Unexpected

The limited series is one to binge-watch this Christmas period

For those seeking a break from traditional festive TV, Netflix is currently streaming a tense crime drama that had viewers hooked from the very first scene.

The Glass Dome (or Glaskupan) originally dropped in April and quickly climbed the streaming giant’s most-watched charts, but it may have slipped under your radar.

Set in a small Swedish community, the six-part show follows criminologist Leijla as she sets out to investigate the vanishing of a local girl, in the same town she was once held captive.

The search brings up difficult feelings for Leijla, who still hasn’t discovered the truth behind her own kidnapping. While it sounds like a simple whodunnit drama, the limited series is packed with plot twists that most viewers won’t see coming.

Swedish actress Léonie Vincent leads the show as accomplished career woman Leijla. Viewers first meet the main character while she is working in the United States, before she receives a concerning phone call begging her to return to Sweden.

She’s joined by fellow Stockholm-born actor Johan Hedenberg as her adoptive father Valter, who is also keen to uncover the truth.

A glowing IMDb review from the time of release said: “From the very beginning, it pulls you in with its intense atmosphere and never lets go.

“The plot is packed with brutal and unexpected twists that hit you when you least expect them, and the tension only escalates with each episode.”

The same fan added: “Just when you think you’ve figured it out, everything changes again. It’s unpredictable, addictive, and full of surprises right up to the final scene. If you enjoy clever, suspenseful storytelling, this series is a hidden gem you shouldn’t miss.”

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Someone else raved: “One of those rare thrillers that hooks you from the very first scene. The storyline is well crafted — just when you think you’ve figured out who’s behind the crime, the plot twists and makes you question everything again.

“It’s a true whodunnit that keeps your brain ticking till the very end.”

While another impressed viewer raved on X, formerly Twitter: “Just binged Glaskupan (The Glass Dome) on Netflix and wow, this Nordic thriller had me on edge! Perfect mix of suspense and mystery, after True Detective, Mind Hunter, The Chestnut Man, This one got me. 7/10, Highly recommend!”

Another X user shared: “Y’all… ‘The Glass Dome’ on Netflix was completely wild to me. I swear I didn’t expect that twist. I did not see that s*** coming,” while a third described it as “mind blowing”.

The Glass Dome is streaming now on Netflix

A SURPRISING contender has entered the ring to take on the iconic role of James Bond, replacing Daniel Craig.

Numerous actors have been tipped to take on the 007 job, from Callum Turner to Henry Cavill. However, racy scenes on a hit TV show have put another name in the spotlight, say bookies.

Anthony Boyle, 31, known for appearing in new Netflix show House of Guinness, has made his way up the list when it comes to the odds.

The actor has been cut to 4-1, from 12-1, by bookmaker Coral to become the next James Bond, after attracting support in the firm’s betting over the last 24 hours.

Coral’s John Hill said: “We have seen significant support for Anthony Boyle in our next James Bond betting over the last 24 hours.

“As we approach the end of 2025, many punters are convinced he could be leading the race to replace Daniel Craig.”

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Anthony is known for portraying Arthur Guinness, a role which saw him go full-frontal nude on-screen.

In the scene, Arthur is seen standing up from a bathtub, completely naked and facing the camera.

And it’s seemingly this role that has put the star in a higher lead for the iconic franchise role.

There has been plenty of whispers over recent years about who will take on the role from Daniel Craig, who stepped into 007’s shoes two decades ago.

Another name spinning through the rumour mill is Idris Elba, who this week teased that there could be truth to the chatter.

The British actor and Hollywood star posted a playful reel on TikTok as he posed with James Bond wax figures at Madame Tussauds.

As the iconic Bond theme played over the top and the camera panned along the line of 007s, the shot finally stopped to show Idris, 53, standing at the end.

Viewers of the video rushed to the comments section to share their excitement, feeling Idris would be a prime pick for replacing Daniel Craig.

“You would be an AMAZING Bond,” said one user. A second exclaimed in all caps: “Do not get me excited for this.”

Saltburn star Jacob Elordi, Spider-Man’s Tom Holland and Babygirl actor Harris Dickinson are all at the top of the wish list too.

Although Jacob is Australian, is does not rule him out – especially as Aussie actor George Lazenby having previously played Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service in 1969.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Henry Cavill have also been heavily rumoured to take on the gig.

Even though Visalia holds the title of being the oldest city in the San Joaquin Valley, it’s more likely a place you’ve passed through on your way to visit General Sherman or the infamous carved Tunnel Log. Many Angelenos don’t even know how to properly pronounce its name.

But Visalia (say it: vai-SAY-lee-uh) — a place long known as “the gateway to the Sequoias” for its proximity to Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks — is becoming a destination in its own right.

The 151-year-old Central Valley city has been working hard to shed its bucolic stereotypes and reinvent itself as a cosmopolitan oasis with hip boutiques, craft breweries and a revamped downtown. Changes started happening about five years ago when the Darling Hotel opened in the bones of the former 1930s Tulare County Courthouse annex. The Art Deco boutique hotel offers chic accommodations, catering to design-savvy travelers. Nowadays, downtown’s East Main Street, which plays host to tchotke-laden antique stores and patio dining, is a vibrant, walkable hub. At First Friday Downtown Art Walks, people can groove to a steady playlist of popular tunes thanks to a speaker system the city installed along the sidewalks. And although its Chinatown has been dismantled for years, many Chinese restaurants and a sizable Asian population remain, along with some of the community’s original Asian-inspired architecture along Main Street.

With farmlands nearby, farmers markets are held not once, but twice a week in Visalia’s downtown area, while local farms offer pick-your-own visits and plenty of restaurants make use of the local and seasonal produce at their disposal (seek out the honey glazed shrimp made with locally grown walnuts at Canton Restaurant as well as the berry pies and fruit preserves at the Vintage Press Restaurante).

Counterculture types will find respite at music and vintage store Velouria Records, cult film fans can catch free and low-cost screenings at the historic Visalia Fox Theater and paranormal-enthusiasts can chase spirits on ghost tours or late-night jaunts to the notoriously haunted Visalia Public Cemetery. There is even an extensive underground tunnel system — once used to operate gambling joints and opium dens — that still exists below downtown. Some people still find their way into them — those who aren’t deterred by massive spiders or trespassing charges, that is.

The city comes together for annual events, such as the twice-yearly downtown Wine Walk, the culinary extravaganza Taste of Visalia or the wintertime tradition Candy Cane Lane Parade, which celebrates its 79th anniversary this month. Also notable: Visalia became the first city in the United States to be designated a Certified Autism Destination in 2022, training at least 80% of its guest and public-facing staff in autism and sensory disorders.

As the city continues shucking its former reputation as a drive-by dot on the map, SoCal residents seeking a weekend escape only a few hours away would do well to take note. There is plenty of natural beauty to be found in the area, and one doesn’t have to drive into the higher elevations of the Southern Sierra Nevada Mountains to get some adventure time in. Rent a boat or a kayak at nearby Lake Kaweah, strap on a helmet and do some whitewater rafting in Three Rivers or wander through preserved wetlands that have been untouched for centuries.

It might not be the first place on your California vacation bucket list, but Visalia is worthy of a visit — and with its rapidly changing cityscape, will likely have more to offer with each passing year.

centre:MK shopping centre in Milton Keynes hosts the UK’s ‘biggest’ indoor Christmas grotto, featuring Santa visits, Peter Rabbit characters, festive rides and magical light displays for families

There’s something rather apt about Milton Keynes, the host of the UK’s ‘largest’ indoor Christmas grotto.

The new town – officially recognised as a city from 2022 – has its fair share of critics, but the reality of MK is that it’s not all as it seems. What initially strikes you as a concrete jungle upon arrival in Central Milton Keynes is actually a lush, vibrant and expansive city teeming with vast green spaces and waterways.

So, those visiting the city’s premier shopping centre – centre:MK, once the longest undercover mall in Europe – might find the location of the Christmas grotto a bit peculiar. But we locals know the real deal – and it’s enchanting.

A visit to the grotto is an absolute must for our little clan. It’s my three-year-old’s third visit, while our youngest is experiencing Christmas for the first time.

He was understandably puzzled by the parade that marches through centre:MK to officially usher in the festive season. But his older brother particularly loved the ‘big people’ – elves on stilts – that accompanied Santa’s sleigh.

This visit was also our eldest’s inaugural encounter with Santa in a grotto setting. And it’s safe to say, he was absolutely thrilled.

Middleton Hall – a spacious, typically open area within the centre – often undergoes transformations depending on the season. In the summer, it morphs into a beachside retreat, for instance.

But come the festive season, it truly comes to life. This year, it has been reimagined as ‘Starlight Square’, where festive sights and sounds can be enjoyed free of charge until January.

There are numerous standalone light displays to marvel at, including a massive mushroom you can stroll through, a charming water fountain with a pair of singing reindeer my son is obsessed with every year, and more Christmas trees than you could possibly count. The centre’s glass walls create an illusion of infinite lights, adding to the enchantment.

Then there are the rides – featuring a rather delightful little train that takes you around some of the illuminated installations. A nostalgic Victorian-style carousel, costing £3 per ride, is a lovely nod to the past, while a VR sleigh ride brings you right back to the present with plenty of family fun for £6 per person.

All these elements combined to create a special, unforgettable day for our family. My Christmas-obsessed toddler thoroughly enjoyed the train ride – which, at £2.50 per person, could have been a bit longer – and the helter skelter will be one to look forward to in the future at £2 per slide or £3 for two slides.

But there’s so much to see and savour while wandering around the lights that it makes it more than worthwhile. That was the recurring theme from our time at Starlight Square.

The main attraction, however, was Santa’s Grotto itself. We were greeted at the entrance by lively elves who really helped make the experience magical for the children.

After being ushered inside a quaint display home, we took our seats to hear tales of missing Christmas gifts from Peter Rabbit’s mother. Shortly afterwards, a secret passageway was unveiled – much to my son’s delight, as he crawled through with great enthusiasm.

Characters from Peter’s tales came alive alongside the elves as we crafted and decorated gingerbread biscuits to present to Santa. As that session concluded, we were graced with a visit from Peter Rabbit himself, who was a delight for all the excited children.

Then came the moment we’d all been eagerly anticipating. After strolling through a brightly illuminated corridor to heighten the suspense, we entered Santa’s Chamber and met Father Christmas himself.

A cosy living room setting greeted us, and Santa was warm and inviting – particularly towards our usually talkative son, who had momentarily become a bit bashful. Once he mustered the courage to wish Merry Christmas and thank Santa for a gift – I won’t ruin the surprise, but it was apt for our experience – we took a photo and headed back to Starlight Square.

Having attended this festive event every year since relocating to MK in 2018, I felt somewhat overqualified to critique it. So instead, I’ll let the sparkle in my son’s eyes narrate the tale.

Some of the prices are a tad high – a family of four would have to shell out £24 just for the virtual sleigh ride, which is hard to justify considering the often long queues. Meeting Santa would set the same family back at least £30, depending on the age of your youngest member.

But, without wanting to sound overly sentimental, it’s easy to be swept up in the festive spirit. Seeing the joy on your little ones’ faces as they explore this enchanting indoor wonderland is nearly priceless.