After Brian Koppelman and David Levien wrapped their hit Showtime series “Billions,” the co-creators were undecided about where they would go next. A more than hourlong visit from a Netflix executive settled it.
Netflix had been developing a Las Vegas drama with Martin Scorsese, who is executive producing through his Sikelia Productions. The streamer brought in Koppelman and Levien, and the pair pitched a present-day casino story. Jinny Howe, Netflix’s head of U.S. and Canada scripted series, went to their office to make the case.
“When she left our office, we looked at each other and said, ‘Well, whatever we do, we want to do it with her,’” said Koppelman, recalling their meeting from two years ago. Their new Las Vegas series, “The Roman” starring Oscar Issac as a casino president, is expected to be released year. Netflix ordered it in December.
Howe has one of the hardest jobs in Hollywood — finding must-see scripted programs that keep Netflix’s subscribers watching. The company said it had over 325 million paid subscribers worldwide at the end of 2025. Her instincts for creators, combined with years as an entertainment executive and a lifelong viewer have given her a track record of championing hits, including thriller “The Night Agent,” drama “The Diplomat” and Regency-era romance “Bridgerton.”
That led to her promotion last year as head of U.S. and Canada scripted series — her fourth advancement in four years. She succeeded Peter Friedlander, who left after nearly 14 years, and reports to Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria.
“In my role, I feel I am really ear to the ground, really listening to what audiences are asking for, and really trying to understand where the culture is, where the conversation is, to really make sure we’re giving these audiences what it is that they want and they crave,” said Howe, 48.
The pressure is on. Key franchises are in their final seasons. “Stranger Things” ended in December, “Outer Banks” concluded with its fifth season last month and “Emily in Paris” finishes with its sixth season in December. Netflix has confirmed that the fifth season of legal drama “The Lincoln Lawyer” will be its last.
Wall Street has soured. Netflix shares, which closed Thursday $76.01, are down 39% over the past 12 months, a slide that began with its $83-billion bid for Warner Bros. Discovery in December — a deal it later walked away from — and continued through 2026 when the company lowered its growth projections.
Analysts have also flagged sluggish engagement growth. View hours rose about 2% in the first half of 2026 compared with a year earlier, even as content spending climbed.
After graduating from UCLA, Jinny Howe worked at Brillstein Entertainment Partners and John Wells Productions before joining Netflix in 2018.
(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)
Nonetheless, Howe is confident that Netflix continues to outshine its competitors, noting that the streamer is still in a “growth mindset” that bets on original ideas. The streamer also has franchises that continue to pull in large audiences, such as the fourth season of “Bridgerton,” she said.
“We’re not slowing down at all,” Howe said.
This year her department has a slate of 44 new and returning scripted series from the U.S. and Canada, excluding stand-up, comedy formats and adult animation. They span genres and mix seasoned showrunners and bets on emerging talent. Six are run by first-time female showrunners, a notable number at a time when the industry has cut back and women have historically had fewer chances to lead series. Those programs include “East of Eden,” a series based on the popular John Steinbeck novel; YA drama “The Body” and “A Different World,” a sequel series based on the NBC sitcom about Black students at a fictional college.
Howe leads a team of people spanning the U.S. and Canada, with hubs in Los Angeles and Toronto. While she is accountable for the U.S. and Canada scripted slate, the decisions are made in partnership with her team.
Scripted series out of the U.S. and Canada remain central to the business. Many of Netflix’s most-watched shows of all time come from the region, which accounts for about 40% of global revenue — the streamer’s largest market. Netflix reported 89.6 million memberships in the U.S. and Canada at the end of 2024, the last time it broke out regional numbers.
“There’s so many amazing creators and stories to be told from the U.S. and Canada and historically, English language scripted television for many, many years has traveled to lots of different countries around the world,” Bajaria said.
The region also drives Netflix’s awards profile. The streamer collected 111 Emmy nominations in July, second to HBO Max’s 122. Netflix says 83 of them came from scripted series and variety specials under Howe’s slate. “Beef” season 2 led Netflix’s titles receiving Emmy recognition with 16 nominations.
Competition for attention is fierce. Rival streamers are investing in live sports, and YouTube continues to take a significant share of TV viewing time in the U.S. Netflix has responded by adding video podcasts, sports and games to its lineup. It also lacks the deep historic library some competitors hold — the gap its failed Warner Bros. bid would have closed.
Then the Duffers agreed to produce a show created by Haley Z. Boston, the horror series “Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen,” about a woman who is cursed and could die if she doesn’t marry her soulmate. Other studios didn’t see Boston as the showrunner, but Howe and Netflix did.
“We need people to take chances on us,” 31-year-old Boston said. “There is still a glass ceiling … I’m excited about new future where you don’t have to have done the job already to do it. All you need is the right support.”
The series debuted at No. 2 on the streamer’s global top 10 English language shows and reached 20.3 million views on Netflix in the first half of this year, according to the streamer.
“Netflix had the confidence that we can find the right audience for this,” she said.
Connecting with a range of storytellers early is part of the strategy. Howe’s relationship with creator Molly Smith Metzler goes back about a decade, to when Metzler submitted her play “Elemeno Pea” while Howe was working at John Wells Productions. Howe was impressed and recommended her for the “Shameless” writers room. Metzler went on to lead the critically acclaimed 2021 limited series “Maid” for Netflix, her first job as a showrunner, and signed an overall deal with the streamer in early 2022.
One of Howe’s ideas was to build a series out of “Elemeno Pea.” That became the drama “Sirens,” starring Meghann Fahy, Milly Alcock and Julianne Moore. Released in 2025, it debuted at No. 1 on Netflix’s global top 10 and earned four Emmy nominations, including a surprise lead actress nod for Fahy.
“We spent so many cups of coffee and walks talking about what that could be and what it could look like, and we really built it from the ground up,” Metzler said. “She is very hardworking, and she’s extremely committed to the projects she does. That commitment and that rigor is contagious.”
Jinny Howe, who grew up in the San Gabriel Valley, is one of the few prominent Asian American content leaders in Hollywood.
(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)
In her soul, Howe said, she’s a producer first. Koppelman and Levien said she was instrumental in the casting “The Roman,” including speaking with some of the leading actors. Alongside Isaac, the series stars Betty Gilpin, Alec Baldwin, Jimmy O. Yang and Jason Schwartzman.
“This would not have come together had Ginny not rolled up her sleeves,” Koppelman said. “When we look at this cast, sometimes we can’t really believe what got put together.”
Howe and Netflix also supported showrunner Rebecca Sonnenshine’s push to make a version of “Little House on the Prairie” that includes more of the Osage perspective.
“She was very open to a vision that explored all the things that we wanted to explore in this show,” Sonnenshine said.
Howe grew up in Walnut, in the San Gabriel Valley, a self-described latchkey kid and the daughter of a residential real estate agent and a women’s clothing store owner. She was born in Seoul and immigrated to California when she was 15 months old.
“So I really am a California girl, I grew up just adjacent to the glittering lights of Hollywood, but close enough to know that there was a real business there,” Howe said.
While her parents worked, she and her brother watched a lot of TV, sitcoms like “Diff’rent Strokes” and “Small Wonder” and soaps like “Dynasty” and “Dallas.” That turned into a career. She graduated from UCLA with a bachelor of arts degree in theater, film and television, worked in the talent division at Brillstein Entertainment Partners and rose to executive vice president of television at John Wells Productions before joining Netflix in 2018.
She is one of the few prominent Asian American content leaders in Hollywood, in a position that helps shape what the world watches.
“I definitely do feel it’s not something I take for granted to be in these rooms and to know that my voice matters,” Howe said. “I get to be a decision-maker in a lot of these conversations. It’s really gratifying, and it’s something that I think is not lost on me at all.”
ITV is set to broadcast a 24-hour live stream from the Big Brother house ahead of the new series
Big Brother is returning to our screens in just a few days(Image: Vianney Le Caer/Shutterstock for Big Brother)
Big Brother fans have been begging ITV to resurrect the show’s beloved round-the-clock live stream.
It appears show bosses have finally listened, but there’s a brutal catch that has left viewers fuming. Rather than giving fans unfiltered access to watch the Housemates in their new home, ITV is handing the keys over to content creator crew The Bov Boys.
The social media influencers will occupy the property for a full 24 hours before this year’s contestants walk through the door. The broadcaster confirmed the twist on Thursday (September 10), revealing that the Manchester lads will move in on Saturday (September 12) as producers apply the finishing touches ahead of Sunday’s official series launch.
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The stream will run continuously on Twitch and YouTube, giving viewers a preview of the brand-new house. The official synopsis promises plenty of entertainment, teasing: “Viewers can watch the takeover unfold live for the full 24 hours, with the action streaming continuously across Twitch and YouTube.
“From the moment they arrive until they’re finally sent packing, viewers will have an exclusive, around-the-clock look at all the drama, antics and action inside the House.”
ITV viewers will no doubt recognise The Bov Boys member Angry Ginge, real name Morgan Burtwistle, following his triumphant appearance on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! just last year. The rest of the crew consists of Tays, Jakey Davies, Heinz Baines and Chazza.
However, Heinz Baines will not be taking part in the stream due to a “family commitment,” reports OK! The popular social media group won’t be the only influencers getting a sneak peek at the iconic house, they have also extended invitations to fellow creators Adeola Patronne, Mariam Musa, Shauna Games, Scouse Mali and Pieface.
The announcement has been greeted with some excitement, with one Instagram fan gushing: “This feels like Christmas came early,” and a second agreeing: “THIS IS INCREDIBLE! “Let’s go lads this is huge”
Someone else raved: “OMG my 2 favourites together can’t wait BIG BROTHER BOV HOUSE.” However, other viewers have labelled the twist a “slap in the face”, given that fans have been pleading with producers to bring back the show’s much-loved 24-hour live stream feeds of the actual Housemates.
A furious fan posted: “Load of c**p. You can’t give us live feed for the main series but will stream the dry run,” with a second adding: “Sorry but are you actually trying to annoy your fans @bbuk?! You’ll do a 24/7 live stream for a bunch of randoms testing the house, but won’t do any live stream at all for the actual show?!”
Yet another viewer critiqued: “I find it really wild that the Big Brother producers promote a pre-series live stream with content creators going in, but can’t invest in a consistent series long live stream. It’s really sad. #BBUK.”
Big Brother x Bov Boys 24-Hour Takeover will be a live co-stream on The Bov Boys’ individual Twitch accounts, plus a live stream on BBUK and ITV YouTube accounts from Saturday 12th September at 12pm.
The series launches on Sunday (September 13) at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
It’s been five years since “Call My Agent!,” known in its home country as “Dix pour cent” (“10 percent”), ended with the staff of Paris’ bankrupt ASK talent agency moving en masse toward the exit, as in the closing moments of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.”
The rich workplace comedy mounted four seasons from 2015 to 2020; the fourth was made without its creator, Fanny Herrero (she went on to create the fine but less successful “Standing Up,” about Parisian comics). But she has returned, along with “Standing Up” writer Lison Daniel, for “Call My Agent! The Movie,” premiering Thursday on Netflix, which picks up the scattered ensemble more or less where they imagined they’d be when the series ended, and gets them back in the same frame.
As a movie, it’s its own sort of beast — a complete statement in a single package, with not just A and B stories, but C and D as well, and arcs that might develop over a season of the show compressed into a couple of hours. But its essentials are essentially unchanged: It’s still about the difficulty of making art, and the often unsavory business that lets art get made, with known actors playing fun house versions of themselves and our heroes attempting to wrangle them into order, with whatever works — lies, bribes, real shared feelings. The regular cast, many of whom Americans will first have met here, still feel identical with their characters, rather than just professionals who have been paid to play them, so that even when the action is outlandish the emotions are real.
The focus here is on the fierce Andréa (Camille Cottin), who has left agenting and is about to direct her first movie, a drama set in the woods, and Noémie (Laure Calamy), whom Andrea hires as a replacement producer — she has become the producer of a hit workplace comedy, “Les Colleagues,” the sort of show that produces a lot of branded merch — believing that she can mold Noémie to her will. On the domestic front, Andréa separated from partner Colette (Ophélia Kolb), a co-parent to her daughter Flora — some sticky questions will arrive, doubling the pressure.
Noémie is still with Mathias (Thibault de Montalembert), once the most formidable of agents, who has quieted down somewhat owing to a Season 4 heart attack, and the fact that he’s working in the agency his daughter Camille (Fanny Sidney) announced at the end of the series. He’s feeling old (comparatively, he is, at 64 — though Liliane Rovère as agent emeritus Arlette beats him at 93) and things with Noémie are not great, which sets the stage for some romantic comedy, including a wild boar.
Andréa’s movie brings the old cast together, including sensitive junior agent turned aspiring actor Hervé (Nicolas Maury), and I am glad to see them. (Stéfi Celma’s Sophia, a receptionist turned actor, is sadly missing.) Much goes wrong, before things go right. (It’s a comedy, they will — though there are some moving dramatic moments along the way.) To be sure, there are no backstage comedies — or dramas, or dramedies — in which nothing goes wrong, or things even go mostly right. Disaster is the air they breathe.
On the eve of production, Andrea loses her male lead (Laurent Lafitte as himself) to a Wes Anderson movie; the psychologically delicate actor they get to replace him, Vincent Macaigne as himself, who’s represented by former ASK agent Gabriel (Grégory Montel), now working for their old rival, has a messy history with the other lead, Laetitia Casta, also as herself. They can barely work together. (There will be a bit of romantic comedy wrapped around this thread, as well.)
Then there’s a storm.
The French actors playing themselves are not well known here — Casta may be more familiar as a ’90s supermodel, for those who are familiar with that sort of thing — but Americans have been given the gift of cameos from Eva Longoria and an uncredited George Clooney who takes a comically unproductive lunch meeting with Andrea, crashed, in more than one sense, by Noémie.
Though the series finale made for a satisfying ending, there was already talk then of another season or a film. Still, “The Movie” arrives seemingly out of left field, as sort of a happy surprise. It doesn’t betray its legacy. We know from the supermarket magazines and internet scandal sites that some actors are seemingly as crazy as these actors pretend to be. But somehow movies get made. Most every show business satire is also a show business celebration. There’s no business like it.
Glasgow-based star Calum, 31, first joined the Channel 4 programme last September, alongside his best friend Jake, 27. But now, Calum has left the series after emigrating to Australia with his partner.
Speaking about the move, Calum said: “I am very far away from Scotland right now, and that’s because me and my partner have moved to Australia. That means a few things, the most obvious one being that unfortunately I am leaving the show.
“I had the most wonderful time, and I can’t sing the praises enough of everyone on and off camera, the entire Gogglebox family, so it’s very bittersweet to be leaving.” Calum will be replaced by Jake’s childhood friend, Louis, 28, who will make his debut on Gogglebox this Friday (September 11) at 9pm on Channel 4.
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The actress has reportedly been cast as one of the four leads in Netflix’s Feral, a “darkly comedic thriller series based on a 1987 novel by Shirley Conran”, Deadline shared. The news outlet teased: “In the series, four very different women learn to survive on a lethal tropical island after their mining exec husbands are kidnapped. The question is, can they put aside their differences, their self-doubts, and their vanities to stay alive?”
Her latest reported project is based on Shirley Conran’s novel, Savages, which “deals with five women, transformed from wives of the powerful rich executives to widows in the jungle, coming face to face with the savage inside themselves”. The story has been described by readers as a “female Lord of the Flies” and has recently been adapted into a TV series.
Fans took to Goodreads to share their thoughts on the original source material, with one saying: “I keep going back to this book; I’ve probably read it 7 or 8 times. I like the way she shows the relationships and how they change. The suspense is great.
“I like how you see the strengths come out, and the frailties, and how they cope with them. I find this book inspiring. It seems like just another fluffy beach read, but these women are tested to the limit and overcome overwhelming difficulty.”
Another added: “Oh my gosh. This book was so good. Engrossing. I had trouble putting it down to do anything else. It’s going on my list of favourite books. And, it was educational. I learned a lot about wilderness living. Just wow, really.”
A third commented, “I have never forgotten this female Lord of the Flies type book. Women get stuck on a deserted island, and what issues ensue. I loved this book and especially how the power struggle shook out. One of my favourite books!”
In March 2026, Gunning opened up about how her award-winning role in Baby Reindeer changed her life and catapulted her to global fame, telling Variety Australia: “The whole of the Baby Reindeer journey was just so surreal. What an amazing thing to be part of. I don’t feel like I’ve changed as a person, but I feel like I’ve had some amazing opportunities since.
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“I was over in America loads, and haven’t been before. And also the people I’ve met and the jobs I’ve had a chance to do since have just been so lovely.” She caught the eye of directors who have offered huge opportunities, adding: ” [There have been] a few things coming in which has been lovely.
“And I’ve just had, I suppose, more and more people have got to know who I am really, which is always nice. So yeah, hopefully more interesting [projects] will come my way.”
Known for being ‘The GC’ on screen and larger than life, viewers will see a different side to Gemma Collins in her new Sky documentary series.
Gemma Collins has not had a lot to celebrate whilst making her Sky series.
Gemma Collins admits she has had “the worst year of her life” which corresponded with a time she had cameras following her every move.
The former TOWIE star, also known by her celebrity persona ‘GC’, and was due to get married to partner Rami and start a family during filming for Sky documentary series called ‘Gemma Collins: Everything. All At Once’. The series was originally called Four Weddings and a Baby, but as Gemma admits “things didn’t go to plan”.
Her relationship with Rami has had issues, the pair have also been sadly unable to conceive, and worst of all Gemma’s beloved mum Joan died at the end of July after several years of health issues. Admitting her life and TV series hasn’t been going to plan, 45-year-old Gemma said: “Mum’s been unwell for sixteen years and I’ve been dealing with that on the side, but her health started going downhill during filming and she passed away last month[actually July 2026].
“My fiancé Rami has also been struggling with his mental health and using alcohol to cope, and on top of that we had fertility issues. It was like drowning. It was the worst year of my life. I couldn’t keep hiding it.
“Being The GC was escapism. I could put the make-up on, get the hair big, and forget what was going on in the real world. But there’s been a real turn in media where people want to see the real me again. They’re sick of the bluff. I’m not afraid and I know I don’t need to deal with all this on my own.”
In the eight part series viewers will see Gemma embark on her fertility journey, and she questions whether she has left things too late, putting her career before having a family. On trying for a baby Gemma says: “Rami and I went to the Portland, and I started thinking maybe there could be a miracle. We could get an egg donor and make it work. But, as you’ll see on the show, it got increasingly difficult.
“I still have Tristan, and my nephews. I’ve known Tristan since he was three: I did his nappies, I gave him his bottles. I love that boy. With my mum gone, I’m going to be the mum of the family now, the matriarch, and I’m really happy and excited for that. If it’s meant to happen, my mum will send it to me, and a miracle will happen. If it doesn’t, I’m at peace with that.”
Gemma admitted she found filming on some days very hard but insisted she had to continue. The other deeply personal issue in the series is the loss of her mum Joan, and Gemma allows the cameras into moments like when she deals like this and when the bravado she usually uses on screen drops.
She said: “The camera crews are at your house and you’re thinking, ‘This is my life, it’s so s**t. How can I let people see it?’. But unless you go through hard times, I don’t think you grow as a person. This was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but it’s also the thing I’m most proud of.”
On her mum Gemma added: “My mum passed away peacefully, and we were all in the room. She’s come back to me in so many ways already, which gives me great comfort. She comes back to me in spiritual ways and sends me signs. There was this butterfly in the house towards the last few days of my mum living, and it wouldn’t go away. When she passed, Tristan went to me, ‘There’s Nanny’. He went, ‘Nanny, if that’s you, flap your wings ten times,’ and it did.”
* Gemma Collins: Everything. All At Once launches 15 September on Sky and streaming service NOW.
Rob Reiner has won a posthumous Emmy for his appearance in Season 4 of “The Bear.”
On Sunday, the Television Academy hosted the second night of Emmy ceremonies, where guest actor awards were among those announced. Reiner, who died in December, won for guest actor in a comedy series for his appearance as Albert Schnurr, a consultant who mentored line cook Ebraheim (Edwin Lee Gibson), on the FX show’s fourth season. It was his third Emmy Award, having previously won twice for supporting actor in a comedy for “All in the Family.”
While Reiner largely focused on directing, writing and producing in the latter part of his career, he would occasionally make appearances on TV shows and in films. He was most recently seen in an episode of Larry David’s HBO series “Larry David in Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: an Almost History of America,” which aired in July. In the final season of “The Bear,” which premiered at the end of June, the show nodded to Reiner, referencing a line from his 1987 film “Princess Bride.”
Guest actress in a comedy series was awarded to Betty Gilpin for “Widow’s Bay.” In the Apple TV horror-comedy series, she plays Sarah Westcott Warren, wife of the founder of the town at the center of the show.
On the drama series side, Ernest Harden Jr. won for guest actor in a drama series for “The Pitt,” while Shailene Woodley won for guest actress in Season 2 of “Paradise.” It is the first Emmy Award for both actors.
In HBO’s medical drama, Harden played Louie, an alcoholic who was a regular visitor at the Pitt, befriending many of the doctors and nurses on staff. However, tragedy strikes after a medical emergency, leaving the staff to mourn him during the Fourth of July shift. Meanwhile, in Hulu’s postapocalyptic series, Woodley played Annie, a former tour guide at Graceland and survivor of the Day. Her storyline dovetails with Xavier, played by series lead Sterling K. Brown, and the pair share an intense and emotional moment.
Also announced were supporting actor and actress in a limited series, which went to David Harbour and Linda Cardellini, who both won their first Emmys, for “DTF St. Louis.” In the series, they play a husband and wife whose marriage is struggling, and they become enmeshed with a local TV weatherman, played by Jason Bateman, who was also nominated in the category.
The first pair of Emmy ceremonies, formerly called the Creative Arts Emmys, were held over two nights two weekends before the Primetime Emmy Awards and honored many of the behind-the-scenes workers and craftspeople in television. An abridged version of the ceremonies will be broadcast Sept. 12 on FXX and stream on Hulu the following day. The Primetime Emmy Awards will be held Sept. 14 in Los Angeles with Mariska Hargitay as host.
The winners from Sunday’s ceremony:
Television Movie “Remarkably Bright Creatures”
Supporting actor in a limited or anthology series or movie David Harbour, “DTF St. Louis”
Supporting actress in a limited or anthology series or movie Linda Cardellini, “DTF St. Louis”
Guest actor in a comedy series Rob Reiner, “The Bear”
Guest actress in a comedy series Betty Gilpin, “Widow’s Bay”
Guest actor in a drama series Ernest Harden Jr., “The Pitt”
Guest actress in a drama series Shailene Woodley, “Paradise”
The complete list of winners for Sunday’s ceremony can be found at televisionacademy.com.
An adaptation for Graham Norton’s best-selling novel has just been given a major update
Graham Norton’s best-selling novel has just been given a major update (Image: PA)
Channel 5 viewers have said they “can’t wait” as the release date for an exciting new series has been announced.
Graham Norton’s best-selling novel, Forever Home, is set to be released as a six-part drama, and is due to air in just days. It was earlier revealed that the cast includes Amy Nuttall, Douglas Henshall, Denise Welch, Kevin Whately, Samantha Bond, Lewis Cope, Jenny Walser, Shane Zaza and James Baxter.
Channel 5 has now teased: “Would you still want the house if you knew what it was hiding?” The broadcaster also confirmed that the series would begin airing from Monday, September 14.
“I’m really excited to watch! Looks so good! Proud of you always Lewis,” one fan said. Another commented: “Not long to go!! I can’t wait to watch.”
A third echoed: “Looking forward to this,” as another said: “Can’t wait.” Yet another wrote: “Ohh this looks good.”
Someone else said: “Cannot wait to see this, I’ve almost finished the book, what a fab writer Graham Norton is….” Another fan echoed: “Read the book hopefully it be as good.”
The synopsis had previously revealed: “The six-part series follows the story of a second wife dealing with the memories of the woman who went before her. When Carol discovers a long-dead body hidden in the basement of her home, the horrific realisation is undeniable – she’s living with a killer.
“The story that her husband’s first wife ran away never to be seen again now looks like a lie, and the fact he’s insisted on never selling the house suddenly makes sense. But one dark family secret is soon to be replaced by another…”
After the series was commissioned, chatshow host and author Graham shared: “In writing Forever Home, I was initially inspired by the simple idea of packing up a home later in life, and the ‘what if’ scenarios and complexities that come with later-life relationships. The novel soon evolved into a funny, twisted, ‘dark-romp’ full of farcical scenes and it’s wonderful to see the depth and richness of Carol’s story realised as a screenplay.”
Commissioning editor Paul Testar also commented: “We’re delighted to partner with FilmNation and The Mediapro Studio to bring Graham Norton’s compelling novel to UK screens, supported by an outstanding cast. Working with North East Screen again to champion local filming has been a pleasure, and we can’t wait for viewers to immerse themselves in Forever Home.”
Creative director of FilmNation TV UK, Kirstie Macdonald, added: “From the moment I read the always-hilarious Graham Norton’s brilliant novel, I knew I wanted to bring Forever Home to the screen. It’s a story full of twists and turns, secrets, and emotional depth that we can’t wait to bring to life for 5 audiences. We’re proud to collaborate with Clara Salaman, 5, and our partners at The Mediapro Studio on this thrilling adaptation and are grateful for the support of North East Screen.”
Forever Home airs premieres 5 on Monday, September 14 from 9pm.
Taskmaster made a return to our TV screens for a brand new series and viewers were quick to share their reaction
Channel 4 Taskmaster fans were quick to share their verdict(Image: CHANNEL 4)
Taskmaster’s highly-anticipated return has sparked the same reaction from viewers.
Fans were quick to share their verdict just minutes into the return of the Channel 4 comedy show which returned to screens tonight (September 3) for its 22nd series. It introduced a brand new group of celebs taking on the bizarre challenges set by Greg Davies and his co-host Alex Horne.
The new series saw Richard Ayoade, Matt Lucas, Chloe Petts, Isy Suttie and Nina Conti enter the Taskmaster’s set for the first time. Richard Ayoade, best known for playing Maurice Moss in The IT Crowd, is joined by Matt Lucas, the Little Britain star and former Great British Bake Off host. Comedian Chloe Petts, Peep Show actress and comedian Isy Suttie, and award-winning ventriloquist Nina Conti complete the line-up.
As ever, the five comedians were handed a collection of strange and seemingly impossible challenges, with Greg ultimately deciding who deserves the coveted points.
The opening episode, titled In My Mind There’s A River, saw the stars thrown straight into the madness, with Greg and Alex putting them through their paces as they battled to impress the Taskmaster.
They first challenge called hunting for golden apples, where they had to search for and obtain the apples, with the usual Taskmaster opportunities for creative interpretations and questionable tactics. Up next was rearranging furniture and the stars were given a furniture-based challenge where their ability to interpret the instructions became important.
And finally they took on performing a duet with themselves, which was one of the more bizarre tasks, requiring the contestants to effectively perform both parts of a musical number.
It didn’t take long for viewers to share their reactions to the new series on social media as a flurry of fans claimed that it is the “best show on TV.”
One fan wrote: “Aaah, and #Taskmaster is back… suddenly the world feels normal again. The only TV show that makes me smile every time.” Another viewer was already in stitches after the opening challenge, posting: “First task in and I’m creasing already #Taskmaster.”
Others were equally enthusiastic, with one simply declaring: “Best show on tv #taskmaster.” A fourth fan added: “This is gonna be a fab series I feel it in my bones #Taskmaster.” And another agreed, writing: “Really fun opening to the series.”
You can stream the new series of Taskmaster on Channel 4.
EXCLUSIVE Great British Bake Off spin off show Extra Slice has been replaced with a new show called Second Helpings which will now run alongside the main show with new hosts too.
Judi Love and Jon Richardson are the hosts of new show Second Helpings(Image: Mark Bourdillon/Love Productions)
Channel 4 are revamping the spin off show for The Great British Bake Off for the first time in 12 years – with new hosts and a show which airs the same day the main show goes out.
Extra Slice, which has been on screen for more than a decade and was fronted by Jo Brand and Tom Allen, will be replaced by a new series called Second Helpings hosted by Bake Off superfan Jon Richardson and Loose Women star Judi Love.
They’ll be joined by celebrity guests and bakers to look at the drama that has happened earlier in the evening on Channel 4. An insider said the plan was part of a major revamp for the show this year and an overhaul which has also seen Nigella Lawson join as a new judge, replacing Prue Leith who quit earlier this year.
“This is going to be a fresh new show, very different in style to Extra Slice,” a source told the Mirror. No strangers to the Bake Off tent, Jon and Judi have both previously taken part in The Great Celebrity Bake Off For Stand Up To Cancer, with varied results.
Confirming her new job, Judi said: “I’ve been lucky enough to be in the tent a few times and work alongside Jon, both were pure joy! Joining the show to talk all things baking and celebrate showstopping bakes, including some unique spins sounds like absolute blast. I can’t wait to get started and of course eat a few cakes or whatever treats they may have.”
Joking about his new job and paying tribute to the previous hosts, Jon, 43, said: “Bake Off is an institution. Jo Brand is a comedy God. Together with Tom Allen, they have made a spin off show that is warm, witty and unique. I pity the poor sap they lure into stepping into those shoes.”
Jo and Tom seem to have taken the news of the revamp well, which has ultimately seen them sidelined after fronting Extra Slice for many years. Jo was first on Extra Slice when it aired on BBC and then continued to work on Bake Off when it moved to Channel 4 in 2017.
The comedian said: “I’ve loved every minute of Extra Slice. The bakers have been brilliant, talented and remarkably calm for people whose pork pies are being discussed on national television. And working alongside my TV husband Tom has obviously been a joy, he’s always been more immaculately presented than anything in the tent.”
Tom, who joined in 2018, added: “I have loved working with the team and with the kindest person in television, Jo Brand. It’s been a joy to meet so many delightful Home Bakers from all over the world and learn about them through their cake creations. Please don’t tell anyone, but I have stolen the whisk.”
The new show will also bring viewers exclusive behind-the-scenes stories and unexpected revelations from those in the know, including Bake Off hosts and judges Alison Hammond, Noel Fielding, Paul Hollywood and new judge Nigella.
Sarah Lazenby from makers Love Productions, said: “We’re delighted to be serving up Second Helpings of Bake Off with comedy pals Jon and Judi. Together they’ll unpack all the gossip and memorable moments from the tent over a cup of tea in Cake Corner.”
Senior Commissioning Editor, Channel 4, Vivienne Molokwu agreed: “We have revamped Extra Slice by giving it a brand-new shape and a brand-new home.
“Second Helpings will be available on the same night as Bake Off meaning viewers don’t have to wait long to chew over what’s gone down in the tent. With the deliciously funny Jon and Judi at the helm we’ll all have a hilarious time talking all things sweet treats”.
Second Helpings will air weekly on Channel 4 alongside the new series of the Great British Bake Off when it begins later this month.
Cam Schlitter gave up one run and two hits in eight superb innings, and the New York Yankees scored five two-out runs in the 10th in a series-clinching, 6-3 victory over the Angels on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium.
New York loaded the bases with one out in the 10th when Jose Caballero singled, the automatic runner holding at third, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. walked against reliever Luke Murphy (0-2).
Murphy got Luis Garcia Jr. to pop out, but Austin Wells stroked a two-run single to right, Cody Bellinger hit an RBI single to center, Trent Grisham hit an RBI single to left, and Ben Rice had an RBI single to right for a 6-1 lead.
David Bednar (7-3) struck out three in a scoreless ninth for the win. Yankees reliever Michael Fulmer gave up a two-run homer to Moisés Ballesteros in the bottom of the 10th, but New York won its second straight after dropping the opener, despite enthusiasm in Anaheim over an announced agreement for Arte Moreno to sell the team to Rams owner Stan Kroenke.
A marquee matchup between two of baseball’s best pitchers did not disappoint, Schlittler striking out nine and walking none, and Angels left-hander Reid Detmers giving up one run and six hits in seven innings, striking out eight and walking none.
Schlittler, who has an American League-leading 2.04 ERA, retired 20 of the first 21 batters he faced, his only blemish a soft single to left by Vaughn Grissom in the second inning.
But Schlittler grooved a 95-mph cutter to Grissom in the seventh, and the Angels first baseman drove it over the center-field wall for a a 1-1 tie.
It was Schlittler’s franchise-record 19th start this season in which he has given up one or no runs, moving him ahead of Ron Guidry (1978), Whitey Ford (1964) and Jack Chesbro (1904), who had 18 each.
Detmers, who has a major league-best 1.52 ERA since the All-Star break, gave up a run in the fourth on Amed Rosario’s double.
The game was delayed for about 10 minutes in the sixth when a 79.5-mph line drive off the bat of Rice hit a photographer in the head in the first-base camera well. The photographer was able to walk to a medical emergency vehicle and shake Rice’s hand before being carted away.
A brand new series of Channel 4’s The Jury started this week
Viewers pointed out a ‘ridiculous’ flaw in the new series(Image: C4)
The Jury viewers were left slamming the show after pointing out a major problem.
The Channel 4 programme returned for a new episode on Wednesday (September 2) following a group of ordinary people in a specially constructed jury room in a recreated murder trial.
This time, the jury is considering the case of two brothers who are accused of killing their stepfather. The brothers admit stabbing the man more than 69 times while he was asleep, with the jury having to decide whether the killing was an act of desperation or a calculated murder.
In the latest instalment, 14-year-old defendant Daniel took the stand and described the abusive home he grew up in. Meanwhile, CCTV and other evidence challenged key parts of the boys’ evidence, unsettling even the sympathetic jurors.
However, fans watching at home were left feeling disgruntled by one aspect of the show. They slammed how the jurors were able to break and talk about the case throughout the trial.
In real life though, jurors are not allowed to discuss the case this early in proceedings and can only share their thoughts once all the evidence has been presented from both prosecution and defence.
“I get that it’s a simulation but in my experience juries do not discuss the trial until the deliberation,” said one person on X. Someone else added: “This programme is utter rubbish!! It’s meant to be realistic, but you are not meant to discuss the case until the end.
“Certainly no talking while in court and the judge would have been right on to the juror talking.” A third chimed in: “Quite. It’s ridiculous and so annoying and I just can’t watch it.”
It comes after The Jury viewers were surprised to see such strong opinions emerging early on during the first episode this week. One viewer wrote on X: “Not seen any evidence yet and they already arguing #TheJuryC4.”
Another said: “Making up your mind before you’ve heard even a lick of evidence is insane but go off I guess.” A third questioned the make-up of the jury, asking: “Do they actually have level-headed people on the series this time? #TheJury.”
However, not everyone watching was critical of the programme. One viewer praised the return, writing: “I’m watching, it’s one of the best programmes on TV and with all the debate over jury trials, a fitting watch. #TheJury.”
The drizzle cleared up as stars arrived at the Guildhall, with Vinnie Jones, Kaya Scodelario, Joely Richardson and Ray Winstone all in attendance.
When asked about the reports regarding Meghan, Jones said he’s heard “only what you have”.
But he joked: “We’ve got a lot of pretty women in this. So I’m not sure there’s room for any more.”
“Way above my pay grade,” Scodelario said, while Bonneville commented he had “no idea” if there was any truth to the rumours.
Jama, meanwhile, said as a newcomer herself to the cast, she had no tips to share with Meghan.
“Oh my God, she’s a seasoned actor. I have no advice for her. She knows what she’s doing,” added Jama.
Ritchie, who also attended the premiere, did not speak to the press. But writer and executive producer Matthew Read told BBC News they were looking forward to “bringing up more energy and surprises in series two and further on in the series”.
Not a no then, I asked.
“I just don’t think it’s right to speculate at this stage, so I wouldn’t like to say yes or no,” he added.
Viewers were left baffled just moments into the return of the Channel 4 series after tensions began to rise among the 12 jurors. The BAFTA-winning programme returned for a new series on Tuesday (September 1) night, once again putting a group of ordinary people in a specially constructed jury room in a recreated murder trial.
This time, the jury is considering the case of two brothers, one just 14 years old, who are accused of killing their stepfather. The brothers admit stabbing the man more than 69 times while he was asleep, with the jury having to decide whether the killing was an act of desperation or a calculated murder.
However, viewers were quick to comment on the reaction inside the jury room after the first trial and initial evidence had been presented. As the 12 contestants began discussing what they had heard, it quickly became clear that they were far from united in their views.
One juror, Jamie, admitted he was struggling to remain objective because of the age of one of the defendants. “This is mental,” he said. “My main aim is to be completely objective and then there’s a 14 year old put in front of me and it’s thrown it out of the window. I’ve got a boy that’s nearly f****** 14. As a dad, two young boys. I feel like it’s made it so much more challenging to be objective.”
He later described the evidence they had heard as a “massive bombshell”. Another juror questioned whether the group could fairly assess the case given that Daniel was only 14. “Do we feel that we can make a fair decision, because he’s so young?” they asked.
But not everyone believed Daniel’s age should influence their thinking. Kim insisted: “Age doesn’t come into it for me. Maybe it should but as it stands, I’m not looking at it as an age thing.”
Christopher, 20, disagreed and argued that Daniel’s age could be important when considering his responsibility for what happened. “I think it ought to a bit. I’m gonna be a really annoying sociology student right now,” he said. “But I think we do need to consider his age because I think that’s going to impact whether he’s in full control of his faculties.”
Jamie agreed with Christopher’s argument, pointing out that a teenager’s brain is still developing. “Their brain is still forming. So how can you say someone’s completely responsible as an adult when they’re not an adult?” he asked.
Kim, however, pushed back strongly. “So it justifies him killing him? No,” she replied. Jamie insisted the situation was more complicated than that. “But it’s not as simple as that. It’s not a simple thing,” he said.
Kim responded: “For you, maybe not, but for me, it is that simple. I am very black and white.” She went on to focus on the circumstances of the killing, arguing that the number of stab wounds made it difficult for her to separate Daniel’s age from the crime itself.
“The killing was nasty. The amount of times Daniel stabbed him. There was no justifying that,” she said. “Looking at him as a 14 year old, rather than the crime that he’s committed, I think it kind of clouds the judgement.”
Chloe, 23, also took a firm position on the issue. “Yeah. That’s overkill. You know what you’re doing after you’ve done it over 69 times,” she said. “If you’ve already done one big gash on the neck, you can’t do that to someone and expect them to be walking around perfectly the next day.”
She added that she believed the brothers intended to kill their stepfather and did not think Daniel’s age could be used as an excuse. “If they were adult enough to commit an adult crime, then surely they can take the punishment,” Chloe said.
The heated discussion came relatively early in the programme, with viewers watching the jurors begin to form opinions as the case started to unfold. Some viewers were surprised to see such strong opinions emerging while the group had only been presented with an early portion of the evidence.
One viewer wrote on X: “Not seen any evidence yet and they already arguing #TheJuryC4.” Another said: “Making up your mind before you’ve heard even a lick of evidence is insane but go off I guess.” A third questioned the make-up of the jury, asking: “Do they actually have level headed people on the series this time? #TheJury.”
However, not everyone watching was critical of the programme. One viewer praised the return, writing: “I’m watching, it’s one of the best programmes on TV and with all the debate over jury trials, a fitting watch. #TheJury.”
As the first episode continued, the jurors were presented with further information about the case, giving them more evidence to consider as they attempted to establish exactly what had happened.
You can stream the new season of The Jury on Channel 4
WITH its cobbled roads, charming streets and historic buildings, Rye is considered one of the most beautiful destinations in England.
And it’s set to make a TV appearance too as the East Sussex town was used as the backdrop in a new period TV series coming to Netflix.
Rye in East Sussex will make an appearance in a new Netflix seriesCredit: AlamyPride and Prejudice starring Emma Corrin will air this autumnCredit: Netflix
Last year, Rye transformed into the fictional town of Meryton for a new television adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.
TV crew and cast descended on the town in September to create a time-warp setting for Jane Austen’s novel.
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Actors were spotted wearing period costumes and the streets were dressed to look like the 1800s.
The Netflix series is set to be released this autumn starring Emma Corrin as Elizabeth Bennet, and Jack Lowden as Mr Darcy.
The town is popular with tourists thanks to its traditionally English look and has even been dubbed the ‘new Cotswolds‘ by country lifestyle experts at Welligogs.
The experts described it as having a “storybook atmosphere” filled with “antique shops and independent boutiques”.
For shopping Mermaid Street is the place to be – it was also selected as being one the prettiest streets in Britain by The Telegraph.
While it might be miles away from Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire, Rye shares lots of the same qualities as towns found in the Cotswolds like pretty cottages and independent shops.
The Cotswolds has rivers running through its villages, while Rye offers a beach escape for those who want to check out the seaside instead.
Camber Sandsis just 10-minutes away in the car to get from the town to the dunes.
Mermaid Street in Rye is considered one of the most beautiful streets in BritainCredit: Alamy
Head of Sun Travel (Digital) Caroline McGuire said: “The medieval town of Rye in East Sussex isn’t strictly seaside, but you can see the sea from its cobble streets and it has a harbour where boats sail out to the English Channel.
“Plus, if you go back as far as the 15th century, the sea came much closer to the foot of the hill the town is built on.
“It’s the perfect place to spend a day out – taking an hour and six minutes on the train from Kings Cross St Pancras.”
“If you fancy a morning on the beach, a bus runs from the town to the stunning Camber Sands beach – a three-mile stretch of golden sand backed by dunes.”
The town of Rye can easily be reached from London – it’s an hour from St PancrasThe town is 10-minutes from the rolling dunes of Camber SandsCredit: Alamy
She continued: “Or you can for a six-mile circular walk from Rye to Winchelsea beach.
“Back in the town after lunch, there are plenty of fantastic pubs to choose from, my favourites being the 12th century Mermaid Inn and the George In Rye, as well as the Globe Inn Marsh on the outskirts of the town.
“Equally, you could book a taxi and check out Tillingham vineyard in nearby Peasmarsh, with its Michelin Green Star wine tours and excellent pizzas.”
“Make sure to save some time to rummage through the many, many antiques shops, as well as Knoops hot chocolate shop and the wonderfully old fashioned Britcher and Rivers sweet shop.”
