News

CBS’s Swat just got canceled again, but the series’ star hasn’t given up hope. Shemar Moore posted on Instagram asking Netflix to consider picking up the drama for a ninth season. Moore also pitched it to NBC, ABC, and Fox, suggesting the cast and crew still have a lot of love for the show, as does the series’ passionate fan base.

CBS previously canceled the police drama after season six, before reversing the decision and giving it a seventh season. It earned an eighth season, which premiered in October 2024.

The eighth, and now final, season continues with episode 15 (of 22) airing on Friday, March 14, 2025 at 10pm Et/Pt. Maja Vrvilo directed from a script by Matthew T. Brown.

Season eight stars Shemar Moore as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson, Jay Harrington as David “Deacon” Kay, David Lim as Victor Tan, Patrick St. Esprit as Commander Robert Hicks, and Anna Enger Ritch as Zoe Powell.

The squad tracks down treasure thieves on CBS’s Swat season eight episode 14, “The Santa Clara.” Episode 14, directed by Gonzalo Amat and written by Chris Bessounian and Tianna Majumdar-Langham, will air on Friday, March 7, 2025 at 10pm Et/Pt.

Season eight stars Shemar Moore as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson, Jay Harrington as David “Deacon” Kay, David Lim as Victor Tan, Patrick St. Esprit as Commander Robert Hicks, and Anna Enger Ritch as Zoe Powell. Annie Ilonzeh is Devin Gamble and Niko Pepaj plays Miguel “Miko” Alfaro.

“The Santa Clara” Plot: When violent robbers loot a museum vault, fleeing with almost a billion dollars in treasure recovered from a sunken ship, Hondo and 20-Squad must chase down the thieving killers before they flee the country. Meanwhile, Tan reckons with the fallout from a Swat Academy accident, and Gamble nervously awaits the verdict of her Ia investigation.

Shemar Moore as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson in ‘Swat’ season 8 episode 14 Swat Description,...

CBS’s Swat season eight episode 13 finds Powell and Gamble dealing with a cartel. Directed by Garry A. Brown from a script by Kent Rotherham, episode 13 – “High Ground” – will air on Friday, February 28, 2025 at 10pm Et/Pt.

Season eight stars Shemar Moore as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson, Jay Harrington as David “Deacon” Kay, David Lim as Victor Tan, Patrick St. Esprit as Commander Robert Hicks, and Anna Enger Ritch as Zoe Powell. Annie Ilonzeh is Devin Gamble and Niko Pepaj plays Miguel “Miko” Alfaro.

“High Ground” Plot: During a hiking trip, Powell and Gamble stumble upon an illegal weed farm and find themselves taking on a dangerous cartel.

Niko Pepaj as Miguel Alfaro and Jay Harrington as David “Deacon” Kay in ‘Swat’ season 8 episode 13 (Photo Credit: Bill Inoshita/Sony Pictures Television/CBS Broadcasting Inc.) Swat Description, Courtesy of CBS:

S.W.A.T. stars Shemar Moore as a former Marine and locally born and...

The promo for CBS’s Swat season eight episode 12 welcomes back a familiar face for a special guest starring appearance. Directed by Ramaa Mosley from a script by John Amato, episode 12 will air on Friday, February 21, 2025 at 10pm Et/Pt.

Season eight stars Shemar Moore as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson, Jay Harrington as David “Deacon” Kay, David Lim as Victor Tan, Patrick St. Esprit as Commander Robert Hicks, and Anna Enger Ritch as Zoe Powell. Annie Ilonzeh is Devin Gamble and Niko Pepaj plays Miguel “Miko” Alfaro.

“Deep Cover” Plot: While working undercover for 20-Squad, Alfaro encounters associates from a previous undercover case in Long Beach, embarking on a dangerous mission that stirs up unresolved issues from the past. Lou Ferrigno Jr guest stars as Donovan Rocker.

Jay Harrington as David “Deacon” Kay and Shemar Moore as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson in ‘Swat’ season 8 episode 12 Swat Description, Courtesy of CBS:

S.W.A.T. stars...

Exclusive: Lydia West, Abbie Cornish and Brooke Satchwell are among high-profile acting talent leading Stan’s tenth anniversary slate, we can reveal.

The Australian streamer is today unveiling its latest TV series, films and acquisitions at a splashy showcase event held at Linseed House at the Grounds of Alexandria in Sydney. In total, it unveiled 14 originals — three scripted series, six features and five docs — along with a host of acquisitions.

On the originals front, Stan’s Chief Content Officer Cailah Scobie and Head of Originals Amanda Duthie are announcing the likes of He Had It Coming, Love Divided By Eleven and Whale Shark Jack, and a horror-comedy series, Gnomes.

He Had it Coming stars Lydia West (It’s a Sin), Natasha Liu Bordizzo (Ahsoka: Star Wars) and Liv Hewson (Yellowjackets). It follows Elise (West), an awkward English scholarship student who forms an unlikely alliance with fashion influencer Barbara (Liu Bordizzo) after...

The squad deals with an abducted child case on CBS’s Swat season eight episode 11, “Amber.” Directed by Matthew McLoota from a script by Sarah Alderson, episode 11 will air on Friday, February 14, 2025 at 10pm Et/Pt.

Season eight stars Shemar Moore as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson, Jay Harrington as David “Deacon” Kay, David Lim as Victor Tan, Patrick St. Esprit as Commander Robert Hicks, and Anna Enger Ritch as Zoe Powell. Annie Ilonzeh is Devin Gamble and Niko Pepaj plays Miguel “Miko” Alfaro.

“Amber” Plot: 20-Squad races to find a missing child who was abducted from her front yard. Also, Hicks is faced with a difficult decision concerning Gamble.

Shemar Moore as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson and Annie Ilonzeh as Devin Gamble in ‘Swat’ season 8 episode 11 Swat Description, Courtesy of CBS:

S.W.A.T. stars Shemar Moore as a former Marine and locally born and raised Swat sergeant tasked to run a specialized tactical...

It's time for us to get back on here with another brand new Swat spoiler scoop session for you guys. In this one, we're going to fill you in on a few storylines that are due to play out in the next, new episode 10 of this current season 8, which is due to hit the air tonight, February 7, 2025. We were able to gather up a total of two, new, official teaser descriptions for this new episode 10 via CBS' official episode 10 press release synopsis. So, we're going to dive straight into it right this second. Let's go. For starters, we were able to collect an official title for this new episode 10. The writers decided to name it, "The Heights." It sounds like episode 10 will feature some very scandalous, intense, dramatic, action-filled, suspenseful and interesting scenes as a hostage crisis happens. A family visitor arrives for a major character and more. The first...

On Friday February 7 2025, CBS broadcasts an episode of the series S.W.A.T.!

The Heights Season 8 Episode 10 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “S.W.A.T.” titled “The Heights” promises to be an intense and emotional journey for Lieutenant Daniel Harrelson. As a locally born and bred officer, Harrelson finds himself in a challenging position when he is assigned to lead a specialized Swat unit in the very community where he grew up. This unique setting adds layers of complexity to his character and the decisions he must make.

In “The Heights,” viewers can expect to see Harrelson grappling with his loyalties. On one hand, he is committed to his duty as a Swat leader, tasked with ensuring the safety of the community. On the other hand, his deep-rooted connections to the area bring personal stakes into play. The episode will explore how these conflicting loyalties affect his judgment and the dynamics within the team.

“S.W.A.T.” returns this Friday with “The Heights,” an episode that throws a hostage crisis and a family reunion at 20-Squad. While the team tackles a tense standoff, Hondo gets a visit from his family, which could either be a welcome distraction or an added pressure cooker in the midst of the chaos. Details about the […]

S.W.A.T.: The Heights...

We're nearing the halfway point of S.W.A.T.'s improbable eighth season on CBS, and the stakes are about to get a lot higher for 20-squad. The team has already faced some major trials nine episodes into what could be their final run, from a hospital shootout to a missing persons case including a bus of kids and Hondo's (Shemar Moore) former high school football coach. Collider can exclusively share a sneak peek at the upcoming installment, titled "The Heights," which now thrusts the team into a hostage crisis that is much more than it seems. Though it appears like another day on the job tackling dangerous criminals, it swiftly becomes a lot more harrowing when they discover that this operation may have ties to something much bigger that will challenge the L.A.P.D....

Season eight episode 10 of CBS’s Swat finds the squad dealing with a hostage crisis. Directed by Michael D. Olmos from a script by Jamil Akim O’Quinn, episode 10 – “The Heights” – will air on Friday, February 7, 2025 at 10pm Et/Pt.

Season eight stars Shemar Moore as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson, Jay Harrington as David “Deacon” Kay, David Lim as Victor Tan, Patrick St. Esprit as Commander Robert Hicks, and Anna Enger Ritch as Zoe Powell. Annie Ilonzeh is Devin Gamble and Niko Pepaj plays Miguel “Miko” Alfaro.

“The Heights” Plot: 20-Squad contends with a hostage crisis. Also, Hondo receives a family visit.

Jay Harrington as David “Deacon” Kay and Shemar Moore as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson in ‘Swat’ season 8 episode 10 Swat Description, Courtesy of CBS:

S.W.A.T. stars Shemar Moore as a former Marine and locally born and raised Swat sergeant tasked to run a specialized tactical unit that is the last stop in law enforcement in Los Angeles.

S.W.A.T. fans, we’ve got a fresh off the press preview for the new Season 8 Episode 10 episode titled The Heights!

Find out everything you need to know about the The Heights episode of S.W.A.T., including a full preview, videos, release date, cast information and how to watch!

S.W.A.T. The Heights Season 8 Episode 10 Preview

The upcoming episode of “S.W.A.T.” titled “The Heights” is set to air on CBS at 10:00 Pm on February 7, 2025. In this gripping installment, viewers will see Lieutenant Daniel Harrelson, played by Shemar Moore, face a tough dilemma. As a locally born and bred officer, Harrelson finds himself caught between his duty to the Swat team and his deep-rooted connections to the community he grew up in.

The episode promises to delve into themes of loyalty and identity. Harrelson, known for his strong leadership and commitment to justice, will have to navigate the complexities of...

The upcoming episode of “S.W.A.T.” titled “The Heights” promises to be an intense and emotional ride for fans. Airing at 10:00 Pm on Friday, February 7, 2025, this episode dives deep into the personal struggles of Lieutenant Daniel Harrelson. Being a local, Harrelson is faced with a tough situation that challenges his loyalties to both his team and his community.

In this episode, Harrelson leads a highly trained Swat unit in the very neighborhood where he grew up. This unique setting brings a mix of nostalgia and conflict as he navigates the complexities of his past while trying to serve and protect. The stakes are high, and the pressure mounts as he must make decisions that could impact his relationships and the safety of the community he knows so well.

With the action-packed scenes and the emotional depth that “S.W.A.T.” is known for, “The Heights” is set to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

The overlap of awards season with a fire season has posed a stern test of Hollywood fortitude. Will there be shelf space for statuettes?

If Hollywood needs some optimism I’d propose it look to Jon M. Chu, who has contributed both a sharp, but unnoticed, new book plus a hit movie to advance his mission. His Wicked won the Cinematic and Box Office Achievement honor at the Golden Globes, but the kudo crowd also owes Chu a bow for his memoir Viewfinder, which poses his dissent on current issues.

Viewfinder details the hazardous trek of a young Chinese-American filmmaker seeking to pursue his zeal for pure “entertainment” in an industry that periodically seems disdainful of that concept.

As he preps his Wicked sequel at Universal, Chu, at 46, can look back upon a formidable list of snubs, slaps, cancellations and ethnic putdowns littering his younger years.

Deadline Related Video:

The...

Wicked is the movie sensation of the year -- and it's getting even bigger when the film comes home. The digital version boasts three hours of new material, including deleted scenes, extended moments and, of course, a sing-along version. There's also commentary from stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, as well as a plethora of behind-the-scenes footage, giving viewers unprecedented insight into this cinematic triumph.

Cbr spoke to Wicked director Jon M. Chu about what he's excited for fans to see when they watch Wicked at home this holiday season. He reflected on tailoring the film to its audience, including those who aren't familiar with the Broadway musical on which it was based. Plus, Chu looks back on his own musical experience... and reveals which musical he's working on next!

Cbr: Wicked is a massive film, not only in terms of scope but length. It's over two and a half hours long,...

Joker: Folie à Deux is just weeks away and while the movie was somewhat being billed as a musical, both director Todd Phillips and star Lady Gaga are curbing expectations for audiences who are thinking they are in for an In the Heights-type experience. Phillips stated, “Most of the music in the movie is really just dialogue,” Phillips said. “It’s just Arthur not having the words to say what he wants to say, so he sings them instead.” Phillips added, “I just don’t want people to think that it’s like In the Heights, where the lady in the bodega starts to sing and they take it out onto the street, and the police are dancing. No disrespect, because I loved In the Heights.“ At the Venice Film Festival, Gaga said she would describe it as a musical, “It’s very different. The music is a way...

Hulu has revealed the official trailer for Last Days of the Space Age, an eight-part series that will premiere on the streaming service on October 2, 2024.

Starring Radha Mitchell and Jesse Spencer, Last Days of the Space Age is a dramedy series set in 1979 Western Australia, when Perth was at the center of the world’s headlines.

A power strike threatens to plunge the region into darkness while the city hosts the iconic Miss Universe pageant and the US space station, Skylab, crashes just beyond the city’s suburbs.

Against this backdrop of international cultural and political shifts, three families in a tight-knit coastal community find their marriages, friendships, and futures put to the test.

The series is led by Radha Mitchell (Olympus Has Fallen) and Jesse Spencer (Chicago Fire) as wife and husband, Judy and Tony Bissett. Deborah Mailman (Total Control) and Linh-Dan Pham (The Beat That My Heart Skipped...

Get a sneak peek into what to expect from Wicked with the must-see movie musical In The Heights. In The Heights stars movie stars like Anthony Ramos and Melissa Barrera in a powerful story about gentrification. In The Heights' success hints at how the upcoming Wicked movie may be, with its mix of themes and stunning visuals.

In the months leading up to the movie adaptation of the Wicked musical, In The Heights is the must-see movie musical to watch. In The Heights is a Broadway musical of the same name that was adapted into a film in 2021. Most importantly, it is directed by Wicked director Jon M. Chu, meaning the movie may provide an insight into what should be expected from Wicked.

The In The Heights stage show was written by none other than Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. The film version of In The Heights used real-life Washington Heights...

While Moana 2 will set sail in theaters this fall, Disney’s live-action version of the island tale still has some time before it releases in theaters on July 10, 2026.

Casting choices have been made for Thomas Kail’s live-action installment of the epic adventure, with five major characters set to bring the animated characters to life on the big screen. Auli’i Cravalho, who voiced the princess in the 2016 film, will not reprise the role in the live-action version, but Dwayne Johnson, who voices Maui in both animated movies, will portray the live-action demigod.

Names have also been revealed for Moana’s very serious father Chief Tui, her determined mother Sina and her gentle and respected grandmother Tala. The live action film heads into production this summer.

Related: Thomas Kail On Hitting The Heights On Stage, TV & Movies From ‘Hamilton’ To ‘We Were The Lucky Ones’ To Upcoming Live-Action ‘Moana’ – Behind...

Rhiannon Fish and Mitchell Bourke in A Prince in Paradise 2: A Royal Proposal [Image Great American Family]

Rhiannon Fish and Mitchell Bourke star in the Great American Family sequel to A Prince in Paradise. Meanwhile, A Prince in Paradise 2: A Royal Proposal continues where the first movie left off with the two lead actors heading to a proposal.

While it’s still summer right now, this Christmas movie is one of several that Great American Family is working on. This movie was filmed in Australia.

A Prince in Paradise 2: A Royal Proposal on Great American Family Mitchell Bourke and Andrea Moor [Image The Steve Jaggi Company/YouTube]

According to the official synopsis, Olivia (Rhiannon Fish) and Prince Alexander (Mitchell Bourke) travel together to his family’s majestic palace in Torovia to spend Christmas with their two families.

Meanwhile, despite their busy schedules that push Olivia and Prince Alexander in two different directions, they seem poised to...

Tasmania-set crime-drama series “Bay of Fires” is to be reignited for a second season.

The show sees a single mother, portrayed by Marta Dusseldorp, forced into a witness protection program that relocates her and her family to a remote location in Tasmania. There they are surrounded by a community of suspicious and criminally-minded individuals.

The second season gives her a glimmer of hope. After months in which time nobody has tried to kill her, the woman finds herself in a position of influence. But she needs to juggle a host of new problems, some of which are of her own making.

The writing team is headed by Andrew Knight and Max Dann, Romina Accurso, Josephine Dee Barrett and Hannah Samuel (“The Pm’s Daughter”).

The show is an Archipelago Productions and Fremantle Australia production for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. It has major production investment from the ABC and Screen Australia, in...

Set in a pre-#metoo era, Oz girl-band drama “Paper Dolls” has been realized by an all female filmmaker team shedding light on this darker era for women in the music industry.

Former MTV Australia chief Mark Fennessy executive produced the 8-part scripted drama for Paramount + through his two-year-old banner Helium. eOne is launching international sales at Mipcom this week.

As well as empowering women filmmakers in Australia, the production shows what Fennessy is currently dedicated to – creating premium Australian content and finding the resources to take it to the next level to compete internationally with its rival Anglo markets.

“The feedback from buyers I’ve spoken to pre-Mipcom has been really strong,” said the veteran Australian television executive who is readying several other projects for the streamers in Australia, as well as Season 2 of the hit “Last King of the Cross” for Paramount +.

Set in 2000, “Paper Dolls...

Dicks: The Musical Screenshot: A24 It’s been a tough few years for the good ol’ movie musical. Dear Evan Hansen was a maudlin, miscast mess. In The Heights was beset with accusations of colorism and misrepresentation. Cats was... Cats. What’s a person with a song in their heart to do?...

Dicks: The MusicalScreenshot: A24

It’s been a tough few years for the good ol’ movie musical. Dear Evan Hansen was a maudlin, miscast mess. In The Heights was beset with accusations of colorism and misrepresentation. Cats was... Cats. What’s a person with a song in their heart to do?...

Blur are officially back with The Ballad of Darren, their first album in eight years. Listen to the complete project below via Apple Music and Spotify.

Featuring singles “St. Charles Square” and “The Narcissist” — the latter of which we named Song of the Week — The Ballad of Darren was produced by James Ford. In a statement, Damon Albarn described it as “an aftershock record, reflection and comment on where we find ourselves now.”

Albarn spoke more extensively about the project in our recent cover story on Blur. The LP marked the band’s most collaborative project in years, with bassist Alex James and guitarist Graham Coxon insisting on working out its 10 songs with Albarn. As a result, the singer called The Ballad of Darren “the first legit [Blur] album since [1999’s] 13.”

In his review of the album for Consequence, Associate Editor Paolo Ragusa called The Ballad of Darren an “enjoyable, heartfelt, and contemplative record.

Damon Albarn has characterized Blur’s The Ballad of Darren as “an aftershock record, a reflection and comment on where we find ourselves now.” Indeed, the group’s ninth album embodies just that. At its core, it mourns the heartaches, perils of fame, and drug use that the band has grappled with throughout their illustrious 32-year career.

It would be easy, then, for Albarn and company to succumb to creating another typical Blur album that dwells in the past without pushing their music forward in any meaningful way. If not for Alex James’s enchanting basslines, Albarn’s incessant lyrical vulnerability, or the dreamlike orchestration embedded within these songs, it very well could have been just that. Regardless, the album affirms that Blur isn’t ready to get comfortable quite yet.

The Ballad of Darren is Blur’s first album since 2015’s The Magic Whip, and it proves that absence...

On “The Narcissist,” Blur’s first new song in eight years, Damon Albarn sings about looking in the mirror and seeing a Pierrot (a commedia dell’arte clown) looking back at him as he attempts to rebuild his ego. “If you see darkness look away,” he sings at one point, before the upbeat chorus kicks in: “I’m going to shine a light in your eyes/You will probably shine it back on me/But I won’t fall this time.” The track is the first taste of the band’s upcoming album,...

Blur have announced The Ballad of Darren, their first album in eight years. The project arrives in full July 14th, while lead single “The Narcissist” is out now.

Produced by James Ford, The Ballad of Darren is described by frontman Damon Albarn as, “an aftershock record, reflection and comment on where we find ourselves now.”

Pre-orders for The Ballad of Darren are ongoing, and the album’s artwork and tracklist are available to view below. Blur’s ninth LP follows 2015’s The Magic Whip. Despite the gap, Albarn’s stayed busy with Gorillaz; everyone’s favorite animated band released their latest record, Cracker Island, earlier this year.

In addition to new music, the freshly reunited Blur are about to embark on their first tour since 2015 with shows in the UK, Europe, Japan, and South America. Tickets are available through Viagogo.

The Ballad of Darren Artwork:

The Ballad of Darren Tracklist:...

Since its Netflix debut, The Night Agent has become an all-time hit. According to the streamer, over 660 million hours of The Night Agent have been watched since its March 2022 debut. Based on Matthew Quirk's book also called The Night Agent, the series was created by Shawn Ryan. Ryan created a top-notch political thriller with an extensive cast, many of whom will be recognizable to TV fans.

The Night Agent centers on Peter Sutherland, an FBI agent working in the White House. After receiving a distress call from Rose Larkin -- the niece of murdered FBI agents Emma and Henry Campbell -- Peter finds himself in the midst of a conspiracy. He promises to find the assassins who killed the Campbells and uncover the truth. Political manuevering, exciting fight scenes and a romantic subplot all unfold during Season 1, which features a number of high-profile actors.

Related: The Night Agent Is...

Melissa Barrera and Paul Mescal star in Carmen, a retelling of the classic novella with choreographer turned director Benjamin Millepied. Melissa and Benjamin chat with CineMovie about the very artistic film that required her to shoot dancing routines in a single shot. The In The Heights and Scream actress says she couldn't cheat the musical numbers as she did in her previous musical. ...

Click here to read the full article.

Paul Rudd said that Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is going to be different than his previous two Ant-Man films.

“This thing is bananas. And it seems like a bit of an oxymoron that something so small — we’re the small heroes — could do something so huge,” said Rudd during Marvel’s D23 presentation Saturday. “This is going to be unlike anything you’ve seen from us.”

Rudd also gave credit to Jonathan Majors, the Marvel newcomer who first appeared in Loki as He Who Remains and plays the classic villain Kang in Quantumania.

“He’s incredible, and it throws this whole thing into such new territory,” said Rudd of Majors, whose Kang is set to be a major force in the MCU, if the title to 2025’s Avengers: Kang Dynasty is any indication.

There were cheers and applause from the audience upon...

There is a moment forty minutes into Joe Wright’s Cyrano where everything kicks up a notch. As a military regiment practices their swordcraft on a stunning pier in Sicily the titular Cyrano de Bergerac (Peter Dinklage) crafts an agreement with new recruit Christian (Kelvin Harrison Jr.). He will write beautiful poetry as correspondence to Roxanne (Haley Bennett) from Christian—who lacks the words—thereby espousing his own love for the same woman. “I will make you eloquent while you make me handsome,” Cyrano explains, convinced they do not live in a world wherein someone like him could be with someone like her. Christian breaks into song and the camera runs away, darting through the regiment training on the pier. Soon enough we cut above the action, taking in the pier and the seas that surround it. The sequence is exhilarating and the film’s pace does not slow from there.

First he nabbed a role in the Amblin movie "Distant," then he secured a spot in the next "Transformers" sequel, and now Anthony Ramos of "Hamilton" and "In the Heights" fame is joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Ramos is said to be joining the MCU in the upcoming "Marvel's Ironheart" series for Disney+ in a key role, but his official character announcement has not yet been made. "Ironheart" is set to star Dominique Thorne, known for her work in "If Beale Street Could Talk" and "Judas and the Black Messiah." The Riri Williams/Ironheart character is set to debut in the upcoming...

The post In the Heights Star Anthony Ramos Joins MCU Series Ironheart in Mystery Role appeared first on /Film.

Kate Separovich, Cody Greenwood, Kate Neylon, and Hannah Ngo are the successful recipients of Screenwest’s Breaking the Celluloid Ceiling initiative.

They will each be connected with industry mentors as part of the bespoke program, which is designed specifically for emerging producers of female or non-binary orientation.

Separovich is engaging with executive coach Ellenor Cox and media and communication specialist Karen Eck of eckfactor; Greenwood will be mentored by Liz Watts; Ngo has commenced working with Tess Novak of Lingo Pictures (The Secrets She Keeps); and Neylon will work closely with a soon-to-be-announced experienced producer.

Screenwest CEO Rikki Lea Bestall said the program would assist with the development of their respective slates.

“Kate, Cody, Kate and Hannah are four of our brightest producers and I look forward to seeing these professional mentorships equip them with vital industry knowledge and propel them to take on that next big project,” she said.

There is no doubting Lin Manuel Miranda’s musical creativity, which soared to new heights after his stage musical Hamilton blew away all those that saw it. Again based on his own stage musical and directed by Crazy Rich Asians’ John M Chu, his latest creation In The Heights transforms the streets of Washington Heights in Manhattan into a vibrant Latinx community with nothing but dreams, optimism, and a feel-good party atmosphere.

There are no airs and graces or a complex, convoluted storyline with this one; it is a simple ode to the family community spirit amongst the Latin community. This community has often been portrayed as gangland thugs or street corner hoes, here they are finally being given an all-singing, all-dancing positive role. Despite the raw deal they are constantly given and the overwhleming adversity of their lives, they still keep on dreaming for bigger and better lives with...

Miley Tunnecliffe.

Originally intent on becoming an actor, Miley Tunnecliffe studied at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York followed by a masterclass at the LAByrinth Theater Company, which was co-founded by Philip Seymour Hoffman.

She took up writing to supplement her income as an actor and soon discovered writing and directing were far more satisfying.

Since those acting classes in 2008 it’s been a long and sometimes arduous journey for the filmmaker – and it’s been paying off in the last couple of years.

In 2017 her career got a boost when Screenwest chose her and Aaron Moss to participate in the Bill Warnock Initiative for emerging writers, which included being in the writers room for The Secret Daughter, mentored by Stuart Page, and Mustangs Fc under co-creator Amanda Higgs.

The same year she won the Page Award prize for best TV comedy for Disorder, a pilot about...

Emma Fletcher on ‘The Heights’ set.

Viewers won’t know it when the second season of The Heights premieres on the ABC next year, but the 30-episode drama is being enhanced in both production design and cinematography.

The production is using a third studio in addition to the ABC’s two Perth studios which now houses the set of a pub (previously filmed on location in Northbridge) and a new community centre for the Arcadia Heights High School.

All that has enabled the writers to “grow our story world,” according to Matchbox Pictures’ Warren Clarke, who co-created the show with Que Minh Luu.

“By grouping these sets together we are able to shoot far more efficiently which then allows the show to get a bit bigger,” says Clarke, who produces the serial with For Pete’s Sake Productions’ Peta Astbury-Bulsara.

“We’re still heavily studio-based but splitting our studio time...

L-r Candy Bowers, Julietta Boscolo, Kodie Bedford and Que Minh Luu.

ABC executive producer Que Minh Luu, writer/director Julietta Boscolo and writers Candy Bowers and Kodie Bedford will take part in Australians in Film (AiF) and Screen Australia’s annual Mentor La program.

The mentors for the year-long program are executive producer Betsy Beers, writer/producer Yahlin Chang (The Handmaid’s Tale), Emmy-nominated director Jamie Babbit and comedy writer and executive producer Peter Saji (Blackish).

This year, Mentor La encouraged applications from creatives currently under-represented in the Australian screen industry with unique stories to tell, matching them with mentors that champion diversity and inclusion.

AiF president Kate Marks said: “Mentor La was established to create new and exciting pathways to help grow the careers of young screen professionals and as a by-product, the Australian industry as a whole. Que, Julietta, Candy and Kodie all have a dynamic and a...

Deborah Mailman and Rachel Griffiths lead the cast of ‘Black B*tch’.

Leading the ABC’s drama slate in 2019 is Blackfella Films’ Black B*tch, starring Deborah Mailman and Rachel Griffiths, with the broadcaster reconfirming its commitment to Australian stories and diversity at its upfronts today.

Other new drama/comedy series on the ABC’s slate for new year include the previously announced Frayed, a Mermaid Television production that stars Sarah Kendall, RevLover’s Diary of an Uber Driver, Synchronicity Films’ The Cry, and 30-episode serial The Heights, from Matchbox and For Pete’s Sake Productions.

Speaking at the content launch, ABC acting MD David Anderson put forward that the ABC is Australia’s “chief storyteller”. He cited statistics from the most recent Screen Australia drama report – that showed the ABC invested more in Australian drama content than any other single broadcaster in the last financial year, and that its...

Anthony Lapaglia and Ryan Corr.

Ladies in Black’s Ryan Corr and Anthony Lapaglia will play the leads in refugee detention centre action-drama Below, director Maziar Lahooti’s debut feature.

Rounding out the cast are Phoenix Raei, Alison Whyte (The Kettering Incident), Morgana O’Reilly and Zenia Starr.

Seville International has launched pre-sales on the film, which was adapted by Ian Wilding from his award-winning play of the same name, at the American Film Market.

Shooting is due to start in Wa on January 19 produced by Nick Batzias of Good Thing Productions, Veronica Gleeson and Kate Neylon. Madman Entertainment will distribute in Australia.

The plot follows Corr as directionless dreamer Dougie, who is recruited to work in a detention centre for asylum seekers situated in a legal no man’s land. He discovers the centre is home to a ‘Fight Club’-style underground operation where detainees are blackmailed into fighting,...

Hamilton maestro and overall modern-day renaissance man Lin-Manuel Miranda took to Twitter earlier today and teased that he would be announcing some news. From the forthcoming Mary Poppins Returns to the developing In The Heights film adaptation to the live-action version of The Little Mermaid, Miranda has a lot of plates spinning so the news could have been a number of things. But his recent announcement doesn’t have anything to do with the big screen but more of his pre-Hamilton days. Miranda revealed that he is reviving his hip-hop improvisational hip-hop group and show Freestyle Love Supreme for an Off-Broadway run.

Miranda will co-produce the show and be an occasional guest performer of the show which will run from January 30 to March 2 at the Greenwich House Theater in New York for 32 performances. The regular cast will include Anthony Veneziale, Andrew Bancroft, Arthur Lewis, Bill Sherman, Chris Sullivan, Anthony Veneziale,...

Production earmarked for January 2019. Madman holds Australian rights.

Seville International has come on board to launch international sales at Afm next week on the Australian detention centre drama Below starring Ryan Corr and Anthony Lapaglia.

Principal photography is scheduled to begin in January 2019 on Ian Wilding’s adaptation of his award-winning play of the same name.

Maziar Lahooti makes his feature directorial debut on Below, which infuses the story with satirical observation and relocates the drama from its original coal mines setting to a detention centre set in an alternate reality.

When directionless dreamer Dougie is recruited to work in...

Critically praised Australian series Safe Harbour is set to make its U.S. debut on Hulu. As part of a deal with NBCUniversal Television and New Media Distribution, the four-part event drama will debut August 24 on Hulu.

Safe Harbour tells the story of five Australians on a yachting holiday from Darwin to Indonesia, whose idyllic vacation takes a disastrous turn when they come across a broken-down fishing boat, full of desperate asylum seekers. The Australians decide to help, towing the refugees, but when they wake the next morning the fishing boat is gone. Five years later they meet some of the refugees again and learn the truth. Someone cut the rope between the two boats and, as a result, seven people died when the fishing boat sank. The revelation drives a wedge of mistrust between the Australians, as they grapple with protecting themselves and doing the right thing. The refugees...

Exclusive: Lin-Manuel Miranda/Quiara Alegría Hudes’ In The Heights isn’t the only movie adaptation of a Tony-winning musical to escape the upcoming Weinstein Company bankruptcy auction. Deadline has learned that the Stephen Schwartz-Roger O Hirson smash musical Pippin also got free before the beleaguered company filed for bankruptcy protection. The rights have quietly reverted back to Schwartz, Deadline learned, and the project will soon be shopped. I’ve heard that Chicago helmer Rob Marshall is interested in directing.

Harvey Weinstein made the deal for the rights back at Miramax around 2002, and it was one of the properties he took with him when he started The Weinstein Company. In 2013, after the musical won the Tony for Best Revival of a Musical, Weinstein enlisted Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, who made the Best Picture winner Chicago for Weinstein at Miramax. With book by Hirson and music & lyrics by Wicked‘s Schwartz,...

A Pre-Grammy Conversation with Bob Clearmountain

Mike Ragogna: Bob, here at the Grammys watching over the sonics of the Bruce Springsteen segment. What are some of the things you look out for when it comes to the right mix on Bruce?

Bob Clearmountain: The thing with Bruce, and any artist like Bruce, is that the most important thing is the song, getting across the meaning and the character of the song. Bruce is almost like an actor in that he creates a character for each of his songs. He wants to make sure that the narrative of the song comes across. It's no different here than it is with making records. There has to be no disconnect between that character you create and the narrative. Basically, that's what I look for. The rest of it is all making it sound good and as exciting as possible. The song he's...

After 10 seasons on the small screen, fans of Fox's primetime soap "Beverly Hills, 90210" (1990-2000) can relive the magic without guilt. After all, the date is 9/02/10.

"Chuck" executive producer Josh Schwartz tweeted a fan-made video of a "Gossip Girl" opening to "Beverly Hills, 90210's" iconic 1990s theme. Star Jennie Garth, who was a regular for the entire 10-season run said via Twitter, "Love to the original cast and crew. And the new kids too."

Logo from Season 1   The original hourlong drama introduced us to a slew of stars (and two-time Oscar-winning actress Hilary Swank) both past and future, and a decade after the show ended its run, several castmembers went on to other projects. But would they be able to sustain success in their post-"90210" careers?

The biggest surprise -- and possible discovery -- was Swank's 16-episode arc as Steve Sanders' (Ian Ziering) girlfriend Carly Reynolds in the ninth season.

Ok....First let me say that I absolutely love Drew Barrymore. Ever since her seminal appearance in the original Poison Ivy, have I been a Drew devotee. Her role as a deeply troubled alterna-teen driven to banshee-like hysterics by her parents in Mad Love alongside Chris O’Donnell only further endeared her to me. Even after she transitioned from playing psychotic sex kittens to playing Adam Sandler’s giggling love interest, to Jimmy Fallon’s giggling love interest to most recently, Hugh Grant’s giggling love interest, my feelings for Drew have not wavered. That said.... Drew, Wtf! A reality show based on a “relationship boot camp”?! Tough Love, that’s what Drew and her Flower Films partner, Nancy Juvonen have hoodwinked VH1 into signing up for 8 episodes of. To be fair, this is VH1, home of My Fair Brady, I Love New York, I Love Money, I Love Money,...