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Fantasy author Joe Abercrombie is everywhere right now thanks to the release of his buzzy new book The Devils. Released in mid-May, The Devils debuted at #5 on the New York Times bestseller list and #1 on the Sunday Times bestseller list, both career highs for Abercrombie. It's gained major media attention thanks to the news that none other than James Cameron has optioned it for a film adaptation, which he will co-write with Abercrombie himself. And of course, Abercrombie was also out touring the UK and United States, promoting the book by chatting with other authors like George R.R. Martin, Robin Hobb, Patrick Rothfuss, and more.

Abercrombie also spoke with The Stormlight Archive author Brandon Sanderson at a church in Salt Lake City. And fortunately for all of us, Sanderson has his own personal video team as part of his company Dragonsteel, which means that the conversation was recorded in high...

Terry Pratchett's Discworld remains one of the most beloved and well-written fantasy series. In the decade since Sir Terry's passing, no author has been able to step up into the role of darling fantasy satirist – and no one should. The convoluted reading order of the Discworld novels belies the straightforward way that the books speak both to readers' hearts and minds. One key reason why Discworld is so universally adored among fantasy fans is that the characters Terry Pratchett created all explode off the pages larger than life.

Since Discworld is an innately satirical series, its characters all embody the best and the worst of people, with massive flaws and indomitable virtues that combine in such a way that they serve as mirrors of our own inner conflict. While this has also contributed to why many Discworld adaptations struggle to find the right tone, it also means that...

Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels are some of the most hilarious fantasy books ever written, but that hilarity also goes hand-in-hand with how well Pratchett understood people in all their boons, flaws, joys, and mistakes. Discworld has a complicated reading order, with 41 total novels that have threads following several of the world's focal characters, such as Death, or Sam Vimes, the grizzled head of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch.

With Discworld's TV adaptations often failing to do justice to their sources, the books themselves remain the best way to appreciate Pratchett's unique blend of social commentary, with a little bit of philosophy, a little bit of theology, and a heaping helping of satire. What follows are ten quotes and passages from ten separate Discworld books – not necessarily the best Discworld novels, but ten moments that combine the profound and the absurd in the way only Terry Pratchett could.

"Lord, What Can The Harvest Hope For,...

Across 41 novels, British writer Terry Pratchett released the critically acclaimed Discworld books, but they weren't all created equal. Beginning in 1983, the genre-spanning set of books started with the Rincewind series, launched by The Colour of Magic. If reading the Discworld books in chronological or publication order, readers should begin with this magical high fantasy satire. Although The Colour of Magic may be the first Discworld book, it isn't necessarily the best. Pratchett's Discworld just got better and better, eventually containing many individual subseries, each with a slightly different approach.

The sheer scope of the Discworld releases is a huge part of what makes them some of the best fantasy books around. While The Colour of Magic and the following Rincewind books erred on the side of high fantasy, many other subseries exploited other literary genres. However, through it all, Pratchett maintained one of the most original fantasy worlds ever to be created.

Men at Arms subverts several romantasy tropes, providing a refreshing and engaging twist for readers. Carrot and Angua's relationship features twists on many romantic beats, making their story more lighthearted. Discworld offers a humorous satire of fantasy tropes while also establishing a rich, adventurous world that romantasy readers will love.

One particular book in the Discworld series by Sir Terry Pratchett is perfect for romantasy readers, despite the fact that it makes fun of our favorite tropes. As an avid romantasy reader, I have devoured and enjoyed many of the popular romantasy books on BookTok. Fourth Wing, A Court Of Thorns & Roses, and several others have gripped me with their sharp romantic drama and ingenious world-building. That being said, one book by the late, great Sir Terry Pratchett continues to amaze me with how it tackles aspects of this newer genre with every reread.

Pratchett's Men at Arms, the...

Tony Lo Bianco, the Brooklyn actor who oozed criminal charm in the gritty 1970s New York City dramas The French Connection and The Seven-Ups, has died. He was 87.

Lo Bianco died Tuesday night of prostate cancer at his horse farm in Poolesville, Maryland, his wife, Alyse, told The Hollywood Reporter.

Lo Bianco was also memorable as a smooth-talking con man with a lonely nurse (Shirley Stoler) for a girlfriend/accomplice in Leonard Kastle’s documentary-style The Honeymoon Killers (1970), which Francois Truffaut once said was his favorite American film.

In another cult classic, the horror thriller God Told Me To (1976), directed by Larry Cohen, Lo Bianco starred as a New York cop who investigates a series of bizarre murders orchestrated by the leader of a religious group (Richard Lynch).

He received a best actor Tony nomination in 1983 for playing Eddie Carbone in a revival of Arthur Miller’s A View From the Bridge,...

Jason Mantzoukas reveals that Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2 has not get gotten the green light, but he's guessing the show will continue. Mantzoukas highlights that the cast is aging rapidly, however, will which present a challenge as the show goes forward. While author Rick Riordan has been adamant about maintaining the characters' ages from the books, practical considerations could require adjustments in this area.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians star Jason Mantzoukas comments on the show's season 2 chances and addresses one issue the season will face. Based on the bestselling books by author Rick Riordan, the new Disney Plus series chronicles the adventures of the titular demigod and his friends in a world of Greek mythological figures. While the Percy Jackson and the Olympians reviews have been glowing, the show has not yet been renewed for season 2.

Now, as new episodes continue to air, Dionysus actor Mantzoukas addresses...

You can’t buy Terry Pratchett’s first novel – or rather, you can, but it will cost you. A first edition of the original 1971 version of The Carpet People will set you back somewhere between £400 and £1000; Forum Auctions have one on sale with a guide price of £400 – £600. You can, of course, buy the current version of the book, and “first editions” of that one might be going for less than £5. But that is the version that was edited and re-published in 1992, after the original had gone out of print. And it is not quite the same book.

In his introduction to the 1992 revised edition, Pratchett said The Carpet People “had two authors, and they were both the same person”. When the Discworld novels began to sell and demand for Pratchett’s debut novel went up, he told the publishers that he needed to do some re-writes, and the resulting new...

Good Omens, a beloved novel and TV series, is now being adapted into a record-breaking graphic novel, funded within ten minutes on Kickstarter. Artist Colleen Doran is leading the graphic novel adaptation but purposely avoided watching the TV series to ensure her work wouldn't compete with the "amazing" performances of Tennant and Sheen. Despite author Terry Pratchett's stipulation to destroy unfinished works after his death, his legacy lives on through new adaptations and the release of unpublished writings like Good Omens.

Good Omens has been a much-loved novel and a highly praised TV series, and now it is going to be a record-breaking graphic novel as well. However, while appearances by the likes of Samuel L. Jackson’s’ Nick Fury have seen crossovers between the page and screen, that is not something that will be happening with David Tennant and Michael Sheen’s iterations of Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman...

The upcoming One Piece series wouldn't have come to fruition if it weren't for BBC's Doctor Who, specifically one of the directors who worked on the sci-fi drama show -- Emma Sullivan.

Eiichiro Oda's One Piece launched a franchise, consisting of manga, anime, films, video games, and, most recently, a television series, back in 1997 and has since become a cultural phenomenon with a huge fan base all over the world. When Netflix approached Oda regarding the potential live-action adaptation, the streaming platform understood what was at stake right away, which is why the people involved with the project needed to be selected carefully. That included the directors who would be responsible for bringing the first eight episodes of the Straw Hat Pirates' adventures to the screen. In an interview with Collider, Sullivan, one of the chosen four directors, spoke about how she joined the production.

Related: One Piece...

Good Omens Season 2 did not follow Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett's original book sequel plan, missing out on the more explosive direction it could have taken. The second season lacked the influence of Pratchett's warm wit and spark, making it less Pratchett-esque compared to the first season. However, there is a good chance of Pratchett's influence and unused plotlines resurfacing in season 3, keeping his spirit and storytelling style alive.

Good Omens thrilled fans and broke hearts in season 2, focusing on the relationship between David Tennant's demon Crowley and Michael Sheen's angel Aziraphale - but it didn't use Neil Gaiman and the late Terry Pratchett's original book sequel plan. While Good Omens season 2's ending was explosive and devastating for the angel and demon's relationship, it could have gone in an even stronger direction if earlier plans had been used. Despite some fantastic character development, it's now crucial...

Good Omens' Kickstarter has broken all records for comics on the platform and shows that Terry Pratchett's Discworld is due a rebirth. Discworld is beloved by millions, and despite a spotty history with adaptations, Good Omens shows that it can and should be given the opportunity to flourish.

Beginning life as a send-up of high fantasy tropes, Discworld evolved over its 41 novels written between 1983 and 2015, with its always-hilarious stories ranging from police procedurals to war epics to explorations of Discworld’s own industrial revolution. Discworld's varied world is only matched by its endless charm and dialog that demands to be read out loud to whoever’s nearest, and all these facets would make it perfect for a series of comics. Discworld itself is no stranger to adaptations, including radio dramas, animated specials and multiple TV show adaptations, and prior comics.

Good Omens Shows a Huge Appetite for Pratchett...

Neil Gaiman's Good Omens is the number one comedy television series available for streaming on Amazon's streaming service Prime Video.

The news of Good Omens taking the top spot was posted on X (formerly Twitter) a few weeks after Season 2's release. David Tennant plays Crowley, a demon and Michael Sheen plays Aziraphale, an angel, who find themselves working together in order to prevent the end of the world. Season 2 premiered on Friday, July 28, with Prime Video releasing all Season 2 episodes at once.

Related: David Tennant Reacts to Good Omens Cheeky Doctor Who Reference

Ineffably amusing indeed! Cheers to Good Omens Season 2 debuting as the #1 Comedy on @PrimeVideo! pic.twitter.com/k9FqSUcXTZ — Good Omens (@GoodOmensPrime) August 5, 2023

Season 2 of Good Omens follows the angel and demon beyond the book written by Gaiman and Sir Terry Pratchett into a new story penned by Gaiman and John Finnemore. The second season's...

While beloved author Terry Pratchett may not be able to experience Good Omens Season 2, his business manager Rob Wilkins insists the series elevates the writer's legacy.

Speaking to RadioTimes, Wilkins explained how the next chapter in the Prime Video series, which tells an original tale not directly based on a novel, honors Pratchett's spirit. "He would be most proud of the detail and the love that is compressed into this that everybody puts into it and it's lovely to see that everybody respects the written word and here we are turning the written word into this," Wilkins explained. Pratchett's "representative on Earth" further explained how Neil Gaiman, who originally wrote Good Omens alongside the Discworld novelist, went out of his way to ensure that his friend's wishes were honored.

Related: Good Omens Season 2 Provides a Fun, If Slightly Uneven, Return

"Neil makes sure Terry's voice is heard every single day through the scripts,...

Good Omens season 2 continues to honor Terry Pratchett's voice and legacy, with his former assistant directly involved in its development. Neil Gaiman ensures that Pratchett's voice is heard through the scripts, and there is a definite story arc for Aziraphale and Crowley. The show is filled with hidden references and Easter eggs paying tribute to Pratchett, including his likeness and nods to his Discworld novels.

Terry Pratchett’s former personal assistant and official “representative on Earth” has explained how Good Omens season 2 continues to honor the late author. Best known for his series of Discworld novels, in 1990 Pratchett collaborated with Neil Gaiman on the original book, Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch, which eventually served as the basis for 2019’s Good Omens season 1. While Gaiman would go on to write the television series adaptation himself, sadly Pratchett passed away in 2015 before he had a...

Warning: contains Some spoilers for Good Omens season two

There are over 200 Easter eggs scattered throughout Good Omens season two, buried in everything from oil paintings to posters to bookshelves. On August 4th, Prime Video will be releasing an X-Ray feature for the season, where viewers can catch them all, but here are a few of our favourites.

They show us that the characters who don’t appear in season two have not been forgotten, that Terry Pratchett is still very much a voice in this show, that David Tennant always carries a little bit of The Doctor with him.

Good Omens Season 1 and the Book

Adam and the Them, Anathema, Newt and co. may not be appearing in Good Omens season two, but that does not mean they’re not still present in some form. Here are just a few of the references to beloved season one characters that...

Spoiler Alert: This recap contains spoilers from the Season 2 finale of “Good Omens,” now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

In the 2006 reprinted edition of Neil Gaiman and the late Terry Pratchett’s 1990 classic “Good Omens,” the co-authors did a Q&a in which they answered the question “Why isn’t there a sequel?” like this:

“We played around with ideas, but we could never work up the enthusiasm. Besides, we wanted to do other things. Recently, though, we’ve both been wondering if ‘never again’ is set in stone. So there might be a sequel one day. Maybe. Perhaps. Who knows? We don’t.”

Well, now we do know, because on July 28, Amazon Prime Video dropped the second season of its TV adaptation of “Good Omens,” which sees Michael Sheen and David Tennant reprise their roles as apocalypse-fighting, millennia-long best friends: the fussy angel and rare-book dealer Aziraphale and fast-living demon Crowley.

Good Omens season two is a story of friendship and love and, to quote Terry Pratchett’s Moving Pictures, “Passione in a Worlde Gone Madde!” Gorgeous-looking, perfectly cast, and full of joy, it’s like a warm hug and a mug of hot chocolate… with a little macabre horror and sketch show comedy bobbing beneath the surface.

Good Omens season one was based on a standalone novel written by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, which meant that it was a complete story. That’s why most of its characters and plotlines – Adam and pals, Agnes Nutter, Anathema and the Four Motorcycle Riders of the Apocalypse – don’t appear in season two.

But more than any of those, Good Omens season one was the story of the friendship between the demon Crowley and the angel Aziraphale. They’re the true protagonists of the book, and indisputably the stars of the TV show,...

Natasha Lyonne just earned an Emmy nomination for her portrayal of Charlie Cale on Rian Johnson's Poker Face, but something else is weighing heavy on her mind. In conversation with Deadline, the actress and filmmaker shared her discontent with concerns of Artificial Intelligence threatening artists' livelihood. AI has been a central issue in the ongoing Writers Guild Strike, and a looming Screen Actors Guild strike also has AI as a concern for its union members: SAG-AFTRA members are asking for guarantees in protecting their likenesses and seeking proper compensation when their work is utilized to train AI. Lyonne calls this "a very dark moment in time." Citing a report published earlier this week by Deadline, where the publication shared that "artificial intelligence has become a significant obstacle" to a deal between SAG-AFTRA and the studios, Lyonne shared:

“It is really, really dark and dystopian, frankly. I don’t know...

Natasha Lyonne may have earned her fifth Emmy nomination Wednesday, this time for her role as amateur detective Charlie Cale in Peacock’s Poker Face, but, while the actress is grateful for the accolade, she spent her morning thinking mostly about the looming threat of artificial intelligence.

She told Deadline that she and series creator Rian Johnson briefly spoke of the nomination, if only so she could tell him to “try to convince Karina [Longworth, his wife] to be my date” to the Emmys.

Related: Emmy Winners For Best Drama Since 1960: A Photo Gallery

For the most part, the pair have been discussing AI — which is a hot topic in Hollywood as SAG-AFTRA continues contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The actors guild’s contract is set to expire at midnight Pt, when the actors could go on strike if they don’t reach a deal.

Related:...

Author, comedian, HeyUGuys writer* and Terry Pratchett fan, Marc Burrows will invite audiences to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Pratchett’s landmark comic fantasy Discworld series with the multimedia lecture ‘The Magic of Terry Pratchett.’

In 2020, Marc penned the first-ever biography of Sir Terry. The book received critical acclaim, won a Locus Award and was embraced by fans. Based on the book, this new, live multimedia show was then created with the full endorsement and support of Narrativia, the company founded to protect and promote the late author’s work in association with his estate.

The comic lecture will see Burrows explore Pratchett’s influences, his rise to fame, his impact, and his remarkable life, becoming one of the most beloved storytellers of all time. From the national treasure’s days as a school librarian, his time as a trainee journalist to his untimely death in 2015 and in keeping with Pratchett’s style,...

This review originally ran January 23, 2023, in conjunction with the film’s US premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.

The collected “Discworld” novels by Terry Pratchett are so weird and so imaginative and so wry that very few filmmakers have ever seriously tried to adapt them. We’ve had one short-lived live-action series, one short film, a few animated mini-series and three ambitious live-action mini-series.

But feature films have eluded the dwellers of “Discworld” until just about — actually wait, let me check my watch here — now.

“The Amazing Maurice,” based on the 2001 children’s book “The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents,” features the voice of Hugh Laurie as the title character. He’s a cat who can talk in a world where cats don’t usually do that, even though magic is real, the living personification of Death walks among us and fairy-tale characters abound as well.

Then again, rats can’t talk either,...

In the 20-plus years since “Shrek” burned up the box office, the fairytale with a postmodern twist has become such a standardized genre, one wonders whether kids might be slightly thrown by one that plays out completely in earnest. They aren’t about to be tested in that regard by “The Amazing Maurice,” a loose, goofy riff on The Pied Piper of Hamelin that takes every available opportunity to draw viewers’ attention to the traditions being broken, or at least irreverently lampshaded. But courtesy of source material by offbeat fantasy maestro Terry Pratchett, it’s genuinely eccentric enough — with its sly talking cat, intrepid band of gold-hearted rats and chronic aversion to keeping the fourth wall intact — to come off as charming rather than smarmy.

Pratchett’s sensibility fuses comfortably with that of veteran screenwriter Terry Rossio — the man behind “Shrek,” among other blockbusters — in a film that tilts slightly...

The UK has a long history with fantasy novelists. When one thinks of some of modern literature's greatest fantasy tales, one may think of the works of Neil Gaiman or C.S. Lewis, proving just how integral the United Kingdom is to this genre of storytelling. One name in this genre that stands out above the rest is the late Terry Pratchett, whose bibliography continues to stand the test of time. With a career spanning over 40 years, Pratchett dedicated his life's work to fantasy literature, with his Discworld series of 41 novels synonymous with both him and the fantasy genre itself. With millions of fans worldwide, and a back catalog of novels larger than most libraries, it can be a difficult task to pick just one of his works as a favorite. This is where on-screen adaptations come in, helping to differentiate between his best works and shine a light on potentially...

This article contains The Lord of the Rings spoilers.

When The Two Towers was released in December 2002, it was fairly common knowledge among J.R.R. Tolkien fans that screenwriters Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens had initially planned on putting the character of Arwen at the Battle of Helm’s Deep. It would’ve been a major change to the books. And more than just consider the concept, Jackson even filmed scenes with actor Liv Tyler there in complete armored regalia. And even now, several eagle-eyed YouTubers have spotted moments in the final cuts of the film where Tyler can just about be seen on screen from a distance.

However, the filmmakers changed their minds, and Arwen was removed from the sequence while action scenes were reshot. In fact, Arwen’s entire character arc in the film was altered, a decision that was greeted very positively by a large number...

Exclusive: Global Screen has unveiled a fresh round of deals for Sky Original animated feature The Amazing Maurice, featuring Hugh Laurie and Emilia Clarke in the voice cast.

The announcement follows in the wake of news that the family film had been selected for the Kids-Section of the upcoming Sundance Film Festival.

The animation revolves around the adventures of streetwise cat Maurice as he sets in motion what he believes to be a perfect money-making scam

In fresh deals, the film has sold to France (Kmbo), Benelux (Just4Kids), South Korea (Bluelabel), South America (Plus Films), South Africa (Empire Entertainment), Middle East (Grand Entertainment), Turkey (Yeni Bir Film), Greece (Zinos Panagiotidis) and Iceland (Sena).

In previously announced sales, it has also been acquired for Italy (Lucky Red), Spain (Flins y Piniculas), Scandinavia (Selmer Media), Portugal (Nos Lusomundo), Israel (Red Cape Distribution), Middle East (Selim Ramia & Co.), Australia and New Zealand...

Disney Animation's "Strange World" is now in theaters, and the movie about three generations of the Clade family finding themselves in a land unlike anything they've ever seen makes for a delightful film to see with your own family over the Thanksgiving holiday.

If you've seen "Strange World," you also know there's some surprises in store for the Clades as well as for the audience. I talked with director Don Hall and writer/co-director Qui Nguyen about that major reveal (and where they got inspiration for it), the movie's score and its "Raiders of the Lost Ark" feel, and how the game in the movie actually exists in our not-so-strange world. I also got to ask Nguyen about another Disney project he's working on with Ryan Reynolds.

This interview contains spoilers for "Strange World" and was lightly edited for clarity and brevity.

'Not In A Hippy Dippy Way, But In A Real,...

Fantasy is once again resurgent on our television screens. "House of the Dragon," a spin-off of the mega-hit "Game of Thrones," is in the middle of its first season. Meanwhile, Amazon has launched "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power," one of the most expensive television productions ever made. As a fan of genre fiction, I suppose I should be celebrating. Instead, I can't help but be frustrated. The genre of fantasy includes countless weird and fascinating works, including the award-winning "Broken Earth" trilogy published in just the past few years. Yet several of the novels being adapted are epic fantasy stories published in the 1990s. What about everything else?

The following is a list of fantasy works I believe would make excellent television. Some are set in other worlds, others are set in ours. Some are short stories, others are long-running works of webfiction. I sought to...

Warning: contains spoilers for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit books and movies.

With Amazon’s The Rings of Power series coming out very soon, there’s been a lot of talk about how faithful – or otherwise – the series is to Tolkien’s lore. But what exactly does it mean to be faithful to a book? We all know that no TV or film adaptation can simply take a book and put it on screen. For one thing, everyone imagines something slightly different, and for another, what works in a novel does not necessarily work on screen.

For every BBC 1995 Pride and Prejudice, which as close as any adaptation to taking the words of the book and filming them, there’s a Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, which ends up feeling slow and awkwardly paced by sticking doggedly to the source material. Even Pride and Prejudice...

Exclusive: The Affair star Ruth Wilson and Peaky Blinders and Good Luck to You, Leo Grande actor Daryl McCormack have been set to lead new blue-chip BBC and Showtime series The Woman in the Wall, inspired by Ireland’s controversial Magdalene Laundries.

In the 6×60’ gothic thriller, two-time BAFTA nominee Wilson will play Lorna Brady, who wakes one morning to find a corpse in her house. Brady has no idea who the dead woman is or if she herself might be responsible for the apparent murder, because she has long suffered from extreme bouts of sleepwalking. The episodes began during her teenage years when she was incarcerated in one of Ireland and the Catholic Church’s notorious Magdalene Laundries, where ‘fallen women’ were sent to atone for “sins” such as adultery and teenage pregnancy.

2022 Showtime Pilots & Series Orders

Rising actor McCormack will play the ambitious but elusive Detective Colman Akande, who...

Seth Meyers is not at all surprised that Fox News won’t be broadcasting the January 6 select committee hearings live in primetime this week.

On Monday, it was reported that Fox would be the only major network not carrying the hearings live in full, opting instead to keep their primetime lineup of Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham intact and breaking away to cover the hearings “as news warrants.”

During “A Closer Look” on Wednesday night, Meyers added his voice to the many who are really not shocked.

“It doesn’t surprise me that Fox isn’t airing the hearings. Fox is news the same way ‘The Kardashians’ is reality,” Meyers joked. “Just once I’d love to see an actual reality TV show. Something called, I don’t know, ‘Man Quietly Eating a Cinnabon Because He Missed His Connection to Laguardia.'”

Speaking more seriously, Meyers noted that...

Exclusive: BBC Studios has optioned the Eve Stranger comic book series and is developing into a TV show.

The outfit’s Drama Productions unit, which is responsible for BBC America Terry Pratchett adaptation The Watch, will produce the TV version, with Sixteen writer Veronica Gleeson set to adapt. No broadcaster is attached as of yet.

The comics tell the story of the enigmatic Eve, an “amnesiac for hire” who has unlimited funds, a jet-set lifestyle and extraordinary abilities.

They were created by writer David Barnett (Punks Not Dead) and illustrated by Philip Bond (Deadline). Released as a miniseries in 2019, Eve Stranger was one of the core titles of comic-book editor Shelly Bond’s Black Crown imprint. Chris Ryall, former Idw Chief Creative Officer and current co-founder of Syzygy Publishing, will serve as an Executive Producer on BBC Studios’ adaptation.

Being Humans exec Matthew Bouch is producing and described the comics as a “a mind-bending journey,...

Streaming

BBC Studios, the commercial arm of the BBC, has set a content deal with Mx Player, India’s largest AVOD service, which also has a strong reach across Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Pakistan. The partnership kicks off with Simon Allen‘s “The Watch,” a series inspired by the characters in Terry Pratchett’s bestselling “Discworld” novels, which follows an unlikely group of misfits, The City Watch, who are forced to find the guts to save the world, surprising even themselves in the process; and “Line of Duty” creator Jed Mercurio‘s “Critical,” set in a major trauma center that only deals with the most serious cases, following an emergency medical team that battles through the vital first hour of care to save lives that hang in balance.

Mx Player has 300 million monthly active users globally and has achieved the one billion download milestone.

Appointments

Indian studio...

Christopher Walken series “The Outlaws” has been renewed for a second season. Walken will also return as Frank Sheldon.

Created by Stephen Merchant (“The Office”) and Elgin James (“Mayans M.C.”) the comedy thriller follows seven convicts completing community service in Bristol, U.K.

The second season, which has already wrapped and is due to air next year, follows on directly from season 1. Both seasons were filmed back to back. The show is a BBC One/Amazon Studios co-production.

Returning alongside Merchant (who both stars in and writes the series) and Walken are Rhianne Barreto (“Honour”), Gamba Cole (“Soon Gone: A Windrush Chronicle”), Darren Boyd (“Killing Eve”), Clare Perkins (“EastEnders”), Eleanor Tomlinson (“Poldark”), Jessica Gunning (“Back”), Charles Babalola (“Bancroft”), Nina Wadia (“Goodness Gracious Me”), Tom Hanson (“Brassic”) and Aiyana Goodfellow (“Small Axe”).

Julia Davis (“Sally4Ever”), Dolly Wells (“Dracula”), Ian McElhinney (“Game of Thrones”) and Claes Bang (“Dracula”) guest star.

In the wake of the spread of  'Covid-19', with viral variants now infecting both cast/crew working in live action and animation, TV studios including Netflix, Hulu, CBS, ABC, Fox, Starz, Paramount and a whole lot more, have quietly shut down numerous popular series, despite Season renewals, designating new episodes "on hiatus":

TV Series on Hiatus:

911 Lone Star 

A Discovery of Witches 

After Life 

All American 

Amazing Stories 

American Horror Stories 

Atlanta 

B Positive 

Better Call Saul  

Better Things 

Big Sky

Black Monday 

Black-ish 

Blindspotting 

Blood and Water 

Blue Bloods  

Bob Hearts Abishola 

Bob's Burgers 

Breeders

Bridgerton 

Bull  

Call Me Kat 

Carnival Row 

Charmed  

Chicago Fire 

Chicago Med 

Chicago Pd 

City on a Hill 

Clarice 

Claws 

Clickbait 

Coyote 

Creepshow  

Criminal Minds 

Cruel Summer 

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Dash and Lily 

Dead to Me 

Dear White People  

Dickinson 

Dirty John 

Dollface 

Doom Patrol 

Duncanville 

Elite 

Emily In Paris...

This weekend seems to have been a good time for anyone waiting for a glimpse of Disney and Marvel's Moon Knight with filming now underway in Budapest as one of the first leaked clips from the set has appeared online along with another possible image of Oscar Isaac's Moon Knight costume, although its legitimacy is something that many fans have questioned as they have addressed some disappointment at the design. The set clip on the other hand, is unquestionably part of the production, and sees a cloaked figure on wires doing a bit of stunt work for the highly anticipated show.

The new clip sees the figure running along a street and leaping in the air, and as the character is wearing a grey hooded costume and wrap-like clothing many have speculated that this is Marc Spector, although some incorrect hashtags applied to the clip caused initial confusion as...

Netflix has acquired the global rights to Toby Meakins’ horror thriller “Curs>r,” starring Asa Butterfield (“Sex Education”), Iola Evans (“Carnival Row”) and Eddie Marsan.

The deal was negotiated by producer and financier Anton and Stigma Films.

The film, a dark twist on the ‘80s gaming obsession, wrapped principal photography in the U.K. in April, and is currently in post-production.

In the pic, a broke college dropout (Evans) decides to play an obscure, 1980s survival computer game in pursuit of an unclaimed $125,000 prize. But the game curses her, and she’s faced with dangerous choices and reality-warping challenges. After a series of unexpectedly terrifying moments, she realizes she’s no longer playing for the money, but for her life. The game locks her into an inescapable cycle of mind-bending horror. Stopping is not an option. It’s play or die.

Produced by Anton’s Sebastien Raybaud and John Zois, alongside Stigma Films’ Matthew James Wilkinson,...

Amazon has given a second season order to “Good Omens,” the comedic fantasy drama produced by Neil Gaiman based on the work of revered British novelist Terry Pratchett.

David Tennant, of “Dr. Who” and “Broadchurch” fame, is back in his co-lead slot, as is Michael Sheen. The pair will reprise their roles as the angel Aziraphale (Sheen) and demon Crowley (Tennant). The “unlikely duo” is billed as “teaming up to save the world from the apocalypse,” per Amazon.

Season one aired in 2019. The second six-episode season will begin filming in Scotland later this year but no premiere date has been confirmed.

“Good Omens” is based on the 1990 novel of the same name that was a collaboration between Pratchett, the prolific writer who created the enduring “Discworld” series of fantasy novels, and Gaiman. “Good Omens” is in part a dark spoof of the 1976 movie “The Omen” and other horror fiction involving...

Fresh off the long-awaited arrival of Zack Snyder’s Justice League (a.k.a. the fabled Snyder Cut), HBO Max has no need to appease fandom culture in April 2021. But the streaming service is gonna do it anyway!

The most notable new release for HBO Max this month is the HBO series The Nevers. This show, created by Joss Whedon, is set in a 19th century steampunk London and finds a sizable portion of the population (predominantly women) having been “Touched” by mysterious paranormal powers. There’s an interesting bit of irony at play here, as HBO Max is following up the Snyder Cut with a show created by his original Justice League replacement. Or at least there could have been an interesting bit of irony here, if Whedon had not bowed out from the show and been enthusiastically left out of the marketing material by HBO.

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This article contains spoilers for The Watch episodes 7 and 8.

Terry Pratchett’s Discworld books have long been fantasy favorites. In fact, the CEO of Motive Pictures, a UK company planning to adapt a huge number of Pratchett’s novels for television, called Discworld “a national treasure.” But with the recent lackluster reception of BBC America’s The Watch, can television adaptations both succeed in live-action serial storytelling and live up to the expectations of Pratchett fans?

Although the last two episodes of The Watch manage to redeem some of the earlier missteps of the season, there are reasons why the program never quite lived up to the expectations of Discworld fans. The punk-rock atmosphere of Ankh-Morpork was off-putting to many, and the jarring technological levels seemed at once futuristic and anachronistic.

In part, this felt due to a lower budget than a show trying to draw fans of other huge fantasy properties,...

(Warning: This post contains spoilers for the Season 1 finale of BBC America’s “The Watch.”)

The first season of BBC America’s “The Watch” ended on a huge cliffhanger on Sunday when Captain Sam Vimes (Richard Dormer) is teleported into the Observers’ realm. That’s after Wonse (Bianca Simone Mannie) teams up with them, having turned on The Watch after history is rewritten to make everyone believe she’s the one who committed Carcer’s (Sam Adewunmi) crimes — including the summoning of the Noble Dragon.

The series, which is inspired by Terry Pratchett’s “Discworld” fantasy novels, has yet to be picked up for a second season. But if and when it does, Adam Hugill, who plays The Watch member Constable Carrot, said the twist at the end of Season 1 “changes everything” moving forward.

“Who knows what could happen, really? Because the whole point of the Observers’ realm and the...

This weekly feature is in addition to TVLine’s daily What to Watch listings and monthly guide to What’s on Streaming.

With nearly 500 scripted shows now airing across broadcast, cable and streaming, it’s easy to forget that a favorite comedy is returning, or that the new “prestige drama” you anticipated is about to debut. So consider this our reminder to set your DVR, order a Season Pass, pop a fresh Memorex into the Vcr… however it is you roll.

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This week,...

There’s a moment in episode three of The Watch, BBC America’s don’t-call-it-an-adaption of Terry Pratchett’s hugely popular ‘City Watch’ novels – the police-procedural strand within his comic fantasy Discworld series – where principle villain Carcer Dun (Samuel Adewunmi), quietly deploys probably the most important line of dialogue in the whole show: “The history of this world has already been written” he says bitterly to Wonse, his accomplice (Bianca Simone Mannie), “there’s no place for us here“. It’s a moment of meta-awareness in which our antagonist shows he understands the narrative conventions he is operating within and refuses to be confined by them; a theme absolutely typical of Pratchett’s books, and that runs through the show like a glass of milk runs through a sick old lady.

It’s also literally true. The history of this world has been written – Pratchett wrote it across 42 novels between...

This The Watch review contains spoilers.

The Watch Episode 5

After a funny, enjoyable episode 4, in which The Watch finally got the upper hand, episode 5 shows Captain Sam Vimes taking the decision of whether or not anyone should be able to control the dragon plaguing the city into his own hands. After lying to the other members of the Watch, he takes Wayne the talking sword off to a lake where Unseen University disposes of dangerous magical artifacts, fully intent on destroying the sword himself and keeping the rest of his team from sharing the blame. Acting Captain Angua sends Cheery and Lady Sybil Ramkin following after while she and Carrot debate the morality of destroying a sentient sword—and investigate a Thieves Guild robbery that didn’t happen on schedule.

Meanwhile, Carcer has enlisted the Thieves Guild—which, he reveals, is responsible for the death of his father—to steal...

This The Watch review contains spoilers.

The Watch Episode 4

“Twilight Canyons” embraces The Watch’s theme of being “inspired by,” but not adapting, Pratchett’s Discworld novels through its blink-or-you’ll-miss-it references to several of the books less closely related to the adventures of Vimes and company. In that, it progresses its own plot much further, and only delves into the over-the-top silliness of the previous episode briefly, making it feel as though this series may come into its own in the next few episodes.

At the end of the last episode, Carcer, his union-forming goblin entourage, and female wizard companion Wonce, had realized that the key to controlling the dragon was a sword in the hands of a former member of the Assassins’ Guild. Vimes and company, having not yet connected the dots, are a step behind. Lady Sybil, used to vigilante work, has gone on her own to...

This The Watch review contains spoilers.

The Watch Episode 3

The newest episode of The Watch takes the departure from the original Terry Pratchett Discworld series even further, so that only the names of the characters and some slight bits of characterization resemble the books at all. Instead, it sends viewers down the plot toward what looks like an eventual showdown between the villainous and driven Carcer and his one-time friend, now Watch Captain Sam Vimes.

Previously, Carcer stole a book from the Unseen University Library that enables him to summon a dragon—but not control it. Now, both Carcer and the Watch are after an artifact that allows its user to control the dragon. Carcer intends to burn all of the sprawling urban Ankh-Morpork to the ground. The Watch intends to stop him.

At the end of episode 2, we find out that Lady Sybil Ramkin—a vigilante who has been capturing and reforming criminals,...

Vulture Watch

Can the misfits save the world? Has The Watch TV show been cancelled or renewed for a second season on BBC America? The television vulture is watching all the latest cancellation and renewal news, so this page is the place to track the status of The Watch, season two. Bookmark it, or subscribe for the latest updates. Remember, the television vulture is watching your shows. Are you?  

What's This TV Show About?

Airing on the BBC America cable channel, The Watch is inspired by the Discworld novels by Sir Terry Pratchett. The cast includes Richard Dormer, Lara Rossi, Adam Hugill, Marama Corlett, Jo Eaton-Kent, Wendell Pierce, Samuel Adewunmi, Matt Berry, Anna Chancellor, and Bianca Simone Mannie, with James Fleet, Ralph Ineson, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Paul Kaye, Ruth Madeley, and Ingrid Oliver. Set in the fictional Discworld's principal city of Ankh-Morpork, the story...

Airing on BBC America, The Watch TV show is inspired by the Discworld novels by Sir Terry Pratchett. Will the show be successful enough in the ratings so that more of this fantasy story can be told? Will The Watch be cancelled or renewed for season two? Stay tuned.

A police procedural series of sorts, The Watch stars Richard Dormer, Lara Rossi, Adam Hugill, Marama Corlett, Jo Eaton-Kent, Wendell Pierce, Samuel Adewunmi, Matt Berry, Anna Chancellor, and Bianca Simone Mannie, with James Fleet, Ralph Ineson, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Paul Kaye, Ruth Madeley, and Ingrid Oliver. Set in the fictional Discworld's principal city of Ankh-Morpork, the story follows an unlikely group of misfits called The City Watch. They are forced to find the courage to save the world and surprise even themselves in the process. The series pits trolls, werewolves,...

Is this team of misfits up to the challenge in the first season of The Watch TV show on BBC America? As we all know, the Nielsen ratings typically play a big role in determining whether a TV show like The Watch is cancelled or renewed for season two. Unfortunately, most of us do not live in Nielsen households. Because many viewers feel frustrated when their viewing habits and opinions aren't considered, we invite you to rate all of the first season episodes of The Watch here.

A BBC America fantasy police procedural series, The Watch is inspired by the Discworld novels by Sir Terry Pratchett. The cast includes Richard Dormer, Lara Rossi, Adam Hugill, Marama Corlett, Jo Eaton-Kent, Wendell Pierce, Samuel Adewunmi, Matt Berry, Anna Chancellor, and Bianca Simone Mannie, with James Fleet, Ralph Ineson, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Paul Kaye, Ruth Madeley,...

Network: BBC America

Episodes: Ongoing (hour)

Seasons: Ongoing

TV show dates: January 3, 2021 -- present

Series status: Has not been cancelled

Performers include: Richard Dormer, Lara Rossi, Adam Hugill, Marama Corlett, Jo Eaton-Kent, Wendell Pierce, Samuel Adewunmi, Matt Berry, Anna Chancellor, and Bianca Simone Mannie, with James Fleet, Ralph Ineson, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Paul Kaye, Ruth Madeley, and Ingrid Oliver.

TV show description:      

A fantasy police procedural series, The Watch is inspired by the Discworld novels by Sir Terry Pratchett.

Set in the fictional Discworld's principal city of Ankh-Morpork, the story follows an unlikely group of misfits called The City Watch. They are forced to find the guts to save the world and surprise even themselves in the process. The series pits trolls, werewolves, wizards, and other improbable...