News

"I can play, and you can sing." Sunrise Films & Vertigo have revealed an official trailer for Bonus Track, a teen romance film out to watch this fall. The film originally premiered at the 2023 London Film Festival last year. It also played at a few other festivals and is actually getting a small theatrical release in the US this October. In 2006, George Bobbin, a 16-year-old who lives in a small English town and dreams of becoming a pop star, meets Max, the son of a famous musical duo. He teams up with this son of a rock star to try and win the school talent show. This musical coming-of-age romantic comedy film is directed by Julia Jackman, and is based on an original story by actor Josh O'Connor. The film stars Joe Anders as George, Samuel Small as Max, with Jack Davenport, Alison Sudal, Ray Panthaki, & Susan Wokoma. Josh O'Connor makes an appearance as well.

Sunrise Films has set a U.S. release date for “Bonus Track,” the feature directorial debut from director Julia Jackman, written by Mike Gilbert, with a story by Josh O’Connor.

The coming-of-age queer rom-com stars Joe Anders (“1917”) and Samuel Small (“So Awkward”), supported by an ensemble cast including Ray Panthaki (“Boiling Point”), Susan Wokoma (“Enola Holmes”), Jack Davenport (“Ten Percent”), Alison Sudol (the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise) and O’Connor (“Challengers”) in a cameo role.

Set in 2006 England, the story follows 16-year-old aspiring musician George (Anders), who befriends Max (Small), the son of a famous musical duo, as they prepare for a year-end talent show. Their friendship evolves in unexpected ways.

“Bonus Track” made its debut at the BFI London Film Festival and was released in the U.K. as a Sky Original film. The film is an Erebus Pictures and Sky production, in association with Lunapark Pictures and Fortune Films[/link]Fortune Films.

Stranger Danger

“Stranger Eyes,” Yeo Siew Hua’s powerful film about surveillance and the surveilled, has been selected as the opening title for the Golden Horse Film Festival in Taiwan. The film, which is structured as a co-production between Singapore and Taiwan, stars Taiwan film icon Lee Kang-sheng alongside Wu Chien-ho, Vera Chen and Anicca Panna.

In ‘Stranger Eyes,’ a young couple begins to receive strange videos after the mysterious disappearance of their baby daughter and realize that someone has been filming their daily life — even their most intimate moments. As the identity of the voyeur and the truth behind the videos are revealed, the family starts to crumble.

The Taiwan screening will represent the film’s Asian premiere and its first public screening after having its world premiere this week in Venice. Yeo’s previous title “A Land Imagined” won two prizes at the Golden Horse Film Awards.

The...

See-Saw Films producer Iain Canning, Barnaby Thompson, producer of Wayne’s World, An Ideal Husband and director of the St Trinian’s films, and Boiling Point actor Ray Panthaki have been elected to Bafta’s film committee.

Canning’s See-Saw credits include The King’s Speech, The Power Of The Dog and Apple TV series Slow Horses.

They have been elected by the Bafta membership, made up of 12,000 creatives from across the screen industries.

Journalist and broadcaster Jason Solomons has been re-elected.

They join chair Anna Higgs and deputy chair Emily Stillman, as well as Anthony Andrews, Julie La’Bassiere,...

BAFTA has added seven new members to its Film, Games, and Television committees.

The new members are Alison Barnett, Iain Canning, Charu Desodt, Alyx Jones, Caroline Levy, Ray Panthaki, and Barnaby Thompson.

The seven newly elected sector committee members are joined today by several re-elected members. Those members are Emma Butt, Des Gayle (also deputy chair of the Games committee), Jason Solomons, Tara Saunders (Games committee chair), and Ade Rawcliffe.

The representatives are elected for two years, voted for by the members. The elections take place every year, with half of the committee retiring each year on rotation. The eligibility, campaigning rules, and voting criteria for the Film, Games, Television, and Television Craft Awards are individually reviewed and set by the sector committees annually.

“We are uniquely fortunate to have a community of over 12,000 creative practitioners,” Sara Putt, chair of BAFTA, said this morning.

Lady in the Lake is a thriller drama miniseries created by Alma Har’el. Based on the 2019 novel of the same name by author Laura Lippman, the Apple TV+ series is set in the 1960s in Baltimore and it follows the story of Maddie Schwartz, an investigative journalist as she leaves her overbearing husband to pursue her career and finds herself entangled into two mysterious murders, and she comes in direct conflict with a woman working to advance the agenda of the city’s African American community. Lady in the Lake stars Natalie Portman in the lead role with Moses Ingram, Y’lan Noel, Brett Gelman, Byron Bowers, Noah Jupe, Josiah Cross, Mikey Madison, and Pruitt Taylor Vince starring in supporting roles. So, if you loved the thrilling mystery and enticing drama in Apple TV+’s Lady in the Lake, here are some similar shows for you to watch next.

Sharp Objects...

Sunrise Films has secured the U.S. rights for “Bonus Track” from Bankside Films, with plans for a theatrical and digital release in October.

The feature directorial debut from Julia Jackman, “Bonus Track” is a coming-of-age queer rom-com written by Mike Gilbert, with a story by Josh O’Connor. The film stars Joe Anders (“1917”) and Samuel Small (“So Awkward”), supported by an ensemble cast including Ray Panthaki, Susan Wokoma, Jack Davenport, Alison Sudol and O’Connor in a cameo role.

Set in 2006 England, the story follows 16-year-old aspiring musician George (Anders), who befriends Max (Small), the son of a famous musical duo, as they prepare for a year-end talent show. Their friendship evolves in unexpected ways.

“Bonus Track” made its debut at the BFI London Film Festival and was released in the U.K. as a Sky Original film. The film is an Erebus Pictures and Sky production, in association with Lunapark Pictures and Fortune Films.

Blue Fox Entertainment is kicking off international sales on the Croisette next week on the erotic thriller Black Diamond from the producers of Peter Sarsgaard and Sarah Gadon comedy thriller Coup!

Lady Bloodfight co-writer Judd Bloch directs the story of desire, obsession, and the darker side of human nature starring Jake McLoughlin from Quantico, Inbar Lavi from Lucifer, Shaun Sipos from Reacher, and Ray Panthaki from Colette.

Set against the backdrop of opulence and privilege, Black Diamond follows Elena, whose seemingly perfect life with her hedge fund boyfriend Spencer, takes a perilous turn when she encounters Jesse, a rugged cowboy handyman.

BAFTA has announced the winners of the BAFTA Television Craft Awards, presented at a ceremony held on Sunday night in London. The awards celebrate the creativity, skill, and craft of behind-the-scenes television talent and the best programs of 2023.

The following won two BAFTAs each:

Charlie Brooker and Bisha K Ali won the Writer Drama category and Stephan Pehrsson won for Photography & Lighting Fiction for Demon 79 (Black Mirror). Nikki Parsons, Ollie Bartlett and Richard Valentine won the Director: Multi-camera category, and Julio Himede, Tim Routledge, Kojo Samuel, Michael Sharp and Dan Shipton won Entertainment Craft Team for Eurovision Song Contest 2023. The Editing Team behind Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland won Editing: Factual and the documentary’s composer Simon Russell won Original Music: Factual. Atli Örvarsson won Original Music: Fiction and Gavin Bocquet and Amanda Bernstein won Production Design for their work on Silo. The Sound Team behind Slow Horses won Sound: Fiction,...

Starz’s first teaser for The Serpent Queen season two declares in no uncertain terms that the “bad b*tch is back.” The teaser also provides our first good look at Oscar nominee Minnie Driver as Queen Elizabeth I.

The short teaser was accompanied by a batch of photos from the upcoming season set to premiere this summer.

Samantha Morton reprises her role as the titular character, Catherine de Medici. Additional returning season one stars include Danny Kirrane as Louis de Bourbon, Ray Panthaki as Charles Guise, Raza Jaffrey as Francois de Guise, and Enzo Cilenti as Ruggieri. Amrita Acharia returns as Aabis, Ruby Bentall is Angelica, Beth Goddard is Antoinette Guise, Ludivine Sagnier is Diane de Poitiers, and Rupert Everett is Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor.

Season two’s new cast includes:

Angus Imrie as “Henry IV” the son of Antoine de Bourbon and Jeanne d’Albret, he appears uncivilized,...

Starz has released a first look at the second season of the captivating Samantha Morton-led historical drama The Serpent Queen. The photos tease the debut of Academy Award nominee Minnie Driver as the infamous ‘Virgin Queen’ Elizabeth I, who rivals Catherine in court in the delightfully wicked upcoming season.

In addition, Starz has also released the first teaser trailer, revealing that Catherine is willing to do anything to maintain her power.

The Serpent Queen tells the story of Catherine de Medici (Samantha Morton), who, against all odds, became one of the most powerful and longest-serving rulers in French history. The lavish drama’s second season is set to return in Summer 2024.

Danny Kirrane (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales), Ray Panthaki (Away), Raza Jaffrey (Homeland), Enzo Cilenti (Free Fire), Amrita Acharia (Game of Thrones), Ruby Bentall (Firebrand), Beth Goddard (Manhunt), Ludivine Sagnier (Lupin), and Rupert Everett...

Boiling Point is an intense drama series created by Philip Barantini, James Cummings, and Stephen Graham. The BBC One series continues the story of the 2021 film of the same name and it picks up the story six months after the events of the film and it sees Carly struggling to establish her new restaurant, while Andy tries to cope with the aftermath of his heart attack. Boiling Point stars Vinette Robinson in the lead role with Hannah Walters, Izuka Hoyle, Ray Panthaki, Hannah Traylen, Stephen McMillan, Shaun Fagan, Stephen Odubola, and Graham starring in supporting roles. So, if you loved the Boiling Point’s sequel series here are some similar shows you should check out next.

The Bear (Hulu) Credit – FX

The Bear has to be one of the most stressful shows to watch, which is perfect for the fans of Boiling Point. Created by Christopher Storer, the FX series...

The stars are stepping out ahead of the 2024 BAFTAs!

Joe Alwyn joined Bridgerton stars Phoebe Dynevor and Rege-Jean Page at the 2024 Pre-bafta Filmmakers Dinner & Party hosted by Dunhill and Bsbp on Tuesday night (February 13) held at the Bourbon House in London, England.

The event was held to celebrate the British film culture and community ahead of the BAFTAs, which takes place on Sunday, Feb. 18. Check out the full list of nominations here.

Since the guestlist was so stacked, we pulled together pics of so many of the stars arriving at the party!

Click inside to see photos of the stars at the party…

Scroll through photos of so many stars who attended the pre-BAFTAs dinner…

Adjoa Andoh

Alfie Allen

Alison Oliver

Aml Ameen

Anthony Boyle

Anthony Welsh

Archie Madekwe

Fyi: Archie Madekwe is wearing a suit by Dunhill.

Asa Butterfield

Ashley Thomas

Ben Radcliffe

Billie Piper

Brian Cox & wife Nicole Ansari...

The fund, launched in response to Brexit, is celebrating its fifth anniversary.

The Uncertain Kingdom, the UK feature development fund and shorts commissioner is celebrating its fifth anniversary with a more structured way in which it supports films as the UK heads into a possible general election year in 2024.

The development fund is committing to two rounds per year in a fixed calendar slot after previously operating on an ad hoc basis, Its next round opens on November 1 and closes on November 30, before opening again on May 1 and closing on May 31. Funding is divided between two to four projects per round,...

London film festival

Julia Jackman’s feature debut about two teenagers with a shared passion for music is entertaining and sympathetic if a bit formulaic

Writer-director Julia Jackman is an award-winner for her short films and now makes her feature debut at the London film festival with this teen romcom, based on an idea co-authored by Josh O’Connor – who shows up in an amusing cameo playing a masked graffiti artist and part-time body piercer with a sub-Banksy reverence for his own anonymous glamour. It’s sweet-natured and engagingly laid-back, if a bit televisual and reliant on that time-honoured staple that dates from Richard Curtis’s Love Actually: the end-of-term school show in which a romantic declaration becomes an unscripted part of the programme.

The year is 2006 and, come to think of it, this is the second Lff movie set in 2006, after Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn; perhaps it will...

Be nice to waiters. That’s the first lesson of new four-part BBC One drama Boiling Point. Be nice to waiters not only because it’s nice to be nice, but because however calm and smiling they emerge from behind those flapping kitchen doors, inside blows a hurricane. Personal dramas and business pressures, dodgy colleagues, nightmare customers, shifts that end at midnight and leave you buzzing with adrenaline that needs to go somewhere… it’s the perfect cocktail for dysfunction and conflict. Handily, that in turn is the perfect cocktail for TV drama, as we know from rightly critically acclaimed US series The Bear (watch that and watch this too; there’s plenty of room for both.)

Boiling Point’s second lesson is just to let this creative team get on with it. Give them a second series with the full six episodes immediately, please, because they clearly know what they’re doing.

Exclusive: It’s a Sin star and musician Olly Alexander has created an original song for upcoming Sky’s coming-of-age love story Bonus Track.

Alexander is also an executive producer on the film, which comes from Josh O’Connor and Mike Gilbert and is set to premiere at BFI’s London Film Festival this October before launching on Sky Cinema.

The film, set in 2006, follows small-town teenager George (Joe Anders), who dreams of being a star though no-one else sees his talent. When Max (Samuel Small), the son of a mega-famous musical duo and takes and takes an interest in his music, George can’t believe it. But as they grow closer, George begins to question why he wants to spend time with Max — he’s faced with a dream come true, if only he can figure out what that dream actually is now.

Susan Wokoma, O’Connor, Ray Panthaki, Alison Sudol...

Have you seen Boiling Point (2021)? The movie was shot in a 90-minutes continuous take (=real single shot) utilizing the Sony Venice Rialto, by the young (23) cinematographer Matthew Lewis. Furthermore, this outstanding 90-minutes single take was shot inside a crowded restaurant. This fact elevates the complexity even further. Boiling Point constitutes a mandatory reference for filmmakers.

Behind the scenes of Boiling Point. Picture by SatchMedia Boiling Point: 90-minutes of a single take

Boiling Point is a 2021 British drama film directed by Philip Barantini and written by Barantini and James Cummings. It stars Stephen Graham, Vinette Robinson, Ray Panthaki, and Hannah Walters. It is a one-shot film set in a real restaurant kitchen. The film premiered at the 55th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in August 2021. It was released in the United Kingdom in January 2022. At the 75th British Academy Film Awards, the film received four nominations: Outstanding British Film, Outstanding Debut by a British Writer,...

Ascendant Fox, one of the producers behind hit Stephen Graham indie pic Boiling Point, which is being made into a BBC TV series, has struck a development deal with BBC Studios and signed the commissioner of Netflix’s Bank of Dave.

The deal, which will see BBC Studios invest in Ascendant’s slate and gives its distribution arm a first-look on projects, comes as Bank of Dave‘s Hannah Perks joins the outfit as Head of Development, while Victoria Zalin becomes Head of Production.

The indie was one of those behind the multiple-bifa-winning one-camera movie that follows Andy’s (Graham) catastrophic evening as head chef of his own restaurant. The BBC TV series will come out later this year, with Graham reprising his role alongside Vinette Robinson, Ray Panthaki and Hannah Walters.

Ascendant, which was forged by the recent coming together of Ascendant Films and Burton Fox Films, is also...

A snapshot of the film and high-end TV projects shooting in the UK and Ireland.

Screen reveals a snapshot of the latest high-end TV and film productions shooting in the UK and Ireland for the big studios and streamers. Please contact us here to add or update changes to the following or new productions taking place in the UK.

Films

Untitled Ghostbusters: Afterlife sequel

Plot under wraps.

Dir: Gil Kenan

Production company: Columbia Pictures, Ghost Corps, Right of Way Films

Where: London

When: March - ongoing

Distributor: Sony

Cast: Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt

Back To...

Exclusive: The BBC’s small screen Boiling Point sequel has found a sous chef. Walking Dead star Steven Ogg will play Nick in the upcoming drama, which will pick the story up six months after the conclusion of the BAFTA-nominated Stephen Graham-starring indie pic.

Ogg is best known for playing Simon in a number of seasons of AMC’s The Walking Dead. He was Rebus in HBO’s Westworld, Sobchak in another AMC hit, Better Call Saul, and most recently featured in Will Smith-starring Apple TV+ movie Emancipation.

Ogg’s signing rounds out main cast for the five-parter from Philip Barantini, which is being produced by Matriarch Productions, Ascendant Fox and Made Up Productions.

Sous chef Nick will join Carly’s (Vinette Robinson) fictional restaurant midway through the season, with Carly still featuring in the show as head chef of her own restaurant after she leaves Graham’s establishment.

Kitchen nightmares are all the rage these days – last year’s drama The Bear brought emotion and tender characterisation to the stressful setting of a deep-in-the-hole Chicago sandwich shop, while one-take-for-real movie Boiling Point got audiences hooked with its simmering tension and immersive shooting approach. And it’s been in the works for a little while now that Boiling Point is spinning onto the small screen in a BBC series that won’t continue the one-shot set-up, but will take viewers back into hell’s kitchen – and explore what happens next for Stephen Graham’s chaotic cook Andy.

The BBC has now confirmed that shooting on the series is underway – it’ll be a five-part drama with episodes running at one hour each. And while Graham’s Sous Chef Carly who’ll be at the centre of the show, now running her own restaurant with much of Andy’s team...

Full casting has been revealed for Boiling Point, as filming begins on the brand new five-part television series for BBC One and BBC iPlayer in Manchester.

As previously announced, Vinette Robinson (Carly), Stephen Graham (Andy) and Hannah Walters (Emily) will reprise their roles from the multi-award-winning film. They will be joined by the film’s co-stars Ray Panthaki (Freeman), Gary Lamont (Dean), Áine Rose Daly (Robyn),Taz Skylar (Billy), Daniel Larkai (Jake) Stephen McMillan (Jamie), Hannah Traylen (Holly) and Izuka Hoyle (Camille).

Joining them are new cast members Stephen Odubola, (Johnny), Shaun Fagan (Bolton),), Joel MacCormack (Liam) and Ahmed Malek (Musa). BAFTA award-winner Cathy Tyson joins the cast as Carly’s mum, Vivian and newcomer Missy Haysom makes their television debut playing Kit.

Also in news – Willem Dafoe to reunite with Robert Eggers for ‘Nosferatu’ remake

The series picks up six months on from where the film left off and...

Filming has begun in Manchester, U.K., on “Boiling Point,” the five-part BBC series that follows on from the award-winning film of the same name.

The one shot film followed head chef Andy (Stephen Graham), who wrangles his team on the busiest day of the year. The series picks up six months on from where the film left off and sees sous chef Carly (Vinette Robinson) as head chef at her own restaurant, with many of Andy’s original team alongside her. As the pressure mounts to keep the restaurant full, Carly begins to feel the magnitude of responsibility that comes with running her own place.

As previously revealed, Robinson, Graham and Hannah Walters will reprise their roles from the multi award-winning film. They will be joined by the film’s co-stars Ray Panthaki, Gary Lamont, Áine Rose Daly, Taz Skylar, Daniel Larkai, Stephen McMillan, Hannah Traylen and Izuka Hoyle.

The awards ceremony takes place today (December 4), starting at 8pm UK time.

The 2022 British Independent Film Awards (Bifas) ceremony is taking place today (December 4) at London’s Old Billingsgate.

The show starts at 8pm UK time, finishing at approximately 10pm.

Screen will be posting all the winners on this page as they are announced during the live ceremony (refresh the page for latest updates).

Leading the pack for nominations is Charlotte Wells’ Aftersun, with 16 mentions – the second-most ever for a film at the Bifas, behind only Saint Maud’s record 17 from 2020. The feature has already won three of those awards,...

Other jury members include Jenna Coleman, Philip Barantini, Kosar Ali and Sadie Frost.

UK actor Hayley Atwell will preside over the main jury for the 2022 British Independent Film Awards (Bifa).

Joining Atwell are fellow actors Daniel Kaluuya, Jenna Coleman, Kosar Ali, Ray Panthaki, Joanna Scanlan and Kiell Smith-Bynoe.

Boiling Point director and recent Big Screen winner Philip Barantini will also sit on the jury alongside The Souvenir producer Luke Schiller, filmmaker Sadie Frost and presenter Leila Latif.

The main jury will select the winners for best director, best screenplay and the new gender-neutral acting categories of best lead, best supporting,...

Issa Rae’s Hoorae Media has added veteran managers Danielle Robinson and James Shani to the leadership team at ColorCreative, the talent management company co-founded by Rae and Denise Davis in 2014.

Robinson will assume the role of co-head of talent and manager, while Shani has been named executive producer and talent manager. Both Robinson and Shani will report to ColorCreative president Talitha Watkins.

In her new role, Robinson will focus on identifying new clients to grow the company’s roster and fostering new opportunities for emerging talent, alongside ColorCreative’s co-head of talent, partner and manager Raj Raghavan. Prior to joining the company, Robinson was a partner at Alan Siegel Entertainment. She brings with her clients including Lashana Lynch, Sarah Niles, Ray Panthaki, Tamara Smart, Charlotte Ritchie, Daniel Ings, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Taylor Handley and Sauriyan Sapkota.

“Danielle Robinson has impeccable taste, boundless energy, and incredible passion for her clients. I...

Samantha Morton as Catherine De Medici in Starz’s ‘The Serpent Queen’

Starz’s The Serpent Queen starring two-time Oscar nominee Samantha Morton as Catherine de Medici has been renewed for a second season. The official renewal was announced as season one of the popular drama is set to wrap up on October 30, 2022.

“The Serpent Queen is distinctly modern, darkly comedic, and completely unexpected,” stated Kathryn Busby, President, Original Programming, Starz. “Catherine De Medici’s story is the perfect complement to our female-forward slate, and Samantha Morton’s brilliant portrayal of this ruthless, charming and savvy queen anchors the whole production. We’re thrilled to unveil more of her incredible life and reign in season two, which promises to be even more provocative and sublime.”

The first season also features Liv Hill, Charles Dance, Ludivine Sagnier, Colm Meaney, Kiruna Stamell, Barry Atsma, Alex Heath, and Amrita Acharia. Enzo Cilenti, Antonia Clarke,...

Exclusive: Boiling Point actor Ray Panthaki and producer Daniel Khalili have acquired rights to journalist Nick Pitt’s sports biography The Paddy & The Prince as they continue work on their previously announced biopic of former boxer Naseem Hamed.

The duo acquired the book through their new film company Le Bateau Lavoir. The biography charts the relationship between Hamed and his mentor, Brendan Ingle, in intimate detail from 1981 when a seven-year-old Hamed walked into Ingles’s gym, located in an old church hall in Sheffield. The book recounts their story, tracking their turbulent progress from that day on.

Panthaki and Khalili’s currently untitled film project will be scripted by veteran screenwriter Martin Stellman (Quadrophenia), with production scheduled to begin early next year. Hamed is said to have a buy-in on the film.

“Having Naz on board the project was one thing, but it became abundantly clear during the writing process...

The shortlist will be announced the week beginning October 10.

The final round of judges for Screen’s revamped The Big Screen Awards has been unveiled.

Featured in the final batch of judges are producer, consultant and former president of international marketing at 20th Century Fox Kieran Breen; Netflix’s director of distribution for Emea Hamish Moseley; and Anton’s vice president for international marketing and publicity, Karina Gechtman.

Also joining the judging panel are Warp Films’ joint CEO Mark Herbert, and distribution and marketing consultant at IHeartCinema, Deborah Sheppard.

Book a table here

The full list of judges for the...

The awards will be held on November 24 at The Brewery, London.

The second group of judges for The Big Screen Awards 2022, the relaunched version of the Screen Awards, has been announced with just over 24 hours left before the entry deadline closes end of play on Friday, September 23.

Click here to enter

Among the new batch of judges are Lionsgate UK’s head of theatrical Matt Smith; Film Distributors’ Association CEO Andy Leyshon; Republic Films founder Zak Brilliant; Mubi’s director of distribution for Europe, Natalie Ralph; and director of marketing and external relations at the National Film & Television School (Nfts), Ijeoma Akigwe.

The deadline for entries for this year’s awards is September 23.

There is one week left to enter Screen International’s relaunched The Big Screen Awards with the extended deadline closing on September 23.

Click here to enter The Big Screen Awards.

The Big Screen Awards returns for the 11th year in 2022 following a two-year hiatus and with a rebrand from the Screen Awards. The awards will focus on the importance of the cinema-going experience post-pandemic and the need to recognise the achievements of all those involved in connecting films to UK audiences.

The event will take place at The Brewery...

Exclusive: Coming off a main role in Outer Range, Shaun Sipos has joined another Prime Video series. He has been tapped as a major lead opposite Alan Ritchson in the upcoming second season of Reacher.

From writer and showrunner Nick Santora, based on the novels by Lee Child, the series follows Jack Reacher (Ritchson), a veteran military police investigator who has just recently entered civilian life.

In a one-year deal, Sipos will play David O’Donnell. He served with Reacher (Ritchson) in 110th, the Army’s unit of Special Investigators, and is like a brother to Reacher.

While Season 1 was based on the first book in Child’s Jack Reacher series, Ritchson revealed in May on Instagram that Season 2 will follow book #11, Bad Luck and Trouble. David O’Donnell is a prominent character in that book, the only novel in the series he is featured in, which explains Sipos’ one-season deal.

While abiding by the tropes of the period drama, there is something brilliantly modern about The Serpent Queen, bringing a touch of Fleabag to the 16th century. To mark the show’s launch, on Starzplay – we had the pleasure in speaking to several of the leading cast-members, such as Liv Hill, Ray Panthaki, Nicholas Burns and Danny Kirrane. You can watch all four interviews in their entirety below, as we discuss the interesting tonality of the film, as well as the collaboration process with the likes of Samantha Morton and Charles Dance.

Liv Hill

Ray Panthaki

Nicholas Burns & Danny Kirrane

Synopsis

The Serpent Queen is a cunning account of one of the most influential women ever to wear a crown. Considered an immigrant, common and plain, Catherine de Medici is married into the 16th century French court as an orphaned teenager expected to bring a fortune in dowry and produce many heirs,...

The first group of confirmed judges also includes actor/producer Ray Panthaki and execs from BFI and Vue.

The first group of judges for The Big Screen Awards 2022, the relaunched version of the Screen Awards, has been announced ahead of the extended entry deadline on September 23.

Click here to enter

Now in their 11th year, the industry awards celebrate the ingenuity, skills and achievements of the people, teams and companies that connect films with the UK’s cinemagoing audiences.

Among the first group of judges confirmed for this year’s awards are Film4 chairman Daniel Battsek, Boiling Point actor/producer Ray Panthaki,...

Jack Davenport, Alison Sudol, Susan Wokoma, Ray Panthaki and Josh O’Connor among cast.

Production is underway in York on Julia Jackman’s debut feature Bonus Track, a Sky-backed film for which Bankside Films has acquired world sales rights.

Jack Davenport, Alison Sudol, Susan Wokoma, Ray Panthaki and Josh O’Connor are on the cast, alongside newcomers Joe Anders and Samuel Small in the lead roles.

It is based on an original story by O’Connor and Michael Gilbert, with a debut screenplay from Gilbert; O’Connor is also taking on his first production role as an executive producer on the film.

The Serpent Queen is coming soon to Starz. The cable channel has set a premiere date and released a trailer teasing the new historical drama.

Starring Samantha Morton, Sennia Nanua, Liv Hill, Charles Dance, Ludivine Sagnier, Colm Meaney, Kiruna Stamell, Barry Atsma, Alex Heath, Amrita Acharia, Enzo Cilenti, Antonia Clarke, Adam Garcia, Beth Goddard, Raza Jaffrey, Ray Panthaki, Nicholas Burns, Danny Kirrane, and Rupert Everett, the series was created by Justin Haythe. The story focuses on the Queen of France, Catherine de Medici (Morton), and her rise to power.

revealed more about the new series in a press release.

“Starz released today the trailer and key art for the wicked new drama series "The Serpent Queen" set to premiere on Sunday, September 11. The new series stars Golden Globe(R) winner, two-time Academy Award(R) and two-time BAFTA Award-nominated actress, Samantha...

Starz has unveiled the trailer for the upcoming historical drama “The Serpent Queen” starring Samantha Morton as Catherine de Medici. The wicked new drama series will premiere on Sunday, September 11th.

A historical drama with an edge, “The Serpent Queen” puts a contemporary spin on conventional storytelling to tell the tale of Catherine de Medici’s (Morton) rise to power. In the series premiere, “Medici Bitch,” Catherine’s tale unfolds through flashbacks as she defends her actions and imparts the lessons she’s learned to her new servant confident, Rahima. At 14, the young, orphaned Catherine marries into the 16th-century French court. Despite her commoner status, her uncle Pope Clement, has negotiated a large dowry and a geopolitical alliance in return for the union, and with it comes the expectation of many heirs. However, on her wedding night, Catherine learns that her new husband is in love with Diane de Poitiers,...

Ascendant Films and Burton Fox Films, two of the production companies behind multi-bafta and BIFA-nominated restaurant drama “Boiling Point,” have merged to create Ascendant Fox.

Since wrapping the critically acclaimed Stephen Graham vehicle, producer Bart Ruspoli’s Ascendant Films and Hester Ruoff’s Burton Fox Films have forged a partnership that’s currently developing a number of projects with various studios.

Ascendant Fox’s first project, “Gassed Up,” as revealed by Variety, is the narrative feature debut by George Amponsah, the filmmaker behind the BAFTA-winning documentary “The Hard Stop.” The pic stars Stephen Odubola, Taz Skylar and singer Mae Muller with Yung Filly, Harry Pinero and Ms Banks. The project, which is now in production, is a co-production with Amazon Studios U.K. and Sunrise Films.

Also in the works is “Society,” the follow-up to “Boiling Point” from director Philip Barantini, as well as a TV series by BAFTA-nominated “Boiling Point...

Exclusive: Inbar Lavi (Lucifer), Jake McLaughlin (Black Bird), Ray Panthaki (The Serpent Queen) and Shaun Sipos (Outer Range) have signed on to star in the indie thriller Black Diamond, from writer-director Judd Bloch.

The film centers on a young woman who would appear to be living an idyllic life with her hedge funder boyfriend atop a ski mountain in Telluride. But a late afternoon misstep with a local cowboy handyman shatters that life and turns it into a deadly triangle of lust, obsession and murder.

Warner Davis and Todd Friedman are producing for Hemlock Circle Productions, alongside Dominic Rustam of Three Six Zero Group, and Brian Levy.

Lavi has previously appeared in films including Sorry for Your Loss, The Last Witch Hunter and For the Love of Money, along with such series as Lucifer, Stumptown, Imposters, The Last Ship, Castle and Sons of Anarchy. She’ll next be seen in...

Talk

Emmy-nominated Michael Sheen (“Good Omens”) will join the upcoming TEDxSoho talk on May 30 at London’s Cambridge Theatre virtually via a pre-recorded session. The event will also feature an in-person talk from actor Ray Panthaki, recently BIFA-nominated for “Boiling Point,” while Brit and Ivor Novello-winning singer-songwriter Tom Odell will be performing.

Hosted by “The Battersea Poltergeist” podcast creator Danny Robins, the curated program of short inspirational talks features previously announced speakers including U.K Cinema Association CEO Phil Clapp, Variety international editor Manori Ravindran, author and computational biologist, autism advocate and winer of the 2020 Science Book Award, Dr. Camilla Pang, and a performance from ex-Razorlight guitarist David Ellis. Confirmed speakers also include Karl Lokko, a former gang leader turned activist, poet, public speaker, adventurer and personal advisor to Prince Harry; Professor Katy Shaw, author of a report into post-covid cultural recovery; restaurateur Paulo De Tarso; author and journalist Janet Wang; and art critic,...

Sundance Institute and Picturehouse have announced the programme of feature films, short films and panel discussions for the Sundance Film Festival: London 2022, taking place from 9 to 12 June at Picturehouse Central.

Presented in association with Adobe, the festival will present 12 feature films from the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, U.S.A., selected for London by the Sundance Institute programming team in collaboration with Picturehouse.

Opening on 9 June with the UK premiere of Sophie Hyde’s ‘Good Luck To You, Leo Grande’, the festival will close four days later on 12 June with the UK premiere screening of British filmmaker Jim Archer’s feature ‘Brian and Charles’, presented by Time Out. The feel-good comedy film stars British actor and comedian David Earl as Brian, a lonely and unlucky inventor who builds an artificial intelligence robot made from odds and ends, including an old washing machine.

The festival will feature an...

TEDxSoho has announced three exciting new speakers have been added to the upcoming event this May including Michael Sheen.

Joining Sheen, who will be taking part virtually via a pre-recorded talk, in-person talk will be actor Ray Panthaki, whilst singer-songwriter Tom Odell will be performing. They will be joining the previously announced speakers at the Cambridge Theatre on 30th May.

King of both stage and screen, acting legend Michael Sheen will be taking part virtually by means of a pre-recorded Ted Talk, exclusively for TEDxSoho, about levelling the cultural playing field. Known for his roles in Oscar-nominated projects such as ‘The Queen’ and ‘Frost/Nixon,’ Sheen has also conquered the small screen, most recently in Amazon Prime’s hit TV series ‘Good Omens.’

Also in news – Idris Elba partners with Apple TV for series ‘Hijack’

Previously a BAFTA Breakthrough Brit and for Best Supporting Actor at the BIFAs for his performance...

The 2022 Ee British Academy Film Awards celebrated the very best in film of the past year. Nominees and guests attended an in-person ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall hosted by Rebel Wilson.

The Power of the Dog won two BAFTAs: Best Film, and Director for Jane Campion. Jane Campion is the third woman to win Director. Coda won two awards: Adapted Screenplay for Siân Heder, and Supporting Actor for Troy Kotsur. Kotsur is BAFTA’s first deaf Film Awards winner.

Supporting Actor – Troy Kotsur – Coda

West Side Story won two awards: Supporting Actress for Ariana DeBose and Casting.

Supporting Actress – Ariana DeBose – West Side Story

Dune won five awards: Original Score, Cinematography, Production Design, Sound and Special Visual Effects. BAFTA Best Cinematography Winner Greig Fraser, ASC, Acs was unable to accept in person. He issued the following statement:

“I am honoured to receive this award from such a distinguished body,...

It’s our favourite night of the year! The 2021 BIFA awards took place this evening at Old Billingsgate in London. Hosted by People Just Do Nothing’s Asim Chaudhry, those attending include Emma Corrin, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Joe Cole, Lucy Boynton, Jude Law, Harris Dickinson, Paapa Essiedu, Caitriona Balfe, Morfydd Clark, Riz Ahmed, Wumni Mosaku, Ruth Wilson, Stephen Graham and James Norton.

The 24th British Independent Film Awards saw Joanna Scanlan’s After Love take home a handful of awards, Clio Barnard’s Ali & Ava also did well – and there’s something wonderful in championing the very best in British Independent film – so, hey – we’re all winners here.*

David Sztypuljak and Scott Davis were our men at the event, asking questions.

You can see our interviews below, as well as a full list of tonight’s winners and nominees.

*Actual winners are below.

The 2021 BIFA Red Carpet Interviews

The...

’After Love’ wins best British independent film, plus actress and director prizes.

Aleem Khan’s feature directing debut After Love won six awards at this year’s British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs), which took place tonight (December 5) in London.

Scroll down for full lst of winners

After Love won best British independent film, with Khan taking home three prizes: best director, best debut director and best screenplay. Khan was named a Screen Star of Tomorrow in 2015 and his 2014 short Three Brothers received a Bafta nomination.

The film stars Joanna Scanlan, who also won best actress, as a Muslim woman who...

Belfast and Boiling Point both have 11 nominations Photo: Focus Features and Vertigo Releasing Two films drawing on the directors' own experience lead the charge at this year's British Independent Film Awards. Kenneth Branagh's semi-autobiographical drama shot during Belfast's Troubles was in poll position with 11 nominations, alongside Philip Barantini's single-shot Boiling Point, which is also based on his own experiences.

Among Belfast's nominations, were the performances from Caitríona Balfe, Judi Dench, Ciarán Hinds and Jude Hill, while the acting of Stephen Graham, Ray Panthaki, Vinette Robinson and Lauren Ajufo, snagged nods for Boiling Point.

Not far behind were After Love by Aleem Khan and Censor directed by Prano Bailey-Bond - both debut features - which tied with nine nominations with Joanna Hogg’s The Souvenir Part II.

The awards ceremony will be held as an in-person event on December 5.

The full list of nominees is as follows:

Best British...

Kenneth Branagh’s “Belfast” and Philip Barantini’s “Boiling Point” lead nominations at the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA), with 11 nods each.

Nominations for “Belfast,” Branagh’s autobiographical tale of life as a young boy in Belfast in 1969 in the midst of the Troubles, include best actress for Caitríona Balfe, best supporting actress for Judi Dench, best supporting actor for Ciarán Hinds and a breakthrough performance nomination for newcomer Jude Hill in addition to seven craft nominations.

Nominations for single take film “Boiling Point,” which follows an up-and-coming chef under extreme pressure, include best actor for Stephen Graham, best supporting actor for Ray Panthaki, best supporting actress for Vinette Robinson and a breakthrough performance nomination for Lauryn Ajufo.

Aleem Khan’s “After Love,” Prano Bailey-Bond’s “Censor” and Joanna Hogg’s “The Souvenir Part II” have nine nominations each, while Clio Barnard’s “Ali & Ava” has seven nominations, Sean Durkin...

Kenneth Branagh’s autobiographical drama Belfast and Philip Barantini’s single-take title Boiling Point both lead nominations for this year’s British Independent Film Awards with 11 nods a piece.

Belfast, which chronicles the tale of life as a young boy in the city in 1969 in the midst of the Troubles, earned a Best Actress nom for Caitríona Balfe, Best Supporting Actress nom for Judi Dench, Best Supporting Actor for Ciarán Hinds and a Breakthrough Performance nomination for newcomer Jude Hill. The title, which is being released in the U.S. by Focus Features on November 12, also earned seven craft nominations including Best Casting and Best Cinematography.

Boiling Point, which follows an up-and-coming chef under extreme pressure, scored a Best Actor nom for Stephen Graham, Best Supporting Actor for Ray Panthaki, Best Supporting Actress for Vinette Robinson and a Breakthrough Performance nomination for Lauryn Ajufo as well as a Breakthrough Producer nomination.

This article contains spoilers for Sas: Rise of the Black Swan.

Sas: Rise of the Black Swan centers on a hijacking: terrorist leader Grace Lewis (Ruby Rose) and her Black Swans commandeer high-speed train Eurostream while it’s under the English Channel, and the Sas stud Tom Buckingham (Sam Heughan) attempts to thwart the hijacking while protecting his partner Sophie (Hannah John-Kamen), who he intends to marry.

Based on the novel Sas: Red Notice by former British soldier Andy Mcnab, the film is an unflinching political action thriller that ends with a massive explosion, a bloody knife fight to the death, and a massive government cover up. On the surface, this is pretty typical fare for an action-thriller grand finale. But there’s actually a lot going on beneath the surface that sets the stage for an even more explosive story down the line.

Let’s break down what really...