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Metro
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
The Doctor Who finale will 'shock and terrify' — what parents need to know
The Doctor Who finale will see a battle across the skies as the Unholy Trinity unleash a villainous plan for the universe. Showrunner Russell T Davies promised that the momentous episode will clear up the bi-generation that saw Ncuti Gatwa take over from David Tennant in the 60th anniversary special, while fans have been busy sharing their theories on what else viewers can expect from the finale. Last week's episode, Wish World, saw The Rani (Archie Panjabi) reveal her masterplan to resurrect Omega, one of the founders of Time Lord civilisation and a classic Doctor Who villain dating back to 1973. Russell T Davies has said of this week's finale: 'The Doctor is doomed, Belinda is lost, Ruby is trapped, UNIT is powerless, the Unholy Trinity rule supreme and the Underverse is rising…I can promise shocks, scares and revelations off the scale.' It sounds gripping, but with a monumental battle set to rage across the Whoniverse, parents of younger children may be wondering if The Reality War is suitable for family viewing. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. The Doctor Who season two finale, The Reality War, has been classified 12A, meaning it contains material that is not generally suitable for children under 12. A two-part finale of Wish World and The Reality War will be shown in cinemas across the UK on Saturday, but children younger than 12 can't attend a 12A cinema screening without an adult. The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), which assigns age ratings to films, TV and online content, advises: 'Adults planning to take a child under 12 to a 12A should consider whether the main feature is suitable for that child.' Some of the themes viewers can expect from content classified 12A include dangerous behaviour, moderate bad language, threat and horror, and violence. Empire of Death, the final episode of the previous season of Doctor Who, was also classified 12A due to moderate horror and fantasy threat. The BBFC explained its classification was due to 'scenes of horror and fantastical threat involving a creature and his sinister minions.' It added: 'Characters are possessed, making their voices distort and their faces turn sinister and emaciated. A person is transformed into crumbling sand. There are scenes of panic as terrified civilians flee a fantastical threat.' Brief references to the death of a child, teenage pregnancy and domestic abuse were also cited as reasons for the classification. Metro TV reporter and Doctor Who fan Asyia Iftikhar has watched every episode of season two, and is confident the finale is going to be a must-watch. Reviewing the penultimate episode, Wish World, she wrote: 'By far and away, Archie Panjabi's larger-than-life performance as The Rani proved one of the best aspects of the episode, which has infused new life into the finale. 'It was always a gamble to bring back a Classic Who character – but it has paid off handsomely so far. 'Not only is The Rani's dynamic with the Doctor beautifully explored but Archie's delivery is full to the brim with charm, wit and confidence. 'Essentially, the casting team hit the nail on the head by bringing Archie on board to resurrect The Rani, and I can't wait to see what more havoc she wreaks in the season finale.' Read Asyia's full review. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Doctor Who is undeniably appealing to children, after all, it's about an alien time traveller who has adventures in a spaceship shaped like a police box. But it's certainly not just for kids. Many fans grew up with various iterations of the Doctor and remain loyal to the show still, watching with their own families. The fantastical adventures are usually accompanied by clever humour and the tackling of weighty issues, making the show at times complex and more than a little frightening (Weeping Angels, we're looking at you). Which means that it's not always suitable viewing for younger children. The majority of episodes classified by the BBFC have been given a PG rating, meaning they 'should not unsettle a child aged eight or older'. But when it comes to deciding whether a child is old enough to watch, experts have told Metro that the final decision should lie with the parents. Parenting expert Sue Atkins said: 'It's less about a fixed age and more about knowing your child. Some 8-year-olds love the thrill of Doctor Who, while others might find the tension or monsters unsettling.' She added: 'When my own kids first got into Doctor Who, we made it a shared event – lights low, snacks ready, and always the agreement that they could turn it off if it got too intense. 'That gave them a sense of control, and us a chance to talk through the big ideas.' Sue suggests parents consider three things when deciding what TV shows are suitable for children to watch: Content: Check the age rating, but don't rely on it entirely. Watch a trailer or read a trusted review and look out for recurring themes – Doctor Who often includes suspense, moral dilemmas and sometimes loss or fear, even if it's wrapped in family-friendly storytelling. Check the age rating, but don't rely on it entirely. Watch a trailer or read a trusted review and look out for recurring themes – Doctor Who often includes suspense, moral dilemmas and sometimes loss or fear, even if it's wrapped in family-friendly storytelling. Context: Think about what your child has already handled. Have they seen similar shows and coped well, or do they struggle with nightmares or anxiety afterwards? Each child is unique – what excites one may overwhelm another. Think about what your child has already handled. Have they seen similar shows and coped well, or do they struggle with nightmares or anxiety afterwards? Each child is unique – what excites one may overwhelm another. Conversation: If you're unsure, watch together. Be on hand to press pause and talk through tricky scenes. Asking 'How did that make you feel?' or 'What would you have done?' helps kids process what they're seeing. Parenting coach Anisa Lewis agrees, telling Metro that this guidance applies to all TV shows, not just Doctor Who. 'My philosophy when it comes to age recommendations is that parents are best placed to decide what's suitable for their child,' she explains, adding that parents shouldn't feel pressured to allow their children to watch something just because their peers are. But as for what parents can expect from the Doctor Who finale, the show creators have been keeping their cards close to their chest when it comes to plot. More Trending On scare-factor, however, director Alex Sanjiv Pillai has said this: 'For season two, the idea was to have a punchier, more dramatic, more tense, scary even, set of stories. 'The two-part finale, Wish World and The Reality War, is a culmination of all those things. We want to thrill, we want to shock, we want to absolutely terrify.' We can't wait to see the Doctor and The Rani go head-to-head, but maybe after the kids have gone to bed… View More » The Doctor Who finale, The Reality War, airs on Saturday, May 31, on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Wynne Evans devastated as he confirms BBC axe: 'It breaks my heart' MORE: 11 years on, I'm still mourning comedy legend Rik Mayall MORE: BBC confirms huge Casualty news and it's the end of an era
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Disney ‘evades animal-cruelty law' over rat-drowning scene
Disney has been accused of exploiting a loophole in animal cruelty rules by screening scenes of a rodent being forcibly immersed in a liquid. The RSPCA has criticised Disney over its decision to screen the scene in the film The Abyss where a real rat is deliberately submerged in fluorocarbon liquid. The scene has been cut from all previous screenings of the film after being banned by the British Board for Film Classification (BBFC) from cinema and TV over animal welfare concerns. The BBFC took advice from the RSPCA, the largest animal welfare charity in the UK, which said the 'forcible immersion of the rat caused terror' and amounted to animal cruelty. Because streaming platforms such as Disney+ are not covered to the same standards by BBFC or Ofcom rules as cinema, DVD or traditional TV channels, they are not technically breaching any codes. David Bowles, the RSPCA's head of public affairs, said: 'The RSPCA is really concerned that a loophole currently exists allowing animal abuse scenes deemed unacceptable elsewhere to be streamed freely and legally into our homes. 'The Abyss' controversial rat scene has long concerned the RSPCA, and has always been deemed unacceptable by BBFC – so it's hard to fathom out why Disney+ has decided to broadcast it. We need to ensure people are not being exposed to content which promotes or showcases cruelty to animals. 'As the way millions of households consume entertainment changes, it's vital the legal framework is responsive to that and continues to consistently protect people and animals.' While the rats used during filming are said to have survived the ordeal, the scene remains prohibited from UK cinema screenings, DVD and traditional TV. Given the infliction of terror, the scene was cut by the BBFC under the Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937, meaning it must be cut for any theatrical use. The BBFC – as the regulator of content released on physical media – has also cut the scene under the Video Recordings Act 1984, meaning it must not be included on releases on formats such as Blu-Ray and DVD. UK television channels must also adhere to the Ofcom Broadcasting Code – which states no material cut refused classification by the BBFC may be broadcast to viewers – meaning the scene should also not be aired on traditional TV. Streaming platforms, however, are not bound by the same standards as film releases in cinema, DVD or on traditional television – and the RSPCA fears this provides a 'loophole' to broadcasting animal abuse long considered unacceptable on other mediums. A new piece of legislation – the Media Act – enhances Ofcom's regulation of streaming services, and the regulator is due to publish a new video-on-demand code. The RSPCA said it hoped this would deliver a 'degree of consistency' with animal-abuse content standards across cinema, home entertainment and streaming services. Many streaming services already work with the BBFC on a voluntary basis and the RSPCA hopes Ofcom will highlight this work as good practice in the new code. Mr Bowles said: 'We hope a new code of conduct under the Media Act will help close this loophole – but we need to see a degree of consistency between streaming platforms and other forms of more traditional entertainment, so people can have confidence when watching films and other shows. 'It doesn't make sense that we have robust safeguards for animal-related content shown in cinemas, on DVDs or on traditional television channels – yet those protections could go out the window when you turn on a major streaming service. We can't backtrack now on what society deems is acceptable in terms of how we treat animals.' Disney+ has been contacted for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Daily Mail
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Try holding back the jeers! Simply Red fans to be given a 'trigger warning' at concert film screening because of song lyrics about sex and drinking
Simply Red's new concert film has reportedly been given a trigger warning because of song lyrics about sex and drinking. The recording of a live concert in Chile in March 2025, which is hitting screens on Thursday, celebrates 40 years of hits from the soul and pop band fronted by singer-songwriter Mick Hucknall. However, fans will be baffled to hear that the movie comes with a few warnings from the British Board of Classification, despite being rated a U, meaning it's suitable for everyone. According to The Sun, viewers have been warned about the lyrics that reference 'making love and sexual attraction'. The BBFC warns: 'Song lyrics occasionally make brief, undetailed verbal references to 'making love' and to sexual attraction. 'There is infrequent very mild bad language ('damn') and people are briefly shown drinking alcohol.' The new film, which is being released to celebrate the iconic Manchester band's 40th anniversary, showcases spectacular performance from their recent tour in Santiago, Chile. The movie's description reads: 'Holding Back The Years: 40 Years of Simply Red – Live from Santiago' captures the band's electrifying performance at the Movistar Arena in Chile, where they played five consecutive sold-out shows to rapturous audiences as part of their Latin American tour leg, which saw them perform to over 140,000 fans. 'This special cinema event will give fans the opportunity to experience the energy and emotion of Simply Red's 40th Anniversary Tour on the big screen. 'Featuring stunning performances of their greatest hits and fan favorites spanning their entire career – from their 1985 critically acclaimed debut 'Picture Book' right through to their latest releases.' A British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) spokesperson said: 'BBFC age ratings and content advice work to empower audiences to make informed viewing decisions. Holding Back the Years – 40 Years of Simply Red, Live in Santiago is rated U for very mild bad language and sex references. 'Every BBFC age rating decision and every piece of content advice is based on our Classification Guidelines. Our Guidelines are the result of extensive consultation with thousands of people across the UK and are refreshed every four to five years to ensure they continue to reflect the expectations of UK audiences.' 'Our content advice provides a detailed breakdown of the issues that result in a particular age rating, as well as other issues likely to be of relevance to audiences. In 2023, BBFC research found that 85% of parents and caregivers and 71% of teenagers thought content advice is useful for everyone.' In 2019, lead singer Mick denied sleeping with 3,000 women, claiming that the interview where he revealed the amount of women he had bed, was taken 'wildly out of context'. The Fairground singer, who now lives in Surrey and has been married for over a decade, admitted that he had 'no idea' how many women he slept with. Speaking candidly to Rob McGibbon for The Sunday Times, the singer, who has dated Catherine Zeta Jones and Helena Christensen, revealed that when he said: 'In the crazy days, it was screaming girls everywhere and it felt like you were sleeping with three women a day,' - that it wasn't a literal number. However, the singer, did admit to living a playboy lifestyle when his career was at its peak, which involved 'a lot of' alcohol and drugs. He went on to say in the frank interview that his past confessions were 'conflated'. In 2019, lead singer Mick denied sleeping with 3,000 women, claiming that the interview where he revealed the amount of women he had bed, was taken 'wildly out of context' When he's asked what the real number he has said: 'I have no idea. I don't put chips on the bedposts. I haven't a clue and have never thought about calculating.' The star has had a host of famous flings including a relationship with Catherine Zeta-Jones in 1998 before she dumped him after just four months, and a short-lived romance with Ulrika Jonsson. His his other alleged exes include, model Helena Christensen, Melanie Sykes, Lady Victoria Hervey, Steffi Graf and Brigitte Nielsen. Another of his notable romances was with former 'EastEnders' actress Martine McCutcheon, who claims that the pair went on a disastrous date in 1996 that ended with her vomiting in his dreadlocks - however Mick has denied this ever happened. In the interview he also went on to admit that despite his fame and many career highs he was unhappy - and this led him to partying hard between 1996 and 1999. But he knew that his lifestyle had to stop - otherwise he would face burnout. 'I realised I couldn't go on like this this, rolling out of night clubs at 4am every morning, week on week, basically wandering around like a playboy,' he admitted. He admits that he tried Heroin when he was a student and admitted that 'much like every other musician - I have tried everything'. However he called it a 'pointless' drug. He went on to reveal that he enjoyed the lifestyle for a while, but it got 'boring' - and instead he wanted to find something with more meaning. The singer now lives with his wife Gabriella Wesberry, who he tied the knot with at Forter Castle in Perthshire, Scotland. The pair have a daughter together, called Romy True, who was born in 2007 and they live together in his Surrey mansion with their dog.
News18
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Suriya Sends Wishes To Nani, Ajay Devgn Ahead Of HIT 3 And Raid 2 Box Office Clash With Retro
Last Updated: Suriya's Retro will be clashing with Nani's Hit 3 and Ajay Devgn's Raid 2. All three films are releasing on May 1 Suriya and Pooja Hegde starrer Retro is all set for release on May 1. The film has been creating a lot of buzz among the audience. However, it will clash with Nani's Hit 3 and Ajay Devgn's Raid 2 as both films are releasing on the same day, i.e. May 1. Ahead of the release, Suriya took to social media to extend his best wishes to fellow actors Nani and Ajay Devgn. The gesture has been winning hearts across the internet. Taking to his X handle, Suriya wrote, 'Dearest Sasi & Simran, Nani, Ajay sir & Riteish, all the cast & crew of #TouristFamily #HIT3 #Raid2 Wishing you the bestest! #Anbannafans Lots of love and respect for your support for #Retro… May each of our films be a success & entertain the audience in theatres tomorrow." Retro's synopsis on the BBFC website reads, 'A former gangster who once swore to give up his violent ways must break his vow in order to defeat his enemies and protect his estranged wife in this Tamil-language action thriller." Take a look here: Hit 3, is all set to release on the big screens on May 1. It is the third movie of the HIT Universe. Nani will be seen in the leading role. The movie follows Arjun Sarkaar, who gets assigned to a high-priority case for HIT in Jammu and Kashmir. The story unfolds as he prepares to catch a group of serial killers, responsible for the murders of numerous people. The much-awaited Sailesh Kolanu-directed movie has created a buzz among audiences. Previously, Vishwak Sen and Adivi Sesh were seen in the first two movies of the series, respectively. Both the actors were present during the pre-release event and showed their support for the movie. After producing his first film in 2013, Nani started his own production house in 2018, which has produced multiple superhit movies, such as Awe, Court – State vs a Nobody, and both the previous parts of the HIT series. Raid 2 is just around the corner. Directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, the film will hit theatres on May 1, 2025. This time, Ajay Devgn's IRS officer Amay Patnaik is facing off against the ruthless politician Dadabhai, played by Riteish Deshmukh. With a trailer that packs a punch and some seriously catchy songs, Raid 2 is set to deliver a high-stakes battle for justice. The trailer builds a tense narrative between Ajay Devgn and Riteish Deshmukh, packed with suspense that keeps you hooked. Ajay brings his usual intense presence, while Riteish steps into a fresh role as a power-hungry politician. Balancing charm with cruelty, Riteish makes for a formidable opponent to Ajay's determined lawman. First Published:
News18
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Nani's HIT 3, Suriya's Retro Rated 'Strong' For Violence By British Board of Film Classification: Deets Inside
Sailesh Kolanu's HIT: The Third Case and Karthik Subbaraj's Retro, both rated for strong violence, release on May 1 with intense crime, horror, and disturbing content. Sailesh Kolanu's HIT: The Third Case, featuring Nani, and Karthik Subbaraj's Retro, starring Suriya, are gearing up for a worldwide release on May 1. The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has rated both films as having strong violence, while also providing an in-depth look at the language and horror content featured in each movie. HIT 3's synopsis on the BBFC website reads, 'In this Telugu-language crime thriller, a maverick police officer is drawn into the disturbing world of a series of gruesome murders he is investigating." Both HIT: The Third Case and Retro have received strong ratings for 'violence' and 'injury detail,' with additional high ratings for 'threat and horror,' 'language,' and 'suicide and self-harm.' These ratings are notably similar to those given to Unni Mukundan's 2024 Malayalam film Marco, which has been dubbed the 'most violent Indian film.' The additional details reveal that both HIT: The Third Case and Retro feature 'prolonged scenes' of intense violence, including stabbing, shooting, dismemberment, and other forms of bodily harm. The films also contain instances of 'strong language,' alongside 'milder terms' in other scenes. As hinted in the trailer, the films include disturbing depictions of trafficking, sex work, harassment, and critical danger to a child. Retro's synopsis on the BBFC website reads, 'A former gangster who once swore to give up his violent ways must break his vow in order to defeat his enemies and protect his estranged wife in this Tamil-language action thriller." Both HIT: The Third Case and Retro have been rated high for 'violence,' 'threat and horror,' and 'language,' while receiving moderate ratings for 'drugs,' 'sex,' and 'sexual violence.' The additional details confirm a 'short but bloody torture sequence' in HIT: The Third Case and Retro, where characters are 'slashed, stabbed, shot, or bludgeoned.' One particularly disturbing scene shows a newborn baby being branded with a metal object. The films also include a flashback involving cultists and babies, along with 'strong language' and 'milder terms' throughout. While drugs are referenced, the films do not condone them, but they do feature 'potentially distressing scenes' involving women and children. HIT 3 is the third installment in a popular franchise that previously featured Vishwak Sen and Adivi Sesh as cops tackling mysterious murders. Nani's character, Arjun Sarkaar, was introduced at the end of HIT 2, and HIT 3 is rumored to feature a cameo by a Tamil superstar. Srinidhi Shetty makes her Telugu debut as the female lead. Retro, on the other hand, stars Suriya alongside Pooja Hegde in the lead role. The film also features Joju George and Jayaram. First Published:
