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Buzz Feed
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Skins Stars Who Became Hugely Successful Actors
Nicholas Hoult Nicholas Hoult is the only Skins alumni who was actually pretty established before he landed the role of Tony Stonem in Seasons 1 and 2 of the show. He is, after all, the child actor who starred alongside Hugh Grant in the 2002 movie About A Boy, which was released to huge critical acclaim. Nicholas was just 11 years old at the time, and the film was nominated for Golden Globes, BAFTAs, and even an Academy Award. However, it was his performance in Skins at age 17 that really asserted Nicholas's place in mainstream consciousness, with his character Tony — a manipulative anti-hero — the main focus of Season 1. Since then, Nicholas's career has gone from strength to strength. His commercial success no doubt kicked off in 2011 when he was cast as Nux in Mad Max: Fury Road, and Hank McCoy/ Beast in the X-Men franchise. In 2013, he also garnered attention with his starring role in Warm Bodies. Nicholas worked steadily on several well-received projects over the years, but returned to the spotlight with a bang following his standout performance in the 2022 hit The Menu. And despite this huge back catalogue of incredible films, it feels as though Nicholas's career is only just starting to peak, with the star dominating the headlines at this very moment thanks to his charming press tour for the new Superman movie, where he plays villain Lex Luthor. Needless to say, 18 years later, Tony Stonem is booked and busy. Jack O'Connell Jack O'Connell also enjoyed his moment in the sun this year following his critically acclaimed performance in the Ryan Coogler hit Sinners, where he played villain Remmick. He also starred as Sir Jimmy Crystal in 28 Years Later. However, longtimers will know him for playing Cook in Seasons 3 and 4 of Skins, which he landed when he was 17 years old. Similarly to Nicholas, Jack — who comes from a working-class background and had run-ins with the police throughout his teen years — was already acting when he was cast in the show, but had not yet had his breakout role. After Skins, the star mainly focused on hugely successful independent films like Starred Up and '71, and he even won the prestigious Rising Star BAFTA in 2015. Jack has also enjoyed stage success, and starred opposite Sienna Miller in the London production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in 2018. Daniel Kaluuya Interestingly, Daniel Kaluuya's Skins character wasn't even part of the main cast in Season 1 and 2, with Daniel landing the recurring role of Posh Kenneth when he was 18 years old. Despite this, he has arguably had the most success out of the show's entire cast, with the star earning an Oscar, two BAFTAs, a Golden Globe, two SAG awards, and even an Emmy nomination for his 2021 appearance on Saturday Night Live in the years since he made his Posh Kenneth debut. Daniel enjoyed steady work after his stint on Skins, but it was his appearance in an episode of Black Mirror that ended up turning his career around, with his performance catching the eye of Jordan Peele, who cast him as the lead in his hugely acclaimed 2017 movie Get Out. From then on, Daniel was unstoppable. He starred in Black Panther in 2018, Jordan Peele's sci-fi horror Nope in 2021, as well as the 2021 hit Judas and the Black Messiah, which earned him most of the aforementioned accolades. Dev Patel Dev Patel has also come a long way from his Anwar Kharral roots in Skins Seasons 1 and 2, the breakout role that he landed at just 16 years old. One year after his debut on the series, Dev was at the center of critical acclaim for his performance in Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire, which earned him a BAFTA nomination. His career then exploded thanks to his pivot into comedies like The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, before he achieved staggering success as the leading role in the 2016 movie Lion, which saw Dev get nominated for an Academy Award, Critics' Choice Award, Golden Globe, SAG Award, and win a BAFTA. And just last year, Dev was lauded even more when he made his directorial debut with the action movie Monkey Man, which he also starred in — proving that he is pretty much unstoppable. Kaya Scodelario Kaya Scodelario is the only actor to appear in two generations of Skins, with Kaya attending the open auditions for Season 1 of the show when she was just 14 years old, which was too young for showrunners at the time. Still, she ended up catching the eye of one of the producers, and was cast in the recurring role of Tony's younger sister, Effy Stonem, for the first two seasons. She then took center stage in the second two seasons, which focused on Effy and her group of friends. And it's not just the creators of Skins that saw Kaya's spark; the show proved to be the catalyst for some serious acting success, with the star being cast as the lead character Teresa in the Maze Runner film franchise in 2013. She also had a leading role in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, and starred opposite Zac Efron in the 2019 independent movie Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, where she played real-life serial killer Ted Bundy's wife. Since then, Kaya has been praised for her performances in some pretty big TV shows, including Guy Ritchie's 2024 Netflix series The Gentlemen, and Senna, which is a biographical drama about F1 driver Ayrton Senna. Thank goodness she had the guts to attend that Skins audition despite being underage! And some honorary mentions... Hannah Murray Hannah Murray previously admitted that she only attended the open audition for Skins at the age of 16 for the experience, and it worked out pretty well for her, as she ended up being cast as one of the fan favorites, Cassie. She starred in the first two seasons of the show, and reprised her role for the two-episode seventh season in 2013, which caught up with Cassie as an adult. And in the time inbetween, Hannah established herself in another hugely popular TV series, starring as Gilly in three seasons of the HBO hit Game of Thrones. Hannah has enjoyed steady TV, movie, and stage work since then, and in 2024, it was revealed that she is working on an autobiography for release in 2026. Joe Dempsie Joe Dempsie is another face that you might recognize from either Skins or Game of Thrones, with the actor being equally beloved in both. He was actually the oldest of the core gang when he was cast as Chris in Skins at age 20, with the actor part of the first generation of characters. Joe then played Gendry in five of the eight seasons of Game of Thrones, and appeared in three of Channel 4's This Is England miniserieses. He has been acting steadily ever since, and was most recently seen in four episodes of the Netflix series Toxic Town earlier this year. Who is your favorite Skins alum? Let me know in the comments below!
USA Today
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Murderbot is the latest in successes for Apple TV+
The brotherly writer/director/producer combination of Chris and Paul Weitz came into their most recent project, Apple TV+'s action comedy Murderbot, in the most straightforward way. "Paul just found it in the bookstore," Chris Weitz said in an interview with For The Win. "Yeah, I liked the cover of the book," Paul Weitz said with a laugh, referencing the The Murderbot Diaries series written by Martha Wells. "For me, if there are numerous books in a series, there's got to be something pretty great about at least the initial books. ... The character was so distinct and such a unique literary character with its kind of roots in other literary characters." From there, Paul sent it to Chris, and the About A Boy directors were off and running. The first season of Murderbot -- which stars Alexander Skarsgård in the titular role -- comes to a close on Friday, July 11, but the series has already been picked up for a second season. In the show, Murderbot (Skarsgård) is a security droid that is secretly able to hack his own system and gain a consciousness. Despite only wanting to watch his reality shows, Murderbot is forced to provide security for a group of scientists and attempt to hide his humanity to stay alive. Adapting the book into a 10-episode series was easier than expected for the Weitzes, thanks to the source material and the author. "We knew there was nothing that we wanted to change or take out of the books," Paul Weitz explained. "For a 10-episode series, we had to add some stuff. But luckily, we had access to Martha Wells, so we could bounce ideas off her, and occasionally she would give us ideas for stuff that wasn't in the books." Chris Weitz agreed, but knew there was pressure in taking on a project with source material: "There's a tremendous responsibility, both to the the author, whose whose world you are playing in, and to the fans who are deeply devoted to the books." The first season has a 96 percent rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, joining highly rated Apple TV+ programming like Slow Horses (98 percent), Black Bird (98 percent), Pachinko (97 percent), Severance (95 percent), The Studio (93 percent) and Ted Lasso (90 percent) with stellar reviews. In a day and age where artificial intelligence is becoming more and more common, Chris Weitz liked the approach and questions about morality that a show like Murderbot can bring to the forefront. "We're used to robots wanting to become more human and to experience human emotions," he said. "Murderbot has absolutely no interest in being human or in dealing with all of the mess of humankind. It takes an interesting angle on AI, which is that we don't necessarily need to see it in terms of whether it's angelic or demonic, but that it have its own sort of form of personality and personhood." All episodes of Murderbot are now streaming on Apple TV+.
Daily Mirror
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Superman star Nicholas Hoult reveals new 'love' after secret wedding
Nicholas Hoult is taking on the iconic role first made famous by Gene Hackman in an all new cast for the much anticipated DC Comics' movie Superman, released in UK cinemas in July It has been almost 50 years since Christopher Reeve took on the iconic role of Superman and made the world believe a man can fly. But next month, a new generation will embark on the Man of Steel's latest adventures, when director James Gunn's reboot of the superhero saga hits cinemas, as part of a new era from the DC Comics universe. Rising star David Corenswet is donning the famous red cape for the eagerly awaited fantasy movie, which follows Superman's journey to reconcile his alien Krypton heritage with his adoptive human family on Earth. Cast as Superman's arch enemy Lex Luthor - a role made famous by the late Gene Hackman in the original 1978 movie - for British actor Nicholas Hoult, this is the chance to join Hollywood's elite. Nicholas, 35, has starred in hit movies Mad Max: Fury Road, X Men: Apocalypse, Tolkien and last year's Oscar nominated gothic vampire hit Nosferatu. But, after being hooked on the Superman origins TV series Smallville growing up, he feels he was destined to play Lex Luthor. He says: "Back in 2001 when Smallville came out I was 11 or 12. 'Since then I have seen the Superman movies." James Gunn's new movie takes inspiration from the 12 issue All-Star Superman fantasy comic books. And Nicholas could not wait to replicate the bald headed Luthor from the comics, saying: "At one time I was thinking of letting my two boys shave it for me. "I have shaved my head before for Mad Max: Fury Road. That was in-fact the last time I shaved it." Nicholas also grabbed the chance to "buff up" after noticing that Luthor was as muscular as Superman in the DC comics. He says: "There's that bit in All-Star Superman where he (Superman) talks about his muscles being real and hard work and all that. I kind of took that as a little bit of fuel for the fire. "I do try and exercise most days. I boxed for quite a few years.' An actor since he was three, when he appeared as Bobby in the 1996 movie Intimate Relations, starring Dame Julie Walters and Rupert Graves, a few years later Nicholas was spotted by the famous London-based Sylvia Young Theatre Agency. His sister Rosanna and brother James were also interested in acting and he would tag along if they went to classes. "One time, my older sister went to meet someone from Sylvia Young and they were like, 'Well, we will represent all your kids'. So that was kind of it,' he says. And, in 2002, aged 11, his life changed forever when he got his movie breakthrough, starring alongside Hugh Grant in the hit film About A Boy. At first, Nicholas was reluctant to take the part, fearing his schooling would suffer. But his role as lonely schoolboy Marcus thrilled critics and helped make the movie almost £100 million at the box office. "Doing About A Boy when I was 11, that was a big step up for me,' he says, admitting he did not expect his success to continue - especially as everyone around him warned how often child actors became troubled. 'I felt as if I would like to continue doing it, but I also had a little bit of hesitancy, because it was like 'I don't know if this will work', he says. But About A Boy was lauded by critics and, just five years later, Nicholas was cast as the lead in the hit teenage drama Skins. The ground-breaking E4 series, which followed a group of sixth formers in Bristol, was perhaps the first of its kind to tackle issues such as mental illness, depression, eating disorders and sexuality. And it gave Nicholas his first glimpse into the good and bad aspects of celebrity. 'I remember sitting inside a car outside Marylebone station in London. At one point, people just stood outside the car watching me,' he says. "I remember just feeling that it was scary and I was like, 'I don't know about this'". He feared that he would spend his life being watched. Today, Nicholas is certainly one of Britain's most watched stars. Since Skins, he has appeared alongside Colin Firth in fashion designer Tom Ford's 2009 movie A Single Man, as well as appearing in the X Men film series Deadpool 2 and in the Golden Globe nominated TV comedy drama series The Great. Recently, he appeared in a music video for The Rolling Stones and he's provided voiceovers for children's movies such as Watership Down and The Garfield Movie. Nicholas says his love of acting is inherited from his distant aunt, Dame Anna Neagle, who was voted the most popular actress in Britain back in 1949. He says: "She was a great, great aunt somehow removed. We never met. I'm not entirely fully sure how we're connected, but that is what I've been told. I don't know if it's (acting) in my blood. "Acting wasn't something that I woke up one morning and did on my own accord. I was doing it and I enjoyed it and carried on." Outside work, Nicholas shares his life with his two sons and Californian model wife Bryan Holly. Last November, he revealed to the world that they had secretly married, having dated since 2016. He also has a new love - for racing Ferraris. He says: "The fastest I drove was at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas. I think we hit about 170mph on the back straight there. "Weirdly, I was trying not to glance down because traveling at that speed you don't really want to glance down too long, because you might miss something. "Going in the straight line fast isn't the worrying bit. It's going around the corners fast, which is more scary, because that's when things can go wrong." Nicholas, who has now graduated from Ferrari's Corso Pilota driving school, says his hobby means he has to reassure film studio bosses that he is not putting himself at risk. And he has received legal contracts from worried movie execs. He says: 'Sometimes I sign them, sometimes I don't. Sometimes I'm like, 'Well, what's the risk here?'' Another thrill Nicholas enjoys is ice baths. He says: "I do love my cold plunge pool. I've got up to about two and a half minutes now. It is all about breathing. If you put your hands in it is a game changer. "I try to do it most days. The first minute is the toughest because that's when your body is like shocked. But once you go past the minute, you're kind of almost numb to it. "I see the benefits as it releases adrenaline. Also, mentally, I feel this kind of sharpness and clarity and all that sort of thing. "There was one day when I got in and I glanced at the clock, sat there a bit longer then glanced again. Then I realised the hand on the clock had jammed. I had no idea how long I'd been in there!" Once his Superman journey is over, Nicholas' next planned movie, in 2026, How To Rob A Bank, will reunite him with his Mad Max co-star Zoe Kravitz - daughter of rock star Lenny. Delighted with his career progress, Nicholas - whose heroes include Gary Oldman, Christian Bale, Clint Eastwood and Anthony Hopkins - feels he is finally improving as an actor. 'The 30s for an actor are hopefully when the roles get really good and interesting and whatever,' he says. "If I could go back 10 years and look now to this, I'd be thrilled."
Daily Record
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
'Fantastic' period drama based on real events has fans completely 'hooked'
The Great is a historical and satirical TV comedy-drama loosely based on the rise and reign of Catherine the Great of Russia, the longest-ruling female in the country's history Fans are raving about this period drama, which boasts an all-star cast, sizzling romance, and 18th-century intrigue. The Great is a historical comedy-drama that draws inspiration from the life of Catherine the Great, Russia's longest-reigning female leader. The show follows Catherine's tumultuous marriage to Emperor Peter III, whom she plots to overthrow. Elle Fanning shines as Catherine II, bringing to life the complex and dynamic character. She's joined by Nicolas Hoult, who plays her husband with conviction. Hoult has built a reputation for his versatile performances in shows like Skins and films like the X-Men franchise and About A Boy. Rotten Tomatoes is filled with glowing reviews, with many praising the on-screen chemistry between the leads. One reviewer said: "The chemistry among this supremely well-cast ensemble of incredibly endearing characters was a marvel. Loved every minute of this series..", reports the Express. Another fan raved: "Truly a must-watch - raunchy, clever, witty, beautiful, breathtaking and shocking fun! I've been telling everyone I can. Why is this so under the radar? ? I'm a MAJOR Elle Fanning fan now. She held nothing back and rocked The Great in every way." While the inaugural season was well-received, the subsequent two seasons garnered critical acclaim, with every facet of the show - from the script to the costumes - earning praise. The series, a dark comedy, doesn't take itself too seriously and openly admits its historical inaccuracies, allowing for more creative freedom with its visual elements. The Great's success led to it being nominated for an impressive seven Primetime Emmy Awards. Additionally, both lead actors received Golden Globe nominations for their stellar performances throughout the show's brief duration. "I am hooked," one viewer admitted. "I am so happy that I stumbled upon this series. I adore the wit and drama, and the sex is enjoyable too!". Another glowing review said: "I love this show so much. How can something balance the funny and the abject so perfectly?"Gorgeous to look at; smarter by the episode; makes use of history without being burdened by it; irreverent, low-brow, high-brow, wonderful. "". Initially released on Hulu in 2020, the show was later renewed for a second season, which became a massive hit among telly fans. However, despite its success, the creators decided it was time to wrap up the story, and after its third season aired in 2023, it was announced that it would be the last of The Great - much to viewers' disappointment. Viewers had been keeping their fingers crossed that the drama would carry on, with one fan saying: "This show keeps getting better and better! It's witty, funny, and historically (in)accurate ;) casting is just fabulous, and I'm hoping we'll get many more seasons of this utterly ridiculous story." All three sidesplitting series of the hit period comedy-drama, The Great, can be streamed now on Amazon Prime and Channel 4.
Straits Times
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Streaming sneaks: Murderbot, messy married couples among top picks in May
Alexander Skarsgard plays Murderbot, a cyborg who secretly hacks itself to gain free will. PHOTO: APPLE TV+ Streaming sneaks: Murderbot, messy married couples among top picks in May Murderbot Debuts on May 16 on Apple TV+ In this sci-fi comedy thriller based on an award-winning book series, Alexander Skarsgard stars as an android, a security robot designed to protect and obey humans. But having secretly hacked itself to gain free will, the cyborg – who decides to call itself Murderbot – must now conceal its autonomy and navigate its complex feelings about humanity. Both repelled and intrigued by its human clients, it undertakes a dangerous assignment – all while yearning to be left alone to ponder its place in the universe and binge on trashy soap operas. Why watch it: Created by Oscar-nominated writer-directors Chris and Paul Weitz (About A Boy, 2002), the 10-episode series blends action, dark humour and existential angst. Adapted from American author Martha Wells' Hugo- and Nebula Award-winning The Murderbot Diaries, the story offers a timely take on the sentient-robot trope amid today's artificial intelligence boom. The Four Seasons Debuts on Netflix on May 1 Will Forte and Tina Fey in The Four Seasons. PHOTO: NETFLIX Comedy stars Tina Fey and Steve Carell, who played a married couple in the 2010 action comedy movie Date Night, reunite in The Four Seasons, an eight-episode series inspired by the 1981 romantic comedy film of the same name. The story centres on three couple friends – played by Fey and Will Forte; Carell and Kerri Kenney-Silver; and Colman Domingo and Marco Calvani – whose annual getaway is upended when one pair announces their impending divorce. Over the course of the following year, the split tests the group's dynamic – reigniting old tensions, sparking new ones and prompting everyone to reassess their relationships. Why watch it: Fey, Carell and Forte will be a draw for comedy lovers. And for fans of the original movie, which starred Alan Alda and Carol Burnett, this adaptation – created by Fey and her collaborators from Emmy-winning sitcom 30 Rock (2006 to 2013) – aims to recapture its heartfelt humour. Sirens Debuts on Netflix on May 22 Julianne Moore in Sirens. PHOTO: NETFLIX This five-episode limited series stars Oscar winner Julianne Moore (Still Alice, 2014), Milly Alcock (House Of The Dragon, 2022 to present) and Meghann Fahy (The White Lotus 2, 2022) in a darkly comic tale of class, power and sisterhood. Set at the lavish seaside estate of Michaela Kell (Moore), a socialite married to billionaire Peter Kell (Kevin Bacon), the story looks at her magnetic influence over those in her orbit, especially her young assistant Simone (Alcock). When Simone's sister Devon (Fahy) arrives unannounced one weekend, she grows suspicious of Michaela's cult-like hold over her younger sibling. He r investigation uncovers a web of secrets and shifting loyalties. Why watch it: Created by Molly Smith Metzler (Maid, 2021) and based on her 2011 play Elemeno Pea, Sirens is co-produced by Australian actress and Barbie (2023) star Margot Robbie. The trailer looks a little campy, but Metzler's track record with female-centric stories – she also worked on acclaimed prison drama Orange Is The New Black (2013 to 2019) – suggests a sharp psychological drama lurks beneath. Nine Puzzles Debuts on Disney+ on May 21 Kim Da-mi in Nine Puzzles. PHOTO: DISNEY+ This South Korean mystery thriller follows Yoon E-na (Kim Da-mi), a criminal profiler haunted by a traumatic past. As a high schooler, she discovered her uncle's dead body lying next to a single puzzle piece, presumably left by the killer. But with no memory of what happened, she became the prime suspect in his murder. Ten years later, E-na finds herself investigating a string of homicides linked by similar puzzle pieces, suggesting the killer has resurfaced. And she must work with Kim Han-saem (Son Suk-ku), a detective convinced that she played a part in her uncle's death. Why watch it: This cerebral 11-episode crime thriller promises intricate plotting and relentless suspense, keeping viewers guessing till the very end. K im, star of the award-winning K-drama Itaewon Class (2020), shares some deliciously tense scenes with Son, who appeared in the hit military series D.P. (2021 to 2023). Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
