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August 7Aisling Bea is heading to Mars — well, at least in fiction. The Irish actress and BAFTA TV winner has joined the cast of STARMAN, The Hollywood Reporter has exclusively revealed, marking another high-profile addition to an already stacked ensemble. Bea joins Oscar winner Brendan Fraser, known for THE WHALE and THE MUMMY, and two-time Emmy winner Jeff Daniels, familiar to audiences from DUMB AND DUMBER and THE NEWSROOM, in the cosmic sci-fi thriller currently filming in Australia. Emmy winner Josh Wakely, who created BEAT BUGS, is directing from his own original screenplay, giving the project a singular creative vision from page to screen. STARMAN follows Tom Adams, played by Fraser, an architect of the future who leads a historic expedition to Mars and finds himself at the forefront of humanity’s next great frontier. When unforeseen events leave him stranded millions of miles from Earth, his mission transforms into a desperate race against time, fuelled equally by survival instinct and love. Bea steps into the role of Julia Hanley, a defiant and magnetic Irish photographer who looks past Tom’s world-changing ambition to find the man underneath, ultimately redefining his life through love. It’s a role that should give Bea real emotional range to work with, a shift from the comedic sharpness audiences know her for and a chance to anchor the human heart of a big-swing space epic. With Fraser and Daniels already bringing serious pedigree to the production, Bea’s casting only raises the intrigue around what Wakely is building with STARMAN, and Irish audiences will have plenty of reason to watch this one closely as it takes shape in Australia. Instagram Youtube [...]
August 5Irish director Lenny Abrahamson, best known for his work on Sally Rooney’s NORMAL PEOPLE and his film ROOM, is set to direct the upcoming television show YOU ARE HERE. The show will be based on David Nicholls’ novel of the same name, with the screenplay written by him too. He has previously had novels such as ONE DAY and STARTER FOR 10 adapted for screens, both of which he also wrote the screenplay for. YOU ARE HERE follows two middle-aged divorcees, who are unexpectedly brought together on a long distance walking trail across Northern England. Here, the two find a connection where they least expected it. Nicholls explained that, “the intention with the novel was to write a close-up study of a relationship, but set against this magnificent landscape, and that’s our ambition here too.” Starring as main characters Michael and Marnie will be Matthew Macfayden and Claire Foy. Macfayden is most known for his roles in SUCCESSION and PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, while Foy is known most for her roles in THE CROWN and THE MAGIC FAR AWAY TREE. The show will be filmed in the Lake District and around Manchester, with the story being set along a coastal walk from the Lake District to Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire.  Irish production house Element Pictures, a Fremantle owned company, will work alongside the BBC and Starz for this adaptation. Abrahamson described the novel as “such a beautiful love story – funny, profound and ultimately deeply hopeful.” Instagram Youtube [...]
August 4Barry Keoghan is set to return to Irish storytelling with LEMONADE, an intimate indie drama that marks documentary filmmaker Kim Bartley’s narrative feature debut, and the first details and images have now arrived. Set against the backdrop of Ireland’s care system, LEMONADE is billed as a story of first loves, second chances and the power of human connection, and one striking first-look still shows Keoghan’s character Josh sitting in a car with tears in his eyes, hinting at the emotional weight the film carries. The story follows teenager Danny, played by Lewis Brophy, whose life is thrown off course by a single mistake that threatens his future. Danny unexpectedly reconnects with Josh, a former social worker who once tried to help him but whose own missteps had driven the two apart. As they find their way back to one another, Josh once again attempts to guide Danny toward manhood, and Danny comes to learn that the people who believe in you most can become family, blood ties or not. Brophy comes to LEMONADE fresh off the acclaimed Berlinale prizewinner CHRISTY, continuing a strong run for the young Irish talent. The film, shot earlier this year in Dublin, also stars Carla Tous, Eileen Walsh and Imelda May. Rachel Lysaght and Farah Abushwesha produce, with an executive producer roster that includes Bartley herself alongside Geraldine East, Niamh Fagan, Desmond Byrne, Lorcan Kavanagh, Peg Cafferty, Deepak Sikka, Mark Foligno and Sire Ramos. Keoghan also serves as an executive producer through his newly launched production company Wolfcub, whose debut feature BUTTERFLY JAM, also starring Keoghan, opened the Directors’ Fortnight sidebar at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Speaking to Variety ahead of Cannes, Keoghan reflected on LEMONADE’s deeply personal resonance, noting the clear parallels between Danny’s story and his own upbringing as a foster child in Dublin, a connection that lends the project an unmistakable authenticity. Instagram Youtube [...]
July 30Derry-born Lisa McGee is stepping onto new turf, developing FX and 20th Television’s comedy series WILDWOOD, set against the backdrop of New Jersey’s Jersey Shore in the summer of 2000. The story follows a group of Irish college students who arrive in Wildwood with absolutely no plan for what comes next, and McGee is taking the reins as both creator and executive producer, marking her first project to step outside of Ireland and the UK entirely. For a writer whose name has become inseparable from Derry’s storytelling voice, this feels like a genuinely exciting expansion. McGee remains best known for her semi-autobiographical Channel 4 series DERRY GIRLS, which first aired in 2018 and followed a group of teenagers navigating adolescence in Northern Ireland during the 1990s. The show ran for three seasons and picked up Best Comedy honours at the BAFTAs, the International Emmys, and the Irish Film and Television Awards, cementing itself as one of the defining Irish comedies of its era. Speaking to Hot Press shortly after the DERRY GIRLS finale in 2022, McGee reflected candidly on the barriers she faced coming up as a working-class writer from Derry. She had wanted to be a playwright or screenwriter, she said, though at the time it felt like a naïve ambition given how few working-class girls had been afforded those opportunities before her. The local figures she admired, writers like Brian Friel and Frank McGuinness who captured their home place so vividly, were all men. She noted, with some relief, that things have shifted since then. McGee’s body of work extends well beyond DERRY GIRLS. She wrote an episode of the 2022 BBC series SKINT and co-created THE DECEIVED for Channel 5, LONDON RUSH for Channel 4, and RAW for RTÉ. Her most recent series, HOW TO GET TO HEAVEN FROM BELFAST, landed on Netflix this past February. Her writing credits also include episodes of Channel 4’s INDIAN SUMMERS, BBC1 and Starz’s THE WHITE QUEEN, and the BAFTA-winning BBC3 series BEING HUMAN. On the stage side, her play JUMP! was adapted into a film in 2012, and she won a Stewart Parker Award for her 2006 play GIRLS AND DOLLS. No release date has been announced yet for WILDWOOD, but with McGee’s track record of turning specific, lived-in worlds into universally beloved television, this is one to watch closely. Instagram Youtube [...]
July 29We’ve lost a national treasure. Glen Hansard, the Oscar-winning singer-songwriter and one of Dublin’s most beloved native sons, has died at the age of 56 following a motorcycle accident in the city this morning. Gardaí confirmed a single-vehicle collision on the R109 Lower Road near Strawberry Beds in Lucan, shortly before 4.30am, with emergency services arriving to find Hansard fatally injured. His management company, ATC Management, released a statement saying his family is deeply shocked and heartbroken, and has asked for privacy at this extremely difficult time. Born in Ballymun in 1970, Hansard’s story is one of the great Irish rags-to-riches tales, beginning as a teenage busker on the streets of Dublin before co-founding The Frames in 1990. As the band’s frontman, guitarist, and chief songwriter, he helped shape one of Ireland’s most enduring and emotionally raw rock acts, building a devoted following through albums like Fitzcarraldo, For the Birds, and The Cost. But it was film that carried Hansard’s name far beyond Ireland’s shores. He first appeared on screen in Alan Parker’s THE COMMITMENTS in 1991, playing guitarist Outspan Foster, a role that introduced him to audiences well outside the music world. It was ONCE, however, the 2007 Dublin-set musical drama in which he starred alongside Markéta Irglová, that cemented his legacy. The film’s soundtrack became a global phenomenon, and its centerpiece, “Falling Slowly,” earned Hansard and Irglová the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2008, a moment that remains one of the most cherished in Irish cultural history. Beyond music and film, Hansard’s fingerprints are all over Irish culture. He became the original presenter of RTÉ’s celebrated music series Other Voices in 2002, helping launch what would become one of the country’s most important platforms for new artists. Just this month, he returned to Dublin for a homecoming performance at Trinity College, a show that critics called picture-perfect, staged a mere stone’s throw from where he once busked on Grafton Street. That circularity, from street corner to stadium and back again, defined a career built on authenticity and an unshakeable connection to his home city. Tonight, Ireland mourns not just a musician or an actor, but a voice that gave shape to something deeply national: the ache, humor, and resilience of ordinary Dublin life turned into art the whole world could feel. Glen Hansard leaves behind a monumental legacy on screen and stage, and a body of work that will keep finding new listeners for generations to come. Instagram Youtube [...]
July 28STARLINGS, the striking debut novel from actor-turned-author Russell Tovey (THE NIGHT MANAGER, ANGELS IN AMERICA), has arrived as an Audible original, and its two lead performers are opening up about what it took to bring the story to life. Andrew Scott (FLEABAG, SHERLOCK) and George MacKay (1917, SENSE AND SENSIBILITY) sat down for an Audible Roundtable alongside Tovey himself to talk through the emotional terrain of the project, and the conversation is as layered as the story it explores. At its centre is Donald, a forty-something aspiring drag queen carrying a lifetime of bitterness beneath the nail polish, estranged from his northern hometown ever since his father threw him out for wearing his late mother’s clothes. That fragile equilibrium is shattered when his younger brother Owen, strange and beautiful and utterly unexpected, turns up on his doorstep, forcing Donald to confront whether Owen’s arrival might pull him out of his depression, or whether he’s fated to drag his sibling down with him instead. Scott takes on Donald while MacKay plays Owen, and both actors are no strangers to emotionally charged, complex storytelling, though STARLINGS presented a different kind of challenge given its audio-only format. Across the roundtable, the trio dig into Tovey’s inspiration for the novel, the tricky business of embodying a character purely through voice rather than physical presence, and the significance of drag culture as a lens for Donald’s journey. It’s a rare glimpse into the space where page and performance meet, and a chance to hear directly from the people who shaped it. Anyone keen to experience STARLINGS for themselves can find it on Audible now. Instagram Youtube [...]
July 27Domhnall Gleeson has appeared in a number of very big-name movies. They include his General Hux in a couple of STAR WARS pics, his Bill Weasley in a couple of HARRY POTTERs, Oscar winner THE REVENANT, EX MACHINA and any number of others. But now this Irish actor has settled in with hit Peacock comedy THE PAPER, a mockumentary-style show in the tradition of THE OFFICE that shares creator Greg Daniels in common with that earlier hit. Gleeson, son of actor Brendan Gleeson, plays Ned Sampson, the new editor of a small-town Ohio newspaper called the Toledo Truth Teller, which is followed by the same documentary crew that did THE OFFICE. It has already been renewed for a second season. Gleeson joins the Deadline video series THE ACTOR’S SIDE, talking up THE PAPER and why he thinks it is the perfect fit for him, and also discussing his wildly varied and successful career. It includes numerous other projects, even a recent Taylor Swift video, and two anticipated upcoming movies including Werner Herzog’s BUCKING FASTARDS and the Sundance hit THE INCOMER. Instagram Youtube [...]
July 23Andrew Scott is heading back to TIFF, and this time he’s bringing one of the most anticipated dramas of the year with him. ELSINORE, directed by Simon Stone, has been selected for the Special Presentations programme at the 51st Toronto International Film Festival, where it will receive its Canadian premiere. The film is among the first 64 titles unveiled across the Gala and Special Presentations sections for the festival, which runs September 10 to 20. Scott stars as the late Ian Charleson, the acclaimed stage and screen actor, in a biographical drama written by Stephen Beresford. ELSINORE follows the final months of Charleson’s life as he delivers what became a legendary performance as Hamlet at London’s National Theatre, all while privately living with AIDS. It’s a role that demands both technical command and deep emotional exposure, and given Scott’s range, this feels like exactly the kind of part he was built for. Academy Award winner Olivia Colman co-stars, adding further weight to an already extraordinary cast. The ensemble surrounding Scott and Colman is stacked with talent: Billie Piper, Johnny Flynn, Luke Thompson, Monica Dolan, Juliet Stevenson, Joe Locke, Adeel Akhtar, Matthew Beard, David Dawson, Kadiff Kirwan, Dickie Beau and Peter Mullan all feature. Scott is also producing the film, a sign of how personally invested he is in bringing Charleson’s story to the screen with care and accuracy. The industry has already taken notice. Earlier this month, Focus Features acquired ELSINORE for distribution across the U.S. and several international territories, following what was described as a competitive bidding process. That kind of demand ahead of a festival premiere speaks volumes about the buzz building around this project. Instagram Youtube [...]
July 21There’s something almost quaint about wanting a horror movie to just scare you. No hidden agenda, no thesis statement lurking under the surface — just genuine, bone-deep fear. Damian Mc Carthy understands this better than most working in the genre right now. Three features in, the Irish director has built a reputation on something that sounds simple but rarely is: films that actually deliver on the promise of horror. We’ve all grown weary of certain conversations — the endless debates over what “elevated horror” even means (nothing, really), or the reflexive insistence that a film is “secretly about grief” as if horror hasn’t always trafficked in loss and mourning. What’s genuinely exhausting is watching filmmakers trade atmosphere and dread for metaphors so blunt they might as well come with subtitles explaining themselves. Mc Carthy isn’t interested in that trade-off. Yes, his films carry existential weight. But scratch the surface and you’ll find a director who simply wants to terrify his audience — and HOKUM, his newest effort, proves it. The setup could’ve been lifted from a King paperback: a jaded, grief-stricken writer travels to Ireland to spread his parents’ ashes near the hotel where they spent their honeymoon. Adam Scott plays Ohm with a terrific balance of biting sarcasm and genuine anguish, and there’s a cruel irony to the character — a man who makes his living writing fiction yet can’t bring himself to accept the impossible things happening around him. He calls it all “hokum,” a stubborn refusal that mirrors his inability to process his own history, and that same stubbornness is precisely what pulls him deeper into the hotel’s darkest corners — and his own. What makes Mc Carthy’s folk horror so unsettling isn’t just what he shows you, but how he shows it. His blocking is meticulous, and he has an uncanny sense of where a frame’s attention should land. A smirking trinket. A rabbit anchoring some unnamable TV broadcast. HOKUM holds on these images a beat too long, angles them just slightly wrong, and lets your imagination do the rest of the damage. Soon enough you’re following Ohm through corridors that stretch too far and elevators that climb somewhere they shouldn’t, into a world where witches and spirits are simply given. Scott anchors all of it beautifully — venomous, guarded, prickly as hell, but with something soft and aching underneath that never fully disappears. Mc Carthy has never hidden his debt to King, and Ohm earns his place among that lineage of writers haunted by more than just their imaginations. Before HOKUM hits theaters, Mc Carthy talks the lost art of making horror actually scary, Adam Scott’s performance, and where Ireland’s current horror renaissance is headed. Instagram Youtube [...]
July 20Saoirse Ronan is stepping behind the camera. Her directorial debut PAPER PLANE has been selected to screen at the Venice International Film Festival, where it will compete against fifteen other shorts for the Orizzonti Award for Best Short Film at the 83rd edition this September. The Oscar-nominated actress also wrote the Screen Ireland-supported film, which stars Martha Malone, KIN’s Clare Dunne, and Tim Creed. Ronan, who most recently starred in and produced THE OUTRUN, spoke to Deadline back in October 2024 about her long-held ambition to direct, crediting Greta Gerwig, the filmmaker behind LITTLE WOMEN and BARBIE, for pushing her toward it. She said she’d love to do that next, explaining that Gerwig encouraged her to get properly into the preparation stage first, since that’s where the real work of directing takes shape. She also credited her time producing as a kind of crash course, noting that navigating the tough early decisions on a project gave her more confidence as a storyteller. Up next for Ronan is Jonatan Etzler’s BAD APPLES, followed by a high-profile turn as Linda McCartney in Sam Mendes’ upcoming Beatles biopics, where she’ll star opposite Paul Mescal’s Paul McCartney. Instagram Youtube [...]
July 19Trinity College Dublin’s Old Library is stepping into the spotlight, and this time it’s not just for its centuries of literary treasures. As the historic building undergoes its first major renovation in over three hundred years, it takes centre stage alongside three celebrated alumni in a brand new RTÉ documentary, TRINITY’S TREASURES. Oscar-nominated actor and producer Ruth Negga joins acclaimed singer-songwriter Eleanor McEvoy and retired senator and civil rights activist David Norris as they reconnect with the university that shaped them, sitting down with the librarians, archivists, curators and conservators who safeguard some of the most extraordinary manuscript, printed book and artefact collections in the world. Framed against the backdrop of the Old Library Redevelopment Project, the series offers a rare, intimate look at both the building’s storied past and its next chapter. The opening episode follows Ruth Negga as she returns to campus for a conversation with Trinity’s Librarian and College Archivist, Helen Shenton, digging into the university’s remarkable literature, poetry and theatre holdings and uncovering the hidden gems tucked away within them. It’s a fitting tribute to a space that has quietly shaped Irish literary life for centuries, now getting the star treatment it deserves. Instagram Youtube [...]
July 18Brenda Fricker has died at the age of 81, and Ireland has lost one of the finest actresses it ever produced. She passed away peacefully in Dublin on Thursday night after a period of ill health, and the news has landed hard across the Irish film and television community, where she was regarded not just as a brilliant performer but as a genuine national treasure. Her agent Phil Belfield said it best: we will never see her like again, and the world is lesser for the lack of her. Fricker made history in 1990 when she became the first Irish woman to win an Academy Award, taking home Best Supporting Actress for her devastating performance as Christy Brown’s mother in MY LEFT FOOT, opposite Daniel Day-Lewis. It’s hard to overstate what that moment meant, both for her and for Irish cinema on the world stage. In her acceptance speech she thanked Christy Brown simply for being alive and dedicated the Oscar to his mother, joking that anybody who gives birth twenty-two times deserves one of these. That warmth and dry humour ran through everything she did. American audiences will forever know her as the Pigeon Lady in HOME ALONE 2: LOST IN NEW YORK, a role that introduced her to a generation who had no idea they were watching an Oscar winner. But her body of work stretched far beyond that, from her years on CASUALTY and CORONATION STREET in the UK, to A TIME TO KILL and SO I MARRIED AN AXE MURDERER in Hollywood, to her later Irish work in VERONICA GUERIN, HOLDING and THE MIRACLE CLUB. Born in Dublin in 1945, she was honoured with the Freedom of the City earlier this year, and had recently published a candid memoir, SHE DIED YOUNG, which became an Irish bestseller. Ireland’s deputy prime minister Simon Harris called her one of the greatest exports this country has ever produced, an ambassador for Irish talent on the world stage. It’s difficult to disagree. Brenda Fricker gave Irish audiences a sense that our stories, our accents and our people could stand on the biggest stages in the world and win. Rest easy, Brenda. Thank you for everything you gave us. Instagram Youtube [...]
July 15On a remote Scottish island, two siblings have spent their entire lives keeping outsiders at bay, and now the government has sent someone straight to their shore to end that way of life for good. THE INCOMER, the feature debut from Scottish writer-director Louis Paxton, follows Isla and Sandy as an awkward council worker arrives with orders to remove them from their home, setting off a confrontation that gradually turns into something far stranger and more humane than anyone expects. As the three characters circle each other, their fears, loneliness, and the myths that bind them to the island slowly come into focus, transforming what begins as a standoff into a study of connection. THE INCOMER premiered in the NEXT section of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, where it took home the NEXT Innovator Award, with the jury singling out its distinctive blend of deadpan humor, animation, and myth. The film represents Paxton’s first feature after a career built on shorts spanning comedy, drama, horror, and even musicals, alongside his work as a director on the BBC One crime drama SHETLAND. That range shows in THE INCOMER’s tonal ambition, which asks its cast to hold humor and myth in the same frame without losing the emotional throughline. Domhnall Gleeson leads as Daniel, the uneasy government official tasked with reclaiming the island, while Gayle Rankin and Grant O’Rourke play Isla and Sandy, the siblings fighting to preserve their peculiar, isolated existence. Emun Elliott, Michelle Gomez, and John Hannah complete the ensemble, with Hannah taking on the memorable role of a mythological sea creature woven into Isla’s story, adding a folkloric texture that seems to be exactly what caught the Sundance jury’s attention. Instagram Youtube [...]
July 13Sam Neill, the actor whose easy charisma and understated screen presence carried him from the art houses of New Zealand and Australia to the biggest blockbuster in movie history, has died at 78. His family announced the loss as sudden and unexpected, noting that he had remained free of the blood cancer he’d battled for several years. Born Nigel John Dermot Neill in Omagh, County Tyrone, in September 1947, he moved with his family to New Zealand as a young child and was raised in Dunedin. He adopted the name “Sam” at school, reportedly to avoid standing out among a crowd of Nigels, and found his way to acting almost by accident while studying at the University of Canterbury. Neill first drew international attention in Gillian Armstrong’s 1979 film MY BRILLIANT CAREER, which also launched Judy Davis’s career, arriving amid a wave of Australian and New Zealand talent that reshaped world cinema. He went on to work with some of the era’s most acclaimed directors, starring twice opposite Meryl Streep for Fred Schepisi, in PLENTY and A CRY IN THE DARK, and appearing alongside a then-unknown Nicole Kidman in Phillip Noyce’s thriller DEAD CALM. But it was a role as a paleontologist that made him a household name. His portrayal of Dr. Alan Grant in Steven Spielberg’s 1993 JURASSIC PARK brought him worldwide fame, a character he would return to across multiple sequels over three decades. That same year, he played opposite Holly Hunter in Jane Campion’s Oscar-winning THE PIANO. His range extended across genre and medium: a haunted investigator in John Carpenter’s IN THE MOUTH OF MADNESS, a Soviet submariner in THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER, and later television work including PEAKY BLINDERS, THE TUDORS, and Apple TV+’s INVASION. His performance as the title wizard in NBC’s 1998 miniseries MERLIN earned him one of two Emmy nominations, alongside three Golden Globe nominations. He had, by his own reckoning, over 150 screen credits. Off screen, Neill split his life between acting and winemaking. In 1983 he bought land in Central Otago and launched his Two Paddocks vineyard, calling it half his life and a source of deep reward. He was famously reluctant to embrace celebrity, preferring life on his New Zealand farm, where he was known for posting photos of animals given the names of friends and colleagues. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1991 and was knighted by New Zealand in 2022. Diagnosed with a rare blood cancer in 2023, he wrote his memoir during treatment and spoke candidly about facing mortality with characteristic wit rather than fear. He is survived by his family, who described him as passing “with the dignity that has characterised his whole life.” Instagram Youtube [...]
July 12THE FIX brings Liam Neeson back to the action thriller genre this year, arriving in cinemas with a fresh title after previously being known as HOTEL TEHRAN. Co-starring Zachary Levi and Quincy Isaiah, the film is confirmed for release on 11 September 2026, promising audiences a tense, high-stakes ride set against the backdrop of Iran. Directed by Guy Moshe, who also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Mark Bacci and Ron Hutchinson, THE FIX follows Neeson’s character Larry and Levi’s character Tucker as they reunite with a team of former CIA operators for one last shot at redemption. Their mission takes them into the heart of Tehran, where they attempt a daring rescue that could finally atone for a mission gone wrong in Afghanistan. The film’s stakes are personal as much as they are dangerous, with the weight of past failure driving every decision these operatives make as they navigate hostile territory. Rounding out the ensemble is a strong supporting cast including Wes Chatham, Jake Choi, Augusto Aguilera, Navid Negahban, Elnaaz Norouzi, Grant Harvey, Lara Wolf, Annet Mahendru and Titus Welliver, lending depth and texture to what promises to be one of the more gripping entries in Neeson’s long run of action-driven roles. With its title change now locked in and a confirmed release date on the calendar, THE FIX looks set to deliver the kind of tightly wound, mission-driven tension that fans of this genre have come to expect. [...]
July 11Paramount+ has finally put an end to weeks of speculation by confirming the return date for MOBLAND Season 2, and while Tom Hardy’s on-again, off-again status with the show has dominated headlines, it’s Pierce Brosnan’s continued presence alongside Hardy and Helen Mirren that gives the series its real weight heading into the new run. MOBLAND Season 2 arrives on the streamer on Friday, September 18, bringing Brosnan back into the fold of a crime drama that has increasingly leaned on his gravitas to anchor its ensemble. Paramount+ also dropped a teaser for the new season, offering a glimpse of Hardy’s crime family fixer Harry Da Souza thrown straight back into the chaos, with Brosnan’s presence looming large over the fractured family dynamics that make the show tick. The trailer opens with Da Souza admitting, “This hasn’t exactly been a wonderful 24 hours for me, yeah?” before noting he’s under considerable strain, a line that echoes the very real turbulence that surrounded the production behind the scenes. That turbulence began in late May, when reports surfaced that Hardy would not be returning for a MOBLAND third season, following on-set friction with executive producer Jez Butterworth, 101 Studios, and others involved in the production. Throughout that uncertainty, Brosnan’s involvement in the world of MOBLAND remained one of the steadying elements of the show’s future, a reminder of why his casting was considered such a coup in the first place. By late June, the storm had passed. Hardy was confirmed to be returning for MOBLAND Season 3 after meeting with Butterworth and executive producer David Glasser in London, a sit-down that reportedly resolved the underlying issues and cleared the path for his comeback. With that resolved, all eyes now turn to September, when Brosnan, Hardy, and Mirren reunite on screen for what promises to be one of the streamer’s biggest returns of the fall. For a show built on family loyalty and betrayal, there’s something fitting about Brosnan holding steady at its center while the drama around him plays out both on screen and off Instagram Youtube [...]
July 10Saoirse Ronan is back on our screens in a way we haven’t quite seen before, headlining the darkly comic thriller BAD APPLES for Paramount Pictures, and the first trailer has just landed. Directed by Jonatan Etzler, BAD APPLES finds the Academy Award nominee playing Maria, a primary school teacher who pours everything she has into her class of ten-year-olds, only to be pushed to her limit by one relentlessly disruptive pupil. When the child’s behaviour spirals out of control, Maria makes a split-second decision she can never take back, accidentally bringing the boy home with her and locking him inside her house. What starts as a moment of panic quickly spirals into something far messier as she scrambles to undo the damage before anyone notices. The twist, though, is where BAD APPLES really sinks its teeth in. With the troublesome student suddenly gone, the classroom transforms. Grades improve, morale lifts, parents and staff alike start celebrating what looks like a miraculous turnaround, and Maria finds herself trapped in an impossible bind of her own making, unable to confess without unravelling everything. It’s a premise that promises equal parts comedy and moral unease, anchored by Ronan in a role that looks set to showcase her range for tension and dark humour in the same breath. She’s joined by a strong supporting cast including Eddie Waller, Nia Brown, Jacob Anderson, Rakie Ayola, Robert Emms, and Sean Gilder, rounding out what shapes up to be one of the more original comedic thrillers on the horizon. Instagram Youtube [...]
July 9Buzz has been building fast around ELSINORE, the Simon Stone-directed drama that’s quickly become one of the most talked-about titles heading into fall awards season. Word first broke last week that the film had ignited a bidding war among distributors, with every major fall festival reportedly keeping close tabs on it. Now Variety confirms the next chapter: Focus Features has acquired ELSINORE for the U.S. and a swath of international territories, setting the stage for a fall release built around a full awards campaign. Sources tell Variety that programmers at Venice, Telluride, Toronto, and New York are all circling the title, though where exactly it will make its premiere is still being sorted out. The real headline, though, might be Andrew Scott. According to Variety’s sources and several industry executives, Scott isn’t just in the Best Actor conversation, he’s being talked about as the current frontrunner, putting him on a collision course with Tom Cruise, who’s chasing his first Oscar nomination for DIGGER. Scott plays acclaimed British actor Ian Charleson, known for CHARIOTS OF FIRE, with ELSINORE zeroing in on the final years of Charleson’s life and his now-legendary 1989 stage performance in HAMLET, delivered while he was seriously ill with AIDS. It’s the kind of role that tends to draw awards attention, and if the buzz holds, this could be the performance that finally gets Scott his overdue recognition. He’s not carrying the film alone either. ELSINORE also stars Olivia Colman, Johnny Flynn, Joe Locke, and Billy Piper, with Piper in particular drawing praise for her work. Between the ensemble and the subject matter, the film is already being floated as a likely multi-category Oscar nominee and a possible Best Picture contender, though with the festival lineup still unconfirmed, it’s early days yet. Still, all signs point to ELSINORE being one of the titles to watch as the season takes shape. Instagram Youtube [...]
July 8Jessie Buckley is having the kind of year most actors only dream of, and it isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Fresh off her first Oscar win for her role in HAMNET (a victory that felt richly deserved to anyone who’s followed her work), Buckley is already back at it, and the good news is we won’t have long to wait to see the results. She’s just wrapped filming on a new project alongside fellow Irish talent Saoirse Ronan, with the pair set to play sisters in the upcoming film THE THREE INCESTUOUS SISTERS. Joining them is Dakota Johnson, rounding out a trio that began shooting together back in April amid the Italian sunshine. The ensemble doesn’t stop there, with Josh O’Connor and Mick Jagger also part of the cast. THE THREE INCESTUOUS SISTERS is adapted from Audrey Niffenegger’s 2005 novel of the same name, and if the source material is any indication, audiences are in for something suitably gothic and dramatic. The story follows three sisters, Ophile, Clothilde, and Bettine, who share a house by the sea, their quiet lives upended when a violent storm kills their neighbour, the local lighthouse keeper. When his son Paris arrives to take over the lighthouse duties, both Ophile and Bettine fall for him, though it’s Bettine whose feelings are returned. What follows is a tangle of rivalry, an unusual birth, and a cascade of consequences that leads, eventually, to both tragedy and reconciliation. No release date has been confirmed just yet for THE THREE INCESTUOUS SISTERS, but with a cast this stacked and a story this strange and compelling, it’s easily one to keep an eye on. Instagram Youtube [...]
July 7The wait is over. The question that’s been looming since Robert Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne first locked eyes with that scarred, unsettling figure in Arkham has finally been answered, as Barry Keoghan is officially set to return as the Joker in Matt Reeves’ THE BATMAN: PART 2. Keoghan’s original appearance in THE BATMAN was brief but unforgettable, showing up as an unnamed Arkham State Hospital prisoner whose grotesquely scarred face and menacing rapport with Pattinson’s Batman left audiences absolutely certain they were witnessing the early formation of something genuinely dangerous. Reeves himself described the character at the time as a “pre-Joker Joker,” a deliberately incomplete figure not yet the fully-formed villain audiences know, which made the prospect of a sequel appearance all the more loaded with possibility. Keoghan won’t be the only formidable new addition to the villain lineup either. Sebastian Stan has been reported in a casting detailed enough to point toward him playing Harvey Dent, the Gotham district attorney whose descent becomes Two-Face, setting up what could be a significant arc across this chapter and beyond. Scarlett Johansson, making a notable leap from Marvel to the DC universe, has also been reported as joining the film in a mystery role, with speculation swirling around a character who functions as both villain and love interest. With Keoghan now confirmed, the central question hanging over this Gotham chapter is no longer whether the Joker will appear, but how fully Reeves intends to unleash him, and what that unleashing looks like inside his grimy, grounded vision of the city. Instagram Youtube [...]
July 4There’s a quiet thread running through Paul Mescal’s career that often gets overshadowed by the acclaim for his acting, and that’s music. Long before he was an Oscar nominee, Mescal was the kid recording himself singing at the piano, and that instinct never really left him. It surfaced early and unexpectedly in NORMAL PEOPLE, when the show’s soundtrack and Connell’s silver chain became cultural artefacts in their own right, so much so that Mescal auctioned off the actual chain to raise funds for the suicide prevention charity Pieta. Around the same period he even took part in a virtual gig with fellow Irish talent Dermot Kennedy, a small but telling sign of where his interests lay outside scripts. Not long after, he popped up in THE ROLLING STONES’ music video for “Scarlet,” a brief but very real brush with rock royalty that hinted at bigger things to come. His relationship with singer Phoebe Bridgers deepened that connection further. Mescal appeared in her music video for “Savior Complex” and lent backing vocals to her cover of “So Much Wine,” small contributions, but ones that placed him properly inside a musician’s world rather than just adjacent to it. Then came CARMEN, the loose, dance-driven reimagining of Bizet’s opera, where Mescal played a border patrol officer swept into a story built on rhythm and movement as much as dialogue. Critics singled out his physicality and his singing, a clear signal that this wasn’t just a novelty for him but a genuine skill he’d been quietly building. That groundwork paid off properly with THE HISTORY OF SOUND, in which Mescal and Josh O’Connor play two young music students turned folk song collectors, falling for each other while recording disappearing Americana across wartime New England and Maine. It’s as close to a full immersion in musicianship as Mescal has come, and by all accounts he embraced the folk tradition at the heart of the film wholeheartedly. Around the same time, he joined Richard Linklater’s extraordinary, decades-long production of MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, stepping into the musical’s lead role of composer Franklin Shepard, complete with singing and dancing, a project unlike anything else in his filmography given its twenty-year shooting timeline. All of which sets the stage for what’s arguably the most significant music-adjacent role of his career: playing Sir Paul McCartney in Sam Mendes’s four-part Beatles anthology. Mescal has confirmed he’ll do his own singing for the role, and has spoken about how deeply the preparation has affected him personally, describing it as something that’s lit a fire under his own songwriting and reshaped how he listens to music altogether. He’s met McCartney himself on two occasions and has talked with real warmth about the experience. It’s a full-circle moment for an actor whose relationship with music has quietly deepened with almost every role he’s taken, and it’s hard not to wonder whether Mescal the musician might end up being just as interesting a story as Mescal the actor. Instagram Youtube [...]
June 30Netflix is heading to Ireland next month for the start of production on BAD BRIDGETS, a new film bringing together a striking lineup of Irish acting talent and behind-the-scenes professionals. The story follows two sisters who flee an abusive father, poverty, and hunger, undertaking a perilous journey to the United States in search of a better life. Once they arrive in New York, they fall in with a group of fellow Irish women known as the “Bridgets,” whose escapades stir up plenty of chaos across the city. The cast announced so far is a true showcase of Irish screen talent, with Colin Farrell, Domhnall Gleeson, Niamh Algar, Alison Oliver, and Simone Kirby all set to star. Among them is Mullingar native Niamh Algar, recognised for her gripping work in the crime drama CALM WITH HORSES and Channel 4’s THE VIRTUES. Filming will take place on location across Northern Ireland and Ireland starting in mid-July. Behind the camera is Rich Peppiatt, who directs, writes, and produces the project. Peppiatt is no stranger to acclaim, having taken home a Bafta last year in the Outstanding Debut category for his film KNEECAP. BAD BRIDGETS was developed with support from Queen’s University Belfast and is being produced with backing from Northern Ireland Screen, drawing its inspiration from the literary works of “Bad Bridget” by Elaine Farrell and Leanne McCormick. Instagram Youtube [...]
June 29Northern Irish actor Louis McCartney has been cast as Ringo Starr in HAMBURG DAYS, the upcoming BBC drama that will chronicle The Beatles’ formative years in Germany. McCartney, who hails from Helen’s Bay in County Down, is best known to theatre audiences for his acclaimed portrayal of Henry Creel in the West End and Broadway productions of STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW, and his casting marks another significant milestone for Irish talent on the international stage. The six-part series takes audiences back to the early 1960s, when four young musicians from Liverpool were honing their craft in the clubs and bars of Hamburg — years before they would become the most iconic band in music history. It is a story of ambition, raw energy, and the making of a legend, and the BBC is assembling a cast worthy of the material. Joining McCartney is Asa Butterfield, best known for SEX EDUCATION, who will take on the pivotal role of Brian Epstein, the visionary manager who discovered The Beatles in 1961 and guided their rise until his untimely death in 1967. Jonny Lee Miller, whose career-defining turn in TRAINSPOTTING remains one of British cinema’s most enduring performances, will play Jim McCartney, Paul’s father, while Christine Tremarco, who recently drew widespread praise for her work in ADOLESCENCE, will portray Mimi Smith, the aunt and guardian who raised John Lennon. With a compelling ensemble and a story at the very heart of modern music history, HAMBURG DAYS is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated BBC dramas in recent memory. Instagram Youtube [...]
June 25Caitríona Balfe is back in corsets — and we are absolutely here for it. Focus Features and Working Title are bringing a fresh, irresistible new adaptation of Jane Austen’s debut novel to the screen, and the first official poster has just dropped. Balfe herself shared it on Instagram, writing that she is proud to be part of this beautiful new adaptation and praising director Georgia Oakley for creating what she called a truly sumptuous film. SENSE AND SENSIBILITY tells the story of the three Dashwood sisters — Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret — and their widowed mother, who are forced to abandon the family estate following the death of their father. Denied their rightful inheritance by a half-brother unwilling to share, the family retreats to a modest cottage in Devon, where the two eldest daughters navigate the pleasures and heartbreaks of love. Balfe takes on the role of Mrs. Dashwood, mother to Elinor, played by Daisy Edgar-Jones, and Marianne, played by Esmé Creed-Miles — a casting that already feels like something special. Balfe has spoken warmly about the experience, telling Parade that filming has been incredible and that she believes it is going to be really special. There’s also a quietly poignant note to her involvement: after years of stepping away from OUTLANDER for projects like THE CUT before always returning to the series, she reflected that this is the first time there is no going back — and that the difference is both palpable and exciting. SENSE AND SENSIBILITY opens in theatres on October 16. Instagram Youtube [...]
June 24Very few actors command the screen quite like Brendan Gleeson. Over the course of an acclaimed career spanning film, television, and theatre, Gleeson has built an extraordinary body of work that includes some of the most memorable performances of his generation — from THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN and IN BRUGES to GANGS OF NEW YORK and the HARRY POTTER franchise. Now, the iconic Irish actor makes a bold entrance into the Marvel universe, taking on the role of notorious crime boss Silvermane in the Prime Video series SPIDER-NOIR. Starring Nicolas Cage alongside Gleeson and Lamorne Morris, SPIDER-NOIR reimagines the Spider-Man mythology through the lens of classic noir storytelling, blending superhero spectacle with the brooding, atmospheric grit of 1930s New York. The series marks Cage’s first leading role in a television series and delivers a visually stunning world unlike anything Marvel has offered audiences before. In a recent conversation with Awards Buzz, Gleeson opened up about attending the show’s New York premiere, what it was like collaborating with Cage on set, how he approached the complex figure of Silvermane through a noir perspective, and why SPIDER-NOIR represents something genuinely new and exciting within the Marvel landscape. Instagram Youtube [...]
June 23Nicola Coughlan and Joe Cole have been photographed together for the first time on set in I AM HELEN, the latest instalment in Dominic Savage’s acclaimed I AM series for Channel 4. The images give us an early glimpse of the two actors in character, seated on a bed in what appears to be a tense, heated exchange between a couple — though Cole’s role officially remains under wraps for now. Coughlan, best known internationally for BRIDGERTON, developed the story alongside Savage, who once again serves as writer and director on the project. Award-winning Me+You Productions returns as producer. The synopsis describes a drama told through a female lens, one that examines the pressures and expectations placed on women while confronting the realities of toxic masculinity and the damage it can cause in modern relationships — territory that feels both timely and personal to the series’ broader ambitions. I AM HELEN marks a first in the show’s history, stretching its story across two episodes rather than the single-episode format that has defined previous instalments. The series has built a remarkable track record since its debut, with Vicky McClure, Samantha Morton, Gemma Chan, Suranne Jones, Letitia Wright and Lesley Manville each having taken the lead in earlier episodes. The most recent entry, I AM RUTH, starred Kate Winslet and aired in 2022 to widespread acclaim. Both episodes of I AM HELEN are set to air on Channel 4 later this year. Instagram Youtube [...]
June 22The sleeper hit of 2026 has officially made the leap from cinema to your living room, and it wasted no time making an impression. PRESSURE, the gripping WWII drama-thriller directed by Anthony Maras, arrived on PVOD on June 16th and almost immediately emerged as one of the most popular titles on home video. The film hit theatres in the United States on May 29th, and while it never quite secured the kind of wide nationwide release enjoyed by tentpole titles, it made every screen count. It grossed over $15 million at the box office, surpassing the domestic runs of older WWII titles such as NUREMBERG and LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA, and generating the kind of genuine word-of-mouth awareness that money simply cannot buy. The film stars Andrew Scott as RAF Group Captain James Stagg and Brendan Fraser as General Dwight D. Eisenhower, unfolding across the tense 72 hours before D-Day as the two men face an impossible decision — launch the largest seaborne invasion in history, or risk losing the war altogether. The ensemble is rounded out by Kerry Condon, Damian Lewis, and Chris Messina, but it is Scott’s performance that has drawn the most attention, and rightly so. PRESSURE holds an 86% critics score and a remarkable 95% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, with the site’s consensus noting that the film finds a fresh angle on one of the most dramatised days in military history, with Scott’s simmering performance at its thrilling core. Instagram Youtube [...]
June 20Great news for fans of the show that has become one of Disney+’s most talked-about period comedies — RIVALS is officially coming back for a third season. Disney+ has confirmed the renewal ahead of the second volume of RIVALS’ sophomore season, which doesn’t arrive until November. It’s a vote of confidence that speaks volumes, and given the jaw-dropping twists already delivered in the first volume of season two, the excitement building around this show is entirely justified. For the uninitiated, RIVALS is based on Jilly Cooper’s beloved Rutshire Chronicles, brought to life by a stellar ensemble that includes David Tennant, Aidan Turner and Danny Dyer in a world of scandal, seduction and spectacular bad behaviour. If season two has already raised the temperature considerably, the official logline for season three promises things are about to get even more combustible. As the dust settles on the shocking revelations of the current run, stakes will be higher, alliances more fragile, and nothing — absolutely nothing — will stay buried for long. New romances, rekindled old flames and secrets that demand to be spilled are all on the way, pushing everyone’s favourite rivalries to an entirely new level. Production company Happy Prince welcomed the news warmly, expressing both delight and some tenderness in the same breath. The renewal comes with a bittersweet note — Jilly Cooper passed away before she could witness the extraordinary audience response to season two. Her collaborators were quick to honour her memory, noting that she remains very much present in spirit, and that she would have been thrilled to see her world carry on. They also promised to dive deeper into her work as the series continues. Instagram Youtube [...]
June 19Paul Mescal’s rise from sausage adverts to Oscar nominee is one of the most remarkable stories in recent cinema, and right now one of his most beloved films is available to stream on Netflix. Born in Dublin, Mescal burst onto screens in 2020 with his breakthrough role in the BBC drama NORMAL PEOPLE, a pandemic-era sensation that saw audiences fall helplessly in love with his and Daisy Edgar-Jones’ devastating romance, adapted from Sally Rooney’s novel. But it’s his work in AFTERSUN that has left viewers shattered in the best possible way, with fans consistently calling it one of the saddest films ever made. Directed by Charlotte Wells in a stunning feature debut, AFTERSUN casts Mescal alongside the remarkable Frankie Corio as a young father and his eleven-year-old daughter on a sun-soaked holiday at a Turkish resort, the trip falling on the eve of his character Calum’s 31st birthday. Loosely drawn from Wells’ own childhood, the film is told largely through the daughter’s eyes — and through a child’s gaze, there is warmth, laughter and the particular magic of a rare holiday abroad. Yet from the very first frame, something is quietly, unmistakably wrong with Calum. A child may not fully see it, but the audience does. What makes AFTERSUN so extraordinary is how much it holds back. It is quiet, patient and restrained, building with an almost unbearable tenderness toward an ending that stays with you long after the screen goes dark. Mescal and Corio share a chemistry that feels completely lived-in and real, the love between their characters radiating through every scene. Slow-burn films can test your patience, but AFTERSUN earns every second of its stillness — and the payoff is the kind that leaves audiences stunned, devastated and desperate to talk about it with anyone who will listen. If you haven’t seen it yet, now is the time. Instagram Youtube [...]
June 18THE LOST CHILDREN OF TUAM, one of the most anticipated Irish films of the year, is set to make its World Premiere at the 2026 Galway Film Fleadh on Saturday 11th July, with key cast and creatives expected to attend. The film marks a powerful convergence of remarkable talent both in front of and behind the camera, brought together to tell one of the most haunting and consequential stories in recent Irish history. Directed by Frank Berry, whose previous work includes AISHA and MICHAEL INSIDE, and written by Rebecca Lenkiewicz, the acclaimed screenwriter behind THE SALT PATH and SHE SAID, the film draws its source material from a landmark piece of journalism — Dan Barry’s 2017 New York Times article of the same name. It is a story rooted in truth, in grief, and in the quiet, determined courage of one woman who refused to let the past remain buried. At the heart of the film is Monica Dolan, the award-winning actress known for SHERWOOD and MR BATES VS THE POST OFFICE, who takes on the role of Catherine Corless — the local history enthusiast whose painstaking research into the Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, County Galway, led to one of the most devastating discoveries in Irish social history. While compiling records for a local historical society, Corless uncovered evidence suggesting that as many as 796 children may have been buried in unmarked graves on the property. What followed was a campaign for justice — for the victims, for the survivors, and for a truth that Ireland could no longer avoid. Joining Dolan on screen are Andrew Bennett, whose credits include GOD’S CREATURES and THE QUIET GIRL, and Ian McElhinney, familiar to audiences from GAME OF THRONES and DERRY GIRLS. The production brings together an exceptional team of producers, with Liam Neeson, who optioned the rights to the original New York Times article, producing for El Paso Films alongside Jules Daly for Big Red Films, Chelsea Morgan Hoffmann, Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe for Oscar-winning Element Pictures, and Martina Niland for Port Pictures. It is a project clearly assembled with both ambition and care, and its Galway premiere feels entirely fitting — a film about Ireland, premiering in Ireland, with the story of Tuam finally receiving the full and unflinching attention it deserves. Instagram Youtube [...]
June 17Nicola Coughlan is heading to London — and she’s bringing her mystery-solving instincts with her. The DERRY GIRLS and BRIDGERTON star has officially joined the cast of ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING for its highly anticipated sixth season, and it’s the kind of casting news that feels almost too good to be true. Coughlan is one of several major new additions to the show’s ensemble, joining a frankly staggering lineup of British and Irish talent that includes David Tennant, Jodie Whittaker, Jim Broadbent, Richard Ayoade, Adrian Lukis, and Kathryn Hunter. The show’s official social media account broke the news in typically playful fashion, urging followers to keep calm and update the case file — which, honestly, is exactly the energy we needed. For anyone new to the series, ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING follows three amateur true-crime obsessives — played by Steve Martin, Selena Gomez, and Martin Short — who investigate murders connected to their upscale New York apartment building while documenting everything for their podcast. Season 6 marks a significant first for the show, as production has relocated to the UK, with the trio’s investigations taking them across the Atlantic to London. It’s the first time the series has filmed outside the United States, and with a cast of this calibre waiting for them on the other side, the move feels more than justified. No official release date has been confirmed just yet, but all ten episodes of ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING Season 6 will be available on Disney+ in Ireland and internationally when it arrives. Instagram Youtube [...]
June 16Paramount+ is bringing some serious firepower to screens this week, with three very different titles landing on the platform in the days ahead. Leading the charge is the return of one of television’s most gripping espionage dramas, while a beloved animated favourite and a cinematic classic round out what is shaping up to be a strong week for the streaming service. Michael Fassbender is back as CIA officer Martian in Season 2 of THE AGENCY, which arrives on Paramount+ on June 21. This time, Martian goes undercover for MI6 and relocates with his partner Sami, played by the always compelling Jodie Turner-Smith, to a black site in Sudan. When Sami’s safety is threatened, Martian must navigate a dangerous web of global intrigue to reach her, all while paranoia and betrayal tighten their grip around him. If the first season set the bar high, the second looks set to raise it further. Instagram Youtube [...]
June 12Colin Farrell is back as the enigmatic John Sugar, and if his recent chat with Extra is anything to go by, Season 2 of SUGAR is shaping up to be a serious step up from an already bold debut. The Apple TV+ series — which blends noir mystery with science fiction in a way few shows have dared to attempt — returns on June 19th, and Farrell is clearly excited about where things are headed. Speaking about what viewers can expect, Farrell teased a more emotionally layered outing for his alien protagonist, with romance firmly on the cards and a deeper exploration of the human experiences that define John Sugar’s world. A major highlight, by the sound of it, will be the arrival of Laura Donnelly, whose presence Farrell praised warmly, pointing to the sensuality and easy, natural breeziness she brings to the show. High praise from a man who doesn’t tend to dish it out lightly. For those still processing the extraterrestrial reveal that turned Season 1 on its head in its closing moments, there’s good news — Season 2 promises to fill in the gaps, offering greater context around John’s backstory and the journey that brought him to where we first found him. It sounds like the pieces are finally coming together. SUGAR Season 2 premieres June 19th on Apple TV+. Instagram Youtube [...]
June 11Domhnall Gleeson has been one of the most compelling presences on television this year, and his recent appearance on the TV Topics couch only reinforced just how much thought and warmth he brings to his craft. The Irish actor sat down for a genuinely enjoyable conversation centred on his standout work in THE PAPER, the acclaimed Peacock mockumentary that has won over critics and audiences alike since its debut in September 2025. Set in the same universe as THE OFFICE, the series follows the documentary crew as they train their cameras on the Toledo Truth Teller, a struggling Midwestern newspaper whose passionate new editor-in-chief, Ned Sampson, is determined to drag it back from the brink. In the interview, Gleeson was refreshingly candid and characteristically charming as he opened up about what drew him to Ned and what it has been like inhabiting such a richly comic yet deeply human character. He touched on the particular joy of playing someone who is equal parts idealist and loveable goofball, and spoke warmly about the ensemble dynamic that gives the show so much of its texture and heart. Perhaps most delightfully, he shared what his famous father, Brendan Gleeson, made of the performance — always a talking point that Domhnall handles with easy good humour. The romance brewing between Ned and Mare also came up, offering a glimpse into the emotional undercurrent that gives THE PAPER something to say beyond the laughs. It is the kind of interview that reminds you why this actor continues to be such a compelling figure to watch, both on screen and off. Instagram Youtube [...]
June 10Colm Meaney steals hearts as Ethan Mack in Olivia Newman’s hit Netflix adaptation of REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES. The beloved Irish actor brings a distinct, grounded warmth to the cinematic version of Shelby Van Pelt’s bestselling novel. Known to sci-fi fans as Chief O’Brien from Star Trek, Meaney shifts gears perfectly into this gentle, small-town drama to deliver a performance rooted in pure empathy. In the film, Meaney portrays the Grateful Dead–obsessed general store owner of Sowell Bay. While the plot revolves around Tova, a grieving widow played by Sally Field, and a brilliant Pacific octopus, Meaney acts as the film’s emotional anchor. He beautifully balances a quirky Scottish accent with a quiet devotion to Tova, offering her space to heal while gently nudging her to let love back into her life. He also acts as a crucial bridge for Cameron, the young drifter, by providing him with shelter and a vital job recommendation. Reviewers have highlighted Meaney’s ability to elevate a standard romantic subplot into something genuinely sweet and unpretentious. He provides the exact type of comfort-food acting required for this warm blanket of a movie. Ultimately, his scene-stealing charm serves as a beautiful reminder that humans can be remarkably bright creatures, too. Instagram Youtube [...]
June 8Caitríona Balfe is one of the busiest actresses working today, with an impressive slate of projects either already available to watch or heading our way in the coming months. Her film THE CUT is currently streaming on Paramount+, in which she plays a woman who co-owns a boxing gym alongside Orlando Bloom’s character, a former champion fighting his way back from a career-ending defeat. It is a compelling showcase for Balfe in a grittier, more contemporary setting than many of her recent roles. Looking ahead, the most anticipated project on her schedule is a new adaptation of SENSE AND SENSIBILITY for Focus Features, directed by Georgia Oakley from a screenplay by Diana Reid. Balfe plays Mrs. Dashwood, mother to Elinor and Marianne, played respectively by Daisy Edgar-Jones and Esmé Creed-Miles, with George MacKay and Fiona Shaw also among the cast. The film is set for release in the UK on September 25th and in the US on October 16th, and by all accounts it looks set to be something special. She has also recently begun production on THE HOUSEKEEPER, a romantic drama set in the 1930s shooting in and around London, and has joined the cast of A LONG WINTER alongside Ebon Moss-Bachrach. With projects this varied and this promising in the pipeline, Caitríona Balfe is clearly entering one of the most exciting chapters of her career. Instagram Youtube [...]
June 6Sun, sea and sexual desire collide in TWO WEEKS IN AUGUST, a new BBC comedy drama following a group of friends who pack their bags for a Greek getaway — only to find that paradise has a way of exposing everything they’d rather keep hidden. Many of the group are now married with young families, arriving with hopes of fun in the sun, but an illicit liaison soon threatens to unravel their best-laid plans, stirring up frustrations and resentments that have clearly been simmering long before anyone boarded the plane. The series comes from the production team behind I MAY DESTROY YOU, and carries something of the DNA of THE WHITE LOTUS — except here, the existential dread arrives alongside mortgage pressures and childcare dilemmas rather than luxury excess. At the heart of this holiday from hell is Irish actor Damien Molony, who plays Dan, a man quietly wrestling with personal demons and the widening cracks in his marriage to Zoe, played by Jessica Raine. Speaking in his own Irish accent, Molony describes his character as someone who is a little bit broken and doesn’t know how to put himself back together again — a reluctant holidaymaker with neither the energy nor the headspace for a group trip abroad. Filmed on location in Malta but set against the sun-drenched backdrop of Greece, TWO WEEKS IN AUGUST takes an unexpected turn by leaning into the supernatural, with Greek mythology and the presence of the Gods weaving heavily through the story — adding an otherworldly charge to what is already a pressure-cooker of unspoken truths and combustible relationships. Instagram Youtube [...]
June 5Eve Hewson is quietly becoming one of the most exciting names in awards season conversation. The Dublin-born actress has set the film world abuzz with her performance in DISCLOSURE DAY, the hotly anticipated new sci-fi venture from Steven Spielberg, and early whispers have rapidly grown into something far more serious. Advance screenings have drawn glowing reviews from critics, and bookmaker Ladbrokes has taken notice, placing the 34-year-old at 10/1 odds to land an Academy Award nomination — a figure that will no doubt have Irish fans daring to dream. That Hewson holds her own in a cast featuring Emily Blunt, Colin Firth and Colman Domingo speaks volumes about the calibre of her work in the film. These are not names that allow for passengers, and yet it is the Irish actress who is generating the kind of quiet, persistent buzz that tends to matter most when awards bodies begin deliberating. Ladbrokes entering her into early Oscar contention is not a casual gesture — it is a signal that something genuinely special may be unfolding on screen. For Ireland, a nomination would carry a weight beyond the personal. The country’s footprint at the Academy Awards has grown meaningfully in recent years, and that momentum was felt as recently as this past March, when Kerry’s Jessie Buckley claimed Best Actress for her remarkable turn in HAMNET. Should Hewson follow in those footsteps, it would further affirm that Irish talent is no longer a pleasant surprise at the Oscars — it is an expectation. Instagram Youtube [...]
June 4The highly anticipated second season of the neo-noir mystery series SUGAR, starring Colin Farrell, is officially set to premiere globally on Apple TV+ on Friday, June 19, 2026. The eight-episode season kicks off with a single debut episode, followed by a new weekly release every Friday. In this new chapter, private detective John Sugar finds himself back on the stylish streets of Los Angeles tackling a high-stakes missing persons case involving the older brother of a rising local boxer. As he dives deeper into the investigation, the search unravels a massive city-wide conspiracy that forces him to question his own morals and choices. Alongside this new case, SUGAR remains driven by his deeply personal and desperate quest to discover the truth behind his own sister’s disappearance. The upcoming season sees Sam Catlin taking over as showrunner and executive producer, bringing fresh creative vision to the series’ distinct visual style. While Colin Farrell returns to lead the cast, viewers can also look forward to an impressive lineup of new series regulars including Jin Ha, Raymond Lee, Tony Dalton, Laura Donnelly, Sasha Calle, and Shea Whigham. Instagram Youtube [...]
June 2There’s a pleasing circularity in Jack Reynor’s involvement in POWER BALLAD. The Irish-American actor first worked with John Carney in Sing Street, the 2016 Dublin-set coming-of-age musical in which he played the older brother whose own failed musical ambitions shadow the film’s young protagonist — a role that won him an IFTA for Best Supporting Actor. A decade on, Reynor is back in Carney’s orbit, this time as Mac, the slick LA-based music manager whose instinct to protect a client’s commercial interests sets the film’s second-act conflict in motion. It’s a neat bit of casting for anyone paying attention, and Reynor — who has spent the intervening years building a genuinely varied career across Ari Aster’s folk-horror MIDSOMAR, Amazon’s sci-fi series The PERIPHERAL, and the Netflix murder mystery THE PERFECT COUPLE — brings real sharpness to a role that could easily have been thankless villainy. Mac isn’t the villain exactly, just the most pragmatic person in the room, and that’s a more interesting thing to play. Power Ballad is, in many ways, the most commercially minded film Carney has made. The director has carved out something close to a unique niche — intimate, music-driven stories shot through with Dublin feeling and a faith in the redemptive properties of a good song. ONCE remains the high watermark, a near-perfect small film that somehow felt like both a demo reel and a masterpiece. SING STREET and BEGIN AGAIN found their audiences too, the former especially earning a devoted following for its infectious exuberance. POWER BALLAD widens the lens considerably: this is a transatlantic production built around two charismatic, bankable leads in Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas, and it has the feel of a film that wants to be liked by as many people as possible. Instagram Youtube [...]
May 28Jamie Dornan has spent his career mastering the art of transformation—from his breakout role in the FIFTY SHADES franchise to his chilling performance in the BBC’s PSYCHO adaptation. But lately, the Irish actor, model, and international heartthrob finds himself thinking less about awards and accolades and more about something far simpler: being a semi-cool dad. It’s a refreshing admission from someone who has scaled the heights of Hollywood, and it sets the tone for what promises to be one of the biggest years of his career. The actor recently became the face of Moncler’s “Puffy Summer” campaign, but his real excitement lies elsewhere. Dornan is juggling an ambitious slate of projects that represent some of the most challenging and rewarding work of his professional life. There’s a palpable sense of both terror and exhilaration in how he discusses what’s ahead, a duality that reveals the kind of actor he’s become—one who doesn’t shy away from difficulty but actively seeks it out. The first major project is 12 12 12, a collaboration between Skydance and Apple that pairs Dornan with Anthony Mackie in a globe-trotting cat-and-mouse heist thriller. The film spans multiple continents and was shot in Budapest, an experience Dornan describes as incredible. His history with Mackie—they worked together about eight years ago—meant the chemistry was already there, transforming what could have been a grueling shoot into something genuinely fun. There’s a comfort in that kind of professional familiarity, a shorthand that allows actors to dig deeper into their characters without wasting energy on getting to know each other. But it’s his Netflix series THE UNDERTOW that seems to genuinely unsettle him, in the best possible way. In it, Dornan plays identical twins, a role that represents a rare career opportunity. Most actors never get the chance to inhabit two distinct human beings within a single narrative, and Dornan approaches it with appropriate humility and dread. The pressure stems not from external expectations but from his own internal drive to make both characters feel wholly separate, to ensure that despite their biological similarity, they register as entirely different entities to the audience. It’s the kind of technical and emotional challenge that separates good actors from great ones. What’s striking about Dornan’s approach to both projects is his willingness to lean into the fear. He doesn’t pretend to have all the answers or present a facade of unshakeable confidence. Instead, he acknowledges the terror head-on and lets it fuel his work. This same vulnerability emerged during his recent hosting stint on Saturday Night Live, where he admitted to the cast that he was terrified—only to discover that they were scared too. That collective acknowledgment of shared fear transformed the experience from something isolating into something collaborative and ultimately liberating. By dress rehearsal with a live audience, when genuine laughter filled the room, Dornan knew everything would be fine. It’s that same philosophy he’s bringing to THE UNDERTOW. He’s deliberately trying to embrace the madness of playing twins, to let the enormity of the opportunity sink in and actually savor it rather than simply endure it. There’s an intentionality there, a conscious decision to enjoy the moment rather than merely survive it. For an actor at this stage of his career, with a young family at home and the freedom to be selective about his roles, that mindset represents a kind of professional wisdom that can only come with experience. As Dornan looks ahead to 12 12 12, THE UNDERTOW, and whatever comes next, it’s clear that he’s not chasing stardom or trying to prove anything to anyone. Instead, he’s pursuing work that excites him, collaborations with talented people, and opportunities that scare him just enough to remind him why he fell in love with acting in the first place. And if he manages to be a semi-cool dad along the way, well, that’s perhaps the greatest achievement of all. Instagram Youtube [...]
May 26Andrew Scott, the celebrated actor known for his transformative performances in FLEABAG, SHERLOCK, ALL OF US STRANGERS, and RIPLEY, is now stepping behind the camera to shape the future of filmmaking. In a significant evolution of the Redbreast Unhidden platform, Scott is deepening his partnership with the prestigious initiative, bringing his discerning eye and commitment to creative exploration to a curated selection of emerging talent. The award represents more than just recognition—it embodies a shared vision between Scott and Redbreast to illuminate the next generation of filmmakers and uncover the cinematic gems that might otherwise remain hidden from broader audiences. Presented officially at the renowned SXSW festival, the Redbreast Unhidden Award honors one outstanding filmmaker from a carefully selected shortlist of short film finalists, offering winners not merely accolades but tangible support to propel their careers forward. The inaugural winner in 2025, Andy Reid for BRIEF SOMEBODIES, set an inspiring precedent for what this award could mean for emerging voices in cinema. This year, the competition has grown even more compelling. Scott has meticulously curated a shortlist featuring five original works that demonstrate the bold storytelling and innovative vision the award celebrates: CAN I PUT YOU ON HOLD by James Cutler, VISITORS by Cali’ Minnie’ Schedeen, WE WERE HERE by Pranav Bhasin, IMAGO by Ariel Zengotita, and WINTER CEREMONY by Sidi Wang. Each film represents a distinct artistic perspective and the kind of fearless creative ambition that Scott himself has come to exemplify throughout his acting career. In a new interview with THE GLOSS, Scott talks about where he’s at in his life and his love of supporting creatives. Instagram Youtube [...]
May 25The film CEASEFIRE will star Chris O’Dowd, the beloved Irish actor best known for his role in the hit comedy series Moone Boy. At 46, O’Dowd brings both comedic timing and dramatic depth—qualities that will serve this nuanced historical narrative well. The two O’Dowds—actor and diplomat—have already established a warm relationship. According to reports, Chris is said to be “chuffed” (delighted) to play Niall, and the pair have been in regular contact as the actor prepares for the role. This kind of direct collaboration between subject and portrayer often results in performances that capture not just facts, but the spirit and essence of a person. Chris O’Dowd is joined by an impressive ensemble cast. Oscar-winning legend Jane Fonda brings her formidable presence to a supporting role, while acclaimed Irish actor Ciaran Hinds lends authenticity and dramatic weight to the production. This combination of international star power and Irish talent signals that this is no ordinary biopic—it’s a major Hollywood event with a story that demands to be told on the world stage. With Jane Fonda and Ciaran Hinds in supporting roles, CEASEFIRE is shaping up to be a significant cinematic event—one that brings international prestige to an Irish story that deserves to be seen by audiences around the globe. Filming is set to begin in Ireland later this year, which means the story will be told on the very ground where it unfolded. There’s something poetic about that: a New York journalist’s work on behalf of Irish peace, now being filmed in the Irish countryside, for audiences around the world. Instagram Youtube [...]
April 16Rising Irish director Lee Cronin is set to make waves in the horror world once again with the Friday release of THE MUMMY, an audacious and twisted retelling of a classic monster tale that’s already garnering rave reviews from devoted horror fans. This latest venture marks another significant milestone for the Dublin-born filmmaker who has rapidly established himself as one of contemporary horror’s most compelling voices. Cronin first burst onto the scene in 2019 with THE HOLE IN THE GROUND, an atmospheric chiller that unfolded across the Irish countryside and caught the attention of acclaimed distributor A24, who brought it to American audiences. That breakthrough performance led to a major opportunity: writing and directing EVIL DEAD RISE in 2023, the fifth installment in the legendary horror franchise and its first new entry in a decade. The film’s dual success—both commercially and critically—cemented Cronin’s reputation as a visionary in the genre and resulted in the exciting announcement that two additional EVIL DEAD movies are in development, with Cronin taking on an executive producer role. THE MUMMY, which Cronin wrote himself, centers on a young girl who mysteriously reappears after vanishing for eight years. What begins as a joyful family reunion quickly descends into something far more sinister, as the girl’s broken family discovers that her return is far from the blessing they’d hoped for. The film promises to deliver the kind of unsettling horror that has become Cronin’s trademark, exploring the darkness that lurks beneath moments of supposed salvation. Complementing Cronin’s vision is Irish actor Jack Reynor, a seasoned collaborator with the horror genre who previously starred in A24’s haunting 2019 film MIDSOMMAR, directed by Ari Aster. With this combination of directorial talent and strong casting, THE MUMMY appears poised to satisfy the appetite of horror enthusiasts everywhere. Instagram Youtube [...]
April 15The UK edition of Saturday Night Live is gearing up for a spectacular return with two powerhouse hosts taking the helm for back-to-back episodes that promise to deliver comedy gold and unforgettable musical performances. Nicola Coughlan and Aimee Lou Wood have been tapped to lead the charge, bringing their distinctive energy and comedic prowess to the iconic sketch show as it bounces back from a brief hiatus. Kicking off the action on April 25th, Irish actor Coughlan will step into the hosting role with legendary rock band Foo Fighters providing the musical firepower for the evening. The 39-year-old Galway-born performer has built an impressive career spanning beloved television hits and will now add Saturday Night Live hosting to her growing list of accolades. Coughlan is best known for her panicky turn as Clare Devlin on Channel 4’s cult comedy DERRY GIRLS and for her quieter, more nuanced portrayal of wallflower Penelope Bridgerton in Netflix’s sweeping regency romance BRIDGERTON. Her stint on the show marks the triumphant return of SNL UK following its one-week pause, and the addition of Foo Fighters—who have graced the stage of the American version nine times—guarantees an evening of rock star caliber entertainment. A week later, on May 2nd, Aimee Lou Wood will take her turn at the hosting desk, with rising British sensation Meek providing the musical accompaniment for what promises to be an equally riveting episode. Both hosts will follow the traditional SNL format, opening with their own monologues and throwing themselves into sketches throughout the 75-minute broadcast. They join an impressive roster of recent hosts that includes comedy legend Tina Fey, Irish heartthrob Jamie Dornan, acclaimed actor Riz Ahmed, and British television favorite Jack Whitehall, each of whom has brought their own flair to the show’s signature blend of sharp writing and live performance chaos. SNL UK will return to screens on Sky and Now TV on April 25th, ready to prove once again why the sketch comedy format remains one of television’s most unpredictable and entertaining institutions. Instagram Youtube [...]
March 30Graham Norton is stepping away from his iconic red chair to venture into new television territory. The renowned chat show host has partnered with ITV on an ambitious new project called THE NEIGHBOURHOOD, a departure from his familiar format that will transport viewers to the stunning Peak District for an unprecedented gameshow experience. Announced in February 2025, this eleven-part series represents a bold experiment in reality television. Six households from across the UK will relocate to a specially constructed community called Keep Your Enemies Close, where they’ll navigate a fascinating blend of high-stakes competition, elaborate challenges, and the kind of domestic drama that naturally emerges when neighbors become competitors. The ultimate prize at stake is a substantial £250,000, providing real incentive for the residents to outperform one another in a street-sized popularity contest unlike anything currently on television. The concept taps into something fundamentally compelling about human nature. Rather than the traditional keeping up with the Joneses mentality, THE NEIGHBOURHOOD inverts the dynamic entirely—it’s about beating them. The show promises to deliver what its official description calls “high-stakes competition, epic challenges and relatable domestic drama, to offer a completely fresh flavour of reality.” This fusion of elements positions the project as something genuinely novel in the crowded reality television landscape. The public response to early promotional materials has been overwhelmingly positive. ITV’s social media channels filled with enthusiastic viewers expressing genuine excitement about the prospect, with one person even playfully requesting directions to the fictional setting. Perhaps more tellingly, early viewers who saw the pilot episode reported being genuinely impressed by what they experienced. One Facebook commenter wrote that they believed people would be discussing the show for days after episodes aired, predicting that viewers would binge the entire series in one sitting. Norton himself has expressed enthusiasm about exploring the psychological dimension of the project. Known for his curiosity about human behavior—a quality that has served him well during nearly two decades hosting ITV’s coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest—he acknowledged his fascination with what unfolds in the hidden moments of everyday life. THE NEIGHBOURHOOD gives him an opportunity to construct an entire environment in which to observe exactly that phenomenon at scale. This new venture suggests Norton’s career continues to evolve beyond his celebrated chat show format, proving that even the most established television personalities can surprise audiences with ambitious new directions. Instagram Youtube [...]
March 29When Oscar-nominated actor Ciarán Hinds sat down with Patrick Kielty on Friday’s LATE LATE SHOW on RTÉ One, he didn’t just discuss his recent achievements—he took the audience back to the formative moment that would forever shape his career and forge one of cinema’s most enduring friendships. In his characteristic warm and reflective manner, Hinds recalled how he and Liam Neeson first bonded during a transformative trip to Holland in their late teens, a journey that would set both men on the path to international stardom. The two young actors were naive and gauche by their own admission, barely seventeen or eighteen years old when they left Ireland for the first time to immerse themselves in the European theatre scene, attending workshops and meeting fellow artists from across the continent. It was in this crucible of artistic ambition and youthful uncertainty that their bond crystallized. Neither could have known that this formative experience would become the foundation of a lifelong friendship that would later be documented in one of the evening’s most charming moments—a video clip showing Neeson wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with Hinds’s face, a playful nod to their shared history that delighted the Late Late Show audience. The occasion for this Late Late Show appearance was itself a testament to Hinds’s remarkable career. Last month, he was honoured with an IFTA Lifetime Achievement Award, one of Irish cinema’s highest accolades. Speaking about receiving this prestigious recognition in Dublin, Hinds reflected on the deeply personal nature of the moment. “It’s very humbling, and it’s also a great honour,” he said, his voice tinged with genuine emotion. He explained how he had deliberately invited his sisters down from Belfast to help diffuse the spotlight, understanding that such moments are best shared with family rather than borne alone. His wife and daughter traveled from Paris for the occasion, transforming what could have been a solitary moment of glory into a warm family gathering—a choice that speaks volumes about Hinds’s character and priorities. Looking ahead, Hinds’s next project promises to be equally compelling. THE THREE URNS, an Irish road movie that has clearly resonated with Hinds, will arrive in cinemas on Friday, 17 April. The film represents another chapter in a career that has always seemed to circle back to stories rooted in Irish experience and identity, yet told with a cosmopolitan sophistication that speaks to Hinds’s international standing in the world of cinema. From that naive seventeen-year-old who first bonded with Liam Neeson in Holland to the acclaimed actor now being celebrated with lifetime achievement awards, Ciarán Hinds has travelled a remarkable journey. Yet the through-line remains constant: a commitment to meaningful work, to the relationships that sustain us, and to the belief that art, whether on stage or screen, matters profoundly. His reflections on the Late Late Show weren’t just nostalgia—they were a reminder that careers built on genuine connection and authentic artistry endure far longer than those built on ambition alone. Instagram Youtube [...]
March 27One of Ireland’s most celebrated actors is stepping into one of history’s most consequential moments. Andrew Scott has been cast in the upcoming World War II drama PRESSURE, a film that shines a spotlight on the untold human story behind the D-Day landings—specifically, the man whose shoulders bore the weight of one of the most critical meteorological decisions of the war. Scott portrays James Stagg, a real-life meteorologist who faced an almost unimaginable responsibility: predicting the weather conditions that would determine whether the Allied invasion of Normandy could proceed at all. This wasn’t merely a matter of academic accuracy; the stakes were existential. A wrong forecast could have spelled catastrophic failure for the operation. A delay risked exposing the entire mission to enemy detection and compromise. In the hands of one man’s calculations lay the fate of thousands of soldiers and the trajectory of the war itself. The film unfolds across seventy-two agonizing hours before D-Day, capturing the mounting tension as Stagg works in close collaboration with the Allied commanders tasked with orchestrating the invasion. But at the emotional core of PRESSURE lies the fraught relationship between the meteorologist and General Dwight D. Eisenhower, played by Brendan Fraser—the supreme commander bearing ultimate responsibility for green-lighting the operation. It is a study in the human cost of command, the burden of expertise, and the impossible choices demanded of those who must act decisively with incomplete information. By centering the narrative on the personal and professional dynamics between these two men, PRESSURE offers audiences something rare: a window into the quiet, unglamorous decisions that shaped the course of history. Rather than dwelling on battlefield heroics, the film examines the tension between science and strategy, between the men who read the clouds and the commanders who must read the moment. It is a deeply human drama about the weight of responsibility, the vulnerability of those entrusted with momentous choices, and the way that pivotal historical events often turn not on grand gestures but on conversations in cramped rooms between exhausted men facing impossible odds. With Scott’s commanding presence and Fraser’s embodiment of Eisenhower’s burden, supported by Kerry Condon and an ensemble cast, PRESSURE is positioned to deliver a gripping and emotionally resonant examination of one of the Second World War’s most pivotal hours—told through the eyes of those who lived it. Instagram Youtube [...]
March 26Éanna Hardwicke is having a defining year. Fresh from his acclaimed portrayal of Roy Keane in SAIPAN, for which he won an IFTA, he has cemented his status as one of Ireland’s most compelling talents. His impact extends beyond film—he has been captivating audiences at London’s National Theatre in THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD, one of theatre’s most iconic plays. With a major award win, a career-defining film role still resonating with audiences, and a standout turn in one of the stage’s most demanding vehicles, 2026 is fast becoming the year Hardwicke steps firmly into the spotlight. This week, he returns to the big screen with NO ORDINARY HEIST, a gripping retelling of the infamous Northern Bank robbery that draws on a shocking true story. Director Colin McIvor explores one of the most remarkable crimes in modern Irish history: in December 2004, a criminal gang kidnapped two bank workers’ families, forcing the employees to steal £26.5 million from a Belfast vault. Remarkably, the criminals orchestrated the entire heist without ever entering the bank themselves. For the sake of the real people involved, their names and details have been changed in the film. The film’s tension dips slightly in the middle as Barry and Richard struggle to follow the criminals’ instructions, a lull likely stemming from budget constraints rather than any fault of the performances. Eddie Marsan and Éanna Hardwicke deliver superb turns as desperate men trying to hold themselves together for their loved ones. Despite these moments, NO ORDINARY HEIST remains a gripping, claustrophobic drama that stands out for being a Belfast-set film free of politics, allowing the human story to take centre stage. Instagram Youtube [...]
March 25Saturday Night Live is finally coming to the United Kingdom, and the iconic American sketch comedy series has assembled an impressive lineup of hosts for its maiden British voyage. The six-part SNL UK series represents a landmark moment for British television, bringing Lorne Michaels’ legendary format to British audiences for the very first time since the show’s inception in the United States back in 1975. Broadcasting live from London every Saturday at 22:00 on Sky, the new series promises to deliver the same irreverent humor and topical satire that has made the American version a cultural institution for nearly five decades. The first three episodes have already secured an exciting array of talent to guide viewers through this exciting new chapter. FIFTY SHADES OF GREY and THE TOURIST star Jamie Dornan will host the programme’s second episode, bringing his charm and comedic sensibilities to the live stage alongside the Brit-award winning band Wolf Alice. Following in the opening week, the beloved indie band Wet Leg will join the first host for what promises to be a strong start to the series. Four Lions actor Riz Ahmed takes on hosting duties for the third episode, with rock legends Kasabian performing as the musical guest. Each 75-minute episode will follow the established SNL formula that audiences know and love, beginning with an opening monologue before diving into topical sketches, live musical performances, and the show’s signature “Weekend Update” segment—a sharp satire of the week’s most pressing news stories. This blend of sketch comedy, musical entertainment, and comedic commentary on current events has proven to be a winning formula across the Atlantic, and now British viewers will get to experience it firsthand with local talent and perspectives shaping the comedy. Instagram Youtube [...]
March 24In one of television’s most haunting moments, Claire brings a baby back to life. The scene leaves her shaken, raising profound questions about her extraordinary abilities. From SEASON 1 onward, Claire has demonstrated remarkable gifts—sensing things others can’t, experiencing intuitions, perceiving an otherworldly quality surrounding people like invisible color. She can even travel through time. Yet the nature of these powers remains contested among those who created her story. One central debate emerged during development: Does Claire control her power, or does it simply happen to her? One writer insisted her abilities manifest without her deliberate engagement, that she’s a passive observer rather than an active agent. When she brings the baby back to life, she’s in shock, witnessing something beyond her comprehension. Yet there’s another perspective—that Claire possesses genuine power rooted in her ability to channel and relay human energy. From this view, it would have been more empowering to see her consciously engage with her abilities rather than have them manifest as something utterly beyond her control. Perhaps the answer lies somewhere between these positions. Maybe Claire is a conduit, a bridge between worlds through which mysterious forces flow. A conduit doesn’t necessarily understand what moves through it; it simply allows passage. She might serve as the vessel through which something far greater expresses itself in moments of desperate need. What that power represents—magic, a higher power, the vast unknowable—remains beautifully uncertain. The mystery might be the point itself: Claire exists in a space between worlds, carrying something that defies categorization. In her inexplicable ability to bring life back where only death should remain, we glimpse profound forces that move beneath the surface of our world. Instagram Youtube [...]
March 20Today, THE IMMORTAL MAN premieres on Netflix, and with it comes the closure that fans of Peaky Blinders have been waiting for since the series concluded its run. This is not another spinoff or expansion of the universe. This is the final word on Tommy Shelby, the definitive end to one of television’s most captivating characters. The weight of that finality hangs heavy as the film goes live across the globe. For nearly a decade, Peaky Blinders carved out a space in our collective consciousness that few shows have managed. It was gritty, intelligent, propulsive, and utterly uncompromising. Cillian Murphy’s portrayal of Tommy Shelby became the embodiment of calculated ruthlessness wrapped in vulnerability, a man whose mind was always ten steps ahead but whose soul bore the scars of every decision made along the way. When the series ended, there was an understanding that this story needed one more act. Not to glorify Tommy, not to redeem him, but to finally, definitively, let him go. Steven Knight has returned to write and shape this conclusion, bringing the same unflinching perspective that defined the series. THE IMMORTAL MAN takes us to a Tommy Shelby who has retreated from the world, waiting for death to claim him. But death, it seems, is not ready to oblige. The chaos of World War II has reignited Birmingham’s powder keg, and a new generation of Peaky Blinders—more savage, more unmoored from any code—has risen in his absence. His own son, Duke, now leads this fractured gang, and the boy knows nothing of his father’s legacy, only his own hunger for blood and power. What makes this moment extraordinary is what THE IMMORTAL MAN refuses to be. It’s not a triumphant return. It’s not a hero’s journey or a redemption arc. It’s an exploration of exhaustion, of a man so hollowed out by violence and loss that continued existence feels like punishment rather than privilege. Tommy Shelby has spent his life manipulating the world around him, but there is no manipulation that can save him now. The ghosts have finally caught up, and this film is the settling of accounts. Netflix’s involvement once stirred concern. The platform’s original films have always been wildly inconsistent, swinging from genuine artistic achievements to baffling misfires. But with Knight at the helm and Cillian Murphy delivering what is sure to be one of the finest performances of his career, THE IMMORTAL MAN had the potential to transcend the typical Netflix pitfall. The question of whether it succeeds, whether it honors the series and delivers a proper farewell, is one that audiences can now answer for themselves. This premiere represents more than just another content drop on a streaming service. It is the culmination of a story that mattered, told by people who understand why it mattered, featuring an actor who embodied its essence. Tommy Shelby’s final reckoning is here. Watch it knowing that you are witnessing the end of something truly significant. Whatever THE IMMORTAL MAN ultimately delivers, it arrives with the weight of consequence, and that alone sets it apart from the noise. The gypsy king’s last move is being made. The question is whether the board will ever be the same. Instagram Youtube [...]
March 19Bernard MacLaverty’s 2017 novel, adapted here by MacLaverty and Nick Payne, reveals a writer who understands the profound weight of what remains unspoken. In MIDWINTER BREAK, director Bleak Findlay and her team have crafted an exploration of how a carefully maintained emotional equilibrium can be disrupted by something as deceptively simple as a change of scenery. The film opens with Stella’s impulsive decision to book a surprise Christmas trip to Amsterdam—a gesture that carries all the quiet hope of someone trying to reignite something vital, even if she cannot quite admit that’s what she’s doing. A new environment, after all, has always held the promise of renewal, though such promises often go unfulfilled. What unfolds in Amsterdam is a study in how two people can inhabit the same space while remaining fundamentally apart. Laurie Rose’s cinematography transforms the Dutch city into something both beautiful and forbidding, capturing the geometric precision of its canals and architecture while communicating the brutal cold that settles in at year’s end. The visual language mirrors the emotional tenor of the relationship itself—elegant on the surface, yet carrying an undertone of chill. As Stella becomes increasingly drawn to a Catholic convent at the heart of this Protestant city, seeking something intangible, Gerry—an architect whose own practice crumbled during wartime—expresses a bewilderment that feels deeply personal. His inability to comprehend her spiritual yearning becomes a metaphor for the larger distances that separate them, the gaps they’ve learned to navigate rather than cross. The performances from Hinds and Manville deserve particular praise. They move through this film with a kind of choreographed delicacy, two people who have built their relationship on a foundation of interlocking vulnerabilities and mutual evasions. What makes their work so affecting is the way they suggest both characters understand exactly what they’re not saying to each other, and have made a pact—unspoken, of course—never to disturb the fragile structure they’ve constructed together. This is not a relationship marked by violence or even considerable anger. There is little melodrama here. Instead, there is simply the act of getting by, of two people who know far too much about each other’s pain to ever fully articulate it. Instagram Youtube [...]
March 18Andrew Scott has built a career on embracing the messy, contradictory aspects of human nature. In reflecting on the roles that have defined his professional journey, the actor reveals a consistent thread running through his most memorable performances: a deep commitment to portraying characters who resist easy categorization. From the manipulative yet vulnerable Priest in FLEABAG to the calculating con artist Tom Ripley in RIPLEY, Scott has repeatedly chosen parts that demand audiences sit with discomfort and moral ambiguity rather than retreat into judgment. His breakthrough role as Sherlock Holmes in SHERLOCK introduced him to a global audience, but it was his willingness to subvert the detective’s cold brilliance with moments of genuine yearning that made the character resonate. This same instinct guided his approach to RIPLEY, where he peeled back the layers of a character defined by desperation and desire. Scott doesn’t shy away from portraying men who are fundamentally broken in compelling ways—characters whose flaws are not incidental but central to who they are. Scott’s earlier work in SAVING PRIVATE RYAN demonstrated his ability to hold his own alongside established names while bringing quiet intensity to supporting moments. Yet it’s in recent years that he’s truly flourished, taking on roles in projects like ALL OF US STRANGERS where vulnerability becomes a superpower. These choices reflect an actor unafraid of emotional exposure, willing to let audiences see the fractures beneath the surface. At the heart of Scott’s philosophy lies a fundamental belief in the power of strong writing. He recognizes that great acting cannot exist in a vacuum—it requires material worthy of the effort, scripts that provide depth and complexity enough to inhabit fully. His approach to taking creative risks stems from this understanding: he seeks out narratives that challenge him precisely because they challenge audiences. There’s no safety in the roles he selects, no guaranteed sympathy. Instead, there’s the thrill of presenting characters so authentically drawn, so painfully human, that viewers cannot help but connect with them despite—or perhaps because of—their fundamental flaws. This commitment to complexity over comfort has become Scott’s signature. He understands that audiences crave connection with imperfect people, that we recognize ourselves most clearly in characters who fail, who want the wrong things, who hurt those around them while desperately seeking connection. By consistently choosing roles that honor this truth, Andrew Scott has become one of cinema’s most compelling chroniclers of the human condition in all its messy, contradictory glory. Instagram Youtube [...]
March 15She swept the Golden Globes, the BAFTAs, the Critics Choice, and the Actor Awards. And last night, at the 98th Academy Awards, Jessie Buckley completed the clean sweep — becoming the first Irish woman in Oscar history to win Best Actress. In the 98-year history of the Oscars, Saoirse Ronan and Ruth Negga had been the only Irish women ever nominated for Best Actress. Buckley is now the first to win. It’s a milestone that felt both inevitable and electric when her name was finally called at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday night. Buckley earned frontrunner status from the moment HAMNET debuted at Telluride last fall, with her portrayal of Agnes Shakespeare — encompassing not just one but two grueling birth scenes, the gut-punch mourning over the death of her son, and a final 20-minute sequence at the Globe theatre as Agnes comes to terms with her loss, her loves, her life. The Hollywood Reporter, reviewing the film out of Telluride, wrote that Buckley “really stuns” as she takes Agnes from “free-spirited girl” to “loving wife and mother” to “brittle and grieving woman,” grounding a character who might have seemed too ethereal in raw, naked feeling. Director Chloé Zhao had long known Buckley was right for the role. “I knew her work. I had a feeling that she wouldn’t be afraid. There was no vanity in her,” Zhao told IndieWire. “Vanity is the number-one enemy of authenticity. Actors’ greatest blessing they can give to the world is their authenticity and their humanness.” Instagram Youtube [...]
March 11Barry Keoghan has long been obsessed with joining the PEAKY BLINDERS universe, but timing was never on his side—until now. The 33-year-old Dublin actor spent years pestering casting directors with hopeful texts asking if there was any chance of landing a role in Steven Knight’s phenomenon series, only to be repeatedly told it was an availability issue. That all changed when he was offered the opportunity to play Cillian Murphy’s son in PEAKY BLINDERS: THE IMMORTAL MAN, the highly anticipated feature continuation that just hit UK and Irish cinemas. It was, as Keoghan puts it, a no-brainer. Sitting down with David McCullagh on RTE Radio One, Keoghan reflected on how much the iconic show means to him and how surreal it felt to finally step into its world. He spoke candidly about the nerves that come with joining such a beloved series with a fiercely dedicated fanbase—there’s always pressure to live up to expectations when stepping into an established universe. But those concerns dissolved when he realized he’d be working directly with Steven Knight himself and Cillian Murphy, the show’s magnetic centerpiece. Having those creative heavyweights in his corner was reassurance enough that he’d be in good hands. It’s worth noting that Keoghan and Murphy had already formed a genuine friendship on the set of Christopher Nolan’s DUNKIRK, where they worked together years earlier. Their on-screen chemistry and off-screen rapport made the reunion feel less like a professional obligation and more like a natural collaboration between two actors who genuinely respect each other’s craft. That existing relationship likely made the transition into PEAKY BLINDERS: THE IMMORTAL MAN feel more comfortable, even as the weight of joining such a legendary project settled in. The path to landing this role had an unexpectedly human touch. Keoghan revealed that a cheeky Father’s Day text to Knight ultimately helped seal the deal—a small, personal gesture that somehow bridged the gap between years of unanswered casting inquiries and finally getting his shot at the role he’d been chasing. It’s the kind of story that reminds us that sometimes persistence mixed with a bit of humor and genuine passion can crack open doors that seemed firmly shut. The early reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, with audiences particularly praising Keoghan’s performance in the film. His portrayal of Murphy’s son has resonated with both longtime PEAKY BLINDERS devotees and newcomers alike, proving that his years of wanting to be part of this world weren’t misplaced enthusiasm. He brought something authentic and compelling to the character, making the film’s release feel like a genuine cultural moment rather than just another franchise extension. Beyond PEAKY BLINDERS, Keoghan has been championing fellow Irish talent as the awards season reaches its crescendo. He’s been enthusiastically supporting his pal Jessie Buckley, who’s nominated for an Oscar for her extraordinary performance in Chloé Zhao’s HAMNET. Keoghan’s praise for Buckley is genuine and effusive—he watched the film at Paul Mescal’s invitation and found himself crying, deeply moved by the emotional depth and grace of her work. He’s hopeful that Irish luck will carry Buckley through on Oscars night, recognizing that she’s delivered something truly special that deserves recognition on cinema’s biggest stage. There’s something touching about the way Keoghan speaks about his peers and his craft—he’s clearly someone who loves cinema in its truest form, who gets moved by great acting and great storytelling, and who understands that landing a role in something as culturally significant as PEAKY BLINDERS is a gift earned through perseverance. His journey to this moment, marked by years of hope, a lucky Father’s Day text, and finally, an opportunity to shine alongside one of Ireland’s finest actors, tells a story about never giving up on the work that matters to you. For fans of PEAKY BLINDERS, his presence in THE IMMORTAL MAN feels less like a casting choice and more like an inevitability—like he was always meant to be part of this world. Instagram Youtube [...]
March 10Cillian Murphy is on the promotional circuit for IMMORTAL MAN, the upcoming film where he plays an immortal figure caught between centuries. During interviews, Murphy has opened up about the creative decisions that shaped the project, drawing on experience from PEAKY BLINDERS to bring fresh depth to his role. One standout moment came when discussing the casting of his on-screen son, Barry Keoghan. Rather than formal auditions, Murphy sent Keoghan a Father’s Day text message offering him the part—a gesture that perfectly encapsulates the genuine human connection and warmth that runs through IMMORTAL MAN, a film centered on familial bonds transcending time. Murphy has also reflected on his BBC radio show, likening the creative process to curating a mixtape. This philosophy of treating every project as an opportunity for considered, meaningful creation underscores everything he brings to IMMORTAL MAN. As the film gears up for release, it’s clear Murphy approaches this project with the same meticulous care and artistic integrity that has defined his career. IMMORTAL MAN promises audiences an experience crafted with the thoughtfulness and artistry that makes Cillian Murphy one of the most compelling actors of our time. Instagram Youtube [...]
March 9If you’ve been tracking the trajectory of Irish cinema lately, you know we aren’t just “having a moment”—we’re owning the global stage. At the absolute center of that whirlwind is Saoirse Ronan, a talent who continues to redefine what it means to be a modern screen icon. While the world prepares for the 98th Academy Awards this week, the four-time Oscar nominee isn’t just resting on her laurels; she’s actively shaping the future of independent film. The biggest news rocking the industry right now is the official confirmation of THREE INCESTUOUS SISTERS, a project that feels like a fever dream of high-art talent. This isn’t your typical family drama; based on the hauntingly beautiful illustrated novel by Audrey Niffenegger, this “dark adult fairy tale” sees Saoirse teaming up with fellow Irish powerhouse Jessie Buckley for the first time in a leading capacity. Set to begin filming in April 2026, the production is directed by the legendary Alice Rohrwacher and co-written by cult-favourite author Ottessa Moshfegh, promising a story of gothic isolation and psychological sabotage that is already the talk of the festival circuit. As the “Green Wave” of Irish talent descends upon Los Angeles for Oscar weekend, Saoirse remains the gold standard for the movement. Whether she’s leading a massive production like Wednesday’s residency at Ardmore Studios or diving into a “loose” indie adaptation, her ability to pick scripts that challenge the status quo is what keeps her at the top of every director’s wish list. She isn’t just starring in films anymore; she’s defining the aesthetic of modern Irish storytelling for a global audience. Instagram Youtube [...]
March 5Domhnall Gleeson is being honored with an Oscar Wilde Award at the US-Ireland Alliance’s twentieth anniversary event on 12 March 2026 at The Ebell of Los Angeles, alongside fellow honoree Maura Tierney and Irish singer Dave Lofts. The recognition comes two decades after US-Ireland Alliance president Trina Vargo first witnessed his talent in Martin McDonagh’s THE LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE on stage—a role that earned him a Tony nomination. Today, Gleeson leads NBCU’s THE PAPER, a mockumentary created by Greg Daniels and Michael Koman where, as the idealistic editor fighting to save a struggling newspaper, he delivers a scene-stealing comedic performance. Recent projects span television and film: he earned Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice nominations for FX/Hulu’s THE PATIENT opposite Steve Carell, and starred back-to-back in Apple TV+ hits THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH and ECHO VALLEY. His television range extends from HBO’s RUN to Amazon’s CATASTROPHE and FRANK OF IRELAND, which he co-wrote and co-produced with his brother Brian. His film career has been equally remarkable. After making his screen debut in the Oscar-winning short SIX SHOOTER, he achieved global recognition as Bill Weasley in HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, then brought ruthless complexity to General Hux in the STAR WARS trilogy. His filmography includes BROOKLYN, EX MACHINA, THE REVENANT, ABOUT TIME, AMERICAN MADE, MOTHER!, PETER RABBIT, and the prestige drama ANNA KARENINA, which drew Academy and BAFTA recognition. As a producer and writer, Gleeson has shaped the projects he’s involved with, demonstrating influence that extends beyond performance. The award recognizes a career defined by intelligence, selectivity, and commitment to the craft across stage, screen, and behind-the-camera work. Instagram Youtube [...]
March 4After nearly four years, PEAKY BLINDERS returns with THE IMMORTAL MAN, arriving in UK cinemas March 6 before Netflix on March 20. Creator Steven Knight brings back Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby, and has recommended which episodes fans should revisit before watching. THE IMMORTAL MAN sets up a fascinating conflict as Barry Keoghan joins as Tommy’s son, Erasmus ‘Duke’ Shelby. The supporting cast includes Sophie Rundle, Stephen Graham, Rebecca Ferguson, and Tim Roth. The trailer reveals Ada telling Tommy that his son now leads the Peaky Blinders “like it’s 1919,” echoing the show’s original timeline. Knight suggests three essential episodes to watch first. The 2013 series premiere, which originally aired on BBC, tops his list. Knight explained it “lays out what the whole series is about” and introduces Tommy Shelby in a way that’s “pretty unequivocal about who this person is,” establishing the Shelby family’s fearsome reputation. Second is the season two finale, where Tommy assassinates Chester Campbell (Sam Neill). Knight called it one of his favourite sequences, revealing a pivotal moment: “Here is a man who is not sure if he wants to live or die… we can see that he actually chooses life.” This internal struggle resonates throughout THE IMMORTAL MAN. Finally, the series six finale captures Tommy’s departure from Birmingham, serving as a haunting bookend to his journey. Knight’s selections form a narrative thread connecting the show’s genesis, thematic heart, and emotional climax, preparing audiences for Tommy’s reckoning with his son in THE IMMORTAL MAN. Instagram Youtube [...]
February 27Jessie Buckley arrived at the World Premiere of THE BRIDE in London on Thursday evening riding an extraordinary wave of momentum, fresh from winning a BAFTA just days earlier. The Irish actress, who plays the film’s titular character, commanded the red carpet at Cineworld Leicester Square with the confidence of someone who has thoroughly earned her place among the most versatile and accomplished performers of her generation. She greeted fans and posed for photographs in high spirits, cementing what has become a remarkable and seemingly unstoppable run across film, television, and theatre. THE BRIDE, arriving in UK cinemas nationwide on March 6, represents a bold reimagining of the Frankenstein mythology that strips away the familiar trappings of the classic tale and rebuilds it from the ground up. Set against the backdrop of 1930s Chicago, the film tells the story of a murdered young woman who is brought back to life, intended to serve as a companion to Frankenstein’s Monster. But rather than accept the passive role assigned to her, she begins to forge her own fierce and independent identity within a sprawling world of gangsters, corruption, and profound social upheaval. Director, writer, and producer Maggie Gyllenhaal has described the project as a subversive take on a classic tale, one that masterfully blends gothic romance with the gritty aesthetics of a crime narrative, and she reunites with Buckley following their previous collaboration. The premiere itself became a star-studded affair, with an impressive roster of co-stars joining Buckley on the red carpet. Christian Bale, who takes on the role of Frankenstein’s Monster, drew enthusiastic cheers from assembled fans, while Jake Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard added considerable star power to the evening. Penélope Cruz rounded out the ensemble, bringing a touch of old-Hollywood glamour to the proceedings and underscoring the scale and ambition of what promises to be one of the year’s most talked-about films. Instagram Youtube [...]
February 26WALK THE BLUE FIELDS is shaping up to be a compelling romance with serious star power, following the announcement that Andrew Scott has joined an already impressive ensemble cast. The film, led by Academy Award nominee Emily Blunt, adapts Claire Keegan’s short story of the same name into what promises to be an emotionally resonant exploration of love, sacrifice, and impossible choices. Set against the Irish landscape, the narrative centers on a woman confronting a devastating truth on what should be the happiest day of her life, when a long-buried love triangle from her past threatens to unravel everything she’s worked toward. Scott’s addition marks a significant coup for the production, joining fellow newcomers Tom Cullen and Ciarán Hinds in roles that remain tantalizingly mysterious. The acclaimed actor, celebrated for transformative performances in SHERLOCK and FLEABAG, has proven his range across an eclectic array of projects, from the psychological thriller RIPLEY to the BAFTA-nominated drama ALL OF US STRANGERS. Most recently, he brought intensity to BLUE MOON opposite Ethan Hawke and demonstrated his ability to balance humor and tension in WAKE UP DEAD MAN, the latest entry in the increasingly unpredictable KNIVES OUT series. With PRESSURE, a World War II drama, and ELSINORE alongside Olivia Colman already lined up for the coming months, Scott’s schedule reflects a career in full creative momentum. Director John Crowley, whose masterful handling of BROOKLYN established his ability to capture intimate human moments within sweeping narratives, takes the helm with a script from playwright and screenwriter Conor McPherson. This creative team signals an approach that prioritizes emotional depth and nuanced character work—precisely what Keegan’s source material demands. The pairing of such thoughtful filmmaking sensibilities with this powerhouse cast suggests WALK THE BLUE FIELDS could be something truly special, a film that honors the quiet devastation of its source material while expanding it into a fully realized cinematic experience. As details about Scott, Cullen, and Hinds’s specific roles slowly emerge, anticipation continues to build for what could be one of the year’s most moving films. Instagram Youtube [...]
February 25Netflix’s upcoming adaptation of the Norwegian series Twin, retitled THE UNDERTOW, promises to deliver the kind of delicious psychological thriller that has audiences on the edge of their seats. The concept alone—identical twins, hidden identities, and the question of which brother is really dead—taps into a rich tradition of twin narratives that have captivated viewers for decades. With Jamie Dornan taking on the dual role of brothers Adam and Lee, the streamer is banking on the kind of complicated, morally gray character work that made him unforgettable in FIFTY SHADES OF GREY, only this time with considerably higher stakes and far more intrigue. The series follows Nicola, a woman trapped in a loveless marriage to Adam, whose arrival is upended when Lee—Adam’s long-estranged identical twin—suddenly reappears in her life. The complication that elevates this premise from standard thriller fare is that Nicola and Lee share a romantic history, a detail that simmers beneath the surface and threatens to ignite the entire narrative. When a split-second accident kills Adam, Nicola faces an impossible choice, and the one she makes with Lee sets off a chain reaction that unspools across a single, breathless week. Together, they decide to manipulate the investigation by falsifying which twin actually died, betting that authorities will assume the carefree Lee is the victim while the more reserved Adam lived. What unfolds is equal parts messy and tense—a high-wire act of deception where the emotional boundaries between Nicola and Lee blur dangerously as their buried feelings resurface amid the chaos of maintaining their lie. Dornan carries the series as both brothers, a demanding dual performance that requires him to embody two distinct personalities while suggesting the psychological and emotional toll of his character’s descent into deception. Mackenzie Davis plays Nicola with what promises to be a nuanced intensity, anchoring the narrative as the woman who becomes the linchpin of the conspiracy. Supporting players including Iain de Caestecker as Marty Munro and Gary Lewis round out an ensemble that feels distinctly Scottish and wonderfully noir in its sensibilities, lending the production a moody, atmospheric quality that complements its dark subject matter. As for when viewers can actually watch this unhinged identity swap unfold, THE UNDERTOW is slated for a 2026 release on Netflix, having shifted from its originally planned 2025 UK slate. Filming wrapped in 2024 after production across the Scottish Highlands, Sutherland, and the Isle of Mull, so the project has been in post-production for some time, allowing the streamer to fine-tune what could be one of its most compelling crime dramas in years. Instagram Youtube [...]
February 24Emma Fogarty has lived a life that defied the odds. Diagnosed with Epidermolysis Bullosa, a rare and devastatingly painful genetic condition that leaves skin so fragile it blisters and tears at the slightest touch, doctors predicted she would never reach 40. Yet here she is, approaching that milestone birthday, ready to take on an extraordinary challenge. When her longtime friend Colin Farrell learned of her goal to complete the Dublin Marathon, he didn’t hesitate to offer his support in the most literal sense—he would push her wheelchair for the final miles of the race. This remarkable story of resilience and friendship is now coming to screens worldwide through THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH, a documentary directed by Rachel Fleit, who previously helmed the HBO Max feature BAMA RUSH. HBO Documentary Films has acquired worldwide TV and streaming rights to the film, ensuring it will reach audiences globally when it debuts on HBO and streams on HBO Max, including in the UK and Ireland, later this year. The film is set to have its world premiere at the 2026 Dublin International Film Festival. THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH is far more than a chronicle of a single marathon, however. It’s an intimate portrait of two lives intertwined by an enduring friendship that has sustained both Emma and Farrell through the years. The documentary captures not just the physical challenge of the Dublin Marathon, but the deeper emotional landscape of their relationship—a bond forged through adversity and sustained by genuine care. In following their journey together, the film offers a window into what it truly means to show up for someone, to refuse to let circumstances define the possible, and to find strength in connection. For viewers, THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH promises to be both an inspiring testament to human determination and a moving exploration of friendship at its finest. As Farrell continues his work with HBO, including potential developments with THE PENGUIN, audiences will have the opportunity to see him in a wholly different light—not as an actor in a scripted drama, but as a devoted friend bearing witness to an extraordinary life. Instagram Youtube [...]
February 23When Ciarán Hinds stepped onto the red carpet at Dublin’s Irish Film & Television Academy Awards, he carried with him five decades of remarkable work—though he admits he rarely thinks about it that way. The Oscar-nominated Belfast actor was honoured with a lifetime achievement award on Friday night, a recognition that seemed to catch even him off guard. “It’s kind of shocking,” he told The Irish News, reflecting on a career that has spanned five decades and touched everything from intimate stage performances to global television phenomena like GAME OF THRONES and celebrated films such as BELFAST, IS THIS THING ON? and TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY. What’s striking about Hinds is his philosophy toward his own extraordinary journey. He tends not to dwell on the past, preferring instead to remain present and focused on what comes next. “I only worked it out recently that I’ve been doing this for 50 years, because I tend not to look behind,” he explained. “I just look ahead and live in the moment. But when you realise that it’s been 50 years since somebody gave you your first job, it’s kind of shocking, really.” This perspective—a combination of gratitude and forward momentum—seems to define not just how he views his career, but how he has sustained it. The north Belfast actor’s career began where many find their footing: on stage. He recalls one of his earliest roles with the kind of humility that characterizes his entire approach to his work. He was “the back end” of a pantomime horse in a production of CINDERELLA, a modest beginning that belies the illustrious path that would follow. Yet even with decades of acclaimed performances across theatre, film, and television, Hinds suggests that success in acting has never been something to be predicted or planned. The craft, he suggests, is inherently unpredictable—a reminder that even the most accomplished careers unfold in ways their architects could never have anticipated when they were playing horses at pantomime. Instagram Youtube [...]
February 21Netflix has finally unveiled the full trailer for THE IMMORTAL MAN, the highly anticipated Peaky Blinders film that marks the continuation of Steven Knight’s acclaimed television saga. The trailer confirms that Oscar winner Cillian Murphy will reprise his iconic role as Tommy Shelby, the flat cap-wearing criminal mastermind, as he returns to Birmingham during the devastation of World War Two. The film boasts an impressive ensemble of new and returning talent. Rebecca Ferguson, known for her work in DUNE, joins the cast alongside Tim Roth from RESERVOIR DOGS and Barry Keoghan from SALTBURN, who takes on the role of Shelby’s son—a young man desperately in need of guidance. Stephen Graham, an accomplished actor recognized for ADOLESCENCE, returns to the fold, as does Sophie Rundle, reprising her role as Tommy’s sister Ada. The supporting cast rounds out with appearances from Ned Dennehy, Packy Lee, Ian Peck, and Jay Lycurgo. According to the trailer’s revelations, Tommy faces a reckoning of devastating proportions. Ferguson’s character confronts him with harsh truths, noting that he lives in “a house haunted with ghosts of people who died because of you” while accusing him of abandoning both his kingdom and his son. Ada delivers equally cutting words, explaining that Tommy’s illegitimate firstborn son, Duke Shelby—now portrayed menacingly by Keoghan—has taken control of the Peaky Blinders and is running them “like it’s 1919, all over again.” Tommy’s response, “I can’t help him, because I’m not that man anymore,” rings hollow, convincing neither the people around him nor himself. Set in Birmingham in 1940 amid the rubble and chaos of World War Two, THE IMMORTAL MAN shows a greying and weathered Shelby driven back from self-imposed exile to confront his most destructive reckoning yet. The stakes have never been higher—with the future of his family and the nation itself hanging in the balance, Tommy must decide whether to face his demons and confront his legacy or burn everything to the ground. The Birmingham he once commanded has transformed in his absence, and nothing remains as he left it. Directed by Tom Harper and written once again by Knight, THE IMMORTAL MAN arrives in select cinemas on March 6, with its streaming release on Netflix following two weeks later on March 20. Instagram Youtube [...]
February 20Eve Hewson is set to reunite with director Lenny Abrahamson for an untitled new film that promises to be one of the more intriguing Irish productions in recent memory. The pair, who previously collaborated on the critically acclaimed series NORMAL PEOPLE and CONVERSATIONS WITH FRIENDS, will head back to Dublin in early March to begin filming what is shaping up to be a richly layered period drama. Set against the vibrant and complex backdrop of 1970s Dublin, the film will explore the city’s Jewish community, offering a window into a distinct cultural and historical world that rarely gets the big-screen treatment it deserves. Joining Hewson is English actor Tom Burke, while newcomer Shane Meagher makes his debut in the role of Davey, a 12-year-old boy navigating the quiet turbulence of adolescence as the dynamics within his parents’ marriage begin to shift around him. It’s the kind of coming-of-age thread that, in the right hands, can anchor an entire film emotionally, and with Abrahamson at the helm, surrounded by much of the same creative team that made his previous work so affecting, there’s every reason to believe this one will land. Instagram Youtube [...]
February 19If you thought the first season of MOBLAND was intense, just wait until you hear what’s coming. The crime drama starring Tom Hardy and Pierce Brosnan is heading back to Paramount+ for a second season, and if the cast’s enthusiasm is anything to go by, it’s shaping up to be something genuinely special. Actor Emmett J. Scanlan, who plays Paul O’Donnell — head of security to Conrad Harrigan — has been refreshingly candid about what fans can expect, describing the new episodes as “insane,” “bananas,” and “even better” than the first season. That’s a bold claim, considering MOBLAND hit the ground running when it debuted in spring 2025, with its premiere ranking as the second-biggest debut in Paramount+ history. The show’s blend of A-list talent, gritty storytelling, and cinematic production values clearly struck a nerve with audiences, and the platform will be counting on season two to do the same. Scanlan described the new scripts as “fantastic” and said the intensity of the first season has essentially been taken “on steroids,” adding that he loved every moment of losing himself in the show’s murky criminal underworld. He also had warm words for Pierce Brosnan, calling the veteran actor an “absolute delight” and a personal hero. With filming currently underway and a 2026 premiere on the horizon, MOBLAND season two is shaping up to be one of the year’s most anticipated streaming events. Instagram Youtube [...]
February 17There’s a particular kind of horror film that succeeds not by reinventing the wheel but by spinning it with such confidence and precision that you forget you’ve seen anything like it before. COLD STORAGE is exactly that film. Directed by Jonny Campbell from a screenplay by David Koepp — adapting his own novel — it’s a creature-feature horror comedy that earns every laugh and every shudder, often in the same breath. It begins in 1979, in the dusty aftermath of Skylab’s crash back to Earth. A piece of debris lands in Western Australia, and with it comes something that has no business being on this planet: a fast-spreading alien fungus that doesn’t wait to be invited in. A tight-lipped NASA team, led by Liam Neeson with cool, coiled intensity alongside the formidably capable Lesley Manville, manages to contain the organism the only way they know how — freeze it, seal it, forget about it. Problem solved. Except, of course, it isn’t. Decades later, that government containment facility has been repurposed into something far more banal: a self-storage warehouse, the kind of place people dump boxes they’ll never open again. Joe Keery’s Travis “Tea Cake” Meacham is there for the paycheck and not much else, while Georgina Campbell’s Naomi Williams is sharp, grounded, and plainly built for a better situation than this one. When the fungus inevitably escapes — slithering through vents, mutating its hosts in ways that are viscerally wrong — these two become the last line of defence against something the authorities buried and hoped the world would never have to reckon with. What makes COLD STORAGE work so well is its unwavering commitment to its own absurdity. There is a sequence involving a reanimated cat that somehow manages to be both genuinely disturbing and sharply funny, and it’s emblematic of everything the film does right — the horror and the humour share the same straight face, neither undermining the other. The fungus itself is rendered with practical-looking effects that are vividly unpleasant in the best possible way, the kind of creature design that gets under your skin precisely because it looks like something that could. Vanessa Redgrave and Richard Brake round out the cast in supporting turns that are brilliantly judged, and Neeson and Manville bring the sort of instant, weathered credibility that anchors the wilder elements of the story in something that feels real. Instagram Youtube [...]
February 14When Emerald Fennell reached out to Alison Oliver about joining her latest project, the response was instant and unequivocal. The Irish actor didn’t need convincing—working with Fennell again was reason enough to say yes. Oliver speaks about their relationship with genuine warmth, explaining how Fennell’s passion for Emily Brontë’s novel has been a constant thread in their friendship since they first met. Watching someone you care about realize a dream project creates its own kind of excitement, and getting the invitation to be part of that journey only amplified it. Fennell’s WUTHERING HEIGHTS is now in theaters, and it’s important to understand what this film isn’t trying to be. Rather than a dutiful page-to-page translation of the Gothic classic, this adaptation chases something more elusive and personal—the visceral impact the book had on Fennell when she first encountered it as a teenager. That distinction matters, and the filmmaker has been transparent about her intentions from the start. The quotation marks surrounding the title aren’t an accident but a signal of this approach. With an original soundtrack from Charli XCX anchoring the emotional landscape, the film remains rooted in eighteenth-century England while following Cathy Earnshaw through the devastating trajectory that begins when her father brings the mysterious Heathcliff into their home. Oliver takes on Isabella Linton, the sheltered ward of Edgar Linton, who becomes Cathy’s husband. This Isabella exists in a protected bubble of privilege and innocence, someone who has been insulated from hardship and consequently lives for surfaces and pleasures. She initially views Cathy as something like a fascinating new acquisition, a companion to adorn her world, but that dynamic shifts violently when Heathcliff enters their orbit and both women find themselves pulled into his gravitational field. The transformation from playmate to rival becomes one of the film’s central tensions. For those keeping track of Oliver’s career, this reunion with Fennell follows her breakout in the Sally Rooney adaptation CONVERSATIONS WITH FRIENDS and her turn in the HBO crime series TASK. But there’s something different about returning to work with a director who already knows your instincts, who has seen what you can do and specifically wants that particular alchemy again. The trust implicit in that kind of creative relationship allows for a different kind of risk-taking, a willingness to push further into uncomfortable territory because the foundation is already solid. Oliver’s Isabella isn’t just another period drama ingénue—she’s a portrait of what happens when someone who has never been tested suddenly finds themselves in emotional waters far deeper and darker than anything they could have imagined. Instagram Youtube [...]
February 13Barry Keoghan has always had that raw, unpredictable energy that makes you lean forward in your seat, and in CRIME 101, the Dublin actor unleashes it with the kind of ferocity that threatens to steal the entire film from under Chris Hemsworth’s polished nose. Playing Ormon, a rogue thief with something to prove and nothing to lose, Keoghan brings the same feral intensity that made him unforgettable in LOVE/HATE, transplanting that Dublin edge straight into the sun-bleached sprawl of Los Angeles where it burns twice as bright and twice as dangerous. Director Bart Layton, who clearly recognized what Keoghan was capable of when he cast him in AMERICAN ANIMALS, has given the actor room to breathe and bite, and bite he does, sinking his teeth into a role that could have been a throwaway wildcard but instead becomes the film’s beating, anarchic heart. Hemsworth’s jewel thief is all smooth surfaces and careful calculation, a career criminal executing his biggest score alongside Halle Berry’s insurance broker, but it’s Keoghan’s Ormon who threatens to blow the whole operation apart, not through incompetence but through sheer, rabid unpredictability. He bounces between moments of genuine criminal skill and flashes of pure psychopathy, a live wire that could spark brilliance or catastrophe at any second, and that tension is what makes CRIME 101 crackle with the kind of energy that elevates it beyond standard heist fare. Like all the best heist films, this one understands that the pleasure isn’t just in watching the plan unfold but in feeling the constant threat that everything could collapse, and Keoghan embodies that threat entirely, a desperate young man hungry to prove he belongs in a world of professionals even as his instability suggests he might destroy it from within. Layton gives audiences the satisfaction of being in on the robbery, that delicious voyeuristic thrill of watching the pieces come together, but he’s smart enough to let Keoghan be the chaos agent who reminds us that no plan survives contact with real human desperation, and the result is a performance that doesn’t just support the film but hijacks it in the best possible way, turning what could have been a sleek, forgettable thriller into something with genuine teeth and unpredictable bite. Instagram Youtube [...]
February 11When Saoirse Monica Jackson talks about the new Netflix series HOW TO GET TO HEAVEN FROM BELFAST, there’s an unmistakable excitement that immediately transports you back to the chaotic energy of DERRY GIRLS. Lisa McGee, the creative genius behind that beloved show, has returned with something entirely different yet distinctly her own. Described by McGee as “a murder mystery – but funny” in a recent BBC interview, the eight-part series centers on three lifelong friends whose lives are upended in the most unexpected way. Saoirse, played by Roísín Gallagher from THE DRY, Robyn, brought to life by Sinéad Keenan of UNFORGOTTEN, and Dara, portrayed by Caoilfhionn Dunne from A THOUSAND BLOWS, have been inseparable since their school days. Now in their late thirties, their bond remains unbreakable until they receive an email announcing the death of the estranged fourth member of their childhood gang. A series of eerie events at the wake convinces them foul play is involved, setting off an epic and hilarious odyssey across Ireland as they attempt to piece together what really happened while confronting the truth about their own shared past. The series arrives on Netflix on Thursday, February 12th, landing perfectly on Galentine’s Day, that wonderfully invented holiday from PARKS AND RECREATION where Leslie Knope celebrated female friendship the day before Valentine’s Day. Jackson shares anecdotes about filming across Ireland that paint a picture of a production filled with the same warmth and authenticity that made DERRY GIRLS such a phenomenon. There’s a memorable story about a keycard mix-up during filming that had the entire cast in stitches, the kind of real-world chaos that somehow always finds its way into McGee’s storytelling. Working with McGee again feels like coming home, Jackson explains, because there’s an understanding of rhythm and tone that makes everything feel effortless even when the material demands precision. What makes HOW TO GET TO HEAVEN FROM BELFAST so compelling is its refusal to be just one thing. It’s a murder mystery wrapped in comedy wrapped in thriller elements wrapped in a profound celebration of female friendship. The show asks what happens when the people who know you best suddenly have to reckon with secrets that threaten to unravel decades of shared history. McGee has always had a gift for capturing the absurdity of real life, for finding humor in heartbreak and humanity in chaos, and this series promises to showcase those talents in ways we haven’t seen before. The Irish landscape becomes a character itself, the physical journey mirroring the emotional one as these three women traverse familiar and unfamiliar terrain in search of answers. Based on McGee’s track record, HOW TO GET TO HEAVEN FROM BELFAST promises sophisticated storytelling wrapped in irresistible entertainment, proving once again that stories about women, friendship, and the messy beautiful reality of being human will always find an audience ready to embrace them. Instagram Youtube [...]
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