While I wouldn't call myself a weather nerd at this point in my life, the fact that I notice myself becoming more and more like my dad as I get older suggests that it's just a matter of time. As my interest in learning about and understanding the events of World War II continues to grow, seeing Pressure in theaters was a no-brainer, and I'm not going to lie, the emphasis on the weather as it relates to the success of D-Day was fascinating and surprisingly suspenseful.

I've been enjoying learning more about the 2026 movie since its release, however, the thing I learned today pertains to Saving Private Ryan. Apparently Andrew Scott, who stars as Scottish meteorologist James Stagg alongside Brendan Fraser as Eisenhower in Anthony Maras's World War II movie, also had a small part in Spielberg's 1998 film. The Irish actor spoke about it during his interview with Conan O'Brien on the Team Coco podcast this week. Naturally I had to find the scene he referenced, and let me just say, if you never made the connection, you're undoubtedly not alone, as it's very quick, but he does get a line!

Andrew Scott's Saving Private Ryan Scene

During the devastating and bloody scene where the soldiers are storming the beach at Normandy, Andrew Scott can be seen and heard very briefly around the 14:00 mark of the movie. It's right as Tom Hanks' Captain Miller is talking to the ill-fated radioman. There are two soldiers that can be seen crouched down in the sand between Hanks and Tom Sizemore's Sgt. Mike Horvath. When Miller asks Horvath if he recognizes where they are, Horvath tells him they're "right where they're supposed to be, but no one else is." To which Andrew Scott's unnamed character adds:

It's moments later when Miller turns back to the radioman and finds he's been shot. That's it, that's the whole scene!

Scott's name is included among the "Soldiers on the Beach" during the closing credits of the film.

Does Andrew Scott's Saving Private Ryan Character Survive?

As for the fate of his character, it's unclear if he survives beyond that scene, and even Scott doesn't know. As Scott put it when talking to Conan O'Brien:

At least I know I'll always spot him when that scene comes up. That is, if I'm not already covering my eyes because I know the upsetting shot of the radioman's face is about to come up.

Like Saving Private Ryan, Pressure also features the D-Day invasion, however, rather than showing the arrival of the Allied forces on the beaches of Normandy at the start of the movie, as Spielberg's film does, since the 2026 film is focused on planning for the invasion, the scene on the beach isn't shown until toward the end of the film. It's no less upsetting or powerful to witness, though our perspective feels a bit different in Maras's movie, given everything we've learned throughout Pressure about the decisions that had to be made in the days and hours before launch.

Spoilers for Pressure are ahead! You can see the project on the 2026 movie schedule in theaters now.

The whole goal of the critically acclaimed war film Pressure is to show the decision-making that went into whether D-Day could happen on its scheduled day or not. In the end, Andrew Scott’s meteorologist James Stagg and Brendan Fraser’s General Dwight D. Eisenhower decide to call it off for a day because of the weather; however, they realize it is able to happen one day later. Ultimately, it’s a successful mission, and we see that “victory” in the film. However, when I spoke to Kerry Condon about the movie, she told me why there’s a bit more complexity to that ending.

This all came up because I asked Condon, who plays Kay Summersby, an important member of Eisenhower’s staff, which scene she felt the most pressure to film. She told me it was the moment in Pressure’s conclusion where the team is told that D-Day was a success. Explaining why this was a nuanced moment to capture, the Oscar-nominee told me:

I feel like all great war movies depict the idea that nothing is just a win or a loss. No matter what happens, loss and tragedy are involved. So, even though D-Day was successful and it went as planned, it came with consequences.

It’s been confirmed that 4,414 Allied troops were killed during D-Day, according to History.com. It’s estimated that between 4,000 and 9,000 Germans were killed, wounded or missing. While this invasion was undoubtedly a success for the Allies, it also came with insurmountable and guaranteed loss. So, yes, even though it was a win, as Kerry Condon said, “it wasn’t necessarily a victory.”

So, as she played out that moment where Kay, Eisenhower, Stagg and the group working on this plan learned that D-Day had gone the way they wanted, she wasn’t cheering with joy. Yes, it was successful, but it is war, and war is tragic, no matter what way you look at it.

If you see Pressure on the big screen, it’s clear that the people deciding when D-Day can happen feel that pressure and understand the stakes they’re dealing with. It leads to blow-ups from Ike, Stagg and more as they try to decide if the weather will delay this invasion. And in the end, when they achieve the goal they were working toward, it’s not a victory that can be met with joy and happiness.

Yes, it helped them in the efforts to defeat the Nazis. However, it’s still war, and as Kerry Condon said, “there’s a sadness attached to that, whether you win or lose.”

Spoilers for Pressure are ahead! Read with caution, and see the project on the 2026 movie schedule in theaters now.

The movie Pressure centers around one massive decision about weather, and whether or not the Allies can act on their plans for D-Day as planned. Ultimately, it comes down to choices made by Brendan Fraser’s Dwight D. Eisenhower and Andrew Scott’s meteorologist James Stagg. However, before they reach a decision, there’s a lot of tension, debate and yelling that goes down. So, I had to ask Scott what it was like to have Fraser yell at him as they filmed these intense scenes.

For context, throughout this war movie, Scott’s James Stagg is constantly at odds with fellow meteorologist Irving Krick (Chris Messina). Over and over again, they butt heads over what the true weather will be on D-Day, as Stagg says it will be stormy while Krick says it will be sunny. So, at one point, after Stagg disagrees with his colleagues' forecast once again, Eisenhower yells at him, and aggressively so. With that scene in mind, I asked the Sherlock actor what it’s like to have Brendan Fraser yell at him, and he started his answer with one great word:

Undoubtedly, one reason to buy a ticket for Pressure is the cast. Fraser and Scott are incredible in this movie, and their performances help highlight the stakes these guys are dealing with as they work to make one of the most pivotal choices during World War II.

From Scott’s character’s perspective, he’s trying to prove that the weather will not cooperate with them, despite what everyone else is saying. If he’s right, it means D-Day has to be delayed. It’s his contrasting view that flusters Eisenhower, who is the man who ultimately has to make the final call about what to do. So, yes, the eventual president does yell at the meteorologist over all this.

However, the Fleabag actor said it was “fantastic” to be on the receiving end of this anger, because it helped show off the different sides of both Eisenhower and Fraser as an actor, as he explained:

I totally see what he’s saying; Ike does have many layers. He cares deeply about the people around him and the troops he’s about to deploy. He’s also been tasked with making a call that could fully change the direction of the war, and he's aware of the stakes. The Mummy actor shows off all those sides very well throughout this movie, and in the case of this scenario, he had to be “fearsome”.

Overall, I love that Andrew Scott described being yelled at by Brendan Fraser as “fantastic,” and it goes to show just how great they both are in this movie as their characters try to figure out the best course of action for D-Day. Now, to see how all this impacted the outcome of this major moment during World War II, you can catch Pressure, which has received good reviews, in theaters now.

There have been a lot of great war movies over the years, but few of them star a meteorologist as one of their main characters. Pressure, which hits the 2026 movie calendar on May 29 — about a week ahead of the 82nd anniversary of D-Day — stars Andrew Scott as meteorologist James Stagg and Brendan Fraser as Dwight D. Eisenhower in a historical drama about the 72 hours preceding a day that lives in infamy. So what are the reviews saying?

Pressure is an adaptation of a stage play by David Haig, who serves as a co-writer on the movie’s screenplay along with director Anthony Maras. The war drama is receiving high marks ahead of its release. Frank Scheck of THR says in his Pressure review that Andrew Scott gives an award-worthy performance in a movie that lives up to its name. Who knew weather forecasting could make for such an effective "edge-of-your-seat thriller"? The critic writes:

Nell Minow of RogerEbert rates the movie 3.5 out of 4 stars, calling it a tense and powerful drama that’s serious in the best sense of the term. It’s sobering to see a depiction of these real events, with those involved tasked with making the most dire of decisions and facing problems with honor, intelligence and courage. Minow continues:

Pete Hammond of Deadline says if you think you know everything there is to know about D-Day, think again. If you think knowing the outcome of the events of June 6, 1944, precludes you from needing to see Pressure, think again. This story of how a weather forecast changed the history of the world keeps the suspense at a surprisingly high level, Hammond writes:

Jim Vejvoda of IGN rates it a “Great” 8 out of 10, saying “history’s most important weather forecast makes for a surprisingly engrossing film.” The critic’s review reads:

While many critics are praising Andrew Scott as James Stagg, Brendan Fraser is getting some pushback for his portrayal of future President Eisenhower. Alison Foreman of IndieWire gives the film a C, calling it “a regrettable swing-and-miss” for Fraser. Foreman praises the cinematography, the “immaculate” costuming and production design but says “the acting and writing duke it out for the title of Bigger Disappointment.” The critic concludes:

The movie is opening to an 84% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes, so it seems this “untold true story of D-Day” is connecting with people. If you’re excited to buy your ticket to Pressure, your wait is over. The movie is in theaters now, as of May 29.

My decision to see a movie in theaters often happens days or even weeks before the movie comes out – and by decision, I mean, locked-in-pick-a-seat-buy-the-ticket decided. It's partially because I get so excited about a movie, I want to know I have a ticket locked in. (The other part is needing to commit to going someplace ahead of time whenever possible, but that's less a movie thing and more of a personal thing.)

That brings us to the topic of Pressure, one of the next films on the 2026 movie schedule that I'll be seeing in the theater. The ticket has been purchased – I'm planning to catch the Memorial Day early screening of the film – and I am completely ready for this intriguing-looking World War II movie from Anthony Maras, starring Brendan Fraser.

A D-Day Movie Focused On The Weather? I... Yes, That Actually Sounds Fascinating

Humans have control over plenty of things, but the weather just isn't one of them. That applies to the family barbecue you might be planning as much as it applies to the largest seaborne invasion ever attempted. Of course, the stakes are much higher in the latter situation. In Pressure, Brendan Fraser plays General Dwight D. Eisenhower, who's working beside Scottish meteorologist, Group Captain James Stagg (Andrew Scott), to decide when to launch the invasion of Normandy.

When we hear stories of D-Day, much of it is focused on the brave people who risked (and in many cases, lost) their lives during the invasion of Normandy. Pressure is about the days before the invasion, when make-or-break decisions had to be made about the landing, factoring in concerning weather conditions that could impact the success of the mission. It's based on a true story told in a play by the same name, by David Haig, who also co-wrote the screenplay. As I haven't seen the play, my knowledge of this particular piece of the war's story is pretty limited, so I'm especially excited to learn more about it.

The Trailer Looks Intense

It's hard to talk about the trailer without talking about the cast, but I'm saving that topic for the next section. Brendan Fraser getting my instant attention with his performance as Eisenhower aside, for now, the trailer for this movie had me on the edge of my seat the first time I saw it. This is one of those based-on-a-true-story movies where we essentially go in knowing the outcome, but somehow, by the trailer, it still feels like it's going to be suspenseful. Maybe I'm just excited to learn more about this vital segment of time during the war, given how crucial D-Day would prove to be for the Allied forces.

The Cast Looks Fantastic

In addition to Brendan Fraser playing General Dwight D. Eisenhower, here are some of other cast members (and who they're playing).

• Andrew Scott (James Stagg)
• Kerry Condon (Kay Summersby)
• Chris Messina (Irving P. Krick)
• Damian Lewis (Bernard Montgomery)

Pressure has a lot going for it, so I genuinely hope it lives up to that potential. I'll find out soon enough. As I mentioned, there are early screenings of the movie set for Memorial Day, so check your local listings. Pressure officially arrives in theaters on May 29, 2026.

After listening to and watching multiple interviews with Ethan Hawke about his take on famed lyricist Lorenz Hart in Blue Moon, I finally watched the Academy Award-nominated movie when it became available with a Netflix subscription. The fast-paced biographical drama taking place on a single evening was everything it was made out to be, thanks in part to Hawke’s dynamic performance (seriously, this is so great). However, there’s another Oscar nomination it deserved. Well, two for that matter.

The movie, which follows a reflective Hart as he comes to terms with a former colleague releasing what would become one of the most consequential musicals of the 20th century, is full of dynamic and enchanting performances, including those by Andrew Scott and Bobby Cannavale. While I don’t know who I’d kick out this year’s stacked Best Supporting Actor field, there’s a case to be made for their inclusion.

I Don’t Think Ethan Hawke Has Ever Been Better

Before I get into the work of Andrew Scott and Bobby Cannavale, and while we should be celebrating their on-screen work, I just have to get something off my chest. I have been a massive fan of Ethan Hawke’s body of work for decades, and he’s in some of my favorite movies of all time, but I don’t think he’s ever been better than he is in Blue Moon.

His take on the tormented artist, who, at times, is both hopelessly optimistic about his future (both in terms of professional output and romantic journeys), is nothing short of amazing. The way he bounces between emotions, conversations, and songs throughout this charming picture, reuniting him with director Richard Linklater, is something that should be marveled at and studied for years to come.

Though I think Timothée Chalamet or Leonardo DiCaprio are going to take home the Oscar next month, I would be pleasantly surprised if Hawke’s name is called when the envelope is opened.

The Best Supporting Actor Category Is Stacked, But Two Blue Moon Performances Deserve Recognition

One of my favorite races to follow each year is the Best Supporting Actor category, as it typically features some of the most dynamic, or at least, most interesting performances. That’s no different this year, as the field is bustling at the seams with outstanding turns by the likes of Sean Peen, Benicio del Toro, Jacob Elordi, Stellan Skarsgård, and the much-deserving Delory Lindo. While I don’t know which of these to cut, Blue Moon has two performances that were deserving of a spot on that list.

First, there’s Bobby Cannavale’s take on Eddie, Lorenz Hart’s friend and master bartender at Sardi’s, where most of the movie takes place. Throughout the movie, Eddie enhances just about every conversation with Lorenz and adds an electricity to it that I couldn’t get over. His back-and-forth with the “sober” lyricist as they discuss art, love, Casablanca’s best lines, and the devastation of World War II is impactful and further adds to Hawke’s acting.

There’s also Andrew Scott’s take on Richard Rodgers, Lorenz's former creative partner, whose career is about to reach new heights following the premiere of Oklahoma! with Oscar Hammerstein II. He’s not in the movie a whole lot, but whenever he is, Scott’s character adds so much to the story. His performance, while understated compared to the others, is both powerful and authentic, especially when it comes to two old friends going in different directions.

Again, I don’t want to take anything away from Ethan Hawke or anyone nominated for Best Supporting Actor, but these two performances are some of the best I’ve seen in years.

Stream Blue Moon on Netflix.

Everyone loves a ruthless TV villain. From Cersei Lannister to J.R. Ewing to Mr. Burns, great villains come in all kinds of ways on our television schedule. They may be cold and calculating, or they may be impulsive and crazy, but a great villain always makes for a much better show. This is a list of just a few of my favorite and most ruthless villains in TV history. Enjoy! If you don't, they may come for you.

J.R. Ewing (Dallas)

J.R. Ewing (Larry Hagman) was a villain who was so cunning and so ruthless that when he was shot on the Season 3 finale of Dallas, literally all of America waited months to find out who shot him. It wasn't just one of the best cliffhangers ever; it was a cultural moment that I don't think will ever be matched.

Livia Soprano (The Sopranos)

When you're a mob boss and your worst enemy is your mother, you know you're in a bad spot. Livia Soprano, Tony's domineering and, frankly, nasty, mother, played by the late Nancy Marchand, was a brilliant antagonist for the powerful boss of the family. She was so underhanded and so unhinged at times, you never knew just what she was capable of or if there was any good in her at all. It would have been amazing to see where her character went, had we not tragically lost Marchand during the show's run.

Kilgrave (Jessica Jones)

Kilgrave, played by David Tennant in Jessica Jones, just might be my favorite comic book villain in the modern era. The fact that his ability to change the reality you understand in your own head is diabolical and terrifying. Tennant's performance is flat-out amazing.

Gus Fring (Breaking Bad)

Giancarlo Esposito's performance as Gus Fring, the mortal enemy of Walter White (Bryan Cranston) in Breaking Bad, is simply terrifying. He's calm and cold while exacting terrible violence. He's ruthless in his pursuit to control the game, and he's completely without remorse. It's the perfect combination to make an amazing villain.

Nina Myers (24)

There is nothing more ruthless than turning on your co-worker and country, like Nina Myers (Sarah Clarke) did in Season 1 of 24. It was a moment that completely blew viewers' minds, who never could have predicted that Jack Bauer's right-hand woman would end up the villain.

Negan (The Walking Dead)

I'll make a confession here: Negan (Jefferey Dean Morgan) was too much for me. I started to tune out of The Walking Dead right about the time he entered. He was just too violent and too mean for me to keep going. The Walking Dead had a number of great villains, but for me, he's the king of the worst.

The Trinity Killer (Dexter)

The only person to actually match wits with Dexter on the show of the same name was, of course, Arthur Mitchell, aka The Trinity Killer, played by the brilliant John Lithgow. He was an unbelievable foe for everyone's favorite anti-hero/serial killer and a big reason the show was as successful as it was over the years.

Aunt Lydia (The Handmaid's Tale)

The Handmaid's Tale is one of the hardest shows to watch, ever. There is just so much evil throughout virtually every moment of the show. That evil is personified by Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd), the "aunt" who is "caring" for June Osborne/Offred and her fellow handmaids. It's impossible to sum up just how evil she is.

Moriarty (Sherlock)

One of the greatest villains in Western literature is Moriarty from the Sherlock Holmes books. On the show Sherlock, Moriarty is portrayed perfectly in a modernized way by Andrew Scott. He is a master criminal, sure, but really, he just wants to torment our hero, Sherlock (Benedict Cumberbatch)

Mr. Burns (The Simpsons)

Any villain who once tried to block out the sun to drive up profits for his company belongs on this list. Mr. Burns' attempt to shroud Springfield in darkness on The Simpsons led to dozens of suspects after he was shot. Of course, it was actually CM Burms' attempt to steal candy from a baby that actually got him shot. It's a toss-up as to which is worse.

Homelander (The Boys)

One of the most disturbing villains you can watch with a Prime subscription has to be Homelander from The Boys. He finally answers the question: "What if Superman were evil?" Luckily, he's as funny as he is scary, which makes him as watchable as any other baddie on this list.

Cersei Lannister (Game Of Thrones)

One show that gave us all multiple villains that could be on this is Game of Thrones. Perhaps the most coniving, most ruthless, and most disturbing of them all was Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey). She made it (almost) to the bitter end of the show after setting herself up as the villain very early on. She wasn't alone, but she was the most dangerous in the game.

Vern Schillinger (Oz)

Vern Schillinger (J.K. Simmons) is the personification of evil on Oz. The racist prisoner was ruthless, but he was also weak in a lot of ways, making him even more dangerous.

Al Swearengen (Deadwood)

There are no villains on this list with the verbal panache of Al Swearengen on Deadwood. Ian McShane's performance, delivering those amazing lines like only he could, made Swearengen a fan favorite, despite just how awful he could be. Just hope he doesn't turn that silver tongue on you, or you might get fed to the pigs next.

Ben Linus (Lost)

This first season on Lost saw the castaways mostly fighting among themselves. There was no real "villain" until the 14th episode of the show's second season. That is when Henry Gale is captured by Rousseau. Soon, we would all learn his real name, Ben Linus, and his real motive, and they weren't benevolent. Actor Michael Emerson played the role perfectly.

Wilson Fisk (Daredevil)

Matching his brains with tremendous brawn, Kingpin (Vincent D'Onofrio) has everything he needs to be one of the most powerful baddies on this list. In both the original Daredevil, which streamed on Netflix before moving to Disney+, and Daredevil: Reborn, Kingpin is as formidable as any villain ever. It doesn't hurt to have the talented D'Onofrio playing the supervillain, one of Marvel's best.

Alexis Carrington (Dynasty)

What J.R. Ewing did for Dallas, Alexis Carrington (Joan Collins) did for Dynasty. The show was a direct response to Dallas, and it had the same vibe, and Alexis was just as conniving and ruthless as J.R.

Skeletor (He-Man And The Masters Of The Universe)

This one is personal. When I was a kid, I was actually a little scared of Skeletor in the original He-Man And The Masters Of The Universe cartoon. He's been the central villain throughout all of the various versions of the franchise. He was thwarted most of the time, but he never stopped coming at He-Man and his cohorts.

Hannibal Lecter (Hannibal)

One of the most ruthless and terrifying villains on TV and on the silver screen has to be Hannibal Lecter. The cannibal psychiatrist was played by Mads Mikkelsen on the show Hannibal, after Sir Anthony Hopkins won an Oscar playing the role in The Silence Of The Lambs. Whomever plays him, he's pure evil.

Marlo Stanfield (The Wire)

One of the things that makes The Wire such an amazing show, one of the best shows ever in the peak era of television, was that there were very few pure villains. Every character, cop or criminal, was presented in shades of gray. Some good, some bad. One character that was pretty much all bad, however, was Marlo Stanfield (Jamie Hector). His takeover of the drug trade in Baltimore was as ruthless a takeover as you could imagine. He was cold and calculating, but he wasn't afraid to be as violent as he could.

Sue Sylvester (Glee)

Sue Sylvester might not be the most violent or the most criminal villain on this list, but that doesn't mean that she is any less ruthless in the pursuit of her goals than anyone else on this list. The great Jane Lynch was born to play the role, too. She was not only ruthless, she was hilarious. The perfect example of a character we all love to hate, and that's a complete compliment to the great Ms. Lynch.

Damon Pope (Sons Of Anarchy)

It wasn't often that SAMCRO ran up against a foe that they couldn't take out pretty easily in Sons of Anarchy. Damon Pope, played by Harold Perrineau, was one exception to that rule. Pope was the main antagonist in Season 5 of the show, and he was responsible for one of the most brutal deaths in SOA history when he arranged Opie's death in front of his brothers. I still get sick to my stomach just thinking about it.

Joffery Baratheon (Game Of Thrones)

In a show full of villains, Joffrey Baratheon was the most unpredictable and the most ruthlessly violent. He was a terrible sadist, as shown over and over, and he had absolutely no morals. He is among the most hated TV villains of all time.

Thomas Barrow (Downton Abbey)

Downton Abbey isn't a show that jumps out as having any ruthless villains, but Thomas Barrow (Rob James-Collier) definitely fits the bill here. He's conniving, sniveling, and awful. Sometimes his motives don't even seem reasonable, but that doesn't stop him from trying to undermine his perceived enemies.

Ralph Cifaretto (The Sopranos)

The Sopranos never really found a villain quite as evil as Livia Soprano, but when Ralph Cifaretto (Joe Pantoliano) returns from Miami in Season 3, we did get a formidable foe to Tony. He was rash and violent, but he also always found a way to justify his questionable decisions, even when they went against Tony's orders.

Amanda Woodward (Melrose Place)

As a spinoff of Beverly Hills, 90210, Melrose Place was decidedly more "adult," not just in the age of the characters, but in the way those characters acted and were treated. 90210 didn't really have villains, but Melrose had Amanda Woodward, played by the wonderful Heather Locklear. While she did garner some sympathy as the seasons rolled on, in the beginning, she was 100% villain.

Newman (Seinfeld)

There aren't a whole lot of villains in sitcoms, at least, not any as devious as Jerry's neighbor Newman (Wayne Knight). He was buddies with Kramer, but a sworn enemy of Jerry's, and it made every single interaction between the two characters hilarious. The disdain they had for each other was palpable every time they met. Newman and Jerry got along.

Sideshow Bob (The Simpsons)

While Mr. Burns is a villain to everyone in Springfield (even Smithers most of the time), Sideshow Bob (voiced by Kelsey Grammer) is a villain to just one poor kid in town, Bart Simpson. Over the years, the Bond Villain-like Bob has come up with all kinds of schemes to take out who he thinks is his nemesis, but he is thwarted each time. It's made for some of the best episodes of The Simpsons.

Sylar (Heroes)

Sylar (Zachary Quinto) was not only ruthless on Heroes, but he was insanely powerful, and that made him one of the scariest villains on this whole list. Zachary Quinto played the role masterfully,

The Governor (The Walking Dead)

Of all the villains in The Walking Dead, The Governor, played by David Morrissey in Seasons 3 and 4, is one of the most menacing. Maybe it's the eye patch, but there was always something very unsettling about him, even when he wasn't being totally awful (which was rare). The villains got more violent as the show went on, but they didn't get any scarier than The Governor.

Villanelle (Killing Eve)

Villanelle's cat-and-mouse game with Eve (Sandra Oh) is what makes the show so great. Jodie Comer, who plays Villanelle, and Sandra Oh have great on-screen chemistry, which is often underrated when it comes to great villains on TV. Sometimes, the back-and-forth is what makes the adversaries great.

Rowan Pope (Scandal)

It's always bad when your most ruthless enemy is part of your family. For Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington), her father, Rowan Pope (Joe Morton), was the one enemy who knew how to really twist the knife in the normally unflappable Olivia.

You know a story is legendary when it gets adapted into a TV series or a film not just once, but multiple times. Harry Potter is getting a TV series less than 15 years after the movies were massive hits. Dune has been adapted several times. It’s common when that happens for actors or filmmakers who were in an earlier version to be asked about a newer adaption, and so it was only a matter of time before The Talented Mr. Ripley star Matt Damon was asked about the Ripley TV series from Netflix, and his answer is quite surprising.

You might expect Matt Damon to reveal he hasn’t watched Ripley, either because he hasn’t had time or because he doesn’t want to be forced to compare the two. Or he might reveal that he has watched it, and say something nice about the new cast. However, instead, when IndieWire asked him about the Andrew Scott-led show, he revealed that he has seen Ripley, but had a hard time getting through it. However, it's not because of anything to do with the series itself, but because of his emotional connection to the film’s late director. Damon said…

Anthony Minghella passed away in 2008 from a hemorrhage following surgery to remove a cancerous tumor. He won the Academy Award for Best Director in 1996 for The English Patient, and he was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay for his work on The Talented Mr. Ripley.

His death was a shock, Minghella was an inspiration as a director to many, and clearly, Matt Damon had a strong connection to the director and the film.

Watching the new Netflix project and seeing Andrew Scott, who plays the role of Tom Ripley in the series, perform scenes very much like what Damon did, would probably bring up memories of his time making The Talented Mr. Ripley. It seems those memories then got in the way of watching and enjoying the show.

If you haven't seen The Talented Mr. Ripley movie, it's worth a watch. It's arguably Matt Damon's best film. He still calls the show on the 2024 TV schedule “beautiful,” though, and the cast “great,” so, he wasn’t so disconnected that he couldn’t appreciate the new series. However, I certainly didn’t realize what The Talented Mr. Ripley really meant to Damon. It will likely impact my viewing of the movie and the series in the future as well.

Across the entire history of the James Bond movies, the actors playing 007 have been as compelling as the adversaries that opposed them on screen. In the spirit of those menacing performances, we’d like to highlight 32 actors who have played the villain in the Bond canon.

Joseph Wiseman (Dr. No)

The first villain in 007 history, the titular Dr. No helped introduce the world to SPECTRE’s brand of villainy through actor Joseph Wiseman. Notable credits of the Canadian actor include a ‘50s adaptation of Les Miserables, as well as an appearance in an early season of Law & Order. 

Robert Shaw (From Russia With Love)

While most movie fans would remember Robert Shaw from films like Jaws or The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, the man was also one of the most memorable James Bond villains ever. Playing Red Grant in From Russia With Love, Shaw’s SPECTRE agent was the first, and one of the best, dark mirrors to 007 himself. 

Gert Fröbe (Goldfinger)

Though he was vocally dubbed over in his role as Goldfinger’s titular villain, Gert Fröbe’s appearance was nonetheless imposing in the early era of Sean Connery’s James Bond. Coincidentally, Fröbe would also land a part in another Ian Fleming adaptation: the Dick van Dyke-led musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. 

Adolfo Celi (Thunderball)

Adolfo Celi is one of those James Bond villains that you may do a double take upon seeing them. But rest assured, the polyglot performer was the villain in both Thunderball and Operation: Kid Brother, menacing both Sean Connery and his brother Neil during the 1960’s. 

Donald Pleasance (You Only Live Twice)

Donald Pleasance certainly needs no introduction to fans of the best horror movies of all time, thanks to his role as Dr. Loomis in the classic run of Halloween movies. But his iconic career also holds the distinction of the actor being the very first version of Ernst Stavro Blofeld we see on screen. 1967’s You Only Live Twice ushered in the character, who eventually became James Bond’s cinematic arch-nemesis. 

Telly Savalas (On Her Majesty’s Secret Service)

While Telly Savalas was the second incarnation of Ernst Stavro Blofeld in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, some would argue that he was indeed the most menacing and charming. With a career that included films such as Kelly’s Heroes, and TV series like The Twilight Zone and Kojak, his spot in George Lazenby’s lone Bond movie only further proved his versatility. 

Charles Gray (Diamonds Are Forever)

Though Charles Gray appeared as an ally to James Bond in You Only Live Twice, that didn’t stop the powers that be from casting him to be the third variant of Ernst Stavro Blofeld in the 007 legacy. His balance of smarm and campy menace would serve him well later on, as The Criminologist in the film adaptation of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. 

Yaphet Kotto (Live And Let Die)

Even American acting legends like Yaphet Kotto found their way into the James Bond ecosystem. A veteran of projects like Alien and Homicide: Life on the Streets, Kotto was also the iconic Dr. Kananga/Mr. Big in Live and Let Die, serving as the first antagonist in the era of Roger Moore’s James Bond. 

Christopher Lee (The Man With The Golden Gun)

Sir Christopher Lee’s iconic acting career had him playing roles like Dracula and Saruman in The Lord of the Rings saga. However, his role as Scaramanga in The Man with the Golden Gun is rather impressive for some other James Bond-related reasons. Not only was Lee a cousin to author Ian Fleming, but he was also one of the original actors considered for the role of 007.

Julian Glover (For Your Eyes Only)

A performer deeply canonized in the trenches of geekdom, Julian Glover has held roles in both the Star Wars and Indiana Jones movies, as well as a recurring spot in HBO’s Game of Thrones. That last connection is all the more exciting when you consider that For Your Eyes Only not only had Glover in its cast, but Tywin Lannister himself, Charles Dance, was also present. 

Christopher Walken (A View To A Kill)

While most people probably wouldn’t bat an eye at Christopher Walken playing a James Bond villain, most folks would more than likely be hard-pressed to answer the question of if he ever did. This makes Walken’s role in A View to a Kill even more exciting to behold, as the Dune: Part Two actor actually got to challenge Roger Moore in his final turn as 007.

Sean Bean (Goldeneye)

Fans of actor Sean Bean love to play an infamous game whenever they see the veteran of The Lord of the Rings and Snowpearcer on screen: “Does Sean Bean Die In This Movie?” Well, Goldeneye may have been the movie that started that craze, thanks to a string of opportunities in the decades that ensued answering that question with a resounding yes.

Jonathan Pryce (Tomorrow Never Dies)

Worldwide audiences probably best know Jonathan Pryce from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, as he played the father to Keira Knightley’s Elizabeth Swann. However, deep-fried fans of the Brazil actor’s work also know that Elliot Carver in Tomorrow Never Dies as one of the most effective Bond Villains. 

Sophie Marceau (The World Is Not Enough)

In one of the best plot twists ever, Sophie Marceau’s Elektra King goes from Bond Girl to Bond Villain in The World is Not Enough. Prior to that head-turning reveal, Marceau had been seen at the box office in the classic epic Braveheart, as well as the David Spade comedy vehicle Lost & Found. 

Toby Stephens (Die Another Day)

Toby Stephens’ Gustave Graves is another fantastic example of the “dark mirror” villain archetype at work. However, playing the eccentric Die Another Day villain seemed to allow the future star of Black Sails and Lost in Space to do something most 007 baddies don’t get to do: play James Bond through a series of BBC radio adaptations. 

Mads Mikkelsen (Casino Royale)

When he helped kick off Daniel Craig’s James Bond era, Mads Mikkelsen kind of fell into the role of Casino Royale’s sinister Le Chiffre. Of course, in the years since, he’s been seen as everything from a loving father in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story to the cannibalistic psychiatrist that gave NBC’s Hannibal its title.

Javier Bardem (Skyfall)

Striding the line between charming and chilling, Raoul Silva from Skyfall is a role that actor Javier Bardem was born to play. And that’s even after considering the fact that Bardem’s career had already seen him in projects like No Country For Old Men and Collateral. But even with that sort of clout at his disposal, one of his big scenes with Daniel Craig was almost cut.

Christoph Waltz (Spectre)

When Christoph Waltz was announced as starring in Spectre, all of the rumors pointed to the breakout star of Inglorious Basterds as the modern Ernst Stavro Blofeld. Considering he had quite a few baddies on his resume by that point, it’s kind of amusing to imagine a world where he wasn’t the Daniel Craig-era incarnation of 007’s greatest silver screen foe.

Andrew Scott (Spectre)

Andrew Scott is too good at playing a villain. Before he became Fleabag’s “hot priest” or even set eyes on the complicated figure at the heart of Netflix’s Ripley, Scott’s time as Moriarty for Steven Moffat’s Sherlock probably helped cast him as the hidden evil known as C in Spectre. 

Rami Malek (No Time To Die)

You don’t have to have won an Academy Award to play a modern James Bond villain. Though it may have helped Rami Malek land his No Time To Die role as Safin, an assassin who’s looking to wreck the world in his own special way. Malek’s casting came after years of roles like HBO’s The Pacific and the Night at the Museum movies giving him quite the shining star. 

Lotte Lenya (From Russia With Love)

A prolific singer and artist before and after her time in the James Bond series, Lotte Lenya only further entrenched herself in entertainment history in From Russia With Love. As the dominating Rosa Klebb, Lenya was one of the first lieutenants of SPECTRE seen going head-to-head with 007. 

Luciana Paluzzi (Thunderball)

Italian actress Luciana Paluzzi’s role as Fiona Volpe in Thunderball gave James Bond one of his most formidable femme fatales. Ms. Paluzzi’s portrayal would eventually win her roles on The Man from U.N.C.L.E., as well as its spinoff The Girl from U.N.C.L.E. Coincidentally, one of Luciana’s previous credits was in a film directed by Dr. No director Terrence Young. The name of that film? No Time To Die. 

Curt Jurgens (The Spy Who Loved Me)

As the antagonist in The Spy Who Loved Me, actor Curt Jürgens terrorized Roger Moore and Barbara Bach in a caper that brought together British spy and Soviet operatives alike. A Eurpoean film star prior to his James Bond casting, Jürgens’ career in world domination came later on in his career. 

Joe Don Baker (The Living Daylights)

Charles Gray and Joe Don Baker both hold a very important distinction in the James Bond legacy: they’ve both played heroes and villains in that very same series. In Baker’s case, his appearance as heel Brad Whittaker in The Living Daylights put him in a prime position to return in the Pierce Brosnan run as 007’s American ally, CIA agent Jack Wade.

Robert Davi (License To Kill)

You’ve seen and heard Robert Davi in everything from the Halo video games to the cult classic Showgirls. And right on the man’s impressive resume is a spot in the James Bond Hall of Fame, as License to Kill’s Franz Sanchez. His approach to playing a Bond villain was so in sync with Timothy Dalton’s 007, that it remains one of the best adversaries in the series.

Louis Jourdan (Octopussy)

As the roguish villain Kamal Khan, French acting legend Louis Jourdan’s part in Octopussy only added to an already prolific career. Jourdan’s talents were also seen in TV series such as Charlie’s Angels and Columbo, as well as films like The Return of Swamp Thing. 

Mathieu Amalric (Quantum of Solace)

How’s this for a coincidence? Before he played the main villain in Quantum of Solace, actor Mathieu Amarlric actually co-starred with Daniel Craig in Steven Spielberg’s Munich. Years later, the water-focused supervillain would become a part of the Wes Anderson repertory cast, through roles in The Grand Budapest Hotel and The French Dispatch. 

Michael Lonsdale (Moonraker)

The late great Michael Lonsdale made the role of Hugo Drax a very imposing figure in the Roger Moore-led adaptation of Moonraker. Years down the line, the French thespian would find himself co-starring with two other 007 actors, thanks to 1986’s The Name of the Rose and 2005’s Munich. Lonsdale starred alongside Sean Connery and Daniel Craig, respectively.

Charles Dance (For Your Eyes Only)

Believe it or not, Charles Dance once seemed to be in line to audition to replace Roger Moore as the 007 of the ‘80s. The man who would be Game of Thrones’ Tywin Lannister seemed perfectly positioned to do so after playing a henchman in For Your Eyes Only, but eventually declined to chase that opportunity. 

Famke Janssen (Goldeneye)

Before she became one of the actors that ushered in the age of X-Men being a successful film franchise, Famke Janssen made a name for herself against Pierce Brosnan’s Commander Bond. Starring as the henchwoman to Sean Bean’s Goldeneye baddie, her darkly comic menace is as legendary as her costuming. 

Robert Carlyle (The World Is Not Enough)

Scottish actor Robert Carlyle played the functional villain in The World is Not Enough, as his heavy Renard pushed James Bond further into a web of danger, intrigue, and nuclear weapons. And yet, his performance in this movie is relatively tame, considering he made his name as the uber-violent Begbie in Danny Boyle’s Trainspotting just three years prior.

Jesper Christensen (Casino Royale)

Mr. White was always the man behind the man, through both Quantum and SPECTRE’s runs in the Daniel Craig 007 stories. And Jesper Christensen was present to play that role in three of the five entries that made up that arc, appearing in Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, and Spectre. 

Despite a limited number of seasons and episodes, Black Mirror has, since the beginning, killed it with its casting. The Charlie Brooker-led show has landed some of the biggest stars in the world for episodes and chooses some of the best character actors from both sides of the pond as well. Here are 32 casting examples that prove Black Mirror crushes it. 

Daniel Kaluuya

Before Daniel Kaluuya hit the really big time with break-out roles in Get Out and Black Panther, he had a role in just the second episode of Black Mirror, called "Fifteen Million Merits." Kaluuya played a low-level bike rider looking to escape his boring life by performing in a reality TV show. It's a powerful performance and helped set the tone for the series. 

Hayley Atwell

Season 2 of  Black Mirror started with a bang, with an episode called "Be Right Back" starring Hayley Atwell and Domhnall Gleeson in a real mind-bending episode about a couple with a classic Black Mirror twist. 

Jon Hamm

In between Season 1 and Season 2, Black Mirror aired a Christmas special featuring its first big American star, Mad Men's Jon Hamm. It's a super disturbing episode in a ton of ways, not the least of which is just how evil Hamm's character turns out to be. 

Bryce Dallas Howard

Season 3 marked a big change for the show when it moved to Netflix. It also started with a band with the episode "Nosedive" starring Bryce Dallas Howard. It felt a first like a different take on the general premise of Black Mirror, being brighter and seemingly more upbeat. But that didn't last long, of course, and Howard's performance made it all work perfectly. 

Kelly MacDonald

Kelly Mac Donald isn't often the star of her projects but she is consistently excellent in everything she is in. She does star in one episode of Black Mirror, the Season 3 episode "Hated In The Nation" which is the show's take on a police procedural, with  MacDonald playing the main investigator. 

Salma Hayek

There are few stars bigger than the great Salma Hayak and her role in the episode "Joan Is Awful" in the Sixth Season is just perfect. She plays a version of herself, playing the character Joan and her no-BS attitude is just pitch-perfect. 

Jesse Plemons

The first episode of Season 4, "USS Callister" often ranks among the best episodes of Black Mirror, and a big reason why is the performances of the actors in the episode. There is no character more important than manipulative Captain Robert Daly played wonderfully by Jesse Plemons. 

Andrew Scott

Andrew Scott elevates basically everything he is in. Whether it's shows like Sherlock and Fleabag or movies like 1917, he also turns in one of the most memorable performances. Black Mirror is no exception. While the episode he appears in, "Smithereens" isn't well regarded among fans, there's no denying that Scott's performance is excellent and even earned him an Emmy nomination. 

Anthony Mackie

Anthony Mackie has never shied away from playing Gay men, with his first breakout role coming as a Gay art student in the film Brother to Brother. His role in Black Mirror wasn't quite as clear cut, as he played a man clearly struggling with his feelings and identity in the Season 5 episode "Striking Vipers." 

Kate Mara

The Season 6 episode, "Beyond the Sea," is one of the more messed up episodes of Black Mirror and that's really saying something. Kate Mara stars in the show as a woman trapped in the middle of a love triangle by two astronauts, one her husband, and one her suitor. It's a polarizing episode, like many, but there's no question it's as disturbing as the show can get. 

Miley Cyrus

In the final episode of Season 5, Miley Cyrus stars as Ashley O, a pop star not unlike her real-life self. Of all the Black Mirror episodes, it's maybe the least disturbing, but that really makes it underrated, if anything. It still makes the viewer question modern culture and tech, it just doesn't end in tragedy. 

Topher Grace

In Smithereens, Topher Grace plays a Jack Dorsey-type tech CEO who leads a social media company. While the episode is often criticized for its simplistic social commentary, by Black Mirror standards, Grace's performance is actually pretty perfect. All the acting performances are great in this uneven performance. 

Letitia Wright

Letitia Wright had been building a solid career in the U.K. before 2018 when she exploded on the world stage with her appearance in Black Panther. Prior to becoming a big part of the MCU, however, she starred in the Season 4 finale, "Black Museum." It's a fun episode with an almost greatest hits-type vibe, as it's filled with easter eggs to previous episodes. 

Benedict Wong

Benedict Wong has low-key become one of the most popular side characters in the MCU as... well... Wong. The same year he joined the MCU, in 2016's Doctor Strange, he also starred in the Season 3 episode "Hated in the Nation." He has a smaller role in the show compared to some of the other stars (like Kelly MacDonald) but he's great, as he always is in his many roles. 

Aaron Paul

Aaron Paul will likely forever be known first and foremost as Jesse Pinkman from Breaking Bad. There's nothing wrong with that, but Paul has had an impressive career outside of the legendary AMC show as well. One very notable role came in Season 6 of Black Mirror when he appeared alongside Josh Harnett and Kate Mara in "Beyond the Sea." It wasn't Paul's first appearance on the show, however. He had a quick cameo in "USS Callister" during the show's 4th Season. 

Zazie Beetz

Zazie Beetz hit the big time as a member of the hit show Atlanta starting in 2016. She later gained an even larger fanbase as Domino in Deadpool 2. In 2023, she got to star in an episode of Black Mirror called "Mazey Day" which broke new ground for the show, dipping into the supernatural for the first time. Though it wasn't the most well-received episode of the series, Beetz put together a great performance as a paparazza. 

Josh Harnett

Over the last 25 years, Josh Harnett has quietly put together one of the most underrated careers in Hollywood. He's played all kinds of roles, from heartthrobs to nuclear physicists. Of course, he also appeared as part of the star-studded cast of "Under The Sea" in Season 6. 

Michael Cera

Michael Cera has never been afraid to play ridiculous versions of himself. Most notably, in This Is The End, but also in the Season 6 episode "Joan is Awful." Everyone in the episode is playing some sort of version of themselves and Cera, as the character Beppe is, of course, over the top in his performance and we're here for it. 

Tobias Menzies

As character actors go, they don't get much better than Tobias Menzies. The English actor seems to pop up constantly in "prestige" shows. He was Brutus in HBO's Rome, he was Edmund Tully in Game of Thrones and he won an Emmy for playing Prince Philip in two seasons of The Crown. In the second season of Black Mirror, he played a British politician running for office against an animated bear named Waldo in "The Waldo Moment."

Domhnall Gleeson

Sure, Domhnall Gleeson is part of two of the biggest franchises in film history as a member of the Weasley family in the Harry Potter movies and General Hux in the Star Wars movies, but he's also been one of the best actors around for a couple of decades now. He appeared in the first episode of Season 2, "Be Right Back."

Wyatt Russell

Even though he has two very famous actors as parents, Wyatt Russell originally strived to play professional hockey. When injuries cut his career short, he fell back on acting. Lucky, huh? Still, he's putting together a really nice career, one that includes an appearance in the 2016 episode "Playtest."

Jodie Whittaker

Jodie Whittaker made history when she became the first woman to play The Doctor in three seasons of the modern era of Dr. Who. That wasn't Whittaker's first dabble in  science fiction TV, however, as she appeared in the third-ever episode of Black Mirror called "The Entire History of You." She is excellent in the episode, which ranks tops all-time on quite a few rankings. 

Jerome Flynn

One of the most disturbing episodes of Black Mirror came in its third season. "Shut Up and Dance" is a complicated episode, as viewers are repulsed by the characters, including, most notably, the one played by Game Of Thrones vet Jerome Flynn. Viewers are also taken aback by what those terrible characters have to do. It's a polarizing episode, but that's part of what makes it so great. 

Rory Kinnear

There are two roles that Rory Kinnear is likely most recognized for. One is Bill Tanner in four of the Daniel Craig-era James Bond movies. He's one of the most important characters from the Craig-led Bond films. The second is from the now-legendary premiere episode of Black Mirror called "The National Anthem." His performance as the beleaguered Prime Minister forced to do unspeakable things in the episode is, frankly, legendary.  

Rupert Everett

Rupert Everett has been killing on screen for more than 40 years now and though his role in the second episode of Season 1 is small, he's brilliant. He plays a Simon Cowell-type on a dystopian version of Britain's Got Talent and he, like Cowell, steals the show as a judge. 

Cherry Jones

Season 3's first episode, "Nosedive" is a fantastic episode, and a big reason why is the acting performances, including from Cherry Jones, who appears in only one scene of the show, but it's the pivotal moment in the show. Jones is one of the more underrated character actresses in Hollywood, but she's probably best known for playing President Allison Taylor on 24 and Holly Maddox in two seasons of The Handmaid's Tale. 

Oona Chaplin

Oona Chaplin comes from a family of true film royalty. Her grandfather was the legendary Charlie Chaplin. She's carved out an impressive career as well. She's best known as Talisa Stark, the ill-fated wife of Robb Stark in Game of Thrones, where she was the first death at the infamous Red Wedding. She stars alongside Jon Hamm in the Christmas special of Black Mirror in a smaller role, literally and figuratively, but her performance is sure to freak out everyone who watches. 

Jimmi Simpson

It's hard to believe that Always Sunny In Philadelphia first hit the airwaves in 2005, but it did. Jimmi Simpson has been along for most of the ride, as the oddball frenemy to "The Gang" and member of the McPoyle family, Liam McPoyle. He also appeared one of the most star-studded casts of Black Mirror in the "USS Callister."

Annie Murphy

Annie Murphy is most famous for playing Alexis Rose in Schitt's Creek and in 2023 she appeared as a strange version of herself playing "Joan" in "Joan in Awful" alongside Salma Hayek in the sixth season.  

Kirsten Dunst

"USS Callister" has one of the more star-studded casts and one of the stars you may not have even seen, Kirsten Dunst. Dunst's cameo in Black Mirror is truly a blink--and-you-miss-moment in the episode. She appears as a fellow office worker in the show and it's so brief most people missed it. 

Cristin Milioti

The multi-talented Cristin Milioti started her career on the stage on Broadway where she became a Tony-nominated actress, but made her on-screen breakthrough as "The Mother" in How I Met Your Mother. Since then, she's shined in shows like Fargo, The Resort, and The Mindy Project, as well as starring in "USS Callister" in Black Mirror. 

Will Poulter

Will Poulter seems to like showing in prestige TV shows. In addition to starring in the groundbreaking interactive "choose your own adventure" Black Mirror movie called Bandersnatch, he's also shown up in a cameo on The Bear. That's in addition, of course, to his film roles in The Revenant, Midsommar, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3., among many others. 

One of the reasons many of us love following celebrities so much is because they go places and have experiences that many of us simply never will. That includes going to awards shows and getting all gussied up in some of the fanciest, most expensive clothes and accessories around. With the bulk of this year’s award season now over, let’s take a look at 32 great pairs of shoes that stars sported recently as they walked the red carpet.

Annette Bening 

Looks for any award show can vary wildly, but we do typically see ladies in high heels of some sort. Actress Annette Benning did step out in heels, but she chose some of a chunky platform sandal variety that likely added some literal stability to her chic, flowy outfit.

Ryan Gosling

Sure, men’s fashion doesn’t usually lend itself to wild shoewear choices on the red carpet, but that’s OK. Barbie cast member/Oscar nominee Ryan Gosling went with a great pair of shiny black shoes to accent his black (and slightly sparkly) tux and red socks, and they work perfectly.

Danielle Brooks

You’re going to see that black, overall, was a popular shoe color choice for 2024’s award shows, and The Color Purple Oscar nominee Danielle Brooks made a good pick to go with her very glamorous Dolce Gabbana gown. The sandals feature a shapely high heel and pearl accents that kick the look up a couple of notches.

Cynthia Erivo

Not only did Cynthia Erivo and her co-star Ariana Grande decide to represent their Wicked characters via their fashion choices for the Academy Awards, but Erivo took her green Elphaba theme to the hilt with her platform shoes with striated shades of emerald.

Billie Eilish

One cannot deny the importance of comfort when talking shoes, and award winning singer/songwriter Billie Eilish definitely deserves props for choosing a round-toe mary jane style that even allowed her to wear full-on shocks to the Oscars.

Florence Pugh

Florence Pugh has had no shortage of amazing fashion moments, and it appears that they won’t let up anytime soon. The star looked wonderful at the Oscars, and walked tall in a super chunky, mirrored platform sandal to complete her look.

Colman Domingo

As the star of the lauded civil rights drama, Rustin, Colman Domingo made numerous appearances on red carpets recently, but his decision to head to the Academy Awards in custom Louis Vuitton cowboy boots (in black with gold accents) has absolutely put him near the top of everyone’s fashionable celeb list.

Emily Blunt

Never mind the Oscar dress with the floating shoulders, most would likely say that Emily Blunt’s silver heels with a little half-bow across her toes managed to actually steal the show from her gorgeously constructed cream and silver gown.

Mahershala Ali

Again, men don’t always think to step up their shoe game for red carpets, but Mahershala Ali certainly did. His graphic black and white loafers with a slight heel absolutely helped him stand out in a sea of men with black footwear.

Ava DuVernay

Director Ava DuVernay looked lovely in her powder blue ensemble, and her silver shoes with a little bit of a platform went nicely with the buckled straps of her off-the-shoulder dress.

Carly Pearce

People came out in their finest for the CMT Awards, and country singer Carly Pearce was no different. The black and silver gem-studded stunners she wore on her feet obviously made a fabulous statement. Look at that crazy high stiletto heel!

Celine Song

Just because you’re in black flats, it doesn’t have to mean that your choice of shoe has to be boring. Wearing a flowy, lower-calf length skirt to walk the Oscar red carpet, filmmaker Celine Song was able to show off her chunky footwear and look like the very picture of effortless cool.

Wendy Thembelihle Juel

The South African/Danish model may have put on a fitted, shimmering pink dress for her time at the Academy Awards, but she also chose black as the perfect color for her shoes. Her sandals gave the gown an extra oomph with a pretty crystal (or diamond) bow across each set of toes that helped to make them the real focal point of her glamorous look.

Erika Alexander

To celebrate the Oscar nods received by American Fiction, star Erika Alexander stepped out in a truly original dress. And, her shoes were different as well, seeing as how it’s relatively rare to see ladies on the red carpet in white heels.

Alex Borstein

Black can be very basic, but not, apparently, if you’re The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel star Alex Borstein. The talent stepped out to the Critics Choice Awards in delicately laced black pumps that appear to be see-through, which also had a scalloped edge to compliment her sheer dress.

Ke Huy Quan

Ke Huy Quan is clearly enjoying his revitalized time in the spotlight, and the Oscar winner knows how to get all dressed up for the red carpet. Here, he wears a classic pair of glossy black, tie-up dress shoes, and they pair perfectly with his deep red and black tuxedo.

Simu Liu

The People’s Choice Awards saw Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Barbie star Simu Liu hit the carpet in a fantastic oxblood-colored suit. And, not only did his shoes match, but he switched things up from typical men’s shoes and donned suede footwear for the occasion. Love it!

Andrew Scott

It can be so, so nice to buck convention and head to a fancy event in an ensemble that evokes a high/low effect, which is exactly what All of Us Strangers and Ripley star Andrew Scott did when he attended the Golden Globe Awards in January 2024. Instead of going for a full, all-white tuxedo, he went with the jacket, wide-leg pants and a thin t-shirt, which were beautifully accompanied by full-coverage shoes in the same creamy shade with an ultra-low black heel.

Oprah Winfrey

If you paid any attention to the many events that media mogul extraordinaire Oprah Winfrey went to in order to celebrate and promote the release of the musical The Color Purple, well, you’ll know that the many shades of that very hue were her choice for all of them. This included her time at the Golden Globes, where she capped her lovely, custom Louis Vuitton dress (which appears to be a shimmery, optical illusion-like crushed velvet) with grape-colored Manolo Blahnik shoes. So sophisticated, right?

Rachel Brosnahan

Talk about working a look! The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel star (who’s soon to be our new Lois Lane in Superman: Legacy) went all red for the Golden Globes and was a total stunner. She stepped out in a custom Sergio Hudson off-the-shoulder gown, which featured a slinky line of buttons from top to toe that opened about halfway down. Brosnahan is also in satiny, custom-made Christian Louboutin sandals with a thin ankle strap that perfectly sets off her whole outfit.

Selena Gomez

Only Murders in the Building superstar Selena Gomez has been on top since her teens, so she knows how to work a red carpet! Her Globes look featured one of the more intriguing gowns of the night; a glossy, deep red stunner with black accents and a full, hi-low hem that gave everyone a perfect look at her cool shoes in a lipstick shade of red that appeared to feature some holographic effects. Selena can do no wrong!

Helen Mirren

Dame Helen Mirren (who really should be given her own Fast & Furious movie) hasn’t portrayed a queen more than once for nothing. She went to the Globes in a lavender ensemble that featured a bodice that gathered at her side and a sweeping skirt, topped with a two-tone cape (Yes, honey!) and extremely chunky, platform sandals in a shade of silver that perfectly matched her hair. Does glam get any better?

Jessica Williams

Speaking of royalty, Shrinking and Road House star Jessica Williams looked like an absolute princess as a nominee when she attended the Primetime Emmy Awards in January 2024. Williams wore a very ladylike custom-made off-the-shoulder Rodarte gown that was mostly black, with a hi-low hem that exposed fluffy layers of white tulle underneath. Her shoes are black and closed-toe but with netting near the top and three rather large crystal flowers, which only add to the regal look.

Bella Ramsey

Bella Ramsey stepped out to the Emmys in a very clean, professional style that’s far different from what we usually see when it comes to suits at awards shows. The star, who’s currently working on The Last of Us Season 2 for HBO) is wearing four different colors (the forest green suit, a deep purple button-down shirt, a red turtleneck and deep burgundy shoes), but somehow it all works together to make a clean look. Speaking of the shoes, thick black soles and the silver medallion on each help to both make a statement and ground the whole outfit.

Joan Collins

Timeless style is called “timeless” for very good reasons, and that’s because anyone at any age can look good wearing it in any year! Dynasty legend Joan Collins presented at the Emmy Awards, and put on her finest pleated Jenny Packham gown in a silvery sky blue dotted with crystals. To complete her outfit, the longtime star chose a closed-toe shoe in a similar color with a little embellishment right on the top just made to peek out from under her long, caped dress.

Jeffrey Wright

It looks as though colors like red, maroon, and oxblood were kinda popular recently, doesn’t it? American Fiction lead Jeffrey Wright showed up for February 2024’s Screen Actors Guild Awards (where he was nominated for his role and as part of the cast as a whole) in a perfectly tailored tuxedo of the latter color that looked quite sharp. Even better? His sturdy shoes in a similar shade added just enough interest with different colors on the bottom.

Keith David

Shades of aubergine pretty much always help people stand out at events, and that’s even more true when you’re dressed in it head to toe and look as happy as Keith David did at the SAG awards. Also attending for American Fiction’s cast nomination, the star was, indeed, donning the color for his lovely suit with a nice sheen, tie and shirt in slightly different but still within the color family hue and, his shoes. David went with a simple shoe, but in a suede fabric that helps then stand out just a teensy bit.

Tyler James Williams

Again, head-to-toe in one color can work wonders for netting the wearer a truly memorable look, and Abbott Elementary’s Tyler James Williams definitely got the memo. He showed up and showed out for his SAG Awards appearance in a natty baby blue suit with a matching, sheer t-shirt underneath, and complimented the ‘fit with some extremely classy white shoes.

Lauren Daigle

Contemporary Christian music singer Lauren Daigle was able to celebrate her Grammy Award nominations at the ceremony in a standout of frilly navy blue and black tulle gown punctuated with multicolored accents by Shahar Avnet. But, the true winner of this ensemble might just be her shoes: white and blue polka-dotted John Fluevog sandals with a platform and a very cool sculpted heel.

CeeLo Green

Remember, wearing colors in one family from head to toe is gold…especially if you actually decide to wear different shades of actual gold! Former The Voice coach CeeLo Green headed to the Grammys with his lady friend looking like a statuette (as did she; her hair and lips are even gold), and if there was ever a time to do such a thing it’s at a major award show. Green capped off his very comfortable-looking outfit with simply styled gold shoes, because if you’re wearing all gold how many embellishments do you really need, anyway?

Fantasia Barrino

American Idol alum Fantasia Barrino was all set to perform at the 66th Grammy Awards, but first, she had to hit the red carpet. And, it would be fair to say that her style for the night was also a hit, as she stepped out in a nude gown with black accents and paired the whole thing with black platform sandals that had alluring crisscrossing straps for days. 

Kingsley Ben-Adir

The star of Bob Marley: One Love, Kingsley Ben-Adir, also took a turn on the Grammy red carpet, and while his Gucci jacket and shirt in a nearly lime green color with black slacks are nearly casual in flair, anything but can be said about his footwear. The man gave some seriously good shoe in black loafers covered in silver studs, and these just might be the best shoes on the list!

As you can see, this awards season saw a lot of fabulous and daring shoe styles on the red carpet, and we are all the better for it!

One of Andrew Scott’s breakout roles was Moriarty in the beloved Sherlock series. Out of all the Sherlock movies and TV shows, this modern take on the beloved detective’s stories was met with acclaim, and many adored the actor’s take on Sherlock Holmes’ nemesis. Now, Scott is in another adaptation of a beloved project, as he’s taking on the role of Tom Ripley in Netflix’s series Ripley on the 2024 TV schedule. So, when CinemaBlend had the chance to catch up with the actor about his latest adaptation, he spoke about taking on beloved roles and why characters like Ripley and Moriarty can survive multiple interpretations.  

Ripley is the latest book-to-screen adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s novel The Talented Mr. Ripley. Along with the novel being adored, the 1999 film of the same name is widely considered one of Matt Damon’s best movies. With all that in mind, and considering Andrew Scott’s history playing characters like Moriarty as well as his upcoming role in an audio version of George Orwell’s 1984, CinemaBlend’s Sean O’Connell asked him about why these characters are able to be interpreted over and over again. In response, the Ripley star said:

Andrew Scott makes a great point, when stories are based around complex and deep characters, it's easier to create more unique and thought-provoking interpretations of them without being repetitive. He cited Shakespeare’s work as an example, which makes sense, because he starred in a West End production of Hamlet in 2017. Along with that classic play, he was in Vanya in 2023, which was a new take on Anton Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya. 

Continuing to tell us what it takes to make a successful new interpretation of a beloved story, Scott said:

That makes a lot of sense. When I watched The Talented Mr. Ripley I was taken by Tom Ripley’s complexity, and Matt Damon’s ability to take his character on this journey as he transformed himself into someone else. The way that transformation happens, and the psychological effects of it feel like they can be interpreted and performed in many different ways, which goes along with Andrew Scott's point about why this character can go through multiple interpretations. 

It’s always interesting to see how different actors take on the same role. I think Tom Ripley, a character who is constantly wearing a mask to try and complete his mission, is a perfect example of a great person to interpret multiple times because it can be so different.

To see Andrew Scott’s take on Tom Ripley, you can stream Ripley with a Netflix subscription. 

April is here, and with the beginning of the month comes a massive influx of new shows and movies as many streaming services gain a ton of new content while also losing nearly as much. With all the changes, some popular movies move from one streaming service to another, and others can be available in multiple places.

Every major streaming platform has something worth taking note of, but we try to cut through the noise and find the most interesting or exciting of what’s new. Here are the highlights for the first week of April 2024.

What's On Netflix This Week

Netflix is still the home for movies, as it has been since back in its DVD days. April 1 will bring lots of films to Netflix subscribers, including the original Matrix trilogy, M. Night Shyamalan’s Split and its sequel Glass, and more. But two Netflix original projects are worth noting this week.

Ripley - April 4

Patricia Highsmith’s Thomas Ripley has been adapted into TV and film before, but the new Netflix Original series Ripley, a series nearly a decade in the making, promises to be something unique. Andrew Scott takes on the role of the sociopathic conman in a black-and-white production that also co-stars Dakota Fanning.

Scoop - April 5

Britain’s Royal Family is an incredibly popular topic on both sides of the Atlantic. The story of Prince Andrew and his alleged relationship with Jeffrey Epstein is one that caused a massive scandal. Scoop is the story of how the BBC scored a major interview with the Prince that would become infamous in its own right. Gillian Anderson, Keeley Hawes and Billie Piper star as women who made it happen.

What's On Disney+ This Week

Disney+ subscribers looking forward to new episodes of Star Wars: The Bad Batch and X-Men ‘97 certainly won’t be disappointed, but this week, it’s another piece of Disney animation that may steal the show.

Wish - April 3

Wish was Disney Animation’s 62nd feature film in 100 years. The newest film was a celebration of all things Disney, but it struggled at the box office. It will be interesting to see if, like Encanto before, Wish finds a second life on Disney+ once more people get a chance to see it.

Bluey, "Ghostbasket" - April 7

Australia’s Bluey has been one of the most popular shows not just on Disney+ but in all of streaming, ever since it debuted. This week, Disney+ embraces that popularity by making sure viewers don’t need to wait to see the newest episode. “Ghostbasket” will arrive on DIsney+ at the same time it premieres elsewhere in the world.

What's On Paramount+ This Week

If you’re a Star Trek fan, then it’s a pretty safe bet that you’re also a Paramount+ subscriber. The sci-fi franchise is a huge part of the service’s original content offerings, which makes this week a big deal.

Star Trek: Discovery (The Final Season) - April 4

Star Trek: Discovery was the first original Star Trek series to premiere on Paramount+ (then called CBS All Access), and now, with the debut of its fifth season, the show will come to an end. Discovery started life as a prequel to The Original Series, but quite a lot has happened since then. Sonequa Martin-Green’s Michael Burnam has finally become the Captain of the U.S.S. Discovery, and we can be sure she will be tested in her new role immediately.

What's On Peacock This Week

Peacock is the domestic home for all things WWE. The service will see a documentary on the life of the late Windham Rotunda, known to WWE fans as Bray Wyatt, on April 1, but the following weekend will come the biggest event of the WWE, and likely one of its biggest events ever.

Wrestlemania 40 - April 6 & 7

40 years after Madison Square Garden hosted the first event, Wrestlemania 40 comes to Philadelphia, PA. As has been the case the last few years, the event will cover two nights and promises to pack them both full of action. We know we’ll see the return of The Rock on night one, while night two will see the long-awaited rematch between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes for the WWE Universal Title.

What's On Prime Video This Week

March saw Prime Video subscribers get a major movie release with the Road House remake. Anybody who isn’t into movies where bones are broken might be happier this month, as two new original films debut that are quite different.

Musica - April 4

Musica isn’t a musical, but the new movie by writer, director and star Rudy Mancuso looks to be just as creative as one. Mancuso stars as a man suffering from synesthesia, i.e. hears the rhythm of the world around him, as he struggles with his own life, trying to find direction and love.

How to Date Billy Walsh - April 5

Last month saw the release of the romantic drama The Idea of You with Anne Hathaway, which has seen surprisingly strong critical reviews. Now the platform goes full rom-com with How to Date Billy Walsh. The story follows teen Archie who has never told childhood friend Amelia how he feels about her. As a result, he's now found himself attempting to aid her in her chase of school heartthrob Billy.

What's On Apple TV+ This Week

April is a strong month for content on Apple TV+. This week will see the debut of a second season of Mya Rudolf’s comedy series Loot, but it’s another, much darker, show that has us curious.

Sugar April 5

While many are anxiously awaiting Colin Farrell’s return as Penguin on Max later this year, it won’t be his first major streaming series of 2024. In Sugar, Farrell plays a private detective who specializes in finding missing people. The limited series looks to be something of a modern noir detective story, and Ferrell looks perfect for just that sort of role.

While these are some of the highlights of this week’s streaming platforms, it’s only a fraction of what’s now available to watch Be sure to check out everything new on Netflix for a complete list of what’s now streaming there. You can also get a jump on everything upcoming on Disney+ as well as what’s new on Hulu, for everything that has been announced on those platforms as well.

It's been five years since Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Andrew Scott positively demolished all of our hearts in a mere six episodes of Fleabag, via the exceptionally unlikely pairing of the show's sex-obsessed protagonist and the "hot priest" she falls for in Season 2. And while both talents have gone on to plenty of other high-profile projects in the half-decade since that heartbreaking bus stop scene, news of a potential reunion between the pair has our Fleabag-loving hearts thumping at the thought. 

While promoting Ripley, his new Netflix adaptation of the classic Patricia Highsmith novel, Scott gave eager fans an update on whether he and Waller-Bridge will be collaborating again onscreen anytime soon. He happily told Vogue:

Prior to Fleabag, the 47-year-old Irishman was already known to fans for his BAFTA-winning turn as the villainous James Moriarty in the BBC series Sherlock, as well as memorable roles in the James Bond movie Spectre and historical films like Pride and 1917. But playing the man known simply as "Hot Priest" (like "Fleabag" herself, Scott's character actually doesn't have a name) in the Golden Globe-winning dramedy made the actor a household name among fans, earning him a Critics' Choice Award win for "Best Supporting Actor," as well as Golden Globe and SAG Award nominations. 

So it's not surprising that Scott would want to see if lightning can strike twice with his former collaborator and longtime friend Phoebe, whom he met while working on the play Roaring Trade at London's Soho Theater 15 years ago. And it sounds like Waller-Bridge — who has been busy with developing that Tomb Raider TV series, starring in an Indiana Jones movie and punching up James Bond scripts — is equally keen to stage a much-anticipated reunion with the actor, calling him "an absolute pixie of mischief" in the Vogue piece. She said of her onscreen love: 

As for what the potential reunion could entail, Waller-Bridge hinted at what she'd want to see acting-wise from Scott next: 

Take our money! After making us weep not only with Fleabag but also his recent film, the gorgeously sad All of Us Strangers co-starring Paul Mescal, it would be nice to see Andrew Scott get to brighten up in a comedy. (After all, we don't expect many laughs from the murderous Tom Ripley.)

While you wait to hear about Andrew Scott and Phoebe Waller-Bridge's upcoming collaboration, you can revisit their most famous one as Fleabag and Hot Priest — Fleabag is available to stream now with an Amazon Prime Video subscription.

How To Watch All of Us Strangers Online

Watch All Of Us Strangers: Synopsis

If Saltburn brought about a resurgence for Sophie Ellis Baxter's "Murder on the Dancefloor", I don't see why All of Us Strangers wouldn't have the same impact on Frankie Goes to Hollywood's "The Power of Love", especially now Andrew Haigh's movie has found its home around the world on both Hulu and Disney Plus. Starring the magnetic Irish duo Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal, find out all the details below on how to watch All of Us Strangers online where you are right now.

Seemingly the only occupants of their apartment building, Adam is a lonely TV writer who initially rejects Harry's advances. Seeking inspiration, Adam returns to his childhood home and has a vision of his parents who died when he was twelve in a car accident. He has dinner with them and promises to come back soon to visit. Upon his return to his flat, he meets Harry in the lift again, and from there a relationship between the pair begins to spark.

One of Paul Mescal's best roles, he portrays Harry alongside Andrew Scott's Adam in this moving and profound portrayal of grief and loneliness. A coming-of-age tale in its own right, All of Us Strangers also explores the queer experience and mental health through Haigh's tender lens.

Incredibly emotional, the ending of All of Us Strangers certainly gives Aftersun's a run for its money. And you can check out the movie now for yourself with its arrival on Disney Plus in global markets and Hulu in the States with all the details below, including guides to the best plans.

How to watch All of Us Strangers in the US

The place to watch All of Us Strangers in the States is Hulu with the movie having arrived on the platform on February 22.

A Hulu subscription starts from only $7.99 a month (or $79.99 for a whole year) if you don't mind ads, or $17.99 a month to go commercial-free. But if you haven't used Hulu before, you can also give it a try for nothing with its 1-month free trial.

Or, if you're in the market for a full over-the-top streaming service, Hulu + Live TV plan starts from $76.99 a month and includes 85+ premium TV channels, all Hulu content on catch-up, as well as access to Disney+ and sports specialist ESPN+. You can pay more to remove ads.

Watch All of Us Strangers online with the Disney Plus bundle

If you like the idea of Hulu but want to get an even better value plan, then the Disney Plus bundle is a fantastic option. Combining Hulu with Disney Plus , there's thousands of hours of TV to suit all tastes. And if there's a sports fan in the household, you can add ESPN Plus for a just few dollars more.

Watch All of Us Strangers online in Canada

From March 20, those in Canada were able to watch All of Us Strangers on Disney Plus.

In Canada, plans start from $7.99 a month with its ad-supported plan. Otherwise, choose between its Standard ($11.99 a month / $119.99 a year) or Premium ($14.99 a month / $149.99 a year) plans.

How to watch All of Us Strangers in the UK

In the UK, it's the same. You can now watch All of Us Strangers, with the movie landing on Disney Plus on March 20.

The usual Disney Plus price in the UK starts from £4.99 a month with the introduction of an ad-supported plan. Alternatively you can continue an ad-free experience and pay £7.99 a month for its Standard plan. For 4K streams you'll need the Premium plan, which costs £10.99 a month.

Both the Standard and Premium plan have the option of signing up for a year in advance and getting 12 months for the price of 10, costing £79.90 and £109.90 respectively.

Watch All of Us Strangers in Australia

A Disney Plus subscription is what you need Down Under to watch All of Us Strangers. It arrived on the platform on Wednesday, March 20.

Go monthly for $13.99 or get a great saving by getting an annual plan for $113.99.

All of Us Strangers Trailer

Major SPOILERS about Saltburn's ending are told in this article. So, read with caution...

Emerald Fennell’s new movie Saltburn has generated a lot of talk due to its shocking sexual content. Most notable is the film’s conclusion, when Barry Keoghan’s character struts a celebratory dance completely in the nude. After a reporter conducted an awkward interview with All of Us Strangers actor Andrew Scott about the Saltburn nude scenes, footage of that cringe moment has gone viral with over six million views.

The scene of Barry Keoghan dancing naked throughout the Saltburn Mansion seems to be the butt of every joke (pardon the pun). Even Jo Koy’s Golden Globes opening monologue had a Saltburn joke about the Irish actor’s penis. At the BAFTAs red carpet, an X user posted a cringe video of a BBC News reporter asking Irish actor Andrew Scott his reaction to seeing Keoghan’s nude scenes in the black comedy film. Here’s how he awkwardly responded:

With so much attention directed towards Saltburn’s nude scenes, you’d think people forgot what the movie was even about. The BBC News reporter didn’t stop at that awkward question, as another followed when he asked the Fleabag actor about the rumors of prosthetics being used on the nude Barry Keoghan. The Black Mirror actor responded by politely walking away. I can’t say I blame him, as Saltburn wasn’t Scott’s movie and there’s no reason why he should have a say on that subject.

The viral X video clearly got a kick out of social media users, as it currently has 6.1 million views and 17k likes on it. Many comments used the words “cringeworthy,” “creepy,” and “dreadful” to describe what they saw. Although, they did commend Scott for walking away when he could sense the interview was going nowhere.

The famous Saltburn scene that everyone keeps talking about is when Oliver celebrates successfully conning his way into the Saltburn mansion by dancing a nude jig around the luxurious property. Director Emerald Fennell explained the naked dance scene as the cunning character marking his territory and leaving audiences wondering if they should be happy over what the main character accomplished. And no, Barry Keoghan did not use a body double for those scenes. 

If anything, the challenging part for the Dunkirk actor was having to come out of his shell to dance. The original plan was just for him to walk around the house, but Fennell felt his dancing would give the film’s conclusion a feeling of “triumph and joy.” The BAFTA-nominated film’s most memorable scene ended up being an obsession with the internet and giving Keoghan a rising sex symbol status.

With that cringe post of awkward interview questions about Saltburn’s nude scenes being viewed over six million times, it proves that fans are getting tired of that one scene getting so much attention. It looks like Andrew Scott handled the interview professionally in answering as best as he could in an already uncomfortable situation. The Golden Globe-nominated movie can be streamed now with your Amazon Prime subscription. 

Getting the opportunity to star in a James Bond movie is pretty huge, no matter the role. For Spectre actor Andrew Scott, that chance came through the antagonistic role of Max Denbigh, head of the Joint Security Service – though you may know him better as “C.” A thorn in the side of Daniel Craig’s 007, Scott’s role was one that the actor has recently admitted left him with some choice regrets. 

In the midst of breaking down his career for a video with Vanity Fair, the veteran of shows like Fleabag and Sherlock revealed that he went into Sam Mendes’ second James Bond movie with all of the enthusiasm in the world. By time he’d wrapped the picture, Andrew Scott was singing a different tune. Scott recalled his journey, saying,

With decades of films and the usual obscene amount of money going into Spectre’s production, one can easily understand Andrew Scott’s case of nerves. It may not have been as big of a deal as the polarizing ending to No Time To Die, but the fourth film of Daniel Craig’s 007 era is still the subject of some controversy among fans to this very day.

Those conversations usually focus more on the twist centered around Christoph Waltz’s Blofeld. However, that didn’t stop Andrew Scott from providing what he felt was an accurate picture of what he regretted not doing on Spectre. Speaking of what was missing from this big ticket experience, Scott said, 

Even with that knowledge, Andrew Scott still seems to be a bit unfair to himself with his overall role Spectre. Playing the menace of corrupted bureaucracy to a tee, his air of unpleasant superiority made for moments both comedic and suspenseful with his co-stars. It also part of how Spectre twisted the Daniel Craig era of 007, especially with Scott’s character being in close cahoots with Blofeld.

At least the experience didn’t sour the working relationship between Andrew Scott and Spectre director Sam Mendes. The pair would go on to work together again in 1917, and judging by how Andrew Scott described filming the World War I epic, the experience was as thrilling as it was rewarding. 

You can currently see Andrew Scott in the film Catherine Called Birdy, which is available to stream for those with a Prime Video subscription. Coincidentally enough, that’s also where you can relive Scott’s era as the Hot Priest in the Prime Video original series Fleabag, and find almost every James Bond movie (Spectre being an exception).

When it comes to proper representation within the LGBTQ+ world, it can be hard to find those characters that truly stand out and are accurate portrayals. What’s even better is when you find an actor behind the character who is also a part of that community and shines in that role. That’s what we aim to talk about today.

There are so many actors we could point to in both movies and TV, from Owen Thiele in Adults, to some amazing films of the last few years, such as All of Us Are Strangers, Bombshell, and more. Let’s talk about some incredible performances of LGBTQ+ characters from the LGBTQ+ community in honor of Pride Month.

All Of Us Strangers – Andrew Scott As Adam

All Of Us Are Strangers released in late 2023 to rave reviews and while I personally don’t think it got nearly as much hype as it should have, the one thing I will comment on is Andrew Scott. While the LGBTQ+ actor has taken on roles such as this before, there’s just something so raw and real about his portrayal of Adam.

The story follows a lonely screenwriter who begins a romance with his mysterious neighbor while also experiencing a strange instance where he is able to see his parents again – the movie itself certainly feels like there’s a small layer of fantasy, but the themes itself make this film that much better, including the lovely portrayal from Scott, who has talked about beinga part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Love, Simon - Keiynan Lonsdale As Bram Greenfeld

Released in 2018, Love, Simon is a story about a closeted gay young adult who struggles to balance his life amongst the blackmailer that is threatening to out him at school – while also trying to identify the anonymous classmate that he has fallen in love with. The film became so popular that a Hulu spinoff, titled Love, Victor, premiered not that long after, but was canceled after Season 3

In Love, Simon, Keiynan Lonsdale portrays Bram Greenfeld, one of Simon’s classmates and an openly gay student, and Keiynan himself came out in 2017. The film made strides for having a gay protagonist, becoming one of the first mainstream film to showcase a gay teen romance.

Adults – Owen Theile As Anton

Hailing from FX on Hulu, Adults is a series about a group of twenty-somethings literally just trying to survive daily life in New York City and going through the motions of becoming a functioning adult. One character in it that I absolutely love is Anton, who is played by the fabulous Owen Theile.

While Thiele has appeared in various shows beforehand, 2025 has really shown just how talented he is with both lead roles in Adults and Overcompensating (but I kind of like Adults just a smidge more). Anton is a hilarious character, and Owen Thiele rocks it. Thiele is a part of the LGBTQ+ community, and has even called for action to demand equal rights by donating to several charities (via Instagram).

Rustin – Colman Domingo As Bayard Rustin 

Rustin itself was more of an under-the-radar critical darling of 2023, as it was one of CinemaBlend’s best movies of 2023, but you want to know what wasn’t? Colman Domingo’s performance as Bayard Rustin. It follows the story of the real-life civil rights activist who worked with MLK Jr. to organize the iconic 1963 March on Washington for equal rights in America.

Colman Domingo shines in his portrayal of Bayard Rustin, and his performance was so critically acclaimed that he earned an Academy Award nomination. Colman Domingo has become a much bigger name the last few years with many of the roles he had portrayed, and he even spoke in an interview with Advocate in 2021 that he hopes he’s breaking new ground for young Black gay men in Hollywood:

Bombshell - Kate McKinnon As Jess Carr

Moving into the drama genre, we take a look at Kate McKinnon in Bombshell. You might recognize her name from her amazing performances on the classic late night television show Saturday Night Live, which she left in 2022, or maybe even from comedy movies such as the 2016 Ghostbusters or Office Christmas Party. But Kate McKinnon has an amazing range as an actress, and she showed that off when playing Jess Carr as part of the Bombshell cast.

While her character was fictional (set within a film that was based on true events), her role as the Fox News employee Jess Carr was impactful, and showed what it might be like for a closeted lesbian who works in a primarily conservative news space.

Yellowjackets – Liv Hewson as Vanessa Palmer

While Liv Hewson has been around in the TV world for a while, I absolutely love them as teenage Vanessa Palmer in the hit Showtime series, Yellowjackets. Vanessa is a character that had both stakes in the flashbacks of the world as well as modern-day, and her story of resilience is one that I truly love.

Hewson in real life identifies as non-binary, and uses they/them pronouns, according to Teen Vogue. The actor says that they have “never been happier” since they received gender-affirming surgery:

The Normal Heart - Jim Parsons As Tommy Boatwright

Since starring as Shelden Cooper on The Big Bang Theory, Jim Parsons continues to take on new and exciting roles in both film and television. Everyone knows who he is and how often he has spoken about his sexuality. That’s why his portrayal of Tommy Boatwright in The Normal Heart felt even more compelling than any other role he has done, at least in my opinion.

The Normal Heart, based on the Larry Kramer 1985 play of the same name, depicts the HIV-AIDS crisis in New York City during the early eighties, and Parsons plays a gay activist fighting to address the issue. Parsons is a talented actor, so it’s no surprise that he absolutely rocked this role. The film gives interesting insights into what happened back in the eighties and the struggles that activists had to face every single day.

Everything Everywhere All At Once – Stephanie Hsu As Joy Wang

I think out of all the movies that released in 2022, Everything Everywhere All At Once was the one that touched fans’ hearts the most, even if some of it was just straight-up weird. However, the film tells a beautiful story of love, family, and acceptance of one's faults, mainly led by two fantastic performances from both Michelle Yeoh and Stephanie Hsu.

Hsu portrayed Joy Wang, the daughter of Evelyn Quan Wang and one of the primary characters of the movie. Joy has a girlfriend in the movie, but Hsu also identifies as queer in real-life, according to The Eagle Online.

Harlem – Jerrie Johnson as Tye Reynolds

Harlem is a great TV show, one I would recommend to anyone, and a great character in it is Tye Reynolds, whose stories in the show are always some of the best. Reynolds is a hilarious character, but the actor behind the screen is even better.

Jerrie Johnson is a part of the LGBTQ+ community and got engaged to their girlfriend, and their wedding dresses were even featured in the New York Times (via Instagram) in April 2025!

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt - Tituss Burgess As Titus Andromedon 

Few have truly made me laugh out loud as Titus Andromedon on the classic Netflix series, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. This show, which primarily followed a young woman learning to adapt to normal every-day life after spending more than a decade locked below ground by a reverend, has always brought the laughs and provided some hilarious inside jokes, usually because of Titus Andromedon. He’s sassy, talented, and the best gay friend that we all need in our lives that will be blunt with you no matter what.

Tituss Burgess has been active in television for some time, including guest spots on 30 Rock, performing in musicals like Annie, and more, but nothing has quite come close to the hilarious nature of Titus Andromedon and the impact he made on television as a whole. Truly, there is no one like him.

I Saw The TV Glow – Justice Smith As Owen

I Saw The TV Glow released in 2024 by A24, and while it certainly wasn’t a huge hit at the box office, it’s slowly picking up steam on the internet, mainly due to Justice Smith’s amazing role of Owen. The film tells the story of two friends whose lives begin to spiral when their favorite show is cancelled – because honestly, same.

Jokes aside, Smith’s performance of Owen is gutting and cuts straight to the core, without spoiling anything, and if you want an excellent psychological horror-drama, this is the film for you. Justice Smith came out in 2020 as a queer person, and ever since then he’s advocated for the support of Black queer and trans lives.

Portrait Of A Lady On Fire - Adele Haenel As Heloise

Released in 2019, Portrait of a Lady on Fire follows Adele Haenel portrayed Heloise, a young 19th-century lesbian who fiercely opposes the arranged marriage set up for her, but later has a romance with a woman who was commissioned to paint her wedding portrait.

Adele Haenel publicly came out back in 2014 when she won a Cesar Award, and has since been very open about who she is. The film portrays what it’s like to have that kind of romance that changes you for the rest of your life, and that it doesn’t matter what gender that you are – love is love, and when you meet that one person that can change you, it sticks with you until the end.

Bodies, Bodies, Bodies – Amandla Stenberg As Sophie

Hands down, Bodies, Bodies, Bodies is one of the best horror movies from A24, and tells a hilariously horrific story of a group of young adults who are staying in a mansion and play a murder-game that actually turns real, and soon it’s a whodunit as they try and stay alive. Amandla Stenberg plays Sophie, the main character, and while her queerness isn’t the main plotline of the film, it certainly plays an important role.

In 2016, Amandla Stenberg came out as bisexual, but she also said that “pansexual” was a good term to describe her as well, according to Elle. The actress has appeared in a variety of roles since then, but personally, I don’t think any of them have come as close as the craziness that is Bodies, Bodies, Bodies.

Looking - Jonathan Groff As Patrick Murray

Jonathon Groff has an impressive resume for plenty of people to admire. From voicing Kristoff as part of the Frozen and Frozen II cast to portraying the king in Hamilton, he’s been around the block plenty of times, showing off his amazing acting and singing skills. But one show that you may or may not remember him from was in the HBO series Looking, where he portrayed Patrick Murray.

The series follows the story of three gay men living in San Francisco, and their lives and friendships. The series went on for two seasons, which were followed by a feature-length film in 2016. Looking may have only lasted for a short amount of time, but its impact on television is felt all the same. In an interview with the New York Times, Groff talked about the significance of the show. When asked how he'd feel if he were able to watch the show as a teenager, he said:

Bottoms – Ayo Edebiri As Josie 

Bottoms was the queer comedy of 2023 in my eyes. The movie tells the story of two teenagers in high school who start a female-only fight club in order to have sex with cheerleaders. Yes, this sounds exactly like a 2000s teen comedy and yes, it’s just as funny as you can expect it to be, especially with two leads like Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri as part of the Bottoms cast.

While Ayo Edibiri’s best roles include plenty of other shows and movies, like The Bear or Big Mouth, I freaking love her in Bottoms as Josie because she perfectly exemplifies what it’s like to be a young LGBTQ+ person in high school who is just trying to survive and be somehow cool. Even Ayo Edebiri said in an interview with Refinery 29 in September 2023 that it’s “radical” she gets to be a young Black queer person and do the crazy stuff she’s done in a movie in Hollywood nowadays.

Glee - Chris Colfer As Kurt Hummel

Glee, when it released, was an iconic show, becoming a huge hit for Fox. The series was all about misfits coming together in a high school glee club in order to find companionship when it felt there was no one there for them, and one of those characters that stuck around from the very first season was Kurt Hummel, a closeted gay student (at first) at William McKinley High School.

Chris Colfer played the character, and over time, Kurt became more sure of himself not only as a gay man but as a voice for his community, and showing that just because someone might not like your sparkle, that doesn’t mean you need to dim it for anyone else. His voice was always unique and made for some amazing covers. The Glee cast was so talented in so many ways, but Colfer stood out amongst the rest.

The Last Of Us – Bella Ramsey As Ellie

As someone who grew up playing The Last of Us, Ellie was a bit of a gay icon for me. She was a lead character (in a HUGE video game) that was openly lesbian and as someone who was struggling with her own bisexuality at the time, it was freaking fantastic to see the representation on screen. That’s why when I discovered that the young person also playing Ellie, Bella Ramsey, was non-binary in real-life, I knew it would be a perfect fit.

I just knew they would understand how Ellie was portrayed, and my favorite video game character suddenly turned into my favorite TV character. Ramsey is known for their portrayal of Lyanna Mormont as well as in the Game of Thrones cast, but her role in The Last of Us Season 2 has been a game-changer.

Hearts Beat Loud - Kiersey Clemons As Sam Fisher

Kiersey Clemons has had some awesome roles in the past, from her breakout role as a teen lesbian in the 2015 comedy-drama Dope to her role in Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, or even her more recent role in Zack Snyder’s Justice League. However, one of her best roles from the films I have seen has to be Hearts Beat Loud, the musical comedy, where she stars as Sam Fisher.

Hearts Beat Loud is all about Sam Fisher and her father, played by Nick Offerman, who is a record store owner and tries to convince her to start a band with him after a song they recorded went viral. The story not only has some great music but captures what it’s like as a young gay teenager to try and develop a true relationship with their family when some of them don’t quite understand what you’re going through. It’s definitely one of the underrated picks on this list and deserves so much more praise.

Jennifer’s Body - Megan Fox As Jennifer

In Jennifer’s Body, the titular character, characterized as bisexual, is possessed by a demon, who goes on a rampage in school to fill its need for human flesh, whether that be boys or girls.

Megan Fox herself is bisexual, telling Esquire back in 2011 about her thoughts about her sexuality.

After seeing her star in several films for her beauty and talent as an actress, it’s empowering to hear Megan Fox speak so openly about who she is, and even more interesting to rewatch her portrayal of Jennifer years later. It’s awesome to see sexuality portrayed in something like a horror movie, but I’m here for it regardless.

Happiest Season - Kristen Stewart As Abby Holland

2020 was a year of few big film releases, with so many dates changing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many viewers turned to streaming for their entertainment and Happiest Season was one of them, telling the story of a woman who is struggling to come out to her conservative family when she brings her girlfriend home for the holidays.

Kristen Stewart takes on the lead role as Abby Holland in the Happiest Season cast, the girlfriend of Harper, who comes home with her during the holidays. Kristen Stewart herself has come out as queer, and discussed in an interview with InStyle, how her journey of coming out helped her portray the character in the film. When asked if it was her own experiences that drew her to the role, she discussed the challenges of dating and fame during her early twenties, and being asked about her sexuality, stating:

When an actor goes through something so personal, it’s not a surprise that the character comes off so organically real, and that was the case with Happiest Season. Not only is it a great Christmas film, but it’s certainly a great portrayal of what coming out to a conservative family can be like.

Clean Slate – Laverne Cox as Desiree

While Laverne Cox has been in the business for a while, there are so many amazing roles we could point to that I knew I wanted to focus on a new one of hers. While everyone knows her as Sophia from Orange is the New Black, I wanted to focus on Desiree, a trans woman from Clean Slate who wishes to rebuild her relationship with her father.

Cox has identified as transgender for many years and is actively a part of the LGBTQ+ community. The show, which is on Amazon Prime, actively dives into modern-day complexities within the American family of learning to adjust to life changes and how people live their lives while also dealing with the topic of rights within the LGBTQ+ community – all while telling jokes that make you chuckle throughout it. Cox is a star, as always.

Schitt's Creek - Dan Levy As David Rose

Of course I had to put Schitt’s Creek on here. Schitt's Creek ended up becoming extremely popular in 2020, even going on to sweep the comedic awards at the 2020 Primetime Emmys for its final season. One of the stars of the show - as well as one of the creators - was Dan Levy, who played David Rose, the pansexual son of Moira and Johnny. And in my opinion, David Rose was one of the funniest characters that Schitt's Creek had, and I am going to miss him terribly now that the show is over.

Dan Levy, who is gay, did an interview with Entertainment Weekly in 2022 about David's pansexuality, and how it affected Schitt's Creek as a whole.

All representation starts somewhere, and I believe that David Rose was the perfect step in the right direction. Besides, who else would have been able to pull off that character other than Dan Levy? And if you had another option, I'm very uninterested in that opinion.

I can’t wait to see who from this list appears in our 2025 movie schedule or what they might be doing next in the 2025 TV schedule. I’m champing at the bit for any new projects they might have coming – but maybe I could just rewatch some of these and enjoy the ride all over again.

In September 2001, Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg introduced HBO subscribers to the landmark television event that was Band of Brothers. Over the course of 10 episodes, the limited series told the story of Easy Company from its days in basic training all the way through the end of World War II in August 1945. Much more than a dramatization of the biggest moments in the European Theater of the Second World War, the highly-emotional and character-driven story of boys becoming men and men becoming brothers introduced the world to dozens of memorable characters. And in honor of the show’s 20th anniversary, we’ve gone through the Band of Brothers cast and checked up on what they’ve been up to all these years later. From leading actors like Damian Lewis and Donnie Wahlberg to then-up-and-comers like Tom Hardy and Michael Fassbender, there’s a lot to unpack here…

Damian Lewis (Richard D. Winters)

Damian Lewis already had a respectable career by the time he signed on as one of the main characters on Band of Brothers in 2001, but his performance as Richard D. Winters, the leader of Easy Company quickly made him one of the most promising stars in film and television. At the start of the next decade, Lewis took on perhaps his most notable role with his portrayal of Nicholas Brody on the Showtime series Homeland, which earned the actor a Golden Globe and a Primetime Emmy Award. Lewis currently portrays the ambitious and cutthroat billionaire Bobby Axelrod on the Showtime series Billions.

Ron Livingston (Lewis Nixon)

Ron Livingston, who was hot off the 1999 release of Office Space, played Lewis Nixon, Major Winters’ best friend and closest confidant on Band of Brothers. Since the release of the groundbreaking HBO limited series, Livingston has found work in both film and television, including prominent roles in everything from The Conjuring to Sex and the City (along with so many other actors). Livingston currently leads the Amazon comedy series Loudermilk and has a recurring role on the ABC drama series A Million Little Things. He will take on the role of Henry Allen, the father of the titular hero in 2022’s The Flash.

Donnie Wahlberg (Carwood Lipton)

New Kid on the Block Donnie Wahlberg takes on the role of Carwood Lipton, one of the high ranking members of Easy Company on Band of Brothers. One of the most prolific singers-turned-actors in the television world, Wahlberg has leading roles on everything from crime dramas like Blue Bloods to reality shows such as Wahlburgers and Rock This Boat: New Kids on the Block. In 2021 he also appeared on the hit Fox competition series The Masked Singer.

Neal McDonough (Lynn "Buck" Compton)

Neal McDonough played Lynn “Buck” Compton on Band of Brothers. In 20 years since portraying one of Easy Company’s most memorable figures, McDonough has shown up in everything from Captain America: The First Avenger to Sonic the Hedgehog and Walking Tall to Legends of Tomorrow and so much in between. McDonough is set to appear in Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City and American Horror Story: Double Feature. He also reprised his Captain America character Timothy “Dum Dum” Dugan on the Disney+ series What If…? in 2021.

Matthew Settle (Ronald Speirs)

Matthew Settle played the controversial Ronald Speirs, the Army officer who allegedly gunned down six German prisoners of war, on Band of Brothers. Following his turn on the HBO WWII limited series, Settle appeared in several of the most talked about shows of the early 2000s including The Practice, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, and the original Gossip Girl, in which he played Rufus Humphrey. Settle has not made any movie or TV appearances since an episode of Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders in 2016.

Scott Grimes (Donald Malarkey)

Scott Grimes portrayed technical sergeant Donald Malarkey, whose accounts of the war helped add historical context to Band of the Brothers and the book on which it was based. An already established television star (Party of Five, The Twilight Zone) by the time he joined the cast of the HBO limited series, Grimes has since gone on to have major roles on ER, American Dad (voice of Steve Smith), and The Orville.

Shane Taylor (Eugene "Doc" Roe)

Shane Taylor took on the role of Eugene “Doc” Roe, the Easy Company medic, on Band of Brothers. Following his turn on the hit series, Taylor made appearances in movies like the 2006 drama Bomber and the 2018 Gerard Butler and Gary Oldman military action thriller Hunter Killer. He also was on the History Channel limited series Sons of Liberty in 2016.

Michael Cudlitz (Denver "Bull" Randleman)

Michael Cudlitz shows up in Band of Brothers as Denver “Bull” Randleman, the superior officer of “The Replacements.” Following the successful series, Cudlitz appeared on hit shows like 24, Prison Break, and Lost throughout the early 2000s and eventually landed a major role on The Walking Dead as Abraham Ford for a number of years. He currently plays Paul Krendler on CBS’ Clarice.

Dexter Fletcher (John W. Martin)

Actor/director Dexter Fletcher portrayed John W. Martin on Band of Brothers. Over the years, Fletcher has appeared in movies like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, The Patriot, and Muppets Most Wanted. In recent years, Fletcher has turned to directing feature-length films including Eddie the Eagle, Bohemian Rhapsody (he replaced Bryan Singer near the end of production), and Rocketman. 

Frank John Hughes (William "Wild Bill" Guarnere)

William “Wild Bill” Guarnere, the loud yet loyal staff sergeant on Band of Brothers, was portrayed by Frank John Hughes. In the years following the release of the HBO limited series, Hughes appeared in movies like Catch Me If You Can but mostly stuck to television, including roles on 24, NCIS, The Sopranos, and LAX. Hughes is set to portray Frank Sinatra in the upcoming Paramount+ series The Offer about the production of The Godfather.

Kirk Acevedo (Joe Toye)

Kirk Acevedo was already one of the best HBO actors (Miguel Alvarez on Oz) by the time he joined the Band of Brothers cast as Joe Toye in 2001. Since then, Acevedo has continued to show up in one television show after another including Fringe, Blue Bloods, and most recently Arrow where he played Ricardo Diaz, aka The Dragon. Acevedo will next appear on the Paramount+ streaming series The Offer.

Colin Hanks (Henry Jones)

Colin Hanks shows up on Band of Brothers as Henry Jones, who goes straight from West Point to the European Theater of the war. Since then, the son of Tom Hanks has had memorable roles in movies like Orange County, W., Elvis and Nixon, and the two most recent Jumanji movies. Hanks’ television work includes Fargo, Drunk History, and most recently Impeachment: American Crime Story.

Michael Fassbender (Burton Christenson)

Years before he became a star with movies like Hunger, Inglourious Basterds, and the X-Men franchise, Michael Fassbender got his start with a minor role on Band of Brothers as Burton Christenson. Since then, Fassbender has become one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood with movies like Macbeth, Steve Jobs, and 12 Years a Slave. Fassbender is next set to appear in Kung Fury 2 and the upcoming Taika Waititi sports dramedy Next Goal Wins.

Andrew Scott (John "Cowboy" Hall)

Andrew Scott has a minor role on Band of Brothers as John “Cowboy” Hall, the mortar tech who was killed by a landmine. In the years following the HBO limited series, Scott has given memorable performances on shows like John Adams and Black Mirror, with his most recognizable being those of James Moriarty on Sherlock and The Priest on Fleabag Season 2. Scott is set to play Tom Ripley in the upcoming limited series Ripley.

James Madio (Frank Perconte)

James Madio took on the role of Frank Perconte, one of the core members of Easy Company, on Band of Brothers. Over the course of the past two decades, Madio has shown up in movies like Kick-Ass, Jersey Boys, and Bottom of the 9th, as well as television programs such as CSI:Miami, Cold Case, and Blue Bloods. And like numerous other members of the Band of Brothers cast, Madio will soon appear on The Offer.

Ross McCall (Joseph Liebgott)

Ross McCall took on the role of Joseph Liebgott, one of Easy Company’s paratroopers, on Band of Brothers. In the years following the release of the HBO limited series, McCall had runs on 24: Live Another Day, White Collar, and Crash, with smaller roles on everything from Fear the Walking Dead to CSI: NY. McCall will soon appear on the Apple TV+ original drama series Suspicion.

Rick Gomez (George Luz)

Rick Gomez stepped in to portray radio tech George Luz on Band of Brothers. Since then, Gomez has had a mixture of live action voice acting roles in various films and television projects including Justified, Burn Notice, Ray, and Sin City. Gomez most recently appeared in the unaired pilot of the attempted NYPD Blue reboot in 2019.

David Schwimmer (Herbert Sobel)

David Schwimmer was still in the height of his Friends fame when he joined the Band of Brothers cast as Captain Herbert Sobel, the man who ran a tight ship during basic training. In the years following the conclusion of both shows, Schwimmer provided voice work for the Madagascar movies, and made appearances on shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm, Web Therapy, and Will and Grace. In 2021, Schwimmer and the rest of the Friends cast got back together for the long-awaited reunion special on HBO Max. He is currently one of the leads on the spy comedy series Intelligence alongside Ted Lasso’s Nick Mohammed.

Tom Hardy (John Janovec)

Tom Hardy, who would go on to appear in movies like The Dark Knight Rises, Inception, and The Revenant, got his start on Band of Brothers when he took on the minor role of John Janovec. In the years since his 2001 debut (the same year he made his theatrical debut with Black Hawk Down), Hardy has gone on to lead shows like Peaky Blinders and movies like Mad Max: Fury Road. Hardy most recently appeared in the 2021 Marvel Comics movie Venom: Let There Be Carnage.

James McAvoy (Pvt. James Miller)

James McAvoy already had a few performances under his belt by the time he was cast as James Miller on Band of Brothers, but nothing compared to the success that would follow in the years following. Since then, McAvoy has led the X-Men franchise as a young Charles Xavier, terrified in Split and Glass, and captivated audiences in the likes of Atonement and Filth. He most recently appeared in the mystery thriller My Son.

Despite being quite a list, this barely scratches the surface of the Band of Brothers cast and didn’t even talk about Jimmy Fallon, Simon Pegg, Stephen Graham, and the many others who popped up at one point or another in the 2001 HBO epic. If you want to get all the information on what HBO will be bringing audiences the next few months, check out our schedule of 2021 fall TV premiere dates.

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In July 2021, The Pursuit of Love, which sounds a lot like a reality show that would be on VH1 around 2008, came out on Amazon Prime Video and gave everyone something to watch while we wait for Bridgerton Season 2 to arrive on Netflix. With standout performances from Lily James and Dominic West, who made a lot of news earlier in 2020, The Pursuit of Love cast is filled from top to bottom with amazing and talented actors and actresses who have made their mark in film and television on both sides of the pond.

Below is a quick yet comprehensive breakdown of the members of The Pursuit of Love cast and just about everywhere you’ve seen them before whether it be in musicals like Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again or gritty crime dramas like The Wire. If you’ve watched a movie or show in the past couple of decades, chances are you’ve see these faces at one point or another.

Lily James (Linda Radlett)

Lily James appears as Linda Radlett, the fearless, charismatic, and beautiful free spirit front and center throughout The Pursuit of Love and its adventurous story, set between the first and second World War. James is no stranger when it comes to the world of television, having become a massive star following her three-year run on Downton Abbey, where she portrayed Lady Rose Aldridge before leaving and appearing in the 2016 limited series War and Peace. The multi-talented James will soon be seen as Pamela Anderson in the Hulu series Pam and Tommy.

If you don’t recognize Lily James from any of her television roles, then you’ll certainly remember her from movies like Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again, Yesterday, and the Netflix adaptation of Rebecca. Prior to all of those performances, James starred in Baby Driver, Burnt, Darkest Hour, and probably most notably, the 2015 live-action remake of Cinderella.

Emily Beecham (Fanny Logan)

While Lily James’ Linda Radlett is the vibrant free spirited heart of The Pursuit of Love, Emily Beecham has the task of portraying her more reserved cousin and best friend Fanny Logan. Over the years, Beecham has appeared in numerous celebrated television programs, including Into the Badlands, where she portrayed The Widow in all 32 episodes. Her other TV credits included Damages, The Village, and The Musketeers to name only a few.

If you are a fan of the Coen Brothers then you will certainly remember Emily Beecham from her portrayal of Dierdre in the 2016 comedy, Hail, Caesar!, but if not, then Daphne, Berlin, I Love You, or Little Joe may ring a bell or two. More recently, Beecham had a prominent role in the 2021 Netflix science fiction action thriller Outside the Wire which she followed up with another great performance in Disney’s Cruella.

Dominic West (Matthew Radlett)

Taking on the role of the mustachioed Matthew Radlett, father to Linda and uncle to Fanny, is none other than Dominic West, who has one of the most impressive television filmographies of anyone on the list. There are the givens, like the HBO crime drama series The Wire, where he played Baltimore Police detective Jimmy McNulty, and The Affair which netted him a Golden Globe nomination, but there other additions to his resumé that are also worth mentioning. Those are the British drama The Hour and the 2018 television adaptation of Les Misérables. He will also soon join the cast of The Crown Season 5 as Prince Charles.

Dominic West’s film credits are also worth noting, as the actor has appeared in everything from Zack Snyder’s 300 to Chicago and Pride to Finding Dory. Before finding fame, West also had roles in movies like Spice World and Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace.

Andrew Scott (Lord Merlin)

Lord Merlin, the Radlett’s wealthy, eccentric, and artistic neighbor is Andrew Scott. You will probably remember Scott from his celebrated and award-winning portrayal of The Priest on Fleabag Season 2, but the talented veteran of television, film, and the stage has small screen credits going back as far as 1995. Previous TV work includes Band of Brothers, Black Mirror, His Dark Materials, and Sherlock where he portrayed the obsessive criminal mastermind James “Jim” Moriarty.

Over on the film side of things, Andrew Scott has given commanding performances in some of the most highly regarded movies of the past quarter-century including Saving Private Ryan and 1917. Prior to appearing in Sam Mendes' tense World War I drama, Scott worked with the director in 2015’s Spectre, where he took on the role of C, an intelligence official whose actually working for the titular criminal organization.

Emily Mortimer (The Bolter)

Portraying Fanny’s mother, The Bolter, on The Pursuit of Love is Emily Mortimer, who not only stars on the show but also wrote and directed the adaptation of Nancy Mitford’s novel of the same name. Over the years, Mortimer has put together a string of great television projects including The Newsroom and Doll and Em, a show she created and wrote in addition to playing one of the leads. Prior to that, she appeared in a few episodes of 30 Rock and various other shows and made-for-TV movies throughout her career.

Emily Mortimer has also appeared in dozens of feature-length films over the years including Elizabeth, Notting Hill, Dear Frankie, Match Point, and Shutter Island. If you have kids or just like watching Disney movies (not judging if you do), then you will recognize Mortimer from Mary Poppins Returns, or at least her voice from Cars 2.

Dolly Wells (Sadie Radlett)

Dolly Wells portrays Linda Radlett’s mother and Matthew Radlett’s wife Sadie on The Pursuit of Love. Throughout her career, Wells has appeared on dozens of television programs ranging from smaller roles on shows like The Mighty Boosh and The IT Crowd to more recurring roles on the likes of Some Girls, Blunt Talk, and Dracula, where she portrayed Sister Agatha Van Helsing.

No stranger to the silver screen, Dolly Wells has showed up in Bridget Jones’s Diary as well as its 2016 sequel Bridget Jones’s Baby, Home Again, Can You Ever Forgive Me?, and the horror spin on Jane Austen with Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.

Beattie Edmondson (Louisa Radlett)

Taking on the role of Louisa Radlett, Linda’s sister, is Beattie Edmondson, who has made a name for herself the past decade with performances on various British comedies, specifically sitcoms. Prior to landing a spot in The Pursuit of Love cast, Edmondson appeared on sitcoms like Upstart Crow, Patrick, and Josh, where she played one of the main characters by the name of Kate. Edmondson’s work on television goes all the way back to 2008, with a pair of episodes in the second season of the comedy Clatterford. She also had a small role in the 2011 Comic Relief short Uptown Downstairs Abbey.

Assaad Bouab (Fabrice de Sauveterre)

What would a sprawling romantic saga be without romance? That’s where Assaad Bouab comes in as Fabrice de Sauveterre, the man with his heart set on Linda Radlett in The Pursuit of Love. With film, television, and stage credits to his name, Bouab has done a little bit of everything throughout his career, including a recurring role on the Netflix thriller Messiah, the Netflix comedy Call My Agent!, and Homeland, which aired on Showtime.

Assaad Bouab’s film contributions include Made in France, Queen of the Desert, and Outside the Law, to name only a few. Prior to that, Bouab appeared in stage productions of everything from William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night to Voltaire’s Zadig as well as multiple others.

Shazad Latif (Alfred Wincham)

Then, there is Shazad Latif, who takes on the role of Alfred Wincham, who has an eye for Fanny Logan on The Pursuit of Love. Prior to joining the show’s cast, he appeared in a number of popular television shows in recent years, including Penny Dreadful, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, and Star Trek: Discovery. Oh, and like so many other actors, Latif lent his talents to an episode of Black Mirror in 2011.

Over on the film side of things, Shazad Latif has appeared in movies like The Man Who Knew Infinity, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, The Commuter, and Profile. He is set to share the screen with Lily James again in the upcoming What’s Love Got to Do With It?.

Freddie Fox (Tony Kroesig)

And, finally, our journey through The Pursuit of Love cast comes to an end with Freddie Fox, who plays the dashing Tony Kroesig. If you are a fan of The Crown, then you’ll most likely recognize Fox from his portrayal of Mark Thatcher, the son of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher who went missing for a short time in 1982. Before that, Fox appeared on shows like Parade’s End, Year of the Rabbit, and Lewis.

Freddie Fox’s film roles include King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, Victor Frankenstein, and The Riot Club, to name just a few.

This is just the main actors in The Pursuit of Love cast, as there are multiple other memorable characters from the three-part Amazon series. If you have already binged all the episodes, why not take a look at CinemaBlend’s 2021 Summer TV Schedule to see what else is happening in the streaming world.

Spoilers ahead for Episode 3 of His Dark Materials Season 2, called "Theft."

Season 2 of His Dark Materials is based on the second novel in Philip Pullman's book trilogy of the same name, but the adaptation of The Subtle Knife had yet to put much focus on the actual subtle knife before "Theft." Will dreamed about the knife in "Theft" and continues to be drawn to the Torre degli Angeli in Cittàgazze, and Boreal name-dropped the knife before the end of the episode. Fortunately, one star broke down why the knife is so important for Season 2.

Andrew Scott, who will have a prominent Season 2 role (and deliver a Fleabag reunion) as John Parry, shared the importance of the subtle knife in a BBC featurette, saying:

"Theft" ended with Boreal tasking Will and Lyra with retrieving the subtle knife from The Guild's Torre degli Angeli in Cittàgazze. A visit to the tower has seemed all but inevitable even without Philip Pullman's source material, as Will has been drawn to the building and even came to the conclusion that there's somebody in there, despite protests that there's no way.

Whoever is up there and possesses a knife that can destroy anything likely won't give it up without a fight. Throw in the mentions that Will is close to being grown-up enough for the Spectres, and any missions in Cittàgazze will be far from safe. For His Dark Materials fans who have read the books, the upcoming debut of the subtle knife has pretty significant implications.

Spoilers ahead for Philip Pullman's The Subtle Knife. In the books, the knife does more than just destroy anything. The blade is so fine that it can cut through the fabric between the worlds, and there are more than just the three that have been visited on the HBO show so far.

Will becomes the bearer of the subtle knife, but not without sustaining a bloody injury in the process. His Dark Materials has made some notable changes and additions to the books, so it's hard to say how exactly Will becoming master of the subtle knife will go down, but the trailer that released over the summer confirmed Will's injury in an unexpected way.

A brief moment in the BBC featurette, which released ahead of the second season premiere, gives a look at the upcoming tussle for the subtle knife, presumably in the tower:

Assuming the subtle knife of the show can cut through the fabric between worlds like it does in the books, it will be a game-changer for whoever holds it at a given time. Boreal is a formidable foe for Will and Lyra, and they don't know enough about the knife at this point for them to think twice about trading it for the alethiometer, but perhaps that will change once they make it to the tower. The show might not follow the books to the letter, so readers as well as viewers will have to wait and see. End book spoilers.

The next episode is called "Tower of the Angels," so my money is on Will and Lyra making their way into the tower and perhaps even getting (most of) their hands on the subtle knife by the time the credits roll next week. For now, you can look forward to new episodes of His Dark Materials releasing on Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO. For some viewing options once Season 2 comes to an end, check out our 2021 winter and spring premiere schedule.

Prestige war dramas from acclaimed British filmmakers can often seem like a dime a dozen. While the stories they tell are certainly important, as it's always good to remember the wars and battles that define our countries and world, it can be hard to stand out compared to many other dramas in this packed genre.

To the credit of Oscar-winning filmmaker Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Jarhead, Skyfall), 1917 most certainly stands out. Shot as though it were one long, arduous continuous take (well, technically two, but let's not get into technicalities), this sweeping, exhilarating drama adamantly aims to make you feel as though you're caught in the action with these hapless and often helpless soldiers, experiencing each and every little moment of intense panic and dismay as our young protagonists hustle vigorously for their lives, particularly as they attempt to share the message that might save their country and finally put a long and tension-filled war to rest in the midst of heated panic.

Receiving 10 Oscar nominations at this year's Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and walking away with three wins for Best Cinematography, Best Visual Effects, and Best Sound Mixing, it can be easy to forget how much the acting makes such an intensely visceral movie like 1917 work. (For all its nominations, the actors were overall ignored.) Certainly, in a commendable cast that includes both up-and-comers and established talents, this high-grade ensemble shouldn't ultimately be ignored. Now that it's been nearly a year since the movie made its way into theaters, what's the 1917 cast up to now? Well, let's take a look and find out!

George MacKay (Lance Corporal William "Will" Schofield)

As our central protagonist, Lance Corporal William "Will" Schofield, the solider who must travel to great lengths to send the message that might save the lives of thousands, George MacKay serves as our guide throughout this long, expansive wartime action-drama-thriller. While this leading role in this Oscar-winning prestige movie was certainly the actor's most well-known role, MacKay has been demonstrating his talents in a number of projects in the past few years. Most notably, he was seen in Captain Fantastic, Hulu's 11.22.63, The Outcast, Johnny and the Bomb, Tsunami: The Aftermath, Pride, Marrowbone, Ophelia, Sunshine on Leith, How I Live Now, Defiance, and Hunky Dory.

Most recently, George MacKay played the lead role in True History of the Kelly Gang and starred in Nuclear and the mini-series, Ataraxia. He also just filmed a role in Wolf and he's currently in production for Netflix's Munich.

Dean-Charles Chapman (Lance Corporal Thomas "Tom" Blake)

Playing the part of Lance Corporal Thomas Blake, i.e. Tom, who's ordered alongside William Schofield to deliver the all-important message to Colonel Mackenzie, Dean-Charles Chapman plays the second most prominent role in 1917, and a tragic one to boot. Best known for his role as Tommen Baratheon in Game of Thrones' final three seasons, Chapman was also the title role in West End's production of Billy Elliot: The Musical and he appeared in Into the Badlands, The White Queen, The Revolting World of Stanley Brown, Cuckoo, Before I Go To Sleep, Man Up, Will, Casualty, The Commuter, Blinded by the Light, The King, Breathe, Glue, Ripper Street, and Fungus the Bogeyman.

Most recently, Dean-Charles Chapman played the lead in Here Are the Young Men, alongside Anya-Taylor Joy and Travis Fimmel, earlier this year. He doesn't have any additional titles coming up at this time.

Colin Firth (General Erinmore)

In the role of General Erinmore, the commanding officer who sends our two small-scale soldiers on their very perilous mission seen throughout the film, Colin Firth played a key expository role in 1917's opening moments. An Oscar winner for The King's Speech, the English actor is also known for the Bridget Jones trilogy, The English Patient, Love Actually, Shakespeare in Love, the Kingsman movies, A Single Man, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Mary Poppins Returns, 1995's Pride and Prejudice, 1997's Fever Pitch, and the Mamma Mia movies. Firth was recently seen in The Secret Garden earlier this year.

Next, Colin Firth stars in Supernova, which comes out in the U.S. in January of next year. He'll be seen in Mothering Sunday next year as well. And he'll go from WWI to WWII with the upcoming war-based drama, Operation Mincemeat, which is expected to come out next year, too.

Benedict Cumberbatch (Colonel Mackenzie)

As Colonel Mackenzie, the commanding officer whom Will tells his urgent life-or-death message, Benedict Cumberbatch plays a small-but-critical role in this movie's rousing climax. Best known for playing the title role in BBC's Sherlock, Doctor Strange in the MCU, Smaug in The Hobbit franchise, and Khan in Star Trek Into Darkness, the Oscar nominee is also prominent for The Imitation Game, Patrick Melrose, Parade's End, The Fifth Estate, War Horse, The Current War, 2018's The Grinch, The Last Enemy, and 12 Years a Slave.

Most recently, Benedict Cumberbatch starred in The Courier, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Its wide release comes in February. His other upcoming roles include Prisoner 760, The Power of the Dog, and Louis, which are all expected next year. And he's reprising the role of Doctor Strange in MCU's Spider-Man 3, which is now filming, and Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness.

Mark Strong (Captain Smith)

In the role of Captain Smith, a British officer who offers some world-weary advice to our traveling soldiers, Mark Strong is one of a series of starry cameos seen throughout 1917. An accomplished British actor with several prominent roles in his resume, Strong is best known for the Kingsman movies, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Kick-Ass, Sherlock Holmes (2009), Stardust, Zero Dark Thirty, The Imitation Game, RocknRolla, The Eagle, The Guard, The Young Victoria, Body of Lies, Sunshine, Revolver, Fever Pitch (1997), Syriana, Tristan & Isolde, Robin Hood, Grimby, Green Lantern, Our Friends in the North, Low Winter Sun, Temple, and Shazam! He also narrated Who Do You Think You Are? and voiced a role in Netflix's The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.

Next, Mark Strong stars in Disney's Cruella, which is slated for May 2021. He'll also play Captain Thomas Wade in the video game, Squadron 42.

Andrew Scott (Lieutenant Smith)

As Lieutenant Smith, an experienced war veteran who gives our lead characters some key bits of advice, Andrew Scott provides a charismatic turn in Sam Mendes' 1917. The charming Irish actor is best known for playing Jim Moriarty in BBC's Sherlock, for which he won a BAFTA, and the Priest in the second season of Fleabag. His other notable credits include Black Mirror, Modern Love, Band of Brothers, My Life in Film, Longitude, Locke, Alice Through the Looking Glass, Spectre, Victor Frankenstein, A Dark Place, Saving Private Ryan, Pride, Jimmy's Hall, John Adams, and Denial.

Most recently, Andrew Scott was seen in Three Kings. He also returns for a new season of His Dark Materials. His latest projects include Ripley, which he'll also produce, The Pursuit of Love, Oslo, and the short film, Cognition. Additionally, Scott lends his voice to an animated adaptation of Heart of Darkness.

Richard Madden (Lieutenant Joseph Blake)

Playing the part of Lieutenant Joseph Blake, the older brother of Will's companion, Lance Corporal Thomas Blake, Richard Madden's cameo provides an emotional coda to 1917's long and harrowing journey. Primarily best known for his role as Robb Stark in the first three seasons of Game of Thrones, the Scottish actor later gained notice and acclaim for his lead role in the BBC mini-series, Bodyguard, which resulted in a Golden Globe win for Best Actor — Television Series Drama. He was also notably seen in Disney's live-action Cinderella remake and last year's Elton John biopic, Rocketman. His other credits include Medici: Masters of Florence, Bastille Day, Sirens, Hope Springs, and Barmy Aunt Boomerang.

Next, Richard Madden stars in Marvel's upcoming The Eternals, which is scheduled to hit theaters on November 5th, 2021. He's also slated to star in the new drama mini-series, Citadel, alongside Priyanka Chopra.

Claire Duburcq (Lauri)

In the role of Lauri, a French woman with a baby whom our always-on-the-go protagonist temporarily bunkers with during a briefly quiet moment in the action, first-time actress Claire Duburcq made her screen debut in Sam Mendes' award-favorite war drama. Gotta say, this intense movie certainly isn't the most... stress-free film to kick off your acting career, though it's certainly a notable debut nonetheless. When your first movie is one of the most award-recognized movies of the year, you're bound to get some notice as your career advances forward. Nevertheless, it's still very early in Duburcq's career and 1917 is the only thing American audiences have seen her in thus far.

Earlier this year, Claire Duburcq made her acting follow-up with the drama film, Gold for Dogs, which premiered at a few film festivals. She currently doesn't have any additional roles lined up in the near future.

Were you a fan of 1917? Who was your favorite character or cast member? Be sure to let us know in the comment section below!

His Dark Materials hit HBO back in 2019 as the first season of an adaptation of Philip Pullman's beloved and controversial novel trilogy. The attempt at adapting the first book, called The Golden Compass, for the big screen didn't result in a film trilogy, but a second season of the HBO series was announced before Season 1 even premiered. The show was slated to return in 2020 with the next eight episodes, based on The Subtle Knife, but production shutdowns throughout the industry raised some questions. Well, there's good news and bad news about the episode count, but some very good news about a Fleabag reunion in the new season.

The cast and executive producers of His Dark Materials gathered for a Comic-Con@Home virtual panel, and they shared some major updates on the upcoming second season. Executive producer Jane Tranter addressed the question of whether His Dark Materials Season 2 had finished filming and whether it would be able to premiere as intended. Tranter revealed:

According to Jane Tranter, only seven of the eight episodes that were intended for Season 2 had been completed by the time productions had to shut down, including His Dark Materials, but those were the key seven episodes. The eighth episode sounds like it would have been fascinating, especially to book fans who didn't get Lord Asriel on the page at all in The Subtle Knife. That said, if one episode was going to not be completed, best that it's the episode that could life right out of the season!

Jane Tranter elaborated, saying that the His Dark Materials team played "detective with The Subtle Knife and figured out what Asriel might have been doing" between the first book/season and the third. So, while an Asriel-centric episode during Season 2 might have been a treat (so long as fans were more receptive to a standalone episode for His Dark Materials than Stranger Things fans were), the unfinished filming won't prevent the show from releasing or leave it incomplete.

The executive producer went on to indicate that having to cut the eighth episode that would have centered on Asriel doesn't necessarily mean the story won't be revisited. Jane Tranter said:

Despite some additions to The Golden Compass that actually pulled from The Subtle Knife, the first season of His Dark Materials was pretty faithful to the source material as far as TV shows can go. Moving fully into The Subtle Knife territory should also mean a lot more of Amir Wilson as Will Parry, especially once he meets Dafne Keen's Lyra Belacqua. Lin-Manuel Miranda's Lee Scoresby was still separated from Lyra at the end of Season 1, but he'll team up with somebody to try and recover her (and presumably Will): John Parry, played by Fleabag's Andrew Scott.

Andrew Scott appeared in a photo back in His Dark Materials Season 1 but will appear in the flesh in Season 2. Also appearing on the panel, Scott even promised a Fleabag reunion, although he definitely won't be playing a priest this time. In fact, as John Parry, he'll be partnered with a daemon. Scott revealed the Fleabag connection to his daemon, much to the delight of the other actors in the virtual panel:

Phoebe Waller-Bridge might not appear in the flesh on His Dark Materials, but she'll lend her voice and play Andrew Scott's daemon. While their dynamic on the HBO fantasy show will undoubtedly be very different from Fleabag, Scott is clearly excited at the opportunity to work with her again, and seems quite thrilled to be part of the His Dark Materials cast. The rest of the cast were pretty excited as well, with Lin-Manuel Miranda literally doing a spit take. Take a look:

His Dark Materials will return for Season 2 in Fall 2020, one episode short of the original eight-episode order but telling the full Subtle Knife story and featuring a bizarre yet pretty perfect Fleabag reunion. If you haven't caught His Dark Materials just yet, you can find it streaming on HBO Max now. The first season also ran for eight episodes. If fall is too long of a wait to find out what happens next for Lyra, Mrs. Coulter, Will, and the rest, you can always check out Philip Pullman's novel trilogy.

Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for more Comic-Con@Home coverage, and be sure to check out our 2020 summer TV premiere guide and our 2020 fall TV premiere schedule to figure out what's coming to the small screen in the not-too-distant future.

Anticipation for the release of No Time To Die is pretty high, as the film’s delay into November has only given James Bond fans more time to ponder just what sort of mysteries are waiting past the title song. But another, greater mystery that awaits for 007 loyalists is who exactly will take over the post of the franchise lead once Daniel Craig turns in his Walther PPK for the last time. In uncertain times like these, there’s only one place we can turn to get a hint as to what the answer to that question might be: the oddsmakers!

James Bond is known to be a gambler from time to time, so why wouldn’t we consult the data from oddsmakers like US-Bookies to see where the smart money is supposedly going? And believe it or not, fans aren’t over the concept of a female Bond, despite official statements basically writing this concept off. We’ll start with going over the top 10 placings in terms of the odds-on favorites, after which we’ll be running through the long shots that have some interesting names attached to their standings. It all adds up to a pretty exciting pack, mixing the expected with the shocking!

Damian Lewis (25/1)

Currently known for his leading role on the Showtime drama Billions, Damian Lewis’ past history with both Homeland and Band of Brothers also could have put the English drama star in the running for James Bond. The one factor that might keep him from landing the gig is age, as Lewis is currently 49, which is around the time a 007 actor would see themselves on their way out. For reference, Roger Moore was 58 when he left the franchise, and Daniel Craig is currently 52.

Chris Hemsworth/Paul Mescal (20/1)

On the other end of the spectrum, the 36-year-old Extraction star Chris Hemsworth and 24-year-old Paul Mescal, known for his role in Hulu’s Normal People, are both younger candidates tied for 9th place. Were the producers running the franchise, Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, hoping to go with a popular, yet relative unknown, Mescal is the way to go, especially as the youngest candidate in the field. Hemsworth, on the other hand, almost feels like an instant disqualification in this pair, as his Marvel experience has probably driven up his salary demands, and the potential Extraction franchise is probably his Bond gig for the time being.

Henry Cavill (16/1)

A past favorite of fans and oddsmakers alike, Henry Cavill was previously touted as a strong candidate back in the days that saw Daniel Craig take the crown for Casino Royale. Those who saw and enjoyed The Man From U.N.C.L.E. are probably still holding out hope for this prospect, and to be certain, it could still happen if Justice League's Superman willed it so. Those of you looking for an age check, Cavill is currently 37, which keeps him in the game.

Jamie Bell (12/1)

Rocketman’s Jamie Bell would be a fine pick for James Bond, as he has the cred from both TV projects like Turn: Washington’s Spies, as well as his extensive film career stemming back to his debut as young Billy Elliot. His relative youth among these 007 candidates also plays rather well. However, there’s just one potentially big catch: he’s already signed on to be a potentially important part of Paramount’s budding franchise stemming from Michael B. Jordan’s Without Remorse. Bell may already have a pre-emptive clause in his contract from that Tom Clancy adaptation that’ll keep him in that particular wheelhouse, which would be less than ideal for his potential tuxedo fitting.

Idris Elba/Cillian Murphy (10/1)

If Idris Elba and Cillian Murphy aren’t perfect examples of actors who have been suggested to play James Bond for quite some time, then such a concept doesn’t exist. The 47-year-old Elba and 44-year-old Murphy are mainstays, Elba particularly, in the race to find the next Bond. But as an expert has written the Thor actor out of the part due to his age, and Cillian Murphy isn’t too far from that mark himself, their potential casting may sadly be too late.

Aidan Turner (9/1)

Best known for his role on the TV series Poldark, Aidan Turner has had experience playing a lovelorn warrior of great speed himself in Peter Jackson’s Hobbit trilogy. Perhaps this, along with his handsome looks, is what has landed Turner in the fifth place showing amongst these other potential James Bond actors. He can be seen next in the TV series Leonardo, in which Aidan Turner will be playing Da Vinci himself; but if that doesn’t pan out, this could mean some good things for a potential opening on her majesty’s secret service.

Tom Hardy/Michael Fassbender (8/1)

At 42 and 43, respectively, Tom Hardy and Michael Fassbender are two more people that, while being familiar and bankable names, are a little on the older side of the James Bond dream casting spectrum. Their familiarity and potential franchise gigs probably put them further out of the realm of possibility, but fans seem to be willing to bet they’ll get the gig. So if I had to choose, Fassbender would have the advantage, as not only is the Alien franchise’s future in question, he basically played the role as Magneto in X-Men: First Class.

Tom Hiddleston/Richard Madden (6/1)

Having a familiar face certainly helps when it comes to James Bond fans looking into potential hires. While a producer might be motivated to avoid Tom Hiddleston and Richard Madden in the casting game, both occupy a sweet spot where they’re still in their 30s and are recognizable enough to draw a crowd, but still primed to take their stars further. The edge goes to Madden in this case, as he’s 33 to Hiddleston’s 39, and the latter actor’s commitment to Disney+’s Loki series will probably get in the way of any more immediate talks.

Sam Heughan (5/1)

As fast as you can say the word Outlander, Sam Heughan’s name seems to come up in any sort of talk surrounding any potential future 007 action. Part of that is because the man himself has been pushing for the throne himself, but honestly, it’s hard to not see him as a high ranking contender. Even in the higher age range at 40 years old, the man has the looks and the attitude needed to play James Bond, and he is very comfortable with action and emotion as Scottish heartthrob Jamie Fraser. Plus, it helps that the idea kind of took shape in people’s heads after his tuxedoed appearance in The Spy Who Dumped Me, so this isn’t a total surprise.

James Norton (2/1)

At 34 years old, with a resume that includes parts in TV shows like Doctor Who and McMafia, as well as films such as Rush and Little Women, James Norton has an interesting balance of anonymity and familiarity. All of those facors have probably led to him being the odds-on favorite for James Bond at this particular moment in time. While this could change drastically between now and the time of a formal announcement, it’s probably still a good idea to keep an eye on where Mr. Norton’s career takes him in the near future.

Other Notable Candidates

Towards the back of the James Bond candidate pack is a rather interesting assortment of players. With some pretty wild picks, a couple of veterans to the Bond franchise and a previous contender who got pretty close to the job in the running up to Daniel Craig’s hiring, all of these actors are too good to leave out. So let’s get started, moving through three distinct groupings:

The 50/1 Gang

There are six candidates who sit just outside of the top 10 standings, with 50/1 odds tipping them as the next 007:

This is where those Bond franchise veterans we discussed earlier lie, as both Spectre’s Andrew Scott and No Time To Die’s Rami Malek are both suggested as sitting in this category. Should either of them be cast, it’d be the first time a Bond villain would go on to play the lead role in film. Though it should be noted that Die Another Day villain Toby Stephens eventually went on to play James Bond in a series of BBC radio adaptations. So never say never on this concept!

In the younger end of the pack, both John Boyega and Timothee Chalamet are in the 50/1 range of landing the role. If I to pick a favorite in this subsection, I would say that Boyega would be the victor, as his Star Wars franchise experience gives him the functional advantage. Rounding out this group are Ewan McGregor and Benedict Cumberbatch, with McGregor returning to potential contention and Cumberbatch riding the wave he’s recently become accustomed to. McGregor is the clear favorite out of these two.

The 00-Women Gang

Betting fans of the James Bond franchise haven’t given up hope on a female Bond being cast in the future. Though as you can see, most have heeded the words of Barbara Broccoli, by not putting too much stock into this prospect. Still, with candidates like these, it’s hard not to get excited about this big “what if”:

Now, if anyone in this pack was going to get the gig, I side with the betters in Killing Eve’s Jodie Comer landing the post. Between the cultural success of that show, as well as her upcoming appearance in the Ryan Reynolds film Free Guy, it’s a potent martini of qualifications that would make history in its own right. Provided, of course, there’s some sort of in-house reversal over at EON Productions.

The Long Shot Gang

Last, but not least, are two contenders that, while being qualified in their own ways, are less than likely to become the next Bond:

Even in such an unlikely grouping, the favorite is clear as Harry Styles is an acting talent tested enough to be considered a possibility, and he’s young enough to do a longer stint in the franchise than Will Smith could potentially. Also, Smith’s an American, so that probably docks some additional points off the top.

Again, all of these odds could change at the drop of a hat, and fans shouldn’t count any of those top candidates out too early on in the race to become the next James Bond. Until that would-be successor has been named, Daniel Craig is still our 007 for the moment, and we’ll get to see him in his final franchise outing on November 20, when No Time To Die sets its sights on the box office.

While the film itself is so much more than just its technical achievements, a lot has understandably been made about how director Sam Mendes’ 1917 is made to look like a single continuous shot. We can all appreciate how cool that is just from an aesthetic standpoint, but what gets lost is just how incredibly difficult that is to pull off. It was so difficult that something minor like a broken cigarette lighter could derail filming, as actor Andrew Scott explained:

That sounds like a positively exasperating and incredibly tense filming experience. As Andrew Scott, who plays Lieutenant Leslie in the film, explained, the single-shot nature of the filming on 1917 necessitated much longer takes than you would have in a more traditional movie. And if anything screwed up during the filming of that long scene, you had to start all over, even if it was something as small as a cigarette lighter not working.

That meant that everyone had to be on their A-games every second that the camera was rolling. The production team needed everything to be in place, the cameramen had to be perfect, the actors had to know all of their lines and hit all of their marks, from the moment the director called "action" to the moment he called "cut." And even if everyone was perfect, something minor that wasn't really anyone’s fault like a broken prop could force everyone to start back at the beginning.

That’s because it wasn’t just a quick shot that they had to redo. Even if the error occurred at the very last moment, it was a complete do over. The unbroken shot couldn’t be broken to swap in a better take if something went wrong. It was back to the beginning every time.

Feature filmmaking is already an arduous and laborious endeavor and the one-shot approach used on 1917 just raised the level of difficulty for all involved to a punishing degree. It’s like playing an old school videogame with no save points and no extra lives, where you had to beat the game from start to finish or go all the way back to the beginning.

I can’t imagine what it must have been like if you were the guy who screwed up a take and everyone else had to pay for it. Beyond just being incredibly frustrating to have to do a 10-minute scene all over again, Andrew Scott highlighted another challenge to this style of filmmaking.

As the actor told Hey U Guys, the scene might be going really well and as an actor you might feel like you’re putting in great work, but one hiccup and that all gets erased. So your best take may not be the one that makes it into the movie because of a mistake that occurred over the long duration of the shot that had nothing to do with you. Therefore Andrew Scott said a balance had to be struck.

It’s pretty wild, but although it was far from easy, Andrew Scott seems to have appreciated the challenge of making 1917. The industry seems to be appreciating it too. Following its Golden Globes win for Best Motion Picture-Drama, 1917 just won top honors at the PGA Awards. With 10 Oscar nominations to its name, Sam Mendes’ film is in a strong position to claim Best Picture.

1917 is now playing. Check out our 2020 Release Schedule to keep track of all this year’s biggest movies.

When it comes to literary villains, Professor Moriarty has always been one of the most formidable opponents to ever have graced the page or the screen. His keen intellect is only matched by his psychotic mindset, and in countless instances he's made life a living hell for his arch-nemesis, Sherlock Holmes. Imagine how awesome it would be if he teamed up with the like minded Blofeld, the bane to the existence of famed super agent James Bond? If this new report is anywhere near close to being true, the producers of Bond 24 have had the same thought, and it's influenced their casting in a big way.

The Mirror has revealed that they've heard rumblings of Andrew Scott, the man who played a brilliant version of Moriarty for the BBC's Sherlock series, being cast as a villain in director Sam Mendes' upcoming Bond 24 alongside heavily tipped baddie extraordinaire, Christoph Waltz. The Mirror also includes Dave Bautista on the list of cast members, further stoking the rumors that he would be playing the evil muscle of the piece.

We won't have to wait too long to see whether this scoop is correct or not, as tomorrow morning is the traditional press conference that unveils all of the key details for Bond 24's production. The film's title, the film's cast and characters, and all of the bedrock details will be revealed tomorrow morning with the announcement of the start of filming - so there's a possibility that these details are being leaked from a well-placed source. Either that, or The Mirror wants a quick circulation boost before they have to report the actual event itself. Whichever scenario is true, we'll be finding out the truth soon enough.

As for the possibility of casting Andrew Scott as a villain in Bond 24, it's a good get if the story is actually true. His version of Moriarty on Sherlock updated the iconic character, and at the same time injected an extreme menace into the role, playing opposite Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman. It should be noted that there was a point when Chiwetel Ejiofor was being rumored for the baddie part in Bond 24, and this role could be the vacancy that Scott is filling in the new film's cast.

Speaking of casting rumors surrounding the development of Bond 24's crew of bad guys, it's been reported that Dave Bautista looks to be the Jaws of the outfit and there has been a good amount of rumor saying that Christoph Waltz could be the mastermind behind whatever plot is coming to bear in the movie (playing Blofeld or a Blofeld like character). This leaves Andrew Scott as the prospective central villain strictly in the confines of Bond 24, much like Dr. No or Auric Goldfinger. Considering Javier Bardem's gleefully menacing villain, Silva, was the central antagonist in 2012's Skyfall, this could be a great piece of casting news that continues a pre-existing pattern.

The world will learn the truth tomorrow morning at 6 AM EST, during a live stream on the official 007 website. Check back here tomorrow for the official details as we get them. Bond 24 is set for a November 6, 2015 release in the United States; with an October 23, 2015 release date in the UK.

OK, folks: now that is how you finale an episode of television. Tonight’s third season ender for Sherlock was everything you love about the series and proved there’s no slump anywhere in this show’s future. A nonstop, twisty-turny, action-packed, and clever as hell little jaunt, "His Last Vow" took us out the insular world of Watson and Holmes and into the reality of the situation at hand. And it exposed — at long last! — not only our big baddie, but a new character we're dying to see more of (Bill Wiggins), a side of Mary Morstan we'd previously not known, and a heck of a lot of slapping. Being trapped in the mind palaces of Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss never felt so good.

After last week’s gangbuster wedding episode, the pressure was certainly on for excellence leading into the season finale. However, Moffat and Gatiss did far from disappoint. The myriad moving parts and bits that gave you momentary pause throughout the season were brought together with wicked aplomb, proving that the series is at its best when it balances fan-serving hilarity with character-developing advancements. In the world of Sherlock Holmes, you can have your cake and eat it, too. So what were this episode's most shocking moments? Aside from finding Sherlock in a drug den, Molly’s multiple slaps (all very well-deserved), our hero's blatant disregard for faux-girlfriend Janine’s feelings in the name of manipulation, and the hilariously observant, drug-addled chemist Bill Wiggins? Well, perhaps the biggest bombshells of them all. Namely…

Charles Augustus Magnussen has a Mind Palace

Our foil for Rupert Murdoch (because I mean, really), a baddie that also serves as a stand-in for Charles Augustus Milverton, apparently has a bit of a mind palace himself! (Not just for Sherlock, it seems.) So that’s why we had so many deep dives into Holmes’ inner mental sanctum. The king of the blackmailers has no need for a library full of all the secrets he knows — he needs only a tiny white room where he imagines descending a bunch of fancy staircases. (So that’s why there were so many amazing staircases this episode.) It was a twist that not even Sherlock saw coming, leaving him wide open to be framed for selling government secrets. Which is, well, sort of a terrible position to be in — no wonder Sherlock did the unthinkable and shoot Magnussen dead in front of Mycroft and the cops.

Mary Morstan is an Assassin

We knew from the outset that something was amiss with Mary Morstan, but we were under the impression she was very, very bad. Turns out she might still be a bit of a no-good, but it’s a bit more complicated than all that. Mary’s previous career as a secret agent turned freelance assassin was not something we’d expected when she showed up at Magnussen’s office to shoot the man that Sherlock was also mid-taking down, but it was a delight. And while the reveal that your wife nearly killed your best friend/has a secret double life, would likely cause anyone to scurry, Sherlock makes a case for the clever girl. And considering just how clever, quick, and sort of perfect she as an addition to the Holmes and Watson world, we’re more than glad to have more of Mrs. Watson — once we find out what in the heck in her past is so dangerous.

Moriarty LIVES?!

Perhaps the most mind-boggling twist of all? MORIARTY IS STILL ALIVE, APPARENTLY. What in the actual fuck, you guys: how could that even be possible? We'd be lying if we didn’t say we were over-the-moon excited to see Andrew Scott back on the series — he is a truly wonderful and enigmatic actor — but the twist feels hard to explain away. Of course that’s exactly what the series will have to do the next time we see it, but it’s a resounding “yes!” to the question Moriarty posed London-wide: miss me?

We've come a long way from the season premiere, and in a very, very good way. Sherlock Holmes in the hands of Moffat and Gatiss is more than just a caricature, he’s a human that develops, evolves, and grows in new and interesting ways. The Sherlock of Sherlock has a dynamicism previously unseen in other big and small screen iterations. Fingers crossed we only have to wait until Christmas to find out all the answers.