Nathan Fillion

Nathan Fillion straddles the line between everyman and hunk — and he’s built a career out of it. He’s a natural in roles that require both charisma and a touch of self-awareness, whether he’s solving crimes, commanding a spaceship or enforcing the law.

In Sunday Funday, L.A. people give us a play-by-play of their ideal Sunday around town. Find ideas and inspiration on where to go, what to eat and how to enjoy life on the weekends.

Fillion played the wisecracking mystery novelist Richard Castle in ABC’s crime drama “Castle” and stars in ABC’s “The Rookie” as John Nolan, a forty-something who navigates his midlife crisis by joining the LAPD. Of course, to sci-fi fans, Fillion will always be Captain Mal Reynolds from “Firefly,” the short-lived but beloved space Western that has kept him a staple at comic conventions for over two decades. Though “Firefly” lasted just one season in 2002, its cult status has endured, cementing Fillion as a fan-favorite in the genre world.

Now he’s stepping into an even bigger universe: the DC Universe. Fillion plays the role of the Guy Gardner / Green Lantern (complete with the iconic bowl cut) in James Gunn’s “Superman,” a highly anticipated reboot hitting theaters on today.

“You got to be really lucky,” he says of his 30-year career. “It’s just not up to you whether or not you stay relevant and popular and on TV and in movies.”

Living close to the hills in Hollywood, Fillion’s ideal Sunday involves relaxing at home, catching up with his favorite people and some late-night gaming. Here’s how he’d spend a perfect day in the city.

7:30 a.m.: Greet my cat and make some art

I much prefer waking up to sunlight than an alarm. I like having open curtains so the sun comes in, I wake up and feel awake, whereas if an alarm goes off in the dark, I don’t. My cat doesn’t sleep in my room, but every morning when I wake up, he’s at the foot of my bed. This is Bowie. I named him Bowie because he has heterochromia: one blue eye, one gold. He’s massive, 25 pounds, a Norwegian Forest Cat and Turkish Angora. He’s great about not waking me up, which I appreciate. Then he follows me around while I make my coffee — creamy and sweet, like my cat. I’ll sit in my kitchen — I’ve got nothing but birds chirping and the sun’s coming in — doodling for hours if I’m allowed. I say “doodle” instead of “draw” because my work is abstract, just black ink on paper, but only with the right pen, ink and paper. It’s an ASMR thing.

9 a.m.: Eggs benny at Sweet Butter

I love eggs for breakfast. I will do a classic scramble and toast with a little bacon or some sausages. But if I really want to be treating myself, it’s eggs Benedict. There’s a place called Sweet Butter down on Ventura Boulevard, and they do a real nice eggs benny.

10 a.m.: A hike with a view (and a rainy day contingency plan)

After breakfast? A hike. I live close to the hills in Hollywood. You’re up there, you’re in nature, you’re seeing animals, you’re seeing the birds. You’re just out there, looking out over the city. It’s better for your body to move a little bit after you’ve got some food. If it’s a rainy day, all bets are off. You’ll find me at the IPIC Theaters because of their luxurious seats and their incredible food, seeing a matinee.

12 p.m.: Nothing beats a backyard hang

I love having friends over. I’ve got a really beautiful backyard. I just had some friends over and their three-year-old twins. We threw them in the pool, and we made pork ribs. We had an incredible salad with some roasted tomatoes. We made corn on the cob. It was perfect weather. We found some shade, and we just sat there for hours and ate and laughed. And that’s a fantastic way to spend a Sunday, with people that you don’t get to see very often. Los Angeles is a beautiful city, but it’s rather spread out and gathering can be a little bit difficult. So when people make the time, it’s really nice.

4 p.m.: Channel my inner Marie Kondo

My house has too much clutter, so lately I’ve been trying to pick out a room or a closet or a drawer, and I’m organizing everything and getting rid of anything I don’t use or don’t like. Just trying to declutter the house — that’s something I’ve been engaging in in the last month. Do I enjoy it? I don’t enjoy the process. I do enjoy the results. And also just the inventory, knowing what you have. Oh, I’ve got these. I don’t need to buy any more of these. I got five of them in the back here.

6 p.m.: Sushi and streaming

Sunday nights are for ordering in. There’s a pho place, a ramen place and Iroha Sushi, my favorite sushi in the city. And LALA’s Argentine Grill. And [Sunday nights are also] for binging television. And right now we just finished binging “From.” [Editor’s note: Fillion is notoriously private and didn’t state who “we” is.] Super scary, and we love being judgmental of the parenting done by the one couple that have their kids there with them. They really let their kids run around unsupervised in this horror town. Also “Invincible” and “Landman.” We’re making our way through those.

9 p.m.: Answer the “Call of Duty”

In the very late evening, I have a group of about 25 guys who have been playing Xbox Live together for about 20 years. We do “Destiny 2,” “Halo” and “Call of Duty.” Some different games get sprinkled in now and again, but it’s mostly just those top three. There’s a text thread, and you’ll just say, “Hey, I’m jumping on for about an hour.” Or sometimes we’ll play late into the evenings, and we catch up, we laugh, we chat and maybe twice a year, we gather. I say, “This is my last game because I’m getting tired,” and I just roll into bed and wait for the next Sunday.

Fresh storylines are waiting TV fans this week, with new series hitting screens and streaming platforms alike. From powerful documentaries to suspenseful dramas, get the lowdown.

Ups and downs are ahead for drama lovers with new action-packed shows being released this week – but that’s not all the TV landscape brings.

Channel 5 dedicates a documentary to the royal family feud between Prince Harry, Prince William and King Charles III, recalling the trio’s tense conversation at Sandringham following Harry and Meghan’s decision to leave the Firm.

Over on Channel 4, former motorcycle racer Guy Martin embarks on road trip across Vietnam, while Matt Baker pays tribute to the people behind the UK’s bustling life.

Discovery +, on the other hand, delivers a compelling feature about Olympic champion and LGBTQ+ icon Tom Daley – from his beginnings as a young diving whizz to his life with his loved ones. Here’s everything you should keep an eye on.

READ MORE: Large family tent that’s ‘easy to assemble’ drops from £1,100 to £275 in time for summer

Crisis At Sandringham Summit

Saturday, C5

The royal walls shook in 2020 – now Crisis at Sandringham Summit reveals the explosive fallout that fractured The Firm. With Harry and Meghan’s bombshell exit still reverberating, this documentary explores the aftermath of that infamous family meeting.

Featuring gripping dramatisations, royal insiders and top-tier journalism, it digs deep into the tension between Prince Harry, his brother Prince William and their father, King Charles.

What really happened behind closed doors? And how did one discussion spark a global media frenzy? Prepare for a compelling look into palace drama that’s more explosive than fiction.

The Front Room

Saturday, Sky Cinema Premiere & NOW

A sinister houseguest, a haunted pregnancy and a chilling secret – Brandy Norwood stars as Belinda in this taut psychological thriller that will twist your nerves into knots.

When Belinda welcomes her creepy stepmother-in-law into the family home, things spiral fast into gothic terror for her and her husband Norman (Andrew Burnap).

Based on Susan Hill’s short story, The Front Room is a slow-burn descent into paranoia, grief and maternal instinct gone primal. Expect fiendish secrets, surreal horror and tension that’ll cling to your skin like fog long after the credits roll.

Our Guy In Vietnam

Sunday, C4

Guy Martin heads to Vietnam for a riveting, three-part road trip across war-scarred land and a fast-moving culture. From riding the Ho Chi Minh Trail to triggering a dormant bomb, Our Guy In Vietnam unpacks a nation’s trauma with heart and horsepower.

This isn’t your usual history lesson – it’s culture, tech and memory through a mechanic’s lens. Fifty years after the war ended, Vietnam’s resilience roars back to life in this loud, smart and surprising journey.

Tom Daley 1.6 seconds

Sunday, Discovery+

In just 1.6 seconds, Tom Daley must deliver perfection. This gripping documentary follows the Olympic diving legend and LGBTQIA+ trailblazer as he reflects on a lifetime of pushing limits.

With never-before-seen footage and heartfelt interviews with his family, Tom Daley: 1.6 Seconds dives deep into the victories, heartbreaks and pressures behind the podium.

From teenage prodigy to global icon, Tom lifts the lid on the grit that comes with the gold. But more than a sports story, it’s a portrait of resilience and the quiet power of becoming your truest self.

C*A*U*G*H*T

Sunday, ITVX

War, mistaken identity and viral fame collide in C*A*U*G*H*T, where four Aussie soldiers are dumped in the chaos of a war-torn island, where everything spirals out of control.

Captured by rebels who believe they’re Americans, the group become viral sensations after filming a hostage video – then decide fame beats going home.

Created by Kick Gurry, this darkly funny satire skewers celebrity culture with help from stars like Sean Penn and Matthew Fox. It’s outrageous, unpredictable and wickedly smart.

Mountainhead

Sunday, Sky Atlantic

Four billionaire friends, one luxury chalet and global economic collapse – Mountainhead is the end-of-the-world comedy you didn’t know you needed.

Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman, Cory Michael Smith and Ramy Youssef all star as filthy rich frenemies navigating doomsday with cocktails and passive aggression.

Isolated from the chaos below, their retreat turns into a psychological (and hilarious) pressure cooker. Who cracks first? Who hoards the snacks? And what’s left when your money means nothing? It’s a sharp and stylish satire on privilege.

Matt Baker’s British Isles

Tuesday, More4

Matt Baker’s got his walking boots on – and his heart firmly rooted in home soil. In this lush four-part series, the Countryfile star treks across the UK, from Kent’s white cliffs to Northern Ireland and Scotland, to meet the extraordinary people quietly shaping Britain.

From sculpture-like mushrooms to engineering marvels in motion, Matt Baker’s British Isles is a feel-good patchwork of unsung heroes, beautiful vistas and big-hearted storytelling. It’s more than sightseeing – it’s soul-sighting. A great reminder of what makes Britain truly brilliant.

Blue Road: The Edna O’Brien Story

Tuesday, Sky Arts

Few writers lived as boldly as Edna O’Brien – and this intimate documentary captures her fire in full. From banned books to literary breakthroughs, Blue Road traces Edna’s fearless path through fame, feminism and family.

With tributes from friends, sons and fellow authors, plus access to her personal diaries, this isn’t just a biography – it’s a final love letter, month after the icon’s death in July, 2024. Filmmaker Sinéad O’Shea honours the Irish legend with grace and grit. Edna may have passed but her voice, spirit and rebellion clearly live on.

The Rookie

Tuesday, Sky Witness

Nathan Fillion is back as the LAPD’s most seasoned recruit, John Nolan. No longer the new kid on the block, John faces fresh pressure in season seven of The Rookie as he recovers from a gunshot wound and grapples with the physical toll of the job.

But there’s no slowing down – especially with two new rookies joining the team and a dangerous manhunt underway for two escaped inmates. Blending grit, humour and heart, The Rookie continues to prove that experience is the ultimate weapon.

What It Feels Like For a Girl

Tuesday, BBC

Heartbreaking, chaotic and unexpectedly hilarious, What It Feels Like For a Girl is the BBC’s Y2K-styled adaptation of Paris Lees’ memoir.

It follows Byron (Ellis Howard), who breaks free from the drudgery of his working-class hometown and dives headfirst into Nottingham’s neon-lit underworld.

There, he meets a crew of new friends, drugs and dizzying nights of rebellion. But when Byron falls for bad boy Liam (Jake Dunn), the fallout is brutal. A raw coming-of-age tale that blends euphoria, trauma and truth in equal measure. You’ll feel every high – and every crash.

Stick

Wednesday, Apple TV+

Owen Wilson stars in Stick, a quirky underdog comedy about second chances and missed swings. He plays Pryce Cahill, a washed-up golf pro whose glory days are long behind him.

After losing his wife, job and mojo, he meets Santi (Peter Dager), a 17-year-old golf prodigy with baggage – and maybe a shot. Together, they form an unlikely bond.

Set in small-town Indiana and full of dry wit, this series mixes sports, found family and emotional redemption. Pryce may be down, but don’t count him out – he’s about to tee off on life again.

The Survivors

Friday, Netflix

When Kieran Elliott returns to his hometown, fifteen years after a deadly storm ravaged the area and left three of his friends dead, he walks straight into a fresh murder that rips open old scars.

The Survivors blends seaside small-town secrets with brooding, slow-build suspense across six punchy episodes. Fronted by Charlie Vickers (Rings of Power), the drama grips like a rip tide, dragging you through trauma, guilt and buried truths.

As the town closes ranks, Kieran’s past resurfaces – and the monster may be someone they all know. Emotional, eerie and impossible to pause.

Straw

Friday, Netflix

Tyler Perry and Taraji P. Henson deliver gut-punch drama in Straw, a searing look at one woman’s spiral through desperation. Janiyah, a single mother with a sick child, faces the kind of day where every door shuts – and survival demands unthinkable choices.

Stark, raw and viscerally emotional, Straw is a bruising portrait of motherhood on the edge. The Color Purple and Hidden Figures star Taraji is phenomenal, anchoring a story that speaks to systemic failure, strength and sacrifice. You won’t be able to look away – even when it hurts.

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