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Daily Mail
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Extras reveal Game Of Thrones stars' true colors when the cameras stopped rolling
Game of Thrones extras who worked on the hit show have spoken out about what its stars were really like behind the scenes. In a viral thread on Reddit, they said they met 'a decent chunk' of the cast in their time working on the series. They were full of admiration for 'funny' Peter Dinklage and Jack Gleeson, who played Tyrion Lannister and his nephew King Joffrey Baratheon respectively. They also said Charles Dance - who played Tywin Lannister - was 'very tall and polite' when he asked the extra for a light. However, Aidan Gillen, who starred as Lord Petyr Baelish, was not so pleasant, with one extra writing: 'Aidan Gillen had a bit of a w***erish air about him.' Another extra, who wrote on Reddit they had been on the show since its start, said most of the cast basically ignored the extras. But Gethin Anthony, who played Renly Baratheon, was different. The extra said he spoke to the actor every day of the shoot, calling him an 'amazing guy' and adding: 'He's the most down to earth actor on the set. 'The extras are generally told not to bother the "talent" but Anthony treats you as an equal (unlike most of the main cast who look right through you).' The same extra had a different take on his fellow actor Peter, who they had expected to be extroverted. The source said: 'He keeps to himself for most of the day. He's very shy. I expected him to be more flamboyant. Peter Dinklage is nothing like his character. 'He's incredibly quiet and is not as outspoken as you would initially think.' A source said: 'McCann was very friendly. I didn't meet him but from what I was told he was a good guy.' The user also gave an interesting insight into the casting process, saying they applied with friends on a total whim and was accepted alongside one of their pals. They explained: 'They had a casting call near a hotel where I live and you filled out a form which asks some basic questions for the show, such as, "Can you ride a horse?", "Do you have any experience with fencing", then they take your picture.' In their case, they were able to fence, so were taken on set. The extra also said the pay was 'decent', at $135 per day. Another extra, commenting on Quora, claimed to have starred in The Purple Wedding, the episode which saw Joffrey marry Margaery Tyrell (played by Natalie Dormer). They said a mere 15-minute scene in this episode saw at least 100 extras brought on set. Showrunner and co-creator David Benioff was full of praise for the extras when previously speaking to Entertainment Weekly. He said: 'Many of these guys kept long hair and beards purely for the show and they even came up with character names and backstories for themselves, their childhood traumas, what House they owed allegiance to, even though [those details] are not in the show… 'It really adds to the believability of so many shots - whether they're behind Jon Snow at Castle Black or at Winterfell or wherever - that these dudes really take this seriously and have passion for it.' Several celebrities, often from bands the producers like, also starred as extras throughout the show's run. Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody played a soldier in the third series, while Coldplay drummer Will Champion starred as a drummer at The Red Wedding in the same season. Despite the mixed reception of Game Of Thrones' final season, the show's success has led to a spin-off prequel series, House Of Dragons. And Warner Bros. has allegedly begun laying the groundwork for 'at least one film' set in the same world, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Daily Mail
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Miriam Margolyes, Charles Dance, Mike Leigh and Harry and Meghan's 'dear friend' blast the BBC for reporting on Israel in dramatic open letter
Stars including Miriam Margolyes, Charles Dance and Mike Leigh are among 300 industry figures who signed a damning open letter calling the BBC's reporting about Israel a cause of 'great shame'. The call to arms, signed by 111 anonymous BBC journalists, condemns the broadcaster for being 'crippled by the fear of being perceived as critical of the Israeli government' as they accuse coverage of being 'defined by anti-Palestinian racism'. It also raises concerns over people in editorial positions that they claim have biases towards Israel. They are already under fire for its various responses after chants of was broadcast on Saturday 'Free Palestine' and 'Death to the IDF' were broadcast live during Bob Vylan's Glastonbury set on Saturday. Alongside the anonymous BBC staff, 303 media figures have signed their names by the list - including Harry Potter actress Margolyes, veteran star Dance and Oscar-winning director Leigh. Also signing their names to the list are Misan Harriman, Harry and Meghan's 'dear friend' and go-to photographer, historian William Dalrymple, Truly, Madly, Deeply actress Juliet Stevenson and former editor-in-chief of BBC Arabic Faris Couri. Still more include standup Alexei Sayle, Fresh Meat actress and wife of Tom Hiddleston Zawe Ashton and Denise Gough, who is currently starring in The Stolen Girl. Responding to the letter, the broadcaster said that they have produced breaking news, ongoing analysis and investigations covering the war in Gaza, alongside documentaries including Life and Death in Gaza and Gaza 101. It has been released as Channel 4 prepares to show a documentary about Gaza decommissioned and then scrapped by the BBC. Alongside the anonymous BBC staff, 303 media figures have signed their names by the list - including Harry Potter actress Margolyes, veteran star Dance and Oscar-winning director Leigh Gaza: Doctors Under Attack, which was made by two Emmy award-winning filmmakers, was originally commissioned by the BBC more than a year ago. But the corporation paused its production in April following the launch of an investigation into another documentary Gaza: How to Survive a War Zone, which starred the son of a leader of Hamas - a fact that film failed to mention. They said: 'Robust discussions amongst our editorial teams about our journalism are an essential part of the editorial process. We have ongoing discussions about coverage and listen to feedback from staff and we think these conversations are best had internally. 'Regarding our coverage of Gaza, the BBC is fully committed to covering the conflict impartially and has produced powerful coverage from the region.' It comes as BBC staff are said to be 'in revolt' as they claim bosses are meddling 'for political reasons'. The letter branded the decision not to show the documentary about medics in Gaza as 'political' and 'nothing to do with the journalism of the film'. BBC insiders behind the open letter to their bosses told MailOnline: 'For more than a year now we've been aware that the BBC's news output is out of step with reality. Audiences are being asked not to believe their own eyes and ears. 'Anyone with a phone has seen the footage coming out of Gaza and the West Bank yet BBC News has tied itself in knots with notions of "complexity". 'Why have we taken a clear position on Ukraine and Russia when we fail to confidently assert facts when it comes to the Palestinian people? 'We raised these concerns so many times and we have not been listened to. We are speaking out because we must serve audiences better. 'The BBC has got form when it comes to Palestine and cowering over reporting facts and context in a fair and robust way. This isn't the first time they have tied themselves into knots and bent over backwards towards lobby bullies. 'However the enormity of the decision to not show Gaza: Doctors Under Attack is beyond the pale. One that leaves the top management positions untenable. 'Not only is their reasoning pathetic, it goes against how the BBC works. Clearly if they don't understand the meaning of due impartiality, they should not be in the job. 'Prostrating themselves to mischief-making individuals and groups over listening to their own journalists, particularly when the international courts are investigating Israel for genocide - what else is this but complete complicity?' Gaza: Doctors Under Attack is a one off-documentary that examines allegations that Israeli forces have repeatedly targeted hospitals in breach of international law. The programme was made by two-time Emmy-winning journalist Ramita Navai, fellow two-time Emmy-winning director Karim Shah and ex-Channel 4 News Editor Ben De Pear, who is the executive producer of Basement Films, which was commissioned by the BBC to create the film. The source said more than 40 people from BBC Eye, who were involved in the documentary, had signed a letter of protest against the corporation's. In total, the open letter has 414 signatures. Channel 4 said it had fact-checked the documentary, Gaza: Doctors Under Attack, to ensure that it meets its editorial standards and the Ofcom Broadcasting Code. The film reports that every one of Gaza's 36 main hospitals has now been attacked or destroyed by Israel, with people forced to evacuate and healthcare workers reportedly killed, imprisoned and tortured. Louisa Compton, Channel 4's head of news and current affairs and specialist factual and sport, said: 'We are showing this programme because we believe that, following thorough fact-checking and verification, we are presenting a duly impartial view of a subject that both divides opinion and frequently provokes dispute about what constitutes a fact. 'Channel 4 has a strong tradition of putting uncomfortable reporting in front of our audiences. 'In doing so, we know we will antagonise somebody somewhere sometime. But we do it because we believe it is our duty to tell important journalistic stories – especially those that aren't being told elsewhere.' Basement Films, whose founder Ben de Pear signed the open letter, added: 'This is the third film we have made about the assault on Gaza since October 7th at Basement Films, and whilst none of them have been easy this became by far the most difficult. 'As ever we owe everything to our Palestinian colleagues on the ground; over 200 of whom have been killed by Israel, and the doctors and medics who trusted us with their stories. 'We want to apologise to the contributors and team for the long delay, and thank Channel 4 for enabling it to be seen.' The BBC announced that it would not be broadcasting Gaza: Doctors Under Attack on June 20. 'We wanted the doctors' voices to be heard,' the broadcaster said in a statement. 'Our aim was to find a way to air some of the material in our news programmes, in line with our impartiality standards, before the review was published. 'For some weeks, the BBC has been working with Basement Films to find a way to tell the stories of these doctors on our platforms.' But, the corporation added: 'Yesterday it became apparent that we have reached the end of the road with these discussions. 'We have come to the conclusion that broadcasting this material risked creating a perception of partiality that would not meet the high standards that the public rightly expect of the BBC. 'Impartiality is a core principle of BBC News. It is one of the reasons that we are the world's most trusted broadcaster. 'Therefore, we are transferring ownership of the film material to Basement Films.' Previously, critics were enraged by the BBC's failure to disclose that the narrator of Gaza: How to Survive a War Zone was the son of a senior member of the Hamas terrorist group. It was originally broadcast on February 17 on BBC Two with the aim of showing a 'vivid and unflinching view of life' in the strip. The documentary was made by two producers based in London who remotely directed two cameramen on the ground over nine months. However, independent investigative journalist David Collier claimed one of the child narrators, Abdullah, was the son of a Hamas government minister and grandson of one of Hamas's founding members. Using Facebook and publicly available data online, Mr Collier claimed the show's young star is the son of Gaza's deputy minister of agriculture Dr Ayman Al-Yazouri. This would mean his grandfather would be the Hamas founder Ibrahim al-Yazouri, who has previously been jailed by Egypt and Israel for involvement in proscribed groups. The BBC apologised for the inclusion of the documentary's young star, with a spokesperson for the corporation saying: 'Since the transmission of our documentary on Gaza, the BBC has become aware of the family connections of the film's narrator, a child called Abdullah. 'We've promised our audiences the highest standards of transparency, so it is only right that as a result of this new information, we add some more detail to the film before its retransmission. We apologise for the omission of that detail from the original film.'
Telegraph
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Greta Scacchi: Sex scenes used to be beautiful ... now they're just odd
Sex scenes have degenerated from soft focus and beautiful in the 1980s to 'explicit rutting' today, according to Greta Scacchi. The actress, who made her name playing a string of femmes fatales, said the portrayal of sex had changed for the worse and was now an ugly thing to watch. 'In my 20s, the female voice was still struggling to emerge, directors were mostly male and simulated love-making was obligatory. But in the '80s, it was soft focus and made to look beautiful and slowed down, whereas now I find it really gratuitous – this explicit rutting stuff is very odd to see. 'I find it so uninteresting, ugly and very compromising for the actors,' said 65-year-old Scacchi. 'It sounds funny coming from me, because I got labelled for nudity and sex scenes, but I don't believe it was a deserved label.' Speaking to Radio Times, the British-Italian star of White Mischief and Presumed Innocent said that she would not have benefited from an intimacy coordinator when she started her career. 'No, I don't at all. Actors don't want to be choreographed into positions unless there's a real antipathy or a communication problem. Luckily, I didn't have that. 'Charles Dance on White Mischief was a very disciplined actor and so am I – we could talk and be frank,' she said. 'We were both, at the time, very beautiful and confident about ourselves physically. He was always very considerate and made sure I was comfortable.' Scacchi said the only discomfort she ever felt was with voyeuristic directors. 'That's where you need the intimacy coordinator,' she said. Her children were teased over her sex scenes, and the actress speculated that it must be '100 times worse for the kids today' because such scenes can be taken out of context and plastered all over social media. She turned down the chance to star in Basic Instinct, rejecting it as a 'male fantasy'. The role went to Sharon Stone. Scacchi is now appearing in Darby and Joan, a cosy crime drama in which she plays a widowed English nurse who teams up with an Australian ex-detective, played by Bryan Brown. The pair have a will-they-won't-they relationship, but Scacchi said she and Brown had refused to entertain the idea of a love scene, given the age of their characters. She revealed that there was tension between the actors and the writers, because the latter wanted to 'sneak a French kiss into an episode' and had also written a scene in which the two share a bed platonically on one occasion. Scacchi explained: 'If you're in your 60s or 70s and you have a kiss or a spoon, the landscape would change forever. The writer was saying, 'We don't want to show these people as being old and unable to enjoy a one-night stand,' and I said, 'Well, we don't enjoy a one-night stand'. 'One day, Bryan and I saw there was an intimacy coordinator booked and we had to say, 'Sorry, you've come under false pretences. It's not happening.''
Geek Vibes Nation
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
'The Golden Child' 4K UHD Blu-Ray Review - Supernatural Eddie Murphy Adventure Gets A Premium Release
The eighties were a white-hot time for Eddie Murphy, who had broken out of Saturday Night Live to become one of the most bankable stars in the business. Nestled between early decade breakouts such as Trading Places and Beverly Hills Cop and the phenomenon that was Coming to America, there is a title that is often labeled as the odd creative miss from this decade. The Golden Child is an oddity no matter how you look at it; this was Murphy's first foray into the realm of the fantastical, and it was also the first time he deviated from his standard R-rating in favor of a more audience-friendly PG-13. The results were not a complete disaster financially – it comfortably made its money back – but the response was more muted than everyone had become accustomed to for Murphy. As we are nearing the 40th anniversary of this polarizing film and Vinegar Syndrome has finally deemed it worthy of a 4K UHD Blu-Ray release, we take a look and see if the ambivalence towards this film is warranted. The titular 'Golden Child' is a mysterious young boy in a remote Tibetan temple who is capable of carrying out some truly astonishing miracles that have to be seen to be believed. When you have anyone with this type of power, there is also bound to be people mobilizing to control it or eliminate it. The group in opposition to this child is led by the devious Sardo Numspa (Charles Dance, Game of Thrones), who leads a deadly raid on the temple that leaves countless slaughtered monks and the miracle child abducted. Halfway around the world in Los Angeles, we meet social worker Chandler Jarrell (Eddie Murphy), a caring, unyielding man who seeks to protect the safety of children with everything in his power. Jarrell actually happens to have more power than he even knows, as he is told when the tantalizing Kee Nang (Charlotte Lewis) shows up to reveal his destiny as 'the Chosen One' who will save 'the Golden Child.' While this news sounds patently ridiculous to Jarrell, evidence starts to pile up that she may not be entirely off her rocker. Chandler Jarrell was considered a very atypical role for Murphy at this point in his career. Murphy was known for being loud and brash and unrepentantly shocking with his off-color humor. Jarrell, on the other hand, exhibited traces of these attributes while mostly remaining way more reserved than normal. This allowed Murphy to showcase a softer, sweeter side than audiences had seen, but it did not help in the comedy department. There are a few solid laughs in The Golden Child, but the film is extremely plot-driven in a way that stifles the natural charisma of Murphy. This might not be such an issue if the plot was compelling, but it really lacks momentum in that department, as well. There are so many elements that are introduced and shoved into the lore that it starts to become more than a bit convoluted. The basic elements are in place for the film to be good, but the script does not give anyone much to latch onto. Charles Dance is a really great villain, but inconsistent writing holds him back from being truly menacing. There are moments in this film that scream to be seen by a certain type of fan, but morbid curiosity might not be enough of a driving force for most viewers. As mentioned, this was the first time that Murphy delved more into the realm of fantasy, and it is understandable if this experience soured him on the genre for a little while. When you sit down for an Eddie Murphy film, you do not exactly expect to see a half-snake lady or full-on shape-shifting demons, but there the movie is getting more and more outlandish. I would argue that some of these elements could have been sort of cool, but some extremely rocky special effects just make everything laughable. The film is not a complete disaster, which we have seen on occasion from Murphy, but there are numerous script issues and technical choices that leave a lot to be desired. This film will never be known as top-tier Eddie Murphy, but it does deserve some recognition for inspiring Murphy to have a greater hand in writing many of his future films – many of which ARE extremely entertaining. Video Quality The Golden Child makes its 4K UHD Blu-Ray debut with an exceptional 2160p transfer in Dolby Vision/HDR newly scanned and restored in 4K from the 35mm Original Camera Negative. One of the biggest benefits of this new transfer is the splendid implementation of Dolby Vision for expanded color output. There are a lot of bold hues in the film that radiate off the screen with an immaculate vibrancy. The black levels are extremely deep and allow for true detail to come through well. Highlights likewise hold firm with nothing veering into blooming. Skin tones are natural and lend themselves to showcasing an amazing amount of detail. This presentation is a powerhouse that preserves the filmic look with proper film grain and texture throughout. The level of clarity and detail on this release is unbelievable, with only the occasional shot that looks a bit on the soft side due to optical effects. There are very subtle details in the lush production design that are more clearly visible than ever from minute details on outfits to some of the production design on display in the temples. Vinegar Syndrome has done an excellent job of restoring this, as all print damage has been cleaned up without messing with the natural look of the film. Those who have been waiting for this one to be given the ultimate treatment on 4K UHD Blu-Ray should be thrilled by the results Audio Quality The 4K UHD Blu-Ray comes with both a DTS-HD 5.1 and 2.0 Master Audio lossless soundtrack that sonically represents the film quite wonderfully. The activity focuses heavily on the front channels with the synth-based score from Michel Colombier filling the room appropriately. Music is used skillfully throughout the presentation, but it never overpowers the dialogue or other important information. The grandiose dialogue comes through clearly and never falls victim to any digital anomalies. Rear speakers get some occasional activity with ambient sounds, but it is not a standout in that regard. There is a substantial amount of low-end support when the scene calls for it, as well. Both tracks accomplish everything they need to do with great ease. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided. Special Features Audio Commentary: Author/screenwriter Kelly Goodner and film historian Jim Hemphill provide a new commentary track in which they discuss the production of the film, the challenges of shooting on location, the career of Eddie Murphy, the background of the ensemble, the notes from the studio, and more. Throwing Elbows – Writer/Co-Producer Dennis Feldman on Writing, Selling, and Making It To Hollywood: A new 19-minute interview with the screenwriter in which he discusses his career, developing the idea for The Golden Child , the process of selling the script, getting Eddie Murphy attached, the legacy of the film, and more. Lover of Realism – An Interview with Matte Painter Caroleen 'Jett' Green: A new 13-minute interview with the artist in which she discusses discovering the art of matte painting, her background in art, working at LucasFilms, the paintings she worked on, and more. FX Man – An Interview with Academy Sci-Tech Award Winner Mark Noel: A new 13-minute interview with the creative in which he discusses creating some intricate special effects moments for the film including overcoming some difficult moments. The Demon I Wanted To Make – Designer and Sculptor Randal Dutra on Creating Sardo Numspa's Demon Form: A new 12-minute interview with the artist in which he discusses his background working on Star Wars and Gremlins , what he wanted to accomplish on The Golden Child , the challenges that stood in his way, and more. Master of a Lost Art – Go-Motion Supervisor Harry Walton on Animating The Golden Child's Go-Motion Sequences: A new 15-minute interview with the artist in which he discusses turning down working on Star Wars (twice), his specialty in stop-motion, working on The Golden Child , and more. The Chosen Ones: A seven-minute vintage featurette in which the cast and crew take a closer look at the script, characters, performances and more. Daggers, Design & Demons: The second half of this featurette runs seven minutes and takes the viewer on a journey through the technical details including the production design, costumes, stunt work, special effects and more. Archival Interview with Harry Walton: A five-minute archival interview in which the artist discusses the go-motion process as it pertains to the film. Theatrical Trailer (2:04) Image Gallery Final Thoughts The new release of The Golden Child brings a notable title from Eddie Murphy to 4K UHD for the first time. The film itself may not be a top-tier effort, but there are some elements that Murphy fans may want to check out if they have never caught this one. The 4K UHD Blu-Ray itself is quite wonderful with a stellar A/V presentation and a striking array of special features. If you are already a fan of the film, you will be very pleased by this release. The Golden Child is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD + Blu-Ray Combo Pack. Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray. Disclaimer: Vinegar Syndrome has supplied a copy of this set free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Daily Record
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
BBC fans rave about period drama starring Game of Thrones and X-Files stars made in 'golden age'
Charles Dance and Gillian Anderson star in the BBC period drama which is very similar to a soap opera in the way it was aired and will leave you hooked from the get-go. Drama lovers, brace yourselves for the explosive BBC period drama that promises edge-of-the-seat suspense with shocking reveals and a tantalising murder mystery at its heart. Kicking off with a full hour's episode, followed by two 30-minute instalments, this series made an entrance akin to a classic soap opera – even making its debut right after EastEnders, setting the stage for a whirlwind of tension and intrigue. Expect impressive turns from the likes of X-Files icon Gillian Anderson as the enigmatic Lady Dedlock, whose initially perplexing ways gradually draw you into the thickening plot that's sure to snag your attention. Charles Dance delivers as Mr Tulkinghorn, a shrewd lawyer who is on a quest for the truth. His portrayal came shortly before rising to fame as Tywin Lannister in the monumental HBO series Game of Thrones. Compelling performances from Anna Maxwell Martin, known for Motherland; Carey Mulligan of The Great Gatsby fame; and the venerable Timothy West heighten the series' captivating pull, reports the Express. Audience reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, leading to a hearty 86% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and an 8.3/10 rating on IMDb, indicating a resounding success. One five-star review encapsulates viewer sentiments: "Absolutely loved it. There's a feast for lovers of period drama here. The production values are top-notch. I especially enjoyed the natural lighting. The costumes, hair, set dressing, locations etc were all beautifully done. This is truly a killer cast and production of a timeless and relevant Dickens classic." The sole series, consisting of 14 episodes, can be streamed at no charge on BBC iPlayer. Nothing beats immersing yourself in the narrative of a period drama that whisks you away to life over a century ago. Period dramas are quintessentially British, and with the ultimate Downton Abbey film about to hit the screens, they're back in vogue. The early noughties was a golden era for this genre, yet one series that has slipped under the radar but is totally deserving of a re-visit is the BBC's 2005 adaptation of Bleak House. Central to the series is the endless litigation of Jarndyce and Jarndyce, which revolves around the inheritance battle over a colossal estate. The wearisome legal dispute has overshadowed the lives of all involved, resulting in exorbitant legal costs and jeopardising the very inheritance they are contesting. Moreover, when orphans emerge as potential successors and secrets start to come to light, the series delivers all the intrigue typical of genteel life in the 1800s.
