After a summertime return to theaters that grossed over $53 million at the global box office, Laika’s acclaimed 2009 stop-motion animated film Coraline returns to theaters for a special Halloween engagement starting on October 31st.

In partnership with Fathom in the US and Trafalgar Releasing internationally, the film is offered in stunning, newly remastered 3D as well as 2D formats.

In addition to the U.S., the Halloween engagement of Coraline includes the UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada, Austria, and Ecuador, with more territories to follow. France and Italy will also begin their Coraline 15th Anniversary engagements this November.

Fans attending Coraline will be treated to an early glimpse of Laika’s upcoming film, Wildwood.

The 15th Anniversary theatrical re-release of Coraline this past August was an astonishing success, surpassing all estimates. Since its re-release on August 15th, Coraline has brought in over $53 million at the global box office.

It marks the...

Fifteen years after the film’s initial release, Henry Selick’s 2009 stop motion film Coraline is once again headed back to theaters for the Halloween season, we’ve learned today.

In the wake of Coraline scaring up $53 million at the global box office this past summer, the film returns for another limited-time engagement in newly remastered 3D and 2D formats.

From Fathom Events, Coraline comes back to theaters on October 31 & November 1.

Tickets for the spooky season re-release are up for grabs now.

Variety details, “Henry Selick’s film now stands at a lifetime haul of $185.7 million worldwide and is the highest-grossing stop-motion film in the U.S. It’s also the highest-grossing rerelease in the U.S. in the past 10 years and the highest-grossing of Fathom’s 20-year history. Attendees on Halloween will also get a sneak peek of Laika’s upcoming film Wildwood.”

“Everyone at Laika is elated by...

On Tuesday 1 October 2024, BBC Two broadcasts Living Every Second: The Kris Hallenga Story!

Episode Summary

A new episode of “Living Every Second: The Kris Hallenga Story” is set to air on BBC Two, and it promises to be a heartfelt and inspiring experience. This episode opens with a unique celebration known as a “Fun-eral,” held in a stunning Cornish cathedral. The event features well-known personalities like Dawn French and Fearne Cotton, who join Kris Hallenga’s many friends and supporters.

Kris Hallenga is recognized as one of Britain’s most vibrant cancer campaigners. Her story is one of resilience and joy, even in the face of serious challenges. The episode showcases her remarkable spirit as she brings together loved ones for this special gathering. The cardboard coffin adds a personal touch to the celebration, emphasizing Kris’s approach to life and her desire to spread positivity.

Viewers can expect to see not just the festivities,...

Dawn French is returning to the BBC to star in sitcom Can You Keep A Secret?, and here are the details.

Dawn French came to prominence alongside comedy partner Jennifer Saunders in the alternative comedy boom of the 1980s, where they honed their craft at The Comedy Store and, later, The Comic Strip. That was alongside the likes of Alexei Sayle, Rik Mayall, Adrian Edmondson, Peter Richardson and Nigel Planer.

After appearing in The Young Ones, several Comic Strip films and Ruby Wax’s sitcom Girls On Top, French and Saunders starred in their eponymous sketch show, which ran on and off for over 30 years.

While Saunders became a solo star with Absolutely Fabulous, French played Gereldine Granger in Richard Curtis and Paul Mayhew-Archer’s The Vicar of Dibley, which grew into one of Britain’s most beloved sitcoms.

According to Deadline, French is returning to the BBC to star...

The BBC has announced a new six-part sitcom, Can You Keep a Secret?, for BBC iPlayer and BBC One. The series will star comedy icons Dawn French and Mark Heap and is created by Simon Mayhew-Archer, known for This Country and Josh. This project was revealed by Jon Petrie, Director of BBC Comedy, at the […]

BBC Announces ‘Can You Keep a Secret?’, Starring Dawn French and Mark Heap...

Dawn French is returning to the BBC with a sitcom from This Country’s Simon Mayhew-Archer, CBS Studios and Big Talk.

French is co-starring with Mark Heap on Can You Keep a Secret?, in which the comedy icon will play widower Debbie Fenton, who will stop at nothing to make sure her family’s protected. Unfortunately, most of the time the person they really need protecting from is her. When her hermit-like husband William (Heap) unexpectedly dies, she makes an outlandish decision that will put the family under more pressure than ever before.

French hasn’t appeared on the BBC since a French and Saunders Christmas special in 2017. She made her name with her sketch show alongside Jennifer Saunders and has appeared in a wealth of other comedies and dramas, as well as performing stand up.

Can You Keep a Secret? is being created and written by Mayhew-Archer and directed by Ghosts’ Simon Hynd.

“The Traitors” U.K. fans are in for a treat as the BBC today confirmed a fourth season of the hit show as well as a celebrity edition.

The news, unveiled at the Edinburgh TV Festival today, comes ahead of a third season of the show, which has already been been shot in the Scottish Highlands.

No participants or broadcast date have yet been confirmed for the nine-part celebrity version or Season 4, which will consist of 12 episodes.

Hosted by Claudia Winkleman, the U.K. edition of the psychological gameshow is produced by Studio Lambert, part of All3Media.

“’The Traitors’ has well and truly established itself as an unmissable highlight of the year and the news of a fourth outing, alongside a brand new celebrity version coming to the BBC, will take the series to a whole new level,” said Kalpna Patel-Knight, the BBC’s head of entertainment. “It will once...

It’s official – the BBC is making traitors and faithfuls out of celebrities.

The UK broadcaster has just confirmed its long-gestating Celebrity Traitors series and the Claudia Winkleman-hosted show will land next year. The BBC has also greenlit a fourth season of the regular version of The Traitors UK.

The news confirms Deadline’s scoop from several months back, when we told you a deal between producer Studio Lambert and the BBC was close.

The smash hit show, which has sold around the world, sees contestants live together and take part in challenges while seeking to uncloak the traitors among their number. Harry Clark won the previous series.

Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC, said: “The Traitors has well and truly established itself as an unmissable highlight of the year and the news of a fourth outing, alongside a brand new celebrity version coming to the BBC,...

Laika is celebrating the beyond-expectations box office results for the re-release of its acclaimed 2009 stop-motion animated film Coraline and will extend the run of its groundbreaking film through August 29th.

Coraline returned to theaters worldwide for its 15th Anniversary in newly remastered 3D for a special limited engagement that started August 15th. In partnership with Fathom in the U.S. and Trafalgar Releasing internationally, the film is offered in stunning, newly remastered 3D and 2D formats.

Since opening on Thursday, August 15, the re-issue of Coraline has earned over $20 million at the worldwide box office. It has sold $12.5 million in tickets in the U.S. and $7.6 million internationally, for a worldwide total of $20.1 million. Coraline was the #4 movie at the domestic box office.

The 15th anniversary Coraline showings also include an early glimpse of Laika’s upcoming film, Wildwood. You can check out that teaser here.

In Mexico, Coraline has officially...

Henry Selick’s adapted from Neil Gaiman’s book about a young girl who finds new parents with buttons for eyes is a nifty stop-motion animation

Henry Selick’s 2009 animated supernatural fantasy Coraline is now rereleased for its 15th anniversary; it is based on a novella by Neil Gaiman, the author now the subject of sexual assault allegations. This stop-motion film looks as amiably creepy as it did when I saw it first – though, as with The Nightmare Before Christmas, another of Selick’s movies, which was produced by Tim Burton, the chills are mixed with adventure, exotic strangeness and comedy, certainly a recipe that has entranced audiences. As before, though, I wondered if this story might have been more frightening if it had been filmed in conventional live-action with regular human beings showing us their eerie smiling faces with buttons for eyes. But straight-up scariness may not be the point.

What’s it like playing a Bond girl? Lois Lane? Being one degree from Kevin Bacon? The actor is here to tell all. And she might even talk about starring in the odd era-defining comedy drama

If you haven’t seen Coraline – the spooky animated dark fantasy film based on British author Neil Gaiman’s novella and produced by American stop-motion animation studio Laika – now’s your chance. But don’t forget your 3D glasses (also available in the foyer) because it’s been remastered in 3D to mark its 15th anniversary. A creepy story about people with buttons for eyes, Coraline features the voices of Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, our old friend Ian McShane – and Teri Hatcher who’s kindly agreed to take the reader interview.

So … what to ask? Hatcher has been a Bond girl of course, in Tomorrow Never Dies; in fact, she plays Bond...

Leading podcast agency Listen announces the promotion of Exec, Suzy Grant to Head of Visualised Podcasts as it doubles down on companion shows and original podcasts for TV.

Following the success of their premium video podcasts, including the first original podcast commissioned for linear TV, The Traitors: Uncloaked, the super-indie is in talks with broadcasters, streamers, and publishers to create podcast formats built for linear TV, VOD, SVOD, and social.

Grant has led Listen’s momentous video podcast charge to date. In January 2024, Listen broke the mould with the first official companion podcast for international sensation, The Traitors - Exec’d by Grant. The Traitors: Uncloaked, hosted by comedian Ed Gamble, was shot for TV, with an extended cut available in audio only. This new take on the TV sister-show reached 7x more viewers than the slot average for BBC2 (2 million average per episode) and achieved a whopping 4.4 million consolidated...

Comedians and podcast hosts Ed Gamble and James Acaster are thrilled to announce that following a completely sold-out UK & Ireland tour in 2023 they are bringing their smash hit podcast back to the stage in 2025. Off Menu: Live in London will be returning for a limited run, taking in two nights at the London Palladium in March 2025. Tickets are on general sale on Friday 12th July at 10:00am, with a pre-sale to the Off Menu mailing list on Thursday 11th July at 10:00 am. Tickets will be available from www.lwtheatres.co.uk and www.seetickets.com.

Ed Gamble and James Acaster will invite a different special guest to the Dream Restaurant each night to order their favourite ever starter, main course, dessert, side dish and drink (not in that order), in what will be Off Menu’s only UK shows of 2025. Get ready for an evening of (still or) sparkling conversation,...

"Do you want to stay in your buttoned-up world forever? Or maybe you're brave enough to go back...?" Laika has revealed a brand new trailer for the 15th Anniversary re-release of the stop-motion animation classic Coraline, which originally opened in 2009. We covered this release extensively during its original debut years ago, and I remember how big of a deal it was when it opened in theaters in February of '09. To celebrate the anniversary, Focus and Laika are re-releasing the special 3D version of Coraline in theaters worldwide (!!) for everyone to enjoy. The Cat (Keith David) welcomes you back for a dream come true! On August 15th, Coraline returns to theaters in a newly remastered edition with eye-popping 3D. Crawl into the Other World with your favorite characters & experience Laika's film as you’ve never seen it before. Featuring the voices of Dakota Fanning as Coraline, Teri Hatcher as Mel,...

Jennifer Saunders reunites with the cast of Absolutely Fabulous for a new documentary called Inside Out. Here are the details…

Following the huge success of Bottom: Exposed earlier this year, Gold have commissioned a similar feature length documentary about Absolutely Fabulous called Inside Out. While Bottom: Exposed featured many interviews and talking heads, Inside Out reunites most of the cast – Whitfield passed away in 2018.

Series co-star Jennifer Saunders said to the British Comedy Guide, “I loved making Ab Fab but I can’t remember a great deal, so much of this retrospective is a revelation to me. Thank you Gold for this kind and helpful programme”.

Its other co-star, Joanna Lumley, added: “It was a fabulous wander down memory lane by actresses who only have the faintest grip on reality. Really thrilling, and I hope vastly entertaining. I loved every second”.

Saunders, along with double act partner Dawn French, began...

One year after making $7 million in theatrical re-release, Henry Selick’s 2009 stop motion film Coraline is headed back to theaters nationwide this summer… this time in 3D.

Fathom Events will be celebrating the 15th anniversary of Coraline by bringing a brand new 3D remaster to theaters around the world from August 15 – August 22, 2024.

Variety details in a report this afternoon, “Ticket sales kick off on June 21. A 2D version of the film will also be available to exhibitors.” You can sign up for an email reminder now.

“Laika set the 3D standard with the 2009 release of Coraline,” said the studio’s Chief Marketing and Operations Officer David Burke. “This newly remastered version, in the works for three years, brings Neil Gaiman’s enchanting story to life in stunning, stereoscopic 3D detail and is a love letter to Laika fans everywhere.”

“Everybody loves Coraline, and Fathom is proud to partner once again...

Henry Selick’s modern classic “Coraline” turns 15 this year, and a new 3D remaster of the stop-motion feature (announced in February) will get a worldwide theatrical release this fall by Fathom in the U.S and Trafalgar Releasing in the rest of the world.

Limited screenings will begin on August 15 and feature an early glimpse of Laika’s upcoming film, “Wildwood.” Ticket sales kick off on June 21. A 2D version of the film will also be available to exhibitors.

“Coraline”

In 2023, Fathom re-released the original version of “Coraline” in the U.S., which netted over $7 million at the box office, a record for the event-based distributor. The film is also screening in this year’s Annecy Classics program, marking a return to the French festival where it won the Cristal for a feature film in 2009.

“Coraline” was written by Neil Gaiman and Selick and stars voice actors Dakota Fanning, Ian McShane,...

Explore Jada Pinkett Smith’s Life and Career Jada Pinkett Smith’s Height: How Tall Is She? Jada Pinkett Smith’s Shoe Size Height Comparison With Family Members The Impact of Jada Pinkett Smith’s Height on Her Career Navigating Hollywood as a Petite Actress Other Petite Celebrities in Hollywood Jada Pinkett Smith: Facts, Rumors, and Resilience Jada Pinkett Smith Wows in Suede Shorts Suit and Francesco Russo Sandals at CinemaCon 2016

As a successful American actress, producer, and screenwriter, Jada Pinkett Smith has tackled her career head-on. Famous for her work in The Nutty Professor, A Different World, and Girls Trip, Jada also played Niobe in three of The Matrix films.

Eddie Murphy as Professor Sherman Klump / Buddy Love and Jada Pinkett as Carla Purty in the 1996 American comedy film The Nutty Professor (Credit: Universal Pictures)

As such a global hit, this woman has managed to shape her talent and success,...

Exclusive: Star traitors and faithfuls are set to face off on in the UK in a celebrity version of smash hit format The Traitors, which Deadline understands is set to launch on the BBC next year.

Several sources have told us that an agreement between Studio Lambert, which makes the UK and U.S. versions of The Traitors, and the BBC, which broadcasts it, is close. The hope is that the first celeb version will film next year and go out later in 2025, by which time three seasons of the “civilian” version will have aired. Host Claudia Winkleman is expected to present the celeb version.

The U.S. and UK versions of The Traitors — in which contestants live together and take part in challenges while seeking to uncloak the traitors among their number — are filmed back to back in a castle in Scotland. The producers could capitalize upon that model...

The long awaited follow up to Rob Reiner’s comedy classic This Is Spinal Tap has begun filming, lots of musical cameos have also been confirmed.

There is only one comedy film which turns the laughs up to eleven, and that is if course Rob Reiner’s 1984 classic This Is Spinal Tap. Though technically The Comic Strip team of Rik Mayall, Adrian Edmondson, Nigel Planer, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French and Peter Richardson got there first a year earlier with the excellent Bad News, which is well worth seeking out of you’ve never had the pleasure.

This Is Spinal Tap is often cited as one of the funniest films ever made, with musicians frequently applauding the accuracy of several scenes, from petty band squabbles to getting lost backstage and over the top props onstage.

The cast – Reiner, Harry Shearer, Michael McKean and Christopher Guest – will reprise their roles as documentarian Martin ‘Marty’ Dibergi,...

The BBC has revealed more details about this year’s Comic Relief telethon, which will be broadcast on 15th March on BBC One.

Comic Relief launched in 1985 with a telethon that has since become embedded in British culture. Known as Red Nose Day, on account of the red noses sold as part of the appeal, over the years this has led to many classic comic moments, from The Young Ones singing Livin’ Doll with Cliff Richard, to Johnny Depp and Sting appearing in The Vicar Of Dibley, to Billy Connolly running naked through Trafalgar Square and Mr Bean infiltrating both Blind Date, and a Torvill and Dean dance routine.

Lenny Henry, who co-founded Comic Relief with Richard Curtis, recently revealed that he will be stepping down as host after this year’s telethon. Henry said of his decision that “when we first started Comic Relief back in 1985, I never dreamed...

Comedian, Nish Kumar, and journalist, Coco Khan, presenters of the Pod Save the UK podcast, have been confirmed as hosts for this year’s Audio Production Awards ceremony to be held on Wednesday 22nd November.

The Awards, sponsored by Audible, will be held at a gala evening at the BFI on London’s South Bank, and tickets for the Awards are on sale here: tinyurl.com/APAs-tickets

The APAs, organised by AudioUK, celebrate outstanding achievement in audio production across a huge range of audio content including; podcasts, audiobooks, sound design, radio, presenting and more.

The prestigious Producer of the Year category, sponsored by Audible, was as hotly contested as ever, nominees include: Anishka Sharma, Bea Duncan, Jack Suddaby, Katie Callin, Ruth Abrahams and Steven Rajam.

Presenter and new voice category nominees include newcomer Kwesia aka City Girl in Nature for Peanut & Crumb’s Get Birding Podcast, BBC Radio 1’s...

British comedy icon Jennifer Saunders has vowed that by the end of 2023, she will have completed a new Absolutely Fabulous script based on the beloved BBC sitcom.

Saunders, 65, promised her long-time writing partner and friend Dawn French that she would have an early draft of the project done in the next two months. French previously revealed that she regularly challenges Saunders to work when she can see her friend needs encouragement.

Dawn established a prior deal with Saunders that if Saunders was unable to complete the Absolutely Fabulous script, she would have to pay French £10,000.

When French asked Saunders what she wanted to be “forced to do” in a recent interview, Saunders responded, “I need to write a film or a series based on AbFab, because everyone wants another AbFab movie. I can’t do that, I just don’t have a thing. I want to do something related.”

French...

On Friday, October 13, 2023, at 10:40 Pm, BBC One will air Season 31, Episode 3 of “The Graham Norton Show.” In this episode, viewers can look forward to an exciting lineup of guests and entertainment.

The episode features the following:

1. Laura Linney: Laura Linney, a triple-Oscar-nominated star known for her role in “Ozark,” will join Graham Norton. She’ll discuss her new film, “The Miracle Club,” providing insights into her latest work.

2. Dawn French: Comedy star Dawn French will be on the show, sharing about her book “The Tw*t Files,” where she reflects on the mistakes she’s made in her life and career.

3. London Hughes: Stand-up comedian and actor London Hughes will be present to talk about her memoir, “Living My Best Life, Hun.” Viewers can expect to hear her stories and experiences.

4. Musical Performance: Sugababes will provide musical entertainment with a performance of their new single, “When the Rain Comes.

Marlene Dietrich in Witness For The Prosecution, Albert Finney in Murder On The Orient Express, Maggie Smith in Evil Under The Sun, Kenneth Branagh in Murder On The Orient ExpressGraphic: United Arists/Emi Films/20th Century Fox

It makes sense that filmmakers have been turning to Agatha Christie for source...

Medusa Deluxe is a genre-bending movie written and directed by Thomas Hardiman. The A24 film shows us a murder mystery set in a competitive hairdressing contest. Medusa Deluxe is a very visual film with some brilliant performances by Clare Perkins, Anita-Joy Uwajeh, Kayla Meikle, Kae Alexander, and Harriet Webb. So, if you loved Medusa Deluxe here are some similar movies you should check out next.

Clue (Prime Video & MGM+) Credit – Paramount Pictures

Synopsis: Here is the murderously funny movie based on the world-famous Clue board game. Was it Colonel Mustard in the study with a gun? Miss Scarlet in the billiard room with the rope? Or was it Wadsworth the butler? Meet all the notorious suspects and discover all their foul play things. You’ll love their dastardly doings as the bodies and the laughs pile up before your eyes.

The Cat’s Meow (Prime Video) Credit – Lions Gate Films

Synopsis:...

Sony Picture Classics and Trafalgar Releasing announced that “Carlos: The Santana Journey Global Premiere” will be playing in select theaters worldwide on Sept. 23, 24 and 27.

These special premiere screenings will include showings of the feature length documentary “Carlos,” about the life of the legendary guitarist Carlos Santana, and also feature exclusive introductory content featuring Santana and director Ruby Valdez. “Carlos” debuted earlier this year at the Tribeca Film Festival and will have a general theatrical release on Sept. 29. The film was financed by Sony Music Entertainment and Imagine Documentaries.

“Carlos” includes interviews with Santana and his family, archival footage, concert footage, Santana’s home videos, and behind-the-scenes footage. Interviews with industry icons like Clive Davis and Rob Thomas will also be featured.

Santana has been in the industry for over 50 years and has won 10 Grammy awards for his music that combines jazz, blues, mariachi and rock and roll.

Fathom Events Adds...

“Coraline,” 2009’s Oscar-nominated animated feature from Laika Studios, grossed a combined $4.91 million in a limited theatrical rerelease via Fathom Events.

The success of the screenings, which were held Monday and Tuesday, has led to two additional screenings of the Henry Selick-directed film being added on Aug. 28 and Aug. 29.

The showings, hosted by Fathom in partnership with Laika and Park Circus, placed the film third in gross box office behind “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer.” It ranked as the highest grosser in per screen average on both days, making $3,000 per screen.

“As of now, Coraline is Fathom’s biggest classic movie of all time and the second highest grossing title for 2023,” Ray Nutt, CEO of Fathom Events, said in a statement. “This film carries such a large fan following year after year, and they certainly came out in force this year to see their favorite film.”

The stop-motion film based on the...

Henry Selick’s 2009 stop motion film Coraline returned to theaters nationwide on Monday, August 14 and Tuesday, August 15, courtesy of Fathom Events, Laika, and Park Circus, and the screenings were such a success that more showings are coming later this month.

Fathom Events has announced in a press release today, “The acclaimed 2009 stop-motion epic was a huge box office hit for Fathom Events, Laika, and Park Circus this past Monday and Tuesday, grossing a combined $4.91 million in U.S. gross box office.

“The film was third in gross box office behind Barbie and Oppenheimer on both Monday and Tuesday but was First in per screen average on both of those days.”

Due to demand, additional showings will take place on August 28 & August 29.

“As of now, Coraline is Fathom’s biggest classic movie of all time and the second highest grossing title for 2023,” said Ray Nutt, CEO of Fathom Events. “This film...

Get to shout out "Rhlstp!!" like a proper cool kid as the multi-award-winning and perennially popular live podcast interview series in which comedian Richard Herring chats with some of the biggest names in comedy and entertainment tours this autumn. Usually recorded in London’s glittering West End, Rhlstp is going on the road. The UK & Ire 2023 / 2024 tour will start in September and includes dates in Birmingham, Liverpool, Leeds, Salford, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff and Dublin, along with multiple dates at the show’s spiritual home in London’s Leicester Square Theatre.

Tickets go on general sale at 10am on Friday 30th June with an exclusive fan pre-sale on Thursday 29th June for Rhlstp badgers and plussers. To become a badger/plusser or to view all dates visit, visit richardherring.com

Richard Herring enjoys continual success as both a writer and performer and is widely known an innovator in the world of podcasts,...

Henry Selick’s 2009 film Coraline is returning to theaters for two-days-only on the road to Halloween, we’ve learned today, courtesy of Fathom Events, Laika, and Park Circus.

The acclaimed 2009 stop-motion film returns to theaters nationwide on Monday, August 14 at 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm local time, and Tuesday, August 15 at 7:00 pm local time.

In addition to the film, audiences will be treated to new and never-before-seen footage from the Laika Archives. Join key members of Laika’s creative filmmaking team for an up-close and personal return to the worlds of Coraline, explored through unique behind-the-scenes stories, key artifacts, puppets, and costumes from the stop-motion animated film.

Tickets for Coraline are on sale Now and can be purchased at www.fathomevents.com or participating theater box offices. For a complete list of theater locations, visit the Fathom Events website (participating theaters are subject to change).

Coraline boasts stunning stop-motion animation,...

Ricky Gervais and Sharon Horgan’s agent has said creatives should “be careful what they wish for” when considering whether to launch production companies.

United Agents vet Duncan Hayes told a BBC Comedy Festival audience that his constant challenge is “steering” creatives towards writing and directing over getting too involved with their businesses, which can be incredibly time costly.

Gervais runs Derek Productions and Horgan is the co-founder of Merman TV, and both have devoted much of their time to building up their indies over the past few years.

“Sometimes Sharon has a lot of plates to spin,” said Hayes. “She is running a successful indie and has lots of scripts to write. It can feel a bit ‘be careful what you wish for’ when you have the weight of your own production company.”

The Bad Sisters creator recently said she is pausing work on U.S. projects due to...

Exclusive: British comedy legend Jennifer Saunders will make her pantomime debut as Captain Hook in Peter Pan this winter holiday season at the world famous London Palladium.

The top-of-the-bill casting coup was the brainchild of Michael Harrison, of Michael Harrison Entertainment and Crossroads Pantomimes. He’s the UK’s pantomime supremo with 24 panto productions set to open across the country in December.

“I thought: ‘Hello! Captain Hook is often played by a man and I thought why not do a gender change? It’s what pantomime is all about, isn’t it?” Harrison told us.

The comic performance artist and writer Rob Madge) will play Tinker Bell.

Peter Pan will run at the Palladium from December 9-January 14.

Last year, Harrison booked Saunders’ longtime comedy partner Dawn French (The Vicar of Dibley, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,...

Ciarán Hinds has admitted that he had reservations about appearing in Game of Thrones due to the amount of sex scenes.

The Irish actor starred in HBO’s fantasy epic as Mance Rayder, a former member of the Knight’s Watch later known as the “King Beyond the Wall”.

In a new interview with The Independent, Hinds opened up about his time on the show, in which he appeared across three seasons from 2013 to 2015.

Hinds said that, despite the series being a huge hit, he was in two minds about taking on the role due to its excessive explicit content.

“I was rather put off by the amount of sexuality that was going on in it because it was taking away from the actual political storytelling,” he told The Independent.

“But that’s business, I guess, from their perspective.”

Game of Thrones was notorious for its countless sex scenes, with...

Toni Collette had no time for an interviewer who asked about her recent divorce.

In December last year, the Hereditary star announced that she was separating from her husband Dave Galafassi after 20 years of marriage.

The announcement came after photographs of Galafassi were published in the Daily Mail showing him and another woman kissing, sitting together and holding hands on a beach in Sydney, Australia.

In an interview with The Times to promote her forthcoming Amazon Prime series, The Power, the Australian actor was asked whether meditation was helping her amid “a shaky old time with her relationship”.

“I’m not having a shaky time at all,” she responded. “That’s a big assumption.”

The Times’ Polly Vernon writes that she apologised and asked, “So, you’re doing ok?”

“I’m doing very well. Thank you for your concern. It’s not something I really want to talk about publicly,...

Dawn French was unrecognisable (sort of) as Claudia Winkleman in BBC One’s parody of The Traitors for Comic Relief.

The Vicar of Dibley star donned Winkleman’s trademark black fringe for the sketch as well as one of the star’s giant roll-neck jumpers that gradually enveloped her whole face.

“I’m actually Claudia Winkleman: half woman, half fringe,” French tells the contestants.

“It feels like it’s time to have a discussion,” she continues. “And during that discussion I will be walking round this table incessantly saying creepy stuff and looking absolutely gorgeous.”

In one scene, French parts her fringe using a curtain pulley.

The “contestants” included Alison Hammond, who was just confirmed as Matt Lucas’s replacement on The Great British Bake Off, Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mary Berry, Stephen Merchant, Danny Dyer, Jennifer Saunders and two actual Traitors contestants from season one.

One of the...

Jennifer Saunders has offered up her thoughts on the forthcoming Fawlty Towers reboot.

In February, John Cleese announced that he and his daughter Camilla would be bringing back the Seventies sitcom, which is widely considered to be one of the greatest comedies of all time.

The news prompted shock from comedy fans, many of whom questioned why the already adored show needed to be revived.

In a new interview, Saunders was asked what her reaction had been to the news that Fawlty Towers is returning.

“Slight dread, I have to say,” she told Metro.co.uk. “I just thought, why? Why don’t you write a new thing?

“I don’t understand why you have to do that. You can’t beat the old one.”

The Absolutely Fabulous star and Cleese appeared together in the French-language film L’entente cordiale in 2006, as well as both voicing characters for Shrek 2.

The Magician’s Elephant is an animation movie directed by Wendy Rogers, and based on a novel written by Kate Dicamillo.

The Magician’s Elephant is a children’s film that aims for the highest “Disney” spirit (that of some years ago): but more tender, childish and somewhat naive, and that, woven by magic, achieves exactly the result it intends to – a film of the old school that, if we let ourselves go, will certainly be charming.

About the Film

Good animation on the technical side that – without being Pixar – takes us along the path of The Sea Beast (another Netflix animation): classicism in form, plot and overall style.

Is it one of those movies for young and old to watch? Absolutely, and with a lot of quality to it. If it sticks to what’s an”easy” approach, it’s a debate that, surely, we shouldn’t get into...

Danny Dyer and Dame Mary Berry will appear in a parody of the BBC’s hit show The Traitors during Friday night’s (17 March) Comic Relief show.

The Traitors sketch will see Jennifer Saunders, Stephen Merchant, Rosie Jones and contestants Maddy and Wilf from series one gather for a roundtable.

In a twist, the show’s host Claudia Winkleman will be played by Dawn French before the true traitor is revealed to viewers.

Pop singers Tom Grennan and Zara Larsson will perform their new singles during the broadcast from Salford, with Aj Odudu joined by David Tennant, Joel Dommett, Paddy McGuinness and Zoe Ball serving as presenters for the BBC One broadcast.

Grennan will sing his single “You Are Not Alone”, while Swedish singer Larsson will be performing her new track “Can’t Tame Her”.

The cast of Mrs Doubtfire The Musical will also deliver their first UK performance of...

Gary Lineker’s army of supporters has grown to include a Nobel literature laureate and comedian amid his BBC impartiality row.

The former England striker is at the centre of a public debate about impartiality at the BBC, after he compared a video unveiling the government’s asylum policy to rhetoric used in Germany in the 1930s.

On Friday (10 March), the BBC said it had “decided” the former England star would take a break from presenting the highlights programme until an “agreed and clear position” on his use of social media had been reached.

Following this, the BBC’s sports scheduling descended into chaos on Saturday (11 March) with Match of the Day going ahead without presenters or pundits after both Ian Wright and Alan Shearer pulled out in “solidarity” with Lineker.

Football Focus and Final Score were both pulled from TV schedules at the last minute that day, along with Radio 5 Live’s sport coverage.

Donald Glover has joked about his Community co-star Chevy Chase using the N-word.

The actor and musician starred opposite Chase across five seasons of the hit show, which also starred Danny Pudi, Alison Brie, and Gillian Jacobs.

Glover, 39, appeared at the 2023 Writers Guild Awards in New York on 5 March to present Atlanta executive producer Paul Simms with an honorary award.

During his speech, he recalled how the award that Simms would be receiving was named after former Saturday Night Live writer Herb Sargeant, who had starred on Weekend Update, hosted by Chevy Chase.

“Chevy Chase once called Herb one of the funniest writers working in television,” Glover said onstage. “Chevy Chase once called me… You know what? This is about Paul.”

Later during his speech, Glover recalled meeting Simms on the set of Girls.

“I asked Lena [Dunham], ‘Hey, what made you decide to work with Paul [Simms]?’ And she goes ‘Honestly,...

Katherine Ryan has admitted she is eager to “roast” celebrities and revealed that an award show stage would be the perfect place for her to do it.

The Canadian comedian, 39, who starred in The Duchess, explained in a new interview that she “would die” to present any of the major awards ceremonies this season.

The mother-of-three told Metro: “I would die to present the Baftas or the Oscars or the Emmys or the Mobo awards or the Brits – anything like that.

She added: “I feel like it’s almost the last place where a comedian can roast and that’s because the status in the room is so high that someone like Ricky Gervais does an incredible job of letting those people show their vulnerability and have a laugh at themselves.”

“I love that kind of comedy. I would love to do that,” the comedian said.

She said she had...

Dawn French and Claudia Winkleman have posed in a picture together, in which the pair look bizarrely similar.

The Vicar Of Dibley star, 65, struck an uncanny resemblance to the Strictly Come Dancing host, 51, in a playful Instagram selfie taken as they filmed a skit based on Winkleman’s hit BBC series The Traitors.

The sketch, which will appear as part of BBC’s Red Nose Day programming on 17 March, will see French perform alongside her longtime comedy partner Jennifer Saunders, according to the BBC.

In an Instagram post captioned: “Coming soon…#traitors #comicrelief,” French and Winkleman smile next to eachother as the comedian wears a jet black wig, cut into a bob with a fringe, resembling the presenter’s iconic hairstyle.

In the photograph, the words “Claudia Winkle” are placed over the real Winkleman, while the words “Also Claudia Winkle” are placed over French.

It comes after the BBC announced...

"My sister lives! And I will find her." Netflix has revealed the official trailer for an animated movie titled The Magician's Elephant, arriving for streaming this March. It's adapted from two-time Newbery Award winning author Kate Dicamillo's classic novel, as a "joyful animated reimagining." When young Peter sets out to find his sister, his optimistic spirit guides him through an unexpected encounter with an elephant and three seemingly impossible tasks, also giving hope to his town along the way. The director: "I am forever grateful for our brilliant crew at Netflix and Animal Logic that collectively designed and crafted a beautiful, surreal yet tangible world in which our compellingly layered and diverse cast of characters flourishes." The voice cast includes Sian Clifford, Pixie Davies, Natasia Demetriou, Dawn French, Brian Tyree Henry, Noah Jupe, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Aasif Mandvi, Mandy Patinkin, Benedict Wong, and Miranda Richardson. This looks a bit wonky,...

The first trailer for Netflix’s upcoming animated adventure The Magician’s Elephant teases an enchanting adaptation of Newbery-winning author Kate Dicamillo’s 2009 novel.

In a nearly two-minute first look at the animated feature premiering globally on March 17 and helmed by first-time director and animation and vfx veteran Wendy Rogers (Puss in Boots, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian), the streamer promises an emotionally heartfelt and visually stunning coming-of-age fable about the desire to connect and belong, embracing possibility and the power of hope and compassion.

“The first time I watched the movie, I was struck by the sheer beauty of it — it is a gorgeous film visually,” Dicamillo says of the Rogers-helmed adaptation. “But also, there is a real, genuine heart to the film. It is deeply moving. That is the true magic of it.”

Coming more than a decade after an adaptation was first announced with producer Julia Pistor...

Kit Hesketh-Harvey, the musician, composer and screenwriter, died of natural causes, a coroner has ruled.

The artist died suddenly at the age of 65 from heart disease, the family told The Independent.

He was in the bath, listening to Radio 3 and preparing for one of his Kit & McConnel comedy cabaret shows at the time of his death on 1 February.

Hesketh-Harvey, who performed for King Charles, enjoyed a prolific career that included writing the screenplay for director James Ivory’s 1987 film Maurice. The film starred a young Hugh Grant in one of his first onscreen roles.

He was the brother of Sarah Sands, journalist and former editor of the Evening Standard. Sands – who is also coping with the loss of her actor ex-husband Julian Sands who went missing last month during a mountain hike in California – spoke of her shock at her brother’s death at the time, telling The Independent: “Kit was dazzling – clever,...

Kit Hesketh-Harvey, the musician, composer and screenwriter, has died suddenly aged 65.

The multi-talented entertainer, who performed for King Charles, enjoyed a prolific career that included writing the screenplay for director James Ivory’s 1987 film Maurice, starring a young Hugh Grant in one of his first onscreen roles.

His agent told The Independent he died unexpectedly but peacefully, while listening to Radio 3 and preparing for a Kit & McConnel show.

He was the brother of Sarah Sands, journalist and former editor of the Evening Standard. His death comes as a double blow to the family during an ongoing search for Ms Sands’s former husband, British actor Julian Sands, who went missing two weeks ago while hiking in southern California.

Ms Sands spoke of the shock over her brother’s death. She told The Independent: “Kit was dazzling – clever, original, funny, kind. The last time I saw him he was busy mapping...

Kit Hesketh-Harvey, the musician, composer and screenwriter, has died suddenly aged 65.

The multi-talented entertainer, who performed for King Charles, enjoyed a prolific career that included writing the screenplay for director James Ivory’s 1987 film Maurice, starring a young Hugh Grant in one of his first onscreen roles.

His agent told The Independent he died unexpectedly but peacefully, while listening to Radio 3 and preparing for a Kit & McConnel show.

He was the brother of Sarah Sands, journalist and former editor of the Evening Standard. His death comes as a double blow to the family during an ongoing search for Ms Sands’s former husband, British actor Julian Sands, who went missing two weeks ago while hiking in southern California.

Ms Sands spoke of the shock over her brother’s death. She told The Independent: “Kit was dazzling – clever, original, funny, kind. The last time I saw him he was busy mapping...

Every time Alex Horne is asked about his dream Taskmaster contestant, he says Jack Dee. Every. Single. Time. And yet in fourteen series and two (soon to be three) New Year Specials, they still haven’t managed to book Jack Dee for the show.

The Taskmaster team have posted this teaser ahead of tonight’s final, after which we’ll discover the Series 15 cast, so there’s hope yet that Dee is one of these elusive one-man-bands:

Keep your eyes peeled for the official Taskmaster Series 15 cast reveal, after tonight’s show! Here’s a lovely little teaser to whet your appetites… pic.twitter.com/o1sskl4sPi

— Taskmaster (@taskmaster) December 1, 2022

While we wait to discover their identities, we’ve got a few names of our own to throw into the ring for potential future Taskmaster contestants/victims:

Richard Ayoade

Richard Ayoade is always at the top of Taskmaster fan’s ‘dream contestant’ lists,...

The holidays are a special time of year. If you're not opening presents or stuffing your face with leftovers, you're glued to the TV, soaking up some cozy seasonal viewing. As Christmas fast approaches, sites like ours are usually flooded with listicles highlighting the best ways to spend your Christmas downtime and wring out every last drop of precious festivity. After all, there are some movies that it just wouldn't be Christmas without. That said, not all of them feature snow, Santa, or even Christmas.

Odds are, you have your own unique selection when it comes to this particular corner of subjective viewing. When broadcasters know families will all be under the same roof, oftentimes, it feels like they use it as an opportunity to air solid family favorites that never fail to please. Maybe it's to help break up the near-constant repeats of "Home Alone" or maybe it's a...