There’s both a new Lord of the Rings movie and a new season of The Rings of Power on the way, but the ring I’m most excited to obsess over is the powered-up accessory at the heart (or finger) of HBO Max’s upcoming DC series Lanterns. The second live-action superhero series from James Gunn’s DCU, Lanterns is breaking open the Green Lantern mythos for a time-jumping murder-mystery, and the latest trailer revealed the high-level casting of Emmy-winning actress Laura Linney.

Linney’s presence adds excess excitement for a project that already sparked a ton of it — it’s also garnered blowback over the lack of green visuals, but at least this latest trailer fed into those desires. Still, for all the ring-based constructs on display, it’s Linney’s unidentified character that has my brain aflutter. I think the most popular avenue of speculation is the right one, but I don’t wholly understand why there’s speculation being had at all, nor why the character’s identity hasn’t been revealed already.

I Mostly Agree With Fans Thinking Laura Linney Is Playing Carol Ferris

I tend to hate jumping to a conclusion when it seems to be the only conclusion to jump toward, but this is a pretty applicable situation. Without a ton of eaamples to pull from in terms of female characters who share a similar age group with Hal Jordan, the most obvious name to pull when speculating about Linney's inclusion is Carol Ferris, who's severed as both Hal's romantic foil and his higher-up. If only she'd have an obviously pilot wings pin on her lapel, we could put this one to bed.

Though we haven't heard any direct mentions regarding Carol thus far within Lanterns promos, nor her superhero persona Star Sapphire, it's unlikely the new series would take place without her involvement in at least one of the timelines. Given she appears to be talking to Pierre's John Stewart about Hal, and in a way that makes it seem like she's had personal stakes, I'll be heartily surprised to learn that the Ozark vet is playing anyone else.

The Biggest Reason To Keep This A Mystery Is If Laura Linney Isn't Playing Carol

All things considered, there could be plenty of reasons why Lanterns' Powers That Be are holding back on revealing Linney's character, only for her to be playing Carol Ferris. It's keeping the conversation going with soapbox ravings and rantings like this one, for example. Not that I even have a suitable soapbox. (Hint hint, anyone with a Lantern ring.)

But there's that conspiracy theory-entertaining part of my brain that can fully buy into the trailer giving Laura Linney's character a simple first look only to reveal she's playing someone far different from Carol. But who? Probably not Wonder Woman, but wouldn't that be a hoot?

Perhaps the most favorable second assumption points toward Laura Linney portraying one of the Guardians of the Universe, who would also be quite aware of what Hal and John are up to, and could appear to them in human form to touch base. That would probably mean less of Linney in the show overall, so that's another reason why I'd just rather her play Carol. Which is no doubt what co-creators Chris Munro, Tom King and Damon Lindelof had top of mind, right?

Check out the Lanterns trailer below, with Linney's arrival coming in the final moments.

Lanterns will light up the 2026 TV schedule when Season 1 makes its streaming debut on August 16, 2026, via HBO Max subscription.

Some of the biggest and best actors have never won competitive acting Oscars. Some of those names might completely shock you as they have certainly put in the performances that make them worthy of winning the awards. There are a few on this list who have won honorary Oscars or won in other categories, like directing or acting, but none of these stars have been bestowed with the one they probably want the most. So here is our list of actors and actresses who have shockingly never won an Oscar for acting.

Glenn Close

At the top of the list of actors who have shockingly never won an Oscar has to be the great Glenn Close. For decades Close has been putting amazing performances on film, and yet that golden statue has eluded her. She has won multiple Tonys, Emmys, and Golden Globe awards, yet, despite an amazing eight nominations for either Best Actress or Best Supporting Actress, she's yet to win one.

Tom Cruise

There is no bigger "movie star" on the planet than Tom Cruise. While no one would realistically expect Cruise to be nominated for his action roles like in the Mission: Impossible movies (though, his stunt work in those movies should really be acknowledged), the Top Gun star has put in the work with Oscar-worthy performances in films like Rain Man, Jerry Maguire, Born on the Fourth of July, and Magnolia. He has been nominated four times, but he's yet to take home the prize.

Angela Bassett

In 1994 Angela Bassett lost out on the Best Actress Oscar for her incredible, transformative performance as Tina Turner in What's Love Got to Do with It. Not to take anything away from the winner, Holly Hunter for The Piano, but it's frankly astonishing Bassett didn't win. Sadly, though she was honored in 2024 by the Academy, she still has yet to win a competitive Oscar.

Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp has gotten a lot of bad press in recent years and that may hurt his future chances to win an Academy Award, but frankly, it's amazing he hasn't already won multiple Oscars, and yet he's never won even one. Despite three nominations and many other amazing performances, the Pirates Of The Caribbean star is still Oscar-less.

Sigourney Weaver

It's hard to believe that Sigourney Weaver hasn't even been nominated for an Oscar since the 1980s, when she was nominated thrice. In spite of wonderful performances in huge hits like Avatar and Aliens, she's still searching for that golden statue.

Bradley Cooper

Honestly, you can almost smell the desperation on Bradley Cooper to win an Oscar and that's completely understandable. Cooper is one of the best actors of his generation and has been nominated five times in an acting category (and another seven times in other categories), but hasn't won...yet. He'll surely get one.

Annette Bening

Five nominations and no wins. That's Annette Bening's resume at the Oscars and that is shocking. For decades she's been crushing it on screen and despite those nominations, most recently in 2023 for her incredible performance in Nyad, a win has eluded her.

Jim Carrey

Jim Carrey may have burst on the scene in wild comedies like Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and The Mask - and we can argue that amazing comedic performances don't get nearly enough love from the Academy - but his more serious roles, like in Man on the Moon and even The Truman Show are certainly worthy of Oscars. Despite multiple Golden Globe nominations and wins, the Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind actor has never even been nominated for an Oscar.

Amy Adams

When Amy Adams was first nominated for an Academy Award in 2005 for her breakthrough performance in Junebug, a betting person would have bet everything that she would win an Oscar in her career. Yet here we are more than 20 years later and despite five more nominations, Adams is still Oscar-less.

Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson has played every kind of character and starred in every kind of movie. From mega-franchises like Star Wars and the MCU, to more indie films like Pulp Fiction and Do The Right Thing, Jackson has done it all in Hollywood, except win a competitive Oscar and he's shockingly only been nominated once. He was honored by the Academy in 2021 for his body of work.

Scarlett Johansson

In 2020 Scarlett Johansson was nominated in both the Bet Actress category for Marriage Story and Best Supporting Actress for Jojo Rabbit. She lost out in both that year and despite an incredible career, they remain her only nominations.

Laurence Fishburne

Literally, since his breakout movie role when he was only 16 in Apocalypse Now, Laurence Fishburne has been putting in award-worthy performances. One of the most astonishing facts on this list, Fishbourne has only been nominated once, for What's Love Got to Do with It in 1994. Despite roles like Furious Styles in Boyz n The Hood, Professor Phipps in Higher Learning, and countless others, he still hasn't won.

Hugh Jackman

While he's best known for his work as Wolverine these days, the multi-talented Hugh Jackman has a ton of performances that have deserved more attention from the Academy. He's won every other award on the planet, including three of the "EGOT" awards, but he's still missing the "O."

Michelle Williams

Michelle Williams has been nominated for an Academy Award five times, starting with her breakout role in 2005's Brokeback Mountain. She has yet to break through with a win though. Certainly, she will at some point, right?

Saoirse Ronan

Saoirse Ronan was just 13 years old when she landed her first Oscar nomination for her performance in Atonement. The Lady Bird star has been nominated three subsequent times but hasn't been able to nail down an award yet. A win for Ronan at some point seems inevitable, given how she crushes every role she's in.

Matt Damon

Another one of the biggest movie stars in the world who has yet to win an acting Oscar is Matt Damon. His most recent of three acting nominations was for 2015's The Martian, and while he has won an Oscar for Best Screenplay for Good Will Hunting, an acting award has eluded him.

Salma Hayek

Despite her transcending performance in Frida, the great Salma Hayek wasn't able to win an Oscar in a stacked category in 2003 (Nicole Kidman won for The Hours). Despite numerous great performances, that remains Hayak's only nomination. For shame.

Willem Dafoe

Despite being one of the most reliable actors in Hollywood for more than four decades, somehow Willem Dafoe has yet to win an Oscar. It seems like every single role he takes on is award-worthy, and yet, despite four nominations, starting with Platoon, he still has yet to take home an Academy Award.

Carey Mulligan

2009's An Education garnered Carey Mulligan her first Oscar nom, and she's since nominated another couple of times, for Promising Young Woman in 2021 and Maestro in 2024. She's run into some stiff competition, but surely at least one of those performances was Oscar-worthy.

Mark Ruffalo

Mark Ruffalo has been acting his butt off for decades. For that hard work, he's received four Best Supporting Actor nominations, and shockingly, not for his work in Dark Waters, which might be his best performance of all. It's confounding.

Michelle Pfeiffer

The great Michelle Pfeiffer landed her first Oscar nomination in 1988 for Dangerous Liaisons and picked up two more for The Fabulous Baker Boys in 1989 and Love Field in 1992. Since then? Nothing. Zip. She has not even received a nomination as one of the best actresses of her generation. That has to be remedied, as it makes no sense.

Ralph Fiennes

Between 1996 when he was nominated for The English Patient and 2025 when he was nominated for Conclave, the great Ralph Fiennes wasn't even nominated for an Oscar despite countless award-worthy performances.

Naomi Watts

With two nominations and zero wins, Naomi Watts finds herself on this list. She was first nominated in 2004 for 21 Grams and again in 2013 for The Impossible, but she hasn't lucked out with a win yet. Surely one is in her future though, she's too much of a force not to win one.

Ryan Gosling

Year after year Ryan Gosling has put up fantastic performances, so his inclusion on this list is among the most surprising. He seems like a shoo-in to have won at least one Oscar, right? In not for Barbie or Half Nelson, both of which he was nominated for, then certainly for La La Land. Alas, he's yet to take home a trophy.

Alfre Woodard

When Alfre Woodard was nominated for her first (and to-date only) Oscar nomination way back in 1983 for Cross Creek, you'd be crazy to predict she would not get another one for what is now more than 40 years. Despite amazing performances in films like 12 Years A Slave and many others, she has been shut out.

Warren Beatty

There was no bigger movie star than Warren Beatty in the late '70s and '80s and despite a slew of hits, Beatty has never won an Oscar. Beatty has been nominated four times for Best Actor, yet his only Academy Award win came for Best Director for Reds in 1982. He didn't even win for Dick Tracy! He wasn't actually nominated for that iconic role though, which is understandable.

Laura Linney

Over her long, impressive career, Laura Linney has been nominated for many awards. She's won multiple Emmys and multiple Golden Globes, but she's never taken home a golden statue from the Academy. Linney has been nominated three times, for 2000's You Can Count on Me, 2004's Kinsey, and 2007's The Savages, but lost out each time. Linney has never been in a movie that has won Best Picture, either.

Ed Harris

Ed Harris is one of the best character actors of the last 50 years and yet he's never won an Oscar. He's been nominated three times for Best Supporting Actor, for Apollo 13, The Truman Show, and The Hours, plus picking a nomination for Best Actor for Pollock, but alas, he's never won. Weirdly, he's also 0-3 on Emmy nominations too. He has picked up two Golden Globes though.

Joan Allen

Joan Allen is an actress flies a little under the radar despite putting in amazing performances in everything she is in. It might because she's been incredibly unlucky at winning awards, despite multiple Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG nominations. That luck includes her Oscar nominations, of which she has three, for Nixon, The Crucible, and The Contender, but sadly no wins.

Richard Gere

Despite being box office gold since the early 1980s, Richard Gere has shockingly never been even nominated for an Oscar. He's been in beloved movies that have stood the test of time like Pretty Woman, An Officer And A Gentleman, Primal Fear, Runaway Bride and so many more, but no nominations. Crazy.

Isabelle Huppert

It might not be a huge surprise that a French actress like Isabelle Huppert hasn't won an Oscar, as obviously the winners are almost always from English-language films. Still, Huppert is one of the most decorated actresses of all time in her native France, having been nominated 16 times (and winning twice) for the César Award (France's version of the Academy Awards). She was nominated for an Oscar in 2016 for Elle but lost to Emma Stone (for La La Land).

Paul Dano

It almost seems pre-ordained that at some point Paul Dano will win an Oscar. In performance after performance, he just crushes it. From There Will Be Blood to Love & Mercy, the list of his amazing performances just keeps growing. Like others on this list, the fact that he hasn't even been nominated for an Oscar is mindboggling.

It was the first of many nights before Christmas, but my wife wanted to get in the holiday spirit a bit early. Having recently seen CinemaBlend's list of best Christmas movies on Netflix, I suggested we use our Netflix subscription to watch a movie I'd seen countless times on television: Love Actually. Little did I know my first viewing on streaming would be a memorable experience, as this was an entirely different movie than what I originally thought. 

Prior to this latest viewing, I thought Love Actually was a pretty tame movie, if not a tad boring. Still, we fired up the movie with our daughter in the room, not even glancing at the rating or anything of that matter. It's a Christmas movie, after all, and how many holiday movies have anything unsuitable for children? Well, it turns out this one does, and I had to quickly usher my child off to her room when I was blindsided by a movie far raunchier than I ever thought. 

I Had No Idea Martin Freeman And Joanna Page Were In The Movie

When I saw Martin Freeman pop up in Love Actually, I was surprised. How could I, someone who is crossing all their fingers hoping Sherlock Season 5 will happen, not remember that Freeman was not in this movie? Furthermore, what was he doing grinding up against Joanna Page while they were both clothed? I was very confused right up until Page took her shirt off, and then I started to understand. 

As Mental Floss and others have pointed out, the television version of Love Actually typically removes all of Martin Freeman and Joanna Page and their characters' scenes from the movie. It's understandable considering once scrubbing out all of the scenes in which they're nude, it's kind of hard to piece together the clothed scenes at the end and explain what they have to do with any of the other stories. CinemaBlend ranked John and Judy's story as the least enjoyable Love Actually couple in a ranking list, so it's no surprise little is lost nixing it. 

The nude scenes on Netflix weren't the end of the world, even if they were jarring. What it did create, though, was an awareness that really tuned me into the fact Love Actually isn't the movie I thought it was. It might be one of Hugh Grant's best romantic comedies, but it's also fairly raunchy in a way I hadn't previously realized. 

Other Parts Of Love Actually Haven't Aged Well 

It may be on a list of the best romantic comedies of all time, but that doesn't mean there are parts of Love Actually that don't garner criticism in 2023. By his own admission, director Richard Curtis realized it hadn't aged well after a conversation with his daughter about the comments made about Natalie's weight throughout the movie. I also picked up on those comments and thought even for 2003, the weight comments were a little iffy for the script. 

Take that paired with another nude scene featuring Laura Linney, and my whole perspective on Love Actually has shifted permanently. This movie is way more explicit than I ever realized watching it on television, and I'm not sure I can go back to watching it and not see the actual theatrical version. My life is forever changed just ahead of the holidays and it has me rethinking this one as a holiday classic. 

Love Actually is available to stream right now on Netflix for those who love the movie and already know about the theatrical version. I may be in the minority on this one, as the movie comes in at nineteen in CinemaBlend's Best Christmas Movies of all time. 

The list of Best Picture winners is short, and exclusive, which means that even some of the most acclaimed, decorated, and generally well-liked actors of all time haven't taken home the grand prize at the Academy Awards. You might be surprised by the number of celebrities we have listed below — many of which have Oscars of their own — that have never starred in a Best Picture winner.

Denzel Washington

As one of a few actors who have two Oscars to their name, you might assume that some of the best Denzel Washington movies were also guaranteed a Best Picture win, right? Surprisingly, the star of Glory and Training Day has never made a movie that won the Academy's big prize, but at least he can say that King Kong still ain’t got nothing on him.

Heath Ledger

If what many consider to be one of the Academy’s greatest mistakes (awarding Crash Best Picture over Brokeback Mountain in 2006) had not happened, Heath Ledger’s name would not be on this list. However, the late Australian actor still left behind a stunning legacy only so many actors can dream of. Notably, he won a posthumous Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as the Joker in one of the best superhero movies, The Dark Knight.

Christian Bale

Five of Christian Bale’s best movies have been nominated for Best Picture (The Fighter, American Hustle, The Big Short, Vice, and Ford v. Ferrari), but to no avail. At least his performance in The Fighter — David O. Russell’s 2010 boxing biopic — earned him a Best Supporting Actor Oscar.

Robert Downey Jr.

It is already hard enough to believe that Robert Downey Jr. has only two Oscar nominations (for Chaplin and Tropic Thunder), and that none of his many great movies outside of the MCU have achieved the highest honor, either. However, things could change at the 2024 Oscars, given his stunning work in the Oppenheimer cast and the promising chances for Christopher Nolan’s glowing biopic.

Toni Collette

Toni Collette is an extraordinarily talented actor with the accolades to prove it, including an Oscar nomination for 1999’s The Sixth Sense. However, the classic M. Night Shyamalan movie is also one of a few Toni Collette movies to be nominated for Best Picture (also including 2006’s Little Miss Sunshine), but she hasn't been in a winner yet.

Will Smith

From TV sitcoms to sci-fi blockbusters to critically acclaimed biopics, Will Smith’s filmography is pretty extraordinary, but it does not include Best Picture winners. If that does change for him soon, he may be unable to celebrate the honor in person. This is because he has been banned from future ceremonies for the next decade after slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars — which also happened to be the night he won Best Actor for King Richard.

Harrison Ford

Two of Harrison Ford's most iconic characters were featured in two Best Picture Nominees -- the original Star Wars movie, where he played Han Solo, and the first Indiana Jones movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark -- but neither of them won. At least Ford, who does have an Oscar nomination for fellow Best Picture nominee 1985’s Witness, can say those films, among others, made him one of the highest-grossing actors of all time.

Scarlett Johansson

Some of the most significant films of Scarlett Johansson’s career were Best Pictures nominees — such as her breakthrough role in one of the best movies of the 2000s, Lost in Translation, and her dual Oscar-nominated performances the same year for Jojo Rabbit and Marriage Story. Of course, none of these films took home the top prize.

Ryan Gosling

There was a time when it seemed like Ryan Gosling would not be eligible for a list like this when we thought La La Land won Best Picture in 2017. However, it turned out to be a case of mistaken envelopes and the real winner was Moonlight. The Barbie cast member was also in the nominated film The Big Short, and there are sure to be more Ryan Gosling movies getting Oscar consideration.

Glenn Close

Glenn Close is one of those actors whose longtime losing streak at the Academy Awards — eight nominations, zero wins — continues to baffle audiences. Add on the fact that none of her best movies have won Best Picture either and the notion becomes simply unspeakable.

Jennifer Lawrence

The Academy loves Jennifer Lawrence — nominating her four times and awarding her the Best Actress Oscar for 2012’s Silver Linings Playbook. However, they seem to like her just a bit more than Jennifer Lawrence’s best movies, none of which have received the Best Picture award.

Julia Roberts

I suppose Julia Roberts’ multiple nominations and one win — for Erin Brockovich — had me convinced that she had been in a Best Picture winner at some point. In truth, said biopic from 2000 is actually the only Best Picture nominee among Roberts’ filmography so far, and it lost to Gladiator.

Meg Ryan

Would you believe that Meg Ryan has never been nominated for an Academy Award? Well, what if I told you that none of her movies — which include some of the best romantic comedies of all time, like When Harry Met Sally — were considered for the top prize either? Some talents just do not get the recognition they deserve.

Laura Linney

Curiously, Laura Linney has been nominated for her performances in 2000’s You Can Count On Me, Kinsey from 2004, and 2007’s The Savages — none of which even received Best Picture nominations. She has been in a Best Picture nominee though — Clint Eastwood’s Mystic River — however, that did not win either.

George Clooney

For a while, George Clooney’s filmography seemed to consist primarily of Best Picture nominees, such as Syriana (for which he won Best Supporting Actor) and Good Night, and Good Luck (which also earned him nods for writing and directing). However, in terms of the Best Picture category, that’s all any of them ever amounted to being; nominee.

Samuel L. Jackson

With a resume as lengthy and renowned as his, you would think Samuel L. Jackson has been in at least one Best Picture winner but he has not… yet. He has starred in quite a few Best Pictures nominees — many of which are Quentin Tarantino movies like Pulp Fiction, for which he received his sole Oscar nomination.

Hugh Jackman

Tom Hooper’s 2012 adaptation of Les Miserables earned eight nominations including one for Best Picture and and another for Best Actor for Hugh Jackman, but those categories were not among the three it did win. At least the Australian X-Men movie star has had the honor of hosting an Oscar ceremony before.

Emily Blunt

Emily Blunt has won a Golden Globe for Gideon’s Daughters, a Screen Actors Guild Award for 2018’s A Quiet Place, and three BAFTA nominations for The Devil Wears Prada, a special “Rising Star Award” from the same year, and The Girl on the Train. However, never has the Academy given her a nod, nor have any of Emily Blunt’s movies even been nominated for Best Picture.

Jake Gyllenhaal

The fact that Jake Gyllenhaal has only been nominated for an Oscar once — for Best Supporting Actor in 2005’s Brokeback Mountain surprisingly enough -- is crazy. To learn that said LGBTQ+ romance movie is the only film of his to receive a Best Picture nomination is equally baffling.

Matthew McConaughey

Mathew McConaughey has starred in two films nominated for Best Picture — Dallas Buyer’s Club, for which he won his Best Actor Oscar, and The Wolf of Wall Street — which were both released in 2013. Even with favorable odds like that, neither acclaimed drama took home the gold that year.

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman has been nominated for three Oscars, and she took home one in 2011 for Black Swan. Darren Aronofsky’s twisted tale of ambition gone too far is also the actor’s only film to be nominated for Best Picture.

Gary Oldman

Gary Oldman is one of those actors who was overdue for his Oscar for a long time before he broke the streak with his transformative performance as Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour. Before (and after) his win, the British actor appeared in just a couple of Best Picture nominees — namely Oliver Stone’s JFK and David Fincher’s Mank.  

Amy Adams

The fact that none of Amy Adams’ movies have earned a Best Picture Oscar — despite six being nominated, including American Hustle and Arrival — is not particularly shocking. What is shocking is that the actor also has six nominations of her own and has never won any of them.

Angela Bassett

Years after she was nominated for an Academy Award as Tina Turner in What’s Love Got To Do With It, Angela Bassett made history as the first actor to receive an Oscar nomination for a Marvel movie performance (as Queen Ramona in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever). Yet, her first Marvel movie, 2018’s Black Panther, is her only Best Picture nominee. 

Jeff Bridges

In addition to taking home an Oscar for Crazy Heart, Jeff Bridges has many Best Picture nominees under his belt, from 1971’s The Last Picture Show to Hell or High Water from 2016. Not a single one of them took him the grand prize, but I think the Academy’s biggest misstep in regards to acting legend was not nominating him for playing The Dude in The Big Lebowski.

Michael Caine

Despite two Academy Award wins to his name (one for 1986’s, Hannah and Her Sisters, and the other for 1999’s The Cider House Rules) Michael Caine cannot say he has starred in a Best Picture. Unfortunately, since the 90-year-old actor told The Telegraph that he is “sort of retired now,” he may never receive that honor.

Robin Williams

The late Robin Williams led a tremendous, widely beloved career that really made us laugh, through movies like 1993’s Mrs. Doubtfire, as well as cry, like with his Academy Award-winning performance in Good Will Hunting. That 1997 favorite and 1989’s Dead Poets Society are the only two Best Picture nominees he starred in.

Halle Berry

Halle Berry gave a landmark performance in 2001's Monster's Ball which earned her a historic Best Actress Oscar win. However, that film was not nominated for Best Picture, and neither has anything else the actor has starred in.

Sean Penn

Sean Penn has won Best Actor twice -- first for 2003's Mystic River by director Clint Eastwood and second for the title character of the powerful 2008 biopic, Milk. Neither of those acclaimed dramas got a Best Picture win, leaving the Fast Times at Ridgemont High cast member empty-handed in that particular regard.

Sandra Oh

With 13 Emmy nominations to her name, former Grey's Anatomy cast member Sandra Oh is better known as one of the greatest modern actors from the small screen. That would explain why her otherwise impressive big screen career -- which includes Alexander Payne's Best Picture-nominated Sideways -- does not include any grand prize winners at the Oscars at the moment.

Bradley Cooper

The otherwise bewildering fact that none of Bradley Cooper's many Oscar-nominated performances -- such as in 2012's Silver Linings Playbook or 2014's American Sniper -- nor his many Best Picture-nominated films -- including the two aforementioned films -- have resulted in any wins is not particularly a concern of mine. What I am surprised, and concerned, about is the snub for directing A Star is Born, which hopefully gets made up for when the upcoming Netflix movie, Maestro, comes out.

Viola Davis

I am happy that we live in a world in which an actor of momentous talent such as Viola Davis has been recognized and rewarded by the Academy with her Oscar win for 2016's Fences. That alone makes me, at least, content with the fact that there are still no Best Picture winners on her resume as of today.

Perhaps there will come a day when the names on this list change drastically and many of the actors above can say they have been in a Best Picture Oscar winner. For now, just keep cross your fingers and keep your hopes up for the next ceremony.

The following contains major spoilers for the Netflix series Ozark, so do not read if you haven’t watched the show, and still plan to. 

Stepping back and looking at the totality of Ozark, one of the best Netflix shows the streaming service has offered, it’s easy to focus on the murder and betrayal that swam in the wake of the Byrde family as they fought to attain their goals. Because yes, a lot of people lost their lives over the course of the program’s four seasons, and the way the show ended promised more loss (though, for who was up to your interpretation).Yet there were moments of beauty and longing, of love and passion on Ozark that can go overlooked… even when they are between two “odd ducks” like the twenty-something Wyatt Langmore (Charlie Tahan) and his senior citizen wife, Darlene Snell (Lisa Emery).

Ozark director Amanda Marsalis labeled Wyatt and Darlene “odd ducks” during a recent conversation with CinemaBlend following the show’s finale, which she claims is the definitive end and is not meant to leave the door open for more Ozark. Thanks to the episodes that Marsalis directed in Season 2, 3 and 4, she got to film a number of memorable and tragic death scenes...and also that memorable sex scene.  

Marsalis opened up to us about how her approach to the scene helped turn what could have been a spoof into something she found to be emotional. She told CinemaBlend:

I’m not sure I ever fully understood the romance between Wyatt and Darlene that began in Season 3. Sure, you can argue that Ruth (Julia Garner) pushed Wyatt away from the Langmores and into the arms of Darlene when she confessed to murdering Wyatt’s father and uncle. Also, Darlene had experienced tremendous loss once she’d murdered her own husband, Jacob (Peter Mullen). As these two wounded souls sought solace, they found it in each other. Stranger things have happened, I suppose… even on Ozark. So ultimately, I’m glad that Amanda Marsalis recognized enough humanity in Darlene and Wyatt’s relationship to treat their sex scene seriously, and produce what we saw. 

There has been some controversy over how Ozark ended, with leading man Jason Bateman warning fans that the resolution for the Byrde family wasn’t going to please everyone. There are some lingering Ozark questions that we wish Season 4 had addressed, and the executives at Netflix as well as series showrunner Chris Mundy have teased the possibility of an Ozark spinoff that could bring us back to Missouri for more criminal behavior. I want to see Wendy Byrde (Laura Linney) in Washington D.C., holding a Senate seat for Missouri and making life living hell for the Beltway crowd. 

Bummed that Ozark is done? Have no fear. Your next binge-able Netflix show can be found on our 2022 Netflix TV schedule, so scan it now and start watching.  

The following story gets into MAJOR spoilers for the final season of Ozark, so if you haven’t yet caught up on the last batch of episodes, back away now. 

Certain programs get criticized for ambiguous endings. The Sopranos takes the most heat for the cut-to-black moment David Chase put in his series finale, but Lost also gets abused by critics and fans for its resolution (whether fairly or not). Time will tell where Jason Bateman’s Ozark finale will land in the grand scheme of series finales, but it does end with a cut to black and a gun shot that most viewers probably can apply meaning to, even though it leaves the key series characters – the Byrde family – alive and well and on the other side of all the vile crimes they committed. 

In the wake of the final seven episodes landing on Netflix, series director Amanda Marsalis spoke with CinemaBlend about the conclusion, her contributions to the fourth season (she helmed pivotal episodes such as “Mud” and “Pick a God and Pray”), and the open-ended nature of the show’s final shot. I asked Marsalis if the Byrde’s surviving the series meant that Ozark might return one day and she definitively stated:

At one point during our conversation, Amanda Marsalis and I discussed the power of Ozark being able to choose its ending, despite the fact that she wishes she was still working on it now and planning out a fifth season. But shows who can point to an end – be it Breaking Bad or its prequel Better Call Saul – tend to deliver satisfying conclusions because they have been mapped put, plotted towards, and realized. It might mean, as is the case with Lost, that co-stars are still explaining the meaning in interviews years after the fact. But conversation swirling around a show can never be bad, because it might inspire new people to start at the beginning and binge through to the end. 

Prior to the final batch of Ozark episodes arrived, leading man and frequent director Jason Bateman revealed his hopes for the resolution for the Byrdes. And then our own Mick Joest did a deep-dive analysis into what was shown, who we lost, and what the final shot of the program meant to him. 

Now, one way that Netflix could keep the cartel money flowing into its bank accounts is to explore a spinoff series, which has been suggested. But I’m taking Amanda Marsalis at her word, and saying goodbye to the Byrde family, and thanking them for this wild ride.  It really is one of the best Netflix shows available.

While gritty crime series seem like a dime a dozen these days, Netflix's Ozark is considered one of the finest shows on television day, receiving praise and Emmy recognition for its moody style, tonal assurance, sharp direction, and standout performances from its talented ensemble, including Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, and an award-winning performance from Julia Garner. The show will soon come to an end with its forthcoming fourth and final season, so many viewers will be catching up with the series before its sure-to-be intense final moments. If you're in the midst of discovering what all the buzz is about and you find yourself wondering why these actors look familiar, we've here to help. Here's where you've seen the Ozark cast before.

Jason Bateman (Martin "Marty" Byrde)

Playing Martin "Marty" Byrde, a self-employed Chicago-based financial advisor who launders money for a Mexican drug cartel, Jason Bateman serves as a lead actor, director, and executive producer on this acclaimed drama show. 

A former child actor seen in Little House on the Prairie, Silver Spoons, The Hogan Family, and Teen Wolf Too, Jason Bateman is better known for leading Fox's beloved comedy series, Arrested Development, which was picked up for two more seasons on Netflix nearly a decade later. Through the success of his Golden Globe-winning performance, Bateman later starred in Juno, Horrible Bosses 1 and 2, Extract, Up in the Air, Hancock, The Gift, and Game Night. He also voiced the male lead in Disney's Oscar-winning Zootopia.

Additionally, Bateman directed and starred in 2014's Bad Words, followed by 2016's The Family Fang. Recently, he directed and played a recurring role in HBO's mini-series, The Outsider.

Laura Linney (Wendy Byrde)

In the role of Wendy Byrde, a public relations operative married to Marty, Laura Linney plays the female lead in this celebrated Netflix drama series. As a four-time Emmy-winning actress, Linney is certainly quite distinguished. Those aforementioned Emmys were won for her performances in the TV film, Wild Iris, the sitcom, Frasier, the HBO mini-series, John Adams, and the Showtime dramedy, The Big C. In addition to these credits, Linney is known for her work on the stage and screen, receiving five Tony nominations and three Oscar nominations throughout her constantly-impressive career.

Her Oscar nominations came from her commendable performances in You Can Count On Me, Kinsey, and The Savages, respectively. Laura Linney is also recognizable for The Truman Show, Mystic River, Love Actually, Primal Fear, Sully, The Squid and the Whale, Nocturnal Animals, Searching for Bobby Fischer, and Lorenzo's Oil — to name a few titles.

Sofia Hublitz (Charlotte Byrde)

As Charlotte Byrde, the teenage daughter of Wendy and Marty, Ozark became Sofia Hublitz's first major television role. Before her time in this streaming show, Hublitz appeared as a contestant on Fox's MasterChef Junior, and she had guest appearances in Louie and Horace and Pete. Earlier this year, Hublitz starred in What Breaks the Ice, which premiered at the Woodstock Film Festival in October. Next, the young actress will star in the action-crime flick, Ida Red, and the dramatic film, Master — both of which are expected to premiere sometime next year.

Skylar Gaertner (Jonah Byrde)

Playing the part of Jonah Byrde, the teenage son of Wendy and Marty, Skylar Gaertner plays a smart, yet introverted, character in this acclaimed streaming series. Prior to this performance, Gaertner was seen in several episodes of Netflix's Daredevil. He also had a brief part in The Americans, as well as guest star appearances in Nurse Jackie, Person of Interest, CSI, Law & Order: SVU, and Lipstick Jungle. Additionally, Gaertner appeared in They Came Together, Sleeping with Other People, I Smile Back, Alex of Venice, and The Ticket.

Julia Garner (Ruth Langmore)

As Ruth Langmore, a woman who is part of a local dangerous crime family, Julia Garner has certainly garnered a lot of praise for her performance — pun intended. Specifically, she has won two Emmys for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, among other accolades. 

Prior to this noteworthy performance, Julia Garner was best known for her work in The Americans. She also had prominent film roles in The Perks of Being A Wallflower, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, Martha Marcy May Marlene, We Are What We Are, and Grandma. Additionally, Garner starred in Netflix's mini-series, Maniac, in 2018, Paramount Network's mini-series, Waco, the same year, and she appears in Bravo's true-crime series, Dirty John. Earlier this year, the actress received some of her finest reviews for her lead performance in The Assistant.

Next, Julia Garner will frontline Shonda Rhimes' new Netflix drama, Inventing Anna.

Jordana Spiro (Rachel Garrison)

In the role of Rachel Garrison, Marty's hesitant business partner, Jordana Spiro starred in the first two seasons of Ozark. Prior to her time on this series, Jordana Spiro was best known for her leading role in the TBS sitcom, My Boys. She also had recurring roles in The Good Wife, Blindspot, Royal Pains, The Mob Doctor, Dexter, and JAG, as well as a leading role in the short-lived series, The Huntress. Her film credits include The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard, Trespass, Alone with Her, Must Love Dogs, and this year's To the Stars.

In addition to her acting credits, Jordana Spiro is the co-writer, executive producer, and director of 2018's indie drama, Night Comes On (which is worth watching on Tubi if you find the chance). Next, Spiro is set to star in the dramedy film, Small Engine Repair.

Jason Butler Harner (Roy Petty)

Playing Roy Petty, an FBI agent on Marty's tail, Jason Butler Harner is seen throughout the first two seasons of Netflix's Ozark. Though he's primarily known for his stage work, Harner has a number of big screen roles on his resume, including The Good Shepherd, Next, Changeling, Non-Stop, Kill the Irishman, 2009's The Taking of Pelham 123, Blackhat, and Jason Bateman's The Family Fang. He also had recurring roles in Ray Donovan, Scandal, The Blacklist, and Homeland. Additionally, he made guest star appearances in Hope & Faith, Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU, John Adams, The Good Wife, CSI, The Newsroom, Elementary, This is Us, and High Maintenance.

Nowadays, Jason Butler Harner can be seen on Fox's Next. He's also starring in the new film, The Big Bend.

Esai Morales (Camino "Del" Del Rio)

During Ozark's first season, Esai Morales played Camino Del Rio, better known as "Del," who was a lieutenant for Mexico's Navarro drug cartel. Away from this series, Morales is known for playing Bob Morales in 1987's La Bamba, as well as Lt. Tony Rodriguez in NYPD Blue, Mayor Edward Beck in Jericho, and Joseph Adama in Caprica. His other notable television credits include American Family, Resurrection Blvd., How to Get Away with Murder, Titans, NCIS: Los Angeles, Chicago P.D., Blue Bloods, From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, Criminal Minds, and Los Americans, which he also produced. He also lent his voice to Dora the Explorer.

Outside of television, Esai Morales' other film credits include 2018's Superfly, Jarhead 2: Field of Fire, Atlas Shrugged II: The Strike, Fast Food Nation, In the Army Now, and 1983's Bad Boys.

Peter Mullan (Jacob Snell)

As Jacob Snell, a local heroin producer, Peter Mullan appeared prominently in the first two seasons of Ozark. The Scottish actor is widely acclaimed for his arthouse powerhouse performances in My Name is Joe, The Claim, and Tyrannosaur. He is also distinguished for his work in Trainspotting, Children of Men, Young Adam, Braveheart, Riff-Raff, War Horse, and the Harry Potter series, wherein he played Yaxley in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 and 2. On television, Mullan starred in Top of the Lake, for which he was Emmy-nominated, Westworld Season 2, Mum, and, most recently, Netflix's Cursed.

Outside of acting, Peter Mullan directed acclaimed, award-winning indie dramas like 2002's The Magdalene Sisters and 2010's Neds. He starred in both of his films as well. Mullan wrote and directed 1998's debut film, Orphans. Most recently, the actor was seen in Marionette earlier this year.

Lisa Emery (Darlene Snell)

In the part of Darlene Snell, the wife of Jacob and his partner in his heroin business, Lisa Emery provides her most prominent on-screen role in this popular Netflix series. Primarily known for her stage work, Emery has starred in several movies and shows, including Unfaithful, Margot at the Wedding, The Night Listener, A Map of the World, Wolf, Admission, Roger Dodger, In & Out, and a recurring role on NBC's Ed. Emery also had guest appearances on Sex and the City, Law & Order: SVU, Fringe, Damages, The Sinner, Elementary, Louie, Netflix's Jessica Jones, and Law & Order.

Next, Lisa Emery stars in Catch the Fair One.

Charlie Tahan (Wyatt Langmore)

Playing the part of Wyatt Langmore, Ruth's cousin, Charlie Tahan has been a series regular on Ozark since Season 2, following a recurring presence in Season 1. Before he appeared in this series, Tahan was best known for Fox's Wayward Pines and Gotham. He also voiced the lead in Tim Burton's Frankenweenie, and provided child performances in I Am Legend, The Other Woman, Nights in Rodanthe, and Charlie St. Cloud. Additionally, Tahan played a recurring role in Law & Order: SVU. In recent years, the former child actor appeared in Wiener-Dog, Super Dark Times, Poms, Blue Jasmine, Love Is Strange, and Life of Crime.

Earlier this year, Charlie Tahan starred in Drunk Bus and episodes of Monsterland and FBI: Most Wanted. Next, he'll star in the mystery-drama, Montauk.

Janet McTeer (Helen Pierce)

Playing Helen Pierce, a Chicago-based attorney who represents the cartel, Janet McTeer was once a recurring character in Ozark Season 2 before she was promoted to series regular in Season 3. A Tony-winning actress for her 1996-1997 performance in A Doll's House, McTeer is also known for her Golden Globe-winning performance in Tumbleweeds, which was also Oscar-nominated, and for her Oscar-nominated performance in Albert Nobbs. Additionally, the award-recognized actress can be seen in The Woman in Black, the Divergent sequels, Maleficient, Songcatcher, Velvet Goldmine, Me Before You, Hawks, Half Moon Street, Songcatcher, and Damages' final season.

Her other television credits include The Governor, Sense and Sensibility, Into the Storm (for which she was Emmy-nominated), The White Queen, Battle Creek, Netflix's Jessica Jones, and, most recently, Facebook Watch's short-lived Sorry for Your Loss.

Tom Pelphrey (Ben Davis)

As Ben Davis, Wendy's brother who's on the run from the police when we first meet him on the show, Tom Pelphrey became a main character during Ozark's third season. Prior to his appearance in this Netflix drama, Pelphrey was best known for his soap opera roles, notably with his Emmy-winning performance in Guiding Light from 2004 through 2009, as well as his work in As the World Turns from 2009 to 2010. His other television credits include a notable part in Banshee and a series regular role in Iron Fist (which was also housed under Netflix). Additionally, Pelphrey can be seen in Law & Order: SVU, CSI: Miami, The Good Wife, Blue Bloods, Chicago P.D., and Blindspot.

On the big screen, Tom Pelphrey starred in Birds of America and The Girl Is In Trouble. Next up, he'll appear in Netflix's Mank and Amazon Prime's Outer Range.

Jessica Frances Dukes (Maya Miller)

In the role of Maya Miller, an FBI forensic accountant who's investigating the Byrdes' casino business, Jessica Frances Dukes was a new addition to Ozark Season 3. This series regular role is easily her most well-known, though Dukes also appeared in several episodes of Netflix's Jessica Jones. The actress has guest star appearances in New Amsterdam, The Good Wife, and NCIS: New Orleans as well. Most recently, she starred in the film, 16 Bars. Prior to that performance, Dukes starred in 2017's Bernard and Huey.

Who is your favorite Ozark actor/character? Be sure to let us know in the comment section!

As Ozark prepares for its final season, fans may be wondering how the Byrde family will work their way out of a difficult situation. At the moment, it seems like there's no real winning scenario for them following the events of Season 3, which may make viewers thankful a vast majority of them aren't in quite so harrowing of a situation.

Despite very few of us being wrapped up in a cartel laundering scheme, Laura Linney (Wendy) talked about how audiences like to identify with the Byrde family. Linney explained to Variety that while most of us may not have the same situation going on in our lives, they can certainly see how situations like this could evolve in such a way:

I'll be the first to admit I'm not nearly as good at math as Marty Byrde to launder money for anyone, but I take Laura Linney's point all the same. The Byrdes have been doing the wrong thing for a long time and, for the most part, have had some great success in doing so. If they didn't, they would all be dead, so it's certainly easier to understand their motives when their lives and the lives of everyone they love are on the line.

Perhaps we can't figure out how to wash drug money through a riverboat casino, but we can all understand being put in a corner and feeling a need to do whatever we can to ensure the best life for our family. It just so happens that the Byrdes will end up in prison or killed if they mess up, so the lengths in which they will go are much greater.

The first three seasons of Ozark have seen the Byrde family only narrowly escape disaster, but it feels like the shoe has to drop in Season 4. The death of Wendy's brother, Ben, was the first family casualty of the show (unless you count Buddy as a family member), and I don't think it's crazy to think at least one Byrde could fall by the end of Season 4. Then again, Marty and Wendy have pulled off some truly wild stunts so far to ensure their survival, so it isn't too out there to believe they have a few more tricks up their sleeve to survive.

Ozark Season 4 is currently in development at Netflix. Continue to stick with CinemaBlend for all the latest happening with the final season, and for more news in television and movies.

Mild spoilers below for Ozark Season 3.

Season 3 of Ozark is out on Netflix, and it's not the only thing that's out. Those who watched it are likely talking about what a wild season it is, and all the unbelievable directions each episode went in. Much of the chaos came thanks to Wendy Byrde's brother Ben Davis, who kept things unpredictable all the way up to that stunning season ender. CinemaBlend spoke to actor Tom Pelphrey about his character, and that hilarious nude scene in front of Jason Bateman and Laura Linney on the Byrde family property.

By the time that scene happens in Ozark Season 3, the audience has gotten a chance to know Ben and what he's all about. When I spoke to Tom Pelphrey about the scene, the actor informed me that sequence was actually shot very early on, which obviously made for quite the introduction to his fellow cast members. In his words:

So in case anyone was curious, Tom Pelphrey did get naked and sprint towards the lake in that Ozark scene. After an opening scene like that on set, it stands to reason none of his other scenes would have caused embarrassment. That said, it's doubtful Pelphrey would've taken the role at all if he were overtly shy about things of that nature. Getting naked in front of his family certainly ranks high for uncomfortable moments, but it's not the wildest thing that Ben does all season.

That was part of why star and executive producer Jason Bateman was adamant on making sure Tom Pelphrey didn't go all out while filming his earliest scenes. Pelphrey explained he wanted to go full method while in the buff, but Bateman instructed him what he was was more than enough considering all that would come after.

Jason Bateman probably knew that while filming Tom Pelphrey jumping in the lake could be neat, every scene needs multiple takes, and Ozark Season 3 needed the actor for other physically demanding (and clothed) scenes. This included some pretty physical action sequences, so it's understandable that Bateman wanted to make sure Pelphrey was conserving energy for whenever possible, making sure he was ready to go for the bigger scenes down the stretch. If cutting back on that lake scene made the difference in getting Ben to tackle that landscaper with that much more brutal force, it was well worth it.

Ozark Season 3 and its two prior sesaons are now available to stream on Netflix. Stick with CinemaBlend for more on the Netflix original, and for the latest news happening in television and movies.

Ozark is hot off some major Emmy wins for Netflix. That will probably prompt some new viewers to check out the Jason Bateman series before Season 3. Considering Ozark Season 3 doesn't have a premiere date yet, fans could have plenty or very little time to catch up. Speaking of time, Ozark's new season is picking up quite a bit after the events of the Season 2 finale.

Jason Bateman just gave an update on how Season 3 starts:

Sounds like Ozark Season 3 is going to spend a lot of time on that riverboat. I'm surprised that anything "calming" is ahead. "Tempting" I believe with ease.

Ozark Season 2 focused a lot on starting that casino, and ended with the Byrde family posing for a photo in front of the riverboat. Jason Bateman's Marty Byrde has that shocked and disturbed look on his face in the photo above thanks to learning about the death of Ruth's dad just moments before the photo. He knows Wendy Byrde (Laura Linney) was involved and that it'll have repercussions.

So we won't pick up immediately from that riverboat photo for Season 3, but a full six months later. A lot can happen in six months! How do you think baby Zeke is doing with crazy Darlene? Does she even still have him? Has Ruth found out the truth yet about Wendy ordering a hit on her dad? Guess we'll find out.

Jason Bateman gave his Ozark Season 3 tease (via Deadline) after picking up a surprise Emmy win on Sunday. Bateman won the Best Drama Directing Emmy for the Ozark Season 2 premiere, "Reparations." He's a huge force behind this show, not only starring as Marty Byrde but also executive producing the show and directing several episodes.

Another surprise Emmy win went to the amazing Julia Garner as Ruth Langmore. She beat out all of the Game of Thrones supporting actresses to win, helping to give Ozark an even bigger showcase.

In August 2019, Ozark showrunner Chris Mundy told THR Ruth's allegiance is squarely with the Byrdes, at least at the start of Season 3:

In the same interview, the showrunner offered this troubling tease about Marty:

Chris Mundy also recently talked about Wendy's power move in the Season 2 finale, tricking Ruth's dad Cade with $500,000 to leave town, only for Cade to be gunned down by a Navarro associate as he left town.

Chris Mundy previously talked about Wendy's brother arriving as a major source of conflict for Marty and Wendy in Ozark Season 3:

As fans wait for Ozark Season 3, Chris Mundy is busy planning for how the show will end -- and when. He previously mentioned figuring Ozark would have five seasons, although he said it could be something else like four or even seven.

Of course, Netflix is going to have a say in how long Ozark stays on the streamer. Netflix does love to cancel shows after a third season -- if a show even lasts that long -- but Ozark's Emmy wins may give it some added clout. If not, maybe the #CancelNetflix movement can get involved for this show too.

Here are a few more things we hope to see when Ozark Season 3 arrives on Netflix ... soon? Keep up with the Netflix premiere dates we already know about, and check out our handy 2019 fall TV premiere schedule.

If you are wondering how Ozark will end, then know that the showrunner is already preparing the series finale of the Netflix series. Fans are currently awaiting the crime drama’s third season. The second installment arrived in August of last year. Ahead of Season 3’s release, Ozark’s showrunner, Chris Mundy, has shared where things stand on the show’s ending.

Not that anyone is in a rush to see it come to fruition. It is one of Netflix users’ favorite shows, and LeBron James has expressed his love for the series. So far, viewers have only had two seasons of Ozark’s twists and turns. Asked if he has an endpoint in mind for the series, Ozark showrunner Chris Mundy told Variety:

Prepare to be surprised! It sounds like Ozark is zeroing in on the emotional aspects of its ending. However, the plot that drives it all to happen is still a work in progress.

It is safe to say that a lot more deaths will probably happen along the way there. Season 2 certainly did not hold back. Speaking of holding back -- when should viewers start bracing themselves for Ozark’s endgame? Well, they have a while. The series’ showrunner has previously discussed how long the series could last on Netflix.

Showrunner Chris Mundy shared that they had always talked about doing five seasons, which would make Season 3 the one before the penultimate. However, he then said that Ozark could last as little as four seasons, or as much as seven, before settling on their previous count as a “good number.”

In both of Ozark’s previous seasons, the finale ended on a vast emotional note, all the while avoiding a cliffhanger-type urgency. At least, from where I stand. Ozark’s showrunner, Chris Mundy, weighed in on crafting a season finale and what he has to say is quite insightful. Mundy explained:

I agree that those kinds of endings are rough! As a viewer, I think there are a lot of major scenes that have played out in each of Ozark’s season finales. They have certainly been fast-paced installments that have hurtled the characters towards a certain point in their respective journeys.

Look no further than Wendy’s massive move in Ozark’s Season 2 finale. Will the Byrdes’ marriage ever be the same? Can they live with Wendy’s decision? It is unclear. What is driving the couple apart will be a significant focus for Season 3, according to showrunner Chris Mundy. Speaking about Wendy's power move, Mundy said:

Hopefully, Marty and Wendy enter into some sort of couples counseling in Season 3. Their family’s survival depends on them being on the same page, as well as keeping each other apprised of things. These issues will have to get addressed, right?

I look forward to seeing what Season 3 has in store for the Byrdes. It sounds like it is going to be exciting! Viewers will need to stay tuned for all of the things that Ozark is planting.

A premiere date for Ozark Season 3 has not gotten announced yet. The first two seasons of Ozark are currently streaming on Netflix, among other premieres. To bide your time while you await the Byrdes return, check out this summer’s premieres.

Warning! The following list contains massive spoilers regarding the entirety of Ozark Season 2 and will list every major death of the new episodes. If you have not watched Season 2 in its entirety and still want to, we highly advise you hold off on reading this list until after completing the season!

Jason Bateman's Netflix drama Ozark took viewers on a wild ride in Season 1 and left a cliffhanger that only teased additional craziness down the road. The much-anticipated Season 2 delivered that promised craziness in spades and left a surprising character body count in its wake. The season, thankfully, didn't touch Game of Thrones' death count numbers, although the importance of the characters killed off almost certainly put it on the same level.

That said, not all characters and their storylines are created equal, so we ranked every major death in Ozark Season 2 from least to greatest in regards to how much it'll matter should the series continue on to Season 3:

Roy Petty - Bludgeoned To Death By Cade Langmore

There's no denying Roy Petty was a major player in most of the events surrounding Season 2, although the Cartel ensured he was essentially powerless by the season's end. This no doubt led to his apathy when he was approached by Cade Langmore about wanting to be an informant, and because Petty had dropped his guard, this led to Cade catching him upside the head with the tackle box and pummeling him to death. Cade dumped Petty's body in what appeared to be the same fishing spot Roy met Russ Langmore in Season 1, and it looked like law enforcement was on their way to uncovering his body in Ozark's closing moments.

As big of a character as he was, Roy Petty's death in Ozark is rather inconsequential towards the show's future. In fact, Petty's death is almost beneficial to the F.B.I., as the agent was getting increasingly sloppy with his methods of obtaining information. His death will undoubtedly help cover up anything he did that would've constituted a mistrial should the F.B.I. move in on the Byrdes or Cartel, and all that information he gathered is in the agency's hands and ready to hand off to the next agent on the case. The only question now is if the F.B.I. has another agent tough enough to hang with the various criminals of Ozark.

Mason Young - Shot In The Neck By Marty

Pastor Mason Young had fallen on hard times ever since the Snells killed his wife, and was seen earlier in the season preaching on a street corner with his baby Zeke. Wendy tried to help and make amends by gifting the pastor a large sum of money but wound up getting kidnapped after Young thought she was responsible for child services taking his baby. Marty goes through the ringer and pulls off the impossible to meet Young's outrageous demands, but eventually has to cap the preacher when he goes unhinged and threatens to kill Wendy anyway.

Marty having to kill Mason certainly rattled him, to the point the Byrde patriarch wasn't fully himself towards the end of Ozark Season 2. That's what Wendy thought anyway, which inevitably led to the power shift we see happening in the season finale where she's making decisions for the family's future. We're not sure how much things will change with Wendy calling the shots over Marty, although her first major move in the role showed she's not as concerned with how her actions affect her relationship with other characters.

Buddy - Died Of A "Bum Ticker"

Ozark fans knew Buddy wasn't long for this world, as his heart problems were a major part of his character since the beginning. Buddy's heart finally gave out on him in episode 6, but not before he helped Wendy burn down the Snell's opium field so the F.B.I. wouldn't find it. The moment led to a great exchange between the two in the car, right before Buddy silently passed in the middle of Wendy talking about the Gold Coast.

Buddy's death may at first seem like the least important major death of Season 2, but he's certainly going to be missed as the Byrdes take on Frank Cosgrove and the Kansas City mob. Frank and Marty's relationship was largely contingent on Buddy's past with Frank, and now that Marty officially went back on having the casino being a union operation, he doesn't have his friend to help reel in the supposed psychopath. Of course, there are no guarantees Buddy could've done that anyway if he were still alive, but one would think having him around for more insight about how Frank operates and how to fight back against him will certainly be of use in future episodes.

Cade Langmore - Gunned Down By The Cartel

Cade Langmore was a nuisance in just about every situation that he was around for in Season 2, and, at first, it seemed like Ozark was going to let him get away with it. Ruth's dad received a sweet half-a-million dollars from Wendy and was ready to skip town and start fresh somewhere else before the feds found the body of Roy Petty. Unfortunately for Cade, viewers saw that Wendy's generosity was actually a trick, and Cade was quickly gunned down on his way out of town by a member of the Cartel.

Wendy's decision was a rash one, and one that will almost certainly have some backlash if discovered. Ruth's final moment with her father showed that even though she and Cade had their fair share of fights and insane drama, she still loved him. If Ruth finds out that Wendy was the one responsible for the hit on her father, it's very likely she'll go on a warpath to get vengeance against the Byrde family. Considering she knows all the ins and outs of the Byrde's businesses, how to run the books, and where the money is stored, that could be very bad for the family going forward.

Jacob Snell - Poisoned By Darlene

Darlene Snell has been the wildcard of Ozark for quite a while, although who could've predicted that when the couple went to walk into those woods she would be the one coming out alive? Just when it appeared as though Jacob was about to put an end to his wife's insane behavior, he fell to the ground and gasped for air while Darlene told him about putting cyanide in his coffee. Surprisingly, Jacob could only laugh as the two shared a warped but tender moment just before his passing.

With Jacob gone, there's absolutely no one that can reign in the craziness that is Darlene Snell. Darlene seemed content with her new baby boy (Mason Young's son, Zeke) at the end of Ozark Season 2, but everyone knows her mood can change on a dime without the slightest provocation. We have no doubt she'll continue to spread random chaos should Ozark continue, and we're sure she's only going to get crazier until someone takes her down.

Did we get the order right? Fans can weigh in on who they thought was the most important death in Ozark Season 2 in the comments below. For more on upcoming Netflix shows, visit our Netflix premiere guide. For a look at what's coming to traditional television over the next few months, visit our fall premiere guide.

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Jason Bateman and the Ozark crew have been rolling out details on the Netflix original for a while now, and now fans are finally getting their first look at Season 2. The first short but satisfying trailer for the drama has arrived, and it appears the new season of the show is just as tense and powerful as it was in Season 1:

The first trailer for Ozark Season 2 doesn't tell fans much, other than the fact things aren't going to get any easier for Marty Byrde and his family as they continue to launder large amounts of money for criminal organizations. Outside of Marty and his kin, there are a couple quick shots of anti-hero Ruth Langmore, who will be dealing with the return of her father when Season 2 kicks off. Another major character this season appears to be the deceased, as caskets and human remains are scattered throughout this grim first look at Season 2. All in all, it seems like business as usual for the show, as Netflix announced it will officially return Friday, August 31.

For all the characters shown in the Ozark trailer, there are a couple notable key players who don't get screen time. One couple in particular who isn't seen is the Snells, which is odd considering they're essentially Marty's new partners in this money laundering scheme. One can only so show much footage in a minute-long trailer that only showcases 34 seconds of footage, so it's not as though their exclusion is an indicator they won't play a big factor in Season 2.

After all, the Snells aren't the only antagonists missing from the Ozark Season 2 trailer, as Ruth's dad Cade is nowhere to be seen as well. Jason Bateman revealed prior to this that Ruth's father will play a big part in Marty and Ruth's partnership in Season 2, and it sounds as though she'll be forced to choose sides between the two. One troublemaker that does get some screen time is FBI agent Roy Petty, who will continue to close in further on the Byrde's criminal operation as he continues his obsessive crusade to bring this whole operation down.

What's fascinating about the Ozark trailer are the funeral scenes. It appears as though the Byrde family is present for one, or perhaps two different funerals through the show's sophomore run. Jason Bateman teased that the cast mourned the loss of one major character this season, which could be whoever is in the casket during either of those scenes. But considering the line of work a bulk of these characters are in, it's also equally likely one character could end up disappearing without a trace, rather than in a casket.

As mentioned, Ozark returns to Netflix for Season 2 Sunday, August 31 at 12:01 PT. For a look at what else is coming to Netflix, check out our Netflix premiere guide. Those looking for a more general breakdown of upcoming television shows over the next couple months should hit up our summer premiere guide.

The TV revivals continue! Netflix has officially announced it is bringing the beloved miniseries Tales of the City back for a follow-up, 17 years after the third entry from Armistead Maupin's novels was adapted for Showtime. Furthering the good news is that original cast members such as Laura Linney are returning, as well as new-to-the-franchise Ellen Page. Here is what we know about the new installment headed for Netflix.

The 10-episode limited series is set in present-day San Francisco, and the fourth Tales of the City entry will continue chronicling the lives and loves of Mrs. Madrigral's tenants as they embark on new adventures, discovering fresh possibilities for romance. Maupin, who will will return as executive producer, describes the latest adaptation in the Tales of the City series as a "brand-new incarnation."

Now for the returning cast! Olympia Dukakis will return as Anna Madrigal, while Ozark's Laura Linney will reprise her role as Mary Ann Singleton. Linney will also executive produce the new episodes along with author Armistead Maupin. Original cast member Barbara Garrick is also on-board to return as DeDe Halcyon Day. New to the cast is Ellen Page, who will portray Shawna, the daughter of Laura Linney's Mary Ann. Expect some drama!

Now that we know who's back, Tales of the City will follow Mary Ann Singleton as she returns home to San Francisco, reuniting with daughter Shawna and ex-husband Brian, both of whom she'd left behind 20 years ago to pursue her career in New York. It is not long before Mary Ann also reconnects with the residents of 28 Barbary Lane, including the one, the only, Anna Madrigal.

Lauren Morelli will act as showrunner on the series, and she praised Maupin for building a world that gave many in the LGBTQ+ community a chance to see themselves on screen for the first time. As mentioned above, two cast members are already onboard to reprise their roles from the original miniseries, and we can only hope that more will get involved as the wrinkles are ironed out. From the sound of things, Netflix's Tales of the City will start with events from Maupin's 2007 novel Michael Tolliver Lives, the third-to-last book in the series, so expect to hear word on whether Paul Hopkins will return to play Michael, or "Mouse," a role he took on in the second and third miniseries.

Maupin took an 18-year break in between his sixth novel Sure of You and Michael Tolliver Lives, The last book adapted for the small screen was the third installment, Further Tales of the City, which bowed on Showtime in 2001. If Netflix is picking up with Michael Tolliver Lives, it means they are skipping three of the middle novels, though flashbacks and other references could help to fill those gaps. It will not be much longer before we learn how things will play out, as production on the limited series is slated to begin later this year.

Tales of the City is set to debut on Netflix sometime in 2019. To find out what other series are set to arrive on Netflix, check out our guide to all of the new and returning shows set to debut on the streaming service via our 2018 Netflix premiere rundown. As for what else is coming up on TV in general, check out our guides to TV's midseason and summer premieres.

This week marks the debut of Netflix's intense new original series, the crime drama Ozark, and this is one show you are not going to want to sleep on during the remainder of the summer TV season. Actually, Ozark is a show that counter-balances all things involving sleep, with a narrative that doesn't let up its grasp once it settles in. To that end, here are all the reasons why Ozark is the one drama that viewers won't be able to stop watching once they start.

That First Episode Is Amazing

The first undeniable sign of a TV show's potential is a premiere episode that impresses on all counts, and Ozark double-checks each box. Creators Bill Dubuque and Mark Williams crafted an opener that not only excels in setting up the disarmingly complex central storyline, but it also utilizes a host of foreshadowing tricks that give the episode a rewatchability factor that a less imaginative approach would have failed to offer. It's laid thick with the kind of knuckle-biting tension that causes temporary lapses in blinking and breathing, and as hard as it might be to believe, each new episode manages to up the nerve-jangling, imbuing every single moment with the potential for hidden menace.

Jason Bateman Is Perfect For TV Drama

Jason Bateman, who will relatively soon be seen in Season 5 of Netflix's Arrested Development, lands far more comedic roles than any others, and perhaps it's that skewed ratio that seemingly give the actor's dramatic roles that much more acclaim-worthy heft. Whatever the reason, Bateman shines brightly through the thick forests and murky haze of Ozark's Missouri setting. At the series' start, Marty Byrde is a financial advisor whose life is turned upside-down when his history of money laundering for a drug cartel hits a location-changing snag, and Bateman nails the combination of crippling fear and the forced bravado with rigorousness, while still providing a layer of dark humor atop it all. And could there be a better co-star and dramatic anchor than Laura Linney?

Esai Morales Makes For A Chilling Villain

When Marty Byrde's life goes to shit, there's someone making all that shit-going happen. His name is Del, and he's played with put-upon menace by film and TV veteran Esai Morales, whose other big role in 2017 has been on Chicago P.D. His Ozark role couldn't be further from Chief Lugo, though, as Del is a man whose every move and mission is guided by dollar signs. And when a ton of Del's moolah goes missing, Marty has something of an answer for the cartel hoodlum in the form of taking his laundering expertise outside of Chicago and to a new location. In this case, a fairly dilapidated location, with a family of backwoodsians that threaten Marty's new life.

Ozark Isn't A Breaking Bad Copycat

When Ozark's logline and first trailer went public, the concept of a fairly decent family man dealing with the financial earnings of a drug cartel drew comparisons to a certain AMC drama. But Jason Bateman pointed out in the past how unlike Breaking Bad the Netflix drama is, and he wasn't kidding. For one, Marty's financial and medical situation is nothing like Walter White's was, and though the Byrde family's problems are as dark as the Whites' were, they're more complicated in certain ways, as Laura Linney can attest. Granted, Bateman could become the Netflix version of Heisenberg at some point later in Ozark's run, should it get renewed, but it's exciting that Ozark purposefully endeavored to do something different. And that it worked this well.

Gotta Love A Show Where The Kids Aren't Awful

Ozark had every opportunity to make completely forgettable characters out of Charlotte and Jonah Byrde, as played by Sofia Hublitz and Skylar Gaertner, respectively. Or stereotypical characters, if not some worthy of outright dismissal. But while Charlotte starts off as the rebel teen, she's got more shades than that, taking on an interesting role as the season goes on. Meanwhile, Jonah is initially pegged as the nerdy outsider tween, but even he has layers that start to unfold as the family's living situation takes its dark and unpredictable turns. Perhaps the most understandable and applaudable element of Ozark is that its characters' psyches are absolutely affected by the world unraveling around them. You'll want to put yourself in their shoes, but not really.

With its first season laying its story out in ten episodes, Ozark will be available to stream on Netflix starting Friday, July 21, at 12:01 a.m. PT. If you're wanting to know what else will hit the streaming giant soon, check out our 2017 Netflix schedule, and then head to our summer TV premiere schedule to see everything else hitting the small screen in the near future.

Netflix is the home of a vast library of streaming TV series, some of which have been revivals of cancelled shows. Fans of projects like Arrested Development and Gilmore Girls have gotten brand new episodes streaming, years after the shows originally went off the air. Now, Netflix has a new revival in the works that, if ordered to series, will bring back characters who haven't been seen on the small screen since 2001. Tales of the City could be revived for another season on Netflix.

Based on a set of novels from author Armistead Maupin, Tales of the City has already run for three miniseries events. The first debuted in the U.S. on PBS in 1994, with 1998's More Tales of the City and 2001's Further Tales of the City airing on Showtime. The action was set back in the late 1970s in San Francisco. The Netflix revival would be set in the present day.

Stars Laura Linney and Olympia Dukakis would reprise their roles for the new season of Tales of the City, with Linney's Mary Ann Singleton returning to San Francisco and staying at the 28 Barbary Lane boarding house for the first time in 25 years. She'll reunite with Dukakis' Anna Madrigal, who still runs the house after all this time. It's not yet known if any other original cast members are on board to tackle their Tales of the City roles yet again.

The project has not yet been ordered to series at Netflix, but Variety reports Michael Cunningham of The Hours has already written the first script of the intended 10-part series. Alan Poul of Six Feet Under and The Newsroom will direct, with book script Armistead Maupin serving as executive producer yet again.

A Netflix revival could afford Tales of the City some new opportunities. For one thing, a Netflix project wouldn't face the same restraints that kept PBS from airing the first broadcast uncensored, and the present day setting would give a brand new take on the world that has already been built. The books of Tales of the City were especially notable for tackling the issue of the AIDS crisis; a 2017 take on how the crisis has been handled could certainly be worth watching.

All things considered, a Tales of the City revival sounds quite different from past Netflix revivals, and it's difficult to say at this point if the Netflix format will be a good fit for such a project. It bodes well that the two original leading ladies are willing to reprise their roles, and there seems to be a solid team behind the scenes. We'll have to wait and see if Netflix does give the series order.

If you're looking to stream some originals sooner rather than later, our 2017 Netflix premiere schedule can point you in the right direction. If you're not in the mood for streaming, we have a handy summer TV premiere guide to help you out.

Actor Jason Bateman returned to the public consciousness in a huge way with Arrested Development back in 2003, relaunching his career with mostly comedic roles, and almost entirely in features. While Bateman has the long-awaited fifth season of Arrested Development headed to production for Netflix, he'll be seen on the streaming service a lot sooner and a lot broodier when he teams up with the dramatic powerhouse Laura Linney for the white-knuckle money laundering drama Ozark, which released its dread-filled first trailer. Watch it below!

Ozark looks a little like Bloodline by way of Walter White, in that there's a lucratively successful dude doing shady things with money, and his family appears to be fully invested in the moral corruptness. Nothing wrong with that plotline in and of itself, and there's not too much wrong with the trailer above, either. I suppose its oblique way of presenting the central narrative might just confuse people, but Netflix subscribers are pretty used to diving into the company's original programming without much background information. In this case, it doesn't take much more than Jason Bateman, Laura Linney and angered voiceovers to get me hooked.

Created and scripted by The Accountant screenwriter Bill Dubuque, Ozark centers on the Byrde family, headed up by Marty (Bateman) and Wendy (Linney). Marty is a financial planner, but he is forced to uproot his comfortable suburban-Chicago life and move out to a resort community in the Missouri Ozarks. Why? In order to pay back a Mexican crime lord, which is right around the top of the list of "worst reasons to head to a summer resort." The show also stars Skylar Gaertner as son Jonah and Sofia Hublitz as daughter Charlotte, while Michael Mosley and Kevin L. Johnson also co-star.

I have to say, while being indebted to a dangerous criminal is certainly going to cause some bad moods, there would be an innate comfort involved with being inside a house where the insulation has pictures of presidents on it. There's always money in the banana stand, Michael.

Keep an eye on all your dollars, because Ozark is coming to Netflix this summer, with all Season 1 episodes available for streaming on Friday, July 21, at 12:01 a.m. To see what else the streaming giant has on the way, check out our 2017 Netflix rundown, and then head to our summer TV schedule to see everything else the small screen if putting out there in the coming months.

What would you do during an emergency? Everyone reading this would react differently in a crisis, but I think 99% of you would likely try and call a loved one during a disaster, especially one of epic proportions. And yet, the fact that this trope has been leaned on so often in movies as of late has us wondering, "What role are these famous actresses signing up for?"

Kate Hudson, this week, plays the wife of Mark Wahlberg's Mike Williams in the oil-rig disaster Deepwater Horizon. Though they get a few lines of dialogue together at the movie's onset, once the proverbial shit hits the fan, Hudson joins a line of actresses who have bee relegated to phone duty in the face of an emergency. Why is this happening? Let's run through some of the most recent ones, and see if we can figure out why bankable stars are taking these thankless roles.

Kate Hudson, Deepwater Horizon

As the wife of a BP oil rig worker, Kate's character Felicia juggles numerous communication devices over the course of the movie. Once Mike lands on Deepwater Horizon, he keeps a Skype conversation going with his wife, seemingly at all times. But after the fire starts, Kate's on the phone (pictured above), checking in with the Coast Guard, and touching base with fellow spouses to see what's what. While Gina Rodriguez helps Wahlberg save lives on the rig, Ms. Hudson's limited to landline duty, and that's too bad.

Laura Linney, Sully

Living in the Bay Area, Sully Sullenberg's wife, Lorraine, was a full country away from her husband during the dramatic events that play out in Clint Eastwood's Sully. Unfortunately, that fact leaves actress Laura Linney with very little to do in the movie about the Miracle On The Hudson. The Oscar-nominated actress only has a handful of scenes in the docudrama, all post-disaster, and not only do they all feature the same basic conversation with her character's husband, it all takes place over the phone.

Keira Knightley, Everest

Everest was an intense, brutal battle between mankind and Mother Nature, as rugged and brave hikers endured the elements on a hike to the top of the titular mountain. Frigid temperatures, a lack of oxygen, no food and water... but Keira Knightley avoided it all for a film shoot that largely allowed her to stay in pajamas and talk into a phone. You can get phone calls on the side of Everest?! Who knew? This is such a thankless role for the two-time Oscar nominee, I still can't figure out why she agreed to participate in Everest if they weren't going to let her hike alongside Jason Clarke and Jake Gyllenhaal.

Carla Gugino, San Andreas

Finally, someone is breaking the mold. For whatever reason, Hollywood directors love having people -- wives, specifically -- to be on a phone when disaster strikes. Some (as you see above) stay out of the action. Not Carla Gugino. Yes, she was on the phone with The Rock -- from his HELICOPTER!! -- when the massive earthquake hit California. But she quickly joined Dwayne Johnson, and helped him rescue their daughter (Alexandria Daddario) who was trapped in San Francisco. That's more like it. High-profile actresses can BE on the phone when a calamity hits. But don't leave good ones hanging on the line.

Sienna Miller, American Sniper

Sadly, we're back to a pivotal spouse who gets pulled onto the telephone line at an opportune time. Throughout the course of Clint Eastwood's American Sniper, Bradley Cooper and Sienna Miller had in-depth conversations about his need to return to the battlefields... even though he was leaving a wife and child (yes, a plastic baby child) at home. Perhaps feeling that Miller needed one more emotional scene, Eastwood had Cooper call her in the middle of a fire fight -- leading her to break down and wonder if her husband had survived. Seeing as how Eastwood also directed Sully, I'm beginning to assume he just likes the image of his leading ladies on phones.

Bonnie Bedelia, Die Hard 2

Probably my favorite on this list... and possibly of all time. People loved Holly McClane, and were thrilled to see her reunite with her husband, John (Bruce Willis), at the end of Die Hard. But how do you put her on a plane AND make her pivotal to the action in the sequel? You put her on a cellphone. In the air. On a plane. In mid-flight. Tremendous. This actually involved Willis' tech-ignorant cop getting a beeper, using a cell phone, and checking in with Bedelia as he waited for her to land. But this example ends with Holly tasering William Atherton in an airplane bathroom... so that has to win.

The Academy Awards are the pinnacle prize for professional actors. Winning the award means that you, at least in theory, gave the best performance of a given year. Great actors routinely give great performances, so it’s no surprise that many actors have been nominated several times. Probability dictates that if you continue to get nominated, eventually you’ll win. However, for some actors, the odds have been against them repeatedly.

To be in consideration for this list an actor must have received a minimum of 3 nominations in any combination of the four acting categories for which the Oscars present awards, they must have never won, and they must still have a chance of doing so. Sadly, Peter O’ Toole’s eight nominations with zero wins will never be remedied, but for these 10 there’s still a chance. So who are the poor souls in Hollywood who are still waiting to hear their names called after a dramatic envelope opening? Read on to find out!

Leonardo Dicaprio - 5 Nominations

We’ll start with the elephant in the room, and the one most likely to be removed from this list first. Leonardo DiCaprio received his first nomination for Best Supporting Actor acting opposite Johnny Depp in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape in 1994. Since then he’s been nominated for Best Actor for Blood Diamond, The Aviator and The Wolf of Wall Street. He’s been nominated once again for The Revenant this year so maybe fifth time is the charm. He certainly has the popular vote behind him, but whether that will result in a big win remains a question mark.

Amy Adams - 5 Nominations

Since 2005, Amy Adams has owned the Best Supporting Actress category. Starting with Junebug as her first nomination, she has since put on fantastic turns with roles in films such as Doubt and The Fighter - where we thought she had a great chance of winning. Most recently she was nominated for Best Actress in 2014 for American Hustle, but that didn’t wind up happening either. We feel confident this missing award will be fixed sooner rather than later.

Johnny Depp - 3 Nominations

If there was any question as to how eclectic an actor Johnny Depp is, one needs to look no further than the difference between his three nominations for Best Actor at the Academy Awards. His first nod came for his role as slurring pirate Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, but following that he was up for his role as Peter Pan author J.M Barrie, and then for his part in the musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Exactly what role Depp needs to transform into to make the Academy happy is unclear, but he hasn’t found it yet.

Ed Harris - 4 Nominations

Ed Harris probably came closest to walking away with the Oscar in his first go, specifically for his unbelievably fantastic part in Ron Howard’s great Apollo 13. Unfortunately that was not to be and now he’s sitting at zero-for-four. In the years since that initial nomination, he’s seen additional nominations for movies like Pollack, The Truman Show, and The Hours, but he walked away empty handed each time. One more nomination will put him in DiCaprio territory, and then we’ll all be asking when Ed Harris will finally get his Oscar.

Edward Norton - 3 Nominations

We need to just give Edward Norton an Oscar right now. He was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for 1997’s Primal Fear in his first movie role ever. He probably didn’t win it because people expected he’d be nominated again. Now, after additional nominations for American History X and Birdman he still has not won an Academy Award, however. Norton has a long career still ahead of him, likely filled with a whole lot of great movies, but he’s still overdue for winning Hollywood’s greatest honor.

Glenn Close - 6 Nominations

The word "overdue" may have been invented for Glenn Close. With six nominations, no currently living actor has more nominations without wins than she does. She began her run toward her dubious record with three consecutive nominations for Best Supporting Actress for The World According to Garp, The Big Chill and The Natural from 1983 to 1985. Best Actress Nominations for Fatal Attraction, Dangerous Liaisons and Albert Nobbs followed that. Close is still acting like it’s going out of style, so hopefully some future role will take care of this terrible oversight and she’ll finally get her Oscar.

Laura Linney - 3 Nominations

Laura Linney is such a great actress that she often seems to overshadow everything else about her films. When an actor receives a nomination for a film it’s usually one among several, but the three films that Linney received nominations for - You Can Count On Me, Kinsey, and The Savages - only received a combined total of two nominations in addition to the actress’ nods. It seems pretty clear that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences really wants to reward Linney for her great work, but just haven’t found the right title with which to do so just yet.

Michelle Pfeiffer - 3 Nominations

In the late 80’s and early 90’s, Michelle Pfeiffer was one of the shining stars in Hollywood. She received back to back nominations in 1989 and 1990 for Dangerous Liaisons and The Fabulous Baker Boys, respectively. Then she added one for Love Field in 1992. While she hasn’t received any Academy attention since then, she’s continued to put up a solid body of work. It’s only a matter of time before the organization recognizes her again.

Warren Beatty - 4 Nominations

While Warren Beatty does have a couple Oscars, winning Best Director award for Reds in 1981, and received the Irving J. Thalberg Memorial Award in 2000 - he has never won the award for acting (despite four bites at that apple). He received his first nomination in 1968 for Bonnie and Clyde and then saw additional nods for Heaven Can Wait, Reds and Bugsy. He has a movie coming out this year where he’ll play Howard Hughes and we know the Academy likes nominating for that - just ask Leonardo DiCaprio. Could 2017 be his year? We’ll have to wait and find out.

Brad Pitt - 3 Nominations

Like Warren Beatty, Brad Pitt does have an Oscar… just not for one of his performances. As a producer on 12 Years of Slave, he got a statue when the movie won Best Picture in 2014. However, as an actor, he’s gone three and out so far. His first nomination came in 1996 for his supporting role in 12 Monkeys. Since then he’s seen Best Actor nods for his performances in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Moneyball. We know we haven’t seen the last of Brad Pitt’s nominations, given that he is still very much one of the premiere stars in Hollywood - so the chance of him winning one eventually is pretty high. Until then, he’s got another shot at an Oscar this year anyway, thanks to his role as a producer on The Big Short.

If you can land Tom Hanks as your film's dramatic lead, you're already on your way to forming a cast worth the time of your audience. When you bring Aaron Eckhart as his first co-star, the marquee starts to brighten even more – especially considering Clint Eastwood is the director lucky enough to be guiding both actors in a biopic based off of Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger's cracker jack landing on the Hudson River. With the breaking news that Laura Linney has been cast as his wife in that very film, you can bet Eastwood's latest film has a cast that award voters and casting directors alike are drooling over.

The Hollywood Reporter obtained the scoop that the three-time Academy Award nominee has been cast in Sully, alongside Hanks and Eckhart who were previously announced. This film is a reunion of sorts, as Linney had previously worked with Eastwood on both 1997's Absolute Power and 2003's Mystic River. Audiences had last seen Laura Linney in a pivotal supporting role in Bill Condon's Mr. Holmes, which is a role that could land her with her fourth Academy Award nomination. Though if that doesn't do the trick, then her role in Sully could land her a nod, and quite possibly the win.

With the role of Lorraine Sullenberger, Laura Linney has a pretty good chance of winning an Academy Award for a couple of good reasons. First, Clint Eastwood films are practically breeding grounds for Best Actor/Actress nominations, the most recent of which was Bradley Cooper's nomination this past January for American Sniper. Eastwood is an actor's director, so teaming him with a powerhouse like Linney is like lining up a row of cans to be shot down by a rocket launcher. Second, and most important, is the fact that Linney is already a multiple nominee and she's quite frankly overdue for some golden prestige.

Regardless of the odds of her winning an award, hiring Laura Linney to work with Tom Hanks is something that just makes sense. Much like Hanks, Linney is one of those actors who always brings their A-game, even if the film they're acting in doesn't bother to reciprocate. With Clint Eastwood's directorial efforts not always measuring up, it will at the very least be intriguing to watch two of the most talented, and most likable, actors on screen together as they discuss the trials and tribulations of what it means to be a hero.

Of course, Laura Linney isn't putting all of her eggs in one basket, as she's also set to star in Genius - the story about famed Scribner book editor Max Perkins; and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2, in an unspecified role that's as secretive as ever. With Sully on her upcoming slate, it's safe to say that this is the movie we're most looking forward to out of Linney's rapidly forming resume.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles slyly amassed the rather impressive sum of $485 million last summer, where it was released amidst hits like Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes, Guardians Of The Galaxy, and 22 Jump Street. This impressive haul meant that a sequel was always going to be ordered, but I don’t think that anyone ever envisioned that the eminently watchable Laura Linney would be starring opposite Raphael, Michelangeo, Leonardo, and Donatello.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Linney has now signed on the dotted line to star in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2, however, details surrounding her character at this point are being kept a secret. Last week, Paramount Studios confirmed that the iconic villains from the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoons, Bebop and Rocksteady, will be joining the sequel, but even though she is renowned for her dramatic work, it would be quite the stretch for Linney to portray either the warthog or the rhino.

Linney is the latest addition to a constantly improving cast. Megan Fox and Will Arnett were probably the only two good things about the 2014 adaptation, which was roundly chastised because of its poor CGI and clichéd plot and characters. Fox provided a glamour and toughness, while Arnett injected humor into the screen time he was given, both of which stopped Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from being a total travesty.

Fox, Linney, and Arnett will appear alongside newbies Stephen Amell, Alessandra Ambrosio, and Tyler Perry, plus William Fichtner will once again be along for the ride. Arrow’s Amell has excelled as the lead in CW’s adaptation of the much loved DC Comic, Green Arrow, and it will be interesting to see if he can translate his innate likability as Oliver Queen to another beloved character: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2’s Casey Jones – a vigilante who wears a hockey mask to cover his true identity and carries his weapons in a golf bag. Meanwhile, Ambrosio will play Arnett’s love interest, the always appreciated tough exterior of William Fichtner once again stars as Eric Sacks, and Tyler Perry looks to see if he can match his sensational turn in David Fincher’s Gone Girl as scientist Dr. Baxter Stockman.

But it’s still Laura Linney’s addition to the ensemble that is the real turn-up for the books. Linney has not only been nominated for three Academy Awards for her roles in You Can Count On Me, Kinsey, and The Savages, but in recent years, she has been more selective with her roles. Clearly something about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 appealed to her as an actress. At the moment I can’t see what that could possibly be, but maybe by the time Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Half Shell rolls around on June 3, 2016, we’ll have a better idea. My first guess is still the money.

You're probably seeing more of Laura Linney right now than you have in a while. No, it's not because of her movie Hyde Park on Hudson, which seems to be limping into theaters with barely a mention. It's because of your annual viewings of Love Actually, of course! Don't even try to deny that movie is now a holiday classic, and that Linney's scenes in which she has to turn down the advances of the deliriously sexy Karl aren't the most heartbreaking thing about Christmas-- at least, until Emma Thompson realizes the gold necklace isn't for her.

But I digress. Laura Linney is, by any estimation, a treasure, and even though Hyde Park on Hudson doesn't seem to have worked out, she continues to add more and more fascinating projects that will put her in the spotlight all over again. This time she's in talks to join two of the most fascinating up-and-coming actors, in a biopic about one of the world's most polarizing figures: Julian Assange. According to The Wrap, Linney is in talks for a role in DreamWorks's untitled project about Wikileaks, in which Benedict Cumberbatch will star as the company's mercurial founder Julian Assange, and James McAvoy as Daniel Domscheit-Berg, who became close to Assange and witnessed Wikileaks's rise before having a serious falling out.

It sounds like the film will largely focus on the partnership between the two men, so it's unclear how Linney will fit in, or how large her role will be. But Linney joining pretty much any cast is a good thing, and with Bill Condon directing (stepping back into prestige fare after making three Twilight movies), he seems to be gathering up a stellar cast to support his fascinating story.

It's a little hard to remember that Tobey Maguire is now very much a grown-up, though in our defense, he hasn't given us much of a chance to realize that. Since his final go-round as Peter Parker in 2007's Spider-Man 3 Maguire has kept a low profile at the movies, appearing only in the explosive drama Brothers in 2009. But he's about to come back in a major way to play Nick Carraway in Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby, and before then we'll meet back up with him in the upcoming comedy The Details.

If you want to get a sense of the tone of the movie, which is available On Demand now and will be in theaters November 2, you need only look at the opening shot of this exclusive new TV spot, in which Maguire's character is sitting peacefully… only to be crushed by a falling grand piano. You can see it only gets stranger from there. Take a look:

Maguire is joined by a pretty heavy-hitting cast, with Elizabeth Banks playing his wife, Laura Linney as the crazy cat-lady neighbor he starts an affair with, and Ray Liotta as the pal trying to help him keep his head on straight. The Details premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2011, and is now playing right there! In your house! On your TV right now! Technology is a pretty amazing thing.

It's still a little hard to get used to the news that Bill Murray-- yes, that Bill Murray, who seems only half-interested in acting these days-- is preparing to play Franklin Delano Roosevelt in Hyde Park On Hudson, a glossy new historical drama from Focus Features and Notting Hill director Roger Michell. Production on the film started today in the U.K., and everything else about the press release has all the prestige film pieces in place-- Olivia Williams as Eleanor Roosevelt, respected British actors Samuel West and Olivia Colman as the King and Queen of England, and Laura Linney as FDR's distant cousin and mistress Daisy. The story is set when the King and Queen visited FDR at his estate on the Hudson River, the first time a reigning English monarch had ever visited the United States (those Revolutionary War wounds run deep). They're looking for support as World War II starts taking shape in Europe, but with Daisy's presence in Hyde Park upsetting everything socially, everyone seems to focus more on the unrest at home.

See what I mean about all the prestige trappings? And that's before we even get to the fact that they're planning a "second half of 2012" release for the film, which hints at Oscar season to me. And yet, in the middle of all of this, there's Bill Murray playing Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the casting that's so strange I have to assume Michell knows something we don't about how brilliant it will turn out. At least we know Murray isn't in it for the money-- not only is this the kind of indie production that doesn't really promise back-end profits, but the guy works infrequently enough that you know he's following his heart, even though it leads him in some strange directions. I know none of you saw him in the Mickey Rourke and Megan Fox vehicle Passion Play-- and trust me, you don't want to-- but damn if he didn't seem to belong there somehow anyway. Hyde Park on Hudson sounds like the kind of movie I'd like to see anyway, if only because I'm one of the few people who adored Michell's last film Morning Glory, but the added X-factor of Murray means I'll be there with bells on. I assume you guys are also intrigued enough that I'm not alone here.

Idris Elba is used to playing the tough businessman. On The Wire he played Stringer Bell, an intelligent and ruthless drug lord who ran the business end of the heroin game. As Charles Miner in The Office he didn’t put up with Jim Halpert hijinks or Michael Scott ineptitude. Now Elba will take his television acting in a little different direction. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Elba will join Showtime’s new series The Big C as, of all things, an artist.

The Big C tells the story of Cathy (Laura Linney), a suburban mother and high school teacher who finds out she has cancer. Elba will play a painter who befriends and connects with Linney’s character in a four episode arc. Oliver Platt (2012) will play her ex-husband and Gabourey Sidibe is a struggling high school student in Cathy’s class.

Elba is a large screen presence and has the ability to steal scenes just with his physical nature and deep voice (oh and the ladies love him). I’m looking forward to seeing Elba outside of the traditional, finger-wagging, and domineering guy he played on The Office.

Watch the trailer for The Big C below.