thrilling

One of the most critically acclaimed science fiction dramas of the past decade is expanding with a new spin-off series on Apple TV

Apple TV has just released the exciting first-look at the cast of Star City, the first spin-off to the streamer’s hit sci-fi drama For All Mankind.

Widely considered one of the best sci-fi series in recent years, the original drama takes place in an alternative history in which the Soviet Union beat the USA to the Moon in 1969 and the space race never ended.

While subsequent outings have jumped forward in time up to the 2000s in season four, Star City will look to the past once more, exploring the pivotal events that led up to the first man on the Moon.

Featuring a stellar cast, including some exceptional British talent from the likes of House of the Dragon and Motherland, the upcoming offshoot is a must-watch for both sci-fi and history buffs.

The creative trio behind For All Mankind, Ronald D. Moore, Matt Wolpert, and Ben Nedivi are back to helm the new eight-part series, so quality can be assured.

A synopsis for the upcoming series calls Star City “a propulsive paranoid thriller that takes us back to the key moment in the alt-history retelling of the space race – when the Soviet Union became the first nation to put a man on the moon.

“But this time, we explore the story from behind the Iron Curtain, showing the lives of the cosmonauts, the engineers, and the intelligence officers embedded among them in the Soviet space program, and the risks they all took to propel humankind forward.”

House of the Dragon’s Rhys Ifans leads the exceptional cast, which also includes Motherland’s Anna Maxwell Martin, Agnes O’Casey (Black Doves) and Alice Englert (Bad Behaviour).

Rounding out the supporting cast is another House of the Dragon star, Solly McLeod, along with Adam Nagaitis (Chernobyl), Ruby Ashbourne Serkis (I, Jack Wright), Josef Davies (Andor) and Priya Kansara (Bridgerton).

Apple has just released the first look at the cast today (Thursday, 26th February), and it’s shaping up to be another visually stunning and compulsive drama that streamers have come to expect from the platform.

The spin-off certainly has big shoes to fill, as audiences have continued to rave about For All Mankind since its first season premiere back in 2019.

An article on Wired has called it the “one of the greatest science fiction shows of the modern TV era”, adding: “The Apple TV+ alternate history series is simply more ambitious and thought-provoking than its contemporaries.”

Comic Book Resources called it the “Best Alternate History Show Ever Made” in their rave write-up.

And IMDb users have also given For All Mankind stunning reviews, with one writing: “I’m now binging all 3 seasons and can’t stop. If you’re a sci-fi fan and have been putting it off like me…stop! Go watch this as soon as possible because I promise you won’t be disappointed.”

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“For All Mankind is one of my favorite sci-fi shows that I’ve ever seen and that’s not hyperbole. I really can’t get over how much I loved this show,” someone else agreed.

While a final fan made a bold claim: “Best damn show currently airing.

“Season one was good, it was a good setup. But then from season two onwards, show exploded in quality. I just want more. We all need more of this. Everyone needs to watch this!”

Apple subscribers, make sure For All Mankind is at the very top of your watchlist if it’s not already on your radar before the new spin-off starts in just a few months’ time.

Star City premieres Friday, 29th May on Apple TV.

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Matt Weston produced a stunning run to make more history in Cortina as he became the first Briton to win two gold medals at a Winter Olympics with a thrilling victory in the mixed team skeleton event alongside Tabitha Stoecker.

Stoecker had given Weston a tough task with her run of 1:00.77, 0.30 seconds off the pace of the Germans with the British pair, ranked top seeds, the last to run.

But Weston, who stormed to gold on Friday – Team GB’s first medal at the Games – showed why he is the best skeleton racer in the world with a sublime 58.59secs run to clinch his second triumph of the Games.

It is the first time Great Britain have won three gold medals at a single Winter Olympics after Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale won snowboard cross mixed team gold earlier on Sunday.

A second British team, Marcus Wyatt and Freya Tarbit, missed out on a medal by an agonising 0.01secs as the two German teams of Christopher Grotheer and Jacqueline Pfeifer and Axel Jungk and Susanne Kreher took silver and bronze, respectively.

The Netflix period drama is based on a beloved classic Gothic novel of the same name.

Enthusiasts of period dramas might be missing out on a Netflix treasure that’s adapted from one of literature’s most cherished classics.

This thriller, praised as “gripping from beginning to end”, features a beloved Downton Abbey star alongside a celebrated actress from Slow Horses.

Rebecca, which debuted on Netflix in 2020, draws from Daphne Du Maurier’s renowned thriller bearing the same title.

The 1938 Gothic masterpiece remains a timeless favourite due to its compelling themes and jaw-dropping plot twists, proving the tale continues to mesmerise audiences nearly a century on.

This bestselling novel has seen numerous adaptations throughout the decades, with Alfred Hitchcock’s Rebecca claiming the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1940.

The latest interpretation comes from director Ben Wheatley’s Netflix production, showcasing performances from Call me by Your Name’s Armie Hammer, Lily James and Kristin Scott Thomas.

James gained recognition portraying Rose in Downton Abbey, Young Donna in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again and Pamela Anderson in Pam and Tommy.

Meanwhile, British theatrical icon Kristin Scott Thomas is renowned for her roles as Diana Taverner in Slow Horses, Fiona in Four Weddings and a Funeral and Sylvia McCordle in Gosford Park.

The IMDb synopsis for Rebecca states: “A young newlywed arrives at her husband’s imposing family estate on a windswept English coast and finds herself battling the shadow of his first wife, Rebecca, whose legacy lives on in the house long after her death.”

Rebecca holds a disappointing 37% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, though based on viewer feedback, many believe the film deserves far greater recognition, reports the Express.

Enthusiasts flocked to the comments section to voice their opinions, with one declaring: “This movie gripped me from beginning to end. I couldn’t look away, and I didn’t see anything coming. You think you know what the movie is about, then there is a twist, and the whole thing takes a left turn you didn’t see coming.”

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Another viewer exclaimed: “ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! ! !” before adding: “Nothing can touch the original masterpiece however this film, in many ways, is faithful Du Mauriers cunning flip of stereotypes.”

A third fan wrote: “Loved the thrill, love story, period views, so well made I would watch it again,” whilst another concurred: “Loved the book and this version of it in film. Have watched I many times. Great cast and acting.”

Additional supporters praised how the timeless novel had been transformed for Netflix, with one suggesting: “If you’ve read Rebecca and it’s a beloved novel to you, this movie is amazing. A great rendition.”

Another viewer expressed bafflement at the film’s critical mauling, writing: “I don’t understand all the bad reviews for Rebecca. I loved the new adaptation. I especially loved the costumes and filming locations. Lily James does a wonderful job.”

One supporter declared: “Excellent twist on a classic thriller! I am not sure why this doesn’t have better reviews but it is well worth your time,” whilst another concurred: “This movie is a stunningly faithful adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s classic novel.”

A further enthusiast gushed: “What a ride! ! ! This genre bending thriller will take you on the wildest roller coaster of your life. The next time someone asks me what my favorite movie is, I’m saying Rebecca.”

They added: “This movie surpassed my every expectation. Here I was, sitting on the couch expecting some lame romance but nope! ! I am going to pass this movie down through generations of my family.”

Yet not everyone shared the enthusiasm, with one viewer noting: “Bland to the point of boring.”

Another complained: “What was an interesting, suspenseful book with hints of psychological thriller in it became a vapid, rushed, and bland movie that sapped two hours of my life. If you like your movies to stick to the plot of your books, avoid this.”

A third grumbled: “As much as I love the actors and actresses in this movie, nothing about it really had me enjoying the film. The clichés were handed out like appetizers and the plot of the film was all over the place. Wasn’t a fan.”

Nevertheless, considering all the glowing feedback from fans despite the film’s disappointing Rotten Tomatoes rating, Rebecca might well be regarded as an undervalued gem.

Rebecca is available to stream now on Netflix.

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Watch Elena Rybakina inflict further Grand Slam final heartbreak on world number one Aryna Sabalenka with a dramatic third-set fightback to win her first Australian Open title.

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