Latest news with #DopeThief
Yahoo
08-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘He really pissed me off!' Emmy nominee Brian Tyree Henry on why he loved to hate his character in Dope Thief
The third time might be the charm for Brian Tyree Henry, who's already been nominated twice before for his work on Atlanta and This is Us. But the nod for Dope Thief is the first time he's being recognized for a leading role. It's also the first time he's been nominated since 2018, so he's looking forward to a 'crazy prom' at the upcoming Emmy Awards next month, where he'll get to hang out with his friends. 'It just feels like it's going to be a big class reunion,' he says. Here, Henry opens up to Gold Derby about why he felt he had to play Ray, what he learned from being an executive producer, and why Girl Scout cookies saved the day on set. More from Gold Derby TV cinematographers roundtable: 'Life Below Zero,' 'Ren Faire,' 'The Righteous Gemstones,' 'Tucci in Italy,' and 'Chef's Table' 'Tucci in Italy' cinematographer Matt Ball on avoiding 'food porn' and what the audience doesn't know about Stanley Tucci What was your reaction to the news that you were nominated? I forgot that the nominations were that day. My reaction was me in my kitchen, early in the morning, being upset about home ownership because home ownership is a scam! My dishwashers were broken, and I was like, you've got to be kidding. I was looking for the warranty. And then I get this text from my manager and my publicist that was, 'Way to go!' It all clicked in but I was still upset because the dishwashers still aren't fixed. So was it was fraught with anxiety at first because of home ownership, but then it was made better because of the nomination. This is my first lead nomination. So I'm incredibly proud, incredibly happy. But what about the dishwasher? I still don't want to talk about it, man! Homeownership is a scam. Hold onto your warranties! I love my home, though. But there's stuff that they don't tell you that you have to deal with when you become an adult. So let's talk about Ray. What drew you to the role? Quite a few things. I could tell you all the things that made me want to run from it. Because, you know, television is hard. Television is really, really daunting and time-consuming, but can also be so impactful. I was on a run of television at the time when Dope Thief was brought to me, and I knew I wanted a break. I was like, I just don't know if I can do episodic for a little bit. It just takes so much. And my wonderful producing partner and manager was like, just read it, see how you vibe with it. And within the first six pages I was like, well, I'm not doing anything if there's not a second script. And before I even put the period on end of this and it's the second script was right there. I just couldn't put it down. What was it about the script that you responded to? I remember reading the very first scene of Ray and Manny (Wagner Moura) having this conversation about, is that candy? What kind of candy is this? Just the banter and the relationship and the levity between the two of them was just unlike anything I read before. And then I was like, oh, they're about to rob this house. I loved the humor of it. I immediately connected with Ray in so many ways. I had never seen a character like Ray. I knew that there was something that I wanted to bring to him, because I felt like Ray really needed a lot of guidance. And I was like, maybe I could come in and get Ray to the other side. And then I was also offered the executive producer position, which was so generous and so amazing to know that they trusted me that way. And so I couldn't turn it down. And it was the best decision I've ever made making this show and playing Ray was one of the best moments of my life. I was forever changed. How so? I felt like people had not seen me in this way. I really wanted to show people more of my range, and I wanted people to see me play something that was a complete antithesis to what they may know me from, be it comedy, be it whatever. I wanted to really dive in and show those layers. So, I have [showrunner] Peter Craig to thank for that because he wrote something so amazing. It was a no brainer to jump on board. When did you get to see the full season? When did you know everything that was going to happen? That's the other thing about television. It's wonderful. But it's also like, what's happening? You're kind of going with it, right? Peter Craig wrote every episode, like every single episode, which is such a feat to do. But he knew the story so well, and so you don't necessarily know where you're going, which is something I really do like about television, because it's like a it's a never-ending game of Clue. And so just like, where do we end up? What's going to happen? But it also is kind of gut wrenching because you get attached to certain characters and, you know, as you well know in this show, they may not be there. You can't really be attached to that many people. You have to be incredibly vulnerable. It was an emotional rollercoaster, honestly, to see where Ray was going to go. And it's so funny when I talk to people who are watching Dope Thief to hear their response. What responses did you get? For example, [Adolescence star] Stephen Graham and I have become really good friends during this [campaign season]. To hear his journey of watching it, because he watches it with his dad, and everyone is like, it's a panic attack every week. Everyone is in a place of having this visceral reaction to this show that they feel like they need Prozac at the end. And I'm like, that's great. That means that we're actually affecting you, and you are attached to these characters. It was cool to do something so experimental and something so on the razor's edge every week. How did you take care of yourself while you were doing this? You're giving people panic attacks — how did you not give yourself one? Who sent you? Have you been talking to my therapist? I know for a fact that if this show was presented to me like six years ago, seven years ago, I don't know if I would have made it to the other side. I don't think I had the tools, I don't think I had the life experience yet to really understand it. Because that kind of been my journey. I would play these men and I didn't know how to put them to rest. So whatever their troubles were, it kind of latched itself to me. I was carrying around all this grief of leaving these characters, building these characters, my own personal grief and losses. And when I got Dope Thief, it felt like for the first time, I saw a character that was looking right back at me. I feel like because of the work that I was doing personally, I was able to really guide him to the other side. Now, he pissed me off a lot! But I really understood him. I really felt a calling to play him. The show succeeds because of your chemistry with Wagner. How did you build that bond? To meet Wanger is to fall in love with each other. You know, it's so interesting because we both played such characters that people kind of associate us with for the rest of our lives. People are always going to think of him as Pablo Escobar [Narcos] all the time. People are always going to think of Paper Boi [Atlanta] for me. And so when we got a chance to come to Dope Thief, it was such a departure. You know, when you really pull back the story of Dope Thief, it really is a love story between these two men who have been incarcerated since they were 15 years old. This system told this black and brown boy that they can't be anything. All they have is each other. And now here they are as grown men, and they're just trying to figure out how to do things. But with a 15 year old mentality at the same time. I remember his first day, and he just grabs me by the forearms. And he says, 'My name is Wagner. I'm a father of three. English is my first language. I'm really scared.' And I was like, oh, I was like, 'Well, I'm Brian. I've been here for a while. I'll be playing Ray. I'm not going to leave your side. Anything you need, I promise you.' And in that moment, I was like, oh, this is it. And this is how it should be for the rest of the show. And I promise you, we really never left each other's sides. What did it mean to you to be an executive producer on this? Everything. So much so there's no going back now. I talk about my theater background when it comes to this because theater requires such collaboration. You can't do it alone. Even a one woman, one man show requires multiple people. Being an EP, you get to be what I call a bridge. Now I'm also at the meetings and a part of the emails because there's so many emails! As an executive producer, they need to tell you that when you sign on. When you're out there in the field with your actors, you got to talk to the producers who are over here, or you want to make sure hair and makeup knows that location is doing this. I loved it because I'm nosy. I'm a nosy actor. And being an executive producer gave me agency. It gave me agency to really stand up for people who didn't feel like they were there, like to be there for the people in the community. There was one day we were filming and this scene is literally me running for my life, and this woman is like, what is going on here? And I'm like, I was so sorry. I thought that someone came to talk to you. And she's like, oh. Y'all want to some Girl Scout cookies? So between takes I got some people down there, and got some of these Girl Scout cookies. There's nothing funnier than when you're running for your life for about four hours, and in between each take, you see the entire crew eating Thin Mints and Trefoils. It just felt like a community. What's the scene that you're proudest of? I will always talk about the grenade scene with Wagner, because I don't think I've ever been challenged with something like that. Because you can read it all you want, but nothing is going to prepare you for when you are literally in the back seat with your best friend and he has decided to end his life with the grenade. And we just went for it. And then also getting the news when Manny dies. That one was really hard. Harder than I thought it was going to be because you know, that moment is coming, and you have to play the news as it comes. It still sits with me to this day, because I just remember that receiving the news of a loss of someone that you love so much, and again, nothing you can do, you feel like you're falling, literally. The earth just falls out from underneath you. Those two scenes, I'm really, really proud of because I wasn't sure I would be able to show that or be as vulnerable. Because a lot of me is still trying to protect a lot of things, but don't require me to absolutely be as open and vulnerable. And I felt so safe at the same time. So maybe television isn't so bad after all....? No, it's not. I mean, I still need a break, but no, it's incredibly rewarding. Best of Gold Derby 'Australian Survivor vs. The World' premiere date and cast photos: 'King' George Mladenov, Cirie Fields, Parvati Shallow … 'Five new life forms from distant planets': Everything to know about 'Alien: Earth' as new trailer drops Everything to know about 'The Pitt' Season 2, including the departure of Tracy Ifeachor's Dr. Collins Click here to read the full article. Solve the daily Crossword
CNET
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNET
The 10 Best Apple TV Plus Shows You're Probably Not Watching
Apple TV Plus feels like it has operated under the radar for a while now. Yes, the streamer has hits like Severance, Ted Lasso, and Rogen's Emmy-nominated comedy The Studio but most of its library titles have a habit of lurking in the shadows. Considering the platform's superb storytelling quality, the lack of knowledge of these shows is disconcerting. Before you ask, I already put together a roundup of the streamer's epic sci-fi offerings, which you should look at. So don't expect those titles to be found here. Instead, I have filtered through Apple TV Plus' content library to find the best TV series you probably haven't watched yet. The 10 shows featured below have won Emmys and are led by top-notch talent. These dramas, comedies and thrillers are well-written and push the envelope in some way. You want something thought-provoking, heart-wrenching or knee-slapping? You've come to the right place. Read more: Apple TV Plus Review: Small Library but the Quality Is Top Notch Apple TV Plus Dope Thief Dope Thief is inspired by Dennis Tafoya's 2009 novel and follows friends Ray and Manny, who decide to impersonate DEA agents so they can steal from drug dealers. Things go sideways when their tiny crime unveils a massive drug operation. Brian Tyree Henry and Wagner Moura lead the series, ensuring this enthralling drama is led by top-tier talent. Apple TV Plus Your Friends & Neighbors Jon Hamm plays defamed hedge fund manager Andrew "Coop" Cooper in this dark comedy, who decides to try home invasions as a means of generating income. The twist on that twist? He's robbing his wealthy neighbors. What he doesn't expect through all this thievery is the dark secrets he uncovers about the members of this upper-crust community. Apple TV Plus Black Bird Black Bird is inspired by the true story of Jimmy Keene (Taron Egerton), a man who made a deal with the FBI to go undercover in a maximum-security prison to shorten his sentence. I forgot to mention, this is a place that houses the criminally insane and his mission is to make friends with Larry Hall, a suspected serial killer, so he can discover information about where the bodies are buried. That is, if he can get a confession in the first place. Paul Walter Hauser gives a career-best performance as Hall. Apple TV Plus Pachinko Pachinko is a sweeping drama that follows multiple generations of a Korean family from the early 1900s through the 1980s. Seriously, it's hard to sum up how beautiful and complex the storytelling is in this series in a few sentences. I'll just say the performances, cinematography and conflicts featured here are absolutely fabulous. It's probably the best show on this entire list, if I am being honest. Apple TV Plus Shrinking Jason Segel, Harrison Ford and Jessica Williams star in this dramedy series about a broken therapist who strives to piece his life and family back together after a heartbreaking loss. There's an intriguing balance found when Jimmy (Segel) breaks from professional norms to help his clients heal while seeking to do the same for himself. It's sad, hilarious, poignant and profound. To me, this is what mental health stories on TV should look like. Apple TV Plus Bad Monkey When you center a murder mystery in Florida, you have to expect things to get weird. And they do just that in Bad Monkey. It's a quirky sort of drama that stars Vince Vaughn as Andrew Yancy, a detective-turned-restaurant inspector, who gets sucked into a murder case after fishing a severed arm out of the ocean. Bill Lawrence (of Ted Lasso, Scrubs and Shrinking fame) created the dark comedy, which is inspired by the book by Carl Hiaasen. Apple TV Plus Presumed Innocent Presumed Innocent, based on the novel by Scott Turow, hails from executive producer David E. Kelley and Stars Jake Gyllenhaal as smarmy lawyer Rusty Sabich. Unlike the 1987 movie starring Harrison Ford, this series delves way deeper into the multi-layered scandal that put Rusty in handcuffs. The exploration of every character, who all seem awful in some way, adds to a morally corrupt narrative that makes this a riveting, albeit sometimes frustrating, watch. Apple TV Plus Lessons in Chemistry Here we have yet another book adaptation to add to this list, and, thankfully, Lessons in Chemistry is a feel-good delight. Inspired by Bonnie Garmus' book of the same name, the series follows a chemist named Elizabeth Zott (Brie Larson) who finds herself taking a job as host of a cooking show. Being a story that takes place in the '50s, it shouldn't be a surprise that Zott faces loads of sexism in the workplace. She perseveres, though, and brings a quirky scientific element to her Julia Childs-like role, making this period piece a fun show to dig into. Apple TV Plus Platonic I didn't know what to expect when I clicked play on Platonic. Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne have co-starred in other projects together, but their delightfully oddball dynamic in this one stands out. The story follows two long-time friends who reconnect in their 40s only to find that, even though they live very different lives, they share common midlife struggles of trying to figure out where they fit in this rapidly changing world. It's also nice to see a non-romantic exploration of a friendship between a man and a woman. Contrary to what When Harry Met Sally said, it is possible.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jacob Scipio To Star Opposite Edgar Ramírez In Onyx/Hulu Pilot; Leslie Grace Among Series Regulars
EXCLUSIVE: Jacob Scipio (Bad Boys for Life, Bad Boys: Ride or Die) is set to co-lead the as-yet-untitled real estate drama pilot ordered by the Onyx Collective for Hulu, opposite Edgar Ramirez. The series regular cast includes Leslie Grace (In The Heights), Mariana di Girolamo (Ema), Liz Caribel Sierra (Dope Thief) and Armando Rivera. Production To Start July 14 in Toronto. More from Deadline Melissa Leo, Jacob Scipio & Lou Llobell Join André Øvredal's Paramount Horror Pic Madelaine Petsch To Exec Produce, Star In Amazon MGM Rom-Com 'Maintenance Required'; Jacob Scipio Also Set Jacob Scipio To Co-Star Opposite Leslie Grace In 'Batgirl' Movie From Warner Bros And DC From Roberto Patino and Cassius Corrigan, the drama follows a cutthroat battle to dominate the Manhattan skyline, where two rival real estate developers (Ramirez and Scipio) risk everything — wealth, family and their souls — as their ambition turns into obsession, and their partnership turns into war. Scipio will play Abe Alonso, a wildly ambitious, charismatic up-and-coming real estate developer from the outer boroughs of New York City. He is willing to do whatever it takes to seize the American Dream for his growing family. Grace will play Val Alonso-Rivera, a passionate architect on a mission to create beautiful, affordable housing amid an industry driven by quick production and cost-cutting at every turn. She is Abe's wife and unwavering partner-in-crime who fiercely protects her family. Di Girolamo will play Gloria Saladín, a cunning businesswoman married to Moises Saladín (Ramírez), the heir-apparent to a multibillion-dollar real estate empire. Gloria's sights are set on taking over the business with her husband, establishing them as global power players. Sierra will play as Adela Rivera, Val's sarcastic, willful younger sister who's never seen a rule she didn't want to break, which is perhaps her strongest qualification as Abe's promising development associate. Rivera will play Diego Saladín, the unpredictable bachelor and black sheep of the Saladín family who harbors ambitions beyond real estate and has a colorful anarcho-capitalist streak. Patino, who serves as showrunner, Corrigan, Ramírez and pilot director Alonso Ruizpalacios executive produce alongside Oly Obst and Luke Maxwell of 3 Arts, Ramirez, Liz Tigelaar and Stacey Silverman of Best Day Ever, as well as real estate developer Donahue Peebles III, who will serve as technical consultant. Scipio will next star opposite Madelaine Petsch in Amazon MGM's new romantic comedy, Maintenance Required. He recently starred in Bad Boys: Ride or Die opposite Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. Other credits include Bad Boys for Life, The Expendables 4, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, Pieces of Her opposite for Netflix, Without Remorse, and The Outpost. Scipio will soon star opposite Melissa Leo and Lou Llobell in André Øvredal's untitled horror movie for Paramount. He is represented by CAA, Luber Roklin, and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole. Grace is a singer and actress whose 2013 debut self-titled album earned her the first of four Latin Grammy nominations and numerous other accolades in the U.S. and Latin America. She was also named one of Variety's 10 Actors To Watch and featured as one of Hollywood Reporter's Next Gen Talents in 2021 for her starring role as Nina in the 2021 film In the Heights. Grace was last seen in The Thicket, In the Summers, and recently starred in and executive produced the Apple-scripted podcast How to Win Friends and Disappear People. She is repped by CAA and 641 Meridian Entertainment Management Group. Di Girolamo is a Chilean actress best known for her lead role in Ema, directed by Pablo Larraín. She is co-starring alongside John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell in Wild Horse Nine, Martin McDonagh´s upcoming film. She is repped by UTA & IMC Management. Sierra is a Dominican American actress currently starring opposite Brian Tyree Henry and Wagner Moura in Apple TV+'s limited series Dope Thief, created by Peter Craig and directed by Ridley Scott. Last fall, she starred in Zoe Kravitz's directorial debut, Blink Twice, from MGM. She made her feature debut starring in God's Time, which premiered at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival and earned her the Special Jury Mention for Best Performance in a U.S. Narrative Feature. She is repped by Sugar23 and Granderson Des Rochers. Rivera is an up-and-coming Mexican American actor who recently wrapped work on Any Day Now, an indie feature directed by Eric Aronson. He played Danny, the charming, deadbeat, rocker best friend. He also recently led Jesus Celaya's noir short film titled Lucha Noir as Federico, a demon who wishes to live in peace. He is repped by 11:11 Entertainment, Duvall Mac and Jackoway, Austen, Tyerman. Best of Deadline Who Is [SPOILER]? The Latest Big Marvel Reveal Explained 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery 'Poker Face' Season 2 Guest Stars: From Katie Holmes To Simon Hellberg
Irish Daily Star
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Star
I'm hooked on Apple TV+'s new crime drama despite problematic episode
Apple TV+'s latest crime drama commits what I perceive is the ultimate sin for a debut series, yet I find myself urging folks to give it a watch. Smoke has dropped its first two episodes, joining the ranks of Apple TV+'s high-end, original drama lineup that already includes titles like Your Friends and Neighbors, The Studio, Stick, Dope Thief, Murderbot, and Prime Target from earlier this year. That's quite the crowd of newbies vying for your screen time. As someone who critiques films and TV professionally, I get some early access to shows pre-release. So, just so you know, at the time of penning this, I've devoured the initial five episodes out of the nine-part season. Smoke is a slow burn until it gets going (Image: Apple) Keep in mind, three of those aren't even out for subscribers until July. This detail is key because if I had only seen the currently streaming premiere, I'd probably advise you to skip Smoke altogether. An early critique hailed Smoke as "nine great hours of television.", reports Wales Online . Here's the kicker: the critic must've binged the whole lot, because if they'd only seen the first couple of episodes, their tune might be different. Heads up, I'm about to share what goes down right at the start of Smoke. But hey, it might just convince you to fast-forward through the first 10 minutes or so. The series chronicles troubled detective Michelle Calderone, portrayed by Jurnee Smollett, who must join forces with arson expert Dave Gudsen, played by Taron Egerton, as they pursue two elusive serial arsonists. They find themselves enmeshed in a "twisted game of secrets and suspicions" as they delve into the crux of the frightening offenses. Drawing inspiration from real occurrences and the esteemed Firebug podcast, enthusiasts of the podcast will recognize where the narrative's critical turning point is headed. Launching a fresh series as it strives to carve out its characters, locale, concept, and convince viewers of its legitimacy is no small feat, encountering several pet peeves. Voiceover narration should be more than mere exhibition; it must authentically complement the visual storytelling, rather than indulging in pretentious reflections mirroring the show's theme. Another concern lies with erratic flashbacks; presenting past or future scenarios prior to identifying the temporal sequence can work effectively. However, juggling timelines incessantly risks obscuring the story's true genesis. Smoke plunges headfirst into these pitfalls. We're introduced to Taron Egerton's character amidst flames, ensnared within a burning structure, as his superfluous voiceover ruminates on conflagrations—and then, suddenly, he awakens! Similarly, when the series unveils our other lead, her background unfolds through sporadic, disjointed glimpses into the past. Despite the presence of these clichés, which is surprising given that the episode is written by seasoned scribe Dennis Lehane, I'd still urge most viewers to stick with it. We've arrived at one of the worst things a review could disclose to potential viewers: you'll need to endure the first two episodes before deciding if this show is your cup of tea. By the climactic scene of the second episode and its jaw-dropping plot twist, I've transitioned from wanting to throw in the towel to being hooked on what comes next. Taron Egerton in Smoke (Image: Apple) Starting from episode three, Egerton's fire investigator character evolves beyond just being an awful stepdad, revealing layers the show is gradually unmasking. Detective Calderone becomes intriguing when he's actually probing the central crime of the story rather than mulling over an affair, and I'm itching to uncover what's up with Ntare Mwine's Freddy Fasano. The series' weekly release schedule might pose a problem here, as it might be more enjoyable as a binge-watch. Smoke isn't the standout show of the year. It doesn't even top Apple's new series roster for 2025 (that honor goes to The Studio, in case you're curious), but I find myself irresistibly drawn to its intrigue, eager to see how it all wraps up and recommending it to anyone in search of a twist-filled crime drama. Smoke is streaming on Apple TV+.
Boston Globe
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
The 15 best TV shows of the year so far
'Adolescence' (limited series, Netflix) Where to begin? The long, cinematic camera takes that make you feel like you've intruded on a reality already in progress? The searing performances from Stephen Graham, Owen Cooper, Erin Doherty, and a stable of largely unknown UK actors? This tight, four-episode drama, about an adolescent (Cooper) accused of killing a female classmate, is a gut punch that diagnoses a world of contemporary problems without ever feeling like a sociological treatise. Jessica Biel and Elizabeth Banks in "The Better Sister." JOJO WHILDEN/Jojo Whilden/Prime ' ' (season 1, Amazon Prime Video) The apple doesn't fall far. TV luminary David Milch's daughter, Olivia Milch, created this high-grade pulp drama with Regina Corrado, a key writer on David Milch's series 'Deadwood' (speaking of peak TV). Jaggedly funny and compulsively watchable, it follows two adult sisters (Jessica Biel and Pittsfield native Advertisement 'Black Mirror' (season 7, Netflix) A funny thing happened to Charlie Brooker's future-shock sci-fi anthology series on the way to 2025. It now feels more wickedly plausible than ever, and it therefore cuts closer to the bone. The season opener, starring Rashida Jones and Chris O'Dowd, is a soul-crushing masterpiece in which life and death become a matter of coverage tiers. It's still engineered to make you laugh until it hurts really, really bad. Matthew Goode in "Dept. Q" on Netflix. Jamie Simpson/Jamie Simpson/Netflix (season 1, Netflix) Scott Frank, who made chess exciting and sexy with his 2020 Netflix limited series ' Brian Tyree Henry in "Dope Thief." Apple TV+ 'Dope Thief' (season 1, Apple TV+) Brian Tyree Henry has been doing killer supporting work for a few years now on TV (' Advertisement ' ' (limited series, HBO) From the Department of Good Timing: At a moment when the principles of the civil rights movement are under attack, HBO released the third installment of a vital project that started back in 1987. These six chapters cover the period from the late 1970s to the present, exploring issues including fair housing, the war on affirmative action, the AIDS crisis, the Obama years, and more. It plays like a series of deeply reported feature stories. 'Forever' (season 1, Netflix) The Judy Blume renaissance continues with this series inspired by her 1975 novel about two teens dealing with raging hormones, societal expectations, and, yes, first love. Series creator Mara Brock Akil has moved the action to Los Angeles in 2018, where two Black high school athletes (Michael Cooper Jr. and Lovie Simone) fall head over heels and face highly realistic obstacles. Few series have so viscerally captured the pains of being a teenager. 'Inside the NBA' (TNT) Gone, but not forgotten. In fact, not exactly gone. TNT's freewheeling pregame and halftime show is the most spontaneous and entertaining sports enterprise on the air. Now Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O'Neal, and ringmaster Ernie Johnson are moving (for NBA broadcast rights reasons) to ESPN and ABC, where the flavor promises to be a little different. But hopefully not too different. Here's hoping the new bosses let the mountainous Shaq tumble into some more Christmas trees. Advertisement Bella Ramsey in "The Last of Us." Courtesy of HBO ' ' (season 2, HBO) It takes nerve to kill off the main character early in the second season of a hit series. It takes skill and imagination to keep the train rolling along in the aftermath. You won't find a more assured mix of prestige and popular appeal than HBO's zombie apocalypse drama, which, of course, is about far more than a zombie apocalypse. And you won't find better evidence for the blurring of high and 'low' culture than the fact that one of HBO's best series is based on a video game. ' ' (season 2, Netflix) Palestinian-American actor/comedian ' ' (documentary, HBO) A penetrating study of what it means to have a popular alter ego, and what happens when that alter ego takes over. The late Paul Reubens, better known as Pee-wee Herman, makes for a controlling, passive-aggressive, but somehow still appealing subject as he thrusts and parries with filmmaker Matt Wolf. The end results, in two parts and about four hours, ask probing questions about identity, fame, and the many guises we try on to get ahead. Advertisement 'The Rehearsal' (season 2, HBO) Comedian Nathan Fielder's first-person docuseries has moved well beyond the point of stunting. The recently completed season culminates in a surreal plane flight, with Fielder at the controls and the plane full of actors, all coordinated to make a point about cockpit communication and preventable crashes. It makes for riveting television and deadpan advocacy, delivered in a self-conscious monotone that belies a passionate sense of purpose. 'Saturday Night Live' (season 51, NBC) Maybe it was the re-election of Donald Trump, or just the right meshing of cast and writers. Whatever the reason, 'SNL' felt energized this season, like a big league pitcher getting his fastball back. The 'White Potus' sketch melded pop culture heat with political satire. The Please Don't Destroy team found a groove with its digital shorts (go to YouTube and search for 'First Class'). Michael Che and Colin Jost refined their vibe of friendly antagonism on 'Weekend Update.' And a big, 50-year-old dog showed it can learn some new tricks. Seth Rogen in "The Studio." Apple TV+ ' ' (season 1, Apple TV+) Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen's painfully funny send-up of the current movie business is certainly insidery, but it's also madcap, slapstick fun, a tasty poison pill and a lament for the difficulty of making art in a world defined by fast commerce. Throw in cameos from a weeping Martin Scorsese, a frustrated Sarah Polley, an enraged Ron Howard, and more, and you've got the satire that contemporary Hollywood deserves. Advertisement ' ' (season 3, HBO) At some point Mike White's formula of narcissistic tourists behaving horribly in paradise will wear out its welcome. But that point hasn't arrived yet. The writing and the acting — this season's standouts include Walton Goggins, Carrie Coon, Parker Posey, and the returning Natasha Rothwell — are still top-shelf, and the American idiots abroad motif carries a little extra oomph in this day and age. The coconut milk is off! What do you think the best show of 2025 is? Sound off in the comments and let us know.
