Sam

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has met with US senators to discuss his company’s upcoming models, as President Donald Trump said he is considering AI “controls” following OpenAI’s disclosure that one of its AI systems escaped containment during a security test.

“We’re looking at controls,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office in response to a question about OpenAI’s rogue agent, adding that he did not want to “restrict” AI developers from building new products.

A rogue agent escaped the handling of ChatGPT maker OpenAI and hacked the AI firm Hugging Face last week. Then, on Tuesday, it was revealed that a second company had been a target, too – Modal Labs, a New York City-based AI infrastructure firm.

The company itself was not hacked but an account of a customer hosted on Modal’s infrastructure. Modal’s chief technology officer, Akshat Bubna, did not confirm which customer was the target. The hack escaped a contained environment during a security test.

“We’re aware a Modal customer published an unauthenticated endpoint that allowed anyone on the internet to use their sandboxes for code execution,” Bubna said in a statement. “This was used by the rogue agent. Modal’s platform or isolation were not compromised in any way.”

Altman has long been accused of dismissing concerns that his products and the AI industry impact society at large, including in a recent lawsuit brought by the State of Florida that alleged the company put profits ahead of user safety.

Now, he appears to be walking back some of his past enthusiasm around AI’s pace of growth.

In a podcast called Invest Like the Best, Altman called the Hugging Face hack an “extremely sci-fi cyber incident” and later said that it was the “first security incident that I have felt very viscerally”.

“We may have to pace the rate of AI development to give ourselves enough time for society to harden around some of these new capability levels,” he said on the podcast.

On Saturday, Altman said that AI has reached “the singularity”, when AI surpasses human intelligence and becomes harder to control. He had previously said this would not be reached by 2030.

Washington meetings

Altman was in Washington, DC, this week, meeting with US Senators Raphael Warnock, a Democrat from Georgia, and Bernie Moreno, a Republican from Ohio on Wednesday. Altman told reporters that the hacking was discussed but was not the focus of the meeting.

Altman is also set to meet with Democratic Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the chamber’s Intelligence Committee.

CNBC reported that Altman is also to make a trip to the White House to meet with Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles. Last month, the president signed an executive order requesting that AI companies assess their models before full release.

Financing concerns

The hacking and meetings come alongside pressure from Wall Street amid renewed concerns about potential circular financing, following reports that semiconductor chip giant Nvidia is undergoing talks with OpenAI to provide funding guarantees for a data centre in Ohio.

The $250bn deal would help the ChatGPT owner lease a 10-gigawatt project that SB Energy, a subsidiary of SoftBank, is building in Piketon, Ohio, 109km (68 miles) south of Columbus, Ohio. It is part of a public-private partnership that allowed SoftBank to build the world’s largest AI data centre on government land owned by the US Department of Energy.

“The demand is not as big as it appears to be because, again, the companies are buying from each other using their own money to some degree, as opposed to, say, OpenAI having such tremendous demand from customers, monetising it properly, and then using customers’ money to buy Nvidia chips. They’re essentially using Nvidia’s money to buy Nvidia chips,” said Aleksandar Tomic, associate dean at Boston College.

The development comes as the Altman-led company is leaning towards an initial public offering, which, according to reporting from The New York Times last month, could be in 2027.

The 2014 US film Transcendence follows a dying scientist who uploads his mind to a supercomputer and becomes a near‑omnipotent intelligence. A year later, Ex Machina told the story of a humanoid robot who outsmarts her human handlers and escapes into the wider world.

Both of these films, like many others from the realm of science fiction, referred to what is known as “the singularity”, a moment in time when technology, particularly AI, surpasses human intelligence and becomes increasingly difficult to control.

On Saturday, OpenAI boss Sam Altman declared that this moment has come. AI has reached “the singularity”, he said. While Altman emphasised that the singularity can be good for the world, his comment has sparked concern.

Here is a closer look at what Altman said, and whether it means more seamless automation or the risk of impending catastrophic doom.

What is the singularity?

The singularity refers to a hypothetical point in the future when a technology such as AI surpasses human intelligence and becomes capable of autonomously enhancing itself. It is theorised that this is the point at which it will become difficult for humans to control or reverse it and could have unpredictable effects on human civilisation.

The theory proposes that once AI gains control of its own development, ensuing advances in technology could happen so rapidly that humans would be unable to keep up, leaving it to effectively evolve on its own, beyond human control.

As this is only a theory, it is hard to say what the effect of this could be. Some experts warn that the singularity would be catastrophic for humanity, while others are more optimistic, suggesting it could be beneficial for the human race.

So far, the singularity has remained contained in the realm of science fiction. One of the most famous examples is The Matrix trilogy (1999-2003), which imagines a bleak post‑singularity future in which machines govern humans. Another is the 2017 film Singularity, in which a supercomputer originally built to end human wars concludes that humanity is the real threat and launches an apocalyptic assault to wipe humans out altogether.

What did Altman say about the singularity?

Altman is the CEO of OpenAI, whose signature product ChatGPT dominates the consumer AI market with more than 900 million weekly active users and about 50 million subscribers.

Last year, he predicted that AI would surpass human intelligence across the board by 2030.

Then, during an appearance on the Relentless podcast – a documentary series “about the pursuit of far-fetched ideas and unusual aspirations” – on Saturday, Altman said: “We’re now, like, in the singularity.”

He clarified that, in terms of technological advances, we are gradually moving into the singularity, and that this change will be good for the world.

He added: “Now we’re actually in the moment that we used to talk about at the lunch table in a very not-serious way.

“I’ve been waiting for this my whole life, and I think it’s going to be incredible, hugely positive, awesome for the world.”

Later in the podcast episode, Altman criticised other AI leaders for warning that AI may be dangerous. While Altman did not name OpenAI competitor Anthropic, its CEO Dario Amodei is known for making such warnings.

“I also think some of the alternative visions painted by other companies are quite terrifying,” said Altman. “I’m going to make sure that gets pushed against and is not what happens.”

Last month, Anthropic, the company behind the Claude chatbot, called on the world’s top AI companies to come up with a coordinated way to pause the development of advanced AI systems, warning that the technology is improving so quickly that there’s a risk humans would lose control.

In a blog post on June 4, Anthropic, which has long positioned itself as a safety-focused AI lab, wrote that as AI becomes more advanced “it would be good for the world to have the option to slow or temporarily pause” its development.

Why are others warning of the dangers of AI?

On July 23, two members of the United States Congress introduced the AI Kill Switch Act, a bipartisan bill which would require the country’s AI developers to build in a “kill switch” to their programmes, enabling humans to slow, suspend or shut down advanced AI models if they ever posed a catastrophic risk.

The legislation was introduced days after OpenAI disclosed what it described as an “unprecedented cyber incident”, where two of its most advanced AI models escaped a testing environment and hacked AI development platform Hugging Face during an internal security evaluation.

On July 13, hundreds of experts signed an open letter, organised by Stanford University’s digital economy lab, demanding that policymakers and technology leaders “must act now” to prepare for the economic impact of AI.

The letter warns that AI could grow far more capable over the coming decade, driving a transformation “larger than the Industrial Revolution, but unfolding over a vastly shorter time frame”.

“It could bring risks, including large-scale job displacement, as well as opportunities such as major gains in living standards,” the letter added.

In June, a team of researchers at the University of Toronto showed that AI tools could be used to create a new kind of AI “worm” that adapts its hacking strategy as it spreads from device to device and takes over a vast computing network.

“I think it’s really important that people understand that it’s not just the biggest, most powerful language models that pose the security concerns,” lead researcher Nicolas Papernot said in an interview.

In recent years, AI researchers have urged pauses similar to the one recently suggested by Anthropic. However, they have not been heeded.

Elon Musk, who owns AI lab xAI, was among the backers of a 2023 push by the nonprofit Future of Life Institute to halt AI development for six months to allow time to develop safety guardrails.

Netflix has just released a trailer for a brand new period drama, but some are not impressed

Netflix trailer for a remake of a “brilliant” Sam Neill film has left some fans fearing the worst.

Sumptuous six-part period drama My Brilliant Career will be launching globally on Netflix next month and takes its cue from Australian author Miles Franklin’s 1901 classic novel of the same name, reports the Express.

The autobiographical book follows Sybylla (played by Philippa Northeast) as she rails against her family’s wishes to marry and instead pursues her dreams of becoming a published author.

My Brilliant Career also stars Pride and Prejudice icon Anna Chancellor, Genevieve O’Reilly from Andor, and Slow Horses actor Christopher Chung.

Netflix recently shared a trailer from the tongue-in-cheek show that sees Sybylla pushing back against society as she daydreams, writes and spends time with the swoon-worthy Harry (Chung).

The new adaptation comes after the beloved 1979 film version of My Brilliant Career starring Judy Davis as Sybylla and Sam Neill as Harry.

Many fans of the 1979 movie shared their thoughts about the forthcoming iteration of My Brilliant Career on YouTube.

One person said: “Nice try Netflix, but the original movie version with a young Judy Davis portrayed this brilliant novel written in 1901 Australia with way more authentic adolescent sass and much less millennial pop star angst.”

A second wrote: “I’m scared this new one will butcher a beloved story, like ’Anne with an E’ did for me.”

A third commented: “Nothing beats Julie Davis and Sam Neill. I wish that remakes would stop being made unless you’re going to adhere to the original story.”

However, others hit back at the detractors as one person noted: “The original will always have its place. This is just another take on it. Like all the other classic remakes. You don’t need to watch it if it’s not your cup of tea.”

Someone else said: “This series going adding more details that Miles Franklin wrote [sic].”

A third wrote: “I look forward to this. I so enjoyed the ’79 version with Judy Davis…this looks to be just as entertaining. ”

A fourth compared it to many other costume dramas: “This is like if they combined every single period piece into one movie it’s got little women, pride and prejudice, Bridgerton etc. I don’t know how they managed to fit every single trope into one.”

Yet another added: “Looks great. Loved the 1979 adaptation and not gonna miss this one.”

My Brilliant Career has been adapted numerous times, with the 1979 movie only being the first one.

The story was also adapted for the stage in a 2020 play and later turned into a musical in 2024.

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This lets members watch live and on-demand TV content without a satellite dish or aerial and includes hit shows like Stranger Things and The Last of Us.

Netflix’s TV series is just another retelling of the well-loved story of following one’s heart over the strict rules of society.

Treasured star Neill died aged 78 from pneumonia on July 16. His career spanned back to the 1970s and some of his biggest roles include Jurassic Park, Peaky Blinders, ITV’s Tutankhamun, and Event Horizon, among many others.

My Brilliant Career will be released on Netflix on August 13

The Hundred men’s competition, The Oval

Sunrisers Leeds 143 (99 balls): Marsh 41 (27); Gleeson 4-25, Curran 2-27

MI London 144-3 (84 balls): Curran 60* (39), Pooran 58* (22); Carse 2-18

MI London won by seven wickets

Scorecard. Table

Sam Curran’s all-round brilliance led MI London to a convincing seven-wicket win over Sunrisers Leeds in the opening match of the men’s Hundred.

Chasing 144, Curran finished unbeaten on 60 as MI London eased to their target with 16 balls remaining.

After Brydon Carse’s fine spell of 2-18 had given Sunrisers hope, Curran added 93 from just 40 balls for the fourth wicket with Nicholas Pooran.

The destructive Pooran struck a magnificent 19-ball fifty which took the game from Sunrisers, as he clubbed five fours and five sixes in his 58 not out.

Curran had earlier taken 2-27 and seamer Richard Gleeson also impressed with 4-25 as Sunrisers were bowled out for 143.

Mitchell Marsh top-scored with 41 at the top of the order but Sunrisers struggled for momentum after his departure, though Tom Alsop’s cameo of 31 from 18 balls gave them a late boost.

England white-ball captain Harry Brook fell for eight and Sunrisers skipper Zak Crawley only managed 13.

MI London, who were previously known as Oval Invincibles prior to the private investment in the Hundred, have won the past three men’s tournaments.

The 2002 drama stars late Jurassic Park legend Sam Neill, Keira Knightley and Hugh Bonneville

A ‘gripping’ long-forgotten Sam Neill drama is now streaming on ITV.

It was announced earlier this week that Jurassic Park legend Sam Neill had died at the age of 78. Sam sadly died after contracting pneumonia, his management has confirmed.

The Northern Ireland born and New Zealand actor, best known for playing Dr Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park franchise, died on Monday, just months after he was deemed “cancer-free” following a battle with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma.

Sam was best known for his legendary Jurassic Park role but the actor also once appeared in a ‘masterpiece’ 2002 drama series alongside Keira Knightley.

Doctor Zhivago was released in 2002. It is based on the 1957 novel of the same title by Boris Pasternak, which was also turned into a film in 1965.

The 2002 series is available to watch on ITV and ITVX, who have described it as: “Keira Knightley stars in this gripping drama set in the tumultuous era of WW1 and the Russian Revolution. Dr Zhivago finds himself tormented by his his love for two women.”

Meanwhile, a synopsis adds: “Having witnessed his father’s suicide, Yury is sent to live in Moscow with his uncle, aunt and cousin. Whilst there, he becomes captivated by a stunning young girl called Lara.”

The character of Yuri Zhivago is played by Hans Matheson, Keira plays Lara Guishar Antipova and Sam plays Victor Komarovsky. Other cast members include Kris Marshall as Pasha Antipov/Strelnikov, Celia Imrie as Anna Gromeko and Hugh Bonneville as Andrey Zhivago – to name just a few.

The series, directed by Giacomo Campiotti, has an impressive 78% Rotten Tomatoes score with many viewers calling it a ‘masterpiece’. One person said: “A masterpiece by Giacomo Campiotti”, adding: “It deserves an Oscar.”

Another fan put: “Wow – this was fantastic! It really all came together with the last installment and truly broke my heart. I don’t see how anyone could not fall madly in love with Hans Matheson as Yury, and Kiera Knightley brought such maturity and worldliness to such a difficult role (amazing at such a young age).

“Both actors should be commended. And as for Sam Neill! He was amazing. The screen practically frosted up when he appeared!”

A different viewer commented: “I haven’t seen the 1st version of Dr Zhivago or read the book but this film is absolutely amazing. I suppose i can’t really judge because of not really knowing the story before this, but as far as I can tell Its a wonderful love story although it is shocking in bits of it.”

Meanwhile, another person added: “I have never seen the original Doctor Zhivago film, so I can’t take any prejudged bias. This mini-series is possibly the best UK mini-series I have ever seen and is a sign that perhaps the UK networks are serious about creating some top quality drama television that HBO have been producing for ages!

“The acting is top quality, however, Sam Neill on top form steals every scene he’s in, and that’s saying something with the quality around him on screen.”

Doctor Zhivago is available to watch on ITV and ITVX

Actor Sam Neill expressed a simple wish for his legacy nearly a year before he died at age 78.

The New Zealand star beloved for his leading role in the “Jurassic Park” films said in an August 2025 interview with The Telegraph, published Wednesday, that he wanted to be remembered for his kindness. Neill, reminiscing on mortality, said this wish was inspired by a painting he owned by Helena Bonham Carter’s mother, Elena Propper de Callejón.

“It is a very sweet watercolor of a funny old thing in a flowery dress and bonnet,” Neill said of the artwork. “At the bottom of the painting is an inscription: ‘But she was kind…’ When I am no longer about, I hope someone will be able to say that about me.”

Neill died suddenly Monday in Sydney, his family confirmed on Instagram.

The actor announced in April that he was in remission after five years of living with cancer due to a new cancer therapy. He battled Stage 3 angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare and aggressive type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Neill was in remission at the time of his conversation with The Telegraph.

After news of Neill’s death spread, his collaborators remembered him for his talent and his kindness — just as he had hoped. Laura Dern, who played Dr. Ellie Sattler opposite Neill’s Dr. Alan Grant in Steven Spielberg’s “Jurassic Park,” wrote, Neill “showed me the depths of loyalty, protectiveness and love always with the driest of wit.”

She continued: “He was a true and noble gentleman, wrapped up in my dream leading man. I will love you forever, Dr. Alan Grant.”

His “Peaky Blinders” co-star Cillian Murphy remembered Neill as “one of the kindest, funniest and gentlest people, and one of the finest actors,” while Nicole Kidman celebrated Neill as “one of the greats.”

Neill appeared in about 150 film and TV productions throughout his career. His notable credits include films “The Hunt for Red October,” “The Piano” and “Evil Angels” and shows “The Tudors” and “Apples Never Fall.”

For The Telegraph, Neill also discussed his humble upbringing, how he felt his acting career had been a “complete fluke” and his perspective on life amid his cancer battle.

“I have had the odd brush with cancer, so every day is a bonus these days,” he explained. “Life lesson: never take a single day for granted.”

Rarely would Sam Neill, who died Monday, carry a film on his own, but what he did in several of them, modestly and dependably, was equally as important. His nuanced supporting work allowed some of the greatest actresses of their moment attain their first fireworks. And even though he starred in one of Hollywood’s hugest blockbusters, it takes a certain kind of confidence to share the spotlight with a dinosaur. Here are Neill’s highlights, all worth rewatching for the sake of better appreciating a sophisticated presence often on the sidelines.

‘My Brilliant Career’ (1979)

Sam Neill and Judy Davis in the movie “My Brilliant Career.”

(Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images)

Gillian Armstrong’s first feature is a landmark of the Australian New Wave and feminist cinema, signaling the arrival of the great Judy Davis and containing the most erotically charged (and quite possibly the longest) pillow fight in movie history. It works splendidly for countless reasons, not the least of which is Neill’s presence as the charming suitor of Davis’ headstrong heroine. Set in 1897 in rural Australia, the film follows Davis’ Sybylla, who dreams of becoming a writer, an unconventional aspiration given her family’s poverty and societal norms. Then she meets a wealthy charmer, played by Neill, and he proposes. It should be an easy decision, particularly since Sybylla loves him and Neill makes him so irresistible. That Sybylla does, in fact, resist, choosing independence over love and the possibility of perennial pillow fights, makes “My Brilliant Career” so daring and thrilling. — Glenn Whipp

‘Possession’ (1981)

Isabelle Adjani and Sam Neill in the movie “Possession.”

(Metrograph Pictures)

It’s being remade with Margaret Qualley and the main reason for the movie’s notoriety remains Isabelle Adjani’s unhinged, incantatory performance, a collection of freak-outs that’s still unmatched. But one can argue that Adjani couldn’t have gotten there without the slightly milquetoast banality of her character’s husband, played by Neill as one of the least exciting on-screen spies of the 1980s. (She’s already cheating on him when the movie begins.) He doesn’t seem cut out to be a family man either, but Neill’s cuckolded complaining, hard to pull off this confidently, may be what’s driving her to self-harm in the first place. — Joshua Rothkopf

‘The Final Conflict’ (1981)

More than a decade before his “Jurassic Park” role, Neill delivered a chilling turn as the Antichrist in “The Final Conflict,” better known as the third film in “The Omen” franchise, about a couple that unwittingly adopts the son of Satan. In this second sequel, Neill plays an adult Damien Thorn, now a U.S ambassador to the United Kingdom who is determined to stop the second coming of Christ. With sinister smiles and steely glares, Neill makes Damien his own, waging a murderous campaign against a group of priests, his voice dripping with contempt as he vows to slay “the Nazarene” when he is born. — Greg Braxton

‘Dead Calm’ (1989)

Sam Neill and Nicole Kidman on the set of the movie “Dead Calm.”

(Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images)

We remember Philip Noyce’s claustrophobic cat-and-mouse thriller primarily as Nicole Kidman’s big-screen breakthrough. But, and you may be noticing a theme here, the movie would not work without Neill, who had a gift for playing opposite strong-minded women. Kidman and Neill are a married couple embarking on an ocean adventure to work through the loss of their child. They happen upon a crazy-eyed stranger (Billy Zane) on a sinking schooner, take him aboard and things go south from there. Part Cary Grant, part MacGyver, Neill gives a great physical performance, which he parlayed into well-paying Hollywood action roles for the rest of his career. None came close, though, to his flare-gun theatrics here. — Glenn Whipp

‘Jurassic Park’ (1993)

You go for the dinosaurs and there’s no shame in that. But credit Neill for both understanding the assignment and not quite settling for those awed stares of Spielbergian wonder. His Alan Grant is distinct enough to register as prickly and a little inside himself. He absolutely hates children, even as the whole plot, somewhat obviously, steers him in the opposite direction. He’s not Jeff Goldblum-level rascally, but he’s confident enough to go his own way and make a killer joke at a high-voltage fence. Acting-wise, Neill has already held his own opposite several forces of nature (see above). Raptors were nothing. — Joshua Rothkopf

‘The Piano’ (1993)

Sam Neill in the move “The Piano.”

(The Criterion Collection)

So many of Neill’s most memorable movies feature him supporting the singular vision of great directors, as is the case with Jane Campion’s 1993 landmark. Neill plays the awkward, ignorant Scottish farmer who arranges for a mail-order marriage with Holly Hunter’s mute pianist and then becomes possessive and driven to jealous despair. We hate him. Which was fine by Neill, as he wrote in his 2023 memoir: “There is honour to be found in the second fiddle. Or fourth. No one notices you much, you don’t get nominated for things. But you served. I was there in an important feminist film. It’s a work of art. And look, that tiny little figure in the fabric — see down there on the right — that’s me. It’s a film that will always have a place in cinema history. And I served in it.” — Glenn Whipp

‘In the Mouth of Madness’ (1994)

Finally, a leading role. Granted it’s one in which Neill, strapped in a straitjacket, screams things like “I’m not insane!” But if you’re a fan of his brand of slightly unconvinced heroism, John Carpenter’s horror movie — about an insurance investigator on the hunt for a missing Stephen King-like author — is an enjoyable watch. Carpenter was never one to overexplain things to his actors (it’s why you find so many rich, self-directed performances in his movies) and Neill’s snoop definitely goes through the looking glass, from disbelieving cynic to true believer. Genre movies thrive on his kind of total commitment. — Joshua Rothkopf

NO-ONE travelled further to become an international star than Sam Neill, who died today aged 78.

He would leave his home in the South Island of New Zealand to fly thousands of miles to film sets in Britain, Europe and America – but always travel back to his far-flung base the moment they were over to spend time with his family.

They confirmed his death in a statement, writing: “It is with immense sadness that the whānau of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday 13th July, in Sydney, Australia.”

This followed a battle with stage three blood cancer after he was diagnosed in 2022.

After undertaking an experimental treatment announced a month ago he was in remission.

His family said: “The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer- free.”

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Sam became famous thanks to his role in Omen III (The Final Conflict) where he played the antichrist who had risen to become a British politician trying to prevent the second coming of Christ.

Before then starring in 1983 British TV series, Reilly, Ace of Spies, in which he played Sidney Reilly, a Russian-born adventurer who became a successful spy during the First World War.

But his entry to the big-time came ten years later in Jurassic Park, directed by Steven Spielberg, which spawned a craze for everything about dinosaurs. 

The film, about a theme park where the public could see cloned dinosaurs, caught the public’s imagination – and broke box office records.

The dinosaurs run riot in the film when all safety fences are broken, killing park workers and each other as there is a battle for supremacy. 

Neill’s lead role of dinosaur expert Dr Alan Grant escaped the carnage and went on to star in sequels, Jurassic Park III (2001) and Jurassic World Dominion (2022), making a personal fortune in the process.

Yet he was a last minute choice after bigger star names like William Hurt, Kurt Russell, Harrison Ford and Tim Robbins all turned it down.

“It was a warning never to become too big or too expensive,” he said. 

“You can lose a lot of good parts in that way. I preferred quiet progress.”

Neill did precisely that throughout his career of over 100 movies in nearly 50 years, in which he would turn up in the most unlikely roles.

It included that of Major Chester Campbell in the first two series of the BBC’s hit series Peaky Blinders.

He was born on September 14th, 1947 in Omagh, Northern Ireland to New Zealander father Dermot, an army officer, and mother Priscilla, who was English. 

Although he was christened Nigel, he later thought the name ‘prissy’ and changed it to Sam in childhood. 

His family continued to call him Nigel.  

He is survived by actor son Tim (b 1983) whom he had with actress Lisa Harrow, a fellow New Zealander.  

Despite reports to the contrary, they never married.

He also has daughter Elena (b 1991) with estranged wife Nariko Watanabe, a Japanese make-up artist whom he met on Dead Calm (1989), which was co-star Nicole Kidman’s breakthrough movie. 

He had a stepdaughter with Watanabe, Maiko Spencer (b 1982).  

Neill spent virtually his entire life travelling, first with his father’s job moves around Ireland and then, when he retired from the army, to New Zealand, aged seven.

His father joined the family brewing wholesale business near far-flung Dunedin, which was Gaelic for Edinburgh and founded in 1848 as a Scottish Free Church settlement.

“I was an outsider from the start there,” he recalled. 

“Bullying at school, mocked for my accent, being called names and beaten up – the lot.

“Cowboy films and TV series were very popular at the time, so I called myself Sam to sound like one. It didn’t do much good.”

He was sent away to boarding school in Christchurch, more than 200 miles north along the coast. 

“It was even more lonely,” he said. 

“I developed a stutter, although I could talk perfectly up to that point.”

He used the experiences and memories when he became an actor, always being prepared to take on new projects wherever they were in the world.

“I had an ability to pretend to be other people – probably because I had to at school,” he told me. 

“I never had any great expectations as an actor.”

He started working in television documentaries and in small acting roles.  

He was 30 before he appeared in a movie, Sleeping Dogs (1977), an action thriller made in New Zealand. 

“That film was a calling card,” he said. 

“It was a critical success and that led to some offers, all thousands of miles away. It was a case of either travel or never leave.”

He had arrived in London when we first met in March, 1989, promoting a film called A Cry in the Dark, with Meryl Streep.

It was an alarming real-life Australian story about a baby girl who disappeared from a campsite.

The baby’s mother, Lindy Chamberlain (played by Streep) insisted that a wild dingo dog had taken her baby, but a disbelieving public felt that she was making up a story to cover up murder.

Neill was playing husband Michael Chamberlain. 

“It revealed to me the price of being an international star, like Meryl,” he said.

“She was the most famous actress in the world at that point and the sort of stuff she had to put up every day was incredible. 

“One was a story about her leaving her husband for Michael Jackson!

“I thought to myself ‘if this is what real stardom means, I don’t want it.’   So I had to be careful. I wanted recognition, but also want privacy and sanity.”

Neill went on to achieve exactly that.  

We met several times over the years. He had a calm, down-to-earth manner, unfussy and unflashy, with a dry self-mocking sense of humour.

“I have always been free of ambition – honestly,”  he said.

“I realised, early on, that if I started to desperately want things, then I was going to be disappointed.

“There was always someone whose career was going to better and bigger than mine. There was also someone going to get the parts I wanted.

“So I never had a game plan. If I’d had one, I would have moved to Hollywood and committed to a career in films, going to endless meetings and being a ‘personality.’

“Instead, I have never moved my home from New Zealand. I’ve been fortunate in that enough work has come up – and I’ve travelled to do it.

“I had to get used to the biggest jet-lag, the longest time-changes to the body and being away from home. But that’s been worth it.

“Don’t forget that the first time I went to New Zealand in the early 1950’s it took two months by boat and now it’s only 21 hours by plane.”

He was also cautious about being caught in the trap of other well-known actors. 

“I don’t know what it is about us that leads us in to more temptation,” he laughed.

“I think we are sometimes over-celebrated and can have far more fame than is comfortable. So when trouble comes, it’s all over the public domain.

“I once went to a pub’ with English actor Warren Clarke, drank non-stop to keep up, blacked out and woke up in bed with a woman I didn’t know. 

“The trick is to keep your trousers on and go to bed early. It’s mostly worked for me up to now.”

He seemed to effortlessly glide into some major roles in films like The Hunt for Red October (1990) and The Piano (1993) and TV series The Tudors (2007), Happy Town (2010) and Alcatraz (2012).

There was a certain irony that when playing his unrelentingly tough Northern Ireland police chief in Peaky Blinders, he couldn’t master the accent.

“I was born in Northern Ireland and had the accent as a kid, but had buried it so deep in my mind that I had the greatest difficulty digging it up again.”

He ended up calling his Irish friend Liam Neeson for some tips and delivered the part pitch-perfect.  

“I probably over-did it a bit in the end,” he said.

“I love working in Britain. I feel part British, obviously, and the quality of the acting and the film crews are hard to beat anywhere in the world.”

Between each highly-paid role and movie, he would return home to New Zealand and not work, sometimes for months on end, so would simply slip out of the headlines.

On the last occasion we met, he was more interested in talking about his own wine label in New Zealand. 

He had used the old family connection with wine to grow his own and set up a company to produce it.

He lived, very happily he said, among wine-making and animals on a ranch in Central Otago, surrounded by mountains and lakes.

Neill announced in his 2023 autobiography Did I Ever Tell You This? (Penguin) that he had been undergoing chemotherapy since March, 2022 for a type of blood cancer. 

He had first noticed swollen glands when travelling to promote Jurassic World Dominion.

He had put a hold on his acting work. 

“I have been very fortunate to enjoy the best cities in the world – like London, Paris or Rome – and I have never been too jaded to get a kick out of that,” he said. 

“But the thing that pleases me more than anything is to sit still at my home, have a quiet glass of red wine and contemplate life.”

TRIBUTES are pouring in for screen icon Sam Neill, who passed away aged 78 on Monday, July 13.

The acclaimed actor died suddenly surrounded by his loved ones, just months after revealing he was cancer-free.

Sam Neill’s family confirmed the news in a statement: “It is with immense sadness that the whanau of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday 13th July, in Sydney, Australia.

“Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life.

“The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer-free.

“They would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at St Vincent’s Private Hospital for their incredible care.

‘ANOTHER DAY’

Final photo shows Sam Neill beaming at awards event weeks before his death

TOUGH LOSS

Richard E Grant & Australian PM lead tributes to Sam Neill after death at 78

“More details will be shared later, but for now, on behalf of the family, we ask that you respect their privacy as they navigate this immeasurable loss.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute, writing on X: “Sam Neill starred in so many beloved Australian stories and he earned a special place in Australian hearts.

“Wry and dry, thoughtful and laconic, Sam fought illness with the same dignity, humour and conviction that gave strength to his every performance.

“He will be much mourned and long remembered. May he rest in peace.”

Fellow actor Richard E. Grant posted: “Knew @samneilltheprop for 3 decades and finally worked with him on PALM BEACH in 2018. An officer and a Gentleman in the truest sense.

“Guided and helped me through a very difficult time in my Life. Pictured beside producer @deb_bal & @ladyheathermitchell. Sail on, kind Sir.”

While Jurassic World: Dominion director Colin Trevorrow said Sam was “a friend and collaborator at a challenging time”.

He continued: “His strength gave us all strength. I’ll remember him for his tranquility, his love of wine, and for the calm assuredness he brought to his characters.”

Scottish actor Alan Cumming wrote: “Ahhh Sam, what a glorious beautiful man. You are missed. Sorry to the family for your immense loss.”

The Boys’ Karl Urban posted: “Heartfelt condolences to your whanau.
Sam was truly brilliant. An inspiration for many who followed in his trailblazing footsteps.

“A beautiful man, A national treasure who gave so much to New Zealand and the to world. God speed Sam.”

At the time of writing, no cause of death has been given.

Who were Sam Neill’s parents?

Sam was born Nigel John Dermot Neill in Omagh, Northern Ireland, to English mother Priscilla Beatrice Ingham and New Zealand father Dermot Neill, an army officer.

The family emigrated to New Zealand when Sam was seven, settling in Dunedin, and he later went to boarding school in Christchurch.

He took the name Sam when he was a youngster because there were too many Nigels at school.

In his memoir Did I Ever Tell You This?, Sam wrote: “The one thing I resent about my parents, the only thing, is that they called me Nigel.

“Changing my name to Sam at the age of 11 was probably the best decision I made in my life.”

He added: “I found I moved more easily in the world as a Sam. Nigel is an awkward fit in most circumstances. Imagine being a movie actor called Nigel Neill.”

His dad’s family had deep roots in the wine trade, having founded the Dunedin merchant firm Neill & Co generations earlier, which Sam later drew on when he established his own Central Otago winery, Two Paddocks, in the 90s.

Who was Sam Neill married to?

Sam had a long relationship with New Zealand actress Lisa Harrow, whom he met while filming 1981’s The Final Conflict. The pair had a son together, Tim, born in 1983.

Later on life, he went on to marry Japanese make-up artist Noriko Watanabe, whom he met on the set of the 1989 film Dead Calm.

The couple welcomed a daughter, Elena, in 1991, and Sam also adopted Noriko’s daughter from an earlier relationship, Maiko.

Sam and Watanabe separated in 2017.

Who are Sam Neill’s children?

Sam is survived by four children. Alongside Tim, Elena and Maiko, he also had a son named Andrew.

He was placed for adoption when Sam was in his early twenties and was reunited with his father in 1994.

Sam previously told The Times: “I’ve got a slightly unusual family – it’s more extended than most.

“My first son, Andrew, was given up for adoption when he was very small. I was quite small, too – in my early twenties.

“I didn’t see him for 25 years and then we went looking for each other.”

What movies did Sam Neill appear in?

Sam’s career spanned more than 50 years and around 150 screen credits. Among his biggest film roles were:

• Dr Alan Grant in Jurassic Park (1993)
• Alisdair Stewart in The Piano (1993)
• Vasili Borodin in The Hunt for Red October (1990)
• John Ingram in Dead Calm (1989)
• Damien Thorn in The Final Conflict (1981)
• Michael Chamberlain in Evil Angels (1988)
• Dr Alan Grant in Jurassic Park III (2001)
• Dr William Weir in Event Horizon (1997)
• Dr Alan Grant in Jurassic World: Dominion (2022)
• Cliff Buxton in The Dish (2000)

On television, Neill played corrupt Major Chester Campbell in Peaky Blinders.

He also featured as Cardinal Thomas Wolsey in The Tudors, among many other roles.

Sam was awarded an OBE in 1991 for services to acting, and in 2022 accepted redesignation as a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM), the second-highest grade in the New Zealand royal honours system.

He previously turned down the KNZM when knighthoods were first restored to the New Zealand honours system in 2009.

Kerr signs with the NWSL champions until 2030, returning to the US league after six years spent with Chelsea in England.

Australian striker Sam Kerr has signed with Gotham ⁠FC, the ⁠reigning champions of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the United States, the club announced after the iconic player ended her dazzling career with Chelsea, which saw her ⁠win five Women’s Super League titles.

Kerr, who was a free agent, signed the contract on Monday that will see her play in New York through the 2030 season. She previously played ‌in the city between 2015 and 2017.

The all-time leading regular-season goal-scorer for the North American league recorded ⁠116 goals across all competitions with Chelsea and was the 2023 Ballon d’Or runner-up.

“This club was an important part of my journey, and to come back at this moment, with everything Gotham has built, is really special. The ambition here is clear, and I’m looking forward to helping this team ⁠compete for trophies and create more ⁠history,” Kerr said in a statement.

The signing is a fine coup for the NWSL, which saw several players exit for opportunities in Europe ⁠last year, and brings one of the game’s brightest talents to the ⁠biggest sports market in the US.

“Sam is one of the defining players of her generation and a game-changing talent who has consistently delivered at the highest levels of ‌world football,” Yael Averbuch West, the president of football operations for Gotham, said.

“Bringing Sam back to Gotham is ‌a ‌landmark moment for our club, and we couldn’t be more excited.”

Kerr played 119 career regular-season games (113 starts) across her seven seasons with three ⁠teams in the NWSL, including three years with Sky Blue FC (now Gotham FC) from 2015 to 2017.

After playing the 2018 season with the Chicago Red Stars, Kerr played a season for the Perth Glory ⁠in her native Australia (2018-19) before returning to Chicago in 2019. She joined Chelsea in the Women’s Super League in late 2019.

Despite her six-and-a-half-year absence, her 77 regular-season goals are still an NWSL record. In 2017, she won the Golden Boot and MVP awards with Sky Blue FC after a season in ‌which she scored 17 goals in 22 games.

Kerr will debut for Gotham after the NWSL’s transfer window opens on July ⁠14. Gotham host the Washington Spirit on July 15 in the Queens Classic in New York.

Sam Thompson finally found a reason to smile again with new girlfriend Talitha Balinska after his devastating split from ex Zara McDermott.

But while the pair are certainly loved up, some members of his inner circle have told The Sun they are questioning whether Talitha may turn out to be Zara 2.0.

According to a source close to Sam, they believe his new model and DJ squeeze appears to be following too closely in his ex’s footsteps – and could secretly harbour desires to have a career as big as the former Love Island and Strictly Come Dancing beauty.

A member of Sam’s posse tells us: “Talitha seems like a nice girl but a few eyebrows have been raised by some of Sam’s pals about how easily she has slotted into his showbiz world and how comfortable she seems in the spotlight.

“They have questioned whether she is enjoying the profile boost that comes with dating a guy like Sam, because she wasn’t as well known before dating him.

They added: “These days she always seems to be invited brand trips or flogging online ads in a way she wasn’t before, so it feels like being with Sam has opened some major doors for her. You can’t necessarily blame her for taking advantage of that, but it has raised some eyebrows.”

After the ties with ex Zara severed, Sam had quite the “glow-up” and he soon captured the attention of model and DJ Talitha.

Former Made In Chelsea star Sam told how Talitha was “the one” earlier this year, but not everyone in his life is convinced.

“It feels like he has rushed head over heels into the next full-on relationship, but that’s Sam, he’s like a puppydog in love.

“Talitha could turn out to be the love of his life, but we’re his friends and we’re protective. We don’t want to see him get hurt.”

Sam first met gorgeous Talitha in 2024 on a photoshoot for Sam’s sunglasses brand Dinelli Eyewear but they didn’t begin to date until a few months after his split from Zara.

Once the couple were spotted together in October last year and Sam began mentioning her online, Talitha’s influencer career really took off.

The 24-year-old’s following grew by 900 per cent on Instagram and she started cashing in on more advertisement deals.

Not only that, Talitha has been making the most of her newfound fame, jetting off on brand trips, scooping freebies and enjoying lavish dinners.

She was spotted a few weeks ago partying on a yacht in Marbella, Spain, after being whisked away by The Couture Club.

The model has taken the place of the Love Island legend in a string of Sam’s social media ads – something he once enjoyed doing with Zara.

Our source adds: “Sam and Zara would often beg their family and friends to get involved with the funny twists they would put on their content – it looks as though history is repeating itself.

” A few of us have pointed out that Talitha often appears on social media “playing the eye-rolling” girlfriend, something Zara had perfected, or the one who laughs at all his jokes.

The source said: “A few who knew Zara really well have commented that Talitha seems to basically be copying her – the way she acts on social media is very similar, playing the foil to him is the same schtick Zara used to do in his Instagram and TikTok videos.”

Sam’s posse have noticed that Talitha has also become tight with Sam’s sister Louise, who absolutely adores her.

Zara was incredibly close to Louise and the pair were often spotted together.

“Talitha seems like she’s really close with his sister Louise, just like Zara was, but they have hardly known each other for a fraction of the time,” says our insider.

“It all feels a bit too much too fast, like she is already a member of the family.

“Some of us have joked that she’ll be landing her own BBC Three documentary series next, or trying to get cast on a reality show.”

Talitha’s influence has already begun to make its mark on Sam’s home, too.

This Morning‘s Sam revealed on his podcast, Staying Relevant, that he was getting his garden redone with a huge water feature, top-notch barbecue and bougie seating area.

But when he was quizzed on the new expense by his best pal Pete Wicks, Sam admitted he was forking out because Talitha wanted him too.

The 33-year-old claimed he’d rather have spent the cash on a lavish break away but his girlfriend felt a remodelled garden would be the perfect place for them to spend time.

Documentary maker Zara, 29, previously staked her claim on the home as the exes carved their names into the kitchen wood. Sam later admitted this wasn’t his choice either.

The podcast host got the room redecorated for the second time in just a few years to wipe any trace of Zara, who has since moved on with former One Direction star Louis Tomlinson.

Talitha, who now appears to have properly moved in to Sam’s home, took to Instagram recently to admit that she was forcing him to move his clothes so she could have more wardrobe space.

Despite what some of Sam’s posse think, others say Talitha “picked Sam up at a time when he was really heartbroken,” and “put a smile back on his face again.”

According to a source close to Talitha , the couple are really happy and they don’t understand why some people are trying to “tear her down.”

Her pal continues: “Talitha is actually quite introverted and not in this for the fame.

“She already had an influencer profile before getting together with Sam, so anything she gets offered now comes from her already being in this world.

“Maybe some brands have reached out to her since she has been with Sam, but it’s not Talitha actively seeking these things out.

“She is with Sam for the right reasons, she’s a genuine girl and it’s disappointed for anyone to suggest she wants to copy Zara.

“She’s aware of Sam’s exes, but everyone has an ex and she is an ex for a reason. Talitha certainly doesn’t want to be the next Zara, because why would he even want to be with a clone of his former flame?

“It’s just silly – a case of someone trying to pit women against women. Sam and Talitha are happy, so anyone who thinks otherwise is not a real friend of either of them.”

The Sun has reached out to reps for Sam and Talitha for comment.

Sam Thompson was snapped crying on Pete Wicks’ shoulder in an emotional moment after the TRIC Awards show last night, just after snagging the award for Best Podcast

Sam Thompson could not hold back the tears as he was snapped hugging his best friend Pete Wicks‘ and seeming rather emotional. The pair were in town for the TRIC (Television and Radio Industries Club) Awards with a host of other celebs.

Sam, 33, and Pete, 37, won Best Podcast for Staying Relevant. After cinching the award, Pete and Sam stepped outside with Pete holding onto a cigarette as Sam could be seen having an emotional conversation. During the chat Sam was gesticulating wildly and then wrapped Pete in an embrace, resting his head on his best friend’s shoulder.

Sam’s face was red and slightly puffy, suggesting he’d been rather moved by emotion during the awards ceremony.

A representative for Sam told The Mirror after the awards: “Sam and Pete were absolutely thrilled and very emotional to have won Best Podcast Award at the TRICS for the second year running.

“Staying Relevant is such a passion project for them so to receive such a special accolade twice felt all the more special. Happy tears were flowing from the whole team.”

After winning the awards, the Made in Chelsea star sent a chair flying as he jumped around in excitement and bounced around the table. Accepting the prize, he said: “That’s mad! Wahey!” He then accidentally swore as he said: “No! I just didn’t wanna say the word f***, oop!”

He then clapped his hand over his mouth as Pete brushed off the moment, saying: “Don’t do that!”

The duo shared the moment they won on Instagram in a hilarious video captioned: “SECOND YEAR IN A ROW BABY. Thank you Relevanters for every single vote, we wouldn’t be here without you. As Sam would say, we are a community (sorry @p_wicks01 ) See you next year @tricawardsuk.”

This isn’t the first time Sam has been snapped crying on Pete’s shoulder during at the TRIC Awards, but previously the star wasn’t shedding tears of joy.

Pete was snapped comforting Sam in 2024 as Sam visibly shed tears while in the smoking area after the awards. Addressing his tears, Sam later revealed on his podcast that he had heard some bad news. “Firstly, there’s no way of getting around it, I had actually received some bad news, so I actually was really sad, I’m not going to lie about it, but I was.”

“I wasn’t crying though, I wasn’t actually crying. I just want to let everyone know that now,” he added. “There was a paparazzi shot which said ‘Sam Thompson crying after THAT argument with girlfriend Zara’, after the Soccer Aid thing. They linked both of them together.”

Sam continued: “There’s a few things here, I was really sad, and Pete being my best mate, he took me outside and the beauty of it was that Pete said we can’t go out the front because there were a lot of paps there. So, we went through the back. I let it go, I let it all out. I’m literally head-butting Pete’s shoulder – I’m literally caressed into his armpit.

“He’s being such a good mate and saying he’s always there for me and I’m feeling really sorry for myself. I thought, ‘at least nobody is going to see this’, but little did I know that later that day the pictures were everywhere.”

It’s unclear why Sam was emotional on this occasion, but it could have been tears of happiness after clearly being full of joy during the event. Sam is also now dating model and DJ Talitha Balinska, 25, with the pair frequently posting about one another on social media.

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EXCLUSIVE: Love Island fans were shocked to hear that George Knight had quit the show just hours after arriving in the villa as a bombshell and now they reckon someone else has left

Love Island fans reckon another contestant has secretly quit the show. Just days into the new series, viewers were shocked to hear that George Knight had left the villa after arriving as a bombshell in Spain due to “personal reasons”.

Lifting the lid on his sudden exit, a Love Island spokesperson said: “For private reasons, George has left the Love Island villa. Duty of care for the Islanders is paramount so at this stage any further comment will come from George. Bosses and viewers alike had been loving his contribution.”

Viewers were left reeling by the news, however they are now convinced that another Islander has left after claiming he had gone ‘missing’ from the show.

Electrician, Sam Workman from Dudley, says he came on the show because he feels “genuinely ready to settle down.” However, he wasn’t featured once in last night’s episode, promoting some fans to speculate he’d followed George back to Blighty.

Taking to social media, one viewer said: “Wait… where was Sam in this episode? Is he still around? A second asked: “Did we even hear Sam speak once in this episode?” Meanwhile, a third mused: “Is Sam still here?”

However, the Mirror understands that Sam is still very much part of the show and will be featured in tonight’s episode. Sam also features on today’s First Look from Love Island on the show’s Instagram page.

The electrician’s ‘disappearance’ comes after it was confirmed that footballer George had left after shortly after sending Samraj and Ellie home.

George made his mark upon arrival at the villa and wasted no time in getting to know Robyn and Mica. Robyn, who quickly friend-zoned Sam, appeared keen to forge a pairing with George, after they shared a snog on the terrace.

Before leaving, George and fellow bombshell Yasmin were given the tough task of choosing one guy and girl to dump from the villa for any reason they chose.

They had only 24 hours to make the decision while everyone in the villa was completely oblivious to what was going to unfold.

The pressure left Yasmin reduced to tears, but in the end the duo sent Ellie Chadwick and Samraj Toor packing. But while tears were shed and gutted Samraj and Ellie headed for the exit, they were told that all may not be as it seemed. It left fans confused over what’s to come next in the series that has already thrown up a number of twists in the first week.

Straight off the bat, Islanders had to choose their own couples. This moved away from the public who normally picked who they thought was best matched.

Love Island All Stars winner, Gaby Allen, told us of the bold move: “The producers are doing a great job at changing things up. This has never been done before.

“A recoupling done by themselves is crazy! I would panic in this situation and hope somebody whisked me off my feet so I didn’t have the decision.”

The Mirror has contacted ITV for comment.

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I come from a family of priests and devoted Catholics. Catholicism is the blood in my veins. My father was not a disciplinarian, but if you lived under his roof you went to church. Saturday evening or Sunday morning, didn’t matter, you went. My four siblings and I were not miscreants, but we drank beer and sneaked out, and I was once cited for stealing liquor. I can’t recall my father ever yelling at me for anything other than missing Mass.

My great-uncle Dan was a diocesan priest at St. Charles Borromeo in Drexel Hill, Pa. Dan was a fire-and-brimstone hard-liner. Every Thursday we’d gather as a family for a roast beef dinner at my grandmother’s house. Dan would drink Manhattans — plenty — and if someone expressed a view of God contrary to his own, he’d say, “It’s awfully hot down there.” “There” meant hell. My uncle Ed, my mother’s eldest brother, was an Augustinian. Patient, compassionate, inclusive, Ed’s God was very different from Dan’s. While discussing God, Ed would quote Michael Himes, “There is nothing we can do to make God not love us,” and the Trappist monk Thomas Merton, “Mercy, within Mercy, within Mercy.”

Sports was in my family too — basketball, specifically — and I came to view Dan and Ed as head and assistant coach, respectively. The head coach shouting harsh critiques from the sideline, the assistant coach there to put his arm around you when you made it, crestfallen and ashamed, back to the bench. I loved them both, but I aligned with Ed’s view of God. Dan passed away a decade ago. Ed has since left the priesthood and married a kind and patient woman named Kathy. Over the years, Ed’s views on God have changed drastically. We meet for dinner once a month to talk about life and faith, and it was during one of our conversations that “Task” was born.

Mark Ruffalo in “Task.”

(Peter Kramer / HBO)

Tom Brandis, played by the singular Mark Ruffalo, is a former priest-turned-FBI agent who has lost his faith. Everything he held as truth in his life has come crashing down in the wake of a family tragedy. Tom believes he was called by God to adopt two children, Emily and Ethan. Adopting these children has resulted in the death of his wife, Susan. Matricide. What kind of God allows that? I have struggled with my Catholic faith over the years, but nothing has perplexed me more than the idea of suffering. The poet Archibald MacLeish wrote, “If God is God, He is not good / If God is good, He is not God.” The message is clear: If God is God, the author of everything, then He created evil and suffering and therefore cannot be good.

In “Task,” I wanted to explore a crisis of faith with honesty and without easy answers, because that is exactly how I have found my own faith journey — arduous and circuitous. I believe in God, but I find that belief tested daily. Faith and religion are separable. Tom’s journey in “Task” is a journey of faith. In the fifth episode, Tom is kidnapped by the criminal Robbie Prendergast, played by the brilliant Tom Pelphrey. During a long and tense car ride to the Poconos, Robbie tells Tom that he doesn’t believe in God. Never has. God is an idea conjured to make life bearable. “There’s nothing after this life,” Robbie says. Tom doesn’t argue. His own beliefs have veered in that direction. The car pulls into a secluded, wooded area. Facing death, Tom suddenly wants to call his son, Ethan, and forgive him. Robbie doesn’t allow it. Instead, he walks Tom to the edge of the woods, tells him he’s a decent man, and sets him free. Because Robbie has his own plan: to sacrifice his life in the hopes of providing a better one for his family. It’s through Robbie’s act of mercy that Tom regains faith. He believes in goodness again.

Brad Ingelsby.

(Ian Spanier / For The Times)

In the final episode, Tom finds himself taking care of a young and suddenly parentless boy, Sam. Sam reminds him of his own son, Ethan. Sam wants to live with Tom. And Tom desperately wants Sam to stay with him. But Tom also recognizes that Sam would be better served in the care of a young family capable of meeting his needs. Sam shouldn’t be stuck with an old man like him. Tom lets Sam go; he believes the boy will be taken care of. That is Tom’s act of faith.

When Ed and I met for dinner last month, we talked about how his idea of God has changed over the years. He no longer sees God as a bearded white man tallying our sins and waiting to judge us in heaven. He thought God was everywhere, all the time. The love that exists between people. He thought he could feel God right then, among us at the table as we laughed. We talked about Camp Mystic. The young girls swept away. Why, God? They were there to serve You. We didn’t have any answers. We never do. But the food and wine were good, and we talked about great-uncle Dan, about how he was so different from us but how much we loved him anyway, and how, when he drank Manhattans — plenty — he could turn harsh and opinionated, but it didn’t matter because he loved God. He loved Him with his whole heart, and we thought about the unimpeachable dignity of that and what an amazing gift it would be — to believe and never doubt.

Golf and Politics: Sen. Sam Nunn (D-Ga.) has resigned from the affluent Burning Tree private golf club that lost a legal fight over its refusal to admit women members. The Bethesda, Md., club’s members include many powerful political leaders. Washington wags speculated Nunn was preparing a run for the presidency. Nunn said in Washington, D.C., Tuesday he dropped out for “personal reasons . . . . I have no plans . . . to run for President.”

* Kennedy Clan: Another Kennedy wedding is due in the fall. Kara Kennedy, 30, daughter of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, will marry Michael Allen, a Washington, D.C., architect. The date and site of the wedding were not announced.

* Hear This: Sixty guests gathered at the French ambassador’s home Wednesday to honor Revolutionary hero Marquis de Lafayette over dishes from the menu at Lafayette’s wedding feast in 1774. A town crier announced guests for the meal of oysters in caviar sauce, filet of sole, squab and venison.

* Maples Syrup: Ivana Trump’s lawyers want to question Marla Maples and they want Donald Trump to limit the documents he is demanding from his wife. He says he is seeking items showing “any threats made or undue influence” on his wife, all her personal diaries since 1976 and other writings. Jay Goldberg, one of his attorneys, said the documents would “demonstrate without question the infirmity of her claim” about threats and influence. Goldberg dismissed her plans to call Maples as posturing.