Latest news with #LittleFiresEverywhere
SBS Australia
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- SBS Australia
A perfect suburban life is under threat when there are ‘Little Fires Everywhere'
A burning house, a distraught mother and the last remnants of a perfect suburban life engulfed in flames. It's the kind of opening to a series that immediately prompts questions about fault and blame, but Little Fires Everywhere is much more than a search for answers. Instead, every piece of the story becomes fuel to a blaze that was burning away quietly in the lives of those affected long before it was discovered. Based on American novelist Celeste Ng's award-winning book, which spent 47 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, and with production credits and starring roles held by Hollywood heavyweights Reese Witherspoon ( Big Little Lies, Legally Blonde) and Kerry Washington ( Scandal) , Little Fires Everywhere has every ingredient in the recipe for success. What it has achieved, however, far surpassed expectations, gaining five primetime Emmy nominations and asserting itself as one of the most compelling dramas of recent times. The opening scene is just the first indication of what is to come; Little Fires Everywhere is a series that packs serious emotional punch. The crumbling house is a far cry from the carefully curated life the Richardson family have enjoyed up to this point, molded and shaped by Elena Richardson (Witherspoon), a Shaker Heights fixture and family matriarch who is type A in every sense. Elena's relentless pursuit of perfection is not just a personal project, but one that extends to her husband, Bill (Joshua Jackson), and their four children, as she attempts to pass on a legacy of success and achievement that will preserve the family's dominance in Shaker. For Elena, life is something to be worked at, and there is no room for complacency. According to her, if you are prepared for anything, you can head off any disaster at the pass. At least in theory. The picture-perfect lives of the Richardson family, including Elena (Reese Witherspoon), are upended by the arrival of artist Mia Warren, and her daughter. Credit: Erin Simkin / Hulu Shaker Heights is, in itself, a stronghold of '90s American domestic idealism, complete with a neighbourhood watch, precisely manicured lawns and a comforting air of predictability. It would almost seem a parody of itself if not for the authenticity that cuts through thanks to the authorial voice of Ng that resonates throughout the adaptation, herself a former resident of the Ohio suburb. There couldn't be a more unlikely place for the nomadic Mia Warren (Washington) and her teenage daughter, Pearl (Lexi Underwood), to choose to settle, but circumstance and creative pursuits have led them straight into a world that demands conformity. An artist and single mother, Mia is the antithesis of the privileged Elena, and conformity is not her style, but when her search for a home sees their paths cross, the Warrens' and the Richardsons' lives are quickly interwoven. Mia (Kerry Washington) finds more than she expects in Shaker Heights. Credit: Erin Simkin / Hulu Despite the front of perfection she projects, Elena's own life is not without challenge. Her eldest daughter, Lexie (Jade Pettyjohn), might be her mini-me, but just like Elena, Lexie is an expert at hiding her true feelings, even from her mother. Elena's son, Moody ( Shrinking 's Gavin Lewis), has established a firm friendship with Pearl, but it is one that could cause friction within the family, especially as Pearl gets closer to his older brother, Trip (Jordan Elsass). Then there's Izzy (Megan Stott), who is on a mission to push Elena's buttons at every opportunity and finds a kindred spirit in the creative and free-spirited Mia. Though she appears to have reached the pinnacle of suburban existence, Elena is plagued by her own what ifs that refuse to be silenced, and flashbacks to her past reveal a life altogether different from the one she has created. With Pearl spending more time with the Richardson children, their shared desire to forge their own path and challenge the worldviews of their respective parents overcomes any difference of upbringing or experience. Though Mia couldn't be more different from Elena as a person and a parent, she is similar in her desire to shape her daughter's worldview, fierce in her rejection of the privileged world that the Richardsons inhabit and determined to keep Pearl grounded. Just like Elena, Mia finds herself forced to relent, or risk damaging her relationship with her daughter for good but choosing to do so brings with it an unwelcome permanency to their life in Shaker Heights. Pearl (Lexi Underwood) and Moody (Gavin Lewis). Credit: Erin Simkin / Hulu Motherhood is central to the series, going beyond the contrast between Elena and Mia's parenting styles. When Mia gets involved in a colleague's complex adoption case, motivated by what she believes is an obvious and obscene injustice, she unwittingly dives headfirst back into the Richardson's world. The two women that anchor this series are once again in opposition, this time on conflicting sides of a heart-wrenching situation that prompts them to reflect on what being a mother means to them, what it has cost them and what they would be prepared to do to protect their children. Little Fires Everywhere feels entirely contemporary at times, until pivotal moments that unflinchingly depict the realities of 1990s gender inequality, racial discrimination and social attitudes hand the audience a firm reminder. Though the series inhabits a world of not that long ago, it is one that is clearly many steps behind, evoking a disbelief and discomfort at times that only serves to enhance the implications of these experiences for the characters they impact. Just as fire has duality, bringing destruction and pain, whilst being the very thing that purifies and cleanses, the sparks that ignite in each instalment of Little Fires Everywhere ultimately lead to an inferno, both literal and metaphorical, that forever changes these two families. Whether the series reveals it to be their undoing, or the making of them, one thing is for certain: the truth can only be hidden for so long. Little Fires Everywhere premieres Saturday 16 August on SBS On Demand , with all episodes streaming. Episodes also air weekly at SBS VICELAND starting Saturday 16 August at 8.30pm.
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Unlikeable OCD crime solver is hard to watch
To tell you the truth, I'm a bit tired of this TV trope where people with OCD or on the autism spectrum seem to have magical abilities to solve crime. As far as TV seems to think, they're the only people clever enough to crack cases. Such is the case with Professor T, where title character Prof Jasper Tempest has a big case of OCD. And might be a bit of a germaphobe too, given his habit of wearing rubber gloves everywhere. He's a very unlikable character, rude to pretty much everyone he meets - which makes it impossible to like him. In this episode he's reluctantly called in to solve a series of violent attacks on a university campus. His stunning breakthrough? Having an amnesiac victim close her eyes and think really hard about the incident until she remembers something. That's not even the only dumb thing about this episode. There was a third victim who fell down a flight of stairs, knocked herself out and is in a coma. Yet, even though she was found unconscious at the bottom of the stairs and hasn't been able to say anything to police, they make a great leap and decide she was another victim. How? Lazy scriptwriting is my guess. As is increasingly the case these days, this is a free-to-air screening of a series that was on a streaming service several years ago. Based on the book by Celeste Ng it first aired in 2020. But that long delay is no reason not to watch Little Fires Everywhere. It's not possible to keep up with all the TV shows available on the 876 different streaming platforms and you'd go broke if you subscribed to them all anyway. So here is your chance to watch a pretty good drama series for free. The series is about the Richardson family, which is led by wife Elena. Husband Bill (played by Pacey from Dawson's Creek) appears here and there, but he's kind of a bit player. Elena tends to get all up in other people's business and thinks she's helping them out - though she really isn't. She decides to rent out the place she owns to artist Mia Warren and her daughter Pearl and then, in her busybody way, sees she works as a waitress and offers her a job as their maid. Understandably that doesn't go down well. The series kicks off with a fire in the house, which was deliberately lit. I haven't read the book or seen anything beyond the first episode but I reckon the mystery that will travel through the series is just who lit the fire. The mark of a good music doco is that you find it interesting even if you have not the slightest bit of interest in the music of the band. That's the case for me with Boyzone - couldn't name even one of their songs. And if the members passed me in the street I wouldn't recognise them. But I still found this show (this is the third of a three-episode series) very interesting. That's in part because it's not really a show about their music but rather the friction behind the scenes. Friction between the band and manager Louis Walsh and between each other - especially when Ronan Keating decides to embark on a solo career. There's the added sadness of the sudden death of band member Kevin Gately and another member who has no interest in reforming the band. All the surviving members and the manager are interviewed - and they're all quite open about the tensions within the band. While it didn't make me want to go and listen to Boyzone, this final episode did make me want to go back and watch the first two. To tell you the truth, I'm a bit tired of this TV trope where people with OCD or on the autism spectrum seem to have magical abilities to solve crime. As far as TV seems to think, they're the only people clever enough to crack cases. Such is the case with Professor T, where title character Prof Jasper Tempest has a big case of OCD. And might be a bit of a germaphobe too, given his habit of wearing rubber gloves everywhere. He's a very unlikable character, rude to pretty much everyone he meets - which makes it impossible to like him. In this episode he's reluctantly called in to solve a series of violent attacks on a university campus. His stunning breakthrough? Having an amnesiac victim close her eyes and think really hard about the incident until she remembers something. That's not even the only dumb thing about this episode. There was a third victim who fell down a flight of stairs, knocked herself out and is in a coma. Yet, even though she was found unconscious at the bottom of the stairs and hasn't been able to say anything to police, they make a great leap and decide she was another victim. How? Lazy scriptwriting is my guess. As is increasingly the case these days, this is a free-to-air screening of a series that was on a streaming service several years ago. Based on the book by Celeste Ng it first aired in 2020. But that long delay is no reason not to watch Little Fires Everywhere. It's not possible to keep up with all the TV shows available on the 876 different streaming platforms and you'd go broke if you subscribed to them all anyway. So here is your chance to watch a pretty good drama series for free. The series is about the Richardson family, which is led by wife Elena. Husband Bill (played by Pacey from Dawson's Creek) appears here and there, but he's kind of a bit player. Elena tends to get all up in other people's business and thinks she's helping them out - though she really isn't. She decides to rent out the place she owns to artist Mia Warren and her daughter Pearl and then, in her busybody way, sees she works as a waitress and offers her a job as their maid. Understandably that doesn't go down well. The series kicks off with a fire in the house, which was deliberately lit. I haven't read the book or seen anything beyond the first episode but I reckon the mystery that will travel through the series is just who lit the fire. The mark of a good music doco is that you find it interesting even if you have not the slightest bit of interest in the music of the band. That's the case for me with Boyzone - couldn't name even one of their songs. And if the members passed me in the street I wouldn't recognise them. But I still found this show (this is the third of a three-episode series) very interesting. That's in part because it's not really a show about their music but rather the friction behind the scenes. Friction between the band and manager Louis Walsh and between each other - especially when Ronan Keating decides to embark on a solo career. There's the added sadness of the sudden death of band member Kevin Gately and another member who has no interest in reforming the band. All the surviving members and the manager are interviewed - and they're all quite open about the tensions within the band. While it didn't make me want to go and listen to Boyzone, this final episode did make me want to go back and watch the first two. To tell you the truth, I'm a bit tired of this TV trope where people with OCD or on the autism spectrum seem to have magical abilities to solve crime. As far as TV seems to think, they're the only people clever enough to crack cases. Such is the case with Professor T, where title character Prof Jasper Tempest has a big case of OCD. And might be a bit of a germaphobe too, given his habit of wearing rubber gloves everywhere. He's a very unlikable character, rude to pretty much everyone he meets - which makes it impossible to like him. In this episode he's reluctantly called in to solve a series of violent attacks on a university campus. His stunning breakthrough? Having an amnesiac victim close her eyes and think really hard about the incident until she remembers something. That's not even the only dumb thing about this episode. There was a third victim who fell down a flight of stairs, knocked herself out and is in a coma. Yet, even though she was found unconscious at the bottom of the stairs and hasn't been able to say anything to police, they make a great leap and decide she was another victim. How? Lazy scriptwriting is my guess. As is increasingly the case these days, this is a free-to-air screening of a series that was on a streaming service several years ago. Based on the book by Celeste Ng it first aired in 2020. But that long delay is no reason not to watch Little Fires Everywhere. It's not possible to keep up with all the TV shows available on the 876 different streaming platforms and you'd go broke if you subscribed to them all anyway. So here is your chance to watch a pretty good drama series for free. The series is about the Richardson family, which is led by wife Elena. Husband Bill (played by Pacey from Dawson's Creek) appears here and there, but he's kind of a bit player. Elena tends to get all up in other people's business and thinks she's helping them out - though she really isn't. She decides to rent out the place she owns to artist Mia Warren and her daughter Pearl and then, in her busybody way, sees she works as a waitress and offers her a job as their maid. Understandably that doesn't go down well. The series kicks off with a fire in the house, which was deliberately lit. I haven't read the book or seen anything beyond the first episode but I reckon the mystery that will travel through the series is just who lit the fire. The mark of a good music doco is that you find it interesting even if you have not the slightest bit of interest in the music of the band. That's the case for me with Boyzone - couldn't name even one of their songs. And if the members passed me in the street I wouldn't recognise them. But I still found this show (this is the third of a three-episode series) very interesting. That's in part because it's not really a show about their music but rather the friction behind the scenes. Friction between the band and manager Louis Walsh and between each other - especially when Ronan Keating decides to embark on a solo career. There's the added sadness of the sudden death of band member Kevin Gately and another member who has no interest in reforming the band. All the surviving members and the manager are interviewed - and they're all quite open about the tensions within the band. While it didn't make me want to go and listen to Boyzone, this final episode did make me want to go back and watch the first two. To tell you the truth, I'm a bit tired of this TV trope where people with OCD or on the autism spectrum seem to have magical abilities to solve crime. As far as TV seems to think, they're the only people clever enough to crack cases. Such is the case with Professor T, where title character Prof Jasper Tempest has a big case of OCD. And might be a bit of a germaphobe too, given his habit of wearing rubber gloves everywhere. He's a very unlikable character, rude to pretty much everyone he meets - which makes it impossible to like him. In this episode he's reluctantly called in to solve a series of violent attacks on a university campus. His stunning breakthrough? Having an amnesiac victim close her eyes and think really hard about the incident until she remembers something. That's not even the only dumb thing about this episode. There was a third victim who fell down a flight of stairs, knocked herself out and is in a coma. Yet, even though she was found unconscious at the bottom of the stairs and hasn't been able to say anything to police, they make a great leap and decide she was another victim. How? Lazy scriptwriting is my guess. As is increasingly the case these days, this is a free-to-air screening of a series that was on a streaming service several years ago. Based on the book by Celeste Ng it first aired in 2020. But that long delay is no reason not to watch Little Fires Everywhere. It's not possible to keep up with all the TV shows available on the 876 different streaming platforms and you'd go broke if you subscribed to them all anyway. So here is your chance to watch a pretty good drama series for free. The series is about the Richardson family, which is led by wife Elena. Husband Bill (played by Pacey from Dawson's Creek) appears here and there, but he's kind of a bit player. Elena tends to get all up in other people's business and thinks she's helping them out - though she really isn't. She decides to rent out the place she owns to artist Mia Warren and her daughter Pearl and then, in her busybody way, sees she works as a waitress and offers her a job as their maid. Understandably that doesn't go down well. The series kicks off with a fire in the house, which was deliberately lit. I haven't read the book or seen anything beyond the first episode but I reckon the mystery that will travel through the series is just who lit the fire. The mark of a good music doco is that you find it interesting even if you have not the slightest bit of interest in the music of the band. That's the case for me with Boyzone - couldn't name even one of their songs. And if the members passed me in the street I wouldn't recognise them. But I still found this show (this is the third of a three-episode series) very interesting. That's in part because it's not really a show about their music but rather the friction behind the scenes. Friction between the band and manager Louis Walsh and between each other - especially when Ronan Keating decides to embark on a solo career. There's the added sadness of the sudden death of band member Kevin Gately and another member who has no interest in reforming the band. All the surviving members and the manager are interviewed - and they're all quite open about the tensions within the band. While it didn't make me want to go and listen to Boyzone, this final episode did make me want to go back and watch the first two.
Daily Mirror
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'Phenomenal' psychological drama is now available to stream for free
Little Fires Everywhere has been described as a 'masterpiece' and has now become available to stream for free on Channel 4. Channel 4 viewers are in for a treat with the new addition to their streaming service, Little Fires Everywhere, which first graced screens in 2020 and was a hit on Prime Video before it departed last month. This gripping eight-part drama has already made waves on Disney+ since May and has now expanded its reach by joining Channel 4's offering. Adapted from Celeste Ng's acclaimed 2017 novel, Little Fires Everywhere delves into the complex lives of two contrasting suburban families at loggerheads. The official synopsis teases: "Little Fires Everywhere follows the intertwined fates of the picture-perfect Richardson family and the enigmatic mother and daughter who upend their lives. "The story explores the weight of secrets, the nature of art and identity, the ferocious pull of motherhood – and the danger in believing that following the rules can avert disaster." A-list talent Reese Witherspoon takes on the role of Elena Richardson, while Kerry Washington breathes life into Mia Warren, the other pivotal maternal character, reports Surrey Live. Jesse Williams of Grey's Anatomy fame, along with Joshua Jackson, Anika Noni Rose, and Lexi Underwood, round out the stellar cast. Critics and audiences have lavished praise on the show, with Rotten Tomatoes reflecting an impressive 79 percent approval rating, leading some to proclaim Little Fires Everywhere as nothing short of a 'masterpiece'. One viewer couldn't contain their admiration, stating: "An absolute masterpiece. What a masterclass in writing, plot twists and character development. The whole cast was impeccable, an outstanding level of acting." Another person shared their thoughts, adding: "Couldn't stop watching. "Little Fires Everywhere" is a series that shows that life is about choices and secrets. Some are good and some are bad. It also makes you question if you are where you need/want to be in this world. Oh and it's also just a great drama well acted all the way around." Another fan commented: "Was very good and kept me guessing until the end." Meanwhile, a fellow enthusiast exclaimed: "PHENOMENAL!!! Please God, don't let this end after eight episodes." Kerry Washington discussed her experience on set with Digital Spy, revealing that she and Reese had motivated each other during filming. She explained: "When you see that transformation happen on Reese's face, I was not saying the things that you're hearing on screen. I was saying other things to try to help her drop into that moment." Little Fires Everywhere is available to stream now on Channel 4 and Disney+ in the UK.
Metro
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
UK viewers can now watch 'masterpiece' Amazon Prime drama for free
A 'gripping' drama based on a best-selling book is now available to watch in the UK for free. Released in 2020, Little Fires Everywhere was based on the novel of the same name by Celeste Ng which reached number 1 on The New York Times fiction best-seller list. The story follows 'the intertwined fates of the picture-perfect Richardson family and an enigmatic mother and daughter who upend their lives'. 'The story explores the weight of secrets, the nature of art and identity, the ferocious pull of motherhood – and the danger in believing that following the rules can avert disaster,' the official synopsis explained. The eight-part series stars Reese Witherspoon as Elena Richardson, a journalist and mother-of-four, while Kerry Washington is Mia Warren, a single mum and artist who moves around regularly with her teenage daughter. The story is told between two time periods – in 1997 when the Richardson's house is set alight from inside, and four years earlier, from Mia's mysterious past live to when she starts working as a housekeeper for the wealthy family, who live in Ohio. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video It also explores the family's opposing views when a custody battle erupts over the adoption of a Chinese American baby. After initially being released on Amazon Prime, this week the show dropped on Channel 4, where UK viewers can now catch up for free. The series was both a critical and commercial success, being nominated for 3 Emmy Awards. 'Writer Liz Tigelaar explores a lot of interesting questions about motherhood and racial appropriation, and the supporting actors are all excellent, even as their characters are, by design, eclipsed by Elena and Mia,' Rolling Stone wrote in its review. 'At just eight episodes, it doesn't demand a huge commitment, and while it's highly bingeable, it has plenty of real substance, too. Each episode ends so enticingly poised that it's hard not to let the next one play,' The Sydney Morning Herald shared. 'This Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington co-production ticks many boxes, thanks to its ability to meld comedy, teen drama and a stark portrayal of class inequality,' The Irish Independent added. Meanwhile viewers called it an 'absolute masterpiece', 'gripping' and 'compelling'. Ahead of the show's initial release Reese, who was also an executive producer, explained: 'We strive to shine a light on female-driven stories that are rooted in inspiration, emotion and truth—all of which form the bedrock of Celeste Ng's ingenious work…we are confident that [Hulu's] talented team will use this story to spur a long-overdue dialogue around race, class, and what it means to be a mother.' More Trending Speaking to Metro in 2020, she also explained: 'I felt like it was a challenge that we took on, I mean definitely [it was] one of the hardest things I've ever done. 'It does tackle so many different issues, you know we talk about motherhood from so many perspectives, but also race, American privilege, homophobia, the immigrant experience.' 'We wanted to do that in a way that was genuine and honest. It was an incredible experience to be able to talk about those things so freely with a group of women who were leaders on this project.' View More » Little Fires Everywhere is streaming on Channel 4. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: How Clean Is Your House? star Aggie MacKenzie pays tribute to 'tormented soul' Kim Woodburn after death MORE: Netflix viewers sobbing as WWE match gets stopped due to 'freak' injury MORE: Project Runway star Arthur Folasa Ah Loo fatally shot at anti-Trump protest
Metro
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Netflix viewers have days to binge 'phenomenal' drama before new episodes drop
Got any nice plans for the week? Maybe a big work project you need to finish or a hot date? Well, cancel them now because there's a new Netflix show coming and you've only got days to prepare. Yes, I know that sounds dramatic, but this isn't any old Netflix show. This is Ginny and Georgia season 3 we're talking about. If somehow, though, you've never heard of the comedy-drama, which is unlikely considering it's one of the streaming giant's most-watched shows, allow us to explain what it's about. The series follows a daughter and mother, Ginny and Georgia, as they try and settle down after years on the run. Sadly, though, Georgia's past has an unfortunate habit of catching up with her, threatening the stability of their new home. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. This all culminated in a dramatic season 2 cliffhanger, which we won't spoil here, but needless it involves a wedding, the police, and a murder. It's basically a slightly pulpier version of Little Fires Everywhere or Big Little Lies in that it's about women dealing with some pretty dark secrets. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Perhaps unexpectedly, considering it's basically a TV soap of sorts, the show has divided critics with the general consensus being it's good, not great. As such, it's only scored a rather middling 64% on Rotten Tomatoes, with its most excoriating critic being Alison Stine from Salon. 'Ginny & Georgia operates in its own universe, one where the rules of physics don't seem to apply,' Stine's review reads. 'Events happen fast and dramatically. Consequences, rarely at all. And in its second season, the show has a major tone problem.' But it does have its defenders, including Kristen Maldonado from Pop Culture Planet, who labelled the show 'fun' and 'enjoyable'. It's also worth noting that the show has a far more respectable audience score of 75% on Rotten Tomatoes, and the series has been a huge hit for Netflix. 52 million subscribers watched the first season inthe first 28 days after its release, while globally, people spent 381 million hours binge-watching the mother and daughter's misadventures. More Trending This wasn't a one-off hit either; globally, viewers spent 504.77 million hours watching the second series, which (at the time) made it one of Netflix's biggest shows ever. Since then, fans have spent years waiting to see what's next for Ginny and Georgia, so we're expecting a similar tidal wave of viewers, and you don't want to miss out on the fun, do you? So book that day off, cancel those plans, and settle in for some fun. Ginny and Georgia season three will be available to watch on Netflix from June 5, 2025. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. View More » MORE: Furious WWE fans 'hijack' major Raw matches after heartbreaking cuts MORE: Netflix set to drop major Led Zeppelin documentary that's missing one key part MORE: 16 and Pregnant star Whitney Purvis 'living a nightmare' after son Weston dies aged 16
