When the first two seasons of HBO’s teen drama “Euphoria” aired on Sunday nights, 25-year-old actor and singer Al-akhir Fletcher remembers racing online the second each episode ended, toggling between X (then Twitter) and FaceTime just to keep up with the collective reaction.
“I felt like I had to watch because I didn’t want any spoilers,” he recalled. “I didn’t want anyone to tell me about it. There was maybe one week I tried to wait to binge-watch it, and I couldn’t. Everybody was talking about it.”
That anticipation for Season 3, premiering Sunday, still lingers for Fletcher, though it’s tempered now by doubt and distance, thanks to a four-year gap between seasons. Nevertheless, Fletcher said he’ll finish the show.
“Only because I feel like I’ve invested so much already into the show and into the characters and in their stories,” he said. “So I do want to see it through. I want to know what happens, but there is a little bit of hesitation, especially with hearing about all of the politics and the behind-the-scenes drama of what’s happened with the show.”
When Euphoria last aired in 2022, it turned Maddy Perez’s cutout dresses into a going-out uniform, transformed Cassie Howard’s unraveling into a meme with a saying that everyone understood (“I have never, ever been happier”), and sent Labrinth’s score ricocheting across TikTok in slow-motion edits and tear-streaked montages. It also made bona fide stars out of its cast: Zendaya became an Emmy winner, in-demand actor and fashion icon; similarly, Sydney Sweeney has become an onscreen mainstay, and Jacob Elordi, an Oscar nominee this year.
And, crucially, for a stretch, “Euphoria” made HBO feel like a destination again, with episodes that demanded to be seen in real time and dissected instantly before the night was over.
In the four years since its previous season, though, Hollywood has endured dual labor strikes, streamers have tightened budgets and audiences have fractured into increasingly niche viewing habits. The monoculture that once lifted “Euphoria” has thinned, if it even exists at all.
So as the show returns after an unusually long hiatus, the question isn’t just what happens next for Rue and the gang, but whether “Euphoria” can still hit the way it once did. What we do know is the series isn’t picking up where it left off. Season 3 leaps forward five years, aging its characters out of high school and into a much murkier version of adulthood. Maddy (Alexa Demie) is working for a talent agent and navigating the blurry line between managing actors, influencers and potentially sex work-adjacent clients. Cassie (Sweeney) and Nate (Elordi) are set to marry, all while Cassie is attempting to start an OnlyFans account. And then there’s Rue (Zendaya), whose story can’t outrun the looming debt she owes a drug dealer.
“Euphoria’s” Season 3 returning cast, clockwise from left: Jacob Elordi, Alexa Demie and Sydney Sweeney.(Partick Wymore / HBO)(Jeremy Colegrove / HBO)(HBO)
Can a series disappear for four years and reclaim its choke hold on the culture?
Interviews with fans and media experts suggest there’s no consensus on whether viewers will flock back like before. Some see “Euphoria” as too big to fail, a brand with enough residual heat to dominate conversation on arrival. Others aren’t so sure, pointing to the long hiatus, the off-screen turmoil and a television landscape that no longer moves in lockstep.
What made the show a breakout hit
Part of what makes questions around the show so difficult to answer is how singular “Euphoria” felt when it first arrived in 2019. At the time, HBO wasn’t in the business of teen dramas. The network had long built its identity on adult prestige — crime sagas, antiheroes and sprawling family epics — not stories centered on high schoolers. “Euphoria” marked a strategic shift, one that aimed to pull in younger viewers without diluting the network’s edge.
“I think this was supposed to be their first foray into quote-unquote young adult programming,” said Michel Ghanem, who writes about television. “They were interested in capturing a younger viewership who maybe hadn’t watched that much HBO up until then.”
What emerged didn’t resemble the traditional teen drama playbook. “Euphoria” was moodier and leaned into storylines rooted in addiction, sex and emotional volatility. HBO began experimenting more broadly with shows like “The Sex Lives of College Girls” and “Generation,” but “Euphoria” stood apart in both tone and ambition. The risk paid off.
“It grabbed on to an audience that loved the cast and the performances and the soundtrack and the cinematography,” Ghanem said. “So I think all of those elements together sort of made it into appointment television.”
Hunter Schafer, left, and Zendaya in Season 1 of “Euphoria.” The show premiered in 2019, becoming a hit for HBO.
(Eddy Chen / HBO)
Beneath the glitter and surreal visuals, some viewers saw versions of people and situations they already knew.
“I found a lot of familiarity in it because of being from L.A.,” said Darryl McCrary, a creative artist who is based here. “I felt like I knew the teenagers. I knew the secret drug addict and the out drug addict and the drug dealers. It felt very familiar. It felt like home in a way.”
Aspiring actor and “Euphoria” fan Cheyenne Washington, who grew up in a small town in Connecticut, also recognized the characters. “I went to high school with people like this. My high school isn’t like how it is on Disney Channel. My high school was ‘Euphoria.’”
By its second season, “Euphoria” had become one of HBO’s most-watched series, with episodes drawing millions of viewers. The Season 2 finale pulled in more than 6 million viewers across platforms, cementing the show as a crossover hit.
“That was the show that my students were talking about,” said Jason Mittell, professor of film and media culture at Middlebury College. “‘Euphoria’ is the buzz show amongst younger people, amongst people who were sort of hyper-online, amongst critics; it was something that was really talked about. That’s the thing that sort of raises it up.”
Why production stalled
While the dual Hollywood strikes were one factor in the delay in production, “Euphoria” was also affected by the sudden deaths of actor Angus Cloud, who played Fezco, and executive producer Kevin Turen, who was considered a key force in the show. There were reports of creative tension between Zendaya and Levinson. At the same time, its young cast had transformed into a roster of in-demand movie stars, with schedules and expectations that look very different from when the show began.
“This new season has to kind of do something new and really break new ground to gain the buzz,” Mittell said. “There is a scenario, depending on how they market it, that it actually could get pretty good viewership. But I think that it’s also just ripe for disappointment. Can you just imagine all the takes that are being written right now? Like, ‘Why “Euphoria” shouldn’t have come back.’ There’s so many people eager to write that.”
And yet, the show’s scale and the fame of the people in it may insulate it from outright failure. “Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney — these are some of the biggest actors on the planet now,” Ghanem said. “Even if the show ends up being a creative flop, I think we’re all going to tune in because we want to see those actors together again and see what storyline Sam Levinson will come up with. There’s no possible world where this third season isn’t a massive hit. There’s just no way.”
Angus Cloud, who played Fezco in “Euphoria,” died in 2023 after an overdose. (Evan Agostini / Invision / AP)
“Euphoria” executive producer Kevin Turen also died in 2023. (Jack Plunkett / Invision / Associated Press)
What has shifted more dramatically is how the show and its creator are perceived, experts and fans said. Since “Euphoria” first aired in 2019, Levinson’s profile has evolved, particularly following the backlash to his HBO series “The Idol,” which was widely panned by critics and plagued by reports of behind-the-scenes turmoil. That scrutiny has extended back to “Euphoria,” with renewed criticism around its portrayal of sex, nudity and teenage characters.
“Since 2019, when the first season aired, there have been a lot of conversations around what Gen Z really wants to see on screen,” Ghanem said. “The show’s reputation isn’t unscathed. And I think people are more critical of Sam Levinson’s work.”
That shift may be especially pronounced among younger viewers, who may have been turned off by “The Idol’s” gratuitousness.
“We’ve had all of these recent studies about younger people who don’t necessarily want to see sexually explicit material anymore,” said Brandy Monk-Payton, assistant professor at Fordham University. “They want to see more development of platonic relationships and asexual connections.”
Can a time gap still lead to success?
Long breaks aren’t unheard of on TV, but they’re rarely this long for a show that’s still trying to hold on to cultural urgency. And history suggests that returning is one thing, but recapturing the same intensity of viewership and fandom is another.
Several recent dramas have tested that gap. “Stranger Things” stretched years between seasons as its young cast aged into adulthood, returning to massive viewership, but, some critics and fans argued, with an ending that felt obligatory.
“They weren’t reckless enough with their characters,” McCrary said.
“The Handmaid’s Tale,” once a defining show of the late 2010s, continued after extended pauses but struggled to maintain the cultural grip it once held.
“I think because of the social and political climate of that show, the interest in it waned,” Monk-Payton said. “We didn’t want to be in the world of Gilead anymore. So do fans want to reenter the world that is ‘Euphoria,’ that sensational world of drug addiction and sex and violence?”
Even “Severance,” which earned critical acclaim and awards recognition after its long-awaited second season, sparked debate among viewers about whether it matched the precision and novelty of its first. The pattern, experts say, is less about whether the audience comes back and more about what they come back expecting.
For Monk-Payton, that expectation functions almost like an unwritten agreement between a show and its viewers.
“It has to retain its contract with the audience,” she said, pointing to the balance between continuity and change. “There has to be some kind of familiarity in the characters and relationships, but also growth — something new that justifies coming back.”
That balance, she argues, is where many returning shows falter. Monk-Payton said in the case of “Severance,” what began as a sharply observed workplace sci-fi story expanded into denser mythology in its second season. Though Apple TV announced that “Severance” had become its No. 1 series, she said the show’s evolution didn’t land the same way for all viewers.
“When shows come back after a gap, they can misread what audiences connected to in the first place,” she said.
The risk for “Euphoria” is similar. If its return leans too far away from the emotional core that defined it, or reshapes its characters beyond recognition, it could strain the connection.
“If we don’t recognize Rue or the others in some fundamental way, that’s risky,” Monk-Payton said. “Some viewers will keep watching to see how it ends because they’re completionists. But others may feel that disconnect.”
Netflix has announced three new faces for the cast of hit regency romp Bridgerton for its fifth season, which will focus on Francesca and Michaela’s ‘groundbreaking’ slow burn
It’s clear that “Forbidden Fruits” director and co-writer Meredith Alloway has marinated in plenty of ’90s teen movies and the kitschy pop-culture ephemera of that era. Her directorial debut, written with Lily Houghton and based on Houghton’s play “Of the woman came the beginning of sin and through her we all die,” is essentially a synthesis of “The Craft,” “Mean Girls” and “Clueless,” about a coven of catty witches who work at a boutique in a Texas mall.
But in “Forbidden Fruits,” it’s hard to shake the feeling that Alloway’s movie knowledge is just that — easily identifiable iconography without much innovation or depth.
Our clique comes storming down the mall food court in that classic slow-motion strut, letting us know right away what we’re in for. They’re known as the Fruits because they all happen to be named after them. The leader, Apple (Lili Reinhart), operates in the controlling mode of Regina George or Cher Horowitz; her lackeys are alt queen Fig (Alexandra Shipp) and blond bimbo Cherry (Victoria Pedretti). When they realize that a cute pretzel purveyor is named Pumpkin (Lola Tung), they quickly bring her into their circle as a fourth, seemingly only because her name fits the theme.
Apple runs her high-femme coven out of their store Free Eden with an emphasis on iconic women: The girls confess to their martyr Marilyn Monroe in a dressing room and practice dark magic with their panties and a silver cowboy boot. In the interest of helping each other “shine,” Apple also takes a page from Ann Lee and the Shakers — sex and boys are banned and communication is highly controlled.
It’s only when Pumpkin starts uncovering some of the coven’s secrets, including the existence of a former member named Pickle (Emma Chamberlain), that their controversial personal histories involving hexes, poison, fires and hidden boyfriends come to light, and the situation spirals out of control (literally — the climax happens during a tornado).
Alloway and cinematographer Karim Hussain craft a distinctive and unique aesthetic, a gauzy, highly artificial look that underlines the winky referential tone, but one that also lends “Forbidden Fruits” a strangely dreamlike quality that doesn’t always work for the genre.
While the actors, particularly Reinhart and Pedretti, are locked in with the tone and Reinhart delivers the fierceness required of such a role, the pace of “Forbidden Fruits” is at odds with the performers. The film is weirdly slow and sleepy and at least 20 minutes too long. The convoluted story, peppered with various twists, lacks momentum.
A stronger hand in the edit could have resulted in something more dynamic and engaging, but the plotting is mushy and then rushed. For a witchy horror thriller, it’s heavier on psychological violence than actual scares, and a third-act bloodbath and big reveal can’t save it when we finally get there.
The film’s theatrical provenance reveals itself in long monologues in the Marilyn confessional room and Pedretti delivers one that reveals the depth beyond Cherry’s ditzy exterior. We can see Houghton’s play in these moments, but then Alloway’s cheeky pop sensibility intervenes, the arch artificiality and ironic tone draining the emotional impact.
“Forbidden Fruits” can’t reconcile all of its influences and just ends up as a collection of references and high style without much staying power — it’s essentially the fast fashion of girly pop horror.
Katie Walsh is a Tribune News Service film critic.
‘Forbidden Fruits’
Rated: R, for strong violent content/gore, sexual content, nudity, language and brief drug use
The Netflix cast is led by Norwegian star Tobias Santelmann, who portrays protagonist Harry Hole. The actor is best known for his roles in The Last Kingdom, Kon-Tiki, and Exit. Meanwhile, Swedish-American actor Joel Kinnaman stars as detective Tom Waaler after appearing in Apple TV+’s For All Mankind, Hanna, Altered Carbon The Killing and Suicide Squad.
Norwegian star Pia Tjelta portrays Harry’s girlfriend Rakel Fauke and counts credits in State of Happiness, Cold Lunch, Blindsone, Cold Lunch, Next Summer and Norsemen. Swedish actress Ellen Helinder also stars as officer Beate Lønn and has appeared in Exit alongside her co-star Santelmann, as well as Beck, Studenternas undergång and Veronika.
Other cast members include Anders Baasmo, Maxime Baune Bochud, Kåre Conradi, Simon J. Berger, Prison Break’s Peter Stormare, Fridtjov Såheim, Eili Harboe, Atle Antonsen, Manish Sharma, Jesper Christensen, Kristoffer Joner, Ingrid Bolsø Berdal, Linn Skåber, Jonas Strand Gravli, Sonny Lindberg, Agnes Kittelsen, Nader Khademi, Agot Sendstad, Maja Christiansen, Frank Kjosås, Kelly Gale, Oddgeir Thune, Ravdeep Singh Bajwa, Henrik Mestad, Ingar Helge Gimle, Henriette Steenstrup, Helge Jordal, Eirik Hallert, Anders Danielsen Lie, Ane Dahl Torp and Dagny.
Netflix describes Jo Nesbo’s Detective Hole as “a whodunnit serial killer mystery led by famed anti-hero Harry Hole” that operates as “a nuanced character drama about two police officers operating on opposite sides of the law.” The drama sees Harry clash with corrupt colleague Tom Waaler (Joel Kinnaman) whilst trying to solve murders. The streaming giant promises viewers will see how “Harry must do all he can to catch a serial killer and bring Waaler to justice before it is too late.”
Despite the show’s approach to make their actors unrecognisable you might remember some from big series
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A Prime Video series that was dubbed ‘best show ever’ is finally returning with a whole new cast and approach, although there are still some faces that you might recognise.
According to its synopsis, Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat is a comedy series that captures a corporate offsite event at a family-owned hot sauce company from the perspective of Anthony, a recently hired temporary worker.
Unbeknownst to Anthony, the entire experience is staged. Every colleague around him is performing a role and each moment whether in conference rooms or during downtime has been meticulously orchestrated. As the founder prepares to step down, the getaway transforms into a clash between big corproate ambitions and small business values, with control of the company hanging in the balance.
While the premise of the show means that all the actors involved have to be unrecognisable to the one non-actor, there are actually a few faces you may have seen before. But who are they and what have they starred in that you may remember them from? Here’s all you need to know.
Jerry Hauck plays Doug, the CEO of Rockin Grandma’s Hot Sauce. He’s described as “a lovable papa bear with Big Dad Energy who cares deeply about the company he’s built and the people that work for it.” Hauck has had memorable small roles on huge shows including ER, Seinfeld, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Paradise.
Alex Bonifer stars as Doug’s son and heir apparent to the business, Dougie Jr. He is “well-meaning but directionless” who is suddenly handed huge responsibilities. Eagle-eyed viewers will recognise Bonifer from Kevin Can F*** Himself where he played the role of Neil.
Amy, of customer relations is played by Emily Pendergast who has a lot of experience in comedy TV. She starred in multiple episodes of Veep and Netflix sitcom Leanne. Meanwhile the eventually nicknamed Other Anthony, who is he company’s Assistant Sourcing Manager, is played by Rob Lathan who previously appeared in Inside Amy Schumer and has served as a writer on other sketch shows.
Comedian Rachel Kaly plays remote worker and web designer Claire. While her character might be obsessed with the series Bones, she herself has appeared on animated comedy Digman! and High Maintenance.
Straight talking Helen, from accounting who has been at the business from the very beginning alongside Doug, is played by Stephanie Hodge. She is one of the most experienced cast members with past credits including NCIS, Young Sheldon and Scandal. She also had starring roles in the 90s on Nurses and Unhappily Ever After.
Jackie, who works in distribution and logistics when not taking charge of her kids at home, is played by LaNisa Renee Frederick. She’s previously appeared in smaller roles on Brooklyn Nine Nine, The Goldbergs and Mom.
Jim Woods, who was a writer on The Last O.G. starring Tracy Morgan, and starred on Reno 911!. takes on the role of warehouse manager Jimmy. He may have once been the non P.C. employee but he’s working maybe a bit too hard to be a better version of himself.
Erica Hernandez plays Kate from sales and marketing, who often gives the impression she should have a leadership role herself. Hernandez previously starred in the drama series True Lies, based on the 1994 Arnold Schwarzenegger film as well as New Amsterdam.
The other half of Team Skate (Steve & Kate), Steve is a “confident salesman that plays the calmer yin to Kate’s high-strung yang.” He is played by Warren Burke who has appeared in 13 episodes of Family Reunion and eight episodes of Bigger.
Snack obsessed receptionist PJ, is played by Marc-Sully Saint-Fleur who you may have seen before in Steve Carrell starring Netflix comedy Space Force or his brief appearances in Curb Your Enthusiasm and The Good Place. There’s also HR manager Kevin who is the one who seemingly hires Anthony to be his assistant.
He is played by Ryan Perez. Perez is actually a seasoned comedy actor, writer and director. He has written for Saturday Night Live and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon while he has also directed Funny or Die shorts with Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart.
Ranch manager Marjorie who is looking after the company workers while on retreat is played by Blair Beeken. She most recently appeared in Apple’s hit sci-fi series Pluribus.
Jury Duty Presents Company Retreat is streaming on Prime Video.
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There’s still nine months to go before audiences can return to Arrakis. Until then, Warner Bros. has released a trailer to hold us over.
“Dune: Part Three,” which takes place nearly two decades after the events of the sequel, promises more political upheaval, introduces a ruthless new villain and teases Paul and Chani’s future child, according to a trailer released Monday.
“Dune” stars Zendaya and Javier Bardem joined Denis Villeneuve to preview the trailer for the conclusion to his famed sci-fi trilogy. New cast members Anya Taylor-Joy and Robert Pattinson were also in attendance at the AMC event while Timothée Chalamet, Florence Pugh and Jason Momoa sent video messages.
“It’s a trailer launch? It looks like a premiere,” Villeneuve said during the event, which included a Q&A with the cast and was met by thunderous applause from the audience.
Zendaya, who stars in the films as Chani, a Fremen warrior, expressed excitement about the upcoming film, saying the “movies have meant so much to me over the years. I’ve literally been able to grow up in my entire 20s doing them, and so they have such a special place in my heart.”
Here’s everything to know about “Dune: Part Three.”
What is ‘Dune 3’ about?
The trilogy’s final installment picks up 17 years after the second movie, though the trailer hints at continued war and political turmoil in Arrakis and beyond.
Paul Atreides, played by Chalamet, is dealing with the consequences of defeating the Harkonnens and becoming emperor, struggling with his role as the Fremen’s messiah.
The trailer hints at a possible future child between Paul and Chani. The pair, who are introduced as potential love interests in the first movie, were split up at the end of the second film, with Paul marrying Princess Irulan, played by Pugh, in a political move to ensure his ascension to the throne.
In the trailer, Chani asks Paul, “If we have a girl, what will we name her?” hinting at a possible reconciliation. In a pre-recorded video played during the event, Pugh addressed the love triangle, and asked Zendaya what her character thinks of Irulan’s marriage to Paul.
“You guys will just have to see for yourself what happens, because it’s quite the journey,” Zendaya said during the event.
At the heart of the third movie, Villenueve said, is a love story, adding that “the heartbeat of the film is still the relationship between Paul and Chani,” according to Deadline.
The trailer also offers a sneak peek at continued battles in the universe, even years after Paul, the “chosen one,” becomes emperor.
Jason Momoa returns as Hayt in “Dune: Part Three,” a clone of Duncan Idaho.
(Warner Bros. Pictures)
When will ‘Dune 3’ be released?
The final installment of the trilogy will hit theaters Dec. 18.
“Dune: Part Three” is inspired by “Dune Messiah,” the second novel in Frank Herbert’s “Dune” series. The first two films were adapted from the first novel.
Villeneuve had planned to temporarily step away from the “Dune” universe, but “felt a responsibility to finish the story” after seeing audience excitement for the second film, which was released in 2024, he said during the trailer launch. The first two movies were box-office hits, collectively grossing more than $1.1 billion worldwide. “Part Two” won two Oscars, and the first film earned six Oscars out of 10 nominations, primarily in the technical categories.
“It’s a good idea to come back to those worlds, not by nostalgia, but by urgency,” he said. “If the first movie was contemplation — a boy exploring a new world — and the second one is a war movie, this one is a thriller. It is action-packed and tense. More muscular.”
Robert Pattinson plays shape-shifting villain Scytale in “Dune: Part Three.”
(Warner Bros. Pictures)
What have ‘Dune’ stars said about the film?
The trailer’s exclusive screening was introduced via a video message by Chalamet, who said Villeneuve’s third film is “a true act of cinema.”
“This film would not exist without the master of cinema, the great artist that is Denis Villeneuve,” Chalamet said. “I’m not alone in saying thank you to Denis for his dedication in bringing the ‘Dune’ films to life — and now the ‘Dune’ trilogy to life.”
Momoa, who starred in the first film as Duncan Idaho before his character was killed off, will be back in the third installment, he announced in a video at the event. Taylor-Joy, who had a brief cameo in the second movie, will return as Paul’s younger sister Alia.
Pattinson will take on the role of shape-shifting villain Scytale. Pattinson said he got the job just months after he asked Zendaya how he could join the “Dune” cast while on set filming their black comedy “The Drama.” (The A24 movie opens April 3.)
“Everybody wants to work with Denis. He’s a master,” Pattinson said during the event. “When you see the scope and scale and ambition of these movies, like on set, you get why they feel like this on the screen. It’s just extraordinary.”
The hit firefighter TV show, London’s Burning, kept us glued to the safety of our sofas for an incredible 14 years, but where are the beloved cast now? Read on to find out
12:20, 17 Mar 2026Updated 12:30, 17 Mar 2026
London’s Burning: Classic ITV drama teased in throwback trailer
The cast of beloved ITV drama London Burning have endured various fortunes since the popular show came to a demise in 2002. This month, actor John Alford made headlines after it was reported he had been found dead in his prison cell just weeks after being convicted of sex offence charges.
The ITV show had viewers fixed on their sofas during its 14-year run on the network. With emotionally charged storylines and action-packed drama, many wished for more. But the show’s success was down to how much the audience warmed to the Blue Watch team.
London’s Burning began life as a two-hour film in 1986 before becoming the television series we all know and love in 1988. There were a total of 172 blazing episodes before the show was extinguished back in 2002. The firefighter drama was originally shot at Bermondsey’s Dockhead Fire Station, with filming in the first three series taking place in the actual watchroom, mess and bay area – where real-life firefighters leapt at the chance to work shifts as extras. Here, we take a look at the cast now.
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John Alford
Alford, who appeared on the show for five years, was best known as Billy Ray died this month, aged 54. Earlier this year, following a trial at St Albans Crown Court in September 2025, he was jailed.
The actor, who also appeared in Grange Hill, was convicted of six individual counts. There were two counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of penetrative sexual activity with a child, one count of assault by penetration and one count of sexual assault.
A Prison Service spokesman told The Mirror: “John Shannon died in prison on 13 March 2026. As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will investigate.”
After his arrest, he told police: “This stinks. This is a set-up.” He denied all charges and previously told a trial that he “never touched either of the girls.”
Glen Murphy – George Green
George Green was the show’s longest-serving character and the only one to have appeared in every single series of London’s Burning. This hot-tempered former boxer joined Blue Watch at the start of series one, and enjoyed a steady stream of romances throughout his tenure.
Actor Glen is most well-known as the London’s Burning character, but he has also appeared in British thriller flick Tank Malling and The Bill. Back in 2007, he was awarded an MBE for his charity work after raising more than £1m for good causes. Now 68, Glen got to star with his childhood buddy Ray Winstone in the 2014 thriller Lords of London.
Sean Blowers – John Hallam
Did the immensely likeable but rather uptight John ever get that promotion he was chasing? He never did, did he? The character was left severely traumatised after being buried alive when a wall collapsed on a job in series four.
Five years later, John was brutally killed after falling 80 feet when a gantry gave way amid a warehouse inferno. Actor Sean, now 65, also appeared in EastEnders, Crossroads, Heartbeat and Doctor Who. You may also recognise him for playing Wyman Manderly in the finale of season six of the hugely popular Game of Thrones.
Richard Walsh – Bert ‘Sicknote’ Quigley
Blackwall’s resident hypochondriac, the aptly named ‘Sicknote’ was forever complaining about some malady or another. A wannabe star of the stage, he often made theatre appearances alongside his wife Jean, which his colleagues would begrudgingly go to show their support.
Sicknote bowed out in series 12, when he sadly perished in an explosion at a fireworks factory. Since leaving the series, actor Richard has appeared in daytime TV’s Doctors, the movie Daddy’s Girl, Midsomer Murders and Heartbeat. The now 27-year-old also made a cameo appearance in Netflix series The Crown as Joe Gormley in 2019.
Jerome Flynn – Kenny ‘Rambo’ Baines
“But he wasn’t in London’s Burning!” we hear you cry. Well, he did only feature in the initial TV movie, but we felt actor Jerome was worth a mention as he was just so phenomenally successful post Blackwall.
Jerome of course starred as Paddy Garvey of the King’s Fusiliers alongside Robson Green in hit drama Soldier Soldier. The pals even enjoyed multiple Number Ones in the music charts with their versions of Unchained Melody, I Believe and What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted?
Jerome, now 63, appeared in chilling 19th-century drama Ripper Street and an episode of Charlie Brooker’s disturbing Black Mirror in 2016. Game of Thrones fans will instantly recognise him as loveable rogue Bronn, who featured in countless episodes from 2011 to 2019.
In 2019, he also appeared as Berrada opposite Keanu Reeves and Halle Berry in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum. In 2022, he starred alongside Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren in Taylor Sheridan’s ‘1923’ – a spin-off from the hit series Yellowstone.
James Hazeldine – Mike ‘Bayleaf’ Wilson
A hugely popular member of the team, Bayleaf was mess manager until he departed the show in series 8. The character was involved in many gripping storylines, such as being knocked unconscious when a wall collapsed and also being buried alive.
Very much a star of stage and screen, actor James was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company and starred in children’s TV series Chocky as well as Heartbeat. James took on the role of Sigmund Freud in the play The Talking Cure in December 2002, but was shortly taken ill and sadly died a week later. He was 55.
Trevor Nunn, director of the Royal National Theatre, described him as “a leading actor of minutely observed truthfulness, comic brio and emotional daring” who “was also a man of infectious enthusiasm, great warmth and humanity who was universally popular among his colleagues”.
Ben Onwukwe – Stuart ‘Recall’ MacKenzie
Dubbed ‘Recall’ thanks to his unbelievable photographic memory, Stuart joined the team midway through series 4. The firefighter was almost dismissed from the crew when he refused to shave off his beard – something the team rectified by tying him down and shaving it off for him!
Since the show ended, actor Ben, now 68, has been keeping himself busy appearing in Coronation Street, as Clyde Johnson in Holby City and as Dessie Dunn in EastEnders. Back in 2018 he starred as Eric Pratchett in drama Safe, and the following year took on the role of W.E.B Dubois in Hero, inspired by the life and times of the Caribbean war hero, judge and diplomat Ulric Cross.
Ross Boatman – Kevin Medhurst
Renowned as Blue Watch’s resident troublemaker, this wayward firefighter would often scrap with colleagues and question the authority of those above him. The character Kevin came from a broken home and had suffered much sadness in his life before he joined the boys at the station.
Actor Ross is a top poker player and member of the professional playing quartet The Hendon Mob. Now 62, the actor has also enjoyed success in the European Poker Tour and proudly has several poker titles under his belt. He joined the cast of EastEnders in 2021 as Harvey Monroe, for which he won the British Soap Award for Best Newcomer.
Michael Garner – Geoffrey ‘Poison’ Pearce
It wasn’t until series 6 that old Poison joined the watch. He received his unpleasant nickname as he had a penchant for gossip and would overly pander to his seniors. The character wasn’t all bad, however, and could at times be very sensitive.
Post-Blackwall, actor Michael joined many of his co-stars by appearing in Doctors, Holby City and Casualty. Rather unexpectedly, he appeared in pop starletEllie Goulding’s music video for How Long Will I Love You in 2013.
Michael, now 72, is perhaps best known for treading the boards, with far-reaching roles in countless Shakespeare plays, Educating Rita and the less high-brow An Evening With Gary Lineker.
Samantha Beckinsale – Kate Stevens
Kate joined the crew in 1990 and quickly became a much-loved member of the team during her two-year stint. Actress Samantha had previously starred as WPC Martin in an episode of Thames Television’s Never The Twain.
Later in 1994, she landed the role of Gillian in the sitcom Time After Time. Three years later she starred as Jilly Howell in the short-lived sitcom Get Well Soon and in 1998 became Gillian Monroe in the short-lived sitcom Duck Patrol with One Foot in The Grave’s Richard Wilson. Samantha, now 59, has also appeared in Doctors, Holby City and Heartbeat.
Connor Byrne – Rob ‘Hyper’ Sharpe
Emotional scenes ensued in series 12 and 13 when Hyper came out as gay to his colleagues. He was later promoted to Leading Firefighter but never got a proper exit as he left for unknown reasons by the start of the final series.
Actor Connor is perhaps best known for playing Mike Milligan in all three of the Tracy Beaker shows, becoming the programme’s longest-serving cast member. Now 61, he also played Geoff in three episodes of Emmerdale back in 2019 and is appearing on our screens this year as Dale Roberts in Doctors.
“I had a neck lift last week because I’m tired of looking like a melting candle,” McLendon-Covey wrote in an Instagram post Sunday. “So I had to skip the Academy Awards. No drama. Everything is fine.”
The caption — complete with a winking emoji blowing a kiss — accompanied a photo of the “St. Denis Medical” star wearing a bandage around her face and neck.
McLendon-Covey indicated she had received some messaging asking why she did not take part in the reunion, which saw her “Bridesmaids” co-stars Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Rose Byrne, Maya Rudolph and Ellie Kemper share the Oscars stage to present the Academy Awards for original score and sound.
Directed by Paul Feig, the 2011 comedy followed the misadventures of a group of bridesmaids led by the maid of honor, Annie, played by Wiig (who also co-wrote the film). McLendon-Covey portrayed the bride’s (Rudolph) cousin, Rita.
“Bridesmaids” stars Melissa McCarthy, left, Rose Byrne, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph and Ellie Kemper reunited on stage at the 98th Academy Awards.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
“I cannot believe it’s been 15 years,” Wiig said when the cast took the stage Sunday. “Now, we are not good with numbers, but we figured out backstage that means we shot this movie in 1883.”
The cast then proceeded with a bit that involved each of them reading notes supposedly written by their fellow actors in the audience, with the name-dropped A-listers playing along.
“First of all, you ladies look extremely beautiful tonight,” said Rudolph, reading the first note. “You’re all aging well.”
McCarthy later followed up with another letter commenting on the “Bridesmaid” cast’s looks.
“I also agree you ladies look radiant,” McCarthy read. “All the things you’ve done to your faces are very tasteful. Yours truly, Elle Fanning. … Just kidding, it’s me again, Stellan Skarsgård.”
Wiig and Kemper rounded things out by reading notes addressing the length of their bit and the length of the show, respectively.
BRIDESMAIDS star Wendi McClendon-Covey has revealed why she was missing from the cast reunion at the Oscars saying “I look like a melted candle.”
Fifteen years after its debut, the film‘s main stars gathered onstage at the 2026 awards ceremony for a hilarious reunion.
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Wendi revealed she had undergone a neck lift surgery and was unable to attendCredit: Instagram/wendimclendoncoveyMelissa McCarthy, Rose Byrne, Maya Rudolph, Kristen Wiig and Ellie Kemper gathered onstage at the 2026 awards ceremony for a hilarious reunionCredit: ReutersWendi played Rita in the comedy sensation BridesmaidsCredit: Alamy
“So I had to skip the Academy Awards. No drama. Everything is fine.”
A snap showed her lying down with a bandage wrapped around her head.
Fans flocked to comment and one wrote: “Sending some healing energy your way!”
Another added: “Gorgeous before and after.”
A third said: “Love your transparency. F-yeah! Some people can embrace that candle look but others…h*** no. Either way is right as long as it makes you happy. Big healing love!”
While a fourth wrote: “You’re such a sweet, kind, hilarious legend, shine on my friend.”
During the Oscars reunion Kirsten joked: “I cannot believe that it’s been 15 years. Now we are not good with numbers, but we figured out backstage that means we shot this movie in 1883.”
Each of them was then handed a note and claimed it was signed by A-list audience members like Leonardo DiCaprio or Stellan Skarsgard, who spoke about their good looks.
Maya opened hers and said: “Oh, this is strange. Well, mine says, ‘First of all, you ladies look extremely beautiful tonight.’ Thank you. ‘You’re aging well.’ Signed, Stellan Skarsgård.”
Kirsten read a fake note from Benicio Del Toro which said “You guys have been talking for a long time. This bit could have been a lot shorter.
Who won on Hollywood’s biggest night?
One Battle After Another ran away with the night with six Oscars, while Sinners, which was nominated for a record-breaking 16 awards, came away with four. See the full winners list below:
Production Design: Frankenstein, Tamara Deverell and Shane Vieau
Sound: F1, Gareth John, Al Nelson, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Gary A. Rizzo and Juan Peralta
Visual Effects: Avatar: Fire and Ash, Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon and Daniel Barrett
Casting: One Battle After Another, Cassandra Kulukundis
“This is really going on and on. You aren’t even talking about score. That’s all. Love ya lots, Benicio Del Toro. Or for those of you who refuse to learn Spanish, it’s Benedict of the Bull.”
Directed by Paul Feig, Bridesmaids was written by Kirsten Wiig and Annie Mumolo, who were nominated for Best Original Screenplay when the film was released in 2011.
The film gained cult status and went on to gross over $300 million worldwide.
The film gained cult status and went on to gross over $300 million worldwideCredit: AlamyThe film was nominated for Best Original Screenplay when it was released in 2011Credit: AlamyMelissa McCarthy earned her first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress in BridesmaidsCredit: Shutterstock EditorialEach of the cast members were handed a note and claimed it was signed by A-list audience membersCredit: Getty
Brand new modern Western drama The Madison is poised to become a sensation on Paramount+, but who is in the cast?
The Madison cast and where you’ve seen them before(Image: PARAMOUNT)
The Madison is the latest streaming sensation from Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan and it’s not to be missed now the first three episodes are available to stream on Paramount+.
Featuring an all-star cast led by two Hollywood heavyweights, the series follows a wealthy family based in New York who are forced to move to Montana following a devastating tragedy.
While they struggle to adapt to rural life, their stunning surroundings and friendly neighbours slowly but surely encourage them to open up to new possibilities.
Fans who have already tuned into the first half of this epic six-part drama are in luck, as three more episodes are arriving next Saturday and the series has already been renewed for a second season.
But who stars in The Madison and where will viewers have seen them before? Let’s take a closer look at the show’s stellar cast.
Who is in the cast of The Madison?
The Madison features a stellar cast of recognisable names, led by cinema icons Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell.
Pfeiffer and Russell star as husband-and-wife partnership Stacy and Preston Clyburn, nearly 40 years after they starred together in the 1988 hit film Tequila Sunrise. Pfeiffer is also known for classic films such as Scarface, Batman Returns and Hairspray and portrays Janet Van Dyne aka the Wasp in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Meanwhile, Russell has led several cult horror movies by director John Carpenter, including The Thing and Big Trouble in Little China, and has also appeared in the MCU film Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2. He is currently starring in Apple TV’s Godzilla spin-off series, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, which recently returned for its second season.
Other familiar faces joining the series include Suits star Patrick J. Adams as Russell McIntosh, the husband of Stacy and Preston’s daughter Paige, portrayed by Elle Chapman. Chapman is a relative newcomer, whose most prominent credit so far has been the Tom Hanks film A Man Called Otto.
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The supporting cast includes:
Matthew Fox (Lost) as Paul Clyburn, Preston’s brother and Stacy’s brother in-law
Beau Garrett (Firefly Lane) as Abigail Reese, Stacy and Preston’s older daughter
Amiah Miller (War for the Planet of the Apes) as Bridgette Reese, Abigail’s older daughter
Ben Schnetzer (Y: The Last Man) as Van Davis
Kevin Zegers (The Rookie: Feds) as Cade Harris, Stacy and Preston’s neighbor
Rebecca Spence (Power Book IV: Force) as Liliana Weeks, Stacy’s friend
Alaina Pollack (On Call) as Macy, Abigail’s younger daughter
Danielle Vasinova (1923) as Kestrel Harris
Finally, the series will also include guest appearances from Will Arnett as Dr. Phil Yorn, who did not appear in the first three episodes.
Arnett is known for comedic roles in sitcoms such as Arrested Development and 30 Rock, voicing Bojack Horseman in the hit Netflix animated series of the same name, and most recently starred in Bradley Cooper’s new film Is This Thing On?
The Madison episodes 4-6 will be released Saturday, 21 March on Paramount+.
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