Latest news with #HBOOriginal
USA Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
How to watch 'Mountainhead,' a new TV film from the creator of 'Succession'
How to watch 'Mountainhead,' a new TV film from the creator of 'Succession' Show Caption Hide Caption 'Superman,' Mission: Impossible,' 'F1' and summer's must-see films USA TODAY film critic Brian Truitt releases his list of summer's must-see films. The highlights include "Superman" and "Mission: Impossible." Curious about how an eccentric group of billionaires would behave if the world fell apart around them? A new HBO Original film will explore how this hypothetical scenario might play out on screen. The movie, written and directed by "Succession" creator Jesse Armstrong, follows a billionaire friend group, who happen to all be cooped up in a cabin, when an international crisis breaks out. The tech tycoons in question are played by Cory Michael Smith, Steve Carell, Ramy Youssef and Jason Schwartzman. One of the billionaires' new generative AI tools may or may not be the cause of the "recent uptick in ethnic tension." Since the demise of human civilization is imminent, they hatch a plan on the best way to split the countries up between themselves in case they need to step up as rulers. "We are the smartest men in America," Randall, one of the billionaires, says in the "Mountainhead" trailer. "We literally have the resources to take over the world." Here's what to know about "Mountainhead," including how to watch. What is 'Mountainhead' about? According to the film's official logline, "Montainhead" is about "a group of billionaire friends (who) get together against the backdrop of a rolling international crisis." 'Mountainhead' release date "Mountainhead" will be released May 31 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on HBO. 'Mountainhead' cast From Steve Carell to Ramy Youssef, here are the actors and characters who make up the fearsome foursome. All of these characters have made their fortune in tech. Steve Carell as Randall Jason Schwartzman as Souper (Hugo Van Yalk) Ramy Youssef as Jeff Cory Michael Smith as Venis How to watch 'Mountainhead' "Mountainhead," an HBO original film, will premiere May 31 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on HBO. The movie will then be available to stream on HBO Max. Watch the 'Mountainhead' trailer
Hype Malaysia
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
Meet The 3 Main Cast Members Of HBO's Revamped Harry Potter Series
The wizarding world of Harry Potter has taken the world by storm with the production of eight movies, seven books and an entire collection of spin-offs, and now, finally, HBO announced they were going to revamp the series for the first time for the small screens. We got a whiff of the news back in 2021, and now we're finally putting a face to the name, with cast announcements made yesterday. Meet your new Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger in the upcoming HBO Original series based on the iconic 'Harry Potter' franchise. Dominic McLaughlin (Harry), Alastair Stout (Ron), and Arabella Stanton (Hermione) have been cast as the golden trio, HBO announced yesterday (27 May 2025) via its social media channels. During the casting auditions in September 2024, more than 30,000 actors auditioned for the lead roles. Showrunner Francesca Gardiner and executive producer and director Mark Mylod commented in a statement, 'The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen. We would like to thank all the tens of thousands of children who auditioned. It's been a real pleasure to discover the plethora of young talent out there'. The trio, all relatively new to the film industry, join John Lithgow (Albus Dumbledore), Janet McTeer (Minerva McGonagall), and Paapa Essiedu (Severus Snape) in the cast of the highly anticipated reboot of the series. While this marks Stout's first major screen role, McLaughlin previously appeared in the upcoming Sky comedy 'Grow', starring Nick Frost and Golda Rosheuvel. Stanton, meanwhile, played the title role in 'Matilda the Musical' in the West End from 2023 to 2024. As reported by the BBC, filming is expected to begin in summer at the Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden and is speculated to air in 2026 on HBO Max. On an interesting note, HBO has disabled its comments section after the announcement of their new casting. What do you think of this golden trio hitting the small screens in 2026? Sources: Variety, BBC, Instagram Alyssa Gabrielle contributed to this article
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
The Mortician OTT Release Date: When and where to watch Joshua Rofé's thrilling three-part documentary
The Mortician OTT Release Date: If you're into real crime stories that go far beyond anything a screenwriter could dream up, HBO's upcoming series is something you won't want to miss. This new three-part documentary dives headfirst into one of the most disturbing scandals in the American funeral industry, and it all starts streaming soon. When and where to watch The Mortician? The Mortician premieres Sunday, June 1 at 9 p.m. ET on Crave. It's an HBO Original, and new episodes will drop every Sunday at the same time, with the final episode airing on June 15. Indian users can watch it on JioHotstar starting June 2. So if you're a true crime buff or just curious about the dark corners of real-life business scandals, mark your calendar. What's The Mortician all about? Directed by Joshua Rofé (known for Sasquatch and Lorena), this documentary is anything but your typical crime series. It tells the haunting true story of the Lamb Funeral Home in Pasadena, California, a family-owned business that turned into a house of horrors once David Sconce took over in the 1980s. Behind the polished façade of a respected funeral home was a business that exploited grieving families and, shockingly, the dead themselves. David Sconce, heir to the family legacy, was hell-bent on maximising profits at any cost. We're talking mass cremations, tampering with remains, and even suspicions of violent retaliation against rivals. And yes, the series features a jaw-dropping interview with Sconce himself, now out of prison, who tells his side of the story with startling honesty. What to expect from each episode? Episode 1 (June 1): It all starts when Sconce takes over the family business and begins using questionable tactics to outpace competitors. In 1985, a rival funeral director starts asking questions about the unusually fast cremations. That same year, the man died suddenly of a heart attack at just 24. Episode 2 (June 8): After a fire guts the crematorium in 1986, Sconce doesn't slow down; he finds new, shady ways to keep the business running. As investigations ramp up, police arrest him and uncover a trail of disturbing evidence that may tie him to the violent death of a competitor. Episode 3 (June 15): The legal fallout begins. Multiple members of the Lamb family are convicted of fraud, and while a murder charge against Sconce is dropped in 1991 due to lack of evidence, the damage is done. Over 20,000 families are believed to have been affected. The scandal forces California to implement stronger regulations for the funeral industry. The documentary features powerful interviews with people who were there: Sconce's ex-wife, mortuary professionals, journalists who covered the case, and even families of the victims. These firsthand accounts make The Mortician a raw, emotional, and often unsettling watch.
Daily Mirror
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Harry Potter TV series to be filmed in £1bn mini-city
Warner Bros are splashing out on a new mini-town to film their upcoming Harry Potter TV series - with a school and medical centre being built for hundreds of young actors The forthcoming Harry Potter TV series is set to be filmed in a £1billion mini-town, complete with its own school and medical centre. The producers are investing heavily in the rapidly expanding Warner Bros' studio complex at Leavesden, just outside Watford, Herts. The development will feature new roads, multi-storey car parks and enormous hangars for the sets. A school is being constructed for the hundreds of young actors who will be committed to years of filming, while facilities are also being created for the various animals that will appear, including dogs, birds of prey, rodents, snakes, spiders and horses. It is reported that executives are even utilising wasteland adjacent to the studios to construct an updated version of Privet Drive, the street where the young wizard Harry spent his early years. A source from the television industry revealed: "Warner Bros are making a huge commitment to the new TV show, looking at creating multiple, lengthy series over the next decade. They see this significant upfront investment in infrastructure as a worthwhile venture that will eventually yield returns. What they'll have is a small metropolis which will not only provide the backdrop for the show but all the facilities the large cast and crew need, too." The series, touted by producers as a faithful adaptation of JK Rowling's books, is being produced by US TV behemoth HBO. The three lead roles have yet to be announced, but more than 32,000 hopefuls have submitted audition tapes, hoping to follow in the footsteps of Daniel Radcliffe, now 35, Emma Watson, also 35, and Rupert Grint, 36, who starred as Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. The wizarding trio of Harry, Hermione and Ron brought magic to life in the eight iconic films, accompanied by beloved animals like Harry's loyal snowy owl Hedwig, Hermione's mischievous cat Crookshanks, and Ron's ill-fated pet rat Scabbers. A statement from Warner Bros Studios assures, "No animals are housed overnight for this, or any other production." The iconic Privet Drive, Harry's humble home, was originally filmed at a house in Bracknell, Berkshire. However, a meticulous replica now stands within the immersive Harry Potter attraction on the 200-acre studio site. Interestingly, Warner Bros initially leased the site for a decade starting in 2000 to produce the films, before acquiring it outright in 2010. The recreated Privet Drive, nestled in the fictional Surrey town of Little Whinging, features homes that have been upgraded with charming Tudor features, injecting a touch of whimsy and nostalgia for fans of the boy wizard. In casting news, t he HBO Original TV series, which sees creator JK Rowling take on the role of executive producer, has not yet cast its young stars, however many of the surrounding cast have already been revealed. We don't yet know who will be taking on the major role of Harry Potter, who had been played by British actor Daniel Radcliffe in the films, as well as Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. The series will feature a brand new cast while staying authentic to the original books, to bring the wizarding adventures to new audiences. It has now been confirmed British actors Nick Frost and Paapa Essiedu and US star John Lithgow will be part of the brand new show. 3rd Rock From The Sun star Lithgow, 79, who won an Olivier earlier this month for playing children's author Roald Dahl in Giant in the West End, will play Hogwarts headmaster Professor Albus Dumbledore. Theatre star Essiedu, known for Gangs Of London and I Will Destroy You, will portray the cruel Professor Severus Snape, while Frost takes on the role of friendly groundskeeper Rubeus Hagrid in the decade-long series.
Edinburgh Live
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Harry Potter stars now from prison and life-changing car crash to alcohol death
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The much-anticipated Harry Potter TV series is in full swing, with only one original cast member set to make a comeback. It's been less than 15 years since the last instalment of the franchise hit the big screen, leading some fans to argue that it's too early for a reboot - but one key actor from all eight films appears to think otherwise. JK Rowling, the author of the beloved series, is on board as an executive producer for the HBO Original series, and the casting details for some of the Hogwarts staff have already been unveiled. Much like the film adaptations, the TV series seems to be predominantly featuring British talent, although the young stars have not yet been announced. What we do know is that Nick Frost, known for his role in Hot Fuzz and his collaboration with Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) in Sick Note, will be stepping into the shoes of the endearing giant Hagrid. Paapa Essiedu, who has starred in Black Mirror and Gangs of London, will portray the complex Potions master Severus Snape, while American actor John Lithgow will also join the cast. However, the show has already faced backlash from many fans due to Rowling's controversial comments about the transgender community. Several original cast members have publicly criticised her views. Tom Felton, who portrayed Draco Malfoy in the films, has remained neutral regarding the author - a stance that seems to have secured him a link to the upcoming series, reports the Mirror. Tom Felton exhibited poise during his conversation with The Times when discussing J. controversial statements on transgender issues, reflecting philosophically: "I couldn't speak for what others have said or what she said, to be completely honest, but I'm often reminded, attending Comic-Cons in particular, that no one has single-handedly done more for bringing joy to so many different generations and walks of life. "I'm constantly reminded of her positive work in that field and as a person. I've only had a handful of meetings with her but she has always been lovely. So I'm very grateful for that. I'm pro. I'm pro-choice. I'm pro-life. I'm pro-discussion. I'm pro-love. I don't tend to pick sides." Reports from the Daily Mail suggest he is currently negotiating with HBO to remain a part of the Harry Potter television project, with an informant claiming: "Everyone knows that Tom has Jo's blessing. While others turned their backs on her, he treated her with dignity even if he disagreed with her. And now it seems he will be the one original cast member who will be involved with the new production." Despite fan hopes to see him reprise the role of Lucius Malfoy, it seems Tom Felton has other plans. "Tom has expressed an interest in visiting the set and meeting with the actor playing Draco, and Warner is keen to make it happen. There has even been talk of getting him involved in creating behind-the-scenes content for HBO which could form part of a documentary about the making of the TV show," revealed an insider. Post-Harry Potter fame saw Tom Felton grappling with personal demons, leading to three rehab stints due to a severe alcohol addiction. While Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, and Daniel Radcliffe remain big names, the fate of other actors from the Harry Potter series is also noteworthy. Richard Harris and Michael Gambon are forever etched in fans' memories as Albus Dumbledore. Richard Harris, the Oscar-nominated talent known for roles in Camelot and Gladiator, initially declined the part of the Hogwarts headmaster thrice, aware of his failing health. Yet, he capitulated when his 11 year old granddaughter threatened to cut ties if he refused. Harris confessed that his rebellious streak nearly cost him the iconic role, as all cast members were expected to commit to a seven-film contract. Richard Harris, the original Dumbledore, had expressed initial reservations about committing to the franchise. "The thought of doing seven films was intimidating," he said at the time. "I'm rebellious by nature and felt it could be rather difficult to handle." Harris' health issues led to his untimely passing in October 2002, prompting the filmmakers to find a new Dumbledore. Initially, they approached Sir Ian McKellen, but he declined, citing Harris' past criticism of his acting. In an interview with BBC's HARDtalk, McKellen explained, "When they called me up and said would I be interested in being in the Harry Potter films, they didn't say in what part. I worked out what they were thinking, and I couldn't take over the part from an actor who I'd known didn't approve of me." The role eventually went to Michael Gambon, who brought a distinctive interpretation to the character, using his natural Irish accent and giving Dumbledore a slightly darker tone as the series progressed. Gambon passed away in 2023, with his family releasing a statement that read, "Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside, following a bout of pneumonia. Michael was 82." In the first Harry Potter film, Verne Troyer, known for his role as Mini-Me in the Austin Powers series, portrayed Griphook. However, due to the producers' decision to exclusively cast British actors, Troyer's voice was dubbed over by Warwick Davis, who also appeared on-screen as a bank teller and Professor Flitwick. When Griphook returned in later films, Davis took over the role entirely, as the producers had by then implemented a strict rule about only casting British actors. Troyer went on to appear in other projects, including the final Austin Powers film and Celebrity Big Brother, before his untimely death in 2018. Davis, who played Griphook in the Deathly Hallows films, recalled auditioning for the role and being thrilled to bring more depth to the character, saying: "Griphook has so much more depth to him than I'd ever been able to get into my work as Professor Flitwick. So, I went in and read for David Yates and the casting director, and gave them a best shot, David left a message that I'd got the part." Davis has enjoyed a successful career post-Harry Potter, but tragically lost his wife Samantha. An inquest this month revealed that the actress, who was just 53 when she died in March 2024, suffered a cardiac arrest following complications from essential surgery. Jamie Waylett - Vincent Crabbe. Jamie Waylett's acting career is solely defined by his role in the Harry Potter series. He portrayed Draco Malfoy's sidekick Vincent Crabbe, always seen with his partner-in-crime Gregory Goyle. Waylett featured in the first six films until he was dismissed due to inappropriate behaviour. In 2009, he was removed from the Harry Potter cast after being caught cultivating cannabis plants at his residence, leading to a sentence of 120 hours community service. In 2012, Waylett was imprisoned for two years after being convicted of violent disorder during the London riots, where he was seen drinking from a stolen champagne bottle. Although he was photographed holding a petrol bomb, he was acquitted of intending to destroy or damage property. While Crabbe was never officially replaced, his role as one of Malfoy's henchmen was assumed by Blaise Zabini, a character present in the books but not significantly featured in the films. Louis Cordice portrayed Malfoy's new sidekick in the final three films, with his fate left uncertain while fellow Slytherin Goyle met his end in the Room of Requirement in Deathly Hallows: Part 2 due to Fiendfyre. Richard Bremmer - Voldemort. It's challenging to envision anyone other than Ralph Fiennes as Lord Voldemort, yet another actor took on the role in the first film. Richard Bremmer was the inaugural actor to portray the Dark Lord during the flashback sequence where he kills Harry's parents. However, recognising him would be difficult as he was cloaked in darkness for these scenes. His face only appeared at the conclusion of Philosopher's Stone when Professor Quirrell unveiled Voldemort's face on the back of his head after removing his turban. Bremmer was heavily made up with prosthetics and his face was digitally added onto the back of Quirrell actor Ian Hart's head - with Hart also providing the voice for the malevolent wizard. When Voldemort finally regained his full strength in the fourth film, he was portrayed by Schindler's List actor Fiennes. Actor Hugh Bremmer candidly shared with Digital Spy, "The producers spent a long time fighting to get me so I'm very proud to have been the first. But the role is now being played by Ralph Fiennes, who is an old mate, in the fourth film," Bremmer said. "I've been in the business a long time and it didn't surprise me they just went for a bigger name, being Hollywood led, and I'm happy to pass it on to Ralph." Despite not reprising one of cinema's most iconic villain roles, Bremmer remains active in his acting career, featuring in the martial arts comedy 'Shanghai Nights', serving as an officer in 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker', and even appearing on 'Coronation Street' in 2004. In the world of Harry Potter films, Elizabeth Spriggs was known for her portrayal of The Fat Lady in the inaugural movie. Her character held the important role of protecting the Gryffindor Common Room, famously challenging students for the password. However, in a switch-up for the third instalment, Dawn French, a heavyweight in comedy, took over the mantle of The Fat Lady after director Christopher Columbus spotted her during a Harry Potter-themed Comic Relief sketch. Elizabeth Spriggs, a veteran actress of the Royal Shakespeare Company and known for her role in Harry Potter, went on to feature in popular TV series such as Heartbeat, Midsomer Murders and Agatha Christie's Poirot. Her last film appearance was in the 2008 British drama 'Is Anybody There? ', alongside Michael Caine. Tragically, Spriggs passed away at the age of 78 in June 2008, with her funeral attended by fellow actors Jeremy Irons and Peter Vaughan. Derek Deadman, known for his role in Doctor Who, portrayed Tom the Innkeeper in the first Harry Potter film. His character welcomed young Harry into Diagon Alley. Despite initially appearing friendly and relatively normal for a wizard, Tom underwent a complete transformation when he reappeared in the Prisoner of Azkaban. The once amiable barman had morphed into a creepy figure with a hunched back, bald head, and pointed ears - a depiction more aligned with his description in the books. Jim Tavaré took over the role for the third film, instructed to channel Igor from Young Frankenstein. Following his stint as Tom, Deadman retired from the film industry and moved to Frespech, France. He sadly passed away at the age of 74 in 2014 due to complications related to diabetes. In 2017, Tavaré was involved in a terrifying car crash that left him with severe injuries. The BAFTA-winning actor suffered over 30 broken bones, including his neck, and collapsed lungs. After a lengthy hospital stay and tough recovery period, Tavaré channelled his experience into a stage performance, aptly titled 'From deadpan to bedpan'. The character of Lavender Brown has been portrayed by several actors throughout the Harry Potter series, sparking some controversy. Kathleen Cauley first played her in Chamber of Secrets, before Jennifer Smith took over the role in Prisoner of Azkaban. Smith appeared in a few scenes, such as during a Divination lesson, but didn't have any lines and her character wasn't named. Lavender's role expanded significantly in Half-Blood Prince when she became Ron Weasley's girlfriend. Jessie Cave then stepped into the role, which led to accusations of 'white-washing' the cast as black actresses had previously played Lavender. Another controversy arose when Lavender was seen wearing Hufflepuff robes instead of Gryffindor in the second film, a mistake that was rectified in subsequent films. Cave has since become a mother to four children with comedian Alfie Brown. Most recently, the actress, comedian, and podcaster has launched an OnlyFans account for those attracted to very long hair. Richard Fish - Bill Weasley. Richard Fish's brief stint as Bill Weasley in 'The Prisoner of Azkaban' was a true blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo, where he featured in the background of a photo from the Weasley family's Egyptian holiday. Aside from Alex Crockford, who played Charlie Weasley in the same snapshot, all other Weasleys were portrayed by the main cast. Fish was on set for just a few days to shoot the magical moving picture and had hoped his role would expand in 'The Goblet of Fire'. In a chat with the Leaky Cauldron fan site, Fish shared his aspirations: "After Azkaban I had a talk with a few of the Assistant Directors over a couple of months and after they learned I was keen to return to hopefully make Bill have a larger presence, they confirmed that they were interested in re-hiring me for the job." Unfortunately, Fish's hopes were dashed as Bill Weasley was absent from 'The Goblet of Fire', and when the character did make a significant appearance later in the series, Domhnall Gleeson, son of Brendan Gleeson (Mad Eye Moody), had taken up the mantle for 'The Deathly Hallows Part 1 and 2'.
