With the success of recent video game adaptations like The Last of Us and Fallout, it looks like adaptations based on video games are finally seeing some of the success that they have tried so long to achieve. One of the upcoming video game adaptations that is certainly hoping to follow in those footsteps is the Tomb Raider series starring Sophie Turner, and she’s certainly been putting the work in to achieve it.

In a recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon the host brought up the fact that Turner had been cast in Tomb Raider. And while it was only just confirmed a few months ago that Turner was in the role, she revealed that she’s been training for the part for nearly a year already, which means she’s in such good shape she thinks she could take down the host. She said…

Turner’s dress when appearing on The Tonight Show didn’t exactly show off muscles, and it also prevented her from any physical displays of strength or dexterity, but one imagines that she’s in pretty solid shape. If any of us trained hard for a year, we’d probably be transformed. Note to self, get back in the gym.

The upcoming Tomb Raider series, which will be available with a Prime Video subscription, is shaping up to be something worth watching. With Turner in the lead, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge as co-showrunner and writer, the show is all but guaranteed to be a take on the Lara Croft character that we haven’t seen before.

The series has also filled out its cast with some solid names, including Sigourney Weaver and Jason Isaacs. The characters that have been introduced through the casting indicate the new show will be an original Tomb Raider story and not an adaptation of a previous game. That’s actually par for the course for the franchise as only the 2018 Tomb Raider movie starring Alicia Vikander was actually directly inspired by one of the games, and that failed to spawn the franchise it was looking for.

Turner confirmed that the series hasn’t begun filming yet, so we’re a long way off from actually getting any sort of look at the new series. But the actress is certainly doing her part. And while she didn’t beat up Jimmy Fallon, one assumes that she’ll get plenty of chances to beat people up when the Tomb Raider series arrives on Prime Video.

Considering that the Tomb Raider video game franchise owes its origins to Indiana Jones, there are few video game characters quite as well-suited to an onscreen adaptation as Lara Croft. We’ve seen the adventuring woman in big-screen films and animated series, but now the upcoming live-action Tomb Raider series is coming together as nearly a dozen roles have been cast for the show, including a pair of heavyweights in Sigourney Weaver and Jason Isaacs.

The upcoming Tom Riader series is written by Phoebe Waller-Bridge and will star Sophie Turner in the lead role as Lara Croft. Up to now, hers was the only role that had been cast, but today several new additions were announced, including a few that will be recognizable to fans from the game. The descriptions of the characters come from Variety.

• Sigourney Weaver - Evelyn Wallis, “a mysterious, high-flying woman who is keen to exploit Lara’s talents”
• Jason Isaacs - Atlas Demorney, Lara’s uncle
• Bill Paterson - Winston, Lara’s Butler
• Martin Bobb-Semple - Zip, Lara’s Tech Support and Friend
• Celia Imrie - Francine, the head of advancement at the British Museum
• Jack Bannon - Gerry, Lara’s personal pilot and snack collector
• John Heffernan - David, an exhausted government official who finds himself tangled up in Lara’s unusual world.
• Paterson Joseph - Thomas Warner, “a senior government official brought in to clean up an almighty mess.”
• Sasha Luss - Sasha, “a fierce, deeply competitive new adversary of Lara’s.”
• Juliette Motamed - Georgia, “a devoted, by-the-books curator at the British Museum, dedicated to the ‘proper’ preservation of history.”
• August Wittgenstein - Lukas, “an illegal raider who shares history with Lara in more ways than one.”

As somebody who has generally enjoyed playing Tomb Raider video games and watching the various adaptations, I’m always interested in what a new take on the material would bring. Every step of the princess has made this particular project especially intriguing, from bringing in Phoebe Waller-Bridge as co-showrunner and writer to the casting of Sophie Turner; every choice hasn’t necessarily been the most obvious, but that’s what makes it interesting.

Game fans will recognize some of the characters listed here, like Winston, Lara’s Butler, who players would routinely lock in the freezer (iykyk), and Lara’s uncle, who is usually portrayed as a less-than-loving family member, making it just the sort of role we’d expect from Jason Isaacs.

The most interesting character, however, is the one being played by Sigourney Weaver. The word “exploit” being used would seem to indicate that she’s not playing one of the “good guys” either, but time will tell. Weaver has certainly played her share of villains, though she's generally the good guy, so we'll have to wait and see how this character shakes out.

The casting of so many characters that aren’t previously known would seem to confirm what had been previously rumored; that this series, which will be available with a Prime Video subscription, will be a fresh take on the material, rather than an adaptation of a previous game. It’s yet another decision that has the potential to make the show truly unique, and I, for one, can’t wait to see it.

After months of waiting, it’s finally been confirmed that Sophie Turner will, in fact, be taking on the role of Lara Croft in the upcoming video game adaptation of Tomb Raider. Yep, the Game of Thrones alum is set to lead this action-packed Amazon Prime series, and as a massive fan of her work on her HBO mega-hit, I’ve been waiting for her to land a part like this for years.

While Sophie Turner has taken on great projects since GOT ended, there’s no question that this one piqued my attention the most.

That’s true for a couple of reasons. First of all, we’ve been waiting for so long to get this news that it’s a relief to finally have it. According to Deadline, the actress entered negotiations for the part last November and was only just confirmed for it. Secondly, I cannot wait to see Turner play this badass character after her tenure as the intelligent, resilient and powerful Sansa Stark.

I’m truly looking forward to watching Sophie Turner play another heroic woman. I also love that this leading and high-profile part will be quite different from Sansa. In Game of Thrones (which you can stream with an HBO Max subscription), Sansa is rarely in the big action. In Tomb Raider, Lara Croft will be at the center of it.

However, I also love their similarities. In a statement, Vernon Sanders, the Head of Global Television at Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, said Lara is “defined by her courage, strength and unshakeable resolve.” I think you could say the same about Sansa, even though the way these characters act is totally different.

Turner’s take on the role will really be fascinating to see, too. While she’s the only person to play Sansa, she is not the first to play Lara. In movie adaptations of the game, Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander have played her, so watching how the Game of Thrones cast member follows in their footsteps and forges her own path will be fascinating. To that point, the actress said:

In regard to Turner’s casting, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the creator, writer and EP of Tomb Raider, couldn’t contain her excitement, as she said in a statement:

Along with her, Chad Hodge has signed on as an executive producer and co-showrunner. He’ll be working alongside Waller-Bridge and Jonathan Van Tulleken, who will direct and executive produce. It was also revealed that production will start on January 19, meaning movement on Tomb Raider is really happening now.

All of this has me utterly thrilled. Prime Video has a great reputation when it comes to adaptations, with one of Amazon’s best original shows being Fallout. Plus, considering Waller-Bridge’s work on shows like Fleabag, I’m positive she’ll have a unique take on this beloved character. Also, with Sophie Turner officially set to be our Lara Croft, I think we’re in for something great when Tomb Raider becomes available to those with an Amazon Prime subscription.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For quite some time, there have been actors who not only bring movies to life by acting on the big screen but also play a major role in crafting the stories. Over the years, multiple Best Picture winners have been written by talented thespians, who also happen to be accomplished wordsmiths. From stars who've pieced together films that would earn them their first Academy Award nominations to those penning passion projects, here are 32 successful actors who are also hit screenwriters.

Ben Affleck

In early 1998, Ben Affleck became one of the biggest stars in Hollywood after he and Matt Damon won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Good Will Hunting. The movie made the longtime friends -- who didn't always work together -- into overnight sensations. Since then, he’s written four additional films: Gone Baby Gone, Live by Night, The Town and The Last Duel, which he co-wrote with Damon.

Matt Damon

As mentioned, Matt Damon took home the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for Good Will Hunting in 1998. The movie, of course, also featured his Academy Award-worthy performance as a troubled young genius. Since then, he’s co-written two additional Gus Van Sant-directed scripts – Gerry in 2002, Promised Land in 2012 – as well as the Ridley Scott historical epic, The Last Duel, which he penned with Ben Affleck.

Jordan Peele

After finding success with Key & Peele, Jordan Peele turned to more behind-the-scenes work, serving as both a director and screenwriter. From his 2016 comedy, Keanu to 2022’s Nope and Wendell & Wild, Peele has cemented his legacy as one of the strongest voices in Hollywood. He won an Oscar for his Get Out screenplay in 2018 and produced two of the best horror movies in recent memory: Us and Candyman.

Tina Fey

Tina Fey will forever be remembered as one of the best Saturday Night Live cast members, and that experience allowed her to fine-tune her writing and acting skills. In addition to starring in movies like Baby Mama, Date Night and Muppets Most Wanted, Fey famously wrote the screenplay for Mean Girls, which is one of the best movies of the 2000s.

Sylvester Stallone

A handful of the best action movies of all time were written by none other than Sylvester Stallone, who has flexed his muscles in front of the camera and behind the scenes. All of the Rocky films (as well as Creed II) were written by Stallone, as were the Rambo flicks and pretty much most of his best big-screen ventures.

George Clooney

George Clooney has plenty of notable movies like Ocean’s Eleven, Syriana, Michael Clayton and even the over-the-top Batman & Robin. But the Academy Award-winning actor has also penned quite a few screenplays over the years, including the ones for Good Night, and Good Luck, The Ides of March, Leatherheads, The Monuments Men and Suburbicon.

Kristen Wiig

Two of the funniest movies of the past decade-and-a-half – Bridesmaids and Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar – not only featured the Saturday Night Live legend Kristen Wiig's on-screen talents, they were also co-written by the actress. And penning those screenplays alongside her was co-star Annie Mumolo.

Tyler Perry

In addition to being a committed philanthropist and all-around great guy, Tyler Perry is also an incredibly successful actor, movie producer, and screenwriter. Throughout his career, Perry has written multiple entries in the Madea film franchise as well as other films like A Jazzman’s Blues, Acrimony, and Why Did I Get Married?, to name a few.

Greta Gerwig

Greta Gerwig has become famous for her Barbie screenplay (which was co-written by Noah Baumbach), but that's only one of the great scripts written by the talented actress. In addition to starring in several dozen movies over the years, Gerwig also penned modern gems like Frances Ha, Lady Bird, Mistress America and Little Women.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge

In addition to being a talented actress with multiple scene-stealing performances in movies like Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and Solo: A Star Wars Story, Phoebe Waller-Bridge is a talented writer. She created and penned the shows Fleabag and Killing Eve and received a partial writing credit for her contributions on No Time to Die.

Justin Theroux

Throughout his career, Justin Theroux has starred in movies like Mulholland Drive, Miami Vice and American Psycho. However, he also has some impressive screenwriting credits to his name. With work on Iron Man 2, Tropic Thunder, Rock of Ages and Zoolander 2, he has quite the body of work.

Emma Thompson

Emma Thompson is an actress with a great filmography, through which she's worked both in front of and behind the camera. In fact, Thompson has Academy Awards for  Best Actress (for Howards End) and Best Adapted Screenplay (for Sense and Sensibility). She’s also penned movies like Bridget Jones’s Baby, Last Christmas and the Nanny McPhee films.

Billy Bob Thornton 

Billy Bob Thornton is another actor who has won an Academy Award for writing, having scored a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar for his work on Sling Blade, which he also starred in and directed. Over the years, some of Thornton's best movies -- like One False Move, A Family Thing, The Gift and Daddy and Them were also written by the actor himself.

Emerald Fennell 

After finding success with acting roles in movies like Albert Nobbs, Anna Karenina and The Danish Girl, as well as shows like Call the Midwife and The Crown, Emerald Fennell turned her attention to writing and directing. Her feature film debut, Promising Young Woman, earned her a Best Original Screenplay Oscar. She also crafted the script for the drama film Saltburn.

Tom Hanks 

Tom Hanks is another Oscar winner with a number of screenwriting credits to his name. In addition to leading some of the best movies of all time, Hanks has also penned the screenplays for That Thing You Do, Larry Crowne and the 2020 World War II thriller Greyhound.

Kumail Nanjiani 

Kumail Nanjiani has starred in all kinds of movies over the years, with Eternals, Stuber and The Lovebirds being just a few of them. But Nanjiani also wrote the screenplay for The Big Sick, the 2018 romantic comedy inspired by the battles he and wife Emily V. Gordon faced early in their relationship.

Paul Rudd 

Paul Rudd not only starred in one of the best Marvel movies such as Ant-Man, he was also one the writers given credit for its screenplay (alongside Edgar Wright, Joe Cornish, and Adam McKay). But that wasn’t his first or last script, as Rudd contributed to Role Models and Ant-Man and the Wasp.

Ethan Hawke 

Throughout his career, Ethan Hawke has starred in movies like Reality Bites, Boyhood, First Reformed and The Black Phone, among many others. However, the actor has also written his fair share of screenplays as well, with everything from the second and third installments in the Before film franchise to the gripping biopic Blaze featuring his handiwork. 

 Angelina Jolie 

Over the years, Angelina Jolie has become an instantly recognizable face and name thanks to a number of wonderful performances. The actress has also a few screenwriting credits, including In the Land of Blood and Honey, First They Killed My Father and By the Sea.

Kenneth Branagh 

To some Kenneth Branagh is arguably better known as a screenwriter than actor. That's because he won Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for the semi autobiographical coming-of-age drama Belfast and received a nomination for his adaptation of Hamlet back in 1995. The Christopher Nolan collaborator has also written other films like Much Ado About Nothing, In the Bleak Midwinter, Listening and The Magic Flute.

Steve Coogan 

Steve Coogan is famous for his performances in the Night at the Museum movies, Tropic Thunder, 24 Hour Party People, and The Trip, but he’s also a talented writer. Over the years, Coogan has written movies like Philomena, The Lost King, The Parole Officer and Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa.

Sarah Polley 

After making a name for herself as an actress with roles in movies like Go, The Weight of Water and the underrated Dawn of the Dead remake, Sarah Polley turned her jumped into the writer/director seat. One of her most well-known scripts is probably 2022's Women Talking, which earned her an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Seth Rogen 

Seth Rogen has written some of the comedies that defined the 2000s, such as Pineapple Express and Superbad, as well as more recent hits like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. This is on top of appearing in all three of those movies, as well as other classics like The 40-Year-Old Virgin, which totally deserved its R rating.

Taylor Sheridan 

Taylor Sheridan is mostly known for crafting Sicario, Wind River, Hell or High Water and other riveting dramas. But the Yellowstone co-creator also had a decent acting career before making the big shift over the past decade. He appeared on shows like Sons of Anarchy and Veronica Mars.

Lake Bell 

In addition to appearing in movies like No Escape, No Strings Attached, It’s Complicated and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Lake Bell has also written and directed a few projects throughout her career. There are the shorts Worst Enemy and El Tonto, which she followed up with feature-length films, In a World… and I Do… Until I Don’t.

Owen Wilson 

When talking about Wes Anderson's collaborators, few names come to mind as quickly as Owen Wilson, who has appeared in a number of the director’s films throughout his career. But on top of appearing in seven of Anderson’s movies, Wilson also helped write three of them: Bottlerocket, Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums.

Jason Segel 

When it comes to the movie sphere, Jason Segel is probably best known for his portrayal of Peter Bretter in the 2008 comedy Forgetting Sarah Marshall, but some might not know he also wrote it. After that, Segel penned three additional feature films: The Muppets, The Five-Year Engagement and Sex Tape.

Ricky Gervais

On top of creating and starring on TV shows like the original version of The Office, Episodes and Extras, Ricky Gervais has also written some popular movies throughout his career. The British actor and comedian has crafted The Invention of Lying, Special Correspondents, Cemetery Junction and David Brent: Life on the Road.

Woody Allen 

Throughout his career, which goes back the mid 1950s, Woody Allen has written, directed, and starred in dozens of movies, many of which are incredibly well-received. Over the years, Allen has won four Academy Awards, three of which were for Best Original Screenplay – Annie Hall, Hannah and Her Sisters, and Midnight in Paris – on top of all kinds of other accolades. However, Allen has only appeared in four of his own movies the past 20 years.

John Cusack 

Not only did he star in some of the most iconic comedies of the 1980s, some all-time great ‘90s movies, and experience a great deal of success, John Cusack has written a handful of films throughout his career. This short list also happens to include some of his Cusack's best movies like High Fidelity and Grosse Pointe Blank. His other writing credits include War, Inc. and We Are Not Animals.

Rashida Jones 

Rashida Jones is perhaps best known for her roles on NBC comedy hits The Office and Parks and Recreation, but the actress has also written a few screenplays throughout her career. This includes Celeste and Jesse Forever, the 2018 documentary, Quincy, which is about her dad -- music legend Quicy Jones. She also has a story credit for Toy Story 4 and wrote “Nosedive,” one of the best Black Mirror episodes.

Tom McCarthy 

Tom McCarthy is best known for writing and directing Spotlight, the riveting journalism movie that won Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay at the 88th Academy Awards. But while he was in the process of becoming an award-winning filmmaker, McCarthy put together a decent acting resume that included a memorable turn on The Wire (during the final season), Meet the Parents, Good Night, and Good Luck, Syriana and Michael Clayton.

Each of these nearly three-dozen actors has quite the resume, both in terms of on-screen performances and written work, making them more than deserving of any and all praise.

After what seems like decades of poorly received video game movies, the genre has seen some major leaps and jumps in the past few years, thanks to adaptations like Sonic the Hedgehog, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and even Peacock’s Twisted Metal series all hitting it off with critics and fans alike. One upcoming video game project that I’m especially excited about is the Tomb Raider TV show currently being developed by none other than Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Yes, the creator of Fleabag and star of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

As a longtime fan of the video game franchise (the title screen music plays in my head, like, all the time), the thought of one of the funniest, most dynamic, and punchy voices in Hollywood spearheading the project is something I am very excited about. Here are six reasons why I can’t wait to see what she does with Tomb Raider.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge Grew Up On The Tomb Raider Games  

Nothing against the screenwriters of the previous Tomb Raider movies (both the Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander interpretations), but I firmly believe that whenever Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s take on the classic 3D platformer comes out it will be the best version of the character, considering the Emmy winner grew up a massive fan of the original games. As she told Vanity Fair in June 2023, she was so into playing the games she had to pack up her PlayStation and focus on other things as a teenager:

Later on in the interview, Waller-Bridge revealed that she rekindled her love for the games during the pandemic, which leads me to believe that Lara Croft was still floating around in her head all those years in-between.

The Fleabag Creator Has Also Said She Wants To 'Do Right By Lara' 

The star, like Lara, has a very distinct and proud personality, which honestly makes her the ideal person to tackle a character she described to Vanity Fair as one with “an attitude” and who is “very deliberate in what she wanted to do.” That being said, the Killing Eve creator has said she wants to “do right by her” with the upcoming show after revisiting the games:

That desire, combined with Waller-Bridge’s love for the franchise, leads me to believe that this is going to be something revolutionary and more than just your run of the mill video game adaptation. This could be HUGE.

Waller-Bridge Has A History Of Writing Incredibly Strong Female Characters

Throughout her career, Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s various projects have seen her do just about everything in front of and behind the camera. Just about all of those feature incredibly strong female characters, especially Fleabag and Killing Eve. 

This doesn’t mean the writer makes perfect, idyllic characters who are everything people dream they could be in reality. Instead, she crafts these remarkably rich, realistic, and oftentimes flawed female leads who aren’t afraid to be their own person. With Lara Croft being a determined adventurer and archaeologist (like Waller-Bridge’s Dial of Destiny character), she’s without a doubt the best person for the job to retool the classic video game lead. 

She Also Has Experience Writing For Massive Action Movies 

In addition to appearing in one of the Indiana Jones movies, creating Fleabag and Killing Eve, and doing just about everything else under the sun, the talent also has some experience with writing for massive action properties like the James Bond film franchise. 

Even though she didn’t write the entirety of the No Time to Die script, the writer and actress made contributions to the screenplay throughout its development. Ahead of the 2021 film’s release, star Daniel Craig told CinemaBlend that Waller-Bridge and co-star Lashana Lynch helped flesh out the partnership shared by the two 00-agents at its core. Combine all this with her experience in front of the camera for Solo: A Star Wars Story and it’s easy to see why she’s such a good fit. 

Though She's Not Acting In The Series, I'm Excited To See What She Brings From Her Indiana Jones Experience

I was already stoked to see Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (because who doesn’t love Harrison Ford’s iconic character?), but I was even more excited upon learning Waller-Bridge was going to be playing beside him. However, it seems like the actress was even more excited to be a part of the project than anyone would have guessed, as she told CinemaBlend:

I know Waller-Bridge won’t be playing Lara Croft in the TV show (though I can hope, right?), but it will be interesting to see what she takes from the experience of playing Helena Shaw and applies to the titular tomb raider. 

The Show Could Also Lead To New Movies And Games, Which Would Be Great 

I may be getting ahead of myself here, but I think the show will be a hit and then lead to a resurgence in the franchise’s movie output and lead to the first game in the series since 2018’s Shadow of the Tomb Raider. As Deadline reported back in February 2023, the Amazon original series appears to be the first in a multi-part process that could see the property become an absolute juggernaut in the coming years. 

If this ends up happening, I’m going to be excited for a number of reasons. There’s the side of me that’s excited to see one of my favorite video game franchises come out of the shadows and into the limelight, but I’m also excited because I can introduce the series to my daughter as she continues to explore her gaming journey.

All in all, the idea of Phoebe Waller-Bridge ushering in a new era for Tomb Raider is something we should all be excited about. While we wait for more concrete details on the show, now would be a good time to check out the 2023 TV schedule to learn more about the shows that'll soon be available for anyone with an Amazon Prime subscription.

The final installment of Harrison Ford’s epic adventure franchise is upon us, with another Indiana Jones adventure hitting the big screen. It’s been 42 years since audiences were first introduced to the Nazi-fighting archaeologist and 15 years since the last sequel, and now Dr. Jones is back for one final adventure, with Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antonio Banderas  and Mads Mikkelsen among those joining the franchise for the character’s swan song. The long-awaited film hit theaters June 30, and the critics are here to give their opinions of Indiana Jones 5.

Dial of Destiny premiered at Cannes Film Festival in May, and the first reactions held good news for fans of the franchise. The fifth and final movie in the series will see Indy’s estranged goddaughter Helena Shaw enlisting the retiring professor’s help in trying to locate a device that could change the course of history before the Nazis are able to alter the outcome of World War II. Let’s see what the critics are saying, starting with CinemaBlend’s review of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Our own Sarah El-Mahmoud rates the movie 4 out of 5 stars, calling it an ode to the franchise: 

Lauren Coates of the AV Club grades the movie a C, saying that while the movie is a success when it comes to the action, its lack of emotional stakes have the Harrison Ford character going out with a whimper instead of a bang. The critic says: 

Robert Daniels of The Playlist also gives it a C but disagrees when it comes to the emotions portrayed by the lead actor. Daniels argues that Harrison Ford elevates the rote script, saying: 

Lindsey Bahr of the AP rates Indiana Jones movie 2.5 out of 4 stars, saying there’s a sense of melancholy surrounding the film, as moviegoers know this is the last we’ll see of the storied character. And while not as good as the original trilogy, it’s a fun and dignified sendoff, Bahr says: 

Gabriel Ricard of Cultured Vultures rates Dial of Destiny 8 out of 10, despite the “thoroughly unpleasant” digital de-aging of Indiana Jones. In the end Harrison Ford is the heart and soul of the movie and the reason it works, Richard says, giving Ford's character the best farewell you could ask for. The critic continues: 

The fifth and final installment of the adventure franchise is in theaters now, if you want to see where you think Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny falls in the ranking of Indiana Jones movies. You can also relive the entire franchise, with the first four movies available to stream with a Disney+ subscription. Also be sure to check out our 2023 Movie Release Schedule to start planning your next trip to the theaters. 

Phoebe Waller-Bridge is a wildly impressive actor, writer and producer who has gathered a nice little collection of Emmys through amazing projects like Fleabag and the ratings record-breaking Killing Eve. Now she’s coming to the silver screen as Indiana Jones’ goddaughter Helena Shaw in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Some may think this is a slight departure for the multi-hyphenate, but as it turns out, she’s always been infatuated with the subject matter, though as she told CinemaBlend, she never predicted such an opportunity in her wildest dreams. 

Given the fact that Killing Eve is also a globetrotting adventure full of mystery, I didn’t feel that it was too far of a departure at all, despite the fact that the show centering around an assassin makes for some darker subject matter. When I suspected that perhaps an Indiana Jones film would be an absolute dream for someone like Phoebe Waller-Bridge, she confirmed to me that it was, although she would have never considered it to be within reach:

Well, she may not have seen the project coming, but she stepped up to the plate and knocked it out of the park. Her addition to the franchise certainly enhances it as a whole. Given the fact that Dial of Destiny was a dream come true for Waller-Bridge, she must be grateful that it came to fruition at all. Director James Mangold himself told me that there were some massive hurdles making an Indiana Jones film today, and at 80 years of age, there has been speculation of Harrison Ford retiring. Thankfully for her, Ford isn't showing signs of slowing down anytime soon, and he stuck around the industry long enough to knock an item off of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s bucket list. 

Our own review will tell you that Dial of Destiny is a pleasantly nostalgic ride. Harrison Ford is just as confident as ever fitting back into the role, Steven Spielberg was on board to give advice, and Mangold even got John Williams returning to score! It’s a recipe for success. The film isn’t strictly appealing to the nostalgia generation, as they’re also breaking new ground in their own right, exploring elements like time travel and giving Indy a badass female counterpart in the form of Waller-Bridge’s Helena Shaw. 

You can see Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny on Friday, June 30! If you’d like to do a franchise rewatch before walking into the theater, we have you covered as to where you can watch each Indiana Jones movie. The Dial of Destiny is just the latest offering in the summer 2023 release schedule, so keep up with CinemaBlend for the latest updates!

Indiana Jones first graced the big screen over 40 years ago, and in just four movies Harrison Ford has created one of the most iconic big screen characters of all time. It’s been 15 years since the famed archaeologist wielded his whip, but adventure-cravers won’t have to wait too much longer to see him again. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny — the fifth and final installment of the series — is on its way soon, and it just premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. Those who were in attendance are hitting social media with their first reactions.

From what we know about Indiana Jones 5, audiences will be transported back to 1969 amid the U.S. space race with Russia. Indy learns that the moon landing program is being run by “former” Nazis, spurring him into action. In addition to Harrison Ford, John Rhys-Davies reprises his role as Sallah, while Fleabag star Phoebe Waller-Bridge has joined the Dial of Destiny cast as Indiana Jones’ goddaughter, along with Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Kretschmann, Antonio Banderas and more. Let’s see what Cannes festivalgoers are saying about the upcoming movie:

James Mottram of Games Radar rates the movie 4 stars out of 5, saying there’s a nostalgic feel to the film, as it takes audiences on a rollicking, globe-trotting ride to bring the series to a satisfying end. The review continues:  

Clayton Davis of Variety tweets that Dial of Destiny redeems the franchise, after the previous installment, Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, was harshly received by critics.  

Donald Clarke of the Irish Times rates the movie 3 out of 5 stars, saying “nobody with a brain in their heads” will compare this Indiana Jones movie favorably to the first three, but director James Mangold keeps his foot on the gas until a “gleefully” absurd ending. If it were less ridiculous, it would be less fun, the critic says: 

The Atom is calling the movie an “instant classic” on Twitter and a career best for Harrison Ford. The site encourages movie lovers to book their tickets for this “historic” film: 

And according to IndieWire’s David Ehrlich, it looks like one big question will be addressed in the fifth and final movie: 

Twitter user "Kenny @Disney+" says that he isn’t able to say a lot, but the important thing is that he thinks fans of the Indiana Jones franchise are going to love Dial of Destiny. He tweets: 

Stephanie Bunbury of Deadline says the movie is fun, it’s wacky, and it works. Throw reality out, because the only real thing that matters is that the Nazis are the bad guys. The critic continues: 

Where will The Dial of Destiny fall in the rankings of Indiana Jones movies? If you need a refresher or want to watch the Indiana Jones movies for the first time, all four will be available for Disney+ subscription holders to stream ahead of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny hitting theaters on Friday, June 30. In the meantime, check out what else is hitting the big screen soon with our 2023 Movie Calendar. 

John Krasinski is definitely making a name for himself as a director. Though he made his feature directorial debut all the way back in 2009 with the David Foster Wallace adaptation Brief Interviews With Hideous Men, he broke out in a big way behind the camera in 2081 with the horror hit A Quiet Place, and he followed it up a few years later with the successful A Quiet Place Part II. Krasinski has definitely demonstrated a knack for scaring audiences, but with his next effort, he’ll be doing something totally different.

The actor-cum-writer/director has already completed work on IF – which is an acronym that stands for “Imaginary Friends.” Very little is known about the story at the center of the fantasy comedy, and the movie won’t be heading to theaters until May 2024, but one thing that we do know about the film is that it has a stacked ensemble cast, and we’ve put together this feature to provide a rundown of the stars involved.  

Not only is John Krasinski writing and directing IF, he has also carved out a role for himself in his original screenplay. As an actor, Krasinski has continued to have success on the small screen in his post-The Office career, namely by starring as the titular character in the Prime Video series Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan. He has, however, also been working on the big screen as well, with roles in films including both of the Quiet Place chapters, Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness (where he appeared as an alternate universe version of Reed Richards), and DC League of Super-Pets (where he provides the voice of Superman).

Ryan Reynolds

Ryan Reynolds seems to be just about everywhere these days. His time playing Wade Wilson a.k.a. Deadpool is far from over, as he has Deadpool 3 coming in 2024, and in the last two years alone he has been in five different movies – including Free Guy, Red Notice, The Adam Project, Bullet Train, and Spirited. You might think he’d be tired after all of that… but evidently he’s not tired enough to take on a role in IF.

Steve Carell

An Office reunion! Steve Carell and John Krasinski haven’t worked together since the end of the hit NBC sitcom back in 2013, but the men previously known as Michael Scott and Jim Halpert will be coming back together to collaborate on IF. Like Krasinski, Carell has never stopped working since The Office ended, and he has been mixing things up when it comes to both film and television. He is a constant presence in the Despicable Me movies and spin-offs, and has been a part of three different shows since 2019: The Morning Show on AppleTV+, Space Force on Netflix, and The Patient on FX.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge

Phoebe Waller-Bridge is presently a hot talent in Hollywood, with the industry unable to get over the awesomeness that are her original series Fleabag and Killing Eve, and her popularity has led to some very exciting projects. The biggest of these is inarguably Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny, which will see her go on an adventure with Harrison Ford’s beloved adventurer character, but she also has a role to play in IF (though nothing is known about her character).

Fiona Shaw

Fiona Shaw was announced as part of the cast of IF in the same trade report that confirmed Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s part in the movie. She has some prior shared credits with Waller-Bridge, as she starred on Killing Eve and had a guest role on Fleabag, but she is best known for her work in two of the most popular franchises of all time. She played the antagonistic Aunt Petunia Dursley in the Harry Potter movies, and more recently had a key supporting role on the Disney+ Star Wars series Andor.

Louis Gossett Jr.

While he may now be 86 years old, Louis Gossett Jr. has not slowed down in his legendary acting career. Best known for his Oscar-winning performance in An Officer And A Gentleman, the star has made 11 movies in the last six years, and that work has been paired with roles on TV shows including Watchmen, Hap And Leonard, and The Good Fight. He signed on to the cast of IF in January 2022, and will next be featured in the musical remake of The Color Purple, which will be hitting theaters in December.

Cailey Fleming

Though she is still a young star, child actor Cailey Fleming has already bolstered her resume with a number of impressive projects. She is probably best known for playing Judith Grimes in 53 episodes of The Walking Dead, but she has notably also had parts in both the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Star Wars. She played “Kid Sylvie” in the first season of the Disney+ series Loki, and “Young Rey” in both Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker. John Krasinski’s IF is set to be her first feature film role since the 2019 blockbuster. Deadline reported the casting at the same time as Louis Gossett Jr. and…

Alan Kim

It’s not an easy thing to become a breakout star at the young age of 8, but that’s exactly what Alan Kim did in 2020 with his performance in the critically acclaimed 2020 film Minari. Since then, he has appeared in episodes of Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens and Little America, and his upcoming movie Theater Camp premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. In addition to IF, he is also voicing a role in the upcoming animated PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie, which will be in theaters this September.

Bobby Moynihan

Since his time as a regular on Saturday Night Live, Bobby Moynihan has primarily been doing a lot of voice over work for animated television – his credits in the last few years alone including Summer Camp Island, It’s Pony, Star Trek: Lower Decks, and both Star Wars: Visions and Star Wars: The Bad Batch. When it comes to live-action, he’s mostly stayed on the small screen, with parts on Mr. Mayor, Blockbuster and the third season of Party Down, but he had a cameo in Kevin Smith’s Clerks III in 2022 and, obviously, is a part of the cast of John Krasinski’s IF (according to Deadline).

We’ll update this article if more actors are announced as part of the IF cast, and we’ll continue to look forward to the film’s set release date on May 24, 2024. To learn about features that are coming out between now and then, head over to our 2023 Movie Release Calendar.

Harrison Ford is embarking on one last ride as Indiana Jones next year thanks to Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, one of the more highly-anticipated 2023 movie releases. However, when the archaeologist returns, he won’t be accompanied by his son, Mutt Williams, who was introduced in Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. However, it turns out The Dial of Destiny will address Shia LaBeouf’s character, and we’ve also learned more details about a different member of Indy’s family: his goddaughter Helena, played by Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

It’s no secret that Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull isn’t one of the more beloved entries in the Indiana Jones film series, and Shia LaBeouf’s Mutt Williams was one of the more critiqued aspects of the movie. LaBeouf even shared his dissatisfaction with Kingdom of the Crystal Skull a few years after it came out. Well, back in 2017, it was revealed that Mutt would not appear in Indiana Jones 5, but for those who are curious about the character, director James Mangold informed EW that people seeing The Dial of Destiny will "find out what happened" to him, but the filmmaker wouldn’t divulge any specific information.

This is a broad spectrum to work with concerning Mutt. On the one hand, he was 19 years old in Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, which took place in 1957, so he’d be 31 in The Dial of Destiny since it takes place in 1969. So it’s possible Mutt’s simply off living his own life elsewhere, forgoing the opportunity to travel with his dad to find treasures and ancient artifacts. On the other hand, perhaps a horrible fate befell Mutt (like dying in the Vietnam War) in between Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and The Dial of Destiny, which in turn affected Indy’s marriage to Karen Allen’s Marion Ravenwood, who may or may not be present in this next movie. One way or another, we’ll learn about Mutt, but whether you like the answer is a different matter.

Turning our attention to Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Helena, who will not be taking over the franchise from Harrison Ford’s character, James Mangold described her as being a “catalyst” for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, adding:

While watching the Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny trailer, it’s clear that Helena will be Indy’s main companion throughout the story, with their adventure together involving car chases, exploring trap-filled caves and a lot of bullets. Per James Mangold’s comment though, it’s an event in Helena’s life that thrusts Indy back into action, as opposed to him looping her in on a journey. Furthermore, evidently Helena’s mother/father (maybe both?) is someone new we’ll be meeting in The Dial of Destiny rather than an established character we’ve seen before.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny arrives in theaters on June 30, 2023. While we wait for more details about what to expect from it, stream the previous movies with a Paramount+ subscription.

The last time we saw Harrison Ford’s Indiana Jones on the big screen, he was chasing down crystal skulls, fending off KGB agents, and learning that Shia LaBeouf’s Mutt was his son. Of course, it’s no secret that Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was polarizing among fans of the franchise when it came out in 2008, but that didn’t spell the end of our favorite fedora-wearing, whip-wielding archaeologist going on cinematic adventures. Indiana Jones 5 was officially announced in 2016, and now it is one of the most anticipated 2023 movies.

This time around, Logan’s James Mangold has inherited directing duties from Steven Spielberg, who’s still involved with the film as a “hands on” producer. With the movie hitting theaters today, we have some concrete details about who plays who in the Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny cast. Let’s go over who’s on board, starting with the man who’s been the face of this franchise since the beginning.

Harrison Ford (Indiana Jones)

Other than Han Solo, Indiana Jones is Harrison Ford’s most famous character, having not only played him in the four movies, but also briefly reprising him for an episode of The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles TV series, which starred Sean Patrick Flanery in the title role. While there may come a day when the Indiana Jones film series is rebooted with a new actor, this marks another recent time Ford has reprised a familiar  role, having appeared as Han in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (and briefly in The Rise of Skywalker) and Rick Deckard in Blade Runner 2049. He more recently earned raves for his work in television, namely as the lead of Paramount+’s 1923 cast and playing a psychiatrist in the Shrinking cast for Apple TV+.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Helena Shaw)

As Indy’s goddaughter, Helena – as it was revealed during the Dial of Destiny cast’s D23 appearance in 2022 –  we have Phoebe Waller-Bridge in her first collaboration with Ford, but not with one of his iconic characters, having played the droid L3-37 in Solo: A Star Wars Story. Most are likely more familiar with the Emmy winner as the lead of Fleabag, as the creator of Killing Eve, or as the co-writer of Daniel Craig's 007 swan song, No Time to Die. 

Mads Mikkelsen (Jürgen Voller)

Mads Mikkelsen adds to his already hefty list of roles in iconic franchises by starring in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny as Jürgen Voller, who’s been recruited into the United States’ moon-landing program. The ex-Nazi character – who first meets Indy in a World War II-set opener – is also the latest of many villains the Danish actor has played, including Le Chiffre in the first of Daniel Craig’s James Bond movies, Kaecilius in Doctor Strange’s great Marvel movies debut, the title role of NBC’s Hannibal, and when he took over the role of Gellert Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore. However, his contribution to the Star Wars movies as Galen Erso in Rogue One was not antagonistic, despite being the Death Star’s designer.

Thomas Kretschmann (Colonel Weber)

Like Mikkelsen, Thomas Kretschmann – who appears as Colonel Weber, a Nazi aiding Voller, during that World War II sequence – has some experience causing trouble in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He appeared as HYDRA leader Wolfgang von Strucker in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Avengers: Age of Ultron, and you may also remember him from projects like The Pianist, 24, Valkyrie, and Greyhound. So it would be easy enough to imagine him playing an antagonist in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

Boyd Holbrook (Klaber)

In his second collaboration with director James Mangold after playing Donald Pierce in 2017’s Logan, Boyd Holbrook is playing Klaber, Voller’s right-hand man who has been described as a “crazed lapdog,” in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Holbrook’s other film credits include The Skeleton Twins, Gone Girl, The Predator, and We Can Be Heroes, while in the TV realm, he starred in Netflix’s Narcos, in The Sandman cast as The Corinthian, and is starring in FX’s Justified: City Primeval cast for his next villainous role.

Shaunette Renée Wilson (Mason)

Playing a government agent named Mason in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is just the latest terrific accomplishment for actor Shaunette Renée Wilson. While she hasn’t been professionally acting as long as the people already mentioned on this list, she’s nonetheless collected some impressive credits in this shorter span of time. Along with playing one of the Dora Milaje in Black Panther, Wilson was a main cast member on the NBC series The Resident for its first four seasons, and also recurred on Showtime’s Billions.

Toby Jones (Basil Shaw)

How about that? Someone who shares the title character’s last name is also in the Indiana Jones 5 cast as an ally named Basil Shaw, who is also Helena’s father. Toby Jones has starred in all sorts of movies and TV shows over the years – from Captain America: The First Avenger and Infinite to Wayward Pines and Sherlock. The Emmy nominee had a busy year in 2022, which included being a part of Amazon Prime’s The English cast and Sam Mendes’ Empire of Light, and he already got off to an interesting start in 2023 by starring in the Tetris cast for Apple TV+. 

Antonio Banderas (Renaldo)

Renaldo, a friend of Indy’s who shows up briefly when he is enlisted for his diving expertise, is played by Antonio Banderas, who is no stranger to movies involving action and adventure, whether it’s from his time voicing Puss in Boots in the Shrek franchise, playing Greg Cortez in the Spy Kids movies, or the title role of two Zorro movies. More recently, he gave an Oscar-nominated performance in Pain and Glory in 2019 and played the main villain in 2021’s The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard and in Uncharted the following year.

Olivier Richters (Hauke)

Olivier Richters’ role as Voller’s henchperson, Hauke, is the latest in a long line of physically imposing characters Indiana Jones would come at odds with. The Dutch bodybuilder could previously be seen in Black Widow as an inmate whom David Harbour’s Alexei beats at arm wrestling and in The King’s Man as a machine shack guard whom Ralph Fiennes fails to stop with throwing knives. 

Ethann Isidore (Teddy)

As Helena’s sidekick, Teddy, we have Ethann Isidore, according to The Guardian’s review of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Similar to Ke Huy Quan’s role as Indy’s sidekick Short Round in Temple of Doom, the blockbuster marks the young French actor’s feature film debut, but not his first acting experience, however. In his home country, Isidore previously appeared in shorts like Les Passengers and TV shows like the dramedy Sam and the Netflix exclusive fantasy series, Mortel.

John Rhys-Davies (Sallah)

Perhaps the most exciting known addition to the cast outside of Harrison Ford coming back to play the title role is John Rhys-Davies as Indy’s trusted comrade, Sallah, whom he portrayed in Raiders of the Lost Ark and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The Welsh actor – who is also known from the Lord of the Rings movies as Gimli – was confirmed to be returning to the franchise in footage shown at 2022’s D23 expo. Some of his more recent credits include lending his voice to Netflix’s animated fantasy series, Wizards, joining the DCEU as the Brine King in Aquaman, and – speaking of DC – voicing Bruce Wayne’s psychiatrist in the hit, Winston Duke-led podcast, Batman Unburied.  

If this is truthfully the last big screen adventure for Hollywood’s favorite thrill-seeking archaeologist, what a great ensemble he has to join him, at least. Head to the theater to see if there are any surprise appearances in the Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny cast now!

After what feels like the world's longest development process, Indiana Jones 5 is officially in the can. Even better, cast news is slowly trickling out to get us even more excited about what's to come for our favorite archeologist. Not only did we get some great reunions with the cast and crew, but there's also new information about Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s character in the long-awaited sequel.

Franchise producer Frank Marshall gave fans a sneak peak into Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s new character on Twitter while also sharing great cast photos. We already knew her character's name is Helena. However, it turns out she has a sentimental connection to Indiana Jones. Marshall revealed:

This announcement confirmation came after the Indiana Jones 5 cast made an appearance at Disney's 2022 D23 Expo, a media event where Disney reveals information on movies, TV shows, theme parks and more. It's an exciting reveal and one that should make this story that much more personal. I'm already imaging the kind of banter that the two will have in the movie. During the hoopla, Harrison Ford and Phoebe Waller-Bridge got together for a photo opportunity that you can check out down below: 

While that pic was cool enough, the pair of stars were joined by a few other notable Hollywood titans. Also present at D23 were Frank Marshall, producer and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy and director/co-writer James Mangold. Check out the Indy crew in the group shot down below:

And if that weren't cool enough, there was also another reunion. Harrison Ford crossed paths with Ke Huy Quan (who played Short Round in Temple of Doom) decades after having worked together. Quan was a D23 promoting Loki Season 2, but it seems he had to meet back up with his co-star for a sweet photo. Check it out below, and try not to cry:

All of these pics are great, but there's just something about seeing a new face in the franchise. Since her massive success with the Amazon Prime series, Fleabag, Phoebe Waller-Bridge has been one of the most sought after writer/actors. She wrote the script for No Time to Die and starred in Solo: A Star Wars Story. She is currently writing another streaming series for Amazon and is attached to the John Krasinski directed film, Imaginary Friends. I love that she took time out of her busy schedule to garner fan excitement for the final installment in the action/adventure franchise. And I'm sure hanging out with Harrison Ford is a great bonus, too.

Disney also showed exclusive footage of the new Indiana Jones film to lucky attendees at the convention. It sounds absolutely incredible, with adventure and mystery being at the heart of the proceedings it seems. Based on such a terrific preview, it sounds like Indy 5 should be worth the delays. John Williams also recently debuted some of the score for the film, which is how the Helena's name was revealed. The track has a nostalgic and adventurous feel, something we tend to expect from Williams. Hopefully, the film delights longtime fans of the franchise as well as new viewers who have yet to see Harrison Ford's seasoned explorer in action. I'm pump for that first trailer and can't wait to see more of Phoebe Waller-Bridge as well.

Indiana Jones 5 is set to premiere on June 30, 2023. In the meantime, you can stream the four previous films with a Paramount+ subscription. For more information about films scheduled for release next year, you can check out our 2023 movie release schedule.

Harrison Ford is currently filming Indiana Jones 5, a not-yet-titled movie that is said to mark the adventurer’s last time on screen. The actor is retiring from the role at the age of 79 after being well-known as the character for over 40 years. It’ll be bittersweet to see Ford return one last time, but given the popularity of the property, it’s not implausible that the upcoming movie will set up a new chapter for the Indiana Jones franchise. Per some fresh rumors, Lucasfilm’s new Indy could be hidden in plain sight.

Alleged “insiders” say that Indiana Jones 5 will see Harrison Ford passing down the fedora to Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who is already set to play an undisclosed role in the movie. The word on the street is that Kathleen Kennedy, the film’s producer and president of Lucasfilm, is enthusiastic about making a “big, bold” change to the franchise with Waller-Bridge as the up-and-coming female lead of the franchise. Though to be clear, the Fleabag creator and star being Ford’s replacement in the franchise has not been confirmed and is purely a rumor.

When Daily Mail shared the report, it added that Kathleen Kennedy’s spokesperson “declined to comment” about the detail. Suffice to say that Phoebe Waller-Bridge taking on the Indiana Jones mantle would be a massive spoiler for Indiana Jones 5, and therefore wouldn’t be teased by the studio either way. The movie is currently being filmed, and from what we know about the actress’ involvement so far, she’s said to be an assistant to Harrison Ford’s iconic character and has been spotted wearing a maroon corduroy jacket and blue trousers on set.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge was the first Indiana Jones 5 costar to be announced back in April, so we already expect her to have a large role in the movie coming next summer. Steven Spielberg was originally going to helm the movie, but he decided to be purely a producer and pass off the director duties to James Mangold, who famously capped off Hugh Jackman’s time as Wolverine with Logan. Also among the cast is Mads Mikkelsen, Antonio Banderas and Boyd Holbrook.

What’s especially notable about the rumor of Phoebe Waller-Bridge taking the lead following Indiana Jone 5 is that she wouldn’t be playing Indiana Jones. She’d be more of an apprentice to his legacy and perhaps start her own franchise apart from the classic adventure series, but with roots in the property. We’ve yet to meet Waller-Bridge in Indiana Jones 5, but I know I’d prefer a new take on the franchise than some other actor replacing Ford as Indiana Jones.

Indiana Jones 5 is expected to be released on July 29, 2022. Until then, get to know Phoebe Waller-Bridge with her most notable projects.

The James Bond franchise has been entertaining moviegoing audiences for decades, and Eon productions is showing no signs of slowing down. But No Time to Die will mark Daniel Craig’s final performance as 007, while also introducing a handful of new characters. This includes Lashana Lynch’s Nomi, and the Captain Marvel actress recently explained why her character will still be relatable.

From the limited trailers for No Time to Die, Nomi looks like a thoroughly badass MI6 agent, one worthy of inheriting James Bond’s former monicor 007. Lashana Lynch helped to craft this new character, working alongside co-writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Lynch recently spoke about her upcoming Bond debut, saying:

Well, I’m certainly intrigued. While fans are most excited to see how Daniel Craig’s tenure as Bond ends in No Time to Die, the various characters making their debut have also piqued interest. Luckily it won’t be long before we finally see how Lashana Lynch’s Nomi will factor into the movie’s story.

Lashana Lynch’s comments to The Guardian help to peel back the curtain on Cary Fukunaga’s highly anticipated James Bond film, No Time to Die. Daniel Craig’s tenure as 007 has seen the franchise embrace serialized storytelling, while the newest installment will feature more independent and badass Bond girls. That definitely includes Nomi, although she’ll also be softened thanks to moments crafted by Lynch and Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

The pressure is on for No Time to Die to deliver, especially given the movie’s numerous delays. The first came when director Danny Boyle departed the project, allowing room for Cary Fukunaga to make his Bond debut. And when Bond 25 was gearing up for its release in 2020, it was pushed back a few more times in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Clearly Daniel Craig’s final bow as James Bond has been a long time coming.

Of course, Lashana Lynch is far from the only notable actress appearing in No Time to Die. The upcoming blockbuster will also feature the return of Léa Seydoux’s Dr. Madeleine Swann, whose story will seemingly be expanded quite a bit. Moviegoers are also eager to see the debut of Knives Out actress Ana de Armas as CIA agent Paloma. And as previously mentioned, Fleabag’s Phoebe Waller-Bridge has brought in to help write the new Bond movies, which was seemingly a great collaborative process for Lynch.

No Time to Die will hit theaters on October 8th. In the meantime, check out the 2021 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience.

Last February, Amazon announced a television reboot of the 2005 movie Mr. And Mrs. Smith. The Internet immediately went berserk, especially when Donald Glover (Atlanta, Solo: A Star Wars Story) and Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag, Killing Eve) were reported to be taking over the roles originally played by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Unfortunately for fans who wanted to see what would have been a legendary pairing, one of the leads just left the project.

Deadline has confirmed that Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who received three Primetime Emmy Awards for Fleabag, has officially left the production of Mr. And Mrs. Smith. While Donald Glover originally brought the project to Phoebe Waller-Bridge after meeting on the set of Solo: A Star Wars Story, the duo seemed to develop differing ideas regarding the show’s creative direction. Luckily, there’s no bad blood, with The Hollywood Reporter confirming that the split was ‘amicable.’ While Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s role will have to be recast, the show is still on track to premiere in 2022.

This is far from the end for Phoebe Waller-Bridge, however: she will continue to generate content for Amazon Prime after signing an exclusive production deal. She also co-wrote the script for the next James Bond movie No Time to Die, which will make her the second woman to ever write a Bond film. No Time to Die will also mark the fifth appearance of Daniel Craig as the titular superspy. In addition to writing, Phoebe Waller-Bridge will also get the chance to flex her acting chops in the upcoming fifth Indiana Jones film alongside Harrison Ford, Mads Mikkelson, and Antonio Banderas.

While it’s sad to see Phoebe Waller-Bridge go, Amazon’s Mr. And Mrs. Smith still has the odds in its favor. Donald Glover is still on board as co-creator, executive producer, and leading man after signing a general production deal with Amazon. In addition, writer and producer Francesa Sloane (Atlanta, Fargo) will act as showrunner and executive producer. There’s no word yet on who will replace Phoebe Waller-Bridge, but the search is underway.

The original Mr. And Mrs. Smith, directed by Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity, Edge of Tomorrow), told the story of Jane and John Smith, a seemingly boring couple with a dangerous secret: they’re assassins working for rival organizations. To make matters worse, they’ve been hired to kill each other. While the action comedy received mixed reviews from critics, it was a commercial success and proved to be exceedingly popular with audiences.

While there’s no exact premiere date for Mr. And Mrs. Smith, it’s projected to be released exclusively on Amazon Prime sometime in 2022. In the meantime, you can rent the original on Amazon Prime or Apple+.

Though Indiana Jones 5 is a relatively young production, as director James Mangold’s film has only been filming for a little while now, Harrison Ford’s recent on-set injury already has him sitting on the sidelines. That doesn’t mean the gears have ground to a halt though, as another star is filming their mysterious role in the fourth sequel to the Indiana Jones saga. We can say one thing for certain: from the looks of things, Phoebe Waller-Bridge is playing someone rather groovy in this new Indy saga.

A new report from Digital Spy has seen a set photo from Indiana Jones 5 fall into the site’s possession. Candidly showing Waller-Bridge walking on a sidewalk, she’s decked out in a red velvet jacket, blue and white striped pants, and a beret/sunglasses combo to complete the look. This costuming not only looks amazing, but it also confirms some hints that James Mangold has dropped in the past are very much valid.

Previously, the Ford v. Ferrari director had vaguely mentioned how much he loves The Velvet Underground, and how his latest project was set in ‘60s New York City. Sure enough, this first look of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s character includes what looks like an obscured, old school taxi cab that’s era appropriate. While this means Indiana Jones 5’s globe-trotting does indeed seem to have a date with New York, why and for how long, has yet to be determined.

With the possibility of an old school Indiana Jones chase sequence on the streets of New York City in the air, the imagination is ready to run wild with the possibilities. Not to mention the city is undoubtedly a lot closer to Professor Jones’ home base of Marshall College, which is snugly stationed in Bedford, Connecticut. All of these data points suggest that Indiana Jones 5’s big first act kick off will see Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s mystery character meet up with Indiana in the big city, and adventure will follow them wherever they go from that point.

Indiana Jones 5 is still in that interesting phase of any top secret Lucasfilm project, where the unknowns outweigh the cold hard facts. Boasting a cast that also includes frequent villains Mads Mikkelsen and Thomas Kretschmann, and rumored to see the space race and the Nazis playing a part in the central quest, this 1960’s background seems to be tying together a lot of loose ends. Now if only we knew who Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s character is in relationship to Professor Henry Jones, Jr.

Indiana Jones 5 is currently in production, with a July 29th, 2022 release date marked on the calendar. Roughly somewhere between now and then we’re definitely going to get an update. So now’s as good a time as any to practice your patience skills, and to check out the 2021 release schedule, in the name of more immediate entertainment.

Both the sagas of the 007 legacy and the Fast and Furious series keep moving forward with the same spirit of change and evolution, which has kept them alive for several decades of existence. Surprisingly, it looks like these twin worlds have shared a wavelength, as it’s recently come up that Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster wanted to hire writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge to punch up the Fast Saga. It’s just a shame No Time To Die snagged her first.

Revealing this interesting fact to THR, Jordana Brewster brought up Phoebe Waller-Bridge's potential hiring onto the Fast Saga team, and how it came to be. While it’s uncertain whether the Fleabag/Killing Eve talent would have been hired on for F9, Fast 10 or any of the numerous spinoffs the series has in the hopper, it’s certain that No Time To Die got in the way of these plans. And from Brewster’s statement on the matter, it sounds like they just missed the boat:

No matter which portion of the Fast Saga would have seen Phoebe Waller-Bridge potentially punching up the dialogue, it definitely would have been a welcomed sight. Jordana Brewster’s praise of Waller-Bridge’s work only makes this missed opportunity something that fans and non-fans alike would get behind. Then again, it might still be a bit difficult to land her for a future F9 adjacent film.

While No Time To Die is currently the only James Bond film that has Ms. Waller-Bridge’s credit attached to it, there have been rumors that she might also be working on a draft for Bond 26. Even with Daniel Craig’s impending departure from the 007 role, his profane vote of confidence may have been enough to keep Phoebe Waller-Bridge and EON Productions in business. Should this be the case, it might be a bit of a wait for Waller-Bridge to jump an Aston Martin across the divider and land in the world of the Toretto family.

Then again, who’s to say that the female-led Fast and Furious spin-off couldn’t use the same polish and refinement that Phoebe Waller-Bridge gave to No Time To Die? Maybe she could even build a new project from the ground up, as Helen Mirren’s Magdalene Shaw is another character ready to be given their own moment in the solo sun. The cast seems to think that the future is female in a post-F9 world; so as the universe continues to expand, so does the chance that Ms. Waller-Bridge will get to take part in that future after all.

It’s something to think about when seeing F9, which is currently in theaters. Not to mention, once the world sees Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s work on No Time To Die unveiled this fall, her potential role in the 007 future may become a bit clearer. It still couldn’t hurt for Universal to keep an open mind, and keep Bridge on the payroll for two of the top franchises they’re currently dabbling in.

The links between the Indiana Jones series and the James Bond franchise just keep growing by the day. With Indiana Jones 5 recently hiring No Time To Die writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the bridge linking the two sagas seemed pretty solid. But now, a full-fledged Bond villain has been brought into the fold, as director James Mangold’s installment has just cast Casino Royale’s Mads Mikkelsen in an undisclosed role.

Mikkelsen’s participation was announced by Deadline, but as you could expect, no further details have been provided as to who he’s playing and how they fit into the story. 2021 has been a fantastic year for Mads Mikkelsen so far, especially in the world of tentpole franchises. His Indiana Jones 5 casting comes on the heels of another pretty big space on the Mikkelsen bingo card being filled, thanks to his being recast as Gellert Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts 3.

Indiana Jones 5 is set to start shooting this summer, at which point the world will probably get the basic details as to what Mads Mikkelsen is doing in this particular cinematic universe. But if we’re going to start speculating how the man once known as Le Chiffre will be leaving his stamp in Harrison Ford’s legendary archaeological crowd pleaser, there is one possibility we’re stuck on. Should you want to put money on Mr. Mikkelsen’s status in Indiana Jones 5, he’s probably going to be playing a villain.

As the Indiana Jones series has always played around with the formula of the James Bond franchise, Mads Mikkelsen’s casting feels like it’s bound to fit that very mold. With Dr. Jones back in action yet again, it only seems fitting that a shadowy figure would be set to try and conquer the world through archeological myth. And with the market basically playing towards those strengths anyway, it feels like Mads Mikklesen is giving the people what they want.

Then again, there’s a chance that James Mangold and the Indiana Jones 5 crew have cast Mr. Mikklesen to play a likable associate that helps Indy and his team save the day. While villainy has made up a good portion of his highlighted filmography, Mads Mikkelsen does have the charm required to play a hero. If you ever had a doubt about that particular fact, just ask his rabid fanbase, and the people who have been praising his latest film, Another Round.

Indiana Jones 5 is about to bring the franchise born out of Steven Spielberg’s dreams to direct a James Bond movie closer to resembling the classic adventures that inspired it. With a July 28, 2022 release date penciled in at the moment, this long fabled sequel is going to become a reality pretty quickly. And as we’ve seen with past Indy sequels, anything could be waiting behind the great veil of secrecy that surrounds this project.

As Indiana Jones 5 has continued to come together in the past few years, Harrison Ford has made one thing explicitly clear: he is the only Indiana Jones. While it’d be tough to argue that point, the globe-trotting archaeologist could use an ally or two on his next expedition, couldn’t he? Well, Lucasfilm has begun to fill a few spots. Along with news that John Williams is officially returning to Indiana Jones 5, we’ve learned a Solo: A Star Wars Story star has been cast in a leading role.

Fleabag star and creator Phoebe-Waller Bridge has officially joined Indiana Jones 5 in James Mangold’s upcoming film, per LucasFilm. The comedian and Emmy-winning creative notably voiced L3-37 in the studio’s 2017 Han Solo origin story, and now she’ll be joining the man behind the Star Wars role himself for the 2022 film.

Indiana Jones 5 has been in development over five years, originally with Steven Spielberg on board to continue his streak. Last year, James Mangold replaced him with Spielberg still serving as a producer. The Logan director said this following Lucasfilm’s casting announcement:

Phoebe Waller-Bridge is best known for her work in television on her Amazon Original series Fleabag, which won her three Emmys and a Golden Globe. She is also the creator of BBC’s Killing Eve, which has also received award nods. The British actress has also found roles in Broadchurch, His Dark Materials and served as a writer on the upcoming James Bond film, No Time To Die.

The 35-year-old Solo: A Star Wars Story actress is the first new cast member to be added to Indiana Jones 5 aside from the return of Harrison Ford. The production is reportedly set to begin this summer ahead of a July 29, 2022 theatrical release date. As news of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s involvement in the film is announced, we’d imagine more casting news will follow suit in the coming months leading up to Harrison Ford suiting up, grabbing his fedora and whip.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge is sure to bring some comedic flair to the project, and it’s exciting to hear about a new character entering Indiana Jones’ orbit for the sequel. Time will tell how Indiana Jones 5 will continue to cast its film, but some former cast members of the series including John Rhys-Davies talking about reprising his role as Sallah and Karen Allen, who played Indiana Jones’ wife Marion also hoping to return to the franchise.

Aside from Indiana Jones 5, Phoebe Waller-Bridge is also set to star with her Solo co-star Donald Glover in a Mr. and Mrs. Smith television series. While we wait for Indiana Jones 5, check out what’s to come this year with CinemaBlend’s 2021 movie release schedule.

It goes without saying that reboots, revivals and revamps have become a serious trend in Hollywood, with many creatives taking existing properties but updating them for a new time. The most recent one is incredibly intriguing, though, as Atlanta and Solo’s Donald Glover and Fleabag and Killing Eve’s Phoebe Waller-Bridge are teaming up to produce and star in a Mr. and Mrs. Smith TV series. The show will be a reimagining of the 2005 action film of the same name starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Although many are excited to see what Glover and Waller-Bridge will do with the story, some users across the internet have other feelings.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith has garnered a devoted following since it first hit theaters nearly two decades ago. The movie starred Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie as married assassins working for rival agencies who learn of each other’s jobs only after they’re assigned to kill each other. The film holds a special place in moviegoers’ hearts and, like any devotees, fans on Twitter are expressing their displeasure with seeing a reboot:

Although the film wasn’t critically acclaimed, Mr. and Mrs. Smith did serve as an action-packed showcase of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s talents, with their electric chemistry being the highlight. As a result, some fans on do not believe a Mr. and Mrs. Smith project should be made without their involvement:

Most would agree that both Pitt and Jolie still have incredibly fruitful careers at the moment, though Mr. and Mrs. Smith did still arrive during the peak of their box office dominance. This, paired with the incredibly sexual appeal of the film, make some wonder if a show can accurately replicate that vibe:

But as mentioned, the show is stirring up quite a bit of hype among a number of people online. For most, the idea of Donald Glover and Phoebe Waller-Bridge finally joining forces is just too exciting:

Glover and Waller-Bridge are definitely two of the best talents in Hollywood right now. Donald Glover has been acting and writing for years, with his work on FX’s Atlanta earning him two Emmys, one for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series and one for Outstanding Directing. At present, Glover is working on the next two seasons of Atlanta, which are set to shoot this year.

Phoebe Walller-Bridge also has her fair share of experience and accolades. While she has a few notable credits, she’s best known for creating, writing and producing the critically acclaimed black comedy Fleabag. For her work on the series, Waller-Bridge earned three Emmys -- Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, Outstanding Writing, and Outstanding Comedy Series. Most recently, she also served as a writer on the latest 007 film, No Time To Die.

While Donald Glover and Phoebe-Waller Bridge did work together on Solo, Mr. and Mrs. Smith will mark the first time that they’ll truly be able to put their heads together to develop something. It’s true their takes on Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s characters will probably be vastly different, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t be able to measure up to their predecessors.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith is slated to premiere on Amazon in 2022.

Separately, Donald Glover and Phoebe Waller-Bridge have accomplished great things in the movie and TV realms, whether it’s straightforward comedy or more dramatic content. Their professional paths first crossed on Solo: A Star Wars Story, where Glover played Lando Calrissian and Waller-Bridge played the droid L3-37. Now it’s been announced that these two talents are re-teaming for a TV reboot of the 2005 action comedy Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Donald Glover announced the big news on his Instagram Stories, revealing that not only will he and Phoebe Waller-Bridge developing and starring in a Mr. and Mrs. Smith series from Amazon Studios and New Regency, but Francesca Sloane of Atlanta and Fargo fame co-created the project and it’s due out in 2022. You can watch the announcement video below, which was shared by Jennifer Salke, the Head of Amazon Studios.

Amazon later revealed that Francesca Sloane will be the Mr. and Mrs. Smith showrunner, and New Regency's Yariv Milchan and Michael Schaefer will executive produce, as will Wells Street Films’ Jenny Robins. The series is part of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s overall deal with Amazon, with her series Fleabag being a huge hit for the Amazon Prime Video platform. Glover also already had ties with Amazon through the 2019 movie Guava Island, which he produced and helped hash out the story. There’s no word on how this version of Mr. and Mrs. Smith will specifically differ from the movie that starred Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.

In case you’re unfamiliar with the original Mr. and Mrs. Smith, it followed John and Jane Smith, an upper class couple whose marriage has been on the rocks. Making things even weirder is that they are both assassins who have kept their true professions secret from one another. However, when the competing agencies they respectively work assign them to kill each other, following a destructive skirmish, John and Jane decide to put aside their differences and fight back against the assassins subsequently sent to eliminate them.

While Mr. and Mrs. Smith’s critical reception rested in more mixed territory, it was commercially successful, making over $487 million worldwide off an $110 million budget. While there was talk of having Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie reunite for a sequel, nothing ultimately came from those conversations, and considering that the two actors are now separated in their personal lives, one could logically infer that such a project is unquestionably off the table for good. Now it’s Donald Glover and Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s turn to leave their stamp on Mr. and Mrs. Smith over at Amazon across a lot more than a two-hour runtime.

We’ll keep you updated on how Mr. and Mrs. Smith is progressing as more news comes in, but it’s not the only thing you have to look forward to from these two. Donald Glover is still working on FX’s Atlanta and reportedly renewed his deal with FX Productions last year, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge is one of the co-writers on the next James Bond movie, No Time to Die.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Television can be redundant. Showrunners get into this cycle of what works and say there such as with the tried-and-true family comedy, cop drama or high school soap. But with the turn of the century, TV gave way to a new golden age to the medium. One mix-up that has contributed greatly to the progress of television is having more female showrunners and writers among the male-dominated industry. Even though female characters are much more common today, women’s words only account for about 30 percent of what you see on your small screens.

In celebration of these exciting strides for representation, let’s look at some all-time great television episodes penned by women:

Ellen DeGeneres - Ellen, “The Puppy Episode”

Ellen DeGeneres has undoubtedly become one of the most well-known names in television with her highly-popular talk show and philanthropy. Before she booked The Ellen Show, the comedian was given the opportunity to front her own sitcom simply called Ellen in the ‘90s. The only episode she wrote the story for herself is an immensely defining moment in television. 1997’s “The Puppy Episode” had Ellen’s television alter-ego come out as gay to Laura Dern’s Susan and a therapist played by Oprah Winfrey. The episode created a huge stir in the industry, causing threats from advertisers and religious groups, but has since become a cultural moment TV won’t forget.

Lena Dunham - Girls, “The Panic In Central Park”

A staple in female-run television in the modern age was HBO’s Girls, created by Lena Dunham. The show itself broke a lot of ground as to how women could be perceived and discussed about on television. Girls ran six seasons but Lena Dunham calls Season 5’s sixth episode the piece of writing she’s “most proud of.” After Allison Williams’ Marnie was MIA for much of that season, she returned for a beautiful self-contained episode of her own. Newly married to Desi but coming off a fight with him she runs into her ex Charlie (Christopher Abbott) and the pair have an eventful night out that leads her to make an important decision.

Amy Sherman-Palladino - Gilmore Girls, “They Shoot The Gilmores, Don’t They?”

What’s beautiful about Warner Bros television’s Gilmore Girls is there will never be anything quite like it again. Showrunner Amy Sherman-Palladino has rapid-fire quips and smart dialogue that has since found a new home on Emmy-winning Amazon series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. But Gilmore Girls – if you lead, we will follow. Looking back, sure there’s some flaws to take in about Rory Gilmore specifically, but this Season 3 episode that aired in 2002 is a reminder of the show’s high point. Between boy drama with Rory and Lorelai and Stars Hollow town fun in the form of a 24-hour dance marathon it's the perfect episode to look back on.

Jane Espenson - Buffy the Vampire Slayer, “Conversations With Dead People”

Wow did it take a while for women to have a lead role in the action/fantasy genre, but we can thank Buffy the Vampire Slayer for proving there’s a massive audience for a genre title starring a badass woman. The iconic series was created by Joss Whedon, but one prominent writer on the show was Jane Espenson, who has gone on to write for ABC’s Once Upon a Time and Netflix’s Jessica Jones. This Season 7 episode (also from 2002) turned the series into a horror movie for a minute as each main character in the series encounters a member of the dead with great depth.

Shonda Rhimes - Grey’s Anatomy, “It’s The End of the World/As We Know It”

Shondaland! One cannot even begin to express the importance Shonda Rhimes has on television’s shift to the more diverse place it is today. There’s a reason Grey’s Anatomy has remained popular past 16 seasons, audiences are not ready to let go of these characters. The medical drama has changed immensely over the years as Rhimes pursued more shows including Scandal and Private Practice, but let’s look back on 2006’s two-part Season 2 finale. “It’s The End of the World/As We Know It” is one heck of a thriller centering on a patient who enters the OR with a bomb lodged in his chest.

Tara Herrmann and Jenji Kohan - Orange Is the New Black, “Toast Can’t Never Bread Again”

The landscape of television found itself a shake-up when Netflix began developing original programming starting with House of Cards and Orange is the New Black. The Jenji Kohan created series about a women’s prison presented storylines about a spectrum of identities in an entertaining and relentless way for its seven seasons on the streaming service. In this 2016 Season 4 finale, Jenji Kohan and co-writer Tara Herrmann delivered an unexpected delight. After the death of fan-favorite Poussey by prison guards in the episode before, “Toast Can’t Never Bread Again” combats the anger of the event by taking audiences on a series of flashbacks with Poussey.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge - Fleabag, “Season 2, Episode 1”

Phoebe Waller-Bridge has to be the highest-profile female writer working right now to create a more interesting place for television in Britain specifically. She recently worked on the script for No Time To Die to redefine the Bond Girl and developed Killing Eve for television, but it's Fleabag that shows off all her chops. The Amazon Original took home a stunning six Emmys last year, with eyes fixed on the Season 2 premiere. The episode about an uncomfortable dinner is cringey and hilarious while also somehow being a beautiful illustration of guilt and loneliness in the presence of others.

Shauna McGarry - Bojack Horseman, “The Face of Depression”

Another staple for Netflix’s success in television has been the adult-animation existential-crisis comedy Bojack Horseman. The show created by Raphael Bob-Waksberg often examines fame and ego in today’s world through has-been Bojack, played by Will Arnett. The series ended this year after six seasons. In 2019’s “Face of Depression,” Shauna McGarry wrote maybe the most peaceful episode of Bojack Horseman that brings about hope in the characters in a way that the show rarely leaves audiences with as the horse travels cross country to reconnect with loved ones. McGarry has only written two episodes of Bojack and the most important episode of Tuca & Bertie along with a handful for Anger Management and Take My Wife. She’s one to watch.

Kerry Ehrin - The Morning Show, “The Interview”

Another recent addition to television written by a female voice is AppleTV+’s debut drama The Morning Show which is sure to rack up awards this season. The show has a lot of female talent on board – its produced by its stars Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston and written by Kerry Ehrin and Jay Carson. Ehrin has quietly been a massive voice on television with credits on Friday Night Lights, Parenthood and Bates Motel before The Morning Show. The 2019 season one finale of the drama titled “The Interview” that wraps up its season long conversation about sexual harassment and the media in a shocking way.

Moira Walley-Beckett - Breaking Bad, “Ozymandias”

“Ozymandias” is thought of as the best Breaking Bad episode of all time, which is high praise considering the show itself is often thought of as the best show of all time. The Season 6 antepenultimate episode was written by Moira Walley-Beckett and directed by the great Rian Johnson of The Last Jedi and Knives Out. Walley-Beckett has written eight other episodes on the series and created Flesh and Bone and Anne with an E. The title is inspired by the 1818 Percy Bysshe Shelley poem and sets up the final moments on television for Walter White.

Stay tuned here on CinemaBlend for more coverage on the best of television.

Spoilers ahead for Killing Eve's latest episode "Meetings Have Biscuits."

Killing Eve recently returned for its third season on television, one again cementing Phoebe Waller-Bridge's ability to craft wholly unique and thrilling television. Television fans were thrilled or another entry into the magnetic dynamic between Villanelle and Eve, especially as the second season ended with the latter character being shot. While two episodes had previously aired, Season 3 really hit its stride with Episode 3, titled "Meetings Have Biscuits."

The first two episodes of the season were strong, but something was missing for me. Namely, the connection between Eve and Villanelle; they were kept in entirely different countries. What's more, it wasn't clear if Sandra Oh's title character still had the same fascination and feeling toward Oxana. But that changed in Episode 3, as they came face to face in an unexpected conflict on a bus.

As Eve continues to work through Kenny's death, Oxana surprises her and shows up on her bus. They quickly break out into a physical conflict, with Eve fighting to her life against the young assassin. But Villanelle wasn't there for her, as she was assigned to kill Kruger before he could aid Carolyn. The two also share their first kiss, right before Eve head-butts her and they separate.

This conflict was exactly what I needed to go all in on Season 3. Their dynamic is the most fascinating aspect of Killing Eve, especially as it continues to unfold with each new episode. I was worried that Eve's feelings for Villanelle might be dwindling after her latest near death experience, but that's not the case. She was the one who initiated both the kiss and the physical violence. She's become the aggressor in their relationship, and clearly still has very strong feelings for Oxana.

Of course, Villanelle isn't one to let someone else get the last word. So she leaves a talking stuffed animal in Eve's bed. It's both threatening and intoxicating for the title character, showing how much they remain drawn to each other. There's no telling what Killing Eve's third season will have in store as the action picks up, but we don't have to worry about the show missing the magic of the two protagonists' connection.

Episode 3 also really ramped up the violence for the season, which was another change I was thrilled with. While Villanelle's kills are always epic, "Meetings Have Biscuits" ranked up the body count, and the physical encounters were visceral. But realism is also at the heart of said action; while Eve looked badass head-butting Villanelle, she had a shiner for the rest of the episode. She looked like she got into a fight that day, forcing her to get honest with her new allies.

Killing Eve airs new episodes Sunday nights on BBC America/ AMC. In the meantime, check out our midseason premiere list to plan your next binge watch.

Spoilers ahead for Killing Eve's Season 3 premiere.

Over the past few years, Phoebe Waller-Bridge has become a household name for her work on the big and small screen. On TV, she's got two hit shows in Fleabag and Killing Eve, both of which have won Emmy Awards. The latter show just returned to BBC America and AMC, the joy of the many fans who missed seeing Eve and Villanelle on our screens every week. The Season 3 premiere of Killing Eve just aired, but there was some thing crucial missing for me: the two leads didn't actually interact.

The wait for Killing Eve's return has been excruciating for fans like me, especially given the wild cliffhanger of Season 2. In a moment of cyclical storytelling, Villanelle shot Eve in the finale, and fans were left wondering if she managed to survive. Luckily she did just that, and was shown living in alcoholic isolation. Meanwhile, we saw the bonkers way everyone's favorite killer has been coping since her "breakup" with Eve.

The episode functioned like a typical installment of Killing Eve. There was a mixture of drama and humor, as the cast of characters' relationships continue to grow in the wake of crime solving and murder. But it was hard not seeing the two leads meet. Furthermore, it seems like their fascination with each other has really slowed down... and that's a big missing piece for me.

What makes Killing Eve such a fascinating watch (besides Villanelle's utterly awesome kills) is the dynamic between Sandra Oh's Eve and Jodie Comer's Oksana. While they are foes who are on opposite sides of the law, they're also drawn to each other in an almost primal way. Seeing their game of cat and mouse is what hooked me on the show, especially as their personal connection deepened. But the Season 3 premiere was wholly lacking this aspect to the story.

The only real indication we had of Killing Eve's two leads being drawn to each other was in Villanelle's hilarious wedding sequence in the premiere's first act. It looks like Oksana found a rebound after shooting Eve in the Season 2 finale, and speed tracked their relationship to marriage level in just six months. But Villanelle acts utterly bizarre throughout the reception, and even goes on a rant about her ex. As for Eve, she doesn't seem to be feeling the same way.

Obviously Killing Eve's title character has every right to abandon her fascination with Villanelle. After all, she was shot in the finale and has been struggling with the physical and emotional toll of that near death experience. But Kenny's death was a shocking button for the episode, so clearly Eve is still in grave danger. Might this be the reason for a reconnection with Villanelle? Only time will tell.

Killing Eve airs Sunday nights on BBC America and AMC. In the meantime, check out our midseason premiere list to plan your next binge watch.

The James Bond franchise has enthralled moviegoers for decades, with Eon Productions showing no signs of slowing down. The generations of fans are eager to see Cary Joji Fukunaga's No Time to Die hit theaters, which will mark Daniel Craig's fifth and final time playing 007 on the big screen. Bond 25 has a ton of anticipation behind it, including some thanks Phoebe Waller-Bridge's mysterious work as a writer. And now the Emmy winning writer/actress has opened up about how she contributed to No Time to Die.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge has become a household name over the past few years, largely due to outstanding TV writing. Her shows Killing Eve and Fleabag have earned her critical praise, and a slew of Emmy Awards. She was brought on to join the writing team of No Time to Die, and now the 34 year-old actress has revealed how she worked on the highly anticipated blockbuster. In her words,

Well, that certainly clears things up. While Phoebe Waller-Bridge wasn't involved in the early development and writing of No Time to Die, she was brought in to fix up the movie's dialogue-- as well as provide some new ideas for the story. We'll just have to wait for the movie to hit theaters and try and decipher which lines are hers.

Phoebe Waller Bridge's comments to Independent helps to peel back the curtain of No Time to Die's writing process. It looks like the movie's team wanted her perspective on the story, as well as the dialogue itself. So while she wasn't in charge of the blockbuster's major story beats, we'll still get a taste of her perspective in the movie.

No Time to Die marks the first James Bond movie to arrive in theaters since the #MeToo movement. The franchise has a checkered history regarding its treatment of its female characters, especially in early stages like Sean Connery's tenure as 007. Bond 25 has a ton of strong female characters, both returning and newcomers. And we'll have to see how the script (helped by Phoebe Waller-Bridge) services the women of No Time to Die.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge also recently praised the collaboration process she had with Daniel Craig, who is both star and producer of No Time to Die. Craig previously dropped an F-bomb when defending Waller-Bridge's involvement in the upcoming blockbuster, so it looks like the respect is mutual. And luckily the movie is getting ever closer to release.

No Time to Die will hit theaters on April 10th. In the meantime, check out our 2020 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

The James Bond franchise has entertained moviegoing audiences for decades, and is showing no signs of slowing down. Eon Productions' latest installment is the upcoming blockbuster No Time to Die, which will also mark Daniel Craig's final performance as 007. Bond 25 is helmed by Beasts of No Nation's Cary Joji Fukunaga, who worked on the screenplay alongside Fleabag and Killing Eve's Phoebe Waller-Bridge. And now the Emmy award winning actress/writer has opened up about the positive experience of working with Craig.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge's involvement in No Time to Die got a tun of buzz when it was announced, as her reputation as a writer has been steadily growing over the past few years. Her involvement will no doubt help service the female characters, in a franchise that's had a spotty record in that regard. Waller-Bridge recently spoke to what it was like to work with producer/star Daniel Craig, saying:

Well, that's good to hear. It looks like the cast and crew of No Time to Die got along well, despite a few on set incidents. And while Daniel Craig obviously has a great deal of power over the highly anticipated blockbuster, it sounds like he's a great collaborator. Although, who wouldn't want to work with Phoebe Waller-Bridge?

Phoebe Waller-Bridge's comments come a conversation with IndieWire, in which the acclaimed writer opened up about working on No Time to Die's script. While she won't be physically seen onscreen in Daniel Craig's fifth and final run as Bond, the Fleabag writer has a signature point of view and sense of humor that should have a major influence on the blockbuster's script. Moviegoers will just have to wait for footage to be released before we can see this change, as the trailers haven't been particularly dialogue-heavy.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge's good relationship with Daniel Craig might not come as a complete surprise, if you've been paying close attention to the movie's development and filming process. When the Fleabag sensation first signed on to contribute to No Time to Die's script, there was some online backlash. Naysayers claimed she was only being brought in as a diversity hire, which prompted Craig to come to Waller-Bridge's defense (and drop an F-bomb in the process). At this point she's an acclaimed storyteller, and most directors would be thrilled to have the Emmy winner on board. Her perspective as a female writer is only one aspect of her myriad skills.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge appreciated working with Daniel Craig, and clearly the 51 year-old actor is intimately involved in No Time to Die. Aside from starring as Bond and doing some crazy stunt work, Craig is also a producer. He therefore was cued into all aspects of the blockbuster's production, with singer Billie Eillish recently revealed that his approval was needed for the theme song.

No Time to Die will hit theaters on April 10th. In the meantime, check out our 2020 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

The James Bond franchise is one of the most iconic and long running film properties in history. Generations of moviegoers have followed 007's adventures, and the whopping 25th movie is nearly upon us. Cary Joji Fukunaga's No Time to Die will mark Daniel Craig's final performance as Bond, and will also include Knives Out actress Ana de Armas as CIA agent Paloma. But it turns out she was originally unsure about taking the role.

Despite the James Bond franchise's years in theaters and box office draws, the franchise hasn't had a great track record when it comes to female characters. Sean Connery's Bond was smacking women's asses, and Bond Girls are sometimes reduced one note characters in sexy dresses. This is exactly what gave Ana de Armas pause when joining No Time to Die, as she put it:

Ana de Armas is methodical in how she picks her acting projects, making sure that her roles are multifaceted and not simply caricature of Latinas or women in general. So No Time to Die had to give Paloma some depth in order to make her more relatable. Luckily, that's exactly what happened.

We don't know much about the contents of No Time to Die, and in particular Paloma's role in the upcoming blockbuster. She was revealed to be a relatively new CIA agent, who collaborates with Bond on a mission in Cuba. But we do know that Paloma was crafted around the talents of Ana de Armas, with that collaboration likely convincing the 31 year-old actress to officially sign on.

Later in her conversation with Vanity Fair, Ana de Armas praised No Time to Die's script and handling of her character. She credits Fleabag and Killing Eve's Phoebe Waller-Bridge for helping to work on the script and bring her signature POV to the Bond franchise.

Is anyone else super excite or No Time to Die to hit theaters? Because while the 25th Bond movie will adjust to the modern age and more properly service its female characters, it's still remaining true to the franchise. So we should still expect plenty of action, martinis, and quips in the highly anticipated blockbuster. Plus, a few new characters to help flesh out the world.

No Time to Die will hit theaters on April 10th. In the meantime, check out our 2020 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

For anyone who has fully engaged with the British comedy Fleabag, from the audacious Phoebe Waller-Bridge, this story is likely akin to telling someone that air is good enough to start breathing. Fleabag is one of the hardest-hitting TV comedies in recent years for abundant reasons, which all added up to give the series and its creator a pair of trophies at the 77th annual Golden Globes. (Read all the winners here.)

For anyone who hasn't yet watched Fleabag's two six-episode seasons, take comfort in knowing you can now rush off and stream both seasons on Amazon immediately. And here's a short lineup of reasons why it should be on everyone's shortlist of things to watch in the nearest of near futures.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge Is A Treasure

This was Phoebe Waller-Bridge's first year nominated for a Golden Globe award, which is admittedly a mark against the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (who already got slammed quite a bit during the telecast by host Ricky Gervais). But thankfully she won out for her nomination for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical, having topped previous winner Rachel Brosnahan for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. It was a much-deserved win, considering Waller-Bridge brings as much to Fleabag from a performance standpoint as she does from a writer's standpoint.

As the titular character dubbed Fleabag, former SNL host Phoebe Waller-Bridge brings everything to her drama-tinged comedy, from awkward, cringe-worthy self-deprecation to traditionally comedic moments with expert timing. She excels as the joyous best friend to Jenny Rainsford's Boo, as the shit-starting sister to Sian Clifford's neurotic Claire, as the rage-filled daughter to her father (Bill Paterson) and her vitriolic godmother (Olivia Colman), and as the unpredictable romantic partner to quite a few male co-stars. She cements every emotion, from heartbreak to depression to giddiness to fury and back around again.

Fleabag's Cast Are Impeccable

While we could keep going on about Phoebe Waller-Bridge, let's shine a spotlight on the variety of excellent co-stars that come in and out of Fleabag's narrative across its two seasons. Sian Clifford is a waterfall of repressed emotions, even next to Fleabag herself, thanks to an expectedly fucked-up relationship with her American husband Martin, played by Adult Swim-friendly comedian Brett Gellman. Bill Paterson is a winner as Fleabag's dad, who can never seem to finish a thought, but Olivia Colman stands out so tall amongst this group, as her character is one of the most awful and vindictive characters, and Colman steals every moment. (The actress even gave Fleabag a shout-out from the stage during her win for The Crown.)

Outside the family cast, the biggest standout is Andrew Scott, who gets introduced in Season 2 as the off-limits apple of Fleabag's eye, better known as Hot Priest. (Their relationship is at once extremely relatable and also like nothing else.) When it comes to her other lovers, there's a slew of excellence to be found in performances from Jamie Demetriou as overzealous overbite guy, from Hugh Skinner as the loyal-to-a-fault boyfriend Harry, from Ray Fearon as a talkative misogynist and more. Everybody is gold, trust me. (But don't trust Martin, that douche.)

There Are Only Two Seasons Of Fleabag

Sadly, the two seasons of Fleabag that exist are the only two that will ever exist, most likely. Phoebe Waller-Bridge has publicly stated that she isn't in the same place creatively as she was when Fleabag was coming together, and likely doesn't have anything else to say about the character these days. It's certainly possible that a third season could come at some point if an idea popped up that was too good to ignore. But Waller-Bridge also has Killing Eve on the air and has penned the latest James Bond movie, among other things, so she'll be busy for a while.

Fleabag And 8 More Amazing Phoebe Waller-Bridge Projects

As such, there are only twelve episodes to watch, and the entirety of Fleabag will be inside one's brain to continue obsessing over for years to come. It's...well, I'm not going to do all the math right here, but it's far less time than it would take to watch even one season of many less-impressive shows. So do it now. Who needs to worry about work, or school, or loved ones? Just pop a confession in with the Hot Priest, and all will be well.

Both seasons of Fleabag are currently available to stream on Amazon, so get on that.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge is becoming one of Hollywood’s biggest triple threats. The English screenwriter, producer, and actress began her movie career in 2009 in a short film called The Reward. Ten years later, MGM and EON Productions commissioned Phoebe-Waller-Bridge to co-write one of the most anticipated films of 2020. Hollywood really started to take notice of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s talent after seeing her work on Amazon Prime and BBC Three series Fleabag. The success of Fleabag helped give her career a major push that has propelled it even further.

Before Fleabag, Phoebe Waller-Bridge had been building an impressive resume of stage work, film and television acting, writing, and show producing. The following list discusses some of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s best work. She has appeared in many notable films and television series like Goodbye Christopher Robin, Man Up, and Bad Education, but we focused on her screen projects that involved her having a very significant role, either in front or behind the camera.

Fleabag

Phoebe Waller-Bridge adapted Fleabag from her one-woman play of the same name. The series ran on BBC Three in 2016, and it was later brought by Amazon Prime. Fleabag ran for two seasons, and it followed the complicated life of a character who just refers to herself as Fleabag. Most of the characters have no name and they're titled by how Fleabag sees them. Olivia Colman, Andrew Scott, and Sian Clifford also star in Fleabag. Waller-Bridge completely shines in this Amazon Prime series: her clever writing and emotionally driven acting mesmerizes viewers from start to finish. Fleabag really finds its rhythm during season two, creating six nearly perfect episodes. The series won Phoebe Waller-Bridge multiple awards, including Emmy Awards for Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series and Outstanding Comedy Series. See Waller-Bridge’s award winning Fleabag on Amazon Prime Video.

Killing Eve

Killing Eve is the series that made people start to take notice of Phoebe Waller-Bridge. She was lead writer and executive producer on the show for the first season. Killing Eve follows security services operative turned spy Eve (Sandra Oh) as she chases international hired serial killer Villanelle (Jodie Comer). The series won Sandra Oh a Golden Globe award and Jodie Comer an Emmy award. Killing Eve also received many other award nominations for writing, directing, and acting. The series began Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s road to the Emmy stage, which she would grace many times the following year. The first two seasons of Killing Eve are available to stream on Hulu.

Broadchurch

Broadchurch is a hit UK crime drama starring David Tennant and Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag co-star and Academy Award winner Olivia Colman. Broadchurch aired for three seasons in 2013, 2015, and 2017. Phoebe Waller-Bridge appeared in the second series of Broadchurch as Abby Thompson, a junior barrister helping defend an accused murderer. Waller-Bridge showcased more of her dramatic acting on Broadchurch, as well as sharing the screen with many other talented actors, including Jonathan Bailey, who she would co-star with in her own series Crashing. All three seasons of Broadchurch are available on Netflix.

Crashing

Phoebe Waller-Bridge wrote, created, and starred in Crashing, a comedy-drama about six twenty-somethings living together in an unused hospital as property guardians. Lulu (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) finds herself in a complicated situation with best friend Anthony (Damien Molony) and his fiancé Kate (Louise Ford). All three living together presents complications when Anthony and Lulu’s friendship gets in between his relationship with Kate. Crashing only has six episodes, but those short episodes emphasize how good Phoebe Waller-Bridge is at playing and writing polarizing characters. All throughout Crashing, viewers cannot decide if they want Anthony and Lulu to be together or despise them for dragging everyone into their mess. Catch Crashing on Netflix.

Drifters

Phoebe Waller-Bridge was a writer on Drifters during its second season. The series follows three 20-something women as they deal with the messiness of the 20s, everything from complicated romantic relationships to insecurity to job instability, all the hilarious tragedy of it all. Phoebe Waller-Bridge only wrote one episode of the series, “Truth or Dare,” with credits for contributing to two others, “Leia” and “Rock’n’Roll.” Despite her limited involvement (at least credited involvement), Drifters probably helped give Phoebe Waller-Bridge the experience necessary to develop complex, anti-hero female characters, which she writes so well. Amazon Prime users can view Drifters via their Prime subscription.

The Café

In 2011 and 2013, Phoebe Waller-Bridge had one of the lead roles on Sky One’s comedy series The Café. The Café follows life in a café in Weston-super-mare. The Café was a wholesome comedy that focused on the workplace antics of working in a café in a seaside area. Phoebe Waller-Bridge gave one of the series’ standout performances as Chloe Astill. Fans of the English actress can view The Café on Amazon Prime, but only by buying the series or episodes.

Solo: A Star Wars Story

Ron Howard directs Solo: A Star Wars Story, which follows a young Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich) as he gets involved in the criminal underworld. Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover, Paul Bettany, and Thandie Newton star. Phoebe Waller-Bridge has a crucial role as L3-37, an advanced android that upgrades by salvaging parts from other androids. L3-37 wants equal rights for droids, but it might come at a cost. L3-37 plays an important role in Solo by adding a different droid perspective unseen before in these Star Wars movies, and she adds a bit of humor while trying to lead a revolution. Solo: A Star Wars Story is available on Netflix.

Run

Phoebe Waller-Bridge has a new HBO comedy series called Run due for a 2020 release. She will have a recurring role as a character named Flick, and she’ll be Run’s executive producer along with Vicky Jones, who Waller-Bridge worked with on Fleabag, Crashing, and Killing Eve. Run stars Merritt Wever and Domhnall Gleeson as exes who decide to activate the pact they made 15 years ago. Ruby (Merritt Wever) and Billy (Domhnall Gleeson) made a deal that if one of them ever texted the word run, then the other would drop whatever they were doing and run off with them. Run will be available on HBO in 2020.

No Time To Die

No Time to Die is the latest James Bond movie starring Daniel Craig. Rami Malek plays Bond’s main enemy in No Time to Die, and the rest of the all-star cast includes Ben Whishaw, Noamie Harris, Jeffrey Wright, Christoph Waltz, and Ralp Fiennes. Phoebe Waller-Bridge plans to add her unique tone and voice to the latest Bond film by acting as one of No Time to Die’s screenwriters. We’re excited to see her plans and vision for No Time to Die, which hits theaters on April 8, 2020.

We hope to continue to see Phoebe Waller-Bridge build an impressive resume beyond Fleabag. Her unique talent could really add something special to the world of film and television.

Saturday Night Live is on its way back for Season 45, and if this season is anything like the past few years it'll be must-see television. Things are looking good so far after some names for who will be involved have been released, and one of them is really big.

Well, all of them are pretty big, but one guest in particular is a huge deal for Saturday Night Live. Jump down to the list below to see that person, as well as the rest of the folks set to appear on Season 45 of SNL.

November 23- Will Ferrell With Musical Guest King Princess

Will Ferrell's latest hosting of Saturday Night Live will have a bit of fanfare, as he'll join the ranks of the show's "Five-Timers Club." The former Saturday Night Live cast member can now step alongside stars like Candice Bergen, Ben Affleck, and Bill Murray who have all hosted five times, as well.

King Princess is the musical artist, and may not be a name everyone in the mainstream is familiar with. Her song "1950" is fairly popular at the moment, and based on that this appearance should be one that fans of the indie-pop style will appreciate.

December 7-Jennifer Lopez With Musical Guest DaBaby

Jennifer Lopez returns to Saturday Night Live for the third time, though this outing will be different than her appearances in the past. Her third hosting will mark the first time Lopez is not also the musical guest, which means most all her screen time will be in sketches.

Instead, the musical guest this time around will be rapper DaBaby. DaBaby is all the rage right now with his hit single "Suge," which is off his debut album Baby on Baby. I wouldn't suspect J Lo and DaBaby will collab during this episode, but hey, anything can happen when you're live!

December 14- Scarlett Johansson With Musical Guest Niall Horan

Back for the sixth time, it's always a blast when Scarlett Johansson is on Saturday Night Live. That might be because audiences are so used to seeing her in more serious roles in movies, or kicking ass in the MCU.

Saturday Night Live will see another One Direction alumni this season, as Niall Horan will come on as the episode's musical guest. What, is Horan not good enough to be a host as well?

December 21 - Eddie Murphy With Musical Guest Lizzo

For the first time since 1984, Eddie Murphy will host Saturday Night Live. The former cast member of the show is back, which is kind of a big deal, considering how rare his television appearances are. Of course, he's been picking up more projects lately and making appearances on Netflix, so perhaps this is just another push into Murphy being a part of Hollywood's limelight again.

With Eddie Murphy back on SNL, one has to wonder if any other former Saturday Night Live cast members will appear as well. We also have the great Lizzo performing, so this pre-Christmas episode is sure to be a treat!

Previously Aired

September 28 - Woody Harrelson With Musical Guest Billie Eilish

With the release of Zombieland 2 happening in October, Woody Harrelson is set to open up the season of Saturday Night Live. Harrelson's hosted Saturday Night Live before, so chances are he knows the ropes and will be able to get Season 45 off to a strong start.

On the musical side of things, "Bad Guy" singer Billie Eilish will be taking the stage to get the audience moving. Eilish's videos have been known for their creepy aesthetic so be on the lookout for a memorable musical performance on this one.

October 5 - Phoebe Waller-Bridge With Musical Guest Taylor Swift

The Fleabag and Solo: A Star Wars Story actress is ready for her closeup, and probably a skit or two with Pete Davidson. She's going to kick off the week off the first show of October, and hopefully give fans more to hope for than a re-emergence of David S. Pumpkins or maybe one of his associates.

Of course, we can't forget the musical guest, who currently has one of the top albums in America. Taylor Swift is psyched to be returning to Saturday Night Live, and to be in the same show as Phoebe Waller-Bridge as well. Swift expressed her excitement for the announcement on Twitter, and is apparently a big Fleabag fan. I think that's a hint these two should be in a skit that parodies the show together.

October 12 - David Harbour With Musical Guest Camila Cabello

While Stranger Things fans are still waiting to see what happened to Hopper, David Harbour is just getting booked to host Saturday Night Live like it's no big deal! His hosting date is a little early for Black Widow promotion, so this could be to promote the release of his upcoming film Dhaka. It may also be to promote a Stranger Things Christmas special, which isn't known to be a thing at the moment but it could be!

Camila Cabello is tagging in as the musical guest for this episode, which is quite the glow up for the former Fifth Harmony member. Expect Cabello to perform her mega hit song "Havana," and possibly her other single "Never Be The Same."

November 2- Kristen Stewart With Musical Guest Coldplay

Kristen Stewart is back to host Saturday Night Live, which we can hope will be completely devoid of Twilight skits now that it's been so long. No musical guest has been announced just yet, unless of course Stewart has decided to make this the debut of her singing career. It wouldn't be the worst way to launch a singing career.

Stewart's return to Saturday Night Live comes three years after she created a viral moment on the sketch series by dropping an f-bomb during the show. Stewart quickly assumed it would be her last time being on the iconic NBC staple, but obviously, that wasn't the case.

November 16- Harry Styles

This will be Harry Styles fifth time on Saturday Night Live, but the first time he will actually be host. The former One Direction member turned solo artist will strut his stuff and attempt to show the world he's more than just a pretty face with an angelic voice.

And if Styles isn't the best actor, at least he has two musical performances to remind Saturday Night Live why to invite him back in the future. Who knows, perhaps he'll surprise viewers and be a Justin Timberlake caliber of SNL host?

Saturday Night Live: The 10 Best SNL Hosts, Ranked

Saturday Night Live will surely add more hosts, musical acts, and dates to their Season 45 schedule, so be sure to stick with CinemaBlend for updates as they're released.

The next entry in the storied James Bond franchise is set to be something of a departure for the famous super spy. James Bond won't even be working for the British government when the story picks up, However, The biggest, and potentially most important change might be behind the scenes, in the addition of Phoebe Waller-Bridge to the team writing No Time to Die.

The Fleabag writer is one of the hottest scribes in Hollywood right now, and that's what matters. If one were to suggest, as The Sunday Times basically did, (via Yahoo) that Waller-Bridge was brought in for any reason other than the fact that she's a great writer, James Bond will tell you exactly what you can do with that thought. Daniel Craig has little patience for any of this, dropping a NSFW word into his response to the suggestion...

The Sunday Times reports that Daniel Craig delivered this response in good humor, so he wasn't necessarily lashing out at the idea, but he clearly was having none of it. The idea that this decision was made for any reason other than talent is something he's giving zero attention.

While there's nothing wrong with adding a bit of diversity to a production, it can give a movie different perspectives that it wouldn't otherwise have, Daniel Craig seems to want to be clear that Phoebe Waller-Bridge wasn't added to No Time To Die simply because she was a woman, but because she is a great writer.

Daniel Craig does confirm that Phoebe Waller-Bridge was brought on to No Time To Die, at his request, but that request came simply because he blown away by her work, and Craig wanted that voice to be part of his next (and likely final) outing as James Bond.

Whatever skills Daniel Craig saw, it seems the rest of No Time To Die also noticed. There are rumors that Phoebe Waller-Bridge is already being wooed by EON Productions to handle the script writing duties for the next James Bond film. While it appears that the Fleabag writer was brought into the process a bit late, it sounds like the final script may contain a lot of her work.

Filming on No Time To Die recently wrapped and the movie is eyeing an April 2020 release date, so we'll likely get our first look via a trailer very soon.

There are long-running movie series, and then there's the James Bond franchise. 007's battles as an MI6 agent have enthralled moviegoers for decades, with plenty of actors taking on the mantle of Bond across the property's long tenure in theaters. Daniel Craig is the current reigning James, but will hang up the tux for good following the 25th movie, No Time To Die. Fleabag and Killing Eve's Phoebe Waller-Bridge helped out with No Time To Die's script, and a new rumor indicates the studio may already be trying to bring her back for the 26th flick.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge has become a household name over the past few years, creating two Emmy-winning shows, and also playing L3-37 in Solo: A Star Wars Story. Fans are eager to see how she utilizes her quick wit and signature dialogue within the James Bond franchise. No Time To Die marks her debut in the beloved property, but a new report indicates she may already have been approached about returning.

This (unconfirmed) news come to us from Movie Web, and comes just after No Time To Die has wrapped its principal photography. While Eon Productions no doubt has its hands full in bringing that highly anticipated blockbuster to life, it doesn't seem out question that Barbara Broccoli and company might already be looking to the future. And finding an actor to replace Daniel Craig might be easier if Bond 26's writer and tone is established.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge is on a serious roll as of late, recently having a great night at the Primetime Emmy Awards. Fleabag received a whopping eleven nominations, winning six. Waller-Bridge won the coveted Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy for her performance as the show's protagonist. What's more, she had another contender in Drama with Killing Eve, which got 5 noms and a Lead Actress win for Jodie Comer.

Given the universal acclaim Phoebe Waller-Bridge has received as a writer, it makes sense that the Bond franchise may be looking at her for a future installment. And if this report is to be believes, it seems Eon was pleased with how Waller-Bridge contributed to No Time to Die. The upcoming 25th's movie is currently a mystery, but the pressure is on to deliver a satisfying swan song for Daniel Craig's incarnation of the character.

Related: Phoebe Waller-Bridge Says Bond 25 Will ‘Treat Women Properly’

Daniel Craig has had a strong run as James Bond, bringing a hulking physicality to the character. Casino Royale was an outstanding and gritty debut for Craig, while Skyfall was an emotional sendoff to Judi Dench's M. Now the franchise will have to send off another actor, this time the lead. The final outing hasn't always been the best for past Bond actors, so the pressure is on to deliver with No Time to Die. Luckily, the script has been touched by Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

All will be revealed when Cary Joji Fukunaga's No Time to Die hits theaters on April 8th, 2020. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Rumors recently surfaced that Captain Marvel actress Lashana Lynch was joining the cast of Bond 25 as none other than 007. Based on the rumor, it seems her character Nomi would be taking over the 007 designation at MI6 following James Bond’s retirement. Now one of the film’s screenwriters, Fleabag and Killing Eve creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who was brought in to punch up the script, has responded to the rumors, saying:

Well, that’s not exactly a confirmation, but it’s definitely not a denial either. Phoebe Waller-Bridge is clearly playing coy in her response to The Hollywood Reporter’s inquiry about Lashana Lynch’s involvement in Bond 25. But it certainly seems like the rumors about Lashana Lynch as 007 contain at least some grains of truth.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s answer is an interesting one and it tells you how she feels about the franchise she is contributing to. The way she sees it, the James Bond franchise is one in which new characters can always be introduced and become instantly iconic. On that point she is absolutely correct.

The Bond franchise has plenty of iconic recurring characters like Bond himself, such as Miss Moneypenny and the villain Blofeld, but not every iconic character has to be a franchise staple that originated in Ian Fleming’s novels. New characters can be introduced and become truly iconic, like Javier Bardem’s Raoul Silva in Skyfall, who is now one of the franchise’s most memorable villains.

While talking about the potential for iconic characters, Phoebe Waller-Bridge doesn’t explicitly say that she is referring to Lashana Lynch’s Nomi, however the context of her answer would lead you to think that she is.

That alone is enough to get us excited about Lashana Lynch’s character in Bond 25. Her character Nomi will presumably be an entirely new creation, and whether that character possesses the 007 moniker or not, Phoebe Waller-Bridge seems rather high on what she brings to the film and her potential to become iconic.

If Lashana Lynch’s Nomi is indeed working at MI6 under the 007 designation, you have to think that she is highly capable and will represent a very different kind of 007 and therefore act as an interesting foil to Daniel Craig’s James Bond.

Hopefully we’ll find out more details about Lashana Lynch’s Nomi and the rest of what’s going on in Bond 25, including a title, soon. The latest installment in the long-running franchise, which is expected to be Daniel Craig’s last outing as James Bond, has dealt with nothing but trouble behind the scenes, including delays, script issues, injuries and criminal activity.

With any luck all that struggle will be worth it and we’ll get some iconic characters and Daniel Craig’s tenure can go out on a high note with an iconic entry in the Bond legacy.

Bond 25 hits theaters on April 8, 2020. Check out our premiere guide to keep up with everything headed to theaters this year.

While the 007 franchise has continued pumping out new movies at least once every few years since 1962’s Dr. No, changes have come to the franchise over time. In fact, Daniel Craig’s recent version of James Bond has done a lot to update the franchise, changing Bond’s tone, making the newer movies even more action-heavy, and giving more agency to its women.

Now that Bond 25 is currently in the process of coming together, even more changes are coming to the Bond franchise. Fresh off the news that James Bond will be a retired agent at the start of Bond 25, we’ve learned that allegedly a certain Captain Marvel star will be the new 007, albeit not the new James Bond.

Related: Bond 25 Has Reportedly Cast A Captain Marvel Actress As A Female 007

Tucked amidst that report is a quote from someone on set alleging the movie hiring Lashana Lynch is only one of several female changes writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge has made on the set of Bond 25. From what an anonymous source told The Daily Mail, people on set have been tasked with not using the term “Bond girl” anymore, either.

Instead, on the set of Bond 25 the preferred term is reportedly “Bond woman,” according to an unnamed source close to the movie.

The person in question also mentioned the use of “Bond girl” is not only frowned upon, it’s “forbidden.” Basically, it’s been nixed from the lingo. It’s on the outs.

Now, although Lashana Lynch is allegedly signed on as yet another character in the long-running franchise that James Bond is attracted to, she’s reportedly not being called a Bond girl. This is in stark contrast to even the most recent 2015 Bond film Spectre, which made headlines for casting "the oldest Bond girl" in Monica Bellucci, who was 50 at the time.

First and foremost, the reports indicate Lashana Lynch's character rebuffs the former 007… at least at first. She’s also going to be a cool-as-a-cucumber spy in her own right. While, she’s not expected to be the James Bond replacement, who knows what the future could bring? Lynch herself has not confirmed she's taking over the 007 number, but she has been seen on the set of the new movie.

It seems like switching the mindset from “Bond girl” to “Bond woman” is in some ways more symbolic than anything else. It also is coming after Phoebe Waller-Bridge has been brought in to punch up the script for Bond 25. Although the status of the script remains unclear, the movie did begin production some time ago. And one of Waller-Bridge's big focal points has been making sure the franchise treats the ladies properly, even if James Bond remains James Bond.

In fact, she has spoken out on just this matter previously, noting:

Plenty has been done already to update the women in this franchise. Judi Dench’s M was given much more to do than she was given during Pierce Brosnan’s tenure, at least until the events in Skyfall. M was not a “Bond girl” per se, but she was a key woman in this franchise who returned for multiple movies.

This version’s Moneypenny has also been modernized, starting out in the field and only returning to the office after accidentally shooting Bond and being given desk duty. Her character has been given more to do in the recent Bond movies as well.

Even some of the opening credits on Bond movies have gotten a little more away from the images of naked women during Daniel Craig’s iteration. (Although it should be noted, Spectre did return to credits closer to the original form, at least at the beginning of said credits.)

Adding a character like the agent played by Lashana Lynch and changing the terminology should be simple and effective ways for the Killing Eve creator to give women a little more agency without changing who Daniel Craig’s James Bond is in the still-untitled Bond 25.

Although we've seen plenty of female characters in the franchise be flirtatious before falling into a sexy relationship with James Bond, the new 007 is expected to completely rebuff his advances, at least when we meet her. Where this will leave Daniel Craig’s James Bond as his character fades off into the sunset remains to be seen. This will be the last movie for Craig and his replacement has yet to be announced. Craig himself has said he feels "everybody should be considered" when it comes to hiring the Bond character for Bond 26.

We’re still likely months out from learning anything new about where the Bond franchise is headed post-James Bond. The latest movie isn't even out until April of next year, so I'm guessing the speculation will still be running rampant for a while. Still, there has been a lot of talk about potentially changing the gender and race of the popular film character and people have feelings and arguments both for why they think a casting type switch would be a good idea and why it would not be in some ways. It’s hard to tell if this rumored “Bond woman” phrasing will push any of those arguments forward in any way, but it is a reminder that the times are a changin’ as we move into the twilight of Daniel Craig's run as the character.

The Bond women are still likely to be beautiful and captivating on the big screen. I doubt that will shift, given that James Bond is also generally a fit and attractive character. Still, while some things never change, the preponderance for hanging on to old terminology looks like it may be dying. The Bond girl is dead. Long live the Bond woman.

So here’s the tea: the Bond franchise hasn’t hired a female writer since 1963. That finally changed when Fleabag and Killing Eve creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge was recently hired to polish the script on Bond 25. These action flicks may always be high on the testosterone, but having a woman in the writer’s room couldn’t hurt, especially when it comes to the iconic Bond Girls.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge was reportedly approached by 007 himself to join the team of writers rounding out Daniel Craig’s last hurrah as the suave secret agent. He wanted some of her specific brand of “wit and quirkiness” he’s a fan of from Fleabag in the Bond 25 script. It will be exciting to see a bit of Waller-Bridge’s offbeat humor in the upcoming film. It also looks like her involvement will benefit the movie beyond that too. Check out her recent words:

In a world where powerful men are being exposed left and right for taking advantage of women, James Bond’s womanizer ways isn’t exactly one to side with. But it’s the very nature of the character and has been for almost 70 years. Should James Bond change to reflect a more modern hero? Phoebe Waller-Bridge doesn’t think so.

Following the #MeToo era, there are still plenty of playboys left in the world, including James Bond in the fictional space. As Phoebe Waller-Bridge explains, it’s not important that his lifestyle changes because it’s more relevant than ever. The focus of the franchise going forward needs to be on crafting more three-dimensional women who reflect the world today, and per her words to Deadline, it looks like the Fleabag star will help make that happen in Bond 25.

The film has already hired several actresses, including the return of Léa Seydoux’s Madeleine Swann and Naomie Harris’ Moneypenny, as well as newcomers Lashana Lynch (from Captain Marvel) and Ana de Armas. Phoebe Waller-Bridge continued with this:

In an additional effort to give Bond 25 a better edge, the film has reportedly hired an intimacy coordinator for the first time for the franchise to help the actors feel comfortable and during the movie’s sex scenes.

After Danny Boyle dropped the project last year, the director was replaced by Cary Joji Fukunaga. The new helmer best known for his work on It is also co-writing the script with Scott Z. Burns (The Bourne Ultimatum) and frequent Bond writing team Robert Wade and Neil Purvis. Phoebe Waller-Bridge is the latest addition to the movie hitting theaters on April 8, 2020.

Another chapter of the James Bond franchise is closing soon. Barring some last minute change, the still-to-be-titled Bond 25 will mark Daniel Craig’s last mission as 007, so it goes without saying that this movie will need to stand out and wrap things up with a bang. To improve the likelihood of that happening, Killing Eve creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge has been recruited to polish Bond 25’s script.

Last September, following the departure of director Danny Boyle and writer John Hodge from Bond 25, longtime James Bond franchise contributors Neal Purvis and Robert Wade were brought in to rework the upcoming movie’s script. However, when making a major motion picture, sometimes it becomes necessary for another writer or several to join the proceedings. Scott Z. Burns hopped aboard in February to work on the script, and now Phoebe Waller-Bridge is picking up where he left off.

According to The Observer, Daniel Craig specifically requested for Phoebe Waller-Bridge to bring “her wit and quirkiness” to the Bond 25 screenplay. Craig is reportedly a fan of the other TV series she created, Fleabag (which just concluded its second and final season in the U.K.), and felt that she could do a good job with livening up Bond 25.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge has recently been in New York City performing a stage version of Fleabag, and while in the Big Apple, she met with Daniel Craig about polishing the Bond 25 script to add more humor and the kind of “offbeat style of writing” she’s known for. So while the story as a whole doesn’t sound like it’ll be overhauled, tonally Waller-Bridge will be making some adjustments.

This marks the second major cinematic franchise that Phoebe Waller-Bridge gets to contribute to. Last year, she appeared as L3-37, Lando Calrissian’s droid partner in Solo: A Star Wars Story. Waller-Bridge’s other notable credits include The Iron Lady, Goodbye Christoper Robin, Broadchurch and Crashing.

Phoebe-Waller Bridge working on Bond 25 is the latest step in this movie’s long journey to rolling cameras, but assuming the changes Phoebe Waller-Bridge are met with approval, then production should finally begin in a few weeks. Cary Fukanaga of True Detective and Maniac fame was brought in to take over as director from Danny Boyle, who exited the project due to creative differences.

Aside from Daniel Craig reprising James Bond for the fifth and final time, Bond 25 will also see the return of Lea Seydoux’s Madeleine Swann, Ben Whishaw’s Q, Naomie Harris’ Eve Moneypenney and Ralph Fiennes’ Garteth Mallory, who succeeded Judi Dench’s character as M. No new characters have been announced yet, although Rami Malek is being eyed to play the villain.

Originally set for release this November, Bond 25 was pushed back to February 2020 and is now scheduled to hit theaters on April 8, 2020. Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for more updates on its progress, and don’t forget to look through our 2019 release schedule to learn what’s headed to the silver screen a little sooner.

It'll take at least one more season to kill Eve! Killing Eve just premiered Season 2 last night and BBC America has already renewed it for Season 3.

Killing Eve will also continue its tradition of each season having a new woman in charge -- Season 1 had lead writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge as showrunner; Season 2 had Emerald Fennell as lead writer/showrunner; with Season 3 to be run by Suzanne Heathcote as lead writer and executive producer.

Show creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge shared a statement on the latest lady at the helm:

Emerald Fennell, who led the writing of the current Season 2, also shared her thoughts:

Killing Eve really is an untraditional show, and not just for things like the Season 2 premiere being titled "Do You Know How to Dispose of a Body?" It's very unusual for a show to grow across its first season. In fact, Killing Eve Season 1 had an unprecedented unbroken record of weekly ratings growth in the key adults 25-54 and 18-49 demos. As BBC America bragged, that is "something no other show on television has accomplished in the history of Nielsen live+3 ratings."

Granted, it's not getting Big Bang Theory numbers, but word of mouth kept it growing and growing, landing series highs with 1.25 million viewers in live+3, up 86 percent from premiere -- with 378,000 adults 18-49, up 100 percent from the premiere.

Killing Eve is making such a cultural killing thanks to the trio of Sandra Oh, Jodie Comer, and Fiona Shaw. Oh plays Eve Polastri, an MI6 operative, with Comer as psychopath assassin Villanelle, and Shaw as MI6 Russian desk leader Carolyn Martens.

The Season 2 premiere -- which picked up just 30 seconds after the end of Season 1 -- was simulcast last night on both BBC America and AMC, giving the episode even more reach. At this point, the ratings aren't in, but they are probably healthy. No matter what, the show is coming back for Season 3.

Killing Eve only had eight episodes for Season 1, and it looks like that will be the case again for Season 2 and possibly for Season 3. Season 1 is a perfect binge-watching show -- and that's how I ended up loving it -- but I'm excited to watch Season 2's episodes week to week, and do the same for Season 3 whenever it premieres (maybe April 2020, if they stick with the current schedule).

Check out how BBC America revealed the renewal on Twitter:

Sarah Barnett, president of Entertainment Networks for AMC Networks, shared her own statement with the early renewal news:

Sandra Oh recently picked up Golden Globe, SAG and Critics' Choice Awards for her role as Eve. She's always asked about returning to Grey's Anatomy but recently said Killing Eve is her home now, and she'll continue playing Eve as long as they'll have her. Or perhaps as long as Villanelle doesn't fulfill the mission of the show's title.

Killing Eve airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on BBC America and AMC. (That's just before Game of Thrones airs at 9 p.m. on HBO for the final six episodes of its series.) You can watch the first episode of Killing Eve Season 2 right now on BBCAmerica.com.

For a certain type of fan, there's nothing quite as cool as Star Wars. Phoebe Waller-Bridge is part of the generation that grew up with Star Wars and she's now part of the franchise, as the scene-stealing droid L3-37 from Solo: A Star Wars Story. She has been on board the Millennium Falcon and she has stood on alien planets, at least in the movies. However, of all the things the actress was able to do in Solo, she says the coolest part was pulling on the lever that sent the Falcon into hyperspace. According to Waller-Bridge...

In the special features attached to the Blu-ray release of Solo: A Star Wars Story, you see that the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon was actually surrounded by a large screen during production which projected everything that the cast was supposed to see out in space. This meant that when the Falcon made the jump to hyperspace, the stars actually transformed from dots to lines and Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Donald Glover saw the same thing that fans see in the movies when Star Wars ships make the jump to lightspeed.

As a lifelong Star Wars fan, I can't blame Phoebe Waller-Bridge for getting ridiculously excited at the idea of sitting in the Millennium Falcon cockpit and making the jump to lightspeed. In that brief moment where Lando and L3-37 physically pulled the lever and saw the stars change around them, it probably really did feel like they had made that happen. It used to be that sort of thing was only added after the fact, so actors had to imagine what they were experiencing, but here they got to really see it. Movies are magic.

To be fair though, it really looks like Phoebe Waller-Bridge may have had more fun making Solo: A Star Wars Story in general than really anybody else. L3-37 pretty much stole every scene she was in with her presence and her fantastic dialogue. She got to play a character unlike any that Star Wars has seen before.

On the plus side, there may be a way that the rest of us will be able to experience the same thrill that Waller-Bridge did making Solo. In 2019 Star Wars Galaxy's Edge will make its debut at Disneyland and Walt Disney World and the new land will include an attraction that lets guests actually fly the Millennium Falcon. From all appearances, we'll all be able to make the jump to lightspeed ourselves one day soon.

Solo: A Star Wars Story is now available on Digital and Blu-ray.

Minor spoilers ahead for Solo: A Star Wars Story.

It's a very good time to be a Star Wars fan. Since Disney acquired the beloved property, we've seen as the franchise has released a ton of new and exciting content. In addition to the current trilogy and the myriad recently announced projects, the property has broken new ground by the inclusion of standalone movies. Solo: A Star Wars Story is the second of these movies, providing origin stories to a trio of original heroes. There are also plenty of new characters introduced in Solo, with Phoebe Waller-Bridge stealing scenes and chewing the scenery as Lando's droid L3-37. L3 is definitely unlike any droid we've seen before, and the actress recently told CinemaBlend's Conner Schwerdtfeger what makes her so unique,

While laden with jokes (just like her character), Phoebe Waller-Bridge does ultimately hit the nail on the head. Plenty of droids have stolen our hearts throughout the Star Wars franchise, but L3-37 is the only one who seems to be introspective. Take that, BB-8.

Solo: A Star Wars Story introduces the audience to L3-37 when Han and Qi'ra seek out Lando Calrissian and the Millennium Falcon. While Han tries his hand at sabaac (poorly), we see as L3 tries to connect with the droids who are battling in the bar's arena. It turns out that she's a bit of a droid revolutionary, and wants other mechanical characters to have free thinking and choice.

Of course, L3-37 does still take orders from Lando in Solo: A Star Wars Story-- but for more personal reasons. She's clearly got romantic feelings for the intergalactic playboy, and therefore is willing to go on wild adventures with him. L3 gives him flack when taking orders, although Lando does remind him that he's the captain of the Millennium Falcon, and she eventually relents.

You can see Phoebe Waller-Bridge's conversation with CinemaBlend's Conner Schwertfeger below,

While L3 will probably be best known for her sassy attitude and flirtation with Lando in Solo, Phoebe Waller-Bridge wants to make special notice of the droid's flexibility. Just look at C-3PO: that guy can't move for crap.

Solo: A Star Wars Story is in theaters now. In the meantime, check out our 2018 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Sure, Alden Ehrenreich is going to take center stage as Han Solo this weekend when Solo: A Star Wars Story premieres, but there's another character who has audiences talking: Lando Calrissian. Donald Glover's portrayal of the legendary scoundrel has become one of the most talked-about elements of the entire film, and his complicated relationship with Phoebe Waller-Bridge's L3-37 has stood out as a vital element of the film's narrative. On that note, CinemaBlend recently had a chance to talk to Glover and Waller-Bridge at the recent Solo press day in Los Angeles, and the L3 actress admitted that she wants to see the origins of this relationship if Lando: A Star Wars Story eventually happens. The actress explained:

The Star Wars franchise timeline is ripe for exploration, and these movies can go backward and forward in time as needed. With that degree of flexibility, Phoebe Waller-Bridge wants to take this spinoff franchise even further back in time to show the origin of Lando's introduction to L3, and how they struck up the relationship seen in Solo: A Star Wars Story.

We should note that Solo: A Star Wars Story lays quite a bit of groundwork to set up this relationship. Building off of Phoebe Waller-Bridge's remarks, Donald Glover chimed and talked about how Solo alludes to their history without explicitly giving too much away. The duo continued:

If these remarks make it seem like there's some evident romantic tension between the characters, that's because there kind of is. In fact, while speaking out about Lando in Solo: A Star Wars Story, screenwriter Jonathan Kasdan explained that there's a "fluidity" surrounding Lando's sexuality and that L3 falls into that spectrum of beings he's attracted to. Solo: A Star Wars Story is very much Han's arc, but it sounds like a potential spinoff could feature some love stories that we've never seen in a Star Wars movie before.

Want to get a closer look at our chat with Donald Glover and Phoebe Waller-Bridge? Check out a clip from our Solo: A Star Wars Story interview, below!

Audiences will get a chance to see the younger version of Lando debut on the big screen this weekend when Solo: A Star Wars Story premieres on May 25. We will bring you more information related to the possibility of Lando: A Star Wars Story as new details become available to us, and until then, mark down your calendars for the release of Star Wars: Episode IX on December 20, 2019!

The Star Wars franchise is a film series with a lot of moving parts. Fans of the movies could easily tell you about droids or The Resistance, but what about those who have never seen a Star Wars movie? That's a situation that came up with Solo: A Star Wars Story, as actress Phoebe Waller-Bridge didn't even know what a droid was before she went in to read for the role of L3-37. Her time researching didn't yield the best results, and the actress opened up during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show to explain her awkward antics ahead of her audition, noting,

Talk about secrecy. Not only did Phoebe Waller-Bridge not know that she was auditioning for Solo: A Star Wars Story when she went in to try out for the part, but she also didn't even know what a droid was. But despite her lack of experience in dealing with all things Star Wars, she managed to do well in her audition and clinch the role. Look, sometimes it clearly pays not to have all of the answers when you're going out for a new gig.

It sounds like the actress' lack of Star Wars knowledge didn't just extend to her not knowing what a droid was. In fact, elsewhere in Phoebe Waller-Bridge's appearance on The Graham Norton Show, she revealed that she had never seen a Star Wars film at that point. Don't worry, your shock was shared by others in attendance, as David Tenant quickly made sure to tell her that not seeing a single Star Wars movie was "a disgrace."

Of course, this is only the latest in a long line of stories about how interesting the Solo: A Star Wars Story audition process was for the principal cast. In fact, Alden Ehrenreich similarly spoke out about his bizarre audition process and explained how Phil Lord and Chris Miller made him play a mysterious role called "Mike" and act alongside a dog puppet in place of Chewbacca.

Make sure to watch out for Phoebe Waller-Bridge's debut in the Star Wars franchise next weekend when Solo: A Star Wars Story premieres in theaters on May 25. Stay tuned for more updates related to the film, and check out CinemaBlend's full review to see what we have to say about it, then head over to our review roundup to see what other critics are saying!

Some spoilers below for those not all caught up on Doctor Who's TV show and rumor mill.

Hot on the heels of the revelation that a beloved Doctor Who actress could be returning to the series, the word is out that another famed British actress, already rumored to be in line for the Doctor role upon Peter Capaldi's exit, inadvertently fueled a lot more speculation. That's right, we said actress, and we're talking about Phoebe Waller-Bridge, creator of the hilarious BBC (and Amazon) comedy Fleabag.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who folks may also know from Broadchurch and/or Crashing, has been a betting favorite for taking over to play the Thirteenth Doctor. During a recent interview on the YouTube channel GoldDerby (that was shared by BBC Newsnight below, Waller-Bridge was directly asked about her Who potential, and she took slightly too long in balking before claiming she couldn't speak of it one way or the other. And within that momentary silence, the hopes and dreams of myriad Doctor Who fans spawned, hoping for the actress' future arrival in the sci-fi franchise. Check out the clip below to see for yourself.

The odds seem rather slim that The BBC is actively attempting to sabotage a well-guarded secret within their company by sharing a clip that could even potentially spoil the new addition. That said, news is news ,and who better than The BBC to report on the topic if someone within the company provided a hot tip? Some people are definitely in the know regarding who the new Doctor is, so could that pesky insider that's spoiled some elements of Season 10 be at it again?

It's worth mentioning that Peter Capaldi was somewhere between being the fourth and sixth favorite on betting sites before he was announced as Doctor Who's lead, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge is already well above that in the top spot. Fan interest and fervor, as well as that semi-mysterious Skype interview, clearly did something to help those odds, but there's also evidence that Waller-Bridge will NOT be the new Doctor. For example, here's a tweet from the theater company that she co-runs.

Is that just damage control, or are Doctor Who fans simply guilty of believing in and hoping for something that's not true? The past two Doctor predictions have not gone on to become the favorite on betting sites, and The BBC does have a history of publishing stories to potentially throw fans off the trail. Back when David Tennant stepped down, the news organization published an interview with actor Patterson Joseph touting him as a top favorite for the series. Coincidentally (or not), Joseph also just happened to have a BBC TV show on his plate at the time, just like Phoebe Waller-Bridge does now.

Will the world see the first female Doctor on Doctor Who during the Christmas special and/or beyond? With Phoebe Waller-Bridge's rumored chances being joined by those of Natalie Dormer and Tilda Swinton, it would appear that the fans are ready for it. Of course, there's another popular actress fans have clamored for, who's indicated she's team Waller-Bridge at the moment, not to mention the familiar male actor who keeps turning the show down each time he's asked to join.

Anyone tired of guessing who the next Doctor may be should visit our summer premiere guide to find something to tide them over until Christmas.

Han Solo met a tragic end during Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but the beloved smuggler isn't quite done leaving his mark on the big screen. The next Star Wars Anthology spinoff will turn back the clock to when Han was a younger man, and so far the movie has rounded up a talented assortment of actors. Now there's word that Fleabag star Phoebe Waller-Bridge might be joining the cast, too, only in a very different capacity than her costars.

According to Variety, Waller-Bridge is currently in talks to board the young Han Solo movie, and if a deal is reached, she will be delivering a "CGI-driven performance," similar to what Alan Tudyk did for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Rest assured, though, her character will be an integral member of the ensemble. Assuming all goes according to plan, Waller-Bridge will join a cast that consists of Alden Ehrenreich as Han Solo, Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian, Woody Harrelson as Han Solo's mentor and Emilia Clarke in an undisclosed role. Chewbacca is also expected to appear, though it hasn't been announced yet whether Peter Mayhew will be under the fur or someone else.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge is arguably best known as the lead on the BBC Three/Amazon series Fleabag, which premiered its first season last summer and was nominated for two Critics' Choice Television Awards. Her other credits include Albert Nobbs, Broadchurch Season 2 and Man Up. Take a look at the Fleabag trailer below to get a sense of her acting talents.

No plot details have been revealed about the young Han Solo movie yet, aside from the obvious fact that it will follow what the protagonist was up to years before he met Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Leia Organa in A New Hope. It has been rumored that part of the story could show how Han won the Millennium Falcon from Lando, but that remains to be confirmed. So it's hard to speculate on who Phoebe Waller-Bridge might play, other than it won't be a normal human. Since the Empire is still going strong at this point in time, she could be another Imperial enforcer droid like K-2SO. On the other hand, the Star Wars universe is populated with all sorts of unusual aliens, so there's a good chance she might be a particularly unusual-looking creature. We here at CinemaBlend will be sure to let you know who this mysterious character is when an official announcement comes in.

Directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, the young Han Solo movie kicked off production last month, and it will be released in theaters on May 25, 2018.