Latest news with #Cassandra
Spectator
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Spectator
Why is the BBC making stuff up about Jane Austen?
Jane Austen: Rise of a Genius began by saying that 'getting into her mind isn't easy' – something you'd never have guessed from the rest of the episode, where both the narrator and the talking heads were able to tell us exactly what Austen was thinking and feeling at any given time. Like many Austen biographies, this one laments her sister Cassandra's decision to burn most of her letters, but then takes full advantage of how little we consequently know about her to portray (or possibly make up) a woman whose attitudes are spookily close to its own. In a previous era, this might have meant presenting Austen as a gentle and contentedly domestic aunt. Now of course it means that 'at a time when women were supposed to know their place, Austen ripped up the rulebook'. Equipped with its privileged access to her mind, Monday's programme further explained that after 'feeling a lack of autonomy', she decided 'to pursue the route of being an independent woman'. Some irksome pedants (me, for instance) might suggest that in order to make Austen a proper feminist heroine, the programme has to contort even the little we know to fit a preordained narrative. Either that, or ignore it completely. Need Austen to be a pioneering female voice in the male world of novel-writing? Simply erase all the other women – Maria Edgeworth, Fanny Burney, Ann Radcliffe etc. – who were already successful novelists. Occasionally, too, we had the strange sight of Austen biographers contributing to accounts different from the ones in their own biographies. In 2013's The Real Jane Austen, Paula Byrne describes cousin Eliza arriving at the Austens' Steventon rectory in 1786 and visiting periodically after that, including for several months in 1792-3.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Projects choose me, characters find me: Actress Mahika Sharma
With a flair for comedy and a fearless screen presence, Mahika Sharma is making her mark. Known for diverse roles across television and film, she also did theatre for six years on the Delhi theatre circuit. In 2025, Sharma expanded her filmography with a significant role in biographical crime drama Costao. She plays its villain Peter D'Mello's young wife, Cassandra. Directed by Sejal Shah, film star Nawazuddin Siddiqui plays the role of Costao Fernandes, a Goa customs officer who exposes a major gold smuggling operation in the 1990s. Though new to the industry, Sharma has a head on her shoulders. She says it's always joyful to work with seasoned actors. 'When you start off, you don't choose, you just audition. I always wanted to work with Nawaz sir. My character, Cassandra, is a young girl who gets caught up in bigger politics. My reel roles have somehow run parallel to my real life. Before I got Costao, I was figuring out how to sustain myself in Mumbai. Cassandra came to me at a time when I think I needed her the most.' Acting in the crime drama thriller television series Breathe: Into the Shadows to Liberation, was another intense experience. Sharma thrives in transforming herself with each role. When asked how she selects such varied roles, she says: 'I would say it's the other way round. Projects choose me and characters find me. I like to work on projects where I can explore impactful roles. It's always a delight to do challenging roles, where I can live vastly different lives in one lifetime!' For Sharma, creativity isn't confined to scripts and sets. A trained MMA enthusiast, a passionate musician, painter, and writer, her personal interests often bleed into her professional aspirations.
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Elvira, Mistress of the Dark fires back at Meghan, Duchess of Sussex
Elvira, Mistress of the Dark has offered Meghan, Duchess of Sussex some "beauty advice". The 73-year-old horror icon - whose real name is Cassandra Peterson - has responded after the former 'Suits' star joked she looked "almost Elvira-esque" after a botched at-home hair dye job during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cassandra quipped on Instagram: "Hey princess, if you ever need beauty advice from a queen just let me know." The 43-year-old royal - who has Prince Archie, five, and three-year-old Princess Lilibet with husband Prince Harry - spoke with her "dear friend" and hair colourist Kadi Lee recently when she recalled asking for help after trying to dye her own locks. She said on her own 'Confessions of a Female Founder' podcast: 'It was 2020 – it was very much 2020. 'My family had just moved to California. We were staying in our friend's home and because it was the pandemic, I kept ordering boxed hair dye, and I thought I'm gonna look just like she does on the box. 'And instead it was this very inky, almost Elvira-esque black hair. And I texted [hair stylist Serge Normant], and he said, 'You need to see Kadi.' "And you came over. I mean, we were masked and all the things. It was such an interesting time, but I remember that day so well." Last year, Cassandra accused Ariana Grande of being rude during an awkward backstage interaction at one of her performances. During a question and answer session at Knott's Berry Farm in California, she alleged: "She came and she brought 20 guests. So she wanted 21 tickets. We're like, 'OK.' "We give her the tickets and she comes backstage. She asked if I could take pictures with all of her friends and relatives she brought.' Elvira said she posed for photos and signed autographs for Ariana's group, and then asked for a photo with the '7 Rings' hitmaker. She added: "I say to her, 'Can we take a photo together?' And she goes, 'No, I don't really do that.' And then she left before my show started. All her relatives stayed, and she took off.' The so-called Queen of Halloween shared screenshots of an article about the encounter on Instagram, and Ariana has now responded and apologised while giving her side of the story. She commented: "I'm so disheartened to see this. "I actually don't even remember getting the chance to meet you because i had an anxiety attack and to my memory, left before the rest of my family (this was around 7 years ago and at the time i was really not great with being in public crowds or loud places)… but if i'm misremembering this moment, i sincerely apologize for offending you so. (sic)"
New Indian Express
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
'Projects choose me & characters find me'
With a flair for comedy and a fearless screen presence, Mahika Sharma is making her mark. Known for diverse roles across television and film, she gained prominence with her portrayal in the TV show F.I.R. and the Bollywood comedy film Mr. Joe B. Carvalho. In 2025, Sharma expanded her filmography with a significant role in biographical crime drama Costao. She plays its villain Peter D'Mello's young wife, Cassandra. Directed by Sejal Shah, film star Nawazuddin Siddiqui plays the role of Costao Fernandes, a Goa customs officer who exposes a major gold smuggling operation in the 1990s. Though new to the industry, Sharma has a head on her shoulders. She says it's always joyful to work with seasoned actors. 'When you start off, you don't choose, you just audition. I always wanted to work with Nawaz sir. My character, Cassandra, is a young girl who gets caught up in bigger politics. My reel roles have somehow run parallel to my real life. Before I got Costao, I was figuring out how to sustain myself in Mumbai. Cassandra came to me at a time when I think I needed her the most.' Acting in the crime drama thriller television series Breathe: Into the Shadows to Liberation, was another intense experience. Sharma thrives in transforming herself with each role. When asked how she selects such varied roles, she says: 'I would say it's the other way round. Projects choose me and characters find me. I like to work on projects where I can explore impactful roles. It's always a delight to do challenging roles, where I can live vastly different lives in one lifetime!' For Sharma, creativity isn't confined to scripts and sets. A trained MMA enthusiast, a passionate musician, painter, and writer, her personal interests often bleed into her professional aspirations.
Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Jane Austen's personal letters exposed in jaw-dropping BBC series on TV tonight
Jane Austen wrote thousands of letters but her sister burned most of them - this series uncovers those that were left Even if you're only a fan of Pride & Prejudice because of THAT Darcy lake scene, or Sense & Sensibility from the movie with Emma Thompson, you will have been enjoying Jane Austen's legacy for years. Revealing the inner lives of men and women, ripping up the rulebook to comment on society, class and politics, Jane Austen was outrageous and witty. Tonight's BBC2 series Jane Austen: Rise of a Genius, at 9pm, explores the life and legacy - more than two centuries on, her work leaves a lasting legacy that is read, enjoyed, adapted and cherished to this day. Along with her published work, she also wrote thousands of personal letters to her beloved sister Cassandra, sharing her deepest thoughts, but after her death at the age of 41 in 1817, her sister burned them. Cassandra must have known the outrage they would cause, but fortunately a handful survived. Drawing on these letters, alongside the insights of experts, novelists and actors, this series aims to piece her extraordinary life back together. Each episode weaves in cinematic re-enactments, with contributions from authors and writers including Helen Fielding, Candice Carty-Williams, Kate Atkinson, Colm Tóibín and Bee Rowlatt; actors Charity Wakefield, Greta Scacchi, Samuel West, Tamsin Greig, Tom Bennett and Greg Wise, experts and historians Dr Paula Byrne, Admiral Lord West, Dr Priya Atwal, Dr Louise Curran and Dr Paddy Bullard, and filmmaker Ken Loach. Author Helen Fielding says: 'Jane Austen's voice is so strong and funny and perceptive. And her work's still being copied and stolen by people like me.' Watch out for more special programming later this year to mark Austen's 250th birthday, and straight after this at 10pm, a screening of Pride & Prejudice, starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen. *Jane Austen: Rise of a Genius is airing tonight (May 26) on BBC2 at 9pm There's plenty more on TV tonight - here's the best of the rest.. SPRINGWATCH, BBC2, 8pm It has been 20 years since Springwatch first aired, and it continues to broadcast incredible wildlife stories, thanks to two decades of unprecedented access to nests, setts, holts and waterways. Chris Packham and Michael Strachan lead three weeks of wildlife wonder from the National Trust's Longshaw Estate, in the heart of the Peak District. Alongside live action from the many hidden cameras, there will also be films to salute the passionate people who go the extra mile. Father and daughter duo David and Heather go freediving on the Cornish coast to observe changes in the seagrass beds and rocky reefs. We find out what happens with amorous molluscs are in need of a mate. Turns out those snails can be quite selfish. Cameraman Louis Labrom heads to Dartmoor to film the iconic swallow, while former farmer Philip Hambly and his wife Faith have transformed their 52 acres into a haven for birds, butterflies and plants. JAMIE COOKS: GEORGIA, CHANNEL 4, 7pm In this sumptuous one-off special, Jamie Oliver heads to eastern Europe to dive into the fascinating cuisine of Georgia, soaking up inspiration from its people, ingredients, techniques and traditions. From exploring the capital city of Tbilisi to the wine region, Jamie immerses himself with the locals and the culture, joins a traditional Georgian gathering and brings what he's learnt to his cooking back home to Essex. Jamie kicks off his trip in Tbilisi, on the ancient Silk Road. At the city's largest food market, the Dezerter Bazaar, local chef Meriko inspires Jamie with the innovative use of herbs. He falls in love with Khinkali - Georgian dumplings, and is allowed into a restaurant kitchen for his own special lesson where he learns traditional techniques. Heading east to the wine region and the vineyards of Kakheti, he arrives at the perfect time to 'birth the new wine', and he's invited to his very first Supra - a traditional communal feast. EMMERDALE, ITV1, 7.30pm John is tormented by nightmares of being arrested for Nate's murder as he and Victoria prepare for his wedding to Aaron. Moira anxiously watches as workers dredge the lake. When Cain reveals the dredging has begun, John panics and starts packing. Aaron catches him mid-escape but is reassured it's just pre-wedding jitters. Joe and Dawn's romance is derailed when a social worker arrives to follow up on a safeguarding concern. Ross takes Lewis out kayaking and sneakily pinches his house keys. EASTENDERS, BBC1, 7.30pm Zack puts his new plan into action and goes to Ravi for a loan to fund his escape. Ravi warns him not to mess with Nicola and reveals that she recently asked him to help move a body. Phil is confused when Nigel is angry that they didn't celebrate his birthday, despite saying he didn't want a fuss. Avani is upset when she receives an onslaught of cruel messages online as news gets out about her sleeping with Joel. CORONATION STREET, ITV1, 8pm Brody tenses as he listens to a message from his Dad. Kit returns home to find Brody smashing up his flat, revealing his Dad assures him he's innocent and it's a police stitch-up. When Ronnie introduces Debbie to Fiona, an old flame, Debbie's put out. Eileen tells George and Brian that the drugs found in Julie's system were the painkillers prescribed for her, not Julie. When Brian makes an innocuous remark, Eileen snaps and bans him from attending the funeral.
