, we finally rented a car, at hideous cost, and fled Europe, with some historical poignancy, via midnight-landing ferry from Dunkirk. (If it sounds fun, I am not telling it right.)

My point is not that travel should always go smoothly — things break, weather turns, accidents happen. My point is that if you are a company that is paid to get people from one place to another, you should have enough personnel to help those people reach their destinations as quickly and seamlessly as possible should things go wrong.

Instead of, you know, casting them literally onto the street and forcing them to conjure up their own imperfect, and very expensive, DIY solutions.

Because that’s what the digital age has made us — a DIY economy in which millions of jobs no longer exist not because computers do the work, but because the work has been shifted, via computers, directly onto the consumer.

Who increasingly has little or no choice in the matter. Try to get a car at an auto rental agency without booking it online first; you might as well attempt to barter your watch and three chickens as payment.

It would be one thing if, by scheduling your own appointments, keeping track of your own medical tests, bagging your own groceries and filling out all the information needed to book your own reservations for planes, trains and automobiles, you got a discount.

But no; half the time, corporations have the audacity to charge a service fee on top of the money they have saved by not hiring someone to do the work you, the consumer, just did.

Is it any wonder why people are so testy these days?

Especially when, having done all the work only to be informed by alert that it was all in vain; they have to wait in line for the one teller/manager/gate agent available to explain to them that they “just” need to manage their booking/transaction online.

How much better it would be if there were actual people, trained and experienced, in numbers large enough to prevent endless queues, to make customers feel like customers again, instead of isolated pioneers quietly losing their minds in an effort to buy whatever goods and services companies are selling.

I’m not saying it would solve all of our problems, but it would go a long way to lowering the national temperature. It is amazing what a genial, helpful interaction can do to lift everyone’s spirits and make people feel like they are respected and valued, as individuals with reasonable needs, and not just faceless bundles of credit card information and regrettable meltdown moments.

Not to mention all the jobs, and career paths, at all levels, restoring customer service could provide.

Because being unemployed tends to make people quite aggravated and unhappy too.

TEEN Mom: Young and Pregnant star Rachel Beaver was arrested for public intoxication early Monday morning.

She remains imprisoned at Knox County Jail, with her mugshot making rounds online.

News of her arrest was initially confirmed by Starcasm, with The U.S. Sun confirming details surrounding the incident.

Rachel, 23, was seen in a mugshot photo smiling slightly with her pink hair on display and winged eyeliner on her lids.

Per the Knox County Jail’s website, the MTV alum was arrested in the early hours of Monday morning.

Her bond has not yet been set, and she remains behind bars.

ESCALATED QUICKLY

Teen Mom Jenelle Evans’ daughter Ensley, 8, rushed to the hospital

TROUBLED TEEN

Neither Rachel, nor her family, are strangers to legal troubles or controversy.

Despite frequently finding herself the center of online chatter and shaming, the Teen Mom: Young and Pregnant star has managed to avoid major legal woes prior to her most recent arrest.

Her mother, Stephanie, has, however, been to jail several times for various charges.

Rachel’s mother appears to be on the straight and narrow now, avoiding arrest in recent years.

Her father, Jason Beaver, was arrested in September 2019 for possession of heroin.

He was released in November 2020.

Likewise, her sister Malorie Beaver has been behind bars more than once.

In September 2024, Malorie was found guilty of her second DUI and booked into McMinn County Jail.

She was there to serve a 45-day sentence, but was “released after 17 days to complete 28 days with outpatient treatment.”

Rachel’s family aren’t the only ones with legal challenges.

Her ex Drew Brooks was arrested for attempted murder in April 2022.

Rachel and Drew rose to fame on the first season of Teen Mom: Young and Pregnant.

The former couple had been dating on and off since February 2019, and Drew was initially unsure he was the father of Rachel’s first child.

Rachel confirmed paternity in a January 2020 episode of the reality show.

The Downton Abbey actor teased the possibility of spin-offs after fans were left begging for more.

Downton Abbey favourite Hugh Bonneville has hinted at what lies ahead for the beloved franchise following last year’s concluding film.

The cherished period drama made its debut in 2010, spanning six series and three films, with a stellar cast including Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery, and the late Dame Maggie Smith.

The Harry Potter icon was honoured in Downton Abbey : The Grand Finale, which screened last year, though Hugh has now suggested another instalment might still materialise.

However, the Paddington star dismissed any personal participation, revealing to Saga magazine: “I wouldn’t be surprised if they make some sort of spin-off, but no, our company has left the building.

“The Grand Finale really was a farewell. As we came towards the end of filming, I would take a look around each set – let’s say the library – for the last time, so that I would be able to remember,” reports the Express.

He continued: “I feel enormous love for Downton. Every single day a message comes through about what it meant to someone, so I’m enormously proud.”

The finale concluded with a poignant ending, tracking Lady Mary Crawley (Michelle) as a divorcée and single mum rising above controversy, with the closing moments depicting the family and staff dancing alongside Violet Crawley, before the camera settled on a portrait of Dame Maggie as the Dowager Countess.

Fans flooded social media with pleas for additional content, with one viewer enthusing: “I’ve always said I’d like a sequel to the show around WWII time with George as the main, so we can see the kids more grown up! (I would also love a prequel).”

Others shared mixed feelings, with one remarking, “I would love more too, but I want a better written movie than what we’ve been given,” whilst another declared, “I would watch pretty much anything they put out.”

Show creator Julian Fellowes hasn’t ruled out future instalments, previously telling Entertainment Weekly: “That’s a possibility. I’ve learned never to say never anymore, because you have to take it back.”

He added that he was “not against the idea of revisiting Downton, but it would have to be in a different period of history so that their problems were different and they were facing different issues”.

For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website

He said: “On that basis, I don’t see why not, but we’ll have to see what happens.”

Meanwhile, producer Gareth Neame had hinted that it may not be the end, saying: “The camera will pull away and we’ll have our last, last moment with those characters, but that’s not necessarily the end for Downton Abbey.”

Downton Abbey is available to watch on ITVX.

Jennette McCurdy’s phone could not be silenced.

After the release of her 2022 memoir, “I’m Glad My Mom Died,” the actress-turned-author received an unending barrage of messages and calls from friends, family, distant acquaintances, people she’d crossed paths with one time when she was 12 years old.

“I heard from everybody I’ve ever met. Everybody came out of the woodwork,” McCurdy said. While most of the messages were positive, she added, “I have changed my phone number a few times since then. I like to keep my inner circle pretty close now.”

Her memoir was a raw, unflinching look at her childhood spent tethered to an abusive mother, her personal battles with eating disorders and alcohol, her tumultuous teenage years as a Nickelodeon star on the sitcoms “iCarly” and “Sam & Cat” and her recalibration in the wake of her mother’s death from cancer when McCurdy was 21.

Its readership went far beyond McCurdy’s phone contacts. “I’m Glad My Mom Died” was a bona fide phenomenon. It sold more than 3 million copies and spent more than 80 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller list. And it’s currently in the process of being adapted into an Apple TV+ series starring Jennifer Aniston as McCurdy’s mother.

Now, McCurdy, who is 33, is attempting to tell a new story with the January release of her debut novel “Half His Age.” The insular, visceral tale follows Waldo, a teenage girl in Alaska who has a sexual relationship with her middle-aged, married English teacher.

If some readers were aghast at the title of McCurdy’s memoir or its contents, they’ll almost certainly balk at “Half His Age,” which is a thorny exploration of power, lust, shame and rage, written in McCurdy’s now-signature wry style. The book’s cover features a close-up photograph of a young woman (not McCurdy) sucking her middle finger, and the sex scenes within are unvarnished, uncomfortable and plentiful.

“I’m never writing something that’s intentionally provocative, and I’m certainly never writing anything for shock value,” McCurdy said. “I really try to write for truth, and I can’t help it if that’s shocking. I can’t help it if that’s noisy or alarming. In fact, if it is those things, that’s probably an indication that there is some truth there and a conversation that’s needed to be had.”

When we met for our interview at a Pasadena restaurant in December, McCurdy looked almost identical to when I’d interviewed her there in 2022, before the release of her memoir — dark blond, tousled curls atop a petite frame and a broad smile. But a granular shift seems to have occurred. Nervous laughter has been replaced by a calmer confidence. Her eyes sparkle a little brighter.

The success of McCurdy’s memoir cemented her status as a writer, a title she prized far above “former child actor” or “TV star.” Authors she’d long admired, like Maria Semple and Tom Perrotta, now read and praise her writing. McCurdy even spent Thanksgiving with Semple last year.

“It’s this sense of belonging that I’ve always craved and never quite felt,” she said. “All through my 20s I thought, ‘Well, I’m just losing my tribe. I don’t know where my people are.’ I have found my people through writing in the past three years.”

It’s been a long time coming. After moving away from acting — a career that had been thrust upon her by her mother at just 6 years old — McCurdy began to furiously devote herself to writing in the mid-2010s. At first, she immersed herself in a variety of classes around L.A. She tried sketch writing, late-night TV writing, spec writing, but she quickly learned she didn’t actually want to write sketches or late-night monologues. Instead, she started to focus on longer-form storytelling via essays, her memoir, novels and screenplays.

At least six days a week for the last decade, McCurdy said, she’s spent her waking hours scribbling on a laptop inside her Pasadena home, rotating from her desk to the kitchen counter to the couch to the dining table to the veranda and back again.

“I sort of write until I’m tired. Sometimes that’s 4 p.m. and sometimes that’s 8 p.m.,” she said. “This year, specifically, I’ve pulled the longest days of my life. I had many days that were until 2 in the morning. It was really, really intense.”

“Half His Age” first began percolating when McCurdy was 24, riding a bullet train on a solo trip in Japan. She’d never written a book at that point, but the idea of a novel with a 17-year-old protagonist involved in an age-gap relationship cemented itself in the back of her brain. Years later, after the release of her memoir, she felt compelled to finally see it through.

“It forced itself upon me. You know, when authors say words like, ‘There was no other choice than to write this thing,’ I always thought it sounded a little pretentious,” she said. “Now, I completely know what it means. Waldo, this protagonist, her voice — I was waking up in the middle of the night thinking of this character.”

Although McCurdy said she considers herself an emotional writer, some elements of “Half His Age” required more exacting research. Setting a story in a public high school when she herself had only been homeschooled and tutored on set, for example, was a challenge.

“I was literally looking up, ‘Do they still have lockers in high school? What is a typical layout of a high school?’” she said.

Elsewhere, she imbued the story with elements of familiarity: Waldo has similar unruly curls to McCurdy’s; Waldo’s best friend is Mormon, the religion in which McCurdy was raised; and Waldo lives in Anchorage, where McCurdy’s partner of nine years is from, and where McCurdy said she has spent many months.

She also gave Waldo a complicated, absentee mother figure who leaves Waldo to shoulder the responsibilities of the household with her paychecks from a part-time job at a Victoria’s Secret. (On a different scale, McCurdy was the breadwinner for her own family by the time she was a teenager.)

“I think I’ll always write mother-daughter dynamics, and really any family dynamics, in a complicated, messy way. I’ve tried to write other kinds of dynamics, and my body will freeze up,” she said. “If I’m trying to write a loving, supportive, validating, parental figure, that’s not my experience. I don’t know how to begin to write that.”

“I really try to write for truth, and I can’t help it if that’s shocking. I can’t help it if that’s noisy or alarming,” said author Jennette McCurdy.

(Victoria Stevens)

But beyond those details, McCurdy has a deep connection to the book’s central storyline: McCurdy’s first serious relationship, which she detailed in her memoir, occurred when she was a naïve 18-year-old with an “iCarly” crew member who was in his mid-30s.

“There’s certainly overlap,” she said. “There’s certainly influence there. Writing, for me, is a means of finding closure where maybe there wasn’t in my own life. It’s a means of finding meaning and empowerment in places where maybe I didn’t feel it so much. It’s a way of exploring things that I maybe haven’t fully processed myself.”

She added, “I kept thinking, ‘Why is this coming through? Why is this the book that I’m writing?’ Several drafts in, I realized, ‘Oh, it’s because I have a lot of unprocessed rage about this.’ Of course, it’s a piece of fiction, and there are plenty of deviations, but, ultimately, I have a really personal connection to it, coming from that place myself.”

Rage is something she expects many female readers to feel as they follow Waldo’s journey in “Half His Age.”

“We’re taught to be polite and nice and make everybody around us feel comfortable and take the high road,” McCurdy said, her voice catching. “My experience of rage is that the more I have connected with it, the more it has led me on an effective life path, the more it has led me to make choices that I had been needing to make for a long time.”

Those choices have resulted in McCurdy not only becoming a prominent author, but a person fully in control of their career for the first time. She is currently working on her next book, and she has already written a script for a film adaptation of “Half His Age,” which she will also direct “if all the pieces fall into place,” she said.

The upcoming series adaptation of “I’m Glad My Mom Died” was similarly something McCurdy was only comfortable with if she could stay at the helm. She and Ari Katcher will serve as co-showrunners. She wrote all 10 episodes, she said, and will direct multiple episodes, as well.

“I am not interested in my stories being taken into somebody else’s hands,” she said. “That would be offensive to me.”

McCurdy will not appear on screen, however, and she said it’s too early to discuss who will play younger versions of herself. Meanwhile, Aniston’s connection to the material — the veteran actress has said that she and McCurdy “had very similar moms” — was key to casting her in the matriarch role.

“She does relate a lot to the material,” McCurdy said of Aniston. “It would be a disservice to the heart and soul of this book, and a disservice to the deep connection millions of people have with it, for anybody to be a part of it for any other reason. I’m deeply protective of it.”

As we finished up our mid-afternoon meal — a hodgepodge of spicy tuna bites and asparagus fries paired with guava and berry mocktails — McCurdy reflected on the agency she is finally able to take.

“I didn’t feel that I had a voice with, really, any aspect of my life growing up. I felt kind of voiceless,” she said. “Writing was where I found my voice, and I think, as a result of that, found my power.”

Spencer is an L.A.-based culture writer and reporter. Her nonfiction book, “Disney High: The Untold Story of the Rise and Fall of Disney Channel’s Tween Empire,” is out now.