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Former Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat breaks down why he feels the modern era of the sci-fi series has seen many of its companions face tragic but definitive endings. The writer first joined production on the television series with season 1 of the revival, and would take over from initial showrunner Russell T Davies in helming the show in 2010 until 2017. Moffat returned to writing for Doctor Who upon Davies returning to the role of showrunner, penning "Boom" for Doctor Who season 14 and the 2024 Christmas special "Joy to the World".

With another Moffat-penned Doctor Who adventure concluding with a bittersweet self-sacrifice from Nicola Coughlan's Joy, RadioTimes reports that the writer explained why so many companions face a tragic fate in the series. According to Moffat, he and Davies felt that they should offer a definitive reason to explain why anyone would decide to leave the Tardis:

In general terms, in the modern show we've always,...

Warning: spoilers ahead for Doctor Who's "Joy to the World."

Ruby Sunday's brief return to Doctor Who gives an idea of what the future has in store for Millie Gibson's character. Debuting in 2023's Christmas special, "The Church on Ruby Road," Ruby Sunday served as the sole companion opposite Ncuti Gatwa's Fifteenth Doctor throughout Doctor Who season 14. Given how much mystery was woven around the identity of Ruby Sunday's mother, Doctor Who looked deeply invested in its new companion, but surprise reports later claimed Gibson would be replaced by Varada Sethu for Doctor Who season 15.

Sure enough, Doctor Who season 14 ended with Ruby exiting the Tardis after reuniting with her long-lost mother. 2024's Christmas special, "Joy to the World," finds the Fifteenth Doctor operating alone, solemnly preoccupied with thoughts of Ruby - making two drinks instead of one, staring longingly at the telephone, etc. - throughout the episode.

Exclusive: ColorCreative, the talent management company founded by Issa Rae, Deniese Davis, and Talitha Watkins, has welcomed Ana Bedayo to the team. In her new role as talent manager, Bedayo will continue to pursue acclaimed talent and advance ColorCreative’s mission to elevate impactful and inclusive storytelling.

Stated ColorCreative’s President, Watkins, “Ana is an absolute powerhouse with an instinct for spotting standout talent and a true passion for nurturing their growth. We’re thrilled to welcome her to our team and look forward to the impact she’ll make as we continue to expand our roster.”

Previously a manager at Stride, Bedayo brings with her an impressive, internationally-oriented client roster including a range of notable talents across film, television, and theater. Representing actors like Yura Borisov and Mark Eydelshteyn — both of whom appear in Sean Baker’s awards contender Anora — she also works with Baker’s longtime collaborator, Karren Karagulian,...

The cast of The Diplomat continues to shine in the Netflix political dramas sophomore season, with their compelling performances making the journey to make sense of the chaos brought forth by The Diplomat season 1s cliffhanger finale extraordinary. If The Diplomat season 1 began with Kate Wyler begrudgingly taking over the position of US ambassador to the UK, unaware of Hal and Billies plans to use that posting as a trial run to see if Kate could be vice-president material, The Diplomat season 2 is set to have a different tone. Indeed, Kates priorities greatly changed after season 1s finale.

With the car bomb of season 1s finale endangering three characters, The Diplomat season 2 has many knots to untangle, having yet to reveal the culprits behind the attack on Hms Courageous. This continued to make the core six characters at the center of The Diplomat season 1 just as fundamental in season 2, even...

Post-2005 Doctor Who main TV-show companions. That’s the first qualifier to add to the following list. For now at least, we’re celebrating only the Nu-Who main companions who had their own proper stint travelling in the Tardis, or any of the many wonderful actors who preceded them in the classic era.

Now that the rationale has been set out, join us to round up some of the best after-Who roles from the likes of Billie Piper, Freema Agyeman, Catherine Tate, Karen Gillan, Arthur Darvill, Jenna Coleman, Pearl Mackie, Mandip Gill and Tosin Cole. It’s too early to add Millie Gibson to this gang but look out for her in rebooted period drama The Forsyte Saga when it arrives.

Billie Piper – Suzie in I Hate Suzie (2020)

Thanks to her teen pop career and personal life, Billie Piper was already a famous name in the UK before she played Rose Tyler,...

Steven Moffat is one of the most divisive names in the "Doctor Who" fandom. First he was the beloved writer who gave us one amazing story per season. Then he was given the reins of the show in 2010 and the audience's good will started to slip away. By season 7 he'd gotten a reputation as a guy whose storylines were too complicated for their own good, and as a showrunner who was sort of bad at writing realistic, three-dimensional characters who weren't named the Doctor. Particular scrutiny was given to how he wrote women; we loved River Song when she was introduced in season 4, but by the end of Eleven's run it felt like most of his female characters were just River Song variants. Moffat loves himself an aggressively badass woman who never stops flirting, but fans themselves grew tired of it.

The good news is that the Peter Capaldi era...

Peter Capaldi reflects on his time as the Doctor, highlighting the pressures of representing the entire Doctor Who brand and embodying a positive portrayal of the character. Capaldi's portrayal of the Twelfth Doctor was complex, with the character questioning his morality and facing difficult choices throughout his tenure. The role of the Doctor comes with the responsibility of being an ambassador for the show and impacting viewers in a unique and meaningful way.

Peter Capaldi looks back on his time in Doctor Who, revealing the pressures, perspectives, and duties that portraying the Doctor brought for him. The actor took on the role of the Twelfth incarnation of the Time Lord in the 2013 seasonal special, "The Time of the Doctor", following a surprising small cameo in the 50th anniversary speciaL, "The Day of the Doctor". Capaldi would lead Doctor Who from 2014 to 2017 across three full seasons and a number of specials,...

Peter Capaldi enjoyed Doctor Who's 60th-anniversary episodes, praising the storyline, and performances of David Tennant and Catherine Tate, and expressing excitement for Ncuti Gatwa's new era. The specials included nods to Capaldi's era, mentioning his incarnation as the Twelfth Doctor and referencing his companions in a significant moment with the Toymaker. Despite not returning to the show, Capaldi still appreciates Doctor Who as a creative and longtime fan.

Twelfth Doctor actor Peter Capaldi opens up about his thoughts on the David Tennant-led Doctor Who 60th-anniversary specials, giving his honest reactions and thoughts on Ncuti Gatwa's upcoming adventures. The actor was announced as the Twelfth incarnation of the Doctor in 2013 through a special live show, and would make a brief appearance in the show's 50th-anniversary special "The Day of the Doctor" before making his full debut in 2013's seasonal special "The Time of the Doctor". After three seasons in the Tardis,...

Jamie Dornan is one of several British stars who showed up to support Choose Love this week!

The 41-year-old actor was joined by celebs like Olivia Colman and Lily James while attending the launch of the charity’s pop-up shop for Help Refugees on Wednesday (November 22) on Carnaby Street in London, England.

Also in attendance were Saltburn actor Archie Madekwe, as well as Pearl Mackie, Dawn O’Porter, and Dermot O’Leary.

Choose Love does “whatever it takes to provide refugees and displaced people with everything from lifesaving search and rescue boats to food and legal advice.”

At the shop, you can purchase “essential and life-saving supplies from warm clothing to hot meals to mental health care support, for displaced people who need them.” The shop is open until December 24.

The Tenth Doctor's explosive regeneration contradicted established Doctor Who lore, but there were reasons for its violence and destructiveness. The Tenth Doctor's resistance to change and desire not to regenerate contributed to the explosive outburst, although the Twelfth Doctor's similar resistance had a less destructive effect. The Tenth Doctor's delay in regeneration and his visits to all his previous companions contributed to the explosive change, providing a more compelling reason than the radiation he absorbed.

David Tennant's Tenth Doctor regeneration was an incredibly violent and destructive event, which contradicted what had already been established in Doctor Who. The Tenth Doctor's regeneration into the Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith) was so explosive that it completely wrecked the Tardis console room. Although it seemed bizarre that Time Lord TARDISes weren't built to withstand regeneration energy, there were various in-story and behind-the-scenes explanations for why the Tenth Doctor's regeneration was so violent and explosive.

Peter Capaldi's Twelfth Doctor had similar endings for both Clara Oswald and Bill Potts, with ethereal females saving them despite the Doctor's failure to do the same. Bill's ending works better than Clara's, as there is no moral conflict in saving her, and it ties her story back to her very first episode.

Peter Capaldi's Twelfth Doctor traveled with Clara Oswald and Bill Potts as his main Doctor Who companions, but Steven Moffat recycled the same ending for both characters. Although the connection between Clara and the Twelfth Doctor was strained initially, the pair soon developed one of the closest Doctor and companion friendships in Doctor Who history. After losing Clara, Capaldi next teamed-up with Bill Potts, who rode in the Tardis until Twelve's regeneration.

Doctor Who companion exits are always emotional affairs, but have become particularly upsetting during the modern era. Whereas classic companions would often leave the Doctor willingly,...

Ncuti Gatwa's big roles in Barbie and Sex Education can avoid a mistake that hampered the first season of Peter Capaldi's Doctor Who era. Best known for his role as Eric Effiong in Sex Education, Ncuti Gatwa is due to succeed David Tennant as the Fifteenth Doctor during Doctor Who's 60th anniversary specials. Due to the immense popularity of the Netflix show, Ncuti Gatwa's casting in Doctor Who has given the show a higher profile than it's had in the past few years. That interest in Gatwa's Doctor Who era will only get stronger in the upcoming months, as he appears as Ken in summer blockbuster Barbie ahead of him inheriting the Tardis keys in November.

The last time that an incoming Doctor's reputation preceded them similarly to Ncuti Gatwa was when Peter Capaldi was cast as the Twelfth Doctor. Capaldi is a beloved British character actor...

This article contains some potential spoiler details from the novel Tom Jones and its TV adaptation.

Tom Jones, Masterpiece PBS’s latest period drama miniseries team-up with historical storytelling powerhouse Mammoth Screen and U.K. network Itvx, is a romantic comedy blended in with sharp commentary on class and morality in mid-18th century Britain. The show is the first television adaptation of the classic novel of the same name by Henry Fielding.

Fielding’s novel tells the story of Tom (Solly McCleod), an illegitimate child of a maid who was adopted by Squire Allworthy (James Fleet). He grows up among the gentry but is constantly reminded of his frowned-upon low origins. Tom also ends up befriending some of the working-class residents nearby as well. His childhood friend Blifil (James Wilbraham) is set to inherit a large estate but eventually, he becomes Tom’s rival as his parents arrange to...

Henry Fielding’s “Tom Jones” is coming to the small screen! The 1749 novel has been reimagined into a new PBS Masterpiece mini-series, retold in a total of four episodes. It stars Solly McLeod as Tom Jones, Sophie Wilde as Sophia Western, and Hannah Waddingham as Lady Bellaston. The first episode airs on Sunday, April 30 at 9 p.m. Et on PBS with new episodes premiering weekly. You can watch Tom Jones and PBS with a subscription to YouTube TV.

How to Watch ‘Tom Jones’ Premiere When: Sunday, April 30, 2023 at 9:00 Pm Edt TV: PBS Stream: Watch with a subscription to YouTube TV. Sign Up$72.99 / month tv.youtube.com About ‘Tom Jones’ Premiere

Set in mid-18th-century England, this reimagined version of “Tom Jones” is a fresh romantic comedy based on the classic tale. It follows the titular character as he falls in love with an heiress named Sophia. There’s a class difference between the two,...

The Diplomat is a series created by Debora Cahn starring Keri Russell.

The Diplomat is one of those series that know how to diligently go unnoticed and, without making too much noise, give a fine serious entertainment in a political intrigue that, although it could have been better with more tension and grip, dares to bet it all and gives a chance to this good actress who is Keri Russell.

About the Series

The Diplomat has everything, in the right measure and well managed. In small doses, yes: it is a good political intrigue with well profiled characters in a story with a coherent script. It knows how to develop in terms of story and achieve balance in the eight chapters.

The problem: its exquisite and outstanding precedents. It has neither the grace of some nor the intensity of others and, with these political intrigues, it is easy for the...

Carole Ann Ford has stated a desire to return to Doctor Who as the Doctor's granddaughter, Susan making it harder to avoid her return. Since as far back as David Tennant's final story "The End of Time", Doctor Who fans have speculated that Susan is primed to make a surprise comeback. Many fans believed that The Woman (Claire Bloom), who appeared to Wilfred Mott (Bernard Cribbins) in the church at the start of "The End of Time" would be revealed as a regenerated Susan by the end of the episode. Russell T Davies later stated in his book The Writer's Tale that this was never the intention, and that The Woman was the Doctor's mother.

When Peter Capaldi was the Doctor, he spoke of his desire to revisit Susan in Doctor Who, leading to speculation that Carole Ann Ford would join David Bradley's First Doctor in the 2017 Christmas...

As part of its Tuesday panel at the Television Critics Association 2023 winter press tour, Masterpiece has announced two new projects including a biographical series about Noele “Nolly” Gordon starring Helena Bonham Carter and “Moonflower Murders,” the follow up project to “Magpie Murders,” are in the works for the network.

“Nolly” tells the story of the British soap opera legend whose unceremonious firing from her hit show at the height of her career was front-page news. As one of the most famous faces on British TV in the 1960s and ’70s, Gordon is described as a woman who refused to play by the rules and ultimately transformed into a forgotten icon after the industry turned on her. Carter will star in the titular role.

“Doctor Who” showrunner Russell T. Davies penned the script. “Nolly” marks the first production from Nicola Shindler’s new production company Quay Street Productions, which is part of ITV Studios.

PBS will bring back six series and premiere two period dramas in 2023, which includes the debut of Tom Jones on Masterpiece that’s based on the 1749 novel The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling.

“PBS continues to bring dramas that appeal to the entire family, from mysteries like Miss Scarlet and the Duke on Masterpiece and Vienna Blood to coming-of-age stories like Sanditon on Masterpiece and La Otra Mirada. This season’s lineup of period dramas is our most extensive to date, with hours of captivating storytelling from January to May,” says Maria Bruno Ruiz, Vice President Program Scheduling at PBS. “Not only do we have returning seasons of our most anticipated dramas, but we also have two new premieres that audiences are sure to fall in love with: Tom Jones on Masterpiece and Marie Antoinette. Both bring incredible new talent to PBS. I can’t wait for audiences to watch!

Doctor Who's most recent episode "The Power of the Doctor" continues the show's tradition of change, with not just the Doctor changing, but with companion exits as well. Some eras have more companions than others, with some companions even staying on across new Doctors. "The Power of the Doctor," while Jodie Whittaker's final episode, also saw both John Bishop's Dan and Mandip Gill's Yaz leaving the Tardis fam.

Some exits have more impact than others. A lot are played to try and get an emotional reaction from the audience, while others are more understated and quieter for the characters. Below is a list of all full-time companion exits in the modern show (so the likes of Captain Jack and Mickey aren't part of this list), ranked worst to best.

Related: Doctor Who Provides New Clues For How David Tennant Returned

Dan

John Bishop is one of...

Yasmin Finney, who will be portraying the new Doctor Who companion Rose, teases very inclusive upcoming episodes for the series. Finney is a 19-year-old English actress, best known for her role as Elle Argent in Netflix's coming-of-age romantic-comedy series Heartstopper. She was officially cast in Doctor Who as a new companion this past May, portraying a woman named Rose, who serves as a companion to Ncuti Gatwa's Fifteenth Doctor. She will make her debut in the Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Special, which is slated to premiere in November 2023.

Rose is a familiar name to Doctor Who viewers, as Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) was the first companion of Christopher Eccleston's Ninth Doctor, the first for the show's modern era as the series that initially premiered in 1963 received a reboot in 2005. Many wondered if Finney's character was somehow the same Rose viewers were familiar with, though some have speculated...

Kim Cattrall has a Glamorous new role at Netflix: The Sex and the City vet has joined the aforementioned CW pilot-turned-Netflix drama, our sister site Variety reports.

The series follows Marco Mejia (played by Miss Benny, Fuller House), “a young gender non-conforming queer man whose life seems to be stuck in place until he lands a job working for legendary makeup mogul Madolyn Addison (Cattrall),” per the official synopsis. “It’s Marco’s first chance to figure out what he wants out of life, who he actually is, and what it really means for him to be queer.” Jordon Nardino (Star Trek: Discovery,...

The cast of the upcoming Netflix political thriller The Diplomat continues to expand as Pearl Mackie (Doctor Who) and Jess Chanliau (Brave New World) have joined the Keri Russell-starring series. As first reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Mackie and Chanliau will star in the eight-part drama in recurring roles. They join the previously announced Rufus Sewell (Old), Miguel Sandoval (Station 19), Nana Mensah (The Chair), Michael McKean (Better Call Saul), Celia Imrie (Better Things), Ali Ahn (The Other Two), Rory Kinnear (Years and Years), David Gyasi (Cloud Atlas), Ato Essandoh (Altered Carbon), and Penny Downie (Back). Created by Debora Cahn (Homeland), the series follows Kate Wyler (Russell), a career diplomat who lands a high-profile job amid an international crisis. Unfortunately, Wyler is unsuited for her new role and quickly finds that her position has severe implications for her marriage and political future. Production is now underway in the U.K.

Click here to read the full article.

The ensemble cast for The Diplomat, Netflix’s upcoming political thriller now shooting in the U.K. and starring Keri Russell in her first leading TV role since The Americans, has expanded even further.

Pearl Mackie, who rose to fame playing Bill Potts in Doctor Who and has since been seen in Greed and The Long Call, and Jess Chanliau, who appeared in the 2020 zombie thriller Inmate Zero and Peacock’s Brave New World TV adaptation, have both been added to the eight-part series in recurring roles, The Hollywood Reporter can reveal.

The two join a cast that already includes Rufus Sewell, Ali Ahn, David Gyasi, Ato Essandoh, Rory Kinnear, Miguel Sandoval, Nana Mensah, Michael McKean, Celia Imrie and Penny Downie.

Created by Debora Cahn (Homeland, Grey’s Anatomy), the series is set in the midst of an international crisis, with Russell playing Kate Wyler,...

“The Real Charlie Chaplin” is an alluring title for a documentary about the man who was arguably the greatest comic artist in the history of the planet. (I could be wrong in that assessment; I wasn’t around in 1230 or 5600 B.C. But I’ll stand by it.) The title suggests that we’re going to get an unvarnished look at the man behind the curtain — the brilliant and complicated human being that Charlie Chaplin was, a charmer and a scoundrel, a sweetheart and a monster, not to mention a celebrity of scandalous appetites. All of that is covered, quite ingeniously, in “The Real Charlie Chaplin.”

Yet the documentary doesn’t shy away from immersing us in Chaplin’s artistry, a subject that has, of course, been covered once or twice before. We learn a lot about his films and how, exactly, he put them together. And the trick of...

As directed by Peter Middleton and James Spinney, The Real Charlie Chaplin attempts a delicate dance, quite ambitiously trying to understand both Chaplin the genius filmmaker and his iconic character the Tramp. “Enjoy any Charlie Chaplin you have the good luck to encounter, but don’t try to link them up to anything you can grasp,” observed writer Max Eastman. A title card with the above text opens the film, offering a direct warning: as much as one can know Chaplin, one never really will. Given access to an incredible amount of archival footage from the legend’s estate, Middleton and Spinney do their damndest to confront the man from every angle. And though they don’t succeed, perhaps that’s the point?

Pearl Mackie does sharp work as the narrator, guiding the viewer through Chaplin’s downtrodden childhood in London, to his signing with Fred Karno and move to America,...

The Critics Choice Association awarded “Summer of Soul” the top prize at the sixth annual Critics Choice Documentary Awards, which honors the best achievements in nonfiction released in theaters, on TV, or on major digital platforms. Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s look at the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival took home the most awards of any film, with five in total.

This year’s nominees were led by “Ascension” and “Summer of Soul,” two films by first-time documentarians. Each had six nominations. But “Ascension,” Jessica Kingdon’s look at the pursuit of the Chinese dream, failed to score any prizes November 14.

“Summer of Soul,” which won the top documentary prize and an Audience Award following its Sundance premiere earlier this year, won five of the six awards it was nominated for at the critics awards: Best Documentary Feature, Best First Documentary Feature, Best Editing, Best Archival Documentary, and Best Director, a prize Thompson...

Release

Kenneth Branagh‘s “Belfast” and the late Roger Michell‘s “The Duke” will release theatrically in the U.K. on Jan. 21 and Feb. 25, 2022 respectively.

Featuring an ensemble cast, “Belfast” is an autobiographical story set in late 1960s Northern Ireland. It follows Buddy, a young boy on the cusp of adolescence, whose life is filled with familial love, childhood hijinks, and a blossoming romance. Yet, with his beloved hometown caught up in increasing turmoil, his family faces a momentous choice: hope the conflict will pass or leave everything they know behind for a new life.

The film won the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival and is an odds on favorite at the upcoming awards season.

Universal is giving “Belfast” a wide release of more than 300 screens.

Meanwhile, Pathe is also planning a wide release with more than 300 screens for “The Duke.” The film bowed at...

Hannah Waddingham, Emmy winner for Apple TV Plus series “Ted Lasso,” is joining leads Solly McLeod and Sophie Wilde in the cast of Masterpiece and U.K. broadcaster ITV’s literary classic adaptation, “Tom Jones.”

Waddingham has been cast as the seductive and vengeful Lady Bellaston in the miniseries, which is currently filming in Northern Ireland.

Based on Henry Fielding’s classic 1749 novel “The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling,” the series follows the romantic and chivalrous adventures of adopted Tom Jones in 18th-century England.

McLeod (“The Rising”) plays the hero Tom, alongside Wilde (“You Don’t Know Me”) as the heroine Sophia Western. The cast also includes Pearl Mackie (“Doctor Who”) James Fleet (“Bridgerton”), Alun Armstrong (“Breeders”), Olivier winner Shirley Henderson (“Happy Valley”), Tamzin Merchant (“Carnival Row”), Julian Rhind-Tutt (“Britannia”), Susannah Fielding (“This Time With Alan Partridge”), BAFTA-winner Daniel Rigby (“Black Mirror”), James Wilbraham (“In My Skin”), Felicity Montagu (“The Durrells...

"The Real Charlie Chaplin" is a new feature-length doc, directed by Peter Middleton and James Spinney, with narration by Pearl Mackie, premiering December 11, 2021 on Showtime:

"...the new film is a kaleidoscopic portrait of a man who became an immortal legend, whose life was as extraordinary as his art, blending dramatic reconstructions with never-before-heard recordings...

"...intimate home movies, behind-the-scenes material, and newly restored classic films to reveal a side of the worldwide icon that - until now - has been shrouded in mystery. 

"Tracing back a century ago - when Chaplin first stepped onto the screen - the film recounts his meteoric rise from the slums of Victorian London to the heights of Hollywood superstardom..."

Click the images to enlarge...

The Critics Choice Association has announced nominees for the sixth annual Critics Choice Documentary Awards.

The awards cover documentaries released in theaters, on TV and on major digital platforms. The awards gala takes place Nov. 14 in Brooklyn, N.Y.

“Ascension” and “Summer of Soul, both from first-time documentarians, led the nominations with six each. “Becoming Cousteau” and “The Rescue” both received five nods each.

“This has been and continues to be a fantastic year for documentary storytelling. And the number of first-time feature documentarians in the mix of nominees, alongside proven veterans, shows that nonfiction cinema continues to have a very bright future,” said Christopher Campbell, President of the Critics Choice Association Documentary Branch. “Our world, from its most amazing wonders to its greatest challenges, is being reflected back on the screen so immediately and creatively by today’s filmmakers, and it’s a tremendous honor for us to recognize all of their achievements.

The Critics Choice Association (Cca) has announced the nominees for the sixth annual Critics Choice Documentary Awards (Ccda). This year’s winners will be revealed at a gala on Sunday, November 14, 2021, in Brooklyn, NY. The awards honor the best achievements in nonfiction released in theaters, on TV, or on major digital platforms.

Both films by first-time documentarians, “Ascension” and “Summer of Soul” lead this year’s nominations with six each. “Ascension,” a look at the Chinese dream across social classes, is also up for Documentary Feature, Director (Jessica Kingdon), First Feature, Cinematography, Editing, and Score. Meanwhile, “Summer of Soul” is up for Documentary Feature, Best Director (Ahmir “Questlove’ Thompson), First Documentary, Editing, Archival Documentary, and Music Documentary.

“Becoming Cousteau” and “The Rescue” also picked up five nominations each.

Last year, “Dick Johnson Is Dead” took home the Cca’s top award for Best Documentary as well as the Best Director award for Kirsten Johnson.

Switzerland became Charlie Chaplin’s home after he was hounded out of the U.S. in 1952, so it’s perhaps fitting that the Zurich Film Festival hosted the European premiere of feature documentary “The Real Charlie Chaplin.”

Playing in the festival’s documentary competition section, “The Real Charlie Chaplin” is an innovative montage of film clips, behind-the-scenes footage, newly-unearthed audio recordings, dramatic reconstructions and personal archive about cinema’s first and arguably greatest icon – tracing his meteoric rise from the slums of Victorian London to Hollywood stardom and eventual banishment.

The darker side of Chaplin’s life is explored too, from the treatment of his ex-wives (his second wife Lita Grey was just 15 when their relationship began) to his eccentric working methods.

The film is directed by Peter Middleton and James Spinney, whose acclaimed 2016 debut feature doc “Notes on Blindness” won the British Independent Film Award for Best Documentary Film.

Emmy winner Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso) has joined Solly McLeod and Sophie Wilde in the cast of Tom Jones, a miniseries reimagining of Henry Fielding’s classic novel The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling, for PBS’ Masterpiece, Mammoth Screen (Poldark) and ITV.

First published in 1749, Tom Jones is the scandalous tale of a young man’s attempt to find a place in the world. It is widely regarded as a British classic and has been adapted previously, most notably in the 1963 feature film version starring Albert Finney as the titular character.

Waddingham will play the seductive and vengeful Lady Bellaston.

She joins McLeod as the hero Tom, Wilde as the heroine Sophia Western and Pearl Mackie as Sophia’s trusted maid, Honour.

Cast also includes James Fleet, Alun Armstrong, Shirley Henderson, Tamzin Merchant, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Susannah Fielding, Daniel Rigby, James Wilbraham, Felicity Montagu, Janine Duvitski Dean Lennox Kelly and Lucy Fallon.

Russell T Davies revived “Doctor Who” in 2005 and helped make the decades-long sci-fi franchise a phenomenon again. He departed the show in 2010 after four seasons and a few specials spanning the ninth (Christopher Eccleston) and 10th (David Tennant) Doctors’ tenures. But now he’s coming back to the show full-time following Chris Chibnall, who’s stepping down from the show after its upcoming 13th season and three subsequent specials to air in 2022. But what can we expect from Davies’s return to the show? Well, I have a few suggestions.

1. Keep diversity at the forefront

The time-traveling Time Lord at the heart of the show changes form to accommodate new actors, showrunners, and storylines, but it took more than five decades for the Doctor to be anything other than a white man. Jodie Whittaker broke that glass ceiling when she assumed the role in 2018. But Whittaker is leaving the show...

Pearl Mackie, best known for her role as Doctor Who companion Bill Potts, is set to star in the upcoming four-part miniseries reimagining of Henry Fielding’s classic novel The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling. Originally published in 1749, the story follows the complicated and scandalous journey of the titular Tom Jones and his attempt to find real love. Gwyneth Hughes (Vanity Fair) will write the new TV adaptation, with Georgia Parris (Mari) serving as director and Benjamin Greenacre (Fortitude) producing. Mackie joins the previously announced Solly McLeod (The Rising), who stars as the eponymous hero Tom, and Sophie Wilde (You Don’t Know Me), who portrays the heroine Sophia Western. Mackie will play Sophia’s best friend. The project is a collaboration between Mammoth Screen (the production company behind Poldark), British broadcaster ITV, and PBS’ Masterpiece, the former home of ITV’s popular period drama Downton Abbey. It is expected...

Exclusive: Doctor Who star Pearl Mackie is joining Solly McLeod (The Rising) and Sophie Wilde (You Don’t Know Me) in the cast of Tom Jones, the four-part period TV series reimagining Henry Fielding’s classic novel The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling.

The project heralds from Mammoth Screen (Poldark), PBS’ Masterpiece and ITV. Masterpiece was previously the U.S. home of ITV’s hit period show Downton Abbey.

First published in 1749, Tom Jones is the scandalous tale of a young man’s attempt to find a place in the world. It is widely regarded as a British classic and has been adapted previously, most notably in the 1963 feature film version starring Albert Finney as the titular character.

Gwyneth Hughes (Vanity Fair) wrote the series. Georgia Parris (Mari) is directing, Benjamin Greenacre is producing. Executive producers are James Gandhi, Gwyneth Hughes, Damien Timmer and Helen Ziegler for Mammoth Screen,...

“Icon” is the most overused word in film journalism, but there’s no other word to use when describing Charlie Chaplin. So famous that he all but created the idea of the movie star, he was the first person ever to conquer the entire world with simply a mass-produced image of himself — as his creation, the Little Tramp. See that bowler hat, those charcoal-lined eyes, that too-tight coat, baggy points, wobbly cane, and toothbrush mustache, and you know you’re seeing Charlie Chaplin. You may have never seen a Mickey Mouse cartoon all the way through, but you know Mickey Mouse. You may have never seen a Chaplin film either, and yet you’ll know Charlie Chaplin when you see him. There are many contrasting artistic renderings of Jesus. There is only one singular image of the Little Tramp.

From the title of their new documentary, you may think Peter Middleton...

Horizon Line Trailer — Mikael Marcimain‘s Horizon Line (2020) movie trailer has been released by STXfilms and stars Allison Williams, Alexander Dreymon, Pearl Mackie, Amanda Khan, Keith David, Danny Bhowaneedin, Jean Philippe Gorapah, Privilege Magezi, Jumayn Hunter, Lamin Tamba, Anouchka Massoudy, and Kate Shepard. Crew Josh Campbell and Matthew Stuecken wrote the screenplay for [...]

Continue reading: Horizon Line (2020) Movie Trailer: Allison Williams & Alexander Dreymon are in a Plane With Means of Landing...

One of the greatest tragedies of Doctor Who season 10 — aside from being our last season with Peter Capaldi and for the alarmingly sad endings for our core characters — is that we only got one season with the Tardis dream team that was Capaldi, Pearl Mackie, and Matt Lucas. Together, that trio was one of the most underrated ensembles […]

The post ‘Doctor Who’ Minisode Brings Back Bill Potts to Inform Aliens That Black Lives Matter appeared first on /Film.

HBO Max has launched today, featuring acres of new content for subscribers to enjoy. Obviously, it’s mostly Warner Bros. properties that are available for streaming, but the studio has also managed to lock down a few other lucrative titles from elsewhere. One of those is Doctor Who, with all 12 seasons of the modern series of the BBC sci-fi institution up on the site to watch at your leisure.

If you’re a Who newbie, though, you may need some guidance on how best to approach the show. With five different leading actors across the past 15 years, Doctor Who can be intimidating to the fresh viewer. Here’s a handy guide then to every season of 21st century Who so far, highlighting the stars of each run and the standout episodes you may wish to look out for.

Season 1 (2005) – Starring Christopher Eccleston (Ninth Doctor), Billie Piper (Rose) and John Barrowman...

Nicole Hill Jan 17, 2020

Doctor Who has increased its commitment to diversity, but the show needs to examine this on more than a surface level.

This article contains major spoilers for the Doctor Who Season 12 premiere.

By many measures, the current era of Doctor Who is more diverse than ever before. Not only does the central team feature two characters of color in the form of Ryan (Tosin Cole) and Yaz (Mandip Gill), but Head Writer Chris Chibnall has brought on the first writers of color in the more than 50-year history of Doctor Who to help shape this story behind-the-scenes. While these are steps in the right direction, Doctor Who is not immune to the current pattern of “progression” in mainstream media: From casting more diversely without thinking about how those diverse identities affect the character and story to killing off characters with marginalized identity in the service of white male character development,...

Sony Pictures has launched the first trailer for Michael Winterbottom satire ‘Greed’ featuring Steve Coogan in the lead.

Related: Greed Lff Premiere Interviews: Steve Coogan, Asa Butterfield, Pearl Mackie & more

Directed by Winterbottom, the film stars Isla Fisher, David Mitchell, Asa Butterfield and Sophie Cookson alongside Coogan.

Also in trailers – Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx star in stirring new trailer for ‘Just Mercy’

The film will be released in cinemas across the UK & Ireland on Friday, 21st February 2020.

Greed Synopsis

Richard McCreadie (Steve Coogan) is the king of the high street. Following a few wobbles with fraud investigations and to prove he’s still on top, he is determined to throw the ultimate celeb-filled 60th birthday bash. Cue a Mediterranean island bedecked with a fake amphitheatre for an ancient Rome-themed bacchanal. But as the guests start arriving – including mother (Shirley Henderson), ex-wife (Isla Fisher), and a daughter who’s...

With Doctor Who, those leaving the show can never rule out a return trip in the Tardis at some point in the future as time travel makes it oh-so-easy for their character to stage a comeback. But what about the Doctor’s last companion before her current group of pals: Bill Potts, as played by Pearl Mackie? Would she be up for another spin in the time vortex?

Mackie spoke to Radio Times recently and was asked this very question. The actress seemed to be open to the idea, but only if the opportunity comes later down the line, as she feels she needs “more time” to move away from the character first.

“I think I need more time, to be honest. I still feel quite close to Bill. I need to miss her before I want to play her again, you know? I think I need to [do that] and find...

As we all know, not all Doctor Who fans loved the recent eleventh season of the show. As Peter Capaldi handed the keys to the Tardis to Jodie Whittaker, so did showrunner Steven Moffat to Chris Chibnall, meaning that the whole ethos of the sci-fi series was revamped. Strangely, considering they love a show that constantly shakes up its cast, Whovians are famously resistant to change and many have rallied against season 11.

Someone who’s wholeheartedly defending Whittaker’s Who though is the former mastermind behind the show. Seen below, Moffat shared a snap of himself with the season 10 crew – that’s Pearl Mackie, Peter Capaldi, Michelle Gomez and Mark Gatiss – on Instagram, remarking that it left him “overwhelmed with nostalgia.” Some saw this as an invitation to drop their criticism of season 11 in the comments, but Moffat was having none of it.

One person wasn’t pulling any punches...

Greed

Michael Winterbottom unites once more with actor Steve Coogan for his latest project, Greed, their first collaboration since the third installment of their Trip franchise with 2016’s The Trip to Spain. Produced by Laine Kline and Luke Scrase of Sony Pictures International Productions, Damian Jones of DJ Films, Melissa Parmenter for Revolution Films, plus Daniel Battsek and Ollie Madden for Film4 (their sixth production with Winterbottom), the film also stars Isla Fisher, David Mitchell, Sophie Cookson, Shirley Henderson, Asa Butterfield, Sarah Solemani, Shanina Shaik, Dinita Gohil, Asim Chaudhry, Pearl Mackie, Jonny Sweet, Ollie Locke, and Stephen Fry in what sounds a bit similar to Paolo Sorrentino’s The Great Beauty (2013).…...

Sony Pictures International Productions and Film4 team on the feature.

Sony Pictures International Productions (Spip) and Film4 have wrapped production on Greed, a satire from Michael Winterbottom starring Steve Coogan, Isla Fisher and David Mitchell.

First images of Coogan in the film have been released. Set in the celebrity-heavy world of luxury fashion, the film follows the build-up to the 60th birthday party of a retail billionaire on the Greek island of Mykonos.

Newly announced cast members include Sophie Cookson, Shirley Henderson, Asa Butterfield, Sarah Solemani, Shanina Shaik, Dinita Gohil, Asim Chaudhry, Pearl Mackie, Jonny Sweet, Ollie Locke and Stephen Fry.

Sony Pictures International Productions and Film4 have wrapped production on Michael Winterbottom (The Killer Inside Me) comedy Greed, starring Steve Coogan, Isla Fisher and David Mitchell.

Also starring are Sophie Cookson, Shirley Henderson, Asa Butterfield, Sarah Solemani, Shanina Shaik, Dinita Gohil, Asim Chaudhry, Pearl Mackie, Jonny Sweet, Ollie Locke and Stephen Fry. Sony has also released some fun first-look images.

The satire, whose lead cast we revealed in September, is co-written by Winterbottom and two-time Emmy Award winner Sean Gray (Veep), and is produced by Melissa Parmenter (The Trip) for Revolution Films and DJ Films’ Damian Jones (Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie).

The film tells the fictional story of a retail billionaire, and is set in the glamorous and celebrity-filled world of luxury fashion, with a build up to a spectacular 60th birthday party in an exclusive hotel on the Greek island of Mykonos. Many believe the film’s subject was...

We’ve just started our journey across time and space with the Thirteenth Doctor and her new best friends but, as is normal with Doctor Who, the present and the future are getting jumbled up already as fans want to know how long this Tardis team will be around for. Fortunately, it looks like Jodie Whittaker is here to stay for the foreseeable future but unfortunately, we can’t be sure of the same for her companions.

Mandip Gill stars as Yaz Khan on the series, alongside Tosin Cole as Ryan Sinclair and Bradley Walsh as Graham O’Brien, and during an appearance on daytime talk show This Morning, Gill was asked about her Doctor Who future. The actress played coy in her response, with her answer hinting that either one, two or all three of the companions could vacate the show at the end of season 11.

“I don’t...

As we await the arrival of the Thirteenth Doctor on our screens, two stars of Doctor Who past have teamed up at a recent convention. This past weekend’s Wizard World in Texas featured former Time Lords David Tennant and Peter Capaldi coming together to meet their fans, giving us the multi-Doctor reunion we all want to see.

As well as being the Tenth and Twelfth Doctors, respectively, there are many other connections between the two actors. For instance, Capaldi made his Doctor Who debut opposite Tennant in 2008’s “Fires of Pompeii,” years before he became the owner of the Tardis himself. They were both massive – and we mean Massive – fans as children, too, with the show at least partially inspiring them to go into acting. As such, it must have been a special day for each of them when they discovered they’d landed their dream job.

You can...

After a behind-the-scenes photo of Grant in his new super-suit leaked out to the public, fans eviscerated his new Flash suit and then proceeded to rip apart his body image.

As a result of the backlash, huge news outlets picked up the story, such as ABC News, CNN, and People Magazine. Tons of support poured from every end to not only highlight the double standard in the body shaming of men and women but to also applaud Gustin’s strength in the face of it.

Like news outlets should, they covered an injustice and highlighted the issues that create and stem from this injustice.

Related: Enjoy Unlimited access to thousands of Movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video

However, an injustice that has gone on for almost a decade that has yet to be recognized stems from the hate and vitriol commonly thrown at actresses that don't receive nearly the same amount of coverage.